Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1854-11-24

the understanding had received its les
sons. Now the appeal was to the heart.
The upturned countenance Of a vast null
| titude-the throbbing breast-the fearful
eye-the profound stiffness of the heart.
unbroken by sob or sigh, spoke of elo-
quence in its triumph complete.
Taking the circuit of the county and
its neighboring meetings, he was followed
| by admiring crowds, and the enunciation
that Jesse kersey would be present, was
sure TO attract a crowded congregation.
Will Jesse Kersey preach to-day"
Indeed, friend. / cannot tell whether
he will preach" lis it expected he
will attend the meeting e. "Oh, yes.
he is certainly expected" Then III
sure be there" The Moralist and the
Philosopher-the learned and the unlet-
tered-the man of books and the man of
business, as well as the religious devotee
of his own sect, charmed by his pleasing
manner and intelligent exposition, heard
and loved to listen. In the great and
polished city of Philadelphia, the meet
ings were opened with cordial welcome
to the potter's boy. now in the vigor of
mature but early manhood. And minis
| ters of other sects not unfrequently at
tenaed his preaching.
Asno inconsiderable mum Der of Friends
had visited America frsm England, it was
thought by many that it might be proper
to reciprocate the kindness, and Jesse
Kersey had departed on religious visit
to the Empire of Science, of Learning,
of Eloouence and Taste.
The enterprise was a bold. we will not
say hazardous one. The English were
long and habitually used to view with
microscopic prejudice the efforts of Amer
leans. "Can any good thing come out
Of Nazareth 2" seemed to be the spirit of
their opinions. Led by q sustaining
sense of duty, he went and entered at
once the field of his ministry.
Whether to the newneSs of the scene
the influence of the sea voyage, or the
effect Of the variable and humid climate.
or to whatever cause, for we have heard
no plausible reason assigned, but his ef-
forts failed.
Fame had sounded her clarion before
him, heralding his approach. But dis
appointment sat on every brow; and as
he made the tour of the different meet
ings throughout the land, cold civilitv
chilled his heart, already prepared to
exclaim. % Why hidest thou thy spirit
from me 2" Returning to London heavily
oppressed, he fingered. Something with
in him whispered, =" Thy task is not yet
accomplished thy labor is not done"
The deep workings of his pswerful
mind no Ran can fully conceive; but the
next time he appeared in public the cloud
seemed TO be removed, the occulation
was over, the eclipse was past, the wheel
turned rapidly at his command, and the
graceful vase rose in beautiful proportions
az his bidding. He seemed to speak the
words of life and righteousness, as if he
had borrowed the sublime conceptions of
Habakuk-clothed with the spirit of Him
who touched Isaiah's hallowed lips with
fire. Delighted and deeply affected
crowds now gathered round him, and
Jesse Kersey. the Chester county potter
boy, made the tour of proud and polished
England in all the triumph of victorious
eloQuence.
1t was late in life when we first heard
him, but he sustained the character given
of his early efforts He was an instruc-
live, sweet, beautiful speaker. To
admiration of his extraordinary talents,
many years intimate acquaintance kim
died feeling in our breast of strong
and lasting friendship. Tous he seemed
without guile Rarely have we met a
man who appeared so uniformly full of
the milk of human kindness. A most
amiable spirit of benevolence seemed ever
to pervade his breast. The unhappy di-
vision in the Society of Friends came near
breaking his heart; he never was the
same man afterwards. But he has gone
down to the grave at q good old age.
with the benedictions of thousands, and
We firmly believe without the enmity of
one living being. Died near West Ches-
ter; aged about IS years
Departed Friend and faithful Mentor,
if it be given thy spirit to hear my voice,
accept this brief tribute from one who
sincerely admired thy talents and es-
teemed thy virtues.