American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1823-06-24
WILMINGTON, TUESDAY, "a JUNE 1928.

and the prudent divine had the pleasure Of sceingI
the usual beauty of the softer part OF his ock aug-j
mented by the fair adherens of laxer XIX. Al
once. and but once only, him employed in this
thankless and ungen,le task and shall never for
get it, see yet the venerable man rise in his place.
the sun beamng on his smooth, bald head ard the
scanty locks of white hair, which lamented to see
every year made thinner, hanging loosely on his
neck; even his dark grey coat with its huge hair
buttons must make part Of the picture. Before
him stood the miserable transgressor-she was 10
the bloom of youth, the only daughter of a respect
able farmer and her TALL had broken he heart of her
mothei--as she arose shs tFembled much, and look
ed unmoveaby or the ground. The soft voice Of
the pastor made her start like the hiss Of serpent
she gave one wild look upwards, and lifting large
blue mantle with both ha DIS, dropped it over her
head and body like shroud. | saw, many an eye
wet, and mine did not remain quite dry. An old
chdless man, with an aspect of cast iron said audi
IDLY, "tear the cloak from the harlot'' and passed
several rows of the hearers to remove it. The face
Iot the preacher, which was not without moisture
lowered down at once, and look Of bitter and
loathng arrested the intruder, as il he had received
a bullet. " jenny said he, in voice of thrilling
cmotion, :" acknowledge this visible token of thy
shame and repentance-sln no more, and become
as the righteous" The congregation interchang
ed gratified looks with each other and the old iron
faced zealet said in bitter tone, to group OF
neighboring girls =" Ay ay ye may look pleas
ed conscience yen find him occasions for kind
ness. Oh, Sandie Peden! this is sad sliding
way; - abiding to the rebuke which that famous
professor gave to the young girl in Galloway.
Of John Curtis, the regular pastor of the flock
that frequented Quarrelwood do not remember so
much as do of MIR rarely. He was a man un-
afectedy pious, rather than eloquent, and was de-
servedy and warmly beloved He adorned his dis
courses with that melodious tone which some call
the Cameronian drawl, and which the pious Cowper
complained OF 10 the conventicles. Each SENTENCED
4 has kind of starting note and can discover re
mains OF this old purltanica fashion in the eloquence
Of Wilberforce and also Lord Milton. II would re
lquire some constraint in pious stranger TO listen
without an inward smile at least, this continually
recurring chorus. With gifted preacher it is less
ungraceful for he contrIves to make it tell in better
rltime han an ordinary man-s it might be spared n
but very sensible divine told me. he dared soon
Irenounce predesnation as part with " the twang =;
it was as dear to, his flock the memory OF Rich
lard Cameron. John Curtis, for he abomnated the
prelatical designation of" Master" was not an I'M
! frequent, unwelcome guest at my fathers house.
4 His coming was visitation, for it came our
mirth as cloud. He invariably was invited on
week days; Sunday was day that had higher do
tiles his coming was the signa for seven children
III was one OF them, to cease their play and ranks
and mix trembling with their mirth. We became
as quiet as brood of chickens over which The hawk
lis lowering. Even the nuts or raisins, which allied
the pockets Of this primitive person, and which he
divided among us with many clap on the head and
lbenediction, failed to inspire confidence The last
time saw him was on sunny knoll, the end Of
his dwelling, airing one of the Pous Remnants
flags which had been captured by Gen. Dslzeil. 1t
had remained unheeded many years, among the
Generals descendants found its way, know not
how, into the hands OF an inn keeper and under this
ancient and hospitabe banner mine host was found
!, retailing spirits to the wandering rustics at the
y shooting for the Dumfries silver gun. 1t in
santly purchased and deposited in the hands of the
4 pastor, by whom it was annually submitted to all
y airing and the examination OF the chosen, as have
described The preacher who succeeded John Cur.
{ It's was Mr.. James Thomson he was remarkable
Tor rapid delivery, | cannot say Of very elegant
Isentences, and The 8 tone" seemed serious mpe-
. diment in his way. heard him preach the intro
ductory or, the Cameronians more properly cal
led it, the " Action Sermon" 10 sacrament, and
: endured him for four weary hours. He sngu-
Harry mysterious and controversial. He was, howe
YER, favorite with the flock, and might have been
Il esteemed at his DEATH worthy OF ranking with some
l. of the renowned leaders of the covenant but, BY
y deep meditation, it was his destiny to discover, that
e scripture warranted belief in place of lesser pun
q shment than hell ; and though he backed it by QUO
Itations, it came his Hock with clap and cry
Y which the charge OF General Dazel's dragon:
IS would have failed 10 excite. They looked on it a:
D supplemental purgatory, or, as one OF the Came
'r romans said, !" it setting up chamber for
q tonness in the pitt" or drawing" said another g;
e stake and ryse dyke through the everlasting lake
e Death slept in and arrested the preachers dscoye
d ries and closed the ciamor OF his flock.
e
If The chief revolution in the fairs of the Gamer
{ onians Of DumfreSshire was effected at the dealt
; Of John Curtis. They had been driven by persecu
e ton TO preach the mountains, and, though perse
le cuton had ceased, on the mountains they remained