Milford chronicle., 1902-04-18


the daring young preacher whose doc
trines. While familiar and orthodox,
were explained in novel and uncon-
ventional language and illustrated by
figures and events of the ordinary
daily life.
HIS FIRST Passionate.
At the conclusion of his theological
course he received an invitation from
Il church ut Relleville, N. j., to be-
come its pastor. He accepted it and
spent three years in that quiet town.
He was fond Of relating an incident OF
that early time which to the last Occu.
pied grateful place in his memory
lie was promised a stipend of $500 a
year, which seemed TO him a magnif-
cent income. But he was fresh from
college, with a college students pow
erty. The first installment of the in
come was not due, and he was glad
that. whenever the loneliness Of his
bachelor lodging became oppressive or
his larder bare. the hospitable homes
of his people were open to him. There
was parsonage attached to the
church, but it was as bare Of furniture
as his pOcketbook was of money. A
few of his parishioners suspected the
condition of his finances, and one day
they suggested that he take a week S
vacation. On his return one of his
church officers handed him the key OF
the parsonage. He entered and to his
amazement found it carpPtPd and coZi
/ ~ furnished from basement to garret
In the cellar was stock of coal, and
the pantry was filed with provisions
/ Even the kitchen stove contained q
fire. ready laid. "All had TO do in
beginning housekeeping" said DR.. Tai
mage in telling the incident. was tC
strike a match" This was one of his
earliest CLEANS of Ministers Sun
shine"
Belleville. however. could not retail
him long Other churches offered
wider sphere of labor. and at the ent
of his third year he accepted a call t
a church at Syracuse. N. Y. There hi
powers became more widely known
ana invitations to more prominent pul
pits poured in upon him. In 1862 a cal
came from the Second Reforme
church of Philadelphia. giving him til
opportunity of reaching the people of
great city. He accepted it. and hi
vivid, dramatic address. his anecdotG
afluence and his fresh and pertineu
illustrations took the people by storm
His hrilliant vocabulary and the 81
perb Imagery that marked all his az
dresses were a revelation. 1t was pu
pit oratory redeemed aud sublimate'
This sudden popularity might HAY
spoiled some men. but young Talmag
kept Il close watch on himself. 1t gay
him sense of enlarged responsibility
? and be became even more careful NJ
only in the preparation of his sermon
but in his general conduct.
HIS LAST CIGAR.
At the beginning of his Philadelph
passionate characteristic incident O
Cured. Dr. Talmage at that time W;
= smoker. A member of his cOngreg
lion. a tobacco merchant. called on hi
in his study aud. detecting the odor
. tobacco. he casually remarked on lea
Y ing that he would like to have t
= pleasure of sending the doctor sol
ia choice cigars. Next day the preach
= = found on his study table box fill
Is with fragrant Havanas, and on the 1
u OF the cigars was the card of the ser
Is or. inscribed. with compliments"
=. took out a cigar. looked at it. turned
Or around between his thumb and fins
and sOliloquized. "Shall | smoke a
a enjoy these and thus very likely imp
my influence with this man and
I friends and my congregation in gen
al, or shall put influence and EXAM
first? He laid the cigar back in {
box, closed it with snap and return
- it to the sender with this note:
My Dear sir-I have stopped smokin
quit today. T. D. w. I
The sudden resolution, acted out
4 the spur of the moment, was typical
-' his whole life.
8, In 1860, seven years after his set
ment in Philadelphia, DR.. Talmage
ceived simultaneous calls to Chica
tai Brooklyn and San Francisco. I'll
demands spurred him to still higher
fort. He chose Brooklyn, as he belle,
=. that city needed him most. The
w. bore only seventeen signatures, but
was unanimous, for there were but S
enteen members in the church. II
had a large building. but the pc
were mostly empty. and though
| stood oD,onor n toar,,;rc, ,,,v,,,1o+;o