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THE LIBRARY OF THE 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF 
 
 NORTH CAROLINA 
 
 AT CHAPEL HILL 
 
 THE COLLECTION OF 
 NORTH CAROLINIANA 
 
 PRESENTED BY 
 
 tr ans . f r om Ma in 
 
 CB 
 
 K48w 
 

 UNIVERSITY OF N.C. AT CHAPEL HILL 
 
 00032193983 
 
 FOR USE ONLY IN 
 THE NORTH CAROLINA COLLECTION 
 
E. ALSTON WILKES 
 
TKe 
 
 Circuit Riders 
 Sketch Book 
 
 By E. ALSTON WILKES 
 
 of the South Carolina 
 Conference 
 
 Price: 75 Cents 
 
 1907 
 
 THE R. L. BRYAN COMPANY 
 
 COLUMBIA. S. C, 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 PART I. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 CHAPTEB 
 
 I. Introduction — Letter to President John Kilgo. . . 3 
 
 II. The Response 13 
 
 III. Where to Find Heaven 18 
 
 IV. Housekeeper Wanted 20 
 
 V. Death and Burial Before the Time 21 
 
 VI. Heading Off a Negro College 22 
 
 VII. The Governor's Salary 26 
 
 VIII. The Murdered Wife 27 
 
 IX. Family Prayer 29 
 
 X. Two Educators Who Educated 31 
 
 XI. "The Pestilence that Walketh in Darkness" 34 
 
 XII. Notes and Notions 46 
 
 PART II. 
 
 I. A Mill Village Scene 67 
 
 II. All Sorts and Conditions of Men 70 
 
 III. Monck's Comer, S. C 81 
 
 IV. The Jig and the German 85 
 
 V. South Carohna Conference Scenes 91 
 
 VI. "Some Village Hampden" 97 
 
 MI. The Farmer Member 101 
 
 VIII. Recollections of Early Childhood 103 
 
 IX. Earthquake Incident 105 
 
 X. Sundry Subjects 110 
 
Contents. 
 PART III. 
 
 CHAPTER PAGE 
 
 I. Rev. Samuel Spookendyke 133 
 
 II. List of Leading Laymen, South Carolina Con- 
 ference 137 
 
 III. This, That and T'other 141 
 
 IV. The "Call" to Preach 154 
 
 V. Items and Ideas 184 
 
 VI. Beside the Couch of the Dying Itinerant 203 
 
 Advertisements 209 
 
 Notes and Personals 215 
 
 The Negro Question 226 
 
CHAPTER I. 
 
 Introduction: Letter to President John KUgo. 
 
 Holly Hill, S. C, September 9, 1907. 
 President of Trinity College, N. C. 
 
 Dear Brother John Kilgo : It has been a decade and two 
 years since you have met with your brethren in this State as 
 a member of the South Carohna Conference. Many then 
 who did dehght to meet and greet you have gone from us, 
 and have been transferred forever. It might afford you a 
 melancholy pleasure to have the long sad roll recalled, and 
 have brought to mind the lofty characters and noble bearings 
 of the fallen braves who it seems but yesterday talked and 
 walked among us. But such is life. We are here to act 
 our parts on the world's stage of action in the drama of hfe 
 with its sunshine and shadows for a while, then the final act 
 is played, and the closing scene — and we make exit forever. 
 Let us hastily review the list and call the roll of those who 
 were hearty and happy just twelve years ago, but upon 
 whose graves today the autumn leaves are silently falUng. 
 
 First, R. N. Wells, who died in his prime. How easily his 
 face and suavity of manner can be recalled. Franks, Seale, 
 Laird, Pritchard, Jno. A. Mood — all elderly men who died 
 in the faith. Then comes Kirkland, another one whom God 
 took from us ere the world knew his worth; and then follow 
 Thos. Raysor, W. W. Mood, Bellinger, Lester, H. M. Mood, 
 Few, Johnson, Patterson, Carson, Simpson Jones, Dickson, 
 Munnerlyn, Bissell, Dantzler, Verdin, A. M. Attaway, Elwell, 
 H. M. Pooser, Loyless, Price, Sidi H. Browne, Owen, D. A. 
 Patrick, Kistler, A. W. Walker, C. E. Wiggins, M. L. 
 Banks, Auld, J. F. Smith, G. E. Stokes, Berry, Porter, 
 Hamer, Pate, Loyal, Thos. G. Herbert, Jno. Attaway, Stoll, 
 J. E. Grier, Wright, Darby, A. J. Cauthen, Reynolds, Lan- 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 der, Earle and Pitts. Few and Verdin were both young, not 
 more than thirty — ^the former had just married. Elwell died 
 suddenly; so did Berry. Owen died of a gun-shot wound — 
 accident. G. E. Stokes, at one Conference session read a 
 most interesting sketch of the Hfe and character of Paul 
 Kistler; the next session of the Annual Conference, at the 
 solemn memorial service it was the painful duty of another 
 to read the "In Memoriam" of Stokes. You well remember 
 that sterling saint, J. C. Stoll. The next to the last time 
 we dined together was at Williamston, in '92, in the 
 delightful parsonage home of Bro. Stoll. The weather was 
 cool and bracing, and I remember that well-prepared dinner 
 to this day, and the pleasantries and the tone and tenor 
 of the sprightly conversation. Brethren present were Stoll, 
 Lander, Verdin, Kilgo and myself. Two are left. The 
 Lord bless the precious memory of the three that have 
 been taken. At another dining, one bright day at WofFord, 
 Jas. E. Grier sat opposite me in the strength and beauty of 
 young manhood. Oh, how the heart does sadden when one 
 thinks of the empty chairs, and the charming voices that are 
 hushed forever ! Wright, Earle and Pitts also died young 
 and nobly, the flowers on their graves have all faded long 
 ago. But besides these there are others, namely: N. L. 
 Wiggins, Jno. M. Carlisle, A. J. Stokes, Clifton, Humbert, 
 Rogers, Campbell and Beckwith. Beckwith passed away 
 while in the thirties, full of promise, the idol of his congre- 
 gation, and he died so suddenly — appendicitis. Preached on 
 Sunday, the next Sabbath the funeral bell. 
 
 "All that beauty, all that wealth e'er gave, 
 Await alike the inevitable hour." 
 
 Clifton's departure was also without a note of warning. 
 What a charming fellow he was! There was no one among 
 us whose good heart and sincere spirit were as conspicuous. 
 Let me relate an incident. I remember well an appointment I 
 
 4 
 
Letter to President John Kilgo. 
 
 was given at the session of the Conference held in Sumter 
 some years ago. I had been preacher in charge of what 
 many would call rather hard appointments, and really I had 
 begun to think so too. At Sumter I encouraged the thought 
 that in the providence of God I would receive then and there 
 what is considered generally a promising field and a fine 
 appointment. The good Bishop read me out in the strongest, 
 clearest tone of voice for a mission — a charge of distances, 
 bad roads and some good people. I left the Conference room 
 with a heavy heart, and meeting Clifton in the street I told 
 him my trouble. He proposed that we go somewhere and 
 pray over it. I readily consented, for I felt like a 
 "mourner" and was far from being at ease in Zion. In a 
 back sandy street, where no one would likely pass by at a 
 late hour, was the place selected to pray. On our knees in 
 the soft, deep sand we knelt, and Clifton offered a most earn- 
 est and impressive prayer for the "penitent," and prayed God 
 to bless his services for the Master in that mission charge. I 
 was greatly relieved and refreshed at the conclusion of the 
 services and found myself willing to go anywhere, notwith- 
 standing it may be a mission of long distances and bad roads. 
 I will never forget that prayer meeting at the midnight hour 
 in a rear street of Sumter, Maybe some day in the sweet 
 by and by in the golden streets of the New Jerusalem we 
 will talk over the blessed scenes that occurred in this world 
 below. 
 
 Thus ends the roll. Only twelve years have passed, and 
 sixty-one valiant men have gone to their reward. Others 
 have taken their places and the great work moves on. The 
 effective force now of the Conference consists, first, of not a 
 few grave and elderly brethren of whom we all are proud. 
 They have grit and grace, and will stay in the field a long 
 time before they will consent to retire. How the average 
 Methodist preacher does dread superannuation ! The next 
 is a strong column of the stalwarts, in age ranging from 35 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 to 55 3^ears — a mighty mixture of fats and leans, of grissle, 
 gumption and goodness. And we have companies and 
 classes of younger men and fledglings who have taken their 
 college courses and their Conference or correspondent courses, 
 and as a general rule they make up a hearty, happy march- 
 ing phalanx. Now and then one comes fresh from the farm 
 and field, or from the mill and store, not so well trained and 
 tutored, but consecrated and full of zeal, believing that God 
 has called him to preach the gospel. 
 
 The ranks of the local preacher in the South Carolina Con- 
 ference are thinning rapidly. At the Laurens Conference, 
 in 1894<, we had a commendable roll of 160 ; at our last Con- 
 ference, 1906, there were only 84. Probably before another 
 twelve years will have passed the local preacher will be no 
 more, and the conspicuous monument at his grave will be 
 a record of glorious achievements in the past of long ago, 
 when he lived and labored and proved a mighty power in 
 making Methodism what it is today. 
 
 During the twelve years gone there has been wonderful 
 progress shown and realized by our schools and colleges. 
 Two of our institutions have been itinerating recently with 
 telling advantages to both. Our Columbia College has moved 
 out in the suburbs of the capital city, occupying grounds 
 beautiful for situation. The buildings are a beauty and a 
 joy forever. The president says the new buildings are 
 unrivaled in the South for their purpose, and that "it is a 
 place in which to live and learn." This president is the 
 same as of yore — just a little older than he was, but there 
 is as much sunshine in his soul today as ever before. When 
 in repose he is dignified enough, but he has a laugh that is 
 catching — it makes you laugh, too. The Lander College 
 moved down to Greenwood from Williamston, where the noble 
 founder gave the best years of his useful life to the cause 
 of Christian education. The college is well equipped and 
 occupies a beautiful site in a campus of eighteen acres, in 
 
 6 
 
Letter to President John Kilgo. 
 
 one of the most progressive cities of upper Carolina. The 
 genial and courtly president seems to be as much at home as 
 the president of a college as he was when in charge of a 
 pastorate, or presiding elder of a district. Wofford is 
 growing. There matriculated last session in the Fitting 
 School and college proper 468 students. Dr. Snyder is 
 fluent in speech, affable in manner, and there is so much 
 sound sentiment in him that a hopeful and fortunate mag- 
 netism emanates from his personality which wins the hearts 
 of the youth of the land. I could write pages about Wofford, 
 but must desist. But can you mention Wofford without 
 naming another? Can you think of Wofford' s bright future 
 and leave out a name that has been so closely connected with 
 the college's character and greatness for over half a century ? 
 For years he has toiled, until now, when he is becoming weary 
 and worn. The welfare of the Christian institution over 
 which he presided so long has ever been as dear to him as the 
 "ruddy drops that visit" his great heart. Old age is creep- 
 ing on. The elasticity of step is not as apparent now as it 
 was formerly, and the volume of a remarkably penetrating 
 voice is not as strong as of yore. Calm, complacent, cheer- 
 ful, he is resting in a sweet shadowy eventide of a glorious 
 day. Thousands today thank God for the exalted character 
 and the undying influence of the spotless life of James H. 
 Carlisle. 
 
 The general religious condition of the Church in South 
 Carolina is not discouraging, and, indeed, looking at one 
 side of the question, taking one viewpoint, the present 
 situation and the outlook exhilarates, presenting prospects 
 pleasing. 
 
 The membership reported at the Laurens Conference in 
 1894, when you was transferred, was 71,377. At the Con- 
 ference in 1906 the report was 83,597 — a gain of 12,200. 
 The number of pastoral charges in 1894 was 193 ; there were 
 reported in 1906, 230. Eighty-three new parsonages have 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 been erected during the last twelve years, and the people are 
 paying the preacher more than formerly. The average sal- 
 ary for the 193 pastors in 1894 was $622 ; the average salary 
 paid the 230 in 1906 was $700 — a good commendable aver- 
 age; but we should do better. The right figure has not yet 
 been reached. It is far more expensive to Hve now, 1907, 
 than in 1904, Grits, gravy and ginghams have all gone up, 
 and don't average as low as they did years ago. About half 
 the preachers half the time are "hard up," and the other half 
 live decently and in order, but in meeting financial exactions 
 of the day and the obligations of the fads and fashions of the 
 times, to a righteous and reasonable degree, they have little 
 or nothing "laid up for a rainy day" or dreary old age. The 
 modern itinerant must give his children the best possible edu- 
 cational advantages, and he and family cannot afford to be 
 ostracized from the social-elect functions on account of shoddy 
 gowns or defective gear. 
 
 With reference to progress in piety of our dear people, as 
 to the spiritual excellency of the twelve thousand gain, and all 
 the other thousands, I cannot write definitely, nor with entire 
 satisfaction. One thing I know — we are growing in morality 
 and enlightened civilization. South CaroUna now is almost 
 a prohibition State as regards the selling of beverages that 
 intoxicate. The drinking of spirituous liquors continues 
 more or less, but it is not so conspicuous as a few years ago. 
 The society gentleman with a thirst for dram takes to his 
 eggnog and punch-bowl in his drawing room, while the second 
 and third class gentlemen, of the same faith and order, take 
 their jug from the express office, where there is no dispensary, 
 and indulges at home and sleep it away at leisure. The 
 people are growing in refinement, and the aesthetic taste is 
 more cultivated and more plainly exemplified than ever before. 
 There never were in our rural sections better kept homes and 
 housekeepers. Giood cooks, open-hearted hospitality, car- 
 pets, enameled iron bedsteads, geranium pots and pits, the 
 
 8 
 
Letter to President John Kilgo. 
 
 bathrooms, the flower gardens abound even in distant com- 
 munities — the backwoods of the land a few years ago. But 
 to say the least, genuine old time religion does not abound in 
 the way it formerly prevailed. Among many of our believers, 
 although associated with a reverent spirit and loyalty to the 
 Church, there is apparently a lack of fei'vency of the 
 religious spirit and a lack of a consciousness of God. I have 
 not heard a real live shout of triumph from a saint in the 
 pew in seven years. 
 
 Without further remarks or speculation on this point, I 
 might well devote a page or more of notes and notions in 
 regard to the basis of irreligion and forgetfuhiess of God of 
 our people. I mention first, worldly prosperity. Many of 
 our loyal laymen are increasing fast in worldly riches. They 
 are tearing down the old barns and are building more com- 
 modious ones to hold their increasing possessions, and are 
 largely catering to the sensual and selfish, saying, "Soul, take 
 thine ease; thou hast much goods laid up for many years." 
 Poor folks, religiously inclined, will listen with pleasure and 
 meekness to the preached word on the providence of God, and 
 "Seek ye first the kingdom, and all things shall be added," 
 and they also will sing with the spirit and understanding such 
 old hymns as "How finm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord," 
 but the other sort, being haughty and proud from their inde- 
 pendence, are not moved by these things. Their kingdom is 
 of this world; their providences are in earthly treasures, and 
 their "firm foundation" is deposited in banks. It is a fact, 
 as a rule, a man of much money lacks in genuine godliness. 
 There are exceptions, I am glad to note. Not long since I 
 met a man of might in the commercial world in a private con- 
 versation, who conversed with pleasure and in the spirit, on 
 faith, present salvation and the glorious immortality. He is 
 a citizen of the Old North State, a friend of Trinity, a good 
 Methodist worth about a round million, and a seeker after 
 God. Such cases are few, I fear, and far between. As a 
 
 9 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 general inile, it is difficult to persuade a sleek, slick Methodist, 
 enjoying liis thousands a year, to believe in the love, joy and 
 peace of the Holy Ghost, and that life does not consist in the 
 abundance of things which a man posesses. "But Jeshurun 
 waxed fat and kicked; then he forsook the God which made 
 him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation." 
 
 All animal natures are pretty much alike — there is same- 
 ness of spirit that worketh all in all. Possibly you remember 
 "Dash." You rode behind him more than once. When I 
 came in possession of that horse he was as meek and humble 
 a horse as ever shuffled over the vales and hills of South 
 Carolina. He manifested such a gentle, dependent spirit 
 that any lady could drive him, and a child could lead him. He 
 was poor in the spirit, and so poverty-stricken in the flesh 
 that he had attained that alarming condition known as the 
 "hidebound." For several days and Sabbaths after the pur- 
 chase I would not use Dash. He was so bony and his 
 leanness was so conspicuous that I feared his appearance 
 might somewhat disturb Sabbath meditations of my con- 
 gregation. To relieve the hidebound situation, in appearance 
 at least, I greased Dash all over with lard ! I gave the horse 
 the best of attention, liis food was the best obtainable, and the 
 grooming was perfectly done. Not many months passed 
 before Dash began to improve rapidly and hold his head high. 
 A little over a year afterwards, at times he became difficult 
 to hold, and almost unmanageable — ran away on one occasion. 
 He seemed to see visions, and would dart away and snort. On 
 one occasion, going up a mountain side in Oconee, in the full- 
 ness of his pride and strength, Dash became perverse, shied, 
 reared and jumped down into a ravine fifteen or twenty feet 
 deep, with many bruises. Prosperity and providential kind 
 treatment came near being the iniin of Dash. So thus saith 
 the Lord: "According to their pasture so were they filled; 
 they were filled, and their heart was exalted ; therefore have 
 they forgotten Me." 
 
 10 
 
Letter to President John Kilgo. 
 
 There is another basis of irrehgion evident among some of 
 the people I will note, and this apphes not so much to the 
 refined, cultured and prosperous crowd as it does to those who 
 are governed mostly by their emotional natures and sensual 
 appetites. They are irreligious because the "Master delayeth 
 His coming." They will not be called to account yet awhile. 
 They glory in health, strong digestion and a good appetite 
 with an abundance with which to satiate. I have rarely 
 found a sinner impenitent when disease had a good grip on 
 him and he was about half dead. He is generally ready to 
 confess his sins then and be received into the Church, or recant 
 his backshdings. I have never seen a sinner that would fail 
 to call upon the Lord when in imminent danger of instant 
 death. 
 
 South Carolina, I fear, will not have an universal awaken- 
 ing from the mountain to the sea until we have some horrible 
 calamities, or another terrifying earthquake. Then there 
 will be a rush made for the kingdom of God. You remember 
 August 31, 1886, when we had a mighty shaking of the earth, 
 how, throughout the land, sinners mourned, altars were 
 crowded and penitents by the thousands were converted. The 
 largest gain in the history of the Church in South Carolina 
 in membership was reahzed that year. There were about 
 10,000 converts received into the Church and a clear net gain 
 reported at Conference of nearly 8,000. I am not disposed 
 to minify those conversions — many have been faithful — but I 
 am drawing attention to the widespread influence of the 
 earthquake. Here it is in a nutshell: "Because sentence 
 against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the 
 heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil." We 
 are preaching too much, I suspect, on the line of moral suasion 
 and are not stressing as we should the terrors of the Lord and 
 the consequences, in this life and the next, of the violated law 
 of God. I do not remember so well the parts of the sermon 
 of the late Bishop Tigert, pi-eached at a session of our Con- 
 
 11 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 f erence held in Columbia, but I haven't forgotten his words of 
 introduction. He preached on the punishment of the wicked. 
 "The time has come," said he, "when one must apologize, it 
 seems, for preaching on the eternal punishment of the doomed 
 and damned." 
 
 ********* 
 
 I purpose issuing this fall, about the time of the first big 
 frost, a publication to be known as "The Circuit Rider's 
 Sketch Book." The book will contain not a few choice clip- 
 pings from other original publications printed in the days 
 that are gone, consisting of short articles and pen paragraphs 
 that may be worth publishing again, and, since May of this 
 year, at odd hours and leisure moments, I have written many 
 pages on miscellaneous matters, and on subjects that im- 
 pressed me during my career. I deal more in character than 
 in creed, and I delight in applauding sincerity of heart and 
 exposing the ways that are dark. There will be found 
 ideas, items and incidents, and figures and facts without 
 fiction, and fiction as true as facts. On account of its faults 
 and shortcomings it will be an excellent publication for the 
 shafts of criticism, but I trust all smart folks will be as lenient 
 as possible, and should I ever essay again I will strive to do 
 better and win their well done at last. I crave an intro- 
 ductory letter from your pen and heart. You once did travel 
 the rounds, and you are acquainted with the tears, trials and 
 triumphs of the itinerant preacher, and I want you in this 
 book, too, because you are the son of an old Circuit Rider, 
 deceased, whose life was a benediction to Church and State, 
 and whose cherished memory is an inspiration. 
 Affectionately yours, 
 
 E. Alston Wilkes. 
 
 12 
 
The Response. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 The Response. 
 
 President's Office, Trinity College, 
 Durham, N. C, September 18, 1907. 
 
 My Dear Brother Wilkes : I heartily appreciate the honor 
 you have done me in acquainting me with your purpose to 
 celebrate the heroic virtues of some of the departed members 
 of the South Carolina Conference. I shall wait the coming 
 of "The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book" with high expecta- 
 tions. Your genius of insight into human nature and its 
 power of judging between the essential and the incidental, 
 united with your art of tersely stating facts, eminently fit you 
 for such an undertaking. Added to these, and better than 
 they are, is that deep sympathy of soul which easily gives 
 you fellowship with good and true men, adding a double 
 charm to your portrayals of character. 
 
 I have read your letter with deep interest. Yet I must 
 acknowledge that a peculiar sadness came to me as I thought 
 of the past and my associations with the old South Carolina 
 Conference. Within one of its little parsonages, on Monday, 
 July 22, 1861, when the smokes of the first battle of Manassas 
 were floating over the bloody fields along Bull Run, I came 
 into the world. Among the good fortunes which Pro\adence 
 has mercifully bestowed on me, I have always counted my birth 
 in a Methodist circuit parsonage among the richest and most 
 honorable. It is the home of the ambassador of God, the 
 highest office among men. By the side of the Methodist par- 
 sonage the legations of earthly empires shrink into small 
 proportions of dignity and honor. To the ambassador of 
 God is committed the ministry of reconciliation of man to 
 God, and among men and angels this is the highest office to 
 which creatures may be appointed. It was in one of these 
 
 13 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 legations I was bom. So my well-proven claims to high birth 
 rest upon the membership of my father and mother in 
 heavenly courts. This I assert is the only genuine aris- 
 tocrac}'. 
 
 I grew up in the Methodist itinerancy. I am well 
 acquainted with all its experiences, I have never been able 
 to recall the many hardships which men of more recent times 
 find in it. As a boy I seemed to get all that was justly due 
 me. And when I came to manhood and had the honor of a 
 call into this Methodist ministry, I went to my task with 
 enthusiasm and steady assurance. Through the years of my 
 life God has shown Himself the friend of the faithful Metho- 
 dist preacher. And those who seem to be most pestered about 
 their welfare have always impressed me as being self-pestered. 
 We are the heirs of a rich history — rich in all the noblest 
 virtues that give immortal glory to human character. But 
 above this we are the heirs of an unanswerable logic that 
 proves that God is with, and will protect, His ministry. No 
 man has ever starved who had his bread in, "What amount 
 has been raised the present quarter for the support of the 
 ministry, and how has it been applied.'''' I had as soon risk 
 my bread on that question as to have risked it in the widow's 
 barrel at Zarephath. 
 
 Besides, I have been constantly impressed with the many 
 enterprises of the most vital sort that have been pro j ected and 
 successfully executed on the returns of that eighth question 
 in the Quarterly Conference. Gold mines have not such a 
 record to their credit. The Methodist preacher has never 
 sent an illiterate cliild on society, nor has he ever lacked a 
 sufficiency to rightly perform the high tasks of fatherhood 
 to his children. I had the best opportunity to observe the 
 working out of these problems of paternal duty with the 
 income from a trust in God and the returns of the quarterly 
 meeting. I know of no other interpretation that so fully 
 explains and illustrates, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God 
 
 14 
 
The Response. 
 
 and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto 
 you," as the liistory of the faithful Methodist itinerant. 
 
 My child life and the years of my young manhood were 
 spent in the fellowships of the old South Carolina Confer- 
 ence. There I made my first friends, built up my first 
 influences, fixed my first ideals, and chose ray first heroes. 
 The bonds of these things have never been broken. I have 
 earnestly tried to dismiss them from my mind, but they persist 
 in remaining. So when I read down your roll of the saintly 
 men who were my heroes or my companions just a Httle more 
 than twelve years ago, and who have joined the hosts on high, 
 there came to me a sense of indescribable loneliness. The 
 great forest in wliich I built my first little abiding place has 
 been hewed down by the years, and nearly all the great trees 
 are gone. The world seems to be loosening its grasp on me. 
 My mind is going out beyond its borders and having associa- 
 tions out there where so many have gone. When you South 
 CaroHna preachers take account of your assets, you will have 
 a tremendous balance of faith and heroism in your favor. 
 And you do all a service by sending out this twelve-year 
 report. 
 
 What you say of the progress made during these twelve 
 years past is inspiring. It shows that there is still sanctified 
 energy and wisdom in the old Conference. Men have not 
 labored in vain, nor have earnest prayers been turned away 
 from the throne of the great High Priest. New pastoral 
 charges, new parsonages, new church buildings, larger assess- 
 ments, more culture, higher standards of education, better 
 educational equipments, increase in membership of the 
 churches, and all other things that may be put in the column 
 of progress, are unmistakable proofs of activity. But, as 
 you say, there are some other things even more vital than all 
 these. A steady devotion of heart and loyalty of will to 
 God must have the primacy in all Christian living and work. 
 To have fellowship with each other because our fellowship is 
 
 15 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ, is the thing 
 of chiefest worth. 
 
 You refer in your letter to a "lack of consciousness of 
 God," and in this you touch the main point in the theology of 
 the old Methodist preacher. To him religion was not a 
 metaphysical problem. God was not a proposition to be 
 verified by speculative reasoning. These men had no marked 
 genius for such intellectual entertainment. God was verified 
 to them as an indubitable experience. His holiness came to 
 them as a terrible conviction of sin, having its climax in a 
 hearty repentance and an unreserved dedication of life. His 
 mercy was not symbolized to them through altars and rituals. 
 It was asserted in them as a joy and peace of a relieved con- 
 science. He came to them as inner light, as an inspiration, 
 as an assurance, as a power of soul, as a courage that dared 
 all things, as a fellowship, and as an earnest expectation of 
 the sons of God. Their chief philosophy of the atonement 
 was in the experience of a crucifixion to the world. "God in 
 you" was the sum of all they had to tell men. 
 
 And I confess that I stand by their theology. It may be 
 lacking in the veneerings of progressive scholarship ; it may 
 be much out of harmony with the facts of latest archaeological 
 and ethnological discoveries ; it may have but humble standing 
 among the learned, and its reputation in the academic world 
 may be unfortunate; but it brings forgiveness of sins and, 
 with me, this is the main thing. They had a theology, and 
 what was notably conspicuous about them, they firmly believed 
 it. Their preaching was not an ingenuous entertainment of 
 the saints with curious puzzles, it was rather a yea and a nay 
 deliverance of the Word of Almighty God. Theological 
 logomachy was not in great favor among them. I have 
 heard them declare with the note of eternal authority in their 
 voices the message of God to the multitudes who came out to 
 hear them, and I have heard them plead God's mercy for the 
 broken-hearted penitent, and in it all there was a something 
 
 16 
 
The Response. 
 
 that made them terrible. They prayed not because it was a 
 good exercise for the cultivation of the devotional qualities, 
 but because they were ovenvhelmed with sore needs and God 
 was their only source of supply. And whatever may be the 
 final conclusion among the academic men as to the subjective 
 and the objective value of prayer, they got answers which no 
 man could doubt, and they won victories which no human 
 philosophy can explain. Did you ever hear Paul Kistler and 
 Wesley Pegues pray for a crowded altar of penitents.? With 
 what bold authority they came to God, with what persistency 
 they urged their cause, with what tremendous logic they 
 argued their question, and with what irresistible faith they 
 took hold of omnipotence. They called it besieging the 
 throne, an expression that always marked an invincible 
 quality and an awful moment of faith. 
 
 Perhaps the traditional theology is not in keeping with the 
 new order of modern progress. However advanced theology 
 should vindicate its rights to the patronage of the faith in 
 the saints by a fuller and a steadier consciousness of God, 
 it should not be unmindful of the fact that paganisms have 
 been rich in theologies, and that idols hae been worshipped 
 after the manner of beautiful and rich rituals. A theology 
 that has its consummation in human culture and social refine- 
 ments has nothing to boast of more than many dead pagan- 
 isms could yet teach them in. The best temples of the earth 
 were thrones of ugly idols, and the most glorious architecture 
 and sculpture and painting have been employed to do honor 
 to the vulgarities of heathenisms. The queen of the most 
 pretentious social circles, adorned with all the rich jewels that 
 merchants have brought over the seas, may have a feeble heart 
 or be the victim of a fatal germ. The color of sound health 
 on the cheek can never be excelled by the arts of created 
 beauty. So after all Methodism needs to look well to the 
 inner life of its people, keeping itself constantly reminded 
 
 17 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 that while material achievemnts may mean material advance, 
 they may not mean spiritual advance. 
 
 But lest I weary you with my much saying of commonplace 
 things, I shall close this letter. I assure you of my sincerest 
 interest in your undertaking, and, with your many other 
 friends, I feel certain that you will render us all a lasting 
 service. I often recall the many associations we had in the 
 j^ears gone by, and enjoy living over in mind those helpful 
 companionships. Both of us have passed the half-way point 
 in our journey ; we have given out the vigor of bounding 
 youth to our tasks ; we still have some of the strength of man- 
 hood to invest ; and it may be that the wisdom of old age may 
 be given us to administer; and if this be so, may we both do 
 well all that remains for us to do and, perhaps, the memory 
 of us will help some young brother when he comes along this 
 way, just as the memory of our fathers now helps us. 
 Yours affectionately, 
 
 Jno. C. Kilg0. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Where to Find Heaven. 
 
 Real religious joy and gladness of heart does not come to 
 the soul as the result of special prayer, nor is the "peace that 
 passeth all understanding" given simply for the asking. It 
 is as unreasonable for the do-nothing Christian to look for 
 the realization of uplifting and holy emotion and the power 
 of God, without "doing the will of the Father," as for the 
 worldly-minded man to expect honest riches to come without 
 exertion, trouble and daily toil. "No cross, no crown" is 
 exemplified in all sorts of earthly realms where there is any 
 sort of cross to bear and a crown to win. Religious joy and 
 heavenly mindedness are effects. In Christian philosophy, 
 where conditions are fulfilled, soul blessings will inevitably 
 
 18 
 
Where to Find Heaven. 
 
 follow. A man can be orthodox and moral and exemplary in 
 outward conduct, and be far from experiencing the peace of 
 piety and the genuine glow of the "love shed abroad in the 
 heart." Our happiness in this life depends upon our doing 
 good to others and living for others. As a man thus sows 
 so shall he also reap. Sunshine will come to your own heart 
 if by kind words and good deeds you throw the sunshine of 
 smile, cheer and comfort in the gloomy pathway of others. 
 "He went about doing good." I was impressed by the follow- 
 ing incident clipped from the Southwestern Presbyterian: 
 
 There was a Methodist minister who preached one day on 
 heaven. The next morning he was going down town and he 
 met one of his old wealthy members. This old friend said: 
 
 "Pastor, you preached a good sermon about heaven. You 
 told me all about heaven, but you never told me where 
 heaven is." 
 
