The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-04-22
THE HEROIC cxxseynAx

mr. David Nelson was native OF Tennes-
.oo somewhat late In life he adopted anti
slavery views. Ho emancipated his slaves as
anon ns he was convinced that II was his duty.
ue had charge Of church In Kentucky. 1t
s,roye In valrfto retain him. He emigratad to
Missouri. then the far West" On the way no
s,onped in st. Louis and preached at COM
munion service In the church which was after
card Or. Rco's. When requested to Join
with the members In the bread and wine no re-
,,sod. He felt that he could not perform an
no, which to him would Indicate entire APP
rroyal Of their life and conduct ns Shareholders
The pain it gave him was greater than that
caused By his refusal. Brethren" he said,
81 believe the hands OF tho stakeholder TO be
drpping with blood. Ifeel II is not my duty
N oin with him at the Lords table,"
This was said with so much pain. and yet
With such deep love and tenderness In tone and
manner. that even In that day OF intense intol-
erancc, although there were many tears and
regrets. there was no anger All felt the sim
cerity OF the man. and saw that his distress was
,leep and genuine. He loved them despite
their difference OF opinion on tho growing ques-
zion OF human rights. and he was met with a
corresponding love and regret on their part.
His 81. Louis friends parted from him with re-
ere,. The primitive wagon bore him away.
with wife and children. to the spot chosen In
the wilderness. where the early settlers log
cabin was soon erected. There for eight years
did no preach the Gospel Many we're the hard
ships endured In those early days by all pio-
neers. Not the least to DR.. Nelson were long
exposures In his circuits. made on horseback.
across the prairies OF Illinois and Missouri.
The cold winds and heavy SHOWS recalled the
GENIAL skies OF his native South. When the
cholera ragged in Palmyra he went from house
TO house a. n physician. rendering all the aid
in his power giving cheer and comfort to many
souls whom be found torsakep by I'll others
East to procure funds to aid in the missionary
ami educational en,erprises in which his whole
s spSusSt his views V on slavery into the pulpit.
In 1885 or 1896 Hery abolitionists. with moro
sail than grace s!rove 70 incto the slaves @,
inceniiary speeches and the distribution ofcx-
citing. pictures. widespread indignation
fnsaas and she and fears saf ali saSe
owners werc aroused. The abolition zealots
we're driven from the State. after the usual
furlated mob. A party OF shareholders. who
had taken the lay into their own hands rode
a n C"S s tho y.r sent Is ed
with threa,en ing message to tho good Doctor.
He was wanted outside. DR.. Nelson had in:
English ancestry. Grace usually controlled il.
On his occasion grace spread her soft wings
and ea at s Sa 90 o.
gun from its brackets on the cabin wall.
Yes. / will come, out" said he. and show
then , that thsy shall not brighten my wife and
The. Doctor stood over six feet in his boots.
HI Wife whose , head reached scarcely above
own fright ntgrposed her small form between
bin, and the door and seized the hand that
you preach q gospel Of peace yet you are
l i,,J,s A Bible would be more fitting sub
II was some time before he yielded to his
wiie's tears and entreaties; but when she
might prove to. the cause OF Christ. he yielded
the w9n out BANDED to
thrust his right hand into his pocket and said !:
The first man OF You who steps across that
issharp and keen. lam a. physician, and know
the exact location Of tho jugular vein, and with
as ss ss 9s It IN amy
Don't you dare" calling by name ono OF the
foremost, who made an aggressive movement
viii Se the last You ever take in this nS World
This LANGUAGE. accompanied by the deter
mpsd look Of the keen blue eye which
without coat oI hat ara ana; win, no wsapon3
conciliatory tone. He had only come to
INQUIRE whsthSs it was t true that Dr. Nelson
u
be PC rsrm III me boctar replsS S0 that h hs
house was full Of them. He would lend them
ali good. He intended to continue to take the
newspapers, He recognized no ones right to
Before his White wrath the mob assumed
more and more OF a conciiatory tone. and.
after little further parleying. rode away In a
aiterward expressed the most bitter regrets
that he had ufrered his temper to control him,
that he believed that tho Lord permitted him
tob driven from his home and field OF labor
and usefulness as u punishment for that one
..A,neghbor and friend OF the Doctor was Mr..
MaIdrow, a man Of large heart liberal views.
S any, III hs SUBJECT African
slavery somewhat In advance Of his time. he
MAJ Srn Es Plan OF negro
man strive to induce the preacher to read
s nir HI e to his VIE
he was never more determined In his own
mind agap7 any action than he WAS II
siled refusal. He believed in ,smaneipa.
S p psscS Ss oosSe and
70 discuss agitating, topics before an ex-
cited icomTuGi'y His only hope fer tn the
Atthe close OF his sermon some one stepped
quickly forwara snd handed him he
Was ~ HuSoTDcU tlot ne Ubu IOFkOtten Tic
vexed subject. Surprising it to he some
common notice. he began the first senten ces
with an absent mind. and did not discover
tina; that he was reading the plan he had So
four hours until the paper was partially
read He then felt 1t too late to remedy
the mistake, and read the paper 70 its close
As he ceased, an ominous hush Eel! upon the
assembly, but there was thunder In the air
a An armed man stepped II front Of the pulpit
him saying: DR.. b. that Is my plan. Dr.
Nelson merely read 1t ut my solicitation. i
TO- me-
You. you - scoundrell' was the infuri.
ated reply. followed By a shower OF curses, -,
An excited crowd quickly surrounded the
pulpit. After q few moments OF loud confusion
~. b. rushed to tho door. Thcre poured
from him stream OF both curses and blood
ne had been stabbed In the side. This un.
fortunate occurrence increased the excitement
ma nas int inlamed passions, already red hot with
furious mob WAS organized. They sought the
ives OF those who had applied the match. as !!
ueIe 70 powder magazine. II was supposed
mat the wounded man was dying. Mr.. Mul
urow saved his lifo by taking refuge In the
county jsi at Palmyra. Afew saw The saife q.
Mosalt the blow. 1t. was In the hand OF the
aanthor OF the paper which reused so many mcr