The age-herald., 1898-03-06
SAM JONES AND
 HIS STORIES How Bob Taylor Ascended the Lecture Platform. HAWTHORNE AS A LECTURER How the Divine Settled Negro Row While He Was llI-Some of Sam Jones' Newest
 and Best Epigrams.
 
HAWTHORNE AS A LECTURER


 governor of Georgia last week and retiring in favor of Col Candler after being in the race only five days, has caused more talk than anything that has happened in Geor- gia in a long time MT. Jones occupies unique position in Georgia. and is general ly regarded as a privileged character, but the Georgia politicians are not disposed to accord him any privileges that they cannot get for themselves. So it comes to pass that MT. Jones was set upon by the whole pack as soon as he had put himself in the race MT. Jones was not used to this and he did not like it. He has been poking fun at other people for these twenty years but he does not like to have fun poked at him. Consequently he retired from the race as unceremoniously as he entered it, and is once more full fledged private citizen.
 Sam Jones has lost none of his power pulpit orator and platform speaker. On last Sunday he spoke to 10000 people in the tabernacle, which was first erected for the meetings held by MT. Moody in 1895. The building was full and about 2,000 were turn ed away. This was the largest crowd ever seen in the tabernacle. MT. Moody never drew such crowd and this one beat any of the great gatherings that have assem- bled here under the preaching of Sam Jones heretofore The sermon on this oc- casion a powerful appeal in behalf of local charity, and MT. Jones was never more forceful.
 Bv the way. Sam Jones tells good story on Bob Taylor. MT. Jones was speaking of the thanklessness of the politician's task, and illustrated this point by some unwritten biography of Gov. Taylor
 Bob Taylor" said he, "had been gov ernor and congressman, and it was all over. He went down to Chattanooga and put out his shngle He was there some time without case, and one day he walk cd into George Stewards office and said, George we were raised together and l want to tell you something. I have been governor of Tennessee and congressman and in those days I had plenty of friends and was not without money. Now l have neither money nor friends, and have been here three weeks and I haven't done thing Just awhile ago the sheriff came over and levied on my library and I don't know what to do.'
 "George Stewart looked at him and said, Bob. you can make fortune as plat form lecturer
 ".Do you really think SOP said Bob
 "I know dt' said George. Go with your family upon the Wautauga where you and I were raised, and spend a month. Drive stake down and tae all the jokes you can \ find to it and get up your lecture. Then come down here and let mes see you again.,
 About a month after that Bob walked into the office and said: George. I've got my lecture. Will you let me deliver 1t to you? "George said yes. and they locked the door and Bob commenced. He went on with the fiddle and the bow, and when he got through George said, Bob. your for tunes made. Sam Jones and I can sell that lecture for you, and you cap-iso all over the country with Tn three weeks from that time he had sold hundred nights at s100 night, and the lecture was delivered within the tfme He made s1o,Ooo in three months"
 Dr. J. B. Hawthorne is another accom- plished pulpit orator, who has taken the platform as a lecturer. He is one of the most finished orators in America. He and Sam Jones are about as different as 1t is possible for men to be, but they have one quality in common, and that Is rugged courage. Both are uncompromising prohi- btionists and have waged bitter warfare against the liquor traffic Hawthorne is a man of striking appearance. He is very, tall and has a handsome face. He has leonine jaws, and any one can see that he is a born fighter. At times his oratory is turgid and tempestuous and at other times it flows with smooth and classic rythm and euphonious cadence. He always prepares for his utterances and adds to thorough preparation the charm and force of superb delivery. He does not deliver by note, but has his speech well in hand before he mounts the rostrum. I heard nm lntrOQuce u S1lNeT-lOHSueu OTdtOI OuCS and he so excelled that gentleman in the brief introduction that the speech which followed fell flat. An interesting story is teld to illustrate the good doctors cumulative disposition. When he was living at College Park, sub urb ten miles out of Atlanta, he fell sick of the grip, and while he was down some negroes who had been allowed to live .on the place began to be disorderly. They made so much disturbance that the doctor sent them word that they must stop their noise. The negroes thought they could as they pleased while Dr. Hawthorne was in bed, and they sent him word that they would stop when they got ready.
 This infuriated the doctor. and he dis patched the messenger to Atlanta for pistol and some cartridges When the messenger returned he got up out of bed, went to the shanty where the negroes were and called to them to open the door. They gave an insolent answer and he re- peated the order with a roar and bang on the door, This brought them out. Pre- senting his pistol he coolly informed them that they had two minutes to get off the premises. Thereupon, he took out his watch and cooked the pistol.- He had in his eye the look that meant shoot, and the astonished negroes took their flight in- stantly.
 Some of Sam Jones' epigrams that have never seen the light In his sermons are worth printing. One day he was on the train with worldly minded friend who was liberal giver according to his own idea, but not according to MT. Jones' com putation.
 "Why don't you give more?" said Jones.
 ''I give according to my means.'' said the man, with some confidence.
 'Yes," said Sam, but you ought not to stop at that. You ought to give according to your meanness."
 In his recent sermon at Atlanta Mir. Jones said a good word for the Atlanta pastors, whom he has often ridiculed. After pay ing high tribute to the piety and ability of these gentlemen he said there was a necessity for some preaching outside the churches, because some of them were so formal end uninviting to the sinner that he never went near them.
 Why" said he, 'these need-not people put man in an ice box all the year and then cuss him because he does not sweat"
 MT. Jones' characterization of selfishness was particularly happy. He said on that subject: