Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-07-22
Rev. ]. J. Lafferty on Rev. Sam Jones.

From letter of Rev. j. j. Lafferty in
the Richmond Christian Advocate of the 10th
inst, we copy portion of what he says of
Rev. Sam Jones, one of whose sermons he
heard here, es follows
"No other minister could use the s'gen-
Grafton of vipers" style without blockading
his way to the churches. He cuts into pus
sacs, dissects cancers, cauterizes ulcers.
Who dare do it? His humor choloroforms
the knife. Sincere solicitude for souls
anoints the edge Of the blade. she speaks
the truth in love-" Els humor and vii
dissrms the victim while he conciliates by
a sympathetic tone. He sets the sinner II
| q ridiculous posture. The crowd laughs
and he lays on the lash. The merrimen'
ia a means, not an end. The earnest pur
pose to save soul is never checked by the
ripple of smiles. There is an eagerpess II
the eye, a repressed force, reserved Gals
sons. in full view that show the seriousness
of the campaign. None fail to see that tht
humorous story, inimitably told, is mere
by.play, strategy, to uncover the eneml
for bombarding.
There may be men match for Jones II
Troublesome phrases, but not in use o
humor to pry and pioneer fcr TIE tni,
edge of bis iron wedge and steel maui
The funny preacher is usually buNool
without conviction or concern. The preach
ar in raiment of cancels hair, unless mellow
in love and sweet in spirit, is scold who's
soowl and veil harden men. From a triv
ial fellow in the pulpit, ''courting grin
for the sake of thu Jest, from the bull.
with the frowning forehead and loud lungs
"good Lord deliver usI'
God has use for Jones, else the ap
plause, the throngs, the full finances woul'
turn his head. We have letter from
Bishop McTyeire, "Sam Jones is her
FNashville1 and God is using him."
decade Of this unheard-of popularity ha
gone by, 1t r1ay have warped Jones. VIII
of us could have escaped SUICIDE by rent II
the soul, swollen to splitting by vanity
Bascom, with far less welcome and no con
yerts, without hatful Of dollars at ever,
collection, put on airs in parlors and a
dinners. God took Summerfeld away ear
tly. ,,,
ont the saving. The temptations to ARC,
pance, to contempt of critics, pulls upo
hin with the leverage of his own fams AM
fortune. Iwonder be is as humble as b
!seems.
IfIhad voice that could call and eau
ton every youth sin orders among US,
woula e6oi7t in the ear: "Coyet not tn
wand of Jones' it is. a magic rod in hi
hand; in yours, wooden folly.a he VIII
swings on that trapeze must leap with tn
unerTing foot and elastic limb of the cham
OILS, or drop disgraced in the dirt. Jones
first-the balance nowhere.
Tho sermon in Staunton was motherwi
in every strand. 1t was foxy, "caugh
you with guile" playing around the flock
but bent on lessenins the numEer OF geese
It was adroit, aggressive, victorious,
Bishop McTyeire said well, "God is US
ing him."
| He shows the wear of his work. Weari
ness is coming upon him. Only his repos
in the pulpit has saved him from ruinou
wastage. His printed sermons will dwar
his fame. He mcst be heard TO weigh hin
up to his full merit. Esunsey is alread
merely weird tradition. Jones may fad
into faint memory of a laugh and Light
ming. Moody calls him ''bolt from hea1
en-