The Patowmac Guardian, And Berkeley Advertiser

Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Mecklenburg county to his friend in Petersburg.

"A most extraordinary instance of enthusiasm occurred in this county lately. The novelty of the transaction, the depravity and baseness of the mind of him who is the subject of it, as also the veneration that is due from every good member of society to the surgeon who performed the operation, makes this a narrative that ought to be communicated to the public. A Methodist preacher, named Menter, finding his religious inclinations much impeded by the impulses of nature; and apprehending that he could act more consonantly to the doctrines of his divine master, by being deprived of those parts or concomitants of the human system which were furnished him for divine purposes, procured a certain surgeon in the neighbourhood, to emasculate him. In the course of the operation, he discovered the most evident marks of religious phrenzy. When he was prostrated in order to be unsexed, he opened the Bible at the 19th chapter of Matthew's Gospel, and putting his hand on the 12th verse, pressed it to his breast, and exclaimed "Lord! I'll be an Eunuch for the Kingdom of Heaven's sake."

He bore the operation with an unprecedented fortitude, and without manifesting the smallest sensation of pain. He is now so far recovered that he is able to ride and pursue his professed vocation.

How far his conduct will meet the approbation of his brethren, is not yet ascertained. But the sisterhood with extreme vociferation, denounce vengeance against him, proclaiming him incapable of communicating inspiration as a preacher, being well satisfied that the Lord did not intend such characters to teach his precepts: They, therefore have come to a resolution not to appear where he holds forth: And they further hope that those of their sex throughout the state, who may be acquainted with his conduct, will treat him with such indignation as will deter all others of his sex and profession, from similar mutilation of the works of the Divine Architect."
Genesis, 9th chapter, 1st verse.