Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-04-22

fund of amusing and instructive anecdote, relates
the following A reverend gentleman, by the name
of Whitney, one of the old church in Connecticut,
was in the practice of fitting young men for the
ministry and it so happened ou one occasion, that
two of these pupils finished their theological studies
about the same time, and went forth into the world
to enter the duties of their profession.
They were very different in their tempers and
their talents. Isaac of learning and
ability but exceedingly meek and modest withal.
Ezekiel was person of inferior attainments, but
full of self-cnnfdence, noise and fury The former
was mild and gentle, charitable and forgiving the
latter was harsh and overbearing severe and re-
lentless. The contented if he could win souls
to heaven the other determined to drire them
| there. .-
With these differences in talents and dispositions
they set forth upon their ministry. They travelled
and preached They were indefatigable in discharge
out of season. After having completed mission
of two three years. they returned to their old
master-the Rev, MIR. Whitney
"Well. Isaac" said the good man, show have
you succeeded 2"
/ Beyond my expectations" said the modest dis
cple and his countenance frightened as he spoke
6 My efforts have every where met with kindness,
and disposition the part of my hearers TO profit
by them
You have made some converts them suppose 2"
Indeed, hope person has been made worse
by my preaching and think have reason to be-
lieve that many have '' turned from the error of
their ways to the wisdom of the just"
| am glad to hear it, Isaac ; | glad with all
my heart" said the worthy old man. he grasped
anew the hand of his meek and humble disciple
"And now, Ezekiel" said he, 6 let ME hear what
success you hove had"
"Ah, sr,' returned Ezekiel with sigh have
had no success at ALL
None at all am sorry to hear its
So am sorry to hear t-but it is none the less
true for all that All my efforts have been thrown
away-yca, my best efforts have been like pearls
cast before swine"
You have not been idle, of course q
Idle! no ; | have preached indefatigably
have abored day and ng ght in reproying and rebuk-
Ing sin and its perpetrators and abettOrs. Never
Tor moment have spared either the one or the
other; never have opened my mouth, but to warn
the wicked of their wickedness and to point out to
them the awful consequences of their estrangement
from God and their perseverance in the path of in
quity. | have set the whole terrors of the law be-
fore them in their most frightful shape-I have pic
tured in the most glowing coors the mseries of the
reprobate-I have-''
old man. g That you have abundance of zeal, and
warmth, and fire, and all that have not the least
doubt, Ezekiel. But with all these, how happens it
that you have had no better success o.
81 don't know, I'm surc," said Ezekiel, with an
air of dependency
Well, VIII tell you. Both you and Isaac here
set out to be < fishers of men, In fishing, as in all
other empoyments, some little skill is required to
insure success. Isaac has succeeded beyond his ex-
pectations and have no doubt, is much the better
fisherman of the two
May be so," replied Ezekiel. with mortified
air, " but I'm sure I've tried hard enough
Granted-but will show you the difference -
Isaac takes small hair line, with neat little hook;
and makes use of long, slander pole that will bend
and turn every way with the greatest ease. He ap-
proaches the stream without noise, covers his hook
with attractive bait and carefully dips it in the
water He moves it gently and skiIfully to and fro,
raises and lowers it alternately, and performs such
other maneuvres as udc;ous anglers best under
stand The fish are attracted they draw around
in great numbers they take the bait one after an
other; they are dexterously drawn out and this is
the great secret of your friend Isaac's success"
Now ] will give you picture of your fish
ing You take stout ten foot pole ycu fasten
thereto a cod-line and TO the cod-line you attach
an enormous hook armed with frightful barb that
no bait can Thus prepared, you put upon
your hook live scorpion must certainly take
them now,' say you Accordingly you rush to the
bank of the stream you throw in your hook with
violence, and frighten all the fish. Not succeeding
according to your expectations, you become still
more rash and violent. You draw ont your hook in
rage, put on another scorpion, and dash il in again
with all your might. Now says you, bite, you
rascals, biteh The poor timld fish flee from you in
dsmay-and this friend Ezekiel, is the cause of your
want of success
How THE OLD FoGY DID HIM An amusing sto-
ry is told of two lawyers in southern New York, who
often met in bar-roOm discussions we'll rs in the
graver battles of the court room. One of them is a
shrewd rough-tongued old chap, without much legal
learning general information, but with some w.t.
good deal of assurance. and happy knack at get
ting out of "a tight place" by coup de'etot. The
other, young man. something of dandy and rath-
er pedantic, but good scholar and smart dcba-
ter. On one occasion these parties (whom, for con-
venience, we shall call the cold fogy'' and the
young fogy,"( were having sharp debate at the
village inn, before large and admirng circle of au
dltors The question was of some magnitude,
and having historical cast, the youn fogy al
together too many for his adversary and having
fairly headed him by running him into deeper water
than the old fogy could safely wade in. h swung
off " in an eloquent peroration, in which he cited
host of historical authorities to cench the triumphant
argument. The listeners, who always looked to the
old fogy as the better and didn't like his adver-
sary. were astonshed, and their &" champion > for
moment looked nonplussed g Look at the example
of the ancient republics continued the glowing or
ator: go to Athens-go to Rome"
'Go to HI" growled the old fogy with look of
finishing his opponents oracular sentence in
felt vanqushed in the loud laugh which proclaimed
the old fogy's triumph.
AMERICAN GOLDFISH ABRoAD.-The fashionable
world of Paris, says letter writer has been much
amused with little bit of scandal which l think is
worth being published here without mentioning any
name. An American gentleman. though married to
a little charming woman, had taken fancy to an
actress of the Palais Royal. to whom he nightly
Offering his carriage and arm to return home. She
one day told him that she had seen at jewelers. a
fnrure of diamonds, which she fanced much as he
! fancied her. Our countryman Immediately proceed
! ed to the place. to bargain for the necklace and
bracelets; but being asked 5000 francs for it, he
only offered 1000 francs and was refused. On the
next day the actress called on the jeweer and be-
! uhofh had Gov chor -