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THE LIBRARIES
Bequest of
Frederic Bancroft
1860-1945
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ELDER ELIJAH MARTINDALE.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND SERMONS
Elder Elijah Martindale
PIONEER HISTORY OF THE BOYD FAMILY
By Belle Stanford
INDIANAi^OjLI^^ , ;/,
CARLOX & HOLLENBECK, PRINTERS
'', ,1802 :
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INTRODUCTION.
Few men in the Christian ministry to- day know what toils and privations accom- panied the early pioneer preachers.
It is well to take a glance backward, and read a few sketches of those men who went forth without money and without price, try- ing to sow the seed of the Kingdom in tlie wild regions of America.
In preparing the second part of this work for publication, it is not the sole object merely to preserve a family history, but to show to the present generation what it cost our forefathers to purchase the blessings and liberties that we as a nation enjoy.
Belle St.\xford.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PART FIRST.
CHAPTER I. Birth and Early Training — Emigration to Ohio — To Indiana — Indian Troubles'— Returning a Sec- ond Time to Our New Home — Religious Impres- sions 1
CHAPTER II.
Marriage — Deep Conviction for Sin— Christian Ex- perience and Baptism— A Journey with William Stubbs — Uniting with the XewHght Church. ... 10
CHAPTER III. Ordained to the Ministry— First Sermon— Pov- erty and Persecution— Mourners Uncomforted— Preaching Near New Lisbon— Flattery 18
CHAPTER IV. The Jerusalem Doctrine Calls Down Persecution — Voted Out of the New House — Some Things Lacking — Controversial Preaching — Ministers Exhorted to Faithfulness 25
CHAPTER V. Preaching the Gospel — Desire _f or Unio» — Love for the Erring — Zeal of the Old Preachers 31
CHAPTER VI. Preaching Near Middletown 38
vi TABLK OF COXTKNTS.
CHAPTKK VII. Preaching at Beiitoiiville 44
CHAPTER YIII.
A Flourishing Church at Hillsboro 51
IIRIEF ARTICLES AND SERMOXS.
CHAPTER IX.
On Family Training 59
CHAPTER X.
The Gospel Invitation CA
CHAPTER XL
Thanksgiving Sermon 69
CHAPTER XII. Sermon on Prayer 74
CHAPTER XIII. Letter to Church Members 80
CHAPTER XIV. Object and Form of Local Churches 82
CHAPTER XV.
On Exhortation 85
CHAPTER XVI.
Parable of the Ten Virgins 87
CHAPTER XVIL
Religion and Politics 94
CHAPTER XVIII. Where is the True Church of Christ 98
TABLE UF CONTENTS. yii
CHAPTER XIX. Letter to My Brother John 103
CHAPTER XX.
Extract from a Speech Delivered at an <)1<1 Set- tlers' Meeting, New Castle, August 10, 1871 107
CHAPTER XXI.
Sermon Delivered at Xew Castle 1 10
Song 115
History of the Martindale Family in America, by Elijah Martindale 117
PART SECOND.
CHAPTER I.
P'Jizabeth Martindale — She Sends Out a Mission- ary— The Boyd Family in the Revolutionary War ". 120
CHAPTER II. History of Samuel Boyd and Family 126
CHAPTER III.
Samuel Boyd Among the Indians 136
CHAPTER IV.
Elijah and Elizabeth Martindale and Family 141
CHAPTER V.
The Boyd Family 153
CHAPTER YI. The History of Dr. Boyd and His Brothers in the Army 162
CHAPTER YII. Pioneer Life at Mt. Yernon 160
CHAPTER I.
BIRTH AND EARLY TRAINING — EMIGRATION TO OHIO— TO INDIANA — INDIAN TROUBLES — RETURNING A SECOND TIME TO OUR NEW HO^IE — RELIGIOUS IMPRESSIONS.
I was born in Laurence District, South Carolina, November 10, 1793. I was the oldest child of my mother, who was a pious member of the Baptist church. To her more than any earthly means am I indebted for that influence which made me a Christian. Well do I remember the first family prayer she ever made with her children. I was quite young but I never entirely lost the impression that was made on my mind by that prayer. I now believe that the admoni- tions, warnings, exhortations and prayers of a faithful mother seldom if ever fail to bring her children under the saving power of the Gospel.
2 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
My father became a member of the Baptist church when I was about ten years old. I remember how it rejoiced my mother when she got her companion to join her in the service of the Lord. When I was about eight years old my father left the South and moved to War- ren county, Ohio, where I was brought to manhood.
In the fall of 1811 we moved to the Territory of Indiana and my father, John Martindale, bought land in Wayne county, and built his cabin on the creek that took his name and will carry it per- haps to the end of time.
In a few days after we made our settle- ment came the battle of Tippecanoe, then war with England, and what was worse the uprising of the Indians in many parts of Indiana. Those dark and gloomy days, so full of 23eril and danger, come throng- ing back in my memory yet. The In- dians became so troublesome that a few
ELDER ELIJAH MARTIXDALE. 3
settlers went to work and built a fort, en- closing our cabin with a block-house, and some two or three families moved in. We soon found this to be a very unhappy way of living. The fort was protected to some extent by rangers sent out by the government to watch the movements of the Indians, yet father, seeing the bad in- fluence by which his family was sur- rounded, concluded to move back to Ohio. Before he left he was visited by his cousin, David Young, who had bought land in the neighborhood Avhere the city of Richmond now stands. He had moved his family away for fear of the Indians and was living alone trying to raise some corn. He greatly desired father to let me go home with him and help him to tend his corn. I went, and while I was there a large company of Indians claiming to be friendly came into the neighborhood to buy provisions. They made their camp a short distance west of Young's
4 AUTOBIOGEAPHY OF
house, which lay right between their camp and the settlement, so they would pass us generally twice a day. We didn't feel much afraid of them while they kept sober, but after some days some wicked person sold liquor to a squad of them and made them drunk, so drunk they could not get into camp, but late in the iiight they stumbled into Young's house where we were fast asleep. They hallooed. Young awake and ordered the door open. He made no reply. They then forced the door open and came in, ten or twelve in number, all drunk, singing, dancing and hallooing at the top of their voices. By this time Young had succeeded in waking me by severe pinching as he was afraid to speak to me. He said in a whis- per, "What shall we do?" I think he proposed leaving the house. I had been more among the Indians than he and I suppose was not so much alarmed, though I was then but a boy. I said let us get
ELDER ELIJAH MARTIXDALE. 5
up and spread some bedding on the floor and order those drunken rascals with authority to lie down and be still. We did so' and succeeded in getting them all to lie down. We went to bed and I slept soundly, but my friend Young said he slept no more that night, but lay and watched our intruders. He said several times one or more would rise and dance awhile, then lie down again. I have often wondered why I was so insensible to the dangers we were in 'with those dru^iken savages, who were always filled with hatred to the white man, and especially in a state of intoxica- tion. The Pottawotamies and the Dela- wares were the tribes most common. They owned all the land west of the West Fork of Whitewater and east of the Wa- bash. All this beautiful land was an un- broken wilderness under the claims of the savages.
In the war of 1812 the frontier settlers
6 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
suffered mostly from that barbarous prac- tice of bribing the savages to murder in- nocent women and children. Some of the tribes professed to be neutral, but they no doubt were in league with the war In- dians and would often commit murder and robbery in order to sell the scalps and plunder to those in the British serv- ice. At all events they were much in- clined to do mischief, and few of them could be trusted.
When peace was restored we moved back to our new home and went to work to clear away the forest trees and make a farm. We had but little chance for im- provement from either church or school, but there was more kindness and neigh- borly services than I find in older settled countries. When people attain wealth they are apt to lose that brotherly regard that is necessary to social enjoyment in this life. My father's house was for sev- eral years the meeting place of the Bap-
ELDER ELIJAH MARTINDALE. 7
tist people. Adams Banks, James Smith and others were the preachers. I often felt deep convictions at these meetings. My kind parents took much pains to enlighten my mind in regard to the great truths of the Bible. My early religious training was among the Baptists and Methodists exclusively. The first deep and lasting conviction for sin or the danger of living and 'dying in sin was fastened on my mind in hearing a discourse from Adjet Mac- guire, a Methodist minister, on the words of Jesus, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." The sermon was such an exhibi- tion of the love of God in the gift of his son, of the love and condescension- of our adorable Savior in coming from Heaven to this poor earth, in laboring and teach- ing, in suifering and dying, and all to save poor lost souls such as I felt myself to be. Oh ! it was an arrow from the di- vine quiver fastened in my heart. I was
8 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
then about fifteen years of age. Most likely I should have joined the Methodist church then had it not been for the strong- objections of my father ; he didn't like the doctrine taught by the Methodists. I was often religiously impressed by hear- ing both Baptist and Methodist sermons after the time referred to, but such was the influence of parties and sects in re- ligion that I was thrown back into sin and wasted some ten years of my life that might have been spent in the service of my Master if the good people had been united happily in the oneness for which Christ so earnestly prayed. Oh. what a debt of thankfulness I owe to God for sparing my life until I could get clear of Satan's net spread out to entangle me through the work of a divided church. Creeds and names and a party spirit is the great hindrance to the conversion of the world to-day. It is a Babel of confu- sion which causes many poor souls to
ELDER ELIJAH MARTINDALE. 9
wander on in sin. May the Lord hasten the time when such discord and strife will cease and the watchmen ujoon the walls of Zion will speak the same things, fulfilling the prayer of the Savior, " that they may be one in us that the world may believe that thou hast sent me."
10 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
CHAPTER II.
MARRIAGE — DEEP CONVICTION FOR SIN — EXPERIENCE AND BAPTISM — A JOURNEY WITH WILLIAM STUBBS — UNITING WITH THE NEWLIGHT CHURCH.
I was .married to Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel Boyd, October 12, 1815. My companion was a member of the church called JN'ewlights. I was greatly preju- diced against these people. I thought their religion was merely animal excite- ment. I once attended a meeting near Jacksonburg, Wayne county, Indiana. The excitement was carried to a high pitch. The jerks were common in those meetings. While I was trying to muster up evidence to condemn the work I was so full of superstition and my mind so darkened in religious matters, I remem- ber going to the woods to pray to the Lord to give me some way or means to
ELDER ELIJAH MARTINDALE. 11
decide whether the work was of God or not. Why did I not go to the Bible? I well knew that I was an unconverted man, and I had been strictly taught that such an one could not understand the Scrip- tures. I will here state that after nearly a half century of my life has been spent in reading, praying and preaching the Grospel, I am more confirmed in the be- lief that this relic of popery, this teach- ing that excludes the unconverted from learning the will of God by reading the Scriptures, is not only erroneous but dan- gerous to the souls of men. For several years after I was married and settled in life, I was in deep trouble about my soul, and although much error was mixed with my former teaching, yet one great truth was firmly fixed in my heart : " You must be born again." Wherever I Avent I was followed by these powerful words. I tried to shield myself by the errors of the churches ; I scrutinized the conduct of
12 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
23rofessors and tried to bring them on a level with myself, but this truth still rankled in my heart : " You must be born again or be forever lost." I went to the preachers of different orders ; some would say, " stand still and see the salvation of God ;" others would say, " pray on till you find relief." This last advice I heeded most. How could I help trying to do something ? There was too much at stake to be idle, but what to do I didn't know ; I would sometimes leave my work and wander in the grove, sometimes kneeling to pray, other times weeping and groan- ing in great distress. After many days spent in this condition, my mind turned on the words of the blessed Savior : "In my Father's house are many mansions ; if it were not so I would have told you." — John, xiv : 2. Oh, the love these words conveyed ; but may I claim them ? I labored for some evidence that I was a character embraced in these blessed words.
ELDER ELIJAH MARTINDALE. 13
At length other Scripture that I had learned came into my mind, and gradually and thankfully I settled down into the hope that I was converted and saved. JN'ow I began to look about to find the right church. My j^arents were Baptists of the old school ; my wife and her par- ents were Christians. Many of my near relatives, whom I greatly esteemed, were Methodists. They all seemed to have confidence in me and wanted me to unite with them. I decided at once that some of them must be Avrong or they would not diifer so much. I concluded I had better apply myself to reading and prayer to find the right way. I went among them all and joined them in worship and was kindly received. I had been taught to believe that a converted sinner must be baptized. How could I obtain baptism without joining the church ? I greatly desired to be immersed by a Baptist min- ister. I often talked with them on the
14 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
subject. They would say, " Come to the church." I answered, " I don't receive the covenant of the church as scriptural." Finally we were visited by a Seventh Day Baptist missionary from the state of New Jersey. I attended his meeting at the old Baptist church on Martindale's creek. When he finished his discourse I walked forward, though he was an entire stranger, I told him in the presence of the congre- gation I wanted him to baptize me. He seemed surprised, and w^anted to know why I didn't come to the church. I told him I couldn't endorse the covenant. After some consultation, I was requested to tell my experience. I did so, and was approbated. Old Father Platts was re- ceived, and we repaired to the water, where we were both immersed. This was about the year 1818. I now felt happy in the belief that I was in Christ's king- dom, though not in any of the churches of the contending parties. Now I had at-
ELDER ELIJAH MARTINDALE. 15
tained a happy and blessed enjoyment of the love of God shed abroad in my poor heart. I wanted others to come and feast with me, so I began to exhort at the dif- ferent meetings I attended. I had but little learning and but a small store of Scripture knowledge ; still I was every- where invited and encouraged to go on in the good work of exhortation. In those days I attended a meeting of the United Brethren, conducted by a preacher whose name was William Stubbs. He invited me to go with him a week or two on his circuit. I went, and we had a good time. Many of the members of that order were pious, good people. While we were rid- ing* along one day on our way to our next appointment, I asked Bro. Stubbs this question: "Were not the persons that the apostle commanded to be baptized about the same as we call mourners?" After a short pause, he replied : "It looks a good deal like it ; but it would not do
16 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
for a rule with us. We would get too many bad members in the church." Now I don't think I had ever heard such a thought expressed by any living man at that time. Some years after, when I read an article from the pen of Bartain W. Stone, advocating the doctrine of baptism for the remission of sins to believing peni- tents, it looked as natural as the face of an old acquaintance.
I left Bro. Stubbs in the neighborhood of Connersville. The next meeting I at- tended was a Baptist association in a grove near Judge Webb's. Here the doctrine of the eternal justification of the elect was argued with a zeal and talent worthy of a better cause. Soon after this I 'at- tended a large protracted meeting of the Christian body called Newlights. Here I united with the church. When the way was open for the reception of members I went forward and asked the privilege of speaking a few words. This being granted,
ELDER ELIJAH MARTINDALE. 17
I remarked that I felt such an anxious de- sire for the oneness of the Lord's peojDle that I wanted so far as possible to be united with all of them. I requested the hand of brotherly affection from every Christian in the congregation. The hands of many did I clasp that day that are gone home to die no more, and I hope to meet them in a land where divisions and par- ties and sectarian strivings are never known.
2
18 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
CHAPTER III.
ORDAINED TO THE MINISTRY — FIRST SERMON — POVERTY — PERSECUTION — MOURNERS UNCOMFORTED — PREACH- ING NEAR NEW LISBON — FLATTERY.
Up to the time of uniting with the Christian body of believers I had only been exercising my gifts in exhortation. I was a long time in an unsettled state of mind about trying to preach. I thought the preacher must be specially called and sent. I labored and prayed for a true de- cision of the matter. I felt like it would be a dreadful thing to venture to take the holy office without a divine call. Finally, through the encouragement and strong- solicitations of the brethren, I ventured, with much diffidence, to undertake the work. My first effort in the ministry was at Jacksonburg in the year 1820. Several of the old preachers were present. I se-
ELDER ELIJAH MARTIXDALE. 19
lected my text, 1 Cor., ix : 24 : " So run that ye may obtain." After I got through Father Dooly came forward, extending to me his hand said: " Occu^^y, occupy, my son." This gave me much comfort and encouragement. I now felt that my way was clear to go forward in the work. Some time after this I received ordination by the imposition of hands of Levi Purvi- ance, John Plummer and William Hub- bert. I now went into the ministrv with my whole heart and with all the powers of mind and body that I j^ossessed. The people were kind, but the thought of giv- ing the preacher anything for his time and labor was scarcely ever thought of. Many of the preachers had to work when others were asleep to keep their families from starving ; but what was worse, we were looked upon by the ministers and leaders of the sects generally as poor ig- norant enthusiasts. Their meeting-houses were closed against us, and showers of
20 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
abuse fell continually upon our poor de- fenceless heads from almost every pulpit in the land. I suppose many of them, like Paul, did it ignorantly in unbelief The great cause of the opposition was our continual testimony against "human creeds" and "party names." We con- tended that the Word of God should be our guide and the name of Christ should be worn by his people. The same war is still waged, but the persecution is greatly mod- ified since the people have more knowl- edge and have laid aside some of their prejudice.
Without knowing any better I preached with all my might for nearly ten years that faith, repentance and prayer were the only divinely appointed means on the sin- ner's part for the remission of sins ; and that the evidence to the sinner was a change in his mind and feelings from sor- row to joy. "The oil of joy for mourning and the garments of praise for the spirit
ELDER ELIJAH MARTINDALE. 21
of heaviness." So we preached. When poor sinners would say, "What shall I do?" the answer would be in substance, " Believe, repent and pray." "But this I have done," some said, "and still I have not found peace and joy and comfort." In this condition I have known some to linger for months and even years. What was the matter ? Ah ! this was a hard question for the wisest preacher among us. I feel thankful to my heavenly Father that the light of truth has shone more brightly and opened the way for the sinner to come to Christ and know that his many and grievous sins are all forgiven for his name's sake, who has suf- fered and died to redeem and save a lost world. Strange, indeed, that so plain a truth should be lost in the rubbish of human tradition. Why did we not tell the poor sinner to arise and be baptized, calling on the name of the Lord? Why did we not preach as Peter did on the
22 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
Day of Pentecost at the inception of Christ's kingxlom on earth ? We were so blinded by our wrong teaching that this plain truth was hid from our eyes, and still it is hid to many honest souls.
