, 1858-03-26
The Pulplt and tho Knlss.


In the winter of1s36 the population Of Howard
county, Missouri, were thrown into state Of ex-
traordinary excitement by cause that seemed
wholly inadequate TO the production Of such
effects especially in latitude situated 50 far to-
wards the setting sun. The phenomenon which
attracted universal attention was neither more
nor less than the appearance Of new Methodist
preacher circuitrider, as the name goes in
the west-but one Of remarkable person, and
Of powers that the superstitiOus deemed almost
supernatural.
He was youth who had not seen more than
twenty summers; Of about the medium height,
although he looked much taller, from the slight
ness Of his make, apparently feeble and delicately
moulded as the form OF woman. But all his
movements, even to the fash Of his eye, or the
wafture of his finger in gesticulatiOn, were inef-
iably quick He was possessed Of many of the
graces which are usually supposed to constitute
feminine beauty. His slender figure was model
for the arts Of sculpture and painting. His face
was an admirable oval, soft and sweet in its ex-
preston while in q state Of repOse; although,
when aroused by any strong emotion, it could
assume . look of sternness or Of passion abso-
lutely appalling His eyes were large, beaming
and piercing, 50 that when on fire with sudden
wrath, not many Of even the bravest would feel
at ease while encountering their fierce flashes Of
inexpressible defiance, for they plainly dared all
things, not leaving out death itself One draw
back must be made from the exquisite character
Of this portrait; his complexion altogether lacked
color, when not Illuminated by some excitement
capable Of pouring the blood from the heart in
boiling torrents His features, It is true did not
have the unnatural and subdued hue Of III health,
but rather that transparent paleness, so rare and
delicate, which indicates lofty thoughts, such as
wander through eternity" perseyering and stu
diOus vigils over the rays Of the midnight lamp,
and infinite lOngings, such as no human language
can hope to express, for the ideal Of all, the i'm
mense, the unknown, the fathomless mystery
which we Geek forever, but never find.
shall not forget, even should my life be pro
tracted for ages, the first time that had an Op-
pOrtuniy Of seeing and hearing this western
prodigy. It was at the town Of Raystte, in the
county previously mentioned. The large court
house was used as place Of temporary worship,
and long before the appointed hour it had been
crowded to its utmost capacity, while hundreds,
unable to gain admission, hung around the doors
and windows, determined to get glimpse or catch
at least tone Of the wonderful orator. whose
fame was on every bOdy's tongue.
Several preachers were on the platform, and
among the dense thrOug arose the low murmur,
made up Of thousand eager whispers, (which
is EllisY" (which is the new Whit6eldin
(which is heP which is heI" And the general
conclusion Of those who had never seen the object
Of their curiosity appeared to be that finely
formed middle-aged person, with ruddy com
plexiOn and shining bald head, was the man.
This inference grew stronger when the individual
described arose, gave out hymn, and, kneeling,
uttered an cxtempOraneous prayer Of considera-