Democratic Sentinel, Volume 5, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 January 1882 — Waking a Sleeper. [ARTICLE]

Waking a Sleeper.

A certain good brother, Obadiah Turner, of Lyxw, Mass., once kept a journal, in which, under date “ 1646, June ye 3d,” he thus describee the “ method” adopted by a zealous specif officer in the chtrfch 'ministered uafch byi Rev. Samuel Whttlug: “ Allen Brydges' hath been chosen to wake ye sleepers ill meeting, and, being much proud of his place, must need have a fox taile fixed to ye eno of along staff, wherewith he may brush the faces of them yt will have naps in time of discourse; likewise u. bliftrp tborne wherewith he may

prickle such as may be most sounde. Qo4he last Lord bis-day, as he sknfetad ab<rat ye meeting-house, he did spy Mr. Thomas sleeping with much com fort, his head being steadied by being ia ye corner, and his hand grasping ye rail. And so spying, Allen did quickly his staff behind David Ballond and gave him a gdevons prick upon ye hand, whereupon Mr. Thomas did spring up much above ye floor, and with terrible foree strike his head against ye wall, and also to ye great wonder of all, prophanilie crying out in a loud voice, he dreaming, as it seemed, yt a woodchuck had bit his hand. But on coming to know where he was, and ve grate scandall he had committed, lie seemed much abashed, but did not speak. And I think he will not soon again go to s’eep in meeting. Ye women may sometime sleepe and none know it, by reason of their enormous bounets. Mr. Whiting doth pleasantlie say ytfrom ye pulpit he doth seem to be preaching to stacks of straw, with men jotting here and there among them.”