The Lake Charles echo., 1879-08-02

coming bishop, he always seemed eapec
tally happy in holding the annual con-
ferences in that state. More than twenty
years ago he was presiding over Ihe con-
ference in session at St. Charles, q village
forty miles west from Chicago, when
there occurred an incident that lbeauti-
ilfulIy illustrated his character, won foT
him tine lasting affections uf his clergy
in those parts, and published an insight
into his early life. The details Of tine
story I gather from one who wss present
"A motion had been under consiiers-
rion for eome time, and the bishop, ap-
parenfiy thinking that enough had been
said, arose to close the debate. AT tine
same instant an elderly preacher, not
observing the movement of the bishop,
stood ;up to add his views, when brother
tugged at his coat and signaled that the
bishop had tine floor. But that worthy
saw the maneuver, recognized the man
with remark to offer, and, ,dropping
into his chair, said: 'fSpeak on my good
brother, Bishop Ames always sits down
when father Sinclair has anything to
say"
The large company of ministers were
much amazed; first looked seriously into
the faces of one and another, then grad
ualiy relaxed into mutual smiles, think
ing the grave official had suddenly laid
aside dignity or little pleasantly at the
expense of fathsr Sinclair. But the
biahop was far from the Joking mood. !
Father Sinclair, alone in ali the house,
understood his motive, and was so en-
barrsssed because he did that ne said but
little on the question he had risen to,
then sat down, flushed with confusion,
while the auditors wondered what suT~
prise the bishop had next in store for
them. All bent upon him a gaze that
seemed to solicit explanation. The
bishop understood the giancee, and 10
sponded. His imposing form once more
had the floor. His ever kind face be-
trayed emotion, and the last trace of q
smile faded from the faces of the people
ss they looked into his. He proceeded,
with evident hesitation, about as
foliows: /
Brethren" said he, 81 see that you
are surprised over my remark to father
Sinclair. / think 1 Can relate a little
story that will iuliy satisfy you that
Bishop Ames does well TO always ait
down when father Sinclair hss anything
tosay Upward of twenty yearsbefore
while in college, yonng man thought ne
had q clear call TO the w0rk of the min.
istry. He had been licensed by his guar
sefiy conference, and had tried hard for
a year.to make besdway in the pulpit Or
rather school.housesof frontier circuit.
But he made very pcor work OF preach
ing. 1t Was not then permissible for
Methodist minister to take into the pull
pita manuscript, or even note, and
continue 10 be Thought orthodox. The
young man would get through his open
ing prayer and hymns, commence his
ssfm0n, lose the thread of ii before he
was half through, stumble on Tor little
time further in stammering, incoherent
manner, and call 1t finiabed, or break
down completely in tears and deepest
modification; and that, too, with 8 half
dozen grsy-haired pilgrims before him
who could stand up and talk by the
hoas. Andstillthat young man persisted
in thinking that he had q call to preach.
"But at the end of his frat year the
almost unanimous voice of the confer
ence was that the youth had mistaken
his calling, and that it would be t,ifiing
with sacred intereste to renew his
license. just before the vote was taken
friendly miniater, for whom all had
great respect. and who knew much of
the candidates private prayers and
struggles, stood up and professed q
belief in his fleall' and urged o renewal
OF his liceDse. And, against conviction,
but as q mark of personal regard for the
isiendly minister, the young mans ii.
canse to preach Was renewed for another
year.
"His second year in the ministry was
emily a alight Improvement over thefrat.
III his public work effected any good, it
came of tears, notoft talk. And when he
saJye,1 A. il,o xye sa eroaautsaIa mona.