The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-21
URIAH wALEs's QUEER FREAKS.
Why He Refused to Speak to His Wife fo1
Ten Years.
Coalton (Pa.) Special.

Coalton Nfa.J spec al.
A great sensation was created in this place
about a month ago by the sudden disappearance
OF prominent citizen, under singular cllcum
stances snd now almost as great Il one Is caused
by his temperance as suddenly and mySterl-
ously as he disappeared. The citizens name Is
Uriah Wales. He had been for over thirty years
a member of the Free Christian Church, and a
elass-leader and exhorter. His wife was not a
commitment. and frequently ridiculed her hus-
bands enthusiasm in his religion. Ten years
ago, after she had made some sighting remarks
about his profession, he told her that he would
never speak to her again until she saw the error
of her ways and became converted. He kept
his word III spite of the circumstances and ap-
peals of his friends and fellOw-church members.
All communication between him and his wife
was carried on through their son.
Early in December last a revival of religion
began in the church. Mrs. Wales had long re
GREETED the unfortunate position in which she
and her husband stood toward one another, and
as all efforts to break his stubborn will had fail
ed, she resolved to put an end to the matter her
self by complying with the condition upon
which their former positions might be resumed.
She accordingly attended the revival meetings,
and on the night of the 18th Of the month it was
ioyfully announced in the church that Mrs.
Wales was converted. Her husband arose and
said:
For ten long years l have been widower,
but, thank God, now have a wife!'
Mrs. Wales arose from where she was kneeling
at the altar, and astounded the congregation by
saying, firmly and earnestly, Il do not believe
any man who is truly religious can deliberately
ignore his wife for ten years and 1 ask that
special prayers be offered for the conversion of
my husband She then turned toward her hus-
band who was still standing almost parayzed
with establishment, and said: ''Uriah, get down
ON your knees, be awakened to the error Of your
ways, and ask forgiveness Tor your sins. l will
lead you to the Lord MYSELF She walked to-
ward him. He turned and went hurriedly out
of the church. He was not seen or heard of
afterward until on last Sunday, although a
thorough search was made for him for days
throughout the vicinity.
1t is the custom of the Free Churh in Coalition
to hold prayer-meeting Sunday evening after
the regular service Last Sunday, while the
prayer meeting was in progress and the congre-
cation was singing a hymn, a entered the
church, and, as he walked quickly down the
aisle toward pew where Mrs. Wales was stand
ing the congregation recognized him as the
missing Uriah Wales. The singing ceased, and
Wales entered the pew where his wife was, and
before she could recover from her establishment
embraced her, at the same time eXclaming:
1.-The Lord has forgiven all, and j am a
Christian at last!7
The pastor and congregation focked about
their long-missing brother, whom they had all
looked upon as dead. To all inquiries as to
where he had been he would return but one re
ply, Il have been communing alone with the
Lord" The reconciliation between him and his
wife was complete, and a special thanksgiving
meeting over the unexpected return of Wales,
and the ending of all his family hnpleasantness,
was organized, and singing praying, and re
marks" were continued until long after midnight.