The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-01-22
A FARO TABLE FOR A PULPIT.
A Clergyman Relates How He Had {
Chance at the BOYS.

A Clergyman Relates How He Had a
Chance at the Boys.
From the Ne,O York Observer
No clast'of men knew. better how to treat
a minister they liked in royal manner
than the alass of men who went into those
rugged mountains in South western Colo
RADIO during the time of the great San
Juan excitement" in rs, '76 and III. Nor
could more intelligent, plucky, warm
hearted set of men be found, men who
knew what was right. Among them were
many who had been taught IN eastern
homes by piOus parents that "man's chief
end is to glorify God and enjoy him for
ever" Yet strange as it now seems when
looking back to those exciting times,
many of these very men from
the best of homes found their way into the
great gambling halls that were to be found
in the live mining camps, claiming that
they went there only to see what was going
on. and not to take part in the games. Yet,
Notwithstanding these claims, many of
them, after getting as they thought "the
run Of the game" did flight the tiger"
Some did so successfully; others did not
When entering some of the camps where
they had no minister invariably went to
the right place TO find an audience, and in
every case was courteously and kindly re-
ceived, and generally told, "Just wait,
Brother barley, until the games can be
stopped and then we will give you chance
at the boys" 1t was not always an easy
matter to stop the games Winners were
generally willing, while losers were not as
ready to quit
But as soon as the games closed, then "rou-
lette, ""keno," "poker" and faro" would
give place for a time to the gospel.
A more convenient pulpit than q faro
table could not be found, nor a more re-
spectful aud intelligent audience, and occa-
sionally what singing we did havel Men
who had trained voices, rich aud sweet,
would lead in singing without books, those
grand old hymns, Jesus, Lover of my
Soul" and 'Rock of Ages Cleft for Me-"
and, with bowed heads, listening to the
prayer, and often with tears in their eyes
listen to the "O,d, Old Story" told as they
had often heard it back east" while sits
ting in a pew beside father, mother or fond
wife and dear children. The contrast was
just as great between the eastern pews and
the beer kegs, whisky barrels and chairs as
1t was between the eastern pulpit and a
western faro table, behind which the min
lister stood, but the Christ presented was
Just the same, and those mems souls were
just as dear to the Savior.
In one camp l became acquainted with
faro dealer" who had decidedly clerical
look, and his beautiful gray beard and
clerical dress added much to his elegant
manners. He always called me Brother
Darley." During those years was often
reminded of the words of the weeping
prophet: "Weep We not for the dead,
neither bemoan him; put weep sore for him
that goeth away"
One night | said to young man fresh
from the east, as l met him at the door Of a
large gambling hall: "Were you in the
habit of entering such houses in tho east?"
He answered: II was never in saloon or
gambling house in my life until l came to
this camp. My folks would be ashamed if
they knew that ever entered such places"
Having hold Of his hand, and the light shin
ing into our faces, said: "Should you be
any the less of man out west than you
were back eastF' By the flash of his eye and
the color of his face l saw that he was
offended, but held his hand aud kept
looking him in the eye. Finally he dropped
his head and said; II ought not to be-