The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1886-01-14
GOSSIP ABOUT SAM JoNEs.
Tho Famous Southern EvangelIst's Boy
hOod-Hnw IL. IN Z Gov. Stephens.

AS we sal under tho hugo canvas last
Sunday and cast nn eye over tho thous-
ands who filled tho entire space it cov-
cred. tho thought occurred to us,
''What brings this crowd hcrcP" Tho
question was as pertinent rs when John
ato locusts and wild honey in tho wilds
of Judca.
We Watched tho eager, restless
throng. and we began to investigate
our own mental inquiry. The Rev. Sam
Jones was q poor boy. raised right
hero among us, wild, rattling chap
that nearly everybody had ten hard
words for to every good one spoken in
his behalf. He was tho very synonym
of mischief and aulaciiy, with n modi-
cum OF sharp, native wit, that has
grown with his growth in succeeding
years. He cared precious litllo about
his books, as our experiences will tcsti-
fy in q short term of pupilagc in our
school directly after the surrender. TO
his credit we will say he never forgot
his respect OF obedience TO us, and an
earnest request or calm statement of
tho case would cause him 10 dcSist from
victimizing the smaller boys with his
tobacco juice or from playing clown in
the pantomimc on the sly, during school
hours, which was Il never ccaSinH temp
tation TO his keen sense OF the ridicv
u!ous. His good nature always cropped
out whom suffering or trouble were
present.
The writer will never forget q visit
he maio to our house in The most rat.
tling period OF his boyhood, TO tell us
ho was thankful and comfortcd to know
we wcrc conralcscing from serious
illness, in which our lite had been dcs-
paired OF, and even ut the time men,
toned We were not fairiy out of danger
of an carly and unlimcly grave. The
weather was severe, bitter, extremely
cold, but the young man brought his
frank, bright, faoo into the sick-room
like veritaDlc ray of sunshine, to tell
us that our school-boys were all SO
glad we were still alive. There WAS in
him the germ of something noble and
elevated, and when he joined the church,
within n half mile from our own door,
at Il little country chapel wo feat that
tho germ would expand into something
that would be peculiarly his own-he
would either "makc spoon or spoil IL
horn.' How much "spoon" last Sun
days crowd can tell.
Eight years ago, when he WAS peg
ging away on little poor circuit, he
camc again TO sec us, To pay his re-
sprcIs 10 the late Gov. Stephens. We
watched the two, rs Mr.. Stephens
rolled TO and fro on the buck vcranda
in his invalid chair, and listened to
SANS description Of dog-Iight that
had fallen under his observation. There
was II magnetism III both that quickly
found play, and after tho visitors re-
tired MIR. Stephens was very culogistic.
He inquired minutcly into his history,
and predicted II future from that rough,
native wit, which had evoked hearty
laughter, to the veteran stalcsmau's
great enjoyment.
Tho crowd on Sunday came partly
to laugh, but many tears camo also
with inc laughter, and it was both tun-
ny and affecting to see laughter and
tears mixed up SO rapidly and indis-
criminalely. If we had TO DIAGNOSE
the attraction carefully, VIC would say
the secret OF his success lies in the fact
that he makes Il clean breast of it, ~
sinner saved by grace" If he onco
convlnces you that he is entirely ear
nest aud honest and true in iittinr his
religion to his own life and character,
tho citadel OF your unbclcf will fall.
His wit goes far toward attracting tho
crowd. but he holds them ny conlcssing
his own feelings SO honestly and cry
Ing aloud, Nothing in my hand
bring. sinply TO Ihy cross cling"
How God loves honesty in every shapo
and forml
When tho record is written on high,
that soul will receive The welcome
plaudit, "Wcll done" which has kept
its way clear to Gods favor by strict
honesty to both God and his fellow
man n.--Ca'terSU:'tc (G".) Courunt.