Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1860-10-17
MistrllantOuS.
written for the otroniCIe
SUNDAY IN EGYPT.
BY MRS. P. D. GAGR
(coNcLUDED.)

the loud singing from within the log church
proclaimed that the services had commenced
We made our way to the door. wondering
where all the people that had come on 81
r many horses AMI males. and in 50 mIny
wagons. not to speak of those thronging
j the numerous paths converging from this
common centre. could possibly stow them
: selves.
i This was in part explained b, groups of
men and boys, seated on logs around the
house, busy with politics, jack knives. ci-
gars and to;acco. We entered the door as
the preacher commenced his PRAYER, and
stood quiet till i.s end; listniug as res
pectfully as possible to wild rodOmOutade
of supplication and laudation. uttered with
a spasmOlic Ineoherenee. that reminded one
of big uurully boy. b gging in fcarand
madness, to be saved from whipping,
Words came tumbling out with such ra-
ipidity and force a. to make them almost
unintelligible. and when breath could no
longer be given. it was caught up with an
''ah," between every sentence. after this
manner ''0h Lord, hear US in mercy ah'
for we are poor weak and miserable sinners
ah that if We had our deserts ah. would
this day be cut nf from being encu.n5ererS
of the ground ah, and by thy infinite mer-
cy ah. have our place ah, in the grave with
the dead ali, and in he'll with the damned
ah'' &C.; all this at the top of a screaching
voice, did not irpress US with very solemn
or reverential feelings
The prayer ended, another minister
(there were thee present. rose and ad-
dressed those standing about the door. said;
Brethren and friends, come mp this ere
way. there is right stout chance of seats
up here" ''come up, we will make room"
there was little hesitation, but he still
urged. repeating the expression. Brethren
and friends, t ere is right smart chance of
room left yit.
dropped into a seat near the door, aud
while the rest we're being seated, looked
about me at the domieil that sheltered us.
! 1t was square structure as l said before.
Of logs. about twenty-five feet square,
there was but one window furnished with
glass, that was directly behind the pulpit,
if u rude platform of unpaintel wood couid
be 50 called; this window was but the
width Of two lights of eight by ten
glass. and thiuk but six lights deep. there
might have been eight, but the larger part
l could not see. eight at most made up the
compliment: on one side of the house was
hole in the wall. the size of one eight light
sash of eight by ten, with blind made of
boards that swung back upon occasion. and
let in light and air; opposite to this was
door, used for the same purpose; another
door facing the pulpit, allowed ingress and
egess to the multitude.
III roof was low. and the joist overhead
were all that lay between US and the roof.
our seats were narrow boards, or plarks.
set upon pegs, and so high from the floor
as to be very uncomfortable.
The house was full. with large spriuk-
ling. or as one of our ministers would have
said, a right smart chance of babies and
little children; Brother. G. who seemed to
be new conner among them. rose to
take his text; he was very youthful in ap-
pearance, aud must say norwiths anding
L may be called impious, rather loaf
erish.
His shirt was very much sciled-minus
collar or neck-tie-and unbuttoned unbe-
mingly low in front. He wore no vest,
no suspenders to his unmention blss; which
were strapped tightly around his hips. in a
decided prize ring condition, leaving his
wilted and discOlored shirt bosom. dang
ling at viii four inches above them-a very
seedy black alpaca sack coat, made up the
balance Of the tout en- Sembte of the visible
above the pulpit He commenced his re-
marks by telling US that he was going to
take great long text and maybe he should
preach great long sermon" and for an
hour poured forth stream of noise that ex-
ceeded any thing ever heard, in utter un-
intelligitility and pointlessness. 4
He did not stop to breathe. but caught
an inspiration with an "ah," now and
then. that kept him agoing till he had time
to catch another whif-he pounded the
pulpit. beat the air, the sweat poured from
his brow and he wiped it away on his coat
sleeve. He begged, he impiOred, he threat
ened. and in the feryor of his excitement,
which might with truth be said Ito be zeal
without knowledgc" completely exhausted
himself and when his lungs could DO no
more. sat down, calling upon Brother G.
to close up the exercises. Brother G.. a
calm. gentleman, selfpOised man. that
had been sitting. leaning his head upon his
hand, as if ashamed of the whole thing
rose. and in clear rich voice. using good
language and good grammar, made few
remarks. 1t was Ike calm
after thunder gust. But what was the
matter; the young girls about US began to