Evening journal., 1899-06-09
THE SERMON IN A
- SALOON -
! BY Jay Benson Hamilton, d. D.
s-~~~~~~~~~~~~~.~.~->~~~~~~

upon a Methodist annual conference.
The leading merchant was my host.
After dinner. the first day OF my visit.
we were talking OF the gruwtl OF the
city from a small frontier settlement.
My host. who was proud of the little
city related many incidents connected
with its early history. Among other
stories he told me how Meihodism be-
gun by sermon In saloon.
81 attended the first Methodist meet
Ing ever held In che town. II was a
terrible service | iremble now hen
think Of IL although il was so many
years agU. Our town was pretty
tough place. The chief businesses we're
liquor selling gambling and underiak-
ing. There was funeral every day.
II some one did not die from disease or
accident there WAS murder The
street or barroom fight that WIS NOT 10
a finish attracted little or no attention
The bowie knife and revolver were
never concealed They were always
within ready rrnch II ever a place de-
served TO be called hell il was "
81 was a youugsier who had run
away from home in ihe east TO Try the
frolic OF frontier life had been a resi-
| dent about week As | wus passing
down our principal street, | noticed
horseman in avery peculiar gurb riding
slowly along as II he were looking for
some one. Noticing me, he drew the
reins OF his horse and said;
"'Young man. is there hall or room
of any kind In this place large enough
TO hold meeting it2 am a Methodist
ltinerant and would like 10 add This
town 10 my circuit. ! desire 10 hold a
service tonight
1T was so amazed that for moment
/ was silent ms ! looked closely al the
stranger. He was tall. powerful-look-
ing man. He had a clear, resolute eye,
a lip and chin that revealed de-
termination nothing could balk. felt
that he was man who did not know
fear, but the folly Of the question be-
came more and more amusing untI
broke out in a merry, knocking laugh
THE face grew stern; the eyes shone
with light like the CLEAN Of steel; the
voice hardened to a cutting curtness nl-
most like anger;
"'Does IT amuse you, my young
friend. TO have me ask You a civil ques
tom?
Il replied hastily; i beg your par
don, sir, for my discourtesy, but the
idea of anybody wanting 20 hold re
ligious meeting in this town is funny
enough 10 make anyone laugh No'
might as we'll try 20 hold a meeting Il
Perdition.
81 directed him TO The Coyote TIL
largest gambling hell in town. said
, ut is large enough TO hold goo'
sized congregation, and il has one ad
= vantage over any other place. il is al
! ways full You will be sure 10 find
crowd there, night or day do not be
2 lieve they will allow you to speak. ]
) "One-eyed Jack" the proprietor. is j
] a good Aumor he may kick you into th
( street; II he is cross. and he general
= IS, he may shoot you
a II saw the circuit rider fasten hi
e horse in front Of the saloon and enter
. / slipped in TO see the sport. TIL
preacher stood for a moment. just IN
side the door. looking around. At III
furthest end OF the building a pow
erful man with a black patch over on
g of his eyes was swearing alta hartende
in a most sulphurous manner. tn
stranger approached the swearer an
said. as he removed his hat and made
I courteous bow:
u care you the proprietor Of thi
5 place.
= "'One-eyed Jack was about 10 repl
r with a savage oath. according 10 h
~ usual custom. when the peculiar gar
and the distinguished bearing Of NJ
y ouestioner caused him TO hesiiai
y With a politeness unusual TO him. 0
y said,
y az am. sir; what can do for your
p az am a Methodist preacher and
D. would like permission 10 preach nyo'
u saloon
C. "Preach in my saleonl WhenY sa
D. Jack, in a tone of amazement
"'Now!' said the preacher.
j. "'Well. III be, beg your pa
y don. parson. I'd almost said a Gus
n word; but preach in my saloon!
looked about and heard the clink OF q
is glasses, the banging Of cards upon I
IL tables. the harsh laugh and the awi
D. oaths, and said;
re II think. Parson. you have come
'e mighty poor place to start revivn
81 "'No place needs it more said {
N minister. as he looked with a respe'
full but resolute glance into Jacks 81
l. gle eye.
O. "Let him preach, said the harten
e er, who was glad to have his employe
re wrath diverted from him. Let h
er preach. It viii be fun for The boys
OF "'Funi' roared Jack; I'd like 10 $
go anybody make fun Of my guest ~
son. fire away. III he the deacon Of II
revival If anybody dnres kick up
row, III be
=. "'There. there said the preach
a "deacons don't swear"
n "Jack rang the huge bell with VIII
- he signaled for attention when he h
-, an announcement TO make or co
- mand TO give. In few seconds the
:, was silence. All eagerly looked al
-, two men as II they expected to sec
- fight Jack roared out in voice Il
could be heard half mile: