The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-12-27
Warpfne to Blasphemers.

SHAMAoKIN, Pa, Dec. 20.-The ter.
rlble experience OF poor John Simpkins
has served as waning to the blasphem.
ers of this city, and now many of the
wicked residents are scarcely ever heard
to utter an oath.
John Slmpklus was one of the most
faithful employees engaged In the large
iron mills of Shamaokin. But he was a
very prefane man, and whenever any
thing occurred to anger hin he would
give full vent to his temper in the most
fearful i'm precautions.
He became angered one day, several
months ago, at piece OF work he was
doing and INDUCED in more sulphurous
profanity than usual.
he had scarcely ceased his blasphem.
les when a 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 asOund until last
Wednesday evening when he attended a
religious revival In progress at a Metho.
dist church in Shamaokin.
The minister had concluded short ser
mon and given an invitation to rellous
seekers to assemble at the altar, wheDg.
John Simpkins, seeing others press to-
ward the front Immediately left his paw
and bowed with the others about the
altar rail.
10 the surprise of everyone in the au.
dience the dumb mans tongue was then
unloosened and be offered up most
fergent prayer for mercy. Before the
services closed Sinpkins addressed the
meeting for about ten minutes, telling
OF his wonderful experience, and expires.
ing his gratitude for the restoration OF
his speech and hearing.
mo one can imagine the agonies OF
mind I have endured during the past
few MONTHS" said Slmpklns to friend.
II repented of my great wickedness
again and again. but never expected to
regain my speech or hearing"
Just after indulgius in his last out.
burst of profanity Simpkins says he saw
wonderful vision in the form Of an an.
gel of dazzling brightness. The mes.
senger informed him that his conduct
had been such as to demand speedy
punishment, and when the angel disap.
peared be was unable to talk or hear.
Slmpkins after his recovery, spent
most of Thursday calling from house to
house among bis neighbors and &C.
quaintances urging them 10 forsake
their evil ways. Yesterday morning be
surprised his wife b. remarklng:
sMary, I had another vision last
night, and I am confident that before
noon I shall lose my speech and hear.
ing again, never to regain it iu this
world" -
"Oh, John, do not think that" said
his wife.
ST cannot help it, Mary. Another
bright messenger stood by my side as I
lay in bed last night, and declared that
my speech and hearing wers only re-
stored to me for short time and then
would be taken from me for good. This
experience is all for a good purpose and
will not murmur, whatever may be
the result"
The husband and father continued to
converse cheerfully with his family and
attended to q little work about the House
until 10 O'Clock, when he remarked
that he must 60 and visit a friend
whom he was trying to induce to aban'
don his evil ways.
He was gone about an hour, and re-
turning home, said to his wife:
MARY, Fred Shorter has renounced
his wicked ways and startt d in better
Lille. Isn't it encouraging,?"
The next instant his speech went
from HIN and ne was unable to hear
sound. Then his sight began to fail,
and now, IN addition to being deaf and
dumb, he ID almost entirely blind. His
strength is failing, and it is thought he
will not long survive.
Tie affair has created great excite
uent in the city and is the main topic
ofSdiscussion.