Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-10-18
THE REV. DIR. ARTHUR.
How thc Presidents Father
Thumped a Man Who Hn-
terrupted the Service.


terrupted the Service.
New York News.l
The late Rev. VIM. Arthur, the
father Of President Arthur, preached
in the Baptist church in Hoosick,
Rensselaer, county in this State, tor
many years. He belonged to tho do
nomination known as Hard Shell
Baptists." In personal appearance he
was of medium size and big-bodied;
His walk was noticeable, because OF
the fact that he was club. footed. he
was very lively in disposition, and was
possessed of a determined spirit. An
ecdotes to illustrate his character are
told by persons now living who were
his neighbors when he was living at
Hoosick. On one occasion he wal the
central figure of an exciting wrangle
between rival Baptist organizations in
the town Of North Pownal, in Ben
nington county, Vermont. For many
years the town had two sects Of Bap-
lists, one known as the Hard-Shells
and the other as the Seventh day
Baptists or Sabbatarians. Neither
sect p~rospered as well as the elders
thought they ought, and it was finally
agreed by them that the two bodies
should unite and work in harmony
with the Baptist cause. A church
was built in common by the two sects,
and written articles were signed,
whereby each rect agreed TO use the
building every alternate Sunday for
religious services. 1t was also stipu-
lated that if either sect failed to wor-
ship in the church on the Sunday set
apart for it, the church property
should revert entirely to the other
sect.
The arrangement continued to
work smoothly for a considerable
time, but at last dissensions arose
among the members of the two de-
nominations, which eliminated in an
open quarrel. While the quarrel was
in progress the Hard Shell Baptists
lost their minister, and found them
selves likely to be without any one to
preach for them on a certain Sabbath.
They we're threatened by the Saba
tarians that if they did not hold reg
ular services on the day named the
church would be coniscated by their
adversaries under the terms of the
contract, and that they would be de-
barred from using it thereafter. In
this dilemma the Hard Shells resolv-
ed to enlist the services of the Rev.
William Arthur. Hoosick, where he
resided, was only about twelve miles
from North Pownal, across the State
line. They saw him, and he consent
ed to preach for them on the Sabbath
indicated.
He got a lay preacher to fill his
place in the pulpit Ct his church at
HOosick, and started for North Pow
nal early in the morning of the Sun.
day specified, taking with him the
choir of his own church. One of the
singers was his favorite daughter
named Malvina. When he entered
the church at North Pownal he dis.
covered the choir OF the Seventh Day
Baptists in possession of the organ
loft. His choir was compelled tt
take a position in another part Of thu
church. lie assembled the pulpit ant
opened the services with prayer
There was no interruption until tn,
opening hymn was sung. He announc
ed as the hymn to be sung, "JesuI
Lover of My Soul" Simultaneous,
with the singing of it by his choir
the Seventh Day Boptist choir sam
the old Doxology. The result wa
that there we're two choirs singing tw,
tunes at the same time, which wer
not, of course, in accord. The confu
sion was great. One of the choir o
/, the Rev. Mr.. Arthur says his choi
almost shouted their words, in orde
: to drown the voices ofthe disturbing
choir The next interruption of tn
Seventh-day Baptists was during tn
sermon of Mr.. Arthur.
: The sermon was in accord will
tenets Of the Hard Shell Baptists
Every little while, after Mr.. Arthu
had enunciated some sound Hard
|, Shell Baptist doctrine, a Seventh
Day follower, who had been prime,
} for the occasion, would interject tn
remark: "That's a liel" in a tone o
} voice to be heard all over the church
The remark was repeated severa
times, to the evident delight Of th.
Seventh Day Baptists who were pres
I ent, but to the CONSERVATION Of tn
Hard-Shell worshipers. Mr.. Arthur
however, went on with his discourse
without showing by his manner tina
he had heard the expression, or tina
} he was in the least annoyed by il
Chagrined at his failure to have tn
! preacher notice him, the disturbe
finally got up from his seat and walked
in a threatening attitude toward tn
pulpit. Thereupon Mr.. Arthur
Selling a strong hickory cane, will
which he generally walked, hastenet
from the pulpit and met the disturbe.
in the aisle. He seized hold Of hin
with the remark, You scoundrel, ge
out Of here" and ran the fellow out o
the church. He gave him three O.
four hearty thumps behind with hi
cane when he got him on the steps
Mr.. Arthur then resumed his placl
in the pulpit, and the services wer,
conducted to the close without an,
further demonstration on the part o
the Seventh Day Baptists.
1t was in the basement of the sam,
church hat President Arthur after
ward taught school. After he qui
the school the late President Garfield
went there and taught writing.
Mrs. Lucy L. Mccormick, Coving
ton, Ky, writes: my constitution
moe comnIafolu obottarad hv rhauma