Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1854-11-24
EVENING STAR
JESsE KERSEY.
BY CHARLES MINER.

| BY CHARLES MINER.
More than half century ago, perhaps
three score years would more accurately
define the time, there might have been
seen in Chester county, sitting at the
| wheel in pottery, a lad seventeen or
eighteen years of age-slender, pale and
thoughtful, he gave himself to his task
with cheerful alacrity and more than Or
dinary skill. The mass of clay rose
under his plastic hand into useful forms
with more than usual grace, or customa
ry finish. A member of the Society oi
Friends, his dress was neat and plain.
even for that period of primitive simpli-
city. With companions of his own aye
he was unaffectedly cheerful. In free
discussion of the topics of the day, in
playful wit, or in the more sober exarni-
nation of subjects of deeper interest, he
was always ready to take a modest part
and won by intelligence and good sense
upon the general esteem. But On First
days and those appropriated to meetings
on week days, there appeared about him
an air of solemnity that if not inspiring
awe, excited a feeling in his young assb-
ciates nearly akin to it, and kept them
for time at respectful distance. BE
read much of every thing that fell in his
way. Books were then comparatively
scarce, but yet in the intelligent commu-
nifty in which he resided there were many
valuable, though limited collections, and
he obtained respectable knowledge of
history, and the commonly-taught sci
ences of geography, mathematics and
astronomy. His preferred reading, how
ever, was different. Religious works :
the bible, from it's earliest historical rec
ords- the Jewish dispensation, so wild
in its romantic interest, so impressive in
many of its solemn ceremonies-the
beautiful Psalms of the monarch bard
the lofty and soul-inspiring writings of
the Prophets-the new dispensation OF
our Saviour bursting upon the benightod
earth, like food of cheering and guild
ing light, engressed his mind. And
while he learned all that Seneca and
Plato, Locke, and Bacon taught, the
works of Penn and Barclay, the journal
of Chalktey and other writers of his own
profession, and the powerful and impress
sive sermons of FotheIgill, claimed his
particular attention. at length, while
yet very young man, and still in his
apprenticeship, he presented himself in
meetings of business, making few re-
marks always pertinent and modestly
delivered. Accustomed to the sound OF
his own voice, he advanced still further,
and spoke briefly and acceptably in
meetings for worship.
Whether as his wheel revolved, his ac-
tive and strong mind peculiarly con-
stituted) ranged abroad on the wings of
anticipation and shadowed forth in its
futurity popular orator, the - observed
of all observers, it is impossible to aver
with certainty. Judging as men of the
world, we should say young ambition
kindled her inspiring fires in his breast,
and told him, " within you have the ele-
+ments of greatness. In silence you have
long studied and weighed and reasoned
Go-the time has come for action" As
religionist of his own sect we should
have said, There 10 q clear manifesto
ton of duty, and thou art bound to obey
and not to hide thy light underneath
bushel."
The fame of this extraordinary young
MAJ. soon extended beyond the limits OF
the country. We are not certain whether
the meeting was In the city or country,
but the occasion was important, and
there were congregated large assem-
blage many of the most prominent
ministers and elders Of the Friends Soci-
ETY. being present. Difference of opinion
on some weighiy matters prevailed, and
the argument became animated. In the
midst of the discussion, this young man
arose, and spoke to the point with a
clearness, vlgor, and propriety, that
delighted his friends and surprised the
whole auditory. With no little display
of feeling, an eminent member from the
the city, whose opinions had been sue
cessfully controverted, rose and asked
8" Is not that the potter-boy ?' --.
From that moment Jessie Kersie stood
forth, not alone in the assemblies OF
Friends, but throughout the community,
IS young man of the most promising
talents, and beloved for every domestic
virtue.
He took an extraordinary lead for SO
young man, though he could yet hard
ly have been conscious of the rich stores
Of his mind. He is represented by those
who then heard him, as rising with un-
affected solemnity. At first something
like embarrassment seemed to impede ut
terance; he spoke in very plain and
simple manner, unfolding slowly but
clearly the subject which impressed his
mind, and that he purpossd to elucidate.
Gathering confidence as he advanced, his
voice became full and clear, always dis
tinct, and often musically sweet. He
would then proceed. His peculiar philo-
sophicsI mind seemed to delight in trac-
ing the deeper moral sentiments, and as
sociating the strong principles of natural
religion with the revealed explainings
and teachings of the light within us, not
alone as substantial and separating
ground of opinion and action, but as cor