Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-04-15
Letters from the People

Reminiscence of Revival Sermon.
Editor Spectator:
1t may be OF interest to the readers
of the Spectator to give the following reminis-
cence Of sermon, preached by one of the Gel
ebrated Roszell brothers In the NJ X Church
of Carlisle, Pa, in Feb, lS4l-two Of these
brothers being at that time Professors in Dick
inson College. Before proceed to the subject
| would remark that this article is not intended
as an autobiography, but simply to exhibit what
remarkable. and even mysterious, means or in
strumentalites, the Creator. 10 His Providence,
often employs, in the blessed work of saving
souls, and that the good seed sown, will, in most
cases. bring forth an abundant harvest altho
the faithful sower of the word may not live
to witness the result Of his labors or, if living
the reformatory work is slow and progressive,
and many years may be required to fully de-
velop religious character aud usefulness. Only
10 the other world will he know, when his
''sheaves' are fully gathered home, the vast
extent Of his ministerial labors, and how abun-
dainty they have been blessed 10 this life.
"A word ftly spoken how good it is, is scrip
turaly and expermen'ally true. The writer
can give humble attestation to it, and trusts
this notice Of one of the Roszell brothers, by
one who has not seen him or heard him preach
for over thirty years will be read and pondcred;
a tribute given by one who claims no skill or
emioence as a writer, and to one whose words
ftIy spoken in sermon, were the means, under
God, of fully awakening the writer to his per-
ilous situation, a sinner saved.
Deeply convicted was solicited by friend
class leader, (long since gone to his reward)
to attend revival in the month and year above
stated, in the NJ E. Church. attended, ra
ther late, one Sabbath eve, and. as every seat
was crowded even on the gallery, had to sit on
window-sill. In the pulpit | observed saw
age looking man beside the pastor, Rev. Thos
FL. Thornton. Service was commenced, when
up rose this man, tall, gaunt and very symmet-
rcal. His dark, suDken eyes and the piercing
glance therefrom, made me shudder, as he look
ed towards me. and really felt be would deter
minedIy make me the special mark OF his SER
mon. The first prayer was terrifying and caus-
ed me, Belshazza. like to trembie for my safe
ty. Selecting brief text, such an one as suit
ed my case, be poured forth such invectives
against snners and me, pariicuiaIiy-the chief
est-that telt the bottomless pit IN his fright
tul description Of it, was already wide open to
receive me. Now, l CO. jectured, surely the
class-leader, to whom | had made known my
conviction, told the preacher would be present
| and all about my case, for every time looked
| At him. he steadfas,ly looked at me, then l lm-
ARMED all eyes were cast at ME, Wnen nlu my
face to screen it from the public gaze.
| "Neryes thousand times stronger could en-
| dure it 10 longer" Such mastery eloquence.
| snch savage blows struck at me; the living and
diving sinner so awfully portrayed; and the hor-
| rors and tormeuts of he'll so wildly described ;
and then. the bitter sarcasm and scornful trag-
,caI smiles, when appealing to us lost sinners,
who were ''neglecting so great salvation, and,
| recapitulating the many reasons gwen for such
neplec.. ere this alarming sermon was closed, |
coWardly escaped from The gallery, while fan
cied the audible taunts OF observers Of my exit
were hallooing: 'There he eoesF' While on the
stairs descending, the fierce anathemas follow
| ed me until his stentoran voice was no longer
heard. Leaving the church and vending home
ward. I tremblingly entered my father s house
and being seated, my kind step-mother, good
Roman Catholic, recommended bathing my fee,
and taking some hot tea when l got home
Evidently, she did not understand the case.
| subsequently by the blessing OF God, the
plain, pointed. harsh sermon was the means oi
nv salvation. On reflection. mine was des-
| pera,e case, and required desperate means tC
reach it and they did, effectualiy: The preach.
er referred 10 may be DR.. S. 5. Roszell, now Of
Stauutop if not. another of the three broth
ers who we're Methodist preachers s-not Asbury
| who I was informed died some years ago,
| WiLiomsport. ia. w. MILES.