Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1857-10-23

all. q
Two men finally came in, and went to the I
altar, and took their seats All eyes were (
fixed upon them, and general stiffness per-
vaded the house. s
The men were unlike in appearance, one {
being short and thick-set in build, the 9th
er tall and wcll-formed. The younger had
the manner and dress Of clergyman, n full,
round face, and quiet, good natured look, rs
he leisurely looked around the audience.
But my childish interest was all in the
old man. His broad, deep chest, and un-
usual height; looking gaunt-like as he strobe
up the aisle. His hair was white, his brow
deeply scanned with furrows, and around his
handsome mouth, lines of calm and touch
ing sadness. His eye was black and rest
less, and kindled as the tavern-keeper utter
cd low Jest aloud. His lips were COM
pressed, and crimson flush went and came
over his pale check. One arm was off above
the elbow, and there was wide scar ovcrl
the right eye.
The younger finally arose and stated the
object of the meeting and asked if there
was clergyman present to open with a
prayer.
Our pastor kept his scat, and the speaker
himself made short address; at the con-
clusion called upon any one present to make
remarks.
The pastor rose under the gallery, and
attacked the position of the speaker, using
the argument which I have often heard
since, and concluded by dcnouncing those
engaged in the new movement as medde-
some fanatics, who wished to break up the
timc-honored usage of good society, and in
jure the business of respectable men. At
the conclusion of his remarks, the tavern
keeper and his friends got up cheer, and
the current Of feeling was against the stran.
gers and their plan.
While the pastor was speaking, the old
man had fixed his eyes upon him, and lean.
cd forward as if to catch every word.
As the pastor took his seat, the old mar
rose, his tall form towering in its symmetry
and his chest swelling as he inhaled hi.
breath through bis thin, dilatcd hostrls.-
To me at that time, there was something
awe-nspiring and grand in the appearance
Of the old man, as he stood with his full
eye upon the audience, his teeth shut hard
and a silence like that of death throughou
the church.
He bent his gaze upon the tavern keep
or, and that peculiar eye fingered and kin
died for half moment.
The scar grew red upon his forehead, ant
beneath the heavy eyebrows his eyes gilt
tered and glowcd like those of serpent
The tnvern-kecper quailed before the search
ing glance, and I felt relief when the oil
man withdrew his gaze. For moment h
seemed lost in thought, and then in lo'
and tremulous tone he commenced. Thcr
was depth in that voice, thrilling patho
and sweetness, which rivitcd every heart i
the house before the first period had bee
rounded. My fathers attention become Fl,
cd on the speaker with an interest which
had never before seen him exhibit. l ca
but briefly remember the substance of wha
the old man said, though the scene is q
vivid as any that ever witnessed.
any friends II am stranger in you
village, and | trust may call you friend
A new star has risen, and there is hope
the dark night, which hangs like pail
gloom over our country"
With thrilling depth of voice, the spcal
or continued:
30, God, thou that lookest with compa
sion upon the most erring of earth's chill,
rem, thank thee that brazen serpent h'
been lifted, upon which the drunkard ca
look and be helped; that beacon has bur
out upon the darkness which surrounds lin
which shall guidc back to honor and to hea
en- the bruised and weary wanderer."
,s 81 x,,lnI t1,a.o 20 -,
voices. The speaker was slow and unmo
cd, but tear trembled in every eye, al
before knew why, tear dropped up
my hand, followed by others like rain drol
The old man brushed one from his own ey
and continued:
''Men and christians! You have just hea
= that was vagrant and fanatic / n
not AS God knows my own sad heart,
came here to do good. Hear me, and
mt just:
lid 81 am an old man standing alone, at 4
)ur end of life's journey; there is deep Sc
nts row in my heart, and tears in my eyes.
ten have journeyed over dark and bcaconlC
tn ocean, and all lfc's hopes have been wreC
ON ed. | am without friends, home or kindr
upon carth and look with longing to t
an rest of the night Of death. Without frienc
/ kindred or homel 1t was not so once"
Gas No one could Withstand the pathos
he the old man. noticed tear trembli
ero on the nd of my fathers eye, and was
ho moro ashamed of my own.
OIL "No, my friends, it was not so once !
INT Away over tho dark waves which ha
rot wrecked my hopes, there is blessed lig
in of happiness and home; reach again CO
vulsively for the shrines of tho houschc
at idols that once were, now mne no NOR
my The old man seemed looking throu
ess fancy on some bright vision, his lips ap'
ich and fingers extended. / involuntariy tul
led ed in the direction where it was pointC
ne, dreading to see some shadow invoked
lge its movements.
81 once had mother. With her he,
to crushed with sorrow, she went down to /
grave. once had wife--a fair ans
pie creature as ever smiled in an earthly hon
ard Her eyes as mild as asummer sky, Al
len her heart as faithful and true as ever guar
my ed and cherished husbands love. II
al blue eyes grew dim as the floods Of sorrC
if- washed away their brightness and the i
at, ing heart was wrung until every fibre W