Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-04-04

rellglonst was want 10 lnuulSe, IL VIC may
Judge from the additional s.anzas composed by
him to the curious old poem OF =" smoking sp'>'
riiuai.es," in which the various topics OF serl-
GU. meditation suggested by the process OF
smoking tobacco are dwell upon with all the
zest Of one fondly attachedto the fume OF the
" Indian weed" A long poem, in heroic verse,
embodying system of theological tene's, writ
ten by Ralph Erskine, and his brother, was in
considerable esteem in This country some lilly
years ago.
The only amusement in which this celebrated
man INDUCED, was playing on me violin'. he
was so great proficient IL this instrument,
| and so often beguiled his leisure hours with II,
tina, the people Of Dumfrrmine believed he COM
posed his sermons to It's tones, as poet writes
songs TO peculiar air. They also tell the fol-
lowing Evolutionary anrcdole connected with
the subject. A poor man, in one OF the neigh
boring parishes, having child to baPtlse, re-
solved no: TO employ his own clergyman, with
whom he was a, issue on certain points OF doc
,rine but 10 have the office performed by some
minister of whose tenels fame gave better re-
port. With the child in his arms, therefore,
and attended by the full compile ment Of old and
young women who usually minister on such &C.
casions, he proceeded to the manse OF -.
some miles off (not that Of Mr. Erskine) where
he inquired if the clergyman was at home
Ma, he's not at hame, yeDoo," answered The
servant lass; "he's down The burn hshing. But
can soon crv him in" eye need ma gle your
sell the trouble" replied the man, quite shock
ed at this account Of the minister's habits;
" name o. your hshin' ministers shall oaPteese
nv BARN." OFF he then trudged, followed by
his whole train, TO the residence oil another pa
rochial clergyman, to the distance OF some
miles. Here, on his inquiring il the minister
was at home, the lass answered.: Deed, he's
no at home The day; he's been out since sax 1
the morning at the shooting. Ye need ma wait
neither; for he'll be sac made out (fatigued)
when he comes back, that he'll no be able to
say boo 10 coli, let be kirsen wean!-
" Wait, lassie" cried the man in tone OF in
dignant scorp," wad wait do ye think, to hand
I'D my BARN before minister that gangs out
at six j. the mornin' 10 shoot Gods creatures!
I'll ava down to guide Mr.. Erskine al Dumter.
line; and he'll be neither out at the fishing nor
the shooting, think" The whole baptismal
train then set off for Dumfermine, sure tina, the
Father Of the Secession, although now placed
minister, would at least be engaged In no un-
CleTlC al SpOTlS W PSiio' w
ing the sacred ordinance in question. On their
reac hing. however, The house of this clergy
man, which they did not do till late in the eve
ming, the man, in rapping at The door, an'ici-
paied that he would not be al home any more
than his brethren. as he heard the strains OF a
fiddle proceeding from an upper chamber
L" The minister will not be at hame," be said,
with sly smile, 10 the girl who came to the
door, "or your lad {swertivar,) wad nae be
playing that ,o'ye on the 6daIe." "The minis
ter is al hame," quo,h the girl. mair by token
that it's himself that's playing honest man. lie
ay takes tune at night, before gaun 10 bed
Faith there's nae lad o. mine can play that gate;
it wad be something TO tell if any O. them could,
=" Tina, the minister playing" cried the man,
in a degree Of astonishment and horror far
transcending what he had expressed on either
the former occasions. IL he does this, what
may the rest do! WeeI, fairly give them up
a'thegeither. l have travelled this hail day in
search Of a godly minister, and never man met
with mair disappointment in days journey.
I'll tell ye what, guide wife" he added, turning
10 the disc onsolate party behind, weel just a
wa back 10 our ain minister after a! He's no
thegei,her sound it's true: but, let him be
wha, he likes in doctrine, dell hae me if ever
kenned him 10 fish, shoot, or play on the fiddle.
a his days."