The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-05-02
LOST HIS RELIGION.
The Severe Trial of a Renowned Preaehsr--A Gail That Was
 Much rickled.

People who live In the neig hborhood of the Blue knob church were much sar. prised aad were greatly shocked the other dsy, upon learning ,ha, the Rev. Calvin Bobbigton had lost his religion. During many years Mr. Bobhig,on has been the pastor ot Blue Knob church; and, 60 endeared has he become to the quiet and good people oi the vicinity, tha. the children actually cry for the old gentleman. Several days ago, a com- mittee selected from tho Hue kaob cou- grsgaton, called upon Mir, Bohbig,on aud presented him with fine plug hat The spokesman said that the congrcg alton de- sired to express, with token, the great esteem In which the worthy pas,o, was held. The thankful tears of watm. hearted emotion s,reamsd down ME. Bobbigton's face when he arose and Ac- cepted the hat He hoped that he wks no, a weak man, but he had long wanted just tha, kind of hat. He shook hAnds with the committeeman, and promised them that he would handle the ha, with tenderness.
 "lt could not have come tn better time," unused the preacher when the gea- erous visitors were gone. "i shall wear it to town and when the city preachers see me at conference, they cannot pu, me down as country hoosIsT. Because a maa ss preacher !s se ssascn .hA. he should despise the elegant Adornmen, of life. Would the gospel be any moTs affective, I'd like to know, if aiI the preachers were to wear Aax brooches and straw ha,s2 No sir Nothiag ls too good for me-"
 When Mir. BobbIgton arrived la ,own, he wAs assigned to the care of Major Henry GliLdee. Gllddse is a dsvous member of the church. 1, ls said tha. hs would rather pray than to eat. Well, when Cliddee conducted Bobbigtoa into the paslor, and immediately after hs had been presented to Mrs. CIlddes, the host said
 Brother Bobbigton, have heard much of your pissy asd ability"
 Thask you, brother, thank you"
 "To me IL is 8 great feast when 1 sit down with such man.
 "Thank you, brother, thank you"
 The preacher placed his hat on a ta- ble near an open wiudow.
 Brother Bobbgton, will you please lead us in praysr"
 They all go. down on their knees. The minister did not know exactly whs,to pray for, but hs vas willing so take anything which the Lord might feel disposed to give him. He we'll undssssood his bud. ness. During long term oi service hs had asked for much and well understood shaping his petition.
 A light breezs tipped over the preach es's hat. IL rolled from the window siIi and fell in the back yard. A yeafiing calf saw the performance. ittickled the N@H VSsr tHbSH' tt~ W@s@%N " " s%~ hat and placed one ol hIs hoois in t. Then he pat it on his head. l. settled down over his s.ubbed hosns and he couldn't get it of. Whsa the preacher arose, he discovered that the hss was gone. He hurried to the window. looked out and, ustsring q horrifsd exclamation, he rushed through the door. The cali objected to giving up the hat. ssds with dess-iiks Hestpsss. he ran asoasd the yard. The preacher and the host chased the calf BobbigsoD had not taken 70 much exerciss siscs the prsvjous summer, when, daring ss snxious hous, he husried through the woods, wsddlisg . shon distance in the sdvsncs oi wilA hogs snout Tie cad, ia tryiss te dodgs the psssehss, sss against the ieses asA tore the bat aii to pieces. Thss ths cd fsiiow tuned He the bAss siel C hls wrsth. 4 man who heard ths rsa6jstaa told the writer hssso( tat hs vas ss1ss- ishsd ae ths old mss's vosdsrfsl se. sources. He said fhaf t wss swlal. lts set dgkt so plscs hsnisd sssmsts = . nnas's sbiiitiss. Ths cd mas has tanr porasiIy retired from fbe church. He ssys that hs cannoe turn vAed ane1 aftss the opening q ths nsvival ssnssa.