Litchfield enquirer., 1843-09-28
[sT REQUEST.
THE TWO FISHERS OF MEN.

sIah Whitney, one OF the pillars OF the
church in Connecticut, was in the practice
of fitting young nen for the ministry and
it so happened on one occasion, that two of
these pupils finished their theological STU
dies about the same time, and went forth into
the world to enter on the duties of their pro.
fession.
They were very different in their tempers
and their talents, Isaac was man of learn
ing and ability but exceedingly meek and
modest withal. Ezekiel was person of in
ferior attainments, but full of self.confideBce,
noise, and fury. The former was mild and
| gentle, charitable and forgiving; the hitter
was harsh and overbeariug, severe and re-.
| lenliess. The One was contented if he could
soin souls to heaven the other was determin.
ed TO driue them there.
With these differences in talents and dis.
position, they set forth upon their ministry
They travelled and they preached. They
were interchangeable in the discharge of their
duties. They were instant in season, and
out of season. After having completed a
mission Of two or three years, they returned
10 their old master-Rev. Mr.. Whitney.
| well, Isaac said the old man, how have
/ you succeeded!
| Beyond my expectations said the modest
disciple, and his countenance frightened as
he spoke. My efforts have been every
where met with kindness, and disposition
on the part Of my hearers to profit by them
you have made some converts, then,
suppose?'
'lndeed, hope no person has been made
worse by my preaching and think have
! reason to believe that many have turned
from the error Of their ways to the wisdom
Of the just
u am glad to hear it, Isaac I am glad
with all my heart said the old man, as he
grasped anew the hand Of his meek and
humble disciple.
And now, Ezekiel said he, let me hear
| what success you have had
'Ah, sir said Ezekiel, with sigh, have
had no success at ALL
None at all am sorry to hear it,
so am sorry to tell it-but it is none the
less true for all that. All my efforts have
been like pearls cast before swine.'
You have not been idle, of course?'
Idle! no, have preached indetatigably
/ have labored day and night in reproving
and rebuking sin and its perpetrators and
abettors. Never for moment, have SPAR
ed either the one or the other; neither have
| opened my mouth but 10 warn the wicked
of their wickedness and folly, and to point
them to the awful consequences of their es.
arrangement from God, and their perseve-
renee in the paths of iniquty. l have set
the whole terrors Of the law before them, in
,ne,r INNS, ,.as~;~h'tui shape-I have pictured
in the most glowing colors NV ~ - series ~ =.
the reprobate-I have
No doubt of it--no doubt oft; = Interrupt
ted the old man. Thnt you have an abund-
ance Of zeal and warmth. aud fire and all
that, have not the leastdoubt Ezekiel. But,
,:,t,r l1.ha bar IL hot y
had no better success!
i don't know I'm sure, said Ezekiel. with
an air of dependency.
well will tell YOU. Both you and Isaac
here set out to be fishers of men, In fish.
ing. as in all other employ ments, some little
skill is required to insure success. Isaac
has succeeded beyond his expectations: and
have no doubt. he Is much the better fisher
man of the two
May be so.' replied Ezekiel, with NOR.
tilted air; 'but I'm sure I've tried hard
enough s.. --..-..
sGran.ed but will show the difference.
Isaac takes small hair line, with neat lit.
tie hook and makes use of long slender
pole, that will bend every way with the
greatest ease. He approaches the stream
without noise, covers his hook with nm at
tractive bait, and carefully dips it in the wa
ter; he moves it gently and skilfully TO and
fro, raises and lowers it alternately, and
performs such other manHuvres as judicious
anglers best understand. The fish are at7,
tracted they draw around in great num-
bers they take the bait one after another;
they are dex,erously drawn out and there
is the great secret Of your friend lsaac's
success.
Nov will give you picture of your
own fishing. You take stout ten foot pole;
you fasien thereon cod line and to the
line you attach an enormous hook armed
with frightful barb which no bait can COW
err. Thus prepared you put upon your hook
live scorpion. / must certainly take
them now you say. Accordingly, you
rush to the bank of the stream; throw in
your hook with violence, and frighten all
the fish,. Not successful according TO your
and violent. You draw out your hook in
rage, put on another scorpion, and dash i,
in again with all your might. Now say
you, bite, bite, or starve and perish = The
poor timid fish fee from you in dismay;
and this, friend Ezekiel is the cause of your
wan: of success SENEx.
Town AND CouxrRY.-The great marked
difference between them lies chiefly in the
unsympathising nature OF the former. In
the country we hold place and name
Gte,e our presence is perceived, and our alb
sence sensibly known but in the mighty
gathering place, we are as drop in the
| occan-a mere nothing. In the country too.
how single death spreads from mouth to
mouth we have before our very eyes the
breach and the vacancy ii creates; we miss
- al no fhnt xsrsA