Paul communicated the wishes of his dying brother to Mr. Ephraim Prying,
who answered, "Certainly, Paul; why not? Go for the priest; take the
best team--that black mare, there, is the fastest traveller. O my poor
brother, why will you leave us?" said he, as he rushed up to his
brother's bed room.

It soon went abroad that uncle Jacob was at the point of death; and all
the friends and many neighbors were assembled around the bed, and among
others Mr. Barker, the Methodist preacher, who thought, as the
Presbyterian dominie's nostrums were rejected by Jacob, his own, as
being more novel, might have the desired effect. And though these
several ministers were jealous each of the influence of his neighbor,
yet any thing with them was preferable to the priest. Let uncle Jacob
turn Turk, Jew, or Heathen, any thing but a Papist, and the six
sectarian teachers of the village of S---- were content.

"Now, brother Jacob," said his roaring reverence, after a long-winded
prayer, in which he professed to command great influence with the powers
above, "how do you feel? Tell us your experience, and what you see."

"I am afraid, if I tell ye what I think and feel," said the feeble
invalid, "ye may not like to hear it, and I do not wish to give offence.
I have something else now to occupy my time besides talking for your
entertainment."

"O, by all means, brother," said the reverend roarer, "tell what you
experience; we will not be displeased, but I hope edified. I have
prayed earnestly to the Lord Jesus for thee, and he has answered me--I
have been heard."