Democratic messenger., 1888-03-24
tContributoi.l

N@Ne-NeAS~1e~-AH
About the year eighteen hundred and
sorty-six a preacher ofthe Gospel, by the
name Of Richards, came TO this county
and organized new church. When ask
cd to what branch OF the church he be-
longed this Reverend gentleman answer
ed, II do not belong toa branch Of any
church, but TO the church Of God ITSELF"
lie associated with the most ignorant and
lowest class OF people and them only,
preaching In small private houses. lie be-
lievcd in baptism by immersion and taught
!, as the only way In which could he made
effective. Amer wandering around in
search Of followers he succeeded In get.
ting about dozen and organized church
with this membership. But little Is known
about the principles Of religion taught by
him but II reports be true he was very
strict. The members of his church were
compelled to abstain from the use not only
Of strong drink but were not allowed the
privilege Of using tobacco. and he claimed
that three pinchcs of snuff were sufficient
10 carry anyone to hell.
An old lady, about seventy years ofage,
was baptized by him and made member
Of his new organization, who was particu-
larly fond Of her snuff, but having been
prevailed on to discontinue its use gave up
what she had on hand To her spiritual adj
wiser that lie might destroy II. Aftcr suf.
fcring two or three weeks from the effects
of its dlsconiinuance she was compelled TO
break the rules Of the church and return
TO the Use Of her snuff Her minister and
members Of her church visited her and
tried TO persuade her to leave Off her
snuif, but all to no effect, for she could not
he prevailed on. She was summoned to
trial before the church for the purpose of
turning her out. Before the condcmna-
tory services had completed, however,
the old lady become excited and no longer
being able TO control her temper opened
in violent terms upon the preacher who
ordered her To hush, but the more he In.
sisted on her being quiet the louder she
talked, and the more abusive was her
language. After she had finished her talk
she was quieted and listened TO her expul.
sion with pleasure, and heard both the
minister and his congregation condemn
her as hca,hen and u publican.
During his sojourn in these parts Rev.
Mr.. Richards visited certain man by the
name Of William W Whitc, who, with his aged
father, kept bachelors hall, and remain.
cd all night with them. As was cust0
mary with Mr.. White, Sr, he got out his
bottle OF whiskey before breakfast to take
his morning appetizer. Upon seeing II
Rev. Richards said, "Oh Mr.. White ad.
wise and beseech you 10 go and dig hole
in the ground and pour your whiskey in
it." Mr.. White replied Il have hole al
ready for it" and turning the bottle to his
head took mighty pull
About this time certain Muskcr Liv-
ingston become enamored of u young lady
named Birk, and soon after charge was
brought against Mr. Livingston and he
was turned out OF the church, and II was
not long after this that Rev. Mr. Richards
disappeared from the community. taking
with him Miss Birk, married or unmar:
ried, and left his organization to take care
of itself, teaching his followers the lesson
that it is bad policy to follow man that
cannot find church good enough to be-.
come member Of until he organizes one
for himself. Far better for II person TO
ask themselves "am good enough to he
in n church" II