The Placer herald., 1856-04-05
Farewell, Brother Cratford!

Since the celebrated "harp with thou
sand strings" sermon was preached, the rage
for rural pulpit eloquence has been without
bonds, and hundreds Of originals have jump
ed at once into the pulpit and the good
graces of an attentive and pious flock We
have published many of these eloquent efforts,
but never any which contained the deep
pathos to be found in the following from the
lips of Brother Cratlord, delivered some
where in Mississippi, and reported by "Bil
Easal," for the Louisville Daily Courier
After somewhat lengthy description Of
Brother "Crati'ord," Bill says:
His appearance in the pulpit was study
for an artist. His face was long and anI,
eyes pale grey, nose aquine, complexion
sandy, hair grayish sandy, head bald on the
top, with the exception Of a small patch on
the organ Of reverence, Gas if to shade it,) and
altogether the picture Of Greeley whilst indi-
eating Freesoil Abolition document for the
benefit of his Southern subscribers. He began
al]ologetically, as follows: you don't see
me to day in the dress | alters wear; come
among you as stranger, and | am now
tricked out in my store cothes-I am not
proud man, but thought it would be more
becoming among strangers" After this he
raised a hymn, in which the congregation
joined He then began his sermon: "My
dear brethren and sisters, first and foremost
Tine gwine to tell you about the affecting
partin had with my congregation at Bethel
Chapel. Arter ! had got through with my
farewell sarmont, as came down outen the
pulpit, the old grey-headed brethren and
sisters who had listened to my voice for twen-
ty years, crowded around me, and with sob
bng voices and fearful eyes, sad-Farewell,
brother Cratford!
As | walked down the aisle, the young
ladies, tricked out in their fnery Of brass
jewelry gewgaws jimcracks, paint and tloun-
ces, looked up with their rosy lips--Fare-
well, brother Crahord The young men in
their tight patent leather boots, high collars
and 1ashy misunderstanding of pomatum
and cigar smoke-with their shanghi coats,
and striped zebra pants-they too said Fare
well, brother Crafford! The little children
lambs in the field-ifted up their tiny hands
aud small voices, and, with one accord, said
Farewell, brother Crafiord. The colored
brethren of the congregation now came for
ward (black sheep who had been admitted to
the field under my ministry with tears
rolling down their sable cheeks-they too
said Farewell, brother Cra1ord. AS got
on my horse and babe adieu to my congre-
cation forever, turned to take a last look
at the old church where had preached the
unsearchable riches Of Christ for morn twen-
ty yeals-and as gazcd at its dilapidated
and moss-covered root, it too seemed to say
Farewell brother Crafford! AS rode down
through the village, the people who pokcd
their heads outen the winders and the servants
who leant on their brooms, all seemed to say
Farewell brother Crafford! AS | passed
along down the highway, through the forest
the wind as it sighed and whistled through
the tree tops, playing on the leaves and
branches, the burden of salvation, it too
seemed say-Farewell brother Cra1ord
Crossing little creek that was gurgling over
its pebby bed, as it reioiced on its way to
the great ocean Of eternity, it too seemed to
say-Farewell, brother Crafford AS rode
along down hot, dusty lane, an old SOW
that was asleep in the fence corner jumped
out of suddent, with a loud broo 90, broo 90;
she too seemed to say-Farcwel, brother
Crahord. My horse, he got frightened and
jumped from under me- and as he curled his
back-Icked up his heels and ran oif-he
too seemed to say-Farewell, brother Graf
ford!