Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1888-03-08
SHAKE RAG UNDER THE HILL.
lContlnued from first tsge.l

versions spread over the community
and induced a great number to 90
and see other people perform, little
thinking that they would become
performers themselves.
On the evening with which we
have to do, the place was crowded.
! The miners who were not members
did honor to the occasion by putting
ON white shirt with a bulglng
front, which set off TO advantage
their ochre stained clothes. Seated
on the back seats with their feet on
those in front they sat with folded
arms awaiting developments. Those
who were members were all in their
best and occupied the front seats
whore they would be In easy hail of
the pulpit, when called on 10 exhort
or lead in prayer; there was quite a
sprinking of such. The rest of the
church was filled with men, women
and children iudescriminAteiy; and
among them might have been seen
Jack and Molly, and Sam PiIchIrd
aud Eiz beth Jane Torzrr. Sne
had him now; EHz lbeth was a shin
ing light when it came to revivals,
SO Sam was as good as done for, aud
he felt it,
The services opened with prayer
from the minister, which was fol-
lowed by hymn, winch was fol
lowed by a short, impassioued ser
mon which in itself considerably
aff ected the weaker portion of the
audience, who half expecting to he
brought in were ready on the slight
est provocation. But the minister
was evidently holding himself la
reserve, tor his place was soon taken
by Que of the members aforesaid,
who took the pulpit neryed for his
effort. He was a strong man, with
a natural eloqurnce which is often
times found among the followers of
Wesley, and is hard to be accounted
for outside of peculiar inspiration,
for such men III private life are no
more eloquent than others.
Announcing q short text, he
launched off at ouce into an ha
rangue which though low-voiced at
first, as one who takes short rIu
that he may jump far, soon filled
the crowded room with its resonance.
Dante's "Iuferuo" has no more ter
rible descriptions than were his pre-
sensations If the fate Of the
damed. Etern Il punishment, embeI-
ished with all the fantastic images
of an excited imagination, was
depicted with a volubilty aud
energy which brought men t. their
feet aud drove women INTO Mysteries,
not only from the terror of his
words but the magnetism and terri
BILE earne>tuess Of his delivery, He
closed his eff prt wish pathetic
appeal to the uuconverted Of his
audience to come forward and be
saved. His words had hardly ceased
eCholng, when a voice struck up:
Come ye sinners, poor and needy"
This hymn, sung sweetly by male
and female voices, broke to tender
ness hearts that had been strung
with excitement, and quite a number
tlocked lumultou-Iy to the "mourn-
ers' bench" with sobs and tears, and
failing on their knees at the little
railing surrounding the pulpit, lent
fervor To the scene by their cries for
mercy. A few voluntary deputies
gave their whole attention to these
peultents to help them through the
Slough Of Despond" ami united
with them in cries for their forgive
ness
Amidst this dismal chorus of
groues and cries, another exhorter
came forward with a voice still
stronger and manner even more EN-
phauc than his predecessor, and
continued the haraugue.
He Nas ably assisted in his en-
deavors by the minister and other
members, VINO passing up aud down
the alsles would pause to exhort
especially with those VINO were con-
sldered to be in special need Of re-
demptlou. Ia this way mauy who
would haye lacked resolution to 90
forward, were partially persuaded
and partially forced TO join the
mourners around Jhs railing; once
there, however, whatever nIgnt have
been their designs, the contagious
examples around tnem, the slapplugs
on the back aud the whlsperlugs III
the ear, and the dreadful threats aud
the groaus aud cries on either side,
soon placed them IN a ilks condition.
Then came prayer, which IN It's
length aud tenor was simply an ex-
hurtatiou delivered on tue knees,
accompanied by shouts of "Ameu!"
and "G.ory ]" aud "Halleluj4h!"
from tine rejoicing members. No
sooner was TINS ended than a shrlll
voice broke forth IN sony; 1t was
/ Euzfbeth Jane, who standing by the