Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1856-02-21
Brother Crafford' S Farewell Sermon.
REPORTED BY BILL EASEL.

had occasion toYlSlt TREND IN the neigh
borhood of Port Gibson. The next dav,
being Sabbath, | accom- panied him TO Zion
Chapel. A new minister had been called
ID that neighborhood and this was to lie his
salutatory sermon.
Zion Chapel was some hundred yards
from the main road and surrounded by for
est trees. Having arrived rather too early
for the service, myself and friend saunter-
ed about the woods, rather actively employ
ed in brushing away the cloud of musqui-
toes hat surround .i-rs3 Atleanth strange
specimen of the genus homo made his APP
pearance on horseback; it was Brother
Crafford
His dress was decidedly peculiar. On
his head he wore an old fashioned bell
crowned beaver, several sizes too large
To remedy this defect cotton bandana
handkerchief was stuffed between the hat
and his forehead. His coat was of the
most ancient pattern; blue with brass but
tons, short waist and long swallow tail. The
collar came within an inch of hiding the
back part Of his head His vest Was ex-
tremely long, and his pants ditto short. The
latter were held down by leather strap
passed under a huge pair of brogans Of an
untanned leather color Altogether his pres
cnce strongly suggested Dan Marble in his
Yankee character Of jonathan homespun.
But to the sermon--or at least portion Of
it-for it was utterly impossible TO report
the whole.
The congregation was large as it had
been "norated' abroad that new ser-
want Of the Lord was to make lis debut at
Zion.
Brother Crafford skunk into the pulpit
with more than ordinary humility, and after
devoting few moments to silent prayer he
rose.
Gingerly pushing up the sleeves Of lis
store coat, whereby he displayed pair of
large, long, bony hands, of beet-red col
or. He grasped the handle Of an earthen
pitcher and poured into tin cup draught
of water which 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 aquiline, complexion
sandy, hair greyish sandy, head bald on
the top, with the exception of a small
patch on the organ of reverence, (as if t.
shade it, and, altogether, the picture Of
Greely whilst indcting Freesoil Aboli-
ton document for the benefit of his south
ern subscribers.
He began alphabetically as follows:
You don't see me to-day in the dress |
alters wear | come among YOU as siran-
ger, and | am now trickcd out in my store
clothes; am not proud man, but thought
it would be more becoming before stran-
ers.'
After this he raised hymn in which tho
congregation joined. He then began his
sermon:
MY dear brethren and sisters. first and
foremost, I'm gwine 10 tell YOU abou; the
affecting partin | had with my congres,l-
ton at Bethel Chapel Afer had got
through with my farewell sermon as
came down outen the pulpit, the old grey
headed brethren and sisters who had list
ened to my voice for twenty years, crowd
ed around M, and with sobbing voices and
fearful eyes, said-FayerH Brgfhcr Crqt-
tord
As walked down the aisle, the Young
ladies tricken out in their finery of brass
jewelry, gewgaws, jimeracks. paints, and
founces. looked up with their bright eyes.
and pronounced with rosy lips-FareueH
Brother Cradord
The young men in their tight pat,,..
leather boots, high collars, and Aashy waist
smoke-wiih their Shanghai coats and stri-
ped zebra pants-they too said-FarercH
Brother Creford
The little children-lambs in the fold
lifted up their tiny hands and small voices,
and with one accord, said-FdrcuH Broh-
er Crg6ord.
The colortd brethren of the congregation
now came forward (black sheep who had
been admitted to the fold under my minis
trv,) with tears rolling down their sable
checks, they too said-FarecU Brother
Craford.
As got on my horse and bade adieu 10
my congregation forever turned to take
a last look at the old church where had
preached the unsarchable riches of Chris;
fer MORN twenty years-and as gazed NJ
its dilapidated walls and moss covered roof.
it too seemed to say-FdresceH Brother
Crafod
As rode down through the village. the
people who poked their heads outen the
winders, and the servants who leant on their
brooms. all seemed TO say-FaregccH Broh-
er Craford
As | passed along down the highway.
through the forest, the wind as it sighed
and whstled through the tree tops. playing
on the leaves and branches the burden of sal
vation. it, too seemed to say,-FGreweH
Brother Croford.
Crossing creek that WAS gurgling and
singing over its pcbbly bed, as it reioiced
on It's way to the great ocean of eternity. it,
too, seemed to say-FareceH Brother
Crgford.
As | rode down hot, dusty lane. an old
sow that was asleepin fence corner, Jump
ed out of a student. with loud broo-oo.
broa -oo--she too seemed to say-FdreaceH
Brotler Crcford.
My horse got frightened and jumped
from under me, and as he curlcd his tail
over his back-kicked up his heels. and ran
oif-he too seemed to say--FdreceU Broth
er Crgford.