CORNELL
UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

 

BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME
OF THE SAGE ENDOWMENT
FUND GIVEN IN I89I BY
HENRY WILLIAMS SAGE

 

 

 

 

 
Cornell University Library

AON

924 029 471 715
olin
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS

OF

CHARACTERS AND Worxs OF NopLe Men,

WITH

OLD SCENES AND MERRY TIMES

@t Bong, Bons Ago.

BY

REV. JOHN BURGESS, M. D.,

Keokuk, lowa,

AUTHOR OF ‘SERMONS ON PRACTICAL DUTIES”
AND A PAMPHLET OF SERMONS,

 

 

 

CINCINNATI:
PRINTED BY CRANSTON & STOWE,

For THE AUTHOR.

1887.

CONE LI
Pi hetare joe hy \

oY
By the Grace of (Sod, | Dedicate this Book,

FIRST.
To my distinguished brother in Christ, my first colleague in
the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in
the North Ohio Conference, Rev. Bishop
W. L. Harris, D. D., L.L. D.

SECOND.
To my oldest and beloved brother, Rev. Oliver Burgess, whose
early Christian life and ministry pointed me to the
Lamb of God, the only Sacrifice for Sin,

‘TTHIRD.

To my honored parents, Wm. Pitt and Lydia G. Burgess, whose
unsullied characters and wise counsels were my life
directory; and who are now in heaven,

‘waiting my coming.

FOURTH.

To Mrs. Louisa Bristow, Mrs. Sarah W. Reineck, Miss Ruth
Eleanor Burgess, Wm. T. Burgess, and Leonidas
Hamline Burgess, my sisters and brothers
by consanguinity.

FIPTH:

To the Members of the lowa Annual Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, called of God the Father, commis-
sioned by the Son, and qualified by the Holy
Ghost to preach the everlasting Gospel.

Amen |
Ghe Author’s Notice.

°

 

 

ECAUSE God has done such wonderful things
for me during all my youthful life, and given

me the holy influence of dear, godly parents, and
has called me to his great work, the ministry of
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and has kept
me in the hollow of his hand to this gracious
hour of advanced life, secure amid all danger and
from death, I have by his grace alone written this
book to his glory. I desire, also, to exhibit to this
generation, and to generations yet unborn, my sub-
ordination to the divine will, as well as to express
my gratitude for God’s unbounded goodness and
matchless mercies through all my days, and for
the gift he has given me to write this history. I
may, by some sentiments herein expressed, accom-
plish much good, both to elevate the minds of
the young, in all time, to great usefulness, and to
console the aged, by past and pleasing reminis-
cences herein; hence I send out this volume of
incidents in the life-boat of time, that its good

thoughts may reach all shores and bless all hearts.
5
6 THE AUTHOR'S NOTICE.

My warmest thanks are perpetually expressed to
Bishop Joon F. Hurst, D. D., LL. D., for his
kind words in inspiring me to write this volume.
I also owe great thanks to my friend WiLLiam
Brom, Esq., of Keokuk, Iowa, for pecuniary aid

in publishing this book. Amen.
JOHN BURGESS.
letroduction.

*

 

 

O the glory and honor of the Invisible, yet All

Present and Eternal one, I present this book of
‘‘ Pleasant Recollections” to the world, hoping and pray-
ing that its contents may be acceptable to thousands.
The beautiful commendations I now offer, from noble
and distinguished friends, are quite sufficient to render
it attracting and give it prestige; hence I offer their
laudations as my introduction; namely:

Rev. William G. Thorn, of Keokuk, Iowa, says: ‘I
have heard Rev. Dr. J. Burgess read a number of the
chapters of his manuscript, for a work entitled, ‘ Pleas-
ant Recollections,’ etc. These chapters were to me very
thrilling and entertaining. Brother Burgess’s style of
writing is very impressive and beautiful. His descrip-
tive powers are excellent, and he weaves into the story
of his life touching anecdotes and instructive historic
facts, in a lucid and interesting manner. This book, if
published, and placed in the hands of the people, must
certainly be the means of good. It elevates before the
mind of the reader the noble traits of great and good
men, that must have an upward tendency upon the
mind. It records items of history relative to earlier
times of our Church on the frontiers, that should not
be forgotten. It is full of wholesome lessons and injunc-
tions toward a higher and better life. Frontier life,
with its sacrifices and toils, under a divine impulse of
duty, is made heroic.”

Rev. R. L. Rose, of Keokuk, Iowa, says: ‘“‘I most
8 INTRODUCTION.

heartily indorse the above statements of Rev. William
G. Thorn, and believe that Dr. J. Burgess’s book will
be a blessing, both to the Church and posterity.”

Rev. George N. Power, D. D., presiding elder of
Keokuk District, says: ‘‘ Having listened to chapters of
Rev. Dr. John Burgess’s Autobiography, I have no
doubt that’ it will be read with interest by those who
were co-laborers with him, and their friends. The book
is in the author’s best style, and indicates wonderful
tenacity of memory. He introduces many incidents
that are both amusing and profitable, and will serve to
perpetuate some things in his own life and labors, as
well as the noble company of men with whom he was as-
sociated in the beginning of his ministry, that will aid
some future historian in presenting, in a clear and pleas-
ing light, the period embraced by the author in his
volume.”

Rev. J. W. McDonald, D. D., of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa,
says: ‘‘In her early years, Methodism was unique and
heroic. Her men, her workings, her experiences, her
successes, were all of marked character. A complete
photograph of that heroic age would not only be of in-
tense interest, but a genuine inspiration to all coming
ages. Those who can give life-pictures to that period
of Methodism are rapidly disappearing. Dr. Burgess,
in his timely book entitled, ‘Pleasant Recollections and
Thrilling Scenes,’ goes back into that heroic age, and
gives an insight into its daily life. With great felicity
and vivacity he gives a picture of men and things, that
not only interests the reader, but also enables him to
catch the spirit of those early years; the remarkable
memory that enables him to bring up so definitely and
minutely the events of past years, specially qualify him
for the work he has undertaken. Judging from the
INTRODUCTION. 9

chapters read, I think his book will not only be inter-
esting reading, but also a valuable contribution to
Methodist history.”

Rev. Dr. J. McFarland, president of Iowa Wesleyan
University, says: ‘‘The Rev. John Burgess has read to
me parts of several chapters of his Autobiography. I
was much interested in these accounts of his early life.
From those portions which he read to me, and the out-
line of what he has already written and proposes to
write, I think it will make an interesting and valuable
book, well worthy of publication. As a contribution to
the history of a most interesting period of our Church
and country, this life-history deserves to be given a per-
manent record.”

The Hon. Samuel M. Clark, editor of the Gate City,
Keokuk, Iowa, a son of a distinguished pioneer Meth-
odist preacher, says: ‘‘Rev. John Burgess, the veteran
Methodist preacher, is writing his life for publication.
We have looked over it, heard a good deal of it read,
and can thus speak somewhat advisedly about it. It is
the best writing he has done, and will be a very reada-
ble book. The itinerant Methodist ministers have been
so large a factor in the settlement and making of the
country, and especially of the West, that to tell their
history is to tell a large part of American history. The
pioneer conditions of life in Ohio, Ilinois, and Iowa are
so rapidly becoming things of the past, and fading out
of memory, that the biography of those who took part in
it is just now about the most valuable sort of book-mak-
ing that can be done in the West. It is more valuable
than more pretentious literary work. The future will
need these records, and the future historian will be much
aided by the biography of Methodist preachers. So we
are glad that Mr. Burgess has undertaken his book.
10 INTRODUCTION.

President McFarland, Rev. Dr. McDonald, and others
who have seen the work in manuscript, share our opinion
of its merits.”

The following was written by Mrs. M. B. Power,
wife of Rev. Dr. Geo. N. Power: ‘‘ Having listened to
the reading of .the several chapters of Rev. Dr. John
Burgess’s forthcoming volume, it affords me great pleas-
ure to commend it to the Church and public. One
chapter in this book is well worth the price. It is writ-
ten in an easy, flowing style, carrying one back to primi-
tive customs, and frontier life. Many of the incidents
given are of a touching character, and positively valua-
ble to the future historian, as most of the noble men
that labored so heroically for the crystallization of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, have passed away. Brother
Burgess in his volume has done a good work, and
done it well, for which he should receive the thanks
of all interested in the past, present, and future of the
Church.”
Dleasant Recollections.

——

Chapter J.

A WELL-SPENT LIFE—HOW SUBLIME OUR CAPACITIES AND DES-
TINY—PRIVILEGES TO DO GOOD—SEEING GENERAL MARQUIS
DE LA FAYETTE—WHY I LIKE MARTIAL MUSIC—CHILD-CA-
PERS—COMING TO OHIO FROM MARYLAND—BREAK-DOWN—
INFLUENCE OF METHODISM IN MT. VERNON, OHIO—SOME
GRAND MINISTERS AND NOBLE CITIZENS.

OTHING connected with personal history is

more sublime than a well-spent life. Human
character, when fully developed intellectually and
morally, is the greatest manifestation of the God-
power in man. Our happiness in this world, and
our future bliss, depend upon the proper estimate
of our talents, and their unlimited improvement.
If we render to God our full ability in the life-
consecration of all we possess, our eternal future of
bliss will be gained.

To benefit ourselves, to elevate and bless our
fellow-beings, and to glorify God, should be the
highest ambition of every one. The greatest regret
of old age is, that we have not always walked by
the white line of truth, as the only basis of safety
and true happiness; yet we should not so lament

over the past as to neglect to improve the present
di
12 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

hours, and not make our advanced years measure
to our eternal profit, but do our best to repair all
our failures. My fond mother used to say: “If
you fall down, do n’t lie there for some one to pick
you up, but spring up, and go right ahead. Life
has no spare moments for us to idle away our pre-
cious time.” What a wonderful lesson those words
impart—“ Spring up, and go right ahead!” Every
moment is fraught with deepest interest to us, and
each, well employed, will recompense us with un-
told riches. ;

But why should we ever allow a single day to
pass without gaining some advantage for our eleva-
tion? These words by the poet should be a warning
and an inspiration to us, prompting us to be on our
watch :

“Time speeds away—away !
Another hour, another day—
Another month, another year—
Drop from us like the leaflets sear,
Drop like the life-blood from our hearts:
The rose-bloom from the cheek departs;
The tresses from the temples fall;
The eye grows dim and strange to all.

Time speeds away—away—away !

Like torrents in a stormy day,

He undermines the stately tower,

Uproots the tree and snaps the flower,
And sweeps from our distracted breast
The friends that love, the friends that blest,
And leaves us weeping on the shore,

To which they can return no more.

Time speeds away—away—away !
No eagle through the skies of day,
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 13

No wind along the hills, can flee

So swiftly or so smooth as he.

Like fiery steed, from stage to stage,
He bears us on—from youth to age;
Then plunges in the fearful sea

Of fathomless Eternity !”’

My dear friends, the youth, the aged, the
reader,—I now warn, with Christian earnestness,
that each precious hour, day, week, and year—yea,
the remnant of your life allotted you in infinite
mercy—be used with all diligence to your everlast-
ing welfare! Give your life to God wholly, and he
will honor you forever, in the presence of his Son.

Multitudinous and attracting are the scenes
through which we have passed in our life-long
journey ; and if our time had been properly spent
and well appropriated to God’s glory, it would have
afforded us unspeakable joy to recall past events in
our old age, and likewise have proven an inspira-
tion to our Christian advancement. O, that we
could say, “I have set the Lord always before me:
because he is at my right hand,I shall not be
moved !””

To the well-doer and God-fearing ones, the ills
of our humanity, the disappointments and discomfi-
tures of life, do not compare in number with the
happy realities and abounding pleasures we possess,
through the infinite mercy of God, in Christ Jesus
our Lord. No one in a Christian land, where the
blessed Bible is circulated, and where the sweet
Gospel of divine salvation is disseminated, can re-
member an hour in all his past history when all
mercies were ever absent; but each moment of life
14 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

has come laden with richest of blessings. God has
lavishingly spread before us numberless charms at
every step; and our eyes have been satisfied by
many beautiful scenes, and our ears have been sa-
luted by the sweet music of all nature, to lead us
to his praise and glory. Truly “ the lines are fallen
unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly
heritage,” as all must fully realize.

From the earliest hour of our observation to
the time of our departure into the unknown world,
the beauties and grandeur of nature rise in majesty
before our view, calling forth gratitude to our
Maker; and the unnumbered privileges and oppor-
tunities to secure good and to do good at all times
have everywhere been apparent. There has not
been a moment in the life-course of any one in
this plentiful, God-favored land, where, or when,
such is necessitated to commit an evil, to sin against
self, or to offend our Heavenly Father; but every
inducement has been presented to us to aid us to
do what is right towards man and God. The
boundless favor of divine grace, through the blessed
Redeemer of the world, is richly manifested in all
our course, affording us inexpressible pleasures,
golden opportunities, and real happiness.

He who lives in the constant recognition of his
noble sphere, as marked out to him by his Lord’s
Word, and listens to, and follows the admonitions
of, an enlightened conscience, according to the di-
vine truth, lives happy, lives to a grand end, lives
uprightly, lives for heaven, lives for God’s eternal
service, and to his glory. What a thought of
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 15

immeasurable bearing it is—to live for God! Such
can truly say, “He leadeth me in the paths of
righteousness for his name’s sake,” and he moves
before men as God’s divine reflection of goodness
and love. He is as a city set on a hill, as a light-
house on the shore of time’s sea, to direct the wan-
derer to the port of peace.

Our Creator has kindly endowed us with minds
akin to infinitude; capable of such wonderful ex-
pansion, that during all time we may embrace im-
mortal truths, and advance little by little, step by
step, gathering thought after thought, learning great
lessons from millions of lovely objects all around
us—from the invisible animalcule to the mammoth
beast of the forest ; from the little blade of grass to
the towering cedar; from the small rivulet to the
boundless ocean, or from all nature’s mighty labora-
tory—ever inspiring our admiration, satisfying our
physical and intellectual desires, and leading us to
spiritualize in the very image and character of
God; thus in all things provoking us to good
works, and to supreme adoration throughout all
eternity.

When we shall have profited by all these earthly
lessons, and the last sand of life is run out, we shall
pass triumphantly through death’s gate, and ascend
to that brighter, and more glorious clime—far out
in the universe of our God. There, untrammeled
by perishing clay, our trials forever over, our spirits
disembodied and redeemed through the blood of
the Lamb, and we changed into that incorruptible
and heavenly form, like to the angels of God, we
16 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

shall see more clearly all the things divine ; and then,
traveling from star to star, from planet to planet,
and world to world, throughout illimitable expanse,
we shall increase in knowledge and wisdom through
endless ages. There the hundreds of thousands of
millions of worlds will eternally be open to our
survey and admiration, and the numerous mansions
we shall inhabit will afford us unspeakable rapture.
Here we receive knowledge in a limited measure;
but’ we do not seek after understanding as we should,
rightly to estimate its value, or for wisdom to carry
it out practically to our own good, or to apply it
to the real interest of the world’s advancement and
to the honor and glory of our Lord’s kingdom. If
we would truly appreciate our God-given endow-
ments, and cultivate them as we have opportunity,
how unbounded would be the sphere of our usefulness!
But up yonder, far beyond the river of death, under
the sunlight reflections of the divine countenance,
“we shall know even as we are known,” and for-
ever move in sweet accord with the holy will of
our Creator. And while the cycles of eternity roll
on, and on, our advancement in heavenly knowledge
and our acquaintance with God’s vast universe will
be continually enlarged.

O, infinite privilege! Glory be to the King
Immortal! What thought richer or more exhilara-
ting to poor, fallen humanity than that “ His mercy
endureth forever!’ What a fathomless and shore-
less ocean of divine favor shown to dying mortals,
through the all-atoning blood of the Lamb! We
are now compelled to cry out from the very depth
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 17

of our souls, “O, how great is thy goodness which
thou hast laid up for them that fear thee, which
thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before
the sons of men!” What countless riches await
the humble followers of our glorious Redeemer! We
shall be kings and priests forever in his holy pres-
ence. While in our earthly pilgrimage we should
ponder well our situation, and embrace eagerly all
heaven-bought privileges; and we should claim all
our advantages to rise upward, to move heaven-
ward, to the incorruptible inheritance offered us;
for being endowed with such immortal energies, it
is meet that we take every possible means to their
improvement. We do not realize their mighty
power to excel. Far beyond our conceptions will
our thoughts bound, ever increasing in knowledge,
if we only permit them to escape in search of that
which will lead us onward and upward. What we
have already attained is but the mere launching
into the borders of the ocean. How shallow the
waters we now enter, as along the shore we linger!
But O, the fathomless, unbounded sea spreading out
before us! As the eye is confused while gazing out
upon the trackless deep, so the mind is confused
and amazed as it attempts to reckon or contemplate
the field of instruction everywhere before it.
Would the mind grow strong, and feel its own
mighty workings, then let us come to steady re-
flection.

Inquire, Whence am 1? Who gave me my
wonderful being? Whence such discerning con-
ceptions? Why such longings for the eternal, such

2
18 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

inward, earnest, mental effort to know and to under-
stand the origin of all things visible, upon what
they depend, and what will be their terminus, if
end they will? The constant apprehension—of
things unseen, invisible, and of eternal duration,
ever excites the mind to stretch its powers in desire
to grasp infinitude. How restless, how thirsty, how
untiring in energy to descry beyond this present
state! Ah! how richly nature opens to its search
lessons instructive and God-like! The simple blade
of. grass that points upward, the modest flower in
blushing beauty, and the towering pine or sturdy
oak, alike reveal to man the mighty and glorious
truth, Gop 1s. The rippling rill in sparking flow
or the ocean broad in mountain swell, the humming
bee or chirping bird, the volcanic burst or thun-
der’s roar, tells the mind, in truths not to be mis-
understood, that there is a Hand controlling and
keeping in order and animating all these things.
O, how swiftly fly the thoughts, to calculate through
all we behold, and from all we hear, this imperish-
able truth!

As step by step we read that awful fact, God is,
how solemn, how earnest, how anxious still to reach
a higher point of observation, whence we can more
fully and clearly observe or gain an insight into
futurity! As he who climbs the mountain brow is
not content until from its loftiest peak he gazes
upon the world around, so this inquiring spark of
heavenly flame is satisfied only as it realizes its
march is approximating to the Infinite. Glory be
to the Eternal King that we are endowed with such
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 19

an insatiable quality or disposition! How true it
is that he who enjoys the special presence of Di-
vinity is most happy! As the mind becomes less
attracted by things earthly and fleeting, his entire
soul is triumphant in ecstasy in prospect of the
fullness of glory. Let the mind contemplate Him
whom we recognize as God, and I care not how base
or sinful one may be, soon reverence and awe will
possess his mind ; then penitence will fill his heart,
while his tongue will give utterance in hallowed
praises and in thanksgiving: holy desires will pos-
sess his soul, and very soon will humility mark his
life, for God becomes his delight and his trust.
Then let us calculate, day by day, our coming des-
tiny, our endless existence.

The question often presents itself, though not in
doubt, Shall this mind, this immortal, immaterial
spark of heavenly inspiration, this grasping, longing
advancing mind, reach a period when it will become
anonentity? Ah no: its very powers unequivocally
determine its existence endless. As it is. ever
active and strengthening in its flight for wisdom
and bliss, it proudly disdains the thought of dura-
tion—short of eternal. And why not, if God only
can supply and render satisfied its demands? Does
not this fact afford ample proof that it was destined
to be forever approximating towards, grasping
after, and dwelling in and with God? When the
glory of the blessed Shekinah has been sacredly
revealed, and the soul is led into hallowed awe,
conscious of the overspreading by the divine wings
or the heavenly pavilion—what, then, is its most
20 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

earnest demand? What, then, will most readily
meet its burdened plea? Ah! even when the
fullness of glory is covering every uprising desire, and
infinitely more than redressing its numerous wants,
so that the soul is lost in the resplendent bright-
ness of the Majesty on high, as said the sweet
singer of Israel, so speaks the heart of each child
of the Savior: “I will take the cup of salvation,
and call upon the name of the Lord.” Yes, the
same cup of sacred blessings so graciously filled,
‘and overflowing as it is, shall be held out before
Him who supplieth all our necessities. Is it not,
in its legitimate and proper sphere, as designed by
its heavenly Author, when surrounded by his holy
presence or when realizing his imparted glory? What
in the vast universe, else than God, can meet the
rising wants of this aspiring mind? Try self, and
how sadly we soon find that its sordid require-
ments, its uncurbed lusts, its proud spirit, would
lead us from virtue, from peace and all truth, to
ignorance, to dissipation, to ruin, and to death! Go
to the world ; dig from earth’s bosom its richest and
brightest gems; dive to the ocean’s depth and gather
its pearls of highest worth; consult the voice of
praise, of flattery, and of fame; fly amid the rush-
ing throng, beguiled by the fading fashions of life ;
from any source below the skies seek refreshment
for the soul, and it sickens at the sight of such
vanities, and we are left in darkness and dismay.
While thus in amazement and disappointment,
the voice of our inward nature whispers sweetly,
yea, in joyful animation it breaks forth, “ Away
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 21

over yonder, yon side of Jordan,” stands the city
of God, the place of the Lamb, and the home of
the saints. Yes, there swell the highlands of life,
there extend the boundless plains of paradise, and
there endless comforts flow, where the mind will ever
find its wonted nourishment. What cheering and
soul-supporting, yea, what a heaven-born thought,
that our destiny is eternal—yes, eternal! To be-
hold evermore the ineffable brightness that surrounds
the throne; to. see God through the face of his Son;
to rise higher and higher amid the unchanging
glories of heaven, eternally advancing in the scale
of purity and love, to mingle in songs of everlast-
ing deliverance ; to join the mighty and redeemed
host of God’s elect in celebrating the triumphs of
the cross; to bear the victorious palm, and strike
the harp in ceaseless tune, and cast the fadeless
crown in delightful reverence before the feet of Him
who sitteth upon the throne forever,—is the Chris-
tian’s destiny. O, if ours may be fraught with
such future gain, such fullness of life, let us be up
and doing; let us gain of wisdom’s ways, binding
her instructions around our necks, writing them
upon the tablet of our hearts, and looking out for
that joyful moment when our Lord shall say, “ Come
home, ye weary pilgrims, come to your long-sought
rest.”

Dear reader, shall our motto be, Up—up to
glory and to God? Shall our future destiny
be to us a source of eternal growth? Who of us
shall gain the brightest diadem? Who shall stand
nearest the bright throne, and hail the greatest waves
22 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

of light from the divine reflections? He who most
zealously contends for the Gospel faith ; he who is
ever on the watch-tower to do good and get good ; he
who never yields to vain and idle things, or par-
takes of the spirit and vanities of momentary
pleasures, or courts the meager applause of the
world at the sacrifice of principle; he who, amid
false brethren, and perils of every kind, claims his
heavenly birthright through Jesus to its fullest ac-
count; he who, by faith, embraces the fullness of
the character of the blessed Savior, “ whom having
not seen, ye love,” and in all possible disparage-
ments, and even, if requisite, “unto death,” counts
all things but dross, so that he may gain Christ—
he who thus strives diligently, by denial and con-
secration, with living energy, for the reward above,
shall excel to highest excellence, and be the bright-
est star in the galaxy of glory. Amen! saith my
soul; I am bound to enjoy a glorious destiny with
angels and saints, with Christ and God, in the
courts of life. Hail, thou bright spirit-land, home
of my soul forever!

Let us now travel along our earthly career,
viewing from early hours many scenes which we
have enjoyed, and beholding, as if present with us,
many persons whom we have seen, and with whom
we have mingled in royal pleasure, to our intellec-
tual and spiritual profit. Necessity requires us to
refer to ourselves more frequently than desirable ;
but to accomplish our present purpose, we must
needs do so as humbly as possible, God’s glory
being our highest aim.
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 23

I was born in Frederick County, Maryland,
May 2, 1821, in the little town of New Market,
and early taught by pious parents the living truths
and sublime teachings of our blessed Christianity.
That great and useful man and minister of the
everlasting covenant, the Rev. Nicholas Sneethen,
received me, when an infant, from my father’s and
mother’s arms, and offered me to God in holy bap-
tism, and prayed that the God of Abraham and of
Isaac and of Jacob would inspire my dear parents
to wisely instruct me and bring me up in the way
of Christ. I shall ever rejoice that they thus dedi-
cated me in my childhood to God, thus establishing
me as one of the truly elect, by which means all
may be in the covenant. If we are taught rightly
from early childhood what the sacrament of bap-
tism means, as but a mere outward sign of the
necessary inward work, no one thus offered in Jesus’
name will ever wish to be rebaptized; but if they
are neglected in instruction and the duties pertain-
ing to this obligation, I do not wonder if that class
would want to be rebaptized every year or two, for
their life and course of service is generally double-
minded and fluctuating. “They are unstable in
all their ways.”

What a noble start in life, to be directed to the
“Star of Bethlehem,” as our polar-guide to the
everlasting abode of saints; to the Son of right-
eousness, to lead us aright, teaching us to count
well our passing moments, to circumscribe and reg-
ulate all our steps, and “so measure our days, that
we may apply our hearts unto wisdom,” ever
24 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

teaching us obedience, and watching the compass of
Holy Writ, to steer our vessels safely over the
surging billows of time’s troubled sea to our home
beyond the tide, and to land high upon the immor-
tal shore! Boys and girls, whose eyes may scan
these lines, now, in your youthful days, in order to
be happy and noble and useful, and leave the world
better than you found it, and reach endless enjoy-
ment, keep your eye on the cross of Calvary, whence
flows the precious blood of the atoning Lamb; serve
God from principle, and the world will erect you a
monument of fame in many hearts, that the tooth
of time will never destroy, and through endless
ages your name will endure in the memory of the
blest.

When but a child, with my good parents, and
my baby brother, we went to the city of Baltimore,
and looked upon the bright face of that grand and
glorious helper of our American colonial army,
General Marquis de La Fayette, after whom my
younger brother was named, Thomas La Fayette
Burgess. The kind and loving general, taking him
up in his arms, and kissing him, his namesake, then
turning about, most gentlemanly addressing my
parents, and softly laying his hand on my head,
pronounced his benign blessings upon us all. I
wonder if that circumstance is the reason of my so
much loving, to this very late day, martial music
above all other kinds? It must have given me an
inspiration, like Jacob’s blessings upon the children
of Joseph, for no instrumental music is to me so
sweet and charming as the fife and drum. For this
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 25

kindness of that skilled and timely appearing gen-
eral I have, and shall always cherish, a love to the
French nation, and say of it, ‘“ With all thy faults,
I love thee still!” for thousands of noble hearts
abide in that nation, and erelong God, by the
power of his glorious Gospel, will redeem that
people.

At the age of four, I distinctly remember stand-
ing on the hill, or bank, in front of our house,
where the road was several feet below, and halloo-
ing to a drover passing along with a number of
cattle, “O man, won’t you please throw me up a
cow?” He was on horseback, but took from his
pocket a penny, or an old English two-cent copper
piece, and cast it up to me. I seized it quickly,
and ran rapidly into the house, shouting to my
mother in great joy, and was as proud of it as if it
had been the prettiest cow in the drove; for, in-
deed, it was to me as some great fortune; and I
kept it to my days of manhood.

Another little incident which occurred—and
there being no trophy attached to the act I did not
remember—was, that I hurled a stone down at a
passing stage filled with people, which broke through
the glass window and knocked off a man’s hat in-
side the coach, bringing upon me the bad voice of
the driver, but producing a hearty laugh among
the passengers on account of my childhood. When
about six years old we left for Ohio, traveling in
wagons and buggies. As but yesterday I call to
memory a circumstance which took place at Wells-

ville, Ohio. Going down to the river to cross over
3
26 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

the ferry, one of our buggy-wheels slid into a hole,
and all at once it broke and crushed down, so we
were thrown out and under the wreck, all in a
mass. I can see myself, as then, crawling out from
between the spokes, quite unhurt, as were all the
rest; but how my parents praised God for our
preservation, as danger was apparently so nigh! In
that early day our buggies were more expansive
and rugged in form than now; but we soon righted
up, and continued our journey northward.

The town of Mt. Vernon, in Knox County,
Ohio, was our destination. The distance whence
we started to our new home being about five hun-
dred miles, we were nearly six weeks making the
trip, camping out, and getting our own mess by the
log or brush-heap fires through the day, but tarry-
ing in huts and little houses by night, when they
could be secured, though the country and mount-
ains were very thinly inhabited. All along the
route we had to guard and watch against robbers;
for in that day they were very numerous and bar-
barous, and often waylaid and killed people for
their money, and stole their cattle and horses.
Never a day passed but we could hear of treacher-
ous deeds and terrible murders. But our company
was large, and all were well armed for any reason-
able number of assailants.

That same journey or distance can now be
traveled by railroad facilities in two or three days.
What a vast improvement has been made in busi-
ness and in civilization by the wonderful railroad
scheme! This beautiful city of Mt. Vernon, at
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 27

this date, has several thousands of inhabitants. It
gracefully rises from the Vernon River northward,
nearly two miles in distance, with streets clean and
very nice and some beautiful buildings; also many
very enterprising inhabitants, and noble Christian
people of all denominations. The Church of God
in all these departments has been the very sine qua
non of the city’s progress. Educational interests
have been deeply laid, and the common schools and
the graded schools have developed ripe scholars and
useful and influential men and women that would
grace any land. Men have been reared there from
childhood, capable of filling the highest position in
our nation fully equal to any who ever occupied the
White House.

The Methodist Episcopal Church has for many
years exerted a great moral power by its many
blessed and faithful laity; its successive, brilliant
ministers also exerting a mighty sway over the
masses for Christ’s great cause; yea, they have done
unmeasured good, which will extend throughout
endless ages. We recall such strong and some
powerful men’s names as Revs. George Elliott,
L. B. Gurley, Thos. Barkdull, 8. Lynch, G. W.
Breckenridge, Wm. Herr, J. H. Power, John Quig-
ley, A. M. Lorraine, H. E. Pilcher, H. Whiteman,
Jos. McMahon, H. O. Sheldon, E. Yocum, Wm. B.
Christie, Wm. B. Disbro, Adam Miller, J. A. Kel-
lam, A. Poe, Dr. Howe, 8. Mower, R. Bigelow,
E. R. Jewett, Abner Goff, — Nixon, — Haven, Jas.
Wilson,—all of our Church. Ministers of other
Churches were levers of much moral power and of
28 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

great intellectual force, both to elevate society and
lead multitudes to the cross. Such were Rev. James
Scott, Dr. Devin, Rev. Muenscher, Dr. Douglass,
The Right Rev. Bishop Charles P. McIlvaine, D. D.;
Revs. Asa Mahan and C. G. Finney, most noted
revivalists and powerful men of God; Rev. Mr.
Brown, and others, who gave the pulpit and Church
a sublime prestige in God’s favor. It is with un-
told delight that I look back over childhood’s dayg
and call to memory most of their Christian coun-
tenances; and I also seem to hear afresh the voices
of the older ones, as, in their sublime pathos and
earnest style, they pleaded with poor, lost sinners
to escape the wrath to come, and fly to the out-
stretched arms of our risen Savior. Ponderous
thoughts and irresistible arguments fell from their
lips, sufficient to have convinced any obdurate
heart; but many steeled themselves against all
truth, and I fear that many of them, as stubborn
rejecters of the Word of Life, died without hope.
Here, having been raised from early youth to
manhood, it has its numerous and unceasing charms
for me often to recall; and here, on this beautiful
hill-top, in the city of the dead, lie my dear and
precious parents, along-side of Father Young and
Rev. George Elliott, and other saints, to call my
mind to blessed remembrance of those who taught
my infant lips to lisp the name of Jesus, and to fear
and praise God, as years increased; yes, who led
my youthful thoughts upward toward heaven.
Mighty men of the world, intellectually and politi-
cally, as laymen in and out of the Church, abode
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 29

here, whose influence for the youth, for the honor
of the bar, for political strength and the nation’s
safety, and for good in general, is and was most
mighty. Such were Delano, Hurd, Jones, Morgan,
Sapp, Smith, Vance, the Coopers, Kirk, Nortons,
Voorhies, Curtisses, Stevens, Pyle, Sherman, Bennett,
Woodbridge, Miller, Bryant, Judge Thomas, Buck-
ingham, Woodard, Drs. Russell, Burr, Thompson,
Ridgely, Hobbs, Pumphrey, McGugin, and others.
The whole nation felt their strength, through the
Senate, Congress, Legislature, in the Cabinet, and
in all worldly business. Some of these were Chris-
tians, but some lived without hope in Christ
30 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

Chapter IT.

OWL CREEK, OR VERNON RIVER— YOUTHFUL SPORTS, NEVER
TOUCH—SAVED A BOY FROM DROWNING—REV. ANTHONY
BANNING’S SAD DEATH—MASONIC FUNERAL, OUR THREATS
AND DANGER—PARENTS’ PRAYERS AND RESTRAINTS HOLD
ME—ADVICE TO PARENTS—THE MURDERER’S WORDS—THE
FAMILY ALTAR—REV. 0. BURGESS’S WORDS, MY EXHORTA-
TION—AT OUR FATHER’S GRAVE—MY MOTHER’S FUNERAL
SERMON.

WL CREEK, or Vernon River, is a stream of
silvery clearness, of rapid flow over the peb-
bled bottom, which, in early days, at certain times
in the year, swelled in fearful proportions. We
have seen it bound over its proper borders for three
or four miles, until appearing like a great lake.
Thousands of acres of as rich land line its current
as is found on earth, and it is very productive soil.
In earlier days, unnumbered stately walnut-trees
were found, and vast orchards of sugar-maple, and
numberless groves of shell-bark hickory, and mill-
ions of wide-spreading and beautiful beech-trees,
which still grace the country. All along the
streams sycamores grew, often over a hundred feet
high ; and, indeed, nearly all kinds of timber that
indicate rich earth. Here, in boyhood, our hearts
were made glad as we gathered, yearly, wagon-loads
of walnuts, butternuts, hickory-nuts, sacks of chest-
nuts and hazelnuts, for our Winter delight.
In our sugar-camps, day and night for weeks, in
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 31

early Spring, ere frost was gone, we had untold
pleasure in going to and fro, taking in the sugar-
water out of the old-fashioned troughs, pouring it
or dipping it up with our old long-neck gourds,
and emptying it into barrels on our sleds, drawn by
oxen, then hauling it to the camp-fires. Here we
made sugar by the hundreds of pounds, and mo-
lasses by the barrel. Then we made our wax, filled
our hen-egg and goose-egg shells, and made our
little and big cakes fur sale and for home consump-
tion; also thousands of crumb sugar. It was great
fun to be at one of our big “stirrings off,” when
from a dozen to twenty boys and girls, old men and
women, came to have a jolly good time, and to get
our “fill.” The woods really echoed with the
music and hearty laughter, with loud hurrahs and
yells. Hundreds of these sugar-eggs we shipped off
to our distant friends in Baltimore, Philadelphia,
and other places.

T will now relate an incident which occurred in
my youth, of great interest to me then, and even
now, as I call it to mind. One Summer day sev-
eral boys wandered far up the stream of Owl Creek,
then tied up their few clothes in their caps, fasten-
ing them over their heads, with cords under their
chins, or by their suspenders, and swam down—
down—with fearful rapidity, borne upon the cur-
rent, with but little effort upon their part to swim ;
and they landed safely far below the town. It was
a wild and reckless act, and a dangerous undertak-
ing, though the great rise and rapid movement of
the river was all-sufficient to hold them up; but,
32 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

through great mercy, they were all preserved from
death. In the dam, near by, during a very cold
Winter, a deeply sad and dreadful calamity befell a
dear and excellent family. Rev. Anthony Banning,
a local preacher of our Church, and a glorious, use-
ful, and good old brother, and a true man of God,
while walking on the ice to cross over to attend to
his sheep, fell through a broken place, and was
drowned. The whole community felt the terrible
shock, and all hearts at his home of beauty and
plenty were made to bleed under sorrow’s deepest
gloom. The whole country far and near expressed
their brotherly sympathy and loving condolence
towards the bereaved. Many were the kind words
and fatherly acts the dear old man often had man-
ifested towards me in my boyhood, which stamped
his visage indelibly on my mind and heart; and
even to this hour of advanced manhood I can see
his “gray hairs, which were a crown of glory,” be-
cause he was ever “ found in the way of righteousness,”
and his frank and pleasant countenance will ever be
vivid in my recollection. No doubt he now, and
for all eternity, joins in the triumphant songs in
the holy land. Father Banning was an agreeable
speaker, with a smooth and easy style, and quite
practical in his utterances; and I am sure some
souls, as gems in his crown, will be seen saved in
heaven, whom he pointed or led to Christ.
Another very singular and thrilling event took
place in the reservoir near the mill. A man by
the name of Adam Glaze, who was skating with
great rapidity and cutting figures on the ice,
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 33

suddenly sank into an air-hole, and went down and
under several feet; but the suction was so power-
ful, as it was the only opening near, that he came
up with a rush, rising above the ice half his length,
and being very stout and active, he was saved; for
several rushed to his aid, and lifted him out safely.
It produced a great fear to many of us, as well as
a future warning to all skaters.

One mile below the city was a place where
many resorted in Summer to bathe, called at that
time “Never Touch,” as it was quite deep, and
considered by us younger boys to be bottomless.
On one occasion, as but few of us lads had ever
reached its depth, save expert swimmers, several of
us resolved to make the effort, as we imagined there
might be some glory given to our success; so gath-
ering up the largest rocks possible, each of us
plunged head-foremost from the high bank, and
down, down we went by hard struggles, assisted by
the heavy weights in our hands, until we felt the
bottom; then grasping some dirt in our hands
when dropping the stones, we ascended with much
force nearly above the surface, crying in triumph,
“Victory, victory!” We found that the depth of
the water was not nearly so great as had been rep-
resented to us by those who had frequently accom-
plished the feat. I often thought, however, after
that exploit, Now suppose some brush had accumu-
lated in the hole below, and my hair had become
entangled in it—for we all wore long hair in those
days—how sad would have been the fate of any of
us! From that little incident, so playful and
34 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

innocent as it seemed, I was deeply convinced of my
imperative duty to give God my heart, my talents—
yea, my whole life-service—and be his for time and
for all eternity. Yes, his Holy Spirit strove with
me at times, most powerfully. All within and
around me impressed upon me my obligations to
God.

That old Owl Creek, or Vernon River, so
changeable, was as handsome a stream of water as
ever flowéd—clean and pure and cool—and a place
unexcelled for youthful sports and pleasures, such
as fishing, swimming, and skating. It was no un-
common thing to bathe a dozen times a day in
hot Summers, and on one Fourth of July we act-
ually undressed twenty times, to swim and frolic.
The old “head-gates” of “Norton’s Dam” was
the happiest rendezvous of all our earthly delights
in that day. Here hundreds would resort all
through the hot months, and how the youth would
plunge head-foremost from the abutments, ten to
twelve feet down, and ply like ducks in the limpid
water, or walk beneath the surface in an upright
position, or even on their hands for long distances,
their feet only out of the stream.

Never can be forgotten one little matter, which
thrills me in its recollection. Granderson Bryant,
a son of one of our leading merchants, a kind and
noble citizen, was a tender and fragile youth of twelve
years of age. He ventured in the water too deep
on one occasion, and being unable to swim, he
strangled and floundered about, and then fell. We
called to him to come out—strike for the shore!
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 35

but he sank. The second time he went down, we
discovered his great danger, and divesting myself
of my few clothes, I instantly plunged down and
dived beneath and behind him; then, placing my
head against his back, I seized his arms just above
his elbows, and walked under the water several
feet, holding him as with an iron grasp, until we
reached a shallow place; then, almost overcome
myself, I made out to shake my head and cast the
water out of my mouth, holding him for a moment
or two with his head above the surface; then, as-
sisted by other boys, I took him to shore and laid
- him down. One minute or so longer, and he would
have been beyond all aid. But he soon revived;
and to this day, Gran, as we all called him, remem-
bers and refers to the event with gratitude. He
still lives to be a useful and business gentleman ;
and but a few years ago I met him, after thirty
years’ absence, in our city, and with pleasure he
referred to his wonderful escape from an early
death. This circumstance, through God’s blessed
Spirit, was another loud call to my mind and soul
to divine things; and it deeply impressed me with
great seriousness for a long time; yes, it never left
my thoughts, but awakened in my youthful mind
great and lasting obligations to the Lord. I thought
over the scene by day and night, at my school, and
wherever I went; and I said to myself: “Now
suppose he had clung to my neck, as, it is said, all
drowning people hold on to us with a dying grasp,
and then we both had been lost—where would I
have been? How could my unregenerate soul have
36 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

appeared before God, my Judge? Would not my
fate have been wretched, and I eternally doomed
to darkness and despair?” So you discover, dear
reader, in all things my sins, or my acts, of every
character found me out, and impressed me with my
imperative duty. All my actions were as living
skeletons before my gaze, inciting me to come to
Jesus, as a full, a complete, and an everlasting sac-
rifice.

We always feared to inform our parents of the
matter, as it was such a narrow escape from death
for both of us; and it would likely have checked
our sport in that line of pleasure, under severest .
restrictions. In all these surroundings I see God’s
good and overwhelming providence around about
me, “leading me in a way I knew not of,” and
keeping me as “surrounded by a wall of fire” from
the jaws of death, for his future service in the great
work that I realized he had ordained me to perform.
I have not the faintest doubt on earth that my
Heavenly Father had marked out for me the very
highest and holiest path in which his ministry ever
walks, had I kept my eye more closely on the
“white line,” in holy obedience to his will. But
false brethren, and wasting my precious hours,
whereby the immortal intellect would have ex-
panded, also a sheer neglect of approximating by
earnest prayer into the spiritual realm of infinite
privileges—all have stayed me near the foot or at
the base of the mountain, so I can now only look
towards its summit, and behold the reflections from
afar of what I might have attained. But I will
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 37

not despair, but go onward by grace, even now, as
far as my limited and unimproved faculties will
permit, God helping.

No one in his normal mental condition need
ever halt, but move upward in advancement to the
extremest old age; for indeed some of the aptest
scholars and most distinguished characters have at-
tained their earthly glory in this regard after a
half century in their history had passed; such as
Socrates in music; Plutarch in his Latin, after
seventy; Cato, after eighty, an adept in Greek; Sir
Henry Spellman, the antiquarian lawyer; Dr. John-
son, in the Dutch language; Dryden, the translation
of the “ Aineid ;” Ogilby read Homer and Virgil
and Greek after fifty. So if they did, we can.
Brethren in the holy ministry, be always ready to
reach down your hand and help the needy; you
may give some one an inspiration to nobleness of
character, and lead them heavenward. Disburse
your favors impartially.

Time and again.have I, when all alone, as a
boy, preached sermon after sermon to myself, in
great earnestness, conscious that the Almighty was
directing them, as well as listening to every word.
This was strange for an unconverted person, but it
was, as I now behold it, a precursor to my future
call. Truly, “He leadeth us in a way we know
not of;” for I learned to preach somewhat while
yet a sinner. Those early impressions were fre-
quently an intense trouble to my mind, and smote
my heart; for the idea of me ever declaring the
Gospel of Christ to the world was as foreign to my
38 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

desire as the most distant star is from the earth.
I literally sickened at the thought of such a pur-
pose. Yet, in spite of my wildness, it would come
up before me as an imperative duty.

Another little occurrence I must refer to, as a
divine interposition in my behalf, as I now really
believe it was; and even then, in my boyhood, I
realized it in that light. A great Masonic celebra-
tion, or a funeral, was to be held in Fredericktown,
some miles above us, and a few of us town lads
made it up to go there and whip, as we said, all
the boys in that place. Our plans were laid, and
somewhat matured in our calculations, and we were
determined to carry them out, come what would.
Here danger or death, or both, were apparent. But
just a few days before the expected event I was seized
with a terrible cramp-colic, an intense inward suffer-
ing, and was like to have died—at least I thought
so—and was reduced in flesh several pounds almost
immediately. My failure prompted others to aban-
don it, and all was a collapse. I shall always praise
God for that sudden sickness, for a “ fool-hardiness”
might have led us to some great physical injury, or
may be worse; for in those early days pugilistic
encounters were upheld by the masses. Even old
men prided in boy-fights, in chicken-fights, and dog-
fights, betting their last dollar on the contests:

These youthful years were spent in much wild-
ness and wanderings in spirit ; and though hallowed
Christian example was an index to higher aims and
noble actions, the very worst influences possible for
the devil to create surrounded me. Still God’s
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 39

Spirit worked upon my tender heart from time to
time; and the glorious advice and devout prayers,
the mighty leaven of the family altar in which
there was an unseen power to hold me, besides un-
swerving diligence to all Church duties and divine
obligations, which were so strictly adhered to on
our parents’ part, were the safety-valves and bind-
ing cords which held us back from desperate sins.
A terrible war over me was carried on between
home-religion’s influence and the worldly spirit by
Satanic work. But, thanks to a kind and Heavenly
Father, I took no such fatal steps as sin presented.

Yet even on certain occasions, when we had
been right on the verge of yielding and falling into
gross iniquities, I have, though miles away from
home, seemed to hear, most solemnly repeated, my
dear father’s prayers as fresh from the mercy-seat,
and as if near me, and his blessed voice thus speak-
ing in my ears and to my heart in thunder tones:
“O, Lord, keep our children from all evil; let
them not be led into the net of the sinful one.
Keep them, O my Father, keep them in the hollow
of thine hand, that they may honor thee in all their
ways. Save, O save them, my Lord; save them
all; save them through the blood of the Lamb!”
Such were the very words, and the ardent outpour-
ing of his soul. And also my dear mother’s sweet
voice would come up to me in an instant, and thus
speak afresh: “Don’t do any thing wrong, my
son. Remember God sees you. His eye is always
upon you wherever you go. Think of what I tell
you, John, and come home soon. Do n’t stay out
40 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

late; it always makes me feel uneasy when you are
out late” Ah yes! “Don’t stay out late ;” that
is the curse of thousands of youth, and leads to bad
habits, and finally to ruin. Parents, keep your
boys off the streets at night, if possible. Night
plays, night sports, and often night parties, are a
stepping-stone to night crimes; to wander away
from the truth into evil company, evil carousals,
to mingle with vicious ones, leading them to
debauchery, to the prison, to the gallows, and to
eternal death. Better be a little severe now than
too indulgent; for these night wanderings lead to
disobedience and imprudent usurpations; and I
have met and talked with scores in. the peniten-
tiary, while chaplain there, whose first steps down-
ward to their fall and incarceration were prompted
by night plays and ramblings and night associations.

A murderer in his prison-cell, awaiting his ex-
ecution, stated that his fate was caused by too much
indulgence in early life; and when he was brought
out of his dark room, there was found written on
his wall— First, disobedience to parents, through
too much indulgence; secondly, Sabbath-breaking;
thirdly, intemperance and profanity ; fourthly, mur-
der; and now the gallows; then—death!” What
an awful close of life, that might have ended in his
eternal salvation, if he had rightly spent his time!
It will save you many a pang, dear parents, and
sad regrets and burning tears, and perhaps broken
hearts, if you draw the reins of government with a
calm and determined zeal; and it will vrove to
their infinite gain. Begin early.
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 41

After remembering, or virtually hearing the
distant voices of my parents’ prayers and kindly
admonitions, as at the very threshold of my heart, I
halted, and always had courage to say “No, boys,
no; I won’t go with you; I shall not either.” So
they have laughed at and upbraided me, though
some listened to me and turned on my side. But
home influences, not of my purpose or will alone,
were like steel to hold me in check from entering the
door-way to hell. O, praise God for home piety.
I adore him with all my ransomed powers for the
sacred family altar, where, morning and evening, as
regular as clock-work, we assembled to hear the
“Word of Life” read, and to feel the burning im-
pressions for good of a father’s and mother’s sacred
entreaties.

Of all the means to lead me to a pure Christian
life, it was my mother’s early teaching me to pray
at her knees. And when I did a naughty deed or
uttered a bad word in childhood or when a youth,
she would take me by the hand, and lead me in the
dark parlor, and/ we there devel before the mercy-
seat; and what a touching prayer she offered for
me !—alluding to my sinful act, whatever it was; |
then imploring God to forgive her boy; though
she would often ask me, first, if I would do so no
more if she would ask God’s pardon in my behalf;
then her pleadings went up at the sacred altar.’ I
really realized in my feelings that the Unseen was
in the room. I would, as I grew older, rather
have had her punish me corporeally and let me go
by far, than have passed through that ordeal of

4
42 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

prayer. In tears she entered that hallowed spot;
but her tears were all bottled in heaven, I have no
doubt. I can never forget her looks, her shining
face, her words of sweetness. No, never; they are
embalmed in the archives of my heart, every now
and then coming up afresh to my soul’s joy, as
water from the well of salvation.

There is no power on earth or from the regions
below can overwhelm or destroy the influence of
home religion, of true example, and godly precepts.
It winds itself into every fiber of the human soul,
tenders the heart, stays the mind, and brings tran-
quillity of thought; and memory will bring it up
continually, as our barricade and protection all
along our time-course. God will, by his Holy
Spirit, enforce it for our interest, and never permit
us to be lost, when we serve him in our hearts. It
is the bright sunshine of a happy Christian home.
It is the golden chain that unites us to God. It is
our guide-board to heaven. Take away the family
altar of holy morning and evening prayer, and home
is desolate to me, and divested of its sweetest joys
and its spiritual strength, and all things are adrift
and without proper ballast. It is the mighty basis
of our success in all life’s pursuits; for when the
holy incense of heart-devotion ascends to God, as
an offering “ of a broken heart and contrite spirit”
before the shrine of mercy with thanksgiving and
praise, then all our “steps will be directed of the
Lord,” and great peace and triumph will obtain.

The Hon. John Quincy Adams, that great man
and statesman, said he was inclined to infidelity,
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 43

and would have run astray from the truths of Chris-
tianity, but the Christian character and life of his
mother convinced him that there was a divine reality
in religion. Ah! home and Christ blended, make
all things secure.

With this wonderful home power of love, in
God’s name we can say with Paul, “For I am per-
suaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor
things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any
other creature, shall be able to separate us from the
love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Truly “the name of the Lord is a strong tower,
the righteous runneth into it and is safe.” If every
Christian family in the land were to establish the
family altar, and morning and evening send up
their humble oblations to the Most High, in one
generation the civilized world would all be at sal-
vation’s gate, and every soul would send up songs
of praise to our Lord.

The appropriate and well-written essay of my
‘dear and oldest brother, Rev. Oliver Burgess, nuw
published in tract form by the Church, I will here
insert, in its beautiful and touching pathos, bearing
sentiments which will burn on every true heart,
and if properly cherished, will do good for time
and through vast eternity, viz.:

“Family altar implies worship, or a place for
worship. There is no well-defined or positive
command for family worship in the Scriptures; but
it is the legitimate outgrowth of love for God or
piety in the heart, and, like many other institutions,
44 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

grows out of Christian influence or the work of the
Holy Spirit in the soul; such as missionary and
charitable institutions, class and prayer meetings,
and Sunday-schools. We may readily infer, how-
ever, from reading the Scriptures, that God’s peo-
ple in all ages gave attention to family religion,
and that family worship in some form was practiced
among them. Whether it consisted in reading the
law and the prophets, prayer, and praise, we can
not tell.

“Let me give some passages, without naming
chapter and verse: ‘Thou shalt teach them dili-
gently to thy children, thou shalt talk of them
when thou liest down and when thou risest up, and
when thou walkest by the way.’ ‘As for me and
my house, we will serve the Lord.” ‘Train up a
child in the way he should go.’ ‘I know Abra-
ham, that he will command his children and his
household after him, and they shall keep the way
of the Lord to do justice and judgment.’ ‘Pour
out thy fury on the heathen that know thee not,
and the families that call not upon thy name.’
‘But when Daniel knew that the writing was signed
he went into his house; and the windows being
open in his chamber towards Jerusalem, he kneeled
upon his knees three times a day, ‘and prayed and
gave thanks before his God as he did aforetime.’
‘My voice thou shalt hear in the morning, O Lord,
in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee
and will look up.’ ‘Morning, noon, and night will
I cry aloud, and thou shalt hear my prayer.’ ‘ Bring
up your children in the nurture and admonition of
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 45

the Lord.” ‘From a child thou hast known the
Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise
unto salvation,’ etc. These show clearly that much
attention was given to family religion.

“Family worship is important in this, that it
impresses on the mind and heart our dependence
on, and our obligations to obey, love, serve, and
worship God. It is important also in this, that it
instills into the minds and memories of children
the lessons and principles of the Christian religion,
and thus fortifies them against the influence of in-
fidelity. ‘For the entrance of thy Word giveth
light.’ ‘Through thy precepts I get understanding,
therefore I hate every false way.’ Perhaps there
is no religious work that more favorably impresses
children than the reverent worship of God in the
careful reading of appropriate portions of Scripture—
for all parts are not appropriate for family worship—
fervent prayer for personal and family blessings,
and songs of praise suited to the occasion. Here
the family and servants learn what worship means,
and learn also to love it. Here a strong founda-
tion for noble Christian character is often laid, and
from the family altar or worship many date their
awakening, which led to conversion. And O, how
many pleasant memories linger around the family
altars of our fathers! How often there did peni-
tential tears flow, and how often there devotion’s
flame was kindled in our hearts!

“To what extent is it maintained among us? Of
this I am not so well prepared to judge as in for-
mer times. During pastoral work of over thirty
46 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

years I gave much attention to this subject, and
my observations in different Churches convinced
me that the decided majority of professing Chris-
tians had no family altar; and I fear, through the
increase of worldliness in the Church, it is worse
to-day. Some attended to family worship regularly,
morning and evening; some only in the morning;
others only in the evening, as best suited their con-
venience. And I have known families of good
Christian standing who only had family worship on
the Sabbath, and then entered heartily into it as a
part of their Sunday duties. Others had their wor-
ship only at meals, and then each one would repeat
a passage of Scripture, after which there was an
offering of thanks more in the form of a short
prayer than the ordinary short grace or blessing.
And I have found families who seemed to love
the Church and Sunday-school and public worship,
and gave promptly to the support of Christian and
charitable institutions and the support of the min-
istry, who had no family altar, and when I have
spent nights with such families it was easy to dis-
cover that family worship was not their common
habit. My observation and experience prove that
it is much easier to keep up regular worship in the
family when your children are minors and regularly
at home, than after they begin the battle of life,
and have to be off in a hurry in the morning, and
come in from shops and stores and offices at irreg-
ular evening hours, and almost every evening in
the week are out at Church socials or lectures or
lodges or clubs, or elsewhere. And my opinion is,
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. ad

that if you can not attend to family worship in a
quiet, patient, reverent, ard devout manner, but
have to attend to it in a hurried or confused man-
ner, you had better not observe it at all. ‘ Let all
things be done decently and in order.’ To be com-
plete and to really answer the design of family
worship, three things are necessary—reading and
instruction out of the Word of the Lord, earnest
prayer for personal and family blessings, and ap-
propriate words of praise when the family can sing.”
As these precious words were in our excellent
Western Christian Advocate, I presumed to insert my
article on the same subject, hoping to prompt some
professing Christians to regard this imperative duty,
for their eternal interest; hence it was printed in
the same paper, as an exhortation to the former:
“Permit me to exhort a little in the old-fash-
ioned style after my brother, Rev. Oliver Burgess,
on the benefits of the family altar. From my ear-
liest remembrance this blessed means of grace had
been kept up at my father’s house. I can not call
to mind, in all my childhood, even up to manhood
years, that my dear parents—to their honor I say
it—ever for once neglected this precious duty.
Morning and night as regularly as days came and
passed, we were taught to gather at that almost di-
vinely sacred spot and offer up our praise and
thanksgivings, and devoutly besiege the throne of
grace for divine recognition and blessing. My
father, I really believe, would, on no account, have
neglected this obligation. It was to him as sacred
as his life; for his spiritual advancement greatly,
48 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

if not mostly, depended on this means of grace. O,
what prayers he offered—how entreating, how ear-
nest, how full of deep devotion! How childlike
and feelingly he asked his Lord to bless his com-
panion and all his children, to keep them from sin,
and lead them up to eternal life! He talked to
God as with an intimate, loving friend; and to
this very day I hear the echo of his voice, and
cherish his touching words of tender entreaty.

“ Often, after his own prayer was closed, he
would hesitate to say Amen! and turn to dear
mother, saying, ‘ Lydia, you offer a word to the
Master.’ And with her sweet voice and from her
tender heart words went up to the Father that al-
ways melted us to tenderness, leaving a living flame
within our bosoms that still burns with desire to
live right, to die right, and to meet those blessed pa-
rents in glory. No business, no persons present, noth-
ing ever kept them from the family service. Never
did my father go off on a journey to purchase goods
without having us all kneel while he implored the
blessings of the Almighty upon us, to keep us from all
harm under his divine pavilion. Many of the old min-
isters, as Brothers Sheldon, Herr, Hamline, Power,
Elliott, Bigelow, Yocum, Lorraine, and Bishops
Roberts, Waugh, and Soule, all found our altar a
place of holy fervor, and their warm, pleading
prayers added fuel to the sacred flame of love.
Many a good shout did they have around that
household altar; and we children hold all those
touching prayers in sweetest memory.

“The day our fond father was laid in the tomb,
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 49

when the evening shades drew over us, and we all
weepingly gathered in the sitting-room, our blessed
mother took the family Bible and laid it on the
table, saying, ‘Who now will take father’s place?
Our hearts all melted, and we sobbed aloud, when
brother Oliver, the eldest, rose, with tears flowing,
and walked to the old book, saying, ‘ Mother, I'll
lead in devotion to-night.’ Then such a prayer I
never heard, nor ever will I hear, as he offered,
praising God that our dear, good, holy father had
escaped life’s sorrows and cares and toils, and had
gone triumphantly to his long-sought home, and
was mingling in the presence of God with the
children that had gone before, and with all the
saints of light on high; then, for our mother, he
asked God to be around about her as a wall of fire,
and that his right arm might protect her, and his
hand lead her in all her steps, and the Holy Spirit
guide her in all her ways, and she live to a good
old age, to bless all her children, and to direct them
to her home above. How truly that prayer was
answered ! for, under the covert of the divine wings,
she reached nearly eighty-six years, and then went
home to our father and her Father God, in sublime
triumph, leaving us the witness that ‘ precious in
the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.’
Then, for each of us, he asked Heaven’s richest
blessings, and, above all, that we might follow the
fuotsteps of our departed parent, and join him
at the last in the skies. Angels seemed to hover
over us that evening, and we all resolved to

live and die for the Lord. Five family altars
© 5
50 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

have already sprung from that old altar, and I pray
God that there may be seven fully instituted ere life
sink apace with any of us.

“T regard the family altar as the indispensable
support to Christian integrity and religious pros-
perity of the household. I can not for my life see
how any home can be fully the Lord’s without this
fundamental duty is enforced. If my hand were
cut from my person I would be, physically, an im-
perfect man; so any family refusing this obligation
is so far disabled, and lacks the full strength of a
true Christian family. Brother George W. Breck-
enridge, of precious memory, once said, in a sermon,
that he thought when a family held prayers only
once a day, in the evening, they ought to move into
the house of another family who had only morning
prayers, and that might be accepted of the. Lord,
and bind the offspring to God; though he questioned
it a little whether that would please God, unless
both families were quite conscientious about it.

“To those who read this article, I would say, do
not risk your immortal souls by doing only a part
of your duty as a Christian. For the sake of those
dear ones committed to your care, and that you
may answer to God in that great day, bring all up
in the fear and nurture of the Lord; that is, give
them religious education. Erect the altar to your
God, and on it burn the holy incense of prayer,
acceptable to our Master, until he calls you to the
higher service of eternal praises in the sky.”

When the body of our dear father was lowered
in the grave, my brother Oliver shouted on its
margin, saying: “Glory to God, our beloved father
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 51

has escaped the sorrows of this life, and gone safely
home to his blessed Redeemer! Praise the Lord, O
my soul!” Our fond mother sank down beneath the
heavy burden while by the grave; but, with all this
deep affliction, we all returned to our lonely house,
conscious that he who had been -our earthly stay
and safe director from early days was eternally
saved in heaven. Our loved ones we shall meet
beyond the river, and abide forever with our Lord.
The hallowed hope we cherish, through Christ
Jesus, is the only consolation we possess as travelers
and strangers here below; for it reaches “ within
that within the veil ;” and “if in this life only, we
have hope in Christ, we are of all men most mis-
erable.” Yet we can joyfully exclaim, “ But now
is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first
fruits of them that slept.” Thus having the resur-
rection of our Lord and Savior ever before us, and
our eye of faith upon the cross of Calvary, we are
enabled to live, day by day, in glorious expectancy
of a life beyond the grave. O, precious hope of
immortality! What a sacred boon!

And though my dear mother survived our father
over thirty years, I will insert the beautiful funeral
sermon, delivered near Mt. Vernon, Ohio, July 24,
1883, by Rev. Elvero Persons, D. D., of the North
Ohio Conference:

“¢Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his
saints.’—Psa. oxvi, 15.

“ Drarty BeLovep,—We are assembled to-day
under circumstances of deep and peculiar interest.
A mother in Israel has fallen !—one whose heart
was open to every good work, whose home was the
52 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

resting-place for the weary itinerant for many years ;
one who has wrought much of her life into the
Christian pattern of this community; who has
raised two of her four sons to the ministry of the
Gospel, and whose children rise up and call her
blessed. What wondrous events of history are in-
cluded in the single life now closed! From near
the middle of George III’s sixty years reign this
life covers all the events through the reigns of
George IV, William IV, and thus far through
Victoria’s long and peaceful rule. Hardly had the
echoes of the Revolution died from out the ravines
of our eastern shore when she was listening, as our
children do now, to stories of the war. Had there
been any daily news or telegraph, as there is now,
she would have heard of the election of the First
Napoleon and all his wonderful career. Her life
covered the reigns of Charles X, Louis Philippe,
the Revolution, the First Republic, the Second Em-
pire under Napoleon ITI, and the revolution which
has given birth to the uncertain tenure of the
Second Republic. She has heard the rejoicings
at the inauguration of every President save
Washington, and has seen the country which she
loved increase forty millions of souls. All the
great inventions of modern times have come within
this life. Empires and kingdoms have risen and
fallen again, and republics have demonstrated their
right to govern, and have dotted the Western World.
What untold wealth of human experience in the spirit
so lately the tenant of this body! And yet how
simple and toy-like seems all this earthly greatness
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 53

as we realize to-day that the actors are all in the
presence of God! ‘Precious in the sight of the
Lord is the death of his saints.’

“Tt seems paradoxical that death can be precious
at any time, or in any form. Death is the terror of
hearts and destroyer of homes. Every thing about
the grim monster is terrible—the stifled breath, the
glazing eye, and the dull ear no longer answering
the signs of love; the rigid form, the shroud, the
pall, the bier, the deathly stillness and the narrow
house, the awful sense of total bereavement,—how
can these things be precious in the Father’s sight?
Is it a cruel mocking of human woe? ‘Judge not
the Lord by feeble sense.’ He says the depar-
ture of the saint is precious to him. This hour, so
full of sadness to you who mourn a mother’s love,
is the hour of triumphant victory to her.

“ How often in the days of her pilgrimage she
longed to see ‘the King in his beauty!’ How her
heart swelled with rapture as she anticipated the
coming time, when earth should fade away and the
glories of her heavenly mansion open to her view!
Now it is more than realized; for eye hath not
seen nor ear heard nor heart conceived the glories
reserved for those that love Him.

“J, It is precious because it is the hour of
final victory over the world.

“How many years these pale hands have toiled
early and late for those she loved—and whom did
she not love?—for the stranger at her gate, the
messenger of God, the needy everywhere! Now
they are at rest. They have earned the right to
54 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

lie quiet till the morning of the resurrection. This
faithful but silent heart, once filled with conjugal
love and maternal devotion and care, together with
all the perplexing anxieties incident to the relations
in which she moved, and added thereto her devo-
tion to the cause of religion—rejoicing when God’s
Israel was victorious, and grieving when the ways
of Zion mourn and few come to her solemn feasts ;
this heart that for fourscore years has been filled with
alternate light and gloom, joy and sorrow, pleasure
and pain, temptation and triumph, now is forever
filled with the glad pulsations that thrill the re-
deemed of the Lord; no pang of sorrow, no shadow
of sadness forever. She takes her place where ten
thousand times ten thousand,
‘In sparkling raiment bright,
The armies of the ransomed saints
Throng up the steeps of light.
’T is finished, all is finished,
Their fight with Death’ and Sin ;
Fly, open wide the golden gates,
And let the victors in!’
Tt is a time of victory over the world and the
flesh, and also over all temptation. How often
this soul, intent on eternal life, has been cruelly as-
saulted by the devil! How has he taken advantage
of her trials and cares, to lessen her faith, despoil
her hope, rob her of heavenly joy—to suggest
doubts of divine care and acceptance, and fears of
coming danger! How has he at times massed the
enginery of hell to overthrow her confidence in the
Lord of hosts! All this is over forever. His bow
is broken; his shattered quiver lies empty on this
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 55

side the river. She has passed triumphant be-
yond the flight of his shafts, another witness to
Christ’s saving power, another star in the crown of
his rejoicing.

“TY. The death of the saint is precious because
it vindicates Christ’s power to save to the utter-
most.

“Aged saints have a peculiar mission in this
life. They often wonder why they are not called
home.

‘They long to behold Him arrayed
In glory and light from above.’
Their palsied limbs can no longer work; their
dimmed senses can scarcely enjoy; their fragile
frames are often burdened with disease, and to all
human view it is a mistake to keep them here,
while death cuts down the robust and the strong.
But when we remember it is not for their sakes so
much as for His glory he delays their departure ;
when we recall that if is the purpose of God to
show to principalities and powers in heavenly
places his manifold wisdom in his dealing with the
Church, we see the importance of the presence of
the aged ones; for by them the power of his grace
to save under all conditions in life is seen. He
holds them right here on the battle-field of the
universe, where the combined forces of darkness
contend with those of light. Here on the field,
where heaven and hell contend for the destiny of
souls; in the midst of the conflict, where they can
no longer be aggressive, He holds them steady,
that the principalities and powers in the heavenly
56 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

places may see the power of his grace, and know

that
‘Down to old age his people shall prove
His sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love.’

And when such a soul, after fourscore years, comes
in like a shock of corn, fully ripe and ready for
translation, what a pean of victory it ean shout as
it marches up the shining way! for the soul has
not been snatched away from the power of Satan,
but he has conquered him in all moods and expe-
riences of human life, and held the field, and come
off more than conqueror through Jesus Christ.
This is a precious hour in God’s sight, because of
the halo of glory that makes radiant the Church
left behind.

“For three thousand years the Church has been
looking upon the ascending chariot of Elijah, draw-
ing inspiration and courage therefrom, while she
has grasped his descending mantle, and smote the
yielding Jordans of difficulty and opposition in her
course. But every age has its Elijahs. They have.
not bowed the knee to Baal, nor surrendered to the
popular defilement of Ahab’s court; they mount up
from the lowly Lazarus-like experiences to the
glories of the upper sanctuary ; from damp cellars
and dark garrets, into the light that no man can
approach unto; from humble surroundings, into the
mansions of God; and their victory is the inspira-
tion of the Church militant; their dying shouts
give courage to the battling hosts; their whispered
good-byes breathe deathless devotion into myriad
souls. The gates of hell can not prevail against her
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 57

while the Simeons and Elis, the Hannahs and Eliza-
beths abide in the Church of God.

“TI. The saint’s departure is precious because
it is the beginning of an endless life.

“Years before any of us now here were born,
this soul came, an infant, bringing joy and glad-
ness. Years after, she was born again, and heaven
joined with earth in the joy when she took a life
of penitence and prayer. Now the silver cord has
stretched over the space of fourscore years, and she
begins that endless life beyond the tests and trials
of probation, whete all is helpful and harmonious,
in the companionship of loved ones, with all the
company of the redeemed, and where she can con-
stantly behold the King in his beauty.

“Think of the cloud of witnesses that await
her—the companion of her youth and middle life,
whose memory and love she has kept fresh all this
score of years; the multitude who have partaken
of her hospitality, so generously given; names
whose fragrance is like ointment poured forth.

‘O, think of the rapturous greeting
On heaven’s happy shore!
What knitting severed friendships up
Where partings are no more!
When eyes with joy shall sparkle,
That brimmed with tears of late;
Orphans no longer fatherless,
Nor widows desolate.’

“TV. Their departure is’ precious because it an-
swers His prayer and increases His glory.

“The love of Christ to us is personal, and con-
tinues with him in his exaltation. And so he
58 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

prayed, ‘ Father, I will that these should be with
me where I am, that they may behold my glory.’
His saints have only dim glimpses of his glory
here. Many, like Moses, cry out in spirit, ‘Show
me thy glory.’ What joy to him to reveal himself
to them, unobstructed by sin and sense! Paul was
favored with a little of that revelation in anticipa-
tion; and John, the aged and beloved one, when
laboring as a slave in the mines of Patmos under the
Roman driver’s lash, caught glimpses of the coming
glory ; but this is as nothing to what his loved ones
see, when they ‘ behold the King*in his beauty.’

“Tt adds to his glory—not to the intrinsic glory
of his absolute essence, for that is infinite, and not
capable of increase, but to his redemption glory.
The prophet says, “He shall see the travail of his
soul, and shall be satisfied ;’ and the constant coming
home of the myriads of the redeemed, out of every
tribe and people and nation, brings nearer comple-
tion the joy of the Lord. In the coming in of every
one he sees again the whole history of redemption,
his earthly toils and sufferings; he sits again by
Jacob’s well, and stands in Peter’s boat on the lake
of Gennesaret.

‘O Savior, gone to God’s right hand,
Yet the same Savior still,
’Graved on thy heart is this lovely strand,
And every fragrant hill.’

Again he stands amid the soldier rabble in Pilate’s
hall, and climbs the ascent to Calvary, and feels the
agony of the cross; but these untold myriads that
are constantly coming up through great tribulation,
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 59

transformed into his likeness and rejoicing in his
love, are the fruits of his travail, and his soul is
satisfied. Earth rescued, a race redeemed! ‘Heaven
and earth and sea, and all that are in them, heard I
saying, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive
power, and wisdom, and riches, and strength, and
honor, and glory, and blessing.’

“While here there is the broken home and des-
olate hearth and the deep sense of orphanage, on the
other shore our tears are pearls in her diadem, our
sighs the whisper of angel love, our outbursts of
grief the glad hallelujah of the great cloud of wit-
nesses that welcome her chastened spirit home.

“<The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away,
blessed be the name of the Lord.’”
60 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

Chapter ITT.

MY FIRST SABBATH-SCHOOL—REV. JAMES SCOTT, PRESBYTERIAN
MINISTER, HIS CHARACTER AND GOOD WAYS, THE IMPRES-
SIONS HE MADE—CHAUNCEY KNOULTON, MY FIRST SUPERIN-
TENDENT IN THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCII—MY PAR-
ENTS, THEIR DEVOTION TO GOD—A COMPARISON—REV. DR.
G. M. BUCKLEY—GOOD AND STRONG MEN OF MT. VERNON,
OHIO—MY SKATING, AND FOUND OUT, MY PUNISHMENT AND
DECEPTION, MY PRAYING—SWEARING, “BIG TONGS AND
LITTLE BOTTLE’’—REV. 0. BURGESS ON PROFANITY.

NE of the most delightful instances of early

events and sweet remembrances was connected
with my Sabbath-school attendance. The Presby-
terians had just established one in our town, some
time before our Church did. I attended it, and
call to memory, with untold pleasure, the pleasant
interviews, and, most of all, the good superintend-
ent, Rev. James Scott, or Father Scott, as he was
called. He was also their stationed minister. He
was a tall, lean, spare-faced gentleman, with long,
white hair, hanging down on his shoulders, giving
him a patriarchal appearance. He possessed a noble
mien, was very agreeable in his address, attractive
in his language, winning in style, and lofty in all
his utterances. He scarcely ever talked to the
school without weeping in child-like tenderness.
Simple words, that the youngest could understand,
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 61

was the basis of his great success over the school
and in his Church. I never can forget his affec-
tionate look and Christ-like persuasiveness for
all to seek Jesus as their only safety. I have
no doubt that his character and sweet ways and
heaven-inspiring thoughts, falling upon so many
tender hearts, so stamped God’s Word and his di-
vine nature upon them, that in glory they will hail
the good old saint with a shout of triumph. I know
I shall be the happier to meet Father Scott on the
“golden shore;? and O, when we meet, will we
not recognize each other? for if we now, while
clothed in the flesh, remember each other’s faces
and very expressions, how much more clearly shall
our disembodied spirits in glory stand face to face
in hallowed recognition! In the regulation of the
school, and always at its close, he deeply impressed
us with the fact that the greatest burden of his soul
was our salvation. Many were led to the cross, and
into the Church, by his godly efforts. Its early tri-
umphant beginning, and its present prosperous po-
sition as a denomination in Mt. Vernon, is greatly
due to that blessed old Presbyterian, pioneer minister.

A good start is always half the battle toward
success. Do you think it possible, dear reader,
that such sacred influences can ever be erased from
memory’s tablet? It will be as enduring as eter-
nity, and -prove an everlasting incitement to praise
our Creator. Do not these remembrances, following
a whole life-time, almost from infancy, tell of our
immortality, and that when cumbrous clay shall
perish, our spirits shall cherish those goodly feelings
62 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

through infinity? I trow it does. A few years
after this, our Methodist Church instituted her own
Sabbath-school, and elected Brother Chauncey
Knoulton superintendent. This proved to be a
grand selection. He was a most devout, intelligent,
and God-fearing man, and, like the former, made
Christ his whole theme, and the conversion of the
children his chief object. He appeared to abide,
every day, beneath the vertical rays of the Sun of
righteousness. His efforts to lead us all upward
and heavenward were extraordinary. O, how he
wept when turning our attention to the reeking
cross—the blood-stained banner, as he named it!
How earnestly and lovingly he pointed us to the
“Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the
world!” I have no question but that, through the
untiring influence of that devout man, some were
directed to the call of the ministry of Jesus Christ,
besides many others whom he led to seek a relig-
ious life.

