The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-02-07
A COAT LIKE PRocToR's.
CHAPTER I,

lf could truthfully say that none knew Luther Rutherford but to love him, com parstive happiness would be one of my possessions. am Luther Rutherford, which fact, you wifi doubtless perceive, is one of the reasons why feel such an interest in him.
 At a very early age, how early do not know, the 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 l would accomplish when l became the feeder of flock. She never lived to realize her hopes, and perhaps it is better as itis. was not a strong boy, which, more than anything else, con- vinced my parents that was designed for the ministry. We were very poor. living on hillside farm, streaked with gullies. One of my early duties was to sweep out the church, and, when my task was completed, 1 would often stand in the pulpit and preach to an imaginary congregation. No one seemed to think that l needed any especial training. This could not have resulted from a strong faith in my natural ability, for even in the little school l sometimes at- tended, 1 was thought to be remarkably dull for child of my years and experi- ence. don't know what particular ex. perience was meant unless it was my custom of sweeping out the church.
 My father and mother died within a few weeks of each other. and 1 went to live with an uncle who thought that the farm work of the present was of much more importance than the gospel work of the future. He was a great, strong burly 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 violence-a time when he found me lying in the hay, reading a tract, pleasantly en- titled The Anguish of Torment" He said nothing particularly, but taking up bridle, he gave me such proof of his noncompliance that for a while did not know whether I had been cut in two or simply lost one ofmy legs. After this, my apostolic contemplation ~.. indulged while the old fellow was asleep, bnt nothing could change me. iregarded myself as being persecuted, like many of the saints had been, and l took dreary pride in it, still was very strict in my walk and felt that a second visitation of bridle-rein and manly exertion was not to be encouraged. succeeded in steal. ing much time, and when had reached the age of sixteen, could read under standingly and could write little, an ac- complishment which l practiced with a goose-quill and poke-berry iak. One day, thinking that had done quite enough work for my uncle, l went to him and said:
 "Uncle, think it is about time that I was beginning my life's work"
 "It is about time that you were doing something" said he.
 "I mean, sir, that it is time that should go out and preach the gospel"
 Breach the gospell' he replied in- dignantly. "You've got no education. How can you preach P
 "Peser had no education, either" sug- gested.
 "The fools resort" replied the old man. "Do you think that you have been called9"
 "Yes, sir"
 "l don't believe it. Anybody that's SC slow about getting up of a morning when he is called ain't apt to answer . call to preach. May be, though, 1t didn't come while you were in bed"
 The old man leaned on his hoe and laughed. Breach Why, confound your lazy skin, you'd better think about paying me for your board"
 I tried to be melting in my look of re- proach, but soon fels that no mortal eye could rebuks him. >f
 !" l have done . great deal ofwork for you, sir,s ventured to remark.
 aYss, and have eat a devilish sight.s
 " Isss that 1t ii useless to talk to you. UnciA do yoa sser think about dying ?"
 Hs iooisdd up quickly and tAesght Ais serious consideration had at last bssa engaeed.
 aYes.S.
 Where do you thia:: yeau %