CHAPTER XXVII.
An Unexpected Preacher--Andrew Hull Foote--His Character and Early Career--His Brilliant Services in the War for the Union.
One Sunday morning early in the Civil War a large assemblage had gathered in a prominent church in a Western city for the purpose of worship.

But the hour for opening the services came and passed and the preacher, the one indispensable individual, did not appear.

The auditors became uneasy.

No one knew the cause of his absence and no word came from the parsonage, which was at some distance from the church.

When the congregation were about to break up and pass out a stranger, sitting near the front, quietly arose, walked up the pulpit steps, gave out the opening hymn, led in prayer and preached a sermon which impressed all by its plain, practical truths.