At this day of progress there may be more sys-
tem, more artistic singing, and nicer hymns of sen-
timental tone; quicker and experter, bounding from
semitones to the semiquavers; better rounded up
and studied prayers; more statesmanship-like govy-
ernment over and in our schools; yet I really be-
lieve there is a loss of real, deep Christian sympathy
for souls; not enough of the full, complete, dying
and risen Savior presented. There is, I admit, a
wonderful routine of business obtains in all our
schools, and numerous “ object-lessons,” which may
be quite attractive, and manifest a kind of advance-
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 63

ment; but our object-lessons in earlier days were
Jesus, and him crucified, the cross of Calvary, the
flowing blood, the wounded feet and hands and
pierced side; and all persons, even the tenderest
“lambs of the flock,” fully understood the simple
teachings from those lips, whose hearts were imbued
with the Holy Spirit. Nothing was more simple
and impressive than the “Star of Bethlehem,” the
“ crossall stained with hallowed blood.” These days,
children are all pleased, and Jaugh and feel good at
funny anecdotes, and come home gleeful to tell the
queer things some man said; then, they were
prompted to tears of love for Christ, and a spiritual
realization of their responsibility to God, and the
necessity to seek Christ. Of course, there are some
noble exceptions, and many devout schools, and
numerous pious teachers and energetic superinten-
dents doing good to thousands; yet I do think
deep piety is lacking in the general.
rother Knoulton had a son, who, if living, is a
luminous star in the ministry of our Master, and
many whom he leads to the mercy-seat will reflect
back much credit in a goodly degree to the holy
and loving father, whose work for Christ’s cause
ended not on earth when he ended his life, but the
wave of good deeds he started will move on to the
end of time. When the. great ledger of life’s ac-
count shall be opened, I think much will pass back
from the work of the good son to the futher, and
both shall reap their gracious harvest in heavenly
copartnership.
Blessed thoughts linger in my memory, also, in
64 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS

regard to my first Sabbath-school teacher of our
school, Wm. Patterson. He was a noble and true
Christian, unflinching in his integrity; and, like
King David, he could say: “O God, my heart is
fixed: I will sing and give praise. Awake up, my
glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself [with
all my powers] will awake early,” will ever be on
the alert, moment by moment, for all time; for
God was always exalted before his mind and soul,
and his heart echoed the words, “Be still, and
know that I am God!” He was always in his
place to the instant, explaining the fullness of the
Holy Scriptures, and instructing us all to love and
serve the Lord of glory. Although a half-century
has fled since that blessed day, yet I hold most sa-
credly a little book he presented to me, with his
name inscribed within, for reciting to him, from
time to time, a thousand verses from the Bible.
Those sweet passages, committed in my early boy-
hood, often come up before me in richness and
great profit; and O that I had cherished them
more sacredly and practically, for all my course in
life! then could I in truth have said, “ The entrance
of thy word giveth light.”

May I not say of that good man, and would
apply it to us all who walk after God, that ‘the
heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth
learning to his lips;” and “the tongue of the wise
useth knowledge aright,” for “the wise and their
works are in the hand of God ;” “and they that be
wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament?”
The numerous and glorious lessons received from
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 65

these blessed men so early in life helped to add to
parental sanctity, to save me, to lift my steps heav-
enward, and keep me from falling in the tide of in-
iquity that has ingulfed thousands of youthful, un-
wary souls. I praise the Immortal King that he
has led me through all these wonderful privileges
and favorable opportunities, to come at last within
the sacred covenant of grace, and to realize that my
“life is hid with Christ in God,” and that I now do
“ abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Truly
I can say, “ He leadeth me ina plain path because
of mine enemies,” and, bless his name, “he leadeth
me beside the still waters,” and my heart ever cries
out, “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I ;”
“ Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness; lead me
in thy truth, lead me in the way everlasting ;” for
“the way of life is above to the wise, that they may
depart from hell beneath ;” and because of those
that fight and persecute me, I am led ina plain path;
“for in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his
pavilion, in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide
me, he shall set me up upon a rock ;” “ therefore
shall my head be lifted up above mine enemies
around about me.” So God, the Almighty, proves
to be as a wall of fire to us against the approach of
the evil one, if our trust in him is unlimited. Praise
his holy name, for he is to me “as the shadow of a
great rock in a weary land,” and I must joyfully add,
“The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my
deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will
trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation,

and my high tower.”
6
66 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

I believe all these means of grace, of God’s
favor, vouchsafed to me from moment to moment,
were as the square of divine truth to prompt me
to walk perpendicularly over the level of time, fear-
lessly under. the Unseen Eye, so adjusting all my
steps in concert with the will of the Eternal One
as to successfully enter upon my glorious ministerial
career as a servant of the Most High. This decis-
ion has afforded me inexpressible joy in early man-
hood, to tell of Jesus and his merits; and it is my
highest pleasure in advanced age, and to look with
untold delight to my coming glorification in the
world of light and love. If we could cherish in
memory the teachings of our youth, making them
all of practical bearing, how many dear and precious
souls would we lead heavenward! and then, at the
last, be adorned with a crown of unfading beauty,
all sparkling with gems of those whom we had saved
by our Christian endeavors. O, had I millions of
wealth, I would freely offer it up as an everlasting
sacrifice to my God had I improved all my hours
and years to his honor and glory!

“ Redeeming the time because the days are evil,”
should be the watchword of every intelligent being.
I have no fault to find with all my home surround-
ings in parental government; for my good parents
were watchful and instructing, ever inspiring us to
high aspirations, and praying devoutly for us; and
they appeared to do all within their power to direct
and guide us in the way of uprightness.

My father’s religion was so impressive that we
felt a divine light and blessed efficacy reflecting upon
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 67

us all the time. I have often gone into the back-
room of the store for goods, during the hours of
the day when business was not very brisk, and I
have found my father lingering in secret devotion
upon his knees, pleading in silence with the Unseen ;
and I have stepped cautiously and lightly over fits
feet to get some ar ticle of merchandise, and passed
out without disturbing him. O, how he tarried at
the mercy-seat! I have in older years thought,
perhaps he was holding me up in my sins by his
arms of faith, before the Lord, that I might not be
lost. The heart of a loving, prayerful parent must
bear an unaccountable burden in behalf of his err-
ing and unsaved children. It must be like to the
immeasurable load that Jesus, our Savior, bore when
in the garden of Gethsemane, when he cried in the
agony of his soul, “O, my Father, if it be possible,
let this cup pass from me: neverthless, not as I will,.
but as thou wilt.” It was the anxiety and Christian
pleasure of their whole lives to make us all happy,
and to point us to the bliss of heaven and to God,
and also to begird us with the everlasting truth as
the Bible revealed it.

At the bar of divine justice, in the great day of
assize, we can cast no reflections on our parents for
their neglect of pure and sanctified admonitions;
nor can we come forward before that awful Judge,
at the last court, and say they lacked in instruction
or in moral government; and if any one of us is
lost—though mercy forbid it !—the sin will be upon
us. They did all that holy and consecrated Chris-
tian parents could do to direct us to life eternal.
68 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

The promises of the “ Word of Life” were to them
as the real voice of God, audibly speaking, and they
believed all would be fulfilled in our conversion and
final salvation. They were to them “as the muni-
tions of rocks,” and a defense against all assaults;
and as a cloak is to the body in cold and storm, so
were those promises in their support in all spiritual
battles. “The memory of the just is blessed ;”
“His children are blest after him;” “And ciate
seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their
offspring among the people: all that see them shall
acknowledge them, that they ARE the seed which
the Lord hath blessed.” This implies that the
Christian is the only one who properly enjoys and
religiously inherits the earth; for it is said, “The
meek shall inherit the earth.”
In the review of all my life to manhood, I can
call to mernory no cause of action in any thing
against my parents’ Christian characters and lives.
Abraham never showed stronger faith in God’s
promises than did my father; they were the “man
of his counsel,” the barricade of his soul, the embodi-
ment of his faith; they were to him the Yea and
Amen of the divine dictum, the chart and compass
of his entire life. I would make no invidious com-
parison between my father and mother, as to which
was superior in my estimation, or did most for my
culture in all respects. The one was always inspir-
ing me to study, to greatness, and to be useful, to
become a man worthy of honor, and to lead many
to the truth and to God. This, he taught me, was
a possibility, if I lived right. The other was ever
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 69

instilling into my soul and mind kindness, obedi-
ence, benevolence to all beings, and prayerfulness,
and her words were as steel brackets to hold me in
the line of virtue.

Some are always magnifying the good character-
istics of mother, and over and over repeating in com-
pany, or from the pulpit, the sublime traits of a fond
and loving mother, but seldom mention father and
his noble deeds of kindness and good words, how-
ever kindly and repeatedly shown towards them.
Yes, all mother, and no father, no matter how
devout and earnest for their welfare he might have
been. Those who give all praise and glory to her
only, I doubt if such were ever so very obedi-
ent to her in their youth. I expect they often
crossed her steps by pervert acts, and gave her ill
words,—while perhaps the father was as attentive to
them, and as deeply concerned for their prosperity
and eternal safety, as she was. With all the sweet-
ness and preciousness of my mother, and her care
and solicitude for me, my father, in all those blessed
qualities was never excelled by her; and to-day,
after his demise for over thirty-six years, his talk
comes to me in sweet thought by day, in my dreams
by night, and I hear his voice, and his holy look is
stereotyped upon the face of memory as clear as
sunlight. I can but say I loved one just as de-
voutly as the other, and to me there could be no
preference. They moved in unison to lead us to
the skies.

I have clipped from the Christian Advocate a
few precious thoughts from the pen of Rev. Dr.
70 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

J. M. Buckley, which have been engraven in my
heart, and will be estimated by all, viz: “It is
not easy to say which is the greater loss to a child,
that of father or mother. This I know: the most
touching sermons I heard in childhood came not
with the voice of man, were not heard by others,
but came to me in silence as I often stood by my
father’s grave and wondered where he was. I re-
membered a pale face, a thin hand placed upon my
head, and a feeble voice saying, ‘Be a good boy,
my son, and meet me in heaven.’ Then I remem-
bered a solemn day—a hearse, a long procession, the
open grave—and I remembered when the stone was
set up, having on it the name of my father, and a
voice seemed to say once more, in the whispering of
the ‘pines, with their soft and soul-like sounds,’
‘Meet me in heaven.’” And now my sainted
parents have met, under the sunlight of the throne,
to walk the streets of gold and join in songs of
everlasting joy. We shall meet them, through the
infinite merits of our blessed Redeemer.

After a good common-school education, and as
I had become more enlightened, my heart yearned
continually to be the Lord’s, to enter fully into the
covenant of grace, to be a humble servant in
the household of faith ; but evil surroundings en-
chanted me away from the path of rectitude into
the broad, frequented way, and wild boyhood guided
my steps, for years, down towards ruin and death
eternal. Under such influences I was miserable,
and feared to take the noble side for the Savior,
yet conscious all the time that I ought to do so for
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 71

my soul’s interest. The Holy Ghost was ever striv-
ing with me, and saying, “The fear of the Lord
tendeth to life, and he that hath it shall be satis-
fied ;” for “the fear of the Lord is wisdom.” On
several occasions, during revivals in the Church, I
made an effort to be religious, realizing my danger-
ous position in sin and disobedience. When about
fifteen years of age, about the days when the dis-
tinguished Rev. Dr. William Herr was our minister,
I bowed at the altar to seek the Lord; but while
on my knees one or two embraced religion, and
began shouting aloud, and it so frightened me that
I crawled under the table that stood near the pulpit,
and there I remained hidden, perhaps an hour, until
all the congregation rose up to sing and praise God ;
then I darted out, and felt greatly relieved.

As years sped away, I grew wilder, and took
all plans to carry out my evil ways, or to continue
in my sinfulness. Becoming harder and more stub-
born, I tried to argue in behalf of infidelity ; but
my throat grew husky in the attempt, and my bet-
ter judgment gave my words and my wicked efforts
the lie; I fully realizing that all my props were
false and forever unfounded. During Church serv-
ice my mind would rest on the old and faithful
members, such as Abel Hart, Lewis Young, Will-
iam Mitchell, William Sanderson, Father Wilson,
Brothers Evans, A. Allen, Whittington, Randolph,
McFadden, and others; and I would often say to
myself, I would give all this world, with all its
gold and silver, if I were only as good,and had as
sure a hope of heaven as they. So my estimate of
72 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

religion was uncircumscribed; for I had seen its
bright reflections at home and in good people, suffi-
cient to satisfy me of its inestimable value. These
good men all talked to me about the salvation of
my soul, and always took a deep interest in me; so
that their precious words were as leaven working
in my heart, and impressing duty imperishably
upon the mind.

A little incident once occurred at prayer-meeting,
which, right here, I must state. Uncle Billy (Will-
iam) Mitchell was exceedingly earnest in his service
in Church, and his exclamations were at times quite
expressive. Once as I was kneeling near him, and
my dear father was offering up a sublime petition,
as was his lofty and gracious style—never forgotten
by preachers or members—all at once Uncle Billy
cried out, in an extraordinary voice, “ Amen!
Amen!” and it frightened me so that I sprang upon
my feet in an instant; for its quickness and sharp
tone were unmeasured. It was his habit to thus give
utterance loudly, but the prayer so inspired him
this time that it was an uncommon response. Its
echoes, to my mind, away down to this moment in
life, sound upon my heart.

The plowshare of. divine truth had reached me
by the preaching of Revs. James McMahan, L. L.
Hamline, Dr. William Herr, E. Yocum, Thomas
Barkdull, G. W. Breckenridge, George Elliott, L.
B. Gurley, J. H. Power, H. E. Pilcher, Brothers
Godard, Hixon, Blue, Goff, and others, going deeply
through the fallow ground of my sinful heart, stir-
ring it over and over for the divine seed to take
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 73

root and spring up and grow, that I might be as a
“tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth
forth his fruit in his season.” So I was in that
early day, like the troubled sea—no calm, no rest,
no peace, no hope. A muddy current of iniquity
flowed over my very heart, sickening to my soul,
and I lived in awful dread of the future. My
home instructions were so sublime that my convic-
tions were the more pungent. All within my skill
and contrivance was done to turn away good impres-
sions, though it conflicted with my reason and good
sense to so act. I tried to cherish Universalism as
a refuge and support; yet I would say, in my judg-
ment, if Universalism is false, woe betide my poor,
weak security; but even if true, I am safer in Or-
thodoxy, and it is better to know we are safe.

But pointed convictions from God’s truth forced
me to believe in rewards and punishments here-
after; and one strong ground for that belief was, that
for every sin I committed I felt in my heart a deep
guilt, and an apprehension of God’s pure eye upon
me, and also that some time in the future I would
have to account for each sin. Then I knew there
were private sins, that nobody on earth but the per-
petrator knew of, that must be called up and an-
swered for, and that before a coming tribunal ; so I
hurled the doctrine away forever. I doubt if any
rational, intelligent person believes that doctrine to
be true. They are like the man while defending it
strenuously in debate; when the opponent asked
him, “ Now, John, what would you give if you knew

for a certainty that it was true?’ he replied in
7
74 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

haste, “I ’d give my horse in a minute.” I knew
the Bible gave me as strong evidence of the exist-
ence of a devil and hell as of a God and heaven;
and I must, as an honest and thinking being, ac-
cept the one or the other as my stay.

On one Sabbath evening, under the deepest con-
victions of sin, as a revival was in progress, and to
banish it from my mind, I concluded to steal away
with the boys to a skating pleasure. I knew it
was an outrageous sin, but I went with that con-
sciousness in my heart. From the reservoir could
be seen the church on the hill-top; so, when meet-
ing closed and lights were extinguished, I could
hurry home, and my parents would never know but
I had been to meeting. But, somehow or other,
that night Satan outdid himself, and the sanctuary
was forgotten, the lights all put out, and the fact
not recognized by me. So sport and high delight
were participated in until midnight hours. Sud-
denly, in the midst of my hilarity, was heard the
shrill voice and startling call—‘O, John—John—
O, John!” Ah! I was found; it was the cry of
my elder brother, Oliver—my parents being very
uneasy at my late absence. My brother and old
Father Wilson had heard the yelling from the ice-
bed; for sin always yells itself to exposure, and
“will out:” so the great noise of the merry crowd
was heard at the distance, and they sought us out.
Never was I so nonplused, and more excited, and
more guilty ; and trembling seized my whole nature,
and, escaping their observation, I fled rapidly home.
Now was the trial, for my father and mother feared
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 75

I -was lost, and waited with intensest anxiety
for my return. There was no plea to be offered.
I was caught in the trap, and was woefully crimi-
nal and disobedient to home commands, and also
of breaking the holy Sabbath. I felt myself a
miserable culprit, worthy of only severe punishment.

My father was a very lenient man, and hereto-
fore, if we had done any thing wrong on the Sab-
bath deserving correction, he would promise to
correct us on the morrow; but being so merciful
and loving, he frequently forgot it when the day
arrived; which, perhaps was an error, but I think
the only fault I ever discovered in him. But this
offense was too aggravating to be overlooked. His
responsibility, as he afterward said, was wonderfully
impressed on his heart at that hour; so he ques-
tioned me very closely, then took me in the parlor,
the door being left ajar to the sitting-room, and he
partly divested me of my clothing to chastise me.
My elder brother, Oliver, and the rest of the family
listened, expecting me to receive a well-deserving
and severe chastisement; but they hearkened with
silent surprise, and were disappointed that I so
easily escaped; and they tell this of me, which I
do not wholly remember myself, being so terribly
alarmed and guilty—yet I knew then I was de-
ceiving him by my false and strategic dodge—that
after he had struck me a few sharp blows with the
rod as his kind nature would allow, he hesitated at
my wailing, for it sickened him nearly to punish
us, and they say I said to him, “ Father, I have
been very poorly lately.” He stopped and asked,
76 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

“ What ’s the matter with you?” I responded, “TI
don’t know what, but I have felt very badly in
my heart,” and then pointing to my side, “and I
thought I might die soon.” He placed his left
hand, with his handkerchief in it, to his face upon
his mouth, suppressing his momentary embarrass-
ment, and somewhat overcome with my peculiar
and plaintive tones, and although affecting him con-
siderably, he replied, “ Well, son, it don’t seem to
matter much if you live or die, for I fear your sins
will lead you to the penitentiary or the gallows if
you do not change your way of living.” Then,
with only a couple more of light cuts with the switch,
I escaped the real flogging I deserved. My con-
science smote me so dreadfully for my sin, knowing
that I had told him a bare-faced falsehood, that
I never forgot the circumstance.

I have wondered a thousand times how it could
be that I ever got so far away from true obedience to
good parents, how I could be led to deceive them,
and wander in forbidden paths. In review of all
my life-teachings, I can come to no other conclu-
sion than that either they were too lovingly in-
dulgent, and afforded us too many of the blessings
of this life, as this is a parental infirmity often, or
else the over-abundant pressure of sin so abounding
then, and the mighty surplus of sinners around us
at that rude age, gained the ascendency over our
youthful minds, and led us away from the right
path. But if Christianity is true—and no sane
person will doubt that—and that “one can chase a
thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight,” why
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 77

should any power be found on earth, or from hell,
to lead a true Christian’s children astray? To me
it is all a mystery, unless our parents are too ex-
cessively indulgent, as was Eli, whose sons were
slain on account of ill words or slackness of gov-
ernment. How, O how, our sin stares us all in the
face! I would advise every young married couple
most ardently to importune God to aid and di-
rect them in family rule, for without his divine
guidance all our efforts will prove a failure.

But O, how I really groaned in spirit on ac-
count of my pressing iniquity! I was not a vile
sinner, or rash or outbreaking, or given to profanity
and the like; but I went forward in fool-hardiness,
in outspoken mischief, in my daily course. The
only time I ever really attempted to swear was
once as I stood before my father’s store-door, when
a mate of mine struck me and ran away; then I
instantly uttered an oath, and I looked up in an
instant to see if my mother was at the stair-window,
and reproof fell deeply into my heart. I have
often praised my Heavenly Parent that I, by such
home discipline, avoided that one disgusting habit
of swearing. Any person who swears can cease to
do so, and would if they saw how silly it was.
General Washington said, “It was no mark ofa
man to swear.”

A friend once told his neighbor who was ad-
dicted to this miserable practice, using profanity at.
nearly every sentence, that it was all folly, and
improper and sinful to swear at all. The reproved
man remarked that he had gotten into the way of
78 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

it, and could not quit. ‘“ Well,” said his friend,
“if you will do as I tell you, you can easily desist.”
He promised to do as required; so he agreed to
this pledge: “ Whenever you get excited or mad,
just say, ‘Big tongs and little bottle—big tongs
and little bottle.” Soon after this his wrath was
kindled, and accordingly, remembering his vow, he
cried out with emphasis, “ Big tongs and little bot-
tle—big tongs and little bottle!” This he did on
two occasions, and it was so silly and unmeaning to
himself that he was ashamed ; but he reasoned thus:
“Surely it is as much sense as low oaths or mean
profanity, and much less odious to others.” It
proved, as he stated, a complete cure. But O, the
idea of cursing God, taking his name in vain, using
the breath he permits us to enjoy to strengthen our
lungs, to throw back in the Almighty’s face a curse,
when it is said, “Thou shalt not take the name of
the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not
hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain!”

“ An old man and a young man were riding in
astage-coach. The old man was grave but sprightly,
short of stature, spare, with a smooth forehead, a
fresh complexion, and a bright and piercing eye.
The young man swore a great deal; until once
when they stopped to change horses the old man
said to him: ‘I perceive by the registry-books that
you and I are going to travel together a long dis-
tance in this coach. I have a favor to ask of you:
I am getting to be an old man, and if I should so
far forget myself as to swear, you will oblige me
if you will caution me about it’ The young man
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 79

instantly apologized, and there was no more swear-
ing heard from him during that journey. The old
man was John Wesley.”

And yet is it not a sorrowful fact that many,
very many, professing Christians do what is sinful
in using “by-words,” which to the ungodly is a
stumbling-block? Sinners can not see that their
oaths are much more evil than such as those which re-
ligious people often use, viz.: “Lord of love!”
“Gracious heavens!” “Thunder and lightning!”
“Good Lord a’mighty!” “ By the holy Patrick !”
“By gosh!” “By golly!” “ By jimmany patch !”
“ Drat such a fellow!” “Darn my skin!” “TI7ll be
darned if I care!” And I have heard women, pro-
fessors of Christ, say: “ Merciful heavens!” “Til
take your life if you don’t be still!” “I7ll skin
you alive for that, if you repeat it!” “I7’l beat
your brains out if you do it again!” and many
similar remarks, all of which are substitutes for
cursing. If one such person were to be seized with
death just after such utterances, would not his fu-
ture joys be much questioned? I trow they would
be. “Let the words of our mouths and the medi-
tations of our hearts be acceptable in thy sight, O
Lord, our God!”

The following terse language of Rev. O. Burgess
is worthy to be here inserted, as follows:

“A great vice extensively prevailing among the
youth of this country is profanity. How often are
the feelings of good men shocked, as they pass
along the streets, to hear profane and blasphemous
language falling from the lips of young men, and
80 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

sometimes polluting the mouths of little boys!
This practice shows:

“First. A shallow mind. It can be justified by
no argument. It is wholly without profit. The
swearer can realize no advantage to body, or mind,
or reputation. ‘Silly fish bite the naked hook.’

“Secondly. A degraded mind. Who in this
day of refinement, having correct views and feelings,
does not turn away with pity and contempt from
the youth ‘whose mouth is filled with cursings?
Where is the modest young man whose face does
not crimson with shame when he hears his fellow
youth belching out words and sentences that have
no resemblance to purity or truth or common sense,
but are demonstrative of the truth that ‘that which
cometh out of a man defileth him?

“Thirdly. It exposes a bad heart. He who in-
dulges in this vile practice violates his obligations
to God, who has classed this evil with theft, adul-
tery, murder, etc., and has positively forbidden it.
The swearer’s course is evidence that the ‘ carnal
mind is enmity to God, and is not subject to his law.’

“Fourthly. A great contempt for the counsels,
example, and opinions of the wise and good. Where
is the youth who is ignorant of the fact that he
trifles with and wounds the feelings of the better
portion of society when he swears in their presence ?
He knows full well that his conduct is held in
perfect abhorrence by all who delight in those
things that are honest and lovely and of good re-
port. A decent regard, then, for the opinions of
others will restrain from this vice those whose
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 81

moral sensibilities are not stupefied and blunted by
habitual profanity.

“Fifthly. An utter disregard for the laws of
the land. As a general thing, the swearer knows
that he is exposing himself to the punishment which
wise and wholesome laws will inflict, if he is re-
ported. But his neighbors are kind and merciful,
and do not like to deprive the poor fellow of his
purse. ‘Because, therefore, sentence against an
evil work is not speedily executed,’ the swearer’s
heart is fully set in him to do evil. Let me exhort
all men, young and old, to set their faces against
this terrible practice, and kindly admonish the
little boys who are exposed to this great evil what
a curse it will bring upon them.”
82 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

Chapter IV.

EARLY SCHOOL-DAYS—MY TEACHERS AND THEIR CHARACTER:
ISTICS—-DANA MILLER, HIS SUPERIOR GIFTS—MY FATHER AS
TEACHER—MY BOYHOOD TRIUMPH—MATTHEW MITCHELL,
HIS FLOGGING A YOUTH, AND HIS SPIRIT—MR. FENTON, HIS
IRON RULING, HIS PLEASURE TO PUNISH, NO SMILE, NO SNEEZ-
ING, DARE TO WHISPER, DO N’T SLEEP—MR. NICKOLS, HIM-
SELF, HIS RULE, OUR THREATS, HIS GETTING FLOORED ONCE
BY A CLUB IN A BOY’S HAND—MY AGILITY—MY DREAM AND
GRIEF, I WAS LET IN, ITS WARNING TO ME—WASHING FATHER
SLATER’S FEET, IT COMES BACK TO ME-—NATIONAL DAYS,
FIGHTS, BLACK EYES, SKINNED NOSES, BROKEN LIMBS, THE
MAN I DREADED—REY. PHILIP PLUMMER CONQUERED HIM—
CORN-HUSKINGS—LOG-ROLLINGS, GREAT BRUSH-FIRES—FUN,
FUN—ODD MARRIAGES BY MY FATHER, WHAT WE CHILDREN
GOT AFTERWARDS—HOE-CAKES, HOW BAKED—NO COOK-
STOVES—LOG-CABIN RAISINGS, SNAKED IN, HEE-O-HEE, HEE-O-
HEE—CORN-BREAD AND DUTCH OVENS—’COON-HUNTS, DOGS,
FIGHTS—DANGER.

Y school-days were varied, yet deeply inter-
esting to me. The first teacher to prompt my
tender mind up the hill of science was old Dana
Miller, so called. It was in the old-fashioned, two-
story brick school-house in Mt. Vernon, Ohie:
Above the school was the Masonic lodge, and we
boys thought the devil stayed there, as this was the
belief also of many men and women ; and we imagined
we often saw his claws come through the key-hole;
and even grown persons had a kind of terror about
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 83

it at times, and warned us never to become a Mason;
for they were a dangerous set of men, doing awful
deeds, subversive of all good governmental success.
So in our ignorance we cherished their stupendous
statements ; and we concluded we would wait a time
in patience, and see their secrecy and vileness ex-
posed and overthrown. But thus far the world has
never felt any great shock from their influence.
Well, Mr. Miller, our teacher, offered many
grand and attractive instructions in his natural and
cultivated simplicity ; and in his unbounded kind-
ness, to mark out for ourselves great achieve-
ments, he urged us all to noble advancements in
true learning, that we might make the world feel
and see that we had attained a great sphere of use-
fulness. All the scholars made rapid progress in
their studies under his royal good government. He
ruled by love and kind persuasiveness. He appeared
to have every interest of each, great or small, in
his heart, showing no difference in his attachments;
but all were treated as his own children. No man
was ever more anxious to inspire the youth to in-
tellectual progress. He was far from being pedantic;
yet he most successfully, and deeply impressed all
under his care of the grandeur and lasting benefit of
a good education; and as we ascended the hill of
science with pure and proper motives, so would our
happiness and usefulness be seen and realized by
multitudes. It was the religion of his every-day
life to inspire the young to mental elevation, and
lead them to morality. In the midst of our studies,
to relieve our stupidity, and drive away all dullness
84 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

of sedentary hours, once in a while he would
arrest our attention by a loud, quick rap on the
bench, then, with a sharp voice ordering all books
closed, make us rise up, grasp hands in one long
circle, and run round and round, shouting at the
top of our voices, and laughing lustily as we could,
suppressing no one however shrill; then we had to
run back the other way; then all had to reach up
our arms as high as possible, clap our hands several
times; then he ordered us in quick-step, as if pur-
sued by a foe, back to our seats—which exercise,
so wittingly given, produced elasticity in mind,
and gave bodily nerve and quickness of action.
There was scarcely one scholar but made good
headway, and it was a pleasure to go to our school.

He often related to us at the close of the day
many funny and important little anecdotes. It
vastly depends upon the spirit of the teacher as to
the success of children. No teacher should act de-
murely or scornfully; never be taciturn, but loving
and firm, always aiming at the advancement and
future happiness of all.

My father, though pressed with business, writing
up chancery suits, and settling accounts, was induced
to take the school for a term or two, as it was diffi-
cult to procure regular teachers, being but few then,
thus accommodating the directors. His school was
one of pleasure to him, and advancement to the
pupils. One little incident was of great delight to
me one Winter of the school. The word “ Mich-
ilimackinack,” the last syllable having the sound
“naugh,” passed over nearly all the large class and
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 85

came to me, which I spelt, and walked up to the
head of about forty. Weall in those days stood up
on the benches against the wall to spell, and to me
that was a proud day in my boyhood. Nothing
higher than geography, grammar, and arithmetic
were taught in any of our district schools. At least
half of our time was devoted to writing, reading,
and spelling ; and from these privileges came forth
great and mighty men for every profession.

One of the most elevating exercises in all early
life was the migratory spelling-schools. We went
by scores to different neighborhoods, often fifteen to
twenty miles, Winter nights, with deepest interest ;
and with intense anxiety and excitement sought the
championship. The whole population turned out,
and frequently the strife lasted to the break of day.
Great praise and shoutings were awarded to the
successful school. Indeed, some were found who
could not be spelled down; and in a tie, cuts were
drawn who should have the first premium or glory,
though it detracted nothing from either speller. It
became a study of anxious, mental exercise, and no
word in Webster’s spelling-book, then in use, but
was mastered. There were giants in orthography
in those days.

Next came a lawyer, Matthew Mitchell, who
taught well, and was an excellent scholar; but he
ruled with severest order. I knew him to flog
with a large hickory stick, at least half an inch
in thickness, one of the sons of a prominent mer-
chant in our city; and he must have struck him
fully thirty blows, until the blood streamed down
86 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

his back and legs, and the withe was in splinters.
All, even in those days when teachers whipped as
pleased them, pronounced it inhuman, although the
youth deserved some chastisement for his impudence
and disobedience. Such an exhibition of man or
boy slaughter in this age in school would not only
not be tolerated in any teacher, but would result in
legal prosecution, heavy fine, a dismissal from his
position, and, if possible, a good threshing by the
parent. Some teachers were so inhuman in some
parts as to ferule the palm of the hand, and also
the ends of the fingers, and with severe blows,
until they were blistered and sore for weeks. If
teachers are men and women, enlightened as they
ought to be to instruct the youth, it is very seldom
that any scholar need to have corporal chastisement,
especially barbarous treatment. If I ever despised
any human being more than another, it is he or she
whose heart is steeled against all love and kindly
looks and soothing words.

Some, who wish to put on dignity and seem to
be wise, suppose they must speak harshly, and let
down their eye-brows, and sarcastically criticise
pupils, and answer them snappishly when they do
not reply always promptly, and in all things cor-
rectly ; not mindful, perhaps, of their own dullness
and waywardness in childhood. A whimsical, self-
conceited, snarly, domineering, and mentally dys-
peptic pedagogue is of all men most despisable and
unbearable. To teach successfully and scientifically
and lovingly is a grand acquirement, and such are
to be honored and admired for their work’s sake.
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 87

In these days too many merely keep school, though
teaching is more of a profession than it once was.

The next teacher was a Mr. Fenton, a New
York Yankee, who, like an austere and old country-
trained captain, governed us so closely and sternly
and presumptuously, that all were in constant fear
of him; and we often sat in “torment,” as if in
prison. His discipline was like the Connecticut
“Blue Laws,” never to be abrogated, right or
wrong, but to be carried out if death ensue. I
doubt if any male scholar, of any age, passed a term
with him without receiving from five to twenty
thrashings. I well remember how I caught it, as
my share of switch distributions. It appeared to
be his delight to punish “the out-west boys,” and
that for the least offense, or for the most trivial
thing. It was ingrafted in his physical nature, as
an old Puritanic habit, to rule with the rod of iron,
and to punish to keep all in true subordination and
fear. If any one happened to fall asleep, or gape a
little loud, or whisper, or even smile at some one,
unless at his own smart sayings, or drop a pencil,
or sneeze to be heard, or to come in one minute
too late, he had to take the royal. path to eminence
through suffering, and “ pass under the rod.” We
who are advanced in life have gone under many
severe restrictions, coming forth by the gateway of
afflictions through corporal strokes.

Another teacher I must refer to, who soon fol-
lowed, a Mr. Nickols, greatly satisfied with his own
peculiar ability, versed in his own Eastern style,
and his “ Down-Eastern habits” and manner of
88 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

speech, with odd pronunciations, differing from all
previous rules and government. He tried to lead
us in a “way we knew not of,” an unknown path
for wisdom, which he thought was far superior to
all human plans. Many large and small scholars
attended his school, and but few ever were so viru-
lent and quick-tempered in their administration,
yet so fully failed to execute whatever he asserted
as his just prerogative. The real exposition of his
self-asserted government might be expressed in this
sentiment :
“T am monarch of all I survey,
My rights there is none to dispute;”

I’ll teach as I please my good old way;
As for me, there is none so astute.

When this clever old gentleman became aroused at
some older scholar, hesitating to attack such, he
would get flamingly excited, and use his authority
to thump some little boy or girl, no matter which.
This undue spirit aroused us advanced boys, and
we resolved, if he ever repeated such acts, that we
would all rise at once and scourge him with se-
verity. So we properly armed ourselves with short
clubs, and pieces of stone in our desks, for a regular
outbreak. He got news of our intentions, and it
completely unnerved him and changed his course,
and the last of his teaching was kind and profita-
ble. I confess it made us all rather ashamed of
our threats. Later in his school, a small boy came
to him with his hand tied up in a rag, as by some
means he had it severely hurt, and the skin was
torn up; so he asked the lad to open the hand, or
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 89

lift off the rag, and the wound not being, in the
teacher’s estimation, worthy of a bandage, he took
hold of that sore hand, and hit it several times with
the rule. Just then a youth by the name of Israel
grasped a stick of wood, and felled the old gentle-
man to the floor. So, you see, “ haste makes waste,”
and we should always be ready to “think twice
before we speak or act once.” Yet I do believe he
was a Christian man, and, in the general way, a
good instructor; but he was a great dyspeptic, and
we must allow for that terrible disease. Thousands
of good people err, by its plague, even when they
really wish to do right.

Let me tell the young people of this day that
at least three-fourths of all the school children from
five to fourteen years- of age, at that time, went
barefooted, girls and boys; and some even older,
especially in our country districts; and many of
those who wore shoes had no every-day stockings.
I well remember a boy over twelve years old, a son
of a notable man—I believe a judge, in Columbus,
Ohio—coming to Mt. Vernon in the stage in his
bare feet. Many noticed the fact; some approving
it as worthy of imitation; others thinking it out
of place, simply because his father was wealthy.
Thousands of women, also, on farms, and some in
towns, went barefooted, or in their stocking-feet,
from early Spring until cold weather; and men
were often seen following their plows wearing no
shoes. I have seen scores attend Church shoeless.
Old men beyond fifty will bear me out in these

statements.
8
90 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

At this juncture of my writing I would speak
of my agility. Summersaults and various physical
acts were practiced constantly; as, turning heels
over head, backwards and forwards, on the level
ground, never touching their hands, but lighting on
their feet. It was common to stand in an upright
position, then lean back, putting the head down be-
tween the feet and with the tongue pick up a pin
from the ground, Hundreds did this, showing the
elasticity of their frames, some almost tying them-
selves in a knot; at least by such curious contor-
tions throwing themselves in all kinds of shapes.
When not overdone, it was healthy exercise. In-
stead of fine parlors, shut up in the gas or electric
lights, enjoying rich, unhealthy pastry and killing
luxuries, such as are now used to extremes, those
out-door sports built up the muscular parts, and
gave tension and vivacity to all our nerves; so we
always had many nimble, noble boys, and rosy-
cheeked and happy lasses, all about us.

One little act of my own boy life, because of
the impression it made on my grandmother’s mind,
never has left me. I was about fifteen years old,
and, like many others, was so dexterous that I was
venturesome at times to the most dangerous acts.
I called her to the door and said, “ Now, grand-
mother, see what I can do;” so, having selected a
tall stake, solid in the ground, rising about three
feet above the riders of the stake-and-rider fence,
I climbed up and gave a spring, threw up my feet
in the air, stood on my head on the tip end of the
stake, and then hallooed to her. She was terribly
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 91

incensed at my intrepidity, and so excited at my
attitude that she said, “I do wish I had hold of
that bad boy; I would switch him well. Hell
kill himself yet, I have no doubt.” Hundreds in
those days enjoyed the feat of wrestling ; and nights
were appointed for this fun, and hours were spent
on each occasion, to find who was champion.
Fathers and sons and brothers, as well as neighbors,
participated, and immense crowds were often present
to cheer and applaud the “bully.” I can safely
say I have seen men strive for two hours before
either gained the victory, and very frequently the
battle had to be drawn. The new country, the
food, the peculiar exercises of the day, all brought
out many athletes in all sports, and real health
was the result.

During these seasons my convictions of duty
and work.for the good Lord’s cause were intensified,
and tormented me all the time; for I was imper-
vious, almost, in my heart to all spiritual demands.
About this age I had a dream that touched my
whole nature, and opened my duty before me in a
wonderful manner. I thought I saw the whole
world on fire, in a lurid flame, reaching up and
even ascending beyond my vision. It was in a
circular form, and off about ten miles in all direc-
tions, but dismally moving towards me. There
seemed to be no possible escape, and I must be
consumed. I rushed to our home, but all were
gone. Dread silence woefully reigned about the
dwelling; and I eagerly listened, but no voice, no
stir, was manifested. At a distance I beheld the
92 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

old brick church upon the hill, and I fled thither
with all my speed, and in great excitement and
perspiration, The door was closed and locked;
but I looked through the key-hole, and there I saw
an immense crowd in circling forms, sitting one
row above another, reaching up near to the ceiling.
Jesus was there, prominent on the beautiful throne,
robed in rich dress, and a splendid, glittering crown
upon his head, seated just above all the old prophets,
who were gorgeously arrayed in purple garments,
and miters on their heads. All the ministers I
ever had seen were there, and my brother Oliver
among them; then all the saints of God, men,
women, and children, with them in order, on cir-
cling seats; and all our family but myself. And
O, the singing, and sweet music! I looked around,
and saw the curling flames coming nearer and
nearer, and I was exceedingly frightened, and with
all my powers of voice I cried out: “O Jesus, O
dear Jesus, please let mein! O, let me in—O, let
me in! O my father, open the door for me! O
mother, let me in—let me in, dear mother!
O, do let me in!” And with a heart almost
broken, and tears flowing in torrents, my cry to
me, appeared terrible and horrifying. Again
I peeped in the key-hole, and once more called out:
“O dear Jesus, O blessed Jesus, do let me in!
open to me!” And I listened intensely, and heard
his sweet voice saying, “Open the door, and let
him in!” and as the door began to swing open an
exquisite joy swelled over my soul, and I awakened
from sleep. This was God’s mighty call again for
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 93

me, so young in life, to prepare to enter into his
vineyard, and to stand in his gate, and publish glad
tidings to fallen man; and I heard his voice saying,
with Jeremiah, “Stand in the gate of the Lord’s
house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear
the word of the Lord, all ye of Judah, that enter
in at these gates to worship the Lord.” This
dream never left my mind, and it is as vivid before
me to-day as at that hour. I was deeply impressed
that God had called “me, for

“ He drew me and I followed on,

Charmed to confess his voice divine,”

at the last, under imperative duty.

There lived near our town an aged and very
pious old brother by the name of Henry Slater,
who visited our home from time to time. He had
unbounded confidence in, and great Christian love
for, my parents. His physical frame was burdened
with rheumatism, so that he could neither stoop
nor handle well his limbs. He remarked to mother,
one evening, “If I could only bend down, I would
like to wash my feet, it would do me so much
good.” Mother turned to me, saying, “John,
won’t you wash Father Slater’s feet for him; he is
not able to do it.” I revolted, and sneered, and
said, “ No, never; I would not for any thing ;” and
I walked out of the room. She followed me, re-
marking, sympathetically: “O John, my son, you
will be old some day, and then you may need just
such aid, and who will assist you? The poor old
brother is so afflicted he has to ask help of some
one.” I was ashamed, and turned round, entered
94 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

the room, and said, “ Father Slater, I will take off
your shoes and stockings, and wash your feet for
you.” The good old saint thanked and blessed me
with sweet, humble words, and I felt richly paid.

Many long years after this circumstance I was
chaplain in the army, and was so afflicted with
complicated diseases that I lay on my bunk in my
tent, looking into death’s door. I was quite re-
duced in flesh, and weak as a child. My flesh was
softening, and I was literally ‘scaling off, or, like a
serpent in Spring-time, was changing my skin. I
thought to myself, “O, if some kind one would
only bathe my limbs and parched feet, how glad I
would feel!” Soon an old black woman, who was
working for the army, came to me and said, “ Massa
Chaplain, it would do yous so much good to wash
yours feet.” “Yes,” I responded, mournfully, “but
I am too weak now to attend to it.” “O, Massa
Chaplain,” she replied, “I doose dat for yous wid
great pleasure, as yous’s sick, for ] knows it will be
so good for yours body.” So she brought in a big
army camp-kettle or bucket, sixteen inches deep,
filled with warm water, with ashes and salt in it,
and drew my feet carefully off of the cot, rolled up
my pants, and from my knees to my feet carefully
washed and soaked them thoroughly ; so that it was
to me a healthy enjoyment and help in my weak-
ness, I said to her, “O, good woman, I hate to
have you do that great favor for me.” She re-
plied, “O, dat’s not so much work; no work for
me, Massa Chaplain, for I’se washed my old Massa
all over mores a hundred times, I reckons.”
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 95

Now you see, dear reader, my act of love to
Father Slater forty odd years earlier, had returned
to me in a fourfold kindness, by the hand of an old
slave; and my mind reverted away back to that in-
cident. We ought to learn to avoid all fastidious-
ness, and manifest a practical bearing in all our
ways and to all people. Parents are too inert, and
indeed quite indifferent in impressing, in early life,
such essential lessons upon their children’s minds
and hearts as shall prove conducive to their noble-
ness of true character. My blessed mother and
father were ever alert to cite us to all duties. The
loftiest standard of humanity is to glorify God with
all our physical, intellectual, and moral powers, and,
by his strength as a fulcrum, try to raise our fellow-
men up to real happiness. The highest aim and
most sublime act of an intelligent being is to honor
God in word, in thought, and in purity of life.

But speaking of athletic exercises heretofore, I
remark that they were generally and _ profitably
practiced then more than in this day. Night after
night, during Summer and Fall, was spent in foot-
racing, jumping, and wrestling. Hundreds enjoyed
the healthy sports, men as well as boys. Many be-
came very swift runners. I call to memory an in-
stance that occurred of the most intense excitement
in our town. A cripple, or one-legged man, a con-
stable by the name of Edward Taylor, who always
carried in his travels his crutch, and rode on his
horse in the execution of his official duties, offered
to run a race a furlong in distance, and back, with
William Shaw, who was the swiftest footman in our
96 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

whole surroundings. Ed. was to ride, and Bill to
go on foot. So Ed.’s watch was staked against Bill’s
ten dollars. They were to turn round the post, and
then back to the starting-place or goal, making a
quarter of a mile run. Hundreds gathered to see
the fun; and many small bets were made on each.’
At the count of three, off they sped with great en-
ergy, Ed.’s horse reaching the turning post two
lengths ahead, when a hundred voices cheered; but
Bill whirled swiftly by his sudden grasp around the
post, thus getting several feet in advance in the
back run before Ed.’s horse had turned about, and
now both came back with impetuous swiftness; and
as they neared the outcome, Bill fell to the ground,
but jumping upon his hands and feet only, he ran
in that position, and outstripped his competitor
about the length of the horse, winning the victory.
The crowd sent up most unearthly yells, repeatedly,
and clapped their hands with great rejoicings, that
one man was found who could beat a horse in run-
ning. The whole affair, had they not bet, was an
innocent athletic enjoyment.

In our town, we boys had a race-track for our-
selves, which we counted on a four-mile heat.
Saturdays were our days to race. It was staked
off by certain houses and by other points; and if
one racer attempted to cross lots, or take advantage
by cheating, we would all pound him, and for a
time shut him ofit of the play. We stripped for
the run, and with only shirt and pants and pumps,
or barefooted, and cap on, we were ready for the
word “go.” We generally chose sides, and, from
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 97

five to ten in each track, we ran the race with
great eagerness and real delight, as to which party
should have the championship. No sport was more
exciting than this, and nothing more conducive to
_ our health and the elasticity and strengthening of
our muscles. It is a solid pleasure to me to re-
member those boyhood days as almost infinitely
ahead of these days of giddy dancing, gambling,
and saloon loungings.

In those olden days of fifty years ago, we well
remember, on our great days of national celebra-
tions, or during various public musters, it was no
uncommon thing to see hundreds of people dead
drunk, and thousands with the flask or bottle. It
would have been a phenomenon, at that date, to
attend such an occasion without witnessing from
fifty to a hundred fights, and sometimes a dozen or
twenty engaged in one “set up;” and when they
did fight, it was with only the naked fists, and
merely to prove who was the best man. Many
times the warmest friends, or even brothers and
sons and fathers, would have such tussles. Jump-
ing, foot-racing, wrestling, and horse-racing filled
out the whole day; and it is no exaggeration to state
that scores went home with black eyes, broken
noses, teeth knocked out, ears bitten, and fractured
limbs; and for weeks, with many such persons,
these feats were the delight of their conversation.
The loud plaudits given to the conquerors were
ceaseless; and even the little boys enlisted in such
things sportively, but in hopeful preparation for

some future achievemént in that line. But the
9
98 -PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

thundering voices and the lightning strokes. and

the power of the pulpits rang out, and rang loudly;

and our fearless hero fathers, both in the laity and-
from the ministry, were fully abreast to meet sin

in all its phases, to tone society with the sound of |
Gospel truths; and thousands of the worst of men

and women, and even many of the leading fighters

and unruly disturbers of peace, were brought to

the foot of the cross, and became as humble as a

lamb at the feet of Jesus.

I call to memory one instance of an individual
who never met a crowd but he fought and pounded,
unmercifully, almost every antagonist. All feared
him, especially when about half drunk. I well
recollect when he was, to me, the most terrible ob-
ject of dread and fear; but by the holy influence
and sweet persuasive preaching of Rev. Philip
Plummer, this wicked, violent man was led to the
mercy-seat, and lived a most worthy and devoted
Christian until called to enter a higher and a better
home. After such public days of carousal and mer-
riment, the night-scenes were very exciting to all
classes. They continued to a very late hour, throw-
ing turpentine fire-balls. They hurled them in all
directions, up and down streets; sometimes lodging
on houses, hitting people, and blazing like little
flying comets, with a singular sound of huz-z-z,
huz-z-z! as they passed through the air. Many a boy
or man has had his eyebrows and eyelashes singed
off, and his hands scarred badly, and his clothes
burned into crisp, in catching and passing the
balls. Yet. they were often so dexterous that it
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 99

became a great pleasure to many from time to time.
These balls were made of candle wicking, or if they
wished them more solid, they used flax-twine, drop-
ping them ina can of turpentine, then winding
them out of it gradually, and tightly ; thus having
every fiber well saturated. The whole engagement
in these evening sports in the dark nights was a
good exhibition of old-fashioned fire-works, but less
expensive than those used nowadays, and of much
more real fun for the mass. A well-wrapped ball
would burn for an hour or more. Hundreds partici-
pated in it. I have seen scores of balls on one
occasion, crossing and recrossing each other, and
blazing and sizzing in the wind like little buzz-saws.

In those: days corn-huskings and_ log-rollings
were great times of pleasure, of dancing, and of
many worldly enjoyments. Barrels of cider, hickory-
nuts, chestnuts, maple-sugar by the tons, apples,
doughnuts, pies, and the like, were plentifully sup-
plied, and cheerfully consumed. When the work
was over, a large piece of level ground was cleared
and smoothed off, great log-heap fires were built,
and the flames rose and almost mingled with the
clouds; then the fiddles were strung and tuned;
and O, the capers and the wild backwoods dancing,
the loud and cheery laughing and hurrahs echoed
through the woods! They always built a little
fence between the husking parties, so that there was
often a great strife, and hours of hardest toil, to
see which side would husk the greater quantity in
the given time. Sides were taken, and two men
chose, alternately, their huskers. It was a real
100 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

system of conflict. Many a time hands have bled
profusely, cut in great gashes, in the contest, by the
sharp husks; but they wanted the glory, be it ever
so gory, and when one party won, the grand old
forest rang out with victorious words, and sublime
echoes reverberated to our delight. Of course the
company beaten had to treat in apples, cider, to-
bacco, or strong drink, as the bargain went. I have
seen over a hundred men, some old gray-heads, and
youths and little boys, engaged at one time in these
preat corn-battles.

During those days we had plenty of eggs at one
to two cents per dozen; and I have refused hun-
dreds of dozens from the store at one and a half
cent per dozen; also home-made or maple sugar at
two and a half to five cents per pound; but those
things were the delight of visiting boys and girls.
Then there was no lack of pumpkin-pies by the
scores, twice as large as are now baked, made by
the noble, industrious wives and daughters. All
the girls, then, knew how to cook and wash and
scrub, with their feet on the old cloth, singing as
they went to and fro across the room; and also to
ride on horseback, and politely and courteously to
entertain their beaux. The small sum of a “ fi’penny-
bit” would buy three pounds of pork, or one-half
bushel of corn, or three or four dozen eggs; and
an “eleven-penny bit,” or the eleven-pence, the
twelve-and-a-half-cent piece, which was used gen-
erally, would purchase double that amount of pro-
visions. So you see that it was easy to live, and
we had an abundant supply. We used to make
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 101

large spread-out cakes of wheat dough, and place
one cabbage-leaf on each side of it, lay it beneath
the hot ashes, put burning embers over that, and
bake it; and we greatly enjoyed our “ hoe-cakes.”
Our old colored man, whom we raised, and
brought from Maryland, than whom a better man
never lived, Thomas Snowden, who raised as re-
spectable a family as Knox County, Ohio, ever
had,—used to watch the baking for us with de-
light and deep interest. Our corn-bread, or “ pone,”
a luxury indeed, we generally baked in the old
“Dutch ovens,” about six inches deep, and it took
nearly half the day to bake it. This was done by
placing hot coals under these three-legged ovens,
and the like on the lid, which was renewed every
half-hour. When done and cold, with good butter
spread all over it, and a slice of cooked ham, with
a pint of rich milk, there was nothing more delicious
and truly palatable. To all of us children, when
at grandfather’s house, this was our feast. We also
baked our “ johnny-cakes” before the hot fire-place,
by spreading the mixed or prepared corn-meal on a
clean, smooth board, standing it obliquely before
the hot coals, first one edge of the board up, then
the other, and in twenty minutes they were brown
and beautiful. These cakes were sweet and univer-
sally liked. Another most delightful mess for even-
ing we have partaken of a host of times, was a lot
of parched corn, boiled or roasted chestnuts, apples,
good wheat or rye coffee, and sweet cider, filling up
the hours with stories, patting juba, and songs of
olden times, “from de plantations of de Souf.”
102 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

With these and similar gifts of Providence, no
wonder people were so much more robust and
athletic. They often ground corn in the hand-
mills for our evening -mush, and in extreme cases,
as I have witnessed it, even for bread; and made
hominy under the heavy and continued strokes of the
big wooden pestle, in a “ dug-out, then burned-out
mortar ;” also the old-fashioned, full-grained lye
hominy, which was a constant food. It is a notable
fact, if we look back a century, that more long-
lived persons existed than in this generation. I
remember that at the age of seventy-two, my grand-
father, to show us children his activity, laid a pil-
low on the floor, and stood on his head for several
seconds. Who at that age could now do the like
act? He often mounted his three-year-old colt,
and, without saddle, rode off several miles like
a_ boy.

At that early time no stoves were to be seen
throughout all my travel, unless in a large town, if
any at all. Indeed, women were literally opposed
to their introduction, and even made fun of those
who wanted one. I have heard many of my best
country people say, “O, I would not have one of
the wretched things in my house;” “I can’t see
the sense there is in having them about, taking up
so much room—they would be in the way of every
body ;” “I/’d a good deal sooner cook by the good
old fire-place ;” “The idea of having so many pots
and kettles and pans, and all them funny fixens
tumbled about, and on the stove; it don’t suit my
inclinations ;” “It would take a body half a life-
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 103

time to get used to them,” etc. So, for years, the
only way of cooking was by the great fires, where
our mothers stood the flames, and burned their
brains, scorched their aprons and dresses, and worked
hard and long to accommodate visitors or Church
gatherings. But, one by one, stoves began to come
in use, and women came over to see the experience
of cooking; then they made criticisms. Some soon
yielded, little by little, and at last they succumbed,
and as one by one entertained the idea of their
benefit, so another, until all began to decide “if
such a one has it, I’ll also have one;” and after
years of fuss and sneering, the stove gained the
mastery. But the good old heavy stove was a
more honest friend fifty years ago than now; for it
had thicker plates, more lasting doors, retained the
heat longer, and really took less wood, after once
heated. Ah! you doubt it?

About those days a strange event took place at
our house, which surprised us all. A man richly
clothed, bearing a gold watch and fine chain upon
his person, which but few then wore, who was
about fifty years of age, and a beautiful girl of good
size, only thirteen years old, came by stage-coach
to father, who was at that time mayor of the town;
and they were married by him, and immediately
made their exit westward. We never heard of
them afterward, but he “deposited” a ten-dollar
gold-piece with us. Not long after this another
marriage occurred at our home, namely, a man of
very fine culture, with noble mien, and a refined,
well-dressed lady, accompanied by her two young
104 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

and beautiful daughters of about twelve and four-
teen, and she and this man were united in wedlock.
The girls wept with greatly suppressed feelings, and
all was a deep mystery to us. They had traveled
all the way from Maine by stage-coach, there being
no railroads. The fee was a good one. The most
cheery wedding, and satisfactory to us children, was
one from the surrounding country, or from Skunk’s
Creek Hills. Some twenty couple all came on
horseback to see the ceremony performed. Our
room was large but well filled, and the nuptial
knot was soon tied and the bands of the law riveted.
It was near ten o’clock at night, a bright and
beautiful moonlight in the Fall of the year. When
starting away for their homes, one young man
sprang on the bride’s horse behind her, and another
on the groom’s horse behind him, when all gave a
great yell, like to Indians, and went galloping their
horses off in a great hurry. We found, to our
great pleasure as children, nearly or quite a peck
of chestnuts in our cupboard, in bowls and plates
and tumblers, which the clever boys had taken
from their pockets and deposited for our enjoyment ;
but the fee from this noble groom scarcely exceeded
fifty cents.

In much later periods we have received only a
quarter for marriage services, and often been put
off with mere promises, which proved to be but
“ pie-crust,” empty. Scores of such instances come
booming up to our remembrance; which would be
deeply interesting to unfold to the reader.

Cabin-raising was a great work of usefulness
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 105

and much pleasure, as well as a necessity. It lasted
all through the year, but especially through Fall
and Winter months. Scores were invited, and old
and young, men and women, enjoyed these “ raisin’s”
hugely. It was a real brotherhood and neighbor-
hood affinity, binding all hearts. People loved to
aid each other, and this spirit of old-fashioned ac-
commodation bound all in brackets of unbroken
affection; and, to this late date, how the old love
to talk of the past delights of long, long ago!

To those who read this book, but never wit-
nessed such things, I will describe it as clearly as
possible. A set of men would go to the woods, and
cut, or “ fell,” a number of great or small trees,
and sever them into long or shorter logs, the size
according to the capacity of the cabins to be erected.
Another company, generally boys, took several yoke
of oxen or horses, hitched to double-trees by heavy
log-chains ; they then fastened the end of the chain
around the end of the log with a short hickory
peg, with a knot or crook on one end, putting it
through two opposite links of the chain. When
round the log, it held it tightly, and the chain must
break or the log come along all in order. Away
they went, from forest to building spots, until
enough were “pulled,” and scattered all around.
This was called “ snaking” the logs, because dragged
in by the butt-ends, or thicker parts; so, the hea-
vier the drag the tighter the chain drew. Ifa
very large cabin had to “go up,” sometimes the
logs were over two feet in diameter. If it were to
be two stories high, the “ raisers” used poles, some
106 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

fifteen to twenty feet long, often piked. On the
top, generally two men at each corner were required
to handle and “fit” the lifted ends in their proper
sockets, or corners. Though rude, they must be
fitted artistically in their places. The perpendicular
form of a cabin and the building of a good hay-
stack were considered, in those days, an accomplish-
ment of merit and praise; yet but few could do it
acceptably, without severe criticisms.

After’ it was all ready, heavy, short chunks were
sawed or chopped off, and sunk into the ground
for corners and middle supports. The long logs
were notched at the ends and laid on, one at a
time, for several feet in height; then long skids—
that is, smooth logs—were laid on, one end on the
last laid, or top log, and the other end on the
ground, pegged tightly, or a hole to let it down a
little, so as not to slip, while six to ten men at each
end of these logs would “lay against” them with
poles, and all would push up slowly, end for end.
To give force and life and ease, one man of sten-
torious voice, who followed “crying” for a trade,
was hired, who stood on a stump, or high position,
and cried—“ Now, all together !—hee—O hee /” then
a long hard push; then again—‘ All together—
hee—O hee!” and-up it went from five to eight
feet—by the two forces, each at the ends, both sets
trying to reach it up the farthest; for it was a little
glory to excel, even in this line, in their “ shove-
up” effort; and so with each log in turn, until the
Jast binding piece was on, and all was ready for
rafters and clapboards. O, what loud yelling and
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 107

shouting and fun ensued, when the last log was
tied !

I have seen men run each other around on the
top logs, and jump and dance, fifteen and twenty
feet above the ground in such a perilous position ;
but now and then some one got a fall, to his great
injury. Then all would go to the cider-barrels
prepared for the occasion, and even to harder
drinks; then tumbling over, running races, wres-
tling, turning summersaults and hand-springs, and
all kinds of joyful tricks were played.

Very soon a great dinner or supper was pre-
pared by the good householders, many neighboring
ladies assisting. Then we enjoyed fresh pork, per-
haps a whole baked hog on the table, deer and
bear meat, squirrels, wild turkey, sometimes opos-
sums or ’coons, lye-hominy, corn-bread, cabbage, and
beans like to our veritable “army beans.” After
the meal was ended, royal fun was indulged in;
more than I ever saw in all after life. Odd stories
were related, some very thrilling, of backwoods
scenes—of course, away back—of early pioneer ad-
ventures; awful fights with bears, panthers, wild-
cats; wonderful, bloody contests with Indians in
earlier days, and marvelous escapes from the rifle
and tomahawk ; tales of “old ’coon hunts,” and the
terrible accidents that befell comrades. So each
tried to exceed the other in graphic encounters and
successful escapes. Every man was the historian of
his own glory in that day. Some chap would at last
cap the climax by a rousing big lie, and then a halt
and cessation followed in all stories by some one
108 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

proposing three cheers “for the biggest liar in
America.” The children and women enjoyed these
narratives greatly. But the ghost stories would
sometimes come in, in the most frightful presenta-
tions, as huge animals coming up out of the earth
just before the traveler in the road, or some terri-
ble thing flying in the air, and awful growls
or sounds of a dismal nature; or some haunted
houses not far away were mentioned, where groans
were heard by all who passed, or blood seen flow-
ing out of the doors. All such unwarranted and
false stories were told, until children shrugged up
closely, with pale faces and trembling frames, to their
parents; and even older ones were on “nettles,”
and fearful to some degree. Sometimes these inter-
views lasted until the morning broke.

These raccoon huntings—I have enjoyed the ex-
citing sport frequently in boyhood. We would go out
at midnight with torches of hickory-bark, wrapped
with withes or wire, taking with us our axes and
guns and several dogs; then, treeing an old ’coon,
or perhaps two or three of them, we tried at first
to shoot them, but generally had to chop down the
tree where they had burrowed; so when it fell, the
old frightened ’coons came quickly crawling out,
when, lo! the sanguinary fight began. First the
dogs on top, then Mr. ’Coon the master; so they
took many tumbles and terrible skirmishes. Our
turn then came to use our clubs or forks or axes,
until the blood came flowing, and the ’coons began
squealing, not unlike a young shoat in limbo. Then
dogs were growling and barking most furiously, in
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 109

real madness; and we all, by every chance, helping
our faithful curs, but dexterously keeping out of the
way. Often the old savage beast was more than
enough for the strongest dogs, at times wounding
them severely. Indeed, I have known them in-
jured for life, and even killed by the severity of
the engagement. But woe betide the man whose
foot or shin or leg or hand came within the reach of
old fighting ’coony ; for if he once gripped us in the
encounter between his long jaws and with his pene-
trating teeth, we would have had to break the animal’s
jaws before being extricated. Sometimes the entire
night was thus spent, and we did not get home “ till
early in the morning.” This was one of the wildest
of all wood-sports; but I think it was often too
inhuman. From the tablet of memory will never
be erased those many wild scenes of early life.
Another very exciting employment was the
brush-burnings. Scores of men and women and
boys and girls, large and small, participated in this
early sport of usefulness. Through the Spring and
Summer, generally, the brush was cut and piled up,
in heaps from ten to fifteen feet high, and when
night came the children, with “ fiery serpents,” as
they called them, or pieces of hickory-bark on fire,
ran quickly from pile to pile. Then they shouted
and clapped their hands as the dogs barked and
chased the numerous rabbits rushing from the burn-
ing brush, and the ascending flames kissed the very
clouds, and made the sky beautiful beyond all de-
scription, with streaks of white and blue and crimson
tinges; and if you stood on an eminence you would
110 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

see, within a radius of fifteen to twenty miles, the
grandest scene ever the eyes beheld, as the dense
smoke, curling upward, moved over the heavens
like dark rolling thunder-clouds, as in the black-
ness of a hurricane, only not in agitated commotion.
No artist’s brush on earth, touching the canvas,
could develop such an attractive panorama as that
scene unfolded. For miles you could hear the
cracking brush and limbs giving way to the ex-
cessive heat. O yes; there was music in the air,
and glory in the lurid blaze, and rapture and
romance of feeling among the lads and lasses, as
they fed the hungry fire. No one who has reached
a good age can look back fifty years, and call up
these wonders of pioneer life, without rejoicing over
the pleasant remembrances of childhood days. But
there. are no such old-fashioned, healthy, country
sports now, as then, to exercise the mind, to quicken
the nerves, and strengthen the muscles. Many
nights has the writer mingled with large and happy
companies in such necessary engagements, and can
call up hundreds of similar interviews, with a mental
relish that makes age walk again in youthful vigor.

Just here I call to mind most pleasurably the
name and appearance of old Johnny Appleseed.
Some in this latter day, who have heard of that
character, pronounce it a myth; but these eyes of
mine have looked upon this veritable old man of
the forests, and heard his soft and peculiar voice,
and seen his sack of apple-seed hanging over his
shoulder, and noticed his long beard, his old buck-
eye chip-hat, and listened to his fiddle; and I vouch
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. M11

for his personality. Several times he passed
through our town, and his odd ways and gentle and
slow movements, and his strange dress and bare-
footed condition, though on one occasion he wore
Indian moccasins, all caused many of us boys to
follow him through our streets, and wonder at him,
as some wild man or being, emerging from some
vast wilderness, where he dwelt, as we imagined,
with the wild beasts.

I have in after years, when traveling through
various forests, come by little openings or brushy
spots, and found hundreds of little apple-trees and
sprouts, five to ten feet high, several years old,
stunted in growth: beneath the trees, and sometimes
larger ones in the lighter woods, which, people said,
were the fruit of his toil and sowing in his constant
peregrinations ; for it was stated that his life-work
was for the rising generation, that they might reap
the benefit of his planting. Farmers have told me
that their then nice orchards of fruit-bearing trees
had some choice trees among them, found and dug
up from the woods. What a grand and benevolent
heart he must have possessed! and surely the early
people owed him great gratitude for his sacrifice.
Who was he? Where did he come from? Echo—
where? I would propose that all the region wherein
his works were shown should erect a monument to
his honor, and on it inscribe, “Johnny Appleseed,
the early friend of coming generations.” If such
is erected in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, I have one dollar
for so noble a purpose.
112 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

Chapter V

MY POSITION FEARFUL TO ME—I PRAY, IMPRESSIONS—POETRY—
TOBACCO CULTURE, WORMS KILLED, HOW PULLED AND DRIED,
DRY HOUSES, PRODUCTIVE, VALUABLE—PRICE OF GRAIN, HOW
THRESHED, FLAILS, HORSES AS TRAMPERS—CAMP-MEETINGS,
THEIR GOOD, MY UNCLE’S REPROOF, BUT MOTHER WENT—
HEARING MIGHTY MEN PREACH, AND INDIANS’ THRILLING
TESTIMONY, AND SEEING MANY INDIANS—MOBS AT CAMP-
MEETINGS—GILRUTH’S SINNER, AND HOW UE CONQUERED,
GOOD RESULT OF SUCH MEETINGS—MY CONVICTIONS, MY
BROTHER’S AND SISTER’S DEVOTION BEFORE ME, MY WILD
EXHORTATIONS AND PREACHING, AND PRAYERS—MINISTERS
TALK TO ME, MY RESISTANCE—SORRY THAT I AM NOT MORE
ADVANCED—WHAT A TRULY ACTIVE LIFE CAN DO.

LL those days the impression followed me,
You must turn from your evil course, and
regard duty, and try and lead the world up to
God. My wanderings really were frightening to
me, a standing specter in my sight, lest I should
suddenly be sent down to death and eternal night;
and though wicked and straying in spirit, I never
once dared to close my eyes in slumber without
getting down on my knees and praying in secret
to our Father in heaven, through fear and dread
of the future. I always had an awful apprehension
of the overwhelming presence of God; and I felt
in moments of solitariness, “Thou God seest me;”
moreover he saith: “Can any hide himself in secret
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 113

places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord.
Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the
night shineth as the day: the darkness and the
light are both alike to thee.” Thus I realized his
wings were ever overspreading me. If a playmate
or fellow clerk tarried with me over the night, I
would slip away in the back room of our store,
wild as I was, to kneel down, if even but a mo.
ment, and ask God, ere I laid me down to sleep,
to keep me safely through the night-shades, to live
to see the light of another morning. Hundreds of
times, in my youth and coming manhood, the sweet
prayer dear mother taught me at her side I have
uttered when all alone and in the secret place of
my retirement:
“Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep;
If I should die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take.”
I imagined these words spoken to my Divine Father
were a bower of protection, to hold me up in say-
ing mercy. I use them even to this day in joy.
Many a night have I thought I heard the devil
clanking his chains, to bind and take me; and then,
pulling the covering closely over my head, I have
thus gone to sleep, trying to pacify a troubled yet
enlightened conscience. These thoughts, so awful,
would vivify before my mind, and call me often to
a halt of deep seriousness, and to due reflection.

“‘Unnumbered years must I with devils spend,
And never, never, never have an end?
Ah! must I dwell in torturing despair
As many years as atums in the air?
10
114 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

When these are gone, as many to ensue

As blades of grass on hills or dales that grew ?

When these have fled, as many still behind

As forest’s leaflets trembling in the wind?

When all these doleful years are spent in pain,

And multiplied by myriads again,

Could I suppose that then my wretched state would
find a close—

It would afford some ease; but ah, I quiver

To hear the awful thunders of forever—yes, forever.”

Thus the powerful convictions, through the work-
ings of the Holy Spirit, pursued me, and were
around about me at all times, in all places, citing
my attention to the sacred Word of God. O, what
a wonderful thing is obligation, as impressed upon
the soul of every well-instructed person! And the
more we are taught by religious influences, the more
powerful is our call to remember our Creator.

In those early days various were the means
sought for a livelihood. Tobacco was very exten-
sively raised, and proved to be a very valuable com-
modity of profit. Nothing raised then paid the
farmer better. The newly plowed ground, after the
first clearing, was far superior to old fields for
productiveness. To see extensive acres of wide leaf
tobacco, green and tall, was a beautiful sight, espe-
cially at it waved in the breeze. Then to pass
through and behold the millions of worms, each
as long as your index finger, and to hear the leaves
cracking at their bite, was no little matter; but
they had to be killed, or they would soon eat all
the thriving plants. We would take large pans or
buckets, or tight baskets, and knock them off, and
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 115

then destroy them. When Fall came, ere frost fell,
we gathered it, by first cutting it off near the ground,
which was as thick as a man’s wrist; then we split
the stalk through all its course, except a few inches
near the butt-end, then loaded it on sleds to haul to
our drying-houses, and hung it across poles in the
cabins, until the houses were filled from about six
feet above.ground to the roof. These drying-rooms
were built of long, heavy poles, or small logs, and
were made from twenty to forty feet high, and they
presented an imposing sight scattered all around
farms. Many are yet found among the Virginia
mountains, and in Ohio and Pennsylvania, and
throughout some Southern States. In the center
of the ground-floor the fire was built, which burned
several days, slowly, until all was dry enough to
strip, while it was yet elastic, but not brittle. It
was then tied up in small bundles in the shape of
hams, by first pulling off the leaf close to the stalk,
then a dozen or so of the leaves were tied up by
the stem-parts, in neat and handsome form.

Some people seldom cut the stalk, but stripped
the leaves off in the field, and the great bare stalks
looked queer and barren. Many sought to be ex-
perts in forming the bunches, both for rapidity and
neatness. These bunches were then laid in piles,
and rehandled for a short time to render all plia-
ble; and it was soon ready for the heavy press, to
flatten and put them in marketable shape. In a
few weeks it was ready; and the pressers got on
their knees in the great hogsheads, and laid the
hams closely down with leaf ends out, alternately
116 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

in layers, until several inches in thickness, or per-
haps a hundred were down; then the ponderous
weight, by lever power, pressed tightly, until it was
nicely formed into the shape of a lady’s fan; then
another layer was placed in good order, and so on
filling it, and then heading it securely.

The old Pennsylvania blue and red wagons,
schooner-shaped, holding from five to seven hogs-
heads, were used in hauling it. There were four
to six pairs of horses hitched to each wagon.
We shipped them to Baltimore, as it was then our
best cash market. Many of these great teams bore
heavy harness, with leather straps over the horses’
hips from three to six inches in width, and high
wooden hames, and nice little bells, like little dinner-
bells without handles, on their horses, which was a
fine sight and musical, and a delight to us boys.
The drivers were proud as they cracked their great
long whips, like pistols firing, as they drove through
the towns and country, and over the mountains.
The driver always rode the right-hand wheel-horse,
and seemed to love them as one of their family.
When any team failed to cross deep mud-holes, or
pull up steep places, or “stuck,” if another teamster
came along and pulled them out, this last one
claimed all the bells; so it often happened that
some were shorn of their glory. But the success-
ful ones must always pull with their own horses,
and not be assisted by the ones that stalled. It
was a great boast when one gained such vantage-
ground; and it soon spread through the land, as
to who was the successful “boy,” and proudly his
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 117

champion horses were driven through the streets.
Thousands upon thousands of these hams of tobacco
I have handed to my father in that early day of
fifty years ago, as he was an expert packer and
presser.

The tobacco trade at that time was of immense
importance, and it proved to be a source of millions
of wealth to our nation. Then, I suppose, no pro-
duction equaled it, as it brought a good price; for
corn at ten cents a bushel, oats at ten to twelve,
and wheat at forty, all had a very limited sale, as
far more was raised than was necessary for home
consumption, and railroads had hardly been con-
ceived in the mind. Our wheat, barley, clover,
oats, and rye had to be threshed out by the old-
fashioned flail, made by cutting a long, peeled
hickory stick, with a half-inch hole bored in the
smaller end, then a much shorter stick tied to this
long one; so the men and boys, and even the wo-
men and girls, knew how to whirl it, and beat out
the grain. Often we-rode, and led two to six horses
for hours over the wheat and oats or rye, to tramp it
out, which to us younger folks proved a great and
wearisome burden, so long riding to and fro ; but this
was then the only way to procure the staff of life.
No such a thing as a threshing-machine was then
known, or ever heard of, in all the country.

Those were great times for camp-meetings, and
people came from ten to fifty miles, and tented in
pole or slabbed cabins, muslin tents, or covered
wagons, by multitudes. Though wicked men often
came out through idle curiosity, and to disturb the
118 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

worshipers, yet thousands were converted, and the
Church was strengthened by numbers, and spirit-
ually blessed. I remember hearing mighty men
preach most powerful sermons; such as W. B.
Christie, Leroy Swormstedt, L. L. Hamline (Bishop),
R. Bigelow, H. O. Sheldon, J. H. Power, Bishops
Roberts, Waugh, and Morris, and others; and T
have seen men and women fall to the very earth by
the power of the Holy Ghost, and heard scores
shouting God’s praises at the same moment.

Once I attended a camp-meeting where many
Christian Indians were present, and heard them
speak in broken language, and in their own tongue,
for Christ’s cause, with much vehemence and with
many queer gesticulations, so impressively that hun-
dreds wept like children at their words and beholding
their faces shining with happiness. These were
from the Wyandot tribe, in Upper Sandusky ; such
men as Between-the-Logs, Mononcue, Gray-Eyes,
Big-Tree, Francis Hicks, McC. Armstrong—who
married Rev. Russel Bigelow’s daughter—and others
not so renowned. And I have looked upon thou-
sands of the wild men in great companies, from
other tribes, going through our town, on their west-
ward march; and I see them yet, stamped upon
memory’s tablet, in their varied painted colors and
savage costumes, great and small, with their hun-
dreds of squaws, and papooses bound with withes
on their backs, on boards.

During camp-meeting near Mt. Vernon, Ohio,
though my father was a merchant, he suspended all
business for the week, and closed his store, to serve
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 119

God with Israel’s host in the wilderness. On one
occasion, when getting ready to camp out, my
youngest sister, an infant, was quite sick; yet
mother prepared to go and enjoy the meetings as
best she could. My uncle, an ungodly man, most
severely upbraided her, and said: “ Lydia, you are
acting foolishly, and you are a silly woman to take
that sick child to camp-meeting ; for you will bring
it back a corpse. Do not act so unwisely.” She
said: “ Well, Baker, if I can take it there safely, I
will do so; for that place is just as near heaven as
here at home; and I will trust in my Heavenly
Master when I do all I can for it.” She went, and
from that day it began to grow better, and ere the
meeting closed it was almost well, and is living to-
day. My mother’s faith in God was unbounded,
and “duty never seemed a load, nor worship proved
a task” to her.

