Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1856-03-14
Bro,hcr Crafrord's Farewell Sermon.

NIohIh, Macon county; A. w. Coleman, T. NJ
Brothcr Craford's Farewell Sermon.
REPORTED BY BILL EASEL.
During my soiourn in Mississippi, (shortly after |
heard the great sermon which was played on a harp
of a thousand strings,) had occasion to visit a
friend in the neighborhood of Port Gibson. The
next day being Sabbath, I accompanied him TO Zion
Chapel. new minister had been called to that
neighborhood and this was to be his saIutatory
mon.
Zion Chapel was some hundred yards from the
main road, and surrounded by forest trees. Having
arrived rather too early for the service, myself and
friend sauntered. about the woods, rather actively
employed in brushing away the cloud of mosquitoes
that surrounded AT length a strange specimen
of the genus homo made his appearance on horse
back; it was brother Cratford.
His dress decidedly peculiar. On his head he
wore an old fashioned be-crown beaver, several
sizes too large To remedy this defect cotton ban
dana handkerchief stuffed between the hat and
forehead. His coat was OF the most ancient pattern;
blue with brass buttons, short waist and long swal-
low tail The collar came within an inch of hiding
the back part OF his head His vest extremely
long, and his pants ditto short. The latter were
held down by leather strap passed under huge
pair of brogans of Unframed leather color. Alto
gether, his presence strongly suggested Dan Marble
in his Yankee character of Jonathan Homes Jun.
But to the ssrmon-or, at least, portion Of it-for
it utterly impossible to report the whole.
The congregation was large, as it had been SO no.
rated" abroad that new servant of the Lord was
about to make his debut at Zion
Brother Craford SUNK into the pulpit with more
than ordinary humility, and after devoting few
moments TO silent prayer, he rose.
Gingerly pushing up the sleeves of his store coat,
whereby he displayed pair of large, long, bony
hands of beef-red color, he grasped the handle of
an earthen pitcher, and poured into tin cup
draught of water, which he drank with inimitabe
gusto
His appearance in the pull pit was a study for an
artist. His face long and lank, eyes pale grey,
aquiine, complexion sandy, hair greyish sandy
head bald on the top, with the exception of small
patch the organ Of reverence, if to shade it.
and altogether the picture of Greedy whilst inding
Freesoil Abolition document for the benefit of his
southern subscribers.
He began apoIogetically. as follows:
"You don't see me to-day in the dress | alters
wear; | come among you stranger, and | am
now tricked out in my store clothes. am not a
proud man, hut thought it would be more becoming
before strangers"
After this he raised hymn, in which the congre-
CATION joined. He then began his sermon:
"My dear brethren and sisters, first and foremost
I'm gwne to tell you about the affecting partin' had
with ny congregation al Bethel Chapel After
had got through with my farewell sermon, as came
down outer the pulpit, the old gray headed brethren
and sisters who had listened to my voice for twenty
years, crowded around me, ard with sobbing voices,
and fearful eyes, said-Farewell, brother Craford
"As | walked down The ailse, the young ladies,
trucked out their fnery and brass jewelry, gew-
gaws, jimcracks, paint, and hounces, looked with
their bright eyes, and pronounced with their rosy
ips-Farewell, brother Cratord!
"The young men in their tight patent leather
boots, high collars and fashy Notwithstanding
of pomatum and cigar smoke-with their shanghai
coats, and striped zebra pants-they, too, said-Fare-
well, brother Craford!
The little children-lambs in the feld-lfted up
their tnv hands and small voices and with one ac-
cord said Farewell, brother Craford!
"The colored brethren of the congregation now
came forward-biack sheep who had been admitted
to the fold under my ministry-with tears rolling
down their sable cheeks, they, too said-Falewell,
brother Crafford
CAS- got on my horse and babe adieu to my con-
gregation forever, turned to take last look at the
old church where had preached the unsearchabe
riches of Christ for MORN twenty years-and as
ga8ed at it's delipidated walls and covered roof
it. too, seemed to say-Farewel brother Craford!
J. 'As rode down through the village, the people
" no poked their heads outen the winders, and the
servants who leant on their brooms, all seemed to
say-Farewell, brother Crafford!
LAS | passed along down The highway through
the forest the wind, sighed and whistlsd through
the playing on the leaves and branches the
burden of salvation it, too seemed to say-Farewell
brother Crafford
"Crossng little creek that was gurgling and
singing its pebbly bed. it reoced on its way
to the great ocean of eternity it too, seemed to say
Farewell, brother Craford
"As rode along down a dusty lane, an old sow
that as eep in fence corner, jumped out of a
sudden, with loud broo 90, broo. oo-she, too, SEEM
ed to say-Farewel, brother Crawford
My horse, he got frightened and jumped from
under me, he curled his tail over his back-kcked
up his heels, and of-he, too, seemed to say
Farewell, brother Craford -
The French Imperial Cradle.