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HIGHWAYS  AND  HEDGES; 


OR, 


FIFTY  YEARS  OF  WESTERN  METHODISM. 


BY 


REV.  JOHN  STEWART, 

OF  THE  OHIO  CONFERENCE. 


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C  INC  INN  A  TI: 
HITCHCOCK    AND    WALDEN. 

NEIV  YORK: 

CARLTON  AND  LAN  A  HAN. 

1870. 


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Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1870, 
BY  JOHN  STEWART, 


In  the  Office  of  the  Librai  ian  of  Congress,  Washington. 


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Peeface 


rpiIE  time  was  when  the  publication  of  a  book  was  a 
-^  notable  event,  and  only  men  of  great  ability  were 
expected  to  become  authors.  Now,  however,  the  facili- 
ties for  book-making  are  so  multiplied,  and  the  popular 
taste  for  reading  so  developed,  that  the  annual  crop  of 
books  is  looked  for  with  as  much  regularity  as  the  crop 
of  corn.  But  as  in  aorriculture,  so  in  book-makino:,  the 
fondest  hopes  are  sometimes  cut  short  by  an  "  untimely 
frost."  It  has  been  said  by  some  one  that  '^  an  author, 
like  a  fat  man  in  a  crowd,  must  elbow  others  out  of  the 
way  to  make  room  for  himself."  Not  being  a  fat  man, 
and  now  within  four  years  of  four-score,  I  can  not  jostle 
much  with  others  in  the  crowd.  A  half  century  spent 
mostly  upon  horseback,  traversing  large  circuits  and 
districts  in  the  States  of  Ohio,  Virginia,  Kentucky, 
Pennsylvania,  Indiana,  and  Illinois,  has  brought  me  in 
contact  with  most  of  the  men  and  measures  that  have 

molded  the  institutions,  and  gathered  the  membership 

3 


4  PREFACE. 

of  till"  Mt'tliOflist   Episcopal  Chuixli   (^n    tliis  continent, 
aii'l  wliicli  liMve  sent  its  streams  of  influence  to  Europe, 
Asia,  and  AlVir:!.      Krum  the  store-house  of  my  memory 
1    have    endeavored    to    record    some    things    ^vhich    I 
thought  'svould  V»e  of  interest  to  tlio  present  generation, 
and  of  value  to  the  future  historian.     I  have  also  ven- 
tured some  opinions   in  regard  to  men   and   measures, 
and  some  counsels  to  miTiisters  and  laymen.     I  am  con- 
scious  of  the  decay   of  memory,   and,   doubtless,   other 
powers  of  mind,   less  observed  by  myself  than   otliers, 
arc  failing  also;  hence  it   becomes   me  to  ask  forbear- 
ance for  Avhatcvcr  errors  may  be  found  in  my  book,  con- 
sequent upon  the  infirmities  of  age.     I  have  never  kept 
an   extensive  journal,  and  only  the   brief  notes   of  my 
circuit  "  diaries  "   to  prompt  my  memory.     The  book, 
such  as  it  is,  has  been  called  out  by  the  partiality  of  my 
friends,  and  I  doubt  not  they  will  treat  it  with  the  same 
courtesy  that  they  have  so  long  extended  to  its  author. 
At  the  close  of  my  Jiftielh  year  in  the  regular  work, 
in  obedience  to  a  request  of  my  Conference,  I  delivered 
a  semi-centennial  sermon  before  that  body.     My  breth- 
ren had  the  kindness  to  spread  the  following  upon  their 
journal : 

"  Resolved^  Tliat  having  heard  with  much  pleasure,  and,  we 
trust,  with  profit,  the  very  interesting  and  instructive  semi-centen- 
nial sermon,  delivered  this  day  before  the  Conference,  by  our  ven- 
erable and  beloved  brother,  John  Stewart,  we  do  hereby  very  re- 
spectfully request  hiui  to  have  it  published,  in  such  form  as  he  may 
think  best,  for  our  benefit,  as  well  as  for  the  interest  of  those  who 
were  not  present  at  its  delivery.  B.  N.  Spahr.". 


PREFACE.  5 

This  was  followed  up  by  solicitations  from  1113^  friends 
tliat  I  would  prepare  and  publish  an  autobiography. 
After  a  good  deal  of  hesitation  I  have  yielded  to  that 
solicitation,  and  here  is  the  result  of  my  effort. 

I  have  given  the  names  of  those  admitted  on  trial 
into  the  Ohio  Conference  from  the  ^^ear  181(3  to  the  year 
1866,  a  period  of  fifty  years.  I  have  also  given  the 
names  and  brief  biographical  notices  of  those  of  her 
members  that  have  fallen  in  death  during  that  period. 
This  arransjement  o-ives  somewhat  of  a  monotonous  bc- 
ginning  to  the  several  chapters,  but  will  be  convenient 
for  reference.  Though  I  have  expressed  my  views  fully 
of  the  characteristics  of  my  colleagues  and  presiding 
elders,  and  the  many  preachers  who  have  been  associated 
with  me  during  the  years  of  my  pastorate  and  presiding 
eldership,  yet  I  have  been  so  fortunate  in  these  associa- 
tions, that  there  have  been  very  few  of  them  of  whom 
I  found  it  necessary  to  say  aught  but  good. 

If  my  book  shall  meet  the  reasonable  expectations  of 

my  friends,  and  above  all  if  it  shall  be  made  a  blessing 

to  others  after  I  shall  have  gone  to  join  ray  comrades 

in  the  Church  above,  I  shall  not  have  labored  or  prayed 

in  vain. 

THE  AUTHOR. 

Monroe,  Wis.,  June  10,  1870. 


Coi^tejn^ts. 


CHAPTER  I. 


Birth  and  ancestry — Father  heads  a  small  colony  and  emigrates  to 
the  Hockhocking  Valley,  in  Ohio — Incidents  of  the  journey — George 
Barris — Builds  a  cabin — Establishes  Sabbath  services  in  his  cabin — 
Travels  twenty-five  miles  to  class-meetings — Induces  Revs.  Jacob 
Young  and  George  C.  Light  to  visit  the  Hockhocking  Valley — They 
establish  the  first  permanent  societies  in  the  region — Xames  of  mem- 
bers of  first  class  at  Daniel  Stewart's — Class  at  South  Town — Family 
religion — The  subject  of  this  narrative  converted — Eliphalet  Case — 
Hunting  and  praying — Philadelphia  Case — Rev.  Marcus  Lindsey — 
Rev.  Joseph  Pownell — Revival — Singular  mode  of  appointing  new 
leader — E.  T.  Webster  attends  class  and  is  awakened — The  subject 
of  this  narrative  is  licensed  to  exhort — Appointments  :  Smith's, 
M'Keever's,  Pilcher's,  and  Lotridge's — Doings  of  mother  Ruter — 
Rev.  T.  A.  Morris — Glorious  time  at  Milton  Buckingham's — The 
young  exhorter  becomes  tempted — He  eludes  his  companion  and 
starts  for  home— Meets  Lindsey  at  Athens,  and  counsels  with  him — 
Teaches  school  and  holds  prayer  and  class-meetings — Licensed  to 
])reach — Visits  a  camp-meeting  near  Circleville page  15 

CHAPTER  II. 

Ohio  Conference  at  Louisville,  Kentucky,  October  3, 1816 — Appear- 
ance of  the  preachers — List  of  those  received  on  trial — Vast  bounda- 
ries of  the  Conference— Appointments  of  the  preachers — The  writer 
employed  as  assistant  on  Letart  Falls  circuit — Struggle  and  decision — 
Reception  by  collengue  and  peojile — Opens  his  work  at  King's,  at 
mouth  of  Mill  Creek — Large  circuit  r'partly  in  Ohio  and  partly  in 
Virginia — Twenty-eight  appointments  every  four  weeks— Sketch  of 
first  sermon — Revivals — Received  for  year's  labor  $25  in  depreciated' 
money — Question  as  to  life-work — The  farm  and  plenty,  or  the  circuit 
and  poverty — Decides  for  God — Recommendation  carried  up  to  the 

Ohio  Conference page  27 

7 


8  CONTKNTS. 

CHATTKR   III. 

Conference,  nt  Znnesville,  Oliio,  Oc((»l)or  ;{,  1817 — Birthnp  ]i<ibortfl — 
List  of  persons  received  on  trinl — The  writer  the  only  snrvivor  of  tlio 
class — Bishop  R^iherts's  sermon  on  Sabltnth — Samuel  Parker  sent  as 
missionary  to  Natchez — Ilia  feeble  health,  and  afTcctionatc  parting 
with  his  brethren — The  writer  ap|>nintefl  to  Little  Kanawhn  circuit  — 
Dan  of  circvut — Writer's  views  of  preaching  and  other  duties — lie 
and  his  colleague  blaze  their  pioneer  path  through  the  forest — Rude 
but  cheerful  hospitality — Amusing  experiences — Bear  meat  and  bear 
skins — "  Not  all  gold  that  glitters" — Preacher  deceived  by  outward 
ap])earances — Pevs.  David  Smithers,  Samijel  Brigg8,and  PeeseWolf: 
their  i)eculiaritie8  and  worth  as  local  preachers — Transferred  to  Fair- 
field circuit — Jacob  Young's  notice  of  the  change  in  his  autobi- 
ogrnphy — Mistakes  corrected — Rev,  Michael  I^llis — Ilis  fatherly 
welcome — Reminiscences  of  appoinlmenta  and  fellow-workers — 
Charges  that  have  grown  out  of  this  circuit — Some  of  the  local 
preachers  were  men  of  great  ability  and  Avorth — Biographical  sketch 
of  Rev.  Michael  Elllis — The  quarterly-meeting  of  those  days — Writ- 
er's first  sermon  in  presence  of  his  colleague — Rev,  J.  M'Mahon's 
criticism — Rev.  James  Quinn's  amusing  experience — Conference  year 
two  months  shorter  than  usual — Round  exchanged  with  Rev,  Job 
Baker page  33 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Conference  at  Steubenville,  Ohio,  August  7,  1818 — Persons  received 
on  probation — Conference  business — William  Burke — Mahoning  cir- 
cuit— First  call — Rev.  Shadrach  Bostwick — Revival — Horatio  Day — 
Conversions — Erie  Circuit — Dr.  Samuel  Adams — Dr.  D,  I),  Davisson — 
Rev.  Alfred  Brunson — Dr.  Menarey — Revs.  Smith,  Leach,  and  Miller 
usefullocal  preachers — Great  revival  and  ingathering — Exchange  one 
round  with  Rev.  Isaac  C.  Hunter,  the  supply  on  Lake  circuit,  New 
York — Accompany  Rev.  J.  B.  Finley  to  Chautauqua  can)i)-nieeting — 
Large  circuit  -Erie — Waterford  -M'Conn elsvi lie—  Mead ville— Mer- 
cer— Rev.  Samuel  Gregg's  mistakes  corrected — Horseback  journey 
to  Cincinnati — Proposition  to  found  an  institution  of  learning  agi- 
tated— Indian  missionary  work — Delegates  elected  to  General  Con- 
ference— Persons  admitted  on  probation — Ordained  deacon — Postpone 
matrimonial  engagement  in  view  of  missionary  work — Sketches  of 
J.  Young  and  J.  B.  Finley page  4i 

CHAPTER  V. 

Volunteers  for  frontier  work — Blue  River  circuit,  Indiana — Mar- 
riage and  retirement  of  my  colleague — Bishop  Roberts  moves  into 
the  bounds  of  the  circuit  --Character  and  popularity  among  the  peo- 
ple— Experience  with  a  young  Calvinistic  missionary — Lewis  Rob- 
erts   and   family — Wedding    scenes— Muskatatack    camp-meeting  — 


CONTENTS.  y 

The  jerks  -List  of  appointments — General  Conference,  and  exciting 
scenes  page  61 

CHAPTER  Vr. 

Mt.  Carmel  circuit,  111. — Conference  at  Shiloh,  111.,  September, 
1820— Bishop  Koberts  presiding  in  bed — Camp-meeting— Received  on 
trial — Plan  of  Mt.  Carmel  circuit — Leading  Methodist  families  of 
1821  in  that  circuit — Camp-meetings — Remarkable  conversious--Ohio 
Conference,  and  list  of  persons  received  on  trial page  72 

CHAPTER  VII. 

A  horse-thief  pursued,  captured,  and  punished — Societies  organ- 
ized for  protection — Returu  to  Ohio page  85 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

Vincennes  circuit,  Indiana — Marriage — Conference  at  Lebanon, 
Ohio,  September,  1821 — Persons  admitted  on  trial — Camp-meeting 
en  Mt.  Carmel  circuit — Conference  at  Cape  Girardeau,  Missouri — 
Camp-meeting — Persons  a<lmitted  on  trial — ^^Ordination  to  elder's 
orders  — Sickness  —  Vincennes  —General  Harrison  —  Representative 
Methodists  of  the  circuit — Birth  of  a  son — Plan  of  circuit page  97 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Sketch  of  the  early  life  and  Christian  experience  of  Mrs.  Stew- 
art  PAGE    106 

CHAPTER  X. 

Ohio  Conference  at  Marietta,  September,  1822 — Transfer  to  Ohio 
Conference — Madison  circuit,  Indiana — Delegates  to  General  Confer- 
ence— Preacher's  family  to  ''board  around" — Local  preachers — 
Route  of  travel — Controversy  with  Baptists — Camp-meeting — Val- 
uable families  from  Ohio — Canip-ineeling — Bishop  Roberts's  great 
sermon page  120 

CHAPTER  XI. 

Muskingum  circuit,  Ohio  —  Conference  at  Urbana,  September, 
1823 — Death  of  Rev.  Charles  Trescott — Rev.  Thomas  Beacham — Plan 
of  circuit — Membership — Salary — Wife  teaches  school — Local  preach- 
ers— Rev.  C.  Springer — Visit  from  Bishop  Roberts  and  Rev.  Martin 
Ruter — Delegates  to  General  Conference — Presiding  elder  question — 
Lay  delegation  discussed page  126 

CHAPTER  XII. 

Marietta  circuit,  Ohio — Conference  at  Zanesville,  Ohio,  1824 — De- 
ceased preachers — Incident  of  travel — Revival — Waterford — Parks — 


10  CONTENTS. 

Itinerant  feature  of  Church  polity — Whitney — Crawford — Daniels — 
Birth  of  second  eon — Plan  of  circuit paqe  133 

LilAl'TLR  XIII. 

Guyandollt!  circuit,  Virginia — ConfiM-onro  at  C«»luinhu8,  Ohio,  Octo- 
ber, 1H25 — Xnthan  Walker  deceased — Rugged  niountnin  ride — Search 
for  a  house — Sheep  turned  out  and  sliephrrd  turned  in — Outline  of 
the  circuit — Local  preachers — Spurloek — M'Conms — Barboursville — 
Ladeley— Public  whij)ping-po3t  and  characteristic  scenes  ...paok  140 

CHAriER    XIV. 

Deer  Creek  circuit,  Ohio  -Conference  at  Ilillsboro,  October  1,  1826 — 
John  Walker  deceased  — Ilev.  John  Ferree — Kev.  Russel  Bigelow-- 
Conversion  of  a  young  skeptic — Parsonage  at  Dry  Run — Kind  neigh- 
bors— Domestic  incidents'— Serious  illness  of  wife  and  jirayer  an- 
swered in  her  recovery  —  Dr.  Deniing—  Third  son  born  —  Radical 
excitement— Anecdote  of  father  Timmons  Camp-meeting — Confer- 
ence at  Cincinnati,  September  19,  1827 — Delegates  to  General  Confer- 
ence— John  Sale  deceased — Returned  to  Deer  Creek  circuit — Move  to 
Greenfield — General  Conference  and  its  exciting  questions — Nicholas 
Snethen  and  Thomas  Bond page  146 

CHAPTER  XV. 

Miami  circuit,  Ohio  —  Conference  at  Chillicothe,  September  18, 
1828 — Camp-meeting— William  R.  Anderson — J.  M.  Trimble's  first 
Conference  exhortation — The  great  Freemason  excitement — List  of 
appointments — Prosperous  year — closed  with  camp-meeting — Confer- 
ence at  Urbana,  September  3,  1829—  Returned  to  Miami  circuit  with 
James  Laws  for  colleague — Camp-meeting — Incidents  of  the  meet- 
ing— First  daughter  born page  159 

CHAPTER   XVI. 

Oxford  circuit,  Ohio — Co)iference  at  Lancaster,  Ohio,  September  8, 
1830  —  Pleasant  year  —  Build  parsonage  in  Oxford  —  Conference  at 
Mansfield,  Ohio,  September  8,  1831— Michael  Ellis  deceased— Dele- 
gates elected  to  the  General  Conference  Returned  to  Oxford  circuit — 
Miami  State  University — Second  daughter  born — Rev.  Moses  Crume — 
Local  preachers — Aaron  Powers  and  the  Mormons — Names  of  pre- 
cious memory — Camp-meeting — Collision  with  Kidwell  of  the  "Star 
of  the  West" page  167 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

Bellefontaine  circuit,  Ohio  -Conference  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  Septem- 
ber 19,  1832— Bishop  Emory— Rev.  J.  G.  Bruce  and  Peter  Sharp— 
Camp-meeting— Local  preachers  and  model  private  members-Kind- 


CONTENTS.  11 

ness  of  brother  Messick — Deputation  from  the  Flat-Head  Indians 
this  year  resulted  in  founding  a  mission  among  them page  173 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Troy  circuit  —  Conference  at  Cincinnati,  August  21,  1833  —  Rev. 
John  Ulin  deceased — Arza  Brown — Eichard  Brandri If— Local  preach- 
ers and  lay  members page  177 

CHAPTER   XIX. 

Adelphi  circuit,  Olm  Conference  at  Circleville,  Ohio,  August  20, 
1834 — Sargent  and  Callahan  deceased — Plan  of  the  circuit — Haunted 
house — New  parsonage  —  Great  camp-meeting —  Incident  —  Camp- 
meeting  near  the  falls  of  the  Hockhocking — Conference  at  Spring- 
field, Ohio,  August  19,  1835 — Philip  Gatch,  William  Page,  and  Russel 
Bigelow  deceased — Delegates  to  General  Conference page  181 

CHAPTER  XX. 

Athens  circuit,  Ohio — Conference  at  Chillicothe,  Ohio,  1S36 — Wil- 
liam Phillips  deceased — Return  home— Conference  at  Xenia,  Ohio, 
September  27,  1837  —  John  A.  Waterman  and  Erastus  Felton  de- 
ceased— Ohio  State  University page  190 

CHAPTER   XXI. 

Felicity  circuit,  Ohio — Conference  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  September 
26,  1838 — Rev.  J.  B.  Finley  deceased- -Augusta  College,  its  profess- 
ors, successes,  and  downfall  — Hon.  David  Fisher  —  Holly  Raper — ■ 
John  Patterson— James  Armstrong — Erection  of  church  in  Augusta — 
Church  in  Higginsport page  198 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

Georgetown  circuit,  Ohio — Conference  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  Septem- 
ber 18,  1839 — Preachers  deceased — Delegates  to  General  Conference — 
Protracted  meetings—  Camp-meeting— Conference  at  Zanesvillc,  Ohio, 
September  30,  1840 — Persons  admitted  on  trial — Charles  R.  Baldwin 
and  Jeremiah  Hill  deceased  —  Controversy  on  baptism  —  Protracted 
meetings  —  Camp-meeting  —  Decease  of  venerable  mother  —  Sickness 
of  daughters-  Incidents  and  triumphant  death  of  tlie  girls — Local 
preachers — Prominent  laymen page  204 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 

Bainbridge  circuit — Conference  at  Urbana,  Ohio,  August  25,  1841 — 
R.  W.  Finley  deceased — Pleasant  year — Closing  camp-meeting  near 
Bainbridge- Conference  at  Hamilton  and  Rossville,  Ohio,  September 
28,  1842 — William  B.  Christie  and  Isaac  C.  Hunter  deceased— Pro- 
tracted meetings — AVonderful  outpourings  of  the  Spirit — Building  a 


12  CONTENTS. 

ohurrh — Kovivnl  inoidonts     Writor'«  scconfl  son  licensed,  and  rec- 
ommended to  (he  traveling  eonnection paok  219 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 

Knnnwhn  district,  Virginin  ronforonco  ni  Cliillimthp,  Ohio,  Sep- 
tember 23,  1843— Rev.  A.  Ilance  deceased — Appointerl  presiding 
elder — Delegates  to  General  Conference — Territory  and  population 
of  the  district — Preachers — Charges— Great  Variety — Amusing  anec- 
dote— General  Conference  at  New  York,  May,  1H44 — Plan  of  separa- 
tion—  Intense  excitement — Ohio  Conference  at  Marietta,  Ohio,  Sep- 
tember 4,  1844  Bishop  Soule — J.  W.  Kanaga  deceased — Bishop's 
cabinet — Inside  view — Stormy  times — "Abolitionism  " — Conference 
at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  September  3,  1845 — Exciting  times — Bishops 
Soule  and  Ilamline — Brothers  Collins,  Jones,  and  Farnandis  de- 
ceas^ed  Doctrines  of  the  Church  on  slavery — Position  of  the  writer — 
Outrage  at  Parkersburg — Correspondence  with  Bishop  Soule— State 
of  the  district page  233 

CHAPTER  XXV. 

Portsmouth  district— Conference  at  Piqua,  Ohio,  September  2, 
1846 — Deaths — Preachers  on  district — Residence — Conference  at  Co- 
lumbus, Ohio,  September  1,  1847— Delegates  to  General  Conference  — 
Journey  to  Pittsburg- -Session  of  General  Conference — Dr.  Dixon — 
Conference  at  Newark,  Ohio,  September  27,  1848  -  James  Quinn  and 
William  Parish — Preachers  on  Portsmouth  district — Kentucky  work 
included — Cholera — Kentucky  hospitality — Conference  at  Dayton, 
Ohio,  September  26,  1849 — Deaths  reported — Pew  question — Visit  to 
Iowa — Reminiscences page  261 

CHAPTER  XXVI. 

Deer  Creek  circuit,  Ohio — Conference  at  Chillicothe,  Ohio,  Sep- 
tember 18,  1850 — Pleasant  charge — Conference  met  at  Springfield, 
Ohio,  September  17,  1851— Deaths — Returned  to  Deer  Creek  circuit — 
Colleague,  Samuel  Middleton  —  Sickness  of  wife  —  Reminiscences 
and  reflections — Delegation  to  General  Conference page  279 

CHAPTER  XXVII. 

London  circuit,  Ohio — Conference  met  at  Zanesville,  September  1, 
1852 — Deaths — Colleague,  Rev.  James  Brown — Appointments — *'  A 
mere  garden  spot"— Gracious  revivals,  and  a  happy  year — Conference 
met  at  Lancaster,  Ohio,  Sej^tember  7,  1853 — Deaths— Returned  to 
London  circuit — Colleague,  Rev.  J.  Crum — Revival  fires  spread  over 
the  circuit — Incidents — Washington  Withrow's  conversion — Buys  a 
horse  for  the  preacher — Names  of  noble-hearted  laymen — Critical  ill- 
ness of  wife   -Prayer  prevails — Journey  to  Wisconsin page  281 


CONTENTS.  13 

CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

Pickerington  circuit  and  Lancaster  district — Conference  met  at 
Portsmouth,  Ohio,  September  6,  1854 — Xo  deaths  reported — Journey 
to  Wisconsin— Settlement  at  Pickerington — List  of  eight  appoint- 
ments— Pleasant  home  and  surroundings — Xauies  of  some  of  those 
excellent  families — Conference  met  at  Athens,  Ohio,  September  5, 
1855  —  Death — Pleasant  Conference  —  Delegates  to  General  Confer- 
ence— Returned  to  Pickerington  circuit  —  Rev.  J.  L.  Grover  resigns 
the  district — The  writer  appointed  to  fill  the  vacancy — The  work  and 
the  preachers— Pleasant  and  profitable  year page  291 

CHAPTER  XXIX. 

Jackson  district — Conference  met  at  Xewark,  Ohio,  September  3, 
1856— Deaths — The  field  and  the  workmen  on  Jackson  district — Live 
at  Jackson— Conference  met  at  Chillicothe,  August  26,  1857 — List  of 
those  received  on  trial  —  Death  —  Preachers  for  Jackson  District  — 
Sickness  and  death  of  venerable  father — Conference  met  at  Marietta, 
Ohio,  August  25,  1858- -List  of  preachers  for  Jackson  district — Con- 
ference met  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  August  31,  1859 — List  of  those  re- 
ceived on  trial — Bishop  Morris's  Sabbath  sermon — Preachers  on 
Jackson  district — Pleasant  years — Stewart  Chapel page  297 

CHAPTER  XXX. 

Minister  at  large — Western  tour —Conference  at  Gallipolis,  Ohio, 
September  19,  1860 — Deceased,  Jacob  Young  and  Samuel  Harvey — 
Semi-centennial  celebration  resolved  on — Permission  to  travel  at 
large  during  the  year — Visit  Chicago,  Monroe,  Madison,  Freeport, 
Rockford,  Burlington,  Mt.  Pleasant,  Fort  Madison,  West  Point, 
Chambersburg,  St.  Louis,  Springfield,  Indianapolis,  Cincinnati,  Cov- 
ington, Columbus,  etc.— Preached  about  one  hundred  sermons  and 
visited  a  multitude  of  friends— Impressions  of  persons  and  places 
visited— Programme  for  memorial  services page  305 


'O* 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

Frankfort  circuit — Conference  held  its  fiftieth  session  at  Circleville, 
Ohio,  September  11,  1861— Semi-centennial  celebration — Colleague, 
W.  W.  Cherington  — Old  friends  -  Xine  appointments — Attended  many 
funerals — War  excitement — Cherished  names page  319 

CHAPTER   XXXII. 

Deer  Creek  circuit  and  Chillicothe  district — Conference  at  Zanes- 
ville,  Ohio,  September  3,  1862— J.  W.  Clark,  Uriah  Heath,  and  John 
P.  Calvert  deceased — Historical  succession  of  preachers  on  Deer 
Creek  circuit  from  A.  D.  1800  to  1863— Colleague,  Rev.  T.  J,  X.  Sim- 
mons ;  Z.  Connell,  presiding  elder— Conference  at  Lancaster,  Ohio, 


14  CONTENTS. 

Soptcmbor  3,  1863  Neither  probationcfs  nor  rloathfl  Rnturncd  to 
Deer  Creek  circuit — Dcntli  of  proHiding  elder — Writer  Appointed  to 
the  district — The  work  aud  workmen  <>n  tlic  district — Continued  mil- 
itary exri lenient i'aok  322 

CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

"West  Rushville  circuit — Conference  at  Chillicothe,  Ohio,  October 
8,  1864 — Eilward  Estell  and  Zachnriah  Connell  deceased— Reunion 
of  the  members  ol  Cincinnati  and  Ohio  Conferences-  Grand  patriotic 
address  of  Bishop  Simpson  —  Circuit  plan  of  four  ai)pointnient8 — 
Mode  of  pastoral  work— Rebel  8ym])athizer8 — Neighbors  and  choice 
spirits PAGE  329 

CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

Royalton  circuit,  Ohio — Conference  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  September 
21,  1865 — John  C  Havens,  Henry  Wharton,  and  Leonidas  L.  Ham- 
line  deceased — Kind  attention  from  brethren  and  Conference — Re- 
quest of  Conference  that  the  writer  should  deliver  semi-centennial 
Bermon  at  its  next  session — Colleague,  Rev.  John  W.  White — Nine 
appointments — Meditations page  333 

CHAPTER  XXXV. 

Superannunted  life — Conference  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  September  26, 
1806 — Semi-centennial  sermon  made  the  order  of  the  day  for  Mon- 
day, 10  o'clock — Conference  request  publication — Superannuated — 
Resolution  of  respect — Journey  to  the  North-west — Settled  at  Monroe, 
Wisconsin — Welcomed — Letter  of  welcome  from  Dr.  Brunson — Rev. 
Aspinwall — Called  on  to  preach — Letter  to  Ohio  Conference— Assist 
son  on  Joliet  district,  Rock  River  Conference— Concluding  adieu 
to  Methodists page  337 


APPENDIX. 

I.  Commemoration  Sermon -Delivered  by  request  of  the  Ohio  Confer- 
ence on  the  occasion  of  its  fiftieth  anniversary,  at  Circleville,  Ohio, 
September  16,  1864 page  345 

II.  Semi-centennial  Sermon — Delivered  by  request  of  the  Ohio  Con- 
ference on  the  completion  of  half  a  century  in  the  regular  work, 
at  Columbus,  Ohio,  October  1,  1866 page  377 


HIGHWAYS  A^'D  HEDGES: 

OR, 

Fifty  Years  of  Western  Methodism. 


CHAPTER  I. 

BIRTH  AND  EARLY  LIFE. 

I  WAS  born  in  Sussex  county,  New  Jersey,  June  8,  1795. 
My  ancestors,  on  my  father's  side,  were  of  Scotcli  origin. 
My  great-grandfather,  Daniel  Stewart,  emigrated  to  Amer- 
ica at  an  early  day,  and  settled  in  Litchfield,  Connecticut, 
My  father,  Daniel  Stewart,  was  born  November,  1762,  in 
Litchfield,  Connecticut.  Before  he  had  reached  his  major- 
ity the  Revolutionary  War  broke  out.  He  warmly  espoused 
the  cause  of  the  stru2:2;lin2;  colonies,  and  ofi'ered  himself  for 
the  service.  He  was  accepted,  but  being  too  young  for  the 
ranks  was  put  in  charge  of  a  wagon.  His  position  was  one 
of  hardship  and  danger,  but  he  endured  cheerfully,  and  had 
the  pleasure  of  lining  to  see  the  country  that  he  had  as- 
sisted in  wrestino;  from  British  domination  takini;  a  front 
rank  in  the  great  brotherhood  of  nations.  He  married 
Miss  Ruth  Fulford,  and  settled  in  Sussex  county,  New 
Jersey.  About  the  beginning  of  the  present  century  he 
formed  the  acquaintance  of  a  man  who  owned  a  large  tract 
of  land  in  the  valley  of  the  Hockhocking,  in  the  then  wilds 

15 


IC  HIGHWAYS    AND    HEDGES. 

of  the  Ohio  Territory.     Tlie  man  wa3  very  anxious  to  dis- 
pose  of    tlic    property,   and    my    fatlier    jturcha.scd    it,   and 
dctormincd  to  emigrate  to  tliat  place  and  oj^cn  a  farm.     One 
of    liis    brothers,  Archclaus  Stewart,  determined  to  accom- 
pany   him.     The    two    families    commenced    making    their 
arrangements.     My  father  sold  off  his  personal   property  at 
public  auction,  and  as  lie  was  compelled  to  give  a  credit  to 
the    purchasers,  he  removed   his  family  to  New  York  city 
and  engaged  in  temporary  business.     AVhen  the  sale  notes 
were  due  we   returned  to  Sussex,  closed   up   the   business, 
made  a  short  visit  among  old  friends,  and  then  set  out  upon 
the    long   journey.     Kind    neighbors   bid   us   good-by  with 
many   tears,  and   shuddered    in   view  of   the   hardships  we 
were  to  encounter  on  the  journey  and  after  we  should  reach 
our  destination.     We  had  two  wagons  and  five  horses.     In 
view  of  difl&cult  roads  and  the  amount  of  our  load,  it  was 
necessary  that  some  of  the  company  should  walk  most  of  the 
time.     Though   only  seven  years  old,  I  walked  almost  the 
entire    journey.      At    the    difficult    mountain    ascents    we 
doubled  teams,  and  thus,  though  our  progress  was  slow  it 
was  sure.     After  more  than  a  month  of  weary  marching  we 
caught    our    first    view    of    the    beautiful    Ohio    River   at 
Wheeling.     We   purchased  of  Mr.   Palmer,  who   kept  the 
ferry   at  Wheeling,  an   old   ferry-boat.     One   of   the   party 
took  the  horses  through  by  land.     We  packed  the   goods 
on  the  boat  and  floated  down  the  river.     The  scenery  was 
wild,  but  beautiful  and  exciting.     As  we  were  floating  qui- 
etly   along   one    day,   one    of   our   company  saw   an   object 
reclining  on  the  limb  of  a  tree  which  overhung  the  water. 
A   closer   inspection   revealed   the   fact  that  it  was  a  huge 
bear  lazily  enjoying  the   sunshine.     With  a  trusty  rifle  in 
hand,  one  of  the  party  landed  and  soon  brought  old  bruin 
down  with  a  deadly  shot.     When  we  reached  the  mouth  of 
the  Hockhocking  we  landed,  and  after  providing  ourselves 


BIRTH   AND    EARLY    LIFE.  17 

with  suitable  barge-poles,  commenced  the  laborious  work  of 
poling  our  boat  and  cargo  up  that  stream  to  the  place  of 
our  destination.  The  knowledge  of  the  fact  that  we  were 
so  near  to  our  new  home  inspired  us  all  with  fresh  courage, 
and  we  worked  with  a  will.  The  first  day  of  January, 
1803,  we  tied  up  our  boat  at  the  mouth  of  Federal  Creek, 
and  were  made  welcome  to  the  hospitalities  of  the  log  cabin 
of  George  Barris.  The  land  which  my  father  owned  was 
in  this  immediate  vicinity,  and  with  his  usual  promptness 
and  enterprise,  he  gathered  a  sufficient  force  to  put  up  with 
great  dispatch  quite  a  pretentious  cabin  for  those  days.  I 
shall  not  indulge  in  many  reminiscences  of  those  pioneer 
days  at  present,  as  I  shall  have  occasion  to  refer  to  them 
frequently  as  I  progress  with  my  narrative.  Though  we 
were  in  the  dense  forest,  where  the  wild  whoop  of  the 
Indian  was  a  more  familiar  sound  than  that  of  the  church- 
going  bell,  yet  we  were  at  home,  and  we  addressed  ourselves 
to  the  task  of  making  that  home  as  attractive  as  possible. 
My  uncle  built  his  cabin  a  few  miles  further  up  the  river. 
The  settlers  were  few  and  far  between,  and  school  and 
Church  privileges  far  away.  My  father  and  his  brother  and 
their  wives  were  the  only  Methodists  within  the  bounds  of 
what  now  constitutes  Athens  county.  They  acknowledged 
God,  and  erected  the  family  altar  in  their  houses.  They 
also  met  regularly  at  my  father's  house  on  the  Sabbath- 
day,  at  twelve  o'clock,  to  worship  God  publicly.  The  serv- 
ice consisted  of  singing,  prayer,  and  the  reading  of  one  of 
Mr.  Wesley's  sermons.  In  view  of  seniority  and  superior 
education,  my  father  usually  read  the  sermons.  Though 
they  enjoyed  times  of  refreshing  at  these  family  gatherings, 
a-nd  realized  the  faithfulness  of  God's  promises  to  two  or 
three  gathered  together,  yet  they  longed  for  the  ministra- 
tion   of   the    "Word    from    God's    living    ministers.     In    the 

course  of  time  my  father  learned  that  there  was  Methodist 

2 


18  HUiHWAVS    AM)   HKDGES. 

circuit  preaching  at  or  near  Rev.  Recce  Wolfs,  tlircc  miles 
above  l*arkersl)urjj,  Va.,  a  distance  of  twenty-three  miles 
from  our  houf^e.  JMy  father  went,  found  that  preaehin^- 
j)lace,  handed  in  his  letter,  and  attende<l  the  service,  mak- 
ini^  the  journey  ol"  I'orty-six  miles  eaoh  time  with  more 
of  fidelity  than  many  professors  attend  religious  duty  who 
live  within  a  stone's  throw  of  the  liousc  of  God.  It  was 
impracticable,  however,  for  the  families  to  attend,  and  at 
length,  by  earnest  solicitation,  the  preachers  consented  to 
make  a  tour  of  observation  up  the  valley  of  Hockhock- 
ing.  Jacob  Young,  then  a  single  man,  in  the  vigor  and 
ambition  of  early  life,  led  the  way.  The  scattering  pioneers 
received  him  so  gladly,  that  he  determined  to  expand  the 
already  enormous  boundaries  of  the  Little  Kanawha  circuit 
to  embrace  these  Ohio  neighborhoods.  Rev.  Geo.  C.  Light, 
the  junior  preacher  followed  in  his  turn,  and  the  result  was 
the  establishment  of  several  classes.  The  first  was  organ- 
ized at  my  father's  house,  and  comprised  six  members, 
namely :  Daniel  Stewart,  Ruth  Stewart,  Archelaus  Stewart, 
Lydia  Stewart,  William  Pilchcr,  and  Letta  Pilcher.  Not 
lung  afterw^ard  Harrison  Long  and  Lydia  Long,  Job  Ruter 
and  wife,  parents  of  the  Ruter  family,  brother  and  sister 
Case,  Rev.  John  and  Palace  Green,  and  others,  were  added 
to  the  class.  Another  class  was  organized  in  what  was  then 
called  Southtown — now  called  Alexander — about  six  miles 
south  of  where  xVthens  now  stands.  Those  pioneer  socie- 
ties still  live,  and  they  who  planted  them  and  they  who 
were  the  original  members  of  them  live  also,  but  not  on 
earth — the  pioneer  preachers  and  the  pioneer  members  are 
now  safe  at  home. 

My  father  had  a  large  family — nine  sons  and  five  daugh- 
ters. He  opened  up  a  large  farm  on  heavily-timbered  land, 
and  educating  his  family  to  habits  of  industry  and  economy, 
accumulated    a    large    property.     During   more    than    sixty 


BIRTH    AND    EARLY    LIFE.  19 

years  of  membership  in  tlie  Methodist  Church,  I  never 
knew  him  to  omit  family  prayers,  morning  or  evening.  He 
usually  had  a  good  many  hands  about  him,  but  it  mattered 
not  what  was  the  press  of  business  or  who  were  present,  he 
neither  omitted  or  abridged  the  service.  He  read  a  chap- 
ter— usually  in  course — sang  a  hymn,  and  offered  prayer. 
For  many  years  the  regular  preaching  was  on  week  days. 
He  gave  all  his  hired  help  privilege  to  attend,  without  any 
deduction  from  their  day's  wages.  3Iy  mothel*  died  in  1839. 
She  was  a  strong-minded,  kind-hearted,  noble,  Christian 
woman,  having  been  a  faithful  member  of  the  Methodist 
Church  about  fifty  years.  My  father  married  again  in  his 
eightieth  year.  The  woman  that  he  selected,  Mrs.  Lovica 
AVillard,  was  an  excellent  Christian  woman,  and  they  lived 
together  some  sixteen  years,  being  a  great  help  and  comfort 
to  each  other.  During  the  last  j^ears  of  my  father's  life  he 
was  nearly  blind  and  unable  to  kneel,  but  his  wife  would 
read  the  chapter  and  then  read  a  hymn,  after  which  she 
would  kneel  down,  and  father  would  lead  in  prayer,  sitting  in 
his  chair,  or  call  on  his  companion,  or  the  hired  girl,  if  a 
Christian,  or  any  praying  visitor  who  might  chance  to  be 
present.  This  punctuality  in  the  maintenance  of  the  exer- 
cises of  religion  in  the  family  had  a  salutary  influence  on 
the  whole  household.  All  of  my  brothers  and  sisters  cm- 
braced  religion  in  early  life,  and  the  most  of  them  made  a 
permanent  home  in  the  visible  Church.  In  his  ninety-sev- 
enth year  my  father  fell  asleep  in  Jesus,  and  about  one 
year  afterward  my  step-mother  was  called  to  her  rest,  in 
the  eightieth  year  of  her  age. 

As  my  father's  house  was  a  home  for  the  traveling 
preachers  and  the  preaching-place,  I  was  early  brought 
under  the  influence  of  their  public  and  private  teacliing. 
The  Holy  Spirit  strove  with  me,  and  deeply  convicted  me 
of  the  necessity  of  a  change  of  heart.     I  often  commenced 


20  HIGHWAYS    AND    IIKDGES. 

8cckiii[];  it,  and  often  p;avc  up  scckinj^  it,  as  T  p.issod  up  from  i 
cliildliood  to  nianliood.  I'lic  restraints  thrown  :iiiiini(l  mo  I 
wore  so  nuniertuis  and  stronjj;  tliat  I  was  kept  I'roni  ninnin*; 
inio  o|i(ii  wickedness.  I  was  kept  williin  tlie  }»ounds  of 
wiiat  tlie  superficial  of  this  Wfirhl  call  molality;  hut  in  my 
most  careless  state  1  never  tiiouulit  tiiat  morality  would 
save  me.  When-  I  was  ahout  twenty  years  of  age  the 
Sjiirit  called  me  a^ain  with  iircat  earnestness,  and  I  deter- 
mined, not  without  a  severe  struggle  of  mind,  to  give  up  tlic 
amusements  which  so  engrossed  the  young,  and  enter  upon 
the  work  of  seeking  my  soul's  salvation  with  full  purpose 
of  heart.  I  sought  the  Lord  by  day  and  by  night,  read 
the  Scriptures  much,  spent  much  time  in  secret  prayer,  and 
realized  that  though  I  was  doing  the  work  of  repentance 
and  faith,  the  work  was  delightful  to  me  in  some  respects 
though  painful  in  others.  I  was  distressed  with  the  re- 
membrance of  my  long  procrastination,  but  comforted  with 
the  assurance  that  I  was  now  honestly  and  earnestly  seek- 
ing God.  After  several  months  of  seeking,  it  occurred  to 
me  that  I  might  find  helps  iu  the  Church  that  would  be  of 
value  to  me.  On  one  occasion  I  remained  for  the  class-meet- 
ing after  preaching.  Before  the  preacher  commenced  to  lead 
it,  he  asked  the  leader  if  any  person  had  remained  who  was 
not  a  member.  His  attention  was  directed  to  me,  and  he  gave 
me  such  counsel  as  suited  my  case.  The  preacher  was  Rev. 
Marcus  Lindsey,  a  man  of  precious  memory,  who  turned 
many  to  righteousness.  I  did  not  join  that  day,  but  began 
at  once  to  persuade  others  to  come  to  the  Savior  that  I  so 
much  desired  to  serve.  On  one  occasion  Eliphalet  Case 
came  to  our  house,  intending  to  go  out  with  my  brother 
Charles  hunting  that  night.  Charles  not  being  at  home, 
Eliphalet  remained  and  lodged  with  me.  After  we  had  re- 
tired I  told  him  that  I  was  seeking  religion,  and  that  I  in- 
tended to  be  a  Christian  if  none  of  my  young  companions 


BIRTH    AND    EARLY    LIFE.  21 

would  go  witli  me.  I  talked  on  until  I  supposed  he  had 
gone  to  sleep,  but  as  soon  as  I  ceased  talking  lie  ex}»iessed 
his  pleasure  that  I  had  introduced  the  subject,  and  }»roniiHed 
that  he  would  joiu  me  in  the  enterprise.  Soon  after  this 
we  went  one  night  together  to  the  woods  as  though  we  were 
going  hunting;  we  had  a  precious  time  in  prayer.  I  now 
think  that  had  I  been  more  thoroughly  instructed  I  would 
have  made  a  profession  of  the  love  of  God  that  night.  A 
few  days  after  this,  Philadelphia  Case  was  on  a  visit  to  our 
house.  As  I  walked  home  with  her  in  the  evening,  while  I 
was  cxhortinu'  her  to  become  a  Christian,  she  burst  into  tears 
and  promised  that  she  would  from  that  time  commence  seek- 
ing the  Lord.  When  brother  Pownell,  the  junior  preacher, 
came  round  I  joined  the  Church,  and  two  weeks  from  that 
time,  when  brother  Lindsey  came,  these  two  young  friends 
joined.  My  withdrawal  from  the  dancing  circle  and  join- 
ing the  Church  produced  a  profound  impression  through  the 
w^hole  circle  of  our  acquaintance.  Many  of  them  came  to 
class  to  see  and  hear,  and  within  a  few  months  the  society 
had  so  enlarged  that  the  preacher  thought  it  best  to  divide 
it  and  appoint  another  leader.  Brother  Lindsey  told  the 
society  that  he  was  going  to  appoint  another  leader,  and 
that  if  they  wished  to  advise  him  of  their  wishes,  each  per- 
son might  come  up  and  whisper  the  name  of  their  choice  in 
his  ear.  In  that  way  I  was  nominated  for  leader.  He  ob- 
jected at  first  to  appointing  me,  as  I  was  a  probationer,  but 
when  it  appeared  to  be  the  wish  of  the  young  converts  so 
generally,  he  acquiesced  and  appointed  me.  It  was  a  great 
undertaking  for  me,  but  I  went  forward  in  the  fear  of  God, 
and  he  greatly  blessed  me.  Ebenezer  T.  Webster,  then 
a  wild  young  man,  heard  that  T  was  to  lead  the  class  at 
Wm.  Pilcher's,  and  though  he  had  spent  the  previous  night 
at  the  card-table,  he  resolved  to  attend  the  class- meeting. 
lie  did  so,  and  before  it  closed  he  dolcrmincd  to  give  his 


22  HIGHWAYS    AND    HEDGES. 

Ijonrt  to  (uh\.  lie  nftorward  entered  the  ministry,  and  pro- 
claimed tljc  Gof<pel  witli  a  t()n;,^uc  of  Ore  lor  many  years. 
One  day,  as  the  conjijregation  was  assembling  for  preaching, 
brother  Lindscy  took  nie  out  one  side  and  sat  down  on  a 
log;  and  after  talkinir  with  mc  a  little  while,  he  handed  me 
a  license  to  exhort,  and  said,  "You  must  go  and  do  the 
best  you  can."  I  tried  to  excuse  myself,  but  lie  insisted, 
and  that  day  announced  four  appointments  for  me,  each  of 
which  I  was  to  fill  every  four  weeks.  The  appointments 
were  as  follows:  1.  Smith's,  at  Wesley;  2.  M'Keever's,  on 
Federal  Creek;  .3.  Wm.  Pilcher's,  on  Hocking;  and,  4. 
Lotridge's,  in  Carthage.  I  afterward  learned  that  Mother* 
Ruter,  the  mother  of  Calvin  and  Martin  Ruter,  had  been 
moving  in  the  matter,  urging  the  pastor  to  thrust  me  out 
into  the  work.  We  all  had  unbounded  confidence  in  him. 
Indeed,  Marcus  Lindsey  was  one  of  our  denominational 
giants.  Standing  full  six  feet  in  his  boots,  and  weighing 
two  hundred  pounds,  his  commanding  presence  instantly 
arrested  the  attention  of  a  con2Te2:ation.  He  had  keen, 
black  eyes,  and  a  strong  voice,  full  of  melody.  He  was  a 
master  in  song,  exhortation,  prayer,  and  preaching.  He 
excelled,  too,  as  pastor,  administrator  of  discipline,  and  in 
looking  after  the  general  interests  of  the  Church.  Taking 
him  in  all  the  relations  and  responsibilities  of  a  Methodist 
preacher,  he  had  few,  if  any,  superiors.  In  the  Spring  he 
went  to  Baltimore  to  attend  the  General  Conference,  and  left 
the  circuit  in  the  care  of  Rev.  T.  A.  Morris,  now  well  known 
to  the  Church,  but  then  a  supply  under  the  presiding  elder. 
At  his  request  my  father  consented  that  I  should  accom- 
pany him  around  the  circuit.  The  first  appointment  was  at 
Carthage.  We  stopped  at  Milton  Buckingham's,  and  while 
I  was  leading  in  family  prayer  the  power  of  God  came 
down  and  we  had  a  wonderful  blessing.  Brother  and  sister 
Buckingham   shouted  all  over  the   house.     We  went  on  to 


BIRTH    AND    EARLY    LIFE.  23 

Lotridge's ;  then  to  Stubb's  scliool-house;  then  to  Smith's, 
on  Tupper's  Plains;  then  to  Jacob  Humphrey's,  where  we 
were  to  spend  the  Sabbath.  Brother  Morris  had  preached 
at  each  place,  and  I  had  attempted  to  exhort,  but  at  each 
appointment  I  had  less  and  less  liberty,  until  now  I  seemed 
to  be  completely  shut  up.  I  went  out  into  the  woods  Sab- 
bath morning,  and  threw  myself  on  the  earth  and  pleaded 
with  God  to  help  me  if  he  had  work  for  me  to  do;  still  I 
was  enveloped  in  darkness,  and  had  no  liberty.  I  begged 
brother  Morris  to  let  me  go  home,  but  he  insisted  that  I 
should  go  on.  At  Xewberry  and  at  Daniel  Goss's  it  was 
the  same  way.  On  our  way  to  Marietta  we  were  overtaken 
with  a  terrible  thunder-storm.  I  was  seized  with  the  im- 
pression that  God  was  displeased  with  me,  but  brother  Mor- 
ris calmly  and  delightfully  discoursed  upon  the  grandeur  of 
the  lightning's  flash  and  the  thunder's  roar.  That  niglit 
we  lodged  at  brother  Whitney's.  I  still  pleaded  to  go  home 
but  he  would  not  consent.  At  the  mouth  of  Duck  Creek 
we  separated,  with  instructions  that  I  should  meet  him  next 
day,  but  as  soon  as  he  was  out  of  sight  I  mounted  my  horse 
and  fled  for  home.  On  my  way  home  I  learned  that  brother 
Lindsey  had  returned  from  General  Conference  and  was  at 
Athens.  I  turned  my  horse  toward  Athens,  and  finding 
brother  Lindsey  told  him  the  whole  story.  He  gave  me  a  nar- 
rative of  his  experience — he  had  started  too  soon — his  way 
closed  up — he  waited  until  it  opened,  and  then  went  forward. 
He  said,  "John,  you  are  called  to  the  work  of  the  minis- 
try, but  the  time  has  not  come.  Keep  yourself  unencum- 
bered and  in  due  time  the  way  will  be  clear."  I  returned 
home,  and  aftef  a  little  time  took  charge  of  a  school,  taught 
two  terms,  seeking  all  the  time  to  improve  myself,  and  do 
all  the  good  I  could  holding  prayer  and  class  meetings. 
The  members  of  the  Church  were  still  urging  their  convic- 
tions  that    I   should  enter   the   work   of   the   ministry,  and 


24  lilGllWAVS    AND    III.DCLS. 

notwitlistandiiiL:;  my  natural  timidity  and  ,'i  jir()r(»und  sense 
of  my  unwdrtliincss.  sucdi  w(>rc  tlic  movinf^s  of  tlic  Spirit 
ujiun  my  heart  that  L  did  not  dare  to  commit  myself  per- 
manontly  to  any  otlicr  vocatioji  in  life. 

AVluMi  the  ])roaeliers  started  to  Conlerencc  they  instructed 
me  to  attend  to  the  ajijiointments  during:;  tlieir  absence.  I 
consented  to  do  so,  and  started  to  fuliill  the  promise.  Find- 
ing, however,  that  tlvc  appointments  liad  not  been  announced, 
and  hearing  of  a  camp-meeting  near  Circleville,  0.,  I  turned 
my  course  toward  that ;  and,  indeed,  my  steps  seemed  to  be 
directed  by  a  kind  Providence.  I  was  desirous  tliere  to 
obtain  instructions  and  help  such  as  I  needed.  An  im- 
mense concourse  of  people  had  gathered,  and  many  preach- 
ers of  a  high  order  were  present  to  labor,  such  as  Wm. 
Swazey,  Moses  Trader,  and  Michael  Ellis.  Swazey  was  a 
great  revivalist,  and  was  here  in  his  element,  lie  had 
charge  of  the  meeting,  and  managed  it  with  much  wisdom 
and  energy.  But  the  pulpit  giant  of  the  meeting  was  the 
venerable  Ellis.  Physically  of  almost  giant  proportions,  his 
head  whitened  by  the  frosts  of  more  than  seventy  Winters, 
many  years  of  close  communion  with  God  and  success- 
ful labors  in  his  vineyard  had  made  such  an  impress  upon 
his  commanding  countenance  as  attracted  the  attention  and 
awed  the  hearer  at  first  siglit.  When  I  first  saw  him  stand- 
ing before  the  great  audience,  on  Saturday,  at  11  o'clock, 
A.  M.,  he  seemed  to  my  mind  to  answer  Daniel's  descrip- 
tion of  the  ancient  of  days — I  was  spell-bound  from  the 
beginning.  As  he  read  his  hymn  he  spake  as  a  man  of  au- 
thority, and  the  people  catching  the  inspiration  of  the  occa- 
sion, lifted  up  their  voices  and  made  the  grand  old  forest 
reverberate  with  their  singing.  He  kneeled  to  lead  the 
devotions  of  the  people,  and  it  was  apparent  that  he  was 
addressing  one  with  whom  he  was  intimately  acquainted  and 
on   terms   of   closest  friendship.     The   windows   of   heaven 


BIRTH    AND    EARLY    LIFE.  25 

were  opened  in  answer  to  his  prayer,  and  heavenly  influ- 
ences were  poured  out  upon  the  people.  When  he  rose  to 
announce  his  text  all  eyes  were  fixed  upon  him,  and  large 
expectations  were  evidently  awakened.  He  read  1  Cor.  i, 
30 :  '•  But  of  him  are  ye  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  of  God  is 
made  unto  us  wisdom,  and  righteousness,  and  sanctification, 
and  redemption."  It  was  soon  evident  that  he  was  a  work- 
man that  needeth  not  to  be  ashamed,  and  that  the  hiuhest 
expectation  would  be  fully  met.  His  words  were  well  chosen 
and  fitly  spoken,  like  apples  of  gold  in  pictures  of  silver; 
they  were  uttered  in  tones  of  thunder,  and  seemed  to  emit 
flashes  of  livinj:;  lisht.  With  the  theme  of  holiness  he  was 
evidently  thoroughly  familiar,  theoretically,  practically,  and 
experimentally,  and  as  he  unfolded  it  a  Divine  power  at- 
tended his  utterances.  It  far  excelled  any  thing  I  had 
heard  before.  It  seemed  to  me  that  in  that  discourse  he 
had  exhausted  that  great  theme.  The  work  of  awakening, 
and  conversion,  and  sanctification  went  on  with  great  power. 
That  night  was  one  never  to  be  forgotten.  The  hour  of 
midnight  found  the  worshipers  at  their  places  with  unabated 
interest.  But  admonished  that  it  was  needful  that  they 
must  take  some  bodily  rest  preparatory  to  the  duties  of  the 
Sabbath,  they  formed  in  line  and  marched  around  the  en- 
campment, singing  the  triumphant  songs  of  Ziou.  The  pro- 
cession more  than  circled  the  whole  encampment,  and  then 
with  happy  hearts  we  returned  to  the  tents  for  repose. 

At  the  break  of  day  the  trumpet  sounded  to  call  the  peo- 
ple up;  then  it  sounded  again  to  call  them  to  family  prayers 
in  the  tents,  and  then,  after  an  unostentatious  breakfast  was 
dispatched,  the  trumpet  called  the  congregation,  at  eight 
o'clock,  to  hear  the  preaching  of  the  Word.  The  people  came 
with  promptness  to  their  places  in  the  congregation,  evi- 
dently hungry  for  the  Word.  The  sermon  was  attended  with 
power.     Tlie   hour   of   eleven    came   around,  and   the   great 


2G  IIK.HWAVS    AND    IlEUCiES. 

8al»1):itli  cMinfxro'jfntion.  surLniiir  :iiiil  exrit(Ml.  ciowdtMl  the 
forest  temple.  At  the  sdundini;  of  tlie  tiuiiiput  tlie  vciiei- 
ablc  f^llis  appeared  a'j:aiii  on  the  stand.  His  text  on  tliis 
occasion  was  Jfdin  xv,  1:  ''T  nni  tlio  true  vine,  and  my 
Fatlier  is  the  liusli.indman."  In  tlic  midst  of  tlie  excite- 
ment of  this  great  hour  of  the  meeting,  lie  stood  before  tlie 
vast  audience  more  n;rand  and  impressive  than  on  Saturda}'. 
He  appeared  indeed  a  fit  embassador  from  the  court  of 
heaven.  His  theme  was  again  Indiness,  and  though  it  had 
appeared  to  nie  on  Saturday  that  he  liad  exhausted  the 
theme,  it  now  seemed  clothed  in  IVesh  beauty  and  grandeur. 
I  was  lost  in  wonder,  admiration,  and  delight.  The  sermon 
and  the  influence  produced  by  it  beggars  all  description. 
No  doubt  its  fruits  will  be  seen  in  eternity.  The  Sabbath 
night  was  spent  as  Saturday  night,  only  with  increased 
power.  I  had  never  witnessed  or  enjoyed  such  a  meeting 
before,  and  although  I  have  since  witnessed  vaster  audi- 
ences and  larger  numbers  of  conversions  at  camp-meetings,  I 
have  never  heard  the  theme  of  holiness  so  ably  expounded 
and  earnestly  advocated  by  one  who  seemed  such  an  em- 
bodiment and  exposition  of  the  doctrine  as  the  venerable 
Ellis.  I  returned  to  my  home  a  better  man,  better  under- 
standing the  doctrines  and  the  privileges  of  Christianity, 
and  more  than  ever  feeling  the  importance  of  the  mission 
of  the  Christian  minister.  Hitherto  my  mind  had  been  in 
conflict  in  regard  to  my  future.  Possibly  it  will  appear  in 
eternity  that  this  meeting  was  the  pivot  on  which  my  life 
turned.  A  few  months  after  this  Rev.  Cornelius  Springer 
carried  up  from  the  society  to  which  I  belonged  a  recom- 
mendation to  the  quarterly  conference,  and  I  was  licensed 
to  preach. 


MY  FIRST    CIRCUIT — LETART    FALLS.  27 


CHAPTER   II. 

MY    FIRST   CIRCUIT— LETART   FALLS. 

1816-17. 

OCTOBER  3,  1816,  the  Ohio  Conference  met  in  Louis- 
ville, Kentucky.  There  being  no  railroads  in  those  days, 
the  great  majority  of  the  preachers  came  on  horseback, 
many  of  them  giving  evidence,  by  their  homespun  and 
threadbare  garments,  that  they  had  had  hard  work  and  poor 
pay.  Their  happy  countenances,  however,  gave  evidence 
of  devotion  to  their  work,  and  satisfaction  in  the  prosecu- 
tion of  it.  Since  the  last  session  of  the  Conference,  the 
venerable  Asbury  had  gone  home  to  his  reward,  and  the 
General  Conference,  which  had  held  its  session  in  Baltimore 
during  the  month  of  May,  had  elected  Enoch  George  and 
Robert  R.  Roberts  to  strengthen  the  Episcopacy.  These 
were  men  of  rare  talents  and  piety,  and  with  MKendree, 
who  the  Western  preachers  almost  worshiped,  made  an  able 
and  efficient  Board  of  Bishops.  The  Ohio  Conference,  on 
this  occasion,  was  favored  with  the  presence  of  all  of  the 
board.  The  session  was  a  pleasant  and  profitable  one. 
The  principal  matter  of  the  Conference  was  the  distribution 
of  the  laborers  over  the  vast  fields  to  be  cultivated.  This 
great  wheel  of  the  itinerancy  which  is  central  to  our  ecclesi- 
astical system,  has  always  imposed  the  gravest  responsibility 
on  the  superintendents,  and  tried  most  thoroughly  the  self- 
sacrificing  spirit  of  both  the  preachers  and  the  people ;  yet 
it  seems  to  me  that  in  those  days,  when  the  greatest  sacri- 


28  HIGHWAYS    AND    HLDGES. 

ficoa  worn  made,  tlio  wliorl  movrd  witli  as  little  friction  as 
now.  There  was  but  little  <lisjM»siti()n  to  interfere  in  rc<j;ard 
t(i  the  .'ijtpointnicnts  cither  on  the  })art  of  the  }»rcachers  or 
the  people,  hnt  }>oth  looked  to  God  in  earnest  prayer  and 
strong  faith,  .-ind  reL^•lrded  the  appointments  as  coming  from 
liim. 

From  this  Conference  J.  T>.  Finley,  then  a  young  man, 
full  of  courage  and  fire,  led  forth  into  the  Ohio  district,  as 
his  helpers,  Hatton,  Goddard,  Baker,  Booth,  Davidson, 
Dixon,  Westlakc,  M'Elroy,  Knox,  and  Kent. 

David  Young,  then  physically,  as  well  as  intellectually 
and  morally,  a  noble  specimen  of  a  "man,  led  forth  into  the 
Scioto  district,  as  his  helpers,  Ellis,  Hooper,  W.  Westlake, 
R.  A.  Finley,  Swayze,  Peter,  Truitt,  Tivis,  Waddle,  Glaze, 
Samuel  Brown,  and  T.  Sewcll. 

Moses  Crume,  a  man  of  large  physical  proportions  and 
great  moral  worth,  led  into  the  Miami  V^alley  Cummins, 
Goddard,  W.  P.  Finley,  Bigelow,  Lawrence,  Hunt,  Sale, 
Brooke,  Griffith,  Williams,  Strange,  Pavery,  and  Sharpe. 

Jacob  Young  led  forth  as  his  helpers  to  the  Muskingum 
district,  Somerville,  Solomon,  James  Quinn,  John  M'Ma- 
hon,  Watterman,  Carr,  Euark,  Springer,  Thomas  A.  Mor- 
ris, Graham,  Hamilton,  and  Lane. 

Samuel  Parker  led  forth  into  the  Kentucky  district 
James  Simmons,  Hunt,  Chenowith,  Lakiu,  Baker,  Linville* 
Dumint,  West,  Cunningham,  Holdman,  and  S.  Spurlock. 

Under  the  leadership  of  these  presiding  elders  these  men 
were  soon  scattered  over  the  large  Conference  then  compris- 
ing all  of  the  State  of  Ohio,  and  large  portions  of  Ken- 
tucky, Pennsylvania,  and  Virginia,  and  soon  forest  and  vil- 
lage was  vocal  with  the  earnest  appeals  and  invitations  of 
these  men,  determined  to  win  the  people  to  Christ. 

The  following  preachers  were  received  on  trial  at  this 
session  of  the  Conference:  Ezra  Booth,  Thomas  A.  Morris, 


MY   FIRST    CIRCUIT LETART    FALLS.  29 

William  "Westlake,  Thomas  Carr,  Stephen  Spurlock,  Samuel 
Glaze,  Samuel  Baker,  Daniel  D.  Davisson,  John  C.  Brooks, 
William  AVilliams,  William  Iloldman,  Samuel  Demint,  John 
Lindville,  Simon  Peter.  Of  these  Thomas  A.  Morris,  now 
senior  Bisliop  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and 
Daniel  D.  Davisson  are  still  living. 

Having  been  licensed  to  preach,  as  previously  stated,  1 
started  the  first  day  of  March,  1817,  under  instructions 
from  the  presiding  elder,  Rev.  J.  Young,  to  assist  Rev. 
John  Summerville  on  the  Letart  Falls  circuit.  I  dared  not 
refuse,  though  I  felt  that  of  myself  I  was  utterly  inade- 
quate to  the  greatness  of  the  work.  I  knew  He  who  com- 
missioned the  first  band  of  Christian  missionaries  had  said 
to  them.  "Go,"  and  "lo,  I  am  with  you."  Taking  fast 
hold  on  this  promise,  I  mounted  my  horse  and  turned  my 
face  toward  my  life-work.  Little  did  I  then  think  that 
half  a  century  of  itinerating  was  before  me,  or  that  I  would 
be  still  upon  the  walls  of  Zion  when  the  hosts  of  Method- 
ism should  celebrate  the  close  of  the  first  hundred  years  of 
the  history  of  this  wonderful  spiritual  movement  on  this 
continent.  The  Rev.  John  Summerville  received  me  with 
kindness,  and  gave  me  the  plan  of  appointments,  commenc- 
ing at  King's,  at  the  mouth  of  Mill  Creek,  near  Buffing- 
ton's  Island,  on  the  Ohio  River.  We  took  a  line  of  appoint- 
ments along  both  sides  of  the  river  down  to  Burlinoton, 
making  twenty-eight  appointments  in  the  round,  allowing 
less  than  one  rest  day  per  week  during  the  whole  year. 
The  scope  of  territory  occupied  was  about  equal  to  a  pre- 
siding elder's  district  at  this  time  in  that  portion  of  the 
Ohio  Conference.  I  preached  my  first  sermon  at  brother 
King's,  at  the  mouth  of  Mill  Creek.  Brother  Summerville 
preached  at  noon  and  announced  for  me  at  night.  The 
people  as  well  as  the  preacher  in  charge  came  together  at 
night,  with  more  or  less  of  curiosity  to  hear  what  kind  of 


80  HIGHWAYS    AM)    IIKDGKS. 

a  yonii'i  m.'in  the  presiding  elder  li;id  .«(Mit  to  assist  in  (he 
work.  UikUt  a  jiainful  sense  of  responsibility,  I  announced 
for  my  text,  *'  Mary  has  chosen  that  j^ood  part." 

After  pressing  upon  the  congregation  the  fact  that  each 
probationer  has  life  and  death  placed  before  liini,  and  is 
loft  to  make  a  deliberate  and  intelligent  choice  of  the  "good 
part"  ■which  secures  the  favor  of  God,  or  of  the  part  which 
hypocrites  and  unbelievers  have  in  the  lake  that  burneth 
with  fire  and  brimstone,  I  dwelt  upon  the  impotency  of 
any  power  on  earth  or  in  hell  to  rob  the  faithful  Christian 
of  the  good  part.  But  I  apprehend  that  my  outline  was 
not  very  clearly  brought  out,  and  that,  to  my  more  experi- 
enced colleague,  there  was  not  in  the  sermon  much  promise 
of  excellence  in  pulpit  performance.  I  inferred  this  from  a 
gentle  hint  he  gave  me  after  we  had  retired  to  bed  at  night. 
"Brother  John,"  said  he,  "if  I  bad  not  known  what  your 
text  was  I  should  not  have  gathered  it  from  any  thing  that 
you  said  in  your  sermon."  This  remark  was  certainly  not 
much  calculated  to  flatter  my  vanity. 

The  circuit  being  so  large,  and  our  time  so  fully  occupied, 
the  preachers  had  but  little  opportunity  of  being  together. 
Yet  we  occasionally  crossed  each  other's  patlis,  and  I  re- 
ceived counsel  and  instruction  from  my  superior.  During 
the  six  months  that  I  labored  on  the  Letart  circuit  I  had 
the  privilege  of  seeing  some  good  revivals  of  religion,  the 
evidences  that  we  had  not  labored  in  vain.  After  an  absence 
of  forty  years  I  returned  to  travel  over  much  of  the  same 
territory  as  presiding  elder,  and  found  great  satisfaction  in 
calling  up  the  memories  of  the  scenes  and  associations  of 
those  days  of  my  itinerant  life.  If  I  should  record  here 
the  names  of  the  officers  of  the  Church,  or  the  kind  people 
who  welcomed  me  to  their  homes  and  gave  me  the  best  fare 
which  their  pioneer  cabins  afforded,  there  are  few  now  living 
who  would  be  found  upon  the  roll.     I  fancy,  however,  that  a 


MY    FIRST    CIRCUIT LETART    FALLS.  31 

host  of  tlieiii  who  have  passed  over  the  river  are  waiting  to 
welcome  me  to  the  mansion-house  above,  when  the  time  for 
my  departure  shall  come.  To  the  few  who  still  linger  in 
the  Church  below  I  would  extend  my  hand,  and  bid  them 
be  faith lul  until  we  hail  the  sainted  above. 

At  the  close  of  the  year  I  returned  to  my  father's  house 
to  report  the  labors  of  the  year,  and  to  enjoy  a  brief  re- 
union with  my  former  classmates  and  the  friends  of  my 
boyhood. 

The  session  of  the  Conference,  to  be  held  at  Zanesville, 
Ohio,  was  near  at  hand,  and  I  had  been  recommended  to 
be  received  on  trial  as  a  traveling  preacher.  My  pecuniary 
prospects  were  not  particularly  bright  in  the  direction  of  an 
itinerant  life.  Six  months  of  hard  labor  had  brought  me 
only  twenty-five  dollars,  or  about  four  dollars  per  month, 
and  that  in  depreciated  currency.  On  the  other  hand,  my 
father  was  a  large  land-owner  and  very  prosperous  farmer, 
and,  with  my  strong  hands  and  willingness  to  labor,  there 
could  be  but  little  doubt  of  success  in  making  money, 
should  I  give  up  the  ministry  and  devote  m^'self  to  secular 
pursuits.  I  had  not,  however,  any  serious  struggle  of  mind 
in  regard  to  this.  I  think  I  chose  as  honestl}-  and  fairly  as 
did  Moses,  having  "respect  to  the  recompense  of  reward." 
And  gow,  after  more  than  five  decades  of  sacrifice  and  toil 
in  the  rougher  departments  of  Methodist  preacher  life,  I 
am  prepared  fully  to  indorse  the  faithfulness  of  the  Savior's 
promise  to  Peter  when  he  inquired,  "What  shall  we  have 
therefor?"  He  assured  them  that  they  should  have  mani- 
fold more  in  this  life,  besides  the  priceless  rewards  of  the 
life  to  come.  I  doubt  whether  any  young  man  who  gives 
himself  up  to  the  work  of  preaching  the  Gospel  ever  loses 
any  thing,  even  in  a  pecuniary  seu.^e,  by  so  doing.  "There 
is  that  giveth  and  yet  incrcascth"  applies  not  only  to  those 
who  give  money,  but  who  give  up  the  opportunity  of  making 


32  lIK.nWAYS    AND    Iir.DGES. 

money,  for  tlio  sake  of  CliriHt  nii<l  liis  kinLrilcmi.  To  rcfiiso 
to  preach  llio  CJospcl  ))ccau.sc  it  docs  not  promise  to  pay 
pecuniarily,  or  to  (urn  aside  from  tlie  work  of  tlie  ministry 
for  the  purpose  of  makin;^  money,  is  usually  lo  array  our- 
selves against  the  plans  of  the  CJreat  I  Toad  of  the  Church, 
who  is  the  God  of  providence;  if  then  we  make  muncy,  is 
it  not  after  he  has  said,  "Let  him  alone,  lie  is  joined  to  his 
idols?"  I  stood  there  on  the  threshold  of  decision.  The 
spirit  of  this  world  seemed  to  say,  "On  one  side  is  the  farm, 
a  settled  home,  future  wealth,  and  ease  and  comfort;  on  the 
other  side  a  wandering  life,  poverty,  and  continual  pri- 
vations." ]5ut  my  heart  said,  "The  Savior  says  go,  the 
Church  says  go,  and  if  I  can  be  successful  in  rescuing  one 
soul  from  the  jaws  of  death  and  hell,  it  will  be  a  life  spent 
more  grandly,  it  will  bring  a  happier  termination  and  a 
more  glorious  hereafter,  than  could  I  have  all  that  heart 
could  wish  of  this  world's  goods,  but  spend  life  out  of  the 
path  of  duty.  My  decision  was  taken,  and  I  offered  myself 
to  the  Ohio  Conference  to  become  a  traveling  preacher, 
so  long  as  God  and  the  Church  should  have  need  of  my 
services. 


LITTLE    KANAWHA    CIRCUIT.  33 


CHAPTER    III. 

LITTLE   KANAWHA   CIRCUIT,  VIRGINIA  AND   OHIO, 
AND  FAIRFIELD   CIRCUIT,   OHIO. 

1S17-1S. 

rpHE  Conference  met  in  Zanesville,  Ohio,  October  3,  1817. 
-*-  Bishop  Roberts  presided  with  great  dignity  and  accept- 
ability. On  Sabbath  he  preached  a  powerful  sermon  from 
"  Behold  the  Lamb  of  God,"  etc.  At  this  Conference  Rev. 
Samuel  Parker,  who  was  a  man  of  superior  ability  and 
much  popularity,  was  appointed  to  go  as  missionary  to  the 
Natchez  country.  In  view  of  his  feeble  health,  and  the  un- 
healthy character  of  the  region  to  which  he  was  going,  the 
parting  scene  was  a  very  tender  one.  Alas !  it  turned  out 
as  many  feared — we  saw  his  face  no  more.  He  fell  far 
away  from  home,  but  he  fell  at  his  post,  with  his  harness 
on,  and  his  history  will  be  precious  as  long  as  the  history 
of  the  Church  endures. 

The  following  preachers  were  received  on  trial  at  this 
Conference:  Bennet  Dowler,  Ira  Eddy,  Allen  "Wiley,  Peter 
Stephens,  Calvin  Ruter,  Philip  Greene,  John  Stewart,  Job 
M.  Baker,  John  P.  Taylor,  Thomas  Lowry,  and  Richard 
Corwine.  None  of  this  class  survives  except  myself. 
The  venerable  Greene  has  fallen  asleep  in  Jesus  since  I 
commenced  this  narrative.  Why  the  Master  spares  me  be- 
yond the  rest  of  my  class  I  know  not.  May  I  watch,  and 
wait,  and  be  ready  ! 

I  was  appointed  as  junior  preacher  to  Little  Kanawha 


34  HIGHWAYS    AND    HEDGES. 

circuit  ill  ^  irL'iiii;i.  Mv\.  Joliii  (Ir;ili;im  w.'is  nppnintcd  to 
the  cliarpc  ot  the  circuit.  He  \v,is  ,iii  Ili^ll^lan,  of  rcspect- 
nltlc  prenrliin'^  talent,  afta]»le  in  liis  iiianiiers^  and  being  one 
of  tlie  sweet  sinners  of  Israel,  he  made  a  fine  impression 
amoni;  the  people.  The  circuit  embraced  an  immense  field, 
being  about  five  hundred  miles  in  circumference.  It  was  the 
nucleus  of  what  grew  up  into  the  Kanawha  district,  and  was 
afterward  widely  known  and  as  widely  dreaded  by  the  young 
men  of  the  Ohio  Conference  as  "  Brush  College."  It  em- 
braced a  very  considerable  portion  of  what  is  now  the 
West  Virginia  Conference. 

Our  route  commenced  at  Bellville,  about  ten  miles  below 
I^arkersburg,  on  the  Ohio  River,  and  extended  up  the  river 
to  the  mouth  of  Grave  Creek,  a  little  beloW  Wheeling; 
thence  down  the  river  aeiain  to  the  mouth  of  Middle  Island 

O 

Kiver;  thence  up  the  latter  stream  to  near  its  head;  thence 
over  to  Hews  River,  to  brother  Thomas  Cunningham's; 
thence  across  over  on  to  the  head-waters  of  Little  Kanawha 
River;  thence  down  it  to  the  mouth  of  Reeder  Creek  and  to 
Elizabeth ;  thence  over  on  to  the  waters  of  Elk  River,  and 
thence  across  to  the  Ohio  River  at  Bellville,  the  place  of 
starting.  The  mind  now  sweeps  around  that  vast  field 
almost  without  an  effort ;  but  to  climb  its  mountains,  and 
ford  or  ferry  its  streams,  and  penetrate  its  pathless  forests 
more  than  fifty  years  ago,  rer|uired  much  of  courage  and 
endurance.  It  was  a  five  weeks'  circuit,  and  we  had  about 
thirty- five  appointments,  or  an  average  of  one  for  each  day. 
In  modern  times  protracted  meetings  have  come  much  into 
use,  and  the  preachers  generally  regard  them  as  making  a 
heavy  draft  on  the  strength  of  the  pastors ;  but  so  far  as 
the  preachers  were  concerned,  in  the  days  of  which  I  am 
now  writing,  it  was  a  protracted  meeting  from  the  first  day 
spent  on  the  circuit  until  we  started  for  Conference.  In- 
deed,  the   preachers    generally — bishops,   presiding   elders, 


LITTLE    KAXAWPLV    CIRCUIT.  35 

and  circuit  preachers — expected  to  preach  every  day  if 
there  was  opportunity.  This  daily  vocal  exercise,  accom- 
panied with  daily  horseback  exercise  and  coarse  diet,  was, 
doubtless,  far  more  favorable  to  health  than  the  habits  of 
the  present  day.  Now  the  majority  of  the  pastors  are  shut 
in  in  their  studios,  at  hard  mental  labor  during  the  week, 
and  take  but  little  vocal  or  bodily  exercise,  and  then  on 
Sabbath  preach  twice  or  three  times.  No  wonder  that  so 
many  constitutions  are  prematurely  broken  down.  I  am 
not  sure  but  a  return  to  the  circuit  system,  notwithstanding 
the  embarrassments  that  are  in  the  way  of  it,  would  prove 
a  blessing  to  both  preachers  and  people.  If,  however,  this 
may  not  be,  let  the  pastors,  for  the  security  of  their  own 
health,  as  well  as  the  spiritual  interests  of  the  Church, 
spend  at  least  one-half  of  each  day  in  pastoral  visiting,  and 
a  large  measure  of  the  time  devoted  to  these  visits  in  vocal 
prayer  in  the  families  visited.  If  this  is  done,  ministerial 
life  will  be  prolonged  and  ministerial  efficiency  greatly  in- 
creased. 

Some  of  our  rides  between  appointments  were  forty  miles 
and  more,  and  much  of  the  way  no  roads.  AVe  would  carry 
the  tomahawk  with  us,  and  blaze  our  path  on  the  trees 
throuo-h  the  forest,  or  follow  the  blazed  tracks  that  had 
been  made  by  our  predecessors.  Notwithstanding  the  utmost 
care,  we  would  frequently  lose  our  path.  Being  a  pretty 
good  woodsman  I  seldom  lost  much  in  distance,  and  would 
come  out  near  the  place  aimed  for.  I  would  often  reach 
the  neighborhood  of  my  appointment  after  a  hard  day's 
travel,  weary  and  hungry,  and  well  prepared  to  appreciate 
the  rude  but  cheerful  hospitality  extended  to  me  in  the 
cabins  of  the  pioneers. 

I  remember  one  cabin  to  which  I  was  welcomed,  in  which 
there  was  neither  chair,  nor  bedstead,  nor  table,  nor  floor. 
To  do  me  special  honor,  they  set  out  the  iron  bake-oven, 


36  HIGHWAYS    AND    I  IK  DOES. 

and  puftinc;  tlio  lid  (in  it,  c^ave  it  to  mc  for  a  scat,  wliilc 
tlicy  L;Mtlu>ro(l  a])()ut  nic  with  wonder  and  kindness,  to  hear 
the  news  or  receive  such  instructions  as  T  liad  to  imparl. 
They  spread  for  me,  in  due  time,  a  sumptuous  repast  oi' 
licar-mcat  and  corn-bread.  Wiien  tlie  evenin<^  was  far 
spent,  we  gathered  al)out  the  family  altar  and  spent  a  time 
in  devotion.  Tlien  one  of  the  family  climbed  up  to  the 
loft  and  tlirew  down  a  quantity  of  robes,  taken  from  the 
wild  animals  that  the  liunter  had  gathered.  These  were 
spread  on  the  ground-floor  before  and  on^  each  side  of  the 
spacious  fire-place,  and  soon  parents,  and  children,  and 
preacher  were  hid  beneath  the  robes,  and  wandering  in  the 
mysteries  of  dream-land.  There  was,  however,  considerable 
difference  in  the  style  of  living  among  our  people  in  those 
days.  There  were  many,  and  some  in  almost  every  neigh- 
borhood, who  had  emerged  from  the  rudeness  of  the  scene 
above  described,  and  whose  houses  presented  many  of  the 
conveniences  and  embeliishments  of  the  older  settlements. 
The  external  appearance  of  the  people  at  meeting  was  not 
always,  however,  an  infallible  index  to  the  state  of  things  at 
their  homes.  I  learned  this  the  next  day,  after  enjoying  the 
rude  hospitality  above  described.  There  was  a  lady  in  my 
congregation  very  neatly  dressed,  and  her  general  appear- 
ance suggested  the  idea  that  if  she  should  invite  me  to  go 
home  with  her,  I  should  be  glad  to  accept  the  invitation. 
At  the  close  of  the  services  I  threw  myself  in  her  way,  and 
secured  the  invitation.  I  accompanied  her,  and  was  treated 
■with  marked  kindness,  but  I  had  no  sooner  entered  the 
house  than  I  found  that  I  had  made  a  grand  mistake.  I 
would  have  changed  back  again  for  the  ground  beds  and 
bear-meat,  But  I  will  not  particularize.  The  people  gave 
us  as  good  as  they  used  themselves,  and  seasoned  their 
hospitality  with  the  heartiest  welcome  and  good  wishes. 
At  the  end  of  six  months  I  was  changed  from  this  to 


FAIRFIELD    CIRCUIT.  37 

what  in  some  respects  was  regarded  a  much  more  desirable 
field  of  labor.  As  the  Little  Kanawha  was  a  five  weeks' 
circuit,  six  months  only  took  me  three  times  around  this 
vast  circuit.  During:  that  time,  however,  I  liad  formed  a 
great  many  acquaintances  and  friendships,  which  are  still 
green  in  memory. 

Among  the  local  preachers  was  the  Rev.  David  Smith- 
ers,  an  able  minister,  and  a  man  of  genuine  devotion  to 
the  cause  of  God ;  also,  Rev.  Samuel  Briggs,  a  man  of 
marked  eccentricities  of  character,  and  the  Rev.  Reese 
Wolf,  a  man  of  marked  peculiarities,  but  truly  a  man  for 
the  times.  He  was  a  thorough  Methodist,  well  acquainted 
with  our  doctrine  and  Church  polity.  He  was  fearless  and 
efficient,  widely  known,  and  deservedly  popular.  In  after 
years  he  moved  to  Ohio,  where  we  shall  meet  with  him 
a  sain  in  the  course  of  our  narrative. 

FAIRFIELD    CIRCUIT. 

At  midwinter  the  mail  brouo-ht  me  an  order  from  mv 
superior — Rev.  Jacob  Young,  presiding  elder  of  the  dis- 
trict— to  leave  Little  Kanawha  and  go  to  Fairfield  circuit, 
Ohio.  In  his  autobiography  he  makes  this  brief  allusion 
to  the  chanofe  :  "  Brother  McMehati  wished  to  retire  from 
the  work  for  reasons  best  known  to  himself.  I  deem  it 
the  worst  step  he  ever  took ;  so  it  turned  out,  and  he  re- 
gretted it  for  many  years.  I  let  him  go,  and  put  the  well- 
known  John  Stewart  in  his  place,  then  a  lovely  boy,  full 
of  zeal  and  good  works.  He  and  brother  Quinn  worked 
together  in  great  harmony."  The  venerable  author  makes 
a  mistake  in  regard  to  my  colleague.  The  preacher  in 
charge  was  not  James  Quinn,  but  Rev.  Michael  Ellis,  one 
of  the  grandest  men  that  ever  accupied  an  American  pul- 
pit. The  reader  has  already  been  informed,  in  a  pre- 
ceding chapter,    of  my  journey  of  a   hundred  miles   to  the 


»f 


o 


8  IIIGIIWAVS    AND    HEDGES. 


Pickawn}'  rnmp-mecting  to  lionr  this  innii  of  God  expound 
the  way  of  salvation,  .md  huw  my  young  soul  was  blessed 
under  Ills  ministry.  My  heart  bounded  with  joy  that  I 
should  now  be  assoeiated  with  him,  and  liave  him  for  my 
teacher  and  friend.  'Die  venerable  man  had  passed  his 
threescore  years  and  ten,  and  had  been  the  people's  mouth 
to  God  and  God's  mouth  to  the  people  already  for  between 
thirty  and   forty  years. 

On  Christmas  day  I  closed  my  labors  on  Little  Kanawha 
circuit,  and  on  New-Year's  day — January  1,  1818 — I  opened 
my  mission  on  Fairfield  circuit.  The  venerable  Ellis  re- 
ceived me  as  a  son  in  the  Gospel,  and  gave  me  his  godly 
counsel  and  benediction.  We  had  from  twenty-five  to 
thirty  appointments,  the  names  of  some  of  which  have 
passed  from  my  memory.  Among  those  now  remembered  are 
Lancaster,  Nimrod  Bright's,  James  Collins's,  on  Raccoon  ; 
David  Dutcher's,  below  the  falls  of  Hockhocking ;  Zeller's, 
Rushville,  Peter  Black's,  Somerset,  Jesse  Cartliche's,  Re- 
hobeth,  Chilcoat's,  Springer's,  Asbury's,  Dillen's  Furnace, 
Flint  Ridge,  Clay  Lick,  Pitser's  Hog  Run,  David  Swazy's, 
Baker's,  and  Thornville.  This  was  one  of  the  old,  and  one 
of  the  best,  circuits  in  those  days.  Out  of  it  have  grown 
the  following  charges  :  Lancaster,  Logan,  Baltimore,  Reho- 
beth,  Somerset,  Maxville,  Asbury,  Lexington,  and  East  and 
West  Rushville.  The  following  were  among  the  local 
preachers  on  that  circuit:  Alexander  M'Craeken,  Jesse 
Cartlich,  Jesse  Stoneman,  Noah  Fidler,  David  Dutcher, 
Aaron  Young,  George  Gardner,  Nimrod  Bright.  Some  of 
these  were  men  of  mark,  and  had  done  and  were  still  doing 
good  service  for  Christ  and  his  Church.  Stoneman  and 
Fidler  had   been  efficient  traveling  preachers. 

In  the  bounds  of  this  circuit  there  was  much  of  wealth 
and  refinement,  and  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  had 
taken  a  strong  hold  upon  the  people,  her  membership  on  the 


FAIRFIELD    CIRCUIT.  39 

circuit  already  numbering  eight  hundred  and  eighty-four. 
I  applied  myself  diligently  to  my  studies  as  my  circum- 
stances would  allow,  and  stimulated  by  the  influences  of  my 
colleague, .was  inspired  with  a  lofty  and  increasing  ambition 
to  accomplish  successfully  my  mission.  We  did  not  wit- 
ness the  extensive  ingathering  that  we  desired,  but  had 
times  of  refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord. 

My  heart  prompts  me  to  spread  on  these  pages  a  still 
further  record  of  my  appreciation  of  my  excellent  col- 
leasue.  Kev.  Michael  Ellis  was  stationed  in  Baltimore  as 
early  as  178-4,  and  was  that  year  ordained  deacon  at  the 
same  Conference  that  Asbury  was  ordained  to  the  Episco- 
pacy. After  traveling  a  few  years  in  Virginia,  he  found  it 
necessary,  in  view  of  the  support  of  his  famil}'.  to  retire 
from  the  regular  work  for  a  time,  and  give  a  portion  of  his 
attention  to  secular  affairs.  About  the  year  1810  his  name 
appears  on  the  Conference  roll  again.  His  children  had 
now  grown  to  that  age  that  they  could  support  the  family, 
while  he  gave  himself  to  the  work  again.  Finley,  in  his 
Sketches  of  Western  Methodism,  thus  speaks  of  him  after 
his  readmission:  "He  was  appointed  to  the  West  Wheeling 
circuit,  in  the  bounds  of  which  he  had  labored  for  many 
years  as  a  local  preacher  with  great  acceptability  and  use- 
fulness. The  next  year  he  was  returned  to  the  same  cir- 
cuit, and  such  was  his  increasing  popularity,  even  in  the 
vicinity  of  home,  that  he  would  have  been  gladly  received 
another  year  but  for  disciplinary  restrictions.  He  was  a 
Bible  student,  deeply  versed  in  the  science  of  salvation, 
and  one  of  the  soundest,  clearest  doctrinal  preachers  we 
have  ever  heard.  He  studied  divinity  in  the  school  of 
Christ,  and  was  trained  under  the  professorship  of  Wesley 
and  Fletcher.  His  heart  was  deeply  imbued  with  the  grace 
of  God,  and  having  obtained  the  fullness  of  the  blessing 
of  the  Gospel  of  Christ,  the  perfect  love  that  swelled   hia 


40  nir.nwAvs  and  hedges. 

licart  rolled  out  to  bless  mankimi.  W'c.  doubt  whether  he 
ever  preached  a  sermon  in  wliidi  be  did  not  introduce  the 
doctriiio  of  Christian  perfection,  as  tau^^lit  in  the  IJiblc  and 
preached  by  Wesley  .■nid  Fletcher.  T(  was  the  plain,  old- 
i'ashioncd,  unvarnished  doctrine  of  entire  sanctification, 
without  any  reference  whatever  to  the  philosophy  of  the 
intellect,  the  emotions,  and  volitions — a  simple  faith  that 
brought  into  the  soul  the  life  and  love  of  God.  One  of 
liis  favorite  texts  in  tlic  latter  days  of  bis  ministry  was, 
'Jesus  Christ,  who  is  uuido  unto  us  wisdom,  and  righteous- 
ness, and  sanctification,  and  redemption.'  These  doctrines 
he  compared  to  a  ladder,  the  foot  of  which  rested  on  earth 
and  tlie  top  reached  into  heaven.  Justification,  sanctifica- 
tion, and  redemption  were  the  successive  rounds  of  the  lad- 
der over  which  the  soul  passes  in  its  course  to  heaven.  lie 
would  clearly  describe  the  doctrine  of  justification  by  show- 
ing the  nature  and  condition  thereof,  and  its  attestation  by 
the  Holy  Spirit.  Then  he  W'Ould  describe  the  nature  and 
condition  of  sanctification,  and,  finally,  what  the  Bible 
teaches  in  regard  to  redemption  and  glorification  in  heaven. 
He  seemed  to  be  the  living  impersonation  of  his  theme, 
passing  through  all  the  successive  stages  of  his  theme  to 
its  close,  when  he  would  give  a  shouting  peroration  that 
would  make  every  heart  feel  that  the  preacher  knew  and 
felt  what  he  preached." 

The  doctrine  of  entire  sanctification  was  recocrnized  in 
those  days  as  a  distinctive  feature  of  Wesleyan  theology, 
and  multitudes  of  professors  of  religion  in  other  branches 
of  the  Church  regarded  the  doctrine  as  unscriptural  and 
dangerous.  But  now,  thank  God !  the  evangelical  Churches 
have  come  to  recognize  the  doctrine  as  Scriptural,  and  very 
many  of  their  preachers  and  members  preach  and  profess 
it.  Let  us,  as  Methodists  and  the  successors  of  Wesley  and 
Fletcher,  hold  fast  to  the  doctrine,  and  urge  entire  purity 


FAIRFIELD    CIRCUIT.  41 

of  heart  upon  ourselves  aud  all  with  whom  we  have  to  do. 
Holiness  to  the  Lord  is  the  grand  secret  of  success  aud 
power. 

The  few  months  spent  on  Fairfield  were  months  of  enjoy- 
ment and  profit  to  me,  and  I  found  on  return  that  I  had 
been  correcting  some  pulpit  habits  which  threatened  to  be 
of  disadvantage  to  me.  The  circumstance  that  first  called 
my  attention  to  these  habits  was  somewhat  amusing,  and  a 
good  deal  annoying  to  me  at  the  time.  It  was  the  first 
Sabbath  that  I  spent  on  Fairfield  circuit,  and  was  a  quar- 
terly meeting.  A  quarterly  meeting  in  those  days  was  so 
difi'erent  from  what  they  are  in  these  days,  that  many  of 
my  readers,  I  presume,  have  but  little  idea  of  the  intere.-t 
that  gathered  around  such  a  meeting  half  a  century  ago. 
Fancy  a  circuit  spreading  over  half  a  dozen  large  counties, 
and  local  preachers  and  exhorters,  stewards  and  private 
members  coming  on  horseback  on  Friday  to  stay  over  Sat- 
urday and  Sunday,  on  purpose  to  worship  God  and  advance 
his  cause. 

The  meeting  here  referred  to  was  held  at  Rushville, 
and  embraced  the  first  Sabbath  of  the  new  year.  Rev. 
Jacob  Young,  the  presiding  elder,  Eev.  James  Quiun, 
Rev.  Michael  Ellis,  the  preacher  in  charge,  and  Rev.  J. 
M  Maliuu,  the  eloquent  preacher,  who  was  about  retiring 
from  the  work,  and  whose  place  I  was  to  supply,  were  all 
there.  With  such  an  array  of  talent  and  experience  about 
me,  the  announcement  that  I  was  to  preach  Sabbath  night 
almost  overwhelmed  me  with  embarrassment.  I  announced 
for  my  text  Isaiah  iii,  10:  "Say  ye  to  the  righteous  that  it 
shall  be  well  with  him,"  etc.  I  was  badly  frightened,  la- 
bored hard,  and  sweat  profusely.  In  the  morning  Rev.  J. 
M'Mahon  came  to  my  bed  and  said,  "Well,  brother  John, 
how  often  do  you  suppose  that  you  said  'it  appears'  last 
night  while  you  were  preaching?'     I  was  mortified  above 


\2  ITIfillWAVS    AM)    IIICUGES. 

measure,  niul  pnui-cd  out  luy  conijjl.iinf  to  brutlicr  Quinn. 
lie  paw  (liat  I  needed  encouragcnieut,  aud  lie  gave  me  a  bit 
of  his  own  cxpcrionrc.  "Do  you  sco,"  said  lie,  "(li.it  T 
have  no  pocket  flaps?"  "Yes,  sir."  "Well,  T  lind  uneon- 
sciously  lallon  into  a  lial)it  of  putting  my  hands  into  my 
pockets  and  taking  them  out  again  until  it  attracted  atten- 
tion. Some  one  took  occasion  to  count  the  number  of  times 
that  I  put  my  hands  into  my  pockets  wliilc  preaching  a  ser- 
mon. Afterward  he  told  me  of  it,  and  to  break  myself  of 
the  habit  I  had  the  pockets  removed.  It  cured  me,  and 
brother  M'jNIahon's  criticism  will  do  you  good."  It  did  do 
me  good,  not  only  in  that  particular  habit,  but  in  causing 
me  to  give  closer  attention  to  my  pulpit  habits.  Whenever 
a  minister  falls  into  any  peculiarity  of  style  in  the  pulpit, 
whether  of  language,  tone,  or  gesture,  which  diverts  the  at- 
tention of  the  hearers  from  the  message  to  the  messenger 
there  is  a  loss  of  efficiency.  The  most  enviable  efficiency  is 
secured  when  the  people  forget  the  preacher  in  his  theme, 
and  go  from  the  sanctuary  revolving  the  thoughts  that  have 
been  brought  out  in  the  sermon.  In  those  days  we  had  few 
of  the  advantages  of  ministerial  association  that  are  enjoyed 
by  the  preachers  of  the  present  day,  and  if  we,  who  formed 
our  habits  on  vast  circuits  and  among  comparatively  uncul- 
tivated people,  contracted  some  mannerisms  it  is  hardly  to 
be  marveled  at.  The  young  men  of  this  day  have  no 
apology.  •' 

The  Conference  was  to  meet  at  Steubenville,  Ohio,  Au- 
gust 7th.  This  arrangement  made  the  Conference  year  two 
months  shorter  than  usual.  My  library,  wardrobe,  and 
effects  generally  being  packed  into  my  saddle-bags,  I  made 
my  way  to  Athens  county,  to  visit  my  parents  and  friends 
during  the  session  of  the  Conference.  In  those  days  the 
Conference  probationers  were  not  expected  to  attend  the 
Conference,  but  were  expected  to  keep  up  the  appointments 


FAIRFIELD    CIRCUIT.  43 

during  the  absence  of  the  preacher  in  charge.  On  this 
occasion  I  exchanged  one  round  with  brother  Baker,  his 
parents  living  in  the  bounds  of  my  circuit  and  my  parents 
living  in  the  bounds  of  his  circuit. 


44  HIGHWAVb    AND    HEDGES. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

MAHONING  CIRCUIT  AND  ERIE  CIRCUIT. 

1818-10. 

rpiIE   Conference   at  Steubenvillc,  which   met  August  7, 
J-    1818,  was  one  of  power  and   glory.     Bishops  M'Ken- 
dree  and  George  were  present  in  the  spirit  of  the  Master. 
The   preachers   seemed  to  have  a  peculiar   unction   in   the 
pulpit  labors,  and  a  gracious  revival  of  religion  broke  out 
among  the  people.     That  was  not  an  unusual  state  of  things 
at  our  Annual  Conferences  in  those  days.     Happy  would  it 
be  for  us  if  we  had  more  of  the  revival  power  at  our  Con- 
ferences  in   these   days.     On    the    Sabbath-day   Rev.   John 
Collins  thrilled  the  audience  by  singing  a  popular  melody 
called  the  "  Market  Song,"  and  he  and  Asa  Shinn  preached 
with  wonderful   power   and   eifect.     Joshua   Soule,  at  that 
time  Book  Agent,  was  with  us,  to  represent  our  publishing 
interest.     That   interest   was   then   in   its   infancy,  and  was 
rather   a  system   of   colportage    among   ourselves    than    the 
mammoth  publishing  establishment  having  to  do  with  the 
*book  market  of  the  world,  as  now.     The  case  of  Bev.  Wm. 
Burke  —  one  of  our  greatest  men,  but  unfortunate  in  some 
of   his  movements — caused  some  lively  discussion,  but  the 
business  of  the  Conference  was  conducted  with  a  good  de- 
gree of  harmony  and  dispatch.     At  this  session  of  the  Con- 
ference   the    following   preachers   were   admitted    on    trial: 
Samuel  Adams,  Samuel  Brockunier,  Ed.  Taylor,  James  Smith, 
Dennis    Goddard,    Charles   Elliott,    Thos.    M'Clarv,    Green- 


MAHONING   CIRCUIT  AND    ERIE   CIRCUIT.  45 

berry  R.  Jones,  J.  Whittaker,  H.  Holla nd,  Henry  Matthews, 
Z.  Connell,  L.  Swormstedt,  J.  T.  Wells,  Arthur  Elliott,  A.  S. 
M'Clain,  B.  Spurlock,  J.  Harber,  J.  Farrow.  When,  at  the 
close  of  the  session,  the  Bishop  stood  up  before  the  Confer- 
ence with  the  list  of  appointments  in  his  hands,  but  few, 
besides  God,  the  Bishop,  and  the  presiding  elders,  knew 
any  thing  of  the  contents  of  the  paper;  but  preachers  and 
people  lifted  up  their  hearts  to  God,  asking  that  he  would 
give  them  a  new  baptism  of  the  itinerant  spirit,  and  send 
them  to  their  work  full  of  heavenly  fire.  I  was  appointed 
to  "Mahoning  circuit"  with  Calvin  Ruter.  I  was  well 
pleased  with  the  appointment  and  my  colleague.  Within 
the  past  ten  months  I  had  swept  over  much  of  the  south- 
eastern and  central  part  of  the  State,  and  now  my  field 
spread  out  over  the  Western  Reserve.  I  should  have  more 
of  the  Yankee  element  in  my  congregations,  but  expected 
to  find  Methodism  substantially  the  same  as  among  the 
more  emotional  people  farther  south.  Calvin  Ruter  and 
myself  were  linked  together  by  peculiar  ties.  We  had  been 
brought  up  together  in  the  same  neighborhood,  belonged  to 
the  same  society,  commenced  our  ministerial  life  as  supplies 
under  the  same  elder  the  same  year,  were  received  on  trial 
in  the  traveling  connection  at  the  same  Conference.  We 
were  now  happy  to  be  associated  as.  colleagues.  Soon  after 
Conference  we  set  out  together  to  our  new  field  of  labor. 
AVe  went  in  the  spirit  of  our  commission,  and  all  things 
were  propitious.  Our  first  call  was  ordered  of  Providence. 
Doubtless  the  misfortunes  of  a  Conference  year  have  often 
resulted  from  unfavorable  impressions  made  by  the  first 
contact  of  the  preacher  with  the  people  of  his  new  charge. 
A  cold,  formal,  or  repulsive  reception  has  thrown  its  dark 
shadow  over  the  whole  year,  while  a  hearty  and  smiling 
welcome  has  thrown  sunshine  and  blessinir  throuirh  all  the 
months   of   the   year.     Our    first   call   was    upon   the    Rev. 


46  HICiHWAYS    AND    HEDGES. 

Shadracli  I>ost\viok,  .1  man  of  God,  wlinsc  name  is  written 
in  sunbeams  on  tliousanils  of  liearts.  lie  entered  the  trav- 
eling connection  In  171M.  Tn  the  year  ISOIJ  he  came  "West 
as  a  missionary,  and  after  plantrnir  Methodism  in  the  AVest- 
cni  Keserve,  lie  married  and  located — located  .so  iiir  as  Con- 
ference relation  was  concerned,  but  in  no  other  sense.  Skill- 
ful and  popular  as  a  praoticin^^  physician,  he  was  industri- 
ous and  successful  as  a  preacher  of  the  Gospel.  He  was 
not  jealous  of  the  popularity  of  the  circuit  preachers,  or 
inclined  to  complain  and  embarrass.  lie  welcomed  us  to 
the  circuit  and  his  home,  gave  us  advice  and  co-operation, 
and  inspired  us  with  assurance  of  success.  We  sent  out 
our  appointments,  and  as  we  went  along  the  line  the  Spirit 
of  God  assisted  us,  and  a  mighty  w^ork  of  salvation  visited 
the  people.  The  revival  fire  spread  over  the  circuit,  and 
sinners  were  awakened  daily.  Upward  of  two  hundred 
were  added  to  the  Church  during  the  year. 

I  shall  never  forget  how  the  God  of  crace  revealed  him- 
self  at  Deerfield.  I  was  to  preach  in  a  school-house.  At 
the  appointed  time  a  large  congregation  crowded  the  place. 
While  I  was  preaching  the  power  of  God  came  down,  and 
the  people,  young  and  old,  fell  like  men  slain  in  battle 
until  the  floor  was  almost  literally  covered  with  the  slain  of 
the  Lord.  Among  them  Horatio  Day  was  stretched  upon 
the  floor  at  full  length.  I  heard  his  cry  above  that  of 
others,  saying,  "God  be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner!"  Ap- 
proaching, I  found  him  in  deep  distress.  Turning  his  eyes 
toward  me  he  exclaimed,  "Do  you  think  the  Lord  will  have 
mercy  on  me?  I  am  an  old  sinner  and  a  great  sinner."  I 
replied,  "Christ  is  a  great  Savior;  he  has  a  'balm  for  every 
wound  and  a  cordial  for  every  fear.' 

'His  blood  can  make  the  foulest  clean, 
His  blood  availed  for  me.' " 

The    broken-hearted    man    had    reached   an    extremity    of 


MAHONING   CIRCUIT  AND    ERIE  CIRCUIT.  47 

extremities.  lie  was  evidently  in  a  region  lying  between  hope 
and  despair — bordering  on  hope,  also  bordering  on  despair. 
I  endeavored  to  keep  the  promises  before  his  eyes;  now 
urging  him  to  claim  them  and  now  dictating  pra3'er.  Sud- 
denly his  change  came,  and  he  exclaimed  in  rapture,  "0 
how  light  it  is  !"  He  sprang  to  his  feet,  then  mounted  the 
bench,  then  leaped  on  to  the  table.  Heaven  seemed  to 
beam  in  his  countenance  as  he  exclaimed,  "  I  do  not  think 
that  the  people  in  heaven  can  look  more  beautiful  than  the 
people  in  this  congregation."  True,  the  change  that  had 
passed  on  the  congregation  was  great,  but  it  was  chiefly  the 
change  that  had  been  wrought  in  his  own  soul  that  made 
all  around  wear  an  aspect  so  lovely.  Old  things  had  passed 
away,  and  all  things  had  become  new. 

At  the  next  door  from  where  the  above  scene  occurred 
lived  a  young  lady  of  fashion  and  fortune,  who  moved  in 
what  are  called  the  "higher  circles"  of  society — higher, 
indeed^  in  the  sense  of  self-exaltation,  but  obnoxious  to  that 
teaching  of  the  Book,  "  He  that  exalteth  himself  shall  be 
abased."  This  young  lady  had  opportunities  to  test  the 
ability  of  the  world  to  satisfy  the  longings  of  the  immortal 
mind  beyond  what  falls  to  the  common  lot.  She  had  ea- 
gerly passed  along  the  avenues  that  promise  happiness,  but 
had  found  nothing  substantial  and  satisfying.  She  listened 
to  the  testimony  of  those  who  declared  that  they  had  found 
real  and  permanent  enjoyment  in  the  religion  of  Jesus 
Christ.  As  she  mused  with  herself  she  said,  "  These  are 
persons  in  whose  truth  and  sincerity  I  can  rely."  She  re- 
tired to  her  bed  full  of  anxiety  about  her  soul.  Sleep 
passed  from  her  eyes  and  slumber  from  her  eyelids.  The 
night  passed  slowly  away,  and  the  morning  found  her  among 
the  most  unhappy  of  probationers.  At  the  break  of  day, 
however,  she  deliberatel}"  resolved  that  she  would  seek 
Christ.     Taking  the   Bible  in  her  hand,  she  repaired  to  a 


48 


TTTr.inVAVS    AND    IIKDOES. 


iicigliboiini^  forest  witli  tliis  dtisjiorate  resolve,  that  she 
Avonld  not  return  to  tlic  house,  cat,  drltik,  or  sloop  until  she 
had  nia<lo  hor  peace  with  CJod.  Having  penetrated  the 
shadows  of  the  forest,  she  selected  the  spot  where  she  in- 
tended to  die  if  she  failed  to  obtain  the  mercy  of  God. 
The  day  passed  wearily  and  painfully.  Now  she  was  search- 
ing the  Scriptures  as  for  hidden  treasures,  and  now  upon  her 
knees  in  broken-hearted  supplication.  All  seemed  to  be 
blackness  overhead  and  all  around.  She  felt  that  she  was 
stumbling  upon  the  dark  mountains,  and  feared  that  she 
would  go  down  to  the  pit.  But  she  was  not*»so  far  from  the 
kingdom  of  Christ  as  she  feared.  Already  the  angels  were 
rejoicing  in  heaven  as  her  sighs,  and  tears,  and  prayers,  and 
confessions  evidenced  her  repentance.  After  the  turn  of  the 
day,  the  family,  having  missed  her  since  morning,  became 
uneasy.  An  alarm  was  made,  and  the  neighborhood  turned 
out  to  search  for  her.  To  do  the  work  effectually,  they 
organized  into  companies  and  districted  the  territory  to  be 
searched  over.  Just  as  the  sun  was  going  down,  the  time 
hallowed  by  the  incarnate  Savior  by  wonderful  deeds  of 
mercy,  He  appeared  to  her  the  chiefest  among  ten  thousand 
and  the  one  altogether  lovely.  He  spake  her  sins  forgiven, 
her  sky  serene ;  he  turned  her  night  to  day,  her  hell  to  heaven, 
and  set  the  captive  free.  About  this  time  one  of  the  search- 
ing parties  thought  they  heard  the  distant  sound  of  a  female 
voice.  They  paused  and  listened ;  it  was  surely  the  voice  of 
singing;  it  was  one  of  the  songs  of  Zion,  and  it  was  the 
voice  of  the  lady  for  whom  they  had  been  so  anxiously 
seeking.  They  hastened  to  her,  and  she  talked  to  them  in 
the  language  of  Canaan.  The  joy  that  had  commenced 
in  heaven  had  come  down  to  earth,  and  the  glad  acclaim, 
"The  dead's  alive,  the  lost  is  found!"  kindled  rapture 
on  earth.  This  incident  gave  a  new  interest  to  the  w^ork 
in  the  neighborhood,  so  that  there  and  clscAvhcrc  the  work 


MAHOXIXG   CIRCUIT    AND    ERIE   CIRCUIT.  49 

of  God  weut  ou  grandly,  and  much  people  Averc  added  to 
the  Lord. 

The  relations  between  the  ministers,  traveling  and  local, 
and  between  the  preachers  and  people  were  most  happy,  and 
we  looked  forward  almost  with  regret  that  one  short  year 
in  all  probability  must  sunder  these  ties  of  association. 
For  in  those  days  very  rarely  did  unmarried  men  remain 
more  than  one  year  on  the  same  circuit.  In  the  midst  of 
these  musings,  however,  a  letter  from  the  presiding  elder,  J. 
B.  Finley,  fell  like  a  bomb-shell  among  us.  The  letter  an- 
nounced that  he  had  directed  Dr.  Samuel  Adams,  of  the 
Erie  circuit  to  take  my  place  on  Mahoning  circuit,  and  he 
now  directed  me  to  take  Dr.  Adams's  place  on  Erie  circuit. 
The  reason  of  the  chano-e  was  that  Dr.  D.  D.  Davisson, 
Adams's  colLeague  had  married,  which  made  the  burden  on 
Erie  circuit  too  great  as  to  support,  and  as  Ruter  and  myself 
were  both  single  men,  this  arrangement  would  equalize  the 
burden  on  the  two  circuits.  I  could  not  murmur,  yet  I 
parted  from  my  colleague,  and  the  the  young  converts,  and 
the  fathers  and  mothers  in  Israel  who  had  lavished  so  much 
kindness  on  me,  with  a  sad  heart. 

Amono-  the  ministers  resident  in  this  circuit,  and  whose 
acquaintance  I  had  formed,  and  from  whom  I  had  received 
welcome  and  help,  were  Dr.  Bostwick,  of  whom  I  have 
already  spoken  ;  Eev.  Alfred  Brunson,  who  still — 18G8 — 
stands  ou  the  walls  of  Zion,  a  young  man  then,  diligently 
plying  his  trade  as  a  shoemaker,  and,  as  he  had  opportu- 
nity, proclaiming  the  acceptable  year  of  the  Lord.  He 
was  a  young  man  of  vigorous  intellect,  inclined  to  take 
large  views  of  his  subject,  and  to  treat  it  with  a  decided 
and  earnest  logic.  Afterward  he  gave  himself  fully  to 
the  work,  and  upon  the  broad  prairies  of  the  Xorth-west 
did   much    of   pioneer   work,    and    connected   himself  with 

almost  every  active  movement  iu  Church  and  State.     His 

5 


50 


IT  I  r;  1 1  WAYS  A\n   ni:nr,ES. 


litciHry  and  tlicoloiiifal  alliiiinnciits  wore  rcooiriiizcd  in  the 
conferrinir  of  tlic  dc<ic>'cc  of  Doftor  of  Divinity  upon  liini; 
and  n«»w.  Avliilo  I  writo  tlicsc  lines,  the  venerable  Doctor  is 
picsidin<j;  over  tlie  metropolit.in  district  of  the  West  Wis- 
consin Coufcrcnce.  Dr.  iNIenary,  and  brothers  Sniitli,  Leach, 
and  3Iiller  were  all  local  preachers — good,  true,  and  useful. 
]*romisinf^  to  visit  the  (diargc  again  on  my  way  to  Confer- 
ence at  the  end  of  the  year,  I  responded  to  the  command 
of  my  superior  in  office,  and  turned  my  face  eastward  to 
Erie  circuit. 

ERIE  CIRCUIT. 


Rev.  D.  D.  Davissou,  the  pveaclier  in  charge  of  Erie 
CIRCUIT,  received  me  with  great  kindness,  and  I  found  liiui 
to  be  not  only  an  able  theologian  and  faithful  pastor,  but  a 
kind  and  profitable  colleague.  The  Christian  friendship 
thus  formed  strengthened  w'ith  years,  and  shall  be  renewed 
and  perpetuated  in  heaven.  The  circuit  had  not  the  revival 
spirit  equal  to  the  one  that  I  had  left,  but  I  entered  upon 
my  work  feeling  that  I  was  in  the  path  of  duty,  and  that 
God  was  with  me. 

The  first  quarterly  meeting  held  on  the  circuit  after  I 
came  to  it  was  a  camp-meeting.  An  immense  concourse  of 
people  attended.  Eev.  J.  13.  Finley,  the  presiding  elder, 
preached  with  great  power,  and  all  the  preachers  seemed  to 
be  anuointed  for  the  work,  and  entered  into  it  with  heart 
and  soul.  The  fires  of  reformation  burned  brightly,  and 
before  the  meeting  closed  the  hallowed  influences  pervaded 
the  congregation,  and  many  were  gathered  to  Christ. 
Those  who  were  blessed  at  the  meeting  carried  the  good 
influence  to  their  home  communities,  and  so  spread  it,  in  a 
measure,  all  around. 

Kev.  Isaac  C.  Hunter,  the  supply  on  Lake  circuit,  in 
the  State  of  New  York,  attended  this  camp-meeting.     Hia 


ERIE    CIRCUIT.  51 

friends  lived  in  the  bounds  of  this  circuit,  and  as  he  desired 
to  remain  and  spend  a  little  more  time  with  them,  he  pro- 
posed to  exchange  one  round  with  me.  After  consultation 
with  tlie  presiding  elder  in  regard  to  the  matter,  it  was  so 
arranged,  and  I  spent  a  month  pleasantly  and  profitably,  I 
hope,  in  preaching  the  Gospel  to  the  people  of  his  charge. 
The  engagement  ended,  each  of  us  returned  to  our  ap- 
pointed field  and  work. 

