The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1857-12-17
The Fighting Preacher.


We have heard an excellent story Of q
reverend gentleman, once citizen of Pitts.
burgh.
lie was what the ladies called ga dear
good man." and young misses "a duck of a
tell. HIS charity was not confined to those
who were his immediate followers, and in
all the private relations of life he bore the
character of an honest and upright man.
IL Is said, however, that he possessed VIC.
lent temper, and when anything disagreed.
BILE occurred, he behaved in q manner by no
means clerical
On one occasion, member of the con.
gregatlon, as passionate as himself, reproved
him Tor using language in the pulpit highly
improper in itself, and altogether unbecom.
ing one professedy devoted to the service of
his Divine Master. The clergyman replied
that he was governed by his own senses of
propriety, and that he would permit no pup
py to speak 10 him in that manner.
10 this, blow was the only reply. A
dreadful tight was the consequence, which
continued for the space of thirty minutes. at
the end of which time the layman was fore
ed to cry,
Hold, enough!"
lhe battle ended and the preacher. with
an injured face, walked home in triumpb.
News of the quarrel spread like wildfre
through the congregation. Old ladies pu,
on their bonnets and ran over the CITY to
hear all the particulars fast young men
called on the reverend gentleman, compli
mented him highly for behaving so well,
and left him with the assurance of their
great regard and distinguished considera.
ton.
The Sunday following the church was fill.
ed to excess-all anxious to hear the minis.
ter's explanation. People of all ranks, all
conditlons-men, women and children
saints and sinners-professors of the manly
art OF .defence-all individuals who. dl
that time, knew not what the inside of n
church was made OF, were assembled there.
Just as the great bell struck for the last
time, the clergyman entered the church,
deliberately he wended his way to the pull
pit, and contemplated the scene before him.
lhe choir sang the psalm commencing with !:
mBlest is the man who shuns the place
Where sinners love to meet"
Alter which the preacher made short
and fervent prayer. He then took his text.
and delivered the following address, which
was handed to us by gentleman who was
present: ...s .. -
BRETHREN-We are commanded to love
our enemies, and to respect those who des.
pitefully use us. II is our duty to do so.-
forgiveness is the finest quality in the chris.
tian character. 1t distinguishes him from
all others: and causes him to be looked up.
on with respect and admiration. lie who
Is able to forgive an injury is more than a
man, because he rises far above his fellows,
and is conscious of possessing parts to which
Others are strangers. In my short chequer-
ed career, l have always endeavored to over.
look every little injury have received. IN
most instances have been successful-thus
proving that the immortal and that the
christian arises far above the mere man.
But, my dear brethren, it has not always
been the case. Frequently my proud heart
and violent passions prevail over the com.
mands of wisdom and the voice of pru.
dence. A few days since forgot my posi-.
ton, and struck the offender. am well
aware Of the fac. that we are commanded
waen smitten on the right cheek, to turn to