ONE Benjamin, who professes to be in the present truth and a preacher, called on me the night after the Sabbath, and introduced himself as a brother who kept the Sabbath, and wanted to stay over night. I told him he could stay. I had but a short conversation with him, before I began to be suspicious that all was not right. So I continued to question him until I was satisfied he was not one of the Lord's preachers, and understood but little or nothing about present truth. The next morning after breakfast I felt it duty to tell him my mind about him. I told him I did not feel free to harbor him any longer; that I thought he had imposed upon us in coming as he did, professing to be one of the Sabbath brethren. I further told him I did not feel under any obligation to assist him at all, and requested him to leave, &c. But he urged so hard to stay till next morning, (and said he would pay me for his board,) that I concluded to let him stay. The next morning at breakfast time I called him. He said he was not going to get up until 7 o'clock at any rate. I told him I wanted he should get up and eat his breakfast and pay his bill before I went to work. So after considerable trouble I succeeded in getting him up. After breakfast I said to him, Now you have had five meals, two nights' lodging, two sheets of paper, envelope, stamp, &c., how much do you think you ought to pay me. Well, he said he should not pay me anything, as I had misused him, &c. I saw there was no other way to get along with him but to deal pretty straight; so I stepped up stairs and took his carpet-bag and brought it down and told him when he paid me for his board he could have it, and not before. He stormed round considerable, and called me various names, such as robber, pickpocket, liar, and lastly, a — hog, and, may the curse of God abide on you eternally, &c. After he found all did not avail anything, he paid what I charged him, (which was only fifty cents,) declared that it was outrageous. I then told him if he did not alter his course, I should have him published. Says he, "You publish me and I will whip you within an inch of your life," &c. After much ado I got him started, and he went straight over to Bro. Gorsline's and told him he wanted to stop with him for a while but had no money to pay for his board. Bro. G. told him if he only loved the Lord, he did not care for the money. I told Bro. G. of his actions at my house, and I guess he will not keep him long if he can get rid of him, which I think will be hard work unless he fairly turns him out of doors. ELIAS GOODWIN.
Oswego, Dec. 5th, 1853.
[Bro. Goodwin writes that this Benjamin is imposing upon the Brethren in other places, and thinks he should be published. We have, therefore, given the above statement.—Ed.]