I have noticed many great and strong sinners
standing in the vast audiences, listening to the
Word from strong men, and have seen some of them
fall to the ground as dead men, under the truth so
powerfully presented; and why, or what was the
cause of such a sudden change, I do not attempt to
say, only that it was the unseen power of God. I
have also witnessed scores of good Christian men
and women, in times of religious excitement, pros-
trated to the earth, and remain in a state of phys-
ical rigidity for hours—yes, for a day or more, so
that no one could bend an arm or finger, or open
or shut their hands; and when that influence had
passed off, they would come forth, some laughing
120 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

and wonderfully happy ; some singing sweetly, clap-
ping their hands; some gifted in powerful exhorta-
tion, who had seldom, if ever, spoken publicly ;
some bounding here and there, like deer, over
benches, with faces lifted up and shouting high
praises,—and never once in all these instances did
I ever see one fall. It appeared as if God were in
this strange movement; for such were deeply ear-
nest, and pious people. The very wildest and most
wicked “lookers-on” trembled at times. Eternity
only will develop this mystery, and I would not dare
to cast any scurrilous reflections upon it, for in truth,

“God is his own interpreter,
And he will make it plain.”

He always raised up resolute and powerful men—
even real Boanergeses in strength, intellectually
also, in the Church, to cope with all persecuting
enemies.

Rowdies by hundreds would often come to
molest us, and to disturb the meetings; and even
to this day I hear, as it were, the crowds of violent
disturbers, coming with their fiendish yells, and
with stentorian voices, off in the dense woods, in
the darkness of midnight, with fearful imprecations
and bounding echoes, and with clubs in hands, and
sometimes with pistols firing, threatening our lives,
or to break up the worship; but God, in mercy,
always supplied us with fearless and lion-like men
in power, in our Church, that were equal to all
who were arrayed against us. Indeed, if ever
Scripture was fulfilled, as in these words, it was in
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 121

that time, “One shall chase a thousand, and two
shall put ten thousand to flight.”

Often, when the attack was made, though some
of our ranks were bruised a little, yet universally
the foe was captured and brought into the preachers’
tent ; a trial was immediately held before a magis-
trate, and condemnation fell upon some of them;
and they were put under guard for the night, and
fined heavily or sent to jail early in the morning.
Sometimes, by humility and begging, with prom-
ises to leave and disturb no more, they were pa-
roled upon honor, and thus escaped. Almost
always we had a “justice” on hand. Those were
tumultuous times; yet God led the van to mighty
conquests. It is said, on one occasion, that James
Gilruth, that wonderful man of four hundred pounds
avoirdupois weight, was preaching, and one “smart
Aleck,” dressed in fine, dandy clothes, with rattan
cane in hand, attempted to encroach upon his ser-
mon, speaking out and disturbing the hearers, and
causing confusion. He was requested to desist, but
continued his insolence, when the minister delib-
erately left the stand, walked up to the impudent
fellow, and, taking him by the coat-collar, led him
from the ground, many good people, as well as his
rowdy friends, following; and he made the chap
walk up and down in a little creek of water, he
kicking and cursing and raging, and mad, until he,
was wet as a rat from head to foot; but Brother
Gilruth’s grand old arm held him at a distance as I
would hold a two-year-old child. It is stated that

it so mortified his “would-be” dignity, and so
11
122 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

completely subdued him, that afterwards he was led
to the cross, and became a real good Christian.

I praise my good Lord for the privileges of
camp-meetings, where thousands upon thousands
have been converted and added to the Church, not
of our denomination only, but of the camp-meetings
held by Cumberland Presbyterians; for they can
claim the glory, I believe, of first instituting or be-
ginning them, and in very early times they built
up their society rapidly by this means of grace. It
was indeed wonderful to see the deep interest that
all classes took in them; so by foot, for miles,
hundreds came, bearing their bedding and provis-
ions on their backs, and in carts, two or four-
wheeled, and in vehicles of all kinds, drawn by
oxen or horses or mules, to abide from a week to
twenty days. So you learn that people who wor-
shiped God in tents thought nothing of a little care
or trouble, even if attended with embarrassment;
for the facilities of transportation and travel in that
day were quite limited, as our wonderful civilizers,
the great railroads, were not then in running order.

But to return to my youthful life is now my
object. The very last moments, ere slumber pos-
sessed me, the all-inspiring thought impressed upon
my mind was: You ought to try and save sinners;
you owe God your time, your talents, and every
whit of them should be consecrated: to his service.
The overwhelming obligations I owed to my Di-
vine Lord, which were lovingly taught me by pious
parents, were the prime cause of this fearful appre-
hension of my great responsibility. Hell and dam-
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 123

nation and eternal banishment from heaven were
seldom held out before me, but my boundless duty
as an intelligent being to God, as my Creator, my
Redeemer, and my only Salvation, was the ever-
burning theme of their life-lessons. The dreadful
idea of a created intelligence offending and disobey-
ing the great Giver of all good by his sins, was
the ponderous thought ever set forth, from devout
parents for our consideration. Fear God as you
would fear a loving father or mother, and be obe-
dient to all his commandments. My brother, Rev.
Oliver Burgess, and my sister Louisa, now Mrs.
Bristow, both being Christians in their early life,
had a particular bearing upon my heart; and freely
would I have given millions, had I possessed the
wealth, to be, as I thought they were, under the
immediate guidance of the good Lord; but I made
sport of their piety, sang negro songs and ditties,
danced and jumped around them, imitated their
prayers and religious experience, preached to them
off-hand sermons, and thus endeavored to vex their
righteous spirits. Often, on Sabbath afternoons,
with fellow-clerks and other associates, I would
hold speaking and prayer meetings in our store-
room, and feigned to persuade them to be pious,
exhorting and warning them of their evil ways,
and admonishing them to escape to the highlands
of life; thus also representing my father’s voice and
looks, and earnest words, with clasped hands, and
my eyes gazing upwards; then kneeling down, I
would pray for the boys one by one, with deep im-
portunities, which, of course, gave them exquisite
124 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

fun. All this time, in these impersonations, was
my poor soul in deep trouble and sorrow, and my
heart was bleeding in anguish to be converted, and
to do in truth and deed what I was now prosecuting
in sin.

On one occasion I went to waste the day, with-
out leave, with a crowd of youth, and my elder
brother was sent to take me home; but several
older boys said, “ John, do n’t you go; we will help
you to whip Ol.” So they all held him down, and
made me pound him a. little; but not one of them
would have done so alone, for he could have han-
dled any of them. As he was a Christian lad from
early life, they reviled him, calling him “ pious
Ol,” “good O1;” but when he got up they all
scattered, as his piety was roused just enough to
thrash them; but he led me home. I was always
ashamed of that mean act, ‘and really sorry, too,
but I never told him so; yet I guess it is all for-
given by him, and in heaven.

T literally resisted the work of the Holy Spirit
upon my heart at this early period with great ob-
stinacy. O, what a struggle was going on in my
whole person, mentally and morally, between the
divine call and the drawings of Satan’s subtle
power! My anxiety was great, even depressing, to
become educated, so as to cast off, by that means,
all wickedness, and be useful. The very secret
chamber of my soul was in confusion. Inspiring
words from parents, and from faithful ministers who
tarried with us from week to week and month to
month, advised me to make my mark high for
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 125

future elevation. I had been taught that we should
aim our arrows at the sun, and we might, perchance,
‘strike a star, in usefulness; so I really intensely
aspired for mental advancement. When some godly
preacher would lay his hand upon my head and
say, as did Revs. L. L. Hamline, H. O. Sheldon,
Wm. Herr, Bishop Roberts, George Elliott, and
others, “Now, Brother John, you must be the
Lord’s, and let him have your heart, and go and
preach the Gospel,” then it seemed as if my heart
would break, and realizing my duty so strikingly
apparent, I would say in my soul, to myself, “How
under the sun did he know I felt that way?” But
I would reply, “ Pshaw, any thing else on this
earth but preaching!” Why, I would sooner have
been a stage-driver, I thought. Thus was I tor-
mented for years by such good men, who appeared
to think the blessed Master had a work for me in
his vast vineyard.

I now really believe they so decided because of
the lofty prayers of faith and the consecrated life
of my devoted father, as he and our blessed mother
had so fully dedicated their children to God in
early baptism, and laid us all upon the altar, with
themselves, as living sacrifices. I adore the Eternal
One that, in my infancy, I was, as was Isaac, thus
offered. Praise God that the altar ever sanctifies
the gift! The saddest of all my thoughts in
this late hour of my life is, that I am not higher
up in the realms of general, but especially spiritual,
knowledge. If the youth of all classes, particularly
ministers, would take advantage of the precious
126 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

hours of this life, and grasp thought after thought
of value, what an immense fortune it would be,
not only to themselves, but to all over whom their
influence is exerted! ‘“ Every day a little knowl-
edge; one fact in a day. How small a thing one
fact—only one! Ten years pass by. Three thou-
sand six hundred and fifty facts are not a small
thing,” but will be to all a mighty power for good.
An influence for God’s cause, cherished and im-
proved and sent forth into a life spent for him,
will people heaven, and gem our crowns of glory,
and increase the rapture of our eternal songs for-
ever and forever.

If we would do great good, both for time and
eternity, let us “cast our bread upon the waters,
and we shall find it after many days.” Christian
activity is a virtue. What a glorious result follows
an active life of Christian service! No one can
measure the extent of good accomplished by an
earnest and devout Christian. Our good influence
is never lost. Every act manifested, every thought
conceived, and every word expressed in the presence
of our fellows has a tendency to elevate and afford
joy, or to injure and produce grief. If we hurl a
stone out on the water, a wave is made that will
extend to the utmost bounds of the great stream,
however wide, unless checked by an opposing bil-
low. So if we would send a heavenly impulse
away across the long line of life, overwhelming all
conflicting elements, even into vast eternity, for
man’s happiness, let our hearts be full of good de-
signs, pure motives, and prayerful feelings toward
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 127

all people. He “who doeth all things well” will
see to it that nothing of our work is lost, but all
will be credited to our ineffable joy in the world
of light.

What a sublime truth, and how comforting to
each trusting soul, are these words: “A man’s heart
deviseth his ways; but the Lord directeth his steps!”
How wonderful, indeed, that though our plans are
laid out and our aims are thitherward turned, yet
if our Father in heaven sees that such a course
would not tend to our bliss, he changes all our
steps to our greatest good! No human being, how-
ever great and learned and holy, can mark out for
us the “white line” we should follow as well as
can our blessed Master, who will ever “guide us
with his eye,” if we trust him. The great apostle,
who worked only for God’s glory and the world’s
salvation, said, “Follow me as I follow Christ.”
Not of mine own dictation, but as I am led by the
Divine Spirit. Only as we positively and contin-
ually look to him and keep all his commandments
are we true way-marks and the real “ light-houses”
on time’s shore, to direct the voyager safely to the
harbor of life.

How happy to know that we can do some little
good for fallen humanity! But when we exert all
our powers to glorify God, he permits us to realize
only a limited degree of the good we do here; yet
there ’s a blessed comfort arises that when we reach
the blissful land, and walk the plains of life, we
will there see, throughout vast eternity, the great
good we have done in earth by witnessing the
128 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

unspeakable rapture of those whom we directed to
seek for immortality. Their rejoicings will swell
our joys.

A few years since, passing to my district on the
cars, while holding conversation with friends, I ob-
served a nice-looking gentleman closely eying me.
When opportunity presented he approached me,
asking:

“Are you not Rev. Mr. Burgess?”

“ Yes, sir.”

“Rev. J. Burgess, formerly of Ohio?”

“T am, sir.”

“Well,” said he, “I would never have recog-
nized you at all from your appearance, but the mo-
ment I heard your voice a thrill of pleasure passed
through me, and I said to myself, Surely that is he.
It has been over seventeen years since I saw you
or heard you speak, but J never lost the intonation
of your pleasant voice, and it sounded to-day just
as if it were yesterday. I was a boy when you
traveled our circuit. You used to lay your hand
on my shoulder, and talk to me so kindly about
being a good and useful boy, to grow up a good
man, and about making my mark high in life,
that the very sound of your speech never left me,
and I am glad to meet you once more.”

“Well,” said I, “I praise God for this unex-
pected and happy interview. I remember your
father’s house in W—, where I often stopped; so
please tell me if you are now a Christian and in
the Church of God.”

He replied: “O yes, and have been for over
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 129

sixteen years. The Church was the home of my
parents, and shall be mine to the end of my days.”

There seldom has been an hour of sweeter re-
flection in all my life to me than that hour on the
car, going to duty. Many other reminiscences of
my early ministry flit before the mind, wherein God
helped me to lead fallen, dying ones to the living
fountain, some of whom have crossed over to the
“sun-bright shore.” Should I touch the borders
of the glory-land, and see him or them there, will
not Jesus place their salvation as stars in my crown
of endless rejoicing? How many, O Lord, may I
claim through the blood of the Lamb? But should
I prove remiss to divine requirements, and lay my
armor by, and cling only to earth and its futile
pleasures, then shame and everlasting confusion
will be my sad portion. But we may so demean
ourselves as to realize the favor of our Master
every moment, and say, with Paul, “But I keep
under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest
that by any means, when I have preached to others,
I myself should be a castaway.”

Let us, by pen and speech and a pure life of
consecration, live up to the Bible standard by aid
of Him who is ever willing to be our guide. Such
a life will cast a hallowed reflection on all genera-
tions to come, and we will then be able to say,
when nearing the blessed port:

“Happy if with my latest breath,
I may but speak his name ;

Preach him to all, and cry in death,
Behold, behold the Lamb!”
130 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

Chapter VI.

GOING TO KENYON COLLEGE, DRS. DYER AND LAUNSBERRY AS
TEACHERS—BISHOP MW ILVAINE, THE GREAT MAN—AN ARCHER
AND MY BOW, SHOOTING WITH INDIANS, I AM A HALF IN-
DIAN—A MEAN TRICK—-THE DUTCHMAN'S GOOD EXPE-
RIENCE—YOUNG MAN’S AND OLD MAN’S PRAYERS—THE EAGLE
HOVERING OVER THE WHIG ANID DEMOCRATIC POLES—GEN-
ERAL WM. H. HARRISON, HIS FALL, MOTHER’S CARE AND IIIS
BLESSINGS ON US AT OUR HOUSE—MY DREAM OF QUEEN
VICTORIA, AND SUCCESS—LEAVING HOME FOR NORWALK,
OHIO—DR. E. THOMSON, PRESIDENT, REVS. A. NELSON, IL.
DWIGHT, AND H. S. BRADLEY, PROFESSORS—INTEREST FOR ME
BY STUDENTS — WARD, PENGELLY, COOPER, AND OTHERS —
JOINING CHURCH IN THE STREET THROUGH REV. THOS. DUNN,
AND HIS WORDS, MY CONVERSION AT BROTHER CORBINE’S
CABIN—FIRST LICENSE TO EXHORT GIVEN ME BY REV. DAVID
GRAY, A GOOD MAN OF GOD, MY RELUCTANCE TO ACCEPT —
GOOD ADVICE, MY EARLY EFFORTS—TIE DEAR OLD BAPTIST
LADY—BROTHER PENGELLY’S COUPLET.

YT WAS permitted to attend Kenyon College in

Gambier, Ohio, only five miles from home; so
I entered the Millener Hall, department for boys,
under the supervision of Rey. Dr. H. Dyer and his
assistant, Rev. Mr. Launsberry, both of whom be-
came useful Episcopal ministers. Here I studied
diligently, and advanced rapidly in all my studies,
and received friendly tokens of praise for well-
doing. In drawing the world in separate portions,
in map form, I received the honorable plaudits of
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 131

Bishop McIlvaine, that great and holy man of God,
as superior in my artistic skill with pencil and
paint. With joyful pleasure I recall to my mind his
many eloquent, instructive, and mighty theological
discourses. He was fluent, impressive, and at times
oratorical, always leaving upon the mind the fact
that God directed his words. I shall never forget
his unique sermon from these words, “I will guide
thee with mine eye ;” that God was near us, over
us, around about us; ever looking out for our in-
terest, directing all the steps of the good and obe-
dient; and his eye of love, of compassion, and of
divine protection, was on us; by day and by night
he watched us, and he never slumbered nor slept;
that more lovingly and carefully than the most af-
fectionate parent, all our wants for time, and for
all eternity, were in his great heart, ready to supply
us, and he was always leading us with his eye.
Truly, then, can we say, “The eye of the Lord is
on them that fear him,” for “he withdraweth not
his eye from the righteous ;” hence we exclaim,
“mine eyes are ever toward the Lord,” and we are
safe. I also remember with religious pride the
voice of Bishop Chase, a wonderful and learned
man of the same Church, who visited my father’s,
and was a distant relative of my mother. His
gray hairs, his stately mien, and his great knowl-
edge of the Scriptures, gave him a mighty prestige
among the wise. His son-in-law, Dr. Sparrow, was
also a man of extraordinary acumen and influence.
These three great men I hope to meet in the better
land.
132 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

This year of my schooling was to me one of great
delight, and of more profit than five or six years
of home privileges. While there I became quite
an archer, having a fine hickory bow, six feet in
length, an inch and a half in width, and a half
inch in thickness, with arrows three feet long, like
a ramrod, and well feathered with wild-duck feath-
ers. I could shoot at least a quarter of a mile, and
kill squirrels or pigeons from the highest trees. I
state this to boys, because it was to me the most
agreeable of all sports. Once a small gang of In-
dians, with their squaws and papooses, camped near
where I attended the seminary. They were exer-
cising in this, their natural pleasure, and I asked
them the chance of trying my dexterity with
their bow; so I hit the little mark two or three
times in succession. They all gazed at me in won-
derment, surprised at my shooting by sight along
the arrow; and they talked and laughed in Indian
dialect, and by peculiar signs; and said in broken
English, “He half Injun—he half Injun!” I was
the hero of the hour with them, and it appeared
to draw them in admiration and love towards me;
so they eyed me continually, and ere I left they
all most cordially grasped my hand. I guess if
they had had an opportunity, I might have been
abducted to some great forest, and—who knows ?—
made a king of the red men. Father used to tell
me “to keep on the good side, even of a dog, and
you won’t be bitten.”

I shall always remember the year spent at this
Episcopal College, with but one regret of a mean
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 133

little act in which I assisted a couple of wild,
reckless youths. One of them, a South Carolinian,
was in good favor with the kitchen cooks, and, at
his request, they gave him two loaves of stale
bread. Having a spite at the teachers, he resolved
to do some injury to their stock, as his disposition
inclined; so he put the bread in dough form by
water, then pounded up glass very finely, and
mixed it together, and cast it from the window to
the teacher’s hogs; and I suppose several of them
died. Their mouths bled and they squealed as
they ate it, for it must have cut into their entrails.
I never winked at any little thing which so long
harassed my mind, though induced to engage in
the act by others.

I soon returned from the school, to assist father
for awhile in the store, but was now more restless
than ever, and desired to obtain more knowledge.
My inward eye was strangely directed, and I knew
not why, to my obligations to my fellow-beings, to
try and point them to a good life. My brother
Oliver was traveling a circuit near my home, so I
accompanied him to some of his appointments on Sab-
baths. After his sermon, as the old-fashioned and
really profitable course was, he led the classes, and
they were spiritual, and wonderfully built up the
members, proving to be a strong cord to -bind in
brotherly love, and to Christ’s cause. On one oc-
casion he asked an old German, “ Well, Brother
G—, how are you prospering in the way of the
Lord?” He replied, “Vel, Bruder B—,I’s pin
serfin Gott dis forty years, den I packslides, and so
134 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

I stays packslides dese ten years; den I comes pack
agins, and now, py Gott, I sticks. Yes, praise der
Lord, I sticks.” This blessed testimony, though
in forte it was seemingly bordering on profanity,
was a real honest and solid experience right from
a warm heart; for by the help of God, was his
meaning, he hon thought he could hold on in his
profession. Another instance I will give of peculiar
manifestation of words in a prayer: A youth of
high raising, a clerk who had been converted but
recently during a revival, was called on one even-
ing to offer prayer in public, and he prayed: “O
Lord, come down, come down this very night among
us; come and masticate us all, O Lord!” I would
not have had his prayer answered for any consid-
eration, for we were not ready, neither prepared, to
be devoured, physically; but, of course, his inten-
tion was good, as he meant to overpower us by
grace. I heard an old, long-experienced, and de-
vout brother offer a peculiarly singular petition.
He said: “Now, O Lord my God, help us all
this very moment; help us to rush ahead to the
work. Yes, Lord, let us come to our duty like a
hen pecking dough.” But he was a glorious good
man, and full of faith. Sometimes in those days,
such unsophisticated petitions had a powerful effect
upon the people for good, even better than fine-spun
words, offered simply to be heard by man.

This was a year of great excitement in the po-
litical field. General William Henry Harrison was
the Whig candidate for the Presidency of the nation ;
the Hon. R. M. Johnson was running on the Dem-
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 135

ocratic side for the Vice-Presidency. Both had a
great demonstration in Mt. Vernon on the same
day. A curious and really exciting little instance
occurred, which both parties claimed as a prognos-
tic of their individual success. During speaking at
each stand, an eagle was seen high up in the air,
circling over both speakers. It went round and
round several times, then alighted upon the top of the
Whig pole, and cheers ascended loud and strong;
then it rose in beauty, circling twice round, and
alighted on the Democratic pole, and great hurrahs
went up; then once more it rose, and after several
wide cireles, it alighted again on the Whig pole; so
both parties believed it to be an omen of their tri-
umph. But the Whigs elected their candidate, so
the old bald-headed eagle must have been a Whig
that year; though I suppose, like many men, by
four years more he would change his politics or
colors, in hope of office.

Daring this day of political contest a frightful
accident took place. The speaker’s stand, where the
Whigs were celebrating, broke down, and many
prominent men were injured. General Harrison
also fell, aud his face was scratched, and his arm
and breast somewhat bruised ; so they carried him
into my father’s house, and my good mother washed
his wounds with water and camphor mixed, and
bathed his brow, which immediately relieved him
from pain. We all ministered to his necessities. His
hand was laid upon us children, and gentle words pro-
nounced, with loving gratitude from his lips, and we
were glad to realize soon after this that the noble
136 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

old “ Hero of Tippecanoe” was the Chief Executive
of the grandest nation on earth. He appeared in
all his ways to be, in conversation and in manners,
as innocent as a child, and as tender as a mother.
His look and language will never be erased from
my memory.

During these days of celebration, a most awful
accident took place. The cannon in use was planted
on the “Bryant Hill,” and being heavily loaded,
was prematurely discharged, and two men, Nat.
Cook and another, were most severely hurt. One
was, to all appearances, a mass of powder and flesh
commingled, and unrecognizable, and expected to
die soon, but he strangely recovered ; and the other
had a leg broken, and his hand burned badly. The
great ramrod went nearly a square, and penetrated
into the hard earth under the curb-stone, for nearly
two feet in depth. It might be said with pro-
priety, that these were days of unchecked earnest-
ness and physical power and glory. What men
undertook to do, they did it, though they attempted
it at the risk of their lives, rather than not accom-
plish their design.

All the time of those worldly demonstrations,
the little leaven of conviction was impressing me
with the importance of performing my great obli-
gations to my Heavenly Master. The Holy Spirit’s
voice seemed to talk to me, as the midnight ap-
proach to the lad, Samuel, and I often trembled at
the secret footsteps. I had, about those days, a
very peculiar dream, which wrought mightily upon
my will and stubborn soul, and I felt such an
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 137

inward drawing towards God that I was literally con-
fused in mind and miserable in spirit. O, if I had
just then listened to the quiet, pressing, and God-
sent admonition, I would have been happy, and the
greater gainer for years of advantage. The dream
was as follows: The Almighty called to me as au-
dibly as if a human voice had spoken, saying, “ Go
thou forthwith to England, and call on the young
queen, and tell her, I the Lord have sent you to
preach to her and all her subjects the blessed Word
of eternal life.” So I speedily set forth, and soon
arrived at the great mansion, appearing, as I ap-
proached it, like a vast amphitheater, covering a
great space of ground. Then knocking at the
massive door, a servant opened it. I said, “I am
a minister of Jesus Christ, and I wish to see the
queen.” He remarked, emphatically, “O sir, you
can not; it is entirely against the rules of the
kingdom.” I said: “I can not help that, for God
has sent me from America to preach to Queen
Victoria and all her subjects. I must have permis-
sion to enter the mansion. Go tell her my name
is Rev. John Burgess,” which I wrote down on a
card, and handed him. The servant locked the
mighty door, and went his way, but shortly returned,
saying, “Come in, and I will conduct you to her
majesty’s presence.” Passing through several large
and magnificent apartments, I arrived at her door,
and the bell was rung, and she came in her gor-
geous apparel, and stood before me. I said, “ This,
I suppose, is the queen of England.” “Yes, sir,”

she answered. I said: “ Well, Queen Victoria, I
12
138 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

am a Methodist preacher, from the United States of
America, and the God of heaven has sent me to
come into your royal presence, and preach to you
and yours, Jesus and him crucified. Can I be
heard?” At once her countenance fell, and was
expressive of deep humility ; and she replied, “ Of
course, sir, if that is the will of Heaven!” So turn-
ing to the waiter, she told him to “go ring the
great bell,” and in a moment or two, while its loud
peals were sounding, as she was conducting me to a
wonderful apartment, I saw hundreds of servants
of both sexes, in their different and peculiar habil-
iments, coming, until the vast crowd filled a spacious
room. Then she and her special family, or kin-
folks and selected waiters, sat before me, nearly in
front of all the concourse; and I preached to them
on the necessity of repentance and faith in our
Lord Jesus Christ: “Believe in the Lord Jesus
Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” She wept as if
her heart would break, and all were in tears, and
confessed their obligations to God through the all-
atoning Savior. I was as easy as at home, with
no embarrassment in the least, realizing it my im-
perative duty. I then bade them adieu to return
home, conscious of having done all God required
of me. Then I waked up, most deeply impressed
that the Almighty had a field marked out for me
to cultivate. O that I had kept my eye on the
bright star that threw its hallowed rays down on
my youthful track!

Reader, you may say this was only a dream. Be
it so; it was God’s way to fasten the imperative
~~

PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 139

conviction on my heart that I must go and preach
his Word to lost men and women. I could just as
easily have caught and held a whirlwind with my
hand as have truthfully denied the fact that I felt it
my duty to move by the Spirit’s call, and proclaim
life to dying humanity.

Shortly after this strange dream, I became anx-
ious to go from home, not only to become useful
and learned, but, above all else, to break loose
from former surroundings of evil associations, and
be good, and change life’s course, and rise to emi-
nence; for sacred home influences created in my
mind a startling apprehension lest I should be be-
guiled into deep iniquity, to my utter and final
ruin, All the time duty was inflexibly enjoining
me to honor God and save a lost world. My choice
and decision for life’s calling was the practice of
law; and for years I had anticipated that, in the
near future, the world would feel my power.

Having a pretty good common-school education,
and being very desirous to obtain a more extended
range of acquirements, my parents were persuaded
to send me to Norwalk Seminary, in Huron County,
Ohio, a Methodist institution, under the presidency
of Rev. Dr. E. Thomson. At first father was
greatly afraid to let me go, fearing I would be led
into deeper sin when out of his sight. But my
pledges were so earnest and honest, and, besides,
my mother, who seemed to read my heart at very
sight—for a woman can always, by a natural gift
of God, see through any thing quicker than a
man—pleaded for me to go, and he consented, on
=

140 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

her vouching for my good behavior; and in 1839,
in my eighteenth year, I left home-scenes, to gain
a thorough education and to enter a greater and
higher course of usefulness. This was a grand and
happy step for me. I was now and evermore
broken off from old and sinful ties. I felt as if I
had escaped from prison, to go forth and mingle
in new surroundings. Serious and awakening
thoughts crowded my mind more deeply, and
caused me to think more seriously of the infinite.
value of my soul, and what should be my destiny—
what ought to be the kind of influences I should
cast out over the waves of time, and through a
boundless eternity.

These awful and ponderous thoughts weighed
like a mountain on my intelligence, and on my heart.
Sweet home teachings of a holy father, who was
truly a consecrated vessel of God’s temple and
service, and also a loving, faithful mother, with
their unswerving Christian example every hour,
every day, and all through their history; kind
exhortations from my elder brother, Oliver, who
always advised and entreated me to dedicate my
talents to Christ’s work; the soft and tender
words and gentle persuasions of my sister Louisa
(now Mrs. Bristow), who was devoted in early
childhood to her Master’s service,—I say, under
all these powerful means manifested continually
for my interest, my poor smitten heart was in
gloom, and I realized myself to be a great sin-
ner, and at times the weight seemed as if it would
crush me. The many wooing and charming words
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 141

and repeated college lectures, and the*sublime Chris-
tian character of Rev. Dr. E. Thomson, held me as
by a strong chain in sight of the blessed cross: also
the manly and attractive influences of his assistant,
Rev. Dr. A. Nelson, whose daily acts and words re-
flected the light of the Master’s countenance, and
held us all in check; and the serene and gentle-
raanly course of Professor Holden Dwight, and the
affability and musical ways of H. 8. Bradley, our
tutor,—all these men, and their choice ways, were
powerful incentives for me to become good and
great. Then the holy and devout prayers of my
chum, of three years’ room intimacy and study,
Rev. Thomas Cooper, gave me a wonderful sup-
port, and an inspiration towards future usefulness ;
for he was a young man of extraordinary and lova-
ble character, with an unsurpassed and beautiful
life, of whom ithe president afterwards wrote so
admirably in his biographical sketches.

Again, the special interest shown for me, with
numerous warnings and good advice, by Ludwell
W. James, an exhorter, who almost day and night
sought my salvation, and the close Christian attach-
ment exhibited by Hibbard P. Ward, Wm. Good-
fellow, Isaac Witter, Richard Pengelly, all fellow-
students, constrained my soul to cry out: “O that
I knew where I might find him, that I might come
even to his seat! I would order my cause before
him, and fill my mouth with arguments. I would
know the words which he would answer me, and
understand what he would say unto me.” Yes,
I did desire, in my very soul, though I never
142 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

expressed it to’ any mortal, to go to the uttermost
verge of the earth to save one lost sinner. In
all my studies, by day and night, I recalled my
obligations, my salvation, and my future state, and
frequently would slip out of my room, and go up
in the attic of the seminary, and there, on the big
long cross-beam, in the dark recess next to the
roof, I would bow down with my face in my hands,
and on my knees plead for God to have mercy on
me, and convert my wicked heart. I felt lost, lost,
lost forever, unless saved “now!” That now rang
in my ears. “Now is the accepted time,” was be-
fore me. The prayers of father and mother were
ever before me, in my hearing constantly, search-
ing me out, and holding me up to God in unceas-
ing pleadings. Though many miles separated us,
their supplications were distinctly heard. None
but God knew the emotions of my inner man. O,
how thorough the penitence, how pungent the con-
victions! and yet for all the world I would not
have had it known that I prayed.

At last, so wonderfully was I impressed with a
desire to be saved, that one day meeting Rev.
Thomas Dunn, our pastor, in the street, I took
courage and said to him, “Father Dunn, I want
to join the Church.” He fixed his piercing eyes
upon me and said: “ Well—well—have you found
Jesus, Brother John?” I replied: “No—no, sir;
but I will seek him, for I wish to be a Christian.”
Then he blessed me, saying: “Go on—go on; that
is right; that ’s the only way. Ill pray for you.
May the good Lord bless and save you!” After he
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 143

passed by, I looked every way for a moment, to see
if any one had heard me, and I spoke out to my-
self: “What a foolish chap I am! There was no
use of all that.” But, praise God, I was “now” a
seeker, and must live forever or die in my sins; I
am committed, and there is no retracting, and John
Burgess. never backs out when duty is required ;
and I asked the Lord, in this soliloquy, to give
me strength.

The next Friday evening in class-meeting, at
Brother Tillinghast’s house, I took the bold step
to solicit the prayers of all present. Loud amens
went right up to God in my behalf. Let me here
say of Rev. Mr. Dunn: His countenance was be-
nign, placid as a golden sunset scene; his words
were firm as a rock, but soft as music, and melted
the soul into contrition and love; he was humble,
devout, persevering, earnest, graphic in language,
and an attractive speaker. His songs of salvation
captured and charmed all his hearers. At the
utterance and open explanation of some sweet
Scripture promise his eyes were as a fountain of
tears. In some illustrations, as that of the death
of Lazarus, or the poor, afflicted woman reaching
out to touch the hem of the Savior’s garment, he
was sometimes electrifying. Revivals followed his
work in every charge. Dr. (Bishop) Thomson
always enjoyed Brother Dunn’s ministry greatly,
and often was seen to weep like a little child while
listening to him unfold the truth in his grand sim-
plicity.

A short time after this I made my decision to
144 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

give up all for God and his cause. With Brother
L. W. James and others, I went some fifteen miles
to the humble log-cabin home of a dear old brother
named Corbine, in Huron County, Ohio—a blessed
spot to me, never to be forgotten, here or in the
world to come; for there the boys, or students, held
a two days’ meeting. At the very first evening’s
invitation I bowed before tho old puncheon bench
in penitence, poured out my complaint, and _be-
sought God for pardon, in the deepest consciousness
of my sins, until Jesus whispered softly to me this
question, “Are you afraid to die?” I replied in
my heart, and even with my lips, “No, Lord, I
am not—I am not!” and immediately rose in the
sweetest tranquillity of mind, happy in the embrace
of the blessed Redeemer’s love. Before this, gloom
and fear possessed my mind, and I had alwayg ap-
prehended death with greatest dread, and it was a
most terrible idea for me to enter eternity; but now
light had come, and threw rays down to the grave,
and a joyousness had sprung up in the soul, while
hope immortal came to me like a great telescope
before my vision, and a sacred, full, and rapturous
insight into the better land took full possession
of my poor heart. Now being redeemed, accepted,
and led near to Christ, a calm resignation ensued,
and a complete joy filled my whole nature. Rays
of brightness appeared to beam from the skies upon
my understanding, and to illuminate my soul.
When my father received my letter informing
him of my conversion, it is said that, though in
the post-office when he read it, he burst into tears,
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 145

and praised God aloud, so that all present noticed
him, and were glad with him that his prodigal boy
had come home to his Savior. His letter of reply
was dated May 23, 1840, and reads:

“Dear Son,—Your deeply interesting letter was received
by us all with feelings of gratitude, of. thanksgiving and
praise to our Great Redeemer for his wondrous mercy in
stooping to call you to his favor.

*O, how can words with equal warmth,
The gratitude declare
That glows within my ravished heart!
But God can read it there.’

“There is nothing, my child, that could afford me the
same pleasure as to know that you have the witness of your
acceptance in the favor of God; it is your privilege to live
daily in this enjoyment. O, be faithful; be decisive; make
every sacrifice that God requires; it will conduce to your
highest happiness. You can not conceive how high your
felicity will be by sinking entirely into the will of your Re-
deemer. O, let nothing keep you back from an entire dedi-
cation of soul, body, and spirit to his service. Then will
he work in you, both to will and to do, of his own good
pleasure. i

“Your friends all make great inquiry about you; all appear
rejoiced to think that you have enlisted in the service of your
Great Redeemer. Every day bears report to the skies that
your father prays for you.

“From your affectionate father, Wo. P. Burasss.”

This letter shows how he lived—a consecrated
vessel to God. This fine language was the tone
of his words and spirit for many years.

“No clouds did arise to darken his skies,
Or hide for a moment his Lord from his eyes.”
This epistle will call up to the minds of such old
heroes as Dr. Wm. Herr, Chilton Craven, E. Yo-

cum, Dr. J. M. Trimble, and others, the sanctified
13
146 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

life of my father. To me it isa wonder that I am
not nearer God, all lost and swallowed up in him.
This radical change of feeling changed my deter-
minations and purposes, and at once the study of
law was dismissed. The long-abiding secret call,
from even childhood days, “ Go preach my Gospel,”
rose up to my mind instantly, and more vividly
than ever. I was reluctant to utter to any living
being this fact, but I cheerfully engaged in all my
Church duties, serving God with an undivided
heart, praying at all demands by older ones, “sing-
ing in the Spirit unto the Lord,” often giving in
my youthful experience and feelings about and for
Christ, and teaching in the Sabbath-school; all of
which service enlightened my mind and sweetened
‘my new life. |

After a few months, to my wonderful astonish-
ment, the Rev. David Gray, the new pastor who
succeeded Brother Dunn, and one of the most
amiable, loving, and untiring old-fashioned men of
God I ever met, sent me a paper, by the hand of
Brother Thomas Cooper, which contained these
words, which I hold to this day with untold pleas-
ure, Viz.

“ Brother Jonn Burerss .is hereby licensed to exhort, so
long as his spirit and practice agree with the Gospel of
Christ and the Discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
subject to the annual renewal of the quarterly-meeting con-
ference. Given under my hand this 7th day of October,
A. D., 1841, at the request of the Leaders’ Meeting in
Norwalk. Davip Gray, P. C.”

I read it over and over, then I threw it back
into Cooper’s lap, saying: “Tommy Cooper, I just
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 147

want to know who on earth did that. You did
that, Cooper; I know you did.” Sweetly he re-
sponded: “O no, Brother John; the good Lord
has chosen you to his work, and the Church sees
it, and you must do your duty, and not rebel.”
That blessed little man and noble student, Richard
Pengelly, shortly after added words of love, and so
those telling words, “The Lord has chosen you,”
met my inward experience, and I knew it well;
“but the inquiry was, How did any one else on this
earth know what was only in my heart, and had
never been expressed? I did not then realize the
divine fact that God inspires the Church to see and
read men, and generally knew men far better than
they knew themselves, who were the called. I
went away, and wept over it, and then tried to in-
duce him to return the paper to Brother Gray, but
to no purpose; for his open and candid face and
his devout smiles impressed me to duty; and by
and by these words came to me mightily: “The
Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the
Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto
the meek; to proclaim the acceptable year of the
Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to
comfort all that mourn!” and I said: “O Lord, I
will obey. What wilt thou have me to do?” Soon
entering the field of duty, from time to time I went
forth, reading the Holy Scriptures and comment-
ing upon them; and the Divine Master greatly
blessed me.

I will here state that Brother Pengelly—now the
Rey. Richard Pengelly, M. D., of the Michigan
148 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

Conference, a most glorious and good young man—
did much to inspire me to the work of our Lord
and Christ. God seemed to lead me on success-
fully, from the first effort. At one time, when I
went out to exhort,a most impressive incident
took. place. I was to visit a distant school-house,
in the woods near Monroeville. As I approached
it, a lad was leading an old blind lady, and I said to
her, “Mother, I see that you are blind.” “Who
are you?” she quickly asked. I answered, “I am
the boy who will talk to you to-day.” She said:
“OQ, you are the boy we hear of, are you? Well,
no; I am not blind. True, these poor eyes can’t
see you or this world and its beauties any more ;
but, bless the Lord, I see Jesus, who died for me;
yes, I see him all the day long, and I expect soon
to see all of heaven. Yes, as you look at it, in one
sense I am blind; but itisall right, I guess.” This
good old Baptist mother in Israel, by her precious
words, gave me a text and an inspiration, and as I
talked that day we all cried, and praised God that
there was for us all a glorious country, a land of
rest, where “they need no candle, neither light of
the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light; and
they shall reign for ever and ever.” No doubt
that dear old sainted mother is now beholding the
Son in his glory, and gazing upon the white throne,
with her palm in hand and her harp of gold, sing-
ing Zion’s songs.

After this happy hour, my yielding to convic-
tion and the call of the Church, it appeared to me
I could learn ten times as fast as before, and having
PLEASANT RECOLLECTI ONS. 149

but the one thought before me, the world’s redemp-
tion, all studies and acquirements focused toward
that great idea. The many noble students, with
better experience and more practice in the things
of God than I, helped me rapidly along in my
progress. Such were Thomas Cooper, R. Pengelly,
H. P. Ward, L. W. James, Wm. Goodfellow, L.
Pounds, and others.

One pleasing little circumstance was enjoyed
one evening, never erased from my memory, as fol-
lows: Cooper, Pengelly, and myself walked up the
high ladder out upon the top or observatory of the
seminary. It was a dark, wet night; a gentle,
drizzling rain was descending, and at a distance the
lightning was flashing athwart the sky, and dull,
rumbling thunder was heard, rolling over the
heavens like distant chariot-wheels. Brother Pen-
gelly lifted his arm and hand, in his usual solemn
way, and said:

“The lightning’s flash, the thunder’s roll,
How pleasant to the peaceful soul!”

That well-spoken and timely applied couplet
literally embalmed my soul in the love of Christ,
and since that hallowed hour of Christian interview
it has come back to my mind a thousand times, as
a sweet remembrance of unbounded trust in Jeho-
vah; and when I see the flashing fire across the
skies, or hear the thunder’s talk along the cloudy
march of heaven, I am reminded of that scene and
that open expression of sweet confidence. I thought
then, our Father rules, and holds all these, his
messengers, in his own control, and by all and each
150 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

he impresses us with momentary lessons of his
power, his goodness, and his long forbearance; and
wonderful is it for us to behold
The vivid lightnings leap from cloud to cloud,
And athwart the heavens they grandly play ;

While the thunders roll most sublimely loud,
God’s love and mighty wisdom to display.
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 151

Chapter VII.

MY FIRST SCHOOL-TEACHING, MY CERTIFICATE PROCURED BY DR.
(BISHOP) THOMSON—LICENSED ‘tO PREACH BY REV. WILLIAM
RUNNELLS—MY FIRST SERMON —BRO. RIEMENSCHNEIDER’S
SERMON—GIVING REV. WM. GOODFELLOW (Now THE pocTor)
MY SKETCH—HIS ELEVATION, AND MY FEELINGS—MY NOBLE
CLASSMATES, AND OTHER STUDENTS, MALE AND FEMALE—
TRIBUTE TO DR. EDWARD THOMSON, OUR PRESIDENT.

HE following Fall and Winter I took up a

school for my intellectual benefit, as well as to do
good; also that I might check a little of my father’s
supplies, so bountifully given, and so long and
kindly shown towards me. So President Thomson
wrote to the superintendent of public schools, rec-
commending me as capable to teach, and I received
the following certificate :

“Tus 1s TO Crertiry that Mr. John Burgess, having
given satisfactory evidence of a good moral character, and
having been examined in reading, writing, English grammar,
geography, arithmetic, rhetoric, and philosophy, is con-
sidered qualified to teach any of the aforesaid branches in
any common school in this county.

“J. Kepwan,
“ K. Tromson,
“ For two years. Norwalk, Ohio, October 4, 1841.
“Sratr or Ouro, Huron County, ss.”

\ Examiners.

I then procured a school in York Township, in
a splendid neighborhood of clever people, and among
152 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

many Christians. This was a Winter of much
profit to me, both intellectually and spiritually. It
surely was one of the foremost steps of all my life
to usefulness, by starting me in the true and proper
channel. The idea of taking under my guidance the
tender youth and very little children, most deeply
impressed me with my awful responsibility ; for not
only their minds were subject to my power, but also
their eternal destiny, in a degree. I could but
realize that God had thus so early in my boyhood
committed immortal souls to my charge, and I
taught and governed as for the great future. My
school at this time consisted of fifty-six enrolled
scholars, and I was made happy in imparting knowl-
edge to the youth and the little children, Two or
three married people also attended, and one Camp-
bellite preacher. This last person could not be
convinced for a long time that the earth moved
around on its axis, though I tried, in my best wis-
dom, to explain its reasonableness. I told him
what Sir Isaac Newton said, and quoted that great
-man’s language; but he answered, “he did not care
what Newton or any other man said, for common
sense showed him it could not be so.” He re-
minded me of the man who, when told the same
fact, said “he knowed that was a big lie, for if it
turned over and over that way, old man Black’s
mill-dam would all spill out, and drownd the hull
neighborhood.” But before the four months ended,
this youth yielded to conviction.

The circuit in which my school was located, held
its quarterly-meeting during my school at the More-
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 153

head stone church; and I received this kindly ex-
pression, viz.:
JANUARY 22, 1842.
“John Burgess is hereby licensed to exercise his gifts as a
local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church, so long
as his spirit and practice comport with the doctrine and Dis-
cipline of said Church. Subject to annual examination and
renewal. Done by order of the quarterly-meeting confer-
ence for Belleview Circuit. § Wurm Runne.ss, P. £.
“ Hrpparp P. Warp, Sec’y.””

Rev. Oliver Burgess was their preacher in charge.
I retain this good old and honored license to this
hour, as a treasure. So after having my exhorters’
privilege, and using it with all diligence, faithfully,
for three months, Brother Runnells elevated me
into the sacred ministry. Of him may I say, I have
found none in all my forty odd years’ travel pos-
sessing a better spirit, a kinder and more open
heart, or a more sympathizing nature. In his very
expression were shown the sweet reflections of his
Master’s countenance, and his words to all were as
soothing to mind and heart as morning dew to the
opening flower. His preaching was of a melting
and elevating character, and positively convincing,
always leading the mind to behold and admire the
beauties of Christianity, causing all prayerful ones
to long to see inside of heaven. Sometimes his
figures, and touching illustrations were so striking
that scores were in tears, and shoutings went up to
God from many enraptured souls. Hundreds will
greet him on the highlands of glory, whom he had
incited to the royal road to immortal life. He
seemed delighted to press me forward in the work
154 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

of the ministry, both by his excellent advice and
sacred example.

Two weeks after this authority was granted to
me, my first effort to preach was in my own school-
house. The elder, Brother Runnels, and my brother
Oliver, planned and gave it out to be there, and
but one week intervening between the announce-
mant and the day they fixed for me to speak; but
a vast crowd was present. Not only my scholars
and their parents, but it appeared to me that every
body within ten miles was there. No doubt they
did it to try my soul, and to ingraft me into my
work. My whole nature was under peculiar ex-
citement ; yet going from my knees at God’s altar
to my immediate duty, grace and wisdom supplied
my needs and ignorance, and I guess I did some
good; for deep sympathy for my youth and want
of experience fastened their attention, to see what
I might present from the “Truth,” and it caused
my weak words to reach their hearts. My text, to
begin this general life-course in the ministry, was
Matthew xviii, 3: “Except ye be converted and
become as little children, ye shall not enter into the
kingdom of heaven.”

I did not use any Latin phrases, but I knew
that that language, which I had so eagerly pur-
sued, had opened to my view the real meaning of
the text, and I remarked: “ The first great thought
our words present to you in this passage, is the
necessity of our conversion. Now, conversion means
to turn from, to turn around, to face about, like a
soldier counter-marching. It implies that we swap
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. _ 155

ourselves from sin and Satan to Christ, to exchange
the world and its customs for the Savior and his
love—just like these children here, daily at my
school ; as they study intensely, and earnestly, they
are exchanging their ignorance for learning and in-
telligence ; as the boys and girls go up the hill of
science towards the sun of knowledge, out of the
valley of darkness to the light upon .the mountain-
tops, so he who is converted, is led up, higher and
higher in the path of truth, towards God and
heaven; from the dark ways of iniquity to eternal
light and glory. Now, if we find we are daily be-
coming more humble and submissive to all the will
and teachings of Christ, and realize a burning desire
to be just like him, then we are surely and truly
converted. As. little children depend upon, and ask
bread and clothing of their parents, so we, thus
turned from sin and wickedness, sit, like little chil-
dren, down at Jesus’ feet; we ask him for heavenly
manna, and are willing to become any thing or to
do any thing for his sake. When we are converted,
we know just as well in our souls that we have the
blessing as we know when our parents place bread
in our hands. We feel the bread; we also clearly
feel, or enjoy, the blessing of grace. We see the
bread; so we see the joyful results of our salva-
tion, in that we do better and sin no more; we
serve God from that moment that we become
the Lord’s. ‘The Spirit itself bears witness with
our spirits, that we are the children of God.”
This, my first discourse in the great mission for
my Master, was to me a stepping-stone to my
156 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

numberless joys, happy days, and the successes I met
with in my long itinerancy. I must praise God
unceasingly, for revivals at all my appointments,
and for hundreds of conversions.

During this school term, I was once greatly
honored by a sermon in my school-house, one
Thursday evening, in the German dialect, from
the lips and heart of Rey. E. Riemenschneider, a
Methodist minister, who afterwards went to Ger-
many in charge of our German work. Though he
preached in his own language, there was a power
in what he said that greatly impressed the Ger-
mans. He handed me the English text, and re-
quested me to exhort after him, which I did; and
though not understanding what he had said, he
commended my words as perfectly in accord with
his discourse. Surely the good Lord directed my
youthful heart and lips to do good to our German
brethren, as well as to our own class.

A very singular incident occurred near my
school-house, which, to me, showed the vanity
and extreme superstitiousness of some people.
What was then called a “Campbellite” preacher
held his meeting in that neighborhood, and as a
result he was to immerse a few proselytes; so, as
there was no flowing stream adjacent, he found a
dead, stale, and low pond of water, all covered
with a thick and green scum of accumulated filth.
He actually walked in to above his knees in the
muddy water, and with a small stick he pushed off
to one side this heavy coating of malaria, and
then plunged his penitents beneath the stagnant
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 157

surface. How unlike the clear waters of Enon,
where John baptized! Had they been dressed in
white garments, the spectacle would have been any
thing but agreeable. Truly some people strain at
a gnat and swallow a camel.

At the close of my teaching, I returned more
diligently to my studies, for an inspiration seized
my soul to acquire all possible knowledge, that I
might, as said the great apostle, a all things to
all men, that I might gain some.’

Ingrafting into the local ranks quickened me
towards greater things, and filled my soul with the
deepest humility and reverence, keeping me near
the fountain of grace. Yea, I was led into green
pastures of plenty, and beside the still waters of
divine consolation, hour by hour, constantly learn-
ing more of God and his truth. “T drank, but yet
was ever dry,” and so kept my cup of salvation
held out beneath the flowing fountain, for God to
fill it, and to shake it down and let it run over,
that I might accomplish great good.

I must here relate a little incident connected
with my fellow-student, Wm. Goodfellow, now Rev.
Dr. Wm. Goodfellow, but then a youth like myself,
and a classmate in most of my studies. He asked
me about my first text, as I was a little ahead of
him in time of license: “How could you get up
before the people, and say a whole sermon from
a simple verse? Did it puzzle you much to get
your ideas, John? Don’t you have it written down
like your essays, and then memorize it?” Now,
brother Will was an excellent hand in getting up
158 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

fine compositions; but I said, “No, I just prayed
over it, and asked God to help me, and then I
looked at the words, and commenced to explain
what I thought they meant, and thus I went on,
and on, until I ran out.” Then I explained to him
my course of the first text as well as I could. He
laughed in his own familiar and pleasing style, and
said, “John, give me a copy or an outline of your
notes, and I will try it some time myself, and see
what I can do.” So I copied them off for him, as
well as I could remember. Well, I guess Brother
William used them as his first effort, as he said he
would; and from that day onward he and I have
battled the numerous oppositions of life, going
often by unknown tracks, marking out our own
paths, blazing our own trees, moving under the
divine guidance of the unseen eye; many times
triumphing through the power of grace; then pass-
ing through the thick wilderness, following the
footprints of noble ones, and sometimes making
highways for other’s march, ever rejoicing in the
Lord of hosts as our everlasting strength. All this
time God has made us more than enough for all our
foes, and we could ever hear the words: “A thou-
sand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy
right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. There
shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague
come nigh thy dwelling. Surely he shall deliver
thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the
noisome pestilence.”

I suppose now, in our advanced years, as he has
improved his time and talents better than I have
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 159

mine, I could come to him for light and direction,
as he had come to me for my first notes. Already
I have received many cheering rays of brightest
thought from his numerous and interesting letters
from Buenos Ayres, South America, when he was
there in charge of the mission, and also from his
public writings, affording me the greatest spiritual
light, and unspeakable comfort and courage in my
work. I shall follow on in the royal road he is
traveling towards broader usefulness, and onward
to heaven. Although I shall never try to pull him
down, nor ever envy his superior elevation, nor
snatch a single feather from his plume, yet I will
cry out to such, from the inmost soul, Go on, go on,
my brother; I will come up towards you; I will
seek the realms of light and wisdom you now oc-
cupy! How blessed it is to see our fellow-beings,
and especially our dear Christian friends, rising in
the sublime heights of science, in blessed favor with
God, and coming to the very gate of all knowledge,
possessing true understanding to embrace it, and
attaining wisdom rightly to distribute their im-
proved talents, bearing aloft the banner of true
righteousness! What an immense pleasure it is to
know that the way to greatness and to God’s holy
favor is free to all, and that “the -wayfaring men,
though fools, shall not err therein.” The greater
my fellows become, and the more wisdom they
attain, will open more clearly to me the hallowed
rays of truth, and I shall receive brighter light
from the great Radiator of all light; for “He
lighteneth every man that cometh into the world.”
160 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

So I say with the wise man: “I sat down under
his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was
sweet to my taste. His left hand is under my head,
and his right hand doth embrace me.” It would
be my choice, in selecting a safe position, the
rather “to be a fool among kings than a king
among fools;” for then I would entertain a hope
of acquiring some little instruction from prudent
lips and wise heads. We learn from the Scriptures
the wholesome lesson that “Charity envieth not;
charity vaunteth not itself; is not puffed up, but
rejoiceth in the truth.”

Brother Goodfellow was most fortunate in his
choice of a helpmate for life’s battles, having won
the heart of as upright, kind-hearted, and intel-
ligent a young lady as may be found among thou-
sands. Hence his household for years has been
crowned with peace, happiness, cheerfulness, spirit-
ual pleasure, and intellectual progress. Truly may
it be said in his case, “ Whoso findeth a wife, find-
eth a good thing, and obtaineth favor of the
Lord.” She was the daughter of the distin-
guished minister, the ripe scholar, and the efficient
instructor, whose influence still lives and will con-
tinue through generations yet to come, the Rev. Dr.
John Dempster, of the Garrett Biblical Institute.

“Having studied for three years at the feet of
that blessed man, Rev. Dr. Edward Thomson, our
class was permitted to graduate, and from his hand
we received our papers, signifying our advancement,
and the reward of honor defining our acquirements.
I being absent the day of conferment, my paper
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 161

was mislaid, so I let it pass, until years afterwards
I dropped the doctor a letter of inquiry, to which
he responded as follows:

“OHIO WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY, October 15, 1855.

“THis Crrtiries that, twelve or thirteen years since,
when-I was principal of Norwalk Seminary, the Rev. John
Burgess was awarded a diploma, setting forth that he had
completed the usual academical curriculum, consisting chiefly
of the following branches of study: Rhetoric, Logic, Moral
Science, Philosophy (Natural), Chemistry, Algebra, Datin
Reader, Sallust, Cicero’s Orations, Horace, Portions of Tac-
itus and twelve books of Virgil, Greek Reader, and part of
Xenophon’s Anabasis.

“ As it appears that, in consequence of his absence at the
time of delivering the diplomas, his own failed to reach him,
and as the institution, having passed out of existence, can not
renew the document, I give this certificate, hoping that it
may answer every purpose for which the lost parchment was
intended. E. Txomson.”

This was the only class ever regularly gradu-
ated under his government as president, though in
the near future it was to be a regular system, had
the seminary not ceased to be under the control of
our Church. But I wanted my diploma, because
of the three mighty men, and their endearing sig-
natures—Dr. E. Thomson, Alexander Nelson, and
~ Holden Dwight, professors, whose Christian features
and many noble deeds are impressed for all time
and for all eternity upon my memory. Our class
consisted of six as fine and nice, well-behaved, and
manly youth as I have ever met in my earthly so-
journ—at least the five, the writer excepted, of
course. Our long intimacy and class union and

true affection cemented our hearts, so that we
dk
162 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

cherish more than ordinary friendship. We became
linked in brotherhood, -kindred to undying love;
and if they all realize the same feelings I do, we
are imprinted imperishably upon the tablet of each
other’s memory. They are the following:

William Goodfellow, now a most excellent, and
useful minister of Jesus Christ, a Doctor of Di-
vinity of superior talents and culture, and a member
of the Rock River Conference. For many years he
was our appointed missionary superintendent in
South America; a man of a kind and open heart,
of noble, but gentle spirit, and transparent as light
itself. He was, and is, genial in company, and full
of brotherly kindness, and at all times God-fearing.
God makes all good who will seek his face and fol-
low his divine commands; and he has made him
truly a good-fellow in all respects. I have watched
his history from his youth to the present day, and
with pride and profit will insert some of his event-
ful life. He was born near Wooster, Ohio, Feb-
ruary 5, 1820; attended Norwalk Seminary from
1840 to 1843. Ata later date he was licensed to
exhort by the Rev. Elmore Yocum, P. E., and
in 1844 filled a work under the same until the
North Ohio Conference met in Canal Dover;
that Fall he was received on probation, and
transferred to the Illinois Conference in 1846. He
filled positions in literary institutions for ten years,
and returned to the pastorate and station work in
1856, at Joliet, Illinois, a very important place. In
1857 he was appointed superintendent of missions
in South America, and spent the following New-
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 163

Year’s day of 1858 in the city of Buenos Ayres,
and there remained nearly thirteen years, working
for his Church and God. His success was great
and triumphant, as the numbers increased from
thirty-seven, as shown by reports, to nearly two
hundred, with numerous conversions of those who
belonged abroad, but who chanced to be in that great
maritime city. Laborers from there spread the
light of salvation in Spain, Sweden, Scotland, Ger-
many, Italy, Bolivia, Brazil, Chili, Uruguay, and
elsewhere over the earth. Jn those flourishing
years, the property of our mission advanced five-
fold, and evangelism was begun among the native
people. In closely investigating, there is not found
in any land so well defined and powerful work for
our Lord’s cause as there among the home popula-
tion. After a year’s rest in 1870, the doctor re-
sumed the pastoral work. In 1866 the Ohio Wes-
leyan University sent him the degree of Doctor of
Divinity, he having previously, in 1849, received the
degree of Master of Arts. So we observe, after over
forty-two eventful and well-spent years in the minis-
try of our blessed Redeemer—thirteen of which he
spent in a foreign land, four in the presiding elder-
ship—a long day is declining in peace and the sun is
lingering in golden clouds; and as he throws
back his illuminating and mellow rays from the
western horizon, so will his well-spent life and in-
fluence for Christ be reflected from the hearts of
hundreds—may I not say thousands?—directly and
indirectly, when he has crossed over the river to
his heavenly rest. May he reach the shore of
164 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

eternal life, and, with loved ones and dear friends,
walk the golden streets of the New Jerusalem!
He has my hand on that march. He received the
highest mark, for the finest written composition
and most elegant language of all, at the close of
our academical school.

Another classmate was Frank Le Blond, of
French extraction, who, since that day, was at one
time Democratic speaker of the House of Represen-
tatives of Ohio, also congressman from Western
Ohio. He wasa real frank, tender-hearted, and ster-
ling young gentleman, and pursued his studies with
much labor and commendable zeal. He kept the
star of progress before his eye. He would do
nothing little or mean or underhanded for all the
bribes that could be offered him. Frank had no
secrets to whisper in your ear behind the corner,
but openness of mind and heart revealed his true
manhood. No doubt he made a high mark, and
has been useful through life. May he reach heaven
at last!

The next was Philander G. Buchanan, who be-
came a Methodist minister, of plain, unsophisticated
manners, of considerable strength of thought. Never
was there a more pleasant and musical, whole-souled
youth. Phi, as we called him, would make any
proper sacrifice for a friend. He went to Oregon,
and we soon lost sight of him-in the then far-off West,
though I hear that he now preaches in California.

Then came James Mitchell, who entered our
school quite advanced in -life, perhaps near thirty-
five years old, right from the farm, with limited
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 165

log-cabin acquirements, but with a solid mind, a
grasping disposition to learn, with a determined
and ceaseless effort; so that he rapidly climbed the
ladder of knowledge, catching thought from every
possible source. I never knew any youth to study
more hours or more diligently than he. Earlier
than the morning lark, he was always found at his
books. He excelled, particularly in mathematics ;
and shortly after his graduation was elected in that
department of science in the Michigan State Uni-
versity. James was exceedingly conscientious, de-
cidedly pious, eschewed evil at the very first sight,
and at all times, and under any form. He seemed
as if inspired from above to gain an acquisition in
science, and all his powers, without reserve, were
pressed into activity. He died in a few years after
his elevation, in the midst of his rising glory.

The other youth was the “Boy” among us in
age, and one of the best and most tender-hearted
young fellows I ever knew. He was a diligent
student, a real book-worm, and embraced learning
seemingly without much effort, and very rapidly.
Indeed, he had an unusually penetrating mind,
and was intuitively a student to all appearance.
Though he was in a class below us, his advance
was so rapid that Dr.'Thomson advanced him to
our class in the first part of our last year, and he
fully kept his mental traces tightly drawn in all
his studies. Thus we found Charles E. Pennewell,
as true as steel, loving as a dear sister, and noble
as God ever rials one so young as he. We all
loved Charley. He is now a strong lawyer, and
166 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

became a distinguished judge in Cleveland, Ohio.
Above all else, to his praise and honor, he is a
Christian, and turning all his powers in behalf of,
and contributing his funds to further, the kingdom
of his Lord and Savior. ;

The last of all this class to be named is the
writer, who has, ever since his school-days, been in
the great itinerant field for God, and now with
pleasure can look back over life and its school-
scenes, and many blessed opportunities and glorious
years of ardent application; and I would give a for-
tune if I could have seen the wealth of those pass-
ing hours as I now behold, fraught with inestimable
and eternal privileges. Every hour properly spent
will prove to the mind and heart as a golden nugget
in our coffers. Let me say here in my history, with-
out considering me vain, that the committee of three
noted men of the city of Norwalk gave the writer
the first encomium as the most ready, rhetorical, and
easy speaker on commencement-day. But “ sic mea
gloria transit.” I cherish the goodly feelings, how-
ever, it then produced in my young mind, which
linger in joyful recollections to this late hour.

Memory would now recall to the front a few
others of our school, whom we can never forget,
and whom we hope to meet on the plains of end-
less day, through the merits of our Redeemer.
The first name is Hibbard P. Ward, lingering in
remembrance, on.whose face the sun of cheerful-
ness and brotherly smiles ever glowed. He was
an uncommon, yea, a superior young man, in all
the qualities which constitute a royal human being.
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 167

He was always overflowing with vivacity of thought,
full of witty but wise anecdotes, studious to close
criticism, lenient in his views to all the unpretend-
ing and honest students, but severe as the cut of a
sharp razor to any feigned smartness. Hibbard was
as dear a friend as ever grace molded, and a real
godlike man in his entire religious course. He
became a minister of popular bearings, and was at-
tracting the eye of the conference as a coming repre-
sentative of our noble ministry of Jesus Christ.
But he early and gradually passed down to the
river of death. Ere he died, his loving and amia-
ble wife, watching over him with deep anxiety of
heart, said to him, “ How is it with you now, dear?”
Looking at her with a holy love, and with beaming
countenance and expressive eye, then waving his
hand, he replied, “I am sailing sweetly—sailing
sweetly,” and soon after departed with a smile, to
cross over to the heavenly harbor. We expect to
meet him erelong beneath the boughs of the tree
of life. What an eternity of triumph we will en-
joy, “when we meet, meet ne’er to sever!”
Richard Pengelly, also, we will again refer to,
as one of our best students in his decorum and
réligious character. He was innocent, winningly
approachable, unsophisticated in all his ways. I
do not think he ever lost any of his precious mo-
ments, either with his books or in his Church du-
ties and obligations. If not at study, he was at
his trade, early and late. He came nearer occu-
pying all his valuable time, to his profit, than any
young person at school. Diligence was the cause
168 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

of his rapid advancement; and his Master’s cause
was to him paramount to all things. When his
name was presented to the North Ohio Conference
for admission on trial, Dr. Thomson said: “ Brother
Pengelly was a student at Norwalk Seminary; and
he never lost a recitation or a prayer-meeting. If
there was a surprise party, or a ball or show, ask
Brother Pengelly, and he knew nothing about it.
But ask him about some poor old man, or sick
family, or penitent soul in trouble, and he would
tell you, ‘O yes, I know all about them; I have
just been there;’” and the conference accepted him
with a full vote. Such a youth could but become
useful in his after life. He was quite small in
stature, but possessed a great soul, a humble heart,
a placid spirit, and was untiring in zeal to do all
the good he could. His exhortations and expe-
rience were vivid and simple as a child, and all
believed whatever Richard said came from a truly
redeemed nature, a full-grown Christian. His ad-
vantages in early life were few, having had to work
hard to pay his way at school; but he was uncom-
promisingly persevering. He grew in knowledge
slowly, but surely and safely, and his very face was
ever aglow with happiness. He joined the Michi-
gan Conference, and has for all these years been a
shining light and a useful man of God, and may
expect to find precious gems in his crown of final
rejoicing. He chose for his companion a young
lady of inestimable worth, deeply devoted to God,
modest and retiring in manners, fond of her hus-
band, a true helpmate, and a strong support in the
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 169

ministry of the Lord. He has also become a med-
ical doctor, through much assiduousness, and in his
old age renders physical aid and counsel to suffer-
ing humanity. We expect to greet him by and by
on the brighter shore, and tell our triumphs over
with great joy.

Lewis Pounds was another noble, true, fearless
young man, and perhaps I may say truthfully none
was more: really pious, or earnest in the good
Master’s work, than he. He was a most excellent
exhorter, and while at school his services were
constantly coveted in all the country round about
the seminary. He became a member of the North
Ohio Conference, and did vast good in the vineyard
of the Lord. Scores, from year to year, were led
to Christ by his influence.

Another young man of value, and pleasant to
remember, was Gershom M. Barber. He was
younger than those of my mingling, but an ex-
emplary and careful student; somewhat reserved
in manner, but always applying himself closely
to his studies, with manifest diligence to obtain
knowledge. He gave outspoken evidences of a
mind that would grasp thought. He had a
clever, smiling face, a prominent forehead, in-
dicating brain-power. Like others of his age, he
advanced rapidly, and attained in after day a
good standing. He pursued the study of law to
good profit, and was seated at last upon the
judge’s bench, became a district judge, and with
honorable dignity now presides over courts in

Cleveland, Ohio. The Hon. Charles E, Pennewell
15
170 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

and he, two noble specimens of humanity, deserve
great credit for their upward march towards knowl-
edge, and to such honor; and I feel proud to see
them, among many others of our Norwalk school,
with the good and great of our land.

Dr. E. Thomson, in his later years, remarked
that he “had never seen a body of students, in so
great a number, compare with those of his last five
years at Norwalk.” So we who still survive cher-
ish pleasing remembrances of each other, and of
the departed ones. With pleasure I call to mind
others of excellent abilities, who were assiduous in
their acquirements,-who grasped with main and
might for solid wisdom, for life’s course, that they
might accomplish mighty things for God and the
world; and I learned from time to time that almost
all of them were wielding a good and healthful
spirit over their fellows, either in Church, in the
political world, in educational acumen, or in profit-
able business pursuits—such as Hopkins, Decker,
Bowles, Witter, Wells, Drake, Beebe, Shortiss,
Dunn, Revs. W.:W. Winter, Ralph Wilcox, John
R. Jewett, 8. D. Seymore; also Samuel Fairchild,
a real Daniel in Babylon; and Thos. J. Pope. Of -
this last one, I have many good things that could
be spoken. He was full of royal kindness, in
spirit Christ-like, even tempered, and presented a
Christian example worthy of imitation by all of us.
I rejoice that he became such a useful minister of
the Gospel, and God has truly honored him, as I
only wish were my case, by calling into his great
vineyard several of his noble sons, whose influence
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 171

is wonderful, and will, for time and through all
eternity, reflect a brightness upon their characters.

There were other students of value, whose names
have passed from memory. Many young ladies of
striking characteristics and of intellectual proficiency
were fully our peers in the upward movement to
wisdom’s heights, and for future distinction. Such
were Anna Walcott, Ann Pittenger, Hannah Dunn,
Sarah Jackson, Mary Jerome, Mary Tillinghast; Ju-
liette Goodfellow, who married a distinguished
Presbyterian minister; Marilla C. Baker, and Julia
Pope. These last two married eminent and useful
Methodist ministers, and proved to be great help-
mates in their work for God and the Church;
while those first named married husbands of good
standing in business life. Others, whose names I
am unable to recall, were conspicuous in their
classes, and no doubt have accomplished much good
in their several positions.

It is my unbounded delight to speak of our ex-
cellent and most-beloved president, Dr. Edward
Thomson, so very hallowed to the remembrance of
the entire school. Most of what I shall say of him
- has been published from my pen in his “Biog-
raphy,” written by his distinguished son, Rev.
Edward Thomson. God grant that he may follow
hard after the footsteps of his illustrious father and
the dear Savior, and become one of the bright stars
of usefulness to earth, and of the greatest magni-
tude! Devout, earnest prayer, untiring diligence,
and close study of the Word of God will exalt us
to make wonderful achievements in mental advance-
172 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

ment, and accomplish great things in the kingdom
of grace. The doctor was always full of telling
little anecdotes, so illustrative of our lessons, thereby
deeply impressing them upon our minds. Once he
stated a circumstance, where a teacher asked his
class in chemistry, “ What are the chemical com-
ponents of ink?” and the student addressed could
not answer or inform him. The professor, some-
what surprised, threw back his head and exclaimed,
“ Mirabile dictu!”’? and the student instantly said,
“O yes, I believe that is it.” He told us that with
such pleasing countenance that all were in merri-
ment, and it was never forgotten, by me at least.
He always looked upon death as a most wonderful
thing to befall humanity; and when he described
death, with his terrible, grasping hold upon a per-
son, then our leaving all earthly existence to enter
the dark grave, then launching out—out—into vast
eternity, his description was thrilling to the soul,
and almost frightful to the mind ; but as he turned
our vision of thoughts to the infinite Savior, through
whose saving merits alone we were to be made
conquerors over our last foe, and to be made kings
and priests forever, it was electrifying, sublimely
grand, and caused all hearts to rejoice over such a
glorious provision, offered us through the Gospel
of the “blessed Son of God.” He often met with
us in class-meetings, and his sweet, child-like testi-
mony for the Savior was endearing, and caused all
present to weep and praise God. His language in
such places was like a loving little one, so humble,
so simple. Those who remember his “chapel”
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 173

prayers, how ardently he wound the Scriptures
around each petition that ascended from his heart,
and how he pleaded in innocency with God in our
behalf; how like a child talking to a parent, and
asking for needed blessings, as he sent up his re-
quest to heaven in full faith,—can never recall
them but with joy.

At one time, addressing a class, speaking of life
in contrast with the great future, he said, “Get
ready—get ready; and the first good chance you
have—go to heaven.” What a moral grandeur
there was in that remark! Always be ready, ready
to die, and when the Master sends the angel, go—
go right along willingly, and reap the reward of
well-doing. I shall always remember how he
looked, how his face beamed with Christian ra-
diance, as he uttered those words. They made me
try to be ready—ready for all life’s duties, ready
for death, ready for God’s call. At another time,
when he was sick, and to all appearance nigh unto
death, he remarked, with great solemnity, “It is an
auful thing to die—awful—to die.” Ah yes; all
good people look upon the separation of soul and
body as an “ awful” thing—the separation of those
two wonderful natures—going away from earth—
“departing this life”’—forever—forever! And yet
the doctor was clothed with the wedding-garment,
full of hope of “life to come,” realizing day by
day, moment by moment, “ For me to live is Christ,
and to die is gain.” But God raised him up for
more usefulness. On one occasion he preached in
a city, on Sunday evening, to a vast audience. He
174 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

seemed carried away, by the Spirit’s influence, so
closely up to God that his very face shone as light.
All were enrapt and delighted; and they felt the
power of the Holy Ghost in their midst. As he
came from the pulpit he made but brief salutations,
but, with his hat in hand, walked right along in
the aisle as rapidly as he could towards the door,
noticing no one. Mrs. Thomson followed him as
quickly as possible; but he had forgotten she was
there; so, as he stepped down the doorway, she
said, “Mr. Thomson! Mr. Thomson!” and he
turned round, saying courteously, ‘‘Good evening,
madam,” and started without her. She again spoke,
and took hold of his arm, when he immediately
recognized her voice. The blessed theme of the
infinite fullness of the Gospel had so absorbed his
thoughts and filled his soul that he was above all
earth, in contemplation of things divine.

One valuable remark, and of striking force for
good and usefulness, he made at one time, when
- addressing the young ministers, on the subject of
visiting from house to house. He said, “ Always
be sure to kiss the babies,” showing his humble
simplicity and aim towards great success. His life,
his powerful talents, his prayerful and daily efforts,
were to build up the kingdom of his Lord and
Christ. Did ever a man live among us more de-
voted in all particulars to God’s glory?

Never can I forget the noble reception and
kindly welcome I received on entering the sem-
inary, when I handed him a letter from my father,
committing me to his special care. No parent
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 175

could have shown more interest for my physical,
intellectual, and spiritual advancement than did he
during all the time of my attendance at school.
He and his amiable wife cordially received me at
their house and to their table. The doctor, in ad-
dition to all my regular class advantages, took me
under his private instruction, and at extra hours
heard me recite to him; so that, at a much earlier
date, he advanced me to higher classes than I other-
wise would have reached. Never did I know any
person more attentive to the welfare and progress of
all his students.

During these years, as he influenced hundreds
of youthful minds, his own intellect was visibly ex-
panding, and all seemed to see him rise in his mental
powers towards the heights he afterwards attained.
He was a fluent and mighty writer, and an unsur-
passed, if ever equaled, governor and instructor
of the young. At times the doctor, in his ardent
search after knowledge—for he was always a dil-
igent student—appeared so engrossed that it was
intimated by some that he would eventually lose
his mind. In instances when pursuing a thought,
or, as he once remarked, “adding thought to
thought,” he would apparently forget almost every
thing else. We give two or three instances. Once
our class in Latin was reciting. Each of us five
had read and interpreted his part. When the last
had finished we were all in silence, perhaps for five
minutes. The long pause seemed heavy to us;
then, all at once, the doctor lifted his eyes, and said:
“Gentlemen, why do you not proceed? Whose
176 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

turn is next?” We all replied that we had gone
through with our parts. He smilingly said: “O,
excuse me, gentlemen; I was following the writer’s
thoughts. Please read it over.” We all, with him,
had a merry laugh over the matter. After a class
had recited to him, the bell began ringing for noon,
and then, without his saying a word, as was his
custom, he rose up, took his hat, walked to the
door, passed out, turned the key, and left them all
in the study—so intently was he engaged in pur-
suing the subject of his thoughts. His excellent
wife was often amused at his mental abstractions,
from his incessant application and deep searchings
after knowledge. He was exceedingly prompt and
exact to pay all his little debts; so, as he passed
from the seminary to his home, on one occasion, he
saw a farmer passing, whom he owed for a load of
hay, and he hastened to get his money and go back
and settle the debt. He went into his house, and
opened the bureau where he kept his purse; then,
taking it out, he carefully placed his hat in the
drawer, and with the purse in his hand went to the
door, and out on the step, where, missing his hat,
he instantly recovered his thoughts, and attended
to the matter he had in hand.