 "Ah!" said the pastor, "I am glad of the opportunity this 
 morning. " I have just come in from the hill-top yonder. In 
 that cottage there is a member of your church. She is sick 
 in bed with fever ; her two little children are sick in the other 
 bed, and she has not got a bit of coal, or a stick of wood, or 
 flour, or sugar, or any bread. If you will go down town and 
 buy fifty dollars' worth of things, nice provisions and send 
 them up to her, and then go up there and say, 'My sister, I 
 have brought you these nice provisions in the name of our 
 Lord and Saviour.' You ask for a Bible, and you read the 
 twenty-third Psalm, and you then get down on your knees 
 and pray. If you don't see heaven before you get all 
 through, I'll pay the bill." 
 
 The next morning he said : "Pastor, I saw heaven ; and I 
 spent fifteen minutes in heaven as certain as you are 
 listening." 
 
 19 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Housekeeper Wanted. 
 
 I notice in the Christian Advocate (Nashville) the follow- 
 ing advertisement, inserted by the president of a "male" 
 college : 
 
 "Wanted — A sanctified woman for housekeeper in Merid- 
 ian Male College. One without children preferred." 
 
 The woman, it seems, is "wanted" to look after the bed 
 and bedding; and the baking of bread must have a special 
 type of religion — a peculiar version of the converted life, 
 having inward marks, often attended by many holy outward 
 exclamations. This is an unusual advertisement. What the 
 Meridian Male College really needs is a business woman- 
 housekeeper who has a place for forks, dishpans, can-openers, 
 table linen, et cetera, and keep the forks, dishpans, can- 
 openers, table linen and the et ceteras in their places decently 
 and in order. The college wants a clever, clean cook in the 
 housekeeper, who knows how to bake and brown and under- 
 stands the art of making savory soups and stews. What is 
 wanted, again, is a housekeeper who has a conscientious loath- 
 ing for dirt and dust in the sleeping apartments, and who 
 strives to keep the beds well aired and free from all those 
 live things — frequently found in college dormitories — that do 
 creep. It is really a risky ad. 
 
 The "sanctified woman without children" may turn up and 
 appear before the honorable faculty and be accepted, but she 
 may not have the essential qualities of a good and safe house- 
 keeper. She may have the required profession of piety 
 without the power of handling the pots and ovens for roasting 
 "rations" skillfully. Her precious soul may have attained 
 the state called "sanctified," but she may be one of those 
 unfortunate persons who let hair get into the butter. She 
 
Death and Burial Before the Time. 
 
 may be a "praise the Lord" woman all the day long and let 
 the "chinches" bite the boys in bed. 
 
 One thing might be emphasized — poorly cooked food and a 
 slovenly kept house is a most unsanctified situation, regardless 
 of the professed sanctifiedness of the housekeeper. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Death and Burial Before the Time. 
 
 There are living, unless they have died recently, in Marl- 
 boro County, a strangely death-betrothed couple. They are 
 very old people, man and wife, who, in view of dissolution, and 
 I hope, of heaven, too, have made ready their tombs and have 
 erected the monumental marble at their graves, leaving blank 
 places for date of death. Upon the completion of the tombs 
 and monument in the spring of 1906 appropriate services 
 were solemnly held. A lawyer of felicitous speech and some 
 sentiment was selected by the aged pair to do the funeralizing, 
 which he did in a befitting manner, in the presence of a large 
 crowd of friends, relatives and other "mourners." The 
 "lamented" old people, it is reported, enjoyed the burial 
 serv'ice and funeral oration, and returned to their homes, 
 doubtless much pleased with prospects of soon becoming 
 tenants of their tombs. 
 
 The cool businesslike way of preparing with painstaking 
 care casket and cerements for the body, in case of death, is 
 not generally observed. Here and there in the land among 
 the multitude you will run across this peculiar phenomenon, 
 but the personal grave-undertaking enterprise is indulged in 
 by few of the mortals who are bom to die. I knew a dear 
 Christian old lady who had her coffin garments all nicely 
 made up and prepared twenty-two years ago when she was 
 about sixty years of age. She lived to see this year of 1907, 
 
 21 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 dying in the faith at 82. The other day I visited an aged 
 gentleman who had been in ill health for some time. Said 
 he: "Well, sir, I have my box now prepared in which I will 
 be placed when I am gone. I think it will fit all right. I 
 would have gotten in it the other day at the shop just to see 
 if it were comfortable, but my rheumatism would not let me." 
 He is about the age of the sister mentioned above who died 
 at 82. At this writing. May 31st, his physical condition is 
 much improved, and many sincerely wish that it may be a long 
 time ere the pine coffin will be taken from its place in the barn 
 and used to hold the remains of an aged man who evidently is 
 ready to die. 
 
 CHAPTER \T. 
 
 ''Heading Off a Negro College." 
 
 Much good, bad and indifferent literature has been pub- 
 lished recently with reference to the race question, or rather 
 the negro question. The situation grows in interest with the 
 passing days. Besides the usual lynching excursions now and 
 then, of which we read, there are other conflicts here and there 
 between the white man and the darkey. The latter gets in 
 the way, the former desires him to step aside, and he will not 
 step, and there is often force exercised and much bad passion 
 stirred. The conflicts will likely be more pronounced after 
 awhile when the black negro occupies the comer-lot and owns 
 his phaeton and high-headed team, all spick and span, with 
 possibly a poor white man as driver and coachman. 
 
 The negro partakes of the spirit of push around him, and 
 where he is intelligent enough to be appreciative he ener- 
 getically enters pleas for progress. This day, June 10th, I 
 am impresesd with the following headlines in The State, 
 Columbia, and the communication from the correspondent of 
 that paper in Spartanburg: 
 
 22 
 
"Heading Off a Negro College." 
 
 "Spartanburg Men Buy Land 
 
 TO Head Off Negro College. 
 
 "Spartanburg, June 9. — To prevent the establishment at 
 Cherokee Springs of a large industrial school for negroes, a 
 party of citizens residing in that section of the county have 
 purchased the property from Mr. John D. Humphreys, of 
 this city. The following will compose the company : Dr. J. 
 L. Wofford, John and A. G. Harris, J. R. Foster, J. M. 
 Foster, J. R. Easier, A. Crocker, B. O. Turner, M. N. 
 Turner, J. M. Wofford and Mr. Teal. 
 
 "The purchasers of the property live in the neighborhood 
 of Cherokee Springs, and are among the best known and sub- 
 stantial citizens of the county. It is not known what improve- 
 ments will be made on the hotel and springs, though it is 
 understood just as soon as the company is organized extensive 
 improvements will be made. 
 
 "Booker Washington, president of Tuskegee Normal Insti- 
 tution, at Tuskegee, Ala., at one time quite recently thought 
 seriously of buying the property from Mr. Humphreys and 
 erecting a large college for colored people. In fact, it is said 
 Washington would have purchased the property had not the 
 citizens of Cherokee Springs formed a company and bought 
 the springs and adjoining property." 
 
 Why did those citizens of Spartanburg buy the land and 
 other property.? Simply this: To prevent the establishment 
 at Cherokee Springs of a large industrial school for negroes. 
 Who are those citizens.? Why, among the best. They reside 
 in that community and are among the best known and sub- 
 stantial citizens of the county. Why did those citizens buy 
 that Cherokee property to prevent the establishment of a 
 negro industrial school.? It was not because they were 
 opposed to an increase of population, especially if it mate- 
 rially added to the general trade and traffic of the community. 
 It was not because they are opposed to education, or the 
 
 23 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 building of industrial educational institutions. They highly 
 prize, doubtless, each one of them — a well-trained horse even, 
 or an educated dog. They are enlightened gentlemen and 
 believe in the spread of Christian civilization and the bringing 
 up the child in the way it should go, but it is apparent thej 
 do not believe in bringing up the colored youth in the way 
 they should go at Cherokee Springs by way of an industrial 
 school. They did not want in their midst a large school of 
 Afro-Americans "a larnin'." They did not wish the imme- 
 diate environment of colored culture. 
 
 They conferred and concerted, and put their hands deep 
 down in their pockets and purchased the land to "head off the 
 negro college.'' 
 
 But this is a broad land, and there are other suitable sites 
 for negro colleges. The institution may be "headed off" at 
 Cherokee, and find no place for a foundation on Spartanburg 
 County's soil. What does that amount to.'' The negro col- 
 lege will be built ; the walls ere long will arise and the tall 
 towers erected somewhere. An old Quaker sister not long 
 since, dying where the cotton can't grow, bequeathed before 
 she flew to heaven a mint of money for the education of the 
 Southern negro. Others will die and make their wills, leaving 
 dollars and ducats for the darkey. 
 
 Really, seriously, long before that negro gets the comer- 
 lot with the brownstone front, and the coachman for hire and 
 the turnout all spick and span, ought not this grave question 
 to be definitely settled, and most amicably setttled in the fear 
 of God. The negro's privileges — what must they be, and 
 what they must not be, his relationship, his society standing, 
 and-so-forth. How will you settle it? Would it not be 
 extremely difficult in 1920 for general society to convict and 
 ostracize for miscegenation where a black-skinned heiress and 
 a hundred thousand dollars are involved.'' Commercialism is 
 becoming more and more soulless, without regard to condi- 
 tions and conscience. In a certain state of mind and morals 
 
 24 
 
"Heading Off a Negro College." 
 
 "money answereth all things." A matrimonial dower of 
 one hundred thousand dollars would tend to shut off all just 
 prejudices and cover a vast amount of racial degradation. 
 And then — and then.'' The story of faithful old Abraham 
 and the mistake of his life, which proved, however, not an 
 unmixed evil, with reference to the Egyptian maid, is full of 
 instruction and suggestion. Sarah, being in despair of hav- 
 ing an heir, consented as to Hagar, and Abraham proceeded. 
 Hagar, it is said, being somewhat exalted in the social scale, 
 began to despise the old mistress — for which the former suf- 
 fered. In course of human events Ishmael came upon the 
 scene. Ere long he seriously began to interfere with young 
 Isaac's rights and prerogatives. He was seen even mocking 
 the legitimate heir. The proud old mother, burning with 
 righteous indignation, told the husband a few things, and 
 Hagar and the boy Ishmael got their orders. It grieved 
 Abraham to send them away, but for the sake of domestic 
 peace and piety the decree must be executed. The Lord said 
 unto Abraham: "In all that Sarah said unto thee, hearken 
 unto her voice." We have on hand in this blessed century a 
 powerful progeny which was bom in sin and shapened in the 
 ungodliness of greed and gain. The history of the begin- 
 ning, growth, development, calamities, recorded on thrilling 
 pages will ever be of absorbing interest. The evolution being 
 most favorably conditioned, has steadily progressed unto this 
 good day. "According to their pasture, so are they filled." 
 Our Southern negro Ishmael, much mixed, and here and there 
 most ingloriously compounded, but retaining all inherited 
 racial conditions and characteristics, is becoming a serious 
 problem as he grows in strength and substance. There he 
 stands, a big, black fact. You dare not- sit, eat and sleep 
 with him. You cannot and would not appropriate him. You 
 cannot amalgamate him. What will you do with him.'' Would 
 it not be best to let him go? Let him depart with abundant 
 baggage in Christian peace to some other propitious realm 
 
 25 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 of this broad earth. There, under happy skies, let him colon- 
 ize and work out his own salvation along lines where the 
 natural and favorable circumstances of the case suggest and 
 the God of Races has designed. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 The Governor's Salary. 
 
 Is it not time to raise the Governor's salary.? Should not 
 the executive head have the encouragement and enjoyment of 
 an increase in means and money? I believe it is only $3,000 
 now. That is not the income, in many instances, of a clever 
 professional gentleman of not extraordinary tact and talent, 
 and not a few artisans and architects, these days of much 
 cash, realize nearly, if not quite, that sum in twelve good 
 months. Three thousand dollars is hardly sufficient to main- 
 tain the Chief Magistrate of South Carolina in that dignity, 
 careless ease and refined exterior which should characterize 
 the ways and walks of the Governor of a great State. Many 
 States in America give their Goevmors $5,000 and more. 
 New York gives $10,000. Illinois has recently increased 
 her Governor's salary to $12,000 in cash. All public 
 officials holding great offices of trust should be amply provided 
 for, and be so well supplied in grub and greenbacks that will 
 enable them to give their time to the duties of their high call- 
 ing. They should be free from carking cares so that they 
 could concentrate all energies to their line of work for the 
 good of the people and the weal of the commonwealth. Solici- 
 tors sometimes, I have thought, show lack of intense earnest- 
 ness in the prosecution of criminals and in upholding the 
 majesty of the law. They are not well paid men, and to 
 realize a sufficiency in shekels they often have two or more 
 irons in the fire. Secretaries of State and State Treasurers 
 
 26 
 
The Murdered Wife. 
 
 can't well attend to State business and State money matters 
 and be bothered by outside oj)erations — those "two or more 
 irons in the fire." Sheriffs generally get greatly interested in 
 hunting and ininning down a felon when there is a big reward 
 offered for his capture. The Chief Magistrate should be well 
 clothed, well fed, well groomed, and be able to say to this one, 
 "Go, and he goeth," and to another, "Come, and he cometh." 
 He should have an abundance of cash, comforts and conveni- 
 ences, and be able to say to all sorts of rebate tempters, "Get 
 behind me, Satan." 
 
 Gentlemen of the Legislature, raise your Governor's salary 
 to a reasonable and righteous figure. Three thousand dollars 
 is not sufficient ; forty -five hundred would not in this prosper- 
 ous day be extravagance. 
 
 CHAPTER VIH. 
 
 The Murdered Wife. 
 
 One morning of this past summer gone, I was leisurely 
 strolling in a quiet country churchyard situated 'midst most 
 dreary surroundings, when I noticed a lonely grave that had 
 not been kept with care, nor had it received even that cursory 
 attention which had apparently been bestowed upon other 
 graves around. There were no sea shells on this mound, nor 
 faded flowers. There was no simple headstone, nor marble 
 with inscription, to tell the name and the time when this new 
 tenant of the tomb closed the earthly pilgrimage, and was in 
 this sad and solitary place interred. Upon inquiry, I learned 
 who the deceased was, and the tears, trials and tragedy of an 
 obscure life that had suffered and sang its octaves of agony 
 unknown to the world. She passed away not many years 
 before in her lonely home among the tall pines and the swamp 
 wildwood, in sorrows the saddest and in circumstances most 
 
 27 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 distressing. She was a young wife, and before her marriage 
 she had resided in a distant city, where she had toiled from 
 early childhood in an honorable way for a decent support and 
 honest livelihood. She gave her heart and hand to a man 
 who owned a small tract of land and a cabin in a remote 
 section of an adjoining county. Doubtless she was as happy 
 a bride as many others whose matrimonial hour comes 
 attended by gayest festivities and in most affluent circum- 
 stances. She now had a home she could call her own. She 
 could plant her flowers and trail the running vines about her 
 own cottage door, and likely had her life been spared, and had 
 she met with any degree of responsiveness, she would have 
 exemplified in that remote part of the world, that rarest 
 thing — love in a cottage and conjugal happiness in a poor 
 cabin home. But Providence decreed otherwise. No, not 
 Providence, for does God decree evil! Does our Heavenly 
 Father create conditions and circumstances in this world to 
 make mortals miserable.'' Does He design that any of His 
 poor, dependant children should in this world become the vic- 
 tim of cruelty, and be unhappy all their days? No, "God is 
 love." His ways are ways of pleasantness and all His paths 
 are paths of peace. Faith in His name, and fulfilling the 
 conditions of spirtiual life always bring sunshine to the heart 
 and home, and drive away all darkness, and sin, and the cause 
 of the discontented mind, and unhappiness. The forces of 
 evil, I might call it, decreed that the young wife should not 
 dwell in the new cabin home long — just long enough for the 
 vines to begin to clamber about the cottage door and the 
 flowers she had planted to burst forth into their first bloom- 
 ing. The husband was a most petulant man, and at times 
 would give way to the insane impulses of a violent temper. 
 Sometimes he was kind and considerate to his young wife; at 
 other times he was unreasonable in his demands, and harsh 
 and cruel in his conduct towards her. 
 
 The neighbors in course of time generally learn everything 
 
 28 
 
Family Prayer. 
 
 good or bad concerning the life and character of a home in 
 their midst, and it soon became known to them that this young 
 wife was greatly imposed upon, and that she received blows, 
 and severe ones at times, from the hands of him she had a 
 right to expect caresses and marks of unalloyed affection. 
 On one occasion, after one year's married life, she visited a 
 neighbor friend one afternoon and returned at a later hour 
 after sundown than the orders of her governor permitted. 
 The irate husband, with curses, struck her several blows. 
 Her encouchment was not far off. She succumbed to the 
 punishment, retired to her bed and became alarmingly ill with 
 convulsions. She was tenderly watched and nursed during 
 the night by the kind neighbors, but ere morning came she 
 died — doubly murdered. 
 
 In the shadow of the old church building they were buried, 
 and this is the first time the sad story has ever been told. Per- 
 haps if the truth of her life, character and patient suffering 
 were fully known, no other sleeper in the ancient graveyard 
 deserves a higher monument or a more lasting memorial in 
 marble. When the time for grave-decorating at the old 
 church comes around again, I hope kind hands will plant some 
 evergreen there, and place sweet flowers on that solitary 
 grave, though ere long they, too, may fade away and perish 
 hke the life and hopes of the murdered heart that died and 
 was buried there years ago. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Family Prayer. 
 
 There is one class of sinners I find in this broad religious 
 land who destroys much good — prayerless parents. In many 
 church communities there are fearfully few home altars, a 
 sure evidence of a lack of vitality as can be easily detected in 
 
 29 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 great spiritual leanness. I never saw a man that had joy and 
 peace in the Holy Ghost who provideth not for the religious 
 welfare of his own household. If he starts out with a 
 religious zeal it is not long before he denies the faith. God 
 puts the seal of His displeasure upon such a sin of omission by 
 withdrawing His Spirit. He turns him over to a reprobate 
 mind. 
 
 The father without an altar is a priest that has forsaken 
 his calling ; a home without prayer and praise is a body with- 
 out spirit. He is worse than an infidel and will do, if he 
 repents not, actual devilment in course of human events when- 
 ever there is a favorable opportunity. Said I once to a mem- 
 ber of the Church — and mercy on us, a steward, too — said 
 I, "Brother, you have an interesting family, a good wife, a 
 pleasant home. Pray with your family. It will do you good, 
 it will be so helpful to the wife, it will have a beneficial eff^ect 
 on the children and it will be setting a good example before 
 your neighbors. Come, now." 
 
 He grew serious. Taking me aside, he said, "That's good, 
 what you have told me, but you see, I am not right exactly 
 and my wife, 'er, she knows that I'm a sort of a rascal, and it 
 won't do to be too much of a hypocrite." 
 
 Future events proved that his wife had him down right. 
 
 And I fear that many fathers here and there in our Israel 
 do not worship God in their homes, because they know the 
 wife, that best discemer of spirits, have no confidence in their 
 Christian profession, and they believe they are more or less 
 "sort of rascals." The Lord have mercy on 'em. Yes, that's 
 the sinner that should repent, the father or mother that's not 
 training by the good word and work of prayer and praise in 
 the home their offspring in the way they should go. He may 
 be, this sinner, a generous fellow, an amiable man, possessing 
 many commendable traits of character, yet one thing he lacks. 
 "To him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it 
 is sin." That's plain enough. Apply it. 
 
 30 
 
, Two Educators Who Educated. 
 
 Some years ago in a meeting I conducted, a big, strong 
 man become deeply convicted. He came to the church altar 
 for prayer. He himself prayed and wept. Directly he 
 moved from his place and sat upon a bench near. He 
 requested his grown daughter and son who were present to 
 come to him. He placed liis arms around them and said: 
 "Children, please forgive me." The daughter, much affected, 
 said: "Why, papa, you have always been the best of fathers 
 to me, why say 'I forgive you.'" You have ever been a good 
 father and gave me more than I wanted." "No I haven't," 
 said he, "I have never worshipped God in our home, never have 
 tried to train you to be religious, never gave you Christ ; and 
 so, my precious children, do forgive me." They did, and 
 God did. 
 
 There are not a few fathers who perchance will read these 
 lines, and who have done the wrong he committed, and are in 
 need of the grace of repentance he exhibited. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 TxtH> Educators Who Educated. 
 
 The education of the man should begin when the man 
 begins. The parent moulds the character and shapes the 
 future destiny of the child. "Train up a child in the way 
 he should go." That's according to the fitness of things, 
 and it's the divine way. The man who lacks gumption and 
 godliness has got no business with a family of children. He 
 has missed his calling. He who is incapacitated to supply the 
 soul-wants of his offspring is worse than a heathen. 
 
 The divine command, "Honor thy father and thy mother," 
 presupposes that the child has been honored all the days of its 
 youthful life by the parent. In this case, as a man soweth so 
 shall he also reap. Sow the principles of the gospel into the 
 
 31 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 fertile soul of the young, and demonstrate clearly those godly 
 principles in a pure, consecrated life, and loving, dutiful chil- 
 dren even down to old age will be the gladsome harvest. 
 Sometimes it is said of a youngster just twenty-one, "He is 
 free now; he can come and go as he pleases." Free from 
 what.f* What sort of a tyrany has he escaped, from what 
 kind of bondage has he been delivered by this unfortunate 
 statute of limitations.? That's very significant — "he is free 
 at twenty-one." The young man will feel less embarrassed 
 and have more liberty doubtless when the old man dies and he 
 takes possession of the remaining tracts of fertile fields. 
 
 1. I knew a man once when a boy, and industrious man 
 and as godless and covetous as he was industrious. He had 
 sons who had to work like slaves until they "were free." 
 That farmer was the earliest to rise and the latest to leave 
 his fields. He accumulated. The sons waxed strong in 
 gristle and grease, and their aspirations were shaped by the 
 sire. 
 
 2. One day that godless farmer fell from his mule. It was 
 a paralytic stroke.^ Two days, and he died without a will. 
 In the chamber of death we stretched him, clothed in the best 
 garments he ever wore. I'll never forget what the master 
 of ceremonies said as he looked seriously on the dignified 
 corpse : "Well, boys, we all know where he's gone to." 
 
 3. There was no mourning, no sighs or signs of soul 
 anguish as the boys passed by the bier and viewed the "old 
 man'' lying in state. There were lank, hungry looks, and 
 directly the youngest raised the question, looking ominously 
 at the step-mother, "Whar is pap's breeches.'"' 
 
 The keys were there, always there, in "pap's breeches" — the 
 keys that unlocked the "chist" where the dollars were. And 
 they all were delighted when they got the breeches, the keys, 
 and unlocked the "chist." 
 
 * * * "And when he is old he will not depart from it." 
 
Two Educators Who Educated. 
 
 Years ago, in the seventies, one evening might have been 
 seen a circuit rider wending his way slowly home from a 
 quarterly meeting. The eighth question had brought 
 meagre returns in cash to the table, though there had been 
 a great deal of "scrip" reported. Maybe one brother had 
 hauled to the parsonage a load of wood "at the market price," 
 and that was reported as "scrip." Another, a peck of 
 sweet potatoes, and that was "scrip." Another, one gallon 
 of s^'^rup — all "at the market price." Another, had sacri- 
 ficed — mercy ! — peas — cow-peas, one bushel ; and goobers, 
 too ; and all was "scrip." One church, where there was much 
 "spaituality," nearest parsonage, called, say Pisgah, had 
 kept all the cash and fed the horse and pigs of the preacher 
 "at the market price." 
 
 Well, weary-worn, this old, brave Methodist preacher, with 
 his "scrip," in a jogging trot, moved on. He collected on 
 his way from the Conference a ham or two, some more 
 " 'taters," and passing by the field where the exhorter of the 
 circuit was mowing down rich shocks of ripening oats, the 
 itinerant's vehicle was stopped and a few dozen bundles were 
 tied behind the seat of the buggy — "scrip" for the next 
 quarterly meeting's report. 
 
 But amidst these oats and goobers, and with the small 
 amount of cash, the fearful answer to the eighth question, 
 this old hero held his head high. He was uplifted in Ms 
 poverty by lofty aspirations. There were three little lads 
 at home he had determined to give a collegiate education — an 
 older one, a middle one and frail baby one. Besides, there 
 were girls, two or three, to be educated, and on a salary of 
 hardly over $500 a year. How could it be done.'' As a 
 business institution, it looked a failure. The common sense 
 man would have said, "Imposible.'' The uncommon business 
 man would have said, "Impracticable." But the determined 
 purpose behind the oats, 'midst the " 'taters," said, "By God's 
 help, I will." "I will live on bread and water," said he, "and 
 
 33 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 wear patched clothes before I will throw mj children on 
 society uneducated." 
 
 The old man's gone now. He returned home one time 
 on the circuit never to start out again. One can scarcely 
 read on the darkened and storm-beaten slab that marks his 
 resting-place the lines that record his name, but his work 
 and spirit remain, greater than costliest monumental shaft. 
 
 The daughters got the education. That oldest lad is a 
 preacher, filling most important stations and Secretary of 
 Education ; the middle one is president of a growing college ; 
 the frail baby boy is a preacher of power. The old hero 
 behind the oats, 'midst the " 'taters" and goobers, did it all. 
 
 Thank God for the life of James T. Kilgo, of the South 
 Carolina Conference. 
 
 O thou poor man, whether plodding preacher or forlorn 
 farmer, hast thou children to educate? Let not chill penury 
 repress thy noble rage. Behold what this man of whom we 
 have written accomplished, and move on, heart within and 
 God overhead. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 "The Pestilence That Walketh in Darkness" 
 
 "Ye ugly, creepin', blastit wonner, 
 Detested, shunn'd by saunt an' sinner." — Burns. 
 
 The pestilence of the Psalmist has no reference to a little 
 pestilential live thing that does pester, in certain favorable 
 conditions, innocent humanity, but to some other dire evil 
 that might invade the land and afflict the people. And 
 though I may be accused of descending with fearful rapidity 
 from the sublime to the ridiculous to choose a text of Holy 
 Writ to tell the tale of a bug, yet the application is so sug- 
 
 34 
 
"The Pestilence That Walketh in Darkness." 
 
 gestive that I cannot resist the temptation. The pestilence 
 in the Psalm refers to "the machinations of wicked men 
 hatched in the dark ;" tlie application is to the machinations 
 of other evil things hatched also in the dark. I might 
 truthfully say, in justification, that to all peaceful sleepers 
 in Israel of good taste and refined feeling, who have had an 
 experience, the noisome creatures referred to have proven 
 to be pestilential; and, secondly, the wary and unwearied 
 pestilential things doth "walk in darkness." They wait till 
 night, "when evils are most free," ere they begin their nefari- 
 ous trade. When the sleeper has resigned himself to his 
 pillow, when tired nature seeks needed repose, and when 
 balmy sleep at last overcomes, then it is these maurauders 
 steal softly from lurking places in cracks and crevices. They 
 survey with wondering eyes and mahcious delight their out- 
 stretched victim as he lies upon his downy couch, a 
 quiet breezeless midsummer night, helpless and unprotected. 
 Directly, long before the cock crows for midnight, the sleeper 
 starts as one half-affrighted. He rises on one elbow, rubs 
 his eyes, scratches violently his head and thinks now it may 
 have been some unrecalled dream that disturbed him so, and 
 again lies down, but not to pleasant slumbers. He has no 
 right to indulge in suspicion, for the room he inhabits is the 
 "company chamber," especially prepared for guests. The 
 sheets and coverlets are clean and white as snow, and the 
 bedstead, though very ancient, has held many an honorable 
 guest before. He strives, therefore, to compose himself and 
 court sweet slumber. Though "darkness there and nothing 
 more," he closes his eyelids, shuts off all avenues of thought 
 and clips the wings of imagination that they, in this troubled 
 midnight hour, might not soar at all. He does painful, plod- 
 ding work with the now dull mental powers to induce sleep. 
 He counts the sheep as they one by one leap over a wall, or 
 slowly repeats backward the multiplication table, or else 
 thinks of the traveler, weared and worn, who reaches his 
 
 35 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 home exhausted and gets snug in bed not until the first wee 
 hour of morn, or the tired laborer in "Cotter's Saturday 
 Night," who sleeps so soundly after a day of unremitting toil. 
 No one can tell the exact moment when unconsciousness 
 actually takes place and one succumbs to sleep. One knows 
 full weU when the clock on the mantle struck twelve or two, 
 as the case may be, but never heard it strike one or three, 
 and somewhere between twelve and one, or somewhere between 
 two and three, he knows sleep came, and that is all that he 
 does know — all that the afterward awakened consciousness 
 brings to mind. So the sleeper we have in contemplation, in 
 the "company chamber," on the very ancient bedstead, remem- 
 bers that he did go to sleep. May be it was during the 
 counting of the sheep, or while the multiplication table was 
 being repeated, or while sympathy was exercised for the 
 tired laborer or the wearied traveler — somewhere along there 
 he became fast asleep. In the meantime the other watchful 
 inhabitants of the old bedstead, who had bided their time, 
 begin hostilities. The feet, first of the sleeper, are poniarded 
 for blood, and then others, crawling over part of the face, as 
 if to be satisfied that all's quiet and the victim is at rest, make 
 incisions in the neck, stabbing and sucking here and there. 
 The sleeper awakes. He soon becomes conscious that he has 
 been humbugged out of sleep, and that they are there, prob- 
 ably in considerable force. He stretches himself, gapes and 
 yawns, but in the darkness seeks a match and lights the lamp. 
 He goes to the bed to investigate, but apparently they are 
 gone. Like other sort of sinners, they hate the light and will 
 flee from it as from wrath. Just under the pillow there is 
 one or more likely, he will find, that did not fly with the gang 
 when light was flashed over the scene. Too heavily laden, it 
 may be, for active and sudden exertion, too full of the rich 
 feast of crimson blood to find the hiding places. There it 
 squats low upon the spotless sheet with the lamplight gloat- 
 ing o'er. As the now fully awakened former occupant of 
 
 36 
 
"The Pestilence That Walketh in Darkness." 
 
 the bed beholds the "varmint," he might well wish, in the 
 words of the poet : 
 
 "O, for some rank, mercurial rozet 
 Or fell red smedum, 
 I'd give you sic a hearty dose o't 
 Wad dress your droddum." 
 
 To dispatch the bug in such circumstances is often the 
 thought of a moment, but the execution should be done with 
 the greatest care, for the ordinary and suggestive killing by 
 mashing the body and parts of the noisome nuisance pro- 
 duces such an offensive odoriferous shock to sensitive olfac- 
 tory nerves that it would take hours to overcome and days 
 to forget. It is best generally to let the thing alone in its 
 glory, and leave the bed and bedding, for this one found 
 under the pillow may be the lone straggler of a mighty 
 horde, as close investigation often proves. Yes, surrender 
 the couch to those creatures for whom it was not prepared, 
 and if there be no book, paper, nor pencil, go to the window 
 and by its side sit down for awhile, and look out and upward 
 upon the immensity of space. Perhaps the stars may give 
 some food thought of relief, and the consideration of the 
 beautiful handiwork of the firmament might console in a sad 
 and lonely midsummer night hour. Cogitate in the circum- 
 stances until tired nature yearns for rest, and then, avoid the 
 bed, its sheets and pillows, and stretch thy weary length upon 
 the floor, enduring hardness as a good soldier. Even there, 
 however, upon the floor they may find you ; even there, you 
 may feel their sting and smell the inti-usion of the pestilence 
 that walketh in darkness, until day breaketh everywhere and 
 the glad hour of morning delivers you from the dire prison 
 of a bed-room and its obnoxious and cruel inhabitants. 
 
