The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1858-08-27
REV. JOHN NEWLAND MAFFITT.
rFrom the Sunday Delta1

adventure, vicssitude and glory-the cele-
was the Whitfield of the American Pulpit -
From the Pen0bscot to the Colorado, from
Gaena to the pillars of the Capital, the fame
and victories of the orator Oscilated like the
Indian Ocean, the ebb and flow OF which,
resembled most Of the times when Wesley
used to preach in England. Scarcely even
in the Papal City, did one man exercise n
more potent influence, than in his mid career,
did John Newland Mntiitt. Wherever he
vent, whether in the crowded metropolis, or
hushed wilderness; whether the religious at
mosphere was cold or hot. it was one contin.
Friendship converted into feeling akin to
alteration and enemies were metamorphosed
into friends.
He had but one hobby--it was that of the
Cross-as il the vision of Constantine was
forever before his eyes, the preacher held in
the heaven of his soul, the august and hal
lowed Emblem. Like the Roman Emperor,
he beheld Inscribed upon it, in letters of in
effable beauty: "In this we conquer"
Men recognised him everywhere man,
and in that man the einspiration of an Apostle.
He accomplished what Genius accomplish
es among "every nation, tongue and people"
1t is idle to ssy, that radically corrupt be-
ing-a cheat, hypocrite-a knavc clothed in
sacerdota habiliments could have met with
such unbroken triumphs the moment his feet
touched the porlico of the Church. Frail'
les, unquestonable, he had, but who had
greater temptations laid to ensnare and en-
trap him? CaIumny rose up like II mountain
in his path-people OF infinite turptude-
enemies thousand fold more venomous
than vipers, hssed with poisonous and forked
fangs-but he trod upon and trampled them
down and stood as erect and compliment as
everl Mirabeau thundered down the mur-
murs around the French Trbune-this man,
rebuked, withered, excoriated, but it was in
the language Of the sermon on the Mount
when the Divine Nazarene checked the inso-
lence of the Scribes and Phnrisees!
At length far away in the land of Ben-
vile, hunted down, with faded reputation
stricken and i'll, but with unblenching spirit
and unabatei fire, the orator of IL quarter of
u century lay dawn to die! The malaria of
death was in his nostris and the inevitable.
hour had come. Would he swing loose with
out hope Of immortality? Would he dash
hradlong into the vast ocean of eternity,
when the bosom of the great deep was swell
inr, distorted, bursting in the agony of the
storm! Or, would he leave tbs world with
that tranquil ehivalry which always churnc-
terses the Christian worshlpper? Silence!-
Genius is upon the rack!
With his dying breath he declared himself
illuminated man. Thou slanderer think
of that. He said that during his pastoral
life, he had been guilty Of many frivolous but
no criminal acts--torgave his enemies, ex-
pressed an unalterable trust in the Maker of
Stars, and did not doubt out that all would
be well!
Thus passed away John Newland Maffitt;
and if the reader will visit Toulminvilr, from
whence can be seen the spires of Mobile, in
m unobtrusive grave in that tranquil village,
his eyes will rest upon the spot where sleeps
the most splendid Pulpi, Orator likely to be
seen in half century to come! The star
which arose in the Fast, over the bright wa
ters of the Shannon, eliminated in the
American heavens, and went down in the
West.
Upon n post-mortem examination, the left
wall of the heart was found to be worn to
the consisience of thin paper. The physi-
cinn schooled in subletics would give this
condition Of the heart n term known in the
medical science, but we have n much less
technical name for disaster like this, hap
pening under the circumstances to the great
organ OF life. Sensitive feelings, in n deli
cate organization, long and powerfully work.
ed upon, struggling against Islander and vitu-
peration, which, creating emotions of nm
guish almost unutterabe, sending the Grim
son tide with seething violence ealong-might
"break" the heart and "loosen the silver
cord"
With few words about Mr.. Mailits pow
ers of oratory and we have done. He was
an orator. 1t was "action, ac-
ton, nctionl" that made him "vitnl in every
part" in the pulpit lie has been accused of
theatrical gesture, tone and attitude. Grant
I'd. Where do we look for accomplished
fautless attitude and gesticula-
lion. pleasing vocal infections, but to the
actor and the thentrel One may be eloquent,
hut vet no orator. Demosthenes, Chatham,
Patrick Henry were orators, and Nlaflitt mod
erd after tho great masters. lie spoke with
The inspiration of Isniah-nl the emotions,
nl passions were before the eye, upon an in
tensified canvass.
He had not, like Baseomb n world range
Of thought, n power like that of the old gi'
ants who threw mountains at the gods; nor
had he voice like him, deep, sonorous and
uprising rs Handel anthem, rolling its or
gan thunder
"Through the long drawn aisle and fretted vault"
until he reached the sublimity oi eloQurnre,
nj stood before the assembled audience the
papilatng messenger, sent hither