The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1840-08-11
HEAR THE OLD METHODIST MINIST .
Err

The following eloquent appeal is from one
whose head is frosted DER with some seventy
winters. Hear hirn-he speaks with heart o.
verAowing with love for his country and its in
s,i.utions, for which, old as he is, he feels deep
and lively interest. We take his letter from the
Augusta Geo, Reformer:
To the Editors of The Reformer:
GENTLEMEN:-An old Meth odist Minister
who has been one for upward of forty three
years, and who never in his life subscribed for
purely political pnper-who never attended
purely political meeting. or in any shape or way
engaged in o!tics, other th0n go TO the polls
and give his vote, now requests you to send him
your paper. Although, rs minister, / hive
hitherto stood aloof from politics, l can really
do so no longer. ] have read some, reflected
much and often compared the present with the
past, and have sighed ami mourned over the dis
tress that has been brought on my beloved coun
try. This distress, conscenously believe, has
been brought OH it by the acknowledgements Of her
rulers-nor do see any thing in the vista bur
utter ruin, unless some competent and viruous
hand be induced to lake the helm. That per-
sonage is General Harrison. 1t is many wears
since | first became &C Yuainted with this gentle.
man and fora length OF time, may say, was
his neighbor. And now. from no other motives
than conviction of his worth and fitness for the
office, to which hope, he will be elevated, do
take up my pen and make my wishes known.
Il
ticularly address myself Few of these at the
present day know the warm, the steadfast, the
uniform friend, MethodisIn and its preachers
had in General Harrison. When these preach.
ers were Hing on the frontiers they always
found his house emphaticaly a home. How
kind how affable, how condescendmg was this
distinguished statesman, may he learned from
nm occurrence which was told me by brother
preacher.
On IA very cold ana 5ois,rous night, a young
preacher, who came 10 the Generals when ne
lived Il think) in Vncennes, went to the meet
ing house TO preach, but owing to the inclemen'
cy of the weather, not n soul attended except
the General and soldier. The preacher, who
was young man, and full of zeal considering
it his duty to preach whether the congregation
was great or small, got up in the pulpit and
went through the usual exercises, as though
scores we've preseut.-During this time the Gen.
eral SAT at the foot of the steps leading 10 the
pulpit, giving the most profound attention to the
discourse. When the preacher had closed his
sermon, perceiving that the soldier was holding
down his head, and thinking he was affected by
his discourse, he went to him to give him some
words o comfort under his supposed distress.
The General then got up, and taking candle
out of the candestick, held il in his hand, close
~ the preacher, while he was talking 10 and sing
ing over the poor soldier This little incident
made deep impression on my rniHd and
deared the man to me ever afterward | tlo't
could see in it great love t.0r religion aud the
truths of the GospeI-his great respect for
The minister Of Jesus Christ in condescending,
Statesman, General and Governor as he was, to
become candle holder for poor, young and
inexperienced Methodist preacher. His great
philanthropy in remaining in the meeting house
OF cold winter night, if he, by SO doing, could
only accidentally be tributary to the happiness
Of poor soldier. Such n man is worthy to fill
the office OF President OF these United States
aud Members of The Methodist church, such n
man is now before you. Will you not remem'
Der his former kindness to your preachers? You
now have it 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 10 your preach.
ers, and where they in sickness, suffering and
distress, were sure to find a home.
AN OLD METHODS PREACHER.