The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1893-12-28
Warning to Blssphem ers.

ohAMAOhIN, L d.s DeC. w. / uc LSF
| rlble experience OF poor John Simpkins
has served as warning to the blasphen-
ers OF this city, and now many of The
wicked residents are scarcely ever heard
to utter an oath.
John Slmpklns was one of the most
faithful employees engaged In the large
iron mills of Shamaokin. Bat he was a
very protane man, and whenever any,
thing occurred to anger hin he would
give full vent to his temper in the most
fearful Inn precautions.
He became angered Que day, several
months ago, at a piece OF work be was
doing and indulged in more sulphurous
profanity than usual.
RE had scarcely ceased his biasphem.
| les whom strange sensation came over
him, and the next moment he realized
the awful fact that he was deaf and
dumb.
Although working steadily at his
trade since then, he was unable to ut.
ter syllable or hear a sound until last
Wednesday evening when he attended a
religious revival In progress at a Metho
dist church in Shamaokin.
The minister had concluded short sci
mon and given an invitation TO relous
seekers to assemble at the altar, whepy.
John Simpkins, seeing others press to.
ward the front immediately left his pew
and bowed with The others about the
| altar rail.
10 tue surprise of everyone in the au.
dence the dumb mans tongue was then
| unloosened and he offered up most
ferVent prayer for mercy. Before The
services closed ST npkins addressed The
meeting for about ten minutes, telling
OF his wonderful experience, and expires.
ing his gratitude for the restoration 0.
his speech and hearing.
| mo one can imag inc the agonies of
MUD l have endured during the past
few MONTHS" said Slmpklns to a friend.
II repented Of my great wiskedness
again and again. but never eXpcc ed TO
regain nv speech or hearing"
Just after indulgius in his las out,
burst of profanity Simpkns says he sa Y
q wonderful vision in The form of an al.
gel OF dazz'ng brightness. The mes
sepger Informed him that his conGuc,
he'd heen such as to demand speedy
punishment. aud wheI the ANGEL disap
peared he was unable TO talk or hear.
SltDpkins after his recovery, spen
most OF Thursday calling from hod3e tt
house among his neiyhbors and &c
their evil ways. Yesterday morning h,
surprised his wife b., remarklne:
MARY, l had another vision las
plght. and am confident that befor
noon shall lose my speech and hear
ing again, never TO regain it in thr
world"
"Oh, John, do not think that" saic
his wife.
II cannot help it, Mary. Anothe
bright messenger stood by my side as
lay in bed last night. and declared tha
my speech and hearing were only re-
stored to me for short time and the1
would be taken from me for good. This
experience is all for coed purpose and
L will not murmur, whatever may bt
the result"
The husband and father continued tc
converse cheerfully with his family anC
attended to little work about the house
until 10 O'Clock, when he remarked
that he must go and visit q frien(
whom he was trying to induce to aban
don his evil ways.
He was gone about an hour, aud re-
turning homo, said to his wife:
MARY, Fred Shorter has renounccC
his wicked ways and start d IN bette
lie. Isn't it encouraging,2"
! The next instant his speech wen
from him and he was unable TO hear
sound. Then his sight began TO fail
and now, IN addition to being deaf anc
DUMB, he is al most entirely blind. His
strength is failing, and it is thought he
will not long survive.
The affair has created great excite
ncnt in the city and is the main topic
of discussion.