I
presented to him my mission, and he seemed embarrassed.
"I am with you, of course. My mother was a Methodist, and all my
sympathies are with the Methodist Church. I am a Southern man in all my
convictions and impulses, and I am a Southern Methodist in principle.
But you see, sir, I am a candidate for United States Senator, and
sectional feeling is likely to enter into the contest, and if it were
known that my name was on your list of subscribers, it might endanger my
election."
He squeezed my arm, told me he loved me and my Church, said he would be
happy to see me often, and so forth--but he did not give me his name. I
left him, saying in my heart, Here is a politician.
Going on together, in the corridor we met Gwin. Solomon introduced me,
and told him my business.
"I am glad to know that you are going to start a Southern Methodist
newspaper. No Church can do without its organ. Put me down on your list,
and come with me, and I will make all these fellows subscribe. There is
not much religion among them, I fear, but we will make them take the
paper."
This was said in a hearty and pleasant way, and he took me from man to
man, until I had gotten more than a dozen names, among them two or three
of his most active political opponents.
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