“I wish to add that this is not necessarily to say that one system of placement of ministers is better than another. I do not wish to get into that here. I will simply say it often depends on the character of the people operating the system, and what often long standing prides, prejudices and false concepts they are ruled by.
“From the very beginning of their arrival at their congregation in Terraprima, the Lawton’s could not help but notice that generally the members were going all out to be friendly to them. Durwin had already heard that there had been a difficult relationship there with the previous minister. So he assumed they were determined that their relationship with him would be better. He and Canda responded with friendliness, kindness, and cooperation.
“Soon the life on a higher plane that Durwin and Canda always strived to promote began to rub off and take effect on many. For example, now when there was a fellowship meal served at church for any occasion, the tables were more daintily set, whereas near the beginning of their arrival they were rather slovenly placed. Worship was conducted in a semi-formal manner which allowed for inspiration that comes with an air of dignity, which in turn promotes the awesomeness of God’s presence. Throughout the service, and particularly in the sermon, Durwin concentrated more on meaningful content than on highly animated and excitable action. Most people liked his worship services and were spiritually moved by them. No later than his second Sunday there did he get an enormous response to them by parishioners.
“It became notable how people settled down in the pews when sermon time came. Again for example, one scholarly type woman, on Durwin’s first Sunday there, scrutinized Durwin throughout the whole service. On the second Sunday clutching hymn book in hand, she did so again until about quarter ways into the sermon. Suddenly she relaxed, quickly placed the hymn book on the pew beside her, folded her arms loosely, settled down in the pew more comfortably, and with a smile that showed her pleasure, became totally absorbed in the sermon and the remainder of the service. After only two or three Sundays more of Durwin’s ministry there, by far the majority of the congregation responded in a similarly positive manner. It remained so for approximately two years.
“As I mentioned before, during that time Durwin had occasion to request a letter of reference from the chief administrative officer of the church of the area. In the letter, this officer described Durwin’s ministry as ‘excellent’. At the same time, another letter from an official in high places who often acted on behalf of the church described his performance in all aspects of life as ‘superior.’ Still another official of the church at large with a position of responsibility remarked to a friend who passed it on to Durwin, ‘whatever Durwin is doing in that church, tell him to keep on doing it.’ The response to Durwin’s ministry was excellent.”
Collin paused as the group members listened intently for more. Then he broke the silence with a question, “How then, with a ministry like that did Durwin end up as he did, demoted and in future relegated to small country churches with little potential and a much smaller salary, and eventually so battered and maligned he had to find a way out of that area altogether?”
Leo, who had been listening with joy to the story of Durwin’s brief success and who was now deflated at the obvious outcome, blurted out with his characteristic emotion, “I’ll tell you how it happened, as if you don’t already know,’ he said angrily, ‘the envious rotten belittlers went to work on him, and few if any of the others were wise to them.”
“Right,” said Collin. “In fact they started working on him not far from the beginning in a mild sort of way. In time it intensified, and then, when the belittlers could stand excellence no longer, they toppled him. And as you say, few others of the congregation were wise to them, so there was no understanding type of help for Durwin and Canda.”
Gilda spoke, “I suppose the administration of the church area, with its bias, as it calls it, towards the so called ‘little guy,’ and their ‘down with the so called big shots’, dealt the final belittling blow to Durwin on behalf of the local church?”
“Yes, Gilda, it did,” replied Collin.
“Inadvertently or otherwise, I suppose, “said Gilda.
“Inadvertently ‘and’ otherwise, I would say,” added Collin, emphasizing the ‘and’. “But you can make up your own minds about that yourselves as you hear Durwin’s story.”
Owen looked on in grim silence as a cloud of doubt enveloped his hope for his future. Would he, or -would he not ever find a future where his gifted spirit would be free from the shackles of belittlers, he thought in his literary mind; a freedom that -would allow him to give to the world to his fullest extent the abundance it has to offer; freedom to receive what the world has in store for a person who gives his best- dignity, respect, acceptance, things like that; things that are a far cry from the oppression, rivalry and mental cruelty of belittlers.
Collin read Owen’s face. “Don’t be too discouraged yet, Owen,” he said. “You are young, and Terraprima is big. You have ample time to find your way. Durwin was older, and time ran out on him. It won’t be a bed of roses for you, but you will learn from this group how to better your chances. Be optimistic, Owen. You have done well so far, haven’t you?”
“Yes, I have,” Owen said, as he perked up a little. “Sure, I have done well in spite of all the belittlers. And the cautious optimism that sometimes settles in on me will eventually replace my grave doubts and will in time serve me well. It won’t be a shock to me now when I don’t find that bed of roses.”
“Good,” said Collin as he smiled in return.
He continued, “Without further delay I will relate to you some of the devious trickery of the belittlers in the local church. At first the tactics were passive in nature, but later as Durwin made progress, passivity was replaced by hostility. The devious tactics of belittlers are numerous, so as I tell you the basics of the story of Durwin and Canda, I will include enough of them to give you a picture of the kind of life they were subjected to.
“As I mentioned earlier, the people of Durwin’s congregation, having had difficulty with previous ministers, now had the desire to treat this one well and to get along with him. They had the desire, but not the character within them to do so. As the saying goes, ‘they just didn’t have it in them’, as you will see.
“One of these, who held high office in the local church, said to Durwin on several occasions, in an overly nice manner, ‘You are to be our leader now. We will be directed by you.’ Durwin was pleased to hear that. So many churches want the minister to be the good little puppet on their string, so this was a pleasant beginning. Regardless though, Durwin knew enough to move slowly on any changes he wished to bring about. On another day, this same person in conversation with Durwin said, ‘We want you to take a day off each week, why don’t you take Mondays as your day off?’
“There were two reasons why Durwin was hesitant about taking Monday as his day off. The first he wasn’t ready to discuss yet. It was because in time his wife would be taking a secular job, working Monday through Friday, and he would want to have Saturday free with her. Some congregations have an aversion to minister’s wives working. Durwin would prepare the congregation for this in due time.
“The second reason Durwin had for not taking Monday as his day off was sufficient to discuss at the present time. He said to the person concerned, ‘I would rather take my time to decide about my day off. As far as Mondays go, this church has practically all its meetings scheduled for Monday evenings. There may not be any reason to change that. Just give me a little time on it and I’ll decide.’
“The man’s face dropped. Obviously he hadn’t given any previous thought to the fact that in that church Monday evenings were prime time for regularly scheduled church meetings of various committees. He