. T. DeWitt Talmage : his life and work : biographical edition . e and art and observation the freshest things to illustrate his theme. This added sense of responsibility, because of his very, success, was shownin other ways, notably in one striking incident. Not long after his coming tothe Quaker City, a tobaccomerchant, who was one of theleading members of the Sec-ond Reformed Church, calledon him one day in his study,and with the nostril trainedfor the scent of the weed, de-tected the odor of tobacco. Hesaid nothing about it at thecall. On shaking hands withhis pastor, he remarked, asthough
. T. DeWitt Talmage : his life and work : biographical edition . e and art and observation the freshest things to illustrate his theme. This added sense of responsibility, because of his very, success, was shownin other ways, notably in one striking incident. Not long after his coming tothe Quaker City, a tobaccomerchant, who was one of theleading members of the Sec-ond Reformed Church, calledon him one day in his study,and with the nostril trainedfor the scent of the weed, de-tected the odor of tobacco. Hesaid nothing about it at thecall. On shaking hands withhis pastor, he remarked, asthough it had just occurred tohim, that he would give him-self the pleasure of sending thepreacher some choice cigars. Sure en ouch the verv next . J; £ , r - T. DEWTTT TAIMAGE AT 25 IN HIS 4JTH YEAR day. Dr. I almage found on his study table a box of fragrant Havanas, and a card informing him that it was sent with the compliments of his caller of the day before. Taimage took out a cigar. and held it for a few moments in profound reflection. He enjoyed smoking, and. T. DEWTTT TALMAGE AT 25 THE FRAGRANT WEED was attractive to him. But his new sense of responsibility concerning the greatopportunity which was evidently his, was upon him, and as he twirled the cigarbetween his fingers, he said to himself: Shall I smoke and enjoy these, and 56 T. DE WITT TALMAGE—HIS LIFE AND WORK thus very likely impair my influence with this man and his friends, and my con-gregation in general, or shall I put influence and example first? It was adecisive hour. It was a critical moment. The thing itself may have beensmall, but it was a great thing as indicating the spirit of the man. He madehis decision, laid the cigar back in the box, carefully closed it, and wrapping itup again, returned it to his friend and parishioner with this brief but decisivenote: My Dear Sir:—I have stopped smoking—quit to-day. T. D. W. T. This incident is a window into Dr. Talmages heart and mind at this time,showing that
Size: 1839px × 1359px
Photo credit: © Reading Room 2020 / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, booksubjectclergy, bookyear1902