 The traveling preacher as a general rule has no option as 
 to special homes or temporary abode. He must not seek soft 
 places, sumptuous dining halls and delectable chambers in 
 
 37 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 which to recuperate, feast and sleep. As he moves around 
 among his parishioners or other kindly disposed and hospit- 
 able people, he would be lacking in the Christian spirit if 
 he would be indifferent to the welcome fireside of the cottages, 
 or show inappreciation for the cup of cold water from the 
 humblest and poorest. He is here, yonder and everywhere, 
 and must eat, drink and rest where invitation is extended and 
 providence and pious policy may suggest. He must not say 
 to the poor man who invites him to board and bed, unless 
 there had been a previous innocent arrangement, "No, I 
 thank you, sir; I will go to Col. Bobo's today to dine," or 
 "to Major Plumtree's tomorrow for supper and lodging." 
 The circuit rider must be a man of the people and for the 
 people. He should be, for Christ's sake, "all things to all 
 men that by all means he might save some." It is not only 
 a pious proposition — this commendable conduct — but it is- 
 sound policy. It pays to stoop to conquer. Some of the 
 most faithful adherents of the Church today are not robed 
 in soft raiment, nor do they live in king's houses. The main- 
 stay and steady support of our great ecclesiastical system 
 in this Southland of ours in past days has been the humble 
 dwellers of mountain log cabins and the inhabitants of 
 uncouth homes 'midst the dreary swamps and tall pines of 
 the lowlands. There^s where our greatness and sturdy race 
 began. They were a happy people on their bread and bacon 
 as they bore the burden and heat of the day, and sang songs 
 of joy around the torch-lighted firesides at night in their 
 humble homes. 
 
 "How jocund did they drive their team afield. 
 How bow'd the woods beneath their sturdy stroke." 
 
 Such sentiments as are contained in the above actuated me, 
 I am glad to say, in my early ministry when first I began 
 to make my pastoral rounds, and I have been trying to hold 
 fast to this faith and practice since those novice-days. I 
 
 38 
 
"The Pestilence That Walketh in Darkness." 
 
 have had some trying experiences in attempting to come up 
 to the standard — to the "all tilings to all men," but, as a 
 rule, I have managed the situation fairly well. Occasionally, 
 however, I must confess, I have manifested a tendency that 
 looked more to creature comforts than to the main purpose 
 of my vocation. Once I remember well I departed from 
 the wholesome principles I have ever maintained, and mani- 
 fested a nervous weakness that I am more ready to confess 
 than to defend. That which is akin to the aesthetic forces 
 of a sensitve system broke out in open and daring rebellion, 
 and I had to give way for the time on account of cruel cir- 
 cumstances which were beyond my power to amend or 
 alleviate. 
 
 As I revert today to the scene, time and place of my tribu- 
 lation and retreat, I have no words of commendation for my 
 conduct, yet really in my heart I have never been able to 
 condemn. Although I apparently did rashly violate the law 
 of open-hearted hospitality, nevertheless I experienced com- 
 placency of spirit afterwards and my conscience was soothed 
 and relieved by the thought of compulsory circumstances, 
 and it seemed, like the rabbit in "Uncle Remus," which 
 climbed the telegraph pole, hostly pursued by the fox, I was 
 just "obleeged ter." 
 
 On one occasion, some years ago, early in my hopeful 
 
 itinerancy in the county of , I was pressed to spend 
 
 the night with a good and humble brother, whom, for con- 
 venience sake in the narrative, we will call Mr. Erastus 
 McQuorter. He lived quite a distance from the place where 
 I was residing, and without a wavering mind, but with heart 
 encouraged by pleasing prospects, I consented to go, naming 
 the hour of the evening when in all probability I would 
 arrive. 
 
 Who is it that does not enjoy a drive over the highways 
 of the up-country in the good old summer time, when there 
 are no clouds nor threatening weather and the day is pleasant. 
 
 39 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 The roads generally in summer are at their best, hard and 
 smooth. The forest and fields are the greenest, the birds 
 sing their sweetest and the fresh flowing streams and rivulets 
 make music as the traveler passes by. Over the hills and 
 down again, through long stretches of woodland, across the 
 creeks, and valleys and through beautiful fields of waving 
 com I drove to McQuorter's, where I arrived just as the sun 
 was going down. Perhaps the most interesting hour on the 
 farm, away in the backwoods, is when the hard day's work is 
 over and the "hands" and "plowmen plod their weary way" 
 to their homes and the bam. The tired mules are ungeared 
 and relieved of bit and bridle. They seek their watering and 
 wallow with many a grunt of satisfaction in the soft, sandy 
 places of the lot. The cows are now in the stalls chewing 
 their cuds in peace after the milking and feeding, and the 
 calves, young and foolish, skip about here and there, leaping 
 and jumping, shying at objects and, with head up and tails 
 outstretched, they run about as swiftly and dexteriously as 
 deers in a park. The geese keep up a goose-like attitude 
 and join in a discordant and monotonous refrain. The ducks 
 chatter and quack continuously — the old drakes instinctively 
 polite and obsequiously gallant are busy, bobbing their heads 
 up and down, and seem to encourage those that do the quack- 
 ing to make more noise and continue their fussy clamors. 
 The other poultry who retire earliest, led by their richly- 
 combed leader, have all repaired to their roost in the fowl 
 house hardby and are not in the motley crowd's ignoble 
 strife. The cock's shrill clarion, however, will be the first 
 heard in the early morning. At feed time the hogs raise a 
 perfect sound of dire distress and lamentation, until the boy 
 comes with the slops and basket of corn. "The ox knoweth 
 his owner and the ass his master's crib." After awhile all 
 are watered, slopt, housed, penned, cooped and fed, and ere 
 twilight in summer has altogether gone the farmer with a 
 
 40 
 
"The Pestilence That Walketh in Darkness." 
 
 clear conscience, tired limbs and a good appetite, is ready for 
 his substantial supper and his bed. 
 
 After enjoying a scene somewhat similar to the above the 
 evening of my arrival, I was soon in McQuorter's castle, 
 making myself "feel at home.'' McQuorter's house was an 
 old one. It bore evidence, internal and external, of great 
 antiquity. It had never seen paint, and very little white- 
 wash of lime, but its sound timbers had withstood the 
 inroads of varied seasons of many years and the storms and 
 tempests of decades. Mr. McQuorter's house was a log 
 dwelling. The main part of the edifice was of hewn logs, 
 weather-boarded without and ceiled within, and there were 
 shed rooms around. 
 
 After the "stock" had been fed, and the cows milked, it 
 wasn't long before preparations for supper were in full blast 
 in an adjoining room. There was a hurrying and scurry- 
 ing to and fro, and sounds of a spluttering and spattenng, 
 and of dishes, a-rinsing and a-clattering. Then there came 
 a noise of grinding, and a noise of frying, and it was not 
 long before everything was baked and browned, and supper 
 was announced. The biscuit-bread was very large, baked in 
 unwieldly pones, the coffee very strong, and ham and eggs 
 were verily fried — and I did thank the good Lord for 
 McQuorter's supper. 
 
 The scene now shifts to other quarters — to the sacred pre- 
 cincts of the bed-room, that part of the domicile given to the 
 guest where, according to the law, he has two points of 
 ownership. He is placed in undisputed posession of the room, 
 and he has, therefore, the right of possession. He volun- 
 tarily enters in upon the possession and the right of posses- 
 sion, and at will he can retreat or surrender his rights and 
 privileges. The guest is here made monarch of all he surveys 
 with the right to lock, bar and defend if necessary from all 
 assaults. I was not in the "company room" a great while 
 when I, by the dim lamplight burning, did begin to survey. 
 
 41 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 It was a shed-room, and an old one. In years gone it had 
 been whitewashed, and I noticed the walls were streaked as 
 by water. I paused and considered. Evidently the room, 
 walls and all, had seen hot water, and I could not forbear 
 articulating to myself audiblj^ : "Alas, I do believe they are 
 here!" Close inspection confirmed the belief, and though I 
 was sincerely in hopes I was mistaken, yet I retired with a 
 heavy heart and sad forebodings. I had placed a friendly 
 match near the little lamp, so that in case of an uprising of 
 my dreaded and suspected enemy I might be able to throw 
 light immediately on the situation. I was soon ensconced 
 between snowy white sheets, had changed the current of my 
 thoughts from the consideration of sordid things to nobler 
 conceptions, when all at once I felt sweet slumber's chain was 
 binding me — I was gone. How long I slept I know not — I 
 think not many moments over an hour when I became con- 
 scious of the crawling creatures and stinging sensations. 
 When light was turned on, the scene that met my gaze on the 
 snow-white counterpanes and sheets of the bed was horrifying. 
 If I would say there were five hundred, I'd be guilty of a par- 
 donable exaggeration. If I'd state that there were at least 
 two hundred, I'd come near the truth. They were of all 
 sizes, all ages, apparently. Some were flat and rather turtle- 
 shaped, others narrow and long. I had never seen gray- 
 backed and gray-headed ones before, I presume on account 
 of old age — and withal there were a multitude of wee ones, 
 just hatched and started out for their first game. To attend 
 immediately, without a moment's hesitation, to my toilet was a 
 movement hastily executed. Alas ! they were on my shoes — 
 on the soles thereof, and on my linen ! I dressed and marched 
 out into a piazza, and from there to the front yard of the 
 dwelling. I reflected on my dire dilemma. What must I Ao^ 
 Where must I go Back into that "company room.'"' 
 Never. To the bam ! came the notion hke a thought of 
 inspiration. I repaired thither with hasty strides, but the 
 
 4^ 
 
"The Pestilence That Walketh in Darkness." 
 
 door was shut and locked. There was no way to gain entrance. 
 I concluded to seek the stable, where my horse had been fed, 
 and sleep the balance of the night in the trough, but found 
 the feeding-box of the horse too short and too narrow. There 
 was no room for me in barn nor stable, and I returned to the 
 yard in a perturbation of mind that cannot well be described. 
 To go from this place, or not to go, was the question — 
 whether it was nobler to remain and be bitten by bugs all the 
 night long, or order horse and vehicle and retreat to some 
 other home and thus offend good people forever, was the 
 burning question in my mind as I stood alone a star-light 
 night in McQuorter's yard. It must have been near mid- 
 night, everything was so still. I was the lone sentinel, nerv- 
 ous and unhappy. I began to imagine the things were still 
 on me — on my body and in my head, and I'd scratch here 
 and there vigorously. While in a state of doubt and fear, 
 holding my derby hat in one hand — the other was occupied 
 in scratching — a piece of paper fell from the hat on the 
 ground at my feet. I immediately seized this little piece of 
 paper as something that might prove suggestive, that might 
 indicate my course of action and bring me to some happy 
 decision in this dreadful hour — for there were a few letters 
 on the tag that fell from the hat. In early youth I had been 
 somewhat affected by superstition. I caught it from the old 
 "mammy" of the kitchen and the negroes of the "quarters." 
 When a boy, going to some place and forgetting something 
 and having to return, I'd make my mark and spit in it before 
 I went back. The owl hooting or screeching near the window 
 at midnight was a thing of terror and the harbinger of death. 
 I was well up on all the foolish superstitions of the old planta- 
 tion. There was in my youthful heart the greatest sympathy 
 for poor, unfortunate Annie Lee, in "Enoch Arden," who, 
 pressed by Phillip's suit and not knowing whether the absent 
 Enoch was dead or alive, it being ten years since he left her 
 for the long sea voyage, one night arose from her sleepless 
 
 45 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 pillow and rushed to the Bible for a decision of her fate. 
 She opened the sacred volume and, placing her finger quickly 
 down, blindly, upon the page, she looked and read, "Under 
 a palm tree." Those were the words, and nothing more. I 
 don't know why I did it. It might have been that the early 
 impressions I thought had been discarded, had subtlely 
 returned to me in a weak and trying hour. Anyhow, I 
 reached down and secured the bit of paper that fell at my 
 feet, and said: "Maybe on this tag there is a word that will 
 hint to me what I must do." Going softly to the little lamp 
 in the room I examined and found the tag to be a diamond- 
 shaped one that had fallen from the inside of the derby hat. 
 There were on it the initials of the makers of that sort of 
 hat. The letters in large type printed, were, "H. O. P. & S." 
 I felt immediately relieved. I was decided. O happy the 
 doubting man that comes to a definite decision, and knows 
 exactly what to do. My mind was "made up" instantly. I 
 reasoned and translated thusly: "H. O. P. & S." means 
 "Hop and skeedaddle," and I will forthwith leave these prem- 
 ises and my good friend, Erastus McQuorter. 
 
 I approached the door of my friend's apartments and sum- 
 moned him to appear. I called softly at first. He did not 
 respond. He must have been a sound sleeper, for in my rest- 
 less movements during the hour or more I had been walking 
 about the yard considerable noise had been produced by the 
 dog and geese ; but none of these things moved McQuorter, or 
 disturbed him in his dreams. I called aloud for McQuorter, 
 and knocked and called again. He came directly to the door, 
 opened it, and I desired him to come inside, when the follow- 
 ing dialogue occurred: 
 
 McQuorter: "What on earth, man, is the matter?" 
 Lodger: "Well, sir, I know you are surprised to see me 
 dressed at this hour — and if you will from your heart forgive 
 me, I'm obliged to teU you that I must take a midnight airing 
 — I must travel." 
 
 44 
 
"The Pestilence That Walketh in Darkness." 
 
 McQuorter (now thoroughly awakened) : "Look here, you 
 are joking? You don't intend to leave, do you?" 
 
 Lodger: "Yes, sir, I do; and you must not think hard of 
 me. I am troubled with a nervousness that I cannot control." 
 
 McQuorter: "Why not stay on, man? Won't you soon 
 get better after a little sleep?" 
 
 Lodger: "No, sir, never. It will take a drive of a few 
 miles in the pleasant night air to restore my equilibrium. 
 Absolutely necessary." 
 
 Nothing would satisfy McQuorter until I confessed that it 
 was bugs — bugs bj'^ the hundreds that had driven me from 
 my bed. On that equilibrium idea, and manifesting a meek 
 contrite spirit, I got away without much difficulty. My horse 
 was caught, harnessed and hitched, and I was soon on the 
 highway with the feeling I imagine akin somewhat to that of 
 a prisoner who had been pardoned and honorably discharged 
 from prison and was rejoicing in his liberty again. I enjoyed 
 a pleasant drive of a few miles, making my way to another 
 hospital home, and, before 2 A. M., I had awakened another 
 family, who doubtless thought it extremely early for pastoral 
 calls, and was comfortable in bed, fast asleep. 
 
 I am persuaded that my host, Erastus McQuorter, for- 
 gave me for my unusual conduct and excused my precipitate 
 retreat that summer night from his bed and board on the 
 plausible ground of restoration of the equilibrium. It is 
 likely that the next day at McQuorter's the old "company" 
 bed and room underwent such a scouring and washing, over- 
 hauling and brushing with that painstaking particularity it 
 had never witnessed before, and I am satisfied that future 
 lodgers had no more their equilibrium disturbed or their 
 slumbers broken by "the pestilence that walketh in darkness." 
 
 A growing civilization and refined Christian notions of 
 cleanliness has wonderfully affected the homes, beds and 
 kitchens of our dear common people during the last few years. 
 Old things are passing away. The old corded bedstead has 
 
 45 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 gone never to return, the antebellum feather bed is at growing 
 discount, and domestic inventions along lines of comfort, 
 cleanliness and convenience have been most marked, and are 
 producing most salutarj'^ eflPect upon mind, morals and man- 
 ners. Many of our most humble homes have flowers in the 
 yard, the geranium hothouse, pretty climbing vines, the iron 
 bedstead in the guest chamber, and all the house as neat and 
 tidy as one could wish. The old log house with its shed- 
 rooms, too, has seen its day, and, uninhabited, is crumbling in 
 ruins. Hard by the old place, a new, neat cottage arises, 
 painted and enclosed, and swept and garnished within. 
 "Cleanliness is akin to godliness." More so: It is a charac- 
 teristic of godliness and Christian civilization. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Notes and Notions. 
 
 "I pray thee, therefore. Father, that Thou wouldst send 
 him to my father's house; for I have five brethren that he 
 may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of 
 torment." One of those five brethren might have been a 
 politician. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Dignified revei'end that wishes to make himself specially 
 agreeable to kind hostess: "I'll declare. Sister Nubbins, this 
 clabber is simply delightful. Never did taste such delicious 
 clabber. How do you make clabber, Sister Nubbins .f"' 
 
 Traveler, to Berkeley Man : "As I was passing the village 
 
 of the other evening I saw the town hall lit up ; 
 
 what was going on there?" 
 
 46 
 
Notes and Notions. 
 
 Berkeley Man : "It was some sort of a play." 
 Traveler: "What sort of a play, you reckon.'"' 
 B. M. "Oh, it was only immature theatricals." 
 
 Every preacher should conduct annually at least one pro- 
 tracted revival meeting himself for his own special benefit as 
 well as others. It is feared that there are some who are 
 losing in unction and the personal power of persuasion. To 
 feel that upon you rests the burden of souls, is itself a 
 spiritual blessing that imparts strength. 
 
 Divine service — preacher with the opening prayer seems 
 loath to let loose. The prayer had body and parts — all long 
 and lengthening. Old preacher, kneeling near the source of 
 the "opening prayer" called a halt: "Condense the prayer" 
 (in a whisper). After a little again: "I say, brother, con- 
 dense, condense." He finally blew for the station, but the 
 entire congregation, as well as the "old preacher," had become 
 wearied, and that part of the service which should always be 
 refreshing proved to be trying and tedious. 
 
 * * * 
 
 A layman said to me: "I tell you, Brother Wilkes, our 
 people came near kicking when Brother Skipper was sent to 
 us by the Conference, but I looked at it this way: Before 
 Conference met I prayed to the Lord to send us the right man 
 — a good, consecrated minister, for the Whalebone charge, 
 and I prayed earnestly, and I had faith in my praying. Now 
 of course here comes Skipper. I am not going back on my 
 prayer. I shall support him with all my heart. He is the 
 man for Whalebone Circuit." 
 
 47 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 "The tyrannical conduct of husbands, in such cases is 
 universal ; and I scarce know one householder of my acquaint- 
 ance who has not, on some ill-omened and most inconvenient 
 season, announced suddenly to his innocent helpmate that he 
 had invited 
 
 Some odious Major Rock 
 
 To drop in at six o'clock, 
 
 To the great discomposure of the lady, and the discredit, per- 
 haps, of her domestic arrangements." 
 
 She, the helpmate, should by all means be consulted before- 
 hand with reference to the "Major's" dining, and the man of 
 the house should always cultivate sympathy for the kitchen 
 and culinary conscience of the wife. 
 
 Said an old fellow once to me over in Colleton, during a 
 
 protracted meeting: "Brother W , we are having a 
 
 glorious meeting, but if you take up a collection you will 
 spile the whole thing." 
 
 You have heard of the fool who said he never intended to 
 go into water until he learned to swim. One meets another 
 one now and then who says "he is not going to join the 
 Church until he gets fitten." 
 
 A college commencement, graduating class exhibition ; one 
 young orator's subject, "A Succinct Dissertation on Recent 
 Outcome of the Prolific Mind of Man." I wonder what has 
 been the "outcome" of this young graduate .f* 
 
 * * * 
 
 Isn't it remarkable that the real innateness of a man will, 
 in times, in favorable circumstances, show itself and work to 
 
 48 
 
Notes and Notions. 
 
 the surface If the hog is in him, he will root out ; if the 
 tiger is there, he will soon show his claws ; if the fox, cunning, 
 trickery. And there are some mortals that only need an out- 
 ward embellislinient of hair, tail and two long ears to resemble 
 another animal. And may the Lord bless and save all "sorts 
 and conditions" of men here below. 
 
 I have known men who desire all the good things of earth — 
 who put foiTvard the most strenuous efforts to increase their 
 annual income from a few thousand to several thousand, but 
 who are greatly shocked when a minister receives an unusual 
 amount of cash. I have known men exhibit such a heavenly 
 mindedness, such a spirituality that it is positively refreshing 
 when we contemplate their consistency and sincerity. 
 
 Will murder "out" ? Some years ago there lived in Clark's 
 Hill a man named Harling. I liked Harling — he was sociable, 
 hospitable, and very entertaining — sometimes I feared he 
 talked too much. I have lodged in his pleasant home and 
 supped often at his table. He was devoted to his family, and 
 especially to one afflicted child. One night he looked upon 
 his affectionate wife and happy children the last time at 
 the dining table. After the meal, and the baby put in its 
 little cradle bed, Harling walked out upon the piazza of his 
 home, and by some party "to present jury unknown" was shot 
 down in his tracks. How many years will it take to develop 
 this murderer? How long will it be before this murder will 
 "out".? 
 
 Some have said education would solve the race question, and 
 let the negro be educated. I believe that is a solution to 
 some situations. As soon as the negro gets a little learning, 
 and a few rations ahead, it is not long before he, she, and it, 
 
 49 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 leaves the wash pots, cooking stoves, and the plow. Besides, 
 in this land of ours there are a whole lot among 'em who are 
 half, fourth or eighth white — sins that have come upon us 
 of past decades — who have inherited Anglo-Saxon shrewd- 
 ness and yearning for independence. A smart quarter white 
 in a dark skin can put up a good argument for social 
 equality if there is cash and estate to enforce the logic. The 
 whole thing is in a mess. 
 
 The woman conducted to the Saviour for judgment had 
 created quite a sensation in social and religious circles. She 
 had sinned grievously and must be stoned. The only differ- 
 ence between the poor prostitute and old gowned and bearded 
 rascals who were demanding her death was that her sin was 
 known; the iniquity of the others was hid. When the time 
 for throwing rocks came the miserable sinners sneaked away. 
 
 # « i& 
 
 The moral atmosphere Is always liable to stinking stirs, 
 because sin abounds. There is hardly a neighborhood in 
 South Carolina but Is not visited occasionally by the sensa- 
 tion storm. Sometimes it's a cyclone affair, involving many. 
 The sensation is heightened when there is a woman in It. 
 The bold type of the papers rejoice and there are eager 
 readers who hunger for the news. 
 
 The butter question is a most important one. The real 
 domestic housewife thinks much of her butter, attends to Its 
 making with the greatest care, and takes pleasure In display- 
 ing her fine product on the dining table. This close atten- 
 tion and care In keeping this luxurious article of diet causes 
 her to value it most highly, and the average housekeeper will 
 go a long way to preserve her butter, and will defend it from 
 
 50 
 
Notes and Notions. 
 
 all attacks. Some years ago in Chester there lived an excel- 
 lent woman who made the finest of butter. An old lean, 
 lank dog had invaded the sacred precincts of her cupboard 
 more than twice and devoured her butter. She determined 
 to have vengeance. She watched, caught him, pinioned him 
 and hung him by the neck to a limb of a tree in the orchard 
 until he was dead, dead, dead. It was a mournful execu- 
 tion ; the hound died hard, strangled out of existence. Being 
 in the neighborhood at the time, I wrote up the event for 
 pubHcation, but I kept out of the way of that good woman 
 until after a big revival that occurred in her immediate 
 vicinity. Then I drew near and was fairly well received. 
 I've often thought of Elijah and have been comforted. He 
 was a man subject to like passions as we are. When Jezebel 
 threatened and got after him, he fled to the quiet retreat of 
 the juniper trees far from the haunts of men and hoop-skirts 
 of wrath. 
 
 Bishop Coke led a most strenuous life. On his way to 
 hold a General Conference in Baltimore about the year 1792 
 he worked, it is recorded, while at sea, on "Poole's Com- 
 mentary," to have it published for the benefit of preachers 
 and people. It is said he was cheered in his work by six 
 canaries that sang in his cabin. After years of profitable 
 toil and hardships experience in the service of the Master, he 
 writes : "I am forty-five. I have done nothing." 
 
 Many modem forty-fivers, with much scholarship and 
 chatty Chautauqua training, think they have reached the 
 acme of human excellence and leamedness. Only one thing 
 lacking, and that's fame. That will be forthcoming, they 
 probably presvune, when the world finds them out and becomes 
 able to discern and appreciate growing genius. 
 
 51 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 That fuss in the forties about the negro separated saints 
 and the synods. The pious prelates of the North, pushed 
 by public opinion, published slavery a crime. They had 
 snow-capped hills and annual zeroes. The thermometer froze 
 out the African and he couldn't thrive there. The South had 
 cotton and sunshine and a luxurious clime for this black fly 
 in the ointment. 
 
 On one side there was no religion in slavery, because there 
 was no money in the nigger ; on the other side he was profit- 
 able. Therefore, slavery was a Christian institution. 
 
 Then they fou't. 
 
 * * * 
 
 The descendant of a New England Puritan divine has in 
 his possession an old sermon written by his ancestor which 
 shows that the preacher did not trust to the impulse of the 
 moment when delivering his discourses. 
 
 The manuscript is Avritten in a strange, crabbed hand, and 
 plentifully besprinkled with marginal references. "Read 
 slowly here,'' the minister admonishes himself in one spot, and 
 "To be given out very loud and clear" is the suggestion for 
 another passage. "Hurry a little, with fire," he wrote in 
 several places. The most emphatic and important part of 
 the whole sermon is indicated by a much-underlined marginal 
 note. After hearing stories of this saintly old-time preacher, 
 it is amusing to know that he deemed it wise and even neces- 
 sary at the climax of his eloquence to "Yell like one pos- 
 sessed." — Sel. 
 
 The grave of Gen. Francis Marion (Berkeley County) is 
 in a sad condition of neglect, and is not well enclosed. The 
 old Marion house, not over two hundred yards from the tomb, 
 is also uninhabited and fast decaying. 
 
 First, could not the bones of the old hero be removed to 
 some appreciative town or city that will give him a monu- 
 ment? If that is impracticable, could not the Legislature 
 
 52 
 
Notes and Notions. 
 
 when it convenes, appropriate a few dollars — about a hundred 
 or more — to place the tomb and locahty in a condition it 
 deserves ? 
 
 As long as liberty in South Carolina is valued the name and 
 memory of Francis Mai'ion will ever be cherished by all 
 patriotic people, 
 
 * * * 
 
 An old w'oman, whose husband was ill, sent for the doctor. 
 He said: "I will send him some medicine, which must be taken 
 in a recumbent posture." 
 
 After he had gone the old woman sat down greatly puzzled. 
 "A recumbent posture — a recumbent posture!" she kept 
 repeating. "I haven't got one." At last she thought, "I 
 will go and see if old Mrs. Smith has one to lend." 
 
 Accordingly she went and said to her neighbor, "Have you 
 a recumbent posture to lend me to put some medicine in," 
 
 Mrs, Smith, who was ignorant as her friend, replied, "I 
 had one, but to tell you the truth, I have lost it." — Sel. 
 
 Keep a sharp lookout on the character and conduct of your 
 grandmothers and grandfathers. They may cause no little 
 trouble and tribulation in this world below. An authority in 
 the New York Herald has this to say : 
 
 "A woman of criminal tendencies, whose occupation was the 
 keeping of a disreputable house, and whose habits were of the 
 lowest, including excessive indulgence in alcoholic stimulants, 
 died when she was 51 years old. 
 
 "This was in 1827. Her descendants have now been 
 traced. They number 800. Seven hundred of them are 
 criminals, having been convicted at least once. Three hun- 
 dred and forty-two of them are drunkards, acknowledged by 
 all as such. One hundred and twenty-seven are immoral 
 women. Thirty-seven of them are murderers and were exe- 
 cuted for their crimes. 
 
 53 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 "This family has cost the nation $3,000,000, this being the 
 sum paid out for their trials and executions." 
 
 * * * 
 
 A Catholic paper relates that a convent school when visited 
 was found to be filled with little girls of ages ranging from 6 
 to 16, with fresh sweet voices, in childish accents singing : 
 
 "Of our passions we are weary — 
 Weary of the yoke of sin." 
 
 A convict prison chapel, when visited was found with a 
 select and exclusive congregation of forgers, burglars, wife- 
 beaters, etc., in stentorian tones giving tongue to: 
 
 "Dear angel, ever at my side. 
 How loving thou must be, 
 To leave thy home in heaven to guide 
 A httle child like me." 
 
 This reminds one of holy singing of some modern choirs, 
 who spend part of the week in dancing, theatre gomg, and 
 revelry and sing like angels on Sundays. 
 
 The efforts on the part of members of the House to pin 
 one another down to direct answers reminded Representative 
 Capron, of Rhode Island, of an experience in the last cam- 
 paign. Mr. Capron was very much bothered while making a 
 speech by a man in the audience who insisted on asking ques- 
 tions to which he demanded either "Yes" or "No" for answer. 
 
 "But there are some questions," finally remarked Mr, 
 Capron, "which cannot be answered by 'Yes' or 'No.' " 
 
 "I should hke to hear one," scornfully commented his 
 annoyer. 
 
 "Well," said Mr. Capron, "think I can prove it. Have 
 you quit beating your wife.? Answer 'Yes' or 'No.' " The 
 crowd saw at once that Mr. Capron had the man in a trap. 
 
 54 
 
Notes and Notions. 
 
 If he had said "Yes" it was a confession that he had been 
 beating his wife, and if he said "No" it was an admission that 
 he was still indulging in the pastime. 
 
 "Yes or no," shouted everybody in the hall, and in the 
 'midst of the confusion the man made his escape. 
 
 * * « 
 
 One of our Bishops in a college platform address, in July, 
 1833, eloquently declaimed, "I look forward to coming days, 
 when the Atlantic shall be connected with the Pacific by rail- 
 roads and canals ; when the East, with her rocky shores, the 
 North, with her sail-covered lake, the South, with her sunny 
 skies and fertile fields, shall hold intimate fellowship with the 
 far distant West, as yet an unknown land, darkened with the 
 shadow of unpenetrated forest. The hum of vast cities shall 
 break upon the ear of the giant spirit of solitude now 
 enthroned in the Western wilds." 
 
 The prophet got there, only he overlooked chasm of blood 
 and the fertile fields of his sunny South torn and rent by the 
 most destructive civil war. He didn't anticipate the mighty 
 work and revolutionary power in electricity, nor did he dream 
 of the motor car and flying machine. One on that same plat- 
 form might take today a most hopeful religious view of days 
 to come: "I look forward to coming days when this will be 
 one united country, whose God is the Lord, and whose uni- 
 versal homage shall be to Him whose spirit inspires fraternity, 
 and leads to love and peace; when Methodism will be a united 
 factor for the evangelization of the world ; when there will be 
 no Church North, no Church South, but one to the glory of 
 the Most High. Already from the unanimously adopted 
 hymnal sweet songs waft the same note of praise and the 
 same heavenly attuned choruses of one harmonious strain, 
 arise from every altar from the lakes the gulf, from the 
 Atlantic to the Pacific, and ere long the spirit of God will 
 move in might with love and light upon the heart of many 
 millions and make us one again." 
 
