Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-04-12


among you: believe that the Lord has
appointed me to set your souls right
and l am going TO do it or let my own
go to its reward. Yes, am going TO
stay with you. and pursuant upon thai
determination, believe it good plan
to take a wife from among you" He
looked scarchingly over the congrega'
ton. rs there any young woman here
who would like to marry me? Speak
out"
II would" spoke up comely crea-
ture. but I'm afraid Abe won't let me-"
who is Abe?"
why. my brother. Abe Lighthorn."
'Ah, and he is the DEVILS special rep
resentative in this place. hear"
Abe arose. ''Now, Mr.. Preacher.
want my say. I like your shoolin' and
oil that. but I've got my rights and
I'm goin' TO stand up for 'ein. You
set bait TO get me here. and now
that you've got me you want TO poke
your words down my throat ] don't
believe in yo' book. It's in 'cordance
with that book that our fellers air tuck
up by the militia and put in Jail. There
fore hate it and won't have nothin' 10
do with it. passul of us come here 10
ride you on a rail. but you sorter tuck
the wind outen us with your shootin'.
| never thought the Gospel would i'm
prove that much; ] didn't believe thar
ever would be SIGH a able preacher But
enough is enough. ! win agree not to
poster you-you may preach all you
want TO and my fellers shan't bother
you. but II you cut scollops round my
sister I'll fill you so full of lead that
two bosses couldn't pull you on slide"
But" said the preacher. "she has
announced her willingness TO marry
me-"
"Yes. and am mighty surprised at
it. for all the fellers in the county fust
and last have been after her and she
won't have 'em. But that's neither
here nor thar. she amt goin' TO marry
you"
WELL" replied Sir Tony. 'iust wait
| till the sermon is over and we will dis. Z
cuss the matter"
"You may preach all you want to. but
! won't stay 10 hear you"
lyon have come forth from the
hedges of torment" said the preacher.
"and you must stay. l don't want TO
kill my prospective brother-in-law. but
II you attempt TO leave this house I'll
shoot you"
"I reckon the rest OF MS can do lit
tie shootin'."
"Yes. in a slow sort of way. but
can have hole through all your heads
before you could get me-"
well, amt no blame fool. and ]
reckon that's so. Go on with your
preachin', but won't stand no abuse
"My friend, did not come to abuse.
but TO talk of love. Listen to me-"
Then in the simplest way he told the
story of the Saviour of man. His words
were warm and poetic. The Saviour
had not come to enforce law-lie had
violated n law made by the hard-heart
ed He was the gentlest and braves'
of all the universe. lie had blessed
thief. "And If He were to come upon
earth now. the rich man, the man of the
law, the banker, the railroad king.
would be as hard toward Him as the law
that crucified Him."
wait n mint" cried Abe. WAS il
the law that killed Him.
Eyes, the law; and the rich and the
powerful gloried in it."
"Why. always lowed that He was
the law"
"He was the law of gentleness and
love. but not of legislatures
go ahead. You are gettin' next TO
me-"
When the sermon was done Abe came
forward and said: Il reckon / must
be the ignuntest man in the world |
Why. the Chris, you tell about loves
poor brute like me-"
"Yes, He died for you"
"And for Sam and Dave and the rest
of us?"
"Yes, for you ALL"
well. now, they didn't tell me that
before. That always told me that He |
hated sin and would send me to hell. |
and | couldn't love no man like that |
| can't help bein' ignunt-I never was
in school,"
'Will you come to church tonight?
We are going TO hold a revival
81 don't know what that is. but I'll |
come and help you hold it, don't care
how hard it tries to git loose. Now
let me gityo' boss for you and fetch him
up to the door,"
At night the Lighthorns were there.
They asked many questions during the
services; and at last, when called upon
TO pray, Abe said: 'Fellers. it amt no
part of a coward to pray to man that
give His life for you. He could have
been rich and powerful If He had want
ed 10 go with the high-headers, but He
stayed down with the poor and needy.
and I'm going to pray to Him."
On the following Sunday there was
a wedding in the church. You fell in
love with him quick" said an old won.
an to the bride.
mot so very quick" she answered
IL I