During  this  year  brother  Finley  invited  me  to  accompany 
him  to  the  Chatauque  camp-meeting.  The  invitation  was 
the  more  cheerfully  accepted  by  me  as  the  Rev.  John  Sum- 
merville,  my  first  colleague,  was  the  preacher  in  charge  on 
that  circuit,  and  I  should  thereby  have  the  pleasure  of 
visiting  with  him  again.  My  former  colleague  received  me 
with  great  kindness,  and  after  hearing  me  preach,  flattered 
me  greatly  as  to  my  proficiency  since  we  traveled  together 
on  the  Letart  Falls  circuit.  I  preached  a  sermon  from 
1  Timothy  iv,  10:  "Therefore  we  labor  and  suffer  reproach, 
because  we  trust  in  the  living  God,  who  is  the  Savior  of 
all  men,  specially  of  those  that  believe."  It  was  greatly 
blessed  to  the  congregation.  The  following  is  substantially 
the  outline  of  the  sermon: 

I.  AVe  shall  speak  of  the  living  God  as  a  Savior. 

1.  The  living  God.  There  is  one  Being,  self-existent  and 
self-dependent — who  exists,  and  can  not  but  exist.  If  there 
ever  was  a  time  when  that  Being  did  not  exist,  that  time 
would  be  now,  for  no  being  can  be  the  author  of  his  own 
existence.  God  lives.  lie  has  life  In  himself.  He  imparts 
life  to  all  his  creatures,  both  celestial  and  terrestrial, 
whether  vegetable,  animal,  or  rational.  He  exists  under 
three  adorable  distinctions,  as  Father,  Sou,  and  Holy  Spirit. 
The  fact  we  believe  because  it  is  clearly  revealed,  but  the 
mode  of  the  fact  transcends  our  reason,  and  is  enveloped  in 
mystery. 


52  iiir.nwAVS  and  iii:i)(;f.s. 

2.  This  God  is  u  Savior — tlic  only  Savior — ;im  all-sufficient 
Savior — able  to  save  to  tlu'  uticrniost! 

The  lop-cabin  Episcopal  ]);irsonnpc  occupied  by  Bishop 
Huberts  was  within  the  bounds  of  tliis  circuit,  and  the  in- 
fluence of  the  good  man  was  all-pervading.  It  was  a  large 
circuit,  and  swept  over  a  considerable  portion  of  Western 
Pennsylvania.  Among  the  prominent  iipjiointments  were 
Eric,  Watcrford,  MConncllsville,  IMcadville,  and  Mercer. 
As  I  was  only  a  few  months  on  this  circuit,  and  that  time 
broken  by  the  visits  above  referred  to,  I  shall  refrain  from 
entering  into  much  detail  of  names  and  circumstances,  lest 
I  should  make  mistakes. 

llev.  Samuel  Gregg  has  written  an  interesting  history  of 
the  growth  of  Methodism  in  the  bounds  of  the  Erie  Con- 
ference. In  his  notice  of  myself,  however,  he  has  fallen 
into  several  mistakes.  He  states  that  I  was  received  into 
tiie  Ohio  Conference  on  trial  at  Zauesville,  Ohio,  September 
3,  1817,  ordained  deacon  in  1819,  ordained  elder  in  1821, 
and  then  transferred  to  the  Missouri  Conference.  In  this 
he  makes  a  mistake,  for  I  was  transferred  at  the  same  time 
that  I  was  ordained  deacon.  I  was  transferred  back  to 
Ohio  after  three  years  of  missionary  work.  He  further 
states  that  I  itinerated  effectively  forty-three  years  and 
superannuated;  he  should  have  said  fifty  years.  He  falls 
into  error,  also,  in  regard  to  the  time  that  I  have  served  in 
the  presiding  eldership;  he  should  have  said  thirteen  years. 
They  are  not  matters  of  any  great  importance,  and  yet  such 
inaccuracies  in  a  work  professing  to  be  history  tend  to 
weaken  confidence  in  the  reliability  of  the  work. 

Closing  up  my  work  on  this  circuit,  I  visited  Mahoning 
circuit,  according  to  promise,  on  my  way  to  Conference,  and 
we  had  a  joyful  time  together.  How  sweet  and  strong  are 
the  bands  that  unite  the  hearts  that  have  been  touched 
with  the   loadstone  of  Divine  love   before  the  mercy  seat! 


ERIE    CIRCUIT.  53 

Blessed  memories  come  crowding  upon  my  heart,  and  I 
anticipate  a  glad  reunion  with  those  cherished  friends  in 
the  mansion-house  on  liiah.  Its  crlitterin";  dome  rises  be- 
lore  the  eyes  of  my  faith,  and  the  light  streams  from  its 
windows,  and  I  fancy  that  the  hands  of  its  inmates  are 
stretched   out  to  beckon  and  welcome  me  there! 

About  the  1st  of  August  brother  Ruter  and  myself 
started  in  company  toward  Cincinnati,  where  the  Confer- 
ence was  to  meet  on  the  7th.  We  had  time  to  review  our 
past  history,  and  lay  plans  for  the  future.  To  us  both  it 
was  a  time  of  peculiar  interest,  in  view  of  the  fact  that  we 
were  both  expecting  to  be  received  into  the  Conference, 
and  ordained  to  the  office  of  deacons  in  the  Church  of  God. 
Bishops  George  and  Roberts  assisted,  and  business  of  varied 
character  and  vast  importance  came  before  the  Conference, 
and  was  dispatched  much  more  rapidly  than  business  is 
dispatched  in  other  than  ecclesiastical  bodies — the  matter 
of  foundino-  an  institution  of  learnincr  of  a  hiii'h  grade  to 
meet  the  growing  want  of  our  people,  the  support  of  the 
wonderful  work  amons:  our  Indian  tribes  which  had  so 
strangely  commenced  under  the  self-appointed  missionary 
labors  of  a  colored  man  from  Marietta,  and  the  vexed  ques- 
tion of  slavery.  Besides  this,  we  had  to  elect  delegates 
to  the  General  Conference,  which  was  to  meet  the  follow- 
ing May.  The  delegates  chosen  were  John  Collins,  Jacob 
Young,  J.  B.  Finley,  William  Dixon,  Alexander  Cummins, 
Jonathan  Stamper,  James  Quinn,  and  Walter  Griffith.  To 
me  the  events  of  greatest  importance  at  this  Conference 
were  my  ordination  to  the  order  of  deacon  and  response 
to  the  call  for  volunteers  for  frontier  work.  The  vows  of 
ordination  were  solemn  and  searching,  and  the  service  was 
peculiarly  impressive.  The  Macedonian  cry  came  from  Mis- 
souri and  Illinois,  and  the  Bishops  pleaded  earnestly  and 
pathetically  for  volunteers.     My  mind  was  intensely  exer- 


54  Hlf.inVAV.S    AM)    HEDGES. 

cised  ill  rcg.-ird  to  tlio  iii.-iffcr.  A  iD.ifriiiionijil  contract  of 
four  years'  8tandin<^  I  li.id  expected  to  consunnn.ite  after 
taking  the  order  of  deacon  and  coining  into  full  connection 
in  tlic  Conference.  To  place  myself  in  a  position  that 
would  almost  necessitate  the  further  postjtonement  of  that 
engagement,  without  having  the  opportunity  of  consulting 
with  the  other  party  to  the  contract,  was  a  matter  of  no 
small  embarrassment.  On  the  other  liand,  I  knew  her  devo- 
tion to  the  cause  of  CMirist  so  well  that  I  was  persuaded 
that  she  would  desire  that  I  should  go  wherever  my  labors 
could  conduce  most  to  the  upbuilding  of  the  cause  of 
Christ.  With  this  conviction,  I  placed  my  name  on  the 
roll  of  volunteers,  and  was  transferred  to  the  Missouri  Con- 
ference, with  the  promise  of  a  transfer  back  to  the  Ohio 
Conference  after  two  years  of  missionary  labor.  During 
the  two  years  and  a  half  that  I  had  itinerated  I  had  expe- 
rienced much  of  toil  and  much  of  triumph,  and  felt  to  be 
fully  committed  to  the  itineracy  as  my  life-work;  but,  could 
I  have  consulted  my  own  preference,  I  should  not  have 
severed  myself,  even  for  a  year,  from  the  companionship  of 
that  noble  band  of  men  belonging  to  the  Ohio  Conference. 
My  presiding  elders  and  colleagues  were  specially  dear  to 
me,  and  it  was  like  leaving  liome,  and  father,  and  brothers 
to  be  separated  from  them. 

Rev.  Jacob  Young,  my  first  presiding  elder,  was  a  man 
of  marked  and  strong  points  of  character.  He  was  born 
in  Pennsylvania  in  177G,  a  few  months  before  the  Declara- 
tion of  Independence,  but  emigrated  in  early  life,  with  his 
parents,  to  the  wilds  of  Kentucky.  He  had  become  profane 
and  wicked,  but  soon  after  their  settlement  in  their  new 
home,  he  was  powerfullly  awakened,  and,  after  a  desperate 
struggle,  soundly  converted  to  God.  To  his  surprise  his 
father,  who  had  been  brought  up  an  Episcopalian,  was 
highly  displeased   when    he   learned  what   had   transpired. 


ERIE    CIRCUIT.  55 

and  complained  bitterly  that  his  son  should  have  so  dis- 
graced the  family  in  a  strange  land.  The  only  defense 
that  Jacob  made  was  to  take  up  the  Bible,  and  after  read- 
ing a  lesson,  kneeled  down  in  the  midst  of  the  family  and 
lifted  up  his  voice  in  prayer.  That  voice  they  had  often 
heard  in  outbursts  of  anger  and  profanity,  but  never  before 
had  it  thrilled  them  as  now.  Before  he  rose  from  his 
knees  the  whole  family  was  moved,  and  melted,  and  recon- 
ciled. Very  soon  afterward,  through  his  instrumentality, 
his  parents  and  nearly  all  the  family  were  converted,  and 
joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Samuel  Parker, 
who  afterward  became  a  prince  in  Israel,  was  at  that  time 
the  bader  of  the  cla?-s  with  which  Jacob  was  connected,  and 
he  and  others  soon  became  convinced  that  God  designed  the 
young  man  for  the  ministry,  and  urged  him  into  the  work. 
In  1802  he  commenced  his  itinerant  career  on  Wayne  circuit. 
He  rose  rapidly  in  the  estimation  of  the  Church,  and  soon 
occupied  a  commanding  position.  In  ISIG,  when  I  became 
one  of  his  assistants,  he  being  presiding  elder  of  the  Mus- 
kingum district,  he  was  looked  up  to  as  one  of  the  master 
minds  of  the  denomination.  Without  either  the  advantages 
of  a  classical  education  or  the  graces  of  rhetoric,  such  w^ere 
the  clearness  of  his  theological  views,  the  strength  of  his 
logic,  and  the  earnestness  of  his  ministrations,  that  multi- 
tudes listened  to  him  with  pleasure  and  profit.  He  was  a 
progressive  man,  identifying  himself  with  every  movement 
in  the  Church  promising  to  promote  the  education  and  sal- 
vation of  the  people.  His  name  was  frequently  placed  upon 
the  list  of  delegates  to  General  Conference,  and  the  Indi- 
ana Asbury  University  conferred  upon  him  the  degree  of 
D.  J).  In  1855  having  so  far  failed  in  health  as  to  preclude 
his  i'uither  labors  in  the  regular  pastoral  work,  he  took  a 
superannuated  relation.  In  a  note  to  one  of  his  friends,  ho 
thus  expressed  his  feelings  in  view  of  his  surroundings  at 


56 


^I(iIl\\A^■s  AM)   iii".nr;F.s. 


tJiat  timo :  ''After  liaviiig  gone  in  .-ind  uut  liefoic  tlie 
Church  liir  lirty-four  yearn,  T  :nii  imw  compclh;!.!  to  retire. 
I  nin  now  in  flic  ncighhorliood  oi'  t(tt;il  Idindiicss.  INIy 
stroniitli  is  ebbing  out  with  great  rapidity.  I  shall  soon  be 
done  with  life  and  its  cares.  While  you  arc  actively  and 
successfully  doing  the  wf>rk  of  your  great  Master,  I  shall 
be  sitting  in  my  lonely  cottage,  repenting  of  all  my  former 
wrongs,  believing  in  Jesus  Christ,  and  trying  to  love  God 
with  all  my  heart.  How  gloomy  is  the  end  of  human  lil'o 
unconnected  with  that  which  is  to  come!  My  highest  en- 
joyment in  time,  next  to  religion,  will  be  in  going  to  the 
house  of  God.  I  have  spent  a  long  life  in  trying  to  do 
good,  and  am  anxious  to  do  good  to  the  very  last  hour  of 
my  life.  My  trust  is  in  my  lledeemer."  When  the  time 
for  his  departure  came  he  was  ready,  and  he  graduated  full 
of  honors  and  went  up  to  wear  his  crown. 

Eev.  James  B.  Finley,  my  second  presiding  elder,  was 
born  in  the  State  of  North  Carolina,  in  the  year  1780,  in 
the  mouth  of  July.  His  life  from  early  childhood  was  full 
of  romantic  interest ;  and  throughout  all  the  wide  field  of 
his  travels  as  a  Methodist  preacher,  multitudes  of  hearts 
have  been  thrilled  with  his  weeping  narratives  of  his  youth- 
ful wickedness,  his  remarkable  conversion,  and  the  labors 
and  triumphs  of  his  itinerant  life.  He  had  been  educated 
by  his  Calvinistic  parents  in  the  sternest  doctrines  of  their 
confession  of  faith,  his  father  being  a  minister  in  the  Pres- 
byterian Church..  His  mind,  however,  early  revolted  against 
the  doctrine  of  unconditional  election  and  reprobation.  One 
Sabbath,  at  the  close  of  the  usual  family  catechetical  in- 
struction, his  father  said  to  him,  "James,  do  you  pray?" 
He  replied,  "  No,  father,  I  do  not."  "  Why  do  you  not 
pray,  my  son?"  "  Because  I  do  not  see  any  use  in  it.  If 
I  am  one  of  the  elect,  I  will  be  saved  in  God's  good  time ; 
if  I  am  one  of  the  non-elect,  praying  will  do  me  no  good, 


ERIE    CIRCUIT.  57 

as  Christ  did  not  die  for  them."  The  exercises  of  his  iiiiud 
on  this  subject  had  well-nigh  landed  him  in  permanent  in- 
fidelity. During  this  period  of  mental  perplexity,  he  carce 
in  contact  with  a  treatise  on  the  final  redemption  of  all 
from  hell.  This  doctrine  he  grasped  with  avidity,  and  at 
once  became  a  defiant  advocate  of  the  doctrine.  One  of 
the  elders  of  the  Church  of  which  his  father  was  pastor 
undertook  to  reason  him  out  of  this  heresy,  when  the  fol- 
lowins;  conversation  occurred : 

''Did  Christ  die  for  all  men?" 

"No,  he  did  not  die  for  any  but  the  elect." 

"  Will  the  reprobate  be  damned  ?" 

"  Yes,  God  for  the  praise  of  his  glorious  justice  has  de- 
creed his  damnation." 

"For  what  is  the  reprobate  damned?" 

"  Because  it  is  so  decreed,  even  so  according  to  the  good 
pleasure  of  God's  will." 

"  But  the  Scriptures  say  that  the  reprobate  is  damned  for 
unbelief.  '  He  that  believeth  not  shall  be  damned.'  Now, 
if  Christ  did  not  die  for  him,  according  to  your  system  he 
is  to  be  damned  for  not  believing  what  is  in  itself  not  true. 
In  other  words  he  is  to  be  damned  for  not  believing  a  lie." 

In  this  unhappy  state  of  mind — a  source  of  great  grief  to 
his  parents  and  Christian  friends — he  gave  way  to  the  de- 
pravity of  his  nature,  and  excelled  in  wickedness.  When 
his  parents  had  emigrated  to  the  West,  they  had  settled  for 
awhile  in  Kentucky,  and  his  father  had  been  pastor  of  a 
Church  at  Cane  Ridge.  Now,  hearing  that  a  camp-meeting 
was  to  be  held  within  the  bounds  of  his  father's  old  parish, 
he  determined  to  attend  it.  He  was  now  married,  and 
lived  at  New  Market,  in  Highland  county,  Ohio.  Having 
invited  a  friend  to  accompany  him,  they  went  to  the  meet- 
ing. The  immense  multitude  assembled — estimated  by 
some   to    number  twcnty-tivc   thousand — was  in   a  state  of 


58  iTininvAvs  and  hedges. 

tlic  greatest  cxoitemcnt.  Tlio  ridiso  w.-is  like  the  roar  of 
Nia^'nrn.  lie  counted  f^eveii  preacliers  addressing  different 
portions  of  tlie  multitude  at  the  same  time,  having  for  their 
])ulpit  eitlier  a  stump,  wagon,  or  fallen  tree.  Tlie  wonderful 
phenomenon  of  sinners  falling  as  dead — rising  as  from  death 
ill  transports  of  joy — produced  a  profound  impression  on 
his  mind.  lie  remained  until  he  could  endure  it  no  longer, 
and  tlien,  in  company  with  his  friend,  started  for  home 
again.  Both  deeply  absorbed  in  their  own  thoughts,  they 
rode  mostly  in  silence  until  they  came  to  the  Blue  Lick 
Knobs.  Ilis  feelings  now  overmastered  him,  and  he  ex- 
claimed, "  Captain,  if  you  and  I  do  n't  stop  our  wickedness 
the  devil  will  get  us  both!"  His  deep  emotion  found 
response  in  the  heart  of  his  companion,  and  they  both  w^ept 
bitterly.  They  stopped  that  night  at  Mayslick,  and  spent 
the  night  in  weeping  and  prayer.  At  daybreak  he  retired 
to  the  woods  to  pray,  and  soon  fell  to  the  ground,  and  cried 
to  God  in  such  agony  that  the  neighbors  heard  him,  and 
gathered  about  him.  Among  them  was  a  converted  German, 
who  enjoyed  religion.  He  took  Finley  to  his  house,  and 
prayed  and  sang  with  him  in  German  and  in  broken  English 
until  about  nine  o'clock,  when  God  revealed  his  pardoning 
love.  He  laughed  and  shouted,  to  the  amazement  of  all 
but  the  Dutch  brother.  Now,  with  a  happy  heart,  he 
pressed  his  way  on  toward  home,  and  told  his  young  wife 
what  great  things  God  had  done  for  him.  He  soon  became 
perplexed  in  regard  to  a  Church  home.  He  could  not  sub- 
scribe to  a  Calvanistic  creed,  and,  after  turning  toward  the 
Newlights  and  Shaking  Quakers,  he  could  find  no  people 
who  held  the  truth  as  he  now  believed  it,  and  thus  failinir 
of  the  Christian  fellowship  that  he  needed,  he,  after  a  time, 
relapsed  into  carelessness,  and  then  into  sin,  and  at  length 
plunged  deeper  into  rebellion  than  ever  before.  After  sev- 
eral   miserable   years,   he   was    persuaded   by   his  wife    to 


ERIE    CIRCUIT.  59 

accompany  her  to  a  Methodist  meeting.  His  prejudices 
against  that  people  were  very  strong,  and  he  went  reluc- 
tantly. But  during  the  class  meeting  his  prejudices  gave 
way,  and  the  Spirit  of  God  again  came  to  him  in  mighty 
awakening  power.  To  the  questions  of  the  leader  he  only 
answered  by  sobs  and  tears.  The  next  Thursday  he  set 
apart  as  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer,  and  spent  it  mostly 
alone  in  the  forest,  with  his  Bible  and  God.  About  mid- 
night, kneeling  by  a  poplar-tree,  he  was  enabled  to  take 
hold  of  Christ  with  a  heart  that  believeth  unto  "  rijihteous- 
ness,"  and  then  he  went  home  filled  with  peace.  The  next 
morning  he  obtained  the  witness  of  his  acceptance  in  such 
demonstration  that  he  fell  his  full  length  in  the  snow,  and 
then,  springing  to  his  feet,  went  shouting  the  high  praises 
of  God,  and  declared  to  his  wife  what  God  had  done  for 
him.  He  now  felt  that  he  had  a  work  to  do  for  God,  and 
commenced  to  hold  prayer  and  class  meetings  in  his  own 
house.  A  Methodist  preacher  came  and  organized  a  class, 
and  recognized  Finley  as  a  worker,  and  encouraged  him  to 
extend  his  missionary  endeavors,  and  even  to  try  to  preach. 
In  1809,  at  the  urgent  request  of  Rev.  John  Sale,  presiding 
elder,  he  consented  to  go  around  the  Scioto  circuit.  He 
opened  his  more  public  labors  at  the  house  of  brother 
Lucas.  He  was  licensed  to  preach  at  the  camp-meeting  at 
Benjamin  Turner's,  in  Paint  Creek  A^alley,  the  next  August. 
He  was  recommended  by  the  same  quarterly  conference  to 
the  traveling  connection,  received  at  the  approaching  Con- 
ference, and  sent  to  Wells  Creek  circuit. 

Having  extended  my  account  of  the  early  experience  of 
brother  Finley  far  beyond  what  I  had  intended,  I  shall 
only  add  a  few  general  remarks  in  regard  to  his  ministerial 
career,  in  this  part  of  my  narrative,  and  will  have  more  to 
say  of  him  when  I  come  to  the  time  of  his  death.  In  cun- 
sequence  of  his  native  ability  and  remarkable  adaptation  to 


60  TlTCnWAVS    AND    ITKDGES. 

the  work  to  wliicli  lie  was  called,  lie  toi.k  at  once  lank 
amoni:  his  hrcthrcii.  TT(^  was  fcarloss,  and  indef'ati'rablc, 
and  oldfjuont.  "Willi  tlic  Inniler;  or  legislator,  or  the  wild 
Indian  he  could  make  himself  at  home,  and  generally  be- 
fore the  interview  ended  lie  became  the  center  of  attraction 
and  interest.  Whether  as  junior  preacher,  preacher  in 
charge,  presiding  elder,  delegate  to  General  Conference, 
missionary  among  the  Indians,  or  chaplain  to  the  State- 
prison,  from  iicry  youth  to  venerable  and  honored  age,  he 
was  a  man  of  mark.  He  was  not  equal  to  some  of  his 
brethren  in  critical  exposition  or  consecutive  argument, 
but  he  liad  few  superiors  in  the  impressive  application  of 
Gospel  truth,  and  in  the  effectiveness  of  his  flashes  of 
logic.  He  seldom  perhaps  carried  the  fortifications  of  the 
enemy  by  a  regular  siege,  but  he  usually  took  them  by 
storm.  At  the  time  that  I  first  became  associated  with  him 
he  was  approaching  the  zenith  of  his  popularity,  and  his 
mighty  voic,  whether  in  its  plaintive  and  pathetic  wail  or 
in  its  thunder  tones  of  exhortation,  seldom  failed  to  pene- 
trate to  the  very  citadel  of  the  soul.  Doubtless  while  I, 
now  an  old  man,  write  this  brief  memorial  of  James,  he 
"shines  as  a  star  in  the  kingdom  of  God  forever." 


i 


BLUE    RIVER   CIRCUIT,  MISSOURI    CONFERENCE.      Gl 


CHAPTER  V. 

BLUE   RIVER  CIRCUIT,  MISSOURI  COXFERENXE. 

1819-20. 

CONFERENCE  met  at  Cincinnati,  August  7,  1S19,  and 
the  following  persons  were  admitted  on  trial :  John 
Mauary,  Isaac  C.  Hunter,  Abner  Goif,  James  Gilruth, 
Thomas  R.  Ruckle,  Josiah  Foster,  Peter  Warner,  James 
Murray,  John  Kinney,  Henry  S.  Farnandis,  Andrew  Kinear, 
Adbel  Coleman,  Benjamin  T.  Crouch,  Moses  Henkle,  Thos. 
Ilitt,  Wm.  H.  Raper,  Robert  Delap,  Isaac  Collard,  Horace 
Brown,  David  Dyke,  John  P.  Keach,  John  P.  Durbin, 
Francis  Wilson,  Nathaniel  Harris.  This  class  has  furnished 
the  Church  some  of  its  ablest  administrators  and  advocates, 
and  one  of  them.  Dr.  Durbin,  still  holds  a  position  of  respon- 
sibility and  honor  second  to  none  in  the  gift  of  the  Church. 
The  followins;  were  elected  deleirates  to  General  Conference: 
John  Collins,  Jacob  Young,  James  B.  Finley,  Wm.  Dixon, 
A.  Cummings,  I,  Stamper,  Jas.  Quinn,  and  W.  Griffith. 

In  response  to  the  Macedonian  cry  from  the  lips  of  the 
eloquent  Bishops  George  and  Roberts,  Calvin  W.  Ruter, 
Job  M.  Baker,  John  Everhart,  Samuel  Hamilton,  and  my- 
self volunteered  for  pioneer  missionary  work  without  any 
missionary  appropriations,  and  were  transferred  to  the 
Missouri  Conference,  which  then  spread  over  the  States  of 
Indiana,  Illinois,  Missouri,  and  Arkansas. 

I  was  appointed  to  Blue  Rn'Eii  circuit,  in  the  State 
of  Indiana,  as  preacher  in  charge,  the  Rev.  Joseph  Pownell 


r»L'  HIGHWAYS    AND    HKDGES. 

being  tlic  junior  jironflu^r.  My  lionic  was  across  the 
State  of  Ohio  eastward,  wliilc  my  circuit  L'ly  across  the 
State  of  Tn<linna  westward.  Were  you  to  fancy  the  young 
itinerant,  with  carpet  liair  in  hand,  luirrying  down  to  the 
depot  to  fly  across  the  State  and  say  good-by  to  the  loved 
ones  at  home,  and  then  across  two  States  to  report  for  serv- 
ice the  next  Sabbath,  tlic  scene  would  indeed  be  a  fancy 
one.  The  scream  of  a  railroad  whistle  had  not  then  been 
heard  in  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi.  The  locomotion 
practiced  by  the  itinerants  of  that  day  was  on  horseback. 
To  have  visited  home  before  going  to  my  distant  field  of 
labor  would  have  consumed  weeks  of  precious  time.  With 
my  vows,  of  ordination  fresh  upon  me,  and  my  heart  full 
of  zeal,  I  mounted  my  horse  and  turned  my  face  toward  the 
field  of  future  labors.  I  anticipated  enjoyment  and  profit 
in  my  association  with  brother  Pownell.  He  had  received 
me  into  the  Church,  as  stated  in  a  previous  chapter,  and 
we  had  a  warm  attachment  for  each  other.  I  learned,  how- 
ever, before  reaching  the  circuit,  that  he  was  about  to  be 
married,  and  that  he  had  expected  to  take  a  location.  As 
he  was  not  present  at  the  Conference,  however,  and  the 
presiding  elder  not  being  fully  informed  in  regard  to  his 
wishes,  and  knowing  that  the  people  of  Blue  River  circuit 
desired  his  return  the  appointment  was  made.  Upon  my 
arrival  on  the  circuit  he  welcomed  me,  and  invited  me  to 
perform  the  marriage  service  for  him.  Having  been  ordained 
to  the  office  of  deacon  at  the  recent  Conference,  this  was 
the  first  time  that  I  had  officiated  in  this  way,  but,  after 
preparing  myself  thoroughly,  the  parties  gave  me  the  credit 
of  acquitting  myself  very  satisfactorily.  The  woman  to 
whom  he  was  married,  Miss  Arnold,  was  a  lady  of  intelli- 
gence and  piety,  and  made  him  an  excellent  companion  and 
helpmate.  He  gave  me  a  liberal  fee,  which  I  presented  to 
his  wife.     During  the  year  they  gave  me  valuable  assistance 


BLUE  RIVER  CIRCUIT,  MISSOURI   CONFERENCE,      Go 

and  encouragement  in  my  work.  Afterward  they  settled 
near  Columbus,  Indiana,  where  they  maintained  an  excellent 
Christian  character.  Though  they  have  long  since  crossed 
the  river,  the  recollections  of  them  are  precious  to  me. 

Bishop  Koberts,  who  had  been  living  in  the  bounds  of 
Erie  circuit,  Penn.,  my  last  field  of  labor,  moved  to  Bono, 
on  White  River,  in  the  bounds  of  Blue  River  circuit,  at  the 
beginning  of  this  year.  This  was  peculiarly  gratifying  to 
me.  He  was  gentlemanly,  afi'able,  and  exceedingly  conde- 
scending and  communicative.  I  can  never  cease  to  remem- 
ber and  appreciate  him  as  a  citizen,  a  minister,  and  a 
Bishop.  He  gave  us  invaluable  help  during  the  year,  both 
in  the  pulpit  and  otherwise.  His  praise  was  in  the  mouths 
of  all,  and  through  his  instrumentality  Methodism  took  a 
higher  position  and  received  a  mighty  impulse. 

At  one  of  our  quarterly  meetings,  held  at  Paoli,  he  gave 
us  very  efficient  help.  Rev.  Samuel  Hamilton,  the  presid- 
ing elder,  then  in  the  full  tide  of  popularity,  was  with  us, 
and  we  had  a  time  of  interest  and  power  Saturday  and  Sat- 
urday night.  The  love-feast  on  Sabbath  morning  was  a 
time  of  refreshing.  At  the  close  of  the  love-feast  it  was 
reported  to  the  presiding  elder  that  a  Presbyterian  mission- 
ary, just  from  the  East,  was  tarrying  over  the  Sabbath  in  the 
place  and  wished  to  preach  to  our  congregation.  Brother 
Hamilton,  with  great  meekness,  not  knowing  that  Bishop 
Roberts  would  be  present,  gav^e  the  stranger  the  eleven 
o'clock  hour.  The  missionary  took  for  his  text,  "What 
think  ye  of  Christ?"  His  discourse  was  a  cold,  dry,  theo- 
rizing disquisition.  He  manifested  none  of  the  unction  es- 
sential to  success,  and  the  disappointed  congregation  endured 
it  as  patiently  as  could  have  been  expected.  Soon  after  he 
commenced,  Bishop  Roberts  entered  the  house  and  seated 
himself  near  the  fire.  The  meeting  was  in  the  court-house, 
and  the  preacher  occupied  the   judge's  desk.     As  soon  as 


G4  IIICHWAVS    AND    HEDGES. 

he  had  finished  lii.s  diseonrse,  the  presiding  elder  arose  and 
informed  tlic  eon^repration  tliat  one  of  the  superintendents 
of  tlie  M(^thodist,  Kpiseopal  Cliurdi  was  present,  and  tliat  he 
would  in  a  few  minutes  address  the  congregation.  Soon  he 
was  erect,  and  slowly  moving  toward  the  stand  he  was  to 
occupy.  As  very  few  of  tlie  con;i;rcgation  had  ever  seen  a 
IMethodist  Bishop  they  were  all  eye  and  all  ear.  His  ap- 
pearance was  venerable  and  commanding.  As  he  announced 
his  hymn  the  worshipers  began  to  partake  of  his  own  devout 
spirit,  and  sang  with  the  spirit  and  the  understanding. 
They  kneeled  in  prayer,  and  as  he  spake  to  God  in  their 
behalf  the  whole  congregation  felt  shocks  of  Divine  power, 
and  realized  that  they  were  in  the  presence  of  Grod.  Prayer 
ended,  he  announced  for  his  text,  "Wherefore  seeing  we 
also  are  compassed  about  with  so  great  a  cloud  of  witnesses," 
etc.  He  commenced  by  saying,  "You  have  just  had  a  the- 
oretical discourse,  and  I  now  propose  giving  you  a  practical 
one."  Immediately  every  eye  and  every  ear  was  under  his 
control,  and  the  audience  was  spell-bound  for  an  hour  and 
a  half.  The  court-house  was  crowded,  and  such  overwhelm- 
ing power  attended  the  "Word  that  the  audience  rose  en 
masse  and  stood  with  open  mouths  each  to  receive  his  por- 
tion. The  effect  was  wonderful  and  never  to  be  forgotten. 
I  thought  the  visiting  clergyman  departed  a  wiser  man, 
possibly  entertaining  corrected  views  of  the  mission  and 
power  of  the  pulpit. 

The  home-life  and  arrangements  of  Bishop  Roberts  were 
as  simple  as  his  ministry  was  mighty.  The  following  rep- 
resentation of  his  episcopal  palace  will  give  the  reader  a 
good  idea  of  the  magnificence  of  his  new  episcopal  resi- 
dence: When  he  moved  into  it  it  consisted  of  rough  log 
walls,  clapboard  roof  and  sleepers,  and  had  neither  chim- 
ney, door,  windows,  floor,  or  loft,  or  furniture.  His  brother 
Lewis   had   erected   it,  but  it  remained   in   this   unfinished 


BLUE  RIVER  CIRCUIT,   MISSOURI   CONFERENCE.      65 

condition  when  the  Bishop  moved  his  family  into  it.  Tlic 
first  meal  ♦consisted  of  potatoes,  roasted  in  the  ashes,  and 
served  to  the  family  on  one  of  the  sleepers  instead  of  a 
table  and  dishes.  With  his  family  gathered  about  the  sim- 
ple meal,  he  devoutly  asked  the  blessing  of  God  at  the  be- 
ginning and  returned  thanks  at  the  close  of  the  repast.  At 
night  the  wolves  gave  them  such  an  equivocal  serenade, 
that  a  large  fire  was  kindled  in  front  of  the  opening  of  the 
cabin  to  deter  them  from  entering.  Having  made  their 
beds  on  some  puncheons,  and  having  committed  himself 
and  family  to  the  watchcare  of  the  Almighty,  they  laid 
them  down  and  slept  sweetly.  He  commissioned  me  to 
purchase  some  furniture  for  him,  which  I  did,  and  in  due 
time  the  cabin  was  supplied  with  what  was  deemed  sufl&cient 
for  pioneer  life  and  comfort.  Perhaps  the  moving  cause  of 
his  establishins;  his  home  here  was  the  fact  that  his  brother, 
Lewis  Roberts,  had  settled  here  some  years  before.  Lewis 
was  a  man  of  large  natural  endowments,  a  good  historian, 
and  an  excellent  Christian  gentleman,  universally  respected. 
Though  gifted  in  conversation  and  able  to  command  the 
attention  of  any  company,*  yet  so  timid  was  he  that  he 
could  never  be  prevailed  upon  to  pray  vocally  even  in  his 
own  family  circle.  He  was  accustomed,  however,  to  read 
the  Scriptures,  and  then  the  family  would  kneel  and  spend 
a  time  in  silent  family  prayer. 

The  traveling  preachers  were  always  welcomed  and  al- 
ways benefited  by  their  sojourn  at  the  houses  and  in  the 
families  of  these  noble  brothers.  A  day  spent  at  the  epis- 
copal parsonage  always  did  me  great  good,  for,  while  Bishop 
Roberts  never  compromised  the  dignity  and  purity  of  the 
Christian  Bishop,  and  gave  needful  advice  and  instruction 
to  his  junior  brethren,  he  could  adapt  himself  to  the  wants 
of  the  company  he  entertained,  and  so  completely  disem- 
barrass them  that  they  would  feel  at  home  and  hnppy.     He 

6 


CG  IIIGIIWAVS   AND    HEDGES. 

was  often  cheerful  even  to  pleasantry.     I  shall  never  forget 
the   niirth-provokinj:;   manner   in   ^vlli(•h   he  narrated  to  me 
his  first  experience  in   the  business  of   solemnizing    marri- 
ages.   One  of  Lewis  Kobcrts's  sons  was  about  to  be  married, 
and  had  invited  his  uncle,  the  Bishop,  to  officiate.     Know- 
ing, however,  that  the  Bishop  might  be  called  away  on  more 
important  business,  I  was  invited  to  be  present  also,  so  as 
to  supply  any  lack  of  service.     At  the  time  appointed,  as  I 
was   on   my  way  to  the   place,  I  fell  in  company  with   the 
Bishop,  also  on  his  way  to  the  wedding.     He  said  to  me, 
"I  suppose  that  you  are  to  marry  them." 
"  Only  in  case  you  failed  to  be  present." 
"  I  would  prefer,"  said  the  Bishop,  "  that  you  do  it." 
"In  no  case  could  I  consent,  as  you  are  to  be  present." 
"Are  you  not  authorized  to  perform  the  marriage  serv- 
ice  ( 

I  reminded  him  that  he  had  ordained  me  at  the  last  ses- 
sion of  the  Ohio  Conference,  and  told  him  that  I  had  com- 
menced my  practice  upon  my  colleague,  Bev.  Jos.  Pownell. 
"You,"  said  he,  "had  a  high  beginning,"  and  then,  with 
a  musical  smile,  added,  "I  had  the  privilege  of  beginning 
with  a  colored  couple.  When  I  was  ordained  deacon," 
said  he,  "  I  was  appointed  to  Baltimore,  and  soon  after  was 
called  on  by  a  colored  man  to  marry  him.  At  the  appointed 
time  I  went  to  the  place,  and  found  the  man  and  woman 
sitting  together.  In  a  few  minutes  I  requested  them  to 
stand  up.  As  they  rose  she  took  fright,  and  breaking  away 
from  her  affianced,  rushed  out  of  the  back  door  and  disap- 
peared in  the  garden.  The  would-be  husband  pursued  her, 
but  after  some  time  returned,  saying  that  he  could  not 
catch  her,  and  seemed  greatly  mortified.  I  returned  home, 
but  after  an  interval  of  some  days  the  colored  man  returned, 
and  requested  me  to  come  again,  assuring  me  that  she 
would  stand  now.     I  went,  and  to  the  great  joy  of  the  anx- 


BLUE  RIVER  CIRCUIT,  MISSOURI   CONFERENCE.       G7 

ious  man  she  stood  until  the  ceremony  was  performed,  and 
they  pronounced  man  and  wile.  That,''  said  the  Bishop, 
with  his  inimitable  smile,  "was  my  start  in  that  line." 

During  this  year  we  had  a  camp-meeting  at  the  forks  of 
the  Muskatatack,  near  Brownstown,  which  was  numerously 
attended.  A  good  religious  influence  pervaded  the  congre- 
gation from  the  bes^inninsr  to  the  close  of  the  meetinir. 
Bishop  Roberts  was  present,  with  his  excellent  wife,  and 
during  the  meeting  he  preached  several  sermons  of  great 
power.  He  preached  a  sermon  from  the  text  "How  shall 
we  escape  if  we  neglect  so  great  salvation?"  which  had  a 
thrilling  effect  on  the  audience.  That  mysterious  exercise 
called  the  jerJcs  prevailed  to  some  extent.  Saints  and  sin- 
ners both  were  affected  by  them.  In  fact  it  was  not  con- 
fined to  the  people,  but  dogs  and  hogs  took  them.  I  saw 
both  dogs  and  hogs  so  exercised  with  the  jerks,  that  as  they 
passed  around  it  could  hardly  be  perceived  that  they 
touched  the  ground  at  all.  This  exercise  was  to  us  unac- 
countable. I  have  often,  on  that  and  other  occasions,  seen 
persons  under  the  influence  of  the  jerks  go  through  exer- 
cises beyond  all  comprehension.  It  would  seem  impossible 
for  any  one  to  pass  through  such  exercises  and  live.  For 
example,  women,  under  this  influence,  would  remain  upon 
their  feet  for  hours,  the  whole  form  convulsed  from  head 
to  feet,  throwing  the  body  to  and  fro,  so  that  the  head 
would  almost  touch  the  floor,  both  forward  and  backward. 
The  hair  would  soon  become  disheveled,  and  the  violence 
of  the  motions  was  such  that  it  would  crack  like  a  whip- 
lash. AYhen,  after  hours  of  this  kind  of  violent  exercise, 
the  influence  passed  oft',  they  experienced  neither  soreness 
nor  fatigue.  My  old  friend  Jacob  Young,  however,  re- 
cords a  case  where  the  neck  of  one  of  the  victims  of  the 
jerks  was  dislocated,  of  course  producing  instant  death. 
I  simply  add  my  testimony  to  the  fact  and  strangeness  of 


G8  HIGHWAYS    AND    HEDGES. 

these  phenomena,  and  shall    not   spend   any  time    in    specu- 
latini;  in  roirard  to   it. 

limthcr   ]*()wnell   was  also  at  tills  camp  mcctinjr,  and  an 
incident    tr.-mspiicd    duriii;j;    it    of    special    interest    to    him 
During  the  exercises  of  the  meeting  one  night,  sister  Pow 
noil  requested   me  to  speak  tn  hor  hiisl)and  to  come  to  her 
They  immediately  retired   to   the    house    of  brother    Evans 
near  at  hand,  politely  requested   Bishop   Roberts  and  wife 
who    had    already  retired,   to   accommodate    sister    Pownell 
with  the  use  of  the  room  and  bed,  and  a  few  minutes  there- 
after they  rejoiced  in  an  addition  to  their  family. 

We  had  another  excellent  camp-meeting  on  Cooley's 
camp-ground,  near  Salem.  This  ground  had  been  occupied 
several  successive  years,  and  commanded  a  large  attend- 
ance of  people.  Rev.  Samuel  Hamilton,  presiding  elder, 
superintended  the  meeting.  Revs.  John  Cord  and  Thomas 
Sewell,  who  had  for  many  years  been  useful  traveling 
preachers,  were  present  and  gave  valuable  service.  Thomas 
Milligan,  Peter  and  Christopher  Monarchal,  and  brothers 
Jenkins,  Andrews,  and  Harber — beloved  brethren,  held  in 
high  esteem  for  their  work's  sake — labored  manfully  for  the 
success  of  the  meeting.  The  result  of  the  meeting  was 
highly  gratifying,  many  being  awakened  and  soundly  con- 
verted, whom  I  hope  to  meet  in  the  kingdom  of  God. 

The  Blue  River  circuit  then  embraced  Washington,  Jack- 
son, Orange,  and  Lawrence  counties,  and  the  county  seats, 
Salem,  Brown,  Paoli,  and  Bedford,  were  preaching  places. 
We  had  appointments  in  many  other  smaller  towns,  such  as 
Bono  and  Orleans.  Our  strongest  societies  were  at  or  near 
Salem,  Paoli,  Bono,  and  at  the  forks  of  the  Muscatatack. 
It  was  a  four  week's  circuit,  and  I  performed  the  labor  with- 
out a  colleague.  My  salary  was  one  hundred  dollars,  which 
was  paid  in  full.  Truly  God  was  with  us,  and  we  had  a 
year  of  success  in  our  religious  movements.     At  one  time 


I 


BLUE  RIVER  CIRCUIT,   MISSOURI  CONFERENCE.       60 

during  the  year  some  of  our  members,  by  some  means,  be- 
came tinctured  with  Pelagianism,  and  I  had  apprehension  of 
a  schism  in  the  Church.  We  did,  however,  what  we  could 
in  the  way  of  doctrinal  teaching  and  pastoral  attention, 
and  by  the  blessing  of  God  the  tide  turned  favorably,  and 
our  erring  members  returned  to  sound  doctrine  and  evan- 
gelical experience.  3Iy  predecessor  reported  five  hundred 
and  six  members,  and  I  had  the  pleasure  of  returning  to 
the  conference  five  hundred  and  eighty-nine — an  increase 
of  eiffhtv-three. 

The  residence  of  Bishop  Roberts  in  my  charge,  afforded 
me  excellent  opportunity  of  being  posted  in  the  general 
history  of  the  denomination,  and  as  the  General  Conference 
met  tliis  year,  the  denominational  news  was  of  unusual 
interest.  The  Conference  held  its  session  in  the  city  of 
Baltimore,  commencing  May  1,  1820.  Bishops  M'Kendree, 
George,  and  Roberts  were  in  attendance.  Bishop  M'Ken- 
dree,  however,  was  so  feeble  in  health  that  the  Conference 
gave  him  virtually  the  privilege  of  superannuation,  allowing 
him  to  do  such  work  as  in  his  own  judgment  he  could 
safely  perform.  The  matters  which  occupied  the  most  of 
the  time,  and  called  out  the  most  discussion,  related  to  the 
mode  of  selecting  the  presiding  elders ;  the  adjustment  of 
difficulties  that  had  grown  out  of  the  war  of  1812  between 
societies  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and  those  of 
the  Wesleyan  body  in  Canada  ;  the  establishment  of  denom- 
inational schools ;  the  transfer  of  the  powers  and  duties  of 
the  quarterly  conferences  touching  local  preachers  to  a  new 
body  called  district  conferences  ;  and  instructions  designed 
to  control  the  manner  of  procedure  in  building  houses  of 
worship.  Some  of  these  questions  elicited  very  earnest  and, 
in  some  instances,  impassioned  debate.  The  Conference 
having  ordered  that  presiding  elders  should  thereafter  be 
elected  to  their  office  by  the  Annual  Conference,  so  violent 


70  HKillWAYS    AND    HEDGES. 

was  tlic  oppoHition  of  the  niin(»rily  to  that  action  tliat  Rev. 
Jo.shua  8oulc,  who  liad  been  a  few  days  previously  elected 
to  the  Episcopacy,  declined  to  accept  the  office  unless  that 
offensive  act  was  rescinded,  lie  was  obstinate,  and  Bishop 
M'Kendree  favoring  his  views  the  Conference  ultimately 
yielded. 

The  Rev.  John  Emory,  one  of  the  purest  and  ablest  of 
our  ministers,  was  commissioned  to  bear  the  fraternal  regards 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  to  the  British  Confer- 
ence, and  to  secure  such  adjustment  of  the  matters  of  dif- 
ference between  our  societies  in  Canada  as  would  promote 
harmony  and  the  success  of  the  common  cause.  He  was 
happily  successful  in  securing  prompt  and  fraternal  action 
on  the  part  of  the  Mother  Church. 

The  General  Conference  was  much  perplexed  over  the 
question  of  education.  Repeated  efforts  to  found  liberal 
institutions  had  met  with  disaster,  until  those  who  had  la- 
bored hard  and  sacrificed  much  in  this  direction  were  dis- 
couraged. But  they  determined  to  open  the  way  and  give 
official  indorsement  to  efforts  upon  the  part  of  the  Annual 
Conference  to  found  such  institutions  within  their  bounds 
as  they  might  deem  practicable.  The  district  Conference 
arrangement  was  an  olive-branch  to  the  local  ministry, 
many  of  whom  thought  that  such  a  Conference  would  be 
promotive  of  great  good.  Though  it  failed  to  meet  their 
anticipations  and  was  afterward  abandoned,  yet  it  exhibited 
the  disposition  of  the  General  Conference  to  meet  the 
wishes  of  the  petitioners,  and  in  that  regard,  doubtless,  al- 
layed dissatisfaction,  and  for  the  time  being  promoted  peace 
and  harmony.  In  regard  to  the  building  of  houses  of  wor- 
ship, the  Conference  ordered  that  they  should  not  be  com- 
menced until  three-fourths  of  the  amount  necessary  to  de- 
fray the  expense  had  been  secured ;  and  that  they  should 
be  erected  with  free  seats.      Neither  of  these    regulations, 


BLUE   RIVER   CIRCUIT,    MISSOURI    CONFERENCE.     71 

however,  resulted  in  producing  mucli  practical  change  in 
these  matters.  The  people  of  New  England  continued  to 
rent  their  seats  as  usual,  and  the  societies  generally  acted 
on  their  own  judgment  in  regard  to  the  financial  manage- 
ment of  the  Church  building. 


72  HIGHWAYS    AND    HEDGES. 


CHAPTER    VI. 

MOUNT   CAKMEL  CIRCUIT,    ILLINOIS. 

1820-21. 

IN  the  month  of  September,  1820,  the  Missouri  Conference 
met  at  the  Shiloh  meeting-house,  in  St.  Clair  county,  Il- 
linois, some  ten  miles  from  St.  Louis.  Bishop  Roberts  was 
the  presiding  officer.  It  would  not  be  correct  to  say  that 
lie  occupied  the  chair,  because  he  was  so  sick  as  not  to  be 
able  to  sit  up,  and  a  bed  being  made  for  him  in  the  church, 
his  noble  frame  struggled  with  disease,  while  his  masterly 
mind  gave  direction  to  the  business  of  Conference.  Ar- 
rangements having  been  made  for  camp-meeting  in  the  ad- 
joining grove,  the  work  of  revival  went  on  while  the  busi- 
ness of  the  Conference  was  being  transacted  within  doors. 
Preachers  were  detailed  for  the  day  services,  while  the 
whole  Conference  took  part  in  the  services  at  niglit.  There 
for  the  first  time  I  sounded  the  Gospel  trumpet  to  an  Illi- 
nois audience.  The  grove  then  echoed  with  the  masterly 
logic  of  the  commanding  M'Allister,  and  with  the  eloquent 
and  earnest  appeals  of  Edward  and  Samuel  Mitchell,  David 
Sharp,  Samuel  Hamilton,  and  many  others ;  but  their  voices 
are  long  since  still  in  death,  and,  so  far  as  I  know,  I  am 
the  sole  survivor  of  the  band  whose  voices  were  heard  from 
that  platform. 

The  following  persons  were  received  on  trial :  W.  L. 
Hawley,  Elias  Stone,  Samuel  Bassett,  Francis  Moore,  William 
Cravens,  John  S.  M'Cord,  W.  W.  Bcdman,  H.  Yredenburg, 


MOUNT    CARMEL     CIRCUIT,    ILLINOIS.  73 

David  ChamberlaiD,  George  K.  Hester,  James  Siumis,  Isaac 
Brook-leld,  Levin  Green,  Henry  Stephenson,  and  Gilbert 
Clarke. 

At  the  close  of  that  Conference  the  following  appoint- 
ments were  made  for  the  great  State  of  Illinois  : 

Illinois  District — D.  Sharp,  presiding  elder.  Illinois  cir- 
cuit, Alexander  M'Allister;  Okaw,  Hackaliah  Vredenburg; 
Cash  River,  Francis  Moore;  Wabash,  Thomas  Davis;  Mount 
Carmel,  John  Stewart;  Sangamon,  James  Simms;  Shoal 
Creek,  Josiah  Patterson. 

With  the  prayers  of  our  brethren,  and  looking  to  the 
great  Head  of  the  Church  for  wisdom  and  grace  equal  to 
our  trials  and  opportunities,  we  sallied  forth  to  find  and  oc- 
cupy the  fields  assigned  us.  Every  thing  about  us  beto- 
kened that  we  should  have  to  do  with  laying  the  very  foun- 
dation of  society.  Illinois  had  been  recently  erected  into  a 
State,  and  her  first  governor.  Bond,  was  serving  his  first 
term  of  office. 

The  stream  of  time  has  borne  away  on  its  rapid  current 
nearly  the  entire  generation  of  those  who  were  engaged  fifty 
years  ago  in  laying  the  foundation  of  the  social  and  eccle- 
siastical institutions  of  our  State.  Few  of  those  whom  I 
shall  mention  in  these  reminiscences  now  live  to  read  them. 

Mount  Carmel  circuit  in  1820  and  1821  spread  over  the 
counties  of  Crawford,  Lawrence,  Wabash,  Edwards,  and 
White,  embracing  seventeen  preaching  appointments,  and 
was  what  was  called  a  "  three  weeks'  circuit."  And  now, 
friendly  reader,  provided  with  a  good  horse,  comfortable  sad- 
dle, capacious  saddle-bags,  let  us  start  on  the  round  of  the 
circuit.  Our  first  Sabbath  we  spend  in  Mt.  Carmel,  preach- 
ing in  the  school-house,  morning  and  night.  Before  leaving 
here  it  is  proper  to  call  up  the  reminiscences  of  the  founding 
of  this  town  which  gave  its  name  to  the  circuit.  The  orig- 
inal proprietors  were  Dr.  MDowcll,  from  Chillicothc,  Ohio; 

7 


74  HIGHWAYS    AND    HEDGES. 

Jiulirc  Scohy  Stow.irt.  ni"  Xcw  Jersey;  Rev.  Thomas  S. 
Iliiidc — wlio  used  to  be  a  cdntrilmtor  to  our  periodical 
press,  undor  tlic  nam  dr  pinmr  of  'IMi(M)plr',us  Ariiiinius — 
and  Stiil)l»s,  from  one  of  the  Carolinas.  Tliese  gen- 
tlemen having  purchased  a  large  tract  of  land,  and  propos- 
ing to  inaugurate  a  village  enterprise,  they  employed  as 
their  financial  agent  Rev.  William  ]5eauchamp,  a  scholarly 
and  clo(£Ucut  Methodist  preacher,  of  whom  we  shall  have 
more  to  say  hereafter.  The  proprietors  being  influential 
jMethodists,  and  their  agent  being  so  extensively  and  favor- 
ably known  by  the  Methodist  public,  it  is  not  strange  that 
the  31ethodist  Episcopal  Church  had  every  encouragement 
in  the  town,  and  that  the  elements  of  a  good  society  rapidly 
gathered  there. 

At  the  Ilinde's,  and  Russell's,  and  BQauchamp's,  and  Stew- 
art's, and  Tilton's,  and  other  houses,  the  itinerant  felt  that 
he  had  real  sympathy  and  reliable  backing  in  every  good 
work. 

Having  preached  in  Mount  Carmcl  on  Sabbath  and  spent 
Monday  in  the  pastoral  visitations  of  the  class,  the  circuit 
ride  commenced  on  Tuesday  morning.  Ten  miles  down  the 
Wabash,  and  at  noon  he  finds  at  John  Grove's  a  small 
congregation,  to  which  he  breaks  the  Bread  of  Life.  He 
diverges  a  little  from  his  course  at  this  point  to  visit  a 
strange  community,  under  the  leadership  of  Mr.  Knapp. 
They  were  located  at  a  place  called  Harmony,  on  the  Indi- 
ana side  of  the  river.  Men  and  women  lived  separately, 
until  the  seventh  year,  when  the  family  relation  was  ac- 
knowledged. They  were  distributed  to  the  several  useful 
trades  and  vocations  according  to  the  wisdom  of  their 
leader,  who  had  such  supreme  influence  over  them,  that  in 
accordance  with  his  teaching  they  thought  eternal  damna- 
tion would  be  the  punishment  that  would  overtake  any  one 
of  them  who  abandoned  their   leader  and   the   community. 


MOUNT    CARMEL    CIRCUIT,    ILLINOIS.  75 

I  found  them  an  honest  and  honorable  people  to  deal  with, 
and  could  always  depend  upon  getting  an  article  good  in 
quality  and  reasonable  in  price.  But  we  must  hurry  on  to 
our  Wednesday  appointment,  which  is  at  brother  Ham- 
ilton's. 

We  are  here,  only  twenty-two  miles  from  Mt.  Carmel, 
and  yet  we  already  see  cause  for  grave  apprehension  in 
regard  to  the  spirit  of  the  people.  An  aged  colored  man, 
emigrating  with  his  wife,  camped  in  this  neighborhood  for 
the  night.  They  were  harmless,  well-behaved  old  people. 
Yet  such  was  the  hatred  for  free  negroes  that  their  camp 
was  visited  in  the  night,  and  he  was  shot  to  death  in  cold 
blood.  Nor  did  the  civil  authorities  regard  it  necessary  to 
give  any  official  attention  to  the  matter.  The  conviction 
from  that  time  became  deeply  seated  with  us,  that,  if  Illi- 
nois is  saved  from  the  curse  of  slavery,  the  Methodist 
preachers  and  people  have  a  work  to  do.  The  candid  his- 
torian will  be  prompt  to  give  Methodism  due  credit  for 
doing  a  large  measure  of  the  work  in  preventing  the  estab- 
lishment of  slavery  in  this  beautiful  commonwealth. 

Thursday,  at  noon,  we  are  addressing  a  congregation 
twelve  miles  further  on,  in  the  residence  of  John  Hanna,  a 
Carolinian,  possessing  a  large  lauded  estate,  and  glad  to 
open  his  mansion  for  the  itinerant  and  the  Gospel  which 
lie  preaches.  Having  shared  his  hospitality  for  the  night, 
and  having  but  five  miles  to  ride  to  our  noon  appointment 
at  brother  Withron's,  we  pass  leisurely  through  the  beauti- 
ful savannas.  But,  while  we  are  delighted  with  its  fertility 
and  beaut}^,  we  are  somewhat  startled  by  the  evidence  of 
recent  earthquakes.  These  deep  cracks  in  the  earth,  which 
still  look  so  ghastly,  could  they  speak  with  their  broad 
mouths,  would  tell  of  the  terrors  of  many  an  ungodly  man, 
and  of  the  anxiety  of  many  a  lukewarm  Christian,  as  they 
supposed  that  the  great  day  of  His  wrath  had  come.     In 


7G  HIGHWAYS    AND    HEDGES. 

tlio  congrcgalion  nt  Wifliron's  wo  roini  tlio  ;irfiuaii)tnnce  of 
two  valun])le  local  prcacluMH,  Kcvm.  Saimicl  and  Charles 
Sloc'uni.  Though  Samuel  lias  idoutifiofl  himself  witli  the 
movement  to  incorporate  slavery  itito  tlie  organic  law,  lie 
assures  us  that  he  rcirards  tliis  as  the  surest  and  speediest 
way  of  ridding  tlie  country  of  slavery.  "Let  us,"  says  lie, 
"spread  it  out  so  thin  that  it  will  exhaust  itself  and  die." 
His  motives  are  honest,  but  we  can  not  subscribe  to  his 
logic. 

A  ride  of  nine  miles,  Saturday  morning,  brings  us  to  our 
noon  appointment  at  Henry  Jones's.  This  is  the  extreme 
point  of  our  circuit  down  the  river,  and  is  nearly  fifty  miles, 
by  the  route  we  have  traveled,  from  Mt.  Carmel.  The  kind 
family  urges  us  to  stay  here  for  the  night,  but  we  have 
thirty  miles  to  make  by  noon  to-morrow,  and  we  prefer  to 
spend  the  night  as  near  as  may  be  to  our  Sabbath  work. 
The  scattered  settlers  will  come  together  from  a  distance, 
and,  as  we  will  have  a  larger  percentage  of  unconverted 
persons  to  address  than  we  meet  in  our  week-day  appoint- 
ments, w^e  would  be  fresh  and  vigorous  to  meet  the  respon- 
sibility. Saturday  night  finds  us  at  brother  A.  Driger's, 
and  Sabbath  at  noon  we  are  delivering  a  message  from 
God  to  the  people  gathered  at  the  house  of  brother  George 
Mickles.  Monday,  at  noon,  four  miles  further  north,  we 
preach  at  brother  Wheeler's.  Though  it  is  wash-day,  the 
hungry  people  come  together  to  get  the  Word  of  Life. 

Tuesday,  at  noon,  we  are  at  brother  Jacob  Shrader's, 
fourteen  miles  from  the  last  appointment.  We  shall  hence- 
forward always  anticipate  with  pleasure  the  hospitality  of 
this  kind  family.  Here  the  itinerant  j^^^^"  excellence  finds  a 
home.  Brother  Shrader  gives  his  son  John  to  the  work, 
consecrates  his  house  as  a  preaching-place,  and,  with  an 
open  purse  and  a  warm  heart,  co-operates  in  every  good 
work.     In  this  neighborhood  we  form  the  acquaintance  of 


MOUNT    CARMEL    CIRCUIT,    ILLINOIS.  77 

the  Scotcti  Curry  family,  of  •whom  Rev.  "W,  Beauchamp 
makes  such  eloquent  mention  in  his  notices  of  the  triumphs 
of  grace  in  the  West.  "We  shall  have  more  to  say  of  them, 
however,  and  of  their  son-in-law,  Piev.  John  Scripps,  when 
we  come  to  speak  of  the  camp-meeting,  at  which  they  find  a 
home  in  the  Church.  Ten  miles  brings  us  to  our  Wednes- 
day noon  appointment,  at  James  Ryan's. 

Thursday  we  are  in  the  saddle  again,  and,  after  ten  miles' 
travel,  reach  the  Ellison  Prairie  appointment,  and  at  noon 
preach  the  Word  to  the  people.  Here  the  cotton-fields 
spread  out  in  their  whiteness.  Yincennes,  Indiana,  looms 
up  in  the  distance,  and  the  landscape  is  one  of  surpassing 
loveliness.  But  we  can  not  linger  here,  as  we  have  to  push 
forward  twenty-two  miles  to  our  Friday  noon  appointment 
at  brother  Snipp's.  We  lodge  at  Rev.  John  Fox's,  a  super- 
annuated member  of  the  New  Jersey  Conference,  and  his 
counsel,  and  prayers,  and  sympathy  do  us  good.  The  Sat- 
urday noon  appointment  is  only  four  miles  distant,  at  Union 
Prairie.  On  Sabbath  we  are  at  Palestine,  eighteen  miles 
from  the  last-mentioned  appointment,  and  here,  in  the 
school-house,  we  deliver  our  message  to  a  congregation  of 
considerable  refinement  and  pretensions. 

Tuesday,  at  noon,  we  are  twenty-five  miles  away,  preach- 
ing at  brother  James  Johnson's.  This  venerable  man  and 
his  excellent  companion,  living  twelve  miles  from  Yincennes, 
on  the  road  to  Mt.  Carmel,  give  us  a  welcome  so  cordial, 
and  enter  so  thoroughly  into  all  the  works  of  the  young 
itinerant,  that  we  shall  always  feel  toward  them  as  did  Paul 
toward  the  house  of  Onesiphorus.  At  noon  on  Wednesday 
we  address  the  people  in  the  next  neighborhood,  eight  miles 
distant,  at  the  house  of  an  estimable  local  preacher.  Rev. 
John  Ingersoll,  a  brother-in-law  to  Judge  Scoby  Stewart. 
Thursday,  at  noon,  we  close  our  round  of  appointments, 
within  four  miles  of  Mt.  Carmel,  at  brother  Charles  Riggs's. 


78  H  Kill  WAYS    AND    IIKDGES. 

lie  l>eiDg  Jill  ;H'(ju;iiiit:iii(('  u\'  ours  IVoiii  ^\'t;.stenl  Virginia, 
we  enjoy  the  renewal  (»!'  tliat  ac(|uaiutancc  here,  where 
mountains  arc  out  of  siglit  .-iikI  tlio  ;itmosphcrc  of  freedom 
is  about  us. 

Here,  glancing  backward,  we  find  that  during  the  past 
nineteen  days  we  have  preaclicd  eighteen  times,  besides 
leading  the  classes,  marking  the  class-books,  instructing 
the  children,  and  visiting  the  people.  We  have  swept  over 
five  counties,  making  a  journey  of  between  two  and  three 
hundred  miles.  We  have  enjoyed  it  immensely,  but  the 
repetition  of  these  travels  and  labors  every  three  weeks, 
when  the  Fall  rains,  and  the  Winter  snows,  and  the  Spring 
mud  comes,  will  test  our  powers  of  endurance  thoroughly. 
But  it  is  an  easy  circuit  in  comparison  with  some  we  have 
traveled.  We  have  a  good  horse,  a  comfortable  saddle,  a 
strong  umbrella,  a  sublime  mission,  and  we  would  not 
change  places  with  the  Governor  of  the  State  or  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  Union.  They  are  laboring  for  the  common- 
wealth, backed  up  by  a  majority  of  the  people;  we  for  the 
kingdom  of  God,  appointed  and  supported  by  him. 

Our  hopes  for  the  year  were  fully  realized.  We  com- 
menced with  one  hundred  and  fifty  members;  expected  to 
gather  fruit  while  we  scattered  seed  at  every  appointment. 
At  the  close  of  the  year  we  reported  three  hundred  mem- 
bers— an  increase  of  one  hundred  per  cent.  One  hundred 
of  these  had  joined  at  the  regular  appointments,  and  fifty 
of  them  at  the  camp-meetings  with  which  we  wound  up  the 
year's  labors.  As  these  camp-meetings  were  among  the 
grandest  of  their  kind,  we  propose  to  give  our  readers  our 
reminiscences  of  them. 

The  camp-meeting  was  an  institution  in  those  days  greatly 
prized  by  our  people,  because  greatly  honored  of  God  in 
carrying  forward  his  work.  During  this  year  on  the  Mt. 
Carmel  circuit  I  had  two  camp-meetings  in  two  successive 


MOUNT    CARMEL    CIRCUIT,    ILLINOIS.  70 

"weekti,  both  of  which  proved  to  be  meetings  of"  great  power 
aud  glory.  The  fir.st  one  commenced  the  20th  of  August, 
1821,  near  Carmi,  on  the  Little  Wabash  Piivcr,  thirty-five 
miles  below  Mt.  Carmel ;  the  other  commenced  the  27th  of 
the  same  mouth  in  brother  31anlove  Beauchamp's  neighbor- 
hood, near  Mt.  Carmel. 

Before  I  narrate  the  circumstances  of  these  meetinos,  it 
may  be  interesting  to  the  reader  to  obtain  a  general  idea 
of  the  arrangements  and  regulations  of  camp-meetings  in 
those  days.  In  selecting  grounds  for  camp-meetings  we  had 
respect  not  only  to  shade  for  the  camp,  water  for  the  con- 
gregation, aud  j^asturage  for  the  horses,  but  also  the  char- 
acter of  the  surrounding  neighborhood,  preferring  a  com- 
munit^"  that  would  appreciate  the  meeting,  and  assist  in  the 
maintainance  of  good  order.  The  tents  were  mostly  made 
by  inclosing  three  sides  and  covering  wdth  boards,  and  leav- 
ing the  side  that  faced  the  audience  ground  open,  to  be 
closed  at  nio-ht  with  blankets  or  sheetin";.  The  o-rounds 
were  lighted  at  night  partly  with  fire-stands,  which  were 
elevated  platforms  covered  with  earth,  and  upon  which  a 
fire,  fed  -with  light,  dry  wood,  was  kept  burning  during  the 
night,  or  until  the  hour  appointed  for  retiring  to  sleep.  In 
addition  to  the  fire-stands,  candles  were  fastened  to  the 
trees  by  the  auger-hole  candlestick  instrument,  and  each 
tent  was  expected  to  keep  one  candle  burning  in  front. 
The  time  of  retiring;  to  bed  aud  of  rising  in  the  morniun;, 
also  the  time  ot"  taking  meals,  and  of  family  prayers,  and 
public  service  w^ere  all  announced  from  the  stand  at  the  be- 
ginning of  the  meeting.  It  was  explained  how  the  trumpet 
would  signal  these  things,  that  all  might  conform  promptly 
to  the  order  of  the  meetins;.  As  the  signal  for  risiniz;  in  the 
morning  the  trumpeter  marched  around  the  camp,  sounding 
the  trumpet  at  the  door  of  each  tent;  then,  after  giving  suf- 
ficient time  for  dressing,  the  trumpet  sounded  from  the  stand 


80  iiiGiiWAVs  AM)  hi:ix;es. 

for  family  prayers  in  tlir  tents.  Tlic  voice  of  .soiil,^  and  prayer 
then  rose  from  every  tent  at  tlu^  same  time,  and  .sometimes 
the  power  of  God  descended,  and  tlie  day  commcuced  with 
tlio  sliont  of  a  kino;  in  the  camp.  Tliorc  was  servioo  at  the 
stand  at  ci_t;ht,  eleven,  three  o'clock,  and  at  "candle  light- 
ing,"' the  intervening  time  being  largely  occupied  with 
praycr-mectiug  at  the  stand  or  in  llie  tents.  At  the 
blast  of  the  trumpet  calling  the  congregation  to  the  stand 
for  public  worship,  the  occupants  of  the  tents  were  expected 
to  leave  the  tents  and  come  into  the  congregation.  The 
cooking  was  nearly  all  done  at  home  before  the  meeting 
commenced,  and  all  arrangements  made,  so  that  men  and 
women  could  spend  their  time,  not  in  serving  tables,  but  iu 
feasting  upon  the  AYord  of  God  or  ministering  it  to  others. 
The  meetings  generally  commenced  on  Friday  and  continued 
about  four  or  five  days.  By  commencing  on  Friday  all 
that  intended  tenting  arranged  to  be  on  the  ground  at  the 
beginning  of  the  meeting,  and  four  or  fivQ  days  was  about 
as  long  as  food  prepared  at  home  would  keep  in  proper 
condition  for  use.  The  attendance  was  not  large  as  com- 
pared with  the  attendance  on  such  meetings  in  older  and 
more  populous  settlements,  but  as  compared  with  the  thin 
population  of  the  country  it  was  very  large.  At  the  camp- 
meeting  on  Mt.  Carmel  circuit  in  1821,  soon  after  the  State 
of  Illinois  had  laid  off  its  territorial  garments,  the  attend- 
ance was  about  one  hundred  on  Friday,  three  hundred  on 
Saturday,  six  hundred  on  Sabbath,  three  hundred  on  Mon- 
day, and  one  hundred  on  Tuesday,  to  hear  the  closing 
sermon. 

At  the  meeting  near  Carmi,  on  the  Little  \Yabash  Kiver, 
I  was  assisted  by  brother  Wm.  Beauchamp,  Charles  Slocum, 
and  Samuel  Slocum,  and  brother  M'Henry.  They  all  did 
good  service  and  preached  with  a  holy  unction,  but  brother 
Wm.  Beauchamp  was  the  master  spirit.     He  preached  once 


MOUNT    CARMEL    CIRCUIT,   ILLINOIS.  81 

each  day.  He  was  peculiarly  blessed  in  the  opening,  and 
Sabbath,  and  closing  sermons  of  the  meeting.  On  the  Sab- 
bath his  text  was  Romans  v,  1-4:  "Therefore  being  justi- 
fied by  faith,"  etc.  It  was  a  sermon  never  to  be  forgotten. 
The  workmanship  was  masterly,  and  the  power  attending  it 
was  overwhelming.  The  expectation  of  the  congregation  had 
been  elevated  to  a  lofty  pitch  during  the  opening  sermon 
of  the  meeting,  but  it  continued  rising.  The  members  of 
the  Church  took  advanced  ground ;  the  sons  of  Levi  became 
mightily  charged  with  the  spirit  of  their  station,  and  all 
labored  together  earnestly  in  the  work.  The  closing  dis- 
course was  on  the  '■'■inheritance  of  the  saiiits,'^  and  was  a  fit- 
ting climax  for  the  meeting.  I  had  always  seen  brother 
Beauchamp  great,  but  had  seldom  heard  him  soar  with  the 
soul-inspiring  and  heart-melting  eloquence  of  that  occasion. 
Many  were  awakened  and  converted  during  that  meeting, 
and  some  twenty  united  with  the  Church  on  the  ground; 
others  carried  the  arrows  of  conviction  deeply  infixed  in 
their  consciences  and  hearts  as  they  sadly  returned  to  their 
places  of  abode;  and  as  they  have  nearly  all  passed  the 
bounds  of  probation  long  since,  I  fondly  hope  that  they 
have  entered  upon  the  possession  of  that  inheritance  that 
fadeth  not  away. 

The  next  Friday  we  commenced  the  other  camp-meeting, 
near  brother  Manlove  Beauchamp's,  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Mt.  Carrael.  It  was  also  a  quarterly  meeting,  and  Rev. 
David  Sharp,  the  presiding  elder,  was  present,  and  took 
charge  of  the  meeting.  The  preaching  and  prayer-meetings 
were  attended  with  great  power,  and  some  forty-Jive  professed 
conversion  and  twenty-three  joined  the  Church.  Of  the 
number  that  joined  was  a  Scotch  family  that  is  deserving 
of  special  mention.  This  family  had  lately  emigrated  from 
Scotland,  and  settled  in  the  neighborhood  of  Jacob  Shra- 
der's.     They  had  been  educated  in  the  observance  of  the 


82  HIGHWAYS    AND    HEDGES. 

Sabballi  alter  the  strictest  Scotch  fashion,  and  now,  having 
none  ol'  their  own  people  witli  wliom  to  a.ssociatc,  tliey  com- 
lucnccd  atlcndinj^  prcacliing  at  brother  Slirader's.  Previous 
to  the  quarterly  meeting,  according  to  our  custom,  I  read  the 
General  llulrs  in  each  society,  and  once  a  year  I  read  and 
explained  the  rules  to  the  whole  congregation.  On  one  of 
these  occasions  this  family  remained  to  hear  the  rules  read 
and  explained.  At  the  close  of  service  they  invited  me  to 
accompany  them  to  their  home.  I  accepted  the  invitation, 
and  so  enjoyed  the  opportunity  of  further  conversation  with 
them.  Their  home  and  its  surroundings  indicated  neatness, 
industry,  and  thrift,  while  the  family  proved  to  be  intelli- 
gent, serious,  and  very  hospitable  people.  They  volunteered 
to  inform  me  that  they  approved  of  our  General  Rules  and 
the  exposition  that  I  had  given  of  them,  and  desired  to  form 
a  more  intimate  acquaintance  with  our  usages  and  people. 
During  the  conversation  they  startled  me  with  the  following 
question:  "Would  you  regard  it  as  proper  to  read  the  Old 
Testament  Scriptures  on  the  Sabbath-day  ?"  Their  educa- 
tion had  been  such  that  they  had  scruples  of  conscience  on 
this  point,  and  as  they  had  seen  professors  of  religion  not 
only  reading  the  Old  Testament  but  secular  books  on  the 
Sabbath,  it  had  somewhat  staggered  them.  I  gave  them 
such  explanations  of  the  law  of  the  Sabbath  and  of  appro- 
priate Sabbath  conduct  as  I  thought  proper  under  the  cir- 
cumstances. The  family  consisted  of  eight  persons;  namely, 
the  parents,  three  daughters,  two  sons,  and  a  nephew.  The 
woman  had  professed  religion  in  Scotland.  The  family  at- 
tended the  camp-meeting  above  described,  and  the  remaining 
seven  were  converted.  They  were  all  bowed  at  the  altar  as 
seekers  of  religion  at  the  same  time,  and  within  one  hour  all 
were  soundly  converted  to  God,  and  testifying  of  his  won- 
drous grace.  When  the  doors  of  the  Church  were  opened 
they  all  came  forward  together  and  applied  for  membership. 


MX.    CARMEL    CIRCUIT.  83 

Their  application  was  received,  and  they  welcomed  amid 
the  rejoicings  of  the  people  of  God.  Brother  Curry  and 
his  family  became  at  once  efficient  working  Christians. 
The  family  was  indeed  a  model  family,  and  proved  to  be  a 
valuable  accession  to  the  Church  in  that  part  of  our  Zion. 
Agues  Curry,  one  of  the  daughters,  was  afterward  married 
to  Kev.  John  Scripps,  one  of  our  able  and  popular  preach- 
ers, and  my  successor  on  the  Blue  River  circuit.  I  can  not 
well  pass  the  name  of  brother  Scripps  without  digressing 
long  enough  to  record  my  recollections  of  his  peculiarities 
and  excellencies.  He  was  by  birth  an  Englishman.  As  a 
minister  of  the  Gospel  he  was  emphatically  a  JItfhodist, 
every  thing  being  done  after  the  strictest  method.  When 
he  started  around  a  new  circuit  he  would  copy  into  his 
hand-book  a  complete  list  of  the  members  of  the  Church, 
writing  the  names  of  the  females  with  red  ink  and  of  the 
males  with  black  ink.  He  would  also  map  out  on  his 
hand-book  the  route  from  appointment  to  appointment,  so 
that  every  cross-road  or  fork  of  the  road  were  indicated. 
At  each  visit  to  each  appointment  he  revised  and  perfected 
the  class-book,  making  it  and  his  own  correspond,  and  when 
he  left  a  circuit  he  left  to  his  successor  complete  informa- 
tion in  regard  to  every  interest  of  the  Church.  He  was 
once,  if  not  oftener,  a  delegate  to  the  General  Conference — 
small  in  stature,  but  large  in  intellect,  and  valuable  in 
labors. 

But  to  return  to  the  camp-meeting.  It  was  a  glorious 
winding  up  of  the  Conference  year,  scattered  the  hallowed 
fire  all  over  the  circuit,  and  left  it  in  a  blaze  of  revival, 
brother  Beauchamp,  and  brothers  Hiude,  Ingersoll,  and 
Sharp  were  among  the  honored  laborers  in  this  camp-meeting. 
A  glowing  account  of  these  camp-meetings  appeared  in  the 
magazine,  from  the  pen  of  one  of  the  ministers  present  on 
the  occasion. 


8-1  lUCnWAVS    AND    HEDGES. 

Tlic  rcjiult  (.(■  jli(>  l;il)(»r.s  (A'  the  year  were  liiglily  satis- 
factory. 1  liad  tlie  lioiior  of  recording;  a])out  one  liundred 
and  fifly  names  on  the  roll  of  Clmicli  nieuibersliip,  and  liavc 
the  satisfaction  of  believing  that  many  of  tliem  are  now  re- 
joicing in  the  sanctuary  above. 

I  had,  during  this  year,  a  singular  experience  with  a 
band  of  horse-thieves,  who  at  tliat  time  were  defying  law  and  i 
order  in  that  whole  region  of  country.  As  the  narrative 
will  be  of  interest,  as  throwing  light  on  the  state  of  society 
at  that  time,  and  show  how  the  people  rose  to  protect  them- 
selves when  the  ordinary  officers  and  process  of  law  seemed 
inadequate,  I  propose  to  give  it  in  the  next  chapter. 

I  did  not  attend  the  session  of  the  Ohio  Conference  in 
the  Fall  of  1820,  but  as  I  intend  recording  the  names  of  all 
received  on  trial  in  that  Conference,  from  year  to  year,  I 
will  here  insert  the  names  of  those  admitted  at  that  session. 
This  is  the  more  proper  as  some  of  them  will  appear  again 
in  subsequent  pages  of  the  narrative.  They  were,  Alfred 
Brunson,  William  Crawford,  Charles  Thorn,  James  Collord, 
Daniel  Limerick,  Charles  Truscott,  Nathan  Walker,  Wil- 
liam I.  Kent,  William  Simmons,  Henry  Knapp,  Zarah 
Costin,  James  Havens,  James  Jones. 


HORSE-TIIIEF    CAPTURED    AND    PUNISHED.  85 


CHAPTER  VII. 

A  HORSE-THIEF  CHASED,  CAPTURED,  AND  PUNISHED. 

THE  good  people  of  Illinois  and  adjoiuing  States  -were 
greatly  harassed  about  the  year  1819-20  with  horse- 
thieves  and  counterfeiters.  It  was  my  misfortune  to  be  vic- 
timized by  one  of  the  former,  during  the  latter  year. 
Sometime  in  the  month  of  May  I  was  spending  a  night  at 
Jacob  Shrader's.  Observing  that  the  shoes  of  my  horse 
were  loose,  I  took  him  to  the  shop  and  had  them  removed, 
and  then  put  him  in  the  stable.  Xext  morning  the  stable 
door  was  bolted  as  usual,  but  my  horse  was  gone,  and  we  had 
no  difficulty  in  reaching  the  conclusion  that  somebody,  either 
angry  at  me  on  account  of  my  denunciation  of  sinners,  or 
covetous  of  my  noble  horse,  or  possibly  influenced  by  both 
motives,  had  stolen  him.  As  the  horse  was  shod  behind, 
sharp,  and  without  shoes  on  his  forefeet,  there  was  no  diffi- 
culty in  following  the  track.  I  immediately  started  on 
foot,  and  followed  some  miles,  when  the  track  suddenly  dis- 
appeared. I  made  out  finally  that  the  thief  had  taken  the 
back  track,  and  that  he  had  been  maneuvering  by  grazing 
the  horse  along  the  fence  corners,  to  make  any  one  who 
might  pursue  him  think  that  the  horse  was  loose,  and  ram- 
bling at  his  pleasure.  After  operating  in  that  way  for 
some  time,  he  left  the  fence,  went  out  into  the  prairie,  and 
performed  some  circling,  as  does  a  honey-bee  before  it 
takes  its  course.  He  then  took  his  course  toward  the  Wa- 
bash River,  which  was    some    ten   or   twelve   miles   distant. 


8G  HIGHWAYS    AND    IIKDGES. 

Following  on  T  found  f1i;i(  ho  had  rcacdicd  the  ferry  a  little 
before  daylifjht,  for  the  d(»gs  having  aroused  the  ferryman 
he  ascertained  that  some  stranger  had  taken  the  boat  and 
ferried  over,  and  then  sent  the  boat  adrift.  It  was  now 
evening;  I  had  been  pressing  on  all  day,  and  at  night 
found  myself  where  the  thief  had  been  before  daylight  in 
the  morning.  I  halted  for  the  night  at  the  house  of  brother 
Armstrong.  He  entered  into  full  sympathy  with  me,  and  in 
the  morning  brought  out  two  of  his  best  horses.  I  mounted 
one  and  he  the  other,  and  we  started  on  the  track  again. 
After  crossing  the  river,  instead  of  following  the  track  we 
commenced  investigating  whether  the  thief  had  recrossed 
the  river  above  or  below  the  ferry.  After  satisfying  our- 
selves that  he  had  not,  we  immediately  struck  across  to 
White  River  to  see  if  he  had  crossed  that.  We,  however, 
spent  the  wbole  day  without  getting  any  information.  We 
now  saw  that  we  had  committed  a  great  blunder  in  not  stick- 
ing to  the  track  and  following  it  in  all  its  meanderings. 
We  put  up  for  the  night  much  discouraged,  but  not  in  the 
least  inclined  to  give  up  the  chase. 

Next  morning  we  tried  to  make  a  bee-line  for  William 
Hawkins's  ferry  on  White  River,  going  much  of  the  time 
through  the  forest.  As  we  were  jogging  along  through  the 
woods,  reflecting  how  much  the  thief  had  the  start  of  us, 
and  the  strong  probability  that  he  was  already  beyond  our 
reach,  we  would  at  times  become  despondent,  and  had  about 
concluded  that  if  we  should  get  no  further  information 
against  night  we  would  abandon  the  hunt.  Suddenly,  in 
the  midst  of  our  gloom,  and  here  in  the  pathless  forest,  we 
struck  upon  the  well-known  track  of  the  stolen  horse.  It 
was  indeed  a  sudden  transition  from  despondency  to  hope. 
Our  horses,  that  had  appeared  as  dull  as  ourselves,  caught 
the  contagion,  and  pranced  along  with  new  life  and  vigor. 
A   few  miles   brought   us    to    a  house  where   we   obtained 


HORSE-THIEF    CAPTURED    AND    PUNISHED.  87 

valuable  information  in  regard  to  the  object  of  our  search. 
In  answer  to  inquiries,  the  man  informed  us  that  ''  last 
night,  just  as  the  stars  were  beginning  to  shine,  a  stranger 
rode  up  and  inquired  if  there  would  be  any  chance  of  cross- 
ing the  river  below  the  ferry.  I  told  him  the  river  was 
high,  and  it  would  be  dangerous  to  attempt  it.  He  said  he 
could  swim  his  horse  by  the  side  of  a  skiff  or  canoe,  but  I 
advised  him,"  said  our  informer,  "  to  go  to  Hawkins's  ferry, 
as  it  was  only  three  or  four  miles  distant,  and  told  him  that 
if  he  hurried  he  might  reach  there  before  the  ferryman  had 
retired  to  bed."  He  said  the  man  left  in  haste  in  the  direc- 
tion of  the  ferry. 

We  were  greatly  encouraged ;  the  thief  evidently  thought 
that  he  had  outwitted  his  pursuers,  who  were  onlj"  one  day 
behind  him.  Providence  seemed  to  favor  us ;  we  thanked 
God  and  trotted  on  cheerily.  AYe  soon  reached  the  ferry, 
and  from  the  ferryman  obtained  full  information  iu  regard 
to  the  name,  description,  and  plans  of  the  thief.  His  con- 
duct on  reaching  the  ferry  had  been  such  as  to  excite  sus- 
picion at  first,  and  then  the  ferryman  recognized  him  as  an 
acquaintance,  and  drew  out  of  him,  without  appearing  to 
have  any  design  in  the  matter,  his  destination,  and  the  route 
he  intended  to  take.  The  information  he  gave  us  was 
about  as  follows:  "About  bed-time  a  man  rode  up  and  sat 
on  his  horse  near  the  ferry  for  a  time,  as  though  he  was 
half  inclined  to  take  a  ride  on  his  own  account.  After  a 
little  he  rode  up  the  river  a  short  distance,  hitched  his 
horse,  and  then  came  down  near  the  house  and  stood  listen- 
ing, perhaps  to  ascertain  whether  we  were  awake  in  the 
house.  He  then  returned  to  his  horse,  mounted  it,  and 
rode  down  to  the  ferry  and  called  for  the  ferryman.  I 
asked  him"  said  the  ferryman,  '-if  he  could  make  change. 
He  said  he  had  nothins;  smaller  than  a  five-dollar  bill.  I 
told  him    to  come  in  and  have  it  chamred.      He  alighted 


88  .  HIGHWAYS    AND    HEDGES. 

from  his  liovsr  nnd  (•.inic  to  llio  door,  but  as  soon  as  the 
(h)or  opened  he  iec()p;ni/«'(l  me  and  darted  bnek,  snying  that 
his  eyes  were  sore  and  tlic  liglit  hurt  them.  lie  handed  in 
the  bill,  keeping  his  face  out  of  sight.  I  recognized  him 
as  one  William  Baker,  of  Powell's  Valley,  over  the  Cumber- 
land Mountains.  I  told  my  family  that  I  knew  "Baker,  and 
that  he  always  carried  counterfeit  money.  I  handed  back 
the  bill,  telling  him  that  I  eonld  not  change  it,  but  not  in- 
timating any  suspicion  of  the  money.  Baker  was  urgent  to 
get  over,  and  offered  me  his  jack-knife,  for  which  I  agreed 
to  set  him  over  the  river.  I  called  him  by  name,  and 
claiming  acquaintance,  we  entered  into  familiar  conversa- 
tion. I  admired  his  horse,  which  was  a  splendid  fellow, 
and  he  told  me  that  he  paid  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars 
for  it.  I  inquired  after  his  relations,  with  whom  I  was .  ac- 
quainted, and  talked  without  any  apparent  reason,  and  in 
the  course  of  the  conversation  I  learned  that  he  intended 
going  to  Owl  Prairie  to  visit  his  uncle  H.,  and  thence  to  Mt. 
Sterling  to  visit  his  uncles  0.  and  R.,  and  thence  to  his  fa- 
ther's residence  in  Powell  Valley."  Possessed  of  such  mi- 
nute information,  though  Baker  was  two  days  in  advance  of 
me,  I  was  confident  of  success  in  capturing  him.  After 
thanking  Mr.  Foster  for  the  information,  Mr.  Armstrong  and 
myself  hurried  on  to  Washington,  and  put  the  matter  into 
the  hands  of  the  sheriff  of  the  county.  Selecting  two  men  as 
assistants,  the  sheriif  started  off  in  hot  pursuit,  and  by 
traveling  all  night,  they  reached  the  residence  of  Baker's 
uncle  H.,  just  at  the  break  of  day.  To  their  chagrin,  how- 
ever, upon  inquiry  they  found  that  Baker  had  left  there  just 
at  daybreak,  twenty-four  hours  in  advance  of  them.  Tlie^ 
reported  that  he  had  gone  to  Mt.  Sterling,  which  agreed 
with  his  plan  as  given  to  Foster  at  the  ferry.  The  sherifi" 
returned  to  Washington  where  I  had  remained,  and  reported 
progress.      Armstrong    returned    home.      The  citizens    of 


HORSE-THIEF    CAPTURED    AND    PUNISHED.  89 

Washington  furnished  me  another,  horse,  and  I  started  alone 
and  pushed  my  journey  until  near  midnight,  when,  in  vie\Y 
of  the  darkness  and  my  ignorance  of  the  country,  I  was 
compelled  to  stop  and  wait  for  morning.  I  was  in  the  sad- 
dle with  the  break  of  day,  and  at  four,  P.  M.,  had  got 
within  twelve  or  fifteen  miles  of  Mt.  Sterling.  I  rode  up 
to  a  house,  and  the  occupant  coming  out  at  once  recognized 
me  as  a  preacher,  and  besought  me  to  remain  and  preach 
for  them  that  night.  A  plan  immediately  presented  itself 
to  my  mind  which  I  adopted  and  acted  upon.  The  invita- 
tion was  accepted,  the  congregation  gathered,  and  a  sermon 
preached.  At  the  close  of  the  sermon,  I  took  the  brother 
in  whose  house  I  preached  to  one  side,  and  requested  him 
to  select  out  of  his  neighbors  present  four  or  five  men  whom 
he  could  trust,  and  brino-  them  to  me.  He  did  so.  I  stated 
my  case,  and  inquired  whether  we  could  not  surround  the 
house  of  Baker's  uncles  0.  and  K.,  before  morning,  and 
capture  the  thief.  They  all  entered  heartily  into  my  inter- 
est and  plans,  and  being  acquainted  with  the  localities,  were 
sanguine  of  success  Soon  after  w^e  started,  however,  the 
rain  began  to  descend.  It  became  very  dark  and  muddy, 
and  they  advised  that  we  put  up  till  morning,  and  I  con- 
sented. In  the  morning,  when  we  came  to  one  of  those 
houses,  we  saw  the  fresh  tracks  where  the  horse  we  were 
seeking  had  just  been  taken  from  the  stable.  We  were 
confident  that  the  thief  had  not  more  than  one  hour  the 
start  of  us.  Our  horses  seemed  to  partake  of  our  sanguine 
and  eager  spirit,  and  we  anticipated  swift  success.  Soon, 
however,  the  traces  indicated  that  the  thief  was  maneuver- 
ing to  deceive  his  pursuers  and  cover  his  flight.  And  he 
succeeded  so  well  that  a  whole  day  of  hard  work  in  trac- 
ing his  route  had  only  brought  us  four  miles  from  where 
we  struck  the  track  first  in  the  morninir;.     We  were  now  in 

the  immediate  vicinity  of   3It.  Sterling.      The  intelligence 

8 


00  iiKinwAVs  Axn  m.nciES. 

had  prcccilcd  hh  to  ll»o  village  that  we  wore  in  pursuit  of 
a  horse-thief.  When  we  entdrcd  Esq.  Asbury  and  one  of 
the  constables  of  the  place  met  nic  and  told  me  that  a  man 
and  Ikusc  answering;  the  description  I  gave,  were  seen  at 
nine  o'clock  in  ihe  niorninir,  fifteen  miles  on  the  road  to 
Kentucky,  by  way  of  .'Mack's  ferry,  and  eighteen  miles  be- 
low the  falls.  They  proposed  to  me  to  remain  and  rest  in 
Mt.  Sterling,  and  they  would  go  for  the  thief;  and  they 
said  they  would  not  return  without  him.  "Rest  ea.sy,"  said 
they;  "we  will  bring  him  back  if  we  have  to  go  to  Nova 
Scotia  for  him."     They  were  so  hearty  in  the  matter,  that 

1  consented,  and  they  started.  After  they  had  gone  I 
learned  the  reason  of  the  maneuvers  of  Baker  that  had  de- 
tained us  so  much.  It  appeared  that  during  a  visit  he  had 
made  to  this  uncle  not  long  before,  he  had  attended  a  party 
dressed  in  women's  clothes,  and  had  committed  misdemean- 
ors, on  account  of  which  a  State  warrant  had  been  issued, 
which  was  now  in  the  hands  of  the  constable.  He  had 
been  notified  of  this  fact,  and  that  was  the  occasion  of  his 
maneuvering  to  cover  his  course.  But  to  pursue  the  narra- 
tive as  given  by  Esq.  Asbury  after  his  return.  At  Mack's 
ferry  Baker  had  tried  to  pass  a  counterfeit  five-dollar  bill 
on  the  ferryman,  but  he  detected  it,  and  would  not  take  it. 
He  said  he  must  cross,  and  took  the  shoes  ofi"  the  hind  feet 
of  the  horse  with  which  to  pay  his  ferriage.  They  pushed 
on  to  Hardin,  in  Kentucky.  He  had  been  seen  to  enter  the 
town,  and  the  horse  with  the  bobbed  tail  and  roached  mane 
had  attracted  attention,  but  no  one  could  be  found  that  had 
seen  him  go  out  of  town.  They  were  here  baffled  for  a 
day :  the  shoes  having  now  been  removed  from  the  hind 
feet  of  the  horse,  they  could  no  longer  track  him  as  before. 
But  after  a  day  of  delay  and  inquiry  a  boy  was  found  who 
had  seen  a  man  with  such  a  horse  go  out  through  a  certain 
alley  while  the  people  were  at  breakfast.     From  this  time 


HORSE-THIEF    CAPTURED    AND    PUNISHED.  Ol 

they  had  no  difficulty  iu  keeping  his  route.  The  bald-i'uced 
horse,  carryiug  a  high  head,  aud  tail  bobbed  and  roached, 
had  been  seen  all  along  the  way.  So  on  they  pushed  over 
the  Cumberland  Mountains  into  Carniel  county.  At  Jacks- 
boro,  as  they  ascended  an  eminence,  they  saw  a  man  down 
•in  the  valley,  off  his  horse,  taking  a  drink.  On  seeing  them 
he  sprang  into  his  saddle,  and  without  putting  his  feet  into 
the  stirrups,  moved  off  at  full  speed.  They  jogged  on  with- 
out appearing  to  notice  or  take  any  interest  in  him.  Grad- 
ually his  fears  seemed  to  subside.  Thus  they  jogged  on 
some  fifteen  miles,  sometimes  near  to  each  other,  and  some- 
times further  apart.  They  knew  they  were  approaching  a 
stream  of  water,  and  anticipated  that  his  horse  would  want 
to  drink  there  ;  and  they  planned  to  enter  the  water,  one 
on  each  side  of  him,  and  when  in  right  position  to  seize 
him.  Their  plan  proved  a  success.  Their  careless  manner 
had  thrown  Baker  completely  off  his  guard.  As  all  the 
horses  were  drinking,  their's  stepped  along  until  one  was  on 
the  right  and  the  other  on  the  left.  The  iron  grasp  of  one 
of  the  men  took  hold  of  the  collar  of  the  thief;  the  horses 
parted,  and  they  came  down  together ;  the  other  man  sprang 
over  the  stolen  horse  and  lighted  astride  of  the  thief.  Now 
a  prisoner,  he  confessed  his  guilt.  They  pinioned  his  arms, 
tied  him  on  the  horse,  and  took  the  back  track.  At  the 
first  blacksmith-shop  they  reached  they  had  irons  put  on  to 
him,  and  then  with  all  convenient  speed  returned  to  Mt. 
Sterling,  the  place  where  the  party  had  left  me. 

By  this  time  the  whole  region  embraced  in  my  extensive 
circuit  liad  become  aroused  on  receiving  intelligence  of  my 
loss,  and  different  parties  had  organized  and  started  out  in 
different  directions  in  pursuit  of  the  thief.  The  excitement 
extended  to  adjacent  counties  in  my  former  (Blue  River) 
circuit.  The  thief  had  passed  through  Paoli.  As  soon  as 
it  came   to   their  ears,  Mr.    Liulcy,  the  sheriff,   started   in 


02  HIGHWAYS    ANn    HEDGES. 

pursuit,  and  i\\  lli<>  next  county  scat,  31  r.  Tiirkor,  the  sheriff 
(tf    tliat   county,    joinc«l    in    the  cliasc,   and   tlicy  started    to- 
jrctlicr    \n    Ml.  Stcrlinj'    to  liave   an   interview  witli    inc.      [ 
liad   found    tlie   I'uiij  stispense   too   irrcat  to  allow   me  to   re- 
main inactive,  and   had  started  on  in  that   direction.      They 
told    nic    that  they   believed   they  eould  overhaul   the  thief 
before    Ksq.   Asbury  and    the  constable,  at  all   events  they 
would  make  the  attempt.     On  they  started,  and  were  mak- 
ing  good  time  toward   the    mountains,  when,  somewhere  in 
Kentfleky,  they  met  the  returning  party,  having  the  thief  in 
irons.     The    four    returned    to    IMt.    Sterling    in    company. 
Thay  paused  in  the  suburbs  of  the  village  to  prepare  for  an 
imposing  entrance.     One  of  them  took   off   his  red  flannel 
shirt,  tore  it  up,  and  made  flags-  of  it;   then  they  marched 
into  town  with  flying  colors.     fThey  Went  to  the  tavern  and 
i  ordered  diirner,  lodged  the  prisoner  in   jail,   and   then  dis- 
j     patched  a  messenger  for  me.    The  messenger  soon  concluded 
'      that  I  had  gone  further  than  they  anticipated  and  they  would 
■     not   be   able  to  wait  until   my  return,  so   he   returned   and 
I     made   his    report.     At  a  preliminary    consultation,  in   vi6w 
\     of   the  fact  that   the  State  of  Illinois   had  no,  penitentiary, 
""•^  and  the  county  in  which  the  crime  was  committed  had  no 
jail,  they  decided  to  give  him  the  benefit  of  an  immediate 
trial  and  summary  punishment.     Calling  in  five  other  citi- 
zens, making  nipe  in  all,  they  organized  a  court,  found  him 
guilty  of  horse-stealing,  and  sentenced  him  to  receive  fifty 
stripes  on  the  naked  back.     Eight  of  the  men  were  to  lay 
on  five  stripes  each,  and  the  ninth  man  to  lay  on  ten  stripes, 
making   the   fifty  in  all.     A  constable,  who   had  in  hand  a 
State  warrant  for  Baker,  on  account  of  the  former  outrage 
perpetrated  by  him  in  that  community,  volunteered  to    lay 
on  the  final  ten  stripes,  and  assured  the  court  that  it  should 
be  well  done.     About  midnight  they  went  to  the  jail,  took 
the  prisoner  out,  and  conducted  him  about  one  mile  from 


HORSE-THIEF   CAPTURED   AND    PUNISHED.  93 

the  village,  stripped  him  of  hat,  coat,  jacket,  and  shirt. 
"Now  clasp  your  arms  around  that  gum-tree!"  He  did  so, 
and  was  securely  tied  in  that  position.  Sheriflf  Linlcy  was 
stationed  by  him,  with  a  knife  in  one  hand,  and  a  candle  in 
the  other.  "  William  Baker,  you  have  been  convicted  of 
the  crime  of  stealing  a  horse,  and  sentenced  to  receive 
fifty  lashes  on  your  bare  back.  You  are  now  to  receive  that 
punishment,  and  if  you  make  ayy  ado  I  shall  cut  your 
throat  from  ear  to  ear."  The  sentence  of  the  court,  as  thus 
communicated,  was  brief  but  sufficiently  emphatic.  The 
sharp  blade  of  the  knife  shining  in  the  flickering  light  of 
the  candle  was  significant  of  the  stern  purpose  of-  the 
speaker.  The  other  eight  men  were  stationed  about  eight 
rods  from  the  prisoner.  At  the  signal  one  of  them  marched  • 
up  and  delivered  his  five  stripes.  The  party  exclaimed,  ^ 
"Well  done;  your  elbow  must  have  been  well  greased!" 
As  this  one  returned  to  the  party,  he  was  met  midway  by  * 
the  second,  who  received  at  his  hands  the  cowhide.  He 
advanced  and  delivered  his  five,  and  he  too  was  applauded 
as  having  acquitted  himself  handsomely.  As  he  retired,  ' 
the  third  man  met  him,  received  the  cowhide,  and  advanced 
to  his  work.  The  prisoner,  writhing  under  the  severe  treat- 
ment, and  not  without  good  reason,  thorouglily  alarmed  as 
to  the  probable  result,  had  drawn  his  body  partly  around 
the  tree,  so  as  to  be  somewhat  protected  by  a  sapling  that 
grew  near  it.  A  severe  cut  on  the  ankle  with  the  cowhide, 
which  the  executioner  said  was  not  to  be  counted,  brought 
him  out  of  his  fort,  and  the  five  lashes  were  laid  on  to  the 
satisfaction  of  the  listeners.  They  applauded  as  before. 
The  prisoner  had  now  received  thirty  lashes,  beside  the  one 
not  to  be  counted,  when  he  suddenly  got  loose,  and  through 
the  darkness  made  his  escape.  AVhether  the  sheriff"  had 
been  moved  to  pity  by  the  severe  punishment,  and  feared 
that   the   poor  fellow  would   be  killed  outright  and  so  cut 


04  Hir.IIWAVS    AND    IIKDGES. 

liiiM  litos(\  or  wlictlicr  tlic  prisoner  broke  loose,  no  ono 
could  (•'11.  Tlie  attempt  to  recapture  liini  was  ineffectual, 
and  thus,  without  hat,  coat,  jacket,  or  shirt,  and  with  a 
bloody  back,  he  reached  his  uncles,  who  lived  near  by,  and 
by  thcni  probably  was  assisted  in  getting  away.  In  the 
morning  the  company  called  on  these  uncles,  O.  and  K., 
and  iiKjuircd  of  them,  "Have  you  seen  any  thing  of  a 
young  man  without  a  shirt,  and  with  his  hat  in  his  bosom?" 
The  parties  inquired  of  were  mum  with  alarm.  "We  had," 
rejoined  the  visitors,  "an  interview  with  such  a  young  man, 
and  he  informed  us  that  you  are  connected  with  the  com- 
pany of  horse-thieves  and  counterfeiters  that  have  been 
preying  upon  the  people  for  this  some  time  past,  and  now 
we  give  you  just  ten  days  to  take  yourselves  beyond  our  ju- 
risdiction. If  you  are  within  our  reach  at  the  end  of  that 
time  you  may  expect  similar  punishment  to  that  inflicted  on 
your  nephew."  It  proved  to  be  a  moving  address.  This 
duty  performed,  the  party  returned  to  town,  and  were  re- 
ceived with  demonstrations  of  the  wildest  rejoicing  on  the 
part  of  the  citizens.  The  best  carriage  that  could  be  ob- 
tained was  brought  out,  and  the  four  men  who  had  brought 
Baker  to  town  were  seated  in  the  carriage,  and  the  jubilant 
crowd  escorted  them  around  the  village  with  the  most  de- 
monstrative enthusiasm.  It  had  transpired  that  Baker  was  a 
kind  of  messenger  among  the  thieving  gang,  carrying  the 
implements  of  counterfeiting,  and  conveying  intelligence  from 
one  place  to  another.  It  was  hoped  that  his  punishment 
and  this  demonstration  would  exert  a  salutary  effect  upon 
all  concerned.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  triumphal  march 
the  sheriffs  returned  to  their  homes. 

Soon  after  they  had  left  the  town  I  arrived.  The  town 
was  still  in  a  high  state  of  glee.  The  crowd  gathered 
about  me  and  congratulated  me  upon  the  recovery  of  my 
horse,  and  Esquire  Asbury  and  the  constable  narrated  to 


HORSE-THIEF    CAPTURED    AND    PUNISHED.  95 

me  the  facts  of  the  pursuit,  capture,  return,  trial,  and  pun- 
ishment substantially  as  narrated  above.  They  insisted  that 
I  should  go  with  them  and  see  where  the  punishment  was 
inflicted.  They  showed  me  the  tree  where  he  was  tried, 
the  spot  occupied  by  the  eight  men,  and  the  hat,  coat, 
jacket,  and  shirt  of  the  prisoner,  hung  up  by  the  road-side. 
I  now  came  to  look  at  my  horse,  and  my  gladness  at  his 
recovery  was  greatly  marred  by  the  evidences  of  cruel 
treatment  he  had  received.  When  he  was  taken  from  the 
stable  at  brother  Shrader's  he  was  in  full  flesh,  round, 
sleek,  and  full  of  life;  now  he  stood  almost  a  skeleton, 
jaded  and  downcast.  Instead  of  the  cheerful  sign  of  rec- 
ognition with  which  he  was  used  to  welcome  me,  he  paid 
not  the  slightest  attention  to  my  caresses.  Poor  fellow;  he 
had  traveled  five  hundred  miles — and,  if  the  windings  and 
maneuverings  were  counted,  much  more  than  that — in  seven 
days,  while  his  feeding  had,  in  all  probability^,  been  irregu- 
lar and  scant.  If  the  reader  can  fancy  how  much  a  young 
itinerant,  without  family,  and  hundreds  of  miles  from  home, 
with  little  property  except  his  horse,  and  fortunate  in  hav- 
ing a  superior  one,  prized  his  horse,  he  can  fancy  how  I 
pitied  the  noble  creature,  as  I  stood  stroking  his  flabby 
hide,  which  lay  in  wrinkles,  not  having  had  time  to  adapt 
itself,  as  yet,  to  his  suddenly  reduced  flesh.  I  spent  a  few 
days  at  Mt.  Sterling,  resting  my  horse,  and  then  returned 
to  Mt.  Carmel.  I  was  received  with  a  hearty  welcome  and 
many  congratulations.  When  I  started  ofi"  on  foot  in  pur- 
suit of  the  thief  some  of  my  friends  had  said,  "Stewart  has 
perseverance,  and  he  will  not  return  without  both  horse 
and  thief."  It  was  my  good  fortune  to  sustain  the  opinion 
they  had  expressed.  The  horse  rapidly  recruited,  regained 
his  flesh  and  life,  and  for  four  years  longer  gave  me  excel- 
lent service. 

This   incident   had   thoroughly   aroused   the   people,  and 


06  Hir.invAVS  and  iikdges. 

(letcnuiiiod  thrni  to  make  common  oaufc  np;.iinst  the  bands 
of  lawless  men  known  to  ])e  perpetrating  erime  systematic- 
ally. A  public  meetinj];  was  called  and  a  society  organized. 
Certain  men  were  appointed,  whose  business  it  was  to  start 
in  immediate  pursuit  when  any  act  of  theft  was  reported; 
others  were  to  attend  to  the  work  of  these  parties  durifig 
their  absence,  and  tlieir  expenses  were  all  to  be  paid  by  the 
society.  The  organization  increased  rapidly,  and  its  influ- 
ence was  extensive  and  salutary.  Soon  after  this  another 
society  was  formed,  further  north,  that  talked  great  swelling 
words,  but  gave  unmistakable  evidence  that  it  was  in  sym- 
pathy with  the  opponents  of  law  and  order.  The  tide  of 
popular  sentiment,  however,  had  reached  such  a  pitch  that 
the  lawless  began  to  quail  before  it. 

The  two  months  that  remained  of  my  year  on  Mt.  Carmel 
circuit  passed  quickly  and  pleasantly.  The  quarterly  con- 
ference, by  formal  vote,  requested  my  return  for  another 
year;  but,  having  accomplished  the  two  years  of  frontier 
labor  that  I  had  volunteered  to  do,  and  having  postponed  a 
matrimonial  engagement  of  several  years'  standing,  I  felt 
myself,  both  in  honor  and  inclination,  bound  to  return  to 
Ohio.  I  therefore  respectfully  declined  the  invitation,  and 
made  my  preparations  for  my  journey  to  Conference. 


VINCENNES   CIRCUIT,     INDIANA.  97 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

VINCENNES  CIRCUIT,  INDIANA. 
1821-22. 

THE  thought  of  a  reunion  with  loved  friends  at  home 
relieved  in  great  part  the  pain  that  I  would  otherwise 
have  experienced  in  bidding  adieu,  to  those  I  loved  so 
dearly  on  Mt.  Carmel  circuit.  Turning  eastward,  I  soon 
lost  sight  of  the  beautiful  plains  of  Illinois,  and  making 
but  a  brief  visit  among  my  old  friends  of  Blue  River  cir- 
cuit, I  swept  rapidly  across  the  growing  State  of  Indiana, 
and  on  to  the  eastern  limits  of  Ohio,  in  the  valley  of  the 
Hockhocking.  I  found  myself  in  the  enjoyment  of  a  hearty 
welcome  from  parents,  and  brothers  and  sisters,  and  old 
classmates.  A  few  miles  from  my  father's  residence  resided 
a  pious  young  woman  who  awaited  my  coming,  and  I  was 
not  long  in  finding  my  way  thither.  When  we  entered 
into  matrimonial  engagement  five  years  before,  I  had  not 
then  decided  fully  upon  my  life-work;  even  after  I  was 
enrolled  amone:  the  itinerants  in  the  field  it  was  not  certain 
that  I  would  find  it  my  duty  to  continue  permanently  in 
that  work.  The  work  had  been  arduous,  and  the  pay, 
speaking  after  the  manner  of  men,  had  been  poor.  It  was 
not  the  hardness  of  the  work,  nor  the  poorness  of  the  pay, 
that  was  to  decide  the  (question.  The  question  was,  '-Is 
this  my  vocation?"  "Will  God  make  me  the  honored  in- 
strument in  turning  the  people  to  God?"     I  could  no  longer 

hesitate  in  regard  to  this.     The  great  Head  of  the  Church 

9 


98  HIGHWAYS  and  hedges. 

h;j(J  ])los>{(l  1110  in  every  field  1  liiul  l)cen  sciif  to  cultivate, 
imtliiiLi;  his  seal  to  iiiv  ministry.  These  matters  all  talked 
over,  on  the  lOlh  of  August,  1821,  ^vith  the  full  consent 
aii<l  approhation  of  parents  and  relatives  on  both  sides,  I 
led  to  flic  altar  Miss  S.  Long,  and  we  were  united  in  the 
h(dy  boiuls  of  niatriniony.  A  few  days  after  our  marriage 
we  went  to  Lebanon,  Ohio,  to  attend  the  session  of  the 
Ohio  Conference. 

The  following  brethren  were  admitted  on  trial:  W. 
Hughes,  James  T.  Donalioo,  Kichard  Brandriff,  George  W. 
Maley,  John  Pardo,  John  Walker,  William  Tipton,  William 
H.  Collins,  llobert  Dobbins,  Henry  S.  Farnandis,  and  Piatt 
13.  Morey. 

I  had  expected  Bishop  lloberts,  according  to  promise, 
to  re-transfer  me  to  the  Ohio  Conference.  He  regarded 
the  demands  of  the  work  in  the  Missouri  Conference  so 
pressing,  that  he  entreated  me  to  consent  to  spend  another 
year  in  that  work.  I  promised  to  lay  the  matter  before 
my  young  wife,  and  if  she  was  willing  I  promised  to  go. 
She  had  given  all  to  God  and  the  Church  when  she  married 
a  Methodist  preacher,  and  was  ready  to  go  wherever  the 
authorities  of  the  Church  should  appoint.  In  view  of  this 
unexpected  return  to  the  Missouri  Conference,  it  would  have 
been  agreeable  to  me  to  have  been  returned  to  Mt.  Carmel 
circuit,  but  as  I  had  anticipated  remaining  in  Ohio,  I  had 
recommended  brother  llobert  Delap,  a  young  preacher  of 
my  acquaintance,  to  that  circuit,  and  he  had  already,  by 
my  suggestion,  asked  the  Bishop  for  that  appointment. 
I  could  not  now  honorably  interfere. 

From  Lebanon  we  proceeded  direct  to  Mt.  Carmel,  where 
we  spent  a  month,  attending  camp-meeting,  and  going  once 
round  the  circuit  before  the  meeting  of  the  Missouri  Con- 
ference, The  camp-meeting  was  a  time  of  power,  and  the 
greeting  of  my  friends,  on  account  of  my  unexpected  return, 


VINCENNES    CIRCUIT,    INDIANA.  99 

were  refreshing  to  myself  and  wife.  Leaving  Mrs.  Stewart 
at  the  hospitable  residence  of  brother  Scoby  Stewart,  Samuel 
Hamilton,  David  Sharp,  and  myself  started  to  M'Kendrea 
Chapel,  Cape  Girardeau  county,  Missouri,  where  the  Con- 
ference was  to  meet.  The  preachers  from  these  widely 
scattered  fields  came  together,  and  ready  to  report  progress 
and  receive  marching  orders.  As  was  not  unusual  in  those 
days,  a  camp-meeting  was  held  in  connection  with  the  ses- 
sion of  the  Conference.  Divine  power  attended  the  preach- 
ing of  the  Word,  and  all  that  country  round  about  realized 
that  the  times  of  refreshing  had  come  from  the  presence  of 
the  Lord. 

At  that  Conference  the  following  brethren  were  admitted 
on  trial  :  P.  Randle,  James  Bankson,  John  Blasdel,  A.  W. 
Cassed,  James  Keyte,  James  Armstrong,  James  L.  Thomp- 
son, Abraham  Epler,  Dennis  Willey,  John  Granville,  and 
Ebenezer  T.  Webster.  The  following  persons  were  ordained 
elders  at  this  Conference:  Alexander  M'Calister,  John  Wal- 
lace, John  Harris,  Job  M.  Baker,  and  myself.  To  me  the 
solemn  service  of  ordination  was  profoundly  impressive,  and 
in  the  depths  of  my  soul  I  felt  the  "vows  of  God  are  upon 
me."  The  same  day  that  I  was  ordained  I  was  seized  with 
sickness.  Conference  adjourned,  and  the  preachers,  with 
saddle-bags  in  hand,  pronouncing  mutual  blessings  on  each 
other,  were  starting  for  their  fields  of  labor.  I  could  not 
bear  the  thought  of  being  left  behind,  so  rallying  all  the 
force  possible  I  was  placed  in  the  saddle,  and  kept  along 
with  my  company  during  the  day.  The  night  was  one  of 
terrible  suffering.  The  fever  was  succeeded  with  a  dreadful 
night-sweat.  The  tedious  hours,  however,  wore  away,  and 
morning  found  me  alive.  It  seemed  almost  madness  for  me 
to  leave  my  bed,  but  when  the  horses  were  brought  out  for 
starting  I  called  for  mine,  and  T  succeeded  in  keeping  the 
saddle  during  the  day.     And  thus,  with  the  assistance  of 


100  IIIC.IIWAVS    AM)    lIEr3GES. 

my  travolin-;  rnnipanions,  uiid  tlic  blessing  of  God,  I  readied 
Mt,  Carnicl.  }\c^\^  the  niodic-al  attendance  of  Dr.  Beau- 
champ,  tlio  kind  nursing  of  niy  excellent  wife,  and  the 
prayers  of  God's  people  in  iny  behalf,  succeeded  in  throwing 
off  disease,  and  in  about  a  month  after  Conference  I  was 
able  to  report  at  the  post  of  labor. 

