.{'•%' J^'^-. ^j^^^ oV^^^a"'- ^^d^ ^jm^^^\ ^^^c^ «; ■'Uo* \ ■^^o< L* ' • • « V > o • * * .0 vD \.^" ^' >"-n^. V^€^/A^f- ^^^//^ THE LIFE — OF — REV. JOHN FETTERHOFF ONE OF THE EARLY FATHERS UMTED BRETHRES U CHRIST WRITTEN BY HIMSELF. Containing a Summarized Memorandum of his Religious Life and Labors, Privations and Providences, from his Early Youth up to Superannuated Agedness. WITE AN INTEODUCTION BY REV. ^y. O. TOBEY NOV 17 r €HAMBERSBUEG, PATT HTNITEr) BRETHRE>' IX CHRIST PRINT. 1883. F^^ Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 188:^, By Rev. W. 0. Tobfy, In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. INTRODUCTION At the time of his death, a few months ago, Rev. John Fetterhoff was one of the oldest ministers of the United Brethren church. His memory ran back to the early fathers, and his labors began when the church was a mere handful. The country itself was yet new, and pioneer work was the order of the day. Father Fetter- hoff was among the foremost in his response to the im- pulses of the country and the church. He went forth bearing-precious seed, and bent his energies to the work waiting on every hand. He filled up the measure of a long and active life with successful labors. He prosper- ed and also did much good. He preached ably and effectually. He saw his church rise rapidly under the labors and soundness of doctrine and principles which characterized the men of his day. The regret with many to-day is, that the mantle of such wise builders has not fallen on more of the present generation of church leaders. The present volume is the result of the methodical and accurate habits of father Fetterhoff, and is a valua- ble contribution to the literature of the church. It is published by his bereft wife and children with the hope of promoting the cause of truth as well as perpetuating the many valuable facts which are recorded and set in the proper order of history. The spirit and tendency of 4 INTRODUCTION. the United Brethren church have changed very much within the past twenty years. A few of the fathers whose active labors closed, alas, too early ! lingered among their younger brethren to see a growing disposi- tion to question and even deny the validity of the origin of distinctive church principles. This volume will con- tribute much useful and timely information. The fathers ought to be granted the privilege of explaining and vindicating their own action in framing church government. The assertion of younger men ought to yield to the facts recorded by their elders. Deference for age and pioneer labors should lead numbers to seek after the many valuable truths of this autobiography. It was my privilege to witness the closing of life with the venerable man whose history is now before us. He was serene and confident. His life had been prolonged as well as adorned by habits of virtue, sobriety, industry and frugality. He was ready to depart as a " far better " portion than even a Hfe so wisely passed among men. His memory is worthy to be held in esteem by vrs, as it will be held in everlasting remembrance in heaven. W. O. TOBEY. .Cpiambersburg, Pa., May 24th, 1883. LIFE OF REV. JOHN FETTERHOFF. I was born the ninth day of September, in the year 1798, the son of Matthias and Mary Fetterhoif, living in the vicinity of Littlestown, Adams county, Pennsylvania, on McSherry's place, where my mother died ; whence father moved to Franklin county. Pa., when I was about four years old ; thence to Baty's, about three miles from Chambersburg. There the state of learning and religion was such that schools were few and poor, and churches and preaching as few and poor. My father ^as nominally a Lutheran, but did not profess to be a Christian. I was raised without the bene- fit of school or church. But I became relig- iously influenced in early life. In my seventh year I got under conviction. It eftected my countenance and behavior so that it was noticed by my people and others. My father did not know anything of inward religion — of the love of God in the heart, and from a want of this he fi LIFE OF JOHN FETTEKHOFF. did not know what was the matter with me : neither did any of his neighbors know anything about such a thing as hnowing that one's sins are forgiven. And the world around me held all such concern as I showed to be a gloomy bewilderment and a sad delusion. Such were my surroundings when I tirst felt myself to be one of the sinners of this wicked and blind world. I did not know what to do. I had nothing and nobody to direct me. I could not read the Bible, nor had I anybody to teach me what the Bible said about believing and trusting and loving God and becoming happy in Jesus. But there was a monitor in my breast that told me I must die, and was not lit to die ; that if I did not pray and become better I must perish. My distress increased more and more. Father tried to soothe me, but no man could comfort my soul. My con- victions died out, at length ; but still I felt no peace with God ! (O unconverted parents seek pardon and peace, and don't hinder your awak- ened children, lest you and your children per- ish together in your guilt and sins.) My father moved about from place to place till he got near Chambersburg again, some years after I lost my first convictions and concern of soul. There convictions seized me again, in LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. 7 my eleventh year, and awakened my dull soul another time. I became troubled about what I was and what would become of me when I died that I could not rest day or night, but could only weep and cry and tremble. Father again tried to soothe my sorrow with the things of this world and the affairs of this life. But all that was vain — my distress only increased. At last father's fellow strangers to God advised him to punish me for my foolish infatuation. So he threatened me with the rod. But that only made it worse. It now seemed as if I had no friend on earth. Thus I could only continue sorrowing without seeing a remedy. "VMien father saw that threats did no good, he eased off, saying he had acted on his neighbors' advice ; was sorry for what he threatened to do. From this my conviction gave way again, and I became unconcerned ; and yet something within me told me I was sinning when 1 was trifling and sporting. By this time all my sisters had left fother ; and as he was still a widower he homed himself with one of my sisters, and I was put to uncle Overcash's, where I luckily got 07ie month's schooling, which enabled me to read pretty well in the German Testament. I had one brother ; and as he had a trade, was now married and set up in Adams county, I ?> LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. was sent to him to ^o to Eno:lish school. I went to school four months and learned to read and write some. I was then needed by my uncle for a plow-boy. I went and served him one summer, and in the fall went to school there. The next spring I went back to my brother's and went to school ao^ain awhile. I then set in to learn his trade, viz., pottery. But in the autumn of the same year, in my sixteenth year, my father took me from my brother's and hired me to a turnpiker on the Baltimore & Pittsl^urg pike, w^ho had many of such swearing, drinking Irish hands as I had never seen before. While there I came near fallino^ in with their ha])its. I o:ot to such con- duct that I afterward wondered that I was not damned for it ! O what mercy that I was spared ! At length I stayed my steps, consid- ered where it would lead to, and what would become of me if I remained with those wretch- es. I saw that I w^ould end in hell if I sta^^ed. So after one month I left and w^ent to live with a steady Mennonite who had a nice family, and there I stayed some months. The next fall typhus fever broke out. Two of the family were taken down along with many others ; and at lenofth I also was taken. About two weeks I kneAv nothing of myself, and all seeing me LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. 1) thought I must die. In the l^egiunino^ of my sickness I tried to pray, because I felt that if I should die it would not be well with me. Aft- er continuing thus a while, I became tranquil and fell into a kind of trance or suspension of bodily functions. In this state I lay about eleven days ! My soul appeared to be hovering between heaven and earth ; having no pain ; always calm, and often joyful ! At the end of the eleven days I was much like one awaking from sleep. I was told I ate l)ut little, and it was thought I would die from hunger, if not from the sickness. That was my tirst sickness » It worked in my head and breast ; and it enfee- bled my memory, which had Ijeen better tlians that of any one else among my acquaintance. After my recovery from this sickness I became steadier, but was not yet delivered from the power of sin and Satan to the living God ; nor did I live up to my duty, though people called me a steady youth. The next winter I went to school again, and became more triflino^ ao:ain also. In the follow- ing spring I went to Mr. Barnhard Sowers who was married to one of my cousins, and who was> a professor of religion whose deportment prov- ed his piety. There were some four more and their wives in the neighborhood who were pious 10 LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. find held prayer meeting, and had preaching at times by a certain John Snyder who travelled a circuit among the United Brethren. I used to go to meeting with these people where preacher Snyder yjr cached when he came along in his rounds. Once he told the people in his preaching not to forget to pray — never to omit secret prayer. I did not know what secret prayer was — did not know what he meant. I thought I w^ould do as he told us to do, but did not know how. One evening after unhitching from the plow and feeding my horses, I heard 11 sound away from the house among some rocks. I went to see what it was that I heard. When I got near I heard a voice and found that it was my emplo^^er praying ! I at once saw that this praying was " (secret prayer,'''' and I said to my- self, I can do that too. I then soon began secret prayer ; prayed six, seven, and even ten times a day. And, the oftener the more, for the desire to enjoy religion increased ; and so I prayed on till the Lord blessed me, and spoke peace to my soul. My soul was at once on the -vving ; joy filled my heart and praise filled my mouth ! I feared neither death, orrave nor hell ! O that happy time, how dear to me still ! Soon after this temptations began to come — tempta- tions to keep still and say nothing about ray LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. 11 religion and exi>erience ; that I was too young anyhow ; that young people knew nothing about «uch things ; none but these five old men and their ^vives ; that as I got my religion in secret I <^ould keep it in secret. I yielded to these sad temptations, though I still went to prayer meeting, and not with old comrades. Some- times my soul would l:)e so full in meeting that I could hardly hold in, and yet I did hold in and smother my feelings and quench the Spirit ! In the fall I went to see my brother again. His conduct and the family's was so awful in my sight and in God's sight, that I did not know what to do, for I saw they were on the direct way to hell ! Once when they and his mother-in-law were all in the room, I went into the shop and wept and lamented until at length it seemed I ought to stay there, and just give them an example how to live. My brother had wanted me to stay and learn his trade ; but I had declined, knowing the wickedness of the neighborhood and m}' weakness. But in Sep- tember I joined in ,with him, being now seventeen years of age. I endeavored to live close to God, and I felt happy every day. The people had began to hear about the Methodists, and so the young folks began to 12 LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. call me a methodist, because I would not swear and drink and carouse with them. I did not regard this at all ; and when they found this would not do they tried quite another way (devil like) : they began to entice me to go with them to apple pealings and corn huskings, which I did. I got cool at once, and I yield- ed more and more, until they got me far away in a dark night. While yet husking I tried for company home through the deep woods, and got promises of company when done work. But after the Avork they coaxed for delay, then constrained a stay for supper, all under promise of going soon. But after supper the fiddle came forth and a dance began ! I tied to the kitchen, from which I once in a while ventured out to try for company home. The fuss and fun ended after a lon^: time and we went home. When I orot home mv inward monitor told me to go and pray as afore ; and then something seemed to tell me I dare not, for I had been at a frolic. I knew^ that was so ; I was at a frolic, if I did not join in it, and I felt thrown back. I went to bed without praying, and in the mornino^ the same thino: occurred aofain. In this way Satan got advantage. And because 1 did not pray for overcoming grace, darkness- came over me, and he and his emissaries came LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. 13 nigh prevailing and bringing me into the broad way to hell I My conduct was not as l)ad as some others' conduct, }'et I got hardened or unfeeling, and by and by thought little about death and judgement, though I never got to swearing as my company did. And I did not lose my veneration for sacred things and esteem for good people. When others ran down the Methodists I would keep still or take their part. For they were then a good, unworldly people, and were ridiculed and slandered only l^ecause they were a praying people. In this way I lived on nearly through my apprenticeship. Then that '''true Light'' that came into the world to enlighten every man so re-enlightened me that I saw plainly where I had 1>een and where I was then. I then turned in again to pray and seek that dear l^eloved one from whom I had wandered But it seemed as if my pray- ers could rise no higher than my head ! For the devil kept telling me there was no religion for me ; that God was so angry with me that he would not hear me again ; that 1 had sinned against the Hoi}- Ghost. This caused doubt and un])elief to arise in my heart. I had no one to go to, for I was in the wickedest part of the world I ever saw. The people were Ro- manists, Lutherans, cVcc, and there was no 14 LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. diiference to be seen in their moral conduct. In this sad condition of things, I did not know what to do for myself. About this time people told me the Lutheran preacher was going to catechise young people that spring. So I concluded to go to the cate- chising and get religion there. Then a man from Shippensburg came for me to work jour- ney-work. I promised to come right after the catechisino^. I went to the catechising: alonsr with fifty-one others. I prayed all I could ; but my heart seemed so hard that I remained un- eiFected. The catechiser made us promise to pray evening and morning ; and that public promise before the congregation affected me and sunk deep into my heart. I resolved to live up to my promise even if I had to perish trying T When the catechising was over, I went to Ship- pensburg to work journey-work. There I tried to keep my promise of praying. My employer soon set himself against it. He called me a Methodist, and tried to interrupt me all he could. 1 stayed only a month because he was so immoral I could not endure it, for he swore in common talk, and cursed when angry. I left this man and went to a man in Chambersbursr, who was a civil man, but had no religion. With him I stayed three months. My convictions LIFE OF JOHN FETfERHOFF. 15 had returned ; and now again got so oppressive that I did not know how to do, or how to en- dure life. Sometimes I thought there was no more mercy for me ; that I had grieved away the Holy Spirit ! In this state of mind I resolv^ ed to start out and tell people how I had come to be so wretched and unhappy, and warn them not to do as I had done, for fear they would get to hell where I was doomed to go ! My desire was that others should be saved, even if I was lost ; for I thought it would be right in God to take all others to heaven, and to send me and the devil to hell alone ! When I had given myself up in that way, then hope began to spring up in my poor forlorn soul, and I could hope again for mercy if I would live aright. And so I began afresh, and prayed in such earnest that the neighbors often heard me, and came near me to see what was going on where I was. When this happened I did not rise from my knees for fear of them ; and yet I did not feel peace in my soul, though there was then lackino: but faith in the Saviour. I then thought best to change place again. I left my employer, much against his will, and went again to my uncle's to make my home there, expecting to get religion there, for he was a praying man. Uncle's wife died, and he 16 LIFE OF JOHN FETTEKHOFF. got my youngest sister to keep house for him. My sister got religion, and they had daily wor- ship. I went there about New Years. I tried to conceal my uneasiness of mind, and made up my mind to just set in with them in their wor- ship in the family and in prayer meeting (for professors then all prayed ; there were then no dumb professors and no still-born chil4ren). But every time I meant to pray it seemed as if the devil held my mouth shut until they had risen from their knees ! Sometimes I thought I would tell my sister that they should wait for me, that I wanted to pray too ; but then my mouth was held shut from that also, so I did not do that. I still thought with a proper chance I would pray, for I felt as if the Lord would liless my soul if I would go to prayer in public. In this struggle I prayed privately, iind wrestled and moaned, until at length Satan suggested that I better give up, foi^ if I got religion I would only be as lonely as lost sheep in a wilderness ; that 1 should have no compan- ions ; that there were no young people there that prayed in public, and I would have to go with old folks onl}-. I was sorely tried by this for some time. But I finally concluded that if I would go at it in real earnest the Lord would find companions for me who would join LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF, 17 me to serve him. So I resolved sincerely now to set out and be at it soon : but I was aoain deterred and induced to delay it, though not to give it up altogether. February 25th, 1818. There came a preach- er by the name of Valentine Baules, of the people called United Brethren, into the neigh- borhood near where I lived, and had meeting one day at 10 o'clock and at 3 o'clock, o miles away. I went to hear him at both appoint- ments. While preaching in the afternoon, I sat rio^ht afore him. He looked me rio^ht in the face and pointed out the necessity of praying. And while looking me thus in the face he said, *' O young man, you know you ought to pray ; and why do you not go at it, and so give your- self up to God ?" This came home to my heart like thunder ! I came near crying out aloud ! But I quenched the spirit again, thinking I would pray when I got home. When meeting was over I started to go home. When about half way home fears began to rise that may be I could not keep my promise. Going through a piece of woods I came to a very nice white- oak. I stopped and stood and looked at it, and thought, O if I could flourish like this tree ! and then I fell down upon my knees by the tree with a determination not to rise till God would 18 LIFE OF JOHN FETTEPwHOFF. let me feel that I could open my mouth in prayer when I got home. It was quite a while till evening. I wrestled on until sunset, and then I fell into a kind of trance, in which I knew nothing of myself. After this had come over me I started homeward. When I got home my uncle wanted me to sing some, for I was called a good singer. I took up a hymn book and began to sing. My sister assisted in singing. But all appeared like a dream ! When we had sung a good while, uncle said we would have prayer and then go to bed. He knelt down, and the others, and I with them, not really knowing what I was doing ! The old man began to pray. I heard him, but seemed to be unfeeling and hardly conscious of myself. In praying he got very loud, and began to rejoice, I not knowing why. At length I was just like one who wakes out of sleep. When I had fairly come to myself, I found I had been praying aloud a good while. It seemed as if my soul was sinking down. I wept and cried to the Lord for help. My old uncle still continued his rejoicings ! At last I exclaimed. Amen ! They then rose to their feet, and I got up and seated myself on a bench at the end of a table, in great agitation. Uncle was full of the love of God, and rejoiced. LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. 19 saying, O how good the Lord is ! As he said that, it ran throuo^h me like a thrillinof flash and burnt in my breast, so that it seemed my heart must leap out of my mouth ; it seemed as if all was on the wino^. Had I been alone I mijjht have shouted ! But the boys were by. They were my companions, and I thought if I was to show out very much they might think I was acting the hypocrite ; for there were none then that shouted where we were then living ; so I restrained myself all I could that time, and went to bed. But I slept very little that night, for my soul was too happy to let me sleep, to think that I had found my Beloved again. The next mornino- when I rose I kneeled and com- mitted myself to God, and then went to my work. It now seemed as if there was a sepa- rating line drawn between me and my compan- ions. When we were o^oino: to breakfast I expected family worship, and thought that uncle would want me to pray. As I thought on it, Satan told me I had better not pray then, that my gift was too small to pray openly be- fore others, and also that my comrades would mock me for praying with old folks. When I thouofht over these thins^s I saw that to hold back and fear in this way would not be taking up my cross ; so I resolved to bear the cross 20 LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. and from that day serve the Lord, let come what would ; that Satan and his party should not have it to say that I had so soon again giv- en up. After this resolution I never faltered about taking up my cross when I felt it duty to pray. I then went on in religion, happy every day for some time. The next occurrence was startling. It seem- ed as if a voice said to me that I should go and 'preach! That immediatel}^ shocked my mind, for I feared it might be a temptation of Satan to run me into an extreme thereby, to throw me back. I turned to the Lord in earnest pray- er, and the more I prayed the more I felt con- victed that I ought to preach. Then to ease my convictions I began to seek excuses. I made these : First, I was too young ; second, I had no learning ; third, I was uncouth in my ways. Almost as soon as I opposed my con- victions I was bereaved of the blessedness I had enjoyed in religion, and was overtaken with awful feelings. In sadness I turned again to the Lord in prayer ; l)ut my prayers would not rise and could not reach my God until I became willing to submit to all God's ways with me. When I yielded to him then he blessed my uneasy soul again. But upon this immediately -came again the impression that I ought to go LIFE OF JOHN FETTFRHOFF. 21 and call sinners to rejyentance, I then declined compliance again, and was also thrown into my former sadness again ! So the things ran on about ten months. I did not divulge " the bur- den of the Lord " to my old brethren for fear that they might think it was only a Avish to be a preacher. So my uneasiness continued, and even increased for a time, so that I knew not where to go or what to do to be delivered ; even at my work I often fell on my knees and cried out to know what to do for relief, and the answer alwa3^s was the same. Go and preach! But 1 still said, "O Lord I can not go." I Avas in unrest awake and asleep. By night I did dream ; sometimes that there Avere mad dogs after me, at others Indians, other times Africans. Once I dreamed I Avent to a neigh- bor's house of two rooms, one empty and the other full ; that I entered the empty and saAV into the full one, and saAv them all black, and heard them SAvearins: and cursins; each other most aAvfully. The people at this neighboring house Avere good neighbors, but Avere uncon- A-erted and Christless. So fearful did the sight seem that it frightened me aAvay. But it ap- peared as if there Avas a small man Avith me dressed entirely Avhite. He gave me to knoAV that he Avished me to talk to them. But it 22 LIFE OF JOHN FETTEKHOFF. seemed I did not know what to say to them. So I went off through a field and he came after me. In going oflT from that scene I came on to a high mount where there were two enormous black he goats that came towards me, and a black man said to me that these would now kill me. This saying shocked me. Then the white man with me said that if I would be obedient I should not be hurt. This greatly encouraged me, and I stood till they came on. When they had come near me, I seized one by the neck, and the white man leaped astride the neck of the other. There was a hickory tree between us. I reached over and grasped the other by the head and thumped their heads together against the tree until they were glad to be let go, and when let off they fled away in haste. There seemed to be many people after us who were all Irish and had guns. And they told me that if I did not give up my money they would shoot me. But that unearthly white- robed man who was with me told me I should not give it up ; that I would have much need of it ; that I should not fear them, for they could not shoot me. So, while I went along and they followed, I told them that I hadn't much, and what I had I got by hard work ; and that I should not give it up. Then they snapped LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. 23 their guns at me, but not one went off. So we proceeded till we reached a large wood, where was a lane made of posts and boards, about tw^o feet wide, three and a half high, crowded with Indians, in it, and outside of it, over half an acre of ground. Then the white man told me to go through this lane. (I did not yet know whence the white man came, and it seemed unallowable to ask.) When he had told me to go through the lane, I took the first Indian with the right hand by the neck and jerked him behind me, and the next with the left ; and so I went on till I came almost to the end of the lane, to the last Indian, who was so tall that I could not reach near up to his neck, but I jumped up, caught him by the neck and jerked him down on a board of the fence so violently that his head flew off! and suddenly his head and body, and all the Indians vanished ! I then looked where he had stood, and there there seemed a white child lying. The w^hite man told me the child was to go through too. When it came to that great Indian (or devil, may be) he tramped it down. I picked it up into my arms, and when I had gone a short distance I came to the end of the lane. And there was the most beautiful place I ever saw or thought of. It was all as white as snow. 24 LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. 1 and adorned with gems. The joy and beauty of the place overwhelmed me. I felt that I and that child were delivered from all our ene- mies. And I found out that it w^as Jesus that had been with me all the time. This made me so glad that I threw myself and the child at the feet of Jesus, and rejoiced aloud until I aioohe from my dream,. The next morning I was asked why I made such a noise in the night. I answered that I had dreamed, and that I was now fully convinc- ed that it was my duty to warn sinners to flee from the w^rath to come. Truly I was convinc- ed of my duty, and yet I delayed the doing of my duty as to preaching. In October (22), 1818, there was a Quarter- ly meeting at Hagerstown. I attended. We had a very o-ood time at that meetins:. There were some convicted. Sunday morning there was love-feast. I felt to tell my experience also with others, but the fear of man took me so that I could not rise to my feet. I thought then it would do to w^ait till the brethren and sisters had risen, who had told their experience before. (For I myself had not ventured afore that for fear the Spirit would force me on the preaching subject.) Something told me, if others had done that dutv before that time I LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. 25 ought to rise and do mine now. In the midst of my struggle, ere I was aware of moving, I found myself on my feet and talking ! I told about my having religion once, and hoAv I had lost it and got it again. Soon a young man cried out that he once had religion, but now^ had none, and that he now must be lost ! In this tone he cried and begged for mercy until the Lord blessed his soul. In the afternoon we went to dine with one of the brethren. After dinner we held pra^^er meeting, and they called on me to pray. I went to pra3'er, and the power of God showed itself wonderfully among us. After this one of the preachers called Henry Kumler, w\alked up to me, pulled me by the arm and took me aside. It shocked me much because I knew not wdiat he wanted, but yet suspected it was to get at the exercises of my mind. I felt unfit to talk to preachers. I was very shy, and still loved to be about them and hear them. Kumler took me into another room. There sat old bishop Newcomer, and William Brown who had travelled our curcuit. I feared them and loved them too. They told me to sit down. After I did so, they told me to tell my experience again. I began to fear and tremble so that I could hardly speak any. They then asked if I did not sometimes feel it 26 LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. my duty to preach. With trembling heart and voice I answered in the affirmative. They said I must do that or it would not go well with me. Brother Brown then told me his experience, which was like fire in my bones. When meeting closed I went home, but did not know what to do. I went to my work, but my uneasiness was so great that I could be easy in no way I could turn my attention. I sought deliverance and ease, but the more I prayed the more force I felt to go to call sinners to repentance ! One time I went to Chambersburg and bought a riding beast, but if any body had asked me w^hat for, I could not have told it. My uneasiness was too great to stay at home, and my unwillingness to go too great to let me go for fear of bringing a re- proach on the church on account of my igno- rance from lack of learning. I was in suspense a long time. I was in painful anxiety. I had a beast now — had brought it home, and conclu- ded to visit one of my uncles, living in Sinking valley, 65 miles off, a brother to my father, named Michael. Five or six times I set a time for starting, but backed off; and each time I felt ease when I meant to go, and uneasiness when I failed to do it, till I felt that I must go or be damned ! Then two weeks afore Christ- LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. 27 mas, I started : the first day to Path valley to David Bear's whom 1 knew, and who had heard of my trials, and put more fire and faith into me. Next morning I went to Sherman's valley, to William Brown's father, who had been at the Hagerstown Quarterly meeting where his son had talked to me, and who knew all about it. He asked me if I was on the way now. I told him I was on the way to visit an old uncle. He asked me then whether I would give myself up to travel with some one of the circuit riders. I said no. He asked why. I said my gift was too small. He tried to argue me into it ; but I could not yield to his reasoning nor advice. Next morning I wanted to start away, but he persuaded me to stay and hold prayer meeting, for he said one of his niece's was convicted when John Russel the circuit preacher was there last, and may be she would get religion if I would stay. I stayed. They appointed a prayer meeting, and he wanted and expected and asked me to exhort the people. I told him I could not undertake it, for I had never spoken any in public. Then he would have me to read a chapter and open meeting anyhow. So when people had gathered, I rose and read part of the 8th chapter of Romans. After reading I thought I ought to say something, I venturod 38 LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. to try — began, and spoke more than I expect- ed ! A work of God broke out, and I went to prayer. The Lord blessed us wonderfully. There were some crying, and some prostrated, and that convicted young woman was set at liberty. Next morning he urged me to return that way, after my visit, and go a round with Eussel. I did not agree at first ; but he would not let me go without promising. He said I might be a great blessing if I did so, even if I did not preach, for Russel had no gift for sing- ing, and I could be a great help in singing and pra^'ing ; and that he also needed company, for he was lonesome in those mountains. After long parleying, I promised to come back there and go with Eussel. I then started across the high mountains, by a mere foot-path for about 25 miles. About two o'clock I reached an un- common high mountain, such as my beast could hardly ascend. On the top of it I stopped to look but could sec no living creature anywhere, which made me feel very desolate. I thought if I feel thus lonesome and desolate here, how must those feel who are banished from God and all the good ! And that must be my lot if I disobey my God ! I fell on my knees and im- plored the Lord to aid me and I would now obey God's call. Then my soul was filled witli LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. 