While I was preaching among the peo- ple called Newlights I was much united in labor with my good old father-in- law, Samuel Boyd. He was my precep- tor and spiritual adviser in my first ex- perience in the ministry. By invitation we made an appointment at the house of old Sister Buck, near New Lisbon, Henry county, Indiana. But few meeting-houses had been built at this time and some of the few were locked against us, so our preaching was chiefly in private dwel- lings or school-houses. Our first appoint- ment at her house was about the year 1826. I preached from the text, " The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord." I gave satisfaction in my dis-
ELDER ELIJAH MARTINDALE. 23
course and a few sinners seemed to be brought under conviction. The influence was such that we continued our visits once a month. We soon began to make disciples. Our first accession was a man of very audacious habits, drinking, fight- ing and swearing, but he was humbled under the power of the Gospel and we took his confession or profession, for we thought the sinner must be pardoned be- fore he was a fit subject for baptism. Many a long and tiresome struggle did we have at the mourners' bench to obtain some evidence that our sins were forgiven. I baptized the man — the first person I ever immersed. I was doubtful about his holding out well, but from all accounts he was a soundly converted man. The good work went on gloriously at that point for years. I was loaded with eulo- gies until I was often ashamed. I have often found those poor, weak-minded brethren who are so ready to praise the
24 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
preacher to his face are almost sure to get oflPended after awhile and use every means at command to crush the same preacher. It was so in the 'Ne^Y Lisbon church. I afterw^ards displeased them by preaching as the Apostle Peter did on the Day of Pentecost.
ELDEE ELIJAH MARTINDALE. 25
CHAPTER IV.
THE JERUSALEM DOCTRINE CALLS DOWN PERSECUTION — VOTED OUT OF THE NEW HOUSE — SOME THINGS LACKING
— CONTROVERSIAL PREACHING MINISTERS EXHORTED
TO FAITHFULNESS.
About the year 1830, I commenced preaching faith, repentance, prayer and baptism, all connected as so many links in the chain of the divine arrangement of pardon as taught by Christ and the apos- tles. I was soon nicknamed a Campbell- ite. Many of the old brethren with Avhom I had long lived in love and fellowship, began to turn the cold shoulder and bar me out just like the sects had been serv- ing us. I had almost embraced the doc- trine of baptism as a link in the chain of pardon before I ever heard of A. Camp- bell; but when I became acquainted with the writings of Campbell, Stone and oth-
26 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
ers I was helped much in understanding the Scripture on this point and some oth- ers. The first time I ever ventured to preach this old Jerusalem Grospel was in the cabin of Mother Buck, near New Lis- bon, where we had been holding forth the word of life. It made some fluttering in the camp, but w^e went on for awhile with- out much trouble. I was successful from the very start, and the cause of truth would have moved on grandly had it not been for the opposition of the brethren. When they saw the new way would sup- plant the mourners' bench and its eflPects as the Lord's way of converting sinners, a few of the leading spirits went to work in great earnest to put me down and stop the work. By this time the old Christian brethren had built a small log meeting- house at this place, and they managed to get a majority vote that Bro. M.'s new doctrine should not be tolerated in their meeting-house. There was a minority
ELDER ELIJAH MAETINDALE. 27
vote in my favor and some Baptists who were converts to the new doctrine, so the work went on. By careful, kind manage- ment we finally overcame the opposition and got nearly all the old members and some of the Baptists united and harmo- niously organized on the principles of the reformation. Elisha and John Shortridge, two ministers, came in from the Baptist church and were a great comfort to me and helped much to build up the cause in JN'ew Lisbon. The church flourished greatly while the old members remained, but some moved away and many have been called home, and the church has, to a great extent, gone down. One great fault with us since we attained to more light and truth in the Scriptures is, we have failed to bring out the latent talent of our members by the exercise of their gifts in exhortation and prayer. We have not encouraged the brethren to speak and pray in public as we should have done. I
28 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
have long desired to see more exhortation and prayer in our social meeting. Almost every member, young and old, male and female, could, by practice, be able to speak a few words in public or offer a short prayer. This would greatly enliven and strengthen the spirituality of the congre- gation.
Our reformation has been careful to avoid enthusiasm but could not see the danger of stoicism, hence our ordinary meetings have been too cold and dry to make us happy or convert the unbe- lievers. Bro. Samuel Rogers once said in a conversation on this subject: "We Newlights were so anxious to have all Christians united that when we saw the Baptists making a move for union, we, in our haste to meet them, ran clear through the temperate zone and joined them in the frigid zone ; but he hoped we would all get back to the true Grosj^el zone after awhile." I fear w^e have never come to
ELDER ELIJAH MARTIXDALE. 29
that warm, life-giving climate yet. Too much winter seemingly, and no bright birds singing to enliven our souls. We have guarded against undue excitement which we looked upon as a great fault among our religious neigbors, until we have become in great danger of coldness and formality. In too many cases our growth in humility and godliness has not kept pace with our advancement in Script- ure knowledge. This is much to be la- mented. Still we think our brotherhood will compare favorably with that of any other people. Yet, as we claim to be nearer apostolic teaching, we ought to come nearer apostolic practice. There is one thing that might be mentioned as an apology for our delinquency in these things, that is the continual war that has been waged against us by all the creed parties. We entered the field amidst the continual booming of artillery and the rat- tlino; of small arms. Yet in many cases
30 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
our preachers have been too belligerent in their manner of presenting the truths of the Bible. Much of the controversial preaching of our day has its origin in pride. Young preachers are very apt to be caught in this snare of the devil. The people are fond of such preaching. It flatters their j^ride of opinion and suits a cold, backsliding state of religion.
If ever the success of a return to prim- itive Christian piety shall crown our ef- forts as reformers, it must begin among the preachers. Come, dear fellow-sol- diers, come up to the w^ork. The old pioneers are soon to pass away. Where are the mighty men of God who are to fill up the lines as leaders of Zion's hosts? Oh, that they may have a burning zeal for their Master's cause, in meekness instructing those who 023pose themselves if God peradventure will give them re- pentance to the acknowledging of the truth.
ELDER ELIJAH MARTIXDALE. 31
CHAPTER V.
PREACHING THE GOSPEL — TRAVELING THROUGH MUD AND BRUSH — DESIRE FOR UNION — LOVE FOR THE ERRING — THE INDWELLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT — ZEAL OF THE OLD PREACHERS.
When I first came to Henry county to make a home I was in feeble health. I felt anxious to give my whole time and strength to the work of the ministry, but I was almost in the woods, my family large, some in debt on my land, and no means to hire laborers. I thought I could give two or three days in each week to the work of preaching and with the balance of my time and the help of my family we could, by strict economy, get along. So I commenced under this arrangement and with the blessings of our heavenly Father, I was enabled to continue for a number of years. The
32 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
truth prevailed and I was happy. For several years, there was not another resi- dent in Henry county who went abroad as an evangelist and who Avas engaged in promulgating the truths that we were trying to establish. I traveled over the counties of Henry, Wayne, Fayette, Rush, Delaware, Madison, and some in Han- cock, sowing the seed in all these counties and some in Ohio. We sowed and others did reap ; we labored and others were par- takers of the fruit of our labors. Well, be it so. I am now happy in the reflec- tion, old and worn out that I am. I re- joice in the prospect that the time is near when " he that soweth and he that reap- eth will rejoice together;" when "he that went forth weeping, sowing precious seeds will come again rejoicing, bearing pre- cious sheaves with him." Most of the churches that I had helped to build up in the old Christian body were brought into the reformation, but some held back
ELDER ELIJAH MARTIXDALE. 33
contrary to their acknowledged principles. We started on the divinely anthorized ground of no creed but the Bible and no name but those found in the Xew Testa- ment scriptures. We urged the necessity of the union of all Christians as the great means for the salvation ot a lost world. Now we are contending for this same great Gospel platform : but when we found that we had not attained to a per- fect understanding in every particular and that we must follow the light of truth wherever it might lead, strange, in- deed, that some would fly back and op- pose. But so it is with poor fallible man. "The leaders of my people do cause them to err." These blind leaders, too proud to acknowledo'e themselves in the wrons:, will have a fearful reckoning at the judg- ment seat of Christ. The war that now exists between us and the old Christian body is to my mind the most unjustifia- ble of all the religious controversies of 3
34 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
the day. It puts a weapon in the hands of all the creed parties that they can use effectively against us. It has ever been a source of deep regret to me that we failed to harmonize on Bible grounds. Many of our preachers were to blame. They failed to exhibit the meekness and gentleness, the long forbearance that we should feel toward the erring. They cut off the ears of their hearers before the truth could reach their hearts. When the wall of prejudice has become so great it can only be removed by love. The war would never have been waged so in- tensely if our people had dwelt less on first principles and more on vital godli- ness and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Then it seems to me we could have helped them to get out of their ig- norance and blindness.
Not long ago I attended a conference meeting of the old brethren. I was kindly and respectfully received, but I thought I
ELDER ELIJAH MARTINDALE. 35
could see the workings of that old enemy called prejudice in some of their move- ments and preaching. One good speaker labored hard to prove that faith was all that was required of the sinner in order to insure his conversion and salvation. So then repentance, prayer and baptism must go by the board. This case I have given shows the failure of my old Christian brethren in declaring the whole counsel of Grod. Now, I will speak of some of our failures. Some of our talented preach- ers have taught the people this way : ^' There is no direct gift of the Holy Spirit nowadays, either to saint or sinner." This error has attained among some of our people, and it has given some grounds to our opposers to charge us as a people with denying the operations of the spirit en- tirelv. This error, for it is surelv an er- ror, has done much injury. Jesus says, speaking of the comforter: "Whom the world can not receive, but he shall be
36 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
in YOU that is in his peoi^le." If any would inquire how the Holy Spirit oper- ates in reproYing the world, I would an- swer when the preacher is largely en- dowed with the Holy Spirit his preach- ing is eifectiYe, and he makes his audi- ence feel the power of truth. Now, if all our preachers were of that class of which it was said they were full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, would it not make a wonderful chano-e in the adYancement of the church? The preacher must be able to impress Ills'* audience with the firm couYiction that he belicYes these great truths, and that with all his heart. Head faith won't do ; it must get down deep into the heart of the cYangelist before he is fit to preach the Gospel to a dying world. I do not mean that the truth is not S23ir- itual, but I mean that there is a direct, immediate and powerful agent in the work of the ministry called the gift of the Holy Spirit. This indwelling comforter is prom-
ELDER ELIJAH MARTIXDALE. 37
ised to all Christians, but the preacher needs a greater portion than any other in- dividual in the church, because he is light- bearer and messenger to the people. Oh, I remember so many of the old preachers whose souls were filled with a burnino- zeal for the Master's cause. We had but few men who could read Greek, but we read the Bible with prayer often when other men were asleep. We were willing to sacrifice much of this world's ease and comfort in order to win souls to Christ. Our whole souls, yes, afl our powers, were summoned to the great and glorious work of saving sinners, comforting saints and building up the cause of the blessed Master. The times have changed, and the preacher has more learning and better salaries, but the question is, will they draw deeply from the wells of salvation, from the eternal fountain of God's love?
38 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
CHAPTER VI.
PREACHING NEAR MIDDLETOWN— WALKING FIFTEEN MILES TO FILL AN APPOINTMENT — SAMUEL ROGERS MOVES TO THE VICINITY OF MIDDLETOAVN — BAPTISM OF BENJAMIN AND DANIEL FRANKLIN — PERSECUTION AND POVERTY.
About the year 1835, I, in company with my good brother, Reuben Wilson, went to the neighborhood of Middletown, Henry county, to try to sow the seed of the kingdom in that newly-settled region. We held our meetings at the house of William Stewart. On our journey we were caught in a great rain. The road was bad, only a bridle path most of the way. Xo house being near, we were com23elled to plod on in our wet clothes. When we ar- rived at Brother Stewart's we were gladly received, and every attention was given to make us comfortable. When we were rested and refreshed we commenced our
ELDER ELIJAH MARTIXDALE. 39
meeting and had good attention. Many will praise God in a better world for the privilege of hearing the old Jerusalem Gospel for the first time in their lives at that meeting. I continued to visit them as often as I could for years. A church was planted there, or rather a congrega- tion of believers united, having declared their allegiance to Christ and a desire to follow him. Brother Samuel Rogers, from Ohio, moved and settled among them. He was a man of experience and much talent and energy in the work of preaching the Gospel. We labored to- gether for some years, and were greatly united in heart and soul as missionaries of the cross. We visited several new points and sowed the good seed of the kingdom, where churches have since been planted. I visited the Middletown or Fall Creek church once a month for some years. I remember one time during the busy sea- son I was compelled to make the journey,
40 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
nearly fifteen miles, on foot. I set out early in the morning, stopping to rest at a cabin near where the village of Cadiz now stands. I then pursued my journey until I reached Israel Personet's, not far from the place of my destination. I had several times stopped with him, and was always made to feel at home. I supposed the little children, who were the only oc- cupants of the house when I arrived, knew me. As I felt greatly exhausted with my long walk and fasting, I walked to a bed and lay down to rest until the parents would return. One of the chil- dren ran to where her uncle was plowing in the field and told him a drunk man had come to their house and gone to bed. The man hastened to come to their res- cue. I had fallen into a sweet slumber, but was waked by a heavy tread on the floor, and, looking up, saw a man staring in- tently at me to make out who the intruder was. He soon knew me and laughed
ELDER ELIJAH MARTIXDALE. 41
heartily at the joke. Late in the evening Bro. Personet and wife came home and brought the old parents with them. These were the parents of Sister Benjamin Franklin. Sister Personet soon prepared a good repast, and we had a happy even- ing, socially and religiously. After hold- ing good meetings Sunday morning and evening, my good Brother Rogers con- veyed me homeward. These were happy days ; I love to think upon them yet. About this time, or a little later on, we held a night meeting at the house of Bro. Joseph Robins. I was put forward to j)reach. I read as a foundation from the fifty-fifth chapter of Isaiah, tenth and eleventh verses. I dwelt on the power of the word of God. At the close I made a draft on the faith of the unprofessors pres- ent. Benjamin and Daniel Franklin, then young men, Daniel not married, came for- ward and gave me their hand. We took their confession, and by the light of Ian-
42 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
terns and torches we Avent to the water, where Bro. Rogers buried them with their Savior in baptism the same horn- of the night. They soon commenced preaching and became men of full stature in the Lord's vineyard. They have turned many to righteousness. We can look back to those days when a few of us poor perse- cuted preachers, leaving our homes, trav- eling over bad roads, high waters, tearing through brush and swamps, from cabin to cabin, without pay, our families at home without many of the comforts of life, and our opposers, like the enemies of the work of rebuilding the temple, would say, " What do these feeble Campbellites ? If a fox would run over their work it would soon totter and fall." These were days of trial, but the love of Christ constrained us. We endured as seeing him who is invisible. We trusted in the strong arm of Jehovah, who upholds all things by
ELDER ELIJAH MARTINDALE. 43
the word of his power. We were feeble instruments in the hands of God, and he has been pleased to command his blessing upon the work. We are permitted, now in old age, to sit and hear the Gospel pro- claimed by those highly gifted brethren that we enlisted and many more whom they have enlisted, and that little wave of reformation that was set in motion in Henry county will roll on, increasing in its heavenly course until the Lord comes and we shall have the privilege, through grace, of bringing our sheaves rejoicing, and saying: " Behold thy servant, Lord, and the children which thou hast given me." This is the hope that inspires me, now that I am old and feeble and' can toil no longer. I can sit and muse upon the goodness of God and give thanks to him that his mercy has been so great to the children of men.
44 AUTOBIOGExlPHY OF
CHAPTER VII.
PREACHING AT BEXTONVILLE — D. R. VANBUSKIRK — JOHN LONGLEY— B. B. FIFIELD — MISSIONARY TOUR — THE FRANKLINS START IN THE MINISTRY — ARTHUR MIL- LER— GOING AMONG THE CHURCHES TO SEE HOW THEY DO — EXHORTATION TO PREACHERS.
In the summer of 1840 I was engaged with some other preachers to hold a meeting of days near Bentonville in Fay- ette county. Those expected to labor with me failed to attend. Old Father Banks, the same that used to be a Baptist preacher at my father's house, was now in the reformation and attended with me. I was glad to meet him. In the days of his strength he was a fine speaker. His voice was soft and musical, his language partook largely of eloquence and he was quite successful as a Baptist preacher, and was a great favorite with my dear old parents.
ELDP:R ELIJAH MARTIXDALE. 45
Our meeting at Bentonville went on with great success and rejoicing. About twenty noble souls came out and confessed their Lord and Savior and were immersed during our meeting, Avhich lasted some days.
The Avork went on grandly at that place. During my labors at that point, which lasted monthly for about three years, more than one hundred precious souls enlisted under the glorious banner of King Immanuel. I have attended some of their meetings more latterly, and they seem to be doing well. That church has raised up one of the best preachers in the state, Daniel R. Yanbuskirk. I used to stop often with his kind old fa- ther when D. R. was a boy. Plis urban- ity even at that time seemed to mark him out for some high station in coming life.
The Bentonville church has had a great deal of preaching from our most gifted brethren and they had great advantages
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in the way of song, as one brother, An- drew Cole, was not only a good singer, but he raised a large family who were almost natural musicians; and I think nearly all of them became church mem- bers. Yet the church may not be as jDrosperous as it once was. So many of the old members have been called home and some still linger on the banks of Jor- dan waiting for the summons. Oh ! ye time-Avorn veterans of the cross, you and I will soon have mingled our last tear with the sorrows of earth and if we are faithful a crown of life Avill be ours.
About this time I was a co-laborer with Brother John Longiey, of Fayette county. He was an able minister of the Gospel and helped much to build up the cause in many places in Indiana.
