Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-07-19
NATIONAL LEAGUl
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION.
THE GEORGIA GENIUS.
Rev. Sam Jones Described by Or. Lafierty
I'm the advocate"

II IL worth while to consider the man
and his methods. Out of 100000 600 OF citi..
Zens he can collect the largest audience OF
any denizen of this continent. Such
speaker invites the attention Of men whose
business it is to address assemblies. a
young lawyer of Baltimore was sitting
with the Hon. J. Randolph Tucker il that
city. The briehess barrister sneered at
Jones. who was then preaching in that city.
Tho great orator and jurlst ans wered: DO
not fail to hear him and study him. NO
advocate can afford to miss a Sermon
heard only Que sermon lat Stauntonl.
vast thrOng was IN eye-shot OF the plat
form. The discourse held every hearor an
hour. Rarest genius, daily. practice, re:
peated sermons have made him a master or
assemblies AS the New York independent
saws. he does tho most difficult thing
makes proverbs. 4 Smart Alec" in
company poohed ct tho homespun
wisdom of solomon as set forth in
his short sentences. They gave tho
fellow day TO produce ono
prOverb. lie could not conJurc It up, and
so shut up. If a man can utter in one brief
period tho wisdom Of many in the wit
OF one," that saving never SINKS; he is
immortal. Great orators. statesmen,
writer's leave no line that lives. IL is q
milder task to wrlto the history of England
than to match a chapter Of nphorisms with
the wise son of David. The paper just
quoted has collected column of the
sayings of Sam Jones"-current now in
this country on tongue and type.
BABE AND GIFTED.
Deduct tho spell that fame weaves
around the people. Subtract tho kindling
quality in q crowd-dry stubble. Leave
out the propitiating and preparing the way
by thrilling songs and victorious music.
There remains rare and gifted man, apt
TO teach-a master Of multitudes, and with
fruits and faillngs.
No other minister could use the gene
ration of vipers" style without blOckading
his way to the churches. He cuts into pus
sacs, dissects cancers, cauterizes ulcers.
VINO dare do iii His humor chloroforms
the knife. Sincere solicitude for souls
anoints the edge of tho blade. He
speaks tho truth IN love-" His humor
and wit disarm the victim while
he conciliates by a sympathetic
tone. He sets the sinner in a
ridiculous posture. The crowd laughs
and he LAYS on the Iasn. Inc merrinlene
il means. not an eud. The earnest pur-
pose to save a soul is never checked by the
ripple OF smiles. There is an eagerness N
the eye. a repreSsed force. reserved cais-
sons. in full view that show the serious
ness of the campaign. None fail TO see
that the humorous story, inimitably told, IS
mere by-play. strategy, to uncover the
enemy for bombarding.
There may be men match for Jones in
frolicsome phrases, but not In use OF
humOr to pry and pioneer for tho thin
edge of his iron wedge and steel maui.
The funny preacher is usually buhoon
without conviction or concern. The
preacher in raiment Of camels- hair, un-
less mellow in love and sweet in spirit. IS O
scold whose scowl aud yell harden men.
Fiom a trivial fellow in the pulpit, court
ing grin for the sake OF the Jest. from
the bully with the frOwnlng forehead and
loud lungs, good Lord, deliver usl"
AUsE FOB JONES.
God has a uss for Jones. else the APP
plause. the throngs, the full finances would
turn bis head. We have a letter from
Bishop McTyeire. "Sam Jones is here
INashvillel and God il using him." A de-
cade of this unheard-of popularity has
gone by. 1t may have warped Jones.
Who of us could have escaped suicide by
rent in the soul, swollen to splitting by
vanity? Bascom, with far less welcome
and no converts, without hattul OF dol
lars at every collection, put on airs in par
lors and at dinners. God took Summer
field away early.
That Jones makes mistakes goes without
luC
contempt OF critics, pulls upon MIN with
the leverage of his own fame and fortune.
wonder he is as humble Is he seems.
III had o voice that could call and
caution every youth in orders" among
US would shout in the ear: "Covet not
the wand of Jones. 1t is magic rod in
his hand; in yours, wooden folly" He
who swings on that trapeze must leap with
the unerrlng foot and elastic limb OF the
chamois. or drop disgraced in the dirt.
Jones is frst--the balance nowhere.
The sermon in Staunton was mother-wit
in every strand. 1t was foxy, "caught
you with guile" playing around the flock,
but bent on lessening the number of geese.
1t was adroit, aggressive, victorious.
Bishop McIyeire said well, God il
using him."
He shows the wear of his work. Weari-
ness is coming upon him. Only his repose
in the pulpit has saved him from ruinous
wastage. His printed sermons will dwarf
his fame. He must be heard to weigh him
up toI his full merit. Munsey is already
merely weird tradition Jones may fade
into faint memory of laugh and light
ming. Moody calls him "bolt from
Heaven