Autobiography of Rev. A.B. Wright : of Holston conference, M.E. Church

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REV. A. B. WRIGHT.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY

OF

REV. A. B. WRIGHT,

HOLSTON CONKERENCE, Xl. E. CHUROH.

PREPARED BY HIS SON,

REV. J. C. ^VRIGH:T, A. M., D. D.,

OF THE HOLSTON CONFERENCE, M. E. CHURCH.

Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; for the
end of that man is peace. — david.

CINCINNATI: CRANSTON & CURTS.

Printed for the Author.

1896.

COPYRIGHT BY

J. C. WRIGHT, W. D. WRIGHT, and T. A. WRIGHT,

1896.

REPRINTED 1977 BY

FENTRESS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

JAMESTOWN, TENNESSEE

Printed by

Williams Printing Company

Nashville, Tennessee

715005

DEDICHTI0N.

ffio tfie many toiling JV[etIio5ist piieacIiEiis

on \aj\B. ^ielfls oi[ lafioi|.

Wljat class o^ men w^o aiie meagei|ly compensatefl

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0^ wljom t^iE woi|l9 is not woi|tJiy,

anfl w^iosE i[EDoii3 is on liigl(,

is linmfily flEflicatEfl

BY liHB pUTHOF?.

MRS. CYNTHIA S. WRIGHT

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Paqb.

Our Ancestry for My Children, 1

CHAPTER II.
Birth, Childhood, and Conversion, 8

CHAPTER III.
Early Ministry and Marriage, 20

CHAPTER IV.
A Local Preacher, 31

CHAPTER V.
Rough Times, 41

CHAPTER VI.

Great Events, 52

CHAPTER VII.
Jamestown Circuit, 63

CHAPTER VIII.
Montgomery Circuit, 78

CHAPTER IX.
Jamestown and Cumberland City, 94

CHAPTER X.
Jamestown and Wartburq, 112

CHAPTER XI.
Crossville Circuit, 127

V

vi Contents.

CHAPTER XII.

Pagb.

Wartburg and Jamestown, 158

CHAPTER XIII.
A County Court Clerk, 173

CHAPTER XIV.

Wartburg and Sunbright Circuits, 208

CHAPTER XV.

The Kingston Circuit, 227

CHAPTER XVI.
New River, Sunbright, and Oliver Springs, . . . 253

CHAPTER XVII.
Mt. Vernon, 283

CHAPTER XVIII.
New River, 300

CHAPTER XIX.
A Superannuate, 315

CHAPTER XX.
A Golden Sunset, 352

CHAPTER XXI.
Entire Sanctification, 369

CHAPTER XXII.
Thoughts on Revival Work, 376

CHAPTER XXIII.
The Different Stages of Life, 394

CHAPTER XXIV.

The Future State, 406

Appendix 421

PREFACE.

IN young manhood my father began to keep a
journal of his life. His purpose was to leave it
for the benefit of his children. He had no idea that
it would ever be published to the world as a book.
Several years ago it became apparent to him that
its publication would be necessary, so that each of
his children might have a copy. Hundreds of oth-
ers, outside of our own family, who had a knowl-
edge of his purpose, urged him to publish his life,
in the belief that it would be beneficial to the world.
He finally consented to do so, and requested the
writer to edit and prepare his papers for publication
after his death. I have endeavored to do this hon-
estly and in the fear of God. I have tried, so far
as the rules of good language would at all tolerate,
to retain the mannerisms of my father. He was a
man of fine natural endowment, and had acquired
much by extensive reading, but was without any
literary training.

I anticipate two classes of critics. One class
will object to whatever changes I have made, and
the other will fault me for not making more. I
have in no instance changed the thought of my
father, but only changed the language. I have done
this work amid other heavy labors. To me it has
been a sad but loving task. I prepared the chap-
ter containing his death. If, in it, there shall ap-

Vii

viii Preface.

pear to any one an unduly high eulogy of my father,
let me offer as my apology a strong filial love for a
loving, tender father.

I trust that this volume will be useful to his
many spiritual children who may read it, and to his
many thousands of true friends throughout all of
that mountain country where he toiled and spent
his life for the Master. Many of the companions
and friends of his early life have passed over, and
are with him on the other side of the river.

I have now redeemed the promise to my father,

and send forth this volume on its mission to

humanity.

J. C. WRIGHT.
Maryville, Tenn., October 2, 1895.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY

OF

REV. A. B. WRIGHT.

CHAPTER I.

OUR ANCESTRY FOR MY CHILDREN.

MY grandfather's name on ray father^s side was
Moses Wright. I am inclined to think he
was born and ever lived in North Carolina. His
father came from Ireland. Moses Wright married
Margaret Edmondson. I do not know where she
was raised, perhaps in North Carolina. Some time
after their marriage my grandfather became a local
preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and
traveled some circuits as supply under Bishop As-
bury. He and grandmother reared nine children.
Some may have died in infancy; I do not know. I
remember hearing my father call over the names of
his brothers and sisters. The names of the boys
were Jesse, James, John, Robert, Jeremiah, and
Aaron. The girls' names were Sarah, Zilphia, and
Martha — six boys and three girls.

Uncle Robert and Uncle Jerry Wright died in
the War of 1812. They were both soldiers. Uncle
Jesse Wright married a Vaughn ; Uncle James, a
Gravel; Uncle Robert married Nancy Dale; my

2 Autobiography of

father married Peninah Dale. I do n't think Uncle
Jerry was ever married. Uncle Aaron married a
Pritchard ; Aunt Sarah married a Pierce ; Aunt
Martha married a Lynn ; and Aunt Zilphia married
a Halbert.

My Grandfather Wright died before my father
was fully grown, leaving some small children on
grandmother's hands to rear. They lived by farm-
ing. Grandmother was a very devoted Christian
woman, praying in her family when grandfather
was not at home to pray. My father emigrated to
East Tennessee into what is now Anderson or
Union County, when quite a young man, my father's
name being John Wright.

And now, boys, I will trace up on my mother's
side of the house. On her side my grandfather
was named William Dale. Grandmother was a
Barden before she married William Dale. I do not
recollect her given name. After they were blessed
with five children, grandmother died. The five
children, three girls and two boys, were small. Not
a great while after her death, one of the boys,
named James, died. The girls' names were Peninali,
which was my mother, Nancy and Alsie. Aunt
Nancy married Uncle Robert Wright, and Aunt
Alsie married Timothy Carpenter, a brother of my
wife's mother. Grandfather Dale was born and
lived the early part of his life in North Carolina.
After the death of grandmother he moved and
lived near Augusta in Georgia. Mother's brother's
name was William Dale. He was younger than
either of the girls. Alter the children Avere pretty
well grown they emigrated to East Tennessee, near

Rev. a. B. Wright. 3

to where father, and I should have said Uncle
Robert Wright, came — for they came together — and
I think Grandmother Wright and the whole family
were soon in East Tennessee. It was there that
Uncle Robert Wright and Aunt Nancy Dale were
married. A short time afterwards father and
mother were married. Uncle Robert and father
soon, with their wives, emigrated to Wolf River,
into what was then Overton, but now Fentress
County, Tennessee. In a few years Grandfather
Dale married again, and emigrated to Fentress
County. Uncle William Dale remained in East
Tennessee.

And now I will confine myself to father's family.
Father and mother were blessed with fourteen chil-
dren, seven boys and seven girls. Two girls and
one boy died in infancy. They raised to full-grown
age six boys and five girls. The boys' names were
William D., James M., Edmondson, John F., Ab-
salom B., and Calvin C. The girls' names were
Sarah, Nancy, Freely Ann, Peninah Jane, and
Eliza Emeline. There was but one that died in in-
fancy named. Its name was Margaret. Now I
have brought it down to your own recollection, I
trust, so that, if it is ever needed in a chain of fam-
ily history, you can come at it easily. Perhaps I
had better say something about marriages and
deaths. William D. married Elizabeth Hopkins,
James M. married Caroline Craft, Edmondson mar-
ried Naomi Spears, John F. died unmarried, A. B.
married C. S. Frogge, and Calvin C. married Nancy
Atkinson. Sarah married John Price, Nancy mar-
ried John W. Frogge, your mother's brother. Freely

4 Autobiography of

Ann married Greenberry Brown, Peninah Jane
married John Carpenter, Eliza E. married George
Y. Carpenter, who was a Federal soldier, and was
killed during the civil war; she afterwards married
John Davis. The Carpenters, John and George Y.,
were cousins of your mother.

And now the deaths. Your Grandfather Wright
died of heart dropsy, April 21, 1844. Your Uncle
William D. Wright died in Arkansas of fever in
1853. Your Uncle John F. Wright died in Arkan-
sas in 1855. Your Aunt Peninah Jane Carpenter
died of childbed fever in 1863. Your Grandma
Wright died in July 1867 of apoplexy and paral-
ysis. Edmondson Wright died of dropsy, August
16, 1879. James M. Wright died of congestion of the
heart and lungs, October 30, 1879. Nancy Frogge
died May, 1888. Your Uncle William D. Wright
was a licensed local Methodist preacher for five ar
six years before his death. Your Uncle Edmond-
son Wright was a local elder in the Southern
Methodist Church for years. He traveled in Ken-
tucky on circuits as a supply for seven or eight
years. Your Uncle C. C. Wright was a traveling
elder for years in the St. Louis and Pacific Con-
ferences of the Southern Methodist Church, and
was presiding elder for a time.

As to my own work, I leave it in my life jour-
nal. Father and mother died members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. William D., John
F., Nina Jane, Edmondson, aild Nancy died mem-
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
William D. and John F. are buried in the State of
Arkansas. Father, mother, three infants, James

Rkv. a. B. Wright. ^

M. and Nancy Frogge are buried at the Three Forks
of Wolf River, in Fentress County, Tennessee.
Peninah Jane is buried in the Poplar Cove in Fen-
tress County, Tennessee. Edmondson Wright was
buried in Cumberland County, Kentucky; O how
we are scattered !

And now I will tell you something of your
mother's ancestry. Her grandfather on her father's
side was named John Froojo-e, born and raised in
Virginia; do not know in what county. He mar-
ried Luoretia Miller. They raised eight children,
four boys and four girls. They emigrated from
Virginia to Kentucky, into Cumberland County,
while their children were young. Your mother's
grandfather did not live a great while after coming
to Kentucky. He died from a relapse of measles.
Their children's names were Cornelius Mitchell,
William, Arthur, and John — boys. The girls'
names were Elizabeth, Cynthia, Rebecca, and Mary.
Her grandmother raised her children until they
were grown and married, and she emigrated with
her son-in-law, James Spearman, to Washington
Territory, and died there. Cornelius M. Frogge,
your grandfather, married Deborah Carpenter.
William Frogge married Mary Smith. Arthur
and John Frogge each married Williams girls, sis-
ters. Soon after they married — that is, Arthur and
John — they emigrated to the West. Your grand-
father Frogge was reared by his uncle, Arthur
Frogge, in Tennessee, on Wolf River. Your great-
grandfather, your mother's grandfather, John Frogge,
was a first cousin to James Madison, of Virginia,
twice President of the United States. Your grand-

6 Autobiography of

father Frogge's early life, after marriage, was spent
oa Wolf River. After they had six children, they
moved to Morgan County, Tennessee, on White
Oak Creek, wh'ere Curtis Stonecipher now lives,
and lived there six years; then went back to his
farm on Wolf River, where your cousins, the
Frogge boys, now live ; only the houses were down
on the road, where your pa and ma were married.
Your Grandmother Frogge had fifteen children.
Five died in infancy, and one girl, named Lucretia,
died when nearly grown — ^three boys and twelve
girls. One boy and four girls died in infancy, and
two boys and seven girls were raised. The boys'
names that were raised were Timothy Carpenter
and John Wesley. The girls' names that were
raised were Hannah Brown, Elizabeth Turley, Lucy
Lane, Cynthia Ann Spearman, Deborah Jane, Re-
becca Bosley, and Mary Baskett. Two only that
died in infancy were named ; one was named Nancy,
the other Miriam. And now the marriages. Han-
nah B. married Harrison Williams. After having
two children, she died triumphant. Timothy C.
married Harriet Wilson ; Elizabeth T. married
Simon Shelley ; Lucy L. married James Crouch ;
your mother, Cynthia Ann S., married A. B. Wright ;
Deborah J. married Lewis Shelley ; John W. mar-
ried Nancy Wright; Rebecca B. married T. C.
Peters, and Mary B. married James H. McGinnis.
Your uncle T. C. Frogge has been a traveling
Methodist preacher from his early youthful days.
Your Grandfather Frogge was for years a Methodist
class-leader. Every one of his children were mem-
bers of the Methodist Church ; so were all your

Rev. a. B. Wright. 7

uncles and aunts on your father's side of the house,
except James M. Wright. Your uncle, T. C.
Peters, has been an itinerant Metliodist preacher
from early youth. Your uncle, Lewis Shelley, is a
Methodist preacher. So you see, boys, you have
some President and a great deal of Methodist
preacher blood in you all. But wait till I come now
to your Grandmother Frogge's side of the house,
and you will find several more preachers.

Your mother's grandfather, on her mother's side,
was named Timothy Carpenter, a Yankee, born and
raised to manhood in the State of Connecticut.
When a young man he wandered into the State of
Massachusetts, and was united in marriage to Han-
nah Brown, who was raised in the city of Boston.
He early became an itinerant Methodist preacher.
He had a brother named Samuel Carpenter, who
was a missionary Baptist preacher. Timothy Car-
penter, with his young wife, came as an itinerant to
Kentucky. After traveling in that State a few
years, he came to Tennessee, and purchased a good
farm on the head of Wolf River, and lived near
where William Pile now lives. He and wife raised
eight children, five boys and three girls. The boys'
names were Timothy, Consider, John, Dan, and
Cyril. The girls' names were Lucy, Deborah, your
grandmother, and Nancy. Your mother's Grand-
father Carpenter sold out on Wolf River, and
moved and settled on White Oak Creek, in Morgan
County, Tennessee, where Schenck now lives. That
is the old Carpenter place. Some of Rev. Timothy
Carpenter's family married while he lived on Wolf
River, and the others in Morgan County.

8 Autobiography oi^

And now their marriages : Timothy married Alsie
Dale, a sister of your grandmother Wright; Con-
sider married Susan Guthrie; John married Sarah
Guthrie; Dau married Jane Cisel; and Cyril mar-
ried Rhoda Cisel, a sister of Dan's wife. Lucy
married Middleton Holloway ; Deborah, your grand-
mother, married Cornelius M. Frogge ; Nancy mar-
ried William Potter. Your mother's uncle, Dan
Carpenter, has been from early youth a Methodist
minister. Your mother's uncle, Timothy Carpenter,
went to Texas early in life. We do not know any-
thing of his or John Carpenter's descendants. And
now this gives you a pretty good outline of your
ancestry. In our lineage may the stream of great-
ness continually rise !

CHAPTER II.

BIRTH, CHILDHOOD, AND CONVERSION.

I WAS born in Fentress County, Tennessee, No-
vember 3, 1826, six miles northwest of James-
town, the county-seat of said county, on a pike
road, at the foot of Cumberland Mountain, on the
headwaters of Wolf River. I was the sixth son
and ninth child of my parents. I had two brothers
quite chums with me. Brothers John F. and Calvin
C. Wright; John being not two years older, and
Calvin between three and four years younger, than
I was. We were all naturally of quite a mischievous
disposition of mind. Doubtless I possessed as
large, if not the largest, share of that disposition,
though of innocent design. I was brought up to

Rev. a. B. Wright. 9

labor in the fields from my earliest recollection,
my father being a farmer and stockraiser. When
quite young, I took pleasure in feeding hogs, calves,
sheep, and other stock, thinking it the only way to
live in this life.

I was early taught not to tell a lie, nor swear
profanely, nor use blackguardish language in any
way. I was taught the evils of using ardent
spirits or tobacco. However, when quite a boy I
ventured to take one chew of tobacco, which made me
so sick that I never tried it again. My early home
was very unhandy to school and church, having to
walk three miles to school and back every day, to
get what little education I obtained from the school-
room. I have secured more education outside the
school-room than in it, for I have been very fond
of books. The nearest church-house was four miles
off. I learned to spell and read when very young.
I can remember when the first free-school law was
enacted by the Legislature of Tennessee.

I was of school age — that is, six or more years
old — when the first free school was taught in the dis-
trict where I was raised. The qualifications re-
quired of teachers then were very low as compared
with what they are now. Teachers were then em-
ployed at from ten to fifteen dollars per month.
They sat a great portion of their time, and that
even while hearing recitations, with a long beech or
hickory switch in their hands, for the purpose of
keeping the students under good rule. If one vio-
lated the school rules, he received the lash on his
back in the presence of the school. The severity
of the lash, or the number, was according to the

10 Autobiography of

magnitude of the offense committed. School terms
were generally from one and a half to three months
of length in the year. They generally commenced
about the first of August, and always had a vacation
of two weeks for fodder-pulling.

I had an ambition early in life to obtain a good
education, and under the very meager school facil-
ities I had, I would take my school-books in the
clearing and fields with me, and while sitting down
to rest, or to rest a horse in the plow, I would be
studying my books. O how I do sympathize with
a poor boy struggling after an education! So soon
as I learned to read, and to commit to memory
from the New Testament the Lord^s Prayer, my
father enjoined it on me to repeat the Lord's Prayer
before lying down at night to sleep. I bless God
for this, and to my latest breath, I trust, I shall
never fail to comply with that rule, adopted so early
in ''life. I can scarcely remember so far back as
when I first learned to sing songs and hymns of
praise to God. Frequently in singing, my heart
would be so touched and moved that I would shed
tears freely under a conscious sense of my unsaved
state by nature. Often I would make the fields
vocal with my singing, having a strong voice.

My father gave to me, when a boy, the fictitious
nickname of General DeKalb. When quite a boy, I
would walk barefoot four miles to attend Sunday-
school. Facilities, as to Sunday-school literature,
were not then what they are now. Then we
studied the spelling-book, readers, and the New
Testament, and there was no catechising done. We
would take our dinner, and the Sunday-school would

Rev. a. B. Wright. 11

hold all day, unless there was preaching, prayer, or
class meeting. Class-meetings were more frequent
then than now. I ever felt great reverence for
prayer or class meeting, as well as for preaching.
My father and mother strictly enjoined it on me
never to stir about or leave the house in time of
divine service, but to treat the house of God with
great reverence and respect. My mother was a
professed Christian long before my existence, my
father afterwards.

Having to work so constantly in the fields,
through the week, it seemed Sunday was a long
time in coming. When not attending Sunday-
school or religious services, myself and brothers,
and sometimes sisters, would stroll about the garden-
walks, the orchards, and fields, and listen to na-
ture's sweet songsters of the feathered tribes, espe-
cially in the early spring, when their notes seemed
sweetest. Sometimes we would amuse ourselves in
innocent plays, until I would be as tired on Sun-
day night, if not more so, than it I had worked in
the field. At our earnest entreaty, my parents
would sometimes allow myself and brothers to visit
neighboring boys, and we would play base, run
foot-races, wrestle, or play Antony over, until I was
so tired that I could scarcely walk a mile or two
home, and yet I took great delight in these plays.
Sometimes neighboring boys would visit us, and
that would save me the walk home. I must think
that children were governed about as well then as
at any time since, and yet I think that it was a sad
mistake on the part of their parents to allow them
to exert so much physical strength on Sunday.

12 Autobiography of

As I began to move np in age, into my teens, I
became more anxious about my education, and to
possess some property of my own. I also began to
feel a warm attachment to the feminine sex, and to
love the girls some ; but now began my school days.
At the age of sixteen, in November, the next spring
in April, I was bitten by a large serpent, supposed
to be a copperhead. Its teeth-holes were fully an
inch from each other. Myself and brother John,
taking our horses out of the plow one evening,
started for home, being at an old place, on which
father and mother had first lived, before purchasing
a more desirable site, on the road one-half mile
from the old. We hitched our horses and went into
an old house partly filled with sheaf oats, to carry
some home with us. I had great fears of snakes, as
they were numerous in those mountains, especially
at that season of the year. Brother John went in, as
though talking to the snakes, telling them not to bite
him. It was becoming rather dark in the old house,
and, on putting my hand down to take up a sheaf of
oats, the serpent bit me on the wrist near the pulse
of my right arm. Being frightened, I did not move
until the serpent had released its hold. I then spoke
to my brother and told him I was snakebitten.
He said he reckoned not, but I told him I was. I
left the house at once, without taking any oats, got
on my horse, and started hurriedly for home.
When about halfway, I turned very sick, but
sucked my wrist where bitten, and spit out the
poison until I was somewhat relieved.

On coming opposite the house, I did not go to
the barn as usual with my horse, but lighted off,

Rev. a. B. Wright. 13

went in, and told father I was snake-bitten. My
father kept some medical books, and usually did his
own doctoring. He bandaged my arm to prevent
the swelling from running to my body, while he
resorted to everything of which he could think or
read, but all seemed to avail nothing. The bandage
had to be changed more than once, and finally taken
off entirely, my shoulders, neck, and head becoming
so swollen as to almost prevent my breathing, until
my friends had alarming fears that I would die from
suffocation.

No one that has not experienced it, knows the
amount of suffering there is from a bad serpent-
bite. As a last resort, I was put to drinking strong
whisky to counteract the snake poison, drinking a
glass tumblerful at a time, which would for a few
minutes relieve me from my intense suffering.
When the serpent poison would overcome the
whisky, and my suffering would return, again I
would drink off another glass tumblerful of strong
whisky, until I drank three tumblersful, drinking
the last about midnight. After this, I was uncon-
scious until next day about ten o'clock, during
which time I was in a swooning condition, strug-
gling for breath, the strong fight between serpent
poison and whisky poison going on in my system.
When I returned to consciousness I was about easy,
but could hardly recognize myself. My right arm,
lying by my side, was swollen almost as large as
my body, and somewhat crooked, from which I
could not straighten it for more than two weeks.
O how near I came to death ! After recovering a
little, I felt as though I would rather die than to go

14 Autobiography of

through a like suffering again. For three spring
seasons that arm changed to the color of a serpent
and shed off the outside skin. My friends had se-
rious fears that my arm would have to be taken off;
but I was young, and outgrew it.

At that time I was an unsaved boy, and I knew
it, and it made me shudder to think how near I
was to the gate of death in an unsaved state. I
took great delight in singing, and in studying the
rudiments of music in the old four-note system. I
purchased a cheap little hymn-book called Vedder's
Hymns, and would take it in my side-pocket often,
when attending church. Sometimes, when at class-
meetings, I would take out my book and sing like a
good fellow, unless the Christians should get happy
and begin to shout, when my own unsaved condi-
tion would so impress me that tears would chase
each other down my cheeks. If I could retreat
and get on a back seat without being observed, I
would do so; for I always had a great aversion to
being called a coward. My convictions for sin grew
heavier all the while, and from early boyhood I
had a strong impression of mind that I should do
considerable work for the Lord before I died.

My third living brother, Edmondson Wright,
became a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal
Church. In his preaching, his very earnest appeals
to the sinner often so impressed me that I would
weep bitterly. I would think, if some one would
only come and take me by the hand, how readily I
would go to the anxious-seat and seek salvation ; but
I was young, and small of my age, and so was over-
looked. I very well remember, in the summer of

Rkv. a. B. Wright. 15

1843, while attending on Three Forks of Wolf
River, at old Pleasant Hill Church — the nearest
Church to us — that I was so powerfully convicted
for sin that I returned home that evening in great
agony of mind.

Next day being Monday, and not having much
work to do, I walked the woods all day long, wring-
ing my hands in grief, and it seemed my heart would
break because of sin. It has ever been since that
time a mystery to me why I did Dot fall on my
knees in that grove and surrender my heart in
prayer to God for pardon ; but I was afraid to make
such a surrender of myself to the good Lord. In a
few weeks from that time, in the month of August,
a camp-meeting was coming on, to be held by the
Cumberland Presbyterians, in the Poplar Cove five
miles from my father's. I vowed to the Lord that
I would go to that meeting and seek my souFs
salvation.

By the time the meeting came on, I had about
overcome all my serious impressions, and wx^nt to
the meeting full of life and mischievous fun. I was
a leader in such, if I could have a train of boys to
follow me. On this occasion I would especially
point out one poor old man, and make many funny
and unbecoming remarks about him when he would
get happy and shout aloud God's praise. I went to
the meeting on Friday, I think, and on Saturday
night was sitting in the congregation beside a play-
mate, Washington Campbell. His father, William
Campbell, was a camper on the ground, and an elder
in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. James
Campbell, an uncle of my companion, who was a

16 Autobiography of

Cumberland Presbyterian minister, rose up to exhort,
after some one had preached. He made earnest
appeals to the Christians to pray, which they did;
and soon shouts of praise to God began to go up.
The hearts of myself and companion were melted
in deep penitence. We were sitting not far from
the altar, and when penitents were called, James
Campbell came to us and urged us to go forward
for prayers, which we did. We prostrated our-
selves in the altar, On a carpet of straw; and O
how I did pray, for I had achieved a great victory
over self!

There was a large number of young men and
young ladies at the altar, and still they came in
crowds. The Christian people sang, talked, and
prayed for us until a late hour, but I got no relief.
After awhile it was suggested to take the mourners
to the camps for sleep; but there was no sleep for
me. Next day there was eloquent preaching ; but
the mourners were not called until night. Again I
was at my place at the altar when the mourners
were called, and O how humbly and earnestly I
prayed to the Lord ! At a late hour some lady asked
me if I had any friends on the ground whom I would
like to have come and pray for me. I answered by
saying, ^^ If I have any friends in the world, I would
like to have them pray for me ;^' for I really felt that
I was lost, world without end. It seemed so hard
for me to appropriate the precious promises of Christ
to my own personal good. Again, at a late hour,
together with others, I was taken to the camps for
rest; but not much sleep for me. The next day
(Monday) the people gathered, as usual, under their

Rev. a. B. Wright. 17

brush arbor ; for that was the kind under which we
had been worshiping.

Just after the preacher took his text and began
to preach, there came up a heavy rain, which caused
the congregation to retreat to the surrounding camps.
Religious services now began in every camp, some
one serving as public speaker. A very good man
by the name of Tyndall began exhorting in Bow-
den's, Solomon's, and Owen's camp, where I was.
Directly he called mourners to come forward. I stood
where I was for a short time, when Brother David
Guinn, then a Methodist exhorter, afterward a Meth-
odist preacher, came to me, took me by the hand,
and said : " Young man, make one more effort."' I
started, and went about halfway across the camp,
when I fell prostrate, crying: "O Lord, here let me
die or be saved !" I cried from the very top of my'
voice : ^^0 Lord, save or I perish !" I was there in
that condition for some time; I hardly know just
how long. After awhile, the very same old man,
old Brother Simms, that I had made fun of for
shouting, came and kind of rolled over me, and
told me I could get up from there. He laughed,
and talked so kindly that my faith laid hold on
Christ, and instantly I arose, shouting: '^ Glory!
glory, hallelujah ! glory to God in the highest !"
My father and oldest brother, hearing of my dis-
tress, had come to the meeting that morning with-
out my knowledge. My oldest brother had been
praying for me just before I arose, as he prayed
in public.

When I arose he was happy; and in my rejoic-
ing over the camp, I came to my father, took him

2

18 Autobiography of

by the hand, and tried to tell him how happy I was.
He was sitting in a chair in the camp. He threw
himself back in his chair, and shouted, ^^ Glory !
glory ! glory V^ clapping his hands together. He
had been converted some four months before this,
but this was the first public expression he had made
of his conversion, as he had been converted in the
woods. I rejoiced all through the camps; ran out
into the streets of the camp-ground and shouted at
the very top of my voice : ^' Hallelujah ! I 'm saved,
I 'm saved ! glory to God and to the Lamb forever !'^
I was happily converted to God August 28, 1843,
on Monday evening, about three o'clock, in Poplar
Cove, Fentress County, Tennessee, five miles west of
Jamestown, the county-seat. At my conversion, I
thought I could tell the way of life so plainly that
every one of my old companions — for several of
them were on the ground — would certainly be con-
verted; but with all I could say, they were not
all saved.

I don't know just where my companion, young
Campbell, was at the time of my conversion, but
presumed that he was at the altar in some camp. I
remember he was a penitent through the meeting,
and was not converted until about two months after
its close. I remained at the camp-meeting until it
closed, which I think was about the middle of the
week. During the remainder of the meeting, after
my conversion, I labored to influence sinners to
come to the altar, and tried to direct mourners to
the Lamb of God. I took more delight than ever
before in singing. I felt just like singing right up
into heaven.

Rev. a. B. Wright. 19

On returning home, I found my father was
greatly delighted with my conversion. At that time
I had two brothers and one sister professed Chris-
tians, also ray father and mother. The others — two
older brothers and one younger, also several sis-
ters— were as yet unconverted. Brother John had
become afflicted with epilepsy. Amid all my trials
I prayed the Lord for sustaining grace. My Chris-,
tian sister, Nancy, was very helpful to me, telling me
to endure as a good soldier, and that I would wear
a bright crown in heaven by and by. At the time
of my conversion I was attending school. My
second brother, James M. Wright, was the teacher.
My father would take me to his knees and advise
me how to deport myself at school, and especially
during playtime. I have ever felt thankful for his
godly counsel to me.

Having been converted at the Cumberland Pres-
byterian meetings, I felt quite an attachment to that
Church, so I borrowed their " Confession of Faith ''
and read it closely for the next month. Also, dur-
ing the same time, I read a Discipline of the Meth-
odist Episcopal Church. Soon after the close of the
camp-meeting in Poplar Cove, the Methodists at
Pleasant Hill, on Three Forks of Wolf River, de-
termined to build camps and hold a camp-meeting
there early in that fall. Although we lived at a
distance of four miles, my father and brothers put
in, and we built a good frame camp, with different
apartments, in which my father and family camped.
The meeting began the last week in September, and
reached over a few days into October. A number
of ministers were in attendance. The new Confer-

20 Autobiography of

ence year was just beginning. Joel Peake was the
new preacher in charge. On Monday of that meet-
ing, October 1, 3.843, I gave my hand to the pastor
in uniting with the Methodist Episcopal Church.
My father united with the same Church the next
day. My mother had been a member of this Church
for many years.

CHAPTER III.

EARIvY MINISTRY AND MARRIAGE.

AFTER my conversion 1 began resorting to a
grove for secret prayer, often praying aloud.
The Lord would there bless my soul, and I would
shout aloud his praise. I must think the old lime-
stone rock, where I knelt down to pray, will be
witness of my devotion. Every morning before
breakfast, as regular as the morning came, I re-
paired about three hundred yards out in the woods,
also every evening about twilight, for my morning
and evening prayers. Nor did I allow anything
to hinder me from my secret devotions. I found
secret prayer a helpful means of grace. It is alto-
gether probable that this habit saved me from fall-
ing away. I recommend this duty to all young
converts.

In the spring of 1844, while myself and brother
James were feeding a large herd of cattle belonging
to my father, I was seriously gored by a vicious
bull. I would certainly have been killed by the
maddened animal, but for the timely presence and
intervention of my brother. He tossed me up on
his horns several times. From the injury and loss

Rev. a. B. Wright 21

of blood I lay helpless at his feet. I was 'carried
into the house, and was sick for a time; also had
to go upon crutches for several weeks, but was
happy all the time.

On the 21st of April, 1844, after a very brief
illness, my father departed this life, in holy Chris-
tian triumph, shouting with his latest breath. He
died of heart dropsy. I then thought that I had
lost my best friend on earth, next to my blessed
Savior. His godly admonitions had been a great
blessing to me ; of them I was now deprived. I
lacked one month and three days of being seven-
teen years of age when I joined the Church. The
camp-meeting at which I joined was also the occa-
sion of a quarterly-meeting on that charge. It
was called Albany Circuit, in the Louisville Con-
ference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, before
there was an organization of the Methodist Church,
South. At that meeting George W. Taylor was the
presiding elder, and the preacher in charge was
Joel Peake, the man to whom I gave my hand in
joining the Church, who also baptized me, and is-
sued my license to exhort. Brother Peake was
then a man above forty years of age, and a splendid
preacher. He lived, traveled, and died in the
Louisville Conference. Father G. W. Taylor, the
presiding elder at that time, was a strong, theo-
logical, soul-stirring preacher. He had but few
superiors in preaching in his day.

The Sunday after my father's death I was nom-
inated and appointed assistant class-leader of Mt.
Pleasant Church, the class having near one hundred
members. I was quite young, and the term of my

22 Autobiography of

probation iuul just expired; bat I went to work,
singing and praying, and talking to the class.
C. M. Frogge, father of the girl who afterwards
became my wife, was the principal class- leader.
On the 10th day of August, 1844, I was licensed
to exhort. The first few efforts that I made at
public exhortation were at Mt. Pleasant Church.
I then labored on the East and West Forks of
Obed^s River, in the counties of Fentress and
Overton, in Tennessee. I also held meetings in
the Poplar Cove.

It is worthy of notice that I was an assistant
class-leader nearly four months, and a licensed ex-
horter one day, before I received the ordinance of
Christian baptism. A small strip of Tennessee had
been taken into the Louisville Conference, notwith-
standing the Discipline on Conference boundaries
ever made the State-line of Tennessee and Kentucky
the line between the Holston and Louisville Confer-
ences. It may have been by some neglect on the
part of the Holston Conference preachers that it
was taken in by the Louisville Conference people.
I think it was a very fortunate thing at the time;
for it gave us a good opportunity to become ac-
quainted with, and to greatly love, a large number
of preachers, exhorters, and class-leaders, on the
Kentucky side.

Of some of those godly men I can not well for-
bear making mention in this sketch. In my first
Quarterly Conference sittings, which were in Ken-
tucky, I call to mind such preachers as Absalom
Davis, Charles Smith, Jordan Hunter, my own
brother Edmondson Wright, then living in Ken-

Rev. a. B. Wright. 23

tucky, amoDg the preachers. Old Uncle John
Kelley, Elijah Keene, Daniel Shelley, and Peter
Shelley, his brother, were the most holy and useful
exhorters that I ever knew. I want to say that
quarterly-meetings now are not what they were
then, especially in this country. It was not uncom-
mon in that day to see twenty, thirty, and some-
times forty Quarterly Conference members together
in one Quarterly Conference. Men would ride
horseback twenty-five and thirty miles to attend a
quarterly-meeting, and O what a loving handshaking
time they would have! A love-feast was invariably
held on every Sunday morning of the quarterly-
meeting.

Father George W. Taylor — for he was an old
man — presided for two years after our first camp-
meeting where I joined the Church. At that camp-
meeting he preached the funeral of Hannah
Williams, my wife's sister. At the second camp-
meeting there, he preached the funeral of my father,
John AYright, he having died in April before the
meeting. At the third camp-meeting he preached
the funeral of ray wife's father, Cornelius M.
Frogge, he having died in the summer of 1845, just
before the camp-meeting. Father Frogge was the
leader of a large class when he died, and although
I was a beardless boy, I took charge of the class.
Many happy seasons have we enjoyed in class-meet-
ing at old Mt. Pleasant meeting-house.

I have been afraid, so many new institutions
are springing up in the Church to meet the pro-
gressive age in which we live, that the old land-
marks, so essential to the very life and prosperity of

24 Autobiography of

Methodism, will be neglected. The most essential
means of grace to the life of Methodism is the
class-meeting. Epworth Leagues, Young Men's
Christian Associations, and Christian Endeavor So-
cieties may be, and are, all good in their places, but
they can never do the work of the class-meeting.
Class-meeting is one of the old and very essen-
tial landmarks of Methodism. No place can be
like it for the growth and permanency of the young
convert.

Where class-meetings are regularly kept up, we
lose but a small per cent by backsliding, from our
revival meetings. Where they are neglected, there
is always a fearfully large number of our converts
that go back to the world, especially converts
among the young. Class-meetings are so essential
to the being and prosperity of Methodism that to
dispense with them would certainly destroy the life
of the Church. I know that Churches may seem
to live without them; but their life is only apparent,
and they can reasonably adopt the language :

" And shall we ever live
At this poor dying rate,
Our love so faint, so cold to Thee,
And Thine to us so great ?"

A Methodist Church is certainly in a very sickly
state without the blessed means of a class-meeting.
The writer of this sketch, being a boy of sixteen
years of age at conversion, and of more than an
ordinary gay disposition, attributes his success in
Christian life to the blessed influence of class-meet-
ings, filling his first office in the Church as class-
leader. This office he held without any intermission

Rev. a. B. Wright. 25

for more than eight years, though during the time he
was licensed to exhort and to preach, and for some
years held the office of class-leader, exhorter, local
preacher, steward and trustee of Church property.
From past experience, I am convinced that parents,
the Church, and class-leaders are responsible for
fully three-fourths of the backsliding of so many
young converts. If all young converts had the
proper nursing they should have in the home, the
Church, and by the class-leader, we would lose but
a very small per cent of the converts from our re-
vival-meetings. O that God would awaken us to
our duty !

In the spring 1844, when I had been in the
Church only a short time, at the General Conference
in New York the James O. Andrew trouble on
slavery came up, he being one of the Episcopal
Board. He was required by a resolution of the
General Conference to desist from his episcopal
work until the impediment in his case should be
removed. The Southern delegates were greatly
excited by this action, and presented a petition to
the General Conference, asking for a " provisional
plan of separation ^' of the Church, whereby the
Churches in the South might be permitted, if they
so desired, to organize themselves into a separate
organization. This plan the General Conference
granted, and by a Convention, held in Louisville,
Ky., in May, 1845, the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, was organized, the opinion of the Churches
in the South on this question having been in the
meantime obtained.

Doubtless too much clemency was extended by

26 Autobiography of

the Methodist Episcopal Church to the Southern
Churches, by furnishing the ^^Plan of Separation"
in the General Conference of 1844. This was un-
fortunate to Methodism, and, no doubt, was an in-
dex to great national troubles. Although but a
boy, and of short experience in the Methodist
Church, I strongly opposed the organization of the
Southern Methodist Church. Could I have had a
vote, I should have voted against it every time. The
vote was not taken so generally nor unanimously
as was reported in the Louisville Convention. Now
let us pray for fraternal union, if we can not have
organic union. The different limbs that have broken
o£F from the old stalwart Methodist tree have only
been a healthy pruning.

The Protestant Methodist limb breaking oflP in
1828, the breach was soon healed. The Wesleyan
Methodist limb breaking off in 1843, the breach
was soon healed. The great division occurred in
1844; although incurring a heavy lawsuit, yet the
breach has been fully healed. A small limb, in
that of the Free Methodist, was broken off in 1860.
The old tree sustains no loss, but is yet full of
foliage and fruitage. I will here relate some inci-
dents of my early Christian life. In the neigh-
borhood where I lived, a certain man, the initials
of whose name were W. P., made and circulated a
very scandalous falsehood about me, and exerted
his utmost power to break down my religious char-
acter. Having been taught of God to overcome
evil with good, at a night meeting, where God gave
me great liberty to exhort sinners, this man was pres-
ent, was deeply convicted, wept aloud, and cried for

Rev. a. B. Wright. 27

mercy at the mourners' bench. After this he seemed
to have the warmest friendship for me.

In order to encourage all to overcome evil with
good, I will relate another instance wherein Chris-
tian charity subdued the rage of passion. A young
lady, through a jealous disposition, became highly
offended at me, insomuch that she came to where I
was lodging for the night, on purpose to quarrel
with me. I endured her raillery without resent-
ment, remembering that the Bible says, *^ Charity
beareth all things. '^ Shortly after this, seeing her
deeply affected at a religious service, I went to her,
took her by the hand, and invited her to go with
me into the altar of prayer. She trembled from
head to foot like an aspen-leaf, but went readily to
the altar, and ever afterward was a warm friend of
mine. I mention these two instances, as I could
many others, just to illustrate the power of relig-
ious impressions, over a sinful heart, and to con-
vince all young Christians, as well as more aged
ones, that the shortest way to dispose of their diffi-
culties with each other is to pray them out together
at God^s mercy-seat.

Not long after I had entered upon Christian
work, I was requested one evening to go to see a
man who was very low with the fever, and was
greatly concerned about his soul. Knowing the man
in health to be noted for wickedness, and the dis-
tance to go about five miles, and the natural timid-
ity of my youth, were crosses hard to overcome.
However I went, and lost but little time in offering
to him a loving Savior, ready to receive him. He
cried for mercy while I prayed at his bedside, until

28 Autobiography of

he laid hold of the gospel promises and shouted
aloud the praise of a pardoning God; shouting out
of his bed until he fainted from weakness. But
happy as he was, the dark side of the story is yet to
come. He got well, and — O the ingratitude of the
human heart! — he relapsed into sin again. Ever
afterward, in his wicked revelries, he would refer to
that time as the happiest hour of his life, and would
affirm that he then enjoyed heartfelt religion, and
would wish that he had then died. Let this be a
standing warning to all to watch and pray.

In endeavoring to serve God and the Church, I
had great conflicts with the world. I found youth-
ful association a mighty obstacle to a growth in
grace. With all the care I could take in the selec-
tion of pious company, youthful mirth would in-
trude itself, and often bring me to tears of penitence.
Sometimes I exclaimed with the great apostle, " O
wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from
this body of death ?^' I worked constantly through
the week for my widowed mother, and would then
hold my meetings somewhere every Sunday. It
was not long until I began to witness the conver-
sion of my other brothers xand sisters. I obtained
the best helps that I could, with my limited means,
in the way of good books. I would take a small
pocket Testament with me to the field, and while
resting the plow-horse, would study it closely, often
reading as much as a whole chapter on my knees.
I felt that the Lord had done so much for me that
I wanted to do a great deal of work for his cause.
I labored in this way as a Methodist exhorter for
about four years.

Rev. a. B. Wright. 29

When twenty-one years old, my mother gave to
me a small horse and some other stock ; these I
exchanged for a large saddle-horse. My father,
in his will, had appointed as his executor my
brother, James M. Wright, who took great interest
in my welfare, and was very helpful to me in my
early ministry. I engaged myself and horse to
my brother for one year at wages. I labored on
the farm during the week at all kinds of farm
labor, and held religious services at different places
on Sunday. In the spring of 1845, at Mt. Pleas-
ant meeting-house, I joined the Washington ian
Temperance Society. The public speakers on the
occasion were T. C. Frogge, and Edward A. Mar-
tin. From that time I have endeavored to pro-
mote the cause of temperance the best I could.
Since then I have lived a total abstainer from alco-
holic drinks.

In the spring of 1847, Jacob E. Williams and
myself made a great many temperance speeches
throughout the country. We organized lodges of
this temperance order, and held three successive
temperance exhibitions, on which occasions we had
immense temperance processions, and this noble
cause was greatly uplifted. From my early boy-
hood I have endeavored to contribute my influence
in favor of every moral institution. My influence
and my vote have ever been thrown in favor of the
suppression of the great liquor business, the mighty
foe of the Church and the country. In the sum-
mer of 1848 I was recommended by the third
Quarterly Conference to the fourth Quarterly Con-
ference of Albany Circuit, in the Louisville Con-

30 Autobiography op

ference, for license to preach, and on July 31,
1848, at Five Springs, near the town of Albany,
Clinton County, Kentucky, I was licensed to
preach. John S. Noble- was the preacher in charge,
and Thomas Lasley was the presiding elder pro tern.
With this step came additional responsibility, and
I felt mf)re than ever that I should consecrate my-
self more fully to the Master's work.

James King, a powerful preacher, had suc-
ceeded Father George W. Taylor as presiding elder
on the district. He remained for four years, and
was succeeded by Rev. N. H. Lee, who remained
on the district for only two years. He was suc-
ceeded by John F. South. Soon after South came
on the district, the Holston Conference claimed
their territory to the State line, and took it. John
F. South was a very eloquent and able speaker, and
soon after leaving the district he united with the
Baptist Church somewhere in Kentucky. I was
somewhat censured for the Holston Conference
taking its own territory again. I think it was
much for the best interest of the Church at that
time, and has been ever since, doubtless.

In the winter of 1848 I taught a singing-school
on Cumberland Mountain, eight miles southeast of
Jamestown ; the only singing-school I ever taught,
however. I took great delight in singing, and in
my young days had quite a good voice for it. In
the spring of 1849 I was arranging for a matri-
monial connection with Cynthia S. Frogge, and had
been for nearly a year. We grew up together, in
four miles of each other, and had been schoolmates,
more or less, from early childhood. I thought I

Rev. a. B. Wright. 31

loved her sufficiently to make her my life compan-
ion, and her love to me seemed true. I had a great
attachment to her eldest brother, Rev. T. C.
Frogge, who was then, and had been for a few
years, an itinerant preacher in the Louisville Con-
ference. We were united together in holy matri-
mony May 27, 1849, by my worthy brother. Rev.
Edmondson Wright, on Sunday morning, about
eight o'clock, at her mother's home. My wife's
mother was the daughter of an itinerant minister
in the early days. Rev. Timothy Carpenter.

CHAPTER IV.

A LOCAL PREACHER.

SOON after our marriage we went to house-
keeping. By entering upon a married state, I
thought I took a wise view of life's duties and
dangers. I might have done more for the Lord in
a single life, and yet I feared the slippery path of
youth in a single life, and believed that I could
live more consecrated to God with a good Christian
helpmeet. I had made some secret promise to God
that if I should be so fortunate as to become settled
down in a home of my own that my life should be
given to the Lord in itinerant work. The pros-
pect for this at that time was gloomy; for neither
of us had much to begin with, and no one to aid
us. We went to housekeeping on my brother's
land, known as the Low Gap farm, on the tribu-
tary waters of Wolf River. The very first night
we dedicated our home to the Lord with family

32 Autobiography of

prayers. We held prayers again next morning, a
rule of our family which we have faithfully ob-
served ever since. After housekeeping about two
months, I took employment to teach school in
Morgan County, Tennessee. The school was near
where my wife's grandparents and their son, Cyril
Carpenter, lived. I boarded with them. It was
truly a feast to my soul to listen to grandfather
relate the scenes in his early ministry.

Late in the year 1849 I rented land, and moved
upon a farm of Miller Atkins, near my wife's mother.
This placed us much more convenient to Church.
We remained here for two years. We both used
great industry, raised good crops, and accumulated
considerable property. My wife was a worthy help-
meet for me, both in laboring for our own welfare
and in my ministerial work. In that day our cloth-
ing, both for ladies and gentlemen, was made from
the cotton which we grew ourselves, and of wool
taken from our own sheep. Our mothers, wives,
sisters, and daughters carded, spun, and wove these
into cloth of every variety of color and kind, from
which our clothing was made. Ready-made cloth-
ing, as bought and worn now, was scarcely known
then, and I must claim that people appeared about
as handsomely dressed then as now. My wife
made our clothing in this way. The weaving-loom
was her piano in that day. In September, 1850,
our first child was born, a girl. My wife came near
dying of child-bed fever at this birth. By the
mercy of God and the aid of a good physician she
recovered.

In December, 1851, our second child, a boy, was

Rkv. a. B. Wright. 33

born. In the fall of 1851, I was sorely afflicted,
with a chronic affection of the liver, which caused
me great suffering. It was several years before I
obtained entire relief. All this time, during my
very busy work and family afflictions, I endeavored
to preach all that I could, and the Lord wonder-
fully blessed my labors. After living two years on
the land of Miller Atkins, I took a lease on land
of my mother-in-law, and moved two or three
hundred yards across the line onto it. I built
another house to the one already there. We made
this change in the spring of 1852, and remained
there nearly six yearS: We were taken back into
the Holston Conference in about the year 1851.
The first presiding elder from this Conference was
R. M. Hickey, a strong young preacher, very sym-
pathetic and moving in his sermons. He was suc-
ceeded by Rev. David Fleming, a strong preacher
and a very good man. His successor on the dis-
trict was Rev. W. C. Daily, a smooth, good
preacher. During his term on the district the War
of the Rebellion came up.

In the summer of 1854 I was recommended by
the Quarterly Conference of the Jamestown Circuit
for local deacon's orders to the Holston Conference
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, to meet
in Cleveland, Tenn., on October 12, 1854. I left
home on Sunday morning, October 8th, rode nine-
teen miles and attended a meeting that Rev. B. L.
Stephens was holding at Washington Taylor's.

In company with Brother Stephens and Rev.
Ramey Oaks, I rode nine miles from this place, and
took supper with Brother Lee Taylor. We rode

3

34 Autobiography of

three miles more after supper, and staid all night
with Brother Oaks. At Brother Lee Taylor's there
were several lawyers and a circuit judge on their
way to hold circuit court in Jamestown. The next
day, myself and these two brethren set off for the
Annual Conference. We rode out of Fentress
through a portion of Morgan and into Bledsoe
County, through the Grassy Cove on to Walden's
Ridge. On account of the flux raging on Walden's
Ridge, we could not procure a lodging-place for
the night until a late hour. We were somewhat
disturbed with the thought of having to go down
W^alden's Ridge that night, it being very dark.
This would have greatly endangered our lives. At
last we came in sight of a light, and went to it. It
was from a small cabin. We called to stay all night,
but the man of the house said he was not prepared to
keep us; yet as it was impossible to go down the
mountain after night, he would take us in and treat us
the best he could. After feeding our horses and
going into the house, I thought the place looked
more like the residence of a cut-throat than of any
one else. I must confess, I was in some suspense
until I heard a little child singing, ^' I have a home
in the promised land." Then I felt safe, for I
knew that parents who taught their little children to
praise God would harm no one. We soon learned
that the family were religious and members of the
Methodist Church. They treated us kindly, and
did not want to receive any pay from us. However,
we paid them.

The next day we rode to Uncle Dan Carpen-
ter's, in McMinn County, remained in that settle-

Rev. a. B. Wright. 35

ment two days, had meeting, and then rode to
Cleveland on Friday evening, having gone about
thirty-five miles that day. Brother Oaks and I
were assigned our boarding-place by Rev. W. C.
Daily, at Brother Wood^s. Heaven bless that
brother! On Saturday, myself and Brother Oaks
were elected to deacons' orders, and Brother
Stephens to elder's orders. On Saturday night
Dr. E. H. Myers, of Charleston, South Carolina,
preached an excellent discourse. On Sunday morn-
ing Bishop George F. Pierce preached a soul-stir-
ring sermon from Matt, xix, 29. In the evening
Dr. John B. McFerrin, of Nashville, preached a
happy discourse from Psalms Ixxxiv, 10-11. At
the close of Bishop Pierce's sermon, myself and a
number of others were ordained deacons in the
Church of God, and at the close of the evening
service several were ordained elders. This was Oc-
tober 15, 1854. On Monday morning we started
for home, rode into McMinn County the first day,
and had meeting at night. The next day we rode
to the Grassy Cove, and the next day to Brother
Oaks's. The following day I reached home, and
found my family all well.

In the summer of 1855 I was solicited to preach
in a Campbellite settlement, where there were very
few Methodists. Opposition upon the part of the
Campbellites was said to be used; but despite all,
the Lord came down in great power, and converted
twelve or fifteen souls. Fifteen joined the Meth-
odist Church. Our third child, John Wesley, a
large boy babe, was born October 5, 1857. In the
fall of 1857 I bought a farm of one hundred and

36 Autobiography of

sixty acres lying near the Kentucky line, in Fen-
tress County, and moved to it on the last day of the
year. This was a body of good land, for which I
paid $800, paying partly money down, and the re-
mainder in installments. The neighborhood was an
excellent community of people, but there were no
Methodists living near. I opened my own private
house for circuit preaching each month, and soon a
class was organized, composed of my family and
some of the neighbors. Circuit preaching was kept
up in our home for years. Our home was also the
resting-place of the itinerant Methodist preacher.
Sometimes they spent a week of rest on each round
in our humble abode. Myself and family became
greatly attached to these godly men, who came each
year to minister to us in holy things. Myself and
wife used great industry and economy to pay for our
home, and to make ourselves comfortable.

During the year 1858, I cultivated a good crop
of wheat, oats, and rye, and tended twenty-three
acres of corn, without hiring any help. My land
was strong, and I raised bountiful crops, and sold a
great deal of grain. I also raised large numbers of
hogs and cattle each year, and raised and sold some
mule colts. Also in this year I cleared up the land
and cultivated a large tobacco-crop, which I was
able to turn into money during the next winter.
We had a large orchard of apple-trees of splendid
fruit. My wife cut and dried in the old-fashioned
way, in the sunshine, large quantities of these, with
which she bought her own better wearing apparel —
calicoes, ginghams, worsteds, shoes, and domestics.
She kept a large flock of geese, and with the feath-

Rev. a. B. Wright. 37

ers from these bought all our groceries, coffee,
sugar, and other things. I mention this to show
the young people of to-day just how we lived in
that day. A happier life has never been lived than
we lived in that good old time.

In the summer and fall of this year I taught
school four months at the Holly Grove school-
house, near John CampbelFs, three miles from my
home. I worked all day in the school-room — for I
had a large number of students — and then till a late
hour at night, and in the early, dewy morning in my
tobacco-crop. I hired no help, but worked almost
day and night. For teaching I received eighteen
dollars per month, which was considered liberal
wages for a teacher in that day. In August, 1858,
the Cumberland Presbyterians held their annual
camp-meeting at Lick Creek Camp-ground, in Fen-
tress County. Myself and family attended it. The
services began on Saturday. Tuesday following, an
event occurred that broke up the meeting. A diffi-
culty arose over business matters between twin
brothers, Alexander and Floyd Evans, and their
cousin James Reed on one side, and Champ Fer-
guson on the other, who afterwards became a noted
Confederate guerrilla leader during the Civil War.
When the difficulty arose, Ferguson left the
grounds to prevent disturbing the worship. The
other party followed and overtook him one-half
mile from the camps, when a deadly battle ensued,
in which Ferguson killed James Reed with a knife,
and badly injured Floyd Evans. He was on trial
for this murder in the circuit court of Fentress
County when the war came up.

38 Autobiography of

As I have mentioned Ferguson's name, and be-
cause of his notoriety during the Civil AVar, I will
say of him, that before the war he was known as an
orderly citizen, honest in his dealings, and a man
well-to-do in the world ; but a dangerous man when
exasperated.

In the fall of this year our babe was greatly
troubled in teething, that led to inflammation of the
brain. On a fair golden autumn day — September
13, 1858 — about one o'clock in the afternoon, he
plumed his angel wings, and with a smile bid fare-
well to a sin-cursed world, and flew home to glory.
Thank God, we have a precious babe in the heav-
enly world. Our family link reaches from earth
to heaven.

"One army of the living God,
To his command we bow;
Part of his hosts have crossed the flood,
And part are crossing now."

We take courage when we hear our blessed Lord
say : '^Of such is the kingdom of heaven.''

" I take these Uttle lambs, said he.
And lay them to my breast;
Protection they shall find in me,
In me be ever blessed."

We laid him to rest the next day in Mt. Pleasant
churchyard, where I joined the Church. At his
burial, singing and prayer were offered by Rev.
Willett G. Sherman. During the Civil War the
churchyard was neglected, and so overrun by troops
and others, that all traces of his grave were lost, and
his resting-place is now unknown. In the autumn

Rev. a. B. Wright. 39

of this year the celebrated blazing star appeared in
the northwestern heavens. Its head was about half-
way between the horizon and the zenith, and its
brilliant tail reached nearly halfway across the
heavens. It lighted up the night, and remained for
weeks. Among the superstitious it was regarded as
the harbinger of war.

During this year I spent about all my Sundays
in preaching, and witnessed many precious meetings
in which souls were converted. It was a year of
great sadness to our home; but there were many
things for which to rejoice. Praise the Lord ! The
year 1859,1 farmed about as I had done in 1858;
raised large crops of grain and tobacco ; sold num-
bers of hogs, cattle, and mule-colts, and in the
autumn taught a school of three months at Van
Buren Academy, two miles from my home, for which
I received twenty dollars per month as wages. We
were now about out of debt ; had improved our
home and the farm greatly, and were gathering about
us comfort and plenty. Our two living children
were healthy, of strong mind, and were attending
school. We were looking forward to our coming
future, with bright prospects. I spent my Sundays
in ministerial work, and held many protracted meet-
ings, with gracious results.

In the spring of 1860 our community was greatly
scourged with an epidemic of scarlet fever among
the children. A great many among our neighbors
died with it. Almost every home was in mourning
on the account of a death. I held many funeral
services, and endeavored to comfort many sad-
hearted. Our then only son was taken with it,

40 Autobiography of

March 1st, and went down to death's door. By
the mercy of God, in answer to prayer, and by the
assistance of our splendid physician, Dr. Paige, he
recovered. This year found me out of debt.

In the summer of 1860 I held a meeting three
or four days in the Poplar Cove, Fentress County,
Tennessee, which resulted in fifteen conversions,
and about as many joined the Church. In July, I
witnessed one conversion at Mount Pleasant Church.
In the following October, at an evening service
which I held at Sulphur Springs school-house, we
had eight happy conversions. The result of my
ministerial work for the year was twenty-four con-
versions, and I took about twenty into the Church.

During the fall of this year the exciting Pres-
idential election occurred, that resulted in the Civil
War. There were four candidates in the field.
Stephen A. Douglas, of Illinois, was the Peace Dem-
ocratic candidate. John C. Breckinridge was the
States' Rights Democratic candidate. Abraham
Lincoln, of Illinois, was the candidate of the Re-
publican party. John Bell, of Tennessee, was the
candidate of the Union-American party. True to
the teachings of my fathers, I had always been a
Democrat, and voted, with the other Democrats of
my State, for John C. Breckinridge, though the
electoral vote of the State was cast for her favorite
son, John Bell. Lincoln was elected.

Rev. a. B. Wright. 41

CHAPTER V.

ROUGH TIMES

IN the winter and spring of 1861 the Civil War
came upon the laud. Eleven Southern States
rebelled against the Federal Government. Tennessee
seceded in June. I did not vote when the question of
" secession " or '^ no secession '^ was before the peo-
ple, but I was opposed to secession. During four
years the country was in the throes of an awful
strife. Civil courts were suspended in Tennessee.
Anarchy prevailed everywhere. Post-offices and
post-roads were abandoned. No stores were kept.
Calicoes, domestics, coffees, sugars, shoes, hats,
ready-made clothing, and all kinds of merchandise
were things of the past. Pastors abandoned their
Churches. In Fentress County, the people were
divided on the great question. Those on the side of
the South enlisted in the Confederate army; and
those on the side of the North went through the
lines into Kentucky, and enlisted in the Federal
army. Many homes were abandoned by the entire
family, some going to Kentucky, and the opposite
side down South, for greater security from the
guerrilla bands on either side. Whole plantations
were thrown out to the commons, having been de-
serted. Waste and ruin were upon every hand. I
preached for all the Churches, opened the doors of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and re-
ceived members, baptized them, lettered them when
they removed, and thus acted as a self-constituted
pastor until the return of peace. I held a basket-

42 Autobiography of

meeting at Van Biireu Academy, commencing on
Saturday before the first Sabbath in August, which
lasted five days, and resulted in eleven happy con-
versions and ten accessions to the Methodist
Church. We were greatly indebted to the Rev.
Timothy C. Peters for very efficient labors per-
formed during the first two days of this meeting,
for he preached with the power of the Holy Ghost
sent down from heaven. We were also indebted to
Daniel R. Reagan for efficient labors, the last three
days of the meeting. Brother Peters, in one of his
sermons, took occasion to speak of the war as an
unholy war, which gave great offense to the leading
secessionists, who brought soldiers to the meeting
the next day to have him arrested ; but he became
apprised of their purpose, and escaped into Ken-
tucky. During the latter part of the meeting two
home guards, named Williams, greatly disturbed
the meeting in an effort to kill Captain Barton,
who had recently enlisted in the Confederate army.
Captain Barton was a relative of my wife. Such
were the times through which we passed. At a
subsequent evening meeting at Van Buren Academy,
there was one conversion. I realized other happy
meetings during the remainder of the year.

In September of this year. Federal troops of
the First Kentucky Cavalry came out from Albany
in Clinton County, and attacked some Confederate
recruits from Wayne County, Kentucky, stationed
at Travisville, Tenn., and killed a young man
named Henry Sofley, the first blood shed in our
community during the war. In the latter part of
this year, General Zollicoffer, with a Confederate

Rev. a. B. Wright. 43

army, passed through Fentress County into Wayne
County, Kentucky, and across the Cumberland
River, and took position at Mill Springs. The re-
sult of my ministry during the year was twelve
conversions, and ten accessions to the Methodist
Church, just half the amount of success that I had
realized the preceding year. I can not account for
this on any other ground than from the confusion
that the war had spread through the country. It
was now that the muttering tones of the distant
thunders of human woe began to pour their melan-
choly strains upon our ears. O gracious Lord, save
innocent blood from staining a Christian land !
Blessed be God, I am not afraid to die, therefore I
will meet all dangers for the cause of my Master.

In January, 1862, General Zollicoffer was de-
feated and killed at Mill Springs, Kentucky, and
his entire army routed after a bloody battle. Later
in the spring. Federal troops came into our part of
Tennessee. About this time. Tinker Dave Beatty
organized his guerrilla band, on the Federal side, in
the fastnesses of the Poplar and Buffalo Coves, and
held his ground there during the remainder of the
war. Champ Ferguson, on the Confederate side, oc-
cupied Overton, Clay, White, and the valley part of
Fentress Counties, with an independent company.
Between these independent companies a constant
warfare was carried on during the remainder of
the war.

The great battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh
were fought during the winter and spring of this
year. During the summer. Colonel John H. Morgan
passed through Fentress, and made a very destructive

44 Autobiography of

raid into Kentucky. In the autumn, General
Bragg invaded Kentucky, and the battle of Perry-
ville was fought, resulting disastrously to his army.
I will now relate some of the atrocious scenes that
occurred during this year within my knowledge.
In May, Alexander Huff, an inoffensive Union man
was captured by a Confederate force, and while a
prisoner, was cruelly murdered near the Three
Forks of Wolf River. About the same time, two
men near us, John Duncan and John Rich,
brothers-in-law^, were murdered by Confederate
troops. Their offense was that they had joined
a home guard. In the latter part of the year, an
excellent young man, living on Wolf River, John
Riley by name, was murdered by Union bush-
whackers in his father^s yard. He was a non-com-
batant and a harmless young man. His only offense
was that he sympathized with the South. Champ
Ferguson murdered Whigge Frogge, shooting him
while sick in bed with measles; his offer se was that
he was a Union man. About the same time, Fer-
guson murdered Reuben Woods, a most excellent
and inoffensive man, in his own house.

In September, W. L. Allen, a young man of
our community, a Confederate soldier, was killed
from ambush, near Hale's Mills. He left a young
widow, whom he had married about one year before.
His comrades, who were with him, in retaliation
burned a number of the neighboring houses of
Union people, several families, consisting of women
and children, being turned out of doors without a
shelter. Many homes on both sides, during this
dreadful war, were burned in our section. On the

Rev. a. B. Wright. 45

cold evening of October 24th, Tinker Beatty, with
about one hundred men, made a raid through our
settlement, and killed, at the Poore place near us, a
Confederate soldier named Milligan, and fatally
wounded another, Henry Richardson. On that
night a snow one foot deep fell.

I will now relate my ministerial work for the
year. In May, at an appointment I filled at Van
Buren Academy, I witnessed one happy conversion.
I had witnessed one at the same place a short time
before. I held a basket-meeting of three days at
the same place, embracing the fourth Sabbath in
July. There were no conversions, though a good
time with Christians. I also held a basket-meeting
at Sulphur Springs school-house for two days, em-
bracing the first Sabbath in August. Here a false
report respecting military men greatly injured our
meeting. Our most zealous brethren, through fear,
left the meeting ground. Here there were no con-
versions, but a good time with Christians. Glory
be to God ! Great credit is due the good people at
both of these places for bringing a full supply of
provisions each day to feed the congregation. I
held a basket-meeting at Brother Joshua Story^s,
near the Kentucky line. This meeting lasted six
days, and resulted in twelve happy conversions and
fifteen accessions to our Church. It embraced the
second Sabbath in August. Never will the heavenly
glory of this meeting be erased from many noble
Christian hearts, but will blaze upon the archives of
memory forever. We pray God that it may be as
bread cast upon the waters, that may be gathered
for many days to come. What rendered the meet-

46 Autobiography of

ing most interesting was that members of different
Churches, and persons holding different views in
politics, embraced each other with warmest hearts,
and together in the altar shouted. Glory to God in
the highest! On Sunday of this meeting I
preached the luneral of Sarah Ann M. Harris to an
attentive audience. A few weeks after this I bap-
tized twelve persons — three by affusion and nine by
immersion — who were converted in this meeting.
I held a two days' basket-meeting at Hale's Mills,
embracing the fourth Sabbath in September, and
here witnessed one happy conversion. The result
of the years' work was fifteen conversions, and
twenty-three accessions to the Methodist Church.
I baptized fifteen persons, and married five couples.
Thanks be to the Great Head of the Church for
the mercies of the past year !

During the first days of the year 1863, the
bloody battle of Stone River was fought in Middle
Tennessee. In the summer of this year. General
John H. Morgan passed through Fentress County,
on his last raid into Kentucky. At Lebanon,
Kentucky, he burned up several millions of dollars
in Government stores. The smoke of this fire
darkened the heavens for days. In August, a part
of General Burnside's Federal army passed through
our section into East Tennessee. In September
the great battle of Chickamauga was fought; and
later in the year, the battles of Mission Ridge and
of Knoxville were fought. During the summer of
this year Peter Beach, one of Tinker Beatty's men,
was captured by the Confederates, and killed at

Rev. a. B. Wright. 47

Three Forks of Wolf River, while on his knees
praying to God for mercy.

In the autumn of this year Conrad Pile was
killed near my home by Confederate troops, having
been taken prisoner. He was a noncombataut, but
a Union man. Scores of others on both sides, in the
same manner, were murdered in our county during
this year. On February 22, 1863, our fourth child,
a daughter, Deborah Caroline, was born. In the
year 1863 my appointments were once or twice
every week. I held a basket-meeting on Back
Creek, at Mole's school-house, embracing the second
Sabbath in August, which lasted three days, and re-
sulted in three happy conversions.

I held a basket-meeting at a school-house in
Stockton's Valley, Clinton County, Kentucky, em-
bracing the third Sabbath in August, which lasted
two days. We had a happy time with Christians,
but no conversions. On Sunday of this meeting I
preached the funeral of Martha Savage, to a large
congregation. I held a basket-meeting at Brother
Joshua Story's, embracing the fourth Sabbath in
August, which lasted two days, and resulted in two
conversions, and four accessions to our Church.
Again I held a basket-meeting at Head of the Cane
school-house, embracing the first Sabbath in Sep-
tember, which lasted three days, and resulted in
two happy conversions. I closed this meeting,
leaving many penitents at the altar, because I broke
down and was unable to preach.

During the year 1863 I preached sixty-seven
sermons. A copy of the texts I used I have among

48 Autobiography of

my papers. The result of the year was eight con-
versions, and four accessions to the Methodist
Church. I also baptized during the year three in-
fants and five adults. The great military operations
of 1864 were the battles in Virginia between Gen-
erals Grant and Lee, and the advance of General
Sherman from Dalton to Atlanta in Georgia, and
subsequently the march to the sea; also the battles
of Franklin and Nashville in our own State. Many
were the atrocious scenes in my own immediate sec-
tion. In January of this year, one-half mile from
my home, in a battle between some of Beatty's and
Ferguson's men, Hiram Richardson, John Smith,
and Thomas Riley, Confederates, were killed. They
were young men from families of my neighbors.
Young Riley was taken prisoner and brutally mur-
dered, while begging of his captors the privilege of
seeing his young wife, who was only one-half mile
away, before they killed him. This was denied
him. The young wife died soon afterwards of a
broken heart.

In the spring of this year, Fountain Frost, a
Confederate soldier, was killed by Beatty's men, at
Gilreath's Mills, near my home, while begging for
his life. In June, Jefferson Pile, a man who had
taken no part in the Civil War, but was a Southern
man, was cruelly murdered by Beatty's men, near
the Three Forks of Wolf River. During the sum-
mer of this year my brother-in-law, George Y.
Carpenter, a Federal soldier, who was at home on
a visit to his family in the Poplar Cove, was killed
by Confederate troops. In November, four young
men, Federal soldiers, were killed three miles from

Rev. a. B. Wright. 49

my home, by two of Ferguson^s men, whom they
had attacked.

During the year, notwithstanding the thunder-
ing storms of an awful revolution raged, I endeav-
ored to urge the conquest of Zion. I had constant
appointments to preach, and, thank God, he sanc-
tioned my efforts. I labored in Fentress County,
Tennessee, and in Wayne and Clinton Counties,
Kentucky. At a meeting I held in June, at Brother
Thomas Savage's, in Clinton County, Kentucky,
there were three happy conversions, and two joined
the Methodist Church. I held a basket-meeting
near the same place, at Ferguson's school-house,
the fourth Saturday and Sunday in August, which
continued two days. Several mourners were at the
altar, and I took two white persons and one colored
girl into the Church. Myself and Rev. Robert
Ramsey held a basket-meeting at Van Buren Ac-
ademy the first Saturday and Sunday in September.
Several mourners w^re at the altar ; one was happily
converted, and three joined the Methodist Church.
The meeting lasted three days, at the close of which
I baptized two by pouring and two by immersion.
During the year, I held but two basket-meetings.
This is explained by saying, that I received so many
applications to preach funerals, and some of these
at a great distance, I was unable to hold any more.
I could not attend to all the applications that I re-
ceived to preach funerals. We had some precious
meetings at funeral appointments. These were held
on Otter Creek, Beaver Creek, Carpenter's Fork,
and at Bethesda Church, in Wayne County Ken-
tucky; and on Spring Creek and Lick Creek, in

4

50 Autobiography of

Clinton County ; also among the hills and coves of
Fentress County, Tennessee.

On December 10th, at night, I preached at James
CoiFs, in Wayne County, Kentucky, to a large
crowd. There were three happy conversions. I had
ridden fourteen miles in the morning, and preached
at twelve o'clock the funerals of two little children.
I went from CoiPs to Bethesda Church, and preached
the funeral of an excellent young lady, to an at-
tentive audience. During the year, I preached
fifty-seven times, took eight persons into the Church,
baptized five infants and six adults — four by pour-
ing and two by immersion — and had at my appoint-
ments seven happy conversions to God. I also
preached the funerals of thirty-three persons.

With the close of this year it was evident that
the cause of the Confederacy was rapidly approach-
ing an end. O how grateful I feel to my Heavenly
Father for his unspeakable mercies toward me dur-
ing the past year! The military events of 1865
were the surrender of Lee to Grant in Virginia, and
of Johnson to Sherman in North Carolina ; also the
assassination of President Lincoln, while attending a
theater, by J.Wilkes Booth. In February of this year,
in one-half mile of my home, Beatty's men killed
an old man, Robert Richardson, who was ninety-two
years old, and was too feeble to walk across the room
without help. He was murdered in the most brutal
manner. His only offense was, that his sons were
in the Confederate army. In April, Captain Bar-
ton, a Confederate soldier, was killed within one
mile of my home by Federal troops.

On the fourth Sabbath in March, on the head-

Rev. a. B. Wright. 51

waters of Spring Creek, I preached the funeral of
an infant son of William and Hester Ann Smith.
We had a precious meeting. On the second Sabr
bath of May, I preached the funeral of Robert
McGhee, at Travisville, Tennessee. Mourners wept
at the altar, and two joined the Methodist Church.

In May of this year, the white-winged angel of
peace once more spread her pinions over our dis-
tracted land. O how welcome was this peace! By
order of Presdent Johnson, the people were asked
to repair to their accustomed places of worship and
return thanks to Almighty God for this blessing
once more upon the land. A few neighbors and
myself met in a building used for a school-house,
near my home, and held a thanksgiving service.

A great change had come to the South. The
Negroes, who had been held as slaves, were now free.
These very generally abandoned their old homes,
and roamed about the country in quest of some
means of support. They were without property, and
without education. They either became tenants upon
plantations, or worked at low wages for the white
race. They were also invested with the right of
suffrage, while the white race were almost entirely
disfranchised. Unscrupulous Northern adventurers
poured into the South, and, supported by Negro
votes and United States troops, took charge of State
Governments, much to the dissatisfaction, oppression,
and distress of the country. This was known as the
period of reconstruction.

On July 31, 1864, our fifth child, William Dudley
Wright, was born.

52 Autobiography of

CHAPTER VI.

GREAT EVENTS.

WHEN peace was fully restored, aud the State
Government was set up, my sympathy and
vote were with the Republican party, because I
believed it was not only the champion of human
liberty, but had been the savior of the nation in
the hour of peril. I have never allowed politics to
occupy much of my thought and life. The first
Sabbath in June of this year, in Wayne County,
Kentucky, I preached the funerals of two infant
children of a colored woman, named Maria Miller.
The names of the children were Edia and Abel.
We had a glorious shout in the camps of Israel.

On the fourth Sabbath in May, I took a good
CiTmberland Presbyterian into the Methodist Church.
I continued preaching funerals at different points.
On tjie fourth Sabbath in July, I preached twice at
Sulphur Springs school-house. We had several
weeping penitents at the altar, and one happy con-
version to God. On the fifth Sabbath in July, at
Story's graveyard, we had a great many mourners
at the altar, four happy conversions, and one acces-
sion to our Church. The following day we had a
happy time, and one more conversion. On the
second Saturday in August, I commenced a basket-
meeting at Ferguson^s school-house, which lasted
five days. During that time I preached three
funerals. We had a glorious move in IsraePs
ranks. Mourners in crowds wept at the altar.
Such deep penitence I never witnessed before, and

Rev. a. B. Wright. 53

the conversions were the brightest I ever saw.
During the meeting, we had eight happy conver-
sions, and seven joined the Methodist Church. In
September of this year, I was taken with a violent
attack of bilious fever, and was in low condition
for a number of days, but by the good providence
of God I recovered.

On the first Sabbath in October, at a meeting I
held at Thomas Savage's, in Clinton County, Ken-
tucky, we had a great time of religious rejoicing. I
felt uncommon liberty in preaching on the resur-
rection. One joined the Methodist Church. On
the fourth Sabbath in October, after baptizing some
youQg converts, I repaired to a graveyard, near
Thomas Savage's, and preached the funeral of a
most excellent Christian girl. We had a gracious
time of the overshadowing presence of Jesus in our
midst, and one happy conversion to God. Glory
to Jesus' precious name, this year so far has been a
happy one to my soul ! In December I filled four
appointments on the Albany Circuit, for my brother,
E. Wright, who was preacher in charge of that
work.

On my return home I held a night service at
Thomas Savage's, and, praised be Jesus' name, we
had a precious time ! While a great many Christians
shouted aloud the praise of God, mourners were
weeping aloud for mercy, and two young ladies
joined the Methodist Church. The result of the
year's labor in Christ's holy vineyard are as fol-
lows : I preached sixty-nine times, received twelve
into the Church, and witnessed fifteen happy con-
versions. I baptized seven sweet infants and two

54 Autobiography of

adults by pouring and six by immersion. I preached
the funerals of thirty-three persons in Wayne and
Clinton Counties, Kentucky, and in Fentress County,
Tennessee. It will be seen that the year 1865 was
a more useful year of my life than 1864. Thanks
be to the Great Head of the Church, for his un-
speakable mercies to me! Hail, O hail thou, 1866!

Notwithstanding the inclement wintry blast, I
began my year's labor much earlier than last year.
After passing through January and February, on
the first Sabbath in March, at night, I held a meet-
ing at Brother Thomas Savage's. Thank God, we
had a feast with Christians, three happy conversions
and three accessions to the Methodist Church ! At
a meeting I held the 1st of May, at Sister Duncan's
in preaching for her afflicted son, two persons joined
the Church, and at a meeting that I held the first of
May, at Brother P. H. Davidson's, we had several
weeping penitents at the altar and one accession to
the Church. The day following I held meeting on
the Three Forks of Wolf River, where there were
again some penitents, and four joined the Church.

In April I held a meeting at Ferguson's school-
house, in Clinton County, Kentucky, and baptized
two young converts by immersion, after which, in
holding prayers in Mother Ferguson's house before
we parted, the Lord powerfully converted one soul.
The above aged lady was the excellent mother of
the noted Champ Ferguson. At a meeting that
I held at Head of the Cane, the last of May, we had
a number of penitents at the altar, and one con-
version.

On Saturday before the second Sunday in June,

Rev. a. B. Wright. 55

after preaching at eleven o'clock, and baptizing one
lady by immersion, I preached in the evening at
Thomas Hays's. We had a number of penitents at
the altar and one conversion. The next day I
preached twice at Ferguson's school-house, and
witnessed one more happy conversion to God, and
took seven persons into our Church. Here I left a
goodly number of penitents at the altar. On the
fourth Sabbath in June, S. Grear and myselt
preached a funeral together at Mother Evans's, Fen-
tress County, Tennessee. We had a number of
penitents and five happy conversions. In the even-
ing of the same day, I preached at Van Buren
Academy. We again had a number of penitents at
the altar, and one accession to our Church. In June
of this year I changed my Church relations.

Bishop Early held the sessions of the Holston
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South ,
for the years 1862, 1863, and 1864. A number of
the ministers of the Conference were expelled be-
cause of their well-known Union sentiments. These,
with other Union ministers, traveling and local, to-
gether with a large number of Union people among
the membership of the Church, felt that, under the
circumstances, they could not longer live happily in
the Southern Church. Accordingly, under the di-
rection of Bishop Clark, the work of the reorgan-
ization of the Methodist Episcopal Church was be-
gun in East Tennessee, in the year 1864. The first
Conference session was held in May, 1865, in
Athens, Tennessee, Bishop Clark presiding.

