Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-11
A RELIGIOUS PRODIGY.

A Globe-Democrat special from At
lanta, Ga, says Jimmie Cook, the boy
preacher Of Carron county, preached &
sermon in Rice's opera house, in New
nan, last night, to large audience. He
was ON visit with his sister, and few
citizens, learning Of his presence, sough,
him out and asked him to preach for
them. After persuasion the prodigy
consented, and the opera house secured
as the most suitable place. By 8 o'clock
the building was packed with ladies and
gentlemen Of all ages, including preach
men. The boy is about IL
small farm in the backwoods of Carroll
county, without any school education
and consequently illiterate, yet he took
for his text the twenty-fifth chapter of
Matthew, the parable of the ten virgins,
and proceeded in modest way to ex-
pound the meaning of the parable, On
reaching the stage, where small table
had been placed in front of the foot
lights, he knelt at the table in silent
meditation, after which the audience
sang at his request some familiar song
He had on jeans suit of clothes. a
checked shirt and rough brogan shoes
His face is sallow and rather intelligent,
and when animated with the influence of
his discourse, lit up with a pair of hazel
eyes, makes his features picture which
increases in beauty the longer one gazes
at it.
Although unaccustomed to crowds
and the scenery Of the stage, he mani
tested no uneasiness whatever, and was
wholly free from embarrassment. Dur
ing his sermon he made copious quota
tions from the New Testament and APP
piled them appropriately to his text. He
seemed under heavy mental strain all
the while, and frequently changed his
position on the stage, at times leaning
on the table, resting his elbow on the
Bible and resting his face on his hands.
Then again he would walk rapidly
across to the end of the platform, hold
to the drop curtain and talk rapidly.
Finally he said:
Il am out of breath" and motioning
to those nearest the footlights, said:
'Sing something while rest"
He then made short prayer, appeal
ing in pathetic way for those whose
sins had not been forgiven, and spoke
feelingly Of his own conversion. At the
close of his wonderful address Dr. G. d.
Smith proposed a collection be taken up
for him. This morning he was the talk
of the town, and several gentlemen
speak of raising money to give him a
good education. Mr. Walker rendered
him suit of clothes, which was ac-
cepted, and he has thrown aside his suit
of jeans. DIR. Smith told Jimmie he
would board him twelve months, and
send him to school free of charge, but
little fellow said he would have to see his
father before he could accept his generous
offer. At the age of years he said that
his health was very bad, and the doctors
advised his parents to teach him TO
chew tobacco, which habit he has cult
waited until hisEsystem seems thoroughly
impregnated with the weed. He saws
that in the fall of 1897 his mother, now
dead, taught him how TO read the scrip
lures. and that last spring he was con-
verted. While picking cotton last fail,
he said, something told him to go and
preach the gospel, and it so impressed
him that he could no longer resist the
influence.
He was interviewed by q large num-
Der of gentlemen this morning and his
answers TO all their questions were start
ling for their accuracy and wisdom. His
knowledge of the scriptures seems won
derful and would do credit to the best
informed ministers OF the day.