B. B. Fifield, a preacher from Rush county, was also my co- worker. He and I were appointed to go as missionaries together and visit waste places. My
ELDER ELIJAH MARTIXDALE. 47
health was very poor, so we agreed that he would preach half the time and ad- minister the ordinance of baptism when required. Our first meeting was at the house of old Father Johnson, on Buck Creek. Here we held a night meeting. It was my turn to preach. I labored hard and was much exhausted. I made a call and four persons came forward. As w^e were about starting to the water Mother Johnson came and told me the four applicants were all her children and they wanted me to baptize them. I told her our arrangement and that Brother Fifield was a good baptist. She went and talked with her children, then came again and said' if I were not able to go into the water it must be put off. I was in a high state of perspiration, the night was cold and the ice partly over the stream. After a little hesitation I ven- tured to go on, trusting in the Lord to preserve my health. The stream was
48 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
low and the water proved too shallow where I first went in, so I came out and went with my boots full of water some distance down the stream where we found a suitable depth when the ice was re- moved. When the baptism had been 2:)erformed and I came out of the water I found my legs and feet so numb with the cold, they had but little or no feeling. I think I spoke to some brother to help me until I could walk. The circulation soon returned. I went to the house, put on dry clothes, went to bed, rested quite well and Avhen I arose in the morning felt re- freshed and better of my cold than I had been for days before, thanks to my Heav- enly Father.
We kept up our missionary work un- til Brother Fifield was called to take a school and I devoted my time to farm work for awhile, preaching at intervals.
By this time the two Franklins had ex- ercised their oifts in the ministry until
ELDER ELIJAH MAETIXDALE. 49
they had become a power in the pulpit. Perhaps no man in modern times has ever made greater efficiency in learning and oratory than did Benjamin Franklin. He was possessed of a fine, native talent for speaking, which he inherited from his mother. Few women in that day were gifted with such power in exhortation as was Sister Franklin,
Brother Benjamin Franklin and I made several tours into Madison and Delaware counties. We made a good impression in many places. Some of those places have now large churches 'where we started the work.
In the winter of '42 Brother Arthur Miller, one of our best preachers, and I held meetings at Plum Creek and Fair- view, where good churches have since been organized and good houses of wor- ship have been built. I love to go among the brethren at those places where I helped to sow the good seed many years ago.
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Once ill a while I find one of my children in the common faith and they feel near to me yet, especially those who have been faithful. I feel it a great privilege to im- itate the example of Samuel, the old prophet of God and Judge of Israel, to go round and visit these congregations where I labored in the days of my strength and see how they do, and give them what encouragement I can. I feel to rejoice that men of greater ability have come onto the stage and yet I sometimes fear the people are more filled with love for the preacher than with love for Christ. Oh ! that they would strive more to imi- tate the apostle who could say, " my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom but in demonstration of the spirit and power, that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
ELDER ELIJAH MARTIXDALE. 51
CHAPTER VIII.
A FLOURISHING CHURCH AT HILLSBORO — THE BRETHREN' BELIEVE IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JUDGMENT TO COME, BUT OPPOSE TEMPERANCE — A GREAT CONFLICT — TRUTH AT LAST VICTORIOUS.
Some time after I was settled in Henry county I made an appointment to preach in Hillsboro, a village three miles north of jSTew Castle. There was no house of worship, so we met in the grove. I read from the book of Daniel : "In the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom," etc. The discourse was listened to with marked attention. When the meeting was about to close an elderly man of Quaker proclivities came forward and requested another appointment. This was quite unexpected. I knew I was in rather a hard part of community. Some years before I had been there in company
52 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
with my old co-laborer, John Plummer. AVe held a night meeting, and got our horses shaved most shamefully. So I was not greatly encouraged to make an effort in that place ; but when such a man as Benjamin Harvey walked forward, and with tears in his eyes requested another appointment, I felt that I must comply. I Avent again and again and saw the good seed was beginning to grow. This same old friend Harvey was among the first who came nobly up and confessed the Savior. ^N'ow the work seemed deep and general. At almost every meeting we had candidates for baptism. Old Bro. Will- iam Canady's house and the school-house were our places of worship in cold weather and the grove in warm weather. After while other preachers came to our assist- ance. It seemed for a time like every- body would be converted. The brethren went to work harmoniously and built a nice little frame meeting-house. The
ELDER ELIJAH MARTIXDALE. 53
membership now numbered about two hundred, all in peace and love. But, as it has been with every faithful watchman who stood upon the walls of zion, there were troubles brewing for me. It came in this way : There were a number of the brethren who were leading members that I never could persuade to quit the use of ardent spirits as a beverag*e, both for themselves and families. After aAvhile the devil or some of his servants put it into the head of one of the members to start a distillery. By this time the breth- ren had purchased a small farm near the meeting-house for the use of a preacher. They wanted a resident pastor, but in this they failed, so they concluded to rent the parsonage farm and apply the proceeds to pay for preaching, for now the idea was beginning to be common that the laborer was absolutely worthy of his hire. They rented the farm, takino- o-rain rent and turning the grain over to the brother who
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ran the distillery to be made into whisky and enable the brethren to pay the preacher. While matters stood as I have named I went to a temperance meeting and when the pledge was passed I placed my name on record as an abstinence man. I told the people I believed the Gospel was pledge enough if it was lived up to, but I found so many professors that failed to keep the pledge of temper- ance I thought it my duty to let the world know that I was an abstainer from religious principles. Moreover, I wanted to give every assistance in my power to stop the awful ravages of the demon of intemperance. My brethren at home found no fault Avith me for enrolling my- self in the temperance movement. Not so at Hillsboro. The news went from lip to lip " Bro. Martindale has joined a tem- perance society. What must be done?" It was decided to send some five or six of the brethren to labor with me and try to
ELDER ELIJAH MARTI>'DALE. 55
reclaim the erring brother. They came and such another day's controversy I never want again. They took dinner with me and we parted. Sometime after- ward I sent an appointment to preach on the subject at their meeting-house on Sunday afternoon. I went and preached Saturday evening and Sunday morning. At the close of our morning services a brother arose and stated that the after- noon discourse could not be preached in that house as agreed by the church. I felt a strange sensation come over me w^hile I yet stood in the pulpit, a feeling I never had ex]3erienced in a stand for divine worship and hope I never will again. I didn't say much in retort, but announced that I would make the speech in the adjoining grove. So we dispersed. While we were at dinner, several of the brethren insisted that I had better not go on to make the speech, but let a Brother Hendrix who was present talk a wdiile to
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the people in the house. I yielded to their entreaty but never felt sure that I did right. The brethren told me some time after this, that I could have the house on week-day to preach temperance, as it was considered too unholy a subject to occupy the Lord's house on the Lord's day. After my temperance meeting at Little Blue River (for that was the name they gave the church)^ I didn't often at- tend at that place. Although time and patience have healed the wound, it left an ugly scar. Take it all in all it was one of the hardest trials I was ever called to bear. One brother, and one only, came and confessed his fault like a Christian. He is gone home, and I hope all of them will repent of their sins and get home to the good world. Since I quit preaching lor them they have had some excellent preaching from others, but never has the work gone on with the same glorious suc- cess that it did before our temperance
ELDER ELIJAH MARTINDALE. 57
troubles. I have by special invitation preached for them a few times in the last several years, and I suppose I would be a very welcome visitor among them now, but I am old and feeble and can not labor as I once did. Many of them are my children in the common faith and feel near to my heart, and I would greatly re- joice to see them walking in the truth.
In conclusion I would say, that tem- perance principles have been greatly on the increase among these brethren ever since our great burst-up on the subject. May the Lord open every blind eye on this all important subject I pray. In those days, preaching against the sin of intemperance or slavery was condemned on the ground that it was mixing politics with religion. There are many in the church to-day who will not be pleased unless these great sins are entirely ignored in the work of the ministry. Kow while I read in God's word so many
58
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF
plain and positive commands against these great sins, I must be permitted to speak out and bear a faithful testimony against them.
I have often had to bear evil treatment from some poor misguided brethren, Avhose worldly interests and animal propensities have led them astray in these plain mat- ters. I now feel thankful to God that he has preserved me through all these trials and still blesses me with the joys of his salvation.
ELDER ELIJAH MARTIXDALE. 59
BRIEF ARTICLES AND SERMONS.
CHAPTER IX.
ON FAMILY TRAINING.
There are three divinely appointed organ- izations in human society. The family, the the church and the state.
The family is the foundation of all human society. If this institution is corrupted both the others must partake more or less of the defect. The union of one man and woman in the matrimonial state seems to be clearly the Divine plan in the beginning. Polyg- amy and slavery, though admitted with cer- tain restrictions in the former dispensation, were infractions of the Divine law, and, un- der the Gospel, were not to be tolerated. They both have their origin in sin, and never fail to bring down the just judgments of God on those who practice them. A happy union of man and wife is essential to the great work of training children. The force of parental example always has a threefold
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influence on their tender minds, and will leave an impress where precept will he for- gotten. Immodesty, hypocrisy and selfish- ness are traits of character that children often imhihe from parents. Let them hear them talk unkindly of their neighbors, say hard things about them ; then let those same persons come in, and a wonderful show of friendship is displayed. In this way the seeds of hypocrisy are sown in the child's mind.
Selfishness and even dishonesty in trading are often instilled in the child's mind by the parents. I have said a few things in regard to moral training ; now I want to speak of religious training. Wheii Moses had re- ceived the law from Sinai's fiery top, it con- tained a special injunction for parents to teach to their children : ''When thou sittest in thy house and when thou walkest by the way and when thou risest up keep these things continually on the child's mind." In the Gospel we have a like injunction to the parents. "And you fathers provoke not your children to anger, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." Family religion is the oldest religion in the world. The form is changed under the Gos-
ELDER ELIJAH MARTIXDALE. . ' <Ql
pel but the Lord still holds every parent ac- countable for the manner in which the}^ bring up their children. They should begin the work of impressing their minds with Gos- pel truths very earW. Let the good seed be sown and take root before it comes in contact with the wicked world. I want to say to you, Christian mothers, that the child from infancy is in your hands like clay in the hands of the potter. 'Must as the twig is bent the tree's inclined." You have greater power in moulding the characters of your precious offspring, than all the preachers in the land. Some of you will say, "What can the mother do if the father is a sceptic, a scoffer at religion?" Well, this is truly the greatest trial a Christian mother could be called to bear. I would say, be true to your high and holy profession, read the good book and pray much, be patient under trials, try to show by your example that you believe in the teachings of the blessed Bible. Don't be weary in well doing, for in due season you shall reap if you faint not. Nearly all the great men that have adorned either the church or state have had pious, praying mothers.
Paul savs to Timothv, ^'AVhen I call to
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mind the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and in thy mother Eunice, and I am per- suaded in thee also." You may think dear, Christian mother, that it is little use to strive against such opposition, hut remember, the Lord is on your side and will be with you in all your trials. He has said, ''I will never leave thee nor forsake thee."
I am thankful to my Heavenly Father that he gave me a praying mother. She was the best teacher I ever had. I can remember even to this advanced age, when in my youth sin- ners would entice me, how like a mighty sentinel would come the counsels and warn- ings of my dear mother. She very early fi.xed the thought in my mind that God would mark my sin and bring me into judgment for doing wicked things.
The natural affection between mother and child gives her a power that no other human can possess in turning the young mind to God and religion. Then, dear mother, work for God and for the salvation of your children. Think what tremendous results are con- nected with your work. The faithful dis- charge of dut}^ by one mother may be the means through God's grace of bringing many
ELDER ELIJAH MARTINDALE. 63
to the good world. Then, let me say to all my dear children and grandchildren, and others who may read this: Try to bring up your children for heaven, so in the great day you may say, ''Here lam, Lord, and the children whom thou hast given me."
64 BRIEF ARTICLES AND SERMOXS OF
CHAPTER X.
THE GOSPEL INVITATION.
Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest to your souls. — Mat. xi, last three verses.
This text contains a clear and full declara- tion of our Savior's great mission as the Son of God and Savior of the world. Let us con- sider the subject in the following order: First. Who are invited? Second. How can they come? Third. The great advantage in coming. In the fourth and last place, The awful consequences in not coming.
The good, old preachers in my youthful days, used to tell us that none were embraced in this text but penitent sinners. AVell, that class is invited, and we think the text reaches farther, and takes in every one who can be induced to listen to the invitation. If the hardest-hearted sinner can be made to feel the burden and weight of his sins, he is sure- ly invited to come to Christ and find rest
ELDER ELIJAH MARTINDALE. 65
and peace, and take upon himself the blessed yoke. This brings us to the second proposi- tion. How can the sinner come to the Savior? God has endued man with an animal and a spiritual nature. The spiritual part can not be satisfied with earthly things, but must be brought into fellowship with the Creator in order to be happy. In turn- ing the sinner from darkness to light, from the power of Satan unto God, the first great element or power is faith. The object of his faith must be Jesus, the Christ, the Savior of the world, and that he died for a propitiation for our sins. The faith of the sinner must look to Calvary. He must believe with all his heart, not merely an assent of the intel- lect but with the heart, man believeth unto righteousness. Faith purifies the heart, and turns the mind to seek after heavenly things. Faith saves us from the love of sin. Repen- tance and prayer saves us from the practice of sin. The work of repentance is alwa3^s in proportion to the thoroughness of faith. Godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salva- tion, not to be repented of. Every step the sinner takes from -the time he first starts for heaven until he arrives safely at the blessed mansion is by faith. It is the great moving
5
66 BRIEF ARTICLES AND SERMONS OF
power to every act of obedience. When the sinner is saved from the love of sin by faith, and from the practice of sin by repentance and prayer, then he is prepared for baptism which changes his state, and pardon is promised which saves him from the guilt of sin. The gift of the Holy Spirit is now promised. Because ye are sons (that is ye have been adopted into the family), God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying Abba, Father. Oh, the blessed assurance with w^hich the child of God can approach the mercy-seat, knowing that he has obeyed the Lord in all his blessed com- mands. Why do not men come and accept the Savior? One says, the Book nowhere says faith, repentance and baptism for the remission of sins. Well, let us take Matthew, Mark and Luke on the great commission given to the Apostles. Mark says, ' 'Go ye in- to all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned." Matthew says, ''Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost." Luke says, "Thus it behooved Christ to suffer and to
ELDER ELIJAH MARTIXDALE. 67
rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, be- ginning at Jerusalem."
Now I suppose, these three evangelists de- signed to make a plain record of the great commission of their Master. Faith must come first in the order. The Book plainly teaches that Faith must antecede every at- tempt to draw near to God. "Without Faith it is impossible to please God." ''He that Cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." But one says, the Lord has pardoned many a poor sinner without baptism. What is that to thee? Does the commission given hold out a promise without baptism? Are you not safer in obeying the great com- mission? Are you willing to risk your salva- tion in disobedience to such plain commands? ''Great peace have they that keep the law." The prophet says, "Oh that thouhadst heark- ened unto my commandments, then would thy peace have been as a river, and thy righteousness as a wave of the sea."
We have now come to the fourth and last proposition, the awful consequences of re- jecting the offer of salvation. The sinner
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has been shown that every one of Adam's lost race is included in the Gospel invitation. He is a propitiation for the sins of the whole world. He gave himself a ransom to be testified in due time. Poor sinner, you are left without excuse. You will be speechless before the judgment seat of Christ. Your boat is gliding down toward an awful abyss. It will soon meet the rapids which will hasten you on to destruction. Are you sleeping amid such dangers? God is calling. Jesus is pleading, the church is praying for you. The ministers are sounding the Gospel call. All good beings in heayen and on earth feel a deep solicitude for you. Oh, come to Christ and find rest to your souls. "Take his yoke upon you and learn of him, for his yoke is easy and his burden light."
ELOER ELIJAH MARTINDALE. 69
CHAPTER XL
A synopsis of a speech delivered at a meeting called in compliance with a proclamation of the President, in order for humiliation, prayer and fastino;. That our heavenly Father would be pleased to avert the threat- ened destruction of our good government and save this great nation from distress and ruin. In the year of our Lord, 1862.
As a starting point we will inquire, first, is it right for Christians to bear arms in any case? We think Paul, in his letter to the church at Rome (thirteenth chapter, first six verses ) has placed the matter beyond all cavil as to the right and duty of Christians to help keep order and suppress lawless attempts against the rights of the innocent and against a good and righteous government. We con- clude, then, that God has ordained human or civil governments, and when civil law protects the innocent in the enjoyment of their rights in person, property or character, that the violator of such law shall be pun- ished. That the ruler or chief executive shall employ the sword when no other means will avail to put down offenders and main- tain order.
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In the second place we would inquire, Is the war now raging in our country one of the cases in which the Christian should en- gage? I do most conscientiously believe that this war, on the part of the loyal defenders of the government, is a righteous one. There has never been a war since the days of Joshua, son of Nun, that could be better and more clearly defended on principles of right and justice.
Our fathers fought and bled to procure for us the best government on earth, with one exception ; that was, they allowed slavery to be incorporated in their constitution and by- laws. How strange that after being so sig- nally blessed of God in their struggle for lib- erty, that they should refuse the same bless- ing to the poor degraded African. If the friends of liberty could have excluded slav- ery from our constitution, what rivers of blood and tears it would have prevented. When that venerable body of wise and patri- otic men from every state .in the Union met at Philadelphia in 1787 to form our present constitution, with the great Washington in the chair, and the venerable Franklin and many of the wisest men of the age in conven- tion, while slavery was* young and weak and
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while Mr. Mason of Virginia and Governor Morris of Pennsylvania and other speakers were making the ears of slave-holders tingle, why did they not vote the monstrous iniquity out of the constitution at once and be done with its dreadful consequences? Ah! pride and selfishness were too strong. Still the friends of liberty seemed to hope that the great curse would die out and give place to a more enlightened and happy state of society. This was a vain hope, as facts in after years will testify. After this shameful oppression had gone on gaining strength from year to year, its friends finally concluded that it should spread its dark wings and cover the entire land. Having ruled the nation so long, they were unable to bear defeat in the election of a president, but must lay foul hands on the ship of state and resolve to sink it or perish in the attempt. Now what could we do but rally to the conflict and try to save the nation from anarchy and ruin? Then have not our brethren done right in march- ing to the field of battle trusting in the Lord, whether living or d^ing, for the righteous- ness of their cause? One might say, If your cause is so plainly good, why have not your armies been more ^successful? Why have
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the Union armies suffered so many disasters on the field of battle? Well, it may be with us as it was with the children of Israel when they were called to go to war with their brother Benjamin. The tribe of Benjamin were the aggressors. They were wholly at fault. Yet they were victorious in the first two battles, more than 40,000 slain of Israel. Why was it so? Certainly because they trusted in themselves and not in the Lord. We may have been too confident in regard to our numbers and strength ; besides, too many of our people in the free states have taken sides with the oppressor against the poor, down- trodden slave. We have lived in ease and splendor on the products of his unrequited toil. The God of heaven is about to vindi- cate the claims of his eternal justice before this nation.
