Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1885-02-19
A COAT LIKE PR0CT0R'S.

CHAPTER /.
If could truthfully say that none
knew Luther Rutherford but to love
HIM, comparative happiness would be
one of my possessions. | am Luther
Rutherford, which fact, you will doubt.
less perceive, is one of the reasons why
feel such an interest in him.
At very early age, how early do
not know, tho belief that should
preach the gospel took almost entire
possession of my being My mother
encouraged the idea, for she used to
tell me what great good | would ac-
complish when | became the feeder
of flock. She never lived to realize
her hopes, and perhaps it is better as
it is. was not strong boy, which
more than anything else, convinced
my parents that | was designed for the
ministry. We were very poor, living
on hillside farm, streaked with gull
lies. One of my early duties was to
sweep out the church, and, when my
task was completed, would often
stand in the pulpit and preach to an
imaginary congregation. No one
seemed to think that needed any
special training. This could not have
resulted from a strong faith in my
natural ability, for even in the little
school | sometimes attended, | was
thought to be remarkably dull for Il
child Of my years and experience. |
don't know what particular experience
was meant, unless it was my custom of
sweeping out the church.
My father and mother died within q
few weeks of each other, and went
to live with an uncle who thought that
the farm work of the present was of
much more Importance than the eos-
pei work of the future. He was a
great, strong bury man, and from the
first thought that argument on my
part would avail nothing. He seemed
to think that my parents had died
merely to punish me and that he was
the administrator of the design. He
never but once exhibited vlOlcnce-a
time when he found me lying in the
hay, reading tract, pleasantly en-
titled "The Anguish of Torment. "
He said nothing particularly, but TAX
ing up n bride, he gave me such a
proof of his noncompliance that for n
while did not know whether | had
been cut in two or simply lost one of
my legs, After this, my apostolic con-
temptation was indulged while the old
fellow was asleep, but nothing could
change me. regarded myself as be-
ing prosecuted, like many of the saints
had been, and | took dreary pride in
it, still was very strict in my walk
and felt that 4 second visitation of
bridlc-rein and manly exertion was
not to be encouraged succeeded in
stealing much time, and when | had
reached the age of sixteen, 1 could
read Understandings and could write
Il little, an accomplishment which
practiced with goose-quill and poke
berry ink. One day, thinking that 1
had done quite enough work for my
uncle, | went to him and said:
"Uncle, | think it is about time that
/ was beginning my life's work"
at is about time that you were do
ing something" said he.
al mean, sir, that it is time that
should 90 out and preach the gospel.
"Preach the gospel " he replied in.
dignantly. You've got no education.
How can you preachP"
Peter had no education, either"
suggested.
"rhe fools retort," replied the old
man. "Do you think that you have
been called?"
"Ycs, sir.
81 don't b elieve it. Anybody that's
so slow about getting up of morn
ing when he is called amt apt to an.
swer q call to preach. May be,
though, it didn't come while you were
in bed"
The old man leaned on his hoe and
laughed. "Proach Why, confound
your lazy skin, you'd better thinl,
about paying me for your board" "
tried to be melting in my look OF
reproach, but | soon felt that no NOR
tai eye could rebuke him.
II have done great deal OF work
for you, sir" ventured to remark.
"Yes, and have eat Il devilish sight.
IL see that it is useless to talk to
you. Uncle, do you ever think about
dyingP"
He looked up quickly and | thought
his serious consideration had at last
been engaged.
yes
"Where do you think you'll gop"
"See that old orchard over yonderP'
pointing, "I'll go there, l reckon"
"Your body will 20 there, but where
will your soul goP"
THAT is none of my business. Mar
handles the body; God handles the
soul. II God don't know what to dc
with the soul, all right. I'd be foo
to advise Him"
You can pray that your soul may
be kept out of torment"
Eyes, | can do that, but II Goo
thinks that torment is the right place
/ ought not to have anything to say
"'fhcre = no use in arguing with
you, uncle.
mot a bit. "
81 am now old enough to take cart
Of myself"
"All right"
81 shall leave you at once"
He accompanied me to the house
When / had taken leave of the family
he handed me package and said:
"Open that when you are on thu
road"
shook hands with him and turne,
away. When ! opened the package
felt like turning back and striking th'
old man. He had wrapped up bar o
soap.
CHAPTER II.
hired myself TO farmer, agreeing
to work half the time for the privileg
Of going to school the other half, bu
| A &h.A ,l.xa