Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-08-24
A Witty Preacher.

The Rev. DR.. Spague, in his visits to Euro
pean Celebrities" gives anecdotes of the Rev.
Matthew Wilkes, celebrated London preacher.
There was nothing for which had more cor
dial adherence than an exhibition of dandyism in
a young minister and nothing of this kind ever
came in contact with him without meeting re-
Duke.
On one occasion young minister of good deal
of pretension and parade, went from the country
to London, and carried Mr.. Wilkes letter, de.
signed TO procure for him invitation to preach.
"Well, young man." said Matthew, with a nasal
twang that is perfectly indescribable, but which
nobody has once heard can ever forget swell,
young man, you want to preach in London, don't
your"
:" am going to pass few days here, sir, and
lift should suit Mr. Wilkess convenience, shonld
be very happy indeed to give his people sermon
while an, here"
"Well," replied Matthew, you can preach
you can preach come along next Wednesday
morning to the Tabernacle, and I'll meet you there,
and you can take my lecture for that morning"
The young man agreed TO do so, and was on the
ground at the appointed hour. Matthew met him
at the door, disguised as he had been before with
lis dandy airs, and addressed him thus:
Go along into the pulpit, young man, and
will be below and look at you, and shall hear every
word you say"
The young preacher datted through the aisle
into the pulpit, in manner that seemed better to
bcft ballroom than place of worship. He per
formed the Introductory service with an air OF in
suiferabe selEcompl' cency and in due time open
ed the Bible and read his text, which was the laat
verse of the first chapter Of John
" Hereafter We shall see Heaven open, and the
angels of God ascending and descending upon the
Son of Man"
He had written his sermon, and committed it
al to memory, as he supposed toa word hut I'M
had I.tf L1I.,
When he had read his text, he found it impossible
10 remember the first sentence. He hcsitated and
hemmed, aud began thus:
:" You perceive, my brethren-you perceive
that the angels of God are here represented az rs.
ccnding and descending" He then set up good
stout cough in the hope that his memory might
get to work in the meantime but the cough was
ns unproductive as it artificial, and he could
do nothing hut go right over again with the absurd
sentence which he had started. lie coughed again
and again, but his memory was in too profound
, sumber to be awakened by it. After three or
four minutes, during which he was the spectacle
TO the congregation, and especially to Matthew,
who was all tho time watching and listening, &c.
cording 10 his promise, he shut his Bible in per-
feet CONSERVATION, and abruptly closed the service.
OF course he came out Of the pulpit with very
different air from that with which he had catered
it. But the worst was to come-he had to meet
Matthew and hear his scathing comments.
swell, well" said he, "young man, you've
preached-you'ye preached in London-han't your
I've heard you I've heard every word you've said,
and I've only one comment to make If you had
assembled as you descended then you might have
descended as you assembled"
1t Is needless to say that the young man was by
this time completely cured of his ambition to preach
in the Tabernacle.
Another young minister of similar character
paid him VISIT and Matthew observed he sportcd
what he thought very indecent number of watch
seals. He eyed them for some time, az if scruti-
nizing the material Of which they we've made, and
then said, with terrible sarcastic air
" 1t seems to me you've got great many seals
TO your ministry, considering how young you are"
He was once preaching on some public occasion,
when there were not less than fifty persons in the
congregation taking notes of his sermon. At length
he stopped suddenly for minute, and the stenog-
raphers having nothing TO do, oil looked up, and
were gazing at him with establishment
Behold" said he, Il have COMPOUNDED the
scIibesn
On one occasion, as he was on his way to a
meeting Of ministers, he got caught in a shower
in the place Of Bingsgate, where there were
large number of women dealing in fish, who were
using most profane and vulgar language. As he
stopped under shed in the midst of them, he
felt called upon to give ut least his testimonial
against their wickedness.
Don't you think said he, speaking with the
greatest deliberation and solemnty, "dont you
think shall appear a swift witness against YOU,
10 the day Of judgment"
. presume So said one, "for the biggest
rogue always turns States evidence "a
Matthew, when he got to the meeting, related
the incident.
" And what did you say in reply, Mr. Wikesy"
What could ~ was the Characteristic reply