Dearly beloved brethren and friends, let us be careful to stand in our lot. Let us ren- der to Csesar the things that are C8esar's,and to God the things that are God's. As Chris- tians let us watch and pray and strive to keep ourselves in the love of God. Let us not be weary in well-doing, for in due sea- son we shall reap if we faint not. Oh! let us mingle with our prayers daily at a throne
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of grace, for ourselves, for our children, for the advancement of our Savior's kingdom, and for our beloved country, that our heav- enly Father in his great mercy may be pleased to dispel the dreadful war cloud that hangs frightfully over our heads and let the glorious sun of righteousness and peace shine once more upon our land and cheer our poor, desponding hearts. When that bane of moral purity, that bone of contention be- tween the North and South, that outrage on the natural rights of a fellow-man, shall be done away with, then will the North and South be at peace and join in the work of colonizing and Christianizing the African race in this and other lands. For such a glorious consummation as the result of the great affliction we are now suffering, let us all devoutly pray.
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CHAPTER XII.
SERMON ON PRAYER.
Jesus spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray and not to faint. — Luke xviii : 1.
Prayer is the desire of the soul, either ex- pressed or mentally employed. There is but one prerequisite to prayer, and that is un- feigned faith in the Son of God as our Savior. The question has been debated slightly, whether a penitent sinner ought to be en- couraged to pray before he was baptized. Paul the Apostle did pray, and was encour- aged to go on to obedience, calling on the name of the Lord. Paul in his letter to the Romans (tenth chapter), after quoting the language of the prophet Joel, says, " But how shall they call on him in whom they have not believed ? " as much as to say, prayer is admissible in all cases where there is faith.
I think the reason why any one ever doubted on this plain matter was, that we had become sensible of the error in our for-
ELDER ELIJAH MARTINDALE. 75
mer teaching, which was that the sinner must continue praying and wait for the evi- dence of his pardon before he was a fit sub- ject for baptism. How common it is in try- ing to avoid one extreme to get into another. Xow, we think the awakened convicted soul would breath out prayer to God if his tongue was taken out. Let the sinner get the eyes of his understanding opened so that he can see his condition by the light of divine truth, and he will pray like the publican, "God be merciful to me a sinner." While he is pray- ing let him go on to obedience and his sal- vation is sure, though men and devils should oppose.
Prayer in the closet. ' ' When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut the door, pray to thy Father who seeth in secret, and He shall reward thee openly." Here is a privilege for the Christian, more blessed than the common walks of life, and yet we fear many are living continually in neglect of this plain duty.
The pride of the heart in man has caused him to try to counterfeit almost every com- mand of God; but here is one that seems to preclude all attempts at hypocrisy. The Pharisees prayed to be seen of men, per-
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haps some poor hypocrite may practice the same nowadays; but to enter into the secret chamber or the lonely grave, where no eye but the eye of God is upon us, there to meet our Father and hold sweet communion with him, to pour out our sorrows and make known our desires, with the blessed assur- ance that his eyes are over the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayers.
In the closet of prayer we are shut out from the world. We are in company that belongs not to earth. Oh, what a blessed privilege for poor, tempted, downcast souls. How many heavy hearts have been comforted, and their burdened souls relieved in the closet of prayer. Oh children, lovers of God, and lovers of the brethren, don't neglect your closet of prayer. Let every eartiily enjoy- ment give place to this high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Prayer in the family. I want to encourage my children and my brethren in this important duty. A family of jDrofessing Christians without an altar of prayer, is like a field of grain without a fence. The little foxes that spoil the tender vine are likely to get in, and do Satan's work in that family .
How can parents bring up their children
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in the nurture and admonition of the Lord without an altar of prayer? How can the young mind be early impressed with the great truths of the Gospel, if the parents treat so lightly this great Bible command, and their voices are never heard in prayer or thanksgiving to God. I believe it is seldom, if ever, the case, that great men in the church descend from professors that never kept an altar of prayer in their house. The dying words of that great and good man, B. W. Stone, addressing his wife and others, were: ''Tell my brethren, their religion will avail nothing unless it brings them on their knees before God at the mercy-seat."
Study what you need and what God has taught you to ask for. Come in faith ; come with the simplicity of a little child. Don't think you must have much fluency, but with all humility let your requests be made known to the Lord. Jesus prayed the same prayer over and over again when the great scene of his suffering for a lost world was near at hand. Prayer has been authorized in the public worship ever since God has had a peo- ple on the earth. Under every dispensa- tion, patriarchal, Jewish and Christian, the divine service has been connected with
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supplication, intercession and thanksgiving. All the members should try to qualify them- selves to lead in the prayers of the church.
We will now sum up some of the prom- ises and works of our heavenly Father in order to encourage us to pray. First, the promises : " Ask and you shall receive, for every one that asketh receiveth, and he that seeketh findeth, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." " How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him." ''And will not God avenge his own elect that cry unto him day and night." These and many other promises has the Lord made to encour- age his people to pray. Now let us look at some of the wonderful works that God has done in answer to prayer. While Moses prays the army of Israel prevails over their enemies on the field of battle. While Joshua prays the sun stands still in Gibeon and the moon in the valley of Ajalon. Hannah prays and Samuel is born. Daniel prays and the commandment comes to restore a cap- tured nation to their long lost liberty. Elijah prays and the heavens give rain and the earth is again fruitful after a drought of three vears and six months. Paul and Silas
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pray and the prison doors fly open and their feet are loosened from the stocks. The breth- ren pray and Peter is taken out of prison by an angel of God. All this and much more has the Lord done to encourage us always to pray and not to faint.
"Restraining prayer we cease to fight,
Prayer makes the Christian armor bright, And Satan trembles when he sees The weakest saint upon his knees."
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CHAPTER XIII.
LETTER TO CHURCH MEMBERS.
Dear Brethren — You have been called from darkness to light. If true to your high and holy profession, you have been trans- lated into the kingdom of God's dear Son, and the good Shepherd claims you for his sheep. He says, ''My sheep hear my voice and fol- low me. They know not the voice of stran- gers but will flee from them." I once read a fable like this: A crafty old wolf had long watched an opportunity to make a break on a certain flock of sheep, but the faithful shepherd had always defeated his plans. At last the wolf hit upon the scheme to counter- feit the person and voice of the shepherd. So he clothed himself in the shepherd's attire and took the crook, that the shepherd used, in his paws, and raised himself on his hind feet and approached the flock. The sheep were completely deceived, and came running and bleating with much delight. The wolf elated with his success, concluded to make an effort
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to imitate the voice of the shepherd, so he could induce the flock to follow him and make them an easy pray; but when he raised his voice, behold, it was the hideous voice of a wolf. The sheep took fright and run in every direction to make their escape. The application of this fable is to show that Christ's people can never be deceived while they are used to listening to the good Shep- herd's voice. The great Father above said, "This is my beloved Son, hear him." Oh, Christian brethren, listen daily to the voice of the good Shepherd. He is able to lead 3^ou through green pastures and beside the still waters. Let your delight be in the law of the Lord, and in his law meditate day and night.
Very many who profess to be Christ's sheep are feasting their minds on vapid liter- ature, instead of looking to the great Shep- herd for their daily food. Our renewed na- ture must be called into exercise or we will loathe the heavenly manna. We ma}^ refuse the food that the good Shepherd offers, until our lean souls become like the barren desert waste. ''If a man abide not in Me he is cast forth as a branch and is withered." 6
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CHAPTER XIV.
OBJECT AND FORM OF LOCAL CHURCHES.
All who have been born of God according to His word are in the kingdom or body of Christ. Yet the law requires a local organi- zation or church in the less or particular sense, uniting believers in one family in order to fulfill the great mission intended, to- wit : building up believers, converting and saving the lost, and at all times giving light to the world. "Church of Christ" should be ' their family name, and ''Christian" should be their individual name, and the Holy Scriptures should be the guide of their daily walk and conduct. The officers of said church, as designated by divine authority' , are elders and deacons. The elder is some- times called overseer or bishop. The elders and deacons are to be chosen by the congre- gation if they have in their number men of such qualifications as the law of God re- quires. If all are lacking in those gifts re- quired, let them wait. I have known great
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harm arising from men serving as elders who had no ability either as teachers or rulers. When suitable men are found and the church has agreed that they shall be inaugurated, let a day be set apart for their ordination. Call one or two preachers and let all meet, fasting, and join in prayer that God will bless those persons in the discharge of all their duties. Let some aged preacher, if present, lay his hands on them as the Apostle enjoins in the name of the Lord, giving them such charge and instruction as the Word of God will w^arrant. If the congregation is not able to hire a pastor or evangelist, let them appoint their social meetings and try to be in their places for worship every Lord's day. The church historian says the worship of the early disciples, w^hen they met on the Lord's day, consisted in reading the Scriptures, prayers, songs, and commemorating the Sav- ior's death in breaking bread. That church that habitually fails to worship on the Lord's day in the absence of a preacher is not apos- tolic. They need more zeal and love for Christ and his cause. If I am not very much mistaken, after trying many years to serve God and build up his cause on earth, there is and ever has been more hindrance to the ad-
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vancement of Christ's kingdom from the lack of devotion and energy among our people than from all the opposition that has been brought to bear against us. Pray without ceasing and in everything give thanks, is an injunction that we overlook. We need to tr}^ to break the spell that binds us down to earth, and rise in the might and power that God has given us. Every member should feel as though the prosperity of the church and the conversion of the world de- pended greatly on their acting well their part in the house of God.
If all who profess Christ and have their names enrolled upon the church book were Avalking in the light, their lives pointing to Christ, the great atoning sacrifice that takes away the sin of the world, then the Gospel would have power over the hearts of the chil- dren of men.
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CHAPTER XV.
ON EXHORTATION.
Exhortation, admonition and persuasion are words of similar import. The work pointed out by these differs from teaching. Teaching requires a higher grade of qualifi- cations than exhortation. To teach is to im- part knowledge. To exhort is to induce a person to obey the Lord or to practice what they already know. The former is to en- lighten the understanding, the latter is to move the affections, to awaken the powers of the soul. Exhortation is a work of the high- est importance to the church. It is the work of every member, from the highest to the lowest. It gives scope to the most exalted flights of the greatest orator, while it finds work for the weakest saints. One reason why the work of exhortation is so much neg- lected is because the pride of the human heart has prompted many to desire to be teachers and engage in the work who are not qualified and of course not profitable,
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while the work of exhortation is greatl}^ neg- lected, even in our public worship. This ac- counts for the lack of many useful gifts that might be cultivated if our churches set a higher value on the work of exhortation. The Apostle, in writing to the Hebrew breth- ren, commanded them to exhort one another daily while it is called to-day, lest any of them should be hardened through the deceit- fulness of sin. From this language we un- derstand that exnortation is not confined to the worshiping assembly, but is a daily duty that devolves upon Christians. If we know that any of our associates have gone astray, we ought to persuade them daily and never rest until they reform. Let parents exhort their children. Christian mothers, I ask you, do you plead with your children, be- seeching them to turn away from evil ways and obey the Lord? Finally, my brethren, fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters, all that love God and keep his commandments, remember you are the light of the world, the salt of the earth. Oh! let an old, worn and feeble servant, now in the eve- ning of his days, admonish you to more en- ergetic work in the cause of our Great Re- deemer.
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CHAPTER XVI.
PAKABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS.
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were wise and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps but took no oil with them ; but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. AYhile the bridegroom tarried they all slumbered and slept. And at mid- night there was a cry made, ''Behold the bridegroom Cometh. Go ye out to meet him." Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, give us of your oil for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, not so, lest there be not enough for us and you, but go rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. While they went to buy, the bridegroom came and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage? and the door was shut. — Mat. xxv.
This parable is taken from the eastern mode of celebrating marriages. Ten virgins were selected to introduce the bridegroom in- to the bride chamber. These virgins were all dressed in uniform, representing purity and innocence. They were to repair to the house of the bride in the evening with their
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lamps burning, each one having a vessel of oil to supply her lamp. Here they were to await the approach of the bridegroom, which was sometimes quite late in the night. While they were waiting for a groomsman to announce the near approach of the bride- groom, they all became drowsy and went to sleep.
The kingdom of heaven in this parable means the kingdom that Christ was about to establish on earth. The ten virgins represent the subjects of this kingdom from its in- cipiency until the Lord comes. The bride's house means the eternal mansions above. The lamp is the outward profession, the oil in the vessels is the Christian graces or the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. While the bridegroom tarries they all slumber and sleep, they are not watching and are taken by sur- prise. The wise had not attended to their lamps until they were almost gone out. The foolish let their lamps go out and no oil to renew them.
We will now try to examine the subject ac- cording to the above statement. Those vir- gins must all have on the right garment. They must all have a lamp. They must all have access to vessels of oil, to keep up the
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light. All these things are necessary for a proper church relation. Now, we suppose there are but few persons who come to the church who are not honest in making the good confession. There may be a few who never were moved by the Spirit of Truth. They were hypocrites from the beginning, and soon fall off and show their true charac- ter. They never had the robe and the burn- ing lamp in reality. But we think the fool- ish virgins denote those who honestly made a profession and perhaps ran well for a time, but they didn't strive against forbidden things. Riches, honors and the pleasures of the world and all its allurements crowded into their hearts, causing them to forget the mercy- seat, and the girdle of truth was cast aside, and the waning lamp could not be renewed because the vessels of oil were empty. We fear there are many professors in this day who hold church membership whose lamps are gone out. They have failed to form a Christian character and are not giving light to the world. One Christian can not supply another with heavenly graces. Such blessed attainments are not transferable. We must go to the great Giver of all good, who has an
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inexhaustible store of blessings for his faith- ful children.
The foolish virgins were too stupid to con- sider their sad case. Their lamps gone out, no oil to renew them, and in this condition they went to sleep. Just so we find it is with poor backsliders. The hardest of all is to get them awake. They seem to be dreaming that all is well. No exhortation, reproof or admonition will avail anything while they remain in this spiritual slumber. But we must not cease the work of trying to reclaim and save them. Try to awaken them to a sense of their danger, and a need of oil in their lamps to prepare to meet the bride- groom. We now come to consider the fact that the wise virgins while waiting for the call to go out and meet the bridegroom be- came drowsy and went to sleep. They also seemed to be in danger of letting their lamps go out. It has long been a point unsettled among divines, whether the church will be in -a flourishing or declining state when the Lord comes. This parable seems to favor the latter opinion. Paul, Peter and Jude all speak of a decline in spiritual things in the latter or last days. Our Savior's parables, many of them, hold forth the idea that the
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greater part of professors of religion will be taken by surprise and not be found watch- ing when the Lord comes. When we look at the present state of the professing Christian world, and then look in the Bible and exa- mine closely the character there laid down for Christians to fill, there seems to be an awful failure. Some contending for creeds and parties, and some that have taken the Bible alone for their creed and ought to be pat- terns of piety and holiness are not giving light to the world. So it is, and perhaps it will be until the Lord comes. At all events, we may safely conclude that the parable un- der consideration was intended as a warning to all Christians not to go to sleep and let their lamps go out.
I believe in a millenium, but whether it will take place before or after the resurrection of the Lord's people is not so plain. My strongest impression is that the church will be cold and the world will be wicked when Jesus comes and that the millenium will be after the first resurrection. Yet I am happy to think it will be right as the Lord is pleased to have it, and so let it rest. Now. we come to the closing scene of the parable. They that were ready went in with him to the
, 92 BRIEF ARTICLES AND SERMONS OF
marriage, and the door was shut. How in- describably grand and glorious will be the coming of the Lord. The prophet Daniel, says, ''I beheld till the thrones were cast down and the ancient of days did sit whose garments were white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool. His throne was like the fiery-flame, his wheels as burn- ing fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth before him. Thousands of thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The judgment was set and the books were opened."
Paul in his letters to Thessalonians says, ''The Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God and obey not the Gospel." Again, "the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and the trump of God. The righteous all safe in the everlasting mansions, and the door shut." The awful sentence comes to those who fail to enter "Depart from me all you that work iniquity." Among all that will be con- demned when the Lord comes, none will be so sadly disappointed as the careless, prayer-
ELDER ELIJAH MARTINDALE. 93
less professors, represented by the foolish virgins. Dear brethren, let us take warning from the Savior's own lips. Let us have our lamps trimmed and burning, and be ready to meet the bridegroom when he comes. Then we will not be alarmed when we hear the voice of the archangel, and the trumpet that shall awake the sleeping dead. Then we shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air, and so forever be with the Lord. This is the embodiment of the Christian's hope. It holds the vessel while the waves run high. Though the storm may be raging, all is safe while the anchor hope enters to that within the vale whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, our great high priest.
. "A hope so great and so divine, May trials well endure, And purify our souls from sin, As Christ himself is pure."
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CHAPTER XYII.
RELIGION AND POLITICS.
Some professors of religion are very sensi- tive about politics in the pulpit. I always think a man must have something bad in his politics when he is so easily offended in this matter. Two objects should be kept in view in the administration of civil laws ; one is the purity of the body politic and the other is to look after the temporal demands of the people. Now all that part of politics that is connected with justice and righteousness has to do with the morals of the people, and is justly a pulpit theme." The Apostles lived under a monarchial form of government and they commanded prayers to be offered for kings and for those in authority, that right- eous laws might be enacted. In our govern- ment. Christians have the power to help mould the laws, and they are responsible to God for all their influence in this direction. How can we expect the govern- ment to be for the punishment of evil doers
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and for the praise of them that do well if the church withholds its influence. No great political reform can be brought about while the pulpit maintains silence on the question, unless it should come in the form of a great and bloody re\^olution. During the long years of oppression to the colored people, the preachers were forbidden to cry out against the sin even in the North. If some ignorant preacher would stand in the pulpit and tell the people that slavery was a divine institu- tion and tolerated by the Bible and even at- tempt to put a holy stamp and seal upon the auction block, he was looked upon as being a Bible preacher. But let the true man of God come to the front bearing a message of love to God and love to our fellow-men, let him point out the slave dealer and say, " Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unright- eousness and his chambers by w^rongs ; that useth his neighbor's service without wages and giveth him naught for his w^ork." This would have been classed political preaching and would have called down never-ending curses upon the head of the poor defenseless preacher who was bold enough to publicly utter such words. Well, we have had our school of bloodshed, and as its dark chapters were un-
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folded, they seemed to all point toward breaking the chains and letting the oppressed go free. Yes, that was to be the sequel — the closing scene of the great drama. Now it is ended, can the preacher be permitted to talk about dealing justly and loving mercy? No, not if he means dealing justly with the col- ored people ; that would be bringing politics into the pulpit.