29 joy of my Saviour's presence. I then rose from my knees and journeyed on, and about sunset I reached a house, but ventured farther, for I was told I could reach another staying place. I did reach another house, but not afore night, and not a place where I could stay. After many meanderings and much perplexity in the dark and dangerous hindrances by water and ice, I reached a stopping place Avith a Methodist man who received me kindly, and was good company. Next day, early, I reached the Juniata river, which I could not cross until midday on account of the ice. In twenty-five miles more I landed at my uncle's. None of them knew me, neither did I know any of them. After obtaining privilege to stay over night, I told them who I was, and they were glad to see me. But I soon found they had no religion. 1 began to talk about religion, but they seemed to understand no more than children of a dozen years. I asked and got leave to pray ; then talked to them until midnisfht. Next mornino: I prayed with the family again, and admonish- ed them. I entreated them to seek religion. Tears began to flow, and they promised to seek it. I then started back by way of Path valley and Sherman's valley to Brown's, as I promised 30 LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. to do. Brown persuaded me to go with his son and daughter to where Eussel had appoint- ed a watchnight meeting. While there they coaxed me to asfree to go with him around his circuit, which I agreed to do. That night we had a glorious time in the conversion of sinners. Next morning we started, crossed the Juniata on the ice, and were soon among the mountains. We reached the first appointment the first day. He preached. I exhorted the people and pray- ed. We had good' attention, but that was all. We w^ent on together over hills and valleys along the Susquehanna, around by Buckwheat valley to Juniata, thence to Sherman's valley. We were two wxeks getting round to Brown's again. We had some good times and some gloomy seasons too. Then we went to Mr. Fleck's, who had a son a circuit rider on the Maryland circuit that year. We found him at his father's, and we had a good time that night. He wanted me with him, but Eussel would not agree to my going with him. We went on towards Shippensburg and Carlisle ; and so on to Harrisburg bridge, and over to Sherman's valley, where I then left him and went to P. Brown's again. In the four weeks I was with Russel I was much encouraged to go on, both by brethren LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. 31 and the Lord. Still doubts would rise about my call to this important work. O when shall I have faith without any doubt ! I tarried at Brown's about two weeks, and worked in the fulling-mill. Fleck heard I was at Brown's and sent for me, and begged me to go one round with him. He pleaded that he could not stand it much longer, being consumpted. I went to meet him in Path valley, at Flicking- ers. I arrived in the evening, but was tempted to exhort no more. Just before meeting I went out to pray to God that if it was not his will for me to exhort, when I got up he should strike me speechless : if it was his will he should open my way plainly. I went to the house. Fleck preached, then told me to rise and speak. I did so. My soul soon filled, my voice got strong, and we had a fine time. When the people were gone, then did I first think about my prayer. I then cried out, O Lord how I believe now, help my weak belief. Next mornino: we set out for John Bear's in the same valley, to a candle light meeting, and when people were met they told me I would have to preach. I resisted, then consented, took up the Bible and endeavored to speak from these words, '' Awake thou that sleepest," &c. The Lord opened my way, and all went off 32 LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. well. Next day we went to Fleck's father's for an evening meeting. The weather Avas cold and the snow was deep, but the gathering Avas large to see and to hear me. Some were En- glish, some were German. I was not able to address the English hearers, but D. F. could speak English some. I was to begin the exer- cises. I did so. I took this for my text, ** Why think ye evil in j^our hearts." People were much affected. From there I went to Rocky Springs. He stayed a day, then came on. Snowdrifts had blocked up the ways very much in lanes and on hillsides. I strug- gled through to Samuel Ruber's . He question- ed me much about my feelings concerning preaching — how I felt when speaking, and how when I refused. I told him my experience. He then told that he heard some speak for me, and others against me ; and he bid me God- speed and go on. He told me too of a Quarterly meeting to be held near Greencastle, soon, and that he would be there, and from there go down below Harrisburg to Lancaster circuit, that he wanted me to meet him there and be with him. I told him I would like to go for one reason, but for another reason not. It would allow rae to see kinfolks I had never seen, but bring me among professors who had LIFE OF JOHN FETTP:RH()FF. .>/) iiothinof but a mere form of religion, and who did not like young converted preachers that had too much tire for them. Huber was bold, and insisted on my going until I promised to go along in the afternoon. D. F. came and we started and went to Chambersburor that evenino- and held meeting at candle light. He preached and I exhorted. We then held prayer meet- ing. A good meeting and my soul was happy. Next day, Sunday, we went to John Gesy- man's, in the neighborhood of my uncle's, to a 11 o'clock appointment. My brother and brother-in-law lived within two miles, and my father called to see them. I had not seen them in tw^o months, and my sister seemed glad to see me again. My father seemed somewhat pleased ; but my brother and brother-in-law s6emed to care very little about me : they thought my traveling about was all nonsense, for their only care was to prosper in this world. May God grant them to see the need of relig- iousness on earth. I took leave of them, un- certain whether I should ever see them again. My leaving them thus seemed to affect my Ei- ther and sister much. I reached Gesyman's a little before meeting. I told Bro. Fleck not to require me to bear so heav}^ a cross as it would be to exhort before my youns: comrades. He vU LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. agreed not to do so, but while he preached I became full and happy ; and as all expected to hear me after him, all eyes were on me so that he was not heeded much. I closed by merely praying, but it had a manifest eifect on my comrades. After meeting I went home with uncle Overcash for whom my youngest sister kept house. She complained much of her tri- als and persecutions while I was gone. She was much aftected at my leaving, for a time she knew not how long it would be. My reflec- tions then were : If friends and kinfolks are so afiected by a temporal parting, how sad and sorrowing must it be when such are separated eternally ! In the evening I went to D. Fleck's evening appointment at uncle George Fetter- hoifs, and found a large congregation. He rose and preached, but without much impression. When he quit my comrades and classmates all looked at me expecting to see something. That made the lire begin to burn as it were in my very bones ! I rose, and by God's grace gave them truths of the gospel rough and smooth, which induced some to smile, some to stare as if alarmed, and some to rejoice. My uncle thought I should not speak quite so rough — that that rough way would aflfi-ont them. I said, ^' Did I not speak truth?" He said I did. I LIFE OF .lOHN lETTEKHOFF. 35 •' Well," said I, '^ I shall keep to that as long as I live, not caring Avho are pleased or dis- pleased ;" and that ended our conversation. Our next place was Barnhard Rough's in the evening. Had a large gathering, but a dull time ! 1 knew no reason for it unless it was, an English preacher present preached, and so tediously that nearly all slumbered. I felt like saying, Lord have mercy on such men ! Next day Ave were at another evening appoint- ment. There old father Dayhof met us, and preached in Fleck's place. The Lord gave power to the word through the good Spirit. Fleck led us in a good class meeting. Xext day we three started together. We soon reach- ed a brother's house where we stopped, sung and prayed. While praying there I saw my un worthiness so that I cried out, " O Lord, what will yet become of me I and what wilt thou make of me ; I know not I" Then next was our evening appointment. On the way the old brother, rode to my side, looked me into the lace and said, " And you don't know what the Lord wants to make out of you." I said, '' That's so." He answered, '' Only be obedi- ent, and he will make you a useful child." That encouraged me much. About 3 in the afternoon we crossed big Antietam, swollen 36 LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. high ])y rain. \Ve arrived about 4 o'clock, and had a useful meeting. Next day was a snow- storm, and Fleck's appointment was away far- ther off Tout of his range) than next day's appointment ; and being feeble he prevailed on me to go to the distant place. I started alone ; traveled all day in the snowstorm through the mountains. 1 arrived early in the evening. I found that they heard of me before that, and I found a large gathering at night. At dusk a preacher of our society came to meet me. He was a line man, and afforded me comfort in conversation. I urged him to preach. He hesitated, but finally did it ; preached a good sermon, and made good impressions. I ex- horted happily. O that I could always do it so ! Next day snow was deep, weather very cold, wind high, and snowdrifts hindersome in traveling; but we two went to meet B. F. We crossed South mountain and reached him so late that he had commenced ; and though ready to read his text, he stopped when he saw Bro. Flickinger, and got him to preach in his stead. Fleck exhorted, and I closed. Prayer- meeting was asked for. It was appointed ; it was large. T was put forward to begin it. The Lord aided and blessed me greatly. We had a blessed time. Manv were convicted, and LIFE OF JOHX FETTEKHOFF. 37 some were brought to cry for mercy ! and I think they were heard. O for more faithfulness in the cause of saving sinners I Xext morning we all three started toward Maryland. Flick- inger soon left us to attend some appointments he had in another direction. He wanted me with him, but Fleck would not agree to my go- ing with him. So 1 went on with Fleck. We reached the appointment, and were kindly re- ceived. They seemed to have earthly and heavenly riches. He had a large group out. Fleck preached and I exhorted. I longed for spirit and zeal, for there w^as no noticeable move. March 7th, 1819. This day, early, a young Lutheran came to ask us to come and till their preacher's appointment in their church, at 11 o'clock, in the absence of their preacher, who was called away to attend a funeral. We went ; met a large crowd. Fleck tried to preach, but being muzzled by fear of man, made poor head- way ! I closed by singing and praying. The moral ground here, has to be first grubbed up and broken up, before the seed of the word can grow and do well. Next came our evening service. Arrived about 4, met a pious family, and felt at home. Bro. F. requested me to preach, as he was ailing. I took up the cross oS LIFE OF JOHN FPITTERHOFF. and tried. Used Malachi 4:1,2, and the Lord aided beyond my hope. Brother Fleck closed, and all seemed riofht. March 8th we went to Valentine Doups, and had a good time. March 9th we crossed South mountain again, and held meeting at a Mr. Honver's. F. preached and I closed. March 10th. Crossed the hills to Middle- town valley and held service at Jacob Doub's with a large assembly at night. He preached, I followed, and F. led class. Several were made serious. March 11th. Went to Middletown ; arrived at noon ; called on Valentine Bowles (old and feeble) who was one of the old traveling preachers ; the man that preached at my uncle's when I was under conviction, and pointed so directly at me and told me my feelings, as mentioned on a preceding page. He was joy- ful when he saw me. We worshipped together, and then left him in the name of the Lord to await our return from his brother Jacob's next morning. In the morning he seemed still fee- bler. We worshipped with him again : his soul was full of glory. He then looked at me and said, «' Brother, when you see my brethren in the Lord, tell them that I said to you, * The I lifp: or john fetterhoff. 39 night is almost gone, the day is dawning: many happy seasons I have had in the service of the Lord. But even that was only a faint and feeble feeling in comparison with what I now realize I' " This saying of his put new en- ergy into my faint heart to serve the Lord. We gave him a hearty farewell, and he gave a sincere God-speed, until we should meet at the right hand of God. In about four days after that, he left the world in the triumph of faith ! let me die the death of the righteous, and ni}' end be like his ! After this we went towards Boonsboro, to have meeting in a meeting house near a Mr. Clapper. Bro. F. asked me to lead. I declined to read the text ; so he did that, but did not feel the spirit of preaching and moved heavily. I sat in a corner of the pulpit. 1 felt concerned for him. I began to pray to the Lord for help. By and by my soul felt God's presence and power, my body began to quake, my teeth to chatter, and such was my aft'ectedness that I hardly knew I was in the body ! After while I sprang to my feet and began to exhort. My shrill voice pierced and echoed through all ! Saints shouted, and sin- ners cried for mercy! I felt like saying, ** Good Lord, had I thy real religion before this, or is this the beginning of a new life? 40 IJFE OF .lOlIN FKTTEKHOFF. (} l^orcl cany on thy work, sanctify thy people ; O sanctify me wholly, and fit me for thy church and kingdom.*' March 13th. We started for watchnight at Geeting's. On the way Bro. F. reproved me for my manner the night before ; specially for my (/uaAing and loudness; even calling me a " shak- i'ng quaker.'' At Geeting's we fomid many of the old l)rethren. The meeting house was crowded. We entered ; brother Kumler open- ed the meeting ; there was a dull time ; singing, praying, preaching seemed ineifectual until about 12 o'clock. Then brother Kumler's brother-in-law rose to exhort, and he seemed to scatter fire that burnt a while. Then Bro. F. went to preaching English — a slow speaker in German and more so in English ; so the spir- it of the meeting sunk again. After a time they called me to the pulpit to exhort. I went, and in a few minutes I felt as I felt the evening ))efore. Without any thing extra, we w^ound up the meeting near morning. March 14th. Brother Fleck's candlelight meeting near Boonsboro. He preached, Geet- ing exhorted, and I closed. The wicked held their ground against us ; they behaved like brutes if not like devils. March 15th. fleeting at old father New- LIFP: of JOHN FETTER H OFF. 41 comer's in the evenini?. A o-ood meetino:. Mourners to be prayed for ; and I was blessed in my efforts to call them out. March 16th. Went to Haojerstown throuo:h much rich country. Lord fit us for that which is better than that. Arrived at 4, had few hearers, and but little grace. March 17th. Went to Kumler's over broken land and huge rocks. Well let us found our- selves on the firm rock Christ. Had only an ordinary meeting. March 18th. Had middling good evening meeting at Greencastle — preaching and class. March 19th. Meeting two miles from town in the evening, at Mr. S)iively's : an ordinary one. March 20th. Tarried a day. 21st returned to Kumler's to a Quarterly, to meet Bro. Hu- ber to go with him to old Lancaster circuit, ac- cording to promise. A great many preachers at the Quarterly, and it was a precious time. At the close Huber told me that another preacher was going with him, without telling me why he got him to go instead of me whom he had engaged ; and that was trying to me. I inquired the reason of the brethren. They said because those old people did not like a young preacher. Now as I had spoken ot that, 42 LIFE OF JOHN FKTTEKHOFF. I could not readily think that was the cause ; and I thought he ought to have told me so when he came. I told the brethren I didn't know which way to go. They then told me to go to Virginia to brother William Brown's cir- cuit. I had no heart to undertake that. I got discouraged, and became tempted, and finally concluded to give up altogether, and not try t<) speak in public any more. They argued with me all that evening and next morning. I then started for Kumler's son-in-law's for "my horse, which was there, expecting to go home. 1 was not there long before old father Newcomer came after me to persuade me to the same thing. And he hung to me so long that he nearly succeeded ; but I stuck it out— got my horse, mounted and went to Kumler's brother- in-law's, intending to stay there over nio-ht. In half an hour Kumler came after me, and*' by coaxing and exhorting he overcame me so far that I could not resist any longer, but yielded and went home with him that evening. But no tongue could tell my feelings. I cried, *' O Lord, hear and direct me." March 24th. I rose early to start, but breakfast was late. I could not get away till about 8 o'clock. Deep snow on deep mud made bad going ; but on I went, till I came to 4i LIFE OF JOHX FETTERHOFF. 43 the Potomac, about 9 o'clock. I had to wait for the feiTj boat till 10 o'clock. I fed at Martinsburg, and then proceeded. At sunset it got very cold ; but at dusk I reached the place I aimed at, about 41 miles from where I was in the morning. I sta^^ed, worshipped with them, was used well, and charged nothing. May the God of prosperity reward them. March 25th. I started early, had amazing bad riding ; ground frozen hard, 3^et not so as to make deep mud bear. I traveled 24 miles by way of Winchester, and got to the circuit about 2 o'clock. Asked for William Brown, and found hi»i gone from there 5 days — that he was then at the upper end of his circuit. I fed and dined, and started after him that very even- ing. Went beyond Millerstown, stayed with a brother that night, and got information of the place where Bro. Brown was likely to be. March 26th. Started early through the hills towards Stony creek, and at 11 o'clock reach- ed the place he had left in the morning. I was told he went across the mountains to the place called Devil's hole, a place encircled with mountains, except one gap, and that having water and brush enough to make it nearly im- passable ; and the place having only 12 families. Brown was to preach there at 12, and at Stony- 44 LIFE OF FOHN FETTEIMIOFF creek at 1 2 next day ; and as it was the same distance to each, I did not follow him, but went right on to Stony creek that afternoon. March 27th. I ofot a Bible and beo^an ta read, but longed for his arrival ; for he was dear to me, dearer than a brother, for he wa& on our circuit when I o:ot reliHon. At about 11 o'clock he came where I was, cast his eye on me, shook hands with all in the house, put away his saddle-bags, walked to and fro, and looked very perplexed. After eyeing me a while longer he walked up to me and said, '' Are you John Fetterhoft*?" I told him I was. He at once showed himself friendly and began to converse freely. Then he told me that he was so overjoyed at seeing me that he was led to doubt whether I was John Fetterhoff or not I By this time people had gathered, and we w^ent into the meeting house. My feelings were some in the brush, but he preached a feeling .sermon, and that brought my feelings out of the brush. I exhorted with glory in my soul ! We had a good meeting. Went to a brothers and remained over nio-ht togfether. March 28th. Brother Brown and I started for an appointment he had for 12 o'clock. We had an excellent iiieeting. Sinners were so stirred that they cried for mercy. Afternoon LIFE OF JOHX FpyiTEUnOFF. 4i) wc uttended a meeting beyond the mountains. March 29th. We had a mixed cono-rea'ation, German and English. He had me to speak in German, and he followed in English. It was in a cold, open house, and I felt much hedged in. I shivered and so did the people. He spoke with some power, and baptized some in- fants. March 30th. We went awa^' throuoli ji mountainous region, and had meeting at the house of a man called Sea. Had few people, but a good prayer meeting. March 31st. Went off among the hills to Doub's on Dry river. A pretty tine time at an evenino^ meetino-. 1st of April, 1819. Went towards Rocking- ham, attended several appointments on the wa}', had good times, some sinners became converted. Left, and went towards Augusta county. Preached twice nearly every day. A fine and gracious time at almost every ap- pointment. Sinners converted nearh' every day. 3rd. We crossed North river which was very high, and had a stony, dangerous ford. Reached our meetino- for evenino-. He ^rot me to preach and to lead the class, in all the ex- ercises of the evening : and we hoped we had 46 LIFE OF JOHN fettp:khoff. (lone some good. 4th. We had meeting in the Presbyterian ehurch house at 10 o'clock, and at a neighbor's at candlelight. Lord prosper thy work, and destroy sin. 5th. Departed, and Avent round the upper end of Augusta county, and returned by Stouf- ertown the 11th of April. In this round we saw many sinners converted to God — as many as six at one meeting. In the last two days I have had some of the severest trials of my life. I felt as in a dungeon. I prayed the Lord to deliver me, but it seemed to have no effect. It got to this : Satan tempted me to believe that the Lord did not keep his word, for he promis- ed to deliver when called upon I Then again I thought I had not deserved anything better. When we came to another preaching place, he urged me to preach, when really I hardly knew what I did I I took the Bible and read in it. I came to these words : Stand ye in the way, and ask for the old paths, and walk therein. I concluded I would speak from these words, let the result be what it might happen to be. When the time came I rose, sung and prayed. I began to find light beaming into my soul. I read the text, and at once favor seemed to fly into me through the very cracks of the house. LIFE OF .JOHN FETTKKHOFF. 47 Saints began to shout and sinners to cry for mercy, and my soul Avas all aglow in glorifying God for the wonder he had wrought, by ban- ishing my darkness and my doubt. O that God would give me grace to stand more lirm hereafter, and not disparage his blessed cause in the world. 13th. We started for Annual conference to be held at Valentine Doub's, in Frederic county, Maryland, within 2 miles of Frederic- town. It was to commence May 4th ; and as it was yet quite a while to conference time, we w^ent along gradually, preaching in Hagerstown, and several other places. William Brown's brother, who was younger, only about nineteen, w^ho had traveled with him, was with us as we went. loth. Went towards Greencastle to Jacob AVinger's. On the way old ftither Newcomer rode to my side and asked w^hether I would not travel on a circuit that year. 1 told him I didn't know what to do ; anyhow I did not real- ly want to go to conference. But he and Will- iam Brown beset i^^e and never quit till I promised to go. About 11 o'clock we got to Jacob Winger's, wdiere I found my sister Ke- becca. It was a blessedness to her to see me again. She told me her way was now more 48 LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. 1 open religiously. That same evening we had meeting in Greencastle. IGth. Will and John Brown started for Sher- man's valley to their father's. They asked me to go with them, and I went. Got to Rocky Springs that day, and had a good meeting in the evening. 17th. Got to their father's' and had meeting next day, Smiday, both forenoon and afternoon. I stayed a few days and hel[)ed to sow plaster and pick stones. 24th. I went to Path valley to David Bair's, and William Brown went round by Carlisle, we having agreed to meet at Rocky Springs the 28th of April, then to go to conference. 25th. Sunday. I endeavored to preach at D. Bair's, on the last words of Hosea. Had a good time. William Brown and myself met according to our arrangement, and held meet- ing together on the 28th. Then left next day, preached at Newcomer's the 2nd day of May, and had a warm time. May 3rd. Father Newcomer, Jacob Win- ger, W. Brown and myself, at! started togeth- -er for conference. Arrived about 5 o'clock in the evening. Next day the session began. All v/as harmony and peace, love and union during the whole session. I felt happy in some LIFK OF JOHN FETTKRHOFF. 49 sense, but felt unworthy among such good brethren in the Lord in conference business. 6th. I was called forward to give them my experience. I felt as if I was a mere nothing among them. I gave them some of my feel- ings, but it was with bitter tears and many fears. I ended by saying I resigned myself in- to their hands and care, and into the hands of our common Lord and Saviour ; and they might do with me whatever they thought proper. And if they wanted me to speak for the Lord, they might give me liberty to do so without a written permit ; but if they feared 1 might in- jure the good cause they might send me home. I farther added that 1 would rather maul rails, than disgrace the ministry, and yet would rath- er die than live with my present feelings and not preach. I withdrew for a while. They called me in again and told me they would re- ceive me as an exhorter. On Friday they appointed to the traveling preachers their sev- eral places for the next conference year. An- drew Zellers, bishop, from Ohio, was there, and he asked for me and Johny Russel to go with him to Ohio to travel there. We were asked about going, we consented, and were appointed to go with him. 10th. In the evening 1 got to Wing- 50 lAVK OF JOHN FETTETMiOFF. er*s, where my sister lived. She soon inquired where I was appointed to travel that year : and I told her in Ohio. She wept at that, and asked me not to go so far away and leave her. I told her as I had given myself into the hands of the Lord and the brethren, I must now for- sake all for the sake of the Master and his cause. 11th. 1 went to see my father once more. He was in a field. I went to him and told him I had come to give them a final fare- well, for this world ; that I didn't expect to see him again on earth; that I was going to the state of Ohio ; that my determination was to serve the Lord and to work out my soul's sal- vation, and if he did not seek to be at peace Avith God I did not expect to see and meet him at God's right hand in heaven ! Tears began to flow from his aged eyes ; but he turned his face towards the team and started on ! I told him to stop and give me his hand. He did so, l)ut turned his face another way ! I then went to m}^ brother-in-law's. When I told them Avhy I had come, my sister soon wept and wanted me not to go. I answered I w^as ne- cessitated to, go. L proposed prayer; and as I prayed the Spirit of God affected our hearts, and we had a tender time. I crave farew^ell. LIFE OF JOHN FETTEiaiOFF. 51 and returned to Winger's again. That evening bishops Xewcomer and Zellers, and brother Russel came there. Our horses were turned into pasture, and in the morning mine was musing. When my sister heard it, she was fflad, for she thought that would keep me from going. I followed my beast by track and found it in a field a few miles off. I returned with it, and found that my sister had wanted the others to start before I could return and gfo along ! At 8 o'clock we started ; and in a few days reached Somerset, Pa., where we tar- ried a few days. Here a certain John Brown overtook us (who had been in Sherman's valley visiting his mother and brother) living in Ohio near Steubenville. Bro. Russel and I left the old brethren and Avent with that man into that neighborhood, atid stayed till the old brethren came after us. We had several meetings in the neighborhood. The Lord owned our ef- forts and blessed them. I was asked to speak in English, but I feared to undertake it. When they insisted on it, I promised to try. Bro. Russel opened by singing and praying in German, and I followed in imperfect English. God owned my effort, and it resulted in some conversions. 26th. The old brethren had come on, 62 lAVK OF JOHN FKTTKRHOFF. and we traveled through New Philadelphia that day, onwards, and over a long plain or shrubby region, at the edge of which we crossed a river, live miles beyond which we stopped over nio^ht with one of the brethren. Next mornino; we went on about three miles to where there was a camp meeting appointed, and where the people were iixing tents. That night the wor- ship and service began, and the Lord immedi- ately operated on the hearts of the people so that sinners cried and saints shouted as had never been heard there afore ! There were mourners, and but few to labor with them. As old Newcomer and I were singers, much of the needed work fell on us to do at that time. At length the old brother gave out ; and on Sunday night he went to a house and to bed. I labored on with the mourners until near morning, when it got quite cool, and I got so weary that I looked for a place in a tent to lie and rest, and not finding any, I went and laid down behind the preachers' stand with my great coat w rapped round me ! Before I awoke next morning father Newcomer came to me and asked whether I was alive ; for, said he, last night in my bed I heard you singing and pray- ing till I feared you would weary yourself to death ! and that may be 1 ought to rise again lAFK OF JOHN FETTERHOIT. 53 and help you. Camp meeting closed on Mon- day, and on Tuesday the Muskingum conference commenced, where we had an agreeable and glorious time among the brethren of that con- ference — the Lord with us. June 2nd, 181 i). We started for Coshocton to stay over night. Finding ere evening that we were likely to be late and have the Tusca- rawas to cross in the night, I hastened on faster and father Newcomer followed. We reached the river at dusk, but feared to venture into it, as it looked raging. We called, for on the side we were on nobody lived. A negro came running up on the other side, whom we asked if we could ford the river. He said, ** Yes, if acquainted with the ford." Father Newcomer asked me to venture in if not afraid. Not timid in water I went in. It did not swim me, but very nearly. The others folio w^ed ; and, though Russel was nearly swept down, all got safely over and stayed all night. Next day we started for New Lancaster. We reached it in a few days. Had several meetings in the neighborhood. The Miami conference was to commence on the 15th of June, at Frederick Pon tin's, within nine miles of Chilicothe ; and two miles from Annual conference there was to be a Quarterly meeting the previous Saturday, 54 I.IFK OF JOHN FKTTKllHOFF. Sunday and Monday. We started for said Quarterly ; got there in good time, and a large gathering, and many brethren, some of them such as I had known in the old settlements. We had a good time and many conversions. On Tuesday we w^ent to conference — a very peaceful one. On Friday, the 18th, those who intended to travel that year,, were requested to make themselves known. John McGary, John McXamer, Abraham Shindeldecker, Nathaniel Havens, Jacob Antrim, John Russel and myself oflered to travel that year. Shindeldecker and McGary were appointed to Miami circuit ; Rus- sel and Havens to Xew Lancaster ; Jacob .