Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1881-11-30
Old Jack Martin.

He was an eccentric character who
crossed the plains with the flood of emf.
grafton in 80. He had been an exhorter
In the States, but the gold fever tore him
from his theological studies and turned
his feet toward the West. With pick,
shovel and pan, he went to work in q
gulch on the American river, but fortune
was not lavish of her smiles IN this par
ticular case, and he found himself flat on
bad rock, with not a pound of -four ol
bacon in his cabin.
At later day he settled down as the
regular pastor of a charge in Dutch Fiat,
where rude church had been erected by
such Of the miners as had not lost all
their religious inclinations in their search
for gold.
A rather good story is told Of the man
ner In which the old man woke up his
congregation on the matter of little back
salary due him. On certain Sabbath
morning an unusually large congregation
had assembled to hear him discourse.
Before the beginning of the service Jack
descended from the pulpit and was seen
to approach several brawpy members OF
the congregation and whisper into their
ears. When he returned to his stand the
muscled worshippers quietly arose AID
stationed themselves at the door, after
which the preacher calmly said:
my dear brethren, it is now about
year since | first showed up in this pulpit
and headed you toward the living pastures
on the strsighs and narrow gospel trail. I've
tried TO iadle out the square truth as |
caught onto 1t in my skIrmishes through
the Holy Writ. In my prayers | have
shown no partialIty, but wreStled Just as
hard when asking Heaven to open the
eyes Of hummer Jim, and turn him from
his wickedness, as l have been when I'M
ploring that the truth be made manifest TO
Col. Ward, the owner of the Monarc ch
mine.
Now, Pm going to talk business to You,
after which | will drive ahead with the
regular service. | want money! I'm going
to have money, too, before l sling word
this morning. You are not dong the
square thing by me and you know it.
When | agreed to look after your spiritual
welfare you promised me a clean two
thousand. Now, have stationed mob of
business men at the door, and the first I'M
penitent sinner who attempts to make
sneak ON the open air will be the leading
character IN a lively little incident that he
will remember as long as he lives. A col
lection will now be taken up, and as
the box is handed to each one l
want him t. pull his bag and empty some
dust into the box. Tony Arnold, just
you circulate the box. Now, Doc, spill
the dust and set the boys good example.
Tip'er up and don't be afraid of dropping
a grain or two too much. Contribute your
mite that your days may be long in the
land that flows with Ililk and honey.
Now, Alex. Jones, it's your turn. That
was decent spill. johnson, saw the
bulk of the wealth on your side of the
table in the game at kentucK's last night,
and the church wants Its percentage.
Good enOugh-that's fair share. Judge
Mason, skin your weasel and pay toll or
don't travel. That's the ticket-nothIng
mean about you, Jude. Now, Shorty,
chip in, and give the glorious cause boost.
May the Lord be as liberal IN his shaking
down blessings on you. Your next pull
Arkansaw; ante and pass the buck
Hold on, that don't go. You didn't drop
lhree grains in the box. 1lp'er up again,
and may your blessings be chOked of as
you choke off the stream of dust"
Thus he went over the whole congrega-
ion, none of whom had the cheek to re-
fuse contribution. When the dust was
brought forward the preacher said:
g he cause OF the Lord and Jack Mar
in Il not suffer now for some months, and |
shall continue, as heretofore, TO herd |
your souls on The best theological grass 10
's found in the gospel range. The text
.hosen reads as follows: ''lnasmuch as We
lid it unto one of the least OF these, my |
'rethren, ye did il unto me.
From this text he preached such pow
rful financial sermon that several came |
onward after the service and wanted to |
louble their contributions.