Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1884-01-18
SHOWING THEIR COLORS.

1t is always honorable in religious
people to " show their colors.n and such
a course makes them respected, in the
end, by even the worst OF men, for the
reason that they see its consistency aud
recognize the courage it often requires.
In the more primitive times in this
country. when the popular estimate of
n minister included more show of devo-
ton, travelling preacher would be
misjudged who failed to pray openly at
the usual hours, when stopping over
night al n country travern.
Especially was it necessary for min
iSter TO hold his own in this particular.
if any attempt or disposition was shown
to bully him into silence. The famous
Peter Cartwright had an experience
with profane landlord, while travelling
with good old Father Walker in Vir-
cinia, which We give below in his own
words.
"At bedtime Father Walker told the
landlord that we were preachers, and
modestly asked leave to pray in the
family before we retired, The landlord
flatlv refused, and swore he would have
none OF our PRAYING about b M, declar-
ing that he knew we only wanted 10
pray off our bill.
Father Walker cxpostulated with
him, and mildly insisted on having the
privilege to pray; but in vain. He said
he would have no praying about his
house.
Il then asked him # he kept house
of public entertainment.
He replied: Yes.
"'And," said |, "you allow men to
curse and swear, and get drunk in your
house, if they pay for it?'
"He said: Yes
"'Well, then, we iiaye as good n
right to pray and serve God in your
house, if we pay for it, as they have 10
serve the devil here and pay for it, and
insist that we have our rights. We
have money, and don't wish to pray
off our bill
80 Now, Father Walker, | continued,
do you pray, and I'll acdtch; and if he
cuts up any capers. I'll down on him,
and hold him still TIL YOU are done
! praying; for,' said |, the kingdom of
Heaven suifereth violence, and the vio-
lent take it by force.
$50 Father Walker prayed, and
watched the old landlord. who sat very
/ quiet and looked sullcn After this he
went off to bed, and his wife and daugh-
/ ter made many apologies for him. and
hoped we would not be offended. told
them no, not at all; that he was heartily
welcome to all he had made of us.
"And what is remarkable, the result
! seems to have justified this rough and
ready management by the preachers,
for the future moral and rel gious eX-
pcrience of tbs landlords family was
all that any man could wish
1t is moral decision that disarms the
enemies of the best intrests of the soul.
q will welcome, if reed be. the AK.
said great reformrr, "but confound-
ed be the tongue that dares ask ne to
/ abIure my principles. - That man died
Tor the Truth, but men from the hour
of that lofty declaration no more sought
to purchase his principles, and his spirit
/ lived on with the generations.
Moral decision is in itself soul-pOwer
"On the field of glory can not e hid, :"
said the conqueror of Napoleon on the
sea. Years passed, and he became the
naval hero of the Nile, the North and
Trafalgar. That sublime purpose caused
one of the Hottest monuments in En-
gland to rise. Nelson avowed his mis-
sion, and fulfilled it.
The West owes its progress to-day
greatly TO the pioneer preachers. They
were men who felt the force of Their
work. and claimed their rights boldly as
the messengers of God.
They travelled almost continually;
some Of them preached daily; their sal
aries were small; they died poor. But
they laid the foundations of the GREAT
Western empire for God. and other
men have entered into their labors. -
IOuhs Companion