I  was  again  in  the  Indiana  district,  Rev.  Samuel  Ham- 
ilton, presiding  elder.  The  following  plan  of  the  circuit 
indicates  my  twenty-three  appointments,  their  distance 
apart,  the  hours  of  preaching,  the  numbers  in  the  classes, 
and  the  usual  stopping  places,  or  preachers'  homes.  This 
circuit  embraced  Knox  and  Davis  counties,  and  large  por- 
tions of  Martin,  Green,  and  Sullivan  counties.  The  year 
before  it  had  extended  up  the  Wabash  River  as  far  as  Terre 
Haute,  but  the  upper  portion  of  the  circuit  had  been  cut 
off  and  called  Honey  Creek  circuit.  I  had  remaining,  how- 
,  ever,  as  shown  by  the  plan,  twenty-three  appointments,  and 
a  ride  of  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  miles  every  four 
wrecks.  Vincennes,  the  old  territorial  capital  of  the  State, 
was  one  of  my  preaching  places.  It  had  been  the  residence 
of  William  Henry  Harrison,  commander  of  the  North- 
western army  in  the  War  of  1812,  the  excellent  Governor 
of  the  Indiana  Territory,  and  afterward  the  honored  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States — a  man  equallj'^  honest  and  sin- 
cere whether  fighting  for  his  country,  treating  with  the 
Indians,  occupying  the  Presidential  chair,  or  kneeling  at  a 
Methodist  mourners'  bench. 

Methodism  early  gained  a  footing  in  that  place.  Among 
those  who  assisted  in  building  up  Methodism  and  Chris- 
tianity there  was  D.  Bonner,  a  merchant,  doing  a  large  busi- 
ness, and  commanding  the  respect  of  the  community  far  and 
near  by  his  rectitude  in  business  and  his  activity  and  con- 
sistency as  a  Christian.  His  noble  wife,  though  reticent  in 
her  habit,  was  intelligent,   discreet,  devotedly  pious,   and  a 


VINCENNES    CIRCUIT,    INDIANA.  101 

helpmeet  for  such  a  man.  She  was  of  the  Reynolds  family, 
of  Urbana,  Ohio,  a  family  widely  known  and  as  widely 
esteemed,  3Iay  their  good  name  remain  on  our  Church 
roll  for  many  generations!  David  Brown,  who  lived  near 
Yincennes,  was  a  Methodist  of  the  old  Baltimore  type,  and 
devoted  to  the  interests  of  the  denomination.  He  was  the 
most  prominent  steward  of  the  circuit,  and  being  a  man  of 
energy  and  excellent  business  ability,  his  influence  pervaded 
the  circuit,  and  he  w\is  regarded  as  a  leading  spirit  among 
the  hosts  of  our  Israel. 

Wesley  Harrison,  a  man  of  fine  education,  extensive 
property,  and,  better  than  all,  of  deep  piety,  lived  at  Car- 
lisle, lie  was  emphatically  a  man  of  God.  It  is,  doubt- 
less, the  duty  and  privilege  of  every  Christian  to  pray  with- 
out ceasing.  Brother  Harrison  had  learned  this  secret,  and 
lived  in  a  heavenly  atmosphere.  Between  forty  and  fifty 
years  ago  he  graduated  from  the  school  of  Christ  on  earth, 
but  his  name  is  retained  in  affectionate  remembrance,  and 
is  truly  as  "  ointment  poured  forth."  Rev.  Samuel  Hamil- 
ton married  a  sister,  and  Bev.  Job  M.  Baker,  a  wife's  sister, 
of  brother  Harrison. 

Abraham  Miller  lived  near  Carlisle.  His  house  was 
opened  for  preaching  and  for  the  entertainment  of  the  trav- 
eling preachers.  It  was  a  charming  home  for  the  weary 
itinerant,  and  I  regarded  his  as  a  model  family.  Bev.  John 
Miller,  long  a  laborious  and  faithful  preacher,  was  a  son  of 
his.  Hugh  Ross,  Esq.,  a  good  lawyer  and  acceptable  local 
preacher,  married  one  of  his  daughters. 

Washington,  the  seat  of  Davis  county,  was  about  the  cen- 
ter of  the  circuit.  It  was  a  pleasant  and  thriving  town. 
We  occupied  the  court-house  as  a  preaching-place,  and  had 
a  good  congregation  and  society. 

At  Bethel,  a  little  south  of  Washington,  resided  Rev. 
John  Wallace,  a  venerable  minister,  long  identified  with  the 


102  HIGHWAYS    AND    IIICDGES. 

work,  and  nmcli  l)el()VC(l.  Kvcry  circuit  tliat  know  liim  was 
more  tlian  willing  to  have  iiim  as  its  preacher.  He  had 
raised  a  family  that  was  an  lionor  and  blessing  to  him.  In 
the  same  neigliborliood  lived  the  Jones  family  and  the 
llorrell  family,  numerous,  respectable,  and  influential. 

While  I  can  not  call  special  attention  lo  but  a  few  of  the 
many  excellent  families  of  tliat  circuit,  I  must  not  fail  to 
mention  Wm.  Hawkins,  the  owner  of  Hawkins's  ferry,  on 
^yhite  Kiver.  lie  was  a  man  of  great  moral  worth,  a  sub- 
stantial member  of  the  Church,  and  having  been  blessed  of 
God  with  property,  he  liad  learned  the  secret  of  getting  the 
largest  amount  of  enjoyment  from  it;  namely,  by  dedicating 
it  to  the  Lord,  and  using  it  for  the  promotion  of  his  glory. 
I  have  abundant  reason  to  remember  his  kindness.  He 
welcomed  me  and  my  wife  to  his  home,  and  made  it  truly  a 
home  to  us.  There  our  first-born,  John  Wesley,  was  given 
to  us.  At  the  end  of  the  year,  when  we  inquired  for  our 
board  bill,  he  assured  us  that  we  were  welcome  to  all  they 
had  done  for  us.  This  favor  was  the  more  appreciated  by 
us  as  we  had  not  received  one-half  of  our  disciplinary  al- 
lowance for  the  year.  The  year  was  one  of  new  experi- 
ences, new  trials,  and  new  joys.  Though  I  had  not  gathered 
as  many  sheaves  as  on  some  former  charges,  yet  I  had  been 
sowing  good  seed,  and  I  committed  the  matter  to  the  Lord, 
in  hope  that  he  would  water  it,  and  another,  if  not  myself, 
would  gather  the  harvest. 

It  was  definitely  understood  when  I  was  appointed  to 
Vincennes  circuit  that  at  the  close  of  the  year  I  was  to  be 
transferred  to  the  Ohio  Conference.  We  made  our  arrange- 
ments to  return  in  time  to  attend  the  session  of  that  Con- 
ference. Myself,  wife,  infant  son,  and  a  small  packing-box 
stowed  away  in  our  gig,  behind  our  famous  horse,  we  bid 
tried  and  faithful  friends  good-by,  and  started  on  our  long 
and  tedious  journey.     It  proved,  indeed,  more  tedious  than 


VINXEXNES    CIRCUIT,    INDIANA.  103 

we  had  anticipated,  and  in  several  instances  we  found  our- 
selves exposed  to  extreme  peril,  and  but  for  providential 
interference  should  have  met  with  disaster.  I  shall  only 
have  room  to  record  two  or  three  of  these.  We  crossed 
the  east  fork  of  the  White  River  above  the  falls  at  Hindu- 
stan. The  bridge  was  below  the  mill,  and  the  bank  was 
very  high  and  steep.  To  lighten  the  load  I  walked  and  led 
the  horse.  When  about  half  way  up  the  hill  he  stalled  and 
commenced  backing.  On  my  right  hand  was  a  perpendicu- 
lar precipice  of  fifty  feet,  and  below  this  a  depth  of  proba- 
bly fifty  feet  of  water.  The  terrible  plunge  seemed  to  be 
inevitable.  Down  and  down  with  increased  velocity  rolled 
the  gig  to  the  very  brink  of  the  precipice.  It  seemed  for  a 
moment  that  my  wife  and  child  were  doomed  to  perish,  and 
no  one  can  fancy  the  horror  of  that  moment  to  me.  But 
God  stretched  out  his  hand.  He  had  in  his  plan  work  for 
that  woman  to  do,  and  that  infant  boy  was  to  have  a  period 
of  probation  before  he  should  be  called  hence.  Just  on 
the  brink  of  the  precipice  the  wheel  struck  an  insignificant 
bank,  the  horse  gathered  up,  and  we  were  saved.  With 
hearts  full  of  gratitude  we  pressed  our  boy  to  our  hearts, 
and  thanked  Grod  for  his  preserving  care. 

Dr.  Austin  lived  about  five  miles  from  this  place,  and  we 
were  anxious  to  reach  his  house  that  night.  The  road  was 
mountainous,  and  we  were  not  without  anxiety  in  regard  to 
our  success.  By  and  by  we  came  to  a  mountain  so  long  and 
rugged  that  we  both  got  out  to  walk  up.  About  half  way 
up  the  horse  again  stalled  and  commenced  backing.  The 
gig  soon  gained  such  velocity  as  completely  to  overmaster 
the  horse,  and  turning  aside  it  thundered  down  into  a  deep 
ravine,  overturned  and  tangled  the  horse  in  the  harness,  so 
that  he  lay  utterly-  helpless.  I  cut  the  harness,  and  with  the 
assistance  of  my  wife  succeeded  in  getting  the  horse  up, 
righted  the  gig,  ascended  the  mountain,  and  after  hard  toil- 


10-i  IlKiHWAVS    ANP    iir.ncFs. 


iug  at  K'li^tli  roaclu'il  llir  jtl.icii  for  ^^•lli(•ll  \\r  were  ainiing. 
Every  day  brouglit  ns  nearer  lioiiic,  ami  ;it  List  we  f'ouiKl 
ourselves  again  in  flic  (juicf  valley  of"  (he  Ihjckhockiiig,  at 
lionic  and  happy. 

As  tills  chapter  has  infroduecd  my  companion  lo  (he 
reader,  I  propose  in  ihe  next  cliapter  to  give  an  account  n{' 
her  early  life  and  Christian  experience.  I  think  it  fi((ing 
to  do  this  for  several  reasons.  For  nearly  lialf  a  century  slie 
has  shared  with  me  the  toils  and  trials  as  well  as  enjoy- 
ments ul'  itinerant  life.  Much  of  my  success,  during  that 
time,  as  a  pastor,  has  been  attributable  to  her  prudence,  ac- 
tivity, and  acceptability  as  a  helper.  In  the  good  provi- 
dence of  God  we  have  been  spared  to  each  other,  and  now, 
(1870,)  both  of  us  passed  over  three-score  years  and  ten, 
are  still  striving  to  help  each  other  to  serve  God  and  get 
ready  to  meet  him.  The  narrative  was  communicated  by 
her  to  my  son.  Rev.  W.  F.  Stewart,  at  his  earnest  solicita- 
tion, in  a  series  of  letters  some  twenty  years  ago. 

I  will  close  this  chapter  with  the  plan  of  the  Vincennes 
circuit,  and  as  it  is  a  fair  specimen  of  the  mode  of  making 
the  plans  in  those  days,  I  shall  insert  it  in  its  original  form, 
as  handed  to  me  by  Rev.  Job  Baker,  my  predecessor  oq 
the  circuit. 


VINCENNES  CIRCUIT,   INDIANA. 


105 


PLAN  OF  VINCE.NNES  CIRCUIT. 


S    Neighborhoods  where  preaching 


is  held,  and  places  to  pat 
up   at. 


1  Vincennes,  D.  Bonner., 

2  David  Brown's 

3|Rest 

4| George  Gitrrel's 

Oj Thomas  Jordan's 

6  Tevebaii^h'sf 

7|Capt.  Joiin  Horrel's 

8  Hawkens's  Prairie 

9i  Washington 


10 

ni 

12 
1.3 
U 
15 
16 
171 

19! 
20 
21 

22 

23 


Fatlier  Wallace's 

Rest 

Fatlier  Stone's 

Ballot's 

Mt.  Pleasant 

Meri  day's 

Dutch  tjettlement 

Owl  Prairie 

Rest 

Month  of  Eel  River 

Black  Creek,  Fullem's. 
Abraham  Miller's 
Judge    Latshaw   or 

M'Cinre's.t 
Bruceville 


}... 


Places  where  Preaching 
is  held. 


Times  of  holding 
pre.U'liing. 


Court-House., 
Barackman's. 
Rest 


■}•■■ 


Meeting-House 

Thomas  Jordan's 

Solomon  Tevebaugli'.s... 

School -House 

Jo! Ill  Hawkens's 

Brotlier  Cosby"s,  or 
Conrt-House. 

Bethel 

Rest 

Father  Stone's 

Scliool- House 

J.  Hattens 

Meriday's 

Mires's  &  Robertson's. 

Slenker's 

Rest 

Soalsburry's 

School -House 

A.  Miller's 


Judgp  Latshaw's  or 

M'Chn-e"s. 
Richard  Posey's 


Sunday 

Sunday 

Monday 

Tuesday 

Wednes'day. 
Thursday.... 

Friday....' 

Saturday 

Sunday 

Sunday 

Monday 

Tuesday 

Wednesday. 
Thursday.... 

Friday 

Saturday 

Sunday 

Monday 

Tuesday 

Wednesday. 
Thursday..'.. 

Friday 

Saturday 


Back  to  Vincennes  after  three  weeks'  absence. 


3 
3 
7 

11 
G 

3 

3 

"o 

9 
12 
13 

8 
12 

m 

10 

7 

14 


175 


15 
11 

12 
19 
25 
21 
19 

11 

80 

U 
21 
10 
8 
24 
14 

i4 
12 
24 

No 
Class. 

6 


360 


Amount  of  quarterage 

Number  of  Whites  in  Society 352 

Number  of  Colored  in  Society 8 

Distance  round  the  circuit 175  miles. 


t  There  is  a  dispute  here  where  the  preaching  is  to  be  held  ;    you  must 
fix  it. 

J  If  Judge  Latshaw  should  refuse  preaching,  move  it  to  M'Clure's. 


lOG 


IIIGHWAVS    AND    IIKDGES. 


CHAPTER    IX. 

LETTERS  FROM  MRS.  SARAH  STEWART  TO  REV.  \V.  F. 

STEWART,  CONTAINING  AN  ACCOUNT  OF  HER 

EARLY  CHRISTIAN  EXPERIENCE. 


Kanawha  Salines,  Va.,  ) 

January  2()th.  ) 

MY  DEAR  FLETCHER,— I  received  your  very  interest- 
ing and  kind  letter  of  the  15th  on  yesterday,  and  was 
much  gratified  with  the  majority  of  its  contents.  It  brings 
very  charming  news.  While  I  sympathize  with  you  in  your 
pulpit  embarrassments,  I  have  no  doubt  that  it  is  all  de- 
signed for  your  good.  If  you  live  humble  and  faithful, 
trusting  in  the  Lord  and  looking  to  him  alone,  he  will  sus- 
tain you,  and  give  you  liberty  in  preaching,  and  in  all  the 
labors  of  your  holy  calling,  when  he  sees  it  is  for  your 
good.  I  am  praying  that  the  Lord  may  make  you  a  pol- 
ished shaft  in  his  quiver,  and  that  you  may  be  very  suc- 
cessful in  tearing  down  the  strongholds  of  the  Prince  of 
Darkness,  and  in  bringing  many,  very  many  souls,  for  whom 
Christ  has  died,  into  the  kingdom  of  righteousness  and 
peace.  I  am  much  pleased  with  your  complimentary  men- 
tion of  the  fine  abilities  of  your  excellent  colleague.  I 
hope  the  Lord  will  continue  to  bless,  abundantly  bless, 
your  united  labors  in  his  vineyard.  I  rejoice  to  hear  of 
the  success  of  brothers  Meharry  and  Webster.  Well  done 
for  Bourneville !  Amen  !  May  the  fire  burn  farther  and 
deeper,  wider  and  higher !      I  ha\*e  to  regret  that  I  have  no 


LETTERS  FROM  MRS.  SARAH  STEWART.     107 

revival  intelligence  to  give  you.  The  preaeliers  in  this  dis- 
trict, as  all  along  the  border  of  slave  territory,  now  have 
serious  obstacles  to  contend  with.  This  is  not  at  present  a 
land  of  peace,  but  a  field  of  war,  if  not  in  outward  action, 
it  is  in  feeling.  Pray  for  us  that  the  God  of  battle  may 
direct  our  arms  and  get  the  victory  to  himself.  There  is 
but  one  symptom  that  gives  me  any  hope  of  a  revival  here, 
and  that  is  the  unusual  burden  of  concern  that  rests  on  my 
own  heart  and  upon  the  hearts  of  some  of  my  pious  inti- 
mate friends.  I  conduct  a  female  class  in  my  own  room  at 
two  o'clock  on  Friday,  also  a  female  prayer-meeting  each 
week  at  the  same  place.  Pray  for  me  that  my  feeble  labors 
may  be  blessed,  and  that  my  own  poor  heart  may  be  filled 
with  the  perfect  love  of  God.  We  have  received  but  one 
letter  from  W.  since  Conference.  He  expressed  much  dis- 
appointment that  you  did  not  visit  him  during  the  Confer- 
ence vacation,  and  some  solicitude  in  recrard  to  his  moral 
condition.  I  believe  the  Spirit  is  working  about  his  heart. 
Let  us  continue  to  remember  him,  especially  in  our  "  even- 
ing prayers."  I  would  like  to  comply  with  your  request 
in  regard  to  the  subject  of  our  correspondence,  but  having 
never  kept  a  diary,  I  should  not  be  able  to  gather  up  any 
thing  like  a  minute  account  of  my  experience.  If,  how- 
ever, such  an  efi"ort  will  prove  of  any  advantage  to  one  for 
whose  happiness  I  have  always  prayed  and  labored,  I  feel 
willing  to  make  the  attempt.  As  I  have  no  manuscript, 
and  shall  have  to  rely  upon  a  faded  memory,  overgrown 
with  the  thorns  of  many  sorrows,  disappointments,  and 
crosses,  you  will  not  expect  more  than  a  very  imperfect  ac- 
count of  my  early  experience. 

Though  I  did  not  make  a  profession  of  religion  until  I 
was  fifteen  years  of  age,  my  religious  impressions  and  pur- 
poses are  connected  with  my  earliest  recollections.  My 
parents,  during   my  earl}"  childhood,  were  not  members  of 


108  IIir-.IIWAYS   AND    HKDGKS. 

any  Church,  or  professors  of  rdi^rioii ;  yet  ir.y  motlier  always 
taught  nio  to  pr.iy  from  tlie  tiiiic  I  could  Hpcak.  I  was 
about  seven  years  old  when  my  parents  botli  embraced  re- 
ligion and  joined  tlie  Church.  The  family  altar  was  erected, 
and  morning  and  evening  was  it  sprinkled  with  the  tears 
of  repentance  and  thanksgiving.  My  young  heart  was 
deeply  afTcctcd,  and  I  tlien  resolved  to  be  a  Christian.  My 
mother  frequently  and  faithfully  instructed  her  children  in 
the  knowledge  of  the  commandments  of  God  and  their  duty 
to  obey  them.  These  early  lessons  had  made  indelible  im- 
pressions on  my  young  mind  and  heart.  I  fully  believed 
religion  to  be  the  most  valuable  treasure ;  the  very  word 
"  religion  "  was  a  word  of  sweetest  sound  to  my  ear. 

Now,  my  dear  son,  I  have  made  a  beginning.  Write  me 
a  full  letter  as  soon  as  you  get  this.  Your  father  is  now 
at  Guyandotte,  looking  after  the  interests  of  the  district. 
Neither  of  us  in  very  good  health  just  now.  Remember 
your  mother.  Sarah  Stewart. 


Kanawha  Salines,  Va.,  | 

February  itJu  ) 

My  Dear  Son, — At  your  request  I  continue  the  narrative 
of  my  experience.  "  Religion,"  as  I  said  in  the  closing  of 
my  former  letter,  was  a  word  that  sounded  sweet  to  my  ear. 
It  suggested  to  my  mind  a  beauty  and  richness  which  no 
pencil  could  paint  or  language  describe.  Yet  I  tremblingly- 
hoped  that  it  might  be  sought  and  found  by  me.  Yet  so 
deeply  did  I  feel  my  unworthiness  that  it  seemed  almost 
presumptuous  for  me  to  hope  that  I  could  ever  be  the  pos- 
sessor of  such  a  treasure.  For  weeks  at  a  time  I  would 
regularly  attend  to  secret  prayer,  and  try  to  be  obedient  to 
my  parents,  and  kind  to  my  brothers  and  sisters.  I  was  at 
those  times  very  scrupulous  about  all  of  my  conduct,  lest  I 


LETTERS    FROM    MRS.    SARAH    STEWART.        109 

Bhould  do  something  to  offend  ray  Lord.  I  often  enjoyed 
much  comfort  from  the  approval  of  conscience,  and  some- 
times thought  the  Lord  regarded  my  prayers.  At  one  time, 
in  particular,  I  thought  I  received  an  immediate  answer. 
My  oldest  sister,  Catharine,  was  enduring  exquisite  suflfer- 
ing  from  an  attack  of  earache.  Every  means  that  we  could 
use  failed  to  relieve  her,  and  such  was  her  suffering  that  I 
feared  she  was  going  to  die.  I  thought  that  God  could 
help  her;  so  I  retired  to  secret  prayer,  and  poured  out  my 
request  to  my  Heavenly  Father  to  cure  her,  I  returned  to 
the  room  and  found  her  perfectly  composed.  0,  how  my 
young  heart  was  filled  with  humble  gratitude  to  God !  I 
was  then  about  eight  years  old,  and  took  much  delight  in 
secret  prayer.  At  some  tinies  I  became  much  excited  in 
that  exercise.  Once  my  father  sent  me  to  drive  the  birds 
out  of  the  field.  While  in  the  field  I  kneeled  down  by  a 
stump  to  pray.  While  praying  I  became  so  excited  that 
my  voice  grew  louder  and  louder,  so  that  one  of  my  sisters 
heard  me  and  came  to  where  I  was.  When  I  ceased  pray- 
ing and  rose  from  my  knees  she  stood  by  me  weeping.  I 
said,  "0,  sister  Peggy,  I  am  determined  not  to  go  to  hell!" 
I  then  thought  that  God  loved  me,  but  I  did  not  know  that 
that  was  religion,  and  being  uncommonly  diffident,  commu- 
nicated my  feelings  to  no  one.  We  were  living  at  that  time 
in  Hardy  county,  Ya.  The  place  where  my  parents  at- 
tended class-meeting  was  some  seven  miles  distant.  They 
frequently  took  me  with  them,  and  at  such  times  I  was  so 
exercised  that  I  was  sometimes  afraid  that  I  would  cry  out. 
I  have  no  doubt  that  had  I  enjoyed  the  advantages  and  in- 
structions now  afforded  to  children,  I  should  at  that  early 
age  have  been  a  happy  Christian.  I  do  not  remember  to 
have  spoken  to  any  one  concerning  my  exercises  until  I  was 
twelve  years  old,  except  to  my  sister  at  the  time  above  re- 
ferred   to.     When   T   was    about    ton    vears  old   mv  parents 


110  IIIGIIWAVS    AND    Tir.DGES. 

removed  to  ()liio.  and  settled  in  Athens  eounty.  In  our 
new  home  wc  enjoyed  better  religious  advantages,  and 
in  the  eourse  of  a  year  or  two  a  revival  of  religion  broke 
out  in  our  neighborh(»od.  My  oldest  sister,  Catharine, 
joined  the  Chureh.  1  was  not  at  meeting  when  she  joined, 
and  lint  knowing  that  she  was  at  all  exercised  on  the  sub- 
ject, my  mind  was  filled  with  strange  feelings,  sorrow  min- 
gled with  joy,  I  rejoiced  that  she  had  started,  but  felt 
more  than  ever  discouraged  in  regard  to  my  own  case.  I 
liad  been  trying  all  my  life  to  get  religion,  and  now  my 
heart  seemed  harder  than  ever.  My  sister  seemed  to  be  so 
far  in  advance  of  me,  though  so  far  as  I  knew  she  had 
never  been  exercised  on  the  subject  before.  I  would  then 
think  of  the  many  resolutions  I  had  formed  and  promises 
made  to  be  a  Christian,  but  it  appeared  to  me  that  I  had 
gone  backward  rather  than  forward.  My  desire  was  to  follow 
the  example  of  my  sister  and  join  the  Church  ;  but  then  I 
thought  every  body  will  say  I  just  did  it  because  she  did,  for 
nobody  knew  any  thing  of  my  life-long  mental  exercises. 
One  night  at  the  meeting  I  ventured  to  the  mourners' 
bench,  but  to  my  surprise  and  mortification  I  found  that  my 
father  was  displeased  about  it.  This  was  so  entirely  unex- 
pected that  it  completely  overwhelmed  me  with  discourage- 
ment. He  supposed  that  I  acted  under  an  impulse  of  feel- 
ing, and  without  proper  thought  and  understanding.  0  how 
careful  parents  should  be  not  to  discourage  their  children 
in  their  early  attempts  to  be  religious !  and  how  should 
they  watch  for  the  indications  of  the  presence  of  the  Spirit 
working  with  their  children,  and  encourage  them  to  accept 
Christ  at  once  !  Thought  I,  "  My  father  has  no  confidence 
in  my  sincerity,  and  of  course  no  one  else  has."  It  seemed 
to  me  that  I  was  despicable  in  the  eyes  of  every  body,  and 
almost  hated  myself.  I  ceased  making  any  public  effort  to 
seek  the  Lord.     At  some  times  I  prayed  in  secret,  and  then 


LETTERS  FROM  MRS.  SARAH  STEWART.     Ill 

again  relapsed  into  a  measure  of  indifference.  I  got  so  far 
astray  as  to  indulge  in  playing  and  hunting  birds'-nests  on 
the  Sabbath.  Again  my  convictions  would  return  so  pow- 
erfully that  I  would  be  afraid  to  go  to  sleep  at  night,  lest  I 
should  wake  up  in  hell,  I  now  felt  that  I  must  engage 
more  earnestly  in  seeking  my  soul's  salvation.  About  this 
time  there  was  a  camp-meeting  appointed  to  be  held  on  the 
land  of  Moses  Hewitt,  near  the  present  town  of  Athens. 
My  father  was  persuaded  to  allow  me  to  go.  I  went  on 
Friday.  David  Young  had  charge  of  the  meeting,  and 
brother  Isaac  Quinn  was  preacher  in  charge.  I  was  earn- 
estly seeking,  and  Sabbath  night  was  so  exercised  that  I  lost 
my  strength,  and  was  carried  to  the  tent.  My  heart  will  al- 
ways swell  with  gratitude  when  I  remember  the  interest 
that  good  people  now  took  in  my  case ;  for  my  soul  was 
verily  near  the  borders  of  despair.  Acquaintances  and 
strangers  all  appeared  equally  concerned  for  me.  To  en- 
courage my  hopes  and  reconcile  me  to  leave  the  camp- 
ground, they  told  me  that  the  Lord  could,  and  probably 
would,  pardon  my  sins  on  my  way  home  or  at  home,  assur- 
ing me  that  the  Lord  was  not  confined  to  any  place  or  cir- 
cumstances, but  that  whenever  and  wherever  I  gave  my 
heart  to  the  Savior,  then  and  there  I  should  find  him. 
After  we  reached  home  my  father  took  great  pains  to  en- 
courage me,  and,  as  I  had  unbounded  confidence  in  him,  I 
appreciated  these  attentions  very  highly.  For  about  five 
days  I  gave  myself  almost  continually  to  prayer.  During 
that  time  some  of  the  members  of  the  Church  visited  me, 
and  tried  to  comfort  and  encourage  me.  One  good  old  sis- 
ter, Mother  Case,  tried  to  persuade  me  that  I  already  had 
religion  if  I  only  believed  it,  but  I  was  scrupulously  afraid 
of  being  deceived.  I  could  not  find  any  evidence  that  I 
had  received  pardon,  or  in  any  degree  enjoyed  the  favor  of 
God.     I   determined   never   to   rest  short  of   the   evidence. 


112  TTir.nwAvs  A\n  hedges. 

Kvcry  (lay  I  made  ficijucut  visits  to  tlio  grove  to  pray. 
Sometimes  liopc  would  sprinc^  up  in  my  lioarf,  ntid  then 
afrain  T  would  almost  despair.  Tlir  thought  that  1  liad  been 
seeking  religion  from  early  chihlhood,  and  was  still  appar- 
ently as  far  from  Ood  and  as  destitute  of  his  favor  as  ever, 
very  much  discouraged  me  But  I  knew  that  to  give  up 
was  death  and  eternal  ruin,  and  I  was  fully  determined  never 
to  cease  seeking.  One  day,  as  I  was  coming  from  the  grove, 
perhaps  more  discouraged  than  at  any  former  time,  I  was 
pouring  over  my  lost  and  ruined  condition,  Satan  whispered 
into  my  ear,  "You  are  too  insignificant  and  unworthy  to 
attract  the  notice  of  the  great  and  holy  God  of  the  uni- 
verse." Just  at  that  moment  of  the  blackness  of  dark- 
ness another  voice,  a  still,  small  voice,  spake  to  my  troubled 
heart,  and  in  language  sweeter  than  any  thing  that  my  heart 
had  ever  conceived,  said,  "  God  is  just  as  willing  to  bless 
you  as  he  is  to  bless  the  most  refined  and  cultivated  lady 
in  the  world."  In  an  instant  my  soul  was  filled  with  joy 
unspeakable  and  full  of  glory.  For  some  time  I  stood  still; 
my  soul,  filled  with  awe  and  wonder,  adored  the  condescen- 
sion of  that  God  who  had  stooped  to  take  away  my  load  of 
sin,  while  my  heart  bounded  with  strange  and  new  joy,  rich, 
yes,  richer  far  than  my  feeble  mind  had  ever  been  capable 
of  contemplating.  "0,"  thought  I,  "is  this  treasure  mine?" 
My  tongue  was  filled  with  praises.  Every  thing  looked 
strangely  beautiful.  Gloom  was  all  driven  away  by  the 
brightness  of  the  glory  of  God.  I  said,  "Is  this  religion — 
the  long  sought  treasure — the  prize  after  which  my  soul 
has  been  aspiring  so  long?"  0,  what  a  sense  I  had  of  the 
approbation  of  God !  It  seemed  that  every  thing  on  earth 
loved  me,  and  that  every  thing  on  earth  was  smiling  on  my 
account.  The  world  seemed  new,  and  yet,  when  I  reached 
the  house,  I  had  not  courage  to  tell  what  the  Lord  had 
done  for   me.     In  a  few  minutes  I  returned  to  the  grove. 


LETTERS    FROM    MRS.    SARAH    STEWART.  113 

Often  had  I  prayed  there  and  then  returned  with  a  gloomy 
heart,  but  now  every  thing  there  seemed  to  be  smiling  on 
account  of  my  translation  from  darkness  to  light,  and  from 
the  bondage  of  sin  and  guilt  to  the  liberty  of  a  child  of 
God.  For  some  time  I  prayed  and  praised.  Every  thing 
my  eyes  looked  upon  was  clad  in  unearthly  beauty.  Every 
forest  leaf  and  every  spire  of  grass  had  a  voice  to  tell  the 
wondrous  change  that  had  passed  on  unworthy  me.  From 
the  grove  I  went  to  the  corn-field,  when  every  stalk  of  corn 
seemed  to  join  with  me  in  wondrous  praise  to  Him  whose 
impress  it  bore.  Thence  I  went  again  to  the  house.  Father 
discovered  in  my  countenance  the  change  that  had  taken 
place  in  my  feelings,  and  we  praised  the  Lord  together  for 
what  he  had  done  for  me. 

The  next  Sabbath  was  the  regular  preaching  day  in  our 
neigborhood.  I  joined  the  Church  that  day,  and  in  that 
act  God  blessed,  so  that  I  shouted  aloud  the  high  praises 
of  my  Heavenly  Father.  For  three  months  after  that  I 
could  say, 

"Not  a  clou  J  doth  arise 
To  rliirken  my  skies, 
Or  hide  for  a  moment 
The  Lord  from  my  eyes." 

I  had  constant  communion  and  basked  in  the  smiles  of  his 
face.  The  subjects  of  death  and  the  resurrection  were 
most  pleasant  to  my  meditation.     I  could  sing, 

"Now  I  can  i-ead  my  title  clear 
To  mansions  in  the  skies, 
And  hid  farewell  to  every  fear. 
And  wipe  my  weeping  eyes." 

Now,  my  son,  with  a   mother's  expression  of   sympathy 

with  you  in  your  work,  and  prayer  for  your  success,  I  pause 

in   my   narrative,    and    will    resume    it   in    my  next.      May 

God  bless  you!   is  the  prayer  of  your  mother. 

Sarah  Stewart. 
10 


114  IIKiHWAYS    AND    HKDGES. 


Richmond 

Decent  be 


ALK,  Ohio,    ) 

er  13,  1847.  ) 


My  Dear  Son, — INIy  last  letter  closed  with  an  account 
of  the  happy  state  of  mind  consequent  upon  my  conversion. 
AVhen  I  joined  the  Church  I  found  few  persons  of  my 
own  acre  as  reliirious  associates.  There  were  but  two  un- 
married  persons  in  the  iici<j;hborhood  wlio  were  professors  : 
William  Stewart,  an  elder  brother  of  him  who  afterward  1 
became  my  husband,  and  Lydia  Bastow,  a  very  pious  young 
lady.  I  found,  however,  what  I  needed,  nursing  fathers 
and  nursing  mothers,  to  whom  I  shall  ever  be  greatly  in- 
debted for  the  care  they  took  in  my  spiritual  education.  I 
was  early  taught  that  the  way  of  the  cross  was  the  way  to 
the  crown  of  life.  It  was  the  custom  in  that  society  for 
the  female  as  well  as  male  members  to  pray  in  the  public 
prayer-meetings.  In  this  way  I  was  immediately  called 
into  activity.  I  often  trembled  much  under  the  cross,  but 
never  dared  to  refuse  to  bear  it,  and  in  the  bearing  of  the 
cross  was  often  powerfully  blessed.  On  these  occasions 
sometimes  my  strength  would  be  taken  away,  and  such  were 
the  transports  of  joy  that  I  experienced  that  I  would  shout 
the  high  praises  of  my  adorable  Lord  and  Master.  These 
seasons  of  rejoicing  were  often  succeeded  by  seasons  of 
sore  temptation.  It  would  be  suggested  to  my  mind  that  I 
ought  to  have  restrained  my  feelings,  and  that  I  had  perhaps 
offended  some  of  those  present  by  my  conduct.  Thus 
would  Satan  buffet  me  until  I  would  almost  resolve  never 
to  give  such  expression  to  my  feelings  again ;  but  so  long 
as  I  attempted  to  carry  out  that  purpose  a  cloud  hung  over 
my  sky,  and  I  failed  of  full  enjoyment.  But  when  again  I 
would  promise  not  to  quench  the  Spirit,  and  it  was  again 
poured  into  my  soul  without  measure,  I  would  think  that 
I  would  never  again  listen  to  the  suggestions  of  Satan.     At 


LETTERS  FROM  MRS.  SARAH  STEWART.     115 

times  I  would  open  my  heart  in  regard  to  this  matter  to 
the  older  members  of  the  Church,  and  they  would  exhort 
me  to  resist  the  temptation  of  the  adversary.  They  assured 
me  that  it  was  just  as  much  the  duty  of  a  Christian  to 
praise  God  when  he  filled  the  soul  to  overflowing  with  his 
Spirit,  as  it  was  their  duty  to  pray  for  a  blessing.  I  found 
that  if  I  would  enjoy  the  happiness  springing  from  a  sense 
of  the  Divine  favor  I  must  deny  myself,  take  up  my  cross, 
and  follow  Christ  through  evil  report  as  well  as  good  report, 
and  this  I  resolved,  by  the  grace  of  God,  to  do.  I  had  re- 
solved that  I  would  never  refuse  to  pray  when  called  on. 
It  was  customary  in  the  society  to  give  an  opportunity  for 
persons  to  pray  without  being  called  on  by  name.  The 
leader  would  say  "Will  some  brother  or  sister  pray?" 
"When  I  took  up  the  cross  upon  such  an  invitation  I  hardly 
ever  failed  of  a  blessing,  and  it  seldom  failed  to  produce  a 
powerful  impression  on  the  congregation.  I  told  my  class- 
leader,  William  Gamble,  that  if  he  would  not  call  on  me  I 
would  always  pray  voluntarily  when  I  felt  it  to  be  my  duty. 
"You  promise  faithfully ^^'  said  he,  "and  I  will  not  call  on 
you."  At  first  I  thought  the  cross  would  not  be  nearly  so 
difficult  to  bear,  but  soon  found  that  it  seemed  to  be  my 
duty  to  pray  even  oftener  than  the  leader  had  accustomed 
to  call  on  me,  but  having  promised  I  dared  not  shrink  from 
it.  Though  I  could  deceive  my  leader,  I  could  not  deceive 
God,  who  reads  the  heart.  I  went  back  to  my  leader,  and 
said  to  him  "  I  rue  bargain,  and  throw  myself  again  in  your 
hands,  and  I  will  try  and*  be  obedient  to  the  order  of  those 
who  have  the  rule  over  me."  I  found  that  the  more  I 
exercised  in  praying  and  speaking  in  public,  in  the  class- 
meetings,  prayer-meetings,  and  love-feasts  the  more  I  was 
blessed  of  God  and  strenc-thened. 

I  remember  on  one  occasion  when  the  cross  was  peculiarly 
heavy  on  account  of  the  presence  of  a  Mr.   Farnsworth,  a 


IIG  TIIf.HWAVS    AND    HEDGES. 

gcntloMi.in  wlio  li.id  l>ut  recently  moved  into  tlic  ncighbor- 
liood,  ;iM(l  licing  accounted  a  ni;in  of  sujiorior  intolligencc, 
and  a  nicnilter  (if  tlie  I'resltyterian  Cliurcli,  it  was  antici- 
pated that  lie  would  criticise  our  exercises,  as  it  was  known 
tliat  lie  dis;ij)proved  of  females  jM-.-iyinLi;  in  ]»u))lic.  I  felt 
such  a  shrinking  from  the  cross  that  if  I  could  have  escaped 
from  the  liouse  unobserved  I  should  have  done  it,  but  that 
was  impossible.  As  I  sat  trembling  the  class-leader  called 
out,  ''Sister  Sally  Long,  pr;iy."  As  I  kneeled  before  the 
Lord  all  fear  left  me ;  a  deep  solemnity  en  me  over  my 
spirit,  and  as  I  realized  the  presence  of  the  Lord  Jehovah 
I  lost  all  thought  of  the  presence  of  any  criticising  mortal ; 
there  was  a  mighty  power  rested  on  the  congregation,  and 
I  experienced  wonderful  enlargement  of  soul  as  I  talked 
with  God  in  prayer.  At  our  next  preaching  meeting  our 
Presbyterian  neighbor  came  and  requested  the  privilege  of 
uniting  with  our  Church.  lie  said  he  had  never  believed 
that  it  was  right  for  females  to  pray  in  public  until  he  at- 
tended the  meeting  spoken  of  above.  That  meeting  had 
removed  his  prejudice.  He  shook  me  cordially  by  the 
hand,  and  told  me  that  it  w'as  through  my  instrumentality 
that  he  had  been  brought  to  see  the  right  way.  This 
humbled  me  in  the  very  dust  before  God,  and  I  resolved 
that  I  w^ould  never  shrink  from  the  cross  again.  In  after 
experience  I  have  learned  that  when  the  cross  seems  the 
heaviest  then  was  it  most  important  for  me  to  bear  it,  both 
for  my  own  good  and  for  the  good  .of  others. 

About  two  years  after  I  joined  the  Church  a  powerful 
revival  brdke  out  in  the  neii-hborhood,  which  ran  and 
spread  until  nearly  all  the  young  peopl*i  were  brought 
within  the  pale  of  the  Church.  He  who  afterward  became 
my  husband  was  one  of  the  subjects  of  that  revival.  As 
soon  as  he  became  a  meml)er  of  the  Church,  the  impression 
pervaded  the  members  of  the  Church  that  it  would  be  his 


LETTERS    FROM    MRS.    SARAH    STEWART.         117 

duty  to  give  himself  to  the  work  of  the  ministry.  It  was 
ascertained  in  a  short  time  that  already  the  Holy  Spirit 
was  making  a  similar  impression  upon  his  mind.  In  a  few 
months  he  was  called  into  ofl&cial  relationship  to  the  Church, 
and  thenceforward  became  a  laborer  in  the  great  harvest- 
field. 

During"  and  after  this  meetino;  I  was  often  astonished  and 
humbled  in  the  very  dust  on  account  of  the  attentions  paid 
to  me,  not  only  by  the  young  converts  and  those  of  my  own 
age,  but  also  by  the  aged  and  dignified.     The  circuit  preach- 
ers frequently  called  on  me   to  make  the   prayer  after  the 
sermon   in    the   public  congregation.     Though  I  dared  not 
refuse,  and  though  I  was  often  much  blessed  in  bearing  the 
cross   on   these  occasions,  yet  I  seldom  escaped    being  se- 
verely tempted   by  Satan   afterward.     The    limited  circum- 
stances of  my  parents  had    prevented  them  from  afi"ording 
me  any  educational  advantages.     I  was  painfully    sensible 
of  my  deficiencies  in   this  respect.     When  the  Rev.  T.  A. 
Morris — now   Bishop — had   charge   of  the   circuit,   he    ap- 
pointed a  female  prayer-meeting  in  our  neighborhood,  and 
laid  upon  me  the  duty  of  conducting  it.     I  had  never  at- 
tended   such   a   meeting,  and   thought    that    my  youth  and 
want   of  experience,    education,  and    ability  all   seemed  to 
make  it  the  height  of  presumption  for  me  to  attempt  it.     I 
plead  to   be   excused,  and  nominated  others,  in  my  estima- 
tion better  fitted  for  the  work  ;    but  my  excuses  were  of  no 
avail.     He  took  a  vote  of  the  society,  which  was  unanimous 
in   support    of  my  appointment.     I   was   sorely   pressed    in 
spirit.      If  the   meeting   had   been    appointed    only  for  the 
young  folks,  the  cross  would   have    been  heavy,  for   I  re- 
garded many  of  them  as  far  in  advance  of  me  in  qualifica- 
tion for  such  a  duty,  but  the  meeting  was  designed  for  the 
old  as  well   as    the   young.     I   went  to  some    of  the   older 
members  of  the  Church  and  laid  the  matter  before  them, 


118  HKinWAVS    ANH    HEDGES. 

nn<l  tliry  nssurrd  mo  flint  my  misgivings  were  only  the 
temjitations  of  tlie  adversary,  and  tliat  I  must,  say  "Get  be- 
liind  me,  Satan."  I  prayed  much  for  courage,  but  after  all, 
when  the  time  for  the  meeting  arrived,  a?id  I  started  to  the 
plaee,  feeling  that  it  was  more  than  I  could  bear,  I  tried  to 
get  sister  Lois  Stewart  to  take  my  plaee.  She  declined, 
but  promised  to  take  a  seat  near  me,  so  that  if  I  became 
so  embarrassed  as  to  be  unable  to  proceed,  she  would  assist 
me.  The  congregation  was  assembled,  and  I  essayed  to  do 
my  duty,  and  succeeded  in  reading  a  chapter,  but  when  I 
attenipted  to  read  the  hymn  I  became  so  embarrassed  that 
the  good  sister  had  to  come  to  my  assistance.  But  by  the 
help  of  grace  divine  I  was  enabled  to  meet  the  responsi- 
bility laid  upon  mc,  and  the  Lord  came  down  among  us  in 
great  power,  and  we  had  truly  a  time  of  refreshing  from 
his  presence.  Heretofore  I  had  labored  to  support  myself 
and  to  assist  in  the  support  of  ray  father's  family,  so  that  I 
had  but  little  time  to  employ  in  mental  culture.  Finding  an 
opening  to  teach  a  school  of  small  children,  I  embraced  the 
opportunity,  and  commenced  in  right  good  earnest,  trying 
to  improve  my  mind.  I  was  well  aware  that  all  that  I  ever 
could  be  must  be  the  result  of  my  own  efforts  and  the  bless- 
ing of  God.  I  deeply  felt  the  importance  of  living  near  to 
God,  and  knew  that  to  do  this  my  time  should  be  divided 
and  my  life  regulated  by  rule.  I  therefore  adopted  the  fol- 
lowing rules  for  my  religious  life :  Three  times  each  day  a 
portion  of  time  was  spent  in  secret  devotion.  One  day  in 
the  week  was  set  apart  as  a  day  of  fasting  and  special 
prayer.  All  the  social  and  public  means  of  grace  I  at- 
tended punctually,  not  only  for  conscience'  sake,  but  because 
I  had  a  keen  appetite  for  them,  and  found  them  to  be  to  me 
more  than  my  ordinary  meat  and  drink.  The  companion- 
ship of  Christians  was  exceedingly  precious  to  me,  and  I  | 
desired  no  other  society.     Between  the  duties  of  my  school 


LETTERS  FROM  MRS.  SARAH  STEWART.     119 

and  the  privileges  of  the  means  of  grace,  I  had  the  com- 
forting assurance  that  I  was  getting  some  additional  prepa- 
ration to  meet  the  responsibilities  that  might  come  upon 
me  in  future  life.         ........ 

Let  these  extracts  suffice  to  record  the  early  conversion 
and  devotion  of  my  dear  companion,  and  I  shall  now  return 
to  my  narrative. 


120  HIGHWAYS    AND    HEDGES. 


CHAPTER  X. 

MADISON  CIRCUIT,  INDIANA. 
1822-23. 

rpiIE  Ohio  Conference  met  at  Marietta,  Bishops  M'Kcn- 
-*-    dree   and   George   present,  September   5,  1822.     I  was 

welcomed  back  by  my  former  Conference  associates,  and  felt 
really  that  I  had  got  home  again.  In  an  interview  with 
the  Bishop  I  stated  to  him  the  facts  in  my  case.  I  had  not 
only  performed  the  two  years'  frontier  labor  for  which  I  had 
volunteered,  but,  at  the  solicitation  of  Bishop  Roberts,  I 
had  spent  a  third  year  in  that  work,  and  had  now  returned 
to  work  in  the  Ohio  Conference.  He  urged  me  to  consent 
to  one  more  year,  in  the  Missouri  Conference,  but  finally, 
after  consulting  with  Bishop  M'Kendree,  he  conceded  that  ~ 
I  ought  not  to  be  urged  to  return  again.  He  transferred 
me  back  to  the  Ohio  Conference,  and  the  session  passed 
very  pleasantly  to  me.  When,  however,  the  appointments 
were  read  out,  I  found  myself  announced  as  preacher  in 
charge  on  Madison  circuit,  Miami  district,  Indiana.  The 
Bishop  supposed  that  I  had  not  moved  from  Yincennes, 
Indiana,  and  that  an  appointment  on  the  western  borders 
of  the  Ohio  Conference  would  accommodate  me.  When 
he  learned  that  I  had  moved  my  family  and  eifects  to  my 
father's,  in  South-eastern  Ohio,  and  would  now  have  to  move 
back  several  hundred  miles,  he  explained  the  matter  to  me, 
so  that  I  was  disposed  to  bear  without  complaint  what  at 
first  appeared  to  be  an  unreasonable  requirement. 


I 


MADISON    CIRCUIT,    INDIANA.  121 

The  following  persons  were  admitted  on  trial  :  Billings 
0.  Plimpton,  John  Crawford,  Albert  G.  Richardson,  Orin 
Gilniore,  Solomon  Mancer,  John  Jean,  Aaron  Wood,  Jas. 
Rowe,  Geo.  Gatch,  Jas.  C.  Taylor,  X.  B.  Griffith,  Levi 
White,  Wm.  Westlake. 

The  followinc;  brethren  were  elected  delecrates  to  General 
Conference  :  Chas.  Elliott,  J.  F.  Wright,  G.  R.  Jones,  M. 
Ruter,  C.  Waddle,  J.  B.  Finle}^  J.  Young,  Juo.  Sale,  Jas. 
Quiuu,  John  Waterman,  R.  Bigelow,  D.  Young,  John 
Strange. 

Soon  after  the  adjournment  of  Conference  we  packed  up 
again,  and  made  our  tedious  journey  of  three  hundred 
miles  to  Madison.  The  circuit  was  a  large  and  strong  one. 
There  were  thirty-one  appointments  to  be  filled  in  five 
weeks,  and  some  eight  hundred  and  ninety-three  members 
to  be  looked  after.  The  following  constituted  the  round 
of  appointments  :  1.  Madison;  2.  Crooked  Creek;  3.  Cope's; 
4.  Mitchell's;  5.  Overturfs ;  6.  Hiatt's ;  7.  Brown's;  8. 
Versailles;  9.  Hukel's ;  10.  Cole's;  11.  Frazier's ;  12. 
Clark's;  13.  Downey's;  14.  Coiner's;  15.  Alleuville ;  IG. 
Oakes's;  17.  Buche's;  18.  Green's,  or  Quaker's  Grove; 
19.  Davis's;  20.  Cooper's;  21.  Camel's;  22.  Miller's;  23. 
Lee's;  24.  Martin's;  25.  Davis's;  2G.  Heddy's ;  27.  Vevay; 
28.  Ashe's;  29.  Brown's;  30.  Gray's;  31.  Ilulm's.  In 
filling  the  appointments  we  arranged  to  spend  two  weeks  in 
the  neidiborhood  of  Madison,  and  then  a  three  weeks'  tour 
visiting  the  more  distant  appointments. 

Though  the  circuit   had  a   large   membership  it  had  no 

parsonage,  and   to   save   expense  it  was   proposed   that  the 

preacher's  family  should  "board  round"  among  the  people. 

We  consented  to  this  arrangement,  not  without   misgiving 

and  reluctance.     Though  our  family  was  small,  we  having 

only  one  child  at  that  time,  yet  we  knew  that  this  mode  of 

living  would  be  far  from  desirable.     My  wife  was  especially 

11 


122  IIIC.IIWAVS    AND    IlKDGES. 

anxious  to  enjoy  moro  privaoy  for  stndy  nnd  dovotion,  and 
better  opportunity  for  cducatioLr  lur  l)<>y  tliau  islic  could 
have  niixinij  in  witli  so  many  faniiiy  circles,  some  of  whom 
took  tlicir  turn  k('{'j)iii_i^  tli(>  ])roa(dier's  family  rather  in  tlic 
liL^lit  (if  duty  than  otherwise.  I»ut  we  made  the  best  we 
couhl  of  (tur  eircumstanccH,  and  trictl  to  do  tlie  best  we 
could  for  the  cause  of  God. 

Nchemiah  B.  Griflith  was  my  colleague.  He  was  a  holy 
man  of  God,  able  and  willing  to  do  his  full  share  of  the 
work  assigned  to  us.  I  was  truly  grateful  tliat  in  the 
providence  of  God  I  was  favored  with  such  a  helper  in  the 
work.  His  race  in  the  itinerant  work  was  short,  but  he 
made  his  mark,  which  will  stand  to  his  credit  in  all  after 
time — yea,  beyond  the  bounds  of  time  he  shall  shine  as  a 
star  forever  and  ever.  Alexander  Cummins  was  my  pre- 
siding elder.  He  was  a  first-class  man,  clear-headed  and 
sound  to  the  core,  and  not  to  be  excelled  in  the  administra- 
tion of  discipline.     He  was  at  that  time  in  feeble  health. 

As  I  call  up  the  list  of  local  preachers,  I  dwell  upon 
their  memory  with  great  pleasure.  Some  of  them  were  men 
of  renown.  In  those  days,  growing  out  of  the  fact  that  the 
support  of  the  preachers  was  so  meager,  many  of  the  best 
preachers,  who  had  f\imilies  to  support  and  children  to  edu- 
cate, found  it  necessary  to  locate  and  go  into  some  secular 
business.  As  a  rule,  however,  they  retained  the  spirit  of 
the  itinerancy,  and  co-operated  with  the  traveling  preachers 
cordially,  and  greatly  to  the  advantage  of  the  work. 

Joseph  Oglesby  w^as  a  man  of  superior  talent.  He  had 
settled  in  Madison,  and  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine. 
As 'he  had  been  successful  and  popular  during  his  itinerant 
life,  so  was  he  now  successful  and  popular  as  a  practicing 
physician  and  local  preacher.  John  Green  had  also  trav- 
eled in  the  New  England  Conference.  He  was  brother-in- 
law    to   Calvin    and    Martin    Ruter.     He    was    a    dignified, 


MADISON    CIRCUIT,     INDIANA.  123 

devoted,  and  useful  local  preacher.  He  llVed  near  Quaker's 
Grove.  Old  brother  Woodfield,  who  had  worn  himself  out 
in  the  itinerant  ranks  in  Kentucky,  lived  near  Madison,  and 
was  highly  respected.  Joel  Havens  also  honored  God,  and 
worked  faithfully  for  the  Church  as  a  local  preacher. 

The  society  in  Madison  had  many  strong  men  con- 
nected with  it.  Among  them  I  call  to  memory  such  as 
Taylor,  Comstock,  Gale,  Wallace,  "Wilson,  Robertson,  Bas- 
set, Green,  Pew,  Oglesby,  etc.,  a  host  whose  names  are  re- 
corded in  the  Book  of  Life.  Xo  wonder  that  the  Church 
has  expanded  and  strengthened  with  years,  and  continues 
to  be  a  power  for  good  in  that  community.  The  good  men 
were  not  all  found  in  Madison,  but  they  were  scattered  all 
over  the  circuit.  As  my  mind  sweeps  round  that  vast  three 
weeks'  tour,  startins:  north  to  Mitchell's.  Versailles,  down  to 
Langhra's,  Allenville,  Jacksonville,  Quaker's  Grove,  York, 
Vevay,  and  then  down  the  Ohio  to  Madison,  I  call  up  the 
names  of  men  and  women  of  sreat  moral  and  reliirious 
worth. 

During  my  labors  on  this  circuit  I  was  much  annoyed 
by  the  Baptists.  They  were  constantly  prating  about  the 
subjects  and  mode  of  baptism,  and  evidently  regarded  them- 
selves so  strongly  fortified  that  their  position  was  invulnera- 
ble. Their  attacks  upon  the  denominations  who  differed 
with  them  on  these  points  were  bold  and  severe.  "Believ- 
ing penitents  are  the  only  proper  subjects,  and  immersion 
the  only  proper  mode  of  Christian  baptism."  This  they 
asserted  constantly,  and  challenged  contradiction.  I  deter- 
mined to  master  the  subject,  and  for  this  purpose  spent 
several  weeks  in  its  thoroufrh  investiiration.  The  result  of 
my  study  was  to  settle  my  mind  thoroughly  in  the  convic- 
tion that  infants,  as  well  as  adults,  are  entitled  to  thq  sacra- 
ment of  Christian  baptism,  and  that  sprinkling  and  pouring 
are  modes  supported  as  fully  by  reason  and  revelation  as  is 


124  HK.IIWAVS   AND   iiF.nr.F.s. 

immersion.  I  wen!  into  llic  field  of  controversy,  and  deliv- 
ered a  scries  of  Hermoiia  tliat  were  blessed  by  the  Great 
Head  of  ihc.  rhnrrh  in  dninL'.  as  T  trust,  much  crood  in  the 
cstablisbinont  and  maintenance  of  sound  doctrine.  As  the 
result  of  these  discourses  many  came  and  cast  iu  their  lots 
with  us  who  had  been  connected  with  tliem. 

Durinp:  tliis  year  my  dear  companion  rendered  p:ood  serv- 
ice to  the  cause,  though  the  care  of  our  son  Wesley  and 
our  inconvenient  manner  of  livino;  embarrassed  her  a  good 
deal.  God  greatly  blessed  her  in  the  exercise  of  prayer 
and  speaking  in  class  and  love-feasts,  and  in  her  intercourse 
with  families  her  life  was  so  conscientious  and  devout  as  to 
exert  a  silent  but  powerful  influence  in  all  places. 

Sometimes  she  accompanied  me  to  the  distant  appoint- 
ments. On  our  way  to  the  camp-meeting  at  Quaker's  Grove 
we  were  traveling  on  horseback,  and  had  to  pass  through 
the  Beech  Swamp.  The  road,  for  some  distance,  was  almost 
impassable.  At  one  time  my  horse  floundered  in  the  mud 
so  that  I  thought  he  would  certainly  come  down.  Fearing 
that  my  son  John  Wesley,  whom  I  was  carrying  in  my  arms, 
would  be  hurt,  I  selected  with  my  eye  a  place  where  there 
was  a  soft  bed  of  mud,  and  tossed  him  as  far  from  me  as  I 
could.  After  getting  my  horse  extricated  I  returned  and 
found  the  child  in  position  and  apparently  fully  content 
with  his  location.  The  camp-meeting  was  attended  with 
great  power.  It  being  also  a  quarterly-meeting  occasion, 
the  presiding  elder.  Rev.  A.  Cummins,  took  charge  of  the 
meeting.  He  was  in  such  feeble  health  that  he  could  not 
speak  loud  enough  for  a  large  congregation,  but  selected 
for  himself  the  eight  o'clock  morning  appointment.  On 
one  of  these  occasions,  from  the  language  of  Jude,  "Keep 
yourselves  in  the  love  of  God,"  he  preached  a  sermon  of 
special  unction;  it  was,  indeed,  melting  afid  sweet.  He 
was  a  man  greatly  beloved,  and  always  preached  a  sensible 


MADISON    CIRCUIT,    INDIANA.  -        125 

and  profitable  sermon.  This  was  probably  one  of  the  last 
camp-meetings  that  he  attended.  It  fell  to  my  lot,  by  his 
appointment,  during-  the  meeting  to  preach  each  day  at  his 
hour.  My  voice  was  then  clear  and  strong,  so  that  I  could 
be  heard  at  a  distance  of  one  and  a  half  miles.  My  soul 
was  fully  in  the  work,  and  God  blessed  me  greatly.  "We 
met  at  this  meeting  some  who  we  had  known  years  before 
in  Ohio.  This  reunion  was  especially  gratifying  to  my  wife, 
and  added  greatly  to  her  enjoyment  of  the  occasion.  These 
were  the  Ruters,  and  Greens,  and  Wellses — noble  Christian 
families,  whose  influence  extends  down  to  this  day. 

AVe  had  another  camp-meeting  near  Madison,  which  was 
attended  with  great  success.  Bishop  Roberts  was  with  us, 
and,  as  usual,  preached  with  great  power.  On  one  occasion 
his  text  was,  "If  they  hear  not  Moses  and  the  prophets," 
etc.  It  was  a  sermon  never  to  be  forirotten.  The  slain  of 
the  Lord  were  many,  and  during  the  meeting  a  goodly 
number  turned  to  God. 

This  circuit  became  very  dear  to  me,  and  when,  at  the 
close  of  the  Conference  year,  the  people  requested  my 
return  for  another  year,  I  should  have  gladly  consented, 
had  we  not  felt  it  our  duty  to  return  to  that  portion  of 
Ohio  where  our  large  circle  of  family  connection  resided. 


126  men  WAYS  and  hedgks. 


CIIAITER    XL 

MUSKINGUM   CIRCUIT,   OHIO. 

lS23-ai. 

rpilE  Conference  met  September  4,  1823,  in  Urbana, 
J-  Bishop  R.  11.  Roberts  in  the  chair.  Tlie  Ibllowing  were 
admitted  on  trial  :  Sylvester  Dunham,  George  Waddel;  True 
Pattee,  John  A.  Baughman,  Robert  0.  Spencer,  Job  Wil- 
son, Thomas  Beacham,  Alfred  M.  Lorrain,  Thomas  Ilewson, 
Elijah  tl.  Field,  James  M'Intyre,  Isaac  Elisbury,  Robert 
Hopkins,  Silas  Colvin. 

At  this  Conference  we  recorded  the  death  of  brother 
Charles  Trescott.  He  was  born  at  Sheffield,  Mass.;  joined 
the  Ohio  Conference  in  1820.  On  Sabbath,  October  6,  1822, 
he  departed  in  triumph.  He  was  a  systematic  preacher, 
earnest  and  successful. 

During  the  session  we  presented  our  first-born,  John 
AYesley,  then  an  infant  fifteen  months  old,  for  baptism.  As 
the  venerable  Bishop  took  him  in  his  arms  and  administered 
to  him  the  solemn  sacrament  of  the  Church,  and  as  that  de- 
vout congregation  of  pastors  and  people  made  hearty  re- 
sponses to  the  prayers  offered,  with  hearts  thrilled  with  the 
deepest  and  tenderest  emotions,  we  gave  him  to  God,  prom- 
ising that  we  would  try  to  bring  him  up  in  the  nurture  and 
admonition  of  the  Lord. 

My  desire  in  regard  to  my  appointment  was  gratified,  as 
Muskingum  circuit  joined  the  one  in  which  our  parents  re- 
sided.    We  went  from  Conference  direct  to  our  circuit,  and 


MUSKINGUM    CIRCUIT,    OHIO. 


127 


established  our  home  in  Putnam,  on  the  Muskingum  River, 
opposite  the  city  of  Zanesville.  3Iy  colleague,  Kev.  Thomas 
Beacham,  was  a  young  man  of  superior  parts,  self-possessed, 
and  an  admirable  preacher.  Unfortunately  he  allowed  his 
mind  to  be  burdened  and  divided  with  too  many  things, 
and  so  weakened  his  effectiveness. 

The  following  list  of  twenty-four  appointments,  to  be 
filled  every  four  weeks  by  each  of  us,  shows  that  our  field 
was  an  extensive  one : 


PLAN  OF  MUSKINGUM  CIRCUIT. 

Made  August  29,  A.  D.  1S23. 


Dbv  of  the 
Week. 


Sunday 

Mnndity  ...... 

Tuesday 

Wednesday. 
Thursday.'.. 

Friday 

Saturday 

Sunday 

Monday 

Tuesday 

Wednesday. 
Thursday.... 

Friilay...' 

Saturday 

Sunday 

Monday 

Tueschiy 

WfMlnesday. 
Thursilay.... 

Friday 

Saturday 

Suii'iay.' 

.Monday 

Tuesday 

Wednesday. 
Tliursday.... 


Friday 

Saturday. 
Sunday.... 


D.iy  of  t'.;e 
Mouth. 


<( 

Oct. 


Preaching-places, 


Sept.  21 
"      23| 

"       2i; 

"     25! 
"     2ti 


28 

29 

30 

1 

2 

;5 

4 

5 

(i 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

1:! 

U 

lo 

ii; 
If, 

17 
18 
19 


Putnam's 

Rest 

Headley's 

Simpson's 

Re.st 

Rest 

Rest 

Dielcerson's 

Rest 

Gard'.s 

Wiggenbottom's . 

Sain's 

Spruiger's 

[..enhart'.s 

.\sbury  Chapel.... 

Hiteheock's 

Teal's 

Fate's 

Chaplin's 

Harris's 

Hopkins's 

Aikins's  

Sailor's 

Edwards's , 

Weslevan  Cliapel 

Wilson's 

Heail's 

Haniet's 

Butt's 

Putnam  aj^ain , 


^ 

n 

0 

^ 

= 

-' 

s 

X! 

— 

.H 

— 

X* 

s» 

X 

11-4 

... 

12 

.") 

12 

4 

ii 

10 

12 

"4 

12 

4 

12 

0 

12 

(i 

12 

4 

11 

G 

12 

12 

12 

•7 
1 

12 

0 

12 

12 

2 

12 

12 

(; 

11 

12 

12 

7 

12 

."> 

12 

8 

10 

G 

3 

3 

12 

f; 

11 

5 

6 

OFFICIAL    LIST. 


ler- 


Deacons. 


Stewards. 


Alex.  M'Cracken,  |  ^,  , 

.John  Wilson,        f  ^''' 

Samuel   Wdson,  1  „„„„„,  „„„ 

Samuel  Aikins,     F^^'^^''^'«- 

Jolm  Goshen, 

.Martin  Fate, 

•John  Wilson, 

Thomas  Ijams, 

Elijah  Ball, 

Sam' I  Chapman,^ 

John  Jordan, 

Wm.  .\rmstroiig, 

Wni.  Heath, 

Elijah  Collins, 

David  Fate, 

Jona.  Withain, 

Robert  Aikins, 

David  i:d\vards,* 

Davi<l  Butt, 

!\Iann'g  Putnam, 

Davi<l  Sherad, 

James  Kelley, 


Number  of  Members,  700. 


*  Recommended  to  the  lo- 
cal conference  for  license  to 
preach. 


Exhorters. 


As  the  travel  was  extensive,  so  the  heavy  membership 
demanded  a  large  amount  of  pastoral  labor.  We  had  seven 
hundred  and    sixty  members,    all   of   whom  I   expected  to 


128  HIGHWAYS    AND   HEDGES. 

visit  at  (Ijrir  rcspcrtivc  homes.  My  constant  practice  was 
to  meet  the  classes  after  preaching,  so  tluit  twenty-four  ser- 
mons and  twenty-four  class-moctinirs,  besides  extra  appoint- 
ments and  pastoral  visitiiifr,  made  it  a  protracted  meeting 
the  year  throui^h.  About  the  middle  of  the  year,  at  the  re- 
quest of  tlie  (junrtorly  conference,  my  colleague  was  removed 
to  another  field,  ami  assisted  l»y  a  noble  band  of  local 
preachers  I  kept  uj)  all  of  the  ajipointments  during  the  rest 
of  the  year. 

It  will  sound  strange  to  the  present  generation  of  Meth- 
odists to  learn  that  so  large  a  membership  only  paid  the 
pastor  one  hundred  and  thirty  dollars  with  which  to  sup- 
port his  family.  Many  regarded  the  word  "  quarterage  "  as 
indicating  the  amount  to  be  paid  by  each  member.  To  as- 
sist in  meeting  our  current  expenses,  my  wife  opened  a  pri- 
mary school,  and  between  the  labors  of  housekeeping,  hos- 
pitality, the  school,  and  her  share  of  the  care  of  the  Church, 
her  hands  were  as  full  as  mine.  As  she  commenced  her 
school  at  eight  o'clock  in  the  morning,  she  had  to  do  most 
of  her  cooking  at  night  and  washing  on  Saturdays.  It 
would  have  been  an  easy  matter  for  those  seven  hundred 
and  sixty  members  to  have  afforded  us  a  support  that  would 
have  allowed  us  more  home  comforts,  and  my  companion 
more  time  for  purely  evangelical  labors ;  but  we  committed 
ourselves  to  the  Lord  and  went  forward  in  his  name.  The 
year,  notwithstanding  its  severe  toil  and  sacrifices,  was 
withal  a  very  pleasant  year  to  us.  We  were  sustained  by 
noble  men,  who  themselves  labored  gratuitously  and  en- 
dured many  sacrifices  for  the  cause  of  Christ.  The  names 
of  some  of  these  I  propose  to  place  upon  record.  Alexan- 
der M'Cracken  gave  us  valuable  assistance;  talented  and 
devoted  to  the  work,  he  was  held  in  high  estimation,  and 
his  preaching  did  much  good.  John  Goshen  resided  in 
Putnam,  and  was  the   father  of  Methodism   in    that   place. 


MUSKINGUM    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  129 

He  possessed  a  strong  miud,  a  strong  will,  and  a  large 
heart.  Always  ready  to  work  for  tlie  Church  with  tongue, 
or  hand,  or  purse,  he  was,  nevertheless,  so  tenacious  for  the 
old  forms,  that  he  became  sensitive  in  regard  to  innovations 
in  religious  forms  or  style  of  living  to  an  extent  that  often 
disturbed  his  own  enjoyments,  and  possibly  sometimes  dimin- 
ished his  power  for  good.  When  the  Rev.  Jacob  Young — 
some  years  after  the  time  of  which  I  am  now  writing — 
was  presiding  elder  on  the  Zanesville  district,  he  took  a 
house  for  his  family  residence  in  Putnam,  and  was  neighbor 
to  brother  Goshen.  Havins;  been  old-time  friends,  brother 
Youns;  wondered  that  his  old  friend  did  not  call  on  him. 
At  last   he  determined  if  possible   to  ascertain  the   reason. 

"  Brother  Goshen,  why  do  n't  you  come  to  see  me  ?'' 

"  You  have  that  thing  they  call  a  melodeon  in  your  house, 
and  I  can  't  conscientiously  come  to  see  you." 

"  My  dear  brother  Goshen,  come,"  said  the  good  elder, 
"and  I  will  carry  the  little  thing  out  into  the  shed  while 
you  are  there." 

But  every  body  had  unbounded  confidence  in  the  integ- 
rity of  brother  Goshen,  and  doubtless  many  will  rise  up  in 
eternity  to  call  him  blessed. 

George  Fate  was  also  a  local  preacher  of  talent  and  effi- 
ciency. John  and  Samuel  Wilson,  who  were  brothers  and 
Irishmen,  and  brother  Samuel  Aikins  were  all  passable  local 
preachers.  These  three  last  mentioned,  however,  became 
infected  this  year  with  the  leaven  of  the  radical  agitation, 
and  suffered  damage  thereby.  The  radical  excitement  was 
now  raffin";  in  the  East,  and  was  developinGj  with  a  ecood 
deal  of  bitterness  at  some  points  in  the  West.  Some, 
doubtless,  were  influenced  by  sincere  convictions  that  the 
government  of  the  Church  was  defective  and  needed  modi- 
fying, and  others  disappointed  in  not  receiving  the  promo- 
tion   that    they   thought    themselves    entitled    to,   hoped  to 


loO  IlICillWAVS    AND    HEDGES. 

mount  ((»  a  liiL,'ljcr  level  on  llic  w;ivcs  of  tliis  agitation. 
Sonic  suspected  Kcv.  Cornclitis  Springer  to  be  one  of  this 
latter  class,  and  were  not  backward  in  declaring  their  opin- 
ions* that  elevation  to  the  more  desirable  positions  in  the 
Church  would  have  fully  realized  liis  views  of  reformation. 
It  was  thought  that  the  fact  that  Samuel  Plamilton,  who 
had  been  associated  with  Springer  in  their  early  life  and 
early  ministry,  had  outstripped  him,  and  was  now  occupying 
the  post  of  presiding  elder,  was  chafing  to  the  feelings  of 
Springer,  and  had  much  to  do  in  inclining  him  to  the  side 
of  the  so-called  reformers.  As  Cornelius  Springer  was 
preacher  in  charge  at  the  time  that  I  was  licensed  to  preach, 
and  recommended  to  the  traveling  connection,  I  had  a  high 
regard  for  him,  and  looked  up  to  him  with  a  good  deal  of 
reverence.  This  feeling,  however,  met  with  a  severe  shock 
some  years  after  this,  when  he  and  brother  Aikius  came  to 
visit  me  for  the  purpose  of  proselyting  me  to  the  new  doc- 
trine. I  was  residing  at  the  time  at  Athens.  They  came 
with  much  confidence  that  I  would  unite  with  them,  and 
so  carry  over  to  their  standard  a  large  portion  of  my  circuit. 
When  brother  Springer  opened  to  me  his  mission  and  ex- 
pectations I  was  thunderstruck,  as  I  was  not  aware  that  I 
had  ever  given  any  one  ground  to  think  that  I  was  not  in 
the  completest  harmony  with  our  Church  polity.  Regard- 
ing brother  Springer  as  my  supei:ior  intellectually,  I  at  first 
attempted  to  play  oif  a  little.  Referring  to  the  fact  above 
stated,  he  reminded  me  in  a  pleasant  way  that  "  he  had 
made  me  and  had  a  claim  to  me."  "But  at  that  time  you 
were  a  Methodist  Episcopal  preacher,  and  so  far  as  you  made 
me  you  made  me  a  Methodist  Episcopal  preacher."  I 
waxed  bold  to  ask  him  a  few  questions,  and  soon  found 
that  he  was  weak  like  other  men.  The  whole  interview 
was  conducted  in  good  feeling,  and  we  parted  in  friendship  ; 
and  though  wc  diverged  in  our  Church  path,  he  trying  the 


MUSKINGUM    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  131 

new  and  I  continuing  in  tlie  old  path,  yet  I  hope  that  we 
will  meet  again  at  the  end,  where  we  shall  see  as  we  are 
seen  and  know  as  we  are  known. 

But  to  return  from  this  digression.  Among  the  excellent 
of  this  circuit  I  must  mention  Mrs.  Hamilton,  mother  of 
Rev.  Samuel  Hamilton,  already  mentioned.  She  was  given 
to  hospitality,  a  mother  in  Israel,  making  the  weary  itin- 
erant always  feel  at  home  when  under  her  roof.  Mrs.  J. 
lames — pronounced  Imes — daughter  of  Mrs.  Hamilton,  and 
sister  to  Samuel  Hamilton,  and  former  wife  of  Rev.  Robert 
Manley,  was  a  master-spirit  of  her  sex,  extensively  known, 
loved,  and  esteemed  by  the  denomination.  Methodism  in 
that  region  was  greatly  indebted  to  her. 

At  Putnam  we  had  a  good  society,  embracing  such  as 
Russell,  3Ioore,  Chapman,  Manning,  Putnam,  Wilber,  Mizer, 
and  many  others  equally  worthy  of  record.  Thus  memory 
crowds  upon  us,  and  we  shall  hope  to  be  welcomed  by  them 
when  after  a  little  while  we  cross  the  river.  I  can  yet 
hardly  realize  it,  but  I  must  be  getting  to  be  an  old  man, 
for  now  I  remember  that  my  son,  Rev.  W.  F.  Stewart,  who, 
sixteen  years  ago,  served  Putnam  station  as  its  pastor,  and 
who  has  been  preaching  the  Gospel  more  than  a  quarter  of 
a  century,  was  not  born  until  the  year  after  I  closed  my 
labors  on  that  circuit.  Dear  Father,  give  me  grace  that 
will  qualify  me  to  meet  the  responsibilities  of  old  age,  and 
secure  to  me  a  peaceful  evening,  a  calm  sunset,  and  an 
abundant  welcome  to  the  skies ! 

The  Conference  sat  in  Zanesville,  on  the  opposite  side  of 
the  river  from  my  home,  and  I  requested  to  remove  to 
another  charge,  which  request  was  granted.  Removals 
usually  occurred  at  the  end  of  one  year ;  and  though  my 
circuits  had  almost  invariably  requested  my  return,  thus 
far  I  had  preferred  to  spread  the  Gospel  in  the  regions  be- 
.yond.     At  the  close  of  the  Conference  the  venerable  Bishop 


I'd  HIGHWAYS   AND    HLUGES. 

K()))cit.s,  in  company  willi  Ivcv.  Mail  In  Puitor,  vi^<ited  us  to 
give  us  tokens  of  affection,  and  to  pjive  his  blessing  to  our 
boy  (liat  be  liad  liajttizcd  the  year  i^clorc. 

On  the  first  day  ul'  3Iay,  during  this  Conference  year,  tlie 
General  Conference  luet  at  Baltimore.  Our  Conference  was 
represented  by  the  following  brethren,  viz :  Charles  Elliott, 
John  F.  Wright,  (Jrcenbury  K.  Jones,  Martin  Iluter, 
Charles  Waddel,  James  13.  Finlcy,  Jacob  Young,  John  Sale, 
James  Quinn,  John  Waterman,  llussel  Bigclow,  David 
Young,  and  John  Strange.  This  large  and  able  delegation 
took  an  influential  part  in  the  proceedings.  The  presiding 
elder  question,  which  had  met  with  such  a  sudden  interrup- 
tion by  the  stand  taken  by  Joshua  Soule  in  1816,  was  again 
brought  forward,  and  the  proposition  to  make  the  office 
elective  was  defeated,  and  Soule  was  again  elected  to  the 
episcopacy.  This  difficulty  now  being  out  of  the  way,  he 
accepted,  and  he  and  Rev.  Elijah  Hedding,  after  a  sermon 
by  the  venerable  Bishop  M'Kendree,  were  solemnly  set 
apart  to  the  work  of  general  superiutendency.  The  question 
of  admitting  lay  delegates  to  the  Conference  was  also  dis- 
cussed ;  but  while  the  memorials  asking  for  that  change  in 
our  economy  were  answered  by  a  respectful  and  candid  ad- 
dress, the  Conference,  with  much  unanimity,  declined  the 
proposition. 


MARIETTA     CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  133 


CHAPTER  XII. 

MARIETTA   CIRCUIT,  OHIO. 
1824-25. 

BISHOP  ROBERTS  presided  at  the  session  of  the  Con- 
ference which  met  at  Zanesville,  Ohio,  September  2, 
1824.  He  was  assisted  by  Bishop  Soule,  who  had  just  been 
elevated  to  the  general  superintendency  by  the  late  General 
Conference.  As  we  had  all  been  familiar  with  the  ftict  of 
his  election  four  years  before,  and  his  declination,  as  stated 
in  a  preceding  chapter  of  this  work,  we  were  anxious  to  see 
and  hear  him.  Our  impressions  were  decidedly  favorable, 
and  we  welcomed  him  with  great  cordiality.  The  class  of 
probationers  received  at  this  Conference  was  not  large,  but 
embraced  some  who  have  rendered  the  Church  long  and 
valuable  services,  as  will  be  seen  from  the  following  list : 
John  Chandler,  Arza  Brown,  Jacob  Delay,  xVugustus  Eddy, 
Wm.  C.  Henderson,  Homer  J.  Clarke,  David  Dutcher,  An- 
drew F.  Baxter,  Wm.  Runnels,  Joab  Ragan,  Jos.  S.  Barris. 
Of  several  of  these  I  shall  have  frequent  occasion  to  speak 
more  hereafter. 

The  Committee  on  Memoirs  reported  on  the  death  of  two 
of  the  preachers,  Rev.  A.  Cummins  and  S.  Baker.  I  have 
had  occasion  to  speak  in  former  chapters  of  Rev.  A.  Cum- 
mins. I  was  intimately  acquainted  with  him,  and  enter- 
tained, as  did  the  whole  Conference,  an  exalted  opinion  of 
his  piety  and  ability.  He  was  born  in  Albemarle  county, 
Virginia,   September    S,    1787.     He    entered    the    traveling 


]34  HIGHWAYS    AND    HEDGES. 

connection  in  ISOO,  .'iihI  made  full  proof  of  his  ministry 
until  tlic  time  of  his  deatli,  which  occurred  September  27, 
1823. 

Kev.  Samuel  Baker  was  born  September  13,  1793,  in 
Baltimore,  Maryland,  and  died  September  20,  1823,  obtain- 
ing his  crown  just  one  day  in  advance  of  brotlier  Cum- 
mins. Tie  had  been  a  faithful  itinerant  about  seven  years, 
and  closed  up  his  career  with  the  triumphant  exclamation, 
"Glory!  glory  to  God  and  the  Lamb!  There  is  victory  in 
death!" 

Bishop  Roberts  favored  me  with  an  appointment  still 
nearer  to  our  parents  and  family  connections.  In  fact,  Ma- 
rietta was  the  circuit  from  which  I  started,  though  since 
the  time  of  my  starting  the  Athens  circuit  had  been  organ-^ 
ized,  taking  that  portion  of  the  original  territory  in  which 
my  parents  lived.  As  the  Rev.  Daniel  Limerick  was  returned 
to  the  circuit  for  the  second  year,  I  was  associated  with 
him  as  junior  preacher.  He  w^as  a  man  of  fine  preaching 
ability,  and  was  both  popular  and  useful  on  the  circuit. 

After  the  adjournment  of  Conference  I  lost  no  time  in 
packing  up  and  moving  to  my  new  work.  An  incident  oc- 
curred on  the  journey,  which  illustrates  what  strange  provi- 
dences sometimes  attend  the  founding  of  societies  and  the 
salvation  of'  souls.  In  accordance  with  the  usual  customs 
of  hospitality  in  those  days,  I  had  furnished  me  a  list  of 
places  where  I  would  be  welcomed  along  my  route.  Aniong 
these  was  the  name  of  Mr.  Sawin,  a  Presbyterian,  whose 
house  was  always  open,  with  ungrudging  hospitality,  for  the 
preachers  and  their  families  of  either  of  the  Churches.  It 
was  about  11  o'clock,  A.  M.,  the  day  that  we  reached  his 
house.  As  soon  as  I  introduced  myself  he  gave  me  a  cor- 
dial welcome,  and  requested  us  to  make  ourselves  fully  at 
home.  After  dinner  he  informed  me  that  there  was  a  lady 
in    another   room,  who   had   been    bleeding  at  the  nose  for 


MARIETTA    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  lo5 

several  days,  and  as  there  was  no  hope  of  her  recovery,  or 
even  of  her  being  able  to  be  removed  to  her  home,  he  de- 
sired that  I  would  converse  and  pray  with  her.  I  had  been 
walking  all  the  forenoon  over  a  mountainous  road,  and  found 
myself  so  reduced  in  vitality  that  I  did  not  feel  at  all  pre- 
pared to  perform  such  duty  properly.  It  would  not  do, 
however,  to  decline,  under  the  circumstances.  He  conducted 
me  to  the  room,  where  I  found  her  indeed  in  a  sad  condi- 
tion. Several  of  the  neighbors  were  about  her  couch.  I 
talked  with  her,  and  then  we  kneeled  in  prayer.  I  had  no 
freedom  in  prayer,  as  I  thought;  seemed  embarrassed  both 
in  thought  and  expression.  I  was  deeply  mortified,  and 
thought  that  they  would  never  desire  to  see  me  again.  I 
bade  them  good-by,  and  went  on  my  way.  About  a  week 
after  that,  just  as  I  was  getting  settled  in  my  new  home, 
Mr.  Sawin  came  to  see  me,  and  told  me  that  there  was 
great  anxiety  in  his  neighborhood  that  I  should  send  them 
an  appointment,  and  come  and  preach  for  them,  and  said 
that  those  who  were  present  when  I  prayed  for  the  afflicted 
woman  thought  they  had  never  heard  so  powerful  a  prayer. 
I  was  greatly  surprised  at  this,  and  authorized  him  to  pub- 
lish an  appointment  for  me. 

At  the  appointed  time  I  went  and  found  a  large  congre- 
gation, to  whom  I  preached  as  best  I  could;  and,  indeed, 
the  Word  was  not  bound,  but  had  free  course  and  was  glori- 
fied. I  never  had  greater  liberty  in  publishing  the  Gospel. 
At  the  close  of  the  sermon  I  proposed  to  speak  to  each 
person,  as  I  was  accustomed  to  do  in  the  class-meetings  of 
my  denomination,  but  gave  opportunity  for  any  to  retire 
who  might  not  wish  to  be  conversed  with  in  regard  to  their 
salvation.  Nearly,  if  not  all,  remained.  We  had  a  time 
of  deep  feeling,  and,  after  speaking  with  each  one,  I  ex- 
plained to  them  our  mode  of  organizing  societies,  read  the 
rules  to  them,  and   then   invited  nil   who  were  disposed   to 


1-^0  men  WAYS  and  iikdges. 

join  tlio  ]NI('lli<)(list  Kpiscopnl  Clmrrli  on  trial  to  Hi^nify  it 
by  giving  nic  their  Ijands  aiitl  names,  ^oiiu'  tliirty-three 
responded  to  tlic  call,  among  whom  was  Mr.  8awin,  his 
excellent  wite,  and  several  members  of  his  family.  The 
now  society  was  at  once  incorporated  into  our  circuit,  and 
1  enjoyed  many  seasons  of  refreshing  with  it  during  the 
Conference  year.  IJrother  Sawin  afterward  removed,  with 
his  family,  to  Illinois,  and  settled  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Quincy,  where  they  were  ornaments  to  the  cause  of  God 
and  Methodism. 

This  singular  introduction  to  part  of  the  territory  over 
which  I  should  travel  during  the  year  was  very  gratifying 
to  me,  and  I  regarded  it  as  evidence  that  my  appointment 
was  providential,  and  as  an  earnest  of  a  gracious  harvest. 
As  the  preacher  in  charge  occupied  the  parsonage  at 
Marietta,  I  obtained  a  home  for  my  family  at  Waterford. 
Brother  Parks  let  us  have  part  of  his  house,  and  his  family 
greatly  endeared  themselves  to  us  during  the  year  by  con- 
stant acts  of  kindness. 

The  following  list  of  appointments  indicates  how  extensive 
the  bounds  of  the  circuit  still  remained,  notwithstanding 
the  formation  of  Athens  circuit.  Commencing  at  Marietta, 
w^e  had  appointments  at  Nixon's,  Lynch's,  Goss's,  Rainbow, 
Sprague's,  Featherstone's,  Callahan's,  Miller's,  Palmer's, 
Smyth's,  Lake's,  Barlow,  Forks  of  Hocking,  Daniel  Goss's, 
Decatur,  Newbur}'^,  Belpre,  Moore's,  Bridge's,  and  then  back 
to  Marietta.  It  was  a  four-weeks'  circuit,  and  our  time  was 
fully  occupied  in  preaching,  class-meetings,  pastoral  visita- 
tion, and  extra  appointments,  such  as  the  one  referred  to 
above.  In  one  view  it  seemed  to  be  routine  work,  repeat- 
ing itself  over  and  over  again  from  the  year's  beginning  to 
its  end,  but  it  was  not  monotonous.  It  was  full  of  interest, 
life,  and  enjoyment.  Friendly  faces  crowded  our  congrega- 
tions and   attentive   ears   drank  in   our  sermons,  and    as  in 


MARIETTA    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  137 

the  class-meetings  we  recounted  our  hopes  and  fears,  in- 
structing and  exhorting  each  other,  we  learned  each  other's 
cares,  and  were  enabled  to  bear  each  other's  burdens.  We 
felt  Christ's   yoke  to  be  easy  and   his  burden  to  be  light. 

One  of  the  special  pleasures  of  the  year  to  me  was  found 
in  the  privilege  of  mingling  with  my  early  associates  in 
Christian  fellowship.  The  memory  of  my  conversion  and 
recommendation  to  the  ministry,  and  the  counsel,  and  pray- 
ers, and  co-operation  of  those  who  had  encouraged  me  when 
a  penitent,  and  had  assisted  in  bringing  me  into  the  work, 
made  it  a  year  of  unusual  interest.  Such  was  the  enjoy- 
ment of  the  year,  and  such  its  success,  that,  for  the  first 
time  in  the  history  of  my  life  as  a  traveling  preacher,  I 
desired  to  be  returned  for  another  year.  For  reasons,  how- 
ever, which  were  not  explained  or  known  to  me,  this  desire 
of  mine  was  not  gratified.  At  this  I  did  not  murmur.  I 
heartily  indorsed  the  itinerant  feature  of  our  economy,  and 
I  knew  that  in  its  workings  changes  must  often  occur  that 
could  not  at  the  time  be  pleasant  or  even  understood  by 
those  aflfected  by  them.  I  knew  that  He  who  stood  at 
the  helm  could  see  and  control  all  its  workings,  and  that 
through  all  its  workings  he  would  have  an  eye  to  my  good 
and  to  the  good  of  the  Church.  Neither  then  nor  ever 
since  then  have  I  been  tempted  to  take  my  cause  out  of 
his  hands.  A  long  experience  and  extended  observation 
has  satisfied  me  that  those  ministers  who  interfere  least 
with  the  established  machinery  of  the  Church  in  regard  to 
their  appointments  are,  as  a  class,  the  most  contented  and 
successful. 

There  was  a  band  of  working  members  on  this  circuit 
both  in  the  laity  and  oflficiary,  of  great  worth.  Among 
them  I  might  mention  the  powerful  James  Whitney,  whose 
influence  was  not  only  felt  in  Port  Harmar,  where  he  lived, 
but   extended    to   the    outermost   boundary   of   the  circuit. 

12 


138  HIGHWAYS    AND    HEDGES. 

John  Crawfoitl,  a  local  preacher,  residing  at  the  sanio 
place,  excited  a  wonderful  influence  for  the  building  up  of 
llie  interests  of  the  Church.  Tliouj:;]!  they  have  passed 
away  from  earth,  their  influence  still  lives  to  honor  God  and 
bless  his  Church.  IJrothcr  Daniels,  a  local  preacher,  resid- 
ing in  .^1  arietta,  honored  his  relation,  and  was  highly 
esteemed.  And  now  the  names,  and  friendship,  and  deeds 
of  scores  of  God's  dear  ones,  who  then  labored  and  suffered 
for  him,  but  who  now  rest  and  reign  with  him,  come  crowd- 
ing upon  my  memory.  The  Gosses,  and  Guthries,  and 
Knowleses,  and  Hoaglands,  and  IVrGlochlins,  and  Kidwclls, 
and  Smiths,  and  Palmers,  and  Buels,  and  Lynches,  and 
Protsmans,  and  Lakes,  and  those  of  like  spirit  and  worth, 
were  there — yea,  blessed  be  God!  I  shall  hail  them  by  and 
by  in  the  kingdom  of  God. 

During  this  year  our  second  son,  William  Fletcher,  now 
a  member  of  the  Rock  River  Conference,  was  born.  We 
q:ave  him  to  God  in  Christian  baptism  at  a  quarterly  meet- 
ing at  Newberry,  Rev.  John  Brown  officiating. 

At  the  close  of  the  year  I  was  seized  with  typhoid  fever, 
and  for  weeks,  at  my  father's  house  on  the  Hockhocking, 
my  life  trembled  in  the  balance. 

The  plan  of  appointments  for  the  year,  which  we  give  on 
the  next  page,  will  show  the  reader  how  fully  the  time  of 
the  preacher  was  occupied. 


MARIETTA   CIRCUIT,   OHIO. 


139 


PLAN  OF  MARIETTA  CIRCUIT. 


HOUR. 


PLACE. 


Tuesday  — 
Wednesday 
Thursday... 

Friday 

Saturday  ... 
Sunday 


Tuesday 

Wednesday. 
Thursday.... 

Friday 

Saturday  .... 

Sunday 

Thursday.... 

Friday 

Saturday  .... 

Sunday 

Monday 

Tuesday 

Wednesday. 


10, 

A. 

M 

Xi, 

:^ht 

1*^, 

M 
P. 

2, 

M 

1?, 

P. 

2, 

M 

2, 

P. 

M 

11, 

A. 

M 

4, 

P. 

M 

1?, 

M 
M 
P. 

1"^. 

2, 

M 

T^, 

M 
P. 

3, 

M 

11, 

A. 

M 

1, 

P. 

M 

l?r, 

M 
A. 

T^, 

11, 

M 

2, 

P. 

M 

1^, 

M 
M 

12. 

Marietta. 
Port  Harmar. 
Xixon's. 
Lynch's. 
Goss's. 
Rainbow. 
Sprague's. 
Featherstone's. 
Watterford's  Landing. 
Callahan's. 
Miller's. 
'Palmer's. 
;  Smith's. 

iLake's  School-House. 
Barlow. 

Forks  of  Hocking. 
Daniel  Goss's. 
Decatur. 
Xewberry. 

Belpre,  Ann's  School-House. 
Moore's. 
Jacob  Bridge's. 


140  HIGHWAYS    AM)    HEDGES, 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

GUYANDOTTE  CIRCUIT,  VIRGINIA. 
1S2.1-26. 

rpiIE  Conference  met  at  Columbus,  October  12,  1825. 
J-  Bishops  George  and  Roberts  presided.  We  had  an 
interesting  session.  The  Bishops  of  the  United  Brethren 
Church  attended,  hoping  to  make  arrangements  by  which 
the  class-meeting  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
should  be  open  to  the  members  of  the  United  Brethren 
Church.  Our  Bishops,  however,  not  having  the  power  to 
change  our  rules,  nothing  could  be  done  in  that  direction  in 
the  Annual  Conference. 

The  following  preachers  were  admitted  on  trial :  John 
Hill,  Absalom  D.  Fox,  John  W.  Clarke,  wTlIiam  B.  Chris- 
tie, Samuel  P.  Shaw,  John  C.  Havens,  John  Ferrce,  Henry 
0.  Sheldon,  John  W.  Gilbert,  Philip  Strawther,  and  John 
W.  Young.  In  this  list  the  reader  will  discover  the  names 
of  some  who  afterward  became  princes  in  our  Israel,  and 
whose  memory  is  embalmed  in  a  multitude  of  hearts,  but 
the  indefatigable  Clarke,  and  the  eloquent  Christie,  and  the 
pathetic  Ferree,  and  others  of  them  have  graduated  to  their 
rest  above. 

We  recorded  the  death  of  Nathan  Walker.  He  was 
born  in  Montgomery  county,  Maryland,  October  20,  1795, 
and  died  August  26,  1825.  He  was  received  on  trial  in 
1820.  His  last  charge  was  Deer  Creek  circuit,  and  he  died 
at  the  house  of  Mrs.  Butler,  at  Oldtown.     He  was  diligent 


GUYANDOTTE    CURCUIT,    VIRGINIA.  141 

and  faithful  as  a  preaclier,  and  lei't  a  clear  and  honorable 
record.     At  this  Conference  I  received  my  appointment  to 
Guyandotte  circuit,   Virginia.      The   Kanawha  district  had 
just  been  formed,  mostly  of  circuits  which,  by  a  change  of 
Conference  lines,  had  been   transferred  from  the  Kentucky 
to  the  Ohio  Conference.     The  appointment  was  by  no  means 
a  desirable  one,  in  view  of  my  prostration   from    sickness. 
As   soon,    however,    as    I   was    able  to  venture    out  of   the 
house,  we  packed  up  and  started  for  our  field  of  labor.     By 
the  persuasion  of  our  friends  we  left  our  oldest  son,  John 
"Wesley,  to  spend  the  Winter  with  our  parents.     3Iy  horse 
was  full  of  life  and  very  restive,  and  I  had  so  little  strength 
that  it  was  with  the  greatest  difficulty  that  I  could  manage 
him.     AYe  reached  the  Ohio  River  in  the  midst  of  a  severe 
storm   of  rain  and  snow.     The  ferry-boat  was  half  full   of 
water  and  snow;    the  horse  was  frightened,  so  that  we  had 
to  get  out  of  the  carriage  and   stand    on  the  wet  ground 
nearly  two  hours,  while   the  ferryman  was   getting  his  boat 
iu    order   to  take   us   across  the  river.     My  wife,  with   our 
youngest  child  in  her  arms,  and  he  a  very  delicate  babe,  was 
severely  chilled,  and  weak  as   I  was  it  was  a  severe  draft 
on    my  vitality.      In   process   of   time,  however,  we    found 
ourselves  comfortably  seated  by  a  cheerful  fire  in  the  tavern, 
on  the  Virginia  side.     The  kind  hostess  felt  great  anxiety 
in  regard  to  our  health,  and  especially  in  regard  to  the  del- 
icate babe.     She  would  walk   the   floor,  back   and  forth,  so 
excited  that  she  really  thought  that  the  child  was  dying. 
We   enjoyed,  however,  a  comfortable   bed,  a  good    night's 
rest,  and,  by  the  blessing   of  God,  in   the   morning   found 
ourselves  none  the  worse  for  our  exposure.     The  landlady 
was  greatly  gratified,  and  fell  so  much  in  love  with  the  babo 
tliat  she  went  and  purchased  several  presents  for  him  before 
we  left  the  house. 

After  prospecting  my  work  I  found   nothing   to  change 


142  lllGilWAYS    AND    HEDGES.  ' 

tlic  gloomy  impression  1  Ii.kI  received  in  reo^ard  to  it.  I 
had  bcl'urc  luc  a  ruumjd  ride  ol'  two  liuiidrcd  and  fifty  miles 
eacli  round  of  my  circuit,  through  a  wild  and  mountainous 
region,  about  twenty-five  preaching  places,  no  parsonage  for 
my  family,  but  few  rest  days  in  the  year  to  spend  with 
my  family,  and  a  prospect  of  a  very  meager  support. 
IMy  wife,  who  had  never  faltered  in  meeting  any  of  the 
duties  or  sacrifices  incident  to  our  work,  now  passed 
through  a  severe  ordeal  of  temptation.  Her  loneliness  in 
view  of  the  absence  of  one  of  the  children,  her  solicitude 
in  regard  to  my  health,  her  dread  of  being  so  much  alone, 
and  surrounded  by  a  slave  population,  all  combined  to 
throw  a  dark  shadow  for  the  time  along  the  path  of  the 
future. 

The  search  for  a  bouse  resulted  in  the  offer  by  an  excel- 
lent brother.  Dr.  Paine,  of  the  log-cabin  about  a  mile 
from  Guyandotte,  which  he  had  formerly  occupied,  but 
which  for  years  past  had  been  occupied  as  a  sheep-fold.  It 
seemed  to  be  the  best  that,  under  the  circumstances,  could  1 
be  done.  So  the  sheep  were  turned  out,  that  the  shep- 
herd might  be  turned  in.  After  days  of  cleaning,  scrubbing, 
and  fixing  we  were  settled  in  our  new  home,  and  my  excel- 
lent companion,  determining  to  make  the  best  possible  out 
of  existing  circumstances,  proposed  to  open  a  school  for 
children,  and  so  assist  in  gaining  a  support  for  the  family. 
And  it  was  well  she  did,  for  while  that  great  circuit  gave 
us  but  sixty  dollars  quarterage  during  the  year,  she  earned 
eighty  dollars  in  her  teaching,  and  putting  both  together 
we  succeeded  in  keeping  the  wolf  from  the  door. 

The  following  is  a  brief  outline  of  the  route  of  my  cir- 
cuit: From  Guyandotte,  the  starting  point,  I  went  up  the 
Guyandotte  River  to  Barboursville ;  then  on  to  Mopin's 
tavern  and  Black's  tavern;  thence  to  Miller's,  in  Tey's 
Valley;  then    on   to  the  mouth  of   Coal  River,  on  the  Big 


GUYANDOTTE    CIRCUIT,    VIRGINIA.  143 

Kanawha.  Pushing  on  up  the  Coal  River  some  distance, 
I  crossed  over  to  Mud  River ;  thence  across  to  the  falls  of 
Guyandotte  River;  thence  over  to  Twelve-Pole;  thence 
over  to  the  Big  Sandy  River,  which  I  followed  down  to  its 
mouth;  then  I  followed  up  the  Ohio  River  to  the  mouth 
of  Twelve-Pole,  and  on  up  the  Ohio  to  Guyandotte  town, 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Guyandotte  River. 

The  people  received  me  with  great  cordiality,  and  treated 
me  with  marked  kindness,  as  they  always  did  their  preach- 
ers. Though  they  lived  in  a  rough  country,  and  many  of 
them  were  rough  in  their  style  of  living,  yet  they  had 
warm  hearts,  were  proverbial  for  their  hospitality,  and 
seldom  failed  during  the  year  to  develop  an  affection  as 
between  pastor  and  people  as  made  each  loath  to  say  good- 
by  to  the  other  when  the  year's  work  was  accomplished. 
Nor  were  the  people  all  rude  and  uncultivated.  There 
were  at  different  appointments  of  the  circuit  many  families 
of  culture  that  would  have 'adorned  society  anywhere.  I 
had  on  my  list  of  local  preachers  some  persons  of  marked 
ability,  men  devoted  to  the  doctrines  and  discipline  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  who  were  a  tower  of 
strength  in  her  counsels  and  in  her  pulpits.  Among  these 
I  w^ould  mention  Burwell  and  Stephen  Spurlock.  They 
were  brothers.  Burwell  was  the  ablest  and  most  popular 
pulpit  man,  but  both  were  men  of  great  influence  and  ac- 
ceptability. AVilliam  ]M'Comas,  also,  was  an  influential 
local  preacher.  He  had  been  a  leading  and  popular  politi- 
cian, having  represented  the  people  both  in  the  State  Leg- 
islature and  the  National  Conirress.  He  had  a  son.  William 
Wirt  M'Comas,  a  young  man  of  great  promise,  who  was 
afterward  licensed,  and  recommended  to  the  Ohio  Confer- 
ence, under  my  administration.  I  prized  the  counsel  and 
friendship  of  these  very  highly,  and  profoundl}^  regret  that, 
in  the  prosecution  of  this  narrative,  wc  shall  have  to  find 


141  HIGllWAVS    AND    lU.DGKS. 

these  same  persons  luarslialinjj:  witli  tlio  bitterest  foes  of  the 
C'hiircli,  and  in  tlic  interest  ol"  Aniericun  j^laxory  preparing 
the  minds  ol'  the  people  for  rel»cllion  against  tlie  supreme 
power  of  the  State.  Had  any  one  then  sufrgest^d  the  pos- 
sibility of  such  a  state  of  things,  both  they  and  myself, 
with  equal  indignation,  would  have  said,  "Is  thy  servant  a 
dog,  that  he  should  do  this  thing?" 

During  the  last  hall'  of  this  year  we  lived  at  Barbours- 
villc.  There  was  but  one  member  of  the  Church  at  that 
place — an  old  colored  brother — and  the  place  abounded  in 
iniquity  ;  but  there  were  a  few  families  there  solicitous  to 
secure  the  services  of  my  wife  as  school-teacher.  As  they 
offered  her  au  advance  on  the  waj>;es  she  was  receivins:,  it 
was  thought  best  to  make  the  change.  Mrs.  Ladeley,  the 
wife  of  a  respectable  lawyer  of  the  place,  was  chiefly  in- 
strumental in  bringing  about  this  arrangement;  and  thou'>h 
she  did  not  at  that  time  profess  to  be  a  Christian,  she 
proved  to  be  a  good  neighbor,  find  used  her  influence  to  en- 
courage the  establishment  of  preaching  in  the  place.  We 
rented  part  of  a  large  brick  tavern,,  which  well  accommo- 
dated us  for  both  residence  and  school-house.  The  tenants 
in  the  other  part  of  the  house  were  at  first  quite  disgusted 
with  the  idea  of  a  Methodist  preacher  so  near,  but  they  soon 
dismissed  their  prejudices  and  became  good  and  pleasant 
neighbors. 

There  was  one  feature  of  our  new  residence  that  was  any 
thing  but  pleasant  to  us.  The  public  whipping-post  was 
directly  in  front  of  our  door,  and  not  unfrequently  we  there 
had  demonstration  that  the  way  of  some  transgressors  even 
in  this  world  is  hard.  This  mode  of  punishment  was  not 
confined  to  negroes  and  the  most  degraded  classes  of  crim- 
inals. There  was  a  man  who  had  been  regarded  as  honest 
and  respectable  convicted  of  theft,  and  sentenced  to  be  put 
in  jail  for  a   certain    length  of  time,  and  once  in  so  many 


GUVAKDOTTE    CIRCUIT,    VIRGINIA.  145 

days  to  receive  a  complement  of  stripes  on  his  naked  back 
with  a  rawhide  at  the  hands  of  the  sheriif  of  the  county 
Sheriff  M'Ginnis,  though  a  generous  and  warm-hearted 
Virginian,  yet  when  as  the  executor  of  the  commands  of 
the  people,  it  might  be  said  of  him  in  truth  he  bore  not 
the  cowhide  in  vain.  But  it  was  horrible  to  see  a  man 
tied  up  to  the  post  and  bared  to  the  skin,  and  the  blood 
follow^iug  the  rapidly  descending  strokes.  Usually  the 
crowd  of  idlers  gathered  to  witness  the  spectacle,  but  in 
the  case  of  the  one  referred  to  above,  in  view  of  his  previous 
good  standing,  the  people  seemed  to  sympathize  with  him 
and  to  avoid  adding  to  his  mortification  by  their  presence. 
A  merciful  Providence  attended  us  during  the  year,  and 
though  we  entered  upon  it  with  many  misgivings  and  in 
great  physical  weakness,  we  found  ourselves  at  the  close  of 
the  year  in  good  health,  and  had  the  consciousness  that  our 
labor  had  not  been  in  vain.  "We  commended  the  people  to 
God  and  the  word  of  his  grace,  when  the  year's  work  was 
done,  and  turned  our  faces  toward  Ohio  again. 

13 


146  HIGHWAYS    AND    HEDGES. 


CHAPTER   XIV. 

DEER  CREEK  CIRCUIT,  OHIO. 
l«t»«-27. 

n^HE  Conference  which  met  at  Hillsboro,  comraencing 
-L  October  4,  182G,  was  presided  over  by  Bishop  Hedding. 
A  cloom  was  thrown  over  the  whole  Conference  in  conse- 
quence  of  charges  brought  against  the  moral  character  of 
one  of  the  most  popular  preachers  of  the  Conference,  Rev. 
Charles  Waddle.  He  had  been  honored  in  the  pulpits  of 
the  Conference,  and  had  been  elected  by  his  brethren  as 
one  of  the  dele^-ates  to  the  General  Conference  of  1824. 
The  charges  were  sustained  and  he  was  expelled. 

The  following  persons  were  admitted  on  trial :  George  W. 
Walker,  AVeslcy  Browning,  Cyrus  Carpenter,  Benjamin 
Cooper,  Adam  Sellers,  James  Callahan,  Adam  Poe,  John 
Ulin,  Amos  Sparks,  David  Whitcomb,  Stephen  A.  Rath- 
bone;  a  class  some  of  whom  became  men  of  might  in  the 
Church. 

We  recorded  the  death  of  Rev.  John  Walker.  He  was 
born  in  Hampshire  county,  Va.,  February  28,  1797.  He 
entered  the  traveling  connection  in  1821,  and  was  a  faithful 
laborer  until  the  close  of  his  life.  As  he  stood  on  the 
borders  of  the  spirit-world  the  veil  seemed  to  be  drawn 
aside,  and  with  his  expiring  breath  he  exclaimed,  "  I  have 
fought  a  good  fight." 

My  appointment  to  Deer  Creek  circuit  was  altogether 
agreenble  to    my  feelings.     The   travel  was   less   laborious 


DEER    CREEK    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  147 

f 

than  the  mountain  circuit  on  which  I  had  labored  the  past 
year.  This  was  one  of  the  oldest  and  strongest  of  the  cir- 
cuits. It  was  organized  in  1808,  and  thou2:h  its  ori^irinal 
boundaries  have  been  curtailed  from  decade  to  decade  as 
circuits  and  stations  have  been  separated  from  it,  it  has  for 
more  than  sixty  years  maintained  its  identity  and  honorable 
record  on  the  Conference  roll.  As  I  shall  have  occasion  to 
return  to  this  circuit  again  far  down  in  the  narrative,  when 
I  shall  preach  the  Gospel  to  the  grandchildren  of  those 
who  are  my  hearers  in  1827,  I  will  postpone  to  that  time 
what  I  have  to  record  in  regard  to  the  history  of  the  cir- 
cuit. Ill  1827  I  found  the  following  list  of  appointments: 
Waugh's,  Riley's,  Salem,  Knight's,  Hayes's,  Inglish's,  Upper 
Egypt,  Lower  Egypt,  Brown's,  Fisher's,  Rector's,  Little- 
ton's, Dry  Run,  Oldtown,  Moberry's,  Ely's,  Given's,  Bethel, 
Buckskin,  and  Durflinger's.  My  colleague  was  Rev.  John 
Ferree,  a  young  man  of  deep  and  uniform  piety  whose 
whole  soul  was  consecrated  to  the  work  of  soul-saving.  He 
was  indefatigable  in  the  prosecution  of  such  studies  as 
would  better  prepare  him  for  his  work,  and  his  pulpit  min- 
istrations were  characterized  by  a  simplicity  and  tender- 
ness that  seldom  failed  to  reach  and  move  his  hearers.  All 
ages  respected  him,  and  I  found  him  to  be  a  most  valuable 
fellow-worker. 

Our  presiding  elder  this  year  was  Rev.  Russel  Bigelow, 
one  of  the  5:randest  men  ever  associated  with  the  Methodist 
pulpit.  His  powerful  ministrations  gave  wonderful  intere.st 
to  our  quarterly  meetings  and  camp-meetings.  Many  per- 
sons of  education  and  refinement  who  had  little  acquaint- 
ance with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  but  who  were 
strongly  prejudiced  against  both  our  doctrine  and  usages, 
abandoned  their  prejudices  after  hearing  a  sermon  from 
this  mighty  man. 

On   a  certain  occasion  a  young  man   of  culture  and   fine 


148  HIGHWAYS  and  hedges. 

moral  scnsil)ill(ios  was  iniporlunod  to  attnnd  a  iMcthodist 
eanip-nicctinj;.  lie  utterly  refused,  regardiTig  such  gather- 
ings as  pernicious,  and  having  a  horror  of  Methodism.  He 
was  induced,  however,  to  go  to  sec  a  patient  on  the  camp- 
ground. Before  he  was  ready  to  leave  the  ground  the  horn 
sounded  for  public  service,  and  he  sat  down  to  listeu  to  a 
discourse.  We  extract  the  account  which  he  afterward 
gave  of  the  man  and  the  occasion: 

"I  dreaded,"  says  he,  "the  occasion,  but  had  always 
been  educated  to  venerate  religion,  and  had  never  seen  the 
day  when  I  could  ridicule  or  disturb  even  a  Mohammedan 
at  his  prayers  or  the  pagan  at  his  idol.  In  the  pulpit  were 
many  clergymen,  two  of  whom  I  knew  and  esteemed — the 
one  a  tall  and  majestic  man,  wiiose  vigorous  frame  symbol- 
ized his  noble  mind  and  generous  heart;  the  other  a  small, 
delicate,  graceful  gentleman,  whom  nature  had  fitted  for  a 
universal  favorite.  Had  I  been  consulted,  one  of  them 
should  have  occupied  the  pulpit  at  that  time. 

"All  was  stillness  when  the  presiding  elder  stepped  for- 
ward. Never  was  I  so  disappointed  in  a  man's  personal 
appearance.  He  was  below  the  middle  stature,  and  clad  in 
coarse,  ill-made  garments.  His  uncombed  hair  hung  loosely 
over  his  forehead.  His  attitudes  and  motions  were  exceed- 
ingly ungraceful,  and  every  feature  of  his  countenance  was 
unprepossessing.  Upon  minutely  examining  him,  however, 
I  became  better  pleased.  The  long  hair  that  came  down  to 
his  cheeks  concealed  a  broad  and  prominent  forehead;  the 
keen  eyes  that  peered  from  beneath  his  heavy  and  over- 
jutting  eyebrows  beamed  with  deep  and  penetrating  intel- 
ligence; the  prominent  cheek-bones,  projecting  chin,  and 
large  nose  indicated  any  thing  but  intellectual  feebleness, 
while  the  wide  mouth,  depressed  at  its  corners,  the  slightly 
expanded  nostrils,  and  the  t<mt-enseinble  indicated  sorrow 
and  love,  and  well   assorted  with  the  message,  'Come  unto 


DEER   CREEK    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  149 

iiie  all  ye  that  labor  and  are  heav}'  laden,  and  I  will  give 
you  rest.' 

"As  he  commenced  I  determined  to  watch  for  his  faults, 
but  before  he  had  closed  his  introduction  I  concluded  that 
his  words  were  pure  and  well  chosen,  his  accents  never  mis- 
placed, liis  sentences  grammatical,  artistically  constructed, 
and  well  arranged  both  for  harmony  and  effect,  and  when 
he  entered  fully  upon  his  subject  I  was  disposed  to  resign 
my&elf  to  the  argument  and  leave  the  speaker  in  the  hands 
of  more  skillful  critics.  Having  stated  and  illustrated  his 
position  clearly,  he  laid  broad  the  foundation  of  his  argu- 
ment, and  piled  stone  upon  stone,  hewed  and  polished,  until 
he  stood  upon  a  majestic  pyramid,  with  heaven's  own  light 
around  him,  pointing  the  astonished  multitude  to  a  brighter 
home  beyond  the  sun,  and  bidding  defiance  to  the  enemy 
to  move  one  frairment  of  the  rock  on  which  his  feet  were 
planted.  His  argument  being  completed,  his  peroration  com- 
menced. This  was  grand  beyond  description.  The  whole 
universe  seemed  animated  by  its  Creator  to  aid  him  in  per- 
suading the  sinner  to  return  to  God,  and  the  angels  com- 
missioned to  open  heaven  and  come  down  to  strengthen 
him.  Now  he  opens  the  mouth  of  the  pit  and  takes  us 
through  its  gloomy  avenues,  while  the  bolts  retreat,  and 
the  doors  of  damnation  burst  open,  and  the  wail  of  the  lost 
enters  our  ears.  And  now  he  opens  heaven,  transports  us 
to  the  flowery  plains,  stands  up  amid  the  armies  of  the 
blessed,  to  sweep,  with  celestial  fingers,  angelic  harps,  and 
join  the  eternal  chorus,  'Worthy,  worthy  is  the  Lamb!' 

