CHAPTER II _Deacon and Priest_ Ever since he left college Cheshire had been conscious of a growing desire to become a candidate for Holy Orders. Not long after his marriage he spoke to his wife of this aspiration, and told her he had now decided to present himself to the Bishop. He had not come to this decision earlier because he was determined not to go into the ministry until he had made a success of what he was doing at that time. He would not enter the ministry as a failure from another field of work. By the middle of 1876 he decided that he was making a respectable living for his wife and himself. He thereupon told his father of his decision and sent Bishop Atkinson his application. Shortly afterwards the Bishop accepted him as a candidate for Holy Orders, and Cheshire began preparing himself for his new work. It was Cheshire's original plan to attend the General Theological Seminary in New York for a year or two, but Bishop Atkinson and his father dissuaded him from this course because they objected to the Dean of the Seminary and because they felt that its ritualistic influences were too strong. Bishop Atkinson thought that, since Cheshire had had a good classical education, had pursued intellectual interests, and had been reared in a clergyman's family, he could quite adequately do his preparatory work at home. Cheshire accepted the Bishop's advice, and at once began a well laid-out course of reading. He had already read a good many ecclesiastical works, since he had been contemplating this step for some time. At the end of 1877 he gave up his connection with the Pamlico Insurance and Banking Company, and soon afterwards concluded his legal affairs. In September, 1877, he went to Raleigh to stand his examinations for the diaconate before Rev. Dr. Matthias M. Marshall and Rev. John E. C. Smedes. Having passed his examinations acceptably, Cheshire was ordained deacon by Bishop Atkinson on April 21, 1878, in Calvary Church, Tarboro. His father presented him for ordination. The following Sunday he assisted his father in the morning service and preached his first sermon. Thus he was launched upon a new career in which he was to rise to heights far beyond his modest dreams.