I opposed the division in 1844, and all the time
regarded the Church South, as built upon the insti-

56 Autobiography of

tution of slavery, the sum of all villainies. My
mind had been made up to the fact, during the Civil
War, that, should the Methodist Episcopal Church
return to the South, I would welcome the op-
portunity of returning to its ranks. I was strongly
opposed to secession, as well as the division of the
Methodist Church in 1844; and when the first op-
portunity offered, in June, 1866, I gladly trans-
ferred ray membership from the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
This was the Church which I had joined when a
boy, and I felt that I had returned to my old home
again. I am not sectarian in making choice of the
old Methodist Episcopal Church. It is the Church
of my choice. I believe that the doctrines of Meth-
odism are founded upon the Scriptures, and I be-
lieve that the Methodist Episcopal Church is the
best type of Methodism in the world. It suits me
better than any other; hence my choice. I do not
fault any one for preferring some other Methodism,
or some other Church.

Embracing the first Sabbath in July, beginning
the day before. Rev. T. A. Cass, preacher in charge
of Jamestown Circuit, and myself held a meeting at
Travis school-house, on Caney Creek, Fentress
County, Tennessee, which lasted six days, and re-
sulted in fifty happy conversions to God ; forty-
eight joined our Church. Such an overwhelming
power of the presence of Jesus I have scarcely ever
seen. Among the converts were some that had stood
very remote from the worship of God. Convictions
were deep, and conversions were powerful. Chris-
tians united in shouting from the top of their voices.

Rev. a. B. Wright. 57

'^Victory! victory! victory!'' It is due the excel-
lency of this meeting to say, that it occurred in a
settlement where the mourners' bench had been ridi-
culed from the pulpit by the opponents of our meth-
ods. Hallelujah! Glory to God in the highest!

Embracing the second Sabbath in July, I labored
in a two days' meeting in Poplar Cove, in connec-
tion with Rev. Samuel Grear, which resulted in
five conversions to God, and about as many joined
our Church. To God be all the glory !

Embracing the third Sabbath in July, I labored
in a meeting at Van Buren Academy, in connection
with Samuel Grear, T. A. Cass, H. C. Huffaker,
and Levi Sheppard, where we had a moving time
indeed. The Lord came down in chariots of tri-
umph at our first coming together, and before the
meeting closed he powerfully converted sixty-five
souls; sixty-one joined our Church. The saints of
God shouted together the praises of salvation.
Glory be to Jesus' name!

On Saturday before the second Sunday in Au-
gust, I preached at the old Story graveyard, where
two joined our Church. The following day I
preached some funerals at Travis school-house, and
three more joined the Church.

On Saturday before the fourth Sabbath in July,
I preached at Ferguson's school-house. We had one
happy conversion. The following day I preached
some funerals at Thomas Hays's, took one into the
Church, and had three conversions.

On the first Sabbath in September I preached at
Head of the Cane. We had a melting season, and
two happy conversions. At our second quarterly-

58 Rev. a. B. Wright.

meeting for Jamestown Circuit, held at Van Buren
Academy, I preached twice, and other ministers
preached. We had a number of penitents at the
altar, and five joined our Church. On the fourth
SatuFday and Sunday in September, I held a two
days^ meeting at Concord Church, in Clinton County,
Kentucky where four joined the Church. On the
26th of November, in the evening, I held a meet-
ing for George Huckabee, as he was on his death-
bed. We had a number of penitents, and one
conversion.

On the third Saturday and Sunday in Novem-
ber, I held a two days' meeting at Head of the
Cane. On Sunday we had several penitents, and
five joined the Church — some by letter, and some
new accessions. On Saturday before the first Sab-
bath in December, at a meeting I held at Andrew
Kannatsur's, near Head of the Cane, we had a num-
ber of penitents, and two joined the Church. The
following day, one joined our Church at my meet-
ing at P. H. Davidson's. On the second Saturday
and Sunday in December, I held a two days' meet-
ing in Morgan County, Tennessee, where we had a
moving time. On Sunday night there were several
mourners at the altar, and two happy conversions
to God. On Thursday night following, I held a
meeting at Timothy Gauney's, at the Head of Dry
Creek, in Fentress County, where we had a number
of penitents, three conversions, and one joined our
Church. Timothy Asbury Wright, our sixth child,
was born August 21st, of this year, 1866.

The results of the year were as follows : I mar-
ried three couples, baptized by immersion sixty-two

Rkv. a. B. Wright. 59

persons, and six by pouring. I received one hun-
dred and fifty-six into the Church, witnessed one
hundred and forty-four conversions to God, and
preached the funerals of twenty-nine persons, in-
fants and adults. Glory be to God for his great
mercies during the past year ! My Lord, how
grateful I should be that my unprofitable life has
been spared to enter upon the duties of another
year! Notwithstanding that January and February
were very inclement, with falling weather, and the
roads were very bad, yet I frequently engaged in
fighting the battles of the Lord. On the second Sat-
urday and Sunday in February, at Brother Samuel
Ramsey's the third quarterly-meeting for the
Jamestown Circuit was held. Rev. T. A. Cass,
Rev. S. Grear, and myself preached on the occa-
sion. On Sunday night there was a large number
of penitents at the altar, four conversions, and four
joined our Church.

On the third Sabbath in April, at Concord
Church, in Clinton County, Kentucky, we had sev-
eral penitents at the altar, and Christians shouted
aloud the praises of God. We had one happy con-
version, and three accessions to our Church. On
the first Saturday and Sunday in May I engaged
in a meeting in connection with T. A. Cass, Sam-
uel Grear, and Levi Sheppard. The meeting lasted
three days, and resulted in seven conversions and
eight accessions to the Church. To God be all the
praise! On the third Saturday in May, in the
evening, I held a meeting at Isham Richards's. We
had a large number of penitents, and one happy
conversion to God. On Sunday, the following day.

60 Autobiography of

I held a meeting at the Head of the Cane. Chris-
tians had a feast, and there were two happy con-
versions to God. Hallelujah !

On Thursday before the third Sunday in July,
Rev. T. A. Cass and myself held a meeting in the
evening at Brother William Cowan's, on Caney
Creek. We had a number of penitents at the
altar, one conversion, and one accession to the
Church. Embracing the third Saturday and Sun-
day in July, I labored in a meeting at William
Hill's, in Fentress County, in connection with
Thomas Cass, Samuel Grear, and Levi Sheppard.
There were a number of penitents, and the saints
of God shouted aloud the praises of the Captain of
their salvation. Sixteen souls were happily con-
verted, and about that number joined the Church.
Embracing the fourth Saturday and Sunday in July,
I held a basket-meeting at Concord Church. Sev-
eral penitents wept at the altar, there were four
happy conversions, and one joined the Church.
Embracing the first Sabbath in August, Samuel
Grear and myself held a meeting at Otter Creek,
in Wayne County, Kentucky. It was an excellent
meeting, indeed. Penitents crowded the altar, and
up to Tuesday evening, when I left, we had had
about twenty happy conversions, and thirteen had
joined our Church.

On Friday evening before the third Sabbath in
August, I held meeting at Head of the Cane.
There were several penitents and one conversion.
The following day I began a meeting at A. M.
Allan's, in Fentress County, which continued nine
days, and resulted in forty-three happy conversions

Rev. a. B. Wright. 61

and forty accessions to the Methodist Church. It
v/as a time of deep, serious impressions upon all
present; mourners crowded to the altar in large
numbers. That which rendered the revival still
more congratulating was, several of the first-class
ladies and gentlemen of the country were among
the converts. The people brought their pro-
visions upon the ground, and remained during the
day. There were no services at night.

On Friday before the first Sabbath in September,
my brother, Rev. C. C. Wright, and myself, held a
meeting at this same place. A number of penitents
were at the altar, and one was happily converted. On
this occasion my brother preached the funerals of
Mrs. Gilreath and her brother, W. L. Allan, who
had been killed in the Confederate army. In Sep-
tember, at a prayer-meeting held at Brother J. H.
Carter's, we had a refreshing time ; several penitents,
one conversion, and one accession to the Church.
Embracing the second Saturday and Sunday in
August, at our last quarterly-meeting for the year,
which was held in Jamestown, I was recommended
by the Holston Conference, to be held in Knox-
ville, for admission into the traveling connection.
It was through the earnest persuasion of the pre-
siding elder. Rev. J. A. Hyden, and my other
brethren, that I did this. I was also recommended
at the same time to the Annual Conference for
elder's orders.

While I was a local preacher I devoted a great
deal of my time to preaching and holding protracted
meetings through the summer and fall seasons; for
in that place and time there were very few church

62 Autobiography of

houses sufficiently comfortable for services in the
winter. I preached a great deal in family residences
for the sake of comfort, and have seen hundreds of
conversions in family homes. I was a poor man,
and had to live by my own labor in the field. Often
I would work while other people were asleep, in
order to obtain time to go and hold my meetings.
Sometimes I would leave home to hold meetings
when I was as tired as I well could be. I left
home on Monday, September 30, 1867, in company
with my wife and others that were going to attend
preaching at Van Buren Academy. I attended the
same, and heard E-ev. Charles Smith, from Ken-
tucky, preach an excellent discourse on the mode of
Christian baptism.

After the services I rode thirteen miles to
Jamestown, and staid oVer night with Mr. J. W.
Gauden. Tuesday, October 1st, I rode to Mont-
gomery, and staid for the night at Brother John H.
Bryant's. I went next day to William R. DaiPs,
my cousin, who lived six miles from Clinton, in
Anderson County. I was kindly received by my
relatives.

Early in the morning of October 3d my cousin
accompanied me to Clinton, where I took the cars,
and ran to Knoxville. I went to the Conference-
room just as the Conference was opening, and saw
Bishop Kingsley in the chair. The bishop opened
the Conference by administering the sacrament of
the Lord's Supper. In the afternoon of the same
day, I went before the Committee of Examination
for trial into the traveling connection, and was
passed. By a vote of the Conference I was re-

Rev. a. B. Wright. 63

ceived on trial. Later in the day I heard Rev. J. B.
Little preach before the Conference. On the second
day I attended the Conference session, and in the
afternoon went before the Committee of Examina-
tion for Elders' Orders, and was passed.

On Sunday I heard Bishop Kingsley preach an
excellent and soul-stirring discourse from John xii,
32, after which he ordained several deacons.

In the afternoon I heard Dr. J. M. Reed, of
Cincinnati, preach a noble discourse from Isaiah liii,
5, after which the bishop, assisted by some elders,
ordained several persons elders. A very solemn
impression rested on my soul ; for I was one that
stood in the altar, and was ordained an elder in the
Methodist Episcopal Church. On Monday after-
noon I took the train for Clinton, met my cousin
with my horse, rode five miles, and preached to an
attentive congregation. I staid that night at Cousin
Dallas, and took very sick in the night. Next
morning, under some weakness, I started for home,
reached Montgomery that day, and staid over night
again with Brother J. H. Bryant. The next day I
rode to Sister Phillips's. The following day I rode
home.

CHAPTER VII.

JAMESTOWN CIRCUIT.

FROM the Conference at Knoxville, I was sent
to the Jamestown Circuit. That circuit then
embraced Fentress and a part of Morgan County.
The appointments were as follows : Lick Creek,
Caney Creek, Van Buren Academy, Mount Union

64 Autobiography of

(which was at the old Gatewood stand), Head of the
Cane, Back Creek, Poplar Cove, Crab Creek, Sol-
omon's Chapel, Indian Creek, Hood's school-houFC,
Jamestown, Ramsey's, and James Paul's on Mill
Creek (all of these were in Fentress County),
Young's Chapel, White Oak, where the town of
Sunbright now is, and Mount Vernon. The last
three appointments were in Morgan County.

Some of the leading men and women, who then
attended my meetings, I will now mention. Reuben
Harmon and J. H. Carter, at Lick Creek ; Unc^lo
Mark Jennings, and his wife, Aunt Ann, at Mount
Union; G. W. Crouch and P. H. Davidson, on Ca-
ney Creek ; Uncle James Bookout, on Back Creek ;
Pleasant Taylor and family, and G. W. Kington,
at Jamestown ; Uncle Jack Young and family, and
Uncle Sid Carpenter and wife, at Young's Chapel ;
James Peters and his wife, Rachel, at Mount Ver-
non ; Robert and Samuel Ramsey and Robert Alex-
ander, at Ramsey's; Jerry Beatty, at Solomon's
Chapel ; John Beatty, on Crab Creek. There were
hundreds of others that I might mention, who
stood by the Church as pillars of strength. The
most of these have passed to their eternal reward.
I expect to meet them by and by on the shining
shores of sweet deliverance.

I began the work on my circuit in October. On
my first round on Back Creek, at Brother Book-
out's, I received three members by letter. At my
first quarterly-meeting I reported forty-two conver-
sions and forty-five accessions. The quarterly-meet-
ing was held in Jamestown, beginning November
17, 1867. Rev. William H. Rogers, the presiding

Rev. a. B. Wright. 65

elder, was present, and preached with great power
and with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven.
The meeting lasted seven days, and resulted in four-
teen happy conversions to God and thirteen acces-
sions to our Church. On my December round at
James PauPs, I received two into the Church, and
baptized one; also at John Galloway's we had a pre-
cious meeting. There were two conversions and five
accessions to our Church. At Bookout's, on the same
round, we had a good meeting ; one conversion and
one accession to the Church. On the same round, at a
Christmas meeting at Mount Union, we had six
happy conversions and received five on probation in
the Church, and eight others recognized from the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

The result of my labor for the year 1867 was as
follows: I witnessed one hundred and twenty-five
happy conversions, and received one hundred and
twenty-four into the Methodist Church. I joined
together in matrimony four couples, baptized thirty-
one adults and one infant. I preached the funerals
of eighteen persons. Glory be to God for his mer-
cies to me the past year! Hallelujah, Amen and
Amen ! My God, receive the gratitude of my poor
heart, for the perpetuation of my days and the
preservation of my health ! This year finds me an
itinerant on the Jamestown Circuit, Holston Con-
ference. On my January round we had some re-
freshing scenes at our altars of prayer. On the Feb-
ruary round we had some happy seasons, and three
accessions to our Church.

The second quarterly-meeting for this year was held
at Van Buren Academy, embracing the first Sunday

5

66 Autobiography of

in February, and continued four days. Our beloved
presiding elder, W. H. Rogers, was with us, and
preached with the power of the Holy Ghost. We
had a good meeting, though no conversions. I re-
ported at my second quarterly-meeting twenty-eight
accessions on probation, and nine others recognized
from the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. In
March we had five conversions, received twelve per-
sons into full connection, and organized a Sabbath-
school at Mount Union Church.

On my April round, thank God, we had melting
seasons at the altar. At several places mourners
cried aloud for mercy, and Christians shouted high
the praise of God. We had four happy conversions,
and six joined our Church. I also organized three
Sabbath-schools — one at Young's Chapel, a second
at White Oak, and a third at Mount Vernon Church.
Up to this date, as agent for The Methodist, a large
weekly newspaper published in New York, I have
taken nine subscribers, by sending on the money
and receiving the paper in return. I have pro-
cured several packages of the Missionary Advocate
for free distribution on my charge.

On the May round we had several glorious
meetings. Penitents cried for mercy, while young
converts and old veterans shouted aloud God's
praise. I witnessed fifteen happy conversions to
God, received twelve into the Church on probation,
and three others recognized from the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South ; also by letter, the widow
of an honored minister of the West Wisconsin Con-
ference Methodist Episcopal Church. Glory be to
God ! While we were pleading in behalf of the poor

Rev. a. B. Wright. 67

heathen, in a missionary meeting in Poplar Cove,
God powerfully converted one soul. The third quar-
terly-meeting for this year was held at Mount Union,
the third Saturday and Sunday in May. We had a
good time. Rev. W. H. Rogers, the presiding elder,
was with us, and preached with great power and good
effect.

On my June round we had some sweet tides of
glory, and on Back Creek two happy conversions.
I could not get all the way around at this time, be-
cause I took sick, and had to disappoint some five or
six preaching places out of about twenty appoint-
ments. Thank God, "while the outer man grows
weak, the inner man is renewed day by day V' The
basket-meetings which I held were generally out in
the groves. The people made seats of planks and
logs in eome deep shade, near to some good spring,
carpeted the ground with straw, and here, in na-
ture's first temples, we preached, and prayed, and
sang, and shouted, while hundreds of sinners were
converted. The people came in wagons, on horse-
back, and on foot by thousands to these meetings,
from great distances around. They brought their
dinners to the ground, generally in baskets — hence
the name basket-meeting — and staid all day. We
had no night services, so that the people went home,
and slept and rested at night. These took the place
of the old camp-meetings, and were meetings of great
power. Thousands were converted at these altars.
Many in the great day of eternity will bless God
for the basket-meetings.

I attended a quarterly-meeting on the Clinton
Circuit, Kentucky Conference Methodist Episcopal

68 Autobiography of

Church, held at Concord Church, Clinton County,
Kentucky, the fourth Sunday in June, and for the
first time since my ordination to the office of an elder,
I administered the holy communion, assisted by Rev.
Joshua S. Taylor. In July my basket-meetings be-
gan. My first basket-meeting began July 4th, at
Lick Creek, in Fentress County, and closed July
6th. It resulted in ten happy conversions to God
and four accessions to our Church. Brother Byers,
from the Livingston Circuit, Tennessee Conference,
did noble service in preaching and in the altar. My
second basket-meeting began on Saturday before the
second Sunday in July, at Crab Creek, and lasted
eight days. It resulted in forty-two happy conver-
sions and twenty accessions to our Church. The
people took great interest in the meeting, and all de-
nominations labored for its success. My third bas-
ket-meeting began on Saturday before the third
Sunday in July, at Head of the Cane, and lasted
until Tuesday evening, when we were compelled to
close on account of other appointments. It resulted
in ten happy conversions to God, and nine acces-
sions to our Church. My fourth basket-meeting
began on Saturday before the fourth Sunday in July,
at White Oak Church, in Morgan County, and
closed on Monday. It did not result in any con-
versions, but in several deep penitents, and in a
happy time with Christians. My fifth basket-meet-
ing began on Saturday before the first Sunday in
August, on Caney Creek, and closed on Tuesday.
It resulted in three conversions to God, and five ac-
cessions to our Church. My sixth basket-meeting
commenced in Poplar Cove on Wednesday be-

Rev. a. B. Wright. 69

fore the second Sunday in August, and closed on
Friday evening, resulting in five conversions, and a
joyful time with Christians. My seventh basket-
meeting commenced on Saturday, the next day, at
Solomon's Chapel, and resulted in forty-four happy
conversions, forty accessions to the Church, and a
deep work of conviction throughout the community.
It is due to say that all these basket-meetings were
well supplied with provisions on the ground, except
at White Oak Church.

My eighth basket-meeting commenced at Young's
Chapel, in Morgan County, on Saturday before the
third Sunday in August, and closed on Tuesday fol-
lowing. It resulted in ten happy conversions, and
two accessions to our Church. Rev. J. M. Durham,
of the Huntsville Circuit, was present, and preached
and labored with good results.

I attended a basket-meeting on the Livingston
Circuit, Tennessee Conference, held by Brother
Byers, embracing the fourth Sunday in August. It
lasted from Saturday until Tuesday evening, and
resulted in twelve happy conversions.

My tenth basket-meeting began on Indian Creek,
and was held on Tuesday and Wednesday before
the fifth Sunday in August. It resulted in five
conversions, and nine accessions to our Church.

My eleventh basket-meeting commenced at Ram-
sey's on the following Saturday, and closed on Sun-
day evening, with no conversions, but with a
number of penitents, and one joined our Church.

At several of my basket-meetings I held love-
feast meetings, with glorious testimony for Jesus.
At Poplar Cove and Solomon's Chapel I adminis-

70 Autobiography of

tered the holy communion service, with the hap-
piest effect.

The fourth quarterly-meeting for the circuit was
held at Mt. Vernon, in Morgan County, commenc-
ing on Friday, September 11th, and closing on the
following Monday. During the meeting there was
an unusually heavy rainfall each day. Rev. W. H.
Rogers, the presiding elder, was present, and
preached with great power. The meeting resulted
in one happy conversion and four accessions to our
Church. I held a sacramental meeting at James-
town, September 15th and 16th, which resulted in
one conversion and one accession to our Church.
Brother Rogers was present and added greatly to
the result.

On the first Sunday in September I held a meet-
ing at Lick Creek, and administered the sacrament
of the Lord's Supper. The Holston Annual Con-
ference met October 8, 1868, in Chattanooga, Ten-
nessee, Bishop D. W. Clark presiding. I left home
October 3d, to attend the Conference, went fifteen
miles to Jamestown, and preached at night. We
had a good, happy, joyful meeting. The next day
being Sunday, I rode three miles, and preached at
Pleasant Taylor's. We had a moving time in
Israel's camp. I went in the afternoon of the same
day nine miles, and remained over night with
Samuel Ramsey. On Monday, October 5th, I went
into Cumberland County, Tennessee, and remained
over night with William Renfro, and was very
kindly received. On Tuesday I went from Cum-
berland County through Bledsoe, Rhea, Meigs, and
into McMinn County, having ferried Tennessee

Rev. a. B. Wright. 71

River. I reached Cyril Carpenter's, and spent the
night there. On Wednesday morning I went to
Athens, spent the day, and took supper that even-
ing with brother Moore, one of the preachers of
the Holston Conference, who lived in a lower room
of the Athens College. After supper I went to the
depot, and took the evening train for Chattanooga.
A large number of the Conference members were
on the same train. A number of United States
soldiers were on board the same train. We reached
Chattanooga at about half-past nine o'clock. Rev.
John W. Mann, the stationed minister at that place,
assigned us to our homes. Myself and Brother
G. W. Carder were sent to D. B. Carlin's, where we
found hospitable entertainment with a Christian
family. May God bless brother and sister Carlin
and family! A storm of wind in the night, and
two or three companies of United States troops
leaving the city before day, disturbed my sleep.

The next morning, October the 8th, Conference
met, and was opened with the reading of a Scripture
lesson, singing, and prayer by Rev. T. H. Pearne.
Bishop Clark then administered the sacrament of
the Lord's Supper to a large number of ministers
and people. The Conference proceeded with busi-
ness until twelve o'clock. At two o'clock P. M., I
went before the committee for examination, and was
advanced to the second year. October 9th the Con-
ference was opened with religious services, con-
ducted by Rev. F. M. Fanning. My name was
called, my collections were reported, my character
was passed, and I was advanced to the second year.
In the afternoon I went out on Cameron Hill,

72 Autobiography of

which overlooks the city, came around by the boat-
landing on Tennessee River, and saw the steam-
boat Mary Bird. At night, at the Presbyterian
Church, I heard Dr. Mitchell, of the Virginia Con-
ference, preach. October 10th, the Conference was
opened with religious services conducted by Rev.
L. F. Drake. I made out, and gave in my statis-
tical report.

In the afternoon I took a walk through the
National Cemetery. In a field of about seventy
acres, inclosed with a stone wall, there sleep near
fifteen thousand noble. Union-loving boys. In the
center the Stars and Stripes wave over them forty
feet high. The graves are beautifully decorated
with a variety of sweet-scented flowers. O Lord,
may these brave boys all rise at the first sound of
the trumpet !

At night I attended the Conference missionary
meeting, which was addressed by Dr. N. E. Cob-
leigh. Rev. J. A. Hyden, and Dr. J. M. Walden.
The missionary collection was taken up, amounting
to between forty and fifty dollars. On Sunday
morning Bishop Clark preached an excellent ser-
mon ; in the afternoon Dr. Pearne preached, and at
night Rev. J. L. Mann preached a thrilling dis-
course. On Monday morning Conference was
opened with religious services, conducted by Rev.
J. L. Mann. At night Dr. Hitchcock, Book Agent
at Cincinnati, J)reached a thrilling sermon, after
which, at about eleven o'clock. Bishop Clark read
out the appointments. I was again appointed to
Jamestown Circuit.

October 13th I took the early morning train for

Rev. a. B. Wright. 73

Athens, took breakfast at Brother Moore's in the
college, and then went out ten miles to Uncle Cyril
Carpenter's, and there spent the night. I remained
in that neighborhood the next day, and preached at
Tranquillity Church at night, to a large congrega-
tion, at which time the saints of God shouted aloud
for joy. I set off the next morning for home, and
after riding for three days, a distance of about one
hundred miles, I reached home and found my family
well. God be praised !

The Jamestown Circuit was thrown back into
the Athens District, over which Rev. J. Albert
Hyden was presiding elder. October 31st and No-
vember 1st my first quarterly-meeting was held in
Poplar Cove. The presiding elder was present,
preached most eloquently, and administered the
communion service. The meeting continued two
days, and resulted in two accessions to our Church.
On the November round I received three into the
Church, and on my December round I received
twelve on probation, and one from the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South; also witnessed two con-
versions. In the same month, on the Clinton and
Wayne Circuit of the Kentucky Conference, I wit-
nessed ten conversions, and received sixteen into the
Methodist Episcopal Church. The result of my
year's labor for the year 1868 was as follows: I
witnessed two hundred and twenty-eight conver-
sions, and received into the Methodist Episcopal
Church two hundred and twenty on probation and
by recognition. I preached two hundred and seven-
teen times, baptized seventy-one adults and one in-
fant, and solemnized the rites of matrimonv be-

74 Autobiography of

tween five couples, three white and two colored
couples; also preached the funeral of sixteen per-
sons. To God be all the praise.

On my January round we had eleven happy con-
versions, and reported at our second quarterly-
meeting twenty-four accessions to the Church. The
second quarterly-meeting began January 23d, and
closed the 25th, at Van Buren Academy. It re-
sulted in five conversions to God and seven acces-
sions to our Church. Rev. John Forrester pre-
sided in place of the presiding elder, and preached
with great acceptability. On the February round,
God was with us of a truth. At my own meetings
and at the meetings of Jackson Franklin, a young
exhorter, we had eighteen conversions, and re-
ceived twenty-five into the Methodist Episcopal
Church. The saints of God shouted aloud for vic-
tory. On the March and April rounds our host
moved on successfully. We had some conversions
and some accessions.

In the autumn of 1868 I sold my farm, and
bought another, three miles nearer the Kentucky
line. It contained one hundred acres of as rich
land as one need to want in this world. I had to
build a house and a barn and do a great deal of
fencing, and made many other improvements. This
was a beautiful home, and was in an excellent
neighborhood. I moved my family to this place
in March, 1869. My third quarterly-meeting was
held at Solomon's Chapel, on Obed's River, May
1st and 2d. My presiding elder was not present,
so I had a great deal of work to do. I held
Quarterly Conference on Saturday evening, and on

Rev. a. B. Wright. 75

Sunday morning at nine o'clock I held love-feast,
and at eleven o'clock preached and administered the
holy communion, witnessed one happy conversion to
God, and took three into the Methodist Episcopal
Church. The same day, in the afternoon, I baptized
thirteen adults. After the quarterly-meeting, dur-
ing the month of May, we had* eight happy conver-
sions and four accessions to our Church. During
the month of June, God was with us at several
places, and much good was realized.

On the 4th of July, it being the first Sunday in
the month, I preached the funerals of two brothers,
who had died away from home in the Union army,
their widows and little children surrounding me.
On that occasion the Lord powerfully converted
three souls, and three joined our Church. My next
meetings of interest were my basket-meetings. My
first basket-meeting commenced on Saturday before
the third Sunday in July, at Head of the Cane,
and closed on the following Thursday. It resulted
in twenty-four conversions and eight accessions to
the Methodist Episcopal Church. Rev. John S.
Keene, preacher in charge of the Albany Circuit,
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was with me
and preached with great acceptability. We held a
good, old-fashioned love-feast on Sunday morning,
when several bore testimony for Jesus. My vsecond
basket-meeting was held on Crab Creek, beginning
on Saturday before the fourth Sunday in July, and
closed the following Friday. In this meeting,
thirty-five were happily converted, and twelve
joined our Church. My third basket- meeting was
held at Mount Union, beginning on Saturday before

76 Autobiography of

the first Sunday in August, and closed on Monday
evening. On Sunday morning of this meeting, I
was taken very sick, and after repeated efforts to
stand up and preach, I was compelled to lie down.
On Monday morning I had somewhat recovered,
and preached the funeral of Elizabeth Jennings.
In the evening, Brother Cash, a Cumberland Pres-
byterian minister, preached. I was compelled to
close from lack of strength to continue. The meet-
ing resulted in five happy conversions and one ac-
cession to our Church. My fourth basket-meeting
was held at Solomon's Chapel, beginning on Satur-
day before the second Sunday in August, and closed
on Wednesday evening, resulting in twenty-five
happy conversions and thirty-six accessions to our
Church.

On Saturday evening of this meeting, the sun
was totally eclipsed, and at the darkest time in the
church-house the saints of God shouted aloud
for joy, and mourners wept at the altar. On
Sunday morning we had a glorious, happy time in
the communion service. At this hour mourners
were called, and a large number came forward.
Among these was a young lady who was deaf and
dumb. Glory be to God, she was powerfully con-
verted, and though she could not talk, yet she
clapped her hands and laughed. She was as happy
as any young convert could be. On Wednesday,
when signs were made to her that we had opened
the doors of the Church, she came forward and
joined our Church, and, notwithstanding her mother
and people were Baptists, she made signs to be bap-
tized by pouring, just like the Holy Ghost came

Rkv. a. B. Wright. 77

down. I complied with her request. Is not this a
strong proof of baptism by pouring ?

My fourth quarterly-meeting was held at Mount
Vernon, in Morgan County, where the Montgomery
and Jamestown quarterly-meetings were thrown to-
gether. This embraced the third Sunday in August.
Rev. J. A. Hyden, the presiding elder, was present
and preached with great earnestness. Four travel-
ing and two local preachers were in attendance. My
sixth basket-meeting was held at Lick Creek, em-
bracing the fourth Sunday in August, and resulted
in eight conversions and eight accessions to the
Methodist Episcopal Church. The following Tues-
day and Wednesday I held a meeting in the Poplar
Cove. There were a number of penitents. Two
were converted, and four joined the Church. My
eighth basket-meeting was held at Otter Creek, in
Wayne County, Kentucky, embracing the first
Sunday in September, beginning on Friday and
closing on Tuesday. It resulted in seven conver-
sions and three accessions to the Church. On
Sunday of the meeting, I preached one hour and a
half on the mode of water baptism, and on Monday
morning baptized twenty-one adults, mostly by
pouring. My ninth basket-meeting was held at
Hood's, in Fentress County, embracing the second
Sunday in September. On the Sabbath I preached
some funerals, administered the communion, labored
with penitents in the altar, received three into the
Church, and baptized ten adults. My tenth basket-
meeting was held at PauPs, eight miles east of
Jamestown, embracing the third Sunday in Sep-
tember, and resulted in five conversions and two

78 Autobiography of

accessioDs to our Church. Rev. Samuel Grear, of
the Pikeville Circuit, assisted me. On Sunday,
both in the morning and in the afternoon, we
preached funerals.

Our Annual Conference for this year met in
Jonesboro, Tennessee, October 7th, Bishop Matthew
Simpson presiding. My domestic affairs were such
that I could not attend it without great incon-
venience to myself and family. So I did not attend,
and was not received into full connection, as I
might have been, could I have attended the Con-
ference.

CHAPTER VIII.

MONTGOMERY CIRCUIT.

BY the Conference at Jonesboro I was appointed
to the Montgomery Circuit. This circuit em-
braced the w^hole of Morgan County, with three ap-
pointments in Scott County, and one in Fentress.
The presiding eldership on the Athens District was
changed, and Rev. L. F. Drake was my presiding
elder. This year I was strongly inclined to cease
traveling, as my health had become considerably im-
paired. I became convinced, however, that it was
God's will that I should continue; for whenever I
would try to reconcile my convictions to the idea of
quitting, I could neither sleep nor rest. So I must
go yet a little longer. I asked God to give me a
token of my call to the itinerancy on my first
round on Montgomery Circuit, which was in No-
vember, and — glory be to his precious name ! — at my
first appointment at Young^s Chapel we had one

Rkv. a. B. Wright. 79

happy conversion to God, and one accession to our
Church. At my second appointment at R! Lew-
alien's we had three happy conversions and four
accessions to our Church. At Emory Church we
had one conversion, making on the round five con-
versions and five accessions to the Methodist Epis-
copal Church. O what would weigh with the worth
of five immortal souls !

On this round I visited and prayed with thirty
families, and exhorted them to a religious life. I
also baptized three infant children. I called in my
December round. The result of my labors for
God during the fiscal year 1869 are as follows: I
preached 169 times, witnessed 167 happy conver-
sions, received 159 into the Methodist Episcopal
Church, baptized 122 adults and 10 infants, and
solemnized the rites of matrimony between 6
couples. Thus I close another year. Glory be to
God ! Amen.

On my January round I visited thirty families,
and held religious services. I preached thirteen
times, and rode one hundred and eighty-six miles.
My first quarterly-meeting was held at Emory
Church, six miles from Montgomery, embracing
the fifth Sunday in January. Rev. L. F. Drake
presided, and preached with great power. We had
several moving and melting seasons throughout the
meeting. The saints of God shouted aloud for joy,
a large number of penitents were at the altar, and
one lady was powerfully converted to God. We
also had one accession to the Church, making dur-
ing the round, one conversion and two accessions
to the Church. Rev. L. F. Drake baptized seven

80 Autobiography of

little children, and I baptized four more and one
adult. My son, Rev. J. C. Wright, filled my work
for me during the months of February, March, and
April. He gave general satisfaction, preached
with great acceptability, and received some into the
Church.

In May I preached twice on Obed^s River, on
the Jamestown Circuit. A tide of glory moved
the congregation, and many shouted glory to God
in the highest, and one soul was converted to God.
At several appointments on my circuit I left a
number of penitents at the altar. On the round I
visited about forty families, and held prayers with
them. We had two happy conversions. I baptized
five children and one adult, and rode one hundred
and eighty-three miles. On this round I revived
all of our Sunday-schools, and put them in lively
operation. Church houses were so few and in such
bad condition, and the country was so thinly set-
tled that the Sunday-schools could scarcely be kept
alive through the winter. On my June round we
had some good meetings at several appointments.
Having been invited by the Baptists, I held a
meeting of four days at a church of theirs called
Union Church, at which we witnessed most gracious
seasons of the Divine power. Convictions were
pungent, many penitents were at the altar, and one
young man was powerfully converted. I trust that
attachments were formed during this meeting that
the strong arm of death can never sever. The tide
of Christian fellowship was greatly strengthened in
this community.

Now I come to the labors of my basket-meet-

Rev. a. B. Wright. 81

ings. My first basket-meeting was held at
Young's Chapel, July 30th to August 3d. The
Church was greatly revived, seven souls were
powerfully converted to God, and four joined our
Church. My second basket-meeting was held at
White Oak Church, embracing the first Sabbath in
August. There was deep penitence on the occa-
sion, and a happy time with Christians. My third
basket-meeting was held at Ramsey's, embracing
the second Sabbath in August, and resulted in four
happy conversions, and the membership of the
Church greatly revived. I sent my son, Rev. J. C.
Wright, to attend this meeting for me. I was not
there in person, having to preach the funeral of an
old Methodist father at another place at that time.
My fourth basket-meeting was held at Emory
Church, embracing the third Sunday in August.
The Church was greatly revived, but we had to de-
sist without any further results, because of the
wheat-threshers being in the neighborhood. My
fifth basket-meeting was held at Mt. Zion, on the
Crooked Fork of Emory, embracing the fourth
Sunday in August. There was some opposition
here against us, which greatly lessened the congre-
gation. God be praised, five souls were powerfully
converted to him, and seven joined our Church.
Some of the leading citizens of the community were
left penitents at the altar. This was a good new
Methodist church, built during this Conference
year by a weak membership. My cousin. Rev.
J. I. Dail, of Kingston, did noble service in this
meeting. The meeting held four days.

On Monday of the occasion a heavy thunder-
6

82 Autobiography of

storm came up while I was preaching. The light-
ning flashed around us, and the muttering thunder
shook the earth. A bolt of lightning struck a large
tree within fifty yards of the church, and tore it to
splinters. Myself and congregation were greatly
shocked by it. He who rides upon the storm and
says, ^^ Touch not mine anointed, and do my
prophets no harm," protected us. Glory be to
his name !

My sixth basket-meeting was held at the old
camp-ground near Montgomery, embracing the first
Sunday in September. We had a very good move
for a revival, but were compelled to close. Three
joined our Church.

My fourth quarterly-meeting was held at Mount
Vernon, embracing the second Sabbath in Septem-
ber, at which Rev. L. F. Drake presided. I should
have stated that on my May round, at Moss's Mills,
we had two conversions and five accessions to our
Church, one of whom was from the United Baptist
Church ; also, on the same round, at Scutcheon
Church, seven joined our Church. Rev. L. F.
Drake, my presiding elder, attended all my quar-
terly-meetings, except the third. At his request, I
held the third quarterly-meeting on the Jamestown
Circuit, on which occasion I preached, administered
the holy communion, and held the Quarterly Con-
ference. Rev. Henry Pyle was the preacher in
charge of this work. During the Conference year
I received into the Church thirty-two persons, and
witnessed twenty-two happy conversions at my meet-
ings. The benevolent collections of the Church
were advanced above any previous year.

Rkv. a. B. Wright. 83

The Holston Annual Conference for the year
1870 convened in the city of Knoxville, September
28th, Bishop Levi Scott presiding. I left home
for the seat of the Conference on Sunday morning,
September 25th, and took dinner that day with my
sister, Mrs. J. W. Frogge. After dinner I went to
see a man very low with the fever; and on the
same evening went within one mile of Jamestown,
and remained over night with my cousin, Jeremiah
Wright. September 26th, I rode sixteen miles, and
took dinner with my daugliter and son-in-law, To-
bias Peters. In the afternoon I rode fifteen miles,
and remained over night with Joseph HoUoway, two
miles from Montgomery. September 27th, I rode
fifteen miles, and took dinner with Rev. Richard
Hudson, a Cumberland Presbyterian minister. I
rode fourteen miles more the same day, and re-
mained over night with my cousin, William R. Dail.
September 28th, my cousin Dail and I went five
miles to Clinton, where I took the train for Knox-
ville. I reached Knoxville and the Conference-
room just as the Conference had opened. Bishop
Scott was in the chair. After adjournment, I was di-
rected by Rev. J. L. Mann, the resident pastor, to
my boarding-place on College Hill, with Brother
A. K. Foster, a most excellent man, himself a mis-
sionary Baptist, and his wife, a Methodist. Rev.
James Jorry, of Ducktown, was my boarding part-
ner. In the evening I went before the committee
on the second yearns course of study, as I had failed
to attend the Conference the year before, at Jones-
boro ; passed an examination, and was promoted to
the third year's course of study. At night, in the

84 Autobiography of

Methodist Church, I heard an excellent sermon,
preached by Rev. J. R. Eads, from Matt, xxviii, 20.
I attended the Conference sessions daring the day,
and the missionary, Church extension, and educa-
tional meetings during the evenings of the week,
and was much profited by them. On Sunday the
pulpits of the city churches were occupied by our
preachers. At the morning service in the Meth-
odist Church, Bishop Scott preached an excellent
sermon from Acts i, 8. In the afternoon, at the
same place. Dr. E. Q. Fuller, editor of the Methodist
Advocate, of Atlanta, Georgia, preached a noble dis-
course. At night, from the same pulpit. Dr. A. J.
Kynett, corresponding secretary of the Church Ex-
tension Society, preached a soul-stirring sermon.

The Conference business was all finished up on
Monday afternoon. I left the Conference a short
time before it closed, as I had an appointment to
preach five miles from Clinton on Monday night.
I reached my appointment in due time ; met a large
congregation, and preached to them. The power of
God came down upon the people in a wonderful
manner; mourners came to the altar for prayer,
while the saints of God shouted aloud for joy. I
remained that night with my cousin, William R.
Dail. The next morning, October 4th, I set off for
home; rode seventeen miles, and took dinner with
Mrs. Stephens, an excellent Christian lady. I rode
four miles further in the afternoon to a place where
I was to preach; but having been belated, I met the
congregation going away. I got off my horse, and
held religious services with them by the roadside. I
staid that night with John Langley. October 5th,

Rev. a. B. Wright. 85

I rode ten miles to Montgomery, and took dinner
with Brother John L. Scott. In the afternoon I
rode sixteen miles, and staid all night with my
daughter and son-in-law. The next day I came
sixteen miles, and staid over night again with my
cousin, Jeremiah Wright. October 6th, I reached
home, and found my family all well. "Bless the
Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless
his holy name V

I was reappointed for the coming year to the
Montgomery Circuit. My son, Rev. J. C. Wright,
filled the first round for me, embracing the last of
October and the first of November. On my second
round we had a glorious revival of religion at Lee^s
school-house, where the people of the country were
mostly irreligious. I held a seven days' and nights'
meeting. Thirty-six souls were happily converted,
and I organized a class of twenty-one members, and
appointed Brother James A. Ervin class-leader.
What rendered the meeting very interesting, the
most prominent citizens of the country embraced
religion. The two justices of the peace for that
civil district were both converted. A heavenly
tide of Christian fellowship united the religious de-
nominations of the community. At Moss's Mills,
on this round, five joined our Church, and at S.
Young's, in Scott County, a number of penitents
were at the altar, and one young man was power-
fully converted. On this round I witnessed thirty-
seven happy conversions, and received twenty-six
into the Methodist Church.

During the first days of January, I left home
amidst the greatest perils ; for the earth was sheeted

86 Autobiography of

with ice, and 1 had to ride thirty-three miles over
this ice, and crossed some dangerous rivers to reach
my first appointment, which I met promptly. We
had a good meeting. This was at Young's Chapel.
I met some five or six other appointments, and en-
joyed gracious seasons at each of them, and leaving
a number of penitents at some of them. I reached
Scutcheon Creek, and held a meeting of five days,
resulting in nine conversions to God, and five ac-
cessions to our Church. Among the young converts
was a young lawyer of fine ability, and two school-
teachers, both of whom prayed in public in the
altar before the meeting closed. The membership
of the Church was greatly revived. On my way
from Palestine Church to Ramsey's, although I had,
as I thought, a sufficient pilot, I became lost in a
dense wilderness. In endeavoring to go about
eight miles, we wandered so far oif of our way
as to go about sixteen miles, which kept us on the
road until seven o'clock at night. What added to
our distress, the night was very dark, the wind was
blowing hard, and, being in a dense forest, the
timber was frequently breaking and falling around
us, and there was a cold rain at intervals. We
were so far in the wilderness that we could see
neither house nor light. This was in midwinter,
January 14th. We had serious thoughts of having
to lie out all night in this terrible storm under
some trees. At last we came in sight of a light,
which we found to be from the home of Mr. Ervin
Jones. I almost felt like praising God aloud for
deliverance. Mr. Jones and his family very kindly
received us, and prepared us a good warm supper

Rev. a. B. Wright. 87

and bedding. My only grief then was the disap-
pointment of my congregation, to which I was to
preach that night, at Brother Alexander's. Possi-
oly my going there that night was providential, for
in the services which I held in their home, Mr.
and Mrs. Jones both seemed penitent, for neither of
them were Christians; and next morning Mr. Jones
volunteered his services to go with me to my ap-
pointment that day, six miles from his home, and
under the preaching he was very serious. May
God bless the occasion to their present and eternal
good ! I had left a number of penitents at the altar
at Lee's school-house, and the brethren of that
Church continued the services three or four days
after I had gone, and four others were converted,
making for this round thirteen conversions and
four accessions to the Church.

On my February round I sent my son, Rev.
J. C. Wright, who filled the appointments with ac-
ceptability. Three persons joined the Church on
this round. On the March round we had some in-
teresting meetings. Ten persons joined our Church,
and we enjoyed refreshing seasons in nearly all the
societies. I held a very interesting leader's-meeting
in the town of Wartburg. On the April round I
put into operation a number of Sabbath-schools,
baptized several infants and adults, and received
seven persons into the Church, some of whom
came from the Baptist Church, and one lady from
the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

On the May round I held some good, old-fash-
ioned class-meetings with the happiest results. At
Mount Zion, while holding a class-meeting service,

88 Autobiography of

two young ladies were powerfully convicted of sin,
knelt at an altar of prayer, and were both happily
converted to God. During this round my third
quarterly-meeting was held at Lee's school-house.
The presiding elder, Rev. J. W. Mann, from some
cause, was not present, so I had to do a great deal
of work myself I had no local preacher with me;
but at this Quarterly Conference William Young
was duly licensed to preach. On Sunday morning
we held a love-feast. This was a very precious
service ; after which I preached the funeral of a
little girl, and administered the holy communion.
In the afternoon I baptized nine persons. A num-
ber of infants and adults were baptized on this
round, and three persons joined the Church. In
June, at Solomon Young's, in Scott County, the
prospects were such that I held services for five
days. Five persons were soundly converted, three
joined our Church, and the membership was greatly
revived. Persons that had formerly been great en-
emies, embraced each other in the altar in the
warmest forgiveness. At several places we realized
Divine blessings in abundance. Penitents came to
the altar in great crowds. At Lee's school-house
three joined the Church, and I baptized at the same
place and time eleven adults.

During the month of June I witnessed five con-
versions, received six into the Church, baptized one
infant and thirteen adults, and returned home on
the 17th day of the month. While off from my
circuit, and in the country of my home, I preached
a number of funerals. At a service of this kind,
at Jerry Catron's, in Wayne County, Kentucky, two

Rev. a. B. Wright. 89

persons were converted, five joined our Church,
and a number of penitents were left at the altar.

My first basket-meeting for this year was held on
Scutcheon Creek, beginning July 22d, and continu-
ing four days. Penitents were at the altar at our
first coming together. On Sunday morning, I bap-
tized an infant and preached the funeral of an old
mother in Israel. Six souls were happily converted
to God, and four joined our Church. My second
basket-meeting was held at Mount Zion, embracing
the fifth Sunday in July. There again the arm of
the Lord was revealed in support of his cause.
Penitents came in crowds to the altar, and the
shouts of triumph went up from the people of God.
In the evening of the last day of the meeting the
power of the Holy Ghost came upon us in such a
wonderful manner that many shouted glory hallelu-
jah ! In less than one hour seven souls were pow-
erfully converted. Here, I think, I was more sanc-
tified than ever before in my life. I baptized sev-
eral infants and adults at this meeting. The result
was nine conversions and five accessions to our
Church. My third basket-meeting was held at
Mount Vernon, embracing the first Sabbath in
August. It continued four days, and resulted in
five conversions and five accessions to the Church.
Two small twin-sisters professed religion and
joined the Church at this meeting. They were two
of three sisters born at the same time, the third
one having died when about one year old.

My fourth basket-meeting was held at Boring's
Chapel, embracing the second Sunday in August,
and continued four days. There were three con-

90 Autobiography of

versions, four accessions to the Church, and a
number of penitents left at the altar. Rev. A. L.
Williams, of the Huntsville Circuit, was with me
one day at this place. One soul was happily con-
verted at a service which I held at Mrs. McCart's,
in Scott County, in the latter part of this week. I
met my presiding elder, Kev. J. W. Mann, at
Brother Jack Young's. We both went from there
to my fourth quarterly-meeting at Emory Church,
embracing the third Sunday in August. We had a
very pleaaant meeting, but no conversions.

In the following week I held my sixth basket-
meeting at Lee's school-house. The people came
together with strong faith, and the Holy Ghost
rested upon the congregation. On Thursday morn-
ing we had a happy love-feast, wher a number tes-
tified for Jesus, after which I preached and admin-
istered the holy communion. At this meeting one
soul was happily converted, and I baptized one
young man. My seventh basket-meeting was held
in Montgomery, embracing the fourth Sunday in
August. Great seriousness pervaded the uncon-
verted during the entire meeting ; but, with deep
affliction of soul, I must say that the Church did
not take the interest that it should have done.
Official members remained at home during the
meeting, because it was not held in Wartburg. I
really think I never saw the world riper for a re-
vival than during this meeting. One soul was con-
verted, and one joined the Church. My eighth and
ninth basket-meetings came on at the same time,
embracing the first Sunday in September — one at
Young's Chapel, and the other at Ramsey's. My

Rev. a. B. Wright. 91

son, Rev. J. C. Wright, held for me at Young's
Chapel. The meeting was a pleasant one, with a
number of penitents, but no conversions. I held
myself at Ramsey's for two days. There were a
number of penitents, with a flattering prospect for
a good meeting, but we were compelled to close.
On Sabbath morning I preached the funeral of an
infant. Carroll Myatt, a young exhorter in the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, gave zealous
help in my last three basket-meetings.

I have just now closed another year on the
Montgomery Circuit. During the year the Lord
has graciously converted ninety-seven persons, and
I have received eighty-seven into our Church. I
have sold about $40 worth of books from our own
Concern, and about $200 worth from Goodspeed &
Company. I took more than twenty subscribers for
our periodicals, and visited and prayed in between
four and five hundred families. The Holston Con-
ference met in Greeneville, Tennessee, October 11th,
Bishop Scott presiding. I left home for the Con-
ference, October 3d, and went that night to my
brother's, James M. Wright. The next day, in
company with Rev. Samuel Grear, I preached, and
having been joined by J. C. Grear, we rode to Rock
Creek, in Morgan County, and remained over night
with J. R. Brown. We went next day to Captain
Keith's, three miles from Wartburg, and took din-
ner. We were here joined by Rev. A. L. Williams.
There were now four of us on our way to Confer-
ence. We went that afternoon six miles, and met a
congregation, to which I preached. We remained
that night in that settlement, and rode next day to

92 Autobiography of

W. R. DaiFs. I had an appointment to preach, on
the following Saturday and Sunday, at Sulphur
Springs Church near that place. We had a glo-
rious meeting. Brothers Grear and Williams as-
sisted in the pulpit and altar work. The meeting
closed on Monday.

On Monday afternoon, Brother Williams and I
went through Clinton, crossed Clinch River, and,
by request of the Protestant Methodists, attended
a protracted meeting, which they were holding at
Union Church, three miles from Clinton. I
preached, and invited penitents to the altar. A
large number came forward, and one young lady
was happily converted. On Tuesday, October 10th,
we took the cars at Clinton for Knoxville, and in
the afternoon of the same day we left Knoxville,
on the East Tennessee and ^ Virginia train, for
Greeneville, at which place we arrived about sunset.
I was assigned to stay with A. W. Laymonds.
That night I attended worship in the Methodist
Church, and heard Rev. G. W. Coleman preach
from Daniel xii, 3.

Conference was opened next day, October 11th,
with religious exercises, conducted by Rev. R. W.
Patty and Dr. N. E. Cobleigh. Bishop Scott was
in the chair. That afternoon, I went before the
committee on the third year's course of study,
passed an examination, and was advanced to the
fourth year's class. At night, in the Methodist
church, I heard R. W. Patty preach from John xi, 9.

I attended all the Conference sessions, and the
missionary. Church Extension, and educational an-
niversaries, in the evenings of the week. In the

Rev. a. B. Wright. 93

afternoon of the second day of the Confer-
ence, I heard Rev. P. H. Reed preach from Job
xix, 25-27, and in the afternoon of the third day,
heard Rev. T. H. Russell preach from John xv,
1, 2. The speakers at the missionary anni-
versary were Doctors Mitchell, Taylor, and Cob-
leigh, and at the Church Extension meeting,
were Doctors Mitchell, Fry, and Cobleigh, and
at the educational meeting, the speakers were Revs.
Mauker, Spence, and Dr. Taylor. On Sunday
morning in the Methodist Church, 1 heard Dr.
B. St. James Fry, from 1 John v, 5. In the after-
noon, at the Presbyterian Church, I heard Rev. F. M.
Fanning preach from 1 Peter ii, 16. At night, in
the Methodist Church, I heard Dr. N. G. Taylor
preach from John xvii, 21. The Conference closed
on Monday morning. At nine o'clock we took
the train and ran to Knoxville, and in the after-
noon we ran out to Clinton, and remained over
night with Rufus Dail. Brother Williams and I
remained there the next day, and I preached again
at night at Union Church. We had a good meeting.
Next morning, October 18th, we set off for home,
and rode that day to Mrs. Stephens's in Morgan
County. The next day I rode to James Peters',
and remained over night. On the following day I
reached home, and found my family well.

94 Autobiography of

CHAPTER IX.

JAMESTOWN AND CUMBERIvAND CITY.

A T the Conference of 1871 I was appointed to
iTx. the Jamestown Circuit, in the Athens Dis-
trict. Rev. J. W. Mann was again my presiding
elder. On the first round, after I had filled two
appointments, I was taken sick, and failed to meet
four other appointments, but met all the remaining
ones. I witnessed some pleasant meetings, but
found the work in a very lifeless state. My health
soon returned, and on my second round the congre-
gations began to increase in numbers. I t^ucceeded
in organizing weekly prayer-meetings in nearly all
the settlements. Sinners began to show interest,
and mourners came forward for prayers.

On my third round, at a meeting which I held
at Captain Dowdy's, on Christmas day and at night,
a large number of penitents were at the altar, and
the saints of God, Methodists and Baptists, shouted
aloud for joy. One man was powerfully converted
to God, while his daughter was left at the altar.
During the year 1871 I preached one hundred and
ninety sermons, besides the love-feasts, prayer and
class meetings which I held. I married one couple,
baptized thirty-six adults and eighteen infants, rode
more than two thousand miles on horseback, re-
ceived eighty into the Church, and witnessed eighty-
three happy conversions; besides, I held religious
services in about five hundred families.

My first quarterly- meeting for the year was held
at PauFs Chapel, January 13th and 14th. Rev.

Rev. a. B. Wright. 95

J. W. Mann, the presiding elder, was with us, and
preached with great power. May Heaven spare his
useful life to the Church for many years to come!
Brother Mann left us on Sunday evening. I held
four days and nights. Twelve souls were power-
fully converted, nine joined our Church, and the
membership was greatly revived. Methodists and
Baptists were united heart and hand in work, and
in the praises of God. A justice of the peace, with
his two children, came to the altar, was powerfully
converted, and all joined our Church. Another
justice of the peace, a member of the Baptist
Church, did efficient work in the altar. Rev. J. H.
Carter, a local preacher whom I had received into
the Church and baptized several years before,
preached a number of times, and did other efficient
work. During January and February of this year
the weather was very cold.

At a meeting which I held at Sulphur Springs,
embracing the second Sunday in February, during
the period of four days and nights, eight souls were
happily converted, and four joined our Church.
The convictions were deep, the penitence thorough,
and the conversions mighty. My first leader's
meeting was held at Mt. Union, at old Pall Mall,
February 17th and 18th. A good body of official
members was present. We had an interesting
leaders' conference. On Sunday night a young
man was converted, and, with three others, joined
our Church. I left a number of penitents at the
altar. My second quarterly-meeting was held at
Solomon's Chapel, March 30th and 31st. My pre-
siding elder was not present. Brother S. Grear

96 Autobiography of

came in his place, and preached with Holy Ghost
power. Brother Grear left me on Sunday after-
noon. On Monday morning I held an old-fash-
ioned Methodist class-meeting. The power of the
Holy Ghost came upon the people in such a man-
ner that the saints of God shouted for joy, and
two young ladies were mightily converted to God.
There was one accession to the Church.

At my second Quarterly Conference, I reported
twenty-two conversions, and twenty accessions to
the Church. I received five of them from the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and the other
fifteen by probation. After filling some appoint-
ments in Poplar Cove, I went to Jamestown, where
a criminal was in jail, condemned to be hung the
next day until he was dead. His name was James
Calvin Logston. I had known him when he was
a small boy, and had baptized his mother. He
was sentenced to hang for killing two women and
one child with an ax, the funerals of whom I had
preached at their graves. I had been informed
that Mr. Logston desired me to preach his funeral,
and also wished an early interview with me. On
entering the jail, I told him that he had but little
more than twenty-four hours to live in this world.
I sang a hymn, knelt, and prayed with him. He
wept pitifully, and prayed earnestly, but said that
he was prepared to die. After giving him some
spiritual advice, I left him with the promise to return
in a short time. This I did, after taking dinner
with the jailer, in company with Brother J. C.
Taylor, the sheriff of the county. I advised and
prayed \^ith him again.

Rkv. a. B. Wright. 97

Late in the day I returned, and found the poor
man deeply absorbed in solemn thought^ while the
sun was pouring in through the grates of the win-
dow, for the last time to him, the closing rays of
day. Again I held services with him, and at his
request baptized him by pouring, after he had taken
upon himself the baptismal covenant. The next
morning, taking with me Brother Samuel Grear, I
returned to the jail. The poor man told me that he
had rested v/ell the night before. After appro-
priate Scripture reading and song, we all knelt, and
Brother Grear led in prayer. In a short time he
was shrouded and brought out of jail to a wagon
standing at the door. His coffin had been placed
in the Avagon, which we entered. The driver,
Mitchell Wright, and Dr. Graham occupied the seat
of the wagon. Dr. J. H. Story and myself occu-
pied the head of the coffin, the criminal the center,
and Brothers Grear and Pile the foot. Surrounded
by a heavy guard, we moved to the gallows, singing
as we went the old hymn, ^^I would not live al-
way, I ask not to stay." On arriving at the gal-
lows, the death-warrant from the Supreme Court of
the State was read by Mr. S. V. Bowden, a young
lawyer of the town. Brother Grear read a Scrip-
ture lesson, made a few appropriate remarks, and
led in prayer. After this, I preached the funeral
of the criminal, from Gen. ix, 6: ^^ Whoso sheddeth
man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed." At
the close of the sermon the criminal was permitted
to shake hands with a large number of his acquaint-
ances. It was a melting scene. He then stated to
the crowd that he had come to this end by keeping

7

98 Autobiography of

bad company. At 1.30 P. M. the trigger was
sprung; but so soon as he dropped, the rope broke,
and he fell suddenly to the ground. Another rope
was placed around his neck, and he was drawn up,
but had scarcely hung one-half minute when the
rope broke a second time, and again he fell to the
ground. He then uttered a word or two before
they raised him the second time. He hung twenty-
five minutes, and was pronounced dead. I remained
all this time with him, having promised him that I
would do so. His body was cut down, and buried at
a short distance west of the town. O, what an awful
thing, to see a man in good health so suddenly
rushed into eternity!

The night before. Brothers Grear, Pile, and my-
self held religious services in the court-house.
Brother Pile preaching a thrilling discourse. I left
Jamestown in the afternoon of the hanging, and
preached that evening at the residence of Benjamin
Stockton. On my round on the circuit, the last of
April and the first of May, we had some glorious
meetings. Eight persons joined the Church — two
recognized from the State of Illinois, two from the
Campbellite Church, and four on probation. On
my round in May and June we had some glorious
seasons. The fiery pillar of Jesus' presence led us
on. At Paul's Chapel, on Saturday before the first
Sunday in June, after I had preached, penitents
were called to the altar, and nearly all of the con-
gregation, who were not already professors of re-
ligion, came forward. Four of these persons were
mightily converted in that service. The next morn-
ing, at the same place, we held a children's meeting.

Rev. a. B. Wright. 99

when I preached to the little folks. We had a
glorious service.

My third quarterly-meeting embraced the second
Sunday in June. It was held in a large, new church,
near my family residence. Rev. J. W. Mann, the
presiding elder, was present, and preached with
great acceptability. During the meeting the rain
fell in such torrents that it held only two days.
At the Quarterly Conference I reported six con-
versions and eight accessions for the quarter. Dur-
ing the remainder of June I preached at a number
of places on my circuit, when we had strong evi-
dences of the Divine favor; and I raised collections
for the missionary cause. Embracing the first Sun-
day in July, I had an appointment for a two days'
meeting at Cumberland City, in Clinton County,
Kentucky. The preacher in charge. Rev. Nirarod
R. Davis, lives in this town. He is an old preacher
of the Kentucky Conference, Methodist Episcopal
Church. He is a precious and most excellent man,
but a great invalid in health. I think he will get
his great reward in heaven in a short time. I was
informed that the state of religion was very low in
the town, and that a very bitter feeling was existing
between the different denominations. I preached
twice on Saturday, as also on Sunday, with happy
effect.

On Sunday the power of God came down on the
congregation in a wonderful manner. At the even-
ing service a number of penitents were at the altar.
I remained over Monday with them. God was with
us of a truth. Seven souls were powerfully con-
verted, and a number of penitents were lingering

100 Autobiography of

at the altar. I left them protracting the meeting.
May Heaven grant them a glorious revival of re-
ligion! One of the blessed features of the meeting
was the warm love and the affiliations of our Bap-
tist brethren. They came in nobly, and labored in
the altar. Among the converts was the principal
hotel-keeper of the town, and a Baptist preacher's
wife, who had been a mourner for eighteen years.
The same week I resumed work on my own circuit.

On Friday I rode twenty-four miles over a very
rough road, preached twice, and in the evening, for
some time, .labored in the altar with mourners.
The next morning I visited and prayed with a num-
ber of families, when two joined the Church. On
returning home I was very sick for a few days from
a healing on my jaw and throat, caused by some de-
cayed teeth. My first basket-meeting was held at
Caney Creek, near Travisville, beginning on Satur-
day, July 20th, and closing on Wednesday, the 24th.
The Church was greatly revived, backsliders were
reclaimed, and ten souls were powerfully converted.
Among the converts were some of the most influ-
ential people of the community. Nine joined the
Church. At the close of the meeting I baptized
fifteen persons.

On Sunday morning of the meeting we held a
good, old-fashioned love-feast, with the happiest re-
sult. A number bore testimony for Jesus. My
second meeting was on the Livingston Circuit,
Overton County, Tennessee, by an exchange of
ministerial labor with Rev. T. R. Dodson, preacher
in charge of that work. We preached on Satur-
day, Sunday, and Monday to small congregations.

Rev. a. B. Wright. 101

These services were held near Brother William L.
Gillentine's residence. I think there is a great
deal of prejudice against our Church in that country.
The Kuklux outrages there have been numerous.
However, on Monday the good Lord powerfully
converted one man, while several others were left at
the altar. W.e spent the greater part of Tuesday
at the residence of Mrs. Henson, a very kind-hearted
widowed lady, also a member of the Christian Order
Church, who lives within one mile of Livingston.
By invitation I preached that evening in the town,
in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, to an at-
tentive congregation. I was informed that I was
the first and only preacher of the old Methodist
Episcopal Church who had preached in that town
since 1845. I then went with Brother Dodson, and
preached with happy results at Free Communion
Church, and at Rocky Ridge Church.

My third basket-meeting was held at Solomon's
Chapel, embracing the first Sunday in August, and
holding four days. Rev. T. R. Dodson attended
with me, and preached with great acceptability.
Three were converted, and two joined the Church.
I baptized seven persons, and received quite a num-
ber into full connection. The Church was glori-
ously revived, shouting aloud for joy. On Sunday
morning we held a most interesting love-feast serv-
ice, and after Brother Dodson had preached, I ad-
ministered the holy communion to quite a number,
one of the communicants being a deaf-and-dumb
girl. My fourth quarterly-meeting was held at
Jamestown, August 9th, 10th, and 11th. Rev.
J. W. Mann, the presiding elder, was present and

102 Autobiography of

preached. Oar brethren of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church, South, held their quarterly-meeting at
the same time and place. Their presiding elder,
W. W. Neal, did not reach the place until Sunday
morning, and left the same afternoon. Rev. Henry
Pyle, from Wartburg Circuit, was also present. We
had no conversions. One joined the Church. The
meeting closed on Sunday night.

My fifth basket-meeting embraced the third
Sunday in August, at the Head of the Cane. After
holding two days there, with penitents at the altar,
we moved to the riverside for baptisms, and held
there one day. The Lord converted two souls, one
joined our Church, and four young men were bap-
tized by immersion. The next day we moved to
Sulphur Springs, and held there two days. Four
souls were converted at this place. My sixth bas-
ket-meeting was held at Paul's Chapel, embracing
the first Sunday in September. It continued four
days. The power of the Most High rested on the
people, mourners came in crowds to the altar, and
the saints of God shouted aloud for joy. Nine souls
were powerfully converted to God, and three joined
the Church. I preached funerals during the re-
mainder of the Conference year.

Just before leaving for Conference, I attended a
Baptist Association one day near Albany, Kentucky,
and was highly pleased with the preaching. On my
route to the Holston Annual Conference, which met
in Cleveland, Tennessee, October 2, 1872, I
preached three funerals in three different counties.
I left home for the seat of Conference September
26th, rode to Jamestown, and took dinner with

Rev. a. B. Wright. 103

James F. Paul. I rode that evening to my son-in-
law^s, Tobias Peters, and preached that night at Mt.
Vernon Church. The next day I rode eight miles,
and preached the funeral of R. J. Jones, at White
Oak Church. We had a most precious service. In
the afternoon I rode twelve miles to Wartburg,
where I met with Rev. A. C. Peters, a young man
going to Conference, for admission into the travel-
ing co*nnection. We had meeting that night in
Wartburg, Brother Peters preaching. The next
morning we rode nine miles to Mt. Zion Church,
met a congregation, and I preached the funeral of
Amanda Jane Eastridge. In the afternoon we
rode fifteen miles to Colonel James I. DaiPs, my
cousin, reaching his house some time after dark in a
heavy storm of rain. The next day being Sunday,
a bright and beautiful day, I preached the funerals
of Nancy E. Peters and her infant babe, from Isaiah
sixtieth chapter, ninteenth and twentieth verses, the
lady being a daughter of Colonel Dail. The Holy
Ghost was present in wonderful power. In the
afternoon we rode fourteen miles, and remained
over night with David Kelsey, a Methodist ex-
horter, and a most excellent man.

On Monday morning we rode seventeen miles
to Uncle Cyril Carpenter's for dinner, in McMinn
County ; and in the afternoon rode nine miles to
Athens, and stopped with Rev. J. W. Mann^ my
presiding elder. Brother Mann and wife were very
kind to us. I reached Athens almost under pros-
tration from continuous. traveling. A good night's
rest greatly refreshed me. On Tuesday, at twelve
o'clock, I heard Ex-President Andrew Johnson make

104 Autobiography of

a political speech in Athens. I took the evening
train, at about four o'clock, for Cleveland, the seat
of the Conference. I was assigned my boarding
place with P. C. R. Lawson, an excellent man in-
deed. My boarding partner was Rev. Samuel Grear.
At this Conference I passed an examination on the
fourth year's course of study. On Wednesday morn-
ing the Conference was opened, with Bishop Merrill
in the chair. In the afternoon of the same day. Rev.
J. B. Little preached, and at night Rev. A. G.
Watkins preached — both in the Methodist Episcopal
Church. The next morning, at five o'clock, I at-
tended a prayer-meeting for entire sanctification, in
the same Church. In the afternoon of Thursday a
consecration meeting was held, when the preachers
were invited into the altar as seekers for entire sanc-
tification. I bore testimony to the full assurance of
perfect love. I attended the early prayer-service
on Friday morning; but feeling indisposed, did not
attend the Conference session. In the afternoon, T
heard Dr. N. G. Taylor preach a most powerful
sermon from Psalms cxliv, 15. I did not attend the
missionary meeting at night, being sick. On Sunday
morning I attended the Conference love-feast, and
afterwards heard Bishop Merrill preach from John
xvii, 22. In the evening. Rev. J. L. Mann preached
a good discourse from Gal. vi, 14.

On Monday morning. Brother Peters and I left
for home. We went to Athens, met our horses, and
went in the afternoon to Cyril Carpenter's. We
both preached at Tranquillity Church that night.
The Holy Ghost was present. On Tuesday morn-
ing we rode eighteen miles, and took dinner with

Rev. a. B. Wright. 105

David Kelsey ; and in the afterDOon rode nine miles
to Kingston, and staid over night with Ellis De-
vaney. The next day we went four miles, and took
dinner with Colonel Dail ; and in the afternoon rode
thirteen miles to the home of William Eastridge, in
Morgan County, where I solemnized the rites of mat-
rimony between J.W. Peters and Elizabeth East-
ridge. On Thursday morning we rode twelve
miles, and I preached at Scutcheon Church. In the
afternoon I rode fourteen miles, and staid over
night with my daughter and son-in-law. The next
day (Friday) I rode fifteen miles to Jamestown, and
took dinner with L. T. Smith, the Circuit Court
clerk; and in the afternoon rode eighteen miles to
my home. I found all well. I was appointed by
this Conference to travel the Madisonville Circuit.
On returning home, I was greatly afflicted with
catarrh and pneumonia of the lungs, which reduced
me for a time to great weakness. I felt that I
greatly needed a winter^s rest from labor ; and know-
ing that we had an over-number of preachers, I
wrote to my presiding elder. Rev. W. C. Daily, to
supply the work and excuse me. One great diffi-
culty in the way of my going to my circuit was,
that from a pure zeal for the itinerant ministry, I
had sold my farm awhile before going to Conference,
which brought me under the necessity of selling off
my property and grain. With my best efforts, I
could not do this. The move with my family
would have been about one hundred and thirty miles,
over the Cumberland Mountains and across several
large rivers. I thought this would be very hazard-
ous to myself and family. With a sad heart I here

106 Autobiography of

say, that this decision has brought more cloud to
my moral pathway than anything else that has oc-
curred during my ministry. I pray God to forgive
•me if I have done wrong in asking to be excused.
The good Lord knows my heart, and that I am an
intinerant, soul and body. I trust and pray that I
may yet do efficient labor for years in the itiner-
ant ranks.

Having been excused from going to my circuit
by my presiding elder, I began preaching as my
health would allow. Soon after returning from
Conference, I preached the funerals of John E.
Kanatsure and two infant children, also baptized his
widow, and received three persons into the Church.
I then preached some funerals in Wayne and Clin-
ton Counties, Kentucky, with occasional appoint-
ments in other places. From the third Sunday to
the fourth Sunday in December, myself and Brother
Harris, a Cumberland Presbyterian minister, held a
meeting of seven days and nights on Lick Creek, at
CampbelPs school-house, which resulted in eighteen
conversions, four of whom joined the Methodist
Church. Backsliders were reclaimed, and the
Churches were greatly revived. A strong current
of brotherly love prevailed throughout the neigh-
borhood. A few days before this meeting, I bought
a large farm, six and one-half miles towards James-
town from where I lived, to which I moved my
family immediately after the close of the foregoing
meeting.

On the 27th of December, 1872,1 was elected
secretary of Jamestown Lodge, No. 281, of Free
and Accepted Masons.

Rev. a. B. Wright. 107

Through the great mercy of God, I have now
closed another very eventful year of my life. Dur-
ing the year I preached one hundred and fifty-six
sermons, besides prayer and class meetings; wit-
nessed eighty-four conversions, received forty-nine
into the Church, and baptized thirty-two adults and
four infants. I preached the funerals of fourteen
persons, and married one couple. Now, O my God,
help me to be faithful in thy cause during the year
1873, if I should be kept on the shores of mortal
conflict ! My brethren and old friends in Kentucky,
knowing that I had been released from labor in my
own Conference, strongly insisted that I should
serve them as their pastor during the year. Feel-
ing the itinerant fire burning in my soul for the sal-
vation of sinners, I offered myself to the Kentucky
Conference, not as a transfer, but as a supply for
the Cumberland City Circuit, since it lay contigu-
ous to my residence. The Conference saw proper
to give me the work. This is in the bounds of the
Lexington District, over which Rev. H. J. Perry
was presiding elder.

The Kentucky Conference met February 19,
1873, in Lexington, Kentucky. I began my first
round the ninth day of March. We had some man-
ifestations of the Divine presence during this
round. God be praised for restoring me to health
again, sufficient to be in charge. I had been fear-
ful of one blank year in my life, but now feel like
living and dying an itinerant Methodist preacher.
My first quarterly-meeting was held at No. 1 School-
house, April 12th and 13th. Brother Perry, the
presiding elder, was present. We had a very pleas-

108 Autobiography of

ant meeting. A bappy love-feast was held on Sun-
day morning, a number testifying for Jesus. The
sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered
after preaching, a large number communing, and
three persons joined the Church.

On my May round, at Concord Church, in the
class-meeting the people of God rejoiced, and one
joined our Church. During the same round, at
Thomas York's, a number of penitents were at the
altar, and two souls were powerfully converted to
God. The next evening I preached at Hiram Guf-
fey's, after preaching in the forenoon at No. 1
School-house; and notwithstanding it was raining
and but few could be in attendance, yet all that
were not religious were seekers at the altar; and
five souls were powerfully converted, and two
joined our Church. Mourners were carried from
the ground weeping and almost helpless.

On my June round I held an interesting meeting
at No. 1 School-house. In the evening of the first
Sunday of June I preached at Thomas York's.
Quite a number of penitents were at the altar, one
person was converted, and two joined our Church.
I preached a sermon to the children at Slick Ford
on this round. On June 22d I set off for the
District Conference at Somerset, Pulaski County,
Kentucky. I left home at six o'clock in the morn-
ing, rode twelve miles to Slick Ford, and preached
a funeral. I took dinner at Emerson Brown's,
rode seven miles in the afternoon, and remained
over night with B. W. S. Huffaker. The next day
I rode twelve miles to Steubenville, and took dinner
with Isaac Hurt. In the aiternoon I rode seven-

Rev. a. B. Wright. 109

teen miles, crossing the Cumberland River in a
ferry-boat, and remained over night with Dr.
Parker. Dr. Parker and his wife and children are
most excellent people. The next morning, June
24th, in company with Dr. Parker, I rode four
miles into Somerset. On account of delay in the
arrival of the presiding elder. Rev. H. J. Perry,
the Conference did not convene until the next day.
I found the citizens of Somerset to be a very gen-
erous and friendly people. ] was assigned to stay
with Brother Kit Hale. Somerset is celebrated for
churches, there being seven good churches in the
town.

I left Somerset in the evening of June 26th,
rode out and remained over night with Dr. Parker.
June 27th, I rode to Steuben ville, taking dinner
on the way with Mrs. Forrester, a most excellent
widowed lady, whose husband was a son of Rev.
John Forrester, of precious memory in the Hol-
ston Conference. I remained over night with Isaac
Hurt. The next day in Steubenville, I preached
the funerals of two of his infant children. After
preaching twice that day I rode seven miles, and
remained over night with Mrs. Isabelle, a widowed
lady. May God bless this excellent family ! The
next morning being Sunday, I rode ten miles to
Kennedy's school-house, and preached the funeral
of a babe. After preaching and taking dinner with
John Culver, I rode home, eleven miles distant,
and found my family well. God be praised.

My second quarterly-meeting was held at Con-
cord Church, July 9th and 10th. The presiding
elder was present and preached. On the second

110 Autobiography of

morning of the meeting, just after love-feast, I re-
ceived into the Church two persons by letter, two
on probation, and one from the United Baptist
Church. My first basket-meeting was held at Slick
Ford, in Wayne County, Kentucky. It continued
for three days, embracing the third Sunday in July,
and resulted in eight happy conversions and nine
accessions to the Church. Two persons joined from
the Baptist Church. The Church at this place had
been for a long time in a low state of religious life,
but at this meeting the membership was greatly
revived, and a great tide of Christian union pre-
vailed throughout" the community.

My second basket-meeting was held near James-
town, in Fentress County, Tennessee, embracing the
fourth Sunday in July. This meeting was held in
connection with Brothers Bilderback and McPher-
son, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. On
Sunday morning we held a love-feast service, after
which I preached a funeral, and administered the
sacrament of the Lord's Supper to a large number
of communicants. After this, penitents came to the
altar for prayer, and three souls were powerfully
converted. Fifteen persons were converted during
the meeting. My third basket-meeting was held
at Concord Church, in Clinton County. It con-
tinued three days, embracing the first Sunday in
August, and resulted in two conversions and five
accessions to our Church.

My fourth basket-meeting was held at the res-
idence of Mrs. Guffey, a widowed lady living in
Wayne County, embracing the third Sunday in
August. It lasted five days, and resulted in seven

Rev. a. B. Wright. Ill

happy conversions, and ten accessions to the Church.
I baptized fourteen persons during the meeting.
On Sunday morning, we held a good love-feast
meeting; and on Monday morning, after preaching,
I administered the sacrament of the Lord^s Supper.
A large number communed.

My fifth basket-meeting was held at No. 1
school-house, embracing the fifth Sunday in August.
It lasted for six days, and resulted in twenty-two
conversions to God and nine accessions to our
Church. My sixth basket-meeting was held at Ed-
wards school-house in Wayne County, for four
days, embracing the first Sunday in September. It
resulted in two conversions and one accession to our
Church. My seventh basket-meeting was held at
Concord Church in Clinton County, embracing the
third Sunday in September and continued about
one week. It resulted in ten happy conversions and
thirteen accessions to the Church. The convic-
tions were deep and the conversions powerful.

On Friday morning, September 26th, I rode
twelve miles and baptized eight persons, rode in the
afternoon one mile and preached at Concord Church,
then rode seven miles more and preached at night
at William Perdieu's ; making a ride of twenty
miles and holding three services in one day. Dur-
ing this round the power of God was gloriously man-
ifested. Mourners crowded to the altar for prayer,
three were happily converted to God, thirteen joined
our Church, and I baptized fifteen persons. On my
October round through Clinton County, I sent Rev.
James H. Carter in my place. One more person
joined the Church.