For three years or more I sat at his feet, and
gathered knowledge and learned wisdom from his
lips in the blessed path of humility. His lessons
have been to me a glorious barricade, and a perfect
delight all my life. I roomed with Rev. Thomas
Cooper, of whom the doctor, in his “ Biographical
Sketches,” wrote a beautiful and life-like history. He
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 177

was a young man of estimable character, and the
doctor loved and appreciated him. The doctor
visited our room often, and on one occasion he
dined with us, as we boarded ourselves, and said to
us: “ Gentlemen, I will depend upon you more than
any others to see that all things are well regulated
in this institution, and that good order is kept.
Your religious attitude will be to me of great value
in conducting the school. I will look to you for
assistance.”

One Sunday, in addressing our class in the sanct-
uary on “Close Thought,” a lecture which was
afterwards published in the Ladies’ Repository, he
unfolded those rich thoughts which we recall with
delight. He said: “Christianity is supreme love to
God in the soul, and it will out. It will make
itself manifest in all places, at all times, under all
circumstances, in prosperity or adversity, or even at
the stake. We can not retain the love of God in
our souls for selfish purposes; it will out. If we
try to hold it within ourselves, our light will be
smothered and go out, our profession will be vain.
Love dwelling within our souls magnifies God to
the world. The world will realize the results of
what we feel in our hearts. The holy reflections
of divine favor will be seen in all our lives. Can
you place powder in that stove, upon the live coals,
without an explosion? Neither can you have the
love of God in your hearts without its coming out
of your eyes, out of your mouths. It will be seen
in the countenance of every one who possesses it.
As the human soul filled with God’s love emits the
178 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

heavenly sparks, and as we seek the happiness of
our fellow-beings, the rainbow of divine promise
spans over us as an inspiration to love God and live
for heaven.”

A more gentle-spirited, kind-hearted, transpar-
ent, and God-fearing man I never knew, and, out-
side of our own household, I loved him next to
God. If Moses was the meekest man, I think the
doctor was second to him in that grace. He always
manifested the simplicity and sweetness of a child
in the presence of all, and the wisdom and noble-
ness of a royal saint. All who had pure intentions
were at perfect ease in his presence.

In our weekly prayer-meetings, which he always
attended, his invocations and remarks were in the
sweetness of Christian humility, showing deep ex-
perience in the things of God. I have often seen
him cross the street to take the hand of a student,
and say a pleasant, passing word of encouragement,
and never one passed him without the notice of his
eye. In him was a mighty power of attraction and
of inspiration for all with whom he mingled. He
always called me “his boy,” by way of kindly ap-
preciation, and urged me to make my mark high
in life. Could I help loving him? At my house,
years after I entered the ministry, he spent a night.
His talk to, and his prayers for, my little family
encouraged us as if an angel had entered our
humble home. Years elapsed, and I met him next
in Iowa, as a member of his conference cabinet. I
acted as his private secretary, filling in the names
and dates in all his ordination parchments. Then,
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 179

in social counsel alone with him, I enjoyed his
precious company, talked over much of the past,
and received from him words of inspiration and
advice, words of comfort, never to be forgotten.

In the institution of learning he was assisted
by three of the choice men of earth, as faithful,
competent teachers,— Alexander Nelson, Holden
Dwight, and Horatio 8. Bradley. The doctor there
left imperishable impressions for good upon hun-
dreds of youthful minds and hearts, which are now,
and will be for all time, developing for human hap-
piness. He touched chords in our hearts which are
still vibrating, and will continue through endless
ages. Eternity only will circumscribe the gracious
influences then set in motion by that holy man of
God. O, what gems will sparkle in his crown of
rejoicing !
180 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

Chapter VIII

REY. FINLEY LEONARD—WE VISIT REV. WM. GURLEY—HIS ANIC-
DOTES—MR. WESLEY’S WISE ADVICE—I SHOOK WESLEY’S HAND
WITHIN ONE--SCHOOL-SEASON OVER, GOING HOME BY THE OLD
STAGE, INJURY, MUD, TWO NOBLE YOUNG MEN AND LANTERNS—
ACCOMPANYING REV. J. H. POWER, I SELL HIS BOOKS—OFFEND A
SCHOOL—FOOLISH DECISION—UNCLE BILLY MITCHELL'S CASH—
HOW TO TAKE LIMITED OPPORTUNITIES—REV. ZEPHANIAH
BELL, HIS COURSE, MY SUPPLYING THE CIRCUIT WITH REV.
W. L. HARRIS, NOW THE BISHOP—HOME AT REV. POPHAM’s—
A DOUGHNUT TAKING AWAY A PENKNIFE—A BLESSED CER-
TAINTY—REV. 0. BURGESS’S SERMON AND ITS EFFECT.

BOUT these days, in company with Rev. Finley
Leonard, a fellow-student—who afterward be-
came a choice minister of the North Ohio Confer-
ence, by whose godly influence and effectual preach-
ing scores were converted—we visited the humble
mansion of Father William Gurley, the noble par-
ent of the distinguished Rev. Leonard B. Gurley,
D.D. He was ninety-two years old, a very heavy-
set, short man, with long white hair dangling upon
his shoulders; exceedingly lively-hearted, and full
of cordiality and love. After the first salutation,
he asked us, ‘Have ye pace or war at Norwalk?”
“O,” I said, “we have great peace, Father Gurley.”
He replied, “ Wall—wall—I feared so, I am afraid
you will all go to the devil, if ye settle down in
such pace. You ought never ery, Pace, pace! while
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 181

the devil is at work, but War, war! till he is all
subdued.” Of course, as I was but a recent convert,
and I had much peace and joy, I thus replied, but
he wittingly answered us so that we were rather non-
plused. He received us most graciously, with a
broad Irish welcome, to his hospitable table. Then
he gave us many wonderful incidents of his Chris-
tian life, and of his trials and triumphs through
Christ Jesus. He was brought out in Ireland at
different times from prison to be executed, during
the Irish rebellion; and, as it happened, he was in
the rear of the large gang each time, and he saw
men killed and cast into the river. He was quite
near by when his brother-in-law was pierced with a
pike in the bowels. His entrails were hanging down
as he walked in the throng, and then he was cast
into the water. Afterwards he was found with his
arms clinging around a brace of the bridge, on his
knees, with his face upward, as if he had been im-
ploring God’s help. The third day, Mr. Gurley
found himself in or near the front of the line, and
he said to himself, “Now is my time to be killed,”
and, as he marched forward, he sang, with a ese
ant feeling and voice,
“Tl praise my Maker while I’ve breath,
And when my voice is lost in death,
Praise shall employ my nobler powers!”

But ere they had reached the spot for execution, the
cry was heard, “The English are coming! the En-
glish are coming!” and all rapidly dispersed in
fright, and they were freed, the rebellion was put
to an end, the rebels all subdued, and many were
182 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

imprisoned. He actually shouted praises and clapped
his hands as he related these facts.

Another pleasant instance, which brought me
into close proximity to John Wesley, as it were,
in hearing his voice, was this: He licensed Father
Gurley to exhort, and appointed him to assist him
in leading class. He stated then to us this: “At
one time Mr. Wesley went off to preach, and he
said, ‘William, I want you to take good care of
the class, and do your duty while I am absent.’
So when Sabbath came, I read to them a few of
Mr. Wesley’s printed sermons; and this I did each
time, after leading them and hearing their experi-
ences. When he returned, he asked me, ‘ William,
how did you get along with the class in my ab-
sence?” I said, ‘O, Mr. Wesley, I got along first
rate, for I read to them two or three of your ex-
cellent sermons!’ and you never saw such a reprov-
ing look as he gave me; and then he said: ‘O
William, William! you ought not to have done so.
A few words from your heart, burning with love to
God, in the name of the Lord Jesus, is far better,
far better than all my sermons.’ O, it was a severe
and confusing rebuke to me, and a life-long lesson;
so I have found ever since that it is far better to
speak from our hearts if we would do the greatest
good to all. The heart-love and heart-fire from
above is what we must have to be useful.”

He related to us his wonderful escape from the
savage Indians when he came to America, and the
miraculous escape from their tomahawks, scalping-
knives, and their murderous intent; how that
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 183

God, in gracious mercy, intervened between them
and the slaughter of the whole household. All
these incidents were told us in his fascinating
Irish brogue, to our surprise and great delight.
There is no happier or more useful man in all
God’s great vineyard than a real Christian Irish-
man; and we have had many powerful and mighty
men of this class among us, whose history is grand,
whose moral power will be felt to the end of time.
It appears as if there are charms and rich incite-
ments on the “Green Isle” that afford sacred tone
and rich thought to its inhabitants who embrace
the truth of God.

One more thought I must give you, good reader,
as afresh from his sainted lips. He said: “ When
I was very young, the Lord Jasus came to me, and
changed and divinely imbued my little heart to
love and serve him. I remember it distinctly, for
I was but seven years old. As one day I was sit-
ting in my mother’s window, looking out into the
street, I heard a voice calling me, ‘William!
William! I said, ‘ What, sir? who are you? and
he said, ‘I am the Lord Jasus, and I want you to
do as I tell you William. Will you do it?” And
I said, ‘I will, if I can.’ Then he said, ‘ William,
kape yerself to yerself’ Now the Lord Jasus knew
that there were very many bad boys all around
there, to lead me away into evil, and he did that
to warn me, and it was a great good to me. OQ, it
saved me in all my after life from wicked society
and bad influences. Now, young men, I tell you,
try and kape yerselves to yerselves.” Such were
184 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

the wise and peculiar thoughts we learned frem
that wonderful old man.

School-scenes and early educational privileges
having ended, with buoyant and joyful hearts we
were soon homeward bound. As there were then
no railroad conveniences, our travel was exceed-
ingly slow. The old-fashioned stage-coaches, built
like a schooner in shape, “and always room in
them for one more,” supported by several large
springs, made both of steel and of mammoth
straps of leather, doubled and sewed through and
through with catgut cords, in their movements
caused us to shake and tumble, and fall backwards
and forwards, to the right and left, like a drunken
man, and often lifted us up and off our seats, which,
it was said, was good for dyspeptics; at least it
created a good appetite to travel one whole day in
that old style. Hundreds of terrible accidents over
the mountains, and through all their course, often
occurred. Near our city, going south, a drunken

_ driver drove off a high embankment with a coach-
load of passengers, hurting many and killing one.
Our venerable and blessed old bishop, Joshua
Soule, was among the number, but God in mercy
preserved his life for our future good. But this
stage-travel was a perpetual motion to us all, and
was a pleasurable sight to all persons, while it
jogged along at the rate of twenty to forty miles
a day. Of course, in good and dry weather it in-
creased its speed. The man who invented these
stages must have had his eye on perpetual motion;
for they not only shook, shook, shook, when in
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 185

motion, but even when quiet, or not going, were
gently in vibratory movement by the wind or
breeze, always having a peculiar squeak or stage-
song, every day and night, and on Sabbath. Its
intonations still linger upon memory most agreea-
bly, and we almost hear it uttering these sweet
syllables: Zee—zee, zee—zee, chee—chee, chee—
chee! under which sounds we have often gone to
sleep in our childhood days, when our uncle kept
all stage-routes and score of stages. Hundreds of
times, in boyhood, have we sought retreat within
their inclosure, to enjoy their soothing song.
Reader, it would be worth a short pilgrimage to
see and examine one of those old-time people-
servers, Ohio and other States should obtain, and
keep in sacred store in their capital, one of those
-old, mysteriously built coaches, for coming genera-
tions to behold our fathers’ and mothers’ best mode
of public travel.

This reminds me of an anecdote of Rev. Dr.
Nast, our venerable and great German leader.
Traveling in Ohio in an early day, in an old stage-
coach, and the roads being very muddy, it mired
down and then tipped over; so all the passengers
had to walk with their baggage over two miles to
town. As they entered the tavern, puffing and
sweating, the landlord asked, “ What is the matter?”
Father Nast said, “O notting much, notting—
only de stage sot up-back there aways.”

The mud at this time referred to, in our return
from school, seemed to us bottomless. Never can

I forget our passing from Mansfield to Belleville,
16
186 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

Ohio. Our load consisted of thirteen persons, be-
sides the driver sitting upon the front; and the
boot was crowded with over a thousand weight in
trunks, It had rained all the day, literally poured
down; and night overtook us about three miles
above Lexington. The darkness was intense, and
on account of the continued drizzling night-rain,
and thick, foggy atmosphere, the stage-lamps were
of but little service. The driver was all out of
fix and greatly excited, and could not control his
words of wrath to his four noble steeds, so they
plunged ahead at the constant crack and stroke of
the lash, with fiery vim, and sweat and frothed,
until suddenly we all felt ourselves going over;
then the men hallooed angrily and all the women
screamed with fright, for in a slow and easy man-
ner the coach went into deep mud, and then upset
against a small upward incline, which prevented a
great calamity, or death. But we were jammed
and crowded into a regular mess, and tumbled on
top of one another in great confusion. The three
on my seat with myself were head-mass over me,
holding me closely squeezed under for a moment;
but being small and elastic and very nimble, I
crawled out quickly, and breaking the stage win-
dow, I came through, and helped to pull several
out in safety, and we righted it up with a few left
in the coach. Nearly all, for a little while, were
standing or sitting in mud or water. Several were
bruised slightly, and one lady had her collar-bone
fractured, and a gentleman his leg injured. We
were a nice sight to be laughed at as the daylight
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 187

came, and none could suppress their merriment at
each other, though all pitied the afflicted. But to
proceed was the dread of every mind, for all feared
lest we might go down some deep cut, or over some nar-
row bridge ; so a council of progress was held, and two
kind-hearted students, and real stout fellows too—
Wm. Jackson and Frank Le Blond—volunteered
to conduct us through at all risks. Taking off
their shoes and stockings, they rolled up their pants
above their knees, and each taking a lantern in his
hand, they led the leading horses for several miles
through mud and slush and water. We can never
forget the tramping of the horses’ hoofs—splash!
splash! splash!—and the patter of the boys’ feet
through those hours of dark and dismal travel. It
seemed to be the only salvation for us that night,
or else to tarry there with the suffering ones until
the break of day. It resounds through memory, in
my ears, to this moment. All voted thanks to the
brave young men for their unmeasured’ kindness
and much toil. By two o’clock in the morning we
arrived in Belleville, having been fully eight hours
traveling about fourteen miles. By the next even-
ing I was cozily ensconced at my parents’ sweet
home, in Mt. Vernon, Ohio.

During that Fall I needed money, and not wish-
ing to draw on my father’s exchequer any more, I
concluded to teach school; but it was so late in the
season that nearly all the schools were taken.
Right by the door of my grandmother’s home,
however, was a small “Summer” school, always
taught by young ladies at a small salary, not yet
188 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

engaged. The old lady said, “ John, take our school
for the Fall, and board with me, for it will not
cost you one cent.” Here I wish to give a lesson
of instruction to any boy or girl who reads this.
I refused to teach it, because it was only half my
demand of wages; so I spent the entire Fall vainly,
except a little promiscuous reading, rather unprofit-
ably, when I might in the three months have had
sixty dollars in my pocket, and also greatly im-
proved my mind by hours of diligent study; but
all that I lost by a false view of matters. To im-
prove our precious time, and to bless the world in
usefulness, should be the earnest wish of every in-
telligent being. To be rich is no sin, but to use
properly our time to gain riches is prudent and
wise,and the great sequel to our happiness. To
court riches, so as thereby to absorb our thoughts
and render us selfish, is an evil, it is idolatry, and
one of the worst of all sins, which is covetousness,
and is woefully consuming to body and mind
and soul. It is not merely getting the money, but
how do we obtain it? If by solid toil and honest
trade we can accumulate and distribute a part of
our earnings to God and his cause, and to suffering
humanity, it is all right.

It was once said to William Mitchell, a black-
smith in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, “ Uncle Billy, you have
a very black trade, from the looks of your face and
hands.” “ Yes, sir,” said he; and then putting his
hand in his pocket, and drawing it out full of clean
silver pieces of bright half-dollars and quarters, he
remarked, “But it brings me the clean white
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 189

money plentifully, you discover ;” and then, with a
smile and a religious triumph, he put it back and
commenced humming a Christian song. So hon-
esty and honorable toil is the best policy of life,
and “the diligent hand shall be made rich.” We
should never be ashamed to pursue any kind of
work that is right and moral, if necessary to a good
living. I respect the gardener, the well-digger, the
shoe-maker, or the wood-chopper, just as highly in
his toil as the merchant, the lawyer, or the judge
upon his bench. If we will go in debt, and by so
doing become insolvent, we had better by far put
patch upon patch, and be free from crowding cares,
trouble, and anxiety; for by and by, through con-
stant industry, we will come out all square, through
a little prudence and economy. Better rent a
cheaper house and be a little crowded, and wear
less gaudy linen and be independent, than harassed
by debt. Love to publish the saying, “Labor omnia
vincit,” and your head will be above the waves of
want. Take fifty cents when there is no chance
for a dollar; but work, work and save. There are
now living thousands of men and women in ex-
treme need, looking into poverty’s empty barrel,
who, if they had not been too proud to dress in
common attire, to-day might have been in com-
fortable circumstances, enjoying life’s numerous
blessings. It is better to accept half our desired
wages for a season, and gain that advantage until
brighter hours dawn, than out of mere pride, self-
will, and false independence, to lose all our precious
time and the goodly results—waiting—waiting—
190 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

and never reaching the golden opportunities. Plenty
and physical comforts never search us out, but wait
our coming to grasp proffered privileges. The old
but wise sayings are here quite befitting: “A stitch
in time saves nine,” “A penny saved is a penny
gained,” “ Passing minutes timely improved, make
us days of happiness, and life ends well.” The
Now, the all important Now, properly regarded, will
fill our coffers, and make us invulnerable to want’s
attack. Reader, young and old, take Time, old
bald-headed Time, by his forelock, as he salutes
you, and without doubt he will empty his basket
into your hands gladly, and go forward swiftly to
satisfy all who watch his strides. Every moment
is of immense value to all who regard it; but if
we waste or neglect Time’s gracious favors, it were
better for us never to have existed; for such op-
portunities, unembraced, will weigh forever against
us. ‘Ponder well thy steps.”

I here relate an incident, which memory has
cherished. It was in the Fall of 184~ that the
North Ohio Conference held its session in the then
beautiful little town of W—, but now it is a city of
wealth, educational privileges, and railroad pros-
perity. Revs. J. H. Power, L. B. Gurley, Oliver
Burgess, my. dear father, and I, crossed over the
rugged hills from Mt. Vernon, thitherward. If I
remember rightly, the sainted Cyrus Sawyer was the
stationed preacher in the town, or immediately fol-
lowed. At this conference were also the holy,
erudite Edward Thomson, afterwards bishop; W.
L. Harris, now in the superintendency; Thomas
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 191

Barkdull, the rhetorician; John Janes, the poet-
tongued debater ; George W. Breckenridge, of royal
ministerial character; William Runnells, the sooth-
ing and enchanting speaker; E. Yocum, the win-
ning and sweet-spirited soldier for Christ; Henry
Whiteman, the strict disciplinarian; William B.
Disbro, the orator; John Blanpied, the learned
Frenchman; H. O. Sheldon, the sublime preacher ;
the two Kellams, of popular bearings ; John Quig-
ley, the Boanerges in pulpit strength; and Adam
Poe, and the noble Jewetts, with many others, strong
warriors for God. The conference was one of great
interest to all, and to me especially, as it was but
shortly before I entered the traveling connection.

Bishop R. R. Roberts presided. On Sabbath
he was sick, and unable to preach. E. R. Ames,
afterwards bishop, was among us as the missionary
secretary, to represent its growing interests. Also
present was L. L. Hamline, who became bishop,
who came as a visitor. The former was appointed
to fill the pulpit at the bishop’s hour; and then it
seemed a much greater task and responsibility than
in this day of more diversified and advanced talent.
Vast throngs of people came from every quarter to
see and hear a Methodist bishop, and no church was
sufficiently large to accommodate one-fourth, so that
all available preaching-places were filled on Sab-
bath by the different first-class men.

Sabbath morning arrived, and Rev. E. R. Ames,
followed by two or three others, entered the sacred
desk. Deepest anxiety and wonderful solicitude
were manifested in the looks of the great audience.
192 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

Brother Ames, like a Christian hero, rose before the
people as seeing the Invisible. Few men ever ap-
peared to realize more fully his rest in God than
did he at that moment. His hymn was expressive,
his prayer powerful, seeming to reach up to the throne
of God; and the whole multitude was swayed to
praise God, and gave bold exclamations at the mercy-
seat. He took for his text the beautiful words of
prophecy: “ For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit
of prophecy.” He elucidated their grandeur and
comprehensiveness, reaching down through hun-
dreds of years to the minutest particulars, unfolding
the divine inspiration of God, as given to men, to
behold the end from the beginning. He quoted
Scripture after Scripture, then most convincingly
set forth how sublimely many had been fulfilled,
and climaxing with the noble thought that every
prophecy of God’s Book would surely be made
manifest, and not a jot or tittle of his law but
would be enforced in divine power, to the admira-
tion of the whole universe. Shouts of “ Salvation !”
“Glory to God!” “Amen!” “ Hallelujah !” “ Praise
the good Lord !” and the like expressions, rolled up
from hundreds of lips and hearts, until it appeared
like a Pentecost to us all.

But the hour of three, the burdensome hour, as
some term it, was to be filled by Rev. L. L. Ham-
line. I heard scores say: “Ah! we need not look
for such a sweep and divine surge as the morning
sermon—then the unpropitious hour is against him.
We had enough in the morning sermon to do us all
this day ’—and so on, many spoke. The hour was
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 193

at hand. The eloquence of the speaker had been
noised everywhere, and not an inch of room
within the house, or outside the windows for rods,
could be found vacant, for the excited and eager
multitude. Soon came the holy man of God, a few
moving after him to the pulpit. He lingered at
the altar of prayer on his knees a long time, and
the very silence of the death-chamber brooded over
all present. He rose, walked into the pulpit with
a solemn, Christ-like countenance, which at once
chained the attention of the host of God. Then in
a prompt but placid style, he read these melting
words:

“Thou Shepherd of Israel and mine,
The joy and desire of my heart,
For closer communion I pine;
I long to reside where thou art:

The portion I languish to find,
Where all who their Savior obey,
Are fed, on thy bosom reclined,
And screen’d from the heat of the day.

’T is there with the lambs of the flock,
There only I covet to rest;

To lie at the foot of the rock,
Or rise to be hid in thy breast ;

*T is there I would always abide,
And never a moment depart—
Concealed in the cleft of thy side,
Eternally held in thy heart.” °

It was as if the Holy Spirit himself had hovered
over and about the great congregation, and hun-
dreds of eyes were filled with tears. Elocution, sacred
pathos, and Christian sympathy were developed

7
194 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

in every line; and already he had captivated
both mind and soul of all the assembly. No one who
had never heard him can imagine the sanctified
spirit he possessed, and how nearly to the Master
his words led us; but the prayer brought us close
to the Savior, until we felt the breathings of Jesus’
promise, “And, lo! I am with you alway, even
unto the end of the world.”

The second hymn was sung, and Brother Ham-
line stepped forward in sublime humility, casting
his eyes over the audience for a few seconds, which
made all feel as if God Almighty were in his tem-
ple, and he said, “The brother in the forenoon has
led you to the fountain, I will endeavor to lead you
to the streams.” He announced his text, “Ye are my
witnesses, saith the Lord.” In the most masterly
way, in a judicial style, he arrayed the two prin-
ciples of Christianity and infidelity, as in open con-
flict. We saw them as if in court, before the judge,
with all their witnesses. We heard them examined
most critically. The prosecution, with their sup-
porters against Christ and his religion, were on the
stand first, and they were numerous. I can not
forget their last and most dependent witness, the
backslider. He asked him, by cross-examination
before the vast crowd:

First. Are you acquainted with Christianity as
a system? Answer. “Yes, somewhat.”

Secondly. Have you ever associated among its
adherents, and if so, how long? Ans. “I have, sir,
for over forty years.”

Thirdly. Did you ever make a personal pro-
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 195

fession of its principles, and if so, how long? Ans.
“Yes, sir, I did, during all those years referred to,
and my name was in the Church.”

Fourthly. For forty years, you say—hear that,
your honor, judge, and you, jurymen—waving his
hand over all his hearers.

Fifthly. Did you not claim to be on the side of
Christ then, and also tell the people so, repeatedly
and publicly? Ans. “ Yes, I did.”

Sixthly. Why did you do so, and what object
had you in view? Ans. “Well, I thought I was
honest, and I confess I had pleasant feelings of true
friendship with the people; and I thought I had a
hope of heaven; but now I see it was all mere ex-
citement, and I was deceived.”

Seventh question. For forty years you did so,
and thought you were deceived all that time and
under excitement; but now you recant and deny
and reject all your long and happy experience in
religion, do you? And were you not dishonest, and
acting the hypocrite before your brethren and God
all that time, or are you not now dishonest and vil-
lainous in what you testify before this court? And
so he went on, until we saw, as it were, the witness
drop his head, and his countenance fall in shame;
then, as by a mighty impulse, more than earthly,
the speaker reached out his arm to its utmost ex-
tent, with trembling fingers, as if to cast off an evil
thing, and with a throw, once or twice, of the hand,
and with unusually loud voice, he cried, “Take the
witness, take the witness; I am done with him.”
It appeared as if we saw the perjured witness hurled
196 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

from the very ends of his fingers, as a suborned
wretch, a second Judas. He then called up scores
‘of past witnesses, and alluded to thousands of the
present century, who stand up for Jesus and his
cause, and their testimony, both living and dying,
rang through our ears and cheered our hearts, until
the whole audience was apparently enveloped in a
flame of love. “The Lord was in his holy temple.”

These two grand efforts of that day were often
compared and commented upon for months as won-
derful displays of God’s divine power. The. one
was a mighty avalanche of convincing truths over-
whelming all before it, bearing away every doubt
and fear, leaving our souls and minds free and clear
and hopeful. The other came like the heavenly dew,
abundant, softly soothing, animating, and melting
our hearts into tenderness, drawing us beneath the
sunlight of the divine favor, affording us heavenly
communion.

Those sermons, by those two mighty warriors of
God, proved a defense to many, and graciously in-
trenched all by the glorious words of revelation, to
lead us on and upward to God and to glory. They
linger upon our memory, as fresh and inspiring as
if but yesterday. Glory to God for the blood of
the Lamb and the testimony of his saints!

About this time I had the untold pleasure of
accompanying Revs. J. H. Power, L. B. Gurley,
and Dr. E. Thomson, by buggy travel, to the Ohio
Conference, held in Hamilton. On our journey we
made Dayton, and there had the inexpressible de-
light of hearing that wonderful orator and unsur-
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 197

passed statesman, Henry Clay, deliver a political
speech of three hours’ length; yet the people stood
as statues, without apparent uneasiness. It was es-
timated that a hundred and twenty thousand were
present, and of that number about twenty thousand
Kentuckians. The enthusiasm of the Whigs was
unbounded, and men wept and shouted, and threw
up their caps and hats, and drums rolled, and thou-
sands of white handkerchiefs waved in the breeze,
and the hills echoed sublimely. At one remark,
especially when Clay referred to the old and scar-
worn veterans, one man cried out with a loud
voice, clapping his hands, “Glory—glory to old
Harry!” Loud laughters ascended and one man
said, “Ill bet that man is a Methodist.”

On our return, we passed through Columbus,
Ohio. It was the day of a Whig celebration, and
that wonderful, witty, and unsurpassedly eloquent
statesman, Thomas Corwin, was to give a political
address. I think no two men in these United
States were more similar in manner, in style of
speech, in warmness of heart, and in swaying and
attracting the multitudes, than he and John A.
Logan—both mighty men, and worthy of the ever-
abiding honor of our nation. He stood on a street
platform, erected for his use, before a vast throng.
Every street, and balcony, every door and window
to the fifth story was full of excited spectators; and
at each sentiment, so full of gushing brightness and
beauty, unbounded cheers ascended. He said: “TI
have seen the flags of all lands, some beautiful,
some grand, some modest and unpretending, speaking
198 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

out their own nationality; but among them ail,
the ‘Star Spangled Banner,’ the red, white, and
blue, is the superior in splendor and glory.” Then
loud and long hurrahs filled the city. “ But, ladies
and gentlemen, there is one other flag or ensign
that reaches deeper down into my heart, and stirs
up my soul, and speaks out the blessed charms of
home more than all the rest; that is the lady’s white
handkerchief I see fluttering in the breeze.” Never
did I hear such loud and happy cheering; and
thousands of these little flags were flung out of
every alcove and recess within sight.

On this long trip a queer little incident took
place, which shows how, even at the best and nicest
of homes, misfortunes unavoidably will happen.
While dining at a royal and welcome home of a
Christian family, where every thing was neat and
clean, and a boundless kindness was shown us, I,
sitting close to his side at the table, noticed Brother
Gurley push his tumbler of dessert very gently
away, and did not eat any of it, which we all greatly
relished. When on our journey again, I asked
him why he did so? He remarked, “Just as I
was dipping in my spoon, and had a large plum
ready, I saw a tremendous cockroach hanging on
to it, and trying to climb up, and I was nonplused.”
Of course he would not have had the blessed hostess
observe him for all the world, and in his modest
style he declined all acquaintance with the bold in-
truder. By some inexplicable way, it must have
been under the cloth folds, and have fallen into
the tumbler, or crawled in the jar when opening it.
PLEASANT. RECOLLECTIONS. 199

During the following Winter, I assisted my
father in the store, as well as improved spare hours
in pursuing my studies, in prospect of my future
work for the Church. For awhile, also, I accom-
panied our elder, Rev. J. H. Power, around his
district ; so that my time was well spent in gaining
knowledge through his wise instructions, by his
kindly words, his mighty preaching, and his god-
like example. But few men evet lived nearer the
fountain-head of wisdom than he. It was likewise
to me a grand lesson of Church discipline, as but
few in all our connection were his superiors in this
respect. Quite late in the Winter, or nearly Spring-
time, Rev. Zephaniah Bell, junior preacher on
Amity Circuit, under Rev. William L. Harris, now
a bishop in the Methodist Episcopal Church, ran
wild in his Abolitionism, and about the bishopric of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, calling it tyranny,
usurpation, and monopoly of ecclesiastical power,
and he withdrew from the Church, to join the Wes-
leyan Methodist Society ; so Elder Power sent me on
the work as a supply with Brother Harris until the
coming conference. Old Brother Bell persecuted
us all the year, and preached terribly, as he called
it, against the policy and general rules of our
Church. He endeavored, to the best of his ability,
to divide every class, and to draw to him our mem-
bers. I answered him as severely yet as prudently
as I could for a boy as I was; and I showed to
all our sublime progress, power, and sufficiency as
a people, and how God had in but half a century
made our work to bud and blossom as a rose; how
200 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS

that thousands were yearly being led from sin and
infidelity to our blessed Lord and Master, and that
our denomination was taking the lead and outstrip-
ping all others in all reforms; that we were a won-
der to all peoples, and in our onward march at the
front in all civilization, by our great success; and
that our destiny was to take the world, by the
power of the Gospel, and present it to God redeemed
by the blood of the Lamb. He wrote me a threat-
ening letter, stating that he would “Sugh me in the
peasful gospel if I did not hold my tonge.” But
all the clever old gentleman did, did not move one
stake or slacken one cord of our tents anywhere in
our work; but the Lord was with us whithersoever
we went, and the circuit was greatly increased in
numbers and religion. A very few uneasy, drifting,
and double-minded ones pursued his phantom a
short time; but soon most of them cried for quar-
ter, and came back, knocking at our door, deeply
humbled.

His self-created storm soon ended in his own
disquietude and dismay, and his retirement from
the glorious itinerancy. Had he kept his bal-
ance in our denomination, he might have come
down to the end of life with many sheaves, and
been covered with glory; for he was an earnest
and emphatic worker. Yet I verily believe the
mistaken old brother was religious and conscien-
tious, and in his very heart wanted to do good and
save souls; but being rather illiterate, he was led
away fromi the true fold by jealous and falsely am-
bitious‘men. I did, as a young Christian, love the
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 201

dear old friend, and expect to enjoy his company
over on the brighter shore.

Never did I spend a happier season, or find
more loving Christian people to help me on to God
than in this, my first work. Brother Harris was
one of those whole-souled men, eminently qualified
to gladden the youthful heart and inspire us to
move forward to honor and to great usefulness.
' We had fifteen appointments to fill every two
weeks, which were mostly in private houses or log
cabins, where there was only one room—for Church,
two beds, and two trundle-beds—used also for
cooking and eating room ; a fire-place from five to
eight feet wide, and from four to five feet high,
holding nearly an eighth of a cord of wood; for we
seldom found a cook-stove; and here we preached
and had happy times, glorious meetings, and numer-
ous conversions all over our work. Salvation’s cur-
rent that year moved over those valleys and among
those hills, and the shouts and hallelujahs went up
to the skies, that the dead were made alive and the
lost were found. I think some fifty were added to
our Church that year, besides the hallowed in-
fluences which inundated the community for future
years.

Here several pleasing little incidents occurred:
First, I changed the name of the circuit, at my
own say-so, on account of Father Bell’s exit from
us, to that of “ Calamity ;” sarcastically a calamity
to Brother Harris, a calamity to our circuit and
the whole of Methodism, and a “ dreadful” calamity
to his “successor.” The new name was a huge
202 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

pleasantry to the preacher in charge, and even to
this day his smiles will abound if it is mentioned.
My home was mostly at Rev. Mr. Popham’s, a local
preacher and a man of first-class preaching ability
and of inestimable worth. His talent as a local
elder was appreciated greatly, as he was called
from all surrounding points to preach, to marry
people, and for many funerals. His precious mem-
ory will never be obliterated from earth, but souls
will still be saved from the holy influence he set
in motion. His dear old companion was a Chris-
tian of the highest type, always walking by faith,
and claiming the sweet promises of the Bible as
her security and staff, through the merits of her
loving Jesus. She treated me like her own child,
and abounded in Christian benevolence to all the
prophets of Israel. They reared a large family of
noble children, several of whom have made their
mark high in life. Memory most sweetly recalls
their intrinsic worth to me, and to all the servants
of the Most High who shared their favor.

A very curious circumstance was told me by
this good old mother, that happened in her neigh-
borhood. A small boy swallowed a little white-
handled penknife. No physician or medicine
could do him any good, and great fright possessed
the whole family; so it was concluded the child
would die. An old lady in the neighborhood went
home immediately from the consultation, and made
some doughnuts, and only partially baked them,
and made them sweet and palatable to the child’s
taste, so that he could, or would, eat them, which
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 203

he eagerly did, and enjoyed them. He ate several,
then she advised a quick physic, and by and by
the knife was delivered from its confinement, all
coated nicely with doughnut apparel. I hand this
peculiar remedy over to the medical fraternity, not
as an original prescription, but as a suggestion for
their future benefit in a peculiar emergency.

Many most profitable days were spent at my
colleague’s house, in the parsonage. When I tar-
ried with them the first time, the hour for retire-
ment arriving, Brother Harris handed me the Bible
for evening prayers; and I read, and made my
evening petition. In the morning just before
breakfast, he did likewise; but I remarked, “ Won’t
you please attend to worship this morning, Brother
Harris?” He said, “No, no, Brother John; I
never lead in prayers when I have a high-priest in
my house.” I could but smile, and, with very sin-
gular embarrassment, submitted to his authority.
He was always ready and willing to assist me in
my studies, explaining every thing most satisfac-
torily; and I realized myself gaining knowledge
and understanding, and wisdom also in a degree,
under his benign favor and noble courtesy. He
was always so full of joy, real, impressive, and in-
structive wit, and curious and striking illustrations,
that I was exalted by his presence and loving ways.
It was no astonishment to me to learn that, after
years of kind instruction, the students almost wor-
shiped him for his affability and sublime aptness in
imparting thought to their youthful minds. There
seemed to be in his “ make-up” a boundless fund
204 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

of richest thoughts, ready for every emergency or
demand I ever made upon him by inquiry; and I
am thankful to God and to Dr. J. H. Power that I
ever was privileged to be his colleague, though so
unworthily, in the glorious ministry of our Lord
and Master.

On one occasion he and I were going to one
of our distant appointments, each on horseback.
When coming to the lofty summit of a high hill,
he checked his horse, and, turning him around,
looked me seriously in the face, and said, “ Brother
John, you are nearer heaven than you will ever be
again, if you do n’t take good care of yourself, and
mark how you live.” It was an odd expression,
prompted, no doubt, by the elevated surroundings;
but it fastened itself in my mind, and touched my
heart, and I often said, “ Well, now, if that is true,—

‘How careful then ought I to live,
With what religious fear,

Who such a strict account must give,
For my behavior here!”

All along my ministerial journey, for over forty
years, that little hill-top sermon, though so short,
has risen up to my inspiration and real profit. “A
word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures
of silver,” and the “Wise in heart will receive
commandments.”

My heart became greatly attached to him and his
dear family ; for he had one of the kindest and most
tender-hearted of all women, just such as is suitable
to a faithful minister of God; and, truthfully, they
are great helpmates in disseminating the Gospel of
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 205

Christ. Many of the noble wives of the workers
of the vineyard will come up to the kingdom shar-
ing fully and equally with their husbands, as their
sheaves are laid before their Lord. No language
can express the reverence and Christian regard I
shall always cherish towards both of these devout
Christians. The conference year closed quite suc-
cessfully, and my youthful mind had enlarged by
its intellectual and spiritual gatherings, and I was
uearer my Savior in holy communion and living
faith.

During this passing Spring a most valuable
young lady passed away from earth to the glory-
land. The parents were the most cordial friends
of my brother, Rev. Oliver Burgess, and a part
of his Christian flock, at whose house of welcome
. he spent many happy hours of real enjoyment.
Her parents were deeply pious, and the uncompro-
mising friends of God and his cause. Religion was
their only substantial solace at home and abroad.
No temporal misfortunes or mysterious threaten-
ings of providence could sever their attachments to
Christ. From the family altar their prayers, as
holy incense, ascended day by day. They realized
at all times, “It is a good thing to give thanks
unto the Lord; to shew forth his loving-kindness
in the morning, and his faithfulness every night.”
This daughter was their eldest child, and possessed
a lovely disposition, through the all-cleansing blood
of the Lamb. Holy devotion to the Almighty,
from pious parents, was early impressed upon her
youthful mind, and she believed “Youth is the
206 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS,

time to serve the Lord,” and, through faith in
Jesus, she gladly embraced salvation. In her
eleventh year she obtained the witness of the
Spirit, and with strong confidence she clung to
the cross. She earnestly desired to be like her
Savior, “of a meek and quiet spirit, which, in the
sight of the Lord, is of great price.” She was
constant to every means of grace. Gladly she wel-
comed each returning Sabbath, to sit beneath the
droppings of the sanctuary. Within the shadow
of the holy altar she knelt and prayed and wept
for joy. Light from the throne fell softly upon
her little heart. The Word, the divine Truth, was
manna to her soul. As she joined the sacred song
with the great assembly, her voice was heard—not
loud and shrill, but tender and round and full of
sweetness; it was expressive of that holy love
which lighted up her soul, and gave her an in-
sight within the veil to the inner courts of God.
The unbidden tears rolled down her face as the
faithful servants of the covenant preached Christ and
him crucified. At prayer-meetings she was always
near the Redeemer’s side. Her youthfulness was
no embarrassment to prompt her to shun the cross;
but as if from long experience, her heart went forth
in prayer, full of touching thought, of childlike love
and simplicity. Her filial fear of God was her path
to wisdom’s ways. In the class-room grace abun-
dantly flowed to fill her whole nature with love;
andtremblingly, yet full of courage, she declared,
“T love my Jesus with all my mind, and soul,
and strength.” Thus this Christian girl, Clotilda
PLEL°SANT RECOLLECTIONS. B07

Wetherby. lived, a wav-mark to glory, both to old
and vourg.

But as some beautiful rose, just budding into
blocm and sending out its sweet fragrance, ‘s
quickly nipped, so zhe, in early life, exerting a
hallowed influence all around her, «2: =ndden'+
warned of her approaching di::slution. But death
was no terror. Ite sting 72s extracted by the wash-
ing of regeneration in Jesus blood, and hope
swelled immortal to her view. Seventeen Sum-
mers only &2d passed in her ‘i%, ver six years
she had learned on earth to live for heaven. As
the last hours of her beautiful life went z'iding
away, her countenance glowed with unearthly «-
renity. As weeping friend: =----1 round her couch,
24¢ pointed them t her home in heaven. She
spoke of rapturous music, of fond associations in
glory, and of ber msen Christ. With her dear
parents she joined in blessed =: <2 victory, vis-
tory over death! Then, bidding adieu to loved
ones, in a chariot of ir:, upward =le rose ty the
bes: of God. It wee a triumphant testimcny
to all for her Redeemer, never to be forgotten;
for in ber last hours she said, “Come, pa—come,
ma—sing t me of the dying girl,’ and as they
eame t6 the chorus, she nk in with her ae
sweer woice, “T’r going—I’m going—Im gone,”
Sar ees closed her ve: im death, to join the in-
visible throng of heavenly songsters waitinz =2ar
her bed t+ escort her home. 5+ the vouthr:i and
azed saints oi God conquer death, iad aicerd w
be iurever at rest.
208 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

Near this period I attended a wonderful revival
at Batemantown, Ohio, held by my dear brother,
Rev. O. Burgess. It was remarkable for several
reasons. First, over forty, mostly adults, were con-
verted. Infidels, Universalists, and many other
unbelievers were saved and added to the Church.
But the strangest thing was, that the one sermon
on Sabbath morning, on the reality and certainty
of a “future general judgment,”. broke into their
ranks, scattered the darkness of their minds, and
Christ was glorified in their conviction and salva-
tion. Their testimony was thrilling, and absolutely .
overwhelmed us with delight, and established the
truthfulness of the Scriptures. An aged man, per-
haps eighty-five years old, a very intelligent gen-
tleman, with long locks of white hair hanging on
his shoulders, said: “I have been, for forty years
or more a Universalist, and did not believe in this
heart-felt relrgion; but last Sunday morning that
little man up there in the pulpit [pointing to
brother] knocked all the props from under me,
and I came down from my pride to the foot of
the cross, and I am now happy in that same re-
ligion. The good Lord has truly saved me, and I
praise his great name.” The dear old man wept
like a child, and loud shouts from many ascended
on high. His son, of about fifty years, rose im-
mediately, and said: “I have been an unbeliever—
yes, an infidel—for many years. I rejected all
heart-felt religion, and thought it was a mere
phantom of the brain; but, like my father, I can
say that good little man took away all my sandy
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 209

foundation; and this religion is true, it is true,
and I am a happy man in the Lord.” Many old
and young persons instantly rose, and gave thrill-
ing testimony of their conversion under the same
sermon. It was a meeting of divine power and
great glory, never to be forgotten by scores, as
well as the writer. Glory to God for the blessed
fruits of our Christianity! Let us all pray that,
after having preached Christ, not one of us shall

become a castaway.
18
210 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

Chapter [X.

RECOMMENDED TO THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE—BISHOP JOSHUA
SOULE, HIS GREATNESS, SECRET SOCIETIES AND THE DIS-
CUSSION—THE BISHOP’S PREJUDICE—BISHOP L. L. HAMLINE’S
WORDS—STARTING FOR MY LIFE-WORK, SISTER’S TOUCHING
APPEAL, LEAVING HOME IN DEEPEST FEELING—TRAVELING
RAPIDLY, ON A STUMP—ARRIVING AT BELLEVILLE—REV. E.
RAYMOND, REV. JOHN H. POWER—JUDGE JACKSON AND FAM-
ILY, A MERRIMENT AT THE TABLE—MY FIRST SEVERE TRIAL,

N the Fall of 1844, at my own home, the quar-

terly conference of Mt. Vernon station recom-
mended me to the North Ohio Conference to be
received on trial, the session being held in our place
at that time. Bishop Joshua Soule was the pre-
siding officer. He was a noble specimen of true
manhood, firm as a rock, statesmanlike in all his
appearance, yet affable and gentle in his ways, and
a most dignified person at all times. Any one
could approach him as a loving brother in Christ.
Though I was quite young when before him at my
father’s house, still he seemed as a father in all his
conversation with me, and he frequently dropped
words of encouragement and inspiration, which
quickened my youthful spirit to move forth for God
and his mighty cause. He resembled in his de-
meanor and manner of talk our elder, Rev. J. H.
Power ; both tall, reserved, and careful in language.
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 211

To me, this occasion with the bishop was one of
the interesting events of life, and was fraught with
untold importance. No human being could have
felt his responsibility more impressively than I, and
with fear and much trembling, and with ceaseless
prayer, I prepared, by every possible means, to
gain knowledge for the work to which God and the
Church had assigned me. While I realized my ex-
treme unfitness and unworthiness, and would have
fled as Jonah did from Nineveh, out into the very
desert, I,heard the holy words of promise—“ Lo, I
am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”

This conference session was one of great interest
and profit to the whole Church; but at this stage
in its body were produced some bitterness and un-
christian feelings. The question of secret societies,
and ministers attending the same, brought out pow-
erful and extended discussion. The resolution
offered by Rev. Oliver Burgess, that “if the younger
men coming into the conference are to be debarred
in the matter of joining secret societies, the older
brethren should be abridged in their frequenting
lodges,” created a storm, and many. participated on
each side in strong debate. Among them were
Revs. L. B. Gurley, E. Yocum, C. Sawyer, J. H.
Power, J. Quigley, G. W. Breckenridge, Thomas
Barkdull, H. Whiteman, J. Kellam, Dr. E. Thomson,
S. Lynch, A. Poe, W. ©. Clark, W. L. Harris, H.
E. Pilcher, E. C. Gavitt, Dr. Howe, and others.
But few men on this continent could have exhibited
more real eloquence than all these men on that
memorable occasion. It produced a_ wonderful
212 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

impression upon the citizens, and multitudes crowded
the house to hear. They likewise promptly took
sides with the different speakers. The bishop was
quite severe in his words, and said: “I am not a
Mason or an Odd Fellow; but I profess to know
something about both societies, and I would con-
sider it an insult to my intellect for a man to ask
me to become either.” This remark, coming from
his dignified lips, for a short period was a bomb-
shell among the Masonic ranks; but it soon
smothered itself by its own burdensomeness. But
when the author of the previous resolution, the day
after, offered an anti-slavery clause, the dear old
bishop was so ingrafted in his pro-slavery procliv-
ities and prejudices that he became quite offended,
and thought such steps against the institution (“the
sum of all villainies”) were too inconsiderate, and
much out of place. But you could notice instantly
that many of the Masonic fraternity were on his
side in a degree, in this, his last indignity; so his
mistakes on both of these questions proved how strong
and mighty minds may easily become biased.

But the following General Conference, most
wisely and prudently, for the good of our Church,
decided that our annual conference action on secret
societies was entirely unnecessary and unauthorized ;
which proved to be a noble and righteous decision ;
for it was that which belonged only to private
choice, and such improper legislation would involve
the Church in an endless trouble, and accomplish
no good to God’s glory. And even to this date,
it is the bone of bitter disputes and wrangling
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 213

contentions in some of our sister denominations.
If it is an evil, it will fall of its own corruption,
but if allowable and not unreasonable, it will
prosper.

When the appointments were “‘ read out” at the
closing of the conference, I was placed as junior
preacher on Belleville Circuit, with Rev. Elnathan
Raymond as preacher in charge, and Rey. J. H.
Power as presiding elder. God was certainly at
the head of this work; for no other living man
could have been more fitting in his nature and
character to guide and instruct a youth in his first
warfare in the itinerancy than Father Raymond.
He was always ready to bend all his powers to en-
lighten me in Discipline or in the Word of God.
He was as companionable asa real college chum;
yet in his presence I realized I was near the divine
reflections; for he lived with God, and Christ
abode in his heart and was seen in his face. No
misspent words ever fell from his clean lips, but all
his language was hopeful and elevating; nothing in
the faintest appearance ever bordering on frivolity,
impurity, or slanderous, but his words were “as
apples of gold in pictures of silver.” His conver-
sation was in heaven. He was an extraordinary
man in politeness, in refinement of manners, and in
his apparel neat and tidy, having a heart full of
kindness. His sympathy for all classes was con-
stantly manifested. He lived a stranger and a
pilgrim, in hopeful expectancy of the future: “ For
he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose
builder and maker is God.” The radiations of his
214 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

sanctified teachings, and his sacred, Christian, and
ministerial character have always impressed me as
worthy of closest imitation.

But now the hour of my leaving home, sweet,
blessed home of my childhood and youth, had come;
and in one sense it appeared as if death were just
before me, at my very feet. Reader, did you ever
leave home under like circumstances? Then you
know the wonderful trial. My mind was intensely
excited, my spirit bitterly tried, my heart beat
rapidly ; and the question most pertinently arose,
Ought I to leave my father in his business, and go
off, and that for life? Go from him who had fed
me, schooled me, and kept me all my days in great
bountifulness ; who has instructed me for useful-
ness? And will I now desert him, when he needs
me more than ever, as he approaches old age? No
one could fathom the depth of excitement-in my
bosom. He had offered me thousands to enter busi-
ness for myself, or to take me in partnership with
himself in the store: so there were strong induce-
ments, and had I not realized so fully the urging
of conscience, and a mighty burden on my soul,
even in earlier days of my youth, leading me and
saying, “ Woe is unto me if I preach not the Gos-
pel,” it would have been my highest delight to have
accepted and gathered up riches, and used them to
God’s glory, as my dear father had done in all
his Christian life. After his glorious death, Bishop
L. L. Hamline visited us, and preaching in the old
brick church in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, he said:
“ Brother Burgess has been the support and strength
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 215

and guide of your Church, lo! these many years;
you have looked to him to direct and lead you.
Now, dear brethren, the Lord has called him home,
that the care of the Church might fall upon the
shoulders of all the members; and it is for your
nae greatest good that the Master has done this. Now
let us that remain buckle on the whole armor, and
may the mantle of our departed brother fall upon
the entire society!” Thus, to the consolation of the
Church, the beloved Hamline spoke.

My decision was made to obey God’s call, which
was paramount to all things else; and I said to
him, “No, father, I am a thousand times obliged to
you, but I will go and preach Jesus and him cruci-
fied; for I wish to die in the army.” The lost and
ruined world was before my mind. I seemed to
see the multitudes going down to eternal darkness ;
and as my Savior had done so much for my poor
soul; had snatched me as a “ brand from the burn-
ing”’—with such boundless mercy had filled my
whole nature with his love, and had also given me
his Holy Spirit to witness with mine that I was
born from above, and was God’s own child—so he
had the highest claim to use me “as seemeth good
in his own sight.” I was laid on the altar, a full
sacrifice, by my beloved parents, in my childhood ;
as his Isaac I was offered to the Lord in baptism,
and the offering must not be touched or with-
drawn ; but I must live and die for his cause.

Father then presented me a nice, large horse,
saddle, and bridle, and I was equipped for the bat-
tle. Never—no, never—will that morning be for-
216 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

gotten, when I was ready to take my final departure.
My saddle-bags, made of good leather, held at least
half a bushel. In one side were six shirts, one-
half dozen bosoms—for in those days our “ dickies”
were separate from the shirts—a dozen white neck-
ties or cravats, which all young preachers wore:
every shirt had a collar attached to it; also several
handkerchiefs—chiefly red silk and cotton, as white
ones were not in fashion—a few pairs of socks, a
pair of slippers, and Watson’s “ Institutes.” In the
other side or pocket were the Bible, which I still
retain, the old-style noteless hymn-book, Wesley’s
Sermons, Fletcher’s “Appeal,” and a few little
precious articles tied up, which only a mother could
think of and prepare. So now, it being packed full
and buckled tightly together, I cast it over the
saddle with the narrow side over the rib, and swung
my neatly, plaited buckskin whip on my wrist, all
ready to go. Father’s two warm hands had grasped
my hand, and his eyes kindled up, and a “ Heaven
bless my dear son” sounds lovingly even now,
as then; and I kissed my lovely mother, whose
soul appeared to be in my heart; also my sisters
clung to me, when the eldest one, Louisa, who was
always eloquent and sympathetic, said, in voice and
language lingering still in memory’s archives: “O
John, can you not stay at home? We have one
preacher already in the family, and that is enough.
You stay here and pursue the law, won’t you?
We want a lawyer in our household, one to be con-
spicuous and noble in another line of profession ;
and you can rise in that department, and become a
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 217

great statesman, and that will be as you have often
contemplated; and you can be just as useful as
Oliver, in his work. Do stay with us, John; the
world will.be saved without your sacrificing your
life in such hard toil; and you will always be poor,
and be tossed about hither and thither. God wants
great men in the laity also, and you can make
money, and support the Church, and do more that
way for the Lord.” Thus she spoke at that trying
moment, and pleaded with me; and it caused a
trembling in my nerves, and touched my soul.
My mother’s eyes filled with tears as she listened
to sister’s appeal; and her look of love still tarries
in view; and my father gave anxious listening to
her words, as if to say, “Son, had you not better
stay?” Yet there was a yielding in his spirit, in
his countenance, willingly to God’s requirements,
and like to Abraham, “If God wish me to go to
the mount, and offer my son, I will obey if it kill
me.” So the cords being bound around about me
as the sacrifice, he did not dare to sever one strand,
and he let me be offered with Christian resignation.
These were his sentiments, and the spirit of all his
long and holy life, expressed in humble confidence
to a few tried friends, such as Rev. George Elliott,
Dr. William Herr, Rev. J. H. Power, Rev. L. L.
Hamline; also particularly to my elder brother,
Rev. O. Burgess. Many years after his triumphant
death, Bishop Hamline, when in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa,
told me about my father’s sublime experience, and
his unbounded faith, so often expressed to him;

and then remarked to me, with a most heavenly
19
218 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

smile, “I never loved any man on earth as I loved
your dear father; he was a model and pure Chris-
tian, and I believe he lived daily with God.” That
was a welcome record from the lips of that sainted
bishop.

Father had already offered up his oldest son to
God, and the sacrifice had been accepted; for the
altar had sanctified the gift in much usefulness in
the salvation of many souls. As I mounted my
horse and tarried in the saddle before the door, all
the family, but one, standing on the stone steps and
pavement, weeping, never was a trial more severe ;
but I said: “I must go, if I remain poor all my
days. Good-bye—good-bye to all; for I must go
and obey God ;” and hitting my horse a tap, off I
rode with swiftness towards my life-long journey.
I never looked back once for miles, but rode along,
and my heart beat as if it would break ; and pres-
ently, when far away from town, I checked up my
horse and wept time and again, until my handker-
chief was wet with tears. Onward then I pressed,
looking at the beauties of nature, seeing God in
every tree, and shrub, and rock, and hill-top, and
burdened field, and passing cloud, and the sky;
and hearing his voice in the very breeze, through
the chirp of the little birds, in the murmuring of
the rivulet; indeed, all nature appeared festooned
in richness, and called out my thoughts to heaven,
and up to God; and I praised him for life and
health and intellect, and for all his grand display
to me of his fullness and glory. Then, again, floods
of tears, despite all my efforts to restrain them,
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 219

would gush forth, and for moments I had like to
have turned my good animal round about; and, in-
deed, twice I stopped, and had his head looking
homeward. The sweet days of my youth, and
precious home, and kindred so dear, and the richest
of all blessings had been always at my hand and
need; nor had want ever looked me in the face;
and the noble, godlike life of a pure and holy
father, whose countenance ever shone like the sun’s
brightness ; the long manifested and changeless love
and Christ-like tenderness of an affectionate mother ;
the numberless attractions of sisters and younger
brothers,—all stood before me in panoramic beauty
and attractiveness, and spoke rather peremptorily
thus: “You made a wrong decision; you acted
hastily and quite unwisely; you left a fortune of
innumerable comforts and privileges. Others, as
well as your own people, told you so, told you not
to go, not to leave so dear a home. Turn back,
turn back now, or you will ever repent it when too
late.” Then I shook my head, and whispered to
my horse tenderly, “Henry Clay, move forward ;
go on;” and I rode faster and faster, until all at
once I came to myself, and found my horse going
in a hard gallop, and greatly sweating and biting
his bit, I scarcely knowing my situation, or realizing
my fast traveling. I reined him up, and got off
on a high stump, and there I meditated awhile,
and became more calm, and my poor soul soon
rested itself on the Savior as my only strength ;
and the sweet sound came with these words:
“Thou shalt then have thy delight in the Almighty,
220 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

and shalt lift up thy face unto God.” Yes;
I then looked up to my only hope and divine
consolation, who assuaged all my distracted feelings.
Why, the very sky appeared to rejoice with me,
and I laughed out loud from my inmost nature,
and sang songs of salvation as I pressed onward
toward my duty. How the Holy Spirit “led me in
a way I knew not of,’ and grace—O yes, infinite
grace—inspired my whole thoughts!

The distance to my field of labor was only about
twenty miles; and, arriving at five o’clock P. M.,
I was most joyfully and kindly received at the
home of Judge Benjamin Jackson, in Belleville.
This was a real second home, a royal place; every
thing nice, clean, and beautiful; and I was thrice
welcomed by all the household—welcomed as if I
had been an angel of God. All the family belonged
to the Lord, and, best of all, like my parental gov-
ernment, the family altar sent forth its morning
and evening incense as a holy oblation to the Lord,
all aflame with love. To that kind of service I had
always been accustomed, and never in all my
youthful days did my father’s and mother’s sacred
altar cease to burn with the offerings of a broken
heart and a contrite spirit. The son and daughter
of the judge and his inestimable wife had been my
fellow-students at Norwalk, Ohio, which greatly
heightened all my enjoyments while there. Though
I have spent many long years in the ministry, and
have found thousands of cheering places at which
to tarry, none for real kindness, plentifulness of
comforts, and profit to me in every sense, ever
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 221

excelled this home, this godly household welcome.
The judge was a leading merchant, of extensive
business, going continually from place to place; so
his company was not much to be enjoyed; yet when
at home he was a prince in affability. But his wife
was one of the superior kind of Christian ladies, of
great intellectual powers, instructed in all wisdom
and knowledge of the day and of the affairs of the
Church, and richly experienced in divine lessons;
and she lived daily in covenant relation with her
Master. She was a true mother in Israel, “an Israel-
ite indeed in whom there was no guile,” and sought
the spiritual happiness and the mental elevation of
all classes. No being was too low in sin or filth or
poverty, but she could humbly stoop to console and
help and bless. No language could picture or over-
rate the excellent traits of her character. One
sublime feature of this elect lady was, that every
one of the household, even men and maid servants,
must be in at family prayer. This was an impera-
tive rule, and when prayer was offered her responses
were so weighty, devout, and full of faith, that we
were all made happy and established. A short
Scripture lesson was read, always accompanied with
sweet singing, with all the parts of music added,
thus rendering each occasion one of deepest interest ;
fur the whole family constituted a grand choir.
The evening devotion, at special times, was almost
a prayer-meeting ; for after the preacher or elder
or the judge had offered up their petitions, she
would then present her prayer to the Almighty ;
and O, how simple! such entreaties, such earnest
222 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

importunities before the throne of grace, such com-
prehensiveness of blessings in her request, to come
from our Father, lifted us up into the higher realms
of faith ; and we drank from the full cup, yea, from
the overflowing fountain of love. Their house was
like the house of Obed-edom, where the ark of the
covenant rested. It is delightful to recall her
blessed life to review, so righteously spent for the
Savior’s own cause. They have both passed over
the river of death, to their seats at the right hand
of the Father, and we shall meet them, we trust,
with all their loved ones, on the plains of end-
less life.

Just here let me relate a little incident of mer-
riment that took place at their house. It was dur-
ing our quarterly-meeting, and at noon several of
us were at the judge’s dinner-table, among whom
were Rev. J. H. Power, Rev. Elnathan Raymond,
and myself. A short time previously to this hour,
it was stated that a good mother, when asked by
her little daughter to tell her a tale, or something
funny, the kind and exquisite mother said to her,
“Daughter should not say, Tell me a tale, but, Tell
me a narrative.” So, while all of us were enjoying
our dinner, the judge’s large dog, Bose, came in,
in his usual friendly manner, and walked around
the table, wagging his tail, when Miss Sallie Jack-
son, his amiable and quick-witted daughter, know-
ing the former story so well, said, “ You old fellow,
Bose, go out; go right out now, and don’t be shak-
ing your narrative around this table.” A perfect
and irresistible convulsion of laughter followed, and
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 223

for a few minutes our meal was neglected, and even
our grave and distinguished presiding elder, Dr.
Power, had to check his eating a moment or so,
quite overcome with the shrewd application,—re-
marking something like this: “Great things some-
times result from very small beginnings.” Life, has
its lights and shades, its pleasures and its sorrows;
but we should never cast a shade over any one our-
selves, if we can prevent; and while we ought to
avoid levity, or reckless dissipation of words and
acts, yet we should not be too austere, cold in spirit,
with frowning features, brows distorted, and growl-
ing in words; but we should be cheerful in all
business, lively in manner, kind in speech, hopeful,
if possible, at all times, making our associations
levers of power to lift up humanity to gladness
and prosperity. Jesus, our Master, mingled with
publicans and sinners, and must have heard many
disgusting things, and seen unsightly sights; but
his ways and words before the motley classes mag-
nified the sublime teachings he presented.

Of Elder Power, at this late date, I speak with
great pleasure. Though he served outa glorious life
of usefulness, I ask, Is he dead? He yet speaketh,
and his works follow him. We miss him, but we
seem to hear his great soul speaking words of com-
fort, words of inspiration. His influence stil] goes
on, and on, and while time lasts the waves he cre-
ated on time’s sea will extend to the borders of
eternity; yea, roll on with its endless cycles. He
is not dead, but liveth, and over on the golden
shore hundreds whom he led to the fountain of
224 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

truth have already met him, and joined with him
in songs of ceaseless joy. I recognized him, from
my early boyhood, as a great and good and mighty
man of God—a man whose every-day life mani-
fested the spirit of his Heavenly Master; a man
who spent a long life-time to lift sunken, fallen
humanity up to purity and to God. Capable of
occupying the highest business of life, in any de-
partment, and winning a crown of worldly renown,
yet, for Jesus’ sake, he consecrated all his talents
to the Lord. J accompanied him often in his great
polemic engagements with the enemies of truth, last-
ing for weeks, with many distinguished Universalist
ministers; and wherever he discussed the mighty
truths of the Bible the communities felt his power
and influence for their good. His arguments for
orthodoxy were scathing and convincing, and it
was a noticed fact all over his district in Ohio that
the cause of his antagonists waned where his voice
and strong support for Christianity were heard.
Though not scholastic, yet few erudite scholars
were ever found who could cope with him in the
lucid presentation of the holy word of the Gospel.
Dr. E. Thomson, the bishop, once said, that “but
few could be found in the Church possessing more
originality than Rev. J. H. Power; and the book
he wrote on Universalism was the book for the
millions.” His power in the pulpit was always
significant, but at times overwhelming and majestic.
I have witnessed most glorious evidences of the
Holy Spirit’s work upon multitudes through his
words throughout Northern Ohio, and often heard
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 225

people cry out for mercy while in the midst of his
earnest appeals to the sinner. Cries for mercy, or
shouts of salvation by Christians, never checked
his pleading voice, as his grand exhortations would
have the ascendency; and as the eagle flies the
swifter in and against the storm, so such excite-
ments and sublime hallelujahs and united praises
only the more brought out his irresistible elo-
quence. As humble as a child, he would go from
the pulpit efforts down to the altar, and on his
knees labor for an hour, if need be, talking to and
advising poor penitents. How delightful were his
entreaties, and how he depicted, before the humble,
trembling soul the crucified Christ! Many found
joy and gladness ere he left them. He knew just
-the way to lead the poor, dying sinner to the cross,
just where he could find Jesus; for he was always
by his side. In all his labor and toil and care, he
seldom told us of his manifold work, of the won-
derful care he had for the Church; but he kept
that in his own heart, and “Jet his own works
praise him.”

Though the history of that good man will never
be effaced from earth, but move on through all
time, and be eternal, yet I would like to see his
biography spread out before the world, that his
early days of usefulness and his later life of trials
and abundant labors and noble acts of goodness
might be read by the rising generations. It would
rank richly among the monuments of telling works
already extant. Yes, the name and ministry of
John H. Power, D. D., will linger with freshness
226 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

and sacredness upon the memory of thousands of
old Ohio saints, and they talk of him with ani-
mation and love. Time will never efface the
salutary impressions his ministry made on human
hearts, but ‘they will vibrate through redeemed
souls forever. Even in old age, though that won-
derful physical vivacity was considerably lost, his
mental powers of quick perception, vivid imagi-
nation, close and pointed style, rounded-up argu-
ments, and living illustrations, never abated; but
to his last days he held up the cross so plainly
that all could see in a moment “the Lamb of God
that taketh away the sin of the world,” and catch
the healing stream that flowed so freely and copi-
ously from Calvary’s steeps. He took the deepest
interest in all departments of the Church; but
if one point more than another interested him, the
educational interest claimed his eager attention.
In building up Norwalk Seminary he was first and
foremost for its prosperity, and when the Church
came to settle the Ohio Wesleyan University at
Delaware, with Dr. E. Thomson and others he
was a leading spoke in the great wheel of advance;
and no person’s advice was ever appreciated, and
his wise plans and wholesome suggestions more
graciously received. President Thomson made him
his inside staff of consultation in all matters to-
wards progress. He said, “ Brother Power had a
great and wonderful experience, and was a safe
man, and wise in all his views, and a safe coun-
selor, and could be depended upon at all times.”
After coming to Iowa he manifested the same una-
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 227

bated zeal and activity in the cause of education;
and his advice with our leading men was sought in
behalf of the Iowa Wesleyan University, and no
person’s opinions were more respected than his by
such active spirits as Thomas E. Corkhill, W. F.
Cowles, F. W. Evans, W. J. Spaulding, John
Wheeler, and others. For the sake of thousands
who admired and loved him so ardently, our Na-
tional Magazine, or Bishop Simpson’s Encyclopeedia,
should have had his portrait inserted. It would
have honored any public document or book.

In closing this chapter I will relate an incident
that occurred with him and myself in an early day:

Away back in the Fall of 1843, before I was
admitted in the North Ohio Conference, in company
with Rev. John H. Power, I visited Cincinnati. We
trudged along in a buggy at the rate of thirty
miles a day, for about two weeks, from Mt. Vernon
to the city. Dr. Power was publishing a .book
against Universalism, and must needs attend to it
in person. We stopped at Methodist houses on our
way, as nearly all itinerants did in that early time,
and generally were well received.

On our way, after passing through Columbus, we
came to the beautiful city of Lebanon, late Satur-
day evening, and stopped for the Sabbath at the
delightful home of Dr. Wambaugh, who, with his
wife, gladly welcomed us, and entertained us in
princely style. This was the close of the old year,
and Rev. Granville Moody, stationed minister, had
preaching in his church and watch-night meeting.
Soon the news reached Brother Moody that Rev.
228 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

John H. Power and a youth had come to town.
Brother Power, being weary, remained at the house,
but I went to the church. It was a grand night.
Moody made several powerful exhortations, mingled
with prayer, good speaking, and old-fashioned sing-
ing. Every one seemed happy. Noticing me in the
“Amen-corner,” he asked if I had accompanied
Elder Power. At midnight, before closing, he gave
out that “Rey. John H. Power, an old presiding
elder of the North Ohio Conference, is in the city,
and will preach to-morrow at eleven, also in the
evening.” When I told it to Brother Power, he
said, in his solid, positive way, “ Brother Moody
had no authority to do so, and he can preach him-
self; I shall not.” Dr. Wambaugh and wife tried
to prevail on him to preach; but no, he did not
propose to wear himself out, and as he had been
averaging four sermons a week, for the last two
years, he needed rest.

Early in the morning Brother Moody came
down, and, by arguments and kindly persuasions,
endeavored to have him preach, but he resisted
all entreaties. Turning to me, he asked, “ Are you
not a preacher ?” I said, “ Only a local preacher.”
“Well, if Brother Power won’t, you will have to.”
He then asked, “ Brother Power, is this lad not a
preacher?” “Yes,” said he. “ Well, then, if you
decide not to preach, he will have to; for I gave it
out to the audience, and one of you must fill the
pulpit.” I thought of course Brother Power would
say, “ Brother Moody, preach yourself;” but instead
he said, “ Yes, he can preach; let him do it.” The

.
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 229

Rubicon was before me; I was committed ; I had
to go in and cross over, for I had once told the
Lord, he being my helper, I would never refuse to
preach when ordered to do so by my superiors. A
mountain was on my soul, and I left the room,
went up-stairs, and prayed, and ate nothing scarcely
for breakfast.

I went to the church after the others, and en-
tered the pulpit, feeling as if I could lie down in
the very dust; secretly praying that God would
fulfill his promise, “Open thy mouth, and I will
fill it with arguments.” Before me was a large au-
dience, as Granville Moody always drew such. On
the front seat was a distinguished man and local
preacher, Dr. Baker, and others of note ; before me,
in the altar, sat the venerable Bishop Joshua Soule,
for this was his home. His look rather relieved
than dismayed me. Off to the left sat Brother
Moody, and I thought he was praying for me as he
saw my fear. Brother Power sat behind me in the
pulpit. My hymn and Scripture lessons were read
easily, and in prayer I had freedom and comfort.
TI took for my text, “ Be thou faithful unto death,
and I will give thee a crown of life,” and spoke
about twenty minutes, with all humility, as fast as
I could speak, having all my points in view when
I rose up. Whether I preached to the text or from
it, I can not tell, but I noticed a few old mothers
in Israel weeping, and heard a few Amens; but I
was so bewildered that I scarcely knew if they
were marks of religious joy, or mourning and
heaviness at my poor effort. At last I sat down in
230 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

fright and perspiration, smitten with the idea, Now,
I have not said one word of any profit. I had ex-
pected Dr. Power to exhort, but after the hymn, he
prayed, and dismissed the congregation. Bishop
Soule warmly greeted him, then shaking my hand,
said, “Brother Power, come with me to my house
for dinner, and bring the lad with you.” But no;
I was out as quick as I could, and hurried to my
place, and then up-stairs, in deepest confusion and
excitement. Soon the family returned, and Sister
Wambaugh came up-stairs, and comforted me with
kind words, saying, “If Bishop Soule himself had
preached, it would not have done any more good.”
That was some consolation and relief, but I could
hardly, all day, be in the gracious society of those
good folks, except in some corner of the room. It
was a great trial, but I reckon a great benefit to me.
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 231

Chapter X.

BLESSED ACQUAINTANCES — JONN H. PENN AND FAMILY — OLD
BROTHER CRACRAFT, OUR PREACHING-PLACE—THE LEADER
OF THE CLASS—EZEKIEL CLARK, HIS NOBLE MANILOOD—
KIRKWOOD FAMILY, ONE NOW, EX-GOV. KIRKWOOD—YOUNGS
AND REV. JOHN MITCHELL—REV. SAMUEL BOGGS AND WIFE—
GREGGS, AND A QUEER INCIDENT WITH A LAD—WHAT FOUR
FI’ PENNY BITS DID, AND NOW ARE DOING FOR GOD—BAPTISM
OF NINE CHILDREN—FATHER AND MOTHER PAUL, AND OTHER
DEAR ONES — REV. DR. WM. S. PAUL— OTHER GOOD MEN IN
THE LAITY—HOW TO TREAT EACH OTHER.

N this, my first circuit, were many sublime and
great lessons gained to my profit, in many
respects, which follow me all along my earthly ca-
reer. Here were formed hallowed acquaintances,
cherished in my heart to this late hour, of undying
interest; and I shall look forward with pleasure to
greet a host of dear ones from these parts, when I
reach the shining shore. We had about twenty
appointments to meet every four weeks, and our
ride made a hundred miles around the circuit. I call
to mind a few precious and good souls, whom I
there met in Christian bonds, to be renewed, I
trust, in the better world; namely, John H. Penn,
his cultivated and most excellent wife, his son John,
and his daughter Lucretia. He was one of those
transparent Christians, whose many righteous qual-
ities reflected a brightness and godly influence, to
232 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

‘the glory and honor of his God. His home was a
kind of earthly paradise to the itinerant ministers,
who were always so graciously welcomed to bread
and board, without restriction of time; and you did
not have to pull long and hard at the latch-string,
or knock anxiously at their door; for they came
kindly to the outer gate, with quick steps, and with
open words of salutation—“ Come in—come in, and
make yourself at home; we are always glad to see
God’s servants.” Such receptions are more joyful
than silver or gold.

Mr. Penn paid tithes of all he possessed to the
service of our Lord; for as his corn and wheat and
stock increased, so the treasury of the Lord was
strengthened. Mrs. Penn was amiable in character,
pleasing in manners, tender and affectionate in her
words, with a voice of melody adding welcome to
her husband’s kindness. She was also deeply pious,
and loved the sanctuary and the dispensed truths
of her Savior with an unabated spirit of acceptance.
Like Mary of old, she was ever found following
closely by the feet of Jesus. Lucretia, the daughter,
was not excelled in charming, lady-like qualities.
She was modest, loving, and confiding. In all her
Christian ways she was earnestly devotional, and pos-
sessed strong intellectual powers, and was as true as
steel to stand by, and never betray, a friend ; while no
enticements could break or weaken her attachments.
In trial or peril, she stood by your side. John, the
son, was a fac-simile of his noble and devout father,
and unflinching in his attachment to a friend. He
hated, with an abomination, intrigue in minister or
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 233

member. The real mark of true manhood was seen
in all his boyhood ways. It is seldom that we
meet four persons possessing as many unobjectiona-
ble features of true merit as they did. But the
spirit of our Christ ruled their hearts and estab-
lished their characters.

Brother (or Father) Cracraft’s house was also
one of the best of homes for the children of the
King, and every thing in great abundance sur-
rounded him. To the Church he was benevolent,
and devoted in child-like simplicity. His wife was
one of the most humble and unobtrusive of women,
and truly “a keeper at home,” and God-fearing at
all times. Their dairy was an attracting feature ;
for the superior quality of good, sweet, gold-tinged
butter, made by them, brought immediate sale. His.
front and best room was consécrated to the Lord as
a preaching-place for years, for every two weeks, on
Friday afternoons. Here we often experienced
the sublime truth that “ Wheresover two or three
are gathered together in my name, there am I in
the midst of them.”

