&S3H 
 

 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 
 
 ugxma 
 
 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 
 
FROM THE 
 
 PIT TO THE PULPIT; 
 
 OR, 
 
 A SOT AT SIXTEEN. 
 
 BY -VJ^TI^lsr .A.. ZD^IECIE. 
 
 CHICAGO. ILL 
 
 BAKER & ARNOLD. 
 
 1880. 
 
 Agents Wanted.— -Price, 30 Cents. 
 
H%jQ#*u« f 
 
FROM THE 
 
 PIT TO THE PULPIT; 
 
 OR, 
 
 A SOT AT SIXTEEN 
 
 A TKIJE ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE OF PHIL. C. HA¥M, 
 
 BY 
 
 "VIATI^Isr .A.. DAKB. 
 
 FOR YOUNG MEN, ABOUT A YOUNG MAN, BY A YOUNG MAN. 
 
 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit.'" — Psalm xL,2 9 
 
 CHICAGO, ILL, 
 
 BAKER & ARNOLD. 
 
 1880. 
 
 fr 
 
 

 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1880, 
 
 BY IIANNA & DAKE, 
 
 In tlie office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. 
 
 
* 
 
 3 
 
 The following pages are written for the benefit of young men* 
 ¥he terrible tide of sin which is daily hurrying them to destruc- 
 tion needs to be stemmed. Books are constantly published cal- 
 culated to lower the morals of the young and ruin them, while 
 those of the opposite tendency are like travelers on the " narrow 
 way" — few. Should these lines aid in rescuing one young man 
 from hell, the work of the author will have been amply re- 
 warded. Vivian A. Dake. 
 
 Waterloo, Iowa. 
 
nsroTiEL 
 
 The thanks of the author are hereby tendered to Rev. M. L. 
 Vorheis and Rev. P. C. Burhans, for aid in collecting a part of 
 the subject matter of this volume. v. a. d. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Page. 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 The Prairie Home, . . . . . . • . .9 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Dangers of Pioneer Life, . . . . . . . .11 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Lent to the Lord . . . . . . . . .14 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 Law Instead of Gospel . . . . . . . .16 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Doctor of Profanity, . . . . . . . . .19 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 On the Down Grade, . . . .' . . . .21 
 
 CHAPTER VII, 
 Who Comes Now? . . . . . . . . .23 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 A Sot at Sixteen, ......... 26 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 I'm Shot, I'm Shot, . 30 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 I Believe in Hell, . . . . • . . . .31 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 A Christmas Revel, ......... 32 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Chili Seminary, . . . . . . . . t . 37 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 The Journey to York State, ........ 40 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 Pray, Y ou Methodist Jew, Pray. . . . . . . .42 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 Narrow Escape from Death, 
 
 CHAFTER XVI 
 
 Narrow Escape Continued. . 
 
 CHAPTER XVII 
 Under-ground Meetings, 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII 
 
 Rebellion and its Consequences, . 
 
 CHAPTER XIX 
 Playing Crazy, .... 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 Settling up With the Devil, . 
 
 CHAPTER XXI 
 Converted, ..... 
 
 CHAPTER XXII 
 A Great Salvation, .... 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII 
 A Great Salvation Continued, 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV 
 A Night of Fearful Conflict, 
 
 CHAPTER XXV 
 Sanctified, ..... 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 Dig Tent Campaign, ..... 
 
 CHAPTER XXVII 
 From the Pit to the Pulpit, .... 
 
 Page 
 . 44 
 
 . 47 
 
 . 49 
 
 . 51 
 
 . 53 
 
 56 
 
 . 57 
 
 (50 
 
 . 62 
 
 . 63 
 
 64 
 
 . 65 
 
 , (56 
 
CHAPTER I. 
 
 THE PRAIRIE HOME. 
 
 Waterloo is a thriving city of about 8,000 inhabitants, situ- 
 ated near the junction of Black Hawk Creek with Red Cedar 
 River. Less than sixty years ago its site and the surrounding 
 country was a pathless wilderness. Where now the scream of 
 the locomotive, the hammer of the artisan and the hum of indus- 
 try are heard, naught then broke the silence save the war-whoop 
 of the Indian, the rumble of the cataract, or the wild yell of the 
 panther. Where now convenient dwellings, fine church build- 
 ings and huge brick blocks greet the eye, then the smoke from a 
 single rude log cabin was the only index of civilized life. 
 
 The occupants of this humble "Pioneer Home" were Geo. W. 
 and Mary Hanna, parents of the subject of our narrative, who , 
 
10. FROM THE PIT TO THE PULPIT. 
 
 in the summer of 1844 left their home in Southern Illinois, and, 
 having traversed the vast prairie stretching between, took up a 
 large claim of land, and became the first white settlers of Black 
 Hawk County, Iowa. Near this place (December, 1879), they 
 still reside, "old and full of years." 
 
 At the time of which we write, the country was very thinly 
 settled. It was thirty miles to the nearest white settlement, and 
 to the nearest postoffice and blacksmith shop thirty miles farther. 
 These would now be considered very discouraging circumstances, 
 but in addition to the rugged constitution of Western pioneers, 
 they had a large stock of natural courage, and they were deter- 
 mined to go through. 
 
 The second winter spent in their new home was one of un- 
 usual severity. The snow fell to a great depth and remained all 
 winter. It was so extremely cold that for a long time they could 
 not reach the mill, and were obliged to live on pounded corn. 
 During the winter Indians frequented their cabin, begging for 
 something to eat. Among these was Chief Big Way, the brother 
 of the celebrated 
 
 BLACK HAWK. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Hanna treated them kindly, giving them food, 
 thus gaining their friendship. No depredations were committed, 
 by them in all their intercourse with the family. 
 
 " There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come 
 nigh thy dwelling.'' — Psalms xci., 10. 
 
Chapter ii. 
 
 DANGERS OF PIONEER LIFE. 
 
 Mr. Hanna and family, although exposed to all the dangers 
 incident to pioneer life, yet by the blessing of God, always es- 
 caped material injury. One very fruitful source of danger was 
 from the prairie fires. In the fall of the year the tall prairie 
 grass was dry as tinder ; then the ashes from the pipe of some 
 hunter or trapper, or the remains of the emigrant's fire, would 
 kindle into life, and away before the wind it would rush, on its 
 errand of destruction. The swiftest beasts of the prairie, stifled 
 by the clouds of smoke, became its easy prey. Woe to the man 
 who should cross its track. The only safety was by kindling 
 a "back-fire," which would meet the coming flames until they 
 would interlock their fiery arms like giants in battle. One 
 morning in the fall, soon after their arrival at their new home, 
 the fire was seen coming in the direction of their cabin. They 
 rushed out on the prairie and kindled a "back-fire," but not be- 
 ing used to such an undertaking, the fire got away from them, 
 and swept toward the house and their store of winter hay. The 
 men ran to save their hay, leaving Mrs. H. to take care of the 
 house. Although she had never seen fire whipped out, she 
 seized some brush, ran down the path, whipping out the fire at 
 every stroke, and saved the house. 
 
 We have already stated that the Indians never committed 
 depredations in their visits to this family ; but on one occasion, 
 when Mr. Hanna was away, two Indians came and ordered Mrs. 
 H. to get them something to eat. Not obtaining what they de- 
 sired, they tried to frighten her by 
 
 POINTING THEIR GUNS AT HER. 
 
 But she was not to be frightened so easily. Taking down the 
 
12. 
 
 FROM THE PIT TO THE PULPIT. 
 
 rifle, she said, " Puck-ha-chee-cow-een" — that is, "Leave in a 
 hurry, you mean Indians." They then quietly left, saying that 
 she was a " ffish-a-shure" or "good squaw." 
 
 On another occasion Mrs. H. started to a neighbor's house on 
 horseback. As the wind blew coldly across the prairie, she took 
 a by-path through the woods. All at once her horse stopped, 
 pricked up his ears, and began to snort. Looking ahead she saw a 
 
 LARGE PANTHER 
 
 lying in the edge of the thicket, with his paws in the path. As 
 their eyes met, he seemed as much surprised as she. Giving 
 the reins to her horse, she dashed to one side and went on her 
 way. When she arrived at the neighbor's and told her adven- 
 ture, they were very much surprised that she should come on af- 
 ter meeting a panther. 
 
 During the severe winter of 1845, the brother of Mrs. H. 
 started from near the present site of Cedar Rapids, expecting to 
 reach the "Prairie Home" before night. But an " Iowa bliz- 
 zard " set in so furiously, that night found him miles away. His 
 oxen also tired out, so that he could go no farther. The wolves 
 
DANGERS OF PIONEER LIFE. 18. 
 
 had scented his track and were howling around him. To add 
 to the darkness of his situation, he had 
 
 BUT ONE MATCH, 
 
 and on this his safety depended. With care he prepared for his 
 Sre, and struck his match, and, to his joy, was successful. All 
 night he kept up the fire, as well to keep from freezing as to 
 drive away the hungry wolves, whose blazing eyes shone amid 
 the darkness. The next day, worn out with fatigue, danger 
 and hunger, having had nothing to eat for more than twenty- 
 four hours, he reached the cabin. 
 
 The same spirit of courage so evident in the parents was pos- 
 sessed by the children. When John, the oldest son, was eight 
 years of age, he had an old gun-barrel, with which he used to go 
 hunting. He had two dogs, which always followed him when 
 he would shoulder his gun-barrel for a hunt. One day while in 
 the woods with his dogs, he saw a large 
 
 WILD-CAT, 
 
 and determined to kill it. He set his dogs on, which immedi- 
 ately treed it. This fearless child then climbed the tree, shook 
 the wild-cat from the limb to the ground, and jumping down, 
 took his gun-barrel, and helped the dogs to kill it. When he 
 came up to the house with the wild-cat on his shoulder, it was 
 so large that it dragged on the ground behind him. When asked 
 if he was not afraid to go up into the tree, he said : " The wild- 
 cat growled and showed his teeth, but I wasn't going to be 
 backed out by him." Other incidents might be told, but these 
 will suffice to show the "perils of border life." 
 
