Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1879-02-22
rFrIa Me Ner Kort OJsercr.1
"Nine and Twenty Knives"
Az ECCENTRIC nsoursr WELL ANSWERED

of Dr. Stanhope Smith, distinguished iresl-
dent Of Princeton College Of eaf.y times. and
also of Rev. John Blair Smith, was sn emf
uent clergyman Of the PresbyJelAu Church
the ear'y part f tie eighteenth century was
born. 1928. IN Londonderry, ireland, AMI 10
bo,iCod emf rated with bis parents % An ericai
studied with the Rev Samuel Blair OF ta-gs
Manor. and settled IN pIqnea Valley, Where be
estaLl shed q classical school, which was famous
IN It's dAy. aai where many of ouT clcr-ymcn as
well rs eminent statesmen Of early times goi
their education So thoroughly were tre siu-
dents grounded IN the classics that Latin WAS
the language used Ia the school in ordinary
conversation Or Smith was man OF very
vigorous mind. fne scholar, 90 deep pieiy
aud theological knowledge, as well as clo-
ouence in tie pulpit; was pastor oi Pl9nea
church, aud oue ot tlose great aud good pio-
uecr men Of the Presbyterian Church whose
influence was SD widely eXerted n uop.d'us
the moral character ol the community an To-
lueuce ie't % dis day.
In DR.. Smith's neehbcrhood ticrc lived
man FIR whom he entertained q high regard as
an excellent Christian. who WAS by religious
profession Friend" One Gay, DO social
intercourse, Dr. Smith said 10 him: Friend
llaines, we have long been good ue'ehno's and
friends, but you have never come into our
church
Friend iIaiues. when pressed for reason,
replied Friend Robert while greatly cs-
.ecm thee asa friend aud neehtor. ( cannot
cousccut.lusiy 20 90 bear thee preach. Thee
knows our society condemns q hife.mg minis
trr. and could not expect 90 be edited we
believe only iu these who preach 10y thc
Spirit
'" Well" said DR. Smith. "I Giuk I can
soy th1t we, too, follow tie teachings a Tie
Spirit"
90. 10. friend Rolo-' thee knows that
thee prepares thy discourcs before thee enters
thy pulpit"
"rhat is true" said Dr. Smith. "to some
e~,ent; bu, nevertheless. can preach With
ont such previous preparation"
Wei, thcn.' snid Ftiend lIsne', " ] will
Try thee. will 90 10 hear thco preach, on
ibis condition. that / will give thee a text
which thee must not sec Ill thee goes into The
81 accept tie condition" answered Or.
Smith
Very well then viii 20 70 thy meeting
house mex, Grst-day, and will send up to thee
Thy text after lhee has made The ioug prayer
which. hear, Is thy custom"
" That Is not quito vha, I expected whcu
you made tie proposition said ll'. Smith,
:. brt aeon, II and wifi evnrc, vor 7, church
,,,, ror.,s ,lov morrinr
Dr Smith entered the pulrit thc next Sab
hath r,o,rirc with pr1yer Int sornc anxiety.
4 alance showed linn that Friend laincs was
rreserf IIo commenced the services rs nsral.
and ofter the long prayer. gave ont lhc Psalm.
As The rrccon.ar arose 90 begin ,he time, the
sexton came mp the pulpit, and handed q SIP
Of paper. Dr. Smith was man Of very Dig
nifad arl grave manners. Aitcr the singing
was over. he arose and announced the tcXf-
" Nine and twenty knives; Ezra, lsi chapter,
clause Of ninth verse A surprised smile lor
a moment ripnlcd over the face Cf tie concrc-
cation as he repeated Nine and twenty
knives :" Iut wi.a great solemnuy he began
by eivnga brief sketch Of the naty'oaan
captivity Gl lal chosen tbe jess as bis
peculiar people lle bad given them bis laws
ty which 90 rule their lives but when they bee
came q iich aud great nation they reicllrd
against iim. wonlI not be governed hy hi.
commandments. Kings and people dil
thstvhica was evil continually in ihe siclt Of
the Lrfd.' lie sent prophets % warn them oi
the evil Of their ways. " bat they mockei the
messengers OF '''" aa.l 'e'Pi.e' 'ueI "''ar'
and therefore Jn '-mehi came upon '"en, ihe
tarce A@yian invaded Their lauaa ana TOOK
Jerusalem. s.e" iho young men Win sword
hai 900 compassion ou ctt-i nor mAHcn, nor
Lim that -,0.p0l i.r age ;. brake Gown TIE
w.il.oi JrH.icm, burned their palaces "ith
f-. f.-fr.r.I fiafr -leraI faur'a carried .