Mexico weekly ledger., 1884-03-20
THE DANN'DEST COMMUNITY. -

Point, a mountain district of Arkan-
saw, had a way of disregarding the
Gospel and subjecting preachers to
irreiigious indignities. In respect to
the very few gentle people who lived
there, Conference decided not to give
up the post, hoping that the united
prayers of the church and physical
dexterity would at last land the for
esters on a plane of safety and high
moral influence. Preacher after
preacher went TO Flint Point, but
each one brought back reports dis
couraging to the cause of reformato-
ry appeal. Young Adam Boyle, a
man of excellent proportion and a
disposition to thump, said that he
would undertake the work of empty
ing Gospel on the unhallowed heads
of the buriy sinners.
"We lave prepared a FEAST" said
young Adam, and now, as they will
not come upon invitation, l shall go
out and compel them to come
"Coming is not the point" replied
an old divine who, with coat tails
streaming, had once left the neigh
borhood of Flint Point.
''You will have no trouble in get
ting them to come, for they are all
anxious to hear the word. The
trouble arises from their lack of
sympathy
"Pll undertake it at all events
said young Adam, lnstinctively shov-
ing up his shirt-sleeve and casting a
complimentary glance at his arm.
81 thiuk that you have all been too
easily frightened, and have, instead
of teaching them how fearless true
religion is, shown them your own
lack of firmness."
! Young Adam went to the Point,
and employed runners to announce
that he would preach in the
"Trough''-a name applied TO the
imeeting-house-the Sunday follow
ing. Old Gabe Lane. Tom Prout,
the four Gardner boys and Spike
Gradson were all delighted, for they
had seen no amusement since the
last preacher afforded them entertain.
ment. When Sunday came the
church was crowded. Old Gabs
Lane took a front scat, and to lool
at his humble head and long bead o.
patriarchal pattern, you would have
taken him to be the presiding eide
of the circuit. Tom Prout, with hi
chin resting on hickory stick whicl
he held upright between his knees
sat just behind old Gabe. The othe
noted revivalists, as they called them
selves, sat around in seeming anxiet,
that the clear waters should soon be
gin their flow. When young Adam
saw these venerable looking gentle
men in front, he thought that hi
very presence had created reform
and, greatly encouraged, he steppe'
behind the pine table which served a
a pulpit and surveyed the congrega
ton with an air of assured compla
cency. He gave out hymn, an
with the ardor of helping spirit,
was sung with an enthusiasm whic
young Adam had not dared to eS
, pect. A feeling prayer was offered
Tom Prout lifted his chin from th
stick and winked at old Gabe, VIII
replied with squint of his water
eye.
"'My good people," young Ada'
began, sit is reported in my neigf
lborhood that you are all going t
hell"
"Political lie," said old Gabe.
I, "Got up by the devil for campaig
purposes, remarked Tom Prou
without lifting his chin from tt
stick.
Young Adam was not prepared fe
this. ''You don't understand M
l my good people. l did not say th'
U I believed the
"Political lie.''
"Got up by the devil
The minister wiped the perspir
ton of annoyance from his fac
gazed at the audience with an indl
nan. stare, and said: "All ask
this congregation is chance. II
lll-repute under which you rest
"Pohtical lie.''
.'Got up by the devil"
81 shall not submit to such an i
, suit. You gray-haired old SHINE
and you oursngoutang with the clu
J can't bluff me-" and the courageo
I, preacher stepped from behind t
table. This was what the boys b
been waiting for, and rushing fe
ward they seized young Adam, to
him out, swung him in the air, al
stopped him suddenly against tire
: When they liberated him he took to
y heels, and when last seen by the co
. gregation his coat-tails were poppi
! in an agitated current of air.
When young Adam reported
headquarters the campaign mar
ayers were discouraged. "We W
= have to give it up as lost said
4 man whose fright and subsequente
ercise at Flint Point had given hin
kind of nervous dance, performan
which was regularly enacted when
ispoke of the Point. "Have to gi
Al it up
. 1.11o G., n