The two rode in silence for a while. Presently the teamster asked: “Professional man?”
“Yes,” answered Lorimer, who was thinking of a bill he had pending before the House.
After another long pause, the farmer observed: “Say, you ain’t a lawyer or you’d be talkin’; you ain’t a doctor ’cause you ain’t got no satchel, and you shore ain’t a preacher, from the looks of you. What is your profession, anyhow?”
“I am a politician,” replied Lorimer.
The Marylander gave a snort of disgust “Politics ain’t no profession; politics is a disorder.”
(2406)
POPULARITY
John Wesley keenly appreciated the dangers that attend public favor.
Among the quaint but intensely practical counsels he gives are some as to the art of escaping popularity:
How shall we avoid popularity? We mean such esteem and love from the people as is not for the glory of God. 1. Earnestly pray for a piercing sense of the danger and the sinfulness of it. 2. Take care how you ingratiate yourself with any people by slackness of discipline. 3. Or by any method which another preacher can not follow. 4. Warn the people among whom you are most of esteeming or loving you too much. 5. Converse sparingly with those who are particularly fond of you.