A Call to Quit
by Ambrose Bierce
The Pastor Who Walked on His Hands
Pastor Mike was sad. Not many people came to church. Some people fell asleep. He saw empty seats. People closed their eyes. Pastor Mike felt very bad. He wanted more people. He wanted them to listen.
One Sunday, Pastor Mike stopped talking. He had a new idea. He went down the steps. He put his hands on the floor. He walked on his hands. He went down the middle aisle. His feet were up high. People watched him. They were very surprised. He moved very fast. It was a strange sight.
Pastor Mike came back. He stood up tall. He went to the pulpit. He started to talk again. He did not say sorry. He acted very normal. People still looked surprised. They did not know what to say.
Pastor Mike went home. He felt very happy. "Many people will come now," he thought. "They will not sleep." He smiled big. He thought he was very smart. All people would watch him. His church would be full. He would be a great pastor.
Days passed by. The Church Bosses came. They visited Pastor Mike. They knocked on his door. They looked very stern. They had words to say.
The Church Bosses spoke. "Pastor Mike," they said. "We need a new way. We need new things." "You cannot be pastor." "We want a new leader." Pastor Mike felt very sad. He did not know. His face was long.
"We found a new person," they said. "He is Jojo the trick man." "He is from a circus." "He is good at tricks." "He will be pastor." "He does good moves." Pastor Mike was very surprised. He could not believe it.
"Jojo starts next Sunday." "He will talk good things." "He will do big tricks." "He might fall down." "He makes church fun." "People will come." The Church Bosses looked happy. Pastor Mike looked very sad. His plan did not work. He lost his job. So, Mr. Jojo the trick man came. He would talk or do a big trick! Pastor Mike
Original Story
A Call to Quit
Seeing that his audiences were becoming smaller every Sunday, a Minister of the Gospel broke off in the midst of a sermon, descended the pulpit stairs, and walked on his hands down the central aisle of the church. He then remounted his feet, ascended to the pulpit, and resumed his discourse, making no allusion to the incident.
“Now,” said he to himself, as he went home, “I shall have, henceforth, a large attendance and no snoring.”
But on the following Friday he was waited upon by the Pillars of the Church, who informed him that in order to be in harmony with the New Theology and get full advantage of modern methods of Gospel interpretation they had deemed it advisable to make a change. They had therefore sent a call to Brother Jowjeetum-Fallal, the World-Renowned Hindoo Human Pin-Wheel, then holding forth in Hoopitup’s circus. They were happy to say that the reverend gentleman had been moved by the Spirit to accept the call, and on the ensuing Sabbath would break the bread of life for the brethren or break his neck in the attempt.
Moral of the Story
Desperate attempts to gain attention or modernize may backfire, leading to unexpected and ironic consequences.
Characters
The Minister of the Gospel ★ protagonist
A man of average height and build, likely somewhat slender from his acrobatic feat, with the typical appearance of a late 19th-century American clergyman. His face might show a mix of earnestness and a touch of desperation.
Attire: A formal, dark broadcloth clerical suit, consisting of a black frock coat, matching trousers, a white shirt with a stiff collar, and a black clerical vest. The fabric would be sturdy wool, well-maintained but not opulent.
Wants: To increase his congregation's attendance and engagement, to prevent them from falling asleep during his sermons, and ultimately, to retain his position and influence.
Flaw: His desperation leads him to unconventional and undignified actions; he misjudges his audience and the 'Pillars of the Church'. He is perhaps too focused on superficial engagement rather than spiritual depth.
He attempts a radical change to revitalize his ministry but ultimately fails to understand the expectations of his church leadership, leading to his replacement.
Desperate, innovative (in a peculiar way), somewhat naive, determined, attention-seeking.
The Pillars of the Church ⚔ antagonist
A group of well-to-do, established men, likely portly or of solid build, reflecting their status and comfort. They would appear conservative and traditional in their demeanor, perhaps with stern or unyielding expressions.
Attire: Formal, dark suits of good quality wool or broadcloth, typical of prosperous gentlemen of the late 19th century. This would include frock coats or sack coats, vests, starched white shirts, and conservative ties or cravats. They would appear impeccably dressed.
