The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-10

cribed to me by plain old farmer in nearly
the following words. Said he, 81 set ou
one day while living in Kentucky in com
pany with a neighbor who was an old Hard
Shell Baptist, to 60 to town not far off tt
sell some produce. When we reached thc
place, we were told that Gideon Blackburn
was to preach in few minutes in q school
house near al hand. 1 said to my old friend
Let US leave our teams here, and go to heal
him. 'Oh no, shid he, these Presbyte
rians will make US pay for listening to them,
and can't afford it. Come along, said
l, 'and if there is anything to pay, will
settle with them for both of US. With re.
luctance he consented, and when we went to
the house gOodly number had collected.
Blackburn preached, said he, 'and before
ne closed it seemed to me that every one in
the house, old and young, was drowned in
tears, and my old Baptist friend was weeping
as freely as any of them. When he closed,
the old ladies crowded around him, ssh cry
ing, and begged him to remain and preach
for them again. My neighbor and set out
for our teams. We walked in silence for
some distance, when he drew a heavy sigh
and said, well, l am an old man, and |
thought 1 had heard many sermon, but l
am now convinced that 1 never heard one
before to-day"
l once heard Methodist minister while
endeavoring to show the effects of holy
life make statement to the following
amount. "There lived, said he, "in -
many years ago an aged man of eminent
piety. Yet he was not satisfied with himself
He was often heard to say that he feared he
was doing nothing for his divine Master
Sometime after his death a young man of
superior talents went before Presbytery,
and expressed desire to enter the ministry.
When examined on his religious experience
he stated that he had formerly a great de-
sire to indulge in sinful propensities, but his
religious training stood in the way. At
length he was tempted to become an unbe-
lever, and thought he would have succeeded
had it not been for the example of an old
neighbor whom he saw every day, and whose
life he knew was governed by. the Bible.
That young man, said he, "was afterwards
the celebrated Gideon Blackburn, and the old
man was he, who thought he was living to no
purpose. y
1 never heard Gideon Blackburn preach
but twice, and both times during the
meeting of the General Assembly in 1925.
1t was generally admitted that there was less
feeling among the hearers on such occasions
than at other times, as most persons went
out to hear and criticise distinguished
preachers. Gideon Blackburns discourse,
however, the last time he preached, soon
drove away all thoughts of criticism from
the minds of his hearers. His venerable
form, his tender tones, and deep earnestness
awakened every heart. His text was, Turn
ye, turn ye, for why will ye die?" The ap
plicatiOn produced more effect than that of
any discourse to which 1 have ever listened
1t seemed to me that every eye overAowed,
and every head went down.
The next day l wrote to young friend
who was in the ministry, and referred to the
discourse l had heard. In answering me he
replied that some years previous that eminent
man, while on journey, had called in the
town in which he lived, intending only
to take some refreshment and pass on. A
few devoted ladies, hearing he was there,
called on him and besought him to remain
and preach for them that night, as they had
no pastor. He at length told them that if
they would promise when they returned to
their homes, to retire to their closets and pray
for blessing upon his discourse, he would
preach that night. 1t is hardly necessary to
say that they promised to do so. One of
them afterwards related to friend, that such
was the agony of her soul while in prayer
that evening, that she tainted and sunk on
the floor. His discourse that night was over
whelming. At its close all classes besought
him to stay and preach the next day. He
did so, and for several successive days.
Many became the subjects of renewing grace.
My young friend concluded by saying that
at the commencement of these exercises he
was thoughtless boy, but at the close he
had found the Saviour; and now as con-
sequence, he was III the ministry.
Not many years since 1 met with an aged
lady who had been member of his church
in the early years of his ministry. He was
then stated supply to the church in Nash
vile, Tennessee. She related an occurrence
which proved that eminent talents are not al.
ways appreciated. The church was then small,
and chiefly composed of female members.
"Mr. Blackburn, she said, ''had been en-
ployed to preach for one year. When that
had expired he announced to the cougrega-
tion that the year was ended, and if they
desired him to continue another year he
wished them to make it known by rising to
their feet. All the women, she said, "arose,
but all the men kept their seats" Mr.. Black
burn stood a moment, looking over the as
sembly. He then sat down, covered his face
with his hands and wept He then arose