Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-08-11
IRON Fatrhaven Journal
stories OF the OIden Time. No. 2.
N ODD TEXT AND A QUEER PREACHER.

AN ODb bA AMI = " bEn IhEACh
At the commencement of the present
century, there lived in Fair Haven, Jordon
Dodge, an eccentric soul, an elder in the
| Baptist denomination.
Amid all the prejudices of those event
full days, much misrepresentation neces-
sarily mingled in the popular reports re-
speeding the man and his life. While the
democrats lauded him as a saint his Bit
ter enemies no doubt believed and publish
ed falsehoods in relation to his faith and
practice.
One anecdote, however, verified by an
eye witness, and by her communicated to
the writer of this article, is too authentic
to be doubted or lost.
On a certain Sabbath, agreeably to ap-
pointment, the Elder met his congregation
in the old white church, Ccalled the "lion's
den by the profane.) But 10! and be
hold the preacher had forgotten his bible,
and, as was his custom, had omitted to
choose his text until he entered his pulpit.
He believed, with many of his sect at that
early day, that divine inspiration and
guidance might be expected in the selection
of his motto and the enunciation of CORES
ponding truths. Deeming it best under
the circumstances to trust to his recollec-
ton tor passage, he made vary anus
ing blunder, considering the ignorance Of
his audience and the scarcity of bibles in
town.
Said this venerable teacher in his bland
est tones,'' have unfortunately this morn
ing forgotten to bring my bible yet the
mistake is not irreparable. With the help
of God and a good memory, passage of
divine truth impresses itself upon my
mind. In Proverbs, [ think, it is written
thus Look before you leap"
Now, Mr.. Editor: l protest seriously
against soothing and ridicule when good
men, set for our instruction, make mis-
take. In this instance the sentiment of
the quotation is really valuable to all
classes; not only to worshlppers IN holy
temples, but to business men in the
" crowded marts -" to editors, even, in
their breezy offices.
Father Dodge was guilty of mere
venial error in comparison with Camp
beIIte preacher in Ohio, who in announc-
ing his text, mistook the reading and call
ed patriarchs " partridges )" and, when
Immediately reminded of the riginal sin
and depravity of such rendering, CURLY
replied, My hearers, [ read the text as
though it was printed cartridges, but the
spelling proves it to be patriarchs but
never mind, both a0Ords meaa precisely the
same biRg."
1t was remarked that Elder Dodge was
uncommonly animated during that me-
morable days exercises, and sent his hear
ers home, to look up the text adduced,
with wonder and curiosity. But, alas
no eyes were keen enough to detect the
passage among all the rich aphorisms of
the good book.
At last Daniel arose to the work of
Judgment. A school-master-ma his
praise be eternal in the history of Fair
Haven school master Cloudin unr1ddled
the mystery. Said Cloudin, g You will
find it IN Dlportb's old spelling book"
and none dared to dispute him.
More than thirty years after the Incl
tents related above, the Reverend Jordon
Dodge, having removed West, returned to
Fair Haven, the same in aspect and de-
neanor; excepting the marks of old age,
lis hair whitened and his form attenuated
md stiff l.
In the store of Elisha Parkhurst, now
he dwelling-housc of James Miller, he
net his federal antagonists, Joel Hamilton
md lilly Gilbert. II