Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1901-05-02
THE SERMON IN A
&c SALOON -
r SPENT a week in an enterprisipg
BY Jay Benson Hamilton. d. D.

T SPENT q week in an enterprisin,
little western city in attendanc
) upon Methodist annual conference
The leading merchant was my host
. After dinner, the first day of my visit
we were talking of the growth of tn
city from small frontier settlement
My host, who was proud Of the it'll,
city, related many incidents connected
with its early history. Among othei
stories he told me how Methodism be
gan by a sermon in a saloon.
81 attended the first Methodist meet
ing ever held in the town. 1t was 6
terrible service. / 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 a 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
a 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
IL was 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 l was passing
down our principal street, l noticed
horseman in very peculiar garb riding
slowly along as il 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
to hold a meeting it? am Methodist
itinerant and would like to add this
town TO my circuit. l desire TO hold a
service tonight
81 was so amazed that for a moment
I was silent as / looked closely at the
stranger. He was tall powerful-look-
ing man. He had a clear, resolute eye,
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, mochng laugh.
THE face grew stern; the eyes shone
with light like the CLEAN of steel; the
voice hardened 10 cutting curtness al
most like anger:
Does it amuse you, my young
friend. 10 have me ask you civil ques-
tion?'
81 replied hastily; I 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 we'll try 10 hold a meeting in
Perdition.'
II directed him TO The Coyote the |
largest gambling hell in town. said; |
ut is large enough to hold a good |
sized congregation, and it has one adj
over any other place. 1t is al
ways full. You will be sure to find
crowd there, night or day. do not be-
Iieve they will allow you to speak II /
'one-eyed Jack" the proprietor, is in
4 good humor he may kick you into the
street; il he is cross. and he generally
., he may shoot YOU
81 saw the circuit rider fasten his
horse in front of the saloon and enter.
slipped in TO see the sport. The
preacher stood for a moment just in
side the door, looking around. At the
furthest end OF the building a pow
.rful man with a black patch over one
IF his eyes was swearing AT a bartender
n a most sulphurous manner. The
stranger approached the swearer and
aid, as he removed his hat and made
courteous bow:
Are you the proprietor Of this
,lace?'
"'One-eyed Jack was about TO reply
With savage oath, according to his
lsual custom, when the peculiar garb
nd the distinguished bearing of the
luestioner caused him 10 hesitate
With a politeness unusual 10 him, he
aid:
4 am, sir; what can do for your
81 am Methodist preacher. and |
would like permission TO preach in your
aloon.'
Preach in my saloonl When p said
lack. in tone Of amazement.
"'Now!' said the preacher.
Well, III be-, beg your par
hon. parson, I'd almost said a cuss-
word; but preach in my saloonr He
ooked about and heard the clink % the
.iasses, the banging of cards upon the
ables. the harsh laugh and the awful
aths. and said:
i think, parson, you have come 20
mighty poor place TO start a revival
No place needs il more said the
as he looked with respect
al but resomte glance into Jacks sin
lie eve.
Let him preach said the bartend-
r, who was glad 10 have his employers |
wrath diverted from him. let him
reach. II viii be fun for the boys
'Funl roared Jack; I'D like to see
nybody make fun OF my guest. Par
on, fire away. III be the deacon Of this
evival II anybody dares kick up a
ow. I'll be-
There, there. said the preacher,