This was a good and well-established society of
about twenty faithful members, mostly relatives.
Our class-leader was Ezekiel Clark, a young mar-
ried man, very stout and prepossessing in mien,
kind in spirit, devoted in all his religious services,
and prompt as time itself to all his Christian obli-
gations. He possessed by nature rather a strong,
grasping mind, and eagerly cultivated it by much
good and close reading. The Western Christian

Advocate was the main pillar of thought, next to
é 20
234 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

God’s Word, to feed the intellect. He made a most
efficient class-leader, full of spirituality, valiant in
exhortation, and was highly esteemed by all the
community. His wife, not inferior to himself in
any noble characteristic, was the daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Kirkwood, of Presbyterian extraction.
Brother Clark, years after this, came to Iowa City,
Towa, and figured largely in State affairs and in the
political arena. But few men in all my youth ever
found a warmer reception in my heart, and there
was none whom I loved more than Ezekiel Clark ;
and I hope and pray that his excellent traits of
piety, recorded in early life, have increased in
strength with his prolonged days, and that he may
give the remnant of his hours fully to his Master,
.and reach heaven in holy triumph. What an awful
thing it would be to any of us, to cast away our
dear Savior, or forget his boundless mercies in the
last of our course, when all else than Christ fail to
render us peace and happiness at our journey’s end!

Here, also, was my first acquaintance with his
brother-in-law, now the distinguished and grand
old man, and noted throughout all the nation as
the “ Old War Governor of Iowa,” the Hon. Sam-
uel J. Kirkwood. In those times he was not de-
veloped to the sublime maturity of intellectuality
he now possesses; but he manifested then the signs
of outcoming greatness. Of him it might have
been said, “The boy is father of the man.” His
parents resided on that circuit, and were good Church
people, and their home was one of great attraction,
as well as of Christian benevolence. Before their
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 235

dwelling was a large lawn, or open yard, green and
beautifully inclining downward from the residence
to the public road, leaving the house quite promi-
nent to sight. Here, also, we found a kindly wel-
come by the excellent, motherly widow, Mrs.
Kirkwood, mother of the old “ Hero,” and also her
most pleasing and warm-hearted daughters. Mem-
ory holds them pleasingly in remembrance.

Another valuable man, and always a true friend,
was Charles Cracraft, who was in no way bound in
his worldly possessions, but loving, religious, be-
nevolent, and simple-hearted as a child, who lived
at the foot of the cross. His inestimable wife,
though not of our denomination, being a’ Presby-
terian, yet showed us unsurpassed kindness for
Christ’s sake, whose cause we represented; and
they served us with seeming delight. An open
door, free Jarder, and a boundless welcome, was
their watchword.

The Mount family, English people, were also
so unremitting in Christian courtesy that we shall
ever cherish them in blessed remembrance. They
possessed the real Wesleyan devotedness to the
Master’s cause, and nothing they possessed of earthly
good was too precious to them to be consecrated
upon the altar of God.

Here lived the Young household, members of
this work, whose doors always stood open wide, to
receive us to their plentifulness. Mrs. Young was
sister to that lamented and ‘lovely countenanced
man, Rev. John Mitchell, of the North Ohio Con-
ference ; and all who knew that family knew a kin
236 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

who were ceaseless in their beneficence, quick in
wit, possessing a hopeful and lively spirit. One of
the happiest hours of all my history was spent at
their home, on one occasion, when the Rev. John
Mitchell came to pay them a visit. It was kin-
dred to what I imagine heaven will be; and how
could it be otherwise, when such a glorious and
Christ-like man as he was present, with his glowing
words of cheerfulness, his winning smiles of Chris-
tian affection, and his songs of seraphic sweetness ?
He has long since crossed over the tide of death,
to swell his God-endowed musical powers on the
heavenly shore, in strains of hallowed rapture. I
expect to hear his voice again, in grander notes, as
he touches his harp of gold, attuned by the inspira-
tion of the presence of the redeemed host; and be-
fore the
“Lamb that was slain,
And that liveth again,”

I hope his charming voice and harp of melody will
salute my approach to the kingdom of light.

Here I also found that tried and unfailing friend,
Rev. Samuel Boggs, with whom I mingled so fre-
quently, so sacredly, and so prayerfully, in bonds
of loving brotherhood, in the services of the Father
of all; and in his warm Christian heart I had a
conspicuous place; nor do I recall those days of
religious joy but his expressive looks, his words full
of faith in God, and his numerous acts of love
stand out as living epistles of a sanctified character,
and press him again and again to my heart. He is
now a very useful minister of the everlasting Gospel
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 237

of grace, in the Central Ohio Conference. His
good and amiable companion, Talitha, saintly in all
her ways, was his peer in all true qualities; and she
sent out a benign reflection of Christian loveliness,
as she lived so humbly at the feet of the dear Re-
deemer, to the glory of her Lord, wherever she
went. In the pleasure of our memory she holds a
life-abiding continuity.

The Gregg appointment was away off among the
high hills, south-east of Mansfield; and a little log-
cabin school-house was in the woods on a summit,
peering southward from the door. Two singular
circumstances occurred here, never to be erased
from our recollection. Mrs. Gregg was very pe-
culiar and strict in her home government, and ruled
with great promptness; and withal she was a very
pious woman in her way, and unsophisticated in
character. Her little son, it seemed, had been
somewhat rude in meeting, and she had fixed it in
her mind to correct him at the earliest convenience,
if repeated. So, at this time, while I was in the
midst of my sermon, I suppose the boy was doing
what displeased her righteous soul, though the act
by me was unnoticed. She rose up and walked
slowly before me across the room, then pulled out
a switch from under her long linsey-woolsey apron,
and gave the youth three good, quick cuts, saying
in a subdued tone, “ There, now, will you behave?”
and she passed back to her seat as calmly as if at
any other duty. No doubt, to her, that was a very
religious act ; but for a moment or so I was appalled,
though I proceeded with my talk, thankful for grace
238 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

to keep cool, and rightly and righteously to apply
my thoughts to the subject, and keep the audience
interested.

This, now, reminds me of a singular act of Rev.
Wesley Clark, formerly of the North Ohio Confer-
ence, who was one of God’s noblest men and faith-
ful ministers. His little lad had, at certain times
during family worship, disturbed the solemn service.
On this occasion, as Brother Clark was praying, the
boy again acted rudely, with some noise; so the
father halted in his oral devotion, rose from his
knees, spanked him severely with two or three
blows, and then got down on his knees again, and
resumed his prayer. It cured the little chap of all
such future transgressions.

The neighborhood just referred to was one of
the most barren portions of earth I ever visited.
But little ground was then cleared, and even that
was exceedingly stony, destitute of soil, and unpro-
ductive; and all the fences were made of little
rocks plowed up from season to season. Mrs.
Gregg’s oldest son, about twelve, was listening to
me at another time, when preaching my missionary
sermon; and when I had concluded, and was
taking up the collection, he signed twenty-five
cents. That was, at that period, over forty-five
years ago, a large amount, as even grown people
seldom exceeded that, but oftener less; so I said to
him, “George, how can you pay that much?” for
money was very scarce with those hill-folks; and,
indeed, I have met scores of men who did not have
a “red cent” for weeks in their pockets; but he
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 239

replied, “O, I will try and get it by the time you
come around again.” When four weeks had
elapsed, and my appointment came, I was on hand,
and, sure enough, George had his silver “quarter
of a dollar,” and handed it to me with his eyes
glistening with delightful pleasure. It really made
his big soul in his little body happy. I was sur-
prised, and asked him, “ How did you get this so
soon, my good boy?” He said, “O, I took four
chickens to Mansfield, and sold them for a fi’penny
bit apiece, and got the money for you.” He had
actually walked ten miles or more to town, and ten
miles back again, for that simple—O no—for that
great purpose ; and thus he helped along the mighty
cause of the world’s redemption from sin; and I do
believe in my very soul that that silver “ quarter of
a dollar” of George’s, given with such a zeal and
loving spirit to do good, is virtually, under God’s
divine eye, rolling on for all time, like to the
widow’s mite; and in heaven we may learn that it
bought, here on earth, some Scripture lessons, to be
interpreted in some foreign language, and then
saved some poor souls from darkness and death;
and that those souls saved led others to Jesus—and
so onward and continually the influence of that
simple gift is moving; and in the vast eternity
George Gregg will be credited with wonderful
accomplishments for God’s great cause. Ah! his
credit in eternity’s ledger will far surpass that
man’s gift of fifty dollars who could have given
five hundred, and never realized it was out of his
treasury. What we all do should be done with an

 
240 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

eye to God’s glory. Let us read these lines, and
then solemnly reflect:

“ Ben Selim had a golden coin one day,
Which to a stranger asking alms he gave,
Who went rejoicing on his unknown way.
Ben Selim died—too poor to own a grave;
But when his soul reached heaven, angels with pride
Showed him the wealth to which his coin had multiplied.”

Brethren, put your surplus money in God’s
bank, and he will pay you an amazing interest,
through all time and through vast eternity. Who-
can tell how long in the world of glory, and to what
an extent, the chord of influence will vibrate, set in
motion by his “chicken money?” Only a “ quarter
of a dollar!” but O what, what results must follow!
If our blessed missionary secretaries, Dr. Reid and
Chaplain McCabe, had a thousand men wita the
spirit and work of George Gregg, to give in pro-
portion to their ability, as did he, how soon would
they have this whe.e world saved ?

In this same class I was called to baptize a
whole family of children, consisting of nine, from
the age of fourteen down to the tender infant of one
month old. It was a great pleasure to see them all,
save the last two, sitting in a row against the wall on
a long bench, in their rude log-cabin dwelling; the
father at one end and the mother, with the babe in
her arms, at the other end of the bench, and a few
neighbors present; then the righteous parents dedi-
cating them to God in holy baptism. I felt proud
to be honored with such a privilege. It was a
solemn hour—yea, a deeply religious hour; an hour
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 241

of weeping, and singing, and praying, and rejoicing,
and of sacred consecration of all hearts. It is em-
balmed in the archives of my remembrance, to be
brought up afresh along my time-course, and re-
newed with joy when I shall meet that household
in glory. “For the promise is unto you and your
children.”

In the village of Washington were many choice-
spirited men and women of the Church, highly wor-
thy of commendation, whose faith failed them not,
but in much earnest prayer and continual praises,
and by their generous contributions, stood up for
the Lord’s cause. Several in that early day of fifty
years ago were good exceptions, when the spirit of
missions and giving did not so engross the minds
and hearts of all Christians as it does now, giving
their five and ten dollars yearly for the world’s
redemption; and it was an apparent fact that those
persons who were the most benevolent to the
Church were the ones who took our periodicals,
and God fully blessed them in basket and in store.
“There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and
there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it
tendeth to poverty.” Salvation in great streams
of cleansing flowed over their souls, and their ex-
perience for Christ and his kingdom was glorious.

Among them were Father Paul and his wife,
parents of that good and faithful minister, Rev. Dr.
William 8. Paul, of the Central Ohio Conference.
Many delightful and life-long impressive lessons
did I receive and write upon memory’s tablet while
in their company. Father Paul was mild, open-

21
242 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

hearted, unassuming, and faithful, and a truly con-
secrated vessel in the temple of the Most. High.
Mother Paul was deeply afflicted physically, but
was sublimely buoyant in her religious life, and a
very intelligent and well-read lady, as well as a
saint in Israel. The Western Christian Advocate,
of Cincinnati, was to her soul and mind a perfect
delight, and she eagerly perused its weekly pages.
Many of the lines of thought and chosen words of
advice which fell from her sacred lips are still writ-
ten in the mind. If ever a soul in this life rested
sweetly and serenely in affliction at the Savior’s
feet, she did; and, more yet, she “ washed them
with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of
her head.” Like Mary, she watched His footsteps.
But few I ever met had a greater bodily infirmity.
The effect of rheumatism, continuously for years,
had placed her in a sitting position, in a state of
physical rigidity; and she could only move her
hands and turn her head, while all other parts of
her body were inactive. In this trying situation
she was moved in a chair to Church and elsewhere;
yet, thanks to amazing grace, no murmurings ever
fell from her pure lips. She was a sublimely sub-
missive Christian in all her sufferings, and in de-
votion to her God. The words of Jesus was her
sentiment, “Thy will be done.” I have never, in
all my life-history, found one more fit for heaven
than she. “ Hope swelled immortal in her soul.”
Her society was entertaining, and her words were
always expressive of joy and hopefulness, and were
as an inspiration to all their visitors.
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 243

Once, while considering her unsurpassed and
helpless condition, I asked her this question:
“Mother Paul, suppose this house were to take
fire, and you were here all alone, do you not
think you would make an effort to escape the
flames?” She said: “Well, my good young
brother, let me relate to you an incident, and
you may decide for yourself that matter; for a
fire is a terrible thing, and almost every body
would fly from it. One beautiful afternoon in
the month of June, father [her husband] was gone
away to a neighbor’s, and a little girl who stayed
with me had gone down to the spring at the base
of the hill for some fresh, cool water. We lived
then in the other cabin, over yonder, where we
had a kitchen, a bedroom, and a sitting or eating
room.

All the doors were open, and I was sitting
about midway in the front room. Soon the cat
came rushing from the bedroom past me in
great fright, with hair all raised up and her eyes
glistening almost like fire-balls, and passed quickly
out at the door; and then a very large black snake,
about six feet long, came rapidly following her;
and as she was out of its sight and reach, in much
fury it rushed against my chair, came to my feet,
then wound itself round and round my ankles,
making a peculiar whizzing noise, and leaving its
marks on my shoes and stockings; then it left
me, and passed over the floor in a rapid, zigzag
motion, and went out of the front door as if in-
furiated, in pursuit, or after its victim. Now,
244 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

brother, do you think I could escape, or even
budge, if this house were on fire?” I have never
forgotten her calm, holy, Christian face, from that
moment to this, nor has her thrilling statement
been obliterated from memory. I would recognize
her face amid the vast multitudes of heaven. She
lived by faith in the Son of God, with the hope
of immortal life swelling in her bosom, having all
the promises of the Bible as her staff down to the
last hour. O, what an extraordinary mother in
Israel she was! and long ere this her happy spirit
has been released from cumbrous clay, and she
mingles, no doubt, in hallowed songs of endless
triumph with God’s elect in the city of Life Eter-
nal. Her precious life and that of her husband
have reflected brightness and glory out over time,
and inspired many wayward and dying ones to the
cross of Christ by their own example, and especially
through the noble person of that eminent and prac-
tical minister of the Gospel, Rev. Dr. William 8S.
Paul, previously mentioned. His great usefulness
and abiding trust in Omnipotence will not only
crown his own character with a halo of light, but
be a star in the parents’ crowns of rejoicing.

I might name, also, Wesley Barnes, E. Ford,
A. Scott, — Conwells, and others, who were very
superior, and uncompromising for the truth, with
their good families, who did much for the Church.
Their chief thought was to build up Christ’s king-
dom by their fiscal aid and Christian labors and
influence, as well as to hold up the hands of the
toilsome itinerant in his pressing duties, thus hon-
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 245

oring the Master. By such members I was ever
inspired, in my youthful services, to move fear-
lessly forward. Indeed, a great part of my success
in saving souls depended upon the piety, the de-
vout prayers, and benevolence of the laity; and
I believe they will be held as accountable, propor-
tionately, as the ministry for the work accomplished
on every station or circuit. It is their imperative
duty to support the temporal wants of the work-
men, to cheer them by their smiles, encouraging
acts and good advice. Moses, that wonderful and
meekest of all God’s servants, would have failed
had not the Father of Mercy sent relief through
the laity; for “Aaron and Hur stayed up his
hands, the one on one side, and the other on the
other side; and his hands were steady until the
going down of the sun.” “So Israel prevailed,
and Joshua, Moses’ aid, discomfited the enemy
with the edge of the sword.”

Many a grand and promising youth has been
disheartened, and left the work of the ministry, for
want of those two things—encouragement and advice
from the older Christians. Often they might have
been, in early youth, somewhat uncouth, or reared
up carelessly, and had some peculiar public habits,
improper gesticulations, or rude and singular com-
monplace expressions, which rendered them unpop-
ular, and might have been almost disgusting,—that
might have been avoided and cured in a private
way, if experienced saints had kindly, and in a
proper spirit, only advised or gently admonished
them of their faults. But no; they too frequently
246 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

have talked about them, and prejudiced others against
them, until such youth, sometimes, have been
crushed, and left the work for other pursuits. At
times, older ministers have no mercy on their jun-
iors; and instead of going to them alone, lovingly
and in a fatherly way, and prayerfully pointing out
to them their embarrassments, such as injured their
usefulness, too frequently they have taken the op-
posite step, and left them sadly alone; and only
used criticisms behind their backs, and _ incited
members to reject them; so, when conference met,
secret papers prejudicial to them came before the
bishop or the conference, and then some old brother,
or several of them, with undue eloquence, depicted
their. little curable mistakes as mountain sins, or at
least as great and terrible misfortunes; and with a
gusto of misrepresentation, have voted them out on
the spur of the moment. Out where? Ah! out
into the world, out of their legitimate calling—
wounded, disgraced, and heart-broken. Such, some
of you, my readers, may have witnessed. I have
known, away back—far back in history—of several
of our most noble and useful men, who were so
criticised and persecuted and discouraged, that they
nearly went down ; yea, were even told to go home,
for they were too awkward, and knew too little to
ever preach or be of any profit to the Church. But
some old, God-loving, happy-spirited minister, who
knew “humanum est errare,” told them how to act, how
to pray and to hold up their heads above the waves ;
and at such blessed instigation they moved onward,
and gained a world of fame for God’s cause. I
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 247

praise my Master that when I ever found one such
on my district, or within the wide range of my
works, with drooping spirits, or uncalled-for or
disparaging habits and wandering words, I had,
through the Savior’s favor, the soul and grace, hav-
ing myself found divine forgiveness, to go and tell
them of their faultsin humble kindness and tender-
ness, always mindful of the “ hole of the pit whence
I was digged,” and almost, without exception, they
have accepted gentle reproofs, and improved by ad-
vice, and were saved. Such have thanked me
greatly, and said, “No one ever told me of these
little errors before ;” and I can now appeal to such
as were under my care, as proof of this kindly ad-
vantage given to them.

I regret to say it, yet truth must out, that some
preachers surmise evil of others; some are envious
of others’ popularity, and can hardly bear to see
them ascending in favor or intellectuality. I remem-
ber a preacher who was.one of a committee to inves-
tigate charges against a brother minister; and though
he had never as yet heard one word of the case, on
his way thither being asked where he was going, he
replied, ““O, I am going to help skin a skunk.” My
God! what a heart he must have had thus to have
maliciously, unjustly, and without a word of evi-
dence, implicated one of his brethren in Christ!
Another preacher fell in with his spirit, whom I
knew, by observation and by his own voice in justifi-
cation of the act, to kill and pick chickens for
breakfast every Sabbath morning when at his home.
So you see, injustice may be found among the
248 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

pastors as well as the people. The prophet warns all
such in these words: “Many pastors have de-
stroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion
under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a
desolate wilderness.” ‘Ye have scattered my flock,
and driven them away, and have not visited them.”
Jupiter, a heathen god, is said to have remarked
that “every person carries a wallet across his shoul-
der ; and in the back part were all his own faults
and crimes; but in the front of the sack were the
sins and imperfections of his neighbors; and he
was always looking into the front half, and scold-
ing, and growling, and condemning his brothers;
but if he would only turn the sack about, a much
darker catalogue of horrid crimes would stare him
in the face.”

But our motto should be, “ Live and let live.”
Honesty, transparency, and a Christ-like spirit, and
“Do unto others as ye would that others should do
unto you,” is the correct and safe rule for Chris-
tians, if they would be reflectors of “ that true light
which lighteth every man that cometh into the
world.” Therefore, “if we would walk in the light
as he [Jesus, our blessed Redeemer] is in the light,
we have fellowship one with another.” But min-
isters, as well as others, sometimes through selfish-
ness, woefully miss the “ white line.” I have thus
paraphrased on character, hoping to do good to
some attentive reader.

The Newville class was likewise composed of
many very valuable people, with great souls of
kindness, in whose hearts Christ dwelt. Their
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 249

influence aided me wonderfully in my first year’s
efforts to preach the Word. There was Dr. Enoch
Sapp, a local preacher, whole-souled, affable, com-
municative, a real staunch talker, who did all within
his ability to nerve up the minister in his good
work. Neither was he jealous of our talents or
popularity, but with noble spirit, in brotherly love,
stood by our side in the gate of the temple, day and
night, crying aloud with us, “ Ho, every one that
thirsteth, come ye: buy wine and milk without
money and without price.’ Such a man as that is
of untold worth to help us to present the holy
truths of the Bible. What a glorious and ines-
timable privilege it is to declare the holy Word of
Life, to enlighten the world with the preciousness
of this great salvation, through the Gospel of the
Son of God, and lift mortals up to heaven; and
then, through all eternity, enjoy the presence,
and behold the infinite glory of the great “I Am
That I Am!”

When the glorious promises of that revealed
Word are properly recognized as the voice of Je-
hovah, and as our perpetual security and endless
joy, we feel that we are securely barricaded, and
“surrounded as by a wall of fire,’ and can come
boldly to the throne of heavenly grace, permitted
to look up into the very face of the “ Anointed
One,” with as much innocence and greater pleasure
than an infant can look into the face of its fond
mother. In the great call to this ministry we
should be able to estimate properly the truth, and
with clean lips exclaim: “Thy word have I hid in
250 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

my heart ;” “The entrance of thy word giveth
light ;” and as we read and appropriate it to our
interest, the speech of the Almighty, “Go ye into
all the world and preach my gospel to every crea-
ture,” should be our inspiration; beaming down
into our inmost parts from the Divine Countenance,
through his blessed Son, “who hath called us.”
His Word, prayerfully sought and studied, is over-
whelming in impressiveness, stirring up the soul
and melting and refining the heart by its sweet
simplicity, until it is “poured out like water” be-
fore the Lord, and is more elevating and comfort-
ing to us than water is to the thirsty, parched lips.
When spiritually embraced, it giveth understanding,
and draws us nearer and nearer to God.

The outlook of Christ’s teachings is ahead of
us in infinite expanse, and will be suited to the in-
creasing demands of all coming generations. No
rising genius, no human skill or acquirements, can
add to the riches and fullness of the heavenly ele-
vation produced by the Gospel truths. Man’s
words of counsel, or his proffered amendments,
would be of infinitely less value to strengthen God’s
thoughts than a single drop of water would be
towards swelling the ocean. The highest arch-
angel nearest the eternal throne can come no nearer
depicting the infinitude of the divine unfoldings of
God’s blessed Word than the most humble saint on
earth. But, glorious, immortal idea! all may en-
joy all its blood-bought benefits. What a sublime,
heart-consoling thought is the greatness of Christ’s
provision for our full salvation! It is as boundless
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 251

as eternity; it is the fullness of God, revealed
through the Lamb of Calvary! Far ahead of all
our intellectual improvements or our spiritual ad-
vancements is the free grace of heavenly favor for
fallen humanity; copious showers of mercy from
above are propitiously falling upon us, and we
“drink and yet are ever dry;” yea, we are filled
with the unutterable sweetness of Christ’s unfailing
love; and we thirst more and more, and “as the
hart panteth after the water-brooks,” so are we all
eagerly desirous for life beyond the grave; and we
continue “to hold out our pitchers of salvation ”
for greater and deeper streams of joy, and more of
the heavenly glory.

When every human being is baptized into the
spiritual body of Christ, and receives all the offered
riches of his mercy, and each one is clothed in
the lovely garments of his holiness, and walks be-
neath his bright pavilion, and is continually full of
rejoicings, still, the bosom of the Almighty is ex-
haustless in love as an infinite reserve for all his
children. If unnumbered generations are yet to be
born to embrace his heavenly favor, still the great
current of this blessed life of love, will be to us but
as the beginning of the ceaseless stream which will
flow on, and on, as these generations come; and as
millions of millions of hearts are saved by the
precious blood from Calvary’s steeps, then what
shouts of rapture, what songs amazing will peal
forth from all the redeemed, as we sit at Jesus’
feet, attuning the universal note—“ Unto him that
loved us and washed us from our sins in his own
252 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto
God and his Christ; to him be glory and dominion
for ever and ever.” Ah yes! endless ages of tri-
umph and hallelujahs in the holy land of Beulah
will bring us nearer and nearer the King in his
beauty, to enjoy his ineffable smiles and glorious
presence eternally, through the face of his Son.
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 253

Chapter XT

PROTRACTED MEETING IN NEWVILLE—FATHER SIMMONS AND HIS
PRAYER—UNION REIGNS IN CONFUSION—HE WOULD NEVER
ENTER A CHURCH—FUNERAL OF HIS DEAR CHILD—GOD’s
WAYS—AN AGED COUPLE—HIS THRILLING EXPERIENCE—HIS
WIFE SPEAKS OUT IN MEETING—HER PRAYERS ANSWERED—
CORNELIUS VANDORN AND FAMILY, AND OTHER GOOD PEO-
PLE—PRECIOUS MEMORY—HOW TO USE IT.

HILE on that circuit, I held a protracted

meeting in Newville, and many were led to
the divine fountain, and found salvation in the
merits.and name of Jesus. All the Church were
in the deepest earnestness to save the lost. Other
denominations felt interested, as the people had
become wicked, and no revival had been there
for years. There were a few real good and
staunch Christians of different denominations; but
the world appeared, at that time, to hold su-
premacy; yet the Word of the Lord took hold
of a goodly number, and the Church was in-
creased and strengthened.

One evening of the meeting, while a dozen or
so were bowed at the altar seeking Christ, and as
we had labored long and faithfully, I spied a Mr.
Simmons, a most excellent and useful old gentle-
man, who was a Presbyterian by profession, stand-
ing away back by the door, looking solemn, and
254 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

watching the work with deep interest, apparently
absorbed in thought as to what might be the final
outcome of this Methodist effort. The house was
densely crowded, and the power of the Unseen
was evidently present; so I started a very lively
song, and as the rapturous singing was going on,
I came back quietly as I could, and said to him:

“Father Simmons, won’t you be kind enough
to come forward and help us a little? We are
all engaged in a good cause for our God, and we
are almost outdone, and need recruits.”

Shaking his head, he said: “O no, no; you will
please excuse me. It’s too noisy, and there is too
much confusion there for me; and then J could not
do any thing for you, any how.”

I replied: “Well, please come up with me and
offer one prayer, and I will stay them a little, and
then you can return to your seat, if you wish; for
you discover we are all tired and weary, having
worked here for days and nights.”

He said: “Well, I ’ll go and offer a prayer,
if I can be of any aid that far; for I am truly in-
terested in this town for good to be done.”

He saw the apparent necessity of reform in the
community, and felt alarmed at the progress and
boldness of sin; and his loving heart was touched
while witnessing the conversion of several wicked
persons. The old friend was an elder in his
Church, and its real support and strength; but,
then, they had no regular minister, and the so-
ciety was in a rapid decline. So, when he ap-
peared in the altar, taller than all others, and
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 255

when singing had closed, I said: “ Now, brothers
and sisters, our good Brother Simmons is going to
offer a prayer for us, for the King’s blessing; so
we will all hear and respond to his petitions.” He
knelt down with us, as no doubt he had been ac-
customed to pray at the home altar, and he prayed,
and became excited, and in much earnestness lifted
up his soul to the Father; and his great voice was
louder than all the hearty responses, and we all
were overjoyed at his warm utterances for “God’s
work to go on, and on, until the whole com-
munity should be led to the truth as it is in
Christ Jesus.”

After his offering and request was over, he did
not go back to his former position in the rear of the
Church, but staid right there in the heat of the
battle; and, ere we dismissed for the night, I said:
“Perhaps Brother Simmons will offer a few words
of encouragement, and a short exhortation to the
young converts, as well as to the people.” He rose
with a placid smile and remarked: “Brothers,
when your preacher came and solicited me to go
forward and assist you in this work, I hesitated,
but to gratify him I went; and I really thought,
as I told him, there was too much noise and con-
fusion for me to do any thing to purpose; but
when I got into the battle, and got my harness on,
I felt and thought it was all union and love and
joy; and I thank my God there is no confusion
when right in your midst. I do hope this work
will go on, and on, until many are led to our dear
Savior.” Thus spoke this righteous man, and we
256 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

all cried and praised God aloud, with many amens
and loud hallelujahs ascending. This was the first
Presbyterian brother who had ever aided me in my
youthful efforts; but it was timely and did much
good, and blessed us all. Long ere this day the
old saint bears his palm of victory over on the
other shore, amid the elect of God, through the
all-atoning blood of the Lamb, where loud praises
will never cease.

We must be always well armed if we would
succeed. “Wherefore take unto you the whole
armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand
in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with
truth, and having on the breastplate of righteous-
ness;” for “God is my strength and power; and
he maketh my way perfect;” therefore we say,
“Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teach-
eth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight.”

I find, in a long Christian experience, there is
nothing like being in the very midst of the fight,
if we would become master of the situation. In
temporal wars, the more nearly we come to the
front, and the conflict waxes hotter, then the more
danger is manifest; but in our great moral combat
for the truth, the severer it is, and the closer the
battle, the less the danger, and we are surer never
to lose a man, for God fights with us. They who.
skulk away from the field, or lay their armor down,
are always captured and slain. “Let us hold fast
the profession of our faith without wavering, for
he is faithful who promised ;” and truly it is always
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 257

evident that “no weapon formed against us shall
prosper,” “for he that is for us is greater than all
them that are against us.” Life is made interesting
by its numerous little, as well as its great, inci-
dents along our whole journey.

In my early preaching I was.full of zeal and
quickness of speech, and often my thoughts were
swifter than I was capable of unfolding them.
Once when preaching in N—, on Sabbath morn-
ing, my theme was to me exciting, and I was
anxious to make a good and effectual impression,
as my revival days were near at hand. So, pre-
senting a proposition, and making an effort to fix
it upon all minds and hearts, that it was a true
and certain characteristic of a Christian to be pure
and faithful to his purpose to the Church, and god-
like in his ways, my tongue, some way or other,
twisted, or a lapsus lingue befell my speech, and-
I exclaimed, in a high tone, “It’s a cabbage in
man to be thus always engaged in his duties.”
For a moment I was confused; but seeing no one
smile or drop his head, I pressed on smoothly,
and to my great joy I found afterwards that only
Dr. E. Sapp, a local preacher, who sat in the pul-
pit behind me, and one or two others, had noticed
my mistake. But, to save me, I never could con-
ceive what thwarted me from my track. But in
our great work we are often compelled to cry out,
“For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for
Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteous-
ness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salva-

tion thereof as a fire that burneth.”
22
258 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

An incident or two occurred this year on the
circuit, never to be forgotten; and they deeply im-
pressed my mind, and wonderfully strengthened my
heart in God’s cause. An infidel, a stubborn re-
jecter of Christ and his religion, and a despiser of
the Bible, once remarked to me with a “bravo”
spirit, “I never intend to enter a church as long
as I live on earth; these things are all a farce, a
mere humbug—this idea of praying and pretending
to worship some God, or unknown being, when na-
ture only is our God, if there is any at all.” Now
mark !

“Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan his work in vain;
God is his own interpreter,
And he will make it plain;’’
for in a short space of time sickness entered that
wicked man’s family. A lovely and promising
little daughter sickened and sank into the embrace
of death, and the precious remains were brought
into the church—the fond mother being a Christian
lady of devout character—and I preached the child’s
funeral to a vast audience; and there sat the poor,
unbelieving husband and parent, right before me,
with his mind subdued, his spirit overwhelmed in
grief, and his heart all crushed over his loss; for,
withal, he was tender and loving to his children,
almost worshiping them. God made this affliction
a nail in a sore place, a timely messenger; for
“God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform ;

He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.”
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 259

Ah! the time is hastily coming in every man’s
history when all the world shall do as God declares ;
for he says: “That unto me every knee shall bow,
every tongue shall swear ;” “That at the name of
Jesus every knee shall bow, of things in heaven,
and things in earth, and things under the earth;
and that every tongue should confess that Jesus
Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
With these awful truths spoken by the prophet
and one of the evangelists, how can mortal man
dare to lift the puny arm or voice against Jehovah,
God? I tremble when I see and hear the impious
rashness of man!

There lived in our town an aged couple, good
people, belonging to the Church. He was once a
great drunkard, and, at times, greatly abused his
family when under the influence of drink. He re-
lated. his experience in love-feast in this wise, as
nearly as I can recall it to mind: “Brethren, I
was an awful sinner, and a great blasphemer, and a
terrible drunkard too. I used to be drunk for
days, weeks, and months, without one sober breath.
I would consume all I had made before I would
stop drinking, and my family were brought to ex-
treme destitution, and there was no end. to the
abuse I gave them. I was crazy and cross and un-
bridled in language, and they really feared me. By
a friend’s death I was sobered, and then I resolved
I would never drink any more while I lived; and
so I passed along for several weeks, getting stronger
and feeling happier; but at last I was invited and
pressed to drink, and I fell into my evil way, and
260 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

for a long time, I lived like a brute—drunk, drunk,
drunk as I could be, night and day, until awful
poverty and death stared me in the face, and made
haggard the very looks of all my household. Once
more I resolved, in a sober hour, never never, to
drink another drop, but to do right, and keep away
from the stuff; for I saw my poor family as they
were in awful want, and we were almost entirely
forsaken—and all on my own account. Even for-
mer friends had seemingly all gone away from us,
and something touched my inmost nature. So, for
months this time, I held on to my vows, and I made
money rapidly, and prospered, and we were all so
happy; and my good wife smiled again in hope,
and the children had good clothes, and we were so
joyful, so hopeful. But O, the bad, bad influence!
for soon again old friends gathered around me,
urged me, and urged me, and I was tempted. I
could not resist the offerings, and the old tiger
asleep within me was aroused, and sprang forth in
my passions, and I seized the cup, and down—
down—down I went, until debauchery led me nigh
to the jaws of death and the grave and hell. After
months in this terrible course, by the death of one
of my own family I was forced to stop drinking;
and then I saw once more what I was, and where
I stood, and where I might have been, and ought
to have been. But I felt, yes, I knew, I had ne
power to resist the tempter. Then I thought I
would go to God—for I knew what was right—
and I got down on my knees, all alone in his
presence, and said: ‘Now, O Lord,I can’t quit
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 261

drinking; I can’t subdue or overcome my enemy ;
I can’t do any thing to save me from drinking and
dying a drunkard. O Lord God, do help me; O
Lord, help me, help me! O take me in thy care,
Lord, and help me, now, to quit my drinking!’ and,
I praise God, I could, and did, quit then; and for
twenty years I have had no desire to touch it.
Glory to God! he did help me; he was my only
help, and I am now his child, and forever praise
the Lord I am happy !”

His clever old wife immediately rose up and
confirmed all his statements with her earnest and
glowing testimony, and her own touching experience
in religion; for she had come out of the flames of
fiery suffering, and from the horrible. perfumes of
liquor, in triumph, as she had for many past years
been a true and faithful child of Jesus. Her face
was radiant with her inward joy, and she appeared
then to us as if on the very summit of the mountain
of holiness. The whole congregation was in weep-
ing, yet in a state of rejoicing, under her blessed
words and trust in Christ; for she attributed his
success over this demon of man and of society all to
his merits, his divine power to save.

Of the same household I have another instance
of real inspiration worthy of mentioning, which
shows conclusively the wonderful power and efficacy
of cdntinued and earnest perseverance in prayer,
with unceasing importunities. At another time
this good old mother, in her experience, stated sub-
stantially this fact, in love-feast: “My dear hus-
band was a good and kind man when at himself;
262 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

but he was often led astray and far from the Lord.
I resolved I would pray for him until he was
saved; and I prayed on, and on, for seven long
years, and still he was unsaved. I asked myself
the question often, ‘Shall I give it up, after all,
and let him go? No, no,’ I said, ‘his soul is too
valuable to be lost—lost forever.’ Then I went
into my closet, and shut my door, and down I fell
ou my knees, and I said, ‘Lord, I will pray seven
years more for him, if need be; for I want him to
be with me in heaven.’ But he seemed to grow
even harder and harder all these days. Now,
after I had prayed these seven years more, and
he was still wicked, I began to doubt if God even
heard me, and then to think my husband would be
-lost, any way, no matter what I did; and it was
useless for me to continue praying for him, for the
Lord won’t hearken to my cry. Then I went back
to my secret prayer, almost helpless, quite dis-
couraged, and knew not what to do. Gloom came
over me, but I prayed to God to bless poor me,
poor, unworthy and ignorant me; yes, to bless me:
and, praise his blessed and holy name, he did bless
me mightily, and I said, ‘Now—yes, now, O Lord—
isn’t there one blessing in thy great heart for my
poor, sinful, dying husband ?—yes, one for him—
just one for him? and the thought came flashing to
my mind, :
‘While the lamp holds out to burn,
The vilest sinner may return,’—

and right then, and right there, I said, ‘O my
God, my Heavenly Father, I’ll not only pray
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 263

seven years longer for my dear husband, but as
long as he lives I will pray for him;’ and, glory be
to His holy name, a short time after this resolution
my poor soul was made happy in seeing him con-
verted.” Then, bathed in tears, with a goodly
shout, she sat down, the multitude saying, “Amen !”
“Praise the Lord!” “Glory to his name!” and
many, with myself, wept like children. The hus-
band then sprang to his feet quickly, and cor-
roborated all her words as true; stating, that “at
times her prayers and Christian example almost
killed him, when he realized his condition,—she on
the road to glory, and he on the way to death and
hell.” Bless God that “the effectual, fervent
prayer of the righteous man availeth much ;” and
if our importunate pleadings are kept before the
throne of grace, the Almighty can not refuse to
supply our wants, as his word can not be broken:
“For every one that asketh, receiveth.” I am
happy to cherish in fondest memory that glorious
occasion, to my infinite profit.

In this circumstance is a sublime and impressive
lesson for all Christians. ‘Though she was earnestly
importunate, full of faith, and deeply anxious in
her heart to save her husband, and her devotions
were unceasing and ardent, all of which was com-
mendable, yet she was prescribing for God, limit-
ing or devising for him the time when he must be
converted ; but God wanted the inward vow from
her heart that she “would never let him go,” or
cease to implore his grace while life continued ; and
so soon as that vow was made on her part, the
264 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

prayer was answered. So, likewise, no sinner is
ever saved until, from his inmost soul, he pledges
God eternal service, and at that moment he ac-
cepts the penitent one. He meets him more than
half way.

Near here also lived a Christian family of great
earnestness and of undying love for the Master’s
cause. They delighted more in the ministry of
Christ, and their great work to save the world, than
any persons I ever found. Their home was a godly
welcome, and so free to us all, that it was like
God’s sunlight, copious and unstinted. Indeed,
parents and children would all come out in the
front yard to greet us with smiles and gladsome
words, as if the very angel of the covenant had
come, giving us a cheerful reception to their un-
sophisticated and clever home. They were as the
salt of the earth, and laid upon God’s altar all their
possessions, with their time and talents, never keep-
ing back one portion of the price that belonged to the
Church. To them the Gospel was most emphatically
“the power of God unto salvation ;” and they were
always drinking from the flowing fountain, so full and
so free. May they bathe in the river of Paradise
when done on earth! The father, Cornelius Van-
dorn, was, with all his surroundings, a consecrated
vessel in the holy sanctuary, fully set apart to God’s
service. They honored me by a namesake in one
of their boys, who, after he had attained to the age
of fifteen, was a half-head higher than I; and he
was a noble and sprightly youth, acquiring knowl-
edge rapidly, to become a useful man. Many most
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 265

excellent things could be written of the good and
generous family of John Vandorn, his brother.

In Lexington lived some royal, good, warm-
hearted Christians, who lie near my heart in sweet
recollection—the Harvey family, the Baughmans,
Dr. Mans, Owens, and others, who have in name
slipped from memory’s tablet; but in our future I
have no doubt that all our earthly scenes, acts, and
associations will come up vividly before our
vision,—all I trust to our joy, if we live and die in
God’s favor ; but all to our sorrow, eternally, if we
live and die in sin. How delightful it is to call
back to the mind precious ones! And O, how
glorious to meet and mingle with them forever!
But even here on earth the remembrance of loved
ones is joyful. And what is more joyful than to
call out of memory past scenes? Memory is a won-
derful faculty. If rightly cultivated, it would be of
incalculable interest to us all. We should treat it
as a true friend, with the very highest appreciation.
We are often too indifferent to its offerings, and
smother its powers by improper supplies. It was
designed to receive and cherish pure and wholesome
lessons, such as would prove a benefit to our mental
and moral advancement—to impress upon its tablet
precious thoughts; thoughts ever tending to our
greatest happiness; thoughts that would elevate
ourselves and the human race to a higher standard ;
and thoughts only, which would stand the test of
God’s divine scrutiny, and gain his approbation.

Affording memory pure culture as intellectual

food, and spiritual reflections, would be conducive
23
266 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

to our true manhood, and constitute us God’s light-
houses to fallen humanity, over life’s rugged sea;
likewise help us to people heaven by our righteous
influence; hence be a step-stone, through the mercy
of Christ, to our endless felicity. Why is it, when
in company, we can so easily remember long-ago
stories of foolish mirth, events of but little moment,
and often so detrimental—circumstances leading to
vanity, and smutty in tendency, which occurred
within our past observations, and scores of like
trivial affairs? We have often heard such things
related, and whole Winter evenings are spent by
hundreds in similar conversation, as if memory’s
casket were full of cherished thoughts; yet ask them
questions on moral or scientific facts, that occurred
within their recollection, even more recently than
the former tales, and such people quickly reply:
“O, I have such a wretched poor memory ;” “ Iwish
I could think of things as some folks do;” “T
never had a good remembrance about any thing,”
etc. That is a false statement, a slander on our
blessed faculty, and an insult to our Creator, who
has so grandly endowed us all with unlimited and
immortal capacities. The fact is terribly apparent,
that we have crowded only waste and corruption
upon our memory, when we should have supplied it
with purer and more exalted ideas. .

For instance, here is a household, into whose
presence we enter. Every thing is upside down
and filthy ; they have jumbled together old baskets,
tin pans, wood, old clothes, the flour-barre] open
and exposed to dust, and other articles scattered
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 267

around; so, if any thing is needed, confusion en-
sues. This room illustrates the memory that is
filled with useless knowledge. The room is good
enough, but the keeper is reckless and to blame.
Now pass with me over to the near neighbor’s,
and here is a similar room. The tins shine against
the wall; the sink is clean, the stove bright, the
tongs in the corner, the broom erect, the floor
scrubbed, and all in proper place ; and when an arti-
cle is needed, even at midnight, they can lay their
hands on it. Such resembles the well-cared-for
memory. It is supplied with good information
and pleasing events, all truths that will elevate it
and render the possessor happy. Who is to blame
for the neglect and misuse of memory? Every
one is to answer for himself and herself. But
parents have an awful bill to settle with con-
science, and with God, at the last account, for not
infusing into their children’s minds more lofty and
sacred thoughts, instead of impressing, as they often
do, only the more degrading and contaminating re-
flections.

Fiction and novel-reading, police news, with
various other corrupt papers, thrown into the
hands of youth, delude the memory, and bear
thousands into vanity and infidelity, with a wasted
life and a miserable death. Christian parents
should remember that numerous well-written and
excellent Church papers are an antidote for all
the written and printed trash and nonsense that
flood our land, and for their families’ own happi-
ness and advancement, and their own final account,
268 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

v
for time and eternity, should place those religious
papers before them, as the innumerable, pure, and
safe thoughts they contain and offer will be im-
perishably impressed upon their memory, to come
forth in all after life as grand sources of comfort.

Memory is the means of transport of life’s
presentations, in ideas and sentences and charming
scenes, to the soul, for its real weal; but if they
are ill chosen and misappropriated, how ruinous!
If it is laden with trifling lessons, or impure scenes
cherished, we can never fill the sublime sphere God
designed in its gift. As it is a priceless bestow-
ment, let us be certain that its cargo of freight be
of eternal value. Store it with objects of worth,
as its capacity is unbounded, and it will con-
stantly receive goodly offerings, to enrich the soul
forever. God has so constituted memory that it
will enjoy its properly selected gatherings as eter-
nal commitments.

Too many are absorbed only in the pleasures of
an hour’s duration for self-gratification. We know
that “bodily exercise, which profiteth little,” is
the sole attracting charm to many, to the injury of
this faculty; but if we in youth, or in advanced
age, will reflect on the past, and soberly resolve to
amend, praying to God for help and direction, our
neglected and stupefied memory will gain light and
wisdom, and speedily open its receptive tenderness
to all our precious gatherings, and revive us to a
better and higher state of real pleasure and holy
reverence.

We should jealously care for this noble fac-
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 269

ulty, and especially so if we, in the very least,
realize it has been neglected, even as we would
regard our diseased body—diagnose its symptoms,
then doctor it, and cease not to apply proper and
healthy appliances until restored to its normal
state. A perfect panacea for the restoration of
a dull and slighted memory is to seek knowledge
through nature’s great laboratory with all our
mental energy; then trust in God with all our
ransomed powers for wisdom from above, and
he will open rays of light to our enchantment,
and our memory will become to us a treasure-
house of immense possessions. Its capacity will
become almost boundless. It may be that the
past neglect of our memory has left a few scars;
but if we improve the present golden moments,
they will not be noticed, and we will advance
to nobler conquests in understanding. We had
better look earnestly at this absolute requirement,
for God will have the recording angel, in the
last day, unroll its pages to the gazing universe,
and judge us according to its treatment and
storage. Let us betake ourselves in time to its
adjustment, seek to blot out all that is false and
frivolous, and supply and enlighten precious mem-
ory with valuable acquirements, that shall fit it for
the great future inspection. Every good thought
and proper impression written upon it will develop
its acuteness, vivify its susceptibility, enlarge its
capacity to a broader receptacle of good, and
thereby richly add to our everlasting joys in the
world of light and glory.
270 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

Chapter XTT.

NASHVILLE CIRCUIT—REV. JOHN BLANPIED—HIS NOBLE CHAR-
ACTER, HIS WIFE—PECULIAR NAMES IN THE CHURCH, THEIR
GOOD QUALITIES—MARTIN BUZZARD—MY HOME AT MR. CLEM-
MENTS, THEIR TRAITS—AN AGED LADY, HER DEEP AFFLICTION,
HER TRUST AND EXPERIENCE—A CONTRAST, ANOTHER WOMAN,
HER MIND—A DEVOUT CHRISTIAN WOMAN, HER HUSBAND’S
REQUEST — MY UNORDAINED SACRAMENTAL PERFORMANCE
AND MY FEARS—REV. JOS. M’DOWELL, AND HIS SERMON—
REV. WM. B. DISBRO, AND HIS HAPPY LOCAL PREACHER, HIS
FEELINGS OVERCOME—VISITING AT A RICH BROTHER’S SUR-
ROUNDINGS, PROFITABLE FAST—PREACHING TO ONE AND A
HALF PERSONS—GOOD HOMES AND DEAR PERSONS—MY LAST
SERMON, REV. CHARLES WADDELL, HIS ACT TOWARD ME, HIS
POWER, HIS ENEMIES—THE MAN’S MOUTH WAS GROWING
SHUT—MY MISSIONARY EFFORT, AND MY TEN-CENT TRIUMPH
FOR THE LORD’S CAUSE.

Y second regular appointment was Nashville

Circuit, Holmes County, Ohio, as junior
preacher, under the care of Rev. John Blanpied,
of whom I here wish proudly to speak. He was
one of the best educated men under whom I was
ever permitted to travel. He was born on the
Island of Guernsey. In early life he had many
advantages for intellectual attainments. He spoke
and read very fluently French, English, Spanish,
and Latin. It was very delightful to listen to his
easy tongue giving utterance in these dialects. He
possessed a fatherly spirit, a heart of great kindness,
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 271

and from his lips some of the grandest lessons for
life’s course were received. In all his ways in the
great work of the ministry he appeared always to
be transparent; no deception, nothing in his lan-
guage fretful, peevish, or scurrilous; and no im-
petuous spirit ever possessed his soul. He was
voluble in communication, and courteous to the
young as well as the old. He often denied himself
the real necessities of life to meet the demands of a
friend or brother. His sermons were reasoning,
persuasive, emphatic, impressive. His language,
according to Blair, was pure in style, and his figures
were drawn from nature and history, very beauti-
fully elucidating every truth clearly presented, so
none could go from his presence unimproved. His
appeals were made to sinvers, with all the richness
of English and French composition combined. He
was the learned little Frenchman, low in physical
stature, but broad out. Though small myself, I
could look over his head in the pulpit; yet he was
so profoundly learned and intellectual I could but
feel myself, in this regard, a mere pigmy in contrast
with his vast acquirements.

Sacred smiles, such as fal] from the divine favor,
were reflected by him on all with whom our dear
beloved colleague, Rev. John Blanpied, associated.
He is now in Beulah Land, with all the elect of
God, safe, safe at home.

This noble man’s wife is highly deserving of
more honor than I can present, in unfolding her
true characteristics. Her maiden name was Sophia
Dalbear when she married him, as a widower. She
272 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

was pure, loving, affectionate, full of sympathy, and
quite intelligent, possessing also an excellent educa-
tion. Mrs. Blanpied manifested superior rearing—
a lady in all respects, and a most worthy and faithful
helpmate, and a peer, in all good and attractive
qualities, of her kind husband. Wherever he was
sent she went gladly, and her influence for God’s
cause was wonderful. My youthful heart was made
glad and happy by her kind spirit, and I was wel-
comed to their home and table without limit. Her
presence and godly talk were an inspiration to me
to be good, wise, and obedient in my calling. Mem-
ory often recalls her smiling face, her holy looks,
and her words of encouragement, as a standing
way-mark to all my earlier obligations; and they
even cast their bright reflections along my advanced
footsteps. I have no doubt that I shall meet
her and her husband in the brighter Jand, and join
in songs of rejoicing throughout all eternity.

This was a year of intellectual and great spirit-
ual profit, and many little cireumstances come up to
my pleasurable remembrance of Church members
of valuable character, and of their religious life.
Among other names which were on this circuit were
the Hawks, Crows, Buzzards, Ducks, and Drakes,
almost all of whom were profitable accessions to our
Church. The Duck, this time, happened to be a nice,
clever gentleman, whose society we greatly enjoyed.
The Drakes were of both sexes, of most intense
earnestness in God’s cause, and did all within their
power to hasten the triumph of the Gospel. The
Hawks and Crows were not so emphatic, but stood
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 273

--rather afar off, yet wished to see all caught and
brought into the fold. The Buzzards-were really
greedy, I might say, to overcome sin and slay the
sinners, as our own lawful prey, and lead them up
to God and heaven. Of Martin Buzzard, par-
ticularly, no language could properly unfold his
kindly nature, or embrace his true benevolence for
his Divine Master. His whole soul, spirit, heart,
and mind were consecrated to his Heavenly Father’s
service, and his influence for good was unabated.
In the morning of the resurrection I doubt not that
he will come forth to meet the Judge with smiles
upon his countenance, and salvation’s songs abound-
ing, just as he lived on earth, for Christ. Asa
youthful minister, these all received me most
graciously, and aided me to advance. The faithful
itinerants at all times were held in the sacred in-
closures of all their hearts.

I had the privilege of making my home at the
hospitable dwelling of Mr. Clemments, a merchant
in Nashville, whose kindness was unbounded. His
family loved the work of God in their souls, and
by pocket-support attachment; for their purse-
strings were easily drawn when the ministry was
in need, or any other department of the cause of
Christ’s call demanded their attention. He was in
every sense a loyal man to our Church; and Mrs.
Clemments was a fervent and constant attendant
upon all the means of grace. She seldom missed
hearing the Word of Life. A more cultivated or
kind-hearted lady I have never seen in all my
travels. A little, but valuable, present of wearing
O74 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

apparel, made by her own hands, she gave me in
my youth, that was well accepted and enjoyed for
years. Other kindnesses, from time to time shown
me by them, and others, greatly encouraged me in
the battles for our Lord. The cruse of oil and the
barrel of flour always had plenty for God’s prophets.
I visited all the needy and afflicted and the poor,
and prayed with hundreds of families, and found
exquisite pleasure in all work.

I will relate one instance of my pastoral visita-
tion, which, to this far-off hour, is, and I hope
through all eternity will be, a source of delight to
my soul. It is the religion of our Savior that
gives us the only true joy, and helps us to meet all
life’s sorrows and disappointments, and enables us
to rejoice evermore. It is good in health, better in
affliction, and in thousands of cases has proven a
comfort in death. As proof of all this, there lived
among these high hills, down in the valley, an aged
lady. In her youth she sought and obtained this
priceless pearl, her richest of all treasures. In the
holy Redeemer she beheld a loveliness, and reposed
beneath his smiles, and sat from day to day humbly
at his feet. Her heart was his home, and her
praises hourly ascended on high, and hope swelled
immortal in her bosom.

“ Jesus all the day long
Was her joy and her song.”
Nearly fifty years in health, and with buoyant soul
and by rapid steps, she marched towards the Eternal
City. She ever realized there was a mansion for
her, and by living faith she viewed the dwelling-
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 275

place of the redeemed and the home of God. Be-
neath her own humble roof, in earlier days, she
frequently listened to the melting strains of the
Gospel truth, and rejoiced continually, in hope of
endless bliss. At length the hand of affliction
grasped her. It was not the soft and tender touch
of ordinary disease ; but terrific as the stormy blast;
and she could but exclaim, “ All thy waves and
thy billows are gone over me.” For five long
years the spreading, burning scrofula tormented her
emaciated frame. I saw her in indescribable’ dis-
tress. The wounds were angry and fiery, and on
the straw-bed she lay, and dared not move. The
least turn gave instant pain, for the attrition from
long confinement to the couch of sickness had worn
the skin from flesh and bone. I came near to her
and spoke, and she inquired who I was. When
informed that I was the new preacher on the cir-
cuit, she extended her feeble arm and held my hand
as with a dying grasp, and said: “O, I love to see
the preachers; it is nearly four years since I have
heard their voices, or received their counsel. They
seldom darken our door. Iam so glad to see you!”
Her sunken eyes were fixed steadfastly upon me,
which betrayed the deep feelings of her soul, and
the unbidden tears flowed freely. I was so aston-
ished at her great sufferings that I hesitated to
conceive the fact that there could be any joy or
peace under such overwhelming bodily anguish ;
and I inquired, “ Have you any joy or consolation,
sister?” With a look yet in memory, she said:
“O yes, yes, brother; Jesus is my hope! Jesus is
276 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS

precious amidst all my sufferings; religion is
sweet—religion is so precious; it is a cordial and a
balm for all my wounds. I look forward to that
moment when my spirit will be set free and wing its
flight up to heaven. O, bless the Lord, J am his!”
She wept much, and continued, “ Glory awaits me ;”
and then, “ Oyes, then I will be done with the sorrows
and sufferings of time.” Shortly after this her freed
spirit spread its pinions for a happier clime, and
found hallowed rapture in the sunlight of the
throne—her long-sought rest. Ah! the dying
saint can testify that “the chamber where the good
man meets his fate is quite on the verge of heaven.”
Methinks the worst of unbelievers, witnessing such
a scene of holy triumph, through the blood of the
Lamb, would . yield, and the very heart of such
would “ pour out like water ” before God, in deepest
penitence. Who, I ask, will not seek this religion,
this strong security for the conflicting hour? Who
would not wish to cry, Victory, victory over death?

Contrast: Near this work lived a worldly widow,
a woman who had by her own executive ability, or
prudent management, saved her home, which was
somewhat involved at the death of her husband;
but she really grew rich, and was very prosperous,
and reared her large family to womanhood and
manhood. But sickness finally arrested her with a
withering touch, and after many days, the physician
said to her: “J fear, madam, you must die. I can
do no more for you.” Her very nature and soul
revolted, and with horrified feelings and an appre-
hension of a fearful future, she said: “O Doctor, I
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 207

can’t die! I won’t die! I won’t die! To think
that I have toiled and struggled these many years
to bring up my family, to accumulate my property,
and to save my home, and then have to die! O,
Doctor, I won’t die—I won’t die!” and with this
decision, and awful determination to defeat death,
whether or no, she sank down rapidly, and the
grim monster triumphed over her will, and death
ensued. She had not learned to submit to God’s
will. She regarded the world as her idol,
as her security, as her god; and when her
last hour came, her refuge failed her, and she had
nothing upon which to build her hope. O think,
fond reader, of the uncertainty of all earthly riches
or caste! They are but a bubble; they vanish
away; they are too weak to meet death’s stroke;
they are not sufficient to satisfy or stay the mind
when soul and body part. How requisite it is that
we look above this world, with all its wealth and
charms and fleeting pleasures, for true solace; so
that, when we leave our earthly home, we may
have “an anchor both sure and steadfast, entering
into that within the veil !”

Another very singular instance occurred, which
was both embarrassing and elevating. At this
period, as junior preacher, and as yet but a deacon
in the Church, I was not eligible, according to or-
ders, to administer the Lord’s-supper; but only to
assist the elder. On one occasion Brother Blan-
pied, my superior, was gone from his circuit. Our
work was quite extensive in territory, and much
real hard labor was necessary, if we met all
278 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

demands to visit the sick, pay pastoral calls, preach at
funerals, perform marriages, and overlook even the
financial interests of the circuit; so all our time
was well employed; yet we were happy in all du-
ties. While he was absent, I was suddenly called
upon to see one of our afflicted members, who had
been prostrated for months, but seemed to be sink-
ing, at this time, rapidly. Though the disease was
that deceptive one that finally takes all its victims,
yet she might live a week, or die in an hour. She-
was the wife of a noted and popular business man,
who was not a professor of religion, yet a great
friend and support of the Church of his companion ;
but she was a devout, godly member, and loved all
the immunities of the same. Her hope was buoy-
ant, her faith strong in the promises, and she real-
ized her end was near. She had sent for me to
receive the sacrament of the Lord’s-supper ere she
bid adieu to earth, and requested me to administer
it to her as soon as I could conveniently. I was
incapable, as I said, so far as my ordination from
the conference went, to consecrate the elements.
What could I do? No authorized minister was
near but a local elder, and his home was nine miles
away; but I told her I would see to her request
in the morning, which was quite satisfactory. That
afternoon I rode rapidly to that preacher’s home,
and he was gone to a neighboring county. I went
to several places to procure one, but failed in each
case. Never was a boy-preacher more troubled.
What to do puzzled me. I did not wish to tran-
scend my prerogative. I really feared to act. The
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 279

gentleman asked me, “Are you not a minister of
the Lord Jesus?” I replied, “ Yes, sir; but only
a deacon, and possess no authority to act in such
cases.” He said, “ Well, young friend, you are our
preacher, and called of God to preach, and I want
you to administer to my dying wife, one of your
flock, the Supper of the Lord, as it is her desire.”
O how I was excited! how my very words choked
me, and my knees smote with trembling! This
conversation was late in the day, after my long
ride here and there for aid. I scarcely slept that
night, and, while musing on my bed, I thought of
our last quarterly-meeting, held only two weeks
previously, and of the consecrated elements, the
wine and bread, then used, and ere day broke I
was in my saddle, and off some seven miles or
more to the house of our steward, and, to my great
delight and happy heart, I found the wine and
bread in his cupboard in a good condition, just as
we left it at the meeting. With them I hastened
back by ten o’clock, and at eleven we were all
ready for duty. After a short prayer out of the
Discipline, and a brief extemporaneous request be-
fore the Father of All, I took the elements, and by
the grace of God, she received them, and was
greatly blessed, and praised the Almighty, and
waved her hand, and rested in sweet composure.
All present were in deepest feeling of humility, and
in tears and rejoicing with her.

Now this was a trial of my soul such as I had
never experienced, and in its severity never met
afterwards. I knew I had to bolt against my
280 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

authority, but how could I help it? how else in
such an emergency, when it was so beyond my
wisdom? To refuse a dying request of a beloved
sister in the Church, and offend and insult the fond
husband, and disappoint all the sympathizing friends,
was to me deeply embarrassing. Then to do what
the Church had not permitted me to do, and run
the risk of a severe rebuke by my superiors, and,
perhaps, be silenced by the conference,—all this was
weighty upon my young mind. When Brother
Blanpied returned, I hurried to his house, and laid
it all before him, with feelings of intense humility.
Then his great and noble soul sympathized with
me, and he said, “ Well, my boy, you did just right,
all right, just as I would have done if in your posi-
tion.” Asa lark in its upward flight, I was joy-
ous, and praised God that I had done good to dying
and living. Now, if the Church wishes, in my old
age, after this confession, to try me for thus tran-
scending my powers, I will strike against im-
peachment. s

A happy and comforting incident occurred to
me as a youth, down in Mt. Holly Valley, at the
“ Oldreyed” appointment. Here I had the un-
bounded gratification of meeting my father’s dear
old friend, Rev. Joseph McDowell, at that time a
great revivalist, and a man of much influence for
God. He occupied my hour in the pulpit by one
of his earnest, Holy Ghost sermons, giving us all a
“feast of fat things, of wine on the lees,” and an
impetus toward the better land. For many: late
years he resided in the bounds of the Iowa Con-
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 281

ference, one of the old heroes in the vast vineyard
.of the King. His sweet experience, his godly
smiles, and his buoyant spirits vivified thousands
of the Church wherever he went. God fully satis-
fied him in the sublime promise, “ With long life
will I satisfy thee, and show thee my salvation.”
His gray hairs and long locks upon his shoulders,
his noble mien and youthful-old steps, and his un-
tiring Christian obligations, so sanctifiedly fulfilled
until near unto the nineties, gave inspiration to us all
to move heavenward. God: led him, even to the
last of his useful life, “ beside the still waters” of
consolation, and into the “green pastures” of an
abundance of grace; and then the messenger came
in the form of an angel to escort his blessed spirit
up to his loving Jesus, to join in the songs of end-
less sweetness and triumph. We will soon grasp
his hand beyond the silvery clouds, with a Ham-
mond, Hare, Stewart, Robinson, Holland, Power,
and other noble saints in glory.

With much delight I call to the front a very
pleasing occurrence of those years. Our circuit
was adjacent to one over which that lovely man,
Rev. William B. Disbro had charge. He was one
of the noblest of men, of warm heart, of imposing
manner, of eloquent address, and full of rich oratory,
and as high a degree of royal brotherhood in his
nature as is ever found in mortal. Little expres-
sions of Christian experience, or acts of love mani-
fested, called forth his ecstasy and commendation,
whether exhibited by youth or seen in old age,

either rudely or scientifically uttered. He related
24
282 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

to me, when I was assisting him in a two days’

meeting, a simple matter of religious pleasure,
which lingers still upon my memory; and it filled
his own soul with the highest expressions of praise
to God, as well as afforded him great joy. When
he related it, he wept and rejoiced. He said:

“While I was at one of my quarterly-meetings,
at a certain country church, I slept with an old
local preacher who was always full of the Holy
Ghost, and had many years of experience in Christ’s
cause. We talked about the things of God until
near midnight, and then we fell soundly asleep.
About three o’clock in the morning I was partly
aroused, and thought I heard heavenly music.
Then it seemed as if I heard the voices and songs
of angels and redeemed souls from heaven, in sub-
lime praises to God. It appeared to come nearer,
and then nearer, and my soul was in seraphic joy;
and I reached out my arms in holy rapture, and
looked anxiously to see them descending the clouds.
Nearer and still nearer they seemed to be coming,
until almost within touch, and all at once I was
aroused to full wakefulness; and I found that it
was the old brother by my side, clapping his hands
softly, and shouting and singing most lustily :

‘Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He to rescue me from danger
Interposed his precious blood.’

O, it was the richest music I ever heard in all my
life ; and though I spoke not a word to him, as he
repeated it over and over, lest I should disturb his
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 283

sacred devotion, yet I listened, and wept as if my
heart would melt; and I rejoiced also that such a
mighty and divine Savior was ours, whose blood
was so efficacious, so all-cleansing to save a soul
like mine. It often comes back to me, affording
hallowed thoughts.”

Under all circumstances, and in all places, we
may behold the “Lamb of God that taketh away
the sin of the world.” David says, “ At midnight I
will rise to give thanks unto thee, because of thy
righteous judgments,” and the poet exclaims:

“O that the world might taste and see,
The riches of thy grace!
The arms of love that compass me,
Would ail mankind embrace.”

I have related this sweet episode in my pulpit
with good effect, and as an incentive to all to be
always filled with the Spirit of God, and that grace
and love might abound, and we all be fully armed
and harnessed for the battles of the Lord. When
our hearts are right before our Master, at all times
and amid all surroundings in life, we may be happy,
and glorify God “in our bodies and spirits, which
are his;” for to the devout soul,

‘No changes of season or place,
Can make any change in his mind.”
What a vast theater for usefulness we possess in our
religious course! and if we were all consecrated ves-
sels in the sanctuary of the Most High, then at every
period of our history, in all lawful pursuits of life,
we could assist in building up the kingdom of Jesus
Christ. Who is there in all Christendom that does
284 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

not “want a hand” in the mighty work of saving.
a lost world? O, my dear reader, let us remember
that every precious soul we grasp from the jaws of
death eternal, and, by our good influence, hand over
to the arms of our dear Redeemer, will be a gem,
forever to shine in our crown of glory! I would
sooner be able, through Christ, to save one soul
than possess millions of gold and silver. Let us
be up and at work while the golden opportunity
lasts, and so fulfill our noble creation. “To do
good and to communicate forget not, for with such
sacrifices God is well pleased.”

On my work from year to year, I was instructed
to visit all my flock, which was almost an impera-
tive obligation, enforced by my seniors. Some places
were charming and attracting; yet many were repul-
sive; but we must go the rounds, or offend the peo-
ple, as well as be reproved by our elder brothers, and
reported in conference as delinquents. The restric-
tions and requirements, in those days, were far greater
than at this date. On one circuit, especially at one
appointment, I must go on a religious call, as the
man was rich, and also a steward. I had been in-
formed of their uncomeliness of living and the un-
attractive surroundings. So I resolved to go there
on my fast day, as that was every Friday, and try
to satisfy them by my cleverness and kind words
and prayers. The day and one night were allotted
for my visit. I arrived at eleven A. M., and, it
being my religious fast, I took no dinner or supper.
I really dreaded to retire to my bed, from express-
ive evidences all about the house, lest I might
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 285

become restless and be assaulted when off my watch.
When I entered the reception-room of the large
farm-house—for they abounded with plenty—there
lay two tremendous greyhounds, stretched at their
length, and not conducive to the health of the hu-
man olfactories by any means. The bed looked as
if it had not been made up for a year; for every
one who desired to, just tumbled over it hourly;
and the sheets and covers were of a brownish cast,
and repulsive to sight. The old lady was thin-
visaged, and had a cloth bound closely over her
head, pressing against her face, with long corners
hanging down several inches; and I should think,
from all appearances, she had not changed it for
years; but she was easy and slow in manner, not
talkative; rather seclusive in her ways, yet some-
what agreeable. The old gentleman was very volu-
ble, ready-witted, and felt well towards the Church,
and paid fully a dollar a year for quarterage. For
the first two hours I sat and studied my conference
lessons by the old “taller” candle. But prudence
told me not to be too reticent; so I engaged in con-
versation until after midnight, about all things in
general, and nothing of much interest. Just here
let me say that hundreds of young ministers lose
much of their precious time, robbing themselves
of future strength and greatness, by too much un-
due courtesy to entertain their host; but they ought
to refrain from such useless indulgence, and apply
themselves to seek wisdom from God’s Word and
good reading.

In reviewing our life in the ministry, we dis-
286 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

cover our many deficiencies. We clearly discern
wherein we have lost golden opportunities, and have
not made the glorious advancement we might have
done. In our early course, I think, far too much
stress was put on pastoral visiting; too much time
was demanded of the young minister to go about
from home to home. It was considered a great de-
fect, or a drawback in him, if he was not at Jeast
nine-tenths of his time thus employing his days,
talking and praying and singing with his people.
So over one-half, yes, four-fifths, of our young men,
for years and years, spent their ministerial life on
the constant move, and thereby did not attain the
intellectual strength and moral power in the min-
istry that they ought to, to impress the world to
come to God. JI remember being urged, almost
forced, by my superiors in ‘office and age, to visit,
visit—to go from house to house, from morning to
night—and so occupied nearly all my time, for
many of my earlier years. With the exception of
a very few rising brethren, I was seldom advised to
devote a fair portion of my hours to book knowl-
edge. It was said to me frequently, when alluded
to at all, “O take a book or two with you, your
Bible and Discipline, and read as you travel, or
steal now and then a few moments to study; but
saving souls is far better than all mental exercise,”
etc. Of course, they sought my usefulness.

It is my opinion, if many of our now old and
broken-down men, with the talents they possessed
in youth, had spent half their precious time in close
study and reading, and the balance in pastoral work,
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 287

to-day we would feel their power and realize in them
that they “still bring forth fruit in old age, and are
fat and flourishing in the courts of the Lord’s house ;”
but instead thereof, they are now, most of them who
are living, almost silent, away. in the background.
Age should not prevent us from making progress
in mental power and usefulness.

Let me say to the aspiring youth of to-day, in
the great work before them, your opportunities and
requirements have greatly exceeded your fathers’;
do not depend upon these advantages and scholastic
privileges alone, and allow your time to be wholly
absorbed in going about from place to place, to
worldly associates, or Church sociables and attrac-
tions, or political gatherings. Give attention to
ardent and devout study; I really believe that no
means you can embrace will so rapidly enlarge your
ability and expand your faculties, and impress hu-
manity so thoroughly, and honor God, as commit-
ting your thoughts to paper. Let some kind and
judicious elder brother in the ministry read and crit-
icise and instruct you in style and matter. While
we must not neglect going about as did our Savior,
who tarried at the home of Martha and Mary and
Lazarus, and many other homes, no doubt; yet,
alone, he spent hours and nights and days in prayer,
in communing with God, and in study. Take half
of your time to yourself and to your Lord—it is
yours by right—and use it in your study and closet,
and the other half will be far more useful and suc-
cessful for the Redeemer’s cause. For, as you come
forth from the study and the altar of devotion, your
288 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

mind will be elastic, and the Holy Ghost will lead
you in the way of all truth. I see now where I lost
hundreds of golden hours in that respect.

But to my narrative and visit. When I retired
to rest, I found the bed had not been occupied for
months by human; so it was pretty much deserted,
by nearly all but myself. Saying my private
prayers, I spread my big, red bandana handker-
chief on the pillow, and slept until day broke. As
I had to breakfast with them, and wondered what
I could eat, as luck had it, the woman asked me,
“ What would you like to have for your break fast?”
How glad I was to answer, and I replied, “ Well,
sister, as you wish to know my desire, I would
like to have two or three potatoes baked in the
ashes, and a couple of eggs boiled;” for I knew
they might be all nice and palatable. “ Will you
have coffee or milk to drink?” she asked. Now, I
was exceedingly fond of milk; indeed, it was my
real choice drink; but just before the morning
meal, I had walked out into the barn-yard a few
minutes, to inhale the fresh air, and there I saw
the two big boys “pailing” the cows, and each
was laughing lustily, and milking with one hand,
and holding the other under the stream of milk to
let it trickle down between his fingers. As this
scene was a check to my taste and relish for the
lacteal beverage, I said to her, “ Please, this morn-
ing, give me a tin-cup [as very few farm folks used
tumblers then] full of that clear, nice water from
that big spring, as it looks so attractive.” Of
course the trickling finger-milk made the water
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 289

look desirous at that time. She replied, “O, you
must take some coffee or milk to strengthen you.”
But this hour I preferred water; so I made out
my breakfast on those things, and merely nibbled
a little bread, and was quite satisfied. I was
shortly on my journey to visit others. A véry dis-
tinguished minister was once asked, ‘‘ How did you
do when you visited that house?” He said, “O, I
just about half closed my eyes, opened my mouth,
and dove into it.”

On one occasion, on a very rainy and stormy
day, I went to my appointment, entered the log
church, and seeing no one present, I went up into
the old-fashioned, high-up pulpit, read God’s Word
aloud to myself, and waited some time for some to
come; then I sang a song, and I was about to
leave, when, to my surprise, I spied an old, pale
lady, with her little son, sitting away back in the
corner near the door. She had come in before I
arrived, but in great quietness sat there unperceived.
As no one else came, I arose and read her the
Scripture, commented briefly, then offered a prayer,
sang a hymn, and dismissed my congregation with
a benediction. Many years afterward I met a gen-
tleman in Iowa, a local preacher, who was that
small boy at his mother’s side; and he often re-
ferred to that fact, stated to him by his mother.
“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He
that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed,
shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing
his sheaves with him!”

This year was one of great advancement to me,

25
290 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

and the numerous friends found here are embalmed
in memory. I received, that year, about. eighty
dollars salary, but I found many excellent homes,
where unbounded kindness was manifested—such
as Kindig’s, Quick’s, Newkirk’s, Oldroyd’s, Drake’s,
and others now out of memory.

The last Sabbath I spent in Nashville the house
of God was crowded with kind hearers; and I
really dreaded the hour, as I, like most all young
preachers, feared a great man’s presence; for the
wonderful and distinguished Charles Waddell being
in the town, I looked for his appearance in the
sanctuary. As he was not in at the opening of
my discourse, I took my text, laid my three propo-
sitions before them, without the least delay, for I
wished to get a little under headway by the time
he came in; and I moved with a quick stretch of
language, as I concluded it would not so much
embarrass me if he entered when I was in full
blast, with my sails all up and my thoughts in good
running order. But he failed to come in, and I was
mightily relieved of a self-created burden; for I
was conscious that he knew more in a minute than
I had learned in my whole life. My farewell inter-
view on this occasion was one of triumph to my own
feelings, and all with me praised God. As I passed
out of the church-door, there he stood, in his clever
smiles, with both hands open to greet me; for some
one had told him it was trying to me to speak in
his hearing. Then he said to me in his peculiar,
effeminate style of voice: “Well done, my boy;
well done, well done! I heard you to-day! I sat
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 291

here on this stoop and listened to your sermon.
Well done, my boy!”

