Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-11-10
Clerical Pedantry.
BY ALLEN M. SCOTT

Pedantry means an attempt to display learn- ing, merely for the sake of display, or to gain the credit of being learned. It is always in bad taste-but in no one does it appear so dis gustlng as Tn minister of the Gospel, especially when he is ministerng in holy things.
 A certain pedantlc clergyman, not long since, was preaching before large and intelligent congregation, pouring forth the thunders of violated law, and dealing in divine vengeance. In addressing himself to those who were m- penitent, he said, "Ah. my friends, if you die as you are, you will be cast into fire, which all the waters of lake Chimborazo could never extinguish.''
 Another, speaking of the city of Jerusalem, said, that it was tLe oldest, but not the largest city of Europe.
 Some years ago preacher, whom shall call Benton, came to a camp meeting which 1 was attending, near the town of H.. He was a stranger, but claimed to be a regular graduate, and this he seemed desirous that everybody should know. No one could have conversed with him ten minutes upon any subject with. out perceiving that Benton's object was to convey the idea that he was man of exten- sive erudition.
 He was invited to preach, and occupied the stand at three o'clock in the afternoon, there being very large audience and no small share of intelligence before him.
 shall never forget his ostentaton He gave out hymn by memory, although the hymn book lay on the stand. His whole manner his very movement seemed to say, Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm no common mortal."
 Without opening book, he announced his text from NJ lrk, xvi. 16 He read it thus: He that belieyeth and is baptised shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be c0nlenno, co'denlnare conlemnavi, condemnation, or, as the -,-'---i -~slSt oo'J, s--- |
 paragraph or two from his ntroduvurur VIII serve as a specimen of his pedantry. It ran after the following manner:
 My brethring, let me say to you that am not seeking your money, for have as much of that article as most men. 1 have farm all covered with niggers, (which comes from the Latin niger black,) away down in Georgia, but l have left all to preach the ever blessed sos- pei. have been offered great salary to teach in different colleges, but have determined to spend my life preaching.
 "Brethring Pm not after your honor: Fve as much of that as the next man. I'm de- scendant of Mir. Wesley, and nephew of sena- tor Benton, of Missouri. Senator, my breth- ring, comes from sener, an old man. I'm hon. ored with the name of both these great men. My names John Wesley Benton, but people generally call me passen Benton.
 ' It is probable, my beloveds that you'll not hear as grammatical discourse as that which was delivered this morning. The preacher that had oificiated that morning. had some re- putation as grammarian. But, I'm of the opinion that my sermons will be as much in ac- cordance with the dictionary of the Holy Ghost. Sermon, brethring, comes from sernao, a speech.
 Il shall endeevour, my feler sinners, to bring down my ideas to the compacity of all that hear me. It's true that Pm man of learning, regular graduate from college, with all the degrees it could confer. It's true, my brethring, that can speak with tongues, and know all the sciences and arts; but I remember. that an old Jewish philosopher, whose name was Homer, (which is derived from homo, man) used to say, that when in Rome we must do as Rome does"
 Enough! The above is a true specimen of his style and pronunciation, as far as we can transfer these to paper. His sermon was in Keeping with the paragraphs here given. He was base imposter Time revealed the fact, that Instead of having " farm aud niggers' in Georg'a, he had poor, broken hearted wife, and several little children there, whom he had lett to shift for themselves.