The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-09
A NEW ENGLAND PRAYERMEETING.
A Faithful Sketch of Occurrences at a Neigh
nnf1,


Rangome, Mass, Letter in New York Tribune,
Whom Deacon Hawkins had finished his en-
treaty that we should, in every situation in life
be sure and stan up for Jesus, he sat down, and
a black man who was present began to sing ION
Jordan's Stormy Banks with immense gusto
everybody who could sing, and a great many
who could not, joined in, and the sound seemed
to fill the hot, crowded rooms as with tangible
substance.
This wakened the meeting which had been
rather dull. The black man sprang to his feet
when the last note had rolled from his lips AL
most his sole remark, repeated again and,
again, was the hope that we ssall might battle
and bath in the love of Jesus" as for him he
longed to battle and bath in that love; he was
resolved to do it; Satan and hell should not pre-
vent this battle and bath. AS he went on with
his repetition his voice rose higher and higher.
The dull, careworn faces about me, seen by the
light Of single kerosene lamp, began to be
moved somewhat but as the owners were
Yankees. they held themselves stifay STILL only
one or two grooming now and then.
After this there was no waiting. The next
one on his feet was Mr. Caleb Fearing, a.man
who was said to be so close that he would
pinch cent good while before he spent it."
His tone very fiat and whining, and he
more murderous in his use of language than any
one we had heard, even in this village He
prayed. He thanked God for his Christian
privileges" .'The heft O. them privileges, con-
slider is bein' to these meetn's Bless these
things to Bless all our dear relatives, and
friends, scattered as they be JPN down this
sinful earth. Make Their hearts over; give EN-
new ones We thank the Lord that this
brittle thread O life is yit unbroke, and that
Thou still makest our lungs to heaye and our
pult to beat"
Mr. Fearing went on and on. He alluded to
his wife as his companion" and once as his
concert" perhaps meaning consort He was
grateful that she had been at last led through
the darkness into the right way. At this point
the woman next me whispered:
miss Fearing has jest experienced" and then
she added, ''but she experiences every spring"
81 feel to thank the Lord" said Mr. Fearing,
''that the bars have at last been let down. I'm
thankful that we be not as the heaten who set in
darkness yes. in gross darkness Think on it!
How awful! Gross darkness! Twelve dozen!"
Here some giggled and then coughed labori-
ously. Mr.. Fearing at last said amen, and then
we all sang.
hope am not causing any one to think am
viewing this prayer meeting in any irreverent
spirit. I am only telling just what happened
last week at this gathering True, such seasons
are somewhat mysterious to me- No stress had
yet been laid by any one upon any OF the teach
ings held by Christ to be all important AL
though His name was called upon incessantly
no one could have guessed what was the tenor of
His preaching while on earth. We had been ex
horted to enjoy our minds in the love of Jesus
to battle and bath in that love, to be thankful
we were not heather. That was the entire
meaning of all had yet heard, when MIR. Fear
pagans. could not have imagined what were the
attributes Of this Divinity to whom reference
was made.
A very young man rose and said in a fright
ened tone that ''he had found Jesus very pre-
cious to his SOUL" and then he sat down suddenly.
With every moment that passed now, the aspect
of the meeting grew more and more grotesque.
1t was not that l cared for the ignorance, in one
sense In another sense. that ignorance was
strange enough Could they not even in cheap
words, say something about the effect religion
should have on ones daily life, ones dealings
with otherse
A woman in the furthest corner of the other
room now began to exhort, but we could not
hear word, her. voice was so weak. She went
on and on in q isjngsong that promised to be
intermnable. Rdople began to nestle about
( Finally Deacon Hawkins, being the most
prominent man present, got upon his legs with a
desperate movement ''As we can't hear he
said loudly, I'm afraid Sister Rand Amt speak
in to edifcation."
The low monotone ceased. and the Deacon
asked respectfully: IAN / mistaken in thinkin'
Sister Ardent is present? If she u.s. will she lead
US in the closin' prayerw
This new name to us. Immediately
there was slight movement behind where we
sat, and then soft, feminine voice pronounced
a short prayer, the closing words of which were:
And if we love Thee dear Lord Christ,
shall do our work faithfully we shall lend a
helping hand we shall be both just and gerer
Gus, pitiful and kind"
Wnon Sne na0 Sald amen, ana we mao all
sung the Doxology as slowly and as mournfully
as was possible, hurriedly turned about, wills
pering to the woman next to me to tell me which
was Mrs. Ardent.
THAT thin little woman in that faded old
shawl Don't We know herr She lives over by
the Burnt swamp. Been there this ten year"
The wearer of that faded shawl had delicate
refined face. looked at her closely9 She was
the only person who had limited at any practical
use for religion. She had spoken dramatically,
and enunciated her words.
Il think it will be worth while for us to be-
come acquainted with Mrs. Ardent" l said, as
we walked home