 " The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that 
 fear him, and deliver eth them" — Psalms xxxiv., 7. 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 LENT TO THE LORD. 
 
 Phil. C. Hanna was born June 27, 1857. His parents were 
 Methodists, who, filled with a spirit of consecration, early lent 
 this child to God " for the defense of the Gospel." His mother 
 says, "I gave Philip to the Lord when he was born, and felt 
 then that God accepted the gift ; and through all his wayward- 
 ness, when my heart was wrung with sorrow, my faith never 
 wavered." When but a few days old, an aged " mother in Israel " 
 came to see him, and under the inspiration of the Spirit — like 
 Anna, the prophetess, in the temple — "gave thanks likewise to 
 God," saying: "This boy shall yet preach the Gospel, I feel it 
 in my soul." It is a signal failure when Christian parents fail 
 heartily to give their children to God. Many men eminent for 
 holiness, were thus consecrated in childhood. Who has not read 
 of God's special watch-care over the consecrated Wesley — snatch- 
 ing him from the burning flames that he might " spread 
 
 SCRIPTURAL HOLINESS 
 
 -)ver the lands." 
 
 Thus did God watch over this boy. One day, when about two 
 years and a half old, Judge Couch, who was building a bridge 
 across the Cedar River, found him far out on the stringers, where 
 it seemed a miracle that he was not dashed to pieces. At other 
 times God showed forth his preserving care. Having thus en- 
 tirely resigned him to God, his parents were not surprised when 
 he began to play preach, and he soon became generally known 
 as the " preacher of the family." A chair for a pulpit, the other 
 children for an audience, the text generally from the "forty 'lev- 
 en th chapter of Jerusalem," his favorite hymns, "John Brown's 
 Body" and "Dixie Land," and the burden of his message, 
 
LENT TO THE LORD. 15. 
 
 "The copperneads will have the hottest corner in hell." But 
 the most important part of the meeting was the collection, which 
 he never failed to take. Like many modern preachers, it was 
 the money he wanted. 
 
 When about four years old, he asked his Uncle Philip, who 
 was making a visit to Mr. Hanna's, to show him how to preach. 
 His uncle was an itinerant minister. 
 
 The first day he went to school he got the children around 
 him and preached to them. When he came home he told his 
 parents : u When I get to be a man the school-ma'am is going 
 to come to hear me preach with her spectacles on." And such 
 has been the case. 
 
 It can be G8en from these items how this one idea had taken 
 possession of his young soul. In after years, when he had re- 
 solved upon a life of ambition and devotion to self, this thought, 
 U I must preach," drove him from one degree of wickedness to 
 another. He resolutely hardened his heart, saying that he 
 would not preach if he went to hell for the refusal. But though 
 he fought his convictions of duty for years, yet this boy, " lent 
 to the Lord " in childhood, now stands upon the " walls of Zion," 
 saying to the young men of our land, lost as he was : 
 
 " Behold the Lamb of Grod, which taketh away the sins of the 
 world." — John i., 36. 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 LAW INSTEAD OF GOSPEL. 
 
 The great effort of the enemy of souls is to lead from the path 
 of duty. We have seen that God had sealed Phil, in childhood 
 for the work of the ministry, and already the enemy had begun 
 to steel his heart against his convictions. Not by leading him 
 at once to the saloon or card table, but by showing him the glory 
 of the world, and promising him riches and fame if he would but 
 worship him. 
 
 The seductive bait was in the debating clubs, which at that 
 time were very fashionable in that part of the country. They 
 were composed of young men of twenty years of age and up- 
 wards, and although Phil, was yet in his teens, he became an 
 acceptable member. The debates were upon " questions of the 
 day," and often drew large audiences. Sometimes one of these 
 societies would challenge another to debate on some important 
 question. If accepted, the challenged party would repair to 
 their opponents' debating rooms, a judge would be chosen, and 
 amid much excitement, the debate would ensue. In these " chal- 
 lenge debates" Phil, took a prominent part, and generally suc- 
 ceeded in convulsing the audience by his odd thoughts and forci- 
 ble way of speaking. 
 
 One of the most interesting exercises of these clubs was 
 "the mock court." 
 They would have a judge, who was generally a retired lawyer ; a 
 jury, who were sworn to find a verdict of guilty in every case ; a 
 sheriff and deputy, who were armed with revolvers ; constables ; 
 a clerk of court ; indeed every officer necessary to the establish- 
 ment of a court. Phil, was elected prosecuting attorney, and so 
 well did he^manage his cases that he was continued in that office. 
 
LAW INSTEAD OF GOSPEL. 17. 
 
 It was here particularly that his peculiarities of mind and ec- 
 centricity of ways attracted the attention of the people. They 
 declared he would some day make a successful attorney ; thus 
 helping the enemy in turning his mind from the ways of the 
 Lord. 
 
 One of these trials in particular created much excitement. It 
 was the case of "The State vs. Billy." A young man known 
 as "Billy " had been living upon the charity of the people for a 
 long time. The boys were tired of him, and determined to get 
 rid of him at the first opportunity. They did not have long to 
 wait. One Sabbath morning this young man asked one of the 
 boys to lend him some money. The boy answered, " Certainly, 
 certainly, I shall be glad to accommodate you," and putting his 
 hand into his pocket as if to get it, said, "I declare, I have no 
 change with me, but I will give you an order on one of the boys 
 who owes me, if that will do." Billy said, " That will do." So 
 the boy wrote the following order : 
 Mr. John G.: 
 
 Pay to the bearer," Billy," five dollars in cats, dead dogs and old rags, 
 and charge to my accoimt. 
 
 Tom. 
 
 As Billy could neither read nor write, he took the order to 
 the one addressed, who readily saw through the scheme, and 
 sent him to another boy who owed him ; and so they kept Billy 
 running from boy to boy to get that five dollars. Phil, now 
 thought he had a good subject for a trial. After all was ready, 
 the sheriff and his assistant were sent to arrest Billy. Sup- 
 posing them to be officers of the law, he followed them to the 
 "mock court" room. The charge was then read, which was 
 "forgery, Sabbath-breaking, and other crimes." 
 
 During the progress of the trial the prosecuting attorney said 
 that he had heard the report that the prisoner had about him 
 concealed weapons, and that he had said that he would kill some 
 of his enemies should he be convicted. The defense denied it, 
 whereupon a search was instituted, which brought to light a 
 
 LOADED REVOLVER, 
 
 which had been secretly slipped into Billy's pocket by the pros- 
 
18. FROM THE PIT TO THE PULPIT. 
 
 ecution. This created great excitement, and in a few moments 
 the jury brought in a verdict of guilty, and the judge condemned 
 him to be hung by the neck until he was "dead, dead, dead." 
 The court permitted him to give bail for his appearance the next 
 morning at 9 o'clock, which was the hour fixed for the execu- 
 tion. The boy who went his bail advised him to leave, saying 
 that he had sooner pay the bail than have him hung ; so Billy 
 took the advice and left. 
 
 These and other cases made Phil, ambitious, and he deter- 
 mined to be a lawyer; " For then," said he, " I shall not have to 
 preach." But when the excitement of these scenes was over, 
 in spite of a determination to follow a profession contrary to his 
 convictions, the Spirit of God still wrote "his work" so deeply 
 on his heart that he would tremble. Should any one say any- 
 thing to him about preaching, he would become greatly enraged. 
 Then followed persistent efforts to banish all serious thoughts 
 from his mind, and make his own damnation sure. 
 
 " There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end 
 thereof are the ways of death." — Proverbs xiv., 12. 
 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 DOCTOR OF PROFANITY. 
 
 Of all modes of sinning, swearing is the hardest work for the 
 poorest pay. The thief, murderer and drunkard have an end to 
 gain, vile though it be ; but the swearer mouths over, idly and 
 maliciously, the name of the great God for mere pastime. He 
 gains neither money, a good name, nor friends. No sin is more 
 common, none more damning. 
 
 As Phil, had determined to harden his heart, he early took 
 advantage of this great weapon of sin. The first oath caused 
 him much trouble. He thought he could see glaring eyes of fire 
 in the darkness, and thought it was Satan come to drag him 
 away. This he thought was childish, and he swore more to get 
 rid of these feelings, until he could use the most terrible oaths 
 without fear. 
 
 While yet young in sin, his ungodly companions gave him the 
 title of "Doctor of Profanity." He would continue one of his 
 terrible strains of cursing until old gray^headed sinners would 
 beg him to stop, saying: "Young H., I never saw such a case 
 as you: you are God-forsaken and hell-possessed." 
 
 When alone he would call God insulting names, and accuse 
 him of injustice and meanness. He seemed to take a delight in 
 the fact that he could thus destroy all fear of God and his judg- 
 ments. But in thunder storms he was especially profane, and 
 would dare God, if he could be so mean, and stoop so low, to 
 strike him with his fire-works, closing with a terrible oath. He 
 would call himself Jesus Christ, and go through the most dis- 
 gusting performances. He took great delight in manufacturing 
 new oaths, and would then repeat them to his ungodly associates. 
 
 "His mercy endureth forever," was the only reason that this 
 
20. FROM THE PIT TO THE PULPIT. 
 
 terrible basphemy did not bring down fierce wrath upon him. 
 But God saw the desperate effort to thus harden his heart and to 
 
 THE CROSS, 
 
 and " in wrath remembered mercy." 
 