112 Autobiography of

The Holston Aunual Conference met this year
in Knoxville, Tennessee, October 1st, Bishop Gilbert
Haven presiding. I did not attend the Conference
this time, as I was very closely engaged in finish-
ing up my work on the Cumberland City Circuit.
I was expecting an appointment from the Holston
Conference, and was assigned to the Jamestown
Circuit, in the Athens District, with W. C. Daily
as presiding elder. I now had for awhile two cir-
cuits to fill, which I endeavored to do, although the
work was very hard.

CHAPTER X.

JAMESTOWN AND WARTBURG.

ABOUT the first of October I held two meetings
near Travisville, Tenn., which resulted in
four happy conversions and four accessions to our
Church. My third quarterly-meeting for the Cum-
berland City Circuit was held at Edwards school-
house, October 11th and 12th. Rev. N. R. Davis
was present as presiding elder pro tern.

On October 10th I organized a class at Beaver
Creek, in Wayne County, Kentucky, consisting of
five members. At another meeting, which I held at
the same place in November, two others joined the
Church. At a service which I held at Captain
Dowdy's, in Fentress County, December 26th, two
persons joined our Church, and a number of peni-
tents were at the altar. My first quarterly-meeting
for the Jamestown Circuit was held at Jamestown,
December 20th and 21st. Rev. W. C. Daily was

Rev. a. B. Wright. 113

present. Brother Daily is a man of lovely spirit.
We had no conversions, though anxious penitents
were at the altar.

And now farewell to the year 1873. What an
eventful year it has been ! In the early part of it,
more than one hundred persons perished from cold
in Iowa and Wisconsin. In the summer, the Asiatic
cholera extended a wide arm of death over the land ;
and fresh upon its tracks the yellow fever spread
desolation in many families of the South. Then
followed some serious national difficulties, growing
out of finances, which brought many almost to starv-
ation. This was thought to be due to the demoni-
tization of silver by authority of the Government.
Thanks be to God, Zion has reaped a large harvest
of ingathering ! Thousands have been converted
during the year. I praise the Lord that I yet live;
and O may I live to do good ! During the year
1873 I preached one hundred and sixty-seven
sermons, witnessed eighty-two conversions, took
eighty-six persons into the Church, baptized forty-
four adults and ten infants, preached the funerals or
nineteen persons, and married one couple. Besides,
I held a number of love-feasts and communion
services.

My fourth quarterly-meeting for the Cumberland
City Circuit was held at the residence of Mrs. Guffey,
in Wayne County, January 13th and 14th. Rev.
H. J. Perry was in attendance, and presided with
great satisfaction to the Conference. Brother Perry
has greatly endeared himself to many people on the
Cumberland City Circuit. There were earnest pen-
itents at the altar, but no conversions. Two per-

8

114 Autobiography of

sons joined our Church, one of them coming from
the United Baptist Church. We had a good love-
feast and a good communion-service, a large num-
ber communing. During my labors on the Cum-
berland City Circuit, sixty-three persons professed
saving faith in Christ, and seventy-seven persons
united with our Church. The people of the circuit
insist that I shall serve them another year as their
pastor. O that God may prosper that people more
abundantly the coming year!

In connection with Brothers McPherson and
Hullett, each of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, I was in a meeting of five days and nights
on the Three Forks of Wolf River, in Fentress
County. The membership of both branches of the
Methodist Church was greatly revived, and labored
together in fellowship and love at the altar. Twelve
souls were happily converted, and five joined our
Church. The meeting began the 7lh day of Jan-
uary, and closed on the 12th. One week after the
close of the above meeting I held a service at Sul-
phur Springs. After I had preached, five persons
ioined our Church.

My second quarterly-meeting was held at Paul's
Chapel, March 11th and 12th. Rev. W. C. Daily,
the presiding elder, was present, and preached with
great acceptability. We had a glorious love-feast
and sacramental-meeting. Embracing the third
Sunday in May, I held a two days' meeting at Sul-
phur Springs, when God's mercy came down in
power upon the people, and five persons were con-
verted to God, and one joined our Church. My
third quarterly-meeting was held in May, embracing

Rkv. a. B. Wright. 115

the fifth Sunday, in Poplar Cove, and continued
three days. There were a number of penitents, but
no conversions. Brother Daily was present, and
presided ; also Rev. J. F. Perry, preacher in charge
of Wartburg Circuit, was with us, and preached
with the power of the Holy Ghost.

On my June round we had precious seasons at
several places. At PauFs Chapel two very old per-
sons joined the Church; and the next day at James-
town, a gentleman united with the Church. On the
fourth Sunday in June, after preaching at Sulphur
Springs, mourners came to the altar, and two young
ladies were powerfully converted. My first basket-
meeting was held at Travisville, for three days, em-
bracing the second Sunday in July. I held an in-
teresting leaders' and stewards' meeting on Monday
afternoon of the meeting. There were three con-
versions, and five accessions to the Church. I also
baptized five persons, and received them into full
connection.

On July 18th I left home for the Athens Dis-
trict Conference, which was to meet in Kingston,
four days later. I rode the first day to the home
of Tobias Peters, after stopping for dinner in
Jamestown with J. C. Taylor, the sheriff. The
next day, being Sunday, at Mount Vernon, in Mor-
gan County, I preached the funeral of an infant
babe of Rufus and Patience Jones ; and in the aft-
ernoon, at the same place, I preached, and baptized
four infant children. On Monday morning, at the
same place, I preached the funeral of Timothy C.
Vann, an excellent. Christian young man. At
noon, in company with my son, Rev. J. C. Wright,

116 Autobiography of

who bad now come up with me, we set off for
Kingston, the seat of the District Conference. We
rode three miles and took dinner at Edley Gallo-
way's; and in the afternoon rode within two miles
of Montgomery, and staid over night with Pres-
ton Holloway. The next day we rode six miles,
and took dinner with Captain G. W. Keith ; and in
the afternoon rode into Roane County, within four
miles of Kingston, and stopped with Colonel James
I. Dail. We found that several members of his
family were sick with fever. The next morning we
rode into Kingston, and reached the Conference-
room just as Conference was opening. I found a
good home during my stay with Ellis Devaney.
We had a pleasant Conference session.

Obtaining leave of absence on Friday morning,
we set off on our return trip. We took dinner that
day at Colonel DaiPs, and in the afternoon rode to
Brother Fairchild's, four miles north of Montgom-
ery. The next morning my son left me, and set off
direct for home. I turned for Scott County, rode to
Rev. L. H. Mosier^s and took dinner. In the after-
noon I rode into Scott County, and preached to a
congregation at five o'clock. The next day being
Sunday, I preached the funeral of Rev. Andrew
Lewallen, he having requested me in his lifetime,
should I outlive him, to do so, giving me his
funeral text.

On the same day I married a couple, and bap-
tized three infant children. I staid at night at
Brother Jack Young's. On Monday morning
I rode six miles to Tompkins Chapel, a Baptist
Church, where they were holding revival serv-

Rev. a. B. Wright. 117

ices of great interest. At their request I stopped
and preached for them from Luke xix, 10: *^ For
the Son of man is come to seek and to save that
which was lost.^' After which I rode to J. F.
Paul's, and took dinner. In the afternoon I rode
twenty miles, and reached my home.

My second basket-meeting was held at Paul's
Chapel, embracing the first Sunday in August. On
Saturday of this occasion I was detained in James-
town, to hold the funeral service of Sarah W.
Gould, who had lived near the town. Four weeks
before this I had held a like service for a young lady
in the same place. My meeting at Paul's Chapel
closed on Monday evening. One soul was con-
verted, two persons were baptized, and two received
into full connection.

My third basket-meeting was held on Crab
Creek, embracing the second Sunday in August,
and continued five days. It resulted in ten happy
conversions, and nine accessions to the Church.
At the close I baptized six persons. Convictions
were so deep and the interest was so great that,
learning where I was staying at night, for two
nights the people crowded the house where I was,
so that I had to preach again, and to labor with
penitents until a late hour, after having preached
twice, and held two altar services during the day.

My fourth basket- meeting was held at Halbert's
school-house, in connection with my fourth quar-
terly-meeting, embracing the fourth Sunday in Au-
gust. Rev. W. C. Daily, the presiding elder, was
present three days, and preached with the power of
the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven. The meet-

118 Autobiography of

ing continued six days, and was truly a time of re-
freshing from the presence of the Lord. Mourners
came in crowds to the altar, and Christians shouted
aloud for joy. Twenty-four souls were happily con-
verted to God, and twenty-four joined our Church.
I baptized fifteen persons at the close of the meeting,
and organized a class of forty members at this place.

On Saturday night before the first Sunday in
September I preached at Brother Whittenburg's,
and baptized four infant children. The next day,
on Sunday, I preached a funeral to a large congrega-
tion at Captain Dowdy's. The next day I baptized
four persons at the same place, and after preaching,
mourners came in crowds to the altar, and two
young ladies joined our Church. I occupied the
remainder of the Conference year in funeral ap-
pointments, which were attended with much good.

On account of afflictions in my family, I did not
attend the Annual Conference which met in Chat-
tanooga, Tennessee, September 30, 1874, Bishop
E. G. Andrews presiding. My son. Rev. J. C.
Wright, went as an applicant for admission on trial
into the traveling connection. He was received,
and appointed to Winter's Gap Circuit. I was ap-
pointed to the Wartburg Circuit, formerly known
as the Montgomery Circuit. On my first round in
October, I preached three days at Emory Church-.
The Lord powerfully converted four souls, and a
large number of penitents were left at the altar. I
went from there up onto the Clinton Circuit to Sul-
phur Springs, to preach the funeral of a good lady.
While there the Lord converted two precious souls,
and the people of God were greatly rejoiced.

Rev. a. B. Wright. 119

On the second round on my circuit, at a meeting
held at J. B. Ketcherside's, several penitents were at
the altar, one soul was converted to God, and two
joined the Church. My first quarterly-meeting was
held at Jack Young's, embracing the first Sunday
in December. Brother Daily, the presiding elder,
was in attendance, and preached with great accepta-
bility. At this meeting the Lord converted one
soul, and two joined our Church. On returning
home I was very sick with the mumps and bilious
fever for more than two weeks, and had to call in
the aid of a physician. In fact, all my family were
sick with mumps and fever for some time, w^hich
detained me at home for three weeks beyond my
regular time.

I left home on January 7th for my third round,
on a noted cold Saturday. During that round I
witnessed two happy conversions to God, and had
two accessions to our Church. On the February
round we had some melting seasons, with peni-
tents at the altar; and five persons joined our
Church, two of them coming from the United Bap-
tist Church. On the March round I left home the
sixth day, and rode twenty miles to PauPs Chapel,
on the Jamestown Circuit. This was the time and
the place of the second quarterly-meeting for that
circuit. I was accompanied by Rev. J. V. Brown,
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. On
reaching the church at a late hour, we found a
waiting congregation, without either presiding elder
or preacher in charge. I afterward learned that
Brother Daily, the presiding elder, was at home
sick. Brother Brown and I held services for three

120 Autobiography of

days. The membership was greatly revived; two
souls were converted to God, and two joined the
Methodist Episcopal Church. From this place to
my own quarterly-meeting was about ten miles. In
going there I had to cross the Clear Fork River,
and as the waters were swollen by the heavy rains, I
greatly imperiled my own life, and came very near
having my horse drowned. He would have
drowned, having been entangled in some bushes
in the angry waters, had not Thomas Brewster, a
young man, gone in to him with a canoe, and
brought him out. When he was nearest drowning
I fell on my knees to praying. He was saved, and
I reached the place of my quarterly-meeting at
Mount Vernon in due time. My presiding elder,
Brother Daily, did not reach there, and this laid all
the burden of the occasion upon myself. Glory be
to God ! he was with us in great power, convert-
ing souls every day of the meeting.

On the second day, after preaching, I admin-
istered the sacrament of the Lord's Supper to a large
number of communicants, having no minister to
assist me. That which rendered the sacramental
service remarkable was, that our Baptist friends
communed with us. We made up a good collection
of money for the presiding elder. The people
brought out provisions, and remained all day on
the grounds, while the spirit of worship remained
upon them all the time. The meeting continued
four days. The membership was greatly revived,
mourners came in crowds to the altar, twelve souls
were powerfully converted to God, and thirteen
persons joined our Church. To God be all the

Rkv. a. B. Wright. 121

glory. On the same round I witnessed, at Lee's
school-house, four more conversions, and seven ac-
cessions to our Church. On my round before this,
near Lee's school-house, I preached at the house of
Thomas Taylor, a Baptist brother. A number of
penitents were at the altar of prayer. Among these
were two very small girls, one of whom was con-
verted that day, the other on this round. The one
converted first was a daughter of Rufus and Sarah
Bishop. Her name was Sarah Amanda. She was
happily converted February 13, 1875, being at that
date seven years eight months and nine days old.
On the present round she would labor with the pen-
itents in the altar with the judgment of a woman.
She, with the other little girl, joined our Church.
May Heaven bless the precious little girls !

On the April round, we had some very happy
seasons of rejoicing. At Mount Vernon, on the
second Sunday in April, three young ladies, sisters,
by the name of Vann, were happily converted.
They had been mourners for eight years. God be
praised. On the May round, at Mount Vernon,
Rufus Jones and wife both found peace in believing,
which makes seventeen conversions at Mount
Vernon this year, up to date. I held meeting
three days at Scutcheon Church, near old Mont-
gomery, embracing the third Sunday in May.
During the meeting penitents came to the altar in
large numbers, and the people of God greatly re-
joiced. Five souls were happily converted, and
two united with our Church. My third quarterly-
meeting was held at Mount Zion Church, in Mor-
gan County, embracing the fourth Sunday of May.

122 Autobiography of

I began the meeting on the evening before, with a
class-meeting service. Brother Daily was in at-
tendance, and preached with his usual spiritual
ability. We had a pleasant communion service,
and raised a good collection for the presiding elder.
Upon the whole, it was a pleasant meeting.

On the June round I traveled very hard, being
pressed with my farming business at home. I would
ride from fifteen to twenty miles a day, and preach
twice. The first Saturday and Sunday in June, Rev.
Benjamin Summers, a Baptist preacher, and I held
a meeting at James McKeathan's, a Baptist brother.
On Sunday morning, at the request of Brother
McKeathan, I preached the funeral of his son, Jesse
L. McKeathan. We had a pleasant service, and
four happy conversions to God. The next day,
being Monday, I preached twice. In the aaernoon,
at Langley's school-house, two persons joined our
Church, one of them coming from the Cumberland
Presbyterian Church. The next day, at Lee's
school-house, one more joined the Church.

The second Sunday in June, being ChildrenV
day at Mt. Vernon, I preached to a large congre-
gation of (children and adults, and lifted a collection
for educational purposes. The power of the Holy
Ghost came upon the people in a wonderful man-
ner, and penitents came to the altar of prayer cry-
ing for mercy. Six souls were powerfully con-
verted, and eight persons joined the Church. On
the second Sunday in July I rode from Jamestown
to Mt. Vernon, and after preaching baptized three
infants and ten adults, and received twenty persons
into full connection.

Rev. a. B. Wright. 123

My first basket-meeting was held at Young^s
Chapel, embracing the third Sunday in July. It
continued four days, resulting in ten happy con-
versions and three accessions to our Church. The
presence of the Holy Ghost was so powerfully
present at one of these services that every uncon-
verted person in the house was at the altar crying
for mercy.

My second basket-meeting was held at Clear
Creek the fourth Saturday and Sunday in July.
There were no conversions, but a number of anx-
ious penitents. I baptized five infants, preached
the funeral of a lady, and received two persons
into the Church. I preached at Scutcheon Church
the first Sunday in August. There were a number
of penitents at the altar, two conversions, and one
accession to the Church. The following Tuesday I
held two services at Emory Church. There were
indications for a good revival at this place, but I
was forced to leave so as to meet other engage-
ments.

My third basket-meeting was held at Ramsey's
Chapel, embracing the second Sunday in August,
and continued three days. Quite a number of pen-
itents were left at the altar, and one lady was con-
verted. My fourth basket-meeting was held at Mt.
Zion Church, beginning on Wednesday after the
second Sunday in August, and continuing three
days. At this place there were no conversions, but
a number of penitents were at the altar. My son.
Rev. J. C. Wright, of the Winter's Gap Circuit,
was present and preached. My fifth basket-meet-
ing was held at Lee's school-house, embracing the

124 Autobiography of

third Sunday in August. It continued three days,
and resulted in four happy conversions.

I attended the Jamestown quarterly-meeting on
the fourth Sunday in August. On Saturday morn-
ing of the meeting I baptized four ladies by im-
mersion. Rev, John Forrester was the preacher in
charge of this work. I was baptizing, preaching
funerals, and receiving into full connection at
nearly all my basket-meetings. My fourth quar-
terly-meeting was held at Scutcheon Church, em-
bracing the fifth Sunday in August. Brother Daily
was with us two days, and presided with dignity.
The services held for three days. We had a melt-
ing, glorious meeting, earnest penitents were at the
altar in large numbers, five souls were converted,
and three accessions were made to our Church.
From this place I went to Mt. Vernon, and held
services from Tuesday evening until Friday even-
ing. There seemed to be a Divine power resting
upon the congregation through the entire meeting.
Mourners came weeping to the altar of prayer,
while the people of God prayed and shouted to-
gether. Thirteen souls were powerfully converted,
and nine persons joined our Church. From this
place I went to Young's Chapel, preached and
baptized some persons, and closed the Conference
year's work. This makes eight years' work in the
itinerancy. Glory !

During the Conference year I preached 152
times, traveled 1,918 miles on horseback, prayed
with 424 families, witnessed 80 conversions to God>
and received 67 persons into the Church. I se-
cured 63 subscribers for the Methodist Advocate,

Rev. a. B. Wright. 125

published in Atlanta, Georgia, and obtained the
first prize, $10 in cash, offered by Dr. Fuller, the
editor, to the pastor that should obtain the largest
number of subscribers. I sold about $40 worth of
books, baptized 40 adults and 18 infants, and mar-
ried one couple. I received as a salary $215.85, and
raised for benevolence $36.25. To God be all the
glory !

I left home September 25th to attend the ses-
sion of the Conference to meet in Greeneville, Ten-
nessee, Bishop Bowman presiding. I rode to
Jamestown the first day, and took dinner with
J. W. Gaudin, and in the afternoon rode to Tobias
Peters', and remained over night. The next day
being Sunday, I rode to Brother James R. Brown^s^
thinking that I had an appointment to preach the
funeral of Father Dawn, father-in-law of Brother
Brown. But as they had not received my letter
arranging for the appointment, I did not meet a
congregation. In the afternoon the family of
Brother Brown and myself visited the new-made
grave of Father Dawn, and sang that beautiful
hymn, *^In the resurrection morning you will see
the Savior coming," and all knelt in prayer. I
then rode six miles, and visited a young man by
the name of David Honeycutt, who was nearly off
these mortal shores with consumption. After read-
ing an appropriate Scripture lesson, and praying
with him, I went a short distance to Mrs. Briant's,
and remained over night. The next morning I set
off for Clinton, Tennessee, rode fifteen miles, and
took diifner with Ezra Russell; and in the after-
noon rode fourteen miles, and spent the night with

126 Autobiography of

W. R. Dail. The next morning I rode five miles
to Clinton, and took the train for Knoxville. Here
I met with Bishop Bowman and a number of the
traveling preachers. We took the train at Knox-
ville, and arrived at Greeneville late in the evening.
I was assigned to stay at W. A. Lamon's. We had
a real pleasant session of the Conference. This
was Bishop Bowman's first visit to us. On Sab-
bath morning, after preaching an excellent sermon,
he dedicated the new Methodist Church in Greene-
ville, and in the afternoon of the same day dedi-
cated the new Colored Methodist Church. Rev.
F. M. Fanning and Rev. J. J. Manker were elected
delegates to the General Conference.

The Conference closed on Monday night. Early
the next day, in company with a large number of
the preachers, I took the train for Knoxville. I
was very sick all day. At Knoxville I had to wait
for hours for a train to Clinton. In company with
Brother James Jory, one of our ministers, I visited
and took dinner at the Deaf and Dumb Institute.
Late in the evening I took the train for Clinton,
and staid that night with my cousin, W. R. Hicks,
a lawyer, who lives in Clinton. The next day I
rode five miles through a heavy fall of rain to
William R. DaiVs. In the afternoon I rode eighteen
miles, and reached Major Stephens' in Morgan
County, late at night, having had trouble with
swollen streams all the way. At one place I paid a
man fifty cents to assist me over. O what heavy
rains and high waters I had that day ! I rode the
next day about fourteen miles to Russell Scott's and
took dinner, and in the afternoon rode fifteen miles

Rev. a. B. Wright. 127

to Tobias Peters', and remained over night. The
next day I rode fifteen miles, and took dinner with
Jeremiah Wright, one mile from Jamestown, and in
the afternoon rode home. I found my family all
well, God be praised !

I was appointed this year to the Crossville Cir-
cuit, in the Athens District, W. C. Daily presiding
elder.

CHAPTER XL

CROSSVILIvE CIRCUIT.

I LEFT home October 2d, for my new field of
labor, and after traveling one day and a half
reached my first appointment, on Clear Creek, called
Salem Church. The house, situated between two
very high hills, is built of logs, with clapboard
roof, and a chimney of sandrock built up to about
the joists, without any glass windows, very open,
and unfit for use. I met about a dozen very poor
and attentive people, and preached to them. The
next day being Sunday, my appointment was six
miles away, the whole route being a dense wilder-
ness, with only one house on the way. I reached
this appointment at the proper time. The place
was called Mt. Union. It had once been a camp-
ground ; however, the camps and the old shed had
gone down. The people of the neighborhood had
built a shed the previous year. The church is a
small old house, with a stick-and-clay chimney.
Here I met a good congregation, and preached to
them. About the close of the sermon the Holy
Ghost came upon the people, and a number, both

128 Autobiography of

men and women, shouted aloud the praise of God.
I preached at the same place that night and the
next morning. There were a number of penitents
at the altar.

On the following Tuesday I went to Maple
Springs to preach, but found no congregation there,
as my appointment had not been published. I
preached that night, however, to a small congrega-
tion at the home of Mr. Woody, a Baptist brother.
The next day I preached at Koontz school-house
to a congregation of seven women and two chil-
dren. I spent the night at James Tanner's. His
wife is a Christian lady and a Methodist, and he,
I think, is an anxious seeker. Next morning I set
off for Hale's Chapel, at a distance of twelve miles.
The whole route is a dense wilderness, with very
few settlers. After going about four miles, I became
lost in what is called the AVild Meadows. I got off
my horse, knelt down and prayed ; mounted, rode
on, and reached Dr. Brown's, five miles from the
church. After holding religious services in the
family, the doctor accompanied me to the church.
I found a large congregation waiting, and preached
to them. That night I preached at the residence
of Brother Hale, the class-leader of this Church.
The next day I preached at Gray Ridge, in a new,
half-finished church, to a small but very attentive
congregation. That afternoon I rode into Sequat-
chie Valley, in Bledsoe County, and remained over
night with Curtis Hinch. He is a well-to-do man,
but not a Christian.

"The next morning I went across the valley and
up Walden's Ridge, a very high mountain, to

Rev. a. B. Wright. 129

Pleasant Hill, a plain old church, and preached to
a small congregation. In the afternoon I went
down into Sequatchie Valley, to Melville. In this
place, at the Masonic Hall, a Baptist minister was
holding revival services. At his request I preached,
and called for penitents. Four ladies were con-
verted. The next day being Sunday, I preached at
the same place. Here I met the family of William
Lee, a most excellent people. In the afternoon I
went five miles up the valley, to Orme^s school-
house, and preached to a large congregation. We
had an excellent service. The next day I rode over
the mountain to Grassy Cove. I had an appoint-
ment to preach in this place the following day, but
the appointment not having been published, I did
not preach. Here I met with an English family
named Marston, a good people. On Wednesday
night I preached in the Baptist Church to a large
congregation.

On Thursday morning I set off for home; and
after riding about sixty miles, I reached home on
Friday night, to find my family well. I began my
second round at Salem Church, by preaching to a
congregation of five ladies and a little boy. O what
clouds of discouragement ! Good Lord, help me " to
endure as seeing Him that is invisible.^' That aft-
ernoon I rode nine miles, and remained over night
with D. C. Adams. The next morning I rode four
miles in a heavy rain, and held religious services
with the family of Mr. Lavender; after which, I
went to Mr. Winnie^s, where I was to preach that
day, but found no congregation. I staid that night
at Mrs. Vickery^s. She is an excellent Christian

9

130 Autobiography of

lady, and has a nice family. The next day I went
to Swan's, and met a very small congregation. I
prayed with them, and held a class-meeting. That
evening I went down into Grassy Cove, and spent
the night with a family named Stratton. They were
a kind Northern family. That night I was in-
itiated into the Order of Good Templars. I am re-
solved to go into everything that opposes intem-
perance.

On Sunday I attended my appointment, which
had been consolidated with the quarterly-meeting of
the Southern Methodists. I preached on Sunday
night. I lodged with Brother C. Ford, a local
preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
who treated me with great kindness. I also met
Dr. Chamberlain and family, who gave me a royal
entertainment. The doctor is in feeble health. On
Monday I went to Sequatchie Valley, and preached
at Brother Selby's. We had an old-fashioned Holy
Ghost meeting. That night I preached at Mrs.
Davenport's. There were a number of penitents at
the altar. On Tuesday morning I preached at Stony
Point, in a large, old frame church. In the after-
noon I went to Pleasant Hill, on Walden's Ridge,
and met with Rev. G. W. Renfro, of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South, who preached for me.
On Wednesday, I went up Brown's Gap, of the
Cumberland Mountains, and preached at Rev. C. J.
Croft's. Here I met with the family of Brother
Bennett. I found them a good people. That night
I preached at Brother Whitehead's. The next day
I preached at Hale's Chapel, where I met wath Rev.
D. H. Cottrell, a Baptist minister. I spent the aft-

Rev. a. B. Wright. 131

ernoon and night with him and his family. The
next day I rode twelve miles to Koontz school-
house, met a good congregation, and preached to
them. That night I preached at Howard's Springs,
with good results. At this place we have a com-
fortable little church, and this, with a small, half-
finished parsonage, is all the property that our
Church owns on the entire circuit. The next day
I preached at Maple Springs. Here I found an old,
squatty house, with a door in the side, a stick and
clay chimney in one end, and plenty of light gleam-
ing through the open cracks. Our society at this
place is small. I met a large congregation, who
livStened attentively while I preached. Some of the
people of God shouted aloud for joy. The only
excuse for such churches is the poverty and inex-
perience of the people. I here met with Brother
Elmore, the class-leader, and his family; also with
E. Terrell and family, who are spiritualists. The
next day being Sunday, I rode nine miles, through
a heavy rain, to Mount Union ; met a small con-
gregation, and preached to them. I stopped with
Brother William Todd. He and his family showed
me much kindness. The next day I rode thirty
miles, and reached my home.

On Sunday, December 26th, I preached at Salem
Church, on my third round. The congregation was
not large. That evening I preached at Harve Shil-
lings. We had an excellent meeting, and one young
lady was converted. On Monday I rode six miles
to Obed's River, but found it too deep to ford, and
remained over night with Mr. Adams. The next
morning a young man rode my horse over the river,

132 Autobiography of

and I crossed in the canoe. I rode nine miles to
Crossville, and took dinner with William Hamby, a
hotel-keeper. I rode that afternoon into Grassy
Cove, and staid with Brother Brown. I had an
appointment to preach that night at the Baptist
church, but did not preach because there were no
lights. The next day I had to surround Grassy
Cove Creek, because it could not be forded on ac-
count of high waters. I went to Sequatchie Valley,
preached to a large congregation at Brother Selby's,
and had a good meeting. That night I preached at
J. M. Miller's. The Lord was present in power, and
two young men were powerfully converted. The
next day I rode eight miles to my appointment, going
up Lowe's Gap, of Walden's Ridge, and met a small
congregation, but had a good meeting. Three per-
sons joined the Church. In the afternoon I w^ent
down in the valley to Melville, and preached that
night at the hall. There were only a few in attend-
ance. I remained that night with W. N. Ault, a
merchant and a farmer. The next day I visited the
family of Mr. Thomas, a Northern family. The
next day I preached at Stony Point to a small con-
gregation. From this place I was called to attend
the funeral services of Sister Hale, the wife of
Thomas Hale. The services were held the follow-
ing day, New-Year's day.

The following day I preached at Hale's Chapel.
We had a glorious meeting. A number of peni-
tents were at the altar, and four persons joined our
Church. That night there were two conversions
at the same place. The next morning I baptized
a lady by immersion. I preached again at Hale's

Rev. a. B. Wright. 133

Chapel, and had a good meeting. I preached again
at night, and continued the services until Friday
evening. We had twenty-four conversions, and
twenty-three accessions to our Church. The meet-
ing continued for two days after I left, and resulted
in four more conversions. The next day I rode
eighteen miles, passing through Crossville, and
reached Brother Elmore's, near Maple Springs,
where I spent the night. The Baptists were hold-
ing revival services at the church. I went out
that night and preached. There were a number of
penitents at the altar. The next day I rode four-
teen miles to Mt. Union, and preached twice that
day at this church. We had a good meeting,
penitents were at the altar, and four persons joined
our Church. The next day I rode thirty miles,
and reached my home. Found my family well.
God be praised.

On January 24th I left home for my fourth
round, and stayed that night at Harve Peters's.
The next day I preached at Winnie's to a fair con-
gregation. That night I preached in Crossville, in
a room of a hotel kept by Mrs. Gibson, to a fair-
sized congregation. The next day I rode into
Grassy Cove, and preached that night in the Bap-
tist church, as also the next morning. In the
afternoon, through a heavy rain, I passed through
Swaggerty's Cove, and down into Sequatchie Val-
ley, preaching at Brother Selby's at night. We
had a good meeting. Two young men joined the
Church. The next day I rode eight miles up
Walden's Ridge, and preached at Pleasant Hill;
and again at night at James Kirley's. My quar-

134 Autobiography op

terly-meeting occasion embraced the fifth Sunday
in January, at Stony Point. Rev. W. C. Daily,
the presiding elder, was present ; also Rev. C. J.
Crofts, of the Jamestown Circuit, and Rev. J. H.
Parrott, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
On Monday night there were a number of peni-
tents at the altar ; but, leaving Brother Parrott in
charge, I went on Tuesday, through a heavy rain,
up Cumberland Mountain, and preached at Brother
Crofts'. That afternoon I rode through a snow-
storm to Brother Bennett's, and spent the night. The
next morning, when the thermometer stood at ten
degrees, I baptized a young man by immersion. I
preached the same day sit Hale's Chapel, and again
at night at Laurel Church; also the next day at
the same place, and at night I preached at Thomas
Hale's.

Friday was a very cold and snowy day. The
snow was deep, and I had to travel nine miles by a
strange road, through a dense wilderness. I thought
if I should become lost, I should certainly perish
from cold. O how I felt the need of Divine help!
I reached Howard's Springs in time, and preached
in the morning, and in the afternoon at Koontz
school-house; also at night at Howard's Springs
again, making a ride of fifteen miles in the snow,
and preaching three times in one day. I stopped
that night with Brother Martin, the class-leader. O
how tired I was ! " O land of rest, for thee I sigh !"
The next day I went to Maple Springs, where I
expected to hold revival services. The meeting be-
gan on Saturday, and closed on the following Thurs-
day night. It resulted in eight conversions and

Rev. a. B. Wright. 135

eight accessions to the Church. The weather
was unusually cold all the time. On Friday I rode
forty-two miles to reach my home, and found my
family well.

On my fifth round, at Salem Church on Clear
Creek, I preached to a congregation of two men and
one boy. I went that afternoon nine miles, and
remained over night with D. C. Adams, in company
with Rev. J. V. Brown, of the Methodist E})iscopal
Church, South. The next day being Friday, I
preached at Winnie's to a small congregation, but
we bad an excellent service. That night I preached
in Crossville, in the court-house, to a small congre-
gation. Crossville is the county-seat of Cumber-
land County, and, though a town of some age,
there is not in it nor near it a church-building nor
Church organization, but it has two active saloons.
I spent a part of the next day in the town, and in
the afternoon rode down into Grassy Cove, stopping
with L. Stratton. That night I gave a lecture on
temperance at the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, and the next morning being Sunday, I
preached at the Baptist church, taking a collection
to defray the expense of our delegates to the next
General Conference. We had a very pleasant meet-
ing. I spent a very pleasant time at the home of
Mr. Marston and family, and stopped for the night
with Mr. Wilson, lately of Ohio. I find them an
excellent family. The next day I spent a time at
the home of Dr. Chamberlain ; found the doctor
still very sick, but I hope improving. That after-
noon I crossed over Walden's Ridge into Sequatchie
Valley, and preached that night for a lady, very low

136 Autobiography of

with consimiptioD, by the name of Ford. We had
a very happy meeting, indeed.

The next morning I preached at Orme's school-
house to the children, and at night I preached in
the hall in Melville to a large congregation. Rev.
A. C. Peters, of the Washington Circuit, was pres-
ent. We had a glorious meeting. I spent the night
with Frank Lee. He is an excellent man, and has
a nice family. The following day I was to preach
at Pleasant Hill, on Walden's Ridge, but on the
way was met by a terrific storm of wind and rain,
so that I had to stop. I did not reach the appoint-
ment. That night I preached at Stony Point to a
large congregation. Brother Peters being present
and assisting. On Thursday I preached at the resi-
dence of Rev. C. J. Crofts in the morning, and in the
afternoon at Hale's Chapel. At both places there
were large congregations. On Friday, in the morn-
ing, I preached at Laurel Church, with happy re-
sults; and at night I preached at Zion Hill. The
people came to these services in large numbers. On
this occasion I organized a class at Laurel Church.
This is the first organization of a class at this
church.

On Saturday morning, I began a two days^ meet-
ing at Koontz school-house. After a ride of fifteen
miles, I reached the place in time for morning serv-
ice ; the occasion being the time of the monthly
meeting of the Baptist Church at this place. After
service on Saturday, they held their Church session,
in which they preferred charges against a young
preacher for drunkenness and swearing. The charges
were not sustained. The young man afterwards

Rev. a. B. Wright. 137

joined our Church. They also preferred charges
against a young lady for attending parties. She
would not acknowledge any wrong, and her case
was continued until next meeting; but the nexrt
day she joined our Church. My meeting closed at
this place on Monday morning. On the same night
I preached at John Tabor's. The Lord was present
in power. The following day I preached at Maple
Springs. I took a good missionary collection.
That night I preached at the same place. The
Holy Ghost came upon the people in power, and
one young lady was converted. On Wednesday
morning, after a ride of fourteen miles, I preached
at Mount Union, to a small but attentive congrega-
tion. The next day I rode* thirty miles to reach
my home, passing through Jamestown. I found
my family well.

On my sixth round I did not reach Salem
Church at the appointed hour, but preached that
night at John Lowers. A number were in attend-
ance, and I trust much good was done. Brother
Lowe and family are plain, honest, and industrious
Christian people. The next day I rode eleven
miles, preached a missionary sermon to the Vickery
class, and took a good missionary collection. That
night, after a ride of five miles, I preached at
Crossville, in the court-house. The Masons had
their monthly meeting at the same time, and this
fact lessened my congregation. I am a Freemason
myself, but I never allow my lodge-meetings to in-
terfere with my going to Church. The following
day I preached at the home of Mrs. Dortou, who
lives eight miles from Crossville. The congrega-

138 Autobiography of

tion was small. Mrs. Dorton is a member of the
Baptist Church, but had invited me to preach at
her house.

The following day being Sunday, I preached in
Grassy Cove, on the cause of missions, and took a
collection for the same. After spending some hours
pleasantly in the homes of Messrs. Stratton, Brown,
and Chamberlain, I crossed Walden^s Ridge into
Sequatchie Valley^ and preached in the afternoon at
Mrs. Davenport's to a large congregation, again
taking a missionary collection. The following day
being Monday, I drew up a deed for a piece of
ground on which to build a Methodist church, and
had it signed and witnessed. I ran out the lot, and
marked the corners; also drew up a subscription
paper and secured some funds for building purposes.
I preached that night at Melville, and after preach-
ing, spent the night at William Lee's. The next day
I preached in the morning at Pleasant Hill, after
climbing a very rugged mountain to reach the place,
and at night preached at Stony Point. Here I took
a collection for missions.

On Wednesday I preached at Gray Eidge, and
at night at Hale's Chapel. On both occasions I
preached on the subject of missions, and took col-
lections. On Thursday, in the morning, I preached
at Laurel Church, and in the evening at Zion Hill
Church. At Laurel Church a Second Adventist had
been preaching, day and night, for four weeks. He
holds that the Jewish Sabbath is the proper day to
observe for Sunday, and that the abstaining from
swine's flesh is essential. He seems to be an intel-
ligent young man, and has secured some converts

Rev. a. B. Wright. 139

to his views. That night, in going from Church to
Brother Burger's, during a heavy thunderstorm,
the night being very dark, I was seriously hurt by
my horse passing under a limb of a tree, which
struck me across the face, making an ugly wound,
which bled freely.

The next day, although feeling very poorly, I
rode thirteen miles to preach at Pleasant Hill, on
the road from Crossville to Sparta. I felt strongly
tempted to stop several times on the way ; but my
zeal rallied, and I went on. However, I did not
reach the place in time for the morning service, but
preached at three o'clock in the aiternoon. Here I
met several strange families — Mr. Hubbard and
family, who are Congregationalists ; Mr. Fry and
family, who are Lutherans. Next day being Sat-
urday, my quarterly-meeting began at Howard
Springs. Brother Daily was present. The usual
services of the quarterly-meeting occasion were held.

The following Tuesday I preached at Maple
Springs in the morning, and at Robert Keys' at
night. On both occasions I took a collection for
the cause of education. The next day I preached
at Mount Union. The Lord was present in heal-
ing power. On this round three persons joined our
Church, coming from the Baptist Church. On
Thursday I rode a distance of thirty miles to
reach my home, and found my family well. God be
praised.

On account of making a trip through Morgan
County with my wife, to visit our daughter, Mrs.
Peters, I did not reach my appointment at Salem
Church May 11th. Traveling a strange road, I be-

140 Autobiography of

came lost, and did not reach the place until too late
for service. I spent that night at Jack HalPs. He,
his wife, daughters, and sons, all work in the corn-
fields. They make about a supply for home use.
They know but little about books or letters, but
are contented and happy. The next day I preached
at Vickery's, to a congregation composed of two
ladies and a gentleman.

On May 13th, after riding fifteen miles, I
reached N. C. Brown's, in Grassy Cove, who lives
near the Baptist Church, where I was to preach that
day. A heavy storm of wind and rain arose, which
prevented a congregation from attending, and so
there was no service. That afternoon I rode nine
miles to reach an appointment at five o'clock in
Sequatchie Valley, having to cross a very high
mountain. I reached the place in time, preached
to a good congregation, and took an educational
collection. The next day, being Sunday, I preached
at Stony Point a sermon especially for children.
The Holy Ghost came upon the people, and shouts
went up from the camps of Israel. That afternoon
I preached in Melville. At both services I took
a collection for education. After preaching I rode
eight miles up Cumberland Mountain, and cele-
brated the rites of matrimony, that night, between
Reuben Lee and a daughter of Rev. C. J. Crofts,
at the home of her father. The next morning I
had great nervous prostration, caused by excessive
traveling and preaching. However, I rode down
into the valley seven miles to Brother Lee's with
the wedding party. In the afternoon, after a ride
of four miles, I preached at Pleasant Hill to a

Rev. a. B. Wright. 141

small congregation, although I was very hoarse.
That night I staid with Mrs. Roberts, whose hus-
band had been murdered by the Confederates dur-
ing the late war. The next morning I preached
again at Pleasant Hill, and took an educational
collection. I spent the day visiting a number of
families in the valley, and took W. H. Swofford
into the Church. The next day, riding four miles
up Cumberland Mountain, I preached at Gray
Ridge Church. The congregation was small. The
following day, at Hale's Chapel, I preached a ser-
mon on Christian baptism, in reply to a sermon
preached by Rev. D. H. Cottrell some time before.
Mr. Cottrell is a Baptist minister.

In the afternoon of the following day I preached
to an attentive congregation at Laurel Church. I
remained over night with John Wyatt. Mr. Wyatt
and his wife are members of the Campbellite
Church, while his oldest daughter is a Methodist,
and two others are seekers of religion at the. altar.
The next morning I visited an aged couple by the
name of Stone. They were both happy in the love
of God. I held services with them. On arriving
at the church I found the congregation engaged in
an experience-meeting. Although this was Satur-
day, the Second Adventists were holding their Sab-
bath services. A large number from the Campbell-
ite Church had been influenced by the Second Ad-
ventist preacher into these strange views, and had
created quite a confusion in the neighborhood. I
preached here for two days. Mourners came to the
altar in large numbers, and several joined our
Church. I did what I could to quiet the trouble

142 Autobiography of

in this commuDity. On Sunday afternoon I took
an educational collection.

On Monday, May 22d, after a lonely ride ot
thirteen miles through a wilderness country, I
preached in the afternoon, at Pleasant Hill Church,
to an attentive congregation. After preaching I
visited a young lady who had been afflicted for two
years with a lingering disease. I found that she
was not a Christian, nor concerned about her soul ;
but I held religious services with her, and left her.
The next day I rode seven miles and preached in
the morning at Howard's Springs, and in the after-
noon rode five miles, and preached at Maple Springs,
on the mode of baptism. After riding fourteen
miles the next day, I preached to an attentive con-
gregation at Mount Union. I spent the night with
William Todd. His little grandson was in the last
stage of dropsy. The next morning I baptized the
little boy and his two little sisters, and rode thirty
miles during the day, a part of the time through
heavy rain, to reach my home.

During this round I traveled, in fifteen days,
two hundred and thirty miles, and preached fifteen
times. I set off for my work again, June 7th, in
the early morning. After riding twenty-four miles,
I stopped for the night with William McFarland,
who lives by a new, half-finished log church, built
by the United Brethren I was to preach there that
night. The congregation was attentive, but small,
the country being very thinly settled. As they had
neither lamp nor candle for making a light, I
preached by the light of a pine torch. I spent the
night with Mr. McFarland. He and his wife and

Rev. a. B. Wright. 143

large family are industrious people, his wife being
a neat housekeeper. They had recently moved into
the place, which, before their arrival, had been ex-
posed to stock, the hogs having lain about the
house and under the floor. I had an all-night
hand-to-hand fight with the fleas.

The next day, in the morning, I preached at
Mount Union, and in the afternoon at the residence
of Mr. Terrell, having ridden eighteen miles and
preached twice during the day. The next morning,
accompanied by the most of Mr. TerrelPs family, I
rode five miles through the rain, and preached at
Maple Springs to a large congregation. In the after-
noon I attended service in a new and unfinished log
church, built by the Baptists. Rev. Mr. Wilson, a
Baptist minister, preached to a large congregation.
The following day I preached at Howard Springs.
The following Saturday and Sunday I held a two
days' meeting at Pleasant Hill. On the Sabbath
I preached three times, and organized a Methodist
Church at this place; a number of people, who had
been members of the Congregational Church in the
North, united with our Church. I also took an
educational collection on Sunday.

On Monday I rode eleven miles, and remained
over night at James Lowe's. Brother Lowe had
a son very sick with typhoid fever. I fear he may
not recover. He is a good boy, however, he, with
his brother, having been converted. I took them
both into our Church in the beginning of the year.
The next day I preached at Laurel Church, where the
Second Adventists had been producing such a cloud
of confusion. I preached on the Christian Sabbath.

144 Autobiography of

It seems to me to be a misfortune with a great
mauy people of this mountain country that they
will readily embrace a new theory, though it be in
direct conflict with a well-tried and God-approved
old theory. These Second Adventists, instead of
spreading a gospel of peace, are spreading a gospel
of confusion and strife. These Advent preachers
have entered a community that was living in peace
and harmony, and have brought discord and strife;
and, so far as I could learn, they have not awakened
nor brought a single soul to Christ. These are
stubborn facts in their case.

On Wednesday I preached in the morning at
Hale's Chapel, and in the afternoon at Gray Ridge,
having ridden twelve miles and preached twice dur-
ing the day. The next morning I rode down the
mountain and into the valley four miles, and
preached at Stony Point. I stopped for dinner
with Brother Patton. In the afternoon I preached
at Pleasant Hill. On Friday I preached at Orme\s
school-house, and in the afternoon was so pros-
trated from excessive labor that I was compelled
to rest at the home of G. W. Miller. The follow-
ing Saturday and Sunday was the occasion of my
third quarterly - meeting in Grassy Cove. There
had been such heavy rains for two days and nights
that all the streams were greatly swollen, and the
earth seemed submerged with water. I had no
trouble, however, in reaching the meeting, as my
route lay over a very high mountain, a distance of
eight miles. Brother Daily, my presiding elder,
after a circuitous route, reached the meeting in due
time. The congregations were small, the people

Rev. a. B. Wright. 145

being unable to reach the church because of many
and high waters. The usual services of a quar-
terly-meeting occasion were held. Brother Daily
did the preaching. The meeting was held by in-
vitation in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
On Monday I took dinner with Father and Mother
Renfro, an aged couple. They are the parents of
two distinguished ministers of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church, South. I then set out for the home
of my daughter, who lives in Morgan County, and
after a ride of two days I reached that place. The
next day, in company with my wife, I traveled
twenty-six miles to reach my home.

During this round of fifteen days I traveled 215
miles, preached 16 times, and prayed in 40 families.
God be praised. It may be helpful to those who
come after to give a true description of mission-
work on the Cumberland plateau. It may not be
without interest, also, to those who may occupy
more favorable fields. I have had the painful op-
portunity to be appointed to labor on some of the
hardest mountain missions, and on them I have
toiled and endured as seeing Him who is invisible.
However, when God has poured from clouds of
mercy rich salvation upon the people, and when in
religious enjoyment, from the most excellent glory,
I have been lifted to Pisgah's top, and have seen by
faith the goodly land before me, I would not ex-
change this work for a city station.

On this mission field there live as true-hearted
Christian people as can be found anywhere in the
world. The native people of this mountain will
make greater sacrifices to attend Church than any

10

146 Autobiography of

other people that I have ever seen. I have known
ladies to walk from five to fifteen miles to hear one
of the Lord^s ministers preach one sermon, and
they did not regard this as a hardship; and they
were as chaste and respectable people as can be
found anywhere. Very often you may see nearly
the whole family — husband and wife, brothers and
sisters — march into the field early in the morning,
and remain all day, in cultivating corn or in har-
vesting. Their food is plain, palatable, and nutri-
tious. A better -contented people is not to be
found anywhere. Their houses are built of logs,
chinked and daubed, and are very comfortable in
the winter. The fireplaces are large, in which they
place heaps of logs for the winter fire. Around
these fires they spend their winter evenings in a
very pleasant manner. They cook on the fire-
places, for among them a cook -stove is a rare
thing. They are generally clear of debt, and have
plenty of milch-cows and work-oxen ; and many of
them have fat horses, and almost all of them own
real estate.

On almost all the table-land one can buy thou-
sands of acres of unimproved land at from twenty-
five cents to one dollar per acre. A great deal of
this land will produce from five to six barrels of
corn, or one hundred bushels of Irish potatoes, to
the acre. I have known families who had three or
four hundred dollars loaned out on interest, and not
less than five hundred dollars' worth of fat cattle
on the range, who did not own a Bible, or take any
religious newspaper, nor any other kind, and did
not have any books in their homes, and yet owned

Rev. a. B. Wright. 147

two or three fiddles and three or four rifle guns.
These families are exceptions, however. Thou-
sands of others were great readers and well-posted.
I have sold thousands of books in that country.

The reader discovers that I spend only about one
half of my time in my field of labor. I made it a
point to preach nearly every day, and sometimes as
often as two or three times a day, ride fifteen or
twenty miles, generally over very rough roads, and
along the way visit and pray with a number of fam-
ilies. I have read hundreds of pages and volumes
of books through, riding along a wilderness road on
horseback. About one half of my time I was com-
pelled to labor on my farm to make a support for
my family. Outside of the missionary appropria-
tions, there was little other remuneration on these
missions. Three years ago I traveled a large work
the whole year, and received less than thirty dollars
of salary for the same. This looks like the pioneer
days of Peter Cartwright. The men who have
labored in these fields have their record on high.
Nothing but loyalty to God could lead men to suffer
these things. I have now traveled the Crossville
mission nine months; I have traveled seventeen
hundred miles on horseback over a rough mountain
country ; have preached one hundred and forty-one
times; have visited and prayed in four hundred
families, and have received as a compensation thirty-
seven dollars and fifty cents.

On my farm I raised good crops of corn, wheat,
oats, and hay ; also had live-stock, horses, mules,
cows, sheep, and hogs. I was educating my chil-
dren in the best schools of the country. My wife

148 Autobiography of

was wide-awake and knew how to manage the farm
in my absence, and my children were industrious,
and by it all we made a good living. I pever
drummed a congregation for my support. I be-
lieved this to be the work of the stewards. I have
never complained about my support. On my work
there are about three hundred members. Many of
them are very poor in this world, while quite a
number of them hold considerable wealth. Many
of them have done all that they could, and possi-
bly some of them have done more than they should
have done, while many have not done one-fourth of
what they ought to do.

The support of Methodist preachers often comes
from the poorer members. Our wealthy members
too often are covetous. It seems difficult to
have our financial matters properly proportioned.
Some of our members have a good-will to do, but
lack the ability ; while others have the ability, but
lack the good-will. Of these two classes I respect
the former the more.

On a piece of ground which I had given and
deeded to the Methodist Episcopal Church, myself
and neighbors had erected a good church-building,
one year before this time. It was within two hun-
dred yards of my house, and was called Mt. Union.
Rev. J. V. Brown, of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, and myself began a union meeting
at this place, July 8th, he and I preaching alter-
nately. It continued eight days. The power of
the Holy Ghost was manifest from the very be-
ginning in deep convictions, in thorough conver-
sions, and in the reclaiming of backsliders. Mem-

Rev. a. B. Wright. 149

bers of both branches of the Methodist Church
worked with commendable zeal in the altar, and
shouted aloud the praise of God together. Forty
souls were powerfully converted to God, and thirty-
two persons united with the two Churches. That
which made the meeting of great interest to me
was, that it was among my own neighbors, and
largely among my own relatives.

After resting one day, Brother Brown and I
held another unioo meeting four miles northwest of
my home, in a beautiful grove near the residence
of Manson Flowers. We held nine days. The
people of that neighborhood, a few years before,
built a comfortable union church, but a short time
before this meeting it had caught fire, and was re-
duced to ashes. So we were forced to hold our
services in a grove. During the meeting there were
frequent showers of rain, which compelled us to re-
pair to some farm-house for shelter. The congre-
gations crowded the houses, porches, and yards, so
eager were they for the word of life. Notwith-
standing our great inconvenience, mourners came
in numbers to the altar, and the people of God of
different denominations shouted aloud the praise oi
their salvation. Thirteen souls were happily con-
verted, and eleven persons joined the two Methodist
Churches.

These were great meetings, indeed. I have
never seen it fail that where Christian people unite
in love and in effort there is always salvation. I
have ever been in favor of union, both in Church
aud State. I hope the day will never come when any
other Church will reach out a longer arm for Chris-

150 Autobiography of

tian union than the Methodist Episcopal Church.
I rejoice to believe that the time is near when ostra-
cism and hard terms will give way to kind words
and to a better feeling — when it will no more be
said that the Methodist Episcopal Church is tran-
scending the bounds of her mission to go anywhere
in the w^orld where there are souls to be saved ; for
with the best that both Churches are doing in this
country, souls are being lost in our midst. I hope
and pray that Methodism may be one in our land ;
for ^^ united we stand, divided we fall.'^ In the
meantime let us cultivate love for each other ; for the
Savior has said : ^' By this shall all men know that
ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.'^

On July 28th I set off from home for my cir-
cuit. After riding about seventy miles in two days,
I reached Stony Point, in Sequatchie Valley, where
I was to hold my first basket-meeting. During the
last day of my traveling I passed through a heavy
thunderstorm of wind and rain. The meeting at
this place continued for seven days, and the power
of the Holy Ghost was present all the time. In all
my ministry I never saw so many anxious penitents
with so few conversions. At some of the services
there were most melting seasons. The Christian
people of the diiFerent Churches united in the work.
Heavy showers of rain fell every day of the meet-
ing. Four souls were converted, and one person
united with our Church. I baptized three adults
and one infant, and received three persons into the
Church.

My second basket-meeting was held at Hale's
Chapel, in Cumberland County, embracing the first

Rev. a. B. Wright. 151

Sunday in August, and continuing three days. It
was held in union with the Baptist Church. Rev.
G. W. Pressley, pastor of the Baptist Church, was
present all the time. I think he is a very sincere
man, but quite illiterate. Rev. D. H. Cottrell, of
the Baptist Church, and Rev. M. J. Patton, of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, rendered valu-
able aid. Penitents cam6 to the altar in large num-
bers, one soul was converted, and two persons
united with our Church. I baptized ten adults,
and received eleven persons into full connection.
My third basket-meeting was held at Laurel
Church, in the same county, embracing the second
Sunday in August. It continued six days. The
Holy Ghost came down upon the people in won-
derful power. A number of the best young men
and young ladies of that country were at the altar.
Ten persons were powerfully converted to God,
and the same number united with our Church. I
baptized five adults, and received six into full con-
nection. This is the place where the Second Ad-
ventists had caused so much confusion. The Lord
gave to his people a great victory over their false
teachings.

My fourth basket-meeting commenced at Maple
Springs, August 15th, and continued four days.
There was one conversion and one accession to the
Church. I baptized three persons, and received
five into full connection. At the close of this
meeting I set out for my leaders' and stewards'
meeting in Sequatchie Valley, and in the afternoon
of Saturday traveled seventeen miles over a strange
road, through a dense wilderness — not a house, plan-

162 Autobiography of

tation, Dor person to be seen on the way. O what
solitudes are these! What opportunities for medi-
tation and study in nature's primeval forests ! My
fifth basket-meeting was held at Orme's school-
house, in Sequatchie Valley, embracing the third
Sunday in August. It was held in connection with
my leaders' and stewards' meeting. We had an old-
fashioned, wonderful meeting. This place is in a
densely-settled country. The school-house being
small, and the congregations being large, we were
compelled to worship near by in a grove — nature's
first temple. Here for a number of days we sang,
prayed, and shouted, while souls were converted.
Rev. J. H. Parrott, of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, was present, and preached with
power. The result was eight conversions and ten
accessions to our Church. I baptized eleven adults,
and received six persons into full connection.

My sixth basket-meeting was held at Mt. Union,
in Fentress County, embracing the fourth Sunday in
August. This place is in a thinly-settled country;
but the people came from great distances, and the
congregations were large. The Holy Ghost was
present in wonderful power at every service. The
meeting continued three days, and resulted in four
conversions and ten accessions to our Church. I
baptized four adults and one infant, and received
one person into full connection. At the close of
this meeting I rode thirty miles to reach my home,
after an absence of several weeks. After remain-
ing at home about ten days, in company with Rev.
W. C Daily I set out for my fourth quarterly-
meeting, to be held at Gray Ridge Church, about

Rev. a. B. Wright. 153

seventy-five miles distant. After preaching a num-
ber of times along the way, and baptizing several
persons, I reached the place of the quarterly-meet-
ing in due time. We had a very pleasant meeting.
Brother Daily and I preached in turn. We finished
paying the presiding elder his full claim on the
work.

This closed my year's work on the Crossvilie
Circuit, and after a ride of two days I reached my
home. This has been a most laborious year's work.
In the beginning I had started out with the view of
elevating the condition of the mission in a spirit-
ual, literary, and financial way. Missionary prayer-
meetings were held monthly in each class. I held a
number of services in the interest of a sanctified, or
higher life. I preached one round' on missions and
took collections, and I preached one round on edu-
cation and took collections. I also raised five dol-
lars for the East Tennessee Wesleyan University at
Athens. I preached one round on the cause of tem-
perance. I traveled during the year on horseback
2,051 miles, climbing up or going down Cumber-
land Mountain six times on each round, and Wal-
den's Ridge twice. I preached 181 times, received
105 persons into the Church, witnessed 80 happy
conversions, visited and prayed with 500 families,
baptized 48 adults and 6 infants. In addition to
this, I did a great deal of manual labor in the
field as a farmer. I read during the year in books
4,166 pages, besides a number of weekly newspa-
pers, and my Bible, Hymn-book, and Discipline.
I was now in my fiftieth year of age. I mention
these things in the hope that I may stimulate our

154 Autobiography of

younger ministers to greater industry in the vine-
vard of the Lord. May God save our ministry from
self-indulgence !

This year I raised more money for our benevo-
lences than was raised by any other charge in the
Athens District, though there were several prosper-
ous circuits and stations in the district. I do not
mention this boastingly, but to show that small col-
lections come from a lack of going about the work
in 4 proper way. There is no need that our mis-
sionary treasury should be in debt. The Crossville
Mission consisted of fifteen appointments. Eleven
of them were on the table-lands of the Cumber-
land, one was on Walden's Kidge, three in Sequat-
chie Valley, and one in Grassy Cove. The Grassy
Cove is surrounded by mountains, and is a fertile
country, but holds a great deal of stagnant water.
It is largely inhabited by Northern people. Our
Church has a small society there, but no church
building. The surrounding water- shed forms a
large creek, which passes through the cove, plunges
into and under the mountain, passing through a
natural tunnel of eight miles, when it emerges from
the mountain at the head of Sequatchie Valley,
forming the beautiful Sequatchie River.

Sequatchie Valley has a fertile soil, is not more
than five miles wide at any place, and is about sev-
enty miles long. It is densely populated with a
well-to-do and wealthy people. It lies between the
Cumberland Mountains on one side, lifting high
their giant heads, and on the other by Walden's
Ridge. There is not a more lovely or beautiful
valley in the world.

Rkv. a. B. Wright. 155

Fully two-thirds of the mountain part of Cum-
berland County is yet in an uncultivated state.
Dense forests of oak, hickory, chestnut, maple, and
occasionally some pine, abound. It is well watered
with abundant springs of freestone water, and min-
eral springs of various kinds are numerous. Valu-
able timber is abundant, coal is plentiful, and I
think iron may be found in some places. Natural
grass grows luxuriantly everywhere. It is very
nutritious for stock ; cattle and horses will become
fat through the summer and fall. I am told that
large cattle will live without any help through the
winter, unless during excessively cold weather. I
saw some young horses that had lived in the woods
on the range through the winter without any help,
and they looked well in the spring. The unculti-
vated laud can be purchased at a low rate. A per-
son with a small capital can make a good living in
this country, while one with a large capital may
do well here. This country lies remote from any
railroad.

The native people have been greatly misunder-
stood by the outside world. It has been thought
that one could scarcely pass through that country
without the peril of life or property. This is a
great mistake. Having spent eight years in mis-
sion-work among them, and having lived with them
in their homes, and having had the opportunity to
study them carefully, I must say that they have
done wonderfully well for their advantages. Their
population is not sufficiently dense to have the best
public schools. It is true that they have not many
comfortable school-houses ; but they will make as

156 Autobiography of

great sacrifices to secure these conveniences, ac-
cording to their ability, as the people of any other
country or city. As large a proportion of the pop-
ulation are worthy Church members as one finds
anywhere else; and their religious life is of the
highest order. The Methodist, Baptist, Campbell-
ite, and Presbyterian Churches are represented. A
more hospitable people lives nowhere else. They
esteem it an honor to entertain a minister of the
gospel. Their kindness is spontaneous and large.
In eight years of labor I have witnessed about one
thousand happy conversions among these people;
and while some have proven the traitor, like Judas,
a great many are living witnesses of Jesus' power
to save. A number have crossed the flood, shout-
ing victory in death, and are among the white-robed
throng on the other side. Some have been known,
when too weak to speak, to raise their hand in
token of complete triumph over death. I cherish
a happy meeting with many of these people on the
other side of the river. In the resurrection morn-
ing I expect to see a great number of people rise from
their graves on this Cumberland Mountain, in the
first resurrection. O what a happy day that will
be, when husband and wife, parents and children,
brothers and sisters, friends and neighbors, and pas-
tor and flock, shall meet on that happy shore, where
" sickness, sorrow, pain, and death are felt and feared
no more!" Then shall we all join in one universal
song, " Unto him that loved us and hath washed us
from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us
kings and priests unto God and his father; to him
be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."

Rev. a. B. Wright. 157

I left home for the seat of Conference October
2d. The Conference was to convene October 4th,
in Kingston, Tennessee, Bishop Scott presiding. I
rode the first day twenty-six miles, and remained
over night with my daughter, Mrs. Peters. The
next day I rode twelve miles, to Brother Brown's,
on Rock Creek, for dinner, and in the afternoon
rode fourteen miles, and remained over night with
F. M. Goddard. The next day I rode eleven miles
to Colonel DaiPs for dinner, and in the afternoon
rode four miles into Kingston. I remained at the
Conference two days and nights, stopping with Ellis
Devaney. Obtaining leave of absence from the
Conference on Friday, I rode out four miles and
preached at Swan Pond Church that night, stopping
with Colonel Dail. The next day I rode eight
miles, and took dinner with Mrs. Cross, who lives
at the foot of Whetstone Mountain, and in the
afternoon rode fifteen miles, and preached at Scutch-
eon Church at night. The next day being Sunday,
at the residence of J. R. Brown I preached the
funeral of Father Dawn, and rode that evening
seven miles, and remained over night with Edly
Galloway. The next day I rode five miles and
remained with my daughter, and the following day
rode twenty -six miles to my home.

158 Autobiography of

CHAPTER XII.

WARTBURG AND JAMESTOWN.

BY the Conference of 1876 I was appointed to
the Wartbiirg Circuit. Rev. T. H. Russell was
my presiding elder. I set off on my first round,
November 3d, it being my semi-centennial birth-
day. On this round my first quarterly-meeting was
held at Wartburg, embracing the third Sunday in
November. Brother Russell was present, and pre-
sided with great acceptability. On the second rbund
there were some indications for good. At my first
appointment a very prominent gentleman united
with our Church. At a night service which I held
at Mrs. Potter's, penitents were at the altar of prayer,
and one young lady joined the Church. This brings
me to the close of another year. What an eventful
one it has been, being the centennial of American
independence, and also the semi-centennial of my
mortal life ! I am sure I have run much the longer
part of the race.

During the year I preached two hundred and
one times, baptized forty-eight adults and seven
infants, preached the funerals of sixteen persons,
and married three couples. Now, with a heart of
gratitude to God for past mercies, I start out upon
the year of 1877. O, my Lord, help me to do more
for thee this year than during any previous year !
On the third round of the circuit, on account of the
very severe cold and ice over the creeks and roads,
I did not reach my first appointments. However, I
fell in with and filled the greater part of them ; but

Rev. a. B. Wright. 159

from severe cold and tiDComfortable houses in which
to worship, I could not accomplish much. How-
ever, I had some happy meetings, and saw, as I
thought, some omens of good. On the fourth
round, at Mount Vernon, after preaching in the
day, I preached at night at David McCormick's.
A number of penitents were at the altar, four souls
were powerfully converted, and three persons united
with our Church. The next night I preached at
John Galloway's, near by. The power of convict-
ing and converting grace was present. Four others
were converted, while Christians shouted aloud for
joy. At nearly every appointment on this round
there were anxious penitents at the altar, and at a
night service on Yellow Creek one person was
converted.

On this round, in visiting the family of Hon.
M. T. Atkins, in Wartburg, I baptized an infant,
and received into our Church a young lady.
Miss Walker. At Lee's school-house a lady
united with our Church, coming from the Bap-
tist Church. My second quarterly-meeting was
held at Ramsey's Chapel, embracing the third
Sunday in February. Brother Russell was present,
and preached with power. There were a number
of anxious penitents at the altar. During the
month of March there were still growing indica-
tions for good. At a night service which I held
at Dennis Hull's, there were anxious penitents at
the altar, and two persons united with the Church.

On the same round I baptized and received into
full connection a number of persons whom I had
received on probation two years before. The pastor

160 Autobiography of

of the past year had not baptized nor received
these probationers, although he was an ordained
minister. At Mt. Horr, one brother, a merchant,
united with our Church. In April I preached
some funerals, organized a number of Sabbath-
schools, and at several places held altar services
with penitents. At Ramsey's Chapel a lady of the
United Brethren Church united with our Church.
In May the convicting power of God was manifest
at nearly all of the appointments. I preached a
number of funerals.

My third quarterly-meeting was held at
Scutcheon Church, beginning May 12th, and con-
tinuing five days. Brother Russell presided, and
remained during the entire meeting, preaching and
laboring in the altar, with the power of the Holy
Ghost gent down from heaven. During the meet-
ing fifteen souls were powerfully converted, and
fourteen persons united with our Church. The con-
versions and accessions were among the best people
of the country. Some of these were Germans who
spoke English plainly. From that meeting Brother
Russell and I uiet a congregation in Scott County,
and he preached to them. We held an interesting
altar service. The next day we met a congrega-
tion in Morgan County, and again Brother Russell
preached. From that place we went to PauFs
Chapel in Fentress County, where the third quar-
terly-meeting for Jamestown Circuit was held. I
remained there until Sunday evening. Penitents
were weeping at the altar. Rev. A. B. Hale was
the preacher in charge of Jamestown Circuit.

In June I preached a number of funerals, held

Rev. A. B. Wright. 161

several missionary meetings, and raised some very
good missionary collections. At a meeting which
I held at old Montgomery Camp-ground, I organ-
ized a class at that place, held a very precious
altar service, baptized a number of adults and in-
fants, and received four persons into the Church.
That place was near the present town of Lansing.
At Mt. Horr a young lady united with our Church.
My son. Rev. J. C. Wright, filled my work during
the month of July. On the first day of July I
rode under a very hot sun, and over a very rough
mountain ten miles, to preach some funerals, but
as some of the relatives were sick the funerals
were deferred.

On July 6th, in company with Rev. A. B.
Hale, I set off from home, to hold the quarterly-
meeting for the Crossville Circuit, by request of
the presiding elder, to be held at Mt. Union, more
than thirty miles from my home. We reached the
place early on Saturday morning, and found a large
congregation assembled under a newly-built shed.
Rev. C. J. Crofts was preacher in charge of this
work. The meeting continued two days. Brothers
Hale and Johnson and myself doing the preaching.
The power of the Lord was present to heal. One
soul was converted, and two united with our
Church. We had an excellent communion service,
and a precious experience-meeting.

On July 13th I left home to meet some funeral
appointments in Wayne and Clinton Counties,
Kentucky. The next day being Saturday, I
preached both in the morning and in the afternoon
at Guffey's Chapel. On Sunday morning, the con-

11

162 Autobiography of

gregation being so large, I preached in a grove the
funerals of three ladies, two of them being wives
of the same husband, John Allen. In the after-
noon I preached the funeral of an aged mother in
Israel, at the close of which penitents came to the
altar for prayers. Three persons were happily
converted, while Christians shouted aloud.

On Monday morning I set off for home, but
stopped on the w^ay to baptize two infant children
of Marion Pardieu, one of which was a babe not
quite twenty-four hours old, the youngest babe that
I had ever baptized. It looked as sweet and inno-
cent as a little angel. On July 21st I left home
for Wayne County, to preach the funeral of G. W.
Upchurch, he having requested just before his
death that I should do this. After riding eight
miles I stopped and baptized two children of
Brother Atkinson. The next morning I bapttzed
three children of Rev. J. H. Carter, then repaired
to a large graveyard near by, and preached the
funeral of George W. Upchurch to a large congre-
gation. My first basket-meeting was held at Emory
Church, embracing the last Sabbath in July. It
was also the occasion of my fourth quarterly-meet-
ing. Brother Russell was present, and preached
with great acceptability, remaining five days with
me. This had seemed to be the most lifeless place
on the work ; but at this meeting the membership
was greatly revived, mourners came in crowds to
the altar, twenty souls were converted, and nine
united with our Church. At the close I organized
a large band of young men and young ladies into a
Christian association.

Rkv. a. B. Wright. 163

My second basket-meeting was held at Young's
Chapel, embracing the first Sabbath in August. I
preached four funeral sermons during the meeting.
The Lord gloriously revived his work. We held
for six days. Ten souls were converted, and ten
joined the Church. God be praised. I had great
nervous prostration during the meeting, caused by
excessive labor and very great heat.

My third basket-meeting was held at Mount
Vernon, embracing the second Sunday in August.
On the Sabbath of this meeting I moved the serv-
ices two miles to a private house, so as to accom-
modate a sick lady, the funerals of whose friends I
preached at that service. The meeting continued
three days. A large number of penitents were at
the altar, six souls were converted, and five united
with our Church.

My fourth basket-meeting was held at Mont-
gomery camp-ground, embracing the third Sunday
in August, and continuing four days. Four persons
were converted, and two joined the Church. Dur-
ing the same week, at Scutcheon Church, I bap-
tized several infants and adults, and received a
number into full connection into the Church. At
Mount Vernon two excellent persons united with
our Church, from the Presbyterian Church.

My fifth basket-meeting was held at Ramsey
Chapel, embracing the fourth Sunday in August.
During the meeting I was very sick all the time;
and though without any preaching help, I contin-
ued the services for four days, with penitents at
the altar. Five souls were gloriously converted.

From this meeting I returned home very sick.

164 Autobiography of

In a few days I was able to be out again, and as-
sisted in some excellent revival services at the Meth-
odist Episcopal Church, South, at the Three Forks
of Wolf River. At the request of the presiding
elder of the Lexington District, Kentucky Confer-
ence, I held for him the second quarterly-meeting
for the Cumberland City Circuit, at Edwards
Chapel, during the first days of September, al-
though I was very sick during the time. Notwith-
standing I was in very feeble health, I met large
congregations, and preached a number of funerals,
both in Tennessee and Kentucky, during September.

I have now finished my tenth year's work as an
itinerant minister. During the past year, under my
ministry seventy persons have been converted to
God, and fifty-five have united with our Church.
I have baptized twenty-five adults and twenty in-
fants, and have raised sixteen dollars for the benev-
olent collections.

I set off from home for our Annual Conference,
in the afternoon of September 22d, rode twelve
miles across Doubletop Mountain, and staid over
night with John Albertson, on Obed's River. The
next morning, being Sunday, I met a large congre-
gation at a graveyard near by, and preached the
funerals of two gentlemen and an infant. In the
afternoon I rode to Jamestown, and preached at
night. The next day I rode thirteen miles, and
took dinner with Walter Vann. In the afternoon
I preached at Mount Vernon, baptized three young
ladies, and received them into the Church. I staid
that night at John Galloway's. His daughter was
very low with fever. The next day I rode nineteen

Rev. a. B. Wright. 165

Qiiles, and remained over uight at Mrs. Nitzschke's,
a German lady. Her eldest son, Julius J. Nitzschke,
went with me to Conference. We set off next
morning, rode sixteen miles, and stopped for dinner
with Rev. Richard Hudson. In the afternoon we
rode fifteen miles, and remained over night with
William R. Dail, my cousin.

The next morning we rode to Clinton, and took
the morning train for Knoxville, the seat of the
Conference. I reached the Conference-room just as
the Conference was opening. Bishop W. L. Harris
presiding. I was assigned to stay at Brother
E. M. Wheeler's, who lives on Methodist Hill.
My boarding companion was Rev. J. B. Seaton.
This is a kind Christian famil3^ I visited the deat
and dumb institute twice, on different days, while
in Knoxville, and was cordially entertained by the
president and faculty. I had a number of acquaint-
ances who were students in the institution.

I left Knoxville in the afternoon of October 2d,
reached Clinton late in the evening, and was enter-
tained for the night in the home of Hon. W. R.
Hicks, my kinsman. I preached that night in
Clinton, in the Methodist Church. My horse had
been kept free of charge in the livery stable of a
Mr. Brown, a member of the Baptist Church.

The next morning I rode fifteen miles, and
stopped for dinner in Winter's Gap, with my old
friend and Brother, James Taylor. In the after-
noon I rode seventeen miles to Wartburg, and
stopped at a hotel kept by Mrs. Jones. This lady
treated me with great kindness, giving me a warm
room and fire. I had ridden nearly all day in heavy

166 Autobiography of

rain, and my clothes were very wet. I had a good
night's rest. The next day I rode fifteen miles, and
stopped for dinner with my daughter, Mrs. Peters.
In the afternoon I rode three miles, and remained
over night with Henry Peters. The following day
I rode fourteen miles to Jamestown, and took din-
ner with J. C. Taylor. In the afternoon I rode
twelve miles to my home. The second day after
reaching home, at Mount Union, near my family
residence, I preached the funeral of John T. W.
Upchurch, to a large congregation, at the close of
which eleven persons joined our Church, and I
baptized four infants. I praise the Lord for such
prospects at the first appointment of the Conference
year! I meet many a warm heart and hand on my
old home circuit.

On the second- round, my first quarterly-meeting
for the Conference year was held at Jamestown,
embracing the fourth Sunday in November.
Brother Russell, the presiding elder, was in attend-
ance. We had a glorious meeting. Penitents came
in crowds to the altar, believers shouted aloud for
joy, ten souls were powerfully converted, and eight
united with our Church. God be praised ! My
health all this time was very poor. I had been sent
by the last Conference to the Jamestown Circuit,
my home work, because of my feeble health. On
my third round there were some indications of com-
ing prosperity. At a night service at Solomon^s
Chapel, an excellent man united with our Church.

Now I am through another year, the year 1877,
which counts off my fifty-one years of mortal life,
and ten toiling years in the itinerancy. O, my

Rev. a. B. Wright. 167

God, help me to oiFer the praise of gratitude for
such eminent gifts and love during the past year!
I have preached during the year one hundred and
sixty-seven times, witnessed eighty conversions, and
have received seventy-three into the Methodist
Episcopal Church. I have preached the funerals of
thirty-five persons, baptized twenty-eight adults
and twenty-eight infants, married one couple, and
traveled on horseback more than two thousand
miles. Now 1878 conies with its duties. Lord,
help me to be a faithful steward of thy manifold
grace ! During the month of January the weather
was very cold, and on that account the congrega-
tions were somewhat lessened. However, we en-
joyed some refreshing seasons of religious power.

Embracing the fourth Sunday in February, my
second quarterly-meeting came off at PauFs Chapel.
The people of that settlement did not manifest as
much zeal for the cause of Christ as they once did.
The presiding elder did not attend ; and with all
heavy clouds of discouragement hung over my path-
way ; but I called upon the Lord, and he heard me,
and we had a very gracious meeting indeed. The
usual services of such an occasion were held. Rev.
John C. Harmon, a young local preacher on the
work, was present, and assisted me.

During the month of March we enjoyed some
very happy meetings, the people of the Lord often
shouting aloud the praises of God, and some souls
were seeking the divine life. At an evening serv-
ice held at Stephen Halbert's, a justice of the
peace for the district united with our Church. My
financial help was so meager from the work, that I

168 Autobiography oi^

could not devote sufficient time to the ministry, but
was compelled to give a great deal of attention to
my farm for a family support. I am fearful that
the Church on Jamestown Circuit will meet an awful
account in the day of judgment for neglecting the
support of their pastors, and thereby greatly hinder-
ing the work of the Lord.

On this charge we have many wealthy members
who do very little for the support of the gospel. I
tremble for the future of this work, unless the peo-
ple wake up to their duty. I believe our people
would do better if the stewards would do their duty.
This seems to be our trouble everywhere. The good
Lord help us. I now feel that the seeds of death
are sown in my system. My health is broken down;
and I am candid in the belief, that overwork for
the Church and severe labor on my farm, because
of a very meager support from my charges, have
brought this about. I do not complain at my lot
in life ; for, with the convictions which I now have
at my present age, if I had life to go over, I would
seek the salvation of my soul earlier, make the
same connections that I did with the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and endeavor, by the grace of
God, to live a more faithful minister of the gospel,
regardless of compensation in this life; for I am
happy in the assurance that, though I sow in tears,
I shall reap in joy.

Among all the other professions, none can look
with such happy anticipations to the recompense of
reward as the faithful minister of the Lord Jesus.
I love the itinerant work, and the missionary fields,
such as those in which I have labored for about

Rkv. a. B. Wrighi^. 169

eleven years. Next to my blessed Savior, I love
the Methodist Episcopal Church. I believe her to
be apostolic in her spirit and practice. I sing with
the poet:

"For her my teais shall fall,
For her my prayers ascend,
To her my cares and toils be given,
Till toils and cares shall end."

I can confidently commit all my anxieties and so-
licitude for my family and Church into the hands
of the good Lord, and say with Paul, ^^ For me to
live is Christ, but to die is gain.'' Should I live
many years, I want to live more devoted to Christ;
and if I should die soon, I want my death to be
that of the righteous, and my last end like theirs.
I trust that I am living to this end. I feel as-
sured that the Methodist Church will never lack
Tor preachers and means to carry on her work over
sin, and that she will never lose her aggressiveness
for the conversion of the world.

During April, we enjoyed some refreshing sea-
sons from the presence of the Lord. I preached
eight times during the month, besides working a
great deal on my farm. At an evening service
which I held at Halbert's school-house, two ladies
joined our Church. One night, at midnight, I was
called to go about two miles to see a young man
who was nearing the eternal world. Being too
leeble to go at night, I went the next morning to
see him, and found him ready and willing to die.
I held religious services with him, and again, at
night, preached in his room, to the family and a few
friends, and received him into the Church. About

170 Autobiography of

forty hours afterwards he died. I held his funeral
services. His name was John Alvin Johnson.

