The Newtown bee., 1898-10-21

filed to the very doors with friends and
foes OF the dead man. It was a sight to
stir the missionary's heart. The liquor
men had closed their saloons for an hour
and attended in q body. The compan-
ions of the dead man sat side by side
with bloodshot eyes, unkempt boards,
rough clothing, and on their faces the
lines OF dissipation. What could be said
at the funeral of such q prodigaI? A
strong impulse came upon me, and they
were told that for their departed com.
paniOn there were no words of hope.
He had wasted his opportunities and
thro wn away his life. The message Of
the hour was for those among them who
were living, as their friend had died.
The experience Of that hour was one
never to be toTgOtten. Groans were
heard from all parts of the house, and on
rough cheeks were many tears.
We laid poor Jim away on the mount
ain ide, and slab of wood marked his
last resting place. A feeling of strange
dread came over me as [ returned to the
hotel. What would those rough men do
to revenge this personal accusation of
! sin? The suspense was not long for a
miner soon said: "Thank, ye, parson
ye did right; ye told US the truth and
we will stand by We; We may count on
our holy in whatever ye undertake."
Dark days and still darker nights were
before me; Encouragement and disap-
pointments were on every hand, when it
seemed that 1 stood alone. Yet 1 was
never entirely deserted by those hearty
men, wto, though they were not Christ
ians and knew little of the gospel, yet
were faithful to one who had told the
truth.
Under this small encouragement an
effort was begun to build a church.
Without visible pledges, with many
faint hearts, and some strong opposition,
the cornerstone was laid. At close of
this service the first 500 was pledged to-
ward the new church.
For two weeks during the summer we
had the help of two young men from
Oberlin Seminary, men of conservation
and ability, and extra services were held
with promise of good; but when our
hopes were brightest, we were deprived
Of the use of the public hall. From the
proper officials we sought the use of the
schoolhouse, but were refused.
at last we applied to saloon keeper
who owned large building, used at
different times for hotel, saloon, and pub
lie hall. Much to our surprise, he took
up our cause, and blamed with curses
the man whU had stood in the way of
the meetings; then tffered the use of his
. hall, with ali tie herp he could render
| He even went o far as to close his sa
loon, and sent the men who were spend
ing the evenil g there to church.
? We found the hall floor terribly dirty
the walls decorated with beer and liquor
advertisements, pictures of prize fighters
) and dissipated women. With lumber
0 from the new church building, and emp
= ty beer kegs from the saloon we extern
porjzed seats, q gaming table was takeI
4 for the pulpit, the organ (the only church
e property in towD) was brought in, ami
!. we were. ready for the evening. Suci
b meetings as we had there, the singing
Q the prayers, and the testimony, I shal
q never forget.
= The ladies planned and managed fal
y to aid the church building fund. In
e night came, and with it crowded hal
d The supper, the cream, and the move
le ties were quickly sold. One miner alon
spent over $50. The violin, bass-vio
1t and piano soon created in willing mind
re desire to dance, and the floor was b.
j, irg cleared when one came to ask us
10 we had any objections. We reasone
/: with them, and at last hard rough ma
10 who usually led the dance, came al
We sasd: "Parfon, what is the matte
ID Why not allow US to dance ?" We aske
4, him il he thor GIT dance of the chara
n. ter Of those usually given In mink
an camp was consistent with church gat
o. ering, and he said: Nv ell, my moth
nd would not have thought so. guess v
10 are right He stopped the music, al
cd returning, said: 81 made up my mi
III when you laid the cornerstone OF :
he church that | would do nothing TO he
D. il; but this nights proceedings ia
] changed ny mind henceforth I will
y, all in my power to help And he d
he The struggle to raise the needed fur
was q hard one. Much OF the soliciti
all and collecting, the planning and resp'