The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1856-04-02
Brother Crawford,s Farewell Sermon.


Brother Crawfordis Farewell Sermon.
During my s~ojoarn IN Mississippi, I had
accession TO visit 4 friend in the vicinity
of Port Gibson. The ncxt day being
Sabbath, accompanied im to Zion Chap
ell. 4 new minister had been called to
tho vicinity, and this wa to behis s@aiuta-
tory sermon.
Zion Chapel was some hUDdred yards
from The main road, and surrounded by
forest trees. Having arrived rather too
early fer service, myself and friend Sam
tered about the woods, rather actively en-
ployed in brushing away the cloud of
mosquitoes that surrounded US. At length
a strange specimen Of the genus homo
made lis appearance on horseback; it was
brother Crawford. His dress wasdecided-
~ pecp.iar; on his head he wore an old
fashioned be!l-crowned beaver, several sizes
tooslarge. TO remedy this eject a cot
ton bandana handkerchief was stuffed be-
,wecn the hat and the forehead. His
coat was one Of a most ancient PATTERN
biae, with brass buttons, short waist and
long swallow. The collar come within
an iuch Of hiding the hack part OF his
head. His vest was extremely long, and
his pants short. The latter were held
down by a leather strap, passed under 6
pair ofhuge brog&Hs ofan untannea leath-
er color. Altogether, his presence sug-
gested Dan Marble in his Yankee charac-
ter of jonathan homeSpun. But to the
sorlnoa-or at least a portion OF it-for
It Was utterly impossible to report the
whole.
The congregation was large, rs 1t had
been "noised2 abroad that a new servant
of the Lord was to make lis debut at
Zion.
Brother Crawford skunk into the pulpit
with more than ordinary humility, and
after deYoting a few moments to silent
prayer, he rose.
Gingerly pushing up tie sleeves OF his
store coat whereby he displayed q pair Of
large, long, bony hands, Of a bee, red CO
Tor he grasped the handle Of an earthen
pitcher, and poured into the eupa draught
of water, which he drank with inimitable
gpsto.
His appearance in the pulpit astudy
Tor an artist. His face waslong and lank,
eyes pale grey, nose aquiline, complexion
sandy, hair greyish sandy, head bald en-
the top, withthe exception Of a small patel
on the organ of reverence, (a8 if to shade
it, and, altogether, the picture Of Greedy
whilst inditing q. Free Soil Abolition doc
ument for the benefit Of his Southern sub
STRIKERS.
Hc began apelogetieally as follows:
You don't see ne TO day III the dress /
alers wear; I come among You ga a strait
ger, and / an now tricked out in,my store
clothes; l am not a proud man, but
thought it wouldbe more becoming before
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 gwino to tell you about
the affecting partin' l had with my con.
gregation at Bethel Chapel. AFTER 1 had
got through with my farewell sermon as
came down outen the pulpit, the old grey
headed brethren and sisters who had list,
ed to my voice FOR 30 years, crowded rount
me, and with sobbing voices, and tearfu
) eyes, said-Farewell, brother Cratford.
AS / walked down the aisle, the youns
ladies tricked out in their inerv and bras,
, Ijewelry, gewgaws, jimcracs, paint an6
dounces, looked out with their bright eyes
and pronounced with their rosy lips
J Farewell brother Crafford.
I The young men in their patent leathe
boots, high collarsand aashy waistcouts-
smelling of pomatum and cigar smoke, wit
: their shanghi coats, and striped zebr
pants, they too, said-Farewcll brothe
1 Crafford.
Thelittle children-lambs in the field
lifted up their tiny hands and small voices
and with one accord, said, Farewell broth
: er CraiTord!
7 The colored brethren of the congrega
ton now camel -(black sheep VIII
), had been admitted to the field under m
i ministry with tears rolling down thei
oaDi& NiSONo; "J wv 6"f. t"iO"N
I brother Crafford!
d As l got on my horse and babe adie
to nay congregation forever, I turned
+ take a last look at the old church whel
l had preached the unsearchable richt
:. of Christ for more'n twenty years, and 4
% l gazed at its delapidated walls and mo:
II covered roof it too seemed to say-Far'
is well brother Craford!
As / rode down through the yillag,
the people who poked their heads cute
the winders and the servants who leai
on their brooms, all seemed to say, Ear,
well, brother Cralford!
AS | passed along down the highwa
through the forest, the wind as it sighe
and whistled through the tree tops, pla.
!. ing on the leaves and branches, the bu
i den of salvation, it, too, seemed to say
i Farewell brother Craflordi
Crossing the little creek that was gurl
ling aud singing over its pebhly bed,
it rejoiced on its way to the great ocea