Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1859-01-28
miscellaneous Ftrms.
THE MINISTER AND THE HAMS.

THE MINISTER AND THE HAMS.
In the last number Of the Presbyterian Elk
positor, correspondent relates the following
anecdote He says he had the narrative from
a most reliable source, and, as near as can be,
gives it in the language of the narrator
knew a man who, until the past meridian
of life, manifested in all his transactions a
mean misery spirit. Money was his God.
He was proverbally "a mean man Between
forty and fifty he became a subject of 'Sover-
eign Grace His eyes were opened to see
with great distinctness the truth of that word.
a mans life consistent not in the abundance
of the things which he possesseth In a
word, he wns truly converted. At the period
of which speak he was wealthy farmer, on
one of our rich praries. He united with the
people of God, he confessed and most deeply
deplored the sin of covetousuess He pro-
missed, with divine help, to Live no longer
unto himself He was sincere in his promise
and purpose. Little did the poor man know
himself, the power of habit, OF temptation or
of the conflict before him between the old
and the New Man
As was then the custom in the Methodist
church in the country, and is to some extent
at this day, the minister in charge was in the
habit of receiving his dues in provisions, &c.
Soon after 'Old Covetous' united with the
class, the preacher got out Of meat so he
'harnessed up and rode over to Bro. C. IS
house.
Good morning, Bro. C
Good morning glad to see you; won't you
Light
No thank you. Wife says we are out of
meat and | thought
(Old man Out of meat are ye:' New
man, We'll, am glad to hear III it will
do me good to supply you. Go to my smoke
house yonder. and take the best ham you can
fnd-mind and take the biggest
On went the preacher, and soon returned,
bearing ham weighing twenty pounds. He
passed on to his wagon.
Now came the conflict.
(Old man in his heart, solus) You old
fool that ham weighs twenty pounds Hams
are scarce--worth one shilling per pound
New man, solas. God loveth the cheerful
giver.
What shall it profit man, though he gain
the whole world and lose his own SOUL o
God forgive me Get thee behind me, Sa-
tan.-Here, Mr., come back come back
Now said he go again to my smoke house,
and his time get tloo hams. Get the very best
mind you get rousers.'
Soon he returned, bearing forty pounds
more Of the precious meat; then came over
the poor man again the spirit of coyetousness.
(Old man We'll, you are fool You
will die in the poor House yet Forty, sixty
pounds-worth eight dollars Eight dollars
gone slick New man. Honor the Lord
with thy substance. Give, and it shall be
given unto you Rejoice not against me, o
mine enemy, though fall, shall rise again.
Though | walk thro' the valley Of the shadow
of death, / will fear no evil o. ! AMI am
in the valley
Poor man, he was, and like Bunyan's Chris
tian, he sheathed his sword and cried to Him
who was able and willing Lord save me.
New man, Here, Mr.. come back come
back : Now his manly form trembled The
water stood in his eyes, and then. like child
he wept and sobbed as he told the minister OF
the warfare within. And now, Mr.. Devil.
said he, IF you don't gut this business, RI gle,
array every ham I've got IN me smoke house r
Then 'Apollyon spread his wings and left
him for a season.