University of Virginia Library

2. CHAPTER II.

I will not dwell on the storm of opposition which
was raised in the proud family of the Elbridges,
when, a few weeks subsequent to the event narrated
in the foregoing chapter, Henry announced his intention
of preparing for the ministry, after having been
admitted to the church. The young enthusiast mildly,
but firmly, resisted both entreaty and ridicule—his
patrician mother's and sister's reproaches, and the
sneers of his father and brothers, at “ranting, canting,
beggarly, methodist parsons.” With a strength and

determination which amazed those who would deter
him, he resolutely trod the rugged and undeviating
path of duty. Diligently and prayerfully he fitted
himself for his sacred office; and at the age of twenty-three
was stationed as a regular preacher, in a romantic
part of the valley of the Juniata. He had heard
much of the natural beauty of that portion of the
country, and was all ardour and hopefulness in contemplation
of his pleasant duties, as the shepherd
who should watch and lead the flock of the faithful,
scattered through those wild regions. But alas! he
soon found that he had dropped down among a set of
semi-barbarians, in manners, prejudices, habits, and
religion. Sensitive and refined, reared in luxury,
and of a delicate physical organization, what course
did the young clergyman pursue, when made aware
of the erroneous ideas he had formed of the location
to which he had been appointed? Why, he made
up his mind to labour as a missionary, ceaselessly, and
ardently, until a better state of things was established,
in his congregation at least. This he found to consist
almost altogether of the ranting methodists, whose
fits of religious feeling were accompanied by shoutings
and violent convulsions. In their meetings it
was not deemed out of order for singing, praying,
and exhorting, to go on simultaneously; and he or
she was the better saint, whose voice rose loudest or
shrillest. Gently and gradually, by the influences
of love and reason, did Elbridge bring about his
much-needed reform; and before a year had passed, a
decent quietness reigned over his religious meetings.

There was one female preacher, however, whose
frequent and singular exhortations continued a source
of considerable annoyance to Elbridge. In her “holdings
forth,” she invariably began by a powerful appeal
to the world's people, expressing a fervent desire
to behold “a harpoon from the quiver of gospel truth
piercing their stubborn hearts,” and closed with an
admonition to the brethren and sisters “never to turn
aside to pluck the flowers that grow in nater's garden,”
but to “persevere until they should land on the
other side of everlasting deliverance,” &c., &c.

Poor Elbridge found it vain for him to attempt
putting a spell upon a woman's tongue when “set on
fire of” zeal.

There was also one of the brethren, who offered a
stout breast to the flood of innovation. This was a
good old father in Israel, who had for many years
been a class-leader, and was, therefore, a privileged
person. He rejoiced in a bon-vivant-ish rotundity of
figure, and a round, funny face, irresistibly laughter
exciting in one of his calling. His seat was directly
in front of the desk, whence his responses were most
frequent and inopportune. At every “Amen” which
he uttered with a loud, sonorous voice, he brought
his heavy walking-stick to the floor, in a most striking
and emphatic manner. Having been interrupted
and confused until his patience was exhausted,
our hero of the white neck-cloth sought his hearer,
and, with kind persuasion, and by reasoning against
his mal-apropos responses, wrung from him a promise
of future forbearance. It happened that Elbridge's

next discourse was a remarkably fine one, and it was
with evident difficulty, from the first, that the “stout
gentleman” controlled his amenity. Warmer and
warmer waxed the preacher, more and more eloquent,
until it was too much for methodist nature to bear,
and the old man brought down his stick, louder than
ever, and shouted boldly, “Amen, hit or miss!”

I need hardly say that Elbridge did not attempt to
“deal” with his “unruly member.”