The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-07-31
MORE OLD CHESTNUTS
The Voice OF the Turtle--A Baptist Sermon
of Ys Oiden Tipnes--Zeal Not Always In
Accord With Their knowledge.

more than hhit a century ago, when | WAS
boy ia Tennessee. there were many preach.
ers. in the Baptist and Methodist denornina.
tons especially. who had zeal which was
not always in accordance with their knogl.
edge. When young man was converted
in some great camp meeting revival. If he
exhibited any remarkable capacity for pub
lie speaking or unusual gift in prayer, he
was at once urged and encouraged t. begin
preaching, and in the first glow of their
youthful emotion and eferyescence OF a
newly kindled zeal, many exhorted with ac-
ceptation and detained with great power
and effect.
In the Methodist Church. whose perfected
organization has made IL the pioneer OF
Christianity throughout all our newly.
settled States and Territories in the great
West. the usual theological training for such
young man AS 1 have described was TO
send him out on a circuit with some aged
and experienced minister. who was expect
ed to restrain the impetuosty and temper
by the wisdom of experience the too ardent
FIRE of the enthusiastic neophyte, Just as
the farmers are accustomed TO break in a
young and too spirited colt by working
him by the side or an old, steady horse.
Such pair we're travelling on a large cir
cult through the mountains of last Iennes-
see. Arriving at village where they hoped
70 hold forth on Sunday they found the
pulpit of the one free church Of the place
occupied by Baptist preacher. he be-
longed TO the pre-Adamite, oolitlc-lims-
stone theological formation-a verltable
Hard-Shell
THR OLD MAN TOOK HIS TEXT.
After the usual preliminary services the
old man took his text. Song Of Solomon
on song Of songs, I'd chapter and 18th verse
and latter clause Of the same. And the voice
or the turtle Is heard IN our land Let rue
pause 10 say such preachers had. like Ora
tor Puff, two distinct voices, and also two
entirely different styles; the one earnest.
excited, hortatory. IN which the voice was
pitched on an alto KEY and WITH an alter
nate rising ana falling infection, I'm
many note OF linked sweetness long drawn
out" the discourse was rather sung than
said IN a peculiar tone. which som6 OF the
irreyerent named holy whine.
To student OF elocutlon the finest thing
in the whole performance was what Va
named the drop artistic. when from the
attitude OF this not unmusical chant. the
voice suddenly dropped TO tho low tone OK
ordinary conversation. But invariably by
the help of many Ohs. ans and avas, u
would again rise % the normal sing-song.
and with painful iteration repeat its melan-
chOly monotone.
On some occasions tho preacher would as
sumo look. tone and gesture eminentlY
argumentatiye and sternly logical. Then
you might look out for any conceivable a0-
surdity. Such was the case on this ocoa-
sion. The old man informed his audience
that the passage OF Scripture 70 which be
desired TO call their attention had long been
20 him difficult of Interpretation and hard
10 be understood; but after much thought.
prayer and "a oonsuItin' OF comm on-taters"
1t seemed to become clearer 70 himself, and
by the divine aid be hoped to mako It 50
also TO them likewise.
VICE or PATHOLOGY.
The vice of tautology and repetition. then
common, but. | take for granted COW en-
tireIy banished from the puipits Of ali de-
nominations. greatly afflicted the more I'M
patient hearers OF this good old man. My
brethren n sisters. why does the text
have just reSd from tue pages Of Holy Writ
IN your hearin' speak OF the voice OF the
turtle, when We all know that the turtle is
a silent and dumb animal and moreover.
why do the Scriptures say that its voice IL
heard ia our land, when we all know by eI-
perience and observation that the turtle is
not only q dumb. but also q wdter animsil
How. then. can It's voice be heard in our
land? After refeotin' and revolyin' OF
this subject in my mind. and observin' of
the ways q habits Of the turtle | saw NJ
perceived that in far aud suhny
weather, il we're the usual n habitual Gus
tom of this animal or creature 10 sun hissef
Oh some rock or log. accOrdin' to his natuT'.
And oh my brethren n sisters, how Ike
unto him is the poor. deluded sinner All
who in the day of health n prosperity is a
sunnin Of hisseh accordin' 10 his wicked
nstur' on the log Of carnal security. arrah
DOGMA or IMMERSION.
At that time. and with such preachers as
! am trying to describe. by law ss certain
as that which holds the planets in their
places. they were bound 20 grsVitats 20 tho
fundamental dogma OF immersion, aud thus
he made a practical application Of the sub
ject.
Now behold n contemplate this dumb
water animal asunnin hisself acoordn' 10
his natur. II peradventure he suddenly hears
some noise which startles a terrifies him. hs
at once plunges for safety into the water
kejum-so this sound, or voice We may
say. tho made IN the water IL heard in tho
land. and so our text is interpreted n eX-
planned, and the voice of the turtle ia heard
in ur land. and so the poor sinner terrified
by sickness or death All. or the thunders
OF the law. arrahl can no longer sun himself
on the log of carnal security. alb. but finds
that his only chance. arrah for peace and
safety, an! is in bsptism--to plunge beneath
the wave, arrah." j. HORACE LACY.
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