Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1899-06-10
THE SERMON IN A
- SALOON ~

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 n 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 q sermon In n saloon.
II attended the frs; Methodist meet
I ing ever held in the town. It was
terrible service. trcmble now. when
think Of IL. although il was SO many
years ago. Our town was n pretty
tough place. The chief businesses were
liquor selling. gambling and undertake
ing. There was a funeral every day.
II some one did not die from disease or
accident there was q 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. II ever place de-
served 20 be called hell IL was "
II was youngs;er who had run
away from home IN the east 20 Try the
frolic OF frontierlfe / had been a resi-
dent about a week. As l was passing
down our principal street, / noticed a
} horseman IN a very peculiar Cnrb riding
slowly along as II he were looking for
some one. Noticing me. be drew the
reins OF his horse and said:
"'Young man. Is there hall or room
. Of any kind IN this place large enough
? 70 hold a meeting 10 am Methodist
raI
town 10 my circuit ] desire 10 hold Z
1 service tonight
II was so amazed that for q moment
: was silent as looked closely az tn
stranger. BE was a tai. powerful-iook
4 ing man. He had a clear. reSoiute eye
4 a lip and chin that revealed a de
y termination nothing could balk. l Eel
Z that he was @ man who did not know
fear. but the folly OF the question be
. came more and more amusing untn
Z broke out an a merry. hooking laugh.
!. The face grew stern; the eyes shon
= with light like the CLEAN OF steel: n
4 voice hardened to a cutting curtness a
,e most Ike anger:
be- Does Il amuse you. my voun
q friend. 20 have me ask you civil quei
tion%
y replied hastily: = beg your pal
DOR. sir. FOR nv discourtesy. but oh
7. ides OF anybody wanting 70 hold n
- hcious meeting IN this town is funn
iu enough 20 make anyone laugh. 70
e might as well Try 20 hold a meeting
Perdition-'
in Il directed him 20 The Coyote q
largest gambling hell in town saic
~'It Is large enough 20 hold goo
sized congregation. and Il has one a.
"a vantage over any other place. IL is q
~ WAYS full. You Will be sure 70 find
crowd there, night or day. do not b
he lieve they viii allow you 20 speak
he "One-eyed Jack the proprietor. is
* a good humor he may kick you into q
pa, street: II ne Is cross. and he general
49, is. he may shoot YOU
Y saw the circuit rider fasten
.~ horse in front OF the saloon and ent'
~ I slipped In 20 see the sport. It
- preacher stood for a moment. just
ate side the door. looking around. At I
nd furthest end OF the building n 20
erful man with q black patch over o
8. OF his eyes was swearing ~ bartend
- IN a most sulphurous manner. I
stranger approached the sweorer a
-,. said. as he removed his hat and mad
ere courteous bow:
.en- Are you the proprietor Of q
our placer
Of "'One-eyed Jack was about 20 rel
ron with a savage oath, according 10
'eH usual custom. when the peculiar &
and the distinguished bearing of
80 questioner caused him 20 hesita
,ver With q politeness unusual TO him,
said;
nth lam. SIR; what can 90 for you
heb. 81 an a Methodist preacher, sn
inss would ike p-tu-sssion TO preach in -
-, saloon
az. Preach In my salooni WhenT
- Jack. IN a tone Of amazemen>
"'Now,' said the preacher
tske We'll. I'll be-. beg your 7
ines don pa-son. ia almost said c.
hcre word; but preach an my saloonH
arth locked about and heard the clink Of
glasses. the banging OF cards upon
INTO tables. the harsh laugh and the &v
- oaths, and said:
~ think parson, you have cont
mace a mighty poor place 70 start revi
left "'No place needs IL more said
rops minister. as he looked with resp
He ful INIT resohate glance into Jacks
On gle eye
tns LET him preach said the bart
@i- ct, who was glad 10 have his emplo,
wrath diverted from him Let
lash. preach. II Will be fun for the boy
b hi -'Fun.' roared Jack; I'd Ike q
II anybody make fun Of my guest.
had son. are away. I'll be the deacon OF