The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1890-02-27

have become property owners and are
prospering, as I believe, they are no
where else in the United States. And &c
they would all over the South if the
negroes were thinned out and distributed
among the Northern and Western States
and Territories. York World.
JONES'S FIRST SERMON
Cut Short by Bold d.Proposition Sam had
Made.
Rev. Joseph Jones, brother of Sam
who has been doing general evaugeli
cal business in Mississippi for the pas
twelve months, is literally endowed witt
that attribute of genius variously krowr
as perseverance," "try, try again.
ssstickability," etc. The Rev. Joaeph'l
first appearance as special soliciting and
general passenger agent for the Metho
dist Episcopal Through Line to the New
Jerusalem was large.sized, bowling
failure. Although very badly democrat
ized, Joe was not defeated, as the sequel
was shown. He retreated, and for two
years reinforced himself, and when be
next entered the list against the arch
adversary, the devil, he was better pre-
pared, and was consequently more sue
ceasful. The story of his first sermon, as
herewith appended, has never before
been published. I tell it as ! heard it
from Bill Arp, when I was swinging
around the circle with him, in Miasis-
sippi, couple Of years ago; nothing
extenuating, and naught setting down in
malice.
At the time that heard Bill Arp tell
it, and I heard it at least half dozen
times, the Rev. Joe was in retirement,
and in what Arp considered permanent
retirement. At the time that 1 head
Arp tell it he was living six miles from
Cartersville, Ga, in the country, and Joe
Jones was, as I have before intimated, to
fame and fortune unknown. / shall tell
the story as told by Arp himself, aud if
I err in the narration, it is open to cor.
rection. Arp is very fond of descanting
on the good qualities Of Sam Jones,
whom he says he raised, aud after in.
dulging in string of "reminiscences re-
garding Sam, be would frequently wind
up as follows: "Sam Jones has brother
by the name Of Joe, who was running on
the railroad as express messenger, or
something of the kind, and on one occa-
sion, being out of job, and noting his
brother Sans wonderful success as 9
preacher, and having some gift of CAB
himself, Joe concluded that he had been
called to preach. He selected as the
scene Of his theological debut Pine Log
Church. live six miles from Carters-
vile, and Pine Log Church is three
miles beyond my place, where Joe pre-
sumed that be would not find very
critical congregation.
IT was sitting out on my front porch
one Saturday afternoon and saw a buggy
coming down the road, One of my sons
was down at the front gate, and the bug
gy stopped when it got there for e. few
minutes, and soon after my son came on
to the house and informed us that the
driver was Joe Jones, then on his way to
pine Log where he would hold forth
on the next morning. This was the first
intimation any of US had of Joe's evan
gelical intentions. The next day at the
appointed hour, Joe made his appear.
ance and mounted the pulpit.
"a large congregation had assembled,
drawn hither, perhaps, more by curiosity
to see how Joe would acquit himself
than any other motive. After the usual
preIiminaries were through with, Joe
announced hia text, which was the whole
of the Ten Commandments Joe got
along with the first aud second com.
mandments very we'll, and on reading
the third, which says, as you recollect,
Thou shalt not take the name of the
Lord thy God in vain.' Joe proceeded to
expatiate little as follows. Said he
Brethren, I wish to make you a PROPOSE.
tion on this commandment: I say that q
man who will cuss an oatE will steal
Now, what have you got to say to that?'
Then be repeated it: 4 say that a:man
who will cuss an oath will steal! Now,
what have you got to say to tbat?' And
he paused for reply. Much to nis an
tonishment and dicom6ture it CAME. In
the back part of the congregation sat an
old farmer by the name of Goode. He
was a very plain, unassuming citizen
had been good Confederate soldier, was
good Deighbor, as honest as tho days
were long, and liked and respected by
all, but he was proverbial for profanity
He owned a portable thresher, ant
threshed the wheat crops Of his neigh
bors. When Joe came out with hi
proposition and accompanying query tht
second time, old man Goode rose delib
erately from his seat, and, in voice
quivering with emotion, said:
4 say it's blankety blank lie 7
"Of course this produced quite sen
sation in the audience. Brother Jone
was badly ratified at such an abrupt refu
tatiou, but he rallied his forces al best h'
could and said: well, brethren, I ma.
be mistaken in this matter, but heart
Brother Sam say 60, and / thought I Wa
right, but am very young in the caus
and may be in error. But I am apxiou
to do what is right, and to prove that
am will leave this question to a vote
this congregation. Now, all Of you VII
are in favor of my side of the proposition
will please make it known by sayin
'ayep No response! A dead silence
t,Iy :, ttt, o,n4;,,oJ t., coll y