During the month of May we had some religious
prosperity on the work. The third quarterly- meet-
ing services embraced the second Sunday. Rev.
T. H. Russell was present in labors abundant. We
had an excellent communion-service, and on Mon-
day three young ladies were converted to God and
united with our Church. During the month I sold
fifty copies of '^ Moody: His Words, Work, and
Workers." I believe that the selling of good books
is an effective way of preaching the gospel; and
during my ministry I have sold a great many books,
I attended a Sunday-school picnic at Yellow Creek
Falls, near Jamestown, May 25th, and assisted in
the exercises. Yellow Creek is quite a stream of
water, and makes a fall at this place of about one
hundred feet.

During the month of June, at the request of
W. B. Rippetoe, presiding elder of the Nashville
District, Central Tennessee Conference, I attended
with him a Sunday-school institute at Winneham's
Crossroads, in Overton County. Rev. J. B. Ford,
Sunday-school agent, was present, and by his spirit-
ual lectures and sermons rendered the occasion very
interesting. On Sunday afternoon I preached,
when the power of the Holy Ghost fell on the peo-
ple, and many shouted aloud. I called for peni-
tents, when several came, and two souls were might-
ily converted.

My first basket-meeting was held, in connecti-on
with my fourth quarterly-meeting, at Mount Union,
embracing the third Sunday in July, and continued

Rev. a. B. Wright. 171

five days. Brother Russell, the presiding elder,
was present, and preached and labored with great
zeal. The Church was greatly revived; twenty
souls were happily converted to God, and twenty-
one united with our Church. I baptized four in-
fants and five adults at the close of the meeting.

On the 1st day of August, 1878, I was elected
County Court clerk of Fentress County by a large
majority over several opponents. My second bas-
ket-meeting was held at Solomon^s Chapel, embrac-
ing the first Sabbath in August, and continued
five days. There were eight conversions, and three
accessions to our Church. Embracing the second
Saturday and Sunday in August, I held a meeting
at Guffey's Chapel, in Wayne County, Kentucky.
On Sunday morning of the meeting I preached a
funeral sermon, when the power of the Holy Ghost
came upon the people in a wonderful manner.
Three young ladies joined our Church, and I bap-
tized two persons. My third basket-meeting was
held on Caney Creek, embracing the fourth Sunday
in August. It continued five days, and resulted in
three conversions and one accession to the Church.
I baptized a lady, and received her into full con-
nection. The membership was greatly revived.

My fourth basket-meeting was held at PauPs
Chapel, embracing the first Sunday in September.
The result of this meeting was two conversions and
the membership greatly revived. I baptized three
adults and two infants, and received three persons
into full connection in the Church. On the second
day of September I gave bond to the County Court of
Fentress County to the amount of twenty thousand

172 Autobiography of

dollars, and took the oath of office as County Court
clerk, and entered immediately upon the duties of
the office. I appointed and qualified as deputy clerk
Mr. A. M. Garrett, who was to attend to the duties
of the office in my absence. In company with Rev.
J. C. Harmon, I attended the District Conference
at Mount Union, on the Crossville Circuit, begin-
ning September 6th. The Conference was well at-
tended, and the exercises were exceedingly interest-
ing and profitable. There were a number of happy
conversions during the meeting. The people had
erected cabins for tents, and the meeting took the
form of a camp-meeting. The Baptist monthly-
meeting came off at the same time and place, and
we all worshiped fraternally together.

On the third Sunday in September I preached
at Mount Union, on Wolf River, baptized ten
adults, and received twelve persons into the Church.
On the fourth Sunday in September I preached two
funerals at Solomon's Chapel, received a young man
into the Church, and married Mark Jennings to
Catherine Wright, at the church. On the fifth
Sunday in September I preached at Halbert's
school-house.

Our Annual Conference met in New Market,
Tennessee, October 2, 1878, Bishop Scott presiding.
I did not attend. I had been elected County Court
clerk, and had promised the people, while a candi-
date, that I would move my family to Jamestown
and do the business of the office myself. I was
moving at the time of the Conference session. I
trust my zeal for the cause of Christ will not weaken
because I have retired from the pastorate for a short

Rev. a. B. Wright. 173

time. I trust that, after a few years, I shall do
more effective work for the Master than ever before.
I am resolved to preach, more or less, every week
dariug my term of office. The Lord help me to be
a faithful minister of the gospel !

I have done a great deal of service for the
Church in Fentress County, with very little compen-
sation. During the Conference year I have wit-
nessed fifty conversions, received fifty-nine persons
into our Church, baptized twenty-nine adults and
fifteen infants, and preached the funerals of seven-
teen persons.

CHAPTER XIII.

A COUNTY COURT CLERK.

ON the second Sunday in November I had an
appointment, about fifty miles from James-
town, to preach the funeral of Michael Hale and
babe. I left home on Friday morning, rode thirty-
three miles, and preached at night at Maple Springs.
The next morning I rode fifteen miles, and preached
at Hale's Chapel, in Cumberland County. I
preached at the same place at night. On the fol-
lowing day, being Sunday, I preached the funeral
of Brother Hale and babe, to a large congregation.
I preached again at night, when a number of pen-
itents came to the altar, and there were good indi-
cations of a revival; but I was compelled to close.
That night I staid with Brother William Lee, and
the next morning, at family worship, I baptized
Brother and Sister Lee and their two infant chil-
dren. I then rode home, about fifty miles, occu-

174 Autobiography of

pying a part of two days, to find, on my arrival,
Brother Russell protracting his quarterly-meeting
in our town, with good results.

I had been at home only a few h(^urs, when I
was called to go to the home of Mrs. Bledsoe, and
pray for her daughter Josephine, a most excellent
young lady, who was greatly concerned about her
souFs salvation. While we were upon our knees
praying, God spoke pe^ce to her soul, and she re-
joiced with joy unspeakable and full of glory.
Three other persons were converted during the
meeting, and three joined our Church. During the
remainder of the year 1878 I preached, more or less,
at Jamestown, PauFs Chapel, Barger. Church, and
other places. I have now finished another year of
work. O how thankful I feel to the Lord for the
many evidences of his love during the past /ear!
How many more shall I live to recall his goodness?

During the year I have preached one hundred
and eighteen times, baptized twenty-seven adults
and thirteen infants, and married six couples. My
financial support from the work was very little.
However, I raised good benevolent collections.
My health has greatly improved. During the
months of January and February the weather was
intensely severe, yet I preached during the period
ten times, with happy results. At some places, pen-
itents were at the altar in large numbers. May God
bless his work under my ministry this year, to the
salvation of precious souls !

I held the second quarterly-meeting on the
Jamestown Circuit for Brother Russell, at his re-
quest. It was held at New Liberty, eighteen miles

Rev. a. B. Wright. 175

from Jamestown. I preached, held a love-feast,
administered the holy communion service, and took
a collection for the presiding elder.

On Saturday night before the second Sunday in
March I preached at William Jones's, near PauPs
Chapel. At the close of the sermon a number of
penitents came forward for prayers, and a young
lady was happily converted. The next day, at
PauPs Chapel, anxious penitents were at the altar.

0 may God convert those precious souls !

I find great need for watchfulness and prayer
while engaged in the business of County Court
clerk, that my zeal may not lapse. As God knows
my heart when I say it, I would rather be in the
work of an itinerant Methodist preacher than in
anything else in this world. I trust that a few
years of rest will render me efficient again in the
work. I greatly feel the need of rest, though I do
not know that I shall ever have much until I obtain
it in my heavenly home.

At a meeting which I held at PauPs Chapel the
third Sabbath in April, a lady united with our
Church.

The first Saturday and Sunday in May was the
occasion of our third quarterly-meeting, on Caney
Creek, near Travisville. Brother Russell was pres-
ent, as were also a number of preachers. The ele-
ments for the Lord's Supper were not prepared, and
consequently this service was not held. O how
careless our Church officials are sometimes!

On Saturday before the second Sunday in May

1 left home for Cumberland City, Kentucky. After
taking dinner at Travisville, I rode in the after-

176 Autobiography of

noon to John R. Davis's, in Clinton County, and
found Brother and Sister Davis the same true and
faithful Christian people. The next day I preached
in Cumberland City, to a large congregation, the
funerals of Father and Mother Butram, from 1st
Corinthians xv, 53, 54. Here I met Brother Shel-
ton, the pastor of the charge, and several other
preachers. I also met a number of warm-hearted
friends of other days ; for I had been pastor of this
charge five years before. That evening I preached
at Number 1 school-house. We had a precious
service.

In the latter part of May I rode forty-five miles
into Cumberland County, Kentucky, to see my
brother. Rev. Edmondson Wright, who was very
sick. I found him in a low state of health. I
think, from the symptoms, he can not live long in
this world. However, he is fully ready for the
change, having been for a number of years a faith-
ful minister of the gospel in the Methodist Episco-
pal Church, South. He is considerably older than
I am, and was a child of God long before I was.
On Sunday morning I preached in the Methodist
church in a village near by, called Patonsburg.
At the request of my sick brother, I preached that
afternoon at his house. The next day, on my way
home, I stopped for dinner in Albany, with my old
friend, A. eT. York.

At a meeting which I held at Barger Church,
on the fourth Sunday in June, we had a precious
service, and a lady united with our Church. I pray
God that my zeal may never become less for the
prosperity of Zion and the salvation of precious

Rkv. a. B. Wright. 177

souls; though I find that, out of the itinerancy, it
will require a great deal of praying and watching to
prevent this.

Our fourth quarterly-meeting was held at Mount
Union, embracing the third Sunday in July, and
was protracted for several days. I preached on
Saturday in the place of the presiding elder, as he
had not yet arrived. On Sunday morning I preached
the funeral of Rebecca Guin, to a large congrega-
tion. In the afternoon, Brother Russell preached,
and administered the sacrament of the Lord^s Sup-
per. On Monday there were three conversions and
several accessions to our Church. God be praised!
On Tuesday I preached the funeral of Timothy Ab-
salom West, and rode home in the afternoon. The
next day I was called to see a sick grandchild, an
infant of my daughter, Mrs. Peters. It died the
next morning, and we carried it, the following day,
to Mount Vernon Cemetery for burial. Brother
Russell, the presiding elder, holding the funeral
services. God bless the parents!

I attended with Rev. T. A. Cass at Crab Creek,
the fourth Sunday in July, and remained with him
four days, preaching and praying for penitents as
they came in numbers to the altar. The people of
God shouted for joy, and eleven souls were con-
verted to God. I baptized three ladies by immer-
sion.

I left home in August, to meet some appoint-
ments in Kentucky, and rode the first day to Trav-
isville, and remained over night with F. M. John-
son. The next morning I crossed the Poplar
Mountain, by a very rough way, to the Slick Ford

12

178 Autobiography of

of Otter Creek, where Brother Shelton had been
holding services for a week with happy results. I
met a congregation of about eight hundred people
at a creek, and baptized nineteen persons by pour-
ing and twenty by immersion. I preached that
afternoon to the people, when penitents came to the
altar in numbers, and Christians rejoiced. The
next day, in company with Brother F. M. Atkin-
son, I set out for Concord Church in Clinton
County. After traveling ten miles, and crossing a
very rough mountain, and then down into the val-
ley, we reached the church in due time for services.
We met a large congregation ; and the house not
being sufficiently large to hold the people, we re-
paired to a grove near by, and I preached the
funeral of Jane Polston. I preached again in the
afternoon, and on the following day twice, with
happy results, three souls being happily converted
to God. I held a meeting for five days, embracing
the third Sunday in August, at Paul's Chapel.
Penitents crowded the altar, the people of God
shouted for joy, and three persons were converted
to God. During this meeting, I first heard of the
death of ray dear brother, Eev. Edmondson Wright,
which gave to me great sorrow, but I sorrow not
as those who have no hope; for my brother was a
good and true man, and doubtless is among "that
great number who have washed their robes and
made them white in the blood of the Lamb;'' and
by the grace of God I feel bound to meet him in
that better world.

On the fifth Sunday in August, I preached the
funerals of Robert W. Holding and his two little

Rev. a. B. Wright. 179

infant sisters, at Sulphur Springs in Fentress
County, to a large congregation, under a brush
arbor prepared for the occasion. The scene was
one of deep solemnity. A number of people
shouted the praise of God, while penitents came to
an altar and pleaded for pardon. For several weeks
I suffered greatly from sore throat and tongue ;
however, I went on preaching and filling my ap-
pointments. On Saturday before the first Sunday
in September, I went to Mt. Vernon in Morgan
County, where Rev. A. C. Peters was conducting a
basket-meeting. On Sunday morning, in a grove
near by the church, I preached the funeral of Rev.
Calvin R. Vann, to a large congregation ; and in the
afternoon, in the church, I preached the funeral of
a little boy of Dennis HulPs. There was great re-
joicing in the camps of Israel, and penitents came
to the altar in numbers. I remained over Monday,
assisting in the services, when six souls were con-
verted.

The second Sunday in September I preached
i wice at PauPs Chapel with happy results. Embrac-
ing the third Sunday in September, I held a two
days' meeting at Concord Church in Clinton County.
On Sabbath morning I baptized one lady by pour-
ing and twenty-one ladies by immersion. On
Monday after the fourth Sunday in September, I
preached the funeral of Belle Pyle, a daughter of
Brother Pearson Davidson.

On the second Sunday in October, Rev. J. C.
Harmon and myself left Jamestown for the seat of
our Annual Conference, which was to convene on
the following Wednesday in Knoxville, Tenn.

180 Autobiography of

After ridiug nine miles, we stopped at Barger's
Church, and I preached the funeral of a little son of
Mr. Hoover. In the afternoon we rode over into
Morgan County, and spent the night with my
daughter, Mrs. Peters. The following day we rode
eleven miles, and stopped for dinner with Brother
Fairchild. After holding religious services with
them, we passed down the railroad line in the after-
noon, the road being then in construction, saw them
building the high bridge over Rock Creek — one
hundred and twenty feet high — and after passing
through Lansing and Wartburg, we stopped for the
night with Captain G. W. Keith, who lives three
miles from the last-named place. The next morn-
ing we rode fourteen miles, and stopped for dinner
in Winter's Gap at Brother Taylor's, and in the
afternoon rode up the valley to William R. Bail's.
Here we were joined by Brother S. Grear and oth-
ers, on their way to the Conference. I preached
that night at Sulphur Springs Church. We had a
good service.

The following day we rode to Clinton, and took
the train for Knoxville, reaching the Conference
room soon after the opening. Bishop I. W. Wiley
was presiding. Brother Harmon and I were as-
signed to stay with Mrs. Walker, who lived on the
Clinton Pike, some distance from the First Meth-
odist Church. We were very kindly entertained by
this excellent family. I attended the Conference
sessions during each day, and Church services each
night at the Second Methodist Church, where I
heard a number of the Conference brethren preach.
Bishop Wiley held the Conference well in hand,

REV. A. B. Wright. 181

and gave great satisfaction. This was not long be-
fore his death in China. On Sunday of the Con-
ference I heard him preach an excellent sermon, in
the First Methodist Church, from Psalms xlix, 8.
In the afternoon, in the same church, he ordained
ten elders, among them my own son, Rev. J. C.
Wright. Delegates were elected to the General
Conference.

On Monday, in the afternoon. Brother Harmon
and Elias Bowden and myself took the train for
Clinton, at which place we arrived in due time, and
rode out five miles to William R. DaiPs. The next
day we rode to Major Stephens', and stopped for
dinner, and in the afternoon rode twelve miles to
Scutcheon, and stopped with J. W. Scott. I preached
that night at Scutcheon Church to a large congrega-
tion. The next morning, after baptizing the little
babe of Russell Scott, we rode to my daughter's,
Mrs. Peters, for dinner, and in the afternoon rode
seventeen miles to my home in Jamestown.

The fourth Sunday in October I preached at
Ramsey's Chapel, on the Wartburg Circuit, the fu-
neral of Tennessee Hicks. Several penitents were
forward for prayers ; one young lady was converted
and joined our Church.

My dear brother, James M. Wright, died suddenly
October 30, 1879, at the home of John Davis, our
old homestead. He had been somewhat ailing for
several weeks, had staid with me at my home in
Jamestown two nights just prior to his death, and
had left my house not more than two hours before
his death. He rode up to the yard fence of Mr.
Davis, hitched his horse, walked into the house, re-

182 Autobiography of

marking to Mrs. Davis, my sister, that he was feel-
ing very badly, lay down across the bed, and was
dead in one minute. O how sudden, and how sad !
He was buried on the following day at the Three
Forks of Wolf River, with Masonic honors, two
lodges officiating. It is thought that one thousand
people were present at his funeral.

On the fourth Sunday in November I preached
the funeral of Mrs. Lane and her two sons, at the
residence of her son, Braxton Lane, in Morgan
County. A large congregation was present, peni-'
tents were called to the altar, while the saints of
God shouted for joy. My health during this au-
tumn was very feeble, and I was not able for the
best service.

On Saturday before the first Sunday in Decem-
ber, I rode about seventeen miles, and preached at
night at William Todd's. Some shouted for joy^.
The next day I preached at Mt. Union Church, on
the Crossville Circuit. Brother Burnett, the pastor,
was present. I baptized a lady and received one
into the Church. The next day I visited Rev. John
C. Tate, an able colored minister of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, who had founded a colony of
colored people on the table-land in Cumberland
County. I think he has made a grave mistake in
trying to do this. We had a warm religious serv-
ice in his home. On the following day I reached
home.

I have been greatly afflicted with sore throat for
some time, and see that I must be careful where I
preach during the winter months. And now fare-
well to the year 1879. What groans and sighs it

Rev. a. B. Wright. 183

has brought to my life! It has been to me a year
of great bereavement, having had to consign two
dear brothers and a little grandchild to the cold
arms of death. Is the Lord justly reproving me
for taking a supernumerary relation, or shall it all
finally tend to my good? May it incite in me holier
living! Our family is rapidly passing away. None
of us live to a great age. I iiave five brothers in
the spirit-world. One died in infancy, the other
four in manhood's middle day. I now have only
one living brother, and we are more than three thou-
sand miles apart. How lonely I feel! My dear
brother Calvin is far away from me in California,
and is in poor health, having to take a superannu-
ated relation in his Conference. I am sure that in
a few years none of the old family will be left in
this world. May the Lord help us all so to live
that we may all finally meet in our Father's house
above, and live together forever !

During the year I have preached seventy-four
times, witnessed twenty-seven conversions, received
ten persons into our Church, baptized sixty-eight
adults and nine infants, preached the funerals of
seventeen persons, and married two couples. God
be praised for his goodness and mercy during the
past year! I desire to do better service for the year
1880.

On the fourth Sunday in January I attended a
meeting of Brother Scott, at Solomon's Chapel, and
preached that night at Jerry Beatty's. The Holy
Ghost came down upon the people. Some shouted
for joy, while a number came forward for prayers,
and a young lady was converted.

184 Autobiography of

I attended a prayer-meeting on the last Wednes-
day night in February, at the home of Pleasant
Taylor. After some prayers I preached,, called
penitents to the altar, when quite a number came,
among these the grandfather, with quite a number
of his grandchildren, crying for mercy. One young
lady was converted, and shouted aloud the praise
of God. More than ever I feel like moving out into
the active work of the ministry. I would rather be
employed in preaching and leading souls to the Lord
Jesus than to be doing anything else in this world.
If my health shall be restored, I feel that I must
enter the effective ranks next autumn. The Lord
demonstrate his will to me!

At an afternoon service in April I preached at
N. S. Northrup's, three miles from Jamestown.
We had a melting season, with penitents at the
altar. Three persons united with our Church. On
the second Sunday in April I preached at Young^s
Chapel, in Morgan County, and baptized five children
at the altar. I preached at that place again in the
afternoon, when the Holy Ghost came upon the
people in wonderful power, and praises went up
from happy hearts. I staid that night with A. R.
Lewallen, and the next morning at family worship
baptized two of his children. The following day I
passed through Glen Mary, and went two miles
from there to the coal-mines, at the home of Bracher
Davis, and preached to an attentive congrega-
tion. We had a good time, with several penitents
at the altar. Here I met with Rev. John Forrester,
an aged member of the Holston Conference, and
the pastor of this charge. He is doing an excellent

Rev. a. B. Wright. 185

work here^ although far advanced in life. The fol-
lowing day I preached at White Oak Church, near
Sunbright, and the next day preached at Mt. Ver-
non. Here I stopped with Rev. A. C. Peters,
pastor of the Wartbarg Circuit. That afternoon I
reached my home.

On Friday before the third Sunday in May I
left home to attend some funeral appointments in
Kentucky. After riding twenty-three miles, I
stopped for the night with Jabe Edwards, in
Wayne County, where I was very kindly enter-
tained. The next morning I rode eight miles to
Bethesda Church, in Sherer^s Valley, met a large
congregation, and preached the funeral of an excel-
lent young man, named Upchurch, from Isaiah xxvi,
19. In the afternoon I rode a few miles, calling on
a number of old friends, and spent the night at An-
drew Young's. The following day I rode nine
miles, to Pleasant Hill Church, where the Baptist
brethren were holding their monthly and sacra-
mental meeting. Here I had an appointment with
two Baptist ministers to preach some funerals that
day. At ten o'clock I preached the funerals of
Charles Dabney and his daughter, Elizabeth Han-
cock, and her two infant children, from 1 Cor. xv,
53, 54 ; and Elders Nimrod Stiuson and Alvin Bu-
tram preached the funeral of Mrs. Tuggle, a sister
of Mrs. Hancock. The Holy Ghost came upon the
people in power, and Baptists and Methodists re-
joiced together. Afterward our Baptist brethren
proceeded with their sacramental service. I took
leave of absence, as I thought my presence would
be embarrassing to our Baptist brethren, since, by

186 Autobiography of

an iron rule of their Church, they could not com-
mune with me. After such a season of rejoicing
together in the altar, it seems inconsistent that
these Methodists and Baptists should be separated
at the communion-table. I shall rejoice when the
Baptist Church can see its way clearly to abandon
this old, erroneous view.

Embracing the fourth Sunday in May, in connec-
tion with Rev. S. B. Scott, I held services for sev-
eral days at Beech Grove Church, twenty miles
from Jamestown. We held the service in the grove
near by, because the church could not hold the con-
gregations. The Lord was present in healing
power. Penitents were at the altar in large num-
bers. Convictions were deep, and conversions were
mighty. Five souls were happily converted to God,
and the Christian people were greatly revived. Two
persons united with our Church. On Monday morn-
ing of the meeting L baptized Mrs. Artemia Huddle-
sten by immersion in Wolf River, and afterwards,
at her own home, received her into full connection
in the Church. She was the widow of Captain
Huddlesten, who had been killed in the Federal
army.

On the fifth Sunday in May, at Solomon's Chapel,
where Brother Scott and myself were holding a two
days' meeting, two young ladies joined our Church.
Embracing the third Sunday in June, Rev. J. V.
Brown and myself held a two days' meeting at the
Three Forks of Wolf River, where, on Sunday, I
preached two funeral sermons with manifest tokens
of the Divine presence.

On the first Sunday in July, it being the fourth

Rev. a. B. Wright. 187

day, in company with a number of ministers and
people, we celebrated the natal day of our Nation
in a religious way, by holding religious services in
a very large cave or rock-house, seven miles east of
Jamestown. The occasion was a very interesting
one indeed. On the third Sunday in July I
preached the funeral of a child of George Franklin,
at the Three Forks of Wolf River, when a lady
was happily converted. During the following week
I assisted Brother Scott in a protracted service for
several days at Sulphur Springs. Nine souls were
happily converted, and seven united with our
Church.

Embracing the second Sunday in August, I as-
sisted Rev. A. C. Peters in a meeting at Mt. Ver-
non, in Morgan County. Here there were fourteen
conversions and a number of accessions to the
Church. On the third Sunday in August, at Fel-
lowship Church, thirteen miles from Jamestown, a
union service of the native people, and some
Northern people who had come to settle in the
country, was held. The meeting was a very
fraternal one. In the afternoon of the day I
preached at Paul's Chapel and baptized an infant.
Embracing the fourth Sunday in August, under
a brush-arbor at Beech Grove, I held a basket-
meeting of six days. The result was, nine souls were
converted and eleven accessions to the Church. At
the close I baptized fourteen persons. The Christians
were greatly revived. Our Church in this commu-
nity had been very weak, but was now growing rap-
idly. I had no ministerial help during the meeting.

I held services the fifth Sunday in August, and

188 Autobiography of

the two succeeding days, at Mt. Union, on Wolf
River. The Church was greatly revived, but there
were no conversions. Embracing the first Sunday
in September, the Methodists and Cumberland Pres-
byterians, held a union camp-meeting at Mt. Union,
on the Crossville Circuit. I was present, and preached
a number of times during the meeting. The Lord
was present in saving power, and a number of souls
were converted. The different Churches united in
the work, and all were greatly revived. On Sun-
day I baptized two infant children of Rev. Mr.
Shaver.

On the second Sunday in September, at Young's
Chapel, in Morgan County, I preached the funeral
of a little girl of Brother Stonecipher. The Holy
Ghost was present in wondrous power. The day
before, I visited the town of Rugby, in Morgan
County, an English colony recently established. In
company with Cyrus Clark, one of the proprietors of
the place, I went through the large hotel of thirty-
six rooQis. Embracing the fourth Sunday in Sep-
tember, Brother Scott and I held a meeting of sev-
eral days at SoloQion\s Chapel. The results were
seven conversions and nine accessions to the Church.
Christians were greatly revived.

On the first Sunday in October, at Mt. Union,
on \yolf River, I preached the funerals of Dicey
Johnson, and her daughter-in-law, Rebecca John-
son, and her son John Alvin Johnson, from John v,
28, 29. A large congregation was present, in-
cluding several ministers. In the afternoon I
rode eight miles and celebrated the rites of mat-
rimony between Rev. J. V. Brown, pastor of

Rev. a. B. Wright. 189

the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and
Abigail Williams, a daughter of John S. Williams,
of Fentress County. Brother Brown is a noble
Christian gentleman, and is having great success in
his pastoral work. May Heaven grant to him and
his wife a bright and happy life! I rode twenty
miles that night to reach my home, the next day
being County Court, and my presence as the clerk
necessary. On the third Sunday in October, after
preaching the night before at Father Austin Choat's,
I met a large congregation at Obed's River, and
baptized five persons by immersion and five by
pouring. We then repaired to Solomon's Chapel,
and I preached to a large congregation, the Lord
being present in saving power. During the follow-
ing week I held the funeral service of a little boy
of Dr. Whitney, in Jamestown. On the fourth
Sunday in October, the funerals of my two broth-
ers, Rev. Edmondson Wright and James M. Wright,
were preached at the Three Forks of Wolf River,
by Rev. T. C. Frogge, from 1 Tim. iv, 8-10, to a
large and attentive congregation. The Masons were
present in uniform.

Our Annual Conference met October 20, 1880, at
Greeneville, Tenn., Bishop E. O. Haven presiding.
I did not attend, but the Conference granted me a
supernumerary relation again. Rev. W. C. Daily
was appointed presiding elder of the Kingston Dis-
trict. I believe that I can do a great work for the
Lord in this relation, and not expose myself to the
bad weather. I trust that my zeal for the salva-
tion of souls will not become less. May the Lord
help me!

190 Autobiography of

At this session the colored part of our vvork was
set off into the East Tennessee Conference, a long-
felt and much-needed improvement. Also the North
Carolina part was set off into the Blue Ridge Con-
ference. By the latter division, a number of lead-
ing ministers were lost to our Conference. Both
of these divisions had been provided for by the last
General Conference.

On the tirst Sunday in November I rode twelve
miles over two rough mountains, and preached to a
large congregation the funeral of a Mr. Turner,
who had died in the Union army during the Civil
War. I rode back home in the afternoon. On
Saturday before the second Sunday in November,
I left home and rode eighteen miles into Morgan
County, and preached in the afternoon at Young's
Chapel. The next morning, at the same place, I
preached the funerals of a lady and four of her in-
fant sisters, all children of Jerry Jones, to an at-
tentive audience. Revs. John Forrester and A. C.
Peters, ministers of the Holston Conference, were
present at this service. In the afternoon I preached
the funeral of an infant child of Brother Young,
baptized two children, and received a most excellent
man into our Church.

On the afternoon of Saturday before the third
Sunday in November, a very cold day, I rode nine
miles, and preached at night at Thomas Crabtree's,
and the next day, at the Three Forks of Wolf, I
preached the funeral of Dorcas Hatfield, a mother
in Israel. The fourth Saturday and Sunday in No-
vember I attended the first quarterly-meeting on
the Jamestown Circuit, at Halbert's Church. W. C.

Rev. a. B. Wright. 191

Daily, the presiding elder, and S. B. Scott, the
preacher in charge, were present. December was a
very cold, wintry month, and I preached only once
or twice during the time. I have now gone
through another year, and, O my soul, I trust I do
feel thankful to the good Lord that my life has
been spared, and my health graciously preserved !
I feel unworthy of such marked favor.

During the year I have preached eighty-four
times, witnessed at my own meetings forty happy
conversions, have received thirty-six persons into
the Methodist Episcopal Church, baptized twenty-
five adults and fourteen infants, have preached the
funerals of twenty-three persons, and married four
couples. I bless God that I have enjoyed a very
happy year. Now, in the fifty-fifth year of my mor-
tal life, and in the thirty-eighth year of my spiritual
life, I begin the year 1881. I have vowed unto the
Lord at the altar, in covenant with God's people,
by his grace, to live a better life, and one of more
service to him. I am fast running my race, and
must soon render an account to God for my stew-
ardship here. The Lord help me, unworthy as I
am to glorify his name this year, and to see many
precious souls brought into the kingdom. I
preached, the second Sunday in January, at PauFs
Chapel.

During the months of January, February, and
March, I did not get out to preach very often, as
our winter was the severest that we had ever wit-
nessed in this country. I attended a quarterly-
meeting of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
the last Saturday and Sunday in January, at Mt.

192 Autobiography op

Vernon, where I formed the acquaintance of Broth-
ers Svvaim and Curtis. We preached and labored
together in a fraternal manner. During the spring,
at my appointments, the Holy Ghost was present in
the awakening of sinners, and in the making happy
the children of God.

On Saturday before the second Sunday in June,
I left home for a funeral appointment in Wayne
County, Kentucky. I rode that day to the home of
Jabe Edwards, where I was kindly received. The
next day, at CoiPs Church, to a large congregation,
in a beautiful grove^ I preached the funeral of Jesse
Kennedy. At the close of the sermon several men
and women shouted aloud the praises of God, and
made the grove ring with loud hallelujahs. I met
such a large number of old friends that it took
some time to go through the handshaking. It
brought to my mind the happy greeting when we
shall meet with our glorified friends in heaven. In
the afternoon I came back three miles, and held a
children^s-meeting at Edwards Chapel, and raised a
collection for Sunday-school literature. A number
of the children expressed an earnest desire for
salvation.

On Saturday evening before the fourth Sunday
in June, I rode six miles to see Jacky Taylor, an old
man eighty-eight years of age, who was praying ear-
nestly for a preparation to meet God in peace. I
sang, prayed, and preached for him, when he was
mightily converted to God, and praised him with all
his strength. He lived about two weeks, and died
happy. I preached the next day in Poplar Cove.
On June 29th, I left home for the Kingston Dis-

Rev. a. B. Wright. 193

trict Conference, to be held at Rockwood in Roane
County. I rode to my daughter's for dinner in
Morgan County, and in the afternoon, in company
with Rev. A. C. Peters, rode five miles to Sun-
bright, and took the train for Rockwood, arriving
there late in the evening. The District Conference
was conducted by the Rev. W. C. Daily, the pre-
siding elder. The sessions were harmonious and
pleasant, and the preaching by different brethren
was of a high order. I have never favored District
Conferences, and believe that the General Confer-
ence made a mistake in establishing them. I think
that the old-time quarterly-meetings have been de-
stroyed by the District Conference. I regard this
as a grave mistake. Rockwood is a mining town
of considerable interest, situated in a charming val-
ley, at the base of Walden's Ridge. Here the Roane
Iron Company have large iron furnaces, where a
great deal of pig-iron is made. In the vicinity
are coal and iron of the finest grade, in inexhausti-
ble quantities. I was entertained in the homes of
Messrs. Shelow, Roberts, and Sanks, from whom I
received royal kindness. In returning I preached at
Sunbright, in the new Baptist church ; also at Mt.
Vernon I preached the funeral of an infant child
of Daniel Jack's, from 1 Cor. xv, 25, 26.

Embracing the second Sunday in July, Brother
Scott and I held a meeting of three days, under a
brush-arbor, at Beech Grove, in Fentress County.
The Church was greatly revived, and penitents
came to the altar in large numbers ; but there were
no conversions. One lady united with our Church.
On the fourth Sunday in July Rev. A. C. Peters

13

194 Autobiography of

preached in our town, and in the afternoon he and
I rode seven miles to Solomon's Chapel, to assist
Brother Scott in a basket-meeting. We remained
for two days, preaching and laboring in the altar,
while the people of God shouted for joy. On the
fifth Sunday in July I attended a basket-meeting
on Crab Creek. I preached the fnneral of a sainted
babe, at the Three Forks of Wolf River, the first
Sunday in August.

On Saturday before the second Sunday in Au-
gust, in company with Brother Herron, the Presby-
terian pastor, I left home for a funeral occasion
in Wayne County, Kentucky. We rode eleven
miles, and stopped for dinnerwithAsbury Williams.
In the afternoon, near Travisville, I encountered a
heavy storm of wind and rain, after which I rode
to Brother P. H. Davidson's, in Pickett County,
near the Kentucky line, and staid over night.
The next morning I crossed over a very rough
mountain, and after riding seven miles, met a large
congregation at Edwards Chapel, in Wayne County,
and preached the funeral of Sarah C. Buck. I
preached again in the afternoon at the same place,
to a very attentive audience, with good prospects
for a revival of religion.

On the third Sunday in August I attended the
fourth quarterly-meeting of the Jamestown Circuit,
at PauPs Chapel, and heard W. C. Daily preach
twice. There was not much spiritual power mani-
fest. Embracing the fourth Sunday in August, I
held a basket-meeting of several days at Sulphur
Springs, in Pickett County. Three souls were con-
verted, three persons united with our Church, and I

Rev. a. B. Wright. 195

baptized three adults and one infant. The Church
was greatly revived.

On Friday before the first Sunday in September,
myself and wife and Nina AUred left home to at-
tend the camp-meeting at Mount Union, on the
Crossville Circuit. Rev. A. C. Peters was the
preacher in charge. Mrs. Allred, who was with us,
afterwards became the wife of Brother Peters. The
camps in this place w^ere built in the most rural style;
but a number of campers were on hand. The serv-
ices were conducted in the old-fashioned camp-
meeting style. The Lord was present to save. A
number were happily converted to God, and halle-
lujahs went up from the camps in old-fashioned
Methodist style. On Sunday I preached the funeral
of an excellent young lady, and at the close of the
sermon administered the sacrament of the Lord's
Supper.

On Friday before the second Sunday in Septem-
ber, I left home to fill a number of funeral appoint-
ments in Wayne and Clinton Counties, Kentucky.
I rode the first day twenty-four miles, and preached
at night at Edwards Chapel to a large congrega-
tion. Here I was greatly disturbed by two drunken
men, who talked in the house and on the outside
while I was preaching, and tried to raise a disturb-
ance with some peaceable men. Early the next
morning the officers had them under arrest for their
conduct. One of them was fined twenty-five dollars,
while the other came clear.

The next morning being Saturday, in company
with A. J. Pearcy, I rode eight miles to Bethesda
Church, met a large congregation, and preached

196 Autobiography of

the funeral of an excellent lady. The father of
this lady, Moses Upchurch, being sick and very
low, we repaired to his house near by, and I bap-
tized him, as he sat up in his bed. I felt, while
baptizing him, that the head on which my hands
then rested, almost cold in death, would soon be
crowned with life immortal. I preached at the
same church again that night. The next morning
I rode five miles to Guifey's Chapel, where the
Methodist Episcopal Church has a large organiza-
tion. I found a large congregation of about one
thousand people, and met so many old friends whom
I had served as pastor in other years, that it took
some time to get through with the handshaking. I
then preached the funeral of Absalom C. Guffey and
his infant babe, while the saints of God shouted
aloud. The people had brought provisions on the
ground, and I preached to them again in the after-
noon. The next morning I rode four miles, met a
large congregation, near Thomas Yorkers, and I
preached the funeral of Jefferson Yorke in a grove.
We had a glorious meeting. A number of the peo-
ple of God, both ladies and gentlemen, shouted
aloud his praise. At night, at Brother Yorkers, I
preached the funeral of a babe of Mr. Clark, to a
crowded house. At the close of the sermon, peni-
tents came to an altar of prayer, and two persons
were powerfully converted and joined our Church.
The next day I rode ten miles, met a congregation
at Concord Church, in Clinton County, and preached
to them. In the afternoon I rode eight miles, and
staid over night with Manson Flowers, an old
neighbor, who has an excellent family. The next

Rev. a. B. Wright. 197

day I went home. On the trip I rode about sev-
enty miles, and preached eight times.

On Saturday before the fourth Sunday in Sep-
tember I left home to fill a funeral appointment in
Morgan County. I rode twenty-one miles the first
day, and preached at night at W. B. PauFs. Sev-
eral penitents were forward for prayers. The next
day, at Young's Chapel, I met a good congregation,
and baptized eight infants and one adult. Brother
Ben. H. Albertson, an excellent man, who has been
in feeble health for some time. After the baptisms,
I preached the funeral of a little boy of Brother
PauFs, at the close of which quite a number of young
ladies came to the altar for prayers, while the saints
of God shouted for joy. In the afternoon I rode
six miles to Fellowship Church, where our Baptist
brethren were holding their monthly meeting. I
stopped with Rev. John C. Hopkins, the pastor, and
preached that night at the church. We had a glo-
rious service. A number of penitents were at the
altar, and the people of God shouted for joy. The
Baptist Church at Fellowship is doing a good work.
They are a noble, earnest Christian people. I enjoy
their fellowship very much. May God continually
bless them ! I rode home the next day.

On the first Sunday in October, I preached the
funerals of William Brown and his infant babe, at
Jamestown, to an attentive congregation. On Fri-
day before the third Sunday in October, I left home
with my wife and younger daughter, to preach a
funeral in Morgan County. We rode in a wagon
for fourteen miles, and stopped for dinner with Rev.
A. C. Peters, and in the afternoon rode three miles

198 Autobiography of

to my elder daughter's, Mrs. Peters. Next day I
rode four miles, and spent a few hours very pleas-
antly with my old friend and brother, J. C. Doug-
las, and his family. In the afternoon I rode five
miles, and preached *at night at Jones's school-house.
The next day, in a pine-grove near by, the congre-
gation being very large, I preached the funeral of
old Mother Mary Jones. At the close of the ser-
mon, I called for penitents to come to an altar of
prayer, when a number came and knelt on the
ground, and prayed earnestly for salvation. One
young man was happily converted. That night
Brother Robert Ramsey, a local preacher in the
Methodist Episcopal Church, preached in the school-
house. Penitents were again called to the altar,
and such a time of deep convictions and powerful
conversions I seldom ever saw. In a short time
six souls were converted, making seven for the day.
The interest was so great that, notwithstanding I
dismissed the congregation at the proper time, the
people would not go home. The young converts
continued to work after their friends, while peni-
tents kept coming to the altar, and the Christians
sang, prayed, and shouted until a very late hour.
Finally the penitents were carried to a family resi-
dence near by. I stopped for the night with Rev.
John Stowers, a Christian Baptist minister, and a
merchant of that place. I did not sleep much ; for
parties kept coming in from the meeting and dis-
turbing me. I arose at three o'clock, and rode
eight miles before sunrise to my daughter's. After
breakfast I left for Jamestown with my wife and
daughter, and reached home in the afternoon.

Rev. a. B. Wright. 199

On the fourth Sunday in October, I rode eight
miles through a heavy rain to Elias Bowden's on
Obed's River, to meet Rev. B. L. Stephens, an old
minister with whom I had labored a great deal in
former years. He was to preach the funeral of old
Father Bowden, and I was to preach the funeral of
Emma Bowden. The day being so disagreeable, all
the children of Father Bowden could not attend,
and his funeral was deferred.' I preached the fu-
neral of Emma Bowden, from John xi, 25, 26. On
the fifth Sunday in October, at Loudonville, five
miles from Jamestown, I preached the funeral of
Elijah Yorke. Rev. John Brewster, a Christian
Baptist minister, was present, and assisted.

On the first Sunday in November, at the Three
Forks of Wolf River, I preached the funerals ot
Elizabeth Lavender and her infant babe, to a
crowded house of attentive hearers.

The Holston Conference met, October 20, 1881,
in Maryville, Tenn., Bishop E. G. Andrews pre-
siding. I did not attend, but was again granted a
supernumerary relation. On the first Sunday in
December, in an unoccupied family residence about
three miles from Jamestown, I preached to a small
congregation made up largely of children. At the
close of the sermon, a number of penitents came to
an altar of prayer, and a young girl was happily
converted. At this meeting, Cyrus Clark and his
wife, from Pennsylvania, were present. Brother
Clark is largely engaged in the real-estate business,
and is a warm-hearted Methodist.

This brings me to the close of the year 1881. I
trust that I am grateful to God for the great mercies

200 Autobiography of

of the past year, but I tremble under a sense of my
unworthiness and inefficiency. During the year I
have preached sixty-eight times, witnessed at my
own meetings fourteen conversions, received six
persons into the Church, baptized six adults and
eleven infants, preached nineteen funerals, and mar-
ried four couples. The Lord help me to do better
service during the year 1882 !

On the second Sunday in January I preached
at N. L. Northup's, near Jamestown. The congre-
gation was small; but several were penitent, and
asked for prayers.

On the first Sunday in February I preached
again at the same place to the family only. The
snow was so deep that the people did not turn out
to Church. At this service the father and mother
and two little daughters were converted, and his
two little sons were penitent. I preached a num-
ber of times during January and February with
happy results.

The third Saturday and Sunday in March I
preached at Ramsey's Chapel. At these services a
number of young men were penitent, and asked an
interest in the prayers of the Christians. The fourth
Saturday and Sunday in March I attended the Bap-
tist monthly meeting at Fellowship Church; I
preached a number of times with happy results.
May God bless and prosper this people !

I attended the Baptist Church meeting at Sink-
ing Springs, on Wolf River, the second Saturday
and Sunday in April. I preached for them on Satur-
day and Sunday. Being Easter Sunday, I preached
on the resurrection of Christ. The second Saturday

Rkv. a. B. Wright. 201

and Sunday in May I preached at Captain M. R.
Millsap's, in the Poplar Cove, with good results.
Embracing the third Sunday in May, I preached
at Ramsey^s Chapel. Three persons were converted
and one joined our Church. The membership was
greatly revived. Since being relieved of pastoral
work I attend a great many meetings of the Bap-
tist Church, and am kindly received by them every-
where. God bless the Baptist Church !

The fourth Saturday and Sunday in May I at-
tended the third quarterly-meeting of the James-
town Circuit, at Solomon^s Chapel. W. C. Daily,
the presiding elder, and A. C. Peters, the preacher-
in-charge, were present. There were no conver-
sions. W. C. Daily did the preaching. On the
second Sunday in June, Brother Peters and I
preached in the Poplar Cove. We held two altar
services with a number of penitents present.

At the East Tennessee Sunday-school Conven-
tion, held in the month of May, in Chattanooga, I
was appointed Sunday-school vice-president of Fen-
tress County, and did some work in organizing
Sunday-schools in the destitute places of the county.

On the third Sunday in June I preached at
Hood^s Church, at the head of Obed's River. This
is a Christian Baptist Church. At the close of the
sermon I held an altar service. In the afternoon,
at the same place, I organized a Sunday-school, per-
haps the first ever organized in that place. The
fourth Saturday and Sunday in June I preached
on Back Creek; but with my best effort I could
not organize a Sunday-school. The people were
Hardshell Baptists.

202 Autobiography of

The first Sunday in July I preached the funeral
of Sarah Jane Crouch, at Mt. Union, on Wolf
River, to a large congregation. On Friday before
the second Sunday in July I preached to a small con-
gregation on Crab Creek, and in the afternoon of
the same day I preached at a school-house near
Hiram Beatty's. I preached at the same place again
the next day in the morning, and in the afternoon
rode six miles into Overton County, and preached
at Bethsaida Church to a good congregation. The
following day I preached the funeral of Thomas
Hull to a very large congregation, at the same
place. Rev. H. Stephens, of that county, assisted
me. We had a most excellent service, many of the
people of God shouting his praise. The third Sat-
urday and Sunday in July I preached at Pine
Springs, a United Brethren Church, in Fentress
County. On Sunday morning I took a grand view
from what is called High Rock, of Obed's River
and its meanderings out of the mountains. The
scene beggars description. The fourth Saturday
in July I preached in the morning at Julius John-
son's, and in the afternoon at Timothy Gauney's on
Dry Creek. His wife was lying very low with con-
sumption, and must die in a few days; but she is
ready for the change. On Sunday morning I bap-
tized their youngest daughter in Wolf River, and
afterwards preached to. a large congregation in a
grove near by. The fifth Saturday and Sunday in
July I attended, with Brother Peters, at Paul's
Chapel. In the afternoon of Sunday I baptized
three infant children.

On Friday before the second Sunday in August

Rev. a. B. Wright. 203

I rode eighteen miles, and preached in the after-
noon at Mt. Vernon, in Morgan County, and the
following day rode ten miles to Scutcheon Church,
where I had an appointment to hold a basket-meet-
ing. Here I met with M. C. Bruner, the preacher
in charge. The meeting continued five days, and
resulted in three happy conversions and five acces-
sions to our Church. The membership was greatly
revived. I baptized four infant children. From
this meeting I rode up the railroad line on horse-
back to G. W. Todd's, in Scott County. Brother
Daily had employed me to hold the fourth quarterly-
meeting on Huntsville Circuit for him. On Sat-
urday morning I took the train at Sedgemoor, and
ran up the line twenty miles to Chitwood, near the
Kentucky line, the place of the quarterly-meeting.
On the train I fell in with Brother Scott, the pastor,
and his family, and with E-ev. A. L. Williams and his
wife, all on their way to the quarterly-meeting. We
reached the place in time for the morning service,
and I preached from 1 Tim. vi, 12. We had three
preaching services and a Quarterly Conference that
day. On the Sabbath we had a love-feast and com-
munion service and public preaching. I took a col-
lection for the presiding elder. In the afternoon I
attended the Sunday-school, and taught the Bible-
class. Afterwards we came down the line to Sedge-
moor. The following day, in the morning, I at-
tended services that the Baptist were holding near
Glen Mary, and in the afternoon I preached at
Black Wolf Church. We had a precious meeting,
several penitents coming forward for prayers. I
rode home the next day.

204 Autobiography of

The fourth Sunday in August I preached the
funerals of an excellent Christian man and his
daughter, on the mountain above Dry Creek, in Fen-
tress County. On the first Sunday in September, I
preached the funeral of Samuel Cobb, at a Baptist
church on Crab Creek. The second Sunday in
September, I preached at PauPs Chapel, and the
third Sunday at Mt. Vernon.

On Saturday before the fourth Sunday in Sep-
tember, I rode eighteen miles to Young's Chapel
in Morgan County, where Brother Bruner was hold-
ing services, and preached for him that night. The
next day I rode six miles to the coal-mines near
Solomon Young's in Scott County, where I met a
large congregation with Brother Scott, the pastor,
and I preached the funerals of two of Brother
Young's daughters. At the close of the sermon
three souls were converted. We continued the
services four days, with eleven conversions and
about that many accessions to the Church. I then
returned to Young's Chapel, where Brother Bruner
was having a glorious revival, and preached for him
that night, when one soul was converted and seven-
teen persons joined our Church. I rode home the
next day.

Embracing the first Sunday in October, I assisted
Brother Peters in services at Paul's Chapel. We
held for three days, when eleven persons were con-
verted and three joined our Church. I must now
record a painful event in my life. I had been
County Court clerk for a term of four years, and
some of my friends wished me to serve another
term. I consented to be a candidate for re-election ;

Rkv. a. B. Wright. 205

but, at the same time, I asked the Lord to give me
a demonstration of his will, that, if it would prove
detrimental to ray usefulness as a minister to be re-
elected clerk, to have me defeated; but if not, to
let me succeed. For months before the election, I
used the above in my daily prayers. A great many
men in the county had become my bitter enemies
because I was a temperance man, and had fought
the illicit liquor business. Others had become my
enemies because I would not let them use myself
nor the office for dishonest purposes. Others op-
posed me on account of my political views. A num-
ber should have been my best friends, who had be-
come my bitterest enemies ; but I refer it all to the
great day of judgment. I was fraudulently de-
feated. The politics of the country is very unclean.
I take it all as the leadings of Providence, and be-
lieve it to be for the better. And now I give my-
self wholly to the work of the ministry.

On Saturday morning, October 14, 1892, I left
home for the seat of Conference, Chattanooga, Tenn.
My son brought myself and younger daughter in a
carriage to the railroad at Glen Mary, where we
took the train late in the evening, and ran down
to Kismet. We were met at the depot by Mr.
McKinney, who took us to his home, and kindly
entertained us. The next day I went two miles to
Shady Grove Church, and preached, to a large con-
gregation, the funerals of an excellent lady and her
two infant children. We continued the services two
days with good results. Brother Bruner, the pastor,
being present. I spent two days in Kismet, visiting
a number of families and praying with them, among

206 Autobiography of

these a young man, a Roman Catholic, who had been
unjustly wounded. I procured a title for a lot from
John White, a land agent, on which to build a Meth-
odist church. Myself and daughter, and Flora
Smith, from our town, took the train and ran down
to Rockwood, and stopped with our old friend and
neighbor, Dr. J, H. Story. I remained over in
Rockwood one day, where I left the two young
ladies, and took the train for Chattanooga, at which
place I arrived in due time. I was assigned to stay
at John F. Bryan's, my companion being Rev. T. A.
Cass. The next morning my daughter and son
Willie and Miss Smith came down on the train from
Rockwood, and stopped at the same place with me.
On Saturday afternoon of the Conference, I heard
Rev. William H. Rogers deliver his semi-centennial
address, having been fifty years in the itinerancy.
On Sunday morning, at James's Hall, I heard Bishop
Simpson preach a great sermon from John xix, 30.
In the afternoon, Dr. Stowe preached in the Meth-
odist Episcopal Church, South, when the bishop or-
dained one deacon and five elders.

On Monday morning the Alabama Southern Rail-
road gave the preachers of the Conference and their
friends an excursion around Cameron Hill, to see
the large rolling-mills and tannery. A large num-
ber availed themselves of the privilege. The Con-
ference closed on Monday. I was appointed to the
Wartburg Circuit. We left Chattanooga late in the
evening and ran up to Rockwood, and stopped with
Dr. Story. We spent the next day in Rockwood,
and I preached at night in the company church.
The next day we ran up to Sunbright, hired a hack?

Rev. a. B. Wright. 207

and went out five miles to my daughter's, Mrs.
Peters.

Here I left the two young ladies, and rode home
on horseback. I had been at home scarcely one
hour when I was summoned by the United States
marshal to appear at once as a witness before the
grand jury of the Federal Court at Nashville. The
next day I went back to Sunbright, took the even-
ing train for Chattanooga, at which place I arrived
late at night. I took the early morning train for
Nashville, arriving there about noon. I stopped at
a boarding-house on Summer Street, kept by Mrs.
Mullins. I was very sick for a number of days. I
had to remain about one week before my testimony
was taken. On Sunday after my arrival I went
to the Catholic Church at eight o'clock, and wit-
nessed their mass service. Afterward I attended
Sunday-school and preaching at McKendree Meth-
odist Church. I heard the pastor. Dr. West,
preach an able discourse to a large audience. At
night I attended the Cumberland Presbyterian
Church, and heard Rev. Pearson, an evangelist,
preach. The lady with whom I boarded, at North
60 Summer Street, was a Christian lady.

On Monday, I took a, street-car and crossed the
Cumberland River on a bridge into Edgefield, and
back. Later in the day, I visited the office of
R. L. Hays, a temperance worker, and while there
I saw two women drive up in a carriage before a
saloon-door and call for drinks, one of them appar-
ently much intoxicated. What a sad sight! May
the day come when this shall end ! On Tuesday I
gave my testimony before the jury, received my

208 Autobiography of

witness-check, and cashed it. In the afternoon I
witnessed the street-parade of a large circus show.
During my stay at the boarding-house, I held
prayers a number of times.

Late on Tuesday evening I took the train for
Chattanooga, arriving there at night. The next
morning I took the train for Kismet. Here I lay
over one day, arranging to go into the mercantile
business with Mr. McKinney. In the evening I
ran up to Sunbright, and from there rode home the
following day on horseback.

CHAPTER XIV.

WART BURG AND SUNBRIGHT CIRCUITS.

ISOLD my property in Jamestown to L. T. Smith,
still thinking of going into the mercantile busi-
ness with Mr. McKinney at Kismet; but on the
first round of my circuit, after invoicing the goods
of Mr. McKinney, and seeing the great wickedness of
the place, and fearing it would endanger the morals
of my son, I declined going into the business. I
procured the old home place of Mother Peters, as I
thought, and moved there November 22, 1882. She
was not contented to give up the place, but wanted
to live with us ; and as we were greatly crowded, I
bought eight acres of land, on which was a house,
in the border of Sunbright, and moved there, De-
cember 20th following. The place was in such con-
dition that it needed much improvement, and feed
was so hard to obtain that I was much troubled,
and I made two efforts to move to Kismet ; but by

Rkv. a. B. Wright. 209

praying over the matter, I declined both times to
do so. I have cut loose for the first time in life, and
moved onto my circuit. I have rented out my farm
on Wolf River. I have been more perplexed in
mind about a proper decision than at any time be-
fore in my life. I trust that a brighter sky will
open upon my pathway. The good Lord send it!

My first quarterly-meeting was held at Sun-
bright, November 25th and 26th. W. C. Daily, the
presiding elder, was present. A few days before
this occasion, I became seriously afflicted with jaun-
dice ; but I attended the quarterly-meeting services,
and although suffering a great deal, I protracted
them four days and nights, with the result of nine
happy conversions and five accessions to our Church.
Penitents flocked to the altar in great crowds. At
nearly all of my appointments there are more or less
penitents seeking salvation.

On my second round, at Sunbright I held serv-
ices for two days, embracing Christmas. Two souls
were happily converted, and four persons joined our
Church. At this place we worship in the Baptist
Church.

The year 1882 is now gone; and when I look
back through its months, I view seasons when I
have suffered a great many heartaches and heart-
burdens; but amid them all I have enjoyed many
happy seasons of Jesus' presence. During the year
I have preached one hundred and three times, have
witnessed at my meetings thirty-nine happy con-
versions, have received twenty-nine persons into
the Methodist Church, have baptized one adult and
nine infants, and have married one couple.

14

210 Autobiography of

When I take a retrospect of the years of my
life, and the years of my ministry, I see a great
many interpositions of God's merciful providence
in my behalf. However, my life has been one of
great labor and suffering ; but amid it all, I have
'^endured as seeing Him that is invisible.'^ I have
lived to see my children all converted to God but
one. I am pleased with the success that my two
older boys are making in an educational and relig-
ious line. I trust my younger one will more than
rival them. My two daughters are professed Chris-
tians, and members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. My eldest daughter, Mary Jane Peters, is
a sweet and kind-hearted child. May Heaven
bless her!

I now enter upon another year's labor. May the
Lord give grace and glory, and may this be one of
the best years of my life !

The month of January was very cold; but I
preached, more or less, on my own charge, with
some promising prospects. My work has done very
little for me in the way of support. I do not know
what it may yet do. The Methodist Episcopal
Church has never contributed much toward my sup-
port during all my pastoral work. However, I have
sold a great many books, and worked hard in the
fields when at home, and thereby kept myself and
family from want. I trust that my children will
profit by the experience which I leave to them in
this journal of my life.

On January 16th, at night, I was called up from
my bed to go up the railroad two miles to see a sick
woman, who was thought to be near death's door.

Rkv. a. B. Wright. 211

Not feeling very well, I deferred the trip until next
morning, and after some difficulty, found the place
where the sick woman was. Such a place of pov-
erty and want I had never before visited in my life.
After singing and praying and talking with the sick
woman, she gave her heart to God, and was sweetly
resigned to his will. I thought if the blessed Lord
would come down and convert a soul in such a place
as that was, that his condescending mercy would
reach to the lowest steeps of human degradation.
O how good the dear Lord is !

My second quarterly-meeting was held at
Young^s Chapel, embracing the third Sunday in
February. Brother Daily, the presiding elder,
was present. Four persons joined our Church, and
we had prospects for a good meeting ; but on ac-
count of my children having the measles at that
time, I could not protract it. During February
and March I preached constantly, with indications
of good results, though February was a very cold
month. I have sold more books during these
months than usual.

On Saturday before the second Sunday in
March, I preached twice on Scutcheon. Penitents
wept at the altar, the people of God shouted aloud
for joy, one soul was converted, and four persons
joined our Church. Kismet was thought to be the
most wicked place on the work ; but as I have de-
voted considerable time to this place, in preaching
and in visiting from house to house, and praying
in the families, and urging them to build a church,
they have gone to work to build a house for Church
and educational purposes. At a number of my

212 Autobiography of

meetings in this place, several have expressed a
strong desire for salvation, among these the two
saloon-keepers.

On the last day of March my younger daughter
was taken very sick, and on the first day of April,
after preaching twice and riding fifteen miles, I
reached home to find her in a very critical state of
health. That night, about one o'clock, her system
was congested, and we thought, and she too, that
she was dying. She was perfectly ready to go and
be with Christ. For several weeks she was right at
death's door. Doctor J. H. Story treated her case.
She had been in declining health for five or six
years. Her afflictions were so complicated, that
they baffled the skill of the best physicians. About
the first of May her case ran into dropsy of a very
alarming nature. I lost a great deal of sleep with
her, and was greatly hindered in ray work. I could
not leave home for any great length of time; how-
ever, in April we had some good meetings.

At Young's Chapel four persons joined our
Church. God's plans and ways are mysterious to
us. I moved to my circuit thinking that I would
give to the pastoral work my closest attention ; but
I have never had so much family affliction. This
has been a great trial to my faith and Christian
resignation; however, I believe that I can say.
The Lord's will be done. Embracing the second
Sunday in May, my third quarterly-meeting was
held at Emory Church. Brother Daily was pres-
ent. On Sunday morning we had a most glorious
old-fashioned love-feast, many of the people of God
shouting aloud for joy.

Rev. a. B. Wright. 213

During the month of May I held a number of
missionary meetings, with some happy results. On
ChildrenVday, being the second Sunday in June,
I rode fifteen miles over a rough road, and preached
three times to the children, taking collections for
the cause of education on each occasion, and stopped
at night in Wartburg with Mr. Mason. They are
most excellent people, who emigrated a few years
ago to this county from the city of Philadelphia.
I am now in the last days of June, and my dear
daughter is still sorely afflicted. Her dropsy symp-
toms have assumed a very alarming character. I can
not tell what the result of her case will be ; but I
pray God to make me resigned to his will. My faith
has never been so tried as in these family afflictions.
May God help me now ! I shall soon enter upon
my basket-meetings. O for great success!

My first basket-meeting was held at Pleasant
Ridge, embracing the second Sunday in July, and
continued four days. The attendance was good,
convictions were deep, and penitents in numbers
came weeping to the altar for prayers. Fifteen
souls were happily converted, and fourteen united
with our Church. The meeting was held in a new
church, about three miles from Sunbright, where
there had not yet been any Church organization.
At the close of the meeting I organized a Method-
ist Episcopal Church, with a class of twenty mem-
bers. My second basket-meeting was held at
Scutcheon, embracing the third Sunday in July.
At this place I preached some funerals. The
Church was greatly revived, seven souls were con-
verted to God, and two united with our Church.

214 Autobiography of

Embracing the fourth Sunday in July, I held a
two days^ basket-meeting at Bethel Church, in
Wayne County, Kentucky, where, on Sunday, I
preached the funeral of Mother Guffey. The at-
tendance was so great that, although the house was
a large one, we were compelled to move out into the
grove so as to preach to the vast multitude. Here
the people of God shouted for joy, and two souls
were happily converted. I left home on Thursday
before, to attend this meeting; rode ten miles, and
preached at Guffey's school-house, where a lady
joined our Church; then rode two miles, and bap-
tized five ladies, and afterwards rode sixteen miles
to Jamestown, for the night.

My fourth basket-meeting was held at Young's
Chapel, embracing the fifth Sunday in July. It re-
sulted in four conversions, and one accession to our
Church, with the membership much revived. My
fifth basket-meeting was held at Potter's Chapel,
embracing the first Sunday in August. It resulted
in four conversions and two accessions to our
Church. At several of the above meetings I would
have witnessed much greater results had I not been
compelled to hurry home to our dear sick daughter.
My sixth basket-meeting was held at Mt. Zion, em-
bracing the second Sunday in August, and contin-
ued four days. Here convictions were deep and
conversions were powerful. From Sunday after-
noon until Monday night seventeen souls were
powerfully converted to God, and nine joined our
Church. The Christians shouted aloud the praises
of God almost day and night. On Sunday of this
meeting I preached two funeral sermons, and on

Rkv. a. B. Wright. 215

Tuesday I baptized a lady, and received another
lady into full connection in the Church.

My seventh basket-meeting was held at Mt.
Vernon, embracing the third Sunday in August,
and resulted in the conversion of eight precious
souls, and five accessions to our Church. At this
meeting my youngest son, I trust, was happily con-
verted to God. My wife and dear sick daughter
went with me to this meeting. My eighth basket-
meeting was held in connection with our District
Conference, and fourth quarterly-meeting at Sun-
bright, August 22d to 26th. A large number of
the preachers of the district were present, and
preached with an unction from on high. On Friday
we had an interesting Sunday-school Congress, five
schools being in attendance. Rev. W. H. Rogers,
our Conference Sunday-school agent, was present,
and conducted the exercises. This affair was a
great success. At the meeting six souls were con-
verted.

The Baptist Association convened in Sunbright,
August 30th, and continued four days. A large
number of preachers and delegates were in attend-
ance. I attended all their sessions and services.
My ninth basket-meeting was held at Emory
Church, embracing the second Sunday in Septem-
ber. I held three days. Mourners came in large
numbers to the altar, and one soul was mightily
converted. On Monday I was compelled to hasten
home to my sick daughter. My tenth basket-
meeting was held at Ramsey's Chapel, twenty-five
miles from my home, embracing the third Sunday
in September. My daughter was so very low I

216 Autobiography of

could not attend that meeting; but some local
preachers filled the appointment for me.

My eleventh basket-meeting was held at Mill
Creek, six miles from Sunbright, embracing the
fourth Sunday in September, and continued four
days. Three persons were happily converted to
God. My twelfth basket-meeting was held at
Shady Grove, near Kismet, embracing the fifth
Sunday in September. On Sunday morning of the
meeting I was taken very sick, and was unable to
preach ; but Dr. Miller, of Wartburg, preached for
me, and Brother Robert McCartl held services in
the afternoon, and so the meeting closed. I think
we would have had a number of conversions here
if I had only been able to protract the meeting.
On Monday I rode home on horseback, under the
greatest weight of suffering that I ever endured in
my life. I suffered under this attack for more
than two weeks before I began to improve, and
was for quite a time unable for any service.

I was summoned to appear as a witness at the
Federal Court in Nashville, October 15th, and was
detained at court nearly three weeks. I left home
in a low state of health, with a number of friends,
for Nashville, October 13th. We took the train
late in the evening at Sunbright, and ran down to
Chattanooga, arriving there in the night. We took
lodging, and I would have slept soundly had I not
been greatly disturbed with musquitoes. I lay over
in Chattanooga the next day, it being Sunday.

There were two Annual Conferences in session
in Chattanooga at that time — the East Tennessee
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with

Rev. a. B. Wright. 217

Bishop Bowman presiding, and the Holston Con-
ference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
with Bishop McTyeire, presiding. I attended the
love-feast meeting at the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, in the morning, and expected to re-
main to hear Bishop McTyeire preach ; but became
60 sick that I was compelled to return to my room,
where I lay up the remainder of the day. I reached
Nashville by due course of time, when I was met
at the train by Major John C. Wright, who had
heard that I was very sick, and carried to his board-
ing-place, at Mrs. Mullin's, on Summer Street, where
I remained nearly three weeks.

The first Sunday that I was in Nashville, I at-
tended services at the First Baptist Church, and
heard Dr. Stricklin, their pastor, preach an excel-
lent sermon. In the afternoon I attended Sunday-
school in the State-prison, where three hundred
prisoners were in Sabbath-school. At the invita-
tion of the superintendent, I gave the lesson review
at the close of the recitations. On the second Sun-
day in the city I attended Sunday-school at the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and preaching
services at the McKendree Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, where I heard the new pastor for
the Conference year preach his first sermon to a
large audience. In the afternoon I again attended
Sunday-school in the State-prison, and, at the re-
quest of the superintendent, I taught a class, and
afterward gave the lesson review. In the evening
I attended the meeting of the Young Men's Chris-
tian Association.

I reached home November 1st. I was in very

218 Autobiography of

feeble health while in Nashville, and the day after
my arrival I thought I should not live until night.
I had only one desire, and that was to die at home
with my family. I do n't think that I felt any
choice either to live or die. But now that I have
reached my home, and my health is improving, I
am thankful to God, and if the good Lord restores
me to health again, I feel that I shall be his more
than ever, both for time and for eternity.

Our Annual Conference met in Knoxville, Oc-
tober 17, 1883, with Bishop Bowman presiding. I
did not attend, because I was compelled to be in
Nashville at that time. On account of my feeble
health and the low state of my daughter, I asked
for and received a supernumerary relation for the
following year. During the past year the afflictions
of my daughter kept me at home so much that T
was not permitted to render so much service as I
should otherwise have done. However, with what
labors I could render, the Lord wonderfully blessed
the work. Seventy-six souls were happily con-
verted, and I received eighty persons into our
Church. I baptized a number of adults and in-
fants, raised $10 for missions, $5 for Church exten-
sion, |3 for Conference claimants, $1.50 for educa-
tion, and $1 for bishops. My own support, with
the missionary appropriation, was $130. God be
praised for his wonderful goodness !

I was now a supernumerary preacher. Brother
Daily, the presiding elder, was disappointed in mak-
ing a supply for the Jamestown Circuit, and he re-
moved the pastor from the Sunbright Circuit to
Jamestown, leaving Sunbright vacant. At Brother

Rkv. a. B. Wright. 21:9

Daily's request I took charge of this work. At my
third appointment at Sunbright I baptized three
persons, and four united with our Church, one of
them being a minister of the Campbellite Church.
This meeting was held the last Sunday in Decem-
ber, 1883.

I am now closing the labors of another year.
What clouds of trouble have rolled over my life
the past year! My dear daughter Debbie has been
right at death's door several times, and 1 have not
thought that she would live through the old year.
She now seems to be lingering on the last sands of
mortality ; but, God be praised, she is ready to go
and be with Christ. I myself was brought by
affliction near the gates of the Celestial City. O
Lord, shall I and my family ever see another such
year of affliction ! Such deep sorrow I have never
seen in one year before. The Lord is too good to
do wrong, and too wise to make mistakes; and
although I can not read the handwriting of his
providence, yet I know he will make all things to
work for my good, if I but love and serve him
and patiently endure the rod of chastisement. Is it
possible that I am a hard child for my Heavenly
Father to control? Is he compelled to bring me
under this rigid discipline of suffering in order to
wean me from the world? While I have been
looking on the shady side of life, let me also look
on the brighter side.

During the year I have preached one hundred
and twenty-six times, and witnessed a large number
of happy conversions and accessions to our Church.
I baptized sixteen adults and seventeen infants, and

220 Autobiography of

married two couples. This closes another eventful
year of my life. I am now fifty-seven years old,
was licensed to preach more than thirty-five years
ago, was ordained a deacon more than twenty-nine
years ago, and have been an ordained elder and
traveling minister more than sixteen years. I now
begin the labors of another year. Great trials ap-
pear in store for the near future. O Lord, if I am
spared to live through the year, may I have more
sheaves for my Master than during any former year !
My daughter is so low that I hardly see how I can
get off from home to call poor sinners to come home
to Christ.

The dark cloud of affliction that has hung so
long over my household burst in heaviest sorrow on
Sunday morning of January 13, 1884, at fifteen
minutes before four o^clock. My dear, dear daugh-
ter Debbie, who had been such a great sufferer for
nearly a year, plumed her seraph wings, and, leav-
ing a world of suffering behind, went home to glory
and to God. How sad was that hour to our hearts !
We wept, but bowed submissively to the Lord's
will. The following day we carried her lifeless
form, all beautiful, to Mt. Vernon Church in Mor-
gan County, where her funeral was preached by
Rev. A. C. Peters, to a large congregation, from
Hebrews xiii, 14, after which her body was laid to
its last resting-place in the beautiful churchyard,
to await the trumpet sound of the resurrection
angel. Sleep on, sweet Debbie ; I shall soon see
you again. I now have two children in the good
world. The thought comes with strange inquiry to
my mind, whether another of my children shall out-

Rkv. a. B. Wright. 221

strip me to the glory-land, or shall I be the next
one of the family to enter in through the gates into
the city. God only knows how this shall be ; but
it is no great matter either way. I am resolved to
live more consecrated to God than ever before, since
I have greater inducements now to get to heaven.
I have precious children over there. May the good
Lord help me to be a faithful steward of his !

During the month of January, after my daugh-
ter's triumphant death, I met my appointments
regularly; but the weather was so cold, and the
church houses were so uncomfortable, that our meet-
ings could not accomplish so much as I desired.
However, there were anxious penitents seeking sal-
vation at nearly every preaching-place.

My second quarterly-meeting was held in Wart-
burg, embracing the second Sunday in February.
There was such a tide on the waters that we had a
very small attendance. Brother Daily was present,
and preached twice. During the months of Feb-
ruary, March, and April the weather was cold, and
the waters were so high from excessive rains, there
being a number of deep and rapid streams without
any bridges on my charge, I was greatly hindered
in the work. I have arranged for two days' meet-
ings throughout the month of May at each place,
and I am praying for and expecting showers of
blessings from clouds of mercy. These meetings
were held with much interest and success. At
every place there were penitents at the altar, and
the Churches were greatly edified. At a meeting
held by Rev. E. H. Walker, a Baptist minister, and
myself, at Mr. Moore's, in Sunbright, one person

222 Autobiography of

was converted, and soon after, in the same town,
two persons united with our Church. At Black
Wolf Church, in Scott County, a lady was con-
verted and joined the Church.

At my May meetings I held missionary services
at every place, and succeeded in raising very good
collections for the cause of missions. Throughout
the month of June I preached more or less on the
cause of education; and on Children's-day my col-
lectiors were double the same of last year. I am
now in the month of July. My next meetings will
be my basket-meetings. O may the Great Head of
the Church crown them with a number of happy
conversions and accessions to his people !

My first basket-meeting was held at Black Wolf
Church, embracing the third Sunday in July, and
continuing three days. Two souls were happily
converted. I baptized one person and received
four into full connection. The Church was glo-
riously revived. The people were greatly interested,
and brought out an abundance of provisions on
the ground each day. The prospects were good for
a number of conversions; but I had to close so as
to attend the District Conference, about to convene
at Vine Grove Church, near Dayton, in Rhea County.
I took the train on Tuesday evening, and ran down
the line to the place of the Conference, and on the
following night, as had been advertised, I preached
the introductory sermon. We had a very interest-
ing District Conference, and were royally enter-
tained by the good people of Vine Grove Church.
On Friday morning I took the train at Dayton,
and ran up the line to Sunbright, my home. My

Rkv. a. B. Wright. 223

second basket-meeting was held at Emory Church,
embracing the fourth Sunday in July, and contin-
ued four days. The people of God drank largely
from the well of salvation. I baptized one young
lady, received one person on probation and four
into full connection. Anxious penitents wept at
the altar, but there were no conversions. My third
basket-meeting was held at Sunbright, in connec-
tion with the fourth quarterly-meeting, embracing
the first Sunday in August. We held four days,
with two happy conversions to God.

My fourth basket-meeting was held at Mt.
Pleasant, on Emory, near Rev. J. M. McCartt^s,
embracing the second Sunday in August. On Sab-
bath of the occasion I administered the holy com-
munion to a large number of people. There was
great rejoicing in the camps of Israel. My fifth
basket-meeting was held at Joe Davis's, near Crook-
town, in Scott County, embracing the third Sunday
in August. I held four days. Two souls were
happily converted, and other penitents were left
weeping at the altar.

My sixth basket-meeting was held at Shady
Grove, embracing the fourth Sunday in August.
There were a number of penitents at the altar, and
no doubt there would have been a number of con-
versions; but I had to close the meeting on Sunday
afternoon because school was being taught in the
building during the week.

My seventh basket-meeting was held at Mt.
Zion, embracing the fifth Sunday in August, and
continued three days. Three persons joined the
Church on probation, and I baptized three others

224 Autobiography of

and received them into full connection. My eighth
basket-meeting was held at Potter's Chapel, embrac-
ing the first Sunday in September. My horse being
disabled from blood poison, I did not attend this
meeting. Rev. H. A. McCartt held the meeting for
me. My ninth basket-meeting was held at Mill
Creek, embracing the second Sunday in September.
I continued the meeting four days, with two souls
happily converted and three accessions to our
Church.

My tenth basket-meeting was held at Scutcheon,
embracing the third Sunday in September. One
soul was converted and joined our Church. The
glory of the Lord was present. My eleventh bas-
ket-meeting was held at Pleasant Ridge, embracing
the fourth Sunday in September. I held three days
with happy results. I baptized six young ladies and
received them into full connection, and received
two others on probation. I held an evening serv-
ice in Sunbright just after this, when one soul was
converted and two person united with our Church
by letter. I preached several funerals before leaving
home for Conference.

The Holston Annual Conference met in Greene-
ville, Tenn., October 16, 1884, Bishop H.W.War-
ren presiding. I left home on Tuesday evening
rode eight miles, and staid for the night at Eus-
sell Scott^s. The next day I rode fifteen miles, and
took dinner with Mrs. Hutson, the widow of Rev.
Richard Hutson ; and in the afternoon I rode
fifteen miles, and reached William R. DaiPs,
in Anderson County. The next morning I rode
five miles to Clinton, and took the train, arriving

Rev. a. B. Wright. 225

at Greeneville in the afternoon, the first day of the
Conference. I was assigned to stay with Rev.
John R. Hughes, who was at that time the trus-
tee of Greene County, and was living in the Church
parsonage near by. The Conference session was a
very pleasant and harmonious one. The preaching
and all the religious exercises seemed unusually
anointed with the Holy Ghost. Rev. William R.
Graves preached his semi-centennial sermon at this
Conference.

The Conference closed on Sunday night. I was
appointed to Kingston Circuit, with Rockwood at-
tached to it. Rev. L. B. Caldwell was my presiding
elder. I left Greeneville on Monday morning,
reached Knoxville in due time, and took dinner
with Hon. B. O. Bowden. Late in the afternoon I
took the train for Clinton, reaching there, and stop-
ping for the night with my kinsman, Hon. W. R.
Hicks. The next day I rode fourteen miles to Ol-
iver Springs, took dinner with Brother Taylor, and
in the afternoon rode fourteen miles to Wartburg.
I reached home the next day, and found my family
well. God be praised!

After remaining at home three days, having been
summoned to appear as a witness at the Federal
Court in Nashville, I left for that place. I took
the train late on Saturday evening, and ran down
to Chattanooga, where I remained over Sunday. I
attended services at the First Methodist Episcopal
Church, and heard Dr. Warner, the new pastor,
preach his first sermon. I reached Nashville the
next day, and stopped at Mrs. Mullin's boarding-
house, on Summer Street. I was discharged from

15

22() AuTOBioc^RAPirv of

court on Wednesday, and came to Chattanooga that
night. I was much disturbed on the train by a
number of people making a mock of our holy re-
ligion. The next morning I ran up the Cincinnati
road to Sunbright. On account of having to be at
Nashville, and having a funeral appointment about
forty miles from home, I did not reach my first three
appointments, but had them filled by another party.
Here 1 wish to drop a few thoughts in regard to
our Conference. I am fully convinced that ap-
pointments of committees, and of preachers to their
work, are not made with regard to their qualifica-
tions or merit, but more from favoritism. I find
the Conference has some favorites, and, whether they
have qualifications or business tact, they are pushed
to the front. Ring rule holds high control. The
Northern men seem to have great influence with the
bishop, and from his arrival until he leaves they
have his ear, and in a large measure they dictate the
appointments. I do not know whether all Confer-
ences are infested with the same spirit and men or
not. I wish I could think our own beloved Con-
ference was free from such ; but from years of expe-
rience, I am otherwise impressed. May the good
Lord in mercy save our Conference! I have never
sought appointments from the Conference, but have
always held sacred my vows at the Conference altar.
My appointments have always been to circuits of
about second or third class. I have noticed that
some of our preachers had a great aversion for the
mountain circuits; but I have found them equal to
many of the valley circuits. Under this spirit of
appointment, I have seen men of medium ability

Rev. a. B. Wright. 227

placed ou districts, stations, and first-class circuits,
and the work suffer in their hands. It is my de-
liberate judgment that if this sectional spirit con-
tinues in the Conference, our future as a Church in
this country is very precarious.

