Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1884-08-02


closed on dollar it melted forever from
useful circulation. A kind visitation of
death, for which she had often prayed,
removed his poor wife from an associa-
ton so odious. and his only child, a girl,
ill-used from childhood, ran away, went
to the city, and mingled with the gilded
crowd of shame. Once a woman, who
with several small children, was found
in starving condition said that
her extreme adversely was brought about
by Renshaw, who, for trifiing pastur-
age debt, had seized On her COW. As
old age grew upon this man, shaking his
footsteps and bending his ungainly form
the fear of death became TO him more
and more terrible. In tremulous dread
he barred the doors at night, as though
death gained entrance by forcing iron
bolts, and stingy though he was, kept a
lamp burning at his bedside, as if the
chill whisper always came in the dark.
He believed in a hell of actual fire.
Strange that the worlds most depraved
men nearly always do. His weakness OF
body turned to strength of fear. At
last, bordering over while the lamp of
life holds out 10 burn, the vilest sinner
may return" he decided upon repent
ance. With his skinny forefnger, he
traced the Bibles lines of promise, and
in his skillful way-not bow of promise
he wrote petitions for pardon.
"My only hope" he unused one night:
"is to become preacher. 1 have seen
many an old preacher totter cheerfully
to his grave, and if go into the pulpit,
and tell people of my misspent life, the
Lord cannot in justice withhold his mer-
cy from me"
The people were greatly surprised to
near that old Renshaw contemplated de-
voting the rest of his life to the minis
try, andnot a few regarded the announce
ment as a joke, but when it became
known that the old man was building a
church, everyone was convinced, though
nc one expressed faith in his sincerity.
Even in the construction of the church,
Renshaw showed the paw of parsimony
for he tore down stable, and used the
old logs.
A man passing one day, remarked:
$50, Mr.. Renshaw, you have decided
to preach"
"Yes, brother, and the thought Of il
has given my soul more contentment
than has known for many days."
"Do you think you have been called
ON to announce the principles of Christi
"Every man, brother, who has a de
sire to do good unto man, has been call,
ed"
"Unto his fellow-men, yes; blu. sup.
pose he man for whom he desires good
be no other than himself"
Old Renshaw regarded his questionel
for a moment with look not bespeak.
ing ease and replied:
1T is for the Lord TO Judge and not fol
man to insinuate. Wait until you hear
me preach, and then sit in judgment on
|
there is an awful hell"
81 hope So" the man replied.
"Don't say that. Let no one infer that
you desire an endless torment"
But do desire it for those who de.
serve it. IbelIeve more in tie goodness
Of God than / do in the power of the
devil, and though l have not publicly
declared my intention of following in
Il hn ~ Of \ ha nj los
have no fear of that awful hell at the
thought of which you stand aghast. BY
the way, if you would show your faith
by your works, don't you think that you
should have chosen better material for
your church than the logs of an old sta
ble?"
Brother" replied Renshaw in rather
sharp retort, Christ was born in a man.
ger; cannot the people receive the birth
in house built from the logs of sta
ble?"
$50 far as the influence of the gospel
is concerned" the man replied. zone
house is as good as another, but to tell
you the truth, don't think there will
ever be much gospel heard il your
church. Good day"
A large congregation, actuated by curl
osity, assembled to hear old Renshaw
preach. Little boys who many a time
had scampered from the old mans or
chard, and little girls who had many a
time been frightened to bed by the
mention of his name, could not under
stand why they were brought to see him.
| The day was intensely warm, and ere
the congregation had crowded in the
church, dark clouds came over, while the
distant glimmer and rumbling boom,
told of an approaching storm. When
Renshaw entered the house, a profound
hush settled upon the audience. There
were TO smiles of welcome, no shaking
Of hands. The lightning, ltirid in its
nearness, flashed through the doorway,
and seemed to sweep the floor in fiery
anger, while the thunder with threaten
ing roar, Jared the old logs of the house.
Old Renshaw entered the pulpit. Light
ming danced on the single pane Of glass
forming the window behind him. Rails
ing his hands, he said:
"Let US"
There came vivid fash, deafening
clap of thunder as though the magazines
o. Jove had blown up. Old Renshaw,
with his hands raised, fell forward dead.
People looked at each other in amaze
ment, and then there arose cry that
the church was ON hre. The rush was
soon over. No one was hurt. Silently,
and in ave.. the congregation looked at
the destruction of the church. No one
had removed the BODY of old Renshaw.
The timbers fell in; the dry logs melted
into ashes. Across the road, a short dis
lance from the scene of death and con-