The Forrest City times., 1899-03-17
THE SERMON IN A
&c SALOON S
BY Jay Benson Hamilton, D. d.

SPENT a week in an enterprising
i little western city in attendance
upon a 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 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 Methodism be-
gan by sermon in saloon.
Il attended the first Methodist meet
ing ever held in the town. 1t was a
terrible service. j 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.
If some one did not die from disease or
accident there was murder. The
street or barroom fight that was not to
finish attracted little or no attention.
The bowie knife and revolver were
never concealed. They were always
within ready reach. If ever place de-
served to be called hell it was N
II was a youngster who had run
away from home in the east to try the
frolic of frontier life. had been resi-
dent about a week. AS / was passing
down our principal street, noticed a
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 meeting it? am a Methodist
itinerant and would like to add this
town to my circuit. l desire to hold a
service tonight
Il was so amazed that for moment
/ was silent as looked closely at the
stranger. He was a tall, powerful-look-
ing man. He had clear, resolute eye,
lip and chin that revealed de-
termination nothing could balk. felt
that he was q 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 ike 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 a civil ques-
tion? . sa
Il replied hastily: Il 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 a meeting in
Perdition.' 8f
Il directed him 70 The Coyote the
largest gambling hell in town. | said:
1T is large enough to hold a good
sized congregation. and it has one adj
vantage over any other place. 1t is al
ways full. You will be sure to find a
crowd there, night or day. do not be-
lieve they will allow you to 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 generally
is, he may shoot YOU
II saw the circuit rider fasten his
horse in front of the saloon and enter.
l slipped in 70 see the sport. The
preacher stood for 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 most sulphurous manner. The
stranger approached the swearer and
said, as he removed his hat and made a
courteous bow:
"'Are you the proprietor of this
place?
"'One-eyed Jack was about to reply
With savage oath, according to his
usual custom, when the peculiar garb
and the distinguished bearing of the
questioner caused him to hesitate
With a politeness unusual to him, he
said: lfk lt
81 am, sir; what can / do for you?'
- am Methodist preacher, and
would like permission to preach in your
saloon
Preach in my saloon. When? said
Jack, in tone of amazement.
"'Now.' said the preacher.
"'Well, I'll be-, / beg your par
don. parson, I'd almost said a euss-
word; but preach in my saloon.' lie
looked about and heard the clink of the