Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1899-05-03
THE SERMON IN A
. &c SALOON &c
BY Jay Benson Hamilton, D. D.

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 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 q saloon.
81 attended the first Methodist meet
ing ever held in che town. 1t was a
terrible service. ! 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 10
finish attracted little or no attention.
The bowie knife and revolver were
never concealed. They were always
within ready reach. If ever a place de-
served to be called hell it was N
81 was a youngster who had run
away from home in the east to try the
frelic Of frontier life. had been n resi-
dent about a week. AS l was passing
down our principal street | noticed q
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 it2 am Methodist
itinerant and would like 10 add this
town TO my circuit. ! desire TO hold q
service tonight
ST was so amazed that for a moment
/ was silent as looked closely al the
stranger. He was tall. powerful-look-
ing man. He had a clear. resolute eye,
a lip and chin that revealed 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 unifl
broke out in a merry, moelting laugh
''The face grew stern; the eyes shonc
with light like the CLEAN of steel; the
voice hardened to a cutting curiness al
most Like anger:
OotS ~ I'LL hoo Aoht ny jung
friend, to have me ask you civil CUES
tion?'
II replied hastily: 4 beg your par
don, sir, for my discourtesy. BUT thu
idea of anybody wanting to hold re
ligious meeting in this town is funny
enough TO make anyone laugh. Yol
might as we'll try TO hold a meeting Il
Per1ition.'
81 directed him 10 The Coyote th'
largest gambling hell in town. ! said
"'It is large enough TO hold a goot
sized congregation, and 1t has one adj
vantage over any other place | 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. /
"One-eyed jack" the proprietor. is q
good humor he may kick you into tn
street; if he is cross, and he general.
IS he may shoot YOU
81 saw the circuit rider fasten hi
horse in front of the saloon and enter
I slipped in to see the sport. TIL
preacher stood for moment. just in
side the door. looking around. Al ID
furthest end of the building a pow
erful man with black patch over on
of his eyes was swearing at bartende
in a most sulphurous manner. Tn
stranger approached the swearer an
said, as he removed his hat and made
courteous bow:
"'Are you the proprietor Of hi
place.?
"'One-eyed Jack was about TO repl
with q savage oath. according to h
usual custom, when the peculiar gar
and the distinguished bearing Of I'll
questioner caused him to hesiiat
With a politeness unusual 10 him, |
said:
~ am, sir; what can do for you 2
al am Methodist preacher and
would like permission to preach in yoi
saloon
"'Preach in my saloonl WhenT sa
Jack. in tone Of amazement.
"'Nowl' said the preacher.
"Well, I'll be-, beg your pa
don, parson. I'd almost said Gus
word but preach in my saloonl
looked about and heard the cIink OF Il
glasses, the banging Of cards upon Z
tables. the harsh laugh and the a'vf
oaths, and said:
~ think, parson you have come
n mighty poor place to startn rcvivu
"'No place needs it more said {
minister, as he looked with Q rvspe'
full but resolute glance into Jacks 81
gle eye.
LET him preach, said the harten
er, who was glad 10 have his employee
wrath diverted from him. Let hi
preach. II viii be fun tor.he boys
"'Funl' ronred Jack; I'D like TO 5
anybody make fun Of my guest ~
son. fire away. III be the deacon of u
revival. II anybody dares kick up
row, I'll be-
"'There. there said the preach
"dcacons don't swear"
"Jack rang the huge bell with viii
he signaled for attention when he h
an announcement to make or co
mand TO give. In few seconds the
was silence. All eagerly looked al I
two men as II they expected TO see
fight Jack roared out in a voice II