The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1859-01-12
The Minister and the Hams.

In the last number of the Presbyte-
rian Eapositor, correspondent relates
the following anecdote. He says be had
the narrative from a most reliable source,
and, as near as may be, gives. it in the
language of the narrator:
l knew man who, until past the mcri-
dian of life, manifested in all his transac-
tons, mean, misery spirit. Money was
his God. He was proverbially "a mean
man. Between forty and fifty he became
a subject of Sovereign Grace" His
eyes were open to see with great distinct
ness the truth that "a mans life
CONSISTENT not in in the abundance of the
things which be posesseth." In word
he was truly converted. At the period
of which speak, he was wealthy farm
er, on one of our rich praries. He united
with the people of God, he confessed,an
most deeply deplored the sin of covetous-
ness. Ie promised, with Divine help, to
"Live no longer unto himself. He was
sincere in his promise and purpose. Lit
tie did the poor man know himself, the
power of habit, Of temptation, or of the
conflict before him between the ssOld and
New man.
AS was then the custom in the Metho-
dist 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 Covet-
ous'' united with the class, the preacher
got out of meat; SO he "harnessed up"
and rode over to Bro C's house.
"Good morning, Brother c..
"Good morning glad to see won't
you light!
"No thank you. Wife says we are
out of meat, and thought.
(Old many "Out of eat. are yer
(Now many "Well, I'm glad to hear it;
it will do me good to supply you. Go to
my smoke honse, yondcr, and take the
best ham you can fnd---mind and take
the biggest.
On went the preacher, and soon re-
turned, bearing a ham weighing twenty
pounds. He passed on to his wagon.
Now came the conflict.
(Old man in his heart, sol,Is) "You
old fool that ham weighs twenty pounds
H ans are scarce--worth one shilling per
pound. New man, solsss.) "God low
eth the cheerful giver. "What shall it
profit man, though he gain the whole
world and lose his Own soula ?" 0 God,
forgive me! "Get thee behind me, Sa-
TAM" Here, Mr., come back come
back Now" said he, Ego again to my
smoke house, and this time get t,co hams.
Get the very best----miud you get rous-
ers.
Soon he returned, bearing forty pounds
more of the precious meat; then came
over the poor man again the spirit ofeove-
tuousness.
(Old man) "Well, you are fool !
You will die in the poor house yet!
Forty-six 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, 0 miro enemy,
thoagh | fall, ! shall rails agar"
"Though l walk thro' the valley Of the
shadow of death, l will fear no evil"
O! [ ann am in the valley.
Poor man, he was, and like Bunyan's
Christian, he sheathed his sword, and
cried to Him who was liable and willing
'Lord save me.
New many "Here, Mr.. come beck
come backw Now his manly form trem-
bled The water stood in his eyes, and
then, like child. he wept aud sobbcd as
he told the minister of the warfare within.
"And now, Mr.. Devil said he, ''J you
don't quit This Business, IN giue array
epcry ham I ue got an the smoke house Z
Then "Apolyon spread his wings and
left him for a season."