\n- trim and myself to Twincreek. On Saturday we started for our work, and got to Zellers' on Monday, the 21st, after leaving Greencastle, Pa., six Aveeks before. In those weeks I was sometimes hopeful, and sometimes not ; feeling often as if my climbing of hills and mountains, and crossing risky rivers, might all be vain. In the regions I traveled there is a great variety of land, good and bad, w^oods and prairies. Between the Miami river, and some few other places, there is some of the finest and richest land in America. But the possessors don't seem to know that there is a * ' better country " than anv on earth — are without the religion of liff: of JOHN FETrFinioFF. 5o Christ, and likely to perish. 22nd. On going romid to put out our ap- pointments, we had some good times, and some discouragements. I found a medley of people, some not understandino: Enoflish, and some not understanding German ; and I could not speak English well enough worth naming. We got round again to Zellers' on Saturday. Newcom- er preached in a school-house on Sunday at 11 o'clock. At 4 Bro. Antrim preached at Zel- lers' and 1 at 3 a])0ut three miles otf. In the evening we had prayer meeting at Zellers'. Father X. went to prayer for me or in my be- half that God would be with me and raise my head above the waves of temptation, which put life through me. O, thought I, if I only had enough to quell all opposition ! Xext morning- he started for Pennsylvania, and I felt as if I was losing a father ; for I knew not that I should ever see him again. But my prayer was. Lord bring us to meet in heaven where sin shall cease, and we be parted no more. We now started to make our preaching round. Went together, not in succession, the hrst time. First appointment was at Mason's on Bearcreek. Antrim spoke in English, I in German, from Col. 3:1," If ye be risen," &c. 23rd. Preached at Ilershberger's at night : M^ Uh'K OF JOHN F^n'TERlTOFF. no move. 24th. Held a meeting at 12 at B , where people were proud and hardened. In the evenino: went to Eaton and held meetinor jn the court house where Bro. McVay met us, and preached a very feeling sermon that reached saints and sinners. 25th. Held meeting at Bonebrakes. Found a large society, and also that " not all are Israelites who are of Israel," as was the case of old. 2()th. Meeting at father Kon's and at his son's. In the afternoon Antrim spoke in Eng- lish, r in German. Germans were numerous and seldom heard any preaching that they understood, so my preaching took hold on them so that they were greatly effected ; and even the English felt divine power. Ere I quit I spoke English some, as my second effort. 27th. Two meetings : one at Shafer's, and one at Kislers. Here we saw no prospect of doing any good ! 28th. Went to Miller's settlement. Had evening meeting. I spoke on John 14: 6. Thence we went down White water, to Henry Fry's, 5 miles from Brookville. Had meeting there on vSunday. A large gathering and very attentive hearers. Fi'om here we went through LIFK OF JOHN KKTTKKHOFK. 57 Oxford and preached at a certain Markel's, near Fourmile, where people were chiefly Calvinists, hard and haughty. The Lord soften them. 29th. Went to Sevenmile where were ac- quaintances, namely, Bro. Flickinger, Bro. Brand and Bro. Collins ; and I also heard of one named Henry Walter who had left Pennsylvania when I was a boy, and whom I might have found to be a cousin to me, if I had had time to hunt him up. 30th. Next day we went to Bro. Kumler's, where a good many turned out to preaching. Antrim preached in English, but some went outside of the house, near the window to which his back was turned, and talked so loud that it confused him, so that he quit. I spoke some in German and then closed the service. July 1st. We next went to Jacob Kemp's for meeting at noon. People all English but the family. Many professors, few possessors ! 2nd. We went to Bro. Ream's, where people were German. Antrim said I must speak first. I opened my Bible, fell upon the words of Psalm 92 : 12, '* The righteous shall flourish," &c,. I rose to speak, and the Lord blessed me greatly, and not me only but my hearers also. T had been gloomv, but the Lord 58 LIFE OF JOHN FETTP:RH0FF. lighted ine up so that 1 felt like persevering in efforts to save souls from sin. 3rd. Preached at Swesher's next day at 12, and at uncle's in the evening. I felt at secret prayer as if I had little to do in that place. I inquired about the people, found they were English. So Antrim preached, and got the meeting closed by a man Avho preached at times only, like those who feel a call simply for Sun- day, and feel free from it when Sunday is past. At 4 we had an appointment to fill at Zellers'. I preached on the words, " Let us labor there- fore to enter into that rest.'' Meeting was useful and showed a prospect for future good among the people there. We were now at father Zellers'. In a few days Antrim was to start on the second round. I w^as to wait a few days longer and then follow him . Being accus- tomed to work I went to help make hay in the neighborhood that week. On Sunday Bro. Flickinger preached in the school-house near Germantown. Young Henry Kumler exhorted after him, and I closed. The Lord blessed the professors. Afternoon Kumler and I had pray- er meeting 3 miles from Zellers', and a melting time. Monday 1 went home with H. Kumler and helped him make hay and thrash rye. On Thursday I pried into the history of the Henry 4 LIFE OF ,K)H\ FKTTKKllOFF. 59 Walter I named before, and found he was my cousin, as I supposed. He made me welcome in his house and conversed freely with me and I with him. In our intercourse I soon found that he knew nothing about the life and power of religion. I prayed for him and gave him farewell, and then returned to Zellers'. On Saturday I went to a ^Methodist camp meeting, but found very little satisfaction, from a want of victuals and provender, stable and lodging. I left early next day to see the Shakers living- near. I heard them talk and ridicule other people, but did not stay to see them dance. Sunday night and ^Monday I was at Zellers' agrain. On Tuesdav I started on the circuit. I preached at Bro. ^lason's on these words, " The Master is come, and calleth for thee.*' A small number, but good feelings. On Wednesday I spoke on Psa. 46 ; 8, 9, at Hersh- ber\v' Kramer's 8 miles west, where I had nearly all professors, and such real ones as always make a good meeting. In the even- ing her son, a |)reacher among us, went with me to an Albright watch night meeting, where the wicked had the ascendency, and made a dull time. 20th. Went 2 miles south to Bro. Bene- dom's. Mad n glorious time ! Evening, 4 miles farther to Growl's. Bro. Benedom along. Met two iiilgrinis — lather and mother Growl. They are bidding fair for heaven. The Lord is wonderfully at work in the neighborhood. Several got religion this evening. May it abide so evermore. 21st. Went to Hoflman's. Preached. There is poor prospect of doing good there, for they are nearly all backsliders. 22nd. Meeting at Hager s, on Little walnut. Few out ; but a very serious time in class meeting. 23rd. 1 had meeting at Pontius'. At night a good meeting at George Dresbach's. 24th. jMeetino: at Zarinof's. Was some- what comforted, but needed more zeal in us. 25th. Went 12 miles south-Avest. Found no appointment, for they wanted no preaching LIFE OF JOHN FKTTKHHOFF. to there ! 26th. Had an appointment at Zoog's. noth- ing special. 27th. I had a meeting at Fierbaugh's, 12 miles south. Here I met such a multitude that they crowded the room thoroughly and me, so that I could not well turn or move my body where I was ; and could not even tind foot-room to stand comfortably ! The people were, gen- erally speaking, irreligious, Init were well behaved. Bro. Fierbaugh was a solid, sedate religionist at that time, although he had once indulged extravagant vac/aries. Many years before, at a distance in another country, he and some other simple-hearted but sincere relig- ionists , fell into wild ideas of piety, and pre- sumtive errors on the wonder-workings of God in olden times. They imagined that their faith in the God of Israel would induce him to work wonders for them when it was desired in mod- ern times, as well as when it w^as required in ancient times ! In this delusion they imagined they would be preserved in exposures to fire and Avater ! The}' carried this to the extent of casting themselves into (or perhaps ?7J to) con- suming fire ! And in such deranging enthusi- asm this Bro. F. obtained shocking iiremarks on him that showed themselves when I preach- 74 lifp: of .toitn FF:TTEiniOF]\ ed in his house, at the time here given, long- after all their errors Avere outlived and they were all dispersed. 28th. I had meeting at Miller's, the place of beginning the 2nd round on the circuit. This was a 4 weeks' circuit. Had about thirty-sev- en appointments, and I attended them almost uninterrupted the whole of the last half of the year. (The first half having been put in by Bro. Russel.) I had changing feelings; had some hardships and some sore trials, but the Lord was always with me, and so greatly blessed me that there were many souls made happy, of them that were Christians before I went there, and many became converted to God and made happy, of them that were open sin-, ners when I went there. About the last of May I went to Bro. Huflman's and helped him work, (cover his barn, &c., so that hay could be put into it,) so that he could go to confer- ence with me, which was to be at father Kum- ler's, June 21, 1820. June 8th. I and Bro. Hollnian started together for conference. 11th. Got to Fry's, and I preached. 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, visited where I had traveled, in the neighborhood of Fry's, near Fairfield, and preached to them : there was a LIFE OF JOHN FKTTERHOFF. 75 good time. 16th. Attended a bio- meetino- near Flick- inger's, where many of the preachers met on their way to conference. This was on a Satur- day. We had a profitable meeting. 20th. Went to father Kumler's where con- ference was to be next day. •21st. First day of the session. There was a full attendance. There was nothing special besides common business. All passed off very harmoniously. At this conference I was pre- vailed on to accept preaching license instead of the exhorting license under which I had acted up to this time, and with which I w^as satisfied. The preachers west of the dividingridge between Scioto and Miami rivers, Avho made the Miami conference then and stationed them, were as follows : McGary, on Twin creek ; McNamer and Stubbs, on White water ; Spicer and my- self, on Miami; Jacob Doub, on Indiana (in- cluding all south of ^Madison) ; Antrim and Cramer on Lancaster. 1820. This year Bro. Spicer and I had a hard work to attend. Had 23 appointments, and had about 300 miles around ! It extended through not less than 10 counties. Bro. Spicer, having a family, was required to be at home to provide for them. For then none of our cir- 76 LIFE OF JOJiN FKTTEKHOFF. cults could support a preacher and his family too. I, being single, could and did remain on the work and did hunt up new preaching places, so that at the end of the year there were 52 ap- pointments, and it was 470 miles around the circuit, and I made the round every 4 wrecks. Bro. Spicer attended to the old appointments only. For this year's service I received $25 and a present of one pair of coarse woolen pants ! This year my fare was such that I sometimes, yes, ofttimes, had only a crust of corn bread for my meal, seemingly saved for me, by people that lived mostly on potatoes ; and for my lodging place the floor or other place no better. And yet I feel free to say that no one ever heard me complain, I do not think I slept two nights successively in the same bed, unless at a Quarterly meeting I I had to preach more than once a day, between Sundays, and on vSundays sometimes four times. This was a remarkable year for the manifesta- tion of the power of God in the conversion of souls. We had one camp meeting of such won- derful awakenings that old grayheaded sinners were aroused from their lethargy and turned to the Saviour of sinners. One person 82 years old, one 78, and one over GO were led to seek and find salvation ! On Sunday Bro. Spicer 1 LIFE OF JOHN FKTTKKHOFF. 77 preached on the last judgment, and such power attended the word spoken on the joys of the saints and the torments of the damned that very many fell from their seats screaming for mercy ; others became so affrighted as to run, and Spicer cried after them, '* RuHy run, for the devil is after you I" There were few if any on the camp ground that were not agitated in some way. Two half-bred Indians were converted at this meeting and became good members of society. P. S. 1 was received into the church in the year 1819, near Frederick, Maryland, at V. Doub's. There were then in all, east of Pitts- burg, 31 ministers, 3 circuits, 1 station, and 5 itinerants, viz., Wm. Brown, John Snyder, John Russel, David Fleck and John P. Brown. The Muskingum conference had 11 ministers. 1 circuit, no station, 1 itinerant. All Avest of the Muskingum river 20 ministers, 2 circuits, no station, o itinerants. Making, in all, in 1819, 3 conferences, ()8 ministers, (> circuits, 1 station, 9 itinerants. In the year 1833 there were 6 conferences. Min. Cir. Mis. Sta. Itin. The Penn'a. Con. had ^ 9 1 17 *' Virginia ** *' 20 4 9 LIFE or JOHN FETTERHOFF. The Musk. con. had 30 " Sciota '* ** Miami ** ' ' Indiana • * Total 283 5 64 11 3 25 45 4 8 ri{] 11 1 20 283 44 4 1 85 Increase in 14 years 68 6 1 \) In 1833 General conference, in Pickwa Co., Ohio, resolved on a printing establishment for the church, at Circleville, Ohio ; and the next General conference, in Germantown, Ohio, formed a constitution for the church and the printing establishment. In 1844 til lere vrere in the Pennsylvania conference : Min. Cir. Mis. Sta. Itin. 88 8 3 5 24 Virginia . . . 38 7 1 13 Muskingum . . . 64 18 2 1 31 Allegheny . . . 50 12 2 1 18 Sandusk}' . . 51 12 2 20 Scioto . . 83 19 2 29 Miami . . 73 16 2 2 26 Indiana . . 71 18 1 2 25 Wabash . . 76 21 8 33 Total . . . . 594 131 21 13 219 283 44 4 1 85 1844 over 1833 . . 311 87 17 12 134 LIFE OF .IOH\ FETTERIIOFF. 7^ This camp meeting was held about 4 miles North-east from the town of Pickway, near the Big Miami river, September, 1820. The next Annual conference divided this circuit into two. May 28th, 1821. The next conference met in Adelfi, in Eoss Co., Ohio. At this confer- ence Bishop Newcomer and Joseph Hoffman presided. At this conference they ordained me, although I did not wish it. Many of the old Others were present at the conference, and there was much friendship and l:)rotherly kind- ness manifested. The w^ork of God had spread much this year. Xew circuits were formed, and young preachers were received and entered the itineracy. This year I was placed for six months on Hillsboro mission to form it into a circuit ; then the last six months of the year I was to go to Cincinnati circuit, the one I had partly formed the year before while I traveled with Bro. Spi- cer on the Miami circuit. At this conference I found myself in straitened circumstances. My money was all spent but fifty cents, my winter clothes all worn out — all torn in holes except one light suit for summer. What to do I did not know. I laid my case before the old fa- thers, privately during conference, and they advised me to a^et married been as there was no 80 LIFE OF JOHN FETTEKHOFF. money in circulation then. All was trade, and debts were paid with trade. I took their ad- vice and got married to Elizabeth Xull, of Warren county, Ohio, the 10th of June, 1821, by Bishop Kumler, Sen. She was such a housekeeper as every honest itinerant ought to have. She did spin, weave, color, and do the tailoring, and never wanted to be idle. She took pleasure in taking care of things, in the house and out of it. We had a camp meeting on her father's land at the time Ave were married, Sunday morning, the 10th of June, 1821. During the camp meeting there was much rain. The ground was muddy, but the power of God was so felt among the people, that sinners would get on their knees in the mud, and saints kneel beside them and pray. It was a time long to l)e remember- ed. The cam}) meeting broke on Tuesday, and on Friday morning I l)id adieu to my young wife, and went to my circuit, or mission, and stayed upwards of live weeks. Jt was upwards of fifty miles to the mission. This mission was mostly in Highland Co., Ohio, and by enlarging it it took in part of Ross county. It is a very hilly, and part of it mountainous, country. The six months I Avas here on this work, the Lord was truly with me, and by his Spirit LIFK OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. 81 worked for his own cause. ^Vlany were con- verted and a good circuit was formed. I received into the church two ordained elders from the Methodist Episcopal church, four preachers, and some exhorters, and in all fifty- one members. At the close of six months, ac- cording to previous arrangement l)y the Annual conference, I went on the Cincinnati circuit and Bro. Henry Bonebrake took my place. I think this was a wrong act in the conference, because the last part of the year w^e did not accomplish much. It was a dark time to me, with the ex- ception of a few places the Lord revived his Avork. For this conference year's labor as an itinerant I received in all |;48.5(), l)ut my dear wife and I managed so that I was not in debt, although we had not much left to live on, and no home. My father-in-law gave us 28 acres of land. I then took a location for one year, 1822, and went to work and improved the land and built a small house, nearly all myself, and preached nearly every Sunday, and often in the week by candle-light. In November I took a trip to Pennsylvania to see my friends, and had meeting on the way. It Avas pleasant to meet and see my old brethren and friends. I preach- ed in Chambersburg in the house of a local preacher hy the name of Eraser. The United 82 LIFE OF JOHX FETTERHOFF. Brethren had no church house then in Cham- bersburg. I also preached in Greencastle, and in Hagerstown at a Quarterly meeting. Bishop Newcomer was present at that meeting, and was ver}'' happy and noisy. I also went to the city of Baltimore and had meeting there. There are warm, whole-soul Christians at this place. My father went with me home to the west, and stayed with me some three or four years and then returned to Pennsylvania to my brother Jacob's, and continued with him until he died. He died the 26th of May, A. D. 1840. His age was 81 years, 6 months, and 4 days. In the spring of 1823 I fell under very sore temptation to quit preaching, and I did not make my feelings known, no, not even to my wife. My mind and feeling was very gloomy. This continued about three months. Then in the month of May there was a protracted or big meeting appointed at Michael Buttenbergs. I felt I should go there. I went, (it was about 23 miles,) and when I got there, as well as on the way, I prayed that the Lord should make it plain to me what my duty was. There were many of the old preachers present. They in their counsel decided that I should preach on Saturday evening. I then concluded I would make the effort once more without telling them LIFE OJ^ JOTIN FETTERHOFF. f^'^ my mind. T then M'ent to ii secret place and prayed that God should that evening give me a token. There was a great crowd of people. It was a beautiful moon-light evening. I took for a text John 8 : 12 : "I am the lis^ht of the world : he that foUoweth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the lisfht of life." AVhile I was preaching some screamed for mercy, seven had fallen off their seats and lay on the floor agonizing for pardon, and by the time I had spoken thirty or thirty-five minutes they drowned my voice, which was not easily done. I then stopped preaching and called all to prayer. The meeting continued till 1 o'clock next morning. Many were blessed that night in the pardon of their sins, and there was quite a time of rejoicing, and I was deliv- ered from my gloom for the time being ; but how unbelieving and unstable I am ! 1823. Our Annual conference met the 16th of August, 1823, in the barn of brother Lutz's, below Madison, Indiana. A while before the conference came on my mother-in-law asked me whether I was oroino: to conference and would take a circuit again. I told her I did not know^ She then said that they did not let me have their Elizabeth for me to stay at home with her, but they wanted me to do my duty <^4 LIFE UF .iOilX FETTEKIiOFF. unci travel and preach. I went to the confer- ence, it ))eing near two hundred miles, and there we had a blessed, soul-cheering time ; Bishop Newcomer in the chair. This confer- ence placed me on Twin Creek circuit. Here I had a large ^vork — upwards of thirty appoint- ments. I went around the entire Avork every four weeks. This did not give me much time at home ; but what time I had at home I put in every hour for some support for my family. The Lord blessed my labor on the circuit and also at home. I raised enough grain to bread my fimiily, and fatten all the meat I needed. On the circuit I had some good revival meet- ings. Souls vrere converted to God. Vre held one camp meeting on Brown's run. It was attended with much of the power of God in the conversion of souls. Ijo Avere added to the church at this meeting. For this year's lal)or on the circuit I received if^o-l.OO. 1824. The Annual conference met at Buch- walters, Fairlield Co., Ohio, June 11th, 1824. There was a good attendance, and a goodly number of new preachers were received intO' conference. We had a warm, soul-cheerinir time in an upper room at Bro. Buchwaiter's where our conference was held. Conferences- Avere mostly held in_\^private houses and barns- LIFE or .lOlf.N 1-ETTHRHOFF. Si) m those days. ^Meeting houses were scarce in those days of power, love and brotherly kindness. From the conference I went on the Miami circuit. This was an unusual hard year. There were many church difficulties to settle on this Avork that had lain over from time to time, and were getting worse all the while. I tried to have all difficulties removed, but it took nearlv the whole year. Yet we had some ofood meetings and some souls were converted. For this year's labor I received $27.00, but b}^ hard work I kept myself out of debt, and hy the in- dustry of m}^ wife had good clothes. 1825. June the 11th, 1825, General confer- ence met at the house of Jacob Shout's, Tus- carawas Co., Ohio. I was a delegate at this General conference. At this conference the Discipline was so amended as to have but one ordination in the church, namely, Elder. The ordination of Bishop, and also that of Deacon, was expunged. Bros. Newcomer and Kumler were re-elected as bishops. And the oSIiami conference district was divided. The Scioto conference was struck off, making the Black Swamp, so-called, the dividing ridge be- tween the waters of the Miami and Scioto riv- ers — the Miami conference to have for its terri- tory all west of Black Swamp. «S() LIFE OF JOHX FETTFKHOFF. The Miami Annual conference met in Mil- tonville, Ohio, May the 20th. 1825. At this conference we had an increase of preachers. I was a member of this conference. From here I was sent to White Water circuit in company with father Mahon. This circuit was in the state of Indiana. We had appointments in five counties, viz., Debois, Franklin, Union, Fay- ette and Wayne. This year there were some souls converted, and the circuit much enlarged. I received $13.75, but the Lord gave me grace not to complain. 1826. The Annual conference met at Clear Creek meeting house, Warren Co., Ohio, June the 6th, 1826 ; Bishop Xewcomer and Kumler presided. At this conference the question was brought up whether it Avas right for ministers to join or belong to a Masonic lodge. (At that time there was no other secret order known to us.) This question brought much debate and contention before the conference, which lasted two days, been as four or six of the preachers belonged to the ]Masons. Three of them had joined within the last year, and we had no rule in the Discipline against it. This Annual con- ference then passed a by-law for itself that no member of the Miami Annual conference would be allowed to join himself to the Freemasons, I LIFE OF JOHN FETTER I lOFF. 87 and those who then did belong would not be al- lowed to attend their lodges or walk in proces- sion with them. If any one would violate the above rule he would thereby exclude himself from the church and conference. Newcomer was then presiding l)ishop over all the Annual conferences. He had a copy of this resolution passed in each of the other Annual conferences, and the next General conference made it a lavf in the Discipline. From this conference I was sent on the Cincinnati circuit. This year I did not see as much of the power of God in the con- version of souls as I have seen some other years, although we had some very good meet- in o-s and some increase on the circuit. The circuit went through six counties and had twen- ty-seven appointments. I received $42.09. 1827. The next conference met in Coridon, below the falls of the Ohio river, Harrison Co., Indiana, May 22nd, 1827. I traveled the Cin- cinnati circuit again part of the year. Got $14.56. At this conference we had some troub- le. Some of those who had joined the Masons withdrew themselves from the church on ac- count of the rule passed the year before, forbid- ding them to attend the lodge. Alfred Carder and William Ballard went to ruin. Ballard lost his mind and died at the chain. Carder got to HH LIFE OF JOHN FETTEIIHOFF. be a Shaking Quaker, then went to the Univer- salians, then to the Swedenborgians, and after- ward l)ecanie a poor pensioner. Aaron Farmer and fathei' I^all came back to the conference in a year or so and made acknowledgment and were restored. They proved foithfal men, exposed Afasonry, and both left the world in the triumphs of living faith. 1 LIFE OF JOHN FETTEKHOFF. fordsville to the land office, and 1 entered three eighty-acre lots, and afterwards sold them for 1100 apiece. Tuesday the 2nd of November we started for home. IVe had much rain and the roads got very deep, l)ut we had good horses and made good speed, so that we got home in the evening of the ()th, and found all well. The balance of this conference year I attended many Quarterly meetings, and preached much as a local preacher, and seen much good done at some of the meetings. 1831. The next conference met in German- town, Montgomery Co., Ohio, May 2Gth, 1831. This conference was truly a peaceful session — all was peace and harmony. It finished all its business on Saturday. Sunday morning Joseph Huffman preached English and Bishop Kumler German. There was a soul-cheering time among the hearers. Love feast and sacrament on Monday. There was much rejoicing and praising of God. From this conference I went on the Four-mile circuit. (It had its name from a stream of that name which ran through its bounds.) This was the most pleasant circuit in the l)oands of this conference to travel, and had only twenty-two preaching places, and some strong and well-established classes. This was a prosperous year. Many souls were LIFE OF .lUHN FETTEiaiOFF. !)H converted. AVe had two camp meetings on this work, during the year. One on In'other Hetzler's hind, the other on Indian creek, be- low Hamilton. At the tirst meeting many were converted, and thirty were received into full membership. At the other meeting Ave had cold, uphill work until Sunday. Then the work of God took a wonderful start. Sinners cried for mercy, at the altar and in the tents, and many found peace with God. This work of grace went on till Tuesday when the meet" ino- broke. Twenty-two were added to the church. I also held a two-days' meeting at lather Con's. i\Iany were Ijlessed, and 9 added to the church. For this year's successful labor I o-ot ii?l()9.00. This vras more than double I had ever received in one year before. In the spring of 1832 I sold my little home on Clear Creek, Warren Co., Ohio, and bought an old mill property on Paint Creek, Preble Co., Ohio, and moved to that the lirst of xVpril, 1832. The 25th day of February, 1832, Christian Null died, (he was my lirst wife's father,) and was l)uried the 2C)th. I was on my circuit at the time. I got home on the 28th and found the rest well. 1832. Conference met at Miltonville, But- ler Co., Ohio, Yiay 29. This conference was 94 lifp: op- johx fetterhoff. not as soul-cheering as some others have been. In this conference district we had a local pre- siding elder for each circuit until now. At this conference they made a change and elected me presiding elder over the west district (all west of the Miami river) . This was somewhat a pleasant year to me. We had some interest- ing camp meetings. One was held near Ger- niantown on the land of Jacob Ring the 9th of August. The wicked were very bad and caus- ed much interruption. Finally God overruled and much good was done. Many were convic- ted and converted, and some of the wicked were severely punished by paying a heavy fine, and some were imprisoned. The next year we had meeting on the same ground and were not disturbed at all. The next meeting for this year was on Indian creek, where we had such a blessed time the year before. This year it did not move so well. There was a kind of a drag, but there were some converted. For this year's labor I received $16.00. I gave the public collection to the circuit preacher. 1833. General conference met atDresbach's church, Pickaway Co. , Ohio, May 15th. At this General conference the arrangement was made to have a printing press in Circle ville, Ohio, under the control of the church, and also a LIFE OF .lOlIN FETTP:r{IIOFF 95 church hymn book. Before this we used the Methodist hymn book. Father Kumler, S. Hestand and Wm. Brown were elected bishops. After a session of four days we finished our work in peace, and bid each other adieu, and returned to our different fields of labor. On Tuesday the 28th our Annual conference met in Germantown. Bishops Kumler and Brown presided. At this conference we had some trouble with some of its members, on account of preaching so much on and about the Millen- nium, setting the time when it should make its appearance and seemingly knowing all about it. Some afterward went wild and backslid — like Jonah— because their predictions were not fulfilled. What became of them after this I know not. This conference year they placed me on the Four-mile circuit again. For the last eight months of the year I had some good times again on this work. I got for my labor these eight months $56.00. 1834. Annual conference met at Bonebrake's church, May 28th. Nothing unusual transpired at this conference, only this : they concluded to have a traveling presiding elder, instead of a local presiding elder over each circuit. The conference elected me to preside over the entire conference district. This gave me much care •)^> LIFE OF .fOnX FETTEIJHOFF. and work. I held witli the assistance of the preachers four camp meetings. ^Ye had some glorious times. We vritnessed the conversion of many souls. The work of the Lord spread much this year, and at Annual conference new circuits were formed, and the demand for labor- ers in the vineyard was great. In the month ot June the Cholera broke out in Cincinnati and took away from time to eternity hundreds in a very short time. It also spread through the country some forty miles around. :\Iany sin- ners were much alarmed. More of them were brought to pray through fear of the Cholera than by the preaching of the gospel. For this year's labor I received $UA)(K I l^t the circuit preacher have all. 1835. Conference met in Germantown, May ir)th ; Bishop Kumler in the chair. Durincr this conference we had a ])lessed, long to be remem- bered, joyful time. All was peace and harmo- ny. Conference got through with its ^rork on Saturday. Sunday and Monday were spent in holding meeting, preaching, sacrament, love least, &c. Souls were converted and saints made happy, and fothers and mothers shouted praise to God. I was re-elected presiding el- der over the conference district. This was F JOHN FETTKItHOFF. came to witness the scene that was to take place. Paul stood over me with a foot on each side of me, and the other two one on each side of him. Paul then asked me what I had preached. I then thought that every item of doctrine I had ever preached was on paper, and all numbered 1, 2, 3, and so on. I named No. 1. He then proved it with Scripture. Then he said, '' What next?" I named Xo. 2, and so on until the last number was named, and he had proven each one. He then more pleasantly looked me in the lace with a smile and said, "Do not be afraid ; the doctrine you have preached will stand when heaven and earth pass awa3\'' Then all three ascended up, Paul leading the way. I looked after until all was closed up. I then came to nwself, and found that my wife and children (with some of the neighbors) Avere standing around my bed weeping. They thought I was dying. I said, "What are you crj'ing about? The apostle Paul has just l)een with me, and he is one of the most friendly men I ever saw." From this on I beofan to o^et better, the fever left me, I mended slowly, sometimes better, then again worse, for more than two months. In about two months I got so that I could walk about the house, and in three months I started on mv LIFE OF JOHN FETTEKHOFF. Ill district again. Xovenil^er 28tli I got mj horse and in three days went a1)oat seventy miles and held a Quarterly meeting, and still got stron- ger ; and from this on till conference I was en- abled to attend all the appointments. We had some very good meetings. One meeting near Montezunea was great. Many were converted iind added to the church. For this year's labor 1 received $13.26. 