Litchfield enquirer., 1858-07-15
From the New York Express. KENNEDY, THE BOY PREACHER.

This youthful evangelist, who, some months since, elicited so much of public attention, is | again before the people. He designs to fulfil certain appointments which his recent sickness interrupted. Last (Tuesday) evening he gave a brief lecture at the Brdge-street Baptist Church, Brooklyn. He is one of the wonders of this metropolis, and gives promise of ex- traordinary eminence, if not broken down by premature effort, of which there is great fear, unless the counsels of his more prudent friends are needed. It seems impossible that mere strpling, of fifteen or sixteen, can long hold the ear of the public after its novelty has passed away. To still present new sources of attraction, and satisfy public expectation, would require an elasticity of imagination, a vigor of intellect, altogether unnatural in one so young. His appearance is decidedly pre- possessing. His temperament is active, with an apparently strong constitution denoting the basis of ultimate strength and endurance
 There is no attempt at display in his address, which, from 8 redundance of language, might be expected of him. He manifests great judg- ment ill the arrangement of his discourses. Systematic in his method of presenting his thoughts clear in his conceptions, distinct in his utterance, with unusual impressiveness in his delivery, his friends may be justly pardon ed in their expectations of his future useful 1 ness. Indeed, it may be said of his public eff forts, even now, that they bctray breadth of conception not unworthy of ministers even of more than ordinary pretensions. He common ccd the services of the evening by reading the Sth chapter of Romans in calm, impassioned manner, showing thorough acquaintance with the rules of elocution, without any of the te- dious monotony of tone and manner so painful to the nearer. From tine 9th and 7th verses i of this chapter, he took his text :-
 For to be carnally minded is death but to be spiritually minded is life and peace:
 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God for it is not subject to the law of God neither in deed can be-
 After twice reading, he laid down these pro- positions: lst, Who are carnal minded 2d, What it is to be carnal minded 3d, Who are spiritual minded and what it is to be spiritual ly miuded. Each of these divisions of his 1 subject were clearly set forth and after a i forceful contrast of the carnal and spiritual propositions, he gave practical application of | his subject in concise and appropriate terms. The discourse lasted about 40 minutes, during 1 which period he seemed. to possess readiness 1 of utterance that dispelied the idea that one
 was listening to mere boy, but rather to a person who was deeply imbued with the spirit ual nature of that message he so aptly illus trated in his own experience" Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings thou hast per fected praise." Those who like strong doc Urine, or as some would term it, high Calvin ism, could hardly listen to more pertinent exposition of that view of divine truth, unless they sought it in the Scriptures themselves. We learn that he contenplates a course of theological studies preparatory to the minis try. However gratifying it may be to listen to him. we think that his future worth will be greatly augmented by studying more and prea- ching less. Many shining light has suddenly dimmed it's brightness by premature exertion
 Kirke White and Summerfield found early graves, and let not injudicous, but we'll mean ing friends, hurry other precocous inteects to a point where it may be said, their sun went down ere twas noon."