The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1844-12-25
An Eloquent Com pHiRMemt TO fan EiO-
QgGERt Preacher,


The editor of the Cincinnati Herald, who re-
Gently visited Philadelphia, thus alludes to one
of our most gifted clcrgymen and his style of o.
atory:
81 spent a Sabbath in Philadelphia, and had
the pleasure OF hearing two disconrses by Thos.
Ii. Stockton, one Of the NEST eloquent men of
this, or any other country. As it respects atlllu-
enco of language, Imagination, descriptive pow
er, and grace of delivery, | know not his equal
in the pulpit. His subject, Sunday evening, was
the ascension of Christ. For the space oftwen-
ty minutes he confined himself TO a clear, me-
thodlc4l exposition of his theme, and to an ella
.boEate selection and exact coIIoCatjon Of various
Suggestions or intimations in the Bible, in rela-
ton to the manner and attendant circumstances
OF the ascension. In this way the audience was
prepared for what (oIlGwed--the expectant array
of sail is and angels, the chariots and horses of
fire, the cloud, dark beneath, but rejecting above
the gIories Of heaven, the pause Of the Saviour,
when the cloud had received hin, while the ce-
%leslial hosts stood silent, as he gazed once more
on familiar sccnes--Nazareih his birthplace, the
temple in which ne had taught, the desert where
five thousand had been fed, the mountain of pray
er, the grave of Lazarus, Gethsemane and Cal
vary. Then began the ascent, the throng follow
ing, passing worlds upon worlds in their upward
flight, far above all municipalities and powers, and
thrones and dominions, till tina gates of the Eter-
nal City were reached, when with electric power,
he introduced the sublime c~olloquy in the
- Psalm, Lift up your heads, We everlasting
doors, and lei the King of Glory come in"
Throughout this grand description, every au-
ditor must have trembled at the boldness of the
Orator, lest, after all, the pinions of his magma
ton might fail CT faiter at such a dizzy height
But, there was no teoblencss, no faintness. He
seemed TO gather poWera as he rose into the Hea-
ven of Heavens. His tall, slender form, stretch
ed to IFS utmost height; hiseyes flashed as with
the spIendors of eternity. Every stroke Of the
pencil brought out a new feature--added a richer
glow; every tone became more and more rapttl.
Irous, till the ascent was completed, and the gates
closed upon the burning throng. | drew a long
breath, and felt as if | should be glad TO descend.
But no the preacher paused for a moment, as i
gathering strength for a still bolder flight, and
then called on his audience TO go with him to
witness the glories of the coronation. | will not
attempt to give even an idea Of this browning eff
fort. One would almost imagine that Milton had
risen from the dead and in his lofty diction was
revealing the mysteries Of the inner Sanctuary.
Without doubt, Stockton surpasses all men have
ever heard, in a rich, bold and well proportioned
Imagination, For, were it not for its exact pro.
portions, it would seem, beyond measure, extra
VACANT. But, in his highest soaring, he moves
with such case, poises himself so dexterously
that the circle of the heavens seems 10 be his
natural element"