Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1865-10-03
Muscular Christianity.
A coon STORY OF BISHOP sELwYN.

In the autumn Of 1857 spent few days 10
country parsonage, and on the Sunday morning,
at breakfast the pastors wife received letter i,
which her t.ttering told US must be ut-bh.
Ha, uncle" exclaimed she here are clerical
doings exactly to your taste" The writer lady
10 distant country, narrated that there had lately
come into the next parish new vicar--a very
fine young man, who at school had no superior
either in Greek or in boxing, and who at the uni
versity won honors for bis cassc and silver cups
for bis boating. He was beginning 10 earnest the
work Of an evangelist among a long-neglected,
vicious and brutal people. lie had plan, and
will; like many worthy foks--or wisdom, at any
rate One Of his FIRST measures was TO open a
school in a remote part Of the parish aud get the
room licensed for weekday preaching. But all
the drunkards arose against such unheird Of pro-
ceedings. They would run after him curang and
hooting, and dischargins volleys Of sod and mis-
siles. Finding remonsIance vain, he adopted
another course on the Wednesday evening in the
week before ] heard the story. Making stand
in the middle OF the road at the entrance of the
hamlet, Just as the storm arose, and looking the
sayages in the face he addressed them thus, 10 a
firm, quiet voice which commanded their attention
any good fellows, have borne this patiently for
sometime, but now must put a stop to it and,
I'll do it in your own way. Choose your best
man, and we fight il out If | beat, you'll
give up, you know" They looked at him un-
beevingly but throwing bis coat upon bush,
hs added, {" am in earnest send your man.
The ruffi4ns laid their heads together and then
burly giant stepped forth, and stripped, and
made furious dash at his reverend challenger,
who quietly parted the unskillful blows, and
played with them for a few seconds. But, then a
fist was planted 10 the peasants chest and be lay al
full length on the ground Quickly gathering
himself up, however, he skuked away to his com
panons. "Now send your next best, and III 20
through the lot Of YOU" Again their heads drew
together, and another threw down bis licket
going 10 work, however, with more caution,
energy. But at once stomacher stretched him
on the road. "Your next" Once more a con-
glomerate Of dense pates was formed. Bill
thee take him." Bill eyed the hero askance, and
shook bis head" Thee jim; shake of The
head from jim also. "Dick, thee Il take tn par
sonP" shake more decided and stiff =" Nay
nay Ise see thee hung fust.' And now the firs
one who was vanquished stood forward, and like
brave man called out, say, parson, you're q
rare young IN, you are. tell thee what we're
going to hear you preach" And they all fol
lowed him along the little street, said the writer
and heard the Word quietly, ending, il remains
to be seen what will become Of the fight. NhaI
did come of it2 heard,s long time afterwards
that from that day the men dotted their hats, anc
the women curtsied, and the children looked awe
striaen, when they met or passed him that the
beer houses we're nearly all shut upi and that 4
great moral and religious reformation was IL
progress. That gentleman had previously beer
! the instrument of like change 10 an equally
demoralzed parish. may add that few year,
back he was deemed the httest ergJ men in th'
church to 20 out as bishop to a scene Of gEes
personal danger in heather country.