The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1856-02-14

| ySAc oi~ Va out3ut " OOJ huto-bOoutdy
with little faith in mankind at large; while
il is the general Characteristic of cergymen
10 be sofl-hearted, and 10 trust, sometimes
snot loo wisely, but too well" in the integ-
rity of Their fellow men. In addition TO the
weak points which they may have in com.
mon with all, and through which they are
liable 10 be successfully assaiIed, the cultiva.
| tion of that spirit of charity which 'thinketh
no evil," makes them slow in suspecting vii.
lanous designs on the part of others and
renders them an easy prey 10 those who are
unscrupuous enough to use their unsuspect.
ing disposition as a means of carrying into
effect their own base purposes.
In making these remarks, we are far from
wishing 10 cast any slur upon the native
shrewdness or penetration of :he clergy,
which would be unjust to them, (for there
few keener ntellec,s than those that are pos
sessed by some who are members and or.
naments of this body } but our object is sim
ply 10 mention some of The causes which
often make them The victims of imposition.
Many Of them, especially those who live in
the country, occupied as they are with the
duties of their calling, in the retired life of
the study, and in intercourse with the COM
paralivey honest and virtuous community
in which their lot is cast are somewhat se-
cluded from the world at large, and know
little, except by report, OF the innumerable
forms of deceit and iniquily that people en-
act, who live outside OF their own quiet
boundaries. This is, perhaps, less generally
true at the present lime than il was years
ago, before the increased facilities for con-
municaliou hao given equal facilities 10
rogues, who have chosen our large cities as
field for their nefarious operations, and
have extended them, by means of the mails,
to the rem otesi corners of the country.
The trick which we are about 10 describe was
attempted on large scale, and the trap sci
for unwary clergymen was sprung in al most
every section of The country, with considera.
BILE success, though some OF the Intended
victims were TOO wary 10 be thus swindled.
The trap alluded 10 was in The form OF
letter, of which The following is copy
New YORK, Sunday, March ls, 1855
Brother P:
Being at leisure this afternoon, and some
what wearied rather than refreshed by The
mornings discourse Of our respected pastor,
have concluded 10 sit down and write you,
though utterly unacquainted, save in that
sympathy which persons Of like tempera-
ment invoIuntarily feel toward one another.
II is the apparer, coldness and Formally
by pleasant contrast TO think of you.
heard you once, while passing through your
place-a sermon that has many times recnr-
red 10 my memory, though lis calm Piety
aud deep perception of human nature may
be weekly occurrences to your congregation
! have several times thought it would BE
well for our church 10 call on you for trial
here. Our house is wealthy, and up town.
though that is no matter.
! had almost given up the idea, when i,
was forcbly returned to me yesterday by
seeing notice Of you in the new publication
of travels through the States in which | see
the writer has heard you, and was so i'm.
pressed that he gave strong description Of
you and your style, so well according with
my views, that feel confirmed in MY opin-
ion of you. You have probably seen it,
And, aside from any vanity al praise in print,
or any pain at his censure, (for he finds fault,
too,) | think preacher cannot TOO much
study his style, in duty to his Master and his
people, by learning all he can of his hearers
views OF him, If not for the praise, at least
for The blame.
So you see | yet hope 10 sit under your
ministralions. wish you would write ne,
Immediately, what you think o. coming
here, if l propose you. My bell has just
rung for tea, and close hastily, wishing you
success in any field, and "many souls as
seals Of your ministry"
Yours, in the Lord,
A. d. CoNNELsoN
P.S.-If you have not seen the notice of
you, Tin the book l alluded to,) will get it
for you. believe it sells al dollar and
half, or thereabouis.
close in haste, A. D. c.
Here is an instance of one who
"Slole the livery Of Heaven
To serve the devil in."
The author Of this production, which was
Autographed, leaving only space after the
commencing word "Brolher," for the inser.
lion Of the person addressed, was signed in
some copies as above, and in others by the
name of "W. C. Jansing."
We easily imagine the effect Of such an
arlful, flattering epislle upon the mind Of
some unsuspec,ing and humble country
pastor, whose chief ambition had hitherto
been 10 minister to the spiritual wants of his
little congregation, and who had never be-
fore INDUCED the thought of receiving 'call
I 10 the attractions and responsibilities oil city
pastors life. He taxes his memory in vain
10 recolIeci upon what occasion any stranger,
who might represent The deyout Connelson,
had been present during his Sabbath services,
and in like manner fails 10 recall any re-
miniscences Of The author, who, in his 'Trav-
els through the States,' had also heard him,
and was Impressed" so remarkably in ac-
coIdaucs with Mr.. Connelson's sviews."--