The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-11-08
BLaCNsnITH AND PREACHER.
An Illiteratc Tennessee Evangelist Who
Has Had Great success.

The Rev Ton Sexton, the blacksmith
preacher. who is h. own 10 thousands OF
people trrolghou; East Tennessee, has
been preaching the Gospel for eight years
and never went 10 school uay IN his
life This man has an interesting career.
I'm fact. Ill is remarkable. Tie is now Just
fCrty years Old, ana during the coming
winter he il loinc to take study course,
and some oay he VIII dOuotl IS De one of
the leading cNaLLeIl-ts or the country.
His home Is in Masyville. where hc has
Vile and family al little ones.
Few people who are natives Of Blount
county ana DO saw Tom osX'On grow up
10 mamie Od ever dreamed thut be- would
be a mini. ter of the Gospel He was Dorn
near ClasfsyilIe. Ga. and is the son of
John Sexton, WhO was a veteran black
smith
In 1870. the scxtcn family located in
alOunt county, ant tho old msn opened
small blacksmith shop alongside the
Knoxville and Augusta railroad track.
about three mile beyond Rockford. Here
he remained until few years before ms
death. which occurred seven years ago.
Sections shop vas known far and wide.
in IL a., 70 was the only one ln that neck
of the " Cods for several years. Tom
grew M around the shop. and about all
hc learned wal, the trade of bis father.
When hc became of age Doe was married.
and soon after of ticd "a shop FOR himself
at Marl Vile iut later moved 10 Rock
=
his life. ilc was known over th' country
ass an habtual dTIukard. and was often
in trouble. Ateitclns his business 10
great extent.
one day bee bad been 10 Knoxville. booz-
ing pretty heavily. and thought the train
had lcf' him. $50 he attempted 10 walk
home. OUT rear the Knoxville and Au-
gusta iurctiOn hc s1t down upon 20 cross
tie and when the vain came along Doe Zee
fused 10 get up. Hnu the consequence WAS
that De was knocked into "A ditch. but
not seriously hurt and was picked mp and
taken 10 bis home. which then was In
Ittlc ~; me hun just beyond the Rock
ford depot Another time Doe was going
home late one night riding h0r.oback.
and rode his hors. or into ditch. the
aimal falling ca him. and ueither.wls able
10 get mp untI man came along ana
took tho animal OF the man. Another
tine he drove "a blind mule into the river,
having On the buggy his wife and chill
drcn. but 10 happened none of them was
killed.
Eight years age Tom professcd religion
and determined f0 lead "a better life. lie
concluded that he had been called 10
preach. and $50 go Morgan
town in Loadoun county ne
preached his first sermon and
from that day Go this hc has kept con-
siantly az d. In hno%SNille be- has heid
four REVEALS aud bad 300 conversions.
During AN his life ~ drunkonness he says
his good wife prayed for him. and never
did he doubt beer religion. and since he
became Il preacher She has taught him 10
read and write. Since then hc has had a
straug desire Co attain more know ledge.
but has never had the time nor the
means. He IS now preaching throughout
East Tennessee f0 get money enough 10
surport his family Tor three months dur
ing the winter while he puts in that time
in STUDYING Some OF the college profess
sors al Maryyiie have agreed 10 give
him Instructions and 10 hear him recitc.
While i'm the city one day last week be
said that be was Just going TO cast of
an care and do nothing but study. tarlf
i'm the fall be- viii open n big revival in
Knoxville. and WHAT money he can make
will so toward keeping his family while
De H. study lng.-kr0Nvillc Tribune.