The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1880-02-14
A GREAT PREACHER.


Correspondence Cincinaii Gd:ctte.
The portrait of Strange belongs to the
masterpiece of description and analytical
writing. Without attemptinga consecu-
tive history. a few skilled touches open
such an insight into the power, the elo-
quence and the character of this wonder
full man, that, though dead for forty years
his whole life becomes as living present.
THE ELIJAH OF INDIANA.
The coming of John Strange, says
Mr.. Smith. was as sudden and mythical
almost. as the introduction of Elijah the
great prophet, to the tribes of Isreal in
the reign of Ahab. Elijah came unhcrald-
ed, and the first grand swoop he made on
the Kingdom of Idolatry was in the pres
ence of the King himself. to whom he
said: AS the Lord God of Israel iveth.
before whom | stand there shall be no
rain or dew these years but according to
my word If a thunderbolt from a clear
sky had struck the guilty King, it could
not have surprised him more. SO John
Strange came upon us i'll Indiana like a
bright flash, and his first sermon was a
new era in pulpit eloquence. : The
country was then new. and many rough
and savage men inhabited the neighbour
hood where the meeting was held One
of them. a terror to all civilized people.
gloried because he had broken up many
religious assemblies. On this occasion
he was plotting mischief, but being at
tracted by the shrill notes and wonderful
eloquence Of the preacher, he was seen
nearer, till he reached the foot of the
main aisle leading from the pulpit to the
rear of the audience. There he stopped.
gazing with fixed attention On the speak
Ell as he poured forth his burning appeals
to the hearts Of siunerS.
.'The man then with cautious steps. as
if accommodating the stronghold of al
enemy. ventured little further. till he
reached large tree in the midst of the
aisle. about thirty feet from the stand
Here he anchored. and first from one side
of the tree and then from the other, as i
watching the movements of some dreaded
foe. he gazed on the minister as though
he was Fascinated. his watery eyes. dis
torted face, and trembling limbs, al
showing that lie was under deep menta
| excitement, which he had no power t,
control. The minister saw the condition
of the man and his own opportunity (fo
his keen eye saw cverything), and h,
| determined upon his surrender. then ant
| there. to the cross. SO lie concentrate;
his whole power on the quivering form 0
his victim, and with one mighty swool
of his eloquence slivered to atoms tn,
last prop that was under him.
THE VICTORY WAS COMPLETE.
In moment the mans distended nos
trils gushed out with blood and he fell t.
the ground conquered man. The elo
quent Strange at that moment lifted hi
ewes to heaven and said: All hail, con
Guering Son of God, that smiteth tn
nations with the two-edged sword; rid
forth and conquer At this all order wa
broken. The wicked who could fled TO
safety, and the SONS of God shouted 70
Joy. The man was cared for and con
verted and became as valiant for tn
truth as he had been bold in the cause @
sin.
In the Fall of 1899 lie preached at ;
camp meeting near Madison. = and hav
often heard il minister say. continue
the author that during the delivery q
the sermon such was the rapt attentio
of his soul that for a few moments. h
knew not how long, he lost all conscious
ness of bodily presence and felt hin
self floating in space, covered, as it were
with a brilliant cloud.
Speaking of sermon he heard hi
preach in the residence OF Judge Prathne
near Vernon, Mr.. Smith says Z" tina
though fifty years have passed away sine
its delivery and these have swept ava
nearly two generations of men. Yet tn
language, the sarcasm, the magical effect
of that glowing cloquence, have not fac
cd from my memory. The flash of Ii
eve. the intonations of his voice unequal
ed in melody and power, his fine drami
tic action his winning smile, his revere
form and face. can never be forgotten.
MR. STRANGE $ APPEARANCE.
In person. Mr.. Strange is described ;
q man i'll neat but plain attire, tai
straight and remarkably graceful in pc
son and manner, with round, well-torll
ed head, dark, piercing eyes, yet exceed
ingly kind and benevolent in eXpresSio
He possessed Il weil-balanced mind. quiC
perceptive faculties. sound judgmen
, strong memory and will power, and
brilliant imagination, combined wit
t wonderful power of eloguence and son
His moral faculties were ever strong
! than the intellectual. He took no lesSol
. in elocution from the schools: he w;
greater than the schools. He was nature
orator. drawing his inspirations fro
nature and from nature, God. His i
vocatlons, like those of Elijah on Carmi
!. were for answers by fire. His pure. q
q nate and copious language not only glo'
!, ed, but burned; it not only illuminate
i and elevated, but it warmed and tran
. figured the soul lie loved the sublir
i in nature, the solemn forests, the lof
. mountains, the expansive ocean, the TO
ing thunders, the starry heavens and tt
blooming Spring. : :: Take him all
all, as Il man of deep convictions. of no
4 and simple trust in God, of unreserv
Q conservation to Christ, of cloquence a
o power in the pulpit and of purity a.