Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1856-12-04


The first day, Sabbath, there was preach
inc near by at Sardis. After an early
breakfast, the preacher took his Bible 10
the woods, telling the family that he would
meet them at church, at the proper time.
No more was seen of him until he was &C
ing into the pulpit. His eyes looked dim,
as if from weeping-yet there was glow
upon his face as if all was peaceful. With
the utmost simplicity be read his lessons
and hymns. Simple, too, but fervent was
his prayer. He seemed deeply to feel the
need of spiritual aid. But his sermon
some who heard it will never forget it, for
it smote to their inmost hearts. Brother
Crocker was astounded, that man whose
hair stood gracefully around his brow, and
who wore such clothes, could preach thus
vet he thought round coat and a con-
cealed forehead would improve even this
preaching. "What pity the young bro
ther does not use all the means of grace,
thought he. He was not convinced yet.
Brother Crocker went round with the
preacher for week. The third day at An
tioch, le grew reconciled to the hair, for
he became very happy, while the young
preacher was telling his own experience
and he broke out, "Bless God, brother Eos
ter, l feel Just So" This was an acknowl
edgment that the preacher chad religion y
He grew more charitable toward him
from day to day, till, on Sunday, he reach
ell Reeves Chapel, near which his son
Robert, the ''storekeeper," lived. Robert
was rather wild-disposed to set up, in a
small way, for free and easy man of the
world. He often spoke of "sour godliness," "
and some people thought that he imagined
he had seen some of it; but probably they
were mistaken. Robert was out to hear
the new preacher. The house was crowd
ed, and there was unwonted power in the
sermon Penitents We're invited forward.
and Robert, with streaming eyes and bro
ken sobs, fell at his fathers feet as he sat
near the altar. The old mans cup was
full. He forgave the clothes, and praised
God for bestowing such tokens OF favor on
the boy-preacher, and for so blessing the
word he preached. Instead of going home
the next day as he designed, lie went on
two more appointments before here turned.
But it was not the preaching alone that
had won the old mans heart. The sim
plicity and godly sincerity of the young
man were unmistakable; and all his inter
course with the people proved that, not
withstanding his hair, his clothes, and his
education, he bad but one ambition-to
serve the church of God. 50 bro. Crocker
came to forgive him, even for being educated.
We cannot stop to tell how joyful home
was, when he returned with the news of
Roberts conversion-nor how serious the
good sister looked, when she. asked her
''old man. if he had prevailed upon the
preacher to wear ..shad." Six months
passed, and brother Crocker came to love
the preacher as son. He was never tired
of going to hear him, far and near. Bro
ther Foster was now at his house, and
sister Crocker, with much mirth- provoking
huno-, told the former the facts given in
this narrative. Brother Crocker was pres
ent, and acknowledged to all. The preach
er said but little, though he felt thankful
that God had preserved him in a course of
straightforward simplicity in the midst of
elements that might have been disastrous
to his peace and usefulness, if once put in
10 commotion.
Since that day the old couple have been
gathered home. He lived long enough to
learn that men must not be Judged by out
ward appearances-that in some things a
man must be left to his own tastes and
Judgment, and may follow them, and yet be
a holy man; while she lived to see the
young preacher among the foremost in the
battle against sin, and standing among the
most honored in the Church. yet continu-
ing q godly, simple-hearted minister of
Christ.