The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-07-14

HEAP THE OLD METHODIST MINISTER
The following thrilling appeal Is from one
whose head IS frosted DER with some seventy
winters. Hear him-he speaks with heart
overiowing with love for his country and ITS IN
stiutions. for which, old as he IS, ne reels deep
and lively interest We take ms ie''ef nom uie
Augusta (Georgia) Reformer.
TO he Editors Of The Refor'mer:
Crsr,rMrN An old Methodistminister, who
has heen one for upwards Of forty -three years
and who never in his life subscribed 10 purely
nolit;cal paper-who never attended purely po-
i;,cal meeting, or in any shape or way engaged
in politics other than go the polls ana give ms
vote. now requests you 10 send nun your paper
Although as a minister, ! have hitherto stood
,loor from poIitcs, | can really do so no longer
I have read some, reflected auckland often
compared the present with the past, and have
siobad and mourned over the distress that has
been brought ON my beloved country. This dis
,ress | conscientiously believe has been brought
an il nv the mismanagement of her rulers-nor
do see any thing in the vista but utter ruin, I'M
less some competent and virtuous hand be indu-
ced 10 take the helm. That parsonage is Gen
Harrison. II is many years since first became
acquainted with this gentleman /; and for length
of time | may say, was his neghbor. And
now, for no other motive, than conviction oil
his worth and fitness for the office, TO which, !
hope he will be elevated do take up my pen
and make my wishes known. To the members
of the Methodist Church would particularly adj
dress myself Few Of these of the present day,
know the warm, the steadiast, the uniform friend
Methodsm and its preachers had in Gen Harrl-
SON. When these preachers were travelling on
the western frontiers they always found his
house emphalcally home How kind, how
allable, how condescendng was this distinguish
ed statcman, may be learnt from an occurrence
which was told me by brother preacher.
On vey cold and boisterous night, young
preacher, who came TO the Generals, when he
lived G Think in Vincennes, went to the meet
ing house to preach, but owing to the inclcmency
Of the weather, not soul attended except the
General and soldier. The preacher, who was a
young man, and full of zeal considering il his duty
preach to whether the congregation was great or
small, got up in the pulpit and went through the
usual exercises, as though scores were present.
During this time the General sat at the foot of
the steps leading TO the pulpit, giving the most
profound attention to the discourse. When the
preacher had closed his sermon, percciving that
the soldier was holding down his head, and
thinking he was affected by his discourse, he
went to give him some words OF comfort under
his supposed distress The General then got
up, and taking candle out Of the candlestick,
held II in has hand, close to the preacher while
he was talking to and singing over the poor sol
der. This little incident made deep impress
sion on my mind, and endeared the man to me
ever afterwards. thought could see in Il his
great love for Religion and the sacred truths of
the Gospel-hs great respect for the minister Of
Jesus Christ in condescending, Statesman, Ge-
neral and Governor as he was, TO become a
candle holder for a poor, young, inexperienced
Methodist preacher. His great philanthropy in
remaining in the meeting house Of cold win
ter's night, if he, by SO doing, could only acct
dentaly be tributary 10 the happiness of poor
soldier. Such man is worthy to fill the office
Of President of these United States-and, mem
bers Of the Methodist church, such a man is
now before you. Will you not remember his for
mer kindness TO your preachers You now
have il in your power to do something for him,
who, in the days Of your suffering, did so much
for you. Requite, then, his generosity, whose
house was always open to your preachers, and
where they in sickness, suffering and distress,
were sure TO find HOME.
AN OLp METHODIST PREACHER