The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1874-04-25
The Minister and the Quaker.

An amusing story under this title has long
been currant, in various forms, among good
people. An authentic statement Of il, with
name and place, is given in the Presbyterian
Standard, by the Hon. ]. r. Snowden. Hesays
that the minister in question was the Rev. DR..
Robert Smith, whose fame as q learned and ell
oquent divine has been overshadowed by that
of his sons, John Blair Smith and Samuel Stan
hop Smith, President of Princeton College.
DIR. Robert Smith, before he became President
of Hampden Sydney College, was principal of
very successful classical academy at Pequea,
Pennsylvania. While here, he had near
neighbor, a Friend whom Mr.. Snowden, having
forgotten his real name, calls William Jones.
DR.. Smith and Mr. Jones were very good
friends, and often visited each other. One day
DR.. Smith said "Friend Jones, notice that al
though we are good friends and neighbors, yet
have never seen you at my church, or meet
ing-house, as you call it," "That is very true,
friend Robert, but thee knows the reason. We
Quakers as we are called, are not in favor of
hireling ministry, who are educated especially
for that purpose. We favor those only who
preach by the Spirit" "Well,' says the Doc
tor, "wthout entering upon the first point of
your objection at present, think l can say
that We Presby terians follow the teachings of
the Spirit in our sermons to the people," 80,
no, friend Robert; thee knows very well that
thee prepares thy discourse before thee enters
w W
but nevertheless can preach without such pre-
vious preparation" ''Well, them" says the
Quaker, II will try thee; will go to hear thee
preach on this conditions, ramely, that will
give thee text, which thee must not see until
thee goes into the pulpit" ~ accept the offer, I"
thy meeting house next first day, and will send
up the text by the sexton after thee has made
the long prayer, which learn thee makes."-
"That is not quite what | expected when you
made the proposition" says DR.. Smith, ''but
accept it; and will expect to see you at the Pc
quea church next Sunday morning"
DR.. Smith err tered his pulpit the next Sa bbath
with some anxiety. glance over the congre.
CATION showed him that his Quaker neighbor
was there, and at the appointed time he ex-
pected the text. He commenced his services
in his usual manner, and after he "long prayer"
he commenced . very long psalm. believe it
was at the 1lqth Psalm throughout, but it was
quito long psalm. AS soon as the precentor,
or fine singer, rose, the sexton came up the
aisle, and handed to the preacher the text 1t
was from the book of Ezra, lst chapter, and
latter clause of the 9th verse mine and TWEEN
ty knives" A sharp, as well IS hard text,
thought the Doctor. The singing of the long
psalm gave him few minutes for reflection
when that was ended he arose and announced
his text, and noticed many a smile upon the
faces of his congregation, even some venerable
elders could not preserve the usual solemnity
of their countenances. But the preacher pro
cceded with his discourse. He spoke briefly of
the captivity of the Jews in Babylon; of their
condition there; the proclamation of Cyrus of
the wonderful preservation OF the utensils of
the Temple, which had been taken from Jeru-
salem by the conquerors of Judea none of the
knives which were used for Staying and pre-
pairing the sacrifices were lost mislaid, or de-
stroyed. They were said DR.. Smith, under the
oio1 nd 81 I'D ND in,
due time restored to the temple. He then
larged upon the special providence of Cod
"Not sparrow falls without his notice sand
the very hairs of our head are numbered."-
"The Lord knows them that are his, and none
of them shall perish" The Quaker was not
only pleased, but he was aroused and delighted
The next day he sent for DR.. Smith to dine
with him. After dinner he invited DIR. Smith
to take walk around his farm, and coming to
a pasture field in which were his cattle, he
stopped abruptly and said, ~ was much pleas
ed with thy discourse, friend Robert, last first
day. Now, thee knows we follow our leader,
George Fox, who bore his testimony against a
hireling ministry; we never pay our public
friends, but we sometimes give them presents.
l have many good milk cows | wish thee to
select one for thyself." DR.. Smith wished to
decline the gift, but the Quaker insisted and
said, ~ will be offended at thee if thee refuse"
The Doctor having noticed small and i'll look
ing cow, said, "Well, if must take one of the
cows, l will take that small red cow" pointing
to the one he had noticed, and which he sup
posed the least valuable. "Well, do profess
says Friend Jones, "thee does not only preach
by the Spirit, but thee can choose by the Spirit;
that little red cow is the best one | have; my
wife would not sell it for one hundred dollars;
but thee shall have it," And accordingly the
same evening the little COW was driven to the
"manse," and proved to be valuable acqusi-
ton to the domine's dairy Christian htelH-
Qencer.