The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-03-12


was enthusiastic in his praise; all were
delighted with him, save the elders of other
denominations upon whose membership
his pastorate threatened heavy draft.
His zeal was unbounded, out of the pulpit
as we'll as in it. Not only did the fervor
and charm of his preaching fill the church
twice each Sabbath, thereby greatly aug
menting its revenue, but his inquiry meet
ings, earnest and stirring were largely at
tended, and made important additions to
the membership. He healed all the social
differences in his flock; he investigated tho
cases Of some who suffered expulsion,
proved their errors venial or their peni-
tence sincere, and accomplished their restor-
alton; he lent his potent encouragement to
aid societies, ever dear to the kind hearts of
the matrons; he built up the languishing
Sabbath school-in fact, he made himself
effectually useful about everything that
concerned the harmony and prosperity of
this church and society. That he became
immensely popular follows as natural
consequence from the above statements.
Aside from the high favor that he enjoyed
among the membership us a talented and
devoted minister, his fascinating address
and brilliant conversational powers made
him the acknowledged leader, the .facile
prtnceps of the best society of the place.
Beyond this, young men liked him because
he was always companionable the young
women could it be otherwise?) thought
him as handsome as Hamlet on the stage,
and not unlike the melancholy philosopher,
while many of them sighed secretly at
thought of him.
For six months or more all went swim
mingly with Mr.. Wynne and his people;
and as he expressed a warm desire to ex-
tend his term of service here indefinitely,
there seemed good prospect that the con-
nection might be a long and spiritually
profitable one. Suddenly one weak auda-
cious voice was lifted up against him. A
joumeyman tailor, u man of extensive read
ing, if humble occupation, heard one of
Mr.. Wynne's astonishing discourses one
evening, and discovered that its language
sounde strangely familiar to him. Re-
turning homo with the idea fresh in his
mind, he took up volume of Channing's
published sermons, and there found the
one he had inst heard, word for word as
Mr.. Wynne had repeated it from the pull
pit. The tailor made known his discovery,
and created n little buzz of excitement and
inquiry. The candid few who took the
trouble to examine the proof of this clerical
piracy were convinced, and denounced Mr..
Wynne as an impostor; but the popular
tide had been setting too long and too
strong to be suddenly checked. AS the
minister Indignantly denied the charge,
most of his admirers were perfectly willing
to dismiss it at once; others believed, or af-
fected to believe, that it was merely re-
markable coincidence of language and ideas;
and the insinuation was speedily hooted
down, leaving very small minority who
believed in it.
A more dangerous rock than this, how
ever soon after threatened the good fame
Of the minister. The deacon to whom his
Introductory letter happened to be adj
dressed was very little of letter-writer,
and under ordinary circumstances the inti-
nation with which this letter closed, con-
corning the doctors proposed absence,
would have been sufficient to prevent re-
: spOnse. But about this time the deacon
had become SO deeply impressed with the
merits and talents of Mr.. Wynne, and so
} grateful to the learned doctor for securing
him to this place, that he wrote and posted
to the latter letter of awkward aclnowl-
edgment, briefly setting forth the great
: success of his protege in his new charge.
A reply came promptly, and conveyed some
rather startling intelligence. The doctor
} acknowledged the receipt of the deacon's
letter. and emphatically repudiated the
} Rev. Albert Wynne. He had never before
: written to the deacon, he said, nor did he
! know any person, minister or otherwise, OF
the name given in his correspondents letter.
He had written no letter of introduction fol
year; and he had not been, nor had he in.
tended to be, absent from the city Of his
, residence for more than day at time
} during that period.
. The deacon felt as If struck by thunder
bolt. He seized his hat, and rushing tC
Mr.. Wynne's study, threw the letter down
before him, and anxiously, breathlessly,
l asked him to read II. The minister did
read II, calmly and without change ol
. countenance, and then rnusingly replied
"Why, this is strange enough whai
: can II meanp ?" a19 It =