The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-08-25
From the Sunday Times.
The Western Pulpit.
BY CHARLES sUMMERFIELD.

BY CHARLES SUMMERFIELD.
In the month Of October, 1880, protract-
ed meeting was held by the Methodists in
the town Of Lawrenceburg, on the Ohio river,
in the State Of Indiana. AS the occasion had
been previously published for some weeks,
And the flames of vehement revival had
been gradually extending throughout the ad-
jacent country for considerable time, an
immense concourse attended, many from idle
curiosity as mere spectators of an exciting
drama, but others to benefit by the minis
STATIONS of divine mercy, which they desired
and anticipated with so much ardor.
Friday and Saturday of the meeting which
! mention, had passed with considerable
exhibitions of feeling, and large accessions to
the class of mourners, especially on the last
night. Sunday morning had now arrived,
and never did more beautiful Sabbath dawn
even on the radiant horizon OF poets dream
The air was still as mi,lnight-mild, sunny,
and tinged with the sweet haze Of Indian
summer; and the beams of the cloudlcss day
sfell softly down on field and river, like rays
sof light from the eyes of timid lover on the
chaste cheek of the maiden of his choice
4 At an early hour the solemn chime of some
sdeep-toned bells fang the flying notes of
mournful music far away over hill and val
ley, till the fainting echoes died out is whis-
pered murmurs among distant mountains.
But even before the first peal that summoned
worshippers to the place of prayer, the vast
sframc church had been filed to overfowing
with an impatient multitude, intent to hear
the sermon Of the bishop, the celebrated Soul,
who was expected to make one of his master
ly efforts, and thus to inaugurate the revival
sin all its glory.
Accordingly, at eleven by the clock, the
favorite minister ascended the sacred plat
form, and, after singing an appropriate hymn,
in which the congregation joined with their
thousand noises, addressed an extempora-
neous petition to the throne of Divine Mer-
cy so devout, so earnest, so replete with aw-
full solemnity, that it sounded more like the
inspired effusion of some old prophet than
the invocation of modern preacher. He
then arose from his kneeling posture, and
opened the large Bible to announce the text
for his discourse, when singular Interrupt
ton occurred to prevent it, a Egss
A youthful stranger was seen to enter the
door, and, without pausing an instant, to ad-
vance calmly up the aisle in the direction OF
the pulpit. There was something so pccu-
liarly striking in the mans appearance as to
arrest and rivet every eye in the assembly.
He possessed the medium height, with a form
Of matchlcss symmetry and grace; features
smooth as sculptured marble, and faultless
as the ideal of antique statuary, with that
rich and rare complexion blending the pale
hues Of thought with the rosy tints OF health
and happy life. His forehead was broad,
soaring, and full Of majesty As any that ever
wore crown and his hair, black and glossy
as the ravens plumage, flowed around his
fine neck in waving ringlets-a sight suiii.
cient to inflame any woman's heart with en-
Wy or with love. His face was proud, haugh-
ty, and immovabiy tranquil, as if he recog.
Missed no other existence capable Of giving him
either pain or pleasure; but his dark brilliant
eyes flashed with the restless lightnings OF
human passion, and betrayed the ambitious
candidate for boundless fame. As be ap.
preached the desk Of the clcrgymen, he might
have been supposed to be one of them; but
this assumption was belied by his dress
costly, glittering, and in the latest fashion.
There was no cut Of the parsons cloth about
him. He looked rather like French petit
nsAitrs, or some fop Of lawyer fonder Of
bright eyes than Of Blackstone. f5EEE
He took his seat on the bench among the
ministMswitha . sort Of imperial air, manifest
ing the consciousness of his meastlrcless SUI.
periority above them all. The surprise and
sastcnishment Of the audience may veil be
conceived when the bishop, closing his book,
dsrepded from theplstform, and, shaking the
Strangers hand warmly, whispered several
%ninItes in his ear. The wonder increased
- the latter mounted the pulpit to occupy
the great mans place. A murmur ian inn
mediately through the crowd, and few along
the elevated galleries. is he ?-who