Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-02-25
A SCOTCH SERMON.

we have never seen 1t.
At college, two young Scotchmen be.
came acquainted-one the SON OF rlch
man, the other the son of poor one, who
gave lessons and wrote them to support
himself, and obtain money to pay his col.
lege expenses. The latter was intended
for the ministry, but having no friend,
and his talents not being of that superior
and brilliant order that would compel, as
it were, the heads of the college to take
notice of him, and aid him in the objects
he had in view, he had became disguised
after time with his monotonous life, and
determined to try his fortune in London,
then the great mart, where every qualifi-
cation pertaining to literature or talent
were bought and sold. He got very little
to do in the way of teaching; his uncouth
appearance and strong Scotch accent pre-
venting this. He did something as q
penny-a-liner; wrote often an article for
some of the magazines-many of which
were rejected, and those accepted poorly
paid for; though little as was this pay,
it was comfort TO him. Even this resource
at last failed him, because some dispute
of opinion on the word of sentence with
the proprietor of the magazine, who was
at once vain, ignorant, pompous, misery.
and tyranical. He was, consequently, in
the greatest misery, when an old school
fellow arrived in London, who had been
returned to the British House of Com
mons for Scotch borough. The poor
man having heard of the arrival of his old
collegemate, who had also been his pupil.
The Laird (for by this name the propri-
etors of manors are called in Scotland)
received him kindly and relieved his pre-
sent necessities. procured him some other
employment, SO that he was once more
restored to comparative comfort. Soon
after. presentation which the Laird had
in his gift, fell into his hands by the death
of the old pastor who had held it for
period of nearly forty years. This he
offered to his friend, which offer was
gladly accepted. as indeed the simplicity
of the country suited more the taste and
habits of our friend than the puppyism
and superciiousness of the metropolis
Letters of ordination were, with some diff
fculty, procured, and the ceremony was
performed, so that the once despised pen
ny-a-liner became minister of the high
kirk of Scotland. Before the newly or
daincd minister would proceed to his
charge, his former pupil, and now patron,
desired to have a private interview with
him. He had appointed the time the day
previous to the departure of the latter to
Scotland, when he WAS to dine with his
friend. After dinner, and that the guests
had retired, the host brought his guest
into his library, where he showed him
some welI-packed hampers. containing
some necessary articles. And now, my
friend said his kind host, knowing Of
your old wants Of canniness (tidy and
farseeing,) had those little things pre-,
ture gone down also. You will want
them, said the speaker, laying his hand on
the arm of the other, for he found that
he was going to speak, 'as all the proper
~ which was at the mense has been sold. |
That, however, is not what l wanted to
tell you: but to impart to you some di-
rections which may be useful to you when
you go down there. The greater part of
the congregation belonging to your church
are the more respectable portion Of your
parish, and no matter how the other mi
nisters may rant or rave don't you take
any notice. but preach your sermon and
don't leave yourself in the power of the
low kirk, or even your own people, for
you will have enemies amongst them, as
l have received memorial, very hume.
rously signed, requesting the presentation
for two different persons; but got out
OF it in this way, by stating that when
they could not please themselves would
please myself, being glad of decent apo
logy to refuse both. told them, beside,
that you were very rigid, pious man,
caution the men to beware too much of
John Barlcycorn (whiskey,) and also of
the crafty-stool "a public penance public
~ inflicted for any indulgence in some
slight pecadillos such as mortal man is
heir to ,, so you must be more cautious
than you ever were, and now good bye
will see you SOON The grateful re-
cipent of all those favors was too over
whelmed with gratitude to speak it. He
left the house of his patron on the instant,
and set off for his new home next day,
where he arrived in due course. He was
met on his landing by the stewart of the
lord, who had some property in his own
hands in the parish, who had written to
aPprize OF the advent of the new pastor;
and by some two or three of the parish
toner's over whom he had most influence,
by whom he was conducted to the glebe.
Everything he found ranged with more
care and comfort than he had expected.
or indeed deserved-for these matters,
ABOVE his present necessities. scarce gave
him thought. Notwithstanding this
carelessness, forethought in matters per
tanning to himself, and which, perhaps.
proceeded as much from the fact of his
never having had it in his power to make
any provision for the future, being alway,
engaged in providing for present wants, i
as from natural disposition and strong
sense of religion, he loved society, and
could enjoy society with a ze.t rn,, ,rill