"As  he  closed  his  discourse  every  energy  of  his  body  and 
mind  were  stretched  to  the  utmost  point  of  tension.  His 
soul  appeared  to  be  too  great  for  its  tenement,  and  every 
moment  ready  to  burst  through  and  soar  away  as  an  eagle 
toward  heaven.  His  lungs  labored,  his  arms  rose,  the  per- 
spiration,  mingled   with    tears,   flowed    in    a    steady   stream 


150  HIGHWAYS    AND    HKHGES. 

upon  ihv  floor,  and  every  tiling  about  him  seemed  to  say, 
*0  that  iny  head  were  waters!'  But  the  audience  thought 
not  of  the  struggling  body,  nor  even  of  the  giant  mind 
within,  for  they  were  paralyzed  beneath  the  avalanche  of 
thought  that  descended  upon  them.  I  lost  the  man,  but 
the  subject  was  all  iu  all.  I  returned  from  the  ground  dis- 
satisfied with  myself,  saying  within  mc,  '0  that  I  were  a 
Christian!'" 

That  young  man  afterward  sought  admission  into  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  was  called  to  the  work  of  the 
ministry,  was  elevated  from  one  post  of  responsibility  to 
another,  until  he  occupied  a  place  on  the  Episcopal  Board, 
and  became  honored  and  loved  throughout  the  whole  de- 
nomination. 

But  to  return.  It  is  not  at  all  strange  that,  with  such 
pulpit  ministrations,  our  quarterly  and  camp-meetings  wore 
looked  forward  to  with  large  expectations.  But  there  were 
other  circumstances  that  gave  the  quarterly  meetings  of 
those  days  decidedly  the  advantage  of  those  of  the  present. 
The  circuits  then  extended  over  a  large  scope  of  country, 
and  the  majority  of  the  societies  had  preaching  only  once 
in  two  weeks,  and  then  on  a  week-day !  A  Sabbath  and  sac- 
ramental service  had  powerful  attraction,  and  they  thronged 
from  these  distant  appointments  to  spend  two  or  three  days 
in  their  spiritual  Jerusalem.  Then,  the  presiding  elder  not 
having  more  appointments  than  he  was  able  to  attend  in 
person,  he  was  able  to  be  present  at  four  quarterly  meetings 
on  each  charge  each  year.  We  had  on  Deer  Creek  circuit, 
at  this  time,  nearly  a  thousand  members  scattered  through 
some  twenty-odd  oppointments.  The  reader  may  fancy, 
then,  what  a  moving  there  would  be  toward  the  place  of 
quarterly  meeting  after  they  had  once  enjoyed  the  ministra- 
tions of  Bussel  Bigelow. 

The  parsonage  on  this  circuit  was  in  a  country  place,  on 


DEER    CREEK    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  151 

Dry  Run.  It  -was  a  hewed  Jog-Louse,  and  embowered  in  a 
beautiful  maple  forest.  The  nearest  neighbors  were  about 
a  quarter  of  a  mile  distant,  so  that,  except  when  the  forest 
was  stripped  of  its  foliage,  we  were  entirely  out  of  sight  of 
any  other  human  habitation.  The  neighbors  were  constant 
and  lavish  in  their  attentions  to  ni}^  family,  sending  in  sup- 
plies almost  daily  of  what  was  needed  for  our  comfort,  and 
usually  some  one  of  the  neighbor  girls  would  come  to  stay 
with  the  family  at  night  when  I  was  absent  ou  the  circuit. 
On  Sabbath,  too,  some  one  of  the  neighbors  would  call  to 
assist  the  family  to  church.  But,  with  all  this  kind  atten- 
tion, the  isolated  location  of  the  parsonage  caused  us  much 
inconvenience. 

On  one  occasion,  in  my  absence,  my  companion  was 
waked  at  midnight  by  the  difficult  breathing  of  our  second 
sou.  She  found  that  he  was  suffering  with  a  very  severe 
attack  of  croup,  and  before  it  was  possible  for  her  to  pre- 
pare any  such  remedy  as  was  within  reach  he  appeared  to 
be  gasping  in  the  very  embrace  of  death.  It  was  imprac- 
ticable to  send  to  any  of  the  neighbors.  But,  by  the  bless- 
ing of  God  on  her  endeavors,  the  violence  of  tho  disease 
was  arrested,  and  the  child  recovered. 

On  another  occasion,  while  the  little  boys  were  playing  in 
the  forest  near  the  house,  one  of  them  by  accident  severely 
wounded  the  other  with  a  tomahawk.  The  screams  of  the 
boys,  one  of  them  screaming  with  fright  and  the  other  with 
pain,  soon  called  my  companion  to  the  place.  She  carried 
the  wounded  one  in  her  arms  to  the  house,  and  held  the 
mangled  member  tightly  in  her  hands,  so  as  to  prevent  as 
much  as  possible  the  flowing  of  blood,  until  the  oldest  son, 
a  little  boy  only  six  years  old,  ran  to  the  nearest  neighbor, 
a  quarter  of  a  mile  distant,  and  obtained  assistance.  The 
spring  from  which  we  obtained  water  was  about  eighty  rods 
distant,  and  when  we  were  without   older  company  to  care 


152  HIGHWAYS    AND    HEDGES. 

for  tlic  little  ones,  their  mother  innJe  this  arranj::emeat  with 
thciii  to  prevent  them  gettinjj;  into  danger  in  lier  absence  to 
get  water:  Tlie  oldest  boy  was  put  at  the  cradle,  with  in- 
structions to  rock  the  cradle,  and  the  second  boy  took  his 
station  by  the  side  of  a  chair,  to  which  he  was  tied  with  a 
string,  lie  became  so  well  accustomed  to  this  performance 
that  as  soon  as  he  would  see  his  mother  get  the  watcr-pail, 
he  would  hurry  to  hunt  up  the  string  and  place  himself  in 
position  for  his  temporary  imprisonment.  It  was  impossible 
for  me  so  to  arrange  my  plan  as  to  avoid  being  absent  from 
home  very  much  of  the  time.  In  this  retired  place  our 
third  son,  Daniel  Asbury,  was  given  to  us,  a  lovely  babe, 
but  destined  to  be  soon  transferred  to  the  companionship 
of  the  blessed  above. 

About  the  middle  of  the  year  my  wife  was  taken  down 
with  typhoid  fever.  One  of  the  most  skillful  physicians 
attended  her,  and  was  most  faithful  in  doing  all  that  he 
could  do,  but  she  grew  worse  and  worse,  until  the  physician 
despaired  of  her  recovery.  He  said  that  he  had  never  read 
of  but  one  case  of  recovery  where  the  symptoms  were  so 
bad  as  hers.  He  left  expecting  that  she  would  die  that 
night. 

The  impression  had  been  strong  upon  her  mind  from  the 
beginning  that  she  would  not  recover,  and  being  exceed- 
ingly happy  in  the  presence  of  the  Savior  and  the  hope  of 
heaven,  she  was  much  averse  to  taking  medicine.  At  her 
request  the  children  were  brought  to  her  bedside ;  she  em- 
braced them,  and  gave  her  dying  counsel  and  charge  to  the 
boys,  then  gave  me  directions  in  regard  to  her  burial.  She 
requested  that  brother  Bigelow  should  preach,  and  selected 
as  the  text,  "  Be  ye  therefore  also  ready,"  and  sent  as  a 
message  to  her  parents  and  friends  the  triumphant  language 
of  Paul,  "  I  have  fought  the  good  fight,  I  have  finished  my 
course,"  etc.     Ah  who  can  tell  the  feelings  of  my  heart! 


DEER    CREEK    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  15 


r.O 


• 


Now  I  had  no  place  to  go  to  but  to  the  great  Physician. 
His  eye  was  upon  me  and  upon  these  little  ones.  He  could 
sanctify  the  most  simple  remedies  for  the  accomplishment 
of  the  most  wonderful  cures,  or  he  could  work  independent 
of  means.  And  if  in  answer  to  prayer  he  raised  up  Paul's 
friend  lest  he  should  have  sorrow  upon  sorrow,  why  should 
he  not  hearken  to  me  ?  He  did,  and  that  night  she  began 
to  amend.  The  physician  learning  that  she  was  still  living 
returned  to  see  her,  and  she  recovered  rapidly,  so  that  in  a 
few  weeks  she  was  able  to  resume  the  care  of  her  house 
again,.  But  before  she  was  thoroughly  recovered,  the  infant 
was  seized  with  cholera  infantum.  Dr.  Denning,  the  noble- 
hearted  and  skillful  physician  at  Oldtown — now  Frank- 
fort— invited  us  to  bring  the  child  to  his  house,  where  he 
could  give  it  more  constant  attention.  We  did  so,  but  it 
pleased  the  Lord  that  little  Daniel -Asbury  should  be  trans- 
ferred to  a  better  home  than  he  could  have  on  earth.  On 
the  day  that  he  would  have  been  nine  months  old  we  laid 
his  remains  away  in  the  village  cemetery.  And  now  we 
realized  a  pang  incident  to  our  itinerant  vocation  that  we 
had  not  known  before.  The  forms  of  our  loved  ones  are 
destined  to  be  scattered^  and  we  shall  not  have  the  sad 
privilege  of  often  visiting  the  graves  of  our  loved  ones. 
But  then,  thank  God!  there  will  be  a  resurrection  of  the 
dead,  and  the  fragments  of  the  family  shall  be  gathered 
again  in  that  great  day. 

Dr.  Denning,  the  physician  above  referred  to,  who  at- 
tended us. in  sickness,  gave  us  the  freedom  of  his  house,  and 
spared  no  pains  or  expense  to  alleviate  our  suflferings  and  add 
to  our  comforts,  was  an  able  and  valuable  man  and  physi- 
cian. I  had  the  honor  and  unspeakable  pleasure  of  leading 
him  to  Christ,  and  of  recording  his  name  on  the  roll  of  the 
visible  Church.  Some  years  after  this  he  removed  his 
family   to   Lafayette,  Indiana,   where   he   died.     Before  he 


154  lilGUWAViJ    AND    HEDGES. 

died  he  rccjuestcd  that  a  chair  should  be  left  standing  at 
tlic  licad  of  bis  j^ravc.  Could  it  be  my  privilege  to  visit 
that  grave  niethinks  1  could  spend  hours  in  profitable  med- 
itation, as  I  would  recall  the  memories  of  the  past,  and 
dwell  upon  the  brevity  and  vanity,  the  dignity  and  sublim- 
ity of  life. 

Among  those  that  I  received  into  the  Church  during  that 
year,  besides  the  one  above-mentioned,  and  who  proved  to 
be  valuable  accessions  to  the  Church,  I  recall  with  peculiar 
pleasure  the  names  of  Tillman  llittenhouse,  who  afterward 
served  his  country  faithfully  and  honorably  on  the  judicial 
bench,  and  David  Reed,  who  afterward  became  an  able  and 
popular  minister  in  the  Ohio  Conference.  How  my  heart 
swells  with  gratitude  to  God,  now  while  I  am  writing,  that 
the  great  Head  of  the  Church  put  such  honor  upon  me  as 
to  give  me  such  men  as  my  spiritual  children !  But  all 
three  of  them  have  outstripped  me  in  the  race  and  have 
lauded  on  th3  other  shore. 

The  following  local  preachers  were  on  the  plan  of  my  cir- 
cuit, and  gave  me  assistance  during  the  year :  Rev.  Joseph 
Hays  had  been  an  able  and  efficient  traveling  preacher,  but 
his  wife  having  died,  he  found  it  necessary  to  give  more  of 
his  time  to  the  care  and  education  of  his  children.  He  re- 
mained a  widower,  and  brought  up  his  children  with  great 
respectability.  Brother  Atherton  followed  school-teaching 
as  a  profession.  He  was  a  scientific  man;  his  preaching 
was  of  an  intellectual  type,  and  was  listened  to  with  much 
interest.  William  Hughey  was  a  good  preacher  and  much 
appreciated  by  the  people,  but  he  committed  the  great  mis- 
take of  running  with  the  radical  excitement  and  connecting 
himself  with  the  so-called  "  reformers."  John  Jenkins 
was  also  infected  with  this  excitement,  so  as  to  damage  both 
his  enjoyment  and  usefulness  for  the  time  being,  but  in 
after  years  he   settled  down,  and  spent  the  evening  of  his 


DEER    CREEK    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  155 

days  feeling  at  home  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
When  many  years  after  this,  my  son,  a  stripling  boy  eight- 
een years  of  age,  was  sent  on  to  the  Frankfort  circuit,  he 
found  a  hearty  welcome  and  valuable  encouragement  at  the 
house  of  brother  Jenkins.  Rev.  Jesse  Bowdle  was  of  a 
large  and  respectable  family,  and  as  a  Christian  and  min- 
ister he  was  sound  to  the  core.  Stephen  Timmons  had  been 
in  the  regular  work,  both  in  the  East  and  in  the  West.  He 
was  father  of  Rev.  F.  A.  Timmons,  of  the  Ohio  Conference, 
who  came  into  full  connection  in  the  Church  under  my  ad- 
ministration that  year.  He  had  marked  peculiarities,  and 
the  country  was  full  of  amusing  anecdotes  setting  forth  his 
eccentricities.  He  greatly  admired  humility,  and  detested 
any  thing  that  looked  like  pride  in  the  traveling  preachers. 
In  1814  H.  B.  Bascom  was  the  junior  preacher  on  the  cir- 
cuit, and  on  the  occasion  of  one  of  his  visits  to  brother 
Timmons,  the  latter  brother  is  said  to  have  adopted  the 
followino;  mode  of  takins:  the  starch  out  of  the  clothes  and 
the  blacking  off  the  boots  of  the  young  ^preacher.  Just 
before  time  for  the  preacher  to  get  ready  to  go  to  his  ap- 
pointment, brother  Timmons  turned  his  horse  into  a  large 
corn-field,  when  a  muddy  chase  of  an  hour  after  the  frol- 
icking horse,  in  a  field  full  of  burs,  effectually  did  the 
work  as  far  as  outward  appearances  were  concerned.  Rev. 
Reuben  Roe  had  been  in  the  regular  work,  and  was  a  val- 
uable and  acceptable  preacher.  Brother  3Iaddox  was  also 
a  good  worker,  loyal  to  the  Church  and  esteemed  by  the 
people. 

Then  among  the  laity  there  were  the  M'Neils,  and  Rit- 
tenhouses,  and  Browns,  and  Bowdles,  and  Withgots,  and 
Hursts,  and  Crabbs,  and  Waughs,  and  Robbinses,  and 
Blacks,  and  Augustuses,  and  Shepherds,  and  Rectors,  and 
Littletons,  and  Hossletons,  and  others,  a  noble  host,  never 
to  be  forgotten. 


156  HIGH  WAYS    AM)    ]n:UGES. 

M  V  liad  a  uraiul  oainp-inccting  near  tlic  close  of  tlic  year, 
in  the  ncigliborlioud  ul"  Oldtuwn.  Tlierc  was  an  immense 
gathering  of  the  people  and  an  able  corps  of  preachers,  and 
the  meeting  resulted  in  much  L-^ood.  llcv,  Zachariah  Con- 
ncll  preardicd  a  very  able  sermon  on,  "  Is  there  no  balm 
in  Gilcad?"  etc.  Kev.  E.  (J.  Wood  preached  a  valuable 
sermon  on  "The  Highway."  llcv.  H.  0.  Sheldon  gave  effi- 
cient ludji,  and  manifested  much  ingenuity  in  his  mode  of 
reproving  the  rowdies.  As  they  were  so  boisterous  one 
night  as  to  prevent  sleep,  the  people  were  called  up  at  mid- 
night for  preaching,  and  brother  Sheldon  took  the  stand. 
Pointing  with  his  finger  as  though  he  had  his  eye  on  some 
one  in  the  distance,  he  exclaimed,  "  Friend,  how  earnest 
thou  in  hither,  not  having  a  wedding  garment?"  He  said 
there  was  an  old  tradition  that  in  the  beginning  of  our  race 
the  Creator,  having  made  a  number  of  bodies,  put  them 
out  to  dry  preparatory  to  furnishing  them  with  souls,  and 
that  a  few  of  them  ran  away  in  that  unfinished  state.  He 
then  suggested  the  query  whether  those  persons  that  were 
howling  through  the  forest,  to  the  annoyance  of  sensible 
people,  might  not  be  descendants  of  those  unfortunate  soul- 
less people. 

The  Conference  met  September  19,  1827,  in  the  old 
Stone  Chapel,  in  the  city  of  Cincinnati,  Bishop  M'Kendree 
presiding,  assisted  by  Bishops  George  and  Soule.  It  was  the 
time  of  the  quadrennial  election  of  delegates  to  General 
Conference.  We  received  on  trial  John  Wood,  Gilbert 
Blue,  Jesse  Hoe,  Frederick  Butler,  William  T.  Snow,  and 
James  Armstrong.  We  elected  the  following  brethren  to 
represent  our  Conference  in  the  General  Conference,  which 
was  to  meet  at  Pittsburg  the  first  of  May  next :  Jacob 
Young,  David  Young,  J.  B.  Finley,  J.  F.  Wright,  R.  Bige- 
low,  G.  B.  Jones,  James  Quinn,  John  Collins,  Moses  Crume, 
Leroy  Swormstedt,  John  Brown.     AVe  recorded  the  death 


DEER   CREEK    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  157 

of  Rev.  John  Sale.  He  was  a  native  of  Virginia.  Entered 
the  travelino:  connection  iu  1796.  He  died  at  tlic  house 
of  brother  French,  near  Troy,  Ohio,  January  15,  1827. 
He  commenced  his  itinerant  labors  in  the  North-west  in 
1803,  and  had  the  honor  of  laying  the  foundation  of 
Methodism  in  many  places.  By  some,  the  honor  is  attrib- 
uted to  him  of  forming  the  first  society  in  Cincinnati,  but 
we  have  gone  with  what  seems  to  be  the  main  current  of 
evidence  in  giving  that  honor  to  Rev.  John  Collins. 

I  was  returned  to  Deer  Creek  circuit,  with  Rev.  Adam 
Sellers  for  my  colleague,  and  Rev.  John  Collins  for  my 
presiding  elder.  My  colleague  proved  to  be  a  fliithful 
preacher,  and  a  superior  business  man.  The  presiding 
elder,  though  not  the  intellectual  giant  that  his  predecessor 
was,  yet  as  a  man  of  power  among  the  masses  of  the  peo- 
ple, had  few  equals,  and,  perhaps,  no  superiors.  He  was 
emphatically  a  "  son  of  consolation,"  and  it  might  be  said 
with  equal  emphasis  that  he  was  a  "  son  of  thunder."  He 
had  a  remarkably  sweet  voice,  a  prepossessing  appearance, 
was  full  of  incident  which,  in  the  most  simple  and  happy 
manner,  he  wove  into  his  sermons.  Whenever  becoming 
animated  in  his  discourse,  he  would  throw  his  massive  head 
to  one  side,  and  begin  to  shrug  his  right  shoulder,  then 
those  who  were  acquainted  with  him  expected  to  hear  some 
of  his  overwhelming  bursts  of  eloquence.  The  eficct  of  his 
happiest  efi'orts  was  wonderful  beyond  description.  As  he 
had  traveled  Deer  Creek  circuit  some  years  before,  and  his 
labors  had  been  greatly  blessed,  his  return  as  presiding 
elder  was  hailed  with  delight  by  the  people. 

During  this  year  I  lived  in  Greenfield.  My  family  had 
more  society,  and  we  had  a  pleasant  and  profitable  year  on 
the  circuit. 

The  General  Conference,  as  before  stated,  met  at  Pitts- 
burg, the  first  of  ^fay,  1828.     The  session  was  an  excitiiisj 


158 


HIGIIWAVS    AND    HEDGES. 


one.     The  question  of  i^^rcatcst   interest  related  to  the  de- 
mand  for  chan«j;es    in    our   (M)urcli    polity,    and   the   proper 
course  to  be  pursued  with  those  who  were  thoroughly  eom- 
niittcd    to    the    proposed   changes,    and    whose    efforts   were 
constantly  employed  in  agitating  the  Church  on  these  ques- 
tions.      In    the    bounds    of    the    Baltimore    and    Pittsburg 
Conferences    the    agitation    had    already    reached    a    crisis, 
and  some  of  the    leaders  in    the    agitation   had  been  dealt 
with   by   the    authorities    of   the   Church.      llev.    Nicholas 
Snethen,  a  local  minister  of  great  eloquence  and  intellectual 
power,  became  the   leader    among    the  agitators,  and   Rev. 
Thomas   Bond,   a    local   preacher    also,    became    a    leading 
champion  of  the  existing   polity.     When  the  matter  came 
before  the  General  Conference  it  was  very  thoroughly  dis- 
cussed, and  the  voice  of  the  Conference  was  not   only  em- 
phatically against  the  innovations,  but  indicated  with  equal 
clearness  that  the  policy  of  the  Church  would  be  to  bring 
discipline  to  bear  against  persistent  agitators.     We  expected 
that  the  agitation  would  lead  to  secession  in  many  places, 
as  it  also  came  to  pass.     Many  ambitious  and  disappointed 
men  went  out  regai-ding  themselves  as  not  appreciated,  and 
many  good  and  conscientious  members  separated  themselves, 
thinking  that  the  position  of  the  General  Conference  waa 
wrong  and  severe. 


MIAMI   CIRCUIT,  OHIO.  159 


CHAPTER  XV. 

MIAMI  CIRCUIT,  OHIO. 
1828-30. 

SEPTEMBER  18,  1828,  the  Conference  met  at  Chilli- 
cothe,  only  a  short  distance  from  my  field  of  labor.  In 
view  of  this,  I  had  arranged  to  hold  a  camp-meeting  near 
Oldtown  during  the  session  of  the  Conference.  The  mem- 
bership of  the  circuit  was  all  aglow  from  the  effects  of  the 
camp-meeting  just  closed,  and  came  up  to  this  one  with 
enlarged  expectations,  and  well  prepared  to  do  battle  for 
God.  Able  and  earnest  members  of  the  Conference  came 
out  each  day  to  assist,  and  the  Word  was  attended  with 
great  power,  and  a  multitude  witnessed  to  the  efficacy  of 
the  blood  of  Christ  to  save.  Among  those  who  joined  at 
this  meeting  was  William  R.  Anderson,  who  afterward  be- 
came a  standard-bearer,  and  for  many  years  stood  shoulder 
to  shoulder  with  the  honored  members  of  the  Ohio  Confer- 
ence. The  meeting,  like  its  predecessor,  was  a  grand  suc- 
cess. In  consequence  of  attention  to  this  meeting  I  could 
not  give  much  attention  to  the  business  of  Conference. 
Bishop  Roberts  presided,  full  of  grief  at  the  recent  death 
of  Bishop  George;  and  the  following  persons  were  received 
on  probation,  namely:  Jacob  Hill,  Thomas  Thompson, 
Thomas  Simms,  Joseph  Hill,  William  Herr,  Leonard  B. 
Gurley,  Alvin  Billings,  James  W.  Finley,  George  Huffman, 
Joel  Dolby,  Joseph  M.  Trimble,  Henry  Colclazer,  and  David 
Cadwallader.     The  names   of   several    of   these   have    long 


IGO  HIGHWAYS  and  hedges. 

been  as  houseliold  words  in  our  Zion.  At  tins  Conference 
T  first  heard  the  voice  ol"  J.  iM.  Trimble,  one  fif  the  fore- 
going list,  lie  followed  one  of  the  preachers  in  exhortation, 
and  inspired  both  preachers  and  pcoj)le  with  large  expecta- 
tions of  his  usefulness  as  a  standard-bearer. 

Considerable  excitement  occurred  at  this  session  on  Free- 
masonry. A  ]Mr.  ]Morgan,  who  had  declared  himself  a 
member  of  that  fraternity,  and  had  revealed  what  he  de- 
clared to  be  the  "  Secrets  of  Masonry,"  had  suddenly  dis- 
appeared, and  popular  rumor  claimed  that  the  Masons  had 
inflicted  upon  Morgan  the  penalties  of  the  order.  "What 
became  of  Morgan  is  a  mystery  to  this  day,  many  still  be- 
lieving that  he  was  murdered,  and  others  thinking  that  the 
whole  procedure  was  a  shrewd  mode  of  advertising  his 
book,  and  that  he  enjoyed  pecuniary  profit  from  the  excite- 
ment that  resulted  from  his  sudden  disappearance  from  his 
home.  The  excitement  that  pervaded  the  country  reached 
the  Conference,  and  resulted  in  a  "compromise,"  in  which 
the  Masons  pledged  themselves  to  abstain  from  attending 
the  lodges,  except  on  very  special  occasions,  and  the  "anti- 
masons"  pledged  themselves  to  cease  their  bitter  assaults 
upon  the  fraternity.  The  excitement  passed  away  after  a 
few  years,  and  neither  party  seemed  very  conscientious  in 
keeping  the  pledges  of  the  compromise.  At  diiferent  times 
since  then  this  controversy  has  been  measurably  revived. 
There  have  been  enthusiastic  Masons,  who  have  appeared 
to  give  Masonry  and  the  lodges  the  place  in  their  thoughts 
and  affections  that  belong  to  Christ  and  his  Church.  On 
the  other  hand,  there  have  been  enthusiastic  antimasons, 
who  have  regarded  the  institution  as  antichristian,  and  its 
members  antichrist.  Between  these  extremes,  however,  the 
great  mass  of  Christians  and  citizens  have  been  content 
that  individuals  should  make  it  a  matter  of  individual  con- 
science  as  to  their   personal    connection  with    societies    of 


MIAMI    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  161 

the  kind.  As  it  has  been  charged  by  the  extremists  first 
named  that  the  majority  of  the  clergy  are  connected  with 
such  societies,  the  mass  of  intelligent  people  have  con- 
cluded that  that  fact,  if  a  fact,  was  presumptive  evidence 
that  the  society  neither  taught  doctrines  nor  practiced  cere- 
monies that  Christian  ministers  could  not  subscribe  to  and 
participate  in.  And  if  a  word  from  an  aged  minister  ot 
the  Gospel,  now  nearing  my  four-score  years,  and  expecting 
soon  to  be  done  with  all  of  this  life,  could  tend  to  remove 
the  trouble  of  any  on  this  subject,  I  would  say  that  I  have 
been  acquainted  with  Masonry  for  nearly  half  a  century, 
and  while  I  have  never  been  so  wedded  to  the  institution 
as  to  incline  to  neglect  any  religious  duty  or  Church  priv- 
ileae  to  visit  Iodides  or  associate  with  Masons,  yet  I  can 
cheerfully  record  my  belief  that  the  principles  and  teach- 
ings of  the  order  emanate  from  the  Scriptures,  and  that  any 
man  living  up  to  those  teachings,  and  his  promises,  will  be 
a  eood  moral  man  and  a  ^lood  citizen.  And  I  will  further 
add,  that  I  have  never  known  Masonry  to  be  employed  for 
the  purpose  of  influencing  Conference  action,  or  the  matter 
of  appointments  of  the  preachers.  And  now  to  return  from 
this  long  digression. 

I  was  appointed  to  the  Miami  Circuit,  with  Eev.  Wm. 
Simmons  for  my  colleague,  and  Rev.  Greenbury  R.  Jones, 
presiding  elder.  As  brother  Simmons  was  on  the  circuit 
the  year  before,  and  now  returned  for  the  second  year,  he 
was  very  properly  preacher  in  charge.  I  found  him  to  be 
a  competent,  zealous,  and  enterprising  Christian  minister, 
commanding  the  confidence  of  the  Church  and  people,  and 
proposing  no  compromise  with  the  world,  the  devil,  or  the 
Pope.  I  moved  into  the  parsonage  at  Chester,  where  the 
people  received  me  with  great  kindness.  The  circuit  in 
those  days,  as  compared  with  others,  was  regarded  as  rather 

a  small  and  casj'  circuit,  but  as  compared  with  the  circuits 

U 


162  HIGHWAYS   AND    HEDGES. 

of  the  present  clay,  it  was  a  vast  field  of  labor.  We  had 
twcnty-ei<^ht  appointments,  embracing  a  nicnibership  of 
nine  hundred  and  twenty-nine,  and  occuj>ying  all  the  terri- 
tdvy  between  the  iMianii  Kivcrs,  fVoni  the  Ohio  lliver  back 
to  Lebanon,  except  Cincinnati  and  Hamilton  stations.  The 
following  is  a  list  of  the  appointments :  Chester,  Spring 
Meeting-house,  Monroe,  Pisgah,  Palmyra,  Union,  Price's, 
Penton's,  Montgomery,  lleeder's,  Madison,  Armstrong's, 
Salem,  Weatherby's,  Wood's,  Spark's,  Blue  Rock,  Brown's, 
Clcves,  Ebeuezer,  Cheviot,  Shaw's,  Williams's,  Gregg's, 
AVood's,  Maddox,  Liberty,  and  Columbia. 

We  had  a  prosperous  year;  the  attendance  on  the  public 
and  social  means  of  grace  was  good.  If  any  proved  delin- 
quent, we  exercised  the  discipline  promptly,  but  kindly,  and 
generally  succeeded  in  restoring  the  delinquent  to  duty  and 
enjoyment. 

We  closed  the  year  with  a  camp-meeting  seven  miles 
back  of  Cincinnati.  A  multitude  of  people  attended.  We 
had  also  an  abundant  supply  of  able  ministers,  whose 
hearts  were  in  the  work,  and  the  meeting  proved  to  be  a 
success.     We  carried  up  a  good  report  to  the  Conference. 

September  3,  1829,  the  Ohio  Conference  met  at  Urbana, 
Bishop  Roberts  presiding.  The  following  persons  were  re- 
ceived on  trial :  Thomas  D.  Allen,  Joseph  A.  Reeder,  Wil- 
liam Sutton,  Adam  Minear,  Jesse  Prior,  Elijah  H.  Pilcher, 
Amos  Sparks,  Samuel  A.  Latta,  Henry  E.  Pilcher,  Homer 
J.  Clarke,  Wesley  Wood,  Elmore  Yocum,  Erastus  Felton, 
William  Sprague.  Some  of  these  are  still  ably  working 
for  God.  Homer  J.  Clarke  had  been  admitted  several 
years  before,  but  had  retired  to  secure  an  education,  and 
now  came  into  the  work  again  fresh  from  the  university. 

I  was  returned  to  Miami  circuit,  with  Rev.  G.  R.  Jones 
continued  as  presiding  elder,  and  Rev,  James  Laws  as  my 
colleague.     I  had  regarded  brother  Laws  as  somewhat  self- 


MIAMI    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  1G3 

opinionated,  and  feared  that  he  would  be  dissatisfied  to 
labor  as  second  preacher  on  the  circuit,  especially  as  he  was 
my  senior  both  in  age  and  in  the  ministry.  But  he  entered 
upon  the  work  with  me,  and  exhibited  great  versatility  of 
talent,  and  proved  to  be  an  efficient  co-worker.  He  was 
ready  as  a  preacher,  spirited  in  exhortation,  powerful  in 
prayer,  a  sweet  singer,  and  almost  unsurpassed  in  his  power 
of  endurance.  The  membership  was  in  good  working  or- 
der at  the  beginning  of  the  year,  and  continued  so  during 
the  year. 

Near  the  close  of  the  year  my  circuit  proposed  to  unite 
with  the  churches  of  Cincinnati  in  holding  ^a  camp-meet- 
ing. The  proposition  was  accepted,  and  ground  on  Mill 
Creek,  about  three  miles  from  the  city,  selected.  Extensive 
preparations  were  made,  and  a  general  interest  was  felt  in 
securing  the  success  of  the  meeting.  Revs.  J.  B.  Finley 
and  W.  Browning,  the  pastors  in  the  city,  brought  out  their 
working  host,  and  our  membership  well  represented  the 
several  appointments  en  the  circuit.  Curiosity  moved  the 
great  mass  of  population^  and  the  attendance  was  very  large 
indeed. 

We  were  unexpectedly  favored  with  the  services  of  the 
Rev.  Stephen  G.  Roszel,  of  the  Baltimore  Conference.  He 
had  come  West  to  visit  his  son,  then  a  student  at  Augusta 
College,  Kentucky,  when,  being  invited  to  visit  Cincinnati 
and  attend  this  meeting,  he  consented  to  do  so.  His  repu- 
tation was  sufficiently  known  among  the  preachers  to  excite 
large  expectation  ;  and  then  his  giant  and  commanding 
physical  proportions,  as  soon  as  he  entered  the  pulpit,  ex- 
cited similar  expectation  upon  the  part  of  the  vast  multi- 
tude. He  announced  his  hymn,  which  was  sung  with  spirit. 
We  kneeled  in  prayer,  and  his  commanding  voice  seemed 
to  penetrate  the  very  heavens  as  he  led  in  a  prayer  of  won- 
drous power.     When  he  arose  to  announce  his  text,  every 


16i  HIGHWAYS   AND    HEDGES. 

eye  aiiJ  car  was  fixed  in  attention.  It  was  soon  apparent 
to  all  that  an  intellectual  giant  occupiod  the  pulpit.  For 
about  two  hours  that  vast  multitude  was  held  spell-bound. 
Shocks  of  divine  power  accompanied  the  Word,  and,  at 
times,  the  more  spiritual  in  tl^e  audience,  overcharged  with 
the  heavenly  electricity,  would  give  vent  to  their  feelings 
and  make  the  grand  old  woods  ring  with  their  rejoicings. 
Seldom  has  a  congregation  been  so  profoundly  stirred  under 
the  preaching  of  the  Word.  The  work  went  on  steadily, 
and  that  Saturday  night  was  a  night  of  power.  It  was  gen- 
erally expected  that  lloszcl  would  preach  again  on  Sabbath, 
and  expectation  had  reached  the  highest  pitch.  He  filled 
the  appointment  and  fully  met  expectation.  Again,  for 
more  than  two  hours,  he  held  the  mighty  mass  of  humanity 
and  swayed  them  as  the  wind  sways  the  forest.  In  the 
midst  of  the  intense  excitement,  he  called  the  congregation 
to  their  knees  before  God.  0,  my  soul!  what  a  sublime 
bowing  before  the  Lord  was  that!  For  some  time  the  con- 
gregation lingered  before  God,  thrilled  with  the  shocks  of 
power  that  had  accompanied  the  preached  Word.  I  had 
witnessed  many  demonstrations  of  power  before,  but  I  had 
never  witnessed  any  thing  superior  to  this.  We  placed 
upon  the  muster-roll  of  the  militant  Church,  before  the 
meeting  closed,  the  names  of  between  three  and  four  hun- 
dred who  purposed  to  enlist  for  the  war.  I  trust,  when  the 
war  is  over,  and  the  conquering  legions  are  called  home, 
that  I  shall  meet  many  of  them,  to  talk  over  the  victories 
of  that  great  camp-meeting. 

There  were  many  valuable  men  in  the  laity,  as  well  as 
in  the  ministry,  on  Miami  circuit.  Joseph  A.  Reeder  was 
then  working  at  his  trade,  as  tailor,  in  Montgomery,  and 
keeping  the  post-office.  He  had  very  great  influence  over 
the  masses  of  the  people,  both  in  and  out  of  the  Church, 
which    influence    he    used    wisely.      During    this    year    we 


MIAMI    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  165 

licensed  him  to  preach,  aud  he  soon  became  an  effective 
traveling  preacher.  William  Parish,  then  a  private  mem- 
ber, resided  in  West  Chester,  and  carried  on  a  tannery. 
He  was  a  man  of  sterling  Christian  character.  He  had 
taken  strong  hold  of  the  confidence  of  the  people,  and 
promised  large  usefulness  in  the  Church.  He  was  afterward 
licensed  to  preach,  and  did  the  Church  valuable  service. 

James  Conrey,  of  a  numerous  and  very  respectable  family, 
lived  near  West  Chester.  He  was  the  father  of  Rev.  Jona- 
than F.  Conrey,  and  was  at  that  time  in  a  sad  state.  He 
was  in  a  state  of  despair  as  regarded  his  prospects  of  sal- 
vation. He  said  that  there  had  been  a  time  when  he  might 
have  been  saved,  but  that  time  had  passed  forever.  He 
recognized  intellectually  the  importance  of  salvation,  but 
said  that  he  had  passed  the  boundaries  of  feeling,  and  was 
left  without  concern.  His  neighbors,  feeling  deeply  inter- 
ested for  him,  besought  me  to  put  forth  some  special  effort 
in  his  behalf.  I  entered  into  his  case,  and  determined  to 
do  all  I  could  to  foil  the  devil  in  his  attempt  to  ruin  this 
man.  The  tempter  had  done  with  him  as  he  has  done  with 
so  many  others.  For  years  he  had  said  to  him,  "Time 
enough  yet,  time  enough  yet,"  and  had  thus  robbed  him 
of  years  of  his  term  of  probation;  and  now  he  had  turned 
upon  him  and  said,  "It  is  too  late  now;  you  have  rejected 
so  long  that  there  is  no  mercy  for  you  now."  I  visited  him 
frequently,  and  urged  him  to  commence  reading  the  Bible 
and  praying,  and  assured  him  that,  though  he  might  expe- 
rience no  feelings  of  tenderness  at  first,  it  could  do  him  no 
harm,  and  I  had  faith  that  the  spirit  would  visit  him  again. 
He  undertook  to  follow  my  advice.  After  days  of  effort, 
he  said  that  he  had  no  feeling  as  yet.  We  urged  him 
to  persevere  in  the  effort.  He  did  so,  and  in  less  than 
a  month  he  be";an  to  feel  encouraged,  and  before  three 
months  had  passed  the  snare  of  Satan  was   broken,  and  he 


lOG  HIGHWAYS    AM)    HEDGES. 

was  rojoicin;^^  in  (nul  liis  Savior.  lie  developed  iuto  a  use- 
ful and  exemplary  Christian,  was  licensed  to  preach,  and 
for  more  than  thirty  years  witnessed  a  good  profession  in 
the  Church  and  before  the  world. 

Danforth  Wcatherby  and  Aarou  I^urdsal  were  neighbors, 
living  some  eight  miles  back  of  Cincinnati.  They  were 
local  preachers  of  good  standing,  and  used  their  talents  to 
advantage  for  the  cause  of  the  Master.  About  eight  miles 
west  of  Cincinnati  lived  brothers  Biddle  and  Gosling,  who 
were  local  preachers,  both  from  New  Jersey,  and  both 
highly  appreciated  in  their  relation  to  the  Church.  The 
names  of  a  great  many  members  of  the  Church  scattered 
over  that  large  circuit  still  linger  in  my  memory  and  my 
heart.  There  was  Price,  and  Vantreese,  and  Conrey,  and 
Elliott,  and  Flinn,  and  Williams,  and  Short,  and  Cline,  and 
"West,  and  Shaw,  and  Brown,  and  Reader,  and  Ward,  and 
White,  and  Sackett,  and  Williamson,  and  Wood,  and  Mad- 
dox,  and  Dr.  Beach,  and  Legg,  and  such.  But  out  of 
nearly  a  thousand  members,  the  great  mass  of  whom  were 
living  Christians,  I  shall  not  be  able  to  go  through  the 
enumeration  of  their  names. 

It  was  during  this  year  that  God  gave  us  our  JSrst  daugh- 
ter, Sarah  Jane,  a  child  destined  to  be  a  joy  in  our 
household  for  a  few  years,  and  then  to  precede  us  to  the 
heavenly  home. 


OXFORD  CURCUIT,  OHIO.  167 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

OXFORD  CIRCUIT,  OHIO. 
1830-32. 

SEPTEMBER  8,  18.30,  the  Ohio  Conference  met  at  Lan- 
caster, Bishop  Soule  presiding.  There  was  a  full  attend- 
ance of  the  preachers,  and  many  of  them  came  up  in  the 
fullness  of  the  blessing  of  the  Gospel.  God  blessed  them  in 
their  pulpit  ministrations,  and  a  precious  revival  broke  out 
about  the  third  day  of  the  Conference,  which  increased  stead- 
ily until  the  close  of  the  meeting.  Some  of  the  preachers  re- 
garded it  as  one  of  the  most  spiritual  Conferences  they  had 
ever  attended.  The  following  were  received  on  trial :  Brad- 
ford Frazee,  John  M.  Goshorn,  William  M.  Sullivan,  Her- 
bert Bayard,  John  C.  Hardy,  Joseph  Leedom,  Bernard  A. 
Casset,  Levi  P.  Miller,  William  Morrow,  William  Young, 
Ebenezer  B.  Chase,  James  Gurley,  Allen  D.  Beasley,  Asa  B. 
Stroud,  Ebenezer  Owen,  Charles  C.  Lybrand,  Noah  Hough, 
Abram  Millice,  Benjamin  Boydston,  Elnathan  C.  Gavitt, 
Elam  Day,  Ezekiel  S.  Gavitt,  and  Leonard  Hill — a  good 
class,  that  has  rendered  long  and  valuable  service  to  the 
Church, 

I  was  appointed  to  the  charge  of  Oxford  circuit,  with 
Rev.  G.  R.  Jones  presiding  elder,  and  Rev.  A.  D.  Beasley 
for  my  colleague.  The  following  was  ray  list  of  appoint- 
ments: Oxford,  Owen's,  Dover,  Loop's,  Riner's,  Deem's, 
Miitonville,  Draper's,  Marsh's,  Harrison,  Swearingen's,  New 
Haven,    Venice,    Lehigh,    Younian's,    Stewart's,    Alhand's, 


168  HIGllWAVS    AND    JILDGES. 

Fay's,  Oickinaon'.s,  Tirown's,  lliizloton's,  Ebcnczcr,  Butlcr'.s, 
jukI  Woudiuffs.     These   twcuty-loni'  ;ij»poiiitments  occupicdj 
an  extensive  territory,  but  we  had   upon   the  whole  a  pleas- 
niit  field  of  l:ihnr.      My  colleague  was  a  worker  in  the  pul- 
pit and  out  of  it,  and  we  labored  together  in  harmony  and 
affection.     The  people  gave  us  a  warm    welcome,    and    wo 
had   the   gratification   of   seeing   the   pleasure  of  the  Lord 
prosper  in  our  hands.     The  greatest  drawback  to  ray  enjoy- 
ment was  the  want  of  a  parsonage  for  my  family  to  live  in. 
Brother  Charles  Stewart  gave  us  the  use  of  an  unoccu])ied 
house   on  his  farm,  and  though  it  was    not  a  very  comfort- 
able place,   yet   the   great  and   constant   kindness   of  that] 
noble  Christian  family  went  very  far  to  reconcile  us  to  the 
discomforts  of  the  house  until  we  could  do  better.     With^ 
the   approbation   of   the    ofiicial    members  of  the   circuit,  I' 
opened   subscriptions   for    the   erection   of    a   parsonage    atj 
Oxford.     The  people  responded  cheerfully,  and  the  house 
was  built   and  put  in  order,  ready  for  myself  or   whoever 
should  serve  the  charge  tlie  next  year. 

The  Conference  met  at  Mansfield,  Ohio,  September  8, 
1831,  Bishop  Hedding  presiding,  who  preached  a  sermon 
of  great  power  on  the  Conference  Sabbath,  The  following 
persons  were  admitted  on  trial :  James  F.  Davidson,  Elias 
M,  Daley,  Joseph  M.  Matthews,  Adam  Miller,  Benjamin  L. 
Jefferson,  George  Elliott,  Charles  W.  Swain,  Michael  Mar- 
ley,  Henry  Turner,  Thomas  Wiley,  Jesse  Prior,  John  G. 
Bruce,  George  C.  Crum,  Jacob  Martin,  Lorenzo  Bevans, 
Philip  Wareham,  Benjamin  Allen,  Stephen  M.  Holland, 
and  David  Kinnear.  This,  too,  was  a  good  class,  and  some 
of  them  rose  to  great  prominence  and  became  widely  known 
as  able  representatives  of  Methodism. 

We  recorded  at  this  Conference  the  death  of  the  venera- 
ble Michael  Ellis.  He  was  one  of  the  grandest  of  our 
pioneers.     He  was  ordained  deacon  at  the  same  time  that 


OXFORD    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  IGO 

Bishop  Asbury  was  ordained  Bishop.  Having  spoken  of 
him  more  at  hirge  in  another  part  of  this  narrative,  I  shall 
not  enter  upon  any  detailed  account  of  this  man  of  God  in 
this  place.  , 

As  the  General  Conference  was  to  meet  the  first  of  May 
next,  we  elected  our  delegates  at  this  session,  and  the  lot 
fell  on  the  following  brethren  :  David  Young,  Russel  Bige- 
luw,  J.  Quinn,  J.  F.  ^Yright,  L.  Swormstedt,  W.  H.  Baper, 
A.  W.  Elliott,  J.  B.  Finley,  Z.  Council,  Curtis  Goddard, 
John  Collins,  W.  B.  Christie,  Charles  Holliday,  and  G.  B. 
Jones — a  very  large  and  a  very  able  delegation. 

I  was  returned  to  Oxford  circuit,  and  associated  with  a 
new  presiding  elder  and  assistant.  Of  my  new  presiding 
elder,  Bev.  James  B.  Finley,  I  have  already  spoken  at  large 
in  a  former  chapter.  I  was  sorry  to  separate  from  brother 
Beasley,  who  had  proved  to  be  such  a  faithful  assistant. 
My  new  assistant,  however,  Bev.  James  F.  Davidson, 
though  just  entering  the  life  of  an  itinerant,  was  well  re- 
ceived, and  fulfilled  his  duties  creditably  to  himself  and 
satisfactorily  to  the  people.  I  moved  into  the  new  par- 
sonage at  Oxford,  and  was  much  better  situated,  both  for 
family  comfort  and  for  the  advantages  of  personal  improve- 
ment. The  Miami  University,  one  of  the  State  institutions, 
being  located  at  Oxford,  its  influence  pervaded  the  whole 
social  atmosphere,  to  a  greater  or  less  extent.  So  much 
did  I  become  exercised  on  the  subject  of  education  myself, 
that  could  I  either  have  set  myself  back  in  age  a  few  years, 
or  had  my  sons  been  old  enough  to  enter  upon  the  prose- 
cution of  a  collecriate  course,  I  believe  that  I  would  have 
entered  the  University,  and  abandoned  the  itinerant  field 
until  I  should  have  secured  a  liberal  education.  As  it 
seemed  impracticable  under  all  the  circumstances  for  me  to 
gratify  my  desire  in  this  direction,  I  resolved  to  make  what 
proficiency  my  opportunities   should   aftbrd   me,  and  to  lay 

15 


170  IIIGinVAVS    AND    HEDGES. 

my  pl;ins  (o  secure   to  my  sons  the  advantages  of  a  thor- 
oiii;li  oducatiuii. 

DuviiiLr  tliis  year  our  lil'tli  :iik1  last  cliild,  llutli  Kliza. 
was  born,  rnid  now  our  faniily  consisted  of  two  sons  and 
two  dau^litcrs  willi  us  on  earth,  and  one  son  with  our 
Father  in  heaven. 

I{cv.  Moses  Crunie,  that  venerable  and  precious  man  of 
God,  who  had  worn  himself  out  in  the  Master's  work,  was 
now  on  the  retired  list,  residing  in  Oxford.  I  valued  him 
as  a  friend  and  counselor.  Danforth  Weatherby  and  Col- 
])reth  Hall  were  both  acceptable  local  preachers,  belong- 
ing to  the  society  at  Oxford.  Joseph  A.  Waterman  was 
licensed  to  preach,  and  recommended  to  the  traveling  con- 
nection from  this  charge  this  year.  He  became  an  intel- 
lectual giant,  and,  had  he  been  a  well-rounded  man  and 
fully  imbued  with  the  spirit  of  the  itinerant  work,  inferior 
to  very  few  in  the  denomination  as  a  Methodist  preacher. 
Brothers  Merrell  and  Stout  were  appreciated  by  the  people 
as  faithl'ul  local  preachers.  They  both  lived  on  the  college 
lands.  Brother  Aaron  Powers  was  an  active  and  valuable 
local  preacher,  living  in  the  neighborhood  of  Charles  Stew- 
art's. After  I  left  the  circuit  he  became  infected  with  the 
Mormon  vagaries,  and  going  to  their  community  consorted 
with  them  for  awhile,  intending  to  unite  with  them.  After 
a  short  time  Jo.  Smith,  havina-  learned  that  Powers  had 
property,  informed  him  that  he  had  a  revelation  from  the 
Lord  directing  that  he  should  give  to  the  Church  one-half 
of  his  property.  "When,"  inquired  Powers,  "when  did 
you  have  have  this  revelation  from  the  Lord?"  The  so- 
called  prophet  mentioned  the  time.  "  Then,"  responded 
Powers,  "I  have  had  a  revelation  from  the  Lord  since  then 
that  I  should  do  no  such  thing."  The  brothers  Comstock, 
senior  and  junior,  were  both  respected  local  preachers  and 
practicing  physicians,  and  exerted  a  healthy  influence  in  the 


OXFORD    CIRCUIT,   OHIO.  171 

communities  where  they  were  known.  Rev.  John  Deem, 
at  that  time  an  acceptable  local  preacher,  afterward  entered 
the  traveling  connection.  Brother  Lincoln,  in  Harrison, 
and  brother  Kitchen,  of  Oxford,  were  also  local  preachers, 
acceptable  and  worthy,  and  by  me  much  beloved.  Mat- 
thew and  William  Morehead  were  veterans  in  the  cause  of 
God.  George  White  and  Peter  Butler,  and  Bussel,  and 
Bartlett,  and  Youman,  and  Turner,  and  Melone,  and 
Marsh,  and  Einer,  and  William  Crume,  and  a  host  of 
others,  are  dear  to  me,  whose  works  will  praise  them  in  the 
gate. 

Near  the  close  of  this  year  we  had  a  camp-meeting  near 
Charles  Stewart's.  It  proved  to  be  a  grand  gathering  of 
the  hosts  of  the  Lord ;  and  though  Satan  came  also,  and 
attempted  to  distract  the  work,  yet  God  was  there  in  power. 
Many  were  awakened  and  converted,  and  the  saints  went  to 
their  homes  strong  to  do  and  suffer  for  the  Master. 

It  was  during  this  year  that  I  first  came  in  contact  with 
Mr.  Kid  well,  a  noted  champion  of  the  doctrine  of  Univer- 
salism,  and  editor  of  the  Star  of  the  West.  Our  contro- 
versy was  brief,  but  spirited,  and  occurred  on  this  wise : 
Having  occasion  to  notice  the  doctrine  of  Universalism  in 
one  of  my  discourses,  I  had  stated  that  if  the  teachings  of 
tliat  doctrine  were  true  that  God  had  seemed  to  show  par- 
tiality toward  the  wicked.  He  had  swept  the  wicked  inhab- 
itants of  the  antediluvian  world  suddenly  into  heaven,  and 
had  left  the  few  righteous  to  be  shut  up  in  the  ark,  tossed 
upon  the  waves  of  the  flood,  and  to  remain  for  years  longer 
sufferers  in  this  world  of  disappointment  and  afflictions; 
and  suggested,  further,  that  if  the  teachings  of  that  doc- 
trine were  true,  it  miiiht  be  a  work  of  benevolence  to  mas- 
sacre  all  who  were  in  any  circumstances  of  want  or  suffer- 
ing here.  Such  an  act  would  immediately  introduce  those 
massacred  to  heaven,  and  thouirh  men  mitiht  call  it  murder, 


172  lIIGinVAVS    AND    IIKDGES. 

it  couM  in  u<»  way  joopavdizc  tlic  salvation  of  the  murderer. 
Kidwell  became  excited,  and  answered  nie  in  his  pa})er,  and 
challcnsrod  mo  to  meet  him  in  public  debate.  He  said  that 
if  he  believed  as  8tewart  did,  that  all  dyinu;  in  infancy  are 
saved,  he  should  esteem  it  an  act  of  benevolence  to  kill  off 
all  the  children  in  infancy,  so  that  they  might  not  come  to 
years  of  accounta])ility  to  hazard  their  salvation.  Believing 
that  pu])lic  controversies  seldom  resulted  in  much  profit,  I 
had  intended  to  treat  his  challenge  with  contempt.  Some- 
time after  this  I  casually  met  him,  and  was  introduced  to  him 
iu  the  post-ofl&ce  by  Rev.  Moses  Crume.  I  then  told  Mr. 
Kidwell  that  I  had  not  seen  his  paper,  but  that  I  had 
heard  of  his  strictures,  and  of  the  challenge  that  he  had 
extended  to  me,  and  said,  "  I  intended  to  pay  no  attention 
to  your  challenge ;  and  as  regards  the  massacre  of  the  inno- 
cents, consistently  with  your  doctrine  you  can  murder  them 
and  not  endanger  your  salvation,  but  I  can  not."  He 
stammered  for  an  answer,  but  was  taken  so  by  surprise  that 
he  left  the  office  in  confusion.  A  gentleman  present  com- 
plimented me  by  saying,  "You  certainly  took  the  bull  by 
the  horns." 


BELLEFONTAINE    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  173 


CHAPTER    XVII. 

BELLEFONTAINE   CIRCUIT,   OHIO. 
1832-33. 

THE  Conference  met  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  September  19, 
1832,  Bishop  Emory  presiding.  This  was  the  first  and 
only  time  that  he  presided  at  our  Conference.  He  was  a 
first-class  presiding  officer,  and  made  a  most  happy  im- 
pression in  all  his  intercourse  with  us.  ^Ye  received  on 
probation  Obadiah  Johnson,  F.  A.  Timmons,  L.  L.  Ham- 
line,  Daniel  G.  Dector,  John  Kinnear,  Luther  D.  Whitney, 
Daniel  Poe,  Robert  Cheny,  Samuel  G-.  Patterson,  Joseph  M. 
M'Dowell,  Edward  Thomson,  Marcus  Swift,  ijliakim  Zim- 
merman, Peter  Sharp,  David  Reed,  Edward  D.  Roe.  H.  31. 
Shaffer,  John  Hasty,  Andrew  Dixon,  William  Westlake,  II. 
Dodds,  George  Smith,  Arthur  B.  Elliott,  Zachariah  Games, 
William  P.  Strickland,  Benjamin  Ellis,  and  William  S. 
Thornburg.  Two  of  this  list  have  since  been  promoted  to 
the  episcopacy,  and  many  of  them  have  accomplished  their 
ministry  and  gone  to  their  reward,  and  others  of  them  arc 
still  doins:  valuable  service.  Two  of  them  I  had  received 
into  the  Church  and  was  happy  to  meet  them  here. 

When  the  appointments  were  read  out,  I  learned  that  I 
Dot  only  had  a  long  move  to  make,  but  one  of  the  most  la- 
borious frontier  circuits  to  serve.  Bellefontaine  circuit  had 
at  that  time  some  thirty  appointments,  a  membership  of 
twelve  hundred  and  thirty-six,  and  a  territory  of  vast  ex- 
tent.    Rev.  William  H.  Raper  was  my  presiding  elder,  and 


174 


iiir.invAvs  AND  iir.nr.ES. 


Revs.  J.  (I.  T^rucc  and  J'ctcr  Slunp  my  colleagues.     Though 
1  would  not  have  desired  that  appointment,  yet  I  was  in  thol 
strength   of    manhood  and   felt    no   dispo.sition   to    oomplaiu.j 
As  promptly   as  jiractieablc   I   moved   my  family  witliii;    the 
bounds  of  the  circuit.     Tlicrc  being  no  parsonage  I  sccurcdJ 
the    best    temporary  shelter  for   my    family  that    could    bo] 
found,   and   addressed    myself  at  once  to    the  work.     Afterj 
prospecting  the  field,  I  reported  to  the  presiding  elder  thai 
if  he  had  suitable  work  elsewhere  for  one  of  my  colleagues! 
I   would  rather  reduce    the  work    to    a  four   weeks'  circuitl 
than  to  run  the  awkward  machinery  of  a  six  weeks'  circuit. 
He  approved  my  suggestion,  and  transferred  brother  Brucoj 
to  another  work.     Brother  Sharp  was  willing  and  eJ0&cient,j 
and  during  the  year,  by  the  blessing  of  the  Lord,  we  each] 
preached  over  thirty  sermons  each  month,  besides  meeting 
the    classes,  visiting   the    people,   and   responding   to    extra 
calls  for  ministerial  service. 

Our  closing  camp-meeting,  which  was  held  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  jbrother  Messick's,  was  an  occasion  of  great  in- 
terest and  uncommon  power.  Added  to  the  ordinary  at- 
traction of  such  an  occasion,  it  had  been  announced  that; 
brother  Syms,  the  missionary  among  the  Wyandott  In- 
dians, would  attend  with  a  detachment  of  the  converted 
Indians,  so  an  immense  concourse  of  people  gathered.  The 
missionary  and  the  Wyandotts  came  as  was  expected,  and 
added  greatly  both  to  the  interest  and  profit  of  the  meeting. 
These  recently  converted  children  of  the  forest  had  thrown 
away  the  tomahawk  and  the  scalping-knife,  and  now,  with 
the  greatest  simplicity  and  fervency,  worshiped  God  and  re- 
joiced in  his  salvation.  Their  prayers,  and  songs,  and  ex- 
hortations, and  shouts  made  an  impression  never  to  be  lost 
by  many  who,  perhaps,  would  not  have  been  reached  by  any 
ordinary  instrumentality. 
»    Among  the  local  preachers  whose  co-operation  and  friend-' 


BELLEFOXTAINE    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  175 

ship  I  remember  with  pleasure  were  Rev.  David  Kemper, 
then  a  single  man,  diligently  applying  himself  to  study  to 
secure  a  proper  qualiScation  for  the  life-work  in  which  he 
has  since  been  honored  and  blessed;  Rev.  John  310 ruder, 
more  advanced  in  years,  and  efficient  and  respected  in  his 
sphere  of  labor.  Brother  Casebolt  also  did  good  and  ac- 
ceptable service  as  a  local  preacher. 

Among  the  private  and  official  members  there  were  many 
noble  spirits.  There  was  George  Messick,  whose  name  de- 
serves to  be  recorded  in  golden  capitals.  He  had  "  a  soul 
as  biir  as  all  out-doors."'  The  latter  half  of  the  Conference 
year  he  brought  my  family  and  divided  his  house  with  us, 
furnished  us  with  a  cow,  and,  indeed,  there  was  no  end  to 
the  kindness  of  himself  and  fiimily  to  the  preachers.  May 
the  blessing  of  the  great  Head  of  the  Church  rest  upon  his 
posterity  forever !  Joseph  Bowdle,  whose  name  I  recorded 
amonij  the  o;ood  men  of  Deer  Creek  circuit,  had  settled  near 
Roundhead,  and  contributed  liberally  of  money,  labor,  and 
influence  to  extend  the  borders  of  Zion  about  his  new 
home.  Noah  Z.  MCuUoch,  the  clerk  of  the  court  in  Belle- 
fontaine,  was  a  solid  member  of  the  Church,  a  nian  of  un- 
flinching integrity  and  devotion  to  the  cause  of  God.  Then 
there  were  the  Balies,  and  MFarlands,  and  Carters,  and 
Pools,  and  Brookses,  and  a  great  many  more  of  kindred  spirit 
and  worth  whose  names  are  graven  on  preachers'  hearts,  and 
I  trust  also  in  the  Book  of  Life. 

The  following  is  the  list  of  the  principal  appointments 
on  the  Bellefontaine  circuit:  1.  Bellefontaine  ;  2.  Richard's; 
3.  Roundhead;  4.  Rutledge's ;  5.  Brooks's;  6.  Richard- 
sou's;  7.  Timber;  8.  Parkerson's;  9.  Liberty;  10.  Monroe's; 
11.  M'Farland's;  12.  Fine's;  13.  Gregory;  1-1.  Stephens's; 
15.  Salem;  16.  Robertson's;  17.  Antioch  ;  18.  Musselman's; 
19.  Sidney;  20.  Laramie;  21.  Harden;  22.  Hathaway's;  23. 
Burdctt's;   2-1.  Quincy;   25.  Newman's;    26.  Mcssick's ;   27. 


176  HIGHWAYS   AND    HEDGES. 

George's;  28.   rowcH's;  29.  Wood's;  :]0.  Spry's;  an.l  a   few 
others  the  names  of  which  Ijavc  p;one  from  my  memory. 

Our  proximity  to  the  Indian  ^lission,  as  referred  to  iu 
preceding  pnges,  had  drawn  out  our  sympatliics  this  year 
much  for  that  people  ;  and  tlic  attention  of  the  whole  de- 
nomination had  been  aroused  in  behalf  of  Indian  evan<rcli- 
zatioo  by  an  incident  that  occurred  this  year  laying  tlic 
foundation  of  our  missions  beyond  the  Rocky  Mountains.  A 
deputation  from  the  Flathead  Indians  had  made  a  journey  of 
between  two  and  three  thousand  miles  from  their  home  near 
the  Pacific  Ocean,  and  presented  tlicir  plea  to  Mr.  Clark,  the 
Indian  agent  in  St.  Louis,  for  knowledge  of  the  white  man's 
God  and  religion.  The  Advocate  and  Journal  published 
the  account,  accompanied  with  a  cut  of  one  of  the  heads  of 
the  strange  people.  Jason  and  Daniel  Lee  volunteered  to 
go  as  missionaries,  and  such  was  the  influence  of  the  move- 
ment that  the  missionary  collections  for  the  year  nearly 
doubled  the  amount  for  the  previous  year. 


TROY    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  177 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

TROY  CIRCUIT,  OHIO. 
1833-34. 

AUGUST  21,  1833,  the  CoDference  met  at  Cincinnati. 
Bishop  Roberts  presided.  As  the  cholera  had  been 
prevailing  in  Cincinnati,  many  of  the  preachers  declined 
attending  the  session.  The  following  persons  were  received 
on  trial :  Joseph  A.  Waterman,  John  Alexander,  William  H. 
Lawder,  Benjamin  F.  Myers,  James  Parcels,  Cyrus  Brooks, 
Samuel  Harvey,  Granville  Moody,  F,  H.  Jennings,  Henry 
Maynard,  S.  A.  Rathburn,  Samuel  Allen,  Joseph  Newson, 
Samuel  Lynch,  William  H  Brockway,  Duncan  McGregor, 
David  Burns,  James  Wheeler,  Paul  Wambaugh,  James  B. 
Austin,  Robert  Graham,  Richard  Lawrence,  T,  A.  G.  Phil- 
lips, Philip  Nation,  John  Donalson,  Alexander  Morrow,  J. 
W.  Cooley,  Lester  Janes,  Lorenzo  Waugh,  Henry  White- 
man,  Charles  R.  Lovell,  Henry  Camp,  James  Webb,  John 
C.  Hardy,  James  Courtney,  Zephaniah  Bell — a  large  class, 
some  of  whom  are  among  the  most  valuable  workers  in  our 
Zion  at  this  day.  We  recorded  the  death  of  Rev.  John 
Ulin.  He  was  a  man  of  brilliant  parts,  and  was  stricken 
down  suddenly  with  cholera,  July  13,  1833.  He  had  been 
successful  and  was  much  beloved. 

The  Troy  circuit,  to  which  I  was  appointed,  was  organ- 
ized at  this  Conference  out  of  part  of  the  Piqua  circuit.  I 
regarded  it  as  a  small  and  very  easy  circuit,  it  having  only 
nineteen  appointments — one-third  less  than  my  last  circuit. 


178 


HIGHWAYS    AND    HKDGES. 


Ju'v.  W.  II.  l{;ipor  remained  on  ihv  district,  and  Kev.  J.  G. 
Jirucc  was  luy  colleague.  He  was  the  same  young  man  who 
was  appointed  with  mc  to  BcUerontaine  circuit,  but  having 
been  removed,  as  stated  in  mv  nnnativc  heretofore,  1  liad 
not  rnrnicd  his  acquaintance  to  any  great  extent.  He 
proved  to  be  a  man  of  fine  preaching  ability,  well  adapted 
to  and  faithful  in  meeting  the  responsibilities  of  the  work. 
I  was  well  pleased  with  my  appointment  and  associate,  and 
anticipated  a  pleasant  year. 

Soon  after  Conference  I  was  comfortably  settled  in  the 
parsonage  at  Troy,  and  enjoyed  a  hearty  welcome  from  a 
whole-souled  membership.  The  cholera  had  been  sweeping 
many  into  eternity,  and  still  lingered  to  some  extent,  but 
the  violence  of  the  dreadful  visitation  had  passed  before  we 
came  to  Troy.  I  had  for  my  nearest  neighbor  in  the  pas- 
torate Kev.  Arza  Brown.  He  was  at  Piqua,  and  was  then 
in  his  prime — a  man  who  never  failed  to  endear  himself  to 
the  people  that  he  served,  and  who  left  his  mark  in  the 
person  of  living  witnesses,  raised  up,  through  his  ministry, 
to  declare  the  power  of  the  Gospel  to  save. 

Though  myself  and  colleague  applied  ourselves  industri- 
ously to  our  work,  we  did  not  realize  the  revivals  and 
in-gatherings  that  we  had  hoped  for.  This  failure  to  realize 
our  expectation  was  not  traceable  to  any  Church  difficulties 
or  any  want  of  co-operation  on  the  part  of  our  membership. 
I  have  learned,  however,  both  by  experience  and  observa- 
tion, that  present  visible  success  does  not  always  attend  the 
most  faithful  and  anxious  labor.  There  are  times  when  the 
spirit  of  awakening  pervades  whole  districts  and  continents, 
and  the  Word  runs  and  is  glorified  without  much  apparent 
efi"ort  on  the  part  of  ministers.  The  pool  seems  to  be 
troubled;  times  of  refreshing  are  come,  and  the  conviction 
penetrates  all  hearts,  "Now  is  the  day  of  salvation."  There 
are  other  times  when  labor,  however  faithfully  performed, 


TROY    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  170 

yields  no  immediate  visible  fruit.  It  is,  however,  the  duty 
of  each  laborer  to  sow  good  seed,  and  to  sow  it  in  abun- 
dance ;  to  sow  it  in  the  morning  and  to  sow  it  in  the  even- 
ing, as  he  knows  not  which  shall  prosper  most,  this  or  that, 
or  whether  both  shall  prosper  alike.  He  must  trust  God 
for  the  increase,  who  can  give  thirty-fold,  sixty-fold,  or  a 
hundred-fold.  He  has  promised  that  our  labor  shall  not  be 
in  vain  in  the  Lord,  and  though  we  go  forth  weeping  and 
bearing  the  precious  seed,  we  shall  doubtless  return  again, 
rejoicing,  and  bringing  sheaves  with  us. 

Associated  with  us  as  supernumerary  was  Rev.  Richard 
Brandriflf.  He  was  living  in  Troy,  in  impaired  health — a 
good  preacher  and  much  respected  by  the  people.  He 
afterward  committed  the  great  mistake  of  quitting  the 
Church  of  his  choice  and  uniting  with  the  "  True  Wesley- 
ans."  They  made  much  of  him,  but  I  am  inclined  to  think 
that  his  latter  da^'s  were  neither  as  cheerful  nor  useful 
as  they  would  have  been  had  he  remained  in  the  communion 
in  which  he  had  spent  his  strength.  Brother  D.  Dyke  was 
also  living  in  the  bounds  of  the  circuit.  He  had  been  a 
useful  traveling  preacher,  and  exerted  a  good  influence 
among  the  people.  Brother  J.  Goddard  was  a  good  local 
preacher.  Very  humble  in  his  own  estimation,  he  had  a 
high  place  in  the  esteem  of  his  brethren.  Brother  J. 
Mitchell  was  also  an  acceptable  local  preacher,  and  was  lis- 
tened to  by  the  people. 

Among  the  lay  members  at  Troy,  D.  Sabin  and  Levi  Hart 
stood  very  prominent.  The  former  was  an  able  and  suc- 
cessful medical  practitioner.  He  was  a  thorough  Meth- 
odist, able  to  grasp  the  whole  economy  of  the  Church,  and 
to  defend  it  against  any  adversary.  He  was  thoroughly 
posted,  and  a  man  of  great  mental  power.  The  preachers 
found  in  him  a  steadfast  friend,  and  he  always  extended  to 
them  faithful  professional  services,  free  of  charge.    Brother 


180  HIGHWAYS    AM)    HEDGES. 

li.irt  \vn?5  acfivo  in  iiirrtiiiL'  tlie  rospo)ifsil)ili(ics  of  liis  cifTicial 
relations,  and  did  liis  ^\^\rk  iiitclli<^cntly  and  llioroUfMy. 
Ill  fact  tlic  ullicial  lioard  of  tlic  Troy  circuit,  as  a  wli-dc, 
was  a  very  diLrnified,  stronp^  and  efficient  body.  Such  vras 
my  attacliincnt  to  tlieni  and  tlie  people  generally  of  the 
charge,  that  I  would  gladly  have  remained  another  year. 
There  were  other  reasons,  too,  why  it  would  have  been 
agreeable  to  my  family  to  have  remained  another  year.  My 
oldest  son,  John  Wesley,  had  commenced  learning  the 
printer's  trade,  in  the  office  of  brother  Tullis,  who  published 
and  edited  the  "  Troy  Times,"  and  we  would  have  been 
gratified  to  remain,  so  that  he  could  have  still  been  a  men\- 
ber  of  our  family  and  under  our  influence.  We,  however, 
submitted  to  the  order  of  the  properly  constituted  authorities. 
As  I  omitted  to  record  the  list  of  appointments  in  the 
proper  place,  I  will  insert  it  here:  1.  Troy;  2.  Crisman's; 
3.  Muhurou's;  4.  Chambersburg ;  5.  M'Fading's;  G.  Pisgah  ; 
7.  Lee's;  8.  Gearheart's;  9.  Mitchell's;  10.  Bethel;  11. 
LefFel's ;  12.  Sim's ;  13.  Rector's ;  14.  Arney's ;  15.  Spring 
Meeting-house;  16.  Crary's;  17.  Clarke's;  18.  Lamb's; 
11).  Carlisle. 


ADELPin    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  181 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

ADELPHI   CIRCUIT,  OHIO. 
1834-35. 

AUGUST  20,  1834,  the  Conference  met  at  Circleville, 
Ohio,  Bishop  Soule  presiding.  The  following  per- 
sons were  admitted  on  trial:  Joseph  0.  W.  Cloniuger, 
David  Kemper,  Charles  R.  Baldwin,  Reuben  S.  Plummer, 
John  Morey,  Lorenzo  Davis,  John  Rodgers,  John  F.  Gray, 
Edward  Estell,  Jonathan  E.  Chaplin,  James  Brooks,  Moses 
A.  Milligan,  Richard  Haney,  William  Morrow,  James  A. 
Kellam,  Stephen  P.  Heath,  McKendree  Thrapp,  Frederick 
A.  Seborn,  David  Warnock,  George  Armstrong,  Daniel  M. 
Conant,  Robert  F.  Hickman,  Zachariah  Wharton,  Alanson 
Fleming,  Dudley  Woodbridge,  Robert  S.  Kimber,  John  T. 
Kellam,  John  Bronaugh,  Wesley  Rowe,  Hiram  Gering, 
Orin  Mitchell,  William  I.  Ellsworth,  Sylvester  F.  Southard, 
Mark  Delany,  Sheldon  Parker,  Lucien  W.  Berry,  Wesley 
Brock,  Richard  Doughty,  James  Wilkinson,  John  W.  White, 
Wesley  C.  Clarke,  J.  A.  Brown,  William  B.  Bradford— 43. 
Some  of  these  I  have  recently  met  in  the  great  North-west, 
occupying  leading  positions  in  their  Conferences,  and  some 
of  them  are  known  throughout  the  denomination. 

During  the  past  year  two  of  our  preachers  had  been  trans- 
ferred from  the  Church  militant  to  the  Church  triumphant; 
namely,  Thomas  F.  Sargent  and  James  Callahan.  Brother 
Sargent  had  occupied  a  high  position  in  the  East,  and  was 
transferred  to  the  Ohio  Conference  and  stationed  in  Cincin- 


182  HIGHWAYS   AND    HEDGES. 

iiati.  Hr  died  l)({'cinl)or  2J),  1833,  before  the  close  of  his 
first  year  among  us.  lie  was  ;i  iii.in  of  diversified  and 
extensive  attaimncnts,  and  was  lamented  by  a  large  circle 
of  admircMs  and  friends.  Brother  Callahan  died  of  pul- 
monary consumption  at  the  residence  of  his  father-in-law, 
brother  Burlingham,  near  Marietta,  Ohio,  November  9,  1833. 
II is  father.  Rev.  George  Callahan,  had  given  him  to  God 
early  in  life.  He  embraced  religion  early,  entered  the 
traveling  connection  in  182G,  and  his  talent,  devotion,  and 
success,  during  the  few  years  of  his  ministry,  had  given 
promise  of  great  usefulness.  But  He  who  sees  "the  end 
from  the  beginning"  transferred  him  to  the  brighter  clime 
above. 

My  removal  from  Troy,  as  intimated  in  the  last  chapter, 
was  contrary  to  my  wishes,  and,  as  I  had  reason  to  believe, 
contrary  to  the  desires  of  the  members  of  that  charge.  It 
was  not  only  contrary  to  our  mutual  wishes,  but  altogether 
unexpected.  When  the  Bishop  had  made  his  address,  and 
commenced  reading  out  the  appointments,  I  sat  easily  in 
my  place,  expecting  to  be  returned,  but  w^hen  he  reached 
that  appointment  he  read:  "Troy,  J.  Laivs,  W.  I.  Ells- 
worth. R.  Brandrfff,  sup."  The  thoughts  of  my  sick  wife, 
my  boy  just  commencing  to  learn  a  trade,  and  all  the  embar- 
rassments in  the  way  of  a  removal,  flashed  through  my 
mind  and  I  was  somewhat  disconcerted.  But  I  yet  hoped 
that  I  might  find  myself  stationed  on  some  adjacent  charge. 
The  Bishop  read  on  and  finished  that  district,  and  on 
through  the  third,  and  the  fourth,  and  fifth,  and  sixth,  and 
seventh,  and  eighth,  and  at  the  last  appointment  of  the 
eighth  district  read:  "Adelphi  circuit,  John  Stewart,  J. 
W.  White."  A  move  of  about  one  hundred  miles,  and  a 
large,  rugged  four  weeks'  circuit  of  twenty-eight  appointments 
was  before  me.  I  was  driven  to  my  wits'  end  to  be  recon- 
ciled; but  I  never  had  rebelled,  and  I  determined  to  go  to 


ADELPIII     CIRCUIT,    OHIO. 


183 


my  work  and  not  let  any  body  know  that  it  was  not  just 
the  work  that  I  desired.  I  never  asked  any  expLmation  of 
brother  Raper,  the  presiding  elder,  and  he  never  volunteered 
to  give  me  any,  so  I  do  not  know  to  this  day  why  the  change 
was  made.  Since  then,  however,  my  experience  in  the 
Bishops'  cabinet  has  instructed  me  that  changes  sometimes 
need  to  be  made  for  the  reasonable  relief  of  individuals,  or  to 
secure  the  general  interest  of  the  work,  that  could  not  be 
anticipated,  and  that  could  hardly  be  explained  to  all  the 
parties  concerned  so  as  to  appear  altogether  satisfactory  to 
them.  The  system  of  Methodist  Church  polity  is  one  of 
mutual  sacrifice,  to  secure  in  its  ultimate  results  mutual 
advantage  and  the  largest  amount  of  efficiency  with  a  given 
amount  of  men,  and  means,  and  labor. 

PLAN  OF  ADELPHI  CIRCUIT. 


Sabbath ... 

Tuesday . 
Sabbath  .. 
Wednes... 
Thursday 
Sabbath  .. 
Monday... 
Tuesday . 
Wedne.s... 
Saturday. 
Sabbath... 
iMonday... 
Tuesday.. 
Wednes... 
Friday 


Sabbath... 

Tuesday. 

<( 
Wednes... 

Thurs(h\y 
Friday  ... 
Sabba'th... 

Monday_. 
Tuesday  . 

Friday 

Saturday 


Pbf.aching-Pl.\ce,- 


.\delphi 

Widow  Low's , 

William  Dawson's. 

Dowd'-s 

D.  Culbertson"s 

Mc.\rthurstown 

Lovinji's 

S.  Redteru's 

Comer's  S.  H 

Londonderry 

Concord  M."H 

S.  Hanson's  M.  H.. 

Rout's , 

Bookwalier's  S.  H, 
Monett's  M.  H 


Tarlton 


Jesse  Cartlich's. 

David  Fate's , 

Woodward's  S. 

Mannie's 

.Aaron  Youmr's. 
Webb's  JI.  H... 

Logan  

Pitcher's 

Brown's 

Cave's , 

Thoinass 

Rice's  M.  H 


H.. 


o 


Ross. 


.\thens. 


Jackson. 


Ross. 


Pickaway 


Hocking.. 


Athens.... 
IIockiuK.. 


20 


11A.M. 

11      " 
Night... 
.SP.M 
11  A.  M 

11  " 

12  M  .... 
11A.M. 
11      " 

3  P.M. 
11  A.  M, 
11      " 
11      " 
11      " 
11      " 

11      " 


11 


Pickaway 


3  P.  M. 

11  .A.M. 
3P.M. 

2  " 

12  M 

11  A.M. 

3  P.  M. 
10  11  A.  M 

7  11      " 
5    2P.M 
4  11  A.  M 


f  f.    Class-Leadees. 


51 

21 
10 

20 
12 

5t; 

2.3 
27 

:m) 

57 
85 
•Xi 
15 
24 
29 


48 

If. 
20 
10 
14 
37 
Gl 
30 
55 
2;i 
22 
48 


/George  Will, 
JA.  Gartlich. 
Pastors. 

Bro.  Westcoat's. 
D.  Culbertson. 
James  Johnson. 
A.  Hortoii. 
S.  Redlern. 
Brother  Comer, 
A.  Gordon. 
David  Gundy. 
John  Gundy. 
Brother  Rout. 
Pastors. 
J.  Monett. 
(J.  Shoemaker, 
J  Brother  Roby, 
(  \.  Ly brand. 
(  George  Fate, 
(  I.  Cartlich. 
Pastors. 

Bro.  Woodward. 
'Bro.  Biosgerstatf. 
'James  Young. 
ITliomas  Webb. 
jS.  S.  liright. 
Broliier  Sellers. 
Brother  Conrad. 
M.  Caves. 
Brother  Wheeler. 
Willi.im  Rice. 


181 


HIGHWAYS    AND    IIKDGES. 


The  followinf;^  names  were  reported  as  exhortcrs,  local 
preachers,  and  circuit  stewards  :  K.rhor/rra — .Jolm  nrcssback, 
Isaac  Cartlich,  Dr.  Hilibard,  A.  Carflicli,  J.  Drcssback,  F. 
Fate,  and  I).  Fate.  Lorn/  Prmrhrrs — ]).  Culbcrtson,  S. 
Kedfcrn,  T).  Dutchcr,  .1.  Monctt,  John  Kodgcrs,  Joseph 
iStarlincr,  Aarou  Young,  'i'honias  Webb,  Natlian  Bro^vn,  and 
Henry  Brown.  Circuit  Sfnoarth — George  Will  (recording 
steward),  John  Patterson,  James  Johnson,  A.  Gordon,  Geo. 
Binkley,  S.  S.  Bright,  and  William  Rice. 

This  is  the  plan  as  given  to  me  by  my  predecessors,  Rev. 
AVilliani  Wcstlakc  and  Philip  Nation.  The  only  addition 
that  I  have  made  to  the  plan  is  to  add  the  counties  in 
whicdi  the  appointments  were  located.  In  a  few  instances, 
■where  they  were  located  near  the  county  lines,  I  may  not 
be  entirely  correct.  It  will  be  observed  that  the  circuit 
extended  into  five  counties,  and  embraced  a  membership  of 
nearly  one  thousand. 

The  first  year  that  I  traveled  the  circuit,  Rev.  Au^^^ustus 
Eddy  was  my  presiding  elder,  and  John  W.  White  was  my 
colleague.  The  second  year,  Rev.  John  Ferree  was  my 
presiding  elder,  Wesley  Rowe  my  colleague,  with  all  of 
whom  my  associations  were  both  pleasant  and  profitable. 
Of  the  presiding  elders  I  have  already  spoken  in  former 
chapters.  My  colleagues  were  botli  young  men  just  enter- 
ino-  the  work,  and  both  gave  unmistakable  promise  at  the 
outstart  of  extensive  usefulness  in  the  Church.  Brother 
White  had  a  lively  imagination,  a  ready  utterance,  a  large 
share  of  magnetism  in  his  nature,  and  his  ministrations 
w^ere  much  blessed  to  the  people.  Brother  Rowe  was 
prompt  to  duty  and  reliable  in  every  relation.  He  had 
great  social  powder,  and  was  an  interesting  and  profitable 
preacher.  His  sermons  were  brief,  practical,  and  jaften 
pathetic.  They  have  both  fulfilled  the  high  hopes  that  I 
entertained  of  them,  the  former  still  standing  on  the  walls 


ADELPHI    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  185 

of  Zion,  and   the   latter    having   passed    on  to   the  Church 
triumphant. 

I  had  some  difficulty  in  finding  a  house  to  live  in,  as  the 
circuit  had  no  parsonage.  The  best  we  could  do  for  some 
mouths  was  to  occupy  an  old  house  connected  with  a  tan- 
nery, in  the  suburbs  of  x\delphi,  which,  according  to  popular 
rumor,  was  the  resort  of  "  spooks,"  and  therefore  a  great 
terror  to  the  young.  AYe  had  some  difficulty  in  educating 
our  children  to  overcome  the  timidity  occasioned  by  these 
stories.  After  a  few  months  brother  Mouett  invited  us  to 
occupy  a  vacant  house  near  him  on  his  farm,  where  we  were 
;  very  pleasantly  associated  with  his  excellent  family.  I  ad- 
dressed myself,  however,  to  the  work  of  providing  the  cir- 
cuit with  a  parsonage,  and  had  the  privilege  of  occupying  it 
in  Tarlton  my  last  year  on  the  charge.  In  each  of  these 
neighborhoods  my  family  had  the  attention  of  first-class 
Methodists,  and  we  and  the  people  of  the  charge  became 
mutually  greatly  attached.  Each  Conference  year  wound 
up  with  a  glorious  camp-meeting.  The  one  at  the  close  of 
the  first  year  was  held  in  the  Concord  neighborhood,  on 
Walnut  Creek.  It  was  an  immense  gathering,  and  proved 
to  be  a  meeting  of  large  results.  Among  those  whose  min- 
istrations were  greatly  blessed  at  that  meeting  were  Rev. 
Augustus  Eddy,  the  presiding  elder,  then  in  the  strength  of 
his  physical  manhood  and  the  palmy  period  of  his  pulpit 
I'liwer;  Rev.  David  Lewis,  full  of  love  and  zeal  and  faith; 
Rev.  Evan  Stevenson,  of  Kentucky,  a  man  of  lofty  enthu- 
siasm and  almost  consuming  zeal;  Rev.  Philip  Nation,  one 
of  the  sweetest  singers  and  most  powerful  exhorters;  and 
J.  AV.  White,  my  colleague,  of  whom  I  have  already  spoken. 
The  great  altar  was  at  times  crowded  with  penitents,  and  as 
the  converting  power  descended  we  witnessed  some  scenes 
thrilling   and    grand    beyond    description.      It    was    at  this 

meeting   that   my  son,  who   afterward    became   a    minister, 

16 

I 


186  TTir.llWAVS    AND    HEDGES. 

joined  the  (Muucli.  lie  w;»s  a  l)i<l  Imt  ten  ycarh  of  age ; 
Avliilo  tlic  call  was  being  made  for  vnlmitrers,  lie  stood  back 
in  the  congregation,  leaning  against  a  tree,  "weeping.  One 
of  the  ministers  on  tl«c  platform  saw  him,  and  conjecturing 
his  feelings,  approached.  "  Bui),  do  you  want  to  join  the 
Church?  If  you  do,  you  may."  And  without  waiting  for 
an  answer,  he  gathered  the  child  up  in  his  strong  arms,  and 
pressing  him  to  his  great  warm  heart,  he  literally  carried 
him  into  the  visible  fold  of  Christ, 

The  camp-meeting  which  closed  the  second  year  on  that 
circuit  was  held  in  the  neighborhood  of  Logan,  and  about 
one  mile  from  the  falls  of  Ilockhocking.  It,  like  the  other, 
was  a  powerful  meeting.  As  the  circuit  was  this  year  at- 
tached to  Marietta  district.  Rev.  John  Ferree,  presiding 
elder,  was  present  during  part  of  the  meeting,  preaching 
with  his  usual  unction  on  such  occasions.  Rev.  David 
Lewis  was  again  with  us  doing  efficient  service,  but  as  the 
meeting  was  distant  from  any  other  pastoral  charge,  we  had 
but  few  ministerial  visitors,  and  myself  and  colleague  had 
to  perform  a  good  deal  of  the  pulpit  labor.  I  was  much 
blessed  preaching  on  Sabbath  night  on  "  Surely  I  come 
quickly." 

As  the  time  drew  near  for  me  to  leave  this  circuit  I 
found  that  the  bauds  that  bound  me  to  the  dear  people  of 
my  charge  were  very  strong.  They  had  given  me  a  warm 
welcome  and  hearty  co-operation,  and  the  most  liberal  sup- 
port that  I  had  ever  received.  I  received  this  year  two 
hundred  and  forty  dollars,  which  was  forty  dollars  more 
than  I  had  received  on  any  other  charge. 

At  that  time  Adelphi  circuit  was  blessed  with  a  very  able 
and  efficient  corps  of  local  preachers.  Among  them  I  would 
mention  the  venerable  Jesse  Cartlich,  a  good  man,  possess- 
ing a  large  fund  of  useful  knowledge,  and  a  rare  facility  in 
communicating  in  a  most  interesting  way  that  knowledge, 


ADELPHI    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  187 

either  in  the  social  circle  or  the  pulpit.  Four  of  his  sons 
became  preachers,  two  of  whom,  Abraham  and  Isaac,  served 
the  Church  as  acceptable  members  of  the  Conference.  Rev. 
David  Dutcher  had  been  a  man  of  popularity  and  power  in 
the  regular  work.  While  he  performed  the  labors  of  a  cir- 
cuit, one  of  his  sous  took  charge  of  home  interests  and 
supported  the  fiimily.  The  sudden  death  of  that  son  by 
accident  had  necessitated  the  location  of  brother  Dutcher. 
But  while  local  in  form  he  itinerated  in  fact  much  and 
very  usefully  to  the  Church.  Brother  Solomon  Redfern  was 
a  useful  local  preacher,  and  gave  a  son  to  the  traveling 
ministry,  of  whom  much  was  anticipated,  but  the  Master 
soon  called  him  to  the  rest  above.  Of  brother  Monett  I 
have  already  spoken.  He  was  a  minister  highly  esteemed 
by  all  who  knew  him,  and  was  blessed  of  God  with  a  model 
family.  His  descendants  have  inherited  his  spirit,  and  some 
of  them  are  known  among  the  excellent  of  the  Church. 
Before  the  close  of  my  time  on  the  circuit,  he  removed  with 
his  family  to  Marion,  where  he  made  fortunate  investments 
in  lands.  Rev.  Nathan  Brown,  venerable  for  years  and 
prized  for  his  moral  worth,  was  still  abundant  in  every  good 
word  and  work.  He  also  gave  two  sons  to  the  ministry, 
John,  long  a  valuable  member  of  the  Ohio  Conference,  and 
Henry,  who  was  an  acceptable  local  preacher  on  this  cir- 
cuit. There,  too,  were  brothers  Rodgers  and  Starling  living 
at  Tarleton,  both  doing  good  service  as  local  preachers. 
We  had  a  working  class  of  exhorters,  too,  whose  names  ap- 
pear in  the  "plan"  of  the  circuit,  several  of  whom  after- 
ward became  preachers.  The  Cartliches,  and  Dressbacks, 
and  Fates  are  all  deserving  of  honorable  mention.  "We  had 
an  able  board  of  stewards.  Will,  Patterson,  Johnson,  Gor- 
don, Binkley,  Bright,  and  Rice  were  men  devoted  to  the 
cause  of  God  and  Methodism.  The  recording  steward, 
brother  George   Will,  was  a  man  of  remarkable  executive 


188  ITKIHWAVS    ANH    IIF.DGES. 

talent.  1  have  .seldom  known  lils  equal  in  efficiency  as  a 
steward,  and  it  was  to  nic  a  source  of  jirofound  grief  when, 
under  temptation,  he  withdrew  from  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church.  l>ut  Ijc  afterward  united  with  another  branch 
of  the  (.'hurch.  I  hope  to  meet  him  and  many  of  his  ex- 
cellent family  where  there  are  no  jiartition  walls  and  no 
tempter. 

I  will  close  this  chapter  with  a  reference  to  the  session 
of  the  Conference  Avhich  occurred  at  Springfield,  Ohio, 
August  19,  1835,  at  which  Bishop  Andrew  presided.  I 
should  have  mentioned  it  sooner,  as  it  was  from  this  Con- 
ference that  I  w^as  returned  to  the  circuit  for  the  second 
year. 

Among  the  matters  of  interest  at  this  session  was  the 
visit  of  Rev.  11.  B.  Bascom.  He  had  started  in  the  Ohio 
Conference,  but  for  many  years  had  been  absent  from  us, 
laboring  in  other  parts  of  the  work.  He  now  appeared 
among  us  like  a  blazing  meteor,  and  electrified  the  Confer- 
ence and  audience  with  his  amazing  eloquence.  His  sermon 
on  Sabbath  from  the  Scripture,  "The  law  shall  go  forth 
from  Jerusalem,"  etc.,  brought  the  audience  to  their  feet, 
and  held  them  spell-bound  during  the  delivery  of  the  dis- 
course. 

We  received  on  probation  the  following  persons:  Silas 
H.  Chase,  Wm.  T.  Hand,  Werter  R.  Davis,  William  Met- 
calf,  Andrew  Carroll.  Rufus  F.  Blood,  Augustine  M.  Alex- 
ander, Thomas  Barkdull,  John  0.  Conway,  Larmon  Chat- 
field,  William  Nast,  Uriah  Heath,  Joseph  A.  Morris,  John 
Blanpied,  Jehiel  Porter,  Thomas  Hesson,  John  H.  Pitezel, 
Washington  Jackson,  Solomon  Howard,  Harvey  Sweney, 
Abraham  Buckles,  John  W.  Young,  Thomas  Dunn,  Wes- 
ley J.  Wells,  John  Quigley,  Henry  AYharton,  Jonathan 
Anthony,  James  Hooper,  David  Gray,  Osborn  Monett, 
Michael   G.  Perkhiser,   Lewis    Smith,   John    Reed,    Martin 


ADELPHl    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  189 

P.    Kellogg,    James    Frees,    Stephen    F.    Conrey,    Robert 
Triggs-37. 

On  this  roll  are  the  names  of  men  who  were  destined  to 
be  giants  in  our  Israel,  and  whose  names  will  be  handed 
down  through  all  the  history  of  the  Church  as  men  greatly 
liilled  and  honored  of  God. 

AVhen  the  Committee  on  Obituaries  came  to  read  their 
report,  it  appeared  that  the  great  Head  of  the  Church  had 
called  from  labor  to  rest  and  reward  some  of  the  most 
princely  and  saintly  men  of  our  Conference.  Philip  Gatch, 
William  Page,  and  Russel  Bigelow,  had  accomplished  their 
ministry  and  gone  up  on  high.  Brother  Gatch  commenced 
itinerating  in  1773,  and  had  done  the  work  not  only  of  a 
pioneer,  but  of  a  hero,  and  had  almost  been  honored  with 
the  crown  of  a  martyr.  He  settled  near  Cincinnati  in  1798, 
and  from  that  time  until  the  28th  of  December,  1835,  the 
time  of  his  death,  he  labored  as  an  itinerant  local  preacher. 
He  did  much  work  and  did  it  well. 

Brother  Page  was  born  in  Monmouth  county.  East  Jer- 
sey, September  2,  1772;  joined  the  traveling  connection  in 
the  city  of  Philadelphia  at  a  Conference  held  in  1793.  In 
1811,  having  previously  located,  he  removed  to  Ohio  and 
settled  in  Adams  county.  He  re-entered  the  traveling  con- 
nection in  1820.  He  was  a  valuable  and  esteemed  minister 
of  the  Gospel,  and  after  a  long  and  useful  ministry  died 
peacefully  November  15,  183-4. 

I  have  spoken  of  that  peerless  man,  Rev.  Russel  Bigelow, 
at  length  in  another  part  of  this  narrative. 

We  elected  the  following  brethren  as  delegates  to  Gen- 
eral Conference  :  Thomas  A.  Morris,  Jacob  Young,  David 
Young,  W.  H.  Raper,  Leroy  Swormstedt,  John  Ferree,  J. 
B.  Finley,  W.  B.  Christie,  James  Quinn,  J.  F.  Wright,  A. 
Eddy,  J.  H.  Power. 


Ly  y-i 


100  HIGHWAYS    AND    HKDGKS. 


CIIArXER  XX. 

ATHENS  CIRCUIT,  OHIO. 
1836-38. 

rpiIE  Conference  met  at  Chillicothe,  September  28,  1836, 
-^  Bishop  Soule  presiding.  The  following  persons  were 
admitted  on  trial :  Daniel  Wainwright,  John  Steele,  0.  C. 
Shelton,  George  Fate,  Maxwell  P.  Gaddis,  William  H. 
Fyffe,  James  Brooks,  Jeremiah  Hill,  John  Hasty,  David 
Kinnear,  John  W.  Stone,  Joseph  Gassner,  Mighill  Dustin, 
Evan  Stevenson,  Martin  Wolf,  William  B.  Anderson, 
Justus  Brewer,  Ancil  Brooks,  Jos.  W.  Smith — 19 — not 
as  large  a  class  as  the  one  received  a  year  ago,  but  the  list 
contains  some  valuable  and  well-known  names. 

We  recorded  the  name  of  one  dear  brother,  William 
Philips,  as  having  died  August  4th,  1836.  During  the  few 
years  he  had  belonged  to  the  Conference,  he  had  exhibited 
a  diversity  and  strength  of  talent  which  inspired  the  Church 
with  great  hope.  In  the  pulpit  or  the  editorial  sanctum 
he  was  equally  at  home.  His  work  exposing  the  errors  of 
Campbellism  gave  proof  of  his  ability  in  the  department  of 
polemical  divinity.  His  death  was  a  great  loss  to  our 
Conference. 

From  this  Conference  I  had  my  appointment  to  Athens 
circuit,  with  Bev.  J.  Ferree  for  my  presiding  elder,  and 
Rev,  Mighill  Dustin  for  my  assistant.  Brother  Dustin  was 
a  devoted  and  faithful  itinerant  worker,  and  rapidly  gained 
the  confidence  and  affections  of  the  people.     He  was  a  man 


ATHENS    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  101 

strong  in  his  convictions  and  uncompromising  in  the  main- 
tenance of  what  he  regarded  as  right  and  duty.  He  has 
been  gradually  rising  in.  influence  in  the  Church  ever  since 
that  time,  and  now  occupies  a  high  position  among  his 
brethren  in  the  Cincinnati  Conference. 

I  experienced  mingled  emotions  when  my  appointment 
was  announced.  I  was  both  pleased  and  embarrassed — 
pleased  to  return  to  my  home  and  worship  with  my  parents 
and  former  associates,  embarrassed  in  view  of  the  responsi- 
bility of  becoming  the  pastor  and  teacher  of  those  who  had 
been  my  teachers,  and  who  had  known  me  from  my  child- 
hood. During  the  twenty  years  that  I  had  been  in  the 
itinerant  work,  I  was  accustomed  to  visit  home  usually  as 
often  as  once  a  year,  and  had  so  kept  up  acquaintance  with 
the  people  generally.  They  had  continued  to  call  me 
familiarly  "John,"  and  among  them  I  always  regarded 
myself  as  a  boy.  My  parents  and  my  wife's  parents  were 
all  living,  and  the  associates  of  my  boyhood  were  there. 
So  soon  as  I  reached  the  circuit,  however,  the  people  gave 
me  such  a  kind  and  hearty  welcome  that  my  embarrassment 
soon  left  me,  and  I  spent  two  years  on  the  circuit,  which 
were  among  the  most  pleasant'  and  successful,  in  some 
respects,  of  my  ministry. 

At  that  time  Athens  circuit  embraced  twenty-six  appoint- 
ments and  had  nearly  eight  hundred  members.  Its  quar- 
terly conference  was  composed  of  able  and  valuable  men, 
such  as  Hon.  Calvary  Morris — brother  to  Bishop  Morris — 
J.  Reynolds,  A.  Cooley,  Jonas  Smith,  Enos  Thompson, 
Stephen  Pilcher,  John  Minton,  George  Bean,  John  "Walker, 
Isaac  Humphrey,  Elijah  Pilcher.  They  received  me  as 
God's  messenger,  and  gave  me  cordial  moral  and  material 
support. 

For  a  brief  sketch  of  the  founding  of  Methodism  within 
the  bounds  of  this  circuit,  the  reader  is  referred  to  the  first 


192  IlIf.IlWAVS   AND    HEDGES. 

chapter  in  the  narrative.  The  name  of  tlie  circuit  and  its 
boundaries  had  been  changed  froin  time  to  time.  At  the 
time  of  whicli  I  now  write,  it  expended  along  the  Hock- 
hocking  a  distance  of  forty  miles,  from  Meeker's  Bottom  to 
the  mouth  of  the  river.  The  preaching-places  were  as  fol- 
lows :  1.  Daniel  Stewart's;  2.  Elmore  Rowel's;  3.  Mouth 
(•r  Hocking;  4.  Coolville ;  5.  Bethel;  G.  Lotridge's ;  7. 
Frost's;  8.  Penmore's;  9.  Veit's;  10.  McCulm's;  11.  Gates's; 
12.  Center  Stake;  13.  Woodyard's ;  14.  Dickson's;  15. 
Bunion's;  16.  Harris's;  17.  AValburu's;  18.  Bolen's;  19. 
Leetown;  20.  Minton's ;  21.  Beynolds's ;  22.  Wolfs  Plains; 
23.  Ross's;  24.  Athens;  25.  Canaan;  26.  Harrison  Long's. 
These  twenty-six  appointments  were  regularly  filled  by  each 
of  the  preachers  every  four  weeks,  thus  securing  regular 
circuit  preaching  to  each  society  every  two  weeks.  Then 
we  had  a  noble  band  of  local  preachers  and  exhorters,  who 
supplemented  our  labor  so  as  to  secure  service  every  week 
to  the  most  important  points.  I  hardly  dare  commence 
putting  the  names  of  the  excellent  spirits  of  that  circuit  on 
the  record,  because  while  it  will  be  impracticable  to  trans- 
fer the  whole  roll,  I  may  seem  to  be  partial  in  my  selection. 
I  will  mention  a  few  as  a  sample  of  the  many :  Justus, 
Isaac,  and  Eli  Reynolds  were  brothers  and  men  of  Christian 
influence ;  tW'O  of  them  were  local  preachers  of  respectable 
talents  and  efficiency.  Then  there  were  the  Cooleys — 
Simeon,  Asahel,  Caleb,  and  Herman — all  men  and  Chris- 
tians of  the  first  order.  Asahel  was  one  of  the  most 
excellent  exhorters.  John  Minton  was  a  man  of  great 
power  in  exhortation.  He  was  listened  to  with  profound 
interest,  and  hundreds  of  slumbering  consciences  have  been 
thoroughly  aroused  by  his  thundering  appeals. 

The  Conference  met  September  27,  1837,  at  Xenia,  Ohio. 
Bishops  Hedding  and  Soule  presided.  One  of  our  preach- 
ers, Gilbert,  was  convicted  of  immorality  and  expelled. 


ATHENS    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  193 

Wc  received  on  probation  William  Parish,  Solomon  How- 
ard, David  Smith,  Ebenezer  Owen,  James  L.  Grover,  John 
Fitch,  Alfred  Hance,  Matthew  Scovel,  Madison  Ilansley, 
Jesse  M'Mahon,  Andrew  Murphy,  Richard  Doughty, 
George  W.  Bowers,  Jonathan  ¥.  Courey,  Jedediali  Foster, 
Jonathan  Anthony,  Calvin  W.  Lewis,  Benedict  Hutchinson, 
Elijah  Y.  Bing,  Luman  H.  Allen,  Randolph  S.  Foster, 
Thomas  Chesuut,  Joseph  S.  Brown,  John  Kiger,  John  W. 
"Weakley — 25 — a  good  class,  furnishing  material  for  all  the 
departments  of  ministerial  labor.  From  it  have  been  taken 
men  to  preside  over  important  stations,  and  districts,  and 
institutions  of  learning,  and  it  may  yet  have  its  representa- 
tion in  the  Board  of  Bishops. 

We  tliis  year  recorded  the  death  of  Rev.  John  A.  Water- 
man and  Erastus  Felton.  Brother  Waterman  was  one  of 
our  ablest  ministers.  He  was  licensed  to  preach  at  Athens, 
0.,  and  joined  the  Conference  in  181^.  When  the  Pitts- 
buro;  Conference  was  oroanized  he  fell  into  it,  where  he 
traveled  until  1832,  when  he  was  transferred  back  to  the 
Ohio  Conference.  He  was  one  of  the  ablest  metaphysicians, 
and  obtained  the  rank  of  a  first-class  pulpit  orator.  He 
died  peacefully  at  Oxford,  0.,  August  G,  1836. 

Brother  Felton  entered  the  Conference  in  1829,  and  died 
on  Roscoe  circuit,  June  25,  1837.  He  was  a  preacher  of 
great  zeal  and  fidelity.  He  professed,  illustrated  in  his  life, 
and  preached  to  the  people  the  doctrine  of  perfect  love. 
Death  found  him  fully  prepared,  and  when  he  heard  the 
call  he  mounted  the  chariot  and  ascended  to  his  mansion 
home  on  high. 

In  accordance  with  my  preference  and  the  desire  of  tlie 
charge,  I  was  returned  to  Athens  circuit.  Rev.  Samuel 
Hamilton  succeeded  brother  Ferree  as  presiding  elder.  I 
loved  them  both.  Brother  Hamilton  and  myself  had  volun- 
teered in  1819,  as  heretofore  narrated,  for  Western  mission- 

17 


104  HIGHWAYS    AND    HEDGES. 

;uy  Wdik  td^oflior,  nnd  ))y  loiii;  .-icquMiiitanrc  mid  symj)athy, 
wove  closely  united  to  each  otluM-.  lie  was  a  man  of  more 
popular  pulpit  power  than  brother  Ferrec,  but  they  both 
had  the  power  of  reaehini;  the  human  heart.  The  influence 
of  the  Gospel,  as  preached  by  brother  Ferree,  came  gently 
as  the  dew;  but  it  continued  to  come  until  the  minute  par- 
ticles accumulated  into  dewdrctps,  and  every  spear  of  grass, 
and  bud,  and  flower,  and  leaflet,  bowed  its  head  with  its  bur- 
den of  tears.  When  Hamilton  became  fully  aroused  iu  a 
sermon,  his  burning  words  and  glowing  imagery  swayed  the 
audience  with  wamdrous  power.  He,  too,  had  his  melting 
moods.  Thousands  who  have  enjoyed  his  ministry,  remem- 
ber his  sermon  on  the  "  prodigal  sou."  When  the  young 
man  began  to  contemplate  a  return  home,  he  wrote  to  his 
father.  And  then  the  preacher  represented  the  father's 
anxiety  about  his  absent  profligate  son.  The  father  receives 
at  the  hand  of  a  messenger  a  letter — the  preacher  takes  up 
a  letter — opens  it,  puts  on  his  spcctagles,  and  commences 
reading.  His  heart  is  moved  with  the  penitence  of  his 
unhappy  boy.  Glancing  over  the  spectacles,  he  looks  down 
the  lane  and  sees  an  object  approaching;  it  is  a  man — 
familiar  in  his  movements — is  it  not  my  son?  He  starts; 
they  meet  and  embrace.  The  whole  scene  passed  before 
the  audience  so  natural  and  life-like,  that  the  result  was 
overwhelming. 

My  colleagues  this  year  were  Rev.  W.  H.  Anderson  and 
Matthew  Scovel.  The  former,  a  young  man  of  rare  promise, 
shone  as  a  bright  light  for  the  few  years  that  he  stood 
on  the  walls  of  Zion,  but  he  was  transferred  early  to  the 
paradise  of  God.  Brother  Scovel  was  subject  to  seasons  of 
great  depression,  indicating  a  tendency  to  mental  disease, 
but  he  was  a  man  of  sterling  piety  and  worth,  and  com- 
manded the  sympathy  and  respect  of  the  people.  He  retired 
from  the  regular  work  after  a  few  years. 


ATHENS    CIRCUIT,   OHIO.  195 

The  priucipal  importance  of  Athens  was  found  in  the  fact 
that  the  State  had  founded  a  University  at  that  place.  As 
a  perpetual  endowment  for  the  support  of  this  institution 
two  townships  of  land  were  set  apart  and  called  college 
lands.  These  lands  were  to  be  appraised  and  then  leased; 
the  lessees  were  to  pay  six  per  cent,  on  the  valuation,  and 
that  was  the  revenue  to  belong  to  the  University.  Deacon 
Wyatt,  John  Brown,  and  Daniel  Stewart  were  appointed  by 
the  Legislature  to  appraise  the  lands,  which  they  did.  As 
the  lands  were  occupied  the  revenue  developed,  and  the 
school  extended  its  reputation  and  efficiency.  Able  men 
have  had  charge  of  the  institution,  such  as  Jacob  Lindley, 
Dr.  Wilson,  Dr.  M'Guffey,  and  Dr.  Sol.  Howard.  Hun- 
dreds have  been  educated  there  who  have  proved  to  be 
valuable  workers  in  the  different  honorable  departments  of 
life.  Some  have  attained  to  eminence.  Among  its  early 
graduates  was  Thomas  Ewing.  He  was  a  poor  boy ;  paid 
for  his  board  at  first  as  an  errand  boy;  then  alternated 
between  the  salt-works  of  Virginia  and  the  school,  working 
awhile,  and  then  going  to  college  until  his  money  was  gone. 
"Tom,  the  Salt-boiler,"  was  afterward,  when  he  appealed  to 
the  people  for  their  suffrages,  a  soubriquet  that  gave  him 
great  popularity.  Whether  as  a  lawyer,  a  judge,  a  senator, 
or  member  of  the  President's  cabinet,  he  was  eminent  in 
every  position.  In  after  years,  one  looking  at  his  aristocratic 
residence  and  surroundings,  would  hardly  believe  that  he 
commenced  his  career  in  the  obscurity  of  poverty,  reading 
on  the  cabin  floor  by  the  light  of  the  blazing  fire.  But 
such  is  the  genius  of  our  country,  and  such  the  aids  that  it 
extends  to  its  youth,  the  child  of  poverty  may  climb  to  sit 
among  princes  and  presidents.  In  the  ministry  of  our 
Church,  Rev.  E.  B.  Ames,  now  one  of  the  Bishops;  Joseph 
M.  Trimble,  D.  D.,  late  Assistant  Secretary  of  the  Mission- 
ary Society  of  the    Methodist    Episcopal    Church,  and  who 


llMj  HKillWAVS    AM)    IIMUGES. 

lias  faithfully  and  liotiorably  scrv<'<l  the  Church  in  the^ 
various  relations  of  Professor  of  iMalhematics  iu  Au<>;usta 
College,  Kentucky,  pastor  of  the  most  important  city  churcliea, 
and  presiding  elder  for  many  years;  Kev.  K.  W.  Sehon.  for 
many  years  an  eloquent  and  favorite  preacher  iu  the  Ohio 
Conference,  and  for  years  past  among  the  leading  niiiiistera 
of  the  jNIcthodist  Episcopal  Cliurch  South;  Rev.  William 
Herr,  for  a  long  time  one  of  the  agents  of  the  American 
Bible  Society;  llev.  Homer  J.  Clark,  for  a  long  time  editor 
of  the  Pittsburg  Advocate,  and  President  of  Alleghany 
College  at  Meadville,  Penn.,  and  a  long  list  of  valuable 
men  came  forth  from  the  halls  of  the  Ohio  University  at 
Athens. 

At  the  time  that  I  traveled  Athens  circuit,  Dr.  Wilson 
was  President,  Rev.  Dr.  Daniel  Reed  and  Dr.  Ryors  were 
professors,  and  Dr.  Andrews  had  charge  of  the  preparatory 
department,  and  Rev.  M.  Marvin  of  the  English  grammar 
school.  For  many  years  the  University  was  under  the  con- 
trol of  the  Old  School  Presbyterian  Chuwli,  and  served  all 
the  purposes  to  them  of  a  denominational  school.  After 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  had  founded  the  Ohio 
Wesleyan  University  at  Delaware,  and  demonstrated  the 
success  of  the  enterprise,  it  was  suggested  by  some  not  sat- 
isfied with  the  management  of  the  State  institution  at 
Athens,  that  it  would  be  advantaged  by  getting  the  Method- 
ist Episcopal  Church  in  some  way  more  closely  allied  to  it. 
Leonidas  Jewett,  Esq.,  and  others  began  to  agitate  the  mat- 
ter, and  my  son,  Rev.  W.  F.  Stewart,  stationed  in  Athens  at 
that  time,  interested  himself,  and  nominated  as  suitable  per- 
sons for  professorships  Rev.  Dr.  Joseph  S.  Tomlinson,  and 
Professor  J.  Gr.  Blair,  and  brother  0.  M.  Spencer.  The 
Legislature  elected  some  new  trustees  favorable  to  the  influ- 
ence of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church ;  the  board  sent 
up  a  formal  request  to  the  Ohio  Conference  at  its  session  in 


ATHENS    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  197 

Zanesville,  to  extend  its  patronage  to  the  institution.  Thus 
the  University  became  entirely  friendly  to  the  xMethodist 
Episcopal  Church.  Afterward,  Solomon  Howard,  D.  D.,  a 
scholar  of  great  moral  and  ministerial  worth,  whom  I  had  the 
honor  of  welcoming  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
when  traveling  the  Miami  Circuit,  was  made  President  and 
practical  manager  of  the  institution. 


VJS  mr.invAvs  and  hedges. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

FELICITY  CIRCUIT,  OHIO. 
18:58-:$*). 

rpHE  Conference  met  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  September  26, 
-L  1838,  Bishop  Waugh  presiding.  We  received  on  trial 
the  following  persons:  Peter  Sclimucker,  John  Miley,  An- 
drew Irvin,  A.  B.  Wambaugh,  Jeremiah  B.  Ellsworth, 
Samuel  Maddux,  Samuel  Bateman,  0.  P.  Williams,  Joseph 
Baringer,  Isaac  N.  Baird,  Juba  Estabrook,  and  Isaac  Cart- 
lich — 12 — a  small  but  good  class. 

James  W.  Finley  had  died  during  the  year.  He  was 
the  son  of  Rev.  John  P.  Finley ;  had  entered  the  traveling 
connection  when  about  twenty-one  years  old,  and  had  trav- 
eled usefully  about  nine  years,  when  he  was  summoned  to 
pass  over  the  river.  He  was  a  young  man  of  much  prom- 
ise, and  left  the  example  of  a  Christian  life  and  a  triumph- 
ant death.  On  the  11th  of  June,  1838,  he  expired,  with 
exclamations  of  "Glory!  glory!"  upon  his  lips. 

I  had  spent  my  full  constitutional  term  on  Athens  circuit. 
My  sons,  John  Wesley  and  William  Fletcher,  had  com- 
menced a  course  of  education  in  the  University,  and  I  was 
anxious  to  be  appointed  to  some  charge  where  they  could 
prosecute  their  studies  without  interruption.  W^ith  this  in 
view,  I  had  an  interview  with  Bishop  Waugh,  and  requested 
that  he  would  either  transfer  me  to  the  Kentucky  Confer- 
ence, or  give  me  an  appointment  as  near  as  might  be  to 
Augusta  College.     He  promised  to  consult  with  his  cabinet, 


FELICITY    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  199 

and  make  such  arrangement  as  they  should  recommend. 
The  result  was  I  was  sent  to  Felicit}^  circuit  as  second 
preacher.  Rev.  AVilliam  B.  Christie  was  my  presiding 
elder,  and  Rev.  E.  B.  Chase,  preacher  in  charge.  The 
arranirement  suited  me  well.  I  was  relieved  from  the  re- 
sponsibility  of  the  administration  of  discipline,  and  was  near 
enough  to  my  family  to  spend  part  of  my  time  at  home. 
I  moved  my  goods  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles,  from 
Athens,  Ohio,  to  Augusta,  Kentucky,  with  wagons,  and 
my  family  in  my  private  conveyance;  bought  a  house  on 
the  banks  of  the  Ohio  River,  in  Augusta,  and  got  my  fam- 
ily comfortably  settled  as  soon  as  possible  after  Conference. 
My  two  sons  entered  college,  and  my  two  daughters  entered 
the  Female  Seminary.  I  seemed  about  to  realize  my  hopes 
in  regard  to  the  education  of  my  children,  but,  alas!  I  little 
knew  what  trying  scenes  I  should  pass  through  during  my 
short  sojourn  on  the  shores  of  the  Ohio  River. 

