The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1865-02-04

lly, and eloquent divine. he had grea.
command of language, was quick at ser.
mon making, had abundant experience o1
men and things, and had long been sue
cessful preacher Of the gospel when he be
came DR.. Stillman. He seemed to preach
bounded popularity, the crowds that dock-
ed to hear him hanging with delight on
his words that distilled like honey from the
eloquent lips. Yet, notwithstanding all
this, for the encouragement, suppose, Of
new beginners, barrenly educated, per-
chance, and difiident, and to show that the
ablest ministers need apprec.stiye words,
pull, and when he did have them, they were
hard enough. at least, so it seemed % him.
Though heard with yapt attention, yet to
himself his feelings seemed paraly Zed he
had not his liberty; his thoughts could
neither Fly nor go. As the good DR.. Sharp
was wont to say, when he had good seq
mon awaiting delivery, and good con-
II could not get my sails up SO with DR..
Stillman, fhe could not set his sails up,
he would be exceedingly mortified and
dissatisfied. It covered him at the time
with profuse sweat, made him glad when
he had done, led him to tarry in the pulpit
till the people had gene out; then he
would take an obscure way home, hurry
heart.
One bright, clear day. in the presence Of
q numerous and expectant congregation,
he arose to preach. He had performed the
preliminary services with his usual leryor,
he had his usual preparation, and was in
mood for good time, but spell was up
on him. He felt like one beating the air.
He kept on talking, however, saying all
the good things he could from his text, but
could make no Roadway. His feelings
were cramped, his words fingered on his
tongue. He struggled against wind and
tide with feeble sail. Thus he passed his
hour, driven hither and thither, hardly
able to::hold his course. He finally closed,
with scarcely an inference or an appeal,
aud glad was he when his task was over.
He tarried behind till the last bearer had
left the house; he then went out softly,
threaded the narrow, out-of-the.way lanes
of the city, till he reached his dwelling,
then went straight to his chamber, cast
himself on the bed, declined his dinner,
and sent for Pcmpey, his colored servant.
"Pompey," said he, II am too sick to
go as quick as possible and get Brother
to preach for me this afternoon
'.Yes, DOCTOR" answe cred the negro, start
ing toward the door ''but I'd rather not,
doctor, twill be dreadful disappointment
to de people,"
"What is that you say ?" asked the doc
tor.
'.Why de people were all SO much edited
and pleased wild the forenoon's sermon,
twill be dreadful disappointment. /
overhear de brethren and sisters praise de
discourse so much Brother Stimson' an
Sister Jones and all de folks say dey
never hear the doctor preach so well,-
seem a. If every word come right from
heaven"
The discouraged pastor listened most at
tentiveso the words Of the sagacious black,
and passed into . brown study; mean
while Pompey started for the door again.
"Stop," said he,--'stopa minute, Pom.
pey think feel little better"
Pompey fingered and repeated with en-
phasis the words Of the admiring brethren
and sisters. BY that time the adlicted
man had nearly recovered.
.pompey,,, said he, II gusss-1 guess-1
tite returned at once; he went to dinner,
and soon after to the pulpit, where deliver
ed one Of the most powerful discourses,
spreading all his sails, and it seemed not
only to the people but to himself az If every
word was right from heaven.-Home Nag
02ise.