Clergy -- Canada -- Fiction; Russo-Japanese War, 1904-1905 -- Fiction
As the summer advanced, Mr. Devoau invited Mr. Melvin to take a trip to
Ottawa with him, as he was going to visit his parents for a day. The
invitation was accepted, and these two kindred spirits started off on
an early train for Canada's beautiful capital, where they were met by
Mr. Devoau, senior, who heartily welcomed the friend and colleague of
his son. As they walked toward the home of the Devoau family, whom
should they meet but the Right Hon. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Prime Minister
of Canada, who was out for a stroll, and with whom the elder Devoau was
well acquainted. Both preachers were at once introduced to the
Premier, who was very gracious and genial. Mr. Devoau said they were
having a day's recreation after their recent teachings. Sir Wilfrid
said: "I will not ask what those teachings were, as I am sure they were
all right." Mr. Melvin said: "They were not exactly like those of the
Scotchman, who was asked if his health was good, and he said, 'I am no
verry weel the day, for last nicht I was teaching the bairnies doon at
the hall hoo to vote.'" Said he, "We are not exactly teaching people
how to vote, but we are trying to pound sin out of them." The Premier
then made the hit of the day when he said, "Get all the sin out of them
and they will vote right."
After a splendid day, during which they visited the noble pile on
Parliament Hill and had a sail in a steam launch on the majestic river,
the pastors of the tabernacle returned to Carsville, where at the Young
People's meeting the senior minister related their experiences while in
Canada's beauty spot, as the capital city might be called. He told of
meeting the Premier and of his friendliness and geniality. "This
country," said he, "has had gentlemen in that position, and it has had
statesmen for prime ministers, but it never so strikingly combined the
two great qualities as in the person of him whose name will be engraven
with a surpassing lustre upon the bead-roll of the nation, and the name
will be that of the Right Hon. Sir Wilfrid Laurier."
Mr. Melvin, who did not feel quite so strong recently, thought of
seeking a much-needed rest in retirement for a time at least, now that
his colleague was immensely popular, and could now handle the entire
congregation, though it never was so large. However, just as he was
preparing for this move an invitation came to him to enter upon higher
educational work, which he at once accepted, saying that, he would
still preach and teach, and would really have a larger field in which
to do good, and the change of air and scene would be as good as a rest.
The people of Carsville expressed much regret at the departure of one
who was known as an admirable citizen as well as an able and effective
minister. Mr. Melvin, however, always told them that he was leaving
with them a man after his own heart.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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