Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1843-12-07
A G 0 0 d ST O r Y,

Col. Johnson, in his talk to the people of
Trenton, told capital story about Baptist
minister by the name of Sucket, who is a near
relative of the eX-Fice President
it seems that Sucket had been dissolute
fellow, and great fighters but Just before the
battle of the Thames, had suddenly changed
his course, and become pious. He, however,,
had strong inclination for the camp, and,
volunteered his services to assist the Colonel
against the enemy, under condition that he
should have the privilege of preaching TO the
soldiers in the camp. The condition was
gladly embraced, and Sucket was installed as
major, under sort of certificate from the
commanding officer.
He was energetic, stirring man, a capital
officer, and Jealous preacher On the dav
before the battle Of the Thames, the Colopa
dropped into one of his meetings. He was
holding forth with stentorian voice, and in.
,,"'f s,rf1 ri on The doctrine Of n5edesina-
in the hands of the Almighty and no: a spar
row falls TO the ground without his direction.
He is, TOO, the God of battles.' lie directs the
bullets i'll the fight, as well as the peaceful
operations of the household, and hence there
is just as little danger on the field of battle as
IN the workshop or at the plough tail. Ifyou
are to die, you will die at all events, but if you
are to live, the Almighty can turn the bullet
out of its course as easily as he can num-
Der the hairs of your head. If your time has
come, you will die, whether OH the battle field
or not" But continued he, j don't believe
! your time has come. don't think, my friends,
YOU are 10 die just now
The next morning, while preparations were
making for the battle, Johnson met the preach
er.
| well, Sucket,' said he with smile, :we
are likely TO have serious work to-day and
as you think that man can't die till his time
comes, and that he's Just as safe in one place
as another, | should like to have you charge
at the head Of your column and mark me
now, don't you fire till the enemy has dis
charged every gun then take aim at the
whites of their eyes, and, having fired, stop
for nothing, but grapple them by the throat.
and make sure work of it,
! Very well, Colonel,' says Sucket, 'Pm al
ways willing to test my faith by my works.
| Accordingly, Sucket took his position al
the head of his command, which was about
| 800 strong, and received the fire of 700 of the
enemy. He stood it like man, only winkino
a little as the balls came whizziDg past him in
showers. But he obeyed his orders to the
letter; and having received the 700 bullets o.
the enemy, he advanced forward, poured in
deadly fire and Immediately grappled hand tc
hand with the foe--which soon decided til,
fate of the day,
After the actiof was over, the Colonel re-
monstrated with him, good humoredly, 70
killing so many of the enemy.
why, Sucket,' said he, this was altogethe
useless; half the number would have answer
ed every purpose. How came you to caus
such useless waste of human life p
l Don't know how it was, Colonel repliet
The preacher; I'VE only fred oncs and rath
er think it was because their time had Gomez
Sucket is still living, and breaches to thi
day, in one of the Western States