Thrilling a Congregation.

Otago Witness, Issue 1949, 2 July 1891, Page 41

Thrilling a Congregation.

Some of the American preachers of the past have delivered sermons more startling than edifying, and have condescended to singular tricks to arrest and take the attention of the audience. Lorenzo Dow, one of these preachers, it is said, was on his way to preach in South Carolina, under a large spruce tree, when he overlooked a coloured ladwho was blowing a long tin horn, and could send forth a blast, with rise and swell and cadence, which waked the echoes of the distant hills. Calling aside the blower, Dow said to him : " What's your name, sir ? "

"My name — Gabriel, sir," said- the brother in ebony.

" Well, Gabriel, have you been to Churchhill ? "

'• Yes, massa, I'se been dar many a time." " Do you remember a big spruce-pine tree on that hill 1 "

" Oh, yes, massa, I knows dat fine."

11 Did you know that Lorenzo Dow had an appointment to preach under that tree tomorrow ? "

" Oh, yes, massa, everybody knows that." " Well, Gabriel, I am Lorenzo Dow, and if you'll take your horn and go to*morrow morning, and climb up into that pine tree and hide yourself among the branches before the people begin to gather, and waio there till 1 call your name, and then bbw such a blast with your horn as I heard you blow a minute ago, I'll give you a dollar. Will you do it, Gabriel V

" Yes, massa, I takes dat dollar."

Gabriel,^ like Zaccheus, was hid away in the tree-top in due time. An immense concourse of persons, of all sizes and colours, assembled at the appointed hour, and Dow preached on the judgment of the last day. By his power of description he wrought the multitude up to the opening of the scenes of the resurreotjon and grand assize at the call of the trumpet peals which were to wake the sleeeping nations. " Then," Said he, " supposing my dying friends, that this should be the hour. Suppose you should hear, at this moment, the sound of Gabriel's trumpet 1 "

Sure enough at that moment the trumpet of Gabriel sounded. The women shrieked, and many fainted. The men sprang up and stood aghast — some ran, others fell and cried for mercy, and all felt for a time that the judgment was set, and the books were opened. Dow stood and watched the drifting etorm till the fright abated, and someone discovered the coloured angel who caused the alarm quietly perched on the limb of the old spruce, and wanted to get him down to whip him, and then the preacher resumed his theme, saying, "I forbid all persons present from touching that boy up there. If a coloured boy with a tin horn can frighten you almost out of your wits, what will ye do when ye shall hear the trumpet thunder of the archangel 1 How will you be able to stand in the great day of the wrath of God 1 "