The Grenada sentinel., 1899-08-12

sand, and In ten years 1t will approach
that number.
Want Of time prevented our calling
upon the county officials. We were
pleased to learn that Mr.. .. 8. Griffin,
who has been chancery clerk for twenty
years, will be his own successor by
unanimous vote; and that Circuit Clerk
F. G. Wilson will succeed Sheriff s. w.
johnson.
Yazoo will have an able representa-.
tion in the legislature-Hon. A. M.
Hicks again in the senate; and Messrs.
w. w. Coody, c. j. Burrus, J. w. George
and H. G. johnson in the house.
A Wartime Prayer.
The recent publication of q sermon,
preached by DR.. J. w. Harmon, of Pauld.
ing, dedicated to 1.-THE Christian editor OF
the Jasper County Review" calls to
mind war "reminiscences, In which that
faithful old soldier of the Cross was the
central figure. The Confederate forces
at Harrisburg, Miss. had met with q
serious reverse, and the legislature,
then in session at Macon, in August,
1864, passed a sweeping militia bill.
making very few exemptions. DR.. Har.
mon was then preaching at Macon, and
occasionally opened the sessions Of the
senate and house with prayer. The
sessions were held in school buildings
the house in the larger. and the senate
in the smaller building. This writer,
being then a prisoner on parole, went
up from Mobile to act as clerk of the
house. He had set typs for DR.. Har-
mon when he was p1blisher in New Or
leans, in 1854, and SO wnen he appeared
in the entrance the attention of Speaker
Houston was called to the fact that q
minister was present, and he was in
vited to come forward. The doctor
stood just to the right Of the clerk
when the gavel summoned the members
to their devotions. All assumed de-
votional attitude, and the doctor pro-
ceeded thusly:
20 Lord, We invoke thy special blessings
upon this legislature, for they have laid
violent hands upon the ordained ministry
of our churches. and, putting carnal wea-
pons in their hands, have thrust them
forth into the fold, bidding them 70 forth
as ministers Of wrath and vengeance.
10 Lord, for this act Of infdelity to Thee
and Thy church-an act that stands forth
in all its gloomy isolation, without par
allel in the legislation Of any civilized peo-
pie on the earth-we invoke Thy pardoning
power.
20 Lord, may not the sin Of this legisla.
ture be visited upon our State and people,
but may We triumph over all our enemies,
and secure our peace, our Independence,
and grand nationality among the nations
Of the earth, and Thy name shall be glori-
fed through Christ, our Redeemer Amen"
As the doctor proceeded with his
prayer, this writer took 1t down. The
members raised their heads, looking at
the preacher and each other-some evi.
dcutly amused, others surprised or dis.
pleased. The prayer concluded, the
doctor did not wait to be congratulated,
but proceeded to the senate to open
that body with prayer, but senator
who CHANGED to be in the house got to
the senate ahead of him, and objected
to that style Of morning devotions.
After the reading Of the journal q
supplemental bill, prepared by Senator
Yerger the day previous, was introduced
In the house and passed-several mem.
bers wishing It understood that they
voted AYE" not because they were in.
timidated by the preachers prayer.
Dr.. Harmon is still living at Psuld-
ing. Miss. A few years ago he pub
lished q volume of sermons and remin.
iscences, IN which the foregoing in
cident is referred TO. y
The Palmer orphanage. Columb bus, has
enrolled twenty children to date. The
superintendent was recently asked why
he did not let the public know some Of
the special needs Of the orphansqe,
through the papers, and he responds
with the following 20 . starter: A din.
ing table, . dozen chairs, q buggy, an
organ, dozen mugs, clothing for boys
aged 4, 8, Z and 10, and girls aged Z, II
and 10, and all kinds Of vegetables
wstermelons included. He ackuowl.
edges donstions Of 4 saddle, . meat
chopper and refrigerator. II the
orphanage 10 not supplied 1t will not be
because Of the uuw,llingness. OF Nuper.
intendent Bedinger to let its wants be
known. s4x4 I, m
The Mississippi Chautauqua, Crystal
springs, closed : dslightful season 81,
lscturss and other sxAyeises o. the;
night or Jrly 81. The collegiate ora.
torical contest took, plsce that night,
the following. colleges being repre-
sented: University ot Mississippi, by
Edwin Holmes and Robert Il. Sultsn;
Aiasisaippi Ccliees. " ]. B.. Bra4son;
Iillsapa IN Il. n NJ Iii and n.sSA.I