 55 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 It was a poorly attended funeral. The relatives were few, 
 and the friends of the deceased were not many. The dead one 
 had not been influential in hfe, and the death caused very few 
 sincere regrets. But she was a member of the Church, and I 
 thought, as the day was calm and the weather propitious, it 
 would have been becoming for a fair proportion of the large 
 congregation to have turned out, and thus showed their Chris- 
 tian respect for their dead sister, and sympathy for the few 
 relatives that sorrowfuly followed the remains of their kins- 
 woman to the grave. Tliis thoughtful, sympathetic action 
 would have been to those few relatives a strong sermon exem- 
 plifying Christian fellowship. It would have made them feel 
 that they were members of a community in which real 
 fraternity and unselfish love prevailed. It would have 
 strengthened the tie that bound them to their Church and to 
 their Heavenly Father. The wealthy, and those who "live 
 in king's houses," when death comes, have long funeral pro- 
 cessions, elaborate obsequies, much crepe, much mourning ; the 
 poor, the rude cofBn, simple shroud, and a burial paraphernalia 
 that saddens the eye of the observer — and the world, the 
 Church world, often seems as indifferent to their decease as 
 they were regardless of their welfare when living. I saw a 
 picture once that impressed me. The Czar of all the Russias, 
 walking near his palace one winter's day, met two or three 
 soldiers drawing a sleigh over the snow, containing the body 
 of their dead comrade. The Czar turned and followed, 
 melancholy and slow, the bier to the place of interment. 
 There doubtless was not a Russian heart that was not touched 
 and made to feel the glow of kindness when they read the 
 account of the great Czar attending the burial of a poor 
 unfortunate soldier. 
 
 * * * 
 
 She was buxom, a picture of a young healthy matron "at 
 home," age 33 years. Candor was a characteristic of her 
 conversation, and a happy smile played over her features. 
 
 56 
 
Notes and Notions. 
 
 "Who were you before you married, ma'am?" 
 
 "Judith Amaker Blarney, sir." 
 
 "And your first husband.''" 
 
 "My first husband was a Banks, sir. Billy Banks, 
 of ." 
 
 "Ah, indeed, and then after a season you married again.?*" 
 
 "Yes, sir. My second was Josiah Ashcraft, of ." 
 
 "And the third," said I, "is, of course, your present hus- 
 band.?" 
 
 "No, sir. My third was Timothy Troller, an old man, was 
 the best of husbands, but he didn't live long after we were 
 happily married." 
 
 "And so you have actually been married four times, and 
 this present husband is your fourth.'"' 
 
 "Yes, sir (almost blushing quite red), Mr. Shuman is my 
 fourth." 
 
 "What were the ages of your husbands?" 
 
 "My first, Mr. Banks, was a young man ; my second, Mr. 
 Ashcraft, was an elderly man ; my third was quite an old man, 
 and my fourth Mr. Shuman, is a young man" — and the 
 happy smile continued to play over her features. As I left 
 this home of husband No. 4, I could not help from thinking 
 of the situation. Here, mused I, was a lady in her thirty- 
 fourth year who has her fourth husband, and there is the poor 
 old maid also in her thirty-fourth year, with slim prospects 
 of getting only one. How unevenly often are earth's prizes 
 distributed ! 
 
 it * * 
 
 Dr. Watkinson, of England, says, in speaking of doing 
 great things out of our poverty : "We want to build a Church ; 
 we don't send for a drum and fife band; we arrange for a 
 bazaar and plenty of collecting boxes, and send all kinds of 
 ingenious and pathetic appeals. If we want to do anything, 
 to build a church or improve a church, or sustain a mission — 
 
 67 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 anything of the sort — it does not rise "Hke an exhalation." 
 We hare a Httle meeting in a vestry, and the thing is pro- 
 posed, and the infinite difficulties are felt ; and then a man gets 
 up, and he shows that the thing is impracticable. I am bound 
 to say I have never been present at one of those meetings but 
 that man was there." 
 
 Yes, this same man is in South Carolin and opposes good 
 work, and clogs the wheel of progress. Let members propose 
 to build a new church, and times being hard, he will oppose it, 
 and try to show that it is impracticable. The salary of the 
 preacher should not be raised, it is impracticable, the assess- 
 ments for missions are too high, and cannot be realized ; there 
 is even no need of a new fence around the graveyard. It is 
 impracticable, besides not necessary; those in there can't 
 come out, those out don't want to go in. 
 
 Oh, this man. Well, the only way to do is to listen to him, 
 and then go right ahead and, by the help of Providence, build 
 your church, and paint it, too, raise your collections in full 
 and abound in the work of the Lord. 
 
 The unregenerated heart is a dangerous and demoralizing 
 institution. One thing he does not: he "will not seek after 
 God ;" one thing he will do : he will commit iniquity, and reveal 
 the rascal that's in him if you give him favorable opportunity. 
 "The heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil." 
 
 Crimes are committed and there is misery in the earth 
 because the disease of depravity is not cured and controlled by 
 the operation of divine grace. The resolute resistance to the 
 wooings of the Holy Spirit hardens the sinner in his ways, 
 drives him on his own resources, and then and there the perish- 
 ing begins, of character, happiness and peace. Finally and 
 fatally, the soul, borne down by lust and gross sensuality, 
 
 58 
 
Notes and Notions, 
 
 falls completely under influence of the devil. "Except ye 
 repent ye shall perish." 
 
 The following definition of "woman's rights" is the best 
 we have yet seen ; we regret our ignorance of the author ; her 
 name should be known : 
 
 The right to wake when other sleep ; 
 The right to watch, the right to weep ; 
 The right to comfort in distress, 
 The right to soothe, the right to bless ; 
 The right the widow's heart to cheer; 
 The right to dry an orphan's tear ; 
 The right to feed and clothe the poor, 
 The right to teach them to endure ; 
 The right when other friends have flown, 
 And left the suff^erer all alone. 
 To kneel that dying couch beside. 
 And meekly point to Him who died ; 
 The right a happy home to make 
 In any clime for Jesus' sake. 
 Rights such as these are all we crave. 
 Until our last — a quiet grave. 
 
 I saw a dog once apparently under deep conviction. It was 
 in Modoc, a lovel}'- village among the hills in western Edge- 
 field. That part of the inhabitants who have died since I 
 left there I trust have all gone regularly to heaven, but really 
 there was a time when I thought there were few candidates. 
 I had been engaged in a series of services held specially for 
 the conversion of sinners and for the edification of such saints 
 as might happen to be around. I preached and preached. 
 Three or four days passed and not a penitent, nor a 
 "mourner," though the little chapel by the railroad was pretty 
 
 59 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 well filled every service. One night I grew desperate and 
 brought all my guns to bear on the well fortified fortress — but 
 there was no sign of surrender. A dog, a well grown, lean, 
 lank dog came in and squatted in the middle aisle not far 
 from the door, and sat intently gazing at me in a solemn way. 
 As I was closing he looked upwards and began slowly to utter 
 the most piteous howls. Young and old grinned and giggled. 
 After the dog had run a sort of howling octave and stopped 
 I remarked, "O ye people of Modoc, I have labored in your 
 midst several days, I've praj^ed for you, I have preached unto 
 you the word, but the only instance of emotion and sentiment, 
 the only animal that has shown any penitence or sorrow, has 
 been a poor wandering dog. He has just responded to urgent 
 appeals in the only way he knows how." I dismissed a quiet, 
 sober-minded crowd that night. That dog followed me home 
 to Parksville, where I resided, and showed the sincerest attach- 
 ment to me — until his owner sought him and led him away with 
 
 a halter. 
 
 * * * 
 
 (Place, Orangeburg County.) 
 
 Years ago a pretty and winsome lass of sixteen summers or 
 more had two lovers whom we will name Damon and Dexter. 
 Damon was older, yet truly did he love Annie Belle. Dexter 
 wooed more persistently perhaps, with more dash and daring, 
 never faltering, never wavering, until at last Annie Belle 
 showed pity to Dexter and gave him her heart and hand. 
 Damon went West, and liis crushed spirit sought surcease 
 from sorrow in some quiet valley, resolved never to love again. 
 Happy marriage, music and flowers, and friends showered 
 blessings on Dexter and Annie Belle. "At home" in the cot- 
 tage by the roadside. Ere long the bridal flowers faded, as 
 all things here below must fade, and real life began — ^the 
 hard-fought battle began for competence and comfort. After 
 some years, the blazing hearth burned cheerily. 
 
 60 
 
Notes and Notions. 
 
 "Children ran to lisp the sire's return 
 And climb his knees the envied kiss to share." 
 
 Many years rolled by rapidly. Dexter, never strong, grew 
 faint and weary and seemed tired of this life of toil and 
 trouble. One day he looked up to heaven and expired. Dis- 
 consolate widow, all in black and mourning — but still pretty, 
 resembling her youth. Letters from the West, simply letters 
 of inquiry from the same quiet valley in the West, after one 
 twelve-month had passed, to learn how Annie Belle fared, and 
 where she was — containing, too, words of condolence. "I'd 
 just like to know, Annie Belle, how you are — and the chil- 
 dren." Damon, now no longer young, but the same Damon 
 as of yore, comes from the quiet valley and visits the old 
 sweetheart to console her in her troubles. Damon consoled 
 and consoled, and continued to console Annie Belle. This is 
 a strange world here below, much given to the romantic. 
 After consoling, Damon begun a-wooing, and ere long the 
 widow, of course, was won. And now at last Damon is happy 
 — being himself consoled with the thought that it is better 
 late than never — to scet her. 
 
 Perhaps dyspepsia is the most common ail of suffering 
 humanity, and it is the condition of many other diseases. The 
 physicians can successfully treat many patients without seeing 
 them, or feeling the pulse. He knows it is over eating and 
 indigestion, and he can roll up about six pills with this direc- 
 tion : "Take two every two hours" until an event occurs, very 
 important to the patient, and that will be all the doctoring 
 necessary for awhile. 
 
 Some d3'^speptics are fat, and many are lean. The fat fel- 
 low complains of "heartburn," takes soda, eats his "fill" at 
 dinner and feels no account until the next meal when it is more 
 soda and another "fill." The poor victim moves on in the 
 world at a half rate. 
 
 61 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 There is loss of energy and get up. He has no enthusiasm 
 for earth or heaven, and in the present circumstances with his 
 "fills" and soda, it will be a difficult thing to save him from the 
 devil. Most dyspeptics are lean and lank, and ofttimes are 
 nervous with it. The eye has lost or is losing its luster and 
 penetrating power. The jaw covering is sallow and flabby. 
 
 He has a load in his stomach, especially "just after eat- 
 ing." He shows you where it is, puts his hands there, over 
 the big lump in his bowels. His biscuits and grease, and 
 syrup and coUards, have all gone down, forming into a great 
 wad. There this pestilence revolves in darkness, pregnant 
 with evil. The circulation is so sluggish the man becomes 
 morose, and on account of indigested matter there results 
 debihty and weakness, mental and physical. 
 
 He is given to "blues," and gets mad at all creation round 
 at times if the wad continues. If unfortunately married he 
 will raise a row with his wife about the most insignificant 
 thing, if he is not scared of her. If a button is off^ his loose- 
 fitting pants, or is not sewed on in the right place, he quarrels 
 and will be, in this and other things, more or less snarlly and 
 snappy. 
 
 The dyspeptic is rarely licentious. That is not his beset- 
 ting sin. In addition to his irritability and moral cowardice 
 he is covetous in the extreme. He is poor giver generally, 
 and yields slowly to appeals of charity. He is so much con- 
 cerned about himself and his bowels that he is unable to extend 
 kind thoughts and helping hands to others. 
 
 The greatest suff'erer in this land of ours is perhaps pure 
 and lovely woman. It is said about one out of five hundred 
 is free from pain and ph3^sical trouble. Some time since I 
 congratulated a good sister on her apparent fine health, when 
 she replied, "Ah, Bro. Wilkes, I never see a well day." There 
 are many who never see a well day. 
 
 62 
 
Notes and Notions. 
 
 The far-away look, the nervous eye, the heaving sigh in 
 moments of abstraction often betoken internal troubles. 
 Sometimes there is melancholy, and the mind wanders in twi- 
 light and shadoMS. 
 
 There is loss of vivaciousness, though the bloom may still 
 be in the cheek, and the song of her life now becomes low and 
 plaintive. Ah, that great curse, seen everywhere, female 
 trouble. Writes a well-known physician : "Woman's peculiar 
 constitution renders her doubly susceptible to injurious influ- 
 ences and a resulting series of diseases, from which the other 
 sex is entirely exempt. Physically and mentally, woman is 
 man modified, perfected, the last and crowning handiwork of 
 God. When, therefore, this structure so wonderfully endowed, 
 so exquisitely wrought, and performing the most delicate and 
 sacred functions which God has ever entrusted to a created 
 being, is disturbed by disease, when the nicely-adjusted bal- 
 ance of her complex nature deviates from its true and intended 
 poise, the most efficient aid should be extended in order that 
 the normal equihbrium may be regained, her health restored 
 and her divine mission, on which human welfare so largely 
 depends, fulfilled. 
 
 63 
 
PART II. 
 
CHAPTER I. 
 
 A Mill Village Scene. 
 
 I had noticed that the old couple were extremely fond of 
 each other. They had shared each other's joys and sorrows 
 for many long years together, and now in old age they 
 seemed more than ever to lean on each other for mutual 
 help, sympathy and consolation. They had traveled about 
 from mill to mill, from village to village over the State until 
 the roaming habit had become, it seems, almost essential to 
 their well-being and existence. Probably the moving about 
 from mill to mill continually inspired the hope that it was 
 better further on, and kept them looking for some valley 
 of rest, some place that would give satisfaction, contentment 
 and repose. Their earthly possessions were few and of the 
 simplest kind. They owned not a foot of land, nor "no cot- 
 tage in the wilderness." The old man was a sort of a mill 
 supernumerary. From the "boss" of a room he once held in 
 his prime, and a general "loom fixer,"he had descended to 
 menial and lowly occupations and would often sweep the 
 floors, or carry buckets of water at his fifty cents a day, in 
 the large mill hard by the river. Their children all grown 
 and mostly married off, had families of their own and were 
 moving about the same old way — their lengthy, weary rounds 
 among the mills, scattered here and there over the broad land. 
 So, therefore, the aged couple for bare existence and bread 
 had to fight their battles alone. Their poverty was of a kind 
 that tends to harden the sensibilities and smother the soft, gen- 
 tle impulses of the human heart. It was of that cruel kind 
 that's disposed to paralyze the ennobling passions, and "freeze 
 the general current of the soul." It was a financial condition 
 that doesn't attract friends in this life. It was a state of 
 existence that doesn't conduce to favors from mankind, gen- 
 
 67 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 erally, here below. Ah, how long will such dire poverty exist 
 in this God-favored land of ours ! The Lord of Heaven once 
 promised a highly favored people if they would be obedient 
 and loyal they would have all the comforts and conveniences 
 of life heart could wish. When will those who now tramp, 
 tramp, the treadmills around us be fed with the "finest of 
 wheat" and the honey out of the rock? Amidst much pov- 
 erty and chilling circumstances I was impressed with the 
 unfeigned love that existed between this aged pair. They 
 seemed shut up to themselves with two minds that thought as 
 one. Cupid dehghts to hover over the hearts of kings* 
 daughters and revel in homes of opulence and ease. It is 
 most difficult and most rare for immaculate conjugal love to 
 hold its own midst the want and strife of abject poverty. 
 They, these poor people, were as ignorant as they were 
 poverty-stricken. There had been great impoverishment of 
 mind, the light of the intellect had about gone out, and there 
 was a darkness that could be felt. This disastrous circum- 
 stance added to the horror of the situation. The husband 
 was older and the feebler of the two. One autumn day I 
 noticed his steps were few and slow, and I clearly saw that 
 ere long he'd succumb to wasting disease and to the growing 
 infirmities of old age. After the lapse of a few weeks I 
 returned to the village and upon inquiry I learned he had died. 
 I visited the cottage and heard the sad story from the grief- 
 stricken wife and disconsolate widow. The very language 
 was perfect only in accents of the heart's grief, and the nasal 
 prolonged intonations of the voice tremulous with feeling seem 
 specially adapted to dole out the wails of woe. "Jerry," she 
 would say, midst sobs and the blinding tears, "Jerry never got 
 over that last spell. Hit knocked the sperrit clean out of 
 'im somehow, and he wont the same Jerry no more. Poor ole 
 f el-low! He'd creep about and follow me Hke a leetle chield 
 and would say, 'Birdie, doncher leave me now.' 'Nay,' sez I, 
 *Jerry, I'll never leave ye, and I'll love ye as long as grass is 
 
 68 
 
A Mill Village Scene. 
 
 green, and as long as flows yander bright river by the mill.' 
 And the poor ole fel-low would smile and look like his ole self 
 again. But he got weaker and weaker. He'd give way in 
 the knees and I'd have to lead him about. Last Chuesday 
 he took to his bed, and he never riz any more. All day Friday 
 he kept callin' me, and sez he, 'Birdie, I can't see. Is the river 
 a-runnin'?' 'Yes,' sez I, 'hit's a-runnin', and I'm right here 
 by ye.' Towards the turn of the day he began to hiccup, and 
 I saw Jerry was a-gwine. I laid meself down beside him and 
 took him by the hand, and sez I to comfort him a leetle, sez I, 
 'Jerry, we are both passing away. Look at me, Jerry; look 
 at my eyes and my ole rinkley face! Don't you see we are 
 both gwine together?' The poor ole fel-low did look so pite- 
 ful as he turned his glassy eyes on me for the last time. He 
 kinder gasped a time or two, and fetched a long breth, and — 
 he was gone." 
 
 Amidst all this poverty of hearth and poverty of home, 
 there was the bright illumination of pure conjugal love which 
 shone brighter and brighter as chill death closed the earthly 
 scene. In this earthly realm there is a law of compensation 
 that runs throughout universal being, and permeates every 
 kingdom and every sphere. Often in palaces there are the 
 grim skeletons in the closets, and heartaches and matrmonial 
 misery. In this cottage of chill penury and want there was 
 that unfaltering love which made brilliant the otherwise dark- 
 ened doorway, and as an angel of light, it produced a peace 
 and a happiness unalloyed to the dying pillow. 
 
 The next day at eventide they put the body of poor Jerry 
 in a rude pine coffin, and the place of burial was a high knoll 
 — where the grass will ever grow green, and hard by the 
 brig-ht river that will flow on forever. 
 
 69 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 "All Sorts and Conditions of Men." 
 
 "Oh, that we could see ourselves as others see us." Brother 
 Jass Simmons is a dihgent pastor, and goes in and our rapidly 
 and regularly, but one is not downright certain whether all 
 this work is for himself or really done for that love of Christ 
 which constrains him. That he is conceited is beyond a doubt ; 
 that he may be unconsciously and habitually deceitful is 
 highly probable. When he will become thoroughly sane and 
 perfectly cured is a question of time — possibly not until the 
 flesh is wasted and dissolution is near. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Brother Titus Tarheel has been expressing a desire to 
 enter into the kingdom for many years. He has been 
 known to say often to the Lord, "Thy kingdom come; Thy 
 will be done." A few years ago he became involved in debt. 
 To avoid paying he "made over" to his wife his large 
 landed estate. The transfer defrauded the creditors and kept 
 the Tarheels comfortable and in easy circumstances. From 
 that estate they expect at some time, when "the fitful fever of 
 life is o'er," to make a triumphant entry into the kingdom of 
 
 God. 
 
 * * * • - 
 
 Scene — Preachers' tent camp-meeting. Occasion — Going 
 around examining beds. Rev. Bosworth Blinker soliloquizes : 
 "Ah, now while there is no other near I'll select my bed. This 
 one (feeling) is too hard; this one is near the window — sudden 
 currents of air endanger my health. Let's see ; this bed's too 
 old, too old — germs of disease may lie there concealed. Ha ! 
 here is the bed, here is the couch upon which my weary self 
 must slumber and sleep. The others can take care of them- 
 selves. I am the best man, I need the best things — the best 
 
 70 
 
"All Sorts and Conditions of Men." 
 
 bed, the finest fare, the armchair, the highest place at the 
 feast. I am thankful that there are marks, lines and differ- 
 ences here below, and in the heavens one star doth differ from 
 another in glory." 
 
 The next day Brother Blinker preached on "The child in 
 the midst," and as he preached, at times he wept. 
 
 Brother Tim Prankey is a good layman, pays his church 
 dues, 'mighty moral, very quick and jumpy in and about 
 church — in fact, a handy fellow — but he has the same sort 
 of characteristics that delicately shades the spirit of Brother 
 Jass Simmons. He talks to his pastor sweetly and piously, 
 and when good opportunity presents itself stabs him in the 
 back most effectively. It is said that Prankey, before his 
 conversion, while engaged in the mercantile business, was 
 unreliable and was given at times "to ways that are dark and 
 tricks that are vain." 
 
 The Rev. M. L. Peacock preaches eloquently and fervently 
 on the grace of humility, but his arrogancy is beyond ques- 
 tion, and his general gait and gear demonstrate that he has 
 far more pride than piety; organ of self-esteem abnormally 
 developed, and his dignity and complacency are quite im- 
 pressive. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Letter heads : "The Rev. M. T. Elevator, D. D., Rose Val- 
 ley, Ala." Envelopes : "Return to the Rev. M. T. Elevator, 
 D. D., Rose Valley, Ala." Walking cane, inscription on: 
 "The Rev. M. T. Elevator, D. D." On the doorplate of par- 
 sonage : "The Rev. M. T. Elevator, D. D." And I do pray 
 that all human beings will not forget to say, or write : ^''Doc- 
 tor M. T. Elevator:' 
 
 71 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 The Snooks' residence, 6 P. M. Scene — Front room, the 
 family of Snooks seated. 
 
 Mrs. Snooks, looking out the window, sees a traveler coming 
 in the distance: "Lor' me! I do believe yonder comes old man 
 Josiah Trotter. I just said he'd come. He preaches tomor- 
 row at Pisgah." 
 
 Abraham Snooks: "What sort of a horse is it? Is it a 
 bay.?" 
 
 Mrs. S. : "No, it's that old flop-eared sorrel you have fed 
 here so much, and old Josiah Trotter is behind there holding 
 the lines, or I am not standing here." 
 
 Abraham: "Well, I'll declare !" 
 
 Mrs. S. : "It looks hke the old thing comes here every Sat- 
 urday evening, just because it is convenient to Pisgah — and 
 my ! I'm tired of it. I didn't want to have anything but a 
 cold supper tonight — but here he comes, and a chicken is to be 
 killed, and coffee to prepare. Lor' me ! I do wish the old thing 
 had gone somewhere else this evening." 
 
 Little Peter Snooks: "Well, ma, you needn't to tell me to 
 run myself down after the chicken. I just ain't going to do 
 it for the old thing." 
 
 Mrs. S. : "Hush, Peter." 
 
 Nellie Snooks : "Oh, he shore Hkes chicken. Don't you re- 
 member, Pete, when he was here before he ate both the gizzards 
 outen the chicken pie.'"' 
 
 Peter : "Yes, I does." 
 
 Mrs. S. : "Hush, Peter ; hush, Nellie. Go, Abraham, he is 
 at the gate. I knew it was Trotter and the old flop-eared — " 
 (Exit.) 
 
 Abraham (at the gate) : "Why, how do you do. Brother 
 Trotter .'' Glad to see you. Alight and come in. Wife has 
 just been looking for you.'' 
 
 Trotter: "Well, I am glad to see you, Brother Snooks. 
 How is Sister Snooks?" 
 
 Abraham: "Oh, quite well, sir." 
 
 72 
 
"All Sorts and Conditions of Men." 
 
 Trotter: "And little Nell and Peter?" 
 
 Abraham: "Lively as crickets, sir, lively as crickets — both 
 anxious to see Uncle Trotter. They speak so often of Uncle 
 Trotter." 
 
 Sister Snooks (meeting them at front door) : "Why, howdy 
 do, Brother Trotter. We are indeed glad you've come to 
 spend the night with us. I had just said to husband that I 
 feared you had passed us by this time. Come, come in, dc 
 come in, and be at home." (Curtain.) 
 
 I believe that Simmons, Peacock, Tarheel, Dr. M. T. Ele- 
 vator, Prankey, Mr. and Mrs, Snooks do all live and flourish 
 in this world of ours — all having their strong weaknesses and 
 their faults and failings which time, training and Christian 
 culture, it seems, cannot eliminate. They will all pardon me, 
 I hope, for being purely personal, for real reformation and 
 repentance cannot be effected sometimes until we "see ourselves 
 as others see us." 
 
 Some years ago I was associated occasionally with a 
 preacher who manifested nmch zeal in his efforts to do good 
 and persuade men. He would address men bluntly in season 
 "and out of season in reference to their soul's salvation and 
 sometimes showed more pious earnestness than prudent polite- 
 ness. On one occasion, a Sunday afternoon, being in the 
 neighborhood holding religious services he accosted an Irish- 
 man who had not been in the habit of attending the church 
 regularly. 
 
 Preacher: "Well, sir, you didn't go out to church today." 
 
 Irishman : "Nay ; a pain in the lour part of me bock I'm 
 suffering from." 
 
 Preacher: "Well, I hope you are trying to serve the Lord 
 and be a Christian." 
 
 Irishman : "Wal, I can't say ; I've enemies, sir." 
 
 73 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 Preacher: "Enemies? Listen to this: 'If thine enemy be 
 hungry gi^^e him bread to eat, and if he be thirsty give him 
 water to drink; for thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his 
 head.' " 
 
 Irishman, in great astonishment: "What ye tell me? 
 Heap fire upon the puir mon's head Nay, sir, I'd niver do 
 that. That would be bastly. I'd take a borrel stave to 'im, 
 but I'd niver think of pooting coals of fire upon the puir 
 mon's head." 
 
 PURELY PERSONAL. 
 
 Nearly everybody will read personals. The philosopher 
 and the gravedigger will peruse with almost equal eagerness 
 brief and breezy accounts of men, women and children pub- 
 lished in the columns of the daily or weekly newspaper. This 
 is because of a general fondness for the concrete, and a gen- 
 eral and widespread dislike of the abstract. The following 
 personals will, I trust, mend and make wise, and will not give 
 unnecessary offense: 
 
 Mrs. Rosa Snoggles, of Lovely Vale, is downright smart — 
 far too smart, I have thought, for the comfort and conveni- 
 ence of those in her environment. She talks well, and often 
 too much. She is handy in raisng funds for a decaying, 
 church, and collecting cash to buy household and kitchen fur- 
 niture for the parsonage. When she has raised the funds for 
 the one and collected cash for the other, her heart's desire is 
 to boss the whole business — and will do so if you give her half 
 a chance. When her good husband wants to take a chew of 
 tobacco, or enjoy a cigar, he knows where to go^ — out in the 
 backyard on the woodpile. Sister Snoggles, I think, will grow 
 in grace and get real good when she becomes old — ^very old. 
 
 * *• * 
 
 The Rev. Josiah Spangles and Sister Jemima Spangles are 
 a happy, religious looking couple when in repose; especially 
 
 74 
 
"All Sorts and Conditions of Men." 
 
 does Brother Josiah seem so when in deep slumber, and not 
 snoring. But when the couple are aroused and annoyed, or 
 worried and flurried, they ere long manifest the infinnitics 
 of weak human nature. Their home has been known to be 
 sort of a small stonn center, with fearful tendency of becom- 
 ing cyclonic. Old man Josiah will come in from a long trip 
 and fuss at meals about soda, soup, or something. He will 
 just quarrel with Sister Spangles, who will take it all pleas- 
 antly for awhile, but directly her temper will rise, and she will 
 show more spirit in a quarrel in three minutes than Spangles 
 in a whole hour. There is always a great calm then. It may 
 not be the proper condition to be so disposed, but I've always 
 felt somewhat grateful that Sister Spangles had sufficient 
 nerve and temper to head off and overcome the old man when 
 his fits of peevishness and dire wrath come on. 
 
 Dr. Quintillius Spanker is a steward of the church in the 
 town of Wellville. He is a druggist, and sells an abundance 
 of pills and panaceas for cash, and I am told on good author- 
 ity that the country boys coming into the town of Wellville 
 in a thirsty condition or very cold, or somewhat in colicky 
 pain or needing a quart for "campliire," can easily buy the 
 liquor from Dr. Spanker. He is a nice man, up-to-date, 
 proud, and very strutty, and his preacher will hardly do any- 
 thing material or spiritual without first advising with Dr. 
 Quintillius Spanker. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Walter Taggy and Bill Snell, both flourishing members of 
 the dude society of SparktowTi, and who worship (the Lord 
 have mercy) in Grace chapel, attended with Miss Snoggles 
 and Miss Pinkey the grand ball on Friday night and were 
 present at a funeral in Grace chapel the following Sunday 
 moniing. The body was that of a sweet young girl who 
 passed away before she was fifteen, and she was dying when 
 
 75 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 that Friday evening ball in Sparktown was in progress. 
 What saddens the picture still more is that Walter Taggy 
 and Bill Snell were two of the pallbearers ! 
 
 Soraet time ago a young Georgian saw the handwriting and 
 note in the possession of one of our Berkeley girls. He fell 
 in love immediately with the pretty and attractive chiro- 
 graphy, and vowed that if he could he'd court and marry the 
 girl who wrote the "pretty hand." A correspondence fol- 
 lowed. He met the girl who handled the pen so artistically 
 only once. He wooed and won the fair hand and they were 
 happily married. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Mr. Thos. Spilvey, leading steward of St. Charles' church, 
 M. E. Church, South, attended a sumptuous feast at Mr. 
 and Mrs. Stakey's home last Thanksgiving Day and returned 
 home very drunk. Mr. Spilvey may believe in the doctrine 
 of free grace, but there is no doubt that he has any hesitancy 
 in appropriating free liquor. 
 
 St. Charles made a fine financial report at the last Annual 
 
 Conference. 
 
 * * * 
 
 How this old world is given to all sorts of things. Mr. 
 Jerry Pumper mourned at 60 mightily over the recent death 
 of his dear and deceased wife. He planted sweet flowers over 
 her grave, and would not be comforted. Actually it was not 
 six months before Brother Pumper was courting and wooing 
 a big buxom lass — a farmer's daughter — and marry her, he 
 
 just would! 
 
 * * * 
 
 The Rev. Simon Peter Spokane was once an enthusiastic 
 admirer and a most enthusiastic imitator of the late Rev. Sam 
 Jones. On one occasion, during religious services he was con- 
 ducting, while he was scorching the sinner, and showing sins 
 
 76 
 
"All Sorts and Conditions of Men." 
 
 of today in movable electric picture style, one or two auditors 
 arose and walked out of the church. Brother Spokane be- 
 came violently indignant. "Now," said he, "if there are any 
 more soreheads that wish to go, they can rack out." About 
 half of the congregation "racked" — leaving the irate apostle 
 with a hopeless minority. 
 
 The Shad Town News speaks very complimentary of Miss 
 Nina Pinchback, though her performances are somewhat 
 varied: "Miss Nina Pinchback, after a pleasant sojourn at 
 the popular summer resort, shines again in the realms of 
 society. At the popular whist club last Friday evening she 
 won the game and was awarded a most valuable premium. 
 Last Sunday evening in the church, after a learned discourse 
 by Dr. M. T. Elevator on "Heavenly Recognition," Miss 
 Pinchback at the close of the solemn service sang in her sweet- 
 est tones, "We'll know each other there." Miss Nina excelled 
 herself, and the congregation were carried away by her im- 
 pressive attitude and melodious song." 
 
