The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1866-04-28
Tho Minister and tho Quakor.

An amusing story under this title has long
oeen current IN various iOrms, among good peo.
pie. An authentic statement Of ~, With nam.
aud placr, is given 10 the Presbyterian Standard
by the Hon J. X. Snowdcn tie stys that the
minister 10 question Was Rpy Robert Smith
whose fame as learned aud eloquent divine has
Teen overshidowed by tha, Of his cons, John
Blair smith and Samuel Stanhofe Smith, Presi-
dent 81 Princeton College.
DE-. Robert Smith, before Ice bscama President
o6HauP,on sydney College, was principle of
very snrccssfui classical academy nt pes,nn Pa
While here. he had near neighbor, a Friend
whom Mr. Snouden, having forgotten his real
uame calls William JOnss
Mr Smith aud Mr. Jones werr verv GOOD
friends, and oflen visited zach other the LAY.
Dr Smith said, q Friend Joves. notice that al
though we arr good friend an1 neighbors. vet
have never secn yon Ht my church, or meeting
bousc as you call i,
d" That Is very true friend Robert but Thea
knows the reason. We Quakers, a. we are call.
ed, are not ia favor Of hirellng ministry who
are educated especially foi that pnrpose We e..
,or thosc only who preach by the Spirit
Well says the Doctor, withou, entering
HI'on the first point 0f yonr objection at rrs-eui.
think eau say that We Preshyicrians follow
the teachings Of the Spirit ia our sermon. 10 the
people
oh no, friend Rol,.ri, the, knows vrry we'll
that thee prepare Thy discourse before thee enters
the pulpit
- Tha, is quite true to some extent, bu, never.
'beless can preach without such previous prep
" Well then, SAYS the Quaker ~ will try
thee will ~ 10 hear thee preach on this con
diiivn, namely, that will give thee text which
thee mrs' not see Until thee goes into the pull
pit"
" aeceP, the offer. SAYS Dr. Smith.
90 Very well, then. will 60 to thy meeting
~ Nts s,A 4 tt.
10y the sexton Hiler the has made the long prayer
which learn thee makes"
'' Tha, is not quite wha, EXPECTED when YOU
made the PROPOSITION, says Dr Smith, but I
accepi II, and will expect to see you a, the Pesua
Church next Sunday inorning.'
Dr. Smith entered his pulpit the neat Sabbath
with some anxiety. A glance over ibe conyre.
CATION showed him that his Quaker negh hbor was
there and ai the appointed time he expected the
text. lie commenced his services in his usual
manner. and after the - long prayer" be COM
Dencel 4 very long Psalm. believe II was not
The 18th Psslu throughout hut II was quite a
long Psalm.
A. soou as the pfecepior, fine singer rose
the sexton came up the Aisle. and handed ihr
preacher the text. II was from the Book OF
hkFa, LIST chapter and latter clause " the 9th
verse " Niue and twenty knives" & sharp
Rs we'll as hard one, though, tue Doctor The
singing Of the long Psalm gave him few min
IL
arose and announced his text, aud noticed many
a smile upon the faces ofhis congregation. even
some venerable elders could not preserve ih-
usual solemniiy OF their counicnances. But the
preacher proceeded With his discourse ilc
spoke briefly Of the captivity Of the Jews in Bah
ylon Of their condition there the proclama-
tion Of Cyrus of the wonderful preservation OF
The utensils ofihe Temple, which had been taken
from Jerusalem by the eon9uerefs ofJuda uone
Of the knives which were used for Staying and
preparing the sacrifices were lost mislaid. or de-
stro!Sd. They werc. said DR.. :. under the spe.
cial care aud protection Of God, and wcfu ia
due time restored 30 the Temple Iic then en-
larged upon the special Providence OF God. No;
sparrow tails withou, his notice - aud ,bo
very hair Of our heads are numbered" The
Iord knows them that are his. and nouc Of them
shail perish The Quaker was not only pleased
but be was amused and delighted
The uest day he sent for Dr. Smith to dine
With him. Amer the dinner, lie invited Dr. :.
TO take a walk around his farm. aud coming 20
pasture field 10 which we're bis cattle, he stop
ped abruptly and said d" ! was much pleased with
thy discourse, friend Robert last hrsi day
Now tbct knows, Ne fOlloN our leader George
FoS, who bore bis testimony sgains, n liir,iinc
ministry We never ray public friends but
We sometimes give them presents. ! wish 10
give Thee present have many good milch
cows. wish ihee 10 select one for ibyself
Mr.. Smith wished 20 decline the Gin bu, the
Quaker insisted, aud said ' | will b. offended at
thee " ihee refuse -
The Doctor having no,iced small and III
looking COW, said, Well, II I must take oue OF
the cows, will take that small red COW point.
ing 10 the one he bad noticed. and which hc
suppostd 10 he the least valuable.
Well, do profess, says friend Jones. " iheo
does not only preach by the Spirit but thee can
choose by the Spirit that little red COW is the
besi ono have my wife would no, sell IL FOR
Sioo bu, thee shali have IT,
Aud accordingly the same evening tie little
COW vas drSen 10 the manse, and proved to
be valuable acquisition to the dominic's dairy