Pious Mr. Pike brushed up his hair till it stood upright, and, in deep, solemn tones, began:  “Hearken, ye servants!  Give strict heed unto my words.  You are rebellious sinners.  Your hearts are filled with all manner of evil.  ’Tis the devil who tempts you.  God is angry with you, and will surely punish you, if you don’t forsake your wicked ways.  You that live in town are eyeservants behind your master’s back.  Instead of serving your masters faithfully, which is pleasing in the sight of your heavenly Master, you are idle, and shirk your work.  God sees you.  You tell lies.  God hears you.  Instead of being engaged in worshipping him, you are hidden away somewhere, feasting on your master’s substance; tossing coffee-grounds with some wicked fortuneteller, or cutting cards with another old hag.  Your masters may not find you out, but God sees you, and will punish you.  O, the depravity of your hearts!  When your master’s work is done, are you quietly together, thinking of the goodness of God to such sinful creatures?  No; you are quarrelling, and tying up little bags of roots to bury under the doorsteps to poison each other with.  God sees you.  You men steal away to every grog shop to sell your master’s corn, that you may buy rum to drink.  God sees you.  You sneak into the back streets, or among the bushes, to pitch coppers.  Although your masters may not find you out, God sees you; and he will punish you.  You must forsake your sinful ways, and be faithful servants.  Obey your old master and your young master—­your old mistress and your young mistress.  If you disobey your earthly master, you offend your heavenly Master.  You must obey God’s commandments.  When you go from here, don’t stop at the corners of the streets to talk, but go directly home, and let your master and mistress see that you have come.”

The benediction was pronounced.  We went home, highly amused at brother Pike’s gospel teaching, and we determined to hear him again.  I went the next Sabbath evening, and heard pretty much a repetition of the last discourse.  At the close of the meeting, Mr. Pike informed us that he found it very inconvenient to meet at the friend’s house, and he should be glad to see us, every Sunday evening, at his own kitchen.

I went home with the feeling that I had heard the Reverend Mr. Pike for the last time.  Some of his members repaired to his house, and found that the kitchen sported two tallow candles; the first time, I am sure, since its present occupant owned it, for the servants never had any thing but pine knots.  It was so long before the reverend gentleman descended from his comfortable parlor that the slaves left, and went to enjoy a Methodist shout.  They never seem so happy as when shouting and singing at religious meetings.  Many of them are sincere, and nearer to the gate of heaven than sanctimonious Mr. Pike, and other long-faced Christians, who see wounded Samaritans, and pass by on the other side.