 Afterward, although saved himself from this sin, the world 
 would have been cheerfully given to have called back the influ- 
 ence of those " evil words.'* 
 
 Young men, stop swearing. It is an insult to God and man. 
 You insult God, and thus man's best friend. You gain nothing 
 and lose all. I beseech you to stop before the wrath of God is 
 poured out upon your guilty heads, for 
 
 " The Lord will not hold him guiltless that talceth his name in 
 vain." — Ex. xx„ 7. 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 
 ON THE DOWN GRADE. 
 
 The evil associates that Phil, chose helped him on rapidly in 
 the way to ruin. They were the worst young men in the coun- 
 try. They were from five to ten years older than himself, and 
 were well versed in all the ways of sin. His constant companion 
 was a burly, muscular fighter, the terror of the country, by the 
 
 name of Mc . He had become very fond of Phil., and would 
 
 allow no one to injure him ; would fight for him at a moment's 
 notice. Under his influence Phil, was led deeper into sin. Their 
 pastimes consisted of dancing, swearing, larking, Sunday horse- 
 racing, and card-playing, while their habits were in correspond- 
 ence. They smoked and chewed tobacco, and occasionally 
 drank. He was warned, all to no purpose. If he became a 
 Christian, it was "preach," so he plunged recklessly downward. 
 
 One Sabbath afternoon Phil., Mc , and another young 
 
 man, were out on a stroll. When they came to a turn in the 
 creek, they saw about seventy young men and boys bathing. 
 Phil, said, " Boys, they have no business in there, so near the 
 road; let's stone them." So they began to shower the stones 
 in among them. Out they came, and at it they went, and bloody 
 noses and black eyes finished up the strife. What a scene for 
 God's holy day! this boy, "lent to the Lord," in a bloody 
 row, while perhaps at that very moment, in her secret place, his 
 mother pleaded with God for his salvation. 
 
 In searching for sport, the camp meetings were grand places 
 for H and his companions. To be sure, they cared but lit- 
 tle for the services, but while others were worshipping God, they 
 were rummaging the dinner baskets. They would not take all 
 that there was in a basket, but would select choice portions — a 
 
22. 
 
 FROM THE PIT TO THE PULPIT. 
 
 chicken here, a pie there, a cake yonder — and then would retire 
 to the woods and have a merry time devouring their stolen booty. 
 This done, then for the smaller species of mischief and disturb- 
 ance, until late at night. If any one approached him on the 
 subject of his soul at these places, he delighted in turning it off 
 in a fine joke. At one time a young preacher came up to him, 
 laid his hand on his shoulder, and said, 
 
 "YOUNG MAN, 
 
 the devil has a hold on you." "Yes," answered Phil., " I know 
 it; I feel his hand on my shoulder now." At this sally his com- 
 panions laughed in glee, while the preacher left him, doubtless 
 thinking that the enemy had full possession of him, and naught 
 could save him from ruin. 
 
 " Rejoice, young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer 
 thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy heatt 
 and in the sight of thine eyes ; but know thou that for all these 
 things God will bring thee into judgment." — Eccl. xi., 9. 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 "WHO COMES NOW?" 
 
 Falsehood is always a sure accompaniment of crime. One 
 sin conceals another. The man who steals, drinks, or injures 
 his neighbor, must lie to cover it up. Thus it was with Phil., 
 and the step from lying to conceal his wrong-doing, to lying for 
 sport, was but short. He would sit and spin out a yarn to a 
 great length, while his companions would listen in wonder, not 
 knowing whether to believe him or not. 
 
 Of course these stories were interspersed with ribald jests and 
 fearful strains of profanity, which he knew too well how to use. 
 At one time, when among the boys, he began a marvelous story. 
 His comrades listened quietly until he was through, when one of 
 them said, u That reminds me of a 
 
 DREAM 
 
 that I had last night. I dreamed that I went to hell. When I 
 arrived at the door, it was opened, and I was in the presence of 
 the Devil. He sat in an arm-chair, with his feet upon the table ; 
 by his side stood a jug of rum. He had a paper in his hand, 
 and was reading of the last day's conflict with truth, and its re- 
 suit. All about him were little devils, who were running here 
 and there, obeying orders. I went all around the regions, and 
 then came back to the first room. Every little while some one 
 would come to hell, and be sent to his abode. All at once there 
 was a terrible racket outside, and one of the devils flew to the 
 door and opened it quickly. The Devil jumped to his feet, 
 laid the paper down, and asked, ' Who comes now ? ' The lit- 
 tle devil replied, 'Phil. Hanna.' ' Well, well,' said the Devil, 
 ' tell him to come right in and take the chair. I always said 
 that when a bigger liar than myself came to this place 1 would 
 
24. FROM THE TIT TO THE PULPIT. 
 
 resign my position to him ; ' and suiting the action to the word, 
 he seated Phil, in the chair. When I awoke, it was a dream." 
 During the winter of 1874, there was a great deal of talk 
 about haunted houses. One house in particular, some five miles 
 from Waterloo, was the subject of much gossip. There were 
 stories of strange lights in the windows, of horrible screams and 
 groans from the cellar, of doors slamming, etc. One story was 
 of a woman who was said to have been seen coming from the 
 house with a sword of naming fire in her right hand, while with 
 her left she grasped a small child by the hair of his head. Phil, 
 and his companions decided to investigate this house, and if 
 there was not a haunt, to make one. They invited a number of 
 young men to go with them, and one fine moonlight night started 
 with a four-horse team for the "haunted house." Soon the 
 place was reached, and they proceeded to the house. They went 
 inside, and as nothing appeared, the fearful became bold. They 
 went up stairs, and finding nothing there, searched through the 
 house to the cellar, when a terrible sight met their gaze ; blood 
 on the walls, and in the center of the cellar a new made grave. 
 Phil, made up his mind to know what was in the grave, and took 
 up a board and began to dig. While he was digging, doleful 
 cries came from the garret. Scream after scream, and shriek 
 after shriek, burst upon the ears of the affrighted boys. Still 
 Phil, dug away. Soon some old bones were taken out, and in 
 the bottom of the hole was found a nest of walnuts. By some 
 means the lights were put out and the doors slammed shut. Some 
 of the boys were terribly scared, and they all rushed to the barn. 
 While standing there, talking, a figure approached and entered 
 the house. Some of the boys cried out, " The haunt, the haunt," 
 and rushed after it. The others followed, fearing to be left 
 alone. They again searched the house, but found nothing. Some 
 of the frightened ones were just starting down stairs, when a 
 tick filled with straw came tumbling from the garret's " scuttle 
 hole" upon their heads. Without stopping to see what it was, 
 or whence it came, they cleared the stairs at a bound, and were 
 soon away from the house. 
 
"WHO COMES NOW?" 25. 
 
 Great was the excitement, and many the stories. The truth 
 was, that one of the boys in the secret was a natural ventrilo- 
 quist, and he was the author of the screams and groans. The 
 figure was a boy playing a part, who ran into the house and hid 
 in the garret. I have related this anecdote to show Phil.'s de- 
 ceptive nature, and also to show the way that these stories of 
 " haunted houses " turn out. In this case the property was a 
 very fine one, and the voices and sights were gotton up by some 
 one who desired to buy a cheap farm. Thus have we traced 
 briefly another of the means used by the enemy to harden Phil, 
 and make sure of his ruin. 
 
 " As a madman who easteth fire-brands, arrows, and death, 
 so is the man that deeeiveth his neighbor and saith, Am not I in 
 sport? " — Prov. xxvi., 18, 19. 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 A SOT AT SIXTEEN. 
 
 When about fifteen years of age Phil, began to drink What 
 feelings of conviction he could not banish by swearing, lie thought 
 to destroy by whisky. He was not a moderate drinker long, 
 but went at it desperately, caring not if he became a sot, if only 
 all thoughts of duty and 
 
 ETERNITY 
 
 could be driven away. 
 
 He seemed to omit boyhood, leaping from childhood into the 
 association of the most depraved. Naturally his heart was ten- 
 der ; this must be overcome ; the only way was to sin with all 
 his might. He sinned with such a desperate determination that 
 in a very short time he was changed from an innocent boy to a 
 wretched sot. 
 
 During the summer season he would invite a number of the 
 boys to the woods, where he would bring a keg of beer, into 
 which he would generally put whisky, and he would deal it out 
 until himself and all the boys were drunk. Then came angry 
 words, and their meetings would often break up in a fight. In- 
 deed, he has lain in the woods alone for hours at a time, dead 
 drunk. \ 
 
 At one time, while in the woods, he came across a party of in- 
 toxicated foreigners. He was filled with liquor himself, and 
 concluding that they needed the gospel, he climbed upon a 
 stump and began to preach to them, concluding with the asser- 
 tion that he was Jesus Christ. Drinking and carousing was now 
 the order of the day. He attended many "brewery dances," 
 often being in great danger. At times the different nationalities 
 would become involved in a fight, when knives and revolvers were 
 
"Indeed, he has lain in the woods alone for hours at a time, dead drunk." (Seepage ! 
 
A SOT AT SIXTEEN. 
 
 29. 
 
 freely used, and some seriously injured. He spent whole nights 
 gambling and drinking, in the worst saloons in the country, and 
 when he would get drunk his profanity and insults to God were 
 so terrible that the old "sots" would tremble for fear that God 
 would strike him dead. To see a beardless boy of sixteen 
 filled with liquor, defying God, and connecting the name of Jesus 
 Christ with the most trivial and disgraceful subjects, was enough 
 "to make the cheek of darkness pale." 
 
