The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-10-04
THE REV. PETER MULLENS

ldnu HoNel Oh Arthur bOnnlcaStle -
(.Scribner's for October) describes the mel
ancholy fate of the charity student who
Was introduced early in the story:
1t became a matter of wonder that any
religious society should be content with
the spiritual ministrations of such man
as Mullens; but this society was simple and
poor, and their pastor had an ingenious
way of warming over his old broth and the
old broth of others which secured for him
certain measure of respect. His tongue
was glib, his presence imposing, and his
self-assurance quite overwhelming.
But at last there came change. New
residents in the parish saw through his
shallow DISCUSSES, and raised such storm
of discomfort about his ears that he was
compelled to resign his pulpit and to cast
about for other means of living. No other
pulpit opened it's doors to him. The mans
reputation outside of his parish was not
desirable one. Everybody had ceased to
regard him as a man capable of teaching;
and he had so begged his way and lived
upon his acquaintance, and had so mean
ly incurred and msauly refused to recog-
nize a thousand little debts among his
early friends. that it was impossible for
him to obtain even a temporary engage
ment as preacher.
There was nothing left for him TO do but
to become pedler of some sort, for which
office he had rare natural gifts. Leaving
his family where they were, he took an
agency for the sale of the Cottage Bible.
He drove thrifty business with this publ
cation, going from house to house, wear
ing always his white cravat, living upon
the ministers and deacons and advertising
himself by speeches at evening meetings
and Sunday schools. Sometimes he got an
ing thus made his face familiar to the peo-
pie, drove a brisk business among them on
Monday. His white cravat he used as
sort of pass on railroads and steamboats,,
or an instrument by which it was to be
secured. Every pecuniary consideration
which could be won from contemptuous
business world, by the advertisement of
the sacred Office which he once held, he
took the boldest or the most abject way to
win.
1t must not be supposed that " old Null
lens" as people learned to call him, was
really distressed by poverty. Never pay
ing out cent of money that came into his
hands if he could avoid it, he accumulated a
handsome property, which he skilfuliy hid
away in wise investments, maintaining his
show of poverty, through all his active
life. Henry shook him off at last and
helped me to do the same. We heard of
him not long ago lecturing to Sunday
schools and buying wool, and il is not ten
years since he appeared in Bradford as an
agent of life-insurance company, with
specially favorable terms to clergymen who
were kind enough to board him during his
visit. | shrink from writing here the stor-
les heard about him, concerning the way
in which he advertised his business by mix
ing it with his public religious teachings,
because it associates such base ideas with
an office which l revere as the highest
and hottest man can hold; but when l
say that in his public addresses he repre-
sented the Christian religion as system
of life-insurance of the spiritual kind,
sufficiently illustrate his methods and his
motives.
He passed useless life. He became a
nuisance to his professional brethren, a
burden to all who were good natured
enough to open their houses to him, and a
disgrace to the Christian ministry. Wear
ing the badge Of a clergymen, exacting as
right that which was rendered to others
as Il courtesy or a testimonial of love and
friendship, surrendering his manhood for
and indulging his greco for money at the
expense of church to which he fancied he
had given his life, he did, unwittingly per-
haps, what he could to bring popular con-
tempt upon his profession, and to associate
with the Christian religion the meanest
type of personal character it is possible to
conceive.
Amid the temptations of this poor, earth
ly life, and the weaknesses of human ma
ture even the most sacred profession will
be disgraced, now and then, by men who
repent in dust and ashes over their fall
from rectitude, and the dishonor they
bring upon cause which in their hearts
they love; but Mullens carried his self-com-
placency to the end, and demonstrated by
his character and influence how important
it is that ounces shall not be encouraged to
enter upon a high walk of life by benefac-
tions which rarely fail to induce and do
velop in them the spirit of beggars. l am
sure there is no field of Christian benevo-
lence more crowded with untoward results
than that in which weak men have found the
means for reaching the Christian ministry.
The beggarly helplessness of some of these
men is pitiful; and a spirit of dependence
is fostered in them which emasculates
them, and makes them contemplate among
those whom they seek to influence.
Though the Rev. Peter Mullens is still
living, have no fear that shall be called
to an account for my plain treatment of
him, as he will never buy this book, or find
a friend who will be willing to give or lend it
it him. Even if he had such friend, and
he should recognize his portraits, his amour
propre would not be wounded, and he
would complacently regard himself as per-
secuted for righteousness sake.
For Loss OF APPETITE, Dyspepsia, In
digestion, Depression of Spirits and Gen.
eral Debility, in their various forms,
FERRo- PHosroRATED ELIxIR of CALIsAYA
made by CAswELL, HAZARD & Co., New
York, and sold by all druggists, is the
best tonic. AS stimulant tonic for pa
tients recovering from fever or other sick
ness, it has no equal. If taken during the
season it prevents fever and ague and
other intermittent fevers. Tic
THE FARMERS MUTUAL OF YORK, Pa,
is acknowledged to be one of the safest
Mutual Fire Insurance Companies in oper-
alton. Its Agents do a large business in
this cnuntv Risks On farm nroperty taken