The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1825-10-06
A PLEASANT STORY.

The following anecdoic al an no
nest farmer zone of the first setllcrs)
which happened at Westminster, will
show the ianatical spirit which then
prevailed. so contrary to that liberal
liberation now prevalent over Anne
RIGA. and Which so happily unltcs
every denomination of Christians in
the bonds Of charity and love. But
10 my story.
The farmer in question was a plain
pious man, regular in the discharge
Of his duty both TO his God and his
ncighbor. But mluckily, be hap
pencd To live near one with whom he
was not inclined to be either friend
~ or civil. This troublesome per-
sonagc was no other than mon
strous overgrown he-bcar, that dcs-
cended from the mountains. trod
down and destroyed the corn-felds.
and carried Oft whatever he laid his
paws on. Tie plnn1ered sufferer
watched him in vain, the teroCious
and cunning animal ever finding
means to elude his utmost vigilance.
At last the bear had learned his cue
So thoroughly as to commit his dep
relations only on the Lords day,
when he knew from experience that
the coast waa clear. Wearicd out
with these oft-repcated trespasses,
the good man resolved, on the next
Sabbath, to stay in the fields, where,
with his gun. he could conceal him
self. The bear came according 10
custom--he fired and shot him dead.
The explosion threw the whole con
gregation Qor it Was about the hour
of the peoples assembling to wor
ship into CONSERVATION. The cause
Was enquired into and as the Pas
tor, Deacon and Elders became ac-
quainted with it. they called special
meeting of the church, q cited thei"
offending brother before them, 20
show cause, if any he had, why he
should not be communicated out of
Christ's Church for this daring and
unequalled impiety. In vain did he
urge. from the Scripturesth themselves,
that 1t was lawful to do good on the
Sabbath day: he pleaded before judi
yes determined to condemn him /;
and the righteous parson. Elders
and church, ana roCe, agreed to
drive him from among them, as pol
lated and accursed. Accordingly,
he was euioined, as is customary on
such occasions, on the next Sunday,
to attend his accommodation in the
church.
lie did attend but, not entirely
satisfied with the sentence, and too
much OF a soldier To be scandalized
in so public a manner, for an action
which he thought a good one, he re.
solved 10 have recourse TO strata
gem he therefore went Rs he was
summoned. with gun loaded with a
brace of balls, his sword and car
tridge-box by bis side, and his knap-
sack on his back, with six days pro-
vision in it. Service was about half
over, when he entered the sanctuary
in martial array. lie marched lei.
surely into corner, and took bis
station. AS soon as the bcnediction
was ended, the holy Parson began
his accommodation but scarcely
had he pronounced the words "of-
Tending BROTHER" when the honest
veteran cooked and levelled his wea-
pom of destruction, AT the same time
crying cat with loud voice, pro-
coed if you dare--proCced, aud you
are dead man" At this unexpec-
ted attack, the CIergymaH shrunk
behind his desk, and his opponent,
with great deIIberation, recovered
:, hs arms. Some moments elapsed
. before the Parson had courage To
peep from his ecclesiastical battery,
when, finding the old hero had come
, 10 rest, he tremblingly reached the
order to the eldest Deacon, Gcsiring
him to read il. Tie Deacon, with
stammcring accent, and with eyes
staring with Wild alright, began aa
he was commanded but no SOONER
had he done 80 than the devoted VIC
tim again levelled his piece, and,
more vehemcntly than before, cx-
! claimed d" Desist and march, will
motive with sllame-desist 4 march,
or you are all dead men," Little
need had he To repeat his threat
tire man of God leaped from hi,
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