The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-11-16

grade. lne SeHllueI DeSdH W tam SsN
pointed to Deems. This excited them.
1t was a French spy and he was studying
the Notifications, taking notes, etc.
Deems quickly took in the situation as
to himself They think me n French spy
they will take me to the prison below
and. l shall disappear, my friends
think am elsewhere and that
will be the last of my liberty
or life. He resolved with flash OF
intelligence that he would essay an
escape and taking the consequences ne
sprang up, rushed down the wide steps,
taking two or three steps at leap, soon
turned the first winding, and away he
went The soldier with the gun did not
fire. Deems reached the street in safety
after a long, dangerous run of it, pulled
off his blouse, rolling it UP and sticking
it under his arm, and joining men and
women hurrying to the Roman Catholic
Cathedral near at hand, to attend mathis,
he entered with them and literally, as
he said, took hold of the horns of the
altar.
He made second visit to Europe, eX-
tending his travels into the Holy Land
but refrained from publishing book of
observations. A very pleasant one it
would have been doubtless, as he was
very capital traveller as well as writer.
While in London the celebrated Non
Conformist minister and commentator,
Rev. DIR. Parker, told him of a visit he
had had lately from the most remarkable
man. he said, he had ever seen. He said
he appeared to be well up in everything
that he had gonc with him to two or
three distinguished gatherings where
there We're elaborate set addresses, and
after them general discussion. He told
Deems that his American acquaintance
took the floor and not only eclipsed the
debaters, but SURPASSED the cut and dried
speeches He had forgotten his name,
but he was - wonder. Deems told him
he knew of but one man who answered
to the description, and it was Rev. DR..
Buckley, editor OF the New York
Methodist Christian Advocate THAT is
the name" said Parker. DR.. Deems
also visited Oxford University one of the
worlds chiefest beauties. He dined with
some twenty professors and prominent
citizens with the Mayor, who was
Methodist. A discussion at the table
furnished the alert Doctor with theme
on which he preached the succeeding
Sunday in the Methodist chapel. Some
time after this heard him preach in the
First Presbyterian Church, Raleigh oil
the text, THE Lord our God, is Our
Lord" / told him it was the ablest SER
mon and the most impressive that | ever
heard him preach. He then told me of
the dinner at oxford and his sermon
there that followed upon the same text.
He did not write his sermons, but eX-
literally. His sermons never
smelled of muSty tones, but
were fresh and strong and original
and delightful. / once saw him with a
full letter sheet, with four lines about
two inches apart dying before him.
said to him afterwards: "Why did you
use the sheet?" He said: Not to aid me
but to restrain me. l had four PROPOSE
tions to consider. l was afraid | might
consume too much of the time over some
one or two of the four, so l Wrote the
lines to serve as check and reminder if
l was expanding too much He needed
no crutches to help him preach
l do not enter at large on his unfort-
innate troubles with Rev. DR.. William A.
Smith, and his friends who took up the
fight for the Virginian. My friend was
more sinned against than SHINING. Let
ME tell of truly pleasant incident to
me at Petersburg, Va. There was trial
before the Virginia M. f. Conference. 1t
excited great interest. Many North
Carolinians were in attendance DR..
Deems made there the greatest speech of
his life. He spoke for four hours with
tremendous impressiven~ss and power.
Some time later, l visited Petersburg,
and took tea with Mr.. John Stevenson,
the leading dry goods merchant, who
had married a daughter of theslate Mr..
Archie McIlwaine, one of the greatest
of Virginian merchants in his time. Sit
ting after tea by the fireside Mr.. Stew
enson gave me this: Rey. DR.. Eliphalet
Mott, the eminent Presbyterian minis
ter and president Of Union Theological
Seminary, New York, was my guest, and
FOR two days attended the Methodist Con-
ference then in session. He heard the
mastery speech of Rev. DR.. Deems, of
your State. After tea he sat by the
fire silent and thoughtful. When he spoke
he said, Il have been thinking of that
most remarkable address by the young
divine. Dr. Deems. When l was a young
man, it was my good fortune to hear
Alexander Hamilton two or three times
at the bar. l do not think l ever heard
from him a speech equal to the one to
which l have just listened" You see
am reminiscent.
Let me give you one moro incident:
In 1859, in July, perhaps, there was a
trial of DR.. Deems at Louisburg n. c.,
before twelve ministers selected to con-
stitute court. 1t was brought by DR..
Carter, M. d. 1t was given out, as 1
we'll remember that the evidence was
at last complete, and, as l heard one
of DR. Deemss enemies, minister, put
it,-"The little squirmer and dodger. will
catch it at last, and get what he deserves
The evidence is complete to crush him. Z"
The trial came off, DR.. Deems made a
great speech in his own defence. Phil
Archer, who was to meet him, was pres
ent, but he did not open his mouth. Dr.
Deems triumphed, of course. Now for
an incident connected with the trial. /
suppress names, because of the living
DR.. Deems matie statement concerning