he was not to occupy that post always; it was only the
stepping-stone to something else, for by-and-bye some of the local
preachers would take him out with them to their appointments, and let
him talk to the people as well as he was able. Wherever he went they
said he must be sure and come again; he was so quaint, droll, plain,
yet withal so fervent, that everyone enjoyed his remarks, and wished to
hear him again.

About the year 1833, and during the ministry of the Revs. J. Curtis and
G. Bradshaw in the Huddersfield Circuit, an incident took place which
will give an idea of the style of Abe's early preaching efforts. It
was on one Shrove Tuesday afternoon that he had to preach at
Paddock;--the service was at that time conducted in a cottage;--a good
deal of talk had been indulged in by the people in anticipation of
Abe's visit, and a great amount of curiosity and interest was excited.
The place was full. Abe arrived, rubbing his hands, and blessing the
Lord, and immediately took his place, and commenced the service. His
prayer was like himself, rough and earnest; Divine power came down upon
the little company, and tears of joy ran from all eyes. He selected a
lesson with which he was familiar, and managed the reading very
creditably. Abe then took his text, the subject being Abraham offering
up his son Isaac on Mount Moriah. Just at that moment the Rev. J.
Curtis came into the service. Now the unexpected appearance of the
Superintendent Minister, under circumstances like those, would have
unnerved most young preachers, but it had no such effect on Abe; he no
sooner set his eyes on him, than he said, "Naa thaa sees I'm at it,
we're just baan off to Mount Moriah, and thaa mun goa too," and off he
went in a style peculiarly his own.

He drew some very amusing pictures of the patriarch, his son, and the
young men preparing for the journey; he had Abraham ordering the
servant men to do this, fetch that, undo something else; he had a deal
of trouble in saddling the asses, those animals exhibiting the
obstinate tendencies for which their descendants are even yet so
renowned; all was at length ready, Abraham and his attendants were
mounted and setting off, when the door was again opened, and in walked
the Rev. G. Bradshaw, the young minister. At sight of him Abe shouted,
"Aye, lad, thaa art baan to be too late, we've gotten th' mules saddled
and had a'most gone withaat thee, but niver moind, thaa mun catch a
mule fo