The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-09-23

vllalnOuS whlskey to excess. l expressed
my surprise and chagrin to my friend but
the only comfort that received was, that
this was the fashion in which many of our
politicians acted.
The river was l0w-fogs came on. Sun
day morning arrived, we were yet eighty
miles below Wheeling, and there was no
place where we could land to spend the
Sabbath. At breakfast time committee
of the passengers waited upon me to know
if l could preach to them. Never did say
yes more gladly for never had l been so
anxious to speak my mind. A cougrega-
tion of nearly three hundred persons assem-
bled at half past ten o'clock, and took my
stand between the ladies' and gentlemen's
cabins; seated in the places of honor upon
my right and left hand, were most of my late
objects of interest-the members of Congress.
had never before spoken under such cir
cumstances, but nevertheless, preached as
well as could, which is not saying much.
At the close of the discourse proper, how
ever, could not resist the impulse to speak
straightforward word to the men on my
right and left turning to them, therefore, l
said something to the following effect: 81
understand that you are members of the
Congress of the United States, and as such
you are, or should be, the representatives
not only of the political opinions, but also of
the intellectual, moral and religious condition
of the people of this country"
Gas had rarely seen men of your class, I
felt, on coming aboard this boat, natural
interest to hear your conversation and
observe your habits. If 1 am to judge the
nation by you, l can come to no other
conclusion than that it is composed of pro-
fame swearers, card players, and drunkards.
Suppose there should be an intelligent
foreigner on this boat, travelling through
the country with the intent of forming a
we'll considered and unbiased opinion of the
practical working of our free Institutions
seeing you and learning your position, what
would be his conclusion Inevitably, that
| our experiment is failure, and our country
is fastening to destruction. Consider the
influence Of your example upon the young
men of the nation-what school of vice
are you establishing! If you insist upon
the right of running yourselves, do not by
your example corrupt and debauch those
who are the hope of the land. must tell
you that, as an American citizen, feel
disgraced by your behavior as preacher
of the Gospel, l am commissioned to tell you
that, unless you renounce your evil courses,
repent of your sins, and believe upon the
Lord Jesus Christ with hearts upon right
eousness, you will certainly be damned"
At the close of the services, retired to
my state room to consider my impromptu
address word by word, and whether, if 1
were called to reckoning for it, should be
willing to abide by it and its consequences.
Plain speaking and stern acting are common
things among the men of the West and
Southwest, and whosoever starts to run
race of this kind should be prepared to 60
undinching to the goal. 1 came to the
conclusion that nothing had been said of
which ought to be ashamed, and that l
would stand by every word of it, let the
issue be what it might. While cogitating,
there was tap on the door. A gentleman
entered, who said: Il have been requested
to wait upon you by the members of Con-
gress on board, who had a meeting since
the close of the religious exercises. They
desire me to present you with this purse of
money"-handing me between fifty and a
hundred dOllarS-"as token OF their ap
probation of your sincerity and fearlessness
in reproving them for their misconduct !;
they have also desired me to ask if you will
allow your name to be used at the coming
election of chaplain for Congress. If you
consent to this, they are ready to assure you
an honorable election"
Quite stunned with this double message,
asked them for quiet reflection, and con-
sulting with my friend be warmly urged my
acceptance of the offer. As the boat neared
Wheeling my decision was asked. l as
sented to their proposal. They went forward
to the capital; tarried in Wheeling to
preach. But the sermon on the boat was
far more remunerative than all my labors at
Cincinnati and Wheeling united. By the
agency of my new friende 1 was in due time
elected. Their money paid my expenses to
Washington, and so 1 entered upon my
duties as Chaplain to Congress.