I knew a case where a church became horrified at their pastor for saying a few words in a discourse to the effect that slavery had drawn down awful judgments on our country, and he feared that we as a nation had not repented as much as we should. Those who attempt to guard the pulpit are generally a class who need the very preach- ing they are trying to shut off. PauL preached against political sins and every other kind, and Martin Luther, when he set himself like steel against the Roman Catholic Church, had to meet both church and state combined. When the nation endorses a great sin, that sin has become popularized, and needs the church to rally its forces in every way possible to try to counteract the evil. No true man of God will help politic- -ally to make strong the nation's wrongs. If
i
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he must stand alone, let him free himself from complicity in what he knows to be wrong. The angel above records our deeds and our influence is lasting as eternity.
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CHAPTER XVIII.
WHERE IS THE TRUE CHURCH OF CHRIST?
There is one body and one Spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling. One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is above all and through all and in you all.— E ph. iv : 4, 5, 6 v.
Here are seven units. The first tliree rep- resents tlie churcli in its embodied or united form. One body, one spirit and one hope. The second three are to represent the cliurcli as individuals. So Paul sa^^s, "Now ye are the body of Christ and member in particu- lar." So then each member comes into the body by one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and have received one spirit and one hope. God the Father of all dwells in them. Oh, what wonders of love and mercy to be de- livered from the kingdom of darkness and translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son. We find the church of Christ made up of sinners, saved by grace, saved by the blood of Christ, saved by faith, saved by re- pentance, saved by baptism, saved by hope.
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All these are spoken of by the Apostles as having saving power.
We have shown that there is one true church, and all who are in this one body have one Lord, one faith and one baptism. Some religious people will say, yes, that is Bible doctrine, but it does't mean water, it means baptism of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, ''Except ye be born of water and of the Spirit, ye can not enter into the kingdom of God;" and the Apostles were commanded •'To teach all nations, baj)tizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost;" and Paul says in his Collossian letter "having been buried with him in bap- tism." Peter says, ''the like figure wherein baptism doth now save us. " We will have to concede that the one baptism is of water, or we will have to trample on some of the plainest Scripture recorded in the word of divine truth. Yet we are not so sanguine as to be- lieve that all who come to the ordinance of baptism are true disciples of the blessed Mas- ter. The kingdom of heaven is like a net cast into the sea, it gathers of every kind. "The seed sow^n sometimes falls into stony ground, or among thorns, or by the wayside, l)ut when it falls into good and honest hearts,
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it brings forth some thirty, some sixty, some an hundred fold.
The artful destroyer of souls is gaining a great victory now in the world on account of divisions, sects and party strife. The salva- tion of a lost and ruined world is being greatly prevented, and the object of our Savior's death is being defeatedby the jarring creeds of the religious world. Now if the above thought is true, how careful should every church member be to know that he is contending earnestly for the faith once de- livered to the saints.
Paul warns the churches against divisions, and exhorts the disciples all to speak the same things. In the divided state of the Christian world, two extremes have become apparent. One is to depend entirely on the work of the Holy Spirit and ignore God's positive commands. The other is to depend too much on the positive commands and neglect that part that tends to building the moral and spiritual interests of the church. Some of God's commands are right of them- selves, such as, ''husbands love your wives," ''children obey your parents," but the com- mand to a penitent sinner to be baptized is positive law, and is right because it is com-
ELDER ELIJAH MARTINDALE. IQl
manded. Our first parents fell by dis- obedience to positive law. Circumcision was a positive law. To look on the brazen ser- pent, the healing of the Assyrian officer. The sounding of the Ram's Horn at the siege of Jericho and many such things were of the order of positive law. When we read of the fall of Adam, the fall of the Israelites in the wilderness, and all the judgments that have been melted out to defaulters of positive law, should we not tremble at the thought of dis- obedience? When we hear infidels scoff at the divine commandments, we are not sur- prised, but it is sad to hear professors of re- ligion making light of these things, calling them outward forms, only the shell. It has no validity in the work of grace. It is a mere ceremony, etc.
But some one says, don't you see how easy it is for a person to be baptized and join the church, attend to the Lord's Supper and still be a hypocrite? Yes, I see all that, and lament that some fail to show the fruits of a godly life. But on the other hand, don't you see how easy it is for a person to make great pretentions to spiritual enjoyments and talk of heart-felt religion, and still be a hypo- crite? The good, old prophet Samuel, told
102 BRIEF ARTICLES AND SERMONS OF
Saul once, that '' obedience was better than sacrifice, and hearken was better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry." Now, I do most confidently believe in the gift of the Spirit as promised to the Christians in the Gospel age, but we are taught that the world can not receive this heavenly visitor. The temple of the heart must be cleansed before it can receive this holy guest. Hence, all this praying for the Holy Spirit to come down and convert sinners is unscriptural. ' 'Let the sinner listen to the truths of the Gospel, and try to exercise faith in Christ, repent of his sins and be baptized, calling upon the name of the Lord, then arise to walk in newness of life, and they have the promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit as an abiding comforter." Then let them add to their faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and above all charity, that covereth a multitude of sins. Oh, how I would rejoice to see the church arise from its stupor, put on its beautiful garments and come forth bright as the sun, fair as the moon and terrible as an army with banners. Lord increase the faith- ful band who are working for the purity of the church.
ELDER ELIJAH MARTIXDALE. IQ-
CHAPTER XIX.
LETTER TO MY BROTHER JOHN.
(Written, May 23, 1865.)
Dear Brothi:r — This day, four years ago, we, with some others, made a visit to our dear mother's grave. While we stood around that spot made sacred to us by the loved form that was here interred twenty-two years and seventeen days before, how natural it was for our minds to travel back to our infantile and youthful days. Here mouldering back to dust are those kind hands that ministered to my wants when I lay helpless on her lap.
I was her first born, and so I was cared for with more than usual interest. How many painful hours she spent in watching and caring for me and for you, m}^ brother, and for all her children. Tender and affec- tionate, always ready to face danger, priva- tion and toil to make us safe and comforta- ble. But more than ever}^ natural tie, our mother was one that possessed, in a large de- gree, the religion of Jesus Christ. Her faith
104 BRIEF ARTICLES AND SERMOXS OF
and her earnest prayers were a great means under God of bringing you and me into the blessed Savior's fold. Our father was a kind parent, and became religious when I was ver}^ young. I well remember when he was baptized in a branch of the Little Miami, Warren county, Ohio, b}' a minister whose name was Joshua Carmin. Father and mother were then both religious, both mem- bers of the Baptist Church. Mother joined the Baptist when she was quite young, in South Carolina. Now they could be helpers and co-workers in bringing up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Had we not been restrained in our days of youthful folly by the pious lives and godly admonitions of our dear parents, you and I my dear brother, might have been undone forever. Oh, how thankful we should ever be to God our Heavenly Father for giving us religious parents. You know, when I was married, like most others in those days, I had to begin in the woods to make a farm. Mother would often walk that pathway, some half a mile between her house and ours. I remember one beautiful morning, in the spring of 1816, I was busy chopping in my clearing the logs and brush heaps thick. I
ELDER ELIJAH MARTIXDALE. 105
looked up and saw mother coming toward me. She had concluded to give me an exhortation before she went to the house. I suppose, I was apprised of her business, for she often labored with me in those days. When slie was near enough to speak conveniently she sat down on a log and said, come here my son and be seated by me, I want to talk some to you about your soul. There was so much heart-felt tenderness manifested in the voice, in the looks and in the language, that I felt a dart of conviction the moment she spoke these words. I dropped my ax, walked for- ward and took a seat as she requested. I wish I had her arguments and appeals, but they are gone from my memory, though I still retain in my mind vividly the deep and lasting influence of her faithful and oft-re- peated warnings and kind admonitions. I often think, dear brother, of what you told me about mother's great anxiety to see me before she left this world. She had been encour- aged to look for a visit from me, but I failed to get ready to make the journe}^ (a distance of two hundred miles), until I heard she was gone. All that comforts me now is the re- flection that I was so engaged in the work of the ministrv that I found no time to make the
106 BRIEF ARTICLES AND SERMONS OF
long journey. I was doing a good work, still it would have been a great comfort to me had it been so that I could have seen her once more. But there is a meeting now not far ahead, where I hope to be permitted to see all the Lord's people. There, my dear brother, we will meet, there we will see our dear parents, there we will call to mind many things in which the Lord has been gracious, many mysterious providences then will be plain in the light of eternity.
In conclusion, dear brother, let me encour- age you with myself to be faithful in the work of winning souls to God. Though we go weeping, bearing precious seed, we will come at the great harvest bringing in our sheaves.
ELDP:R ELIJAH MARTINDALE. 107
CHAPTER XX.
EXTRACT FROM SPEECH DELIVERED AT AX OLD settlers' meeting at new CASTLE, IND., AUG. 10, 1871.
In the spring of 1832, I moved to Henry county. But before I moved, I had to build a cabin. So I got some friends to help me cut and haul some round logs to a suitable site. I was told the common custom was to have whisky at house raisings. I told Robert Boyd, who had been in the countv some time, I could not conform to the liquor custom. Now, had I better tell them as I went round asking my hands that I was a teetotaler, or ask my hands and say nothing about it? He advised the latter. I took his advice, but repented it afterward. The hands turned out well and went to work in good style, but pretty soon the flouts and jeers be- gan to fly thick and fast. One hallooed, "cold water and good wishes, boys." I called attention till I would make a short speech. When all was still I said, "I am partially a
108 BRIEF AETICLES AND SERMONS OF
stranger among you, I want to conform to your rules of neighborship as far as I can conscientiously." I then stated the advice I had accepted from friend Boyd. Now if they thought I had deceived them, just quit and go home, I would not say hard things of any of them, but would try to get my house raised as best I could. Some one hallooed out, ''put up the man's house and say no more about the bottle." But a few could not bear to miss a dram, so they made up a purse and sent a boy for a jug of whisk}^ When it came there were but a few who would drink, seeing it was an insult to me and other tem- perate men present. Some of them got drunk and let a log fall, that came near kill- ing Peter Labortaux. From that ver}^ day the practice of using strong drink at gather- ings has been on the wane. Men would be ashamed to-day to bring out the bottle on such occasions. Much has been done since I was a boy to stop the ravages of intem- perance, yet much more must yet be done be- fore our fellow-men will be saved from falling into a drunkard's grave.
In conclusion, permit me to say a few words to the old settlers of this meeting. In the gracious providence of God, we have been
ELDER ELIJAH MARTINDALE. 109
spared these many years on the earth. We have come down from a former generation. Few of our youthful associates are now living. We have been permitted to see great changes in our country. Once we had to drag through mud to do all our marketing and visiting. Cincinnati was our depot, and bad roads at that. We have seen the wild forests changed into beautiful fields of waving grain. The roads graveled, the iron horse snorting and hissing, ready to convey us and our produce from the Atlantic to the Pacific shores. We have seen news carried with the speed of lightning, but more than all that we have lived to see the prison doors open and the oppressed go free, and beside all this we have lived to see the Bible, that way-bill to heaven, sent to almost every nation on the earth, aiid published in their own native tongue. Once a Bible would cost more than a common laborer could pay. Now fifty cents will buy the whole volume of God's rev- elation to man. Ten cents for a new testa- ment. May God hasten the happy day when our Savior will set judgment in the earth, and the isles shall wait for his law.
no BRIEF ARTICLES AND SERMONS OF
CHAPTER XXI.
(Sermon delivered at the Christian Chapel, New (Jastle, April 13, 1873.)
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be soher and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. — Peter i : 1-13
It seems that the brethren addressed by the Apostle in the text were in heaviness through many fokl temptations. He warns them to be well armed for the conflict^ lest their faith should be shaken and their hope should be lost. He exhorts them to gird up the loins of their mind, using a figure of speech. The loins being the foundation of bodily strength; there was an ancient custom of wearing a girdle to assist in giving power to perform great and protracted exertion of the body. Hence, it is used in Scripture as a means of giAdng strength in the great con- flicts the Christian is called to meet. Paul exhorts the Ephesian brethren to stand having their loins girt about with truth. Truth then is the girdle to be Avorn, by
ELDER ELIJAH MARTIXDALE. m
which we are to successfully combat all the powers of the world, the flesh and the devil. This truth is composed of all the facts, com- mands, promises and warnings of the Gospel of Christ. How many professing to be soldiers of the cross have been captured by the enemy for the want of this girdle. Fin- ally, let us hear the words of the blessed Master on this subject. '^Let your loins be girded about, your lamps burning and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their Lord when he will return from the wedding, that when he cometh and knocketh they may open unto Him immediately." ''Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when He cometh shall find watching."
We now pass to the second injunction, be sober. These words stand in the form of a command, prohibiting excessive mirthfulness, jesting and joking which are not convenient, but rather giving of thanks. Gravity is the proper element for the Christian, and especi- ally when they meet in the Lord's house for worship. In order that the great truths of the Gospel may find their way to the hearts of unbelievers, it is required of the Lord's people to be sober-minded, and show a de- votional spirit when they assemble for wor-
112 BRIEF ARTICLES AND SERMONS OF
ship. Especially should the preacher in view of his great calling exercise sobriety and gravity. I have often been pained to see and hear otherwise good and profitable min- isters of the Gospel, when out of the pul- pit, destroy much of their power and influence by vain and giddy conversation. The plain word teaches that w^e shall be brought into judgment for our idle words; and the Savior said, "By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." Christ wept over the erring, he wept with the sorrowing, but no giddy, foolish words ever escaped his lips. Oh, let us have more of the spirit of the meek and lowly Jesus. Let all w^ho name the name of Christ try to imitate his example in sobriety, in purity, in long suffering, endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. • We come now to the concluding member of the text. ''Hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought at the revelation of Jesus Christ." God has formed our minds so that w^e may enjoy this blessed solace, this happy- fying, soul-enlivening influence called hope. It is composed of confident expectation coupled with strong desire. It is compared to an anchor of a ship wdiich holds it steady
ELDER ELIJAH MARTINDALE. 113
amid storms and tempests. Yes, hope is an anchor to the soul both sure and steadfast, and entering to that within the vale where Jesus has entered, and we look for the glori- ous appearing of the great God, and our Savior, Jesus Christ.
I was taught in my youthful days that hope looked to the pardon of our past sins. This would be doubting the truth of God's word. Nothing will satisfy the truly awak- ened and deeply penitent sinner short of a knowledge of his sins forgiven. How can we rejoice evermore looking forward to the prize that lies at the end of the race unless we have the blessed knowledge or assurance that our sins are all forgiven? We are not to hope for the pardon of our past sins, but we are to hope for the grace that is to be brought unto us at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Many trials and much opposition the Christian is called to meet. He often feels like David under the persecutions of King Saul: ''Surely one day I shall fall by the hand of my enemies; " but hope comes to his relief and he can sing, " Oh, my soul hope thou in God, for I shall yet praise thee." 8
114 BRIEF ARTICLES AND SERMONS OF
Tribulation worketli patience, patience expe- rience, and experience hope.
Hope maketh not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Oh let us hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Then thq saints will be clothed with immor- tality.
That great city, New Jerusalem, will come down from God out of Heaven prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Blessed are they who are called unto the marriage sup- per of the Lamb. Jesus, with all his people, shall enter the palace royal to go no more out forever. Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwell with them and they shall be his people. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun, for the Lord God giveth them light and they shall reign for- ever and ever. Even so, come Lord Jesus.
ELDER ELIJAH MARTINDALE. 115
SONG
I USED TO HEAR MY FATHER SING.
(In which the Christian Journey is Compared to a Voyage on the Sea.)
Through tribulation deep,
The way to glory is ; This stormy course I keep
O'er these tempestuous seas, By winds and weaves I'm tossed and driven, Freighted with grace and bound for heaven.
The Bible is my chart,
By it the seas I know, I can not with it part,
It rocks and sands doth show ; It is a chart and compass, too, Whose needle points forever true.
AVhen a dead calm ensues.
And heaven no breezes give, The oar of prayer I use ;
I labor, toil and strive Through storms and calms for many a day, I make but very little way.
But when a heavenly breeze
Springs up and fills my sails. My vessel goes with ease
Before the pleasant gales, And runs as much an hour or more As in a month or two before.
116 BRIEF ARTICLES AND SERMONS OF
As at the time of noon,
My quadrant faith I take To view the Christ my sun,
In hopes the clouds to break ; I'm happy when his face I see, I know then whereabouts I be.
When storms and tempests come,
My anchor hope I cast ; Faith is my cable strong,
It holds my vessel fast. She safely then at anchor rides Midst stormy waves and swelling tides.
My vessel would be lost
In spite of all my care. But that the Holy One
Vouchsafes himself to steer ; Both day and night his watchful care My vessel keeps from every snare.
E'er I can reach heaven's coast,
I must a gulf pass through ; My vessel though not lost
Must fail to mortal view ; My ransomed spirit then set free. No more to pass this dangerous sea.
Though rough, it is but short ;
The pilot angels bring And lead me into port
Redeeming love to sing; And, when I land on that blest shore, I shall be safe forevermore.
Elder Elijah Martindale, departed this life July 21st, 1874.
ELDER ELIJAH MARTINDALE. 117
HISTORY OF THE MARTINDALE FAMILY IN AMERICA.
BY ELIJAH MARTINDALE.
