The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-07-01
AN EMINENT MINISTER'S FIRST SERMON

AN EMINENT MINISTER'S FIRST SERMON.
The following anecdole, III relation to
Mr.. jays early preaching, I had f'om his
own lips.
"Mr. Winter being unable, through i'll
health. to comply with an engagement to
preach few miles in the country on the
the following day Sunday. requested me
to ofliciate for him. told my tutor that
though he had given me but little time for
preparation (t then being late in the even |
ing), yet would do The best I could to ac-
quit myself Of the duty. On reaching the
village where the service was to be perform
ell quite faligued, having travelled on foot.
inquired for the residence Of Winters
friend, a wealthy farmer, who was the head
Of the religions interest of the place and
surrounding neighborhood. On arriving
there, I gave timorous rap at the door,
and on its being opened, informed the fe-
male servant that l wished to see the gen
telnan Of the house. The domestic asked
me what wanted Of her master at so late
an hour. My reply was, that Mr.. Winter
had sent me in his place to supply the chap
el on the Sunday, and desired me personal
ly to see her master on the subject. TIE
servant, after bidding ME go into kitchen.
said she would deliver my message; which
she did, with smile on her conntenance.
telling her master that Mr.. Winter had sent
farmers boy, with hobnail shoes and
worsted stockings to preach in his stead
Upon the gentleman farmer making his ap-
pearance in the kitchen. he, after cycling
me from head to foot, said: $50, my young
, friend, Mr.. Winter has sent you to preach
here; is it ?" "Yes, sir" was my reply
o The gentleman, without without entering
- into further conversation with me, said in :
low tone Of voice to his servant, overheard
q iWho will Winter send here next2" ant
then after bid.ling the servant give me some
s supper, and get bed ready for me in tn
\ top room of the house, abruptly took hi
departure.
!. THE next morning, whilst was on tn
d road on foot to the chapel to perform m
8 duties there, carriage passed by me cor
n tanning the rich farmer and his lady, VIII
d although they saw, yet would not recogniz
t, me. This slight did not much discompos
3, me; for my mind was intent upon the pr
70 paration Of my discourse, from text whir
L.l O. sn h.A hair
ht appropriate to the circumstances Of my n
@ ception, my appearance as to dress, and m
y. youth. The text was from the sixth cha
n, ter of John, ninth verse. "There is lad he
r. who hath five barley leaves and two sma
fishes" In the course Of my extempor
If neous discourse, which soon riveted II
,e deep attention Of the rural audiencesI e
claimed, "Did God despse lad who SUI
- piled the Son Of Man with food for the gre
,,o multitude, in number about FIVE thousanc
= No. Was it not lad--a rudly faced Il
ne WHO slew Golia,h the giant, and afte
wards cut off his head with the great swo
u OF that Phi!istine, thereby giving deliye
- ance TO Israeli Yes. And was it not
-. lad by whose lips God reproved the .e
cI I and hoary headed Eli Yes. Why, the
- despise lad.
.d "When Ire,iisd to the vestry, the wealt
aid farmer, who was there waiting Tor me, sho
ba me heaslily by the hand, thanked me
ba the most fattering terms for what he v
Va pleased to style my excellent discourse. 3
he. made me his guest until my departure
.u the following day. I need hardly menti
that instead of returning from the chapel
an. the gsntlsmans seaidence on foot, ! y !
md invited into the carriage. and treated !.
a. the grestest hospitality soss seol
it, hon. n Assays
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