 " Look not upon the wine when it is red. .... At the last 
 it biteth like a serpent and stingeth like an adder." — Prov. xxiii., 
 31. 32. 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 
 " i*m shot, i'm shot ! " 
 
 The "belling parties," as they were called in the West, were 
 things of great enjoyment to Phil, and his comrades, inasmuch 
 as they afforded opportunities for sprees. When a couple were 
 married, the company would meet and elect officers ; then, late at 
 night, they would surround the house, and with one accord would 
 begin to make all the noise they could, by yelling, and beating 
 drums, kettles, old tin-pans, and whatever else would make a 
 noise. This noise would be continued until the bridegroom 
 would make his appearance and give them money to buy liquor. 
 
 At one time one of Phil.'s associates was married, and the 
 boys determined to bell him. Silently the company surrounded 
 the dwelling, and the signal was given to begin. With that 
 they set up a terrible noise ; horns blowing, bells ringing, drums 
 beating, and boys hallooing. By and by the noise ceased, but no 
 sign of movement in the house. The leaders became angry, and 
 declared they would bring him out if they pulled the house 
 down. They took a gun, and after loading it with powder, 
 raised the window and shot inside. 
 
 The bridegroom, while trying to put the window down, saw 
 the flash, smelled the powder, heard the report, and supposed 
 that it was a real charge fired at him. He imagined that he 
 was hit, and cried out, " I'm shot! I'm shot!" "Yes, replied 
 the leader of the band," and we are not done with you yet, un- 
 less you make your appearance immediately." He then came 
 out and gave some money to the boys, who repaired to a saloon, 
 called up the saloon-keeper, and began drinking. The rest of 
 the night was spent in drinking the "distilled damnation," by 
 which demons are made from the hearts of men." 
 
 " Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die." 
 — Ezek. xxxiii., 11. 
 
CHAPTER X. 
 
 I BELIEVE IN HELL. 
 
 Phil, was blessed in boyhood with a strong, rugged constitu- 
 tion, but his desperate efforts to run away from God had well 
 nigh ruined soul and body. The terrible nicotine poison infused 
 into his blood by the constant use of tobacco, and the consuming 
 fires of the deadly alcohol, together with exposure, were accom- 
 plishing their work. 
 
 Some nights were spent in the dance hall, with the brain 
 wild with excitement and drink ; some in the saloon, pouring 
 down liquor until he could contain no more ; and some by the 
 roadside, and 
 
 IN THE SNOW-DRIFTS, 
 
 intoxicated. No wonder that at last nature gave way, and a fe- 
 ver, caused by his excesses, brought him near death's door. But 
 even in his sickness he was hardened and careless. When asked 
 in regard to his soul's interest, and urged to prepare for eternity, 
 he would answer, "I believe in hell, and we are all going there." 
 Justice said, " Cut him down, why cumbereth he the ground ? " 
 but Mercy pleaded, "Spare him another year." God heard the 
 voice of Mercy, and he began to recover. 
 
 " But as for me, my feet were almost gone ; my steps had well 
 nigh slipped." — Psalm lxxiii., 2. 
 
CHAPTER XL 
 
 A CHRISTMAS REVEL. 
 
 For some time after getting up from this sick bed, Phil, re- 
 frained from drinking as deeply as before, and, as he had often 
 done, made vows to do better, only to break them. Before he 
 had regained his strength fully, his old comrades came and in- 
 vited him to go with them to a dance. This was on Christmas 
 Eve. When they passed through Waterloo they filled their bot- 
 tles with whisky, drinking quite freely besides. By the time 
 they arrived at the dance they were very merry. They contin- 
 ued to drink until they acted so badly that the girls would not 
 dance with them. They then went outside and got up a sham 
 fight, with the intention of having a row. Failing in this, they 
 went back and carried on till near daylight, when they started 
 
 back to Waterloo. At the Cenfral House saloon the drinking 
 continued. They then crossed the river, and went into a saloon 
 near the Illinois Central depot, one of the lowest dens in the 
 city. The bar-keeper was just setting out his array of choice 
 
A CHRISTMAS REVEL. 66. 
 
 Christmas liquors. Phil, called everybody in the saloon to the 
 bar, and when they had all drank he threw down a few buttons, 
 saying, " There's your pay." This made the bar-tender mad, 
 and he began to threaten. Whereupon Phil, began to pour forth 
 a volume of terrible curses at him, declaring, as he always did 
 when drunk, that he was Jesus, and that he would pay him for 
 his whisky. They then tumbled into the sleigh, and started for 
 home. Phil.'s best friend, Mc, lay in the bottom of the sleigh, 
 unable to help himself. Although when sober really attached to 
 Mc, yet now, crazed by liquor, Phil, thrust his boot-heels into 
 his face with all his might, and had he been possessed of sufficient 
 strength would have killed him where he lay. The driver nad 
 not drank as much as the rest, and when he was just in the edge 
 of town he determined to go back and " sober the boys off." Phil, 
 would not go back, but got out of the sleigh and started for 
 home. That was the last he remembered. He staggered into 
 a snow-drift and wallowed around for a long time. When at 
 last he got started for home, his clothes were torn and filled with 
 snow, and just merely hanging on him ; frost and ice in his hair; 
 his tongue swollen and lolling out of his mouth, and he swaying 
 from side to side of the road, tumbling down, and then stagger- 
 ing forward again. 
 
 It was near noon of Christmas, and the road was lined with 
 sleigh-load after sleigh-load of those who knew him, and now 
 witnessed his shame. What a sight ! A boy of sixteen stagger- 
 ing home after a night of debauchery, covered with snow, half- 
 naked, and with the senseless leer of the inebriate on his face. 
 It was enough to make Sin blush and retire to his native den. 
 When he reached home he walked up to the stove, held out his 
 hands as though to warm them, and fell forward. He was caught 
 by his sister and placed on the lounge, where his consciousness 
 returned. This awful night of drunkenness nearly resulted fa- 
 tally. The disease returned, and for some time he hovered be- 
 tween life and death. But at last he recovered, broken in health, 
 weakened in mind ; indeed but a mere wreck of his former self. 
 
34. FROM THE PIT TO THE PULPIT. 
 
 His parents were almost heart-broken, as before this they had 
 not known how terribly he had fallen. They made up their 
 minds that he must be farther away from his old comrades, and 
 determined that he should go to school. , 
 
 CHILI SEMINARY 
 
 was the place chosen, and in the spring of 1875 Phil, bade adieu 
 to his old comrades and his old haunts, and started for that place 
 of learning. 
 
 " Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging; and whosoever is 
 deceived thereby is not wise.'* — Prov. xx., 1. 
 
p 
 
CHAPTER XII. 
 
 CHILI SEMINARY. 
 
 Chili Seminary is located at North Chili, Monroe Co., New- 
 York, ten miles west of Rochester, on the Buffalo division of the 
 New York Central R. R. 
 
 It is in the midst of a beautiful, healthful and fertile couutry. 
 It was founded by the Rev. B. T. Roberts, A. M., senior Super- 
 intendent of the Free Methodist Church. 
 
 The object of this enterprise was to provide a place where 
 "Bible saltation" should be taught in connection with scientific 
 pursuits. As Rev. E. Owen said in a sermon to the students, 
 " The need of the world is 
 
 EDUCATION ON FIRE, 
 
 and the object of this school is to set science on fire with salva- 
 tion: a layer of salvation and then a layer of education." 
 
 The modern systems of education divorce learning and piety, 
 and feast the intellect while they starve the soul. Without grace 
 as ballast, "knowledge puffeth up." The more a rogue knows 
 the better is he fitted to commit evil and escape detection. Ru- 
 loff, the burglar, hanged at Binghampton for murder, was an ed- 
 ucated man, and the inventor of a system of communication, but 
 his learning only made him more expert in crime. Hence the 
 necessity of grace connected with knowledge; for at the best, 
 " Science is but the handmaid of religion," and we must keep her 
 in her place. 
 
 Bro. Roberts, who had for years been contending against the 
 tide of worldliness which had flooded the churches, saw that the 
 root of the evil was infthe early training. Hence the tears, 
 prayers, burdens and self-denial which resulted in our, at present, 
 flourishing seminary. 
 
38. FROM THE PIT TO THE PULPIT. 
 
 The school was first started in a hotel building, purchased for. 
 that purpose. Then, as a preliminary step toward a permanent 
 building, Bro. R. purchased a large farm, incurring a heavy debt, 
 which he carried for years. On this farm young men are given 
 work, who would otherwise be shut off from the privileges of 
 school. The first building was built of brick burned on the 
 farm. It is 60x40 ft., three stories above the basement. The kitch- 
 en, dining-room and four sleeping rooms occupy the basement. 
 On the second floor is the large chapel; the third floor contains 
 three study rooms, also the principal's and preceptress' rooms ; 
 while dormitories for gentlemen and ladies fill up the fourth 
 story. Another building of the same size has since been added. 
 
 The educational privileges are the same as of any other school 
 of like grade, but the streams of salvation flow continually. 
 There is generally a revival every term, and often the revival 
 sweeps the entire body of boarders. Sabbath morning and 
 evening are spent at the Free Methodist church in the vicinity. 
 An enjoyable Bible class is held at 4 p. m., Sabbath day. Fri- 
 dav evening there is a regular preaching service. But that 
 which old students remember as their "Bethel " was 
 
 THE TUESDAY NIGHT CLASS. 
 
 This class took different phases. Sometimes it was a mourn- 
 ers' meeting, as sinners cried out, " What must I do to be 
 saved?" or the sharp two-edged sword laid open the native de- 
 formity of our souls, and we plead, "If thou wilt, thou canst 
 make me clean." At other times it was a "hallelujah meeting." 
 Then would we see the shining faces, "the slain of the Lord," 
 lame men "leaping as harts," the multitude crying, "Hosannah, 
 hosannah ! " " while all the armies of the sky conspired to raise 
 thesound." Besides these, the students have a noon prayer 
 meeting, well kept up. 
 
