Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1856-08-14
Brother crawford's Farewell Sermon.

During my sojoum in Mississippi, fshortly
alter ! heard the great sermon which was
played on q harp of thousand strigs, hat
occasion 10 visit friend in the neighberbooC
OF Pon Gibson. The next day being Sabbath
1 accompanied hir 10 Zion's Chaple. A ne "
minister had been called TO the neighborhood
aud this was 10 be his salutatory sermon.
Zion Chaple was some hundred wards from
the m 10 road, and surrounded by forest trees,
Having arrived rather too early for the service,
myself and friend sauntered about the woods,
Iailer actively employed in brushing away Inc
cloud oil mosquitoes that surrounded Us. Al
length strange specimen of the genus homo,
made his appearance on horseback; il was
brother Crawford.
His dress was decidedly peculiar. On his
head he wore an old fashioned beIl-crowned
beaver, several sizes too large. To remedy
this defect, cotton b indiana handkerchief
iwas stuffed between the hal and the forehead.
HIS coat was OF most ancient pattern-blue,
with brass buttons, short waist and long
swallowiail. The collar came within an inch
OF hlalng The back part OF his head. His vest
was extremely long, and his pants dilto short.
The latter were held down BY learh er strap,
passed under huge pair Of brogans Of an un-
tanned leather color. Altogether, his presence
suggested Dan Marble in his Yankee character
OF Jonathan Homespun. But 10 the SERMON
or at least portion Of it-for it was utterly
impossible 10 report The whole.
phe congregation was large, as It had been
"noised" abroad that new servant OF the
Lord was 10 make his dupute al Zion.
Brother Crawford sunk into the pulpit with
more than ordinary humility, and after devot-
ing few moments 10 silent prayer, be rose.
Gingeriy pushing up the sleeves of his store
coat, whereby he displayed pair OF large,
long, bony hands, OF beet red color, he grasp
ed lhe handle Of all earthen pitcher, and pour
e6 into tin cup drsught OF wuter, which he
drank with inimilable gusto.
His appearance III ibe pulpit was study for
an artist. Ills face was long and lank, eyes
q pale grey, nose aequiline, complexion sandy,
hair greyish sandd, head bald on the iop, With
the exception OF small patch on the organ of
reverence, (as il To shade it and, altogether,
the picture Of Greely whist inGictihg Free
Soil l'Abolision document for The benefit OF his
subscribers,
He began apologetically as follows.
'.You don't see mt to cay IN ;le dress al
lews wear, come among you as stranger,
and am now tricked out in my store clothes;
am not proud man, but thout il would
be mole becoming before Strangers"
s After this be raised a hymn, in which The
congregation joined. He then began his ser
mon
My dea I brethren and sisters, first and fore
Pm gwine 10 tell you about the az
feclius tim | had with my congregation az
Bethel Chapel. Arter got thloush with my
farewell sermon as came down outen pulpit,
the old grey headed brethren and sisters who
bad listed 10 my voice for twenty years crowd
ed me, and with sobbing voices, end fearful
eyes, said4FarepeII, brother Ctawford
2 as i walked down The aisle, The young ladies'
tticked out iulheir fney and bress jewelry,
gewgqws, Gmecacys, paint and flounces,
looking OH with their bright eyes, and pro-
nounced with their rosy lips-Farewell, blolh-
st Cfawford
The young men In their fpaient leather boots,
high collars and fasby waislcoatsz smelling
of ponatum and cigar smoke--wiiht Their shan
chi coats, and stripel zebra paals--they too
said Faiewell, brolher Crowlord
The little chidTen--I lambs in the feld--
lifted up their tiny hands and small voices,
,ud wilh one accord, said--Fafewel., brother
The colofed brethren Of the congregation
now came forward (buck sheep who had
been admitted to the field under my minislfg1I
with tears rolling down their sable cheeks,
hey TO, said--F -Farewell, brother Clawfofd i
AS got on my horse and bale adieu t3 my
forever turned to tate the last
look atthe OH church where had pteoched
he ,unsearchabe riches of Christ for more, n
.wenty years--snd as | gozed al is dflopida-