Ah! what a man of mighty mental caliber, of
great argumentative force, of dreadful descriptive
power and appeal to sinners—he who could carry
the multitudes with him in his vast thoughts; who
could produce a thrill in the heart and mind like
electricity to the nerves, and create an ecstasy of
delight in all believers’ hearts! He was also
very severe on the use of snuff and tobacco. Once
he remarked in the pulpit, “that if God had ever
intended man to use snuff, he would have turned
his nose upside down, so he would not have the
trouble of snuffing it up.” He also said, “If he
had designed that man should chew tobacco, he
would have made two little aqueducts, one on each
side of his mouth, down to the bottom of his chin,
with outlets to carry away the saliva from his
mouth ; and to this he would have attached a re-
ceptacle sack, that it might have been emptied at
his will.” I never have forgotten, lo! over these
forty years, his eloquent, stirring, yea, his over-
whelming temperance address, delivered in our
church. No speech I ever heard more fully con-
firmed me in my temperance principles; and I
vowed to fight intemperance in all its aspects, to
the end of my days. The truth so apparent,
clothed with stirring facts, appalling statistics, and
telling anecdotes, came upon all present as a sweep-
ing avalanche, carrying all before it. Brother
Charles Waddell was a generous, lively, open-
hearted, Christian man, and devoted his talents, his
292 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

possessions, his heart, his life, to the interests of
the Methodist Church; and in the day of final
reckoning, I fear, some unjust stewards, who made
false accusations against that good man, will lose
their crown. Hundreds of men with half the tal-
ents he posséssed, had they been buffeted as was
he, would have found broad and welcome doors in
other Churches to preach Christ; but he, with his
great qualities, never once cherished the idea of
turning his back upon his mother Church; but
lived and died on her bosom. How many men
have been ruined by false brethren! yea, they have
slain the prophets of God: “For it was not an
enemy that reproached me; then I could have
borne it: neither was it he that hateth me that did
magnify himself against me; then I would have
hid myself from him: but it was thou, a man mine
equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. We took
sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house
of God in company.”

“Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets
no harm,” is a divine order, and he who disregards
it shall die forever. How often we find Church
members crushing and trampling under foot their
brethren ; and that, too, for even very small offenses!
How touching that Scripture in Peter, “ For wherein
thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyselfy for
thou that judgest, doest the same thing!” This
is often overlooked, and spleen is shown instead
of mercy and long-forbearence—two commendable
characteristics of our Heavenly Father towards’ his
erring children. Peter, though he had witnessed
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 293

the most wonderful power and miracles of Jesus,
and heard his pathetic and instructing words, and
had followed him along his suffering career, and
had enjoyed his presence, yet he denied him, and
most emphatically turned against him with a curse,
and in an impetuous spirit; but the Master imme-
diately forgave the repenting, humble soul, and
brought him back, even to a more sacred nearness,
to his bosom of love. So Peter was not cast away,
though his sins deserved his banishment. Thomas,
another disciple, would not believe all his brethren’s
and sisters’ open and personal testimony, “that
Christ had risen, as he said;” but he required un-
reasonable tests, so that he had to see the wounded
hands and feet, and to thrust his hand in the open
side of his Savior. He was indulged in that, and
the infinite mercy of his Lord accepted his extorted
confession, and drew him to exclaim, “My Lord
and my God.” But what a kindly reproof followed:
“ Blessed is he who, having not seen, yet believeth.”
David woefully sinned, and. was a murderer, in one
-sense, and fell into deep impurity in heart and act,
so that his crime is seldom exceeded; but, after
deep penitence and humble acknowledgment, God
saved, then exalted him, and made him a great
king over Israel. O, what immense love and
power our God always shows when we come to
him in contrition and humility!
“O Lamb of God, was ever pain,
Was ever love, like thine?

Yet we, his children, yea, and even his ministers,
of whom it is said, “What better is the servant
294 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

than his Lord?” are too apt to oppress and destroy
our fellows, for lesser evils than the above com-
mitted. Hundreds have been laid aside and crushed
to earth, pushed out of the race-course of useful-
ness, by self-conceited, hard-hearted, unmerciful
brethren, when, if they had possessed the Spirit
of Christ, they might have saved many a bright
star, and let them have regained their previous
good standing, and, like the Psalmist, hae emi-
nent usefulness.

Our presiding elder on this ek. was that
broad-minded and most practical minister, Rev.
John Quigley. His sermons indicated a natural
oratory and a heaven-sought fund of thought, and
always produced great effect for good. Once I list-
ened to him preach from the words, “God is love ;”
and for an hour he held the vast audience in perfect
awe of the grandeur and mightiness of the divine
character. I never before had experienced such a
fullness of that Scripture, “Thou God seest me,” as
when he preached from those sublime words. For
years his emphatic truths and glowing language
lingered upon my mind and comforted my soul.
He was a real Boanerges.

A most singular statement, and a seeming real-
ity, took place near here, that has always prompted
me more fully to recognize God’s administration in
the Psalmist’s mouth, “ Keep back thy servant also
from presumptuous sins; let them not have domin-
ion over me.” A man who was exceedingly wicked
had on one occasion sworn before his Maker, that
if a certain thing he had asserted were not true, he
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 295

hoped God would let his mouth grow shut; which
thing he stated was an untruth. I had seen the
man often, and it was a fact that the sides of his
mouth were constantly closing, and I saw them
bleeding from time to time. Knowing not the
cause, I inquired, and the above was related to me
as a certainty. But whether it were so or not, how
dreadful to act at any time, in any matter, presumpt-
uously toward God! for it is said, “ But the soul
that doeth aught presumptuously, whether he be
born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth
the Lord ; and that soul shall be cut off from among
his people.” Let us keep the truth in our hearts
with all fear; let us never keep back part of the
price, or withhold our talents, or any of our influ-
ence, from the Lord’s glory, lest we be smitten and
come to eternal shame.

Another instance occurred which bordered on
presumptuous sin, if it were not fully so. There
lived a very wicked man, whose influence over his
family was the worst in character, a real polygamist
in practice—a crime that tends to subvert all family
security, uproots the Scripture that says, “God set-
teth the solitary in families,” and overthrows any
true govermental policy. He had grown sons, intel-
lectual, but wonderfully perverse to all righteous-
ness; and they sank down in the deepest iniquity,
until they “sat in the seat of the scornful.” One
took sick, and was drawing nigh unto death. I
sent word that I would come and talk to him of
Christ our Savior, if he desired. When informed
and asked if I should come, he replied: “Talk to
296 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

me of Jesus Christ! Who is Jesus Christ? I feel
as if I could tear Jesus Christ off his throne!
No—no; I won’t hear about him.” It was said
that, before he died, he requested “to be put in a
chestnut coffin, with the ends open, that he might
go cracking through the fires of hell to scare the
devils out.” And thus in the darkness of infidelity
he passed from time. It were better for such par-
ents and such youth that they had never been born,
than to bind around the hearts of their children
and companions such unhallowed principles and
ruinous influences. Job says of them, “ He shall
be driven from light into darkness, and chased out
of the world.”

The work this year was hard and our pay rather
limited, and we merely came out square; indeed,
we did not have a surplus to take us to conference;
and had it not been that every Methodist along the
way, and in all the towns through which we passed,
welcomed us to bed and board, we could never have
traveled. About fourteen or fifteen appointments,
through those hills and deep valleys, was no little
matter to fill, besides numerous other duties; but
God was with us to bless and strengthen. Every
two weeks we alternately supplied the work. Du-
ties imposed upon me by my senior in office were
performed to the best of my ability, with eager de-
light to do good. My colleague’s talents and ac-
quirements were quite extensive, and at his feet I
sat, from time to time, gathering ideas for future
usefulness. He ruled over me with words of
Christ-like interest. If men such as he were
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 297

always in charge over the youth, at least for a few
years of their ministry, we would have a far better
class of true, Gospel preachers. I was his “boy,”
by words of incitement to duty.

The subject of missions was to be presented be-
fore the people as the great motive power of the
Church’s prosperity ; and no cause ever brought out
the talents of young and old ministers more than
this one, which embraced the salvation of all the
world. From the beginning of our blessed Meth-
odism it had been the greatest cause of the Church ;
and to this day of wonderful advancement it ought
to lead in the van of all others. What a stupendous
thought, to lift fallen and lost humanity up to God
and heaven! I question any minister’s piety, or
even his honesty, who permits this cause to become
torpid in his work. When we build up this part
of our duty we are strengthened individually, finan-
cially, intellectually, and spiritually. This good
brother, in charge over me, said to me, “Come,
now, my ‘good boy,’ you must this year do your
best to work up the interest of missions, exceeding
all previous years, taking such and such points, and
preach, and rouse the people to give largely.”

Among these was a certain appointment at an
old brother’s double log-cabin home. He was
wealthy and possessed lands, broad and extensive.
I have stood on his back porch and looked, for a
mile or more, over his fields and nice woodlands.
He had a large family of grown sons and daughters,
and though he paid his customary “twenty-five”
cents a quarter for his whole household, of eight in
298 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

all, yet he would not contribute one farthing to any
other demand. He believed, “Charity began at
home,” and always staid there. He did not realize
that she was a bird of two wings, fluttering over
home interests, and now and then flying away to
hover over other parts. I studied anxiously on my
sermon; had my notes impressed on brain and
heart, and asked God to help and guide me on that
special occasion.

Many neighbors were present, so the house was
well filled. My pulpit was a split-bottomed chair,
behind which I stood, near the corner where
the family sat. I desired to succeed, and with
such pathos and anecdotes as I could offer,
proceeded. Hearty amens were given, and the old
man cried, wiping his eyes with his big red hand-
kerchief; the old woman wept, and the large girls
and young men were deeply affected ; for they were
rather a tender feeling family. So, inspired by the
movements, with more than my usual spirit, I ex-
claimed, “ Thank God, the world is moving toward
heaven, and we-will soon see it redeemed, and all
now present must have a hand in this glorious mat-
ter »’ and, having paper and pencil ready, I went
to each present to subscribe for the salvation of our
ruined world. When I asked the old brother, he
sobbed out and said, “Yes, brother, I will give
some, for I never saw the cause so clear in all my
life before; you can set me down ‘ten cents.’”
Well, I did truly thank my Master, for it was the
first he had ever given; and I thought if I had
bored even but a “ten-cent” hole in his old heart,
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 299

it might be like leaven, or like the mill-dam that
had sprung a leak, it would wear bigger and bigger,
little by little, as the water flowed out. So I trust,
in after years, the ten-cent hole in his benevolence
enlarged greatly, as he realized the fruits of his
dime. For that free contribution he received my
hearty approbation, for it seemed to him and to the
family to do their souls good.

After this blessed triumph he often talked of
the world’s salvation. “Blessed is the cheerful
giver.” “There is that giveth, and yet increaseth.”
I would advise all young men in their good work,
never to let go their grip on a congregation, great
or small, but trust in God for aid; do their level
best, and the nether mill-stone will break, for it is
the continued strokes that sever the mighty rocks.
‘ The hardest human hearts often give way to the
soft, burning sun-rays of the Sun of righteousness.
“Tn the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening
withhold not thy hand: for thou knowest not
whether shall prosper, either this or that.”

I have always praised God that he gave me
such power over that audience, and I doubt not,
ere that old man died, his enlightened spirit and
mind opened his purse more freely to the demands
of heaven’s embassadors. It was a surprise, even to
many of the leading brethren, that his soul was
moved; and I took special pains that year to circu-
late tracts, and am conscious that those little silent
preachers, of double-leaf form, did good work in
addition to my “good sermon.”
300 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

Chapter XIII.

RETURNED TO AMITY CIRCUIT AS JUNIOR PREACHER, REV. JOHN
SCOLES PREACHER IN CHARGE—MY HOME AT PETER BAKER’S,
HIS DEAR HOUSEHOLD—AUNTY SAPP—OUR OLD BROTHER
JAKE, HIS STRETCH AND EXCITEMENT—REV. J. H. POWER’S
ORDER, AND JAKE'S SHOUT, THE SERMON CONTINUED, AND
GOOD RESULTS—MY TWO DAYS’ MEETING, I WIN THE LEADER,
GOD BLESSED US—OLD MAN AND BREAD—HOW WE OUGHT TO
WORK, AND THE DUTY OF ALL—HOW THE REVIVAL SPIRIT
WILL PREVAIL—LOG CABINS, COFFEE, EATABLES— PIGEONS
FLYING—DRESS OF THE PAST—GUNS—THOMAS SNOWDEN—
“BUNDLING”? PARTIES—ODD THINGS.

HE coming year I was returned to Amity Cir- -

cuit as junior preacher, under Rev. John
Scoles. Of him and his good family, and their
gracious ways, I could never speak too highly. We
found the circuit, as Rev. O. Burgess left it, in a
good and spiritual condition, and especially one
duty had been enjoined most forcibly and gen-
erally: the family altar had been erected in many
homes where it had been for years neglected. This
obligation I found he had urged by private counsel
and close preaching, so that the greater majority
had begun and practiced it. I learned by the voice
of numbers that, in his classes, he always inquired
personally, if they performed their duty in this
particular; and if not, his warm and pungent ex-
hortation had prompted obedience. May I refer to
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 301

him, religiously, complimentarily, in the words of
Bishop W. L. Harris, D. D., LL. D., which are
worthy of notice ?—that “the of name Oliver Bur-
gess sounds sweetly throughout all the North Ohio
Conference, because of his great diligence for God,
his revivals, and his faithfulness to Methodism.”
The financial state of the work was also, healthy,
and on the advance.

Most of my time of study was at the beautiful
Christian home of Mr. Peter Baker, in Danville.
He was a Pennsylvania German, and always wel-
comed us, with his whole heart, to all his abundance
of earthly comforts. With himself, his excellent
wife, and intelligent and kind daughters, no pains
were spared to afford us every possible incitement
to do good. They were also quite liberal to the
demands of the Church, and, with open hands and
wide-mouthed pockets, cheered the faithful itiner-
ants in the labor of love. I learned that in after
life, those devotedly pious daughters became prom-
inent in usefulness.

There also lived in this little place a grand old
Christian lady, a true “ mother in Israel,” at whose
humble house I found a broad and happy welcome,
and from her lips and devout heart I received most
gracious advice and encouragement. Here I could
study my conference lessons without disturbance.
Mother Sapp was an “elect lady of the household .
of faith.” She lived and died in sight of heaven,
and angels bore her in triumph to the home of the
saints. She had a noble, kind, and accommodating
little son, who, with more than a willingness, waited
302 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

on me, fed my horse, brought it out to me, and
loved God’s ministers. He is now the distinguished
Colonel F. Sapp, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, also an
ex-congressman, true to his State and to the whole
country, and a lawyer of excellent repute and great
ability. He could but be mighty and useful, if he
regarded the pure discipline of such a mother. I
hope that he may follow her footsteps in the path
her Savior trod, and not miss her society in the
world of light and bliss. How sad for any of us
to be so unwise as to take the downward track to
death—death eternal !

I will relate a most deeply impressive circum-
stance that occurred during a quarterly-meeting
held in this village. An old colored man, called
Jake, belonged to this society; a man of excellent
habits, with winning ways, full of God, and the
Holy Ghost. He was liked by every body in
the neighborhood. The elder, Rev. John H.
Power, was preaching his morning sermon; the
house was densely crowded. Brother Jake sat
right before him on the end of the front seat. The
discourse was of unusual interest and power. He
was describing the long-sought home of the saints ;
their struggles and besetments in this world, and
what triumph is ours, through grace; and then,
when we conquered death, our last foe, what joys
-awaited us when we touched the golden shore, and
in meeting our friends in glory, with whom we had
mingled in this lower sanctuary. And when in
his highest rise of earnest eloquence, and the con-
gregation became lifted up in rapture, old Jake was
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 303

filled with the Spirit, and he could not stand the
pressure of divine power any longer; yet he feared
to let out his feelings in outward expression, but
reached out one foot, then the other, with a peculiar
effort to restrain; then one arm extended upward,
and then the other; his eyes really glistened with
heavenly hope, and joy beamed in his countenance ;
and it appeared as if the old soul would almost die
in the physical struggle for some relief; but at
last Brother Power, seeing him so very full and
many looking upon him, stopped in his sermon a
minute, and said, “ Let it come, Brother Jake;
speak out, Jake!” Then Jake rose upon his feet,
broke forth in sacred tones, clapped his hands with
a loud sound or two, and exclaimed: “Glory to
de Lawd! Hallelujah! hallelujah! O, glory to
de Lawd; dar’s room enough in paradise to hab a
shout in glory! Bess de Lawd! bess de Lawd!
whoe me! whoe me! O bess de Lawd! Hallelu-
jah!” Then he resumed his seat in great calmness
and perspiration, and with a smile I shall never
forget; and a shout went up from the whole
audience of Christians, and a rapturous feeling pos-
sessed all present, while many eyes were suffused in
tears. This religious outburst soon subsided to the
usual calm; then Brother Power went on in his
powerful talk, and so improved this opportunity,
by referring to the fact “that many present might
still go on in sin, and die unsaved, and old Brother
Jake would be in heaven and they in hell;” and
many were smitten to the heart. It was a day of
increase for the Church, and a gracious revival fol-
304 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

lowed. I think about eighteen were converted ere
the meeting closed.

I will relate another very impressive testimony
of this old colored brother, which had a great
effect upon my mind, as well as upon the whole
love-feast attendants at the time stated. He said:
“ Brudders, as I travels along de road to hebben, I
finds somethin’ right in my paffway; but I must
goes ahead. But it am so high I can’t climb ober
it, and it am so wide dat I can’t gets by it less I
gets out ob de paff; and it am so heavy I can’t
lifts it; so what is I to do to goes along? am de
question. Well, I takes right hold on it wid all my
powers, an’ it goes right up, for somebody above it
am lifting it right on my shoulders, an’ I feels de
hands, and walk along under it so easy ; den I gets
all de glory for carrying it jus’ as if I lifted it all
my own self. Now, brudders, diss am de cross of
Christ, an’ de Lawd ob glory—he am above it, an’
he am de one what holds it on my shoulders, an’ den
he gives me all de praise for bearing his cross—an’
_ I bess de Lawd it am so easy to carry it, when de
Lawd am at de top, holdin’ it on our shoulders!”
Then great praises and clapping of hands followed
his quaint experience.

In those times our conveniences were limited for
space, and we worshiped mostly in log cabins and
with only one room, used for sleeping and for
Church services—sometimes two or three beds close
together, and trundle-beds beneath them, which
filled at least one-third of the house. Then we sat
before the large fire-place, before the great logs
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 305

afire, with a big blaze reaching far up the chimney,
affording us light and warmth. Sometimes we had
dipped tallow or beeswax candles, or, perhaps, only
hickory-bark light, to read by, or a saucer of corn-
fat or hog-lard ; and many times our little “Bethel”
was crowded to the utmost, as we stood behind
the old split-bottomed chair, or the rude split-out
bench, to preach the Word; yea, so crowded and
hemmed about that we could not move a foot in
space. Yet we were happy, and our meetings as
wholesome and as effectual as if we occupied a ma-
hogany or a walnut finished pulpit. Many were
added to the Church in these rude places. Many
services we have held in blacksmith or cooper shops
and barns, with happy results. Scores of times the
leafy groves have been our places of worship, where
no churches were built. Now and then we found
a hewed log church, or an unhewed log school-
house, in which to present the sweet Gospel of Je-
sus Christ. People thought nothing of walking
four to seven miles, women carrying their babes,
and fathers bearing a three or four year-old child
in their arms, and other children walking along,
with cheerful and glad hearts, to “ go to meeting” —
yes, to those heaven-bought privileges. They felt
it to be a wonderful mercy of God to do so, as well
as an imperative duty to perform.

Ah! what a contrast with people of this day!
for as opportunities unfold, obligations are forgot-
ten; as we find in thousands of cases those who
will not go a mile, or even half a mile, to worship

the Lord of hosts, but waste their precious time in
26
306 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

loitering around, conversing about foolish things,
and violating the holy Sabbath. The Gospel is
worthy a good pilgrimage and a full sacrifice or
consecration to God, of all our time, talents, and
possessions. I have preached in scores of instances,
at private homes on week-days, to ten or twenty
hearers, and had glorious and powerful meetings,
and numerous conversions during the year.

I was once preaching in a very remote part of
my circuit in a little by-way school-house, on
Wednesday afternoon, to but three persons, the day
being quite disagreeable; but while speaking, a
stranger came along the highway. Hearing my
voice, he came to the door, which was ajar, and,
noticing the very few present, he stepped in cau-
tiously and seated himself on the end of the nearest
puncheon bench, looking perfectly surprised. My
earnestness of address to the little company pro-
duced a great effect on his mind and heart; to him
it was a “nail in a sore place.” We should never
despise the day of small things.

A little circumstance connected with a good
brother is hére befitting to relate. He stated that
he was ungodly, and cared but little about spiritual
matters; but through the influence of his little girl,
only six years old, he was led to God, in this wise:
“My brother came to visit us, and offered prayer
at night, and also asked a blessing at our table.
After he had gone away she said, ‘ Papa, what made
Uncle John do that, and say them words?’ I said
to her,‘O daughter, Uncle John is a Christian,
and he is a good man.’ Then she jumped up and
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 307

clapped her litttle hands joyfully, and said, ‘O
papa, papa! let’s us do that, and be good, too; will
you, papa?’ That call from her tender lips struck
a dagger into my heart, and I soon sought the
Lord ; and I praise his blessed name that even that
simple means turned me from sin to Christ.” This
good brother, Farmer, Marseilles Mission, was one
of my most useful stewards, and did much for our
Church, financially and religiously.

A young minister remarked to me in this later
day, “I can not see how I could possibly preach to
a congregation of only a dozen, for it would wonder-
fully embarrass me to make the effort.” Another
one, one evening, when he saw that only about
twenty were out to his Church, rose and said, “As
our audience is small and the people have failed to
come out, we will have a prayer or two, and dis-
miss ;” and though it was his regular hour, he failed
to execute his whole duty. I said to myself, That
good young brother ought to have been thrown
back fifty years ago, and he would have learned
things of profit. To me, that would have been
a grand chance, on that rainy evening, to have
preached Jesus, and impressed the truth upon all
hearts present. Our hero fathers before us traveled
gil day long, many a time, and preached to a single
family, and often to exceedingly small numbers of
perhaps fifteen or twenty, in far-off parts, and in
early settlements ; but their words rang through the
very air, and in but a few years the wilderness blos-
somed as the rose, and Churches, as if by magic,
rose up, and preaching-places increased astonish-
308 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

ingly; and now, where they (we) blazed the trees,
and heard the wolf howl, and the bear growl, and
saw the wild-cat and the panther leap from the
brush, and thousands of deer bound over their path;
where they swam streams and rivers, and buffeted
unnumbered difficulties, and crossed mountains, and
passed through valleys, and. slept out -in the dense
forests on their horses, and often had the shortest
ration, going sometimes whole days without a mouth-
ful of food,—now are found vastly cultivated and
rich farms, like garden-spots, burdened with every
luxury; also great and flourishing cities, and grand
churches by the thousands, filled with true wor-
shipers of our Lord and Master.

The writer has often slept next to the clap-
board roofs, and felt the freezing winds, and heard
the stormy blasts in cannon-like fury, and waked
up early to find his head and bed covered with
inches of snow; and yet praised his God for the
precious privilege of preaching Christ and him
crucified. He has also risked his life over swollen
streams, and among dangers seen and unseen. We
met all classes of people; we enjoyed their hospi-
tality, and also met their severe rebuffs; but un-
bounded kindness and Christian favors were in the
majority. Many odd scenes we witnessed, and
withstood terrible sufferings, and have often been
critically and unkindly assailed, even from such as
should have been our best friends. Then, again,
we have enjoyed a thousand blessings to one curse,
besides meeting many amusing scenes.

I will relate a little incident that occurred at one
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 309

of our stopping-places. These clapboard-covered
cabins had little, low lofts, and the people ascended
by a common, home-made ladder; and up here their
seed-corn hung to the rafters; their krout-barrels,
their pork, when cured or green—indeed, all such
eatables that stood the cold winters—were kept in
these lofts. While at the place mentioned, on one
occasion, waiting for dinner, a great big girl went
up the ladder with a bowl, and soon returned with
apple-butter in one hand, while the other hand was
all covered with the sauce, and finger by finger she
was licking off the butter as she descended; for she
had used her hand to dip it out of the jar, instead
of a ladle or spoon. So you see, reader, necessity
was the mother of her invention, or convenience.
But this act was greatly exceeded by several others,
and one very impressive one I met with in my min-
isterial adventures.

I was called to marry a couple shortly after my
ordination to deacon’s orders. After the knot was
tied, as we sat at the table to dine, which was loaded
-with many blessings, I noticed a long, glass cup,
filled with a nice, yellow, rich, cream-like substance.
It was passed to me to take a supply; so not know-
ing what it was, I, of course, did not dare to ask
its name, and the good lady said, “Take some biest-
ings, brother!” So I enjoyed a spoonful or two,
and found it very sweet indeed, and luscious in taste.
When I visited my home, a few weeks after that,
and told my mother about it, she laughed most
heartily at my ignorant misfortune, and told me
what it was; and I am sure, had it not been so
310 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

many days after the affair, I could not have en-
joyed a meal for some time with much relish.
But, let me say, “BrEsTINcs” has rung in my
ears ever since, and I want no more while life
lasts; for although sweetened biestings may be a
great delicacy to some, so raised to its use, yet I
had my timely share on that wedding-day. Now,
dear readers, you who do not understand my expla-
nation, or fail to enjoy this dainty dish, please ex-
amine the word in the dictionary, and you will
know its chief ingredients, when well supplied with
loaf-sugar. I think the proper name is suited to
it, for they who crave it must be a little of the
nature of the meaning of the word. I am reminded
of the lovers of blood by the song of the boy:
“My father and mother, they killed a black hog:

They made a blood-pudding, which choked our black dog.”
So it was a long time before I could freely use the -
lacteal drink without a slight choking, though it was
my choice beverage.

At one appointment I was to hold a protracted
meeting, but was advised not to try it, as several
ministers had made an effort, and the wild, reckless
youngsters of the neighborhood had broken them
up; even stoned the Church. My elder brother
had tried to dissuade me from the attempt, as
years before they had disturbed his meeting. But
I resolved to try, by divine aid. I had in my wild
youth, but a few years previously, often mingled
with many of those country boys, in corn-huskings,
apple-butter making, chestnut-gatherings, and the .
like; and most of them knew me well. I began
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 311

the meeting, and crowds were present, as many
wanted to hear “Old Jack,” as I was called by
them. For a few nights all was right; but the
tocsin of war began to be heard, and the sound of
battle echoed from the distance; for afterwards I
learned that they were planning to defeat my pur-
poses, and to antagonize them on the following Sab-
bath evening. After the third or fourth day, while
sinners were being convicted, and the house was
literally jammed with all classes, Saturday night I
discovered, in the rear of the house, many wretched
fellows, only waiting for the ring-leader to make a
move, or give the pass-word or sign, for the battle.
I told my people to sing lustily, “On Jordan’s
stormy banks I stand,” and, starting it myself very
lively and on a stretch-key, as I then had great
power in singing God’s songs, I walked slowly
through the pressing throng as well as I could. I
came near the door and the back seat, and there
stood a very tall, wicked fellow, with piercing,
flashing eyes, freckled face, red hair, and a deter-
mined look, to whom all trusted for action. So I
took him kindly by the hand, with a soft grip, and
as I began to whisper to him, he bent over to me,
and I said lovingly: “J—, won’t you regard me
a little to-night? I hear there are a lot of mean
and hard fellows, who are going to try and break
up our meeting; so I came back here to ask you
to do me a great favor; for being old friends, I
thought I would come to you first, and I will be
under many obligations to you—and some day, J—,
I may have a chance to do you a good deed, and
312 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

I ‘Il do it for you, sure—won’t you just help me
to-night, and if any attempt such a thing, please lay
your hand upon them, and help me to keep peace?
for this meeting may do good to us all. Will you
help me? for I shall look to you more than any
other as my friend!” He whispered back to me:
“T won’t let any about me bother you now, [I tell
you; and I’ll keep them quiet, I bet you I will.”
“O, I am so thankful to you,” I said. So I went
back to the altar, and singing was soon over, and I
exhorted with all my power; yes, with God’s aid,
I just swung out on sinners to come to Christ. All
went off nicely, and I thanked all the young peo-
ple for their good behavior, remarking that I had
many noble friends among the young men, who
would stand by me to the very hilt in my battles
against sin. Our meeting was a success, and
many were converted to God. During the day-
meetings, through all the week, we had most pow-
erful interviews.

After a very short sermon, and many had tes-
tified to their experience and conversion, and the
older ones had spoken, having procured some bread,
I said, “Now I want to break bread with all who
desire to break bread with me in my Father’s
kingdom.” So we did, and all were exceedingly
happy. I noticed near the door a very aged,
white-locked man, deeply interested in our brotherly
manifestations, who was not a member of the
Church ; so I took bread, and walked back to him,
and said: “Father, I see you are near life’s end,
and I would like to meet you, also, in heaven.
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 313

‘Won’t you break bread with me, for Jesus’ sake?
and we can break bread, by and by, around our
Father’s table in glory.” He wept like a child,
and tremblingly reached out his feeble hand, and
broke the bread; and all the people were bathed in
tears, and we shouted the praises of God. God led
the dear old man from the precipice of ruin and
self-complacency to the fold; and I trust he, at the
last moment, found the chariot waiting, and reached
heaven.

How glorious, how boundless, are the provisions
of grace! for “when they came that were hired
about the eleventh hour, they received every man
a penny.” The whole Church, every individual
member, should not only feel an interest for its
prosperity, but should work continually to elevate
fallen humanity, for the promise holds good; “To
them who by patient continuance in well doing,
seek for glory, and honor, and immortality, eternal
life.” We never know what we can accomplish for
our blessed Master’s cause until we rest on his
great and divine merits ; and even then the glorious
fruits of our doing may not be developed until we
reach the land of light, and find our gems in our
crown of glory. God wants no idlers in his vine-
yard; for “whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do
it with thy might.” Work for Jesus; what a
sublime engagement, and how grandly and infinitely
will we be rewarded!

Every member of the Church of our Lord
should be a worker for his Divine Master. The

harvest is great. Each person is capable of
27
314 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

accomplishing vast good for Christianity. A Chris-
tian should be Christ-like; Christ-like in spirit;
Christ-like in life. As it was the Master’s work to do
the will of the Father, so it is the imperative duty of
all to do what our Lord commands: “If ye love
me, ye will keep my commandments.” “Let this
mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,” is all-
reaching in its comprehensiveness, and he who truly
lives for his Lord will ever conform to this holy
standard. What a privilege is offered us to abide
spiritually under the favor of the Eternal! “Thy
will be done,” as taught in the prayer of Jesus,
constitutes our entire duty. The inquiry of every
earnest soul will ever be: “ Lord, what wilt thou
have me to do?” How may I order my steps be-
fore thee? Where and how can I do most to extend
Messiah’s kingdom? Whom can I lead to the
cross? Whom can I rescue from eternal death?
Shall my words of kindness and love, my faith in
the Son of God, draw wandering ones to the
fountain of living truth?

Such anxious thoughts will possess every Chris-
tian heart. All can not do the same duties, for
some are given to prayer, some to silent influence;
some to bright, outspoken Christian experience ;
some to lofty and holy song, some to exhortation,
some to exposition of the word; gifted in one way
and in another, to the glory of God. If we possess
but one talent, we are as fully required to cultivate
it as he is who possesses five.

I knew a minister whose sermons were very
lame in theology, showing nothing of thought or
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 315

study, yet not one in a thousand could equal him
in prayer, in power, and effect, and whole congre-
gations would be excited and tremble under his
pleadings before the throne of grace. Hundreds
used to say, “Come, and let us go to Church to-
day, and hear Rey. Mr. pray.”

Others in the ministry have their chief strength
in song, and they often enchant their audiences
with rapturous singing. Such sing many people
into the grace of God, and into the Church, and up
to glory. How many precious souls, now in heaven,
will attribute the first steps of their conviction and
conversion to the sweet songs of McCabe, Philip
Phillips, Sankey, Michael Hare, and others! Thank
God that such varied talent is in the Church!
Let the faculties of each one be cultivated to the
highest point, that all their powers may be rendered
to God.

Others in the laity and ministry are competent
in persuasive conversation and preaching, yet in
vocal prayer are lame in speech. Our ministers
frequently err, especially in promiscuous assemblies,
by calling on such to open or close their public
exercises by prayer. Their words of petition do
an injury to the mass of hearers. Such, often, for
the want of true and pure utterances, use odd and
slang expressions, which provoke smiles, and take
away all solemnity, and spoil the good effects of a
rich discourse. We should select such as have
talent for public duties, if they are found to be
spiritual. While all may at times be asked to offer
prayer in our social meetings, yet that is as far as

 
316 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

they ought to be trusted, until, by grace and prac-
tice, they become able to convey their thoughts in
proper words. Even Moses felt his tongue so tied,
and his language so weak to address Israel, that
God substituted Aaron as his mouth-piece to the
people. Constant prayer in private devotion, read-
ing good books, and our religious papers, will pre-
pare the weakest to become mighty at the throne
of grace.

We, as ministers, do evil in trying to force, as
it were, by threats and unchristianizing terms,
* the very timid and humble to exercise in public
prayer; and we add confusion to such minds by re-
peatedly calling out their names, and sometimes
rebuking them with the suggestion that their souls
will be lost if they do not pray publicly. Who
made thee or me judge? Good, intelligent young
people, and some of age too, have withdrawn from
our society from these simple facts, though they
loved the Church. By pleasantly asking our people
for volunteer prayers, now and then, preceded by a
warm yet kind exhortation to duty, even the weak
and doubting will become strong and bold for
God, and become true workers and lovers of our
Savior’s cause.

We have various means of grace in our grand
economy to help all along to glory, and every mem-
ber may be used in some degree for the advance-
ment of the Church. If one is net capable of
leading our private meeting with interest, then con-
sult them kindly in other duties, in minor matters
and means of grace, or about plans necessary to
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 817

our general prosperity. This will win them, and
strengthen their faith and courage. Paul knew
how to work well, and said, “ Being crafty I caught
you with guile;” that is, I suppose, by wisdom,
discretion, and with great prudence. The minister
may place them on a committee of some department
of Church work, thus dividing the offices among all.
All men, rich or poor, humble or boastful, love to
be honored. Too many pastors place the entire
management of Church affairs in a few members,
giving a number of offices to one, which creates
jealousy, and has a tendency to check the feel-
ing of brotherhood. Some may be sent out to col-
lect missionary funds, to gather up Sabbath-school
scholars, or solicit subscriptions for our ministers,
and numerous other matters, which, if rightly di-
vided, all might share a part of the obligations.

It is our duty, also, to speak to all, individually,
in the church or on the street, and be careful to deal
kindly, especially with the poor, who perhaps are
rich in spirit and full of divine love. All and each
look to be recognized by their minister. Jesus
showed no partiality among his disciples. All clung
to him as if their lives were bound up with his;
and his benign and hallowed influence fell upon all
alike, with infinite compassion and love. Bishop
Edward Thomson often crossed the street to meet
the students and give them his hand, and those
who knew him best almost worshiped him, and his
gracious looks will never be forgotten by us, who
sat at his feet seeking knowledge.

The pastor should see his flock once or twice a

»
318 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

year, at least at their homes or shops, or wherever
his members may be found, and bid them God-
speed heavenward. The poor have just as much
right to our attention as the rich and wiser ones.
Poor dress should never turn us from any one who
loves Christ; for often beneath coarse garments may
be found grand spirits, noble hearts, in which the
Lord delights to dwell. We have known ministers
to be attentive to men in the Church, and refuse to
discipline them for neglect of duties or for crimes,
simply because of full purses, a standing in the
world, or the possession of secular office, when the
poorer classes would be strictly dealt with for far
less offenses. Of course, this is the exception, and
not the general rule. If we avoid controversy with
our members about minor matters, and study hu-
man nature, the Churches under our charge will
prosper. I believe we have the best Church gov-
ernment in existence, and strict and godly adher-
ence to all our rules will lead us to prosperity and
triumph. “We then, as workers together with
Christ, beseech you that ye-receive not the grace
of God in vain,” is the principle that unites the
Israel of God and causes sinners to flock to the
house of the Lord. It would be my highest pleas-
ure to incite the whole body of Christians to such
positive action, such noble benevolence, such impor-
tunate and earnest pleadings before God, as will be
acceptable to him, to bless by the outpouring of his
Spirit in its constant prosperity.

Every true Church devoted to God, as it should
be, will possess the revival spirit. Every faithful
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 319

minister of Jesus Christ will be honored with re-
vivals in his charge from year to year. God has
promised to all his servants the outpouring of the
Holy Ghost. There is no truth in all the Bible
more assuring to the faithful minister, for his com-
fort and encouragement, than that spoken by the
prophet, “My word shall not return unto me void,
but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it
shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” The
divine encouragement comes to us in such words as
these: “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ
Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants, for
Jesus’ sake ;” “For God, who commanded the light
to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts,
to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of
God in the face of Jesus Christ.” We are favored
with light at every step of our journey, and God
will “lead us in a plain path because of our ene-
mies.” ‘He will guide us with his eye,” in the
execution of all our duties. So if one is called of
God into his great vineyard, the blessed Master will
supplement his efforts, and support him in his
labors. But he must feel an intense interest for
the salvation of souls. As he considers man’s per-
ishing nature, his liability to be eternally lost, his
interest for them intensifies, and soul, mind, and
heart become aflame; often anguish possesses his
spirit as he weighs the unlimited price paid for
man’s redemption. His burden will at times be so
great that his very food will be repulsive; rest-
lessness will gain the ascendency over his bodily
powers, the mercy-seat will be constantly besieged
320 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

with ardent pleadings, the altar of prayer will be
wet with his tears, the Almighty will be importuned
by day and by night until the heavens give ear to
the cry, “O that my head were waters, and mine
eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep over
the slain of the daughters of my people!”

' He must search them out personally. He will
come to them in tears, with burning entreaties, with
words of earnest persuasion, with a resolve never to
desist, until he realize the salvation of God has come
to Israel. Love will be the chief attribute of his
address, while the thunders of the law shall sound
upon the sinner’s ear. His face shows solemnity,
without repulsiveness; his words, though severe, are
the language of a friend. The happiest sight for
the true minister is to see his altar crowded with
penitents coming home to God.

In revival work, God must be consulted first.
His grace must be implored; his wisdom devoutly
sought. All our learning and eloquence, whatever
helps we can secure, will prove abortive without
the presence of God. “Not by might, nor by
power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord.” This
truth embraced, “we can do all things through
him who strengtheneth us.” There may be men
of talents, of strong, great abilities, who have the
art to hold the multitudes in awe, and at times
produce great excitement, and lead many to the
altar and to the profession of religion; but unless
Christ is their theme, Jesus’ blood is the meri-
torious plea, and self is held entirely in the back-
ground, few will be soundly converted. If men
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 321

are called of God to dispense the blessed Gospel,
they will build up his cause despite all opposition.
If his aid is promised, no foreign strength is requi-
site, no paid evangelist need be sent after, no side-
power is demanded, for the rapid triumph of the
Church. God will bless the faithful pastor if he
do his whole duty, and vast good will obtain in all
his labors.

If we are wholly the Master’s, and fully laid
upon the altar with all we possess, the “altar will
sanctify the gift,” and the world will feel the im-
pulse of our devoted, Christian life. Who would
not work for our Savior’s cause? How many gems
of brightness shall shine in our crown, to be cast
at the feet of the dear Redeemer! Let us be up and
doing “ while it is called to-day, for the night cometh
‘when no man can work.” The good man inquires,
“Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who
shall dwell in thy holy hill?” “He that hath clean
hands [defrauded no one], and a pure heart, who
hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn
deceitfully.”

In those days more than three-fourths of our
homes were the log-cabins, save in villages. They
were made of rough, round logs, with bark left on,
and corners extending out several inches; with
doors made of coarse, heavy, split puncheon boards,
braced and fastened by strong cross-bars, with
wooden latches. The cupboards were made by
boring inch holes in the logs, and laying boards
across them, two or three in number, as was de-
manded; and they were several feet long. Here
322 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

the plates (very often pewter) and cups and saucers,
tin pans and pots and jars, tobacco-box and pipes,
were placed. J have been at houses where the one
big iron pot or kettle was used for coffee, meat,
eabbage and potatoes, and mush; each was alter-
nately cooked, and some were placed in wooden
troughs or bowls until the other articles were done.
I have seen scores of sugar-troughs used for cradles,
in which they rocked their babes. Our coffee was
often made of parched corn, rye, or wheat, and we
enjoyed it as a delicious drink, when sweetened
with home-made sugar; and sometimes the coffee
was boiled in sugar-water, fresh from the maple-
tree. “Very often we had no sugar at all, after our
camp-sweet was all gone. We frequently were fa-
vored with bear-meat, venison, wild hogs, and
squirrels by the hundreds, as well as a host of wild
turkeys and pheasants. I have seen in those days
millions of wild pigeons, in such vast flocks that,
for hours at a time, they have flown over us, until
the sky and the surrounding lands were darkened,
and a great noise, softly rumbling, was heard by
their passage. Pigeon-roosts became, at. places,
great annoyances, and acres of trees were covered
with them for weeks, until their migration time
came. People by thousands visited their resorts
nightly, and even by day, and bagged them by the
wagon-loads, thousands upon thousands, some salt-
ing them down for a short season. The greatest
sport was to level our old shot-guns, and bring
down by our side from twenty to thirty at one
shooting. This we have done; and it was no sign
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 323

of a good marksman, either; for a single shot could
not pass through the numberless courses that over-
shadowed us in their flight. Their numbers and
weight broke down hundreds, yea, acres of large
trees, and stripped others of their limbs, equal to
the sweeping hurricane in its maddened march. In
the Fall of the year, farmers dreaded their visits,
lest their own timber should prove their monthly
rendezvous.

These were also days of peculiar dress. There
was the great bell-crowned hat for men, measuring
on the top two to five inches larger than where it binds
the head. It was an odd sight, and would hold
about a peck. Then there were caps made of all
kinds of skins and furs, and in singular shapes;
some low and squatty, some broad out, and some
high and lofty and peaked; some yellow, white,
and red; some black and brown; from the hides
of foxes, muskrats, otters, bear, squirrels, opossums,
wild-cats, ground-hogs, and rabbits. Ladies’ dresses,
especially in the country, never touched the ground,
but were modest and easy; made of calico, or lin-
sey-woolsey mostly, a nice home-made flannel, spun
on the great and little spinning-wheels, and then
woven at home on the “good old loom,” and col-
ored with dye from the walnut, hickory, oak, dog-
wood, or chestnut bark. Generally the deepest red
was most popular for young ladies and the children,
while blue and butternut-brown suited the old
women best; and I have seen multitudes of such
woven, and also bought it in our store, for sale.
The sleeves of dresses were spread out like little
324 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS

balloons, and would hold from a peck to a half-
bushel, each; and many bonnets were from ten to
fifteen inches high above the crown of the head,
extending as far out before the face; so, with an
old-fashioned veil on, it could be well hidden from
the gaze of any one, or from the burning sun-rays.
There were no bonnetless heads, bare and saucy
faces peering you out of countenance, in those days;
our mothers and sisters were generally retired and
modest, with all their noble courage and fortitude.
Almost every man and boy carried his gun as his
defense, going from place to place through timber,
lest he might be attacked by some wild animal.

In those early days there were no matches, ex-
cept such as we children made, by splitting blocks up
finely, and dipping the ends in melted sulphur ;- but
these possessed. no power to ignite by friction. I
was quite a boy, or nearly a man, before I saw a
match of phosphoric nature; but now hundreds of
tons are manufactured yearly.

Nearly all our guns were of the old type, with
heavy flint-locks, so that every man, when out in
the cold, or in the wet woods, had his piece of
“punk” in his pocket, to catch the spark from the
sparking-flint, when struck by his old pocket-knife.
This “punk,” resembling rotten wood, but a little
sponge-like, retained the fire, and could be blown
into a flame, and create a nice blaze with any com-
bustible matter. A piece of steel, or a pocket-
knife, and a small piece of this substance, have
saved hundreds from perishing, when lost in the
wild forests, or having to camp out for the night;
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 325

and such speedy, well-timed fires frightened away
wild-beasts.

While relating these peculiar incidents of past
days or years, I may speak of funny parties, which
were often held in certain parts, and participated in
to the pleasure of many. In olden times they had
quite odd ways, which were innocent and unsophis-
ticated, which now, in these exquisite and suspicious
times, would be termed “horrible” and all out of
place; but to them it was simple sport. One was
called the “bundling party.” I came home on one
occasion, in my youth, from my circuit, for a short
visit. The next day my mother said: “ John, don ’t
you want to go up to Tom’s to-night? They have
a party they call ‘bundling.’” ‘“ What is that?” I
asked. She said: “I do not know; but they call
it by that name. But you go and call on the fam-
ily, and they will be greatly pleased; and then see
what it is, and tell us.” So, as Tom was our old
Maryland boy, whom we raised and brought out
of slavery to Ohio, I went; for we thought “all
the world” of Tom, and his nice little household.
And what was my wonderful surprise as I entered
the room, to see about twenty young men, country
boys, each one having a girl on his lap, his arm
around her waist, and her right arm over his
shoulder, and all talking away glibly, and as happy
as larks. I was really somewhat confused, and felt
“ flat? but none of them seemed embarrassed, for
that was the nature of that kind of a party. But
another feature of the evening was, that for such
occasions the host always builds a long, temporary
326 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

support, or a kind of bed-seat, and then spreads
over it hay or straw, and the hostess lays quilts
and coverlets over that, for their “ bundling ” party.
Then six or more couple, as the bed is large or
small, sit for awhile on the edge or front, say for
an hour or so, then throw themselves back, and all
lie there and talk and laugh, or sing in royal mer-
riment, until one sings out to rise, when other
couples take the position; and thus the night of
romp is spent, until departure for home. These
parties I was told, were frequent in Pennsylvania.

We also had apple-butter parties, and apple-
parings and stringings, where we spent nearly. the
whole night in real delightful interviews, often
walking five to ten miles to attend them. Fall and
early Winter was the great hog-killing time, when
neighbors joined hands and made this useful work a
great pleasure ; for scores engaged in entrail-clean-
ing, sausage chopping and stuffing ; and then feast-
ing on the fresh pork, with corn-bread, rye coffee,
apple-pies, royal doughnuts, and the like; followed
by apple-eating and nut-cracking by the bushel.
Such was life in early days.
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 327

Chapter XTV

MY FOURTH WORK, MARSEILLES MISSION—-MY BLESSED COL-
LEAGUE, REY. JOHN BUNKER, AND HIS QUALITIES—WILD
HOGS, AND CAUGHT FOR USE—A MAN’S ESCAPE FROM DEATH—
TURKEYS, WILD WOODS, WILD ANIMALS, WILD-CAT THICKET,
AND MY FEAR—WONDERFUL WAY TO CARRY WILD HOGS,
THEIR MOUTHS SEWED UP, STARVE THEM DOCILE—HIDES AND
SKINS BY THE HUNDREDS— MISSIONARY COLLECTION, BUT HE
WOULD NOYP GIVE, GOD KILLED HIS HEIFER, THE FIVE DOLLARS
CAME—THE WOLF, ITS HOWL, MEANNESS—HICKORY TORCHES—
EVENTFUL YEAR—I MARRIED, SHALL WE MEET ABOVE ?—
FUNNIEST WEDDING TRIP, WE SING, AND ALL IS OVER, I GET
THE FIVE, BROTHER HIGGINS A NOBLE FELLOW—JOHN VAN-
OSDALL AND A GOOD TRACT—WHO DID NO SIN.

Y fourth work was perhaps, to me, the most

eventful and heart-cheering of all my itiner-
ancy. It was my first year in charge. My col-
league, Rev. John Bunker, as junior, was one of
the most noble, outspoken, and open-hearted men I
ever knew. He was a real practical, jovial man,
with Christian mood, and as generous a being as
grace could refine. He was about five years older
than myself, yet he was in consonance with all my
Church ruling and advice. Being a lawyer by pro-
fession, his advice I regarded with profit, and no
two men could have worked more harmoniously in
the Gospel harness. We held protracted meetings
often, and succeeded in leading many to God and
328 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

into the Church. I think the most of our success
was through his ardent labors, his frequent visiting,
and his earnest and- practical exhortations. All
classes loved him. He had once been, or tried to
be, a Universalist, and knew their whole range of
thought; and as they were somewhat prevalent in
that day, he thundered against their doctrine, and
scattered their ranks. We never had a difference
in word or view in all the passing year. He lived
but a few years after this, for God took him to. his
higher home. He died in full faith, and in sight
of the celestial city, seeing heaven from the bank,
this side of the stream.

The name of our work was “ Marseilles Mis-
sion,” which embraced much of the western prairies
of Marion County, and some of Hardin, and also a
vast scope of dense forests; and in bad weather but
few places could exceed it for deep, black, sticky mud,
and “oceans” of water spread all over the flat land.
Often, in my travel from point to point, the spokes
of the buggy have been closed up, and almost hidden
by the mud, and the water above axle-deep, which
so softened it that we could move along tolerably
well. Portions of this land abounded with count-
less flocks of prairie-chickens, where gunners found
great sport, coming many miles to supply their
larders; and in other portions were multitudes of
squirrels. :

In the woods, some distance out, were wild ani-
mals, some few panthers now and then. Wild-
cats were often seen and shot, as their screams
betrayed them to the hunter’s ear; and in and about
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 329

the Scioto woods bottoms wild hogs were very:
numerous, and were hunted and slain, by scores and
hundreds, in the Fall, for Winter use. Many were
captured alive, and penned up for a few weeks to
fatten on corn, though they were quite fat on the
forest mast when taken; yet the meat was so soft
and the fat so greasy, that a little feeding on corn
seemed necessary, to make them more solid for sale
in market, as well as for keeping them better
through the Winter. It would not be out of place
to say that thousands of fine, fat, beautiful deer
traversed those woods, and hunters in the immediate
vicinity, and from afar, camped out for weeks, and
found much delight in the chase. We have seen
hundreds brought into market, and sold and
shipped to distant points. When a youth, I bought
unnumbered hides in our store, and we sent them
off to be tanned and cured, and returned for our own
country use; and there was more real honesty then,
than now, in their preparation, as they were not
hastened through such a chemical and burning pro-
cess, destroying their vitality.

In my peregrinations from place to place, on
such a large circuit or mission, I have seen hun-
dreds of deer, of every size, from the lovely and
skipping little fawn of many spots, to the athletic
and agile old buck, crowned with horns three feet
long, of many forks, or the beautiful, swift-footed,
symmetrical doe, rush past me, and near by; then
turn around and gaze upon me for a moment, with
great protruding eyes, and bound away, as if in the

air, at about twenty knots an hour. The jumping
28
330 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

and bounding of a flock of deer is one of the richest
and most exciting scenes I ever witnessed. It
often seemed to me that their instinct informed
them that I was a preacher, and it was Sabbath
too; for on Sabbath-days, going from appointment
to appointment, they were more tame and numerous
than on other days.

The woods were also infested, then, with a great
black bear, that played havoc with the wild hogs or
‘pigs, whenever they could come upon them in their
beds ; and they feasted on the shoats, or smaller and
younger ones; but woe betide the old Bruin, if
alone, when he seized the prey, especially if the
savage old sow or fierce boar were near; for their
furious attacks, with their long piercing tusks,
would soon bring Mr. Bear to the earth, to be de-
voured instantly by the herd of hogs that imme-
diately gathered. If the fight began, the squeal
and wild grunt, or maddened cry of the hogs, soon
called hundreds to rush from their thickets to the
front, to enter into the terrible conflict. There is
searcely any thing in the forest that fights with
more fiendishness and fury than the excited and
infuriated swine. They fear the growl and the
sudden, sharp bite of the hound more than even
the wild beasts.

The bear was an easy prey to the old and ex-
perienced gunner. All the hunter desired was to
get his eye or aim once on it, and “crack” went
the old-fashioned, thirty-five-to-forty-bulleted-run
rifle, and down fell old Bruin, scarcely giving a
kick. Their skins were useful and valuable, to
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 331

make robes or saddle covers, as they were soft, and
lasted many years.

In those days hunters were so skilled in shoot-
ing that seldom any thing ever escaped their fire,
if a moment’s sight could be taken on the object.
Many a swift deer, in rapid flight, has caught the
bullet of the dextrous aimer, and fallen dead in an
instant. I well remember being at a good old
Methodist brother’s house, about forty years ago,
who had just come from his regular hunt, and how
his whole nature was worked up when he entered
his cabin. His fire,.or shot, was so sure that he
was never known to lose his game, if he had his
gun once to his sight. That day, out in the thick
woods, he was sure he espied, through the under-
growth and brambles, the head of a deer, and raised
his gun, and was leveling it, when a quick, loud
voice echoed instantly through the distance of
about one hundred and fifty yards: “John, don’t
shoot; for God’s sake, don’t shoot!” and all
trembling and nervous, though an awfully brave
fellow, he instantly caught sight of his own brother,
whom he mistook for the game. The brother was
also out in search of food, and just then was stand-
ing still, watching for a chance at a fine, large
buck. He would have shot in another moment—
one second or two ensuing—and, had he not ob-
served the glittering of his brother’s gun, sad death
would have been brought into the household. They
related to others the whole affair, years after its
occurrence, with great feeling, and heart-felt thanks
to God for the preservation and escape.
332 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

I suppose it would be impossible to impress my
readers with an idea of the vast numbers of wild
turkeys that inhabited those parts, and went in great
gangs, and were trapped and shot for home use by
scores and hundreds; yes, I may say by the thou-
sands. One part, called the “ Burlington Storm-
sweep,” which I passed through every four weeks, was
a most frightful track, an uncomely sight to behold,
and created a peculiar sensation. in the mind, as of
desolation itself. A storm or hurricane, over thirty
years previously, had here cut a track from one to
two miles in width, and from fifty toa hundred in
length, sweeping every tree and shrub and cabin
and good residence, and even one whole town, be-
fore it, as a scythe would mow down the grass of a
meadow. At the time I was there the place had
grown up into small trees, thickets, and patches of
tall briers, and looked like the resort of jackals,
tigers, and hyenas, rather than the passage-way of
an itinerant. Thousands of rotten logs and old
* stumps of all sizes mingled in the mass of offensive
débris. It was haunted by wild-cats in great num-
bers, by not a few panthers and howling wolves,
and you could hear the screeching cry of the owl
at all hours. I generally had to pass through this
horrible place in a diagonal course; but I always
spurred: my swift steed with some excitement, as
the least noise made me think that an old cat ora
catamount, a bear or a wolf, or all together, were
watching my movements. Having been reared,
from early life to manhood, in the city, the reader
may judge of my extreme fearfulness. Not armed
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 333

with else than my rawhide, I could have been
easily subdued. This feeling of dread tormented
me for half the year, until it partly wore off; yet I
knew some people had been attacked severely.

We had beyond or within this wilderness a
preaching-place, down in the dense woods, in a
smal] clearing or two, in a humble, private eabin,
where, perhaps, were fifteen members, scattered
throughout miles of territory of many miles square.
On one occasion, I arrived there a few hours be-
fore time for service, and I beheld a scene never to
be forgotten, because of its oddity and venturesome-
ness, and, to me, apparent danger. Several men
had been out on a wild-hog hunt. Each one came
in on his horse, with no saddle; one had on his
horse an old, shattered blind-bridle; the other two
had only withes on theirs, coming down through
their mouths, with reins of the same material.
Neither had on a hat or common cap, but one made
of wild skins; and only one of them had on shoes,
but no stockings; while the other two were bare-
footed. All had home-spun, home-made, linsey-
woolsey pants, but neither a coat or vest; and two
of them had strings or thin ropes for suspenders,
and several nails for buttons, to hold up their trou-
sers. My surprise was greatly heightened as the
first man came in with his two hogs in front of
him, resting on the horse’s withers, with their
mouths sewed up with twine, their feet tied with
buckskin cuttings, and their heads reversed; the
man holding them securely and tightly against
himself. The second one. was fixed like the first,
334 PLEASANT. RECOLLECTIONS.

also having his two hogs in a similar position; and
the third, with only one good-sized shoat, probably
about one hundred and fifty pounds weight, like-
wise tied up before him. It was truly as novel a
sight as I ever witnessed; and I asked them:

“How, on earth, did you ever get on your
horses with them ?”

“QO,” they said, “ we sewed them, and then bound
them, as you see, and then we helped each other;
and Jim helped us up with ours on our horses, and
he had only the one, which he bound, and laid it
on an old log, and then pulled it up before him.”

I inquired, “How did you get them from the
wild herd ?”

They said, “O, with our several hounds; and
they held them until we tied them, one at a time,
and that we did in almost a twinkling.”

“Did not the other hogs attack you while hold-
ing them ?”

“Yes; at first they came at us savagely; but
after the dogs had bitten many of them very se-
verely, and by their sharp barking frightened them,
they fled pell-mell in all directions, and in ten
minutes were miles away; for they run like deer
in swiftness; and those that were fiercest and tar-
ried to fight us, our dogs caught and held for us.”

They said their hounds could hold them a half
hour, resting satisfied, with a low growl, on their
haunches, until the swine were literally worn out
and subdued.

The combats were often really terrible; and
the grunts and fierce squeals could be heard for
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 335

miles; and men had at times to climb trees, when
great herds assembled, until the noble and faithful
servants had conquered and scattered the body of
them. Once in a while a poor dog, when off close
watch, was seized, and torn in pieces in a moment,
with their great tusks, often four to six inches in
length. But few animals in the wild forest are
more to be dreaded than the savage hog. The old
sow beside her young pigs will suffer herself to be
cut all to pieces ere she permits them to be captured.

These men had a tall rail-pen built, made of
the largest rails, or logs, about sixteen feet high, all
prepared, and great slabs laid on the top with
mammoth logs across them to hold them in place,
and one loose rail about six feet from the ground
to pull open, and drop the shoats in between them;
and immediately locking it with poles, they were
secure; for had they not covered it thus securely,
the wild hogs would have climbed up and over it,
and have soon been gone, as they could go up the
sides almost like a boy. For a few days they were
starved out, indeed would not eat except by night;
but they soon became quiet and tame, and rapidly
fattened on corn, as starvation will calm and sub-
due and bring to appetite even the hyena.

No one can imagine this sight, and I have but
faintly described it to my readers. It stands before
my vision as if but yesterday. This class were
very poor in this world’s goods, and made their
living by hunting and procuring the skins of
’coons, minks, muskrats, deer, wolves, and bears, and
sometimes other animals that were marketable,
336 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

as in those days all kinds of hides were used and
sold readily for some price, and shipped East and
beyond the sea. It was a lucrative business to
hundreds, and old trappers spent the whole Fall
and Winter months in this way, often absent half
the year, and then bringing thousands home. I
have seen old and skillful hands come back with
five hundred or more of all descriptions and sizes.

Our support from this backwoods society was
very meager, seldom any one giving over twenty-
five cents a quarter for the Gospel, and many much
less. Sometimes our pay came in the form of
venison, or maple-sugar, or nuts of some kind, or
any thing we could turn to our use, or could trade
off again in some store. I have taken many a pair
of yarn socks, and sometimes home-made flannel or
linsey-woolsey, and hard and soft soap, as my pay.

In that neighborhood was one brother who
owned more cleared ground, and was better fixed
than the others; and in his cabin we regularly held
our meetings. Our yearly missionary-day came,
and Brother Bunker accompanied me there, and we
both spoke with all our zeal and knowledge, that
we might instruct and enlighten them, and also
make our annual collection successful, by large con-
tributions. All of them gave us from five to fifteen
cents apiece, but the owner of the home; and he
said right out, “No, I will not give any for mis-
sions, but I will pay the preachers at home, as we
have enough heathen among us here.” We could
not reason him into duty, by all our eloquence. So
after dinner, just before we left, my colleague said
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 337

to him: “See here, my good brother, your example
to-day was very wrong before your brethren, and I
am sorry you refused to give for this great cause.
It was by it that you ever heard the blessed Gos-
pel in these wild woods; and it is the only salva-
tion and security for your future happiness. Others
have helped to send the heavenly news to you and
your parents. I now warn you, and tell you,
Brother C—, God will punish you in some way or
other for this indifference, and you will see it
plainly some day. Now, remember my words.”
The brother laughed, and remarked, “O, I guess
not, if I do my duty in other things.”

When I returned in two weeks, this member
met me and gave me a more hearty welcome than
usual, and after very kindly caring for my horse,
he said to me, “ Brother Burgess, you may put me
down for five dollars for the cause of missions, for
this year, if you will.” “Why, my good brother,”
I said, “ what in the world is up? what caused you
to change your mind, and to do this act, after so
peremptorily refusing us when here?” He replied:
“O,I must tell you, Brother Burgess, with my
confession ; God sent a clap of thunder and a stroke
of lightning down, a few days after you left us on
that missionary-day, and it killed one of my very
best heifers in all the lot of six, and I am afraid
he will kill all the rest of them, and I want to do
my duty before he sends any more destruction ; for
my wife and I thought and talked of what Brother
B— had said, and we concluded to act quickly.”

He had felt at the very time of his refusal to give
29
338 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

that he had done wrong: so I accepted the offering,
and collected the five by the close of the year.

It is a fact that the Almighty “moves in a
mysterious way,” and through nature, as well as
by grace and the ministry, often arouses hearts to
the recognition of their obligations; and we had
better always honor him with the first of the first-
fruits of our vintage, or the firstlings of the best of
our flocks. There are far too many members of
our Church, like Ananias and Sapphira, who keep
back from the Master a part of the price which
belongs wholly to him, and thereby brings death,
spiritual death, upon their souls. To withhold
from God’s cause, when we are able to assist in
its spread, is equal to a lie, and we will be held
accountable in this regard. There are, also, far
too many Esaus among us, who, in sheer reck-
lessness, sell their birthright to life eternal for a
mere mess of pottage. O, if our Father has given
us but one talent, let us brighten it up, and double
it by the coming of our Lord, and our bliss shall
bean hundred-fold in this life, and in the world to
come “life everlasting.”

The large gray wolf abounded in great num-
bers throughout these woods, and prowled around
farms, destroying pigs and young sheep, and proved,
at times, a terrible scourge. They were quite bold
and vicious, and have often followed people with
bloody intent for miles, and even devoured children,
and frequently attacked grown persons when un-
armed. Hundreds of them were killed, and a pre-
mium of five dollars per scalp was offered to all;
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 3839

so that diligent search was continually made for
their capture. The howl, the hungry cry of this
animal, especially during the night, was thrilling
beyond all description, and produced a paralyzing
feeling in the mind of the timid. To hear it once
in the darkness of midnight, as you might be trav-
eling along the highway, will make such an impres-
sion upon your mind, that memory will often recall
it so clearly that you will almost fancy you hear
its whining, doleful sound. It is said that the most
successful weapon against these wolves, during night
travel—as they prowl mostly at night—is the heavy
torch; for both the panther and the wolf dread the
flaming light, and fear fire. In going many times
through the woods on foot, several miles, to our
meetings, the fiery hickory torch was our guide and
protection; and they would flee far away, and their
whinings and barkings were heard in the distance.
Unless exceedingly hungry, they are miserable cow-
ards in the day-time, and only attack man when
they have all the advantage.

On this mission were many most valuable Chris-
tian people in our Church, and in others; and dur-
ing the Winter, Brother Bunker and I held several
interesting revivals, and received between fifty and a
hundred into the Church; such men and their fami-
lies as farmers Sappington, Carr, White, Hopkins,
Frame, Bower, Kennedy, Mount, Gray, Stayner,
and others, who were of great weight, and godly in
influence, to assist to build up Christ’s kingdom.

This year my salary was one hundred dollars,
being a single man; and my colleague’s two
340 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

hundred and fifty, as a married man. My receipts
were ninety-five dollars; so that, when I had pre-
pared for, and gone to, and returned from, confer-
ence, I had nothing left but myself, my horse, and
my old shaky buggy. Indeed, when I came to the
mission, I had but sixty cents. It was not uncom-
mon for us preachers to leave conference perfectly
“strapped” of all cash; but one wonderful conso-
lation was that, as we went, we found true friends
in every country neighborhood, and in each town,
who welcomed us to their hospitality; yes, were
even joyful to have us tarry with them without
stint of time; and this was one great means by
which the itinerancy had such a moral power over
their people, in their Christian talk, and by their
family prayers, and thus the Church was likewise
rapidly increased and powerfully strengthened.

In that day, pastoral visiting was the real secret
spring of power, fully equal to the preached Word,
to bring the multitudes to God and into his sanc-
tuary. Its neglect to such a degree, in these latter
days, is a great drawback, and limits our success.
Give me a preacher of moderate talent, with a
spirit of religious sociability, who goes from house
to house, talking to all his flock, and leaving
his prayerful blessing on each household,—greatly
‘in preference to that exceedingly eloquent, high-
headed, greatly-talented, popularity-seeking, and
every-body-pleasing minister. The first is God’s
servant, the other is the world’s. No good and
faithful minister of the Gospel can afford to leave
unperformed the duty of going from house to
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 341

house. His influence over souls, his power in the
pulpit, his bread and butter, all, in a wonderful
sense, depend on its continuance.

This year was the most eventful period of all
my history, and it was fraught with more real
interest to me, in every particular, than all others
combined. It was the year of my conjugal rela-
tion, and, of course, pointed out my destiny, some-
what, for future development of talent, and for
usefulness and happiness. I had at-its close ended
my fourth year; hence, was to be ordained “elder
in the Church of God;” so I concluded to choose
my companion for life, as an assistant burden-
bearer in the great cause of Jesus Christ. For
years I had made it a subject of earnest prayer,
as fully as I had ever prayed for my salvation. I
had not been in any hurry, and had no intention,
when I came to the mission, so to engage myself
to any mortal; the rather choosing to remain single
until my sixth or seventh year had ended, and my
studies were made the more proficient. But Provi-
dence seemed to lead my mind and heart to her
who has been my helpmate for lo! these forty odd
years or more. Her innocence, simplicity of heart,
sweetness of spirit; her humility and unassuming
attitude at all times, with her blessed and serene
home culture and lovely parental government,—all
seemed to combine so attractingly in her, with such
an unsullied character and sweet nature, that at our
first acquaintance I was unexpectedly and divinely
prompted, in due time, to offer her my heart, and
then my hand, for all time. I, from this period
342 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

down time’s course, now realize that no choice
could have been made more prudently and wisely
and happily for me; and she has been as a sub-
stantial barricade in sorrow, in temptation, in sick-
ness, in poverty, and in toil; and though often we
have slightly diverged—sometimes in thought, in
plans, and in actions—yet the rays of divine light
and the grace of God have so blended our affec-
tions, united our hopes, and bound our hearts, that
now, in advanced life, speaking my individual sen-
timents, my early love and affection have ripened
into such solid maturity of attachment, even here
on earth, that, did I, in the faintest conception,
imagine we would not be reunited, and joined with
all our dear household in glory, by and by, the
very cords of nature would sever, and anguish de-
vour my mind, and my soul would sicken, and my
heart would be rent. There is no thought in the
bosom which so intensifies as this,—that we all may,
as parents and children, gather at the last under
the Tree of Life, walk out under the light of the
throne of God, greet the blessed Savior as “ Holy,
holy, holy Lord God of hosts,” and forever dwell
in the light of heaven.

She was the daughter of noble, kind, well-
reared, influential Methodist parents, born in Sus-
sex County, Delaware, and had emigrated to Ohio.
Her near relatives were distinguished families—
the Ponders and the Grays, occupying goodly posi-
tions in that old, noble State. Her parents’ home
was, and had long been, the welcome earthly para-
dise of noble itinerants, at whose bountiful table,
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 343

and around whose family altar, they had found
support and Christian delight. Her parents, John
and Mary Gray, then lived in Marion County, Ohio,
where such great and good men as Revs. J. H.
Power, D. D., John McNabb, John Quigley,
Henry E. Pilcher, Oliver Burgess, John Bunker,
Ludwell W. James, John Blanpied, L. Ward, Silas
D. Seymore, Dr. H. M. Shaffer, and others, found
more than mere pleasure—they found Christ abid-
ing there. She was, also, the niece of that venera-
ble and useful man, Rev. David Gray, long of the
North Ohio Conference, of. whom no man could
speak too praiseworthily. He most kindly com-
mended me, as a youth of high Christian ambition,
with good educational acquirements, and in whom
he thought he saw a hopeful outcome for great
usefulness. Would that his prophetic words and
hope had been fully met!

On this work I had a very interesting matter
occur, which I published partly in a secular pa-
per, and I will here introduce it in full, as it was
therein written :

In the Fall of 1846 I had the good luck of
being sent to the M— Mission, my fourth year in
the vineyard of my Master. This was also my first
charge as senior preacher. The three previous
years I was junior, and have ever since rejoiced
at having the wisdom of three good men over me.
If this were continued over young men, it would be
far better for them and the Church. My colleague
was one of the best of men, very lively and good-
humored, and useful. The country over which our
344 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

mission extended consisted of large plains and dense
woods, intersected by several streams, and it also
embraced the great, and at times terrible, Scioto
River. For a good part of the season, miles of
acres were overspread with water; for when it
snowed or rained, it was very difficult to find its
way out. Small rains often swelled the little creeks
suddenly, and sometimes great rains came down
and raised the river immensely.

The time I will now allude to, was late ‘in the
month of February. Several hard rains had de-
scended, and the whole open lands, and timber
also, were quite inundated. At this time a great
damp snow succeeded the rains, and all nature was
mantled with a white coat. On a Friday morning
while passing to my week-day appointment, a gen-
tleman came riding along the road quite briskly,
and met me. He seemed a little excited and nerv-
ous, but bracing up, said, “See here, my good
brother, I want you to marry me next Tuesday at
two o’clock.” “Ah!” said I, “is that so, Brother
W—? and where will it be?” “O, I guess about
eight miles off; it’s to be over at the house of Mrs.
L—; you know the place. She lives near the Scioto
River; so you can meet me and others at the cross
roads, and we will start early, so as to make good:
time.” All was arranged, and by the hour of four,
quite early, I mounted my fleet horse and soon met
him and two others, all on horseback, equipped for
the occasion. ,

Our ride was through a dense forest, the trees
not even blazed, and no trail to guide us. Every
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 345

step on the open ground was mud and slush, and
when we touched the edge of the woods, the
whole earth was overspread with water from four to
twenty inches in depth. Neither of us knew the
exact course by line, but had to judge by the moss
on the trees, and our traveling instinct or reason.
No sooner had we come under the trees than we
found that every limb and twig was covered
with heavy snow, so that our movements brought
it down copiously on our bodies and hands, down
our necks, wetting us like a shower, and all over
our horses and saddles, until it was very uncom-
fortable to sit and ride well. But we moved along,
each one thinking himself the best guide; we fol-
lowed each other, whosoever happened to be ahead
in the march. We would cry out, “Take the lead
now, you, Mr. Groom; take the lead, brother. We
fear you have gotten us into a pretty muss.” So
he, boy-like, would hasten his horse, and the sound
echoed loudly, “ Come along; go ahead; put on the
spurs; all right, we “Il soon make shore; the glim-
mering of land is visible.” Brother W— was merry
as a cricket, and happy as a lark on a hay-stack, full
of real, good fun, and as we somewhat tantalized
him, he took all as any youth would, for you know
we were going to a wedding, and that is the time
to be glad.

We “kinder” lost our way, and as it is said,
“went it blind” for a little distance. All small
streams were booming full and raging, but we
pitched in and crossed in good glee. Shortly we
saw the first opening, and whom should we see but
346 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

the familiar face of a friend, a Baptist preacher.
So Brother Carr, who was along, cried out, “ Halloo!
Brother Higgins, we feel at home now; we were all
about lost, and are mighty glad to meet you.” He
was in his shirt-sleeves, on a log, chopping like a
good fellow. ‘“ Well, well, I declare! what does all
this mean, and where are you all going?” he asked.
I replied, ‘O, just over here to a wedding!” “To
a wedding? and who’s going to be wedded such a
gloomy day as this?” “O, this young brother,”
we all said, pointing to Brother W—. “Well,
well,” said Brother H—, “TI think he has lots of
courage and high ambition, and is full of royal hope,
to undertake the job these times.” We all said:
“Come, Brother H—, come and go with us, and
show the lost travelers the way. How far is it over
to Mrs. L—’s?” ‘“O, I guess about five miles; but
I doubt if we can get through, for the water is
awful high; but nothing like trying, and I suppose
this is a desperate case.”

He ran in the cabin like a noble fellow, put on
his wamus and hat, bridled his old gray mare, and
with a blanket, without any saddle, mounted, and
we were off in the purest of spirit. In about two
miles’ ride we came to a bayou where the stream
had filled and backed up for at least one-half fur-
long wide, so we feared to enter, but said, “ Now,
Brother H—, you are a good Baptist, and never
fear water, so lead us,” and in he plunged, and down
he dipped, clear over the horse and up to his neck,
then turned his horse and swam out. If we had
died the next hour we could not have refrained
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 347

from laughter at his unfortunate leap. We all went
up about a half mile further, crying out, “Take
the lead once more, Brother H—, as you are a good
navigator,” and in he went and crossed, holding
his feet and legs on the horse’s shoulder ; but he had
mercy on me as the parson, or on the groom so
nicely fixed in his wedding garments, and he told
us to go up a little higher. We did so and passed
over midside to our horses.

A short distance more, and we met another like
embarrassment, and to be safe and sure we rode
about a furlong up stream and crossed where it
only came to our saddle-skirts. After a good laugh
at our good leader, and also many thanks, we came,
directly, in sight of a small clearing of a few acres,
and the house within a mile and a half of the river.
This was where the expected bride lived.

Just at this moment, as we reached the place,
no language can describe the scene and effect pro-
duced by our arrival. First, the river had so
swollen that nearly all the near neighbors had fied
to this hut, a one-story hewed-log cabin, and others,
not so adjacent, had all been driven to the higher
land or dry spots, with what little clothing and
stock they had; and all their cabins were in and
under water, and some had been swept away. This
one was on the highest little knoll, supposed to be
very safe, and in recollection of all, the river had
never before come within a half-mile of the house.
Now the mad water was rushing past within thirty
feet of the door.

In this cabin was a large six-feet-wide fireplace,
348 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

with a jam about four feet high, and a roaring log-
heap fire burning. It was a chilly snow, and began
freezing soon after we came. There were twelve or
fifteen refugees there, avoiding the flood, among
whom was a Campbellite preacher, and his family.
Our coming was such a surprise to all, but especially
to the bride, who had no idea of ourselves, or of the
groom being on hand, and supposed it impossible
for any one to reach the premises. She was there-
fore perfectly unprepared. She stood by the fire-
jam, with hands and head against it, and wept with
disappointment and confusion ; for had she had the
least thought of our coming, she would have been
ready in her bridal attire. But matters must go
ahead now, after all this trouble. So I went and
touched her on the shoulder, and said: “ Come now,
my good sister, cheer up. This will never happen
again as long as you live; so take things as they
come, all right, and make yourself ready, and let
the wedding go on.” Then for a few minutes,
while she assuaged her grief, we all talked of the
weather and flood, and the preacher said: “ Well,
for ten days we never had a glimpse of the sun,
until this morning, when it broke through a cloud,
and O, you don’t know how happy we were when
we saw that cloud open, and the rays come down on
us! We fairly shouted, for I tell you a great
gloom and almost despair had settled upon us all;
we feared and prayed and wept, and did not know
what todo.” JL interrupted him, and said, “ Why, if
you had shouted, you’d have been a Methodist.” He
replied, “ Yes; we felt a little that way; but if the
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 349

river had risen one foot more, it would, as you see,
have been in this cabin; but this morning it came
to a stand-still.” As this Christian minister told us
all this sad and doleful story, tears filled all our
eyes. Then said I, “ Now come, gentlemen, let us
go out awhile, and the ladies will fix the bride, and
then call us in, and we’ll attend to the little affair
quickly.”