 If you want your children to have good, religious instruction, 
 Chili Seminary, and our other schools, located at Spring Arbor, 
 Michigan, and Evansville, Wisconsin, will satisfy your wants. 
 
 This type of training has accomplished already untold good. 
 
CHILI SEMINARY* 39. 
 
 Young men and women who have wonderfully blessed the world, 
 have here been trained and gone forth to victory. Prof. A. H. 
 Stillwell, principal of Chili Seminary, Prof. D. S. Warner, of 
 Spring Arbor Seminary, and Prof. J. E. Coleman, are graduates of 
 Chili Seminary. Besides these, Chili Seminary has workers in 
 many of our conferences. In the Susquehanna Conference, C. 
 W. Stevens and W. H. Clark are battling for the Lord, while 
 Orlo Moore, of blessed memory, has "fought the good fight" 
 and entered "into rest." Orlo was much loved at the Seminary. 
 He introduced among us " The Old Israelites knew what it was 
 they must do," etc. How often I have heard him sing, 
 
 " The grave is near 
 The cradle scene ; 
 
 How swift the moments fly between, 
 And whisper as they go, 
 Vain man, alas ! 
 Kemember this, 
 
 Though fond of sublunary bliss, 
 That you must groan and die." 
 
 But he sings no more of death. W. F. Requa, John R. Ches- 
 bro and H. G. Smith are members of Genessee Conference, 
 while Wm. Cantine " died bravely at his post." New York 
 Conference enrolls G. Eakens; Ohio, N. R. Woods and C. B. 
 Schaeffer ; Kansas, W. W. Hulet ; Iowa, Vivian A Dake. Phil. 
 C. Hanna labors at large, at present, in Burlington. 
 
 Thus have we traced briefly the origin and success of this 
 Seminary. As long as salvation in simplicity and purity holds 
 the first place, so long shall Chili Seminary be a " Prairie in the 
 Earth," and when souls cease to be saved within its sacred walls, 
 then let them crumble down — its mission is ended. 
 
 "Salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks.' " — Isa- 
 iah xxvi., 1. 
 
CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 THE JOURNEY TO YORK STATE. 
 
 It being decided that Phil, should go to Chili, preparations 
 were soon made, and bidding farewell to the home of his youth, 
 he started on his journey. When he reached Chicago, as there 
 were many things strange to a prairie boy, he concluded to spend 
 a day in sight-seeing. So when an expressman asked him to 
 take a ride over the city, he gave his consent, and was soon 
 looking at the tunnels, water-works, and other points of interest. 
 After returning from his trip, the expressman endeavored to 
 make him pay an exhorbitant price for his ride. Phil, refused. 
 The expressman threatened to call a police. " Call one," said 
 Phil., "and I will call another." He then called a number of 
 expressmen to him, who tried to frighten Phil., but he was not 
 so easily scared. Finally, seeing that he could not extort 
 money, he accepted a reasonable compensation and left. 
 
 That night Phil, took the cars for the East, and after a long 
 ride through Canada, saw for the first time the foaming waters 
 of old Niagara. A ride of a few hours along the banks of the 
 Erie Canal, through a beautiful and fertile country, brought him 
 to Rochester ; then back ten miles along the Buffalo division of 
 * the N. Y. C. R. R., and he was in sight of the Seminary. 
 
 Strangers were always kindly received at the Seminary, and 
 Phil, soon felt at home. But few knew anything of his past life, 
 and although so wicked before, yet for a time he presented a 
 very good outward appearance. But as there was no power to 
 keep his good resolve in force, gradually he fell into his old 
 ways. He began by drinking on the sly, but soon he grew so 
 reckless that it became known to some. His parents had sent 
 him to Chili as a last effort for his salvation, so that his evils 
 
THE JOURNEY TO YORK STATE. 
 
 41. 
 
 were borne with for a time by the faculty, while increasing prayer 
 was offered up to God. 
 
 " Ask and it shall be given you." — Matt, vii., 7. 
 
CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 PRAY, YOU METHODIST JEW, PRAY. 
 
 At the Seminary, Phil, roomed with S , the son of a con- 
 verted prize-fighter, and Morris Leon, a converted Jew. Often, 
 
 after drinking, Phil, and S- would torment the Jew. They 
 
 tried his patience greatly, hut to his credit, be it said, he always 
 manifested the spirit of Christ. 
 
 On one oceasion they determined to have a meeting. They 
 questioned the Jew concerning his experience, and afterwards 
 told him that they were serving the Lord, and that he was bless- 
 ing them. They then proposed to close the meeting with prayer, 
 and called upon Morris to lead in prayer. Under the circum- 
 stances, he thought it would be but mockery, and stated that he 
 did not have a spirit of prayer. " Now, Jew," said Phil, "you 
 must pray. We will have no formal, backslidden Jew Meth- 
 odist around us, will we, Sam ? So you have got to pray. We 
 will stir you up to duty." But as the Jew still refused, Phil, 
 and Sam. took hold of him and tried to make him kneel. Not 
 being able to do this, they threw him at full length, and having 
 turned his face to the floor, Phil, sat upon his back, and pushing 
 his head down, cried out, "Now pray, Jew, pray." This was 
 too much for the poor Jew, and he began to pray with all his 
 might. Still he did not satisfy his tormentors, so Phil, stopped 
 him, saying, " Quit praying that way, and pray as I tell you." 
 The Jew stopped, and repeated a prayer as dictated to him. The 
 boys then declared him to be a dead formalist and without the 
 Spirit^of God, and prayed long and loud that God would a have 
 mercy upon the Jew and save him from formality. These prayer 
 meetings were often repeated, and still in the midst of such 
 heaven-defying scorn this "chief of sinners" was spared. 
 
PRAY, YOU METHODIST JEW, PRAY. 43. 
 
 Surely, Lord, thy ways are past finding out. Although Phil, 
 treated Morris so shamefully, the Jew loved his soul, and would 
 pray for him earnestly in secret. He made Phil, his confident, 
 and woul'd tell him, all his troubles. He thought very much 
 about preaching, and was waiting with patience for his call. He 
 laid this matter before Phil., who seeing it a grand opportunity 
 for sport, declared within himself that he would see if it was not 
 possible to have him called to this work. So one day Phil, said 
 to Morris, " Do you know that I am in the habit ot having vis- 
 ions?" "No," he replied. "Well, I am." said Phil., " and I 
 feel just as though I was going to have one in regard to your 
 preaching." 
 
 It was late at night when this conversation took place. Short- 
 ly afterward, pretending to be asleep, Phil, heard the Jew groan- 
 ing. He knew then he was awake, and thought it the best time 
 to have his vision. He began to make a noise to attract the 
 Jew's attention. This done, the vision commencsd. Phil, talked 
 it out. The substance was that the Jew must go forth and 
 preach the gospel. In the morning Phil, told him that he was 
 to preach, and would be a mighty man. All this Morris be- 
 lieved, and the mischief done by the make-believe vision was 
 hard to undo in after days. 
 
 The last stage in sin, 
 
 THE^SCORNERS' SEAT, 
 
 Phil, now fully occupied. But in spite of "ungodly counsel," 
 the company of sinners, and the wrath-provoking ribaldry of the 
 "scorners' seat," God never ceased to thunder in his ear, 
 
 " Woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel." — 1 Cor. ix., 16. 
 
CHAPTER XV. 
 
 NARROW ESCAPE FROM DEATH. 
 
 Phil, had again commenced to drink very hard. His former 
 profligate life had left him almost a wreck, and he could not en- 
 dure the terrible strain upon his mind and body much longer. 
 His health began to fail, until he was obliged to stop his studies 
 and begin a course of medical treatment. During his illness he 
 remained at the Seminary as a boarder, and went to Rochester 
 for treatment. Here he had a good opportunity to get liquor. 
 His sickness was simply the efl'ect of the liquor, which was eat- 
 ing away at his stomach, instead of any real disease. If he 
 thought that any one detected the scent of liquor on his breath, 
 he would say, " I wish that doctor would not give me any more 
 medicine with liquor in it, because the people will think I have 
 been drinking." 
 
 The faculty, although they knew somewhat of his wickedness, 
 bore with him, greatly desiring to see him saved. While sick 
 they granted him especial privileges, and he was permitted to go 
 and come as he pleased. The doctor recommended out-door ex- 
 ercise, and of this he was glad, for it gave him a chance to be 
 alone. Often he would go out at night and be gone until mid- 
 nigh*. 
 
 One night, after having been on a spree, he returned to his 
 room and climbed in at the basement window. As soon as 
 he was in he began to stagger, and his Jew room-mate said, 
 "Hanna, you are drunk." "No, I am not Mose," he replied, 
 " but I've been down to Bro. C.'s, and they gave me some min- 
 eral water, which has made me sick." At this he staggered over 
 toward the bed, saying, " Mose, pray for me." The Jew laughed, 
 supposing that Phil, was in sport, as usual, and refused. " Ah ! " 
 
NARROW ESCAPE FROM DEATH. 45. 
 
 said Phil., "you and I will be at the judgment soon, and when 
 God asks me why I was not converted on earth, I will answer, 
 "Lord, I made up, my mind to be saved, and asked that Meth- 
 odist Jew, Morris Leon, to pray for me, but he wouldn't do it, 
 and put me off, and said I was drunk. Ah ! Leon, you will be 
 to blame." This had the desired effect; he immediately arose 
 and began to pray for him in earnest, asking the Lord to convert 
 Hanna's soul. After Morris had finished praying, Phil, began 
 to pray for him in regard to preaching, but never mentioned his 
 own case. 
 
