The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1848-05-21
DEACON SLOCUM.

In small village in New HAMPSHIRE, re-
sided about twenty years since, Deacon Le-
muel Slocum, famous for pieiy, Parsimony
and property. A neighbor OF his met with
some difficulties, and was ObIghed to have
resourse 10 him for loan. The Deacon
gave him seventy iv. dollars, and took bis
note with good security, for hundred. Be-
ing unable to pay it al the end Of the year,
the Deacon demanded new note. az his
custom was, demanding both principal and
interest. The borrower demonstrated, but
in vain. The usual declaration, that, "he
must provide for his family and that "if SIM
pie interest is just" silenced every appeal 10
his justice or generosity.
The Deacon attended meeting as usual on
The following Sabbath On the afternoon OF
that day, the eccentric and talented Mr..
-, chose for his subject, the admonitlons
OF ST Paul TO the Corinlhian church, on the
fifth chapter OF the first epistle of the Corin-
,hans, and eleventh verse.
The first part Of the reproof, we must say,
in Justice TO the Deacon, was not applicable
To him. Deacon Socum was no fornlcator
nor drunkard, in the common acceptance
of the word. When the preacher, who had
previously been unusually languid. came TO
speak of The extoriioner, he was very be-
comngly animated; SO much SO that the
whole congregation, the Deacon not excep-
ted, was highly excited with wonder and Gu
riosiiy. He charged the people no. 10 think
exiOrtng the less criminal because praciIsed
by the respectable andinfluen,ial; he warned
them against The vicious examples Of the
wealthy; and declared that fihey would wish
to receive and deserve the appreciation of
heaven, they ought in this, as in other things,
to copy the bright example of their worthy
and faithful brother and deacon, Lemuel
SIocum.
Prepared, as the Deacon was, for the &C.
centric ebulIiiion of the pious exhorier's fan
cy, he became amazed al this sudden devel-
opmeni of his own peculiar excellencies, nor
could he possibly guess, for some time at
least, what might be the import OF The par
sons depression.
"Bro,her Lemuel," continued the preach
er, ear, thou an ex,orioner? No; heaven for.
bidm The preacher then descanled on the
sin Of hypocIicy, and advised The audience
still TO copy the Deacon in regard 10 sincfIi-
ty, concluding with The question, "Bro,hcr
Lemuel, art thou bypocriI? No; heaven
forbidr'
The Deacon became alarmed, and the tit
tering and whispering Of the congregation
were far, very far, from removing his fears,
that something more was meant than met the
ear. But what was his dismay, when turn
ing bis eye on the preacher, he behed his
fixed on him, with the plainesl expression of
Il GIL Ii
was continued, aud still were The questions
and exclamation reiterated. The members
of his own household appeared absorbed in
sorrow, while the rest of his audience obser-
we'd him with looks Of horror. How deep
was his remorse Of detected guilt, moi Of SIM
cere repentance. He would have spoken.
but the shame Of conscious guilt kept him
dumb, and he was doomed to suffer, in 81.
; lence. the excruciating satire OF The prea-
cher, and the insufferable scorn Of the assem-.
bly,. a
4 AT this juncture gentle figure. in black
entered the church, and walked up The aisle,
stood opposite the deacon's pew, and in the
most insinuatng and agreeable manner,
beckoping him 10 advance. Glad Of an OPP
poriuniiy To escape, the deacon went towards
The stranger and folI.wed him out Of the
house. Having walked a niIe distance, tho
generous stranger addressed The Deacon
thus:
MY dear friend, knew the unpleasant
situation in which you were placed by yon
senseless rabble and their still more senese-
less priest. fastened TO your relief, and
have adopted this plan 10 relieve you Of their
nsoence." -,iAJi dA +
"You think not" replied the other, with
smile OF pleasant sarcasm, shut you mistake
you and have long been acquainted, nor
can think you can be ungratefuI to me for
my many kindnesses TO you, by refusing my
request. In short, find lha, you viii more
effectually serve INV cause by with ORA wing
the circumstances Of this day fully aulhorize
you to break terms with these acon,enp;ible
minions." 80
"Your cause?' quoih the deacon.
"My cause" quolh The gentleman, ssfof
notwIihsia nding appearances, your example
will be followed by many who will ass in
the building up of my kingdom
| AT the word ''kingJom,' the eyes oil she
deacon inluiiively fell on the feet Of bis au-
diior.
''Mercy on me-" he exclaimed, "lhen you
| are the - E2&
"Thc devl!" quoth the stranger; and sci
zing the deacon, shook him so violently that
he awoke, and perceived his vile in the act
of rousing him to receive the benedction-
he having prolonged bis usual nap from the
text to The final Of the afternoon service
Old paper. aoss5slssa 81
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