 There is no place where good common sense and decent 
 decorum is in more demand than in the sick room on the part 
 of those who come to visit the invalid, or show sympathy for 
 the suffering patient. The right sort of visitors are always 
 welcome to the sick room. The other sort should by all means 
 stay away. Those who can easily dispense smiles and sun- 
 shine prove to be a most invigorating tonic. The graveyard 
 faces who chatter about the bedstead in suspicious whispers 
 are almost enough to cause the suffering mortal to take a 
 speedy relapse. Many are acquainted with Sister Peggy 
 Spreckles. She thrives in most communities in South Caro- 
 lina. She has a nervous temperament, rather buxom body, 
 a quick movement when the least excited, and an expression at 
 times over grave and at other times over gay. She has QQn- 
 
 77 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 erally thin lips that form a mouth incHned to pucker, and two 
 small eyes set close together over an aquiline nose, that seem 
 inclined to want to see everything and pry into everything. 
 Her voice is sometimes soft and cooing-like, at other times it 
 assumes a more masculine tone. She has an humble appear- 
 ance when she is out a-visiting, especially the sick. Her 
 white apron makes her face and that nose all the redder, and 
 the underskirts are so stiff and starchy that they make quite 
 a noise when she walks and on her uprisings and downsittings. 
 Oh, this Sister Peggy Speckles ! Nothing in the neighbor- 
 hood happening can so stir her and quicken her movements as 
 these two things : a birth attended with fearful probabilities, 
 and a very ill person whose life is almost despaired of by 
 physician and distressed relatives and friends. He is a 
 young man, for instance, who has been sick quite awhile and 
 his symptoms suddenly gi'ew more pronounced and somewhat 
 alarming. The loved ones are in a state of great anxiety, 
 and the physician has said that there was only "a chance." 
 Sister Spreckles hears of this, and she immediately buckles 
 on her armor of white apron and starched clothes, and pro- 
 ceeds rapidly to the sick chamber. Upon her arrival she seats 
 herself and after saluting those near her in a grave whisper, 
 she begins to stare at the young sufferer with wild wondering 
 eyes. The patient is very pale and poor, and is lying on 
 elevated pillows, with his eyes closed, but not asleep. Mrs. 
 Speckles begins: "Poor fellow, for all the world looks just 
 like Mrs. Jones' brother just before he — !" This was spoken 
 in a loud whisper, but the patient could not distinctly hear the 
 last word. Directly the patient is seized with a coughing 
 spell, and attendants assist in relieving him of the spittle that 
 came to his mouth. Mrs. Speckles peers over and views with 
 intense interest the process, and again she whispers to one 
 near her, "Poor Jimmie Jones was just that way! He'd 
 cough and cough, and what he'd spit up would be just as 
 yaller, for all the world as the yaller of an aig." And other 
 
 78 
 
"All Sorts and Conditions of Men." 
 
 symptoms Mrs. Speckles would note as just like the symptoms 
 of Jimmie Jones, deceased. Ere long with a lingering look 
 at the sick man, whase eyes are still partly closed, as if he 
 were a ghost, Mrs. Spreckles departs. The sick young man 
 had seen more than others thought he had seen, and had heard 
 far more than friends thought he had heard. He needed 
 smiles and sunshine, and the shadow of death had visited him 
 instead. 
 
 I met and had a pleasant conversation the other day with 
 Mrs. Blankenshop. She is an agreeable person, of fairly 
 good health, and about 45 years of age. She is not a genu- 
 ine widow lady, yet she is an unfortunate, a lamentable sort of 
 widow, too. This kind of widowhood to which Mrs. Blanken- 
 shop belongs is not thought of, I don't think, by the apostle 
 when he speaks of visiting the "widows in their affliction" — 
 and yet they — Mrs. Blankenshop and others — have been 
 sorely treated, and experience the saddest of afflictions. They 
 need the consolation of the gospel and pastoral visiting. The 
 real widow is a person in black skirt and hat, with a very 
 black "streamer" behind, whose dear husband departed this 
 life with good prospects of heaven. The Blankenshop widow 
 is a person not in black, but in red or brown, whose husband 
 has not departed this life, but who has wandered off no one 
 knows where, with fair prospects of winding up in i*uin and 
 Mreck, leaving the forsaken wife alone to paddle her own 
 canoe. She is called — this Blankenshop sort of a widow (I 
 dread to mention the term) "a grass widow — and I fear there 
 are not a few of Blankenshops in South Carolina. I found a 
 few evenings since when I strolled to the humble dwelling of ^ 
 Mrs. Blankenshop that she had an independent air, good car- 
 riage, optimistic views, and ready and willing to talk, as most 
 good women are. 
 
 W. — "Mrs. Blankenshop, I am very sorry to leani of your 
 
 79 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 lonely situation ; but I trust you are meeting the ups and 
 downs of life bravely." 
 
 Mrs. B. — "Oh, yes, sir ; you see two of my children are with 
 me, and they have good jobs, and I make a good deal with 
 my needle. Of course I feel sometimes as if I was a real 
 widow. Mr. Blankenshop left me without a word of warning 
 some five years ago." 
 
 W. — "Ah, indeed — without a word of warning! Were 
 there no premonitions, no threat of any kind.''" 
 
 Mrs. B. — "No, sir. You see, Peter Blankenshop was a 
 curious man. Sometimes he was as good and kind to me as 
 any husband. He'd come home, all smiles, and bring me 
 something from the store, and would say, 'Here, my dear, you 
 see I thought of you today.' Oh, yes, Peter was kind some- 
 times. And then again he'd come in like a storm and quarrel 
 with everybody and everything, and the children were scared 
 of him when he'd come in that way. And I tell you another 
 thing, I have known Peter to pray in a prayer meeting !" 
 
 W. — "It was during that period, I presume, when he would 
 bring you something sweet and nice from the store and call 
 you 'my dear.' " 
 
 Mrs. B. — "That's right. And then again he would stop 
 going to church and prayer meeting, and he'd become stormy 
 and abusive again." 
 
 W.— "He left you suddenly, did he.?" 
 
 Mrs. B. — "Yes, sir. He went aboard a ship at , 
 
 bound for , and I have never heard of him since." 
 
 W. — "Well, he may come back one of these days a changed 
 man, and bring you nice, pretty things again and call you 
 'my dear.' " 
 
 Mrs. B. — "Yes, he may, so he may." 
 
 W. (here I thought of poor Enoch Arden, who has caused 
 the tears to stand a long time in my eye, and I said to her) — 
 "Let me advertise in the Advocate for him, noting the pecu- 
 liarity of person, etc.? Did he have any peculiar feature.?" 
 
 80 
 
Monck's Corner. 
 
 Mrs. B. — "The reddest head of hair you ever saw — high 
 check bones — and his nose was long — and his eyes was close 
 together — and he sorter shuffled as he walked." 
 
 W. — "Well, I could advertise in the Advocate, the hair, 
 nose and shuffle of Peter Blankenshop, and just add that any 
 information concerning him would be rewarded ; that his loved 
 one is sorrowing for him and praying for his return, etc." 
 
 Mrs. B. — "No, no! Let him be, let him be! If he is dead 
 he might er been carried off in one of his pious fits, and he 
 would be better off ; and if he is a living let him stay where he 
 is, and I'd be better off." 
 
 So Mrs. Blankenshop is passing the days in her humble 
 dwelling, and while she is far from being happy, she seems 
 comparatively contented with her lonely lot and seems inclined 
 to look forward to brighter prospects and happier days. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Monck^s Corner. 
 
 One evening last Spring after a long and tedious drive I 
 arrived at a little village called Monck's Corner, the capital 
 of Berkeley County. There is only one way the citizens from 
 far and near can reach their court house who live in the 
 larger western and northwestern part of the county, and that 
 is by private conveyance, or else by rail via Charleston. 
 I had driven about thirty- three miles from the Four Hole 
 section through the Briner Swamp, and the Dean Swamp, 
 and the Wasamasaw, and Black Tom, Katou Bay, six miles 
 wide, and other bays and swamps. The day was dark and 
 dreary, and ever and anon sudden showers of rain would fall 
 which made traveling through an unromantic country as un- 
 pleasant as it was wearisome. Mr. Chapman, in his history 
 of South Carolina, writing of Gen. Marion's exploit at 
 
 81 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 Monck's Comer, says : "Learning that a body of one hundred 
 prisoners, taken at Camden, were on the way to Charles Town 
 under a strong guard, Marion determined to effect their 
 rescue. Placing his men in ambush near Monck's Comer he 
 succeeded in taking the whole party, British as well as Amer- 
 icans." The country continues to abound in swamps, tliick 
 undergrowth and woodland, and would afford ambush for 
 hundreds of men today. 
 
 The little town, not far from the western fork of the 
 Cooper River, seems to have been bom with good intentions, 
 but ere long the sad situation and atmospheric environment 
 checked and thwarted the growth of the child of promise, and 
 it has fallen into that state of inertia and premature old age 
 from which it will hardly recover for some years. No din of 
 shop, nor hum of electric-moving machinery disturb its solemn 
 quietness. There is a settled calmness over the place that 
 bespeaks of the industrial cemetery, and the winds of past 
 years have already moaned out the funeral hymn of great 
 earthly achievements. But even in this plac 
 
 "Some mute inglorious Milton here may rest 
 Some Cromwell guiltless of his country's blood." 
 
 Some lad may here be making tracks in the sand that will 
 be the future Governor of a great Commonwealth, or one that 
 will develop such an exalted character that he would "rather 
 be right than be President." 
 
 It may be that a bright industrial resurrection mom awaits 
 Monck's Corner — who knows the contrary The day of the 
 electric trolley is coming. The day of a great drainage 
 enterprise may be soon at hand, and if both good days come 
 to the "Comer" it might produce marvelous effects and con- 
 vert it into a richly picturesque city in a land "flowing with 
 milk and honey." 
 
 The Corner and community, however, are in greater need 
 of atmosphere than moneyed marts of trade and traffic. It 
 
 8S 
 
Monck's Corner. 
 
 needs more climate than cash. The death-rate generally in 
 this and sections similar is not so great, and you will find here 
 and there fine specimens of vigorous manhood and the round 
 laughing face of the beautiful girl, but the average docs not 
 present such a hopeful outlook. Stagnant water and sobby, 
 water-soaked "bays" have a fearful tendency to enervate 
 blood, brain and bowels, and chill the energy and enthusiasm 
 of the awakening mind. In a land of swamps, and midst 
 areas of still and stagnant waters it is difficult to bring 
 forth a genius, or create an enlightened specimen of spirited 
 godliness. If the very flat portions of our low country could 
 be thoroughly drained it would prove a blessing in health and 
 happiness to thousands, and would be worth to the State mil- 
 lions in manhood and money. 
 
 The court house at Monck's Comer stands majestically on 
 a sandy elevation amidst small pretty young pine trees about 
 one mile from the depot. It was court week, and I attended 
 part of one evening's session. The whole scene appeared 
 primitive — the court of justice in an old field, with the 
 solemn accompaniment of a fine brick jail very near, eating 
 saloon in one of the offices on the first floor of the court house ; 
 horses of all sorts, colors and previous conditions hitched 
 around, and citizens from Wasamasaw, "Black Tom," "Hell 
 Hole," Four Holes and from other holes and places, in holiday 
 attire, stand in yard and corridors, chatting, laughing and 
 eating peanuts, or chewing or smoking tobacco earnestly. 
 
 I accosted one citizen in a broad-brim hat whom I thought 
 was the largest and tallest in the crowd. Looking up, said I : 
 "Six feet four, sir.?" "Yes, and more," was the reply. "I'm 
 six feet six." Looking down, I remarked: "Number elevens .f*" 
 "Missed it again," he said, "number twelves !" "Where are 
 you from?" I inquired, and the man of height and with the 
 firm foundation answered, "I am from Hell Hole, sir." 
 
 When the hour arrived, the "court crier" cried out in the 
 usual way, and all the citizens above mentioned quietly, 
 
 83 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 promptly marched up-stairs to their places, the jurymen, 
 witnesses, the lawyers, the auditors, and all, sedately sat down 
 and confronted the honorable judge seated on his throne. 
 The case before the jury involved fifty acres of disputed pos- 
 session, two strong-winded lawyers and two vehement speeches 
 somewhat on a phonographic order, with the too oft-repeated 
 refrain, 'Now, Mr. Foreman and gentlemen of the jury." 
 When the last strain of eloquence of the learned lawyers had 
 died away, amidst the pines outside surrounding, the judge 
 charged the jury, clearly defined the law and plainly analyzed 
 the situation. The "Mr. Foreman and gentlemen of the 
 jury" retired to their room, and it was not long before they 
 "found a verdict." Ere the sun went down the court 
 adjourned. The big fat sheriff took in charge the body and 
 parts of the judge himself, extending hospitality; the jury- 
 men, witnesses and lawyers retired to their lodging places, the 
 citizens of Black Tom and Hell Hole to their haunts and 
 homes, the jailor to attend to his prisoners, and court house 
 and premises were soon as silent as a church in a country 
 graveyard. 
 
 There is such a sameness in character and calamities among 
 the people of this revolving globe. Hardly a hamlet in this 
 land of ours but has its tragic tale to tell — its sad story of 
 sin to narrate involving a wrecked life and a crushed heart. I 
 had not been in this quiet little nook of the universe — the 
 Monck's Comer — very long ere I was by sad contemplation 
 led to thoughts like these : There is no barrier strong or high 
 enough to avert the pollution and poison of that evil and subtle 
 One who is permitted to roam this world, to wither and wreck, 
 to curse and destroy. There is no hallowed garden that can 
 prevent his entrance; there is no earthly paradise, however 
 sweet may be its foliage or sacred its precincts, that can debar 
 his intrusion. There is the home once filled with bridal song 
 of joy and happiness, now a place of gloom and heart-aches, 
 not on account of disease, or death, but loss of conjugal 
 
 84 
 
The Jig and the German. 
 
 love — a poor trembling wife — deserted. Or may be it is the 
 corrupted boy, grown dissolute and dissipated who brings 
 grief to the mother's heart — worse than death. Or else, per- 
 chance, it is the once sweet, innocent girl led away from pure 
 paths — now fallen ! 
 
 If angels ever look down upon earth and shed tears they do 
 not weep over a sadder scene than this. 
 
 Adieu, dear old village of the plain. 
 
 Rude, unique, the like one cannot find again. 
 
 May a kind Providence grant thee peace and plenty, and 
 may the sunshine of His love ever linger round the sacred pre- 
 cincts of home and hearthstone. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 The Jig and German. 
 
 "It is contrary to the spirit of the Discipline and of the 
 New Testament to practice promiscuous dancing anywhere." 
 
 That's in the Discipline. It forbids the "taking of such 
 diversions as cannot be used in the name of the Lord Jesus." 
 That same little book says further: "Amongst these indulg- 
 ences which cannot stand this solemn test is the modern dance, 
 both in its private and in its public exhibition, as utterly 
 opposed to the genius of Christianity as taught by us." 
 
 The promiscuous dancing is where the danger lies. The 
 Discipline would give the widest range for the feet of men 
 conspicuously shuffling together in dreamy waltzes. There is 
 implied in the tenn "modern," scant clothing. 
 
 I fear dancing is fast becoming a popular exercise now, 
 especially at summer resorts. Frequently associations of 
 some sort, except my brethren, the Baptists, will meet at the 
 springs and wind up the affair at a big ball. 
 
 85 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 Recently scores of dental gentlemen met at Harris Springs, 
 talked about the grinders and filling teeth and closed discus- 
 sions hilariously in a dance. 
 
 The old veterans will meet in Chester soon, and I dare say 
 w^ill cut pigeon wings. Yes, I note that some tuneful orchestra 
 has already been engaged for the ball. 
 
 The churches generally denounce dancing. The Baptist, 
 Presbyterian, and, I think, the Associate Reformed, will bring 
 a fellow before the church on account of that fantastic toe. 
 The Methodists cry aloud against it — and that's about all 
 that's done generally. 
 
 It can be demonstrated that this jig business is far from a 
 virtuous institution, and goes very far sometimes from 
 original righteousness. 
 
 sweet, pretty girl, with laughing brown eyes and cheery 
 cheek, arms in a state of nature and mercy, in the low cuts, I 
 say, you may be as innocent as an angel, but the t'other fellow 
 ain't. 
 
 A friend recently related to me the following horrible facts : 
 A young lady returning home at 3 o'clock in the morning, in 
 
 the town of , from a ball, was taken violently ill. 
 
 The next morning the symptoms became alarming ; that even- 
 ing at 6 o'clock she died. When they were about to bury the 
 body, the coffin careened to one side, the screws gave way and 
 the shrouded corpse fell into the open grave. About the 
 same hour her baby girl, in charge of a nurse at the home of 
 a relatives, swallowed a shoe button. It lodged in the wind- 
 pipe. A surgical operation was performed, but resulted 
 fatally. A few days after the last event the other child, a 
 pretty girl about six years old, fell in the yard while playing 
 and a sharp tack penetrated the skin of the temple. Blood 
 poison ensued and she died. 
 
 1 remember, when a child in Chester County, I attended the 
 obsequies of a lady who had danced at a picnic on the identical 
 
 86 
 
The Jig and the German. 
 
 plank that two days afterwards covered the coffin in her 
 grave. 
 
 "Is there any harm in dancing-?" Sometimes that qiiestion 
 is put to the preacher, or a voluntary opinion is declared by 
 a hopeful mother, "I don't think there is anything wrong in 
 an innocent waltz. Young people should have amusement." 
 I once called on a brother, whom I thought had a little church- 
 ianity at least, to go over a mile or more and assist in laboring 
 with a member who had permitted dancing in his house the 
 previous evening. I was surprised to learn his family had 
 been there, too, and he modestly justified the jig. 
 
 This undoubted evil is gaining ground in places, and these 
 charming summer resorts will make the business dangerously 
 popular. The modern society is mostly low-necked and sleeve- 
 less, and revels in suppers, flowers and the german. There 
 can't be any so-cie-ty without the dance and the whirling, 
 lascivious waltz. I notice sometimes that an entire religious 
 community is involved in this society business. Generally, 
 take a list of the participants of a fashionable ball, and you 
 will find names that will startle you. The parents of many 
 of those silk-skirted skippers and swallow-tailed swingers will 
 sit piously on Sundays in pews and look as solemn as statues. 
 They are all members of the Church. 
 
 Recently the News and Courier severely criticised the Rev. 
 Mr. Stuart's sermon denouncing dancing as dangerous and 
 devilish, delivered in Charleston some time since. Mr. 
 Stuart's argument was that the hours of the ball were object- 
 ionable, being from 9 P. M. to 3 A. M., when human nature 
 was weakest, that the dress is most voluptuous and the posi- 
 tions assumed in the dance were most corrupting. "And yet 
 some parents allow their daughters to dance in order to make 
 them graceful. I would rather my daughter would be as 
 awkward as a cow in heaven than to be as graceful as a fairy 
 in hell. And where is the person that was ever made purer 
 by the dance.?" To which the News and Courier in part adds : 
 
 87 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 "The evils of the ball-room are not to be compared with the 
 evil of the low and vulgar imaginings of preachers who 
 preach as this revivalist has been preaching." 
 
 The evils are present because favorable conditions are 
 there, and the unregenerate "heart is fully set to do evil." 
 
 If the preacher's denunciation of the dance is evil imagin- 
 ings, then the revelation of man's depravity in the Bible are 
 evil imaginings. The evil imaginings is the product of the 
 wild whirl of the waltz, and not in the preacher's mind. He 
 was on practical lines pointing to a fearful fact that can he 
 demonstrated. Says Spurgeon: "The caperings and wan- 
 tonings of the ball-room are death to the solemn influences of 
 our ministry, and many an ill-ended life first received its bent 
 for evils amid the flippances of gay assemblies met to trip 
 away the hours." 
 
 Reading the other day, I came across this narrative: "A 
 pious woman had one son, who grew up gay and dissipated. 
 She followed him with prayers and entreaties, but all seemed 
 unaviling. He one day said, 'Mother, let me have my best 
 clothes ; I am going to a ball tonight.' She urged him not to 
 go, but all in vain. As he was going, she said, 'My son, 
 remember when you are dancing I shall be praying to the 
 Lord to convert your soul.' At the ball, instead of the usual 
 gayety, an unaccountable gloom pervaded the whole assembly. 
 One said, 'We never had so dull a meeting in our lives.' The 
 young man felt his conscience smitten, and said, 'I know what 
 is the matter ; my poor mother is now praying for her ungodly 
 son.' He took his hat and said, 'I will never be found in such 
 a place as this again.' From that night he began to pray 
 for mercy. His mother's prayer was heard for his con- 
 
 Three-fourths of the outcasts had a man's arm around 
 them for the first time when they were young girls at a 
 social party or dance. 
 
 88 
 
The Jig and the German. 
 
 There are 2,500 abandoned women in San Francisco. 
 Prof. LaFlarris says : "I can safely say that three-fourths of 
 these women were led to their downfall through the influence 
 of dancing." 
 
 The matron of a house for fallen women in Los Angeles 
 says: "Seven-tenths of the girls received here have fallen 
 through parties, dancing and its influence." 
 
 "Would to God that I had never entered a dancing 
 school," said an unfortunate one. 
 
 Of 200 girls in the brothel, 163 admitted that they were 
 there "through dancing schools and the so-called parties, or a 
 more appropriate name for them, 'the devil's protracted meet- 
 ino-.' " — Faulkner's "From the Ball-room to Hell" 
 
 THE LAST DANCE. 
 
 "One, two, three, four, five, six." The town clock was toll- 
 ing the evening hour as the dying girl half turned her head 
 and listened. 
 
 "One, two, three, four, five, six," the pale lips counted 
 softly, and the faintest glow of excitement shone a moment 
 on the marble cheek. 
 
 "Six o'clock ; I must be dressing for the ball ; I wear my 
 white silk, with lilies at the throat." 
 
 She was dreaming of the grand ball that was to have been 
 that night, the last of the season. 
 
 "It will be my last dance this season," she whispered. 
 
 Ay, the very last ; the watchers turned away to hide their 
 faces from the agonized mother, who bent sobbing above her 
 dying child, busy with her last toilet. 
 
 "Ah ! the effect is good ; those buds are fit to bloom in para- 
 dise. I look well tonight." 
 
 She was all ready now, and half waved her small, white 
 hand as in the motion of a fan, then said merrily : "I am com- 
 ing, Frank ; almost ready." 
 
 89 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 She was going now, going down to meet her lover, and the 
 careless lips were trying to hum a measure of the old Danube 
 waltz, whose strains she had followed to the very portals of 
 eternity. 
 
 The watchers shivered with dread, while the mother hid her 
 face in the pillow beside the fair girl dancing out to meet 
 Death, and sobbed aloud. 
 
 The revel was almost over, and the dying belle laid her hand 
 on the bowed head beside her, and said : "Frank, do you hear 
 that music? It is the last waltz. Hurry or I shall miss it. 
 Is it not lovely, that old Danube strain? Listen! how it 
 floats away — away — away. Faster; you are lagging — away 
 — away — away." 
 
 The white arms were lifted for the lover's clasp, but Death 
 was weary of the farce and struck them down. 
 
 The dance was over ; the lights of the ball-room were begin- 
 ning to flicker, and the dancer was very tired. She moved 
 uneasily, sighed wearily, and spoke more slowly and softly, 
 the passion in the voice all gone: "Frank, where are you? 
 Home — take — me home. It is getting — dark — now." 
 
 Ay, dark ! the watchers shuddered at the horror of it, and 
 the frantic mother put her hands over her ears when the girl 
 said: "Why don't the music — stop? It is — out of tune." 
 
 Demons are twanging the cords which jarred on dying 
 ears. 
 
 The girl shivered and whispered: "Cold — go faster — it is 
 late." 
 
 Ay, late; too late! They were going fast, and the girl 
 nestled close in the pillow, and said, so softly they could 
 scarcely hear: "Nearly home — go fast — freezing — go — " 
 
 They thought she was dead, but she sigher, shivered and 
 said: "We stayed — too long — but — my — last — partner — " 
 
 He had come to claim her; the belle of the ball was dead; 
 the last partner was Death ; and they had drifted out together 
 to the music of sobbing and tears. 
 
 90 
 
South Carolina Conference Scenes. 
 
 The fairy form was robed in the white silk, and lily buds 
 nestled upon the lifeless breast; Death held her in a clasp 
 closer than the lover's had been ; the ball was over, but he still 
 held her; the music was ended, the lights gone, but still the 
 beautiful dancer lay quietly in the arms of her last partner — 
 Death. — Nashville Christian Advocate. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 South Carolina Conference Scenes. 
 
 Appointments by the Bishop for the year 18 — : Rev. A. 
 B., of Seaside, to Roundville Circuit. Rev. C. D., of Round- 
 ville, to Seaside. 
 
 After appointments were read, C. D. and A. B. meeting: 
 C. D. — "Say, here, if you are pleased to remain, I'd be pleased 
 not to move." A. B. — "All right, sir, I'd be delighted to stay 
 if you wish Roundville another year." 
 
 It was done, the bargain was made. No change. That 
 year both died — one from natural causes ; the other by gun- 
 shot wound — accident. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Conference to a good member : "What will you have, sonny 
 — you fill a station appointment now ?" 
 
 Member: "An agency job for the Conference, if you 
 please." 
 
 Years glide. 
 
 Conference: "What do you want now, sonny " 
 
 Member: "Editorship of a religious paper, if you please." 
 
 Years pass. 
 
 Conference : "Now, we've given you this and granted you 
 that ; what will you have now.?" 
 
 Member: "A circuit, if you please." 
 
 He got a good place at last. 
 
 91 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 Two or three elders meet Rev. Bozy Blankety, who has a 
 heavy heart — Elders: "Now, Blankety, having at heart the 
 honor of the Conference, tell us as your friends all about this 
 domestic trouble." 
 
 Blankety: "Why, you see, brethren, I, a widower, had six 
 children, and I married a widow who had five children, and 
 the children grew and waxed strong." 
 
 Elders : "Ah, yes. There soon arose clashes of interests in 
 your home?" 
 
 Blankety: "Yes, verily. There were conflicts within and 
 fightings without. The neighbors were disturbed, scandal 
 arose — and — and — I'm done, and undone. Here are my 
 credentials." (Exit.) 
 
 A worldly wife, and a home of strife, 
 Drives many a saint from the heavenly life. 
 
 A Fourth Quarterly Meeting Occasion — Scene : Oak Ridge 
 Station. 
 
 Caucus of Stewards — ^First Steward: "See, here, the Pre- 
 siding Elder will nominate today, I'm dead sure, John Size- 
 more for District Steward. That won't do. He is not the 
 man." 
 
 Second Steward: "You're right." 
 
 Third S. — "I say so, too — let us have the man that will 
 represent Oak Ridge station, an up-to-date man." 
 
 First S. : "You know the Presiding Elder, when the calls 
 Question 26 has the right to nominate the steward. We 
 have the right to elect or reject. See here, let us not con- 
 firm or elect Sizemore, and let us make him put in our man, 
 Sam'l Melton Speckley. Brethren, we need such a man on 
 the District Board now. He'll talk ; he'll speak out his mind. 
 He is sharp as a briar and shrewd as a witch." 
 
 Second S. : "That's what I say ; Speckley is the man." 
 
 Third S. : "So, so ; nothing against Sizemore, but Speck- 
 
 92 
 
South Carolina Conference Scenes. 
 
 ley is against that per cent, plan, and will tell 'em something." 
 
 Others: "That's right." 
 
 First S. : "I see the Presiding Elder, by the way, going 
 'round the corner towards the church. Let us separate and 
 depart." 
 
 Second S. : "Won't Speckley's election be a stunner to 
 him.?" 
 
 Third S. : "Yes ; but it's time presiding elders were learn- 
 ing their dooty!" 
 
 First S. : "Let us be going — and see here, let us approach 
 the church in diiFerent ways, innocently." 
 
 The Quarterly Meeting — Question 26th: "Who is elected 
 District Steward .f"' 
 
 P. E. : "I nominate, brethren, the same brother we had last 
 year — John Wesley Sizemore." 
 
 Stewards first, second and third, "and others," voted "No." 
 
 P. E. "Well, brethren, according to the Discipline of our 
 Church it is my duty to nominate the District Steward, and 
 yours to elect. I nominate another man, since you reject 
 Bro. Sizemore. I place in nomination Nathan Quick." 
 
 Stewards first, second and third, "and others," quickly 
 voted "Nay." 
 
 P. E. : "Well, I nominate Josiah Strong." 
 
 Stewards first, second and third, "and others," voted con- 
 trary. 
 
 P. E. : "I feared you brethren had not been capering 'round 
 here this morning for nothing, and that there was some scheme 
 planned. Your trap, however, is easily discerned and will 
 hardly catch your game. I put in nomination for District 
 Steward to represent Oak Ridge another of your brethren. 
 Dandy G. Fletcher." 
 
 Same as before. No election. 
 
 P. E. : "The nominations are closed, brethren, so far as I'm 
 concerned. I have put before you four good men. You have 
 
 93 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 rejected every one. Oak Ridge is without a District Steward, 
 and it is your work." 
 (Conference adjourns.) 
 
 Stewards' Caucus No. 2 — First Steward: "I will de- 
 clare-!" 
 
 Second S. : "Did you ever.? That old P. E. is certainly a 
 hard case." 
 
 Third S. : "I tell you, we will get him ; we will down him. 
 Did he not say we had been "capering" — and something about 
 a "trap.?" "Caper" and "trap," you see, ground for 
 charges. The Conference meets soon. Let us do our dooty." 
 
 (Exeunt.) 
 
 Session of Annual Confeence, the Bishop in the Chair — A 
 Member of the Conference : "Bishop, I ask a ruling upon the 
 following: When a Quarterly Conference refuses to elect a 
 person, or persons nominated by the Presiding Elder for 
 District Steward, is the Presiding Elder bound to continue 
 to make nominations until the entire Board of Stewards is 
 exhausted.?" 
 
 Bishop: "He is not." 
 
 (It is so much more profitable for Christian stewards and 
 other people to be found walking in the integrity of the 
 heart, than "capering 'round" and setting "traps.") 
 
 * * * 
 
 Investigating Committee to Prisoner-Preacher: "Who are 
 you.?" 
 
 Prisoner-Preacher : "I am the man — accused." 
 In. Com. : "And you did not pay the debts.?" 
 Pris. -Preacher: "No, sir. My salary was small, my fam- 
 ily was large, I went in debt and ar — a — " 
 
 In. Com. : "Well, brother, we are not responsible for the 
 large family and the small salary, but we are responsible for 
 
 94 
 
South Carolina Conference Scenes. 
 
 your honor and truthfulness — as long as your name is on 
 the roll. Here are the charges. Are you guilty.?" 
 
 Pris.-Preacher : "Guilty — in that I have not paid." 
 
 In. Com. : "You must go — farewell." 
 
 Pris.-Preacher: "Alas! Good-bye — " 
 
 (I wonder where today is our wandering boy — for is he 
 not still ours.?) 
 
 * * * 
 
 "Hello, Brother Preacher, what are you doing out here by 
 the street sitting on the wood pile.?" 
 
 "Well, I am out here to enjoy my cigar. My wife don't 
 allow smoking in the house." 
 
 (The preacher with the cigar is right. It is better to 
 endure a wood pile in peace than a fireside of fuss.) 
 
 * * * 
 
 Dignified and Reverend Dr. Amos Tuttle at Conference, 
 to preachers grouped near main entrance: "No, sir, there is 
 too much secularity among the preachers — too much yearn- 
 ing for filthy lucre. 
 
 " 'No cottage in the wilderness. 
 No land do I possess.' 
 
 Every one should be able with myself to say that." 
 
 A Questioner : "How much life insurance do you carry now, 
 Dr. Tuttle.?" 
 
 Tuttle: "Well, let me see. Why, I carry five thousand, 
 sir." 
 
 Really, Dr. Amos Tuttle is speculating in futures, likely 
 giving $1 for $5 or more, and as his spirit goes to heaven his 
 body and bones turn into cash and coin. Dr. Amos Tuttle, 
 therefore, is much given to secularity. 
 
