Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-04-17
Brother ,rafford,s Farewell sermon.
Rspor,ed nv Bill Easel.

Reported by Bill Easel.
During my soj)urn in Mississippi, Shortly after ]
heard the great sermon, which played on a
harp Of a thousand strings | had occasion TO visit
friend in the neighbOrhOod Of Port Gibson. The
mex day, being SAbhath, accompanied him TO Zion
Chapel new minister had been called 10 that
neghbor hood an this was 10 be his sautatory SER
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 ia brushing away the cloud ofmOsquitOes
that surrounded us. At length a strange specimen
of the genus homo made his appearance 90 horse
back; il Brother Crafford.
His dress was decidedly peculiar. On bis head
he wore an old-fashion belLcrown beaver, several
sized too large, To remedy this defect cotton
band4na handkerchicf Was stuffed between the hat
and forehead His coat OF most ancient pat.
term blue with brass buttons snort waist and long
swallow. The collar came within an incl. of hiding
the back part Of his head. His vest was extremely
long, and his pants ditto short. The latter we're
held down by leather strap passed under huge
pair OF brOgans of an untanned leather color Al"
together his presence strongly suggested Dan Mar
BILE in bis Yankee character OF Jonathan Homespun.
But 70 the sermon-Or at least portion OF it-ior
it wac utterly impossible to report the whole.
The congregation large, as il had been "no-
rated" abroad that a servant OF the Lord was
to make his debut at Zion.
Brother Crafford SUNK into the pulpit with more
than ordinary humility, and after devoting few
moments to silent prayer he rose.
Gngerlv pushing up the sleeves Of his store coat,
whereby he displayed u pair Of large long, bony
hands of a beet.red color, he grasped the handle Of
an earth pitcher and poured into tin cup a
draught Of water which he drank with inimtable
gusto.
His appearance 10 the pulpit a study for an
artist. His face was long and ank eyes pale grey,
nose aqailine, complexion sandy, hair greyish san.
DIV. head bald on the top, with the exception of a
email patch on the organ of reverence, las if TO
shade i'd and altogether the picture Of Greeley
willis. indictug a Freesoil Aboitonist document
for the benefit OF his Southern subscribers.
He began spologetically, as follows:
you don I see TO. day in the dress ! alters
wear; come among you as stranger and l am
now trickel out in my store clothes-I am not a
proud man, but ! thought it would be more becOm
ing before strangers"
After this he raised hymn in which the congre
cation Joined He then began bis sermon:
my dear bretheren and sisters, first and fore :
most, Tine gwine tell you about affecting partin'
had with my congregation at Bethel Chapel.
AFTER had got though with my farewell sarmont.
Is | cane down Outen the pulpit, the old gray
beaded brethren and sisters who had listened to my
with sobbing voices, and fearful eyes, said-Fare-
well, brother Craford!
As walked down the aisle, the young ladies
tricked in their nery Of brass ewelry ,gewgaws,
jimcracks, paint and hounces, looked up with their
bright eyes, and pronounced with their rosy lips
Farewell brother CraffOrd!
The young men in their tight patent leather
boots high collars and fashy ling
of pOmatum and cigar smoke-with thor shanghi
"A lfr1 naA z.ar fhavf c.1h
well, brother Crafiord!
The little children-lambs in the fold-liitel up
their tiny hands and small voices, and with one
cord, said-Farewel, brother CraffOrd
The colored brethren of the congregation now
came lorward-(black pheep who had been admit
ted TO the fold under my ministery,) with tears
rolling down their sable cheeks, they too saidFare-
weN brother Craffordl
As got on my horse and babe adieu TO my con
gregatOn forever, I turned my head to take last
look at the old church where | had preached the
unsearchable richest OF Christ for morn twenty
years-and as gazed at its diapidated walls aud
moss covered roof 1t too, seemed TO say-Fdrewell,
brother CraffOrdl
As rode down though the village, the people
who posed their heads outen the wnders, and the
servants who lent on their brOoms all seemed 10
say--Farewell, brother CraffOrdl
As passed along the highway, through the
frest the wind as il sighed aud whstled through
the tree tops, playing on the leaves AMI branches,
burden Of salvation il, too, seemed to say-FareE
well brother Craifordl
Crossing little creek that was gurgling and sing
ing its pebby bed as il rejoiced on its way
the great ocean Of eternity, it too seemed 20 say
Farewell, brother CraiIord!
As | rode along down the dusty lane, an old SOW
that was asleep in fence corner jumped out OF
student, with loud broo 90. broo oo-shs too,
seemed to say--Farcwell, brother Crafford
Ny horse, he got frightened and Jumped from
anunder me, and he curled his tail over lis back
kicked up his heels, and ran oiT-he too, seemed
90 say--Farewell, brother CrailOrd. Lou DAILY
Courier.