It is not pleasant to me to leave such a record
as this behind me, to be read when my body lies
cold in the ground ; for I am a Methodist, warp
and filling, and have given my life to some of the
hardest work for the Church. I am profoundly
concerned for the future of this work. I know that
the good Lord will make it all right in the great day
of eternity. This gives me great comfort. May
God bless our Church !

CHAPTER XV.

THE KINGSTON CIRCUIT.

I LEFT home for my new field of labor on Friday
morning, November 14th, rode nine miles, and
took dinner with Rev. H. A. McCartt. In the after-
noon I rode eight miles to Liberty Church, where
Rev. R. O. Taylor, a Baptist minister, was holding
revival services. At his request, I preached and
called for penitents, when about twenty-five young
men and ladies came to the altar. After the meeting,
I went home with Thos. Love, to stay all night, who
lived four miles from the church. On the way,
Brother Love's dog treed a coon. We shook it
out, the dog killed it, and we took it on with us.
The next day I rode eleven miles to Colonel
Robert Byrd's, in Roane County, and took dinner.

228 Autobiography of

Colonel Byrd was in a low state of health, and died
a short time afterwards. In the afternoon I rode
down by Emory Gap and Rockwood into Hines
Valley, and stopped for the night at Oscar Thomp-
son's. The next day I rode three miles down the
valley to the church, and preached to a large con-
gregation. The Lord was present in great power.
After taking dinner with Squire Millican, and hold-
ing prayers in the family, I rode five miles up the
valley to Rockwood, and preached to a large con-
gregation of people at night. I stopped with
E. M. Devaney.

In the afternoon of Monday, I rode up Walden's
Ridge and out on the plateau seven miles to Brother
King's. I missed my way, and that being a wil-
derness country, I had serious thoughts of having
to lay out that night; but fortunately overtaking a
stranger going right by Brother King's, he piloted
me. My pilot proved to be the postmaster in the
settlement, who, when he had learned that I was
the Methodist preacher, turned around and said :
"I must shake hands with you." He had lately
emigrated from Canada. He and his wife were
members of the Congregational Church, but on this
round united with our Church at King's school-
house. Brother King's folks are true Methodists,
and are accustomed to take good care of the Meth-
odist preacher. The next day I preached at Brother
King's instead of the school -house, the day being
very rainy. We had a good meeting, with some
deep penitents in the congregation. In the after-
noon I rode two miles, and staid for the night with
Joseph Smith. Brother Smith and wife live alone.

Rev. a. B. Wright. 229

They have raised a family, but they are all scattered
off, some of them being in the West. They are
kind. Christian old people.

The next morning, on my way back to Brother
King's, I stopped and held prayers with the family
of Mrs. Lingo, a widow. Though they are well-
to-do and respectable, I learned that no minister
had called on them for years. What a field for
ministerial work this is !

I preached that day at Brother King's again.
There were a number of anxious penitents at the
altar. In the afternoon Brother King geared up
his two-horse wagon, and he and his daughter Mary
and his granddaughter Alice, with two other little
grandchildren, and myself, got in and drove out a
few miles, visiting and holding religious services
in three families — Hutson, Young, and Sabin.

The next day I rode five miles to Pisgah Church,
and preached where a young man, Mr. Farmer, was
teaching school. After preaching, I went home with
Brother Maupin and staid over night. Brother
Maupin is an old man, and a true Methodist. He
is now living with his second wife, who is a Baptist.
King's school-house and Pisgah are both in Cum-
berland County. The remainder of the circuit is
in Roane County, excepting two appointments, that
are in Loudon County. The following day I rode
down in the valley to Brother Tedder's, near Rock-
wood. Late in the evening I walked down into the
town, and preached at night to a fair congregation.
Rock wood seems to be a hard place religiously.
My heart is moved at the wickedness; but I am
praying the Lord of the harvest for that place.

230 Autobiography of

The next day I walked up to Brother Tedder's, and
rode up the valley three miles to Joel Hembree's
for dinner. Brother Hembree is a Southern Meth-
odist, and now, for the second time, a widower, with
several small children. He is a well-to-do and
kind-hearted man.

In the afternoon I rode up by Emory Gap and
out to Dick Isham's. Brother Isham has no chil-
dren. He and his aged wife are warm-hearted
Christians. He is a Methodist, and she is a Baptist.
The next day being Sunday, I rode two miles to
Swan Pond Church. As the morning had been very
rainy, the people were slow in getting out. How-
ever, I preached to them at ten o'clock. The Meth-
odist Episcopal Church, South, as well as our own
Church, has a class at this place. After preaching,
I rode one mile and took dinner with Brother At-
kinson, the class-leader. After praying with the
family, I went three miles to Emory Gap, and
preached in the afternoon, aud then went one mile
and staid with the family of Rev. G. W. Renfro,
who is a traveling minister of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church, South, and was at this time olf on
his circuit.

The next morning I rode back to Emory Gap,
and stopped and prayed in the family of Mr. Gram-
mar, after which I rode one mile down the valley
and stopped with Brother John Martin. In the aft-
ernoon I walked up to the Gap, and after visiting
several families, I preached again. Two persons
came forward for prayers, and one old man joined
our Church. I staid that night at Brother Mar-
tin's. The next day I rode six miles to Pine Grove

Rev. a. B. Wright. 231

Church, and preached to a small congregation, with
happy results.

After taking dinner with, and praying in, the
family of Mr. Delozier, I rode one mile and staid
over night with J. N. Love, the class-leader. The
next day I preached again in Emory Gap, and
stopped with Brother Grammar. He and his family
are excellent people, members of the Baptist Church.
He was at this time in feeble health. The next day
being Thanksgiving-day, I rode four miles, crossing
Emory River, to Oak Hill Church, where a young
lady was teaching school, and preached a thanks-
giving sermon. I took dinner with Mr. Roberts.
Neither he nor his wife are yet Christians, but they
are excellent people. Their two daughters are
members of our Church. In the afternoon I rode
eight miles into Morgan County, and stopped for
the night with Peter Mathis. The next day I rode
eight miles to Wartburg, stopped at the Roberts
Hotel, aird that night addressed an audience at that
place on the subject of Temperance.

The next day I rode twelve miles to my home
in Sunbright. In a little more than two weeks I
had traveled on horseback one hundred and forty-
three miles, had preached sixteen times, and had
visited and prayed in forty-three families.

I left home for my second round on Kingston
Circuit, December 11th, in company with Rev.
L. B. Caldwell, the presiding elder. We rode
twelve miles the first day to Wartburg, where we
remained over night; and at the court-house, to a
large congregation, we both gave a talk on the sub-
ject of Temperance. The next day we rode eight

232 Autobiography of

miles, and took dinner with Peter Mathis. In the
afternoon we rode twelve miles, and stopped with
the family of Rev. T. H. Russell, he being absent
on his circuit. The next morning Dr. Caldwell and
I separated ; he going to his quarterly-meeting on
the Scarboro Circuit, and I going on to my circuit.
I rode nine miles to James CardwelPs, who lives
two miles from Cardwell's Chapel. Here I learned
that my appointment at that place for that day had
not been published, and so I staid with Brother
Cardwell. That night I attended service at a school-
house held by the Baptists, and at their request I
preached. The next morning a cold, heavy rain
was falling ; but I rode through it three miles to
Woodlawn Church, and preached to a small con-
gregation ; and in the afternoon I rode to CardwelPs
Chapel, and staid over night with Brother Cox.

The next day I rode twelve miles to Kingston,
and took dinner with my dear cousin James I. Dail.
In the afternoon, after holding prayers with the
family, I rode seven miles, and staid over night
with James R. Rankin. The next morning I rode
nine miles down into Hines Valley and preached.
After preaching I held a class-meeting with happy
results. In the afternoon, in company with Rev.
A. E. Barnes, of the Pikeville Circuit, I rode back
to Brother Rankin's for the night, having taken
dinner with, and prayed in the family of, Mr. Dyke.
The next morning Brother Barnes and I rode to
Kingston, where our District Conference was to
meet that day. The Conference met in the Meth-
odist Episcopal Church, Dr. Caldwell presiding. I
was elected secretary. We had a harmonious session

Rev. a. B. Wright. 233

of two days and nights. The weather became bitter
cold.

On Saturday Dr. Caldwell and I rode out to
Swan Pond Church, where my quarterly-meeting was
to be held. There were only two people present. The
weather was so cold and the house so open, that it
seemed a moral impossiblity to accomplish anything,
and so we agreed to hold the quarterly-meeting ten
days from that time at Pine Grove Church. After
taking dinner at Simeon Hassler's, Dr. Caldwell left
for his home at Athens, and I set off for Emory
Gap. I rode three miles, and stopped and prayed
in the family of George Isham, and afterwards rode
one mile below the Gap, and stopped for the night
with Elisha Martin. That night I preached at
Brother Pope^s, for his son, who was in the last
stage of consumption. Several turned out to the
meeting, and quite a number presented themselves
as seekers of religion. There was a heavy fall of
rain and sleet all that night, and the next morning
being Sunday, the ground was perfectly carpeted
with ice, and there was still a heavy rain. I walked
up to Emory Gap, took the train, and ran up home
to Sunbright, where I remained until Tuesday
night. I then took the train and ran back down
to Emory Gap, and spent the night at Brother
Grammar's.

The next morning I walked down to Brother
Martinis, mounted my horse, and rode five miles to
Bockwood. I was to preach there that night, but
the morning Sunday-school had their Christmas en-
tertainment at the same hour and place, and so I
did not preach, but attended and opened the exer-

234 Autobiography of

cises with prayer, and made a short talk on Sunday-
school work. The next morning being Christmas-
day, although the mercury stood at zero, I rode
eight miles to King's school-house, where the peo-
ple had gathered in a very open house, with about
a double handful of fire, for worship. I told them
that I could not preach there, but that if they
would go to Brother King's house I would preach
to them, which they did. I preached again at
night at Brother Hutson's, although the weather
was stinging cold. Quite a number knelt for
prayers. There is good prospect for a revival in
this settlement.

The next morning I set off in company with a
hack-load of young people, for my appointment at
Pisgah. We must have traveled about eight miles
to reach there. I preached to a small but atten-
tive audience at that place. After preaching I took
dinner with Brother Maupin, and in the afternoon
rode four miles, and stopped for the night with a
family named White, consisting of four sisters and
a brother who is a widower, and his two little chil-
dren. They are all Christians except the two chil-
dren, and are members of the Methodist Church.
They live at the old homestead, where their parents
died in the faith.

The next morning I rode down through Rock-
wood, and up the valley to Brother Tedder's for
dinner. After praying in the family I rode in the
afternoon eight miles, to Brother Gilford Delozier's.
I preached that night at Pine Grove Church near
by, and again at the same place the next morning.
In the afternoon I rode three miles to Emory Gap

Rev. a. B. Wright. 235

and preached to an attentive congregation. After
Church, while making some pastoral calls, I called
at the home of Joseph Davis, and after praying
with the family, they invited me to stay over night
with them, provided I would stay with sinners. I
told them that they were the very people to whom
we were sent ; that we were ^^ not sent to call the
righteous but sinners to repentance.'^ So I staid
with them. Although they had been living there
for a number of years, and were a well-to-do and
respectable people, they said that I was the only
minister of any kind whx) had staid with them.

Next morning I rode back three miles to Pine
Grove, and preached to an appreciative audience, with
some prospect of good. After taking dinner with
Mrs. Elizabeth Isham, an excellent Christian wid-
owed lady, I visited and prayed in the families of
two other widowed ladies, one by name Isham, and
the other by name Atkinson. I preached again that
night at Pine Grove. Here my quarterly-meeting
was to be held the following two days.

Dr. Caldwell sent Rev. C. Stuart to assist me in
holding the quarterly-meeting. The meeting contin-
ued over the following Sunday. We had an excellent
Quarterly Conference, an old-fashioned Methodist
love-feast, and the sacrament of the Lord's Supper
during the meeting. There was one happy con-
version, and four persons united with our Church.
Tlie membership of the Church put on new life.
There had been a great deal of enmity among the
people of the Church here for some time. I believe
there would have been more conversions but for
this fact, but I think we succeeded in breaking up

236 Autobiography of

this bad spirit. Nothing stands more in the way of
God^s work than to have the people at strife with
each other. This church is located three miles
from Kingston, in the midst of a community of
good plain people. During the meeting I visited
a numer of families of Ishams, Fritts, Atkinsons,
Deloziers, Goddards, and Houghtons. In all of
these we had precious family services.

On Sunday evening, after the close of this meet-
ing, I preached to a large congregation, at the resi-
dence of a Mr. Millsaps, one mile below Emory
Gap. There were a number of anxious penitents
at the altar, and two young men joined our Church.
On Monday morning I took the train at Emory
Gap, and ran up to Sunbright, my home. I have
now finished another year. The year 1884 is gone
forever. What great clouds of sorrow hung over
my head during the first part of the year in the
affliction and death of my dear sweet daughter
Debbie. She is only gone on before. In a few days
or years I shall overtake her. The memory of
this year will ever lie heavily upon my heart.

During the year I preached one hundred and
ninety-one times, witnessed twelve conversions, re-
ceived thirty persons into our Church, baptized
sixteen adults and thirteen infants, preached ten
funerals, and married two couples. I have com-
pleted two rounds on the Kingston Circuit before
January. At many places there are the marked
evidences of coming prosperity. This is a widely-
scattered circuit, stretching over a great distance of
territory. The church houses are generally poor,
and very uncomfortable for winter use. Two large

Rev. a. B. Wright. 287

rivers flow through the circuit, the Clinch and the
Emory, that have to be ferried, besides a number of
smaller deep, rapid streams to be forded. The cir-
cuit is bounded on the south by the Tennessee
River. On my January round there was a great
deal of very severe cold weather, so that I only
met six congregations out of eleven appointments.
I visited a great many families, and prayed with
them, and talked to the children.

I visited several sick persons, among these one
young man just ready to die with consumption. A
lady at Brownsville professed saving faith in Christ
while I was holding prayers in her home, and a
young man near Pine Grove joined our Church at
a family service. Having been hindered by the
severe weather from attending all my appointments,
I took this way of being employed in the Master's
work. I feel that 1 must not be idle. I closed
this round in the afternoon of the fourth Sunday
in January; and although I was suffering from a
severe cold, I rode thirty-six miles on horseback to
my home through the severest winter weather. I
left home on Saturday evening, February 14th, for
my work. I took the train at Sunbright, and ran
down to Rockwood, and staid over night with a
Mr. Cox, an Englishman. They showed me much
kindness. God bless them ! The next morning I
walked down below town a short distance to Mr.
Thompson's, who geared up his team, and took a
wagon-load of us down to the church in Hines
Valley.

The Baptists were holding services at that time
in the church, but I preached that night. I preached

238 Autobiography of

the next day in Rockwood^ and visited and prayed
with a number of farailes. Having secured a horse
from Esquire Millican, I rode up the valley on
Monday evening to Joel Hembree^s, and the follow-
ing day went on meeting my appointments at Pine
Grove, Swan Pond, and Emory Gap. The weather
was so bitter cold, and the roads were so covered
with ice, that the congregations were small at each
place. I felt that I greatly imperiled my own life
in traveling that week.

I reached Rockwood late on Friday evening,
suffering greatly from the severe weather. My sec-
ond quarterly-meeting came off at Rockwood the
next day, and continued over Monday night. My
presiding elder wished to form a new charge of
Rockwood, Hines Valley, and King's school-house,
and so I agreed to give up these appointments, and
to take up some new ones up the line of railroad.
On Tuesday morning I ran up the railroad to
Brownsville, and preached to the miners there that
night. Quite a number of penitents were at the
altar for prayers, and three persons united with our
Church. The following night I preached again at
the same place. I had to preach in private resi-
dences, and these were miners' cabins only; and as
the people came out to the preaching in great num-
bers, w^e were uncomfortably crowded. I find these
humble miners anxious for the Word of Life.

The following day I secured a mule from Colonel
Brown, the proprietor of the iron-works, and rode
five miles to Oak Hill, to reach my appointment.
The weather was so severe that only two persons
were present. In the afternoon I rode back to

Rkv. a. V>. Wright. 289

Brownsville, aad preached there again that night.
Penitents were at the altar, and a lady joined our
Church. Mr. Brown says that he will build us a
chapel in which to worship. If he does so, I think we
can organize a good class at this place. I organized
a praver-raeeting for them. The roads were so bad,
and the weather was so unsettled, that I declined
to go to my appointments in Loudon County. The
winter was the severest that we had witnessed in
this country for years. I left home, March 20th, for
my work, and met the most of my appointments.
In several places there were anxious penitents at
the altar.

On Saturday evening before the second Sunday
in April, in preaching for a man who had been
severely injured in the Rock wood mines by rocks
falling in on him, he and his wife both joined our
Church. On this round another lady joined our
Church at Brownsville. Dr. Caldwell failed to or-
ganize his new circuit, and so I had to take back
into my work Rockwood, Hines Valley, and
King's school-house. From sickness and rain I did
not reach King's school-house nor Hines Valley
on this round, but preached at Rockwood.

About this time my son Willie came home from
college with a relapse of measles, and was in very
low health for a time. I left home on the last day
of April, reached Emory River at night, and staid
with William Crow. His wife is a niece of Rev.
W. C. Graves, of our Conference. The next morn-
ing I was called to go up into the county some dis-
tance, to hold the funeral service of a child of Mr.
Overstreet at May's school-house. In going, we

240 Autobiography of

passed through what is known as Clack's Gap,
which is a deep gorge between two high ridges.
Here, in the early settlement of the country, the
Indians waylaid a company of white men, and killed
one of them named Clack ; hence the name of the
place. After holding the services, and taking din-
ner with Brother Letsinger, I rode to Kingston,
and on to Eblen's school-house, and preached at
night. I met all my appointments promptly.

As I had a week's rest between two appoint-
ments, I spent the time in visiting and holding
services with families and forming new acquaint-
ances. I visited one family of which I will make
mention — Dr. Eaton's, of Eaton's Crossroads in
Loudon County. He and his family are excellent
people, and well-to-do. They showed me great
kindness. His wife, a son, and a daughter are
members of our Church. I left his newly-married
daughter very penitent. In the afternoon of Satur-
day before the second Sunday in May, in the Ma-
sonic Hall at Woodlawn, I conferred the degrees of
the Eastern Star of Adoptive Masonry on ten ladies
and twenty gentlemen. On the following day, after
preaching at Woodlawn, a young lady joined our
Church. On Wednesday following, after preaching
and holding a missionary meeting at Emory Gap, a
young lady united with our Church. I preached
on Thursday night at Brownsville. Several peni-
tents were at the altar of prayer, and two ladies
joined our Church.

My third quarterly-meeting was held in Hines
Valley, May 16th and 17th. My presiding elder
was not present. I held the meeting until Monday

Rev. a. B. Wright. 241

night. On Monday one young lady was converted,
and a number of penitents were left at the altar.
On Sunday, with the assistance of a local preacher,
I administered the sacrament of the Lord's Supper
to a large number of people — Methodists, Baptists,
and Campbellites communing together. That even-
ing shouts of praise went up to God in hallelujahs.
I returned home, May 20th.

On my June round, at CardwelPs Chapel, a
young lady united with our Church. I spent a
week in visiting in Roane and Loudon Counties;
but was quite indisposed in health all the time.
The following Sunday was Children's-day, being
the second Sunday in June. I held an interesting
Children's-day service in the forenoon at Wood-
lawn, and one in the afternoon at Cardwell's Chapel,
and intended holding a third one in the evening at
West's school-house; but the congregation dis-
persed before my arrival. Our meetings in June
were all interesting, attended, more or less, with
earnest seekers of salvation. At King's school-
house, on Friday before the third Sunday, there
were quite a number of penitents, and two persons
united with our Church. The following Sabbath I
held a missionary meeting in the morning, and a
Children's-day service in the afternoon, at Hines
Valley Church, with happy results. A number of
penitents were at the altar, and two persons joined
the Church. I returned home, June 23d.

My first basket-meeting was held in connection
with my fourth quarterly-meeting at Woodlawn
Church, embracing the third Sunday in July, and
holding until the next Friday night. Dr. Caldwell

16

242 Autobiography of

was with us a part of three days. The member-
ship was greatly revived, fourteen souls were hap-
pily converted, and ten persons united with our
Church. I left the meeting on a rising tide. My
second basket-meeting was held at Pine Grove
Church, three miles from Kingston, embracing the
fourth Sunday in July. I held the meeting until
Thursday night. Five persons were converted, and
the membership was much revived.

My third basket-meeting was held at Oak Hill,
embracing the first Sunday in August, and contin-
uing three days. I think there were deep convic-
tions planted in the hearts of some sinners, and yet
there was a manifest aversion to coming to the altar
to be prayed for. This was due perhaps to previous
teachings and prejudices. My fourth basket-meet-
ing was held at King's school-house, embracing the
second Sunday in August, and continuing five days.
Eleven souls were converted, and eight persons
ioined our Church. The membership of this live
Church was much revived. After closing the
meeting at this place I went two miles, and
preached for a sick young man by the name of
Keelan, who was so low that we could not under-
stand anything that he would say. When I asked
him if he was blessed of the Lord, to squeeze my
hand, he did so, with a radiant smile upon his face,
that gave me to understand that all was well with
his soul.

My fifth basket-meeting was held in Hines Val-
ley, five miles below Rockwood, embracing the third
Sunday in August, and continuing twelve days.
It resulted in thirty-one happy conversions, and in

Rev. a. B. Wright. 243

twenty-two accessions to our Church. This was
a great and most glorious revival for that Church.
From there I went to Kockwood and to Post Oak, and
spent a few days in rest. My sixth basket-meeting
was held at Eblen's school-house, six miles above
Kingston, on the old stage-road to Knoxville, em-
bracing the fifth Sunday in August, and continuing
six days. Eight souls were converted, and one per-
son united with our Church. We have no Chureh
organization at that place, and this doubtless pre-
vented others from joining us. At a service which
I held at Woodlawn during the week, three persons
united with our Church.

My seventh basket-meeting was held at Card-
welFs Chapel, twelve miles from Kingston, embrac-
ing the first Sunday in September, and continuing
eight days, with the happiest results. Thirty-three
persons were converted to God, and fourteen joined
our Church. At times convictions were so preva-
lent that we could scarcely make room for the peni-
tents. These were mostly young men. At all my
revivals we held old-fashioned love-feasts, with bread
and water passed through the congregation, followed
by stirring experiences. We also held class-meet-
ings at each occasion, and it was my happy experi-
ence that these were followed by the best results.
I am more than ever convinced that these old land-
marks of our Church are of vital importance to our
people.

My eighth basket-meeting was held at Emory
Gap, embracing the second Sunday in September.
I was detained at CardwelFs Chapel on account of
the uncommon interest there, and did not reach

244 Autobiography of

this place until Sunday night, but had secured
Colonel Dail to hold the services until ray arrival.
I continued them until Tuesday night, with a num-
ber of deep convictions and earnest penitents, and
four accessions to our Church. Within the bounds
of the Kingston Circuit a number of Methodist
preachers have grown up ; among these are Moore,
Derrick, Hughes, and Cardwell. I find two nieces
and several nephews of Rev. R. M. Hickey, for-
merly a presiding elder in this country, living on
this circuit.

On Friday, after closing my meeting in Hines
Valley, Mrs. Milligan and her granddaughter Addie,
and myself, spent the day with Mrs. Rauhn, a wid-
owed lady, and a member of our Church, living
at Post Oak. She, with her husband in his life-
time, had purchased the large farm of Jack Owens.
About fourteen years ago, Mr. Owens conceived the
idea of having a number of his neighbors form a
community by having all things in common, as in
the apostolic day. He induced a number of them
to sell all that they had, and deposit the money in
one common stock; to live together and work to-
gether on the same lands, and to eat at the same
table, the colored people at one end to themselves,
calling his organization a community. Mr. Owens
was at the head of all their affairs. I saw the long
dining-room which they used. In about six months
a dissatisfaction arose, and they disbanded in great
confusion, those having gone into the enterprise go-
ing out penniless. It was also claimed that Mr.
Owens was bankrupted by this movement. The
whole affair was a very foolish thing. Mr. Owens

Rev. a. B. Wright. 245

was doubtless sincere, but very unwise in this
matter.

I left home on Saturday evening before the first
Sunday in October, took the train and ran down to
Emory Gap, preached there that night, and during
the next three days. There were two happy con-
versions and five accessions to our Church.

This closes the year's work on the Kingston
Circuit. It has been a very happy year, with one
hundred and eight conversions, and one hundred
and five accessions to our Church. The people,
without my consent or knowledge, sent up a large
petition to the Conference for my return. I had
so many applications to preach funerals, and some
of these at a distance, and the Conference meeting
at Johnson City, at one edge of our territory, I did
not attend.

The Conference met, October 15th, with Bishop
Hurst presiding. Dr. Caldwell was reappointed to
the Kingston District, and I was reappointed to
Kingston Circuit

On the third Sunday in September, to a large con-
gregation in Sunbright, I preached the funeral of
Anna J. Summers, wife of Rev. B. T. Summers, of
the Baptist Church ; and on the following Sunday,
at Mill Creek, in Scott County, I preached the fu-
neral of James H. Young. On the second Sunday
in October, at a large graveyard near Rugby, I
preached the funeral of Mary S. Brown; and on the
third Sunday I preached the funeral of John A.
Range, at Paul's Chapel, in Fentress County. On
the fourth Sunday, at Annadel, I preached the fu-
neral of Braxton Lane and three small children.

246 Autobiography of

The day before, at Sunbright, I preached the funeral
of Sallie Jennings.

My wife worries a great deal about my absence
from home in the work. I live in anticipation,
when all these earthly sacrifices shall pass away,
that I shall enter upon my reward in heaven. I
want to live so as to meet the King's approval in
the Great Day.

October 30th, I left home to meet the first round
of appointments for the new year. I rode eight
miles, and preached at night at Rev. H. A. McCartt's,
and rode the next day to Kingston. The following
morning, it being Sunday, I rode twelve miles
through a heavy rain, and preached at CardwelPs
Chapel, to a fair congregation. I preached again
at night at the same place when three ladies joined
the Church ; and on Thursday night following, at
the prayer-meeting, there was another accession to
the Church. I met all the appointments on this
round, besides preaching twice in Kingston for the
station. On the round I suffered a great deal from
bronchial affection. I fear that I shall have to de-
sist from preaching much during the winter. I be-
come more conscious of the infirmities of age steal-
ing upon me. Of late years I have had severe at-
tacks of asthma, from which I have suffered a great
deal. I hope that I shall not be troubled with this
fearful disease until my latest breath ; but I pray
God to give me the grace of patience. The Lord
help me to be faithful to the trust committed to me!

On the fifth Sunday in November I preached for
Brother Scott, in Sunbright, when a gentleman
joined our Church.

Rev. a. B. Wright. 247

My first quarterly-meeting was held at Card-
well's Chapel, December 19th and 20th. Dr. Cald-
well was present. I continued the meeting until
Monday night, with happy results. Two persons
joined the Church. On this round the congrega-
tions were large, the religious interest was strong,
and anxious penitents were at nearly every place.
At Pine Grove a man joined the Church.

I have now closed the year 1885. I have
preached two hundred times, ridden horseback about
two thousand miles, preached thirteen funerals, bap-
tized twenty-eight adults and six infants, and mar-
ried one couple. Farewell to the old year. Each
year is bringing m^ nearer my home. I pray God
that 1886 may be crowned with greater victories
than the previous year.

On January 7th, at night, at Card well's Chapel
two men joined our Church. The weather became
so intensely cold that the rivers were frozen over,
and so remained for a number of days, and this pre-
vented my reaching all the appointments of this
round. I reached home during the heavy sleet and
frozen weather. I left home, and reached Kingston
on Friday night before the second Sunday in Feb-
ruary, where I heard an evangelist of the Baptist
Church preach to a small audience, with very little
effect. The next morning I rode seven miles to
Union school-house, where I held revival services
for five days. Five persons were converted, and
the Christians were much revived — Baptists, Meth-
odists, and Presbyterians uniting in labor, and
shouting the praise of God together. Our Church
has no organization there at this time, but I expect

248 Autobiography of

to have one soon. The prospect for good began
greatly to increase all around the work.

My second quarterly-meeting was held at Em-
ory Gap, embracing the second Sunday in March.
The presiding elder was not in attendance, but had
advertised that Dr. Carter, editor of the Methodist
Advocate, would be present in his place. He did
not show up, and so I had to do the best I could
alone. I attended to all the business of such an
occasion, and continued the services five days and
nights. The Lord wonderfully blessed the work.
Seven persons were happily converted and six joined
the Church. The conversions and accessions were
of the best people of that country. I think there
would have been a very large number of conver-
sions, but I was compelled to leave so as to meet
other appointments. I left the work in the hands
of other ministers, who let the interest run down.
A local Southern Methodist preacher did our Church
a wrong by misrepresenting us in my absence.

During the April round one person in Hines
Valley, three persons at Pine Grove, two at Emory
Gap, and one at King's school-house, joined our
Church. On the same round I baptized and re-
ceived nine persons into full connection at Wood-
lawo, baptized and received thirteen in Hines Val-
ley, at King's school-house baptized two and re-
ceived seven into full connection, and at Emory
Gap baptized two and received four. During the
May round I held missionary meetings at every ap-
pointment.

On the same round there were four conver-
sions, several accessions, and many times happy

Rev. a. B. Wright. 249

Christians. At some places on the circuit our
Church is greatly and unjustly misrepresented.
Every prejudice is appealed to, to make enemies to
us; but amid it all we are more than triumphant.
At all the missionary meetings the people responded
liberally. At several places there were anxious
seekers of salvation, and the people of God were
much revived. In the afternoon of the fourth Sun-
day in May, at Oak Hill, I called penitents to the
altar, and two ladies were powerfully converted.
In June I held several Children's-day services, but
had to do so in the face of a great deal of opposition ;
but the collections were liberal notwithstanding. I
don^t think I ever saw a country so full of super-
stition and Church prejudices as some portions of
the Kingston Circuit. I never saw so many differ-
ent kinds of denominations on the same ground.
Penitents were at the altar at a number of places,
and several persons united with our Church.

My first basket-meeting was held at Oak Hill,
embracing the third Sunday in July, and continued
nine days. From the very beginning the power of
the Lord was present to save. Penitents flocked to
the altar, praying for mercy, and soon converts were
praising God with joyful hearts. During the meet-
ing twenty-eight souls were happily converted, and
ten persons joined our Church. Others will likely
join the Baptist Church, and perhaps some will join
the Southern Methodist. Our Church is greatly
persecuted in that section, and those who joined us
did so under severe trial. The Mr. Roberts and
family that I took dinner with on my first round
here — of whom I said neither he nor his wife were

250 Autobiography of

Christians — was converted at this meeting, with his
wife, and both joined our Church and were bap-
tized. This is Esquire Ed. Roberts. They are well-
to-do and true people.

My second basket-meeting was at Pisgah, era-
bracing the first Sunday in August. I was so sick
that I could not attend. My third basket-meeting
was held at Woodlawn, embracing the second Sunday
in August, and continuing three days. There were
some anxious penitents, and a lady united with our
Church. A Rev. Mr. Aldridge, an evangelist, had
held a meeting at this place, of several days, just
before my meeting, and had left the revival inter-
est rather low, although he had some conversions.
He seemed to be a man reformed from a very bad life,
and uses language in the pulpit that I believe to be
objectionable. During the meeting I was greatly
disturbed by some young people who engaged in
some very unbecoming conduct. They were
young girls, and regard themselves as members of
a first-class family. The Lord will bring this
haughtiness down. During the week, after the
close of my own meeting, I attended a meeting of
the Baptist Church, held in the neighborhood.

My fourth basket-meeting w^as held at Card-
well's Chapel, embracing the third Sunday in Au-
gust. I found the same difficulty here as at Wood-
lawn, with Rev. Mr. Aldridge. I baptized two per-
sons and received several into full connection. My
fifth basket-meeting was held at Pine Grove, em-
bracing the fourth Sunday in August, and holding
nine days. My son Asbury, who had been teach-
ing school near Rockwood, was prostrated by fever,

Rev. a. B. Wright. 251

and I had to leave the meeting before it closed, so
as to attend him. There were fourteen conversions
and seven accessions to our Church. My sixth
basket-meeting was held in Hiues Valley, embrac-
ing the fifth Sunday in August. Here there were
five conversions and five accessions to our Church.
I was compelled to close and go to my son, who had
taken a relapse from the fever, and was very low.
My seventh basket-meeting was appointed for
King's school-house, but I could not leave my son
to attend it.

My fourth quarterly-meeting was held in Hines
Valley, embracing the fourth Sunday in September.
Dr. Caldwell was in attendance. The meeting held
two days, with prospects for good. During the
week I held services two days at King's school-
house. There were anxious penitents at the altar,
but no conversions. I attended a meeting in Sun-
bright for two nights, where there were three con-
versions.

Embracing the second Sunday in October, I as-
sisted Brother Peters in a protracted meeting at
Oneida, on the Huntsville Circuit. There were
several conversions and accessions. I have now
finished up my second year's work on the Kingston
Circuit. During the year there have been ninety-
five conversions and sixty accessions to the Church,
and during the two years there have been two hun-
dred and three conversions and one hundred and
sixty-five accessions. I left home on Saturday, Oc-
tober 16th, in company with Rev. S. B. Scott, to
attend the Annual Conference at Athens, Tenn.
We traveled the distance over land with a horse

252 Autobiography of

and buggy. The first day we traveled into Roane
County; and on the following day, being Sunday,
we preached at Swan Pond Church. The following
day we drove to Rev. David Kelsey's, and remained
over night. The next day we traveled through
portions of Roane and Meigs Counties and into
McMinn County, and stopped with Uncle Dan Car-
penter. The next day we drove two miles to Uncle
Cyril Carpenter's, and I preached that night at
Tranquillity Church. The next day we drove to
Athens. The Conference was in session, with
Bishop Mallalieu presiding. We had an interest-
ing Conference session. I staid with Brother
Walker, the father-in-law of my son.

The Conference closed on Monday morning. In
the afternoon I drove out ten miles, and staid
with Fletcher Carpenter. The next day we drove
to Kingston, and staid with Colonel Dail. We
reached home on Thursday evening. At this Con-
ference I was appointed to New River Circuit, with
Dr. Caldwell as presiding elder. On Sunday,
after reaching home, I preached in Sunbright, to a
large congregation, the funerals of old Father Var-
dimin Byrd and wife with happy results. I preached
again that night, and one person was happily con-
verted.

Rev. a. B. Wright. 253

CHAPTER XVI.

NEW RIVER, SUNBRIGHT, AND OLIVER SPRINGS.

THE New River Circuit lies in Scott County,
Tennessee. I began the first round on the
first Sunday in November by preaching in the
morning at Glen Mary, and in the afternoon at
Black Wolf. The first quarterly-meeting was held
at Helenwood, embracing the second Sunday in No-
vember. Dr. Caldwell was present, and preached
three times. We had very interesting services.
Helenwood is a growing little town on the Cincin-
nati Southern Railroad.

On the third Sunday in November I preached
in the morning at Winfield, and at night at Oneida,
to good congregations at both places. These are
little towns on the Cincinnati Southern Railroad,
Winfield being near the State line of Tennessee and
Kentucky. I spent the day before visiting families
in New River. This is also a little town on the
Cincinnati Southern Railroad. I left home on No-
vember 26th, to meet my appointment at Hatfield's,
near the Campbell County line. I rode that after-
noon ten miles, and staid for the night with Rev.
A. L. Williams, a local preacher of our Church.
The next day Brother Williams and I set out for
Hatfield's. We rode up and down several large
mountains, crossed several streams of water, and
came in sight of the Round Mountain, which rises
higher than the surrounding mountains. I am told
that the view from the summit of this mountain is
grand beyond description. We undertook to travel

254 Autobiography of

a road by the side of New River about two miles,
but the tides of the previous spring had so washed
out the banks that our own lives and the lives of
our horses were imperiled. We crossed New River
at a very deep ford, where immense rocks lay all
about in the river, greatly endangering our lives.
We also had trouble with quicksand. We held
services two nights and one day. There were a
number of penitents at the altar, two conversions
and two accessions to our Church.

On the first Sunday in December, because of a
heavy snowstorm, I did not reach my appointments
at Glen Mary and Black Wolf. Glen Mary is quite
a mining town on the Cincinnati Southern Railroad,
large quantities of coal being taken from the mines,
and shipped from this place. On the second Sun-
day in December I preached at Helenwood in the
morning, and at New River at night. Good con-
gregations were at both places. At New River I
stopped with Mr. Hail, an excellent family, the
parents being Baptists and the children Methodists.
On the third Sunday in December I preached in
the morning at Winfield, and at Oneida at night,
to good congregatione. My appointments are on
the railroad line, excepting Hatfield's, and Black
Wolf, which are near the line. At Winfield, Mrs.
Sharp, wife of the hotel proprietor, joined our Church
on this round.

Embracing the fourth Sunday in December, I
assisted Rev. T. H. Russell in a revival-meeting at
Scutcheon, on the Sunbright Circuit. At this
meeting there were several conversions and acces-
sions to our Church. This brings me to the close

Rev. a. B. Wright. 255

of 1886. How fast my years are flyiug away! I
am considerably advanced on the western side of
life. The greater part of my work is done. I
wish it were better done. There are many happy
memories along the past. I have given a great deal
of my time to the work of the Lord, and am now
sixty years old. When young, I was accustomed
to sing that good old hymn :

**I'll suffer on my threescore years
Till my deliverer comes,
And wipes away his servant's tears,
And takes his exile home."

I did not realize then, as I do now, what three-
score years means. I want to give the remainder
of my days to the Lord. During the year I
preached two hundred and two times, witnessed one
hundred conversions, received sixty-five persons
into the Church, baptized forty-six adults and six-
teen infants, preached five funerals, and married
three couples.

On the January round I again failed to reach
my appointments at Glen Mary and Black Wolf, on
account of severe weather. I left home January
7th, on horseback, preached the following day at
Black Wolf in the morning, and at New River at
night. The next day I rode through a snowstorm
five miles to Helenwood, and preached to a small
congregation. I rode back in the afternoon to New
River, and preached to a good congregation at
night. The following day the earth was carpeted
with ice, so that traveling was very difficult; how-
ever, I rode home twelve miles.

On the previous rounds I had been traveling by

256 Autobiography of

railroad. I preached on Saturday before the third
Sunday in January, at Oneida. Here I found Mr.
Kershaw and Mrs. St. Clair, Congregationalist
ministers, holding services. They are from the
North, and seemed to be chiefly engaged in prose-
lyting people from other Churches. They have
taken but few from us, and these are not very val-
uable members. The following day I preached at
Winfield. Here I found that my proselyters had
been around. Embracing the fourth Sunday in
January, I held a meeting of four days at Hatfield's.
There were seven conversions and two accessions to
our Church. Rev. A. L. Williams assisted me in
the meeting.

On the fifth Sunday in January I preached
at Black Wolf Church in the morning, and in the
afternoon at Glen Mary. Embracing the first Sun-
day in February I held revival services at Winfield
for several days, with the result of seven conver-
sions and eight accessions to the Church. On the
second Sunday in February, and the day before, I
preached at New River, where I received several
into full connection. At night I preached at Helen-
wood to a very large congregation. On the third
Sunday in February I preached at Oneida. The
work here is not very promising. Embracing the
fourth Sunday in February I held the quarterly-
meeting on Sunbright Circuit for Dr. Caldwell,
at Emory Church. The following Tuesday I held
the funeral services of Dr. Hungerford at Sun-
bright. The first Saturday and Sunday in March
was my second quarterly-meeting occasion at Win-
field. The presiding elder was not present. All

Rev. a. B. Wright. 257

the labors of such an occasion fell on me. A minis-
ter of the Baptist Church communed with us on
Sunday, for which his Church turned him out soon
afterwards.

On the second Sunday in March I preached at
New River and Helenwood, to good congregations,
and on the third Sunday preached at Black Wolf
in the morning, and at Glen Mary at night. On
the fourth Sunday in March I preached at Oak Hill,
in Roane County. The following week I attended
the Circuit Court at Wartburg as a witness, and
lectured one night at the court-house on " Temper-
ance.'' On the first Sunday in April I preached at
Pleasant Grove Church, three miles from Winfield,
and in Winfield at night, to good congregations.
The second Sunday in April, by exchange with
Rev. A. C. Peters, I preached at Mt. Vernon in the
morning, and at Cherry's school-house in the after-
noon. The Cherry family had recently immigrated
to this place from Ohio, where they were Con-
gregational ists, but are now Methodists. On the
third Sunday in April I endeavored to reach my
appointment at Black Wolf on horseback, but was
prevented by heavy rain. I preached at Glen Mary,
however, in the afternoon, to a small audience.
Religion is in low state at this place.

On the fourth Sunday in April I preached at
Hatfield's. I had much difficulty in reaching this
place. The recent rains had greatly swollen the
streams, and when I reached Brimstone Creek I
found that I could not ford it, and so, after travel-
ing some distance a very rough way, I came to
where the narrow-gauge road crosses this stream,

17

258 Autobiography of

and, driving my horse into the creek, he swam
over, and I walked across on the railroad bridge.
When I came to New River I left my horse with
a friend, and crossed in a canoe, this being in the
neighborhood of the meeting. One young man was
happily converted, and a number of penitents were
left at the altar. The fifth Sunday in April I
preached at Winfield in the morning, and at Oneida
at night. I took good missionary collections at
both places.

On Saturday night before the first Sunday in
May I preached at Robins Station, where the Con-
gregationalists have a small church. The following
day I preached at New River in the morning, and
at Helenwood at night, taking missionary collec-
tions. On the second Sunday in May I preached
at Black Wolf and Glen Mary, and raised good
missionary collections at both places. The third
Sunday in May I preached at Hatfield's. Here
there was one conversion. I baptized two persons
and received three into the Church. My third
quarterly-meeting was held at Oneida. The pre-
siding elder was not present. We had good serv-
ices. Two persons joined the Church. The first
Sunday in June I preached at Winfield. I had
intended to hold a children's service; but the preju-
dice against our Church at that place is so great that
I could not. At night I preached at Oneida to a
good congregation. On Monday night Rev. T. H.
Russell and myself made addresses in Sunbright,
on the Constitutional Amendment, and during the
week we held revival services at Huffman's Switch.
There were five happy conversions.

Rev. a. B. Wright. 259

The second Sunday in June I preached and held
Children's-day service at New River, and at night
at Helenwood. At both places our Church pro-
gram was used. The decorations and singing were
excellent. On the third Sunday in June I preached
at Young\s school-house, three miles from Glen
Mary, and organized a Methodist class at that place.
On the fourth Sunday in June I preached for
Brother Russell at Scutcheon, and had an excellent
meeting. I delivered a temperance address the day
before at Emory Church.

The first Sunday in July I preached at Glen
Mary to one man, three women, and two children.
Gloomy clouds hang over our work at that place.
July 8th, Rev. T. H. Russell and myself left Sun-
bright on horseback, to meet appointments in Scott
County. The first day we traveled to New River,
where Brother Russell preached at night. The next
day we rode to Oneida, and began a meeting of
five days and nights. There were five conversions
and seven accessions to our Church. From that
place we rode to Hatfield's, and began services on
Saturday before the third Sunday in July. We
continued until Wednesday night. Four persons
were happily converted, and five joined the Church.

Embracing the fourth Sunday in July, my fourth
quarterly-meeting was held at Black Wolf Dr.
Caldwell was not present. . During the entire year
he held only my first quarterly-meeting. I held
the usual services of such an occasion, and continued
the meeting until Friday night. Twenty souls were
converted, and fifteen joined our Church. The
fifth Sunday in July I preached the funeral of Mrs.

260 Autobiography of

Morgan, in a grove near Oak Hill Church, in Roane
County, to an immense audience. The following
week I returned to Black Wolf and continued the
revival services there, with eight more conversions
and six more accessions to the Church.

Embracing the first Sunday in August, I held
protracted services in Winfield, without any appa-
rent good result. I baptized and received two la-
dies into full connection. The second Sunday in
August I preached at Helenwood. This is a saloon
town. Embracing the third Sunday in August,
Brother Russell and I held a revival-meeting at
Pleasant Ridge, in Morgan County. There were
eight conversions and a number of accessions to the
Church. On the night of August 25th I held a
prohibition meeting in Sunbright, and had arranged
for speeches to be made on the Constitutional
Amendment in the Baptist church ; but Rev. Ben.
Summers and his father locked us out. However,
we held the meeting in another building near by.

Embracing the fourth Sunday in August, I held
a meeting of seven days and nights at Black Wolf.
There were fourteen conversions and ten accessions
to the Church. One man, a well-to-do farmer, who
had been a seeker for twenty years, was converted ;
and a lady who had been adjudged insane was con-
verted, and has been ever since in her right mind.
The day before I began this meeting I preached the
funeral of Belle Peake at Young's school-house.

On the first Saturday in September I rode to
Hatfield's; but on the way I stopped and preached
to a Baptist congregation at Bull Creek. The
house in which I preached was made of logs, notched

Rev. a. B. Wright. 261

together, with from four to six inches space between,
unchinked and undaubed. The building was not
higher than an old-fashioned stillhouse, and looked
very much like one. The following day I preached
twice at Hatfield's, baptized two ladies by immersion,
and received five persons into full connection.

The second Sunday in September I preached at
New River, with a view to protracting the meeting;
but the interest was so low that I did not do so.
September 8th, we held a temperance rally at Wart-
burg, with the view of bringing out the temperance
vote of Morgan County at the coming election. I
spent about two weeks speaking in school-houses
and churches, in Morgan County, in the interest of
the prohibition cause. I had been appointed
county chairman by the Prohibition Committee of
the State. I found the majority of the voters of
the county were in favor of liquor. September 29th
was the day of election. The State gave a fair ma-
jority for liquor; but East Tennessee gave a good
majority against it. Morgan County voted for
liquor. This was a dark day for Tennessee.

Embracing the first Sunday in October, I held
a meeting of three days at Oneida. There were
three happy conversions and one accession to our
Church.

This closes my year's work on the New River
Circuit. I had often had a desire to become ac-
quainted with Scott County. It is a country of fine
natural scenery. Its majestic mountains are the
Round, Jellico, Buffalo, and Brimstone ranges. It
has many creeks and rivers. Among these are
New River, White Oak, Black Wolf, Paint Rock,

262 Autobiography of

Buffalo, Straight Fork, Brimstone, Smoky, Jellico,
Indian, No Business, and Bull Creek. Being so
well watered, it is a great country for Baptists,
there being four different denominations of this
kind in the county — the Missionary, the Anti-Mis-
sionary, the old Hardshell, and the Freewill Bap-
tist. Taken altogether, they are very numerous.
Ours is the only Methodist Church in the county.
There are a few Presbyterians and a few Congre-
gationalists. These are the Churches of the county.
We have two hundred and twenty members. Our
Church does not own any property in the county,
and I am told that no other Church does. The
houses used for preaching are also used for school-
houses, and deeded to no one in particular. The
Presbyterian Church has a graded s6hool at Hunts-
ville, that has done a great deal of good for the
county.

The illiteracy and inexperience of the most of
the people are appalling. Superstition has a strong
grasp on many. It is a popular opinion among
some, that witches are prevalent and doing a great
deal of harm; and some even profess to know how
to kill them. Mail facilities are very poor. Some
people live miles away from the post-office. The
majority never read a newspaper. I found a num-
ber of preachers who could neither read nor write.
There was one in particular of this kind, who was
regarded by his brethren as the leading minister of
the county. I was told, by truthful people, that
there were ministers who not only drank liquor, but
actually became intoxicated. It was no uncommon
thing to meet large droves of men, with their guns.

Rev. a. B. Wright. 263

boys, and clogs, out hunting on Sunday. Often,
while preaching, I have heard the report of guns
fired by men out hunting on Sunday. The soil is
fertile, and the people raise large quantities of
corn and other grain, and much live-stock. A
kinder-hearted, more hospitable people are not to
be found anywhere else. I never received kinder
treatment from any people than I received from
the native people of Scott County. I shall ever
hold this people in grateful memory. Education
and morals are beginning to spread through the
county, and the day will soon come when Scott
County will not be behind any other county in the
State in point of morals and intelligence.

Northern families are moving into the county
along the line of railroad, and good towns are grow-
ing up. The Cincinnati Southern Railroad runs
through the county, and other short lines are built
out to different places from this main line. The
county abounds in coal and iron. At some day
these will be developed, and everything will be dif-
ferent there. During the Civil War this was the
most loyal county in the State. Almost all the men
able to bear arms were in the Federal army. I am
anxious for that people and our Church in that
county. It is due this country to say, that many
of them are intelligent and well-informed people.

October 10th, Rev. A. C. Peters and myself left
Sunbright to travel on horseback to Clinton, and
there to take the train to our Annual Conference,
to meet in Knoxville, October 12th. We rode the
first day to Montgomery for dinner, and in the
afternoon we rode into the eastern part of Morgan

264 Autobiography of

County, and stopped over night with Thomas Hut-
son. The following day we rode in the morning
to my dear cousin's, William E. Dail, for dinner,
and in the afternoon we rode five miles to Clinton,
and remained over night with Judge W. R. Hicks.
The next morning we took the early train for Knox-
ville. We had a rather unpleasant Conference.
Some of our preachers, impelled by an unholy ambi-
tion for leadership, bring about considerable strife
in the Conference. Bishop E. G. Andrews presided.
I was assigned a boarding place on Clinch Street,
not far from the church, at Brother Miller's. I
had a real pleasant stay with these people. Bishop
Andrews preached a strong sermon on Sunday.

The Conference closed on Monday morning.
On Monday night I ran down to Clinton and re-
mained over night. The next day I rode five miles
to Cousin DaiPs for dinner, and in the afternoon
rode into Morgan County. The following day I
reached my home. At this Conference I was ap-
pointed to Sunbright Circuit, and Rev. A. C. Peters
was made presiding elder of the Kingston District.

On my first round at Pleasant Ridge, a young
lady joined our Church, and at Pilot Mountain a
young man and a young lady joined the Church.
I filled two rounds of the work in the old year.
On the second Sunday in December, at a newly-
erected church, called Rome, near Deer Lodge, I
organized a class of twenty members, receiving
eight persons by letter. This Church is made up
largely of Northern people, who have recently set-
tled the town. Within the last few months they
have built and furnished a good church house.

Rev. a. B. Wright. 265

This will become a strong point on the Sunbright
Circuit. I am laboring earnestly to build a
church in Sunbright, but meet with some discour-
agements. My first quarterly-meeting was held at
Pleasant Hill the last day of the old and the first
day of the new year. The streams were so swollen
by heavy rains that the congregations were small.
Brother Peters, the presiding elder, was present.
All the services of the occasion were very inter-
esting, and were seasons of power. After I had
preached on Sunday night, all the unconverted
people in the house came forward and knelt for
prayers. I have now finished another eventful year
of my life.

During the time I have preached one hundred
and eighty-seven times, witnessed eighty-four con-
versions, received sixty-four into the Church, bap-
tized twenty-three adults and three infants, and
preached the funerals of ten persons. And now,
1887, farewell. I have lived sixty-one years, and
have outlived my father's age by more than a year,
and all my brothers except one. I can not tell why
God lengthens out my life. In boyhood I was re-
garded as the sickliest of the family. I have ob-
served healthful and temperate rules for living all
my life. I never used any tobacco, except one chew
when quite a small boy, and that made me so sick
that I never tried it any more. I have never used
any ardent spirits, and for the last nine years I
have refrained from the use of coffee, or any other
stimulants. I want to live and work for the Lord
so long as he says work. I believe the Church has
never appreciated my labors very much ; but I have

266 Autobiography of

one consolation, the Lord knows all about it. God
be praised ! The infirmities of age are pressing me
heavily. The good Lord help me to serve him to
the extent of my strength during the year 1888!

On Saturday night before the second Sunday
in January, while I was preaching at Potter's
Chapel, a young man was happily converted. There
were additions to the Church during January and
February, at different places. At night, on the
third Sunday in February, I preached at Shady
Grove, when a young lady was converted and a
number of others were seeking salvation at the altar.
My second quarterly-meeting was held at Lansing,
embracing the first Sunday in March. The congre-
gations were small, and there was no apparent re-
ligious move among the people. Brother Peters
was present, and did the preaching. We are having
considerable difficulty in locating the church build-
ing in Sunbright. The people appear to be unset-
tled as to the place. The location has been moved
twice. I had a portion of lumber for the building
on the ground of the second location, when it was
moved to the third. The last place is very unhandy
to myself and wife. Each one seems anxious to
have the building convenient to his own home. I
am afraid that some are real selfish in the matter.

During my ministerial life I have built a num-
ber of churches. I have built Bethlehem and Ed-
wards Chapel, on the Cumberland City Circuit;
Mt. Zion, Scutcheon, and Emory Chapel, on the
Wartburg Circuit ; also Pleasant Hill, on the James-
town Circuit. During my life I have met a num-
ber of the bishops of the Church. In 1854 I met

Rev. a. B. Wright. 267

Bishop Pierce in Cleveland, Tenn. Since then I
have met of our own Church, Bishops Kingsley,
Clark, Scott, Simpson, Bowman, Harris, Wiley,
Andrews, Gilbert Haven, Warren, Walden, and
Mallalieu. Under the feeling of my present in-
firmities, I do not know that I shall attend many
more Conference sessions.

We have great strife among some of the minis-
ters of our Conference, which makes our sessions
unpleasant. There is an unholy ambition for lead-
ership. On the fourth Sunday in March, after
having preached the night before at Mill Creek, I
set off for my appointment, at Pleasant Ridge, dis-
tant six miles. I soon encountered a heavy storm
of wind and rain, and took up for the day at
Brother Dyden's. Brother Dyden is an Episcopa-
lian, but his wife is a Methodist. As I could not
get on to my appointment, I held a religious service
in the family, when their two oldest children, being
daughters, were converted, and I baptized and re-
ceived them into the Church. I also baptized their
four younger children. So much for a stormy
March Sunday.

On the first Sunday of April, being Easter Sun-
day, I preached two sermons on the Resurrection of
Christ, in the morning at Emory Chapel, and in the
afternoon at Pleasant Hill. At the latter place a
young lady joined our Church, and I baptized and
received two persons into full connection. At both
places the saints of God shouted aloud for joy. I
have been greatly afflicted for some time with
nervous affection in my left hip and leg, so that I
can scarcely walk or get on or off my horse. My

268 Autobiography of

system is rapidly running down, and I feel that my
work will soon be done. I shall endeavor to keep
ray life journal well written up, so that it will be
complete at the time of my death. Since I began to
preach I have preached the funerals of five hundred
and four persons, and since my ordination I have
baptized four hundred and eighty-three persons by
immersion and three hundred and eighty by pour-
ing. I have also baptized three hundred and thir-
teen infants, making a total of one thousand one
hundred and seventy-six baptisms. I have married
eighty couples, among them seven ministers, one
lawyer, one doctor, and one railroad agent. I can
not tell how much longer I shall be effective in
preaching Jesus and the resurrection ; but while I
can go, I will preach. I am pleased with the suc-
cess that my three boys are making in life. My
eldest. Rev. J. C. Wright, I feel sure will be a
power for good in the Church. My other two are
lawyers; but I trust and pray that they may live
humble Christian men.

At a night meeting which I held at Huffman
Switch in April, a young man and a young lady
school-teacher joined the Church. Although I was
greatly afflicted, however during March and April
I witnessed a number of conversions and accessions
to the Church. I often preached standing on one
foot, while suffering untold agonies.

On the first Sunday in May I rode horseback
fifteen miles, and preached twice, holding missionary
meetings and taking collections. God only knows
how much physical suffering I endured that day.
I have a strong desire to finish my year's work, if

Rev. a. B. Wright. 269

the good Lord lets me live through it. I held mis-
sionary meetings in May at nine appointments, and
raised by cash paid in and subscription $41. I trust
that my missionary collectors in each place will make
good collections. My third quarterly-meeting was
held at Rome, embracing the first Sunday in June.
Brother Peters was present, and preached three
times. The meeting closed on Sunday afternoon.

On the second Sunday in June I preached at
Emory Chapel and Pleasant Hill. On the follow-
ing Tuesday, Rev. F. W. Henck, of Kingston Sta-
tion, began a series of holiness meetings in Sun-
bright. These continued for ten days with good
results. Three persons were converted, and two
joined the Church. Brother Henck is a preacher
of great power. On the third Sunday in June I
held a children's meeting in the morning, and a
parents' meeting in the afternoon, at Rome. On the
fourth Sunday in June I preached in the morning
at Shady Grove, and in the afternoon at Lansing.

On the first Sunday in July I preached at Emory
Chapel in the morning, and at Pleasant Hill in the
afternoon. At the latter place a young lady was
converted. My first basket-meeting was held at
Potter's Chapel, embracing the second Sunday in
July. It continued six days, and resulted in nine
happy conversions, seven accessions to the Church,
and believers greatly revived. Brother J. T. Cum-
mins, a Bible agent, was present at this meeting,
and sold and donated eighty Bibles and Testaments.

My second basket-meeting was held at Shady
Grove, embracing the third Sunday in July, and
holding four days. Three souls were converted,

270 Autobiography of

and one united with the Church. At each of these
meetings the people brought their dinners on the
ground, and spread them together. This is a very
happy way of doing. My third basket-meeting was
held at Pleasant Ridge, embracing the fourth Sun-
day in July.

My fourth basket-meeting was held at Emory
Gap, in Roane County, on the Kingston Circuit.
There were no conversions, but several seekers of
religion. My fifth basket-meeting was held at
Pleasant Hill, embracing the first Sunday in Au-
gust, and continuing five days. Ten conversions
and five accessions were the result. My sixth
basket-meeting was held at Rome, five days. There
were four conversions, one accession, and one re-
ceived into full connection.

My seventh basket-meeting was held at Scutch-
eon, embracing the fourth Sunday in August.
The congregations were not large, and the discour-
agement was so great that I held only the two days.
I baptized two young ladies, and received them into
full connection. My eighth basket-meeting was
held at Emory Chapel, embracing the first Sunday
in September. There was such a heavy rainfall on
Saturday that neither myself nor congregation could
attend.

On Sunday morning I set off early, and after a
ride of twelve miles across a rough mountain I
reached the church, and found a large congregation
present. They had a full supply of provisions on
the ground, and so I preached to them twice that
day. A young man, a school-teacher, wept bitterly
at the altar, while the people of God shouted aloud

Rev. a. B. Wright. 271

for joy. During the following week I rode through
heavy rain down to Travisville, in Pickett County,
and on Saturday, in our new church at that place,
I preached the funeral of Nancy Dish man David-
son, from Rev. xx, 12. Here I met a great many
of my old friends and neighbors, to whom I had
preached in early days. I felt that it was heavenly
to shake so many of their hands.

On the following day, being Sunday, I rode up
to the Three Forks of Wolf River, and heard Rev.
Brother Moody, of the Tennessee Conference, Meth-
odist Episcopal Church, South, preach the funeral
of my dear sister, Nancy Frogge. My fourth quar-
terly-meeting embraced the third Sunday in Sep-
tember. Brother Peters was present, and preached
several times with good effect, I trust. There were
no conversions. The fourth Sunday in September,
at Mt. Vernon Church, I preached the funeral of
my dear cousin, Jeremiah Wright, from Isa. Ix,
19, 20. The fifth Saturday and Sunday in Septem-
ber I held a two days^ meeting at Mill Creek. On
the first Sunday in October, to a large congregation
at Mt. Zion Church, I preached the funeral of
Margaret Langley, from John xiv, 1-3.

On the second Sunday in October, at Potter's
Chapel, I preached the funerals of Sarah Bishop
and her daughter, Martha Potter, from Psa. I, 5. I
continued the services at this place for three days.
There were two conversions, and a number of peni-
tents left at the altar.

Our Annual Conference convened in Cleveland,
Tenn., October 10th, Bishop FitzGerald presiding.
I did not attend, but sent my reports by Brother

272 Autobiography of

Peters. At this ConfereDce I was appointed to
Oliver Springs Circuit, Rev. A. C. Peters being my
presiding elder again. Embracing the third Sun-
day in October, I held a two days' meeting at
Shady Grove. On Sunday a gentleman engaged in
teaching school was powerfully converted. Others
were seeking salvation. On the fourth Sunday in
October, at Black Wolf Church in Scott County, I
preached the funeral of Charlotte Jane Russell,
from Acts xxvi, 8. Several shouted God's praise.

The Oliver Springs Circuit lies in Anderson,
Roane, and Morgan Counties. Oliver Springs is a
famous watering and pleasure resort, lying in the gap
of Walden's Ridge, called Winter's Gap. Near the
town is located the Big Mountain Coal Mines. It
is also on the line of the Walden's Ridge Railroad.
I set out for my new field of work, November 2d,
drove twelve miles, and took dinner at Wartburg.
In the afternoon I drove nine miles, and remained
over night with William Langley. The following
day I drove nine miles, and took dinner with
Brother Richards, at Oliver Springs. This is a
Welsh family, wealthy and kind-hearted. In the
afternoon I drove nine miles, running up Poplar
Creek, and crossing it several times, through Frost
Bottom, to William R. Duncan's. Brother Dun-
can is a strong member of our Church, kind-
hearted, and well-to-do in the world.

The next day being Sunday I went back down
the valley one mile, and met and preached to an
attentive congregation, in the old log church, with
happy results. After taking dinner with Moses
Duncan, who lives near by, ai the old Duncan

Rev. a. B. Wright. 273

homestead, which has long been a home for Meth-
odist itinerant ministers, I drove eight miles down
Poplar Creek, crossing it several times, to Mrs.
Galbraith's, a widow lady. The last time that I
crossed the creek the water ran into my buggy, so
as to wet all my books and papers ; however, I dried
them by the fire, and there was no loss. Soon after
I arrived a crowd of people gathered, and I preached
to them. The following day I visited a number of
families in the neighborhood, and late in the even-
ing I drove back three miles to Samuel Duncan's,
who lives at Donavan's Station, on the Walden's
Ridge Railroad.

The next day was election day for President,
governor, congressmen, and legislators. I at-
tended the election-ground near by to form acquain-
tances. In the afternoon I drove down through
Oliver Springs to William Fritt's, class-leader for
Middle Creek. I took up the remainder of the
week visiting, praying with the people, and getting
acquainted. The heavy rains were so incessant
that they greatly obstructed my work. The follow-
ing Sunday I preached three times, and in three
different counties; but none of them three miles
apart. The counties of Anderson, Morgan, and
Roane corner in Winter's Gap. At the afternoon
service I baptized a young lady at the altar. The
following day I drove home thirty miles.

In the evening of Saturday before the third
Sunday in November I took the train at Sunbright,
and ran down the line to Knoxville Junction. I
remained over night at H. Carter's. The next
morning I boarded the Walden's Ridge train, and

18

274 Autobiography of

ran up that line eight miles, to old Oakdale Iron
Works, where I preached to an attentive audience.
In the afternoon I obtained a horse of Robert
Morgan, rode three miles over a rough mountain,
and preached at May's school-house, a very old and
unfit house for worship. After preaching I re-
turned to Oakdale. There was an appointment at
that place for a Baptist minister that night. He
did not come. I attended and preached, when
quite a number came forward as seekers of salva-
tion. I continued the services through the week.
Nine souls were happily converted, and three per-
sons joined our Church. Among the conversions
was the lady school-teacher of the town.

On Saturday evening I moved up the valley
four miles to Jones Chapel, and began a series of
meetings that continued for more than a week. I
left the meeting on Monday for my home, with the
promise that I would return soon. In waiting for a
train at Knoxville Junction that night, I suffered a
great deal from the cold, having to wait out of doors
lor several hours. The Lord sustained me and kept
me up. On Tuesday morning I ran up home, but
started back next day by driving twenty-one miles
to Peter Matthews^ where I remained over night.
The next day being Thanksgiving-day, I drove
tourteen miles, reached Jones Chapel, when I found
my meeting all ablaze. I remained until Monday,
when we had had five conversions. I left Brother
Bailey, a Freewill Baptist preacher, in charge.
After I left there were seven more conversions,
making twelve in all.

After staying at home a few days, I set off

Rev. a. B. Wright. 275

horseback to meet my appointment at Oakdale Iron
Works, where I preached the second Sunday in
December, morning and night. Two persons
united with our Church, and I baptized two young
ladies at the altar. I was suffering intensely with
a severe cold. December 14th I set off for my first
quarterly-meeting at Frost Bottom. I drove thirty
miles, and staid one mile above Oliver Springs,
at Brother Cannon^s. The next morning I drove up
into Frost Bottom, where I met Brother Peters and
congregation. We continued the services until
Thursday night. There were four conversions and
two accessions to our Church. I baptized ten in-
fant children. I then ran down the valley, preached
at Jones Chapel, attended meeting at Oakdale, and
preached on Sunday at Oakhill, on the Emory Gap
Circuit. I drove home the day before Christmas.

I am now closing up the year. God be praised !
That I shall live through another, God only knows.
I am not anxious about that. If the good Lord per-
mits me to live, I want to live to his glory ; and when
I die, to throw back the mantle of a happy Chris-
tian triumph. I want that to be the q^randest vic-
tory of my life. I am now sixty-two years old.
My years are sitting heavily upon me. I can best
express my feelings in the language of a certain

poet:

" If, in this feeble flesh, I may
Awhile show forth Thy praise,
Jesus support the tottering clay,
And lengthen out my days.

If such a worm as I can spread

A common Savior's name,
Let Him who raised thee from the dead

Quicken my mortal frame.

276 Autobiography of

Still let me live, Thy blood to show,

Which purges every stain,
And gladly linger out below

A few more years of pain."

During the year I have preached two hundred
times, have witnessed sixty-one conversions, have
received twenty-nine into the Church, have baptized
thirteen adults and twenty infants, have preached
the funerals of thirteen persons, and have married
three couples." I enter upon a new year, praying the
Lord to make me humble, meek, and holy in all
conversation. If I am not stricken down again with
sciatica, I trust to witness during the year one hun-
dred conversions. May the Spirit of the Master rest
upon me! And now, 1888, farewell; while to 1889
I say. Good morning, and a Happy New Year.

Early in the year God's approving smiles rested
on the work. I left home in the rain, January 4th,
drove thirteen miles to Wartburg, preached there
at night, and baptized at the altar a young lady.
The next day I drove about seven miles in the rain,
and took up for the night at James Goddard's. The
next morning I drove nine miles, and as I could
not reach my appointment at Frost Bottom, I called
in at Middle Creek, where a Freewill Baptist
preacher was holding, and at his request I preached.
In the afternoon I drove into the town of Oliver
Springs, where I preached at night in the Presby-
terian church, at the request of the pastor. During
the week I preached several nights at Middle Creek
for the coal-miners, where four young ladies were
converted. Here is located the Big Mountain coal-
mines. I also preached one night at Frost Bot-

Rev. a. B. Wright. 277

torn daring the week. I drove down the valley,
and preached on Saturday night at Jones Chapel.
I preached twice on Sunday at Oakdale, in the
morning a funeral sermon. Two persons joined our
Church, and a number came forward as penitents.

On Monday I drove thirty miles to ray home.
Early in February, I began to feel an attack of
sciatica in my right hip and leg, instead of my left,
as it was the winter before. However, we had some
good meetings. In coming home from this round,
I rode twenty-two miles in six hours, through a
heavy storm of wind and snow, coming from the
north, and blowing in my face. I was suffering so
much, and was so lame, that I did not reach my ap-
pointments at Oakdale and Jones Chapel on this
round ; but early in March, I set off almost half
dead, my right side and right limb being almost
paralyzed. I reached Frost Bottom, and preached
on the first Sunday.

I remained in that neighborhood during the
week; but how much I suffered, the good Lord only
knows. I preached again, however, on Thursday in
the afternoon. The following Saturday and Sunday
was the occasion of my second quarterly- meeting
at Oliver Springs. Brother Peters was present, and
did the preaching. On Sunday afternoon I drove
out four miles, and remained over night with Sam-
uel Russell. The following day I drove home,
fully resolved to remain there until I should get
better or die, and so I did not reach my appoint-
ments at Oakdale and Jones Chapel in March.

Feeling better, on the 5th of April I left home
to reach my appointment at Frost Bottom on the

278 Autobiography of

first Sunday of April. I preached, and in the aft-
ernoon rode eight miles and preached at Field's
school-house. I remained in that country during
the week. On the second Sunday of April I
preached at Oliver Springs and Middle Creek.
The following Wednesday and Thursday I preached
at Jones Chapel, and on Friday and Saturday at
Oakdale. The following Sunday being Easter, I
held an Easter service in the morning at Jones
Chapel, and in the afternoon an Easter service at
Oakdale, with happy results at both services. At
the former place a young lady joined our Church.
I drove home the next day.

On the first Sunday in May I preached a mis-
sionary sermon at Frost Bottom, and took a collec-
tion of 117.15 for the cause of missions. In the aft-
ernoon I rode eight miles, and preached at Field's
school-house, and took a collection of $10.75 for
missions. On the following Wednesday I attended
the Commencement exercises of Roane College. On
Thursday I preached in the morning at Oliver
Springs, and in the afternoon at Middle Creek, tak-
ing missionary collections at both places, amounting
to 14.65 at the former place, and to $12.35 at the
latter place. On the third Sunday in May I held
a missionary meeting at Oakdale, and took a col-
lection of $9.80. In the afternoon of that day, I
held a like meeting at Jones Chapel, and took a col-
lection of $10.30. The fourth Sunday, I preached
again at Jones Chapel and Oakdale. At the former
place a young man joined our Church. My third
quarterly-meeting embraced the second Sunday in
June at Jones Chapel. Brother Peters was pres-

Rkv. a. B. Wright. 279

ent, and preached with acceptability. On Sunday
night I held a Children^s-day service at Oliver
Springs.

The third Sunday in June I preached the fu-
neral of Mikey Duncan at Frost Bottom. I went down
to Travisville, in Middle Tennessee, and preached
the funeral of Mrs. Crabtree on the fifth Sunday
in June. The second Sunday in July I preached
twice at Frost Bottom. In the afternoon of the
following Saturday I preached in a little log school-
house in what they call the Cove, to a small con-
gregation. I stopped with a Mr. Simpson, who
told me that there were people, living near him, in
four miles of Oliver Springs and in sixteen miles
of Clinton, the county-seat of Anderson County,
who had raised up girls to be grown and married,
and who are now raising children of their own,
that up to two years ago had never been inside of
a school-house or church. I would not have
thought that such a place could have been found in
East Tennessee.

My first basket-meeting was held at Middle
Creek, embracing the third Sunday in July. I held
until Friday, when five souls had been converted
and one person had joined our Church. I left the
meeting in the hands of Brother Tedford, a Free-
will Baptist minister, who continued for several
days and nights, when six more were converted.

My second basket-meeting was held at Jones
Chapel, embracing the fourth Sunday in July. I
continued the meeting seven days. Four souls were
happily converted and three persons joined our
Church.

280 Autobiography of

I held the first Saturday and Sunday in August
at Oakdale. Some of the people had been talking
about each other so greatly that, although there
were a number of penitents at the altar, the pros-
pect for a revival was not good, and so I closed on
Sunday afternoon, and drove home on Monday.

My fourth quarterly-meeting was held at Oliver
Springs, embracing the second Sunday in August.
Brother Peters was present, and continued the meet-
ing for several days and nights without any material
results. I began my basket-meeting at Frost Bot-
tom on Saturday before the third Sunday in Au-
gust, and continued it until the following Friday
in the afternoon. There were nineteen conversions
and ten accessions to our Church. I preached
twelve times, and baptized nine adults and thirteen
infants. My basket-meeting at Field's school-
house embraced the fourth Sunday in August, con-
tinuing one week. Six souls were happily con-
verted. I did not receive any persons into the
Church, because no denomination is allowed to or-
ganize at that place. It is my honest conviction
that in many portions of the counties of Anderson
and Rome the people are educated against the Meth-
odist Church, many of them having been taught
from childhood to regard it as a bad thing.

Methodism has been greatly misrepresented in
this country. I love the Methodist Church, and I
know that the Lord does not cast out devils through
Beelzebub. I had an appointment to hold a basket-
meeting at May's school-house in Roane County,
embracing the first Sunday in September; but as
Brother Joe Wilson, a Baptist minister, was hold-

Rev. a. B. Wright. 281

ing a meeting with some success near by, I can-
celed my engagement and occupied the time in
Frost Bottom.

On Monday, September 2d, I started for home,
drove down through Oliver Springs, and out to
Dan Kelley's, six miles from Wartburg, where I
remained over night. The Baptists were holding a
protracted meeting at Union Church near Brother
Kelley^s. I preached for them at night, and drove
home the next day. I am now at home on this
second Sunday, September 8th, having a rest Sun-
day, writing up my journal. I discover that I
omitted to mention some things at the proper time,
and will now relate them. I preached the funeral
of a babe of Mr. Russell, in Scott County, on one
Sunday in June.

On August 15th, the day before I left home for
my basket-meeting in Frost Bottom, I received a
note from Mrs. Dr. Hungerford, stating that the
doctor was very feeble and wished me to call on
him. He had been stricken down with palsy for
some time. He was my near-door neighbor in Sun-
bright. I visited him that afternoon, and found
him quite penitent, almost believing unto salvation.
I talked and prayed with him, until he was happily
converted to God; and on my return home, after
some time, September 12th, at his own request, I
baptized him while he sat up in his bed, and received
him into the Methodist Church. Brother Ogle,
pastor of the Methodist Church at Sunbright, being
present, administered the sacrament of the Lord's
Supper to the people present, Methodists and Bap-
tists communing together. Dr. Hungerford had

282 Autobiography of

been an able physician, and an avowed infidel prior
to his afflictions. He had been brought up under
Baptist influence, but when converted he desired to
be a Methodist.

On Wednesday after the third Sunday in Sep-
tember, the Kingston District Conference con-
vened in the new Methodist Church in Sunbright,
and held over Sunday. On Sunday morning, at
nine o'clock, I held the funeral service of a babe of
Brother and Sister Ward, recently from Ohio. That
day at eleven o'clock. Rev. T. C. Carter, D. D., of
Chattanooga, preached ^n able sermon and dedi-
cated our new church in Sunbright, raising by cash
and subscription more than one hundred dollars to
liquidate the entire indebtedness. This is the same
church that I had toiled so hard to build two years
ago. Dr. Carter is one of the able men of Ameri-
can Methodism. On the fifth Saturday in Septem-
ber I preached at Oliver Springs, and received six
persons into our Church. On the following Sunday
I preached at Jones Chapel, and baptized three
persons by immersion, three persons by pouring,
and an infant.

This closes up an eventful year's work on Oli-
ver Springs Circuit, with the follow happy results :
Sixty-nine conversions, forty-one accessions, twenty-
eight infant baptisms, and three adult baptisms.

On October 8th I took the train at Sunbright
and ran down the line to Dayton, Tenn., where our
Conference was to convene the next day. I staid
that night with my highly-esteemed old brother,
W. H. Rogers, at Captain Gibson's. The Confer-
ence convened at the appointed hour in the new

Rnv. A. B. Wright. 283

Methodist church, Bishop Joyce presiding. I
was assigned to stay at Dr. Williams', by whom I
was treated with great kindness. Mrfe. Williams
is a daughter of my old friend Dr. Story, who also
lives in Dayton. The Conference session was har-
monious and attended with great spiritual power.
On Friday night I preached at the Southern Meth-
odist Church with happy results.

On account of my declining health, I did not
take pastoral work, but was appointed financial
agent for Sunbright Seminary. I did not do this
from a lack of religious zeal, for I never felt more
overwhelmingly endowed with the Holy Ghost
upon leaving an Annual Conference, than I did on
leaving this. I fully determined to go and to
preach all that I could, and to offer Christ more
earnestly than ever before.

The Conference closed on Monday afternoon. I
took the train on Tuesday morning for Sunbright,
and having been delayed nine hours on the road, by
a wreck near Nemo, I reached home in the after-
noon.

CHAPTER XVII.

MT. VERNON.

ON the third Sunday in October I preached in
Crooktown, Scott County, then walked two
miles and baptized an old man by pouring while he
was kneeling in the water. That night I preached
at Black Wolf Church, when quite a number of
penitents came to the altar. One lady was con-

284 Autobiography of

verted and two persons joined our Church. This
was a good Sabbath-day's work.

On Monday I took orders for books, and at
night I went back to Crooktown, and made a pro-
hibition speech, several persons signifying their pur-
pose to stand by the cause. On Saturday night
before the fourth Sunday in October I attended a
temperance supper at Young's Chapel in Morgan
County. The following day I preached at the same
place, and afterward, while holding class-meeting, a
young lady was converted. I baptized a babe and
preached again in the afternoon, when four more
persons were converted, and one joined our Church.
I went back and preached again the next day. The
Church got in good working order, and sinners
were converted, but we closed.

The first Sunday in November I attended Brother
Peters' meeting in Sunbright, and I held an educa-
tional meeting at night. This was my natural birth-
day, I being then sixty-three years old. God be
praised for his mercies through an eventful life !
The second Sunday in November I preached at
Byrd's school-house, three miles from Sunbright,
with good results. Embracing the third Sunday in
November, I preached three days and nights at the
old camp-ground in Scott County. The weather
was very cold, and rain and snow fell all the time.
A number of penitents were seeking salvation, and
two young ladies were happily converted. One of
them joined our Church. Before conversion they
had been great enemies, and would not speak with
each other, but after conversion they were great
friends.