 95 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 Committee on Conference Relations to Old Circuit Rider: 
 "Well, brother, you have finished your task ; you will have to 
 stop." 
 
 0. C. R.: "What? Finished my task? You want to put 
 me on the superannuated list, I see, and I believe I'd rather 
 die. What are your reasons? What are your grounds?" 
 
 Committee: "A sort of general decline — they say." 
 
 O. C. R. : "General decline ! Why, did you hear my re- 
 port? Everything paid in full, sir, and I've done as much 
 pulpit work this year as any young man in the Conference. 
 Some Sundays I preached three times. Sunday before Con- 
 ference I preached twice, raised my collections for the benevo- 
 lences of the Church, conducted a funeral, baptized three 
 children, married a couple, ate a hearty supper and slept all 
 night — and you come to me talking about a general decline?" 
 
 Committee : "But, brother, it is said you are absent-minded 
 and preach the same sermon over and over again." 
 
 O. C. R. : "Same sermon? Absent-minded? Well, may be I 
 have been absent-minded where my own personal interests were 
 involved. It may be I've been too absent-minded with refer- 
 ence to laying up for a rainy day. As to preaching, I've 
 added, line upon line, precept upon precept, and I've preached 
 scores and scores of times from the text: 'Ye must be bora 
 again.' I do so because 'ye must be born again,' or you can- 
 not enter the kingdom of God." 
 
 Committee : "Really we advise you to take a rest. You are 
 old, and there are complaints that you cannot walk about and 
 visit, that your legs give out.' 
 
 O. C. R. : "Legs ? Why, man, let us measure, let us meas- 
 ure. Let us take the circumference of legs, and mine will 
 prove to be as large as some of yours. I acknowledge, how- 
 ever, that I do lack in leg power now. I am not at all swift, 
 but I don't totter. I am a little unsteady at times, but I don't 
 fall. And so, if you want younger legs, and are tired of my 
 
 96 
 
"Some Village Hampden." 
 
 old sermons and my absent-mindedness, why I'll just give it 
 up — I'll superannuate. 
 
 Sad scene, twelve months afterwards : The old circuit rider 
 and wife by an humble cottage fireside on $200 a year! 
 
 * * * 
 
 Bro. Sandy falls out with another preacher and speaks his 
 mind: "Yes, sir, Tim. Spanner did wrong me. I do not 
 speak to him. I purpose not to speak to him. I will have 
 nothing to do with him whatever." 
 
 Bro. Spanner is no more ; the flowers on his grave have long 
 since faded. 
 
 Bro, Sandy is aging fast and bowing to the weight of 
 years. 
 
 Will there be reconciliation in heaven? 
 
 And will he "speak to him" there.? 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 "Some Village Hampden.^* 
 
 What sad changes a few years bring about in a village or 
 community with whose people we were, it may be, but a few 
 years ago so familiar. If you wish to study human nature 
 and human frailty, and see tragedy and comedy enacted, 
 take up the history of some remote village of a few years 
 and there with pleasure and pain peruse its pages. They will 
 reveal dark things in the human soul, and sad things, too, of 
 which the world did not dream, as well as some sublimity in 
 mere mortals, touches of the divine displayed now and then — 
 that's far above nature's ways, and suggests kinship with the 
 angels. 
 
 Not long since I made inquiries of a friend concerning a 
 pretty village, and the people that I knew well not a dozen 
 
 97 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 years ago. Not a few had moved away, and cast their lot in 
 other communities. Old John Brown is sleeping in the^ cold 
 earth of the graveyard. He thought more of acres than arti- 
 cles of religion, more of cash than creed, and I fear at that 
 day it will be hard for John Brown to stand. Tom Borden, a 
 good hospitable man, I always thought, was shot down one 
 night in his own piazza by a murderer concealed in the yard, 
 who had called him from his fireside to take his life. The foul 
 deed caused a sensation for awhile, but the murderer was never 
 caught nor likely will be until somewhere and somehow his own 
 sins will find him out. This Tom Borden had a little boy — I 
 knew him well — who was perfectly devoted to his father. 
 When "papa" would go off on a trip he'd long for his return 
 and was always the first of the children "to climb his knees 
 the envied kiss to share." Shortly after his "papa" was so 
 cruelly shot in his own home, the little boy grew weak and 
 weary, and soon pined away and died. 
 
 Young Miss Kitty Funking married early, and romantic- 
 ally. People may set orthodox ages for girls to marry, say 
 twenty-one to twenty-four, but when the "gal" takes a notion 
 at sixteen to elope, it is hard to head her off. Well, Kitty 
 loved Ralph Snow, and Ralph idolized Kitty. The old folks 
 objected to the marriage, especially Major Funking, an aged 
 man both bold and brave, who did not want Kitty, his pet and 
 youngest daughter, to marry anybody. But one day the 
 major was caught napping, the bars were down and Kitty 
 made a dash for liberty, and Ralph, watching the open gap, 
 made a dash for Kitty, and they both went off dashing to- 
 gether, and were at a neighbor's house most happily married. 
 Major Funking, when the situation was revealed to him, the 
 flight and the plight, he roared like most angry fathers do 
 when the pet and youngest daughter elopes and marries. He 
 was going to batter down, knock down and drag out, and slay 
 
 98 
 
"Some Village Hampden." 
 
 the posse cometatum of 'em who had aided and abetted in this 
 conspiracy — but — as they always do — all angry fathers who 
 roar when the girl runs away, he subsided after awhile. * * * 
 And now about three years have passed and there sits on the 
 major's knee a sweet little miss just like Kitty was, and her 
 name is lone, and the major thinks she is the sweetest, smart- 
 est little cherub beneath the skies, and Ralph and Kitty are 
 both great folks now in the major's eyes, because of lone. 
 
 Mrs. Liza Sneed was a quiet, timid woman, but she was de- 
 voted to home and husband. Sam Sneed was a good sort of 
 a fellow in his way as long as things went right to his notion, 
 but otherwise he was cross, cold, snappish and snarlly. Meet- 
 ing with reverses in the world of business he became moody 
 and unhappy, and ere long he began blaming his wife with 
 his misfortune, accusing her of this and that, most false 
 charges every time. Ofttimes she would go to a bosom friend 
 and tell her, amidst spells of choking sobs, how she had 
 labored to please Sam, how she loved him and how harshly 
 she was treated. It was not long before she had a peculiar 
 spell of sickness, and the poor sad heart ceased to beat for- 
 ever. It might be well to write on her tombstone : "She died 
 of a broken heart." I suspect now Sam thinks oft and 
 affectionately of her who so fondly loved him, and perhaps 
 scatters sweet flowers over her grave, but such love tokens 
 cannot provoke now the silent dust or "soothe the dull cold 
 ear of death." 
 
 * * * 
 
 Capt. Jim Belcher — a man of much mind and matter, who 
 generally had about twelve plans but who prosecuted poorly, 
 and succeeded in none, save one — married about twevle years, 
 he had about twelve children. He moved to Florida to seek 
 a fortune, and is about to move again, with all of the children 
 and with all the plans. Yet with all, a hearty, good fellow, 
 
 99 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 clever and companionable. I do hope this Belcher will land 
 in heaven after awhile, where there will be no plans miscarried 
 and no cradles to rock. 
 
 "Peter & Flinn," "General Merchants, Dealers in Hats and 
 Honey, Bran and Bacon and Good Groceries," etc. — busted — 
 long ago, running too many Church members on a credit. 
 Maybe they broke with a little cash and will run the business 
 in their wives' names, Mrs. Peter and Mrs. Flinn, as it is 
 common to do. 
 
 Bill Snake, just the same, winds up drunk on express jug 
 liquor Saturday night, and it is said his boy, young Bill, 
 gaunt and gawky, is following the footsteps of his father — 
 what other tracks has he to follow, that young lad Bill.'' It 
 would be unnatural for the boy to do otherwise than get tight 
 and cuss like his father. 
 
 * * * 
 
 After a mature age men seldom are converted. Sometimes 
 there is outward manifestation of a change of character, but 
 it proves to be only a sort of reformation, and the nature 
 remains the same, untouched by the hand divine. A proba- 
 tioner who neglects his religious faculty when in a state of 
 development will likely never be thoroughly Christianized, and 
 if at thirty he is a devil at times, just label him: he is a goner, 
 and will die a sinner — "to him that hath shall be given ; to him 
 that hath not shall be taken away, even that which he hath." 
 
 * * * 
 
 Well, I'll write about and comment no more now on this 
 village I knew years ago, which I might call "Sunny Ridge." 
 As it was in the beginning of the village's growth, so it is 
 now ; it is mixed with good and evil ; devil, dust, disease and 
 death. The church bells are kept ringing; sometimes it's a 
 marriage, sometimes it's a funeral. I trust old John Shark, 
 
 100 
 
The Farmer Member. 
 
 who used to tell me he couldn't go to church and hear a ser- 
 mon because of his heart (he had a slight affection of the 
 heart and feared the "exzitement" of a service would kill him). 
 I say I trust he will yet live to see Sunny Ridge full of the 
 happiest and most God-serving people, and that when he gets 
 ready to go he will set his house in order, go over to the church 
 some bright Sabbath morning, hear a good sermon and hap- 
 pily die. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 The Farmer Member. 
 
 I am so sorry for our Bishops, station preachers, organic 
 brethren and others, who are confined to dull routine work in 
 the towns, cities and conferences, and who cannot hold regu- 
 larly with charming nature sweet communion, like the average 
 itinerant, and who have not the opportunity the circuit rider 
 has of gathering inspiration and thoughts unfettered from 
 green fields, babbling brooks and songs of the forest birds. 
 At this season of the year the country preacher often spends 
 what is commonly teiTned "blue Monday" in the saddle or in 
 the buggy, going the rounds, visiting from house to house, 
 cheering and comforting here and there, and receiving cheer 
 and comfort from kind sympathetic people in turn, whose wel- 
 coming doors open into homes, humble they may be, but homes 
 most hospitable, and whose hearts are so loyal and true. 
 
 If you spend the night with your farmer member he will 
 have early supper of good substantial fare, will suggest 
 prayer soon afterward, and gapes and yawns will indicate 
 time to retire very soon after evening devotions, and before 
 you hardly realize it you are in a soft bed trying to slip off 
 into a slumber. You are not there long, at least so it seems, 
 before you become conscious that there is some mortal "stir- 
 ring." You listen. In an adjoining room a chair will move 
 
 101 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 on the floor. It's that farmer securing his breeches which he 
 hung on the back of the chair on retiring ; he's putting on his 
 armor; he has actually risen, and is going forth. You won- 
 der what o'clock it is, and you creep softly to the bureau 
 where the watch lies a ticking, feeling somewhat like a thief in 
 the night, strike a match gently and — lo, it's 3 :30 A. M., as 
 sure as 3'^ou are alive. But maybe an hour or two will yet 
 pass before there will be a final awakening. And you seek 
 again the soft yielding bed and surrender to delicious drowsi- 
 ness of the dawning hour of a June morning. Directly fresh 
 alarming sounds are borne on the 3 :30 A. M. air. They 
 come from the kitchen. She is up and doing, "still achieving 
 and still pursuing." You hear the rattle of cooking utensils, 
 the scraping of pots, the falling of the tea kettle handles, and 
 you conclude that the good housewife is preparing breakfast. 
 You turn over in bed and sigh for sleep, but now you hear the 
 coffee mill grinding; and arise, O sleeper, your time is up — 
 breakfast will be ready directly. It is now 4:30 A. M., and 
 the farmer member is waiting, walking about you in the hall 
 and on the porch, listening to hear a sound of stir in the 
 prophet's chamber. After a while the farmer member ven- 
 tures to the door, and knocks, knocks again. You realize the 
 inevitable, but don't stir, say nothing, let him come in, let there 
 be a "breaking and entering," a regular burglary entrance 
 at this unseasonable hour; make out you are asleep, snore 
 hard, move neither hand nor foot, but snore and listen at him 
 calling you, now standing in the half -open door, looking down 
 upon you with a 4 :30 A. M. gruesome grin : "Brother 
 Wilkes ! O Brother Wilkes ! say, preacher, preacher !" You 
 move, you yawn, and stare in a blinkity-blankity way. "I 
 say, preacher, air you 'sleep.?" 
 
 God bless the farmer member, whose underlying principle 
 is fidelity to Church and State. He is the heroic plowman 
 bearing the drudgery of dust and dirt, but he is clothing the 
 king in his palace, and he is feeding a hungry world. Let 
 
 102 
 
Recollections of Early Childhood. 
 
 not grandeur disdain whose waiving plume comes from this 
 man's labor obscure, nor let proud ambition mock the humble 
 toil that makes the world's traffic and trade sing with joy. In 
 his Christian heart and patriotic home lies the greatness of 
 our nation, and upon his brawny shoulders there rests the 
 hope and fortune of our holy Zion. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Recollections of Early Childhood. 
 
 Who can forget the associations of early boyhood, or bury 
 the scenes and characters of those first years, when life was 
 one sweet dream, whose pathway was all covered with flowers? 
 After the lapse of many hard years a^ou look back and easily 
 bring to mind the memory of other days, until, for a moment 
 at least, you all but live them over again. The sweet voices 
 of loved ones long since silenced speak to you, and laughing 
 bright eyes peer at you once more. You almost feel the 
 touch of the hand, now no more, and realize the enlivening 
 influence of the presence, gone forever. My good old grand- 
 father, Robert Hawthorne, lived just four miles west of 
 Winnsboro, where I spent many happy days. I was there 
 with my widowed mother when Sherman's army marched 
 through. She saved the house and buildings from a Shenuan 
 conflagration by promptly giving, when fire was threatened 
 and actually started, the Masonic sign of distress. I remem- 
 ber old Mrs. Armstrong just across the branch and her clean 
 kitchen, and the best pan-cakes and chicken pie a young 
 mortal ever ate. Charlie Cope (now of Orangeburg) lived 
 near. He was, too, the only son and child. One day in June, 
 each aged six, we were running up and down the long piazza 
 of the Hawthorne home just after a shower of rain and hail, 
 and somehow there was a collision, a head to head collision, 
 
 103 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 and the two little fellows got scars that will go with them to 
 the grave. One day, after my wounds were healed, I rode 
 Grandpa's old horse, "Black," all the way to Winnsboro and 
 back by my lone self — what an achievement! I do hope if 
 there be a heaven for horses old Black Avill land there. 
 Grandpa would hold family prayers, beginning with "Our 
 Heavenly Father." Uncle Ned Gibson, a bachelor great- 
 uncle, who boarded with us, would swear around, about as 
 fervently as grandpa prayed, and when he'd go to Winnsboro 
 he would bring me great red sticks of candy. My first fox 
 hunt was behind this great uncle on his horse, having a pillow 
 for a saddle (in the wild runs I needed one) and along with us 
 were Major Woodward and his fine pack of hounds. There 
 would come often to Squire Hawthorne's a pretty young lady 
 from Winnsboro to visit one of my young aunts. They were 
 intimate and affectionate friends. They would climb the big 
 rocks, gather wild flowers, sing, chatter and talk of their 
 lovers the live-long day. The pretty young lady would call 
 me her "sweetheart," and gave such tender attention that my 
 child's heart was completely won. I remember well her dreamy 
 brown eyes, blushing cheeks and all the tints, touches and deli- 
 cate elements that go to make the rare and radiant maiden. 
 I was rejoiced when she came to the "Squire's," bringing joy 
 and life with her, and possibly the first sadness that ever I felt 
 was when she went away and told her "little sweetheart" 
 good-bye. 
 
 The other day at Winnsboro in the churchyard I stood at 
 her grave — the cruel place that engulfs all the beauty and the 
 brave of this dying world — and I had the same child sweet- 
 heart feeling again. The inscription on the marble tomb tells 
 the story. She married; there was gladness awhile in her 
 new home, and prospects most pleasing, but, alas, soon the 
 shadows came — sorrows — death. 
 
 104. 
 
Earthquake Incident. 
 
 "She gave to misery, 'twas all she had — a tear ; she gained 
 from heaven, 'twas all she wished — a Friend." 
 
 May sweetest flowers ever bloom over the grave of my child- 
 hood's fairest friend; and many the sunshine love to linger 
 'round thy resting place — Annie Belle. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Earthquake Incident. 
 
 [The facts in the following were told me by a gentleman 
 who knew well the conspicuous figure who acted his part so 
 nervously on that earthquake night, and vouches for its 
 tinith.] 
 
 Dramatis Persons: Josiah Bushrod, Sally Bushrod, his 
 wife, and Jacob Bushrod, his son. Scene: Country home in 
 
 County, S. C. Time: August 31st, 1886, 6 to 
 
 11 P. M. 
 
 I. 
 
 Josiah (just arrived from town late in evening) : "Say, 
 Jakie, Jakie! Where are you?" 
 
 Jakie: "I'm a-coming as fast as I can." 
 
 Josiah : "Take the horse, Jakie, take the horse. Did John 
 Simpson send back my hay rake he borrowed.''" 
 
 Jakie: "Yes, sir, and he said that he was much obliged to 
 you." 
 
 Josiah : "Oh, yes. That's all I get, 'Much obliged.' Never 
 saw such borrowers in my life as we've got here on Chestnut 
 Ridge. They will borrow your axe, your cross-cut saw, your 
 Dixie plow, hayrakes — anything and everything — and it's 
 always 'much obliged.' " 
 
 Jakie: 'Oh, pa.? You know Pewter Smith.'"' 
 
 Josiah: "Yes, I know Pewter — and for the last twenty 
 
 105 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 years I've known him. He is got the right name — he's 
 pewter." 
 
 Jakie: "Well, he's just been here and asked ma if you'd 
 care to lend him Claybank and the old surrey tomorrow to go 
 to Shiloh to the big meeting. He wants ter take all the chil- 
 dren, and his mother-in-law is on a visit to him." 
 
 Josiah : "Good gracious ! There it is again. Pewter 
 wants to borrow a horse, and borrow a surrey, and borrow the 
 harness — all to go to a meeting to hear maybe a borrowed 
 sermon. My ! My ! My ! How this world is given to 
 borrowing. Say, Jakie, what did your ma say.'"' 
 
 Jakie: "Well, ma said that she was rejoicing in the way 
 the meeting was going on, and was mighty pleased to see him 
 so interested, and that she was sure you would be glad to lend 
 Claybank and the surrey to carry his folks to the revival 
 meeting." 
 
 Josiah: "Well, now, I ain't. Do you hear it — I just ain't. 
 Say, Jakie, did you have that young fodder pulled on Spring 
 branch .f"' 
 
 Jakie: "Yes, sir, and took it in 'fore sundown." 
 
 Josiah: "Did you let 'Crooked Leg Bill' and 'Liza's Jim' 
 have their rations at 12 o'clock as I told you.^"' 
 
 Jakie: "No, sir, but I let them have 'em this evening 'fore 
 you came — one peck of meal and three pounds of meat each. 
 We didn't get home until after 12 o'clock." 
 
 Josiah: "Oh, yes. I suppose you and your ma had to go 
 to that great meeting. When will it break.''" 
 
 Jakie: "It was to close today, but there was such a warm 
 meeting today, and so many joined the church, and so many 
 mourners, that the preacher said he would go on a few days 
 longer." 
 
 Josiah : "And I reckoned old Pewter Smith shouted. Take 
 Rainbow and put him up and feed him in the stall next to 
 Claybank, and feed Claybank well, for he will have to go to 
 
 106 
 
Earthquake Incident. 
 
 Shiloh tomorrow, according to your ma's directions, and carry 
 all the 'Pewter' Smiths." 
 (Exit Jakie.) 
 
 II. 
 
 Josiah (meeting Mrs. Bushrod in front porch, who affect- 
 ionately greets him) : "I'll declare, Sally, this has been a siz- 
 zing hot day, sure, and it's been a galloping day with me, too 
 — and I'm tired." 
 
 Mrs. B. : "Oh, well, sit in your rocker and rest. In a few 
 moments we will have supper, and there in the hall is some 
 cool water just from the spring. Josiah?" 
 
 Josiah: "What do yer want, Sally.?" 
 
 Mrs. B. : "Tell me the truth, haven't you been drinking 
 some of that horrid stuff in town today.'"' 
 
 Josiah : "Sally, see here, you know I am a man of liberty. 
 I want to eat as I please, sleep as I please, go where I please, 
 and drink as I please. I am like Henry Patrick of old, I'd 
 say, 'Give me liberty, or something worse,' every time. That's 
 my ticket. Yes, I did take a drink or two, but I was feeling 
 poorly, and I drank for my 'stomach's sake and often infirmi- 
 ties ;' and I say this, too — let all husbands 'tend to their busi- 
 ness and let all good wives 'tend to their business. Ain't that 
 according to Scripture? But, say, Sally, we had a high old 
 time in town today. A whole lot of us friends gathered at the 
 eating house, and Jim Brown nominated me the ugliest man 
 
 in County ; and Mose Hill put up Joe Busby — 'Old 
 
 Whiskers,' as the boys call him — and there were seven votes 
 cast and I got the majority! (Laughing.) Oh, we had a 
 rollicking good time!" 
 
 Mrs. B. : "Ah, Josiah, you ought not to behave and talk 
 this way. You are a member of the Church, Josiah, and you 
 use to attend every preaching day — but you have gone back. 
 I wish you had avoided your friends today and had gone with 
 me to Shiloh. Bro. Spookendyke took for his text: 'Watch, 
 
 107 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 for ye know neither the day, nor the hour.' And when I 
 thought how indifferent you were to your soul's salvation, and 
 your example before our oldest boy, I felt most distressed. 
 Several promised, at his urgent request, the pastor's, that 
 each would pray for some dear unconverted friend. I prom- 
 ised to pray for a friend — and that friend is yourself, 
 Josiah ! Several, too, have vowed to take up family prayer — 
 and it makes my heart glad when I think of the many pray- 
 ing homes now in Chestnut Ridge community. Let me see 
 if I can name those who made the promise today. There is 
 Peter Dickson and Jerry Simson — " 
 
 Josiah (interrupting) : "Yes, the same that's always bor- 
 rowing my hayrake, cross-cut saw — " 
 
 Mrs. B. : "Well, no matter, I believe he is a changed man 
 now. And there are John Halback, Zeke Nardin, Tom 
 Smoke and 'Pewter' Smith — " 
 
 Josiah : "I'll be bound, if old Pewter will be outdone — " 
 
 Mrs. B. : "Would to the good Lord that my dear husband 
 would resolve not to be outdone, for I fear if he continues to 
 resist the Spirit he will be undone. Josiah, if I could see 
 you with your Bible in your hand and hear you read the Holy 
 Word, and get down on your knees and have family prayer, I 
 would be one happy soul. And I pray and hope that I 
 may yet see — " 
 
 Josiah: "Now, Sally. Come, and see here, Sally; you're 
 a right good preacher, but there are three things I wish to 
 draw your religious attention to right now: firstly, I am 
 tired ; secondly, I want my supper, and, thirdly, I want to go 
 to bed. Do you hear now, Sally.?" 
 
 (Exit.) 
 
 HI. 
 
 Mrs. Sally Bushrod (alone in sitting room by lamp on 
 table, with her Bible) : "I reckon poor Josiah is fast asleep 
 now, after his rollicking day in town. This is no new thing, 
 
 108 
 
Earthquake Incident. 
 
 however, for, alas ! dissipation is gaining on Josiah. Just 
 think of it ! While we were worshiping at Shiloh my dear 
 husband was carousing with his fellows in a restaurant — and 
 actually voting for the ugliest man in the county! Josiah 
 is far from being a bad man at heart, though he quarrels 
 about borrowers and borrowing, to a neighbor needing help, 
 or even to a stranger in dire want of bread I don't remember 
 him ever saying 'No.' Oh, I do pray he may be converted 
 and turn from all his evil ways and associates." (Reads 
 Bible.) 
 
 All at once a deep rumbling sound is heard — a peculiar 
 ominous sound that cannot be well described — somewhat like 
 distant thunder. It becomes louder and more distinct. 
 Directly the house begins to quiver fearfully, and chairs and 
 tables are rocking to and fro or falling. Bricks from the 
 chimney tops are shaken down, landing on shed-rooms around. 
 Dogs begin to howl piteously and to bark. Cattle are low- 
 ing, horses are neighing. Cries of "Mercy ! Mercy ! O 
 Lord !" could be heard far and near. Mrs. B. was satisfied 
 at first the great judgment day had come, and for a moment 
 was so startled that she made no movement except to rise and 
 stand near the centre table, holding the hitherto rocking 
 lamp. It wasn't long before she thought of Josiah. She 
 hastily runs to his room, finds him undressed and in a state 
 of terror, sitting on the bed. 
 
 Josiah: "Oh, Sally, what in the world — what on the 
 earth!" 
 
 Mrs. B. : "Oh, Josiah, the judgment day has come, and 
 what a fix you are in !" 
 
 (Another rumbling sound — a shock and a shaking.) 
 
 Josiah : "Oh ! Oh ! Oh ! Oh, Sally ! I want you to for- 
 give me. I haven't been the husband to you I ought to have 
 been. Oh! Oh! I ought to have gone to church — oh, for- 
 give me, Sally !" 
 
 109 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 Mrs. B. : "Hush, Josiah, don't call on me to forgive you ! 
 Call on the Lord ! Call on the Lord right away ! Lose not a 
 moment. Come right on in the sitting room, read a word in 
 the Good Book, and let us pray. Get down on your knees 
 and cry out for mercy and salvation ! Come !" 
 
 Josiah: "Will do anything you say, Sally. Yes, I will 
 read, I will pray. Oh, mercy!" 
 
 Josiah follows wife to the big room. (Another shock.) 
 Tremblingly reaches the table and instead of the Bible, he 
 seizes a framed hand looking glass, takes it up a moment and 
 then dashes it down. 
 
 "Sally! Oh, Sally! It's too late to pray! It's too late, 
 the devil is done here, for I've seen him!" 
 
 (Rushes out — wife following.) 
 
 The prayer of Mrs. Bushrod and the earthquake triumphed. 
 Josiah Bushrod, I am told, afterwards became a sadder, wiser 
 and a religious man. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Sundry Subjects. 
 
 SENSE OF APPEECIATION. 
 
 Newly Married Man : "What do ye charge .'"' 
 Pastor: "Oh, nothing, sir. We make no charges." 
 Married Man: "Do yuners love 'taters.?" 
 Pastor: "Oh, yes, sir." 
 
 Married man : "Wall, I'll send you some. Good-bye." 
 Now, he had a sense of appreciation, but it ran along the 
 line of " 'taters." 
 
 SEVEN GOOD REASONS. 
 
 During a temperance campaign a lawyer was discussing, 
 with no little show of learning, the clauses of a proposed tem- 
 
 110 
 
Sundry Subjects. 
 
 perance law. An old farmer, who had been listening atten- 
 tively, shut his knife with a snap and said: 
 
 "I don't know nuthin' about the law, but I've got seven 
 good reasons for votin' for it." 
 
 "What are they?" asked the lawyer. 
 
 And the grim old farmer responded : "Four sons and three 
 daughters." — Sel. 
 
 A minister's good-bye. 
 
 A report reached the Clinton office the first part of the 
 week that a minister of one of our near-by villages took per- 
 manent leave of one of his congregations a few Sabbaths 
 since in the following pathetic words : 
 
 "Brothers and Sisters: I come to say good-bye. I don't 
 think God loves this church, because none of you ever did. I 
 don't think you love each other, because I never marry any of 
 you. I don't think you love me, because you haven't paid me 
 my salary. Your donations are moldly fruit and wormy 
 apples, 'and by their fruits ye shall know them.' 
 
 "Brothers, I am going to a better place. I have been 
 called to be chaplain of a penitentiary. Where I go you 
 cannot come now, but I go to prepare a place for you, and 
 may the Lord have mercy on your souls. Good-bye." 
 
 * * * 
 
 "something must be saceificed." 
 
 A peculiar phenomenon occurred one day a few years ago 
 within the corporate limits of the little town of Woodford, 
 S. C. It was an unusual display of highly wrought feeling 
 which deviated from the common course that passion and 
 resentment usually suggest. 
 
 The scene was a blacksmith shop and the actors in the 
 tragedy were the proprietor of the shop and a farmer. The 
 smith had repaired the farmer's vehicle, the latter had come 
 
 111 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 to settle the account with the worker in iron. But there was 
 a difference in opinion in regard to the stipulation made in 
 the beginning. There was in the shop about the vehicle an 
 animated discussion, and it seemed for a while there would 
 be a lamentable concussion. Finally some expression from 
 the farmer blew the man of the bellows into a blaze of indig- 
 nation. He made a few violent motions, and murderously 
 seized his new hat and threw it into a heated stove. "There, 
 now," said he, "bum ; when it comes to this, something has got 
 to be sacrificed!" The nervous action of the smith and the 
 burning hat brought on a reaction in the head of the farmer. 
 Pacific sentiments after the storm prevailed. The debt was 
 paid and the farmer rolled away in his carriage, leaving the 
 hatless blacksmith satisfied that he had not made the sacrifice 
 in vain. 
 
 DEATH OF BILLY MAHONE. 
 
 Act 1. The funeral. Large gathering of friends and 
 relatives of the deceased, Billy Mahone, and the widow. Much 
 weeping — but the widow wept most. Yards of "mourning" 
 — but the widow "out-mourned" them all — the heavy black 
 veil falling to the ground. And the two little boys, aged four 
 and two, sons of the deceased, opened their big eyes on a 
 strange scene. 
 
 Act 2. — The monument. A pretty one, and skillfully 
 chiseled. Bore ma,ny fine words of grief and Scripture, with 
 the carved representation of two hands clasped. "Erected to 
 the Memory of William Mahone by his disconsolate Widow." 
 The grave kept green and decorated with flowers. "Meet me, 
 dear Billy, at heaven's gate," she'd moan. 
 
 Act 3. — The insurance agent calls with check of $4,000. 
 The "disconsolate widow" comforted. Goes to the dentist's 
 office six months after date and secures five new teeth. The 
 disconsolate widow buys a brand new turnout, and drops the 
 
 112 
 
Sundry Subjects. 
 
 long mourning veil — looking very rosy in a background of 
 black. 
 
 Act 4. — One day Jake Phillips calls just to see the children. 
 Brings them candy and nice things. The cliildren think all 
 the world of "dear Uncle Jake." The widow now in "second 
 mourning." Great deal of white — no black and bunglesome 
 headgear. Often seen in new turnout, and new teeth, at 
 church. And Jake Phillips, too, with his new breeches. Both 
 look pious during solemn service. 
 
 Act 5. — Married — as sure as you live! In the village 
 church — amidst evergreens and music. Mrs. Mahone and 
 Jake Phillips united in holy matrimony. Bridal presents 
 — and congratulations. A trip to the sea and "At Home." 
 * * * Poor Billy Mahone! His demise yielded a new turn- 
 out, new teeth, new silks — and Jake Phillips. I wonder who 
 will meet him now at heaven's gate — and the flowers, too, on 
 the grave have all faded, and faded forever! 
 
 JACKSON IN THE PRAYER MEETING. 
 
 Stonewall Jackson, the Christian hero of the great civil 
 war, always moved onward under clearest conviction of duty, 
 though in the face of failure itself. That determined spirit 
 to do or die manifested itself wherever duty called, whether 
 charging the solid phalanx of the enemy or leading a prayer 
 meeting in his village church at Lexington, Va. A few 
 years ago I boarded with a gentleman in Lexington who knew 
 the general well and worshiped with him regularly in the same 
 church (Presbyterian). 
 
