Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1868-07-10
OLD SERIES.


and singing camp. meeting hymns. am al.
really looked upon in the neighborhood as
being rather loose and unsound; and II, a..
top Of au that, should LET you hold pray
ar meeting here. should lose mhat Iittle char
actey IRE got ieff.-
But our friend Arnold. of the Howard
Mission, was determined TO achieve the
prayer meeting. And during the fourth
week in May last. when there were many OF
his clerical friends in the city. Mr.. Arnold
thought he'd bring heavy spiritual cannon
ade to bear on Allen. and see what would
come OF IT. So. on Monday night. May
10Th. a'ter carefully conducted prelmina.
~ season OF prayer. an assailing party was
formed, including six clcrgymen from dif-
ierent parts OF the country, 10 march upon
the citadel OF the enemy. When VIC arri-
we'd it was half past twelve; the window
shutters were closed, and we feared We were
too late. But light shone through the
window over the door. and upon applica.
iion we were admitted. and received hear
iy welcome. Allen was Just then undergo.
ing shampooing process, for the purpose,
as he frankly stated, OF going to bed sober.
He added:
You see, gentlemen. il won't do Tor n
business man to so TO bed drunk. nor for
literary man either. So. now, you take my
advice, and whenever you End yourself
drunk about bed time you just lake good
shampoo. and you II find the investment1l
pay big dividend in the morning. But
walk into the saloon, gentlemen; walk in.
The girls are in there, taking rest and
smoke, after the arduous duties OF the ev.
ening. Walk in"
We walked in and found the girls smok-
ing pipes. and sitting and lounging about
| the room. In few minutes Allen came in
and proposed to have the girls dance Tor US,
but we declined.
well lhen' damn it, Arnold. let's have
4 song" he exclaimed
Mr.. Arnold, as usual, asked the girls
what they would like to hear. and they at
once asked for their favor There is
Rest for the Weary
Here, mother. give me my fiddle, said
Allen to lis wife, land bring out The
books" meaning the Little Wanderers
Friend. OF which he keeps u supply.
The books were got out by one of the
9 eirls. the fiddle was handed him by bis wife,
and Allen led off on the treble, all hands
joining in. There were eleven girls in the
room, and they sang in the chorus with un-
usual fervor, even for them. As soon as
this song was finished a couple OF the girls.
simultaneously. asked for "Tberc's Light
IN the Window for thee, Brother" which
was sung with emphasis and feeling.
At the conclusion OF the aforementioned
song Mr. Arnold believed that the appoint
ed hour had come. and. tapping Alien on
the shoulder, be said
"Weli, John old boy give us your hand
feel just like praying here with you.'
Allen took The extended hand and q uflly
said:
"What-damn it to bell--pray? DO you
mean pray? No, sir, neverl"
"Well. John" responded Mr.. Arnold,
~ avn going to pray here anyhow. III
don't pray loud I'll pray soft. You shan't
'Ost 'hc pray tF' at any rdte.
We'll. Arnold. mind now. il you pray I
,coHt hear yoH; mind that. / don't know
anything about il. / won't hear you"
And backing slowly out Of the room. and
repeating 81 won't hear you" over anil ov-
er again, Allen went ihTongb lbe door lead.
ing to the bar. and closed 1t after hiIn.
Mr. Arnold then invited the girls TO Join
in prayer with him, which they did some Of
them kneeling on the floor. As did the vis-
iiors. and others boving their heads upon
their hands, while Allen peered through the
window Of the partition do or upon the sin.
gular scene.
Mr. Arnold's heart was almost too foil
for uitcrancc, bot his fervor soon unloosed
bis tongue. and he poured out 4 simple,
direct and heartfelt prayer, which told pow.
eriolly upon the hearers. Many Of the girls
arose. sobbing. TO their feet and several
Of them crowded around Mr. Arnold. and
begged him, in the name Of God. 10 take
them from that place. They would work
their bands of. II honest work could be rot
for them they would submit to any hard.
ship. IL they could only be restored 10 Oh.
/ portunities for virtue and Christian life.
Poor Arnold lie was the picture OF dis.
pair IL came upon bin. all at once, that
there is no help for such this side he grave.
lie bad at last conquered bis opportunity.
and prayed with these children Of sin and
shame. and now that they were calling upon
bim to answer his own prayer to give
them chance to cat the bread Of Hie-he