Augusta  College  was  then  in  its  meridian  popularity. 
Rev.  Joseph  S.  Tomlinson,  D.  D.,  was  the  President.  He 
was  a  man  of  extensive  and  varied  scholarship,  and  a  pop- 
ular pulpit  orator.  Rev.  H.  B.  Basconi  was  Professor  of 
Moral  Science  and  Belles  Lettres.  He  stood  peerless  as  a 
pulpit  orator  at  that  time,  and,  attracted  by  his  national 
fame,  the  young  men  of  wealthy  and  ambitious  families 
came  from  distant  States  to  be  under  his  care.  Rev.  Joseph 
M.  Trimble,  son  of  Governor  Trimble,  of  Ohio,  was  Profes- 
sor of  Mathematics,  and  abundant  in  labors,  and  exceed- 
ingly popular  as  a  preacher  of  the  Gospel.  Rev.  Burr  H. 
M'Cown  was  Professor  of  Languages,  and  though  not  equal 
to  his  colleagues  in  pulpit  power  and  popularity,  he  was  an 
excellent  preacher,  a  very  competent  teacher,  and  in  every 
sense  of  the  word  a  Christian  gentleman.  Rev.  Josiah  L. 
Kemp  had  charge  of  the  preparatory  department.  The 
halls  were  well  crowded.     The  reputation  of  the  College  at 


200  HIGHWAYS    AND    HKDGFS. 

lionic  and  al)ron(l  was  suoli  as  (o  be  creditable  to  the  dc- 
iiomiiiation.  Unfortunately  the  College  was  founded  on  the 
wronir  side  of  the  Ohio  Jiiver — on  slave  instead  of  free 
soil.  Had  it  been  otherwise,  perhaps  to-day,  instead  of  its 
blackened  walls  being  desolate  and  forsaken,  it  niiirht  have 
been  taking  rank  with  the  oldest  and  best  institutions  of 
the  land.  But  it  did  a  noble  work  in  its  day,  and  the 
labors  of  its  illustrious  line  of  professors,  lluter,  and  Dur- 
bin,  and  Fielding,  and  Finley,  and  Tonilinson,  and  Basconi, 
and  Trimble,  and  M'Cown,  and  Johnson,  and  Elliott,  and 
others,  have  not  been  in  vain.  It  more  than  repaid  to  the 
Church  and  the  country  all  that  was  expended  upon  it.  In 
the  ministry  of  our  own  Church  we  have  its  Foster,  and 
Boring,  and  Smith,  and  Locke,  and  Fee,  and  Chalfant,  and 
Lyda,  and  Stewart.  Some  of  the  superior  lights  of  former 
days,  such  as  Christie  and  Kavanaugh,  were  from  its  classes, 
and  in  all  departments  of  honorable  life  it  has  its  honora- 
ble representatives.  It  may  be  said  of  old  Augusta  Col- 
lege, though  dead,  it  speaketh  yet. 

The  appointments  on  the  Felicity  circuit  were  as  follows: 
1.  Felicity;  2.  Concord;  3.  Childs;  4.  Neville;  5.  Moscow; 
G.  Buckhannon's;  7.  Calvary;  8.  Fred's;  9.  Bethel;  10. 
Clover;  11.  Rounds;  12.  Hamersville;  13.  Leming's;  14. 
Foor's;  15.  Higginsport;  16.  Yates's;  17.  Mt.  Zion;  18. 
Wesley  Chapel;  and  19.  Goodwin's — in  all  nineteen  ap- 
pointments. The  membership  was  one  thousand  five  hun- 
dred and  thirty-nine,  it  being  one  of  the  strongest  circuits, 
numerically  and  otherwise,  in  the  Conference.  It  had  long 
been  known  by  the  name  of  Whiteoak  circuit,  and  after  this 
year  returned  to  its  old  name. 

My  colleague,  Bev.  E.  B.  Chase,  was  a  very  efl&cient 
man,  efficient  in  many  departments;  he  excelled  in  singing, 
prayer,  exhortation  and  preaching,  and  he  worked  well  to 
the  pastoral  and  business  interests  of  the  charge.     It  was 


FELICITY    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  201 

a  jrreat  satisfaction  to  me  to  see  the  charge  of  the  work  in 
such  competent  and  faithful  hands.  There  v^ere  several 
men  on  this  charge,  both  ministers  and  laymen,  whoso 
names  already  have  an  honorable  place  in  the  history  of 
the  Church  and  country.  Hon.  David  Fisher  had  emerged 
from  obscurity  through  the  religion  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
and  the  31ethodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  developed  a 
giant  mind,  and  whether  in  theological  discussion  with  Kid- 
well,  or  in  political  discussion  with  his  opponents  on  the 
stump,  or  in  the  halls  of  Congress,  he  proved  himself  a 
great  and  a  true  man. 

Holly  Piaper,  brother  to  Rev.  W.  H.  Raper,  was  an  in- 
fluential layman,  filling  with  dignity  and  popularity  places 
both  in  Church  and  State  to  which  his  fellows-citizens  and 
the  authorities  of  the  Church  had  called  him. 

John  Patterson,  living  on  the  hill  near  Higginsport,  was 
an  original  character  and  a  very  good  man.  He  used  to 
relate  with  deep  feeling  his  checkered  experience  at  home 
with  his  family.  His  wife  for  years  was  not  in  sympathy 
with  his  religion,  and  for  some  time  made  active  and  per- 
sistent endeavors  to  annoy  him  and  so  induce  him  to  aban- 
don his  religion.  When  he  would  commence  his  fiimily 
prayers,  she  would  mix  with  the  sound  of  his  voice  the 
clang  and  rattle  of  chairs,  and  pots,  and  dishes.  He  en- 
dured it  with  great  fortitude  until  patience  seemed  to  prom- 
ise no  victory.  He  changed  suddenly  his  tactics,  and  com- 
menced praying  earnestly  that  God  would  convert  his  wife, 
or  if  she  would  not  be  converted,  to  kill  her  and  take  her 
out  of  the  way.  She  heard  the  prayer  with  dismay,  and 
could  hardly  believe  her  own  ears.  But  clear  and  distinct  as 
a  man  would  converse  with  his  friend,  he  still  pleaded,  "O 
God,  convert  her  or  kill  her."  The  prayer  was  answered. 
She  was  seized  with  a  suelden  sickness,  and  then  she  began 
to   call   lustily  for  mercy.     Her  husband   prayed   for   her. 


202  IIICIIWAVS    AM)    IlKDdES. 

Slic  was  at  last  poworfully  rnnvcitcd,  sluuilcd  tlic  IiIl^Ii 
praises  of  God,  and  ever  alter  proved  to  })c  a  faithful  Chris- 
tian, and  seemed  to  enjoy  it  to  hear  her  husband  tell  in 
love-feast  how  c:raoe  had  triumphed. 

He  was  au  eccentric,  good  man,  and  many  were  the  inci- 
dents that  were  current  in  rcjjard  to  his  sini^-ular  exercise. 
He  was  connected  with  the  founding  of  the  jNIethodist 
Episcopal  Church  at  Augusta,  Ky.  It  seems  that  while  he 
was  living  at  Augusta,  working  at  his  trade,  iu  his  early 
life,  he  went  off  to  attend  a  camp-meeting  and  was  greatly- 
blessed.  He  requested  one  of  the  preachers  to  send  an  ap- 
pointment by  him  to  preach  iu  Augusta.  The  preacher 
consented,  and  Patterson  came  home  and  published  the  ap- 
pointment. A  short  time  before  the  preacher  came,  Patter- 
son went  to  James  Armstrong,  a  merchant  in  the  place,  and 
said  to  him,  "  Mr.  Armstrong,  the  Lord  sent  me  to  tell  you 
that  a  Methodist  preacher  is  to  preach  here,  and  that  you 
are  to  go  and  hear  him  and  join  the  Church."  Armstrong 
was  thunderstruck,  but  when  the  day  came  he  went,  and 
heard,  and  joined.  The  result  was  the  organization  of  a 
class  and  the  establishment  of  a  preaching  appointment  at 
Augusta.  Sometime  after  this  James  Armstrong  put  his 
head  into  the  door  of  Patterson's  shop  and  said,  "  John, 
the  Lord  sent  me  to  tell  you  to  go  down  street,  and  gather 
all  the  men  you  can  find  and  meet  me  at" — a  point  that  he 
mentioned,  on  the  banks  of  the  Ohio,  in  the  upper  part  of 
the  village.  John,  without  gainsaying,  did  as  he  was  re- 
quested, and  soon  had  the  available  male  force  of  the  vil- 
lage at  the  spot  designated.  "  Now,"  said  Armstrong, 
addressing  them,  "I  intend  that  a  house  shall  be  built  for 
the  Lord  on  this  spot,  and  I  want  you  to  help  me  prepare 
for  the  foundation."  They  went  at  it  with  a  will,  and  a 
neat  brick  church  rose  on  that  spot  which  served  the  people 
for  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century,  and  where,  in  after 


FFXICITY    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  203 

years,  Durbiu,  and  Bascom,  and  Tomlinson  made  some  of 
their  mightiest  efforts,  and  where  scores  of  students  found 
mercy  in  the  blood  of  Jesus. 

After  brother  Patterson  had  settled  on  the  hill  near  Hig- 
ginsport,  he  became  interested  for  the  building  of  a  church 
in  that  village.  One  day,  putting  on  his  coat  and  taking 
his  ax,  he  said,  "  Boys,  get  your  axes  and  come  with  me." 
The  boys  did  as  directed,  and  followed  their  father  into  the 
forest,  wondering.  After  fixing  his  eye  upon  a  tree  that 
would  make  a  beautiful  stick  of  buildinof-timber,  he  laid 
his  ax  at  its  root  and  kneeled  down.  He  told  the  Lord 
that  if  he  would  promise  him  to  convert  some  of  his  neigh- 
bors in  it,  he  would  build  him  a  house  in  Higginsport.  The 
Lord  promised,  and  he  and  the  boys  went  to  work.  "With 
what  assistance  the  people  were  disposed  to  give,  he  pressed 
the  work  to  its  completion.  The  Lord  redeemed  his  prom- 
ise the  first  meeting  that  was  held  in  it.  Good  brother 
Patterson  was  satisfied,  and  often  assured  the  wondering 
people  not  to  be  alarmed  at  him,  for  he  was  "  compos  men- 
tis," and  felt  as  if  he  could  "rake  the  stars  and  kick  the 
planets."  I  might  fill  many  pages  with  anecdotes  of  this 
kind,  but  let  these  suffice.  He  commanded  the  respect  and 
confidence  of  the  people  widely,  and  did  much  good  in  his 
day  and  generation. 


201  HIGHWAYS   AND    HEDGES. 


s 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

GEORGETOWN   CIRCUIT,  OHIO. 
18:19-40. 

EPTEMBER  18,  1839,  the  Conference  met  at  Cincin- 
nati, Bishop  Soule  presiding.  The  following  persons 
were  admitted  on  trial :  A.  W.  Musgrovc,  John  Barton, 
Edward  Williams,  Lorenzo  D.  Huston,  Thomas  Ilurd, 
James  H.  M'Cutchen,  Lovell  F.  Harris,  Luther  M'Vey, 
William  Hays,  Thomas  Perkins,  William  M.  D.  Ryan, 
James  T.  Holliday,  John  Longman,  Jacob  G.  Dimmitt, 
Noah  Houah — a  small  class,  some  of  whom  have  since  been 
heard  from  in  important  positions  in  the  Church. 

Death  had  been  making  unusual  ravages  in  our  ranks 
during  the  past  year.  No  less  than  five  of  our  traveling 
preachers  had  passed  to  their  long  home ;  namely,  Frederick 
B.  Butler,  Dudley  Woodbridge,  AYilliam  D.  Barrett,  Moses 
Crume,  George  Fate. 

Brother  Butler  was  born  in  Prince  George  county,  Va., 
July  22,  1803;  joined  the  Ohio  Conference  in  1827,  and 
fell  asleep  in  Jesus  March  5,  1839.  He  was  an  earnest 
advocate  of  the  doctrine  of  holiness,  and  feeling  its  power 
in  his  own  soul,  his  ministry  was  abundantly  successful. 
To  a  friend  who  visited  him  near  his  end,  he  said,  "  My 
body  is  fast  sinking  and  will  soon  be  housed  in  the  tomb; 
but  as  it  respects  the  state  of  my  mind,  all  seems  to  be 
about  right.  My  faith  is  the  same,  my  hope  is  the  same, 
my  love  is  the  same.     My  prospect  is  clear,  and  whether 


GEORGETOWN    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  205 

you  see  me  die  or  not,  you  may  know  that  when  I  am  gone 
all  is  well." 

Brother  Woodbridge  was  born  in  Marietta,  0.,  and  edu- 
cated at  the  Ohio  University,  at  Athens.  Some  time  previ- 
ous to  his  graduation,  and  during  the  memorable  revival 
under  the  labors  of  brothers  Farnandis  and  Spencer,  he 
was  converted  and  united  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  He  joined  the  Ohio  Conference  in  the  Fall  of 
1834,  and  died  January  3,  1839.  He  was  a  young  man  of 
remarkable  amiability,  of  spirit,  and  life.  Talented,  cul- 
tivated, and  having  come  to  us  to  give  his  life  to  the  trials 
of  the  itinerancy,  although  his  worldly  prospects  would 
have  been  much  brighter  in  the  denomination  with  which 
his  parents  were  connected,  he  had  found  a  warm  place  in 
our  aflfections.  That  affection  had  constantly  increased  as 
we  marked  his  singleness  of  aim  and  his  great  success  in 
the  work  of  the  Lord.  Though  thirty  years  have  passed 
since  that  young  man  was  called  from  us,  yet  his  memory 
in  all  that  country  where  he  was  known  is  still  as  ointment 
poured  forth. 

Brother  Barrett  was  of  one  of  the  pioneer  Methodist 
families  in  Virginia.  He  became  a  traveling  preacher 
in  connection  with  the  Virginia  Conference  in  1817.  After 
traveling  some  years  he  located,  emigrated  to  Ohio,  and 
afterward,  in  the  year  1830,  joined  the  Ohio  Conference, 
where  he  traveled  until  his  death,  which  occurred  February 
22,  1839.  He  was  an  earnest  and  successful  preacher,  and 
pushed  the  battle  to  the  very  gate.  He  had  just  prepared 
to  start  to  an  appointment,  when  arrested  with  an  attack 
that  brought  him  down  to  the  irrave.  He  ceased  at  once  to 
work  and  live. 

I  was  associated  with  brother  Crume  when  I  traveled  the 
Oxford  circuit,  as  he  was  a  superannuated  preacher,  resid- 
ing   there    at    that    time.      Having   spoken    of   him    in    my 


20G  IIIGIIWAVS   AND    HEDGES. 

iianativc  there,  I  will  only  rejieat  here  my  lii-^li  appreeiation 
of  liim  as  a  man  and  minister  of  the  Gospel.  He  lived  to 
pur]>ose,  and,  T  doulit  not,  many  will  rise  up  in  the  great 
day  to  claim  him  as  their  si)iritual  fatlier.  lie  was  con- 
verted in  1785  and  died  in  1839,  liaving  served  God  and 
his  generation  nearly  half  a  century. 

Brother  Fate  was  horn  in  Perry  county,  0.,  about  the 
year  1808,  and  died  August  28,  1839.  He  was  admitted 
to  the  Ohio  Conference  on  trial,  at  Chillicothe,  in  1836. 
He  had  a  good  revival  on  his  first  charge,  and  completed 
the  work  the  Master  had  for  liim  to  do  on  the  second 
charge  to  which  he  was  appointed.  With  almost  his  dying 
breath  he  exclaimed,  "  0,  there  is  a  great  fullness  in 
Christ." 

Thus  the  great  Head  of  the  Church  calls  home  the  work- 
men— the  gray-haired  veteran,  who  has  outlived  his  gener- 
ation and  labored  until  bowed  beneath  the  weight  of  years, 
and  the  young  man  in  his  prime  and  strength.  But  while 
he  calls  his  workmen  home,  he  carries  on  his  work. 

We  elected  the  following  brethren  as  delegates  to  Gen- 
eral Conference :  W.  H.  Eaper,  W.  B.  Christie,  J.  Young, 
S.  Hamilton,  G.  AV.  Walker,  L.  L.  Hamline,  J.  F.  Wright, 
and  K.  0.  Spencer. 

I  was  appointed  to  Georgetown  circuit,  with  Rev.  Jacob 
G.  Dimmitt  for  my  assistant.  It  would  have  been  agree- 
able to  me  to  remain  another  year  on  the  former  charge, 
but  the  Bishop  had  a  little  more  difl&cult  work  which  he 
desired  me  to  do.  So  far  as  convenience  of  travel  was  con- 
cerned, Georgetown  suited  me  about  as  well  as  Felicity. 
The  only  drawback  and  the  circumstance  that  inclined  me 
to  shrink  from  going  to  Georgetown  circuit,  was  that  its 
last  preacher  in  charge.  Rev.  Reuben  Plummer,  had  been 
convicted  of  immoral  conduct  and  expelled  from  the  Church. 
A  sad  event  of  that  kind  never  fails  to  bring  disgrace  on 


GEORGETOWN    CIRCUIT,    OHIO  207 

the  Church  and  cause  the  people  to  look  with  suspicion 
upon  other  ministers  of  the  Gospel  for  a  time.  The  Bishop 
aud  his  counsel  selected  me  as  the  proper  person  to  fill  the 
gap,  and  I  went  to  the  work  without  murmuring.  I  had 
the  utmost  confidence  in  Rev.  W.  B.  Christie,  my  presiding 
elder,  and  soon  found  that  the  Bishop  had  favored  me  with 
a  most  excellent  fellow-worker  in  my  colleague.  He  was 
a  man  who  combined  dignity,  gracefulness,  humility,  elo- 
quence, and  diligence  in  an  unusual  degree  for  one  just 
starting  out  in  the  itinerant  field.  He  grew  in  my  estima- 
tion during  the  whole  year,  and  as  I  have  watched  his 
record  now  for  thirty  years,  he  has  fully  met  the  large  ex- 
pectations that  I  formed  of  him  during  that  year. 

As  my  family  was  located  in  our  own  house  at  Augusta, 
we  did  not  have  to  move,  so  that  I  was  at  my  work  imme- 
diately after  the  adjournment  of  Conference.  We  had  a 
membership  of  eight  hundred  and  forty-six,  distributed 
among  the  following  nineteen  appointments;  namely,  George- 
town, New  Hope,  Ross's,  Taggart's,  M'Quittie's,  Newmar- 
ket, Sugar  Ridge,  Sloan's,  Niven's,  Collins's,  Winchester,  Da- 
vidson's, Davis's,  Jennings's,  Russelville,  Ashridge,  Moore's, 
and  Fincastle.  The  people  received  us  very  kindly  and  co- 
operated with  us  heartily.  If  the  people  looked  upon  us 
with  any  suspicion,  growing  out  of  the  misdoing  of  my 
predecessor,  they  concealed  it  from  us,  so  that  we  did  not 
realize  embarrassment  from  that  source  as  we  had  feared. 
We  held  protracted  meetings  in  difi'erent  parts  of  the  cir- 
cuit with  much  success.  Many  were  converted  and  added 
to  the  Church,  and  the  year  was  crowned  with  very  cheer- 
ing success. 

At  the  close  of  this  year  we  held  a  camp-meeting,  which 
was  made  a  blessing  to  many.  In  addition  to  the  preachers 
of  the  circuit,  we  enjoyed  the  help  of  brothers  Estill, 
Wharton,    and    Perkhiser.       The    last    mentioned    brother 


208  lIIullWAVS    AND    lIi:U(JES. 

preached  a  sennoii  \vlii(;h  made  a  deep  and  lasting  impres- 
sion nil  ;i  mnltitndc  of  hearts,  IVoni  tliesc  words:  "If  1  re- 
gard ini((uity  in   my  lieart,'  etc. 

Several  valuable  preachers  have  been  raised  up  from  this 
circuit,  some  of  whom  I  have  already  referred  to,  and  others 
of  whom  shall  have  honorable  mention  as  we  advance  in 
the  narrative. 

The  Conference  met  at  Zanesville,  Ohio,  September  30, 
1840,  Bishop  Iledding  presiding.  The  following  persons 
were  admitted  on  trial :  Isaac  Elbert,  Asbury  Lowrey,  Ho- 
mer S.  Thrall,  George  G.  West,  Joseph  A.  Bruner,  Samuel 
Black,  Addison  Hite,  James  W.  Southard,  George  Gonzales, 
John  M.  Rowland,  William  O'Connor,  Richard  A.  Arthur, 
John  Dillon,  jr.,  Joseph  Brooks,  John  W.  De  V^ilbiss,  George 
A.  Breunig — 16. 

Several  of  these  in  after  time  became  tinctured  with  the 
leaven  of  slavery,  and  were  finally  swallow^ed  up  in  the 
maelstrom  of  secession.  But  others  stood  true  as  steel  to 
their  Mother  Church,  and  are  now  bright  ornaments  and 
influential  laborers  in  her  ranks.  Some  of  them  fought  the 
battles  of  the  Church  bravely  by  my  side  in  the  mountains 
of  Virginia,  as  the  future  of  this  narrative  will  show. 

At  this  Conference  we  made  a  record  of  the  death  of  two 
of  our  number ;  namely,  Charles  11.  Baldwin  and  Jeremiah 
Hill.  Brother  Baldwin  was  born  in  Stockbridge,  Mass., 
March  17,  1803,  and  died  at  Parkersburg,  Va.,  November 
9,  1839.  Highly  favored  with  such  family  connections, 
mental  qualifications,  and  professional  prospects  as  prophe- 
sied a  brilliant  future  for  him,  he,  nevertheless,  counted  all 
loss  for  Christ;  and  when  he  experienced  the  converting 
grace  of  God,  he  abandoned  the  law  and  devoted  himself 
to  the  Gospel.  He  joined  the  Ohio  Conference  in  1834, 
and  from  that  time  until  his  decease  his  labors  were  in 
Western  Virginia.     His  last  charge  was  Parkersburg,  where 


GEORGETOWN    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  209 

he  not  only  performed  the  duties  of  preacher  and  pastor, 
but  took  charge  of  a  seminary  located  at  that  place  under 
the  patronage  of  our  Church.  He  labored  successfully,  but 
sank  under  the  overburden  of  responsibility.  He  lived  in 
a  holy  atmosphere  and  died  in  sight  of  heaven.  He  had 
enjoyed  the^blessing  of  sanctification  for  some  six  years, 
and  from  the  very  borders  of  the  other  world  sent  to  his 
brethren  this  inspiring  message:  '-Tell  the  preachers  of  the 
Ohio  Conference  that  the  blessing  of  sanctification  -which  I 
have  enjoyed  and  preached  to  others  now  sustains  me  in 
death." 

Brother  Hill  was  born  in  the  city  of  Providence,  R.  I., 
October  2,  1816,  and  died  on  Marion  circuit,  3Iay  17,  1840. 
He  was  a  faithful  Methodist  preacher,  and  died  with  the 
harness  on.  When  informed  by  the  physician  that  he  must 
die,  he  calmly  replied,  "I  am  ready;"  made  arrangements 
regarding  his  funeral,  etc.,  and  then  made  the  room  vocal 
with  his  note  of  triumph  as  he  anticipated  the  crown  that 
glittered  in  his  sight. 

I  was  re-appointed  to  Georgetown  circuit  with  Eev. 
Jonathan  F.  Conrey  as  my  assistant,  and  Rev.  William  H. 
Raper  for  my  presiding  elder.  I  would  gladly  have  re- 
tained both  the  elder  and  colleague  of  the  former  year,  as 
they  were  greatly  endeared  to  me  and  the  people ;  but  my 
new  associates  were  excellent  men,  and  were  soon  fully  es- 
tablished in  the  affections  of  the  people.  Brother  Conrey 
Avas  a  young  man  full  of  laudable  ambition,  and  worked 
well  and  earnestly.  Our  ever-active  Baptist  friends  agi- 
tated the  public  mind  with  their  peculiar  notions,  until  I 
found  it  necessary  for  the  peace  of  our  own  Zion,  that  the 
question  of  baptism  should  be  thoroughly  discussed.  The 
appointments  fixed  upon  where  these  discourses  should  be 
delivered  were  "Nivens's,"    "Georgetown,"   and    "  Higgins- 

port."     As  soon  as  the  announcements  were  made  there  was 

18 


210  IIIGIIWAVS   AND    in.nGKS. 

an  excitement.  Tlu'  Hajttist  friends  sent  for  Kev.  John 
Moore,  tlieir  eli;ini|ti(>n,  to  come  to  tlic  rescue.  lie  came 
and  deliverci]  liiniself  on  tlic  subject,  greatly  to  the  comfort 
of  liis  people,  before  the  time  of  my  ap])ointments  arrived. 
At  my  first  nppointmcnt  I  was  invited  to  occupy  the  Pres- 
byterian church  in  the  nci_iz:hboring  village,  that  there 
might  be  acconnnodations  for  the  crowd  that  was  expected. 
The  house  was  crowded,  and  among  those  present  were 
several  Baptist  preachers,  prepared  to  take  notes  of  my  dis- 
course. As  I  ascended  the  pulpit  and  looked  upon  the 
vast  throng,  a  tremor  ran  over  mc,  and  I  was  not  sure  that 
my  courage  would  he  equal  to  the  occasion.  In  spite  of  my 
best  endeavors,  my  voice  trembled  somewhat  when  I  began 
to  speak,  but  in  a  few  minutes  I  lost  all  feeling  of  timidity, 

m 

and  had  remarkable  freedom  in  the  presentation  of  the  sub- 
ject. I  had  the  profound  attention  of  the  whole  audience, 
and  the  assurance  that  the  arguments  that  I  was  presenting 
were  establishing  in  the  minds  of  the  people  a  conviction 
of  the  truth  of  my  main  propositions.  I  received  the 
hearty  congratulations  of  my  friends,  who  expressed  the 
opinion  that  the  eloquent  sophistry  of  the  Baptist  champion 
had  not  only  been  neutralized,  but  that  those  who  had  been 
undecided  were  now  convinced  that,  first,  believing  peni- 
tents and  infants  have  a  right  to  membership  in  Christ's 
Church  and  to  baptism  ;  and,  second,  that  sprinkling  and 
pouring  are  modes  of  baptism  as  well  sustained  by  Scrip- 
ture and  reason  as  immersion.  The  next  discourse  was  de- 
livered at  Georgetown.  There,  too,  the  audience  was  very 
large,  composed  of  representatives  of  all  the  Churches;  and 
here  again  I  was  highly  complimented  by  my  friends  on  the 
success  of  the  discourse.  The  last  discussion  was  at  Hig- 
ginsport.  Here  the  Campbellite  wing  of  the  Baptist  no- 
tions became  much  excited,  and  occasionally  boiled  over  as 
I    poured    out   hot   shot    upon    their   strongholds.      I    had 


GEORGETOWN    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  211 

abundant  reason  to  think  that  these  discussions  were  pro- 
motive of  great  good.  Though  the  immersionists  kept  up 
a  constant  fire  for  some  time,  the  people  now  had  their  eyes 
fully  opened,  and  would  not  swallow  the  flimsy  sophistries 
which  aforetime  had  distracted  them. 

Near  the  close  of  the  year  we  held  another  camp-meet- 
in<^,  which  was  attended  with  much  good.  The  rowdies 
made  some  demonstrations,  much  to  the  annoyance  of  my. 
excellent  presiding  elder,  brother  Rnper.  He  was  a  mi\n 
of  very  tender  sensibilities  and  a  high  sense  of  honor.  I 
shall  never  forget  an  appeal  he  made  one  day  to  that  class 
of  men.  He  showed  them  how  unmanly,  and  unpatriotic, 
and  mean  such  conduct  was.  He  assured  them  that  in  1812 
h-e  had  gone  forth  to  defend  the  rights  of  his  country  at 
the  hazard  of  his  life,  and  as  he  loved  the  Church  of  Jesus 
Christ  even  more  than  he  did  his  country,  he  felt  very 
much  like  showing  such  men  that  he  could  vindicate  the 
cause  of  Christ  against  assailants  with  as  much  couraire  and 
as  srood  conscience  as  he  had  fought  the  British. 

This  year  was  one  of  great  affliction  to  me,  and  yet  one 
of  great  spiritual  comfort  and  profit.  Our  Heavenly  Father 
saw  fit  to  lead  us  through  deep  waters  and  fiery  trials,  and 
I  never  more  fully  tested  the  faithfulness  and  preciousness 
(»f  his  promises  than  this  year.  On  the  25th  of  December 
of  this  year  my  venerable  mother  departed  this  life,  in 
Athens,  Ohio,  at  the  age  of  sixty-seven  years.  Her  life 
had  been  one  of  toil  and  usefulness,  true  to  the  Church 
of  her  choice  and  devoted  to  her  children.  I  felt  that  I 
had  sustained  an  irreparable  loss,  but  was  comforted  with 
the  assurance  that  I  should  meet  her  again. 

During  the  following  Spring  our  two  daugters,  Sarah 
Jane  and  Ruth  Eliza,  while  students  in  the  Female  Semi- 
nary at  Augusta,  contracted  colds  from  which  they  never 
recovered.     For  a  time  the  physicians  encouraged  us  that 


-12  TIir.HWAVS    AND    HEDGES. 

JiS  soon  Jis  flic  wc.itlirr  sliould  l)Ccoinc  warm  and  settlod 
they  would  i>c  aide  f<»  tlimw  c.fT  discaf^c.  'I'lic  warm  suii- 
bcaiiis  and  followers  clotlicd  tlic  carlli  in  Itcauty,  but  <hoiigli 
buds  and  blossoms  decked  garden,  and  bill,  and  valley,  the 
Autumn  winds  and  IVosts  were  d()in<;  tlieir  sad  work  with 
these  lovely  flowers  of  our  family.  Tiicir  disease  bafiled  the 
skill  of  the  physicians.  At  last  the  confidence  of  the  phy- 
sicians irave  way,  and  they  communicated  to  us  their  fears. 
Deep  gloom  gathered  for  a  time  about  my  spirit.  I  went 
to  God  for  help,  for  1  felt  that  vain  is  the  help  of  man. 
He  heard  my  cry  and  came  to  my  assistance.  He  did  not 
see  fit  to  deliver  us  from  the  afiSiction,  but  he  gave  us  grace 
to  submit  the  case  to  his  disposal,  and  to  trust  him  that  he 
would  do  right.  But  as  day  by  day  marked  the  slow, 
steady,  sure  progress  of  fatal  disease,  we  were  filled  with 
anxiety  and  suspense.  The  girls  themselves  were  the  most 
composed  and  happy  of  us  all.  They  fully  realized  their 
situation,  and  talked  intelligently  and  familiarly  concerning 
their  approaching  decease.  On  the  seventh  day  of  May 
the  most  beautiful  month  of  the  year,  the  clouds  overcast 
the  sky ;  it  was  a  dark  and  rainy  day.  On  that  day 
our  youngest  daughter,  then  aged  nine  years,  fell  asleep  in 
Jesus.  0,  how  desolate  our  home  appeared  !  And  now  the 
thought  of  burying  her  in  a  slave  State,  and  then  re- 
turning to  Ohio,  where  we  could  but  seldom  have  even  the 
sad  privilege  of  visiting  her  grave,  distressed  us.  Added  to 
this  the  thought  of  placing  her  remaiut?,  to  us  so  lovely 
and  so  dear,  in  a  cold  and  wet  grave,  w^as  almost  insupport- 
able. We  went  again  to  God,  and  he  tempered  the  winds 
and  the  waves  so  that  we  should  not  be  crushed. 

The  next  day  the  clouds  were  all  gone,  the  sun  rose  in 
grandeur  and  beauty,  and  when  we  stood  by  the  grave 
and  looked  down  into  it,  I  thought  that  I  had  never  seen 
so    beautiful    a   grave   in    all  my  life.     We  laid   the  lovely 


GEORGETOWN    CIRCUIT,   OHIO.  213 

dust  of  our  dear  child  there,  to  remaiu  until  the  morning  of 
the  resurrection.  From  the  grave  we  returned  to  our  home 
to  minister  to  the  other  daughter,  who  was  evidently  follow- 
ing her  sister.  While  there  is  life  there  is  hope,  and  we 
inquired,  Is  there  any  thing  that  we  can  do  that  will  be 
blessed  of  God  in  sparing  to  us  this  dear  child  ?  The 
thouo-ht    sucrorested   itself  to   us  that   a  chancre   of  air  and 

O  CO  O 

scenery  might  do  her  good.  The  physicians  encouraged 
the  experiment.  We  shut  up  our  now  desolate  home, 
crossed  the  Ohio  River,  and  were  soon  in  the  midst  of  the 
dear  sympathizing  people  of  my  charge.  Xever  shall  I  for- 
get or  cease  to  be  grateful  for  the  great  kindness  of  that 
people  in  the  time  of  our  deep  affliction.  This  change  and 
exercise  for  a  time  seemed  to  brace  her  up,-  and  we  were 
full  of  hope  and  cheerfulness.  Then  again  the  symptoms 
changed  for  the  worse;  and  when  we  were  at  Newmarket, 
forty  miles  from  home,  she  commenced  sinking  so  rapidly 
that  hope  again  fled.  Every  body  seemed  to  be  interested 
for  us.  Dr.  Boyd  volunteered  his  service,  and  sat  anxiously 
by  her  side,  to  afford  whatever  professional  relief  he  could  ; 
the  keeper  of  the  village  hotel  ^rged  upon  us  the  best  ac- 
commodations of  his  house,  and  the  good  people  were  con- 
stantly coming  and  going,  anxious  to  do  something  to  assist 
or  comfort  us.  Now  that  we  gave  up  all  hope  of  her  get- 
ting better,  I  thought  that  I  would  give  all  my  earthly 
prospects  for  the  favor  of  getting  her  home  alive,  that  she 
misht  die  in  the  same  hallowed  room  where  her  sister  had 
died.  We  now  made  that  the  burden  of  our  prayer,  and 
God  heard  and  granted  our  request.  Laying  her  on  a  soft 
couch  in  the  carriage,  we  turned  our  face  toward  home. 
Three  days  of  slow  and  careful  moving  brought  us  within 
sight  of  our  cottage  home.  We  thanked  God,  and  felt  that 
we  could  now  leave  the  case  submissively  in  the  hands  of 
our  Heavenly  Father.      We  crossed  the  river  and   entered 


21  i  HK.llWAVS    AND    IIKDGES. 

our  liitiiic,  if  seemed  now  more  rheerful  tliap  when  wc  left 
it.  The  pliysicians  were  attentive  .iiid  lull  of  sympatliy; 
the  ncighhors  flocked  in  to  express  their  gratitude  that  wc 
had  readied  home  witli  Inr  nlive.  T^ydia  Haws  and  Jane 
Pharcs,  two  maiden  ladies  of  remarkable  gifts  in  song  and 
prayer,  and  whose  praise  was  in  all  tlie  churches  therea- 
bouts, came  and  remained  with  us,  watching  day  and  night 
with  the  now  rapidly  sinking  sufferer.  Their  company  and 
sympathetic  assistance  was  valuable  to  us  beyond  all  price. 
Brothers  T.  II.  Lynch,  J.  L.  Kemp,  and  B.  H.  M'Cown, 
of  the  Faculty  of  the  College,  were  very  attentive.  A  few 
hours  before  her  death,  as  brother  Lynch  retired  from  the 
room,  she  said,  "  Pa,  why  did  you  not  ask  brother  Lynch 
to  pray?"  I  called  him  back,  and  while  she  was  bolstered 
up  in  her  bed,  her  parents  and  youngest  brother,  and  the 
two  ladies  mentioned  above,  gathered  around  her  bed,  while 
the  man  of  God  conducted  our  devotions.  She  desired  that 
he  should  not  pray  for  her  recovery,  as  she  wished  to  go 
and  dwell  with  her  sister  in  their  Heavenly  Father's  house. 
After  singing  a  hymn  we  all  kneeled  down  to  pray.  Brother 
Lynch  had  access  to  God  in  prayer.  The  frail  dying  girl 
was  leaning  forward  in  her  bed,  with  her  emaciated  face  in 
her  little  delicate  hands,  earnestly  engaged  in  prayer.  My 
eyes  were  upon  her  and  suflfused  with  tears;  my  ears  were 
open  to  hear  her  tremulous  voice,  as  with  increased  fer- 
vency she  prayed.  Now  she  fell  back,  and  straightening 
herself  in  her  bed,  a  tremor  passed  over  her  frame.  I 
reached  over  and  touched  her  mother,  and  whispered, 
"Sarah  Jane  is  dying."  The  prayer  ceased,  and  we  all 
stood  around  the  bed,  supposing  that  she  was  now  crossing 
the  river  of  death.  Her  countenance  indicated  that  there 
was  a  struggle  within  ;  suddenly  her  eyes  opened,  and  her 
whole  countenance  was  lighted  up  with  such  a  heavenly 
glow   as  I  had  never  seen    before  in   human  face,  and  she 


GEORGETOWN    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  215 

exclaimed,  "0  what  a  lovely  place!  I  want  to  be  there!" 
She  seemed  to  be  gazing  right  into  the  glory  land.  After 
awhile  a  cloud  passed  over  her  countenance,  and  it  indi- 
cated the  return  of  that  inward  struggle.  Soon  the  cloud 
passed  off  again,  and  her  countenance  beamed  as  before, 
and  again  she  exclaimed,  "0  let  me  go?  I  want  to  go!" 
Turning  her  eyes  to  sister  Lydia  Haws  she  said,  "Sing." 
"  What  shall  we  sing  ?"     "  Sing, 

"What  is  tliis  that  steals  upon  my  frame  ? 
Is  it  death?    Is  it  death  ? 
If  this  is  death,  I  soon  shall  be,"  etc. 

Sister  Haws,  with  her  sweet  voice  always  in  tune,  sang, 
while  the  rest  of  us  joined  in  as  far  as  our  emotions  would 
allow.  Glory  seemed  to  fill  the  room,  and  the  young, 
happy  spirit  was  anxious  to  be  released  from  earth  and  to 
go  home,  but  our  Heavenly  Father  designed  that  she  should 
linger  with  us  another  day.  I  thought  then,  and  I  have 
thought  ever  since,  had  I  no  other  evidence  of  the  truth  of 
the  Christian  religion  than  what  was  furnished  in  the 
experience  of  that  dying  Christian  child,  I  could  never 
doubt.  During  all  the  next  day,  as  she  lingered  in  weak- 
ness and  pain,  she  gave  assurance  that  she  expected  to  go 
home  at  night.  In  the  afternoon  she  wished  to  be  out  of 
the  bed  and  on  the  floor  with  pillows,  and  while  she 
changed  from  side  to  side  and  from  place  to  place,  no  word 
of  murmuring  or  complaint  escaped  her  lips.  At  night  she 
said  to  me,  "  Pa,  you  are  tired ;  go  up  stairs  and  rest." 
"  No,"  said  I,  "  daughter,  I  would  rather  stay  with  you." 
She  yielded,  and  that  night,  August  9th,  she  calmly  fell  asleep 
in  Jesus.  So  heavenly  and  triumphant  had  been  the  clos- 
ing scenes  of  her  life,  that  while  we  felt  we  had  sustained 
an  irreparable  loss,  we  felt,  too,  that  our  lovely  daughter  was 
now  safe  from  storm  and  sin.  ^Vo  determined  that  the 
residue  of  our  days  should  be  spent  more   resolutely    and 


2IG  HIGHWAYS    AND    HEDGKS. 

cnrnosdy  in   working]!;   for   tlio    ^Master  and  getting  ready  to 
join  those  who  had  gone  before. 

In  a  cuiiviMsation  with  her  niotlier  a  few  days  before  her 
death,  she  liad  expressed  her  wislies  in  regard  to  her  own 
burial  and  that  of  the  remaining  members  of  tlie  family. 
81ie  desired  that  lier  body  sliould  be  buried  by  the  side  of 
her  sister's,  then  in  Col.  Payne's  cemetery,  at  Augusta;  that 
if  possible  her  brothers,  when  they  should  die,  should  be 
buried  together,  and  that  her  parents  should  be  buried  in  the 
cemetery  at  Oldtown,  Ohio — Frankfort — where  little  As- 
bury  was  buried.  She  thought  it  would  be  pleasant  in  the 
morninc:  of  the  resurrection  for  them  to  rise  thus.  Accord- 
ing  to  her  request,  we  laid  her  remains  by  the  side  of  those 
of  her  sister.  We  had  altar- shaped  monuments,  with  suita-; 
ble  inscriptions,  placed  over  their  graves,  and  both  inclosed 
with  a  neat  paling.  Though  my  fields  of  labor  have  usu- 
ally been  remote  from  that  place,  I  have  made  frequent 
pilgrimages  to  their  graves.  Now,  since  my  age  and  failing 
strength  have  compelled  me  to  desist  from  the  responsi- 
bilities and  labor  of  a  regular  charge,  I  have  once  more 
made  the  journey  of  a  thousand  miles  to  meditate  and 
pray  on  the  spot  wdiere  their  ashes  lie. 

The  college  edifice,  which  was  once  crowded  with  ambi- 
tious young  life,  is  now  a  mass  of  ruins.  The  voices  of 
the  most  of  those  eloquent  professors  who  taught  those 
students  are  now  silent  in  the  grave.  The  population  of 
the  village  and  country  had  greatly  changed,  but  as  I  stood 
there  by  those  graves,  the  past  came  back,  and  I  lived , 
again  in  the  scenes  of  other  years.  0,  that  I,  and  my 
companion,  and  my  sons  may  be  as  well  prepared  for  our 
end  and  go  as  pedcefully  and  joyfully  to  our  long  home  as 
did  tjiose  young  disciples  of  Jesus !  They  were  respectively 
six  and  eight  years  of  age  when  they  gave  their  hearts 
to  God  and  joined  the   Church,  at  the   camp-meeting    near 


GEORGETOWN    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  217 

Alliens,  Ohio,  and  thej  were  respectively  nine  and  eleven 
years  old  when  they  passed  through  death  triumphant  home. 

The  experience  of  this  year  was  calculated  to  make  a 
profound  impression  upon  our  lives,  and  the  kindness  of  the 
people  of  Augusta  and  of  our  charge  gave  them  a  perma- 
nent place  in  our  memories  and  hearts.  Among  the  men 
eminent  and  usefal  I  should  record  the  name  of  Rev.  John 
Meek.  He  was  a  man  of  great  pulpit  popularity,  and  had 
been  among  the  earliest  pioneers  in  planting  the  standard  of 
Methodism  in  Ohio.  Rev.  Daniel  Hare  was  a  large,  ath- 
letic, and  earnest  worker  for  the  Lord,  enthusiastic  as  a 
Methodist,  and  always  ready  to  exhort  or  preach.  He  gave 
to  the  ministry  his  son,  Rev.  M.  H.  Hare,  who  afterward 
became  one  of  the  master  spirits  in  leading  on  the  hosts 
of  Methodism  in  Iowa.  Brothers  Manker,  Taggart,  and 
Ramsey  were  useful  local  preachers.  Among  the  prominent 
and  valuable  men  in  the  laity,  I  would  mention  brothers 
Gaddis,  Ross,  and  Grant — all  names  identified  with  the 
history  of  Methodism  in  Ohio,  and  the  last  of  which  has 
become  national,  and  in  fact,  through  the  fame  of  his  hon- 
ored son,  has  been  sounded  to  the  ends  of  the  earth. 
Brother  Ross  has  one  son  in  the  Ohio  and  one  in  the  Cali- 
fornia Conference,  both  honoring  their  parents,  and  brother 
Grant  has  a  son  sitting  in  the  presidential  chair  of  the 
nation.  "When  I  used  to  be  at  brother  Grant's  home  in 
Georgetown,  Ulysses  was  a  student  at  West  Point.  When 
he  graduated,  my  son,  AY.  F.,  applied  for  the  vacancy,  but 
was  providentially  prevented  from  entering  the  military 
school.  The  voice  of  God  was  calling  him  to  preach,  but, 
like  Jonah,  he  was  endeavoring  to  escape  in  some  other 
direction. 

During  this  year  we  formed  the  acquaintance  of  a  local 

preacher,  then  a  young  man,  prosecuting  a  literary  course 

at  Augusta   College,  without  fortune  or  patronage,  except 

10 


218  Hir.iiwAvs  ANH  tii-.nr;ES. 

liis  willing  hands  and  widowed  mother's  prayers.  lie 
worked  his  way  through  college,  graduated  with  lionor, 
joined  tlio  Oliin  Conference,  soon  took  nn  lionorable  posi- 
tion in  that  body,  and  was  afterward  transferred  to  the 
Rock  River  Conference,  where  he  continues  to  labor  success- 
fully for  God.  In  the  several  positions  he  has  occupied,  as 
educator,  pastor,  presiding  elder,  or  financial  manager  of 
public  charities.  Rev.  Ezra  M.  Boring  has  made  himself 
felt  and  has  been  appreciated. 


BAINBRIDGE    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  219 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

BAINBRIDGE   CIRCUIT,  OHIO. 
1841-42. 

rnHE  Conference  met  at  Urbana,  August  25,  1841,  Bishop 
J-  Roberts  presiding.  The  following  persons  were  ad- 
mitted on  trial :  Joseph  Gateh,  Thomas  Gorsuch,  Samuel 
Brown,  Orin  Stimson,  Isaac  AVhitnell,  Richard  Walker, 
Frederick  Merrick,  Philip  A.  Mutchner,  Levi  W.  Munsel, 
George  L.  Creager,  John  W.  Kenaga,  Frederick  Hum- 
phreys, Alexander  Meharry,  Daniel  Breckley,  Jacob  J. 
Hibner — 15.  Some  of  these  I  shall  have  occasion  to  speak 
of  in  the  future  of  this  narrative  as  we  shall  toil  and  suffer 
and  triumph  together. 

"We  recorded  at  this  Conference  the  death  of  Bev..  E.  "W. 
Finley.  He  was  born  in  Bucks  county,  Penn.,  June  9, 
1750;  was  educated  for  and  entered  the  Presbyterian  min- 
istry. In  1788  he  emigrated  to  Kentucky,  and  in  1795,  at 
the  head  of  a  company,  he  assisted  in  exploring  the  Scioto 
country,  and  in  1796  settled  his  family  in  the  valley  of  the 
Scioto,  near  the  present  city  of  Chillicothe.  He  united  with 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  the  year  1800,  and 
entered  the  traveling  connection  in  1811  or  1812.  "When 
the  Conference  judged  him  to  be  superannuated,  and  placed 
him  on  that  list,  he  being  well  on  to  eighty  years  of  age, 
his  missionary  spirit  rebelled  against  the  idea  of  superan- 
nuation. He  mounted  his  horse  and  penetrated  to  the  wild 
region  of  St.  Mary's,  where  he  organized  a  circuit  and  held 


220  HIGHWAYS    AND    HEDGES. 

a  camp  iiicotlng.  Tlio  next  Conference  sent  a  missionary  to 
his  aid.  Ho  was  an  able  and  earnest  expounder  ol'  Wcs- 
leyan  tlieoloir'y.  He  died  at  lln-  residence  of  his  son,  Rev. 
J.  B.  Finley,  in  (Jermantuwn,  Uiiio,  JJecember  8,  18-10,  iu 
tlic  01st  year  of  liis  apjc. 

T  was  ajjpointed  to  Bainbridge  circuit,  with  llev.  iMichael 
Marhjy,  for  presiding  elder,  and  Rev.  J.  W.  Stone  for  as- 
sistant. My  association  with  these  dear  brethren  was  of 
the  most  pleasant  character.  Brother  Marlay  was  one  of 
our  ablest  theologians,  and  when  his  soul  became  thoroughly 
engaged  in  his  sermon,  he  preached  with  overwhelming 
power.  Owing  to  the  metaphysical  bent  of  his  mind,  his 
ordinary  sermons,  and  oftentimes  the  introductory  part  of 
his  discourses,  were  regarded  by  common  hearers  as  dry; 
but  intelligent  hearers  always  listened  to  his  purely  intel- 
lectual efforts  and  the  least  impassioned  parts  of  his  dis- 
courses with  much  profit.  He  was  an  excellent  presiding 
elder,  courteous  and  kind  to  his  preachers,  and  firm  in  the 
discharge  of  official  duty. 

Brother  Stone  was  pious,  zealous,  and  faithful ;  an  able 
divine,  considering  his  years  in  the  ministry.  He  com- 
manded the  confidence  of  the  people,  and  did  efficient 
service  on  the  circuit.  We  had  nineteen  appointments,  of 
which  the  following  is  a  list:  1.  Bainbridge;  2.  Bourne- 
ville;  3.  Twinu  ;  4.-Long's  Hill;  5.  Thomas's  Hill;  6.  John 
Haine's;  7.  Martin  Haines's  on  the  "knobs;"  8.  Salem;  9. 
Mt.  Carmel;  10.  Bethel;  11.  Campbell's  Meeting-house;  12. 
Sinking  Springs;  13.  Legg's;  14.  Bristol's;  15.  Cynthiana; 
16.  Edmonson's;  17.  Valley  Forge;  18.  Loudon;  19.  Nessel's. 

We  had  a  pleasant  year  and  some  meastire  of  prosperity. 
We  closed  the  year  with  a  camp-meeting  near  Bainbridge; 
the  attendance  was  large;  the  preaching  attended  with  great 
power,  the  result  of  which  was  the  conversion  of  souls  and 
additions  to  the  Church.     William  M.  D.  Ryan,  then  com- 


BAINBRIDGE    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  221 

ruencing  liis    ministry  as   junior   preacher  on    an   adjoining 
circuit,  was  ^yith  us  and  exhorted  with  much  power. 

September  28,  1842,  the  Conference  met  at  Hamilton  and 
Rossville,  Bishop  3Iorris  presiding.  The  following  persons 
were  admitted  on  trial:  William  J.  Thurber.  William  I. 
Fee,  David  N.  Smith,  Jesse  Botkin,  James  Hood,  Charles 
Ferguson,  Charles  H.  Warrington,  Moses  Smith,  iVbraham 
Cartlich,  John  W.  Fowble,  Levi  Cunningham,  Charles  Koe- 
uecke,  Thomas  Coleman,  Nathan  T.  Ayres,  J.  G.  Blair, 
Archibald  Fleming,  Wesley  Webster,  John  Guyer,  Daniel 
D.  Mather,  Barton  Lowe,  Alexander  Dinkins,  William  R. 
Litsinger — 22.  Out  of  this  class  I  afterward  had  many 
valuable  co-laborers  in  the  most  difficult  field  to  which  I 
was  ever  called.  I  shall  have  occasion  to  speak  of  them  as 
I  progress  with  my  narrative. 

Two  of  our  able  and  honored  standard-bearers  had  as- 
cended during  the  past  year,  and  their  names  are  now 
recorded  on  the  list  of  the  beloved  dead.  They  were  Rev. 
William  B.  Christie  and  Rev.  I.  C.  Hunter.  Brother  Christie 
was  born  in  Wilmington.  Ohio;  educated  at  Augusta  Col- 
lege, Kentucky;  entered  the  Ohio  Conference  in  1825; 
rapidly  rose  to  distinction  in  his  Conference  and  the  con- 
nection. During  the  later  years  of  his  ministry  he  had  few 
superiors  in  pulpit  power  or  ministerial  influence.  As  I 
call  up  the  recollections  of  the  man  and  the  grandeur  of 
his  life  and  labors,  I  hardly  know  how  to  pass  him  with  so 
brief  a  notice.  But  he  is  well  known  to  the  Church,  as 
but  few  contemporary  Western  Methodist  ministers  have 
failed  to  record  the  labors  of  our  beloved  Christie. 

Brother  Hunter  was  born  in  Bellefonte,  Center  county, 
Fenn.,  August  30,  1798.  He  joined  the  Ohio  Conference 
in  1819,  and  labored  with  unceasing  ability  and  apprecia- 
tion until  he  died,  the  27th  of  June,  1842.  Whether  in 
charge  of  circuit,  or  station,  or  district,  he  was  faithful  and 


222  HIGHWAYS    AND    HKDGKS. 

cfficiont,  and  liis  prcadiing  wai;  witli   ilciiionstration  of  llio 
Spirit  and  ^villl  power. 

1  was  returned  to  Bainbridge  circuit,  with  Rev.  Alexander 
Mcharry  for  my  assistant.  He  came  on  to  the  work  full 
of  faith,  and  zeal,  and  power.  Our  souls  united,  and  as 
we  entered  upon  the  year's  work,  expeetation  soon  pervaded 
the  whole  circuit,  and  many  began  to  prophesy  that  it  would 
be  a  year  of  extraordinary  revival  influence.  We  arranged 
for  a  series  of  two-days'  meetings,  intending  to  protract 
them  as  providential  indications  should  suggest.  The  first 
meeting  proved  such  a  success  that  the  members  of  the 
society  at  which  the  next  meeting  was  to  be  held  set  them- 
selves to  get  ready,  and  as  that  progressed  with  power,  the 
next  society  was  busy  getting  ready,  and  thus  the  notes  of 
preparation  were  heard  all  over  the  large  circuit.  The  re- 
sult was,  we  did  not  have  to  spend  days  in  urging  the  mem- 
bership to  do  their  duty ;  already  the  w^  ay  of  the  Lord  was 
prepared.  The  Word  took  hold  of  the  people  with  mighty 
power.  Sinners  were  awakened,  convictions  were  deep  and 
pungent,  and  they  were  heard  to  cry  aloud,  "God  be  mer- 
ciful to  me  a  sinner !"  As  a  result  the  conversions  were 
clear  and  satisfactory.  The  flame  spread  so  mightily  that 
usually  we  found  it  necessary  to  protract  one  meeting  up  to 
the  time  of  commencing  the  next.  We  would  close  our 
meeting  late  at  night,  and  then  move  on  to  the  next  ap- 
pointment to  commence  at  11  o'clock,  A.  M.,  next  day.  If 
the  distance  was  not  too  great  many  of  the  members  and 
young  converts  would  follow  us  up,  and  so  become  more 
thoroughly  established  in  experience  and  labor.  It  turned 
out  to  be  not  so  much  a  series  of  meetings  as  one  contin- 
uous meeting,  marching  grandly  and  triumphantly  around 
the  whole  circuit.  Our  custom  was  to  gather  the  slain  of 
the  Lord  into  the  Church — Christ's  hospital — every  day. 
We  had  none  of  that  squeamishness  that  some  seem  to  feel 


BAINBRIDGE    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  223 

in  regard  to  inviting  people  to  join  the  3Ietliodist  Episcopal 
Church.  As  we  found  the  Church  to  be  to  us  a  <rood  and 
liappy  home,  so  we  conscientiously  believed  that  those  to 
whom  we  preached  the  Gospel  would  find  it  a  good  home. 
We  told  the  people  that  the  doors  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  like  the  doors  of  Gospel  grace,  "  stand  open 
night  and  day,"  and  we  invited  them  to  come  in.  At  the 
close  of  this  great  campaign  we  summed  up  results,  and 
found,  to  the  glory  of  God,  that  nine  hundred  and  twenty-Jive 
had  closed  in  with  the  offer  of  mercy  and  placed  their 
names  on  the  muster-roll  of  Christ's  army.  AYe  felt  to 
praise  the  Lord  and  to  say,  "  And  let  all  the  people  praise 
Him." 

The  attendance  upon  these  meetings  was  so  great  that 
the  Church  accommodations  were  too  strait,  and  increased 
accommodations  became  a  necessity.  The  people  were  just 
in  the  proper  state  of  mind  to  move  forward  in  this  work. 
In  one  neighborhood  a  call  was  made  to  consider  the  pro- 
priety of  building  a  house  of  worship.  The  attendance 
was  good ;  all  saw  the  propriety  of  building  at  once.  It 
was  determined  to  build  of  hewed  logs,  as  timber  was  abun- 
dant. They  proceeded  immediately  to  elect  a  suitable 
brother  as  chief  manager.  He  divided  his  men  into  com- 
panies, appointing  one  company  to  fell  the  trees,  another 
company  to  score  and  hew  them,  another  to  haul  them  to 
the  building  site,  and  another  to  get  the  flooring,  doors, 
sash,  etc.,  ready.  All  this  was  done  ready  for  raising  the 
first  day.  The  second  day  the  house  was  raised,  roofed, 
floored,  seated,  and  an  altar  and  pulpit  prepared,  and  at 
night  it  was  lighted  up,  dedicated,  and  sinners  gathered 
around  its  newly  consecrated  altar.  Other  neighborhoods 
hearing  of  this  imitated  the  example.  Thus  they  brought 
the  tithes  into  the  store-house  and  proved  God  therewith. 
The  sisters,  always  ready  to  do  their  part — and,  blessed  be 


oo 


24  HIGHWAYS   AM)    HEDGES. 

God!  in  tlic  Mctliodist  raiiiily  tlicy  are  recognized  as  fellow- 
workers — did  their  full  part  in  these  (Muireh  enterprises  as 
well  as  in  the  wor^liip  of  the  sanctuary.  (Jn  these  building 
occasions  they  came  on  the  ground  with  all  the  api)liances 
for  cooking,  and  spread  upon  the  extemporized  tallies 
hearty  and  inviting  food  for  those  doing  the  work  ;  and 
they  did  all  eat  their  meat  with  singleness  of  heart,  giving 
glory  to  God.  The  people  did  not  look  with  more  of  won- 
der upon  tlic  invincible  host  that  marched  with  Sherman  to 
the  sea,  than  did  the  people  of  Eainbridge  circuit  look 
upon  this  conquering  host  marching  under  the  command  of 
the  Lord  Jesus.  And,  unlike  the  armies  in  carnal  warfare, 
the  army  of  the  Lord  left  not  desolation,  or  blackened  walls 
or  wid(»ws,  or  orphans  along  its  path,  but  smiling  faces 
and  happy  hearts,  and  redeemed  and  united  families  marked 
the  pathway  of  the  conquering  host. 

I  will  give  a  few  incidents  of  these  revivals,  but  it  would 
require  a  volume  to  record  them  all.  The  first  great  revival 
broke  out  at  Bourneville.  We  had  there  the  walls  of  a 
church  edifice  W'hich  stood  in  an  unfinished  state,  indicating 
that  they  had  begun  to  build  and  were  not  able  to  finish. 
The  first  time  that  my  colleague  preached  there,  he  told 
them  that  if  they  would  go  forward  and  finish  their  house, 
he  believed  God  would  convert  one  hundred  souls,  and  that 
if  they  did  not  go  forward  the  curse  of  God  would  rest 
upon  them.  Fear  stimulated  some  and  faith  inspired  others; 
they  took  counsel  the  next  day  and  determined  to  go  for- 
ward. The  prediction  of  the  preacher  was  more  than  ful- 
filled, for  one  hundred  and  eighty  joined  the  Church  at  that 
place  during  the  year.  The  work  commenced  breaking  out 
the  very  next  Sabbath,  first  among  the  children.  Judge 
M'Cracken  meeting  brother  Meharry  said,  "  You  are  catch- 
ing minnows."  "  Yes,"  said  the  preacher,  "  yes,  we  are 
catching  minnows,  and  they  are  excellent  bait."     A  few  days 


BAINBRIDGE    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  225 

afterward,  wlien  the  work  had  made  a  break  in  the  adult 
population,  and  the  slain  of  the  Lord  were  many,  and 
among  them  a  son  and  daughter  of  Judge  M'Cracken,  he 
met  the  preacher  again  and  said,  "  You  began  with  min- 
nows, but  you  are  catching  fish  now." 

During  this  meeting  the  hotel-keeper  of  the  village  was 
seized  suddenly  with  sickness,  and  sent  for  Dr.  Hull  to 
come  and  see  him.  The  Doctor  soon  found  that  it  was  not 
bodily  but  spiritual  disease  that  ailed  him,  and  advised  him 
to  send  for  the  preacher.  He  did  so ;  brother  Meharry 
slipped  out  of  the  prayer-meeting — which  was  at  brother 
Howser's  house — and  went  over  to  the  hotel  to  see  him, 
and  as  soon  as  he  ascertained  the  nature  of  the  case,  sent 
back  a  request  that  the  prayer-meeting  should  adjourn  to 
the  hotel.  It  was  done,  and  soon  chairs  were  arranged  in 
the  sick  man's  room  for  mourners,  and  he  was  exhorted  to 
get  out  of  bed  and  down  on  his  knees,  and  cry  to  the  great 
Physician  who  could  cure  soul  and  body.  He  thought  he 
was  too  sick  to  get  up,  but  the  preacher  took  hold  of  him 
and  helped  him  out,  and  once  down  upon  his  knees  he  com- 
menced crying  to  God  mightily  for  mercy.  Some  eight  or 
ten  others  came  forward  for  prayers,  and  at  that  meeting 
the  converting  power  of  God  was  present.  Brother  Snyder 
and  his  wife  and  the  landlord  were  among  the  converted. 
There  was  to  have  been  a  dance  at  the  hotel  that  night,  but 
it  was  a  meeting  of  a  very  different  sort.  A  wild  fellow 
who  had  come  from  some  distance,  and  had  not  heard  the 
news  of  the  changed  state  of  things,  as  he  approached  the 
hotel,  heard  the  noise  and  supposed  there  was  a  fight.  He 
dismounted  and  hurried  in  to  see  the  fun.  As  he  opened 
the  door  such  a  sight  and  such  sounds  as  greeted  him  struck 
him  with  such  alarm  that  he  retreated,  mounted  his  horse, 
and  fled  from  the  town  as  though  Death  was  after  him.  At 
9  o'clock,  P.  M.,  the  company  adjourned  from  the  hotel  to 


226  HIGHWAYS  and  hedges. 

the  cliurch  to  coninicncc  the  watch-niLjht  service.  It  was 
a  powciTul  iiiectiiit]; ;  several  were  converted,  and  brothers 
]*crill  and  Dill  joined  the  Cluncli.  Hefure  tlie  close  of  the 
next  week  ujjward  of  ninety  had  conic  out  on  the  Lord's 
side,  and  before  the  meeting  finally  closed  one  hundred  and 
eight  had  joined,  so  literally  and  promptly  had  brother 
Meharry's  prophecy  been  fulfilled.  At  this  meeting  broth- 
ers Thomson,  and  Dunlap,  and  Armstrong  gave  assistance 
in  tlie  pulpit  and  altar  work. 

Our  first  quarterly-meeting  was  at  Loudon.  The  princi- 
pal families  in  this  neigliborhood  were  Virginians,  and  of 
Quaker  extraction.  Brother  Marlay,  the  presiding  elder, 
and  the  venerable  James  Quinn  were  with  us  at  this  meet- 
ing. We  protracted  it,  and  some  forty  new  recruits  were 
gathered  within  eight  days.  Brother  Enos  Gore,  one  of 
the  noblest  of  men,  had  for  several  years  been  connected 
with  the  Church  as  a  probationer,  but  to  this  time  had 
clung  to  his  Quakerism  so  far  as  to  decline  baptism.  He 
now  saw  it  to  be  his  duty  to  be  baptized,  and  on  Sabbath 
morning,  in  connection  with  family  devotions,  I  baptized 
him  and  his  household,  consisting  of  the  parents  and  two 
children.     It  was  a  beautiful  and  impressive  sight. 

The  25th  of  January  we  commenced  at  Mt.  Carmel  and 
continued  seven  days,  when  our  previously  announced  plan 
required  us  to  go  to  Bainbridge.  At  Mt.  Carmel  fifty-five 
joined,  and  the  wave  of  influence  was  swelling  rapidly,  when 
we  had  to  move  on  to  attack  the  enemy  at  Bainbridge.  We 
anticipated  that  at  this  latter  point  we  should  have  our 
hardest  battle.  It  was  the  citadel,  and  the  enemy  was  or- 
ganized and  strongly  fortified,  but  a  noble  band  of  workers 
came  up  from  Bourneville  to  our  help,  and  on  Wednesday 
night  the  battle  turned,  and  the  ranks  of  the  enemy  were 
completely  demoralized.  We  pushed  the  battle  to  the  gate, 
and  within  sixteen  days  one  hundred  and  fifty  were  gatli- 


BAINBRIDGE    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  227 

ered  into  the  Church.  Some  were  fearful  of  excitement, 
and  one  man  who  had  made  up  his  mind  to  serve  the  Lord 
waited  until  he  thought  he  was  perfectly  calm  and  col- 
lected, and  when  the  preacher  announced  a  hymn,  he  arose 
and  started  the  tune,  and  then  walked  up  deliberately  and 
joined.     Another,  while  we  were  singinii;  the  stirrine:  chorus, 

"  For  I  can  no  longer  stay  away," 

started  from  the  back  part  of  the  house,  and,  as  the  great 
tears  ran  down  his  cheeks,  made  longer  and  longer  strides 
as  he  neared  the  altar,  and  in  the  intensest  condition  of  ex- 
citement, enlisted  in  the  army.  The  first  of  these  did  not 
hold  out  six  months,  while  the  last,  up  to  my  latest  intelli- 
gence of  him,  was  still  shouting  on  his  way  to  glory.  An 
immortal  spirit  convinced  of  its  awful  danger,  or  assured  of 
its  escape  from  ruin,  ought  to  be  excited,  and  no  condition 
of  intelligence,  culture,  or  purity  needs  to  be  afraid  of  relig- 
ious excitement,  for  it  reaches  to  the  very  "angels  of  God." 

February  21st  we  opened  our  batteries  at  Sinking  Springs. 
The  meeting  continued  thirteen  days,  and  sixty-two  were 
added  to  the  Lord.  The  last  one  that  joined  at  this  meet- 
ing  was  William  Manlove,  and  he  made  the  five  hundredth 
recruit  since  Conference.  He  proved  to  be  a  good  soldier, 
and  "  stood  fast  in  the  Lord." 

We  had  now  been  pushing  the  battle  for  more  than  three 
months  almost  without  intermission.  Our  second  quarterly- 
meetino:  was  at  hand,  and  it  was  to  be  at  Bourneville,  the 
place  where  we  had  cora-menced  our  series  of  meetings. 
Some  thouirht  that  it  was  now  time  to  rest,  and  others  that 
the  harvest  was  fully  gathered.  March  25th  the  quarterly- 
meeting  commenced ;  Elder  Marlay  was  with  us  in  the  spirit 
of  the  Master.  The  power  of  God  rested  on  the  congrega- 
tion. Rich  and  poor,  old  and  young,  came  thronging  to  the 
altar,  crowded  the  altar,  and  for  nine  days  the  wailing  of 


228  HIGHWAYS    AND    HEDGES. 

penitents  and  the  shouting  of  converts  were  familiar  sounds 
in  llie  temple  of  the  Lord.  Upward  of  sixty  joined,  many 
of  whom  proved  to  l»c  patterns  of  jiiety  and  way-marks  to 
the  kingdom  of  God.  It  was  at  this  meeting  that  R.  R. 
Seymour  and  his  wife  joined  the  Church.  He  was  a  wealthy 
farmer,  living  near  Bainbridge,  surrounded  with  every  thing 
of  tliis  world  that  heart  could  wish.  He  was  given  to  hos- 
pitality, and  always  delighted  to  entertain  the  ministers  of 
the  Gospel  at  his  princely  residence,  but  he  had  passed 
middle  life  neglecting  the  Savior,  and  it  was  feared  that  he 
would  continue  to  neglect  the  most  important  interest. 
Great  was  the  rejoicing  when  he  came  out  on  the  Lord's 
side.  He  was  decided  and  consistent,  and  immediately  it 
was  evident  that  his  time,  talents,  home,  and  property  were 
all  dedicated  to  God.  His  tenants,  hired  men,  business 
associates,  and  neighbors  all  saw  the  change,  and  many  fol- 
lowed him  to  Jesus.  The  many  happy  seasons  spent  by 
myself  and  companion,  religiously  and  socially,  at  the  house 
of  brother  Seymour  will  never  be  forgotten. 

Judge  Morris  received  a  new  baptism  during  this  meeting. 
Many  will  remember  his  feeling  remarks  in  one  of  our  speak- 
inc:  meetin<rs.  He  narrated  how  he  had  endeavored  to  be 
an  infidel,  and  the  reluctance  of  rich  men  to  yield  to  the 
convictions  of  the  Spirit.  Said  lie,  "The  rich  are  nearly 
always  behind ;  last  to  get  to  church,  last  to  seek  the  Lord ; 
behind  the  poor  in  the  measure  of  their  liberality,  in  the 
support  of  the  Gospel,  and  the  erection  of  churches.  I  feel," 
said  he,  "  like  getting  ahead  and  not  remaining  in  the  rear 
any  longer."  He  was  much  blessed,  and  his  experience  and 
declaration  of  purpose  were  made  a  blessing  to  others. 
The  converts  of  this  meeting  came  out  very  clear  and 
strong. 

There  was  a  young  man  of  great  worth  and  promise  who 
attended  that  meeting,  and  was  almost  persuaded  to  become  a 


BAINBRIDGE    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  229 

Christian.  Indeed  he  confessed  privately  that  his  mind  was 
made  up,  but  that  "just  one  thing  was  in  the  way  of  his 
starting  now."'  He  resisted  the  Spirit,  launched  out  into 
grander  speculations,  and  by  and  by  financial  disaster,  dissi- 
pation, divorce  demonstrated  what  a  terrible  thing  it  is  to 
trifle  with  the  strivings  of  the  Spirit  of  God.  Had  he  ac- 
cepted then  the  offers  of  mercy,  and  united  himself  with 
the  people  of  God,  I  have  no  doubt  that  to-day  his 
home  would  have  been  one  of  the  brightest,  and  his  record 
one  of  the  most  honorable,  for  he  was  a  man  who  would 
have  been  among  the  first  in  every  good  work  had  he  given 
his  heart  to  God.  If  he  is  still  living  I  here  record  the 
prayer  that  he  may  yet  be  constrained  to  say,  '•  I  will  arise 
and  go  to  my  Father." 

April  6th,  we  planted  the  standard  of  the  Lord  at  Cyn- 
thiana.  Up  to  Saturday  night,  fifteen  had  enlisted.  On 
Sabbath  thirty-five  came  over  on  the  Lord's  side,  and  the 
meeting  went  on  with  great  power.  Wednesday  I  found 
myself  so  much  exhausted  that  I  suggested  to  brother  Me- 
harry  whether  it  would  not  be  well  to  rest  a  few  days,  but 
he  thought  it  was  best  for  us  to  retain  our  vantage-ground 
and  push  the  enemy  to  the  wall.  We  did  so.  The  after- 
noon prayer-meeting  was  a  time  of  power,  and  at  night  we 
had  a  grand  victory.  The  crowd  that  gathered  was  com- 
posed of  all  sorts  of  hard  cases.  Brother  Meharry  preached 
from  Joshua  vii,  25,  "Why  hast  thou  troubled  us?"'  The 
Lord  helped  him  wonderfully.  Some  thirty  sinners,  among 
whom  were  old  and  hardened  sinners,  came  out  for  the  Lord 
that  night.  We  closed  up  the  next  Sabbath  night,  having 
enlisted  one  hundred  and  twelve  recruits  during  the  meeting. 

Our  third  quarterly-meeting  was  at  Sinking  Springs,  and 
was  a  good  time.  We  held  several  meetings  during  the 
Summer  at  different  points,  at  all  of  which  the  Lord  was 
present  to  heal. 


230  HIGHWAYS  AND    HEDGES. 

The  first  of  Scptcni]»cr  I  told  my  (ollcague  that  if  he  had 
faith  he  ini^lit  no  over  to  l?cth(!l.  lie  went,  and  after  a  few 
dnys'  earnest  hihor  llio  fire  luoko  out,  and  victory  after 
victory  was  achieved,  until  u})ward  of  sixty  had  come  out 
on  the  Lord's  side.  One  poor  sinner,  pierced  by  an  arrow 
of  truth,  went  home,  and  taking  to  his  bed  tliought  he  was 
going  to  die.  He  sent  for  the  preacher,  who,  when  he  came, 
ordered  the  man  at  once  to  get  out  of  bed  and  kneel  down 
if  he  Avauted  him  to  pray  for  him.  He  obeyed,  and  soon 
"wound  the  Lord. 

September  8th,  the  fourth  quarterly-meeting  commenced 
at  Baiubridge.  As  this  was  the  last  quarterly-meeting  for 
the  year,  and  as  the  revival  fire  had  been  burning  all  over 
the  circuit  and  all  through  the  year,  the  attendance  was 
large.  The  quarterly  conference  was  a  very  able  and  dig- 
nified body  of  men.  We  had  five  local  preachers,  each  of 
whom  had  his  peculiarities  and  excellencies — Lewis  Holler, 
Frederick  Curp,  Archibald  Lockard,  Reese  Wolf,  and  John 
Haines.  Brother  Wolf  was  a  man  widely  known,  eccentric, 
and  loyal  and  faithful  to  the  Church  of  his  choice.  We 
had  occasion  to  mention  him  in  the  early  part  of  this  narra- 
tive as  one  of  the  pioneers  in  Western  Virginia  in  an  early 
day.  Brother  Haines  was  a  man  of  great  simplicity  of 
character  and  purity  of  life.  Blessed  with  a  peculiarly 
tenacious  memory,  he  applied  it  to  the  storing  away  the 
truth  of  God,  and*  he  had  large  portions  of  the  Word  written 
indelibly  on  the  tables  of  his  memory.  He  could  repeat 
for  hours  without  interruption.  Among  our  exhorters  were 
Alexander  Jester,  Isaac  Kelly,  Joel  Wolf,  John  L.  Smith, 
Stephen  Miller,  Joseph  Boss,  and  George  Nessel,  some  of 
whom  were  soon  after  this  licensed  to  preach.  Then  in 
other  offices,  as  members  of  the  quarterly  conference,  such 
men  as  Taylor,  Manlove,  Gore,  Guilliford,  Nellis,  Easton, 
Keed,  Fleming,  Smith,  Heaston,  Elliott,  and  a  host  of  others. 


BAINBRIDGE    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  231 

My  son,  "William  Fletcher  Stewart,  had  just  reached 
home,  having  completed  his  course  of  study  and  graduated 
at  Augusta  College.  He  had  been  licensed  as  an  exhorter 
some  time  before,  and  purposed  giving  himself  to  the  work 
of  the  ministry.  But  neither  he  nor  myself  had  any  thought 
of  his  entering  immediately  upon  that  work.  He  was  only 
eighteen  years  of  age,  and  apparently  nearly  broken  down 
in  health.  The  presiding  elder,  however,  thought  that  by 
deferring  the  matter  he  might  be  diverted  from  the  ministry, 
and  that  horseback-  exercise  was  just  what  he  needed  Q^ 
bring  him  out  physically.  I  had  great  confidence  in  brother 
Marlay,  and  deferred  to  his  judgment  in  the  matter.  My 
son  was  willing  to  leave  his  case  in  the  hands  of  the  Church, 
preferring  to  waft  a  year,  or  consenting  to  go  at  once,  as 
the  Church  might  say.  Before  organizing  the  conference, 
the  presiding  elder  called  a  leaders'  meeting,  which  recom- 
mended the  young  man  to  the  quarterly  conference  for 
license.  He  then  organized  the  conference,  and  William 
Fletcher  was  licensed  and  recommended  to  the  Ohio  Annual 
Conference  for  the  travelino-  connection.  This  was  to  me  an 
event  of  deep  and  grateful  interest.  My  first  and  greatest 
desire  in  regard  to  my  children  had  always  been  that  they 
should  be  members  of  the  family  of  God,  and  then  I  had 
felt  that  I  could  not  only  cheerfully  give  my  sons  to  the 
Lord  for  the  work  of  the  ministry,  but  that  I  would  rather 
have  them  in  that  work — if  truly  called  of  God  to  it  and 
faithful — than  to  see  them  successful  in  any  other  avocation 
in  life.  I  thought,  in  regard  to  this  son,  that  if  his  days 
were  to  be  but  few  on  earth,  if  the  Lord  would  make  him 
instrumental  in  the  efatherincir  of  some  souls  for  Christ  be- 
fore  he  called  him  hence,  I  would  feel  that  my  labor  and 
expense  in  giving  him  the  opportunities  of  education  would 
not  be  spent  in  vain. 

The  quarterly-meeting  was  a  good  one,  and  several  more 


232  HIGHWAYS    AND    HEDGES. 

joined  tlic  Cliurch,  After  quarterly-meeting  we  had  several 
two-days'  meetings  before  Conference;  one  at  brother  Nes- 
sel's,  conducted  by  l)rother  Meharry,  assisted  by  my  son. 
There  lie  made  his  first  attempt  to  preach — text  Luke  xii, 
32.  The  meeting  was  successful  and  resulted  in  several 
conversions  and  additions  to  the  Church.  September  IGth, 
we  commenced  a  four-days'  meeting  at  Mt.  Carmel.  It  was 
a  noisy  meeting — a  time  of  great  rejoicing  on  the  part  of 
the  Church,  and  some  conversions.  September  24th,  our 
winding-up  two-days'  meeting  at  Bourneville.  We  recounted 
all  the  way  in  which  God  had  led  us,  and  were  made  very 
happy.  We  had  held  eighteen  quarterly  and  protracted 
meetings,  besides  attending  the  regular  work  of  a  large  four- 
weeks'  circuit ;  had  received  on  probation  nine  hundred  and 
twenty-five,  and  should  carry  up  to  Conference  a  report  of 
six  hundred  and  forty-nine  net  gain  for  the  year.  Out  of 
that  large  class  of  converts  we  were  confident  God  would 
raise  up  some  to  preach  the  Gospel.  My  soul  had  become 
knit  to  my  colleague,  and  I  loved  him  as  though  he  was 
my  own  son. 


KANAWHA   DISTRICT,    VIRGINIA.  233 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

KANAWHA  DISTRICT,  VIRGINIA. 
1843-46. 

SEPTEMBER  23,  1843,  the  Conference  met  at  Chilli- 
cothe.  Bishop  Soule  presided.  Little  did  we  think  as 
we  looked  upon  his  manly  and  venerable  form,  and  listened 
to  his  words  of  counsel  and  exhortation,  and  received  our 
appointments  at  his  hands,  that  the  time  would  ever  come 
when  we  should  fail  to  welcome  him  as  our  presiding  officer. 
He  had  long  had  his  episcopal  residence  at  Lebanon,  within 
the  bounds  of  our  Conference,  and  he  was  particularly  en- 
deared to  us,  but,  alas!  this  was  the  last  time  that  he  was 
to  preside  over  our  Conference. 

This  session  was  a  pleasant  and  profitable  one.  The 
brethren  of  Chillicothe,  proud  of  their  long-established 
character  as  loyal  and  enthusiastic  Methodists,  gave  the 
Conference  a  hearty  welcome  and  extended  warm  hospitality 
I  in  their  families  to  the  preachers.  Many  of  the  preachers 
I  brought  excellent  reports  of  the  success  of  the  past  year. 
I  believe  that  my  circuit  reported  the  largest  net  gain  of 
any  one,  and  it  was  no  small  gratification  to  me  to  see 
Bainbridge  circuit  elevated  to  the  position  of  third  in  the 
whole  Conference  as  to  numerical  strength.  The  banner 
charge  was  old  "  Whiteoak" — called  Felicity  the  year  that 
I  traveled  it.  It  had  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and 
twenty-eight  members.     The  second  was  Troy,  one  thousand 

seven  hundred   and  three  members  ;    and  then  Bainbridge, 

20 


234  HIGHWAYS    AND    IIKDGES. 

one  thousand  six  Inuidicd  :nid  forty-seven  nicnibera.  Dur- 
ing the  year  tlirec  prcarliers  liad  withdrawn  from  tlie  iMcth- 
odist  Episcopal  Churcli  ami  connected  themselves  witli  a 
pmall  seceding  body  called  "True  Wesleyans;"  namely, 
llichard  Brandriff,  Joshua  Boucher,  and  Silas  II.  Chase. 
One  faithful  hrother,  llcv.  Alfred  Hancc,  liad  been  trans- 
ferred from  the  Church  militant  to  the  Church  triumphant. 
From  the  time  that  he  joined  the  Conference,  in  1837,  he 
liad  been  a  pattern  of  industry  and  fidelity  in  the  ministry, 
and  his  labors  had  been  crowned  with  abundant  success. 
His  memory  on  M'Arthurstown  circuit,  where  he  fell  at  his 
post,  will  long  remain  as  ointment  poured  forth.  A  little 
while  before  he  breathed  his  last,  one  said  to  him,  "  You 
are  sinking  fast."  To  which  the  triumphant  saint  replied, 
"I  am  rising  !  rising  !  " 

We  received  a  large  class  on  probation,  most  of  them 
vigorous  young  men,  and  some  of  them  young  men  of  more 
than  ordinary  education  and  culture.  The  following  are 
the  names :  Andrew  J.  Lyda,  William  H.  Sutherland, 
John  W.  Locke,  Pearl  P.  Ingalls,  Lorenzo  D.  M'Cabe, 
David  H.  Sargent,  James  F.  Chalfant,  Harrison  Z.  Adams, 
William  F.  Stewart,  Alfred  L.  Westervelt,  Charles  H.  War- 
ren,  Isaac  N.  Mark,  Moses  T.  Bowman,  Henry  Lewis,  Abra- 
ham Thompson,  Barzillai  N.  Spahr,  George  S.  Stephenson, 
Jacob  Pierce,  James  J.  Dolliver,  William  Rutledge,  Ezra 
M.  Boring,  Peter  F.  Holtsinger,  John  W.  Keeley,  George 
Han  await,  Peter  Wilkins,  Matthias  Ruff,  and  John  M. 
Hofer— 27. 

As  I  inquire  after  this  class  now,  after  the  lapse  of  a 
quarter  of  a  century,  I  find  that  they  are  greatly  scattered ; 
several  of  them  are  occupying  leading  positions  in  the  Ohio 
and  other  Western  Conferences,  and  several  of  them  have 
accomplished  their  work  and  gone  to  their  rest  on  high. 

Very  unexpectedly  to   me    I   was    elevated   to    the   very 


KANAWHA    DISTRICT,    VIRGINIA.  235 

lionorable  and  responsible  position  of  President  of  Brush 
College.  I  received  the  announcement  with  no  little  trepi- 
dation, and  was  very  sure  that,  as  all  my  predecessors  had 
experienced,  so  I  should  have  "  my  ups  and  downs  "  from 
the  besrinninG;  to  the  close  of  the  term.  But  before  tlie 
close  of  my  connection  with  the  district,  as  my  narrative 
will  show,  I  had  more  serious  ups  and  downs  than  the 
climbing  of  mountains  and  descending  of  valleys.  The  same 
influences  that  were  to  separate  our  beloved  Soule  from  us 
I  were  to  make  the  Kanawha  district  a  terrible  battle-field. 
Could  I  have  drawn  aside  the  curtain  so  as  to  get  a 
glimpse  of  what  was  before  me,  I  should  have  shrunk  back 
appalled. 

The  General  Conference  was  to  meet  in  the  city  of  New 
York  the  first  of  May  next,  1844,  and  we  elected  the  fol- 
lowing brethren  as  delegates  to  that  body  :  Charles  Elliott, 
J.  Mr  Trimble,  Z.  Connell,  V^\  H.  Eaper,  J.  B.  Fiuley,  E. 
"W.  Sehon.  and  Leonidas  L.  llamline.  The  last  one  on  the 
list  was  destined  to  be  the  marked  man  of  the  General 
Conference. 

My  first  year  on  the  district  was  far  more  pleasant  than 
I  had  anticipated.  I  found  that  the  labors  and  responsibil- 
ities of  the  presiding  elder  difi"ered  a  good  deal  from  those  of 
the  pastor,  but  that  the  same  God  who  is  rich  in  grace  to  all, 
was  ready  to  hear  me  and  assist  me  in  my  new  relation,  as 
he  had  heard  and  assisted  me  in  relations  I  had  hitherto 
sustained.  I  found  under  my  charge  ten  large  circuits 
spreading  over  as  many  large  mountainous  counties  in 
AVestern  Virginia.  I  found,  too,  the  extremes  and  all  the 
intermediate  grades  of  society  :  the  wealthy  in  their  splen- 
,  did  palaces,  surrounded  by  their  obsequious  servants,  and 
^  faring  sumptuously  every  day,  and  the  hardly  tamed  mount- 
aineer, making  a  precarious  living  by  hunting  and  fishing. 
The   district   was   so    mountainous   that   it   could    only    be 


236  IIICinVAYS    AND    HEDGES. 

traveled  (»n  foot  or  on  liorscback.  I>ut  while  the  popula- 
tion (lifTcred  so  much  in  some  things,  they  were  alike  in  one 
thini:;,  and  that  was  in  respect  to  preachers  of  the  Gospel. 
In  the  wildest  cahin  and  the  stateliest  mansion,  whether  pro- 
fessors or  non-professors,  the  Methodist  travelinpj  prcacherH 
were  welcome,  on  one  condition,  and  that  was,  that  they  deal 
tenderly  with  the  "peculiar  institution."  IJut  the  time 
was  just  at  hand  when  Methodist  preachers  must  say  to 
that  dcsolatinp;  flood,  "Thus  far  shalt  thou  go,  and  no 
further,"  and  then  will  this  hospitality  in  many  places  turn 
to  the  most  bitter  aud  relentless  persecution. 

But  I  am  anticipating,  for,  as  I  have  already  said,  my 
first  year  on  Kanawha  district  was  one  of  peace  and  pros- 
perity. I  had  a  band  of  faithful  preachers,  and  most  of 
them  were  adapted  to  the  work  and  efficient.  I  will  men- 
tion their  names  in  connection  with  the  charges  they  served, 
and  record  the  results  of  my  acquaintance  with  them. 

Charleston  circuit  embraced  much  of  the  wealth  of  the 
Kanawha  Valley,  where  the  most  valuable  salt-works  were 
operated.  William  T.  Hand  and  John  W.  Fowble  were 
the  preachers  on  tuis  charge.  Brother  Hand  was  a  very 
popular  pulpit  man.  He  had,  in  an  eminent  degree,  the 
"  copia  verborum  " — a  fine  imagination — great  tact  in  the 
relation  of  anecdotes,  and  withal  a  fine  personal  appearance. 
He  attracted  much  attention,  and  made  a  strong  impression 
upon  the  charge  that  he  served.  Brother  Fowble,  though 
young  in  his  ministry,  indicated  a  strength  of  intellect, 
mental  culture,  and  devotion  to  his  work  that  gave  much 
promise  of  his  future.     The  prophecy  is  being  fulfilled. 

Point  Pleasant  circuit  occupied  the  lower  part  of  the  val- 
ley and  portions  of  the  Ohio  Biver  bottoms,  as  well  as 
adjacent  mountain  ranges.  Thomas  Gorsuch  had  charge 
of  this  work.  Amiable,  chaste,  and  graceful  in  all  his  inter- 
course with  the  people,  and  more  than  medium  in  his  pulpit 


KANAWHA    DISTRICT,   VIRGINIA.  237 

ministrations,  he  drew  the  people  to  him,  and  did  them  good, 
I  always  thought  I  did  well  for  the  charge  to  which  I 
nominated  Thomas  Gorsuch.  He  has  completed  his  work 
on  earth,  and  now  sings  with  the  saints  and  angels. 

Guyandotte  circuit  lay  in  Cabel,  Logan,  Kanawha,  and 
Mason  counties,  embracing  a  portion  of  each,  a  very  ex- 
tended and  mountainous  region.  Michael  G.  Perkhizer  had 
charge  of  this  circuit,  assisted  by  James  G.  Dolliver.  The 
preacher  in  charge  was  a  workman  who  needed  not  to  be 
ashamed — always  faithful  and  devoted.  The  junior  preacher 
had  just  appeared  on  our  Conference  roll,  and  proved  to  be 
a  valuable  worker,  "full  of  faith  and  the  Holy  Ghost." 
God  gave  him  a  tongue  of  fire,  and  blessed  him  very  much. 

Logan  Court-house  circuit  embraced  Logan  and  part  of 
Fayette  and  Kanawha  counties.  George  G.  West,  who  had 
charge  of  this  rugged  work,  was  a  meek,  quiet,  studious, 
holy  man.  He  preached  faithfully  and  well,  worked  dili- 
gently and  wisely.  Those  who  knew  him  best,  prized  him 
most,  and  the  circuit  favored  with  his  labors  one  year,  would 
hardly  fail  to  desire  his  continuance  with  them. 

Coal  River  circuit  lay  on  the  waters  of  Coal  River,  ruu- 
nins:  through  some  of  the  counties  already  mentioned. 
Charles  Ferguson  had  charge  of  this  work.  He  was  a 
many-sided  man,  and  gifted  in  every  direction.  Whether  iu 
Bong  or  prayer,  or  exhortation  or  preaching,  he  was  a  power. 
Never  letting  down  the  dignity  of  the  minister,  he  remem- 
bered that  he  was  the  herald  of  a  Gospel  which  should  be 
preached  to  every  creature,  and  he  addressed  himself  to  his 
work,  publicly  and  privately,  with  abundant  success. 

Fayette  Court-house  circuit  lay  mostly  in  Fayette  county, 
and  principally  on  the  waters    of   Loop    Creek.     Isaac   N. 
Whitnell  had  charge  of  this  work.     As  a   theologian  and 
sermonizer,  he  compared  favorably  with  many  who  far  out 
stripped  him  in  efficiency  and  success.     He  remained  in  the 


238  iiicinvAvs  and  hkdgks. 

rejriil.'ir  ministry  only  a  lew  years,  wIkmi,  perhaps  convinced 
that,  he  h.nl  better  adaptation  for  sonic  other  department 
of  lahor,  lie  retired  from  the  reguhir  work.  It  seemed  a 
pity  tliat  his  excellent  talent  eonld  not  be  made  fully  avail- 
able in  the  ministry. 

Summcrvillc  circuit  embraced  Nicholas  county.  Jonathan 
F.  Conrcy  had  charge  of  this  work.  Having  enjoyed  asso- 
ciation with  him  as  my  assistant  on  Georgetown  circuit 
a  few  years  prior  to  this,  and  holding  him  in  high  esteem 
as  I  did,  it  was  very  pleasant  to  me  to  have  him  in  my 
district.  The  appointment  to  him  was  like  "a  clap  of  thun- 
der from  a  cloudless  sky."  He  had  been  stationed  in  the 
city  of  Zanesville  the  year  before,  and  was  much  disgusted 
at  first  with  the  idea  of  entering  "  Brush  College,"  but  he 
went  to  his  work  as  a  loyal  Methodist  preacher  should, 
made  full  proof  of  his  ministry,  did  a  noble  work  for  God 
and  the  Church  among  the  mountains,  and  from  their  lofti- 
est crags  and  their  deepest  valleys  often  sounded  the  high 
praises  of  God.  Though  he  has  well  and  successfully  sus- 
tained himself  in  the  prominent  positions  of  his  Conference 
since  then,  I  doubt  not  he  looks  back  to  that  as  one  of  his 
happiest  and  most  successful  years. 

Suttonville  circuit  lay  on  the  waters  of  Elk  River.  Ad- 
dison Hite  had  charge  of  this  circuit.  He  was  a  preacher 
whose  consistent  piety  commanded  the  confidence  of  the 
people,  and  made  him  useful  in  the  work.  He,  after  some 
years,  retired  to  the  local  ranks. 

Kipley  circuit  lay  in  Jackson  county.  James  W.  South- 
ard was  the  preacher  in  charge  of  this  work.  He  was 
seized  with  the  unfortunate  idea  that  he  was  not  appreciated 
by  his  brethren  according  to  his  merits,  and  so  commenced 
casting  about  for  some  new  home,  where  he  might  have  a 
better  chance.  After  another  year  in  our  Conference,  he 
withdrew  and  united  with  the  Protestant  Methodists. 


KANAWHA    DISTRICT,    VIRGINIA.  239 

Between  these  men  and  myself  existed  the  most  pleasant 
relations.  They  treated  me  as  a  father  in  the  Gospel. 
They  were  on  my  heart  day  and  night,  and  I  had  much 
comfort  in  pleading  for  them  at  the  throne  of  grace.  Hav- 
ing but  ten  charges,  I  was  able  to  attend  all  of  the  quar- 
terly-meetings in  person.  Preachers  and  people  looked 
forward  to  these  occasions  with  fasting,  and  prayer,  and 
expectation.  Many  of  them  made  long  mountain  journeys, 
to  get  to  the  quarterly-meetings,  and  God  blessed  us  all 
together.  Mountain  cabin  accommodations  and  fare  were 
sometimes  wild,  and  amusing  scenes  sometimes  transpired, 
but  beneath  the  coarsest  garments  often  beat  the  truest  and 
noblest  hearts,  and  around  those  blazing  hickory  fires  in 
the  wide-mouthed  fire-places,  I  have  listened  to  the  hunter's 
thrilling  story  of  adventure,  and  the  Christian's  stirring 
narrative  of  Christian  experience,  and  felt  as  happy  as  when 
enjoying  the  hospitality  of  the  salt  princes  in  the  valley. 

Amusing  stories  were  told  of  some  of  my  predecessors  on 
the  district.  It  was  said  that  when  a  certain  brother  was 
appointed  to  the  district,  some  brother,  with  feigned  serious- 
ness, had  suggested  to  him  that  when  he  reached  the  mount- 
ain regipns  they  would  feed  him  on  wild-cats.  He  was  a 
man  of  great  purity  and  simplicity  of  character,  and  not 
being  accustomed  to  indulge  in  a  joke,  he  took  the  matter 
in  earnest,  and  made  up  his  mind  that  he  would  keep  a 
sharp  look-out  in  regard  to  the  meat  that  he  should  eat. 
During  the  year,  as  he  was  in  a  wild  portion  of  the  district, 
one  day  he  called  at  a  certain  brother's  house,  and  as  he 
passed  through  the  yard  from  the  gateway,  he  espied  the 
paws  of  an  animal  where  they  had  been  chopped  ofi*  and 
lay  by  the  side  of  a  stump.  He  at  once  made  a  note  of 
that  in  his  memory.  By  and  by  dinner  came,  and  after  he 
was  seated  at  the  table  the  reverend  host  said : 

"Brother  ,  will  you  take  a  piece  of  the  meat?" 


i^40  ITir.inVAYS    AND    HEDGES. 

'' Th.nik  you,  brother,"  ropliod  liis  guest,  "I  don't  eat 
wild-cats  n)yscir." 

"  0,  no,"  rejoined  the  astonislied  mountaineer,  "  neither 
do  we;   this  is  not  wild-cat." 

"You  can't  fool  nic,  brother.  I  saw  the  feet  lying  by 
the  stump  as  I  came  through  the  yard." 

The  incident  was  ludicrous  enough,  but  it  was  all  in  sin- 
cerity and  good  humor,  if  the  story  is  to  be  regarded  as 
authentic. 

On  the  first  of  May,  1844,  the  General  Conference  as- 
sembled at  New  York  city.  It  proved  to  be  a  memorable 
session.  The  fact  coming  to  the  knowledge  of  members  of 
the  Conference  that  Bishop  Andrew  had  become  connected 
with  slavery,  that  question  which  had  agitated  the  Church 
so  long  came  up  in  a  new  and  exceedingly  embarrassing 
form.  Bishop  Andrew  personally  was  much  beloved,  but 
the  conscientious  members,  especially  from  the  free  States, 
thought  that  it  would  be  disastrous  to  the  Church  if  this 
matter  was  passed  over.  The  result  was,  after  long  and 
earnest  discussion,  the  passage  of  a  resolution  offered  by 
members  of  our  Conference  to  the  end  that  the  Bishop 
should  cease  the  exercise  of  the  functions  of  his  office  until 
he  was  released  from  slavery.  The  Southern  preachers  took 
fire  at  that  and  demanded  a  plan  for  the  separation  of  the 
Church.  A  conditional  plan  was  offered  and  agreed  to. 
The  Bishop  declined  a  proposition  of  some  friends  to 
raise  the  money  to  purchase  and  manumit  his  slaves.  In- 
tense excitement  prevailed,  and  at  the  adjournment  serious 
apprehensions  pervaded  the  entire  denomination.  The 
Southern  delegates  went  home,  many  of  them  to  stir  up 
the  people  and  sow  the  seeds  of  secession. 

September  4,  1844,  the  Conference  met  at  Marietta. 
Bishop  Waugh  presided.  Bishop  Soule  was  also  present 
part  of  the  time,  but   his  evident  want  of  sympathy  with 


KANAWHA    DISTRICT,    VIRGINIA.  241 

the  action  of  the  majority  in  the  late  General  Conference, 
and  the  decided  position  of  the  Ohio  Conference  greatly 
impaired  the  confidence  that  had  hitherto  been  reposed  in 
him.  At  an  early  period  in  the  session  the  venerable 
Jacob  Young  ofi'ered  a  preamble  and  resolutions  indorsing 
the  course  pursued  at  the  General  Conference  by  the  ma- 
jority of  our  delegation.  As  Edmund  W.  Sehon  had  sym- 
pathized and  acted  with  the  South,  he  took  alarm  at  this 
movement.  The  venerable  William  Burke  espoused  the 
cause  of  the  South  and  became  greatly  excited.  By  motion 
of  J.  F.  Wright,  the  resolutions  were  referred  to  a  commit- 
tee of  nine  to  consider  and  report.  In  due  time  the  com- 
mittee reported  in  favor  of  the  resolutions,  and  they  passed 
triumphantly. 

The  reports  from  the  preachers  indicated  that  this  year 
had  not  been  one  of  as  great  prosperity  as  the  preceding. 
At  Chillicothe  we  had  reported  an  aggregate  increase  of 
six  thousand  seven  hundred  and  eighty-six,  while  this  year 
we  reported  a  decrease  of  two  thousand  five  hundred  and 
fifty-five. 

One  of  our  valuable  young  men,  Rev.  J.  W.  Kanaga,  had 
died  during  the  year.  He  was  licensed  to  preach  in  1840  ; 
received  on  probation  in  the  Ohio  Conference  in  1841  ;  was 
received  into  full  connection  at  Chillicothe  in  1843,  and 
appointed  to  Clarkesville  circuit,  where  he  finished  his 
work  soon  after  his  second  quarterly-meeting.  At  that 
meeting  he  preached  his  last  sermon  from  2  Timothy  iv, 
6-8:  "For  I  am  now  ready  to  be  ofi'ered,  and  the  time  of 
my  departure  is  at  hand,"  etc.  He  preached  as  though  he 
had  a  premonition  that  it  would  indeed  be  his  last  sermon, 
and  as  though  his  triumphant  spirit  already  caught  sight  of 
the  glittering  crown.  The  fever  had  already  commenced  its 
work.  It  soon  assumed  a  malignant  type,  and  baflled  the 
skill  of  the    physicians.     He  was  rational  to  the  last,  and 

21 


242  HIGHWAYS    AND    HEDGES. 

pjavc  abundant   evidence  of  tlie  sufficiency  of  grace  to  sup- 
port in  death. 

Tlic  following  persons  were  received  on  trial :  Klias  II. 
Saltin,  Dewitt  C.  Johnson,  David  Whitnicr,  Kieliard  Pitzer, 
William  W.  M  C(»niMs,  \';ilcntinc  lieanier,  Isaac  Dillon, 
Christian  Wittcubach,  »Jolin  IMaim,  John  Hopper,  and 
Charles  Shelpcr. 

T^]>on  the  whole  this  was  a  very  interesting  Conference. 
The  preachers  who  liad  not  visited  Marietta  before,  heard 
with  interest  the  legends  of  the  old  "  Ohio  Company," 
which  had  established  its  head-quarters  at  this  point  in  the 
earl}'  years.  Eemains  of  the  old  stockade  and  landmarks 
of  the  earliest  pioneer  times  were  still  visible. 

I  here  took  my  first  lessons  in  the  mysteries  and  delicate 
responsibilities  of  the  Bishop's  cabinet.  I  found  that  an 
inside  view  differs  largely  from  an  outside  view,  but  my 
experience  during  this  Conference  confirmed  me  in  the 
opinion  I  had  entertained  for  years,  that  the  Bishop  and 
his  counselors,  in  studying  the  necessities  of  the  whole 
work,  endeavored  sincerely  and  earnestly  to  secure  such  an 
adjustment  of  the  laborers  as  would  secure  the  greatest 
efficiency  and  success.  It  is  utterly  impossible  that  every 
charge  can  secure  their  preference  in  regard  to  their 
preacher,  for  here  are  several  charges  preferring  the  same 
man.  It  is  equally  impossible  that  every  preacher  can  have 
his  preference  as  to  his  field,  for  here  are  several  preachers 
desiring  the  same  field.  Then  there  are  good  men  who  are 
really  superannuated,  either  mentally  or  physically,  but  do 
not  realize  it ;  others  who  possibly  think  of  themselves  a 
little  more  highly  than  they  ought  to  think;  others  who  are 
"  constitutionally  tired,"  and  do  not  perform  the  amount  of 
pastoral  labor  and  pulpit  preparation  necessary  to  endear 
them  to  the  people  or  secure  success.  And  then  there  are 
others  who  have  marked  eccentricities,  and  men  who  ride 


KANAWHA    DISTRICT,    VIRGINIA.  243 

hobbies,  and  men  whose  time  is  partly  engaged  in  purely- 
literary  or  other  secular  matters.  There  are  preachers  who 
desire  especial  accommodations  on  account  of  family  mat- 
ters, pertaining  to  health,  or  education  of  children,  or  sup- 
port. And  so  I  might  go  on  to  enumerate  many  more 
matters,  all  of  which  have  to  be  taken  into  the  account  in 
the  Bishop's  cabinet.  It  is  indeed  a  responsible  work,  and 
requires  sympathy,  and  courage,  and  judgment,  and  faith, 
and  divine  illumination.  Let  those  who  have  faith  in  God 
pray  that  the  Spirit  may  always  direct  in  the  selection  of 
Bishops  and  presiding  elders,  and  influence  their  minds  so 
that  they  may  successfully  meet  their  responsibilities. 

I  took  back  with  me  to  the  Kanawha  district,  in  the 
main,  the  same  band  of  faithful  men  who  had  labored  with 
me  the  previous  year.  I  parted  company,  however,  with  a 
few  whom  I  loved  dearly,  and  welcomed  others  who  proved 
to  be  faithful  workers.  I  had  this  year,  as  my  assistants, 
as  follows: 

Charleston  Circuit — Thomas  Gorsuch  and  William  H. 
Sutherland.  Brother  Sutherland  was  one  of  my  new  men. 
He  was  talented,  very  studious,  and  inclined  to  cultivate  rigid 
system  in  the  division  of  his  time  and  labor.  I  prophesied 
a  bright  future  for  him,  and  have  not  been  disappointed  in 
my  expectations. 

Parkershurg — Arza  Brown.  He  was  pure  gold,  a  man 
of  ripe  Christian  experience,  and  an  able,  advocate  of  the 
doctrine  of  Christian  perfection.  Feeble  in  health,  but 
abundant  in  labors,  he  was  to  me  a  valuable  counselor  and 
efficient  co-worker.  His  excellent  companion,  too,  was  full 
of  holy  fire  and  zeal  in  the  cause  of  the  Master,  ready  for 
every  good  word  and  work.  Alter  years  of  separation,  I 
have  had  the  privilege  of  meeting  them,  in  18G8,  in  their 
pleasant  home,  in  Chicago.  But  the  missionary  fire  still 
burned  in   their  hearts,   and  they    soon    after    sought   work 


244  HIGHWAYS    AM)    IIKDCKS. 

among  the  ficcdnioii,  in  Jiouisiana,  injitructing,  exhorting, 
and  preaching. 

Litilr  Kai\(iu'h<i — Charles  Ferguson  and  J).  J).  Mather. 
Tliis  was  lirolher  .Mather's  first  year  witli  nie.  He  was  en- 
dowed with  largo  intellcetual  capacity,  and  was  rapidly 
developing  into  an  nhle  preacher  of  the  Gospel.  He  has 
long  since  taken  a  prominent  ])ositiou  in  the  ministry. 

Klphij — Samuel  Black  and  Thomas  K.  Coleman.  Broth- 
er Coleman  was  a  young  man  of  sprightly  intellect,  fine 
imagination,  and  tenacious  memory,  and  made  his  pulj)it 
efi'orts  very  attractive.  He  was  faithful  to  his  trust,  and 
did  not  sympathize  with  the  preacher  in  charge,  who  this 
year  espoused  the  cause  of  the  seceders,  and  did  all  he 
could  to  hand  the  circuit  over  to  the  Church  South. 

Point  Pleasant — John  F.  Lon2;man  and  William  W. 
M'Comas.  Brother  Longman  was  an  Englishman,  of  good 
preaching  ability.  Had  he  felt  fully  the  responsibility  of 
the  Christian  ministry,  and  met  his  engagements  punctu- 
ally, with  the  ability  he  possessed  he  could  have  done  a  no- 
ble work,  I  had  licensed  brother  M'Comas  to  preach,  and 
carried  his  recommendation  to  the  Ohio  Conference,  think- 
ing that  he  would  prove  to  be  a  valuable  accession  to  our 
traveling  ministry.  He  had  extraordinary  elements  of  power 
and  usefulness,  but  he  became  tinctured  with  the  leaven 
of  secession,  and  turned  his  hand  against  his  ecclesiastical 
mother  with  a  fierceness  and  venom  which  was  terrible. 

Guyandotte — William  T.  Hand. 

Wayne  Court-liouse — James  J.  Dolliver. 

Logan  Court-house — George  G.  West. 

Coal  River — Jesse  Botkin.  He  was  a  man  of  sterling 
worth,  not  so  successful  in  gathering  as  some,  but  what  he 
gathered  into  the  fold  he  was  apt  to  retain  for  the  Master. 
He  stood  up  for  the  Church  against  all  opposers,  at  what- 
ever cost,  feeling  that  it  could  not  cost  too  dear. 


KANAWHA    DISTRICT,    VIRGINIA.  245 

Summerv'dh — Archibald  Flemiiifr.  He  was  a  man  whom 
any  charge  might  deem  itself  fortunate  to  have  as  its 
pastor. 

Elk  River — Isaac  Whitnell. 

Suttonville  was  left  to  be  supplied.  I  employed  brother 
Chambers,  a  local  preacher. 

This  year  the  gathering  storm  began  to  burst  upon  us  in 
its  fury.  To  me  it  was  indeed  a  fiery  trial.  During  my 
first  year  on  the  district,  every  face  had  been  the  face  of  a 
friend,  and  every  voice  the  voice  of  friendship.  Though 
the  fare  was  sometimes  rough,  and  the  labor  always  hard, 
yet  I  had  been  happy  in  the  work.  But  this  year  there  was 
a  dividing.  A  few  leading  and  designing  men  had  raised 
the  cry  of  '•  xVbolitionism,"  and  foreign  "  interference  with 
the  institutions  of  Virginia."  Countenances  that  had  al- 
ways smiled  upon  me  now  turned  from  me,  or  met  me  with 
the  blackness  of  the  thunder-cloud.  Voices  that  had  ad- 
dressed me  with  respect  and  afi'ection  now  railed  out  in 
accents  of  anger,  or,  behind  my  back,  endeavored  to  poison 
others  against  me ;  and  homes  where  I  had  been  welcomed 
and  entertained  as  an  angel  of  God  would  now  have 
loathed  my  presence.  Nor  were  these  shafts  leveled  at  nie 
alone.  All  of  my  assistants  who  were  true  to  their  ordina- 
tion vows,  and  all  of  the  members  who  were  true  to  the 
Discipline  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church — and  they 
constituted  the  great  majority — were  sharers  in  the  pro- 
scription and  opposition.  The  most  of  my  preachers  were 
not  only  true  as  steel,  but  possessed  the  qualifications  need- 
ful for  such  an  emergency.  In  the  midst  of  misrepresenta- 
tion, and  slander,  and  threats  of  personal  violence,  the 
faithful  itinerant  said,  "None  of  these  things  move  me; 
neither  count  I  my  life  dear  to  me,  so  that  I  may  finish  my 
course  with  joy." 

September   3,  1845,    the    Conference   met   at    Cincinnati. 


24G  HIGHWAYS    AND    HEDGES. 

Bishop  L.  L.  TTaniUno  presided.  ]?isliop  Sonic  visited  us 
again,  aiid  caused  us  a  gond  deal  of  trouble.  We  were 
justly  proud  of  Bishop  Ilamlinc,  not  only  on  account  of  his 
eminent  scholarship,  and  eloquence,  and  piety,  but  because 
he  had  grown  up  religiously  within  our  bounds,  and  was 
recognized  as  an  Ohio  Conference  man.  Probably  he  was 
never  placed  in  circumstances  more  embarrassing  than  on 
the  morning  when  Bishop  Soule  entered  the  Conference- 
room,  and  placed  himself  in  position  to  be  invited  to  occupy 
the  chair.  Could  he  ignore  the  venerable  Bishop?  Could 
he  summon  courage  to  invite  him  to  the  chair  ajrainst  the 
wishes  of  almost  the  whole  body  of  preachers?  lie  did 
invite  Bishop  Soulc  to  the  chair.  Immediately  upon  Bishop 
Soule's  taking  the  chair,  a  scene  of  confusion  transpired;  the 
Conference  refused  to  do  any  business  under  his  presidency, 
and  he  as  resolutely  willed  that  the  business  should  go  for- 
ward. When  he  found  it  utterly  impossible  to  control  the 
Conference,  he  called  brother  James  Quinn  to  the  chair,  but 
still  the  tumult  increased.  Now  Hamline  stepped  upon  the 
platform,  resumed  the  reins,  and,  with  the  hand  of  a  master, 
restored  at  once  the  order  of  the  Conference. 

Received  on  trial  at  this  Conference:  Henry  E.  Dreyer, 
Leonard  Mulfinger,  Christopher  Keller,  Moses  M'Lane,  John 
Myers,  Paul  Brodbeck,  Ernst  H.  Pelens,  John  J.  Hibner, 
Christopher  Hoevner,  James  B.  Morrison — 10 — a  small  class, 
and  several  of  them  for  German  missionaries. 

It  was  a  time  of  peculiar  tenderness  and  solemnity  when 
a  tribute  of  respect  was  paid  to  those  who  had  died  during 
the  year.  Three  honored  and  venerable  men  had  been 
called  home — men  who  had  labored  long  and  well — men 
whose  praise  was  in  all  the  Churches,  and  who  had  turned 
many  to  righteousness.  They  were  John  Collins,  Green- 
bury  B.  Jones,  and  H.  S.  Farnandis. 

In  a  previous  part  of  this  narrative  we  have  spoken  of 


KANAWHA    DISTRICT,  VIRGINIA.  247 

brother  Collins  as  a  man  of  God  and  a  preacher  of  the 
Gospel.  In  no  part  of  the  Conference  was  he  more  highly 
prized  than  in  Cincinnati,  where  our  Conference  was  now 
holdius:  its  session.  He  had  or2:anized  the  first  class  in  the 
city,  and  laid  there  the  foundation  of  Methodism.  He  was 
born  in  New  Jersey  in  1769;  came  to  Ohio  in  1804;  en- 
tered the  traveling  connection  in  1807;  and  died  in  the 
city  of  Maysville,  August  21,  1845.  ''His  setting  sun  was 
without  a  cloud.  His  last  words  were,  'Happy!  happy! 
happy!'  and  all  was  still." 

Brother  Jones  was  a  Pennsylvanian.  He  was  admitted 
on  trial  in  the  Ohio  Conference  in  1818 ;  superannuated  in 
1832;  was  made  effective  again  in  1839.  He  was  a  superior 
executive  officer  and  an  efficient  worker,  made  full  proof  of 
his  ministry,  and  died  at  Marietta,  September  20,  1844. 
His  last  days  were  days  of  triumphant  experience. 

Brother  Farnandis  was  a  Virginian.  He  was  born  in 
Loudon  county,  December  1,  1793.  He  entered  the  travel- 
ing connection  in  1819.  Though  not  remarkable  for  the 
shining  qualities  of  the  orator,  he  possessed  such  a  combi- 
nation of  gifts  and  graces  as  seemed  to  make  him  a  favorite 
with  God  and  men.  He  led  a  great  many  souls  to  Christ, 
and  in  his  crown  of  righteousness  will  be  found  many  stars, 
and  stars  of  the  first  magnitude.  During  his  last  illness 
he  was  much  blessed  of  God,  and  sent  assurances  to  his 
brethren  of  the  Conference  of  his  joyful  hope  of  immor- 
tality. He  fell  asleep  in  Jesus  on  the  17th  of  May,  1845, 
in  his  own  house,  in  Rushville,  Ohio,  surrounded  by  loving 
family  and  friends. 

