"What is it, sir?" Ray asked, with some idea now of what the matter to be "talked over" was.
"You know," explained Mr. Carleton, "that I have, since the organization of the church there, been the acting pastor. I have gone down to them at least once in two months, have secured them occasional supplies, and baptized the new members; but I cannot with my work here do the work that ought to be done down there. In consultation with Mr. Bacon, your brother George, and Sailor Jack, all of whom have a deep interest in the little church there, I find we have but one opinion. It is that I should still keep the oversight of the church, but that I should be provided with an assistant. I have named you as the one whom I prefer for that position, and the officer's of the Wenton Church have approved my choice.
"The plan I have in view is this: You are to go there and preach to that people at least once each week, and conduct such other services as in your judgment are for the best interest of the field. You will do such pastoral work as seems to you will be the most efficacious in the reaching of that people. At times when an ordained minister is needed there, you will simply change with me for the day. If the plan proves successful, this will be your work throughout your college course, as you can readily come down from the city Saturday afternoons and return Monday mornings in time for your studies. Whenever the work is too hard for you, we will lighten it so you need in no way neglect your college duties. A compensation sufficient to meet all of your actual wants will be paid by the church, and it seems to me there are two marked advantages from the plan: the church will have fuller services than it can secure in any other way until it becomes strong enough for a settled pastor, and you, on the other hand, under my direction and with my help, will be gaining an experience that will be invaluable in your life work. Were you younger, I should have hesitated to suggest such a plan to you, but with your age, and an unusual maturity even for your years, I can see no harm to yourself in this undertaking, while there will evidently be much that will be advantageous. Should you need a little time to think this over, it will be given you; but doubtless you can even now tell how the plan impresses you."
"I am ready to do any work for my Master," Ray replied. "It may be poorly and feebly done; but it shall be the best I can do. Any time in the judgment of yourself and the Wenton people it would be wiser for you to have some other assistant, I will lay down the work. When shall I begin?"
"This coming Sunday, if you can get ready for it," answered Mr. Carleton; "and now let us ask the Lord to bless our arrangement."
The two knelt there and prayed together with an earnestness and faith, which can only come from hearts fully consecrated to the Lord, and that desire to know and do his will.
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me," Ray solemnly affirmed, in inspired words, as he laid his hand in his pastor's for a moment before going.
"Amen," heartily assented Mr. Carleton, warmly shaking the proffered hand, and adding, as a parting benediction: "He shall give his angels charge concerning thee, to keep thee in all thy ways."
Ray entered into his appointed work with a joy such as he had never known before. It seemed a little nearer the goal for which he was striving than anything he had yet undertaken. He prepared himself as carefully as possible for his pulpit ministrations, and then left his notes behind and talked to his hearers as the Spirit gave him utterance. His messages came warm from the heart, and they went to the heart. The little church took on new life. Its members were aroused to activity. The unsaved were visited and prayed with. The result proved that the Spirit could work upon the hearts of men even in the summer months, and during the vacation season. Many came inquiring the way of salvation; nor did they inquire in vain. Early in August Mr. Carleton came down, and spent a Sunday at Wenton, and baptized a score of believers, while Ray went up to Afton to supply the pulpit of the First Church.
He had many misgivings as to his fitness, and acceptableness to his hearers; but when Mr. Carleton arranged the exchange, he did not make a single objection. It was a part of his work, and he accepted it with the determination to do the best he could. Mrs. Carleton was out of town, and the parsonage was closed; so he went to his Afton home at the Lawton Cottage for entertainment over Sunday.