The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1859-06-02
Cbolre Rfa0inQ.
From the Central CbrjStida .1duocqte.
TEsc New Preacher

Ekso New Preacher
Every travelling Methodist preacher has
to stand two examinations yearly, proyd-
ed he moves every year. One of these
examinations is conducted by his brother
preachers at conference the other by the
brethren and sisters; saints and sinners,
aud the balance Of mankind on his new
work He receives but little "material
aid" from the people he is beginning to
serve, till they have tried him-till they
know whether he will work and how, and
forty other ct c@teras. Nearly every
body must know all about the new preach
or before they can part with any Of their
cherished and u.uch loved cash for his
support They must know where he
came from; what circuits or stations he
mas filed; and when he was at this or that
place. If he has been in a big place, that
settles the question with many, and they
admit him as a big preacher, and entitled
to a b'g pile ofquarterage. Others must
know whether he has had reyivals here
tofore How many has he taken into
/ the Church :" " How many church
buildings has he erected 2" Is he col
/ lege learned? 7" Does he preach oEhand
or with notes 2" G.. Don mt like them
preachers what has to have the heads,
tails, and bones of their whole sermint
writ down. suggests another.l "Is he
good at prayer meeting? ?' "Does he
pray right up into heaven, warm and ear
nest, Or are his prayers like a look, dry,
sleepy, and particular 7" How does he
lead class?" " "Humph :" says another,
"Detter ask whether he leads class at all -
!. Does he always beg for money il every
discoursc?" ''Is he always trying to
coax a body, and their children to sub
scribe for them Adceycotes p Does he
visit much ?" "Or does he just visit
the rich and let us poor folks take care Of
ourselves 7" "Eh." says another, "bet-
ter let him do all he can for the rich, for
it is a great deal harder for them to get
to heaven than for the poor; just as 1t is
harder for camel to 60 through the eye
of a needle, than for gnat. lis be
friendly with the outsiders ?' q Is he
strong agin the CampbelIites good many
of them in our neighborhood. and ,hey
have right smart preac. ers among 'em
sometimes, and d like to see 'em whip
ped" Another is ditto in reference to
.he UniversaIists in his peighborhood.
Does he administer Discipline
We've got forty Methodists on this cir
cult that ought to be turned out They
don't attend class they go to preaching
only about four or five times year. Some
drink whisky, a little, | think; at any
rate they're seen about where whisky is
plentlfuIy drank, and seem to enjoy them
selves there Some cheat. Hope the
new preacher will draw the slack reins of
government, and turn 'eIl out"
The Church needs purglng, "Does
he preach the terrors of the law ?" as
he a gooi exhortcr2" GLOW is he in a
protracted meeting?" as he an old
fashioned Methodist? fraid he is mt, for
his bosom pleated, and his neck hand
kerchsf is tied in bow-knot, and he's
got Whiskers after thevain pomp and show
of this world. All, me I'm afeerd he'll
not preach agin them new-fangled abom-
nations of bonnets, which are no bigger
than two bows of ribbon, with twist
of artiicials about them; and them
great spreading hoops which always put
me in mind Of the monstrous philactaries
Of Pharisees."
These are few of the questions pro-
pounded, and thoughts suggested IN ref
erence to the new preacher" Some of
them are answered and some arc unan-
swered Some Of the questions and sug
gestions are gratiied and satisfied, and. OF
course, some are dissatisfied The man
who would be popular with A, would be
unpopular with B A. rejoioes, and rubs
his hands with thankfuiness, and blesses
the Lord, the bishop, and the presiding
elder, aud goes into pious panegyric on
the superior wisdom Of the appointing
nower. B. sighs and looks solemn. shakes