The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1867-09-25
Podhding the Graoe of God Into Him.

many sermons, but the most forciblc
of them all is that which we give
below preached by young Methodist
itincrant, somewhere up in the Cum
bcrland Mountains. We take it from
II Mississippi exchange, and cannot
vouch for the truth Of it. 1t is good
enough to be true
When this old hat was now, thore
was q gap in Cumberland Mountains,
which is most likely thcrc now
There lived right in the gap black
smith, who was an infdcl, man of
education, welding powerful innu-
cree ovc the minds of men around
him, was potent enemy of Christi
anity, and made it his particular busi-
ness to whip every minister who at
tempted to pass through the gap.
at an annual conference of the
Methodist Church,thc one appointed
to this circuit refused to accept of his
work ; another appointed, and nmoth-
or, and they all declined. At longth,
the Bishop rose and asked if there
was any minister in conference who
had moral courage and faith in
Christ sufficient to encounter this mon
stcr: Ayoung man responded:
"llcrc lam-scnd me-"
Ministers and presiding elders went
to their various appointments.
Tho day arrived when young Bow
den was to fill his first appointment,
about two miles from tho gap. The
blacksmith, excepting rare sport, dis
miss cd his striker, and seating him
self by q tree on the roadside, was
reading Tom Paine, when he heard n
man approaching, singing, in voice
that echoed among the crags and
cliffs,
"lf0w happy ore they who their Saviour
The smith inquired if lie was that
ID Methodist preacher sent to this
circuit.
Bowdcn replied that he was Me-
thodist preacher, and that he was ap-
pointed to that circuit.
"llavc you not heard" said the
smith, "that [ whip all disturbors of
the peace that pass this way!"
'l have sir, been informed that
You are pretty severe Oh ministers,
the servants of Christ"
eyes," said he, "and I would pound
the ground with your Christ if lie
were to offer to preach in this neigh
borhood. / make you this PROPOSE
ton" said the smith. "Promisc INC
three things: |. ncnomcc this cir
cult. 2. Burn up your Bible. 3.
That you will read Tom Paine, which
[ here offer you"
Bowdcn replied that he could not
comply with his demand.
"Thcn," said the smith, ''dismount
and try your hand at pugilistics."
Bowdcn replied that the coat he
wore was presented to him by some
ladics,and not wishing to soil or tear it
he hoped he would be allowed to pull
it off.
Tho request was granted. IIo first
drew out his right arm, and, as his
right hand saw the light, he dealt the
smith sach blow that it felled him
heavily to the ground.
Eowden pounced upon him with the
fcrocity of tiger, inhicting blow
after blow i'll such rapid succession
that the smith cried out Justify,
"Enough."
When The preacher found out that
he had the young inquirer entirely
under his control, he said to him
that he would make him n PROPOSE
ton:
"lst. Join him in singing,
Ilcw happy arc they who their Saviour
obey
"2d. Promise to burn up Tom
Paine.
"3d. Promise to read Bible that
[ offer you every day.
"lth. That you go and hear nc
preach to-day, and regularly hcrcaf-
tcr.n
~ few more arguments dealt hcayi-
ly into his ribs induced him to accept
numbers three and four, but lie could
not appear before ncighbors a whipped
cur, with his face black and blue, and
as for singing, the only music he had
ever made was with jcws-harp and
his trip hammer.
The preacher pounded his pcnitcnt
again until he agreed to try and fol-
low low hlm in singing, if he would lead.
When the singing was ended, few
more blows induced him to 90 with
him to church.
Curiosity was rife to learn why the
blacksmith should be at meeting, as
also the altered condition of lis coun-
tenancc.
Faithful to his promise, the black
smith daily read his Bible, regularly
attended meeting, and early became
q convert to christianity, and not un-
til he joined tho church was revealed
an account of the first meeting with
tho preacher.
| Finally, tho affair was spoken Of,
and at tho next conference the preach
or was asked for the truth of the mat
ter, and with toars in his eyes, he cx-
claimed "N1y dear b,cthrcn, it ap-
pcared tho only argument / could sue
>csstully use, and did indccd pound