A celebrated revivalist came to address his flock, and before he began to
speak, the pastor said: “Brother Jones, before you begins this discourse,
there are some powerful bad negroes in this here congregation, and I want
to pray for you,” which he did in this fashion:
“O Lord, gives Brother Jones the eye of the eagle, that he may
see sin from afar. Glue his ear to the gospel telephone, and
connect him with the central skies. Illuminate his brow with a
brightness that will make the fires of hell look like a tallow
candle. Nail his hands to the gospel plough, and bow his head
in some lonesome valley, where prayer is much wanted to be
said, and annoint him all over with the kerosene oil of Thy
salvation and set him afire.”
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