The Chair Stacker

This is a true story about when I was a little boy, probably around six or seven years old and going to meetings. I was always very impressed with those few people, maybe even just one person, who would faithfully each week, put out the chairs at the beginning and stack them at the end. Certainly, they had to be physically strong which I always admired, in fact, much stronger than me, or the preacher, or the leader of the meeting who did a lot of talking about things I didn't understand. But the guy who put out the chairs was someone I could really look up to. I was impressed by his coolness, carrying out such an important job with little notice. However, I noticed him, and for me, it was the top job he was doing. He didn't say much but seemed to have such a kind heart as he put them out, then later, quietly put them away again. It didn't seem to matter to him that nobody sang his praises. I concluded that without him, there would be no meeting at all, as we would have nothing to sit on. Everything depended on him. Yet I thought it was unfair and couldn't understand that he wasn't given any recognition, or the honour I thought he deserved. Then one night, when I attended some big meeting, which must have been something like an AGM, it all became clear to me. It was then I realised, in my infant mind, that I was right in believing that he was the most significant person at the meetings and was indeed recognized as such. I even learnt his name. As I picked up the leaflet regarding the event, there in black and white, at the very top of the page, I read: CHAIRMAN Mr. John Smith. AK