Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1869-09-09
81 Don't Mean Him. .

4 - y
"Old Jimmy" a renowned and re.
doubtable preacher of East Tennes-
see, was related by Hugh L. White,
for many years a distinguished
Judge in this State, and after
ward a conspicuous member of the
Federal Senate.
1t was noised through the town
of Jonesborough that Mr.. Axley
would hold forth on the ensuing
Sabbath. The famous divine was
a great favorite-with none more
than Judge White. Az the appoin-
ted hour, the Judge in company
with large congregation, was in
attendance at the house of prayer.
All was hushed in expectance.-
Mr.. Axley entered, but with him a
clerical brother who was "put up"
to preach. The congregation was
composed of border population /;
they were disappointed; this was
not the man they had. come to
hear; consequently there was a
good deal of misbehavior. The
discourse was ended, and Mr.. Ak
ley rose. 1t is custom in the
new country when two or more
preachers arc present, for each of
them to have something to say.
The people opine that it's a great
waste of time to come a long dis
tance, and be put off with a short
service. | have gone into church
at s o'clock in the morning, and
have not come out again until b o.
clock in the afternoon. Short
are the growth of
thicker settlements.
Mr.. Axley stood silently survey,
ing the congregation, until every
eye was riveted. He then began i
''It may be a very painfal du-
ty, but 1t is very solemn one, for
a minister to rebuke misconduct
and sin, whenever and wherever
he sees it. But especially is this
bis duty on Sunday and at church.
This is a duty l am now about to
attend to.
Sand now" continued the reve-
rend speaker, pointing out his long
finger in the direction indicated,
'that man sitting out yonder, be-
hind the door, who got up and
went out while the brother was
preaching, stayed out as long as
ne wanted to, got his boots full of
mud, came back and stamped
he mud off at the door, making
Ill the noise he could, on purpose
% disturb the congregation, and
hen he took his seat that man
links | mean him. No wonder
le does. 1t don't look as if he had
,een raised In the white settle
does it, to behave this way Z
It meeting? Now, my friend, Id {
advise you to learn better manners
before you come to church next
.ime. But l don't mean him." Il
"And now," again pointing at
lis mark, "that little girl sitting
here about half way of the house
Il should judge her to be about
ixteen years old-that's her with
he artificial flowers on the out
ide of her bonnet and the inside
# her bonnet; she has a breastpin
IN, too, (they were very severe on |
ii superauities of Dress she that
vas giggling and chattering all the !
ime the brother was preaching,
q that even the older sisters in
he neighborhood couldn't hear !
What he was saying, though they Il
ried to. She thinks | mean her, '
m sorry from the bottom of my
leart for any parents who have !
lave raised a girl TO her time |
# day, and haven't taught her 6
low to behave when she comes S
o church. Little girl, you have {
Iisgraeed your parents, aswell as
Behave better next time,
Won't you? Bat I don't mean her."
Directing his finger to another
i'm, he said:
"That man sitting there, that
ooks 50 bright and pert as if he !