Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-05-04
MisttIIansons.
Faithful Preaching

rultnIui rreocnlngs
Rev. w. III. Milburn, to illustrate
the peculiar faithfulness Of some Of the
early Kentucky clergy, said in recent
lecture:
"An incident related by Ewell White.
himself n man Of note, will illustrate
this. Ithappened at one time tha ut
meeting was appointed in -, in old
Simon Kenton's county. A preacher
named old Jrmes Axley. familiarly
called Jenny Axley. by his friends.
and who was very popular was expect
ed. But when he came he brought
another with him. who spoke frst.-
This disappointed the people. and
there was good deal Of noise and con-
fusion and great inattention on the part
Of the audience. II Is customary
when two ministers are present. for
both to address the meeting; II one
drives in a nail Of truth, the other
clenches it. When Axley arose all
was still. everybody was disposed TO
listen. ~ t.u ca
my friends" said he, looking
round with keen observant glance.
"it sperhaps painful. but always
a necessary duty ofyour minister to
reprove sin. wherever found. and be
assured shall not shrink from it on
this occasion. Now" said he "lhai
sandy-headed man. standing by the
door. that went out while the brother
wns speaking. stsid as long as he wish
ed, got his boots covered with mud
came in and made such noise clean
ing them as to disturb everybody. and
prevent their hearing scarcely a word,
that man thinks I mean him. And
well he might think so. for II was a
disgrace to Kentucky to say. he was
raised here. and had no more manners.
Now, my friend, l advise you to 20
home, and learn how to behave when
You come TO the house Of prayer. Bul
I don'f mean him.
That little girl about the middle ol
the floor, with flowers inside her bon.
net. that was giggling and laughing
and chattering all the time the brother
was speaking, thinks ! mean her. And
she ought. l am sorry for her par,
ents, who have raised girl to fifteer
without learning how TO behave mod
estly and properly. and they are to be
pitied. Little girl, before you come
again: learn to be quiet and reverenl
in the house of God, and respectful tc
the ministers He has sent. But I dc
not mean her.
And now that man on the bench
towards the corner. that's looking ur
as bright and awake as II he had new
or been asleep in his life, and never
expected to be, but who was noddine
and bowing all through the preaching
and snoring so as to disturb all around
him--he thinks mean him. And
indeed he well may.-My friend the
house Of God is not intended for a sleep
ing-room. When you want to take Z
nap. go home and go to bed and take
it fegularly;but you come here fol
another purpose. But. don't near
him."
And thus he went on. fixing hi,
dark. piercing eye On each offender
singing him out in such manner tina
he could not be mistaken, till he h Il
nearly gone through with all who hat
made any disturbance. ending eacl
reproval with, But ! don't mean him
or her. White. meanwhile was sit
ting On bench in front of Axley. en-
joying the fun amazingly, laughing
rubbing his hands. chewing more lus
tily, and splitting more vigorously ant
profusely than before. as each new of
fender was brought, till the aisle befor,
him was n puddle.
"Now," said Axlcy. drawing him
self up. and with a severe look, ~.
calculate you want to know. who d,
mean. | mcan.' pointing directly :,
White-"I mean that nasty, dirty
filthy tobacco chewer.--Look at III,
filthy, brown puddle before him;
toad would not hop in it. and 10 thinl
Of the sisters dresses having to 90 thro
IT,"
White was thunderslruck. Ho new
again was known to chew tobacco Il
o,aotino, - ..l..