The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1846-09-25
TEE PEN AND INK sgsEgtI.E,

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TEE PEN AND INK sgsEgtIsEu
[ VI the Boston Atlas is again at work, aud in
one of the last numbers Of that paper furnishes a
sketch of the Rev. WILLIAM Jay, Of Bath, from
which we make these extracts.
More than sixty years since, young
man went to visit Bath under the fol-
lowing circumstances -
Not far from the city was an cs-
Enlistment, in which young men
were prepared for tie ministry, by a
rather celebrated character at that
time-the Rev. Cornelius Winter.
The young man in question was one
of his pupils. lie had been a farm
cr's boy-a general helper in rural
occupations, but having exhibited
indications of a superior mind, owing
to the Intervention Of some gentle
man, he was sent to Mr.. Winters
Seminary. There he remained some
time, and soon became distinguished
by lis natural wdneSs. devoted
piety, and original modes oftreatinc
common subjects. When he was
between seventeen and twenty years
Of age, he was on Saturday afternoon
called by Mr.. Winter into his study.
and requested to carry note to
Bath, and deliver il to a certain min
ister there. The young man was
further directed to wait fox an an
SWer.
The youth proceeded on his crrand
and having reached the minister's
house, delivered, in person, his note;
sat whilst it was being read, await
Ing the expected answer for Cornc-
Illus Winter. A little time ELAPSED.
for some old preachers took long
time TO read simple note-and then
the Bath Minister glanced, with
very meaning expression, an almost
incredulous look from the note TO
the STRIPPING who had been its bearer.
There sat two individuals, one al
ready known-an old grey headed
disciple, who had labored long in the
vineyard Of his Lord and master
the other, an awkward, half plough
boy, half student looking Young man.
who was afterwards to eclipse the
fame of him beneath whose glance
he almost quailed. Silence added
to the anxiety Of the candidate-but
this was soon broken by the Bath
minister saying to the astonished
youth, "Oh! you mus. preach for
me, tomorrow"
Now, the Bath minister was a very
popular preacher-onc OF the old ia
vorites of the people. lie had been
in one chapel | cannot tell how ma
ny years; and children, who had lis
tened to his preaching when he was
a young man, had now exchanged
their childhood for middle age. and
saw the same pulpit occupied by a
gray-head old friend. Some of the
old members did not like juvenile
preachers, and had prejudiccs a.
gainst young piety in pulpits. They
also had horror of new fan, led
doctrines Of innovations and believ-
ed implicitly chat whatever was new
could not be true. Moreover. ma
ny among them considered that the
old pastor, entcebled with long la.
Dor, ought to be in fis place every
Sunday. The young man, who, as
we have minated, was keen oh
server, had sail things in his heart :"
and can it then, be wondered at, that
when the ancient minister said
" Oh! you must preach for me to-
morrow" he should stare in unar.
Gected wonder, and say in his usual
blunt style
81 can't, sir"
"But you must. MIR. Winter says
You are come on purpose; and am
engaged to supply destitute church
some miles off," was the rcioindcr
OF the old minister.
"Mr, Winter only requested me
to deliver this note to you, and re-
celve an answer" remarked the
youth.
"Mr. Winter informs me in this
note that he has sent You to preach.
You will find books and quiet in my
study, and presently l will show YOU
your bed room"
"But, sir ! sir! never preached
in my life" said the alarmed guon- |
tam plough boy.