The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1863-05-14
peacon osgood,s COW ..Ret.n

There was no moro honest, plain, and
sincere man in the whole valley than
Deacon 0sgood. He lived in a small
remote place named Morley. Its inhab-
itants were few and sparse. They had
email. shui-up Westinghouse, in whi,h
they occasionally had religious service
when any SIN of Levi happened along
and was willing 10 give them Sermon
But they had no minister, aud the house
grew shabby, Rhdthe schools run down,
and tho people were Indifferent to gelig
ious things, I'D eYsrftsinE had kind
or'mGiie1's.aik iooG, pUUf and Or \, Hiitl'
discouraged There was no public
spirit, aud the place seemed to be fast
becoming ddft-wood, compared with the
fresh trees Of fresh forest. Deacon
Osgood mourned and sighed alone, Al!
last the genius Of goodness seemed to
whisper in his ear; deacon 0sgood, ara
you going to let things go to ruin-the
whole Of Morley--hody and soul?"
What can do2' 'Act,'-'Yes but l
can't act alone, and the people won't
stir. They are all dead. What can |
do?' Make up your mind what is best
for them, and what they ought 10 do
and lhen-mako them do it'!-Deacon
Osgood sat up that night alone very
late What he thought has never been
known. He is not a talkeh But early
the next morning he had old Kate har.
messed, and, before night, was thirty
miles from his friend, Rev. Jonas Faith.
lul. | do not know what he said, but
Mr. Faithful told his wife the next day,
that he never heard eloqucnoe before
Esquire Turnpenny was 'lhe most in
ilueutial'-as was Suid-and the richest
man in tho town. lie loved money,
and be loved land, and ho loved cattle,
and he loved anything that was property
But he did not love religion, nor minis.
lers, nor Subbalhs. He professed 10 be
an uubeliever, and yet he had quite o
respertf for Deacon Osgood. The Dea-
con- he used 10 say, SIS marrow minded
and superstitious, but he's consistonlp
The Deacon went to see Esq. Turn,
penny. A small part Of their conVersa.
ton only was heard. la
Now, Deacon, that's oil moonshine.
You know | don't believe in these things
and consider ministers kind of moth
upon society worse than useless l
believe It, and would not give that for it
all'---apd he snapped his fingers smart.
y.
But Esquire, the place is all running
down!'-I know il, and it, you will bring
in something productive-a real produ-
Ger Of property, I'll do somtohing hand
some .m ,.,.
Wen, Esquire, il you viii agree to
give twenty dollars year for five years.
And that's a round hundred
Il know it, sir. But II you will agree
to pay twenty dollors yearly, for the five
years and then If 1 cannot show the
place is richer in property than all we
have paid the minister, | pledge myself
to refund your hundred dollsrsl'--'Yes,
but who shall be the judgol' You
shall.'--'Woll, Deacon, if you are not q
saint, you have the perseverance Of the
saints And to show you that | do
not want to be mean, now say, if at the
end Of five years I allow tho town is az
much richer as all his salary, l will give
you tho best COW l have got in the
world!' 4....... .ll.. "A
Deacon osgood made out in his own
mind what each man could and ought to
give, and then went and persuaded each
mOn 10 do it. In ono week no had bis
salary subscribed, and then after few
moro interviews with his friend, in few
weeks ii was nOisod through the region