Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1858-01-28
The Fighting Preacber.

Inc ElSntlnS Preacher,
We have heard an excellent story {
a reverend g~entlemen3 once. a citizen {
Pittsburgh. -
is He was what old ladies call a idea
good man." and young misses a "duek'c
"a fellow" His charity was nutconfne
to those who were his Immediate follow
ers, and In all private relations of IiF
n bore thee character of an honest an
uprightman. 1t was said, however, ths
he possessed a violent temper, and wher
anything disagreeable occurred, behave,
In a manner by no means clerical.
On one OCCASION, a member of his con
grcgation, as passionate as himself, re
proved him for using language in the pull
PIT highly improper in itself, and alto
g.ther unbecoming one professedly devo
ted to the service of his Divine Master
The clergyman replied that he was gov
erned by his Owl sense of propriety, anc
that he would permit no puppy to speak
to him in that manner.
Tothis, a blow was the only reply. A
dreadful fight was the onseouence
which continued for the space of thirty
minutes, at the end of which, the lay
: man cried:
'1Iold, enough! !"
1.-The battle ended, and the preacher.
with an injured face, walked home in tri-
tumph.
News of the quarrel spread like wild
lire through the congregation. Old la
dies put on their bonnets, and ran over
the city to hear all the particulars; fast
young men called on the reverend gen
t!eman, complimented him highly for be-
having so we'll, and left with assurance
of their great regard and distinguished
consideration.
The Sunday following, the ehurh was
crowded to excess--all present being
anxious to hear the minister's explana-
ton. People of all ranks, all conditions
women, mon and children-saints and
sinners-professors of the manly art of
self defence-and individuals who, till
that time knew not what the inside of a
church was made of, were assembled
there. a,a a
Just as the great bell struck for the
last time-the clergyman entered the
church. Deliberately he wendell his way
to the pulpit, and contemplated the
scene before him. The choir sung the
psalm commencing with:
''Blest is the man who shuus the place, d.
here sinners love to meet" ,-.--..,-
After which the preacher made a short
and fervent prayer. He then took his
text, and delivered the followiugaddress,
which has been handed to us by a gen
tleman who was present.
Brethren I'VE are commanded to love
our enemies aud respect those who de-
spitefully use US. 1t is our duty to do
Forgiveness is the finest quality in
the Christians character. 1t distin-
guishes him from all others, and causes
him to be looked'upon with respect and
admiration. He who is able to forgive
an injury Is far above his fellows, and
Is conscious of possessing parts to which
are strangers. In my short chez
nered career, L always endeayor to over
look every little injury l have received.
In most instances L have been success
nl-thus proving that the immortal tri-
imphs over the mortal, and that the
rises far above the mere man.
But my dear brethren, it has not al
ways been so. Frequently my proud
1eart and violent passions prevail over
he commands of wisdom, and the voice
'f prudence. A few days since I forgot
my position and struck the offender. l
an we'll aware of the fact, that we are
commanded, when smitten on the right
cheek, to turn the left, and 1 think it on
>, proper to do 50; but, my BRETHREN,
a ma undertakes to care IN ry head,
I'm Merel ,#t-iItn
The sporting characters present gave
three terrific yells, which created so
much confusion, that the services were
Immediately concluded for the day.