MINISTERIAL HEROISM.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume IV, Issue 96, 26 August 1852, Page 4

MINISTERIAL HEROISM.

The courage and intrepidity of Rev. J. W. Fleteher of the M. E. Church were very remarkable. There is an anecdote related by his biographers on this subject so striking, that I cannot resist the temptation of, presentting it to your readers, Mr. Fletcher had a ver> pwfiigatcnephew, a military ir.an, who had been dismissed from Ihc Sardinian service for base and imgcnllcmanly conduct. He had engaged in two or three duels, and dissipated his resources in a career of vice and extravagance. This desperate youth wailed one day on his eldest uncle, General He Gons, and presenting a loaded pistol, threatened lo shoot him unless he would immediately advance him five hundred crowns. The general, though a brave man, well knew what a desperado he bad lo deal wilh, gave him a draft for llic money, at the same lime expostulating freely with him on his rouduct. The young madman rode off triumphantly with his ill-gotten acquisition. In the evening passing the door of his younger uncle, Mr. Fletcher, he determined to call on him, and began wilh informing him what Gen. T)c Gons had done, and as a proof exhibited the draft under J)e Gon's own hand. Mr. Flelclier. look the draft from his nephew and looked at it with astonishment. Then after some remarks, putting it in hispockct, said—"ltslrikcsmo, young man, that you have possessed yourself of this note by some indirect method, and in honesty I cannot return it but wilh my brother's knowledge and approbation. The nephew's pislol was immediately at his breast. "My life, " replied Mr, F. with perfect calmness," issccure in Ihc protection of an Almighty power, nor will he suffer it to be the forfeit of my integrity, and of your rashness," This firmness drew from the nephew the observation that his uncle He Gons, though au old soldier, was more afraid of death than his brother. " Afraid of death," replied Mr. Flelclier, do you Ihink I have been twenty-five years the minister of the Lord of life to be afraid of death now? No, sir; il is for you to bo afraid of death ! You are a gamester and a cheat, yet call yourself a gentleman! You are the seducer of female innocence and still say you are a gentleman'. You arc a duelist, and for this you style yourself a man of honor ! Look there, sir, (he broad eye of Heaven is fixed upon you ; tremble in llie presence of your Maker, who can in a moment kill your body and forever banish your soul in hell." The unhappy man lurned pale and trembled alternately with fear and rage. Flelclier, ihuiigh thus menaced, gave no alarm, .sought for no weapon, and atlempicd 110 escape. He calmly conversed with his profligate

relation ; and at length perceiving liim to be affected, addressed him in language truly paternal, till lie liad fairly disarmed, and subdued dim. He would not return his brother's draft hut engaged to procure the jtHing man some immediate relief, lie then prayed with hiniand alter fulfilling his promise of assistance parted from himwith much good advice.— California Christian Advocate.