Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1883-07-13
GEO. o. BARNES.

JUNE l5th.-We had Temperance
Gospel" meeting last night, instead Of a
"Gospel-Temperance" one, as the bills an
nounced. The fact is, we are smothered
out in this mixed up affair and have learn
ed lesson that will be useful for future
guidance. For example: Every night
am preceded by two temperance speakers,
who are new people every time. This in
itself is fatal mistake of the management
All sorts Of men and women with all sorts
Of methods and manners, keep up such a
hustle Of excitement, that, after pledge
signing with its attendant hubbub is over,
at o'clock, | am laid upon a jaded con-
gregaiion, who have already been under
"high pressure" since 1880 o'clock and are
in the worst possible frame Of mind to lis
ten to the gospel. Under the circumstan-
ces il ia marvellous that anything has been
done at all. Monday night | had no
chance to draw the net and hardly an OPP
portunity of telling the people what came
for Tuesday night, after a short sermon,
there were confessions. Wednesday, s
more and last night three, with congrega.
tions steadily dwindling, although the
room will only hold $50 people. Last
night was rather climax So described in
my opening sentence, for, feshy gentle
man, who opened the Temperance depart
ment, and on rising mopped his forehead
in nervous way and said be hoped he was
not expected TO make long address, az he
had very little to say. When he got under
a full head Of steam, 40 far from being EN-
barrassed by paucity Of words or ideas, did
not even pay regard TO the admonitory tug
Of the chairman at his coat tail, when his
time was up, but went on. warming up with
his subject, holding on and out, until he
had stolen 30 minutes Of my time AZ we'll
as exhausted his own. He was a nice, bluff,
hearty old fellow, who talked a lot Of good
hard sense and we all enjoyed his speech,
and even were amused at the sturdy way
in which he "held the fort" against the
helpless chairman, pulling away from his
warning tug in testy way that made US
laugh. He was Mr.. Wardle, Of "Duigley
Del" over again and quite like a bull In
a china shop when he got started. At last
he sat down. The gent who followed him
gave the old fellow cut for taking up his
time and then held on and out himself, not
seeming to think that he infringed on my
rights, but consuming the period allotted
10 the I'd speaker on the programme. Old
Mr.. Wardle robbed him and he took in.
demnity by pillaging me, so that could
not get 10 word until $3.50 o'clock. | had
no one to Cypress, but the unfortunate con-
gregation, and refused to stake il OUT Of
them, poor innocents that they were, so
"cut il short" and gave little talk and a
brief invitation 10 which the three respond
ed, above mentioned. Praise the LORD
for even that many. From all which. my
readers will gather that l do not think
much Of GOspel. Temperance; less Of Tenn
perance- Gospel, and believe fully only in
THE GOSPEL-pure and simple as the
remedy for the ellis flesh Is heir TO-"
That covers the whole ground, as il was
intended by the LORD TO do, and needs
nothing to help il. "The fruits Of the
Spirit" are not only "jOy and peace" but