Juliet signal., 1863-09-22
ROBBHNG A METHODIST
MINISTER.

SooD after the PRONUNCIATION OF Method
ism In England, it spread with great rap
idity over the counties of Devon and Corn
wall, aad especially among the miners
For long time after its introduction. the
clergy and high orders of society iu the
west of EDglaac manifested a degree of
dislike to the doctrines, which can hardly
be imagined in these days Of modern tole-
ration 1t was thought by many young
gentlemen good Sport tn break the windows
and maid up the doors of Methodist chaps
el. The robbery of a Wesleyan preacher,
as spree. by three young men, had to
pay very dearly for their practical joke.
Among the instructed local preachers
was one known by the name of the old
Gardner This old man was no common
character, indeed he was quite an original,
and by far the meet popular preacher
among the lowest and least intelligent of
the Disciples of John Wesley lie kept o
small nursery garden abOa. two miles from
the town st. A., working hard at bis
OccuI alton by day, and praying and
preceding to bis fellow sinners, as be term
ed them, in the evening lie lived in the
poorest nanDer, giving away all the sur
Otus of his earnings in charity, distr1bat
ing bibles, and promoting to the utmost of
his ability to the exteDsioa Of Methodism,
His complexion was a eort Of dirty, dark
iron gray, and his whole appearance Lean
and grOtesaue. Although extremely ieno-
rant. he pOssessed 60 small degree Of Gun
ming aud personal courage Oe this, the
following incident affords atnpIe evidence
The old gardener was once subjected to
burglary and attempt at robbery He liv-
ed with his wife. ia q small and some what
diapF0afed cottage not far from the high
road. Three young 'squires. who had 5ust
finished their studies &C the University. and
who all despised and hated Mstbodism,
having heard that the old mao had been
recently makingsa collection to build
Methodist chapel, thought it would he a
god fre4Sc TO rob him temporarily, Of
the proceeds Of the collection. The resuit
% the hOlic is best related ia the words of
one Of the actors:
We set out said he, upon our exuedi-
ton with blackeDed faces, oD dark night.
little before twelve O'Clock. We bad
dined late-all of us bad Dutch as we'll as
Cornish courage yet, confess, when it
came 70 the point, felt myself coward.
l began to reflect that it was but dast.
ardly frolic to frigbten q poor old man and
bis wife in the dead of night.
The clock struck twelve. 'Now comes
the watching hour of night exclaimed
Tom.
Don't let US frighten the couple out of
their witR,' said /.
No. said Ryder, we will be gentle
fobbers-gentle as Robin Hood and Little
John.'
i said would rather travel back than
nRnN0aA GQanollnok x.sl al RI
lew is sn old soldier as vel: as Q saint and
fears nothing human
'NonsenssP exclaimed Ryder, here goes.
He pressed the feeble door of the cottage
10 which the old man resided; il immedi-
ately few open. We entered aod found
ourselves in sort Of kitchen. To our sur
prise there wae light shining in the jn.
ner room. This made us hesitate.
who is out there at this time of nigbt?'
exclaimed hOarse voice from within. I
knew It TO be the unmistakable voice of
the old gardener. slC - ~. :"
Tive US your money, and no harm shall
betall you said Tom, but we must have
your money
The Lord will be my defense , reioined
the old gardener. You shall have no
money from me all in the house is the
LOru Q, Iake IL II you Qafe!
We must and will have it, said we. as
we entered the inner room; after taking
the precaution of fastening the chamber
door a. We entered.
We soon wished we bad suffered il 10
remain open, as you will see. sa.
Nov consider Us face to face with the
old gardener. and o pretty sight We pre-
sented. Three rufiaps (oUrselves) with
white wsgoner's frOcks and blackeced fa-
ces. Before Us the old gardener, sitting on
the side Of his bed. He then wore Q red
worsted night cap, Q checked shirt, and Q
flannel jacket; bis iron gray face, friDged
with q Rrizsly beard, looking as cool and
undismayed as if be had been in the pul.
pit preaching A table was by the side of
the bed, aud Immediately in front Of him
an open bible, close By which We observed
70 our horror heap Of gunpOWdsr, large
enough to blow up castle. A candle was
S0Inlng on the table, and the old fellow
nAo steel IN one hand and large flint in
the otner: We we're all three completelv
paralyzed. The wild, iron faced, determs
ined look OF the old gardener. The candle.
the flint and steel, and the great hean of
pOwdes, absolutely frOze our blood and
made towards Of us all The oardene- 80
the impression he had made.
'Whatl do you want 10 rob and murder1
exclaimed he. You had better Join with
me in prayer, miserable sinneFs that Won
sl are. Repent and you may be saysd.-
You will soon be in another WOrldi'
Ryder 6rst recovered bic sspssch.