My  three  years  on  the  Kanawha  district  constituted  per- 
haps the  most  responsible  as  well  as  trying  period  of  my 
whole  ministry.  As  soon  as  I  had  taken  my  position,  after 
the  secession,  the  Southern  press  began  to  misrepresent  me, 
and  its  whole  power  was  used  to  crush  me.      Insinuation, 


248  HK.inVAYS    AM)    HEDGES. 

iiinnciulo,  and  <li)WiiriLr]it  falsehood  were  used  and  ciiTulatod 
industriously  by  liot-bloodcd  ai^itators  and  mischicf-niakcrs, 
but  I  i»ut  my  trust  in  God,  and  endeavored  conscicrjtiously 
to  do  my  duty.  Since  I  commenced  writing  this  cbapter,  I 
have  thoroughly  reviewed  the  wliole  controversy,  and  I  am 
satisfied  that  I  was  not  only  true  to  the  Church,  but  con- 
sistent with  myself  during  the  whole  of  my  administration. 
The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  that  time  occupied  con- 
servative ground  on  the  subject  of  slavery,  denouncing  the 
principle  as  sinful,  the  system  of  American  slavery  as  the 
"sum  of  all  villainies,"  but  allowing  that  the  legal  relation 
of  master  and  slave  did  not  necessarily,  under  all  circum- 
stances, involve  sin.  8hc  prohibited,  unequivocally,  the 
traffic  in  slaves ;  required  her  ministers  who  had  become 
involved  in  the  relation  to  emancipate  their  slaves  when- 
ever the  laws  of  the  State  would  allow  the  emancipated 
slaves  to  enjoy  their  liberty.  The  spirit  of  slavery,  however, 
true  to  itself,  had  for  some  time  been  steadily  making  ag- 
gressions, until  quite  extensively  through  the  South  the 
wholesome  regulations  of  the  Church  were  practically 
ignored.  A  traveling  preacher  in  the  Baltimore  Conference 
set  the  Church  at  defiance.  He  was  tried  by  his  own  Con- 
ference and  found  guilty.  He  appealed  to  the  ensuing 
General  Conference,  and  the  decision  of  the  Annual  Con- 
ference was  sustained.  Bishop  Andrew  became  the  owner 
of  slaves  by  marriage,  and  the  facts  coming  before  the 
General  Conference  of  1844,  which  sat  in  the  city  of  New 
York,  the  Conference  required  that  he  should  manumit  his 
slaves  or  desist  from  the  exercise  of  his  episcopal  office. 
It  was  certain  that  a  slaveholdiug  Bishop  could  not  be 
acceptable  as  a  presiding  officer  in  the  free  States.  Brethren 
anxious  for  a  peaceful  solution  of  this  difficulty,  proffi^red 
to  put  into  the  hands  of  the  Bishop  the  value  of  the  serv- 
ants, so  that  his  wife's  estate  should  not  be  injured.     He, 


KANAWHA    DISTRICT,    VIRGINIA.  249 

however,  acting  under  the  advice  of  the  magnates  of  the 
South,  declined  all  such  pacific  overtures,  and  so  compelled 
a  direct  issue.  The  Conference  met  the  issue  promptly. 
The  Southern  delegates  consulted  and  handed  in  a  ^'jyroiest." 
They  expressed  the  conviction  that  a  rupture  of  the  Church 
would  be  inevitable  if  the  majority  did  not  recede,  and 
demanded  a  plan  by  which  the  separation,  if  found  inevita- 
ble, might  be  consummated  peacefully.  The  result  of  a 
protracted  and  very  earnest  discussion  was  the  adoption  of 
the  famous  "plan  of  separation."  It  was  granted  on  the 
part  of  the  majority,  as  an  "olive  branch,"  and  with  the 
belief  that  the  Southern  delegates  returning  to  their  people 
and  laying  the  matter  honestly  before  them,  would  find  the 
majority  of  them  true  to  the  Church  and  averse  to  separa- 
tion. These  delegates,  however,  determined  upon  separation 
before  they  left  the  city,  and  went  home,  not  to  consult  with 
the  people  and  try  to  allay  strife  and  save  the  unity  of  the 
Church,  but  to  prepare  the  people  to  submit,  unresistingly, 
to  the  disintegration  of  the  Church.  Up  to  the  time,  how- 
ever, of  the  final  action  of  the  Louisville  Convention,  many 
of  us  believed  that  in  case  a  Southern  Church  was  orsanized, 
it  would  maintain  the  old  landmarks  of  Methodism,  and 
carry  out  the  spirit  and  letter  of  the  plan  of  separation. 

It  was  claimed  that  the  radical  views  of  agitators  in  the 
North  had  created  a  feeling  in  the  South  that  greatly  em- 
barrassed our  work  in  that  section,  and  that  the  antislavery 
rules  and  spirit  of  the  Church  could  be  much  more  efli- 
ciently  enforced  if  the  cry  of  Northern  interference  could  be 
arrested.  There  was  plausibility  in  this  position.  We  felt 
its  force  in  the  Kanawha  district.  Had  the  delegates  gone 
home  and  represented  the  action  of  the  General  Conference 
in  the  true  spirit  by  which  it  was  actuated,  my  belief  is 
that  it  would  have  allayed  in  great  measure  what  discon- 
tent then  existed.     Or  if,  upon  a  calm  and  honest  interchange 


250  HIGHWAYS  AND    HEDGES. 

of  views,  it  liad  boon  docided  to  oriranizc  a  separate  Cliurch, 
with  the  avowed  jmrpose  of  iii;iintainiiig  saeredly  the  ohl 
landmarks  of  Methodism,  the  separation  might  have  been 
eonsuniniatcd  in  arrnrdnnro  with  the  provisions  of  the  plan 
without  serious  friction.  1  was  invited  to  attend  the  Louis- 
ville Convention,  but  my  duties  were  such  as  to  make  it 
impracticable  for  me  to  do  so.  I  addressed  the  Convention, 
by  letter,  through  Bishop  Soule,  expressing  my  convictions 
touching  the  interests  of  the  Kanawha  district.  I  then 
thought  that  should  a  separate  Church  be  organized  in  good 
faith,  in  accordance  with  the  plan,  it  would  be  best  that 
all  the  territory  within  the  slave  States  should  be  embraced 
in  that  Church. 

Immediately  after  the  organization  of  the  new  Church, 
however,  its  animus  indicated  such  a  hostility  to  genuine 
antislavery  Methodism,  and  such  a  determination  to  swal- 
low up  the  people  in  the  new  organization,  without  regard 
either  to  their  wishes  or  the  plan  of  separation,  that  I  found 
I  could  not  in  conscience  either  be  a  party  to  any  such  pro- 
cedure, or  allow  such  procedure  within  the  bounds  of  the 
Kanawha  district.  I  laid  the  question  before  the  quarterly 
conferences,  and,  with  scarcely  a  dissenting  vote,  they  all 
decided  to  remain  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  This 
greatly  exasperated  those  in  the  interest  of  slavery^  and 
thenceforth  a  most  persistent  effort  was  made  to  get  me  out 
of  the  way,  or  destroy  my  influence  among  the  people.  One 
instance  of  the  length  to  which  those  who  became  my  ene- 
mies would  go  to  injure  me,  will  be  all  that  I  will  place 
upon  the  record. 

In  Parkersburg  a  minority,  in  flagrant  violation  of  the 
plan  of  separation,  not  only  received  a  preacher  from  the 
Church  South,  but  took  possession  of  the  church  edifice. 
Rather  than  resort  to  law  or  violence,  our  brethren  went  to 
work  and  erected,  with  great  liberality  and  dispatch,  a  new 


^      KANAWHA   DISTRICT,   VIRGINIA.  251 

churcli.  Eiforts  were  made  to  intimidate  me  from  attend- 
ing my  quarterly-meeting  at  that  place,  and  a  plan  was 
concocted  to  involve  me  in  difficulty  should  I  come.  G. 
Neal  and  H.  Phelps  were  the  most  prominent  actors  in  the 
matter. 

On  Sabbath,  as  I  was  passing  along  the  street,  Mr.  Phelps 
called  to  me,  and  then  approaching  me  with  a  smile  on  his 
face,  said,  "How  do  you  do,  brother  Stewart?"  Having  re- 
ceived a  very  insolent  letter  from  him  some  time  previously, 
and  well  knowing  the  man,  I  conversed  with  him  civilly, 
but  was  careful  to  be  on  my  guard.  He  invited  me  to  visit 
him  before  I  should  leave  the  town.  I  answered  perhaps  I 
might.  He  urged  me  to  do  so,  and  I  replied  that  if  I  did 
not  leave  town  that  day  perhaps  I  would  call  next  day. 
We  then  parted,  and  I  called  the  attention  of  brother  Jen- 
nings, who  was  with  me,  to  the  guarded  manner  in  which  I 
had  replied  to  the  invitation. 

I  had  expected  to  leave  on  Monday,  but  learning  on  the 
morning  of  that  day  that  Phelps  had  what  purported  to  be 
a  copy  of  the  letter  that  I  addressed  to  the  Louisville  Con- 
vention, and  that  he  was  using  it  to  my  injury,  and  learning 
that  several  of  the  Southern  preachers  had  copies  of  that 
letter  which  they  read  to  their  congregations,  and  commented 
on  at  great  length  to  my  prejudice,  I  determined  to  make 
an  effort  to  see  the  copy,  that  I  might  satisfy  myself  whether 
it  was  genuine  or  counterfeit.  Monday  evening,  taking 
brother  Wolf  with  me,  I  sought  an  interview  with  Mr. 
Phelps,  and  asked  for  a  copy  of  the  letter  he  was  said  to 
have  in  his  possession.  He  said  he  had  it,  but  refused  to 
give  me  a  copy  of  it.  I  then  expressed  my  wish  that  he 
would  publish  it.  He  said  that  he  had  intended  to  do  so, 
but  had  ascertained  that  the  cost  would  be  more  than  he 
was  willing  to  pay.  I  proposed  that  if  lie  would  give  it  to 
me  I  would  publish  it.    He  declined  that  proposition,  where- 


252  lilGIlWAVS    AND    HEDGES. 

upon  brotlior  Wolf  and  myself  bade  liini  good-by  and  (crm- 
inatc'd  (lie  interview. 

Next  morning'  lie  sent  inc  word  that  lie  would  meet  me 
at  any  place  that  I  would  appoint  for  another  interview. 
My  friends  were  divided  in  their  counsel  as  to  the  proper 
course  to  pursue,  but  T  decided  to  see  him,  and  so  taking 
an  excellent  member  of  our  Church,  brother  Maddux,  with 
me,  I  proceeded  to  Mr.  Phelps's  office.  I  told  liim  that  I 
had  not  come  for  controversy,  but  simply  to  ask  for,  and, 
if  possible,  obtain  a  copy  of  the  letter  said  to  be  written 
by  me  which  he  claimed  to  have  in  his  possession.  After 
some  conversation  he  absolutely  refused  to  let  me  have  it. 
I  asked  him  if  any  other  person  had  a  copy.  He  informed 
me  Samuel  Black  had  a  certified  copy.  ''Can  I  get  a  copy 
from  liim?"  I  inquired.  He  answered  emphatically,  "No." 
As  I  was  about  to  retire  he  stated  that  I  had  authorized 
him  to  publish  it  the  night  before  at  my  expense.  I  told 
him  to  give  it  to  me  and  it  should  be  published  at  my  ex- 
pense. Of  course  I  could  not  consent  to  any  other  arrange- 
ment, and  prohibited  the  publication  of  any  thing  at  my 
expense,  unless  it  went  through  my  hands  to  the  printer. 

Leaving  Parkersburg,  I  proceeded  by  the  way  of  my 
father's  to  Eavenswood,  where  my  next  quarterly-meeting 
was  to  be  held.  I  arrived  on  Saturday,  and  the  meeting 
commenced  at  eleven  o'clock,  A.  M.  The  services,  morninir. 
afternoon,  and  night,  gave  promise  of  an  excellent  meeting. 

Sabbath  morning  early  Messrs.  Neal  and  Phelps,  of  Par- 
kersburg, arrived  by  steamer.  The  former  sought  an  inter- 
view with  me,  and  manifested  great  friendship.  He  com- 
plained that  I  had  not  visited  him  while  in  Parkersburg.  I 
told  him  frankly  that  I  did  not  feel  safe  to  do  so.  The 
quarterly-meeting  was  held  at  a  private  house,  and  I  learned 
at  the  close  of  the  love-feast  that  application  had  been 
made  for  liberty  to  address  the  congregation  on  an  impor- 


KANAWHA    DISTRICT,    VIRGINIA.  253 

tant  matter  of  controversy  between  the  said  Phelps  and  the 
presiding  elder.  The  proprietor  of  the  house  informed  them 
that  he  had  given  the  use  of  his  house  to  me  for  the  quar- 
terly-meeting. They  then  requested  him  to  ask  niy  consent. 
I  told  him  that  I  had  no  controversy  with  Mr.  Phelps,  and 
if  I  had,  this  was  neither  the  place  nor  the  day  for  such 
business. 

"We  had  a  time  of  refreshins:  durinc;  the  love-feast.  At 
its  close  I  retired  to  the  woods,  to  put  ray  case  into  the 
hands  of  God.  After  an  intermission  of  fifteen  or  twenty 
minutes  I  commenced  the  public  service.  The  Lord  was 
with  me  indeed,  and  the  Word  wa*s  clothed  with  power.  My 
text  was,  "The  Lord  God  is  a  sun  and  a  shield,"  etc.,  and  I 
truly  felt  that  while  his  broad  shield  was  over  me  I  could 
say,  "  I  will  not  fear  what  man  can  do  unto  me."  I  an- 
nounced a  sacramental  service  for  four  o'clock,  and  preach- 
ino;  at  candle-liorhtinir. 

As  soon  as  I  pronounced  the  benediction,  Phelps  arose 
and  stated  that  there  existed  a  difficulty  between  himself 
and  John  Stewart,  presiding  elder  of  the  Kanawha  district, 
involving  the  important  case  of  veracit3\  He  had  procured 
leave  of  Mr.  Fetschur  to  settle  the  difficulty  at  his  house, 
and  that  the  presiding  elder  and  congregation  were  requested 
to  attend  there  for  that  purpose  at  two  o'clock,  P.  M. 

As  the  people  were  assembling  in  accordance  with  that 
appointment,  a  steamer  touched  the  wliarf,  and  brothers  Wolf 
and  Diltz,  of  Parkersburg,  stepped  ashore.  I  now  saw  that 
God  proposed  to  vindicate  my  cause  more  promptly  than  I 
had  expected.  These  good  brethren,  having  learned  provi- 
dentially that  Neal  and  Phelps  had  embarked  at  midnight  for 
Ravenswood,  inferred  at  once  that  they  had  some  malicious 
intent,  and  followed  them  by  the  next  boat.  Their  arrival 
and  presence  in  the  congregation  gathered  by  my  enemies 
^Yas  exceedingly  opportune  for  me.     As  I  did    not   attend 


254  HIGHWAYS   AND    HEDGES. 

the   incetinir.  of  course   I  state   wli.it    occurred    on    the  au- 
thority of  my  friends  wlio  were  present. 

Neal  and  ]'liel])s  botli  addressed  the  congregation,  the 
latter  protracting  his  remarks  at  great  length,  apparently 
for  the  purpose  of  defeating  the  sacramental  service  of  the 
afternoon.  He  read  and  commented  on  the  copy  of  a  letter 
which  he  had  refused  to  give  me.  He  also  read  two  affi- 
davits, purporting  to  be  from  ]»ersons  who  had  heard  our 
previous  conversation  in  regard  to  the  publication  of  the 
said  letter  at  my  expense.  One  of  them  stated  that  I  had 
consented  that  Phelps  might  publish  and  I  would  pay  the 
cost.  The  other  understood  that  I  consented  to  publish  it, 
if  given  to  me,  at  my  own  expense. 

Brothers  Wolf  and  Diltz  then  reported  themselves  to  the 
congregation  ;  announced  that  they  had  personal  knowledge 
of  the  fact;  had  just  arrived  from  Parkersburg,  and,  if  they 
could  be  permitted  to  do  so,  would  state  the  facts  in  the 
case.  My  accusers  would  not  allow  them  to  speak.  The 
people  now  began  to  open  their  eyes. 

Rev.  D.  Gr.  Morrell,  who  was  also  a  lawyer  and  com- 
manded great  respect,  asked  the  attention  of  the  congrega- 
tion for  one  minute  only.  It  was  granted.  He  stated  that 
they  had  been  listening  for  hours  to  hear  something  that 
would  fix  a  stain  upon  the  moral  character  of  their  presid- 
ing elder.  He  has  been  charged  with  falsehood,  and  in 
support  of  the  charge  two  affidavits,  taken  in  his  absence 
and  without  his  knowledge,  have  been  read.  They  are  ex- 
parte  evidence  which  would  be  thrown  out  of  any  court. 
Here  are  two  men  whose  testimony  would  be  competent 
evidence,  who  claim  to  know  the  facts  and  wish  to  state 
them,  but  they  are  not  permitted  to  do  so.  The  claim  that 
the  presiding  elder  would  allow  the  publication  of  the  letter 
without  seeing  it,  at  his  expense,  is  unreasonable,  and  the 
accusers  have  utterly  failed.     He  expressed  the  opinion  that 


KANAWHA    DISTRICT,    VIRGINIA.  255 

the  presiding  elder  had  lost  nothing  in  the  confidence  of 
the  people  by  the  prosecution. 

It  broke  down  so  utterly  as  to  appear  almost  a  farce. 
My  accusers  took  their  departure  by  the  first  boat,  greatly 
chagrined,  and  my  friends  returned  with  them,  happy  that 
they  had  been  able  to  foil  a  malicious  purpose.  I  might 
have  enlightened  the  people  touching  the  moral  character 
of  Mr.  Phelps  and  the  experiences  the  Church  had  had 
with  him,  but  I  could  w^ell  afibrd  to  spare  him  under  the 
circumstances. 

Having  written  to  Bishop  Soule  during  the  session  of  the 
Louisville  Convention  the  famous  letter  which  afterward,  in 
its  various  editions,  became  a  sort  of  text-book  for  Southern 
border  preachers,  and  having  made  repeated  unsuccessful 
endeavors  to  get  a  copy  of  the  said  letter,  I  wrote  to 
Bishop  Soule  again,  April  28,  1846,  taking  care  this  time  to 
preserve  a  copy  of  my  letter.  In  it  I  gave  him  a  detailed 
and  faithful  exhibit  of  the  state  of  facts  in  the  bounds  of 
the  Kanawha  district.  The  following  extracts  from  that  let- 
ter may  be  of  interest  to  the  reader: 

"  I  saw,  after  a  careful  examination  of  the  plan  of  the 
General  Conference  and  the  action  of  the  Louisville  Con- 
vention, that  the  line  separating  the  two  Churches  was 
fixed,  and  could  be  altered  only  by  a  vote  of  a  majority  in 
a  society^  station,  or  Conference  on  the  border  of  the  two 
Conferences  ;  and  that  if  a  majority  of  any  society,  station, 
or  Conference  on  the  border  voted  to  belong  to  the  Church 
on  the  other  side  of  the  line,  then  the  line  was  changed  so 
as  to  conform  to  that  vote.  It  then  became  a  permanent 
line,  and  each  Church  was  bound  by  it.  Interior  charges 
were,  therefore,  to  remain  in  the  unmolested  care  of  the 
Church  within  whose  bounds  they  were  located.  I  have 
no  disposition  to  discuss  the  merits  of  the  plan  itself,  but 
I   assume    that    the    Bishops  of   both    Churches  intend  to 


250  HIGHWAYS  and  hedges. 

conform  fo  it.  T  do  m.t  believe  that  tlic  l?is]>ops  of  cither 
Cluircli  will  knowiiiiily  send  men  over  the  lines  thus  estab- 
lished. Now  I  wish  to  con)muni(  ate  to  you  the  faets  toueli- 
in«r  the  Kanawha  district  : 

"We  have  thirteen  cireuits  and  one  station,  though  the 
station  is  now  attar-hod  to  the  T>ittle  Kanawha  circuit.  We 
have  six  circuits  that  border  on  the  Ohio  River,  and  four 
that  border  on  the  k^outhern  Church.  These  latter  are 
"Wayne,  Logan,  Coal  River,  and  Fayette.  In  regard 
to  these  I  wish  to  give  you  particular  information, 

"  Wayne  circuit  has  from  six  to  seven  hundred  members, 
not  more  than  one  hundred  of  whom  have  signified  a  wish 
to  belong  to  the  Church  South.  It  has  six  societies  that 
border  on  the  Kentucky  Conference.  They  are  as  follows: 
1.  IlattoHs,  three  miles  from  the  mouth  of  Sandy  River. 
It  has  twenty-seven  members,  twenty  of  whom  adhere  to 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  2.  Round  B<jitom,  twelve 
miles  from  Ilatton's  and  fifteen  from  the  mouth  of  Sandy. 
It  is  a  Jarge  society,  and  all  the  members  adhere  to  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  3.  Perry  s^  three  miles  from 
Round  Bottom,  and  eighteen  from  the  mouth  of  Sandy. 
It  is  a  large  society  and  all  remain.  4.  Mill  Crech^  nine 
miles  from  Perry's  and  twenty-seven  from  the  mouth  of 
Sandy.  The  society  numbers  forty-eight,  and  thirty-eight 
of  them  remain  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
The  fifth  society  is  at  the  Falh  of  Tvgg ;  a  large  society, 
and  all  but  one  remain  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
and  that  one  desires  license  to  preach.  The  Falls  of  Tugg 
are  eight  miles  from  Mill  Creek,  and  thirty-five  miles  from 
the  mouth  of  Sandy.  The  sixth  society  is  at  Copley''s^  ten 
miles  from  the  mouth  of  Tugg,  and  forty-five  from  the 
mouth  of  Sandy.  That  is  a  large  society,  and  all  remain 
in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

"Next  in  order  is  LoGAN  circuit.     It  stretches  along  the 


KANAWHA   DISTRICT,    VIRGINIA.  257 

line  about  forty  miles.  On  that  circuit,  every  society  has 
resolved  to  remain  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  At 
their  last  quarterly-meeting  last  year,  the  conference — say 
thirty  in  number — voted  to  remain,  and  I  am  informed  that 
only  three  persons  in  the  whole  circuit  would  prefer  to 
belong  to  the  new  Church  organization. 

"The  next  on  the  border  is  Coal  River  circuit.  It 
stretches  along  the  line  say  thirty  miles.  The  quarterly 
conference  on  this  charge  also  passed  a  unanimous  vote  to 
remain  where  they  they  are.  Xot  an  individual  on  the 
charge  desires  to  adhere  South. 

"The  next  charge  is  Fayette  circuit.  Brother  Morrison, 
the  preacher,  has  informed  me  that  not  more  than  ten  in 
the  whole  circuit  had  expressed  a  wish  to  go  South. 

"  I  have  taken  great  pains  to  ascertain  the  facts,  and  to 
the  best  of  my  knowledge  the  foregoing  are  the  facts  in  the 
case.  Now  to  the  point  to  which  I  desire  especially  to  call 
your  attention. 

"Notwithstanding  the  facts  above  stated,  a  Southern 
preacher  has  crossed  these  circuits,  penetrated  the  interior 
of  the  district,  and  formed  a  circuit  spreading  across  Wayne, 
Guyandotte,  and  Point  Pleasant  circuits.  He  has  three 
or  four  appointments  in  the  bounds  of  Wayne,  six  or  seven 
in  the  bounds  of  Guyandotte,  and  three  in  the  bounds  of 
Point  Pleasant.  At  some  of  these  appointments  he  has 
majorities,  and  at  some  of  them  minorities.  At  seven  of 
them  the  preachers  of  both  Churches  preach.  The  presid- 
ing elder  of  the  Maysville  district,  Kentucky  Conference, 
Church  South,  has  held  two  quarterly-meetings  for  that 
new  circuit  so  constituted.  I  have  believed  that  this  course 
has  been  pursued  either  without  the  authority  of  the  Bishops 
of  the  Church  South,  or  that  they  have  authorized  the  for- 
mation of  the  circuit  without  a  knowledge  of  the  facts  in 
the  caso.     I  have    believed,    too,   that   Bev.  Mr.  Harrison, 

22 


258  HIGHWAYS    AND    HEDGES. 

tlio  presiding  cUlor,  and  Kov.  ^Ir.  M'Gcc,  the  circuit 
preacher,  have  been  deceived,  or  tlicy  would  not  have 
crossed  tlie  line  in  sncli  palpahle  violation  of  the  law  in  the 
case.  I  could  liavc  penetrated  tlie  Kentucky  Conference  if 
I  liad  deemed  it  right  to  do  so.  One  circuit,  hy  a  nnaiii- 
nious  vote  of  its  quarterly  conlcrcncc,  de(;ided  to  remain  in 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  but  I  have  steadily  de- 
clined acting  otherwise  than  in  strict  conformity  to  the  plan 
of  separation.  I  will  give  you  briefly  the  state  of  facts  on 
the  several  charges  on  this  district  at  the  present  time. 

"  Parkersburg,  of  two  hundred  and  one  members,  re- 
turned last  year  one  hundred  and  eighteen ;  are  under 
the  care  of  brother  Dillon.  On  the  Little  Kanawha 
circuit,  at  my  last  quarterly-meeting,  not  more  tlian  one 
hundred  had  determined  to  connect  themselves  with  the 
Church  South.  That  is  less  than  one-fifth  of  the  member- 
ship. On  Ravenswood  no  action  has  been  taken  this  year. 
Perhaps  one-fourth  might  prefer  to  go.  On  Eipley  Sam- 
uel Black  has  been  preparing  the  people,  for  nearly  two 
years,  to  go  South,  and  I  am  told  that  he  has  gone  over 
with  as  many  members  as  he  could  induce  to  go  with  him. 
It  is  a  rough  and  broken  circuit,  but  it  lies  in  the  center 
of  tlip  district,  so  that  it  would  be  very  inconvenient  for  us 
to  lose  it,  or  for  you  to  serve  it.  Perhaps  three-fourths  of 
its  members  would  now  prefer  to  go  South.  On  Point 
Pleasant  circuit  perhaps  one-fifth  prefer  to  go.  On  Guy- 
ANDOTTE  circuit  six  hundred  and  forty-five  were  returned. 
Of  them  sixty-six  were  colored  people.  Apart  from  them, 
brother  Smith  says,  three  hundred  and  fifty  have  signed 
resolutions  to  remain  where  they  are.  I  have  already 
spoken  of  Wayne  ;  perhaps  one-seventh  on  Logan  ;  Coal 
River,  not  one  in  two  hundred ;  on  Fayette,  not  one- 
sixth  ;  on  Someryille,  perhaps  one-third ;  on  Sutton,  per- 
haps one-third;  on   Elk  River,    none;    on   Charleston 


KANAWHA    DISTRICT,    VIRGINIA.  259 

circuit,    not   to    exceed   one-fourth.      I    believe    that   these 
estimates  will  be  found  very  near  correct. 

"I  am  aware  that  great  effort  has  been  made  to  mislead 
you  in  regard  to  the  state  of  facts  in  this  district.  The 
two  Spurlocks  and  the  two  M'Comases,  all  men  of  talent 
and  influence,  are  working  hard  for  the  South.  I  have  been 
much  misrepresented,  but  I  think  I  have  been  consistent 
with  myself  and  the  Church  from  the  beginning. 

"  With  my  best  wishes  for  your  personal  welfare,  yours 
most  respectfully,"  etc. 

During  this  controversy  the  emissaries  of  the  Church 
South  were  continually  harping  on  the  fact  that  the  preach- 
ers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  supplying  the  Ka- 
nawha district,  were  from  Ohio,  and  not  in  sympathy 
with  the  people  of  Virginia.  The  conviction  gradually 
fixed  itself  upon  my  mind,  that  the  interests  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  would  be  best  promoted  by  the  or- 
ganization of  a  Western  Virginia  Conference.  Finding 
that  my  preachers,  and  the  people  with  whom  I  consulted, 
agreed  in  this  opinion,  I  began  to  shape  matters  for  the 
securing  of  that  end.  In  pursuance  of  this  plan,  I  opened 
a  correspondence  with  the  presiding  elder  of  the  Rocking- 
ham district  of  the  Baltimore  Conference,  and  advocated 
the  measure  in  the  columns  of  the  Western  Christian  Ad- 
vocate. The  proposition  met  with  favor,  and  I  had  the 
pleasure,  at  the  next  General  Conference,  of  assisting  to 
make  it  the  law  of  the  Church.  The  results  have  been  such 
as  I  anticipated.  The  Church  has  not  only  maintained  her 
ground,  but  has  grown  and  prospered,  and,  when  the  spirit 
of  secession  developed  itself  against  the  flag  of  the  Union, 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  in  the  bounds  of  the 
Western  Virginia  Conference,  was  sound  to  the  core  and 
true  to  the  country.  Their  blood  has  fertilized  their  na- 
tive mountains,  but  some  of  them  still  live  to  recount  the 


2^)0  HIGHWAYS   AND    HEDGES. 

conflicts,  and  rejoice  in  the  victories  they  achieved  over  rebels 
and  secessionists,  both  in  Churcli  and  State.  How  it  would 
pladdcn  my  heart  could  I  once  more  J^rasj)  the  friendly 
hands  of  those  brave  men  and  women  !  Be  faithful,  my  fel- 
low-soldiers, and  we  shall  soon  greet  each  other  where  "the 
wicked  cease  from  troubling,  and  the  weary  are  at  rest." 
Let  us  not  cherish  in  our  hearts  any  enmity  against  those 
who,  in  their  infatuation,  ill-treated  us.  They  sowed  the 
wind,  and  they  have  reaped  the  whirlwind.  Let  us  pray 
that  they  may  fly  from  the  wrath  to  come,  and  find  pardon 
and  salvation  in  the  merits  of  Him  who  has  taught  us  to 
Bay,  "  Forgive  us  our  trespasses  as  we  also  forgive  them  who 
trespass  against  us." 


PORTSMOUTH    DISTRICT,    OHIO.  261 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

PORTSMOUTH  DISTRICT,  OHIO. 
1846-50. 

fTHHE  Ohio  Conference  met  at  Piqua,  September  2,  1846, 
-*-  Bishop  Morris  presiding.  Received  on  trial :  John 
Phetzing,  Stephen  31.  Merrill,  Oliver  E.  Peebles,  Michael 
Sheets,  Jacob  Holmes,  Joseph  H.  Creighton,  Jacob  Bonham, 
Charles  11.  Lawton,  W.  W.  Cherington,  David  A.  M'Gin- 
nis,  Richard  L.  Brooks,  Charles  Bauer,  Charles  Helwig, 
Frederick  Heller,  George  M.  Bush,  Lewis  Nippert,  B.  F. 
Deemer,  Adam  Cline,  Conrad  Gahn,  John  M.  Hartman,  Ja- 
cob Rothweiler,  E.  H.  Peters,  Thomas  D.  Crow,  Charles  D. 
Meredith,  Thomas  M.  Gossard,  Addison  Nichols,  Alexander 
Nelson,  "William  Porter,  Allen  W.  Tibbits,  Truman  S.  Cow- 
den,  Sanford  Haines,  Banner  Mark,  William  Wilson,  William 
J.  Quarry,  Francis  Guthrie,  Lewis  A.  Atkinson — 36.  This 
was  a  large  class,  and  contained  many  valuable  names. 
Some  of  them  now  occupy  leading  positions  in  the  Church, 
and  give  promise  of  continued  usefulness. 

The  names  of  the  following  persons  were  recorded  as 
having  finished  their  work  and  gone  to  receive  their  crown  : 
John  Ferree,  Jacob  Delay,  Benjamin  Cooper,  and  William 
R.  Anderson. 

Of  Rev.  John  Ferree,  the  first  on  the  list,  I  have  already 
spoken  in  former  parts  of  this  narrative.  We  had  been 
associated  at  difierent  times,  both  in  the  pastorate  and  the 
eldership.     I  had  known  him  intimately,  prized  him  highly, 


OilO 


-<>-  HIGHWAYS    AND    HKDGKS. 

and  loved  him  dearly.  Thoup^h  some  mny  have  cxecllcd 
him  ill  ^liininu;  (jualities,  speakitii^  after  the  manner  of  men, 
very  few  excelled  him  in  solid  worth  ;  and  perhaps  few  will 
have  a  briL^hter  erown  tliaii  he.  He  was  born  November 
22,  1792,  ill  J^aiicaster  county,  Penn.,  and  died  in  Jackson 
county,  Ohio,  October  4,  1845. 

Jacob  r>elay  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  Pecember  17, 
1781,  and  died  at  his  residence  in  Jackson,  Ohio,  October 
18,  1845.  While  he  was  young  liis  parents  settled  in  Pick- 
away county,  Ohio,  where  he  experienced  religion  under 
the  preaching  of  the  Rev.  James  Quinn.  He  was  licensed 
as  a  local  preacher,  in  which  relation  he  served  the  Church 
faithfully  for  many  years.  In  1824  he  was  received  as  a 
probationer  in  the  Ohio  Conference,  of  which  he  continued 
a  member,  either  on  the  effective  or  supernumerary  list,  until 
at  last  he  fell  at  his  post  and  was  called  home.  His  last 
days  were  peaceful  and  at  times  triumphant.  Jn  death  he 
left  this  testimony:  "The  religion  which  I  have  preached 
to  others  for  more  than  forty  years  supports  me  in  this 
trying  hour." 

Benjamin  Cooper  was  born  in  Perry  county,  Ohio,  June 
3,  1802,  and  died  in  Hancock  county,  Ind.,  May  13,  1846. 
He  was  a  bright  example  of  early  piety,  and  was  admitted 
as  a  probationer  in  the  Ohio  Conference  in  1827.  In  1836, 
his  health  having  failed,  he  was  superannuated.  He  then 
moved  to  Indiana,  where  he  spent  the  residue  of  his  days. 
His  ministry  was  useful,  his  whole  life  an  example,  and  his 
death  a  sublime  illustration  of  the  sufficiency  of  the  grace 
of  God. 

AVilliam  E.  Anderson  was  born  June  21,  1810,  in  Ross 
county,  Ohio,  and  died  February  25,  1846.  When  a  lad 
but  fourteen  years  of  age  he  gave  his  heart  to  God,  and 
joined  the  Church  at  a  camp-meeting  held  on  Deer  Creek 
circuit.      In  1836  he  joined  the  Conference.     In  1837  he 


PORTSMOUTH    DISTRICT,    OHIO.  263 

was  my  assistant  on  Athens  circuit.  He  was  a  young  man 
of  more  than  ordinary  promise,  and  labored  acceptably  and 
usefully  to  the  close  of  his  ministry.  When  death  came  he 
was  ready.  Instead  of  needing  to  make  preparation  for 
another  world,  he  spent  his  dying  breath  iu  urging  upon 
those  who  were  neglecting  the  Savior  to  improve  their 
present  opportunity,  and  seek  the  Lord. 

The  secession  of  the  Conferences  in  the  slave-holdinsr 
States  was  the  leading  topic  of  conversation  among  the 
preachers  at  Conference,  and  there  remained  among  us  a  few 
brethren  who  had  had  sympathy  with  them.  The  preachers 
who  officiated  in  the  pulpit  during  the  session  had  liberty, 
and  administered  the  Word  with  power.  Among  the  young 
men  of  the  Conference,  brothers  R.  S.  Foster,  J.  Miley, 
Moses  Smith,  John  Dillon,  J.  S.  Inskip,  and  Joseph  T. 
Lewis  preached  much  to  the  profit  of  the  people.  Bishop 
Morris  urged  me  to  consent  to  return  to  the  Kanawha  dis- 
trict, but  filially  yielded  to  my  solicitation  and  requested 
me  to  nominate  my  successor.  I  nominated  David  Reed, 
and  he  was  appointed,  and  proved  to  be  a  wise  selection  for 
that  work.  I  was  appointed  to  the  Portsmouth  district. 
The  district  embraced  the  following  appointments  and 
preachers: 

Portsmouth — David  Whitcomb.  This  station,  located  on 
the  Ohio  River  at  the  mouth  of  the  Scioto,  was  the  princi- 
pal charge,  and  the  preacher  was  the  strong  man  of  the 
district.  He  had  clear  perception,  ready  utterance,  intimate 
acquaintance  with  the  Scriptures  and  with  systematic  the- 
ology, was  a  close  and  strong  reasoner,  and  had  a  rare  power 
of  making  .error  look  ridiculous  and  loathsome,  and  of  cloth- 
ing truth  and  righteousness  with  beauty  and  grace. 

GaUipoIis — Charles  C.  Lybrand.  Gentlemanly  in  appear- 
ance, dignified  in  deportment,  and  respectable  in  pulpit 
ability,  he   always  commanded   the  respect  of  the  Church 


201  HIGHWAYS    AND    IIKnGES. 

and  people,  lit*  lia<]  adopted  the  opinion  that  one  year 
was  long  enough  for  him  to  remain  in  a  charge,  and  usually 
he  packed  his  goods  hefore  Conference,  ready  to  be  shipped 
as  soon  as  he  should  receive  his  appointment. 

Pikcton — David  ISmith  and  Tiuiiiaii  8.  Cuwdeu.  As 
brother  Smith  was  associated  with  my  work  in  Virginia,  I 
have  spoken  of  him  in  that  connection.  JJrother  Cowden 
was  just  commencing  his  itinerant  life,  and  gave  good  prom- 
ise of  becoming  a  valuable  worker,  which  prophecy  has  been 
abundantly  fulfilled. 

Waverlci/ — Joseph  Barringer,  Addison  Ilife.  •  Brother 
Barringcr  was  one  of  our  best  critics,  and  excelled  in  the 
exposure  of  doctrinal  errors.  He  was  skillful  and  able  in 
the  management  of  controversy,  and  diligent  and  efl&cient 
as  a  pastor.  I  have  spoken  of  brother  Kite  in  connection 
with  the  Kanawha  work. 

Richmond — Clinton  W.  Sears.  He  was  a  man  of  un- 
doubted piety,  great  industry,  and  superior  pulpit  ability. 
This  was  a  year  to  him  of  much  trial.  He  felt  that  he  was 
not  in  the  right  place,  and  so  failed  to  realize  his  usual 
success. 

French  Grant — William  R.  Litsinger,  Lewis  A.  Atkinson. 
Brother  Litsinger  was  a  man  of  superior  natural  ability, 
which  compensated  in  great  part  for  his  lack  of  educational 
advantages.  He  made  a  fine  impression  among  the  people, 
and  had  his  stability  been  equal  to  his  other  endowments, 
lie  would  have  been  of  permanent  value  to  the  Church. 
The  junior  preacher,  just  beginning  his  work,  was  well  re- 
ceived, and  until  his  declining  health  in  after  years  required 
him  to  superannuate,  brother  Atkinson  was  a  worthy  and 
beloved  pastor. 

Burlington— WiW'idim  T.  Hand,  W.  W.  Cherington.  Of 
the  preacher  in  charge  I  have  spoken  heretofore.  Brother 
Cherington  was  a  laborious,  faithful,   and  useful  preacher, 


PORTSMOUTH    DISTRICT,    OHIO.  265 

and   looked   well  after  the   iuterests  of   the  charges  tvhicli 
were  intrusted  to  his  care. 

Fafriot — Alfred  L.  Westervelt.  He  was  deeply  pious 
and  devoted  to  the  work,  and  was  made  a  great  blessing  to 
his  charge. 

Gallia — Samuel  Maddux,  Andrew  J.  Lyda.  I  have  spoken 
of  brother  Maddux  heretofore.  Brother  Lyda  was  a  A'ir- 
ginian  ;  educated  himself  at  Augusta  College  by  the  avails 
of  his  own  industry.  He  possessed  those  substantial  quali- 
ties, industry,  devotion  to  purpose,  and  indomitable  perse- 
verance, which  give  surer  promise  of  ultimate  success  than 
the  rarest  talent  and  genius  without  them.  He  was  be- 
loved by  the  people  on  Gallia  circuit,  and  has  gone  on  in 
the  even  tenor  of  his  useful  way  until  he  now  stands 
among  the  most  prominent  members  of  the  Western  Vir- 
ginia Conference,  of  which  he  is  now  a  member. 

JacJison — Charles  Ferguson,  M.  Sheets.  These  brethren 
were  blessed  with  a  most  extensive  and  glorious  work  of 
revival  on  this  charge  this  year.  Of  the  preacher  in 
charge — a  princely  man — I  have  spoken  heretofore.  The 
junior  preacher  was  an  active  pastor,  diligent  and  successful 
in  circulating  religious  literature  among  the  people,  preached 
good  sermons,  and  did  good  work. 

Rochville — Samuel  Brown.  He,  too,  had  been  among 
my  Kanawha  preachers.  On  this  charge  he  felt  at  home, 
and  earnestly  addressed  himself  to  the  work. 

My  first  year's  experience  on  the  district  was  altogether 
pleasant.  The  territory  was  somewhat  broken  and  the 
roads  bad.  It  being  an  iron  region,  the  heavy  teams  cart- 
ing ore,  and  coal,  and  iron,  and  provisions,  cut  up  the  roads 
badly,  but  it  was  a  great  improvement  over  the  Kanawha 
mountain  rides.  The  population  in  the  iron  region  was 
fluctuating,  its  ebb  and  flow  being  controlled  by  the  pros- 
perity or  depression  of  the    iron    interest.     The    preachers 

2:] 


26G  hkjHwavs  and  hi:dges. 

ami  }*c«>plc  treated  me  with  ninrkcd  kindness,  nnd  it  was  a 
liaj)py  year.  At  tlic  <jnaiteily-iiiectinu;s  ol'  thusc  brctlirea 
who  had  fought  by  my  side  on  tlic  other  side  of  the  river, 
we  otijoycd  a  rare  feast  in  ealling  up  the  memnrics  and 
recounting  the  stirring  scenes  of  that  warfare. 

As  my  companion  spent  a  portion  of  tliis  year  traveling 
with  my  son,  wlio  was  at  that  time  out  of  liealth,  I  spent 
much  of  my  time  among  tlie  people  on  the  work.  We 
boarded  part  of  the  year  at  Gallipolis  and  part  of  the  year 
at  llichmondale. 

The  Conference  met  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  September  1, 
1847,  Bishop  Janes  presiding. 

The  following  persons  were  admitted  on  trial:  J.  H.  Sed- 
delmeyer,  Frederick  Schimmelpfennig,  Henry  Henke,  Val- 
entine Ballduif,  George  F.  Jahnke,  Adolph  Koelter,  John 
Strauch,  Charles  Schelper,  Nicholas  Nuhfer,  Benjamin  St. 
James  Fry,  Moses  G.  Bennett,  Samuel  J).  Clayton,  James 
A.  Taylor,  James  Mitchell,  J.  B.  Prose,  A.  Head,  II.  S. 
Sellmau,  T.  J.  M'Mahon,  J.  B.  Hill,  W.  B.  Jackson— 21— 
a  class  largely  composed  of  Germans  to  supply  that  rapidly 
growing  and  very  promising  department  of  our  work. 

Bev.  Thomas  E.  Bond,  editor  of  the  Advocate  and  Jour- 
nal, was  a  visitor  \at  this  session,  and  added  to  its  interest 
by  his  genial  spirit  in  the  social  circle  and  his  able  minis- 
trations in  the  pulpit.  He  preached  a  sermon  of  great 
clearness  and  strength  on  the  "  new  birth."  The  election 
of  delegates  for  the  ensuing  General  Conference  elicited  con- 
siderable interest,  and  the  following  persons  were  chosen: 
James  B.  Fiuley,  C.  Elliott,  Jacob  Young,  G.  W.  Walker, 
J.  S.  Tomlinson,  William  Nast,  William  Herr,  J.  M. 
Trimble,  J.  F.  Wright,  John  Stewart.  I  had  not  antici- 
pated being  elected,  but  in  view  of  my  intimate  acquaint- 
ance with  the  necessities  of  the  border  work,  I  was  grati- 
fied that  I  should  have  the  opportunity  to  represent  it. 


PORTSMOUTH   DISTRICT,    OHIO.  2.07 

The  boundaries  of  my  district  were  slightly  changed  by 
the  transfer  of  Waverly  circuit  from  it  to  the  Chillicothe 
district,  and  the  addition  of  M'Arthurstown  circuit  from 
the  Marietta  district.  The  district  was  manned  this  year 
as  follows : 

Portsmouth,  David  Whitcomb ;  Gallipolis,  William  T. 
Hand ;  Piketon,  D.  Smith,  L.  A.  Atkinson  ;  Piichmond,  Jo- 
seph Barringer ;  French  Grant,  William  K.  Litsinger,  T. 
J.  MMahon ;  Burlington,  Alfred  L.  Westervelt ;  Patriot, 
Levi  W.  Munsell;  Gallia,  Orville  C.  Shelton,  Michael 
Sheets;  Jackson,  Charles  Ferguson,  W.  W.  Cherington ; 
"Rockville,  Samuel  Brown ;  M'Arthurstown,  William  T. 
Metcalf,  Richard  Pitzer. 

In  the  new  men  brought  into  my  district  I  found  some  val- 
uable workers.  The  last  one  on  my  list,  especially,  greatly 
endeared  himself  to  me  by  his  untiring  industry  and  un- 
flagging devotion  to  the  work.  In  the  Spring  I  took  Mrs. 
Stewart  to  Athens  county,  to  visit  at  my  father's  and  among 
our  family  connections,  while  I  should  attend  the  session 
of  the  General  Conference  at  Pittsburg.  Taking  a  steamer 
at  the  mouth  of  Hocking,  I  was  gratified  to  find  on  board 
Pvev.  Joseph  S.  Tomlinson,  D.  D.,  and  Rev.  J.  F.  Wright, 
D.  D.,  of  our  delegation.  They  were  both  able  men  and 
genial  companions,  and  made  the  journey  a  very  pleasant 
one.  Saturday  night  found  us  at  Beaver,  and  being  un- 
willing to  give  our  example  in  favor  of  Sabbath  travel,  we 
landed  and  spent  the  Sabbath  in  the  village,  and  preached 
the  Gospel  to  the  people.  Taking  boat  again  on  Monday 
we  arrived  at  Pittsburg,  and  were  soon  assigned  to  com- 
fortable quarters.  I  had  the  pleasure  of  rooming  with  my 
earlv  and  esteemed  friend,  Rev.  E.  H.  Pilcher.  The  Con- 
ference  being  organized  and  the  committees  raised,  I  found 
myself  on  the  committee  to  examine  the  Conference  jour- 
nals, which  afforded  me  ample  work. 


2G8  inr.iiwAVS  and   iir.nr.ES. 

The  great  accession  occuj»ied   imuh   of    the    time    of   tlic 
Conference,  and  n\  times  the  discussion  wiis  impassioned  and 
eloquent.      A     dclej^atitm     fVom     thr     Mctliodist    Kpiseopal 
Church   South   was   in   attcnihinco,   hut  was   not  recognized, 
the  Conference  feeling   (liat   tlic    indorsomcnt  of  Hhivery  hy 
tliat  Church,  as  well  as  their  ll;iL:raiit  violation  of  the  "  }>hin 
of  separation,"  made  it  impossihle  for  us   to  fraternize  with 
them  without  giving  indorsement  to  iniquity.     Bisliop  Soule 
sat  in  the  gallery  much  of  the  time,  and  during  some   por- 
tions of  the  discussion,  especially  while  Dr.  Curry  was  ad- 
dressing  the  Conference,  heard   strictures  upon  his   course 
that  must  have  produced  a  profound  impression  on  his  mind 
in  regard  to  his  responsibility.     Dr.  Dixon,  President  of  the 
"Wesleyan    Conference  of  Great    Britain,  was  with   us,   and 
added  much  to  the  interest  of  the  session.     In  dignity  and 
gracefulness  of  personal  presence,  and   in  strength,  wisdom, 
and  eloquence  of  pulpit   ministrations,  he  had  few  equals. 
"When   after  his  return  to   England  he  published  his  notes 
of  the  visit  to  us,  we  were  much  surprised  and  disappointed 
to  find  that  his  sympathies  were  evidently   somewhat  with 
the    pro-slavery   branch    of    the    Church.     This,   from    our 
English  brethren  who  could  hardly  fraternize  with  us  here- 
tofore on  account  of  our  connection  with  slavery,  we  could 
liardly  understand. 

lleturuing  to  my  district  I  found  the  preachers  generally 
faithfully  at  their  work,  and  the  rest  of  the  year  was  soon 
passed  in  the  labors  of  my  large  and  interesting  field.  We 
boarded  this  year  in  the  family  of  brother  Barringer,  on 
the  llichmond  circuit,  and  enjoyed  there  the  society  of  ex- 
cellent Christians  and  good  neighbors,  such  as  the  Joneses 
and  Drummonds,  Davises,  Ridenours,  Gundys,  Dawsons, 
Watsons,  and  Claypoles,  from  whom  we  received  very  fre- 
quent proofs  of  their  kind  regard. 

The  Conference  met  at  Newark,  Licking  county,  0.,  Sep- 


PORTSMOUTH    DISTRICT,    OHIO.  2G0 

tember  27,  18-48,  Bishop  Hamline  presiding.  The  follow- 
ing persons  -were  received  on  trial :  Benjamin  P.  Wheat, 
John  W.  Boss,  Gilbert  C.  Townley,  James  F.  Given,  Joseph 
H.  Creighton,  Conrad  Bier,  John  H.  Westervelt,  John 
Fickeu,  Levi  Heiss,  Ferdinand  A.  Sander,  Enoch  West.  John 
Hai"ht,  Michael  Kauffman,  Samuel  Middleton,  Andrew  B. 
See.  William  H.  Black,  Samuel  M.  Bright,  James  T.  Bail, 
John  W.  Ferree,  Joseph  C.  Harding,  Isaac  B.  Fish,  David 
A.  Drjden,  Hiram  W.  Curry,  Smith  Hill,  Jacob  Adams, 
Neriah  Redfern,  Joseph  Blackburn,  Timothy  Wones,  Lafay- 
ette Yan  Cleve — 29 — a  large  and  good  class. 

The  following  brethren  had  died  during  the  past  year, 
and  their  memoirs  were  placed  on  the  record  at  this  Con- 
ference :  James  Quiun  and  William  Parish. 

Brother  Quinn  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  the  Western 
Church,  and  one  of  the  patriarchs  of  our  ministry,  having 
entered  the  ministry  before  the  beginning  of  the  present 
century,  and  having  commenced  his  labors  in  the  Western 
Conference  in  1804.  He  was  of  Irish  descent,  born  in 
Washington  county,  Penn.,  in  1775,  and  died  at  his  residence, 
near  Hillsboro,  0.,  December  1,  1847.  In  childhood  his 
educational  advantages  were  small,  but  such  was  his  thirst 
for  knowledge  that  he  formed  habits  of  reading  and  study 
which  resulted  in  the  accumulation  of  a  rich  store  of  knowl- 
edge. The  class  of  appointments  which  he  filled  during 
his  connection  with  the  work  in  Ohio  is  evidence  of  his 
hiirh  standing  anions:  his  brethren.  He  was  presiding  elder 
twelve  years,  was  stationed  in  cities  six  years,  and  was  eight 
times  sent  to  the  General  Conference.  He  was  an  able  the- 
ologian and  an  admirable  preacher.  During  his  last  illness 
he  delighted  in  meditating  upon  the  exceeding  great  and 
precious  promises,  and  frec(uently  quoted  this  passage  from 
the  Psalmist:  "  My  flesh  and  my  heart  faileth,  but  God  is 
the  strength  of  my  heart,  and  my  portion  forever." 


270  inr;n\vAvs  and  hedges. 

JJiDtlicr  ]\iri>li  was  Ijoin  near  JiCxiiigton,  Ky.  Ho  was 
admitted  to  the  Oliio  Conference  in  1837,  and  died  ;it  llunts- 
ville,  Butler  county,  Oliio,  October  17,  ^^\7.  }\r  was  a 
man  of  warm  sympathies  .-iimI  hi^li  sense  of  honor,  and 
preached  the  Gospel  with  zeal,  ability,  and  success.  Ilis  l.ist 
sickness  was  protracted  :md  severe,  but  his  confidence  in 
God  was  unshaken,  and  his  mind  was  kept  in  peace.  About 
an  hour  before  his  departure,  he  testified,  with  great  confi- 
dence, that  the  Gospel  which  he  preached  to  others  sup- 
ported him  in  the  near  a])proach  of  death. 

On  reaching  the  seat  of  Conference,  I  was  surprised  to 
find  the  Bishop  and  all  of  his  counsel,  except  myself,  in 
session,  and  the  work  of  stationing,  except  my  own  district, 
well-nigh  completed.  Bishop  Hamline  explained  to  me, 
that  for  the  purpose  of  economizing  time,  he  had  sent  no- 
tices to  the  presiding  ciders  to  meet  him  a  few  days  before 
the  session  of  the  Conference.  The  notice  had  failed  to 
reach  me,  but,  as  they  had  dealt  fairly  with  me  in  my  ab- 
sence, neither  my  district  nor  my  preachers  had  suifercd  any. 
My  work  was  supplied  this  year  as  follows  :  Portsmouth, 
P.  P.  Ingalls;  Gallipolis,  William  T.  Hand;  Piketon,  L.  A. 
Atkinson  and  S.  Parker;  Bichmond,  Samuel  Brown;  Wa- 
verly,  D.  Smith  and  J.  T.  Bail ;  French  Grant,  James  T. 
Halliday  and  M.  Sheets;  Burlington,  A.  L.  Westervelt  and 
J.  W.  Ferree;  Patriot,  W.  W.  Cherington  ;  Gallia,  0.  C. 
Shelton  and  B.  St.  James  Fry  ;  Jackson,  Levi  Munsell  and 
Jacob  Adams  ;  Maysville,  J.  F.  Chalflint  and  C.  G.  Meredith. 

The  boundaries  of  the  district  were  this  year  greatly  en- 
larged by  adding  to  it  the  Kentucky  work.  This  year  the 
cholera  prevailed  extensively,  and  especially  along  the  Ohio 
River  there  was  great  mortality,  and,  as  my  district  lay 
along  that  river  all  the  way  from  Maysville,  Ky.,  to  Galli- 
polis, I  was  much  exposed  and  frequently  threatened  with 
the  premonitory  symptoms.     I  had  a  very  dangerous  attack 


PORTSMOUTH    DISTRICT,    OHIO.  271 

during  one  of  my  vi.-its  at  Portsmoutli,  and  probably,  but 
for  the  skillful  and  unremitting  care  of  Dr.  W.  H.  M'Dowell, 
"I  should  not  have  survived  it.  So  great  were  the  probabil- 
ities that  I  would  be  carried  off  with  the  disease,  that  for 
I  some  months  I  made  my  arrangements  each  day  and  night, 
so  that  if  I  should  be  cut  down  in  an  hour,  my  preparation, 
in  regard  to  things  both  temporal  and  spiritual,  might  be 
complete.  I  looked  death  squarely  in  the  face,  and  rejoiced 
to  know  that  if  the  earthly  tabernacle  should  fall,  I  had  a 
building  of  God  on  high. 

Several  of  the  preachers  in  my  district  this  year  were 
DOW  associated  with  me  for  the  first  time,  but  among  them 
I  found  workers  of  great  value  and  promise.  P.  P.  Ingalls, 
though  much  younger  than  his  predecessor,  filled  the  charge 
at  Portsmouth  with  great  success.  He  had  a  clear  intellect. 
a  sweet  spirit,  a  winning  manner,  an  eloquent  tongue,  and 
good  executive  ability,  and  rapidly  took  position  in  the  hearts 
of  the  people.  To  me  he  was  like  a  very  affectionate  son 
in  the  Gospel,  and  both  myself  and  companion  are  under 
lasting  obligations  to  him  and  his  excellent  companion  for 
manifold  attentions.  Brother  Parker  this  year  did  more 
work  and  better  than  he  had  done  for  years  before,  and 
made  himself  of  value  to  the  charge.  Brother  Halliday 
fully  sustained  the  recommendation  that  his  former  presid- 
ing elder  had  given  him,  and  proved  to  be  an  efficient  Meth- 
odist preacher.  Brother  Bail  was  a  young  man  on  trial. 
My  experience  with  him  this  year  was  such  as  to  produce 
the  expectation  that  his  itinerant  course  would  be  a  success. 
Brother  Ferree  was  a  noble  scion  of  a  noble  stock.  He  was 
lovely  and  beloved,  but  his  race,  though  a  bright  one,  was 
destined  to  be  brief.  Brother  Fry  was  a  young  man,  of 
great  activity,  both  of  body  and  mind.  It  was  evident  that 
he  would  make  an  able  preacher,  and  a  leading  business 
man  in  matters  pertaining  to  the  interests  of  the  Church. 


272  HIGHWAYS    AM)    ULDGLS. 

Broflior  Ad.'inis  was  a  noble  hpcciineii  of  a  (Miristiaii  tirntlc- 
inan.  A  slight  iiKinotony  in  liis  t^tyUi  of  di^livery  detracted 
soiucwliat  fV'iin  his  jmljiit  [lopularity,  but,  bating  that,  he 
was  loved  and  jtrizcMl  ])y  all  who  were  about  him. 

Brothers  ChalTant  and  ^Meredith,  on  the  Maysvillc  charge, 
wore  both  valuable  men,  and  popular  with  the  people.  The 
preacher  in  charge  was  a  remarkably  ready  and  forcible 
preacher,  and  often  rose  to  an  elevated  style  of  eloquence. 
My  visits  to  the  Kentucky  work,  though  a  great  addition 
to  my  labors,  were  very  pleasant.  Having  endured  much 
persecution,  the  membership  on  that  charge  were  generally 
bound  to  each  other  and  to  the  Church  of  their  choice 
with  an  ardent  affection.  They  came  long  distances  to  at- 
tend the  quarterly-meeting,  and  greatly  prized  these  special 
means  of  jz-race.  On  such  occasions  we  had  a  oeuuine  ex- 
hibition  of  Kentucky  Methodist  hospitality.  The  residences 
of  such  as  John  Armstrong  and  M.  A.  Ilutchins,  at  Mays- 
ville,  and  the  Bullocks,  at  Stew^art's  Chapel  and  Orangevillc, 
and  Uncle  Jesse  Ilambrick,  at  Canaan,  were  open  to  their 
utmost  capacity.  A  bitter  and  proscriptive  spirit  had  vented 
itself  toward  many  of  our  people,  and  they  were  reminded 
of  earlier  days,  when  the  disciples  took  joyfully  the  spoiling 
of  their  goods,  and  rejoiced  that  they  were  counted  worthy 
to  suffer  shame  for  Christ's  sake. 

One  of  my  assistants,  an  earnest  and  holy  man,  Eev.  A. 
L.  WestcrveU,  tliis  year  fell  at  his  post,  and  ascended  to 
heaven,  but,  as  I  have  adopted  the  plan  of  giving  obituary 
notices  in  connection  with  the  Conference  at  which  the  an- 
nouncement of  the  death  was  made,  I  will  notice  this  good 
brother  further  in  that  connection.  The  year,  on  the  whole, 
had  been  one  of  prosperity. 

The  Conference  met  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  August  19,  1849, 
Bishop  Waugh  presiding.  The  following  brethren  were 
admitted  on   trial :  Thomas  Lee,  Isaac  J.  Beall,  Benjamin 


PORTSMOUTH    DISTRICT,    OHIO.  273 

Glasscock,  "William  Cheever,  Edward  P.  Hall,  George  W. 
Brush,  Asa  S.  M'Coy,  George  H.  Reed,  John  M.  Leavitt, 
Samuel  C.  Riker,  Edward  C.  Merrick,  William  G.  Smith, 
William  B.  Zink,  Alanson  Fleming,  Stephen  C.  Frampton, 
James  H.  Hopkins,  John  Ellis,  William  Fitzgerald.  William 
M.  Smith,  Dewitt  C.  Howard,  Oliver  M.  Spencer,  William  L. 
Hypes,  Thomas  J.  X.  Simmons,  John  F.  Loyd,  Isaac  Neff, 
James  Peregrine,  Isaac  D.  Bay,  Christian  Yogel,  Benevil 
Browmiller,  William  Geyer,  Peter  Snyder,  William  Bressler, 
Charles  Bierking,  Frederick  Heidmeyer,  Conrad  Muth, 
Frederick  Becker,  Philip  Boerr,  William  Flocken — 38 — a 
large  class,  containing  much  valuable  material. 

The  followino:  brethren  had  been  transferred  from  the 
Church  militant  to  the  Church  triumphant  during  the  past 
year:  Benjamin  Lakin,  Nathan  Emery,  Asa  B.  Stroud, 
Martin  Wolf,  Alexander  Morrow,  Alfred  L.  Westervelt — 
6 — the  largest  number  that  had  ever  been  recorded  upon  our 
minutes  as  havins;  died  durino;  one  Conference  vear. 

Benjamin  Lakin  was  one  of  the  fathers  in  our  Israel. 
He  was  a  native  of  ^Maryland,  but  settled  in  Kentucky 
when  quite  young.  He  commenced  his  career  as  a  travel- 
ing preacher  in  1794,  and  closed  his  labors  early  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1849.  Buring  a  considerable  portion  of  that  pro- 
tracted ministry  his  name  stood  on  the  superannuated  list, 
but  all  of  the  strength  given  him  was  freely  dedicated  to 
God.  In  his  early  days  in  the  ministry  he  preached  with 
great  power  and  success,  and  during  his  whole  life  occupied 
a  high  position  as  a  Christian  and  a  preacher  of  the  Gos- 
pel. Though  in  the  eighty-second  year  of  his  age,  and  the 
fifty-fourth  of  his  ministry,  when  his  last  sickness  arrested 
him  he  had  several  appointments  outstanding.  -He  re- 
marked to  a  friend  concerning  one  of  them,  "If  I  live  I 
will  fill  it,  and  if  I  die  it  will  have  to  M\  through."  His 
work  was  done,  and  he  went  up  to  receive  his  reward. 


274  HIGHWAYS    AND    HEDGES. 

Nathan  Einciy  was  another  of  tlic  fathers  in  Israel.  He 
was  ])orn  Au<rust  5,  1780,  in  ('uni])crland  county,  Maine ; 
coninionood  traveling  in  ITD'J,  and  \vciit  up  to  take  his 
crown  31  ay  27,  1849.  The  largest  portion  of  his  active 
ministry  was  spent  in  New  England,  but  from  the  year 
1821  to  the  tiuK)  of  his  death  ho  rchidcd  in  Ohio,  and  j>art 
of  that  tinic  traveled  as  a  member  of  the  Ohio  Conference. 
Sweet  and  amiable  in  spirit,  practical  and  earnest  in  labors, 
he  was  popular  and  useful.  lie  had  often  feared,  or  rather 
dreaded,  the  last  conflict  with  the  king  of  terrors.  When 
convinced  that  death  was  near  at  hand,  he  besought  the 
Lord  for  dying  grace.  Ilis  prayer  was  answered,  and  the 
grace  abundantly  bestowed.  Visions  of  glory  passed  before 
his  enraptured  soul,  and  gazing  upward,  with  his  last  expir- 
ing breath,  he  exclaimed,  "Up!  up!  up!"  and  he  mounted 
the  chariot  of  God. 

Asa  B.  Stroud  was  born  April  11,  1807.  He  was  ad- 
mitted to  probation  in  the  Ohio  Conference  in  1830,  and 
spent  the  first  years  of  his  ministry  on  some  of  the  rugged 
circuits  of  the  Kanawha  district.  He  afterward  filled  vari- 
ous appointments  in  Ohio,  and  filled  them  well.  During 
his  last  year  the  cholera  prevailed  about  him,  but  like  a 
brave  and  faithful  shepherd  he  cared  for  the  flock,  never 
for  a  moment  shrinking  from  the  post  of  duty.  During  his 
last  illness  he  often  said,  "  Good  is  the  will  of  the  Lord 
concerning  me,"  and  September  23,  1849,  he  sweetly  fell 
asleep  in  Jesus. 

Martin  Wolf  fell  at  his  post  in  the  midst  of  a  gracious 
revival  of  religion  on  his  charge.  He  had  in  the  begin- 
ning of  his  Christian  life  made  sacrifices  for  the  cause  of 
God  and  Methodism,  his  parents  having  given  him  the 
alternative  of  abandoning  home  or  Methodism.  He  gave 
up  all  for  Christ,  and  thenceforth  became  an  earnest  Chris- 
tian.    In  1836  he  was  admitted  on  probation  in  the  Ohio 


PORTSMOUTH    DISTRICT,    OHIO.  275 

Conference,  and  after  .an  industrious  and  successful  ministry 
was  suddenly  cut  down  with  cholera,  July  10,  1849. 

Alexander  Morrow  was  born  in  Xorthumberland  county, 
Pennsylvania,  March  21,  1800;  removed  to  Ohio  in  1818, 
and  settled  in  Ross  county.  He  afterward  removed  to 
Crawford  county,  and  in  1827,  under  the  labors  of  Rev. 
Arza  Brown,  he  was  led  to  the  Savior.  In  1833  he  joined 
the  traveling  connection,  and  continued  to  labor  faithfully 
and  successfully  until  February  27,  1849,  when  he  was 
suddenly  seized  with  sickness  during  his  quarterly-meeting 
at  Georgetown.  Ohio.  The  meeting  had  been  protracted, 
and  the  Church  was  all  ao-low  with  the  revival  fire.  He 
suffered  six  days,  and  then  entered  into  rest.  About  two 
hours  before  his  death  he  said,  "It  is  getting  dark,"  and 
then  realizing  that  it  was  the  shadows  of  death,  he  added, 
"I  shall  walk  through  the  valley  and  shadow  of  death 
and  fear  no  evil."  After  the  power  of  speech  had  failed 
him  he  raised  his  hands  and  clapped  them  in  holy  triumph, 
and  thus  he  passed  away  to  his  rest  in  heaven. 

Alfred  L.  Westervelt  died  of  cholera,  July  31,  1849,  in 
the  29th  year  of  his  age.  His  attack  was  violent,  and  the 
terrible  disease  rapidly  accomplished  its  work.  At  ten 
o'clock,  A.  M.,  he  was  well;  at  twelve,  M.,  he  felt  unwell; 
at  three,  P.  M.,  he  was  in  a  collapse  state,  and  at  eight  and 
a  half,  P.  M.,  he  calmly  fell  asleep  in  Jesus.  He  was  a 
humble,  holy,  and  useful  minister  of  the  Gospel;  met 
death  without  fear,  counseled  his  companion  in  regard  to 
her  future  course,  and  having  taught  his  people,  by  precept 
and  example,  how  to  live,  he  now  taught  them  how  to  die. 
I  preached  his  funeral  discourse  to  a  deeply  sympathizing 
and  bereaved  people,  and  we  laid  his  remains  away  in  sure 
and  blessed  hope  of  immortality. 

At  this  session  of  the  Conference  began  the  agitation  of 
the  "  pew  question "  among  us.     Rev.  George  W.  Walker, 


276  HIGHWAYS    AM)    HKDGKS. 

prosidin*:;  elder  of  Dayton  distriot,  atid  Kev.  J.  S.  Inskip, 
the  stationed  ])rea('lier  in  tlic  first  i  li.iri:*',  n.iytoii,  liad  {onic 
in  eoiiflict  on  tliis  fjne.stiun.  As  yet  tlierc  was  not  a  pcwed 
house  in  the  ()hi(j  Conference,  and  tlie  preachers  and  people 
generally  were  much  averse  to  the  introduction  of  j-uch.  In 
all  of  our  churches  the  (dd  practice  of  the  men  and  women 
sitting  apart  prevailed,  and  to  the  majority  of  our  people  the 
proposition  to  deviate  in  any  instance  from  this  practice 
was  fraught  with  peril  to  the  Church.  After  the  matter 
was  canvassed,  brother  Inskip  promised  the  Conference 
that  he  would  cease  to  agitate  the  question,  and  if  he  should 
thereafter  feel  it  to  be  his  duty  to  agitate  it  he  would  retire 
from  his  Conference  connection. 

I  was  returned  to  Portsmouth  district,  with  the  following 
corps  of  assistants:  Portsmouth,  P.  P.  Ingalls;  Gallipolis 
Samuel  Batemau  ;  Gallipolis  circuit,  James  H.  Hopkins, 
James  A.  Taylor;  Gallia,  L.  W.  Munsell;  Piketon,  S.  Par- 
ker, J.  W.  Ferree;  Richmond,  Samuel  Maddux;  Ironton, 
James  T.  Halliday,  Isaac  Neff ;  Wheelersburg,  W.  T.  Hand, 
Dewitt  C.  Howard;  Burlington,  J.  H.  M'Cutchen,  J.  Adams; 
Patriot,  W.  W.  Cherington  ;  M'Arthurstown,  C.  H.  Warren, 
Asa  M'Coy;  Jackson,  0.  C.  Shelton,  L.  A.  Atkinson. 

Several  of  the  charges  had  been  divided,  so  that  much 
of  the  same  territory  appeared  on  the  minutes  under  new 
names.  The  new  pastors  brought  into  my  district  proved 
to  be  good  men  and  true.  Brother  Bateman  this  year  had 
his  first  experience  as  a  stationed  preacher.  He  possessed 
unusual  social  power,  and  both  in  the  pulpit  and  pastoral 
work  succeeded.  He  was  a  choice  man.  Brothers  Hop- 
kins and  Taylor  succeeded  well.  The  junior  preacher  had 
just  commenced  his  itinerant  life,  and  the  preacher  in 
charge  had  brought  from  the  local  ranks,  where  he  had 
long  served  the  Church,  both  experience  and  ability.  He 
was  an  excellent  circuit  man.     Brother  Neflf,  a  young  man 


PORTSMOUTH    DISTRICT,    OHIO.  277 

just  received  on  trial,  was  exceedingly  modest  and  unas- 
suming. He  failed  in  his  pulpit  eiforts  again  and  again 
until  the  people  consented  that  he  should  retire  from  the 
circuit.  He  still  felt,  however,  that  he  was  called  to  the 
work,  and  that  God  had  work  for  him  to  do.  He  went 
home  and  gave  himself  to  prayer  and  study,  came  back  to 
the  next  Conference,  received  an  appointment,  went  to  it, 
and  succeeded.  Thenceforward  his  itinerant  life  was  suc- 
cessful. Brother  Howard  was  a  young  man  of  excellent 
natural  ability  and  prepossessing  manners.  He  succeeded 
well  this  year;  afterward  married  Miss  Rankin,  of  a  leading 
Methodist  family,  at  Newark,  Ohio,  and  connected  himself 
with  the  Rock  River  Conference,  where  he  labored  witli  ac- 
ceptability and  usefulness  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  war> 
His  supposed  want  of  sympathy  with  the  administration 
rendered  him  unacceptable,  and  he  finally  joined  the  Epis- 
copal Church  and  entered  its  ministry.  The  last  that  I 
knew  of  him  he  was  earnestly  engaged  in  the  ministry  of 
that  Church,  and  doing  good  work.  Brother  ^Yarren  was 
diligent  as  a  pastor  and  successful  as  a  preacher.  He  had 
a  passion  for  the  natural  sciences,  and  had  acquired  very 
respectable  cabinets  in  geology,  mineralogy,  botany,  and 
zoology.  He  had  a  good  head  and  a  very  large  and  warm 
heart.  Brother  M'Coy  was  a  young  man  of  much  promise, 
and  has  since  transferred  to  the  Missouri  Conference,  where 
he  has  made  his  mark  as  a  workman  that  needeth  not  to  be 
ashamed. 

I  had  been  exceedingly  happy  in  my  association  with  my 
preachers,  and  this  year  it  seemed  to  me  that  I  had  about 
the  cream  of  the  Ohio  Conference. 

As  my  son  was  this  year  traveling  as  agent  for  the  Ohio 
Wesleyan  University,  I  took  occasion  of  his  canvass  of  my 
district  to  make  a  visit  to  the  West.  He  held  one  round 
of  quarterly-meetings    for    mo,   while    my    companion    and 


278  HIGHWAYS    AND    IIKOGES. 

myself  vi.sitcd  onr  friends  in  Iowa.  Taking  our  horse  and 
huLTgy  to  Cincinnati,  wc  eniharkrd  on  board  the  .steamci 
''Rainbow  "  for  St.  Loni.s.  Tlicnce  wc  went  by  land  through 
Illinois,  visiting  my  brother-in-law,  AVilliatn  Ganililo,  and 
other  friends;  then  crossed  into  Iowa,  at  Fort  INIadison, 
and  visited  my  brothers,  ^Villialll  and  Alexander  Stewart, 
in  Lee  county,  and  my  sister  Sally,  at  Marshall,  in  Henry 
county,  and  a  goodly  number  of  old  Ohio  friends  who  had 
emigrated  to  the  West.  At  Burlington  I  enjoyed  a  visit 
with  Rev.  I.  I.  Stewart,  the  pastor  of  the  Church  in  that 
place,  an  old  and  valued  friend  of  mine.  We  had  expected 
our  son,  J.  W.  Stewart,  at  Burlington,  but  after  remaining 
as  long  as  we  could,  we  left  for  home,  and  he,  having 
been  detained  for  w^ant  of  a  steamer,  arrived  a  few  hours 
after  we  had  started  for  home.  We  returned  by  carriage 
through  Springfield,  Illinois,  Terre  Haute  and  Indianapolis, 
Indiana,  and  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  It  had  been  to  us  a  pleas- 
ant vacation  from  the  district  work,  and  we  returned  to 
devote  our  renewed  energies  as  best  we  could  in  getting  the 
district  in  the  best  possible  order  for  the  closing  up  of  our 
constitutional  term  on   it. 

The  four  years  on  this  district  had  been  full  of  rich  ex- 
perience and  profitable  fellowships.  Were  I  to  place  on 
the  record  the  names  of  all  those  who  w^ere  endeared  to  me 
on  the  several  charges,  I  should  swell  this  volume  beyond 
reasonable  bounds.  The  eastern  portion  of  the  district  had 
belonged  to  "Letart  Falls  "  circuit,  which  I  traveled  in  1816, 
■end  a  few  survived  with  whom  I  could  recount  the  scenes  of 
those  early  days.  Methodism  had  taken  firm  hold  of  the 
soil;  had  grown  into  a  strong  and  vigorous  tree,  and  mul- 
titudes were  now  enjoying  the  refreshment  of  its  shade. 


DEER   CREEK    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  279 


CHAPTER    XXVI. 

DEER    CREEK  CIRCUIT,    OHIO. 
1850-52. 

THE  Conference  met  at  Chillicotlie,  Ohio,  September  18, 
1850,  Bishops  Morris  and  Janes  presiding.  The  fol- 
lowing persons  were  received  on  probation  :  George  Reiter, 
Gottlieb  Xachtreib,  Hughes  Eehm,  Peter  B.  Baker,  Henry 
Lukemyer,  Henry  T.  ^PGill,  Thomas  M.  Thralls,  Thomas 
CoUett,  John  F.  Marlay,  Joseph  C.  Reed,  John  ^Y.  Cassatt, 
Amos  Wilson,  John  C.  Maddy,  John  J.  Thompson,  Silas 
Bennett,  Thomas  L.  Lloyd,  George  W.  Harris,  Samuel  T. 
Creighton,  William  Morris,  Joseph  Tiffany,  Alfred  Beall, 
James  M.  Cavin — 22 — a  good  class,  in  some  of  whom  I  felt 
a  special  interest,  having  introduced  them  into  the  ministry. 

Brothers  Warrington  and  Williams  had  crossed  the  river 
of  death  during  the  past  year,  but  they  crossed  at  the 
"  Christian's  ford."  Bev.  C.  B.  Warrino;ton  was  born  in 
Manchester,  England,  March  13,  1814;  admitted  to  proba- 
tion in  the  Ohio  Conference  in  1842,  and  died,  after  a  brief 
but  painful  illness,  February,  1850.  Brother  Warrington 
was  an  evangelist,  and  many  led  to  the  Savior  by  him  will 
doubtless  rise  up  to  claim  him  as  their  spiritual  father  at 
the  cbming  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  He  was  a  man  of  cultivated 
mind,  sweet  spirit,  great  tenderness  of  heart,  and  a  burning 
zeal  for  God. 

Rev.  Oliver  P.  Williams  was  born  April  13,  1814,  and 
in  1838  went  from  the  practice  of  medicine  to  the  work  of 


280  HIGHWAYS    AND    IIKDGKS. 

a  Metho{li>f  fravolin?  preacher.  He  was  a  solid,  unassum- 
inj;,  faitlilul  man.  wliose  li'jlit  was  sliiiiinjj  as  well  iVnni  liis 
daily  walk  as  from  the  j)ulj»it  j'lnm  wliirh  he  preached  the 
AVord.  While  on  A'^euice  circuit  he  was  attacked  with  in- 
flammation of  the  brain,  from  (ho  effects  of  which  he  did 
not  recover  until  (ho  j^reat  Head  nf  the  (Muirch  culled  him 
to  his  home  ahove. 

At  this  Conference  we  again  ha<l  the  question  of  "  pewed 
sittings"  up  in  a  new  and  exciting  form.  As  stated  in  a 
former  chapter,  Rev.  John  S.  Inskip  had  promised  to  desist 
from  agitating  the  question  among  the  people  of  his  charge, 
or  retire  from  the  Conference.  He  now  came  to  the  Con- 
ference charged  with  having  failed  to  keep  good  his  prom- 
ise. Dr.  Tomlinson  and  James  B.  Finley  espoused  his 
cause,  and  Jacob  Young  and  Oranvillc  Moody  prosecuted 
liim.  The  verdict  of  the  Conference  was  a  censure.  Brother 
Inskip,  however,  appealed  his  case  to  the  General  Con- 
ference. 

I  was  appointed  to  Deer  Creek  circuit  with  Rev.  David 
Sargent  for  my  colleague,  and  Rev.  James  M.  Jamison  for 
my  presiding  elder.  I  was  much  pleased  with  both  of 
them.  The  presiding  elder  was  a  very  instructive  preacher, 
and  looked  carefully  after  the  interests  of  the  Church  in 
his  district.  Brother  Sargent  was  a  good  preacher,  and  at- 
tended faithfully  to  his  work. 

My  appointment  to  this  charge  was  grateful  to  my  feel- 
ings on  many  accounts.  The  state  of  my  wife's  health 
made  it  important  that  I  should  be  at  home  more  than  I 
had  been  for  some  years  past.  Here  I  found  not  only  what 
we  called  light  work,  but  we  anticipated  the  revival  of  friend- 
ships and  associations  of  long  standing.  Two  of  our  most 
pleasant  years  in  the  itinerancy  had  been  spent  on  this  cir- 
cuit nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century  before. 

We  moved  into  the    parsonage  at  Clarksburg,  and  soon 


DEER    CREEK   CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  281 

found  that  we  had  not  reckoned  too  strongly  on  the  pleas- 
ures of  our  new  home.  Very  many,  indeed,  of  those  who 
were  the  pillars  of  the  Church  when  we  first  traveled  the 
circuit  had  passed  away,  but  they  had  left  a  name  behind 
them,  and  their  children  and  grandchildren  rallied  about 
us  and  gave  us  cordial  welcome,  and  renewed  such  atten- 
tions as  we  had  been  accustomed  to  receive  from  their 
parents. 

I  found  the  circuit  much  smaller  in  its  boundaries  than 
when  I  first  traveled  it.  Its  present  list  of  appointments 
were,  1.  Dry  Run;  2.  Asbury  ;  3.  Locust  Grove;  4.  New 
Holland;  5.  Hayes;  6.  Williamsport;  7.  Mount  Pleasant; 
8.  Littleton's;  9.  Hubbard's;  10.  Cedar  Grove;  11.  Hos- 
kins's  Chapel;  12.  Spring  Bank;  13.  Union  Chapel ;  14. 
Brown's  Chapel ;  15.  3Iouut  Zion ;  16.  Clarksburg.  The 
distance  between  the  appointments  being  short,  and  none  of 
them  being  very  far  away  from  home,  I  was  able  to  spend 
more  of  my  time  with  my  family  than  ever  before.  And 
this  was  providential,  for  my  dear  companion  was  sorely 
afflicted  these  years,  so  that  much  of  the  time  we  regarded 
her  life  to  be  in  extreme  peril. 

The  Conference  met  at  Springfield,  Ohio,  September  17, 
1851,  Bishop  Morris  presiding.  The  following  were  re- 
ceived on  trial:  William  Kaetter,  Gottlieb  Wahl,  William 
Engel,  Jacob  Krehbiel,  Charles  Elder,  John  H.  Damm, 
Gustafi"  Bicker,  Henry  Wilky,  Augustus  Yerhoefi*,  Wesley 
Dennett,  Benjamin  F.  Morris,  Samuel  B.  Sheeks,  Jesse 
M'D.  Robinson,  William  Q.  Shannon,  Henry  F.  Green, 
William  Grange,  James  Kendall,  David  Mann,  Isaiah  A. 
Bradrick,  David  C.  Benjamin,  Robert  C.  Fulton — 21. 

The  following  brethren  were  recorded  as  having  died  dur- 
ing the  past  year:  James  A.  Taylor,  Joseph  T.  Lewies,  and 
Philip  A.  Mutchner. 

Brother  Taylor  was  received  ou  trial  in  the  Conference 

24 


'2 82  HIGHWAYS    AND    HKDGES. 

in  1SI7,  niid  pcrfminod  offiriont  service  from  tli.it  tinio  until 
his  labors  closed  on  the  Jackson  circuit,  Auirust  Hi.  js.")!. 
lie  was  several  venrs  under  niy  cliarirc,  and  I  reiiarded  liini 
as  a  ycnuvj;  man  of  much  j»r«»misc  and  worth.  He  had  a 
sprightly  iutellect,  and  his  ministry  was  of  a  stirrinc;  and 
awakenina;  eharaeter.  lie  sent  from  his  dyiiiLi;  couch  assur- 
ances to  his  brethren  of  the  Coufercncc  that  he  had  victory 
over  death,  and  requested  them  to  meet  hiin  in  the  paradise 
of  God. 

Brother  Lewis  was  born  in  the  city  of  Cincinnati,  April 
8,  1824.  He  was  received  into  the  Ohio  Conference  on 
probation  in  18-43,  when  in  his  nineteenth  year  of  age,  and 
immediately  entered  upon  a  brilliant  and  remarkably  suc- 
cessful ministry.  He  was  transferred  the  next  year  to  the 
Rock  River  Conference,  and  the  next  year  to  Iowa.  After 
serving  several  of  the  leading  Churches  in  Iowa,  he  was 
transferred  back  to  the  Ohio  Conference,  where  he  continued 
to  labor  until  laid  aside  by  disease.  He  spent  several  years 
traveling,  in  the  hope  of  regaining  his  health,  for  he  had 
an  ardent  desire  to  live  and  labor  for  God.  He  died  in  the 
city  of  Philadelphia,  November  3,  1850,  full  of  peace  and 
hope.  He  said  to  a  brother  who  visited  him  near  the  close 
of  life:  "I  would,  were  it  God's  will,  desire  to  return  home 
that  I  might  die  among  my  brethren,  and  my  ashes  rest 
beside  kindred  friends  till  the  coming  of  Jesus,"  and  then 
in  calm  submission  added,  "  but  I  would  not  make  a  change 
if  I  could." 

Brother  Mutchner  was  born  in  Butler  county,  Ohio,  Jan- 
uary 10,  1817,  and  died  in  Darke  county,  Ohio,  October  2, 
1850.  He  was  admitted  on  trial  in  the  Ohio  Conference 
in  1841.  He  was  studious  in  preparation  for  the  pulpit, 
and  faithful  in  the  declaration  of  the  Word  of  God.  He  was 
deeply  devoted  to  the  work  to  which  he  was  called,  and 
enjoyed  in  a  high  degree  the  consolations  of  religion.     As 


DEER    CREEK    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  283 

he  drew  near  the  grave  lie  assured  his  companions  that  he 
was  going  home,  and  then  peacefully  closed  his  eyes  in 
death. 

According  to  mutual  expectation  and  desire,  I  was  re- 
turned to  Deer  Creek  circuit,  with  Kev.  Samuel  Middleton 
as  my  colleague.  He  proved  to  be  a  zealous  and  useful 
minister,  and  commanded  the  confidence  and  respect  of  the 
people.  My  associations  with  the  excellent  people  of  this 
charge  during  these  two  years  were  mutually  pleasant  and 
profitable,  and  we  regretted  the  closing  of  our  constitutional 
term.  During  my  first  term  on  the  circuit,  as  recorded  in 
the  early  part  of  this  narrative,  my  companion  had  been 
sick  nigh  unto  death,  and  God  had  raised  her  up  in  answer 
to  prayer,  and  during  my  present  term  she  had  again  been 
sweeping  along  close  by  the  borders  of  the  grave;  and  I 
now  felt  that  if  it  must  be  so  that  I  must  be  bereaved  of 
my  dear  companion,  there  was  no  place  on  earth  where  I 
would  rather  that  her  grave  should  be  than  by  the  side  of 
the  dear  Christian  friends  who  had  fallen  asleep  on  Deer 
Creek  circuit. 

Our  Conference  was  represented -in  the  General  Conference 
which  met  at  Boston  the  first  of  3Iay,  1852,  by  brothers 
William  Nast,  J.  M.  Trimble,  J.  Young,  C.  Elliott,  G.  W. 
Walker,  G.  Moody,  J.  F.  Wright,  U.  Heath,  Z.  Council, 
C.  Brooks,  A.  M.  Lorrain,  M.  Marlay,  and  R.  0.  Spencer. 


284  HIGHWAYS    AND    HLUGES. 


CHAPTER   XXVII. 

LONDON  CIRCUIT,  OHIO. 

rnilE  Ohio  Conference  met  at  Zanesvillc,  Ohio,  September 
-■-  1,  1852,  Bishop  Janes  presiding,  assisted  by  Bishop 
Simpson.  The  following  preachers  were  received  on  trial: 
Lovett  Taft,  Cyrus  Felton,  Joseph  D.  Crum,  Robert  J. 
Black,  Albert  G.  Byers,  W.  A.  Prettyman,  Henry  H.  Fer- 
ris, Theodore  D.  MartinJale,  William  S.  Benner,  William 
Catlin,  E.  H.  Dixon,  Elijah  Fate,  Joseph  Cartlich — 13. 

At  this  Conference  we  recorded  the  names  of  two  breth- 
ren who  had  died  during  the  past  year,  both  of  whom  were 
very  dear  to  me;  namely,  Samuel  Maddux  and  Ebenezer  B. 
Chase.  The  former  had  labored  by  my  side  and  under  my 
direction  faithfully  and  successfully  amid  the  hardships  of 
border  warfare,  and  the  other  had  been  my  colleague  on 
the  Felicity  (Whiteoak)  circuit.  I  have  spoken  of  these 
dear  brethren  in  the  appropriate  place  in  my  narrative. 
They  died  in  the  faith  and  comfort  of  the  Gospel.  Brother 
Maddux  was  born  in  Ross  county,  Ohio,  May  2,  1818,  and 
died  in  Logan,  November  19,  1851. 

I  was  appointed  to  London  circuit  with  Rev.  J.  S.  Brown, 
an  able,  talented,  and  zealous  minister,  for  my  colleague. 
Though  I  had  but  a  short  distance  to  move,  yet  such  was 
the  health  of  my  companion  that  it  was  extremely  doubtful 
whether  she  could  survive  it.  She  however  encouraged 
making  the  effort,  and,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  suffered  less 


LONDON   CIRCUIT,   OHIO.  285 

than  we  feared.     We  received  a  cordial  welcome,  and  were 
soon  located  in  the  parsonage  at  London. 

The  circuit  had  the  following  list  of  appointments:  1. 
London;  2.  Wesley  Chapel;  3.  Bethel ;  4.  Concord;  5.  Brush 
School-house;  6.  Midway;  7.  Bay's  School-house;  8.  Maple 
Grove;  9.  California;  10.  King's  School-house;  11.  Mur- 
phy's School-house;  12.  Mt.  Sterliug ;  13.  Greenland;  14. 
Berry's  School-house;  15.  Yankeetown ;  16.  Cook's  School- 
house  ;  17.  Waterloo. 

Though  as  this  list  indicates  it  extended  from  California 
to  Greenland,  and  embraced  London  and  Waterloo,  yet  it 
was  not  in  fact  a  very  large  circuit.  It  was  a  mere  garden- 
spot  in  comparison  with  many  that  I  had  traveled.  As, 
however,  the  health  of  my  companion  made  it  important 
for  me  to  be  at  home  at  night,  my  traveling,  especially  my 
night  traveling,  was  pretty  heavy.  I  had  always  been  accus- 
tomed to  make  promptness  at  my  appointments,  the  leading 
of  the  classes,  and  visiting  the  people  at  their  homes  a 
matter  of  conscience;  and  while  I  doubt  not  the  people,  who 
sympathized  with  us  so  sincerely  and  generously,  would 
have  excused  me  if  I  had  neglected  much  of  this  labor, 
yet  it  had  so  become  the  habit  of  my  life  and  joy  of  my 
labor,  that  I  cast  myself  upon  God  for  help  and  went 
forward. 

We  were  blessed  with  an  excellent  revival  of  religion, 
and  the  year  was  one  of  prosperity.  The  circuit  had  a  large 
and  most  excellent  membership,  who  endeared  themselves 
to  us  very  greatly  by  their  generous  sympathy  and  constant 
attentions.  Many,  also,  who  were  not  members  of  the 
Church,  vied  with  the  membership  in  acts  of  kindness. 

The  Ohio  Conference  held  its  forty-second  session  in  Lan- 
caster, Ohio,  commencing  September  7,  1853,  Bishop  Mor- 
ris presiding.  The  following  persons  were  admitted  on 
trial :  William  Z.  Boss,  Thomas  G.  Boss,  William  H.  M'Clin- 


286  HIGHWAVS   AND    HEDGES. 

took,  Rcnjamin  V.  MKHVr,4i.  M.irrus  L.  Kini:.  Thomas  H. 
H.ill,  J(.hn  T.  Miller.  Lcimirl  F.  Dnikc,  ThoiuaH  11.  rijil- 
lips,  Saniiu'l  Rankin,  Edniuiid  Mahcc,  II.  Q.  0.  Fink,  Henry 
Gortncr,  Jo.scph  Williams,  David  II.  Chcrington,  Daniel 
Tracy,  William  Tronc,  John  C.  Gregp:,  Robert  D.  Anderson, 
Russel  R.  Ronnctt,  William  S.  Taylor,  Samuel  Tippctt— 22. 

Durini:  (he  pa.^t  year  the  Rev.  ►Samuel  Hamilton  and  Rev. 
Henry  8nii(h  Hill  had  died,  and  their  memoirs  were  now 
spread  upon  the  journals. 

I  have  had  occasion  to  refer  frequently  to  brother  Ham- 
ilton in  the  preceding  pages  of  my  narrative.  He  was  one 
of  the  able  and  influential  members  of  the  Conference.  He 
was  born  in  Monongahela  county,  Virginia,  December  17, 
1791;  joined  the  traveling  connection  in  1815;  and  peace- 
fully fell  asleep  in  the  arms  of  Christ  May  4,  1853. 

Brother  Hill  was  born  in  Ross  county,  Ohio,  December 
12,  1820.  In  1848  he  was  admitted  on  trial  in  the  Ohio 
Conference.  He  labored  faithfully  and  successfully  until 
August  5,  1852,  when  he  was  summoned  from  labor  and 
suffering  to  reward  and  rest.  He  was  much  beloved  by  the 
people  to  whom  he  ministered  the  AVord  of  life,  and  will 
long  be  remembered  as  a  faithful  minister. 

AVe  were  addressed  at  this  session  of  the  Conference  by 
the  Rev.  Henry  Slicer,  agent  for  the  Metropolitan  Church 
at  Washington  City.  That  enterprise,  after  various  advances 
and  reverses,  has  finally — 1869 — succeeded,  and  the  repre- 
sentative church  edifice  is  now  completed  and  dedicated. 

Monday  morning,  at  ten  o'clock,  the  regular  order  of 
business  was  laid  aside  to  hear  the  semi-centennial  sermon 
of  the  Rev.  Jacob  Young.  His  text  was  Psalm  Ixxxvii,  2: 
"  The  Lord  loveth  the  gates  of  Zion  more  .than  all  the 
dwellings  of  Jacob."  He  stood  before  us  the  veteran  war- 
rior, worn  and  trembling,  and  almost  blind,  but  full  of  the 
memories   of  the   battles  and  victories    of  half   a  century, 


LONDON    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  287 

and  still  full  of  love  and  zeal,  and  faith  and  power.  O 
how  our  hearts  thrilled  as  we  looked  upon  him  and  listened 
to  his  words! 

Much  to  our  satisfaction  I  was  returned  to  London  cir- 
cuit, and  again  favored  with  an  excellent  colleague,  Rev. 
Joseph  Cruni.  We  addressed  ourselves  to  the  work  in 
right  good  earnest,  and  soon  the  revival  fires  began  to  break 
out  and  spread  from  appointment  to  appointment,  until  the 
whole  circuit  felt  its  influence.  The  most  extensive  work 
was  at  Wesley  Chapel,  31t.  Sterling,  and  Greenland.  At 
these  points  the  Lord  was  with  us  in  power,  and  many  were 
converted,  and  valuable  additions  made  to  the  membership. 

Washington  Witherow,  a  man  of  high  standing  and  ex- 
tensive influence,  was  among  the  converts  at  Wesley  Chapel. 
After  the  arrow  of  conviction  penetrated  his  heart  he 
wandered  about  some  days,  trying  to  throw  ofi"  these  feel- 
ings. One  night,  however,  when  the  power  of  God  de- 
scended upon  the  congregation,  and  many  were  at  the 
mourners'  bench,  he  reached  a  decision  in  the  matter,  and 
came  forward  and  cried  aloud  to  God  for  mercy.  Many 
were  comforted,  but  he  was  still  comfortless  when  the  meet- 
ing closed.  I  accepted  the  invitation  of  sister  Witherow  to 
go  home  with  them,  hoping  to  assist  them  in  establishing 
at  once  the  family  altar.  He  kindled  a  fire  in  the  open 
fire-place,  and  as  the  flames  began  to  extend  up  among  the 
wood  I  saw  a  tobacco-pipe  among  the  wood,  and  called  his 
attention  to  it,  but  he  made  no  answer.  After  a  few  mo- 
ments, hesitation,  his  wife  remarked  that  probably  he  re- 
garded the  pipe  as  one  of  his  idols.  Though  this  was  a 
small  circumstance  in  itself,  yet  it  indicated  the  spirit  of  the 
man,  and  was  prophetic  of  not  only  decision,  but  of  deter- 
mination to  serve  God  from  principle,  at  whatever  sacrifice 
of  present  gratification  of  the  desires  of  the  flesh.  I  was 
curious  afterward  to  know  whether  his  abandonment  of  the 


-88  HIGHWAYS  and  hedges. 

pipe  was  permanent,  .ind  was  trrntifuMl  to  learn  that  it 
was.  Tlicre  is  more  heroism  in  al)andoning  tobacco,  wc  are 
told,  tlian  those  dream  of  wlin  li.ive  not  been  slaves  to  the 
practice,  and  vu\y  the  voice  of  (jod  commanding,  and  the 
grace  of  God  lielpiug,  can  enable  some  to  get  tlie  victory. 
I5ut  to  return  to  the  narrative. 

The  next  day  brother  Witherow  was  powerfully  con- 
verted, and  at  once  took  standing  as  a  man  of  God.  On 
one  occasion  after  this  I  had  an  exhibition  of  his  generous 
spirit.  While  at  his  house  my  horse  was  violently  attacked 
with  botts,  and  died.  Brother  Witherow  put  one  of  his 
own  horses  before  my  buggy,  and  told  me  to  use  it  until  I 
was  better  supplied;  and  then  he  passed  about  among  his 
friends,  and  in  a  short  time  raised  funds  to  purchase  an  ex- 
cellent horse,  which  they  presented  to  me.  This  kindness, 
both  unsolicited  and  unexpected  on  my  part,  was  gratefully 
received  as  an  expression  of  their  love.  I  knew  that  such 
things  were  not  uncommon  when  the  preacher  was  poor,  but 
as  it  was  known  that  I  was  independent  in  my  temporal 
circumstances  I  had  not  expected  it.  Judging,  however, 
from  what  experience  I  have  had  in  such  things,  I  am  in- 
clined to  think  tliat  Churches  are  gainers  even  more  than 
the  preachers  when  there  is  such  kindness  shown.  Every 
cord  that  binds  the  hearts  of  preacher  and  hearer  together 
makes  the  preaching  more  effective,  and  all  the  labors  of 
the  pastor  more  hearty  and  successful. 

We  had  on  this  circuit  only  two  local  preachers,  and  they 
were  both  venerable  with  years,  and  so  infirm  as  not  to  be 
able  to  go  forth  as  they  had  done  in  their  younger  days. 
But  fathers  Minshall  and  Gould  still  helped  us  with  their 
influence  and  prayers.  Among  the  excellent  of  the  circuit 
was  old  brother  Watson  and  his  family,  constituting  quite  a 
group,  and  presenting  the  delightful  spectacle  of  a  Chris- 
tian family.     James  Foster  was  a  valuable  man,  acquitting 


LONDON    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  289 

himself  handsomely  in  the  several  offices  thrust  upon  him, 
both  in  Church  and  State.  He  was  blessed  with  ample 
means,  and  these  he  used  ungrudgingly  in  aiding  to  pro- 
mote every  good  word  and  work,  John  Fisher,  who  was 
his  neighbor,  was  a  man  of  kindred  spirit  and  worth. 
Jesse  "Watson  was  another  upon  whom  God  was  pouring 
wealth,  and  who  was,  with  a  liberal  hand,  devoting  his 
means  to  worthy  uses,  Quinn  Miushall,  too,  though  not  at 
that  time  in  the  Church,  had  generosity  corresponding  to 
his  wealth,  and  afterward  gave  himself  and  all  to  God, 
May  the  blessing  of  Heaven  be  upon  him  and  his !  Isaac 
Fisher,  leader  and  steward  at  Mt.  Sterling,  and  Isaac 
Moore,  of  the  same  place,  Stephen  Moore  and  John  Dun- 
gan,  of  London,  were  all  men  esteemed  and  honored  by  the 
Church,  and  who  met  the  official  responsibilities  placed  upon 
them  in  a  manner  profitable  to  all  concerned.  Brother  An- 
drew Johnson,  of  Midway,  was  a  first-class  exhortcr.  Ilis 
labors  were  attended  with  an  unction  and  success  that  was 
seldom  excelled.  But  how  shall  I  arrest  my  pen  while  so 
many  names  of  never-to-be-forgotten  friends  come  crowd- 
ing upon  the  memory,  men  of  renown,  such  as  the  Bonds, 
and  Pancakes,  and  Warners,  and  Lotspeiches,  and  Slagles, 
and  a  long  list  of  such,  whose  names  are  in  the  book  of  life? 
During  this  year  the  affliction  of  my  wife  culminated. 
The  most  eminent  physicians  agreed  in  pronouncing  it  an 
"ovarian  tumor."  It  had  reached  such  enormous  propor- 
tions that  it  was  estimated  that  it  would  weigh  twenty-five 
pounds.  It  already  pressed  upon  the  vitals,  and,  in  the 
opinion  of  the  physicians,  only  a  surgical  operation  gave 
any  hope  of  her  surviving  any  length  of  time.  She  laid 
the  matter  before  God  in  prayer,  and  received  the  impres- 
sion that  it  was  not  her  duty  to  resort  to  such  means,  but 
that  she  should  leave  the  matter  in  the  hands  of  the  Great 
Physician.     She  thus  rested   her  case,  and  though  a  great 

2.-) 


200 


IIIGIIWAVS    AM)    IIKDGES. 


sufforor.  slio  wna  very  li;i).py.  A  cIkhVo  circle  of  rhristi.-inj 
friends  n);i(lc  fpccial  sup[ilications  for  licr  recovery.  Hrotlier 
"NVjirner,  a  very  earnest  Cliristian,  assured  lior  tlial  lie  li:i(l| 
received  direct  answer  tlint  slie  would  recover.  iMy  son 
and  liis  I'aniily,  wlni  liad  taken  a  transfer  to  tlie  Rock  River] 
Conference,  visited  us  on  their  way  tliither,  and  they  united 
very  fervently  in  these  prayers.  To  the  unspeakable  satis- 
faction (tf  licr  friends  she  began  to  improve.  A  desire 
sprang  up  in  her  mind  to  accompany  my  son  to  the  West, 
and  visit  our  eldest  son  and  family  at  Monroe,  Wisconsin. 
She  was  carefully  conveyed  to  the  cars,  and  by  the  aid  of 
pillows  and  wrappings  made  as  comfortable  as  might  be  ; 
and,  strange  to  say,  she  improved  constantly,  though  slowly, 
from  that  time.  As  the  tumor  had  been  about  six  years 
coming,  so  it  was  about  the  same  time  disappearing.  I 
place  the  incident  upon  the  record  here  especially  in  recog- 
nition of  my  gratitude  to  Almighty  God,  who  heard  and 
answered  prayer,  and  to  encourage  any  who  may  be  simi- 
larly afflicted. 


PICKERINGTON    CIRCUIT,    OHIO. 


291 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

PICKERINGTON   CIRCUIT,  AND* LANCASTER  DISTRICT, 

OHIO. 

1854-56. 

THE  Conference  held  its  forty-third  session  at  Ports- 
mouth, Ohio,  commencing  September  6,  1854,  Bishop 
Scott  presiding.  The  following  persons  were  received  on 
trial:  Carrai  A.  Van  Anda,  Levi  Hall,  Fielding  Harper,  Earl 
D.  Fink,  Uriah  L.  Jones,  James  W.  Alderman,  Robert  D. 
Stephenson,  James  Q.  Lakin,  Noah  Speck,  John  Kemper, 
John  Q.  Gibson,  Stephen  Ryland,  AV.  C.  Filler,  Asbury  C. 
Kelley,  J.  T.  Finch,  J).  Harlocker,  Addison  Nichols — 17. 

Our  ranks,  during  the  past  year,  had  suffered  no  diminu- 
tion by  the  death  of  any  of  our  traveling  preachers,  nor 
had  any  withdrawn,  or  been  expelled. 

As  I  had  spent  four  very  pleasant  years  on  the  Ports- 
mouth district,  I  had  the  privilege  during  this  session  of 
the  Conference  of  seein";  a  larire  number  of  old  and  cher- 
ished  friends.  I  was  appointed  to  Pickerington  circuit, 
with  Rev.  Stephen  M.  Merrill  for  my  colleague. 

After  the  adjournment  of  Conference  I  returned  to  Lon- 
don, moved  my  goods  to  the  parsonage  at  Pickerington,  put 
things  in  order,  laid  in  supplies  for  living,  and  then  went 
to  Wisconsin,  where  my  companion  was  visiting  with  our 
children,  to  accompany  her  home.  I  found  her  improved 
in  health,  and  after  a  brief  visit  with  the  boys  we  returned 
to  Ohio,  and  I  entered  upon  my  work. 


292  IIIGIIWAVS    AND    HEDGES. 

Brotlior  3Ionill,  my  colleague,  was  one  of  the  strong  men 
of  tlic  Conference,  but  so  impaired  was  liis  lieallli  at  tliat 
time  that  the  presiding  elder  released  him  from  the  charge, 
and  employed  brother  llannawalt,  a  good  local  preacher,  to 
take  Ills  place. 

It  was  l)y  far  the  lightest  work  I  had  ever  filled,  there 
being  only  eight  ajipointments  on  the  circuit;  namely,  1. 
Pickerington  ;  2.  l*owell*.s  Chapel;  3.  Keynoldsburg;  4. 
Taylor's  Station;  5.  White  Chapel;  G.  White  Hall;  7. 
Winchester;  8.  School-house. 

W^e  had  good  meeting  houses,  good  congregations,  and 
good  times  on  the  circuits,  and  a  good  parsonage  to  live  in, 
and  good  neighbors  full  of  good  ■will.  AVe  felt  that  the 
lines  had  fallen  to  us  in  pleasant  places.  The  Lord  poured 
out  of  his  Spirit  on  the  charge,  and  we  had  some  glorious 
revivals  of  religion.  At  Pickerington  and  Powell's  Chapel, 
especially,  we  had  a  good  ingathering.  The  year  was  one  of 
prosperity  and  enjoyment,  and  wound  up  very  satisfactorily. 

A  host  of  good  people,  the  excellent  of  the  earth,  en- 
deared themselves  to  us  on  this  circuit.  And  even  now  the 
Taylors,  and  Powells,  and  Fowbles,  and  Pickerings,  and 
Fords,  and  Pattersons,  and  Stephensons,  and  a  long  list  of 
such  crowd  upon  my  memory,  and  I  seem  to  see  their  smil- 
ing faces,  and  hear  their  words  of  sympathy  and  affection, 
as  in  former  years.  May  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  be  with  them  and  their  posterity  through  all  the 
generations  to  come  ! 

The  Conference  held  its  forty-fourth  session  at  Athens, 
Ohio,  commencing  September  5,  1855,  Bishop  Morris  pre- 
siding. The  following  were  admitted  on  trial:  Daniel  La- 
mont,  Charles  Bethauser,  Ezekiel  Sibley,  George  W^. 
Nuzum,  John  J.  Stillians,  Samuel  'M.  Donahoe,  Jonathan 
W.  Stump,  William  C.  Holliday,  Dugald  Thompson,  Alonzo 
Chapman — 10. 


PICKERIXGTOX    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  293 

Rev.  Henry  Forest  Green,  a  lovely  young  man  of  great 
promise,  had  fallen  by  the  hand  of  disease  during  the  past 
year.  He  'was  born  in  Somerset,  Ohio,  February  18,  1830. 
During  the  great  revival  at  Bainbridge,  Ohio,  referred  to  in 
the  preceding  pages,  Henry  consecrated  his  heart  and  life 
to  God  and  his  service.  He  commenced  the  study  of  med- 
icine, but  so  strong  were  his  own  convictions  and  those  of 
his  brethren,  that  God  had  other  work  for  him  to  do,  that 
he  left  his  medical  studies  and  entered  the  Ohio  Wesleyaa 
University  to  prepare  more  fully  for  the  work  of  the  min- 
istry. He  was  received  on  trial  in  the  Ohio  Conference  in 
1851,  and  preached  with  great  acceptability  for  several 
years.  His  last  Conference  appointment  was  to  Zanesville 
^  City  Mission.  In  the  Spring  of  that  year,  however,  he  wasr 
sent   to   supply  a  vacancy  which    occurred   in    Portsmouth. 

I  His  health,  however,  soon  began  to  decline,  and  he  was 
persuaded  to  retire  from  labor  for  a  time,  with  the  hope  of 
recruiting  his  health.  But  his  pulpit  work  was  now  done. 
He  suifered  on  until  the  6th  of  Mav,  when  the  Master 
said,  "  It  is  enough,  come  up  higher."  Shouting  ''  Glory  ! 
glory!  glory!"  he  closed  his  eyes  upon  earthly  scenes  to 
open  them  upon  the  brighter  scenes  of  heaven.  "  He  died 
as  the  Christian  minister  might  well  wish  to  die — mature 
in  the  grace  of  the  Spirit." 

This  session  of  the  Conference  was  unusually  pleasant  to 
me  from  the  fact  that  I  enjoyed  the  society  of  many  rela- 
tives and  friends  living  at  Athens  and  thereabouts.  We 
elected  the  following  brethren  to  represent  us  at  the  Gen- 
eral Conference,  which  was  to  meet  the  next  May:  Z.  Con- 
nell,  J.  M.  Trimble,  S.  Howard,  J.  M.  Jameson,  J.  Young, 
""   and  U.  Heath. 

I  was  appointed  to  Pickerington  circuit,  with  Charles 
Bethauser  for  my  colleague,  and  Rev.  James  L.  Grover  for 
my  presiding  elder. 


294  I  IK.  11  WAYS   AND    IlKDGES. 

Sou II  iiftor  my  entrance  upon  my  Wdik,  1  received  ;i  com- 
mission from  Bishop  Morris  to  take  cliarj^c  of  the  Lancaster 
district  in  place  of  J.  L.  Grovcr,  resigned.  I  appointed 
hrothcr  TTannawalt  to  succeed  me  on  the  circuit,  and  entered 
at  once  upon  the  work  of  the  district. 

At  Lancaster  I  found  Kcv.  J.  M.  Jameson  in  chariro. 
He  had  been  my  presiding  elder  for  several  years  past,  and 
now  welcomed  me  in  our  changed  relations.  He  had  this 
year  a  great  revival,  and  gathered  more  than  one  hundred 
souls  for  Christ. 

At  West  Rushville  I  found  in  charge  my  old  friend  Ilev. 
C.  C.  Lybrand,  of  whom  I  have  spoken  in  preceding  pages. 

At  Baltimore,  Samuel  M.  Bright,  Henry  Gortner,  and  J. 
T.  Donahue,  sup.  Brother  Bright  had  a  clear  logical  mind, 
and  discharged  his  duties  with  dignity  and  grace.  Brother 
Gortner  was  a  faithful  worker,  and  gave  evidence  of  a  good 
mind,  well  improved. 

At  Newark,  Eastern  charge,  Joseph  H.  Creighton  ;  West- 
ern charge,  A.  B.  See — both  valuable  men,  but  of  different 
style  of  talent.  Brother  Creighton  had  a  good  memory  and 
exuberant  imagination,  was  always  interesting,  and  often- 
times attained  to  lofty  flights  of  eloquence,  which  carried 
all  before  him.  Brother  See,  though  not  so  brilliant,  was  a 
close  student,  well  acquainted  with  Methodism,  capable  of 
defending  her  doctrines  and  Discipline  against  all  objectors. 
His  was  not  the  rapid  growth  of  the  soft  maple,  but  rather 
that  of  the  rock  maple.  I  anticipated  that  every  year  would 
add  to  his  permanent  value  to  the  Church. 

At  Granville  I  found  that  strong  thinker  and  clear-headed 
preacher,  Rev.  Stephen  M.  Merrill,  now  editor  of  the  West- 
ern Christian  Advocate. 

At  Alexandria,  Banner  Mark,  a  man  tall  in  stature,  and 
having  in  him  more  possibilities  of  usefulness  than  had  ever 
been  fully  developed. 


LANCASTER    DISTRICT,    OHIO.  295 

At  Johnstown,  Abraham  Cartlich  and  A.  31.  Alexander, 
both  good  men  and  true — men  who,  if  they  ever  took  prom- 
inent position,  you  could  be  sure  that  it  was  without  any 
wire-pulling  or  management  upon  their  part.  They  were 
both  modest  and  retiring  men,  best  loved  by  those  who 
knew  them  best,  and  possibly  sometimes  left  in  the  humbler 
fields  of  labor  because  they  were  content,  while  others,  less 
deserving,  were  promoted  because  they  clamored  for  pro- 
motion. 

At  Etna,  Samuel  Tippett,  a  man  whose  soul  was  in  his 
work.  He  had  a  fine  imaoiuation,  and  was  an  interesting 
and  successful  preacher. 

At  Pickerington,  Rev.  George  H'annawalt,  a  local  preacher 
held  in  high  estimation,  took  my  place  as  preacher  in  charge, 
and  did  good  work.  The  junior  preacher,  brother  Bethauser, 
was  just  commencing  his  itinerant  life.  He  was  recom- 
mended to  the  Conference  from  Newark,  and  gave  promise 
of  being  a  successful  Methodist  preacher. 

At  Groveport  I  found  Rev.  Francis  A.  Timmons  and  Ja- 
cob Martin.  The  preacher  in  charge,  as  I  have  had  occa- 
sion to  record  in  a  former  chapter,  was  of  the  old  and 
excellent  Methodist  stock.  Brother  Martin  was  a  well- 
posted  theologian  and  a  very  valuable  man,  but  his  great 
modesty  caused  him  to  shrink  from  thrusting  himself  into 
any  position  of  prominence. 

At  Royalton,  George  G.  West  was  preacher  in  charge, 
and  John  Kemper  the  second  preacher.  Of  Mr.  West,  a 
good  and  useful  man,  I  have  already  spoken.  His  assistant 
was  in  feeble  health,  but  was  faithful  in  the  expenditure  of 
what  strength  he  had  for  the  advancement  of  the  cause  of 
God. 

At  Maxville,  Levi  Hall,  Jonathan  AV.  Stump.  They  were 
both  growing  men,  faithful  and  popular  among  the  people. 

