_THE MISSIONARY PREACHES._
On Tuesday, a beautiful evening closed the day. At an early hour, the
parents, together with quite a number of children, also the youth
of this and other neighborhoods, were on their way to hear what the
stranger had to say; some having made up their minds for, and others
against the Sunday-school.
The old school-house was crowded with expectant ones, awaiting the
arrival of the “Great Speaker,” as he had been reported.
There was a little grove in a ravine behind the barn at Mr. Brown’s;
this secluded spot the missionary sought before starting to fill his
appointment. Here he laid his case before God, asking for preparation
of heart, for wisdom, for strength, for words, and, above all, for the
power of the Spirit and the ensealing of the truth upon the hearts of
his hearers.
Do you wonder that his lecture on that night was endued with power from
on high?
Mr. Brown offered to take him to the school-house in his wagon, but as
he preferred walking, he went in company with the children, one on each
side of him. Their prattling conversation made his heart glad, and he
longed to lead all the little ones to the Saviour.
As he entered and took his place at the desk in the school-room, a deep
silence pervaded the audience. After offering up a silent prayer, he
asked the people to sing a hymn, and all joined in the glorious old
tune, “Coronation,” with a will. After a short, solemn and impressive
prayer, he called the attention of his hearers to the following
portion of God’s Word: “Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in
your heart and in to your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your
hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. And ye shall
teach them to your children, speaking of them in thine house, and when
thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest
up.” Deut. xi. 18, 19.
He treated his subject so simply that the children could understand,
and with an earnestness that commanded the attention of all. After
showing the imperative duty of teaching the Scriptures to our children,
and that some _could_ not, and others _would_ not, thus properly
teach them, he said that it was the duty of all Christians to see
to it that they were taught. To gather them together on Sunday for
religious instruction, was the most appropriate and feasible method.
He appealed to the minds and hearts of his audience in such a way
as to force their assent to the truth of his propositions; and that,
too, from persons who had come with feelings of determined hostility.
After another prayer, and the singing of a hymn, he exhibited his
Sunday-school books and papers, picture cards and prize tickets, giving
to each in turn a proper explanation of its uses, and closed with an
appeal to the people to organize a Sunday-school at once.
Upon this, a man arose and said, with considerable faltering, that
he objected to any such “snap judgment” being taken; that this
Sunday-school fuss was got up by a set of loafers, who were too lazy to
work, to swindle their living out of the earnings of honest people. And
he, for one, was not going to be led by them. Having thus made known
his opinion, he sat down. This man was no other than Mr. Steele, with
whom we are already acquainted.
The missionary did not think it prudent to cast pearls where they
would be trampled under foot, so he left the future action to the
people.
The short speech of Mr. Steele encouraged those who were prejudiced
against any “innovations,” and some confusion ensued. Mr. Brown arose
and said that he was sorry that the gentleman who had just taken his
seat had thrown out such unwarranted insinuations; and as he did not
offer the slightest evidence to sustain his assertions, he did not feel
inclined to give this speech the least credit, and would therefore
move that the gentleman, Mr. Steele, be requested to prove the charges
made against those who, with the present lecturer, are endeavoring to
organize and establish Sunday-schools. This was seconded by three or
four, and almost unanimously carried. The time of meeting determined
upon was the following Thursday night.
The excitement now became general; there being a division of
sentiment among the people, and as this was leading to confusion
and impropriety, the meeting was dismissed; but this only gave more
liberty, and instead of a calm discussion of the question, extravagant
assertions were made, and hasty, inconsiderate conclusions formed,
leading to angry words.
A number sought acquaintance with the missionary, and the result of the
meeting was that he had warmer friends and more determined enemies than
before.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]