The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-05-10
A Good Story.

n "OOu SLOf1.
DR.. Robert Smith, before he became Prcsi-
dent OF Hampden Sydney College, was prin-
cipal OF very successful classical, academy at
Pequea, Pennsylvania. While here he had
near neighbor, Friend whom Mr. Snowden
having forgotten his real name, calls William
Jones
DIR: Smith and Mr. Jones were very good
trends and often visited each other. One day
Or smith sad: Friend Jones, | notice
that although we are good friends and neigh
bors, yet have never seen YOU at INV church
or meeting house as you call it," THAT is
very true, my friend Robert, but thee know.
the reason. We Quakers, as we are called
are not in favor of hireling ministry, who
are educated especially for that purpose. We
favor those only who preach by the spirit
| "Well says the Doctor, without entering
upon the first point Of your objection at pre-
sent, think can say that we Presbyterians
follow the teaching Of the Spirit in our sermons
to the people" 90, no, friend Robert thee
knows very we'll that thee enters the
pulpit" THAT is right to some extent, but
nevertheless ! can preach without such pre-
yious preparation "Well. then" says the
Quaker, II will try thee will 90 to hear
thee preach on this condition, namely that
will give thee text which thee must not see
until thee goes into the pulpit" Il accept
the offer, says Dr. Smith. Every well, then,
| will go to thy meeting house next first day,
and will send up the text by the sexton after
thee has made the long prayer, which I learn
thee makes. .''That sir is not quite what ex-
pected when you made the proposition" says
DR.. Smith, ''but [ accept it and will expect
to see you at the Pequea church next Sunday
morning"
Dr. Smith entered his pulpit the next Sab
bath with some anxiety glance over the
congregation showed him that his Quaker
neighbor was there, and at the appointed
time he expected the text. He commenced
his services in his usual manner, and after the
long prayer he commenced very long
psalm. ! believe it was not the 10th psalm
throughout, but it was quite long one As
soon as the preceptor, or fine singer rose the
sexton came up the aisle, and handed tina
preacher the text. 1t was from the book of
Ezra, LIST Chapter, and latter clause of the 9th
verse: Nine and twenty knives" A sharp,
as we'll as hard text, thought the Doctor.
The singing of the long psalm gave him few
minutes for reflection when that was ended,
he arose and announced his text, noticed many
smile upon the faces of his congregations
even some venerable elders could not preserve
eiio Usual ao1etiiblty VI tHelr COuutendQC6Ss
But the preacher proceeded with his discourse.
in Babylon; of their condition there the
proclamation of Cyrus; of the wonderful pre-
servation of the utentials of the temple,
which had been taken from Jerusalem by the
conquerors of Judea none of the knives
which were used for staying and preparing
the sacrifices were lost, mislaid or destroyed.
They WERE said Dr. Smith, under the special
care and protection of God, and were, in due
time restored to the Temple. He then en-
larged upon the special providence of God.
I" Not a sparrow falls without his notice;
=" and the very hairs of our heads are number
ed" The Lord knows them that are his,
and none of them shall perish" The Quaker
was not only pleased but he was aroused and
delighted
The next day he sent for Dr. Smith to dine
with him. After dinner he invited DR. Smith
to take walk around his farm, and coming
to pasture field, in which were his cattle, be
stopped abruptly, and said, e. was much
pleased with thy discourse, friend Robert, last
first day. Now, thee knows, we follow our
leader George Fox, who bore his testimony
against hireling ministry we never pay
our public friends, but we sometimes give
them presents. Iwish to givethee present
I have many good mich cows I wish thee
to select one for myself" DR. Smith wished
to decline the gift, but the Quaker insisted,
and said, {" will be offended at thee if thee
refuse" The Doctor having noticed a small
and Unlocking COW, said Well, if I must
take one of the COWS, will take that small
red COW" pointing to the one he had noticed,
and which he supposed to be the least valua-
bic ''Well do profess said friend Jones,
L" thee does not only preach by the Spirit, but
thee can choose 9y the spirit; that little red
COW is the best one [ have my wife would
not sell it for one hundred dollars but thee
shall have it," And accordingly, the same
evening the little COW was driven to the
manse !" and proved to be a valuable &C
QUESTION to the domine's Christian
htelligencer.