The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1865-05-27
91Misrellalteolts.
An Incident in the Life of a Meth
odist Bishop.

: IN Dr. ClarK Lille oil blSlOp Aeuulng,
we find narrated the following incident:
Bishop Hedding was plain and humble
man. He chose only to be known as
Methodist preacher He wore the garb,
travelled in the style, and assumed the
character Of a Methodist preacher. Ac-
cordingly, when he stopped to seek lodg-
ings with his brethren, he would announce
himself simply as Methodist preacher
If this did not always secure him as cordial
reception, and as grand an entertainment,
as if he had announced himself "bishop"
instead of "preacher," it at least enabled
him to distinguish between Christian hos
pitality and hospitality to Office. ,s.,~o
While on q journey to attend one of his
conferences an incident Illustrative of this
occurred. One Saturday, toward noon, he
reached a manufacturing village, and find
ing both himself and his horse much jaded.
he concluded to remain over the Sabbath,
The preacher and his wife being both alb
sent from the parsonage, he went to the
public-house near by. After dinner he in
quired of the landlord who were the princi-
paine among the Methodists in the place;
intending to seek the hospitality of some
one Of them rather than remain at the pub
lic.house over the Sabbath. The landlord
gave him the name and pointed out the res
idence of one, who, he said, was the prin-
cipal man in the church, and also in the
village. The bishop Immediately walked
over to the house, and made known his
wish to the lady. Instead of giving him
reply, she sent for her husband. When
the man came in he introduced himself to
him as Methodist preacher on a journey,
and said that as he krew of no place he
could reach before the Sabbath, he would
like to pass it in that place if he could be
entertained. The man made no reply, but
turned the conversation to some other sub
ject After waiting reasonable time, and
no reply being made to his request, the
bishop took his hat, and said, "Good after
noon, sir" intending to return and spend
the Sabbath at the tavern. The man then
said. in cold and heartless manner, az
guess you'd better stay here" The bishop
replied, that he would like to stay if it
would not be burden to him or Instantly;
but heidid not like to make himself burden
some anywhere. go, you can stay" said
the man, with the same cold, apathetic in
difference. "Well," said the bishop, II
have horse at the tavern; have you
housekeeping ?" 81 have barn andhay,"
replied the man, "but no grain" The
bishop then said IL can procure grain at
the tavern, if you have good hay but If
your hay is not good, will keep him there,
as have o long, journey to perform" The
man replied, with some little irritability,
"The hay is good enough for your horse"
Upon this slender prospect ofhospitality
the bishop went to the tavern, procured
oats brought them in his sulky, and put,up
his horse, and took care of him while he
remained. When evening came his host
said to him--'There is prayer meeting at
the meeting house you can go, If you
please can't 60" The bishop went to
the prayer meeting, took his seat in the
and, at suitable time, pray
ed along with the other brethren. After
the meeting he returned to his lodgings,
The house of his host was large, and ele-
gantly furnished but at the hour Of rest
they sent the bishop to small, remote
chamber-far from being clean. Here he
had three apprentice boys for his compan-
ions--one Of them occupying the bed with
himself
In the morning the host, in half-inyi-
ting, half-repeeling manner, remarked that
there was to be love-feast, and inquired
if he would go. 40, yes, certainly" said
the bishop. Soon after he had taken his
seat in the congregation, the preacher came
in. He observed his host coup and speak
to the preacher, when both turned their
ewes upon him. The preacher, had seen
him before and instantly recognised him.
A fame of fire seemed to overspread the
face If his host as he skunk away to
seat. AT the request Of the preacher Bish-
on Hedding took charge of the love-feast,
and then preached for him. He also en-
Gagged to accompany the preacher and Off
ciate for him at his afternoon appointment
almost glad of the opportunity to escape
from his host at this juncture. AS soon as
the service closed, be left the church to GET
his horse. His host came up with him,
took his arm, and-halEmad, half-gracious,
and quite thoroughly confused-said, ia
nuick. impatient manner, "Why didn't you
tell me you was bishop ?" 60" said the
bishop, g l am plain Methodist preacher"
Both the man and his wife seemed com.
oleteIy overcome with modification, and
t was relief to the bishop to get away.
Perhaps after that the man remembered
he injunction of the good book, "Be care
ul to entertain strangers, for some thereby
lave entertained angels unawares.n AT all
events, he received an admonition upon
he propriety of giving, at least, a decent
reception and entertainment to the Metho-
list preachers.
RyMrs Partington says Ike has bought
! horse so spirituops that he always goes
,ff in decanter.