1844. Conference met in Walter's meeting house, five miles west of Crawfordsville, March 21st. Bishop Kumler presided. At this con- ference there was bad feeling manifested, jeal- ous}', envy and ill will. The object was to get somebody out of their way and be elected pre- siding elder, and also open the way to be elect- ed deleofate to General conference. Some six of them were united in this dark, underhanded work. Four of them afterwards fell, three came to a bad end, one is a Universalist preach- er. Two out of the six kept their standing in the conference, and are now in God's favor. The conference placed me on Crawfordsville mission, a small out of the way place, no socie- ty on it. I went home from conference griev- ed, and after I got home I took sick with fever asrain. It was more than a month before I was able to travel on horseback. But so soon as I 112 LIFE OF JOHN FETTP:KH0FF. was able I went on the work and did what I could. The opposition was great from formal churches, although I had some good meetings at some points; some were converted, and I formed some societies. But it was a hard year for me, the hardest year I ever have had. I was much afflicted, and still worse persecuted by some of the above named men. (I shall not name the particulars.) Their object was to get themselves elected to General confer- ence that fall. Three of them did succeed. AVhen I saw how it was going, and heard what was said and done, I got excited and did things I afterwards was truly sorry for. Some of the election papers fell into my hands. I was de- sirous to know how the people had voted. It only proved true what had been said to me by my friends. I then destroyed some of the pa- pers, and altered some, and then sent them on to the tellers. But, after reflection, I felt grieved, and sent them word and let them know (before they had reported who was elect- ed) what I had done, and that I was sorry, and if they would let me, I would rectify all the papers I had any thing to do with. The tellers went into counsel with one of the leadino- men (Josiah Davis, the Universalist preacher; Avho was my enemy. They then sent me this note, LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. llo That no alteration or acknowledgment I could make would enable them to fo^gi^'e mc, and cited me to trial, to meet at the house of one of the tellers. And when I got there they had this Josiah Davis for their committee. I ob- jected to him. He said there was nothing in' the Discipline to prevent him from serving, and so they overruled all to their notion and said that they would have to hand me over to Annual conference, that it would have to decide in this case. In four weeks the conference met in Concord. Old father Kumler presided in the room of his son Henry. By this time my enemies had all arranged to their liking. They put ni}^ case oft* till the last of conference, and overruled the bishop and had all their own way. The bishop sat ])ehind the table and wept. Some of my friends told me that it was useless to try to get justice done here ; that the General conference would meet in four weeks, and then the conference district would be divi- ded : 1 should then come to the Xorth district and they would make all right. I then got up in conference and told them that I Avould sa}' aii'ain that I am i^'uiltv of the charo-es alle<2:ed against me, and that I heartily ask their par- don, but that they blamed me with more than I was guilty of. They then ordered me to 114 LIFE OF JOHN FETTEllHOFF. withdraw and Davis and Dunham delivered speeches and called for the vote to expel nae. The bishop refused to put the vote, but they voted my expulsion anyhow. Many did not vote at all. They gained their aim in their way. The bishop came to me and said I had better come back to the state of Ohio ; that I could not enjoy peace among these men. As was expected, the conference district was divi- ded. All north of LaFayette was called St. Joseph conference. This conference met in North Manchester the 18th of September, and as I was requested and advised I went there, and there (without my request) they took up my case and reconsidered it and restored me to my former standing. 1845. Conference met in North Manches- ter, Wabash county, Ind., September 18th. There was no bishop present. Francis Witcom was elected bishop pro tem, assisted by Wm. Davis. This being a new conference it was small, only eighteen members and six circuits. At this conference I was appointed presiding elder over the North district. This year I had far to travel ; it was about 170 miles to the dis- trict, and mostly wet, flat country, and very bad roads. During this year I filled all my appointments on the district, and we had some LIFE OF JOHN FETTEIiHOFF. IIT) soul-cheering times. At a Quarterly meeting near Elkhart the last day of February, 1846, Ave had an extraordinary time ; many were con- verted, and twenty-seven joined the church. For this year's labor I received $2.50, and spent 114.00 ; the circuit preacher needed all the balance. 1840. June 11th I started with ninety bar- rels of flour to Buffalo, New York. I went Avith a canal boat to Toledo, then on a steam- boat to Buffalo. There Avas nothing of note transpired until Ave returned. Then a heavy storm arose, and the danger of being Avrecked was great. They run the boat into a harbor and cabled her for twelve hours, and Avhen the Avaves had ceased they went on. Many of the passengers Avere very sea-sick. It is 330 miles from Toledo across the lake. The 22th of June Ave arrived safe at Toledo. On the 23rd I started on a canal boat for LaFayette Avith a rough, drinking crew, and I bore it as best I could. Got to Delphi the 25th, going day and niofht, and then sfot home the 28th and found all Avell. This was a trip of upwards of 1,000 miles by Avater and upAvards of 150 by land. God kept me from sickness and danger. Con- ference met near WarsaAV, at Leifel's meeting house, October 12th. All was peace among^ 11(> LIFE OF JOHN FETTEliHOFF. the brethren. Glossbremier presided. Two men Ciune from the AA'abash conference to im- peach me, ])ut they could not effect any thing, and went oif much displeased, although I said nothing nor did anything. 1 left all in the hands of God and the brethren. It all worked for nn' good. I took a location for one year, but I preached nearly every Sunday, and often in the week. My neighbors prevailed on me to preach once in four weeks in my own house. To this 1 consented. We mostly had a good turnout to hear, and some very good meetings. I also attended many (Quarterly and two days' meetings. 1S47. Conference met in Berrien, Mich., Octol)er 7th. Bishop Hanb}^ presided. My wife and Bro. Geor«:e Surface went with me to conference, ITjO miles. (My wife had a sister living 57 miles on this side of conference. She stopped there until we returned.) Thi^ con- ference went off very pleasant — all peace. At this conference I gave myself up fully into the itineracy, and the\'' elected me presiding elder again hy a unanimous vote, save one. They then placed me on the South district. The deepest snow fell that I have seen since I came to this countr}^ It was nineteen inches deep, December 14th. And on the 2r)th a two days^ LIFE OF .I()H\ FETTEIfHOFF. 117 meeting' was appointed at my bouse. On Sun- (hw morning (it was said) was the coldest day since the year 1832. This snow and cold kept some from coming to meeting, but the Lord was with us and we had a good meeting. This year there was nothing special occurred. We had one camp meeting near Mexico. This meeting was excellent. The church was weak at this place, and many wild and rude persons were here. Some were much afraid that we would be disturbed. I told them not to be uneasy, that they should put their trust in God and these rude persons Avould help us to keep order. I then went on the stand and called them up, and told them that I had something to sa}^ to them. And when I got their attention I told them that we had come there to worship God, and that we wished to have peace and not im- pose on any one, and I hoped that we were in a moral, well-behaved settlement, and that they would see to it that if any rowdies would make their appearance they would be ]:)rought to or- der ; and to prove our respect to them if any of them were hungry they should let us know and we would give them to eat. The meeting went on finely in peace. Sunday night there was much power and excitement. One young coupl-e that had not been married lono*- were 118 LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. there. The young wife slipped away from her husband and went into the altar and knelt down w^ith the mourners. Her husband sought her and at last found her at the mourner's bench praying for pardon. He at once got her up and took her out. He was raised in a dead, formal church that did not believe in being baptized with the Holy Ghost. They only believed in water baptism to do the w^ork. He had got his wife oft* but about a half mile when some of the 3^oung men, called rowdies, overtook him and told him to stop. He wanted to know what they wanted. They said he should take his wife back and put her to that bench where he had taken her from, but he was not willing. They said he would have to do it ; that these people had treated them kindly, and that they were determined to keep order; the t* if he would not take her back peaceably they would thrash him. He found they were in earnest and took her back to the altar. She was weep- ing all the while. She fell down at the bench, and before one o'clock in the morninof God for Christ's sake pardoned her sins. When he saw how happy she was in the love of God, he felt condemned, and the next day he also came to be prayed for, and God in much mercy blessed him likewise. Many others were brought to LIFE OF JOHN fettp:rhoff. 119 know Christ in the pardon of their sins. Sep- tember the 12th I got word that my son, Christian, was not expected to live. At 4 o'clock in the evening I started, and the next morning two hours before day I got there (65 miles). He was alive and sensible. When he fomid that I was there he fainted away for joy. With much rubbing and bathing he revived, and then wept. I staj^ed with him and gave him medicine, and he got well. For this year's labor I received $9. 1848. Conference met in Jelferson, Clinton countjs Ind., September 28th. Hanby presid- ed : I assisted. There was a full turnout, and we had a peaceable session. Conference be- came strong, circuits were formed, young men were called to the ministry; there was a time of rejoicing. This year I took a location and built a mill-dam on Wild cat, and repaired the old saw-mill. I attended many Quarterly and protracted meetings, and had some good times and some gloomy days. I did try to do my duty as well as I understood it, both towards God and man. 1849. January 14th Smith, a Methodist preacher, and I, held a protracted meeting 2 miles west of Annapolis, four from my home, at Lineberger's. Many were con- verted ; some old men, and some hardened Uni- 120 LIFE OF JOHN FETTEKHOFF. versalist.s gave their hearts to God and found pardon. Upwards of forty joined church. February 25th we commenced a meeting at Annapolis and kept it up 11 da^^s. It was sup- posed that upwards of 100 were converted. 87 joined church. This meeting was a peculiar one after the third day. The young con^'erts carried on the meeting. If a sinner made his appearance in the house, often two or three- would meet him at the door and get hold on him and hang at his or her neck and weep and talk until tlie [)erson would yield and kneel at a bench for prater. Thus the meeting went on day and night. March 25th I preached again at Liiiel)erger's and at George Newman's and Muntezume's. The Lord was truly present at these meetings. The cries of the penitents Avere heard a great way oti', and many were blessed in the })ardon of their sins. I had made arrangement to move to Carroll county, Indi- ana, on Wild cat creek, to my mill, and on the 22nd of April I preached my farewell at Annap- olis, two miles from my dwelling to a very large congregation. There was much feeling and many tears. 24th I started to move with five teams, and in four days we got to the mill. All went off safe and well, onl}^ we had some bad roads. This summer I built a house at the LIFE* OF .JOHN FETTEKHOFF. 121 mill to move in. Jt was to have been linished by the first of October, but the workmen were so slow that I did not get into it till at Xew Year. This was ver}^ unpleasant for us, been as we were crowded into a small house with my son-in-law . IS 50. During the forepart of this year I was mostly engaged in repairing the place and settling up my aftairs in Park county, where I had moved from. On September 5th the An- nual conference met in Dayton, e'ight miles east of LaFayette. Bishop Edwards presided. This was a pleasant session, nearly all the mem- bers were present. All the work was done up with much brotherly kindness. My location was continued for another year, but I attended many Quarterly and protracted meetings. Oc- tober 31st started to Ohio. I had some ac- counts to collect. I preached some to my old friends in Ohio, and also had some appoint- ments on. tiie way, but there was nothing unusual. 1851. During this winter I had some very interesting meetings. One near Logansport, at father Hower's, the other at the foils of Pipe creek. At the last named meeting there was a great work of grace. Many were brought in- to the church. The work of the Lord was much 122 LIFE OF .JOHN fettp:i{hoff. revived. The last of March I sold my farm in Park county, and then commenced to make preparation to build a new mill. I worked hard during the week and preached on Sunday. In this respect I tried to follow the example of the apostle Paul. He said : " Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought ; but wrought with labor and travail night and day, that ''we might not be chargeable to any of you." And this he said he did to make himself an ensample to vs, to follow him.— (2 Thess. 3 : 8, 9 ; Acts 20 : 34 ; 1 Cor. 4 : 12.) " For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail : for laboring night and day, because we would not be charge"^ able to any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God."— (1 Thess. 2: 9.) But we see Paul has but few followers now. No won- der they are called lazy preachers— blood-suck- ers, that sponge on the people. And no wonder that the church is shorn of her strength. Too many make merchandise of the gospel, "get high salaries and do but little work. The next conference met in Pipe creek chapel September 4th, 1852. David Edwards presided. O how pleasant it is when brethren dwell together in unity. It is joy on earth when love and kind- ness is seen in the countenance. Sunday morn- ing love-feast was glorious, and after love-feast LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. 12H Bishop Edwards preached a soul-stirring seiQion on the suffering of Christ. At this conference I was elected presiding elder and placed on the South district. During this conference year we had the presence of the Lord at nearly every Quarterly meeting to convert and bless souls. The work of God was much revived, and many were added to the church, and young men, and some middle-aged, were called to the ministry. In the fall of 1852 I was elected to General conference and also a member of a board of trustees to build a meeting house in LaFayette. It all was against ni}' wish. General conference met May Dth, 1853, at Miltonville, Ohio. Forty-two members were present. At this conference there was much business done. There was a constitution fram- ed for the printing office, and the office moved from Circleville to Dayton ; and also a mission- ary board formed, and the doctrine of Depravi- ty defined, &c. After a session of thirteen days the conference adjourned in peace. I was a member of General conference when the law on temperance was passed in 1821, when the ordination of bishops and deacons was omitted in 1825, when the law on secrecy or against Freemasonry was passed in 1829, when the printing office was located in Circleville in 124 , LIFE OF JOHN fettp:kiioff. I800, when the constitution of the church was formed ;ind a law to regulate the intinerac)' in 1837, and, last, when the missionary board was formed and the constitution for the printing press, and it moved to Dayton, Ohio, in 1853. I then said that that should be the last General conference I would attend. So far I have been true to my Avord — now 1872. Some may wish to know why my mind was thus tixed. I an- swer, That too many are elected and sent there that say, " This is a j)rogressive CKje, and we must Iceep up whit the t'anes,'' and I hold that the reliofion of Christ is an unchancreable thing ; what it was in the days of Jesus Christ and his apostles it is now, and it always w'ill be the same till the end of the world. And I find that those wdio are so fond of keeping up with the times do not aim to pattern after Christ, but after the world, and court its friendship. This conference year was a success. The church was much revived and many added to her number. For my service this year I got 151.00. 1853. Conference met at Pleasant Plains, September 1st, Bisliop Davis in the chair. There was much peace and harmony and many were added to the conference, and new circuits were formed. I was again placed back on the LIFE OF JOHN FETTKiaiOFF. 125 South district. This year the work of the Lord was much spread. We had some blessed revivals. One of the meetings that was attend- ed with much power was held at liojal Center. It had been a very wicked place, as most of the little towns are where there is no restraint b}^ law and force. During this year I w^as much afflicted with chronic diarrhea, but I at- tended to all my Quarterly meetings, and preached from two to three times at each. For this 3^ear's labor I received $70.00. I had plenty. The Lord provided. 18.54. The next conference met at Lake chapel, 2 miles south of Kochester. Bishop Davis did not arrive until the second day. I was elected to preside in his place. All Avent oft* verj^ kindly and pleasantly, and its member- ship was increased. At this conference I felt much broke down. I then made this request that the}^ should not elect me presiding elder any more ; that I had now served fourteen years and that there were other brethren in confer- ence who could serve ; that I wished for a loca- tion or a small work where the travel would not be so hard. The conference favored me in this respect and gave me Frankfort station, about 15 miles from my home. At the close of this conference Bishop Davis got me to take 126 LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. him in my buggy to the Auglaize conference upwards of 100 miles. We had bad roads, and a new country to pass through. We followed the Wabash river up to its head, which is a large, flat, swampy country, 6 miles wide and 10 long. One day as we were passing over some rough logway, I proposed to walk and let him drive. I walked on ahead, Davis being back some five or ten rods. I heard him ex- claim, '' Come and get your horse !" The horse was standing and stamping, and Davis had dropped the lines and was fighting the yellow jackets. I told him to start the horse away, I would not go there to be stung. He spoke to the horse and he came to me. He then asked, *' Is this the way these insects do? One sat on my hand and humped itself up and kept biting away." I suppose he did not see many yellow jackets in college. 14th. We got to Wapachenata in the evening. I had been at this place 34 years ago when the Shawnej' Indians had their head-quarters here. At that time, 1820, there were but two white families here ; the one was a Quaker family to instruct the Indians. They had a school and a small .mill. The other family was to do the black- smithing. The government had both families employed to work for the Indians. Now, 1854, LIFE OF JOHN FETTEl{HOFF. 127 the Indians are all gone, some are in the spirit world, others in the far west, and this place is the county seat of Allen county, Ohio. It is a beautiful place on the Auglaize river, and a rich, heavy timbered country around. 15th. Conference met for Auglaize district. There was a good turnout for a young conference. At the commencement of the conference I took sick with fever and vomiting. Two doctors from Wapachenata gave me medicine. I soon got better, but I was weak. 19th. Started home. I got a brother to go with me and drive my horse for me. We came through St. Mayris and then up by the Feederdam, as it is called, of the canal. It fthe dam) has put 1200 acres of land under water, and the water looks as green as grass. The people for many miles around are sick with fever of some sort. It was hard to get lodging along this road. We came to a little town in the evening. We asked to stay, but they told us there was not a family in the place but what was more or less sick. We had to go back part of the way to get to stay, and even there were some sick, but they did the best they could for us. That night I was sick ; I had the dysentery, and had to be up often during the night. Had but lit- tle rest. The 20th we got near Marion, the 128 LIFE OF JOHN fettp:i:hoff. county seat of Grant county, Indiana, ^y^: had traveled hard this day, mostly ncAv roads, in a new, heavy timbered country, and the road ful of stumps and roots and cross ways. 21st. I got home weak and fotigued and sick, with dysentery and bad cough. I was advised not to preach under three months. I then got Bro. Slonecher and Pervet to attend to my station at Frankfort. It had four appointments— Day- ton, Xewcomer chapel, Jefferson, and Frank- fort the county scat of Clinton county. I kept in a feeble state of health until cold weather set in, then I got better and went to work and held a protracted meeting in Frankfort. We had no society at this place, only a few mem- l)ers. This meeting was a good one. 3.1any were converted. Some of my old Methodist acquaintances helped us kindly. We organized a good class here of upwards of 20 niembers and afterward there was a meeting house built a mile north-west from town, at the cemetery. At tlie close of this year the station was in good working order. I got as salary $81. 1855. The conference met in Xorth Man- chester, August 29th. Bishop Glossbrenner presided, and I was elected assistant. (This was very often done.) We had a peaceable session. Some of the ])rethren asked me LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. 121) whether I would preside if they would elect me. I told them nothing but a small work would I accept, been as my health was poor. They then appointed or rather elected me to serve as agent for Hartsville university. I made an effort to do something for it, but it was a strange work for me. I found I was out of place. I laid it down and preached as a local preacher. 185G. Conference met at Deer creek cbapal, August 22nd. D. Edwards presided. This was one of the most unpleasant conferences we ever had in this district. It seemed that at its commencement they divided and opposed each other, almost in eveiy thing, throughout the session, and at last went away from the confer- ence room without prayer or dismissal. My feelings were much hurt, and Bishop Edwards was quite cast down ; but it seemed that no eftbrt to bring order would avail. I took a lo- cation, and during this year held many pro- tracted meetings, and assisted others in their meetings. The month of January was a fruit- ful month in the conversion of souls ; many souls were brought into the church. 1857. The next conference met in Berrien, Berrien county, Michigan, September 15th, Bishop L. Davis in the chair. There were 130 LIFE OF JOHN FETTEUHOFF. some received into the conference and joined the itmerac^s and new fields were added to the conference. This year my local relation to the conference was continued, but I labored nearly every Sabbath in preaching and attending many Quarterly and protracted meetings, and also spent much time at LaFayette, collecting mon- ey, and trying to finish the meeting house there. I have noAv spent near two thousand dollars on that house, and it is not finished yet, but it is now so far done that we can hold meeting in it. There are but few who take any interest in it. P. S. In the month of October, 1856, I lost my pocket book, with forty dollars money, and conference license to preach. At the confer- ence in Berrien, 1857, the conference proposed to give me license. To this I objected. It would not show my former relation to the church and conference. Therefore they gave to me the following, written b}^ myself and signed by Bishop Davis : On account of the unfortunate loss of my license in October, 1856, I give the following account of my conference relation in the church of the United Brethren in Christ : I obtained license to exhort at an An- nual conference held in the house of Valentine Daub, near Frederic, Md., (at that time ex- LIFE OF JOHN FKTTEIMIOFF. 131 horters were licensed by Annual conference,) May 6th, 157. N. B. This is to 'certify that Bro. John Fetterhoffis a properly accredited minister of the gospel in the church of the United Brethren in Christ. This certificate is given him in lieu of his licenses that were late- ly lost, and were dated as follows : Fxhort- er's license. May 6th, 1819, signed Christian Newcomer and Andrew Zeller, l)ishops ; preach- ing license, dated June 24th, 1820, signed Christian Newcomer and A. Zeller, bishops ; elder's or ordination license, May 28th, 1821, LIFE OF JOHN FETTKIJHOFF. lo-) signed C. Newcomer and Joseph Iloffnmn, bishops. L. Davls, bisho}). F. L. FoT^BS, Sec. Conference room, Sep. 15, 1857. N. B. The above is a true copy of the original. 1858. -Conference met at Ivoanoke, Septem- ber 23rd. Davis presided, and I assisted. This was a pleasant, peaceable session. The number of ministers was much increased, and fields of labor added. Four appointments (con- taininof two classes) were taken out of the Miami circuit and called Pipe creek station, and given to me for my field of labor. Some of m}^ friends advised me not to take it, they thought it was a weak mission, and should not be called a self-sustaining station. But I went on depending on the Lord, and now I can say that, as a whole, it was one of the most pleas- ant years of my life. The old classes were much revived, and five new classes were form- ed. We had a })rotracted meeting at each place, and at all of them we witnessed the pow- er of God in the conversion of souls, and many were added to the church. At the close of the conference year I had seven good classes (the smallest had eleven members) and eleven 134 LIFE OF .JOHN FETTEUHOFF. preaching places. The Lord worked so won- derfully among the people that it was a pleasure to meet Avith them. For my service this year 1 got $152.50. This was the highest salary I ever got in one 3^ear. 1859. Conference met at Laketon, Octo- ber Gth. Bishop L. Davis presided. Preach- ing had a very good impression on the people during this conference. Some souls were converted and the church at this place was much revived. Som.e men take pleasure in re- vilino^ their brethren behind their backs. At this conference there was much of this done by a few men ; but Ave notice their preaching is very lifeless — no power. At this conference I took a location, November 26th I went to Lagro, some upvrards of 70 miles up the rail- road, then four miles north out into the countrj^ to a school-house. It was said to be in the center of one of the most wicked places in the country ; no organized church of any kind ; old and young given alike to drinking and frolicing. I tried to preach to them on Saturday evening. The word preached had a good impression. Sunday the number of hearers was increased, and many were affected to tears. Sunday even- ing some prayed for mercy and found pardon in the blood of Jesus. I continued the meeting LIFE OF JOHN FETTEUUOFF. 135 till next Sunday evening both in daytime and at nii>ht. The nieetino- was attended with such power that on the way home we could hear the shouts of young converts and cries of penitents afar off. In one week and one day seven per- sons were converted and l)rought into the church, the youngest of whom was in his forty- sixth ,year. and others older, and seventeen 3^oung persons. 1 formed them into a class, then had the nearest circuit preacher to come and preach for them. So far as I could learn they all proved faithful. One of the old men took sick in about five months after. He was very happy. One morning he got up and went to a bench and prayed and got quite happy and shouted, and then got on his bed and soon ex- pired. His companion complained to me and said, " If he only had not got so happy he might be living yet." Some three years after another one of the old men died. He had been a drunk- ard before he was converted, and when on his death-bed he would say, " Thank God that he sent Fetterhoff here to preach to us ! If he had not come and preached to us I would now go to hell, ])ut as it is I will go to heaven.'' O young men, if God has called you to preach, hunt up such vast places. There are heathen settlements in a civilized country. I held ma- 13() LIFE OF JOHN FETTEKHOFF. ny })rotiacted meetings, and helped others hold some during this conference year. One in Chil- ian's settlement January 28th, 1860. Fourteen professed to liave obtained pardon. One Quar- terly meeting 1 held in the room of the presid- ing elder at Deer creek, March 24th. At this meeting there was quite a stir. Some were converted, and eight baptized. I also attended a numljcr of other Quarterly meetings for the presiding elder, J. Bash. Sometimes he was sick, and at other times some of his famil}^ I let him have the collection and I took " thank you" for my pay. 18(30. Conference met at Livengood's meet- ing house, 2 miles from Elkhart, September 14th. J. Lawrence came in the room of Bish- op L. Davis. We had a peaceable session. All the business was done kindly so fiir as we could see. I had my location continued anoth- er year. There were more men who wanted to tra^xd than there were fields of labor and no missionar}^ mone}^ to open up new missions. This year I traveled much and far to see my friends of former years, and held some pro- tracted meetings among them, and seen some good done at some. I went to Park county where I formerly lived and preached to the people. I also attended a basket meeting there. LIVK OF JOHN FETTEIJHOFF. VM It WMS M great meeting to show line clothes and ^erve up nice things in their baskets to eat, and the preaching Avas such that I said to one of their preachers it was cold enough to freeze a potato in August. There is such a thing as getting between Christ and the people instead of having Christ between the people and him- self. When a preacher thinks more of himself than he does of Christ he is no more lit to preach than Balaam was. If they can get the praise of men, fat places and high salaries, all is well with them, whether souls are saved or not. A pulpit display is what they are after. M}^ wife and I took a trip to the state of Ohio. We started the 19th of September, 1861, and got to my wife's brother, Joshua Null, Saturday 21st. On Sunday I preached in town a mile off. We had some good feeling. They asked me to return that way and preach for them again. I left an appointment for the 1st Sun- day in October. 24th got to my wife's mother, near Jacksonburg, in Wa^aie county, Indiana. She is 70 years of age and very feeble and childish. She was worth not less than $12,000, A few weeks or months before we got there she deeded all to her youngest son, except three eighty acre lots that lay in Delaware county, wild in the woods. 18S LIFE OF ,H)11N FFTTEiniOFF. 2()th. Preached at New Hope. It wiis tliMiiksgiving-day. It had been appointed by the President. There were \m\uy people pres- ent, and some speeches after preaching. 27th. We got to .Vdam Lees', near AVest Baltimore. My wife stayed here while I went to Dayton, Ohio, and returned. 