Sketches of the Life and Character of the Rev. Lemuel Haynes, A. M.: For Many Years Pastor of a Church in Rutland, Vt., and Late in Granville, New-York

by Timothy Mather Cooley

The children were prone to regard their father as sufficient authority for any point of doctrine or duty. After gaining their father's opinion, it was as when in old time they asked counsel of Abel; "So they ended the matter." The father, however, utterly discountenanced the disposition to quote him as authority, insisting that the child should examine for himself. If it was ever said, by way of proving any point in divinity, "Father said so;" he would reply most earnestly, "Don't make a Bible of me." One day, somewhat disturbed by being thus used, he repaired to his study and penned the following couplets :— , "How often has my soul been vexed When I am quoted as a text; I must be burned at the stake If you of me a Bible make."

Lemuel's humility