 Phil, now became so crazy that he knew nothing which after- 
 ward occurred. Morris said he prayed like this: "0 Lord, 
 I'll forgive thee. I know that thou hast done wrong, but I'll 
 forgive thee." He then fell prostrate, and began to grunt pit- 
 eously. He was very sick. The cold sweat stood upon his 
 brow, his bodv grew cold, and Morris thought that he was dying. 
 He did not want to call help, because Phil, was very sensitive, 
 and he feared that should his condition become generally known 
 he would never reform, but would plunge into hopeless ruin. 
 All night he worked with him, rubbing and chafing him hour 
 after hour, to keep the spark of life within him. About day- 
 light he began to come to himself, and an hour later he could 
 speak. While the boarders were at breakfast, Morris helped him 
 out of the window, and assisted him to the graveyard, a few rods 
 distant. This was an awful night for Phil., followed by a very 
 sick day. Narrowly had he again escaped the boiling waves of 
 hell. Morris carefully waited on him, caring for him with the 
 tenderness of a mother. Phil, was wonderfully touched by the 
 kindness of the Jew whom, in times past, he had so grievously 
 tormented, and after this he was always a true friend to Morris 
 Leon, the Methodist Jew. As Phil, lay in the 
 
 GRAVEYARD, 
 
 he felt sad at heart, and, with tears in his eyes, wished that he 
 could reform. But as he had made resolutions so many times 
 before, and found himself unable to keep them, he concluded that 
 
46. 
 
 PROM THE PIT TO THE PULPlT. 
 
 there was no use of trying. Still the Friend that sticketh closer 
 
 than a brother had not yet forsaken him, for " Stronger his love 
 
 than earth or hell." Oh, young man, unable to check yourself 
 
 in your rush ruinward, "look to Jesus." 
 
 " Jesus will rescue you, 
 Jesus will save." 
 
 " When I said my foot slippeth, thy mercy, oh Grod, held me 
 
 up." — Psalm xciv., 18. 
 
CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 NARROW ESCAPES CONTINUED. 
 
 Sin runs us into many dangers, but never aids us in getting 
 out. 
 
 It was Saturday afternoon. Phil, had made the discovery 
 that there was no whisky for the Sunday spree ; so he boarded 
 a freight train for Rochester, determined to lay in a supply. 
 When he reached the city, he found a number of his old friends, 
 and they immediately "joined hands" for a good time. Late 
 in the day, staggering under the influence of liquor, they took 
 the train for home. 
 
 As the train drew into the station, Phil, began to think that 
 be was too drunk there where everybody knew him, so he and 
 two or three others concluded to go on to the next station, where 
 a hotel keeper, whom some of the boys knew, had lately been 
 married, and was treating his friends with drinks. 
 
 When they got off the train, they made their way to the bar- 
 room, where they were met by the newly-married landlord, who 
 bade them drink heartily. They swilled down the liquor, and 
 again staggered back to the depot to take the return train for 
 Chili. 
 
 It was dark and stormy when the train stopped at C. Phil, 
 got off on the side away from the depot, and started up the left 
 hand track, when a fast west-bound freight train 
 
 KNOCKED HIM FROM THE TRACK, 
 
 and he fell headlong between the two trains. He got up and 
 
 began to curse the train and all connected in a terrible manner. 
 
 Two of the boys were waiting for him with horse and buggy, 
 
 expecting that he would come home drunk. When they got to 
 
48. FROM THE PIT TO THE PULPIT. 
 
 the Seminary, he called his friends, but would not give them a 
 drop until they went with him through total darkness into the 
 fourth story of the new building. Here they emptied the bottle. 
 When they were ready to descend, Phil, had lost all knowledge 
 of what was going on. The other boys had about all they could 
 do to take care of themselves. Yet, down four flights of perpen- 
 dicular, rickety ladders, with many of the cleats gone — over 
 bare timbers with no floors — all enveloped in dense darkness, 
 and their heads crazed with liquor — they made their way. It 
 was a miracle that they were not dashed in pieces. 
 
 A few days after, in a drunken row, he was shot at twice, but 
 escaped. 
 
 "For thou hast delivered my soul from death" — Psalm, 
 lvi., 13. 
 
CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 UNDERGROUND MEETINGS. 
 
 The moral restraint was more than ordinarily strong over 
 those who boarded in the Seminary. The pupils were ruled by 
 kindness. Although many wild young people attended, yet un- 
 der the religious influences that were constantly thrown around 
 them, the majority became 
 
 GODLY MEN AND WOMEN, 
 
 while others were bettered in their habits of life, and righted up 
 in their ideas of salvation. In this, as in all similar institutions, 
 there were a few who resisted these Christian influences, and se- 
 cretly followed their evil ways. Phil, and the young men of this 
 class greatly desired to find a place where they could spend the 
 evenings in drinking, smoking, playing cards, etc., and escape 
 the watchful eyes of their teachers and fellow students. They 
 were unexpectedly gratified when Phil, and his chum announced 
 that they had found a "tip-top cage." Near the Seminary was 
 a long, deep cistern, which had been finished, but no water had 
 been let in. The thought came to them that the cistern would 
 be a splendid place to meet and have their fun. 
 
 The thought pleased them all, so tney made a ladder to de- 
 scend upon, and this became their "headquarters." They went 
 down on their ladder and drew it after them. They had a can 
 of cider and each one his bottle of " old rye." They took their 
 pipes, tobacco and cigars; also a deck of cards. It was easy 
 work to get down into their cage, but not so easy to get up when 
 their whisky had reached their heads. It would take a great 
 deal of tugging and struggling, and sometimes a "slip down," 
 before they would all get out. They would then steal quietly up 
 stairs to their rooms. 
 
50. FROM TUB PIT TO THE PULPIT. 
 
 Sometimes they would have other difficulties to surmount, for 
 the other boys were trying to catch them in their "midnight 
 larks." Late one night they came to the hall door and tried to 
 put in their key, but some one had put another key in the lock, 
 and it was almost impossible to get it out. Quietly they worked 
 away until the door was unlocked ; but as they tried gently to 
 open the door, they found two study tables standing on their 
 ends, one above the other, right in the doorway, and it was the 
 merest accident that the boys escaped throwing them over and 
 making a terrible racket. The bell-cord also was tied to the leg 
 of one of these tables, and had it fallen it would have rung the 
 bell and awakened all in the Seminary. This danger escaped, 
 th#y started for the stairway. All along the three flights of 
 stairs there were chairs, coal-scuttles, water-buckets, etc., so 
 placed that should one fall, all would fall. Scenting this new 
 snare, they climbed the bannisters and retired to their rooms 
 without detection. 
 
 "Men loved darkness rather than light, because iheit deeds 
 were evil" — John iii., 19. 
 
CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 KEBELLION AND ITS CONSEQUENCES. 
 
 There has been perhaps no institution of learning but that, at 
 times, has had trouble with rebellious students. Chili Semi- 
 nary was not exempt from this experience. 
 
 At one time the students had been given a holiday, and closely 
 following it came the " general election day," a legal holiday. 
 As the scholars had had a holiday, the faculty decided that they 
 would have their regular session on election day. A few of the 
 students wrote a petition, and got all to sign it, and presented it 
 to the president, who vetoed it. This provoked the boys, and 
 they circulated the report that*the petition was granted. When 
 the bell rang calling the school into the chapel for devotional 
 exercises, no one but the teachers made their appearance. A 
 messenger was sent demanding their attendance, and most of 
 the scholars went; but Phil, and a few others were sent for sev- 
 eral times. Finally they concluded to go. As they entered 
 the chapel they heard one of the teachers announce a half holiday 
 to all who had obeyed promptly, but that those who had refused 
 should remain the afternoon also. This enraged Phil, and his 
 companions. They went into the school-room in the afternoon, 
 and when requested to say that they were sorry, Phil, and one 
 who had hitherto been a moral hoy, refused. 
 
 As soon as they were at liberty, Phil, said to his friend, 
 "Come with me," and they started off for a spree. 
 
 This was the beginning of a wicked life for that young man. 
 From this he went downward, drinking harder and harder, plung- 
 ing into sin, until he well nigh lost his self respect. The rebel- 
 lion was of short duration, but the consequences are lasting as 
 
52. FROM THE PIT TO THE PULPIT. 
 
 eternity. This young man, thus influenced to a life of sin, has 
 been long away fnm the Lord, and 
 
 MAY NEVER BE SAVED. 
 
 How important that our influence should tell for God and the 
 right, when "such vast concerns depend upon a moment's space." 
 The influence of a word, an action, and even a look, often turns 
 the scale for an immortal soul downward forever. 
 
 And not only the wrong things done, but the right things un- 
 done, or done carelessly or indifferently, put a stumbling-block 
 in the way of sinners. 
 
 A minister once asked an actor, " How is it that you, speak- 
 ing fiction, move the people so much more than I, speaking 
 truth? " "I can tell you, sir," answered the actor f "I speak 
 fiction as though it were truth, while you speak truth as though 
 it were fiction." 
 
 By avoiding wrong, by doing right, and by doing that right 
 with all our energy, in this way only can we face our influence 
 at the judgment. 
 
 " For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is 
 as iniquity and idolatry." — 1 Sam. xv., 23. 
 
CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 PLAYING CRAZY. 
 
 At times it would seem as though Phil, was possessed of evil 
 spirits, so wild would he look and act. 
 
