The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-07-31


STEPPED in hot sunshine. A line of for
est trees beyond, greener than one would
suppose they could be in this heat anC
drouth, relieves the sight, weary with ;
continuous glare of dry, bright days.
In the garden melon vines have turned
their leaves face downward to the earth
to prevent sunstroke, perhaps, though
human beings are seldom struck in this
Tomato plants have rolled up their foil
age to escape being burned, awaiting the
coming of night for unfolding to catch
what little dew may fall, and to breathe
in the cooling breeze. An adjoining corn
field is literally dried up, its yellow blades
rustllng with husky sound when stirred
| by the hot air. Even the birds, in their
occasional snatches of song, seem to be
calling for rain. We turn our sight up
ward to the summer sky-the Texas sky,
that always appears to be bending nearer
than that of northern ATTITUDES, and sail
ing over the deep blue like white-winged
ships, are feecy clouds rejecting the
suns brightness. Will they bring us the
refreshing shower? We still have hope
ANOvel Assembly.
The arbor is an ingenious structure
composed of poles laid upon strong sup
porte, the top being Tricky covered with
mating of green leaves and branches
deity woven in and forming a covering
nearly impervious to sun and rain; pro-
tected on one side by thick canvas and fur
nished with seats sufficient to accommo-
date several hundred people. Never hav-
ing seen structure of this sort, and learn
ing that Rev. MIR. Sweeny was to preach
last evening, the discussion being con-
fined to the day, we sailed out to see
the arbor and the two distinguished
preachers, Sweeny and Ditzler, end to
hear the former of these preach. There
was, for this small place, an immense
crowd collected within the enclosure, and
the sound of multitudinous voices sing
ing rose and fell in musical cadences as
we entered the enclosure. Mol we would
not trust ourselves in the center of the
crowd, but leaving the missionary to press
his way through the throng, two of us,
feminines, remained in the outskirts,
where we could retire from the scene at
our pleasure.
1t was a novel assembly to US, and
| Form, al on ind ofudu lawns
were hung at intervals in the arbor, but
excepting those at the speakers stand,
there were not enough of them to destroy
the picturesque effect of half lights and
shadows which would have delighted an
artist. Men, women and children we're
there,-a marked feature being the lat
ter, in all stages of babyhood. For the
population of this region is largely COM
posed Of young married people and their
families. Civilization not having adj
vanced to that pitch of refined folly re-
curing French bomnes for little ones,-a
fair proportion of all audiences here are
youthful mothers with babies in arms.
and toddlers by their sides; for why
should they lose these opportunities OF
enjoyment rather than to carry the chill
dren when they go?
The Debaters.
Mr.. Sweeny is one of the strongest
preachers of the Campbellite order, and,
as the reader probably knows, celebrated
as especially able in discussion. DIR.
Ditzler has similar reputation among
the Methodists. Thus Hico has been
honored, SO the people think, in being
the place selected for what they consider
such an important discussion. DIR. Ditzler
opened the meeting with prayer, earnest,
simple and sweet. He has fine head,
silvered by time, and pleasant, benevo-
lent countenance. Mr.. Sweeny is more
stalwart, wears glasses, and looks, with
his dark hair, much younger than he is.
His subject was the "Simplicity of the
Gospel and the Truth" We may add,
the truth verbotim of the Bible. Know
ton upon number of the tenets of the
so-called orthodox seets, we were not a
little surprised to hear him set down as
premises, the literal inspiration of all the
historic portion of its written accounts,
from Moses down. Even to the creation
of Mother Eve from a bona fide rib of
Father Adam he took the same ground
Naturally, being one of the daughters OF
that illustrious and we believe much
abused first woman, this point was pro-
foundly interesting to u.s. The speaker
frankly acknowledged that he couldn't
understand the process of this creation,
that it even looked absurd to him; but, il
we may use the words of our Celestial
brethren to express his endorsement of
the matter, he believed it positively,
sale samee"
BAIL This was surprise in the begin
nlng. To hear a man esteemed by his
people as an advanced thinker, start out
with such an absurdity as that of inter-
preting literally the allegorical account
of Eden and the "frst pair"
MARY @. BILLINGS.