Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1902-04-19
PASSING OF A GREAT PREACHER
Remarkable Career Of the Late Rev. Dr. De- Witt Talmage Won
deliu influence For GOOd-Ow Three Of His Churches Took
OIL RED Wings Of Fire Undressing Anecdotes.

ton with the Washington church in
1900 and thereafter gave himself up
wholly to editorial work and preaching
and lecturing.
The passing years served to increase
his fame, and the announcement OF his
preaching was always sufficient 10 at
tract vast audience. His personal
mail was probably the largest OF any
man In America outside of public Office.
There were thousands who wrote to
him, asking advice in spiritual things
and laying their hearts bare 10 one
whom they regarded as bearing a oil.
vine mission and speaking with au'
thority"
DR.. Talmage's home at 400 Massa-
chusetts avenue. Washington, was
handsome four story building, modern
I'm style. Here In the center OF national
influence and culture the great preach
er dispensed his hospitality to guests
who visited him from all parts OF the
world. His study was an Ideal snug
gerry, lined with well filled bookshelves
and big. inviting. leather covered chairs
and settees. Books and periodicals were
everywhere Near by was famous col
lection OF relics from eastern lands.
trophies Of many journeys-rocks from
sinai, pebbles from the brook Elah
(whence David took the stones with
which he slew GOLIATH, relics from the
Acropolis, from the Parthenon, from
Mars hill (where Paul preached to the
Athenians), from Sinai, Jerusalem, Oil
vet and even Calvary.
GREAT SERMONS AT SEVENTY.
Few men in literary life retained their
intellectual vigor so long. Even those
who knew him best could detect no
diminution In the force Of his elo-
Quence and no dimming Of the luster
of his splendid periods though he had
turned seventy. His last sermons were
every whit as brilliant as those he com
posed when in his prime. His eye was
as clear, his voice as flexible and reso-
nant and his step as elastic as though
he were not nearing that border land
where burdens are laid down." Those
last few golden years were In some re-
spects the happiest Of his life. Though
they were busy years, they still left
him some leisure. In the summer.
which he usually passed at his beauti-
full country home at EasthamptOn, n.
Y, he did an immense amount Of liter
airy work. He was a most agreeable
host and could recall with photograph
ic fidelity scenes and events long pass
ed delighting his guests with such
"reminiscences. He was the personal
friend Of many leading Americans Of
the preceding half century, and his rec
objections Of presidents, statesmen, au-
thors and other eminent people were
full Of interest Few men possessed
the ability to tell a story so entertain
ingly. He had the keenest sense Of hui
NOR and frequently set his audience in
q roar by his droll wit and comic MINI
icry. But it was always good humored,
and his wit, like a buttoned foil, had a
point that hurt nobody. A master Of
invecuve he was kindly at heart and
never quarrelsome. Once when he was
asked why he allowed attacks upon
him to pass unheeded he answered
with characteristic story:
THE FATE OF THE FLY.
when l was preaching my first SER
mon, on a hot summer Sunday. had
just given out the text and had hardly
opened my mouth for the first SEN
tence of my discourse when in poDped
a fly. could hear him hopping around
in my mouth and buzzing like all pos
sessed. A cold sweat broke out all
over me. | felt him back In my throat.
J | glared at the audience. They were
looking at me expectantly. l felt that
the crisis of my life had arrived and
that | must act at once. Through my
hot brain flashed the thought Shall !
gag and spit out the intruder and make
a spectacle Of myself before these peo-
pie who are waiting for the sermon
and thus very likely spoil the effect of
it and ruin my reputation at the out
set Of my career or shall take the lei
low down and wrest victory from the
enemy My mind was made up on the
instant | gulped. Down went Mr..
| Fly, to be converted into flesh and
bone and muscle, and | plunged into
nv sermon and went through it with
such zest and earnestness that the rows
of people who met me at the door to
shake hands declared 1t was the best
sermon they had ever listened to. And
I've been swallowing flies ever since,
he added, with droll twinkle Of the
eve. whenever one attacks in the
paper or elsewhere simply say to my
self: Here's another fly. III take him
down.. And down be goes. | find it the
best way to avoid Quarrels and to over
come trining obstacles which would
only be magnifed by opposition"
INSPIRED FROM LID re LID"
DR.. Talmage's doctrine was OF the
old fashioned orthodox type, but it fell
with new attractions from his eloquent
lips. He believed in a Bible INSPIRED
from lid to lid" and many times during
his career he came to the front as de
fender OF the integrity Of the book OF
books. He repudiated the higher criti-
cism" as q menace to the old religion
and denounced as jmpious the doubts
concerning miracles and inspiration
| His famous attack on Ingersoll created
something of sensation twenty years
ago. He scored the brilliant agnostic
in a series Of sermons full OF vigorous
philippics. Often be chose as target
for his oratorical batteries the foibles
and besetting sins Of society. and he
never spared his ammunition. He pow
ed out broadsides on Wall street, the
saloons, gamblers, low politicians ana
all who came within the range of his
criticism. His forceful denunciation OF
popular vices was equaled only by his
ability to move his audience to tears OF
sympathy when he chose to appeal to
the emotions. No preacher in century