White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1872-03-21
BROTHER CRAFFORD.

During my sojOurn in Mississippi, (shOrtly after
heard the great sermon, which was played on a
harp Of thousand strings,) had occasion to Wis
it a friend in the neighborhood of Port Gibson.
the next day, being Sabbath, accompanied him
to Zion Chapel, which was some hundred yards
from the main road and surrounded by forest trees
Having arrived rather too early for the service,
myself and friend sauntered about the woods
rather actively employed in brushing away the
cloud of mosquitoes that surrounded us. At
length a strange specimen of the genus homo made
Lis appearance ON horseback; it was Brother
CraffOrd.
he wore an Old-fashioned bell-crowned beaver sew
eral sizes too large. To remedy this defect cot
ton bandana handkerchief was stuffed between
the hat and his forehead. His coat was of a most
ancient pattern; blue with brass buttons short
waist and long swallow tail The collar came
within an inch of hiding the back part of his head
His vest was extremely low and his pants short
The latter were held down by leather strap pass
ed under huge pair of brogans of an Unframed
leather color. Altogether his presence strongly
suggested Dan Marble i'm his Yankee character Of
Jonathan Homespun. But to the sermon-or at
least portion of it-for it was utterly impossible
to report the whole.
The congregation was large, as it had been
"narrated" abroad that new servant of the Lord
was to make his debut at Zion.
Brother CraffOrd skunk into the pulpit with
more than ordinary humility, and after devoting
q few moments to silent prayer he rose
Gingerly pushing up the sleeve of his stray coat,
whereby he displayed pair of large, long bony
hands, of a beet red color, he grasped the handle
of an earthen pitcher and poured into tin Gun
draught of water, which he drank with inimitable
gustO.
His appearance in the pulpit was a study for an
artist His face was long and lank. eyes pal. grey
nose aquiline, complexion sandy, hair greyisli
sandy, head bald on top, with the exception of
small patch on the organ of reverence Gas if to
shade it, and, altogether, the picture of Greeley
whilst inditing Freesoil Abolition document for
the benefit of his Southern subscribers.
He began alphabetically, as follows:
lyon don't see me to-day in the dress alters
wear; come among you as a stranger, and am
now trcked out in my store clOthes-I am not
prond man, but thought it would he more be-
coming before strangers"
After this he raised hymn, in which the con-
gregatiOn joined. He then began his sermon:
"My dear brethren and sisters, first and fore
most, Tine gwine to tell You about the affecting
partin l had with my congregation at Bethel
Chapel AFTER had got shrOugh with nv fare
well sarmOnt, as came down out of the pulpit,
the old grey-headed brethren and sisters who had
listened to my voice for twenty years. crowded
around me, and, with sobbing voices, and fearful
eyes, said-Fdr1ceu, Brother Craford!
As l walked down the aisle the Young ladies'
tricked ont in their finery of brass ieweiry. pew
gaws, jmcracks paint and flounces, looked MP
with their bright eyes, and pronounced with their
rosy lips-Farreu, Brother Cra6ord!
Inc younk men, IN THEIR Tight leather boots. high
collars and fiashy Notwithstanding of poma-
tnm and cigar smoke-with their shanghai coats.
and striped zebra pants-they too sad-FarueH
Brother Craford!
The little children-lambs in the fold-lifted nm
their tiny hands and small voices, and with one ac-
cord, said-Far'ceH Brother Cra6ord!
The cOlored brethren of the congregation now
came fOrwarl-(black sheep who had been admit |
ted to the fold under my ministry with tears |
rolling down their sable cheeks, thew too said |
Farrell, Brother Craford
As got on my horse and babe ailieu to NV con. |
yregatiOn fOrever-I turned to take last looL .t |
The old church where had PRECEDED the unsarcb-
lble riches of Christ for morn twenty wears. and
IS gazed at its dilapidated walls and mosscoy-
red roof, it seemed to say-FarreI, Brother Graf
ord.
As rode down through the village, the people
v no pOked their heads ont on the winiers. and
he servants leant on their br0Oms all seemed to
ay-Farrek, Brother Cra6ord!
As passed along down the highway, through
he forest, the wind as it sighed and whistied
through the tree-tOps, playing on the leaves and
ranches the burden of salvation it, too. seemed
0 sAy-Far,ceH Brother Cra6ord.
Crossing little creek that was puru1inp and
inging over its pebbly bed, as it reioiced on it's
ray to the great ocean of eternity il, too seemed
D say-FarreH, Brother Cra6ord
As rode along down a hot dusty lane an old
DIV that was asleep in fence corner. iumped ont
T . student, with loud brOO- 90. broo-oo-sbc |
DO seemed to say-FarceH, Brother Craford,
My horse, he got frightened and inmpe,l from
nder me, and as he curled his tail over his back
licked mp his heels, and ran off-he too seemed IN
Iy-Farwe!A, Brother Crafordr'