The Baltimore County union, the Towson news., 1909-12-04

and woven together like piece of
fabric. From the foot of a spreading
beech nearby noble spring trickled
over bed of yellow pebbles, and
upon stake at the side Of the spring
hung long-necked gourd for the
convenience of thirsty passersby.
Already a number of the congrega-
ton had assembled. while others were
struggling down the narrow path from
the main roadway in groups like a
flock of grazing sheep. The worship
pers were made up of all ages and
sexes, but all seemed to be on one
footing as to their standing in the
community. The church was primi-
tive affair, but was fast going to de-
cay. A swarm of bees had taken up
their quarters in one end beneath the
gable, while the chickarees had made
a den in another portion of the mar
row confines between ceiling and roof
and scampered about with much
rustling.
Low, hard benches, highly polished
from the constant weaving OF the
bodies of the occupants were scat
tered here and there with some at
tempt at order. The floor was un-
adorned by any covering, and was
worn by the shutting of many rough
shod feet, the wearers of which had
frequently been aroused to ardent
fervor by the eloquence of the speaker.
On one side of the building was
an open hearth. with wide, stone
tagging, upon which a light blaze
was burning. AS the chunks Of the
burning embers were turned shower
of glowing sparks went soaring up the
yawning black throat like firehies on
sultry night in August. The flicker
ing light cast dancing shadows across
the stained ceiling and in the dark
ened recesses of the room. From the
window-frames jutted out rough iron
brackets, the handiwork Of local
smith, which displayed more durabil-
ity than beauty, andth held square
tin lamps, which cast pale, sickly
glare over the assemblage.
The fragrant odor from the burning
pine, which filed the room with in
cense, and the general warmth from
the fire were soothing to my tired
body after the long days tramp, and
as I lolled back into one of the hard
benches / scanned and studied tie
mahogany-colored faces of the du5ky
audience.
There was low hum and a cores
ponding 'sh-sh-sh," which an
nounced that an important parsonage
was about to make his appearance,
like that which usually precedes the
arrival Of bridal party previous to
it's march up the aisle. Up the un-
carpeted strip between the rows of
rough benches strobe Brother An
dronicus Spencer. He was tall and
angular and was arrayed in suit OF
rusty-black broadcloth /; the coat was
cut "shadbelly," while the trousers
we're fashioned after the style of
broadfalls. The outfit had probably
been worn at some time by one of the
proud scions of F. f. V. An i'm
mense watch-chain of heavy work.
manship dangled from the lower pock-
ct of his waistcoat. In one hand he
carried tall, stove-pipe hat, which
had seen considerable service and
likewise hard usage the nap was
frayed and stood out like the fur on
the back of a cat which has been
stroked in the wrong direction. In
the other hand he carried greasy
backed Bible and a stout hickory cane
ornamented with an antler tip. AS
the preacher placed his cane and hat
upon the floor he Withdrew from the
depths of his coat-tail's pocket a pair
of big-rimmed spectacles, the lenses
of which he began to polish with his
flaming red bandana handkerchief.
He lined out hymn from memory,
which was sung in high-pitched,
quavering voice by the congregation,
and after a prayer of much JUNCTION
Rev. Andronicus Spencer took his
text from Ezekiel and played upon
the feelings of his hearers when he
dwelt upon the dry bones in the val
ley. The discourse was in kind and
followed out the usual theme of the
White Horse and its Pale Rider. The
speaker labored under stress of
tempestuous delivery and his exer-
tions made his face shine like highly
polished mahogany. In thrilling
tones he made his hearers rock their
bodies to and fro, accompanied by a
constant pat upon the floor from their
heavy brogans when he depicted to
them in fgurative speech the tortures
of the lower regions and the glories OF
the kingdom of the ransomed. Ever
and anon as his zeal stimulated him
to further effort he stepped from side
to side of the pulpit and vigorously
slapped the Book, turning and peer
ing into the leaves in nervous FASH
ion, and telling what I John saw"
The Sc mon was delivered in shout,
accompanied by thunderouss stamping,
which made the loose boards rattle
and raised a cloud of dust, and when
the speaker sought for word as a
fitting climax to telling sentence he
prolonged the preceding tone with
"er-rer."
The congregation was responsive to
the rising storm. A low hum of ap-
proval swept over them, which occas-
ionally broke forth in Lawd help, "
"Uh-huh," "O-m-m-m Oats SO l''
"Y-a-s %
One old fellow who sat near me ap-
peared to be under deep conviction,
but as yet he'd made no move to join
those who were already seeking the
light a-ourd the mourners' bench.
He joined Justify in the singing with
low, rich, rolling bass, like that ola
pipe organ. His voice was full OF
melody, and if trained would have
made its possessor fortune.
With renewed vigor Rev. Spencer
returned to the attack. Vas de
valley full er dry bores. Sinner, wat
var owin ter do wen de iedgment