The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1857-07-16
Bro. Cronord's Earewen Sermon.
REPORTED ny BILL EASEL.


after heard the great sermon, which was play
ed on the harp of thousand strings) | had oc-
csion to visit friend in the neighborhod of Port
! Gibson. The next day being Sabbath, accom-
panied him to Zion chapel. A new minister
had been called to that neighborhood, and this
was to ne his salutatory sermon.
| Zion Chapel was some hundred yards from
the main road and surrounded by forest trees.-
! Having arrived rather too early for the sermon,
myself and friend sauntered about the woods,
rather actively employed in brushing away a
cloud OF mosquitoes that surrounded u.s. At
length strange specimen Of the genus homo
made his appearance on horseback; it was broth
or GrafQrd.
His dress was decidedly peculiar On his
head he wore an old fashioned bell crown beaver
several sizes to large 10 remedy this defect.
a cotton bandana handkerchief was stuffed in
between the hat and forehead. His coat was
one OF the most ancient pattern, blue, with brass
buttons: short waist and long swallow. The
collar came within an INCH of hiding the back
part of his head. His vest was extremely long,
his pants ditto short. The latter were held
down by leather strap, passed under huge
par OF broganS OF an lmtGnned leather color
Altogether hls presence strongly suggested Dan
Marble IN his Yankee character Of Jonathan
lomespun. But to the sermon-or 1T least a
portion ofit-lor it was utterly impossible 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 Crailord slunk into the pulpit with
more than ordinary humility and after devoting
Il few moments to silent prayer, he rose.
Ginserly pushing up the sleeves of his store
co@ whereby he displayed pair oflarge, long,
bony hands of a beef red color, he grasped the
handles of aa earthen pitcher, and poured into
ia TIN cup a tlraught Of water, which he drank
with nimitable glIsto.
Ills appearance in the pulpit was study for
an artist. His face was long and lank eyes pale
grey, nose aquiine, complexion sandy hair grey
lsh sandy head bald Oh the top, with the eX-
ceptlon of a small patch on the organ of reycr-
cnce, (asirto shade it) and, altogether, the pic
ture OF Greedy, whilst inditnga Frccsoil Alb
ohtion document for the benefit OF his Southern
subscribers.
He began apologetcally, as follows:
You don't see me to day i'll the dress | al
lers wear; come among you as q stranger and
am now trcked out in my store clothes; am
not proud man, but thought it, would be
more becoming among strangers"
And after this he raised hymn.in which the
congregation Joined. He then began his SER
mon
"My dear brethcrin and sisters first and fore
most, Pm gwine to tell you about the affecting
parting had with my congregation at Bethel
Chapel. After | had got through with my lare-
well sermon, asl came down outin the pulpit
the old grey headed brethren and sisters who
had listened to my voice twenty years, crowded
around me, and with sobbing voices and fearful
eyes, said-Farewell brother CraHord!
'",lhe young men, in their tight patent leath-
er boots, high collars and tlashy wastcoats-
smelling of pomatum and cigar smoke-with
their shanghai coats, and striped zebra pants
they too, said-Faewell brother Craftold!
"Ihe little children-lambs in the field-lif-
ted up their tiny hands and small voices, and
with one accord sad-FareWel brother Graf.
ford!
The colored brethren of the congregation
now came lorward--black sheep who had been
admitted to the fold under my ministry-with
tears rolling down their sable cheeks, they, too,
said-Farewell brother Crafford!
As got on my horse and babe adeu to nv
congregation forever, | turned to take d last
look at the old church where had preached the
unsearchable riches of Christ for MORN twenty
yeals-'and as gazed at its dilapidated walls
and moss covered roof it, too, seemed to say
Farewell brother Craffordl
CAS- rode down through the village, people
poked their heads outen the winders, and the
servants who leant on their brooms, all seemed
to say-Farewell brother Crafford!
CAS- passed along down the highway, thro'
the forest the wind as it sighed and whistled
through the treetops playing on the leaves and
branches, the burden of Salvation, it, too, seem
ed to say-Farewoll brother Cratord!
"As rode down hot, dusty lane an old sow
that was asleep in the lence corner, jumped out
ola suddent, with a loud broo 90 broo -oo--she,
too, seemed to say-Fare we'll, brother Crafford!
"My horse ne got frightened and jumped from
under me, and as he curled his tail over his back
kicked up his heels and ran off--he, too seem
ed TO say-Farewell brother Cratford!'