 Shortly after General Jackson joined the church he felt it 
 his duty to lead in public prayer, and so expressed hismelf to 
 his venerable pastor. Dr. White. He requested the general 
 to conduct the prayer service the next Thursday evening. It 
 was a failure all through, the gentleman said. In his prayer 
 he was confusing, in his talk he was confounding, to the great 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 distress and embarrassment of the leader's friends. To the 
 great surprise of the pastor and others, he requested to be 
 called on in public service again. He blundered on, but per- 
 severed until he became mighty in prayer and exhortation, and 
 was at the beginning of the war the superintendent of a very 
 successful Sunday school. 
 
 HUNGRY MULE. 
 
 A negro freight hand had been placed in charge of a 
 mule, the destination of which was marked on a tag attached 
 by twine to the animal's leg. Before the mule could be per- 
 suaded to enter a car, he managed to reach the tag, and before 
 the negro could interpose he had that tag well chewed up. 
 The old man looked at the local freight agent in great per- 
 turbation and said: "What I goin' to do wid dat mule.? He 
 done eat up de place where he's goin'." 
 
 * * * 
 
 POPPING THE QUESTION. 
 
 There is more method, perhaps, than modesty in the recent 
 proposal to the world at large of a Japanese lady, who adver- 
 tises : "I am a beautiful woman, with cloud-like hair, flowery 
 face, willow-like waist and crescent eye-brows. I have enough 
 property to walk through life hand in hand, gazing at the 
 flowers in the day and the moon at night. If there is a gen- 
 tleman who is clever, learned, handsome and of good taste, 
 I will join with him for life, and share the pleasure of being 
 buried in the same grave." 
 
 One of the most unconventional and startling proposals on 
 record was that of Lorenzo Dow, an eloquent and popular 
 Methodist minister. Mr. Dow had mourned his first wife for 
 a year, and thought it was high time to replace her. One 
 day at the close of the sermon he electrified his congregation 
 by announcing : "I am a candidate for matrimony, and if any 
 
 114. 
 
Sundry Subjects. 
 
 woman in this congregation would care to take me, let her 
 rise." After a modest interval, two ladies rose from their 
 seats, one at the foot of the pulpit and the other at the back 
 of the church. The reverend gentleman inspected them for a 
 moment, and then said: "As the one nearest to me was the 
 first to rise, I will make her my wife; and now we will sing 
 hymn No. — ." Such an audacious proposal deserved the 
 happy union which followed it, and Mr. Dow was not the less 
 contented with his choice because she was amply supplied with 
 this world's goods. 
 
 There have been fewer quainter proposals than that of the 
 late Bishop of Ossory, who, after pulling the "wishing bone" 
 with a young lady who had won his heart, laid down his part 
 of the broken bone and whispered to her, "Will you lay your 
 bones with my bones?" — Sel. 
 
 CLEVER WITNESS. 
 
 A lawyer in a court the other day, after a close cross-exam- 
 ination of a witness, an illiterate Irish woman, in reference to 
 the position of the doors and windows, etc., in her house, asked 
 the following question: "And now, my good woman, tell the 
 court how the stairs run in your house." To which the good 
 woman replied: "How do the stairs run.? Shure, whin I'm 
 oop stairs they run down, and whin I'm down stairs they 
 run oop." 
 
 « « • 
 
 A RELIGION THAT BENDS. 
 
 An incident told by the Rev. V. B. Carroll in the Hom'detic 
 Review makes apparent the necessity in this transition period 
 of getting the negro inwardly right in order that his rela- 
 tionship to society may be right. 
 
 We were driving out one Sunday from Decatur, when we 
 came upon a negro with a club in his hand and a freshly 
 
 116 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 killed 'possum on his shoulder. We stopped to examine his 
 prize, and the colonel said: 
 
 "My friend, do you know it is Sunday?" 
 
 "Sartin, boss." 
 
 "Are you not a religious man?" 
 
 "I are. I'ze jist on my way home from church." 
 
 "And what sort of religion have you got that permits you 
 to go hunting on Sunday?" 
 
 "Religion, religion?" queried the man as he held the 'pos- 
 sum up with one hand and scratched his head with the other. 
 "Does you 'spect any black man in Alabama to tie hisself up 
 to any religion dat 'lows a 'possum to walk right across de 
 road ahead of him an' git away free? No, sah! A religion 
 which won't bend a little when a fat 'possum heads you off 
 couldn't be 'stablished round about here by all preachers in 
 de universe." 
 
 A NOVEL TEST. 
 
 Dr. Geo. F. Pierce was president of Emory College, Ox- 
 ford, Ga., 1850-54, before he was Bishop. The old custom 
 of sunrise prayer was then in vogue. "Old Davy," a colored 
 man, was janitor. The boys were fond of playing pranks on 
 him, and, by imitating the president, got him to ringing the 
 bell at any time but the right time. The president caught on 
 to the trick, and one morning got to the chapel quite early, 
 before it was light enough to see well, and ahead of the boys. 
 He found old Davy at his post, and said to him, "Good morn- 
 ing. Uncle Davy ; it is time to ring the bell." 
 
 "Now you needn't think you kin fool me no mo'," said 
 Davy. "I ain't a gwine ter listen ter none o' you freshmans. 
 I ring de bell when de true time come." 
 
 "But I'm Dr. Pierce," he replied. 
 '"Well," said Davy, "dar's jes one way to prove it. Dar 
 
 IKJ 
 
Sundry Subjects. 
 
 ain' no man in de worP g^ot a head lack Mas' George Pierce ; 
 you pull off dat hat an' lemme see your head." 
 
 "If that will convince you," said the president, "I will hat- 
 off to 3'ou. Come here and look." 
 
 Old Davy came up close to him, and he lifted his hat. 
 "Laws er massy !" said old Davy ; "dat sho is Mas' George. I 
 gwine ter ring dat bell right now, kase dar ain't nobody in de 
 worl', no freshmans, got a head lak dat 'cept Mas' George." 
 
 And it was a unique head. At first glance, apart from the 
 face, it appeared to be only a roundish, full head ; but as you 
 continued to behold it, it showed special angles and length 
 that individualized its wondrous symmetry. — B. W. Bigham 
 in Children s Visitor. 
 
 * * * 
 
 "l KEPT MY PROMISE." 
 
 A young soldier under General Sheridan said to him just 
 before a battle: "General, if I am killed, tell my mother that 
 I kept my promise. Not a drop of strong drink have I 
 tasted." , The battle was fought, and the lad lay among the 
 slain. Said General Sheridan : "I carried the message to his 
 mother. She replied, 'General, that is more glory for my boy 
 than if he had taken a city.' " 
 
 * * * 
 
 SUPERSTITIOUS. 
 
 Detective George Fall, of the city hall force, was riding 
 uptown in a Thirteenth street trolley car last Friday when a 
 colored man of his acquaintance came in and sat down in the 
 next seat. After a brief chat, the detective said: "Are you 
 superstitious, Sam?" "No, suh," said Sam. "Well, it's a 
 good thing you're not," said Fall. "There's a cross-eyed 
 woman sitting opposite." "Ya-as, suh, dat's right," chuckled 
 Sam. "And up in the corner there is a hunchback." "Yas, 
 suh, I sees him." "See the number of the car up there? It's 
 
 117 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 313." "Yas, suh." "And this is Thirteenth street we are 
 on, you know." "You go 'long, suh." "The cash register, 
 as you may observe, shows the figure 1313." "Yas, suh." 
 "And this is Friday." "Ya-as." "Also it is the thirteenth 
 of the month." "Quit yo' foolin', man." "It is now," said 
 the detective, pulling out his watch, "just exactly thirteen 
 minutes past — " The colored man had risen to his feet. "I 
 ain't supahstitious, Mistah Fall," he said, "but heah's where 
 I gits off. You do make a man mighty oncomfable." — 
 Philadelphia Record. 
 
 TOUGH WORLD. 
 
 Flossie is six years old. "Mama," she asked one day, "if 
 I get married, will I have a husband like pa.''" "Yes," replied 
 the mother, with an amused smile. "And if I don't get mar- 
 ried, will I have to be an old maid, like Aunt Kate?" "Yes, 
 Flossie." "Mamma," she said, after a short pause, "it's a 
 tough world for us women, ain't it?" 
 
 « « « 
 
 ESCAPED THE ACOUSTICS. 
 
 Mack, the colored sexton of our first church at Decatur, 
 was ordered one Sunday morning by one of the stewards to 
 open the folding doors between the auditorium and the Sun- 
 day school room. "No, sir, boss, I can't do dat. If I open 
 dem doors, de preacher ketch de acoustics, shore." — Alabama 
 Advocate. 
 
 • DON T MENTION IT. 
 
 This amusing story was told of the little niece of Phillips 
 Brooks, the famous divine, relates the Philadelphia Times: 
 
 One evening as her mother was tucking her snugly in bed, 
 the maid stepped in and said there was a caller waiting in the 
 
 118 
 
Sundry Subjects. 
 
 parlor. Her mother told the little one to say her prayer, and 
 said that she would be back in a few moments. 
 
 The caller stayed only a short time, and when the mother 
 went upstairs again she asked the little girl if she had said 
 her prayer. 
 
 "Yes, mamma, I did and didn't," she said. 
 
 "What do you mean by that, dear?" 
 
 "Well, mamma, I was awfully sleepy, so I just asked God 
 if he wouldn't excuse me tonight, and He said: 'Oh, don't 
 mention it, Miss Brooks.' " 
 
 HAD HELPED BEFORE. 
 
 Dr. Edward King, the venerated and saintly Bishop of Lin- 
 coln, in England, is now much advanced in years and some- 
 what infirm. Recently he has been visiting Bournemouth for 
 his health, and T. P. O'Connor tells the following story of the 
 venerable prelate's visit to that seaside health resort : After 
 resting for some time one afternoon on a seat on the parade 
 the Bishop desired to move, but, owing to his age and infirmi- 
 ties, found some difficulty in rising. A kindhearted little girl 
 of the town notice his trouble and ran up, saying, "Oh, let me 
 help you." 
 
 The good Bishop beamed upon the child with one of his 
 sweetest smiles, and the smile of the Bishop is very sweet 
 indeed. "You are a dear little maiden," he said, "but I do 
 not think you are strong enough." 
 
 "Why, bless you, sir," was the reply, "I've often helped up 
 daddy when he was a sight worse drunk than you are !" 
 
 THE BAD LITTLE BOY AND THE GOOD PRESIDING ELDER. 
 
 Hon. John Dougherty, of Missouri, says that in one of the 
 counties in his congressional district there lives a good Chris- 
 tian lady, a devout and constant member of the Methodist 
 
 119 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 Episcopal Church, South. Some days before the day of a 
 Quarterly Conference held there some years ago our good 
 lady friend received word that the Presiding Elder would be 
 her guest for a few days during the meeting. In order to 
 convince the Elder that she had been and was doing her Chris- 
 tian duty in the matter of training her only child, a boy 
 about four years old, to walk in "the straight and narrow 
 path," she thought it not amiss to give him some special in- 
 structions before the minister arrived. So, taking the little 
 fellow upon her lap one day, she told him that the Presiding 
 Elder, a big and great man, would visit them soon and that 
 he would "be very sure to ask some questions about your Sun- 
 day school, how you like your teacher, etc. But probably the 
 first questions he asks will be: What is your name.? How old 
 are you.-^ Do you know where bad boys go when they die? 
 Now, when he asks your name, tell him Johnnie Jones. When 
 he asks how old you are, tell him four years old, and when he 
 asks if you know where bad boys go when they die, tell him, 
 using the Scriptural word, that bad boys, when they die, go to 
 hell." John was drilled on these questions daily until the 
 minister came. In the meantime he knew by rote that his 
 name was Johnnie Jones, that he was four years old and that 
 when bad boys die they go to hell. 
 
 The minister was a portly gentleman of friendly manner 
 and pleasant countenance. After receiving a cordial wel- 
 come, he was seated in the sitting room and the proud parent 
 excused herself and sought Johnnie, the pride and expectancy 
 of her life, to introduce him to the minister. After John's 
 face was washed, his hair combed and he was otherwise made 
 presentable, his mother led him in to meet the preacher. As 
 the urchin entered the sitting room he observed through the 
 open door a neighbor playmate sitting on the fence whistling 
 for him and calling him to come out quick. Johnnie at once 
 grew impatient to go out and wished the ceremony of meeting 
 the preacher and answering his questions to be done with as 
 
 120 
 
Sundry Subjects. 
 
 quickly as possible. The doting mother introduced him as 
 the youngest child, the baby of the family. The good min- 
 ister called the boy to him and, taking his little chubby hand 
 in his own, remarked: "What a very handsome lad? How 
 like his mother.'"' His next question was exactly as had been 
 anticipated. "Well, my little man, what is your name.'"' The 
 boy glanced first up to the minister then at his waiting play- 
 mate and, intending to expedite matters as much as possible 
 by answering the three expected questions at once, replied: 
 "Johnnie Jones, four years old, go to hell," and in the con- 
 fusion that followed skipped out to meet his friend. — Champ 
 Clarke. 
 
 OPPOSITION TO USE OF TOBACCO. 
 
 Our Northern brethren will run along the line of abolition 
 somewhere now and then. Climate and the geographical posi- 
 tion have a great deal to do with the spirit of abolition and the 
 energy with which it is enforced. Commercial profitableness 
 in a material thing is a great argument in favor of its reten- 
 tion ; unprofitableness suggests abolition. Tobacco is now 
 receiving serious attention by not a few Conferences in the 
 North. Resolutions full of all sorts of denunciatory adjec- 
 tives against the weed and use are passed easily before a 
 third reading in their solemn synods, and the preacher before 
 he is received and appointed to serve a charge must quit his 
 quid and sacrifice his smoke and cigar. Down South in many 
 parts where tobacco is successfully cultivated, its harvest and 
 manufacture work marvels in the prosperity of the country. 
 When it flourishes in the markets the hearts of all sorts of 
 citizens beat high with hope, and the man with a mortgage no 
 longer mourns, while good people sing with more spirit than 
 ever their joyous jubilees. Tobacco is supplying thousands 
 with employment, shelter, food and raiment. The weed 
 maintains schools, build churches and chapels, pays the 
 
 121 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 preacher, endows Christian institutions of learning, and sends 
 the gospel to the poor. But it doesn't grow well in New 
 York State, and our pious brethren pass their resolutions. A 
 year or two ago a Northern Conference had a special com- 
 mittee on the use of tobacco. Their report was as follows: 
 "The use of tobacco is inconsitent with a profession of the 
 Christian religion, being unnatural, unclean, selfish, expen- 
 sive, extravagant and offensive; to us who have pledged our- 
 selves wholly to abstain from its use, it is sin. Therefore, be 
 it resolved, That we, as ministers of the gospel, use our influ- 
 ence, both by precept and example, to induce all others to 
 abstain from its use." 
 
 Watch that resolution of the North. It will invade the 
 South Carolina Conference after awhile. Sentimental quack- 
 ery travels on rapid wings. It spreads like a fad or fashion. 
 I have heard of a hat in Chicago — high, clumsy and out- 
 rageously feathered — I read descriptions of the hat, and 
 quietly, with a spirit of Christian resignation, waited its 
 coming — for I knew it was the "fashion" and bound to go. 
 Ere long I saw that same hat bobbing about in the congrega- 
 tion as the people would assemble or disperse. Many men are 
 prone somehow to stress outward things, and their real religion 
 resembles that of old. Holiness is a pious grunt, and abstain- 
 ing from meats and drinks. But I have some respect for 
 pious prejudices, though sometimes inconvenient to show, and 
 some regard for a religious crank, though he may possess 
 more brass than brains. I do not enjoy so much sitting down 
 at a dining table with a genuine Jew, eating alone pig roast or 
 pork sausage, specially prepared for my Gentile appetite. It 
 won't be long before I'll be up and going. I believe, for the 
 sake of congeniality, I'd rather deny myself of hog, and 
 spend a few pleasant and palatable moments devouring the 
 Jew's fat goose. If tobacco offended my brother, I do not 
 like to use it in his presence, having regard to conscience and 
 
 122 
 
Sundry Subjects. 
 
 its weakness, but when I have no longer this environment, I 
 smoke my pipe in peace. 
 
 "A certain colored clergyman in the South had among his 
 parishioners an old colored 'mammy' whose shortcomings and 
 backslidings were many, and who caused the old minister to 
 make numerous trips to 'mammy's' old shanty, followed by 
 exhortations and prayers. After a long time he succeeded 
 in causing the old lady to renounce one by one each of her bad 
 habits until none remained but the old black pipe. 
 
 " 'Sister Maria,' he said solemnly one night after an 
 unusually long argument, 'how you 'spec to meet yo'r Lord 
 wif sech a 'baccy href .'^' 
 
 " 'Bless you, honey, dat's all right,' cried mammy. 'Befo' I 
 meets my Lord I 'specs to lose my bref .' " — New York Times. 
 
 "ye know not the day noe the hour." 
 
 "She was taken suddenly sick and died in half an hour." 
 Now and again here and there in this community and that, 
 this unwarned departure occurs, when the soul is suddenly 
 snatched from earth to eternity. "What I say unto you I 
 say unto all, watch ; ye know neither the day nor the hour." 
 
 The good woman alluded to above was doubtless ready 
 when the summons came. Her pastor, who knew her well, in 
 the obituary said she was a faithful Christian ; but there are 
 some to whom the sudden summons means the ending of the 
 sinner's career, and they leave nothing behind them in their 
 life's record to inspire a happy hope in the breast of the fond 
 and affectionate loved ones that they will meet in blissful 
 realms. Said a cheerless mother, when a son had died : "I 
 could easily give him up if I only knew he was saved and had 
 died in the faith." The sinner is a fool. He "hates knowl- 
 edge." That he should be a Christian he will f r-eely confess ; 
 
 123 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 that he can be, by the grace of God, he will readily admit; 
 but he today "will not come to Christ that he might have life." 
 He knows he is under the condemnation, in that he loves dark- 
 ness, and that the sentence against the evil work of his life will 
 be executed unless he repents. He does not repent because he 
 thinks that sentence will not be executed speedily. This is a 
 grave and gloomy state of things, but true as applied to the 
 common sinners, and goes to prove the fearful depravity of 
 the human heart and the power of the god of this world. 
 
 One bright spring morning, a few years ago, there stood 
 before me to be married two beings whose hearts beat as one. 
 They were young, happy and hopeful, but their happiness 
 was confined to this world — they entertained no hope for the 
 other. Their anticipated pleasures were connected with the 
 honeymoon, the little vine-clad cottage on the hillside, and 
 enhancing the home and laying in goods for future days. 
 
 One day I said: "Mrs. , you and your husband 
 
 had best now, in the beginning of your married life, conse- 
 crate your united lives to Christ, and let yours ever be a Chris- 
 tian home." She only blushed and smiled. Hardly a year 
 had passed when one dark, dreary night some one knocked at 
 the parsonage door. In a nervous and agitated voice the 
 
 errand was told : Mrs. S had been taken ill, was at the 
 
 point of death, and wished to make a profession of religion 
 and be received into the Church immediately. Away in the 
 wee small hours of morn the poor girl tossed from side to side 
 in the clutches of a dying agony. She "did not want to be 
 lost." "Oh, do something for me!" She desired to be a 
 member of the Church. It was done ; the rite was perf onned ; 
 but I've always feared "the door was shut." Ere the sunlight 
 of another day broke in on the darkness of that sad abode, 
 the recent blooming bride lay still at last in the embrace of 
 death. 
 
 124 
 
Sundry Subjects. 
 
 "cast thyself down." 
 
 Many persons who visit Nia^^aru Falls find they have a 
 great desire to leap from various points on the several bridges 
 or from one of the numerous points of observation. For this 
 reason, after once having experienced the fascinating sensa- 
 tion that coaxes them on to death in the deep and rapid run- 
 ning waters, they never go near arty of the seductive points 
 without being in company with some one who will guard them 
 from harm as a result of what perhaps might be termed by 
 some their weakness. Many people who have visited Niagara 
 have confessed that the waters of the beautiful river had a 
 weird fascination for them while standing at places where 
 death would be easy by simply letting go one's hold and slip- 
 ping into the river, and people saved from suicide there have 
 admitted that they knew no reason why they should end their 
 hves, but the scene was so delightful that it coaxed them to 
 seek the peace of death there. — Philadelphia Record. 
 
 I stood once on top of Caesar's Head, leaned over and peered 
 down the thrilling depths of the pei*pendicular rock. After 
 the first flush of horror at the sight there followed very gently' 
 a faint impetus to crouch and jump away over in the horrible 
 void and go plunging down below — but I didn't. That im- 
 pression arrested further observation. A brother minister 
 was with me at the time, and he confessed that he had the same 
 sort of feeling. I reckon there are such crazy suicidal streaks 
 in most human beings revealed by such circumstances. 
 
 Prof. Low, of the army balloon corps, had frequently 
 invited a newspaper correspondent to make an ascension with 
 him, but each time the invitation was declined. Later, he 
 told the professor of the temptation he had to jump from high 
 places and that he feared making an ascent. The professor 
 stated that the reason people had such desires was that they 
 were full of electricity ; that the magnetic current in the earth 
 was its attraction, and that what he was standing on carried 
 
 125 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 the current. He also said that up in a balloon the continuity 
 was cut off. Finally, the man made the ascension and found 
 that the desire to jump was not present. 
 
 AFRAID or LIGHTNING. 
 
 The Electric Review says : Some people suffer from such 
 an acute dread of lightning that it renders a large portion of 
 the year in this section a period of extreme discomfort, and we 
 have always believed that if man or woman kind could be 
 taught in infancy — as we have known some mothers to impress 
 upon their children — that nothing was to be feared from the 
 lightning flash that we see, it would lessen to a great extent 
 the sum total of mental suffering from this cause. Of course 
 it can be argued that the danger of being "struck" is not 
 hereby diminished, and that the next flash contains just as 
 much menace as the last; but no one goes through the whole 
 twelve months in a state of unreasoning dread of an electric 
 death. It is the actual storm of the moment that suggests the 
 terror, and if the nerves could be brought under control to the 
 extent of viewing the blinding glare with equanimity, much of 
 the source of disquietude would necessarily be eliminated, for 
 as a matter of fact, statistics tell us that considering the fre- 
 quency of electric commotions and the numerous instances 
 of the fluid "struck," the fatalities are infinitely small in com- 
 parison. 
 
 I knew an old sinner in Modoc years ago who would swear 
 and gamble when skies were clear, but in case of a thunder- 
 storm he'd actually creep under a feather bed for fear and 
 cower until the clouds passed over. Poor fellow, I fear the 
 "Scratch" has him before now. There are many such old 
 sinners in the land. 
 
 126 
 
Sundry Subjects. 
 
 PROVIDENCE. AND THE PROVIDENTIAL. 
 
 Does a calamitious event that naturally follows indiscretion 
 or inexcusable negligence come under the head of provi- 
 dential? Sometimes a poor mortal kills himself by drink. 
 We follow the hearse, weep with the mourners and bereaved 
 ones, stand at the grave, and say "forasmuch as God has 
 taken out of this world the soul of our deceased brother we 
 therefore commit," etc. I was somewhat embarrassed once 
 when I attended the burial of a man who had committed sui- 
 cide. Under pressure of trouble he jumped into a deep jiver 
 and was drowned. A few days afterwards the body was 
 found, and it was near midnight when it was interred — a 
 gruesome scene — the saddest of funerals. But his death was 
 not providential — and I refrained from saying that God took 
 him out of this world. 
 
 I came across the other day a little volume called "The 
 Three Sisters." The author was a heart-broken father, 
 whose three beautiful and affectionate daughters were burned 
 to death at one time. He speaks in this way of the terrible 
 accident: "This was one of the most afflictive events of the 
 unsearchable ways of Providence that could possibly befall 
 fond parents." The sad story, briefly told, is this: The 
 father, mother and grandmother went off on a visit and left 
 the three sisters at home with a female servant. The three 
 sisters had taken their supper with their usual cheerfulness. 
 Matilda (the servant) was at the head of the table, washing 
 the tea things. Ann was by her side wiping them. Hester 
 came in with a book in her hand, and, laying it on the table, 
 went to the press to get the can of lamp-fluid to replenish 
 the lamp. She filled the lamp, assisted by Laura. By some 
 means, we know not certainly how, the fluid took fire. Per- 
 haps Laura, who held the top of the lamp, with the burning 
 wick, and who was very quick and impulsive in her movements, 
 when she saw the lamp was full, without the least thought of 
 
 127 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 danger, aimed to put the top on the lamp before her sister had 
 time to remove the can. All instantly were enveloped in 
 flames. I don't think this is "a way of providence." It was 
 not a prudent thing to leave three young ladies, the oldest not 
 over eighteen summers, in a home alone, the parents going off 
 on a long visit. It would have been an excellent idea to have 
 left with the girls the mother, or at least the old grand- 
 mother. In the second place, it was a piece of criminal 
 imprudence to hold a blazing lamp wick near a can of oil. 
 
 Speaking of providence and the providential, reminds me of 
 an impressive incident related in a conversation by the late 
 Dr. J. B. Barbee during the session of Conference held in 
 Darlington some years ago. He was traveling out West one 
 night, and the train was running down a heavy grade in a 
 mountainous section. All was well, but he felt uneasy, as if 
 in anticipation of something jeopardizing to life or limb — an 
 unusual state of feeling. There was no cause to be alarmed 
 in regard to personal safety. He was constrained to pray, 
 and did so fervently. A dreadful foreboding would not leave 
 him. He again silently and in faith, from his seat in the car, 
 called upon the Lord, imploring His protection upon passen- 
 gers and His guiding eye and hand for the engineer and those 
 in charge of the fast-moving train. Directly it began to 
 "slow up" and the monster engine soon stood still. The 
 engineer had descried ahead a dark obstruction on the track, 
 which proved to be a debris of earth and stone that had fallen 
 from the mountain side. Had the train gone on it would have 
 been derailed completely, and all on board, such was the fear- 
 ful position of the train at this point, would doubtless have 
 perished. Did the Spirit arouse the soul of Dr. Barbee to a 
 sense of immediate danger it was unlawful to define? And 
 did a yielding to that Spirit, and the power of fervent prayer, 
 incite the engineer to wideawake vigilance at the dull and 
 dreary hour of midnight as to cause him to detect a fatal 
 obstruction which otherwise might not have been seen.? 
 
 128 
 
PART III. 
 
CHAPTER I. 
 Rev. Samuel Spookendyke. 
 
 Sometimes the popularity of a predecessor of a circuit, sta- 
 tion or mission is a source of much annoyance, unrest and 
 positive irritation to the successor and present possessor of the 
 rein of government of the circuit, station or mission. Why 
 is this ? What is the basis of the psychological phenomenon ? 
 
 Ought we not to rejoice over the good reputation of our 
 fellow-preacher, and if possible, he being worthy, seek to 
 increase rather than be a means of detracting from his grow- 
 ing popularity? This principle is clearly suggested by the 
 law of love. The opposite spirit will inevitably in time breed 
 envy and not a few evil dispositions. 
 
 Once upon a time — I believe that's the way most stories 
 begin, but this "once upon a time" contains far more fact 
 than fiction — once upon a time I was associated with, we will 
 call him Brother Blalock, in a protracted meeting. Brother 
 Blalock, a courteous, good gentleman, had not been in charge 
 of the circuit, station or mission very long, but had been there 
 a sufficient number of days and weeks to learn that his pre- 
 decessor, Rev. Samuel Spookendyke, was extremely popular 
 with the people. We indulged in a pastoral stroll one day, 
 visiting the members. The first home — an important one, an 
 official's residence — lived Brother Shaggy. Sister Shaggy 
 met us pleasantly at the door and greeted us cordially. We 
 were there only a few moments when Brother Blalock was 
 requested to baptize at first opportunity little "Spookendyke 
 Shaggy" — just a year old. "For me, I tell you," said Sister 
 Shaggy, "never was a man like Brother Spookend3^kc. My 
 ole man never no more takes a chaw of tcrbacker in his mouth 
 now than if it wert dirt. Brother Spookendyke was powerful 
 gin terbacker." 
 
 133 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 I noticed here that Brother Blalock had a small "quid 'n," 
 but he wasn't expectorating. "Yes, sirree," continued the 
 sister, "he was a power, and my ole man says he 'spects never 
 to chaw again." 
 
 Brother Shelly's was the next gate at which we stopped. 
 He was in the front yard mending his fishing tackle. Bla- 
 lock: "Brother Shelly, glad to see you. This is Brother 
 
 W , who is assisting us in our meeting." Shelly shook 
 
 hands, but seemed indifferent — was interested in his fish hooks 
 and lines. 
 
 Blalock: "Are you going angling. Brother Shelly?" 
 
 Shelly: "No, sir; I'm going a-fishing. Do you like to fish 
 with hook and line, Brother Blalock ?" 
 
 Blalock: "Well, sometimes." 
 
 I interposed here and related my fishing experience in part, 
 and how I did love to catch 'em, especially cats and perch. 
 
 Shelly : "Well, sir, as good a fisherman as ever wet a Hne in 
 these waters 'bout here was Brother Spookendyke. He was 
 here last year, but they sent him across the country. That 
 man would fish with you all day — never got out of patience, 
 and when the sun went down he was still at it. I did love to 
 fish with Brother Spookendyke." 
 
 Mrs. Tabitha Trepan, a widow lady, fat and fifty, lived 
 near the manse. She had a large family, a nervous, quaking 
 body and parts, a tremulous voice, and an expression in her 
 big, round face that varied fearfully. Sometimes it was very 
 sad and grave, and then in a moment it would change to be 
 often too gay and giddy. She had been a lone, lorn widow 
 for nearly five years. Mr. Trepan was a hard-working man, 
 as all the neighbors would testify. He was the night watch- 
 man in the big cotton mill, and generally dug or superintended 
 the digging of all the graves of the villagers as they'd one 
 by one "shake off these mortal coils." Mr. Trepan, the 
 neighbors said, was a silent man — never had much to say. 
 He has been known to sit for hours a summer's morning in 
 
 134 
 
Rev. Samuel Spookendyke. 
 
 the cool entry of his humble home with arms folded as if in 
 profound meditation. His wife, all bustle and fuss, would 
 attend to her domestic work, and, having failed to excite or 
 arouse her thoughtful husband to talk on town topics, she has 
 been known to talk to the cats, ask the dog questions, and 
 quarrel with the fowls that would trespass in the kitchen. 
 Mortals, in this world, and the only one, often marry their 
 contrasts. I have seen a very long man married to a very 
 short woman ; a little, thin man have a big barrel of a wife ; 
 a shrinking, modest man have a bold, dashing, chatterbox 
 wife. And when you find a Mr. Trepan, you will likely dis- 
 cover a Mrs. Tabitha. 
 