Out we went, and hopped and walked about the
door, lifted our feet up and down, and kept as warm
as possible for half an hour or so; and the door
was opened, and we entered into the marriage cere-
monies. I said, “ Now, Brother W—, please take
the lady by her right-hand, and stand near the
window.” Then all of us, about twenty, besides
several children, rose to our feet, and I proposed,
that “Under these peculiar circumstances we will
sing a few verses ;” so I repeated the hymn:

“When I can read my title clear
To mansions in the skies,
I'll bid farewell to every fear,
And wipe my weeping eyes,” etc.,
which was sung as I never heard it before, so
sweetly, with abounding thanks, after which the
ceremony was performed as cheerfully as possible;
but somehow the whole scene and surroundings
made it a solemn though pleasant affair.

Hearty congratulations were given to the clever
couple, though the Baptist preacher proposed to the
groom, to which we all willingly agreed, that he
return with us to guide us safely back, and in a few
days the waters would abate, and then he could
350 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

return; for, said he, this room is now too much
crowded. But Brother W— declined promptly, and
seemed inclined to tarry with his captured bird.
Then we mounted our horses and moved rapidly
homeward. Surely we tendered numerous thanks
to the excellent “ Free-will Baptist preacher” for
guiding us over and through the deep waters of
trouble. Whenever, after that time, he and we met,
our pleasures increased.

Asa young man, I felt proud with the “five”
in my pocket. Now, as the dear couple are both
on the shining shore, I will tell you something:
Brother W— was a widower, seventy-two years old,
and Sister L— was a widow, fifty-six ; they were
well matched, lived several years happily in Chris-
tian love, and departed to dwell on the banks of the
river of life—beyond the flood.

When words are fitly spoken, with prayerful in-
tention, God directs them to great profit, and they
may be “as apples of gold in pictures of silver.”
On this mission I was called to marry a clever
couple. The young lady was of inestimable worth,
deeply pious, and a member of the Presbyterian
Church; the young man was reared by Methodist
parents, but was not religious, though outwardly
moral, and a noble, kind-hearted youth. After
the ceremony, before I departed, I called him to
one side, and said: “Now, Brother John, you have
chosen a good Christian girl for life as a com-
panion. You are truly wise in so doing; but she
has made a risk, for you are not the Lord’s by your
choice and decision. Let her take no such risk, for
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 351

her soul and yours are valuable. Give your heart
to Christ; be the good Lord’s for time and eternity ;
and march along with her to heaven. Don’t draw
her back from the way of life, but help her to be
a follower of the Lamb.” I then gave him a tract,
“The Young Married Couple,” requesting him to
read it speedily. He promised me to do so. Ina
few weeks its pungent truths directed him to the
cross, and she and he gave me their names, and
joined the Church. So John Vanosdall and his de-
voted wife became strong pillars in the tabernacle
of our God, and spent a good life for a blessed im-
mortality and a future reward in heaven.

What vast good we may all accomplish for our
Master, if we embrace every opportunity! Why
can we not ever imitate our dear Savior, in going
about doing good to all, and thereby gem our crown
with exceeding brightness? The height of our
future bliss depends, through grace, upon the earn-
estness and diligence of our Christian profession.
God will assist us to live right, and help us to
accomplish wonders for his kingdom. To succeed
well, we want—yea, must have—his image indeli-
bly stamped upon our hearts; must be like him in
that degree that no actual sin shall abide in us.
His precious blood was shed to “cleanse us from
all unrighteousness ;” and it was said of him,
“Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his
mouth.” O, blessed be that Name, “high over
all, in earth, or hell, or sky!” What an infinitude
of meaning in that sublime sentence, “Did no sin!”
No wrong ever seen in his life; his eye single to
352 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

the glory of the Father; no improper thought in
his mind; no envy, jealousy, or hatred in his pure
soul; no words that betrayed the truth, but words
of love, compassion—words that silenced all criti-
cism. All, even his bitterest enemies, discovered in
him the divine radiation of love and mercy. The
beauty and goodness of his life-history is worthy
of infinite admiration, as that there “could be
found no fault in him.” Spotless, and blameless,
and pure; unimpeachable and full of good works;
always abounding, in all his acts and words and
looks, with sympathy and love. Was there ever
such a teacher as he on earth? Such another ex-
ample for us to imitate is unknown. All others
fall into the shade in insignificance compared to
the innocent Jesus, “the Lamb of God that taketh
away the sin of the world.”

“O Lamb of God, was ever pain,

Was ever love, like thine?”

At twelve years of age he manifested wisdom
superior to the great and wise men of earth; “sit-
ting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them
and asking them questions, and all that heard him
were astonished at his understanding and answers.”
Thus in early childhood expounding, to the wisdom
of the age, the strength and wonderfulness of the
ancient Scriptures; going back centuries to the
sublime prophecies, and their fulfillment in each
period of time. How astonishing the youth, over-
coming them with his wisdom! What a halo of
glory crowned his brow as, thus absorbed in the
things of God and immortality, he forgot even
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 353

his own parents and friends and journey, and for
two days and nights continued to support and
defend the truth! When chided by his mother,
“Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold
thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing,” hear
his glorious reply, “ Wist ye not that I must be
about my Father’s business?” This answer was
too wonderful for them to divine. No wonder
“they understood not the saying which he spake
unto them,” for there was so much divinity in it.
In that remark to them was an infinite develop-
ment of the Godhead, and divinity in its glory
shown in the Child.

No surprise that his after life shook all the
nations; no wonder the whole world now feels
the impulse of the march of the glorious impar-
tation of his holy teachings. Blessed be God, that
stone which “was cut out of the mountain without
hands” smote the image of sin, that “was made
of iron and clay,” and broke it to pieces. It will
roll on, and on, in sublime majesty, until the king-
doms of this world shall become subject to our
holy Redeemer; and from the isles of the sea, and
the distant parts of the earth—from mountain-top
to mountain-top, from valley to valley—shall echo
the sweet and jubilant sound, “The earth is the
Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.” Then through-
‘out the wide world may it be said of all Chris-
tians, “And all we be brethren.”

There is an illimitable example of true faith-
fulness presented to us in the pure life of the Son

of God. It is full of beauty, full of divinity,
30
354 ‘PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

manifesting matchless power, infinite skill; yet it
can be imitated by every true follower of the
Savior. What an impulse for good for all time,
and to extend throughout all eternity, we may
create, if we live as we are taught in the precious
Word of Life! Nothing is so morally grand, or
so godlike, as the spotless life ofa human being
consecrated to God’s service, and lifting the fallen
race up to heaven.
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 355

Chapter XV

READ OUT FOR ‘‘ PULASKI AND BEAN CREEK MISSION ’’—THROUGH
THE INDIAN MISSION—THE PIKE AND CONTRAST, TRAVEL TWO
MILES, YET AT THE SAME PLACE—OUR NEW WORK AND SITUA-
TION—REV. 8. F. FAIRCHILD AND WIFE—OUR FIRST LIVING,
THE HOME—HOMES AND HOW SECURED, AND HOUSES TO LIVE
IN—TAXATION, SPECULATORS SELL OUT, SCHOOL-HOUSES GO
UP—HICKSVILLE, HON. MR. EDGERTON, CONGRESSMAN, FIFTY
DOLLARS A BIG THING—THE CALL IS EFFECTUAL, WE GO,
CONGREGATION, METHODIST, THE LONELY ROAD—A WILD
ANIMAL AFTER ME, I FEARED AND FLED—AN AWFUL HUR-
RICANE, BROTHER FAIRCHILD CRIES OUT, TREES FALL, LIGHT-
NING, THUNDER, RAIN—MOVE TO BRYAN—REV. THOS. BARK-
DULL’S MISTAKE, AND MUCH LAUGH—WE RETURN HOME, AND
I RETURN BACK—DISMAL TRAVEL IN MUD, WATER, OVER
CORDUROYS—WONDERFUL TREES—CLOSE OUR WORK—GO TO A
NEW PLACE, ENJOYED” THE FEVER AND AGUE, PREACH
WHILE SHAKING—DRUNKEN WOMAN—GREAT FISHERIES, NICE
HUCKLEBERRIES—FORT MEIGS, GENS. WM. H. HARRISON AND
WINCHESTER, OLD HISTORIC TREE, BUT HE SHOT THE, ‘RED
SKIN,” AND HE TUMBLED—ILLINOIS CONFERENCE AND GOOD
BRETHREN—TWENTY DOLLARS QUICKEN ME—AGENT FOR
FEMALE COLLEGE, POOR CABIN, ROAD MUD, CHICKEN, RATS,
RATS, RAIN, SNOW, LEAKY, YET 1 WORKED—PETER CART-
WRIGHT’S WORDS—CHILI CIRCUIT, GOOD ONES—IOWA CON-
FERENCE, HOW RECEIVED, DEPLETED OF OLD HEROES, MANY
GOOD ONES LEFT.

ONFERENCE having closed all its work, I
was “read out” for Pulaski and Bean Creek
Mission, away up north-west, nearly two hundred
miles, in the corner of the State. For one mo-
ment a shock came over me; but almost instantly
I exclaimed, emphatically, out aloud, before my
356 . PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

brethren, “Thank God for any place to preach
Christ!” Many near me smiled at my audible
expression; and one brother remarked, “ Well,
Brother John, you seem to be ready to do any
work, or to go anywhere, for your Master.” I
tell you, reader, that expression to me from that
good preacher seemed to be a call from heaven,
a real barricade to my mind, and a comfort to my
soul; yes, “ready to do any work, anywhere, for
your Master.” Ah! how many a time God fires
up the heart of some sympathizing and good old
saint, to drop a word just in due time to save us,
and inspire us to duty!

Had not that, or like words of kindness and
encouragement, come to me so young and weak
in the ministry, I scarcely know whether I could
have gone at the call to such a distant and toil-
some “field.” To me it appeared away off in
some great wilderness; for truly, in that day, it
was a far-off, frontier work. But I soon righted
up my old, rickety, second-hand buggy, with my
stout, chunky horse; and wife and I placed all
we possessed in our trunk, well bound on the
hind spring-bar, then bid adieu to our people,
feeling, no doubt, as did Abraham, “not knowing
whither we went.”

We were several days on our journey, passing
through Upper Sandusky—the former home of
the Wyandot Indians—passing by the old stone
church, where the blessed missionaries, Stewart,
Finley, Wheeler, and others, opened the door of
salvation to the sons and daughters of the forest;
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 357

then through Lower Sandusky. Here we stayed
all night at the parsonage, and, as a meeting was
being held there, I had to preach. I spoke on the
subject of faith. After the sermon, an old brother
shook my hand, and asked me, ‘“ How do you know
we will reach heaven if we continue in Christ, as
you asserted to-night?” I humbly remarked, “I
know it by faith in the promises of God.” He
slapped me on the back and replied, “That’s it,
my boy, that’s it; you have struck the right line.”
That was an inspiration to my young heart, to hear
that good old brother commend my words.

We also passed through Tiffin, and next came
to Perrysburg, and tarried for a night with my
new elder, Rev. Thomas Barkdull, whose whole soul,
with that of his good wife, most graciously wel-
comed us. In those days all Christians were ready,
yea, delighted, to give us entertainment. We
passed through Maumee City, and crossed the Mau-
mee River; then through Monclovia, Swanton,
West Unity, traveling many miles through the
deep, yellow sand, to our new home. But it would
surprise some of my readers to tell them that that
beautiful and solid pike which we just passed, so
grandly macadamized, and where we traveled with
our horse and buggy from six to eight miles an
hour, twenty years earlier was a part of the vast
black swamp, extending through parts of Ohio, and
all through the length of Indiana—a great sea of
water and mud, fearful beyond all words to portray.
Scores of men, who at that period moved to the-
‘Maumee regions,” and farther west to the new
858 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

settlements, told us that they were from thirty-one
to thirty-five days traveling thirty miles across that
swamp. They often stayed two and three nights
at the same tavern, yet moving every day. It was
in this wise: The mud and water were ankle-deep
or more, very mucky and sticky; and with their
oxen or horses they pulled along, sometimes a half-
mile or one mile, perhaps two miles, in a whole
day, very often having to double teams; and when
night came on, the men rode back on horses, and
the boys on oxen, to the tavern, where the women
tarried until a high spot of ground was reached ;
then wives and children rode behind and before
husbands and brothers on the same horses, and they
made a little better headway.

Men staid by turns where their covered wagons
landed, as they generally moved in neighborhood
groups, to keep the bears and wolves from their
cows and calves, which were tied to the trees each
night. The men, with their guns and dogs, guarded
them well, yet they often had fearful encounters,
and sometimes enjoyed, as a result, wild meat of
some kind for their breakfast. Those great mas-
tiffs and old-fashioned hunting hounds were their
chief protection in that early day. Just think of
the untold trouble and great difficulties our pioneers
had, to open and cultivate that rich Maumee Valley,
now an earthly paradise! Yet thousands marched,
nay, plodded right along, overcoming all hardships
and real dangers by their great energy and pluck;
and thus opened one of the grandest of all parts of
our country for rising generations.
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 359

On this circuit were about sixteen appointments,
scattered over a portion of territory in the shape
‘of a letter §, but mostly through deep forests of
tall trees, extremely flat and swampy ground, and
almost roadless, except on the one open, mainly
traveled, newly made road, somewhat worked and
cast up for coming emigration; so we had to travel
as best we could, through water and sloughs and
brush, and dense forests. One section of a few
miles, we passed through an immense thicket of
high briers and shrubs of all kinds; but the road
was only from ten to twelve feet wide. A more
doleful and fearful looking place I have never seen ;
and if a wagon or buggy had met us just there, I
know not how we could have passed without
trouble. I now confess I felt awful, and thought
of home and better traveling, and my young and
tender wife with me, taking her from many blessed
conveniencies ; and the unbidden tears flowed down
my face, and I really moaned aloud in speaking of
our condition. She instantly, in the nobleness of
her confiding heart, placed her arm around me, and
remarked: “QO, don’t feel so badly; don’t ery;
we will soon be through all this, and reach a bet-
ter spot.” :

Ah yes! reach a better position! which always
follows the unpleasant course, if we courageously
persevere, and brave up against all odds. So it is
in all life’s events, that pluck, true ambition, hope,
and continuance in well-doing, bring us triumph
and joy, as well as establish our character for
greater usefulness.
360 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

I had, as my junior colleague, Samuel F. Fair-
child, to whom J referred as a former fellow-stu-
dent, and his kind wife, as noble hearted a couple-
as ever lived. He was a dignified, studious, com-
panionable, and religious gentleman, and an ardent
friend, and rendered me vast aid on the work. She
was the sister of our blessed conference companion,
of the North Ohio Conference, the Rev. William
Heustis, whose amiability was always appreciated
among his brethren; but he died years ago, and
entered into life immortal. Mrs. Fairchild had
been a school-teacher for years, and was a woman
of the kindest spirit, manifesting most gracious gen-
tleness to all classes.

Our welcome all over the circuit was universal.
Houses were very scarce, and there were no places
to rent, as the people were rushing in from the
East and South rapidly ; and many who came from
older parts, who had lived in fine residences, and
some even in mansions, had to take up with the
rude, rough cabins; and, indeed, they had often to
live in their wagons, and under muslin tents. I
have seen some few living under boards, elevated
in an inclined position over their “dug-outs” or
cellars, for a little while, until they built temporary
log-houses, thrown up in a hurry without chinking,
often without flues, with hard slabs only for seats,
hickory poles for bedsteads, and sawed-off. logs for
seats, with tables made out of the coarsest boards,
or they used trunks or boxes for that purpose, as
but few had brought with them furniture of any
account. Many a time they lived for weeks, and
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 361

through the whole Summer, without any floor save
mother earth; their doors were made of puncheon
boards, hung by wooden hinges, and fastened by
wooden latches; their houses were covered with
rough clapboards, rifted by the old iron splitter,
and tied on by poles and withes to the top cross-
log so tightly that no storm or wind could blow
them off. The doors were made strong enough to
debar the wolf, bear, or panther from entering their
cabins at night, until they were able to cut logs, and
haul them away for miles to some saw-mill; so that
in a year, or less, as they were diligent, they could
secure for themselves a better dwelling. Many
were careless and seemed to take pleasure in such
humble places for many years; while others soon
enriched and ornamented their new homes. The
Germans generally prepared better living and se-
curity, first for their stock, then for their families,
while the Yankees took more pride in building
their dwellings, letting their stock shift for them-
selves amid the wild storms. Bricks were scarce as
gold; hence their chimneys were made of sticks
and straw or grass, with mud, and the base of stone,
when able to obtain it. They made their living on
coarse food, meal or half-ground wheat, unbolted
flour, rye, buckwheat, and hominy, bear-meat and
venison, wild turkeys and squirrels, and the like.
Most of these were in great abundance, which gave
them health, strength, and vigor, and great ambi-
tion in opening the way to progress and civilization.

No one now, beholding the glorious farms, the

rising towns, the vast improvements, the numerous
. 31
362 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

happy homes, and the thousands of enriched people,
could imagine the extreme roughness of living, and
the untold privations through which the earlier
settlers passed. Their children are now reaping
the full harvest of plentifulness and riches.

In those days, speculators in the East owned
most of the land through these parts, and the peo-
ple determined to “ oust ” them, if possible, or make
them sell, as they asked exorbitant prices of set-
tlers; so by a county vote, they assessed. all land
at five per cent tax, and it became such a burden
to large land claimants that they immediately be-
gan selling out in small portions, so “ comers-in”
could settle and enjoy homes. This tax also re-

quired the building of large two-story brick school-
~ houses; and in different townships they speedily
“went up,” often two or three miles from any
dwelling, right in the midst of the woods. The
brick was hauled from a distance at great expense,
though some few were made in the neighborhood
at that time.

Messrs. Julins Curtiss and Ester Bliss, of Mt.
Vernon, Ohio, were appointed assessors of deceased
men’s estates, and they had to go sometimes eight
or ten miles back from their duty, to find food or
a place for rest, as no one could accommodate them.
This taxation was a perfect triumph to the settlers,
and dismay to the men of speculation; hence they
sold their lands as fast as demanded.

Our first place of residence in these quarters
was exceedingly disagreeable, and to us unattract-
ive, so ill-fitted for our comfort, and it was a regular
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 363

backwoods, Daniel Boone kind of living. We had
to board, and the double cabin, of two rooms, was
required to accommodate eight persons besides our-
selves, although they had a low loft, to which they
ascended by a little ladder. But as they wished
to favor us with a room, they being a very clever
family, they built a narrow bedroom about eight by
twelve feet, with a rough puncheon floor, and clap-
board roof, filling the crevices with merely mud and
sticks as chinkings. This room had only one win-
dow, with six panes of glass of the smallest size;
hence our light was quite limited; and, there being
no fire-place, we borrowed a small Franklin stove,
and ran the pipe through the roof. Our enter-
tainers supplied us with a bed, an old rocking-
chair with one rocker, for my wife, and I cut off
an eight-inch log smoothly for a “chair” for my-
self, or used my trunk at times. I bored holes in
a log of the house to insert pegs, procured a board
about sixteen inches wide, and four feet in length,
and laid it across the pegs, for a table to write on
and study by, as well as to hold my few books.
We nearly froze at times during the Winter, as the
bleak, whistling winds pierced through every open-
ing, and they were not a few. When it rained for
a season, creating damp weather, the floor would
swell up in a V form, and the storms came puffing
in severely ; and-when it was quite dry for a few
weeks, the boards shrank apart, wide enough to
permit a mouse, or a “wee varmint,” to crawl
through, which caused us some uneasiness. On
very cold Winter days our stove was not sufficient.
364 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

to keep us at all comfortable, and we would turn
round, first one side, then the other; and although
the stove was kept red-hot, we were in freezing or-
der, and so uneasy that we could not apply our
minds to reading, either burning or chilling all the
time. And thus we passed the Winter.

After remaining on the work about six weeks,
legal matters demanded our return home. On our
first day’s travel we found the roads so terrible,
and the mud and sand so deep, that we had the
misfortune to break down ; but returning, we rigged
up our broken buggy with a hickory pole beneath the
body, lengthwise, bound by withes and strong cords,
and, starting next morning, we made our trip, of
about two hundred miles and back again, quite
safely. In early Spring we packed our trunks, and
moved to Bryan, the county-seat.

Several little incidents occurred here, that mem-
ory unfolds. There was a newly laid-out town,
some ten miles from our range, quite near the In-
diana line, called Hicksville, right in the midst of a
fifteen-thousand-acre tract of rich land, belonging
to the Hickses, of New York. On this vast tract,
in this village, lived the agent, the Hon. Mr. Ed-
gerton, a very superior and cultivated man, and a
perfect gentleman in all respects, who afterwards
became the Democratic Congressman from that dis-
trict, and figured largely and nobly in Washington,
D. C. He and his family were attendants of the
Episcopal Church, in former days; but he knew
the power and success of Methodism, as the best of
all Churches for pioneering and settling up new
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 365

countries ; so he wrote to me, offering us fifty dol-
lars if we would visit his town every two weeks,
and preach to them the balance of the year. It
was a big offer in that time of limited pay, as but
little money was then afloat; so we accepted the
proffer, and my colleague and I went alternately
as proposed, and delivered to them the “ Word of
Life,” for Christ’s sake, and for the cash, so much
needed.

We preached in a neat white school-house,
which he had erected at his own expense; so our
congregation was large and attentive, made up of
himself and family, and his many work-hands, per-
haps three-score altogether, some few neighbors
scattered about in the dense woods, from four to
six miles off, and also a few Methodists living
throughout the wilderness, as we always found them
wherever human feet had trod; for they always
followed closely on the Indian track, and were
sometimes found as missionaries in their midst.
We formed a good class, and it became a strong
Methodist society, and rapidly increased in strength.
Never did any persons treat us more kindly, and
feed us with more real pleasure, than did this royal
and noble family. Their home was an oasis in this
vast wildnerness.

But to reach that distant point semi-monthly, re-
quired much effort and courage, as the road was but
recently cut through, and the trees were “felled”
and “snaked” alongside the track, and millions of
little and large stumps were still erect. It was a
long, woody, lonely ride, without settlements, and
366 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

its chief and controlling “inhabitants” were the
prowling gray wolves, the old black bear, the
sneaking, crouching panther, screech-owls, the cross
and angry wild-cats, and many other things else
than human.

Once, while passing on my horse thitherward,
I heard an angry, savage growl, and the brush
cracking as if something in the edge of the woods
were jumping along my way. Merely catching a
distant glimpse of it, I was much alarmed, and
having a fleet horse, I touched him with my whip,
and hurried onward at a rapid speed. I felt the
cold chills running all over my body, and it seemed
as‘if my hair lifted my hat on my head; and I
stood up, and leaned forward in my stirrups, with
one hand tightly gripping the reins, and the other
holding on to the horse’s mane. After a mile or so,
I rode slowly, as I apprehended no more danger;
but in five minutes I again heard the leap and
moan of the animal, and the brush rattling, and off
again I rode, with increased fear a mile or two,
and outstripped it in its chase; but it followed me
at least six miles, until I reached a little farm, and
I was safe. Some said it was a hungry gray wolf,
and others thought it wis a panther; but it was a
sneaking coward, as it never once entered the open
road. Whatever it was, I might have been its
feast, had I had a lazy or slow horse.

But in that village we have named, we greatly
enjoyed preaching to the intelligent audience. An-
other denomination asked this noted gentleman if
they might hold a two days’ meeting in his large
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 367

barn that Summer. Although they had no mem-
bers within ten miles of the place, yet they wished
to bring their people from afar for that purpose,
thinking to undermine our work, so successfully”
begun ; but he did not fancy them or their organi-
zation, and he promptly replied, “I have my barns
occupied with provender, and my stables with mules
and horses, and I prefer no more mules or asses to
enter it;” so they collapsed, and withdrew their
request.

To meet other appointments on our work, we
had to travel through miles of black mud and
water, directed by the “blaze” of the trees, or by
the moss at the roots of them. “Now,” inquires
one, “ how could you tell by the moss?” Well, on
the north side of the trees it was thicker and softer
than on other sidés, and that was a guide, and
knowing the direction of our preaching-places, with
this mossy compass as our mark, we were seldom
lost. This wonderful information we had learned
in early life from the untutored Indians.

While on this work, as my colleague and I were
on our way to a two days’ meeting, we were over-
taken by a hurricane of the most terrific character.
We saw the black and blue clouds gathering
rapidly, and we hurried our horses with great speed
through the dense woods, along a very narrow road;
for we were far away from any habitation or clear-
ing, where we could reach an “opening.” The
noise of the approaching tempest sounded like a
hundred engines, with accompanying cars, crossing
high bridges. Brother Fairchild cried out to me:
368 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

“ Watch, Brother Burgess! Keep your eyes on the
trees. Ride fast. Be careful! I/’ll go ahead a
little, and we may escape destruction.” But before
we had gone a furlong, down thrashed the great
trees across our narrow course; now one just ahead
of him; then one or two fell between us; then sev-
eral but a short distance behind us; then thousands
of small trees were swaying to and fro, and kissing
the ground, and the fierce storm muttering angrily,
almost words of terror; then the vivid glare of
lightning, repeated over and over, and resounding
claps of thunder, came in rapid succession; then
heavy winds swept through the forest, like engines
on a track, full of steam, with their throttles open,
and the engineer gone; and it appeared as if every
tree and bush, within their maddened march,
yielded to their passing fury, like grain before the
cutter, so that there must have been thousands upon
thousands laid level with the ground. But we
narrowly escaped amidst the rage of the hurricane
by soon entering a small “opening;” and we
thanked God for this open refuge, though we then
received the copious showers and pelting and
drenching rains which followed. We would have
chosen a hundred heavy rains in preference to one
hurricane, when out in the woods.

Passing, at one instance, to my appointment, as
we had but one horse, and our buggy was broken
and out of order, my wife rode behind me on the
same horse. We had to cross a long, muddy swale,
or green pond of muck and water, and our horse
had hard work to pass through it. His foot went
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 369

down at one place so deep that he floundered, and
giving a quick jump or lunge to get through, my
wife fell off, and grabbed tightly to my coat and
saddle skirt, slipping down on the side of the
horse, while I held her by her cloak. Just as
we reached the land, she fell to the ground; but
had it happened one minute sooner, she would
have been well baptized—not in the river Jordan,
but in “Swale Creek.” We would not have
been seen in this predicament for any considera-
tion, as it was rather amusing and quite confus-
ing to us.

Many dear ones on that circuit are often called
up with pleasure; such as the McKain family,
among whom was the kind, generous, and devout
John McKain, whom I licensed to exhort, and
who became a useful minister of the Gospel in
the Central Ohio Conference. I found great pleas-
ure in his company, and hoped that he would
make a high mark in his after life; and, praise
God, I was not disappointed. There were also
the families of Yates, Cunningham, Opdyke,
Baird, Dr. Paul, and others. At this last family
residence I had the happy privilege of marrying
the county representative, Mr. Landis—a young
man of superior talents, and a lawyer of great
promise—to a Miss Amelia Mallory, a cousin of
my distinguished friend, Rev. Dr. William-Good-
fellow. She was then teaching school in Bryan,
and was an accomplished lady in every respect.
The blessed Thomas Barkdull was our presiding
elder, and by his kind ways, good advice, and
370 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

brotherly encouragement, cheered us in our toils
and care.

A very amusing instance occurred in his ser-
mon, the year before, as he was preaching in the
court-house to a large audience; but the preacher
failed to mention it to. him at that time. After I
heard it, though a year had intervened, I was
determined to tell him. We slept together one
night, and I said to him, “ Brother Barkdull, you
made an awful mistake last year, when you spoke
in our court-house.” He asked, “ What was it?
I never recognized the mistake, and’no one ever
told me of it.” I said: “It was thus: As you
were preaching, you quoted the text, ‘You are
bringing up your children like the wild ass’s colt,’
and in your eloquence you reversed the last two
words.” I never saw or heard any man laugh so
heartily as he; and every few moments he would
burst forth in hearty laughter in his bed; and he
inquired, “Were there many noticed it at the
time?” I replied, “I thought but very few;”
then he was again almost overcome with the in-
cident; and we never went to sleep until after
two o’clock, animadverting on such mistakes, and
then again referring to his own miserable blunder.

The Winter glided away rapidly and, to us min-
isters, successfully, as the Church received about
fifty members during the year.

My wife’s health was poor, and early in the
Spring I took her home, to stay till after confer-
ence; but I returned, and would give you a little
insight into my long and wearisome travel back
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. .- 371

again on horseback. I took the extreme western
route, leading through Sidney, Findlay, Auglaise,
Lima, Van Wert, Ft. Defiance; but to pass through
that country, at that early day, over a hundred and
fifty miles, through the real black swamp, and in
seas of water and endless mud, over many corduroy
bridges, some of which were miles long, was no lit-
tle matter; and the tall, dense forests, where were
but a very few settlements, and where many wild
beasts roamed and threatened, created some fear.
Had we happened to step or fall off these bridges,
we should have struck bottomless mire, and stuck
there, both horse and rider, until doomsday; and
perhaps gone under the mud and water for petri-
faction, or safe keeping, until “Gabriel’s” trumpet
sounded.

One long bridge of this kind, a five-miles’
stretch, besides others shorter, never left my
memory. It was made of large, massive logs, or
trees, “felled” along the track designated, and
trimmed of all limbs, then pried over in range,
each side of the road cut out for the purpose; so
that they advanced along the line simply as the
corduroy was laid down. Then long and heavy
cross-logs were cut and dragged, one by one, and
placed on these big layers. Thus for miles it was
so constructed as to cross the worst or sinky spots.
Over these places I crossed with caution and
trembling, lest my horse should stumble and cast
me headlong into the swale; though often I had
to walk and lead him great distances; but I got
through by wading and toiling and plunging.
372 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

The last part of the travel was on high, sandy
ground, called the “great divide,” or “upland,”
and here I was wonderfully attracted by thousands
upon thousands of tall and beautiful poplar-trees,
which would cut ten rails without a single limb,
measuring from four to six feet in diameter.
They presented the most imposing sight, their
tops quivering in the winds, glittering in the sun-
shine, and kissing the passing clouds. I was for
half a day traveling, as it were, in admiration,
gazing upon those majestic upgrowths of the for-
est; and I could but think how illustrative this
ride was of life and its blessed terminus; first,
through the dark, dismal, unpleasant, dangerous
swamps; then out upon the beautiful rise, on the
highlands of beauty, and amid God’s great forest
of magnificent trees; so we will soon cross over
the last earthly bridge of corduroy trouble, and
plunge into the last stream of sorrow, cross over
to the bright shore of immortality, and enter in
amid the trees of paradise, to go out no more
forever!

With all these embarrassments in my travel, I
made twenty miles or more each day, resting at
some clever little hut for the night, and was almost
always thrice welcome. I knew my night desti-
nation by previous information; sometimes stop-
ping earlier, as there was no other place within
safe reach, ere dark overtook me; and now and
then I had to speed my steed more rapidly to
reach a good resting-place; or, may be, some old,
black bear, or cowardly wolf, or sneaking pan-
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 373

ther from some overhanging bough, or a stealthy
wild-cat, might come upon me as its own lawful
prey. Reaching my mission once more, I en-
sconced myself at the house of my colleague, as
the central point; but I went to all Methodist
homes, and, itinerant-like, did my whole duty in
God’s name; and, with my assistant, did all I
could to build up Christ’s kingdom. One little
act, or misgovernment, of mine was to me a life-
long lesson, and fully barricaded me ever after-
wards in my safe administration of discipline; for
in all my forty-odd years of Church ruling, I was
never again caught in an error by my superiors
in office. o

An unruly member had demanded our attention.
We legally cited him to trial, though he refused to
be present. All the witnesses were on hand, their
testimony given, and written down in order. The
committee adjudged him guilty, the offense being
such as required his expulsion. I, as chairman,
pronounced him expelled from the Church. After
I had informed him of the result, he demanded a
copy of the trial, with an appeal to the quarterly
conference. I refused to furnish him what he re-
quired. I was brought up to the proper tribunal,
by himself, on a grave complaint of my maladmin-
istration. The elder, Rev. Thomas Barkdull, of
course, decided that he was entitled to a copy of
the proceedings; so I was greatly abashed, realiz-
ing my error, and confessed my fault. It was to
me, as I said, a wonderful guard in the future
against haste and ignorance, and caused me to do,
374 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

as nearly as I could, what Rev. Henry Whiteman
once advised me while in my earlier ministry—
“Read your Discipline through every month, all
the year, until it is imbedded fully in your mind.”

This year closed, and, with considerably less
quarterage than two hundred dollars, I departed to
receive another “work.” At Waterville Circuit,
near Maumee City, I found higher privileges, less
travel, and fewer appointments; but it was one of
physical suffering, for I “enjoyed” the fever and
ague at least one-half of the year, and was brought
down to a “white gauge” complexion. Dr. Pray,
my physician, said, ‘‘I never knew any person to
shake as hard, and as long, with one attack, as
Mr. Burgess did; for it lasted six and a half
hours ere my teeth ceased to chatter, or my frame,
was not in convulsions.

One Sabbath I can never forget. J was in my
bed, shaking most terribly; and, though blankets
and quilts and coats were thrown over me, and
every few minutes I drank hot ginger and herb
teas, I still shook the bed with my trembling; and,
even with hot irons at my feet, all failed to soothe
or quiet my excited nerves, or to stay my twitching
muscles. But.just as I was, at ten and a half
o’clock A. M., here came two of my Church breth-
ren, and said: “ Brother Burgess, the church is full
of people; and it will never do to disappoint them.
You ’ll have to go, if possible, and try to preach to
them.” I remarked, “O,I can not preach as I
am, as you see me now, in a fit of ague.” But
they urged, and offered to assist me to the church,
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 875

and into the pulpit. So, with shaking frame and
trembling voice, I rose in the pulpit, and said,
“ Brethren, I have a heavy chill upon me; but let
us pray, and try and have a good time.” I read
my hymn, and offered prayer with chattering sound,
and preached with a shaking nature, as fast as I
could, and loud as my voice allowed. When about
half through my sermon, a perspiration came over
me, and my handkerchief was all soaking wet; my
weakness somewhat left me, and I was glad it was
no worse. ‘But they all said my words did much
good, and great religious sympathy was manifested.
We then continued the worship with class-meeting,
which was a real spiritual feast.

On this field of labor were many precious souls
whom I hope to see in glory—such as Father Pray
and family, Crosby’s Christian household, and
Brother and Sister Hain, in a part of whose house
we lived most agreeably, during the Winter. Father
Kimble’s was also a home where Christ dwelt.
This old brother was a royal man of the backwoods
kind, and of untold value to us and the Church.
He made us a split-bottom rocking-chair, of hick-
ory wood, while there, which we enjoy now, and it
is almost as good as when given us thirty-eight
years ago.

Near this place I witnessed a sight, and the
only one of the kind I had ever seen before—a
drunken woman! We were in our buggy, as she
was passing on foot in the highway; but seeing us,
she shied off to one side. Over her dress was a
short, brown sack, and beneath it she held her jug,
376 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

and went tottering along, half stumbling; but ap-
peared to have some little shame, and tried to hide
the jug from our sight; but it hung half its length
below the sack, quite visible. O, what an object
of disgust! and I said then in my heart, “O God,
help me to fight forever against the manufacture
and sale of the demon of hell, intoxicating drink!”
This portion was one of the greatest fisheries in
all the region, in this broad and, at times, turbulent
Maumee River. Thousands of sturgeon, from three
to five feet long and six to eight inches in thick-
ness, were daily caught, boiled down, and the rich,
oily fat procured, which was of much value for
various purposes. Some ate the lean parts of this
fish, and greatly relished it, while many thought it
not at all palatable, being very coarse in its nature,
and quite red in color; but it was generally fed to
the hogs with all the entrails and heads, which fat-
tened them rapidly. Here, also, multitudes of the
“red-horse”’ were seined, large and fat, which were
regarded as an excellent fish. I have had the
exciting pleasure of helping to lift up many
with dip-nets, in which often, at one haul, we se-
cured from six to twenty, averaging about five
pounds each. They were shipped off to the South
and to the West, producing a good market ; bring-
ing in, in that early day, about all the cash that
was then and there circulated, as but few raised
grain, more than enough for home consumption.
We also enjoyed that luscious and healthy fruit,
the large dark-blue huckleberry, which grew every-
where through the open oak-woods; and we could
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 377

pick them up by the handful and secure them by
the bushel. Many gathered them to sell in towns
and cities—as Toledo, Perrysburg, and Maumee
City. An acre of this open, sandy soil, would pro-
duce thousands of gallons. No fruit was more
pleasant, or relished bettér by-all people.

Near that place was Fort Meigs, where General
Winchester and General William Henry Harrison
had the successful battles against the British and
Indians ; and from that side of the Maumee River
we could see the historic old tree near by, or in
the city, into which the Indian sharp-shooter, or
spy, had climbed, to look over to the American
works, when General Harrison, by his gunship
agility, through a long range, with his ‘old-fash-
ioned, long barrel, flint-lock gun, shot the “ red-
skin,” and down he tumbled from the crotch of the
old oak-tree. It was about three-quarters of a mile
shot. Around and over these old war-paths I have
ridden and scrambled, and had the great honor to
look upon that tree of so much renown; and I
often listened to the relation of mighty feats our
soldiers performed.

The following few years I traveled in the in-
terior of the conference, and found hundreds of
devout and loving friends, whose blessed character-
istics and dear names I cherish with fondness.
Never in all my ministerial life did one year pass
but the blessed Lord gave me a grand revival, and
many precious ones for my labor; for which great
gratitude is inscribed forever upon my heart.

When I joined the Illinois Annual Conference,
32
378 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

I found acceptable fields, and was ever greeted
with warm hearts, with a noble welcome—a wel-
come at every home. When, the first time going
to my appointment, I crossed the vast prairie-land,
so beautifully and so magnificently adorned with
flowers of every hue, and blushing in the sunlight;
and heard the millions of little insects all around
me, and in my sight, and could hear them rubbing
their wings, but speaking in their simple and in-
distinguishable song-like intonations; and also the
countless birds in their sweetest carols of praise,
fluttering in the air, and winging from shrub to
shrub, as under the guidance of the eye of the Un-
seen, doing him honor; then coming to a little ele-
vation, and gazing for miles with unobstructed
vision, upon, and over, nature’s richness,—my soul
leaped within me to glorify God. Dismounting
from my horse, I dropped upon my knees, and,
with my face heavenward in humble adoration, I
literally shouted and clapped my hands before Him
“who hath made the heavens and the earth and all
things therein,” for his own glory and for the hap-
piness of all his creatures.

For five years I enjoyed the association of the
I}linois Conference brethren, and found many royal,
kind-hearted, intellectual, and God-fearing men
among them; and I was never, once, by bishop,
elder, or member, treated amiss, or sent to a poor
circuit ; but each year sent to a better one than I
deserved. The laymen wherever I went, on every
work, received me as God’s messenger ; and, though
short of larder comforts at times, yet I never really
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 379

suffered for food and clothing, but realized the sa-
cred words, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall
not want.”

I must state a little of the joyfulness of my ac-
ceptance on Virden Station, by the hand of John
Bennyworth, one of the stewards, as an incentive to
other Christians toward their incoming preacher,
for it did me a world of good, and fired me up to
preach with vigor and love. I preached two Sab-
baths for them before my family arrived; then
preparing to return for them, Brother Bennyworth
came to me, wishing me a speedy return; then
placed a twenty dollar gold-piece in my hand, say-
ing, “I expect you will need this on your jour-
ney.” I had never been treated just that way be-

. fore, and it was a comfort, and a big welcome.

That calls to my mind the peculiar instance of
a good minister, who had a rich member in his
flock, but who paid but very little for the Gospel.
The preacher took a singular plan to touch his
pocket. On Sabbath morning, just before preach-
ing, he requested this rich man to step with him
in the rear of the church, and asked him to lend
him five dollars for only a short time! From his
big roll of cash, the rich brother took out the five,
and handed it to him. The preacher opened his
empty purse and placed it carefully within it, and
went in and preached with much enthusiasm. After
the service was over, he called the rich man to the
same place, and handed the money back to him with
many warm thanks. The man said, “ Why, brother,
you have not used it: why return it so soon?” “O,” °
380 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

said the good preacher, “you do not know how good
it makes a man feel to know he has money in his
pocket when he preaches.” It was a lesson, and
proved effectual. Let me say to all the Church,
“Muzzle not the ox that treadeth out the corn.”

One little episode in our physical relation, how-
ever, was rather pressing, and gave us some un-
pleasantness of living. Appointed agent of Jack-
sonville Female College, of course, threw me upon
my own efforts for a home, as all such agents are
forsaken beings; and as thousands were flocking
westward, and the State increasing in population,
I found it exceedingly hard to obtain quarters in
the eastern part of the State, where I was assigned
to labor by my superiors in the agency. After
much searching, I found, in a small backwoods
village, a log cabin of one room, sixteen by six-
teen, and in that we spent the Winter. It had no
ceiling but rough, split clapboards lapped over each
other, and similar ones for the roof nailed on the
rafters. The floor was puncheon, and much of it
laid on the ground; it had only one small window
of six panes of glass, eight by ten, and immovable,
unless taken out. There was no chinking between
the logs, as it had been used for a long’ time as a
mere lumber-room. It was a “ground-hog case,”
or else I must board; and that I could not afford
with all four of us, as it would consume more than
we received, and no private family had sleeping-
rooms to spare. Hence I went to work, cut out
and split chunks, and jammed them in the cracks,
‘parallel with these coarse logs; and as no plas-
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 381

tering could be obtained, I went in the -road with
stove-shovel and bucket, gathered up the tramped
clay, and with my hands, having no trowel, I
threw or dashed it in the crevices, then rubbed it
smooth as possible, and so hoped to keep my folks
warm while I went out to Jecture and to sell
scholarships, to strengthen the college. Having a
little stove, we placed it on the hearth, near the
great fire-place, which was five feet high and six
feet wide, so that both stove and fire-place kept
burning were not sufficient to keep us warm. When
preparing to leave, I rolled several great logs inside
the house, and piled around the door outside much
large and small wood, as wife was sick, and the
children too small to handle it. One back-log
lasted all day and night, but they had to call in a
near neighbor to help roll it in the fire-place. The
new home all fixed up as I thought, we concluded
some pleasure would obtain; but soon a dashing
rain came down, my clay washed out, and I had to
renew the daubing. Our cabin was infested by
great rats, that troubled our provisions and gar-
ments; hence we kept large fires, lest they should
draw them under the floor. Then we sought a
remedy by tearing up some of the hearth, and
putting arsenic and meal under it, which effectu-
ally killed them; but the dying and dead rats soon
gave out such a dreadful scent that we were com-
pelled to abandon home for a short time, to let
the dead freeze oyt and the living abscond. Our
roof was leaky all over, so we stretched a piece of
new muslin over our bed, and caught gallons of
382 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

rain-water, When the first snow fell, it blew
through the roof, and fell on the clapboard ceil-
ing; and when it melted we had streams of water
coming down; but I went into the loft, opened a
passage, swept bushels of snow down on the table,
and thus saved much wetting.

Thus we lived, with terrible privations, half
frozen during the “cold spells,” and, being sick,
our condition was very disagreeable. One exceed-
ingly cold day I rode some fifteen miles without
dismounting, and when I arrived at my destination
I was so stiff with cold I could not move my limbs,
my hands were too numb to open them, and my
speech seemed almost inarticulate. The good
brother lifted me off my horse, took me to the fire,
and, by cold water, warm tea, and great kindness,
I was saved from much affliction. A mile or so
more I would have been beyond all recovery, and
fastened as a little iceberg on my saddle. But
though thus unpleasantly situated, I worked about
three-fourths of the year, sold several thousand dol-
lars’ worth of scholarships for the college, delivered
many educational lectures, inspired many young
ladies to seek a higher culture, started young men
up the hill of science, received most of my own
salary by littlé collections, and I praised God that
I passed through the year as well as I did.

I will’ relate a queer incident that occurred,
while college agent, on my return home. I came
by cars, and landed at Langford Station, about
three miles from our town. It was dark, and a
drizzling rain falling, and very muddy roads. With
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 383

my satchel over my back, I started on foot, there
being no hacks, and after going a few rods I
thought I heard a wagon ahead; so I began to run,
and after a short distance I stopped to listen; but
no sound was heard. I then walked along; “and
surely,” I said, “that is the sound of a wagon ;”
and I ran very fast for half a furlong, and, not
gaining on its travel, I listened once more; then,
starting slowly, it seemed to be but a few steps be-
fore me in the dark. Then off I leaped, to catch
up for a ride,a mile or so; but all was in vain.
Then starting slowly along, I heard the noise in a
soft rattle, and, behold! it was the straps of my
boots striking against each other, as I had rolled
up my pants for the muddy walk to town. I
laughed most heartily over my self-deception. So
it is often in life with us all: we seek for comfort
in mere phantoms, but, like the child charmed with
a glittering bubble, we seize the unsubstantial, and
all is vapor. “Seek first the kingdom of God and
his righteousness, and all these things shall be
added unto you.”

Family sickness prevented my retaining the
agency, which was kindly offered me. At the com-
ing annual conference I felt proud to be congratu-
lated as having given our fine institution a better
reputation than it had ever gained in the eastern
part of the State, as publicly stated by the voice of
that grand old hero and successful pioneer of Meth-
odism, the Rev. Peter Cartwrizht, D. D. The
good words from such a blessed source will always
be a flattering remembrance to me.
384 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

I asked Bishop L. Séott to send me over to the
western border of the State, that I might, with
little expense at the close of the year, transfer to
Towa. Chili Circuit was assigned me, and to the
best of my ability I toiled that year for my Master,
formed many hallowed acquaintances, had several
good revivals, took about forty souls into the
Church, and was happy on the little “field.” I
found many sinners to lead to the cross, and that
was an inspiration to labor, and to preach Christ
and him crucified. My home this year was in the
beautiful little city of Warsaw. Here, and on the
circuit, many noble Methodists were found. Among
my special acquaintances were the families of Har-
ris, Hughes, Bolt, Dennis, Fredericks, Beard, Cox,
Albers, Walker, and Mrs. Moore, from all of whom
I received the greatest kindness, and at whose
houses was always a broad welcome.

My health was poor, and I was prompted to
cross the great Mississippi, and join the Iowa Con-
ference. Rev. Joseph. Brooks gave me a glowing
recommendation, and the noble brethren of Iowa,
with open hands and warm hearts, bade me a happy
salutation; and now for over twenty years, on cir-
cuits, in stations, and on the district, I have found
scores of true ministerial brethren, with them have
worked successfully hand to hand, knee to knee,
breast to breast, and heart to heart, in gathering
the vintage of souls into God’s great vineyard.
Hundreds of precious souls—praise the God of
heaven !—have been led to the “ Fountain of Life”
through my weak instrumentality. But our con-
x

PLEASANT REC OLLECTIONS. 385

ference is being rapidly depleted of many of its
noble heroes, who have gone over to the other
shore in holy triumph, such as Revs. Samuel Clark,
one of our earliest successful pioneers, leaving one
son a useful minister, and one a distinguished
editor ; Simpson, a real Cephas in Christ’s cause ;
Worthington, loving and mild; Hare, the royal
man, and sweet singer of Iowa Conference; I. I.
Stewart, faithful and brave at all times; Robinson,
always like the beloved John; Holland, true as
steel for God; Dr. Power, mighty in polemics, a
full-fledged disciplinarian, God’s own workman ;
Coddington, studious, and moving toward greatness ;
Boyles, full of revival spirit; McDowell, young in
old age, ripening daily for heaven; Harris, zealous,
fearless, and true; Reineck, eloquent, full of love,
dying in sight of the cross; Dr. Wheeler, a scholar,
and full-grown saint; Friend, a friend to all; Bam-
ford, broad-minded and hopeful; Prather, practical,
a noble fellow; Latham, always at the feet of Jesus,
viewing Calvary ; Donaldson, all life and work for
his Master; White, hopeful, and bright as the
morning star; J. Q. Hammond, hopeful, cheerful,
whose theme was the cross. Hallelujah! we shall
meet them, “over there! over there!” But a few
of their mates yet remain, and are nearing the
“border-land,” and looking into the valley, and
across to the “highlands” by living faith ; such as
J. B. Hardy, Dr. Corkhill, Dr. Cowles, O. C.
Shelton, B. Mark, E. W. Twining, I. P. Teter, R.
B. Allender, J. B. Hill, T. J. Coleman, C. P.
Reynolds, J. T. Simmons, A. Robinson, E. H.
33
386 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

Waring, G. M. Tuttle, ae ce Barton, Dr. G. N.
Power, Geo. H. Clark, Dr. Spaulding, G. W. Byr-
kett, J. Haynes, E. J. Pike, Jesse Craig, S. Hort-
wood, 8. Brooks, N. Wells, W. H. H. Pillsbury,
E. L. Schreiner, J. G. Thompson, Dr. McDonald,
M. See, I. O. Kemble, W. G. Thorn, C. W. Shep-
herd, T. J. Myers, D. C. Smith, W. E. Patterson,
C. L. Stafford, Dr. Murphy, Dr. Busby, J. B.
Blakeney, Dr. Coxe, 8. H. Thomas, H. E. Wing,
Dr. McFarland, Dr. Evans, C. Morey, Dr. Hughes,
Chaplain C. F. Williams, A. W. Johnson (died since).

After these, more recently in the work, are
-many noble, aspiring men, who will make their
mark of uséfulness; as Kendrick, Haines, Mont-
gomery, Pugh, Groom, Wilsons, Davis, King,
Waters, Kenyon, Housel, Bevan, Francis, Corley,
Shane, Jones, D. C. Smith, Potter, Nulton, Norton,
U. B. Smith, Boatman, Strikers, Hall, King, Hol-
comb, and others. These last we recognized about ten
years ago as evidencing an upward march; and I
am ambitious enough to say that our conference
will hold a good comparison in devotion to God,
and in talent, with any in our great connection.

A few of our brightest talented young men have
left us for the broad prairies of Kansas; as S. S.
Murphy, Thos. Stephenson, M. Bamford, Robin-
son Hunter, and others.
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 387

Chapter XVI.

IOWA CONFERENCE, OUR PRESS—LITERATURE OF OUR CHURCH—
GOOD MEN OF IOWA—CHAPLAIN AND PREACHING, PRAYER-
MEETINGS, ABRAHAM’S PRAYER—STOLE A GRAVE—OUR DY-
ING BOYS—THE DARKY’S SERMON AND ITS EFFECT—ONLY A
BOY—ABOUT GRANT, AND MY RELEASE—ARMY FACTS—OUR
MAN JACK AND HIS ESCAPE—STATIONED IN KEOKUK, IOWA,
GOOD MEN, OUR GREAT REVIVAL—GOOD LAYMEN WITH ME—
HON. SAMUEL M. CLARK—HELPERS— REVS. FERGUSON, S.
LIND—I. P. TETER AND WIFE, REV. WILLIAM REINECK AND
OUR ESCAPE—MY DISTRICT, AND GOOD OLD HEROES, AND
HOPEFUL YOUNG MEN—THE ECLIPSE.

AVING enjoyed the Christian society of the

Iowa Conference, for several years, my ap-
pointments were generally acceptable to myself, and
I trust profitable to the charges. One thing is cer-
tain, that whenever they welcome the newly ap-
pointed pastor, as sent of God, they always prosper.
I have never known, in all my forty odd years of
experience, an exception; but when they want to
choose and “log-roll” for this and that man, uni-
versally before the year closes, these prominent ap-
pointment-makers are the very first to bewray, and
wish to get rid of their selected minister. I se-
riously regret that we have some such among us,
who are not Methodists in spirit or practice. It
were far better for the Church if she were divested
of allthat kind of members. Providence has wisely
388 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

marked out the true course of the Methodist Church,
and as she follows that providential line, and it is
not interfered with by miserable, parasitical ones,
who disturb our Church policy, she will march to
royal success. This has been her history from the
early past. We see her vast power in all directions,
and especially in that great power, the press; and
who can deny that the press of the Methodist
Episcopal Church is a mighty force in this nation?
It is quite impossible to calculate its vast good.
Its gracious influence is permeating all classes of
society, and forming a nucleus of power tending to
elevate all Churches, as well as to bring the whole
nation to a standard of highest intelligence and re-
markable spiritual strength. The wonderful circu-
lation of all our denominational periodicals is as-
tonishing, while but a few of the whole Church
seem to comprehend its vastness. During the past
century its march in this regard has been marvel-
ous, and the good thereby accomplished is unbounded.
Eternity alone can measure its triumphs for truth,
and God’s cause. The hundreds of millions of
pages of pure literature, of religious knowledge im-
parted and scattered abroad upon the wings of the
wind, to all points of the compass, going into great
cities, towns, palaces, and huts, over vast prairies,
through forests, over the Rocky Mountains, to and
through the golden coasts, to the Amazon regions,
down to Mexico, and everywhere where human feet
have trod, captivate the intellect, subdue rebellious
hearts, and unite souls to Christ. Thus by their
sacred and silent teachings, the working of the
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 389

Methodist press is overwhelming, when properly
surveyed. Thousands of lost and wretched sinners
have, by this means of grace, been led to the foun-
tain of true wisdom.

The parent of all Advocates, the Christian Ad-
vocate, with its sixty thousand issues every week
going over its vast territory, has aroused thousands
of torpid minds to Christian activity of thought,
checked many wandering ones just in the nick of
time, when Satan was beguiling them into ruin, and
has shown them the open door to Christ, to success,
and to happiness. Its stately steppings have re-
formed and modified, and blessed in an unmeasured
degree, the whole press power throughout the land,
and is now the real “sine qua non” of Hastern
Methodistic periodicalism. We venerate its hal-
lowed lines, and shout in our very hearts at its
weekly coming. Its columns have ever glowed
with purest literature and religion; with sermons
and sermon sketches of invulnerable truths, full of
tenderest tidings to the human soul; with sublime
and touching obituaries of saved saints, who died
in the glorious light of God’s favor, triumphing in
their last hours of life, casting back from death’s
dark billows cheering reflections of the fullness and
merits of Jesus’ blood, to save to the uttermost all
who come unto him. With great pleasure we can
say, to the honor and glory of God, and to the
pride of the Church, that its editors, from the begin-
ning even to the present, have been almost prodigies
of pure thoughtfulness, with argumentative ability
and historical research ; men whose devotion to the
390 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

Almighty has furnished them spiritual insight and
powers, fully to defend and propel its mightiness
to the downfall of uprising anarchy, against the
oppressiveness of slavery in all forms, against the
spread and accursedness of infidelity in all its as-
pects, against the vagaries of modern spiritualism
in its anti-biblical teachings, and against all the
late contemptibleness of assumed pessimism that
swells only in the heads of a few human lunatics.

Then, again, the Western Christian Advocate, the
first-born of the former, has boldly taken stand for
Christ and truth, on the banks of the sweeping
Ohio, to confront every hindrance to the progress
of the Savior’s kingdom, and it ever sways its col-
ors with unflinching tenacity, accomplishing in the
great Porkopolis city, and for hundreds of miles
surrounding, the success of Christianity through
Methodism, until it has become an avalanche of
mighty thoughts, weekly bearing down from the
heights of apparent inspiration, inundating by its
sacred instructions hosts of human hearts. So far,
all its editors have been men of God, of one pur-
pose, fearless to the end of service, in viewing the
glory of the Master and the health of the Church.
Like the parent paper, its editorials have been
speaking trumpets of loftiest sound, with grand
conceptions to elevate man above the quagmire of
ignorance to the high plains of noble character and
sublime morality.

Then, away out West, down in the very heart
of our nation’s glory, and with strides to wonder-
ful progress, on the western side of the Father of
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 391

Waters, in the flourishing city of beauty and wealth—
St. Louis—is the Central Christian Advocate, sending
forth its speech every week with over twenty thou-
sand tongues, in its lively column of white-heated
editorials and living lessons of truth, to elevate all
intelligences throughout the patronizing conferences
of Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas. Yearly
its words are gaining strength and molding com-
munities of Christians into the service of the Most
High.

We also look up towards the lakes, and there
in the amazing city of unaccountable growth, Chi-
cago, you find the bold, outspoken, and fearless
Northwestern Christian Advocate, like the “ aurora
borealis,” to be the great “northern light” of
truth, spanning the moral sky with knowledge, em-
bellishing its paper with rich writings, and scintil-
lating in beautiful order its greedily accepted words
by a host of ardent readers, which, like a girdle of
steel, bind a multitude of human souls to the cross
of our dear Redeemer.

We will go back to the city of coal and smoke
and steamboats, and find an issue of Biblical light
and instruction from the Pittsburg Advocate, staying
many a soul from harm, and lifting them upon the
royal road of virtue and true righteousness. On
its anvil the appointed Smith is constantly ham-
mering out solid thoughts, as a true barricade
against all evil, and success attends all its move-
ments.

Away over all the continent, and out to the ut-
termost verge of our national domain, in the lovely
392 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS

city of vast dimensions, by the very silvery looking
waters of a beautiful bay, standing erect, and towering
intellectually high, but very modestly breathing
forth golden threads of impressive cogitations, is
the California Advocate, casting its gold-dust of in-
spiring sentiments and valuable ideas, all over the
magic cities of California, over the mountain ranges,
down along the golden gulches, looking into Colo-
rado’s advancement, and over to Alaska’s summits,
and even making its voice to echo away back on
the eastern slopes of our nation.

There are also several other conference Advo-
vates, and Advocates of the Southern Methodist .
Episcopal Church, doing similar good and glorious
things for fallen man, to the glory of the “ Eternal
One,” for all this periodical advance through our
blessed Methodism, from one end of our country to
the other; yea, all over the earth! There is not
an acre of ground, nor a city, nor a rich country
neighborhood, nor even a sparsely-settled portion
of our land where a Methodist family lives, but
somehow or other from the sanctums of the Advo-
cate offices, or through some kindred hand of
love, one or many of our goodly papers soon find
their way thither to dispense light and love and
truth.

When I read from the editor of the Central
Christian Advocate his mighty and interesting ar-
ticle on the Methodist press, presented before the
centennial body, it called forth the deepest thanks
of my heart for its importance to our Church de-
mands. The earnest attention of all our members
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 393

throughout the entire borders should be called to
its rich lessons. If it were read, generally, it would
give fresh impulse to radical action, and prompt a
greater enlargement of usefulness in this depart-
ment of our work. Send such Jines out in all our
papers, and in pamphlet form, that its inspiring
facts may be recognized by the whole Church, then
the coming century will be fraught with mightier
efforts for good, and millions more will be led into
a higher education of usefulness, and God’s glory
will crown our onward movements.

I may ask the question, Is there any better lit-
erature in the world than the Methodist Church
produces? Its theology is sound, its style high
and enchanting, while its effect upon the mind is
to graduate all who peruse it to a noble intellectual
status, and to present a spiritual and sanctifying
caste to the people. But how little is it circulated!
How few take such an interest in it as the great
matter demands! ‘True, in the Church it may have
a good speed in some localities; but, even then,
‘scarcely one-fourth of our people are benefited by
its circulation. You may go into a hundred Meth-
odist families, with whole households of children,
from the robust girls and boys—yea, even to young
men and ladies—and I venture the bold assertion
that seventy per cent of these have none of her
Church literature available. My experience proves
that when going yearly round a large district of
country, a sad destitution in this particular was no-
ticed. I seldom saw a Methodist book, unless it
were some antiquated one, or such as J. B. Finley’s
394 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

life, or Peter Cartwright’s, or Abbott’s; though
these were of value, yet they were not enough.
Our recent publications should be scattered every-
where, to elevate the youth toa higher standard
of influence and power.

Now, who is to blame for this great deficiency,
and how can it be remedied ?

First, parents are forgetful of their duty to God,
to their Church, and especially to their children.
If they would take a deeper interest in their men-
tal cultivation and salvation—yea, one-half as much
as they do for their financial prosperity—there
would be an advance in this regard, and by thus
spreading our numerous good and healthful books,
they would win their children earlier into our
Church, as well as create a mighty influence for our
‘beloved Methodism. A lack upon their part in
this matter is the cause of intellectual and moral
famine in their children, and they grow untaught
in the mighty saving principles as taught by our
literature, and are restless and’ indifferent to our
Church, and many of them, I fear, live and die
‘without hope.

What a dreadful responsibility and fearful ac-
count they will have to give for such careless neg-
lect! If I could speak, as in thunder tones, I
would call out to every Methodist family, “Re-
‘ceive my instruction, and not silver; and knowl-
edge, rather than choice gold.” Dr. Franklin said,
truly, “Empty your purse in your children’s minds,
and it will néver be taken from them; put it into
their pockets, and it will soon be lost.”
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 395

I could name many choice books printed in our
establishment, which, if placed in our households,
would be of incalculable and unending benefit to
all. Such as emanate from the minds of Bishops
Thomson, Peck, Merrill, Foster, Drs. Lowrey,
Crane, and the like, would afford rich food. And
we find the purest, simplest, grandest teachings
for our children in our Sabbath-schvol department,
which will develop true manhood and _ barricade
society.

Even our weekly Advocates, teeming with the
blessed Gospel teachings and pure original thoughts,
with the latest intelligence from all the world, are
ignored by three-fourths professing godliness; and
secular and unprofitable papers crowd their tables
and shelves. I admit that some of our daily and
weekly papers are noble and moral in tone; yet
our Methodists who refuse to subscribe for our re-
ligious periodicals, and buy none of our good books,
go to the opposite extreme, and supply their places,
almost universally, with the meanest and _trashiest
publications, and too often obscene literature is
sought. What a pernicious influence is created by
vile books and papers!

Many of our ministers are to blame for this
neglect to recommend and sell our works. This is
one cause of so many innovations in our Church,
and why we lose so many of our promising youth.
Imperceptibly, they are beguiled into wrong
thoughts and habits by such false teachings. Other
Churches are at work, continually and among our
children, and outside ones ever on the alert, sending
396 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

out their agents and colporteurs in every part, sell-
ing cheap books; others scatter their subtile and
unchristian doctrines, which are permeating whole
communities, winning our children from the faith
and homes of their fathers. This is to our greatest
loss, as our children are the foundation of our fu-
ture strength and glory as a Church. Some
preachers are too lazy, and some ashamed to dis-
tribute books, when perhaps the sale of a few good
books in a community would do more real good
than a dozen of their sermons. These volumes
prepare the way to the heart for the preaching of
the Word. I am always proud to circulate Meth-
odist theology.

Our fathers would crowd their saddle-bags with
religious literature, and go on horseback and sell
hundreds of books to all classes. And what vast
good it did! It has really revolutionized our whole
land, thrown out a flood of light and valuable in-
formation, and spread a pure Christianity ; and its
sacred effects are seen, and the moral waves thus
excited are still moving on in sublime grandeur.
Many a simple tract, as a silent preacher, has been
the means of the salvation of souls, and thereby set
in motion the electrical, religious impulse, that will
move on for all time, for the elevation of humanity.
What a golden opportunity we have as ministers in
this day of easy travel, to carry around. to our dif-
ferent appointments, good, wholesome books to
young and old, to save the young and comfort the
aged and dying! Our people will buy them freely,
if we present them aright, and speak of their value.
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 397

Our prayers should just as much accompany such
efforts as if we were going to preach a sermon.
And who dares to preach without asking God for
divine aid? It would be abortive. I think that
every annual conference should have, at least,
one agent in its bounds, and make this matter a
specialty, and thousands would be sold, and tens
of thousands of tract pages scattered, that would be
like heavenly dew in communities, and the whole
Church thereby be vastly benefited, and many souls
added to the ranks of Israel. That these things
may so be, is my prayer.

In looking over my various fields of labor, in
stations, circuits and districts—as Bloomfield, Fair-
field, Brighton, Pella, Ft. Madison, Keokuk, Albia,
Centerville, and others—I find closely wedded to
my heart many noble men and their families, never
to be forgotten for their Christian regards to me.
I can refer to but’ few; as, A. Gibbons, General
Bussy, Dr. Hillis, O. Kisar, Dr. Finley, General J.
B. Weaver, General H. H. Trimble, Professor J.
McCarty, G. and J. Duffield, J. Ellis, D. Hill,
Wm. Johnson, Eichelbarger, Rominger, Hagan,
Young, Glenns, Rollins, Ferguson, Millsaps, Col-
lins, Veach, Duckworths, Captain Evans, W. Alex-
ander, B. Barnes, J. F. Crawford, Brooks, Men-
denhall, George, Fulton, Junkins, Pumphrey,
Lynch, Shamp, Byrkitt, Pollock, Fleak, Prizer,
Trine, Jordans, Auld, Gibbs, Carey, and others;
and, indeed, all over my works were stars
of usefulness and brightness in the Church; some
scattered over my district, as Judge De Shields,
398 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

Love, Kelsey, Wilson, Darrah, George, Judge
More, J. Williams, Sargent, Peirson, Bird, Stephen-
sons, Drake, Nye, Phillips, Bryant, Pendegrast,
I. Curry, Sampson, J. Rummell (my early and
fast friend), and Runyon.

When the Civil War broke out in 1860, I was
enlisted as chaplain of the 30th Iowa Infantry Vol-
unteers, and many little scenes occurred worthy of
notice, and amusing to recount. We sailed from
Keokuk, Iowa, in the Fall of 1862, in the beauti-
ful steamer Minnehaha, with the blessed old flag
of our country hoisted, and floating in the breeze,
with as fine, robust, intellectual, and fearless a regi-
ment of “boys” as ever graced our nation or faced
an enemy. Our trip was delightful, with all in ani-
mation ; and we soon landed in St. Louis, Missouri,
and entered the “ Benton Barracks,” our rendezvous
for many weeks. My work was momentous, preach-
ing, advising in spiritual matters, visiting the sick,
encouraging the down-hearted, helping to bury the
dead, and circulating tracts and religious books,
from morning to night. I had no spare moments
to waste; neither did I once go out to range over
the great city, save visiting my old and distin-
guished friend, Rev. Dr. Charles Elliott, editor of
the Central Christian Advocate, and through his
kindness procuring many tracts and papers for
our men.

A chaplain’s work, if he look to duty, “is
enough to fill an angel’s heart.” The first in-
stance of merriment I met, was as I was in line
of dress parade with the officers, all of us on
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 399

horseback in the suburbs; and having on my
high, black silk hat, passing a crowd of spectators,
one fellow inquired, with a loud voice, “Who in
the d—lI is that man there, with them officers, with
that high plug hat on, I’d like to know?” and a
good, loud laugh followed.

All our regiment soon became restless to go
South, and shortly we took steamer, and after sev-
eral days we came to Helena, Arkansas, and there
abode for weeks, awaiting orders. We built our
log cabins and pitched our tents, and the com-
panies made thorough and daily drill for the ter-
rible battles they afterwards encountered. While
there many died, and some became prostrated
with various diseases, so that numbers were sent
North or discharged. A good many were deathly
sick with home-sickness, and I really believe some
died with it. I mournfully preached at the funeral
of many noble, true-hearted boys; held service
every Sabbath, and prayer-meeting every Thurs-
day evening, by the light of burning logs and
brush, which served as lamps, giving short talks
or ten-minute sermons; and I also enlisted others
into the work. Rey. John Ford, a local preacher,
also Captain Drayer and Colonel Torrence, would
assist me in exhortations, and our drum-major,
Ogden. Others prayed, and gave in their expe-
riences. These meetings. in these war-times had a
cheerful and moral effect on the religious men,
and, I have no doubt, held others in check as
by “bit and bridle.”

At one time, after I had preached a short
400 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

sermon, recognizing our special obligations to
God for past blessings, and that all our talents
should be consecrated to him, using as my text
the words, “He maketh all his goodness to pass
before me,” one young man came to me and said,
“Chaplain, you touched my heart; I feel that I
have neglected my talent; I have greatly forgotten
my Heavenly Father,” and he asked my prayers.
I talked to him very closely, and advised him to
give his life to God, and he would become useful ;
and unless he did, with all the compunctions of
conscience that impressed him, he would be lost
forever. I learned that, after the war was over,
he became a useful minister of our Church.

We had in our regiment several colored folks,
some mean, worthless scamps, taught to steal in
early life by older ones and slavery surroundings ;
but some few were good and useful and trust-
worthy. Among the latter class was a real clever
family, consisting of man and woman, named
Abraham and Sarah, members of the Baptist
Church. They and I formed a strong friendship.
He cherished a wonderful attachment for the
white “soljars.” They both looked to me with
unlimited confidence, as he said, “as de chosen ob
de Lawd fer de soljars’ future good;” and as he
‘often related spiritual things to me, asking my
advice, I gave him all proper lessons. At our
prayer-meeting, as they were always present, I
stated that all were invited to speak or pray. I
said, “Now, who will give us a word for Christ,
or pray, and I hope all who love the Savior will
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 401

improve the time.” So old Abraham said, “We
will pray,” and I afterwards wrote his prayer, as
follows: “Our Farder in de hebbens, we bow de
knee ’fore dee dis night, for to ask dy blessin’ on
us all. O Lawd, bess de good dear soljars, what
am h’yer for to sabe de country. Day’s come far
from all ober de Norf, for a good cause; may
dair healths be purzerved, an’ will dou keep dem
all from bein’ sick, dat day may do dair duties,
an’ sabe dair homes. O massa Lawd, let dy rich
blessin’? be on our good chaplin, for he prays an’
works an’ toils for de good ob all de soljars, boff
day an’ night. May all de big men, massa Lawd, .
what rules, be right an’ squar, an’ do good for de
soljars. No matter who prays to dee, O Lawd, if
we’s ignorant an’ poor, dou will yer all ob us.
Now, please let de big crumbs fall off ob dy table
for us all to pick dem up, so all ob us may hab
life, an’ a great joy, an’ keep us, O Lawd, in de
hollar ob dy hand foreber more. Amen!”

Now, what was more sentimental? And all
was from the heart. Numerous and pleasing cir-
cumstances might be related, but only a few will
be given.

While at Helena a certain regiment lost a
soldier by death, and the detailed number went
out and dug a grave; and in an hour or two the
solemn procession of chaplain, orderly, and privates
accompanied the corpse; but when they arrived,
they found that another posse of men from another
regiment had gone out with one of their dead, and

actually stole the new grave from the former, and
34
402 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

buried their soldier, then quickly departed, lest
they should be discovered. It appeared they had
gone to select a spot, but seeing the others digging
a grave, waited in ambush, and then took advan-
tage of the chance of the theft. A few days after
this, one or two more of our boys died. One of
them had the untold pleasure of his fond mother’s
company, who lingered with undying love around
his couch; but ere he passed away, he said,
“ Mother, let me offer up a prayer to God;” then,
clasping his hands, and raising them up, he. said,
in a most touching tone, “O Lord, have mercy
upon me; take me home to rest, I pray thee, for
Jesus’ sake: amen and amen!” and soon entered
the soldiers’ eternal home, while all of us were in
tears. Another Christian youth, when nearing the
tide, raised his head slightly, and with outstretched
arms and a faint voice, said, “Lift the flag a little
higher, boys; a little hi-gh-er, boys!” and smiled,
then closed his eyes to open them in heaven. I
preached at their funerals to weeping crowds.
While here I bunked and ate alone, and bought
my bread and sauce; but having a little tent, and a
ten-pound sheet-iron stove, I made my coffee or tea
upon it, and baked my potatoes under a pan. I con-
cluded to make my own bread, so I took some salt
and water and mixed up flour with a tin spoon; and
it got so very stiff I had to take my hands; but.
it stuck awfully to and between my fingers, but I
scraped it off with a case-knife as best I could; then
T used dry flour to rub it off, and at last I conquered
the stiffness. I laid my board on the ground, and
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 403

tried to roll it out and knead it, as I had seen my
wife do, but it kept shoving to the edge of the
board, and I had to pull it back often, and the
board had to be pushed along while I was moving
about on my knees; so I had a long time ere I
caught the “hang” of working dough without its
getting away from me. But in modest fun I wrote
home to tell of my first trial, and to know if they
had to spit on their hands so the dough would not
stick, but they failed to give me such advice. I
then planned a better way to bake my bread and
pies. I stewed dried apples, prepared my crust,
placed it in shallow iron pans in pie form, but the
stove failed to bake it; then came the tug of war;
but I dug a narrow hole in the edge of the river
bank, about two and a half feet in the ground par-
allel with the surface, and one foot deep; in the ex-
treme rear of the “dug-out” I made a small hole
and inserted a piece of tin pipe for a chimney, filled
the “oven” with chips and bark, and fired it up,
closing the front with a sheet-iron door, and burned
all to ashes. I scraped them out cleanly, put in the
pies and dough, and in about one-half hour it was
well done. Now, you may ask, Was it at all eatable?
Yes, grand and good; and our colonel, C. Abbott,
and Mrs. Wittenmyer, our sanitary agent, helped me
eat the pies.

Many were the curious talks we had with old
plantation “darkies.” Major Dewey brought to
my tent an old negro, where Professor Gray and
I were writing, whose heart was almost broken,
desiring us to rescue his family, forty miles off,
404 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

whom he expected to be sent to Texas. The pro-
fessor told him to wait until January, and pray to
God for them, and all would be free; and he
seemed satisfied. I asked him if he had a soul.
He looked at me expressively, and said, “Why,
sah, indeed I has.” JI told him, “Some people
say black folks have none; how do you know you
have?” Lifting his hand up to his breast quickly,
he said, “I feels it in h’yer, sah!’ Several were in
a group, and a soldier asked them, “ Why do you
darkies let the white men abuse all of you so
much? Why don’t you knock them down and
kill them?” One spoke instantly, and all con-
curred by nodding: “Dat nebber do, sah; we’s
hab to submit, now, for all de gov’ment is agin
us, an’ yous all be call’ to kill us, if we does dat;
we’s bridged in, sah, by de laws; we’s dar not
does dat.”

