American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1822-06-28
From Ponison's american Daily .9dvertiser.
THE REV. Mr.. SUMMERFJEID.

l 1t is subject Of sincere congratulaon to III,
friends OF fervent piety and the admirers OF pulpi
eoquence, that the Rev. Mr.. Summerfeld is now
convaescent There is no better proof Of the loft,
estimation in which this genteman's character anc
talents are held, than the intense anxiety which ha.
been manifested for his recovery. We recolect n,
instance OF the kind in which public sympathy has
been so warmly engaged, or in which the danger OIL
one individual has produced so lively sensation
! upon the general mind.
| II has often been asked by those who have no,
enjoyed the pleasure of hearing Mr.. Summerheld
IN what the peculiar character of his preaching con.
sisted.
The youth and apparent debility of the speaker.
the ditiident and solemn manner in which he per-
formed the initiatory Offices Of divine Worship: and
above ALL the chase and fervent simplicity of his
petition to the Eternal, swept aside all prejudice
and opened every heart and every eye TO the truth
and beauty OF holiness
His sermon was. beyond all comparison superior
10 any thing the writer ever heard though he has en-
Joyed opportunities Of hearing with no careless ear
many iaithlu! and able ministers of the word.--I,
was not OF that decamatory kind, which is calcula-
'ed 70 excite the feelings OF promiscuous assembly
nor oil that subtitle and metaphysical texture which
involves the most vigorous intellect and perplexes
the planest truth 1t was on the contrary a haDny
union oil argument and entreaty seeking to con-
VINCE ana persuade men; oil propositions distinctly
stated, cogently enforced, and happily illustrated by
natural and fecitous imagery. 1t was the out pour
ing OF iull heart, seeking to dsburthen itself of
the awful responsibility of its station, and 10 give
vent to the 'glad tdngs of the gospel as the spirit
gave il utterance.'
This was The first time the writer ever heard Mr..
oummerheld. He afterwards enjoyed this pleasure
several times, and his admiration was on every oc-
cason increased by the wonderful versatility Of his
powers. His eoquence was not of that luscious
Kihd which clogs by the unhappy prousion OF its
sweets, nor OF that mechanical construction which
begins every paragraph with trope or concludes it
with hgure. II was rather Of that camelion cha
racter which takes the hue of the object Wherein il,
nwells, and Inds the manner in the matter Some
times he would lashthe offending conscience with b
scorpions OF the Law ; and at other times he wpnld
o ol up The broken hearted with the promises of
ehrist and pour into the bleeding and contrite
neart, the oil and the wine of the gospel. Occa-
sionay he would descend into the Utmost recess I'll
our nature, and probe to the core the corruptlons of
the unrenewed heart. which is 'evil, only evil and
tnat continually Then he would melt into upre-
strained tenderness while he exclaimed sturn We
turn ye-why will ye die ?-And again, as pro
mise and prophecy flashed upon his mind, the veil
oil eternity seemed rent from before him the plo
RES OF the second advent appeared to burst unon
ms Vlson' and voice seemed thrilling in his ears
wen done, good and faithful servant, enter thou
into the Joy of thy Lord w