Rev. a. B. Wright. 285

Embracing the fourth Sunday in November, I
preached two days at Young's Chapel. The people
of God shouted for joy, while penitents wept. I
baptized a young lady at the altar. The first Sun-
day in December I attended preaching by the
Southern Methodist pastor at Mt. Vernon. The
second Sunday in December I preached at Byrd's
school-house, but I was suffering greatly with cold
and shortness of breath. The following Saturday
I drove into Scott County, and delivered a number
of books, and the following day preached at the
old camp-ground to a good audience. On Monday
I distributed books, and held a family meeting at
Matthew Young's, and also baptized a young lady
by pouring. The fourth Sunday in December I
preached at Mt. Vernon with prospects of good,
and on the fifth Sunday I preached at Rome to a
good audience.

I now reach the close of the year 1889. Time
speeds away, and how short the years do seem !
My system is becoming more and more feeble. I find
upon every attack of affliction of any kind, even a
bad cold, that my system falls down a notch lower,
not to rise until my body is raised immortal from
the grave. I have now outlived the age of my
fathers. Why my days are lengthened out, the good
Lord knows. When I look back through the past
year I see a great many suffering hours and days;
but, thank God, I see a great many happy ones.
During the time I have preached one hundred and
forty-nine times, witnessed forty-four happy conver-
sions, received twenty-four persons into the Church,
baptized twenty-three adults and nineteen infants.

286 Autobiography of

have preached the funerals of nine persons, and
married one couple. I am wearing the world about
me as a loose garment. I have nothing to live for
but to glorify God.

The first quarterly-meeting for Sunbright Sta-
tion embraced the first Sunday of January. Rev.
J. A. Ruble, the presiding elder, was in attendance,
and preached for a week with great power. He in-
sisted on my traveling the Mt. Vernon Circuit the
present year, and I agreed to do so. I do not feel
contented without preaching all that I am able to
do ; and so I enter at once upon the work, praying
God to bless my labors with one hundred conver-
sions during the year. I began the work at my
first quarterly-meeting, held at Mt. Vernon, em-
bracing the third Sunday of January, and continu-
ing six days. Brother Ruble was present three
days, and preached four times. The result of the
meeting was twenty-one happy conversions to God,
and seventeen accessions to our Church, while a
number of penitents were left at the altar.

On Saturday night before the fourth Sunday in
January, I preached at Young's Chapel with happy
prospects of great good. On Sunday morning I
preached in Rugby, where a number stood up for
prayers. On Sunday night I preached again at
Young's Chapel, with a number of penitents at the
altar. The first day of February I set off for my
furthest appointments. Banner Springs and Bru-
ner's Chapel. After riding ten miles, a cold rain set
in, and I took up at Brother Cherrie's. It con-
tinued to rain, and I went no further that day.
The next morning I rode eight miles to Banner

Rev. a. B. Wright. 287

Springs, and preached to a good congregation in a
neat and comfortable church. Five men came to
the altar for prayers. In the afternoon I rode eight
miles more, and preached at Bruner's Chapel.
Here was a good congregation, penitents were at
the altar, and the saints of God rejoiced. The next
day I preached again at the same place, and licensed
a young man to exhort. Several penitents were at
the altar, and a lady united with our Church.
That night I preached at Banner Springs to a
crowded house. Five men and two ladies came to
the altar for prayer, and one man was converted.
The next day I rode home, passing through Deer
Lodge, a prosperous, growing young town. I
stopped awhile in the printing-office of the South-
ern Enterprise^ and enjoyed a pleasant time with the
editor.

The second Sunday in February I preached at
Deer Lodge in the morning, and at Rome in the
afternoon. On the third Sunday in the morning I
preached at Ml. Vernon, when two young men
joined the Church. In the afternoon I preached at
Bethlehem, and received two persons into full con-
nection. Several penitents were at the altar, and
the Christians were greatly rejoiced. The fourth
Sunday in February I was rained out from both my
appointments at Young's Chapel and Rugby; but
I was happy to learn that a man and his wife, who
had been penitents at my meeting at Rugby four
weeks before, were happily converted at their home.

On the last day of February I left home for my
western appointments. I rode eight miles, and
stopped for dinner with Brother Martin Watts. In

288 Autobiography of

the afternoon a cyclone of cold, sleety fog arose from
the north, and I rode through it eight miles, when I
was chilled almost through and through. I arrived
at the home of Brother Cherrie, suffering greatly
with the cold. I was to preach at Oak Grove, two
miles from there, that night ; but I had suffered so
much during the day, and the night was so bitter
cold that Brother Cherrie insisted that I should
not go out, and sent his son John, a young man, to
tell the people who came that I would preach there
the next day. The weather continued very cold, but
I preached the next day to a small congregation, and
in the afternoon rode eight miles, suffering greatly
from cold, and staid at Luke HalPs. The next day
I preached at Banner Springs ; but the weather was
so cold that the congregation was not large. Five
men came to the altar for prayer. I rode eight
miles in the afternoon, and preached at night to a
good congregation at Bruner's Chapel. I preached
again the next day at the same place. Several peni-
tents were at the altar, and I baptized three persons,
and received them into full connection. In the
afternoon I rode seven miles, and spent the night
with Brother Francis Atkinson. The next day I
rode home, passing through Deer Lodge.

On Saturday night before the second Sunday in
March I held services at the family residence of
Brother G. W. Kemper in Deer Lodge. He is a
widower, and has no family but himself and two
little girls, one twelve years old, and the other ten.
That night he and his little girls joined our Church,
also three other persons by letter and one on pro-
bation. I baptized the youngest daughter oi

Rev. a. B. Wright. 289

Brother Kemper and another lady, and organized
our class in Deer Lodge that night. The next day
I preached in a church in the town, and in the
afternoon at Rome. On Saturday night before the
third Sunday in March I preached at Mt. Vernon ;
but the weather was so cold that only a few were
out. That was regarded as the coldest night of the
winter. I stopped with Brother Henry F. Peters.
I preached again the next day at Mt. Vernon in
the morning, and in the afternoon at Bethlehem.
My afternoon congregation was lessened on account
of a funeral service near by, and because of the in-
tense cold. The fourth Sunday I preached to two
good congregations at Young's Chapel in the morn-
ing, and at Rugby in the afternoon. I spent the
fifth Sunday at home, writing up my life journal.

My second quarterly-meeting was held at Bru-
ner's Chapel, embracing the first Sunday in April,
I left home ou Thursday before, rode horseback to
Deer Lodge, and stopped for dinner with William
R. Ross. Mr. Ross is an intelligent, well-to-do
Northern man, whose wife is a member of our
Church. In the afternoon I took deeds for two
church lots, one in Deer Lodge, and the other in
Rosslyn. That night in Deer Lodge I held a meet-
ing for the Christian Endeavor Society. The fol-
lowing day, Brother Watts, an exhorter of our
Church, and myself set off for the quarterly-meet-
ing, and, after riding twelve miles, I preached at
night at Banner Springs. The night was very
dark and rainy, and there were not many out. The
following day we rode ten miles to Bruner's
Chapel, where I preached to an attentive audience.

19

290 Autobiography of

Brother Ruble was not present, and so all the
duties of the occasion fell upon me. I preached in
the afternoon of Saturday, and held the Quarterly
Conference. We had. a happy Conference session.
On Sunday morning, after a short Sunday-school,
we had a good, old-fashioned Methodist love-feast,
taking around the bread and water. Afterward
quite a number of both men and women bore testi-
mony for Jesus, giving soul-stirring Christian ex-
periences. I preached again, and administered the
sacrament of the Lord's Supper to a large number
of communicants. I also took a public collection
for the benefit of the presiding elder, and preached
again at night. Some were seeking salvation at
the altar, while a number of Christians shouted
aloud for joy. This was Easter Sunday, and as was
my custom on such a day, I preached on the res-
urrection of Christ. During the two davs I
preached four times, besides rendering other duties,
and preaching on the way, and on Monday rode
home twenty-five miles. For several days I felt
quite indisposed from overwork.

The second Sunday in April I preached in the
forenoon in Deer Lodge, and in the afternoon at
Rome. On the third Sunday in April I preached
in the forenoon at Mt. Vernon, and in the afternoon
at Bethlehem. At the latter service a number of
people were seeking salvation at the altar. The
fourth Sunday in April was my time to preach at
Young's Chapel and Rugby ; but having been re-
quested to attend the funeral of Dr. Hungerford in
Sunbright on that day, I did not fill either appoint-
ment.

Rev. a. B. Wright. 291

The first Sunday in May I preached at Banner
Springs. The day was very rainy; but we had a
good meeting, and a number of penitents were at
the altar. In the afternoon I rode eight miles, and
preached at Bruner's Chapel ; also preached there
again the next day. On the second Sunday, I
preached in the forenoon at Deer Lodge, and in the
afternoon at Rome. At Rome a brother united
with our Church by letter. The third Sunday, I
preached at Mount Vernon in the forenoon, and at
Bethlehem in the afternoon. At both places there
were seekers of salvation.

The reader of this journal will notice that I am
not preaching on missions and taking collections
during the month of May, as heretofore. The reason
is, that the Mount Vernon charge, which is a mis-
sion field, is without an appropriation the present
year, and the people are unwilling to contribute to
missions. The presiding elders of the Conference
form the Missionary Committee, and it is thought
that they are not always wise and just in the ap-
propriation. My own zeal for the cause has not
abated, and I shall preach missionary sermons, and
do ray best for the collections before the year closes.

On Saturday before the fourth Sunday in May
I preached at Young's Chapel. The next day I
rode four miles to Rugby, and preached in the
morning, and rode back in the afternoon to Young's
Chapel and preached again ; then rode home six
miles, making a ride of fourteen miles, and preach-
ing twice during the day. I was very tired at
night, but slept well and rested.

On Saturday, the last day of May, I left home

292 Autobiography of

for my appointments at Banner Springs and Bru-
ner's Chapel. I reached Banner Springs in the aft-
ernoon of that day, and preached to a good congre-
gation. The next morning I drove ten miles to
where Rev. R. Pierce, a presiding elder in the Cen-
tral Tennessee Conference, was holding a quarterly-
meeting, ray appointment at Bruner's Chapel having
been consolidated with this. After Rev. Pierce had
preached, I administered the sacrament of the Lord's
Supper. I went back two miles to Harve Peters' for
dinner, and drove eight miles more in the afternoon
to Banner Springs, and preached to a good congre-
gation. I called for penitents, when twelve persons
came to the altar for prayer. After laboring with
them for a time, I closed ; drove two miles more,
and staid for the night with F. M. Atkinson. The
next day I drove home. Mrs. Craft, a widowed
lady from Tustin City, California, accompanied me
to these appointments, and did good work in talk-
ing to and praying for penitents, and looking after
the education of some girls who expect to attend
college next year. My prayers and best wishes will
follow this Christian lady back to her distant home
in California.

On Friday evening before the second Sunday in
June I preached at Deer Lodge, and the next morn-
ing rode nine miles to Potter's Chapel, to hold a
quarterly-meeting for Rev. J. A. Ruble, for Oak-
dale Circuit, J. M. York being the preacher in
charge. I preached twice on Saturday, and held
the Quarterly Conference. On Sunday morning I
preached, administered the sacrament of the Lord's
Supper, and took a public collection for the benefit

Rkv. a. B. Wright. 293

of the presiding elder. In the afternoon I rode to
Rome to fill my own appointment ; but becoming
lost on the way, I was delayed, and the congrega-
tion was dispersed before I reached the church. I
took supper with Brother Kincaid, late from Ohio,
who lives near the Church, and rode home eight miles
afterwards. This day's work was a heavy task on
my system.

The third Sunday in June I held Children's-day
services at Bethlehem in the morning, and at Mount
Vernon in the afternoon, and took an educational
collection at each place. The fourth Sunday in
June I preached missionary sermons — in the morn-
ing at Young's Chapel, and in the afternoon at
Rugby — and took a missionary collection at each
place. On Saturday before the fifth Sunday in
June I drove nineteen miles to Banner Springs, and
preached in the afternoon. The following day I
preached in the morning at Bruner's Chapel, and in
the afternoon at Banner Springs, and took a mis-
sionary collection at each place, making a drive of
sixteen miles, and preaching twice on this day.

My third quarterly-meeting was held at Rome,
embracing the first Sunday in July. Brother Ruble
was present, and preached. On account of some
misunderstanding in my appointment at Little Crab,
I staid at home on the second Sunday. My son.
Rev. J. C. Wright, preached in Sunbright on that
day. On Friday before the third Sunday, I left
home for a funeral appointment on the Three Forks
of Wolf River. I went the first day eighteen miles
to Brother Stockton's, near Jamestown. The next
morning I rode into town, and found the Southern

294 Autobiography of

Methodists engaged in a Sunday-school Conference.
I went in, was introduced, and called out in several
speeches. In the afternoon I rode down to the head
of Wolf River to William Pyle's, an old friend and
neighbor, and spent the night. The next morning
I rode to my appointment at a new Methodist
church, in less than one hundred yards of where I
joined the Church, met a congregation of about five
hundred people, and preached the funeral of John
Coile. I preached again that afternoon at the same
place, and baptized six young ladies at the altar for
Brother Creel, the pastor. The next day, Brother
Creel and I rode to his home at Allardt, and staid
over night. The following day I went back to
Brother Stockton^s, and preached to a small con-
gregation at his house. The power of the Lord was
present. Four young ladies were earnest seekers of
salvation at the altar. I rode home the next day.
My first basket-meeting was held at Young's
Chapel, embracing the fourth Sunday in July, and
continuing five days. There were four conversions
and one accession to the Church. I also baptized a
young lady, and received four persons into full
connection.

My second basket-meeting was held at Banner
Springs, embracing the first Sunday in August. It
continued nine days, and resulted in twenty-four
conversions and fifteen accessions to our Church.
I baptized two young men and six young ladies at
the altar, and preached four funeral sermons during
the meeting.

On Saturday before the third Sunday in August,
in company with John Davis, my brother-in-law, I

Rev. a. B. Wright, 295

boarded the early morning train at Sunbright, and
went down the line to Harriman Junction. We
walked out over the new city of Harriman, saw the
great progress being made in building up a new
town, formed some acquaintances, and met a number
of my old friends, whom I had served as pastor in
other years. We rode in a wagon three miles up the
valley to Brother Ed. Roberts'. We found this ex-
cellent family greatly afflicted with malarial fever,
Brother Roberts himself and five of his children
having been stricken down with this dreaded dis-
ease. However, they are all convalescent. We took
dinner, and having prayed with the family, we
walked out to Webster, where we found Mrs. Wood,
a merchant's wife, and Fillmore McCartt, his clerk,
both prostrated with fever, though somewhat im-
proving. We staid over night at Mr. Buckheart's,
whose wife is in the last stages of consumption.
The next morning we boarded the train, and ran up
the lin'e three miles to Oakdale Iron Works. We
took supper at the home of Buck Taylor, a section
boss, who is very low with fever. We preached in
the church that night, after which we staid with
I. W. Legg.

The next morning being Sunday, I preached the
funeral of Levi Morgan, from Isaiah Ix, 19, 20. A
number of penitents were at the altar, and a young
lady was happily converted. I preached again at
the same place in the afternoon. We boarded the
night train, and ran down the line to Harriman,
where we staid over night at Howard Carter's. The
next morning we ran up the line to Sunbright.
God be praised for a busy life! My third basket-

296 Autobiography of

meeting was held at Mt. Vernon, embracing the
fourth Sunday in August. It continued for ten
days. The power of the Lord was present to save.
Forty-six souls were powerfully converted, twenty
persons joined the Church, and the membership was
gloriously revived. Rev. Martin Watts held charge
during the last three days, as I had to fill other en-
gagements. I left the meeting on Friday afternoon,
and drove fourteen miles to Banner Springs, and
preached at night. A young man was a penitent
at the altar, and there was one accession to our
Church I staid that night with Brothers Ramsey
and Wright. I felt greatly wornout from excessive
labor. The next morning I drove two miles to
Clear Fork, and baptized five persons, two men by
pouring, and three ladies by immersion. Having
passed through heavy labor, and having lost a
great deal of sleep by being up late at night, and
having been in the water a great deal of late bap-
tizing people, I was greatly indisposed. In the
afternoon I drove nine miles to Bruner's Chapel,
and preached to a good congregation.

Brother Carter, of the Central Tennessee Con-
ference, and I had arranged to hold this meeting
together. He arrived on Saturday afternoon. We
preached alternately until Wednesday afternoon,
when I left. Up to. that time there had been two
conversions and two accessions to our Church.
Brother Carter continued the meeting until Thurs-
day afternoon, when there were four more conver-
sions, making six in all. My fifth basket-meeting was
held at Bethlehem Church, embracing the first Sun-
day in September. I left the meeting on Wednes-

Rev. a. B. Wright. 297

day afternoon in charge of Brother Watts, who
continued it two days longer. There were six con-
versions and seven accessions to the Church. My
sixth basket-meeting was held at Rome, embracing
the second Sunday in September. The people were
busy with their fodder, and sinners were very ob-
stinate, and so I held meeting only two days.

On the third Sunday in September I had an
appointment to preach a funeral at Cedar Grove,
Fentress County, about twelve miles below James-
town, in a very broken country; but I was so
prostrated from labor that I felt unable to make
this trip, and so canceled the engagement. I oc-
cupied this time in a protracted service at Deer
Lodge. I preached on Saturday night and on
Sunday morning. Brother Mosier preached in the
afternoon, and I preached again at night. The con-
gregations were large and attentive, but the Chris-
tian people were dead to all work, and sinners were
unmoved. I took up Monday in visiting, and
preached again at night, without any visible results.
At this place the different denominations are not in
good fraternal spirit with each other, and are, there-
fore, in poor condition for a revival.

My fourth quarterly-meeting was appointed for
Young's Chapel ; but on account of the measles
prevailing in that settlement, it was moved to Mt.
Vernon. It embraced the fourth Sunday in Sep-
tember. Brother Ruble was present and preached.
We had a very interesting quarterly-meeting occa-
sion. This closes another Conference year. Dur-
ing the year I have witnessed one hundred and
fourteen conversions, received eighty persons into

298 Autobiography of

the Church, and baptized thirty-five adults and nine
infants. To God's name be all the glory.

I am now feeling the infirmities of age, though
during the past year I have been free from sciatica,
and have enjoyed as good health as I could expect
for one of my age. The good Lord has been very
kind to me, and has given me many sheaves to my
ministry. I am close on to sixty-four years of age.
I have been a professed Christian and a member
of the Methodist Church for more than forty-seven
years. I have been a Methodist preacher for more
than forty-two years; but if I had life to go over
again, I would travel the same road. God be
praised that lifers toiling pathway is to be traveled
but once. O may mine end in glory !

During the Conference year I have read 6,138
pages in a course of study. I spent the first Sun-
day in October at home in praying and in writing up
my journal. On Saturday before the second Sun-
day in October I left home, and rode horseback
thirteen miles to Henry Branstetter's, where I staid
over night. The next day, at his residence, I
preached the funeral of his father, Levi Branstet-
ter, from Rev. xx, 12. A number of anxious peni-
tents were at the altar.

Our Annual Conference met in Greeneville,
Tennessee, October 8th, with Bishop Walden to
preside. I did not feel inclined to attend, as there
was a most unpleasant feeling existing between
some of the leading ministers of the Conference.
The characters of some of these were to be arrested
and tried, under what I have always believed to
be false charges. The unholy ambition for leader-

Rkv. a. B. Wright. 299

ship was the great sin of these brethren — the same
trouble that disturbed the disciples when they con-
tended who should be the greatest in the kingdom of
heaven, and also the same sin that caused Satan to
fall from heaven. May these brethren learn les-
sons of wisdom and grace from God's Word ! I
am unwilling to hear the discordant notes of these
troubles. I want my life to be full of sunshine
instead of clouds.

Brother Ruble had asked me to take charge of
Mt. Vernon Circuit another year, and I had written
him a letter stating that I would do so. I had only
had charge about eight months of the past year, and
we had such glorious success that a number of peo-
ple desired my return. I felt that I would like to
go back another year. However, at Conference they
cut up the Mt. Vernon Circuit, and divided it out
among three other charges, and put young men in
charge. So I was left without any pastoral work
at all. I was appointed financial agent of Sunbright
Seminary, which is only a nominal appointment.
As I have been in the pastoral work so long, I feel
quite blank to be left without work. I much pre-
fer to be in pastoral work while the good Lord
sheds his smiling approbation upon my labors as he
did the past year. I know I am getting old ; but
there are men much older than I in the eftective
work. I have prayed and wept over it, and must
make the most of my position that I can.

After Conference, Brother Ruble wished me to
take charge of the Jamestown Circuit, a very large
and broken work, that required much more labor
than one of my age could do, and so I declined it.

300 Autobiography of

I am praying the Lord that I may see one hundred
conversions this year, to be added to some Church
or other, though I shall have to go under my own
direction. I want to sell a great many good books
during the year.

I think a great many of our old men, while God
is crowning their labors with the greatest results,
are pushed out of work to make place for untried
and inefficient foreigners, who remain only a few
years, and then pass away. It is some consolation
to know that, while men may err, God can not err
in dispensing rewards to the worthy. I expect to
take winter quarters at home during the coldest
part of the winter; but I must not lose any zeal for
the Lord's cause.

CHAPTER Xyill.

NEW RIVER.

ON the third Sunday in October I attended
Church at Mt. Vernon, and heard Rev. Creels,
their new pastor, preach. In the afternoon I rode
six miles to Bethlehem Church, and preached at
night. Several came forward and gave their hands
as seekers of salvation, and two persons united with
our Church. On the fourth Sunday I attended
Brother Creels' first appointment in Sunbright.

The first Sunday in November, being the day be-
fore my birthday, my youngest son came up from
Rockwood to visit me; also my daughter from Mt.
Vernon came, and we had a kind of family reunion,
and so I remained at home. The second Sunday I

Rev. a. B. Wright. 301

rode six miles to Mill Creek, and preached to an at-
tentive audience. I preached again at night at the
same place. On Monday I took orders for books,
rode over into Scott County, and preached at the
Camp-ground at night. Several came forward for
prayers. The third Sunday I attended Sunday-
school and class-meeting in Sunbright. On the
fourth Sunday I held the funeral services of a little
boy of G. W. Kempton, at Huffman's Switch. On
Saturday before the fifth Sunday, I left home on
horseback for Taylor's Chapel, two miles from Al-
lardt. In the afternoon I arrived at the home of
Hon. J. C. Taylor, and preached at the chapel at
night. Rev. W. L. Patton was pastor of the Meth-
odist Episcopal Church, South, at this place. I
preached on Sunday and Sunday night. A number
of penitents came to the altar, and two persons were
converted, while the saints of God shouted for joy.
I remained over Monday, preaching, laboring with
penitents, and taking a number of book orders, the
interest increasing all the while.

On Tuesday morning I left the meeting in the
hands of Brother Patton, and returned home. The
services went on until Thursday, resulting in nine
conversions and four accessions to the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South. Others will yet join.
The reader will note that, as I am not in pastoral
work, I am doing independent labor to build up
any good Church. I pray God that I may see one
hundred conversions this Conference year. I love
my Church as well as any man should love his
Church ; but as I am left without pastoral work this
year, I do not know that I shall take any members

302 Autobiography of

into the Church, but shall work earnestly for con-
versions, and let them join where they wish. I
must say that my true friends at Taylor's Chapel —
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South — paid me liberally for my services at that
place.

The first Sunday in December was a very cold,
rainy day, and so I remained at home, read, prayed,
and wrote up my journal. On the second Sunday
I attended pastoral preaching in Sunbright with my
wife. On the third Sunday I had intended to go to
the camp-ground in Scott County; but having been
disappointed in obtaining a lot of books for distri-
bution in that neighborhood, I did not go, but re-
mained at home.

I am somewhat disturbed in mind with the con-
viction that I am not preaching as much as I ought
to do in bringing lost souls to Christ. I presume
it is a feeling common to all old men, when laid
on the sheJf from itinerant work. It seems to me
that, since a number of much older men than I are
in pastoral work, I might have been in charge a
little longer. The position to which I was ap-
pointed is nominal, and amounts to nothing. It is
not a question of salary; for my two younger sons
are single men, and are making money fast, and
supply all my needs; but it is strictly a question
of religious duty that disturbs me. After taking
winter quarters at home, if the good Lord will
bear with me, I want to break out afresh in the
spring, like the spring bird in his early song. I
must be content to know that I am becoming old,
and can not do so much for the Lord's cause as once

Rev. a. B. Wright. 303

I did. Perhaps my zeal is running ahead of my
strength. I now begin to realize that what farther
work I do for the Lord in this world I must do
quickly, or not at all. In the end of life I want the
approbation of " Well done, thou good and faithful
servant; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

I had an appointment to preach at Mt. Ver-
non on Christmas, but the day was so rainy and cold
that I did not go. I am so troubled with asthma
that I have to avoid exposure in bad weather. The
fourth Sunday I remained at home. After a long
life of abundant labors, I feel very restless without
employment.

I am now at the close of another year. Fare-
well to the year 1890! I am now sixty-four years
old, and have outlived nearly all the companions of
ray younger life. The Lord has been very good to
me. Blessed be his holy name ! O how fast time
speeds away ! The years do not seem half so long
as once they did. I know that I shall soon leave
this world. Shall I live to see the close of 1891?
God only knows. I am not anxious about that; but
I want to die in the ranks, and fall on the field of
battle.

During the year 1890 I have preached a great
many sermons, witnessed a large number of happy
conversions, and have baptized and received a great
many into the Church. I was in charge of a cir-
cuit a little more than eight months. To God be
all the glory !

I now enter the year 1891, the first year of the
last decade of the century, with a system running
down-grade in strength.

304 Autobiography of

"Shrinking from the cold hand of death,

I soon shall gather up my feet —

Shall soon resign this fleeting breath,

And I my fathers' God to meet.

Numbered among thy people, I

Expect with joy thy face to see ;
Because thou didst for sinners die,

Jesus in death remember me.

0 that without a lingering groan,

I may the welcome word receive.
My body with my charge lay down,

And cease at once to work and live !

Walk with me through the dreadful shade,

And, certified that thou art mine.
My spirit, calm and undismayed,

I shall into thy hands resign."

The Lord help me to be faithful to him this
year, if I should live through it, that I may walk
worthy of my high vocation in Christ Jesus! I
have trials of which no one outside of my family
knows — great trials; but I ask God for great grace
to endure as seeing Him who is invisible. O for
grace to resist the evil and cleave to the good !

Embracing the first Sunday in January, the first
quarterly-meeting for Sunbright Circuit was held in
Sunbright. On Sunday I assisted Brother Ruble
in the communion service. The second Saturday
and Sunday in January I preached each day at Mill
Creek Church, six miles from Sunbright. We had
a very interesting worship each time. I staid on
Saturday night with my dear old friend and brother,
Jesse B. Ketcherside, who is nearly one year older
than myself; but he wears a great deal of the cheer
and courage of youth. We make it just as heav-

Rkv. a. B. Wright. 305

enly as we can when we get together. It is a great
feast to my soul to meet and spend some time with
my old Christian comrades. I had an appointment
to preach on Saturday night before the third Sun-
day in January at Taylor's Chapel, in Fentress
County. I left home on Saturday morning in my
buggy iu a slow rain. The rain increased as I trav-
eled, and afterwards turned to a heavy snow ; and
so, when I got near Mt. Vernon Church, I took
up at Dennis HulFs for awhile, and took dinner.
In the afternoon I drove thirteen miles through
some snow, it turning very cold in the latter part
of the day; and just before night I reached J. C.
Taylor's. I preached at night in the chapel near
by, and also on the next day, with happy results.
I baptized two young people, and afterward Brother
Patton, the pastor, received them into the Church.
In the afternoon I rode out seven miles to Brother
Stockton's, and remained over night. The follow-
ing day I came back to Brother Field's for dinner.
On Sunday afternoon and Monday morning I suf-
fered greatly from the severe cold weather. On
Monday afternoon I drove home.

For some time I have been very busy taking
orders and delivering books. I have sold a great
many valuable books. I never sell any book of
doubtful moral teaching. The Lord help me to be
useful in some way ! On the fourth Sunday I at-
tended pastoral preaching in Sunbright. The day
before, I preached for the Baptists at Pilot Moun-
tain, at the request of their pastor.

On the first Sunday in February, by request of
some excellent people of Crooktown, in Scott

20

306 Autobiography of

County, I preached the funeral of Rebecca David-
son Birch, a lady who had emigrated from England
to America a few years ago. She was a good Chris-
tian woman. I attended the prayer-meeting in the
afternoon, and preached again at night, with happy
prospects of a revival of religion.

The second Sunday in February I attended pas-
toral preaching in Sunbright. The third Sunday
in February svas very rainy, so I staid at home
that day. In the afternoon of the following Mon-
day I preached the funeral sermon of a little boy
of William R. Staples, in Sunbright. The next
day I went to Crooktown, in Scott County, and
preached at night. The people insisted that I
should protract the meeting, but as their pastor was
absent I thought it the better not to do so. The
fourth Sunday I attended meeting in Sunbright.
O I do feel so much out of place when not in pas-
toral work!

The first Sunday in March being a very cold,
wintry day, I remained at home until in the after-
noon, when I went down the railroad to Lan-
sing to see a sick son. The second Sunday
there was a wonderful tide on the waters, so I re-
mained at home. The third Sunday I left home in
ray buggy, drove nine miles to the camp-ground
in Scott County, where I preached for the pastor,
W. D. Gorman. We took dinner at Brother Ba-
ker's together, and drove two miles to Crooktown
in the afternoon, where I preaclied for him again at
night. The fourth Sunday I preached in Sunbright
for the pastor, who was conducting a successful pro-
tracted meeting at Young's Chapel.

Rkv. a. B. Wright. 307

On Friday before the fifth Sunday I left home
on horseback to hold for Brother Ruble the second
quarterly-meeting on the Jamestown Circuit, at
Banner Springs. I rode ten miles and remained
over night with Brother Cherrie. The next day
he and his family accompanied me eight miles to
the quarterly-meeting. We reached the place in
due time, and I preached to a good audience. Rev.
J. M. York is their pastor. He is a young man, a
good preacher, and well received by the people.
This is his first year as an itinerant. We held all
the services common on a quarterly-meeting occa-
sion, except the sacrament of the Lord's Supper,
which was omitted because the elements were not
prepared. During the two days I preached three
times and labored with penitents at the altar.
Two persons joined our Church by letter from the
Baptist Church.

The first Sunday in April I attended Sunday-
school in Sunbright. The second Sunday I rode out
ten miles, and preached morning and afternoon at
Bethlehem Church. At each service penitents came
forward for prayers. The third Sunday I boarded
the train and ran up the line six miles to Glen
Mary. I attended Sunday-school there, and heard
the pastor of the Congregational Church, Rev.
Marsh, preach. Rev. Stanley Pope, a Congrega-
tional minister from Harriman, then organized a
Congregational Church at that place. The basis
upon which it was built was so different from that
of the Methodist Church that it looked very meager
to me. I walked out to Crooktown and met the
Methodist pastor, Brother Gorman. Rev. Mosier,

308 Autobiography of

of Sunbright, preached there that afternoon, and I
preached again at night at the same place.

The fourth Sunday I was to go down the line
and preach, but on Saturday morning I was taken
down with a congestive chill, which lasted five
hours, and was followed with high fever and great
sufi\3ring I was so prostrated that I was confined
to my home the next day. Rev. W. D. Gorman,
pastor of New River Circuit, was wanting me to
take charge of his work, insisting that the people
on the charge desired it, and, without seeing the
presiding elder, I agreed to fill a round on the work.

On the first Sunday in May I boarded the train,
ran up the line twenty-eight miles to Winfield, and
met and preached to a fair congregation, though
they were not looking for me until I arrived. We
had a good meeting. After dinner I visited sev-
eral families, and prayed with them. I ran down
the line six miles to Oneida, and preached at night.
The next day I visited among the people, but O
what a lifeless state of religion I find at this place!
It has declined so much in interest since I left it
four years ago.

The second Sunday in May I boarded the train
and ran up the line eighteen miles to Helenwood,
where I met and preached to a good audience. I
visited several families in the afternoon, and again
took the train and ran down the line five miles to
New River, where I met and preached to a fair audi-
ence; however, they wer6 late in gathering. At the
two last-named places they were looking for me, but
O how lifeless the state of religion seems at all
these places ! The Lord pity and replenish Zion !

Rev. a. B. Wright. 309

During the coming week I was severely at-
tacked with a heavy cold, or, as others call it, la
grippe, which produced severe coughing, with great
hoarseness, so that I could scarcely talk or go. How-
ever, I set off on horseback on the third Sunday,
rode nine miles to the camp-ground, and preached.
Several came forward for prayers. I went one mile
for dinner, but had to lie on the bed part of the
time. In the afternoon I visited and prayed in
some families, rode two miles further, and preached
at night in Crooktown.

The fourth Sunday I drove in my buggy nine
miles, and preached at Black Wolf Church, both
morning and afternoon, with some indications for
good. I have scarcely ever found a work so dead
religiously as New River Circuit seems to be ; but, God
helping us, we will weep between the porch and the
altar, until the good Lord rains salvation down.

On the fifth Sunday I ran up the line to Glen
Mary, walked out to Crooktown, attended prayer-
meeting in the afternoon, and preached at night.

On Saturday before the first Sunday in June I
took the train, and ran up the line to Winfield,
where I spent the day in visiting from house to
house. I preached there the next morning, and
came down to Oneida in the afternoon ; but it
stormed and rained so hard that I did not preach
there at night. The second Sunday in June I ran up
the line, and preached at Helenwood in the morning
and at New River at night, taking collections at
both places for the Freedmen's Aid and Southern
Education Society of our Church.

On Saturday before the third Sunday I left

310 Autobiography of

home on horseback, rode nine miles, and preached
in the afternoon at Young^s school-house. The next
day being Sunday, I preached at the same place in
the morning, and at night I preached in Crook-
town. The fourth Sunday I rode horseback nine
miles, and preached at Black Wolf Church in the
morning. Several penitents were forward for
prayers, and two persons united with our Church
from the Baptist Church. I rode three miles and
preached that afternoon at Rugby Road. The third
quarterly-meeting for the charge was held at
Helenwood, embracing the first Sunday in July.
This was the first quarterly-meeting held since my
taking charge of the work. Saturday, the first day
of the meeting, was the fourth day of July, and
there was a great stir of the people in celebrating
the day. Brother Ruble was present, and preached
at all the services with the power of the Holy Ghost
sent down from heaven. A number came forward
as seekers of salvation. In the afternoon of Sun-
day I ran down to New River, and preached at
night. After I had preached, a number came for-
ward for prayers. Brother Ruble remained at Helen-
wood, and preached at the same time. I occupied
Monday in visiting and praying with a number of
families at New River. That day, in stepping into
a dry-goods store where an excellent young lady
was clerking, and in talking to her in the interest
of her soul's salvation, I found that she was deeply
penitent. I knelt down on one side of the counter
and she on the other side, and I prayed for her while
she wept and prayed.

The second Sunday in July, I preached at Byrd^s

Rev. a. B. Wright. 311

school-house, three miles from Sunbright. Several
penitents were at the altar, and one young lady was
happily converted to God. Two young ladies united
with the Church, and I baptized one of them at the
altar. On the following Wednesday, at the request
of Rev. W. L. Patton, pastor of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church, South, I baptized for him two infants
and seven adults — five by pouring, and two by im-
mersion. This brings me to the beginning of my
basket and protracted meetings, the reports of which
will come next on my journal.

On Saturday before the third Sunday I began my
first basket-meeting at Young's school-house in Scott
County. The meeting continued nine days, reaching
over the fourth Sunday, and resulted in ten conver-
sions and five accessions to the Church, with the
membership greatly revived.

Embracing the first Sunday in August, I held a
meeting of three days and nights in Crooktown.
Our white congregation there seems very hard to
move. On Sunday afternoon I preached for the
colored congregation. They had a happy, shouting
time, and several were forward for prayers. Em-
bracing the second Sunday, I held, at New River,
preaching of nights, beginning on Saturday night
and closing on Wednesday night. One lady was
happily converted, and united with our Church.
The Church in that place is in a lifeless state. The
Lord pity them !

Embracing the third Sunday, I held at Black
Wolf Church. I held there nine days and nights,
over the next Sabbath. Up to that time there had
been six happy conversions and two accessions to

312 Autobiography of

our Church. I took sick, and had to leave the
meeting on Sunday afternoon ; but left it in the
hands of Rev. W. D. Gorman, a former pastor, and
Rev. A. L. Williams. After I had gone, during the
next six days and nights, there were twenty-five
more conversions, making, during the meeting,
thirty-one conversions and seventeen accessions to
the Church. The good seed for a glorious harvest
had been sown before I left, and the altar was being
filled with anxious penitents. I suffered greatly
during those six days with catarrh of my head and
lungs. I could scarcely eat, sleep, or rest. The
next Sunday, in a feeble state of body, I drove back
in my buggy to the meeting, and preached for them.
This service closed a meeting of sixteen days.

On the last Sunday of the meeting the stewards
of the Church raised a good public collection of
money, and gave it all over to Brother Gorman. I
was the pastor of the Church, and had labored faith-
fully for the people with scarcely any remuneration.
I mention this to show that the right things are not
always done even by the Churches. I had no ob-
jection to giving Brother Gorman money, but a
Church should meet its obligations before it makes
gifts. The good Lord will make it all right in that
day when we stand before the great white throne.
I was compelled, on account of poor health, to take
a rest of two weeks before engaging in another pro-
tracted meeting. The first Sunday in September I
remained at home, quite unwell. Embracing the
second Sunday, I held a meeting of several days at
Helenwood. Rev. W. L. Patton assisted me. We
had a good meeting.

Rev. a. B. Wright. 313

My fourth quarterly-meeting was held at Crook-
town, embracing the third Sunday. My son being
very sick, I could not remain, but left the meeting
in the hands of Brother Gorman, who continued the
services after the presiding elder had gone. The
meeting resulted in a glorious revival of thirteen
conversions and the same number of accessions to
the Church.

The fourth Saturday and Sunday in September
I held a meeting in Oneida, with good results» The
first Saturday and Sunday in October I held a meet-
ing at Young's school-house, preaching on Sunday
night in Crooktown. This closed my work on the
circuit.

On the second Sunday in October I preached in
Sunbright, and on the third Sunday I preached at
Potter's Chapel, fifteen miles from Sunbright, the
funeral of Catharine Davis, from John xi, 25, 26.
I preached at the same place again at night. Some
men came forward for prayers, while the people of
God shouted for joy. On Tuesday evening after the
third Sunday, in company with Rev. J. M. York, I
boarded the train at Sunbright, and set off for our
Annual Conference at Chattanooga. That evening
we ran down the line twenty-three miles to Oak-
dale, and staid over night at Robert Harmon's.
Soon after our arrival I was informed that the peo-
ple expected me to preach that night at their small
Sunday-school room, which I did with flattering
prospects of much good.

The next morning we took the early accommo-
dation train, and ran down the line eighty-four
miles, arriving at Chattanooga soon after Conference

314 Autobiography of

had convened. I was assigned my boarding place
at the Merchants' Hotel, run by A. L. Ross. The
Annual Conference was one of great spiritual power.
Dr. S. A. Keen, an evangelist from Cincinnati, held
a few Pentecostal meetings in the First Presby-
terian Church. A number of the ministers of the
Conference professed the higher life of entire sanc-
tification. By the grace of God I was one of the
happy number. I pray God that I may ever be a
faithful witness of this blessed experience the re-
mainder of my life on earth. The Conference was
presided over by Bishop Ninde, and was one that
settled some very grave troubles that had existed
for some time between belligerent brethren. Glory
be to God ! We elected Drs. Carter and Spence
delegates to the General Conference, to meet at
Omaha.

At this Conference I was granted a superan-
nuated relation, which makes me feel sad of heart
to think that I am not able to do effectual service
for the blessed Christ. I am fully resolved, how-
ever, God sparing my life, to hold as many pro-
tracted meetings as I can, and see souls happily
saved to him.

While in Chattanooga I visited the cyclorama
of the great battle of Atlanta, Ga., fought in the
year 1864. I also went up on Lookout Mountain
by the incline railroad, and took a view of its won-
derful scenery. The hotel on top of the mountain
is several hundred feet above the Tennessee River,
just below it. I visited a number of places of in-
terest on the mountain. On Sunday morning of
the Conference, Bishop Ninde preached an able

Rkv. a. B. Wright. 315

sermon to a large audience from Isa. Hi, 1. On
Tuesday morning I ran up the railroad line one
hundred and eight miles to Sunbright.

CHAPTER XIX.

A SUPERANNUATE.

ON the last day of October I left home for a ride
on horseback of twenty-five miles to J. C.
Taylor's, near Allardt. I reached Brother Taylor's
just before night, and the next morning, in com-
pany with him and others, I rode nine miles down
into the Buffalo Cove, in Fentress County, the
county of my birth and raising, it being the first
Sunday in November. We met a congregation of
about five hundred people, and in a beautiful grove
I preached the funeral of O. P. Cooper, the old
county trustee, from Hebrews ix, 27, 28. A number
of ministers, both Methodists and Baptists, were pres-
ent. At the close of the sermon several persons
came forward and gave their hand as seekers of sal-
vation, and quite a number of God's people shouted
aloud for joy. I preached again at night at the
home of the widow of Mr. Cooper, and several per-
sons came to the altar for prayer, and God's people
rejoiced together in his praise.

I returned home, and on the second Sunday
rode horseback twelve miles down the railroad line
and preached the funerals of two sainted children of
Isaac and Sarah Jane Jones, from Jeremiah ix, 21.
On Friday afternoon before the third Sunday my-

316 Autobiography of

self and wife boarded the train at Sunbright and ran
down the lineto Rockwood, where our youngest son
lives. We remained over night at J. H. Tate's, the
principal clerk in the company store of the Roane
Iron Company. Our son boards at Mr. Tate's.
The next day I went to the Baptist Church in Rock-
wood and heard Dr. Anderson, an able minister ol
Nashville, Tenn., preach.

After taking dinner at Dr. Gaines', I took the
local freight-train and ran up to Emory Gap, where
I met and preached to a good congregation. The
next day being Sunday, I preached again at the
same place, to a large congregation, the funeral of
Mary Ann* Bane, from Rev. xx, 12. I preached
again at night, when two young ladies were pow-
erfully converted, and the people of God shouted
his praise. I preached again on Monday at the
same place. There were seekers of salvation. In
the afternoon I ran down to Rockwood, and the
next morning my wife and I ran up the line home to
Sunbright. The fourth Sunday I attended pastoral
preaching in Sunbright at the Methodist Church.

On Friday afternoon before the fifth Sunday I
set oif horseback, rode eight miles, and remained
over night with Henry Peters. The next morning
I rode twelve miles to a new church just erected in
five miles of Jamestown, that we named Pleasant
Vale, where I met a congregation and preached to
them twice on that day with prospect of much good.
I preached again twice on Sunday, when a number
of penitents came to the altar for prayers.

On Monday I preached twice again when ten
souls, five men and five ladies, were happily con-

Rev. a. B. Wright. 317

verted to God. Five persons united with our
Church. The people brought provisions to the
meetings each day, and we remained on the ground
all day. I staid each night at Brother B. R. Stock-
ton^s, who lives two miles from the church. They are
most excellent people, and well-to-do in this world.
It was my good fortune to see both the parents
converted and to receive them into the Church years
ago. I celebrated the rites of matrimony between
them, and have baptized all their children in in-
fancy, seven or eight in number. God be praised
for his goodness to this family !

I organized a Sunday-school and prayer-meet-
ing for them, and rode home on Tuesday. I feel
very clearly the seeds of death sown in my system by
this distressing and increasing asthma, that makes
me suffer so often almost sleepless nights, but the
Lord sustains me. The first Sunday in December
being feeble in health, after a restless night with
asthma, I remained at home and wrote up my journal.
The second Sunday I attended the Baptist Church
in Sunbright. The pastor. Rev. B. L. Summers, in-
vited me to preach, but I declined. He preached,
and I followed with an exhortation. There was a
good fraternal spirit manifest in the congregation.

The third Sunday I preached a sermon on holi-
ness at Mt. Vernon, and there was a shout in the
camps of Israel. This brings me to my sixty-fifth
Christmas, it being on Friday after the third Sun-
day. I am nearing the close of another eventful
year. The fourth Sunday I preached at Sunbright,
in the Methodist Church, in the place of the pas-
tor. In the afternoon of the following Tuesday I

318 Autobiography of

ran down the railroad line to Emory Gap, and after
a walk through the mud to the academy, I met and
preached to a good congregation. The following
day I preached in the morning, and at night at the
same place. The power of the Lord was present
upon the people.

On Thursday morning, being the last day of the
old year, I ran up home to Sunbright. And now
I bid farewell to the year 1891. In retrospecting
the year, I find that it has been one of a great deal
more sunshine than shadow, although I have suf-
fered some with afflictions. The good Lord has
been with me in great blessing. Twice in my life
I had felt the sweet breezes of perfect love ; but
failing to bear testimony to it as I should, I did not
retain the evidence; but, God be praised, at Dr.
Keen's pentecostal meetings held in Chattanooga
on October 23, 1891, I received such a wonderful
baptism of the Holy Ghost that I realized fully
what it is to be made perfect in love, and before the
meeting closed I made a public profession of the
blessing of entire sanctification. Since that time
the Lord has sweetly kept me. I had said at the
altar when received into full connection in the
Conference, that I expected to be made perfect in
this life, and I now realize what I was then seeking
after. I would now exhort everybody to seek the
sweet blessing of entire sanctification.

I am now sixty-five years old. I have lived
much longer than I had calculated when I was a
young man ; however, I would not recall a single day
of my life if I could. I feel that the evening of life
is the sweetest part of my life. God be praised !

Rev. a. B. Wright. 319

" Hail, blest old age, when life well spent is crownpd,
With years and honors, loved, revered, renowned,
Earth's noblest state, where all ripe virtues blend,
And life's best hopes in rich fruition end."

During the year 1891 I preached one hundred
and nine times, witnessed sixty conversions, bap-
tized thirteen adults and ten infants, preached the
lunerals of nine persons, and received a number
into the Church. I now enter upon the year 1892,
with a system somewhat more enfeebled than in for-
mer years, earnestly praying the good Lord that, if
I should live through the year, I may witness
many precious souls happily converted to him. The
first Sunday in January I had an appointment to
preach at Pleasant Yale, about twenty miles from
Sunbright; but on account of the very bitter cold
winter weather I did not go. In view of my age I
can not now endure so much severe weather as once
I did, and being sorely afflicted with asthma, I am
compelled to take winter quarters. If the good Lord
spares me until spring and warm weather, I want
to go as an evangelist, and witness more good, the
Lord sending salvation down, than at any time be-
fore of my life. The first Sunday being so cold, I
remained shut in at home, writing up my jour-
nal, reading, and praying. I praise God that I
have the sweetest peace in my soul of the Divine
presence.

Beginning with the second Sunday, for about
ten days we have had the most severe winter
weather, so that, as I am afflicted with asthma, I
have had to stay indoors at home. I do not cal-
culate that I shall preach much through January

320 Autobiography of

and February ; but, the Lord helping me, I expect
to make the time all up when the spring opens. As
I am now a superannuated preacher, and standing
upon the last hilltop of life, I will take a review
of my life's work, which I can now look at with a
great deal of pleasure.

I was born just thirty years after Tennessee be-
came a State, and before there were any railroads
or telegraph lines. The section in which my par-
ents lived was comparatively a new country. The
mode of living was primitive. The people of the
rural parts lived in log houses. A cook-stove was
an unknown luxury. The people cut their small
grain with a reap-hook, and thrashed it by tramp-
ing it out with horses. Wild animals were abun-
dant. Many a night have I heard the wolves howl
about our home. Deer were plentiful, and wild
bears were not unusual. Wild turkeys were to be
found in large flocks. There were no public schools
in Tennessee when I was born. I remember when
the first public schools were taught. The people
used the products of their own hands both for food
and for clothing, there being very few manufac-
tured goods of any kind. The Methodist Church
was then made up of large circuits. There were no
city stations, nor easy places. A Methodist preacher's
life was one of toil and personal sacrifice. It took
the best preachers in the Church to receive a salary
of more than one hundred dollars per year, and
yet consecrated men were not lacking to do the
work.

A great change has come to this country since
then. While I linger with happy memory of those

Rev. a. B. Wright 321

good old days, yet I rejoice at the great progress
that the country has made. My life has been spent
among the mountain people of Southern Kentucky
and Middle and East Tennessee. Clinton and
Wayne Counties in Kentucky, and Overton, Pickett,
Fentress, Cumberland, Morgan, Scott, Anderson,
and Roane Counties, in Tennessee, have been my
parish. A truer-hearted people than these people
of the mountains can nowhere be found. Among
them I was born, and with them I have lived, and
in the sweet soil of these dear old mountains I
want to rest when I die. I have preached in their
homes and in their school-houses and in their
rudely-equipped church-houses.

Often have I seen the glory of the Lord among
the people as we worshiped in the groves, nature's
first temples. I have married the parents, baptized
the children, preached the funerals of old and young,
and shared the hospitality of this people. O the
happy years that I have lived among them ! Long
years my parents, and nearly all of my brothers and
sisters, have been sleeping in the dust. I have out-
lived nearly all of the companions of my youth. The
Lord has been very good to me in letting me see a
great many happy conversions to him.

During the first two years of my itinerant life, I
witnessed four hundred and ninety conversions, and
received about the same number into the Church.
I pray God that I may realize what the psalmist
means when he says : *^They shall bring forth fruit
in old age, they shall be fat and flourishing.'^ The
Lord give me a clear sky for the setting sun of my
life ! The month of January for this year was noted

21

322 Autobiography of

for hard winter weather. On the third Sunday I
attended Sunday-school in Sunbright. The day
was very cold. That Sunday night, Brother J. M.
Brown, the Sunday-school superintendent at Pleas-
ant Ridge, and a steward of our Church, died as
the Christian only dies.

On the following Tuesday I was called to preach
his funeral. A heavy snow fell all that day; but I
rode more than three miles out to Pleasant Ridge
Church, and as the friends were not ready for the
burial, I rode back home late in the afternoon.
The following day I went back and preached the
funeral, to a large audience, from 2 Tim. iv, 7, 8.
The day was very cold, and I suffered greatly from
the weather. That night I had an attack of la
grippe, and for several days 1 suffered intensely,
which shut me indoors for some time.

I spent the fourth and fifth Sundays at home.
Having been so active all my life, it is like fire shut
up in my bones to be compelled to take winter
quarters from age, or to be prostrated by affliction.
The Lord help me! I remained at home the first,
second, and third Sundays in February. However,
on the fourth day, while yet struggling with la
grippe, I rode out to Pleasant Ridge, where Brother
Gorman was holding successful revival services;
and at his request, I preached. Several persons
came to the altar for prayers.

I left home February 17th, and drove in my
buggy about twenty-five miles, running over into
Fentress County, and distributing books for which
I had taken orders. I staid the first night at
Brother Stockton^s. The next morning, he and I

Rev. a. B. Wright. 323

rode out and visited a number of families. In
the afternoon I drove four miles to Brother McClel-
lan^s, near Allardt. This is a good Christian Meth-
odist family. The following day it rained all day
long, and so I remained with this family until Sat-
urday morniug, when I drove home. The fourth
Sunday in February I rode seven miles, and preached
at the house of Rev. J. M. York. He was absent
on his circuit, but his wife requested that I should
preach for her benefit at their home. In the after-
noon I rode back, a part of the distance through
rain. The following day I rode six miles to Young's
Chapel, and preached the funeral of Aunt Susan
Carpenter, while she lay a corpse in the church altar.
She had requested of me more than twenty years
ago to preach her funeral if I should outlive her,
giving me her funeral-text, it being Rev. vii, 13, 14.
I used this text in preaching her funeral.

The first Sunday in March I had an appointment
to preach at Byrd's school-house. It rained so hard
all day, and having been so recently sick, I did not
go. The second Sunday I rode out to Pleasant
Ridge, and preached to an attentive audience. The
third Sunday I remained at home. It had snowed
nearly all the week before, and had made the deep-
est snow that we had had for many years. To
spend so many Sundays at home unemployed, while
so many souls are perishing for the bread of life,
makes me feel sad. May the good Lord save dying
sinners! The fourth Sunday I had an appointment
to preach at Rev. J. M.York's; but it rained so
much that I was afraid to turn out after my recent
severe affliction, and so I remained at home. It will

324 Autobiography of

be seen that I have been kept from my appoint-
ments several times during the past winter, on ac-
count of the severe weather.

On Saturday before the first Sunday in April, at
the request of Hon. R. Walton, I attended the me-
morial services of Dr. Kemp, at Rugby, in Morgan
County, and preached the funeral sermon to an at-
tentive audience. Hon. S. E. Young, Judge Rogers,
Judge Parkerson, Hon. W. A. Henderson, and Hon.
Underwood followed with speeches. I had never
mingled with so many judges and lawyers before on
a funeral occasion ; but it was a very pleasant meet-
ing, and I had quite an enjoyable time with the
legal profession. The same day, at night, I preached
at Young's Chapel for the pastor, and also for him
again on Sunday afternoon at Pleasant Ridge.

On Saturday before the second Sunday, I boarded
the train at Sunbright, and ran up the line to Whit-
ley Station, in Pulaski County, Kentucky. The
weather had turned so very cold that I suffered a
great deal that day. The station was new, and the
people rather poor, and had no church or school-
house sufficiently comfortable in which to hold a
meeting at so cold a time. A Baptist preacher,
Tapley by name, had an appointment to preach that
night at the house of Uncle Middleton B. Holloway.
By request, I preached to the people that night, and
also the next day at the same place. The rooms of
the house were crowded with an attentive audience.
On Sunday morning, before preaching, myself and
Uncle Holloway walked out one-half mile to the
grave of Lucy Carpenter Holloway, his first wife,
and also an aunt of my wife. We knelt down by

Rev. a. B. Wright. 325

the grave and prayed, and then sang a verse of the
hymn, "We shall sleep, but not forever." In the
afternoon I boarded the train and ran down home
to Sunbright.

The following day I received a telegram to come
down the line to Emory Gap, and to go over near
Kingston the next day, to preach the funeral of
old Brother Gilford Delozier, who had died on
Sunday night. I boarded the train that afternoon,
ran down the line to Emory Gap, walked one mile,
and staid for the night at George H. Delozier's.
The next morning I rode horseback four miles to
Pine Grove Church, and preached the funeral to
an attentive audience, from Psalms xxxvii, 37. In
the afternoon I rode back to Rev. F. K. Suddeth's,
near the station, and staid over night. I boarded
the train next morning, and ran up home to Sun-
bright. The third Sunday I rode horseback seven
miles to Young's Chapel, met a large audience, and
preached the funerals of three infant children of
Wesley and Mary Ann Peters. I also baptized a
babe. It will now be seen that I am constantly
employed again in the work. I am also selling a
great many good books.

The fourth Sunday I attended the Baptist Church
in Sunbright, and heard Elder Madaris preach. In
the afternoon I rode out two miles, and preached
at Samuel Jones\ The first Sunday in May I
preached twice at Scutcheon Church, eight miles
from Sunbright. There were several penitents
seeking salvation, and two persons joined the
Church. On Friday before the second Sunday I
left home in my buggy to fill an appointment in

326 Autobiography of

Frost Bottom. Samuel Paul, a young miuister,
went with me. We drove twelve miles to Wart-
burg, and took dinner at the Cumberland Hotel.
In the afternoon we drove thirteen miles, and staid
over night at Samuel Russell's. The next morning
we drove through Oliver Springs and up Poplar
Creek twelve miles to Frost Bottom, where I
preached four days.

On Sunday I preached the funeral of Mar-
garet Duncan to a large audience. I was feeling
very much indisposed from severe cold, and so I left
the meeting in the hands of Brothers Koon and Paul,
and went home. Up to the time of my leaving,
there had been a number of conversions. On the
third Sunday I attended the Sunday-school anni-
versary at Pleasant Ridge. The fourth Sunday I
attended pastoral preaching at the Methodist Church
in Sunbright, and in the afternoon rode out three
miles and preached at Bird's school-house. Several
gave their hands to be prayed for. The fifth Sun-
day I rode to Montgomery Mills to preach. The
day was very rainy and only a few persons were out.
I lectured the Sunday-school only, and preached at
the same place at night to an attentive audience.
Several persons stood up for prayers.

The first Sunday in June I preached at Scutcheon
in the morning, and in Sunbright at night. On the
following Tuesday, in the Methodist Episcopal
Church in Sunbright, I preached the funeral of an
infant babe of Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Neal. On the
second Saturday and Sunday I again preached in
Frost Bottom. The third Sunday I attended the
quarterly-meeting services for the Sunbright charge

Rkv. a. B. Wright. 327

at Mill Creek. The fourth Sunday I rode eight
miles on horseback to Rome Church and preached
to an attentive audience. The ChildrenVday serv-
ices, a very delightful entertainment, was held just
before I preached. They carried out the program
as furnished by the Board of Education, the chil-
dren rendering their parts nicely. We had an in-
teresting meeting. Near the church I found my
old friend and brother, Thomas Wheeler, who
emigrated from Cincinnati to this country a few
years ago, very sick. He is now in his eighty-
second year, and I do n't think will live a very great
while. I had a good time of handshaking with my
old friends, mostly emigrants from the North and
Northwest.

The first Sunday in July I had three appoint-
ments for the day — the first in the morning at
Scutcheon, the second in the afternoon at Mont-
gomery Mills, the third at night in Wartburg. It
stormed and rained so much during the day, and,
my wife being very sick, I did not reach any of
them. When I was a younger man, I rode through
all kinds of weather to reach my appointments; but
now that I am growing old and feeble in health, I
can not do so. It makes me sad to think this. The
good Lord knows that I want to be doing some
good while I live.

The second Sunday I had an appointment to
preach at Oakdale; but my children coming to visit
me, I deferred the appointment until a future oc-
casion. The third Sunday I preached twice at
Byrd's school-house ; also on Monday, with some
prospects of good. On Saturday afternoon before

328 Autobiography of

the fourth Sunday I boarded the train and ran down
the line twenty-three miles to Oakdale, where I
preached Saturday night, Sunday, and Sunday night,
and Monday night in their new school-house. They
have but little preaching at that place, and I think
it will take a great deal of it to move the people
much. We had some indications for good, and I
took several orders for books. The fifth Sunday I
rode eight miles on horseback and preached at
Scutcheon. Several penitents came to the altar for
prayer.

On Saturday morning before the first Sunday
in August I left home in my buggy and drove
eighteen miles over a very rough road into Fentress
County. After taking dinner at B. R. Stockton's, I
went two miles to Pleasant Yale Church, and
preached. I preached at the same place twice a
day until Wednesday evening, with happy results.
On Sunday there were two conversions, on Mon-
day two, on Tuesday seven, and on Wednesday
two, making a total of thirteen happy conversions.
A goodly number united with the Church. I bap-
tized two adults and an infant of the Methodist
pastor. On Wednesday night I preached in Al-
lardt, also on Thursday and Thursday night. On
Thursday night a young lady was converted, making
fourteen conversions in a few days. I returned
home on Friday, but had been there only a short
time when I was called to go out eight miles and
hold the funeral service, on the following day, of a
sainted child of William Bullard. Although feeling
great prostration on account of excessive labors, I
went and held the service. On the second Sunday

Rev. a. B. Wright. 329

I remaioed at home, rested, and wrote up my jour-
nal. The third Sunday I rode out four miles to
Pilot Mountain, and preached the funeral of Eliza-
beth Bunoh, from John xi, 25.

On Friday before the fourth Sunday I left home
on horseback, rode twenty miles to Hon J. C. Tay-
lor's and preached that night at the chapel near by;
also next morning at the same place. In the afternoon
I rode thirteen miles down into the head of Poplar
Cove to see my oldest sister, Mrs. Price, a widowed
lady. In the last few months she had had two
children to commit suicide — a son by shooting him-
self through the head, and just one month from that
date her daughter, Mrs. Crouch, a widowed lady,
hung herself She was a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and was a most devoted Chris-
tian lady, but became demented. She left a son
eighteen years of age.

On Sunday morning I walked out a few hun-
dred yards' to view the place where she hung her-
self. She had gone above the cleared land, up
a deep ravine in the forest, to where a slim, tall
black- walnut grew about ten feet above the cen-
ter of the ravine. Beside the walnut was a large
limestone rock, about three and one-half feet high.
At the lower side a redbud grew up about two feet
below the walnut, forking about two feet above the
ground, one fork turning back over the ravine, and
the other running up and pressing against the wal-
nut about four and a half feet above the top of the
rock. I was told that she got on the rock, wrapped
a leather rope twice around her neck, then once
around the walnut and the redbud, then once again

330 Autobiography of

around the redbud only. Taking the ends of the
rope in her hands, she stepped off. The straight-
ness of the walnut, and the rope being around the
redbud right at the walnut, pressed her face and
hands tightly against the walnut; so that it was im-
possible for her hands to loosen on the ropes, and
in that condition she was found dead. She hung
herself about ten o'clock in the morning, and was
found about four o'clock in the afternoon. My old
sister, in her eightieth year, rode down the Cove
three miles with me, where I preached to a large
audience in a grove. Several penitents were at the
altar. Brother York, of Kentucky, preached in the
afternoon. I exhorted, and called penitents. Two
young men were converted that afternoon. I held
there until Friday afternoon. The result was thirty-
eight happy conversions. Rev. W. W. Newberry,
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was with
me several days, and received eleven accessions to
his Church. At his request, as he was not ordained,
I baptized five persons for him. Going as an evan-
gelist, I leave all the taking into the Church to the
pastors.

On Saturday morning I went down the Cove four
miles to Cedar Grove, a Baptist Church, and preached
the funerals of Aunt Susie Beatty and her son Aley
S. Beatty, to a large congregation. I preached at
the same place in the afternoon, when a young man
was happily converted. The next day, being the
first Sunday in September, I preached the funerals
OT three ladies and one child at Linder's school-
house to about five hundred people. I preached at
the same place in the afternoon. During the day

Rev. a. B. Wright. 331

there were eight happy conversions. Rev. J. B.
Cobble, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
received six persons into the Church ; and as he was
not ordained, at his request, I baptized them for him.

During the week there were forty-seven conver-
sions, seventeen accessions, and eleven baptisms. I
rode home on Monday through rain nearly all day.
I felt greatly fatigued. The second Sunday in Sep-
tember I rode eight miles horseback into Scott
County, and preached the funeral of a babe of Will-
iam J. and Malinda Lewallen. I rode back home in
the afternoon, but was very sick the following day.

On Friday before the third Sunday I drove in
my buggy to Wartburg, thirteen miles, and delivered
a number of books. I put up in old Montgomery
for the night. Brother Hartley, a Baptist minister,
was holding a protracted meeting in Wartburg. At
his request, I walked back, and preached for him
that night; but was very tired. The next day I
drove seven miles up Emory River, to Pleasant Hill
Church, where I preached twice on Saturday and
twice on Sunday. The saints of God shouted aloud
for joy, and two souls, a man and his wife, were
happily converted.

On Saturday before the fourth Sunday I left
home on horseback for Banner Springs, a distance
of twenty miles. I reached there in the afternoon,
and on the following day, to a large congregation, I
preached the funerals of two children of Luke Hall.
Two persons were happily converted at this service.
The first Sunday in October I preached the funeral
of a babe of Joseph Epsey Lewallen, at Young's
Chapel, from Rev. xxi, 3, 4.

332 Autobiography op

I had an appointment on the second Sunday to
preach some funerals in Middle Tennessee; but as
it was thought best by the friends, I deferred it two
weeks. I rode horseback to Mt. Vernon on that
day, and heard Rev. A. C. Peters preach in the
morning. I preached at the same pla.ce at night.
The Holston Conference met in Morristown, Tenn.,
Bishop Foss presiding. I did not attend. On the
third Sunday I preached at Byrd's school-house, when
a number of persons came forward for prayers.

On Friday before the fourth Sunday I left home
in my buggy, drove twenty-six miles into Poplar
Cove, and remained over night at Joseph Camp-
bell's. After leaving Jamestown, I had to drive
down a long, steep, rough, rocky mountain to get
there. The next morning I drove down through
the Cove, and across Obed's River, by the roughest
road, and up and down very steep hills for ten
miles, to reach what I thought to be the funeral
appointment of Louisa Beatty, but before reaching
the place I learned that the appointment had been
deferred. I stopped at Hiram Beatty's, and took
dinner. Brother Beatty's mother, who lives with
him, is very old, and quite afflicted. I sang several
hymns, and talked and prayed with her, then drove
two miles, and stopped with an aged couple, Jacob
Cooper and wife, who were greatly afflicted. I sang
for them that good old hymn,

"And let this feeble body fail,
And let it faint or die,"

and prayed with them. I felt that I was doing
a good work in these families, visiting and wor-

Rbv. a. B. Wright. 333

shiping. I drove four miles more that afternoon,
and stopped for the night with my old friend and
brother, Elias Bowden. I had driven over a very
rough country that afternoon, making a drive of
sixteen miles for the day. The next morning being
Sunday, was cloudy and rather cool. I drove five
miles up the river to Buffalo Cove school-house.
The last two miles were along a deep ravine,
where the mountains rose almost perpendicularly,
like walls on either side. Sometimes there were
great cliffs or rocks, between fifty and a hundred
feet high. Some places, trees nearly a foot in
diameter grow out of the rocks on the side of the
cliff, lifting their stately heads up the side of the
mountain, and making the grandest scenery. I
thought, surely this is the haudywork of the Lord.
I met at the school-house about five hundred people,
A great many of the ladies of the Eastern Star de-
gree of Adoptive Masonry were in attendance; also
the Master of Jamestown Lodge of A. F. and A. M.
These marched in order, with books and flowers, to
the grave of Sister Viann Stephens, and went
through all the ceremonies for a funeral occasion of
the Eastern Star degree, after which we went to a
large new school-house near by, and I preached her
funeral sermon to an immense audience, from Isa.
Ix, 19, 20. Her young husband, father and mother,
brothers and sisters, and a large train of relatives,
were present. The people had brought bountiful
provisions on the ground to supply this large con-
gregation.

In the afternoon I drove up a long steep moun-
tain, and out six miles, and remained over night at

334 Autobiography of

Brother McGee's, a most excellent family, who live
two miles from the town of Allardt. The following
day I drove twenty miles to my home. The fifth
Sunday I preached at Mill Creek, six miles out
from Sunbright. The first Sunday in November I
preached in the Methodist Church in Sunbright.
November 3d, I passed the sixty-sixth mile-post
of my life. The second Sunday I rode horseback
nine miles, and preached at Young's school-house,
in Scott County, in the morning. After preaching,
I rode out three miles to Brother John Young's for
dinner, and back again, to preach at night at the same
place. There were prospects of much good at these
services. I staid for the night at Brother G. M.
Baker's.

The next day I rode home, nine miles, making
a ride of twenty-six miles and preaching twice in
two days. The third Sunday I remained at home,
and attended Sunday-school in Sunbright. O how
time speeds away ! But I shall soon exchange time
for eternity ! My prospects are bright. On No-
vember 24th, this being Thanksgiving-day, I
preached a Thanksgiving sermon in Sunbright,
from Psalms xcii, 1. The fourth Sunday was a
very wet day. I had an appointment to preach at
night in Lansing, nine miles below Sunbright on
the railroad, but it rained so severely that I did not
go. My youngest son, Asbury, from E-ockwood,
spent the day with me at home.

On the first Sunday in December, having re-
ceived a card from Rev. M. M. Sumner, Congrega-
tional pastor at Glen Mary, requesting me to fill his
pulpit for him that day, I boarded the morning

Rev. a. B. Wright. 335

train, raa up the line six miles to Glen Mary, and
preached for him to a small but attentive audience.
On Saturday afternoon before the second Sunday,
though it was quite a cold day, I rode out eight
miles on horseback, and preached at Young's
school-house at night. I walked a mile, and staid
over night at G. M. Baker's. The next day I went
back, and preached to a full house of people, and
rode home in the afternoon.

The third Sunday I remained at home, and
wrote up my journal. I begin to feel that I must
keep my journal well written up all the time, as I
am becoming old, and know not when the Master
will call for me. My time on earth now is very
uncertain ; but, praise the Lord, I am ready. The
fourth Sunday was Christmas-day, I rode out horse-
back three miles, over ice, sleet, and snow, in a
very cold day, and preached at Byrd's school-house,
returning in the afternoon. It was a very distress-
ingly cold and freezing time. A great many were
visiting us during Christmas, which made a hard
time on me. I did not care for this when I was
young; but since I have become old it annoys me
greatly. I am always glad to see my two younger
sons ; but when they come, others come that should
not. The first day of the new year was the first
Sunday in January. It came in very rainy and
stormy. I wish now to say, in my declining old
age, to 1892 a solemn last farewell:

" Farewell to its labors, farewell to its cares,
Its thousand temptations, misfortunes, and snares."

The old year has been fraught with a great many
events that write themselves eternally upon my

336 Autobiography of

memory. In the early part of the year I was
brought down very low with la grippe, almost face
to face with death; but I feel sure that the good
Lord had other work for me to do, and I did not
die. I am perfectly resigned to the Lord's will in
all afflictions. In retrospecting the past I am con-
strained to adopt the sentiment of the poet :

" When o'er our vanished days we glance,
Far backward to our young romance,
And muse upon unnumbered things
That crowding come on memory's wings."

But sweetly looking forward by faith I sing:

" There everlasting spring abides,
And never- withering flowers ;
Death, like a narrow sea, divides
That heavenly land from ours."

In the coming in of this new year I have walked
nearly two months toward my sixty-seventh mile-
post of life. O how fast time steals away ! On the
first Sunday in January I had an appointment to
preach at Mill Creek ; but the day was so stormy that
I did not go. I am greatly distressed with asthma,
and can not expose myself to any severe weather.
I was once a very strong man, and had no regard
for weather ; but time has made changes for me.

During the year 1892, although a superannuated
preacher, I preached eighty-eight times, witnessed
seventy happy conversions to God, baptized four-
teen adults and two infants, preached the funerals
of twenty-three persons, and married one couple.
I did not receive any persons into the Church ; for I
went as an evangelist, and left that work to the
different pastors with whom I labored.

Rev. a. B. Wright. 337

Beginning now the duties of a new year, I wish
to consecrate my whole soul, life, and all my ran-
somed powers to the service of the blessed Christ!
If God should lengthen out the feeble thread of
life to me through another year, I trust to see a
great number of souls happily converted to him.
The good Lord be my strength and support in this
great work. I will now give the number of bap-
tisms, adults and infants, the number of funerals
preached, and the number of persons I have mar-
ried since my ordination as a minister, up to the
beginning of the year 1893. I have baptized 494
adults by immersion, 466 adults by pouring, and
have baptized 352 infants; making a total of 960
adult baptisms, and a grand total of all ages of
1,312. I have preached the funerals of 355 adults
and 214. infants; making a total of 569 funerals
preached. I have celebrated the rites of matrimony
between 84 couples. I wish I could here give the
number of conversions I have witnessed, the num-
ber of persons received into the Church, and the
number of sermons that I have preached ; but they
are all written down in my life journal. If
I should ever have a Biography written out, 1
hope that my Biographer will have all these things
in round numbers. I do praise God that my min-
istry has reached over so long a train of years.
Hallelujah, God be praised!

The second Sunday in January I had an ap-
pointment to preach at Young's school-house, in
Scott County ; but the day was so bitter cold, and
there was such a deep snow on the ground that I
did not go. The reader will notice that I do not

22

338 Autobiography of

expose myself now as once I did. My age and
afflictions forbid it. We are having a most in-
tensely severe winter of deep snows and cold
weather. I do not expect to preach much until
the return of spring and warm weather. I have
covenanted with God to preach and do all that I
can for the building up of his kingdom, and I am
praying him that I may see a great many souls
converted during this Conference year.

The third Sunday there was a very deep snow
on the ground, and although the day was clear, it
was very cold. There has been up to this time
the most severe winter that we have seen for years,
and so I am at home writing up my journal. O
how restless I feel while confined at home on ac-
count of severe winter weather and age ! The
Ix)rd help me to discharge every known duty.
The fourth Sunday I attended Sunday-school in
Sunbright, and at the request of Rev. W. D. Gor-
man, the pastor, I preached in the Methodist
church to an attentive audience. God be praised!
On the fifth Sunday I held the funeral service of a
small babe of Dr. Rains, in Sunbright, in the aft-
ernoon of the day. Death nips the tender bud.

On Friday evening before the first Sunday in
February, at the Baptist Church in Sunbright, I
preached the funeral of an infant of Melvin and
Ellen Johnson. The first Sunday in February my
wife was sick, and I was not feeling well, and so I
remained at home. On Saturday evening before
the second Sunday I rode eight miles, and visited
old Brother Matthew Young, who was very low
with dropsy. In all probability he will soon be

Rev. a. B. Wright. 339

with bright angels in heaven. He says his pros-
pect is unclouded for a heavenly inheritance. I
staid for the night with his son-in-law, George M.
Baker. The next day being Sunday, I preached
in the morning at Young's school-house, and rode
home in the afternoon. The third Sunday I re-
mained at home, rested, and read.

The fourth Sunday I attended pastoral preach-
ing in the Methodist Church in Sunbright. I
think that spring is now near at hand, so that I
can soon get out and preach some ev^ery week. It
seems almost like fire shut up in my bones to be
compelled by age and affliction to remain at home,
while souls are perishing for the bread of life. The
first Sunday in March I remained at home. There
was quite a cold spell of weather for March, with snow
on the ground. I am now sending out my appoint-
ments to begin with the opening spring. During
the year, I am taking and reading some of the best
religious papers that I have ever read. Some friend is
sending me the Michigan Christian Advocate, edited
by Dr. J. H. Potts, published in Detroit, Mich., a
large sixteen-page paper, one of our very best
Church papers. Also the Christian Witness, an ad-
vocate of Bible holiness published in Boston, a
glorious, large eight-page paper. Also the Christian
Herald, a Presbyterian paper edited by Dr. Tal-
mage, in New York, a large sixteen-page paper. I
also take two monthlies, the King^s Messenger, an
eight-page paper from New York, and the Revival-
ist^ a four-page paper from Cincinnati. I also take
a secular weekly paper published at Allardt, Tenn.,
the Allardt Gazette, a large four-page paper. I

340 Autobiography of

also take Christianity vt Earnest, a thirty-two page
magazine published by the Church Extension So-
ciety in Philadelphia every two months, edited by
Dr. Kynett, secretary of the Society. So it will
be seen that I am reading a great deal of current
literature. I am also reading a great many books.
I think that I am doing more reading than at any
time before in my life.

The second Sunday I attended the Baptist Church
in Sunbright, and affiliated with their pastor, Rev.
B. T. Summers. The third Sunday I rode horseback
seven miles to Mt. Vernon and preached in the
morning to an attentive audience, returning home
in the afternoon of the same day. On Saturday
before the fourth Sunday I rode horseback eight
miles into Scott County to see my old friend Mat-
thew Young, who is still lingering on earth in the
last stages of dropsy. After delivering a number
of books, I staid over night with Brother Baker.
The following day I preached at Young's school-
house to an attentive audience. The first Sunday
in April being Easter Sunday, I drove in my buggy
eight miles and preached at Rome Church to a
good congregation.

The second Sunday I attended Church at Mt.
Vernon and heard Rev. A. C. Peters preach a ser-
mon on the mode of Christian baptism. I gave a
short talk also myself. The third Sunday I rode
horseback to the camp-ground, preached to a good
audience and returned in the afternoon. The fourth
Sunday I attended Church in Sunbright, and heard
Rev. W. D. Gorman preach. The fifth Sunday I
preached at Byrd's school-house, and organized a

Rev. a. B. Wright. 341

Sunday-school for that place. On Saturday before
the first Sunday in May I rode horseback eight
miles and preached at Scutcheon Church, both in
the morning and in the afternoon. I preached
again at the same place the following day in the
morning, when quite a number came forward for
prayers, and two persons united with our Church.
I preached that afternoon for an aged man and his
wife, who were near death's door in a low state of
affliction. They live two miles from Scutcheon
Church. I rode home that night.

On Saturday before the second Sunday I rode
eight miles on horseback and preached in the after-
noon at Young's school-house. On Sunday morn-
ing we held an old people's experience-meeting,
and after I had preached we held an old-fashioned
class-meeting of fifty years ago with closed doors.
Several shouted aloud the praises of God. To God
be all the glory ! On Saturday before the third
Sunday I rode horseback seven miles to Deer Lodge,
and took dinner with Brother Kemper and his two
little daughters. In the afternoon I rode six miles
and preached at Pine Grove school-house, staying
over night with Wash Neal. The following day I
preached in a pine grove near by as the school-
house would not hold the people. Several mani-
fested a desire for salvation. I preached that evening
again in the school-house. A number of young
men knelt at the altar for prayers. I staid on Sun-
day night at Rev. John Stowers', a Freewill Chris-
tian Baptist minister and well-to-do merchant. Some
of the neighbors gathered in, and sang until a late
hour. I rode home the next day.