2i)th. Eleven o'clock 1 went to the First church. Ignited Brethren, and heard their preacher, or reader, read a long sermon of thirteen pages, and he is from Otterbein col- lege. AVhen the last page was read the sermon was out. He might read till doomsday and no soul would be stirred. O such surface work, like a cat licking a hot potato. Candle-light I was invited to preach in the Third church. In regard to the result I will here 2:ive what the editor of the lie] if/ions Telescope said : "Father John Fetterholi*, one of the oldest ministers in the West, preached in the Third United Brethren church, in this city, last Lord's day evening. He has an excellent voice, is a sweet singer, and his sermon was short, clear, evangelical, and stirring. AVe had a good meeting, thank the Lord. Bro. Shain, the new pastor of the Third church, (our successor,) is in the Spirit, and is well received. ]\Iay God be with him." LIFI-: (JF .lOlIX FKTTHKJK^FF. Kii* .*^()th. Got biick to my brother-in-law, Adam Lees', where my wife was. Preached in West Baltimore in the evening. October 1st. Preached in U[)heme to some of my old friends and fellow Christians with whom I have been acquainted upwards of forty years, and they ai-e yet happy in the Lord. ord. Preached at Sugar Cirove meeting house, Wayne county, Ind. There was a large congregation, and a soul-cheering time ; some got very happy. 4th. Preached in Mt. Pleasant church. At this meeting some penitents came for prayer, and they were blessed in the pardon of their sins. 5th. Got l)ack to XulFs, and on Sunday 1 tilled my appointment, lliere was a good meeting. Dth. We got to my wife's sister, Adam Sur- face's, two and one-half miles from where the conference meets in Cass county, Ind. 18G1. Conference met in Seven-mile church, Cass county, Ind., October 10th. jNlarkwood presided, and Henr}^ Kumler assisted. This conference is ^ettin;^ laroe. There was a <>ood attendance, and many young men, and some old men, received into conference. But it seems that the larger the conference g(As, the 140 LIFE OF JOHN FETTEKHOFF more trouble Lincl sometimes hard feelings. If all were full of the love of God it would not be so. At this conference there was an effort made to have a college or high school of some kind built, at Bourbon, Ind., and they elected me as the foreman of the trustees. (I had op- posed the undertaking because I was of the opinion that it would involve the conference much, and then it would not be able to build a suitable house. This was all proven true.) I got up and told the conference that I had op- posed the undertaking, and that my mind had not changed, and as for me to work where I have no faith they should not ask it of me for I would not do it, therefore thev mioht as well receive my resignation and let some one else build a house without a foundation. They let me oif, and mostly put in such men who did not prosper in their own aflairs, and also made a stink of this. They cut off two of the weak- est classes from the Pike creek circuit, because they were poor and somewhat out of the way? and the preacher who was entered for that work did not want them. They called it a mission, but more properly Sheep's-tail. The sheep Avith the wool was intended for some- body else. I was requested to attend to this Sheep's-tail, or mission, been as there were 1 lifp: of .tohx fettehhoff. 141 some good people there that had been convert- ed at some of my protracted meetings I held in those parts some years back. I went there. They made an appropriation of $20.00 to the mission, and asked $20.00. This made it even. I had only 8 miles of territory to branch out on, and that tilled with other churches. I took the work and did the best I could. I preached much for other churches. I might have suc- ceeded in getting some to leave their churches and join with us, and so spoil both and cause much prejudice and hatred. I had some ex- cellent protracted meetings. One at Yost's school-house. The members were much reviv- ed and a goodly number found peace with God, The class here was made strong. It was pleas- ant to be with them at their meetimrs. This year I enlarged the Avork to seven appoint- ments. For my service I got in" all $26.00, all told. During the spring of 18 01 I sold my mill propertj^ and took two farms in part pa}^ and bought property at LaFayette. It consisted of ten acres of out-lots to the town of LaFayette. I paid $4,000 for it, and in August, 1801, we moved there. (I gave m}^ son-in-law one-half; he moved into the house in the spring.) Here we have^a pleasant home in the outskirts of town. 142 LIFE OF JOHX FETTEKHOFF. 18()2. Conference met in Indian village Oc- tober 9th. Mark wood presided. There was a good attendance. My wife had gone with me to her sister Phehe. She is married to Rich- ard Roberts. She stayed here till I went to conference and came back. It was about 33 miles farther. We had about 80 miles to her sister's. It was the last time she saw her. There was nothing special transpired at this conference. I was appointed to Pipe creek work again, but I did not find the circuit as I had left it three years ago. Some classes had been neglected ; they had Init two or three ser- mons in the year, and some no preaching at all. I found it harder work than when I first formed the work three years ago. On the 6th of No- vember I went around on the circuit and pub- lished appointments (there had none been left). I preached to the people and made one round on the circuit. On the 18th I started to make a second round. I got to a narrow stream of water and my horse seemed to want to drink. It rained some. I Sfot out of the buofo^y and «fot on the shaft and reached forward and let down the rein ; he on a sudden started up the bank and I slipped off the shaft and fell behind him, and in falling I caught hold of the har- ness and huns: by it. He drasfored me some LIFE OF JOHN FETTEKHOFF. 143 «ix or eight rods, and every jump he made he would strike his heels and feet into my face or breast. Finally I was struck senseless and let go. He ran but a few rods more up against a fence and stood still till I got up. I went to the creek and washed myself. My face was bloody and much cut, my clothes muddy, and one or two ribs broke. With difficulty I got on my buggy and went to my brother-in-law's, Adam Surface, and laid down. But when I was down I could not get up myself; but when up I could walk about with care. Here I stay- ed until the 21st. I then said I could stay no longer ; that I must go home ; that there is something wrong there, but what I know not : but they prevailed on me to stay. After din- ner I got so uneasy in my mind that I would stay no longer. I started and went slowly. I got but three miles, then stopped for the night. The next day I went eight miles. That night I was much disturbed in dreams. The next morning (Sunday) I wanted to go on, but my appointment was in their school-house to preach at 11 o'clock. They wanted me to stay. I told them that if I stayed I could not preach, and that I had spoken to a local preacher to fill the appointment, hence it was not necessa- ry for me to stay. But they insisted so hard 144 LIFE (>F .JOHN FF>TTERHOFF. that I did stay for meeting, but with much un- easiness of mind. After meeting I was in^•ited to take dinner. I told them I could not, that I must go on. A brother said that dinner would be ready at his house by the time I would get there, (it being on my way,) I should stop, eat and have my horse fed, and then I could go on. I agreed to that. When I got there 1 said that I felt so impressed in my mind to go on that I could not stop. I went on about one mile due south, then struck a road that led due east and Avest. My way would have been to take w^est, but I got it im- pressed on my mind to go east to the Michigan road, two miles east. Why I had this impres- sion I could not then tell. I stopped so long that a man came from his house some lifteen or twenty rods and asked me what was the matter. I said to him I did not know which way to go. He then asked me where 1 Avanted to go. I said, ^' To LaFay ette." He told me to go west. I said 1 knew the road, that I had trav- eled it often, but that I felt it impressed on my mind to go east to the ^Michigan road but could not tell Avhy. While talking I pulled the line : the horse started east: I got to the road, and did not go far on said road till I met a young man, and as I met him I said, *' Why John, is LIFE OF JOHN FETTKKHOFF. 145 this you?" He answered, '^ \Vs : and I am aft- er you. Your wife is not exi)oeted to live ; it may be she is dead now." I asked him what was the matter. He said, '' Yesterday evening she had a stroke of palsy, which was followed with epileptic fits, and the doctor said there was no help." The whole secret of my strange feelings and impressions were now explained. Had I been five minutes sooner, or ten minutes later, or went the other road, I would have missed the messenger, and he would not have found me at all, and I would not have got home till Monday evening, if then. Now it is four o'clock, and I am 34 miles from home, and badly hurt, have bad roads and no moonli LIFE OF JOHN FETTEEHOFF. got dark I bought a lantern, and got the young man to carry it before me. At half-past two o'clock in the morning we got home. My children w^ere all there, and many of the neigh- bors, and Elizabeth was dead. I asked when she died. They said, " In the evening, about six o'clock." Thus I found it was the same time I had the strange feelings, the light, and voice, " All is over now." I asked myself the question, Is it possible that she was brought by the angels past the place where I was to greet me while on their way to glory ? They had made arrangement to bury her that day. I said that she could not be buried until the next day. I then wished and prayed for some one of the old brethren to be there, w^th whom I had been acquainted in former years. Strange as it was Henry Kumler had a protracted meet- ing at Danville, 111., 52 miles off. He said that on Monday evening after the meeting was dismissed he felt impressed that he should come to see me. He at once took the cars, and the next morning by four o'clock he got to my house. O how strange God will lead his peo- ple if they will but follow the impressions he makes. He preached my w^ife's funeral, and stayed with me some days until I got better of my hurt. I then went with him to David and LIFK OF -JOHN FETTEIMIOFF. 147 William Brown's and on Sunday he dedicated their new church, and the Lord was with us and blessed us. I got a man to take my circuit until the first Quarterly meeting, or till I got able. The brethren prevailed on me to stay at home and help Bro. Hadly hold a protracted meeting (he was young, had but little experi- ence, and very weakly). I consented and stay- ed. We continued the meeting five weeks. One week D. Edwards preached for us. Hadly preached twice in the five weeks, and the bal- ance of the preaching I did. Many souls were converted. 33 joined the church. January 13th. I went to my circuit and at- tended to it till the end of the year. I labored hard this year, and always found it hard work to effect much among classes that once had been in good condition and afterward broke down. I held many protracted meetings during the winter. We had some good revivals. Some of the old classes were built up again, and some two or three new ones formed, and one o-ood meeting house built. At the end of the year the circuit was in a crood condition agfain. For this year's labor I received $153.00. This was the highest salar}^ I ever got in one year. The years of my labor as an itinerant are as follows : Traveled a circuit 15 years, presided on a dis- 148 1>!FE OF .lOHN FETJ EKHOFF. trict 14 years, on a station one year, a mission- ary '1 years, agent for Plartsville one year; being in all 33 years. The sum total I received while traveling was $1310.00, being $39. G9 2-3 per year. 18()3. Conference met in LjiFayette, Octo- ber Kith. Mark wood presided. The confer- ence was held in the Ninth street Methodist church. Our church that had cost me so much money, time and labor, was burnt down a few- weeks ])efore through the carelessness of a young girl. The family lived in the basement. She tilled the stove with dry coopers shavings, and put lire to them. This set the flue on tire and then the roof, and soon all was in flames. There was nothing saved only the books, chairs and a few benches. At this conference there was much friendship manifested to us by the Methodist brethren. At this conference there Avere so nvAwy that wanted to travel that the^^ could not all get work. 1 there asked for a permanent location never to take a circuit any more in this conference. I thought I could do more good by holding protracted meetings Avhere they were most needed. I made the ef- fort and found it to be true. During this year I was an eye-witness to more conversions than J had seen in a long time before. One meeting LIFE OF .lOHN FETTEKHOFF. 149 5n the neighborhood where my hoys live was tittended with much of God's converting power. It was protracted about three weeks. 44 were brought into the church. Two of my sons and their wives, and one granddaughter. Some were converted on their way home. The meet- ing often continued till ten o'clock, sometimes till tw-elve, in the night ; then they would take some of the mourners and start homeward, and often would sing, then stop on the road and have a prayer meeting that would last an hour or more, and shout with all their powder ; then the next day come back happy in the Lord. This meeting was held in December, 1863. In Jtmuary I held one meeting at Frankfort. Ma- ny were blessed in the pardon of their sins. Diuring this conference yenv I preached much, imd about 120 w^ere added to the church. 1864. The next conference met in Simon's neighborhood, September 16th. Bishop Mark- w^ood presided. This conference was much disturbed wdth an underhanded, deceitful spir- it. Some had joined the Masons, some the Odd Fellows, and^ they had friends to help them to keep it smuggled, and also tried hard to injure the character of others without a €ause, because the election for delegates to Oenei-;d conference was soon to take place. I loO LIFE OF .JOHN FETTEKHOFF. told them to leave my name off, and relieve some of trouble. October 12th. I started for Iowa, loth I passed through Musketine. In the evening got to Washington. The East Desmoines confer- ence meets here to-morrow. This is a beauti- ful place, tine country, and very wealthy, and the people very kind. Here I met many of my old and former acquaintances ; some of the preachers with whom I was acquainted in the days of our boyhood, and some I had taken into the church. It was truly pleasant to meet with them and speak of the goodness of God in form- er years. The conference session at this place was very pleasant. Mark wood presided. We had a very good state of feeling throughout. Preaching had a good impression. During con- ference I spoke three times. From this place I went to Mount Pleasant, the county seat of Henry county. This is a delightful place. The State asylum is here. It is said that it is the best, the largest and most costly building in the state. The County poorhouse also is near this place. My brother-in-law, Samuel Null, has charge of the poorhouse. The poor esteem him highl3% and he has them under good command. I stayed at this place upwards of two weeks. I preached for the poor. It made LIFE OF JOHN FETTEKHOFF. 151 quite Jin impression on tliem. I do think that each state l)}^ hivv ought to make provision to have the gospel preached to their i)oor (Christ said they should have the gospel preached) as well as to the convicts .ut or in the penitentiary. Preaching might do the poor as much if not more good than the convicts. While I was at this place I heard a good deal of preaching, and more reading than preaching. The best sermon I heard was delivered by a very dark African. There was syst^em, sound sense and power com- bined. He aimed more at the heart than at the head. November 3rd. Started homeward, crossed the Mississippi at Burlington, then run up to Mandota ; got there at 11 o'clock in the night, and had to wait till the next day at one o'clock for a change of cars. O how tiresome it is to wait. Started at one o'clock, P. M., and got to Bloomington at four. I wanted to go to my brother-in-law, Jones Fry. Pie lives 12 miles out north-west from town. I met a country team in town. The man said he was living in that direction and was acquainted with Fry, and he would take me there. I went on his spring wagon and arrived at Fry's before they had gone to bed. Fry asked his neighbor to stay over night. He consented. He had his 152 LIFE OF JOHX FETTEKHOFF. supi)er and bie.-ikfast, hii bed, and two, horsef< fed. Fry did not eharge him at all, but he charged me $2 to bring me along to his house. On Sunday the (ith I preached to a good con- irrenation. It was an interestino- meetinor. Some got xvvy happy. This is the most de- lightful country [ have yet seen. The land is rich, nicel\- ruling, well improved. Fry owns many farms, well improved with good build- ings. And on Monday the 7th he Avent to Bloomington and bought six hundred and forty acres more at slO per acre, and paid the cash. He thinks he can buy that much every year. 7th. I vrent down to Decatur. Here I found some people to whom I preached in the days of my boyhood. They gave their hearts to God then and are still on their way to glory. 8th. Staged with my old and well-tried friend, Brown. Dth. Started homeward. I got home the 10th and found all Aveil, having been absent some o^er one month, and traveled over 1500 miles by railroad. Fare $3(). 1865. January, February and March. Dur- ing these months I held and helped others to hold many protracted meetings, and by the last of March 166 had joined church at the difl'erent meetings I held and helped to hold. lAVK f)F JOHN' fettf:kih)ff. IT);* A [nil 14th. Henry Kiuiiler came to my house. On the l;5th I went with him and Wm. Brown to Danville, 111., to hold a Quarterly meetinii" amons: the German conferences. We had a pleasant time. O how delightful they can sing, and ftrll of the Spirit of God. I left an appointment for the 20th and 21st. Joseph Keller came from Pennsylvania. He went with me to Danville. I preached four times to them. We had a good meeting. On Monday we re- turned. Tuesday we went out to Brown's. He wanted to see the grand prairie. At this time my mind was in deep gloom. My son-in- law got me to buy his claim he had on our house and lots and help him to a farm. To this I agreed, not thinking that he would then move to his farm and leave me here alone. Joseph Keller asked me to go with him to Pennsylva- nia. My daughter and son-in-law also advised me to go. 2r)th. We started on the Wabash and Tole- do road to Fort Wayne, then took the Pittsburg road. We srot to Lawrence that nio^ht at 11 o'clock, and stopped oif. The next day we went to Fulton to see some of our relations. We stayed here until Monday. I preached to the people at this place twice on Sunday. There are some good Christians here. Monday ir)4 LIFE OF JOHN FETTEKHOFF. we started on and oot to Chanibersburo: to Bro. Keller's home. Here I was well acquainted when a bo}^ but now it is a strange place. The heart of the town was ])urnt down by the rebels, and not much re])uilt yet, and the peo- ple strange. I did not know my first cousins nor did they know me. An absence of 42 years brings a great change in a country, and also in the people. I felt lonely. For some time I traveled about some to see what friends I had that were yet alive. I found them much scat- tered. One sister and most of her children in Adams county, 7 miles below Gettysburg. I tried to see all I conveniently could, and also preached to them. June 4th. I preached in Chambersburg. The oth I went to Kocky Spring and had a pleasant time with father Samuel Huber. He was one of the first United Brethren ministers in this country. He was a zealous, fearless, unassuming minister of the gospel. He made a mark wherever he went. The fruits of his ministry were beyond what is common. He labored with his hands to support himself and family, so that he was not chargeable unto oth- ers. In this respect he was a true follower of Paul, although he labored more in the ministry than what is common for an itinerant to do in LIFE OF .TOHX FETTEliHOFF. 155 these cUiys. Most of them care more for the fleece than for the flock. When such men as Bros. Huber and Funkhouser are taken away by death, much light is taken away from the church. It leaves a dark spot that can not ea- sily be lighted up. 10th. Went to see cousin George Fetterhoff*. 11th. Preached twice. We had a blessed time together. Nearly all my kindred in this neighborhood are religious and warm Chris- tians. 12th. George and I went to Gett^^sburg, then to my sister's son, Elias Sponseler. The next day to my oldest sister. I had not seen her for upwards of 40 years. She is much af- flicted, and has been blind 18 years. Her memory is truly great, not only of things of former years, but also of things as they now ac- crue. When she was told by her daughter that I was there, although she could not see me, she was much overpowered with joy, even to tears. I asked her what her prospect was about death and eternity. She answered very promptly, '* All is right! I long to go. I do not know why God leaves me here so long ; I am only trouble to others, and this world has no pleasure for me." 16th. We took a view of the battle ground. 15G LIFE OF .70TIN FETTEUMOFF. Colj)'8 hill and round top. The marks of this battle Avill be seen for years to come. Much of the timber has been so greatly injured with bullets that what is not dead now will die. The remains of old clothing, knapsacks, haver- sacks, &c., were much scatt-3red over the ground, and also some human bones that had not been buried deep enough and by and by were dug out. I asked those who had charge of the cemetery whether they knew^ how many were killed in that battle. They said, " Yes ; there were five thousand and sixty union men killed, and between six and seven thousand rebels." 18th. Preached in the Salem church, near Rocky Spring; in the forenoon English, and in the afternoon German. Spent a few^ days with Bros. Huber and Funkhouser. They advised me to get a housekeeper. Huber said that he had tried the widower's life and that it was a lonely life to live for an old man. I said that I knew of no one that ^vould suit. A young girl I would not have : an old woman that could not take care of herself I did not want ; and a widow with children w\-is no use to talk about, for I would not be step-father to any man's children ; that I had seen too nmch trouble from that source. They said the\' LIFE OF JOHN FETTEKTIOFF. 157 knew one that would suit, and that they did not think there was a better woman to be found. Bro. Funkhouser gave her word, and she met me in Chambersburg the 22nd and we talked about this matter, and agreed to make it a subject of prayer, and honestly lay the case before God, that if it was right for us to get married, to let it be so ; if not, to liinder it. Some days after we met again, and concluded to get married the 4th of July at six o'clock in the evening. July 2nd. Preached in St. Thomas at ten, and at four o'clock in the house of Samuel Ru- ber . We had a lively meeting at both places ; there was much rejoicing in the Lord, and ma- ny to hear the stranger from the west. ord. Monday. Stayed with Bro. Huber. Tuesday, the 4th, I cradled wheat for Bro. Funkhouser. In the evenins^ we went to Greenvillage and he, Funkhouser, married SusanuM Monn and myself. We visited her brethren and sisters this week, and on Sunday, the i)th, preached my farewell at Salem church to a crowded congregation ; and also by their request I preached again at four o'clock in the afternoon. July 12th. We started from Chambersburg for my old home and my wife's new home at 158 LIFE OF JOHN FETTEKHOFF. LaFayette, Ind. The 15tli, IGth and 17th we stopped at John Oyler's and Yost's. There was much rain and we could have no meeting. The 18th we went to Springfield to Susanna's uncle, Jacob Walter. They seemed to be much pleased to see us. 19th. This day we got home and found all well, after an absence of eight weeks. My children received us kindly and in good spirits. So far they are well pleased with their step- mother. 23rd. Preached at Mount Pleasant church for the Methodists. Many had been converted at this place last winter at a protracted meeting I helped to hold. Sixty-three had joined. It is very pleasant to meet with those young con- verts after an absence of some months. 24th. Got home, and this week made my hay, between rains. Much hay and grain is be- ing spoiled. September 5th. Wife and I went to Monon Mills to help Bro. Webster hold a basket meet- ing. We had a good meeting, but the weather w^as warm and the mosquitoes were very bad. They kept up constant music for us all night, and were very fond of our blood. 12th. Francedville. Basket meeting. Bish- op Mark wood was present. This meeting was LIFE OF JOHN FETTEKHOFF. 159 well attended, but it was dark and dull ; no life of God manifested. O w^hat poor creatures we are if alone. 26th. Went to Whistlers. The 27th I preached twice to the people. In the afternoon we had a time of rejoicing. October 4th. Conference met at Galveston ; Bishop Weaver in the chair. It being sickly this fall many of the members were absent, and some that were present were not well. From appearances we have to believe that the spirit of brotherl}^ kindness and esteeming others higher than themselves has failed much in this conference, but pride, self-conceit, the love of honor, money and ease stick out like jacks' ears. At this conference I settled up the en- tire concern of the Benevolent fund, and then resigned. I had been treasurer ever since this conference was in being. I then left the con- ference in peace, not expecting to meet with them in another session. November 26th. The new church at LaFay- ette w^as dedicated by Bishop Markwood. Mark wood and wife stayed with us until Friday, making in all one week. He preached for us every evening, but there were no converts. He was much afflicted with the g^out. 1866. February. During this entire month 160 LIFE (W .)OH\ FE'J TEHHOFF. we kept up a meetino^ at LaFayette. It was an interesting time. Many were truly convert- ed, but still more joined the church. Some upwards of 60 were received into church fellow- ship, but few proved faithful. May 23rd. We started to see some of our friends above Logansport. The 2()th we got to Adam Surface's. We stayed here until Tues- day. It rained every day while we were here. 29th. Went to Walton to see some of Susanna's school-mates, the Stough's. We found them well. We had extremely bad and dangerous roads. So much water that cross waying and logs and low bridges Avere afloat. We ffot to John Zin's that evenino-. 30th. We got home safe without accident, except one spring broke in the buggy. July 19th. We went to Livingston count}^ 111., to see my sister. She is married to John Hoobler. We got there on Saturday. On Sunday I preached in their church. This is a beautiful country. There is of the best of land here, but timber is scarce. Got home the 26th. August 5th. Brother D. Funkhouser, nn^ wife and I, went to the battle ground to a Quarterly meeting. Brother Hamilton presid- ed. He preached a warm Holy Ghost sermon. I LIFE OF JOHN FETTEKHOFF. 1 ()1 The meeting throughout was soul-cheering. 11th. Funkhouser and I went to Wm. Brown's. It is pleasant to meet old tried friends. 12th. Had meeting in Otterbein chapel. It rained. There were but few people and not much meetino^. loth. My wife and I started with Funk- houser for Pennsylvania. We went by Indian, Columbus, Pittsburg and Ilarrisburg. 17th. Got to Greenvillage to mother-in-law. 21st. Bro. Funkhouser took us to a camp meeting at the foot of North mountain. This meeting was much disturbed with rain, but there was good done, some nine converted and the church much revived. The old brethren, S. Huber, J. Erb and Altman were present. 25th. Camp meeting broke. ]My wife and I went to Chambersburg. 26th. Sunday. Preached twice in the Uni- ted Brethren church. The presence of the Lord was powerfully felt. Some wept aloud, and others shouted for joy. It is pleasant to be at meeting w^hen Christ is present and ten- ders the hearts of the people. 28th. Went to a camp meeting on my wife's brother's land, some 9 miles south-west from Chambersburo^. This meetino^ was not as 2"ood 102 LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. and powerful in the conversion of souls as the other was. There was too great a crowd of people. It was hard to get enough to eat. There was not much provision for sisters and brethren that had come from a distance, and some of the preachers had to take care of them- selves. Paul's admonition, '' Be not forgetful to entertain strangers," — (Heb. 13 : 2,) was forgotten or disregarded. But so it is. We sometimes respect our convenience more than we do the admonition of Paul or of Jesus Christ. September 2nd. Was at Chambersburg. Quarterly meeting. Bishop J. J. Glossbrenner preached twice, forenoon and evening. This meeting was rather dull. It may be that the people looked more to the bishop to bless them than they did to Jesus. When preachers do bless the people it is seldom more than skin- deep. 7th. Went to see dear Bro. Funkhouser. He is sick ; he is very feeble, but pleasantly re- signed to the will of God. When life or death are equally welcome, then there is a heavenly calmness within. 9th. Preached in the Salem church at ten, and at four o'clock had class meeting. This was a blessed day to my soul, and many others LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. 163 enjoyed the meeting much. We spent part of this week with father Samuel Huber. It is soul-cheering and instructing to hear him tell of the days of the old fathers of the church — of their honest, child-like, simple way of conduct- ing their meetings, and their form of worship, and the power of God that was manifested in the conversion of sinners, and the change that was then wrought on the converts, both inside and outside ; their conversation, their dress, yes all did show that they belonged to Jesus and were on their way to heaven. 16th. Preached in Fetterhoffs chapel at 10, at Possum hill at half-past 2, and at Quincy in the evening. We had good congregations at each place, but there was nothing special. In the evening at Quincy there was a good state of feeling. 19th. Went to Adams county to see my sister Elizabeth once more. We found them all well, except her. She has failed much in 18 months — in strength, in memory, and also in hearing. 21st. Went to Waynesboro. We had much rain this day. We got wet. Stopped with m}' \nfe's uncle, John Walter. 22nd. Saturday. Preached at Bluerock. Six or eight came forward for prayer. Some 164 LIFE OF JOHN FETTEKHOFF. two or three were blessed in the pardon of their sins. 23rd. Preached at Funkstown at 10 o'clock, A. M., and at FetterhofTs chapel in the after- noon. This week we visited sonae more of the friends — uncle Gillen and Levi Oyler, and on Saturday, 29th, we went back to George Fet- terhofl^s and I preached at candle-light, and tw^ice on Sunday, 30th. There was a good state of feeling. October 2nd. We w^ent to John Monn's, Ebersole's and Stoufer's, Susanna's brothers and sisters. 4th and 5th we spent with my old favorite friend, Samuel Huber. It is pleasant to sit at the feet of Gamaliel. 7 th. Preached at Salem. Old Bro. J. llussel was present and closed with a short ex- hortation. There were many people present ; some from Chambersburg ; and the Lord Jesus also was with us. Kussel, myself and others went to fiither S. Ruber's and took dinner, and had prayer together, and we could say in the language of Paul, " And hath raise4 us up to- gether, and made us sit together in- heavenly places in Christ Jesus. "^(Eph. 2:6.) In the evening we Avent to Greenvjllage. Spent LIFE OF JOHX FETTERHOFF. 165 the 8th here with mother-in-law. Some of the friends came to see us. 10th. Started for our home in the west. We got along very pleasantly and arrived home the 11th, at 8 o'clock, P. M. November 3rd. Quarterly meeting in La- Fayette. During this meeting there was much more pains taken to get money from the people than to save their souls. ('* Greedy of filthy lucre.") During this month I had meeting at different places through the country. 17th and 18th at Brown's. December 7th. Went to Danville, 111., to hold a Quarterly meeting in the room of the presiding elder. 13th. Went to Covington to hold a Quarter- ly meeting there. At both these meetings we had the presence of the Lord with us, especial- ly at Danville. Many of these Germans are filled with the Holy Ghost. It is pleasant to be with them. 1867. January and February we attended meeting on Sundays here in town. There w^as nothing of any note. March 2nd we went to Danville to hold a two days' meeting. We had a joyful time among the Germans. They are a devoted peo- ple to God and his cause. They come up to 166 LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. Paul's admonition, ** Rejoice evermore." 