The Republican., 1899-04-13
THE SERMON IN A
&c SALOON e
BY Jay Benson Hamilton, D. D.

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.
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 a sermon in saloon.
II attended the first Methodist meet
ing ever held in the town. 1t was a
terrible service. l tremble now, when |
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 undertake
ing. There was funeral every day.
If some one did not die from disease or
accident there was a murder. The
street or barroom fight that was not to
2 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
81 was youngster who had run
away from home in the east to try the
frolic of frontier life. l had been resi-
dent about a week. AS l was passing
down our principal street, l 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 a hall or room
of any kind in this place large enough
10 hn1 I
itinerant and would like to add this
town TO my circuit. / desire to hold a
service tonight
Il was so amazed that for a moment
1 was silent as l looked closely at the
stranger. He was tall, powerful-look-
ing man. He had a clear, resolute eve,
a lip and chin that revealed a de-
termination nothing could balk. felt
that he was a man who did not know
fear, but the folly of the question be-
came more and more amusing until
broke out in a merry, mocl1ing laugh.
''The face grew stern the eyes shone
with light like the CLEAN of steel; the
voice hardened to a cutting curtness al
most Like anger:
friend, to have me ask you civil ques-
tion?'
81 replied hastily: 4 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.'
Il directed him to The Coyote the
largest gambling hell in town. said
1t 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
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
81 saw the circuit rider fasten his
horse in front of the saloon and enter.
l slipped in to 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 a black patch over one
of his eyes was swearing at bartender
in a 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 a 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:
4 am, sir; what can I do for you?'
"I 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.
We'll, I'll be-, l beg your par
don, parson, I'd almost said a. cuss-
word; but preach in my saloon!' He
looked about and heard the clink of the
glasses, the banging of cards upon the
tables, the harsh laugh and the awful
oaths, and said
L think, parson, you have come to
a mighty poor place to start revival
"'No place needs it more said the
minister, as he looked with a respect
full but resolute glance into Jacks sim
gle eye.
"'Let him preach said the bartend-
er, who was glad to have his employers
wrath diverted from him. Let him
preach. 1t will be fun for the boys
"'Fun!' roared Jack; I'd like to see
anybody make fun of my guest. Par
son, fire away. I'll be the deacon of this
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 which
lie signaled for attention when he had
an announcement to make or a com
mand to give. In few seconds there
was silence. All eagerly looked at the
two men as if they expected to see a
fight. Jack roared out in a voice that
could he heard half mile.