Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1853-11-04
Characteristic Sketches.
FATHER HAyENs.


From our table, as we look across the
church, our eyes rest upon man Of gray
hairs, with spectaces lying across his
head as if to rest either the nose or the
eyes, 1--WE will not decide to which they
belong) with we'll worn hickory cane
In his hand, and countenance that in
dicates a fixed attention TO all the bus
mess Of Conference. As we look upon
him, we remember an impression made
upon our mind some twenty five years
ago. We were passing through the
pearlStreet Museum In Cincinnati, which
then was chiefly interesting TO US as an
assemblage Of wax figures. We found
one the size Of life, labelled "Geu. Jack.
SOU" The frat expression we made
was, show much he looks like Brother
Havensl" We have since seen figures
aud portraits Of "old Hickory" and
they have all reminded US Of him who
now sits opposite Us, having just set
down from short but prompted speech
which may be expressed by IL take the
responsibility. "Fa.hcr Havens" moves
yet among bis brethren, a relic Of other
years. He has becu a travelling preach
or for more than third OF u century,
aud he is now near sixty three years Of
age. The hairs that, earlier In life,
were Of that peculiar tint that gave him
tho subriquet Of "Old Sorrel" are Of
snowy wilderness, scarcely retaining the
least OF their former color. His voice
that was once musical and clear, Is
now trcmulous with age, yet there Is
something In It's tones that attracts the
listener. But Il Is not the voice that at
tracts most, II Is the manner and matter.
Though scarcely able 10 read when he
first entered the ministry, aud though he
has ltbored hard for more than thirty
three years, few men use better language,
in preaching or In debate, though we Sc
riously doubt whether he can parse, ac-
cordlng 10 the book, the simplest sem
tence.
In rough sketch, by an experienced
artist, We expect TO see at least promi-
nent features ofthe subject To give
these OF Father Ravens ought not to be
difficult, yetwe fear We cannotd Il. We
have already alluded to the most prom-
nent. lIe Is FEARLEss. Whatever he
think, Is right, no will say, aud will do,
II possible regardless Of consequences.
This often brings him In conflict with his
brethren, but there la frankness In his
manner and sincerity in the whole man
that makes his opponents love him still.
Being ono OF the relics Of old times, Il Is
not strange that manJ Of the young and
ardent--the progressing--regard him as
old hunkerish. lie has just used the phrase
"old fashioned" In way that leaves the
impress on the hearers that,in his opinion,
In some matters, tho former times wcIo
better than these. Yet he ia not croak-
or. Though he cannot keep up with the
rail road speed Of the times, hc does not
wish tho work to lag. Ito loves even
10 give forward shove, and then say,
"Be careful boys, keep ON the track, re-
member the old land marks, love class
meetings, visit tho people, aud a, overy
moment look TO Christ, aud enforce tho
discipline as Il ls."
lie enjoys green old nge,and lives In
the affection OF his junior brethren and
the people whom he has served. lie
loves to tell OF old times when his circuit
WINS larger than any district, and his
district nearly as largo as tho South
Eastern Conference now In, aud we CON.
fcss 10 a weakness which makes IA love
10 hear him although In enc OF his rocol.
lectionv, before large congregation, no
said that no knew US when little boy
and not very promising at that. lie
meant no harm We know, and only lit
tie let handed compliment.