Tales and Trails of Wakarusa — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
Tales and Trails of Wakarusa
John Stuart Mill · en
John MacDonald, notwithstanding the incident hereinbefore related,
became an attendant at the meeting, and more than once, in his
conservative and humorous way, took part and showed his full
appreciation of the spirit of reform and revival that pervaded the
neighborhood, and his full sympathy with every honest effort to do
good and make men lead better lives. And so they came from up and
down the valley and everywhere, the rich and the poor, the good and
the bad, the conservative and the excitable, and all were melted
together in religious effort. It is true that there was sometimes
confusion because different persons would insist upon singing their
favorite hymn at the same time; but it did not seem out of the way
when Mrs. Hughes, in recollection of earlier days in Wales, would
sing, "I've Reached the Land of Corn and Wine;" and an old Scotchman
would start up "I'm Far Frae My Hame, and I'm Weary Aften Whiles;"
and another would sing "How Firm a Foundation Ye Saints of the Lord;"
and another, "Shall We Gather at the River;" and all liable to be
interrupted by a grand old chap who would yell, rather than sing,
"It's the Old Time Religion and It's Good Enough for Me."
It is not passing strange that many of the youngsters who attended
the meeting simply considered the services as entertainment, although
in later life in thinking it over they were able to understand that
when men and women make up their minds to abandon selfish purposes
and do right at all times and in all places they naturally become
possessed of the spirit of happiness, of exaltation and praise that
easily accounted for the wonderful services held during such a
revival.
One day little Tommy Cartmill went to the teacher and said:
"I have lost my revolver somewhere about the school grounds, and if
you are at church tonight I wish you would announce it so that if
anyone finds it they will return it to me."