A Muscular Evangelist.

Otago Witness, Issue 2660, 8 March 1905, Page 87

A Muscular Evangelist.

Bru+e strength is an argument which should rai-ely be u.-ed, but it sometimes stems as if it were the only thing which - ;| i appeal to certain individuals. When

one comes into happy contact with su<_h it may be well, occasionally, for him io descend to the level of physical force, and administer to his opponent a useful les-on — that is, if he can do it. Sam Rozel could avd did, says the Baltimore Sun, and the result was entirely s-atisfactoiy.

Eozel, who in hi-3 day was one of the best-known pulpit orators in tlie South, wa> a very large man, and had a wide reputation for physical strength. In his college days he wors the laurels of victory in athletic contests. and after he became a preacher stories of his pro-Ae^s spread far and near.

One day he went to a tillage to hold a protracted meeting. The village blacksmith, who was regarded as a pugilistic wonder, heard about tho coming of Rozel, also about the size of the person's arm and the convincing way he used to have with his fists. All this nettled the smith considerably, so when Eozel reached the town he sought him out and asked him to fight.

The parson, of course, said he did not wish to, but the smith kept on insisting, until Eozel agreed to gratify the fellow. They fought. Kozel .gave the big- man a good walloping. When he had pounded the bully until he was gasping hard. Ro/.el picked him up and threw him over a fenc?. Up to this point the blacksmith had not said a word. As he rolled over the sirle of the fence, however, he called out:

'^Say, parson, kindly throw my horse over tco"t I'm going away."

But Rozel followed the man to his home, and that very night had him sitting on a front bench at the meeting.