Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1885-09-18
Rev. Sam Jones.
[L0uisyIIlo Times ]


Imagine slenderly-built man,
about the medium height weighing
possibly lao pounds, and who, al
though 3S years old, appears SO, but
retains the erect figure and quick
movements of youth; a complexion
naturally dark and tanned by the
sun, with black, feverish eyes, black
hair and q thin nlustaclfe, so black
that II seems dyed clOihe lin In a
plain business suit that may have
been picked up IN any readymade
store, a standing collar, frayed at the
corners, 4 black tie, commonplace
straw hat, and clieapshocs; stare the
intensely black eyes, the most proini-
nent feature of the thin, restless face
Which looks prematurely aged, and
yet displays II wonderful vitality in
every glance--tllis man will be Sam
Jones, the great Soulhcnl evangelist.
lie passed through Louisville last
evening on his way TO High Bridge.
lie came over the Airline from
Plattsburg, Mo-, and Immediately
took thee. Y o., train for Eminence,
where he proposed spending the
night. lie was welcomed at tho de-
POI by Rev. Stephen lIolcolnbe and
Courier-Jonrnal reporter. lie was
accompanied by Rev. Thomas Glib
son, of Atlanta. They were trans
ierred over tho Shorl-routc 10 the
Water-sircet depot, during which
time the reporter had short but in-
teresting interview. The distin-
guished evangelist talks with as
much originality as he breaches. lie
greeted the reporter warmly, aud
willingly responded to the questions
put In an interview that was not so
much an interview as an unreslrain-
cd aud delightful talk,
"Ies, have received great deal
OF kindly advice as TO the best way of
preaching" he said smilingly, "but
| don't propose TO change until find
u better. Tile old way isgood enough,
but seem to accomplish more with
my own methods. AS long as / do
so I'll stick 10 it. | may bc fishing
with u bent hook and string, but so
long as nab the fish | won't trade
Cor u fancy tackle. People come to
hear me more than the common run
ofnlinistcrs, Rlld when l give out an
appointment at tie same place and
time as another they leave him to
hear me.
II use slang sometimes" he can
didly admitted. "It's about the
strongest kind of language we have.
| can accomplish something with il
when can't faze a man with the old
style of language. Take that Latin
derived word decay, and he won't
notice 1t; but can chop his head off
with rotten | have always preach
ed this sort of language and always
expect to. have been criticised
good deal about some of the express
slons | use, but l see no good ipl
changing them when they tell what I
mean. l seldom use any but scrip
tnral word, however,"
The mention of this criticism being
made, the reporter cited the in
stance of where Mr.. Jones said that
"God would put the angels on half
rations before he would let an honest
man starve.' w &a f& =
"Yes, said that" he declared,
"and l expressed what l meant and
whatGod has promised. lie has as
sured his children that lie will take
care OF them, but | Inever heard of
any promises that lie had made the
angels. Before He'd let an honest
man. suffer- He'd take aAlittle From
them. It's just like man who works
horse hard every day, and who is
bound 10 have him fed If he takes
something from his wife and children.
It's just a new way of expressing a
truism. E&aN
81 have been thirteen years in the
ministry" he responded in answer to
question. 81 went to preaching di-
rectly after | was converted-about
the next week, l believe. / have
done more or >less evangelical work
all the time, but have devoted myself
to 1t entirely only in the last two
years. The four years before, that 1
had charge of an Orphan Asylum. /
belong to the Georgia Conference Of
the M. L. Church South" so
"Iwas born in Alabama and have
lived a good while in Georgia. When
l was twenty-one years of age was
admitted to the, bar, and practiced
law nineteen months, putting in pret-
ty good licks for the devil all the
while. Then l quit; but / haven't
found my knowledge of law worth
great deal TO me In my after.life."