The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-09-26
MUSCULAR CHRISTIANITY.
A Good story Of Bishlp Selwya.


In the autumn of 1857, spent few days
morning, at breakfast, the pastors wife receiv-
ed letter, which her tttering told us must be
tit-bit. aha, uncle" exclaimed she, "here
are clerical doings exactly to your taste" The
writer, lady in distant country, narrated that
there had lately come into the next parish new
vicar-a very foe young man, who at school
had no superior in Greek or in boxing, and who
at the university won honor for his classics and
silver cups for his boating He was beginning
10 earnest the work of an evangelist among
long neglected, vicious and brutal people. He
had Plan, and will; but many worthy folk
were fearing that his zeal was withou: knowl-
edge-or wisdom at any rate One of his first
measures was to open school in remote part
of the parish, and get the room licensed for
week day preaching. But all the drunkards
rose against such unheard of proceedings. They
would run after him, cursing and hooting, and
discbarging volleys of sods and other missiles
Finding remoustrance vain, be adopted another
course On the Wednesday evening in the week
before l-heard the story. Making stand in
the middle of the road, at the entrance Of the
hamlet, jus: as the storm rose, and looking the
savages in the face, he addressed them thus,
In firm, quiet voice which commanded their
attention: My good fellows, have borne this
patiently for some time, but now / must put .
stop to it; and I'll do it 10 your own way Choose
your best man, and we'll fight it out. IF beat,
you'll give up, you know" They looked at
him unbelievingly; but, throwing his coat a
bush, he added, Il am in earnest, send your
man." The rufiaus laid their heads together,
and then burly giant stepped forth, and STIR p
ped, and made furious dash at his reverend
challenger, who quietly parted the unskilful
blows, and played with them for few seconds
But, then, fist was planted in the peasant
chest, and be lay at full length on the ground.
Quickly gathering himself up, however, he
skulked away TO his campauions- "Now send
your next best and III go through the lot Of
you" Again their heads drew together, aud
another threw down his jacket; going to work,
however, with more cautious energy But at
once stomacher stretched him on the road.
"Your next" Once more conglomerate of
dense pates was formed "BiIl, thee tccE hin"
Bill eyed the hero askance, and shook his head.
''Thee, JIM" a shake of the head from Jim,
also. "Dick, theel teck tn parson?" shake
more decided, and stiff "Nay, nay; Use see
thee hung fust:" And now the first one who
was vanqushed stood forward, and, like brave
man, called out, 81 say, parson, yo're rare
young 'un, 20 ar Use tell thee what: were GO
ing to hear you preach" And they all followed
him along the little street, said the writer, and
heard the Word quietly adding, it remains to
be seen what will become Of the fight. What
did come of it? I heard, long time afterward,
that from that day the men dotted their hats,
and the women anrisied, and the children look
ed awe stricken when they Met or passed him;
thst the church and schools were filled; that
the beer houses we're nearly all shut up; and
that great moral and religious reformation was
in progress. That gentleman bad previously
been the in strument ola like change in an equal
ly demoralizcd parish. [ may add that few
years back he was deemed the fttest clergyman
in the church to 60 out as bishop TO scene Of
great personal dahger in q heather country.