Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1899-06-14
A SERMON IN A SALOON.


little western city i'm attendance upon
a Methodist annual conference. The
leading merchant was my host. Af-
ter dinner the first day of my visit.
we were talking of the growth of the
city from a small frontier settlement.
My host (who was proud of the little
city, related many incidents connect
ed with its early history. Among
other stories, he told me how Metho.
dism began by sermon in saloon.
attended the tirst Methodist meet
ing ever held in the town. II was a
terrible service. tremble now when
l 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
undertaking. There was a funeral
every day. If some one did not die
from disease or accident there was a
murder. The street or bar room
light that was not to a finish attract.
ed little or no attention. The bowie
knife and revolver were never con-
cealed. They were always within
ready reach. If ever place deserv-
ed to be called He'll it was N.
was youngster who had run
over from the East to try the frolic
Of frontier life. | had been resi-
dent about week. AS Il was passing
down our principal street / noticed
horseman in very peculiar garb rid
ing slowly along as if he was looking
for some one. Noticing me, he drew
the reins of his horse and said:
"Young man, is there q hall or
room of any kind in this place large
enough to hold a meeting in? am
"a Methodist itinerant and would like
to add this town to my circuit. ! de.
sire to hold service here tonight"
| was so amazed that for moment
| was silent as looked closely at the
stranger. He was u tall, powerful
looking man. He had a clear reso-
lutte eye, lip and chin that revealed
a determination nothing could balk.
/ felt that he was man who did not
know fear, but the folly of the ques-
tion became more and more amusing
until | broke out in merry mocking
laugh.
The face grew stern; the eyes
shone with light like the gleam of
steel; the voice hardened to a cutting
curtness of almost anger.
"Does 1t amuse you, my young
friend, to have me ask you civil
question:"
| replied hastily: al 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 any one laugh. You
might as well try to hold "a meeting
in Perdition."
directed him to the Coyote, the
largest gambling hell in town. said:
alt is large enough to hold a good
sized congregation, and it has one ad-
vantage over every other place, it Is
always full. You will be sure to find
crowd there night or day. do not
believe they will let you speak. If
'One eyed jack the proprietor, is in
a good humor he may kick you into
the street; If he is cross, and he gen.
errally is, he may shoot you."
saw the circuit rider fasten his
horse in front of the saloon and enter.
| slipped in to see the snort. The
preacher stood for moment, just in
side the door. to look around. At
the farthest end of the building a
powerful man with black patch over
one of his eyes was swearing at bar
tender in most sulphurous manner.
The stranger approached the man
and said, as he removed his hat and
made courteous bow:
Are you the proprietor of this
place."
"One eyed Jack" was about to re-
ply with savage oath, according to
his usual custom, when the peculiar
garb and distinguished bearing of the
questioner caused him to hesitate and
say:
al am sir; what can ] do for you?"
81 am Methodist preacher, and |
would like permission to preach in
uoor Saloo,, ,,