The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1859-02-09
NUMBER r. 1856.
-, From he Rasheti,e Republican.
Pencil Sketches of Noted Men.
REV. JAMES HAyENs.

q Z
A rather amusing anecdete is told of Mr..
Hagens, which took place while he was on
his first circuit-that composed of Brown,
Ripley, and part of Adams and Highland
counties, Ohio Near one of his regular ap-
pointments, on one of these circuits, lived
minister of certain denomination, which
we will not mention, who had been in the
| habit OF attending the service of the NJ. E.
Church, and, at its conclusion, of challeng-
ing the minister in charge for debate. He
had attended one or two of Mr.. Hayen's an
pointments, and at the close of one of them.
arose and challenged him TO debate. Our
/ young minister accepted the challenge, with
the understanding that they were to preach
one sermenseaeh, the challenger opening the
discussion, and each to reply in fifteen min
ute addresses Until both parties were salts
fed. Some few weeks after the contestants
met according to appointment. The chal-
lenger arose and read his text from the
Greek Testamant, and in the course of his
remarks, displayed great and profound
learning. Indeed, in point of education, he
had much the advantage of Mr.. Hayens,
| made many quotations from the Greek Tes-
| lament which be constantly kept before his
eyes. But our young friend, who paid deep
attention to the discourse of his opponent,
was not to be outdone in his quotations of
"high sounding words In long inter
course with the Pottowatamie tribe of In
dians he adlearned many wordsand phrases
peculiar to that wild tribe of people, and in
hls reply, he, OF course, let them out They
probably had no reference whatever to the
SUBJECT, but they accomplished what he
wished, and had the desired effect upon the
audience. lie appealed to the audience,
and asked them if they understood what he
had said. OF course, not one of them could
comprehend a word he had uttered. He
then asked them if they understood what
his opponent had said, but they were equal
ly ignorant on this point He then stated
that the language he had quoted was a
aoing one, spoken yet by many people, but
that which his friend had used was dead.
obsolete, and spoken and used by no people
under the sun. 1t had been dead for many
centuries: then, why should he use it p
Let the simple minded people before him
answer the question: This little coup de
main was sufficient. The audience looked
upon him as the greater man of the two
He read his text in a calm voice, and then
delivered his sermon, but his oppone mt fail
ed to make any reply. Our young minister
was the victor, and glorious victory he had
won. His combatant never again challeng-
ed a minister of the Methodist persuasion.
While on this circuit an incident occurred
In which the object of our sketch PLAYED a
conspicuous part that is worth relating. 1t
displays, in an eminent degree, the great
moral courage of which he is possessed
An avowed infdel, a gentleman of great
wealth, lived in one of the counties of
whicn his extensive circuit was composed
His wife was an estimable and very intelli-
gent lady, and was in the last stages of
pulmonary disease. She was awarea that
her end was near. and desired tn saa . mi
mister before earth closed to her forever
But heE husband, very severe and hard
hearted man, and wicked withal, would not
listen to her entreaties. minister in the
neighborhood, causually hearing of her de-
sire to converse with one of his profession,
had attempted to visit her, but was repulsed
by the husband, and had to fly for his life.
AT an appointment of Mr. Havens, some six
miles distant from this gentleman's resi-
denee, this circumstance reached his ear
and he no sooner heard it than he deter
mined to pay the lady visit, let the conse-
quenees be what they might The man was
known throughout the country as great
desperate, and it took great deal of per-
accompany him. He finally succeeded.
however, and he and his companion saddIed
their horses and started on what seemed to
those present a very perilous and fool-hardy
journey. They arrived at the end of their
journey just before sundown, and, hitching
their horses at the gate, proceeded towards
the house. They entered it, and on bed
in small room, they found the dying lady.
Her mild blue eyes, now deeply sunken and
faded, her high, arching forehead, and the
traces of beauty and intelligence yet visible
In her wan and wasted countenance, gave
evidence of a mind of no ordinary mould
Her long, black, hair clustered about
her BROW and shoulders, and negligently
covered the pillows on which she rested
She aroused herself on the entrance of the
visitors, and after the object of their visit
was stated, she extended her emaciated
hand to Mr.. Hayens. Joy and sorrow were
both mingled in her look With sweet
and musical voice she said
Il am very, very glad to see you, but [
am afraid my husband will abuse you if he
should come in before you departH
He replied that she need give herself no
uneasiness on his account, as he had come
prepared for any emergency He then en-
tered into conversation with her on the sub
ject of her present condition and future des-
tiny. He found her deeply penitent and
most ardently desirous of preparations for
her approaching dissolution. He exhorted
and prayed with her for some time. and
finally, as her husband did not come in, he
requested his friend TO go out and put their
horses in the stable, which he did. He still
remained and conversed with the lady, who
seemed to dread the approach of her hus-
band. He again reassured her, and told
her that he was willing to trust the result
with God alone, who would do all things
right and as seemeth best in His Judgment.
After awhile her husband made his appear-
ance, and she informed him who Mr.. Ha-
vens was, and the object of his visit. He
cast look at the young minister who sat
near the bed of his wife-the look of tiger
when it is about to spring upon its prev
and said Ill .I - ~
" A preacher, hal Well, sir, who sent
for you2 .e. 4s.' -
:" No one, sir, replied Mr.. Havens firmly.
" heard of the great affliction of your
lady, and considered it my duty TO visit
her." .r -.
Wall -, IL,