Morris tribune., 1891-12-30
HORSE TALK.
ParSOn Arney.

III
ParSon Arney.
All our readers have read in the
dailies of the trial of Parson Arney
before the Michigan Methodist Cont
ference last summer, charged with the
grave crime (?) of owning and driving
a good horse, and where he "beat the
entire field" and now, glory be to his
pluck, he is engaged in training sim
ners on Sundays to go the I" straight
and narrow path" and on week days,
trotters to go around the circle in
2:30. It seems that some of the good
church people, that would let him
starve if he became decrepit, are still
with pious airs, criticising his health
full, good hearted and lucrative horse
pursuits. We see no reason why
christianity and good horsemanship
can't go hand in hand. We know a
good man, living not hundred miles
from Morris, that is a deacon of, a
church and drives a trotting bred
horse to prayer meetings.; but his
heart is as big as his body, and when
sickness and death comes to rich or
poor, with its dark oppressive cloak of
sadness, he is the first to offer a help
ing hand and comforting words, and
it makes us feel like saying, give us
more "horsey" christians. We here
reproduce Parson Arney's replies to
his complaining brethren, taken from
Michigan papers, as we believe they
will be interesting and should be ben
efcial.
PARSON ARNEY'S POSITION.
Detroit Tribune: The following letter was
wEitten by Rev. j. W. Arney, the Saranac
pastor who created such furore in church
circles because OF his love Of fast horses and
races, to his brother, D. L. Arney, OF Detroit
Mich:
"You noticed what O Oh astisement I re-
Iceived at the conference. It did not sour me
at all, and blame no one, not even myself,
and the Lord is nearer and deareT than be-
fore. Don't you believe 1 am 80 notorious
that am offered big money to give exhibi-
ltion driveswith my horses at fairs, but l can
not do SO. did, however. give an exhibition
one half mile at our fair at Ionia which was
not prearranged and for which I was not
paid. 1 drove Monte Patohen, my fine
blooded two-year-old stallion. The eXhibi.
ton was fine as far as the colt was concerned
and so for as 1 was concerned 1 was cheered
to the echo. I also took first on my gentle
mans driver He is fine fellow. 1 am now
negotiating with five different parties who
want him at $500. refused $500 for my two.
year-old. Il also own two very fine yearling
fllies, for which have refused $500 cash.
$50 for as horses are concerned, they have
only been my pastime, my recreation. moth
ing more; handling horses has proved some
what profitable to me, and would have been
very much so had I not held to very differ
ent course than hOrsemen generally pursue.
No man never did a more honorable business
than 1. 1 have even to-day refused offers
that would speedily take me above financial
want; but have proceeded slowly and very
cautiously. never asking but a small margin
of profit. found It pleasant and far more
agreeable as means Of recreation to change
often and, as have for the past year been
flooded with buyers, have not kept one
horse long. have sold eleven to one man
and three to another. One sold for $3.50.
She was soon sold for $4,000 and then for
1000, and made mark Of 2:22. sold span
for $3.50, for one Of which the man who owns
lar
1 sold another for $500, that is very fast and
$4,000 would not touch him. Ihave two now
that could get $4,000 for If would put them
in races. Yesterday drove my four-year-
old his first fast mile He drove 1t easily in
2:44, the last half in 1:19. For some unknown
reason am able to tell almost to q certainty
a good and fast horse when I see it undevel-
oped. and this faculty, as you see. would be a
fortune to me were l not preacher. and
what Is more, my notoriety has brought this
fact to the notice OF horsemen, so that re-
ceived an offer from California of what
would mean my fortune II would consent
to go. Take oil these facts into consideration
in making judgment of 10Y character. Ask
not men 100 miles away OF my character, but
come to my home and inquire. / am not d
horse jockey as some suppose, am SIM
ple-hearted preacher Of the gospel Of Jesus
Christ, and In His name alone do glory.
am thirty six years old and past and have no
guarantee Of life, may live long but am NOT
well now. II / do as the church wants meto,
and as feel sometimes inclined to, viz: Cut
myselfon from handling horses, 1 know or
nothing to prevent the shortening OF my
days. With lots of labor Of that kind am
| fairly we'll. With exclusive sedentary habits
go down rapidly. Every little boy meet
can tell me how to do, aud may take the
liberty to do 80, but I know better than them
all; but no, that way is wicked, because there
is horse connected with 1t. A 300 horse is
good, and q saint can own one and be count
ed holy; q $500 horse is questionable, but a.
| 81 900 one-O. my! ..
| ~ can sleep, read newspapers, swing in
hsmmoohs, gossip or cut brackets all day
long for 10 cents, or In fact, anything, and all
| Is lovely. but horRev=0. myl Consistency.
| thou art jewell! And, too, q worn.out
preacher with no means ofsupport is despfc-
able, beggar, as know, especially in the
minds Of those who are most forward 10
criticise me. Your loving brother,
J. w. ARNEY."
A Grand Rapids, Mich, special says: Par
son Arney, of Saranac. dined in Grand
| Rapids hotel some days ago with Don ],
feathers, the owner Of the colt Monbars.
The next issue of the Michigan Christian Adj
vocate saids "The Methodist Parson Arney
who has such penchant for race horses and
horse racing, dined at o city hotel RECENTLY
with a noted sport" TO this Mr.. Arney has
made this terse reply: II know no man as n
sport. But, as q Christian minister, know
men only to love them. Christ himself was
likewise criticised by the Pharasees who
said: This man receiveth sinners and eateth
with Them Had some Of the good peopIa
whom met there as courteously invited me
to I would as willingly have dined with
them, AS for horses, often find 1t quite q
relief to turn from the braying OF saneti,
monious asses to the friendship OF an intell,-
gent and honest horse"
X X X
Mr.. Coe, of Valley City, has rented