11th. I went to Cincinnati and called on my old friend, Samuel Flickinger. He said to me, '' Upwards of thirty years ago I heard you preach at Indian creek camp meeting, and such a power took hold of me that I cried for mercy, and thank the Lord he heard my prayer, par- doned my sins, set my soul free, and I was made unspeakable happy, and the Lord Jesus has been with me ever since. I remember your sermon well, it is fresh in my mind." 12th. Went 12 miles to Dry Ridge to a German ministerial association. We stayed here two days. Many points of theology were investigated, and there were some disputations, but all in brotherly kindness. 14th. Walked 6 miles to Pleasant Ridge. The mud was too deep for wagons. We went along fences and through fields, and in many places had soft and very tiresome walking. 15lh. German Annual conference met in session at this place. D. Edwards presided ; Kumler assisted. This was truly a pleasant session. There was much brotherly kindness manifested. The most of the Germans when they give their hearts to God in the conversion of their souls are changed inside and outside ; they are truly new creatures ; old things are I.IFE OF JOHN FETTEKHOFF. 167 passed away and all things are made new, there- fore the life they now live they live in Christ Jesus. As I received a transfer from the St. Joseph conference at its last session I handed it into this conference, and now am a member of the Ohio German conference, U. B. in Christ. oOth. Wife and 1 went to Danville. Preach- ed twice to them on Sunday. There was a joyful time. June 15th. Sold my property here at La- Fay ette, and now contemplate moving- to Pennsylvania. July 4th. John Hoobler and my sister Peg- gy came to see us, and on Saturday, 6th, my wife and I went with them to see my children in Carroll county, and on Sunday J. Hoobler preached for us in the Poplar chapel. It is pleasant when friends meet together on earth, but it must be far more so to meet in heaven where all sorrow and care is forever vanished away. 11th. Hoobler's started for their home in Livingston county, Illinois. 21st. Quarterly meeting in town (LaFay- ette). J. Hershey presided. It was a dark, dull time. It is the Spirit that giveth life. Bro. N. Castle also was here as agent to beg 168 LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. money for the Ijourbon school, but it is of no more use than to beg food for a dead cow that has never yet got on her feet, if she has any. 27th. ^^'ent to a Basket meetino^ at AVea- vers school-house. Saturday there was a slim turnout — no meeting. Sunday the 28th there was a great turnout ; the grove was crowded. J. Orren preached at 11 ; I preached at 3. So far as we could see there was not much «:ood effected. August 4th. We went to Brown's. At 11 o'clock I preached in the Pond Grove meeting house. Bro. Wm. Brown spoke with much feeling after me. The light and fire that was kindled in his heart in the days of his boyhood has not oot dim nor his heart o^ot cold. True religion changes not. It is like God — always the same. Love to God, love to man, and love to his cause sets all on fire for heaven and glory. 18th. Basket meeting at Dawney's school- house. We had a good meeting here ; two joined church. September 1st. Held Quarterly meeting in Covington. This is a hard place. The people love beer too well. 10th. Went to Decatur, 111., to the Illinois conference. It met in Garver's meeting house. LIFP: of JOHX Ff:TTEIJHOP'F. 1<)1> yeven miles north-east from Decatur. Confer- ence met the 11th. Weaver presided. There was a good attendance. Peace and brotherly kindness dwells richly among these brethren. A goodly number of them received their first license to preach, signed by me ; some in Ohio and others in Indiana. Some are very strong men in the ministry, full of light and salt. We had a jo^^ful time together. Some of them re- minded me of the time and place where they first heard me preach, and of the effect it then had on their minds. Some of the scenes they named had passed from my mind. But if we live for God until death removes us from time, and we all meet in heaven, we will have more time than we have here to speak of the goodness of God in brino^ino^ us into his favor throus^h Jesus Christ, and into fellowship one with another. 16th. This day I got home from Illinois conference. My wife and I enjoy good health, and from this on we will be kept very bus}^ in fixing up to move. 18th. Baker and his wife came to see us. They were old acquaintances of Susanna's in Pennsylvania. 19th. My sons and their wives also came to see us and help us fix up. 170 LIFE OF JOHN FETTEKHOFF. 20th. This day I sold twenty-seven dollars' worth of sweet potatoes. In all I sold forty- three dollars' worth. October 5th. Saturday. We went to Geo. Upp's land. Heard Lydia Sexton preach in the school. Sunday the (Uh she preached again at 11 o'clock. She is a warm-hearted speaker, and a great revivalist. She has trav- eled extensively and has held many protracted meetings, and at nearly all of them had great success. Great has been the fruit of her labor. She has taken hundreds of souls into the church. 9th. This day we had our sale. Property did not bring half its true worth. A ten-dol- lar bedstead sold for fifty cents, and other things in proportion. 10th. Packed up what I had reserved and took it to the depot to send east . to Chambers- burg, Pa. And this day my old, well-tried friend and Bro., Wm. Brown, came to see us. It was hard for us to part. When he gave me the parting hand he said, '* We have been Avarm friends for upwards of forty years, and that without a broken link. We parted in true brotherly friendship, never to see each other any more in this world. In about seven months after this he died. April the 22nd, LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. 171 18(38, he wrote his last to me as follows : Dear Brother and Sister Fetterhoff : — From all that w^e know now this will be, of earth, the last of me. Dissolution has broken in on me from every side and leaves me no escape, as to my poor body. For four days and nights I have not lain down ; what sleep I catch is sitting on a rocking chair, with anoth- er one before me with a pillow on to lay my legs on. Pray for us, we are nearly gone. Our best love to you. Wm. Brown. Nineteen days after he had written the above letter to me he died, being May 11th, 1868. I received the followins: from his son : May 13th, 1868. Father departed this life on Monday 11th, at 7 o'clock. He suffered much pain for about seven weeks. The last four weeks he could not lie down at all. His disease was dropsy of the abdomen and legs. He was aware that his time had come. He said his days were num- bered. His mind wandered some, but was clear at the moment of death, which was quite easy. He addressed me intelligently not half a minute before the final change. Wm. O. Brown. 172 Lirt: of .tohx fettekhoff. loth. ^Ve went to my son Christian. I had taken cold — had a bad cough and a very sore throat. Sunday we went to Sabbath- school. I spoke to the children. Minds that are not biased can be cultivated and eifected for o-ood, but when the mind is influenced with a false theory, it is seldom that it can be reach- ed. This week we spent in this neighborhood, visitino^ and biddino- farewell. It was hard to part with them. 18th. We went back to LaFayette and stopped with O. S. Abernethy. I am yet unwell. My throat is very sore, and cough bad. I can hardly rest or get sleep. 23rd. We started east. This evening we got to Springfield, Ohio, to my wife's uncle, Jacob Walter. 25th. Got to Orrville, and stopped with Peter Yost, an old acquaintance and school- mate of Susanna's. 26th. Went in a wagon with Yost's to John Oyler's. His mother was my first cousin. 27th. Preached in Fulton — German in the forenoon and English in the afternoon. The Lord was with us. We had a joyful time together. These old German brethren possess much of the life of God in their souls. No one can be a true Christian without it. LIFE OF JOHN FETTEKHOFF. 173 2 9 til. Took the cars at Fulton at 9 : 20 and got to Chambersburg the oOth, at 11 ; 30. 31st. Wrote letters to my children and friends to answer their request to let them know about us. November 1st. Went to Greenvillage to mother-in-law, and made arrangement to make our home Avith her this winter. To this she readily consented. 3rd. Preached in the Salem church to a large and attentive congregation. 4th. I went to Levi Oyler's to keep house tor them and take care of his stock while he and his wife went west on a visit to see his brethren and kindred. Susanna stayed at Greenvillage and kept house for her mother while she went to see her relations at Quincy and at Waynesboro. Thus we parted for a while. 10th. Preached in Chambersburg. There are some omens for a revival here. This week I was still here alone. Had time to read and write. l(3th. Saturday. Went to my mother-in- law. She had returned ; and Susanna came l)ack with me and cooked for me. 17th. Sunday. Preached at ]\larion and administered the sacrament. 174 LIFE OF JOHN FETTEKHOFF. 18th. Preached in Chambersbarg. There was a deep impression on the minds of the peo- ple for good. Some came forward for prayer, and were blessed in the pardon of their sins. The meeting was kept up some two or three weeks, and more or less were converted every njo^ht. The meetino^ was attended with the power of God. Bro. Hummelbaugh, the preacher in charge, is truly a man of God. Wife and I were present nearly every night. There was no meeting in day time. December 1st. The meetinor is still ofoinof on. There are more or less converted all along. 6th. Jacob Doup came to see me. We were much in each other's company when we were young men, and belonged to the same Annual conference, (the Miami,) but in a few years he came east to Pennsylvania and travel- ed a circuit here a while among the United Brethren, then joined the Methodists and trav- eled among them. He stayed with us three days. We had a pleasant time together in speaking about old times, the days of the fathers in the church, and the days of our youth, and with sorrow looked at the great contrast there is between those days and the present time. Those were days of consecration LIFE OF JOHN FETTEKHOFF. 17'» to God. Holy living and a separation from the world were the great characteristics of the church then. ** O Israel, how art thou fallen !" 22nd. Sunday. Preached to the Germans in Chambersburg. The revival fire is still burning. Brother Oyler returned from the west, and we then went to Greenvillage to our temporary home. Our goods arrived from the west, and we seen after them. 1868. January 1st. Benjamin Funkhouser came with his sleigh and took us to their house. We stayed with them this week and had much conversation about old times we had seen in the church — the great power that was in the church then. 5th. Sunday. Preached in Samuel Ruber's house. There was a soul-cheering time. We stayed with him four days and had sweet com- munion together. 10th. Went to Abraham Stoufer, our bro th- in-law. The next day we went to Chambers- burg. 12th. Heard Hummelbaugh preach both in the morning and in the evening. It was a good meeting. 14th. Went back to Greenvillage. The Methodists have a protracted meeting at this place. I helped them at their meeting. By 176 LIFE OF JOHN FETTER liOFF. theii' request I preached three times during the meeting, but there was not much etfected. Preaching made but little impression on the people. 22nd. Went to Little York to the Pennsyl- vania Annual conference. 23rd. Conference went into session. Gloss- brenner presided. Here I saw some of the old fathers of the church. Ex-bishop Erb, and also ex-bishop Russel. He is very feeble ; much reduced with consumption and cough. D. Funkhouser also was present, and others. But strange to say the old fathers of the church who were present had but little to say or to do. The younger (would be great) took all the business into their hands, and let the fathers know that they belonged to an advanced age, that knowledge centered in them, and that it was enough if the old fiithers were permitted (by the constitution) to sit as spectators and see how a few do business for the whole. I have never seen so many preachers together in conference before and so few to do the busi- ness. 30th. We went to Samuel Clippinger's, our brother-in-law, and kept house for them while they went on a visit to Greencastle. February 2nd. Preached in Center. We LIFE OF JOHN FETTEKHOFF. 177 had a good meeting at this place. This week I received a letter from Bro. Fohl, desiring me to fill some appointments for him on Big Spring circuit. I consented and went. The 8th I preached at Nettle's school-house. It is an old log house, and it was so intensely cold that the people were suffering. I kept my overcoat on while I was preaching, and my hands got so cold that I would have fared better if I would have had mittens on. The roads were drifted shut with snow so that we could not follow the road ; we had to go through the fields. 9th. Preached at Whistler's meeting house. At this place we had a weeping and rejoicing time. At candle-light I preached at Xewville. There was good attention, but not much power. 10th. Preached at Blosherville by candle- light. Here we had a special influence of grace on the minds of the j^eople. loth. Went to Chaml^ersburg Quarterly meeting. This meeting A\'ent off rather dry. I spent a few days in Chambersburg this week, then returned to Greenvillao^e. 23rd. Preached at Salem, and in the even- ing at Greenvillaije. 28th. Started for German conference in Zanesville, Ohio. I got as far as Hagerstown, Md. 178 LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. 29th. Got to Martinsburg, W. Va. March 1st. Preached in Martinsburg at 11 and at candle-light. The meetings were pleas- ant but not stirring. 2nd. Monday at ten in the evening took the cars and went on for Zanesville, but snow and ice on the Ohio river hindered us so much that we did not get there till the 4th. 5th. Conference went into session. Bishop Edwards presided. We had a very pleasant and peaceable session. O how pleasant it is when true brotherly kindness is felt in confer- ence. Monday conference got through with its business, and we parted in peace. 12th. I ofot back to chambersburo;. Siisan- na met me here. We remained here over Sun- day, and I preached to the people. The revival spirit that was here last fall has nearly died out. 22nd. Heard Hummelbaugh preach twice In Chaml)ersburg. He labors hard and with no ease to himself. 28th. We went to Greenvillage. The Methodists have their Quarterly meeting here. We attended the meeting. 29th. The presiding elder preached at 11. At candle-light I preached. The meeting was a drao^ — no power. LIFE OF JOIIX FETTEltllOFF. 179 oOth. ^ye moved to Chaiiibersburo-, into the house we bought of Joseph Keller Decem- ber 14th, 1867. 31st. We made some garden and fixed up things about the house. April 5th. Was to meeting in Chambers- burg. Heard Hummelbaugh in the forenoon, and was at the colored church in the evenins". 7th. It snowed and rained and was very unpleasant. 10th. The snow fell six and a half inches deep, but it was not very cold. 11th. This day it is warm and the snow melts fast ; the mud and water are oettina' deep. 12th. Sunday. Preached the funeral of mother Huber, wife of Samuel Huber, to a very large concourse of people. Dear brotlier Huber is left a widower once more in his old days, lonely and alone. But God in his kind- ness did not let him stay here long ; he took him away. 26th. J. Russel preached in Chambersburg. At candle-light I preached to the colored peo- ple. Bro. Kussel exhorted. There was a great excitement among them. May 3rd. Sunday. This day I preached twice for the colored people. The}' are happy 180 IJFE OF JOHN FETTEKHOFF. in God. During the remainder of this month I attended meeting on Sunday in Chambers- burg. 20th. Helped Abraham Stoufer raise his barn. 26th. Went to a ministerial association at Oakville. It was a dry aliair, and not very instructive. Some aimed to show their smart- ness, and did show ignorance. 31st. I preached to the poor at the county house. Some got happy and shouted. June 8th. I went to see father Samuel Huber. He is failing fast. We had some conversation together. All seemed to be well with him. I bid him adieu no more to see him on earth. In three days we went to the west, and he soon after died. 11th Started to go to Indiana. It rained nearly all dny. 13th. Quarterly meeting at Fulton. At 2 o'clock I preached. We had a time of rejoic- ing. 14th. Sunday. We had sacrament, and a feast of love. It was a joyful time to the church. 16th. Started to Orrville at 7 : 20. We got to Wm. Whistler's at 8 : 30. 18th. Went to my son, A. A. Fetterholf's, LIFE OF JOHN FETTPIRFIOFF. 181 and stayed with them and the other boys till the 24th. 25th. Went to LaFayette. Paid my tax and settled up my interest money. 28th, There was basket meeting at the school-house near Upp's. 30th. We went to David Brown's, and to Abernethy's and Einsels. July 5th. Sunday. Preached at Yea school- house. Monday went up to the boys. 9th. Thursday. Went up to Logansport, and to Adam Surface's, and Bunker Hill at Baker's. 12th. Throughout this week we had the warmest weather we ever have had in this country. The 15th and 16th the mercury stood above 100 in the shade — up to 107. 18th. We got back to the children, and it is still warm and dry. I helped the boys with their hay. It is great weather to make hay — thermometer from 90 to 95. August 9th. Sunday. Quarterly meeting at the Poplar (;hurch. Hershey preached. It was rather dull. 16th. Sunday. I preached at the chapel at 11, and at 4 in the Harner school-house. 23rd. Heard Xoah Surface at the chapel. Preachino^ went hard with him to-dav. This 1^2 LIFE OF JOHN fp:tteiihoff. week I did all I could to <>et a wao^on made, and harness for horses, to get ready to start home by private conveyance ; but there are some men on whose word we can not depend. I have now been put off from time to time — full one month. We had expected to start home about the middle of August, but it will l)e much later. September 10th. We started from my son Christian's. Got to Frankfort, and from this on it rained nearly every day. The roads were very bad, and the Black Swamps dangerous. 12th. Got to my l)rother-in-law, Joshua Xull's. He is sick with fever, but is getting some better. 13th. Sunday. Preached to the people. There were many people, and an interesting time. 16th. Went to Adam Lee's, near West Baltimore. He was married to my sister, but she is dead. 18th. Saturday. We got to Springfield, and stopped with my wife's aunt till Monday. We have much rain. All roads that are not piked are like in the spring of the year. October 1st. We got home, having been * three weeks on the way, 595 miles. We had nmch rouoh road. Brother Hummelbauo^h is LIFE OF JOHN FETTEKIIOFF. 18o very sick ; he will never preac*h any more. 13th. This morning at 1 o'clock he died very triumphantly. His work on earth is done. 15th. He was buried. J. Bishop preach- ed his funeral. There were many people, and much weeping. 25th. We were at St. Thomas protracted meeting. This is a hard place ; there is much opposition. Xovember 1st. We w^ere at Orrstown Quar- terly meeting. J. Bishop presided. At 11 o'clock I preached. 8th. AVent to Loudon to a protracted meet- ing. Sunday I preached twice. There was not much effected. 9th. Monday. A^\as at D. Deter's. She is a lirst cousin to Susanna. 15th. AVe went into the Dutch settlement with George Fetterhoff. It is pleasant to be with such friends. 21st. I went to the Stone church, three miles below Shippensburg. It snowed all day. Few people. 22nd. Sunday. Snow deep and much water under it. People can not go on foot ; it keeps them from meeting. I tried to preach 184 LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. three times to the people. There was some good feeling. December 4th. After many urgent invita- tions wife and 1 went to York Spring circuit. We held protracted meetings at the following places : December 6th, Cotton's school-house ; 13th, Pike's church; 20th, at Hampton; 27th, at Bretstown ; and January the 3rd, 1869, at Gardner's church. In all this time while attend- ing^ to these meetinsrs we had much cold and plenty of snow, and we were much exposed. I took cold and had a bad cough these five weeks. At these five meetings I preached thirty-four times, and some appearance of good ; but we were so soon away from one meeting to anoth- er that there was not time to effect much. 1869. January 6th. We got home. It is now very pleasant and snow nearly gone. I am much afflicted with cousfh and sore throat. I heard others preach but I w^ould not preach myself. 10th. Went to Salem and heard Tripner. 17th. Sunday. I preached twice at St. John's church. 21st. The Pennsylvania conference met in Chambersburg. Glossbrenner presided. The conference was somewhat like last year ; a few did the talking ; old men looked on. " LIFE OF JOyN FETTERHOFF. 185 24th. Sunday morning at half past 10 o'clock father Frederic Gilbert died. In the evening he was on a committee doing business for the conference. In twelve hours he went from the committee room to glory. He once in his younger days was one of the most hard work- ers in the itineracy. He formed many churches and some circuits through or in this valley. The fruits of his ministry are great, but been as he was an old fogy he was not much noticed by the fast age. 27th. I preached for the colored people. Bro. Kussel exhorted. There was a noisy time among them. 28th. My son, Christian, came from the west to pay us a visit. He stayed with us until the 9th of February and then returned home. While he was with us we went to see other parts of the country. We went to Get- tysburg and took a view of the battle field, and also was at Alto Dale furnace, and at Salem church, and came home by Greenvillage and Ebersole's mill. February 14th. Preached at Fetterhoff's chapel and at New Franklin. The grace of God was with us. 19th. I went to Mount Joy, to the East Pennsylvania conference. This conference is 186 LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. mostly German, and there are many humble, true Christians, and good preachers here. It is pleasant to be with them. Some of them were opposed to colleges or high schools, high sal- aries, little work, &c., and the spirit of dead, formal churches, and on this plea separated themselves. I think there were twelve or fourteen. 23rd. I went to Halifax to see some of my connections, and spent the remainder of this week among them. They were very friendly. Although man}^ of them have no experimental knowledge of God, some are true Christians. 28th. Sunday. Preached at 11 o'clock in the Fetterhotf church, and in the evening in Halifax. At Halifax one soul was blessed in the pardon of sin. March 3rd. Started for Cleveland, Ohio, to German conference. The weather is cold. 4th. Got to Cleveland at 11 o'clock, and had to walk and hunt till 1, P. M., before I found the place of conference. i\ly throat was very sore and cough bad. 6th. Saturday. Conference got through with all its business. All went off so pleas- antly. 7th. Sunday. D. Edwards preached. We had a pleasant Sabbath together. IJFK OF JOHN FETTEKHOFF. 187 8th Monday. Started for home quite un- well with cough and sore throat and breast. 9th. Got home much aiilicted, and am still getting worse every day. 18th. I was taken with a severe pain in my right side, so that I could not keep still. A doctor was called, and the most he gave was laudanum, but it did no good. Then another doctor was called, and he blistered me severe- ly. It stopped the pain and I began to amend slowly. 29th. I got so that I could sit* up some, but I am weak and still have a cough. I did not get from home until the 25th of April. My wife and I then went to Fetterhoff 's ; there was a protracted meeting on hand there. Sunday I tried to preach for the first time in upwards of two months. T am still troubled with a couffh and sore throat. I think it is bronchitis. I stayed mostly about home, and on Sunday heard others preach ; and I also preached at the Cold Spring school-house, and at Falling Spring and Salem church, (See. August 19th. We went to Li ken's Valle^^ camp meeting. There w^ere nine preachers present, but there was no converting power. I preached three times to the people. There was some feelinof, but when God does not pour 188 LIFE OF JOHN FETTEKIIOFF. his Spirit upon the people it is dry. 24th. We got home and fixed to go to camp meeting at Yaukey's. 27th. We went to camp meeting on my spring wagon. We took our own provision, and had our lodsfino: on our wasjon. We had a ofood home durino^ meetins:. Durins^ this meet- ing there was much speculative preaching, especially by two men, viz., Schaft* and Jerry Bishop. They indirectly brought in their soul- sleeperism. But few took notice of it, because it was not understood. But there was some good done. The church was revived, and some souls were converted. September 3rd. Bro. Daniel Funkhouser was buried. I preached his funeral in German, and James Bishop in English. Thus the old fathers of the church are passing aw^ay, and with them the old landmarks. O what a change there is in the appearance of church members in these days and fifty years back. Now there are min- isters and meml)ers who are in hio^h standing- in the church that forty years ago would not have been suffered to stay in the church two months, unless they would have laid off their worldly attire. 5th. Sunday. Preached at Falling Spring, and then went round on Shippensburg circuit LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. 189 for Bro. Shaffer. We enjoyed the presence of God at all the meetings. The remainder of this month I preached at Crider's church, at Salem and at Chambersburg. October 2nd. Attended a Sabbath-school celebration at Salem, and spoke to the children. This and next month we had protracted meet- inofs Sfoinof on at Chambersburo^ and at Clark's school-house near Greenvillage. Wife and I went back and forth from one to the other and helped what we could. The one at Chambers- burg was under the care of Schaft*, and the oth- er at Clark's school-house under the care of Tripner. At Chirk's school-house there w\as much good done. Quite a number were con- verted. At Chambersburg the work was rather artificial. It lacked the power of God. December. The work of God is still going on at Clark's school-house. I preached much to the people at this place Avhile Bro. Tripner attended to the other appointments on his circuit. 19th. We aimed to go to the Immanuel church to hold a meeting. We got in sight of the church but we could not get there ; the lanes were blocked up with snow so that we could not get through. We stayed during the night at Abraham Ruber's and the next day returned. 190 LIFK OF JOHN FETlEimOFF. 2(nh. Sunday. Preached at Clark'^. There] are still some new mourners out, and are con- verted. There is a good society formed here of upwards of forty members. 1870. January. The forepart of this month I helped Bro. Dickson hold meeting in the new Methodist church. We had some soid-cheering times. The old, huni])le members separated themselves from the proud and built a church of their own and do their sinoin LIFE or JOHN FETTERHOrr. many of them will be found faithful in three months time will tell. There are too many superficial converts. Monday evening we went home to prepare to tent at the Marion camp meeting on the Greencastle circuit the 29th. We (Levi Oyler's and us) had a tent. We stayed during the meeting. There was good feeling among the professors, and some con- verts. Bishop Edwards preached three times at this meeting, and each time Avith much pow- er and good effect. A great part of the preach- ing of others was read from old manuscript, and, of course, was lifeless, because it was aimed at the head and not at the heart. They seek to preach themselves and not Christ and thus obtain some honor from man, (which they seek,) but not from the Father. — (John 12 : 26.) On Sunday there were more people at this meeting than I have ever seen at one place ; they could not all get inside of the circle of the tents. It was supposed that ten or fifteen hun- dred Avere outside that could not well get inside. September 4th. The meeting closed. Some went home joyful in the Lord, and some no better than they were when they went there. 7th. Sunday. I preached at Fayette ville to ao attentive congregation. It is pleasant to have the Lord Jesus present to bless. At 3 LIFE OF JOHN FKTTEKHOFF. 227 o'clock I preached at the chapel. On Saturday, the 13th, Bro. Anthony came for me and took me down to Bluerock, near Quincy, to help him hold a protracted meeting. At this meet- ing I preached three times. There was a large concourse of people at each coming together. There were rising of twenty converted ; eighteen united with the church. At this meetins: I over- worked myself, took cold, and came near having a spell of sickness again. I took a bad cough and sore throat. 28th. Sunday. Went with Bro. P. Nick- las to a sacramental meetins^. There was 2rood feelincr in time of communion. In the evenins^ some six or eight came out for prayer ; one or two were blessed. It was a good time. 30th. Tuesday evening I preached here again. One more professed to have obtained pardon of sin, and rejoiced in the Lord Jesus. Bro. Nicklas knows how to labor with mourn- ers. October. I feel much worn, and my breast and throat are sore. I need rest. 12th. Sunday. I preached at the Worm- spring road school-house and baptized three. During the remainder of this month I attended meeting and heard others preach. . November. This month I was much about 22^ lAFK i)F .JOH^ FKTTEKIIOIF. home. We had several excellent class meet- higs in our house. The 10th, 11th and 12th Bishop Edwards was with us and preached three sermons ; two on holiness, and one against secret orders. He has a clear head and warm heart. IDth. J. Senseny was huvied. He was an old member of the church at this place, and all had confidence in h\nx. He is much missed. He had been class leader (juite a number of years and an energetic exhorter. 20th. So far I have [)reached upwards of three thousand seven hundre.d, (3,700) times. Preached at New Lancaster circuit (Ohio) 234 times, Miami circuit 312 times, Cincinnati cir- cuit 483 times. Brush Creek circuit 75 times. Twin Creek circuit 419 times, Whitacher circuit 79 times, Frankfort station (Ind.) 302 times, Four-mile circuit 395 times, Vermillion circuit 55 times, AVild Cat circuit 381 times, Kockville circuit 325 times, Dayton circuit 152 times, Seven-mile circuit 183 times, Climer's circuit 95 times, in Pennsylvania 235 times. 29th. Susanna and I went to George Fet- terhoff's. He had a long spell of sickness, more than ten months, but he now is much better. On Sunday at 3 o'clock I preached to the people here. LIFE OF JOHN' FETTEKHOFF. 229 December. This has been a very mild fall so far, no snow yet worth naming. The people are plowing now and have been every week this fall. i:Uh and 14th Avife and I were at Fayetteville. I preached twice to the people. Two were at the altar for prayer, but neither of them were blessed in the pardon of sin. This week I looked over the minutes of the Annual conferences held since the General conference of May, 1873, and I find that those Annual conferences which have passed strong resolu- tions to enforce Discipline against secrecy, and strongly manifested their opposition to the lodge, have all reported an increase, and some a very heavy increase, some upwards of four hundred, while those conferences which were very mild toward secrecy and those which pass- ed it by in silence had a heavy decrease, and none much increase. Thus it proves that the friendship of the world is. enmity with God. AVhosoever, therefore, will be the friend of the world is the enemy, of God.