Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1871-02-23
a raisl,fs.i preacher.

The following discourse was delivered
by the Rev. James xley, renowned
Methodist preacher of East Tennessee. 1t
is related by Hugh L. White, for many
years distinguished Judge in that State,
and afterwards conspicuous member Of
the Senate of the United States.
1t bad been noiscd abroad that Mr.. Ak
ley would preach ON the morning Of the
following Sabbath. The famous divine
Was great fayorite; with none more so
than Judge White. At the appointed
hour. the Judge with large congrega-
ton was IN attendance.
The services were begun by another
preacher, at the close of whose address
Mr. Azley rose, and stood silently survey
ing the congregation. All were hushed
in expectation. Every eye was rivited on
him. He then began:
l'My friend, it is very painful, but a
very necessary duty, for minister of the
gospel to reprove vice, misconduct and sin,
wherever found and be assured L will not
shrink from the duty on this occasion.
"And now, continued the speaker, poiut-
ing with his long finger, ..that sandy-hair-
ed man sitting yonder by the door. who
got up and went out while the brother was
preaching, and staid out SO long who got
his boots full of mud, and came in aud
STAMPED the mud off at the door, making
such noise that no body could hear the
preacher that man thinks L mean him.
mo wonder that he thinks So. 1t is a
disgrace to the State that he should have
grown up here and have no better man.
ners. Now, MY friend, | advise you to
go home, and learn how to behave your
self before you again come to the house OF
PRAYER. But | did not mean him.
.sAnd now." pointing again to his mark,
s.that little girl about the middle OF the
aoor-I should judge her to be about six
teen years old-with flowers inside OF her
bonnet; she that was gigling and laugh
ing all the time the brother was speaking
she thinks | mean her.
"And she ought to think so. | am sor'
rv for anv parents that have brought uf
girl to her age without teaching her tt
behave modestly and properly; they are
to be pltied. Little girl. you have dis
graced your parents as we'll as yourself
But do not mean you.
"And now, that man on the bench II
thecorner, who is looking up as bright al
if he had never been asleep In his life
and never expected to be, but who wa
nodding and bowling all the time of the ser
mon that man thinks | mean him.
"And, indeed, he may well think so
Nv friend, the house of God is not intend
ed for place of sleeping. When yo'
want to take nap. go home, take of you
clothes. and 90 to bed there is the plac
to sleep and not in church. But do no
mean him.
And thus he went on fixing his darl
eve on each offender, till he had pointe'
ont nearly every man, woman, and chill
who had in any respect deviated fror
strict propriety, ending each reproof wiz
81 do not mean him or her"
Judge White, sitting on the front benc
inst in face Of the preacher. was all tn
time ENJOYING the fun wonderfully. ii
laughed, he rubbed his hands, he chewe
, his tobacco with the greatest vigor. a
each new offender was brought up. b
: chewed more and more violently till th
aoor before him became puddle.
..Now." said the preacher. drawing hin
) self up with severe look. Il suppose 20
, want to know who do mean. 81 mean,
$ said he pointing his finger true as the net
: die TO the pole. Il mean that filthy toba'
! co-chewer, sitting on the end Of the froI
I seat. Look at these puddleaon the floor
' A toad would be poisoned in them, an
| think of the sisters dresses being dragge
- .K.-o,,al, c,,cb prilutiop
!. Judge Whites laughter was checked
suddenly as is if a tbunderbolt had falie
: Every eye in the congregation was instan
q " fastened on him. lie has averred th
/ be never afterwards dared to chew tobac'
e in church.