Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1860-06-25

pied, and was pleased that the fair Of The
village were numeronsly represented, the
press for admission had evidently been so
great that the door-keeper had abandoned
bis post for saw no one acting in that ca
pacity
Gascepdcdto the Judges seat aud my two
attendants took their seats in the clerk place
beneath.
] bent dowhmy hoad behind soft of screen
HAT was iu front of me, to call 10 my rocul-
lection tli words Of my first song Z had not
been in this situation bntn few minutes, when
my ears were greeted with the following words
uttered by one Of The pi5is looking gentleman
beneath me.
"Iet rs commence our worship this even
ing by singing the one hundredth PSALM long
metre.
If f5iad been struck with thunderbolt
could NOT have been moro astounded unless
utterly anuihlated Before ! could recover
from my stupiiication, the reading of psalm
had been gone through with and the whole
audience commenced singing it to the tune Of
Old Hundred
raised my eyes to the desk before me, aud
found there d bible, u hymn book and glass
Of water The landlord being near me, beck
pued him to me, and asked him in whisper
what was expected of me ''Egpected ofvou21
he answered, with glistening and expecting
eyes" "erpeoted of you?-why we expect Of
you a first rate, right upand-down Orthodox
SejmoB--and don't reckon wen be much
disappointed, either
The murder was OUT Twas through it all.
But what was to do2 To gain time (the
singing beng concludcd,) / leaned forward
and requested one of my DedcoHS to so ahead
q, ~
about me, and most sincerely PRAYED for a
happy deliverance from my singular situation.
Before the conclusion of the prayer, / had
ing, and I dd n
] had not time to select a text, but opening
the bible at lop-halard, read the following
words, which announced MS the ground work
OF my discourse
F" ll'e are pcrP'cced, dut not in despair
"a Corinthians ~. 8.
will not attempt 70 give even an outline of
my discourse. | spoke with the utmost sim
cerity, and'soon found that taking TRUTH for
my guide, there was no great difficulty in my
undertaking. Twill not say anything of the
orthodoxy Of my sermon, but trust there was
nothing advanced by that temporary preacher,
calculated to lead any of that crowded con
gregatlon out Of the path of heaven.
At the conclusion of my discourse hymn
was sung during which heard a considern-
Die Of a Gathering which Sounded very much
ike coin falling Into plates, and with strong
voice | pronounced the benediction dismiss
ing the congregation to their several homes.
The landlord and my deacons reported that
they had collected forty-odd dollars, which TO
their great surprise directed them to apply to
Charitable purposes.
At o'clock the following morning, Squire
Jones was ready with his wagon and team,
The landlord would not take any thing for
my dinner supperand lodging, declaring him
more than paid by what he was pleased to
term my excellent sermon.
Let not bigots and the regular clergy ac-
cuse me Of making mock of religion, or of
soothing at its forms | spoke not word du-
ringVy forced ministry of one night that /
lid not relgousy believe to be rRuE-and
shouidA ever leave my present profession for
the pulpit, (Which | ttisainly sbhllnot do un-
less under a solemn conyiction,) shall re-
member without any feelings of regret MY
FIRST AND LIST SERMON.
] arrived in Memphis in time to commence
my theatrical engagement on the night follow
ing, and was greeted by a large audience,
though by no means 50 crowded a one as that
which witnessed my first appearance in the pull
nit