Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1850-12-19

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nent home near Knoxville, amid the scenes of his
youthful sports and the companions Of his boyist
!, days. Rarely has young man continuing in his
own country and among his own kindred, SO soon
attained such literary and political pre- eminence.
From his youth the Judge was characterized by
profound reverence for the ordinances ofthe Cos
pei. He was regular attendant at the house oil
worship. A while he was Presbyterian, that be-
ing the church Of his choice, he was benevolent
and generous towards other branches OF the
Christian family, and often attended the Methodist
church.
In those days there was presiding elder in that
region, called Father Axley, pious laboring un-
compromising preacher of the Gospel, who con-
sidered it his duty to rebuke sin wherevert should
presume to lift its deformed head within the limits
of his district. And while Father Axley was
mar Of respectable talents, undoubted pety, and
great ministerial fidelity, he had moreover spice
of humor oddity, and droery about him, that rare
ly failed to mpart a characteristic thing 10 his
performances. The consequence was, that anus
ing anecdotes of the sayings of Father Axley a.
bound throughout the country. sg,.s-{ as5y.-.
On certain day, number of lawyers and lit
erary men were together in Knoxville, and the
conversation turned on the subject Of preaching
and preachers. One and another had expressed
his opinion Of the performances of this and that
pulpit orator. AT length Judge White spoke up:
Well, gentlemen, on this subject each is
of course entitled to his own opinion; hu, must
confess that Father Axley brought me to sense
of my evil deeds-at least portion Of them, more
effectually than any preacher | ever heard,'
At this every eye and ear was turned; for Judge
White was known never TO speak lightly on relig-
ious subjects, and moreover he was habitually
cautious and respectful in his remarks concerning
religious men, The company now expressed the
most urgent desire that the Judge would give par
uculars, and expectation stood on tiptoe.
"a went up," said the Judge, +" one evening 10
the Methodist church. A sermon was preached
by clergyman with whom was not acquainted
bot Father Axley was in the pulpit. AT The close
of the sermon he arose and said to the congrega-
ton: Il am not going 10 detain you by giving an
exhoIiion. / have risen simply to administer a
rebuke for improper conduct. which have ob-
served here to night. THIS of course walked up
the entire assembly, and the stiffness was most
profound while Axley stood and looked, for two
or three seconds, over The congregation. Then |
stretching Out his large, long arm, and pointing
with his finger steadily in one direction. "Now"
said he, Il calculate that those two yonng men
who were talking and laughing in that corner Of
the house, while the brother was preaching, think I
that | am going to talk about them y -a- s4s5ssI
3" Well il is true, tha, it looks very bad, when
well dressed young men, who, you would suppose /
from their appearance belonged to some genteel,
family, come to the house of God and
instead Of reverencing the majesty of Him that
dwelleth therein, attending to the messages of
his everlasting love, get together in one coner of
the house (his finger all this time pointing steady
and straight as the aim of rfleman,) and there,
through the whole solemn service keep talking, /
tteling, laughing, giggling, thus annoying the
minister, disturbing the congregation and SHINING
against God | am sorry for the young men, | am
sorry for their parents. am sorry they have done
so to night / hope they'll never do so again. But,
however, that's not the thing that am going TO talk
about. 1t is another matter and so important that II
be wrong to suffer the congregation
o depart without administering rebuke. 'Now."
'niN siS oAC'1hihS huSC oiLi PplphiS III
,iher direction, perhaps the man who was sleep
,n the bench out there while the brother was preach
ne, thinks am going to talk about him. Well
pust confess it looks very bad for to come ia to
worshippihg assembly, and instead of taking his
eat like Others and listening to the blessed Cos
,el carelessly stretch himself out on bench and
70 to sleep 1t not only proof ofgreat insen- Z
ibility with regard to the obligations which we
we to our Creator and Redeemer, but it shows
want Of genteel breeding 1t shows that the poor
nan has been so unfortunate in his bringing up,
IS not to have been taught good manners. He
Doesn't know what is polite and respectful in
vorshippng assembly among whom he comes TO
pingle. ] am sorry for the poor man. I am sor- /,
y for the poor family to which he belongs. j am
orry he did not know better. hope he will 9
ever do so again. But however, that is not what /
am going to talk about" Thus Father Axley I
vent on for some, time boxing the compass and hit
Ing number of persons and things that he was
lot going to talk about," and hitting them hard
III the attention and curiosity of the audience were
aiseo 70 the highest pich; he finally remarked -
The thing Of which was going TO talk is chew c
ng tobacco Now do hope, when any gentle.
nan comes here to church who cant keep from
hewing tobacco during the hours of public wor- :
hip be will just take his hat and Put it be fore