342 Autobiography of

On Friday evening before the fourth Sunday,
myself and wife took the train at Sunbright, and
ran down the line to Rockwood, where my young-
est son lives. On Saturday morning he took me
to the company's store and presented me with a fine
suit of clothes. On Sunday morning Rev. S. B.
Hillock, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
preached a memorial sermon for the Grand Army
Post in the opera-house. In the afternoon the
Knights of Pythias decorated the graves of their
dead. At night I preached in the new Methodist
Episcopal church, although it was a very rainy
night. On Monday night was the closing exercise
of the high school at that place. Eight graduates,
seven girls and one young man, received diplomas.
On Tuesday morning myself and wife boarded
the train at Rockwood, with our son, W. D. Wright,
and ran up to Sun bright. It was Decoration-day
in Sunbright, and my son Willie made a splendid
speech for the Post at that place. The first Sunday
in June I rode horseback seven miles, and preached
at Young's Chapel, in Morgan County, to an atten-
tive audience, returning the same day. The second
Sunday I rode four miles horseback, and preached
at Pleasant Ridge, taking dinner with a young wid-
owed lady, Mrs. Mary J. Brown, an excellent Chris-
tian lady. I rode home in the afternoon. The
third Sunday I rode horseback nine miles and
preached at Scutcheon Church. I preached at the
same place again in the afternoon, when several
persons came forward and gave their hands as
seekers of salvation. O what sweet enjoyments I
realize in working for the blessed Lord! I rode

Rev. a. B. Wright. 343

one mile and staid over night with Mrs. Hollo-
way, a widowed lady, and rode home the next day.

On Friday evening before the fourth Sunday,
myself and wife boarded the train at Sunbright and
ran down the line nine miles to Lansing. We drove
in a buggy four miles to Wartburg, where our son,
Will D. Wright, lives. We staid where our son
boards, at the Mountain Hotel, Hon. J. H. Lewal-
len being the proprietor. On Saturday afternoon I
conferred the Eastern Star Degree of Adoptive Ma-
sonry on about twenty-five gentlemen and ladies.
A large dinner was set in the hall, and quite a num-
ber partook of it. I attended the Masonic Lodge
meeting awhile that night. The next day being
Sunday, I preached both morning and evening in
the Presbyterian Church. I trust the seed fell in
good ground. The next morning we were kindly
brought by my son and Mr. Lewallen to the depot,
where we boarded the train and ran up home to
Sunbright.

On the first Sunday in July I rode horseback
seven miles to Mt. Vernon, and preached in the
morning. After preaching, I rode two miles to Rev.
A. C. Peters', and celebrated the rites of matrimony
between his daughter, Miss Bertie Peters, and Mr.
Gilbert Young. I rode home that afternoon. The
second Sunday I preached at Byrd's school-house, and
lectured the Sunday-school. The third Sunday I rode
horseback eight miles to Young's school-house, in
Scott County, and preached to a large congregation.
Brother Cobble, the pastor, preached in the after-
noon. We continued the services over Monday,
with prospects of good ; but on account of a great

344 Autobiography of

deal of sickness in the neighborhood, we closed. I
attended an educational meeting of Dr. J. F. Spence
in Sunbright, on the fourth Sunday.

On Saturday afternoon before the fifth Sunday I
rode horseback eight miles, and preached at Scutch-
eon Church. After preaching, I rode two miles fur-
ther, and remained over night with Brother Buxton.
The next morning I rode three miles into Wart-
burg, and preached the funeral of old Sister Coch-
ran. After taking dinner at the Cumberland Hotel,
I rode four miles more, and preached in the after-
noon at Scutcheon Church, with some indications of
good. After staying over night one mile from the
church, I returned, and preached the next day. The
people took their dinners to the ground and remained
all day. A number of penitents were at the altar
for prayers, and one young lady was happily con-
verted. I rode home in the evening; but returned
the next day, and preached again. Three young
ladies were at the altar for prayer; but there was
such a falling oiF in the attendance of the people
that I closed the meeting. I really think that there
was a glorious prospect for a sweeping revival at
that place if the Church people had given the work
their proper support.

The first Sunday in August I remained at home,
read, rested, and wrote up my journal. I now have
arrangements to spend a few weeks in Wayne and
Clinton Counties, Kentucky, in evangelistic work.
I also expect to preach a number of funerals. I
drove in my buggy the first day to Jamestown, my
grandson, James Peters, accompanying me, where
we staid over night with O. C. Kanatsur. I had

Rkv. a. B. Wright. 345

written to a friend in Jamestown some time before
that I would preach there that night. Court was
in session at that time, and a little ten-cent show
was held in town that night. These called off the
people so much that I did not preach. I think
Jamestown is joined to her idols. The next morn-
ing we drove ten miles down on to Wolf River,
where we came upon a large congregation of people
at a new church on the road. We entered the
church just as the preacher had taken his text to
preach. After the sermon, one person came to the
altar seeking salvation, and was happily converted.
A great many people bore testimony to entire sanc-
titication. We had a heart-cheering time of hand-
shaking with happy Christians.

We took dinner near the church, at Brother
Pyle's, and drove that afternoon over Poplar Moun-
tain, into Wayne County, Kentucky, and remained
over night at Brother Dalton's. He and his family
are members of the Methodist Church. He is also
a merchant, a large farmer, and a well-to-do man in
worldly affairs. The next morning we started early
for our appointment ten miles away. On the way
we encountered a heavy rain, and drove under a
large oak-tree for protection. After stopping at
Brother Edwards' a short time, we drove on, reach-
ing Bethel Church a little late ; but found the peo-
ple singing, praying, and waiting for us, so that they
received us gladly. I preached an introductory
sermon, and preached there again in the afternoon,
with prospect of much good. This neighborhood
abounds with a great many of the Guffeys. They
are nearly all warm-hearted, shouting Methodists.

346 Autobiography of

We staid that night with my wife^s nephew, her
sister's son, Louis Shelley. His mother, Elizabeth
Shelley, who is now in her seventy-first year, with
her daughter and youngest son, had come eighteen
miles to meet us there. I had not seen her for
about twenty years. O how time ard age change
our beings! I preached to a very large congrega-
tion on Sunday in a grove, as the church could not
hold the people, preaching the funeral of Matilda
J. Guffey Choate, to a large train of connections, a
widowed husband, and five motherless children. I
continued the services there at Bethel until the next
Saturday evening, with a glorious, happy meeting.
The people brought their dinners and ate on the
grounds; and so we had an all-day service each day.
Twelve souls were happily converted and thirteen
persons united with the Church.

On Saturday afternoon we moved four miles over
into Clinton County, and at Walnut Grove Church
I preached an introductory sermon on Saturday
night, to a very large audience. On Sunday, at the
same place, in a grove near by, I preached the fu-
neral of Celia Jane Franklin Clarke, to an immense
audience. Religious impressions were deep, and
penitents flocked to the altar. I rode three miles
in the afternoon to Davis Chapel, a large church ;
but as it would not hold the congregation, I
preached again in the grove, preaching the funeral
of William GufFey. I had secured Rev. Frank
Mills to preach at the grove in the afternoon, so as
to make no break in my meeting there. A deep
religious interest grew rapidly. The congregations
were large, and the people brought provisions to

Rev. a. B. Wright. 347

the ground each day. I continued the services until
Friday evening. The result was twenty-eight
happy conversions to God and twenty accessions to
the Church. I baptized eight persons — six by
pouring and two by immersion. The first person
to join was a Baptist minister, joining by letter. I
had an appointment on the following day to meet
the people at Jones^ Mills, on Otter Creek, to bap-
tize some persons.

On Saturday morning we drove five miles to
that place. Soon a heavy rain began falling, and I
preached to the people at the private residence of
Mrs. Jones. I have been acquainted with this
family for many years. They are most excellent
people. I baptized three ladies by pouring, and one
gentleman and five ladies by immersion in Otter
Creek. I staid that night at Mrs. Jones'. This is
an excellent place for rest and comfort.

On Sunday morning, being the fourth Sunday
in August, I had an appointment to preach the fu-
neral of James Hicks at Edwards Chapel. After a
drive of eight miles over a very rough road, I met
a large congregation. Although the church was
large, it would not hold the people, and I preached
again in the grove. The children of Brother Hicks
were unwilling to have his funeral preached at Ed-
wards Chapel, and insisted that I should drive up
Otter Creek three miles to the Dishman graveyard,
near the oil-works, where their father is buried,
and preach his funeral that afternoon, which I did,
to a large congregation. After preaching, I drove
four miles over a very high, rough, rocky moun-
tain, and down on to Carpenter's Fork, where I

348 Autobiography of

again staid over night with Brother Dalton, trav-
eling that day fifteen miles over a very rough and
broken country, and preaching twice in the open
air. I was very tired at night. The next morning
we set off for home, driving over Poplar Mountain,
a very rough mountain indeed, and back into
Tennessee.

After driving nine miles, we stopped for dinner
again with Brother Erasmus Pyle. We walked out
near by to the same church we had stopped at as
we went on to Kentucky. Brother Burks, a holi-
ness man, was now holding a very successful meeting
at this place. At his request, I preached for them.
Several persons came to the altar seeking pardon,
and several seeking entire sanctification. Many
of the saints of God shouted aloud for joy. We
drove that afternoon up on the mountain near
Jamestown, and staid for the night with Ambrose
Parmley. The next day we drove by noon to
Brother Henry Peters', and took dinner. In the
afternoon we drove home. I found my family
well. God be praised! In about two weeks' time
I had preached twenty-seven times, baptized seven-
teen persons, received thirty-three into the Church,
preached the funerals of ten persons, witnessed
forty-one happy conversions, and traveled one hun-
dred and seventy-five miles in a buggy over a rough
country. To God be all the praise!

The first Sunday in September I attended Church
in Sunbright, and heard Rev. Bingman, a Disciple,
preach. On Saturday before the second Sunday in
September, I left home on horseback, rode thirteen
miles to Wash NeaPs, took dinner, and delivered

Rkv. a. B. Wright. 349

him a book which he had ordered. After praying
with the family I rode thirteen miles more, and
preached at night, at Potter's Chapel, to an atten-
tive, large audience. After preaching, I rode two
miles in company with Rev. J. M. York, the Meth-
odist pastor, and staid over night with Brother
Potter. A great many people staying there that
night, and their getting off to bed very late, and
making considerable noise, I did not sleep much
that night; but rose early the next morning, and
began preparing for a heavy day's work of funeral
preaching. I rode two miles to Potter's Chapel,
and at the morning service preached two funerals,
and at the afternoon service I preached five funer-
als. The people brought provisions on the ground
for dinner, and remained for both services. I held
an altar service for penitents in the afternoon. I
rode three miles, and staid that night at Mrs. Will-
iams', a widowed lady. I was very tired, but had
a comfortable rest in this pleasant home. The next
day I rode twelve miles to my home. God be
praised !

The third Sunday I attended services at the
Baptist Church in Sunbright, and heard Rev. B. T.
Summers, the pastor, preach. On Friday evening
before the fourth Sunday, myself and wife drove in
the buggy to Tobias Peters'. The next morning
I rode horseback seventeen miles to Jamestown,
falling in company with Rev. J. C. Taylor three
miles from town. We went on together, took din-
ner, and rested for a while at the Crowley House.
In the afternoon we rode twelve miles down on to
Obed's River, and staid for the night at old Uncle

350 Autobiography of

William Reagan's. The next morning we rode one
mile to the river, where I baptized two men by
pouring, and Rev. P. E. Johnson baptized six per-
sons by immersion. We rode one mile further to
where I preached the funeral of my cousin, Louisa
Beatty, to a large audience, in a beautiful grove.
I noticed a wonderful change in that country to
what it was several years ago, by almost everybody
being converted, and living a happy Christian life.
We took dinner at my cousin's, Abe Beatty's. We
rode that afternoon seven miles to Poplar Cove
school-house, where I baptized two men by immer-
sion for Brother Taylor, after which we rode one
mile, and staid for the night at J. F. Wright's.
His wife is my niece, a daughter of my oldest sis-
ter, who was there that night. She is very old,
but stout for one of her age. The next day I rode
eighteen miles, a part of the way through rain, and
stopped for dinner at Rev. A. C. Peters'. In the
afternoon I rode three miles to my son-in-law's, put
my horse in the buggy, and my wife and I drove
home. I was very tired.

On Wednesday morning before the first Sunday
in October, I boarded the train at Suubright, and
ran up the line sixty-four miles to Burnside Station,
in the forks of the Cumberland River. After step-
ping off the train, I walked down to Mr. Duncan's
eating-house. To my surprise, I found that he and
bis wife both knew me. They gave me a hearty
welcome to their table free of charge. After pray-
ing with the family, Mrs. Duncan and I walked out
a short distance to see Mrs. Frost, a lady who also
knew me well. That afternoon I drove down in a

Rev. a. B. Wright. 351

carriage that was sent for me twenty miles to Monti-
cello, on a pike road, being a little late reaching that
place. I staid that night with my old friend and
brother, B. W. S. Huffaker.

The next morning I left early on the mail-hack
for Gap Creek, a distance of twelve miles. I reached
there about ten o'clock. I had been invited by the
Baptist Church at that place, of which my dear
cousin, Elder B. Wright, was the pastor, who is an
older man than myself It w^as a very happy occa-
sion for myself and cousin, to mingle together in a
revival service. The meeting was a most glorious
service, resulting in thirty conversions and about
that number of accessions to the Baptist Church.
The people treated me with great kindness, paying
me liberally for my time and traveling expenses.
We closed the meeting on Thursday, October 5th.
Brother John Shearer sent me in a buggy twelve
miles to Monticello that afternoon, where I preached
at night, stopping with T. J. Markham.

I took the early stage the next morning for Burn-
side Station. After running five miles, we stopped
at the first post-office. At this place a man named
Kelsey was lying very low with consumption. His
stay on earth was very brief. At his request, I got
out of the stage, went into his house, and held a
short service with him, the stage waiting on me. I
found him very ready for the change. It was a
Bethel to my soul to hear him talk of his home in
heaven. We parted with the express understanding
of meeting in heaven, our glorious home. We ar-
rived at Burnside station about twelve o'clock. I
stopped again with Mr. Duncan. After dinner.

352 Autobiography of

Mrs. Duncan and I walked out a short distance to
visit a man right at death's door, in the last stage of
dropsy. He had been converted the day before, and
said that he was ready to die and be with the Lord.
I talked and prayed with him, and left his wife and
three little children in tears. Sister Duncan wished
me to stay and preach his funeral, as they were look-
ing for him to die every minute. I told her I would
go down home, and they could telegraph me when
he died, and I would return, and attend to the
funeral. I boarded the train, and ran down home
that afternoon ; but rode out next morning eight
miles to Young's school-house, to hold a protracted
meeting, arranging with the mail-carrier to bring
me any telegram that might come to me that day.
None came that day, but one came the following
day. I did not receive it in time to go, but have
written to them.

Embracing the second Sunday in October', I held
a meeting of three days and nights at Young's school-
house. There were several penitents, but no con-
versions.

CHAPTER XX.

A GOLDEN SUNSET.

I HAVE followed the life-story of my sainted
father, as given by himself, through childhood,
manhood, and age. The story has been that of a
life of ceaseless labor and great personal sacrifice
for the cause of the Master. He might have taken
high position in some earthly calling ; but called ot

Rev. a. B. Wright. 353

God, as was Aaron, to the toiling life of the min-
istry, like the great apostle he conferred not with
flesh and blood, but laid his all upon the altar.
Perhaps no man ever lived up to the rule more
than he : ^' Never be idle; never be triflingly em-
ployed.'^ He fell on the field of battle, with his
face to the foe. He died, as he had lived, in the
midst of revival work, almost amid the shouts of
victory of souls new-born into the kingdom. It
had ever been his desire thus to die. He died in
the midst of his loved employ. "He ceased at
once both to work and to live." The thousands
that he led to salvation will rise in the great day
of eternity to be stars in his crown of rejoicing.
Many were the great victories won from the enemy
in his great basket and revival meetings.

Who that ever saw him amid these exciting
scenes does not recall the fire of battle in his eye
and the flush of victory on his cheek, as sinners
came flocking to the altar, and mourners arose hap-
pily converted, and the Church was led on to
greater heights? His one aim of life was to lead
souls to Christ. He never desired nor sought what
the world calls pulpit ability; but he sought and
obtained the higher art of leading sinners to the
fountain of blood. He knew the way of salvation
and taught it to others. He believed that an ag-
gressive, mighty gospel consists more in work than
in word. His life journal closed with a protracted
meeting at Young's school-house, in Scott County.

The following Sunday, being the third Sun-
day in October, he preached the funeral of old
Mother Goddard, at Pleasant Hill, on Emory

354 Autobiography of

River, in Morgan County. Here he preached his
last sermon from the text : '' Thou shalt guide me
with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to
glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and
there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
My flesh and my heart faileth : but God is the
strength of my heart and my portion forever.''
(Psalm Ixxiii, 24-26.) This was the last text he
ever used. He had a number of unfilled appoint-
ments out when his translation came. Among
these was the arrangement to hold a protracted
meeting in the Methodist Episcopal Church in Sun-
bright, in connection with his beloved cousin, Elder
Ballinger Wright, of the Baptist Church in Ken-
tucky. On Friday after the third Sunday, he
wrote a letter to the writer, in which he complains
at some Conference action, held in Maryville a few
days before ; but consoles himself with the expres-
sion : ^'I shall soon receive my reward in heaven.''
Doubtless he had a premonition of the coming
event.

October of the year 1893 was a very dry month.
All the smaller running streams of the Cumberland
Plateau dried up as usual. The stream where he
was accustomed to water his horse had gone dry.
On the opposite side of the railroad from our old
home there is a small spring that remains during
the dryest seasons. When other places failed, he
was accustomed to water his horse at this spring.
On the fateful afternoon of Saturday, October 21st,
he was riding his horse to water at that spring,
when crossing the railroad track where there is not
a usual crossing-place, his horse caught the hind

Rev. a. B. Wright. 355

part of his shoe under the railroad-track iron, and
stumbling forward and partly falling, threw him
forward over his head. Being a man of considera-
ble weight, he struck the ground heavily on his
right shoulder, fracturing his right clavicle bone.
He was also considerably shocked by the fall ; but
arose, and without any assistance, returned home
several hundred yards distant. He was cheerful and
patient, though suffering greatly. The family tele-
graphed our youngest brother, Asbury, living in
Rock wood, of his injuries, who at once boarded the
train, accompanied by Dr. George, and ran up to
Sunbright. Dr. George set and dressed the frac-
tured bone, ascertained that he had received no
other serious injuries, and left him doing well.
The doctor returned during the week, and found
his condition satisfactory, no complications having
occurred. Our youngest brother also returned to
see him, and found him still improving. For two
weeks he remained in this condition, doing as well
as the family expected under the circumstances.
During the time he read a great deal, remained in
the house and about the premises, and talked much
of his children and of their future. He seemed to
be forgetful of himself in his interest for them.
He also talked a great deal of the Methodist Church
and of its future in this country. He greatly re-
gretted the strife that had come about in his own
Conference. His position was for peace between
the warring factions.

On November 4th, our brother, Will D. Wright,
with the purpose of remaining a week or two with
him, came to the old home, and found some serious

356 Autobiography of

complex indicatioQS in his condition. He had a
severe recurrence of his usual asthma, as also a
symptom of heart-failure. There was a general
giving way of his system, with alarming symptoms.
Our brother William, thinking that these conditions
would pass away, did not think it necessary to
notify the family friends of his immediate danger
until on the following Tuesday afternoon. At that
time his symptoms became so alarming that he tele-
graphed Asbury at Rock wood, and myself at Mary-
ville, to come at once. Our sister, Mrs. Peters, was
also notified, and was at his bedside. I arrived at
the old home late in the afternoon of Wednesday,
and found him suffering with a severe attack of
asthma, and also with some indications of heart-
trouble. He seemed to be recovering from his recent
injury, and was cheerful. Dr. George, his physi-
cian, was present, and believed that he was in no
imminent danger.

I was the last of the old family to arrive. I
remained with him alone on Wednesday night,
gave him his medicine, and waited on him.
He suffered a great deal throughout the entire
night with shortness of breath, was thirsty, and
drank a great deal of water. He slept very little,
and talked a great deal. It was an easy matter to
gather from his conversation that he believed that
his end was near. He frequently called for William,
who was sleeping in an adjoining room. He spoke
of his journal, saying that he had written it up to
the time of his injury, and then said: "You can
finish it.'' Death had no terrors for him at all.
Heaven to him was a great fact. There was not a

Rkv. a. B. Wright. 357

waver in his faith to the very last. It was to him
like taking a journey from his family rather than
death. Not a murmur fell from his lips, nor a wish
that his condition were otherwise. He had been ac-
customed to family prayers from the beginning of
his home, and when the usual hours for the morn-
ing and evening services came around, he called the
family together for prayers. To our precious
mother he said: ''Your boys will care for you
when I am gone." Many were the beautiful things
that he said.

On Thursday afternoon he seemed so much im-
proved, having slept a great deal during the day,
that we were all confident that he was better, and
so I left him for my own home, my son being very
sick at the time, with the promise to return after
the following Sabbath, and spend a week with him.
Our youngest brother Asbury had returned to his
home the day before. On parting with him, the
last thing that he said to me, as he pressed my
hand, was : " God bless you in your noble work."

I was required to remain over night in Harri-
man so as to make connection with the Knoxville
train the next morning. Mr. F. H. Dunning, of
Sunbright, came in to spend the night and wait on
him. All the family had retired except Mrs. Peters,
our sister, who, with Mr. Dunning, was in the room
with him, when about ten oVlock at night he was
seized with a great difficulty of breathing. He
called for brother William, who came at once to
his bed. He asked William to raise him up a lit-
tle, which he did, holding him in his arms. He
had scarcely been raised when his head fell over on

358 Autobiography of

brother's shoulder and he said faintly, " O Willie,
this is the end;'' and he was gone at once without a
struggle or an apparent pain.

"So fades a summer cloud away,

So sinks the gale when storms are o'er;
So gently shuts the eye of day,
So dies a wave along the shore.

Life's duty done, as sinks the clay,

Ivight from its load the spirit flies.
While heaven and earth combine to say,

How blest the righteous when he dies!"

The fitful dream of life was over, and his happy
spirit had entered the city of God. Doubtless,
loved ones gone before, and many spiritual children,
were at the portal to welcome the storm-scourged old
pilgrim as he moved into the quiet haven of the
glory-land. Happy spirit safe in glory! Dear
father, we would not recall you to earthly sorrow
and toil again. We would not bring you back to
this world of broken hearts and suffering. We
would not take the well-earned crown from your
head; but some sweet day, when our earthly toil
and battle are over, we expect to come over and
live with you forever. We hope to meet you on
the plains of glory, and walk with you 'mid scenes
of eternal day, where

" No chilling winds nor poisonous breath
Can reach that healthful shore ;
Sickness and sorrow, pain and death.
Are felt and feared no more."

Having been notified by telegram at Harriman,
I returned the following morning with my brother
Asbury to Sunbright. Our dear old home was

Rev. a. B. Wright. 359

shadowed in sorrow. Our venerable and loving
father, who had so often met us at the door with a
warm, loving welcome, had gone out, and the old
home, robbed of its glory, was not what it used to be*
A beautiful casket was procured, and the loved form
was laid to its long repose. Beautiful and lovely
was he in death, the large and manly form look-
ing the very picture of health. His large, open
face clad in a beautiful smile, and his broad marble
brow crowned with flowing locks of snowy white-
ness, he looked like a king. His glorious depar-
ture occurred at ten o'clock on Thursday evening of
November 9, 1893. On the following Saturday
morning we bore his body to the Methodist Epis-
copal Church in Sunbright, attended by relatives,
neighbors, and a long train of Masons, where the
funeral service was held by Rev. A. C. Peters,
preaching from the text, Joshua i, 11. A large au-
dience was present, and when the opportunity was
given them to look for the last time upon the kindly
face of their old friend, many were the sobs and
tears. Afterward, in long funeral train, we bore
him seven miles to Mt. Vernon churchyard to lay
his body away to its long sweet rest, where he sleeps
in hope of a resurrection-day.

He was buried in the honors of Masonry accord-
ing to their beautiful service, an unusually large
number of the Craft being present, representing sev-
eral Lodges. He had been a Mason from early man-
hood, and was a great lover of the Order. The day
was a lovely autumn day. It seemed that all na-
ture had put on her loveliest and best to make the
day indicative of the beautiful life that had just

360 Autobiography of

closed. A large audience of his old friends and
neighbors and spiritual children were present to do
him honor. As the golden sun was sinking to rest
behind the Western hills, we took the farewell look
upon his dear old face, and laid him gently down to
sleep, while the master of the Lodge said : " Earth
to earth, dust to dust, ashes to ashes."

Sleep on, dear father, heedless of summer's heat
and winter's cold. The soft zephyrs of spring may
whisper above your narrow bed, and the storm-
cloud may gather, and the thunders may roll through
the heavens and shake the earth, but they do not
disturb your sweet repose. We will plant flowers
ever bloomiog above your bed, and while the roll-
ing years come and go we will come to stand above
you, drop a tear, think of you, and say : "Dear father,
we will never forget you.''

No more lovely place can be found than where
he sleeps. 'Mid forest-trees of primeval glory, and
blooming flowers, and the sweet notes of singing
birds, he sleeps where the worshipers come on each
Sabbath to sing the sweet songs of Zion. Fit rest-
ing-place is this for this grand old preacher of the
gospel. We turned away from the place, orphans
in this world. O how we miss him ! No more his
dear, loving letters come to cheer us on to battle
and to victory. All that we have left to remind us
of our sweet childhood is our precious mother.
How our hearts gather about her, now that he is
gone ! Sadder still, it means the breaking up of our
dear old hearthstone. Our old home is no more.
Xte place where we gathered from life's storms to
find father's sympathy and mother's love is gone

Rev. a. B. Wright. 361

from us forever. O how dark the world is now !
But heaven is brighter.

At a regular meeting of Sunbright Lodge A. F.
and A. M., held soon after his death, the following
preamble and resoluticJns were adopted :

ITn /IBemoriam.

Absalom B. Wright— A Master Mason.

Born November 3, i826.
Died November 9, isss.

"Brethren, — The duty assigned us is both
pleasing and sad ; pleasing, in that we have an op-
portunity of presenting a few of the many virtues
and good qualities of our departed brother ; and
sad, in that he is no more with us, and that we shall
nevermore hear from him words ' of admonition,
warning, and encouragement. After a short illness,
caused by a fall from his horse, Brother Wright died
at his home on November 9, 1893. He was born
in the adjoining county of Fentress, where he made
his home during the greater part of his life. While
a young man, he married Miss Cynthia A. S. Frogge,
of the same neighborhood, with whom he lived in
loving companionship for nearly half a century.
She, together with a daughter and three sons, still
survives him, honored and respected in their several
homes. With the widow and the fatherless we sin-
cerely, deeply, and most affectionately sympathize,
and pray that the God of consolation may comfort
and sustain them in this trying hour.

"The Grand Master has called our brother from
labor. His work completed, his Sabbath of eter-

362 Autobiography of

iiity has begun. Truly, the bereaved oues may look
back upon his life with an affectionate and honest
pride. In his early life, his twenty-second year,
he gave himself to the work of the Great Master
above; and as a minister of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church, he labored throughout all this mountain
country, and wherever he labored success attended
his efforts. Both as a Churchman and as a lover
of our Fraternity, he was a faithful Craftsman; and
the beautiful designs which he drew upon the Trestle-
board may be found throughout his extended itin-
erancy. He was gentle, kind, and amiable to a re-
markable degree, winning the friendship and affec-
tion of all with whom he became associated. He
always sought to win the convictions of his congre-
gations by soft and mild pleadings, and conversions
so obtained were the more permanent because of
the manner by which they were obtained. One of
Christ's ministers, he was truly devoted to his min-
isterial work, and also to our beloved institution,
which is the handmaid of Christianity. He never
laid aside his armor, nor permitted the fire upon the
altar of his heart to go out.

^' Grandeur of character is wholly the force of
thought, moral principle, and genuine love. It is
the force of thought which measures intellect, and
so it is the force of principle that measures moral
greatness, that highest of human endowments, that
brightest manifestation of the Deity. The greatest
man is he who chooses the right with invincible
resolution ; who resists the temptations from with-
in and from without; whose reliance on truth, on
virtue, and on God is most unfaltering. Meas-

Rkv. a. B. Wright. 363

ured by these Masuuic rules, we do not hesitate to
call our brother great. His precept and example
were always found tending to promote every good
work. Masons ever rejoice at the elevated char-
acter of their members, and it is extremely gratify-
ing to them to be able to point to such a man, while
living, and say, ^He is one of us;^ and w^hen dead,
to refer to his life as an example, and to embalm his
memory in their hearts.

"As Masons, we point with pride to Brother
Wright's life and character. Early in life he sought
and obtained admission into our Order, and for more
than a quarter of a century he gave his influence
and energies to our beloved institution, of which he
always spoke in term-s of love and veneration. He
became a member of Sunbright Lodge by affili-
ation, March 8, 1890, and was our chaplain during
1891. He has left to the Craft the fragrance of a
pure and holy life, the best treasure he could have
placed in our archives.

" He fought the good fight, he finished his course,
he kept the faith, and there awaited him the crown
of righteousness. He was one of those of whom it
is written, ' Blessed are the dead who die in the
Ijord from henceforth, yea, sayeth the Spirit, that
they may rest from their labors, and their works do
follow them.' Truly, Brother Wright's works are
many, and they continue with us. Many souls once
shrouded in darkness, to-day thank God for the
light that came to them through the ministrations
of our brother.

"After the solemn services of his Church, es-
corted by the Fraternity of Sunbright Lodge and

364 Autobiography of

many of the brethren of sister Lodges, the mortal
remains of our brother were conveyed to the beau-
tiful city of the dead at Mt. Vernon, where, after the
impressive ceremonials of our Craft had been per-
formed, his body was consigned to mother earth to
sleep that calm*, sweet sleep which comes only to
those whose walk has been upright. There we leave
him until his hope ends in fruition, and on the glo-
rious morning of the resurrection his body rises as
immortal as his soul.

" In Brother Wright's death our Lodge has lost
one of its brightest jewels. It is therefore,

" 1 . Resolved, That in testimony of our love and
veneration for our brother, and to aid in some little
degree in perpetuating the memory of his virtues,
this preamble and these resolutions be placed upon
our records.

'^ 2. That we commend the life and example of
our brother to the Fraternity as an illustration of
that eminence that may be reached by the well-
directed and constantly-pursued purpose of doing
good in whatever place in life we may be called
to act.

'^ 3. That our sympathies be tendered the family
in their bereavement.

^' 4. That this memorial be published in the Sun-
bright Dispatch, a copy be sent to the family, and
that we wear the badge of mourning for thirty days.

"(Signed,) S.E.Franklin, "|

W, B. Carlock, \ Committee."
Thos. Mitchell, J

Rev. a. B. Wright. 365

At the following session of the Holston Con-
ference, Methodist Episcopal Church, the following
memoir was read and adopted :

/Ibcmolr.

"Rev. A. B. Wright was born in Fentress
County, Tennessee, November 3, 1826. His early
opportunities for an education were very limited.
It is very possible that he never attended school,
all told, more than three months. He was con-
verted, August 28, 1843, at a camp-meeting held by
the Cumberland Presbyterians, in Poplar Cove,
Fentress County, and joined the Methodist Epis-
copal Church, October 1, 1843. Was licensed to
exhort, August 10, 1844, and was licensed to preach,
July 31, 1848, by Eev. Thomas Lasley, at Five
Springs Camp-ground, Clinton County, Kentucky.
He was ordained deacon by Bishop George F.
Pierce, at Cleveland, Tennessee, October 15, 1854,
and ordained elder by Bishop Calvin Kingsley, in
Knoxville, Tennessee, October 6, 1867. He was
married to Cynthia A. S. Frogge, May 27, 1849. To
these parents were born six children, four sons and
two daughters.

"During the Civil War he was a pronounced
Union man, and never faltered in his loyalty and
faith in the General Government during the dark-
est days of that strife. Embracing the first oppor-
tunity, he left the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, and re-entered the Methodist Episcopal
Church in 1866. He joined the Holston Confer-
ence in October, 1867, and received appointments
as follows: 1867 and 1868, Jamestown; 1869 and

366 Autobiography of

1870, Montgomery ; 1871, Jamestowu ; 1872, Madi-
sonville (this charge he did not travel, however,
but traveled the Cumberland City charge, in the
Kentucky Conference); 1873, Jamestown; 1874,
Wartburg; 1875,Crossville; 1876, Wartburg; 1877,
Jamestown. In August, 1878, he was elected
County Court clerk of Fentress County, which po-
sition he filled with efficiency and fidelity for four
years, during which time he held a supernumerary
relation. In 1882 he again entered the active work
and served the Wartburg charge; 1883, Sunbright;
1884 and 1885, Kingston; 1886, New River; 1887,
Sunbright; 1888, Oliver Springs; 1889, financial
agent of Sunbright Seminary, and traveled Mount
Vernon Circuit; 1890, agent for same institution,
and served as pastor for part of the year on New
River charge; 1891, at his own request he was
granted the relation of a superannuate, which rela-
tion continued up to death.

"He was thrown from his horse, October 21,
1893, receiving injuries which, together with other
complications, resulted in his death, November 9,
1893. During the nine months immediately pre-
vious to the fatal illness, he had preached more
than a hundred times, witnessing under his minis-
try more than seventy-five conversions. ' He died
at his post.' His end was peaceful. To him heaven
was a great reality. He talked much of death and
of the glorious future with a faith truly sublime.
Rev. A. C. Peters preached the funeral sermon in
the Methodist Episcopal Church at Sunbright, after
which he was buried with Masonic honors in the
Mount Vernon Cemetery,

Rev. a. B. Wright. 367

" Brother Wright was well endowed by nature,
and was in the best sense a popular preacher.
Quick and clear in perception, possessed of a pleas-
ing and flexible voice, and ever giving evidence of
the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the
people heard him gladly. He believed in the
doctrine and polity of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, ever preaching the one, and defending the
other. As a preacher he was evangelical, so that
conversions at his regular preaching services were
not unusual. ^ Never be unemployed, and never be
triflingly employed/ was his rule. He was a stu-
dent to the last. The Bible was his chief book ;
but biography and Church periodical literature con-
stantly found a place in his reading, so that he kept
well informed touching important movements in
Church and State, at home and abroad. He dili-
gently circulated good books.

" Following his track extensively, the writer
makes the statement that he has found more books
in more homes, put. there by this sainted brother,
than by any one else of whom he has knowledge ;
and it is due the memory of this grand hero to say,
of all the many books circulated, not one could be
found of doubtful moral teachings. His ministe-
rial labor, for the most part, was in sections and
under circumstances involving sacrifices, hardships,
and privations; but who ever heard him com-
plain, and who will say that amid all he was not
cheerful ?

^^ He was pre-eminently a peacemaker. If any
criticised him unkindly, which rarely occurred, his
only reply was the charity of silence. If his breth-

368 Autobiography of

ren became estranged from each other, he sought
by impartial tears of brotherly love to unite them
in friendly Christian fellowship. Ever the ardent
friend of education in general, he was diligent and
laborious in helping the schools of his own Church.
Such was his estimate of the importance of good
Christian education that he, with limited financial
ability, gave his three sons good educational ad-
vantages; and now the eldest. Rev. J. C. Wright,
stands deservedly in the front rank in his Confer-
ence, while the others, W. D. and Asbury, are
attorneys at law, with a brief but successful
career.

"Brother Wright has left us; but faithful in
life, victorious in death, we are richer for the
blessed moral legacy he has left us. ' Mark the
perfect man and behold the upright; for the end
of that man is peace.' James A. Ruble."

Recently a marble monument of beautiful de-
sign has been placed by his grave. On one side is
the inscription : " Our Father and Our Mother.'^
On another side : '^ Rev. A. B. Wright was born in
Fentress County, Tennessee, November 3, 1826,
and died in Sunbright, Morgan County, Tennessee,
November 9, 1893.'' On a third side is the in-
scription : " I have fought a good fight, I have fin-
ished my course, I have kept the faith : henceforth
there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me
at that day." (2 Tim. iv, 7, 8.) Just above tliis
inscription is the cross and crown. The fourth
side is left vacant for our mother.

Rev. a. B. Wright. 369

CHAPTER XXI.

ENTIRE SANCTIFICATION.

FOR those who may survive me in this life I
wish to make a few statements of how I was
enabled to rise above a low type of Christian liv-
ing, and to soar into the clear, unclouded element
of full consecration, of perfect love, basking in the
sunshine of entire sanctification. I have all the
time believed that sanctification is the grandest
doctrine of Methodism, clearly taught by our illus-
trious founder, as well as by the Word of God.

When, as a traveling preacher, I stood before
the altar to be received into full connection into
the Holston Conference by Bishop Levi Scott, I was
asked the following questions : ^' Do you expect to
be made perfect in this life ?'^ I answered : " I do.^'
"Are you going on to perfection ?'' I answered:
"I am." "Are you groaning after it?" I an-
swered: "I am." I felt and meant all that these
questions and answers meant.

In August, 1871, it being the fourth year of my
itinerancy, at Mt. Zion Church, in Morgan County,
while souls were being converted at the altar, the
Lord came powerfully into my heart, and filled me
with a joy unspeakable. I shouted aloud his praise
at the top of my voice. A good brother came to
me at the close of the service, and asked me what
made me shout so loud? I told him that, if I had
not shouted, every log in that house would have
cried out. I felt that every evil propensity of my
heart was rooted out, and my whole soul was filled
with love. I was so exceedingly happy for days

24

370 Autobiography of

that I could scarcely refrain from shouting aloud at
any time. At the next session of our Annual Con-
ference, in the love-feast meeting, I arose, and tes-
tified to an emancipation from all inbred sin and
to full salvation. I gradually declined to bear tes-
timony to this great salvation, and, of course, I lost
the evidence, and got into Doubting Castle to such
an extent that I began to think that I had never
reached that high standard.

I staggered on in this way until August, 1885,
when I was traveling the Kingston Circuit. I had
not witnessed a great many conversions during the
year, and was becoming somewhat discouraged; but
before beginning my basket-meetings, I went as a
deep penitent before the Lord, laying all upon the
altar. I asked the Lord, as a token that I was
wholly his, that, in the next two months on my
work, I might witness one hundred conversions to
him. Glory be to his precious name, in that time
I saw one hundred and five happy conversions to
him in my meetings!

In Hine's Valley, just below Rockwood, where
between thirty and forty souls were converted, the
Lord again filled me unutterably full of the Holy
Ghost, and I shouted aloud his praise. For many
days I felt that I was walking in Beulah-land, and
yet I did not bear constant testimony to the all-
cleansing power of the Holy Ghost in my heart.
Had I borne the testimony properly, there would
have been no necessity for my going again to the
altar to seek this great second blessing in Christian
experience. Any child of God can greatly darken,
if not entirely destroy, his assurance of Divine ac-

Rev. a. B. Wright. 371

ceptance by failing to bear testimony for Christ as
he should.

I was never backward to testify to God^s con-
verting power in my soul, and yet I can hardly ac-
count for my hesitancy in believing for full salva-
tion, or for my timidity in bearing testimony to full
salvation — saved from head to foot. In the early
part of the year 1890 I was requested by Rev. J. A.
Ruble, presiding elder of the Clinton District, to
take charge of Mt. Vernon Circuit, with eight ap-
pointments, for about two-thirds of the year. I
took charge of the work, and again asked the Lord,
as a token of my full acceptauce, that I might see
one hundred souls converted to him; and, God be
praised, I saw one hundred and fourteen conver-
sions at my meetings during the remainder of the
Conference year!

Glory be to God for such marvelous evidence of
his love to me ! So many glorious answers to my
prayers by the blessed Christ more and more con-
firmed my faith in my being fully consecrated to
God, and in my attainment unto this second great
blessing. Had I then borne testimony to the full
cleansing blood, I needed not to have been splash-
ing along in Doubting Castle.

The Holston Annual Conference met at Chatta-
nooga, Teun., October 21, 1891. I attended it;
and without any knowledge of Dr. S. A. Keen^s
being there to hold pentecostal meetings, on the first
afternoou of the Conference, seeing people gathering
at the Second Presbyterian Church, just across the
street from our stone church, where the Conference
was being held, I asked some one what it meant?

372 Autobiography of

He said they were holding pentecostal services there.
I said at once, then I will attend these meetings.
When I entered, Dr. Keen was in the pulpit, talk-
ing. I took a seat about halfway down the aisle
from the door. I had never seen Dr. Keen be-
fore, and did not know whether he was a Presby-
terian or a Methodist preacher; however, it did not
take long to understand that he was a Methodist
preacher, full of the Holy Ghost, and running over
with perfect love.

His explanations given of the doctrine of entire
sanctification, as taught in the Word of God, were
plain and easy to understand. I took in all that he
said without any criticism. It seemed that the way
into the Holiest of Holies was plainer to me than
ever before. When he made the proposition to all
who hungered and thirsted for full salvation to come
to the altar, I went at once. It seemed that almost
the whole house was moved forward to the altar.
There was truly a moving, melting time. I felt as
though I could lay everything on the altar, and I
realized that God accepted the oiFering; and though
I felt in my heart the joy divine of the Holy Ghost,
yet there seemed to be in my soul a hungering and
thirsting for higher joys and undoubted assurance.
These meetings were continued each evening dur-
ing the Conference.

On the afternoon of October 23, 1891, I cried
from the depth of my soul, O Lord, if thou wilt
only fill me with the Holy Ghost this evening, I
will never be deliuquent again in bearing testimony
to the fact of full salvation wherever I go; and,
God be praised, when I approached the altar that

Rev. a. B. Wright. 373

afteruoou, I felt that I was siukiug into the arin.s of
perfect love. Such power of the Holy Ghost came
upon me that I rejoiced with joy uuspeakable and
full of glory. O what sweet peace of soul aud
mind I have since enjoyed! On the last evening of
these meetings I rose and testified to full salvation.
I have ever since confessed it publicly and in let-
ter-writing. I pray God that I may never fail to
bear testimony of the great power which God has
bestowed upon me.

I have witnessed great and glorious results to my
feeble efforts in preaching Christ through my past
life; but I now feel that I can offer Christ as a
Savior more fully than ever before. At a number
of my meetings, after my return from Conference, the
Lord powerfully converted a number of souls. O
how I wished that I had realized this full salvation
in early life ! My sheaves, though many, would
doubtless have been many more. I find that, with
all the sanctifying grace of God, this life is to be
a constant battle.

Temptations will come, and though carnality be
removed, I often find my own depravity such that
I abhor myself. I once flattered myself that I
could grow into a state of Christian perfection, but
by a more thorough understanding of God^s Word
I am convinced that all divine good comes by faith
in Christ. If faith could be gradual, then the attain-
ment of Christian perfection could be gradual ; but as
fefth is an instantaneous assent of the mind, perfection
must be instantaneous. I know that there are de-
grees in faith; but the crowning act of faith realizes
a last moment when we have not attained, and a

374 Autobiography op

first moment when we have attained. The desired
goal must be instantaneous. If the conversion of
the soul be instantaneous then the higher blessing
is an instantaneous work. If conversion be grad-
ual, then sanctification is gradual. In conversion
there must be a last moment when sin reigns and
and a first moment when righteousness reigns. I
do love that Christ that we can go to in an in-
stant. And now I do bless God with all my heart for
the happy state of entire sanctification. I expect,
erelong, to go to my happy home in heaven. I
feel now that I am ripening for glory. It is no
hard matter to walk with God when the Holy Ghost
reigns in the soul. I now daily sing :

" This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long."

To allow that we can not live without sin, and
that Christ can not save us from the desire to
sin, robs him, and is in conflict with the following
Scripture : " Wherefore he is able to save them to
the uttermost that come unto God by him.''
(Heb. vii, 25.) ^' But if we walk in the light as he
is in the light, we have fellow^ship one with another,
and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, eleanseth
us from all sin." (1 John i, 7.) We are admon-
ished by the Master: ''Be ye also perfect, even as
your Father in heaven is perfect." (Matt, v, 48.)
''The disciple is not above his Lord, but every one
that is perfect shall be as his Master." (Luke vi,
40.) Paul predicts a time when perfection shall
come: "But when that which is perfect is come,
then that which i& in part shall be done away."
(1 Cor. xiii, 10.) He also represents the child-life and

Rev. a. B. Wright. 375

man-life of Christian experience in the same chap-
ter. The different stages of the Christian lite are
beautifully set forth in 1 John iii, 12, 13, 14.

God has been pleased to set forth the full type
of our Christian life in the word sanctification.
Christ prays for his disciples of all the ages: "Sanc-
tify them through thy truth." (John xvii, 17.)
Paul says: "And now, brethren, I commend
you to God and to the word of his grace, which is
able to build you up and to give you an inherit-
ance among all them that are sanctified." (Acts
XX, 32.) He also declares: "This is the will of
God, even your sanctification." He prays God to
sanctify the Thessalonian Church wholly. He also
testifies to his own sanctification : " By the which
will we are sanctified." (Heb. x, 10.) These are
only a few of the many Scriptural texts supporting
this great doctrine. Whenever one says that he
can not live without sin, he detracts from the mercy
and power of the Lord Jesus to save, and claims
that sin and the devil are mightier than God. What
nonsense ! The word sin and the word righteous-
ness are opposites. Never can the two principles
be blended so as to be one. If a Christian sins, he
is not a Christian in that act, but a sinner; for
sin is of the devil, and not of God. Therefore,
"Christ came into the world to put away sin by his
own death;" and if the blood of Christ by his own
death is not sufficient to put away sin out of the
heart of the truly consecrated child of God, then
the mission of Christ is a failure, which is pre-
sumption.

It is claimed that St. John says that "if we say

376 Autobiography of

that we have no yin we deceive ourselves/' aud there-
fore we must go aloug through life sinniug. This
text teaches that no man can claim natural purity,
but that by nature he is a sinner. The purity that
we urge is wrought out by the blood of the Lord
Jesus. The Savior taught his disciples to pray that
his will be done on earth as in heaven, and unless
we can and do live without sin, there can not be
any similitude between the two, for there is no sin
in heaven. If we can not live without sin, then the
blessed Savior has taught his disciples to pray for
an impossibility. I would not be understood as
teaching Adamic nor angelic purity or perfection,
yet there must be a similitude between the perfect
of both worlds ; for the Savior says : " Blessed are
the pure in heart for they shall see God" (Matt,
v, 8) ; and the apostle says : " Follow peace with
all men and holiness, without which no man shall
see the Lord.'' (Heb. xii, 14.)

CHAPTER XXII.

THOUGHTS ON REVIVAL WORK.

L Let the minister who conducts the meeting
be very serious aud earnest in all of his conversa-
tion with the people. Let him strictly avoid an air
of lightness or of jest. His every deportment, both
in the church and out, should indicate a burning
zeal for the salvation of souls. Remarks for the
purpose of exciting fun or laughter from the pulpit
should be carefully avoided. An ounce of diver-

Rkv. a. B. Wright. 377

8ion to a congregation st'riou.sly inclined will de-
stroy a pound of religious interest.

While I would not have the minister put on an
air of sadness, I am satisfied, from years of experi-
ence in revival work, that worldly lightness will not
only impede, but possibly destroy, the success of the
revival. The minister can not manifest too much
seriousness in the beginning of a revival. He should
be as solemn as though some one were lying dead
in the congregation.

2. At an early stage of the meeting, the minis-
ter should duly impress his audience of the great
need of a revival, endeavoring to fasten the convic-
tion upon their minds that the meeting must prove
either a savor of life unto life, or of death unto
death ; that the Holy Ghost will leave no soul where
he finds it at the beginning of the meeting; that the
people will either be nearer heaven or nearer hell
at the close than at the beginning of the meeting.
Let him put his own seriousness and earnestness
upon them, and then he will be in a fair way for a
revival.

3. Let the minister, by earnest effort, impress the
Christian element to enter into earnest work and
labor for the salvation of their unconverted friends.
Induce them into praying for their friends in pub-
lic, at the family altar, and in secret; and, if possi-
ble, induce them to go to them in the congregation
and ask them to seek salvation. But teach them
how to approach them successfully, Whenever he
can get the Christian element to work in this way,
and can get them properly enthused, he need have
no fears about a revival. He will soon witness the

378 Autobiography of

waves of salvation rolling liigh, and shouts of vic-
tory rending the air. Sinners can not resist such
power. They may endeavor to overcome the ioflu-
ence, but they can not succeed; for one shall chase
a thousand, and two shall put ten thousand to
flight. No influence can equal that of earnest Chris-
tian influence.

4. The minister, if a Methodist, at an early stage
of the meeting should hold a class-meeting, and, so
far as possible, have a talk with each one in the
house himself. This will give him the opportunity
of knowing who are Christians and who are not,
and who really want to become religious. He will
then know whom to approach, and how to success-
fully approach them. No other means of grace
can furnish him such information as this one.
When the meeting has progressed a few days, he
should hold an old-fashioned love-feast meeting,
having as many as will to bear testimony for Christ,
either voluntarily or by calling them out by name.
Have them always to stand up when they talk.

If there be young converts, call on them to tes-
tify. Intersperse the testimonies with appropriate
verses of song. Encourage all to talk. Let the
testimonies be short and plain. Allow no long,
tiresome talks. I have seen this kind of meetings
ruined by such talks. Allow no one to speak of
unpleasant feelings in his heart toward any, nor to
speak of injuries from others. The class-meeting is
the place to talk of these things, and not the love-
feast. A feast of love should never be embittered
with sour herbs. Let no love-feast meeting extend
over one hour and a half, unless the interest be such

Rev. a. B. Wright. 379

that it should be continued. I have frequently
found it necessary to continue the Disciplinary time.
The best time of the day for these meetings is in
the early morning, the people being then more rest-
ful and freer to speak.

5. The minister should insist on all the people
to sing. Let one-half hour before each service be
used in spirited song. If the meeting be a camp
or basket meeting, let a number of good singers be
selected to occupy the recess-hours in song. In-
duce the people during the recess-hours to talk only
on religious subjects. Don't allow them to discuss
worldly matters, and especially politics. Let them
know that this is no place for discussing such top-
ics. Keep their minds on religious subjects. The
minister should visit and hold religious services in
as many families as possible. When in the fami-
lies, become acquainted with the young people and
the children in the homes; learn their names, and
find out their state of heart. Always urge their at-
tendance upon the meeting.

Convince them that you are greatly interested in
their salvation. Many young, unconverted people
in the congregation feel that the minister is not con-
cerned about them, because he does not know them
by name and is not acquainted with them. He
overcomes this difficulty by visiting and becoming
acquainted. When he becomes acquainted with
them, he can approach them easily. If the minister
is not well acquainted with the people, let him ob-
tain a good religious pilot to go with him in this
work.

This work should be done at an early stage of

380 Autobiography of

the meetiug. A good way is to divide the Chris-
tian elemeut, and send them out in different direc-
tions to hold religious services in the families. I
have frequently followed this plan, and never knew
it to fail of powerful awakenings, followed with
numbers of mighty conversions.

6. It is presumed now that the Christians and
the minister are at work for the salvation of souls,
and that the minister has effectually secured the love
and confidence of the people. In making appeals
to the unconverted, he should not use abusive lan-
guage. He can show the ugliness of sin without
doing this. By using harsh terms, he only excites
resistance in the sinner. I have never known such
methods to win souls for Christ ; but on the other
hand, to drive them away. I have seen good revi-
vals broken up in this way. Dr. Adam Clarke, one
of the greatest divines, calls such ministers "croak-
ers,'' who are continually crying out, "Ye are fallen,
ye are fallen V^

The minister should faithfully uncover sin, but
do it in such a way that he may convince the sinner
that he loves him. He should constantly verify the
apostolic statement, " Knowing, therefore, the ter-
ror of the Lord, we persuade men.'' He should
labor to impress them that life is precarious, and
that the present responsibility is great. He may
relate instances of the sad death-bed scenes of un-
converted people, and earnestly exhort them to avoid
such an end. More than all, let him powerfully
urge the claims of Christ upon the human life.

7. In inducing sinners to take up the Cross and
seek salvation, it may be better, in some instances.

Ricv. A. B. Wright. 381

in the beginning of the work to ask them to stand
up, as an evidence that they desire the prayers of
the Church, or they may be induced to come for-
ward and give their hand in token of penitence;
but the best way, without doubt, is to induce them
to come to an altar of prayer, where Christian peo-
ple may encourage them, and pray for them, and
where they can better think and pray for them-
selves.

I do not believe that any one will be thoroughly
converted until he is entirely willing to come to the
altar and kneel down and ask God to save him from
his sins. I believe in the old-time repentance and
the old mourners' bench.

In the altar suitable hymns should be sung, and
the relatives and friends of the penitents should be
induced to come around and instruct them. In
some instances I have found it work well to lead
the sinners by degrees, by first inducing them to
stand up for prayers, then to come forward and
give their names, and finally ^*^o come to an altar as
seekers. It is fortunate for the minister to be able
to know which of these methods to use, and when
to use it.

It is always best to work by the best policy.
Should he fail on any proposition to the uncon-
verted, he will find it harder to succeed on that
proposition afterwards.

Here he must use much wisdom if he succeeds.
When the minister can induce an influential person
to the altar, this may be the means of leading a
number of others to follow; and yet the minister
must not be partial toward the souls of men. He

382 Autobiography of

must labor for the greatest good to all. Penitents
should not be kept kneeling too long at the altar
at one time. Let them stand to their feet while
some suitable hymn is being sung, and shake hands
with their friends, and with the Christian people,
and with each other. If necessary, let them kneel
again.

The minister should know how to direct the ex-
ercises for the best advantage. A minister should
learn how to conduct an altar service.

8. It is very material to the meeting that the
miuister know when to begin and when to close a
service. Penitents should never be kept too long at
the altar. While showers of blessings from clouds
of mercy are falling upon the people, and revival
influence is all ablaze, the sermon should be short
and to the point. Avoid all preliminaries in ser-
monizing. Let the time of preaching not exceed
thirty, or at most, forty minutes, and never let the
entire term of service run over two hours. What
can not be accomplished in that time would hardly
be accomplished in longer time. Never wear out
the people and run the interest down with long
services. This can be easily done. Sometimes it
is better not to preach at all. When penitents come
into the church praying and earnestly seeking sal-
vation, turn the service at once into a prayer and
altar service. I have seen preaching on such an
occasion do much harm.

I was once holding a revival service in connec-
tion with my fourth quarterly -meeting. A man liv-
ing in the neighborhood had bitterly opposed his
children seeking religion. On one morning he

Rev. a. B. Wright. 383

came into the church greatly convicted, weeping,
and praying. I thought the meeting should have
been turned into an altar service at once for the
benefit of this man ; but the presiding elder, who
was in charge, went into the pulpit, sang, prayed,
and preached a long, dry sermon. I sat beside the
man, and tried to keep him interested in the mean-
while; but with all that we could do he lapsed, and
never again was he in condition as he was on that
morning when he came into the church ; for in a few
weeks he was thrown out of his wagon in a run-
away of his horses and instantly killed, in an un-
saved state. I believe that man would have been
saved on that morning but for that sermon.

In closing a service, sing as a doxology something
appropriate for penitents ; such as, ^^ But drops of
grief can near repay,'' etc.

Charge the people to allow no conversation
during the intervals to divert the minds of peni-
tents from their salvation-seeking. It will be Avell
to have some of the more pious Christians take the
penitents home with them, and hold an altar serv-
ice with them iu the homes. I have seen many
converted in the homes in this way. A good way
is to have all the penitents stay at one place if pos-
sible, and have some good Christian workers and
singers stay with them, and hold a service at night
with them. Let the services be held as often as at
all convenient. I have known a good revival in-
jured, if not ruined, by resting a day. This is not
a good policy. When you get the devil on the run,
follow up your blows fast. Do n't give him time to
rally. When meetings are held in towns or cities,

384 Autobiography of

there are a great many business men and operatives
in factories and shops who can only attend services
at night. In that event you will have need to hold
a night service. In rural parts the best plan that
I have found is, to have the people to bring provis-
ions for dinner on the grounds, and remain for an
all-day service.

In this way they can meet at ten o'clock in the
morning, and hold services until twelve o'clock.
Then, after an adjournment of one hour and a half
for dinner, services can be held from half-past one
o'clock to half-past three. The people can then go
home, and make all arrangements for the following
day. They lie down and sleep all night, and are re-
freshed for the work of next day. In this way you
will not wear the people out, and will keep the work
going well.

9. It is not good policy to preach on contro-
verted doctrine during a revival. The minister
may support the peculiar doctrines of his Church in
a positive and mild way, so as not to offend any one.
It may be proper for the minister to give the op-
portunity to young converts, a few times during
the meeting, to join the Church which he repre-
sents ; but always to do so with proper courtesy
towards other denominations. The minister should
urge young converts and all others to join the
Church of their choice ; also urge them to do so at
once.

By putting off this matter, they usually come to
feel very little restraint, and almost invariably
backslide. All young converts should join some
good Church at once. Before the close of the

Rev. a. B. Wright. 385

meeting, if there be a number of young converts,
the minister, by first giving a notice of the same a
day or two beforehand, should hold a young con-
verts' meeting. Let them assemble in the altar;
then let the minister point out to them the diffi-
culties and temptations with which they are soon
to meet. Let him also urge upon the Church
the duty of training them properly. Many young
Christians fail because the Church does not do its
duty. It might be well for the minister to follow
this meeting with a penitent's meeting, if there be
several of them.

I have known this kind of meeting to result in
the happiest way. Old chronic seekers, when
brought into this kind of meeting, have laid hold
upon the Lord Jesus for salvation. It is my expe-
rience that one minister only should conduct the
meeting. He may employ all the ministerial help
that he can obtain ; but he himself should always
preside.

There is no place in the Church where leader-
ship is more needed than in revival work. It is
better for one man to do the most of the preaching.
He should be very cautious about whom he puts in
the pulpit. I have seen the interest of meetings
killed in this way. It is not well to have a strange
minister preach. Curiosity may take the place of
worship in this case.

If an able minister should come around, much
abler than the man in charge perhaps, no matter
how desirable to have him preach, let him wait for
some other time. Urge the young converts to re-
ceive the ordinance of baptism at once, if they have

25

386 Autobiography of

not already been baptized. It is well to have them
bound by the baptismal covenant at once. They
need all possible restrictions thrown around them.

10. Now as the revival meeting is coming to a
close, let the minister duly impress the older Chris-
tians with the grave responsibility of properly car-
ing for the young converts. Have them to fully
understand that, by the omission of duty upon
their part, the blood of souls will be upon them in
the great day ot judgiueut. It is possible that two-
thirds of the apostasy of this world might have
been prevented if the Church had been true to
duty. When a young convert makes a misstep let
the older Christians go to him, and, in tones of love
and tenderness, beg him to return, instead of de-
nouncing and abusing him in his absence. Assure
him that others have erred and have been re-
claimed, and are now bright and shining lights in
the Church. Cause him to believe that the Cuurch
is interested in him, and is praying for him, and
that he can live a true life.

If very small children have been converted, they
will need very tender nursing. If persons of dissi-
pated habits are among the converts, let the Christian
friends rally to their support in preventing their
relapse into former habits. If they should make
several blunders, do not give them up; persist in
holding them lor God. Never let a soul be lost from
a lack of Christian care and nursing. If they should
finally go back, as Peter calls it — ''The dog to his
vomit, and the sow that was washed to her wallow-
ing in the mire again'' — let their Christian friends
follow them to the very outposts of the enemy's

Rev. a. B. Wright. 387

camp. Sould there be penitents at the altar re-
maining, as is usually the case, let the minister urge
their constant seeking until they are converted.
Give them to understand that they may effectively
seek salvation in the home, on the highway, in the
closet, and anywhere. It will be well to bind the
Christian element and the penitents into a covenant
of handshaking to pray for each other.

If a number of young men have been converted,
it will be well to organize them into ^^A Young
Men's Prayer and Council Meeting/' to meet once
a week. Have as many young converts lead in
public prayer as possible. The minister should or-
ganize a prayer and class meeting for the whole
Church once a week.

Where a revival can be left all aglow with such
class and prayer meetings as these, there need be
no fears of the revival interest declining. A con-
gregation that strictly adheres to these duties will
not retrograde. The congregation that neglects
these important means of grace can not prosper.
The Lord help every minister and his congregation
to properly attend to this kind of work ! O for a
baptism of the Holy Ghost upon every pastor, local
preacher, and exhorter, that signs and wonders may
follow their labors until glorious victory, in shouts
of triumph from one wing of the army to the other,
shall flash all along our lines; until '^ a, little one
shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong
nation ! I, the Lord, will hasten it in his time.''
(Isa. Ix, 22.)

Then peace and righteousness shall kiss each
other, and our land shall yield her increase (Psalms) ;

388 Autobiography of

then shall the tree of life bloom in all its beauty
on earth, and the millennial glory shall dawn upon
this sin-cursed world. O that God may make all
of his ministers a flame of fire, clothing his priests
with salvation ; then shall the saints of God shout
aloud for joy ! Then shall there be one universal
revival, reaching from the equator to the poles, and
one universal shout shall exclaim : " Hallelujah !
hallelujah ! the Lord God omnipotent reigneth !
Amen and amen !"

And now, inasmuch as I have, in a short way,
laid down some rules or methods for conducting
revival-meetings, let me add, by way of supplement,
a few thoughts on the importance of pure evangel-
istic revivals, and of God's favored instruments in
affecting them. I would say, in the first place, that
revivals of religion are essential, not only to the
growth, but to the prosperity of the Church. With-
out them, the Church would soon die out. I know
that an objector says that there is too much excite-
ment in revivals, and that people are startled by a
dread of hell-fire; that the fear of punishment,
more than the desire to do the right thing, actuates
them; that we frighten children and weak-minded
women almost to death to start a revival. The
above objections, in the aggregate, are not true.
Such things, in some cases, may be the exception,
but never the rule. We endeavor to plant serious
thoughts in the minds of the unsaved by pouring
out the terror of the law, and by every way to
have the unsaved see themselves just as they are by
nature, and what they must become by Divine grace,
or be miserable to all eternity.

Rkv. a. B. Wright. 389

This awakening is necessary for the good of
men, as taught in God's Holy Word. (See Isa.
Iviii, 1; also Ezek. xxxiii, 7-11; and 2 Cor. v, 20.)
If this world by nature is unsaved, and man is
represented as being dead, asleep, should he not be
awakened ? If this awakening is a necessary ante-
cedent to his salvation, let him be awakened by
any available process. I should like very much to
have his judgment as well as his passion awakened.

There are very few persons who have been slum-
bering in sin, and who have suddenly been brought
to see themselves in their true condition, who are
not more or less excited because of their eminent
danger. All persons are not constituted alike in
regard to their impulsiveness. Experience has
taught me that it would be impossible to awaken
some persons to a proper sense of their awful con-
dition in sin without some excitement. I think it
to be wrong to try to avoid it. Have their judg-
ment keep pace with the excitement! God has so
constituted them, and they can not be saved in any
other way. There are others that, under the same
amount of Divine influence, will make no display.
The psalmist says: "Be glad in the Lord, and re-
joice, ye righteous, and shout for joy, all ye that are
upright in heart.'' (Psa. xxxii, 11.) We are also
admonished by St. Paul to "quench not the spirit,
despise not prophesy ings.''

When our Lord was riding into Jerusalem, and
the disciples were shouting and praising God, the
long-faced Pharisees were offended, and desired the
Master to quiet his disciples; but he said : "If these
should hold their peace, the very stones would cry

390 Autobiography oi^

out.^^ I think that the Christian should have as
much liberty as the sinner.

If the sinner may rejoice and shout over worldly
interest, why may the Christian not rejoice over
eternal interest? St. Paul says that, when the Lord
shall come the second time without sin unto sal-
vation to gather his people home, " the Lord
himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,
with the voice of the archangel," etc.

Will not his second coming frighten those greatly
who can not endure shouting in this world? Shout-
ing God's praise is a license which we get from
Heaven. Almost invariably new recruits come into
the Church from revival-meetings, or afterward as
fruits growing out of some revival. Should we
cease to have revivals, we should cease to have a
Church. It is estimated by some statistician that
the heart of some member of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church ceases to beat every half-hour. Un-
less these vacancies are filled up by new recruits,
the Church will soon pass aw^ay.

O how alert the Methodist ministry should be
in recruiting our great army from the world ! It
should not only be a purpose to recruit the deci-
mated ranks, but to increase our numbers until our
beloved Zion shall take the world for Christ. Our
distinguished founder said, ^' The world is my
parish.'' I rejoice that the income of our Church is
about three times that of our loss by death. Loss by
death does not mean entire loss, but a loss only to
the Church militant and a gain to the Church tri-
umphant. The birth-rate of the world is about one-
fourth greater than the death-rate, while the in-

Rkv. a. B. Wright. 391

come rate of our Church is about three times our
death-rate.

Our blessed Lord has not sent a workman into
his vineyard but that signs and wonders have fol-
lowed his ministry. The best way to discern a call
to the ministry is to track the minister by his con-
versions. This rule applies to all ministers who
labor in Christian lands. Some of our truest and
best ministers have labored in heathen lands for
years without any apparently great success. A min-
ister who preaches for years without this Divine
token has a right to question his call, and the world
may look upon his work with suspicion. All may
not be equally successful in this way, but each
minister should feel that success of this kind, in
some measure, is due him. He should not be con-
tented without it.

I am aware that a great many of our most elo-
quent ministers have not been successful in revival
work, but while these men may be useful to the
Church they are by no means so useful as that hum-
bler class of men who live so near the Cross that
they have power with God and with men to such a
degree that their appeals move and stir the Church
to greater faithfulness, and cause sinners to tremble
under a sense of guilt. That minister who can not
animate and stir the human heart preaches only to
the head; and, while he may amuse the fancy and
get to himself a great name for his eloquence, yet
he is not so powerful for good as that minister who,
under God, is successful in revival work.

While I believe that the Church needs a variety
of ministerial power, yet I must believe that God

392 Autobiography of

pre-eminently owns the labors of his successful re-
vival preachers. Some believe that all ministers are
not specially fitted to be revivalists. I believe
that the essential qualification for a revivalist is en-
tire consecration and unreserved dedication to God.
Wherever one is wholly given to God's work, and is
willing to spend and be spent for the Lord, with-
out any regard to his own interest, the Lord owns
such a sacrifice, and will use that one for his own
glory in soul-saving. The grandest work in the
universe is to be instrumental under God in soul-
saving. No other work can compare with it. It
has its great reward in eternity. *' They that turn
many to righteousness shall shine as the stars for
ever and ever."

When the good Lord shall take us from our
labor and toil to our eternal reward, then it will be
that we shall rest from our labors, and our works
will follow us. While many of God's most effi-
cient ministers do not trumpet their success to the
world, and are but little known, it is a glorious con-
solation to them to know that the Lord understands
every ounce of influence that they have used to
turn sinners from the error of their ways to the
Lord Jesus. The religious press may often attribute
the success to the wrong one, yet God knows and
will make the proper awards for service done him.

Some of God's most useful servants may be
shut up to a narrow world of appreciation by men,
yet in the kingdom of heaven they may come into
the richest rewards. The distribution that God
may make of spiritual children may not harmon-
ize with that which men make. While some are

Rev. a. B. Wright. 393

claimed as legitimate children, God may show that
they are only under a stepfather in this world.
While all men labor in their various professions for
a reward, none labor with more certainty of reward
than those who engage in soul-saving.

Banks may fail and the hard earnings of years
may be lost in these failures, but the reward from soul-
saving is never lost. Souls eternally saved as stars
in our crowns of rejoicing is the currency with
which God rewards his laborers, and is much bet-
ter than the currency of this world that perishes
with its using. One has said that in this world we
live on the interest of our capital in heaven.

How great that reward must be! John says:
" It doth not yet appear what we shall be ; but we
know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him ;
for we shall eee him as he is.'^ O what a glory it
will afford us when we reach our blessed home in
heaven, to be daily and hourly receiving our re-
ward for laboring for God in this world, in souls
brought to Christ through our influence as they
reach their home in heaven! O, may the hope of
such a reward stimulate our jaded spirits while toil-
ing for God in so grand a work! Amen.

394 Autobiography of

CHAPTER XXIII.

THE DIFFERENT STAGES OF LIFE.

THESE thoughts on the different stages of hu-
man life I dedicate and leave to my children,
hoping, when I am cold in the ground and my
blood-bought spirit is in heaven, that, simple as
they are, they may be valuable to those of them who
may survive me. If such shall be, I shall be highly
compensated for the work. May God bless my dear
children !

Thoughts on the different stages of human life,
from the earliest moments to old age, can not form
a subject of little importance. Some stages of life,
and especially old age, are deprecated and dreaded.
All young people desire to live the longest period
of life ; and yet they come to look upon old age as
very undesirable — a gloomy part of life. Because
Solomon says, " Remember now thy Creator in the
days of thy youth, while the evil days come not,
nor the years draw nigh when thou shalt say, I have
no pleasure in them,^^ they come to regard old age
with horror ; but Solomon does not describe the old
life which has been true to God in this place.
What I want to do in this treatise is to give each
stage of life its full value, and also to jiote its mis-
takes. I should then begin with the tender babe
at birth. Of all animals, it is the most helpless and
dependent, and its life most hazarded at birth. The
first month of its life is almost without thought.
The first exercise of mind seems to be to take no-
tige of its mother or nurse. Its first movements
are its instinctive seekings after food from the breast

Rkv. a. B. Wright. 395

of its mother, impelled by hunger. Thoughts and
mind come so gradually as to be .almost impercept-
ible to the parents. With time the improvement
increases. As the mind begins to expand, there is
in the expression of the child's eye an affection for
mother and father and friends. In the earliest be-
ginning the mind of the child is susceptible of cul-
ture and improvement.

There is not so great difference in the natural
endowments as in the wise and early training of the
child. While the passions of love and joy and dis-
like and hatred are natural dispositions, yet they can
be changed either by proper training or improper
training. The evil passions accumulate, to the in-
jury and ruin of the child. Solomon has said:
^* Train up a child in the way he should go, and
when he is old he will not depart from it.'' The
first lesson that the child learns is to imitate others
older than itself.

The mind of a child that is not under a consti-
tutional defect is susceptible of vast and fast im-
provement. There is in the sparkle of the eye the
expression of love, of joy, and of intelligence. Its
attention is called to everything that it sees, and it
claims for its own everything about it, and this
without regard for the rights of others. Its mouth
is the pocket or receptacle for everything it can
grasp. As they grow older they are vain of tine
clothing, and begin to cultivate pride. No one is
vainer than the little boy with his first trousers.
They also become very fond of palatable food.
When they reach the age of six or seven years, the
tastes of the little boy and the little girl begin to

396 Autobiography of

diverge. He has a desire for a penknife, a ham-
mer, some nails, a hatchet, a horse, or for stock ;
while she has the desire for scraps of calico, a pair
of scissors, a doll, some small dishes, or flowers.
This is the leading of nature for their future life.
They have a longing desire to be large, and suppose
that, if they were only so large as their older brother
or sister, they would be happy. This is, however,
a grave mistake.

All children are, more or less, bad by nature.
Some have a more stubborn and uncontrollable will
than others. Some are very rebellious to parental
authority, and greatly desire their own way. They
even think that they could make life much better
if they could only have their own way about things.
This is another grave mistake.

There are a great many advantages for enjoy-
ment in childhood that scarcely belong to any other
age. They have not the harassing care of what
shall we eat, or wherewithal shall we be clothed,
that comes to other years. Self-reliance is not
forced upon them. They have no care about life's
support. Their greatest trouble is that they are
required to labor, and that Sunday seems so long in
coming. Should they die in childhood, they are free
from a condemning conscience, and also from the
care of earthly goods to be left behind. In child-
hood the imagination is very strong, and its whole
life is full of calculations of what it is to do or be
when it reaches maturer years. In early school-
days they enjoy many a happy hour spent in play,
much more sometimes than in acquiring an educa-
tion ; and often they complain of being kept so long

Rkv. a. B. Wright. 397

at their books. They even complain at their par-
ents and teachers, supposing that they are afflicting
them, while they are working for their good. This
is another mistake of childhood.

Affection for each other is in most cases very
strong, as also rage and anger, when kindled.
They often go to extremes either way. Small
children can become so furious as to use deadly
weapons on each other should they be at hand, and
yet no stage of life is one of so much merriment and
joy. They regard their parents, or those who train
them, as knowing more than any one else. They
almost invariably believe everything told them by
their parents or teachers. Childhood faith typifies
manhood religion, which brings upon parents or
guardians great responsibility.

It should be a blush to Protestant Christianity
that they are not so industrious in training their
children in the true worship of God as the Roman
Catholic in planting spurious doctrines into their
minds. But we must follow the child until he
merges into the young man or the young lady.
There is a transient period between childhood and
manhood, known as boyhood and girlhood, when
they begin to think themselves about as large as
any one.

2. Young Men and Young Women. — This is a
period of great responsibility. Childhood anticipa-
tions, in a large measure, have not been realized.
^ Hope deferred maketh the heart sick," and much
courage will be necessary for bracing the character.
This period of life is open to many mistakes. Let
us study the young man first. The young man

398 Autobiography of

meetg with the danger of either overrating or of
underrating himself. But more danger from the
former. He is sure to have an inclination to fol-
low the evil appetites of his nature. Yielding to
one temptation weakens him in the effort to over-
come others. His safety from evil depends largely
upon his companionships and the places which he
may frequent. The strength of temptation depends
largely upon the surroundings.

A Scriptural conversion to God, a full consecra-
tion to his service, and holy living are essential to
any young man's success in life. Right here he
should take a wise view of life by looking through
its future telescope. He must have will power suf-
ficient to say to the evil habits that blast life's fair
noon: ''I will not indulge you." The forbidding
habits to success are profanity, dram-drinking in
any degree or kind, gambling in any form, lying,
stealing either directly or indirectly, bad company,
visiting evil places, or whiliug away time in idleness.

The young man should set his face like a moun-
tain against the great sin of fornication or in any way
the indulgence of fleshly lusts. Here he will find
his greatest temptation. He should not use tobacco
in any form. By indulging in any of the above evils
he will blast his physical manhood, and sow the
seeds of death in his own body, which will ripen
into a premature grave. He should have a strong
thirst for a complete mental education, should learn
to be economical in his expenditures, and very early
learn the useful lesson of self-reliance in his tem-
poral affairs, and in his soul's interest rest entirely
upon Christ. He should observe sound health

Rkv. a. B. Wright. 399

rules by avoiding late hours, either with company
or in study. So far as possible he should have reg-
ular hours for meals, for sleeping, and for proper
physical exercise. His mind and happiness will be
greatly regulated by a sound body. He should ad-
vise with the best experienced on life's work. So
soon as possible he should master and enter upon
his life occupation. Every energy of his being
should be bent to his profession.

Idleness and indifference to success in a young
man is fatal. Industry is essential. It is of im-
mense worth that he be courageous, and not
easy to falter and despair. He should be kind to
his parents and his sisters. It is a great mistake
in a young man to be impolite with his own sis-
ters. He should not permit himself to be more so
to others than to them. It is one of the great
mistakes of a young man to think himself wiser
than his father, and refuse counsel from him. His
own literary training may far excel that of his
father; but his father's greater experience in the
real duties of life far excels his, and is of invalua-
ble worth to him.

It is not at all safe to turn the young man loose
into an idle life with plenty of money. Nothing will
start him down life's grade faster than this. Let
him work himself up life's hill upon self-reliance,
and then he can hold his ground. Above all, let
him sow the crop in youth that will bring a happy
reaping in old age.

" While beauty and youth are in their full prime,
And folly and fashion affect our whole time,
O let not the phantoms our wishes engage !
Let us live so in youth that we '11 blush not in age!'*

400 Autobiography of

Now we will give the young lady some atten-
tion. It has been unfortunate for women that a
prejudice growing out of the darker ages has been
unfavorable to her equal development with man, as
God designed for her. She is properly a helpmate
for man. It is unjust and unwise to think of giv-
ing the girl a less education than the boy. The
character of the young lady is as easily soiled as
a piece of white linen, and when once soiled it is
difficult to restore.

A misstep in a young girl may destroy the hap-
piness of all her future life. Society makes it much
harder for an erring young lady to restore her-
self than for a young man to do so. Nothing short
of early piety and a full consecration to the service
of God can save the young lady from the snares
and pits that lie in her way. While it is true that
many young ladies go through life in a respectable
way without professing Christ, it is also true that
they owe all their success to the teachings of Chris-
tianity.

It is of the greatest importance to a young lady
that she be greatly on her guard against the se-
ductive influences of young men. Her ears should
be closed to all flatteries. Virtue is her citadel of
power. She should be amiable, mild, and gentle
in all her deportment. Nothing is more detestable
in a young lady than to be selfish or haughty in her
disposition, or to be irreverent toward her parents
or old people. She should be kind towards her
brothers. One of her greatest mistakes is to be dis-
obedient to her mother, especially if her mother be
a Christian. Kindness in every word which she

Rev. a. B. Wright. 401

utters is very becoming in her. She should never
call her mother the ^* old woman/' nor her father
the "old man.'' They should ever be to her " my
father " and *^ my mother." The lady who wishes to
maintain dignity of character should never be found
in the dancing-room, the theater, the circus, nor the
saloon. They tend to degrade character to its low-
est depths. No young lady who goes to such places
for even mere amusement can ever rise to much in
this life. She will always grade with her associates
and her places of resort. In her precious youthful
time she should store her mind with useful knowl-
edge that will be helpful to her in coming years.