Brother  D.  Cadwallader  had  charge  of  the  Wrhh  Mission^ 


290  HIGHWAYS    AND    HKDGrS. 

)»nt    tliis    year    closed   his    rniHsionary   work    and    he    went 
liome  to  his  reward.     More  of  him  licrcaftcr. 

The  year  passed  rapidly,  so  full  was  it  of  importaut  and 
responsible  work;  it  also  passed  pleasantly,  as  the  brethren 
in  llic  ministry  and  the  members  of  the  Church  gave  mc 
hearty  welcome,  and  the  labors  of  the  year  were  crowned 
with  gratifying  success. 


JACKSON    DISTRICT,   OHIO.  207 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

JACKSON  DISTRICT,  OHIO. 
18.16-60. 

rriHE  Conference  held  its  forty-fifth  session  at  Newark, 
-*-  Ohio,  commencing  September  3,  1856,  Bishop  Ames 
presiding.  The  following  persons  were  admitted  on  trial: 
Elias  W.  Kirkham,  Henry  L.  Whitehead,  John  W.  Lewis, 
Elias  N.  Nichols,  Frederick  S.  Thurston,  William  S.  Taylor, 
John  M.  Shuly,  Thomas  M'Intyre — 9. 

During  the  past  year  the  following  had  died :  William 
Catlin,  David  Cadwallader,  and  Isaac  D.  Day. 

Rev.  William  Catlin  was  born  in  the  State  of  Maine  in 
1811;  in  1852  joined  the  Ohio  Conference  on  probation. 
His  itinerant  career  was  short,  but  he  did  his  work  faith- 
fully, and  left  among  the  people  that  he  served  the  fragrance 
of  a  holy  life. 

Rev.  David  Cadwallader  was  born  in  North  Wales,  3Iont- 
gomery  county.  May  28,  1791,  and  died  at  his  residence  in 
Newark,  Ohio,  October  19,  1855.  He  became  a  Methodist 
in  1812,  and  commenced  preaching  the  Gospel  in  1814.  He 
came  to  the  United  States  and  settled  in  Delaware  county, 
Ohio,  in  1821,  and  in  1828  joined  the  Ohio  Conference  and 
was  sent  forth  as  a  missionary  among  the  Welsh  people. 
He  continued  his  labors  in  that  department,  at  intervals, 
during  the  rest  of  his  life.  He  was  a  man  of  God,  and  a 
minister  greatly  respected  and  loved,  and  will  doubtless 
have  many  stars  in  his  crown  in  the  great  day. 


298  HIGHWAYS  AND   HEDGES. 

Bov.  Tsnnc  P.  P.iy  was  horn  in  Potors}»uitr,  Pcnn.,  April 
9,  1S09,  and  died  at  Dunioiitvillo.  I'airficld  county,  March  30, 
185(1.  lie  served  tlic  CIhik  li  liiitlifnlly  as  a  local  preacher 
for  several  years,  and  tluii  joined  the  traveling  connection  in 
1849,  in  which  he  continued  to  the  end  of  his  life.  He  was 
a  good,  plain,  zealous  preacher.  He  was  more  than  ordina- 
rily gifted  in  prayer,  and  as  a  sweet  singer  he  had  few 
equals.  His  singing  often  produced  a  most  thrilling  effect 
upon  the  congregation.  He  died  pcacel'ully,  and  doubtless 
rests  with  the  redeemed  on  high. 

Bishop  Ames  put  forward  the  business  of  the  Conference 
with  his  usual  dispatch,  and  yet  had  time  for  some  social 
intercourse  with  his  brethren.  I  recall  with  much  pleasure 
his  kind  attentions  to  me.  He  invited  me  to  his  room  to, 
talk  over  the  reminiscences  of  our  earlier  life,  as  we  were 
brought  up  in  adjoining  townships,  in  Athens  county,  Ohio. 

I  was  appointed  to  the  Jackson  district.  From  the  list 
of  charges  in  it,  and  the  preachers  supplying  those  charges, 
I  found  that  I  would  be  at  home.  Almost  all  of  the  terri-, 
tory  had  belonged  to  Portsmouth  district  when  I  traveled 
it,  and  many  of  the  preachers  had  been  associated  with  me 
either  on  that  work  or  in  Virginia.  In  the  following  list  I 
shall  only  speak  of  the  characteristics  of  the  preachers  now 
for  the  first  time  under  my  charge,  having  spoken  of  the 
others  in  former  pages. 

Jackson — Charles  H.  Warren.  Jackson  circuit — Timothy 
Wones,  F.  S.  Thurston.  These  brethren  were  both  faith- 
ful, popular,  and  successful.  Brother  Wones,  as  I  think, 
afterward  made  a  great  mistake  in  retiring  from  the  work. 
No  doubt  there  are  circumstances,  pecuniary  and  domestic, 
that  sometimes  justify  a  preacher  while  in  good  health  and 
useful  in  the  work  to  retire  from  it,  but  certainly  it  is  a 
step  that  calls  for  searching  self-examination  and  earnest 
prayer  before  it  is  decided  upon. 


JACKSON    DISTRICT,    OHIO.  299 

Richmond— Edv^ard  P.  Hall.  J.  W.  Alderman.  Brother 
Hall  was  a  man  of  superior  pulpit  popularity,  and  did  val- 
uable work  for  the  Church.  Brother  Alderman  was  a 
young  man  of  attractiye  and  commanding  personal  presence, 
and  made  so  favorable  an  impression  on  his  congregations 
at  his  first  efi"orts,  that  some  feared  he  could  not  sustain 
himself  up  to  that  standard  during  the  year.  In  this,  how- 
ever, they  were  agreeably  disappointed.  They  both  grew 
upon  the  people,  proved  to  be  true  yoke-fellows,  and  ac- 
complished a  good  work  for  that  charge. 

3r Arthur — Joseph  Morris.  He  had  a  glorious  revival, 
from  which  I  doubt  not  he  will  have  stars  in  his  crown. 

Ilamden — D.  H.  Cherington.  With  a  manly,  open  coun- 
tenance, dignified  Christian  bearing  among  the  people,  and 
earnest  faithful  labor,  he  seldom  fiiiled  to  have  a  revival. 
This  year  God  poured  out  his  Spirit  abundantly  upon  his 
charge. 

Mount  Pleasant — James  T.  HoUiday.  During  the  year 
he  went  to  Kansas,  and  I  had  to  supply  the  work  from  the 
local  ranks. 

New  Plymouth — John  Dillon,  W.  C.  Holliday.  Brother 
Holliday  possessed  good  natural  ability,  and  only  needed  a 
measure  of  heavenly  lightning  poured  into  him  to  have 
made  him  a  man  of  power. 

Furnace — Uriah  L.  Jones.  He  was  an  efficient  man,  and 
usually  had  the  honor  of  reporting  the  fruits  of  revival  on 
his  charge.     It  was  so  this  year. 

KigervUle — John  B.  Prose.  Unlike  the  brother  last 
named,  brother  Prose  seldom  reported  results  from  his 
labor.  He  was  uniformly  pious,  and  was  also  faithful  to 
his  appointments,  but  for  some  reason  his  ministry  seemed 
to  be  unfruitful.  Had  he  felt  it  to  be  his  duty  to  retire  to 
the  local  ranks,  I  would  not  have  dissuaded  him  from  that 
course. 


300  HIGHWAYS    AND    HEDGKS. 

Gnllijnilix — Thomas  J.  N.  Simmons.  ITo  was  prompt, 
active,  (lignifu'il  and  aflalilo,  and  a  workman  that  needed 
not  to  be  ashamed. 

GallipuUs  circuit — Daniel  IJarlocker,  William  8.  Taylor. 
These  brethren  were  of  kindred  spirit.  They  possessed 
rare  adaptation  to  tho  itinerant  work.  They  won  tlie  hearts 
of  the  people  to  themselves  without  effort,  and  put  forth 
all  their  efforts  to  lead  them  to  Christ.  They  were  knit  to 
each  either  like  David  and  Jonathan. 

We  liad  a  pleasant  home  at  Jackson,  and  the  year  was 
one  of  home  enjoyment  and  district  prosperity. 

The  Ohio  Conference  held  its  forty-sixth  session  at  Chil- 
lieothe,  commencing  August  2G,  1857,  Bishop  Morris  presid- 
ing. The  following  preachers  were  admitted  on  trial :  Ja- 
cob Hathaway,  William  P.  Grantham,  William  Glenn,  Peter 
V.  Ferree,  Joseph  II.  Adair,  Isaac  B.  Brodrick,  T.  Welles 
Stanley,  John  AV.  Dillon,  William  R.  Copeland,  John  W. 
Wakefield,  Jeremiah  Slocum — 11.  Some  of  these  I  had  in- 
troduced to  the  Christian  ministry,  and  felt  much  anxiety  for 
their  success.  Thus  far  they  are  meeting  my  expectations, 
and  give  promise  of  continued  usefulness  in  the  Church. 

The  venerable  Abner  Goff  had  closed  his  pilgrimage,  and 
his  memoir  was  spread  upon  the  journal  of  the  Conference. 
He  was  born  in  Vermont,  November  4,  1782.  In  1819  he 
was  admitted  on  trial  in  the  Ohio  Conference,  and  continued 
a  laborious,  useful,  and  effective  preacher  until  1841.  His 
health  having  failed,  he  was  placed  on  the  supernumerary 
list,  and  continued  either  on  that  list  or  the  superannuated 
list,  until  he  closed  his  life  in  the  city  of  Columbus,  March 
15,  1857.  He  was  a  good  man,  and  maintained  a  high 
place  in  the  confidence  and  affections  of  all  that  knew  him. 

I  was  re-appointed  to  Jackson  district,  with  the  following 
list  of  charges  and  helpers : 

Jackson — Joseph  Morris.     He  had  a  year  of  great  pros- 


JACKSON    DISTRICT,    OHIO.  301 

perity.  and   gathered   more   than   a   hundred  precious   souls 
for  the  Master. 

Jachson  circuit — William  S.  Benner,  F.  S.  Thurston. 
Brother  Benner  was  one  of  my  new  men,  and  proved  to  be 
a  good  and  useful  man  in  the  work. 

Richmond — Peter  Y.  Ferree.  Had  brother  Ferree  en- 
joyed health  so  that  his  physical  vigor  had  been  equal  to 
his  mental  ability,  he  would  have  accomplished  much  more 
than  he  did. 

M^ Arthur — Stephen  C.  Frampton.  Brother  Frampton  had 
an  investio;atino;.  critical,  and  well-cultivated  mind ;  was 
constantly  gathering  the  materials  of  greater  efficiency  and 
usefulness. 

Hamden — D.  H.  Cherington. 

Mount  Pleasant — C.  H.  Warren,  William  R.  Copeland. 
The  junior  preacher  was  brought  into  the  Conference  under 
my  administration.  Small  of  stature,  a  slight  impediment 
in  his  utterance  was  somewhat  against  him  at  first;  but 
such  was  his  talent,  and  unction,  and  industry,  that  he 
surmounted  those  embarrassments,  and  succeeded  well  in  the 
work.  This  year  he  had  the  advantage  of  one  of  the  very 
best  colleagues. 

Kcio  Phjmouth — Uriah  L.  Jones,  William  G.  Holliday. 

Furnace — John  Dillon. 

Kygerville — John  B.  Prose. 

GalUpoVis — H.  Z.  Adams.  Brother  Adams  was  a  diligent 
pastor;  affable  in  his  intercourse  with  the  people,  preposess- 
ing  in  his  personal  appearance,  he  was  blessed  with  elements 
of  success. 

GaUipolis  circuit — J.  W.  Alderman,  J.  W,  Wakefield.  I 
had  the  pleasure  of  introducing  brother  Wakefield  to  the 
traveling  connection.  He  was  able-bodied  and  strong- 
minded,  and  willing  to  expend  his  strength  in  the  vineyard 
of  the  Lord. 


302  iircnwAYS  and  hedges. 

Purinir  a  portion  of  tliis  year  my  labors  were  much 
creased  in  conHefpiencc  of  tlie  failing  health  of  my  vcucrablo" 
father.  He  was  living  at  his  old  home  on  Hocking,  where 
he  had  settled  in  1S(I2.  He  had  reached  the  great  age  of 
ninety-five  years,  and  it  was  evident  that  his  end  was  near 
at  hand.  It  was  his  (fesire  as  well  as  my  own  that  I  should 
be  with  liiiu  in  his  last  moments.  To  secure  this  privilege, 
I  made  journey  after  journey  on  horseback  over  the  hill 
country  intervening  Jackson  and  Athens.  Though  I  was 
not  allowed  finally  to  be  with  him  when  he  crossed  the 
river  of  death,  yet  it  was  a  great  comfort  to  us  both  that 
we  had  enjoyed  so  much  of  each  other's  society  during  the 
year.  He  died  calmly  resting  on  the  atonement,  and  went 
to  join  the  loved  ones  in  heaven. 

The  Ohio  Conference  held  its  forty-seventh  session  at 
Marietta,   Ohio,  August  25,  1858,  Bishop  Janes  presiding. 

The  following  were  admitted  on  trial :  William  Chadwick, 
Isaac  F.  King,  John  E.  Sowers,  Bradford  Crook,  John  N. 
Pilcher,  John  P.  Calvert,  Caleb  W.  Cherington,  Edward  I. 
Jones,  Robert  Callahan,  Eli  H.  Taylor,  Henry  R.  Miller, 
John  A.  Acton.  Several  of  these  had  been  licensed  by 
quarterly  conferences  over  which  I  presided,  and  I  always 
felt  special  interest  in  the  success  of  such. 

I  was  returned  to  Jackson  district,  with  the  following  list 
of  assistants : 

Jackson — Joseph  Morris. 

Jackson  circuit — D.  H.  Cherington,  J.  R.  Prose. 

Richmond — C.  H.  Warren,  J.  W.  Wakefield. 

M' Arthur — S.  C.  Frampton. 

Hamden — P.  V.  Ferree. 

Mount  Pleasant — Daniel  Harlocker,  Caleb  W.  Cherington. 
The  junior  preacher  was  of  good  Methodist  stock,  and  was 
licensed  under  my  administration. 

New  Plymouth — TT.  L.  Jones,  William  R.  Copeland. 


JACKSON   DISTRICT,   OHIO.  303 

Furnace — John  Dillon. 

Kygerville — W.  S.  Benner. 

GaUipoUs — H.  Z.  Adams. 

GaUipoUs  circuit— J.  W.  Alderman,  F.  S.  Thurston. 

Gallia — William  S.  Taylor,  E.  S.  Jones.  Brother  Jones 
was  a  Welshman  of  education,  refinement,  and  good  preach- 
ing ability.  I  had  the  pleasure  of  introducing  him  into 
our  traveling  connection,  and  in  so  doing  thought  I  was 
doing  a  good  work  for  the  cause  of  God,  and  was  confirmed 
in  that  opinion  by  his  subsequent  course. 

The  Ohio  Conference  held  its  forty-eighth  session  in  the 
Town-Street  Church,  Columbus,  0.,  commencing  August 
31,  1859.  Bishop  Ames  presided,  assisted  by  Bishop  Mor- 
ris. The  following  persons  were  admitted  on  trial :  Isaac 
Crook,  Henry  Bolby,  "Wilder  N.  Middleton,  William  H. 
Mullenix,  John  P.  Lacroix,  George  W.  Isaminger,  Robert 
W.  Manley,  Joseph  Robinson,  F.  F.  Lewis,  William  J.  Grif- 
fith, Wellington  Harvey,  H.  K.  Foster — a  good  class,  some 
of  whose  original  licenses  to  preach  I  had  the  pleasure  of 
signing. 

It  was  my  privilege  to  enjoy  the  hospitality  of  brother 
Bartlett's  excellent  home,  and  of  having  Bishop  Morris  for 
my  companion  at  this  Conference.  The  Bishop  preached  us 
one  of  his  characteristic  sermons  on  Sabbath,  from  this  pas- 
sage: "The  common  people  heard  him  gladly."  Mark  xii, 
37.  It  was  laconic,  suggestive,  finished,  and  full  of  marrow 
and  good  things.  I  was  returned  to  Jackson  district,  with 
the  following  work  and  workers:  Jackson,  Stephen  C.  Framp- 
ton;  Richmond,  C.  H.  Warren  and  U.  L.  Jones;  Jackson 
circuit,  D.  H.  Cherington  and  J.  W.  Wakefield ;  M'Arthur, 
Banner  Mark ;  Hamden,  P.  V.  Ferree ;  Mount  Pleasant, 
Daniel  Harlocker ;  New  Plymouth,  F.  S.  Thurston;  Fur- 
nace, John  R.  Prose ;  Wilksville,  Joseph  Barringer  and  C. 
W.    Cherington;    Gallipolis,    Edward    P.    Hall;    Gallipolis 


304 


HIGHWAYS   AND   HEDGES. 


circuit,  J.  W.  Alderman  and  J.  W. 'Copeland ;  Gallia,  Wil- 
liam S.  Taylor  and  E.  S.  Jones.  We  elected  the  following 
brethren  as  delegates  to  General  Conference;  namely,  J.  M. 
Trimble,  Z.  Connell,  F.  Merrick,  J.  M.  Jameson,  and  D.  D. 
Mather. 

The  four  years  spent  on  this  district  were  pleasant  and 
profitable  years.  We  lived  in  Jackson,  where  we  formed 
many  and  endearing  friendships.  The  society  in  this  place 
contained  some  choice  Christians,  whose  time,  and  intellect, 
and  property  were  consecrated  to  God.  They  had  projected 
and  commenced  the  erection  of  a  church  edifice  in  Jackson, 
before  I  took  charge  of  the  district,  which  proved  to  be  a 
heavy  work,  but  they  persevered,  through  years  of  toil  and 
sacrifice,  and  at  last  had  the  privilege  of  seeing  it  completed 
and  dedicated.  They  did  me  the  honor  of  calling  it  Stew- 
art's Chapel.  My  constant  prayer  to  God  is  that  it  may 
prove  to  be  the  spiritual  birthplace  of  many  hundreds  of 
precious  souls. 


r 


MINISTER   AT   LARGE — WESTERN    TOUR.  805 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

MINISTER  AT  LARGE— WESTERN  TOUR. 

1860-61. 

f 

THE  Ohio  CoDference  held  its  forty-ninth  session  in  Gal- 
lipolis,  Ohio,  commencing  September  19,  1860,  Bishop 
Simpson  presiding.  The  following  persons  were  admitted  on 
trial :  Charles  G.  M'Cabe,  William  H.  Wolf,  Henry  Berk- 
stresser,  David  H.  Moore,  William  H.  Gibbons,  W.  B. 
Guthrie,  Wilson  Gardner,  T.  H.  Manley,  S.  R.  Porter,  Tim- 
othy S.  Stivers,  John  F.  Dickson,  J.  M'Kendree  Shultz, 
George  Murray,  and  James  D.  Fry.  In  this  class  was 
'  choice  and  promising  material. 

Though  the  announcement  had  already  been  made,  through 
the  organs  and  pulpits  of  the  Church,  that  Be^  Jacob 
Young  and  Samuel  Harvey  had  gone  to  join  the  fathers  on 
the  other  side  of  the  river,  yet  there  was  deep  and  solemn 
stillness  in  the  Conference-room  when  the  memoirs  of  these 
good  and  honored  men  were  about  to  be  read. 

Brother  Young  had  been  identified  with  the  history  of 
Methodism  in  the  West  from  the  very  beginning  of  the 
century,  and  during  the  greater  portion  of  that  time  he  had 
been  regarded  as  one  of  the  strong,  progressive,  and  most 
enterprising  of  our  ecclesiastical  leaders.  Though  for  many 
years  past  he  had  struggled  either  with  pecuniary  embar- 
rassment or  bodily  affliction,  yet  he  had  always  kept  abreast 
of  the  great  moral  and  religious  movements  of  the  age,  and 
was  ambitious  that  the  Church  of  his  choice  should  meet 
its  full  responsibility  in   every  department  of  religious  and 

26 


306  HIGHWAYS    AND    HEDGES. 

educational  enterprise.  We  now  felt  indeed  that  a  prince 
had  fallen.  Though  the  memoir  spread  upon  the  Conference 
journal  was  eloquent  in  its  eulogies,  yet  we  felt  that  it  was 
none  too  strong.  As  I  have  spoken  of  brother  Young  at 
length  in  an  earlier  part  of  my  narrative,  I  will  not  go  into 
any  further  detail  at  this  place  than  simply  to  record  that 
on  the  15th  of  September,  1859,  after  pronouncing  his  bless- 
ing upon  those  who  surrounded  his  dying  couch,  he  ex- 
claimed, "  Sweet  heaven !  sweet  heaven  !"  and  his  happy 
spirit  entered  its  rest. 

Brother  Samuel  Harvey  was  born  in  Mifflin  county,  Penn., 
February  15,  1806,  and  died  January  30,  1860.  He  en- 
tered the  traveling  connection  in  1833,  and  thenceforth  be- 
came one  of  our  most  reliable  and  influential  laborers.  He 
had  intellectual  strength,  and  vigor,  and  culture  sufficient  to 
attract  attention  and  make  an  impression,  but  in  the  gift  of 
holiness  he  especially  excelled.  Large  portions  of  his  time 
were  spent  in  secret  prayer — close  communion  with  God. 
He  died  just  as  we  would  expect  such  a  man  to  die.  When 
told  by  his  attendants  that  he  was  dying,  he  inquired,  "May 
not  you  be  mistaken?"  "No,  brother  Harvey,  you  are 
dying."  He  replied,  "  Well,  be  it  so.  I  would  like  to  have 
seen  my  wife  and  children."  He  then  closed  his  eyes  as  if 
in  reflection  and  prayer;  then  opened  them,  smiling,  and 
exclaimed,  "  To  die  is  gain.  0,  what  a  gain  !"  and  without 
a  struggle  or  a  groan  he  passed  away. 

As  the  next  session  of  the  Conference  would  be  its  fiftieth, 
it  was  proposed  that  we  should  celebrate  that  occasion  in  a 
becoming  manner.  A  committee  was  appointed  to  consider 
the  subject  and  report.  They  presented  the  following  re- 
port, which  was  adopted  : 

"  The  committee  to  whom  the  consideration  of  the  semi- 
centennial celebration  of  the  Ohio  Annual  Conference  was 
referred,  beg  leave  to  report  that,  in  their  opinion,  it  will  be 


MINISTER   AT    LARGE — WESTERN    TOUR.  307 

very  appropriate  and  even  advantageous  to  our  cause  to 
hold  a  semi-centennial  celebration  at  the  next  session  of  our 
Conference,  We  have  not  had  time  nor  opportunity  to 
consider  properly  what  would  be  appropriate  exercises  for 
such  an  occasion,  but  recommend  the  passage  of  the  follow- 
insr  resolutions  : 

"  1.  Resolved^  That  the  Ohio  Annual  Conference  celebrate 
its  Semi-Centennial  at  its  next  session  at  Circleville. 

"  2.  Resolved^  That  we  invite  all  former  members  of  the 
Ohio  Conference  to  be  present  with  us  at  the  celebration. 

"  3.  Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  five  be  appointed  as 
a  Committee  of  Arrangements,  who  shall  prepare  a  programme 
of  exercises  suitable  to  the  occasion,  and  publish  the  same 
in  the  Western  Christian  Advocate  before  the  next  session 
of  our  Conference. 

Joseph  M.  Trimble, 
Benjamin  St.  James  Fry, 

Z.    CONNELL." 

The  following  Committee  of  Arrangements  was  appointed : 
Joseph  M.  Trimble,  Z.  Connell,  Benjamin  St.  James  Fry, 
John  W.  White,  James  M.  Jameson. 

The  Bishop  appointed  me  to  Midway  circuit,  with  per- 
mission to  spend  any  portion  of  the  year  that  I  might  choose 
in  traveling  at  large. 

The  shadows  of  age  were  falling  upon  my  pathway,  and 
my  companion  and  self  had  for  several  years  desired  the 
privilege  of  making  a  good  visit  among  relations  and 
friends  scattered  over  the  North-west,  and  of  preaching  to 
them  once  more  before  we  should  go  hence.  In  the  kind 
providence  of  God  that  opportunity  was  now  offered  us. 

Soon  after  Conference  we  started  on  our  journey.  Stop- 
ping a  few  days  at  Cincinnati,  we  enjoyed  the  hospitality 
of  the  kind  families  of  brothers  Langley,  Ewan,  Kilbreth, 
Mears,  and  our  ministerial  brethren.     It  was  an  exceedingly 


308  IlIGllWAVS    AND    HEDGES. 

pleasant  commcuccincnt  of  our  trip,  and  prophesied  a  year 
ul"  i^rcat  enjoyment. 

As  the  Rock  River  Cunlcrencc  was  al^oiit  to  hold  its  scs- 
.sion  at  the  first  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Chicago, 
of  which  our  son  was  pastor,  we  hurried  there  to  enjoy  that 
occasion.  We  were  not  disappointed  in  the  anticipation  we 
had  indulged.  Added  to  the  glad  welcome  tendered  us  by 
our  children,  we  formed  many  pleasant  acquaintances 
among  the  preachers.  Bishop  Janes  presided,  assisted  by 
Bishop  Simpson.  As  I  witnessed  their  manner  of  transact- 
ing business,  I  thought  that  I  had  not  been  introduced  to 
any  Conference  in  the  connection  composed  of  more  compe- 
tent and  ejQ&cient  traveling  preachers. 

My  son  had  completed  his  constitutional  term  in  charge 
of  the  first  church,  but  as  he  had  inaugurated  in  the  city 
a  temperance  movement  that  appeared  to  be  accomplishing 
much  good,  and  had  taken  much  interest  in  street  preaching, 
and  kindred  missionary  work,  it  was  thought  desirable  that 
he  should  remain  in  the  city  and  take  charge  of  the  city 
missionary  work.  As  this  appointment  opened  a  wide  field 
for  the  employment  of  the  available  unemployed  ministerial 
force  of  the  city  and  vicinity  I  entered  into  sympathy  with 
it  at  once,  and  during  the  remainder  of  my  visit  there  was 
no  lack  of  opportunity  to  preach.  Besides  the  mission 
points  at  which  he  organized  Sabbath-schools,  and  main- 
tained preaching  in  view  of  developing  Churches,  he  had 
services  at  the  city  Bridewell,  the  city  hospital,  in  the  city 
cemetery,  the  North  and  West  Side  market-houses,  the 
Lake  Park,  in  front  of  the  armory,  and  at  various  other  out- 
door places,  where  those  who  needed  the  Gospel  were  ac- 
customed to  congregate.  Through  the  influence  of  these 
meetings  many  who  w^ere  utter  strangers  to  the  interior  of 
our  church  buildings  were  reached  and  saved.  During  my 
stay  I  had  opportunity  of  preaching  each  Sabbath. 


MINISTER    AT    LARGE — WESTERN    TOUR.  309 

Dr.  Eddy,  editor  of  the  Xorth-Western,  Dr.  Tiffany,  who 
took  charge  of  the  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  Rev. 
brother  Stone,  pastor  of  the  Des  Plaine-Street  Church,  and 
Rev.  brother  Whipple,  pastor  of  the  Indiana-Street  Church, 
showed  me  much  courtesy  and  kindness,  and  brothers  3Iilner, 
and  Hitt,  and  Hamilton,  and  Lawrence,  and  many  others 
paid  me  such  attention  as  added  much  to  the  enjoyment  of 
my  visit  in  Chicago. 

Having  spent  about  two  months,  we  journeyed  on  to 
Monroe,  Wisconsin,  to  visit  our  other  son.  His  family  gave 
us  a  very  hearty  welcome.  My  son  being  a  member  of  the 
State  Senate,  and  that  body  then  being  in  session,  was  at  the 
State  capital  attending  to  his  duties.  After  spending  some 
two  weeks,  and  twice  filling  the  pulpit,  and  forming  the  ac- 
quaintance of  the  excellent  pastor.  Rev.  brother  Sweetland, 
and  of  brothers  Ball,  and  Beers,  and  Xewton,  and  Evans, 
and  White,  and  others  who  received  me  as  a^  father  in  the 
Gospel,  I  went  up  to  Madison  to  visit  my  son. 

To  my  surprise  I  found  here  at  the  capital  of  Wisconsin 
quite  a  company  of  cherished  friends  of  other  years:  Yo- 
cum,  and  Farnandis,  and  Hood,  and  Spencer,  and  Chilcoat, 
and  Reed.  The  first  on  the  list  was  pastor  of  the  church, 
and  the  last  on  the  list  was  a  Professor  in  State  University, 
located  in  the  suburbs  of  the  capital. 

I  was  introduced  to  the  Legislature,  and  invited  to  open 
one  of  its  sessions  with  prayer.  After  preaching  several 
times  to  the  people  of  Madison,  and  enjoying  my  visit  well, 
I  returned  to  Monroe  by  the  way  of  Janesville,  at  which 
place  I  spent  a  Sabbath,  and  supplied  the  pulpit  in  the 
absence  of  brother  Jenne,  the  highly  esteemed  pastor. 

The  war  was  making  heavy  drafts  on  both  the  ministry 
and  membership  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Rev. 
Mr.  Walters,  presiding  elder  of  the  Madison  district,  and 
Rev.  M.  Tilton,  presiding  elder  of  the   Janesville  district, 


310  HIGHWAYS    AND    IIKDGKS. 

li.-ul   l)otli    frivrn  up    tlioir  districts    rit    tlir    rnll  of  patriotism. 
Tlioui^lj    tli(^y   were  greatly   loved,   and    could    be  ill   spared 
from   their  ecelosiastieal  posts,  yet  such  was  the  loyalty  of 
the  people  that  they  would  not  roni|dain. 

After  spending  a  few  weeks  more  at  Monroe  we  set  out 
to  visit  our  friends  in  Iowa.  On  the  way  wc  touehed  at 
Freeport,  Illinois,  where  we  enjoyed  the  hospitality  of  Mrs. 
Streeter,  and  of  Hon.  Thompson  Wilcoxon,  formerly  of 
Scioto  count}^,  Ohio.  He  had  settled  with  his  family  in 
Stephenson  county,  Illinois,  in  an  early  day,  and  by  real 
estate  investments  and  energetic  business  operations  accu- 
mulated a  large  property,  which  he  was  liberally  using  for 
public  and  religious  uses. 

Passing  through  Burlington,  Iowa,  we  reached  Mt.  Pleas- 
ant, and  were  warmly  received  by  my  sister,  Mrs.  Sarah 
Warren.  In  this  beautiful  town,  the  seat  of  the  Iowa  Wes- 
leyan  University,  and  per  consequence  the  rallying  point 
for  ministers  and  laymen  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  who  wish  to  furnish  their  children  with  the  best 
advantages  for  higher  education,  we  spent  several  exceed- 
ingly pleasant  weeks.  I  there  found  some  of  my  former 
Conference  associates,  and  some  of  my  dearest  ministerial 
friends.  The  venerable  Charles  Elliott,  the  world-renowned 
author,  and  editor,  and  educator,  had  his  pleasant  home 
here,  though  he  was  at  this  time  editing  the  Church  paper 
at  St.  Louis,  Missouri.  There  the  saintly  Bishop  Ilamline 
was  living,  in  the  simplicity  and  purity  of  a  primitive 
Christian  Bishop.  Feeble  in  health,  but  mighty  in  faith, 
he  was  waiting  the  Master's  call  to  the  better  home  above. 
There  was  M'Dowell,  and  Ingalls,  and  Shelton,  and  Bradrick, 
and  White,  and  Miller,  and  Reynolds — almost  a  Conference 
of  splendid  men.  Such  was  their  kindness  to  us,  and  so 
did  we  fall  in  love  with  the  place  and  people,  that  we  felt 
strongly  iucliued  to  abide   there.      By  the  kind   invitation 


MINISTER   AT    LARGE — WESTERN    TOUR.  311 

of  the  pastors,  I  had  the  opportunity  of  delivering  a  mes- 
sage for  mv  Master  to  both  of  the  conirresrations. 

At  Marshall,  fifteen  miles  north  of  Mt.  Pleasant,  we  vis- 
ited a  number  of  old  acquaintances  and  family  connections, 
who  showed  such  appreciation  of  our  visit  as  made  us  very 
happy — the  Warrens,  and  Flemings,  and  Gardners,  and 
Moreheads,  and  many  others,  who  had  in  former  years  been 
members  of  my  pastoral  charges.  We  took  much  comfort 
in  the  family  of  Wheeler  Warren,  an  old  Ohio  31ethodist 
of  the  primitive  stock,  and  were  gratified  to  see  that  God 
had  blessed  him  -with  a  numerous  and  very  reputable  fam- 
ily, and  a  goodly  heritage  in  this  world.  Rev.  brother 
White,  the  preacher  in  charge,  gave  me  the  free  use  of  his 
pulpit  during  the  two  Sabbaths  that  I  remained,  and  the 
people  listened  with  much  earnestness  to  the  Gospel  message 
that  I  brought  them. 

Returning  by  the  way  of  Mt.  Pleasant,  we  journeyed  on 
to  West  Point,  where  we  visited  my  oldest  brother,  Colonel 
William  Stewart.  He  had  emigrated  with  his  family  to 
Iowa  in  an  early  day,  and  having  brought  with  him  both 
capital  and  business  ability,  he  had  made  for  himself  prop- 
erty and  influence.  His  children  had  grown  up,  married, 
and  settled  about  him,  until  he  seemed  almost  a  patriarch. 
Alexander  Stewart,  a  younger  brother,  also  the  head  of  a 
large  and  interesting  family,  resided  in  the  neighborhood. 
Besides  this  extensive  family  connection,  we  found  here 
Simeon  and  Asahel  Cooley,  and  other  cherished  friends 
of  our  earlier  days  in  Ohio.  At  the  invitation  of  the 
worthy  pastor.  Rev.  brother  Williams,  I  preached  to  the 
people  of  West  Point  on  Sabbath,  and  felt  that  God  was 
with  us  of  a  truth. 

At  Fort  Madison,  the  county-seat  of  Lee  county,  a  beau- 
tiful town  on  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi  River,  we  visited 
other   family  connections   and   friends.     The    pastor  of  the 


312  HIGHWAYS  and  hedges. 

church,  l^ev.  J.  G.  Tli(>ni]i>(>n,  and  the  cliaplain  of  the  State 
prison,  Rev.  Mr.  Tliouias,  endeared  themselves  to  us  hy 
many  very  kind  attentions.  They  were  jointly  engaged  in 
a  protraeted  meeting  at  that  time,  and  their  labors  were 
highly  appreciated  and  rruitlul.  I  doubted  somewhat  the 
propriety  of  officiating  as  much  in  the  meeting  as  they  de- 
sired me  to  do,  but  felt  indeed  that  my  labors  were  not  in 
vain.  We  visited  the  State  prison,  and  were  much  pleased 
with  the  evidences  of  good  management,  and  with  the  high 
estimation  placed  upon  the  labors  of  the  chaplain  by  both 
officers  and  prisoners.  Brother  Thomas,  if  I  mistake  not, 
is  destined  to  make  his  mark  in  the  Church  of  his  choice, 
as  an  able  minister  of  the  New  Testament. 

At  Farmington,  twenty-five  miles  west  of  Fort  Madison, 
we  had  the  melancholy  pleasure  of  visiting  the  grave  of  a 
beloved  cousin,  recently  deceased,  Fiev.  William  Arnold. 
He  was  a  good  man,  and  was  faithfully  serving  his  genera- 
tion, but  in  the  midst  of  business  and  usefulness  was  called 
to  a  better  seat  above.  A  widow  and  three  lovely  daughters 
mourned  their  loss,  and  by  the  propriety  of  their  lives  were 
reflecting  honor  upon  him  and  increasing  their  influence  in 
society. 

After  a  pleasant  visit  with  them  and  the  Rainses  and  Kin- 
neys,  we  passed  over  into  Missouri  and  visited  some  friends 
in  Clarke  county,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Chambersburg. 
Among  these  were  Captain  Jesse  Long,  and  the  Reynoldses, 
and  Colberts,  and  Pilchers,  and  Spencers,  and  many  others 
from  Athens  county,  Ohio. 

During  this  visit  we  attended  a  Baptist  protracted  meet- 
ing, and  were  not  a  little  surprised  to  find  the  tone  of  the 
congregation  in  unmistakable  sympathy  with  the  rebels  of 
the  South.  In  their  Sabbath-morning  prayer-meeting  they 
constantly  reminded  the  Lord  of  the  great  misfortune  he 
had  allowed  to  befall  the  country  in  the  recent  election  of 


MINISTER    AT    LARGE — WESTERN     TOUR.  313 

Mr.  Lincoln  to  the  Presidency.  As  all  in  the  congregation 
were  invited  to  take  part,  I  ventured  to  offer  up  prayer,  but 
in  a  spirit  so  diflferent  from  those  who  had  preceded  me 
that  they  looked  upon  me  with  evident  surprise  and  won- 
der. But  no  one  offered  to  interrupt  me  in  any  way.  The 
disloyal  spirit,  however,  became  so  rampant  afterward  that 

tmy  brother-in-law.  Captain  Long,  and  others  who  were  un- 
compromisingly   loyal,  had   to    abandon    their    homes   and 
property,  and  seek  safety  in  other  localities. 
After  making  a  short  visit  with  my  old  friend  Hubbel 
t    Reynolds,   we  retraced  our  steps  to  Fort  Madison,   calling 
by  the  way  on  Joel  Bethel,  an  old  Ohio  friend,  and  touch- 
ing at  Farmington,  and  West  Point,  and  Knapp's.     After 
spending  a  few  days  in  company  with  the  last-named  con- 
nection, Jonas  Knapp,  a  prosperous  farmer  and  large-hearted 
gentleman,   we    passed    up    the   river    to    Burlington,    and 
thence,  bidding  good-by  to  Iowa,  crossed  the  Mississippi  and 
set  our  faces  toward  Chicago. 
L        The  visit  had  been  a  very  pleasant  one,  and  I  thought 
that  if  God  would  only  bless  my  ministry  to  the  salvation 
of  my  dear  relatives  who  are  out  of  Christ,  I  would  rejoice 
through  all  eternity  that  I  had  made  the  visit. 
^        We  reached  Chicago  in  safety,  and  found  plenty  of  work 
in  the  department  in  which  my  son  was  engaged.     He  had 
r  secured  a  large  corps  of  helpers,  and  was  pushing  the  work 
in  the  destitute  and  depraved  parts  of  the  city  with  much 
visror. 

While  here,  I  received  a  communication  from  the  com- 
mittee of  the  Ohio  Conference  requesting  me  to  preach  the 
memorial  sermon  at  the  coming  semi-centennial  anniversary 
of  the  Ohio  Conference.  Not  without  a  good  deal  of  hesi- 
tancy and  misgiving,  I  accepted  the  honorable  duty  assigned 
me,  and  addressed  myself  to  the  work  of  preparation. 

The  latter  part  of  January,  18G1,  leaving  Mrs.  Stewart, 

27 


oli  IIIGJIWAVS    AND    HEDGES. 

with  tlio  cliildreii,  in  (Miira^o,  I  retunieil  U)  Oliio.  (hi  llio 
way  1  vi.Nitc'd  my  old  IViiJuds  llov.  A.  KJdy  and  liishop 
Ames,  at  Indianapolis,  Iiid.  With  tlie  fonnor  I  had  been 
nssociatcd  in  the  work  in  Ohio,  and  was  ghid  to  see  him 
once  more  in  the  fh'>li.  I  also  called  upon  a  very  dear 
friend,  Kev.  Thomas  11.  Lynch,  formerly  a  prol'essor  in 
Augusta  College,  Kentucky.  lie  had  ministered  consola- 
tion to  us  when  the  shadows  of  death  rested  uj)on  our 
habitation,  and  he  will  always  have  a  very  sacred  place  io 
our  affections.  I  also  found  there  and  had  the  pleasure  of 
seeing  that  elect  lady,  Miss  Lydia  Haws,  who  was  with  us 
during  the  same  period  of  affliction,  and  rendered  us  sym- 
pathy and  kindness  never  to  be  forgotten.  She  was  a 
remarkable  woman,  and  will  doubtless  shine  in  the  kingdom 
of  God  forever. 

llev.  William  I.  Fee,  pastor  of  the  Christie  Chapel  at 
Cincinnati,  gave  me  the  hospitality  of  his  house  and  the 
freedom  of  his  pulpit.  I  protracted  my  visit  for  some  time, 
and  by  the  invitation  of  the  pastors  preached  in  most  of 
our  churches.  I  visited,  in  Covington,  Jesse  Grant,  father 
of  General  U.  S.  Grant.  I  found  him  full  of  anxiety  and 
confidence  in  regard  to  the  efforts  of  his  son,  who  was  at 
that  time  thundering  at  the  gates  of  Vicksburg.  Brother 
Grant  extended  to  me  the  same  cordial  welcome  that  he  had 
been  accustomed  to  do  in  former  years  when  I  was  his  pas- 
tor. He  offered  to  secure  me  an  appointment  as  chaplain 
in  the  army.  The  war  excitement  was  now  all-pervading; 
not  only  the  young  men  and  strong  men,  but  tender  boys 
and  infirm  old  men  were  offering  themselves  for  such  posi- 
tions as  they  might  be  able  to  fill.  My  venerable  friend, 
llev.  J.  F.  Wright,  had  just  taken  a  chaplaincy,  and  I  was 
much  tempted  to  do  the  same,  but  after  mature  reflection,  I 
decided  to  expend  what  of  strength  remained  to  me  in  labors 
at  home,  and  let  the  younger  and  stronger  go  to  the  field. 


MINISTER    AT    LARGE — WESTERN    TOUR.  315 

L  Early  in  February  I  left  Cincinnati  and  made  my  way  to 
Athens,  visiting  in  my  route  Chillicothe,  Jackson,  Ports- 
mouth, and  Pomeroy,  at  all  of  which  places  I  met  smiling 
faces  and  grasped  warm  and  friendly  hands,  and  at  some  of 
them  had  time  to  preach  the  Gospel  to  my  old  friends. 
P  Again  I  turned  my  face  toward  the  North-west,  taking 
Springfield  in  route.  About  the  middle  of  March  I  found 
myself  again  at  the  residence  of  my  son  in  Chicago,  and 
was  grateful  to  God  for  the  kind  providence  that  had  pre- 
served us  all  during  our  separation.  AYe  spent  the  remain- 
der of  the  month  in  Chicago,  reading,  writing,  and  helping 
in  the  city  missionary  work.  The  first  of  May  I  made  a 
brief  visit  again  to  my  son  in  Monroe,  Wisconsin ;  thence  to 
'  Freeport,  Illinois,  enjoying  the  hospitality  of  brother  Wil- 
coxon;  thence  to  Rockford,  where  I  enjoyed  the  hospitality 
of  that  successful  inventor  and  manufacturer,  and  faithful 
Methodist.  J.  B.  Skinner.  His  plows  and  other  farm  ma- 
chinery are  widely  known  and  appreciated  in  the  West  and 
South,  and  he  is  liberally  spending  his  revenue  to  sustain 
the  institutions  of  the  Church  of  his  choice.  May  the  bless- 
b  ing  of  God  be  upon  him  and  his  family!  Returning  to  Chi- 
K  cago,  I  now  gave  myself  more  earnestly  to  the  task  that  was 
I  before  me  for  the  next  session  of  my  Conference. 
V  The  10th  of  July  we  started  south  and  passed  through 
Springfield,  the  home  of  President  Lincoln.  I  could  but 
think  of  the  rapid  and  wonderful  changes  that  take  place 
with  men  and  things  in  this  world.  A  poor  young  man, 
splitting  rails  for  a  living — the  same  man,  self-made,  presid- 
ing over  the  most  powerful  nation  of  the  globe!  A  few 
small  colonies  struggling  against  the  yoke  of  a  tyrannical 
mother  government — one-half  of  the  States  of  a  mighty  re- 
public,  sacrificing  millions  of  treasure  and  rivers  of  human 
blood,  to  perpetuate  slavery  in  a  land  called  the  "  land  of 
the  free  I" 


316  HIGHWAYS    AND    HF.DGES. 

At  Virdcn,  Illinois,  "NVillijini  (Inni)ilc,  Esq.,  met  us  with 
liis  family  carriage  and  ronvcycd  us  to  his  pleasant  home, 
fourteen  miles  east  of  tlint  place.  He  had  been  a  citizen  of 
Illinois  some  thirty  years,  and  settled  about  liini  was  a  large 
family  of  cliiKlren,  mostly  married  and  all  prosperous  and 
respectable.  We  spent  among  these  friends  several  very 
pleasant  weeks,  and  during  the  time  made  many  acquaint- 
ances among  their  neighbors.  I*urposing  to  go  from  there 
to  Carrolton,  wliere  another  circle  of  their  and  our  family 
connection  were  living,  brother  and  sister  Gamble  took  us 
in  their  family  carriage.  Here  were  several  families  who 
had  come  from  Athens  county ;  namely,  Rev.  M.  Osborn, 
and  the  Halberts,  and  Pilchers,  and  Caricoes,  and  Sim- 
monses,  and  Gambles.  While  we  visited  in  this  neighbor- 
hood we  made  our  head-quarters  at  the  residence  of  James 
H.  Vanarsdale,  son-in-law  to  the  now  sainted  William 
Gamble. 

The  latter  part  of  July  we  bade  adieu  to  these  kind 
friends,  and  turning  westward  made  a  brief  visit  at  St. 
Louis,  Mo.  We  found  our  venerable  friend,  Dr.  Charles 
Elliott,  at  his  post  and  earnestly  at  work.  The  spirit  of 
rebellion  was  rife  in  St.  Louis,  and  it  required  no  small 
measure  of  courage  for  the  Doctor  to  throw  to  the  breeze 
the  stars  and  stripes,  and  declare  himself  and  the  "  Central 
Advocate "  uncompromisingly  on  the  side  of  the  Union, 
but  he  never  faltered.  Firm  as  Gibraltar,  he  not  only  in- 
spired his  paper  with  the  spirit  of  patriotism,  but  he  filled 
the  pulpit  for  the  little  band  of  Methodists  who  had  not 
and  would  not  bow  the  knee  unto  Baal.  The  Doctor  gave 
me  a  warm  invitation  to  spend  the  Sabbath  with  him  and 
preach  to  the  people, -but  not  feeling  impressed  with  any 
special  message  for  St.  Louis,  we  determined  to  retrace  our 
steps  to  Ohio. 

On   the   way    we   spent  the  Sabbath  at    Moore's   Hill,  a 


MINISTER    AT    LARGE — WESTERN    TOUR.  317 

beautiful  town,  containing  a  population  which  indicated  its 
excellence  by  the  schools,  churches,  and  college  which  they 
had  gathered  about  them.  Here  resided  some  of  our  cher- 
ished friends,  the  Franklins,  and  Spencers,  and  Jenningses, 
and  others.  The  visit  was  pleasant,  and  I  had  special  en- 
joyment in  ministering  to  them  of  the  Word  of  Life. 

We  spent  a  week  in  Cincinnati  and  Covington,  preaching 
in  each  place  and  enjoying  the  kindest  attentions  from  many 
friends.  The  first  Saturday  and  Sabbath  in  x\ugust  we 
spent  at  Mount  Washington,  visiting  my  friend  Leroy 
Swormstedt,  who  so  long  and  efficiently  served  the  Church 
as  Agent  of  the  Western  Book  Concern. 

August  11th  we  arrived  at  Jackson,  Ohio,  having  now  been 
upon  the  wing  for  eleven  months.  These  kind  friends, 
among  whom  we  had  made  a  happy  home  while  serving  the 
Jackson  district,  welcomed  us  back,  and,  as  we  reviewed  the 
labor  and  danger  through  which  we  had  passed,  and  how 
God  had  protected  and  blessed  us,  we  felt  unutterable  emo- 
tions of  gratitude  filling  our  hearts.  We  had  not  been  con- 
scious of  any  miraculous  deliverances,  as  from  the  wreck  of 
blown-up  steamers  or  collided  cars,  but  we  felt  that  God 
had  so  wonderfully  directed  our  steps  that  we  had  not  even 
taken  passage  upon  steamer  or  cars  that  were  destined  to 
explosion  or  wreck.  We  erected  here  our  "  Ebenezer,"  and 
gave  ourselves  anew  to  God. 

x\fter  resting  for  a  few  days  at  Jackson,  we  visited  M'Ar- 
thur,  Hamden,  and  Athens,  where  we  visited  until  time  to 
start  toward  Conference.  En  route  I  visited  Chillicothe, 
Dryrun,  New  Holland,  and  Columbus,  at  the  last  of  which 
places  I  called  on  brothers  Trimble,  Jameson,  and  Brush, 
and  enjoyed  the  hospitality  of  brother  Bartlett.  From  Co- 
lumbus I  went  to  London,  where  I  visited  many  of  our  old 
friends.  From  there  I  went  to  Springfield,  and  attended 
the  session   of  the  Cincinnati  Conference,  and  at  its  close 


ol8  IlIGllWAVS    AND    HEDGES. 

rcturnod  to  London,  and  spent  Sa}»l»nth,  tlic  Stli  of  September, 
preaclung  lor  tlie  people.  Moiid.iy  I  visited  JanicH  Foster 
and  Rev.  J.  Martin,  and  dined  at  l^rutlicr  Moore'8,  of  Mount 
Sterling,  on  my  way  to  Circleville,  where  the  Ohio  Ton- 
ference   was   to   commence    its   fiftieth    session   on   the  11th. 

The  session  was  one  of  interest  and  profit.  I  was  able 
to  report,  in  regard  to  my  year's  travels  and  laltors  that  I 
had  delivered  about  one  hundred  sermons  to  nearly  as  many 
different  congregations,  scattered  over  a  very  large  circuit, 
and  that  the  year  had  been  one  of  blessings  to  myself,  and 
I  had  reason  to  think  that  God  had  made  me,  to  some  ex- 
tent, a  blessing  to  others. 

This  being  the  fiftieth  session  of  the  Ohio  Conference,  as 
before  stated,  arrangements  had  been  made  to  celebrate  it 
with  suitable  services.  Rev.  Zachariah  Connell  was  to  de- 
liver a  historical  sketch  of  the  Western  Conference,  Rev.  Dr. 
Trimble  a  historical  sketch  of  the  Ohio  Conference,  and  I 
was  to  preach  the  commemoration  sermon. 


FRANKFORT    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  319 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

FRANKFORT  CIRCUIT,  OHIO. 
1861-62. 

rpHE  Ohio  Conference  held  its  fiftieth  session  in  Circle- 
-*~  ville,  Ohio,  commencing  September  11,  1861,  Bishop 
Janes  presiding.  The  great  and  absorbing  interest  at  this 
Conference  was  the  semi-centennial  memorial  services.  In 
accordance  with  the  invitation  sent  out  by  the  Ohio  Con- 
ference, many  of  its  former  members  were  present  to  enjoy 
those  services.  Monday  was  set  apart  for  this  celebration, 
and  with  it  came  a  great  crowd  of  people.  As  the  memo- 
rial sermon,  which  was  assigned  to  me,  was  set  for  eleven 
o'clock,  A.  M.,  I  entered  the  crowded  audience  with  a  good 
deal  of  tremulousness.  The  congregation,  however,  gave  me 
very  close  attention,  and  at  times  such  demonstrative  evi- 
dences of  their  appreciation  of  the  discourse  as  I  had  not 
expected.  At  three,  P.  M.,  the  vast  audience  gathered  again 
to  listen  to  the  essay  of  Rev.  Z.  Council  on  the  "  History  of 
the  Western  Conference."  It  was  an  able  and  appropriate 
sketch,  and  gave  much  satisfaction  to  the  hearers.  At  nij^ht 
they  gathered  again  to  hear  "  A  Historical  Sketch  of  the 
Ohio  Conference,"  by  Rev.  J.  M.  Trimble,  D.  D.  The  task 
was  accomplished  in  the  style  and  with  the  ability  of  that 
popular  minister.  The  day  was  one  of  great  interest  and 
profit.  The  memorial  sermon  will  be  found  in  the  appendix 
to  this  volume. 

The  appointment  assigned  me  was  Frankfort  circuit,  and 


320  HIGHWAYS  and  hedges. 

my  rnllonj^uc  W.  W.  Cliorinj^lon.  Bcinj:;  well  acquainted 
with  botli,  1  felt  p;raterul  to  the  Hisho])  for  dealin*;  so 
kindly  with  me.  The  circuit  was  a  fragment  of  the  territory 
cmhrarcd  in  Deer  Creek  circuit  a8  it  was  in  182G-27.  I 
liardly  anticipated  findinj^  many  who  were  Jictive  members 
iu  that  early  day,  but  I  expected  to  find  their  ehiblren  and 
grandchildren.  In  thi.s  I  was  not  disappointed.  The  cir- 
cuit received  us  with  great  cordiality,  and  we  settled  down 
in  Frankfort,  near  the  dust  of  our  little  Asbury,  who  had 
been  buried  here  some  thirty-four  years  ago.  The  plan  of 
appointments  embraced  1.  Frankfort;  2.  P^stell  Chapel;  3. 
Cline's  School-house;  4.  Morris  Chapel;  5.  Teeter's  Chapel; 
6.  Lattaville;  7.  Roxabell  School-house;  8.  Mount  Pleasant; 
9.  Pleasant  Hill.  It  was  a  year  of  considerable  mortality, 
and  it  fell  to  my  lot  to  preach  a  larger  number  of  funeral 
sermons  than  I  had  ever  preached  before  iu  a  single  year. 
Among  them  were  some  of  the  early  settlers,  who  had  been 
in  my  congregations  when  I  first  preached  there.  Of  those 
whom  we  buried,  perhaps  no  one  was  more  universally 
respected  than  Rev.  Dennis  Blacker,  a  local  preacher.  In 
earlier  years  he  had  at  times  been  under  the  dominion  of 
strong  drink,  and  on  more  than  one  occasion  it  had  been 
necessary  to  dismiss  him  from  the  Church  on  that  account. 
But  he  would  still  return  with  so  much  penitence  and  hu- 
mility to  ask  another  trial,  that  the  Church  always  received 
him  back  with  open  arms.  At  length  he  gained  complete 
victory  over  this  besetment,  was  licensed  as  a  local  preacher, 
commanded  the  confidence  of  all  classes  of  people,  and 
labored  very  acceptably,  diligently,  and  usefully  as  a  local 
preacher  for  many  years  before  his  death. 

My  colleague  was  a  good  man  and  true.  We  held  pro- 
tracted meetings  at  all  of  the  appointments,  and  had  en- 
couraging results. 

We  were  now  in  the  midst  of  the  excitement  of  war  times 


FRANKFORT    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  321 

The  great  rebellion  had  commenced,  and  the  loyal  people 
of  the  land  were  rallying  to  the  standards  of  the  country. 
A.S  our  Church,  with  few  exceptions,  was  intensely  loyal, 
the  volunteering  made  sad  breaches  in  our  classes.  We 
furnished  from  our  Church  not  only  material  for  chaplains 
and  officers,  but  companies  of  privates,  many  of  whom  were 
members  that  we  would  have  been  loth  to  spare  for  any 
other  cause.  Those  of  us  who  remained  at  home  addressed 
ourselves  to  the  work  of  raising  supplies,  and  sending  com- 
forts to  our  brethren  and  loyal  fellow-citizens  who  had  gone 
to  the  field.  So  constantly  did  our  prayers  and  discourses 
indicate  the  deep  anxiety  we  felt  for  the  overthrow  of  the 
rebellion,  that  the  few  who  were  in  sympathy  with  the 
South  turned  with  loathing  from  Methodist  Churches  and 
pulpits. 

Bating  whatever  was  unpleasant  in  these  regards,  we  had 
a  comfortable  year,  and  take  great  pleasure  in  placing  upon 
the  record  a  few  names  of  the  excellent  of  that  circuit  as 
a  sample  of  the  membership.  They  were  such  as  the 
M'Neils,  and  Hainses,  and  Smitherses,  and  Blackers,  and 
Pancakes,  and  Blacks,  and  Hopkinses,  and  Snyders,  and 
k  Lattas,  and  Lucases. 


822  HIGHWAYS    AND    HEDGES. 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

DEER   CREEK  CIRCUIT,  AND   CHILLICOTHE   DISTRICT, 

OHIO. 

1862-61. 

THE  Ohio  Conference  held  its  fifty-first  session  at  Zanes- 
ville,  Ohio,  commencino;  September  3,  18G2,  Bishop 
Morris  presiding.  The  following  persons  were  admitted  on 
trial:  William  F.  King,  Thomas  R.  Taylor,  E.  C.  Wayraan, 
and  James  L.  Grover  was  re-admitted.  Brother  Grover, 
after  trying  the  pasture  in  that  ecclesiastical  organization 
which  claims  to  be  the  Churchy  came  back  to  the  old  pas- 
ture, and  we  gave  him  a  cordial  welcome. 

During  the  year  three  of  our  brethren  had  died;  namely, 
John  W.  Clarke,  Uriah  Heath,  and  John  P.  Calvert. 

Brother  Clarke  was  born  September  21,  1803,  in  Mary- 
land, and  emigrated  to  Ohio,  and  settled  near  Cincinnati,  in 
an  early  day.  In  1825  he  entered  the  Ohio  Conference, 
and  died  August  2G,  1862,  at  Mt.  Pleasant,  Ohio.  During 
his  ministry  he  was  twelve  years  in  the  oflSce  of  presiding 
elder,  and  in  every  relation  that  he  sustained  he  exhibited 
such  qualities  of  mind  and  heart  as  caused  him  to  be  valued 
and  honored  as  a  minister  of  Jesus  Christ.  Near  his  last 
moments,  he  said  to  his  colleague,  "  Tell  the  brethren  of 
the  Ohio  Conference  that  we  shall  meet  in  heaven." 

Brother  Heath  was  born  near  Xenia,  Ohio,  Apiil  11, 
1809,  converted  in  his  youth,  and  in  1835  was  admitted  to 
the  Ohio    Conference,  of   which    he    remained   a  laborious 


DEER    CREEK    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  323 

member  until  liis  death.  He  served  tlie  Church  iu  various 
departments,  and  whether  on  a  circuit,  station,  or  district; 
whether  gathering  funds  for  school,  churches,  or  tract 
distribution,  his  time  and  strength  were  given,  and  his  labor 
was  crowned  with  success.  He  died  at  his  post  in  Zanes- 
ville,  Ohio,  March  28,  1852,  and  devout  men  carried  him  to 
his  burial,  and  made  great  lamentation  over  him. 

Brother  Calvert  was  born  in  Belmont  county,  Ohio,  Oc- 
tober 23,  1833.  He  joined  the  Conference  on  trial  at  Ma- 
rietta, iu  1858.  When  the  rebellion  broke  out  six  of  his 
brothers  enlisted  to  defend  the  old  flag.  In  1861  he  felt 
that  he  could  stay  back  no  longer,  and  enlisted  in  com- 
pany K  of  the  Seventy-seventh  Ohio.  He  fell  in  the  mem- 
orable battle  of  Shiloh.  He  was  a  faithful  Christian  worker 
in  the  army,  as  at  home,  and  died  a  Christian  patriot. 

We  moved  back  to  Deer  Creek  circuit,  on  which  we  had 
already  spent  two  constitutional  terms  with  much  satisfac- 
tion. Our  friends  rallied  about  us,  and  congratulated  us  ou 
the  greatly  improved  health  of  my  wife.  We  were  soon 
settled  in  the  parsonage,  and  at  our  work.  Colleague,  Rev. 
T.  J.  N.  Simmons;  Z.  Connell,  presiding  elder.  In  a  former 
chapter  promise  was  made  to  furnish  some  statistics  of  the 
history  of  this  circuit,  which  promise  it  will  be  proper  now 
to  fulfill. 

Deer  Creek  circuit  was  formed  from  a  portion  of  the 
Scioto  circuit  in  1808,  so  that  it  is  several  years  older  than 
the  Ohio  Conference.  Perhaps,  however,  it  will  be  gratify- 
ing to  my  readers  to  have  the  genealogy  of  the  circuit 
traced  back  to  its  origin : 

Scioto  Circuit — 

1800.  Alex.  M'Caine,  P.  E.,  Henry  Smith,  P.  C. 

Scioto  and  Miami  Circuit — 

1801.  Win.M'Kendree,P.E.,Henry  Smith. 

1802.  "  "  "     Benj.  Young,  E.  Bowman. 


324  HIGHWAYS    AND    HEDGES. 

SoiOTO  Circuit — 

1803.  Wm.  MKendree,  P.  E.,  Jolin  Sale,  Stephen  Tiinmona. 

1804.  Will.  Bmko,  P.  E.,         Wni.  Patterson,  Nathan  Parnea. 
180.').     "  "  "  Luther  Taylor,  C.  W.  Cloud. 
180ti.  John  Sale,  P.  E.,           .lamcH  Quinn,  Peter  f!artwright. 

1807.  "         "         "  Anthony  Houston,  Milton  Ladd. 

Dekr  Crkek  Circuit — 

1808.  John  Sale,  P.  E.,  Benjamin  Lakin,  John  Crain. 
1800.       "          "          •'                John  ('(.llinH,  Wood  Lloyd. 

1810.  "         "         "  John  Collins,  Francis  Travis. 

1811.  Sol.  Langdon,  P   E.,      Ralph  Lotspeich,  J.  Haines. 

1812.  "  "  »  R.  Cloud,  C.  Waddle. 

1813.  James  Quinn,  P.  E.,     Samuel  Parker,  Alexander  Cummins. 

1814.  "  "  "  Alexander  Cummins,  H.  B.  Bascom. 

1815.  "  "  "  Isaac  Quinn,  Sedosa  Baker. 

1816.  "  "  "  AValter  Griffith,  Isaac  Pavey. 

1817.  David  Young,  P.  E.,      Charles  Waddle,  Samuel  Glaze. 

1818.  John  Collins,  P.  E.,      Shadrach  Ruark,  R.  W.  Finley. 

1819.  "  "  "  William  Swayze,  R.  W.  Finley. 

1820.  "  »  "         John  Brown. 

This  year  Chillicothe  was  taken  from  the  circuit,  and  erected  into 
a  station.  Brother  Swayze  reported  a  meml^ersliip  of  one  thou- 
snnd  five  hundred  and  eighty-eight,  and  brother  Brown  reported 
one  thousand  three  liundred  and  seveir,  and  brother  J.  Quinn,  the 
first  pastor  of  Chillicotlie  station,  reported  a  membersliip  of 
three  hundred. 

1821.  Samuel  West,  P.  E.,     William  Stephens,  A.  Kinnear. 

1822.  G.  R.  Jones,  P.  E.,        Andrew  M'Clain,  I.  C.  Hunter. 

1823.  "         "  "  Isaac  Quinn,  William  Simmons. 

1824.  "         "  "  Zachariah  Connell,  J.  T.  Wells. 

1825.  "         "  "  James  Collord,  Nathan  Walker. 

1826.  Rus'l  Bigelow,  P.  E.,    Jacob  Delay,  G.  W.  Young. 

1827.  "  "  "        John  Stewart,  John  Ferree. 

1828.  John  Collins,  P.  E.,      John  Stewart,  A.  Sellers. 

Brother  Delay  reported  to  me  nine  hundred  and  ninety,  and  I  re- 
ported to  my  successor  one  thousand  and  five.  For  tlie  plan  of 
appointments,  indicating  the  geographical  area  of  the  circuit,  tue 
reader  can  refer  to  the  appropriate  chapter  in  this  narrative. 

1829.  John  Collins,  P.  E.,      Francis  Wilson,  J.  T.  Donahoe. 

1830.  "  "  "  Francis  Wilson,  John  Ferree. 

1831.  "  "  "  Adam  Poe,  Solomon  Minear. 

1832.  Aug.  Eddy,  P.  E.,         J.  H.  Power,  J.  Gurley. 

1833.  "         "  "  David  Lewis,  Joseph  A.  Reeder. 


1840. 

U                  ((                    (( 

1841. 

U                  il                   (( 

1842. 

u             a              u 

1843. 

J.  M.  Trimble,  P.  E., 

1844. 

u                 u               u 

1845. 

J.  F.  Wright,  P.  E., 

1846. 

((                     U                     (( 

1847. 

D.  Kemper,  P.  E., 

1848. 

U                U                       ii 

DEER    CREEK    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  325 

Deer  Creek  Circuit — 

1834.  John  Ferree,  P.  E.,       David  Lewis,  C.  C.  Lybrand. 

1835.  J.  B.  Finley,  P.  E.,       C.  C.  Lybrand,  Edward  Estell. 

1836.  "  "  '•  James  Armstrong,  Henry  Wharton. 

1837.  James  Quinn,  P.  E.,     Wm.  S.  Morrow,  F.  H.  Jennings. 

1838.  "  "  "         Wm.  S.  Morrow,  Wesley  Rowe. 

1839.  Michl  Marlay,  P.  E.,  Rob.  Cheney,  W.  Rowe,  J.  F.  Conrey. 

E.  H.  Field,  W.  M.  D.  Ryan. 
E.  H.  Field,  B.  A.  Cassat. 
David  Reed,  Philip  Nation. 
Z.  Wharton,  J.  D.  Webb. 
Z.  Wharton,  Alexander  Meharry. 
Henry  Wharton,  B.  L.  Jefferson. 
H.  Wharton,  J.  W.  Locke. 
J.  G.  Dimmitt,   C.  C.  Lybrand. 
J.  G.  Dimmitt,  Wm.  Sutton. 

1849.  J.  M.  Jameson,  P.  E.,  A.  Nelson,  J.  Laws. 

1850.  "  "  "        John  Stewart,  D   H.  Sargent. 

1851.  "  "  "        John  Stewart,  Samuel  Middleton. 

1852.  J.  W.  Clarke,  P.  E  ,      D.  Smith,  H.  F.  Green,  W.  A.  Prettyman. 

1853.  "  "  "  D.  Smith,  J.  Williams,  Lem.  F.  Drake. 
1854       "           "           "  Samuel  Bateman,  J.  Kemper. 

1855.  "  "  "  Samuel  Middleton,  Samuel  Bateman. 

1856.  J.  M.  Trimble,  P.  E.,    N.  Westerman. 

1857.  "  "  "         N.  Westerman,  William  Morris. 

1858.  "  "  "         Edward  Estell,  Wm.  Morris. 

1859.  "  "  "         Edward  Estell,  E.  H.  Dixon. 

1860.  D.  D.  Mather,  P.  E.,      R.  Pitzer,  A.  Cartlich. 

1861.  Z.  Connell,  P.  E.,  R.  Pitzer,  F.  A.  Timmons. 

1862.  "         "  "  John  Stewart,  T.  J,  N.  Simmons. 

1863.  "         "  "  "  "  "  " 

Early  in  this  year  brother  Connell  died,  and  I  was  ap- 
pointed to  supply  the  district.  An  examination  of  this 
lonjr  list  will  show  that  Deer  Creek  circuit  has  had  the 
services  of  many  of  the  most  distinguished  ministers  of  the 
denomination. 

The  Ohio  Conference  held  its  fifty-second  session  at  Lan- 
caster, Ohio,  commencing  September  3,  1863.  Bishop  Ba- 
ker having  failed  to  reach  the  place,  Rev.  Zachariah  Con- 
nell, by  appointment,  opened' the  session  and  presided  with 


t-0  HIGilWAVS   AND    HEDGES. 

(Hu'iiily  .'Uid  officioiu'y  during  \hv  first  d.'iy  of  tlic  session. 
]Ji>lioj)   Baker  arrivc<l  the  next  day  and  took  tlie  chair. 

Wliat  was  rcniarkablc  at  tlii.s  session  was,  tliat  we  neither 
a<linittiMl  a  probationer  nor  recorded  a  death.  The  fact  tliat 
no  probationers  were  admitted  had  its  explanation  in  tlie 
rctnrn  of  the  minister'^  who  liad   b«MMi  in  tlio  arn)y. 

T  was  appointed  to  Deer  Creek  circuit,  wifli  llcv.  Z.  Con- 
ncll  for  jircsiding  elder,  and  Rev.  T.  J.  N.  Simmons  for 
colleague.  Early  in  the  Winter,  however,  our  beloved  pre- 
siding elder  was  called  from  labor  to  rest,  and  the  Bishop 
appointed  me  to  take  his  place  on  the  district.  I  had  sup- 
posed that  my  age  would  excuse  me  from  any  further  serv- 
ice on  district  work,  but  as  it  seemed  to  be  the  desire  of 
my  brethren  that  I  should  fill  the  gap  until  Conference,  I 
gave  brother  Simmons  charge  of  the  circuit,  employed  Rev. 
Z.  Wharton  to  assist  him,  and  entered  at  once  on  the  duties 
of  my  new  relation.  The  following  is  a  brief  outline  of  the 
field  and  the  workmen: 

ChilUcothe — J.  II.  Creighton  and  I.  F.  King.  Brother 
Creighton,  of  whom  I  have  spoken  in  previous  pages,  had 
charge  of  the  Walnut-Street  Church,  and  brother  King  of 
the  3Iain-Street  Church.  They  were  prosecuting  their  work 
with  diligence  and  perseverance. 

Washington — E.  H.  Dixon.  He  was  a  minister  possessed 
of  a  clear  perception  of  truth,  and  of  a  ready  and  forcible 
utterance.  Self-possessed  and  logical,  he  was  appreciated 
by  the  people  and  did  good  service. 

Bloomingsburg — A.  Cartlich,  Joseph  Morris.  Brother 
Morris  went  as  chaplain  to  the  army,  and  C.  Phillips,  a 
young  man  of  promise,  supplied  on  the  circuit. 

Staunton — T.  G.  Ross,  J.  Q.  Lakin.  Brother  Ross  was 
an  able  preacher.  His  sermons  were  well  prepared  and  well 
delivered,  and  furnished  timely  and  nourishing  food  for  his 
congregations.     Brother  Lakin  was  a  strong  and  well-devel- 


CHILLICOTHE    DISTRICT,    OHIO.  327 

oped  man  physically,  and  though  forty-five  years  of  age, 
was  putting  forth  commendable  effort  to  develop  his  intel- 
lectual powers.  He  had  good  native  ability,  and  was  doing 
good  service. 

New  Holland — N.  Westerman,  J.  B.  Bradrick.  Brother 
Westerman  was  a  man  of  extensive  reading,  possessed  a 
large  fund  of  knowledge,  both  general  and  critical.  A 
stranger  would  wonder  why  he  did  not  occupy  a  more  prom- 
inent position.  The  junior  preacher  possessed  the  elements 
that  gave  promise  he  would  take  rank  among  his  brethren. 
He  had  a  pleasant  manner,  his  sermons  contained  good 
matter,  and  in  his  work  he  had  that  somethino-  which  the 
Western  people  call  "  snap,"  an  element  indispensable  to 
the  successful  circuit  or  station  preacher. 

Deer  Creeh  circuit — T.  J.  N.  Simmons,  Z.  Wharton. 
Brother  Simmons  succeeded  me  in  charge  of  the  circuit, 
and  administered  the  Gospel  and  Discipline  according  to 
his  usual  ability.  Brother  Wharton  was  an  experienced 
and  able  minister,  popular  in  his  address,  and  capable  of 
filling  any  pulpit, 

Franlxfori  circuit — Edward  Estell,  C.  H.  Warren.  These 
men  were  pure  coin,  and  the  circuit  was  fortunate  that  se- 
cured the  service  of  either  of  them.  Brother  Estell  finished 
his  work  this  year,  and  died  at  his  post  with  the  harness 
on.     His  memoir  will  appear  in  the  next  chapter. 

Bainhridge — AVilliam  H.  M'Clintock,  F.  A.  Timmons. 
Brother  M'Clintock  was  an  energetic  and  successful  man. 
He  seldom  failed  to  have  a  revival.  Of  my  friend  of  many 
years,  brother  Timmons,  I  have  already  spoken  in  previous 
chapters. 

MassieviUe — William  Morris.  In  1849,  while  in  charge 
of  the  Portsmouth  district,  I  had  the  pleasure  of  signing 
the  license  of  brother  Morris,  and  of  carrying  his  recom- 
mendation up  to  the  Ohio  Conference.     He  had  proved  to 


328  HIGHWAYS    AND    IIKDGKS. 

be  a  good  nmn  for  tlio  work.  Imt  tliis  year  he  Mi  it  his 
duty  to  go  to  the  field  of  battle  to  defend  liis  loved  country. 
I  employed  brother  Moore  to  supply  his  place,  and  ho  did 
well. 

Wavcrli/  and    Shnronvillr — I).    Tracy,    a   good    preacher 
and  able-bodied  man  ;  he  gave  good  satisfaction. 

Kitifjshm — Richard  IMtzcr,  W.  W.  Chcrington.  Of  the 
worth  of  these  good  men  I  have  spoken  heretofore. 

I  had  on  my  list  of  preachers  the  name  of  Rev.  Wesley 
Prcttyman,  missionary  to  Bulgaria.  He  was  a  man  of  mer- 
curial temperament,  enterprising,  efficient,  and  eloquent;  of 
the  best  Methodist  stock,  and  devoted  to  the  Church  of  his 
fathers. 

The  year  was  one  of  military  excitement  and  intense 
anxiety,  but  of  a  good  share  of  devotion  to  the  cause  of 
God,  and  was  not  without  a  measure  of  prosperity. 


WEST    RUSHVILLE   CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  329 


CHAPTER    XXXIII. 

WEST   RUSHVILLE   CIRCUIT,   OHIO. 
1864-65. 

THE  Ohio  Conference  held  its  fifty-third  session  in  Chil- 
licothe,  commencing  October  8,  1864,  Bishop  Ames 
presiding.  "We  admitted  on  trial  the  following  persons : 
William  H.  Scott,  Francis  A.  Spencer,  Francis  S.  Davis, 
Benjamin  F.  Thomas,  James  M.  W^eir,  Charles  A.  Phillips, 
John  W.  Baker.  Henry  Berkstresser. 

We  placed  on  the  list  of  our  sainted  dead  the  names  of 
our  dear  brethren  Edward  Estell  and  Zachariah  Connell. 

Brother  Estell  was  born  May  5,  1801,  in  Lucerne  county, 
Pennsylvania,  and  died  at  the  parsonage  in  Frankfort,  Ohio, 
April  2,  1864.  He  embraced  religion  in  early  youth,  and 
joined  the  Ohio  Conference  in  1834.  During  the  thirty 
years  of  his  ministerial  life,  the  Ohio  Conference  had  no 
more  conscientious,  faithful,  and  devoted  minister  than  Ed- 
ward Estell.  The  work  of  God  was  the  work  of  his  mind, 
and  heart,  and  hands.  He  was  subject  to  seasons  of  de- 
spondency, doubtless,  in  a  great  measure,  the  result  of  dis- 
ea3ed  condition;  but  he  gave  unmistakable  evidence  to  the 
Church  and  the  world  that  he  was  a  man  of  God.  Now, 
when  he  lay  upon  the  borders  of  the  spirit  world,  all  gloom 
was  dissipated,  and  he  sent  this  message  to  his  brethren  of 
the  Ohio  Conference:  "I  feel  that  the  hull  is  sinking,  but 
the  carsfo  is  insured." 

Brother  Conncll  was  born  in  Conuellsvillc,  Pcnu.,  Scptcm- 

28 


330  HIGHWAYS    AND    HEDGES. 

bcr  11,  ITlU,  and  died  Dcccmltcr  i:i,  18fi3,  in  the  foriy- 
nixth  year  of  his  ministry.  Early  in  lii.-^  ministry  his  pul- 
pit and  administrative  abilities  secured  fur  him  a  permaucnt 
position  in  the  Ohio  Conference.  Tic  was  many  years  in 
chari^c  of  the  most  important  districts  and  charges  in  the 
Conference,  and  was  frequently  elected  to  represent  the 
Conference  in  the  General  Conference,  lie  was  truly  a 
Christian  gentleman,  and  though  at  the  time  he  was  at- 
tacked by  his  death-sickness,  he  was  almost  three-score  and 
ten  years  old,  yet  he  possessed  a  mental  and  physical  vigor 
that  gave  promise  of  continued  valuable  services  for  the 
Church  of  his  choice.  He  died  in  the  midst  of  friends  and 
usefulness,  and  ascended  to  heaven. 

During  this  session  of  the  Conference  we  enjoyed  a  rare 
treat  in  a  reunion  with  the  members  of  the  Cincinnati  Con- 
ference. That  Conference  was  holding  its  session  at  Green- 
field, only  twenty  miles  distant,  and  arrangements  having 
been  perfected  through  appropriate  committees,  on  Tuesday, 
headed  by  Bishop  Simpson,  the  Cincinnati  Conference  came 
to  Chillicothe,  and  was  welcomed  by  the  Ohio  Conference, 
headed  by  Bishop  Ames  and  the  venerable  Bishop  Morris. 
It  was  arranged  that  Bishop  Simpson  should  deliver  his 
address  on  the  state  of  the  country.  The  circumstances 
were  such  as  to  call  out  fully  his  great  ability  :  two  Con- 
ferences of  Methodist  preachers,  strongly  bound  to  each 
other  in  affection,  and  overflowing  with  patriotism;  a  vast 
concourse  of  lay  members,  running  over  with  the  same  en- 
thusiasm ;  a  vast  army  of  citizens,  looking  on  with  wonder 
and  admiration.  It  was  undoubtedly  one  of  the  greatest  of 
Bishop  Simpson's  masterly  efforts. 

Brother  Moody  addressed  the  vast  audience  at  night,  but 
it  was  as  the  shining  of  moonbeams  after  the  setting  of  the 
sun.  He  is  usually  a  master,  but  the  excitement  of  the  day 
and  the  overwhelming  effect  of  the  Bishop's  discourse  had 


WEST    RUSHVILLE    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  331 

been  too  intense.  Human  nature  can  not  endure  such  ex- 
citement lono;  until  it  be^iins  to  flas;.  On  other  occasions  I 
have  heard  the  stately,  and  learned,  and  eloquent  Moody 
when  he  seemed  almost  peerless,  but  this  was  not  one  of 
those  occasions. 

I  was  appointed  to  ^Vest  Rushville  circuit,  the  smallest 
charge,  geographically,  that  I  had  ever  served.  It  was  a 
two-weeks'  circuit,  having  the  following  appointments:  1. 
"West  Rushville;  2.  Asbury  Chapel;  3.  Bremen  Chapel;  -1. 
Collins  Chapel.  This  territory  was  embraced  in  the  Fair- 
field circuit  in  1817,  when  I  traveled  that  circuit;  but 
nearly  a  half  century  had  intervened,  and  the  stream 
of  time  had  borne  nearly  all  of  my  then  hearers  beyond 
the  sea. 

I  now  had  my  first  experience  of  a  two-weeks'  circuit, 
and  found  it  well  adapted  to  my  age  and  growing  desire  to 
be  as  much  at  home  as  duty  would  allow.  I  transcribed  all 
the  names  of  my  members  into  my  visiting  book,  as  had 
been  my  custom  for  years,  and  visited  all  the  members 
methodically  and  Methodistically.  It  required  unusual 
effort  to  keep  the  minds  and  hearts  of  the  people  stayed  on 
God  during  the  excitement  and  passions  incident  to  the  ter- 
rible war  that  had  now  been  agitating  the  republic  for  so 
many  months. 

Though  the  Methodist  Church  in  both  its  ministry  and 
membership  was  in  harmony  with  the  loyal  spirit  of  the 
administration,  yet  there  was  occasionally  a  discordant 
string  in  both.  "When  J.  F.  Given  was  allowed  to  step  out 
at  the  back  door  of  the  Church,  the  ministry  was  relieved, 
and  the  most  of  the  members  who  had  possessed  the  spirit 
of  Given  and  such,  had  either  withdrawn  or  had  come  to 
see  that  they  had  been  misled,  and  deceived,  and  injured. 
There  were  noble  men  and  women  who  appeared  to  sympa- 
thize with  the  rebellion  during  the  early  years  of  the  war, 


332  HIGHWAYS    AND    HEDGES. 

wlio  ucn^  loyal  ;it  limit.  .'iimI  when  the  oM  prejudice  or 
jiart}'  (liscii>liiie  tliiit  Minded  them  was  taken  away,  tliey 
jstood  Kliouldcr  to  shoulder  with  tlic  best  friends  of  the 
country.  Now  that  the  war  i.s  over,  we  can  well  afford  to 
throw  the  mantle  of  forgetfulness  over  the  extravajj;ant  say- 
inir.s  and  tlie  bitter  feelinjr.s  that  were  then  uttered  and  en- 
gendered. 

Wc  had  excellent  neiglibors  at  West  lUishville,  and  cher- 
ish the  memory  of  many  dear  friends  there  and  at  the  otlier 
appointments  of  the  circuit.  Among  them  I  now  recall  the 
names  of  Dr.  Evans,  and  brothers  Jackson,  and  Miller,  and 
Drivers,  and  Anderson,  and  Webb,  and  Deans,  and  Ilam- 
ocks,  and  Collins,  and  Gardner,  and  Melix,  and  Vanzant, 
and  Ilutchens,  and  Ncely,  and  Kelsey,  and  many  others  of 
the  same  spirit,  whose  families  showed  us  multitudinous 
kindnesses.  May  the  richest  blessings  of  God  be  upon 
them  I 


ROYALTON   CIRCUIT,   OHIO.  333 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

ROYALTON  CIRCUIT,  OHIO. 
1863-66. 

THE  Conference  held  its  fifty-fourth  session  in  Bigelow 
Chapel,  Portsmouth,  Ohio,  commencing  September  21, 
1865,  Bishop  D.  W.  Clark  presiding.  Our  veteran  and 
model  Secretary,  Bev.  Joseph  M.  Trimble,  haTing,  by  the 
General  Conference  of  1864,  been  appointed  Assistant  Sec- 
retary of  the  Missionary  Society,  we  consented,  at  his  re- 
quest, to  excuse  him  from  the  responsibilities  he  had  so  long 
and  faithfully  met  at  our  table,  and  we  elected  as  our  Secre- 
tary Bev.  S.  M.  Merrill.  The  following  persons  were  re- 
ceived on  trial :  Charles  B.  Lewis,  S.  N.  Marsh,  D.  H.  Moore, 
A.  H.  Windsor,  Thomas  H.  Braderick,  John  E.  Moore, 
James  H.  Gardner,  George  L.  Sites.  Three  more  names 
were  placed  on  the  roll  of  those  who  had  been  discharged 
from  the  Church  militant  and  gone  to  join  the  army  of  the 
skies.  They  were  John  C.  Havens,  Henry  Wharton,  and 
Leonidas  L.  Hamline. 

Bishop  Hamline  was  born  in  Burlington,  Conn.,  May  10, 
1797.  In  1828,  through  sanctified  affliction,  he  was  led  to 
Christ  and  joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  Zancs- 
ville,  Ohio.  In  1832  he  was  received  on  trial  in  the  Ohio 
Conference.  His  extraordinary  ability  placed  him  soon  in 
the  very  first  rank  of  his  brethren,  and  in  1844  he  was 
elected  to  the  Episcopacy.  His  humility  grew  as  rapidly 
as  he  was  promoted,  and  his  zeal  for  the  cause  of  God  and 


.3.']4  HIGHWAYS   AXn   HEDGES. 

tlic  Cliurcli  of  \vlii<li  lu'  liad  been  inmlc  a  cliicf  pastnr  was 
intcn.sc  and  almost  consiuninjz;.  In  1852,  his  hcaltli  liavin^ 
failod,  lie  rc.sij;ncd  liis  office  as  Bishop  and  was  granted  a 
superannuated  relation  in  tin;  Oliio  Conference.  lie  re- 
moved to  Mount  Pleasant,  Iowa,  wliere  he  spent  the  rest  of 
his  days.  On  the  22d  of  February,  IS^If),  lie  entered  the 
rest  that  remains  for  the  people  of  God.  Tie  was  a  man 
who  would  have  stood  among  the  first  in  any  department 
he  might  have  selected.  Possessed  of  genius,  learning,  and 
large  pecuniary  means,  he  counted  all  loss  for  Christ,  and 
preferred  to  preach  the  Gospel  on  a  Methodist  circuit  to 
sitting  among  the  chieftains  of  the  State.  He  now  doubt- 
less realizes  fully  that  his  choice  was  a  wise  one. 

Brother  Havens  was  born  in  Newark,  New  Jersey,  in  the 
year  1802.  He  was  received  on  trial  in  the  Ohio  Confer- 
ence in  1825.  Either  as  effective,  supernumerary,  or  super- 
annuated he  continued  to  labor  for  the  Church  from  that 
time  to  his  death.  He  was  not  a  man  of  popular  talent, 
after  the  standard  of  the  world,  but  he  was  faithful  in  the 
work  intrusted  to  him,  and  will  doubtless  have  stars  in  his 
crown  of  rejoicing  in  the  day  of  the  Lord  Jesus. 

Brother  Wharton  joined  the  Conference  in  1835.  He  was 
a  man  of  a  meek  and  gentle  spirit.  The  people  were  in- 
stinctively drawn  to  him,  and  his  constant  and  greatest  en- 
deavor was  to  lead  them  to  Christ.  His  mild  and  amiable 
features,  his  musical  voice,  and  all  his  bearing  in  the  pul- 
pit tended  to  give  efiect  to  his  ministry.  He  aimed  to 
reach  the  hearts  of  the  people,  and  so  spoke  from  the  depths 
of  his  own  heart.  He  was  an  eloquent  preacher  and  a 
careful,  diligent  shepherd.  Few  of  our  brethren  who  have 
departed  are  more  affectionately  remembered  by  their 
charges  than  is  brother  Henry  Wharton. 

At  this  Conference  the  brethren  almost  embarrassed  me 
by  their  kind  attentions.     I  had  always  regarded  myself  as 


ROYALTON    CIRCUIT,    OHIO.  335 

the  least  among  my  brethren,  and  only  regarded  myself  as 
their  equal  in  the  ability  to  love  them  and  pray  for  their 
success  in  the  work  of  saving  souls.  They  passed  the  fol- 
lowing resolution : 

"  Resolved,  That,  as  our  venerable  brother,  Rev.  John 
Stewart,  will  have  completed  his  fiftieth  year  in  the  eifective 
ranks,  should  Providence  preserve  his  life  till  our  next  an- 
nual meeting,  he  is  hereby  requested  to  deliver  a  semi-cen- 
tennial sermon  at  some  suitable  hour  during  the  session,  to 
be  designated  by  the  Conference.  B.  X.  Spahr." 

I  was  appointed  to  Royalton  circuit,  with  Rev.  J.  W. 
White  for  my  colleague.  His  first  year  in  the  Conference 
had  been  associated  with  me  as  my  assistant,  and  now,  after 
a  lapse  of  thirty  years,  I  was  to  spend  my  last  and  fiftieth 
year  in  the  efi'ective  work  as  his  assistant.  As  I  had  been 
accustomed  to  have  charge  of  work  for  so  many  years,  the 
change  seemed  somewhat  awkward  for  a  time ;  but  brother 
White  was  an  able  and  efficient  minister,  and  honored  me  as 
an  affectionate  son  in  the  Gospel.  The  kindness  of  himself 
and  his  excellent  family  to  me  and  mine  has  endeared  them 
to  me  beyond  the  ability  of  my  pen  to  write.  May  the 
great  Head  of  the  Church  deal  kindly  with  them  and  theirs 
through  all  of  their   generations! 

We  found  a  pleasant  home  in  Royalton.  The  following 
was  the  list  of  appointments:  1.  Royalton;  2.  Union;  3. 
Mount  Zion  ;  4.  Wesley  Chapel;  5.  Fairview ;  6.  Pleasant 
Grove ;  7.  Amanda ;  8.  Hedges  Chapel ;  9.  Bloomfield. 

I  prepared  my  visiting  list,  and  went  to  work  with  the 
earnest  prayer  that  God  would  crown  my  last  year  in  the 
efi'ective  work  with  much  success.  My  colleague  was  earnest 
and  able  in  the  pulpit,  and  we  pushed  the  battle,  but  after 
all  did  not  see  the  outpouring  of  the  Spirit  on  the  Churches 
as  we  hoped.  We  comforted  ourselves  with  the  assurance 
that  we  had  sowed  good  seed,  and  had  sowed  it  with  a  liberal 


336  HIGHWAYS    AND    HKDGES. 

linnd.  God  liad  promised  tli;it  llio  Word  sliould  not  return 
void,  nnd  wo  trusted  liiiu  for  tlic  rcsuit,s. 

Wc  had  one  loeal  jtreachcr  on  tliis  cliargc,  Kcv.  Lewis 
Peters,  a  man  of  sterling  wortli,  and  a  host  of  laymen  (d' 
intelligence,  and  generosity,  and  piety.  I  can  only  mention 
a  few  as  a  sample  of  tlic  many.  They  were  such  as  brothers 
AVilliamson,  Strodes,  Bolemliaugh,  Peters,  Kbright,  Allan, 
Kaber,  Hedges,  and  a  long  list  of  kindred  spirits  at  .ill  of 
the  appointments. 

As  I  had  been  requested  by  tlic  Conference  to  deliver  a 
semi-centennial  discourse  at  its  next  session,  my  mind  was 
much  employed  in  reviewing  my  ministerial  life.  It  was 
difficult  for  me  to  realize  that  a  half  a  century  had  passed 
since  I  threw  my  saddle-bags  over  my  arm  and  went  forth 
from  my  father's  house  to  join  the  band  of  itinerants;  but, 
as  I  traveled  over  the  circuits  in  memory,  year  by  year,  they 
truly  had  been  years  of  real  travel,  and  real  toil,  and  real 
sacrifice;  but^  thank  God!  years,  too,  of  real  enjoyment,  and 
some  of  them  years  of  real  triumph. 


SUPERANNUATED    LIFE.  337 


CHAPTER    XXXV. 


SUPERANNUATED   LIFE. 

rpHE  Ohio  Conference  held  its  fifty-fifth  session  at  Colum- 
-^  bus,  Ohio,  commencing  September  26,  1866,  Bishop 
Janes  presiding,  assisted  by  Bishop  Morris.  The  following 
persons  were  admitted  on  trial:  John  Y.  Busk,  W.  W. 
Martin,  Henry  Gulp,  Samuel  Loomis,  Joseph  L.  Durant, 
Levi  T.  Hannawalt,  William  F.  Hughey. 

The  following  brethren  were  not  with  us  to  occupy  their 
accustomed  places  in  the  Conference-room,  they  having  been 
called  during  the  past  year  to  loftier  seats  among  kings  and 
priests:  Henry  T.  Magill,  William  C.  Filler,  D.  H.  Chering- 
ton,  and  C.  A.  Phillips. 

The  emotions  of  my  heart  in  attending  this  session  of  the 
Conference  were  peculiar.  With  it  would  close  the  first 
century  of  American  Methodism,  and  with  it  would  close 
my  itinerant  efi'ective  life,  which  had  embraced  the  last  half 
of  the  closing  century.  My  brethren  had  appointed  me  to 
deliver  before  them  a  semi-centennial  discourse;  that  duty 
performed,  I  would  ask  to  be  placed  upon  the  superannuated 
list.  The  same  indescribable  feelino;  of  dread  which  came 
over  my  spirit  fifty  years  ago,  when  I  stood  upon  the  thresh- 
old of  an  itinerant  life,  now  stole  over  my  spirit  again  as  I 
was  about  to  retire  from  the  active  field. 

The  Conference  set  apart  lOJ,  A.  M.,  on  Monday,  October 

first,  as  the  time  for  the  delivery  of  my  discourse.      With 

2n 


333  HIGHWAYS    AND    HKIXiKS. 

troniMiiiLr,  at  the  nppointcd  time  I  entered  tlic  erowJed 
sanctuary  and  ascended  the  pulpit.  Casting  myself  iqxm 
God  for  help,  he  sustained  me,  and  tlie  great  audience  gave 
me  vcr}'  respectful  attention  as  I  tried  to  set  forth  the  might 
of  tlie  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  as  one  of  the  great 
evangelizing  agencies  ut  the  past  century,  and  to  show  the 
source  of  her  power.  The  Conference  received  the  effort 
very  kindly,  and  placed  the  following  resolution  upon  their 
journal  : 

"  Kcsohcd,  That  having  heard  with  much  pleasure,  and, 
we  trust,  with  profit,  the 'very  interesting  and  instructive 
semi-centennial  sermon,  delivered  this  day  before  the  Confer- 
ence by  our  venerable  and  beloved  brother,  John  Stewart,  we 
do  hereby  very  respectfully  request  him  to  have  it  published 
in  such  form  as  he  may  think  best,  for  our  benefit  as  well 
as  for  the  interest  of  those  who  were  not  present  at  its 
delivery.  B.  N.  Spahr." 

This  action  of  the  Conference,  followed  up  by  the  personal 
solicitation  of  many  of  my  brethren  of  the  ministry  and 
membership,  had  mucli  to  do  in  deciding  me  to  prepare  the 
present  vfork  for  publication.  I  did  not  flatter  myself  that 
my  autobiography  would  have  an  extensive  and  permanent 
circulation,  but  after  hearing  the  desires  of  personal  friends, 
and  revolving  the  question  in  my  own  mind,  it  occurred  to 
me  that  if  it  could  accomplish  any  good  in  strengthening 
the  bonds  of  attachment  to  our  Zion  and  to  the  Great  Head 
of  the  Church,  it  would  be  a  source  of  gratitude  and  thanks- 
giving to  me. 

None  but  those  who  have  had  the  experience  can  imagine 
my  feelings  when,  in  the  examination  of  character,  the  Bishop 
called  the  name,  "John  Stewart."  The  presiding  elder  re- 
plied, "Nothing  against  father  Stewart.  He  has  completed 
fifty  years  as  an  active  minister  among  us,  and  now  asks  a 
change  of  his  relation.     I  move  that  he  be  granted  a  super- 


L 


SUPERANNUATED    LIFE.  339 

annuated  relation."  The  motion  was  carried  unanimously, 
and  then,  in  their  great  kindness,  they  spread  upon  their 
journals  the  following  resolution : 

"  Resolved,  That  as  the  venerable  John  Stewart,  who,  at 
our  present  session,  has,  at  his  own  request,  been  placed 
upon  the  superannuated  list,  is  about  to  leave  our  bounds 
to  spend  the  remnant  of  his  days  with  his  sons  in  the  West, 
we  consider  it  to  be  but  a  just  tribute  to  his  worth  to  say, 
that  for  the  last  fifty  years  he  has  sustained  an  effective  rela- 
tion to  this  Conference,  and  that  during  all  that  time  he  has 
maintained  the  highest  character,  not  only  for  his  honesty, 
veracity,  and  integrity  as  a  man,  but  for  his  piety  as  a  Chris- 
tian, and  his  prompt,  faithful,  and  laborious  services  as  a 
Christian  minister.  He  leaves  with  our  most  heart-felt  good 
wishes  and  earnest  prayers  for  his  welfare  and  happiness. 

B.  N.  Spahr, 
J.  W.  White." 

I  served  on  several  committees  during  the  session  of  Con- 
ference,  and  had  the  satisfaction  of  contributing  five  hundred 
dollars  as  my  Centenary  offering  toward  the  endowment  of 
the  "  Morris  Professorship  "  iu  the  Ohio  Wesleyan  University. 

Having  made  all  my  arrangements  for  the  purpose,  as 
soon  as  Conference  closed,  myself  and  companion  started  for 
the  North-west.  We  left  Columbus,  Ohio,  October  3d,  at 
3  o'clock,  P.  M.,  and  arrived  at  the  pleasant  residence  of 
my  son,  J.  W.  Stewart,  in  Monroe,  Wisconsin,  at  6  o'clock, 
P.  M.,  the  next  day.  We  received  a  warm  welcome,  and 
our  dear  children  did  all  that  lay  in  their  power  to  make 
us  feel  at  home.  Though  we  had  been  endeavoring  for 
some  ten  or  twelve  years  to  prepare  ourselves  for  an  en- 
trance upon  superannuated  life,  we  could  not  avoid  a  feeling 
of  loneliness  in  entering  upon  a  year  without  a  pastoral 
relation  and  responsibility. 

I    had   been    there  only   a    few    days,  however,    when   I 


•340  IIIGIIWAVS   AND    HKDGES. 

received   an    .'ifTcctioiiatc    letter  rr<un    Wcv.   Alfred    IJrun.son, 

D.  P..  an  (lid  friend  of  niiDo.  mikI  ;i  ]irnuiinenf  minister  in 
the  Nurth-west.  He  gave  me  a  very  cordial  welcome  to  my 
new  home.  Thouirh  forty-five  years  hid  passed  since  we 
had  seen  each  other,  yet  his  words  of  welcome  were  grate- 
ful, and  ahated  somewhat  the  feeling  of  loneliness  that  had 
crept  over  me. 

The  first  Sabbath  that  I  attended  church  I  experienced 
a  feeling  of  awkwardness  in  my  new  relation.  The  pastor, 
llev.  J.  C.  Aspinwall,  was  already  in  the  pulpit  with  glasses 
on  and  book  in  hand  when  I  entered.  I  however  ad- 
vanced and  introduced  myself  to  him  as  a  superannuated 
member  of  the  Ohio  Conference.  He  received  me  with 
kindness,  and  at  once  invited  me  to  preach.  I  declined  the 
invitation,  but  promised  that  at  any  time  when  sickness  or 
necessary  absence  from  the  station  should  prevent  his  occu- 
pying his  pulpit,  I  would  be  glad  to  assist  him.  Our  ac- 
quaintance rapidly  ripened  into  brotherly  love,  and  we  had 
many  pleasant  seasons  together  in  the  house  of  God. 

At  the  next  quarterly-meeting  I  met  my  old  friend,  Eev. 

E.  Yocum,  the  presiding  elder  of  the  district.  He  preached 
at  lOJ  o'clock,  A.  M.,  on  Sabbath,  and,  by  his  request,  I 
preached  at  night,  and  realized  much  enlargement  of  soul. 
The  preachers  and  people  of  adjoining  charges  began  to 
urge  me  to  visit  and  preach  for  them,  and  soon  I  found 
myself  itinerating  and  preaching  on  quite  an  extended 
scale.  At  the  camp-meeting  the  brethren  gave  me  such 
prominence  as  almost  embarrassed  me,  but  the  Lord  re- 
vealed himself  in  power,  and  we  had  a  glorious  time.  At 
the  end  of  my  first  year  on  the  superannuated  list  I  found, 
on  looking  back,  that  I  had  preached  about  one  hundred 
sermons,  besides  holding  frequent  love-feasts  and  adminis- 
tering the  sacraments  of  the  Church. 

The  time  of  the  session  of  my  Conference  approached,  and 


SUPERANNUATED    LIFE.  341 

it  was  not  without  a  feeling  of  sadness  that  I  relinquished 
the  purpose  of  attending.  I  however  spent  some  weeks 
with  my  son,  Rev.  W.  F.  Stewart,  at  that  time  presiding 
elder  of  the  Joliet  district  of  the  Rock  River  Conference, 
and  assisted  him  in  holding  the  quarterly-meetings  on  his 
district.  As  he  had  about  two  quarterly-meetings  fur  each 
Sabbath,  the  people  received  me  gladly  as  his  substitute 
when  he  could  not  attend.  When  I  finally  abandoned  the 
purpose  of  going  to  Conference,  I  addressed  the  following 
letter  to  my  brethren : 

"Joliet,  Illinois,  September  18,  1867. 
"  To  the  Bisliop  and  Members  of  tlie  Ohio  Conference  : 

"Dear  Brethren, — For  fifty  years  past  I  have  enjoyed 
annually  the  greeting  of  my  comrades  in  arms  at  the  Con- 
ference. I  am  now  upon  the  retired  list,  and  am  admon- 
ished by  my  great  distance  from  you,  and  by  the  infirmities 
of  age,  that  it  will  be  prudent  for  me  to  sacrifice  this  en- 
joyment this  year. 

"  I  find  here  an  abundance  of  work  to  do,  and  I  thank 
God  for  streno;th  wherewith  I  am  still  able  to  do  something: 
for  Christ  and  the  Church  I  love  so  well !  To  both  myself 
and  my  companion  the  year  has  been  one  of  usual  bod- 
ily health  and  personal  enjoyment,  and  I  trust  our  labor 
has  not  been  in  vain.  Since  December  last  I  have  preached 
some  eighty  sermons. 

"  At  the  solicitation  of  my  brethren,  I  have  entered  upon 
the  work  of  putting  upon  paper  the  reminiscences  of  fifty 
years  in  the  regular  work.  I  have  seen  a  host  of  giants 
fall  out  of  the  ranks,  covered  with  victory,  and  I  have  seen 
a  host  of  valiant  young  men  step  into  their  places  and  carry 
forward  the  work.  Lewis,  and  Carper,  and  Ellis,  and 
Brockunier  have  gone  during  the  past  year.  There  is  with 
me  a  feeling  of  loneliness,  in  that  they  have  left  me  behind, 


342  HIGHWAYS    AND    IlKUGES. 

but  there  is  also  a  foclinj^  of  gladness  in  tlic  thought  that  they 
will   be  there  to  welcome   me  when   T   pass    over  tlic  river. 

"By  the  blessing  of  God  my  companion  ami  myself  are 
enjoying  a  contented  and  cheerful  old  age,  and  expect,  be- 
fore long,  to  finish  our  course  with  joy. 

"  Remember  us,  dear  brethren,  in  your  prayers,  and  may 
the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with  you  always  ! 
Amen.  John  Stewart." 

I  have  now  been  nearly  four  years  in  superannuated  life, 
and  what  was  the  history  and  experience  of  the  year  just 
detailed  lias  been  substantially  that  of  the  subsequent 
years.  I  have  found  a  more  open  field,  and  have  been 
blessed  with  more  strength  to  labor  than  I  had  anticipated. 
After  comparing  Methodism  in  the  latitude  of  Lake  Michi- 
gan with  Methodism  in  the  Valley  of  the  Ohio,  I  find  that, 
while  they  difibr  slightly  in  form  and  somewhat  in  the  fer- 
vency of  outward  manifestation,  they  are,  after  all,  substan- 
tially the  same.  I  have  sometimes  thought  I  saw  a  cloud 
in  the  ecclesiastical  horizon  that  boded  no  good,  in  a  grow- 
ing indifference  to  the  class-meeting  and  the  quarterly- 
meeting.  I  have  earnestly  prayed  to  God  to  save  me  from 
being  a  croaker,  and  I  have  prayed,  too,  that  he  would  help 
me  with  all  fidelity  to  stand  firm  to  the  faith  If  I  should 
venture  a  suggestion  at  all  to  my  excellent  brethren  of  the 
ministry  and  membership  in  the  North-west,  it  would  be  to 
work  earnestly  and  conscientiously  all  of  the  established 
machinery  of  Methodism.  It  is  adapted  to  meet  the  wants 
of  the  people,  and  with  faithful  administration  it  will  fill 
the  land  with  righteousness  and  the  habitations  of  the  peo- 
ple with  joy. 

May  the  blessing  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of 
the  Holy  Ghost  abide  with  all  who  love  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  in  sincerity,  every-wherc,  always !     Amen. 


A 


PPENDIX. 


APPENDIX. 


I. 

COMMEMORATION   SER:\I0N.=^- 


I  will  remember  the  works  of  the  Lord  :  surely  I  will  remember  thy  wonder? 
of  old.  I  will  meditate  also  of  all  thy  work,  and  talk  of  thy  doings.  Thy 
way,  O  God,  is  in  the  sanctuary:  who  is  so  great  a  God  as  our  God?  Psalm 
LXXVII,  11-13, 

IlKOM  this  portion  of  Scripture  we  learn  that  man  may 
know  something  of  God  and  of  his  doings ;  that  he 
may  treasure  up  that  knowledge  in  his  memory ;  that  he 
may  meditate  upon  it  to  his  own  advantage,  and  talk  of  it 
to  the  profit  of  others. 

He  who  asks  your  attention  during  the  present  hour 
claims  to  know  something  of  God  and  of  his  doings  ;  that 
he  has  treasured  up  in  his  memory  some  of  his  doings; 
that  he  has  found  it  profitable  to  meditate  on  that  knowl- 
edge ;  and  he  is  anxious  to  edify  and  comfort  others  while 
talking  about  his  doings;  and  now  may  we  all  feel  as  the 
Psalmist  felt  when  he  said,  "Thy  way,  0  God,  is  in  the 
sanctuary;  who  is  so  great  a  God  as  our  God?" 

When,  in  the  month  of  May  last,  in  the  city  of  Chicago, 
on  the  shore  of  Lake  Michigan,  I  received  a  communication 
from  your  Committee  of  Arrangements,  through  Dr.  Trim- 

'- Delivered  by  request  of  the  Ohio  Conference,  on  the  occasion  ofits  fiftieth 
anniversary,  at  Gircleville,  Ohio,  September  16,  18G1. 

345 


i 


31<)  ArrENDix. 

blc,  requesting;  nic  to  prepare  a  discourse  suitable  for  this 
scmi-centciinial  oecasioii,  1  realized,  as  I  had  never  done 
before,  the  fact  that  I  have  dutlivcd  my  generation,  and  am 
now  an  a^^ed  minister.  I  ran  back  in  memory  to  the  laying 
of  the  foundations  of  the  Church  and  commonwealth  in  this 
goodly  land.  As  the  events  of  more  than  half  a  century 
came  crowding  upon  each  other,  they  almost  overwlielmcd 
me  ;  my  sensations  were  peculiar — sadness  mingled  with  joy. 
A  feeling  of  loneliness  and  sadness  would  come  over  me  as 
I  inquired,  Where  are  those  fathers  and  brethren  who  wel- 
comed me  nearly  half  a  century  ago,  when  I,  a  youth, 
stood  knocking  at  the  door  of  the  Ohio  Conference?  Your 
committee  admonished  me  that  I  am  now  the  oldest  eifective 
minister  upon  your  Conference  roll.  But  again  these  feel- 
ings of  loneliness  gave  way  to  those  of  joy  and  hope,  when 
I  remembered  that  as  God  had  discharged  my  fathers  and 
co-laborers,  he  has  called  others  into  the  field  to  occupy 
their  places.  I  see  gathered  around  me  to-day  a  band  of 
ministers  possessing  as  much  learning,  and  piety,  and  devo- 
tion to  the  cause  of  God  and  Methodism  as  were  possessed 
by  those  who  have  gone  before.  This  record  of  the  past 
gives  me  hope  for  the  future.  I  trust  that  when  another 
half  century  shall  have  passed,  and  some  one  of  these  young 
brethren  who  may  commence  his  itinerant  life  with  this 
Conference  shall  stand  up  to  preach  the  centenary  discourse 
of  this  Conference,  he  will  still  look  around  him  upon  a 
body  of  Methodist  preachers  as  able  and  true  as  any  of 
their  predecessors ;  and  thus  the  line  will  be  perpetuated 
through  centuries,  and  till  the  Church  militant  shall  have 
fully  accomplished  its  mission  upon  earth. 

The  nineteenth  century  opened  amid  thrilling  excitement 
in  the  New  World.  The  foundations  of  a  great  republic  had 
just  been  laid,  and  savage  tribes  were  receding  before  the 
march  of  this  giant  young  reoublic.     The  most  interesting 


COMMEMORATION    SERMON.  34:7 

scenes  were  transpiring  in  the  Mississippi  Valley — a  valley 
■which  the  early  pioneers  had  already  predicted  must  become 
the  garden  of  the  republic.  There  was  the  excitement  of 
pioneer  life,  of  fortune-hunting,  and  of  Indian  warfare,  over 
the  mountains,  through  the  vast  forests,  and  along  the  rich 
savannas,  the  eager  multitude  candying  their  effects  or  mer- 
chandise upon  pack-horses,  pressing  their  way,  or  floating 
down  the  majestic  Western  rivers  on  rafts  and  flat-boats. 

The  hardy  pioneers  who  had  made  their  claims  were 
erecting  or  occupying  rude  log-cabins  or  block-houses,  de- 
signed for  strength  rather  than  beauty — to  be  a  defense  from 
the  storms  of  heaven  and  the  more  pitiless  attacks  of  the 
Indians  rather  than  to  court  admiration.  A  pioneer  thus 
describes  the  house  in  which  he  was  living  at  that  period: 
It  was  built  of  round  logs  from  the  forest  trees,  the  first 
story  made  of  the  largest  that  the  men  could  put  up,  the 
second  story  of  smaller  ones,  and  made  to  jut  over  two  or 
three  feet,  so  that  no  one  could  climb  up  to  the  top  of  the 
house.  The  chimneys  were  built  on  the  inside  of  the  house. 
The  doors  were  made  of  puncheon  slabs,  six  inches  thick, 
and  were  barred  on  the  inside  by  strong  iron  staples  driven 
into  the  logs  on  both  sides  of  the  door,  into  which  were 
placed  strong  bars.  In  the  upper  part  of  the  house  were 
port-holes,  out  of  which  an  enemy  could  be  shot;  and  as 
there  were  do  windows  allowed,  these  port-holes  answered 
both  for  light  and  ventilation.*  The  house  being  thus 
strongly  constructed,  the  pioneer,  with  his  fire  arms  and  am- 
munition, was  always  prepared  for  war.  The  Mississippi 
Valley  was  also  full  of  religious  excitement  among  the 
hardy  pioneers.  The  history  of  the  Church  in  modern 
times  will  not  record  a  grander  and  more  wonderful  upris- 
ing of  the  people,  at  the  call  of  the  trumpet  of  the  Gospel, 
than  was  witnessed  at  the  beginning  of  the  nineteenth  cen- 

*  Finley's  Anfobiogiaj)hy,  page  35. 


348  ArrKNDix. 

tiny.     Toniplos   made  by  hands  were   few  and   far  between, 
but  tljc  people  resorted   to  the  primeval   forests,  the  grand 
old  woods,  and  there  worsliiped   the   God  of  nature  and  of 
grace    in    his  own  temple.      1   am   loth  to  leave   this  period 
without  dwelling  upon  the  liistory  and  results  of  the  camp- 
meetings  of  that  period.      In  view,   however,   of    the  many 
important  events  crowding  the  period   that  I  am  expected 
to    review,    I    can   only   glance   hastily  at  facts    and   scenes 
which    will    furnish    to    the    historian    matter  for  the    most 
thrilling  vohimes.     Two  brothers  in  Kentucky  by  the  name 
of  M'Gee,  representing  two   denominations,   widely  different 
in  doctrines  and  usages,  began  to  labor  together  as  evangel- 
ists.    Forgetful  of  all  those    peculiarities  of  faith    in  which 
their  denominations  could   not  agree,  they  dwelt  upon  the 
great    fundamental    doctrines    of    depravity,    atonement  by 
Christ,    and    salvation    by  faith.     The  Word   preached    by 
them  was  attended  with  such  power  that  multitudes  flocked 
to  hear  them.     Coming  from  a  distance,  the  people  would 
-^nd  it  necessary  to  camp  out  for  the  night,  and  then,  under 
the  powerful  attractions  of  the  Gospel,  they  would  remain 
for  several  days.     The  meetings  soon  became  known  by  the 
name   of  camp-meetings.     In    the   Spring  of  1801   William 
M'Kendree  was  appointed  presiding  elder  of  the  Kentucky 
district;    and   after  satisfying  himself  that,   notwithstanding 
some  extravagances  incident   to    the   excitement,  the   jrreat 
work  itself  was  of  God,  he  encouraged  the  people  to  attend 
them.     Eev.  Henry  Smith    thus  describes  them:    "At  the 
first  camp-meetings  but  little  preparations  were  made.     A 
piece  of  ground  was  selected  in  some  grove  and  cleared  of 
underbrush;   a  rude  stand  was  erected,  and  a  few  seats  pro- 
vided   near   the  stand.     At   some  of  the    meetino-s  two  or 
three  stands  were  erected,  at  which  there  was  preaching  at 
the  same  time,  while  singing  and  praying  would  be  going 
on  in  circles  at  a  distance  from  these  stands.     At  first  there 


COMMEMORATION    SERMON.  349 

was  strong  opposition,  and  not  a  little  disorder,  as  might  bo 
expected.  So  many,  however,  of  these  violent  opposers 
were  'knocked  down,'  as  it  was  commonly  called,  that  dread 
soon  fell  upon  the  multitude,  and  they  were  greatly  re- 
strained. Many  fell  under  the  preaching  and  exhortations; 
some  who  were  not  willing  to  yield  when  seized  with  con- 
viction, ran  to  the  woods  to  shake  it  ofif,  but  were  pursued 
by  the  Spirit  of  God,  and  compelled  to  cry  for  mercy.  It 
sometimes  so  happened  that  numbers  fell  about  those  first 
smitten,  and  the  work  extended  over  acres  of  ground.  On 
such  occasions  little  was  heard  but  the  loud  cry  for  mercy, 
or  the  sinoino;  and  shoutins;  of  heaven-born  souls,  and  of 
their  friends,  rejoicing  with  and  over  them.''^ 

Infidels  and  skeptical  persons,  not  being  able  to  compre- 
hend this  phenomenon,  were  often  in  great  perplexity.  Fin- 
ley  gives  an  account  of  one  Dr.  P.,  of  Lexington,  Kentucky, 
who  was  thus  confounded.  He  had  accompanied  a  lady  to 
the  Cane-Ridge  camp-meeting.  Having  heard  of  the  in- 
voluntary falling,  and  other  exercises,  they  agreed  upon  the 
■way  that,  should  either  of  them  be  thus  strangely  attacked 
or  fall,  the  other  should  stand  by  to  the  last.  It  was  not 
long  till  the  lady  was  brought  down  with  all  her  pride  be- 
fore God,  a  poor  sinner  in  the  dust.  The  Doctor,  agitated, 
came  up  and  felt  her  pulse;  but,  alas!  her  pulse  was  gone. 
At  this  he  turned  pale,  and  staggering  a  few  paces  fell  be- 
neath the  power  of  the  same  invisible  Hand.  After  remain- 
ing some  time  in  this  state  they  both  revived  rejoicing, 
went  home  happy  in  God,  and  lived  and  died  consistent 
Christians. j"  The  most  remarkable  of  these  demonstrations 
of  power  was  upon  the  part  of  wicked  men  and  scofi'crs, 
who  were  stricken  down  in  the  very  act  of  disturbing  the 
worship  of  the  people  of  God.     The  following  instance  oc- 

*  Recollections  of  Rev.  Ilenr)-  Smith,  i>nge  50. 
I  Finiey's  Autobiogiapliy,  pnge  3f)5. 