My greatgrandfather, William Martindale, was born in Philadelphia, where his father settled when he came from England. He had five sons, James, John, Joseph, William and Thomas. Two of his daughters married Youngs, and one married Norman. William, the fourth son, was my grandfather, and was born March 8, 1753, and died Jan. 24, 1854, aged 100 years, ten months and sixteen days. His sons were John, Moses and James. His daughters were Sarah, married to James Odle ; Polly, married Henry Garret ; Nancy, married Doan Bright; Rachel, married Thomas Clark; Patsy, married William Jones; Ruth, married Jesse Young first, he dying, she married William Boyd. My grandfather had three half brothers, Martin, Miles and David.
My father, John Martindale, was born Oct. 12, 1772, and died July 22, 1852. He had four sons, Elijah, Will- iam, John and Robert. My sisters were, Rachel, mar- ried Jesse Platts; Polly, married William Roe; Peggy married Eli Roe ; Sarah, married Boston Overrocker ; Lavina, married Silas Crocker. My brother John has for many years been a faithful and successful preacher in the church of Christ. His labors have been chiefly in
118 MARTINDALE HISTORY BY
Iowa, where he has resided for a number of years. My grandmothers were Martha Bishop, on father's side, and Margaret Pierson on mother's side. My grandfather, Robert Burns, was the son of Tarens Burns of Ireland. Several of my mother's uncle Burns' were preachers. My mother, Polly Burns (before she was married), had four brothers, Jeremiah, Thomas, James and Robert. Her sisters were, Tabitha, married Jesse Jones ; Rachel, married Jonathan Campbell ; Margaret, married John Pierson. Uncle Jeremiah Burns was an eminent preacher of the Baptist order. Uncle Robert was no less so among the Methodist.
My father's brother, James Martindale, settled on a farm in Wayne county, near Washington, where he lived until his death. He had two sons, John and William. John lived on a farm near his father. He died many years ago. His children remain in the same locality, near Washington, Wayne county, Indiana. William, the other son, married Mahala Stiggleman, whom he deserted and went to the Mor- mans, and became a great apostle in expounding that faith. He left one daughter in Indiana when he went to the Mormans.
My father's brother, Moses Martindale, moved to Eel River at an early day. His sons were Jesse, Will- iam, Charles, Moses, David and Thomas. One son, James, died unmarried. His daughters were Rachel, married to David Ward; Martha, married Benjamin Griffith ; Mary, died single, aged 20 ; Hannah, married Amos Murphy; Margaret, married John Long; Sarah,
married Brown; Elizabeth, married Tolman
Smith. Children of Jesse Martindale: George B., Jessie, Chinweth, Benjamin, Ann, Hannah. Children of William Martindale: Hannah Abbott, Jahu, Charles, Martha McCarty, John, Angeline, William and Albert, deceased. Children of Charles Martindale: Martha
ELDER ELIJAH MARTINDALE. 119
Bunch, then Barrett, Mary Boggus, Amanda Stock- berger, Adaline Howell, then Zeihner, Charles, Sarah Armentrout, Catharine, Rosa Feister, William. Chil- dren of Moses Martindale : Rev. William J., Anna Horton (deceased), George A., and Warren B., an at- torney of Rochester, Ind. Children of David Martin- dale : Nancy J. Cole, Joseph, Elizabeth Trent, Samuel, Nora (deceased). Children of Thomas Martindale: Eliza J. Walker and Moses. Children of Benjamin and Martha Grifhth : Hazel, William, Moses, Har- rison, Martha (all deceased), Samuel, and Sarah Guy (living). Children of Daniel and Rachel Ward: Moses, William, Levi, David, Sarah Hix, Ann Brown. Children of Amos and Hannah Murphy : John, Will- iam, George, Moses, Mary J. Bahr (living), Milton, Charles, Luther, Wesley (deceased). Children of John and Margaret Long : Ann AVooley, Charles, Nancy Norris, Amos, Margaret Norris, John W., and William (deceased). Children of Tolman and Elizabeth Smith : Martha Voorhies, Louis and James, William (died young).
Gen. John H. Martindale, a prominent lawyer, of Rochester, N. Y., was a distant relative of Elijah Mar- tindale, the author of this history. He was appointed Brigadier-General in the army, and commanded a brigade in the Virginia Peninsular campaign in 1862. He was Military-Governor of the District of Columbia from 1862 to 1864. Then he joined the Eighteenth Corps of the Army of the James, which was united with the army of the Potomac. He fought the battles of Cold Harbor and Petersburg. He was elected Attorney- General of New York in 1866. He died abroad, in Dec. 13,1881. Edward Martindale, a prominent lawyer in New York City, was a brother of Gen. J. H. Martin- dale.
120 PIONEER HISTORY OF
PIONEER HISTORY CONNECTED WITH THE BOYD FAMILY.
CHAPTER I.
How I Obtained My History— Elizabeth Martindale — She Sends Out a Missionary— Sufferings of the Boyd Family in the Revolutionary War— Linn Boyd the Statesman— Samuel Boyd, His Marriage and Emi- gration.
The author of the history I am about to sketch was Elizabeth Martindale, wife of Elijah Martindale, the pioneer preacher, whose biograph}^ is given in this book. She was born in Madi&on count}^, Kentucky, 1792. It was owing to her great physicial strength and wonderful industry that a large family of fourteen children were kept above want, and educated according to those early times, while her husband went forth as a herald of the cross. She was nearly one year his senior, 3^et owing to the constitution she inherited from her sturdy ancestors, she outlived him nearly ten years. During the
n
.JJ^^JIl"'^^^
ELIZABETH BOYD MARTINDALE.
THE BOYD FAMILY. 121
last seventeen years of her life she was a cripple from a rheumatic affection, and was compelled to walk on crutches. Although she was afflicted and bowed down with the weight of so many years, she could call up the incidents of her early life and relate them with a precision that seemed wonderful. She departed this life in New Castle, Ind., June 3d, 1884. She was the daughter of Samuel and Isabella Boyd, the former of Scotch-English, and the latter of Irish de- scent.
James Boyd, the father of Samuel Boyd, was a Virginian by birth, and moved to South Carolina, where he took an active part in the struggle of the colonies to gain their indepen- dence. He was unyielding in the support of the war of the revolution, and he and his family suffered severely for their well tried patriotism. Twice their habitation was burned to the ground by the Tories, and they were left without shelter. Before the dread- ful conflict ceased, he was slain in battle. Three of his sons fought by his side, John, Samuel and Abraham. While Samuel was engaged in a skirmish the company was cap- tured, and he was left for dead, a ball having passed through his temple taking out his
122 PIONEER HISTORY OF
right e^^e. When he had hiin sometime, an old colored woman came along, and when she saw his condition she concealed him under some buslies near by, then brought him some food and took care of him until he was able to get away. Abraham, the young- est son, who enlisted in the army, was then only sixteen years of age. He afterward be- came the father of Linn Boyd, the great Ken- tucky statesman, who was elected to the legis- ture of his State a few terms, then he was a member of Congress for eighteen years, and for four years was Speaker of the House. He was a farmer, and perhaps the secret of his popularity was that he kept himself on a level with the common people. He was a Democrat, and, like Andrew Jackson, he stood firmly against United States banks. He was in Congress when Henry Clay brought forth his memorable compromise bill, and through Col. Boyd's influence it was passed. He died Dec. 17, 1859.
The mother of Samuel and Abraham Boyd, whose maiden name was Burns, was related by birth to the great bard of Scotland. Samuel Boyd was born in Virginia, May 20, 1763. In his early life, he with his father moved to South Carolina, where they enlisted
THE BOYD FAMILY. 123
in the army of the revolution. Having to carry through all his subsequent life such marks of the long and terrible struggle for independence would instill patriotism in the minds of his children, hence, they imbibed in early childhood a deep and abiding hatred to the name Tory, as the royalists was called. Isabella, wife of Samuel Boyd, was born in South Carolina, Feb. 13, 1764. Her father. John Higgins, was a native of Ireland. Her mother's name was Elizabeth Campbell. She also was of Irish descent. Samuel Boyd and Isabella Higgins were married in 1785. She was named in honor of the queen of Spain, and also, had the honor of being es- corted by Andrew Jackson in her youthful days. Her love settled upon the one-eyed soldier of the revolution, who was an honest farmer, and afterward became a faithful pioneer preacher. They first became mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church and after- ward joined the Newlights. It was favor- able for their vast progeny that they were inclined to go westward and seek more pro- ductive soil. -Soon after their marriage, they moved to Tennessee and settled in a cabin home. While living here, a great shadow fell across their pathway.
124 PIONEER HISTORY OF
One of Isabella's cousins in Carolina mar- ried a somewhat wealthy man and they ar- ranged to visit their cousin in her new home in Tennessee. The road they were to travel was hilly, or rather mountainous, and unfre- quented. At that time the only mode of trav- eling was on horseback. They made their visit, but soon after they set out on their re- turn voyage, they were murdered and their bodies left lying in the forest. Their saddles were left lying beside them, but they had been robbed and their horses were taken. This left a sad memory on the minds of the youth- ful pioneers. They moved from Tennessee and settled in Madison county, Kentucky.
Samuel Boyd was a large and somewhat corpulent man with ruddy face and dark haij before it was silvered with age. The loss of his eye was a great deformity to his person as he never tried to conceal the blemish by shades or any kind of glasses. I can't say they were not in use for I think it was just about this time, or earlier, that Goldsmith rep- resents the hopeful son of the vicar of Wakefield as making sale of the family nag and buying a whole gross of green spectacles. Anyway my grandfather chose to wear a patch of black silk over the empty socket and the last time
THP: BOYD FAMILY. 125
I sat on his knee and was bearded by his kisses I thought he was awful sweet, but still I didn't like the looks of that eye.
Oh, I wish we had a cycloraraic view of those wounded, starving, bleeding-feeted soldiers marching over the frozen ground bowed down with disaster and defeat, yet willing to die in the last ditch to purchase a land of freedom.
In view of all this, will we surrender our rights as citizens of this great commonwealth and allow our country so dearly bought to be ruled by monopolists and millionaires? Will we allow corruption, fraud, sham and boodle to take the place of an honest election? What worse chains could England have forged for us?
126 PIONEER HISTORY OF
CHAPTER 11.
HISTORY OF SAMUEL BOYD AND FAMILY. *
The author of my history says that when she was seven years old her parents moved from Madison county, Kentucky, to a place on the Cumberland river called ' ' Horseshoe Bend." Here they were surrounded by hills and ravines and what was worse, the country school-house w^as on the other side of the river and several families living in the Bend must ply a canoe to gain access to the school. After remaining therg awhile they moved to Adair county, which was then a wilderness part of Kentucky; though many fields had been prepared for cultivation and the owners finding their titles were not good had abandoned them and they were all grown up in underbrush. Some orchards, too, had been planted and produced seedling fruit. About this time the great Kentucky revival reached this part of the state, and Samuel Boyd's house was one great center for the meetings.
THE BOYD FAMILY. 127
B. W. Stone, Wm. Kincade, the Dooly '?> and Purviance all came frequently to hold meetings. Samuel Boyd commenced the work of exhortation and soon became an earnest minister of the Gospel, and what is most worth recording, he made his life corre- spond to his profession, striving to do unto others as he would have them do unto him.
Many incidents transpired here worthy of record. One was the death of a faithful old negro slave who had fallen to Samuel Boyd from his ancestors. He tenderly cared for her in her old age, and when the icy hand of death was laid upon her, they sadly mourned as though she had been one of the dearest in- mates of the home. During her life no greater grief could come to her than to hear a word said about setting her free. She was not really a slave; she was simply a part of the family circle. Indeed, slavery had no horrid features in Kentucky at tliat time. The people were partly of the old New En- gland stock who repelled the institution; yet the leprous germ was there; the buds were being nurtured that would produce the great Upas tree with all its bitter fruits.
In the year 1811, Samuel Boyd learned that valuable land had come into market in
128 PIONEER HISTORY OF
the territory of Indiana. Although there were no speculative agents to give a glowing description of the country, yet it became a well known fact that Indiana possessed broad acres of well timbered land, the most fertile to be found. Samuel Boyd by this time, like Abraham of old, was blest with flocks and herds, and was able to live comfortably, yet his acres were not sufficient for his large family. Having disposed of land and stock partly, with a family of nine children, several of them making the journey in equestrian style, they took up the march for Indiana. After the monotony of nearl}^ one week's travel, being hindered by the driving of some" stock, and making a short stay in Cincinnati, they arrived near where the town of Eaton now stands. Two families, the Taylors and Irwins, had emigrated from Kentucky a short time before, and were located at this point. Mr. Boyd, made selection of land near where Jacksonburg now stands, and proceeded to build a cabin, but before it was finished the Indians had become so exasperated that they began making attacks on the defenseless settlers along the frontier.
The origin of the Indian troubles dated back more than a year, when Gov. Harrison
THE BOYD FAMILY. 129
had made a treaty with several tribes by which they had ceded to him a hirge body of land along the Wabash river. Tecumseli, chief of the Shawnee tribe, took advantage of the case, showing how they had forfeited their rich hunting grounds, and thus excited them to a feeling of revenge. He tried to form an alliance of all the w^estern tribes against the whites. Governor Harrison, after trying in vain to treat w^ith Tecumseh, met him in hostile array and a decisive battle was fought at Tippecanoe, Oct. 7, 1811 . The Indians were repulsed and defeated, but Tecumseh escaped and joined the British forces in the war of 1812, and was promoted to brigadier- general, leading the Indian troops.
Dangers to the frontier settlers were great- ly increased by the inauguration of a second war with Great Britian. The Indians hav- ing a grievance, on account of being dispos- sessed of their lands, could easily be enlisted to commit depredations against white settlers. So there was no security of safety to the emigrants who attempted to make a home in the dense forest that comprised the vast ter- ritory of the Wabash valley.
The Boyd family had been living a kind of a camp life until their cabin would be 9
130 PI(3NEER HISTORY OF
ready to move into, and now the alarm was given that the Indians had become furious and were constantly on the war-path, ready for depredations. They were far out on the frontier, only two or three settlers near them. Those few met together and agreed to build a fort by which their families might be pro- tected until the Indians should become peace- able.
They cut down small trees and split them in tw^o parts and planted them in the ground until they inclosed half an acre. AVithin this inclosure some rude shanties were built, the fort wall forming one side of the shanty though some had tents. The worst feature was there were no guards sufficient to defend the fort against an attack of the Indians, as they generally went in gangs.
The inmates of the fort were sometimes aroused from their slumbers, perhaps by cat- tle beating against the wall, and they felt sure the Indians had come. The only hope was in making a pretense of numbers, so one assumed command as general, and or- dered forty on one side and forty on another^ when perhaps there was not more than a half dozen men in the fort.
The families feeling that there was no
THE BOYD FAMILY. 131
safety there, left the fort one by one and went back near where Richmond now stands, where there were more white settlers and they would not be so liable to an attack of the Indians. The Boyd family stayed at the fort the longest, but they finally gave it up and went back to the settlement. Indeed they moved back and forth a number of times before they could feel that they were safe so far out on the frontier.
Elizabeth remembered one day, when the men were all gone from the fort, she was sit- ting spinning, and as she happened to look at an aperture in the outer wall, she saw the glaring eyes of an Indian who looked to be furiously bent on knowing just what was in the fort. Her heart beat to a palpitation. She spun awhile longer, then remembering the guns were lying there loaded, she said to another young woman who was in the fort, "Let us take a gun apiece and go out." They were in such suspense they wanted to know whether the Indians were preparing to massacre the few helpless inmates, or whether they were gone. They saw no trace of the Indians, but horses were stolen in the settle- ment near Richmond that night.
The face of the red man even in time of
132 PIONEER HISTORY OF
peace would send a thrill of terror to the heart of those unaccustomed to the sight; hut when their savage nature was aroused, and every other feeling had given way to re- venge; when they were daily in search of some poor white emigrant that might fall a victim to their scalping knife, then the sight was terrible indeed.
One prominent trait in the character of the Boyd family was industry. Among all the fearful dangers to which they were exposed, they proceeded to cut away the forest and prepare for planting a field. The work of the household, including spinning and weav- ing, was carried on with a bravery that now seems incredible. There was no cabin or shelter in the fort large enough to contain the loom, so it was taken to the new cabin that had been abandoned to seek shelter in the fort. Elizabeth and a younger sister, Polly, went daily through the woods about a mile away to weave. She made a very romantic journey in trying to prepare the web for the loom. She had no warping mills or bars, so she and another young woman living in the family went to the nearest neighbor, about seven miles away, to warp; and when they arrived the bars were in use and they had to
THE BOYD FAMILY. 13;^
wait. When they finished their web and were ready to start home it was some time in the night. If they were to stay all night their parents would think the Indians had captured them, so they mounted their fast horses and with a full determination to out- run the Indians if any came in their way, they set out for home. Elizabeth could look back through the subsequent years of her life and see that she was guarded by a Provi- dential care through all these dangers to which she was daily exposed.
A few months after the circumstances I have just related, there was a murder com- mitted that sent grief and terror to the hearts of all the settlers on the frontier. John Shortridge, a very respectable and industrious young man, residing in Drury's fort, a few miles south of where the Boyd family was stationed, was shot while out on horseback looking after some cattle. It was said that he wore an overcoat resembling one worn by a certain George Ish against whom the In- dians held a deadly spite and that they took aim at him by mistake, but the facts in the case were not known. John Shortridge was a brother of Elisha Shortridge who be<?ame a minister and resided manv vears in Dudlv
134 PIONEER HISTORY OF
township, Henry county. After the fear and terror occasioned by the murder of Shortridge had subsided there was an interval of peace and several families had settled on lands and begun to think they were safe in their cabin homes; but the Indians were still lurking about and if their savage nature was once aroused against an individual they never failed to seek revenge.
There was one Charles Morgan^ living on the Walnut Level frontier, who was always on bad terms with the Indians. He had been so long accustomed to seeing them that he didn't seem to realize how much he was at their mercy, and that in provoking them he jeopardized not only his own life, but also the lives of others. After times were thought to be better, he and his two half brothers, the Beesley boys, were tending their sugar camp at night and were surprised by a gang of Indians, who could see by the firelight how to take a deadly aim. The Beesle}^ boys were standing near the kettles when they fell, and one falling into the fire was partly consumed. Morgan was lying down asleep, so the}^ dis- patched him with their tomahawks.
