Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1852-01-24
SINGULAR MODE OF CoURTsHIP.

The Rev. DIR. L---n, an eminent
Scotch divine, and professor Of theology,
was remarkable for absence OF mind, and
indifference 10 worldly affairs. His mind,
wrapt up in lofty contemplaiions, could
seldom stoop 10 the ordinary business of
life, and when at any time he did attend to
secular affairs, he generally went about
them IN way unlike any body else, as the
history of his courtsh'p will show. He
was gr' atty beloved by his elders and con-
grt CATION, was full Of simplicity and si"-
cerlly, ard entirely unacqnaint"d with the
etiquette of the world. Living the solitary,
comiortlesS life of a bachelor, his elders
gave him frequent hints that his domestic
happiness would be much increased by his
taking TO himself wife, and pointed out
several young ladies in his congregation,
any Of whom might be fit match or COM
panion for him.
The elders, finding all the hints, had no
effect in rouslng the doctor to the using OF
the means, preliminary TO entering into a
matrimonial alliance, at last concluded TO
wait upon him, and Star him up TO the per-
iormance of his duty. They urged on him
the advantages of uarriage-its happiness
spoke OF it as divine institution, and as
ailording all the erjoymrrts of sense and,
in short, all the sweets Of domestic life
The doctor approved of all they said, and
apologisrd for his past neglect of duty on
account OF many difficult passages of Scrip
ture he had of late been attending 10, and
promised TO look after it, "ihe first conve-
nieBt srason." The elders, however, were
not 10 be put of any longer; they insisted
on the doctor at once making use Of the
means, and requested from him a promise
that. on Monday afternoon, be would
straightway visit the house OF a widow
lady, few doors from him, who had three
pretty daughters, and who We're the most
respectable in the Doctors CongregGtion.-
To solve any difficult passage in the book
OF Genesis-reconcile apparent discrepan-
cieS, or clear up knotty text, would have
been an easy task TO the doctor, compared
with storming the widows premises. But
10 the raising of the siege the doctor must
90, and, with great gravity and simplicity,
gentle reader, you can Imagine you see
him commencing the work.
After the usual salutations were over, he
said 10 Mrs. W--n, "uIy sessions have
OF late been advising me TO take a wife,
and recommended me to call upon YOU {;
and as you have three fine daughters, |
would like TO say word to the eldest, if
you have no objections" Miss W-n
enters, and the doctor, with his, character
istic simplicity said to her, 'smy sessions
have been advising me 10 take vile, and
recommended me TO call upon YOU" The
young lady who had seen some thirty sum
mers, was not TO be caught so easily she
llughed heartily al the DOCTORS abruptness ;
hinted 10 him that in making a sermon,
was II not necessary TO say something first
to Introduce the subject properly before he
entered fully upon it and as for her part,
she was determined not to surrender her
liberty al moments waruing-sqhe honor
of her Sex was concerned in her standing
out" This was all waste Of time TO the
doctor, and ne requested TO see her sister.
Miss E. W-n then entered, and 10
save time the doctor says, "my sessions
have been advising Inc to take wife, and
| had been speaking TO your sister, who
has Just gone out al the door, aud as she is
not inclined that way, what wnnld YOU
th."s .. uelng Mrs. L-nw Oh! Doc
tor, ! donr know il is rathss1s a serlou,