— (James 4: 4.) It is apparent that there are unhappy difteren- ces of opinion existing in our church in regard to our church law against secret societies. Those who do not approve of the law as it now is give no proof to others that they are true men, and that they love the church and cause of 230 LIFE OF JOHN FETTEKHOFF. Christ generally. Such persons have no right to state their opinions against our church law and consider themselves loyal members while they vilify the church and are guil- ty of presumptions assurances. Such are not entitled to Christian courtesy. To intimate that they are welcome to walk out of the church (as some have done) is sensible and highly per- tinent. If sons will not submit to the laws of parents, but seek to make a disturbance in the family, they ought to leave home, and not seek to keep up a disturbance in the family about a law their fathers had before they were born. Some of those persons have disregarded the law of the church and have connected them- selves with oath-bound secrecy whose constitu- tion and practices are manifestly anti-christian. Such are highly censurable for so doing, and the church should speedily purge itself from them. The place where the shoe pinches is, the execution of the law which requires the expulsion from the church of those who have thus sinned is in the hands of these milk and water men who wish to hold the reins of the church in their hands. We can not conceive that any persons have for a commendable pur- pose connected themselves with a nefarious fraternity that lays its schemes in the dark for LIFE OF JOHN FETTEKHOFF. 231 sinister purposes. A law requiring so just an act, to expel such from the church is in itself a moral law, and will be respected by all con- scientious ministers of the gospel of Christ. The radical, good sense view is that the church can in her General conference, by a majority of votes, settle questions of faith, determine con- ditions of Christian fellowship, &c. If so, what is to hinder them (if they wish to) from making a uniform of dress, since the Bible, Old and New Testament, do so, (see Lev. 19 : 19 ; Deut. 22 : 11, 12 ; Ex. 33 : 5 ; Isa. 3 : 18-25 ; 1 Tim. 2 : 9 ; 1 Pet. 3 : 3, 4,) and thus determ- ine conditions of membership in the church, and separate such from them who fellowship the unfruitful works of darkness ? The church is not, as a railroad company, governed by a worldly charter of her own making, so that she can take into her union infidels and worldly- minded persons, but she is under divine insti- tution, the constitution — the Bible, where right gives might. Excommunication is too lightly respected by many, therefore we see the enor- mous corruption that there is in many of the churches. God is not a Freemason, notwith- standing a preacher said so ; he never was incorporated into a lodge. If he had been he would not have kept the secret. The prophet 232 LIFE or JOHN FETTEIJHOrr. said he (God) revealeth his secrets. — (Amos 3:7.) To say that God is a Freemason is blasphemy. The same preacher also said that Jesus was an Odd Fellow. Christ says, " In secret have I said nothing." — (John 18: 20.) But it is said Christ went secretly up to Jeru- salem, and on one occasion hid himself, and the disciples held secret meetings for fear of the Jews. If secret order men are afraid that the}^ will be assassinated and their lives taken by mol) force before their work which God has appointed to them on earth is finished, let them hide themselves if they have the same object in view that Christ and the apostles had — the salvation of souls, and thus save themselves from an untimely death. But to hide and hold secret meetings for the purpose of laying schemes to take advantage of their fellow be- ings and screen themselves from justice and clear the guilty for reward, (Isa. 5: 23,) or take the life of some person, like that of Wm. Morgan, such secrecy is nefarious. Some have joined secret societies and sworn many oaths to obtain a knowledge of certain grips, signs and passwords, by the use of which they hope to get assistance in any time of trouble. Some- times these things may be useful, but the child of God, who knows the real Christian grip of LIFE OF JOHN FETTEIHIOFF. 233 love to God and man, and has the l)lessed name of Jesus for his password, has better light than he can get by traveling east with his eyes blindfolded, and nothing but his shirt and drawers on, because Christ is the light himself, and a friend indeed, and everywhere present, and will help those who put their trust in him : but " thus saith the Lord, Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, or maketh flesh his arm." 21st. 1 went in company with Bro. Peter Xicklas to the Salem church. AVe had a bles- sed meeting ; there Avas much weeping. 24th. I preached the funeral of Kebecca Poper, aged 25 years and 2 months. She had been sick onl}- three days, but best of all she sought and found the Lord Jesus in the pardon of her sins a few months before her death. Her last words were, " Come, Lord Jesus, and take me from this world of trouble, and let me walk the gold-paved streets of the Xew eJeru- salem with the saints above." Never before did I see and hear at a funeral such Aveeping throuohout the cono^rec^ation. It Avas truly a solenm time. On New Year's eve Ave held a meeting in our church. It lasted until twelve and a half o'clock. There Avas the best and warmest feeling I have Avitnessed for some time : there Av^as much Aveeping and shouting. 234 LIFE or JOHN fettp:khoff. Thus the year 1873 has come to an end, but the goodness of Jesus has not come to an end. He has been kind all the year through ; he oft- en blessed my poor soul when engaged in secret prayer, and when trying to preach the gospel," and warded off many dangers, so that I and my Susanna are still alive, while many others have died, and some to be feared in their sins. Praise the Lord for his love and free salvation to us. 1874. January 4th. Sunday. I preached twice for the colored people, at 10 o'clock and at candle-light. They are much pleased to have white men preach to them, it seems to do them much good. 11th. Sunday. Quarterly meeting. There was much feelinfy and shoutino^ in time of com- es o munion. At candle-light I preached for the Africans to a crowed house ; there was much rejoicing. 17th. Saturday. AVent to the Cold Spring church. In the evening three came and bowed at the altar for prayei*. One was made happy in believinof. 18th. Sunday. Preached twice. At can- dle-light four came forward for prayer. The Lord is at work. 22nd. Thursday. This day my daughter. LIFE OF JOHX FETTERHOFF. 235 George Upp's wife, and my son Samuel, came from the state of Indiana to pay us a visit. It gives much joy when children after a long ab- sence meet their parents and all is well. Dur- ing the remainder of this month w^e went to see our kinfolks, and also saw the Alto Dale fur- nace. It is a great'and extensive affair. February 1st. Sunday. We attended our church in Chambersburg. There is a protract- ed meetino^ Sfoino: on here for the last four weeks. There were so far a number of whole and half converts, and the meeting is still going on. 2nd. Monday. Samuel and Christena went to Adams county and returned on Saturday 7th, This week we had the first snow of note this winter. 8th. Sunday. I preached for the Africans. It was an interesting scene to Samuel. He said he never had seen so many colored people together at one time. 12th. Thursday. This morning my chil- dren started home on the 5 o'clock train. 15th. Sunday. I preached at the Salem church. Ten came out for prayer, and three were made happy. There was much joy ; some leaped, run and praised God like the lame man at the temple when he was healed. 236 LIFE OF JOHN fetti:khoff. 2()th. Friday. Went to Annual conference at i\Iechanicsburg. I stayed until Saturday evening. During the time I was there they sought to lay plans to run colleges, make preachers and get money from the people to support fat offices and high stations in high places, c^c. 22nd. Sunday. At 10 o'clock I preached German in our church in Chambersburs:. There was a good, warm feeling and many tears. The Germans are neglected. March. During this month I preached six times, some for the colored people, and out at Cold Spring, and a funeral for Mary Cites at Greencastle. She was converted to the Lord Jesus some three years ago. She had much opposition from her parents, but she put her trust in Jesus and lived near a throne of grace, and was happy in God and respected by all who knew her. On the 21st she ate a hearty breakfast and then went to her work, and while at work she dropped suddenly and in fifteen minutes her spirit took its flight. Never in my life did I know or hear of so many sud- den deaths as within the last year, yet with all this warning people seem to get more hard and wicked. It is as said in the book of Revela- tion, the rest repented not. LIFE OF JOHX FETTEKHOFF. 237 April. During this month I preached seven times. On the 19th I preached the funeral of Frederic Glosser, one of the old tried members of this church. lie had been class leader many years and truly a burning and shining light. His last words were, " I have never enjoyed such peace as now." Truly, " Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord," they go where they rest from their labor and are free fiom all the trials and sorrows of this life. May. During this month I spoke eight times. I filled some appointments on the cir- cuit, and attended to a class on Tuesday evenings. We had some blessed, soul-cheering times in class meetings. June. Susanna and I went on a visit to cousin George Fetterholf's. It is pleasant to have the company of faithful persons who are full of the Spirit of God, and heaven-bound. There is then constant sunshine. July. This month I spoke seven times ; twice for the Methodists here in town. The 10th I preached the funeral of old mother Huber, wife of Abraham Huber. She was up- wards of eighty years of age and was a bright Christian upwards of sixty years. Her husband is in his eighty-ninth year. Their house was a house of prayer and preaching for many years. 238 LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. August. This month I was much afflicted with neuralgia in my neck and head, and rheumatic pain in my limbs. My entire system is effected. 22nd. We went to Orrstown camp meeting. This was the largest camp meeting I ever was at. There were near one hundred tents, and many of the tents had from two to three or more families in them. There was the best of order and much converting power. The preach- ing was good on the whole. Bishop Edwards preached three times with much feeling. Many were converted and saved from sin. This meet- ing will live long in the minds of the people ; no doubt much good was done. 29th. Susanna and I went to Armstrong Valley, Dauphin county, Pa., to a camp meet"^ ing. This meeting was held near Jackson. There were only eighteen tents, and not so very many people, save on Sunday, but plenty of preachers, some from Annville college. Nev- er have I been at a meeting where I thouo-ht there was so much effort made to display and show out as at this place. The most of the preaching was head-work, and not much heart- work. They tried to force things, but there was no power of the Spirit with it, and but few were converted. So it is when men seek to do LIFE OF JOHN FETTEKHOFF. 2i>^J big things without God's help — the}^ will fail. The meeting broke on Friday, the 4th of Sep- tember, and on Saturday we went to Philip Fetterhoff's. This is a pleasant family. He is a brother to sister Enders, where we had our pleasant home and stay during camp meeting. She and her husband are kind to a fault. Her kindness knows no bounds, only Avhen she meets with impossibilities. September 6th. I preached in Jackson at 10 o'clock, and at 3 o'clock, in FetterhofTs church. There was a large congregation at both places. Some came a distance the report said. Preachino^ had a sfood effect on some church people. Monday and Tuesday we stay- ed with Joseph Fetterhoff, and Wednesday, 9th, (my birthday of seventy-six,) we started home. In the evening we got home. All is well, and we are glad. God is good. O how I ought to love and praise him for his kindncvss to me in sparing me and bearing with me seven- ty-six years. Thousands have been taken away younger. They are gone and I am almost left alone of all my young school mates. O the many dangers and hardships I have passed through. God is good ! 13th. Sunday. Commenced a protracted meeting at the Webster school-house. We 240 LIFE ()F .JOHN FETTEKHOFF. had some success ; two were converted. AVe kept the meeting up over one week. October. During this month I preached six times. We were much blessed and had some joyful meetings. At the Webster school-house two were brightly converted. At the Imman- uel church and at Clark's school-house there was much joy and feeling. November 1st. Sunday. I preached for the colored people. They were very noisy, and nmch shouting is done by them. Some are truly pious. Some are too excitable. 15th. Susanna and I went to the Episcopa- lian church — a special meeting — and saw some heathenish performances in the name of Chris- tianity. O such, monkey performances called worship. The 17th and 19th heard Amanda Smith, a colored woman. She is a mystery to all that heard her. She has a well-balanced mind, warm with the love of God, and well seasoned with grace, and her singing is raptur- ous ; it carries the mind away. December. During this month I preached ten times ; held some protracted meetings. The 0th I held one at Oakgrove school-house. There w^as much feeling and joy among the Christians, but there were no sinners converted. 13th. Quarterly meeting at home in our LIFE OF JOHN FETTEUHOFF. 241 church. There was good feeling among profess- ors, but no convicting power among sinners. The 20th and the 27th I had moetinic at Pond- town. Here the Lord met with us in power ; sinners were convicted, old men and women wept like children, six were converted. One sister that weighs 319 pounds shouted, leaped and prais^ .1 God. The people in these parts are most all poor, as to earthly treasures, but it seems that their hearts are not so hardened and filled up with the cares and riches of the world that the gospel of Christ cannot imd a lodgment there. O how hardly will a rich man enter the kingdom of heaven. 1875. Januar}'. Now we enter on a new year. Last year I spoke 74 times ; what this year will bring forth time will show. During this month I held meetings at different ])laces, and had some omens of good. Meeting wus protracted in Chambersburg all this month. There was much hard labor to effect some good, and there was at times much joy among the church members, but it did not effect sinners much. Many came out to be prayed for, but the conviction was not sufficient to biing them as real penitents to the throne of grace, there- fore their conversion is not genuine. This winter was cold, and there was much snow. ^4^ LIFE OF JOHN FETTEKHOFF., The 26th of March the snow was jet about ten inches deep, and the weather was cold. The 28th was warm and the snow went away. The 7th of April w^e made garden. The 13th snow fell five inches deep, and the next day it was gone. We had no nice, settled weather until May. Everything is late. The forepart of this summer I was much afflicted with dizziness, but I held meeting at different places, and every two wrecks in the house of Bro. Williams (colored). Here we have had blessed times on account of the presence of the Lord, I also preached at Immanuel, at Salem and at Pond- toAvn. August 2ord I went to Orrstown camp meeting. Many preachers were present ; Bish- op Edwards and Bro. Hott also, They preach- ed with much power. It was a good meeting, niany were trul}^ blessed. 27th. I went to the Dutch settlement to camp meeting. During this meeting there were some conversions, but it was somewhat cloudy, the moral sky was not clear, some preach- ing was much Avind-work, the persons preach- inof themselves, not Christ. O how some do aim to show themselves and please the fancy of vain, worldly-minded men. Such men had better go to some other business, but they pre- fer to get pay without work. LIFE OF JOHN FETTElfllOFF. 24o September 6th. Wife and I went to camp meeting in Adams Co., on Bro. Wickey's cir- cuit. At this meeting there was much of the spirit of the world shown. Some preachers did not conceal their love for secrecy. O such mules. October 12th. Susanna and I started for Indiana to see my children. They have been writing to us and wishing us to come. We got along pleasantly, and arrived at LaFayette the 14th at 7 o'clock. George Upp and my daughter were there awaiting our arrival. We found them , all well and much pleased to see us. We stayed here with my daughter until the 21st, and then went to David Brown's ; he is sick. The 28th my son Christian came after us. We went with him to his house and stayed here about twelve weeks. We had a protracted meeting here that lasted over the holidays. Some souls were much benelitted. I did much preaching during this meeting. The weather was warm and beautiful. On New Year's dny it was so warm that the snakes made their appearance. One w^as killed in the church yard, and three at other places. 1 am glad that all my children and their companions, atid eight, of my grandchildren belong to the church and sustain an unblemished character. 244 LIFE OF JOHN FETTKUllOFF. They iire highly esteemed. There wjis much joy among them during this meeting. It was pleasant to hear them speak of Jesus. During the year 1875 I preached or spoke Go times, notwithstanding I was much atflicted at times with dizziness and dropsy ; but the Lord helped me. I also spent much time in writing for the Earnest Christian, a monthly magazine pub- lished by the Free Methodists. They are a church that have separated from the ^lethodist Episcopal church on account of secrecy, pride and worldly habits that have crowded into that church. It has been said by some of their own members that they take the lead of all other churches in harboring all those things. Many of their leading ministers are bound by oath into brotherhood with intidels and notorious enemies of Christ and his cause. How those men can reconcile their conduct with the Word of God is a mystery. The Word says, "Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers : for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? and Avhat concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?"— (2 Cor. 6 : 14, 15 ; and see Rom. 12: 2; Josh. 23: 13, 14; 1 Kings 11 : 2.) But God's law is not consult- LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. 245 ed where the love of honor, pride and the world has the lead in the heart. 1876. This year came in very warm and mild, it was more like May than January. It caused me to write the following lines : JANUARY FIRST. This is a very pleasant day, It seems near like the month of May ; But it may be when May is here, It will be cold that time of year ; There may be then some heavy frosts, And thus the fruit may all be lost ; There also may be a deep snow In April next, we do not know ; It has been so in former days, And so it may be then the case. It need not now to you be told, That if it's so it will be cold ; The farmers then would like to plow. They say it's time to sow oats now, And tend to all, yes, every thing That should be done in time of spring ; For if we wait for better weather, Then too much work will come together: Which first to do they do not know, They hardly know at what to go. And some will then forget their God, And very seldom read his Word ; And family prayer is laid aside, But work, yes, work with all their might. Their heart will then grow (old and dark, It may but leave a little spark, That must be roused into a flame Before thev shout the Saviour's nunc. 24(3 LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. This day I preached twice in the Forest church, Carroll Co., Ind., and next day, Sunday, twice to crowded congregations, and much feeling among the people. I still continued with the people at this place until the 25th. (My son Christian took us to my daughter.) On the 11th of January Susanna fell off the wagon on the rough, frozen ground, and was badly hurt, especially her left arm. She may not be able to use it for some time. She can not close her fingers to hold a pin or dress herself. Here we stopped with my daughter six weeks, and held meeting and preached to the people. Some joined the church and some were con- verted during our stay in Indiana. I preached and talked 39 times to the people. We had intended to start for home the TthofjNIarch, but Jacob Hupright died the Gth ; (wife and I Avere present and saw him breathe his last, calmly as a candle flickers away ;) and so they prevailed on me to sti;y and preach his funeral the next day. It rained some and there was a cold wind, but the congregation was large and a general weeping time throughout the crowd. He Avas a quiet, peaceable man, and a member of the church many years. On AVcdncsday, March 8th, Ave started for home, hr.d pleasant Aveathei-, and got home the next day at 5 LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. 247 o'clock and found all well and glad to see each other safe. Many of the friends came flocking in to see us. They seemed glad to see us, and we feel thankful that God has so kindly taken care of us and brought us so safely along throuojh danofer seen and unseen. 12th. We had Bible class at Bro. Williams' at 1 o'clock, and meeting at 4. 14th. Tuesday. Class meeting in our house. There was nmch of the power of God felt and enjoyed ; it was a noisy time. It seems the Lord is pleased to meet with us at this place and bless us. April. During this month I spoke six times. At a Quarterly conference in Chambersburg facts were confirmed that were stated by Bishop Edwards some three jears ago, namely, that if three or four men who belono- to secret lodo^es get into a society, they will either rule or ruin. This has proven true in Chambersburg. Some crept into the church in this place, but the preacher was not in sympathy with secrecy, so they kept dark and lay low ; on)}' once in a while they would shew signs of wishing to rule. But now they have a preacher who is in lull sympath}^ with them, if he is not one of them ; therefore they crawled out like snakes out of their dens in the spring, and are bold and defi- 2i^ LIFE OF JOHN FETTEKHOFF. ant. They took the power of the trustees into their hands, had new seats niade for the church, removed the pulpit, changed the sitting on the pulpit and the deposit for the Sabbath-school library. This was all done without consulting the ])oard of trustees. One of the trustees took it in hand to oppose this unlawful ruling. They soon spotted him for ruin, and where they can not destroy the body they will seek to destroy the character. Therefore, at the Quar- terly conierence the 15th of April, they sought to put the said trustee out of office, and take away his license to preach. All this was done without giving him previous notice, or trial. No respect was had to Discipline, though the attention of the presiding elder was called to Discipline ; but when they failed to expel him they appointed a prosecuting committee, and also a connnittee to try him, and raised a great rumor to darken his character, but nothing else was done. They got to know that they had proceeded in a nefarious way. Then at the next Quarterly conference the ^^th of July, they sought to retract and take a fresh start. A motion was then oifered that the Discipline should be respected and enforced, l)ut as there was a secrecy majority the motion did not pre- vail. Thus this (Quarterly conference is with- LIFE OF JOHX FETTEHHOFF. 241) out l.'iw. AVe are inclined to think it suits the presiding elder, Z. A. Colestock, and Schlich- ter, Avell, only in this : according to their vote they can not make members pay. July 13th. We have so far had the warmest season known in this country. During June the thermometer was often up to 95 degrees, but in this month, July, it was more constantly warm. Up to this day the themometer was up to 95 every day, and some days 100 in the shade. Kith. Preached at Cold Spring. There was a blessed time at this meeting. 23rd. I preached to the colored people. There Avas a time of rejoicing among them. August 24th. Camp meeting at George Fetterhotl's. Durinc: this meetins^ there was not much converting power ; there was too much of self and not enough of Christ in preach- ing, praying and singing. Few converts. September 2nd. Went to camp meeting- nine miles east of Shippensburg. Here wife and I stopped till Tuesday morning. I think that there was more effort made in preaching to show themselves than to preach Christ to the people, therefore not nmch good was done. 5th. Tuesday. Went to Dillsburg to Bro. AVicke^^'s camp meeting. At this meeting there 250 LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. was more of Christ in preaching, and God blessed the labors. 25th. Started for Dayton, Ohio, to German Annual conference. Arrived the 2 (3th at 2 o'clock. Ministerial association. Pleasant and friendly in debating subjects. 28th. Conference met; Bishop Weaver in the chair. Most of the preachers were present. All went off pleasant and brotherly, with a o^ood feelino^. The business was all done in two and a half days. On Sundaj^ October 1st, I preached for the Methodists at 10 o'clock, and at candle-light in the Summit street U. B. church. Many people were here. October 2nd. My wife and I went to the Soldier's Home. Here are man\^ wonders of nature to be seen — of animals, birds and insects, and many invalids that were crippled during the late war. Here they have fine homes, beauti- ful buildings, good beds and board. During our sta^^ at Dayton we had our lodging with my old Bro. Kumler. We have been intimate companions since the year 1819, and got along in peace. O how pleasant it is when brethren dwell together in unity. 5th. Went to Springfield to see Susanna's aunt and cousins. We found them well. ()th. Started homeward. LIFE OF JOHX FETTERIIOFF. 251 7th. AVe got to Harrisburg at 4 o'clock, A. M., and to Halifax at 7, A. M. 8th. I spoke to the Sabbath-school in Fet- terhoff's chapel, and at 3 o'clock I preached to the people. They are hard church people, but God's Spirit can make them feel. We stayed among the friends till Friday, then went home and found my grandson Husten FetterhoiF there waitinof for us. 15th. Spoke at Williams'. We had a blessed time as usual ; God is Avith this people. 22nd. I preached in Clarksville. Here no ii^ood can be done until there is a chano^e of preacher and more lo3^alty to the church. Strancre that men will seek to belono; to a church and not res[)ect the laws of the church, and thus cause trouble and contention. On Monday, 23rd, Bro. P. Nicklas' trial was held in the church (caused by the enemies of some law of the church, and his foes). The trial lasted from 1 o'clock, V. M., till 12, P. M. The whole showed hatred, and proved to have l)een gotten up through ill-will, and was a mock nffair. November. This month 1 preached live times ; four times in Clarksville. We had cheerful times in our little meetings. Our rlass meetings were much blessed : there was a 252 LIFE OF JOHN FETTEKHOFF. "Treat time of reioicini>" amoni]^ old members. December 10th. This was the coldest morn- ins: so far this fall. The thermometer stood 2 desrrees below Zero ; not much snow. 24th. AVe had a sacramental meeting at Williams'. O Avhat tears of joy and heart-felt praise to God. It was pleasant to be there to see ditierent colors and names meet at the one table of the Lord. 25th. At 5 o'clock in the morning twenty- two met at our house for prayer meeting. Such a display of the power of God to bless is seldom seen ov heard. In the evening: the last Quarterly conference for this year was held in the church. Secrecy proclivity had its own Avay. Well did Solomon say, " He that justi- fieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord. — (Prov. 17: 15.) All this was done. The 31st we met in Clarksville to hold a meet- ing over midnight. There was peculiar power of fi:race, so much excitement that the meeting' lasted till near two o'clock in the morning. Thus ended the year 187(). During this 3'ear now past 1 spoke 70 times. I had some joyful days in this year, and also some days of trial and sorrow. 1877. January. Durino- this month an LIFE OF JOHN FETTEKJIOFF. '2oo evangelist by the name of Xeedham came to this place and labored in preaching and giving Scripture lessons. lie had great influence on the communitj^ and his labors had great and good elFect upon the people and churches. No doubt he is a man of God, for God is with him to bless. On Sunday, the 28th, I preached to the p?^upers at the almshouse. There was some good done. The poor gladly hear the gospel. February ()th. Went to Baltimore to the Annual conference, on account of church diffi- culties that took place here in Chambersburg through the preacher in charge's refusal to do his duty, and enforce Discipline against secrecy, and the presiding elder defending him in his course, and refusing to let him have a trial. Therefore it was appealed to Annual confer- ence. But a majority being in sympathy with secrecy the charges against the preacher were tabled without a hearing, and the presiding elder adjudged guilty of maladministration by the bishop, and thus they dropped it. Then an appeal was taken to the General conference, and there it was decided that the proceeding of the presiding elder was illegal, and the whole case lies open for trial, both of preacher and elder. Notwithstanding a heavy petition was sent to Annual conference not to send the said 254 LIFE OF JOHN FETTFKIIOFF. preacher back, it was overruled and he was returned, to the grief of many of the best and most pious members. But they refuse to hear him preach, or pay him ; therefore they hold meetings in private houses and the bless- ing of God attends and falls upon them at all their meetings, with few exceptions, and the congregation that meets to hear him preach is small. Unrighteousness ma^^ triumph for a while, but the right will prevail in the end. March. This month was much colder, and more snow fell, than in February. Our class, prayer and preaching meetings were well at- tended, .and much of the presence of God and his blessino: was seen and felt — his oroodness is great. April. During this month I spoke six times ; four times at Clarksville ; and the manifestation of God's grace was with us each time, so that there was great joy among his people. May. This month I spoke five times. It is very pleasant to be at meeting with those who fear the Lord and enjoy his presence. We had blessed times at every coming together. The truly faithful to God and his service have been driven away from the church by those who love the customs of the world more than they love LIFE OF JOHN FETTErvHOFF. 2.j5 the meek and lovely Jesus and his system of worship. Jmie, This month I spoke three times, and heard J. Fohl once, and J. M. Bishop once. Both preached at Clarksville with good effect, July. This month I spoke four times. Quarterly meeting was held the 14th. At this meeting the secrecy clan sought to stop Bros. Fohl, Bickley and myself from preaching to the people at Clarksville, though we held our meetings at 4 o'clock, P. M., an hour of the day in which they had no meeting. The troub- le Avas, the most fiiithful Christians came to our meetings, but refused to hear such as disre- spect our church law. At this Quarterly meet- ing the secrecy combination put out of office all the lo3'al class leaders and stewards and thus left laro^e classes that were in o-ood work- ing order without leaders. They did not give previous notice of charge or complaint of neg- lect of duty, because there was none. Bishop Glossbrenner was present but gave not a Avord of reproof against the unlawful proceeding, but, Gallio like, cared for none of these things. It was plain that his mind was biased. The friends of secvecu had had him in their company for several days before they usurped this pow- er to put the best of men out of office without 256 LIFE OF JOHN FETTEKHOFF. previous notice or complaint for neglect of duty, because there was none. Thus they dis- oro:anized and disbanded lara^e classes that had been in good working order, and not long after this made it known in the public congregation that these leaders and stewards were no longer members of the church, without giving them a trial or hearing, although the Discipline forbids suspending or expelling a member prior to a committee trial. When bishops and presiding elders disrespect the law of the church, w^here, yes wlieve will the church drift to ? So it was in the days of the Jews when they had kings and priests that affiliated with idolatry ; then heathenism prevailed. August. This month I spoke four times. The f)th at Williams' to a crowded house. There was a time of weeping, some for joy, and some on account of their sins and an absent Saviour. The 10th of this month Eev. B. T. Roberts, of the Free Methodist church, put up a tabernacle in Chambersburg to hold a pro- tracted meeting in. On Sunday, 12th, many people flocked to hear him preach. He is a plain, honest preacher of the pure gospel of Christ. He is not afraid to expose and reprove sins of all kind, notwithstanding they may be practiced by men of high standing. The meet- LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. 