Wants: To maintain the church's reputation and attendance, to align with 'modern methods' and 'New Theology', and to ensure the church's financial and social standing.
Flaw: Hypocrisy (embracing 'New Theology' by hiring a circus performer), a superficial understanding of spiritual leadership, prioritizing spectacle over substance.
They remain unchanged, acting as the agents of the Minister's downfall and the instigators of the church's new, sensational direction.
Conservative, pragmatic, image-conscious, traditional (ironically, as they embrace 'New Theology'), decisive, somewhat ruthless in their pursuit of what they perceive as progress.
Brother Jowjeetum-Fallal ◆ supporting
A man of Indian descent, likely with a lean and agile build, indicative of his profession as a 'Human Pin-Wheel'. His features would reflect his South Asian heritage.
Attire: Initially, his circus attire would be bright and flexible, but for his new role as a 'reverend gentleman', he would likely adopt a more formal, though perhaps slightly ill-fitting or theatrical, version of clerical attire, possibly with some exotic flair. Perhaps a dark suit with a turban or a distinctive piece of jewelry.
Wants: To secure a new, perhaps more stable or prestigious, position, leveraging his unique physical talents.
Flaw: His background as a circus performer might clash with the traditional expectations of a clergyman, potentially leading to further spectacle rather than spiritual guidance.
He is introduced as the Minister's replacement, representing the new, sensational direction the church is taking, but his actual tenure is left to the imagination.
Adaptable, opportunistic, physically skilled, perhaps a showman at heart, willing to embrace new roles for opportunity.
Locations
The Church Interior
A traditional Protestant church interior with a central aisle, a raised pulpit, and pews for the congregation. The atmosphere is initially quiet and somewhat somber due to dwindling attendance.
Mood: Initially quiet and somewhat somber, then briefly shocked and unusual, returning to a formal, slightly tense atmosphere.
The Minister performs his hand-walking stunt down the aisle and back to the pulpit to try and revive his congregation's interest.
The Minister's Home
The private residence of the Minister, likely a modest parsonage or rectory, where he reflects on his actions and later receives the 'Pillars of the Church'.
Mood: Initially hopeful and self-satisfied, then formal and confrontational when the church elders arrive.
The Minister muses on the success of his stunt, and later, the 'Pillars of the Church' visit him to deliver the news of his replacement.
Hoopitup's Circus Tent
A bustling, vibrant circus tent, filled with the energy and spectacle of a performance, where Brother Jowjeetum-Fallal, the Hindoo Human Pin-Wheel, performs his acts.
Mood: Loud, exciting, vibrant, and theatrical.
The location where Brother Jowjeetum-Fallal is 'holding forth' before being called to the church.
Story DNA
Moral
Desperate attempts to gain attention or modernize may backfire, leading to unexpected and ironic consequences.
Plot Summary
A minister, frustrated by his shrinking and inattentive congregation, performs an impromptu hand-walking stunt during his sermon to regain their interest. He believes this act will ensure future attendance. However, days later, the church elders inform him that they have replaced him with a 'World-Renowned Hindoo Human Pin-Wheel' from a circus, citing the need for 'modern methods' and 'New Theology', ironically fulfilling the minister's desire for spectacle but at his own expense.
Themes
Emotional Arc
frustration to ironic defeat
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Ambrose Bierce was known for his cynical and satirical writing, often critiquing societal norms and institutions of his time, including religious hypocrisy and the sensationalism that began to creep into public life.
Plot Beats (8)
- A minister notices his congregation is shrinking and falling asleep during his sermons.
- Mid-sermon, he abruptly stops, descends the pulpit, and walks on his hands down the central aisle.
- He then returns to the pulpit, stands upright, and continues his sermon as if nothing happened.
- The minister congratulates himself, believing this stunt will ensure a large and attentive audience in the future.
- Days later, the 'Pillars of the Church' visit him.
- They inform him that, in the spirit of 'New Theology' and 'modern methods', they have decided to replace him.
- They have hired 'Brother Jowjeetum-Fallal, the World-Renowned Hindoo Human Pin-Wheel' from a circus.
- The new 'reverend gentleman' will preach the following Sunday, promising either spiritual nourishment or a physical spectacle.