3o0  APPENDIX. 

currcd  at  (ho  snnic  meeting  referred  to  above,  and  is  given 
ui)(>n  tlie  same  autliority.  A  leader  and  champion  of  a 
party  of  disturbers  and  opposers,  nmmitod  a  Inrpo  wliite 
])(trso,  .'Hid  rndo  intd  tlio  midst  of  tlic  })rayiiig  circle,  utter- 
ing the  most  horrid  imprecations.  Suddenly,  as  if  smitten 
by  lightning,  he  fell  from  his  horse.  At  this  a  shout  went 
up  from  the  multitude  as  if  Lucifer  himself  had  fallen. 
His  limbs  were  rigid,  his  wrists  pulseless,  and  his  breath 
gone.  Several  of  his  comrades  came  to  look  at  him,  and 
they  too  fell  like  men  slain  in  battle.  For  thirty  hours  he 
lay,  to  all  human  appearance,  dead.  During  this  time  the 
people  kept  up  singing  and  praying.  At  last  he  exhibited 
signs  of  life,  but  they  were  fearful  spasms,  which  seemed 
as  if  he  were  in  a  convulsion,  attended  by  frightful  groans, 
as  if  he  were  passing  through  the  intcnsest  agony.  It  was 
not  long,  however,  till  Iws  convulsions  ceased,  and  springing 
to  his  feet,  his  groans  were  converted  into  loud  and  joyous 
shouts  of  praise.  The  dark,  fiend-like  scowl  which  had 
passed  over  his  features  gave  way  to  a  happy  smile  which 
lighted  up  his  countenance.-!^  Such  was  the  religious  ex- 
citement amid  which  the  nineteenth  century  had  its  birth, 
which,  with  the  excitement  of  pioneer  emigration,  and  fre- 
quent collisions  with  the  Indians,  made  the  period  emphat- 
ically one  of  stirring  events. 

In  1799  Rev.  Henry  Smith  was  appointed  to  the  Miami 
circuit.  He  crossed  the  Ohio  Uiver  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Little  Miami,  on  the  11th  of  September.  Finding  that 
brother  Hunt  wag  still  supplying  the  circuit,  and  looking 
over  a  vast  field  yet  to  be  occupied,  he  determined  not  to 
build  upon  another  man's  foundation,  but  to  break  up  new 
ground.  On  the  23d  of  the  same  month,  therefore,  he 
started  up  the  Ohio  River  to  form  a  new  circuit.  Com- 
mencing on  Eagle  Creek,  he  thence  directed  his  course  to 

=-'Fiiiley's  Autobiography,  }>ago.s  304,  3C5. 


COMMEMORATION    SERMON.  351 

the  mouth  of  the  Scioto,  and  thence  up  the  river  to  Chilli- 
cothe.  In  three  weeks  the  Scioto  circuit  was  formed.  In 
the  Spring  of  1801  he  was  returned  to  the  circuit,  and  con- 
tinued here  till  the  Fall  of  1801.  Speaking  of  his  adapta- 
tion to  pioneer  life,  he  says  that  he  accustomed  himself  to 
eat  any  thing  that  was  set  before  him,  to  sleep  anywhere, 
and  to  accommodate  himself  to  any  inconvenience.  His 
system,  however,  was  not  proof  against  the  bilious  and  in- 
termittent fevers  which  then  prevailed  to  a  great  extent  in 
this  country,  especially  in  the  rich  river  valleys.  Occa- 
sionally, when  the  body  was  debilitated  by  disease,  the 
hardships  of  this  circuit  life  would  become  formidable,  and 
for  a  moment  the  courage  of  the  hero  would  fail.  Thus, 
when  recoverins:  from  a  severe  attack  of  the  fever  he  was 
feebly  making  his  way  from  Paint  Creek  to  New  Market,  a 
tremendous  snow-storm  mixed  with  hail  overtook  him;  its 
pitiless  peltings  were  so  severe  that  for  a  little  while  he  be- 
came despondent,  and  gave  way  to  tears.  Soon,  however, 
he  met  a  poor  fellow  not  so  well  clad  as  himself,  and  ex- 
posed to  the  same  storm.  Then  said  the  itinerant  to  him- 
self, "  He  is  not  as  well  clad  as  I  am,  and  he  is  out  upon 
his  own  business;  I  am  out  upon  the  Lord's  business."  So 
he  dried  up  his  tears,  and  went  on  cheerfully  to  his  work.^ 
The  presiding  elder  who  had  charge  of  the  Scioto  circuit, 
traveled  as  far  as  the  Holston  circuit,  in  Tennessee,  and  em- 
braced all  of  Kentucky  and  all  of  the  North-Western  Ter- 
ritory west  of  this  valley.  By  reference  to  the  General 
Minutes,  it  will  appear  that  in  1801  the  districts  took 
names,  and  that  in  1802  the  names  of  Conferences  appear 
for  the  first  time.  The  Scioto  circuit,  which  embraced  this 
valley  and  all  west  of  this  circuit,  was  connected  with  the 
"Western  Conference.  The  Little  Kanawha  and  Muskingum 
circuits,  which  embraced  the  territory  of  the  present  Ohio 

*  Recollections  of  Rev.  Henry  Smith,  pnge  65. 


I 


852  APPENnix. 

Conference  cast  of  this  valley,  belonged  to  the  Baltimore 
Confercnrc. 

llnving  so  briefly  glanced  at  the  foot-prints  of  the  pio- 
neers who  laid  the  foundation  of  the  Church  on  the  soil 
which  we  now  cultivate,  I  come  next  to  tlie  organization  of 
the  Ohio  Covfcrencr^  whose  semi-centennial  anniversary  we 
commemorate  to-day.  It  was  organized  at  the  first  dele- 
gated General  Conference,  in  the  city  of  New  York,  in  the 
month  of  May,  1812.  Its  boundaries  embraced  all  the 
State  o^  Ohio,  and  parts  of  the  States  of  New  York,  Penn- 
sylvania, Virginia,  Kentucky,  and  all  the  North-Western 
Territory  not  included  in  the  Tennessee  Conference.  The 
year  of  its  organization  was  also  memorable  in  the  his- 
tory of  the  country,  on  account  of  the  breaking  out  of  the 
war  with  Great  Britain.  It  was  feared  that  the  drain  of  the 
membership  in  supplying  the  army  would  materially  injure 
the  work,  but  the  ministers  kept  at  their  work,  so  that  amid 
the  excitement  of  martial  music,  military  demonstrations, 
and  the  conflict  of  arms,  the  cause  of  God  still  went  forward. 
In  reviewing  the  history  of  our  Conference  during  the  half 
century  of  its  existence,  I  shall,  for  convenience,  divide  it 
into  five  periods.  We  shall  be  gratified  to  see  that  each 
decade  has  made  large  accessions  to  our  membership.  It 
will  also  appear  to  the  credit  of  our  Conference  that  eaqh 
period  of  its  history  has  witnessed  the  calling  into  existence, 
through  its  instrumentality,  some  new  agency,  or  some  grand 
movement  for  the  conversion  of  the  world. 

The  Conference  was  organized,  as  above  stated,  in  1812, 
and  held  its  first  session  in  Chillicothe  ;  and  from  the  Min- 
utes of  that  Conference  we  learn  there  were  sixty-one 
traveling  preachers  and  twenty-three  thousand  two  hundred 
and  thirty-four  members.  These  sixty-one  traveling  preach- 
ers were  generally  regulars,  well  drilled  in  the  exercise, 
ready  and    willing    to    do   the  work    assigned   them.     They 


COMMEMORATION    SERMON.  353 

fully  and  cheerfully  submitted  to  the  appointing  po^ye^ 
which  was  lodged  with  Bishops  Asbury  and  M'Kendree, 
the  general  superintendents  of  the  whole  bod}'  of  American 
Methodists.  These  holy  men  of  God  were  anxiously  looked 
for  annually,  to  preside  in  the  Conferences.  Seldom,  if 
ever,  did  they  fail  to  meet  expectations.  By  them  the  busi- 
ness appertaining  to  an  Annual  Conference  was  presented 
and  disposed  of  in  due  form ;  the  reports  of  the  doings  and 
success  of  each  preacher  were  heard  by  them  in  Conference, 
and  their  eyes  were  open  to  see  for  themselves,  and  their 
ears  open  to  hear  from  others,  both  what  should  be  done 
for  the  preachers  and  the  charges.  They  were  accessible 
both  to  preachers  and  people.  It  was  understood  by  all 
concerned,  that  to  go  forward  as  a  Church  successfully  and 
harmoniously,  there  must  be  upon  the  part  of  the  preachers 
a  full  relinquishment  of  the  right  to  choose  their  own 
charoes,  and  upon  the  part  of  the  membership  a  full  relin- 
quishment of  the  right  to  select  their  own  preacher.  With- 
out such  surrender  to  the  appointing  power,  disorder  and 
dissatisfaction  would  be  inevitable.  Out  of  sixty-one  preach- 
ers twenty  might  be  specially  sought  after  by  the  charges, 
and  out  of  forty-five  charges  ten  might  be  specially  sought 
after  by  the  preachers.  The  twenty  preachers  could  not 
supply  all  the  charges,  nor  the  ten  charges  accommodate 
all  the  preachers ;  but  on  the  plan  to  which  all  should  sub- 
mit the  sixty-one  preachers  have  work  assigned  them,  and 
no  charge  is  left  without  a  preacher;  every  preacher  is  em- 
ployed and  every  charge  supplied.  It  may  so  happen  every 
year  that  some  preachers  and  some  charges  are  not  so  well 
accommodated  as  they  could  desire.  They  may  feel  that 
their  lot  is  a  hard  one  ;  it  may  be  so,  and  yet  it  may  be  for 
the  best;  some  one  must  have  this  charge,  why  not  I? 
All  the  preachers  want  work,  and  they  all  have  it;  all  the 
charges  want  a  preacher,  and    all    have    them.     Thus    the 

30 


354  ArrKNDix. 

work  [;ocs  on  from  year  to  ycnr.  Fifty  years  have  passed 
since  the  Oliio  (^lllfercn^e  commenced  acting  mh  tlmt  prin- 
ciple, and  the  cases  of  demur,  either  on  tlic  j»arf  of  the 
]>rcaclier  or  on  the  part  of  tl)C  cliargc,  have  been  ft'W  and 
far  between  ;  and  in  no  case,  as  far  as  I  have  been  capable 
of  judging,  has  the  rebel  preacher  or  the  rebel  charge 
made  that  rebellion  profitable,  either  to  the  Church  or  the 
rebel.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  good  reasons  for  intro- 
ducing such  a  policy  will  always  be  appreciated.  It  is  not 
becoming  in  any  preacher  to  insist  on  having  a  particular 
charge,  or  in  any  charge  to  insist  on  any  particular  preacher. 
There  may  be  and  often  are  good  reasons  known  to  the 
Bishop  why  such  an  appointment  should  not  be  made,  and 
at  the  same  time  be  improper  for  him  to  divulge  those  rea- 
sons. A  conformity  to  the  Golden  Rule  will  always  have 
a  salutary  eflfect ;  that  rule  is  valuable  above  all  price,  and 
all  may  profit  by  it.  I  assume  the  fact  that  the  appoint- 
ments, under  God,  come  from  one  who  loves  the  Church, 
and  intends,  with  the  means  in  his  hands,  to  advance,  as 
best  he  can,  the  general  good. 

The  Conference  had  five  districts  and  forty-five  circuits, 
each  of  which  included  territory  from  four  to  eight  times 
as  large  as  that  of  districts  and  circuits  of  this  day.  Sta- 
tions had  not  then  commenced  among  us.  Our  first  set  of 
presiding  elders  were  all  men  of  mark ;  namely,  David 
Young,  Jacob  Young,  James  Quinn,  John  Sale,  and  Solo- 
mon Langdon.  David  Young  was  then  in  the  seventh  year 
of  his  ministry,  a  man  of  undoubted  piety  and  great  zeal. 
His  oratorical  and  reasoning  powers  were  not  surpassed  by 
any.  Jacob  Young,  then  in  the  ninth  year  of  his  ministry, 
was  a  man  of  deep,  uniform  piety,  sound  judgment,  and  a 
great  advocate  and  defender  of  Methodism.  James  Quinn, 
of  precious  memory,  was  in  the  thirteenth  year  of  his  min- 
istry,   an    able   divine,   efiicient   in    the   work ;   his   name   is 


COMMEMORATION    SERMON.  355 

embalmed  in  the  hearts  of  all  who  knew  him.  John  Sale 
was  in  the  sixteenth  year  of  his  ministry,  and  had  given 
strong  evidence  of  his  ability,  and  of  his  devotion  to  the  itin- 
erant work.  Solomon  Langdon,  in  the  twelfth  year  of  his 
ministry,  was  an  excellent  preacher — commanded  great  re- 
spect wherever  he  labored.  Long  since  the  powerful  voices 
of  most  of  the  s:iants  in  our  Israel  have  been  hushed  in  death. 
The  two  Youngs  lingered  with  us  the  longest,  but  they,  too, 
hav^e  now  gone  to  join  their  co-laborers  on  the  other  shore. 
At  that  day,  though  there  was  great  honor  attached  to  the 
office  of  presiding  elder,  those  men,  though  they  gained 
character  by  it,  did  not  suffer  the  office  to  depreciate  in  their 
hands.  We  are  thankful  that  the  office  remains,  and  that 
worthy  men  in  the  main,  from  first  to  last,  have  filled  it. 
The  succession  has  been,  and  we  humbly  trust  will  be  kept 
up,  and  that  those  only  who  are  well  qualified  will  be  ap- 
pointed to  it.  There  were  others,  many  others  of  the  sixty- 
one  who  received  appointments  at  the  first  Conference,  as 
worthy  of  honorable  mention  as  those  already  named.  Such 
were  Samuel  Parker,  Alexander  Cummins,  James  B.  Fin- 
ley,  John  Brown,  William  Lamden,  John  Strange,  Moses 
Crunie,  Benjamin  Lakin,  Isaac  Quinn,  Marcus  Lindsey, 
John  Collins,  Charles  Holliday,  AVilliam  Burke,  and  others. 

The  circuits  during  that  decade  continued  large,  the 
preachers  having  appointments  for  almost  every  day  of  the 
month,  and  in  some  instances  more  appointments  than  there 
are  days  in  the  month.  With  the  preachers  it  was  literally 
a  protracted  meeting  from  Conference  to  Conference. 

To  give  a  definite  idea  of  this,  look  at  the  boundaries 
of  Letart  Falls  circuit,  the  first  I  traveled,  in  the  year 
1817,  and  much  smaller  than  some  I  traveled  afterward : 
Starting  from  Letart  Falls,  I  went  up  the  Ohio  River  five 
miles,  and  crossed  into  Virginia,  and  preached  at  the  mouth 
of  Mill  Creek ;  from  there  to  Statt's,  eight  miles  up  Mill 


35ti  APPENDIX. 

Creek  ;  fioni  tlicic  took  the  back  track,  passed  over  Into 
Ohio,  aii'l  down  to  Lctart,  there  [(reached  iSabbatli  and 
8ab)»:ith  niulit  ;  from  there  1  crossed  tlie  Ohio  Uivcr  into 
A'^ir«j;inia,  and  took  my  course  down  across  the  flats  and 
over  tl»c  mountains,  crossing  tlie  ]V\<j^  Kanawlia,  filling 
aj)])oiiitments  on  the  way,  till  1  got  opposite  the  mouth 
of  Big  Eaccoon;  then  crossed  tlic  river  into  tlie  State  of 
Ohio,  preached  at  Lanford's,  at  the  mouth  of  Raccoon ; 
from  there  up  the  creek  to  where  Patriot  now  stands;  from 
there  on  to  Syms  Creek,  and  down  it  to  its  mouth,  filling 
three  appointments  on  the  way  ;  from  there  down  the  Ohio 
lliver  four  miles  below,  where  Burlington  now  stands;  from 
there  I  passed  on  in  a  north-west  course  through  the  forest, 
to  Oak  Ilill,  near  where  Jackson  now  is;  from  thence  east- 
ward, to  Buck's,  where  Centerville  now  is;  from  thence  to 
Kirkpatrick's,  near  Ilidgeway;  from  thence  to  A.  Donley's; 
from  thence  to  William  Cherington's,  both  not  far  from  Gal- 
lipolis;  from  thence  to  Long's,  near  where  Porter  now  is; 
from  thence  to  Edmonson's,  near  where  Ewington  now  is; 
from  thence  to  Abraham  Hawk's,  near  where  Wilksville 
now  is;  from  thence  to  Edward  Williams's;  from  thence 
to  Daniel  Bathburn's,  on  Deeding  Creek,  .seven  miles  from 
its  mouth ;  from  thence  to  Viniug's,  up  the  creek ;  from 
thence  across  the  hills  to  Cowderey's,  on  Shade  River,  a 
small  distance  above  where  Chester  now  stands ;  from 
thence  eastward  to  Graham  station,  on  the  Ohio  River; 
then  up  the  Ohio  to  Letart  Falls,  the  place  of  beginning, 
two  hundred  and  fifty  miles  travel ;  poor  roads  at  best, 
much  of  the  route  no  roads  at  all,  many  streams  not 
bridged,  oft  high  water ;  still  the  journey  was  performed 
every  four  weeks,  and  twenty-five  stated  appointments  filled, 
and  frequently  appointments  at  night  that  enter  not  into 
this  account.  The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  has  thir- 
teen charges  w^ithin  what  was  then  Letart  Falls  circuit. 


COMMEMORATION    SERMON.  357 

During  this  decade,  at  the  General  Conference  of  1820,  a 
branch  of  the  Book  Concern  was  established  within  the 
bounds  of  the  Ohio  Conference,  at  Cincinnati,  and  jMartio 
Ruter  was  appointed  to  its  agency.  The  wisdom  of  this 
movement  has  been  demonstrated  by  the  wonderful  prosper- 
ity and  power  of  this  agency  among  us  for  good.  From  a 
diminutive  depository,  with  a  single  agent,  it  has  grown  to  a 
mammoth  publishing  house,  rivaled  by  none  in  the  Missis- 
sippi Valley.  It  issues  one  monthly  periodical,  with  a  cir- 
culation of  39,500,  and  four  weeklies,  in  two  languages, 
with  an  aggregate  circulation  of  78,000  ;  periodical  sales 
amounting  to  $195,297.47,  and  book  sales  to  §133,482.34, 
and  upward  of  4,000,000  pages  of  tracts.  It  employs  a 
capital  of  $359,860.21,  embracing  its  real  estate,  and  a 
working  force  of  ninety  men  and  thirty  women. 

At  the  same  General  Conference  the  Kentucky  Conference 
was  formed,  and  took  from  the  Ohio  Conference  its  terri- 
tory lying  in  that  State,  and  fifty- five  preachers  and  13,526 
members. 

The  great  event  of  that  decade,  however,  and  that  which 
will  immortalize  both  the  period  and  the  Conference,  was 
the  rise  of  the  Foreign  Missionary  Society,  as  connected 
with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

The  Ohio  Conference  had  the  honor  of  leadinf'-  our  Zion 
in  this  department  of  labor.  In  1819,  in  the  city  of  New 
York,  at  a  meeting  of  preachers,  a  committee  was  appointed 
to  prepare  a  Constitution,  in  view  of  the  organization  of  a 
Missionary  Society.  The  following  preachers  were  present: 
Freeborn  Garrettson,  Joshua  Soule,  Samuel  Merwin,  Seth 
Crowell,  Nathan  Bangs,  Laban  Clark,  Thomas  Mason,  Sam- 
uel Howe,  and  Thomas  Thorp.  A  resolution  in  favor  of 
forming  a  Bible  and  Missionary  Society  was  passed,  and  the 
5th  of  April  and  Forsyth-Street  Church  selected  as  the  time 
and  place  when  the  Constitution  should  be  submitted  to  a 


358  ArpKNDix, 

puMlo  nicotinic  for  discussion.  Tlio  liistorian  pivcs  us  no 
intinirition  of  tlic  numbers  present  at  that  meeting,  or  the 
zeal  witli  wliioh  they  entered  into  the  work.  A  Constitution 
was  adopted,  the  names  of  subscribers  taken,  and  the  f'ol- 
htwinji  officers  elected :  President,  William  M'Kendree;  Cor- 
responding; Secretary,  Thomas  Mason;  Treasurer,  Joshua 
Soulc.  At  the  first  meeting  of  the  l>oard  of  IManagers,  an 
address  and  circular,  prepared  by  a  committee  appointed  for 
that  purpose,  were  adopted  and  ordered  to  be  printed  in  the 
Methodist  Magazine,  and  in  pamphlet  form.  As  the  Con- 
stitution of  the  Society  contemplated  action  upon  the  part 
of  the  oncoming  General  Conference,  the  subject  came  before 
that  body  at  the  session  of  1820.  An  able  report,  prepared 
by  the  late  Bishop  Emory,  was  presented  and  adopted.  That 
report  opens  with  this  language:  "Your  committee  regard 
the  Christian  ministry  as  peculiarly  a  missionary  ministry. 
'Go  ye  into  all  the  world  and  preach  the  Gospel  to  every 
creature,'  is  the  very  foundation  of  its  authority,  and  de- 
velops its  character  simultaneously  with  its  origin.  After 
referring  to  the  missionary  spirit  as  the  life  of  the  Church, 
and  to  the  zeal  and  success  of  the  Wesleyan  Church  in 
Great  Britain  in  this  department,  it  goes  on  to  spread  out 
the  special  field  which  this  society  should  attempt  at  once 
to  enter  and  cultivate.  In  that  connection  we  find  this  lan- 
guage: "In  a  particular  manner  the  committee  solicit  the 
attention  of  the  Conference  to  the  condition  of  the  aborijr- 
inals  of  our  country,  the  Indian  tribes.  American  Christians 
are  certainly  under  peculiar  obligations  to  impart  to  them 
the  blessings  of  civilization  and  Christian  light.  That  there 
is  no  just  cause  to  despair  of  success  through  grace  in  this 
charitable  and  pious  undertaking,  is  demonstrated  by  the 
fact  that  there  are  already  gathered  into  Church-fellowship 
about  sixty  members  of  the  Wyandot  tribe  in  the  State  of 
Ohio,  and  that  a  successful  mission,  under  our  direction,  is 


COMMEMORATION    SERMON.  359 

now  in  operation  among  them.  Why  might  not  similar  suc- 
cess attend  other  missions  anions  other  tribes?"* 

From  this  historical  record  tliese  two  things  appear:  1. 
A  foreign  mission  had  been  successfully  planted  before  the 
organization  of  the  Missionary  Society;  and,  2.  That  mis- 
sion was  in  the  bounds  of  and  under  the  care  of  the  Ohio 
Conference.  As  this  department  of  Christian  effort  has 
since  grown  to  such  colossal  proportions,  and  produced  such 
grand  results,  it  is  with  honest  pride  that  we  trace  the  origin 
of  Methodist  Episcopal  missions  to  our  own  Conference. 
Let  us  then  pause  for  a  little  while  to  contemplate  the  cir- 
cumstances under  which  our  first  mission  among  a  pagan 
people  was  planted. 

In  the  year  1816  a  free  colored  man  by  the  name  of  John 
Steward,  residing  in  Marietta,  Ohio,  felt  strangely  impressed 
by  the  Spirit  of  G-od  to  travel  toward  the  North-west,  that 
he  might  preach  the  Gospel  to  the  lost  sheep  of  the  house 
of  Israel.  He  saw  in  his  vision  an  aged  Indian  man  and 
woman,  with  imploring  countenance,  looking  to  him  for  the 
Word  of  life.  He  communicated  his  impressions  to  his 
religious  friends,  but  the  scheme  to  them  looked  so  unprom- 
ising that  they  gave  him  no  encouragement.  He  could, 
however,  find  no  rest  to  his  mind  except  when  he  was  yield- 
ing to  those  impressions.  Finally,  God  having  given  him 
some  special  sign  which  he  had  asked,  he  determined  to 
obey  the  call.  By  this  time  his-  class-leader  had  come  to 
sympathize  with  him  in  his  strange  impressions,  and  they 
spent  a  great  part  of  the  night  preceding  his  departure 
together  in  prayer,  that  God's  blessing  might  attend  him. 
And  what  a  scene  wis  that!  I  have  read  of  great  gather- 
ings in  splendid  temples  on  taking  leave  of  missionaries, 
but  I  confess  that  the  gathered  multitude,  the  splendid 
temple,  the  eloquence  and  feeling  of   those  occasions  have 

-BangsV  History  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Cluuch,  Vol.  Ill,  pages  143-145. 


360  APPENDIX. 

never,  (o  my  mind,  reached  the  Hu}»liiuily  of  that  occasion, 
when  tliis  Imnible  cohjred  cxiiortcr  and  liin  ch-jH.s-lcader 
were  wrestling  with  God  together,  that  In-  wonld  direct  llic 
willing  feet  of  liis  servant  to  the  place  where  he  might  shed 
liglit  upon  the  minds  of  those  sitting  in  the  region  and 
shadow  of  death.  The  handful  of  corn  was  about  to  be 
jilanted  upon  the  top  of  the  mountain,  which,  in  the  provi- 
dence of  God,  in  after  years  should  shake  like  Lebanon. 
Steward,  with  his  little  bundle  in  his  hand,  started  on  foot 
and  alone  in  a  north-westerly  direction,  sometimes  pursuing 
his  way  through  the  trackless  forest,  veering  to  the  right 
or  left,  according  to  the  impressions  made  by  his  inward 
monitor.  After  some  days  he  came  to  a  settlement  of  In- 
dians at  Pipctown ;  he  now  supposed  that  he  had  reached 
his  destination.  He  spent  the  night  with  them,  and  opened 
to  them  the  Gospel.  In  the  morning,  however,  he  felt  im- 
pelled to  continue  his  journey.  After  some  days  he  reached 
the  Wyandot  nation  of  Indians,  in  Upper  Sandusky.  He 
called  upon  Mr.  Walker,  a  sub-agent  of  the  Government 
among  these  Indians.  He  had  no  Episcopal  credentials  to 
present,  nor  educational  endowments  or  personal  presence 
to  recommend  him.  He  related  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Walker 
his  Christian  experience,  and  how  God  had  sent  him  to 
preach  the  Gospel  to  the  Indians.  They  listened  to  his 
story,  and  being  convinced  of  the  purity  of  his  motives, 
threw  no  obstructions  in  his  way.  His  first  sermon  was 
preached  to  an  old  Indian  woman.  The  next  day  tw^o  aged 
Indians,  a  man  and  a  woman,  came  to  hear  him.  He  took 
courage,  for  though  his  congregation  was  small  at  his  first 
sermon,  it  had  increased  a  hundred-fold  in  a  day.  But 
what  gave  him  the  greatest  encouragement  was,  that  he 
recognized  the  two  persons  who  constituted  his  second  con- 
gregation as  the  same  persons  he  had  seen  in  his  visioa 
while  passing  through  the  singular  mental  exercise  at  Ma- 


COMMEMORATION    SERMON.  361 

rietta.  At  the  close  of  his  sermon  they  came  forward  and 
gave  him  the  hand  of  welcome.  He  was  now  fully  assured 
that  this  was  to  be  his  field  of  labor,  and  so  diligently  and 
efficiently  did  he  bring  the  Gospel  home  to  the  understand- 
ing of  these  two  aged  Indians,  that  they  were  soon  con- 
verted to  God.  Around  them  soon  gathered  a  congregation, 
first  curious,  then  serious,  then  in  deep  distress,  calling  upon 
God  for  mercy,  and  finally  joyful  in  the  hope  of  the  Gospel. 
Amono;  these  converts  were  several  influential  chiefs  of  the 
nation — Between-the-Logs,  Monuncue,  Hicks,  and  Scutash; 
also,  two  of  the  interpreters,  Pointer  and  Armstrong.  Noth- 
ing pleased  the  missionary  more  than  the  conversion  of 
Pointer,  the  colored  interpreter.  At  first  this  boy  had  per- 
formed the  office  of  iuterpreter  of  the  Gospel  with  a  good 
deal  of  indifi'erence  and  reluctance.  Sometimes  after  inter- 
preting a  sentence  he  would  add,  "So  Steward  says,  but  I 
do  n't  know  whether  it  is  so  or  not,  and  do  n't  care."  Now 
that  he  was  converted,  he  would  be  more  efficient  and  ear- 
nest as  a  helper  in  the  good  work.  In  1819  the  mission 
was  taken  under  the  care  of  the  Ohio  Conference,  and  at- 
tached to  the  Lebanon  district,  of  which  P\,ev.  J.  B.  Finley 
was  presiding  elder.  At  the  Conference  of  1820,  held  at 
Chillicothe,  deeply  interesting  interviews  were  had  with  a 
delegation  from  the  Wyandot  nation,  who  brought  a  peti- 
tion for  the  appointment  of  a  missionary  to  their  people 
from  the  Ohio  Conference.  The  petition  was  granted,  and 
llev.  M.  Henkle  was  appointed. 

My  time  will  not  permit  me  to  follow  this  history  further. 
This  was  the  first  of  our  missions  among  pagan  populations. 
In  less  than  forty  years,  behold  what  God  hath  wrought! 
Missions  have  been  established  among  other  Indian  tribes 
upon  this  continent,  and  our  missionaries  have  crossed 
oceans,  planting  the  standard  of  the  Cross  on  the  shores  of 
Africa,  and  among  the  vast  pagan  population  of  China  and 


362  APPENDIX. 

India.  Tlic  Metliodint  Kpiscopal  Church  has  amonp;  the 
ab(iii;:;iiials  of  lliis  couiifry  iM  missionaries  and  1,557  mem- 
bers; in  India,  20  missionaries  and  82  memljers;  in  Cliina, 
5  missionaries  and  5(3  members;  in  Africa,  25  missionaries 
and  1.4y8  members.  Tiie  missionary  contributions  for  the 
first  year — 1820 — were  $S23.0  i,  and  S85.7()  expended.  Tlic 
last  year — 18G0 — the  missionary  collections  were,  as  the 
Minutes  show,  8258,810,  and  all  expended;  810,384  of  that 
amount  iVum  the  Ohio  Conference,  to  say  nothing  of  amounts 
raised  by  other  branches  and  oflfshoots  of  American  Meth- 
odism. As  though  God  would  set  his  seal  of  approbation 
to  this  missionary  movement,  the  same  year  was  signalized 
by  special  revivals  of  religion  withiu  the  bounds  of  the  Ohio 
Conference.  At  Chillicothe  320  wore  converted  and  added 
to  the  Church,  among  whom  was  the  man  who  was  erecting 
the  Methodist  church  in  that  place,  together  with  all  his 
family,  and  all  the  workmen  employed  upon  the  house. 
During  this  first  decade  of  our  Conference  history,  the  min- 
istry in  the  Church  at  large  had  increased  from  G88  to  891 ; 
and  the  membership  from  195,357  to  281,146.  The  Ohio 
Conference  had  increased  in  the  ministry  from  61  to  88, 
and  the  membership  from  23,284  to  34,178. 

I  now  pass  to  the  second  decade  of  our  Conference  his- 
tory. The  year  1822  witnessed  gracious  outpourings  of  the 
Spirit  of  God  within  its  bounds.  Bangs's  History  makes 
special  mention  of  that  which  attended  the  Scioto  camp- 
meeting.  This  meeting  was  held  at  White  Brown's  camp- 
ground, within  the  bounds  of  what  is  now  Deer  Creek  cir- 
cuit, and  was  under  the  charge  of  Samuel  Parker  and  Alex- 
ander Cummins.  About  sixty  of  the  converted  Wyandots 
were  present,  and  their  thrilling  and  powerful  experiences 
melted  all  hearts.  Those  who  had  been  accustomed  in 
other  days  to  meet  the  Indians  in  their  savage  state  on  the 
bloody  field  of  strife,  were  deeply  moved  by  what  they  now 


COMMEMORATION    SERMON.  363 

witnessed.      The   "Word  of   God   powerfully  prevailed,    and 
the  revival  spread  in  all  directions. 

During  this  decade,  as  of  interest  in  the  general  history 
of  American  Methodism,  should  be  mentioned  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  Christian  Advocate  and  Journal,  the  parent 
of  a  now  large  and  influential  family  of  Advocates.  The 
paper  was  issued  in  New  York  city,  in  the  month  of  Sep- 
tember, 1826.  The  next  year,  namely,  1827,  the  Sunday 
School  Union  was  organized.  These  appliances  have  exerted 
an  incalculable  amount  of  good  since  their  establishment. 
Our  denomination  had  indeed  given  some  attention  to  Sab- 
bath-schools on  this  continent  at  an  earlier  day,  but  not  till 
this  period  had  the  subject  taken  organic  shape,  or  de- 
manded so  lar^e  attention.  Durins;  this  decade,  too,  the 
polity  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  underwent  the 
most  thorough  and  searching  investigation.  The  cry  was 
raised  that  her  government  was  not  in  harmony  with  the 
republican  principles  of  the  land.  Giant  minds  came  in 
conflict,  and  in  some  places  the  collision  threatened  to  prove 
disastrous  to  the  interests  of  the  Church.  The  principles 
of  our  government  were  irrefutably  defined  by  the  able  pens 
of  Bond,  Emory,  and  others,  and  firmly  administered  by  the 
majority  of  our  presiding  elders  and  pastors.  The  incurably 
disaff"ected  seceded  and  organized  the  Protestant  Methodist 
Church.  The  heat  of  that  controversy  has  long  since  passed 
away,  and  the  historian  will  make  up  his  verdict  from  the 
comparative  success  of  the  so-called  Reformers,  and  the 
Church  against  whose  government  they  so  earnestly  battled. 
If  the  Reformers  improved  upon  the  polity  of  Methodism, 
it  is  but  fair  to  demand  the  proofs  of  this  improvement  in 
the  history  of  the  growth  and  success  of  the  Church  which 
they  formed.  They  were  led  on  by  men  of  giant  intellect, 
and  whose  names  had  been  a  tower  of  strength  in  the 
denomination  for  years.     A  careful  examination  of  history 


3G4  APPKNnix. 

•will   sufTiciontly  tleinonstratc  the  wisdom  of   our  fathers  in 
their  course. 

Duriuu;  this  period,  namely,  at  the  General  Conference  of 
1824,  the  Pittshurg  Conference  was  organized,  taking  from 
the  Ohio  Conference  all  the  territory  east  of  the  3Iusk.inguui 
lliver,  except  Marietta  and  Zanesville,  together  with  what 
then  lay  in  Virginia,  Pennsylvania,  and  New  York.  Ahout 
40  preachers  and   12,0U0  members  went  with  the  territory. 

The  important  event  of  this  period,  which  reflects  honor 
upon  the  Ohio  Conference,  was  an  eff"ort  to  found  an  insti- 
tution of  learning  of  a  high  grade.     Before  this  time,  sev- 
eral   colleges    and  academies   had    been    projected    in   other 
parts  of  the  Church,    but  to  this   time  no  persevering  and 
successful  effort  had  been  made  to  plant  and  endow  an  insti- 
tution of  learning  so  as  to  give  promise  of  permanence  and 
extended  usefulness.      At  the  Conference  of  1820,  held  in 
Chillicothe,    a   plan   was    agreed    upon,    and    commissioners 
appointed  to  select  a  location.     In  consequence  of  the  offer 
upon  the  part  of  the  trustees  of  Bracken  Academy,  to  loan 
the  Church  the  use  of  $10,000,  on  condition  of  its  location 
at  Augusta,  the  institution  was  fixed  at  that  point,  in   the 
State  of  Kentucky,  and  on  the  banks  of  the  Ohio  Biver. 
This  location  was  also  esteemed  advisable  in  view  of  having 
the  Kentucky  Conference  to  unite  in  the  founding  and  sup- 
port of  the  college.     In  1823  John  P.  Finley  was  appointed 
by  the  Kentucky  Conference  in  charge  of  the  infout  insti- 
tution.    In  1825  a  commodious  college  edifice  was  erected, 
and  with  the  organization  of  an  able  faculty,  the  institution 
rapidly  increased  in  popularity.     Its  students  gathered  from 
all  parts  of  the  land,  and  soon  filled  up  its  halls.     For  about 
a  quarter    of  a    century    Augusta    College    accomplished   a 
large  amount  of  good.     It  enjoyed  the  labors,  in  its  boards 
of  instruction,  in  the   prime  of  their  days,  of  such  men  as 
Finley,  Tonilinson,  Fielding,  Bascom,  Durbiu,  Buter,  Trim- 


COMMEMORATION    SERMON.  365 

blc,  M'Cown,  and  others,  men  who  had  few  superiors,  cither 
in  the  recitation-room  or  in  the  pulpit.  It  survived  to  see 
its  graduates  in  high  places,  both  in  Church  and  State,  all 
over  the  land.  AVhen  at  last  a  proslavery  fanaticism  struck 
the  fatal  blow  at  the  old  institution  which  had  done  so 
much  for  the  development  of  the  mind  of  the  Mississippi 
Valley,  it  had  the  pleasure  of  looking  over  the  land  and 
witnessing  how  large  a  band  of  institutions  had  sprung  up 
all  around  it  to  supply  its  place.  Had  this  first  successful 
Methodist  college  which  the  world  ever  saw  been  planted 
upon  free  instead  of  slave  soil,  it  would  doubtless  have 
strengthened  with  years,  and  flourished  for  centuries.  When 
the  Kentucky  Legislature  repealed  the  charter  of  the  Col- 
lege, commissioners  were  appointed  by  the  Ohio  Conference 
to  close  up  its  affairs,  and  so  much  of  its  endowments  as 
could  be  saved  by  our  Conference  was  loaned  to  the  Ohio 
Wesleyan  University,  where  they  now  constitute  part  of  the 
endowment  fund.  AVhen  Augusta  College  was  founded,  the 
State  universities  and  colleges  were  generally  controlled  by 
other  denominations,  and  it  was  not  uncommon  to  hear 
remarks  made  touching  educational  enterprise  which  were 
by  no  means  complimentary  to  our  Church.  Thirty-five 
years,  however,  have  made  a  vast  change  in  this  respect. 
The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  now  has  in  the  United 
States  a  larger  number  of  universities,  colleges,  and  semi- 
naries, and  in  their  halls  a  larger  number  of  students  than 
any  other  denomination.  Besides  which,  she  now  takes  a 
leading  part  in  the  management  of  State  and  other  non- 
denominational  institutions  of  learning.  She  purposes  hon- 
estly and  faithfully  to  do  her  full  share  in  the  education  of 
the  youth  of  the  land.  She  now  has  2-4  universities  and 
colleges  and  126  seminaries. 

At  the  close  of  this  decade,  namely,  1831,  there  were  in 
the  Church  2,010  traveling  preachers  and  513,11-i  members; 


36G  APrENDix. 

and  ill  tlio  Oliio  ronforcnco  tlioro  were  1^2  trnvclitip:  preach- 
ers and  34.178  nicinbcrs.  The  increase  of  traveling  prca?h- 
crs  was  1,110,  and  of  nioin))er.s  231,908;  in  the  mean  time 
the  increase  in  tlie  Ohio  Conference  was  44  travclin"- 
preachers  and  0,458  menihers;  a  fine  increase,  considering 
tlie  number  set  off  to  l*itts})\n-<r. 

We  now  take  up  the  tliird  decade  of  our  liistory.  Tiie 
general  spirit  of  the  Churcli  for  the  evangelization  of  the 
world  was  advancing.  The  Ohio  Conference  having  set  an 
example  by  sending  missionaries  to  the  pagan  tribes  on  our 
own  shores,  the  Church  now  followed  that  example  by  send- 
ing them  abroad.  In  the  year  1833  ]\Ielville  B.  Cox,  a  man 
of  great  firmness  of  purpose,  meekness  of  spirit,  and  burn- 
ing zeal  for  the  cause  of  God,  offered  himself  as  a  mission- 
ary for  Africa.  It  was  feared  by  many  that  he  would  fall 
a  martyr  to  the  climate  of  that  country.  Being  asked  by 
some  one  what  should  be  written  on  his  tombstone,  should 
he  die  in  Africa,  he  replied,  "  Let  thousands  fall  before 
Africa  be  given  up."  Though  the  brave  missionary  lived 
but  a  few  months,  he  accomplished  a  work,  under  God,  of 
incalculable  value  to  the  Churcli  at  home,  and  to  the 
heathen  abroad.  The  mission  planted  by  him  has  grown 
and  prospered  till  a  Conference  has  been  established,  em- 
bracing 25  traveling  and  33  local  preachers  and  1,566  mem- 
bers. The  next  year  after  Cox  offered  himself  for  Africa, 
Jason  and  Daniel  Lee  offered  themselves  for  a  missionary 
expedition  to  the  Flat-Head  Indians,  beyond  the  Rocky 
Mountains.  The  call  to  which  they  responded  was  one  that 
thrilled  the  heart  of  the  Church.  The  Flat-Heads,  having 
a  tradition  that  away  toward  the  rising  sun  there  lived  a 
people  who  could  instruct  them  in  the  true  religion,  after 
discussing  the  matter  in  their  council,  determined  to  dis- 
patch a  messenger  to  find  that  people  and  get  that  instruc- 
tion.    The  messenger  made  his  tedious  and  toilsome  way  to 


COMMEMORATION    SERMON.  367 

the  valley  of  the  Mississippi,  and  in  response  to  the  Mace- 
donian cry  for  help,  the  evangelical  Lees  turned  their  backs 
upon  home  and  civilization,  and  scaled  the  Rocky  Mount- 
ains, and  proclaimed  to  the  inquiring  savages  the  Gospel 
of  the  Son  of  God. 

During  this  decade,  namely,  in  1836,  the  boundaries  of 
the  Ohio  Conference  were  still  further  contracted  by  the  or- 
ganization of  the  Michigan  Conference.  It  took  from  us 
Michigan  Territory,  and  four  presiding  elder's  districts  in 
the  State  of  Ohio,  and  of  our  preachers  129,  and  of  our 
members  23,867. 

The  great  event  of  this  period,  however,  as  connected 
with  the  Ohio  Conference,  and  which  we  regard  as  one  of 
the  most  important  historical  events  of  modern  Christianity, 
was  the  founding:  of  missions  amonsr  the  Germans.  We 
would  do  unpardonable  injustice  to  this  Conference  and  this 
occasion  did  we  not  direct  special  attention  to  this  sublime 
work.  In  the  year  1835,  after  a  somewhat  protracted  dis- 
cussion in  the  Ohio  Conference,  William  Xast  was  appointed 
missionary  to  the  German  population  of  Cincinnati.  The 
soil  to  be  cultivated  seemed  to  be  barren  and  unpromising 
enough.  The  German  mind  had  become  deeply  and  widely 
poisoned  with  the  infidelity  of  rationalism.  The  pantheistic 
philosophy  had  taken  possession  of  leading  German  minds 
at  home  both  in  and  out  of  the  Church.  And  the  masses 
of  people  who  flocked  to  this  country  to  make  money  gave 
poor  encouragement  for  an  evangelist.  There  was  encour- 
agement, however,  to  that  class  of  persons  who  felt  that 
while  the  Gospel  was  a  stumbling-block  to  some  and  fool- 
ishness to  others,  it  still  remained  the  power  of  God  and 
the  wisdom  of  God  to  every  one  who  would  receive  it. 
William  Nast  had  the  demonstration  of  this  in  his  own  ex- 
perience, and  he  had  hope  for  his  countrymen.  His  fitness 
for  the  mission  will  appear  from  a  consideration  of  his  per- 


868  APl'KNDIX. 

ROn;'.l  liistory,  and  from  tlie  rcsulf.s  of  liis  plnns  and  efforts. 
He  was  born  at  8tu(tg:irt,  tlio  capital  of  Wurtcni}>erp:,  in 
Germany.  Puring  liis  university  course,  he  was  in  the 
labyrinth  of  })anthoisin.  lie  declined,  therefore,  entering; 
the  three  years'  thcolojjjical  course,  which  Ibllows  the  j>liil- 
osophical  course,  preferring  to  sacrifice  all  his  property  in 
paying  back  to  the  State  what  it  had  spent  upon  his  educa- 
tion, rather  than  to  enter  the  ministry,  solemnly  promising 
to  preach  doctrines  which  he  did  not  believe.  It  was  urged 
that  many  of  those  highest  in  the  Church  held  and  taught 
the  same  doctrine  which  he  held  ;  but  this  would  not  sat- 
isfy his  conscience.  He  positively  declined  to  enter  the 
pulpit.  In  1828  he  came  to  America,  and  some  time  after 
became  tutor  in  a  Methodist  family.  He  there  formed  the 
acquaintance  of  several  ministers  of  the  Baltimore  Confer- 
ence. He  became  deeply  convicted  for  sin,  but  for  a  time 
he  labored  under  the  error  of  supposing  that  it  was  incon- 
sistent with  the  Divine  justice  that  the  sinner  should  be 
absolved  from  the  guilt  and  penalty  of  sin  without  suffering 
in  part  liimself  for  his  sins.  He  passed  through  mental 
struf]rf:;les  dark  and  terrible  as  those  which  marked  the  ex- 
perience  of  the  other  great  German  Reformer.  His  case 
attracted  attention,  and  many  persons  became  deeply  inter- 
ested for  him.  Some  already  seemed  to  have  a  premonition 
that  he  was  designed  by  God  for  a  special  work,  A  pious 
old  lady  by  the  name  of  Patrick,  while  encouraging  him  on 
one  occasion,  said,  "William,  don't  doubt,  you  will  yet  get 
the  blessing.  The  Lord  has  a  great  work  for  you  to  do. 
You  will  yet  take  the  Gospel  trumpet  and  publish  the  Sav- 
ior's name  to  your  countrymen."  While  occupying  a  place 
in  the  Board  of  Instruction  at  Kenyon  College,  he  made 
several  journeys  to  Zanesville,  to  converse  with  Bev,  Henry 
S.  Farnandis,  from  whom  he  received  much  encouragement. 
After   this   be  attended  quarterly-meeting  in  the  town  of 


COMMEMORATION    SERMON.  3G9 

Danville,  Knox  county,  Ohio,  at  which  Rev.  Adam  Poe  was 
the  presiding  elder.  A  powerful  revival  was  in  progress. 
lie  went  forward  for  prayers,  but  after  praying  long  and 
earnestly,  he  arose  discouraged,  and  started  to  leave  the 
house.  As  he  approached  the  door,  he  looked  back  upon 
the  happy  converts,  and  as  he  listened  to  them  shouting  the 
praise  of  God,  suddenly  these  words,  "  There  is  bread 
enough  in  my  Father's  house,"  were  impressed  with  divine 
power  upon  his  mind.  His  spiritual  eyes  were  opened  to 
see  the  fullness  of  the  merits  of  Christ.  In  a  moment, 
thinking  no  more  of  his  want  of  qualification,  he  resolved  to 
approach  the  mercy-seat  again.  He  hastened  back  to  a 
corner  of  the  house — fell  on  his  knees  to  plead  once  more 
with  Grod  for  mercy.  But  as  he  this  time  offered  nothing 
but  Jesus,  the  moment  he  opened  his  mouth  to  ask  his 
prayer  was  answered.  Happy  in  God,  he  returned  to  Ken- 
yon  College,  called  the  professors  and  students  together, 
and  after  telling  them  what  God  had  done  for  him,  kneeled 
down  and  prayed  with  them,  and  gave  thanks  to  God.  Soon 
after  this  he  was  licensed  to  preach,  and  at  the  Conference 
held  in  Springfield,  as  above  stated,  he  was  received  into 
the  traveling  connection,  and  appointed  as  German  mission- 
ary to  Cincinnati.  Such,  then,  were  the  qualifications  of 
the  missionary — thoroughly  educated,  not  only  in  general 
literature,  but  in  those  phases  of  infidelity  which  had  swept 
the  great  mass  of  his  countrymen  from  the  true  foundations 
of  Christian  faith  ;  a  man  of  deep  and  genuine  experience, 
and  willing  to  give  his  time,  talents,  and  life  to  the  cause 
of  God  among  his  countrymen.  If  the  man  appeared  to  be 
the  appropriate  person  for  the  work,  the  results  of  his  labors 
have  completed  the  demonstration.  The  limits  of  my  dis- 
course prevent  me  from  going  into  details  of  this  stupendous 
work.  The  revival  commenced  in  Cincinnati  spread  to  other 
points  within  the  bounds  of  the  Ohio  Conference,  extending 


iVrO  APPENDIX. 

to  other  Conferences,  crossed  tlic  Atlantic  Ocean,  and  made 
a  profound  impression  upon  tlie  great  German  heart  in  the 
Father-hand.  Wow  l>r.  Nast  does  not  now  stand  .alone; 
but  around  liim  L^1ther  as  his  spiritual  children,  and  the 
results  of  his  labors  and  faith,  241  traveling  and  205  local 
preachers,  and  21,000  members  in  this  country;  and  18 
preachers  and  1,854  members  in  Germany.  To  assist  them 
in  thoir  work,  two  papers,  with  an  aL'gregate  circulation  of 
2(3,000,  are  issued  by  the  Cincinnati  Book  Concern.  A  tract 
publishing  house  has  been  established  in  Germany,  and  Dr. 
Nasi  is  now  preparing  and  publishing  an  original  comment- 
ary on  the  Bible  in  the  German  language.  While  we  thank 
God  for  what  has  already  been  done,  we  can  see  that  it  is 
only  the  commencement  of  a  revival  destined  to  regenerate 
Germany. 

I  come  now  to  the  fourth  division  of  the  history,  reaching 
from  1841  to  1851.  During  this  period  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  was  visited  by  the  most  extraordinary  revivals, 
and  rent  by  internal  dissensions.  The  net  increase  of  the 
membership  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  for  1842-43, 
as  reported  by  the  General  Minutes,  reached  the  astonishing 
aggregate  of  257,465.  The  year  1844  precipitated  a  collis- 
ion between  that  portion  of  the  membership  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  which  clung  to  the  primitive  doc- 
trine of  American  Methodism  on  the  subject  of  slavery,  and 
that  portion  of  the  membership  w^hich  had  become,  to  some 
extent,  leavened  with  the  spirit  of  slavery.  The  slavery 
question  had  agitated  the  Church  to  a  greater  or  less  extent 
during  its  whole  history.  Stringent  laws  had  sometimes 
been  enacted,  and  then  followed  by  compromises  and  at- 
tempts to  conciliate  those  who  professed  to  be  aggrieved. 
Whatever  of  compromise  or  laxity  of  administration  had 
marked  any  portion  of  our  history,  there  was  one  place  in 
tlie   economy  of  the  Church  where  slave-holding  has  never 


COMMEMORATION    SERMON.  371 

been  allowed.     Our  general  superintendents  had  kept  pure 
from    this    contamination.     At   the   General  Conference  of 
184-4   it    began   to   be  whispered   that  Bishop  Andrew  had 
become    the   owner  of  slaves.     Xo    bishop  was  more  dearly 
beloved,  none  had  been  more  abundantly  honored  through- 
out the  borders  of  our  Zion.     The  question  was  started  in 
many  hearts  as  between  duty  and  affection  :  Shall  we  arraign 
Bishop  Andrew,  or   shall  we  wink    at   this    thing?     It  was 
not,    however,    of    difficult    solution.     Two    men,    both    of 
Southern  antecedents,  both  well  known  as  strongly  conserv- 
ative men — men,  too.   who  were   strong  personal  friends  of 
Bishop  Andrew — Rev.  J.  B.  Finley  and  Eev.  J.  M.  Trimble, 
offered  a  resolution  requesting  the  Committee  on  the  Episco- 
pacy to  examine  and  report  the  facts  in  regard  to  the  rumor 
of  Bishop  Andrew's   connection  with   slavery.     The  report 
fully  sustained  the  rumor,  and  the  Bishop  himself  fully  ex- 
plained the  circumstances  of  the  case.     It  is  thought  that 
he  would  have  promptly  resigned,  but  the  Southern  leaders 
supposing   that   they  never  would   have  the  opportunity  of 
discussing  the  general  subject  under  more  favorable  circum- 
stances, insisted  that  he  should  maintain  his  position.     After 
full  and  prolonged  discussion,  the  Conference  passed  a  reso- 
lution, setting  it  forth  as  the  "  sense  of  that  General  Con- 
ference, that   Bishop  Andrew  desist    from    the    exercise  of 
his  office  till  this  impediment  should  be  removed."     What 
immediately  followed,  the  protest  of  the  minority,  the  an- 
swer of  the  majority,  the  plan  of  separation,  and  the  means 
by  which   the  great   mass  of  the   members  of  most  of  the 
Southern    Conferences  were    induced    to    secede    from    the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  are  matters  of  familiar  history 
upon  which  I  can  not  now  dwell.     As  might  have  been  an- 
ticipated, the  Southern  secession  has  continued  to  tend  to- 
ward slaverv,  till  all  of  the  old  landmarks  have  been  broken 
down,  and  her  strong  men  have  become  principal  champions 


'^^72  AITENDIX. 

(^r  the  (livino  ritrlit  of  slavery.  On  the  other  hand,  flic 
i^Iethoclist  Kpiscopal  Church  lias  continued  to  speak  out 
with  a  clear  and  more  emphatic  voice  at  every  General 
Conference,  till  to-day  her  influence  in  the  hchalf  of  free- 
dom is  more  powerful  than  ever  before.  "Whatever  of  honor 
may  attach  in  history  to  the  General  Conference  of  1844, 
for  taking  so  firm  a  stand,  and  arresting,  so  far  as  the 
Church  was  concerned,  lax  views  and  lax  legislation  on  this 
vital  question,  a  great  part  of  that  honor  must  belong  to 
the  Ohio  Conference,  leading  members  of  whose  delegation, 
as  before  stated,  introduced  the  resolution  which  brought 
the  matter  to  an  issue. 

Upon  the  period  extending  from  1851  to  the  present  I  do 
not  propose  to  dwell.     Its  scenes  are  fresh  in  the  memory 
of  us  all.     At   its   beginning  we  suffered  a  large   bereave- 
ment of  ministers  and  members,  as  well  as  territory,  in  the 
organization  of  the  Cincinnati  Conference.     It  took  from  us 
188  preachers  and  34,239  members.     The  period  has  been 
marked  with  missionary  zeal  and  liberality,  educational  and 
Church  extension  enterprise,  and  an  encouraging  degree  of 
religious    prosperity.     The    Conference    today  enrolls    178 
traveling   and    248  local  preachers ;  34,136   members ;  489 
churches,  valued    at   $533,129,  and  89   parsonages,   valued 
at   $74,340;    551    Sabbath-schools,   6,327    teachers,   32,708 
scholars,   104,994  books  in  library.     The   Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church   now  enrolls  6,987  traveling  and  8,188  local 
preachers  and  994,447  members ;  9,754  churches,  valued  at 
$19,552,054;     2,674    parsonages,    valued    at    $2,663,318; 
13,243   Sabbath-schools,   146,120    teachers,  793,131    schol- 
ars, 2,672,482  books  in  library.     The  rates  of  increase  or 
decrease  during  each  decade  have  been  as  follows  :  In  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  in  the  first,  increase,  31  per 
cent.;  in  the  second,  82  per  cent.;  in  the  third,  66  per  cent.j 
in  the  fourth,  the  decrease  was  15  per  cent.,  owing  to  the 


COMMEMORATION    SERMON.  373 

Southern  secession  of  nearly  400.000;  and  in  the  fifth,  in- 
crease 37  per  cent.  In  the  five  decades,  the  per  cent,  of 
increase  was  364.  In  the  same  periods  the  Ohio  Confer- 
ence, first  decade,  increased  46  per  cent.;  the  second,  19 
per  cent.;  the  third,  33  per  cent.;  the  fourth,  25  per  cent.; 
the  fifth,  49  per  cent,  decrease,  by  the  heavy  draw  on  its 
membership  to  form  the  Cincinnati  Conference. 

Leaving  this  period  to  younger  and  abler  pens,  I  turn 
now  to  review  very  hastily  the  past,  and  gather  up  some  of 
the  lessons  with  which  this  day  and  this  occasion  should 
impress  us.  The  record  of  the  Ohio  Conference  during  the 
half  century  of  its  existence  is  one  of  which  we  need  not 
be  ashamed.  We  have  seen  that  she  has  had  honorable 
connection  with  many  of  the  important  moral  and  religious 
movements  of  the  age.  During  her  first  decade  she  planted 
the  first  foreign  mission  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
During  her  second,  she  projected  and  founded,  in  connection 
with  the  Kentucky  Conference,  the  first  successful  Meth- 
odist college  in  the  world.  During  the  third,  she  started 
the  great  domestic  missionary  movement  among  the  German 
population,  which  in  its  growth  and  success  has  equally  sur- 
prised and  delighted  the  Christian  world  ;  and  during  the 
fourth  period,  through  her  delegation  in  the  General  Con- 
ference, she  was  instrumental  in  arresting  the  Church  in  her 
pro-slavery  tendency,  and  to  elevate  her  in  the  eyes  of  the 
world  as  ready  to  sacrifice  every  thing  else  for  the  preser- 
vation of  her  purity.  In  1836  the  General  Conference 
selected  one  from  among  us  for  the  work  and  office  of  a 
Bishop;  and  in  1844  selected  another.  The  former  is  now 
the  senior,  and  is  an  ornament  to  the  bench;  the  latter 
served  the  Church  in  that  office  efficiently  for  eight  years, 
and,  in  consequence  of  affliction,  retired.  They  live,  and 
will  live,  in  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  the  Church. 
During    the    first    fifty    years    past    872    persons  have    been 


374 


Aprr.NDix. 


adniittcU  oi»  trial   into  the  01»io  Conference;  800   of  them, 
after  two  years  prohation.  were  received  iiilo  full  connection. 
They  came   in   classes  varying'    in   numbers  from   three,   the 
smallest    class,    to    thirty-three,    the    lar^^est    class.       These 
liave  all  stood   before  the  Conference,   been  i)ublicly  exam- 
ined  by  the   Bishops,  according  to  the   forms  of  our  excel- 
lent Discipline.     As  only  72  out  of  the  872  were  discontin- 
ued    at   the   expiration   of    their   probation,    it   would   seem 
that  the  Conference  has  exercised  commendable  caution.     I 
would    earnestly  call    the    attention    of   the   Conference    to 
this  point,  in  order  that  all  who  arc  added  to  the  body  be 
such  as  will  add  to  its  strength  and  efficiency.     The  door 
of  admission  both  on  trial  and  into  full  connection  should 
be  guarded  with  a  watchful  eye.     During  the  half  century 
168  preachers  of  the  Ohio  Conference  have  located.     The 
causes  of  these  locations  are  not  matters  of  record;  some 
of  them  had  sufficient  reason,  and  were  prompted  by  pure 
motives,  in  retiring  from  the  regular  work  ;   others,  possibly, 
were    prompted  by  trivial  or  selfish   considerations.     Some 
of    them,  in    after  years,  were    re-admitted    to    the    travel- 
ing   connection.      Others    applied,  but  failed   of   being  re- 
admitted.    I  have  been   a  careful  observer  of  these  things 
for    many  years,  but    have   seldom   kno^Yn  a  preacher  who 
retired  from  the  fitild  from  other  causes  than   a  failure  of 
health,  to  be  either  contented  in  his  mind  or  prosperous  in 
his  business.     I  would  ask  my  young  brethren  in  the  min- 
istry when  tempted  to  leave   the  Word  to  serve  tables,  to 
weigh  the  matter  well.     The  Conference  may  easily  supply 
your  place,  but  if  your  location  is  not  in  the  order  of  God, 
all  your  fond  anticipations  will  fail. 

Scattered  along  through  the  General  Minutes  are  the 
memoirs  of  fifty-six  of  our  fathers  and  brethren,  who  have 
died  at  the  post  of  duty.  Having  taught  the  lessons  of 
holy  living,  they  taught  also   the  lessons  of  happy   dying. 


COMMEMORATION    SERMON.  6tO 

Preachers  die,  and  all  must  die.  AVe  may  preacli  the  funer- 
als of  others  ;  let  us  still  bear  in  mind  that  others  will  soon 
officiate  at  our  funerals,  and  let  us  be  ready  when  the  Mas- 
ter comes  to  call  us.  The  youngest  of  those  fifty-six  was 
twenty-five  years  old  at  the  time  of  his  death,  and  the  old- 
est was  ninety-one.  The  average  age  was  fifty  years.  The 
contemplation  of  the  death  of  our  fathers  and  brethren  is 
in  one  sense  sad.  There  is,  however,  one  other  item  that 
we  glean  from  our  Minutes,  unspeakably  more  sad  than  the 
death  of  the  preachers.  I  refer  to  their  expulsion  on  ac^ 
count  of  immorality.  ^Yould  to  God  that  such  an  instance 
had  never  pained  our  hearts  or  tainted  our  records!  But, 
alas  !  in  a  few  instances,  Christ  and  his  cause  have  been 
scandalized  in  the  eyes  of  the  world  by  wickedness  among 
the  ministers  of  the  Gospel.  During  the  history  of  our 
Conference  nine  have  thus  disgraced  themselves,  wounded 
the  cause,  and  compelled  us  to  expel  them  from  the  minis- 
try and  the  Church.  I  am  unspeakably  happy,  however, 
to  announce  that  all  but  one  of  the  nine  afterward  gave 
evidence  of  deep  repentance,  and  again  found  a  home  and 
consolation  in  the  Church  they  had  so  greatly  wounded. 
Some  of  them  were  eventually  restored  to  the  ministry,  but 
they  have  never  regained  the  position  and  influence  from 
which  they  fell. 

My  beloved  brethren  and  sons  in  the  Gospel,  I  know  you 
will  receive  a  word  of  exhortation  from  me  on  this  interest- 
ing occasion.  Let  brotherly  love  continue;  be  not  envious 
of  each  other's  talents,  or  positions,  or  influence,  but  strive 
together  in  love,  as  also  ye  do,  each  esteeming  others  better 
than  himself,  and  he  that  is  ambitious  to  be  the  greatest, 
let  him  be  willing  to  be  servant  of  all.  Deal  kindly  with 
those  who  have  worn  themselves  out  in  the  work.  And  the 
widows  and  orphans  of  those  who  have  died  in  the  work; 
see  to  it  that  they  are  cared  for.     You  yourselves  will  be 


37n  APPENPIX. 

aged  by  and  l)y,  or  if  called  from  your  sphere  of  lalmr  liorc, 
yon  will  leave  faniilios  in  he  rarod  for  by  your  brctliici) ; 
lot  your  kindness  to  the  a<;ed  and  sympathies  with  the  be- 
reaved be  such  as  you  desire  may  be  meted  out  to  you  and 
yours.  Give  your  best  energies  and  thoughts  to  the  work  in 
which  you  arc  engaged.  Never  let  your  work  as  Methodist 
traveling  preachers  be  subordinate  to  any  thing  else.  Lite- 
rature, politics,  and  money-making  are  all  proper  in  their 
place;  but  all  of  them  sadly  out  of  place  when  they  become 
the  primary  matters  of  solicitude  or  attention  upon  the  part 
of  a  Methodist  itinerant.  Finally,  brethren,  be  true  to  the 
Gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  to  the  Church  through 
whose  iustrumentality  you  have  been  saved  and  made  what 
you  are.  Men  of  splendid  parts  have  deserted  and  gone  off 
from  our  communion,  thinking  to  better  their  condition ; 
few  of  them  but  would  have  gladly  come  back  again  could 
they  have  hoped  to  wipe  out  the  past  and  regain  what  they 
had  forfeited.  Cling  to  the  Bible  and  book  of  Discipline, 
and  keep  your  hearts  richly  baptized  with  the  Holy  Ghost, 
and  then  a  glorious  future  awaits  you  as  individuals  and  as 
a  Conference.  Brethren,  the  task  you  assigned  me  upon 
this  occasion  is  about  done,  and  yet  my  heart  is  full.  It  is 
possible,  as  I  intimated  in  the  beginning,  that  some  of  you 
may  live  to  participate  in  another  meeting  like  this,  when 
another  half  century  shall  have  passed.  I'  shall  not.  If, 
however,  disembodied  spirits  are  permitted  to  return  to  earth 
to  mingle  with  those  they  have  loved,  and  in  whose  success 
they  feel  interested,  then  may  I  come  back  fifty  years  hence 
to  see  the  labors  you  shall  have  done,  and  the  victories  you 
shall  have  gained  through  the  grace  of  Jesus  Christ. 

May  the  peace  of  God,  which  passeth  all  understanding, 
abide  with  you  forever !     Amen. 


II. 


SEMI-CENTENNIAL   SERMON  * 


0      J  will  tell  of  the  glory  of  thy  kingdom,  and  talk  of  thy  power.   Psalji  cxlv,  11. 
Awake,  awake,  put  on  thy  strength,  O  Zion,  put  on  thy  beautiful  garments, 
O  Jerusalem.    Isaiah  lii,  1. 

IT  was  the  good  fortune  of  the  speaker  to  commence  his 
itinerant  career  at  an  eventful  period  of  the  history  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  It  was  in  the  year  of  our 
Lord  181(3.  the  middle  year  of  the  just  closing  first  cen- 
tury of  American  Methodism.  That  year  some  of  her 
grandest  historical  characters  were  just  passing  away,  and 
some  of  her  grandest  institutions  for  the  accomplishment 
of  her  mission  were  about  coming;  into  existence.  During 
that  year  her  Asbury,  and  Jesse  Lee.  and  George  Shadford 
closed  their  pilgrimage  and  labors  ;  and  within  three  years 
from  that  date  her  Bible  and  Missionary  Society  and  her 
Tract  Society  were  organized — societies  that  were  destined 
to  become  mighty  agencies  in  carrying  forward  the  work  of 
the  Church.  As  that  year  (1816)  was  the  closing  year  of 
the  first  half-century  of  American  Methodism,  it  may  be 
well  to  pause  and  spend  a  few  moments  in  contemplating 
the  departure  of  those  moral  heroes  whose  personal  narra- 
tive makes  up  so  much  of  the  history  of  the  times  in  which 
they  lived. 

Bishop  Asbury's  eventful    history,    which    had   extended 

"  Delivered  by  request  of  the  Ohio  Conference,  on  the  completion  of  half  a 
century  ill  the  regular  work,  at  Coliimlms,  Ohio,  October  1,  18GG. 

32  377 


378  ArpKNUix. 

tlirough  fifty-five  years  of  ministerial  labor,  I'orty-fivo  of 
w^rrh  he  had  spent  in  tliis  country,  was  now  about  to  close. 
In  the  Sprinir  of  tli.it  yr;ir  he  reached  llichTnond,  Virginia, 
having  traveled  in  his  private  carriage  from  Tennessee, 
throuirh  South  and  North  Caroliua.  Worn  )>v  fatigue  and 
reduced  ])y  disease,  his  friends  saw  that  his  end  was  near. 
They  entreated  liim  to  spare  himself  from  further  labor. 
The  heroic  man  said  he  desired  once  more  to  deliver  his 
testimony  iu  llichmoud.  Unable  either  to  walk  or  to  stand, 
he  was  assisted  from  his  carriage  to  the  pulj)it,  and  seated 
on  a  table  that  had  been  prepared  for  that  purpose.  His 
text  was  Romans  ix,  28:  "He  will  finish  his  work  and  cut 
it  short  in  riirhteousness,  because  a  short  work  will  the  Lord 
make  upon  the  earth."  His  debility  was  such  that  he  was 
compelled  to  make  frequent  pauses  in  the  course  of  his  ser- 
mon, yet  the  audience  was  much  affected  by  the  manner  in 
which  he  delivered  his  solemn  message,  but  much  more  with 
his  appearance,  venerable  with  age,  standing  on  the  borders 
of  eternity,  pale  and  tremulous  with  debility,  while  the 
deep  intonations  of  his  commanding  voice,  rising  with  the 
grandeur  of  his  subject,  gave  a  solemnity  to  the  whole  scene 
of  the  most  impressive  character.  Having  so  faithfully  de- 
livered his  last  message,  he  lingered  only  a  few  days.  On 
the  31st  of  March  his  friends  saw  that  he  was  dying,  and 
asked  him  if  he  had  any  communications  to  make.  He 
replied  that  "  he  had-  fully  expressed  his  mind  in  relation 
to  the  interests  of  the  Church  to  Bishop  M'Kendree,  and 
had  nothing  to  add."  How  sublime  that  answer!  Those 
whose  lives  have  been  of  religious  leisure  are  apt  to  be  in 
a  hurry  when  they  come  to  die — much  to  do,  and  little 
time  in  which  to  do  it.  But  those  who,  like  Wesley  and 
Asbury,  have  made  life  wonderful  with  its  religious  enter- 
prises and  activities,  when  they  come  to  die,  have  calmness, 
and  leisure,  and  rest,  on  the  borders  of  eternity.     Sitting 


SEMI-CENTENNIAL   SERMON.  379 

iu  his  chair,  without  a  struggle  or  a  groan,  he  passed  from 
earth  to  rejoin  his  companions  who  had  preceded  him  to 
the  Church  triumphant.  He  had  seen  the  Methodist  Church 
on  the  continent  grow  from  a  membership  of  1,160  to  that 
of  224,853. 

In  the  Autumn  of  that  year  the  Ohio  Conference  met  at 
Louisville,  Kentucky.  A  goodly  band  of  young  men  stood 
ready  to  fill  up  the  ranks  which  had  been  thinned  by  death 
and  locations.  The  following  preachers  were  received  on 
trial :  Thomas  A.  Morris,  John  C.  Brooke,  Stephen  Spur- 
lock,  Ezra  Booth,  Samuel  Glaze,  William  Holdman,  William 
Westlake,  Samuel  Baker,  John  Linville,  Daniel  D.  Davis- 
son,  William  Williams,  Samuel  Demint,  Thomas  Carr,  and 
Simon  Peter — fourteen.  There  not  being  enough,  however, 
to  supply  the  work.  Rev.  Jacob  Young,  presiding  elder  of 
the  Muskingum  district,  called  me  out,  and  sent  me  to  as- 
sist Rev.  John  Sammerville,  on  the  Letart  Falls  circuit. 
Young,  inexperienced,  and  trembling,  I  responded  to  the 
summons,  and  started  forth  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  to  do 
the  best  I  could.  The  race  which  I  then  commenced  I 
have  been  enabled,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  to  continue  for 
fifty  years,  and  now,  a  monument  of  God's  mercy,  am  here 
to  witness  the  closing  up  of  the  first  and  the  commencement 
of  the  second  century  of  American  Methodism.  At  that 
time  the  Ohio  Conference  had  about  sixty-seven  preachers, 
and  the  territory  embraced  Ohio,  Kentucky,  Indiana,  and 
parts  of  Virginia  and  Pennsylvania.  Within  the  same 
bounds  there  are  now  some  ten  or  twelve  Conferences  and 
more  than  one  thousand  traveling  preachers.  There  were 
then  in  the  bounds  of  what  now  constitutes  the  Ohio  Con- 
ference two  districts,  arranged  and  supplied  as  follows  ; 

Mnslcingum  District — Jacob  Young,  presiding  elder.  Le- 
tart Falls,  John  Summerville,  John  Stewart  as  supply; 
Fairfield,  James  Quinn,  John  M'Mahon;    Zaucsville,  John 


r>80  ArrKNDix. 

Watonnnii.  Thomas  Carr;  Marietta,  Cornelius  Sprijicrer, 
Thomas  A.  Morris;  Knox,  Shadraeli  Kuark. 

Srt'ofo  District — David  Yonnir,  presiding  ehler.  Picka- 
May,  Michael  Kllis,  Samuel  lirown  ;  I'aint  Creek,  Jacob 
Hooper,  William  Westlake  ;  Scioto,  Thomas  SewcU,  Ito})ert 
W.  Finley;  Columbus,  William  Swayze,  Simon  I'eter;  IJrusli 
Creek,  Klijah  Truitt ;  Salt  Creek,  John  Tevis;  Deer  Creek, 
Charles  Waddle,  Samuel  (ilaze. 

I  have  omitted  from  the  list  the  charges  tliat  lay  outside 
of  our  present  Conference  bounds,  and  have  inserted  the 
names  of  the  supplies  as  far  as  they  are  known  to  me. 
When  you  called  your  roll  at  the  opening  of  this  Confer- 
ence, I  listened  attentively,  but  though  you  called  over  one 
hundred  and  fifty  names,  yet  except  my  own  I  heard  not 
one  of  the  names  that  I  have  just  read  in  your  hearing. 
One  other  is  still  living,  who  is  now  the  senior  Bishop  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  ;  but  with  that  exception 
my  old  comrades  in  arms  have  all  gone  home — elders,  dea- 
cons, licentiates — they  have  all  gone.  The  same  year,  and 
only  about  a  mouth  after  the  decease  of  Bishop  Asbury, 
the  General  Conference  met  in  Baltimore,  and  now  for  the 
first  time  in  its  history  did  the  superintendency  of  Ameri- 
can Methodism  devolve  solely  on  native  American  hands. 
Asbury  had  come  forty-five  years  before,  a  missionary  sent  by 
AVcsIey,  and  had  given  his  noble  life,  w^ith  all  its  energies, 
to  the  work  of  founding  and  building  up  the  Church  on 
this  continent.  He  had  outlived  most  of  his  co-laborers, 
and  now  he,  the  last  and  greatest,  had  left  the  battle  to  be 
fought  by  others. 

The  delegates  from  the  Ohio  Conference  to  the  General 
Conference  were  James  Quinn,  Charles  Holliday,  Marcus 
Lindsey,  Jacob  Young,  Samuel  Parker,  Isaac  Quinn,  David 
Young,  John  Sale,  and  Benjamin  Lakin,  all  of  them  giants 
in  their  day.     They  assisted  in  electing  Enoch  George  and 


SEMI-CENTENNIAL    SERMON.  381 

Robert  R.  Roberts  to  strengthen  the  Episcopacy,  which  then 
had  but  one  member,  the  saintly  M'Kendree,  and  he  in  very 
feeble  health. 

The  Bishops  elected,  and  our  delegates  who  assisted  in 
electing  them,  are  all  gone,  and  now,  doubtless,  mingle  to- 
gether in  the  sublimer  enjoyments  of  the  better  world  ; 
possibly  to-day  as  ministering  spirits  interested  in  this  Cen- 
tenary jubilee,  they  may  mingle  with  us,  rejoicing  in  the 
results  of  one  common  toil.  For  so  it  is,  the  workmen  who 
in  their  day  seem  to  be  essential  to  the  continuance  of  the 
work  are  called  home,  but  the  work  goes  forward,  steadily, 
surely,  grandly  it  goes  forward.  As  I  stand  here  to-day, 
calling  up  the  memories  of  the  half  century  that  has  passed 
since  T  entered  the  itinerant  field,  and  glance  down  through 
the  vista  of  the  on-coming  century,  I  can  hardly  tell  which  in- 
terests me  most.  I  think  of  what  God  has  wrought  for  Meth- 
odism throughout  the  world  during  the  past  century,  and  I 
feel  to  "  tell  of  the  glory  of  his  kingdom,  and  talk  of  his 
power."  My  heart  grows  warm  as  I  antedate  the  possibili- 
ties of  the  future,  and  I  cry  out,  "Awake,  awake,  put  on 
thy  strength,  0  Zion,  put  on  thy  beautiful  garments."  If 
we  and  our  successors  sufficiently  appreciate  the  available 
strength  and  responsibility  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  will  be  true  to  our  mission,  our  future  will 
eclipse  in  grand  results  even  the  magnificent  achievements 
of  the  past.  The  study  of  her  history  demonstrates  that 
she  has  wielded  wonderful  strength  ;  an  examination  of  her 
genius,  polity,  and  ecclesiastical  enterprises,  shows  that  she 
has  large  resources  of  strength  upon  which  to  draw  at  pleas- 
ure;  these  resources  indicate  her  responsibility,  and  call  for 
a  girding  of  herself  with  all  her  possible  strength  for  an- 
other campaign  of  a  hundred  years.  Had  [Methodism  not 
possessed  strength  she  could  not  have  extended  her  lines 
against  active  and  constant  opposition,  till  her  standards  aro 


382  APPENDIX. 

plnntctl  on  all  the  populous  portions  of  this  continent;  she 
could  iidt  have  planted  and  sustained  missionary  stations  on 
all  the  nmtinents  of  the  irlobe  ;  she  could  not  have  erected 
on  this  continent  0,022  church  buildings,  building  them 
during  a  portion  of  the  time  at  the  rate  of  one  every  day. 
»Shc  could  not  have  founded  77  seminaries  and  25  colleeres 
and  universities ;  she  could  not  have  gathered  into  her  fold 
928.320  members,  and  into  the  various  branches  of  the 
Methodist  family  on  this  continent  and  the  neighboring 
islands  1,986,420  communicants,  and  into  her  congregations 
nearly  8,000,000  of  people.  Wherein  has  slie  this  great 
strength?  and  where  are  the  sources  of  her  strength?  Are 
they  not  found,  first,  in  her  discipline,  or  Methodism  ;  sec- 
ond, in  the  activity  of  her  laborers,  and  that  peculiar  feat- 
ure of  her  economy — the  great  itinerant  wheel — which  puts 
and  keeps  the  entire  host  in  operation ;  third,  in  the  intel- 
ligence of  her  membership,  and  her  multitudinous  appliances 
for  the  dissemination  of  knowledge  among  the  members  and 
the  people ;  fourth,  in  the  pure  Gospel  she  always  has,  and 
always  proposes  to  carry  on  all  her  banners,  and  publish  to 
all  her  people ;  fifth,  in  the  vital  piety  or  holiness  which 
she  teaches  as  attainable,  and  which  she  urges  upon  all  her 
people  as  indispensable  to  the  fulfillment  of  her  mission  as 
a  Church  and  people? 

Allow  me  to  spend  a  few  minutes  in  illustrating  these  po- 
sitions. 

1.  We  have  intimated  that  one  of  the  secrets  of  the 
strength  of  our  Zion,  and  one  of  the  resources  of  her 
strength,  is  found  in  her  dhcipUne^  that  drill  and  discipline 
of  her  membership  and  ministry  which  enables  her  to  marshal 
and  direct  and  use  her  energies  to  the  best  advantage. 
3felhodisfs,  so  called  at  first,  by  their  enemies,  sarcastically, 
because  of  their  methodical  way  of  doing  their  work,  drilled 
themselves  and  disciplined  their  successors  in  the  doctrine 


SEMI-CENTENNIAL    SERMON.  383 

and  practice  of  each,  doing  work  in  the  station  and  in  the 
manner  that  the  proper  Church  authorities  should  direct. 
Her  muster-roll  was  called  each  week  at  the  class-meeting. 
The  absentees  were  marked,  and  then  the  leader  himself  or 
other  members  of  the  class  detailed  by  the  leader,  hunted 
up  the  absentees,  that  they  might  be  comforted  if  sick, 
brouo;ht  back  if  strajrslers,  court-martialed  if  deserters.     In 

a  CO  ' 

a  well-«liscipliued  army,  the  officer  in  command  needs  only 
to  give  the  order,  "  Take  that  battery,"  and  the  division 
receiving  the  command  marches  forward  with  fixed"  bayonets, 
and  if  the  work  is  practicable  the  battery  is  taken ;  so  has 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  pulled  down  strongholds, 
and  secured  brilliant  successes  in  consequence  of  this  dis- 
cipline of  her  army.  Loyal  to  authority,  her  members  have 
responded  to  her  class-leaders,  her  leaders  to  her  pastors, 
her  pastors  to  her  presiding  elders,  her  presiding  elders  to 
her  bishops,  her  bishops  to  the  General  Conference,  and  all 
to  the  Captain  of  our  salvation — the  great  Head  of  the 
Church. 

This  discipline  has  never  been  irksome  or  galling  to  the 
speaker,  but  he  has  found  the  yoke  of  Methodism  to  be 
easy,  and  its  burden  to  be  light.  In  1814  his  name  was 
placed  upon  her  muster-roll  by  that  efficient  recruiting  offi- 
cer, Rev.  Marcus  Lindsey.  Never  by  any  selection  or 
electioneering  of  his  own,  but  in  response  to  the  recognized 
voice  of  Church  authority,  he  served  the  Church  suc- 
cessively as  class-steward,  class-leader,  exhorter,  local 
preacher,  junior  preacher,  preacher  in  charge,  and  presid- 
ing elder.  Though  I  feel  that  I  have  unworthily  filled  the 
different  stations  assigned,  yet  by  the  blessing  of  God  I 
have  so  filled  them  that  no  official  censure  is  on  record 
against  me,  and  think  I  may  say  with  sincerity,  that  with  sin- 
gleness of  aim  I  have  endeavored  during  that  long  period  to 
endure  hardness  .as  a  good  soldier.     It  is  doubtless  to  this 


384  ArpENDix. 

spirit  of  loyalty  to  (Miurrh  nutliority,  occiipyinfi;  carefully 
and  fjiilhfully  the  positions  assigned  to  the  nionibcrs  and 
ministers,  severally,  that  we  have  heretofore,  and  shall  here- 
after, attribute  much  of  our  success. 

2.  Wc  have  intimated  that  the  secret  of  success  is  found 
in  great  part  in  the  activity  of  her  workers,  and  that  one  of 
the  resources  of  her  strcnu;th  is  found  in  that  feature  of  her 
economy,  the  great  itinerant  wheel,  which  puts  tho.  whole 
host  in  motion.  We  have  had  illustrations  in  the  history 
of  our  own  country,  that  an  army  may  be  thorough  in  its 
discipline,  and  yet  maintain  a  masterly  inactivity,  spending 
its  time  and  energies  in  the  exercise  and  parade  of  its  drill- 
manual,  but  carefully  avoiding  any  forward  movement.  The 
hosts  of  Methodism  were  never  organized  for  garrison  duty. 
Wesley,  in  the  Old  World,  and  Asbury  in  this,  proposed  the 
occupancy  of  the  world-wide  parish  in  the  shortest  possible 
time.  Hence  they  ordered  constant  movement,  and  that 
constant  movement  a  movement  of  the  whole  army,  a  for- 
ward movement ;  nothing  less  than  the  conquest  of  the 
world  for  Christ  was  the  aim,  and  each  individual  soldier 
was  expected  to  be  at  the  post  of  duty,  and  to  do  his  full 
part  in  the  campaign.  It  is  said  that  during  the  late  rebell- 
ion one  of  the  commanding  officers  telegraphed  to  the  Lieu- 
tenant-General,  saying,  "  If  we  push  the  enemy  I  think  wc 
can  take  him;  what  shall  we  do?"  Back  over  the  tele- 
graphic wire  flashed  the  prompt  and  laconic  reply,  "  Push." 
But  no  standard-bearer  in  the  hosts  of  Methodism,  under 
such  circumstances,  ever  needs  to  telegraph  to  a  superior 
officer  for  instructions ;  when  he  received  his  commission  he 
received  a  special  charge  and  standing  orders  to  "  push  the 
enemy  and  take  him."  Wherever  there  is  a  stronghold  of 
Satan,  pu^^'h  and  take  it;  wherever  there  is  a  rebel  against 
the  government  of  God,  push  and  capture  him;  wherever 
there  is  a  benighted  heathen,  push  and  rescue  him.     This 


SEMI-CENTENNIAL    SERMON.  385 

she  regards  indeed  as  marchiog  order  No.  1,  issued  more 
than  one  thousand  eight  hundred  years  ago,  by  the  Chief 
Captain,  when  he  said,  "  Go  ye  into  all  the  world  and 
preach  the  Gospel  to  every  creature.  He  that  believeth  and 
is  baptized  shall  be  saved;  he  that  believeth  not  shall  be 
damned."  In  response  to  this  order  the  general  superin- 
tendents strike  their  tents  and  start  upon  the  grand  cam- 
paign. They  sound  the  marching  orders  down  the  lines 
through  the  presiding  elders  to  the  pastors,  and  they  to  the 
leaders  and  members,  and  the  vast  army,  cavalry  and  in- 
fantry, throughout  the  mighty  host,  are  moving  to  the  charge. 
How  rapid  and  resistless  has  been  this  movement  let  rec- 
ords of  the  past  and  the  position  of  to-day  declare.  You 
will  pardon  the  weakness,  if  weakness  it  be,  of  an  aged 
itinerant,  in  glancing  over  the  march  of  half  a  century  in 
this  army.  In  1816  Jacob  Young,  then  in  the  strength  of 
early  manhood,  and  a  fearless  and  successful  champion, 
ordered  me  to  push  the  battle,  a  junior  preacher  on  Letart 
Falls  circuit;  a  circuit,  however,  of  twenty-five  appointments, 
and  spreading  over  what  now  constitutes  eleven  pastoral 
charges.  Beardless  boy  as  I  was,  I  packed  my  clothing  and 
library  into  my  saddle-bags,  mounted  my  horse,  and  started. 
I  have  had  the  honor  of  traveling  thirty  circuits — six  of 
them  only  six  months  each — and  five  districts — two  of  them 
only  one  year  each;  these  I  found  in  seven  of  the  States. 

The  circuits  have  usually  been  large  ones,  the  largest 
having  thirty-five  appointments,  and  the  whole  list  averag- 
ing twenty  appointments  to  a  circuit.  If  I  had  indulged 
in  an  estimate  of  my  journeyiugs  and  labors  during  the 
half  century,  it  is  not  to  glorify  myself,  but  in  honor  of 
that  ecclesiastical  system  which  so  successfully  keeps  the 
wheels  of  its  pastoral  machinery  in  motion.  I  find,  upon 
calculating  the  geographical  boundaries  of  my  several  fields 

of  labor  and  the  number  of  preaching-places,  and  making 

83 


380  ArrKNDix. 

an  estimate  of  the  incjathering  of  souIh  oil  those  charp^es, 
the  following  results:  I  have  traveled  not  less  than  lt)l,000 
miles,  mostly  on  horseback  ;  a  journey  which,  if  continuously 
pursued  around  the  world,  would  have  taken  me  six  times 
around  the  planet,  and  I  should  now  be  11,300  miles,  or 
nearly  half-way  round  again.  I  have  preached  in  the  reg- 
ular course  of  my  appointments  not  less  than  9,476  times. 
"Were  I  to  add  sermons  preached  at  protracted  meetings 
and  funerals,  and  occasional  sermons,  the  number  would  be 
much  larger;  and,  best  of  all,  I  have  had  the  honor  of  wel- 
coming into  the  Church  of  my  choice  not  less  than  5,000 
souls.  After  half  a  century  I  stand  bleached,  and  stiffened, 
and  scarred  in  the  service,  but  I  love  it  still.  If  the  Chief 
Captain  would  so  appoint,  gladly  would  I  enter  with  you, 
my  younger  brethren,  upon  another  fifty  years'  campaign. 
But  this  may  not  be.  I  am  content  to  step  down  into  the 
ranks  or  be  placed  on  the  retired  list,  and  perform  any  serv- 
ice that  any  one  of  my  years  and  infirmities  may  be  equal 
to.  If  I  may  not  longer  pass  into  the  fight  I  may  lift  up 
my  hands  to  God,  praying  that  the  great  itinerant  wheel  so 
ejfficient  in  the  past,  may  be  increasingly  so  till  the  commis- 
sion is  fulfilled  and  the  world  is  saved. 

3.  The  secret  of  the  strength  of  Methodism  is  found  in 
part  in  the  intelligence  of  her  membership,  and  one  of  the 
resources  of  her  strength  is  her  multitudinous  appliances 
for  the  dissemination  of  knowledge  among  the  people.  It 
is  true  that  when  I  entered  the  itinerant  field  we  had  not 
on  this  continent  a  single  college,  or  seminary,  or  Advocate, 
or  Sabbath -school  library,  or  large  catalogue  of  books  of 
our  own  publishing.  But  even  then  we  had  in  every 
place  where  we  planted  our  standards  organized  societies 
or  classes,  the  work  of  whose  members  was  to  assist  each 
other  in  obtaining  the  clearest  and  most  thorough  theo- 
retical and  experimental  knowledge  of  the  plan  of  salvation. 


SEMI-CENTENNIAL   SERMON.  387 

What  books  we  had  were  sound  and  solid — each  preacher 
regarded  it  as  a  part  of  his  regular  work  to  supply  the 
people  with  such  books  as  would  make  them  intelligent 
Bible  Christians.  I  need  not  say  that  the  Methodists  ia 
those  days,  though  without  colleges  for  the  laity  and  Bib- 
lical schools  for  the  ministry,  were  able  to  give  a  reason  for 
the  hope  that  was  in  them  with  a  clearness  and  power  that 
astonished  and  convinced  their  hearers.  But  they  were  not 
indifferent  to  these  agencies  with  which  God  has  so  greatly 
blessed  us  in  these  later  times.  While  I  was  on  Fairfield 
circuit,  in  1818,  the  Methodist  Magazine,  which  still  con- 
tinues under  the  name  of  Quarterly  Review,  was  issued.  In 
1823  a  youth's  paper  was  started;  in  1826  the  Advocate 
and  Journal,  the  parent  of  the  Advocate  family,  which  now 
count  their  subscribers  by  hundreds  of  thousands  and  their 
readers  by  millions.  The  Book  Concern,  which  had  com- 
menced in  the  early  history  of  the  Church  upon  a  few  hun- 
dred dollars  borrowed  from  one  of  her  members,  had  been 
gradually  and  noiselessly  growing  up  among  the  publishing 
houses  of  the  country,  sending  out  her  childhood  literature 
and  solid  theological  works  for  laymen  and  ministers,  till 
to-day  it  stands  the  largest  religious  publishing-house  be- 
longing to  any  denomination  on  this  or  any  other  continent. 
It  has  an  aggregate  capital  of  $837,000,  and  the  Agents  in 
the  last  quadrennial  report  made  an  exhibit  of  sales  for  the 
last  four  years  of  81,200,000.  Who  can  tell  how  much  of 
power  is  available  to  the  Church  through  the  more  than 
thirty  presses  which  are  throwing  ofif  her  millions  of  pages 
and  papers?  While  her  book  and  periodical  interests  have 
been  developing,  she  has  also  given  attention  to  secular 
education. 

All  our  efforts  to  establish  institutions  of  learning  during 
the  first  half  century  of  our  history  proved  to  be  failures. 
Not,  indeed,  till  1823   did  we  make  a  successful  effort  in 


388  ArrENDix. 

that  direcfion.  But  the  successful  founding  of  Aupjusta 
C'ollcgc,  in  Auffusta,  Kentucky,  was  followed  by  an  enter- 
prise and  success  that  has  known  no  parallel  in  any  age  or 
country.  In  forty-three  years  she  has  founded  one  hundred 
and  two  seminaries,  colleges,  and  universities,  possessing 
endowments  and  other  property  to  the  amount  of  $3, (ir).'), 000. 
Thus,  since  she  really  entered  upon  this  work,  has  she 
founded  institutions  of  learning  at  the  rate  of  more  than 
one  for  every  six  months.  Now  she  proposes,  as  a  grand 
Centenary  offering,  to  accumulate  a  connectional  educa- 
tional fund  which  may  greatly  add  to  the  magnitude  of  the 
source  of  strength. 

There  is  still  to  be  added  to  these  appliances  for  the 
spread  of  denominational  and  general  Christian  intelligence 
her  great  Sunday-school  system.  Her  Sunday-School  Union 
was  organized  in  1827,  eleven  years  after  I  entered  the 
work.  Its  growth  has  been  amazing,  and  its  accomplish- 
ments wonderful.  It  now  reports  13,400  schools,  150,000 
teachers  and  officers,  and  918,000  scholars,  19,000  of  whom 
were  reported  as  converted  during  the  year  preceding  the 
last  printed  report.  There  are  in  her  libraries  2,529,000 
volumes  of  books,  and  these  schools  are  supplied  every  two 
weeks  with  260,000  Sunday-School  Advocates.  And  what 
must  thrill  every  Christian  heart  with  joy  and  thanksgiving 
in  this  report,  is  the  item  that  within  eighteen  years  last 
past  285,000  have  been  converted  in  connection  with  the 
Sabbath-schools  of  our  Church.  These  statistics  need  no 
comment.  Here  in  great  part  is  the  secret  of  our  success 
and  the  resource  of  our  strength.  Her  class-meetings  for 
instruction  in  matters  of  experience;  her  Sabbath-schools, 
seminaries,  and  colleges,  for  her  children  and  youth ;  and 
her  great  Advocate  family  and  publishing  house  for  all, 
present  a  stupendous  system — a  system  of  appliances  for 
sending  light  and  influence  every-where. 


SEMI-CENTENNIAL   SERMON.  389 

4.  The  secret  of  her  success  has  been,  in  great  part, 
found  in  the  fact  that  she  has  adhered  with  tenacity  to  the 
pure  teaching  of  the  Gospel,  and  has  given  its  vitalizing 
truths  constant  prominence. 

At  the  time  that  Methodism  arose  the  creed  of  the  Es- 
tablished Church  of  Great  Britain,  as  preached,  differed 
widely  from  her  faith  as  found  in  her  books.  Wesley 
found  the  pure  doctrines  of  the  Bible  in  the  standard  au- 
thors of  the  Church  and  preached  them;  but  they  were  new 
doctrines  to  many  of  the  Established  clergy.  How  remark- 
ably this  is  true  may  appear  from  the  following  extract 
from  an  English  Review,  edited  by  a  clergyman  of  the 
Church  of  England  at  the  time  that  Wesley  and  helpers 
were  having  such  grand  success  in  leading  the  people  to  the 
Savior.  The  article  from  which  I  quote  was  on  the  causes 
of  the  "increase  of  Methodism."  It  presents  the  following 
grave  charges  against  the  Methodists  : 

"1.  The  Methodists  believe  in  a  special  Providence.  2. 
They  believe  in  internal  emotions  wrought  by  the  Spirit  of 
God;  that  is,  that  the  Spirit  of  God  does  produce  spiritual 
emotions  in  the  heart.  3.  They  are  opposed  to  theaters,  call- 
ing them  hot-beds  of  vice,  and  to  cards,  dancing,  and  par- 
ties of  pleasure.  4.  They  preach  salvation  by  faith  alone, 
and  not  by  the  works  of  righteousness.  5.  They  are  desir- 
ous of  making  men  more  religious  than  the  constitution  of 
human  nature  warrants,  6.  The  doctrine  of  the  Methodists 
is  calculated  to  give  power  and  influence  among  the  poor." 

The  reviewer  goes  on  to  say,  that  "  if  this  fanaticism 
continues,  happiness  will  be  destroyed,  reason  deserted,  re- 
ligion banished,  and  a  long  period  of  grossest  immorality, 
atheism,  and  debauchery  will  succeed."  The  writer  was 
much  at  a  loss  to  find  a  satisfactory  plan  for  the  cure  of 
this  fanaticism.  He  recommends,  however,  "  to  ply  it  with 
ridicule."     Either  the  writer  was  so  ignorant  of  the  faith 


390  Arrp:NDix. 

of  the  Established  Church  as  not  to  know  that  tlic  doctrines 
which  he  charcod  upon  Methodists  were  all  round  in  the 
liturgy  as  well  as  in  the  Bible,  or  else  he  was  so  corrupt 
as  to  try  to  mislead  the  people  and  excite  unwarranted  lios- 
tility  against  the  earnest  men  who  were  aecomj)lishing  a 
wonderful  reformation  among  the  people.  The  accusation 
furnishes  from  the  pen  of  an  enemy  a  striking  proof  of  the 
purity  of  tlie  doctrines  and  the  consistency  of  the  morals 
of  the  early  Methodists. 

In  these  respects,  both  in  the  Old  and  New  World,  has 
the  Church  of  Wesley  borne  the  same  testimony.  She  has 
published  from  her  pulpits,  and  in  her  standard  writings 
and  current  periodicals,  the  depravity  of  man's  nature, 
redemption  by  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  justification  by 
faith,  regeneration  by  the  operation  of  the  Spirit,  the  di- 
rect witness  of  the  Spirit  to  the  soul's  relation  to  God, 
the  completion  of  the  work  of  sanctification  in  the  full 
salvation  of  the  soul.  She  has  sounded  the  invitations 
of  the  Gospel  to  all  as  redeemed  sinners ;  she  has  warned 
all  of  the  danger  to  which  they  are  exposed  while  neglect- 
ing the  invitations  of  the  Gospel ;  and  while  she  has  taught 
all  Christians  that  it  is  their  privilege  and  duty  to  be  made 
perfect  in  love  in  the  present  life,  she  has  faithfully  warned 
them  of  the  danger  of  making  shipwreck  of  faith  and  of 
failing  of  the  grace  of  God.  She  has  uniformly  set  forth 
Christ  Jesus,  the  God-man,  the  Savior  of  sinners,  as  the 
Alpha  and  Omega — the  beginning  and  the  end — the  foun- 
dation and  top-stone  of  faith,  and  hope,  and  joy.  Her 
trumpets  have  given  no  feeble  or  uncertain  sound. 

In  the  year  1833  Melville  B.  Cox  carried  these  doctrines 
to  Africa,  and  after  planting  the  banner  of  the  Gospel  truth 
firmly,  he  laid  his  bones  beneath  the  sods  of  that  distant 
continent,  connecting  forever  the  heart  of  the  Church  with 
the   salvation   of  the  millions   of  Africa.      In  1833   Jason 


SEMI-CENTENNIAL    SERMON.  391 

Lee  and  others  carried  these  doctrines  to  the  Flathead  In- 
dians, beyond  the  Rocky  Mountains.  Her  sons  and  daugh- 
ters have  carried  these  doctrines  to  China  and  India,  and 
to  the  decaying  Churches  of  the  land  of  Luther  and  the  Re- 
formers. Her  great  array  of  itinerants  at  home  have  sounded 
them  from  mountain  to  mountain,  from  valley  to  valley, 
from  prairie  to  prairie,  over  all  this  wide  continent — all 
preaching  Christ  Jesus;  in  him  a  present,  free,  and  full  sal- 
vation ;  without  him,  no  salvation  at  all.  For  a  time  the 
opposition  of  those  who  advocated  predestination  and  limited 
atonement  was  active  and  positive.  But  long  since  that 
conflict  has  virtually  ended,  and  nearly  all  the  preachers  of 
the  Gospel  in  these  States  join  in  sounding  the  "whosoever" 
invitation  in  every  pulpit  and  every  place.  It  is  a  fact  that 
has  challenged  attention  and  admiration,  that  while  no  other 
branch  of  the  Church  has  been  as  lenient  in  doctrinal 
requisitions  for  Church  membership,  no  other  branch  of 
the  Church  has  had  such  unity  of  faith  among  her  members, 
and  such  freedom  from  doctrinal  wranglings  and  schisms. 
As  she  has  not  been  ashamed  of  the  Gospel,  "which  is  the 
power  of  God  unto  salvation,"  so  the  Author  of  the  Gos- 
pel has  not  been  ashamed  of  her,  and  has  given  her  won- 
derful success  in  the  propagation  of  a  pure  faith. 

5.  The  secret  of  her  strength  has  been  found  in  part  in 
her  adherence  to  the  doctrine  of  holiness,  and  the  distinct 
and  earnest  manner  in  which  she  has  urged  its  experience 
upon  all  her  members  as  being  attainable  in  the  present 
life,  and  as  being  the  duty  of  all  ministers  and  members,  as 
a  preparation  for  the  successful  accompli?^hment  of  their 
mission. 

In  the  primitive  Church,  the  disciples,  by  the  command 
of  the  Master,  tarried  at  Jerusalem  to  be  endued  with 
power  from  on  high.  So  did  3Ir.  We>^loy  and  his  early  co- 
luborcrs  tarry  for  the  same  baptism.     In  the  Conference  of 


392  APPENDIX. 

1765,  Ji  little  more  than  one  hundred  years  a;:;o,  Mr.  Wes- 
ley a^ks  the  question,  What  was  the  rise  of  Methodism? 
and  answers  the  question  thus:  "In  1720  my  brother  and 
I  read  the  ]5ible;  saw  inward  and  outward  holuicss  therein; 
followed  after  it,  and  incited  others  to  do  so.  In  1737  wc 
saw  that  holiness  eomes  by  faifh.  In  1738  we  saw  that  we 
must  be  justified  before  we  are  sanctified;  but  still  holiness 
was  our  point — inward  and  outward  holiness.  God  then 
thrust  us  out  to  raise  up  a  holy  people."  The  writings  of 
Mr.  Wesley  and  other  early  Methodists  furnish  frequent 
illustrations  of  the  earnestness  with  which  the  people  sought 
this  experience  and  the  zeal  with  which  the  preachers  urged 
it,  and  of  the  pentecostal  baptism  which  they  from  time  to 
time  received.  January  1,  1739,  Messrs.  Ingham,  White- 
field,  Charles  Wesley,  and  about  sixty  others,  at  a  confer- 
ence with  Mr.  Wesley  at  Fetter-Lane,  about  three  o'clock  in 
the  morning,  while  they  continued  instant  in  prayer,  the 
power  of  God  came  mightily  upon  them,  insomuch  that 
many  cried  out  for  exceeding  joy,  and  many  fell  to.  the 
ground.  As  soon  as  they  recovered  a  little  from  the  awe 
and  amazement  which  the  presence  of  the  Divine  Majesty 
had  inspired,  they  thus  broke  out  with  one  voice,  saying, 
"We  praise  thee,  0  God;  we  acknowledge  thee  to  be  the 
Lord."  Whiteficld  records  a  conference  of  some  seven  of 
these  "despised  Methodist"  preachers  not  long  after.  They 
continued  in  prayer  till  three  o'clock,  and  then  departed 
with  the  full  conviction  that  "God  was  about  to  do  great 
things  among  us."  How  gloriously  that  "full  conviction" 
has  been  realized,  is  shown  in  the  remarkable  biographies 
of  such  private  members  as  William  Carvosso  and  Hester 
Ann  Rogers,  and  such  ministers  as  Fletcher  and  a  host  of 

others. 

The    Church   has    never   retired   this    doctrine    from    its 
prominent  position,  or  lowered  the  standard  set  up  at  the 


SEMI-CENTENNIAL    SERMON  303 

beginning.  Doubtless  her  continuous  revivals  for  a  century 
and  a  half  are  largely  attributable  to  this.  There  is  some- 
thing in  holiness  that  profoundly  impresses  the  world. 
When  the  hearer  is  penetrated  with  the  conviction  that  the 
one  who  prays,  or  preaches,  or  exhorts  is  really  holy,  or  is 
groaning  after  holiness,  the  prayer,  the  sermon,  the  exhor- 
tation is  clothed  with  power. 

The  world  may  be  entertained  by  the  sweet-toned  instru- 
ment, delighted  by  the  golden-tongued  preacher,  and  influ- 
enced in  some  respects  by  wealth  and  social  position  ;  but 
if  there  is  no  soil  of  holiness  underlying  it  all ;  no  spirit 
of  holiness  permeating  it  all ;  no  inspiration  of  holiness  in- 
spiring it  all,  it  will  fail  to  assault  successfully  the  citadel 
of  the  soul.  But  where  these  really  are,  God  will  be  recog- 
nized, and  the  presence  and  power  of  his  Church  confessed. 

Thank  God !  the  fire  of  holiness  still  flames  upon  the 
altars  of  Methodism.  Her  hosts  still  sing  the  holiness- 
inspiring  lyrics  of  Charles  "Wesley ;  they  still  utter  prayers 
panting  after  holiness  as  did  the  sainted  Fletcher.  Her 
ministers  still  recognize  it  as  the  mission  of  Methodism  to 
spread  Scripture  holiness  over  all  lands.  The  class-leader 
presses  it  upon  the  members  in  the  social  meetings.  And 
as  each  candidate  for  holy  orders  stands  before  the  Confer- 
ence the  Bishop  asks  him  whether  he  is  groaning  after  full 
redemption,  and  whether  he  expects  to  be  made  perfect  in 

this  life  ? 

In  this  position  of  the  Church  touching  the  doctrine  and 
experience  of  holiness  is  doubtless  found,  in  great  part,  the 
secret  of  her  success,  and  here  will  continue  to  be  the  hid- 
ings of  her  power. 

I  must  now  hasten  to  close.  We  have  glanced  briefly  at 
some  of  the  fticts  of  the  past  of  Methodism.  We  are  not 
ashamed  of  her  history.  Distinguished  divines  of  other 
communions  have  been  lavish  in  their  praises  of  our  enter- 


304  APPENDIX. 

prises    anrl    success,    niul    illustrious    statesmen    liave    pro- 
nounced   glowing    eulogies    upon    our    denomination.      Dr. 
Chalmers    pronounced    Methodism    to    be   "  Christianity  in 
earnest;"  and  the  lamented  Lincoln  publicly  recognized  tlie 
^lethodist  Episcopal  Church  as  leading  the  Cliurches  of  tlie 
nation    in   patriotism    and    prayers.      ]>ut   let   us    be  careful 
that  we  be  not  exalted   above  measure.     Do  all  who   carry 
the    name   of   Methodist  bring  credit  to    that   name?     Arc 
there    not    some    who    ignore    the    class-meeting,   and    arc 
strangers  to  the  prayer-meeting?     Are  there  not  some  who 
give  themselves  irregularly  and  reluctantly,  if  at  all,  to  the 
labor  of  the  Sabbath-school?     Are  there  not  some  who  de- 
vote but  little  if  any  of  their  money  to  the  support  of  the 
Methodist  press  or  pulpit,  or  the  educational  or  missionary 
enterprises   of  the   Church?     Would  that  each  member  of 
the  Church,  while  reading  her  wonderful  history,  would  in- 
quire, "What  have  I  done  to  bring  about  these  grand  re- 
sults?"    And  if  there  is  any  one  who  has  been  a  clog  upon 
the  wheel  instead  of  a  spoke  in  it,  who  has  been  a  hinder- 
ance    instead   of   a   help,   let  such   a   one   lay  it   to   heart. 
Methodists   will   not    be    commended  in  the  great   day  for 
what  Methodism  has  done,  but  each  individual  will  be  com- 
mended or  condemned  in  proportion  as  the  individual  has 
been  faithful  or  false  to  responsibility.     Had  all  our  min- 
isters  and   members    fully  met   their   covenant   obligations, 
our  showing  would  have  been  far  beyond  what  it  is  to-day. 
We  will  leave  this  train  of  thought  for  those  to  whom  it 
may  be  appropriate. 

We  are  about  to  step  upon  the  threshold  of  the  second 
century  of  American  Methodism.  Not  one  of  you,  my 
brethren,  will  live  to  see  its  close.  The  majority  of  you 
will  close  your  labors  before  it  has  run  one-fourth  of  its 
course.  I  can  hardly  hope  more  than  to  see  its  commence- 
ment ;  and  yet  each  of  us  in  fancy  casts  the  horoscope  of 


SEMI-CENTENNIAL    SERMON.  395 

the  century,  and  we  see  the  teeming  millioDS  that  sliall  people 
this  continent  in  19GG.  In  less  than  forty  years,  according 
to  the  calculations  of  one  Church  historian,  more  than  one 
hundred  millions  of  souls  will  people  this  land — a  popula- 
tion equal  to  the  present  aggregate  population  of  England, 
France,  Switzerland,  Spain,  Portugal,  Sweden,  and  Denmark. 
In  about  sixty-six  years,  says  the  same  writer — Stevens's 
Cent.  Vol.,  p.  227 — this  mighty  mass  of  people  will  have 
swollen  to  the  stupendous  aggregate  of  246,000,000,  equal- 
ing the  present  population  of  all  Europe.  We  shall  not 
follow  these  calculations  further,  but  raise  the  question, 
Shall  we  as  a  Church  keep  pace  with  this  coming  popula- 
tion ?  If  such  fond  anticipations  are  realized,  it  will  be 
because  you  and  your  successors  are  faithful  to  your  trust. 
The  heir  to  fortune  having  received  it  without  sacrifice  or 
effort  upon  his  part,  frequently  settles  down  to  its  enjoy- 
ment, and  not  only  fails  to  add  to  his  inheritance,  but  scat- 
ters it.  It  may  be  so  with  our  successors.  Our  earnest 
and  powerful  ministrations  may  die  down  into  pompous  dull 
formalities,  such  as  the  Church  Establishment  of  England 
was  in  the  days  of  Wesley,  as  compared  with  the  ministry 
of  Latimer,  and  Cranmer,  and  Ridley  ;  such  may  be  the 
Methodist  ministry  of  1966  as  compared  with  its  gushing, 
joyous,  and  powerful  laborers  of  to-day.  If  we  would  write 
"success"  upon  the  history  of  the  oncoming  century,  let 
us  adhere  steadfastly  to  our  doctrines,  and  our  Discipline. 
We  should  cling  to  our  doctrines  because  they  are  the 
vitalizing  truths  of  the  Gospel  ;  we  should  cling  to  our  Dis- 
cipline, because  a  hundred  years  of  trial  has  demonstrated 
its  wonderful  adaptation  and  efficiency. 

It  is  with  hesitancy  and  trembling,  my  brethren,  that  I 
detain  you  with  a  single  word  of  exhortation  ;  and  yet,  if  I 
do  not  do  it  now,  it  is  not  probable  that  I  shall  ever  here- 
after.    My  life-work  is  nearly  done — would  that  it  liad  been 


30G  APPENDIX. 

done  better!  yet  f^ucli  is  my  reliaiiec  uj»oii  tlie  atoiiciiieiit  of 
my  Savior,  and  such  my  anticipations  of  tlio  continued  suc- 
cesses that  shall  crown  your  labors,  that  I  am  ready  to  say 
with  Simeon,  "Now  lettest  thou  thy  servant  depart  in  peace, 
lur  mine  eyes  have  seen  thy  salvation."  My  soul  pants  and 
prays  that  the  successes  of  the  next  century  shall  be  much 
more  abundant  than  those  of  the  past;  and  surely  this 
centenary  year  gives  rich  promise  of  it.  What  sweeping 
revivals,  what  extraordinary  ingatherings,  what  extensive 
liberality  has  marked  this  year  of  jubilee  !  Since  I  put  my 
pen  to  paper  in  the  preparation  of  this  discourse,  thousands 
have  joined  the  Church,  and  millions  of  dollars  have  been 
laid  on  her  altars  as  a  thank-offering,  by  her  grateful  peo- 
ple. One  of  our  eloquent  Bishops,  catching  the  inspiration 
of  those  facts,  exclaims,  "  I  wish  I  had  the  power  to  bring 
before  this  congregation  the  grandeur  of  the  position.  Why, 
sir,  we  have  a  million  of  soldiers  in  the  field ;  we  have 
another  million  of  cadets  in  our  Sunday-schools ;  we  have 
thirteen  thousand  recruiting  stations  and  eight  thousand  re- 
cruiting oflScers.  There  is  not  a  district  or  circuit  between 
the  two  oceans  that  is  not  organized  and  moving  in  the 
work.  Why,  sir,  in  this  organization  there  is  a  powder  to 
move  the  world ;  and  when  this  marshaled  host  shall  make 
their  stately  steppings  on  the  earth,  depend  upon  it  they 
will  shake  the  very  gates  of  hell."     (Bishop  Janes.) 

And  now,  my  brethren,  if  our  responsibility  is  to  be  meas- 
ured by  our  ability,  the  summit  on  which  we  stand  to-day, 
while  the  eyes  of  earth,  and  heaven,  and  hell  are  upon  us, 
is  awful  as  well  as  glorious.  Let  us  not  forget  that  it  was 
upon  that  high  and  holy  place,  the  "  pinnacle  of  the  tem- 
ple," that  Satan  thrust  sorely  at  our  Master. 

May  the  blessing  of  the  God  of  Wesley  and  of  Asbury 
abide  in  your  habitations  and  your  sanctuaries  through  all 
the  generations  to  come !     Amen !  ^