MINISTERS IN THE EAR WEST.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2420, 14 January 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

MINISTERS IN THE EAR WEST.

A vorNC young man who recently graduated from an eastern theological school went out to Murray, in tho Cceur d'Aleno country, in Dakota, to take charge of a church. Tho largest gambling hall in town was cleared for his accommodation the first Sunday, one table on which Spanish monte was usually dealt, being left for him to stand behind. A large stock register book was laid on this, which was supposed to represent a Bible. Tho whole tow a tui.ied out, and the young divine preached a poweiful sermon. In it lie strongly denonnerd gambling, horse racing, drinking' and profanity. That afternoon he was called on by a committee of loading citizens, one of whom said—" Pardner, thar's a little matter we'd like to talk over wif.h ye. I reckon it's all O.K. that you an' me should ppeak o' some matters, as we're a good deal in the same lineo' work, as I might say —both o' us tryin' to better the community." " Indeed, do I see a minister of the gospel before me?'' "I reckon not, capt'n, 'less there's one uv 'em sneakin' up behind me—-which ain't prob'ble as I may say. Wot I mean was that I am the chairman uv the vigilance committee." " Is it possible ?" "Mighty poss'ble, capt'n, the cussedest poss'hle thing ye ever seed. Wot we come here to say is that we don't approve o' yer preachin'." "I am sorry that such is tho case, but I can't see liow I can change it." •'Can't, hey? Well, I reckon ye'll hev to. Ye've got 'er let up on hollerin' agin gamblin', and hoss-racin', an' swearin' an' licker. Them tilings air all 'lowable here, an' air highly recommended by the leadin' citizens, an' the clergy has got 'er fall into lino. As a committee we moseyed up here to warn ye, an' taiu't our style to warn morc'n once," "But, my dear sir, what can I preach against—l must denounce something?'' " What can ye preach agin ! Well, I swar! Haint there wickedness 'nough in tiiis country 'tliout goiu' outer yer way to jump outer such things? Preach agin hoss-stealin' an' jumpin' mineral claims, uv course. Kip' 'em up the back an' tramp on 'em j Then there's original sin—tec.li that up ouee in a while. Jes' confine yersclf to these tilings, an' the hoys will jes' crowd in to hear an' cheer ye every time ye make a good p'int.,' —Dakota Bell.