One more pleasing incident I recall. A few
rods from our camp I heard a loud talking one
Sabbath afternoon. I went over, and found about
thirty contrabands sitting in a half-circle under
the limbs of a large sycamore-tree, and a tall,
yellow fellow preaching. He spread himself about
the “Souf.” Our fifty white soldiers were on the
outskirts of “de church,” much attracted and
smiling. His words were quite disconnected, yet
now and then he got up “tip-top,” as he called it.
About every minute he would stop and spit, spread
his big mouth, show his ivory teeth, roll his “ ma-
jestic” eyes, and light into all about right, giving to
white “gen’men,” as well as his own people, a
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 405

rebuke. I will repeat a few things I then wrote
down in my tent. He said:

“ Well, sirs, and bredren, I’se not got much ed-
ecation. Once I was about as good a scholar as
most of folks needs to git along in dis world wid,
when I was young; but now I’se growing old,
about forty-five, and has forgot all I did knows,
and hardly knows my A B C’s; but, howsomever,
I will try and tell yous what is for de good ob each
ob yous, for so much knowledge aint good nohow for
nobody if day do n’t prictize in dair lives what day
gits; for de Lawd Jesus am a great man, and he’s
guaranteed wid all de secrets ob de bossom. I’se
traveled once (as I’se traveled a great deal in my
times) fifteen hundred miles norf-west, and I
- found, as I went along, an old colored sister dat
had read de Bible frew several times, and she said
to me, ‘O, brudder, do pray for me, kase I’se got
no religion.’ Now dat proves dat de hart must be
squar fore de Lawd. Den after while, when de Lawd
am comin’, he ’ll call out, “* Gabre-al, stand up and
blow de trumpet—do!’ Den Gabre-al will come
forf, and blow de trumpet loud. De Lawd den say,
‘Gabre-al! stand up an’ blow dat ar trumpet louder!’
Den he blow dat trumpet louder and louder. Den
agin de Lawd say, ‘Gabre-al! Gabre-al! wrap de
rainbow‘around de neck and blow dat ar trumpet
louder [the preacher standing on his tip-toes]!’
Den Gabre-al stand forf, and he blow de trumpet
louder and louder, and it ’peared like de sound of
ten thousand tunders [turning to the members, they
feeling the impulse and twitching]. Dat will be a
406 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

terrible ’cashun, and sinners will scatter in all ways;
den we will see little angels ’bout so long [measur-
ing from his wrist to his fingers’ end], flying in all
ways frew de air. After den de judgment comes
along, and dar be some ob yous like de turtle-doves
what lights upon de limbs ob de tree-tops. Den
one ob dem he goes to sleep; den one by one day
all flies off, and after while dat sleepy one he soon
wakes up and finds hisself dar all alone! So in
dat day will it be wid yous, sinners! Better be
after ’penting fore de Lawd calls you.”

After he was through, another older man rose
very solemnly, and talked connectedly. I noticed
that several of the blacks turned pale under the
flaming words of the preacher. Our drum-major,
Ogden, asked the audience of blacks how many of -
them could read or spell, and not one was found
that could do either. What an awful curse was
American slavery !

Another war instance, but it was one of sadness:

He was only a boy; and went to the war, en-
listing in my brother’s company. He had not
reached the requisite age, but by some strategic
movement was enlisted for the war. We were at
Helena, Arkansas, and great sickness prevailed in
camp, although great care was taken by the officers
to avoid it. Fevers of various types, tle product
of wet feet, damp beds, and the surrounding ef-
fluvia of swales, and dead carcasses, loaded with
many life-diseases, brought many to an early death.
This lad was early attacked. First a little cough
and fever, followed by severe pulmonary prostra-
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 407

tion, then lingering fever, until we saw his days
were numbered. He was the youngest child and
son of an aged widow lady, and had from infancy
been taught to honor his mother’s God. He had
become religious, and was an even-tempered, kind-
hearted, beardless youth. My entire nature was in
sympathy with him, won by his noble character,
his promising youthfulness looking toward a good
manhood, and for his dear mother, one of my own
charge in the ministry; of course I felt a double
interest in his recovery.

But gradually he sank away despite good phy-
sicians, and the best of nursing by officers, com-
rades, and chaplain. Often I sat beside him and
encouraged him to my utmost; and at times there
were hopeful moments that a change for the better
was possible. All failed, however, and my heart
was burdened ; often I wept as an infant to see the
coming end of such a blessed boy. His mind, dur-
ing all this time, was staid on Jesus; and I never
more earnestly and devoutly asked God for light
on the path of a dying one.

He would often say: “O, Chaplain, if I could
only see my dear mother, she would help me. If
I could talk to her a little, then I could die easy ;
she could do me so much good.” “ My dear boy,”
I said, “God is very near you, and his Son Jesus,
your Savior, will be with you to the last. You
are safe in his hands; do not be in trouble.” “O
yes,” he said, “but there is no one like mother,
and I would like to see her once more.” “You
will see her before long, I am sure,” I answered
408 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

him. “O, will I?” he returned, hardly compre-
hending me, and wondering whether I meant she
was coming, or he would get well and go home.

“He then drew from under his rude bunk-pillow,
a small Testament, and handing it to me, said:
“ Chaplain, my mother gave me this. I have often
read it; but now you take it;” so I received his
mother’s last gift. Soon he failed entirely, and we
laid him away gently, until the morning of the res-
urrection, when he, with a host of such noble ones,
will come forth to meet the descending Christ.

As many little incidents are now being related
about General Grant, and interviews with him,
permit me to give one of lasting pleasure and in-
terest to myself. When chaplain of the 30th Iowa
Volunteer Infantry, we were camping for a while
at “ Young’s Point,” Louisiana. After the first at-
tack at Vicksburg, along the Chickasaw Bayou,
when we had been terribly assailed by disease, I
was so reduced that I could hardly walk, even as-
sisted by a cane, without great nervousness and
trembling. It seemed as if death was very near,
and unless granted a quick furlough I should never
reach home. At that time our camp was several
miles from where General Grant and his great flo-
tilla were launched. Unable to walk so far, and
my brother, Captain Burgess, being so sick he could
not escort me, I was greatly perplexed how to reach
the general. To secure a pass then, in all the great
confusion at that time, I must go through several
“red tape” rules, to be signed by half a dozen
officers, and that would require a long time, besides
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 409

vast trouble; and I thought I could never stand
such delay.

Getting papers from my colonel, I hired a team-
ster to take me in his lumber-wagon, five miles to
head-quarters, and landed on the shore opposite the
boat of General Grant. Being weary and quite
overcome, I sat down on a long root projecting
from the sand. After awhile I tried to board the
boat to see him; but a little captain, with sword in
hand, was guarding the gangway, and I was refused
admittance. Though weak in body, this made me
sicker in heart, and deeply excited my nervous
frame, and I thought I might have to tarry there
all night, or die on the chilly shore. Soon a nice-
looking colonel on the staff came to the front of
the boat, and I waved my hand and bid him a sa-
lute. He recognized me with apparent sympathy ;
then giving him a token, to which he responded,
and seeing I was in chaplain dress, he said, “ Chap-
lain, what do you wish?” I spoke as loud as pos-
sible, saying, “I desire to see General Grant.” He
went back in the forecastle of the vessel, and soon
returned, calling to the brave little captain, “Gen-
eral Grant’s order is to permit that man to enter.”
I was then taken by the arm and conducted on the
boat and up-stairs, and into the general’s kindly
presence, where sat several other officers. I walked
very slowly like a traveling skeleton, for I was
down under seventy pounds in weight.

General Grant, eying me, and recognizing my
condition, and also to be a chaplain, rose up most
humbly and met me; then graciously, like a kind

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410 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

parent, took hold of me with both hands on my
shoulders, and set me down easily, in his own
chair; then stepped off and got another; taking his
seat in an angle position before me, he said, “ Well,
Chaplain, what is your pleasure? can I do any thing
for you?” If I could have been embarrassed, his
noble manners banished it forever, and I was quite
at home. I remarked, “ General, I am so glad to
come into your presence; I see you are a younger
man than I had expected to see!” He said, “ Yes,
I am not very old yet.” “ Well, General,” I said,
“T thought as I was now so reduced as you see
me, I could not be of any service to the men, or
the army; perhaps I could procure a furlough
home for awhile, to recruit up, and return if neces-
sary!” He asked, “ What regiment do you rep-
resent, Chaplain?’ “I am of the 30th Iowa
Volunteer Infantry.” He said, “ All right, Chap-
lain, I will fix you out,” and calling his secretary,
said, “Give this man, as a chaplain, his papers
home to Cairo, Illinois.” Turning to me, “Then
vou will see General Tuttle.” Bidding mea kindly
adieu, with clever ,shake of the hand, and an ex-
pressive look, he said, “I hope you will get along
all right, Chaplain.” I then saluted him with most
ardent thanks, with a full heart, and said, “God
bless you, General,” and bade him good-bye. I
can never forget the circumstances while life con-
tinues.

I was taken back to our camp by some army
teamster. Many soldiers were astonished at my
immediate success. I told them I skipped all the
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. All

little red tapes and touched the main spring of
power. I soon left for home with my sick brother,
the captain, who accompanied me as far as Mem-
phis, Tennessee, where he was to quarter as a sick
soldier. Many on board the boat rendered me aid
and soldierly kindness. The surgeon, DeBond,
said, when I started, ‘There is a dying chaplain ;
he will not last two days, but die on his way
home.” But God, in mercy, kept me through it
all. To this speedy release from the army, where
many diseases converged, through Providence, I
owe General Grant my lasting gratitude for life’s
continuance.

I stated, as you read above, that the men won-
dered how I succeeded in getting my release, or
pass home, so promptly. I dare not tell the big
words some spoke, who were sick and had been for
weeks trying to get their papers through; but I,
being their chaplain, they were rather soft in their
imprecations for my sake; but to hear their words
to-day, then uttered, would make our hair stand
right up. Poor fellows! I really did pity them ;
for, for weeks, they had their applications in the
mill; but all in that line ground slowly. Some
never got their passes, but were buried in the sand,
and some of their bodies were washed out of their
narrow graves and floated away on the tide. So
was war.

At that time our camp was terribly infested
with numerous diseases, and my own special com-
rades will bear me out in saying, that for a short
time we saw hundreds a day borne to their silent
412 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

homes. The small-pox, measles, quick consump-
tion, or pneumonia, Scotch-fiddle, or more vulgarly
the itch, scurvy, and various fevers, seemed for a
season to triumph over our army division. Physi-
cians did all they could to alleviate suffering, but
they themselves were under the wave of affliction,
and we were bitterly discouraged. For myself, my
fever was so high, and I was so burning with
thirst, that I almost laid my mouth and face in my
camp-bucket, and, like a fish, drew in the dirty
river water; and so it was with hundreds. Some
of our clever boys worked like heroes to keep
up the spirits of our men. Lieutenant C. F.
Riffley, of Company A, like a noble Spartan, rolled
up his sleeves, and the regiment having procured a
baking oven, he kneaded the dough, baked the pies,
made tea and coffee, cooked potatoes, and sustained
the reputation as a baker and cook, for the good
of the convalescent soldiers. He should be voted
a badge of honor, for his kindness is remembered
in the warm hearts of many boys in blue. Captain
Thomas Berry was ever moving round in his war-
like glory, with voice of “ Herculean” sounds, com-
manding his obstreperous mules, asses, horses, and
contrabands to duty ; and I tell you it really sounded
charmingly to us sick fellows to hear and see him at
all hours of the day and night, moving about on
duty, in rain and storm, in light or darkness, caring
for no trouble. Sometimes he used awful big words
to his team; but we said, “ Well, it’s war times !”
He was more worthy to be installed colonel instead
of captain.
PLEASAN T RECOLLECTIONS. 413

I seem to hear, even now, at times, his sten-
torian voice! Ah! the sutlers had us, and we all
gathered near their tents, if perchance we might
spend our dimes for health’s sake. We all had a
true friend as the world could offer, and our boys
just turned up the whites of their eyes with wishes
and sweet looks to Mr. Frank Jones; for he would
favor us a wee bit in trade. I stepped in often
and aided Frank and Gage, when busy, to sell,
and I coaxed him to drop off the “Hale” brackets,
and let the poor boys, so hungry, have three little
pickles for five cents, instead of only two, as the
severe order stood. At first Frank winced a little,
and said, “Chaplain, we can hardly stand that;
they cost like blazes, you know ;” but I said, “O,
Frank, we must be good to the needy ones, for
their cash is short.” Then his big heart was
touched and softened under ‘my eloquence, and he
said, “O, well then, Chaplain, you may let them
have three, but we must be a little careful.” And
did I not act accordingly? Ah! I once in a while
dropped even four very small ones into the emaciated
hands. But Frank meant it all right, and will do
much better in our next war, if I am along by him.
We will all vote him thanks anyhow, for the past
favors, as he never charged up the rotten onions
the boys ate.

Well, I got away on the boat as I said, and by
the help of my brother’s noble darky, Jack Bur-
gess, I greatly gained strength as we sailed north-
ward. Something singular about this negro Jack, I
state, for my brother secured him when down on the
A414 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

White River scout. It was thus: When our boat
struck shore, he and many others came in a hurry,
asking refuge on board. In an instant my brother,
the captain, saw such a noble look in Jack, he asked
him his name. Jack replied, “My name, sah, is
Jack Burgess.” It seemed he was owned first in
old Virginia; then, as the war waxed hot, he was
sent to Mississippi to prevent being taken by the
army of the North. His last master’s name was
Burgess, after whom his name was taken, and we
concluded it to be one of our cousins of Maryland.
Jack came first from there to Virginia. The colored
men were not permitted to go aboard, as the boat:
was full of soldiers; but Captain Burgess seized
hold of Jack’s arm and shoved him on the plank
into the boat. Then one person said, “Take him
off;” but brother said, “No, never; this is my
man; I want him.” ‘ Jack proved to be a grand,
good boy ; over six feet tall, and of some consider-
able intellect, so that he entertained lots of the men
in his relation of numerous facts in the South.

I will relate a singular incident concerning him.
I hoped to have brought him to my home in Iowa,
but the unkind captain of the vessel put him off
below Memphis, Tennessee, and we never saw him
after that. When I reached Memphis, in my weak
and sinking condition, General Clark R. Weaver,
of the 17th Iowa Infantry, came on our boat; and
I’ can never forget his kindness. He asked:
“Chaplain, can you eat any thing? What can I get
for you? You look badly.” I replied: “General,
I have eaten hardly anything for fifteen days but
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 415

beef-tea and crackers. I can’t tell what I could
eat.” He went up to the city, and some one, per-
haps himself—I was too sick to know—brought me
a very large can of rich oysters. It seemed like a
God-send of mercy, for after I had swallowed two
of them I felt a strange sensation come over my
whole body ; it went from my heart down to my
feet, most peculiarly like warm fingers gliding over
the nerves; and then I realized the same feeling
move from the heart clear up to the scalp of my
head; and from that hour a little strength was
gained, and my voice was clearer, though faint.
When, however, Cairo, Illinois, was reached, my-
self and horse were almost gone up, for they had
neglected to feed him, except post hay, and he
staggered as he left the boat; but kind ones soon
fed him, and he was safe. As for myself, I was
exhausted with the travel, and lay in the hotel a
couple of days. In the evening of the second day,
I opened my eyes as I lay on my bed, and a man
was standing by me looking at me. I asked, “ Who
are you?” and he replied, “I am your friend; you
are very sick, and I am caring for you.” I had
been out of my mind, it seemed, for some time, but
this clever Yankee friend had watched over me
until I came to reason. O, that I had secured his
name and residence! By my earnest pleadings I
was assisted by two men to the cars for home.
For a whole week I lay in Decatur, Illinois, at
the home of my sister, Mrs. Reineck, and after
feeding on jpigeon-broth and light bread several
.days, I was able to start for Iowa. When Fairfield
416 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

was reached I was so thin that my wife said, had
she not known I was coming she would have never
recognized me, as I was so emaciated, and an hour’s
rest. was necessary ere I could have my coat off; so
near the end of existence was I.

But the strange fact about this negro Jack was
this: He and others had escaped from their planta-
tion to seek shelter with the Union Army, and were
pursued for miles by the overseer and a dozen big
hounds. He heard their unearthly bark or howls
at a great distance tracking them. To evade them,
and disconcert them in their pursuit, they stopped
at a graveyard a moment, and getting on their knees
and scraping away the dirt of a newly-made grave,
for a foot in depth, they gathered up some damp
earth and put it in their shoes. This, they said,
caused the scent of their persons to be lost, and de-
ceived the bloodthirsty hounds so that they lost
the track; then, rushing rapidly onward, they
reached the. river; then they swam across, a full
quarter of a mile, and, finding a skiff chained, they
loosened it, and rowed down stream for a mile or so
and came to the boats on the side of the river they
had first reached. By the time they were on the
bank, the sound of the coming hounds was heard,
and perhaps in fifteen minutes more they would
have been captured.

The army work over in my case, after recover-
ing my health, I received my conference appoint-
ment, and was stationed in Keokuk at Exchange
Street Church. The house was dilapidated and old,
and uncomely in appearance, and many of the
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 417

members had gone to Chatham Square, and but few
comparatively were left, and they mostly poor in
this world’s goods, but, thank God, rich in faith in
Christ ; and there were noble ones enough to claim
the promises; such as Thomas Pollard, Henry
Polser, Benj. Gaimes, Swanson, Hart, 8. Lind, Pe-
terson, Adamson, Hansom, A. Higham, R. and W.
Wooster, Fredericks, Hollowell, Wm. Price, and
many blessed women with these brethren, who stood
by my side, and held up my hands, and gave of
their little from time to time for the Gospel. I
worked with my hands for a month with shovel
and wheelbarrow, to level the ground by the old
“ Bee-Hive ;” then helped to whitewash and paint
and brighten up things for God’s sake; and many
good friends of Keokuk gave me about twelve hun-
dred dollars, and we were well fixed for worship.
The Almighty came with us in divine power, and
for three years I was unanimously asked to return.

Allow me to introduce to my readers the Hon.
Samuel M. Clark, who wishes to speak a word
for me:

“Tn 1863, ’64, and ’65, Rev. John Burgess was
the appointed pastor. During these years Mr. Bur-
gess has been abundant in labors fer the building up
of the society, and he has been eminently successful.
The church building, falling somewhat into decay,
has been repaired to the amount of $1,200 through
his vigorous efforts, and is now in a good condition.
During each Winter of, his administration there have
been extensive revivals. He is an untiring worker,
a good preacher, searches after knowledge through
418 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

all sources; hence has attended medical lectures
while here, and become an M.D. This did not pre-
vent his devotion to ministerial duties. The Meth-
odist conference made a good selection in the choice
of Mr. Burgess. Under such earnest and vigorous
administration ‘the future of ‘Old Exchange Street
Church’ is as full of promise as any of her younger
sisters.”

I must add, that if our ministers had all followed
the old and true landmarks of our Methodism, the
Hon. 8. M. Clark’s closing words would have been
a true prophecy, and no Church would have excelled
ours. I was blessed with powerful revivals. The
first year about one hundred and sixty were saved;
the second, over one hundred and fifty more; and
the third year, over sixty were added to. the fold.
During all these years over one hundred and twenty
soldiers were converted, most of whom lived out
their probation, were received into full connection,
and dismissed by letters, went home, and scattered
the good seed all over several States. From these
meetings several became ministers, to go out and
unfold Christ to the world.

My second year I held meetings for fifty-six
nights successively, and attended medical lectures
six hours each day, and had the delight of receiving
my instructions from such mighty and distinguished
men as Drs. J. L. McGugin, who was in early life
my father’s family physician in Ohio; J. C. Hughes,
Sen., one of the best surgeons on the continent,
clever, unsurpassed in his lectures; Rev. Dr. —
Gillett, a man of God, and as true as steel; and Drs.
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 419

Cleaver and Taylor, grand scholars. At their feet I
sat and embraced knowledge. In those great and
powerful Church meetings I was graciously assisted
by Revs. John Ferguson, the one-armed soldier
preacher, full of life and earnestness, and S. Lind,
a Swede local minister. I owe much gratitude to
Rev. I. P. Teter and his kind wife, for their con-
stant and unstinted work; for his frequent, earnest,
and convincing sermons; and her for toiling with
and instructing mourners at the altar. They both
were instruments, through God, in aiding me to lead
many to the kingdom of our Lord. He was at the
time an army chaplain, and his usefulness among
soldiers was unmeasured. To the sick, he was ten-
der, affable, joyous; and all appreciated his work.
During this great revival, Rev. Wm. Reineck,
my brother-in-law, came over from Jacksonville,
Illinois, to assist me for a couple of weeks, and he
preached with sublime and touching power, and
many more were led to Jesus by his Cephas-like
words. But few men, whom I have ever met, ex-
celled him in true amiability of spirit; a man of
excellent acquirements, and with a superior natural
talent, knowing how to divide the Words of Truth.
His business demanded his return home; but the
unbridged river was full of ice, and gorged, yet,
becoming soft and liable to move at any hour, I told
him it would be dangerous to venture over, and de-
sired him to wait a week or two. But go he must;
so I proposed to cross with him as guide, he being
frail, weak, and nervous. He started on the ice in a
quick step, and I called out to him from time to time,
420 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

“Come on, come on; step firmly; jump carefully ;
don’t fall; follow me closely.” Several times he
fell, and twice or thrice went in up to his knees, and
once deeper; but, by excitement and encouraged
energy, we reached the Illinois shore; and though
he appeared ready to fall with fatigue, he exclaimed,
“ Thank God! terra firma! terra firma!” and I, turn-
ing quickly round on the ice, cried out, “God bless
you, Brother Reineck, good-bye;” and like a deer I
bounded back, jumping from cake to cake of ice,
with my eyes seemingly larger than ever before,
watching lest I should go down. Sometimes I
sprang six or eight feet, with all my energies in
greatest exercise—for I was very elastic and quick-
motioned—and soon bounded to the Iowa shore, with
my body in great perspiration, my mind in untold
excitement, my heart, as it were, in my mouth, my
throat husky, almost choked, so that I could hardly
breathe with ease, my hand pressing hard against
-my side, to suppress the severe thumping of my.
heart, and my very soul trying to praise God with
my voice, in suppressed utterances, that I had made
my escape and was safe. After reclining on my
elbow on the rocks for half an hour, I was out of
misery ; yet I felt the shock for many days, and told
my wife if any person would lay down a million dol-
lars, I would not make such a foolish venture again,
knowing the imminent danger then before me; for my
life is more valuable to me than all wealth; for in a
very few days the whole mass of ice moved along
the channel. I continued my meeting fora few
weeks longer, and God gave me several more for
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 421

my hire. Praised be his name for his great care,
and for “his wonderful goodness to the children
of men!”

After this I traveled the Albia District, and my
time of service on that work was my heart’s delight,
and I am bold to believe I brought up my depart-
ment of the Church not at all behind my elder
brothers’, In the memory of love linger all those
kind and useful ministers of God, then under my
administration as elder, who treated me with much
respect, and by their abilities and smiles, and many
good words of cheer, aided me towards intellectual
elevation and spiritual strength; in their hearts I
always thought I had a large corner. The old
men—noble old heroes of God—fortified me; and
the young men inspired me to preach for their future
inspiration. These were Revs. J. B. Hardy, R. 8.
Robinson, G. M. Kirkpatrick, Miltiades Miller, O.
C. Shelton, J. H. Hopkins, Jesse Craig, William
Reineck, Dr. J. W. McDonald, J. Darrah, O. Bur-
gess; and the younger were E. H. Coddington, C.
W. Shephard, W. G. Thorn, J. M. Mann, W. H. H.
Smith, Thomas Stephenson, W. J. Miller—all young
men of bright promise.

Many pleasing things occurred, which space will
not allow me to note, though never to be forgotten.
One glorious event I mention, is that of the great
eclipse. It was full, complete, perfect, and for a
few minutes was wonderfully sublime to our enrap-
~tured gaze. The ball of fire at its base, and the
bright reflection which surrounded it as melted
silver, were as vivid to us as mid-day sunlight.
422 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

What a thrill of joy and an unearthly rapture it
produced in my mind, as I gazed upon the absorb-
ing sight! I could but exclaim: “O bless God!
O glorious scene! O how wonderful is the Almighty
in all his ways!’ Nothing ever more grand!
These deep things of nature, now unraveled, I may
some time more fully understand. Truly,
“God plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.”

These mysteries will all be made known to me
when I pass the river of death, and reach a holier
land. I felt just as if, under such a change of na-
ture as that, I could die quite happy, and cross up
to the higher heaven, where we will forever see
wonders, and engage in praising Him who ruleth
the skies, and upholds the universe. This was an
exciting scene to thousands; to some unpleasant,
and no doubt rather thrilling and fearful; to others
pleasant and joyous; but, ah! what is that to the
grand and glorious event of the coming of that
blessed Savior, who would have all recognize him
as their hope and salvation; when he shall come
in the clouds of glory, descending in triumphant
majesty, surrounded by myriads of angels, with
redeemed saints, with songs of heavenly melody, to
make up his jewels for the eternal rest promised in
his holy Word? I truly wished at that moment,
that I had the flight of an eagle—yea, the speed of
lightning—to ascend right up, if possible, in the
midst of the scene, to witness how it happened, and.
explain the awful phenomenon. I thought if this
grand eclipse so affected many, what will be the
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 423

moral relation of each of us, when the last great
transaction of God’s divine power before the world
shall take place; when the heavens shall be rolled
together as a parchment scroll; when the moon
shall be turned into blood; when the sun shall be
blotted out; when the stars shall fade away; when
the heavens shall melt with fervent heat, and the
earth shall be burned up, and God, the Eternal in
truth immortal, shall discover to his elect the bliss
he hath prepared for them on high?

The sight referred my mind, instantly after it
passed off, to that exciting and eventful period when
Jesus upon the cross was crucified for our redemp-
tion, to establish the verity of Christianity ; to that
moment when the Jews stood horrified and af-
frighted, in dread expectancy that the end of the
world was near at hand; when the graves opened
and the dead came forth to life, and aJl nature for
three long, dreary hours was draped in darkness.
That was not an eclipse; that was the time of full
moon; no telescopic preparations or mathematical
calculations were made for that.occasion: it was
unknown, and unexpected to all human wisdom,
until the awful moment when our Christ exclaimed,
“ Eloi, Eloi, lama sabacthani!” All astronomical
views were too finite to comprehend it; it was a
divine miracle, an unanswerable argument, that for-
ever hushes infidelity, and has been to all saints, in
all ages, a comfort and a grand source of continued
rejoicing. We will wonder, and admire all the
wonderful works of God, in the material and moral
world.
424 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

Chapter XVII.

THE CLOSE—-MT. VERNON, OHIO—MANY NOBLE MINISTERS—
REVIEW OF LIFE AND LESSONS FOR LIFE, I OWE TO REV. J.
H. POWER—BISHOP SCOTT—-BISHOP WAUGH AND W. B.
CHRISTIE—HENRY B. BASCOM AND NICHOLAS SNETHEN—MRS.
SAMUEL F, VORRHIES—MY MOTHER—HEBER’S PRECIOUS WORDS.

AVING come to the close of life’s history thus

far, I feel to rejoice in the mercy of God, for

his unbounded goodness and grace, in assisting my

mind to recount the past. Many other early scenes

still flash before me, but space forbids their notice.

I shall now insert some reminiscences which I had

previously written and published, and a few may be
repeated, in a measure.

As I said, the town of Mt. Vernon was our
destination; but in those early days, the distance
being several hundred miles, we were at least two
months making the journey, which can now be
traveled by railroad facilities in two or three days.
Here my father brought his religion, and became
the central fixedness of Methodist gatherings; and
here he spent his days for the Church and God.
Our house became the nucleus, the centering point,
for all itinerant ministers. At our house Revs. L.
L. Hamline and James McMahon dwelt, tempora-
rily ; and to a great degree it was the home of thou-
sands of laymen. It was said by Rev. Dr. Adam
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 425

Miller, that “Brother Burgess’s house was the half-
way home between the Rocky Mountains and the
Atlantic Ocean, for Methodism.”

In those early days I had the opportunity of
forming blessed acquaintance with numerous heroes
and godly men among the ministry. It used to be
said, no Methodist preacher came within twenty
miles of my father’s house who did not come and
spend a day, or stay a night, or even sometimes a
week, under his hospitable roof. It would not be
extravagant to assert that my dear old mother has
given five thousand meals to the people of God. I
call to mind one quarterly-meeting in Mt. Vernon,
when I counted sixty horses in our barns and yard,
fed at our corn-crib and hay-stacks, and the people
who were there were treble that number. One or
two nights mother gave the beds to the women, and
then in two rooms spread coverlets and quilts over
the floor for the men.

Five hundred currant-bushes grew in our gar-
den; and all the wine for sacrament at camp and
quarterly meetings, and all two-days’ meetings, was
furnished free by my father, who yearly made bar-
rels of it for that purpose. Each barrel was half
filled with sugar, bought then for two or three cents
a pound, and the other half was filled with the juice
of the berry, boiled down, and it thus kept for a
long time without fermentation.

In my boyhood I took great delight in hitching up
our horses to the two-seated carryall, and going with.
my father to distant meetings. I did not care for.
the service, but the travel and large companies gave
426 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

me pleasure. I am now conscious that good and
glorious influences then prevailed over me, and
saved me from sin, and led me to God. Many of
the old preachers of that day linger in my mind,
and their good advice, sacred prayers, and smiling
faces still flit before me, as if but yesterday. I
would call back a few in a kindly representation.

The first in view is Gilbert Blue, called by every
body, “Old Daddy Blue.” He was rather heavy-
set, with sandy complexion, bearing a soft, tender
look, with mellow words, gentle in spirit, but of a
nervous temperament. He used a “ by-word,” when
talking to father, which I never forgot. When he
wished to confirm a matter, he would say, “Now,
blame it all, Brother Burgess, that was so and so.”
I said to father that it was wrong for a preacher to
talk so; but he replied, ‘ O, my son, that is his way
only of expressing his earnestness, for Brother Blue
is a good man.” He was a mild preacher, and did
much good.

Another was Abner Goff—“ Father Goff,” as
styled; a tall, spare man in form, and he had a
holy look. He wore his hair long, and was a man
of very winning manners, of deeply earnest address,
and practical. He was also a good singer. He
always gave us children good advice, never to be
forgotten.

Then, again, there was Rev. Jacob Dixon, quite
different from either of the above; a very lively
and joyful man, full of hearty laughing ability, and
of queer anecdotes in conversation. In the pulpit
he was tender and soothing, and poetic in style.
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 427

He was stalwart in body. He wrote and published
a poem of some worth, in book form. His present-
ing me one in my boyhood causes me to remember
him particularly. He spoke golden words of in-
spiration to me, for my advancement.

Simeon Goddard, a grand man, often came to
see us, a man who had God’s work in his heart.
His manner was pleasing and attractive, his ser-
mons pathetic and full of love, so that often the
audience were melted under his persuasive strains.

Another man we may mention, of wonderful
sagacity, of untiring zeal, and talented quite
beyond the common lot of ministers. He was
pleasantly eccentric, but wielded a mighty power
over all with whom he mingled. In the pulpit
there were but few in his days that were his peers
in preaching, in proper sarcasm, in real oratory.
He was an honor to all the Church in his sermon-
izing. In the noble sense, he was a true critic.
Methodism always found in him one of her might-
iest supporters and defenders. Tall in stature,
bald-headed somewhat, of fair complexion, lucid in
style of delivery, exceedingly affable about the
house, was the venerable Henry O. Sheldon. At
the family altar he was pointed and impressive.
Onge in his prayer he prayed for my elder brother,
Oliver, saying, “ And now, O Lord, here is little
Oliver; forgive him, I pray thee, for that story he
told to-day, and make him a better boy.” Brother
said he could not for his life think of any lie he
had told, and he was quite troubled about it. Thus
you see the peculiarity of the man. There are but
428 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

few men whom I ever respected more, or who did
more good than he.

Alfred M. Lorraine I can never forget. He
was the old “ sailor preacher,” a real gust of power
in delivery, with extraordinary strength of thought,
and by his mighty appeals often carried the whole
congregation to great religious excitement. He
attracted all classes. His nautical phrases were ex-
ceedingly touching, and produced in their pointed
illustration electrical effects. He was the author
of one or two interesting books, “ Helm, Sword, and
Cross,” a memoir of his life and labors, and “Sea
Sermons.”

Uncle Jimmy Wilson, the “old Irish preacher,”
is imbedded in memory. He was a very athletic
man, weighing about two hundred ; short, but broad.
His manner was very energetic, his style of speech
voluble and full of pathos. His appeals to the
sinner were convicting and clinching by his mighty
voice. JI remember on one occasion, when greatly
excited in his sermon, and quite exhausted after
nearly an hour, he suddenly stopped and took his
seat, saying, “ Just wait a little, brethren, till I take
my wind.” He thought he needed more wind, or
stronger breath, to finish. So after a short rest, the
hearers all in suspense, he went along with much
power to the conclusion. :

Another dear brother rises before me, and one,
too, of the best and most devout persons I ever knew.
He was all of Christ, and Christ was his sweet theme;
holding him up always in every sermon as “the
immaculate Son of God.” The highest aim of his
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 429

life seemed to be to honor God and. save souls.
His devotion to the cause of his Master made us
think of faithful Abraham. I recollect my father
once saying of him, “Rev. George Elliott is one
of the best men of earth; he is really the salt of
the earth.” And so all thought. His death was a
shock to the conference and to our whole com-
munity. When visiting Mount Vernon, Ohio, I
look at his tombstone, next to my father’s, and
think of the two warm friends, and old Brother
Young—all three side by side—that they will all
come forth together in the morning of the resur-
rection to meet their blessed Savior in the air.
Won’t it be grand?

Another is in mind, whose work is still going
on; yet he has accomplished, in great labor and
toil, mighty things for God’s great cause. His
blessed and kind spirit I can never forget. And
though we have not met for a score or more years,
even since he was at my parents’ home, I have been
delighted to follow his bright career all those years.
And no doubt in his crown of rejoicing will be many
gems. I cherish his words and good advice, and
remember his humble yet lofty prayers around our
family altar, his noble mien at our house and in the
sacred desk. I do hope to meet Rev. William Herr,
D. D., on the high banks of life.

Now I would recount, if possible, the many
blessed deeds of another holy man of God, who,
long ago, left earth to join the saints beyond
the tide. His humble attitude in life; his sweet
spirit and unequaled zeal for the Lord’s cause; his
430 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

winning voice, with such persuasive language; his
flowing tears, as he held up the blood-stained cross;
his willingness to stoop to the most infamous to
lend a helping hand toward eternal life, are all
vivid to my mind this moment. That was Rev.
James Wheeler, the missionary. Among the Wy-
andot Indians he was almost supremely adored.
It was said of him, when chaplain in the Ohio
penitentiary, that the convicts would have died for
him rather than have him misused. He would at
times march with them, I learned, to meals and
from work, with his head bowed down, as if one of
their number, and won all their hearts. He was
the means of procuring the pardon of Jeff. Bull,
the noted counterfeiter, as he was converted in
prison under his influence. Jeff. afterwards used to
attend my ministry where he lived, and from his
words of praise of Brother Wheeler, seemed almost
to worship him. No doubt scores of souls saved by
his faithful efforts have joined him in everlasting
songs in glory.

There also lived in that day one of the might-
iest of men, a pure and powerful theologian; and I
doubt if in all our Church there was any who lived
nearer his God, or dwelt more at the mercy-seat.
His address was most manly, his person neat as a
pin, his style of delivery rhetorical, and language
very chaste and lofty. He was as sociable and
amiable a man around the fireside as you could
find in a thousand. He abode-at my father’s house
for over six months; had his room and board free;
and even at that we felt well paid by his blessed
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 431

presence. That was Rev. James McMahon. My
mother used to say she and my sisters could seldom
fit up his room until near noon, for he spent all
his mornings on his knees before his God in prayer.
He died in triumph.

I would now speak of my noble and senior col-
league, a man of the most wonderful oratorical
powers, and gifted with language sublime and
fluent. It appeared often to me, as I listened fre-
quently to his beautiful perorations, that _sin~must
be vanquished before his march-of eloquence. He
always lovingly called me his “son in the Gospel,”
and I had a love for him like my love to God.
That was Rev. Elnathan Raymond, a pure and good
man, safely landed on the golden shore.

Another good brother, once my presiding elder,
will never be forgotten by me in this world, and
surely we will meet in glory, through divine mercy.
His hallowed countenance, his rapid but eloquent
words, his mighty appeals, his scathing and almost
terrible words to the vile sinner, stand out before
my mind now, almost as a specter, terrifying in
remembrance. His Irish brogue added fire to
their severity. How the wicked could hear his de-
nunciations and not fly from sin, when he so. graph-
ically pointed to the great remedy for all sin and
uncleanness, I could not divine. On the other
hand, his words of love and encouragement to saints
were lofty, thrilling, sublime, and penetrating to
the inmost soul—cheering the great multitudes of
the host of God, and barricading them in sacred in-
trenchments; for he made “the name of the Lord a
432 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

strong tower ; and the righteous runneth into it, and
is safe.” No man seemed to live who had a kinder
heart and wiser zeal for the good work of our dear
Master than Rev. Samuel Lynch. He has crossed
over Time’s border, and his last hour of life was full
of hope; and as the sun goes down in the western
sky, cloudless and bright, throwing back his golden
beams on the mountain clouds that line the horizon,
so may the influence of his long Christian ministry
cast back on the life-course to its terminus a mighty
impulse of true, Christ-like influences, on the path-
way of the thousands to whom he has delivered the
words of salvation.

Some of the mightiest men of this day, both for
eloquence and theology, are those who have reached
their threescore and ten years. Among others I
will present one of purest heart, with a sweet spirit,
and as noble a character as God ever blessed, whose
influence over us was kin to the divine. His ser-
mons were not only persuasive and heart-touching,
but lifted us in thought up to the very presence of
God, proving to our life a strong barricade against
all sinful allurements. All his efforts in the pulpit
were elevating, rhetorical, poetical, sometimes elec-
trifying, bordering on true sublimity. When my
beloved father died, whose life was characteristic
of God’s power to save and sanctify and keep, whose
faith was fully up to that of faithful Abraham’s,
this good brother, Rev. L. B. Gurley, preached at his
funeral, and said: “ Brother Burgess was a man of
far more than ordinary natural ability. Having,
through faithful reading and prayerful trust in God,
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 433

obtained a vast fund of general knowledge, and a
complete survey of Methodism in all its depart-
ments, he was ever ready to defend our Church
against all accusations. As the blood of the hu-
man system from the great heart passes through all
the body, out to every extremity, then back to the
heart, thus keeping up the life of all its parts, so
Brother Burgess’s mind settled in God, and was
fixed upon Christ, the immaculate Son; and his
devout soul looked out to the interest of all the
Church, then back to God for aid; and by his in-
fluence religiously, and his financial support, he
kept the machinery in constant motion, and without
friction, to the salvation of many precious souls.”
But this good Brother Gurley passed away in tri-
umphant faith, to join the eternal throng, “over on
the other shore.” I have no doubt that he and
father have met, and talked of their triumphant
march through this world, through the merits of
their dear Savior.

My third colleague was a true man in the work
of the Lord, one of the most free-hearted, earnest,
God-fearing men I ever knew. He was supremely
conscientious in all he did. If ever any one
preached for “ Christ’s sake,” to reconcile the world
to God, he did. He traveled a hard circuit on small
pay, preaching about twenty times during every four
weeks and three times each Sabbath, and leading
two class-meetings, traveling at least fifteen miles for
the day ; also on week-days he preached in the little
cabins and log dwelling-houses, often with only ten
to twenty hearers, and we had glorious times; and

37
434 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

then, again, at two-days’ meetings immense crowds
came out in the woods, and we were successful.
This good brother seldom said any thing about his
support, even too modest to mention it, leaving it
all to his elder, Rev. J. H. Power, who was a su-
perior financier, and talked for the preachers’ inter-
est. I tarried at this brother’s house with a broad
welcome when I chose to, yet I felt it my duty not
to burden them, for I knew them as a family at
one time to be without an ounce of wheat-flour in
their house for over three weeks, living on corn-
bread and the like. He was one of the best gov-
ernors at home I ever knew, and, with the aid of
his amiable wife, all the children were kept in per-
fect obedience in the power of love. His look or
lifting of his finger silenced all, and all was love.
I trust I may meet Rev. John Scoles on the banks
of life eternal.

To another brother, who passed over to his
better home years ago, I owe much praise and
many thanks for his noble traits of character, ex-
emplified in his goodly words of advice, his in-
terest in my youthful advance, and for his instruct-
ive sermons at my quarterly-meetings as my elder.
He endeared himself to all his preachers, and never
permitted one of us to be behind in our dividend
of support. Indeed, I have known him to refuse
to receive his own stipend because the circuit failed
to bring up the preachers’ amount. There seldom
was found a man whose whole soul and active life
and pulpit strength were more powerfully exercised
to build up and widen out the “ courts of the Lord’s
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 435

house,” than Rev. George W. Breckenridge, who
now dwells with God in paradise. What a grand
range of work will God have for such a noble spirit
among the countless worlds in his vast universe !

Rev. Henry E. Pilcher was a man of extraor-
dinary energy, noble in spirit, kind in heart to his
own hurt; full of peculiar Christian wit and start-
ling anecdotes ; who would almost sacrifice life for a
friend. He was a substantial, doctrinal, and lucid
preacher, and always had success, leading to Christ
such as no other could reach. Blessed be his
memory !

The likeness of another dear man I must pic-
ture. He was more than an ordinary speaker.
His eloquence was superior, and thousands will re-
member his sermons to the end of their lives. Like
the Summer storm, that comes quick and full of
thunder and lightning and refreshing rain-fall, to
bear off accumulated rubbish, and soften earth, and
produce growth in vegetation, his words thus pon-
derously fell upon gathering multitudes, holding
them spell-bound, giving instruction, comfort,
Christian energy, infusing light to the inner man,
and emboldening the saints to quicker march
against the citadel of the foe of truth. No more
affable or companionable elder, or brother in Christ,
did I ever associate with in labors of love. Asa
stationed minister he drew full houses everywhere
he went; as presiding elder, he made preachers and
people love him almost to adoration ; as a generous
and kind man, he was unsurpassed; as a student,
he was intense and assiduous, always gaining
436 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS

strength as age advanced ; and full of hope, full of
bright prospects of doing great good. Rather
early in his life Rev. Thomas Barkdull went down
to the tomb, under the silvery cloud of divine
glory, to range the brighter fields on the golden
shore. May his early classmates, Breckenridge,
Disbro, Goshorn, O. Burgess, and all of us who love
our Lord and Master, meet him on the streets of
gold! How glorious will be the record of our life’s
travel, as we reiterate it to each other, under the
reflections of the great white throne!

There are many more whom I might mention,
worthy of great respect and honor for their work’s
sake. They have entered into glory! Let us re-
member the old heroes.

Many years ago, at Griggsville, Illinois, at our
conference session, Peter Cartwright was raising a
public collection. He was very earnest, rather
playful in his words and somewhat vehement in his
efforts. He said, “ Come, now, brethren, let us have
a sweeping contribution to-day ; let,every body pres-
ent, old and young, help us.” With his witty and
delightful remarks he held the andience in a most
gracious state of feeling. Placing his corps of col-
lectors in their proper places, the writer among the
number, we gathered up the fragments, and I
learned it was a noble collection. He kept talking
and amusing all as we went around, which no doubt
opened many purses. I can see his broad, smiling,
and winning countenance now as vividly as at that
moment. What a masterpiece of humanity he was!
What a wonderful work he wrought for God for
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 437

over fifly years on the battle-field! What untold
privations and sufferings he underwent to lift a lost
world up to heaven! What a great soul he pos-
sessed! What a full hope swelled within him, and
what an immortal expectancy opened before his eye
of faith! He lived as seeing the Invisible. :
Henry O. Sheldon, of the North Ohio Confer-
ence, was a peculiar yet most excellent man and a
grand minister. From early childhood up to man-
hood I saw him often, and heard his eloquent and
logical sermons. He was at times mighty in the
truth, and thousands melted under his voice. In
reproof and sarcasm he was like the fiery blaze of
hickory bark. In a home of a Christian family,
where he was visiting, was a servant girl. It was
his habit to talk to every one of the household
personally about their souls. At prayers, this girl
did not kneel, which he observed. He asked her
if she ever prayed. She answered, “No, I never
do; and I don’t know how to, either.” “Well,”
said he, “don’t you think you ought to pray?”
She answered, “No, and I don’t want to.” He
said, “ Well, Miss, you ought to pray; but you say
you don’t, nor do you even want to pray. Now,
could you be hired to pray?” Laughingly she re-
plied, “O yes; I would do ’most any thing that’s
not wrong, if Iam hired.” “ Well,” said he, “I7Il
hire you to pray, if you will, and I’ll pay you.”
She remarked, “O, but I don’t know what to say,
if I pray.” He said, “I’ll teach you a short
prayer, and you can easily repeat it.” So she
agreed to pray that prayer as he bid, once a day
438 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

in her room, until he returned, in four weeks; and
she was to have five dollars for doing so. The
bargain was, that she was to go into her room each
day at ten o’clock A. M., lock the door, get down
on her knees, and say, “ Lord, be merciful to me,
a sinner.” So he went away, and the next day the
Christian lady reminded the girl of her agreement.
In a merry mood she opened the door, and kneeled
down by the bed, saying, “Lord, be merciful to
me, a sinner.” Out she came laughing and say-
ing, “I did my duty.” The next day the mistress
reminded her of her duty again. She retired and
prayed as before; but coming out, she was silent and
her face serious. -She had thought of what she said
on her knees, and whom she was addressing. The
third day, when she was on her knees, deep convic-
tion fell upon her, and she came out weeping, saying
that she was an awful sinner, and asked the lady to
pray for her; and God soon converted her. When
Brother Sheldon returned he found her happy, prais-
ing and loving Jesus, and waiting in joy to meet the
returning minister.

Another old hero is often before me, whose works
of love and grace follow him, Rev. James Gilruth.
He was physically the largest minister I ever saw.
I stood beside him once in a pulpit, and the contrast
was interesting, as I came only within three hundred
pounds of his weight ; yet I was a young man grown
to my highest reach. Brother Gilruth’s voice was
soft and soothing in the pulpit as a mother’s; slightly
effeminate in tone, but persuasive and melting. He
was an instructing and winning preacher, and did
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 439

great good in his day. I greatly loved the dear old
man. I heard this singular anecdote of him: Being
so robust, in Summer he generally traveled in his
buggy, with his coat off, his shirt-sleeves open, and
the neck-band unbuttoned, wearing a broad-brimmed,
snuff-colored hat, yet preserving a ministerial ap-
pearance that was the admiration of all. A team-
ster had thrown down a fence to avoid a swampy
place, passing through a private field, and scores
had followed his example. Brother Gilruth, passing
that way, did the same. When about three-fourths
through the field, the owner intercepted him, mad
and raving, and ordered him “to go right back.”
Brother Gilruth said, “Friend, I saw every body
had come this way and I followed; but I did not in-
tend to do you any harm, and am sorry I came in
your field, if it offends you.” But the man per-
sisted, saying, “ You must go back; you must go
back.” “Well, well,” said the preacher, “you see
I am nearly through, and it would do you more
harm to return than to reach the road by going on.”
But the man insisted, “ You shall, you must return.”
Gilruth looked at him with a stern eye, lifted his
great half-bared muscular arm, and said, “My
friend, do you see this arm?” The man stood in
silence for a moment, then looked at the minister’s
determined face and said, in a subdued manner,
“Well, you can pass this time.” The itinerant
thanked him, and went through in peace.

How delightful it is to call up pleasant incidents
of good and great men! Memory is a true book-
keeper, and we can unfold its precious leaves, and
440 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

bring out treasures of richness and profit. I wish
to disembarrass young ministers, who, at times, may
be confused and worried in their pulpit efforts.
Often their concern and tremblings are from fear
of people; sometimes, from a diffident spirit, or an
excited and nervous temperament. I now offer a
good remedy to save such, in the future, from those
disagreeable experiences.

I owe this instruction to Rev. John H. Power,
D. D., now in glory. Since the day he advised me
I have seldom faltered, or been lost, at least to my
own mind, in the presentation of the Word, though
I realized it to be a weight and responsibility. He
said: “ When you read the Scripture, do it thought-
fully, not hastily, but as if you knew God was list-
ening to you, for it is his holy will and revelation..
When you offer prayer, pray to him only, not to
men, and you will enjoy freedom before the mercy-
seat. A good prayer, full of faith, is always a pre-
cursor to a triumphant sermon. When you take
your text, present it distinctly ; always having your
subject in two or three propositions, each well fixed
in your mind. After a brief introduction, never an
extended one, present your first main thought;
speak to the first subdivision, and if at all embar-
rassed, say but little, but pass immediately to the
second, doing your best to illuminate it. But if
still under restraint, take the second general thought
of the text: state it slowly, and repeat it more
boldly, and you will then gain confidence. If still
somewhat troubled, or not clear to your satisfaction,
take the next thought as soon as you can, rather
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 441

than press the subject to your disadvantage, that
the congregation may not know your feelings, and
you will find it growing easier, and light will come.
By the time you reach the third subdivision, you
will nearly always be at yourself. Then, if you
have a third general division, come to it strongly ;
if but the two leading propositions, round up with
all your mental force and grace, and you will be
master of the hour. This course, practically ob-
served, seldom fails, especially if we add a good ex-
hortation. Remember and do not try to do too
much at the first, but swing into the subject natu-
rally, and you will make a good impression on all,
and be happy yourself in the effort. Your words
will never fall to the ground, if you lean upon
your blessed Christ at all times.” May I add that
we should, at every leading point, be familiar with
some suitable passage of Scripture to present, and it
will give edge and power to each thought ; and convic-
tion will inevitably be wrought in some minds and
hearts? As I traveled for six months or more with
him around his. district, sleeping with him, wit-
nessing his daily walk, and hearing his godly con-
versation, and felt his holy influence, I treasured
up many precious things which I love to remember.
They stand as guide-boards, along the lane of life.

Another lesson was in regard to family altar
devotions, as we went from house to house. He
said: “ Let me tell you a matter which may be of
practical utility to you, and to those you visit.
When you conduct family devotion, never burden
the people with long reading or long prayers.
442 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

Read ten or fifteen verses; never more, unless the
connection demand it. Better ten verses only, than
too much, Pray briefly, but in holy earnestness.
Try to remember each member of the household,
for even little children will recognize our special
interest in them, and in after life it will do them
good. They never forget the preacher who prays
for them.” The hallowed prayers I have heard
him make around the fireside of.saints, can never
be forgotten by me, so full of God and Christ and
sanctification were these, and souls at the family
altars, not a few, have been convicted and saved
during his prayers.

These lessons were a great help to me to regu-
late my conduct, and I praise God for his counsel.
Surely I can now corroborate this Jast instruction ;
for to this day do I call to mind from early boy-
hood, the prayers of such men as Hamline, Soule,
Herr, Bigelow, Thomson, McMahon, Yocum, El-
liott, Gurley, Sheldon, and a host besides who tar-
ried at our house and almost always said, ““O Lord,
bless little John, and save him from sin.”

Another advice of importance he gave me, was
this: “Do not spend your time, especially the even-
ing, where you tarry, ‘talking and visiting only.
Politely excuse yourself, and ask for a light, if con-
venient; tell the kind friends you must improve
your hours, to be able to preach, by studying God’s
Word and good books, as the conference requires
strict examination; and any reasonable family will
esteem you far more for it than if you should ap-
pear ever so sociable. They will see that you are
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS, 443

aiming to do your Master’s will.” This was good
advice from one whose life of usefulness, by voice
and pen, has lifted up multitudes to the better
thought, and true righteousness. Would to God I
had observed it, always, as he designed I should,
for he manifested a deep interest in my future suc-
cess! How much farther up the mountain of holi-
ness I might have been, and how many more golden
hours might have been saved to my elevation and
spiritual influence! But, regarding his advice even
partially, I have spent precious evenings in log
cabins, beside the old rough tables, with a saucer
of lard or racoon-fat, with a slip of muslin in it for
my lamp, as I pursued my studies; many nights,
until midnight, have I sat with my book by the
blazing light of the hickory bark streaming from
the big fire-places. I praise God that by the means
of study, through his and others’ timely instruction,
I passed each conference year, and honorably grad-
uated to the eldership of the vast work of the
ministry of Jesus Christ. I tell this now, in my
older years, to young ministers for their good,
hoping they will gladly receive it, follow its line,
and profit more by these suggestions than I have.
Never disregard wholesome lessons, coming from
whom they may. Aim for the topmost roll of in-
tegrity and usefulness, and you will touch some
luminous summit of rapture and delight, and bring
at last, I hope, many sheaves with you, to present
before your Lord and Master, receiving his eter-
nal favor.

Many of our noble heroes in the vineyard have
444 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

worked hard and long for God’s cause, and have
gone home in triumph to present their sheaves be-
fore their Master, as trophies of divine grace.
Fifty years is a long period, and yet how rapidly
it passes! and when gone, it is only a microscopic
atom in the vast sweeping ages. Thus, for sixty
years of his life, our beloved bishop, Levi Scott,
moved through this world with an influence for
heaven, and for God’s glory. Truly his days were
spent for unmeasured good, and throughout the
cycles of eternity ‘will reverberating praises be
poured forth from a multitude of saved souls, whose
first thoughts of immortality will be attributed to
his hallowed teaching. How many who were on
the downward march, daily nearing the untold and
awful future, aimless and hopeless in their course,
have by his words, his sweet intonations of the di-
vine truth, been halted, arrested in their attention,
then impelled to turn face about, then taken the
upward steps, entered into peace with God through
our Lord Jesus Christ, and in sweet communion
with all saints, spent the remainder of their lives
doing good; and at last many of them crossed the
surging billows of death, and reached the golden
shore of life! They have joined the celestial
throng, and now, with palms of victory and crowns
of glory, amid songs of endless rapture, are march-
ing on with the host of heaven. And what a host
is left on earth, to cherish, with sanctified delight,
his wise words and kind admonitions; and will,
through his godly advice, and by his noble min-
isterial course, be led on in duty’s path, until they
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 445

quit the world below, to climb the delectable
mountains! Will not all of them be gems to
glitter in his diadem, and by their presence enhance
his bliss forever?

The writer can never forget, should he live to
Methuselah’s age, the sweet episode of a closing
sermon delivered by our worthy bishop. It gave
us all such a view of the hallowed beyond, and so
inspired our devotion, and enlarged our faith, that
our steps have hastened on more swifty ever since,
to reach that blessed goal, and gain the prize he
so splendidly alluded to in his closing remarks.
He was referring to his joys in this life, through
the blood of the Lamb; what superior bliss ac-
crued to all those who chose Christ as their por-
tion, and walked in his ways. ‘Then, reciting some
of their enjoyments and pleasures here below;
stating that

“ His willing soul would ever stay,
In such a frame as this,”
amid such a flood of light and glory that the
Christian religion afforded, he then exclaimed:
‘“ Brethren, I have sometimes thought I would love
to tarry here on earth always, amid such blessed
experiences, with such good people, where every
thing is so beautiful and inspiring; and often, as I
have passed up and down this earth, along these
fertile valleys, and over those far-off mountains, so
attractive, here and there I have seen a spot, when
I said, ‘Well! if I had a little cottage right there,
how happy, O how happy I could be!’ Then, as
I passed along some beautiful river, where the sur-
446 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

roundings were indescribably rich and enchanting,
or along some silvery lake, or out near the ocean
beach, I’ve now and then discovered a spot, with
such lovely appurtenances all about it, that I have
thought to myself, ‘ Now, that would suit me ex-
actly ; and if I had my little family fixed there, O
how delighted would I be to the end of life!’ But
O, dear brethren! God never intended me to locate
permanently on this poor earth, however richly
festooned with flowers of every hue, or with
lofty oaks or towering pines, and graced by flowing
streams, or mountain heights decorated with herb-
age green! No, no! but away up yonder, over the
river, on the immortal shore, in the land of the
blessed, he has a nice home for me, for us all,
where we will sing the song of Moses and of the
Lamb forever!” Thus, many years ago, he closed
that blessed sermon before the Tlinois Conference
in Decatur, in the midst of tears, and shoutings,
and praises, and loud hallelujahs, from Bros. Pren-
tice, Buck, Montgomery, Dimmitt, Rutledge, and
from a host of others, ascended to God, while the
vast concourse of believers and unbelievers were
bathed in tears. He has left this beautiful land,
God made so attracting to all the meek, and has
reached that heavenly portion, or “ spot,” with his
dear companion, and the redeemed hosts, to abide
within the smiles of his blessed Savior. Let us all
see that our life is rightly spent.

The “sweet long ago” comes back to us often,
with great refeshings, and we love to call the past,
to our present good. Many years ago, in Ohio, in
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 447

the town of Mt. Vernon, a delightful incident oc-
curred, which comes up fresh to memory. In the
year 183-, one quiet and beautiful Fall evening, as
my father and mother, like Abram and Sarah of
old, sat in the front yard, and we children were
playing around, there came to our gate a nice little
tandem, with two white horses, one hitched before
the other, and in it, sat a noble-looking gentleman.
Beside the vehicle, rode another person on a horse.

They halted, and the horseback person inquired,
“Ts this Brother Burgess?” My father answered,
“They call me that, sometimes!” He then replied,
“My name is Christie, and this is Bishop Waugh,
Brother Burgess.” My dear father, in his humble
style, in holy respect for God’s heralds, bowed his
head, and walked forth quickly, grasping their
hands, saying: ‘“‘ Welcome, brethren, welcome! light
off, light off, and come in ;” then turning to mother,
he called, “Lydia, come and be introduced to
Brother Christie and Bishop Waugh.”

To us, this was a season of joy, for we “thereby
entertained angels ” of the Church of the living God.

The bishop was a distant relation of my mother,
though they had never met. These men were on
their way out to Michigan, to attend conference,
and tarried with us over night and most of next
day. Their conversation and presence were of the
character that gave comfort and delight, as well as
an inspiration to seek good; and was ‘as apples
of gold in pictures of silver.” Their prayers were
as an unction from on high to us all; and as each
of the family was mentioned before the mercy-seat,
448 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

we realized the falling of the dew of heavenly
grace, like to that upon the mountains of Hermon.
Brother Christie was one of the most fervent
and devoted men of God, among all I have met in
life’s journey ; walking as if in the immediate pres-
ence of the great Invisible, and led by the divine
hand. About his visage was a halo of sweetness
and devotion to his Master, that drew you to him
instantly. In the pulpit he was a natural orator,
carrying all the multitude with him in his bold
and striking figures; and his hallowed intonations
were literally charming. Hundreds were melted
into childlike tenderness and to repentance, and
were soon directed to the sacred “fountain of
life,” by his glorious ministry. I have heard and
seen him preaching under such sublime excitement,
until his voice seemed like the echoes of far-off
music, and his whole frame seemed in sympathy.
Bishop Waugh was deeply earnest, explanatory,
dignified, beautiful in his appearance, commanding
deepest attention, and at times eloquent; always
leaving rich food before the altar of his God for
the hungry congregations, teaching all Israel that
“they that hunger and thirst after righteousness
shall be filled.” Being related to my mother, we
cherished more fondly, perhaps, his good name and
his sublime Christian qualities, though he was truly
worthy of the love and highest esteem of all the
Church. The impression created by those two
mighty workmen in the vast vineyard of our Lord
and Christ is stamped forever upon the hearts of
thousands, to redound to their bliss throughout
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 449

endless ages. Such visits in the households of
saints by those men, and by many others like unto
them, were to implant immortal principles which
would develop in their salvation as well as lay the
foundation of sacred truth for rising generations.
Such early associations and holy influences were to
me an incentive to listen to God’s call in early life,
to go forth and point a lost world to the blood-
stained cross, and to behold the bleeding Lamb.
O, may we be so unspeakably happy as to meet
them in glory!

Shortly after this we were favored with a visit
by that extraordinary and humble man of God,
Rev. Russel Bigelow. He much resembled Christie
in style and earnestness, for both preached as if the
salvation of the world depended on their words.
He was full of sympathy, and seemed to love all
mankind. The estimation of a soul’s value, in his
mind, exceeded all else. As he unraveled Scrip-
ture after Scripture, and each discourse was full of
it, he applied the passages with a peculiar impress-
iveness. His description of hell, and the suffer-
ings of a lost soul, was terrifying, and hundreds
sobbed and cried out, and many fell to the earth in
penitence beneath his burning language. But O,.
what height of eloquence burst out before the en-
raptured crowd, ascending higher and higher in the
realms of divine light! He lifted the troubled
Christian out beyond all fear, scattered all dark
clouds from doubting minds, turned the double-
minded and weak saints to steadfastness, so they

fled to the Rock .Christ Jesus; and he held out
38
450 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

before the firm and trusting believers the sweet
and encouraging promises of the Bible, and called
forth from every truthful, loving heart great thanks-
giving and abounding praises. For hours he held
his thousands of hearers spell-bound; some in fear-
ful expectancy of coming destruction, unless they
came to repentance; some in blessed ecstasy and
hopefulness of eternal joyousness: and when his
closing moments came, a perfect storm of rapture
ensued throughout the vast multitude; and a halo
of glory appeared to me, though but a boy, to
surround his brow. The perspiration fell in rapid
drops from his face, and lifting his outstretched
arms at full length toward heaven, joy beamed
over all his countenance. He lived and died in
the sunshine of God’s favor. What an infinitude
of glory is his!

I will here relate an incident of early times:
My dear father, in my youth, related to me a little
circumstance that occurred before I was born, in
the State of Maryland, over sixty years ago. That
mighty man of God, whose pulpit oratory has never
been supassed in any Church, or by any statesman,
Rey. Henry B. Bascom, D. D., was preaching in,
or near, New Market. A great multitude was as-
sembled, both in and around the church. Among
the number was Rev. Nicholas Snethen, another
wonderful and influential minister, who sat behind
him in the pulpit. Bascom’s text was, I believe,
these words, “And Satan appeared among them.”
He described the devil’s characteristics, his superior,
wily wisdom; his subtilty and power over the
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 451

wicked ; his strategy in leading away the weak and
doubting followers of the Lord. His eloquence
grew awful and grand, and at one or two outbursts
of his oratory, the whole audience rose up under
intense excitement; some standing in perfect rap-
ture to the close of the sermon. Many wept in
silent fear, and some uttered words of praise. Then,
as he portrayed in overwhelming strains and
graphic pictures, Satan leading some poor strag-
gling soul away from the fold of Christ, and down
the broad way to .the pit of ruin, Mr. Snethen
sprang to his feet, and to the front of the desk,
and cried out with a loud voice, “I never was
afraid of the devil before, in all my life,” and for
a few moments a great tumult of excitement en-
sued ; some were crying or screaming, and others
praising God. Dr. Bascom stopped for a moment,
with a sublime pause, then in words of divine in-
spiration, turned all eyes and hearts to the cross,
and the “Lamb of God that taketh away the sin
of the world,” whose power would. finally destroy
Satan’s work, and the glorious cause of Christ
would triumph, and the Lord God Almighty be
glorified by the vast universe. In a little while
the place was almost rent by the shouts of all the
saints, and a most salutary result followed; for
many from that eventful occasion were led to the
Savior.

Several years after her husband’s death, the
dear lady here named also passed from time to
eternity—Mrs. Samuel F. Voorhies. She died in
Keokuk, Iowa, February 6, 1878. The following’
452 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

memorial was prepared upon the occasion, and read
at her funeral: Our departed friend, whose obse-
quies we mournfully celebrate to-day, has long been
a person whom we have respected, and almost re-
vered, from our earliest life. Over forty years—
yea, even from our boyhood days—I have looked
upon her as a lady of unsurpassed merit, of bright
intelligence, of highest rank in home culture, sweet-
ness of spirit, and of unceasing affability. When
she and her kind husband and only child, Cornel-
ius, now in heaven, moved to Mt. Vernon, Ohio, I
was quite a lad, but as in smaller towns acquaint~-
ances soon form, through my loving parents I be-
came familiar with her pleasant family. Raised as
she was, under the Quaker extraction, as were many
of my own people, we soon saw and realized her noble
and excellent qualities. The higher and more attract-
ing principles that lift the human up to godlike posi-
tion in this life,as an ornament, as a way-mark
to the humbler class of society, belonged fully to
her character. As the light-house upon the shore
throws its bright rays away out on the deep sea, to
guide the weary mariner safely to his home, so, by
her many good and charming characteristics, she
impressed many to usefulness and a more elevated
life. Not a relative of all her extensive family
circle but felt the impulse of her kind nature.
Often in my youth have I visited their house, and
she always had pleasant smiles and gentle words
of kindness—laying her soft hand upon my youth-
ful head, and blessing me ere I departed. My
then tender and childlike heart imbedded her blest
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 453

nature within the tablet of my memory! I could
never forget the first time my good mother, now in
years beyond fourscore, visited her in her new home
in Mt. Vernon. She said to my father when she
returned: “ William, I have just called on Mrs.
Voorhies, our new-comers, and she is a perfect
lady.” Of course a mother’s words so emphatically
uttered, indelibly impressed upon my inward being
a fact, which I have never lost, that Mrs. Voorhies
was one of God’s superior workmanship.

One of the most amiable features of her char-
acter was an intuitive refinement, a love of the
beautiful, an admiration of God’s works, from the
tiny flower or shining pebble, to the towering pine
or majestic mountain. Who ever visited her in
her health, that was not attracted by her very
choice selection of plants, blushing flowers, and
blooming roses, that always graced her yard and
perfumed her sweet home, as the odors of a beauti-
ful meadow; and so many other little articles, all
about, that beautified and enhanced the joys and
pleasures of a happy, thrice happy home? All of
these delights and attractions, with her exalted
dignity of manners, bespoke her tender heart; and
will we not all say, with all those delectable intui-
tions of God’s creation, and her moral virtues, and
her trust in the invisible, will she not be infinitely
more capable of enjoying the immortal beauties of
that shining shore, which “the eye hath not seen,
nor the ear heard, neither have entered into the
heart of man the things prepared for those that
serve God?’ The needy poor she never forgot,
454 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

but ever with lavish hand she fed and clothed and
warmed and sent them smiling from her door, with
light and gladsome hearts.

While I would-not utter a single word for mere
friendship’s sake, I must remark that ever since that
day of my early life the family has been to me as
if bound by kindred ties. When I came to this
beautiful city, over twelve years ago, it was a won-
derful pleasure to meet this Ohio family, with that
of Dr. Hughes, and our distinguished departed
friend, Dr. MeGugin, and lady, all of whom had
been so sacredly nigh to my fond parents in the social
circles of life. I was welcomed to their tables and
their happy firesides. Years ago, when my dear
mother visited me in this city, her joys were doubly
increased to find in this house her dear old friend,
Mrs. Voorhies, and for two or three days under their
hospitable roof, at the earnest request of this kind
family, mingling in old age with our departed friend,
to kindle afresh and renew the early friendship that
will soon, when mother leaves earth, be rekindled,
I trust, amid the courts of glory.* O, what im-
measurable bliss!) What height of rapture will be
theirs and ours, if we, as they, are ready to meet
our blessed Savior! Long years has God permitted
her to enjoy the pleasures and sweet. associations of
this world, which she so highly appreciated; yet
many years has she passed beneath the rod of severe
trial and bodily affliction; but in it all, amid those
deep sorrows, her patience was unsurpassed, and she
appeared to be happy and reconciled and full of

* She has since died.
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 455

hope, complaining not at Heaven’s will. Often dur-
ing those years we have called to see her, and always
found the same gentle, meek, and noble heartedness
in her. O, how sublime to witness how calmly and
uncomplainingly she pressed back the rolling surges
of affliction and care, and kept up a cheerful spirit
to the end of her life!

The undying devotion and ceaseless attention
of her bereaved husband and loving children, and
friends who cared for all her wants, was a great
support. No wonder her husband said to me,
when she closed her eyes in death, “I feel very
lonesome.” Ah! the loss of such a bosom friend
and companion casts a deep shadow over our path-
way. Never did I call but she manifested, in those
I love, an intensity of interest, as among her old
friends, and it abated not to the very last. She
would always inquire, “Have you heard from your
mother?” I would answer affirmatively, and she
would reply: “O, I am so glad to hear. Have
you heard from Oliver or Louisa lately ?’—my
older sister and brother, in whom she took interest
in their early life. Yes, to the latest hour of her
existence here, she was mindful of all past life and
its precious associations. Her heart, so full of true
love and deep sympathy, was walled up as with
undying affection, so that there was no leakage,
but rising up from her bosom and lips and her
very soul, were sent out regalings of freshness and
comfort to happify her friends and needy ones.
When God took away her two noble boys, and
friends bore them from this beautiful residence to
456 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

their own better and brighter mansion on high,
her heart was smitten deeply, yet she expected to
have a reunion with them by and by, “in that
happy clime.” Hope swelled immortal, and cast
anchor to settle beyond the river of death. When
her dear Hugh died, I wrote her a letter of condo-
lence, which appeared to render her some joy, and
her words signified the gratitude of her kind heart.
When now and then sitting by her, and talking
with her of her afflictions and change for a better
world, she was hopeful, and expressed her un-
bounded trust in the merits of Christ. Always
when calling, at her own special request I bowed
in prayer by her side, and she would softly and
sweetly respond, then say, “Come back again;
come often.” She seemed to appreciate the value
and strength of earnest supplication before the
-mercy-seat.

Sabbath, one week ago, I looked upon her for
the last time, when speech was trembling and voice
almost gone, yet I saw in her expressive eye that
joy and hope abounded amid her ecuffering. I told
her she would soon pass over the tide, and that
Jesus was precious, and was her best friend, to
which she assented with a bright countenance. Ere
I left, she requested prayer, and in company with
her fond companion, dear daughter and others, we
offered a petition for her happy exit to the glory
land, and she responded, whispering gently, and
then brushed away the tears from her eyes. Prayer
seemed to be very blessed to her then, and heaven
no doubt was in sight. Ah, bless God, she had a
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 457

happy departure, calmly and quietly resting on
Jesus’ bosom, and: she passed beyond time’s limits
to the highlands above. O,I was so glad that I
witnessed her triumphant ending! I will remember
it while my life continues. May husband and son
and daughter and grandchildren, and all her loved
ones, and we who are present, meet her beyond the
rolling river!
“The wife, the idolizing wife

Of him who was her all in all on earth—

The fatal shaft of death

Hath robbed him of his bosom’s fondest prize,

And left him in the world alone,

With none (as she) to soothe and calm his troubled soul—

With none (like her) to cheer him as he journeys on,
The darksome way of life, alone, alone!”

“Thus star by star declines,
*Till all are passed away,
As morning high and higher shines,
To pure and perfect day ;
Nor sink those stars in empty night:
They hide themselves in heaven’s own light.”

I here add the notice of my mother’s death, as
written by me and published in the Northwestern
Christian Advocate: Mrs. Lydia G. Burgess died
at Mt. Vernon, Ohio, July 21, 1883, having lived
nearly eighty-six years. She realized, for sixty-five
years of Christian experience, communion with God,
and the power of divine grace to save to the utter-
most. Thousands in early life enjoyed her hospi-
tality at the delightful family home, and the faithful
itinerant was welcomed always, gladly, for Christ’s
sake. Scores of the old and useful ministers now

living will remember, when reading this notice, the
39
458 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

golden hours they spent with her long since de-
parted husband and herself, at»their ever open,
welcome ‘home, and in God’s temple, with such
men as Dr. William Herr, Revs. Samuel Lynch,
Chilton Craven, John Quigley, Elmore Yocum,
Henry Whiteman, Bishop W. L. Harris, and oth-
ers; besides Bishop Hamline, who tarried long at
our house; Dr. J. H. Power, James McMahon,
George Elliott, with a host who have passed over
the river and greeted them in the better country.
She was an ardent and loving mother, teaching us
of Jesus from our infant days; leading us with her
in the secret closet, and with sublime and impas-
sioned entreaties, invoking Heaven’s blessings upon
us. Those prayers linger still upon memory’s tab-
let. As life with us advanced and we left home,
her written communications expressed her great de-
sire to “abide at the feet of her divine Lord, and
live day by day with the wedding garment on, so
that when Jesus called, she would be ready to wel-
come his appearance.” The blessed Bible was her
chief solace in all her aged life, and to its sweet
promises she clung in living hope, as they kept her
every hour in sight of her future home. When the
messenger of death came suddenly, she was full of
faith and gloriously adorned for the Bridegroom’s
coming, and gave her children around her her last
sweet. testimony, that all was well; that her Savior
was near and heaven in full view.

I also insert the notice prepared by my brother,
Rev. O. Burgess, and published in the Western
Christian Advocate. “Mrs. Lydia Griffith, widow
PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS. 459

of William P. Burgess, of precious memory, died
July 21st, near Mount Vernon, Ohio, aged eighty-
six. She was born in 1798, near Baltimore, Mary-
land; married in 1816; removed to Ohio in 1826,
and settled in Mount Vernon, and has always lived
since in, or near, that city. She was a member of
the Church more than sixty years, and for nearly
forty years her house was a home for Methodist
ministers. She was greatly admired for the beauty
of her life and high Christian character. July 20th
she rose early, and while dressing to go and visit a
friend, she fell suddenly to the floor under a para-
lytic stroke, and lingered thirty hours. Although
she had lost the power of speech, she readily re-
sponded to questions by pressure of the hand, and
gave comforting assurance that she knew who were
about her, and that Jesus was with her while cross-
ing the valley, lighting it with his presence. Her
funeral occurred July 24th, and a very appropriate
discourse was delivered by Rev. E. Persons from
the words, ‘Precious in the sight of the Lord is
the death of his saints.’ Her remains were placed
in a beautiful casket, in a white cashmere shroud,
and covered with a sheaf of ripe wheat and appro-
priate flowers, indicative of the maturity and beauty
of her Christian character. She leaves four sons
and three daughters, among whom are Rey. Oliver
Burgess, of Cleveland, and Rev. John Burgess, of
the Iowa Conference.”

In closing this volume of incidents, nothing
could be more appropriate than the words of the
lamented Heber: “ Life bears us on like the stream
460 PLEASANT RECOLLECTIONS.

of a mighty river. Our boat first glides down the
broad channel—through the playful murmurings
of the little brook, and the windings of its grassy
borders. The trees shed their blossoms over our
young heads; the flowers seem to offer themselves
to the young hands; we are happy in hope, and
grasp eagerly at the beauties around us; but the
stream hurries on, and still our hands are empty.
Our course in youth and manhood is on a deeper and
wider flood, among objects more striking and mag-
nificent. We are animated at the moving pictures
and enjoyment and industry all around us; we are
excited at some short-lived disappointment. The
stream bears us on, and our joys and our griefs are
alike behind us. We may be shipwrecked, but we
can not be delayed; whether rough or smooth, the
river hastens on till the roar of the ocean is in our
ears, and the tossing of the waves is beneath our
feet, and the floods are lifted up around us, and we
take our leave of earth and its inhabitants, until
of our future voyage there is no witness save the
Infinite and the Eternal.” So mote it be.
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