Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-02-28
Amusiing 8&aamg.
BROTHER cRAWFoRD's SERMON.
REpnRTEn RY R1r1 EASEL

During my sojourn in Mississippi, (short-
iy after I heard the great sermon, which was
PLAYED on harp of thousand strirgs,) l
mad occason to visit friend in the neighbor.
hood OF Port Gibson. The next day, being
Sabbath, accompanied him to Zion Chap.
sl. A new minister had been called to the
neighborhood and this was to be his salutato.
ry sermon.
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 a.
bout the woods rather actively employed in
brushing away the cloud of mosquitoes that
surrounded US. At length strange spcci-
men Of the genus homo made his appearance
OF horseback it was Brother Graford. d.-.-,~,..
His dress was decidedly peculiar. On his
head he wore an old-fashioned bell-crowp
beaver, several sizes too large. To remedy
this defect cotton bandana handkerchief
was stuffed between the hat and forehead
His coat was Of q most ancient pattern; blue
with brass buttons, short waist and low
swallow. The collar came within an inch of
hiding the back part of his head. His vest
was extremely long, and his pants ditto
short. The latter were held down by lea
ther strap passed under q huge pair of bro
gans of an untanned leather color. Alto
gether his presence strongly suggested Dan
Marble in his Yankee character of Jonathan
Homespun. But to the sermon-or at least
a portion of it-for it was utterly impossible
to report the whole.
The congregation was large, as it had been
''norated" abroad that new servant of the
Lord was to make his debut at Zion.
Brother Crafford SUNK into the pulpit
with more than ordinary humility, and after
devotlng few moments to silent prayer he
rose.
Gingerly pushing up the sleeves Of his
store coat, whereby ne displayed pair Of
large, long, bony hands of beet-red color,
be grasped the handle of an earthen pitcher
and poured into tin cup draught of cold
water which he drank with inimitable gusto.
His appearance in the pulpit was study
for an artist. His face was long and lauk,
eyes pale grey, nose acquiline, complexion
sandy, hair greyish sandy, head bald on the
top, with the exception of small patch on
the organ of reverence, Gas if to shade it, }
and, altogether the picture of Greeley whilst
indicting Freesoil Abolition document for
his Southern subscribers.
He began apologetically, as follows:
"You don't see me to-day in the dress l
alters wear; l come among YOU as a stranger
aud | ain now tricked out in my store
clothcs--l am not proud man, but | tho t
it would be more becoming before strangers" "
After this he raised hymn in which the
congregation Joined. lie thcu began his
sermon:
"My dear brethren and sisters, first and
foremost, Pine gwine to tell you about the
affecting partin' | had with my congregation
at Bethel Chapel. Artcr had got through
with my farewell sarmont, as came down
outen the pulpit, the old gray headed breth-
rem aud sisters who had listened to my voice
for twenty years crowded around me, and,
with sobbing voices and fearful eyes, said-
Farewell, brother CraFord.
AZ walked down the aisle, the young Ia.
dies, trickcd out in their fnery of brass Jew.
eIry, gewgaws, jimcracks, paint and foun.
ces, looked up with their bright eyes, and
pronounced with their ROSY lips-Fsrewell,
brother Crafford
The young men in their tight patent lea
ther boots, high collars and fashy waist
coats-smelling of pomatum and cigar smoke
with their shanghi coats, and striped ze-
bra pants--they too-said Farewell, brother
Crafford.
The little chldrcn,-lambs in the field
lifted up their tiny hands and small voices,
and with one accord, sad-Farewell, brother
Crafford!
The colored brethren Of the congregation
now came forward-(black sheep who had
been admitted to the fold under my minis
try,) with tears rolling down their sable
cheeks, they too said-Farewcll, brother
Craforl!