was voted unanimously to extend you a call to become pastor of this
church at a salary of two thousand dollars a year. We trust that you
will find it in accordance with the will of the Head of the Church to
accept this decision on the part of Calvary Church and become its
pastor. The church is in good condition and has the hearty support of
most of the leading families in the town. It is the strongest in
membership and financially of the seven principal churches here. We
await your reply, confidently hoping you will decide to come to us. We
have been without a settled pastor now for nearly a year, since the
death of Dr. Brown, and we have united upon you as the person most
eminently fitted to fill the pulpit of Calvary Church. The grace of our
Lord be with you. In behalf of the Church,

WILLIAM WINTER,
_Chairman of the Board of Trustees_.

"What do you think of that, Sarah?" asked Philip Strong, as he finished
the letter.

"Two thousand dollars is twice as much as you are getting now, Philip."

"What, you mercenary little creature, do you think of the salary first?"

"If I did not think of it once in a while, I doubt if you would have a
decent meal or a good suit of clothes," replied the minister's wife,
looking at him with a smile.

"Oh, well, that may be, Sarah. But let me read you the other letter," he
went on without discussing the salary matter.