Jonathan Shaw, long a resident of Wayne county, was then on the wild frontier, and
THE BOYD FAMILY. 135
was tending a sugar camp close by. He was sitting by his kettles making a split-broom when he heard the firing of the guns, and looking at the Morgan camp he saw the Indians doing their bloody work. He con- cealed himself a moment behind a tree, then remembering his helpless family in the cabin, he started with lightning speed to see if they were safe. He collected another family living near and his own in one cabin, barred the doors and with loaded guns kept watch until morning light. But the Indians fled after committing the murder at the Morgan camp. This terrible tragedy happened about eighty rods north of Walnut Station. The beam and trammels where the kettles hung re- mained for a number of years, no one having occasion to remove them. They seemed to be a sad memorial of by-gone days.
136 PIONEER HISTORY OF
CHAPTER III.
Peace Established— The Indians Driven AVest — No Missionaries— Pioneer Preachers Go Among Them — A Great Tragedy in an Indian Hut— The Preach- ers Blown up by Gunpowder — Death of Samuel Boyd.
The second war with Great Britain was now brought to a close; the clash of arms ceased to resound; the Indians after awhile forgot their grievances and peace like a gentle dove seemed to brood over our land spreading its halcyon wings from the Atlantic to the Pa- cific shores. The tide of emigration rapidly increased and soon the white man was sole possessor of the forest homes that had so long been made to resound to the echoing call of the Indian hunter. Offerings of gratitude went up from many hearts for the blessings of peace, but while the Indians were reced- ing to the homes appointed for them farther west, it seemed apparent to every Christian mind that we had neglected to teach them or help them in any way to become a civilized or enlightened race.
THE BOYD FAMILY. 137
Up to this time there never had a mission- ary set foot on the soil of Indiana, except some Jesuit priests at a very early day, and they reported most of the tribes very teachable. The Miamis were the most warlike at that time and it would have been hard to make any impression on their minds. After the western tribes had become peaceable and were located in villages to themselves and had be- come acquainted with our language, many of the early pioneer preachers of Indiana went and labored among them and were successful in implanting Bible truths in their minds and hearts.
One of the most faithful and active in this work was Samuel Boyd. He had a number of preaching places among the Indians. One point where he went repeatedly was an In- dian village called Strawtown and was near about where the town of Alexandria now stands. The Indians greeted him with warm hearts and listened while he tried to expound
to them the wav of life. One of his visits ta
*
this point was attended by a scene somewhat tragical in its results and left a sad remi- niscence on the minds of all who escaped. He and another preacher named Logan had ridden many miles to reach this point and
138 PIONEER HISTORY OF
were resting in one of the Indian huts until dinner was prepared for them. The Indian children were playing near where a keg of powder was sitting. One of them unnoticed touched a stick to the fire and then to the powder. A terrific explosion followed; the hut was partly demolished and the children were all killed. The ministers escaped being killed, no one hardly knew how. Boyd had Iain down on a cot and it whirled upside down and was set on fire. He was too much stunned to extricate himself, and before any one could help him he was badly burned, es- pecially his feet.
To many it might seem a vain delusion to undertake the work of teaching those rude savages, who seem happier in roaming the wild forests than they would to dwell in mar- ble halls or kingly palaces, yet their natures could have been changed by cultivation, and if there had been more sacrifice made at that ^arly day to christianize them, and especially to teach them the arts of civilization, it woukl have saved our country from the swarms of Indians, who are living in idleness to-day and making constant draughts on the public treasury.
Samuel Bovd had a heart that went out in
THE BOYD FAMILY. 139
love for all mankind. He was willing to go wherever duty called him. No work seemed too humble for his hands to do. Seemingly in the midst of his useful labors he was called away from the shores of time. Being ex- posed to a shower of rain, he took a severe cold, which settled in asthma, and he died sitting in his chair Nov. 27, 1835, at the age of seventy-two years. He was not permitted to see any great results of his labors, yet no doubt it was as bread cast upon the waters, w^hich shall be gathered up many days hence.
His work was of a humble nature, trying to lift up fallen humanity and bring the wandering ones to the great Shepherd's fold, and to such the prophet has said, "They that turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars forever and ever."
When Samuel Boyd moved to Indiana, he he had five sons. Robert, the youngest, was thirteen years old. James, John, William and Samuel were stalwart young men, with the exception of a rheumatic affection which seemed to be a family disease. He also had four daughters. All of them settled on farms in Wayne and Henry counties, and all ex- cept Isabel, the youngest daughter, lived and died in those counties, and most of them
140 PIONEER HISTORY OF
were buried at the old Jacksonburg cemetery. When Mrs. Edna Swiggett, of Indianapolis, daughter of John and Caroline Smith, and granddaughter of Abiram Boyd, visits that old burying ground, she can stand by the headstones of three generations of grand- fathers.
It was the custom of Samuel Boyd, the old patriarch, for some years before his death, to make an annual feast, usually in the month of August, and call together all his children and grandchildren. The number at the last gathering was about eighty, but at this time his posterity would be almost like the sand on the sea shore, innumberable. The Boyd family have held some reunions more recent- ly, but they are too much scattered ever to make Wayne county a place of rendezvous again. They would have to come from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south; then it would merely be a gathering of strange faces.
THE MARTINDALE FAMILY. 141
CHAPTER IV.
THP: MARTINDALE FAMILY.
Elizabeth Boyd became the wife of Elijah Martindale, October 12, 1815. They resided on a little farm they had purchased on the Walnut Level, until the spring of 1832, at which time they moved to Henry county, bringing with them eleven children. They settled on Flatrock, having purchased the land now owned by J. C. Peed. When they landed they moved into a little hut on the bank of the creek until the new double cabin would be finished. There was a field of six acres almost ready for the plow which w^as planted that year and produced a good crop of corn and other vegetables. That summer will long be remembered on account of chol- era, which swept over the land taking away so many good citizens of Henry county. Other diseases seemed to follow, especially fevers were prevalent later in the season.
Among the most prominent of our neigh- bors at that early day was Josiah Clawson,
142 PIONEER HISTORY OF
the father of Mrs. Fidelia Wayman and Thomas N. Clawson, of New Castle, and James Clawson of Springport. He pur- chased the home in the woods west of the Martindale place, where Jesse Nichelson now lives. We verily thought Aunt Phebe Claw- son was indispensable when sickness visited us. Indeed those early pioneers knew how to lend each other a helping hand, not only when the logs were to be rolled, or the cabin raised, but in other times of need, they re- sponded with substantial aid.
True friendship seemed to exist in those early times, partly from the fact that they were dependent upon each other, but more especially on account that they were all shar- ing the privations and hardships incident to a new country.
A number of families moved into the neighborhood and took homes in the woods about this time, so it became an imperative duty to build a school-house. Enos Bond, who had moved from Wayne county, and settled on land centerable, donated a lot. The neighbors met and prepared the logs and constructed a cabin with a huge fire-place. Oh, that old log school-house! there was a grandeur about it left in my
THE MARTINDALE FAMILY. 14,^
memory I never can describe. All the ten- der buds of hope belonging to that wild re- gion met there. They knew nothing of the world beyond this center. To gain the head of the spelling-class was to them the cardinal point of human happiness. Fragrant in my memory to-day are those scenes long van- ished. Time has rolled on like a ceaseless river, and borne away with its mighty cur- rent most of that band who met there so full of joy and hope.
The first teacher that was hired, when the house was completed, was Elder Elijah Mar- tindale, the only applicant. He was paid the sum of $32 for the entire term. It was the only school he ever taught, and I believe he accepted that winter in a case of emergency, as teachers were hard to get at that time.
This same log school-house was used for the meetings of the Christian church Avhich was organized at a very early da3^ The fam- ilies of Corwine, Clift and Thornton moved to this neighborhood from Kentucky, having seceded from the Baptists and joined the Christian or Disciples' church. Martindale and Corwine exercised their talent in the ministry, the former being wonderfully gifted in exhortation, and his Christian zeal was
144 PIONEER HISTORY OF
made manifest in all his deliverances, both to try to enlighten the understanding and to ex- hort men to flee from the wrath to come.
During the fall of 1833 Elijah Martindale was attacked with a very severe form of bil- ious fever. He grew worse until all hopes of his recovery were given up. While he was lying unconscious, seeming evidently approaching the hour of dissolution, two devoted Christian ministers named Wilson were sent for. When they came they annointed him with oil in the name of the Lord and offered fervent prayer at his bedside, after which they united their melodious voices in singing a rapturous strain describing the music of the angels when they announced to the shepherds the birth of Christ. While they were singing he became conscious. The crisis in the disease dated from that hour, and he began to recover and in time was restored to health. I am not calling loudly upon a skeptical world to 'be- lieve in miracles. All I can say is that this happened just as I have related it. It seemed to be an example of what the Apostle James meant when he said the prayer of faith shall save the sick and the Lord shall raise him up; yet I don't know that the Apostle intend- ed anv miracle.
THE MARTINDALE FAMILY. 145
It would seem to persons who share the luxuries of more modern times that such a family, located almost in the woods, was des- tined to suffer want. Yet such was not the case. There never was a family of bees put into a hive that was more active and indus- trious than the older children of the Martin- dale family. Nearly all the work of clearing the woods and cultivating the fields devolved upon three boys not near grown. J. N. Martindale, now living in Hancock county, took the lead in that work. He has ever since followed the avocation of farming, and has amassed considerable wealth, chiefly by the sweat of his brow. S. P. Martindale lives in Tipton, where he has followed mer- cantile business for some years past. B. F. Martindale, the youngest of the three, had been farming lands in Missouri for some time before his death, which occurred October 22, 1876. He was gifted with powers by which he could have became efficient in the Christian ministry, a calling to which he de- voted himself for a time, but abandoned it for the reason it didn't meet the demands of his helpless family. To the eleven children born in Wayne county, three more were added, Robert A., now living in 10
146 PIONEER HISTORY OF
Hartford City; Lizzie, who married Luther Hennigh and died in the year 1882, and James B., the youngest, who now lives in Chicago, and is publishing a law directory. Of the group of five younger boys, Elijah
B. was the oldest, and became superintendent of the farm work after the first trio that I have mentioned were married and gone. He had an extraordinary business talent which seemed to develop itself very early in life. He is now a resident of Indianapolis, where he has dealt largely in real estate, be- ing at one time proprietor of the Indianapolis Journal, and owning some of the finest resi- dences in the city. He is now National Commissioner of the World's Fair. Simeon
C, the next in years, is an attorney in An- derson, where he stands uppermost in the scale of moral honesty. William S., the next, was the baby when the family moved to Henry county. Jle married Ruth Shawhan, who died of consumption in the year 1865, leav- ing one daughter, Emma, who married Howard Higdon, with whom he now makes his home.
There was one great oversight or neglect in the work of preparing that large family of eight boys to go forth into the world and be
THE MARTINDALE FAMILY. 147
able to assume all the duties and responsibili- ties of married life. Several of them should have learned good trades. E. B. Martindale saw the importance of that before he left the farm, and went and apprenticed himself to John Taylor, now his father-in-law, and be- came a good saddle and harness maker. In that he mistook his calling, as he had a quality of brain that made him able to com- pete with the world a thousand times better in some avocation that called his mental powers into action.
"Man know thyself" is an injunction that has become proverbial, and applies with equal force to parents in regard to their children, that is, know what their talent is and which way it should be directed. It is far better to be a good carpenter or a good blacksmith than to be a failure in some lofty profession.
Nearly all the clothing worn in the Mar- tindale family at that early day was manu- factured at home. Usually in the spring, the flax stalks in the mow contained in em- bryo the summer clothing to be worn. It had been spread out and watered so as to sep- arate the lint from the stalk. Then muscu- lar power was applied to a flax-break, a ma-
148 PIONEER HISTORY OF
chine resting upon legs with an upper part hinged on and made so as to crush the flax and break the stalks between the two pieces. Next came the beating out the shives, a pro- cess with which I was quite familiar at that time but hard now to describe. It was done by putting a handful of flax across the top of a board one end of which was sharpened and driven into the ground, then a smooth paddle was used to beat out the shives. Then the flax was hackled, or drawn through an instrument with iron teeth, until it was nice and smooth, then wound on the distaff and spun. It was often made into fine beau- tiful linen. This manner of manufacturing home spun clothing was not peculiar to any section of our country. It was a process com- mon to all the States.
It seems strange to-day how such large families as most of them were in those days could be kept clothed on such little outlay, yet the secret was plenty of industry ap- plied to the raw material. The wool on the sheep's back was an unfailing source for winter clothing. The contents of the pocket book only had to meet the carding bill and the dyes for coloring.
In the Martindale family sometimes three
THE MARTINDALE FAMILY. 149
wheels and often two looms were kept going a good part of the year. Linens were ex- changed for Sunday clothing.
In this chapter I have mentioned every one of that band of fourteen children except five girls. Matilda, the first born, married Al- fred Rulon, and they have both passed away leaving three daughters, all of whom are now in the west. Margaret, married Eli Millikan, who died Aug. 23, 1885, and she now lives with her sons at Indianapolis. Martha, mar- ried Julius Benlow, and they now reside in New Castle. She has two sons in Chicago and two in Kalamazoo. Isabel, the writer, married Philip Stanford, who died in 1853, about five years after their marriage, and she has ever since remained a widow. Mary, married Charles Roe, who died in the year 1876, and she and her daughter Alice now live in Englewood, 111. One of her daughters married J. H. Wright, a Christian minister, and Elza Roe, her son, lives on the farm.
Elder Elijah Martindale had taken some lessons in shoe-making in his early life, and it was a means of saving him from bank- ruptcy no doubt. He generally purchased his leather from John Powell, who often made a reduction on the bill at the time of settle-
150 PIONEER HISTORY OF
ment. He was sometimes called away from the bench to preach a funeral or attend to other duties, disappointing the little urchin that was sitting by waiting for the new shoes to be completed.
In the year 1839, a kiln of brick was manu- factured preparatory to building a new house next season. Nearly all the work was com- pleted by members of the family. A molder was hired and one boy to help E. B., then eleven years old, in bearing off the brick.
S. C. Martindale, the next younger than E. B., was afflicted with a white swelling in his childhood, and was for many years a great sufferer. Many pieces of bones exhuded from his leg, some of them an inch in length. He lay for many weeks so low and wornout with suffering that no one could hope for his re- covery. The Martindale family suffered more or less from all the diseases incident to a new country, yet one thing seems remark- able to record; there was a space of forty years during which the angel of death never tipped his icy wing or perched near to select a victim from that large family circle of parents and fourteen children. Miles, their first born son, died in 1824, aged seven. The next was Matilda E. Rulon, who died in the year 1864.
THE MARTINDALE FAMILY. 151
During this long period all the children were married except Lizzie, who afterwards became the wife of Luther Hennigh. Two of those adopted by marriage were called away by the hand of death during this time. The first was Amelia, formerly Mansfield, the first wife of E. B. Martindale, a woman of more than ordinary intellect. The other was Philip Stanford, husband to the writer, a very amiable citizen, noted for his honesty and industry. Also the aged grandmother, widow of Samuel Boyd, was during this forty years called away from the Martindale family circle where she had found a welcome home during most of the seventeen years she sur- vived her husband. She died October 31, 1852. Since then the homes of nearly all the chil- dren have been darkened by the shadow of death. Elder Elijah Martindale and Eliza- beth, his wife, and two more of that band of fourteen have been called away. The golden sunlight has faded forever from the home of J. B. Martindale in the death of his wife, Anna Liz, and three sweet little girls, Julia, Bettie .and Lottie. Ruth, wife of W. S. Martindale, was taken away and Mary, the youngest daughter living, has been bereaved of her affectionate husband, Charles Roe.
152 THE MARTINDALE FAMILY.
Alfred Rulon, who was left to fight the battles of life alone, has crossed the dark river. Eli Millikan has since passed over and many of the grandchildren have faded away in the dew of youth, while life's glad morning was full of hope. The last one of that large family circle that fell by the keen sickle was Lizzie Hennigh, the youngest daughter, and none can tell whom the reaper will call for next.
" Leaves have their thiie to fall
And flowers to wither at the North wind's breath, And stars to set ; but all, Thou hast all seasons for thine own, Oh death."
THE BOYD FAMILY. 1."
CHAPTER V.
THE BOYD FAMILY.
James, the oldest son of Samuel Boyd, was born in Tennessee, Dec. 5, 1786. He and his brother John settled on adjoining farms in Wayne county, Ind., about two miles southwest of Washington. He was first mar- ried to Margaret Mitchel. She was the mother of the four oldest of his children. He afterward married Hester Ruby. He left his farm in his old age, and moved to Rich- mond, w^here he departed this life Sept. 29, 1863. He had a large family of children. Caroline, his oldest daughter, married James O'Neal, he dying she married a Mr. Willetts, by whom she had one son with whom she now lives near Winchester. She had a num- ber of O'Neal children, but I think they are all dead.
Mitchel Boyd, the oldest son lived on a farm in Wayne county until his death, which transpired recently. Philander, the second son lives in Greenfield. • He is a wealthy
154 THE BOYD FAMILY.
banker. Abiram, the third son, was also a banker of Cambridge City, and possessed a goodly fortune. He died Nov. 13, 1885.
Joseph Perry, the oldest son by the second marriage, was a physician, and moved to Mis- souri shortly after his marriage. He lived there until his death. His family still reside in that state. William Elza, the next in order, is a farmer and lives near Greenfield, Ind. Isabel Ann, married Lewis Lesh, a merchant. They are both dead. Their family lives in Illinois. Amanda Eveline, married a Mr. Willetts, a farmer, and they live in Illinois. James Ruby lives some- where in the west. Alfred Dudley, the youngest son, lives on a farm near Jackson- burg. John, the second son of Samuel Boyd, the old soldier of the revolution, was born in Madison county, Ky., May 12, 1789. He married Susan Scott. He was a farmer by trade, although he was not able to pursue that avocation on account of a rheumatic af- fection that rendered him a cripple from his youth. He was large and corpulent, and yet dependent upon the use of two crutches for his power of locomotion. He left his farm in his old age and moved to Dublin, Ind., where he died Dec. 11, 1872. He had seven
THE BOYD FAMILY." 155
sons and five daughters . His oldest son was the late Dr. Samuel Boyd, of Dublin, Ind. Nel- son, his second son lives in Iowa. William, the third son was major in the army, and fell in the battle of Rocky Face in 1864. James, his fourth son is a farmer, living in Wayne county, Ind. John, the fifth son, lived on a farm in Wayne county, where he died of a disease contracted in the army. Joseph Lewis, the sixth son, died at New Albany, having con- tracted a fever at the battle of Pittsburg Landing. Oliver, the youngest son lives in Iowa.
