Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-19

The Rev. j. Thomas Pate has in tn
southern Blvouac for Decem Der graphI
| skeich OF an itinerant minister OF tn
Methodist Church in the early wears O
this century. He says: The South Caro-
INA Conference of 1906 met in the city o
charleston. Asbury, the man of toll ant
narushlp, and Whatcoat, the man who's,
ne eXempllfied the true idea OF Chris
tlan perfection, alternately presided
iWeiVe men were admitted on trial
Among them were the two Pierce brotn
ers, Lovick aud Reddick, strangely dis
similar In their minds and physical ma
lures, each having special gifts and spe
clal Dents OF mind that have thrown
around their names an influence ss fra
grant as the gardens OF Italy. The eighth
man of the twelve was considered tn,
weakest and poorest excuse for d
preacher Of the whole number.
Five feet ten inches high. cOmpactly
but not stoutly built, symmetrical in
form, numbering in manners, coarsely
dressed, he did not look like good mate.
RAJ out OF which to construct pulpit
orator. His educational attachments
were poor. "He could not read well. y
knew scarcely anything of the rules OF
grammar, and his spelling was fearfully
defective. His actions and conversation
were "b0ring." A keen observer would
notlce that sometimes peculiar light
flashed from his eye; the light seemed to
indicate great talent in some direction; II
came from latent power, concealed hy a
rough exterior. When the light would
pass away the gray eyes would assume a
duh appearance.
His past life had been one hard strug-
gle with adverse circumstances. From
the cradle to manhood he had wrestled
with 10 h.rn
rlence the meaning of "bitter want"
There had been no splitter sweet" but
only "bitter bitterness" In this hour,
this long, tiresome, heartbreaking hour
OF trial, he received no words of encour-
agement. He was making every effort to
be man "a kind word would have been
a balm to his weary spirit; but this kind
word he never heard.
After being thoroughly converted. be
heard the voice of God speaking. saving.
500 preach the gospel" He was deepIy
conscious of his lack Of qualification; it
was hard to believe the voice. Gideon.
like, he wanted proof. The proofs were
given; be was convinced. He went 10
his pastor and opened his heart. From
him he did not receive respectful atten-
ton. 900 TO the plow; do you think God
would disgrace His ministry by calling
such man as you are to preach? No
man you are not called. Ii is only the voice
of presumption you hear" The words cut
like the Toledo blade. He went back 10
his work, but the voice, like Banquo's
ghost, could not be kept quiet. He came
again to his pastor-who by this time had
relented somewhat-and tacitly gave him
license to exhort. Some success grew
out Of his labors. Encouraged by these
signs OF promise he came to the quarterly
and asked for a license to
preach, and recommendation to the an.
nual conference for admission on trial,
Though composed in the main of men
who dressed sin jeans, wore brogans.D
and took no stock in "bOok- larnIn' am edi-
,atioD"of men who we're somewhat biased
n his favor, still the application kindled
4 smile on every fece, smile that resem-
lied contempt as ''the mist resembles the
ain"
How was IL possible to make n
out 'of such rough, knotty
tick" Much discussion ensued. Loud
ak and jeering laughs were heard. At
his juncture "James the Just arose
md espoused his cause. His voice pre-
allied, the request was granted, and TO
be conference his application went.
Providence smiled upon his cause. He
vas received on trial, and sent as Junior |
reacher on backwood's circuit In the |
Mountains OF Western North Carolina. !
his raw, uncOuth, ubgaInly young |
IAN was James Russell, the most remark |
BILE Methodist preacher that ever tray- |
led within the bounds OF the State of |
outb Carolina. He determined TO show
he world that he was no "gum log" and
D manifest to his friends, who were IL
carce as angel VISITORS, that their conf
ence was not misplaced. he was In
cad earnest. His face was set toward
nccess: 10 this point be would go or die.
here was Kind OF grandeur that shone |
round his mead, like a bright halo. the
forming he started for his first circuit.
Rough exceedingly plainly dressed and
ncouth in his manners.
Reaching his circuit, he began to study
nd TO work. His library was small. his
Doks we're few, but they were choice-a
Ible, hymn-book, and an American
)eller. Others had succeeded: when
scoursged and cast down their success
leeTed bis heart and urged him forward.
round The blazing chestnut fire OF the
Ountain cabin, while the strong, healthy
lie was busy spinning thread, and the
i'm old farmer was enjoying his pipe.
stenlng TO the music OF the wheel, he
id the children were absorbed in his
,eller. The children taught him TO read
I'd spell well. His field broadened and
Dgthened. As he became acquainted
it'll his charge, be would hear OF a book
re and one there. These books he soon
W. and 1t was not long before he knew
cir contents.
Preaching twenty-five times a month, .
put in practice all he learned. As the
ar rounded to- a close, he had wonder.
lily improved. In few years his
eaching revealed logical eioquence of
)re than usual power. In Georgia he
'ept through his charges like flame OF
0, old ard young, rich and poor, and
gh and low were brought TO God. He
ldied, prayed and preached. 1t was
| long before he was recognized as the
,st attractive pulpit orator of the South.
e father Of the late Governor Gilmer r
ard him, and having heard all the ia
JUS men OF bis day, remarked, "Neyer 4
IN spoke like this man, Like John a
} Baptist he sometimes came, sweep y
, away the last foundation-stone un- 81
meath the sinner, leaving MN sinking n
,idly into endless night; then he would 4
ne with all the tenderness OF the apos-
OF love; throwing his arms around 2
sinners neck, with hot tears coursing q
1n his cheeks, he would point him TO ~
Lamb OF God, that taketh away the
s OF the world. Thousands were at
cited TO his ministry, and hundreds
re turned into tho "straight gate" and