The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1892-05-12

peared to be six feet three in stature and
almost weirdly gaunt. He did not stand
erect in the parade sense, and his long
limbs betokened an enormous sinewy
power rather than grace or symmetry.
His dark, spare, close shaven face, his
plentiful coal black hair, carelessly
pushed backward from his temples, his
strong, almost cadaverous jaw, and his
black, deep set and scintillant eyes made
up personality that arrested my inter.
est at once. 1t was type of man es.
pecially forged for hard, earnest, fear
less work in some direction.
He had not spoken five minutes before
some instinct which could not analyze
told me that he had something to say to
the world and meant to say it.
In proportions, in temperament, in gen.
eral appearance he recalled TO my mind
the God fearing young pioneers of two
generations ago who went out from his
and a kindred denomination, not indeed
into the byways and hedges, for the by
ways We're not opened and the hedges
were not planted, but into the trackless
wilderness, to proclaim their glad It'd
ings. Strong armed, brave hearted, SIM
pie minded heroes, they carried the ark
of the covenant in their coat pockets,
and they made the forests resound with
the songs of Zion. But when their hearts
were filled with gladness their stomachs
were often empty.
1t was fortunate indeed that they did
not live by bread alone.
l suppose the young preacher recalled
in an uncertain way those unique men
of another era by his simple, aggressive
earnestness no less than by his appear
ance.
Knowing this, was surprised to find
a young mani did not then know that
he was only MISUNDERSTANDING hold in
stantly and firmly on the interest and
sympathies of his listeners. He spoke
with authority, as if he had been COM
missioned; modestly withal and tender
ly. The great congregation hung upon
clearness he developed his subject, never
resorting to involved phrases or abstract
reasoning, but making clear cut, con-
crete picture. Now and then he famed
up, as a thought took possession of him
or an illustration seized him, At such
moments his strong face lit up, his voice
rang out clear and resonant, and he
seemed to sway his congregation by the
magnetism & sheer oratory. At other
times he dropped to the colloquial man
ner and carried on conversation with
his people. But he did not permit the
dignity of his theme to lapse.
Something in the heart of it survived
all changes of manner and dominated
all moods. 1t was not difficult to feel
what it was then, and now that l have
heard him many times can testify that
the same anima, the same internal SAVIOR
and impulse, the same warm, suffusing
purpose made itself known in every ser
mon, whether the sermon was doctrinal
or topical.
1t was the broad, compelling recogni-
ton of the fatherhood of God and the
brotherhood of man; the ever present
coercive sympathy of a great heart for
suffering and dying humanity, and the
ever urgent duty to preach the love as
well as the law of a benignant and in
finite parent.
There was no clerical isolation or min
isterial cloudiness here. His listeners
kept stop with him. He not only spoke
with intellectual authority, but with an
inefable fellowship. He had both
thought and felt out his subject matter,
but he meekly relied ON something other
than himself.
Such was my first impression Of the
young preacher. Subsequently became
acquainted with the man, and then my
admiration w1dened with nay knowl-
edge. learned his history; it is brief
and uneventful, butsbursting with prom
ise. He came of preaching stock down
in North Carolina, and his father is still,
| believe, hard at work in the Baptist
pulpit there. At the end of his colleg.-
ate course and post graduate term In
Johns Hopkins university he came to
New York to determine upon a profes
sion.
After winter in the metropolis he re.
turned to North Carolina, where he
threw himself inte politics. was elected
to the legislature, and began syste
matte study of the law. What convic
tions Of heart urged him and what proc
esses of mind led him suddenly Il
| abandon his law practice and take to the
pulpit we can readily surmise, but may
not dwell upon. All at once he !.