The Chickasaw messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1880-1900, 1881-05-26
HOW IT ENDED.
By REV. Up. YOUNG
CHAPTER VII.

For Eve years everything moved
| pleasantly ia VeIden. The different
departments Of business In the town
we're prosperous, and the people we're
very happy. Mr. Greatheart bad
done much for his church. Many
had joined during his ministry, and
the majority bad remained faithful,
but some, like Demas, had loved the
present world. Some Of the older
members had died, and a few Of the
young ones we're lying IN the ceme-
terry awaiting The sound Of the trum-
pet that is.to call the holy sleepers
of many years to awake to a death
less life Religion had been urged
upon them and having embraced It
they we're not afraid to die, neither
did their friends sorrow for them "as
those who have no hope" The
mother and fNther planted the flowers
Of hope in the soil Of their chlldren's
grave because they felt that they had
died ia Christ Very few in Verden
had died without hope, for the past
four years.
There had been no balls for long
time, and entertainments had become
rare. Mr. Lghtfoot aud his sister
went North, and spent part OF their
time, and while there they partici-
pated in the festivities OF the season,
bat they were unable 10 awaken in
The hearts Of Yerden desire 10 en-
gage in these worldly amnsements
True, lighlfoot exerted an influences
for evil but he failed to accomplish
all ofhis purposes, Many Of his old
associates bad become religious, and
those who had grown up we're not so
fond Of him who once led in the
fashionable circles. His efforts to
lead the young people into error we're
more than countorbalanced by the la.
bors Of Mr Greatheart But the |
minister's health failed, and be was
forced 10 resign his work and seek the |
bracing air of anuther cline. This was
fatal to spiritual lie Of his church
Gradually the young members lost
interest 10 the services--there being |
no Minister to dwell with burning |
ardor upon the great themes Of the |
Gospel, o. enforce a rigid observa-
tion OF the duties Of christian life. /
God knew fha. we need to be often
reminded Of our duty, and in mercy
to us az we'll as in honor to himself
he instituted the christian ministry. |
Had it not been necessary it would |
never have been instituted by an
Advise God. No church can glorify
God, accomplish much good, or live
very long without a minister. The
church that attempts to live without
a minister had just as well write
"Ichabod' upon its affairs at once.
When deprived OF its pastor the once
dourishing church in Verden grew
cold, and those who bad once stood
at her altars began to turn to the
'.weak and beggafly elements Of this
world Unholy desires led to un-
holy alliance with the world, and its
allurements drew many noble hearts
away from God.
just ut This crisis Professor Tripit,
a dancing master came to town. aud
proposed To teach those who had
jast grown up how to dance The
devil is very sagaeious and wise, and
he is always ready to present to them
the "glory Of this world and ell the
kingdoms thereof and say cell
these things win ! give thee, Il thou
wilt fall down and worship me. !"
It is true, he did not take posses
sion Of hearts at once, but iRsinuated
evil into their habits, and they hardly
knew it until they we're in bis service.
He persuaded some that pleasure Was
the only thing for which God created
them, and that its maximum could
not be enjoyed without this innocent
amusemeat, By the help Of the
thoughtess and gay, Mr. Tripit
made up bis class and began as he
said to teach them 10 be graceful.
But it was observed that those who
we're ungraceiul aad inelsaant at the
beginning remained 80 10 the end. Or
if they did gain elegance Of carriage
it was ct the expense Of modesty
The pure minded. sweet young ladies
who entered the school came out
with 3 disgusting afieotatlon and
bfazen effrontery incOneruous with
The character OF q nohle woman.
Many manly boy Who had always
followed the pFomptings Of conscious
rectitude and g high purpose, Was
changed into the bFainless fop whose
/ grandeat achievements we're in the
ball room. The Oft repeated asser
ton Of Prof Triplt, thst dancing
would make one graceful was die
proved By his on lack Of that quality
il bis motion-hs was anything else
but graceful He was not large
man, but heavy set, about ave feel
six inches high. and weighed about
one hundred and nine pounds 4
hair, Of rosy red FEATURES largo
high checks, an ordinary fQreh
mouth like Clag s--fYom ear ioA +
and eyes as duIl as lead. He 81
been a drunkafd and e gambler, sod
IN other towns had been anod fol
misdemean0rs. The uas lhe dewitt
agent IN opening the gates Of sil
/ IN Verden.
ITO be eonfinAeal
Tne time has almosi cone uheu e
politician who UInks s. sIoa thai b