Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1878-07-04
From the Yorkyillc Enquirer
A Remarkable Incident.

Facts are often moro interesting than
fiction, and always more instructive. The
pages Of history abound with facts more
thrilling, and heroes more to 10 admired
than can be found in books purely imugina-.
tive.
About ninety years ago, there occurred,
in the State of Virginia, wonderful rovi-
val of religion. It came like an abundant
rain after long and parching drought
Tho people of the country had gained their
national liberty, but they had declined in
practical godlineBs. There were two Pres
byterin colleges in Virginia Hampdon
Sidney and Liberty Hall; the former pre-
sided over by Roy. John Blair Smith, and
the latter by Rev. William Graham. Both
these men wero dcvoutly pious; but so low
was tho state of religion iu Liberty Hall,
(now Washington and Lee Collcgo) that
Mr.. Graham thought of rcsigning; and iu
Hampden Sidney there was but one student
who was professor of religion, and he was,
apparently, ashamed of it, At any rate,
he made it point to keep it concealed.
Moro than this, he laid aside all religious
restraints and played the wild boy in earn
est. This young mon was none other than
James Blythe, of Mccklcnburg, North
Carolina. Young Blythe, on entering
college, formed the acquaintance of fellow.
student, by tho namo Of Cary II. Allen.
Young Allen was of very social DISPOSE
tion, fond of sport without much regard at
whose expense obtained, and, withal most
consummatc mimic.
Tho two students-Blythc and Allen
one day rambled off and oamo to store,
with whose owner Allen was upon terms of
intimacy. A short time having been spent
in dcsultory conversation, it was proposed
by some one Of the company, that young
Allen entertain the crowd by delivering a
Methodist sermon. Tho proposition was
accepted, and Cary Allen mounted the
counter and proceeded to dcliycr a haranguo
in that peculiar style, and in the peculiar
nasal tones somewhat common among class
OF Methodist preachers u century ago. The
crowd was filled With exquisite mcrrimcnt
and conyulscd with laughter. James
Blythe, of North Carolina, enjoyed it as
much as any ono, Notwithstanding the fact
that he was member of the PRESBYTERIAN
Church.
Sometime after this, veritablc Metho-
dist preacher--Rcv. Hope Hull came into
tho ncighborhood Of Hampton Sidney and
began to preach. Many Of the students,
fastened to tho sccnc. They promised
themselves "a good old time" Cary and
Blythe were in the crowd. Flattcrcd by his
former success in burlesquiog Methodist
preachers, no doubt, Cary Allen promised
himself fresh laurels by coming in contact
with u living model. Things, however, are,
at least, sometimes not as they seem. The
plans and schemes of mcn, as woll as those
OF reckless school boys, arc often frustrated
before the execution begins. Tho Metlo-,
dist preacher delivered his message. Wha,
it was, or how it was delivered, even tradi-
tion does not say.
The idle and rookless college students re.
turned Gary Allon had eithor lost his
powers of mimiory, or was indisposed to
exercise them. No one asked him to make
sport for the company by repeating tho
sermon. On reaching tho college, each
student went to his proper apartment. Cary
Allen, on entering his room, locked the
door and began to read the Bible and pray.
James Blythe, the boon companion Of
Allen in sin and folly, eoon came to Aliens
room and knocked. Receiving no answer,
he knocked again; but still receiving no
answer, ho knocked so hard that Allon,
fearing he would break tho door down,
opened it and permitted him to come in.
% entering tho room, Blythe found Bible
lying on the bed. "Do you read this book2'
inquired Blythe. Allen was strongly
tempted to say "No," and turn the whole
thing into burlesque The Holy Spirit was
moro powerful than the temptation Of tho
wicked one, and ho frankly, and, no doubt,
with trembling frame and stammoring
tongue, confessed that lie was in great dis
tress of mind on account of his sins and
iniquities. james Blythe burst into tears