Sarah Ann the oldest daughter married Joel Hypes, who died in the army. He was a member of the Eighth Indiana Regiment. She married again to a Mr. Goolman. Her home was at Kansas City, where she died. Eliza Jane, the second daughter, married John Commons. They now live in Chicago. Mary and Martha, the next two, were twins. Mary married John H. Witt, and she lives in Columbus, Ohio. Martha married Leburn Commons, and they now reside in Anderson, Indiana. Susan, the youngest daughter, married Charles Wilson, a dentist, and they live in Richmond, Indiana.
William, the third son of Samuel Boyd,.
156 THP: BOYD FAMILY.
the old revolutionary soldier, was born in Madison county, Kentucky, March 24, 1781. He was twice married. First to Mary Owen; she dying, he married Ruth Young, for- merly, Martindale. He owned a large and beautiful farm on the AValnut Level, where he died September 22, 1846. He left three sons and two daughters.
Samuel, his oldest son, lived in Hagers- town, and was killed by a saw-log rolling over his body. His death occurred Decem- ber 23, 1889. John, the second son, lived on a farm near New Lisbon. He died about two years ago. William M., the third son, lives in Indianapolis, where he has been engaged in mercantile business.
The two daughters, Mary Ann and Nancy, live in Dublin, where their mother, Ruth Boyd, settled when she left the farm. They tenderly cared for her in her declining years. Her life only lacked six years of completing a century.
She had one daughter by her first hus- band. Patsy Young, who married Branson Harris. They are the parents of A. C. Har- ris, an attorney of Indianapolis, and Alonzo, a farmer near Washington, Wayne county.
Samuel K., the fourth son of Samuel Boyd,
THE BOYD FAMILY. 157
the revolutionary so]dier, was born in Ken- tucky, June 29, 1794. He was married first to Martha Lewis and settled near Williamsburg. He had by this wife one son, James, who died in childhood, and five daughters, Pris- cilla, who married James Clemens and set- tled in Randolph county, and Narcissa, who married John Chamness, of Williamsburg, and is deceased; Sarah Ann, who married Joseph Lomax, a lawyer of Kalamazoo, Mich.; Evelina, who married William A. Peelle, now living in Richmond; Martha, wife of Winston W. Harris, who lives in Centreville. xVfter the death of his first wife, Samuel K. Boyd married Bethany Ladd, by whom he had nine children, four sons and five daughters. William, the oldest son, lives in Rich- mond. Isabel, the oldest daughter, married Thomas Fagan. Catharine, the second daughter, married William Goodrich. Mary married John Keever; she died leaving two children. Bethany, the youngest daughter, took care of her father until his death, which transpired October 23, 1888; she afterwards married John Lasley. John and Amanda died quite young. Joseph S. died in 1865, the day of his discharge from the United States arni}^ in Texas. Robert, the youngest
158 THE BOYD FAMILY.
son of Samuel Boyd, the old soldier of the revolution, was born October 24, 1798. He married Narcissa Stinson. He was the father of William and James Boyd of Henry county. He also had three daughters, Louisa, the wife of James C. Peed, and Martha Jane, his former wife, and Mary Ann, wife of Henry Bond, living in Wayne county. Robert moved to Henry county at a very early day and built a cabin in the woods where James' residence now stands. He was a very worthy citizen and greatly respected by all who knew him, but he was cut down in the midst of his years by a malignant fever that visited that neighborhood in 1852 and '53. His death -occurred February 24, 1853. The disease w^as so fatal in its nature that it took away more than fifty per cent, of those who were attacked. Several homes were entirely broken up when the disease subsided.
Samuel Boyd had three daughters younger than Elizabeth. Martha,tbeoldestof the three, was born November 27, 1800. She married Joseph Lewis, who became one of Wayne county's wealthiest citizens His home was near Williamsburg, and now belongs to Will- iam Hunt, who married Josephine Lewis. Only two sons were born to them. Samuel,
THE BOYD FAMILY. 159
their first born son, died in childhood, "and John Harvey Lewis lives in the West. They had ten daughters, four of whom are living. Two died in childhood, and four have been taken awajMiiore recently, to wit: Louisa Cra- ner, Minerva Swearingen, Adaline, unmar- ried, and Larinda Clawson. Caroline Stiggle- man, Clarissa Smith, Narcissa Jenkinson and Josephine Hunt are all living in Wayne county. Mr. Jenkinson, husband to Narcissa, has long been editor of the Richmond Palla- dium, and is also postmaster in that city.
Martha, wife of Joseph Lewis, died October 22, 1882. Her husband survived her only a few months. He departed this life March 4, 1883.
Mary, the third daughter of Samuel Boyd, was born in Kentucky, January 20, 1803. She married Abner Bradbury, a man who stood high in rank among his cotemporaries, both in intellect and morals. He was ele :'ted to the Indiana Legislature, once to the Lower House and twice to the Senate. They had seven sons, all well to do in life, and all liv- ing until a few weeks ago, January 23, 1892. Dr. Allison Bradbury, the youngest son, was killed while driving across the railroad track, coming in contact with the lightning express
160 THE BOYD FAMILY.
train. His wife, and son and daughter, both grown, live in Muncie. William, the oldest son of Abner and Mary Bradbury, lives in Richmond, where he has long been a dealer in real estate.
James, the second son, is a farmer, and lives in Henry county, near New Castle. Samuel, the third son, is in the mercantile business, and lives in Ohio. D. M. Brad- bury, the fourth son, is a lawyer and capital- ist of Indianapolis. Burns, the fifth son, lives in Muncie, Indiana. He has a farm near by, that he oversees. Albert, the sixth son, has long been a resident of Cambridge City, Indiana; he follows mercantile pur- suit. Walter, a little son, died August 16, 1848.
The daughters were: Isabel, who married James Leeson. She died February 18, 1880. Caroline married James Russell, a farmer, and they live near Alexandria, Indiana. Lizzie married Isaac Harned, who has been dead a number of years. She lives in Cam- bridge City, Indiana. Martha Jane married Josephus Mundell. They live on a farm near Hagerstown, Indiana. Mary died be- fore she arrived to womanhood. Her death occurred September 30, 1855.
THE BOYD FAMILY. 1(51
Emma, the youngest daughter, faithfully took care of her aged parents in all the afflic- tions that came to them before death released them from tliis clayey tenement.
Abner M. Bradbury died September 18, 1885. Mary, wife of Abner M. Bradbury, died February 16, 1890.
Isabel, the youngest daughter of Samuel Boyd, was born April 26, 1805. She mar- ried William Ladd. They lived on a farm near Williamsburgh, Wayne county, Indi- ana, where the}^ enjoyed a reasonable degree of health, ])ut with a desire to increase his possessions, he made a disastrous move to Grant county. There was much sickness in the locality where they settled and they soon became the sad victims of disease. Catha- rine, their oldest daughter, married Jonathan Wright. She was taken away with fever. Samuel and Cicero, the two next, died witli consumption. They both left families. Abel, the tliird son, died with fever peculiar to the climate. Caroline, the youngest daughter, died with some lingering mental malady. Constantine was killed by the falling of a tree. Only Boyd, the youngest son, is liv- ing. The parents died, the mother with con- sumption, September 14, 1864 ; the father, with fever. 11
162 DR. BOYD AND BROTHERS
CHAPTER VI.
Anti-Slavery Principles— Doctor Boyd and His Broth- ers in the Army —Death of Doctor Boyd— Luxury of Officials.
The descendants of Samuel Boyd inherited anti-slavery principles from childhood. The idea seemed to be inherent with them that God had given to the whole human family certain inalienable rights and that among these were life, liberty and the pursuit of liappiness. During the long conflict in which the talent of our great nation was exerting master skill in trying to harmonize two con- tending forces, slavery and freedom, there was not in all that fraternity an apologist for the horrid features of American slavery. De- nunciations went up long and loud when Henr}^ Clay presented his infamous bill called the '^ Fugitive Slave Law."
Ah, why was slavery allowed to set its cloven foot upon soil that had been conse- crated to freedom by the blood of patriots, bv the martyred hosts that had been sacrificed in the name of libertv? It was a canker-worm
IN THE AR.AIY. 163
that had been left to prey upon the vitals of our nation, sapping its life-blood and spread- ing blight and mildew in its course through a long vista of years, germinating strife and internal discord until it at last culminated in the great rebellion.
When the civil war broke out and the mar- tial drums were beating and calling loudly for volunteers, there was but one family of the Boyds that gave a heavy response to the call and that was the family of John Boyd, then living in Dublin. Four sons and two sons-in-law enlisted in the Union army, all of them heads of families. Three of them never saw home after the}- went into the service, and one came home an invalid and died from disease contracted in the army. The late Dr. Samuel S. Boyd, of Dublin, was the oldest of the four brothers who enlisted in the army. He was surgeon of the Eighty-fourth Indi- ana Regiment. I called on him for some notes relative to their army life and he pre- pared me a very affecting letter which I will give entire.
" Joseph L. Boyd, the youngest of the four brothers who went into the army, enlisted as a private in the Fifty-seventh Regiment In- diana Volunteers in the summer of 1861.
104 l^R- BOYD AND BROTHERS
After various hardships in Kentucky in the winter of 1861 and 1862, he was engaged in his first and h^ist battle at Pittsburg Landing, April, 1862. From the terrible exposure there in almost continuous rain for two weeks without tents, he was attacked with typhoid pneumonia, from which he died early in ^lay at New Albany, Indiana, having been brought there to a hospital in a boat. Seeing his name among the sick arrivals at Louisville, I took the next train for that place. After hunting over the hospital for him I went over to New Albany and found him there dying. He seemed to know me and spoke of home, of the war, of friends and his family in such confusion that I could feel sure of nothing more than that he had a vague belief that I was his brother or some near friend. He died about twelve hours after I arrived, talking incoherently to the last. This being my first great trial during the war it was the most agonizing of all. I had gone to Pittsburg Landing after the battle, at Governor Morton's request. I left Lewis well, but I thought he was so anxious to see his family, asking if I thought the war would soon be over; then to meet him so soon after on his wav home
IN THE ARMY. 165
which he only reached in his coffin, is the saddest remembrance of my life.
"John, William and myself were all mem- bers of the Eighty-fourth Regiment of Indiana Volunteers. The regiment left Rich- mond in August, 1862. We first went to Kentucky to guard Cincinnati against Kirby Smith, then to West Virginia. The spring of 1863 found us in Tennessee. The first battle in which the Eighty-fourth took part was Chickamauga, in which we lost 123 men, killed and wounded. When Sherman, in the spring of 1864, moved toward Atlanta, William A. Boyd, then major of the regiment, was wounded in the first engagement at Rocky Face, May 19. He was taken back to Chattanooga, after having his right leg ampu- tated at the thigh, w^here he died July 11th, two months and one day after he was wound- ed. His wife was with him about three wrecks before he died. She brought him home, and he was interred at Centerville. No braver soldier ever laid down his life for his country than Major Boyd. He Avas com- missioned captain before leaving Wayne county. He was afterward promoted to ma- jor, and when he was wounded he had a lieutenant-colonel's commission, but had
166 DR. BOYD A^'D BR0THP:RS
never been mustered in as such. John F. Boyd was mustered into the Eighty-fourth as private, afterward appointed orderly-sergeant, then promoted to lieutenant. He was with his regiment and went with Sherman to At- lanta, then came back with General Thomas to Nashville. He was in the battle at Frank- lin and Nashville, and with the Eighty-fourth was mustered out in June, 1865. He lived ten years after the war, but never saw a well day on account of disease contracted in the army, chronic diarrhea ending in ulceration of the stomach. Joel Hipes, my brother- in-law, enlisted in the Eighth Indiana Regiment, and died at St. Louis, Mis- souri, early in 1862. John M. Commons was quartermaster of the Fifty-seventh."
Dr. Samuel S. Boyd, the only surviving one of the four brothers when this sketch was written, has since been called away from the shores of time. He departed this life April 15, 1888. He was a man of good in- tellect and a true philanthropist, willing to espouse any cause, however unpopular, if it seemed to forebode good to his fellow-men. He was found at the front in nearly every good work. He was a reformer in the true sense of the word .
IX THE ARMY. 167
When I received his letter, telling the sad tale of their army life, I attempted to read it aloud to those present, and although the cycles of time had measured twenty-five years since that terrible battle at Pittsburg Landing, my voice faltered and failed at the description of the poor soldiers without tents in that drenching rain, while they stood so long as targets for rebel guns, and were falling by scores every hour. We are too forgetful of the sufferings endured by the private soldiers. While there is a blaze of glory that encircles the head of the commander who has led his troops on to victory, yet the names of the pri- vate soldiers who fought bra\^ely and fell in the conflict are forever obliterated from the pages of history, and from the memory of those who live to enjoy the blessings for which they fought. If all the money spent in extrav- agance and debauchery by our ofiicials at Washington City, and especially what has been so disgracefully appropriated to funeral processions, were given to the poor soldiers, it would seem more like equality.
The people of this nation should wage a constant warfare against those high circles in which the rulers of our Nation desecrate their office by luxury and self-indulgence. We
168 DR. BOYD AND BROTHERS.
need more of the spirit of Washington, who declined to occupy a fine mansion, donated him by wealthy citizens after he became presi- dent. He said his old house was good enough. We are drifting too far away from the virtue of our noble ancestors.
PIONEER LIFE AT MT. VERNON. 169
CHAPTER VII.
PIONEER LIFE AT MT. VERNON.
While I am giving incidents relative to the early settlers of this country, a good part of which is family history, I feel that it would be interesting to giv0 brief sketches from the lives of others. I have before me a letter written by a very aged man who in his child- hood days was familiar at the Mt. A^ernon homestead. He had accompanied his father who was one of the guests that met to wel- come the honored hero when he returned home to domestic life at the termination of his second presidential term. The occasion was made one of general rejoicing. The writer said: ''I have looked upon many mighty men; I have seen the great Napoleon in his full flush of pride and triumph; I have seen George IV, the first gentleman of Eu- rope; I have personally known Lord Byron, Sir Walter Scott, Daniel O'Connell, Dan- iel Webster and many others most famous in the affairs of government, arms, literature,
170 PIONEER LIFE AT MT. VERNON.
statesmanship and oratory, but never have I seen any other man who impressed me, child though I was, with such massive presence as did General Washington when he stood upon the veranda at Mt. Vernon and in a few well chosen words thanked us for our demonstra- tion of welcome.
'' Down in the negro quarters numerous pot-pies were cooking and many juicy oppos- sums were roasting before the brightly burning- wood fires. Then in the grand old banquet hall at ^It. Vernon Washington and his country neighbors sat down to one of the old- fashioned rural Virginia suppers of that period. Oh, those were halcyon days in 'Ole Viginny,' when neighbors met together, ricli and poor alike, to help each other at log- rollings, barn raisings, harvestings, huskings and to frolic merrily when the work was done. Long after I was a married man great big gals in old Virginny, with long waist ribbons and dress sleeves puffed out like a balloon, would carry their shoes under their arm until they came close to the meeting-house, then they would stop and put them on and they'd holler for General Jackson if it killed them.
''Those who are familiar with the Mt. Vernon of to-dav with its two hundred acres
PIONEER LIFE AT MT. YERXUX. 171
can scarcely realize that in Washington's time it numbered several thousand. It was originally known as the Hunting Creek es- tate, but when Laurence Washington, George's half brother, inherited it from their father, he re-christened it Mt. Vernon in honor of the British admiral under whom he had served in the disastrous campaign against Carthagenia in South America. At his death it descended to his daughter Jennie and she died soon after and the estate fell to George Washington.
''No man was ever more thoroughly fa- miliar with every detail of . his affairs or gave closer supervision to his estate than did George Washington. Those were the days when the women pulled the flax while the men broke, swingled and hackled it, then twisted it into little cues for the women to spin and weave. I have seen the immortal George stoop down and pull flax to show some green hand among the women how it should be done. This flax raising was among the chief industries at Mt. Vernon and even now I seem to see there bleaching in the sun the long strips, white as the driven snow, from which sheets, pillow-cases, towels, table- cloths, napkins, underclothing and even
172 PIONEER LIFE AT MT. VERNON.
pants for the great Washington himself were made. In my mind's 63^6 I see again the fe- male slaves carding wool with hand-cards into rolls ready to spin on their big wheels. I imagine I hear them singing their qnaint old plantation hymns and songs of the South as the wheels go merrily round, while mov- ing ubiquitously oyer every part of the estate I see once more the tall, erect figure of the master."
This history seemed so wonderful to me that I felt inclined to copy it, given so re- cently by one whose memory reached back to the year 1797, and was a frequent visitor at the Mt. Vernon homestead during the nearly three years it was occupied by the retired president. The large estate at Mt. Vernon was only visited once by George Washington dur- ing the war which lasted nearly eight years. He then remained at the homestead until he was called to the presidential chair, his inaug- uration taking place at New York, April 30, 1789. After serving the people faithfully eight years in that capacity, he then retired to Mt. Vernon at the age of sixty-five. France now threatened hostilities and General Wash- ington was again made commander-in-chief of the American army. While on duty he
PI02sKER LIFE AT :\IT. VER^OX. 173
was exposed to a ride in a snow -storm whicli brought on an attack of acute laryngitis which hastily terminated his life. He owned one hundred and twenty-four slaves at the time of his death which had come to him with a large estate when he married the beautiful young- widow of Col. Daniel P. Curtis. George Wash- ington provided in his will that all his slaves should be set free at the death of his wife, who survived him only three years. He was a member of the Episcopal church until his death, yet some history fell into my hands lately stating that John Gano, a Baptist min- ister who was chaplain in the Revolutionary army, baptized George Washington in the Po- tomac river. This history is attested to by the Gano descendants.
I have given these brief incidents of fron- tier life as they are connected with that great man so loved and honored by the American people.
. I
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