Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1884-07-22
TIVE REV. MIR. Arthur.
lio,c The Presidents Father Thuntpsd a
MGss Who IsteT-r,,Tied iho Se1pioc.
rg.,,, th., N.,y York Naua


was living at Roosick. On one occasion
he WIS the central figure of an exciting
wraIgle between rival Baptist organiza-
tons in tho town of North Pownal, in
bennington county, VT For many
years the town had twosec,s OF Baptists,
one known as the Hard-Shells and the
other us tho Sew, nth-Day Daptists or
S.bbatarians. Neither sect prospered
as well o. the elders thought they
ought, and it was finally agreed by
them that the two bodies should unite
and work in harmony with the Baptist
cause. A church was built i'll
common by the two sects, and
written articles were signed where
l,y each sect agreed to use the
building every alternate Sunday for re-
ligious services. 1t was also stipulated
that if either sect failed to worship in
the church on the Sunday set apart for
it, the church property should revert
entirely to the other sect
The arrangement continued to work
smoothly for considerable time, but
at last discussions arose among the mem.
bcrs of the two denominations, which
eliminated in an open quarrel. While
the quarrel was in progress the Hard
Shell Baptists lost their minister and
found themselves likely to be without
any one to preach for them on certain
Sabbath. They were threatened by the
Sabbaiarians that, if they did not hold
regular services on the day named, the
church would be confscated by their
Advcrsaries under the terms of the con-
tact, aud that they would be debarred
from urins it thereafter. In this diem
ma the Hard. Shell elders resolved to
enlist the services of the Rev. William
Arthur. Hoosick, where he resided
was only about twelve miles from North
Pownal, across the State line. They
saw him, and he consented topreach for
them on the Sabbath Indicated
He got lay preacher to fill his plnce
in the pulpit of his church at Hoosick,
and started for North Pownal early in
the morning Of the Sunday specified,
taking with him the clioir Of his own
church. One of the singers was his fa-
voritc daughter, named Malvina When
he entered the church at North Pownal
he discovered the choir Of the Seventh
Day Baptists in possession of the organ
loft. His choir was compelled to take
q position in another part Of the church.
He assembled the pulpit and opened the
services with prayer. There was no in
terruption until the opening hymn was
sung. He announced as the hymn to be
sung, "Jesus, lover Of my soul" Sim
ultaneously with the singing OF it by his
choir the Seventh-Day Baptist choir
sang the old Dozology. The result was
that there wero two choirs singing two
tunes at the same time, which were not,
of course, in accord. The confusion was
great. One Of the choir of Rev. Mr..
Arthur says his choir almost shouted
their words in order to drown the voices
Of the disturbing choir. The next inter-
ruption Of the venth-Day Baptists was
during the sermon OF Mr.. Arthur.
The sermon was in accord with tenets
of the Hard-Shell Baptists. Everylittle
while, after Mr.. Arthur had enumerated
some sound Hard-Shell Baptist doctrine,
Seventh Day follower, who had been
primed for the occasion, would interject
the remark, ?" That's lie r. in tone OF
voice TO be heard all over the church.
The remark was repeated several times,
TO the evident delight Of the Seventh. Day
Bapiists present, bnt TO the constema-
ton OF the Hard. Shell wo,shipers. Mr..
J s'ao1 - '"ovi,r went On with his dis.
course, without showing by his manner
q that he had heard the expression, or
that he was in the least annoyed by it
Chagrined at his failure to have the
preacher notice him, the disturber finally
got up from his seat and walked in q
threatening attitude toward the pulpit.
Thereupon Mr.. Arthur, Selling strong
hickory cane, with which he generally
walked, fastened from the pulpit and
met the disturber in Tue aisle. He seized
} hold Of him, with the remark, "You
scoundrel, get out OF here" and ran the
fellow out OF the church. He gave him
three or four hearty thumps behind
with his cane when he got him on the
, steps. Mr.. Arthur then resumed his
+ place in the pulpit, and the services were
: conducted to the close without any fur
: Their demonstration on the part Of the
? Seventh-Day Baptists.
+ 1t was in the basement of the same
t church that President Arthur afterward
s taught school. After he quit the school
I the late President Arthur went there and
taught writing.