The Baltimore County union., 1866-02-24
Muscular Christianity-AG Good Sto-
Inlaol rY of Bishop SelWYn.

Muscular Christianity-A Good Sto-
''4oi ry of Bishop Selwyn.
In the autumn ofl637, spent few days
ina country parsonage, and on the Sunday
mo rning, at breakfast, the pastors wife re,
ceivedoa letter, which her tittering told us
must be a tit bit. "Ha, uncle" exclaimed
she, here arc clerical doings exactly to
your taste" The writer, lady in distant
county, narrated that there had lately
came into the next parish new vicar-a
very fine young man, who at school had nc
superior in Greek or in boxing, and who al
the university won honor for his classics
and silver cups for his boating lie was
beginning in earnest the work of an evauge
list among long neglected, vicious and
brutal people. He had plan, and will
but many worthy folk were fearing that
his zealwas without knowledge-or wisdom
at any rate One of his first measures was
to open a school in remote part of the
parish, and get the room licensed for week
day preaching. But all the runkards rose
against such unheard proceedings.
They wonld run after him cursing and
hooting, and discharging voleys of sods and
other missiles Finding remonstrance in
vain, he adopted another course on the
"Wednesday evening in the week before j
heard the story. Making stand in the
middle Of the road, at the entrance OF the
hamlet, just as the storm rose, and looking
the savages in the face he addressed them
thus, in firm, quiet voice which command
ed their attention: '.My good fellows, /
have borne this patiently for some time,
but now must putsa stop to it; and I'll do
it in. your own way Choose your best man
and we'll fight it out. If beat, you'll give
it up, you know" They looked ut him un-
belieyingly; but, throwing his coat on q
bush, he added, !" / am in earnest, send
your man." The ruffians laid their heads
together, and then q burly giant stepped
forth, and stripped, and made furious dash
at his reverend challenger, who quietly par
red the unskillful blows, and played with
them for few seconds.
IA But, then, fist was planted in the peas
ants chest, aud he lay at full length on the
ground. Quickly gathering himself up,
however, skulked away to his companions.
4" Now send your next best, and III 60
through the lot OF you" Again they drew
their heads together. and another threw
down his jacket; going to work, however,
with a more, cautious energy. But at once
stomacber stretched him on the road
Q, Your next" Once more a conelomerate
of dense pates was formed Bill, thee
teck him. ~ Bill eyed the hero askance,
and shook his head "Ehee lin, !" a shake
of the head from Jim, also. +" Dick, thee'l
teck TIL parson p shake more decided,
and stiff :. Nay, nay, Isc see thee hung
fust." And now the first one who was van
quished stood forward, and like a brave
man called out, II say parson, ye're arare
Young'un, ye ar. Ise ellthee what; we're
going toshear you preach. ahaa
1nA nd they 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? | heard, q long time afterward, that
from that day the men doifed their hats,
aud the women curtesied, and the children
looked awe stricken when they met or pas
sed him that the church and schools were
filled; that the beer honses were nearly all
shut up, and that Il great moral and reli-
gious reformation was in progress. That
gentleman had previously been the instru
ment ofa like change in an equally demorali
zed parish. / may, add that few years
back he was deemed the fttest clergyman
in the churchsto go out as bishop to scene
of great personal danger in heathen coun
try. 81 s'a @ 80
~ re<S.' w orr;rv4on,j rolatoc n story vhicl