Catoctin clarion., 1897-03-11
CHAPTER XII.

"Preaching at early candlelight,
the presiding elder had said in giving
out the order Of services at the close Of
his Sunday sermon, but it was far past
the early dusk before single minister
came There were three besides Brother
Walton. Brother Green, Bethel's in
cumbent, poor speaker, but powerful
in prayer and unequaled in pastoral la
bors, was not expected to preach many
times. The visitors would do that. Still
it was in him that the devout founded
their hope for a season of refreshing.
Wherever he had been sent heretofore
revivals had followed his ministry, the
hopeful took heart, the discouraged lift.
cd the head, and even the sinners avow-
ed that Brother Green beyond all others
brought home to them their lost estate,
yet gave no offense in the bringing.
Niceties Of doctrine, you see, were
left out Of revival preaching. Instead
there was Jesus Christ and him cruel.
fed, the unsearchablo riches Of his love.
the inoffable pathos of his all sufficient
sacrifice. The heart, not the head, was
the point of attack, except on Sunday
morning, when the presiding elder
preached. A tall man, shrewd, kindly,
clear headed enough to rule state and
tull enough Of love to God and man to
bend every energy to their reconcile
luent, he had raised the standard of the
cross as became a leader in the church
militant, then gone his way to other
fields, secure that it would be strenuous.
ly upheld. For besides Brother Green
and young Brother Walton there was
Brother Milliken, the local licentiate.
He was old, so old he bent under his
weight Of years, yet still so full of zeal
and fire he carried his listeners along
with him. Almost wholly unlettcred,
he had yet rude and simple dignity, q
sincere eloquence, that put the school.
men often to the blush and made their
studied art seem poor and mean.
AS the ministers came in each made
his way to the high box pulpit, knelt
minute in silent prayer, then rose to sit
beside his brethren. Brother Walton
was to preach, and expectation was on
edge, since it had been bruited about
that he was not less eloquent than the
famous Maffit, Of whom the elder men,
bers had many memories. Brother Wal
ton was young, very young, for his ~
years. His eyes were childlkc in their
limpid brilliance. There was suggestion
Of infancy, too, in his curling silken
hair, clipped close to the head, and the
Pickering rose Of his cheek. Out Of the
pulpit he was but quiet, well bred
gentleman, singularly refined in speech
and accent, to whom wandering dogs
came of their own accord and frighten.
cd children clung If by chance he held
out a hand to them.
But in the pulpit Walnut Greek had
heard what stirred it to the liveliest Gu
riosity concerning him. Yet Teddy Bar
ton said to Jack Talbot as they sat side
by side: II lay, yes, anything you got
the min ter name, ole Br'er Milliken
can tie one hand behind him an knock
the socks often this yere new fellow. He
amt no slouch, ole Br'er Milliken.
Why. sometimes when I been listenin
bout er hour ter him preachin erbout
thar shall be no night thar. neither any
mo- weepin, an the Lamb er God wip-
In erwsy all tears from er feller's eyes
why, I'm givin you straight goods
when I tell you I've most felt like
wanted ter go ter heaven myself -
"That was wonderful" Jack said
wearily, with touch Of scorn under
meath. As Teddy made to speak again
the other silenced him with an impera-
tive look. The opening hymn had been
sung. Brother Green had prayed with
fervor beyond common. Now Brother
Walton stood facing the congregation.
his eyes shining with ineffablc fire.
He held neither Bible nor hymnboOk.
Without preface he began to repeat tho
Twenty third Psalm, and Jack heard
nothing more xilh ~ -r|.e n com.