The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1897-01-20
Sam jones' Initiation.
HE BECOMES A KNIGHT TEMPLAR AND
TELLS A BIBLE STORY WITH
VARIATIONS.

A few nights ago the Rev. Sam p.
Jones was initiated into the mysteries
of Knight Templar at Rome, Ga. A
spe cial train was cent to Gainesville TO
convey him to the city, and he entered
the ball at the Masonic Temple dressed
in a grayish cavalry suit with gray
cap perched ON his grizzled head. He
had very little to say 10 those who
greeted him at the entrance Of the hall
and looked as if he expected trouble.
OF course, what transpired within
the closed doors was not revealed to the
uninitiated, but many remarks were
made by the outsiders concerning the
handling of the great exhorter by the
Knights, who had been excoriated so
frequently by the sarcastic tongue of
the most picturesque pulpit orator that
Georgia has produced. About an hour
and half elapsed and then the knights
trooped into the banquet hall, their
swords jinglipg and epaulets flashing in
the electric lights, the Rev. Sam Jones,
j. Seay, leading the van. The assem-.
bled Knights addressed him as "Zerub-
babel" AS plain Sam Jones, he had
entered the mystic portals with de-
fiant air and smile of mild sarcasm on
his lips. He emerged from the cere-
monial chamber with a bedraggled
look, his hair disheveltd, sword
dangling at his heels, and a quizzical
monkey and parrot smile playing about
his features.
The banquet proceeded, and for half
an hour the jingle Of the knives and
forks kept time to the desultory con-
versation carried on among the assem-
bled Knights, all of whom cast furtive
chances from time to time in the direc-
ton of Zerubbabel, as if to assure
themselves that he had not made his
escape. At last the Eminent Comman.
der arose, and in the most approved
style called for "a short talk from our
new.y-obligated frater."
Zerubbabel arose very deliberately,
Strengthened himself, cast reprOach-
full glance over the assemhlage, aud,
setting his jaws firmly, began to address
them. After few general remarks,
on the beautiful tenets of the great Or
der of which he had been member, he
proceeded to tell story, suggested by
his recent experiences. He said:
When old Daniel refused to com.
ply with the d, mands of his enemies
they began to threaten him with dire
punishment. Look ahere, old Teller,
if you don't obey the orders of the King
We'll fling you into the lions den,' they
said, but they couldn't scare old Daniel.
He realized that he had to choose be-
tween going to hell if he didn't do right
and being flung into lions den if he
did. He was in a pretty bad predica-
ment, l can tell you, but he didn't hes
itate long. He told them that he was
going to do just as he had been doing,
and That he didn't care cent whether
their cid King liked it or not. So they
yanked old Daniel up and they took
him to the lions den, and they pitched
him into it heels over head, and they
said, Now, old Teller, we've settled
with you"
But Daniel was not dismayed, and
soon made himself at home among the
lions. He gave them to understand
that he was some lion himself. The
lions finished gnawing their bones and
began to stretch themselves out for a
nap. The old he lion lay down in a
nice clean place and looked at Daniel
as much as to say, Here, Daniel, you
come lie down here and put your head
on my shaggy name for pillow Dan
| iel did 80, and the lions soon fell asleep,
and all was quiet and peacable as Dan
iel lay there with his head pillowed on
the lions NAME"
The audience sat breathless while
the speakers face assumed quizzical
look as if he was recalling his recent
experiences.
GAS he lay there looking up toward
the mouth of the den old Daniel nc
doubt thought of the choice he had
made, and how lucky he had been in
following the dictates of his own con.
science, and with sigh of satisfaction
he exclaimed:
well, this beats helll'"
The roar of applause that went ur
from the assembled Knights SHOOK
the Temple. The banquet continued
until the Eminent Commander re-
minded the jewellers that it was time tC
put the finishing touches on Zerubba
bel, and they retired to the inner cham
Der. Whether the Rev. Samuel Jones
found in the rest of the exercises some
other things or not, nobody knows ex
cept possibly those who are bound un
der those blood-curdling Oaths to eter
nal secrecy.-New York Sunday Sun