The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-01-09
BILL ARPS LETTER.
A MIXTURE OF SIN AND G0DLI-
NESS HIS THEME.

Sermons and Circuses Discussed From
the Philosophers Standpoint.
I didn't 60 to the circus but I took
some of the grandchildren and turned
them over to friend. They had never
seen one and were happy. Now they
have something to talk about for Q
month. What revelation it is to the
Youthful mind. remember it we'll.
NV father took mo to one when
was several years old, and 1t still
seems like that was the best one.
Away back in those days menageries
and circuses were not combined. They
did not travel together nor come Of
the same time.
When old John Robinson first start
ed out he didn't have any animals
The menagerie was orthodox; the cir
Gus was heterodox. Christians could
90 to the one and sinners to the other.
But by and by the circus was attached
to the menagric and together they
caught all kinds and colors. It is like
Sunday excursion train to taberna-
Gle meeting. The devil knows how to
mix MP frolic and fun With prayers
and sermon.
Yesterday Travelled with score or
two of preachers and elders who we're
going to Athens. to attend the synod.
They were bright and genial and had
on their best clothes. They are good
i company. They wear subdued Chris
tim hilarity and have fund OF ortho'
dox anecdotes to tell each other on the
way. About four times year the
I preachers go somewhere to . religion!
convention, and each one is expected
) to bring with him fresh supply o
: wit and incident-some pepper ant
} salt to add zest to the religious feast
In the old solemn times of DR.. Wilsol
and DR., Patterson and father, vi
9 and humor wore under the ban.
! they were not sin they were on IN
: verge OF it. Sidney Smith was cou
!, sidered almost o hereto and his clerics
y wit as unC alvinistic, if not somethin
t worse. I grew up under the solemn
% ties of old school Presbyterjans an
. had a good time on Sundays, listenin
J. and nodding assent to DR.. Wilson
l. sermons on predestination and origins
. sin, If the good old doctor was Twin
d now he would attack DIR. Robbins an
d. his book with oil the accumulate
N weapons OF century of Study az
t. then seek TO knock him down vii
w Calvin's institutes.
But our modern clergy are more III
human beings; more like human M
ure; more like ourselves. They q
not SO austere and solemn. They q
OF social and some of the younger on
will go a-fishiug or play ball and t
oil older ones tell anecdotes and SIN
quite audibly. We were talking abe
les the circus yesterday and one OF thu
told how he attended synod once
all Thomasville, md it was circus day 2
there was grand street pageant W
inc music and banners and oil the amin
were on dress parade. The synod
in in session, and as the inspiring stra
of the martial music fell upon
to synod's ears lay brother could
. subdue his feelings. He rose forwl
ldy timidly and said:
on ssMr. Moderator, it will BIO impol
BILE for us to transact any business
ON til that music passes by, for we c.
in hear anything that is read or spok
move you, sir, that VIC take rec
and for ten minutes"
Q as Whereupon an old Calvini
preacher bounced him and squelc
for INN with indignant sarcasm:
ID "Recess indeedi Recess for Gil
to pass by; recess because the d
Wy, with his satellites is in sinful pro
and sion at our doors. No sir. We
any talk louder and draw nearer, but
recess.
cas- Nearer and nearer came the b.
pos. and when the lion gave an unear
FREE howl, preachers and laymen bega
tiptoe out until there was nobody
rect save the moderator and the old q
aud In due time the music died ava
eaie tho distance and tho delegates tipt
AZ. back to their places.
WIN A layman whom everybody I
no' then told how one OF these old.s
car solemn preachers fquolched all
= " hilerity out OF him. Said he:
ron 81 was born with lively sen
sne the ridiculous and sometimes
J. hard work to restrain my risi
One day our good old preacher .
te. me- to ride out with him to see q
acon- who was partially paralyzed and
amis likely to die impenitent unless
lrea'' the Lords will that he shout
nacn. sayed. So, We visited him and
g any the usual preHminaries the old pr
an er said:
'i'u "My friend. would it please 20
= nea me to read chapter from the
PRISE Scriptures and have asprayer IN
.aw : behalf?"
'eyi asWell, I don't mind. I'm
o :, to oblige You, if it will do yos
. Int good, said he.
! ouw saThe manner and tone in vhi'
:. - said it excited me. but bit N
nA " ard suppressed any unseen
emotions. So the chapter was
and the old preacher said in .