 One evening, between bells, he began to "play crazy." He 
 met a young man in the hall, and said to him, " Dick, did you 
 see the Apostle Paul?" "The Apostle Paul! " replied Dick ; 
 "what do you mean? " "Yes, I saw Paul, and Silas was with 
 him," said Phil. "They just now slid down the banisters. 
 They asked me if I'd preach." Dick was greatly surprised, 
 and noticing that Phil, had a wild look on his face, he began to 
 report that he was "out of his head" and acting strangely. 
 Phil, again called out, " There he goes— there goes Paul," and 
 started down stairs as hard as he could go, as though he would 
 catch Paul. Dick followed hard after him. He ran to a large 
 cistern, filled with water, and uncovering it, put hia head in, as 
 though he intended to jump in. Dick caught hold of him, and 
 pulled him away from the cistern. By this time a number of 
 young men. had assembled, and Phil, pretended to catch another 
 glimpse of Paul. So off he started, running with all his might, 
 flapping his arms like a pair of wings. Nearly all the young 
 men joined in the pursuit, and endeavored to catch Phil., who 
 was making for the graveyard. He climbed upon the fence and 
 cried with a loud voice, " Paul, Paul, I command thee to come 
 forth and preach the gospel." Finally they caught him, and 
 four of them started with him toward the Seminary. His eyes 
 glared, and the features of his face were distorted. They all 
 supposed he had gone crazy, and were greatly excited. Those 
 who had hold of him started up stairs, intending to take him to 
 his room. Some who were looking on, declared that four men 
 
54. FROM THE PIT TO THE PULPIT. 
 
 could not hold him. When they reached his room, in the fourth 
 story, they let go their hold, and Phil, made a dash for the open 
 window. The boys caught him again, while some one shouted, 
 " Shut the window ! " They then got him upon a bed, and held 
 him while some one went for the president. He came, and 
 kneeling down, prayed that the enemy's power might be broken. 
 He soon became better, to all appearances. For a long time no 
 one knew that he had played crazy, but thought that he had 
 really been out of his head. 
 
 " But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, de- 
 ceiving and being deceived.*' — 2 Tim. iii., 13. 
 
CHAPTER XX. 
 
 SETTLING UP WITH THE DEVIL. 
 
 It will perhaps appear strange to some why Phil, was permit- 
 ted to remain at the Seminary while committing such gross 
 crimes against the established rules as those we have related. 
 Of some of these actions, Bro. R. and the faculty were ignorant : 
 but they well knew how desperately Phil, was struggling to 
 escape the cross, and that his salvation depended on his being 
 kept under godly influence until he should yield. To this long- 
 suffering, coupled with importunate prayer, he owes his " escape 
 from bondage." He was often reproved, and finally was put on 
 trial. Still he did no better, and was sent to the president. Be- 
 fore going, however, he had one of the boys draw the Masonic 
 sign of distress upon Ms shirt-bosom, with these words printed 
 above: "Mein Gott, mein Gott, ish der no help for die vidow's 
 son?" When he made his appearance, Bro. R. severely repri- 
 manded him, asking him if that was the way he was trying to 
 do better. But he only replied, u I guess when a fellow is in 
 trouble, he has a right to use all legitimate means to get out." 
 Bro. R. then sent him down stairs, telling him that he would 
 see him again, and advising; him "to go to meeting and get re- 
 ligion." 
 
 The school year was now drawing to a close, and he had con- 
 cluded to spend the summer vacation with a fellow student in 
 the western part of the state. For the first time in a number ot 
 years, he stopped to candidly consider his wicked life and the 
 sinful influence which he had been exerting. He thought, " If 
 I spend the summer with my friend, he will grow worse; my in- 
 fluence has left its mark on too many now ; 
 
 I OUGHT TO BE A CHRISTIAN; 
 
 I am a hardened wretch ; my convictions have all been squan- 
 
56. FROM THE PIT TO THE PULPIT. 
 
 dered, and I shall soon be in the grave." Thus he meditated 
 as he stood in the empty chapel, on this, the last Sabbath of the 
 school year. Without any particular feeling, he then and there 
 settled the matter. He counted the cost very carefully. He 
 knew what he would have to do, and he resolved to do it. While 
 the students were at supper,' he went into the kitchen, took out 
 his memorandum book, and saying, " There is no back out with 
 me now," wrote in the book as follows : 
 
 "June 13, 1875, 5:30 p. m. — Til get religion to-night, so help 
 me God, and all hell cant stop me. Phil. C. Hanna." 
 
 He then tore out the leaf, and carried it the rest of the day. 
 No one knew what he held in his hand. " If I go back on this," 
 thought he, " there is not the first principle of a man about me. 
 I'll stand by this." All through that day Phil, was more wicked 
 and reckless than usual. He was awfully profane. When 
 asked why he did so, he replied " that he was settling his accounts 
 with the Devil, and that he was going to dissolve partnership 
 with him" Every little while he would declare, with an oath, 
 to the boys, that he was " going to get religion" that night; 
 but Phil, had talked so sacrilegiously to them before, that none 
 of them would believe him. Still he continued to swear that he 
 was " going to make a start." While swearing that he would 
 get religion, some of the Christian boys would say, "Phil., don't 
 be so reckless; have some respect for yourself and us." They 
 did not know the awful tumult that was going on in his soul 
 while he was saying to the world, evil companions and evil hab- 
 its, a final farewell. Neither did they know of that note which 
 he held in his clenched hand. 
 
 " I will walk at liberty" — Psalm cxix., 45. 
 
CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 CONVERTED. 
 
 The hour for meeting soon came, and it was held this evening 
 in the dining-room. There were persons there from many parts 
 of the country, who had come to attend the examination and 
 commencement exercises, which were to take place that week. 
 As many of the students would take a final leave of the institu- 
 tion, the president preached a parting sermon. Phil, had no 
 thoughts for the sermon ; his mind was taken up with the note 
 which he grasped more firmly in his hand. As he sat there, he 
 thought, " All the little spark of honor that remains in me is at 
 stake." 
 
 The president had finished his sermon, and was about to take 
 his seat, when Phil, arose in the congregation and said, " I am 
 fully satisfied that there is nothing in this world but vanity. I 
 want religion ; I want you to pray for me." The pupils and 
 teachers were surprised, and as they sat there, the question 
 could be read in their faces, "Does Hanna want religion?" 
 Phil, afterward said, "I had so little feeling that I felt like 
 laughing to see how surprised they all looked." But there was 
 no time for delay. As they knelt in prayer, Phil, thought, 
 "What! is this Phil. Hanna who is kneeling to pray?" He 
 had so little concern about his soul that it seemed like mockery 
 to ask God to forgive him. Yet he began to pray, " 0, Lord, 
 I've been terribly wicked, and I am not a bit sorry. Give me 
 real conviction and make me sorry for my sins." He had prayed 
 this way but a short time, when conviction and heart-sorrow 
 came, and it seemed to him that he was the blackest sinner that 
 ever lived. All his lifetime of rebellion passed before him, and 
 with all the earnestness of his soul he cried to God to have mercy 
 
58. 
 
 FROM THE PIT TO THE PULPIT. 
 
 upon him and forgive him. He kept yielding point after point, 
 and promising that he would forsake his sins, make his wrongs 
 right, and live wholly for God. He had been praying for some 
 time, when he came to a place where he could pray no more. 
 Some one said, "Now believe; have taith, and it will be all 
 right." But Bro. R., who knelt beside him, asked, loud enough 
 to be heard by all in the room, 
 
 "WILL YOU PREACH THE GOSPEL?" 
 
 Here was the very stumbling stone that had turned him from 
 God all these years, and had almost made ot him a moral, men- 
 tal and physical wreck. Should he stumble over it now, when 
 he was so near "the outstretched Arm?" "No," thought he, 
 "I mean to be saved, and conditions are out of the question;" 
 and replied: "Yes, yes !" and that very moment 
 
 PARDON 
 
 was written on his heart. He got on his feet, and began to 
 earnestly warn sinners to " flee the wrath to come." He warned 
 them by his life of folly, his broken-down health, " to taste and 
 
Conversion. 59. 
 
 see that the Lord is good." Well do I remember that glorious 
 hour when this boy, for whom we all had been so long praying, 
 was saved. 
 
 In my journal for Sabbath, June 13, 1875, I find the follow- 
 ing : " Philip Hanna, for whom we have been praying a long 
 time, arose and said that he wanted religion. The groans came 
 on him, and for about a half hour he cried and wrestled with the 
 Lord, until at last deliverance came. Then was there rejoicing 
 in heaven and on earth." For no one had more prayers besn 
 oiFered up than for Phil., and yet it was a "glorious surprise" 
 when we realized that Christ had again conquered. 
 
 " Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of 
 Ghd."— John iii., 3. 
 
CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 A GREAT SALVATION ! 
 
 " Saved at last ! The cruel power of the Devil broken ! A 
 new creation in Christ Jesus ! " These were among the thoughts 
 that crowded into Phil.'s mind as he arose on Monday morning 
 4 to really begin to live." The wasted past! No gleams of 
 light shot out from its blackness of darkness ! It's pages bore 
 no record, save of sin, sin! He stood on the threshold of his 
 new life. The ghosts of eighteen murdered years stretched out 
 their hands threateningly, but it only served to double the hea- 
 ven-given determination " to run with patience the race set be- 
 fore him." 
 
 And now, before we follow him in this, let us look back and 
 see what God had saved him from, and the verdict of every hon- 
 est soul will surely be, " This* is a great salvation." The power 
 of the demon Drink was broken. We have seen how he was led 
 captive ; but a captive no longer, he prefered " the pure river of 
 the water of life" to the strained filth from the reeking still. 
 The appetite for 
 
 TOBACCO 
 
 was gone. The use of this weed God showed him was wrong, 
 and " he cleansed himself from all filthiness of the flesh and 
 spirit." 
 
