Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1857-02-20

AsttcE HEOuh Hkcss AetsE >austos
Some of my friends appear to think I
am not in earnest In wanting college IL
tie. They may, for aught l know, be of
the opinion that am already great enough
man for my abilities. But am in earnest
about this matter, for, at my present age
I find I am getting gray--havc lost seve.
raj teeth, and besides, I have had tho
rheumatfs some too, and am really begin
ming 10 have troublesome fears that III
die In my nest some Of these nights, aud l
viii be forgotten In less time than have
lived.
All our p. Els In this Conference save
one, are A. Ms and we poor fellows who
wero educated In log school.houses, instead
Of In largo three story brick colleges. will
have to hang up our fiddlcs, or else con-
ton. ourselves, like poor folks at frollc, In
occupying some dark corner where we
may DO called for only whom we are want
cd.
Ilovo smart men, and especially smart
preachers, and would like mighty we'll to
bo smart myself IL circumstances allow
edit, and think they would II | could
succeed in getting a title. so the people
would call me 'Dr. Smith" instead ofjust
simply Brother Smith," The people
wouldn't know any better. for know
that once when was travelling with one
Of our Doctor" Preachers, we stopped
with good old class-leader 10 stay oil
night, and about midnight the good BROTH
or came to our sleeping room, and ap-
preaching the bod, he asked, doctor, are
you awaken? "Yes; what's the matter?"
"Why, our baby's got the chollc awfully,
and thought may be you had somo med
ic!ne in your saddlebags that might help
IT," "0h," said my bediellow, "I'm not a
baby doctor, I'm only Preacher Doctor"
The poor brother thought the Doctor was
great man, and Of course he expected to
have his baby cured.
Now, Tam convinced, Mr.. Editor. that
the people have the idea that the m en-
who.have all these big titles have great ca
pacities and that If they can't cure the
cholic in babies, they can do good many
other big things, and if moro Of us had
them, no doubt vast amount of good
might be done.
know old Father Havens contends that
it Is necessary for these titled gentlemen
to have these degrees, and these editorial
and Conference attentions in order that
they may pass muster in the ministry, and
have equal rank with their brethren. In
deed, he is said to be Of the opinion that,
without these honors and polite notices,
many Of Ithom would scarcely ever be
heard tell Of.
But such old men who werc raised un-
der tho old dispensatiop, seem not to be
aware Of the fact that the times are ch:ag-
ed, and that the people don't now. like
they used TO, think "larning n dangerous
thing" They have changed nightly,
and now nothing tickles them more than
for you to call them intelligent and to
tell them that you are glad they are dis
posed to appreciate learning, talents, and
titles. Such change will go hard with
us poor fellows who came into the minis
try too early to bring with us any titles,
and too late to reap the rewards Of natural
ability.
Now, want to remedy the matter so
far as I am personally concerned by get
ting you and n few moro Of my old friends
to obtain for mo title Of some kind, so
that whom I 90 to Cincinnati, my good Bro
House will give mo one Of his prettiest
little notices, and that may have some
hope in my lifo time Of being p. T., and
Of getting few invitations, at least, to
dedicate Churches, &c, &c. was telling
brother the other day, that ! wanted to
obtain tho degree OF A. NJ. "Why," said
hc, "dont tho people know you are min
lister now. without that? A. NJ" he con-
tinuod, "only means a minister and I
think Reverend'is Just as good as A. MI"
Well, thought |, II that is all that is sig
nidcd by that degree, I believe Twill strike
In for d. d. 1Snow some say this means
"DIrty Dog,"-but that Is only its political
meaning. II has different meaning am
ong preachers, and l can. well gctit out Of
my head II / was called dr. Smith," or
II the world would see my name IN the
papers-thc advocate, for instance,as "Rev.
Peter Smith, d. d." everybody would be-
lievc at once that was great man, and II
Is quito probable would bo spoken of as
the successor Of DR.. Curry, Of the Asbury
University, and might DO called upon to
dedicate at least two churches every year
thereafter.
confess, Mr.. Editor, felt little NOR
tilted that you didn't notice my first letter
with an editorial. This think you sho'd
have done, that Is, II you had any desire
for me to obtain any one Of the desired
honors, Hoping you will do better for the
future, pardon you for the past
Respectfully, yours,
Rev. PETER SMITH.
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