The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1899-03-09
THE SERMON IN A
| SALOON e

Cley
Upon u Methodist annual conference.
The leading merchant was my host.
After dinner. the first day Of my visit,
we were talking OF the growth of the
city from small frontier settlement.
Ny host. who was proud of the little
city. related many incidents connected
with its early history. Among other
stories he told me how Methodism be-
gan by sermon in a saloon.
~ attended the first Methodist meet
ing ever held in the town. II was
terrible service. ! tremble now, when
think Of it. although It was SO many
years ago. Our town was pretty
tough place. The chief businesses were
liquor selling, gambling and undertake
ing. There was funeral every day.
II some one did not die from disease or
accident there was murder The
stree, or barroom fight that was not to
finish attracted little or no atte ention.
The bowie knife and revolver were
never concealed. They we're always
within ready reach. II ever place de-
served to be called hell ii was n
II was youngster who had run
away from home in the east to try the
frolic of frontier life. had been a resi-
dent about n week. AS was passing
down our principal street, noticed
horseman in very peculiar garb riding
slowly along as If 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 a meeting IT.? am a Methodist
itinerant and would like to add this
town to my circuit. desire to hold
service tonight
81 was so amazed that for moment
was silent as looked closely at the
stranger. He was tall, powerful-look-
ing man. He had 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 until |
broke out in a merry. mocking laugh.
''The face grew stern; the eyes shone
with light like the CLEAN of steel; the
voice hardened to cutting curtness al
most like anger:
"'Does It amuse you, my young
friend. to have me ask you civil ques-
tion?'
II replied hastily: I beg your par
don, sir, for my discourtesy. but the
idea of anybody wanting to hold re-
ligious meeting in this town is funny
enough to make anyone laugh. You
might as well try to hold meeting in
Perdition.'
II directed him to The Coyote the
largest gambling hell in town. l said:
LIT is large enough to hold a good
sized congregation, and it has one ad-
vantage over any other place. 1t is al.
ways full You will be sure to find q
crowd there. night or day. do not be.
lieve they will allow you to speak. ID
"One-eyed jack" the proprietor. is in
good humor he may kick you into the
street; If he is cross, and he generally
is, he may shoot YOU
II saw the circuit rider fasten 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, looking around. At the
| furthest end of the building a pow
erful man with black patch over one
| of his eyes was swearing at bartender
| in a mcst sulphurous manner. The
stranger approached the swearer and
| said, as he removed his hat and made G
courteous bow:
| "'Are you the proprietor Of this
place.
"One-eyed jack was about to reply
with savage oath. according to hi!
usual custom. when the peculiar garf
and the distinguished bearing of the
| uuestioner caused him to hesitate
| With a politeness unusual to him. hi
said:
"I am. sir; what can do for YOU?
"I am a Methodist preacher, and
would like permission to preach in YOU
saloon.'
"Preach in my saloon! When" sale
Jack, in tone of amazement.
| "Now!' said the preacher
"'Well, RI! be-, beg your par
word; but preach in my saloon!' H
looked about and heard the clink of tn
glasses, the banging Of cards upon tn
tables, the harsh laugh and the awfu
oaths, and said:
":I think, parson, you have come t.
mighty poor place to start revival
"'No place needs II more said tn
minister, as he looked with . respect
ful but reaolute glance into jacks sin
gle eye.
"Let him preach said the bartend
er, who was glad to have his employer
wrath diverted from him. Let hin
preach. 1t will be fun for the boys
"'Fun!' roared Jack; I'd like to Sc
anybody make fun of my guest. Par
son, fire away. III be the deacon OF thi
revival. If anybody dares kick up
row, I'll be-
"'There, there said the preacher
"deacons don't swear"
"Jack rang the huge bell with whic
he lgnaled for attention when he hat
| an announcement TO make or q com