Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1854-04-13
Gbe 1lailp spp.
THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 1854.


lines, and who first saw the ''sweet light in
Tennessee or Kentucky, will remember the
Rev. John Craig. This gentleman was of the
Methodist persuasion, of the original Ashbury
school. and he, like most others of that de-
nomination at the time to which we allude,
was noted alike for his planness OF dress, and
a strict and open reproof of sin in what form
soever it made its appearance, and under any
and all circumstances.
Mr.. Craig was one of the first preachers to
visit the section called Middle Tennessee now
so populous and powerful, but then, (in lSO)
| a mere wilderness. He was an Inherent
| preacher His circuit extended from Powells
| Valley, east of the extreme western settle
ments on the Cumberland and Duck rivers
| The settlements of the white man were STEW
| and far between;' no public roads had been
established-those distant neighborhoods were
connected by family traced paths, which were
but seldom travelled.
Mr.. c. was exposed to many hardships.-
He lay down on hard beds, slept in open cab
ms, an shared many scanty repast. But
he was a man OF energy, and his zeal never
tagged or grew weary. He felt the impor-
lance of his mission, and urged on by his zeal
in his Masters cause, and the good OF souls,
he waded SHOWS and floods bravod the fury OF
the winds, surmounted all difficulties, and car
RED the glad tidings of salvation to the new
settlers.
The writer was born in Middle Tennessee,
and though a mere child when he last saw
Mr., Craig, his image is as fresh III my mind as
the events of yesterday. In 1880, MIR. Z.
came, late one evening to my fathers, and
passed the night at our house. During the
evening, after family prayers had been offered
by him, before retiring to bed, he gave to my
f,fh in Typs a which
was, III substance the following:
Many years before, Mr.. Craig was passing
from East Tennessee to the Duck river coun-
try. His way led him along dim path
through mountain pass, amid craggy rocks,
near awful precipices and frightfu eh1sms.-
Suddenly young man sprang nom huge
rock, and with a rifle presented at Mr..
Craig, demanded his money.
Mr.. Craig regarded the robber with a look
of discrimination peculiar to himself, as he
reigned up his horse and said, "Young man,
you never robbed before. What has brought
you to this
The robber again demanded his money,
threatening instant death if the other did not
comply,
Mr.. Craig answered, This is your first at
tempt. You have been better raised. Your
mother
Instantly the young man dashed down his
gun, and burst into tears, saying that he had
indeed been taught better things. And he
CT ed most bitterly.
Mr.. Craig tied his horse to a tree, alighted
and invited the trembling youth to be seated
near him on a fiat rock. The young man in
stantly complied, when Mr.. Craig, in mild
and engaging manner, asked him how he
happened to become robber
The other told him that he had been raised
Il ,fe Gag rpl IN
stances in life, and members Of the Presbyte-
rian church-that they had educated him re-
! lgiously and lavished on him all the afiec-
| tons characteristic of parental love. About
eighteen months previous he had married
against their will, and with his young and
lovely wife, he had made his way into this
new and unsettled country. His parents had
| given him no assistance, and having but little
on which to commence life, and falling sick,
without money friends or credit, both he and
| his wife had well nigh starved. In the depths
of his distress, he had, as last alternative,
resolved to make one robbery, only one, and
afterwards live honestly.
Mr.. Craig in the spirit of love, pointed out
his error. He told him he should have gone
to his Heavenly Father, and made known his
wants-that his tender mercies are over all
His works, and none that trust in Him shall
ever want. The young man was all tears
all penitence.
Mr.. Craig arose, went to his horse, and
taking off his saddle bags, said-''I am too
poor. Town no foot Of land-no cottage in
the wilderness is mine. l have but thirty-one
dollars in the world, and reserving one dollar
only, in the name of the Giver of all good,
present you with thirty dollars. Take this
little sum, as one sent you from Heaven, and
God and His angels are witnesses that you
,,rot,,i GO an on Il m ont i'm fiIfura life Y
Mr. Craig then prayed with and for the as
tonished young man, and took an affectionate
leave.
Thirty long years have elapsed. West
Tennessee is a wilderness no more. The pale
face had felled the forest. The red man had
quilted his hunting grounds, and they were
chequered off into thousand furowed fields.
Mr.. Craig was now an old man. His locks
were white as wool. His children and grand
children had grown up around him, and chill
dren of his spiritual charge surrounded him
like waving wheat heads in the harvest field.
One sunny eve in Autumn, as the old
preacher sat in the midst of the family group,
it was told him that gentleman was at the
gate, who wished to speak with him. He
went out, and saw an elderly man, neatly
dressed, riding fine horse. The stranger
asked for accommodations for the night
This being granted, he disnounted, and, with
Mr. Craig, entered the house.
Little beyond the common civilties of life
passed between them until supper had been
served. The elderly gentleman asked Mr..
Craig to show him private apartment, and
when they were alone he said:
81 think, Mr.. Craig, that you do not know
me:'' 1g
Il do not, replied Mr.. Craig ~ see"
"And yet l tried to rob you. | am that
same poor, wicked wretch that demanded your
money, with rifle presented at your bosom,
thirty years ago, among the mountains"
g Is it possible = exclaimed the other.
q Yes, reioined the first, 7" am the same
took the money you gave me home to my
poor starving wife, and told her how had
obtained it. We counted it out on wooden
stool, and knelt down and covenanted with
God and each other, to live honestly in His
sight, and to walk uprightly before Him. We
have prospered. Want has long been stran-
ger to us riches have flowed in upon us, and
our children, and cfffldren's children, have
risen up around us to call us blessed. We
have years ago become members of the church
of Christ. l have long and ardently desired
to find you, but not knowing your name,
know not how to make inquiry. Last Sab
bath, at the Camp Meeting, when you arose
to preach, 1 at once recognized in you the
man that saved me from felon fate. Then
learned your name, and now have come to
pay you the thirty dollars, with thirty years
interest.