Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1858-05-08
VARIETY.
My Grandfather's Sunday School.


Some twenty years ofore the commence
mcnt of tho revolutionary war, my grand
father lived in Charlotte county, Virginia,
as he did during the whole war. He was
deeply and fcrvently pious, and yet his,
greatest besetting sin, if not his only ene,
was most violent and ungoveruable tenn
per. This was the one weak point of his
characteristic one pcrilous in6rmity of his
nature. 1t is not to be wondered at, then,
that his infirmity of temper formed the
subject Of many a heartfelt prayer. He
prayed that it might be blottod out, and
never again mar the beauty of his other
wise calm and tranquil life. He prayed
deeply, tervcntly, with what effect the Sc
quel will show.
Having good many Africans, old and
young, in his possession, his mind became
wonderfully exercised as to his duty, in a
Christian point of view, towards thom.-
Poor Ignorant creatures that they were, he
felt the obligations of religion bearing upon
hlrl mall their force, to.cnlighten the dark
ness oftheir understandings; and thus feel
ing, he called the whole family of blacks
up stairs, in his best room, and regularly
established a Sumday-school The first eff
fort in that way was failure-arisine from
tine outbursting of his temper-but on the
next Sunday, he determined to govern his
temper better, and "to sprinkle cool pa
tlcnce" upon his hot and fiery nature. 1t
Is of the next Sunday that / wish to speak.
My grandfather had great many sons,
and amongst them uncle Sam stood con
splcuous for waggcfy and all manner of
mischief. He had heard of the blow-up of
my grandfathcr's hobby on the first Sunday,
and he resolved to be near enough, though
unseen, to hear all that took place. on the
next Sabbath. Accordingly, he took bis
position on the coping of the chimney, out
side of the house, from which it was easy.
to hear all took place overhead. The end
windows were raised, and then my grand
fathers usual tone of voice might rival
young clap of thunder, and when reused, it
mounted to the majesty of the loudest BY
leaning forward little, he could easily see
all over the room, and be himself unseen
From this room the stairway led down into
what was called the hall, and at it's foot the
stairway was closed by a door, near the
grand hall door.
Imagine the sab.e crowd of a Africans col
lected in the best room, up stairs, and all
standing round the room, and arrayed in
their Chest Sunday -go-to-meetingsY p My
grandfather was very particular in having
them all neatly clothed on that day, their
hair combed, and faces shining like black
ing balls. 1t was a beautiful study to look
upon the countenance of my grandfather,
as lu walked into the room on that quiet
and holy day EIc was Just from his bond
cd knees, and was confident of signal and
glorious victory over his tormenter. In
deeply solemn tones. he commenced the
exercises thus:
Chosen, " said my grandfather, to a yener-
able old negro, 81 will begin with YOU again
today as you are the Oldest. They all look
uptoyou, and if you say what say, right,
they will catch the words, and all say right.
Now, Bosen, don't--don't t make me commit
sin to-day, as youdid last Sunday Don't
don't, Bosen, for the love of Heaven p'
My grandfather, as / have said had a
mortal dread his temper, and his language
assumed the tone of entreaty whilst talking
to Bosen.
"Here, now," said my grandfather, III
will put down this silverquarter of dollar
on the table, and the one that learns the
first commandment first, shaH have it, no
matter WHO it may be- It tisimportant my
good people, that you, should Know what
they are" -
81 will proceed at eto learn YOU the
first comnandment, and put it Ia sGch'pIain
language thet you can't mistake it. Now,
Bosen, say after ME, word for word--"Ehott
shalt serve no other God but me-"
Bosen-"Thoh shalt serve no other God
but yo~, Massa .p'E SEf.
"Stop stop young people," said my
grandfather. CHOSEN has gone wrong
Don't say after him J, you'll get the words
all wrong" Then turning to Bosen, he
said with a countenanee deeply panied with
modification, CHOSEN, | didn't say Mat.-}
Try it again, Bosen. 7 don't mean to get
mad to-day, but do try and remember that
you made me mad last Sunday, at this very
place. But / won't get mad today. You
cant make me mad--and you needn't try.o'
All this time my father was refining in,
his temper like high mettled stecl. No
man could have seen the least Tufie ON the
snogtir seasofbis face.
wv Rosen, listeh to me" said my
Father W.%-"'