Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1855-12-21

FThe following 'anecdote of great man.
related by the host of the fremont House,
at his dinner table. The subject will be
readily recognized as a Massachusetts, man
and distinguished historian
My friends, must tell you an anecdote
related of one of our deserters-if may call
them who once rose to cabinet appoint
ment. You are all aware that there is moth
ing they wish SO much to forever sink in
oblivion as their relations to the pulpit
Soon after this eminent person had been
initiated into Office, with which he was won
derfully pleased and elated, an old friend of
mine, plain Berkshire farmer who happened
to be as the Federal city, thinking it would
crafty the new made secretary to meet an
old acquaintance, called at the department
and sent in his name by the messenger. lie
said he waited long time in the ante cham
Der, till at last the messenger came and told
him the secretary was ready to receive him
lie found the great man sitting at table
covered with papers and letters. The naiue
manner in which he told the story, fear
cannot give you. Indeed, it is hard to
hit
Do let us have it = said Frank
will do my best said the hoast; and
you must have in minds plain honest far
mer, in contrast with the upp,sh, dandified
newly made secretary, in his navy-blue
broadcloth coat and extra gilt buttons My
Berk shire farmer said After | seated my
self, | told him | thought | would call
being as how as was in the city, and pay
my respects, and congratulate him on his
appointment, with which was Just as crafty
ing to his friends as to himself The secre.
tary bowed, and said he was obliged to me
that the honor was equally unsought anc
unexpected, and the duties arduous, tasking
| his poor abilities to the utmost but ht
hoped to satisfy his friends and the country
SO that they should not regret that this higt
honor had been conferred upon him. Here,
said the farmer, Il was at less what next t
say-Perhaps you don't remember me, Mste
Secretary Your father and mine were il
the ministry together. Yes, sir, continued
my friend, Il remember, just as if it wa
only yesterday, the first sermon you preached
in father pulpit, the text was-, an,
here he said he was bothered an instant -
'Ah, Yes it was from the twenty eight
chapter of Proverbs, and the twenty frs
verse To have respect of persons is not
wise; for piece of bread, that man vii
transgress, and recollected, Just as plail
as day, how much my father was please
with 1t, for he said, while mother was pour
ing out the baked beans in to the dish, it wa
II capital sermon, and, like a sword,
pierced between the JOiIits and the marrar =
Old deacon Simon Greenleaf sg,armed unde
it, considerable. Father didn't name hin
but he said there was a good deal in thl
; sermon, which, if he had preached it, woul
have been called pinted; and the deacon wa
, a good deal riled, only he didn't like to sa
, so, or he would have made fuss about it,
Now, you know, Mister Secretary, if thel
! ever was man that had respect to person
it was the old deacon. Why, he went
town on pursose to call on Kit Gore, when
) was made governor, Just to say SO when
r came back to hum, for governor was SOM
7 body in them times. Now the deacon W.
r one Of your old times, black cockade, Adam
and Liberty tederalists' and hated Tom Je
t ferson as he did piseR But no matter fC
that What | was going to say was this
, you divided your text into three .parts, al
1 closed with practical application of Il
U whole subject. And first, What it is to ha'
T respect unto persons secondly -
The poor cabinet minister found his patien,
! utterly exhausted, and rose from his chair
n a passion. Sir, said he, I've no time
d hear my old sermons preached; and, as 70
, have SO good a recollection of my preaching
h hope you will profit by my discourse. 81
r bid you good-day.' My farmer friend ro
e astonished. lie found himself in the entr
i and, to the day he told me the story, he new
n fairly comprehended how it happened tn
their interview came SO suddenly to an enc