Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-11-12
For the Spectator.
The Boy Preacher.

/ 1t was on beautiful Sabbath morning in the
beginning of October lS5-, that an unusually
large congregation had assembled at the Ger
man Reformed church called - -: In -
county, Virginia. The church, which had then
been but recently erected, Is situated in besn-
tful and romantic glen and is surrounded by
cluster Of aged trees. many of which, Judging
from their venerable appearance, have withstood
the storms of centuries.
! Immediately in front Of the church, at dis
tancs of forty or fifty yards, is the grave-yart-
1t is enclosed by neat. but plain and substan-
I al fence. At the southern corner ofthe grave
yard, stands the "Old Church, (since removed)
This ia title by which this memento Of old times
has been distinguished for almost halt centu-
~. And no sooner does the eye OF the beholder
rest upon the time-worn edifice, than ne feels
himself prepared to acknowledge its right TO the
appellation. An unostentatious church. to DO
sure il was, nesting there in the valley, with
the majestic forest waving by its side; yet to
many souls is that little church dear. for it was
radiant with more than worldly charms. To
many it was as the gate of heaven.
| A short distance down the glen, is the church
spring-a lovely fountain of Natures pure ano
unadnlterated beverage. Immediately in the
rear OF the church there rises lofty hill to
whose towering summit have often strolled in
my boyhood's happy days, as well as in my later
wears, to gaze upon 'the glowing sunsets ol sum-
mer," and to feast my eyes, during the holy calm
of the twilight hour, upon the beautiful prospect
which is there spread out to my view. but 10
return.
Il was communion season, and the pastor OF
the church had given notice to his people that
he expected the assistance of the Rev. Mr.. -,
of Winchester, on that occasion. And in making
the announcement he took occasion to speak very
favorably of the talents aud qualifications OF the
expected preacher en-
The new and handsome church was filled to
oyertiowing at very early hour, while an IN
nense number thronged the windows and doors
on the outside-all eager to catch, at least,
glimpse of the stranger. The pastor OF the
church arrived, and, after spending short time
in preparatory exercises, proceeded to admins
ter the holy ordinance Of baptism to one or TWO
persons. Several individuals then presented
themselves at the altar as candidates for church
membership, by the solemn rite of confirmation.
There are buttew scenes on earth more lovely than
church of the Lord Jesus in the act OF reeeiv'
ino new convert to its bosom. The hour has
been anticipated By the candidate with fear and
pleasure. He has trembled at the responsibility
TO be assumed he has rejoiced at the privileges
TO be enioyed After much prayer and medlfa-
t;on he at last stands before the church. How
solemn and weiQhty in his department! How
calm and reserved in his feelings and purposes!
The church look on with solemn interest. a
new candidate for the prize Of salvation is enter
ine the racc-conrse A new member OF the
household of God is being admitted into the no.
" family. Glorious sight God approves 1t
Angels study it with pleasure. The MINISTER
proposes tho usual questions, which being duly
answered by the candidate, the right hand OF
fellowship is given; the convert becomes MEM
ber of the militant church. How touching the
question, will he ever lie admitted to the church
triumphant2
The confirmation being over, the pastor as
cended to the pulpit; and now goodly NUMBER
of the congregation unite with the choiri in pour
in9 forth, in strains of sweetest melody, the
HYMN Of praise to the triune God. Never have
been more sensible of the sanctfying effect of
church music, than when / have heard it thus
poured forth, like river cf joy; elevating US,
Is it were, from all the sordid pollntions OF the
week. and bearing the poor world-woln soul on
tide of triumphant harmony to heaven. But
even while they sang you could detect feel
ipg of anxious expectation in every countenance,
for the expected preacher had not yet arrived
Just AS the last words of the hymn were culver
ing on their lips, youthful figure, hat in band,
was seen to emerge from the vestibue into the
crowded aisle, and commence vending his way
towards the pulpit. SO completely boyish was
his appearance, that the thought OF him being
the preacher they were so anxiouSly expecting
never entered the mind OF one OF all that crowd
who had assembled to hear him. And when he
took his seat in the pulpit, they looked at each
other with wondering eyes, As If to say, with
contemptuous sneer, rs that the great preach
er7"
The last echoes of the hymn had died away
through the crowded aisles, when our preacher
arose and advanced to the front OF the sacred
desk. For moment he looked around upon
that vast assembly. Then raising his hands to-
ward heaven, he exclaimed, in voice whose
melody was like the sweetest notesof an folian,
LET us look to God for his blessing" Every
eve was fixed upon him, but instead of quainS
beneath their gaze, he only called more fervent-
" mon his God and threw himselfupon his gra-
cious aid. After taking his text, the preacher
soon began to show that he was not the novlee
that his audience had supposed. He handled ms
subject with skill. his ideas flowed freely, his
language was beautiful. because it was plaln,and
after time there began to breath through MS
words holy influence, sacred power that
touched the heart. Then-as his soul ABSORBED
was tiiled-with his strange suhject-a SUBJ
ieet that has been new for eighteen centuries
his gestures became nervous, irregular--hls hand
was pressed against his side or trenlbled above
his head--and as free and as glorious, he scared.
like the sun-soaring eagle. Humanity Is at
home in the earth--and is earthly. IT springs
away from itself when it reaches heaveh-"aru.
Many preacher can stand moment upon the
moral heights, but his prudence tells HIM, come
ont of that" and he treads at home the path OF
.t,o ok
II it were intended that he should be at home IN
the ampler ether.
In his .downrightness of purpose he fills our
idea of Chamers--that nervousy earnest Di-
vine In pathos, piety and tcryor we are re-
minded of the devoted McCheyne. But do you
expect the laundering eloquence OF Edward lr.
vinr3 Won are mistaken Not his to dwell amid
the thunders of the la,c but he lives among the
mild vet glowing the deep yet feryent and soul
full beauties of the Bible.
And as scripture after scripture flashed from
his tremuolous lips with new power and with
strange beauty, you felt that the heaven that
;es about our infancy was bending down TO you.
The Boy Preacher was one OF those spirits
touched to fine isslles." and there are many,yery
many in that congregation who will carry with
them gratefully through life the remembrance
of the deep feeling and holy fervor with which
he addressed us on that day. And such was the
impression he left, that many still mention his
name with gratitude, as one who was sent to
them AS an angel of mercy. II. c. b.
Julius, why didn't you oblong your stay AZ
The spring,|
"Kase, Mr.. Snow. they charge too much"
"How 50, Jnlius3"
"Why de landlord charged dis colored invid-
ual with stealing de spoons"