A young lady should cultivate a love for home
and its iramates. She should endeavor to make home
as charming as possible with the" sweet strains of
the piano or organ, rendering heavenly music, or with
the songs of vocal praise to God. She should make
home a delightful place in this way. She should be
kind to her little brothers and sisters, and give them
all needed instruction. She should not read novels of
any kind, but daily read the Holy Bible. She should
delight in the Sunday-school and in the divine serv-
ice of God's house. She should be an angel of
mercy to the poor and afflicted all about her. By
a strict observance of such rules she will march up
life's hill safely, will marry some worthy good man,
live happily, and ripen into a contented old age.

3. Old Age. — Some people seem to reach this
stage earlier in life than others. When the strong
man bows himself, and the infirmities of years be-
gin to weigh him down, the iron nerves begin to
weaken, and the strength of the body begins to run

26

402 Autobiography of

low, then it is that he realizes that he is turning over
the western slope of life. It has been said that one-
fifth of the human race die in infancy. No good
man or woman should be sad when they feel the
infirmities of age stealing upon them.

If the other two stages of life have been prop-
erly lived, a ripe Christian old age, having a clear
moral sky, with an unclouded evening sun, yields
the richest harvest of enjoyment. While it is true
that the infirmities of age cause more or less bodily
sufferings, yet while the soul is in sweet communion
with God, the thought of soon reaching his heavenly
home fills the soul with rapture, and lifts him above
the cares and sufferings of life. Human life begins
and ends in great weakness; nevertheless the mind
retains so many happy memories of lifers journey
as to afford one much enjoyment.

The experiences of life are worth a great deal to
old age. Nothing in this world can be compared
with it. While memory is almost invariably treach-
erous, and does not serve for recent events, yet the
incidents of childhood and middle life come up
vividly; and if of worthy deeds, they bring the
sweetest recollections and comfort ; but if of deeds
unworthy, they bring shame and remorse. A travel
in foreign countries stores the mind with the richest
treasure of enchanting scenes : so life's happy mem-
ories of years gone by is a book which old age can
read with delight. Life's happy experiences more
than compensate for the infirmities of old age. I
regard this period as the crowning glory of life's
long day. It will afford a richer harvest to the
mind to keep a journal of life by writing down the

Rev. a. B. Wright. 403

incidents that occur in one^s life from childhood to
old age, especially those worthy of note. If we
should record every mistake which we have made,
and bequeath it to our children, it would likely
prevent them from making the same mistake.

Our life experience, as well as our religious ex-
perience, together with, a thorough education, are
the richest heritage that we can leave to our chil-
dren. If every person ^vould w^ite down a complete
journal of life, it would blaze out the proper way of
life for those coming after. Life, in this way, would
become better known, and fewer fatal mistakes would
be made.

Some old people have a great spirit of restless-
ness, while others have one of great contentment.
These conditions depend largely upon the proper
estimate one takes of this life and of the life to
come. When an old person, compelled by neces-
sity, has lived a life of great labor and hard toil,
the inclination to continue this kind of life is very
common. They do this even when they would have
good comfort without it. Force of habit is doubt-
less the proper explanation of this. Covetousness
long cultivated may have something to do with it.
To make old age full of sunshine will require a
great deal of care, watching, and praying.

Great allowance is sometimes made to old people
for having refractory aud bad tempers; but I do not
see the reason for this. It is true that the mind
and dispositions will greatly sympathize with the
infirmities of the body; but by culture, prayer, and
consecration to God, the most gentle and pacific
tempers may adorn old age. Those who have been

404 Autobiography op

accustoQied to use ardent spirits, tobacco, coftee, or
any other stimulants, will find great difficulty in
keeping a good temper. Persons of such habits are
very likely to be disagreeable in old age.

A good, quiet, Christian grandfather or grand-
mother may be esteemed as a great blessing to the
younger household. They will be held in love and
esteem by all the grandchildren and their parents.
The stories of early life are a matter of much inter-
est to the children, as they listen in breathless silence
to grandpa or to grandma talk. They give perfect
credence to whatever the grandparents say. It is
very comfortable to have the confidence and love
of grandchildren in this way. Unkindness or in-
difference from children or grandchildren toward
their aged sires is a great trial to old people. This
should never occur in a Christian land.

The thought to the aged that they must soon
leave this world should never bring sadness; for if
they are ready for that change, it ought to bring
the greatest happiness; for they are soon to be re-
leased from a world of toil and suffering, and to
enter their home of eternal rest. Sometimes, even
to the Christian, the thought of death may have
some forebodings. This should not be, because, if
there be a proper understanding of the transit from
mortal to immortal, it will remove every sense of
gloom from death.

Living closely to God, the aged one may say,
like Paul, *' For me to live is Christ, and to die is
gain;'^ also, "For I am in a strait betwixt two,
having a desire to depart and to be with Christ."
A good, aged Christian would not call back one

Rev. a. B. Wright. 405

day of his time if he could do so. Now, by God's
help, I have in some measure portrayed the diiFer-
ent stages of life — morning, noon, and evening;
childhood, youth, and old age.

Life in this world is coveted by most people, yet
I am sure that a happy old age is more divorced
from the world than any other stage of life. In the
view of Paul, one is more crucified to the world,
and the world crucified to him. It may be thought,
because I am an old man while writing these
thoughts, that I give an undue importance to old
age. I do not think so ; for, taking it all in all, I
regard a ripe Christian old age as the happiest period
of life. With the journey nearly ended, the race
nearly run, with no unpleasant conviction of mis-
spent time, the aged pilgrim, pointing upward,
can say:

" Yonder 's my house and portion fair,
My treasures and my heart are there —
There 's my abiding home."

The sooner out of this life, the sooner into
heaven. Amen and amen !

406 Autobiography of

CHAPTER XXIV.

THE FUTURE STATE.

IN March, 1888, 1 was stricken down with nervous
prostration and sciatica, so that I could scarcely
walk, even with the aid of a walking-stick. I suf-
fered greatly at times, and could have no relief from
pain in any position. I was shut indoors for a time.
Sixty-one years of life have placed me on the west-
ern slope of my journey ; and adopting the language
of St. Peter, "Knowing that shortly I must put off
this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ
hath showed me,'' it seemed that my mind was
drawn out with the following inquiries about heaven :

1. Having, in the autumn of 1858, consigned to the
silent grave my dear babe, little John Wesley, not
one year old, and wishing to gather all the light
and understanding about the heavenly world that I
could from God's Word and the inspiration of the
Holy Ghost, the following thoughts were suggested.
If they shall prove helpful to my dear children after
my body is laid in the grave to rest, I shall feel that
I have not labored in vain in writing these thoughts
under much bodily pain. O may we all reach that
heaven of which we are all thinking so much !

There are some thoughts about the future state
that we have a great desire to understand, which are
not explicitly taught in the Divine Word, and yet
are too far out of reach of human understanding to
be otherwise well known. For instance, I can
scarcely suppress the uprising inquiry in my mind,
in reference to our sweet babe who died in infancy,

Rkv. a. B. Wright. 407

whether in heaven they will still be infants, or will
they be matured in body? Will their mental pow-
ers be as inferior to the matured mental powers as
here upon earth? Will their immortal minds be an
undergrade from those dying in matured age who
died gloriously ? Shall they, with the adults, know
as they are known ? Christ said of the child, '^ Of
such is the kingdom of heaven. '^ Does that refer
to their moral qualifications only, or does it refer to
their mental and physical also ?

A poet of our day says : ^^A babe in glory is a
babe forever.'^ Shakespeare speaks of " babes in
heaven dandled on the laps of angels.^' We need
not have any anxiety as to whether they shall be
large or small, or that their minds are inferior or
equal to those of maturity. Our blessed Lord makes
them the very type of heavenly excellence. In
this I think that the Lord intends us to understand
that they are not inferior in knowledge; and as to
their bodily size, we should have no anxiety; for
among the different races of men in this world there
is quite a difference in size, in some instances as
much as exists between parents and their infant chil-
dren. Some adults as well as infants, by Some mis-
fortune, have bodily deformities, and die in that con-
dition. St. Paul quiets our anxieties for these ill-
shapes in the words : " It is sown in dishonor, it is
raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised
in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a
spiritual body.'' Although Paul says that one star
differeth from another star in glory, yet, since the
child is made the example like which we are to be-
come in our happy conversion, the pattern will be

408 Autobiography of

as lofty as the one typifying it. The Savior him
self makes this order without any reference to the
child's working in his vineyard. O may we meet
our precious babes in bright glory ! Amen.

2. Will kindred relationships be retained in
heaven? Will the family relations be the same in
heaven as upon earth — parents and children, broth-
ers and sisters, husbands and wives? Or will the
transcendent joys of heaven obliterate all the rela-
tionships of earth ? Jesus says : ^' Whosoever doeth
the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same
is my brother and sister and mother.'^ When the
Sadducees came to Christ, tempting him with the
story of the woman who had married seven brothers,
the Savior said : " In the resurrection they neither
marry nor are given in marriage, but are as the an-
gels of God in heaven. '^ Are we to learn from this
that all relationships may be retained in heaven
except that of husband and wife ? Such a conclu-
sion would certainly mar the attractions of heaven
to the affectionate husband and wife.

If all of heaven are of equal kinship, then all
who go from earth to heaven from the different
races of earth will be of equal kinship. If this be
true, then the will of God should be done on earth
as in heaven, obliterating all caste and aristocracy
lines. Let us search God's Word for light on this
subject. When good old patriarchs died, it was said
of them that they were gathered unto their fathers.
This certainly referred to their deathless, immortal
spirits, and not to their unconscious, slumbering
dust; for sometimes they were not buried at the same
place. The relation of Abraham to Dives, lost in

Rev. a. B. Wright. 409

hell, was the same as to the living Jew, "Father
Abraham. ^^ By this paternal relationship he is still
known to the Jewish world. The relationship of
brotherhood had not been broken by death to Dives
and his five brethren. He says : " For / have jive
brethren/' etc., though he was then in the spirit
world of death.

The Savior^s answer to the Saddacees, of the
woman and the seven brothers, does not discard
kindred relationship, but properly answers their
question ; for they did not ask Christ of kindred
relationship in the resurrection, but of legal rela-
tionship, giving them to understand that marrying
and giving in marriage is an earthly, and not a
heavenly institution. How first, or second, or any
other number of marriages are to be understood
in heaven I do not know. There are many mys-
teries of heaven that will so remain while we live
upon earth. A poet has said:

"Till death thou searchest out in vain
What only dying can explain."

Every law of our nature, as well as God's inspired
Word, assures us that kindred relationship is re-
tained in heaven. The mother of Zebedee's children
came to the Savior to ask that her two sons might
have the distinguished honor of sitting, the one on
his right and the other on his left in his kingdom.
She certainly, if she understood the nature of
Christ's kingdom, anticipated her sons' brotherhood
in that kingdom. As she had been just before
worshiping the blessed Christ, she certainly had
a clear understanding of his kingdom, although

410 Autobiography of

the Savior told her that she did not understand
what she asked, that is, such a distinguished favor.

In the seventh chapter of Revelation we are
told of the twelve brother patriarchs constituting
the twelve tribes of the children of Israel, of
twelve thousand of each tribe, and with them the
great multitude which no man could number, of
all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues,
stood before the throne, and before the Lamb,
clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands.
Take notice that it says " kindred^' or kinship.

The Lord says, by the mouth of the prophet :
" Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them
alive; and let thy widows trust in me.^^ (Jeremiah
xlix, 11.) There are many instances in which God
has favored dying saints with views of their de-
parted friends meeting them in the hour of death,
in which there is the clear recognition of kinship.
There is a beautiful story told of the wife of " Lit-
tle Wolf,^^ a chief of the Iowa Indians. While she
and her husband were on a mission to Europe, their
babe died, three others having died before. Her
sorrow was so intense that it brought an affection of
the lungs. Before she died her husband tried to con-
sole her ; but to all of his consolations she said : " No,
no ; let me go. My four children recall me. I see
them by the side of the Great Spirit. They stretch
out their arms to me, and wonder that I do not
join them." She soon died gloriously. " Even so
come. Lord Jesus !"

3. Will there be degrees of reward in heaven?
If so, is it possible that there will be dissatis-
faction on the account of the different rewards? or

Rev. a. B. Wright. 411

shall each one receive his penny, and not complain?
Will those who labor through the heat and burden
of the day receive more than those who labor but
one hour? Will the pennies of reward be of the
same value?

If we are to be rewarded according to the deeds
done in the body, will not those who have made
the greater sacrifices, and toiled the more for Jesus
and his cause, receive the greater reward ? Doctor
T. O. Summers says : " Some will scarcely be saved.
They will pass, as it were, unobserved into some
comparatively obscure nook in Paradise, wondering
themselves at their admission. Others, who have
done some good service for the sacramental host of
God's elect, shall have an ovation decreed them.''
Will the rewards in heaven be in proportion as
they have been faithful in the different spheres in
which God has required them to work, as pastors,
local preachers, exhorters, class-leaders, etc.? Will
the appi'obation be as great to those under a limited
as to those under a greater responsibility? Shall
the having rule over ten cities imply greater power
and enjoyment than the having rule over four cities?
Shall there be higher and lower seats in heaven ?
or shall some be permitted to be nearer the King in
his beauty than others? Will not heaven be equally
full of light throughout all of its glorious domain ?
Will not the Lord God be the glorious, luminous
light of the whole city? There is to be no night
there ; but one unclouded day forever.

As we are not there yet, and can not in this
mortal sphere comprehend all the laws, govern-
ment, and beauties of the eternal city of God, we

412 Autobiography of

must be content with the information about that de-
sirable country that the blessed revealed Word of
God in the Holy Scriptures has given us. We
should not worry, nor become impatient, nor envy
our brother his crown, who may be living the life
of self-sacrifice and toil. Let us live so as to re-
ceive the King's approbation : "Come, ye blessed
of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for
you from the foundation of the world. '^ As to the
question of rewards, we need not be over-anxious.
The human mind is so finite that awards of merit
in this life are often imperfectly given. The Judge
of all men is of infinite understanding, and will do
right in this matter.

The communication made to Saint John on Pat-
mos was: "Behold, I come quickly, and my re-
ward is with me to give every man according as his
work shall be.'^ This Scripture certainly and
plainly teaches that we are to be rewarded according
to our works. There can be no mistaking its
meaning. The pennies given to the workmen cer-
tainly have reference to the reward of pardon en-
joyed in this life, as the different hours of the day
represent the different ages of coming to Christ.
Paul says in the sixth chapter of Hebrews : " For
God is not unrighteous to forget your work and
labor of love, which ye have showed toward his
name, in that ye have ministered to the saints,
and do minister.^^

The mercy and justice of God both indicate that
God will reward every man according to the deeds
done in the body. To the servant who had doubled
his five talents, rule was given over ten cities ; but to

Rkv. a. B. Wright. 413

the one who had doubled his two talents, rule was
given over four cities.

Ten is more than four, but each man received
the proper number of his capacity. Each one in
heaven will be filled. The pint measure can be filled
just as full as a gallon measure, and a peck measure
just as full as a bushel measure. All may be equally
full, but hold different amounts. The amount of
happiness to each Christian in glory will be the
measure of his capacity.

In the pure element of heaven no one will envy
another his reward. Wesley, Whitefield, Coke, and
Asbury, whose unbounded labors for God will give
them a high place in glory, will have no envy from
my heart, if I am so happy as to meet the King's
approval. There will be no room for envy; but
with great emphasis I can sing:

" I rode on the sky, freely justified I,
Nor did envy Elijah his seat ;
My soul mounted higher in a chariot of fire,
And the moon it was under my feet."

4. Will those who reach heaven know all about
what is transpiring in this world? Can it be that
the misfortune and wretchedness of friends on
earth can be a sorrow and grief to loved sainted
ones in glory? Warm affection for friends here on
earth is certainly not lessened in the hearts of the
saved in glory. Can sainted ones communicate to
us in any way so as to save us from impending dan-
gers unseen by us? Paul says ()f them: *'Are they
not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister to
them who shall be heirs of salvation?'^ This com-
munication of angel help must come in the way of

414 Autobiography of

spirit acting upon spirit, and not by spirit acting
through inanimate matter as the modern spiritual-
ists teach us. Can we find in the Word of God
where ministering angels have interposed to save
their friends from danger? This would bring
heaven and earth into very close communion, and
yet it is the plain teaching of God's Holy Word.

Can we feel assured that our sainted loved ones
are near us when we are passing through sore trials,
or when we are groaning under the weight of con-
demnation at an altar of prayer ? May we believe
that they are near us to sympathize with us in our
sorrows? Would it not be a great happiness to us
to know that this is true? Do they see us at all
times, and restrain and prevent many a sinful act
in our lives, and thus become a greater hindrance
to our doings of evil than the thought, *^ Thou, God,
seest me?" Heaven must be full of unlimited
knowledge of God and rapturous praises to him, as
well as a knowledge of all earthly things. God
grant that we may all attain to such exalted knowl-
edge in heaven!

The Bible abounds with instances of angelic
ministries. Angels revealed to Lot the destruction
of Sodom, and urged his immediate escape. An
angel stayed the hand of Abraham, about to slay
his son as a sacrifice. Angels ministered to Christ
after the temptation. An angel strengthened him
in the garden of sorrow. On the Mount of Trans-
figuration two saints of God came to earth and
talked with him — Moses and Elias. Our earthly
woes and sorrows can not be a grief to our sainted
friends ; for altfeHaugh they doubtless love us with a

Rev. a. B. Wright. 415

love sincere, yet are they too infinitely happy to sor-
row at all. Upon their entrance into heaven, "God
shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there
shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying ;
neither shall there be any more pain : for the former
things are passed away.'^ While they can not sor-
row over our misfortunes, they rejoice over our suc-
cesses, especially when we have great moral victo-
ries. For "there is joy in the presence of the angels
of God over one sinner that repenteth.^^

If we are to know even as also we are known,
we shall certainly know of earthly transactions just
as God knows of them. For our knowledge is made
equal to his in the expression, "Knowing even as
also we are known. ^' No doubt our sainted loved
ones are near us in time of danger. Joshua saw
the angel standing with a drawn sword in his hand
for the help of Israel. This angel might have been
Abraham or Jacob, or some other saint who was
intensely interested for these people. What a
blessed thought to believe that loved ones are hover-
ing near us ! O how sweet to think that fathers and
mothers, brothers and sisters, husbands, wives, and
children in glory are near us to cheer us on to vic-
tory ! How they rejoice when we do the right
things ! We are struggling to reach their happy
home in the skies; to greet and sing with them
their everlasting song of praise: "Unto him who
hath loved us and washed us from our sins in his
own blood, unto him be glory and honor and power
and dominion forever !'' Amen.

5. Will we know each other in heaven ? Will the
sense of recognition be lessened or increased in heaven?

416 Autobiography of

Will it be possible that our glorified knowledge will
be so great that we will have no desire to know
each other in heaven ? Shall we not know each other
better in heaven than we could possibly know each
other in this world? Shall we only know those
whom we knew in this life, or shall we know every
one? Does it mean the reviving and strengthening
of memory only, or does it mean a larger knowl-
edge? Shall we not know all the heavenly host by
this extended knowledge, and not need a friend to
introduce us to Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, the
prophets and apostles, and all the ancient worthies
of God?

If recognition in heaven be a fact, it makes that
glorious land more attractive and desirable. ^\ ith-
out it, the anticipations of heaven would be greatly
marred. What a glorious change from mortal con-
flict and suffering to such a heavenly bliss of recog-
nition in glory! How the belief in this precious
doctrine mitigates the sorrow as we take the fare-
well look upon faces that we love at an open grave,
and know that we shall see them in beauty again!
That they shall appear as they did on earth is not
the question; for "they may be sown in dishonor,
but raised in glory.'' The glory that beams in one
angelic face will flash in another angelic face.

The sweet image of los^ed ones long parted from
us is indelibly written upon our memory, and we
long to see them again. In visions and dreams
they often come back to us. In heaven it will not
be a vision only, but a sweet reality.

Rev. a. B. Wright. 417

" Then friends shall meet again

Who have loved.
Our embraces will be sweet
At the dear Redeemer's feet,
When we meet to part no more,

Who have loved."

The long time that friends have been separated from
each other in this world will only enlarge their bliss
when they meet and know each other in heaven,
sweet heaven. O how desirable it is that whole
families meet and know each other in glory, where

"Sickness and sorrow, pain and death.
Are felt and feared no more!"

God grant that all of my precious family may meet
in heaven ! Heavenly recognition is plainly taught
in God's Word. If the rich man, in lifting up his
eyes in torment, knew Lazarus and Abraham in
heaven — Lazarus, whom he had known in this
world, and Abraham, whom possibly he had never
seen before — may we, who reach heaven, not only
know our earthly friends, with whom we have
toiled and labored, but even all the ancient and
more modern worthies whom we have not seen in
this life? Most assuredly the mind that contains
the source and power of recognition in this life will
be stronger and more capable of knowing in glory
than here upon earth.

God's Word assures us that the mind is immortal,
and will not die with the body. Solomon says: "In
the way of righteousness is life, and in the pathway
thereof there is no death.'' The Savior said to
Martha : " Whosoever liveth and believeth in me
shall never die." It is certain that these Scriptures

27

418 Autobiography of

do not refer to the body, but they must refer to the
real man, which consists in the moral, mental, and
intellectual man, which does not die with the body.
The human mind, the active principle of the soul,
does not die. It lives to have all its faculties en-
larged in heaven ; such as reason, will, memory, re-
cognition.

It is sometimes said that such a one has lost his
mind. This is not a correct expression, but means
that the medium through which mind manifests it-
self has been broken. The telegraph wire of his
mind has been broken down somewhere, while the
electric battery at the other end is intact. This im-
mortal mind can not be confined to this earth, but
when interest is involved it leaps out into the ex-
panse of the eternal. Why should the dying pil-
grim, when in the last moments of mortal conflict,
while bidding adieu to earthly ties, request them
to meet him in heaven, if there is not an inspira-
tion in his soul that assures him that they shall
know each other in that happy meeting?

If our faith in this precious doctrine, so truly
taught in God's Holy Word, be unwavering, our
joys and anticipations of heaven are greatly aug-
mented. I feel assured that we shall know, not.
only our earthly friends, but that we shall know-
ingly sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in
the kingdom of heaven. Let this doctrine be a
sweet solace to our souls in time of sorrow, when
we consign to the silent grave our loved ones, and
take a last look at their faces, so that we can say,
with the utmost assurance : ^' We shall see you
again.'' That we shall know them in heaven as our

Rev. a. B. Wright. 419

fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, and as our
precious children, kindles heavenly rapture in the
soul. Though we have been deprived of their pres-
ence for long and many years, yet the meeting and
knowing will compensate for all.

Heaven is the only place where our broken fam-
ilies can be reunited. Here we are separated by
worldly conditions, one here and another there, so
that sometimes thousands of miles intervene be-
tween us; but in heaven there will be no separations.
Saint Stephen, in the dying hour, was permitted to
see Jesus, and knew him. Saint John, on the Island
of Patmos, saw^ him in his glorified state, and knew
him. Surely we shall know our glorified friends in
heaven.

"O how sweet it will be

In that beautiful land,

So free from all sorrow and pain,

With songs on our lips,

And with harps in our hands,
To meet one another again !"

We shall meet, to go out no more forever. Amen.

APPENDIX.

The following is a list of the baptisms, funerals,
and marriages in which my father officiated :

I. BAPTISMS.

I. By Immersion.

Pleasant D. Gate wood.
Sarah C. Crouch.
Nancy Davidson.
Levi Shepard.
Henry Moles.
Elizabeth Jennings.
Rhoda Jane Jennings.
Rhoanna Simpson.
Mary Huddleston.
Reuben Harmon.
Evaline Harmon.
Jennetta Evans.
Angerine Rich.
William Pevyhouse.
Margaret Pevyhouse.
Rebecca R. Pevyhouse.
Mary Buck.
Serenia C. Dishman.
Roena C. Dishman.
Mary Jane Wilson.
Margaret E. Wilson.
Ailcy C. Dixon.
Sarah Ann Neal.
Mary Ann Neal.
William Jeff.
James M. Hester.
Amanda Vickery.
Nicholas Pickard,
Sarah Pickard.

Mary Ann Ferguson.
Margaret Ferguson.
Martha V. Cowan.
Margaret E. Campbell.
Esther B. Smith.
Winnie E. Solomon.
Mary H. Cowan.
Luvica L. Dawson.
Elizabeth W. Cargyle.
Joseph C.Taylor.
James Taylor.
Catherine McGee.
D. C. Lawhern.
Franklin Lawhern.
Virginia Lawhern.
James B. Ward.
Sarah Ward.
Patient Ward.
Elizabeth Ward.
William R. Shelton.
George W. Shelton.
Elizabeth Sheltqn.
Birdine Young.
Malissa Young.
Andrew Young.
Mary F. Young.
Brooks H. Walker.
John M. Dishman.
Matilda Jane Young.

421

422

Appendix.

Malissa Young.
Annie Shelton.
Mary Daniel.
Emily Bolen.
George B. Davidson.
William Davidson.
James Owen.
William L. Smith.
John Smith.
Isaac Smith.
Jonathan Shockey
Virginia Owen.
Anna Smith.
Rebecca Ann Cowan.
Mary Fite.
Nancy Jane Fite.
Jemimah Fite.
Jefferson Pyle.
James C. J. Moon.
Elizabeth Bookout.
JC^arth Ann Buck.
Rebecca Wilson.
Margaret Duncan.
Matilda Moles.
Sarah Moles.
Millie Emiline Flowers.
Amos M. Koger.
Newton Walden,
Humphrey Walden.
William C. Savage.
Stephen Coil.
Thomas Hays.
Elizabeth Hays.
Juliza Ann Cowan.
Hiram Ferguson.
Minerva Ann Ferguson.
Margaret Elzuria Davidson.
Abigail Beatty.
Mahala Beatty.
Catherine Beatty.
Mary E. Gauney.

Martha Ann Gauney.
Delilah Kannatsier.
Susan M. Robins.
Amanda Pritchard.
James H. Carter.
Ellen Carter.
Thomas Brown.
Malissa Jane Brown,
Mary Lillie Davidson.
Keziah Jane Huddleston.
Landon C. H. Rich.
William B. Simpson.
Winnie Jane Simpson.
Thomas J. Clarke.
Margaret Ann Clarke.
Cynthia Beatty.
Timothy Gauney.
Elizabeth Gauney.
Cynthia Adeline Fite.
Sarah Dorcas Rich.
Mary Evaline Richardson.
Sarah Parmelia Davidson.
Susan Welch.
Elizabeth Wright.
Laura Sublett.
Lorania Flowers.
Nancy Huldah Brown.
Ruth M. Stonecipher.
Mary E. Brown.
Evaline Singleton.
John W. Mulinax
John T. Wright.
James Choate.
Samuel W. Mullinax.
Cumanzy Mullinax.
John A. Beatty.
Hiram Beatty.
Margaret Owen.
Mary Jane Beatty.
John W. Bowden.
Emma Bowden.

Appendix.

423

Rosetta Bowden.
Landon B. Bowden.
Rufus J. Stephens.
George W. Franklin.
P. J. Smith.
Clementine Paul.
Permelia Branham.
Margaret Smith.
Balaam Beatty.
Matthew Owen.
Susan Smith.
Winney Atkins.
Margaret Mullinax
Pheriba Kannatsier.
Nancy Gauney.
Mary Ann Kane.
Permelia C. Zachery.
Caroline Zaekery.
Nancy Hale.
Elizabeth Penicuff
Marion Brown.
Martha Wayne Pearcy.
Abigail Pearcy.
Millie Morgan.
Anthony C. F. Allred.
Pleasant Hogue.
Jane Turner.
Francis Turner.
Lucinda C. Upchurch.
Delilah Upchurch.
William C. Tipton.
William H. S. Stephens
Jacob Beatty.
Jane Beatty.
Tennessee Smith.
Headly Franklin.
Mary Franklin.
Nellie Whitehead.
Sarah P. Felkins.
Joel Reagan.
Catharine Reagan.

Rachel York.
Mary Kannatsier.
Sarah E. Mullinax.
Jacob Choate.
John Choate.
James B. Mullinax.
John C Albertson.
Alexander Cooper.
James Wright.
Nancy Cooper.
Peninah Jane Wright.
Isaac Hurt.
Louisa Hurt.
Alfred Thompson.
James R. Beatty.
James Price.
Sarah Ann Price.
Mary Kannatsier.
Mary Massingill.
George B. Davis.
Elizabeth Davis.
Minerva Davis.
Sarah Ann Wright.
Peninah Wright.
Freely Anne Wright.
Prissa Morris.
Barbara A. Adkins.
Senia Pearcy.
P. Jane Stephens.
D. P. Livingston.
Elizabeth Livingston.
Sarah Hood.
Hettie J. Stephens.
George W. Stephens.
William J. Taylor.
Lydia Turner.
Malinda J. Whitehead.
George W. York.
J. Patrick Gillentine.
George W. Matthews
Matilda Jane Gauney.

424

App:^ndix.

Clara Flowers.
Clementine Flowers.
Lucinda Hatfield.
John Hufif.
Sarah Jane Huff.
Thursa Jane Moody.
Kamanza Dishman.
Millie Crouch.
Margaret L, Crouch.
Elvira Crouch.
Mary Ann West.
Each el Story.
Lucinda Lawhern.
Louisa Jane Lawhern.
Sarah M. Hicks.
Sarah Elizabeth Smith.
Jeannette C. Smith
Sarah Jane Amos.
Julius Potter.
Khoda Potter.
Sarah Jane Potter.
Macom A. G. Jones.
Rachel Kannatsier
William C. Hayes.
Mary M. Poison.
Luvernia Ann Helms.
Rachel Coil.
Elzira H. McFarland.
Wesley Catron.
Jaduthan Asbury.
Mahala Smyntha Smith.
Greenbury Poison.
Elizabeth Poison.
TJphama Dishman.
Mary Malissa Dishman.
Leann Poison.
Mary Louisa Dawson.
Ruth Roanna Davidson.
Martha Braswell.
George W. Massengill.
Rosie Ann Massengill.

Calvin Davis.
Nancy Bond.
Francis M. Ellis.
Francis M. Aytes.
Henry T. Branstetter.
Solomon Potter.
Isaac B. Haun.
Rufus W. Bishop.
Sarah Bishop.
Alexander Bishop.
Mary Jane Melton.
John W. Potter.
Martha M. Potter.
Lewis C. Potter.
Elizabeth Ann Potter.
Mary E. Hickman
Elizabeth C. Jett.
James E. Jett.
Harriet M. Jett.
William Riley Shannon.
Francis Flowers.
Mary Holder.
James W. Melton.
Sarah E. Huddleston.
Isabella Huddleston.
Sarah Ellen Burriss.
Mary C Wade.
Eliza Strunk.
Hannah E. Rice.
Ellen Louisa Dennie.
Phoebia Davis.
Elizabeth Westmoreland.
Martha Ann Kempton.
Lucinda Jane Upchurch.
Sarah Elizabeth Upchurch.
Adaline Craig.
Martha Emeline King.
Mary Jane Beatty.
Peninah Jane King.
Malvina Davis.
Millie Ann Davis.

Appendix.

425

Ann Albertson.
Mary Ann Whittenburg.
Marcia P. WhitteDburg.
James A. Whittenburg.
Adam Reed.
Joseph S. Crouch,
Martha E. Crouch.
Sampson Fowler.
Elina Alice Fowler.
Adalaide Malissa Crouch.
Margaret C. Beatty
Mahala Garrett.
Sarah C. Jennings.
Rebecca Goldman.
Sarah N. C. (joldman.
Elizabeth Crouch.
Eli Coulter.
Lucinda Coulter.
Catherine C. Dowdy.
Susan Victoria Dowdy.
John A. Culver.
Frances E. Bishop.
Sarah Jane Hickman.
Matilda Ann Taylor.
Thomas Taylor.
Sarah Amanda Bishop.
Arbarilla Pemberton.
Naomi Jane Jett.
Elvira Jane Cox.
Nancy Ann Cooper.
Delilah Tennessee Gooding.
Mary Jane Whittenburg.
Rebecca E Harmon.
James S. Stonecipher.
Precinia McGuffey.
Malinda Hall.
Walter J. Andrews
James Houstin.
Amanda Ray.
Alfred Wyatt.
William R. Hyder.

Mary Emma Hyder.
David Walker.
Samuel Walker.
Ruth E. Walker.
Amilla C. Wyatt.
Malinda Jane Thomas.
Berry Wilson.
Naomi Wilson.
Thomas A. Miller.
Margaret Harmon.
Margaret Jane Harmon.
Warren Ray.
John Hall.
Joel Hall.
John W. Angel.
Mary Jane Angel.
William Jewitt.
Sarah C. Blakely.
Arbarilla Barnett.
Julius J. Nitzschke.
Benjamin F. Nitzschke.
Elizabeth A. Davidson.
Sarah Adaline Brown.
John C. Harmon.
George W. Harmon.
James Edward Rich.
Rachel Kannatsier.
Julius Johnson.
Luvernia Johnson.
George A. Markum.
Emeline Reed.
Tennessee Moore.
Mary Ellen Upchurch.
Alexander Wright.
Crayton T. Wright.
John Davidson.
Archibald Dishman.
John W. Crouch.
John F. Upchurch.
Sarah Ann Davidson.
Louisa Bell D vidson.

426

Appendix.

Alexander Wright.
Nancy Ann Beatty.
Zylphia Jane Beatty.
Elizabeth Ann Wright.
Emerson Brown.
Jabez A. Brown.
Florence Brown.
Jeptha A. Brown.
Tillie Dennie.
Milton Morgan.
Nathan Morgan.
Martha Morgan.
Cenia Morgan.
James Brake.
Elizabeth Brake.
Reuben Dishman.
John Privett.
Caroline Pearcy.
Lurinda Davis.
Victoria Privett.
Martha Buttram.
General W. Wright.
James Slagle.
Emerine Upchurch.
Mary E. Jones.
Alice Evans.
Delitha Powell.
Ida Evans.
Mary Denton.
Margaret Dabney.
Mary Owens.
Anna Orick.
Amanda Odle.
Arminda Polston.
Annette Smith.
Rebecca Smith.
Mary Rebecca Bandy.
Martha Stockton.
Hannah Hayes.
Malissa Savage.
Lucretia Craig.

Sarah York.
Martha Savage.
Dona Savage.
Mary Stockton.
Artemia D. Huddleston.
Daniel W. Wilson.
Alfred K. Pritchard.
Theo. Earnest Pritchard.
Mary E. Bond.
Malinda Jane Huddleston.
Mary Ludora Flowers.
Lucinda Lawson.
Margaret Ann Holding.
Mary Ann Holding.
Nancy E. Hysaw.
Alice Belle Beatty.
Francis M. Smith.
Elavil M. Huddleston.
Mary Benson.
Guinn B. Bowden.
Avey Frances Bowden.
Zylphia Beatty.
Theo. Earnest York.
Margaret Ann King.
Layton L. Tipton.
Tennessee Wilson.
Susan Perdieu.
Malvina Emeline Gauney.
Louisa Catherine Burns.
Addie Viola Bagby.
Sarah Ann Murry.
Sarah Monday.
Alice S, Kelley.
Anthony W. Simpson.
Francis Paralee Simpson.
Margaret Ann Simpson.
Laura Laveda Cardwell.
Emma Haygard.
Keziah Range.
Rufus Aiken.
Mary Ann Aiken.

Appendix.

427

Margaret McCulley.
Amanda Jane Simpson.
Frances Belle Simpson.
Edward C. Roberts.
Harriet Roberts.
Oliver E. Burns.
Sarah Fine Pickle.
Catherine Eblen.
Emira Suddeth.
Roscoe McCarroll.
Keziah Jane Hatfield.
Ciayborn Lloyd.
Josephine Morgan.
Vestina Morgan.
Charles Edward Scandlyn.
Malinda C. Scandlyn.
Robert Marion Day.
Rivulet T. Murray.

Scott W. Galbraith.
Anna Storie Hogue.
Martin B. Babcock.
Mary May Wright.
Maude Anna Wright.
Nancy Jane Owens.
Pernetta Ann Albertson.
James L. Rector.
Alice Jane Simms.
Allen F. Simms.
Lucy M. J. Frost.
Mary E. Gufiey.
L. E. Guffey.
Emma E. Jones.
Polly A Davis.
John Delk.
John Norris.
Total, 503.

2. By Pouring.

Margaret Logston.
James Steward.
Elizabeth Davidson.
Mary E. Davidson.
Jacob Wilson.
Ann Jeannette Young.
Elizabeth J. Campbell.
Susan Walker.
Amanda Lewallen.
Amanda Richardson.
Thursa Fowler.
Harriet Rich.
Martha Claiborne.
Josephine Claiborne.
Edith Jeff.
Rachel Craig.
Dicie Smith.
Ellen Savage.
Susan Pyle.
Nancy McGinnis.

Diadamia Taylor.
Rebecca Pruitt.
Susan Evans.
Mariba Shelton.
Amanda Smith.
Sarah Dawson.
Artemia Ray.
Mary Ann Scarboro.
Elizabeth Walden.
William L. Gillentine.
John R. Wright.
Hiram R. Whittenberg.
James I. Richard.
Delphia Pyle.
Elizabeth Pyle.
Naira Pyle.
Lavina Pyle.
Martha Taylor.
Amanda Taylor.
Fannie L. Gaudin.

428

Appendix.

Annie Lewallen.
Nancy M. Lewallen.
Mary Ann Lewallen.
Rachel Davidson.
James W. Taylor.
Thomas Reagan.
Lucy Choate.
Lodemia Choate.
Drusilla Bowden.
Susan Erwin.
Orlena Young.
Caroline Hull.
Mary Jane Hull.
Mary Ann Goodin.
Martelia Owen.
Lydia Beatty.
Mitchell York.
Sarah Ann York.
James J. Pearcy.
Luvernia Pearcy.
Julia Ann Clarke.
Balaam L. Stephens.
Susan Tipton.
Elizabeth Franklin.
Sarah Franklin.
Margaret Tipton.
Nancy Jane Tipton.
Lodemia Culver.
Luvernia York.
Jane Whitehead.
John C. Greear.
Zyiphia J. Kirklin.
Zylphia Beatty.
Sarah Ann Clioate.
Louisa Tipton.
Susan Bowden.
Mary Jane Beatty.
Mary Hoover.
Jane Smith (a mute).
R. Dowell Peters.
Tabitha C. Peters.

Mary Franklin.
Susan Franklin.
Celia Jane Franklin.
Mary Jane Williams.
William York.
Agnes Allred.
Ellen York.
John Albertson.
Jane Albertson.
Amanda Beaver.
Henry Atkinson.
Rachel Atkinson,
Lucinda Atkinson.
Joel Atkinson.
Lucinda Eliott.
Tempie Upchurch.
W. D. Lowe.
Barthenia Pearcy.
John Mariday.
Catherine Jane Young.
Matthew M. Langley.
Elizabeth Eastridge.
Margaret D. Erwin.
James F. Taylor.
George H. Taylor.
Andrew J. Taylor.
David A. Taylor.
James M. Galloway.
Ann Eliza Galloway.
Clara Flowers.
Maria Langley.
Minerva Langley.
Mary Langley.
Celia Ann Young.
Abigail E. Young.

J.C. Logston (before his exe-
cution).
Edith Morgan.
Nancy Morgan.
Tabitha Morgan.
Mary Jane Ward.

Appendix.

429

Winnie Ward.
Viann Beatty.
Mary Ann Beatty.
Engletine Atkinson.
Mary Ann Choate.
Jiles Anderson.
Elizabeth J. Morgan.
Jasper Morgan.
Millie Ann Davis.
Luvina Jane Pearcy.
Hiram Guffey.
L. T. Guffey.
Martha Ann Guffey.
Matilda Jane Guffey.
Sarah Jane Guffey.
John H. P. Guffey.
George M. Guffey.
Ephraim G. Guffey.
Ephraim M. Guffey.
Martha E. Guffey.
John M. Walden.
Delilah Savage.
Margaret Jane Rains.
Andrew Martin.
Harrison Massingill.
Martha Belle Davidson.
Mary C. Patton.
Catherine E. Fulton.
Edley P. Galloway.
Lucy Ann Galloway,
Marion B. Culver.
Lucinda Ellen Ketcherside.
John C. Ketcherside.
Rebecca Holloway.
Amanda Holloway.
Nancy Williams.
Emily J. Vann.
Talitha C. Vann.
Louisa E. Vann.
Calvin R. Vann.
Emily C. Brown.

Rhoda Ann Johnston.
Charlotte A. Phillips.
Julia Ann Guffey.
Laura M. Crumble.
Lewis J. Hall.
Sarah Ann Hall.
Sarah Jane Erwin.
Nancy Potter.
Barbara Jane Taylor.
Emily Jane Dawn.
Mary Ann Howard.
Elizabeth Jane Holloway.
Martin Neal.
Rufus Jones.
Patience Jones.
Emeline Bolin.
Mary S. York.
Clarissa M. Shook.
Sarah Cobb.
William Lee.
Elizabeth Lee.
Rachel Elvira Lee.
James Asbury Hale.
Sarah Elizabeth Hale.
Mary Jane Hale.
Sarah Jane Hale.
Rebecca E. Wyatt.
Margaret Jane Tabor.
Mary Loretta Tabor.
Drusilla Hays.
George W. Miller.
William L. Miller.
James C. Miller.
John A. Burnett.
Nancy Jane Webb.
Sarah Wellington.
Emma Wellington.
Martha C. Lee.
Margaret Davenport.
Martha Brown.
Flora Ann Miller.

430

Appendix.

William E. Ashburn.
Nancy Bond.
Birdie Walker.
Rhoda Ann Davidson.
Joseph C. Vann.
Teresa F. Nitzschke.
Joseph E. Long.
Dillia Catherine Scott.
Sarah E. England.
Nancy Hamby.
Minerva Jones.
Ruth C. Jones.
Barbara Ellen Paul.
Mary S. York.
Tennie Ann Todd.
Mary Rosa Nitzschke.
Sarah Jane Crumble.
Elvina Alexander.
Mary Jane Paul.
Catherine E. Galloway.
Anna M. Galloway.
Andrew J. Craig.
Rufus L. Dawson.
Clarinda Kidd.
Elvira Malinda Kidd.
Mary Lucinda Fletcher.
James H. Berry.
Sarah Berry,
John W. Guffey.
Lucinda C. Guffey.
Miles Beach,
Elizabeth Ann Rigney.
Rebecca P. Crabtree.
William L. Rigney.
Stokely R. Crabtree.
Kansas America Rains.
John Marion Rains.
General Sherman Rains.
Carter D. Dalton.
Moses Upchurch.
John Dishman.

Mary Dishman.
Margaret Wright.
Balaam Pearcy.
Bayless Pearcy.
Clarinda Pearcy.
Tranquilla Pearcy.
Mary Pearcy.
Sherrod Pearcy.
Ambrose Pearcy.
America Pearcy.
William Champ Pearcy.
Thomas Millsaps.
Matilda Viann Millsaps.
James B. Dishman.
Elizabeth Wright.
Sarah C. Carter.
Jane Stockton.
Nancy Elizabeth Todd.
John Henry Tinch.
Martha Jane Wood.
David Sherman Bowden.
Spencer A. Bowden.
Shadrick Beatty.
Pharisina E. Beatty.
Moses Upchurch.
Benjamin H. Albertson.
Emeline Chaney.
Martha C. Ketcherside.
Pharisina M. Enos.
P. Clementine Enos.
Charlotte Isabelle Enos.
Mary Jane Moore.
Pernetta Guffey.
Anna C. Lewallen.
Julia Ann McCoy.
Lydia Frances Holder.
J. AViley Peters.
Zachariah T. Scott.
Mary Scott.
David K. Eastridge.
Rebecca Ann Jones.

Appendix.

431

I. F, Human.

Missouri Patience Chaney.
William Catlett Hurt.
Sarah Young.
Margaret E. Ketcherside.
Robert Miller.
Caldonia Landrum.
James W. Johnson.
James W. Langley.
Margaret £. Langley.
Lucretia P. Jones.
Mary C. Spurlin.
Nancy Jane Spurlin.
Isabel Paul.
Nancy Jane Paul.
Margaret Paul.
Martha Lee Floyd.
Susan Tennie Lingo.
Mary Jane Phillips.
George W. Day.
Josephine Isham.
Rowena Poland.
Henderson Robb.
Nancy Ann Robb.
Nancy Ann Able.
MoUie Alice Able.
Lillie Belle Henderson.
Minerva Kirkland.
Lillie Thompson.
Thomas Smith.
Thomas Millsaps.
Miranda Millsaps.
Susan Harriet Millsaps.
Martin Millsaps.
Ferrell J. Pickle.
Vernia Pickle.
Mary Ann Pickle.
William E. Pickle.
James Ruf us Pickle.
Mattie Pickle.
John L. Pickle.

Callie Hutson.
Mary J. Williams.
Isaac Barnum Babb.
John C. Martin.
Lizzie Ferguson.
Susan Martin.
Sallie Frazier.
Laura Stephens.
Elizabeth R. Clifton.
Martha E. Thomas.
Winifred Young.
Sarah Lorinda Sherwood.
Lizzie Goddard.
Sarah Caroline Lyle.
William Green McCarroU.
Susan McCarroU.
Charles Isham.
Lillie Brown.
Robert Israel Eblen.
Eliza E. Delozier.
Minerva Suddeth.
Franklin K. Suddeth.
Mary Bain.
Gilford Delozier.
George H. Delozier.
Ellen Staples.
Nancy Jane Capp.
Sarah Ellen Claiborne.
Nancy Ann Hinds.
Sarepta Taylor.
Keziah Chitwood.
Martha Stanfield.
Thomas F. Russell.
William A. Todd.
James M. Sheppard.
Rebecca Young.
Louisa Lewallen.
Lucinda Young.
Elizabeth Young.
Lurania Lewallen.
Icia Hawn.

432

Appendix.

Lucinda Young.
Eddie Landrum.
John H. Lewallen.
Mary Jane Lewallen.
Salina Young.
Ella Lawrence Chitwood.
Martha Florence Chitwood.
Alsie Rhoanna Dyden.
Anna Sarepta Dyden.
Lodusky Griffey.
Joseph F. Davis.
Tempie Guffey.
Rachel Elizabeth Davis.
Nora Carter.
Sarah Belle Lane.
Maggie McCoy.
Lizzie Jones.
Esther Hughes.
Catherine Green.
Nancy Lizzie Morgan.
Dora Calfernia Saffies.
Levi Morgan.
Sallie Grant.
Nancy E. Hoskins.
Ella Legg.
Fatina Legg.

Margaret Isabel Duncan.
Margaret Jane Duncan.
Jolly F. Duncan.
Cordelia Mattie Duncan.
Jacob L. Duncan.
George W. Duncan.
Lewis Patterson.
George Hungerford.
Mary E. Hambree.
Wiley M. Barger.
Mollie Peake.
William Louden.
Martha E. Lewallen.
Lydia Landrum.
Clara Ann Hammond.

Hattie Jones.
Ollie Ann Galloway.
N. C. Galloway.
Callie Patching.
Harry Hammond.
Luvernia Young.
Laura Bertha Kemper.
James Solomon Young.
Pearl Coventry.
Vandora Todd.
Mary Ellen Wright.
Littleton Williams.
Edia Belle Rains.
Florida Rains.
Laura Mullinax.
Mary A. Mullinax.
Charles M. Hall.
Beththerie Huddleston.
George Franklin Brown.
Sarah Jane Alexander.
Minn jia. Alexander.
Mary M. Alexander.
Matilda Young.
Nancy Wayne Atkinson.
John L. Rosen baum.
James Alvin Ramsey.
William J. Young.
Gractina Todd.
Warren E. Taylor.
Lydia M. Ward.
Laura A. Owens.
Eliza E. Owens.
John W. Owens.
Clara Belle Owens.
Mary Jane Morris.
Sarah J. Lewallen.
Thomas A. Brown.
Amanda L. Overstreet.
Henry Hall.
Thomas Stepp.
Isaac Crabtree.

Appendix.

433

William S. Norris.
Louisa Norris.
Thomas M. Newberry.
William Pearcy.
Rachel Pearcy.
Bailey 0. Bowden.
Ann S. Hogue.
Dtlvina Greear.
Caroline Greear.
Matilda Jane Cooper.
James Clarke.
Archibald J. McCoy.
James H. Lane.

Nancy Jane Lane.
T. C. Clarke.
Letetia E. Clarke.
Nancy E. Clarke.
Matilda Clarke.
Desonia Clarke.
Sarah M. Guffey.
Esther L. Kennedy.
Sallie Ann Choate.
Hattie Smith.
Eli Hinds.
Alvin King.
Total, 468.

3. Infant Baptisms.

JohnG. Jennings,
Miriam M. M. Jennings.
James Alvin Crouch.
John Wesley Crouch.
Milly Ann Kidd.
Robert Story.
Rebecca V. Richardson.
Margaret J. Walker.
Sarah E. Walker.
Celia Ann Clark.
Elizabeth Brown.
William W. Sheppard.
James M. Sheppard.
Nimrod E. Sheppard.
Jemimah J. Sheppard.
James B. Frogge.
Pharisina Lewallen.
Mary S. York.
Rebecca A. Richardson.
Mary E. Richardson.
John F. Richardson.
William H. Richardson.
Thomas Owen.
Arminda Jane Smith.
Martha Ann Savaere.

Deborah V. McGinnis.
James C. McGinnis.
RebeccarLean Crouch.
George L. D. Carpenter.
Luvica Ward Frogge.
Mary Etta Koger.
Martha Ellen Koger.
Nancy Ann Koger.
Sarah Wilburn Savage.
Sidonia Savage.
James Robert Smith.
George Amos Smith:
Mary Elizabeth Owen.
Wesley C. Peters.
Mary Catharine Allred.
William A. Allred.
Martha R. A. Allred.
Pleasant Byron Allred.
John William York.
Hamilton Tipton.
James C. Stephens.
Cynthia J. W. Lewallen.
John G. Lewallen.
Malinda Young.
Latin W. Young.
28

434

Appendix.

William H. Young.
John G. Young.
Arnold W. Young.
Mary F. Jones.
William Jones.
Sarah Jane Jones.
Julia Ann Jones.
Rhoda Ann Smith.
Wesley Tredel Peters.
William R. Peters.
Emma P. Peters.
Lydia E. Scott.
Nebraska McCart.
Nancy Jane Peters.
Worcester 0. Peters.
Nancy Jane Davis.
Nancy M.York.
Mary E. York.
Andrew M. York.
James Absalom York.
Absalom B. W. Eastridge.
James M. W. Goddard.
Victory McCart.
William Wright McCoy.
Alice McCart.
Minerva Alice McCart.
James Preston McCart.
Elizabeth Langley.
Emily Langley.
George W. Langley.
Celestia Victory Peters.
Mary Malone Davidson.
Absalom B. W. Young.
Meno Rhufina Young.
Lucinda Malvina Lewallen.
William A. Williams.
John William Lewallen.
Matilda Helen Dail.
Henry Grant Dail.
Mary Ellen Dail.
Martha Florence Dail.

Rufus M. Dail.
Greer Johnson Skaggs.
Christopher Beatty.
Putman Beatty.
Hiser Beatty.
James Melvin Paul.
Elizabeth Butram.
Nancy Jane Catron.
Delitha L. A. J. York.
Matilda E. Guffey.
Mary Jane Martin.
Serenia E. Martin.
Martha E. Massingill.
Samuel Walker Paul.
Mitchell Whittenburg.
Pearson Whittenburg.
Edmondson Whittenburg.
Elizabeth Whittenburg.
Joseannes Davidson.
Mary Ida Davidson.
Martha I. Davidson.
William Massingill.
Mack Massingill.
Martin Van Buren Guffey.
Fannie Jane Savage.
John Wesley Galloway.
Absalom B. Peters.
Rachel Annis Peters.
Josephine C. Young.
Anna C. Lewallen.
Absalom F. Lewallen.
Elisca Orlenia Dail.
Mary J. E Farmer.
Nancy Hannah Perdieu.
Joseph E. Ketcherside.
Jessie L. Ketcherside.
Sarah Ellen Cochram.
Franklin Perry Galloway.
John Boyd Peters.
James Arlo Peters.
Elustus A. Washington.

Appendix.

435

William D. Eastridge.
William F. Atkinson.
Dailey Wesley Atkinson.
James R. McCart.
Sarah Jane Todd.
Engle Todd.
Josephine Todd.
Lawrence E. Roberts.
Julius G. Miller.
Lewis H. Hosier.
Joseph W. Wardell.
Charlotte E. Davis.
Miles Taylor Paul.
James Franklin Young.
Minnie Belle Peters.
Robert K. Peters.
William Ryley Hull.
Henry Latin Galloway.
Artemecia Galloway.
Lewis Willie Nitzschke.
Sarah Agnes Bales.
Charles Husky.
AUie Davis Perdieu.
William E. Perdieu.
Charles G. Shaver.
William B. Atkinson.
Keziah V. V. Atkinson.
Haywood B. Carter.
Wilburn C. Carter.
Maritta Belle Hughes.
Celia E. Upchurch.
Florence M. Goff.
Anna E. Stonecipher.
Samuel G. Young.
HoUis 0. Lewallen.
Thomas W. York.
Granville L. Young.
Henry F. Davidson.
Susan F. Davidson.
Elizabeth Belle Dawn,
James P. Atkinson.

Polly M. Butram.
Susan L. West.
C. D. West.
Leo Upchurch.
George W. Upchurch.
Luvernia N. Williams.
William A. Butram.
John M. Butram.
Isaac A. Franklin.
George G. Franklin.
Lemuel D. Franklin.
John M. Franklin.
Wheeler W. Johnson.
John W. Atkinson.
Mary A. Beach.
John H. Paul.
William D. Lee.
Cora E. Lee.
Joseph S. Rains.
Charles C. Rains.
Cyril W. Rains.
Mary I. Greear.
Susan Jane Butram.
Cyril Scott.

Joseph Kelly Stockton.
Rutherford Hays Peters.
Julia Florence Scott.
Orlena Ollie Albertson.
Rosetta Jane Albertson.
Nancy E. Albertson.
Hillary S. Young.
Lucy Jane Stonecipher.
Orlando H. Lewallen.
Calvin Kingsley Lewallen,
John Lauden Johnston.
Ruha Isabel Peters.
Gilbert Kingsley Beach.
William Haskell Shaver.
Rebecca F. Shaver.
Theodore Barden Young.
Alice Victoria Young.

436

Appendix.

Dwight L. Tipton.
Lelor Dell Tipton.
Willie C. Sloan.
George W. Paul.
James A. Paul.
Permelia A. Paul.
Andrew F. Paul.
Timothy D. Paul.
Frances M. Paul.
Laureesa Etta Peters.
Lusetta L. Goff.
Lewis S. Atkinson.
Henry S. Stockton.
George L. C. Stockton.
Ida Willard Beach.
Alonzo H. Lewallen.
Jessie Howard.
Abraham Lee Buxton.
Sarah Loretta Howard.
Minnie Belle Davidson.
Florence Belle Albertson.
Stanley Matthews.
Augusta Matthews.
Timothy C. Young.
Jennie E. Justice.
Bessie A. McCart,
Mary V. Shannon.
Rebecca Belle Shannon.
Hezekiah Shannon.
Charles Oliver McCart.
George Houk Buxton.
Maggie Ann Perdieu.
William Charles Barnett.
Eddie L. Paul.
William Asbury Peters.
Ida Maloney Peters.
Margaret Ann McCart.
Maggie C. McCoy.
Nathaniel G. M. McCoy.
Leroy Houk Shannon.
Eugene M. Ketcherside.

William H. Young.
Henry Latin Young.
Bernetta Ann Young.
Zachariah McCart.
Minnie Belle McCart.
Hattie V. Kington.
James M. Stockwell.
Victoria Alice Paul.
Jennie June Bullard.
Callie Isham.
Frank Allen Young.
Victoria Isham.
Mary Amanda Stockton.
Emma Cordelia Beach.
Cynthia E. Jones.
James Goddard.
Harvey Goddard.
Joan M. Crow.
Maud E. A. Crow.
Laura Jackson Crow.
Willie Larkin Crow.
Lewis H. Suddeth.
Mary Suddeth.
Willie F. Suddeth.
Hilton Burk Millsaps.
Nannie J. Millsaps.
Ida May Millsaps.
Robert L. Millsaps.
Marcus D. Millsaps.
John Carpenter.
Martha C. Burns.
Timothy V. H. Peters.
Elizabeth Young.
Nancy E. Kington.
Nancy E. Dyden.
Martha R. Dyden.
John A. Dyden.
Jacob Noah Dyden.
Jessie S. Hamby.
Jacob A. Rogers.
James N. Rogers.

Appendix.

437

George D. Rogers.
Minerva L. Rogers.
Clarke E. W. Peters.
Robert Duncan.
Cynthia Duncan.
Widdie Duncan.
Louisa Duncan.
Jasper Newton Duncan.
Michael Duncan.
Henry Duncan.
Dock Duncan.
Mary Duncan.
Isaac Duncan.
Arthar Logan Duncan.
Nancy Jane Duncan.
Cassie Duncan.
Sarah E. Duncan.
Andrew Duncan.
Carrie Ann Duncan.
Jolly Monroe Duncan.
Alfred Duncan.
Eddie Duncan.
John Smith.
ToUis N. Jones.
Hallie May Jones.
Sallie Myrtle Jones.
Debbie Ray Galloway.
Nancy E. Galloway.

Total, 352.

Lousianna I. Galloway.
Cordelia J. Galloway.
George T. Galloway.
Minnie G. Young.
Louie Crozier.
Sarah S. Waddell.
Benton A. G. Stockton.
Doshea A. Stockton.
Richard T. Stretmatter.
Winnifred Stretmatter.
Andrew Stretmatter.
Winchester C. Stretmatter.
Deborah May Peters.
Ralph F. Galloway.
Ermine P. Galloway.
George L. Birch.
John W. Watts.
Winnie A. Watts.
Grace A. Heaps.
James P. White.
Archibald White.
Virgil White.
Adam P. White.
Jennie S. Hamby.
WilUam E. Cobble.
James Roy Young.
Arbanna Young.
Lenora Young.
Grand total, 1,323.

438

Appendix.

II. FUNERALS.

I. Adults.

Mary Jennings.
Thomas Huckaby.
Mary Sandusky.
Franklin Pruitt.
Thomas Brown.
Lark in Brown.
Mary Sanders.
Elizabeth Gentry.
Abraham Brown.
Joseph Grimes.
Joseph Millsaps.
Cynthia Kains.
William Huckaby.
Barbara Paul.
Elizabeth Dishman.
Jeremiah Nicholas.
William Crouch.
John Rich.

Sarah Ann M. Harris.
Elizabeth Moles.
John Yann Iloosier.
Nancy Hoosier.
Margaret L. Jackson.
Allen Beatty.
Martha Savage.
Rachel Helm.
Frances M. Butram.
John Buck.
Permelia Craig.
Alexander Hays.
Elizabeth Hays.
Isham Simpson.
Ransom Smith.
Hannah Hays.
Elizabeth Whittenburg.
Uriah Range.
Sylvester Hicks.

Charles Hick.
Catharine Hurt.
Nancy Solomon.
Thomas Pyle.
Leo. Upchurch.
Moses Upchurch.
Catherine Upchurch.
Tabitha Horton.
Alfred Helm.
Robert McGee.
Mariah Miller.
Elizabeth Smith.
Elijah Brummet.
James M. Coyle.
Isaiah Wright.
Mary S. Ellis.
John Pruitt.
Lavina Mace.
George Y. Carpenter.
Clarinda Dalton.
Brient Smith.
Granville Smith.
Nancy Crabtree.
Jane Savage.
Moses Dishman.
Millie Dishman.
Celia Ann Bridewell.
Robert Whitehead.
Robert S. Evans.
Isaac Scarboro.
Alexander Hays.
Isabel Frances Dawson.
Lydia Ward.
Richard Ward.
Mahala Hatfield.
John Halbert.
Stephen Halbert.

Appendix.

439

Mary Young.
Eobert Wilson.
Henry G. Wilson.
Miles Privitt.
Anna Atkinson.
Lucinda G. Atkinson.
Thomas Riley.
Millie Ann Riley.
John M. Smith.
Joseph M. Perdieu.
Henry Perdieu.
George W. Robbins.
Henrietta P. Simmerman.
Leanders J. Peters.
Nancy Cowan.
Granville G. Beatty.
Pleasant W. Beatty.
Jeremiah Poison.
Jeremiah Coile.
George Huckaby.
Jessie Robertson.
Solomon Albertson.
James Coulter.
Joseph Coulter.
G. W. Upchurch.
James Craig.
Jane Craig.
Missouri Clarke.
Walter Davis.
Rhoda Davis.
Mark Pearcy.
Esquire Buck.
Vincent Coleman.
Fannie Coleman.
Andrew B. Hull.
Morgan H. Hull.
John A. Beatty.
Thomas Beatty.
Green Beatty.
William Beatty.
Elizabeth Jennings.

Rebecca Davis.
Minerva Slavy.
Elizabeth Jennings.
James Patterson Walker.
Margaret Walker.
William H. Brooks.
Consider Carpenter.
Elizabeth Owen.
Constant Guflfey.
Rev. John M. Guffey.
David M. Cowan.
Rebecca Jane Bond.
Louisa Jane Zachery.
Samuel R. Littrell.
Lucy Galloway.
Catherine Galloway.
William Flowers.
Sarah Beatty.
Philip H. Beatty.
Catherine Rich.
Evaline Singleton.
Nancy York.
Lucy Ann York.
Avey York.
Rebecca Holloway.
Luvica G. Hamby.
Albert G. Morgan.
Martha Todd.
Jennette Evans.
Sarah Catron.
George Miller.
Elam Huddleston.
Calvin Logston (just

before execution).
Michael Brown.
R. J. Jones.

Amanda Jane Eastridge.
Nancy E. Peters.
John E. Kannatsier.
William H. McGee.
Nancy Wright.

440

Appendix.

Mary Ann Poison.
Elizabeth J. Morgan.
Sarah Pearcy.
Frances Pearcy.
Thomas Souder.
Sarah Ann McGhee.
Elizabeth Beard.
Uphama Hays.
James Hays.
James Bookout.
Christina Ridenour.
Jefferson Ridenour.
Robert Ridenour.
Malitha C. Frogge.
Malissa Jane Asbury.
Julia Ellen Threat.
Alice Eliza Wheaton.
Timothy C. Vann.
Rev. Andrew Lewallen.
Sarah W. Gould.
Johnson Jones.
Mary Davis.
Rebecca Wilson.
John W. Simms.
Sarah Simms.
Lucy Grogan.
Hannah E. McCoy.
Mary B. Dail.
Thomas Crabtree.
Jessie L. McKeathan.
Martha Ann Davidson.
Elijah Cross.
Barbara Erwin.
Samuel Taylor.
Catlett G. Fairchilds.
Frances Hull.
William Cooke.
Jane Cooke.
Zebah Wright.
Sarah Duncan.
Mary Miller.

A. M. Allen.
Lucinda Hatfield.
Caleb Harmon.
Uphama Harmon.
Elizabeth Jane Koger.
Austin Wilson.
William Wilson.
Mary Ann West.
Sarah Ann Hale.
Sarah Crabtree.
Barnett Dawn.
Anna Young.
Mary S. Goff.
Rebecca Evans.
Delphia Williams.
Mary Jane Howard.
Vashtina Upchurch.
Sarah Adaline Allen.
Elizabeth Jane Guffey.
Creacy M. Allen.
George W. Upchurch.
Nancy Guffey.
Joseph McCoy.
Rhoda York.
Millie Lewallen.
Susan McCormick.
Nancy C. McCormick.
Nancy HoUoway.
Sarah Cobb.
Martha Hurt.
Jonathan S. Bowden.
Landon C. H. Bowden.
John T. W. Upchurch.
Mary Savage.
Ellen Savage.
James Edward Rich.
James King.
Anna Jennings.
James Choate.
Ephraim M. Guffey.
Lucy Choate.

Appendix.

441

Michael Hale.
Henry L. Beatty.
Emsley Butram.
Elizabeth Butram.
Rebecca Guinn.
Timothy A. West.
Jane Polston.
Robert W. Holding.
Rev. Calvin R. Vann.
Martha Belle Pyle.
Clarissa Tennessee Hicks.
Elizabeth Lane.
Charles Lane.
William Lane.
Michael D. Upchurch.
Elizabeth Hancock.
Charles Dabney.
Amanda L. Stewart.
Mary M. Poison.
Bodicia Johnson.
Rebecca Johnson.
John Alvin Johnson.
Mary Ann Jones.
Dorcas Hatfield.
Thomas R. Turner.
Jessie Kennedy.
Sarah C. Buck.
Lavinia Ridenour.
Absalom C. Guffey.
Jefferson York.
Artemia Wilson.
William Perdieu.
William Brown.
Mary Jones.
Emma Bowden.
Elijah York.
Elizabeth Lavender.
Noah Buck.
Sarah Jane Crouch.
Mary Ann Choate.
Samuel Cobb.

Rhoda A. Griffey.
Rachel Rutledge.
Anna Young.
Julia G. Sargent.
EHzabeth Guffey.
Benjamin H. Albertson.
Elizabeth Peters.
Francis M. Goddard.
Robert Davis.
Sarah Davis.
Sarah Price.
Ruth Duncan.
Craven Duncan.
Aaron Grindle.
Salina D. Todd.
Luvica F. Peak.
Sarah E. Russell.
John Eblen Bailey.
Ann Jane Summers.
Michael Millsap.
Mary Ann Brown.
James Young.
John Range.
Sallie Jennings.
Braxton Lane.
Christina Love.
Tennessee McCart.
Vardamin Bird.
Elizabeth Bird.
Dolly Hungerford.
Elizabeth Morgan.
Belle Peake.
Abigail Young.
Letitia Strange.
William J. Kellin.
Cordelia Hungerford.
Jeremiah Wright.
Nancy A. Davidson.
Margaret Langley.
Sarah Bishop.
Martha Potter.

442

Appendix.

Charlotte J. Kussell.
Nancy Jane Duncan.
Mary Ann Jones.
Michael M. Duncan.
Elizabeth F. Crabtree.
Louisiana Galloway.
Elisha Cheney.
Epsie Bird.
George Hungerford.
Mary B. Wright.
John Coile.

Catherine J. Alexander.
Sarah Ann Alexander,
Rev. Charles E. Atkinson.
William T. Atkinson.
Levi Morgan.
Levi Branstetter.
Rebecca D. Birch.
Thomas Wright.
Catherine Davis.
Oliver P. Cooper.
Mary Ann Wright.
Mary Ann Bain.
John Brown.
Susan Carpenter.
Gilford Delozier.

Doctor Kemp.
Margaret Duncan.
Elizabeth Bunch.
Susan Beatty.
Alley S. Beatty.
Francis Smith.
Sarah Beatty.
Emeline Smith.
David F. Hall.
Amanda E. Hall.
Viann Stephens.
Nancy P. Hall.
Mary R. Lyle.
Catherine C. Cochran.
Matilda J. Choate.
Celia Jane Clark.
William GufFey.
James Hicks.
Mary Malinda Taylor.
Rev. Michaiel M. Shaver.
Mary E. Smith.
Texas S. Lavender.
Samantha E. Justice.
Tennessee Louisa Beatty.
Aggie Goddard.
Total, 389.

2. Funerals of Infants.

Jasper Huckaby.
Barsha Huckaby.
John Pruitt.
Hannah Pruitt.
Mary Westmoreland.
James M. Edwards.

Crabtree.

Crabtree.

Dorothy Crabtree.
Mary Lewallen.
Emma Lewallen.
Nancy Jane Fowler.

Fowler.

Nancy Price.
Mary Jane Jackson.
John Grimsley Jackson.
Lucinda E. Helm.
Matilda Jane Helm.
Benjamin Neal.
Shelby Neal.
James F. Crabtree.

Crabtree.

Crabtree.

Craig.

Appendix.

443

Craig.

Craig.

Marcillo Whittenburg.
James Rains.
Martha Ellen Hurt.
Andrew F. Smith.

Smith.

Sarah Jane Jennings.
Bolin E. R. Jennings.
John S. Smith.
Abel Miller.
Edith Miller.
George W. Riggs.

Riggs.

Coil.

Lincoln L. Braswell.
Belzuria E. Brown.
Cordelia "Whittenburg.
Epsy Ellen Dishman.

Dishman.

Dishman.

Dishman.

Dishman.

Malinda Smith.
Nancy Jane Boiter.
Dorcas Ann Dawson.
Rebecca R. Young.
Eli Marion Young.
John G. Smith.
Pleasant A. Poison.
Mary C. Pruitt.
James E. Pruitt.
Elvira Pruitt.
John H. Pruitt.
Moses W. Matthews.
Mary Alice Johnson.
Elisha M. Mosier.
Lucinda Jane Mosier.
Nancy Ann Mosier.
John G. Lewallen.
Rhoda E. Lewallen.

Sherrod Brewster.
Pheriba E. Brewster.

Clarke.

Clarke.

James B. Franklin.
Pleasant B. Allred.
Latin R. York.
George W. York.
Rachel Freely York.
Mary Belle Coulter.
Mary E. Guffey.
Pheriba E. Dowdy.
William R. Dowdy.
Mary Jane Galloway.
William B. Galloway.
Mary M, Branstetter.
John Allen.
Adeline Allen.
Sarah E. Morgan.
William G. Morgan.
Margaret A. Morgan.
Epsie M. Morgan.
Mary Jane Morgan.
Albert G. Morgan.
Benjamin T. Young.
Julia Ann Hicks.
James A. Hicks.
Elizabeth Ann Mosier.
Sarah E. A. Alexander.
Malvina Evans.
Mary Frances Evans.
Ervinia Catron.
John Matthews.
Lou Ann Pyle.
Mary Jane Pyle.
John B. Pyle.

Peters.

Susan M. Hurt.
Russel Hurt.
Sarah Jane Stinson.
John M. Buttram.

444

Appendix.

James W. Catron.
William F. •Atkinson.

Threat.

Elizabeth H. Jones.

Simms.

Nancy L. Galloway.
Martha Jane Matthews.
Susan C. Crabtree.
Manson Crabtree.
Eliza Jane R. Crabtree.
Thomas P. Crabtree.
George W. Crabtree.
Jessie W. McKeathan.
John Mann Young.
Martha Jane Jones.
Frances Jones.
William F. Atkinson.
Sarah Ann Taylor.
George W. Hays.
Nancy Jane Wilson.
Willie Cross.
Catherine E. Todd.
William M. Todd.
Engle Todd.
Margaret Ann South.
General H. West.
Mary E. C. Bond.
Ulysses Grant Felkins.
Lewis B. Mosier.
Josie Annis Davidson.
John Henry Howard.
Henderson Upchurch.
Delilah E. J. Upchurch.
Benjamin York.
Henry W. Lewallen.
Henry O. Jones.
Jacob Bowden.
David Graham Lewis.
Robert Ward.

Beatty.

Choate.

John Wright Hale.
Louisa Jane Alexander.
Virginia Holding.
Tennessee Holding.
Alonzo V. Hull.
Smith Hoover.
Thomas Hancock.
Mary A. Hancock.
John P. Poison.

Steward.

Rosie Lee Franklin.
Anna E. Stonecipher.
Flora M. Young.
Eugene C. Whitney.
Martha Jane Jones.
Florence Jones.
Indiana Jones.
Flora Jones.
Tennessee E. Jack.
Bertha May Guffey.
William Ferrill.
Thomas M. Clarke.
John Mann Paul.
Nancy A. Brown.
Fannie L. Lavender.
John Wright McCart.
Freddie C. Paul.
Viola McCart.
Robert Tupman.
Emmett McCart.
Esau Peake.
Samuel M. Bailey.
Media I. Millsaps.
Callie E. Lane.
Minnie E. Kinsen.
Josie M. A. Kinsen.
Samuel D. Scott.
Franklin Underwood.
Joe Franklin Tupman.
Myrtie E. Jones.
Young H. Staples.

Appendix.

445

John Hurt.

Mary Jane Hambright.
Freddie Suddeth.
Lula Underwood.
Margaret J. Dishman.
Rosie Jane Russell.
Evia Dudley.
Leroy A. Ward.
James Spurlin.
Delilah Jane Staples.
Susan A. Tupman.
Maude Mitchell.
Solomon Jones.
Lucinda C. Jones.
Lloyd H. Staples.

Lacy.

Mattie L. Peters.

Total, 222,
Those whose first
infants.

Arthur C. Peters.
Armond C. Peters.
Leo Allen Neal.
William A BuUard.
Parisinna Le wall en.
Jane Beatty.
Mount. H. Lewallen.

Rains.

Mary J. Johnson.
John S. Tracy.
Mary E. Wright.
Martha Ann Wright.
Benjamin Wright.

Wright.

Nancy A. Clarke.
Samuel G. W. Clarke.
Arie C. Smith.
Grand total, 611.
are not given were unnamed

III. MARRIAGES.

James West
Thomas Kempton
Sampson Pruitt
James H. Story
John R. Morgan
William Stinson
Benjamin S. Barton
Jasper J. Campbell
Rev. Willet G. Sherman
Julius Johnson
John Carpenter
Jesse L. Robinson
Rev. T. C. Peters
George Catron
Archibald Penicuff
John C. Bookout
Moore Medlock
Thomas Riley

to Sarah Slagle.

to Malissa Crabtree.

to^ Malinda Smith.

to Rebecca Pevyhouse.

to Elvira M. Crouch.

to Rhoda Ann Sloan.

to Margaret Evans.

to Lucinda J. Carpenter.

to Fannie Latham.

to Luvernia Crouch.

to Peninah J. Wright.

to Nancy Young.

to Rebecca B. Frogge

to Lean Kannatsier.

to Mabala Westmoreland.

to Maria E. Witt.

to Harriet Riley.

to Millie Ann Smith,

446

Appendix.

Rev. B. L. Stephens
Joshua F. Wright
James Campbell
William Hurt
Robert P. Garred
Thomas Hays
Isaac D. Campbell
John R. Wright
William Looper
David Greear
George W. Ward
Alexander Williams
Elias T. Bond
David Butram
Wilson Dewett
Franklin D. Hull
Alfred Lawson
E. J. Price
John E. Savage
George S. Kington
McKager York

A. B. Williams
John C. Barger
Ellis H. Crouch
Rev. J. H. Carter
Rev. William S. Hill
Dan C. Young
James W. Peters

G. W. Crouch
James C. Butram
Wright Meroney
J. S. Stonecipher
Reuben B. Lee
William Key
James F. Paul
Miles Beach
John Taylor
Alfred Markum

B. R. Stockton
Mark Jennie gs
James L. Williams

to Sarah Moredock.

to Z. Angeline Price.

to Martha Richardson.

to Serinia C. Dishman.

to Sarah Ann Allen

to Margaret Pevyhouse.

to Martha E. Cullom.

to Eoaeline Westmoreland.

to Mary E. Kidd.

to Malissa M. Jennings.

to Eliza Bookout.

to Loretta Kidd.

to Rebecca Cowan.

to Amanda Gray.

to Alsie Gilreath.

to Catherine Galloway.

to Eliza Ann Smith.

to Celestia C. Springer.

to Nancy C. Reese.

to Elizabeth C. Gould.

to Sarah J. Smith.

to Mary Jane Littrell.

to Mahala Stonecipher.

to Ruth Luster.

to Sarah E. Dawson.

to Selenia Brown.

to Hannah N. Galloway.

to Elizabeth Eastridge.

to Millie Ann Dishman.

to Sarah Franklin.

to Elizabeth Duncan.

to Nancy M, Lewallen.

to Nancy Ann Crofts.

to Eliza Jane Baldwin.

to Anna Woolsey.

to Sarah Jane Paul.

to Martha Delk.

to Malissa Jennings.

tD Palina Shillings.

to Catherine Wright.

to Matilda J. Kannatsier.

Appe:ndix.

447

Lewis Lovelace
John C. Abbott
General Manson Guffey
Bartholomew Lee
W. A. Houfland
Rev. J. V. Brown
John E. Fulton
James F. Paul
S. V. Bowden
J. J. Clinch
Rev. A. 0. Peters
James T. Goflf
John E. Hooper
Elisha Wright
Calvin R. Baird
William J. Roberts
Phelbert Jennings
George J. Smith
Henry Tracy
Samuel F. Hanson
G. S. Dudley
James T. Guthrie
William A. Overstreet
Joseph Lewallen
William C. Ov^erstreet
Thomas A. Brown
Samuel G. Young.

Total,

to Matilda CupahefFer.
to Amanda Brown,
to Nancy C. Carpenter,
to Sarah Mullinax.
to Mary Jane Ray.
to Abigail Williams,
to Frances D. Brown,
to Malissa Kannatsier.
to Clara I. Lacy,
to Mary C. Neal.
to Peninah C. Allred.
to Luvernia Kannatsier.
to Roenia Swift,
to Mary Ann Jones,
to Etta C. McCart.
to Florence Fordham.
to Mary Walker,
to Nannie Abel,
to Hettie Jones,
to Lillian Ellis,
to Laura Hosier,
to Rebecca Ann Jones,
to Nancy Belle Jones,
to Epsie J. Galloway,
to Mahala Franklin,
to M. C. Paul,
to Bertie Peters.
87 couples.