The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1869-10-26
\ D0N1T .uE.s.S' HE.n.

The following apecdote Of Rev James
Axley. familiarly known as Old jim
my, renowned and redoubtable
preacher of East Tennessee, WAS relat-
ed by Hugh l.. White, for many years
a distinguished Judge in that state, and
afterwards q conspicuous member Of
the Federal Senate:
1t was noised through the town Of
Janesborough that Mr.. Axley would
hold forth on the morning Of the ensu-
ing Sabbath The famous divine WIS a
great favorite-- with none more than
With Judge White At the appointed
honr, the Judge in company with a
large congregation, was in attendance
at the house Of prayer All was hush
ed in expectation. Mr.. Axley entered,
and with him a clerical brother, who
was put up to preach. The congrega-
ton was composed of a border popnla-
ton; they were disappointed; this was
not the man they had come to hear;
consequently there was 60 d deal OF
misbehavior. The discourse was end
ed, and MIR. Axley rose, 1t is a custom
in the new country when two or more
preachers are present, for each of them
to have something to say. The people
think that it is a great waste OF time to
come long distance, and be put OF
with short service. have gone into
church at eight in the morning, and
not como out again till FIVE o'clock in
the afternoon. Short administrations
are the growth Of thicker settlements.
Mr.. Axley stood silently surveying
the congregation until every eye was
riyeted. He then began:
ut may be very painful duty, but
it is also very solemn one, for min
lister OF the gospel to reproye vice, mis-
conduct and sin, whenever and wher-
ever be sees it. But especially is this
his duty on Sunday and at church.
That is duty / am now about to tend
to-
"And now" continued tho reverend
gentleman, pointing with his long fin.
ger in the direction indicated, that
man sitting out yonder5 behind the
door, who got up and went out while
the brother WAS preaching, stayed out
as long as he wanted to, got his boots
covered with mud, came back and
stamped the mud off at the door, max
ing all the noise he could, on purpose
to disturb the attention Of the congre-
cation, and then took bis seat; that
man thinks mean him. No wonder he
does. 1t doesn't look AZ il be had been
raised in the white settlements, does it,
to behave that way in meeting? Now,
my frienh, l advise you TO learn better
manners before you come TO church
next time. But | don't mean him.
"And now, again pointing at his
mark, that little girl sitting there, in
the centre Of the house,--I should
Judge her to be about sixteen years old
that's her with the artificial flowers
on the outside OF her bonnet; she has g
breast PIN on, too--they were very Sc
we're upon all superHaities Of dress
she that was giggiing and chattering all
the time the brother was preaching, 80
that even the old sisters 10 the neigh
borhood couldn't hear what the broth
er was saying, though they tried to-
She thinks mean her I'm sorry from
the bottom Of my heart for any parents
who have raised girl TO her time Of
day and haven / taught her how 10 be-
have when she comes 10 church Lat
tie girl, you have diagraeed your pa.
rents as well as yourself Behave bet
ter mex, time you come, wont you. Bot
! don't mean her"
Directing Lis finger to another aim,
be said: THAT man sitting there. thai
looks a. bright and pert a. il lie never
wAa aslssp Ia bis hie, and never expect
ed 70 be, bat that just as soon a. the
preacher took his text, lad bis bead
dosn Oh the back oi lhe seat ia front Of
him. went sound hsieep, slept the whole
time and snoied; that man thinks !