Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1860-06-25
[From thos Louis Review.l
MY FIRST AND LAST SERMON.

BY SOL SMITH.
The title of ''Reverend' has frequently been
tackled to my name on letters addressed to me
and reports have been circulated that during
my peregrinations, | have been in that habit
of holding forth to congregations of sinners.
The truth Of the matter is, ! never preached
but one regular built sermon in my life, with
the exception of an Address to the Encamp-
mont of Patriarchs, and the Lodges of Odd
Fellows, from the pulpit of the Unitarian
Church, in Mobile, andsN few remarks to
congregation Of passengers, on the taking up
a collection for a poor woman on the Alabama
river, many years ago The following sketch
will contain a true and faithful account OF my
whole ministerial experience.
As preliminary, it must be known that my
brother, who had succeeded me as the mana
ger of the West Tennessee theaters, where |
had accepted an engagement in New Orleans,
with the Emperor, (as we called manager
CaldwelD in answer to the numerous and pres
sing enquiries respecting the whereabouts of
"Old Sol had universally asserted that had
been converted and had gone to preaching
By this answer he got rid of any further en-
quiries from the West 'Henncsseeans, who had
been accustomed to laugh at my stagejokcs
for wonder succeeded 10 curiosity, and many
a smile accompanied the astounding iRforma-
ton. is it possible ~ ''Who would have
thought of his turning preaciFr-'F can
scarcely believe il II wOulFslike to see
him try his hand at" were Some of the eStila-
nations called forth by my reported conveI-
sion. Requesting the reader to remember
that | was totally ignorant of these reports of
my backslidng from the stage, / shall proceed
with my story
My brothor and his company were at Mem
phis where | had an engagement of six
nights A week before the close Of our en-
gagemeut in Nashville, | obtained leave TO
commence my southern journey giving myself
time to fulfil my promise to my brother, and
yet be ready at my post at the commencement
of the campaign in New Orleans.
About O'Clock one afternoon, the stage
coach stopped at the village Of B..
where had performed the year before, and
where | was well known to eveyman, woman,
and child for six miles round The landlord
expressed great joy at meeting me, and ush'
cred me, with great respect and ceremony
into the family parlnr whore he left me for q
few moments to attend to the other guests
The landlady and her daughters received me
T with great cordialty, but could not help OBJ
serving a sort of seriousness in their eounte
nauces which had never seen before Ms
cloak was hung up, and my oversh6es taker
care of--the fire was stirred uI,-and, in short
l found myself very comfortable, and 1 fell
assured, by every action Of my host and hii
family, that was considered somebody
Dinner was soon announced and ! aros,
to Join the general rush for the diniug-room
but the laudlady iuterposed with pressin,
, invitation that ! would join the family dinner
! which would he ready in about ten minutes
A most superior meal soon engaged my atier
tion in room adjoining the parlor--with
cup Of excellent tea, than which / know G
nothing more refreshing while travelling,