Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-05-09
&eadiua for the Sabbath.
CONDUCTED BY
REV. ROBERT LATHAM.
A REMARKABLE INCIDENT.

rorlglnal.J
A REMARKABLE INCIDENT.
Facts are often more interesting than fc-
ton, and always more instructive. The pages
of history abound with facts more thrilling,
and heroes more to be admired, than can be
found in books purely imaginative.
About ninety years ago, there occurred, in
the State of Virginia, wonderful revival of
religion. 1t came like an abundant rain after
long and parching drought. The people of
the country had gained their national liberty,
but they had declined in practical godIiness.
There were two Presbyterian Colleges in Vir-
ginia-Hampden Sidney and Liberty Hall ;
the former presided over by Rev. John Blair
Smith, and the latter by Rev. William Gra-
ham. Both these men we're devoutly pious !;
but so low was the state of religion in Liber-
ty Hall, (now Washington and Lee College)
that Mr.. Graham thought of resigning; and
in Hampden Sidney there was but one stu
dent who was professor of religion, and he
was, apparently, ashamed of it. At any rate,
he made it point to keep the fact concealed.
More than this, he laid aside all religious re-
straints and played the wild boy in earnest.
This young man was none other than James
Blythe, of Meek lenburg G. Young Blythe,
on entering College, formed the acquaintance
of felow-student, by the name of Cary II.
Allen. Young Allen was of very social
disposition, fond of sport without, much re-
gard at whose expense obtained, and, withal,
most consummate mimic.
The two students-Blythe and Allen-one
day rambled off and came to store, with
whose owner Allen was upon terms of init
macy A short time having been spent in
desultory conversation, it was proposed BY
some one of the company, that young Allen
entertain the crowd by delivering Metho'
dist sermon. The proposition was accepted,
and Cary Allen mounted the counter and
proceeded to deliver harangue in that pecu-
liar style, and in the peculiar nasal tones
somewhat common among class of Metho
dist preachers a century ago. The crowd
was filled with exquisite merriment and con-
vulsed with laughter. Jas. Blythe, of North
Carolina, enjoyed it as much as any one, not
withstanding the fact that he was member
of the Presbyterian Church.
Sometime after this, veritable Methodist
preacher Hope Hull-came into the
neighborhood of Hampden Sidney and began
to preach. Many of thestudents, if not all,
hastened to the scene. They promised them
selves "a good old time" Cary and Blythe
we're in the crowd. Flattered by his former
success in burlesquing Methodist preachers.
no doubt, Gary Allen promised himself fresh
laurels by coming in contact with living
model. Things, however. are, at least, some
times not as they seem. The plans and
schemes of men, as we'll as those of reckless
school boys, are often frustrated before the
execution begins. The Methodist preacher
delivered his message. What it was, or how
it was delivered, even tradition does not say.
The idle and reckless college students re-
turned. Cary Allen had either lost his pow.
ers of mimicry, or was indisposed to exercise
them. No one asked him to make sport for
the company by repeating the sermon. On
reaching the college, each student went to his
proper apartment Cary Allen, on entering
his room, locked the door and began to read
his Bible and pray. James Blythe, the boon
companion of Allen in sin and folly, soon
came to Aliens room and knocked. Receiv-
ing no answer, he knocked again but still
receiving no answer, he knocked so hard that
Allen, fearing he would break the door down,
opened it and permitted him to come in. On
entering the room, Blythe found Bible lying
on the bed "Do you read this book ?" in
quired Blythe. Allen was strongly tempted
to say NO." and turn the whole thing into
burlesque The Holy Spirit was more power.
full than the temptation of the wicked one.
and he frankly, and, no doubt, with trembling
frame and stammering tongue, confessed that
he was in great distress of mind on account
of his sins and iniquities. James Blythe
burst into tears and confessed that he was
member of the church, but had been living
goddess lfe William Calhoun, Clement Reed
and William Hill soon joined them. These
FIVE locked the door of the room and began
to sing and pray. This attracted the other
students. The voice of prayer and praise
had long since ceased to be heard, if, indeed,
it had ever been heard in students room at
Hampden Sidney. The goddess multitude
began to raise hideous uproar. Some laugh
ed boisterously; others uttered noisy discor.
dant sounds whilst the whole was interlard-
ed with vile and blasphemous oaths.
The President was absent at the time. He
returned in time for evening prayers, and
learning the true state of affairs, he admin
istered sharp rebuke to the scofers, and ex-
pressed his great delight in seeing any evi'
dence of the workings of the Holy Spirit in
the hearts of any of the students. Order was
restored in the campus, and the President of
the College took Allen, Blythe, Calhoun, Hill
and Reed to his own house, and instructed
them more fully in the way of salvation.
From this strange beginning sprung up
great revival, which spread like the prophets
cloud over the whole land. The principal
awakening was among young men. Eighty
students of Hampden Sidney-near one half
of the whole number-were, if not all con-
verted, brought under deep conviction. DIR.
Smith, President of the college, preached all
over the surrounding country, and as great
and good man can preach when he feels the