The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1856-04-17
Brother Crafford's Farewell.
REPORTED DY BILL EASEL.

REPORTED By BILL EASEL.
During my sojourn in Mississippi. (shor-ly
after l heard the great sermon which was
played on q harp OF thousand strings. had
occasion to visit friend in the neighborhood
of Port Gibson. The next day being Sab
bath. accompanied him TO Zion Chapel W hich
was some hundred yards from the main road,
and surrounded BY forest trees. Having ar
rived rather too early for the service. myself
and friend sauntered about the woods. rather
actively engaged il iAsashng away cloud of
mosquitoes that surrounded US. At length a
strange specimen Of the genus homo made his
appearance on horseback il was Brother Graf
ford.
His dress was decidedly peculiar. On his
head he wore an old fashion bell-crowned bea-
yer, several sizes too large; TO remedy this de-
feet cotton bandana handkerchief was stuffed
between his hat and his forehead. His coat
was of most ancient pattern. blue with brass
buttons. short waist and long swallow tail
The collar came within an inch of hiding the
back part Of bis head His vest was extreme
ly low, and his pants short. The latter were
held down by large strap passed under a
huge pair of brogans Of untanned leather
color. Altogether his presence strongly sug-
gested Dan Marble In his Yankee character Of
ooH1tidu I4OiucSpuA. Luz ~ eaiS SciiAiOA7 VI
at least a portion Of lt-for 1t was utterly I'M
possible to report the whole.
The congregation was large. as it had been
narrated abroad that new servant of the
Lord was TO make his debut at Zion.
Brother Crafford skunk into the pulpit with
more than ordinary humility, and after devo.
ting few minutes te>silent prayer he rose.
/ Gingerly pushing up the sleeve OF his stray
coat whereby he displayed pair Of large. long
bony hands, Of a beet red color, he grasped
the handle of earthern pitcher, and poured
into tin cup draught Of water hich he
drank with inimi,able gusto.
His appearance in the pulpit was study
for an artist His face was long and lank.
eyes pale grey. nose aqueline, complexion
sandy. hair greyish sandy, bald on the top,
with the exception Of small patch on the or
gan of reverence, as If to shade it. He be-
gan apologetically, as follows:
You don't see me To- day in tie dress l al,
lers wear; | come among you as a stranger
and | am now tricked out in my store clothes
Il am not proud man, but | thought it
would be more becoming before strangers
After this he raised hymn in which the
congregation joined lie then began his ser
mon:
MY dear breethern anl sisters, first and
foremost, I'm a gwira. to tell you about the
atfecin' partin igat' -yi;ii .,lY congregation
at Bethel Chapel. Arter | had got through
with my farewell garment. as | came down
out of the pulpit, the old grey headed breeth-
ern and sisters who had listened to my voice
for twenty years crowded around me. and
with sobbing voices and cearful eyes, said
Earcpeil, brother Craford.
As | walked dow the aisle the young IA
dies, trcked out in their fnery of brass jewel
ry, gew-gaws, jlmcracks, paint and hounces,
looked up with their brigh, eyes, and pro-
nounced with their rosy lips -FaresceN bro
Mer Croford.
high collars and flashy misunderstanding
shanghai coats, and striped zebra pauts--thev
too said--F'areneell brother Craford
The little chilcren-lambs in the fold =
lifted up their tiny hands AMI small voices
and with one accord. said-FareueN, brother
Craford
The colored breethern of the congregation
now came forward--( black sheep who had
been admitted to the fold under my ministry.
with tears rolling down their sable cheeks.
they too said-Faretee7. 5rother Croford.
As got on my horse and bade adieu to my
congregation forever. turned to take last
look at the old church where had preached
the onsarchable riches Of Christ for MORN
twenty years. and as gazed a;its dilapiia ed
walls aud moss covered roof, it seemed To say
-FareweH. brother Craford.
As rode down through the village. the
people who poked their heads out on the win
ders, and the servants eant on their brooms
all seemed to say--FarsaoeH, brothe7 Craford
As passed along down the highway, thro'
the forest, the wind as il sighed and whis:leI
through the tree-tops playing on the leaves
and branches he burden Of salvation it. too,
seemed to say-Fare,csV. brother CraGord
Crossing 2 little creek that was gurgling
and singing over its pebb.y bed, as it reioiced
on its way to the great ocean of eternity. i,
too seemed to say turs,reU, trot.er Craf-
-ford.
AS role along down hot. dusty lane. an
old sow that was asleep in fence corner,
Jumped out of suddent, with a loud boo 90,
ooo-oo- she. too, seemed TO ssy-Farertli,
brether Craford.
Ny horse. be got frightened and jumped
fiom under me. and as he curled his tail over
his back-kicked up his heels and ran Off
he. too. seemed to say-FareseeH. 5rotier
/ Craford.
Greeley Kansas