 Any one who thinks he can use tobacco and obey God, let 
 nim test the matter by two passages of the Word: "Whether, 
 therefore, ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the 
 glory of God." Now, friend, take your tobacco and pipe, go into 
 your secret place, get down upon your knees, and say, " God, 
 1 1 ere I take a good smoke or chew to thy glory." Can you? 
 
 The other passage is, " Give an account of thy stewardship." 
 
 
A GREAT SALVATION. 61. 
 
 Consider yourself at the "judgment throne," rendering an ac- 
 count of your stewardship to the "Judge of quick and dead." 
 Among the items, for which you used the " God- given means," 
 you read: "Smoking tobacco, 10c; chewing tobacco, $1.50; 
 1 pipe, 25c; 1 tobacco box, 50c" Think you the .confidence 
 would fill your soul and beam in your open gaze on the Judge, 
 as it would could you read: "For flour to the widow, $2.35. ' 
 
 "GOD LET LIGHT ON US." 
 
 He had no thought for that horrid blasphemy which won for 
 him the title of "Doctor of Profanity," "but the fruit of his 
 lips" was "Praise unto God." He was no longer deceived or 
 deceiving. Even the thoughtless jesting was checked, for God 
 had declared, "Neither filthiness, foolish talking, or jesting." 
 He needed no one to tell him to lay aside " gold and costly ap- 
 parel." He threw aside these hindrances to running for life, 
 and sung : 
 
 " I've no thirsting for earth's pleasure 
 Nor adornings rich and gay, 
 For I've found a richer treasure, 
 One that fadeth not away." 
 
 Old things had passed away. The world lost its charms, and 
 began to recede in the distance, while the glories of the approach- 
 ing "Beulah land" caused him 
 
 " To leap for joy, 
 Pursue his way, 
 And like a bounding hart fly home." 
 
 Was not this a great salvation ? 
 
 " Come out from among them and be ye separate, saitli the 
 
 Lord, and touch not the unclean thing ; and I will receive you." 
 
 —2 Cor. vi., 17. 
 
CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 A GREAT SALVATION CONTINUED. 
 
 Rev. B. T. Roberts relates that when he was holding meetings 
 in Brockport, N. Y., a merchant came to him and said, " Mr. 
 Roberts, yours is the strangest meeting I ever saw. Why, sir, 
 people whom I supposed to be trusty and honest have been con- 
 fessing to me that they have stolen goods out of my store, and 
 desiring to pay for them." 
 
 It is not enough that we should do no wrong, but the wrongs 
 already done must be straightened to the " uttermost farthing." 
 This truth Phil, realized. He made out a list of every wrong 
 which he could call to mind, and as fast as they were settled he 
 would check them oft' the list. When he had no chance to see 
 the wronged person, he confessed and restored by letter. He 
 often said, " God sent me clear back to the turkey-roosts of my 
 boyhood." The popular song, 
 
 " Nothing either great or small 
 Eemains for me to do," 
 
 he found was not his experience, for Jesus left it for him to pay 
 for the stolen turkeys. The new leaf was to be turned, but first 
 God held him — and will you, dear reader — to settle up the ac- 
 count on the old leaf. 
 
 " Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor ; and 
 if 1 have taken anything from any by false accusation, 1 restore 
 him fourfold." — Luke xix., 8. 
 
CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 A NIGHT OF FEARFUL CONFLICT. 
 
 Thieves never follow beggars, but those only who have money. 
 So it is with the enemy. The richer the deposits of grace in one's 
 soul, the more determined the effort of Satan to rob him of that 
 grace. 
 
 " Oh, what a night that was," says Phil., " which found me 
 in earnest prayer at midnight, on Mount Hope, in the suburbs 
 of Rochester. The enemy came in like a flood, and sought to 
 destroy me. I stood on the high, rocky banks of the Genesee 
 River, and looked down on its waters, more than one hundred 
 feet below. Even while I prayed, Satan seemed to say, as he 
 did to Jesus, ' Cast thyself down ' and end your conflicts and 
 trials. But God kept me. Daylight found me passing down 
 Lake Avenue, toward the lower Genesee Falls. The saloons 
 were just opening, and^ I could see, through the open doors, the 
 sparkling liquors, and hear the clinking of the glasses. It seemed 
 as though Satan kindled a stronger appetite for liquor than I 
 had ever had before. He whispered, 'Drink; satisfy your 
 thirst; no one will know it.' It seemed as though God had left 
 me r but, praise his name, he had not. I stamped my foot hard 
 on the pavement, and cried, ' No ! No ! I will not touch it ! 
 God help me ! ' And he did. Glory to God ! 
 
 " I reached the banks of the lower falls ; I fell upon my knees, 
 and cried unto God for deliverance from that awful appetite. 
 He heard my cry. Really I was blessed. I looked around 
 me, and heard the roaring of the falls, and saw the foaming wa- 
 ters beneath, but the appetite was all gone. Whether it had 
 been cast over the falls, I know not, but one thing I do know, it 
 has never troubled me since." 
 
 "For in that he himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is 
 able to succour them that are tempted" — Heb. ii., 18. 
 
CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 SANCTIFIED. 
 
 The journey from the land of Pardon to the glorious land of 
 Rest from inbred sin, was not a long one for Phil. He believed 
 that "the land of corn and wine and oil" was the proper place 
 of abode for God's people. The doubts that fill the minds of 
 many as to whether the Bible teaches entire holiness as a dis- 
 tinct blessing to be received subsequent to justification, instan- 
 taneously by faith, did not stumble him. 
 
 When saved, he rejoiced that his name was written in heaven. 
 Experience revealed to him " the carnal mind, which is enmity 
 to God." The Bible declared that "the blood of Jesus Christ 
 his Son cleanseth from all sin; also that he "purifieth our 
 hearts by faith." 
 
 Feeling the necessity in his experience, and seeing the rem- 
 edy pointed out in the Word of God, entire consecration, coupled 
 with faith, brought the blessing nigh. A short time after he 
 was saved in the Seminary study-room, " the blood that speak- 
 eth better things than that of Abel " " washed away every spot 
 and wrinkle, and every such thing." 
 
 His sins being pardoned, and the inward depravity cleansed 
 away, he was now fully prepared to obey the commands of the 
 Apostles : 
 
 " Grow in Grace." — 2 Peter iii., 18. 
 
 " Be filled with the Spirit: 9 — Eph. v., 18. 
 
CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 BIG TENT CAMPAIGNS. 
 
 The great secret of the success in Christian life at Chili Sem- 
 inary was, that there was always something for each one to do. 
 There were the regular duties in the prayer- room and class-room 
 constantly recurring, the crusades, the revival meetings held in 
 outside neighborhoods, etc., which fully occupied the spare time. 
 To these were added out-door meetings, which were held at 
 Church ville, Spencerport and Brockport, the neighboring towns, 
 on Sabbath afternoons. 
 
 Still feeling the weight of immortal souls pressing heavily 
 upon us, several of us undertook to purchase a large tent, to 
 hold meetings in, from place to place, during our summer vaca- 
 tions, God wonderfully aided. The tent was purchased by 
 faith, and while we held on to God the money flowed in. It was 
 soon paid for. 
 
 The first summer, Bros. Mark Harrison, J. R. Chesbro, Phil. 
 C. Hanna and Vivian A. Dake labored with the tent. We 
 pitched at Churchville, Brockport, Baldwin's Corners and Al- 
 bion, and God saved souls at every point. Often the Devil 
 raised a hurricane of wrath above our heads, but the clouds al- 
 ways broke before it reached us. 
 
 The second summer Phil, carried on the the tent work, for the 
 most part, alone. At 
 
 NIAGAKA FALLS, 
 
 amid great opposition — even to -his receiving blows, while police- 
 men were badly beaten and shot, and nails were showered into 
 the tent and at the preacher — a good class was raised up, and 
 the awful slaying power of God overcame opposition, and turned 
 the tide mightily against the bulwarks of sin. From there the 
 tent was moved to Chambersburg, Penn., where the summer's 
 campaign ended gloriously. 
 
 " The night cometh ivhen no man can work." — John ix., 4. 
 
CHAPTER XXVII. 
 
 FROM THE PIT TO THE PULPIT. 
 
 In the preceding pages we have endeavored to trace briefly 
 and truthfully Phil.'s pit-life; his desperate attempt to stay 
 amid its mire and foul vapors; the efforts made to rescue him 
 by a merciful Saviour ; and the glourious consummation of God's 
 will concerning him. 
 
 As we have continually kept before your minds, the fear of 
 the pulpit kept him in the pit, and he desperately forced him- 
 
 self lower and lower, hoping to hide from his unwilling gaze " the 
 cross all stained with hallowed blood." But the point of contro- 
 versy was yielded. He accepted Christ and the cross, and his old 
 life of rebellion and misery "became as waters which have passed 
 away." The first time that Phil, took a text was when the tent 
 was pitched at Baldwin's Corners; it was, "Where art thou?" 
 
FROM THE PIT TO THE PULPIT. 67. 
 
 The next Sabbath the members of a Presbyterian church in the 
 vicinity invited him to fill the pulpit. On Monday morning 
 they drove round to his stopping place and paid him five dollars 
 for his services. 
 
 Since then he has been continually in the work, and has seen 
 scores of souls converted to God. He labored, as we have seen, 
 for some time in New York State, and then proceeded by steamer 
 down Lake Erie, took the train at Detroit, and was soon at the 
 old home. Since then he has been blowing the gospel trumpet 
 over the prairies of Illinois and Iowa. 
 
 And now, reader, having seen Phil, lifted from the horrible 
 pit to the walls of Zion, we will part, praying that if you 
 commence this book a sinner you will end it a saint. 
 
 THK END. 
 
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