Victorian Religion/A Majority on the Wrong SidePrevious | Home | NextTranscript from original newspaper article: - |
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…. A MAJORITY ON THE
WRONG SIDE. – Several years ago a celebrated Methodist
minister and revivalist, well know for his eloquence and zeal in converting
souls, was preaching in Louisville. The feeling had got pretty well up,
and one night, after a very “powerful” sermon, he came down
from the pulpit for the purpose of receiving the mourners, while the good
old hymn of –
“Canaan, oh Canaan, I’m bound for the land of Canaan”* was struck up and chimed in by hundreds of voices. The hymn was concluded, but there were no penitents at the altar. In vain he exhorted – his words and appeals fell upon the ears of his congregation without exciting an emotion. At length he concluded to make a bold strike and follow it up with a test, and resuming the pulpit, after a few words of exhortation, he solemnly announced that he would put a question, upon which he expected all to vote in view of the estimation they placed upon their souls. With finger raised most significantly, and in a most solemn manner, he announced: - “All those in favor of Christ will please rise to their feet.” Only some eight or ten responded to the announcement; and while the minister was watching intensely for others to signify their position by rising, a worthy member, who was on his feet, interfered, and suggested that “the reason might be that the true disciples were too modest to vote.” At this juncture, a loud voice was heard in the gallery: - “I say, brother -, it’s no use a talking to trying to force this vote – this congregation is for the devil by at least twenty-five hundred majority.” *Bright Canaan - Early American folk hymn. Canaan - Origin & Meaning. Main Menu - Shop Online - Email Us
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