The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1894-01-03
Warning TO Blasphemers.

Warning TO blaspnemerS'
sHAMAoKrN, Pa, Dec. 16.-The
terrible experience of poor John Simp-
kins has served as a warning to the
blasphemers of this city, and now
many of the wicked residents are
scarcely ever heard to utter an oath.
John Simpkins was one of the most
faithful employees engaged in the large
iron mills of Shamokin. But he was
very profane man, and whenever
anything occurred to anger him he
would give full vent to his temper in
the most fearful imprecations.
He became angered one day, sever
al months ago, at piece of work he,
was doing and INDUCED in more sui
phurous profanity than usual.
He had scarcely ceased his BIAS.
phemies when u 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 sound until
last. Wednesday evening, when he at
tended a religious revival in progress
at a Methodist church in Shamokin.
The minister had concluded short
| sermon and given an invitation to re-
ligious seekers to assemble at the
| altar, when John Simpkins, seeing
others press forward to the front, imme-
diately left his pew: and bowed with
the rest tiof the seekers about. the eltar
rail.
To the surprise Of everyone in the
audience the dumb mans tongue was
then unloosened, and he offered up
most feryent prayer Of mercy. Be-
fore the services closed Simpkins ad-
dressed the meeting for about ten
minutes, telling of his wonderful ex-
perience, and expressing his gratitude
for the restoration of his speech and
hearing.
''No one can imagine the agooies OF
mind I have endured during the past
few MONTHS" said: Simpkins to 9
friend. ''I repented Of my great
|-wickedness again and again but never
expected to regain my speech or hear
ing"
Just after indulging in his last OUT
burst of profanity Simpkins says he
saw wonderful vision in the form Of
an angel Of dazzling brightness. The
messenger informed him that his con-
duct had been such as to demand
speedy punishment, and when the
angel disappeared he was unable to
talk or hear.
Simpkins, after his recovery, spent
most of Thursday calling from house
to-. house among his neighbors and
acquaintances, urging them to forsake
their evil ways. Yesterday morning
he surprised his wife by remarking {:
''Mary, I had another vision last
night, and / am onfdent that before
noon / shall lose my speech and hear
ing again, never to regain it in this
world"
"Oh, John, do not think that, said
his wife.
'sI cannot help it, Mary. Another
bright messenger stood by my side
as I lay in bed last night, and
delared that my speech and hear.
ing were only restored to me for a
short time and then they would be
taken from me for good. This expe-
rience is all for a good purpose, and 1
will not murmur, whatever may be the
result. "
The husband and father continued
to converse cheeerfully with his fami-
ly and attended to little work about
the house until 10 o'clock, when he
remarked that he must go and visit a
friend whom he was trying to induce
to abandon his evil ways.
He was gone about an hour, and,
returning home said to his wife:
Mary, Fred Shorter has renounced
his wicked ways and started in better
life. Isn't it encouraging p
The next instant his speech went
from him and he was unable to hear
sound. Then his sight began to
fail, and now, in addition to being
deaf and dumb he is is almost entirely
blind.
His strength is failing, and it is
thought he will not long survive.
The affair has created great excite
ment in the city and is the main topic
of discussion.