Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1897-09-16

Amt0& sue mo8t utuetl KNOWN
Of New highlands itinerant preach
ers, little over half century ago.
was Lorenzo Dow Of Eastern Con-
necsicut. He was . very eccentric
man but. nevertheless, q power as
q revivalist. and renowned for his
shrewd knowledge Of human na-
ture. Scores OF troubled souls went
to "Elder" Dow with their sorrows
aud perplexities. and he always had
comforting word or . wise sng-
gestion for them.
On one occasion, poor old Wild
on had her featber-bed stolen. She
was sure that she knew the thief,
but was unable to prove the case.
One day the idea struck her that,
il Glider" Dow would consent to
preach in the neighborhood, he
might somehow help her to recover
her lost property. The more she
thought the idea over, the better
she liked it. Finally, she wrote
him q long letter, stating her case
a. clearly n she could. She ended
BY asking him to come aud preach
| in the district schoolhouse. at an
early date.
In a short Lime g reply came,
making an appointment for Sun.
day afternoon some weeks distant.
The intervening weeks wore away
very slowly to the old lady. The
announcement that Dow was going
to preach created q furore in the
neighborhood. The excitement in.
creased steadily. and when the ap-
pointed day arrived, the district
schoolhouse was not large enough
to hold oil the hearers that had
gathered from the sparsely settled
region.
Immediately on his arrival Dow
went to the home OF the old lady.
He listened to her story of the theft,
and was convinced that her sus
picions were correct.
| "Will Mr.. B. attend the meet
ing 2" asked Mr.. Dow.
On being assured that he would
Dow began planning to catch the
guilty culprit.
| Sunday came. After the custom
airy congregational singing and de
votial exercises, "Elder" Dow an
nounced that his text wonld b.
"Thou shalt not steal"
Singing ont the suspected per
son, Dow began most direct and
powerful sermon aimed apparently
at him. He quoted the Biblical
prohibitions against theft; he dwelI
upon the wickedness OF the crime,
and portrayed the terrible punish
ment that would surely follow.
| Dow was positive that the aus.
pect showed signs of uneasiness,
and he warmed TO the task. Tho
thief's nervousness increased and
Dow preached the harder. The
preacher began to be sure Of the
success OF his plan, and he digressed
q little 10 tell the story OF the poor
old lady's stolen feather bed. The
audience began to get excited.
"Friends," said Mr.. Dow, 81
know the thief"
The excitement increased and the
suspected party gave perceptible
vince.
| Leaning forward. cnnfidentially,
Dow continued eyes, ! know who
the thief is. and he 10 in this room. %
All held their breath in amaze.
ment, while the thief seemed to be
losing command Of himself.
Strengthening up his tall, mus
cular frame, the preacher slowly
repeated
eyes, | know the thief and he 10
hero before me. Shall | point him
out to ysar And Dow began
raising his hand directly toward the
seat occupied by Mr.. B..
"There he is." said Dow. "He
sits 10 the front row. and has a
feather on the end Of his nose. +"
The thief lost control. and made O
fierce grab to get the imaginary
| feather. The audience caught sic hit
Of bis movement aud rightly Iocat-
ed the rascal. The poor fellow re-
allied his situation. made o confess
sion, and promised to return the
feather- bed, which he did later.
The old lady was very grateful to
the eccentric parson, while the
neighborhood told and retold the