257 ing was kept up for about three weeks. It was well attended, and some souls were truly converted, and Christians much built up in the service of the Lord. The 13th of this month my eldest son Abdiel died. His last word was, ** I feel good ; do not weep.'' Thus he passed away with a bright prospect before him of get- ting to rest in glory. September, '^liis month I spoke seven times. We held m protracted meeting in Clarksville. We had blessed times, and souls were convert- ed. October. This month I spoke three times. The a:ood Lord still meets with us at Clarks- ville to bless us ; we have times of rejoicing. November 13th. A convention met at Salem church, four miles from Chambersburg, Pa., to express opinions and device ways and means to counteract the scheme that was laid by the friends of secrecy to oppose our church law, that is, against secrecy, at a convention they held in Harrisburg in July. They resolved that they would not respect nor enforce our law against secrecy, nor pay over to the parent board of missions the portion of the money collected for missionary purposes as required by General conference. Thus they declared themselves rebels ao^ainst the law of the church. 258 LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. It is known that when these men joined the church as members they promised obedience to her laws, and when they were taken into An- nual conference they expressed themselves sat- isfied with the church government ; and, of course, they were deceivers and hypocrites then, or are changed persons now, and are no longer worthy of membership in the church. The convention at Salem church, consisting of upwards of one hundred and thirty delegates, took an opposite stand and declared themselves still satisfied with our church law, and are will- ing to enforce it and obey its requirements. December 2nd. Sacramental meeting at Clarksville. Fifty-two communed. It was a soul-cheering time ; many shouted the praises of God. 10th. At Clarksville. God is with this people, therefore he blesses them. 15th. We went to George Fetterhoff's. He is feeble, and very low spirited ; he is gloomy, and imagines many things. O what a poor, weak being man is. 2ord. At Clarksville. There was a great melting and weeping time at this meeting. 25th. Prayer meeting in our house at 5 o'clock in the morning. 28 were present, and many felt that Christ was born in them the LIFE OF fOHX FETTERHOFF. 259 hope of glory. In the evenmg class meeting, and the next evening prayer meeting in our house. All these meetins^s were soul-cheerins" times. O it is so pleasant to be of one heart and mind, and have the assurance that Jesus is pleased with us. This month has been very mild. Farmers have been plowing and doing much spring work, and it also was a pleasant time to hold meeting, and the year 1877 is now fled. I preached (or exhorted) 50 times in this year. 1878. January 1st. Joseph Fetterhoff and daughter Carrie were here on a visit. I preach- ed at Clarksville. It is cloudy, but we have no snow yet. 2nd. Joseph and daughter went home. The meetings at Clarksville were kept up regularly during the month, and we had the Lord's pres- ence with us in a peculiar manner at the several meetings. 10th. Preached at the poor-house in both (jerman and English, and the word preached had a good effect. February. Meetings at Clarksville were still kept up and the Lord continued to mani- fest his presence, and during these meetings two souls were blessed. 24th. Held a sacramental meeting at the 260 LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. poor-house, ten partaking of the communion. March 3rd. Sacramental meeting at Will- iams'. On the 17th and 24th meetings were also held at Williams'. On the 10th and 31st meetings were held at Clarksville ; the last one being remarkable on account of the powerful manifestation of God's presence, so much so that we had to desist from preaching. April 7th. Preached a funeral at the poor- house. The deceased was a very pious Euro- pean. At 5 o'clock I preached at Williams'. The 14th and 28th I preached at Clarksville. On the 27th of this month we bargained for the church house of the Second Methodist congre- gation, corner Second and King streets, which was brought about by the room in Clarksville becoming too small for our increasing congre- gation. Said building being for sale, and we seeing no chance of returning to the old church because there the laws of the church were . not respected, and those in authority seemed de- termined to bring us into subjection to their will, we could not see any other course that we could conscientiously pursue and retain the dignity of our church principles. May 5th. This day we took possession of our recently purchased church and held a sac- ramental meeting. The Lord manifested his LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. 261 approbation of our course by pouring out upon us such a blessing that our hearts could not contain it, but the place resounded with shouts of praise to the Lord. Our Sabbath-school was held for the first time here in the church on the 12th with a good attendance, and from that time on we had an encouraging increase. From this time forward Bro. Bishop and my- self preached on alternate Sabbaths in the morning at 10 o'clock, and also in the evening, and occasionally some other brother would oc- cupy the pulpit. June 23rd. Bro. Smiley, of Shippensburg, occupied the pulpit morning and evening with good effect. July. The 4th and 5th were very warm. On the 4th the thermometer was 97 degrees above zero, and from the 17th to the 21st the weather was the warmest we have had for some years, the thermometer standing as high as 98 degrees in the shade and 112 in the sun. 14th. Bro. Nelson, of Martinsburg, W. Ya., preached for us. He also preached on the evenings of the 15th and 16th. August 15th. Camp meeting commenced at Orrstown, but we did not attend. We held services on Sabbath of camp in town. September 13th. Wife and I started for '2i]2 LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. 1 Wooster, Ohio. Arrived at Pittsburg at 12 o'clock in the night, and had to lay over until 8 o'clock the next morning on account of the heavy rains washing bridges away ; and in con- sequence of delays we did not get to Wooster till 4 o'clock in the afternoon instead of at 8 in the morning. Here I met a first cousin that I had not seen for 56 years — Susanna Whitmore. She had been a widow for some 18, years and was now in her 88th year, and yet she was very active and her mental faculties extra good ; and the best of all, her prospects for a better world are very bright. In consideration of these things our meeting was very pleasant. And what seemed to me so yery strange was, that although she did not know of my coming yet when I went into the room and said, " I suppose you don't know me," she said, ** I don't know that I do, unless you are John Fetterhoff." On the Monday following the 16th we returned to Canal Fulton and lodged with Balser Arthin, and on Tuesday the minis- terial association of the German conference took place there and we had a very pleasant time for two days, and quite a number of doc- trinal points were examined and debated very satisfactorily. Annual conference went into session the 19th ; Bishop Dickson in the chair. LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. 263 A more friendly and peaceable set of men nev- er met in conference than they were, there not being a hard word or hard thought ; and they strictly regard the law of God and of the church, and therefore will not allow secrecy men among them, either in the ministry or laity. The Quarterly conference of Chambers- burg, Pa., sent a paper to this session of con- ference impeaching me for preaching to the congregation who formerly worshiped in Clarks- ville, but more recently at the King street church ; who were abused and driven out of the old congregation there by nullificationists violatino^ and disreo^ardino^ the laws of the church because they insisted on the enforce- ment of said laws. AVhen the aforenamed pa- per was laid before the conference, I did not say anything in my defence, having confidence in my brethren that they would do what is right ; and the conference utterly ignored the paper, giving my accusers notice that they could not act on it until they had further infor- mation and saw cause for action. After visit- ing John Oyler and some other friends on the 25th we returned to Harrisburg, and on the 26th went up to Armstrong valley and visited a goodly number of our friends, and on Sun- day, the 29th, I preached for them, there being 264 LIFE OF JOHN FETTP^KHOFF. a large congregation present. On Monda}', the 30th, we returned home all well. October. The meetings in the church were kept up during this month as usual. November. Durino- this month our meetino-s were kept up as usual. December, On Christmas morning our pro- tracted meeting commenced at a prayer meeting at 5 o'clock, which was well attended for so early an hour. Sabbath morning, the 29th, sacramental meetino' w^as held and it was a peculiar time for joy and rejoicing. The meet- ing continued at half past 2 o'clock, P. M., and at candle-light during that week. And on Sunda}^ January 5th, 1879, Bro. J. K. Nelson, of Martinsburg, W. Va., preached for us and five presented themselves at the altar for pray- er. Monday evening tvrelve came to the altar ; Tuesday evening eighteen, eight of whom were blessed; Wednesday evening thirteen, and one blessed ; Thursday evening eight, and three blessed. Thus the meeting continued with much interest until the 19th of February and nearly forty received the pardon of their sins through the blood of Christ. Thirty-two join- ed the church. March 5th. Pennsylvania .Innual confer- ence met at Chambersburg. Bishop Gloss- LIFE OF JOHX FETTERHOFF. 265 brenner presided and was assisted by Bishop Dickson. Throughout the session the spirit of nullification as manifested at the Harrisburg convention predominated without receiving re- buke from the bishops, who rather gave their encouragement in that direction, which was shown in the cases of Rev's. Fohl, Bishop, Bickley and Hiram Fetterhoft', as follows : At the session of the conference of 1878, which met at York, Bro's. J. Fohl and A. Bickley were censured, and Bro. J. M. Bishop was suspended for one year. These brethren con- sidering the action of the conference as unjust and illegal took an appeal from the same to General conference. Notwithstanding this the names of these brethren were again taken be- fore a committee of the conference of 1879. Said committee reported that the cases of these brethren were out of the jurisdiction of the Annual conference, they having appealed to the General conference, and therefore this confer- ence could not take action in their case. The report of the committee was adopted, but dur- ing the interval until INIonday a caucus meeting was hold by those who were not friendly to these brethren, and on Monday a reconsidera- tion of their cases was called for by them. A motion to that eftect prevailing, and the bish- 266 LIFE OF JOHN FETTEKHOFF. ops not overruling the same, as was their duty, since the appeal of these brethren had taken the case out of their hands, they took the fol- lowing action : Bro. Bishop they expelled from the conference and the office of the ministry, and Bro's. Fohl and Bickley were put on three months' probation, to cease preaching for the people of King street church, and were to be held amenable to the Chambersburg Quarterly conference during this time. At the end of their probation if they continued to preach for the above named people they were to be sus- pended by the presiding elder of Chambersburg district. In view of this decision Bro. Fohl put the following question to Bishop Glossbren- ner : ' * If three-fourths of the members of a Quarterly conference belong to a secret lodge, is their action lawful ?" But the bishop treated this question with silent contempt. Some mis- construed the question and charged Bro. Fohl with saying that three-fourths of Chambersburg Quarterly conference were members of secret societies. But this he denied and proved to be false. The history of the cases of these breth- ren will show that they were thus maltreated on account of their lo3'alty. In reference to Hiram Fetterholf it was well known that he was a member of the Masonic LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. 267 lodge for a number of years without any effort being made to enforce Discipline in his case. And at the Annual conference of 1879 he sent a letter requesting an honorable dismissal from the conference and church. After the letter was read a brother arose and said he could not see how the request could be granted, as ac- cording to Discipline H. Fetterhoif was now no member of the church on account of his being a member of the Masonic fraternity. Bishop Glossbrenner arose and stated that Bro. Fetter- hoff had passed at his Quarterly conference without censure or complaint, therefore he thought his request should be granted, and that he should receive an honorable dismissal. A vote being taken his request was granted. From all the proceedings of this conference it could easily be noticed that the law of the church on secrecy was treated as a dead letter, and the spirit of their nullification conventions was carried out as far as possible. If this were not so, why would they take away the privi- leo^es and seek to ruin the characters of some of the best men who have borne the burden and heat of the day, and for no other cause than for preaching to a loyal, honest, godly people that have been badly maltreated, by being taken away from the trusteeship, class leader's and 268 LIFE OF JOHN FETTEKHOFF. steward's office, and the parties seeking to break up classes which in the aggregate numbered 117 members. The great crime ofBro's. Fohl, Bishop and Bickley was, preaching for these people whom God has wonderfully blessed in their work of saving souls, and who live in peace and harmony. The conference also pass- ed a resolution that none of the preachers should be allowed to preach for the people of the King street church, or give their influence to any of their meetings. The penalty for so doing was that they were to be held amenable to the Annual conference and not be intrusted with a field of labor thereafter. But some of the ministers thought this resolution to conflict with the command of Christ which was, " Go ye into all the w^orld and preach my gospel to every creature." A few of them at the close of conference before leaving for home had an ap- pointment at King street church, which was :filled by Wickey and Weidler ; and such a man- ifestation of the presence and power of God is seldom witnessed in a church. The resolution of the conference had but little effect to cause discouragement or dampness to the members of King street church, but the Lord was with them and afforded them courage by the saving of souls and the addition of members. LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. 269 April. During this month we have had the assistance of Bro's Smiley, and Dyson (a Meth- odist preacher) , and the work of grace is still o^oino- on. May. This month the pulpit was filled al- ternately by Bro. Bishop and mj^self, the work still progressing. June. The pulpit this month was filled by the same as last month, with several powerful exhortations by Bro. Bickley. Truly God's Spirit is operating upon the hearts and minds of his people. July. The Gth and 20th of this month Jacob Erb, from Buffido N. Y., filled the pulpit very acceptably to the people, and seemed to enjoy himself extra well, and expressed a desire to change his locality and make his home among this people. August. The first Sabbath of this month I preached to the people of Falling Spring. Some German folks, of Chambersburg, express- ed a desire that we should preach German to them in King street church, which I did the last Sabbath in the month. This was the first German sermon preached in the church. It had a good effect on the minds of the Germans, which was manifested in the future, by some of 270 LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOrF. them becomincr converted and anitinff with the church. September. The first Sabbath we had com- munion services, and Rev. Thomas, of the Virginia conference preached for us. Nothing of any note occurred the balance of the month. October 3rd. My son Samuel and wife arrived from the state of Indiana, and paid us a visit. On Sunday, 5th, I preached at King street church and there was great rejoicing. About the 19th I preached at a protracted meet- ing at Joseph Crider's ; in the evening eight came forward for prayer and two were blessed. November. A protracted meeting commenc- ed at Kino^ street church about the first week of this month, by holding daily prayer meeting. The meeting was protracted during this month with considerable success, a goodly number were saved and nine added to the church. December. The protracted meeting still on hands, and still going on during this month. So far some eighteen have made profession of religion, and twenty-three have been out as seekers ; fifteen during this meeting were added to the church. Had communion services on the 28th. The joy of the people was great, and the noise heard afar off. During the past year we have had many seasons of great joy, LIFE OF JOHN FETTEHHOFF. 271 and the year came to a close with peace and harmony in the church. 1880. January. There is nothing special. The church is still in a good spiritual condition, and the Sabbath-school has prospered much. On the 11th of this month there were present in the Sabbath-school 233. February. Weather very mild for winter. On the 22nd Bro. Smiley preached both morn- ing and evening. On the 24th we made gar- den. On the 25th we planted potatoes. March. On the 14th Bro. Ely preached for us at ten. In the afternoon 1 preached German. I preached German again on the 22nd, and it was a soul-stirring time. This far there were seven of the Germans converted and truly ob- tained the blessing to their souls. April. During this month I preached twice to the Germans. The Lord is still with us by his Spirit, blessing both Germans and English. May. Every other Sabbath I still preach to the Germans. The latter part of the month was extra warm, 96 degrees above zero. On the 30th Bro. Nelson, of Martinsburg, W. Ya., preached our dedicatory sermon, and had also communion services to-day. June. Meeting still kept up ; nothing extra- ordinary occurred. 272 LIFE OF JOHN FETTEKHOFF. July. The first Sabbath of this month Bro. Huber preached mornmg and evening. 18th I preached English at 10 o'clock, and German in the afternoon. Preached German the 25th. August. Nothing special this month ; meet- ings both English and German are still kept up. September. The first Sabbath I preached German. An extra state of good feeling. I am 82 years of age this 9th day of the month. Preached German again the 19th. The other Sabbaths were filled by English preaching. October. The first Sabbath of this month Bro. Wickey preached, and the pulpit was filled for some time by Bro's. Wickey and Weidler with good success. The following three Sabbaths I preached at Falling Spring, a protracted meeting being in progress there. November. The 2nd Sabbath of the month I preached German again ; a good attendance and a good feeling among them. The 18th of the month Susanna and I went to Armstrong valley in Dauphin county, and visited some of our relatives and some of the churches at Hali- fax, Jacksonville, Fishersville and Fetterhoflfs chapel. I tried to preach to the people, and Ave found some precious souls who have been in the service of the Lord a goodly number of LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFl\ 273 years, and they are still firm in the cause of God and stick to the old landmarks ; but many having been influenced by nullification ministers, and having stepped aside from the old paths, have lost the life of vital godliness, and have the form without the power. It is lamentable if we must say that many are more concerned for tiie fleece than the flock. 30th. I preached in our church. The meet- ing is protracted. December 1st. This week the meeting was attended wtth much of the blessing and power of God in the conversion of sinners. 7th. Five were out as seekers ; three were blessed with joy. The meeting was continued till the 28th. We had communion then and it was a soul-cheering time on account of the joy- ful presence of God. During this meeting eighteen made a profession. On the 1.5th we went down to Steelton, three miles below Har- risburg, where it is supposed they have the greatest iron works that are in America to make steel rails for railroad purposes. They produce from five to seven hundred steel mils per day, and consume one hundred and fifty tons of coal every twenty-four hours, and employ about seven hundred or seven hundred and fifty hands. We came home the 17th and in better health '27A LIFE OF JOHN FETTERHOFF. than when we started. The 20th it commenced snowinof at 12 o'clock, and continued snowinof for about twenty-four hours. About 8 niches of snow fell. 1881. January. This was an extraordmary €old month. The 20th it rained all night and froze. Never did I see so much ice on trees. The ice stayed on the trees several days on account of the cold. Our meetings were good. February. It still continued cold till the 13th, Sunday. Mild. I preached from Acts 10: 38. A joyful time. Four joined church. 20th. I preached German. There was a good attendance. Some are under conviction, and were converted durin«f this month. March 4th. Fifteen inches snow this morn- ing. During this month our meetings were much blessed and we had good attendance. 17th. Sacramental meeting. Bro. Weidler preached for us. The meeting was blessed with an overflow of joy ; it was good to be there. May. This month the meetings went on as usual without much change. German preach- ing was still kept up, and some six or eight were brought to a knowledge of the pardon of their sins, and joy in the Holy Ghost. June 11th. We went to Crider's. 12th I LIFE OF JOHxN FETTEKHOFF. 21 ^> preached in their church morning and evening. On Monday a little girl 13 years of age who was killed by a bull was buried here. I took cold and a severe cough during our stay here. I became so feeble that I could not attend to regular appointments. This jmt a stop to Ger- man meeting in our church. July 1st. At 2 o'clock I got a dis[)atch that m}' only daughter, Christena Upp, of nea.i LaFayette, Ind., had died this morning very sudden and unexpected. Now only two out of five of my children remain. 17th. Sunday. I preached for the colored Baptists. They are simple but honest Chris- tians. 24th. I am unwell — very feeble. oOth. Dr. Bowman called. He gave medi- cine, it had a good effect, 1 got better ; but I am still weak, not able to be up much. August. The first week was very warm. The thermometer stood between 90 and 9(> degrees. My two sons received a note from my wife on Wednesday evening, 4th, and on the 6th they started to come to see me, and on Saturday thev' arrived. As they found me better and on the mend they started back for home the 11th. The same day, our camp meet- ing commenced near Fayetteville. We did not 276 IJFE OF JOHS FETTEKHOFF. go to camp till Monday. We stayed till Thursday evening and then went home. I was <|uite unwell and had severe grav^el pains, and this continued for 2<^ or 80 days. The above camp meeting it was supposed would be a small thing, consisting of ten or fifteen tents and few preachers, and be much disturbed by the wick- ed. This all proved a mistake. There were thirty-three or thirty-live tents and some twenty preachers, some from a distance, a good con- gregation, and never was there better order at a meeting of this kind — no better behavior in a church house (so said). Many were saved from sin and made new in Christ Jesus. September 9th. This day I am 83 years old, and to look back to the days of my childhood time seems to have been short ; yet short as it seems, great and marvelous changes have taken place. In the early part of my life all or nearly all labor was performed by physical strength used by the hand, as grain cut with the cradle, threshed with a flail or tread out by horses, and many other acts of labor similar to this, which I have no time or space to mention, were per- formed in the same manner ; biit at this stage of my life nearly all work is done by machinery and steam power. In the church, in a moral point of view , the change is equally as great, LIFK OF JOHN FETTEKHOFF. 277 if not greater. In the j^ear 1818 I embraced religion, and obtained license to preach in May, 1819 ; and at this enrl}^ date of my knowledge of the church professors of experimental religion could be known by their walk and conversation, whether at home or abroad. Their dress and behavior were in strict accordance with the Bible; any other would not be indulged as church members by the fathers: therefore in those days there was no associating with ungod- ly or frivolous company, nor aiming to pattern after such in dress, &c., but a separation as the Book requires.— (Ex. 38: 16.) ^'Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing ; and I will receive you."— (2 Cor. 6: 17.) It was not allowed by the fathers to belong to any worldly association, or lodge, or any thing of the kind, which was i)roven by Bishop Newcomer at the Miami conference in the spring of 1820, and all the fathers as far as I know were in perfect sympathy with his proceed- ings. Thus the church was a perfect unit, and perfect peace and harmony reigned among them. While they had such leaders at their front, the laws of the church were enforced to the letter, and the blessing of God accompanied them in the conversion of sinners because they were 278 LIFE OF JOHN FETTEKHOFF. influenced by the Holy Ghost. What is the i'hurch to-da}'? Can you tell a truly converted person- — a member of the church from the world were you to meet him on the street or in the house of worship? and can a minister of the gospel be known from the world and its pro- fessions by his appearance ? Their sermons and labors are merely gathered from lectures and sketch books, and are thus chiefly head-work and have not the power of God in them. The aim is to oatlier all into the church that can be o-ot in, and thus members of worldly associa- tions are taken in and the laws of the church are not respected ))y them ; and, sorry to say, our church officers to a great extent lead the way in this direction, which is evident from the fact that they will select men as foremen of committees to do business for the church at the difl'erent confereu'-es who have declared them- selves opposed to a great portion of the laws of the church, and have met in conventions and declared that they would not respect the laws of the church as a whole : and such men seem to be esteemed as much, if not more, by some of our superintendents than those who are faith- ful to the laws of the church. As long as an vVnnual conference professes loyalty and puts men to her front as presiding eiders and othei' LIFE OF JoiiK fettp:uhoff. '27[^ officers who are not in full sympathy with the laws of the church, I can have no confidence in its loyalty. I am aware that the plea is that this is a progressive age and we must keep up with the times, but my impression is that this savors of infidelity. God, who is the originator of religion, we are taught never changes, but ever abides the same ; hence the religion which his Word advocates must remain the same : there- fore those who plead for a change in it might as w^ell plead for a change in God. The apos- tle admonishes us to walk ])y the same rule and mind the same things which we have received. Ahab loved the priests of Baal. Elij;ih knew that they were a curse to the church of God as all are who seek to blend woildly piinciples with God's service. This month (September) I was atiiicted and did not get to church, but I felt more of the presence of God than common. Glory to God, all is well. October. My health is improving. Sunday, 16th, I preached to a large congregation from Zechariah 13 : 7, 8, 9. There was a good state of feeling. The 22nd Joseph Fetterhoft* came to see us. The oOth 1 iireach^j-d from Luke 4 : 18-21. November. Sacnimentjil njeeting. Weidter j)reached. 'i'he meetinii" \vas j)r()tracted. The 280 LIFE OF JOH> Fi:T'J'El{HOFr. 14th we went to Joseph Crider's, and the 15th on the way home the horse got scared, run oif, upset the buggy and hurt us badly, but if the Lord had not taken care of us we might both have been killed. Sunday, 20th, 1 was at home, still suffering pain caused by the fall. The 27th I preached from Luke D : 23. Plight joined church, A very pleasant meeting. December 8th. I fell on the pavement and hurt my face and head badly, which prevented me from attending any of the meetings during the remainder of this month. 1882. January. The first Sunday I preach- ed to the colored Baptists. They were much effected. On account of ill health and hio^h wind and cold weather I was prevented from attendino: meetino^ at the church durinof this month, but the protracted meeting that was begun in Noveinber is still going on and kept up by the })ious labors of sisters and some lay- brethren. February Dth. This day Logan Keller died — the best youncr man in Chambersburo-, the most pious, unassuming, humble and devoted Christian. The 26th I preached. A good meeting. Four joined church, and so far it was said upwards of 70 made a profession of relig- ion ; ])ut we mny say as Christ said, "Many LIFK OF JOHN FETTEKHOFF. 281 arc called, but few are chosen" amoiw those who make a profession. It is to be feared that there are too many among them who are of the character of Demas ; they love this present world and its fashions and will make shipwreck of faith.— (1 Tim. 1: 9; and 2 Tim. 4: 10.) Such persons do more injury to the cause of Christ than all the infidels in the world. This has been the ruin of the church in an early day, and in the reformation in Europe. Persons professed faith in Christ, and fell in love with men of the world and kept their company and became like unto them. And just so it is now in America. You can not see a difference be- tween those who profess Christianity and those who do not in their dress or walk as you meet them on the street or in the church, unless by some church form. April 2nd. Weidler preached. The sermon was clear, but not powerful as usual. On the 30th we again had sacramental meeting. It was not as interestino* as was common on such o occasions. May 7th. Ely preached, and Weidler ex- horted. There was a soul-stirring and noisy time. The 20th Joseph Crider came after us. We went home with him. On Sunday we heard Burtner preach. It was a sensible dis- 282 LIFE OF JOHN FETTEKHOFF. course on the character of Christians. At candle-light I preached. The church at this place is in a better condition than it had been for some time past. June. The dropsy has a great hold on me again ; my face, legs and feet are nmch swollen, but I have not much pain, though unpleasant feeling in my bod3\ The 18th I preached and went home with Jacob Xicklas. Being indis- posed I have been prevented from attending night meeting, as I am very weak and afflicted with dizziness or verdigo as it is called. July 2nd. Preached from Luke 13 : '62. I said something about Herod the fox, his mes- sage to Christ and Christ's reply to him — that he was attending to the work of casting out devils and healing the sick, and he would keep on at that until his Avork was done, for after the gospel day there will be no more souls saved by Christ. The doctrine of hell redemption has no foundation. Thursday, 5th, mother Monn came to see us and stayed till the 10th, then went l)ack to Ebersoles where she has her home. 9th. Weidler preached. AVe had sacra- ment. Bishop preached the two following- Sabbaths, and on the 80th Bro. Tol)ey, of Ohio, tilled the pulpit. He i)reached well. LIFE OF JOHN FETTER] lOFF. 283 August Gth. I preached from Zech. 3:2. The 10th our camp meeting commenced in B. Small's woods. Prayer meeting on the 13th at Williams' at 4 ox-lock, P. M. On the 14th we went to camp meeting. Rev. Donevan preached, then the sacrament was administered. There was much powder and joy among the saints. The 17lh we went home in better health. Weidler preached in our church on the 20th. The 26th Crider took us to his home. We returned the 28th. Wet weather lately, but to-day is very pleasant. 30th. The dropsy is still working on me; I do not feel Avell. September 3rd. At 10 o'clock Bro. Bishop preached — cold and dull. On the 10th he lect- ured on Masonry at 10 o'clock. 14th. I do not feel well, have pain in my breast and shoulders. 17th. Bishop preached, and Ely exhorted well. 24th. At 10 o'clock I preached from 1 Cor. 12: 17. Visited Rinehardt' J. Up to this -.o** ,■«,'*■ .* y^^\ V,/ :M/k^ %^o ^^. " * ^ ^= *^o< .• .«•• o, -;