Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-10-19
naniel Baker and ]. @. Adams.

The following is from the very interesting Bi
ography of the Rev Daniel Baker, ID. d., which
William s. & Alfred Mar,ien are about publish
| ing. Doctor Baker was at this time settled in
Washington city.-PresbyteEian.
| "It waa usual tor me 10 write one sermon Will
care. and commit it to memory for Sabbath
morning for other occasions | had only brle
notes. and sometimes no written notes at all
and here will mention an incident which turn
ed ont better than I feared One Sabbath after
noon, Just as had announced my text, which
was tfis-'Ephraim is cake not turned'-John
Ouincy Adams, the Secretary of State, stepped
in. and walking up the aisle, took his seat neal
the pulpit. The reverence which had for this
great man, the singularity of the text, and my
want ot due preparation, all nnited TO dlsconcer'
me: was thrown off my balance, and preach
ed. as then thought, and still think, very IN
different discourse. 1t had, however, one ex-
cellence. not found in most of my sermons--if
was very short not more than twenty or twenty
five minntes long. When finished, was ex
cessively mortified, and thought should never
see the Secretary of State in that church again
but to nv astoni,hment, the next week l was
told that he had rented one of the best pews IN
the church. Whether the exceeding brevity OF
nv sermon pleased him, or the freedom win
which pointed out the inconsistencies OF pro-
tossing Christians, or whether he had previously
resolved to take pew at any rate, Know not
but one thing, | soon had the pleasure OF hear
ing that Mr. Adams had taken pew, ana that
was not all soon AFTER, the Secretary OF State
became one of the most efficient trustees ol my
church, and one OF the best friends ever had.
As proof OF this on certain emergency he
loaned the church twelve hundred dollars; and
on another occasion, having bought house Tor
twelve hundred dollars, 10 be paid in four in
stalnents, | called upon Mr.. Adams, at that time
President of the United States, and asked hlul
10 lend me two hundred and fifty dollars, which
promised to pay in short time. de listened
with much interest, inquired all about the mat
ter, and, when informed that the gentleman from
whom | bought the house resided In ONO, he
said, L think, Mr.. Baker, bad better advance
the whole amonnt, and you can pay me- ihi>
was most generous, and most unexpected. ex'
pressed my gratitude, and observed, III pay the
| full arnountdown, the gentleman wonld no doubt
allow Inc some considerable discount. That
REPLIED he, will be TO your advantage Thus
saving, lle took up his pen and gave me cheek
ON the bank for twelve hundred dollars. This
was certaiuly doing a handsome thing very
handsomel, /: but not more sosthan another thing
I lew years after Wishing to sell my house or
going to Savannah, requested a friend to cal
upon the President, and ask him If he wonld
not like to purchase it, and if so, what he would
give. Mr.. Adams told him that he had no par
licular wish to purchase the house, but he would
give me fifteen hundred dollars cash, and he
would be willing should have six months te
look around and see il could not do BETTER
This was another noble act. | need scarcely
say that sold the house to him,and was prompt
ly paid.
tMr. Adams never failed to be in his pew OF
Sabbath atternoon, whatever might be the wealth
er, and was most attentive hearer. After h'
took pew in my church, and becnme trustee
it seemed to come more into notice. Mr.. Craw
ford. the Secretary of the Treasury, and Judg,
Southard, the Secretary Of the Navy, each tool
new. and so did Gen. jackson, then Senator.