Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1843-01-07
BISHOP GEORGE AND THE YOUNG
PREACHER,

BISHOP GEORGE AND THE YOUNG
PREACHER.
An aged traveller, worn and weary was
gently urging his tired beast Just MS the sun
was dropping behind the range Of the hills that
bound the horizon ofthat rich and picturesque
country, in the vicinity Of Springfield, Ohio.
II was sultry August evening, and he had
loorneyed distance of thirty-fve miles. since
morning, his pulse throbbed under the influ-
ence ofa burning sun. At Fairfield he had
been hospitality entertained by one who had
recognized the veteran s,,ldier of the cross, and
who had mnistered to him for his Masters sake
of the benefits himself had received from the
hand which feedeth the young lions when they
lack and he had travelled on refreshed in
spirit. But many weary mile had he Journey
cd since then, and now, as the evening shades
darkcned around, he felt the burden Of age and
toll heavy upon him, and he desired the pleas
ant retreat he had pictured to himself when
that days pilgrimage had been accomplished.
II was not long before the old man checked
his tired animal at the door of the anxiously
looked for haven Of rest A middle aged wo.
man Yves a: hand, to whom he mildly applied
for accommodation for himself and horse.
al don't know" said she, codly, after scru.
tinzing for some time the appearance of the
traveller, which was not the most promising,
''that we can take you in old man. You seem
tired, however, and will see if the minister
of the circuit, who is here tonight will let you
lodge with him."
The young circuit preacher soon made his
appearance, and consequentaly staggering
! up TO the old man, examined him some mo-
ments inqusitvely, then asked few mperti-
nent questons-and finally, after adjusting his
hair halt dozen times, feeling his smoothly
shaved chin, consented that the stranger should
share his bed for the night, and turning upon
his heel, entered the house.
The traveller, aged and weary as he was,
dismounted and led his faithful animal to the
stable, where, with his own hands, he rubbed
! him down, watered him and gave him food,
and then entered the inhospitabe mansion
where he had expected so much kindness. A
methodist family resided in the house, and, as
| the circuit preacher was to be there that d,v.
great preparations were made to e;,tertsin him.
and a number of mc'holisr young ladies' OF
the neIghborhrod Lad been invited, so that quite
parry mct the eyes Of the stranger as he en-.
tered not one of whom took tho slightest no.
,ce of him, aud he wearily sought a vacant
chair in the corner, out Of direct abserva ton
but where he could note all that was going on
And his anxious eye showed that he was nc
carless observer Of what was passing aroun5
him.
The young minister played his part with al
the frivoity and foolishness of city beau, ant
nothing like religion escaped his lips. Now
he was chattering bandying senseless compli
ments with this young lady, and now engaged
! in trlhing repartee with another who wa
anxious to seem interesting in his eyes,
, The stranger, after an hour, during whcl
no refreshments had been prepared for him
, asked to be shown to his room, to which he re
tired unnoticed-grieved and shocked at tn
conduct of the family and the minister. TukinI
u
from his saddlebags well worn bible he seat
ed himself in chair, and was soon buried i
{ thoughts holy and elevating, and had food to ca
which those who passed by him in pity an
scorn dreamed not Of Hour after hour passe
:, away, and no one came to invite the OLD, wor
down traveller, to partake of the luxuriou
supper which was served below.
:, Towards eleven o'clock the minister cam
!, up stairs, and without pause or prayer, hastil
threw off his clothes, and got into the very nit
d die ofa small bed, which was to be the restin
" place of the old man as well as himself An,
m awhile the aged stranger rose up, and aft
Of partially disrobing himself knelt down al
" remained for many minutes in fervent nrov,
al The earnest breathing out of h' 8 sor, -.
-, =, .,.: "'e eo-', soon
a rested the '''en''"- of the young preach
y VIZ ''s" to Ieel some few reproofs Of CT
~ence for his neglect Of duty. The old m
arose from his knees and after slowly undre
an, ing himself 70, into bed, or rather upon