Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1899-05-25
A Sermon in a Saloon.

spent week in an enterprlsing
little western city in attendance up
on a Methodist annual conference.
The leading merchant was my host.
After dinner the first day of my WIS.,
it, we were talking of the growth Of
the city from a small frontier settle
ment. My host (who was proud Of
the little city) related many incidents
connected with its early history.
Among other stories, he told me how
Methodism began by sermon in a
saloon.
l attended the first Methodist meet
ing ever held in the town. 1t was a
terrible service. l tremble now when
I think of it, although it was so many
years ago. Our town was a pretty
tough place. The chief businesses
were liquor selling, gambling and un-
dertaking. There was a funeral ev-
cry day If some one did not die
from disease or accident there was a
murder. The street or bar-room fight
that was not to a finish attracted lit
tie or no attention. The bowie knife
and revolver were never concealed.
They were always within ready reach.
If ever place deserved to be called
Hell it was N.
l was youngster who had run over
from the East to try the frolic Of from
tier life. had been a resident about
a week. As | was passing down our
principal street noticed horseman
in very peculiar garb riding slowly
along as if he was looking for some
one. Noticing me, lie drew the reins
of his horse and said
"Young man, is there a hall or room
of any kind in this place large enough
to hold a meeting in? am a Meth
odist itinerant and would like to add
this town to my circuit desire to
hold a service here tonight
l was so amazed that for moment
I was silent as I looked closely at the
stranger. He was a tall, powerful
looking man. He had a clear resolute
eve, lip and chin that revealed a
determination nothing could balk. I
felt that he was a man who did not
know fear, but the folly Of the Ques-
ton became more and more amusing
until l broke out in a merry mocking
laugh.
The face grew stern the eyes shown
with light like the CLEAN Of steel ;
the voice hardened to cutting curt
ness almost like anger
docs it amuse you, my young
friend, to have me ask you a civil
question:
replied hastily Il beg your par
don sir, for my discourtesy, but the
idea Of any one wanting to hold re-
ligious meeting in the town Is funny
enough to make anyone laugh. You
might as well try to hold meeting
in Perdition."
I directed him to the Coyote, the
largest gambling hell in town. I
said 1T is large enough to hold a
good sized congregation, and it has
one advantage over any other place,
it is always full. You will be sure
to find a crowd there night or day. I
do not believe they Will let you speak.
If One eyed Jack, the proprietor, Is
in a good humor he may kick you in-
to the street; if he is cross, and he
generally IS, he may shoot you.
I saw the circuit rider f4sten his
horse in front of the saloon and enter.
I slipped in to see the sport. The
preacher stood for a moment, just in
side the door, to look around. At the
fartherest end of the building a pow
erful man with black patch over one
of his eyes Wa: swearing at a bar tend
er in most sulphurous manner. The
! stranger approached the man and said,