Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1853-06-10
TWO Fishers of Men,

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TWO Fishers of Men.
gcn,ioi ran who "as seen much Of the
world, and who possesses great fund OF anu
sing and instra ctive anecdotes, relates the
following:
A reverend gentlemen, by the name Of Whit
ney, one ofthe old church in Connecticut, was
in the practice OF ti'ung young men lor Inc
thattwo of these pupils iinisheI their theoIogl-
cal studies about the same t;.e, and went
forth into the world to enter on To. duties oi
their profession.
They were very different in their temp'rs
and their talents. Isaac was man OF learns
ing and ability, but exceedingly meek and
modest with all. Ezekiel was person OF infer
ror attainments, but full Of selt-contidence,
noise and fury. The former was mild and gen
tie, charitable and forgivng; the latter was
I harsh and overbarng, severe and relentless
The one was Conened if he could 'cln souls
to heaven; the other was determined 10 drive
them there.
/ With these differences in talents and DISPOSE
ion, they set forth upon their ministry. They
" re ndetatgable in the discharge Of their
1t, es. They were instant IN season and out
Of sea SON. After having compIeteca mission
Of two or three years, they returned 10 their old
well. Isaac said the good man, show have
Won succa, ded ?
.Bayond my expectations, said the modest
disciple and his Countenance frightened as he
smoke. 'Aiy efforts have every where met
with kindnes :, and disposition on the part OF
NV hearers 10 profit by them
tYou have ma de some converts, then, auH-
nose p
Indeed hone no person las been made
worse by my preac, ing and think have
reason to believe thai many have turned from
the error Of their ways TO tie wisdom Of the
inst
/ q am rIad 10 hear IT, Isaac: ] am glad with
all NV heart said the worth, old man. as he
rrasped anew the hand of his l1eek aud hum
| lie discin,e and now, Ezekicl,' said he, et
me hear what success Won have l. ad.'
An. sir returned Ezekiel wiz a sign, q
have had no success at all.
None at all! am sorry to hear it,
so am | sorry to say it-but it is no7C the
less true for all that. A. my efforts have e~,'n
thrown away-vea, my best Efforts have been
as pcarls cast before swine
.You have not been idle, Of course
Idle no; have preached indclatigaby |
have laboreJ day and uigut in reprovlng and re.
buking sin and lis perpetrators and abeitors.-
Never for moment have | spared either the
,
mouth, but to warn the wjcktduess, and 10
poin, out to them the awful consequences Of
their perseverance in the path of inIqu,ty.
wave set the whole terrors of the law before
them in the most gowing colors, the m,series
of the rcprobaie-l have
.No doubt of tho doubt of it, interrupted
! the old man. That YOU have abundance OF
zeal. and warmth, ana tire. and all th0t have
M, thc least doubt, Ezekiel. But with all
e these. how happens ii that you have had no
" better success:
u u i don't know. I'm sure said Ezekiel with
an air of despondency.
Nell, will tell YOU. Both you and Isaac
= here set ont to be fishers of men In fishing
" as in all other employnens, some little skill Is
: required to insure success Isaac has sue
cerdcd beyond his expectations, and have nc
J. doobt IS much the better fisherman OF the
two,
. ,N,v bc so' ropliel Ezekiel. with mortified
air. .b3t Pm sure I've trled hard enough
, sGranted-but | will show Won the difference
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