Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1886-01-07
The Rev. Sam Il. Jones,

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The Rev. Sam p. Jones.
This successful evangelist, who may
already be described as famous, at least
in the South, was born in Alabama, but
has spent nearly all his days in Georgia.
He is under forty years Of age, and lived
until thirteen years ago an erratic life.
His father was alawyer, successful in his
profession, Of good social position, and
esteemed by his friends as consistent
Christian. The son adopted his fathers
profession, but, unlike him, was dissipat
ed in his habits. The evangelist in his
public addresses speaks of this part of his
life with entire candor, and confesses his
worthlesSness to his family and society.
Incorporate and addicted to gambling,
he seemed to himself to be on the point
OF ruin, when he was brought to serious
thought by his fathers death The story
runs that, overcome by his fathers ap-
peals, "thc prodigal boy fell down at the
death bed, saying: Tll quit, I'll quit.
God be mcrciful to mel "
This change in both the inward and
outward shaping Of his conduct occurred
In or about 1871. Sensible Of the dangers
which he had so narrowly escaped, he
began to warn others. So great was his
revulsion from his old life that his pict-
ures of it were drawn with terrible pow
er. He became noted at once for the Sc
verify with which he spoke of the COM
mon vices of society, and censured the
inconsistencies of Christians. Often he
gave great offense, irritated and angered
his hearers, but his persistence and sin
certify uniformly secured him the victory
over passion and prejudice. AS is often
the custom among Methodists, especially
in the South he was sent as a raw begin
ner to learn the art of preaching on a
hard circuit, and by this is meant num-
Der OF congregations mostly composed of
the poor, and with slender prospect for
liberal support of the preacher. This
was in 1879, the year when he entered the
North Georgia Conference of the South
ern Methodist Church. 1t very soon be-
came apparent that Sam Jones had, to an
extraordinary degree, the power of ar.
resting and holding the attention of his
hearers. He had perfectly at command
the homely dialect of the common folk;
though always serious, yet when slang
phrase suited his purpose it never came
amiss. And so il has continued to this
day; his speech is the most upright and
downright AngloSaxon conceivable.
But other ard higher qualities enter into
his makeup as a public speaker. Wit,
sarcasm, playful humor, lively fancy
which occasionally casts over his theme
the light OF beauty, all concur in making
him persuasive with men.
BY the time eight years were past, Sam
Jones became well known as powerful
evangelist, and his services were sought
for in every part of the State. His Con-
ference, therefore, gave him a general
commission as the Gge't of ltd Orphans
Home. The Home Vas in distress for
want of money; it was his business to
meet the people wherever they would
open the way for his coming, and to take
collections for its relief On these terms
all Georgia was ready to receive him.
The Home was soon relieved made more
commodious, and put upon a'career of
prosperity. In reading this incident the
student of history naturally thinks Of
Whitefeld's Orphan Home in Georgia a
century or more ago, and of his journeys
up and down the colonies to raise funds
for its maintenance. The parallel is
slight enough, perhaps, but the North
Georgia Conference has shown wisdom
in giving the Rev. Sam Jones q response
BILE position, and at the same time grant
ing him full liberty to answer the calls
for service which multiply on every
side.
In person Mr.. Jones is tall, though un.
der six feet, spare, but well proportioned
In speech he is deliberate, never seeming
to be in haste to express his thought, but
rather holding it well in hand for effect
i've delivery. When his audience is
shaken with laughter, he waits till the
laugh is over, and then strikes home.
Like all masters of human feeling, he
makes sudden transitions from hum0r to
pathos. But the quality most apparent
in his discourses is his intense earnest
ness. 1t is evident in an instant that he
thoroughly believes the message which
he has for the people, and that he is
aiming at q complete renovation of their
lives and characters. Some of his say
ings, though not especially novel, have
the merit Of compactness, and are worth
quoting: "What is culture worth, if it is
but the whitcwash of a rascal?" 81 can
not bribe Gods Grand Jury, nor defy the
Court that tries me at the last day"
Zone sin is enough to cut the soul adrift
from God. "You don't believe what
you don't see: did you ever see your
backbone "Some men believe they
have backbone, when it is nothing but
a cotton string run up their backs" ut
is principle in the economy of God that
just what you feed other people on, the
devil makes you feed on, and out of the
same spoon"
Mr.. Jones has lately been travelling
through the South, taking with him a
large tent which will afford sittings for
two or three thousand persons. Wherev-
er his tent is pitched, the crowds flock to
him.