 It wasn't long after we had called on Mrs. Trepan before 
 she introduced her troubles and spoke feelingly of her late 
 lamented husband, "lovable, best, faithfullest husband that 
 ever did live." As she proceeded with the sad story the round, 
 fat face grew sad and sadder, and now and then the tear would 
 fall, as fond recollections of conjugal happiness stirred the 
 widowed heart. "I will never forget," continued Mrs. Tre- 
 pan, "the evening my poor Jerry changed for the worse. He 
 kept a-callin' for his lantern. It 'peared like he was about to 
 go on his night-watch rounds in the big mill. He kept 
 a-callin' for his lantern. And then he'd be quiet awhile — 
 just betwixt midnight and day he said to me, 'Tabby, give me 
 my lantern — my last round, my last round, and then I will go 
 to sleep." Then he was still. I felt of his feet, and they 
 were cold. And his knees, and they were cold as any stone, 
 and upwards and upwards, and all was cold as any stone. Sez 
 I, 'Jerry ! Jerry !' but he never answered ; he was gone." The 
 widow wept. I confess my eye was somewhat moistened, but 
 I looked at Blalock. He seemed gloomy and peculiar. May 
 be he was thinking of what probably was next coming from 
 the widow, for she would hold the floor. "Well," she said, 
 after a pause and reaction, "Brother Spookendyke was a great 
 comfort to my poor soul. He'd never go by my gate without 
 
 135 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 stopping. And he'd make himself at home when here, too, 
 for all the world just like one of the children." Here the sad 
 expression in the big, round face would take its departure like 
 darkness before the sunshine. "He'd come in, he would, and 
 say, 'Sister Trepan, I am hungry,' and he'd go to the cup- 
 board himself — and help himself! (Laughter — somewhat of 
 a hysterical tendency.) And one day, I remember it well, he 
 went into the kitchen betwixt 10 and 11, and, sez he, 'Look 
 here, I smell something good a-cooking.' One of the boys had 
 caught a 'possum the day before, and it was in the pot 
 a-baking with 'taters around it, and he peeped into the pot 
 and said, ' 'Possum and 'taters, sure as you are bom ! I'll 
 be back here for dinner.' " (More laughter.) 
 
 As we were going home. Brother Blalock walking "melan- 
 choly and slow," remarked: "You see what I have to endure. 
 I have been here three months or more, and I have heard noth- 
 ing but 'Spookendyke.' It's Spookendyke this and Spooken- 
 dye that, and I am just sick and tired of it. What is there in 
 it to so charm the people as to cause them to be discourteous 
 and oblivious to the present situation.'' He joked with Mrs. 
 Shaggy, fished with old man Shelly, and ate 'possum with that 
 chief of cranks, Mrs, Trepan. And it's just that way all 
 'round. I can't fish with Shelly, nor eat 'possum, which I dis- 
 like, and I shall not joke with old Mrs. Shaggy just to get her 
 to laugh or name a baby for me. It's a misfit here, sure. I 
 had rather be sent to Halifax." 
 
 Bishop Galloway, a few years ago, in one of his interesting 
 Conference talks, exhorted the preachers to refrain from writ- 
 ing letters to member-friends of their former charges after 
 they had been transferred and moved to their new homes. 
 When they (the preachers) left the charges, to leave them 
 altogether, nor cast one longing, lingering look behind. I 
 thought at the time this was an unnecessary episcopal deliver- 
 ance, but no doubt the Bishop had in mind such cases as 
 Spookendyke and Blalock, and one then can readily see good 
 
 136 
 
List of Leading Laymen — South Carolina Conference. 
 
 grounds for the above exhortation. In this instance it would 
 be best for Blalock's peace and spiritual elevation to keep 
 Spookendyke's body and parts from the charge where the 
 former flourished, and all of his written and verbal communi- 
 cations. There is some ministerial vanity in this world, and 
 other scattered fragments of the remains of sin. Sometimes 
 there is displayed more eagerness for popularity than a real 
 desire to see the spread and progress of our holy religion. 
 
 The general situation in the above case would hardly be 
 changed if we would or could substitute Blalock for Spooken- 
 dyke — except personally. Here we would find Blalock the 
 picture of complacency, while Spookendye would have that 
 turmoil of mind, and troubled spirit evinced by Blalock. If 
 this be true, and that it is a reasonable conclusion as a gen- 
 eral rule is fearfully probable, then the reason why in such 
 instances there is envy, jealousy, disquietude is because of 
 similarity of disposition and character, and the identical 
 spirit worketh all in all. Blalock and Spookendyke move 
 along on the same level, the same psychological track, and 
 stand generally on the same platform of principles. "When 
 I was a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; 
 but when I became a man, I put away childish things." 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 List of Leading Layrnen — South Carolina Conference. 
 
 This is not a complete roll — only a partial list of the noble 
 gentlemen who are noted for their loyalty and love for the 
 Church and the kingdom. I will just write down the names 
 as they come to me, and follow with the definitive or descrip- 
 tive words which their character and conduct might instantan- 
 eously suggest. Should a name arise, and the mien and 
 manner come trooping up, of one rather conspicuous around 
 
 137 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 the church altar, who cannot command safe and rehable 
 
 adjectives, I'll just put a blank for the name, and 
 
 write the adjectives, trusting he will forgive me freely for 
 telling the truth. 
 
 I will thus begin and continue, taking this one and that one 
 without regard to circumstances or conditions in life: 
 
 Judge Dantzler — Sharp, short and decisive. In inches 
 about the size of the First Napoleon. 
 
 O. B. Riley — The Cornelius of the South Carolina Confer- 
 ence — "a devout man;" "gives much alms and prays to God 
 always." 
 
 James Guess — Fat and fifty ; will never commit suicide — 
 too fond of hog and hominy and happy days here below. 
 Church worker. 
 
 Asa Perritt — Teacher, surveyor, steward, farmer. Can do 
 two things at a time. Hearty and healthy. Leads a strenu- 
 ous life. 
 
 Geo. Hodges — A saint persevering, I'm persuaded, by 
 prayer and good works. A good Sunday school teacher, a 
 better Sunday school superintendent and a skilled Sunday 
 school organizer. 
 
 J. B. Williams — Modest man, retiring disposition. Mixes 
 his religion with his business, getting gray and growing in 
 goodness. 
 
 Arthur Rembert — Keen "kutter." Built on the Canadian 
 pony order. Can outwork four fat men. A lover of good 
 people. 
 
 Look out for trouble here ! He is fussy and foxy. 
 
 Curious and cranky — but hitting it for the kingdom. 
 
 W. H. Hardin — Long-legged, lank and liberal. Loyal 
 and true to his Church and country, and is as polite as was 
 Chesterfield. 
 
 G. H. HofFmeyer — Delicate and dutiful. Sprung from 
 some good Dutch or German family. Excellent steward. 
 Will be missed when he goes to heaven. 
 
 138 
 
List of Leading Laymen — South Carolina Conference. 
 
 J. G. Clinkscales — Bald, bold and brainy. A Christian 
 by experience and a teacher by profession. He sees in this 
 year of grace, 1907, a big political 'possum up a tree, and he 
 is tempted to shake 'em down. 
 
 John Anderson — Built his fortune from the stump. Plain 
 and practical. Capital Sunday school worker. A little 
 elderly now, but progressive. 
 
 Edward Staley — Obscure and humble. "To fame and 
 fortune unknown," but deserving of fame, and may be worth 
 a fortune. 
 
 Another trouble in Zion. This brother is one of 
 
 brass, and blatant. Exhibits more policy than piety, more 
 gas than grace. Will improve when he gets very old, and 
 sensuality dies in him, and when the teeth are all gone. 
 
 J. Lyles Glenn — Thinks seriously about both worlds. 
 Takes things easy. Has dollars, ducats and dignity. 
 
 McLeod — Lieut.-Gov. Has more intellectual acumen than 
 you would think at first glance. He is fat, but not foul; 
 ruddy, but not rough. 
 
 Coke Grier — Always in a state of bodily affliction. Re- 
 ligious and reliable. Walks humbly — loves his Church, and 
 he is the preacher's friend. 
 
 Judge Prince — Bom well, reared well, married well. All's 
 well with Prince. He will grow in grace even on a bench in a 
 court house of lawyers. 
 
 Leiand Moore — Sympathetic nature and kind. He would 
 paint all scenes and conditions here below in brightest colors. 
 Optimistic. 
 
 W. G. Austin — A Confederate veteran with one arm. 
 True and tried. Always in his place in church ; never out of 
 his place outside the church. 
 
 Dr. A. S. Hydrick — Clever conversationalist. Feels pulses 
 and acts on livers. Knows how to dose and diagnose. The 
 man to send for, if you've a limb to saw off, or got a cramp, 
 or colic. 
 
 139 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 Judge Gage — ^Much leanness and learning. Has tact and 
 talent. Sociable, Knows how to entertain. Vitality strong. 
 Has a judicial aspect. 
 
 J. Fuller Lyon — Manner and mien of a soldier. Looking 
 at him the close observer would say, "That man has 'fou't'." 
 The equipment of the Conference would not be complete with- 
 out him, 
 
 Joseph A. McCullough — Handsome and handy. He would 
 make a tip-top chief of police, or a steward of a church, or 
 an excellent undertaker — or a good Governor of South 
 Carolina. 
 
 R. H. Jennings — Safe, sound mortal. Pious and patriotic. 
 Seems to be very fond of children, grandchildren and great- 
 grandchildren — good sign. 
 
 J, Thos. Austin — Sympathetic — tender sensibilities. Cour- 
 teous and clever and a prudent politician. He will likely live 
 to be very old, and dying, will not leave a widow behind him. 
 
 Here the spirit of another source of vexation in 
 
 the Church comes to me. Sometimes he is very good, other 
 times he is very mean. He knows how to act in either role. 
 A born anarchist. Gets very sick occasionally — disappoint- 
 ing ; he won't die. 
 
 Dr. J. L. B. Gilmore — A man of a few initials and good 
 traits. Gentle in manner, conscientious churchman. Delicate 
 in health, but fond of prescribing pills, plasters and panaceas 
 for others. 
 
 Purdy, the Prudent — Plain, unpretentious. Walks softly. 
 Esteemed citizen and excellent judge. The bench would have 
 been a gainer could he have been retained. 
 
 Latimer, United States Senator — His pastor appreciates 
 his membership, "quarterage" and co-operation. The high 
 public office he occupies has improved him in girth, gear and 
 gumption. Some one will want before long his seat in the 
 Senate. 
 
 140 
 
This, That and T'other. 
 
 Collins of Conway — All his family, brothers and sisters, 
 died of consumption, and his has been a long, steady fight 
 against disease. He will succeed and die, Collins, the aged. 
 Nervous temperament, stirring Church worker, and always 
 glad to get into a good shouting meeting. 
 
 Wallace of Newberry — Had he had ambition he'd made 
 before now his mark on the tablet of fame. For years he has 
 been toiling on the tripod, eschewing evil, keeping the faith 
 and writing the best English. 
 
 J. B. Sykes — Diligent in business, fervent in spirit. He is 
 a capital city Church usher, an important office, a faithful 
 church-goer, and will sweetly sleep all during a tedious dis- 
 course, a quiet Sunday morning. 
 
 Featherstone of Laurens — Intelligent Christian. Has read 
 much, writes well — and sleeps well — with a clear, good con- 
 science, being a lawyer, too. 
 
 Dr. W. J. Murray — Mighty in liniments and medicinal 
 liquids. Has innocent face, classic cut features. It would 
 be a shocking surprise if it were known that he could commit 
 one mean thing. 
 
 "What a piece of work is man ! 
 How noble in reason ; how infinite in faculties ! 
 In form and moving, how express and admirable! 
 In action, how like an angel, in apprehension how like a god ! 
 The beauty of the world ! the paragon of animals." 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 This, That and T'other. 
 
 The race of existence is not to the swift, nor the battle of 
 life to the strong. Old age, bent and furrowed by the storms 
 of many years, often drops a tear over a young man's bier, 
 
 141 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 and trembling decrepitude not infrequently sighs over the 
 untimely death of the beautiful and once blooming bride. 
 
 How to build up and keep going the Sunday school : 
 
 1. Get there, old and young. 
 
 2. Get there on time. 
 
 3. Let officers and teachers begin exercises promptly on 
 time. 
 
 4. Don't talk the httle fellows out of patience. 
 
 5. Avoid long prayers. 
 
 6. Don't try to run the business without religion. Teachers 
 and officers should meet every Sunday before the exercise 
 began, and hold a prayer meeting. 
 
 7. Close promptly, don't prolong; let everything be done 
 decently and in order. 
 
 * * * 
 
 A Western editor recently announced that for just one 
 issue he would tell the truth ; the whole truth, naked and 
 unvarnished. That is, the truth was to be naked and 
 unvarnished. Here is one item from that issue : 
 
 "Married — Miss Sylvia Smith to Mr. James Comaham last 
 Saturday at the Baptist parsonage. The bride is a very 
 ordinary girl about town, who doesn't know any more than 
 a rabbit about cooking, and never helped her poor old mother 
 three days in her life. She is not a beauty by a long shot, 
 and has a gait like a fat duck. The groom is known as an 
 up-to-date loafer and has been living off his mother all his 
 life. They will have a tough time of it." 
 
 •* * * 
 
 A Scotchman, discussing his former pastors, said: "Our 
 first minister was a man, but not a preacher; our second min- 
 ister was a preacher, but not a man ; and the third was 
 neither a man nor a preacher." 
 
 142 
 
This, That and T'other. 
 
 Most sinners will get religious when they get scared. They 
 will smite the breast in time of an earthquake, or when a 
 cyclone is coming. I am told on good authority that a 
 prayerless man, who Hved in Chester County, was once threat- 
 ened with a terrible tornado, he thought. It was about 2 
 o'clock in the afternoon of a hot summer day. The black, 
 rolling western cloud seemed pent with fury and full of 
 wrath. With the first house-cracking blow the sinner sought 
 the closet, and amidst the noise of roaring winds, the poor 
 fellow, scared out of his wits, could only think of the "Now 
 I lay me down to sleep" prayer, which he very earnestly 
 uttered. 
 
 * * * 
 
 A certain preacher asserts that all he wants a day to relieve 
 physical wants is sweet milk, one gallon, and corn bread. 
 That is something like the appetite of a calf, but it is inno- 
 cent and wholesome, and it's milk for the Word. 
 
 Have you observed how those little nutmeg, teacup, "Peri- 
 helion" and pericranium societies do grow in some towns and 
 cities.'* The saints seek culture, and the society gatherings 
 are more popular than prayer meetings. I have read a 
 notice something like this : "Miss Melissa Pearl Titmouse will 
 read an essay at the Wednesday night meeting of the Nutmeg 
 Club on the life and character of FalstafF." FalstafF is an 
 interesting ci'eation, but you have to go down into the slums 
 to find him. His life is at its best when full of "sack" in the 
 barroom of an inn, and his true character is clearly shown 
 when among "the Merry Wives of Windsor." Miss Pearl 
 Titmouse should devote her literary efforts to refined and 
 elevating topics at the Nutmeg Club, and let all old Jack 
 
 FalstafFs alone. 
 
 * * * 
 
 A traveling man lately wandered into a remote hotel that 
 doesn't keep a dictionary, and on coming down in the morning 
 
 143 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 was asked by the landlord how he rested, "Oh," replied the 
 gentleman, "I suffered nearly all night from insomnia." The 
 landlord was mad in a minute, and roared: "I'll bet you two 
 dollars there ain't one in my house." — Sel. 
 
 * * * 
 
 A West Virginia man eloped with a woman weighing 432 
 pounds. The Columbia Record adds: "The dispatch does 
 not give details, but it is presumed that he took her all at one 
 time." 
 
 This poor mortal is doubtless one of those who walk after 
 the flesh, and not in the spirit. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Uncle George Tillman, who died not long ago, was a 
 notable character in Carolina politics for years, but somehow 
 he didn't take to religion. He contributed once, one hun- 
 dred dollars to the building of a Baptist church in Clark's 
 Hill, provided they put no bell in the belfry. The church was 
 built, but no bell ever rang there. The preacher at the 
 funeral, eulogizing, call the dead statesman a "Prince in 
 Israel," but I don't think Uncle George had any of the char- 
 acteristics of the true Christian Israelite. He didn't worship 
 in the temple, nor did he ever confess Christ Jesus, the Lord. 
 He was kind and gentle when he wasn't mad, loved his friends 
 and hated his enemies. He was one of the most hospitable 
 gentlemen I've ever known. "Whenever you come to Clark's 
 Hill," he was accustomed to say to even a comparative 
 stranger, "be sure to make my house your home." 
 
 * * * 
 
 Illiteracy is conspicuous in many of our mill towns, and the 
 rambling, roaming life so generally practised will keep for 
 years the percentage of ignoramuses at a fearful figure unless 
 some strict compulsory law is enacted and enforced. The 
 stark ignorance and illiteracy everywhere seen, everywhere 
 felt, can be demonstrated to be the horrid generator of breed- 
 
 144 
 
This, That and T'other. 
 
 ing evils that afflict most woefully Church and State. It is 
 the unread, unthinking crowd that are most swayed by their 
 feelings, and whose greatest enjoyment is realized when they 
 indulge in low sensual pleasures. "My people are perishing 
 for the lack of knowledge." 
 
 I move around much among all sorts and conditions of men. 
 I see blots and blemishes here and there, deformities and per- 
 versities, but 'fore God the most terrible thing that's come my 
 way in this great day is that combination which to be hated 
 need but to be seen : Ignorance and sin. When lodged in the 
 individual soul, in head and heart, you will invariably and 
 inevitably find all the dirt and devil of this old world. How 
 we in South Carolina do delight to talk about the Anglo- 
 Saxon superiority, the white man's supremacy. We harp on 
 white supremacy and continuity of the white man's suprem- 
 ac}'', at the same time in this day of greatest educational 
 facilities we are dragging along forty to sixty thousand white 
 illiterates. The Anglo-American, fully developed, is the 
 highest conception of man. His perfected powers make him 
 monarch of all he surveys. His soul, I believe, is more sus- 
 ceptible to educational forces than other races, and he has 
 inherent power to sway the rod of empire "or wake to ecstasy 
 the living lyre," but that Anglo-American unlearned and 
 untutored is obliged to sink to an inferior station and bow in 
 submission to superior power. And power is in mind. 
 
 I believe in a compulsory education law, because it means 
 light, liberty and elevation where darkness dwells. The par- 
 ent who loves his country and offspring, the law would not 
 affect. He'd be unconscious of such a law, but the other 
 fellow, far gone from original righteousness, should be com- 
 pelled for his own sake to do his duty where neglect is sin 
 against child. Church and civilization. 
 
 * * * 
 
 In speaking of small children, don't, for mercy's sake, refer 
 to them as "kids." Sometimes you may hear a young father 
 
 145 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 speak of his two or three "kids" at home. I heard a young 
 woman, in a community where it was customary to speak of 
 children in the way I'd condemn, make reference to her child- 
 hood when she was quite a "kid." The word doesn't sound 
 right, and in some cases it is too near the truth. The parents 
 of kids are goats. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Who uses "No. 6" these days, and why is it called No. 6? I 
 am told it is horrible stuff; a mere taste of the drug, it is 
 said, lingers for hours. Years ago a good old local preacher 
 was preparing to administer the sacrament. A dear elderly 
 sister, half -blind, had prepared the elements, and had unknow- 
 ingly placed a bottle of "No. 6" in the basket, thinking it was 
 the wine bottle. When the time came in the impressive cere- 
 mony, the solemn and earnest person poured forth the No. 6, 
 and, alas, drank thereof. I am told the scene that followed 
 was awful. The sneezing, snorting and hiccoughing that 
 issued in startling succession from within the chancel alarmed 
 the worshipers. When it was possible to pause and to regain 
 his breath, the distracted preacher exclaimed, with emphasis: 
 "Merciful fathers ; brethren, something is wrong." It was 
 soon discovered that the bottle, indeed, was a wine bottle, 
 but the contents were those elements that make the "No. 6." 
 
 The editor of the Richmond Advocate thinks pulpit orators 
 should not be made Presiding Elders, on the ground that 
 the fervent orator is unbalanced and is very likely to be lack- 
 ing in common sense. The editor exaggerates as usual to 
 carry his point. Dr. LafFerty is eloquent. He says : "It is 
 a psychological axiom that an orator is unbalanced. Elo- 
 quence is exaggeration. There is excessive expansion of the 
 mental iris — 'sees men as trees walking.' They are not safe 
 for leadership. Demosthenes, Cicero, Mirabeau, lost their 
 popularity. A tongue-tied man — Moses — delivered Israel. 
 
 146 
 
This, That and T'other. 
 
 The glib Aaron was a failure as a captain. Think of the 
 golden calf and the return to the Nile. Think of Munsey 
 selecting preachers to man a district." 
 
 * * * 
 
 A man, on being asked by some companions to go into a 
 saloon and have a drink with them, said: "I won't drink any 
 today, boys." 
 
 "What's the matter with you, old man.?" asked one. "If 
 you've quit, what's up.'*" 
 
 "Well, boys, I'll tell you. Yesterday I was in Chicago. I 
 called on a customer of mine down on Clark street, who keeps 
 a pawnshop in connection with his other business. While I 
 was there a young man came in, wearing threadbare clothes, 
 and looking as hard as they make 'em. He had a little pack- 
 age in his hand. He unwrapped it and handed it to the 
 pawnbroker, saying, 'Give me ten cents.' And what do you 
 suppose it was.? It was a pair of baby's shoes, little things, 
 with the buttons only a trifle soiled, as though they had been 
 won only once or twice, 'Where did you get these?' asked 
 the pawnbroker. 'Got 'em at home,' replied the man. 'My 
 wife bought 'em for the baby. Give me ten cents for 'em — I 
 want to get a drink' 'You had better take them back to your 
 wife; the baby will need them,' said the pawnbroker. 'No, 
 she won't ; she's dead — baby died last night,' and then the 
 poor fellow laid his head down on the show case and cried like 
 a child. Boys, I have a baby at home, and I'll not take a 
 drink with you today." — National Advocate. 
 
 Scene 1 — Venerable preacher, Quaker proclivities, depart- 
 ing for railroad station, to good sister: "Well, now, good- 
 bye. Peace be to thee, my sister." 
 
 Sister: "Good-bye, Uncle Penn" (kissing him). 
 
 Scene II — In another part of the castle, the venerable 
 
 147 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 preacher's figure fast receding in the distance, leaving the 
 good girl behind him. 
 
 Good Sister: "Lor' me, Uncle Penn kissed me." 
 
 Chorus of Maids and Maidens : "My ! oh mercy ! me ! oh ! 
 oh! oh!" 
 
 Sister : "Yes ; he said, 'Please kiss me, my sister,' and 
 I er— " 
 
 Small Girl, interrupting: "No, he didn't, auntie. I was 
 near you. Uncle Penn said, 'Peace be to thee, my sister.' " 
 
 * * * 
 
 A sad sight in this world of trial and preparation, yea, the 
 saddest, is a poor man without the religion of Jesus Christ. 
 A poor man with no chattels, no hereditaments, with a small 
 area of half-cultivated land, running his forty acres and a 
 mule, mostly mortgaged, without grace and hope of glory 
 beyond, is a woeful spectacle. He will miss the ducats in this 
 world and catch the devil in the next. The rich man of whom 
 our Saviour speaks, "clothed in purple and faring sumptu- 
 ously every day," was enjoying his heaven while Lazarus at 
 his gate was tormented by poverty and afflicted in body. In 
 course of time Lazarus entered his heaven, and the other got 
 his reward. "In hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torment." 
 There are many poor mortals in this land of ours who have 
 neither grub nor grace. They live in a cruel servitude and in 
 want, and will not seek to be released and relieved by the great 
 poor man's Friend, who said, "Seek ye first the kingdom of 
 God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added 
 unto you," and, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are 
 heavy laden, and ye shall find rest." 
 
 * * * 
 
 We Methodist people are getting there. We will go along 
 and keep up with the procession. I have noticed a choir 
 arrangement something like this: Organist elected, Mr. Sam 
 Stringey; musical manipulator, Mr. Toney Dudds; flute, 
 
 148 
 
This, That and T'other. 
 
 violin and cornet perfonners, Peter Snead, Jenny June, Viola 
 Snapp and Rosa Snipe; soloists, Tiny Popinjay and Delilah 
 Canker. There you have music that will beat the band, and 
 no doubt the angels will rush to the upper parapets to listen 
 to the sweet strains. "The unkindest cut of all" is that some 
 of that crowd, as published accounts and names do confirm, 
 will dance the jig and german till daylight on wax floors to 
 the lazy tune of, "After the Ball is Over," The Lord bear 
 
 with us. 
 
 * * * 
 
 "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth — for 
 where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." The 
 opposite is generally what men strive to do. Poor mortal 
 man hugs this earth with all his heart for the treasures that 
 are in it. The greed for gold and greenbacks is more preva- 
 lent than perseverance for piety; cash and coin outweighs 
 creed and character. The majority of men are not in earnest 
 about the inestimable birthright, they yearn for pots of pot- 
 tage. The rich man in the Scriptures who did lay up treas- 
 ures upon earth, and was preparing to enlarge his barns, 
 said, "Soul, take thine ease." Where was that man's soul? 
 In that locality where dwells all the soul in most men — the 
 bowels, "All the labor is for the mouth," and the vanity of 
 this world, and "money answereth all things." Great words 
 are being moneytized and language leans to the worldling's 
 ideals. Define "worth," Suppose I were to ask a young 
 merchant , "dealing in sausage, soap, soda, etc, at and below 
 cost," a question regarding the worth of James H, Carlisle, 
 meeting him in the street, 
 
 "Sir, Mr. Bacon, can you tell me what Dr. Carlisle is 
 worth?" 
 
 Bacon: "No, sir. His name is not on our commercial 
 books. I suppose his salary supports him. I hardly think 
 he is worth much. As to insurance, I don't know how nmch 
 he carries." 
 
 149 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 "Prosperity," as now generally used, means fat pantries, 
 well furnished homes, profitable trading, bank accounts, etc. 
 Were you to ask Mr. Bacon, meeting him in the street, how 
 prospers his soul, it would scare him. 
 
 "Success," likewise means shekels. 
 
 Fond Mother: "Our son (aged eighteen) is doing nicely 
 now, and his success is assured ; he is getting $75 a month, and 
 he is dreadfully saving." 
 
 And the vain creature rejoices over that "success" and the 
 "dreadful saving." * * * Laying up treasures upon earth, 
 and not rich towards God — that's the prevailing condition. 
 
 When he dies, the man of "success," of "worth," the pros- 
 perous man, he casts one long, lingering look behind, and tri- 
 umphs in the silence of death. 
 
 " 'O grave, where is thy victory .?' — I've left lands and pos- 
 sessions with titles clear; 'O death, where is thy sting .f" — I am 
 insured for fifty thousand." 
 
 The body lies out in the cemetery and the tombstone of 
 beautiful marble tells the passerby that, "Here lies a conse- 
 crated Christian ; blessed are the dead which die in the Lord." 
 
 Mercy on us, what lies tombstones sometimes tell ! 
 
 The late Dr. Hashiell was fond of telling the following 
 story on himself: 
 
 Preaching on one occasion at his old home, an old colored 
 man, who had taken care of him when he was a child, was 
 delighted with the sermon. At the close of the service he shook 
 the doctor warmly by the hand, and said: "Larry, you's a 
 good preacher ; you's a soundin' brass an' tinklin' cymbal.' 
 
 * *• * 
 
 Hon. Ashbel P. Fitch, formerly comptroller of New York, 
 has stated that while he was comptroller he thoroughly inves- 
 tigated the subject of baldness, and reached the conclusion 
 that it is an index of intellect. In the last year of his incum- 
 
 150 
 
This, That and T'other. 
 
 bency, among other things in connection with his investiga- 
 tion, his curiosity led him to inquire as to the hair of the 
 paupers that had been sent to the county poor house. "Out 
 of 8,793 paupers who had come under the charge of the 
 county that year," he says, "there was only one bald-headed 
 man, and he had been scalped by the Indians." — Visitor. 
 
 I don't know that to be true, though comforting to many 
 of the brethren. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Patient: "I'm sorry now that I sent for you, doctor, be- 
 cause I feel so much better that I don't need any medicine." 
 
 Doctor: "Better take some; I'll charge you just the same 
 for a visit, whether you do or not." — Sel. 
 
 Carlyle describes a dandy as a "clothes-wearing man— a 
 man whose trade, office and existence consist in the wearing of 
 clothes. Every faculty of his soul, spirit, person and purse 
 is heroically consecrated to this one object — the wearing of 
 clothes wisely and well; so that as others dress to live, he 
 lives to dress." One sad object in this world is a poverty- 
 stricken dandy who is not able to buy the clothes to wear, but 
 struts and swaggers as well as he can without finery- — a poor 
 
 peacock in jeans. 
 
 * *- * 
 
 I was for a short while sometime since in company with a 
 man who is somewhat careless in speech generally, and on this 
 occasion he let slip out of his being accidentally and without 
 so-called provocation, a word of profanity. He quickly apolo- 
 gized with some confusion, which indicated that he had uttered 
 something he knew to be wrong, and he revealed the character 
 of speech he was accustomed to use. Swearing comes com- 
 monly from two sources. Sometimes it's a hereditary sin. 
 The boy or young man "cusses" because the "ole man" does. 
 Or it is on account of association. Those who love the associa- 
 
 151 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 tion of profane people will become profane. Wherever it 
 comes from it's a simon-pure case of depravity, and the poor 
 human being has gone very far from original righteousness 
 when he profanes the name of his Maker. Profanity is a 
 most dangerous form of depravity, and the guilty man is cap- 
 able of doing any sort of meanness. 
 
 Dr. Mark Hopkins says that a man who "cusses" will tell a 
 lie. I will quote a paragraph or two from him. "This is 
 an offence that would excite astonishment if it were not so 
 common. The thief, the sensualist, the ambitious man has 
 temptation which appeals to a natural desire, but that a crea- 
 ture and child of God, supported wholly by His goodness 
 and responsible to Him should wantonly profane His name 
 could not beforehand be credited. 
 
 "Prof aneness can be of no possible use to him who indulges 
 in it, or to any one else. If it were not wicked it would be 
 simply superfluous and ridiculous. It is, as Robert Hall ?ays, 
 in allusion to feudal times, small pepper corn sent to show 
 that a man belongs to the devil. All observation shows, mine 
 certainly does, what might have been inferred without it, that 
 he who will swear will lie." Whoever may be guilty of it 
 deserves not only to be condemned and abhorred, but de- 
 spised." 
 
 ^ * 
 
 Johnson: "Do you know young Jones.''" 
 O'Kelly : "Yis, sor, I know him." 
 Johnson: "Can a person believe what he says.'*" 
 Pat: "Faith, an' it's jist this way: "When he tells ye the 
 truth, ye can believe every word he says ; but, when he lies to 
 yez, ye better have no confidence in him at all." — Sel. 
 
 -* * * 
 
 "Why is it?" asked a man of a negro who was doing some 
 work for him, "that so few colored men commit suicide.'"' 
 
 "Well, boss," was the reply, "when a nigger sets down to 
 worry he bound to fall asleep." — Sel. 
 
 152 
 
This, That and T'other. 
 
 There have been many American humorists, good and bad, 
 but only of late has the very worst one been discovered. 
 
 "How's Johnny?" asked one of the neighbors. 
 
 "Well," replied Aunt Ann Peebles, "he's got the hives this 
 time. When he was a baby he had the nettle-rash. When he 
 got over that he was troubled with a breakin' out that looked 
 like measles. Then he had a ringworm on one side of his face. 
 He has a bile every spring, and once in a while he gets some- 
 thin' the matter with his hands that the doctor says is salt 
 rheum." 
 
 "He must have some kind of humor in his blood." 
 
 "Yes," said Aunt Ann, shaking her head, gloomily. "He's 
 the worst humorist for his age that I ever see." — Sel. 
 
 The majority of our homes in the county I fear are with- 
 out family altars, and fathers and mothers are not "used" to 
 prayer and to read their Bibles around the hearthstone. 
 
 The big family Bible on the center table occupies a con- 
 spicuous place in the sitting room or parlor, but the probabil- 
 ity is the Book is not handled much. Looks too new generally, 
 and not thumb worn. I found a home once without a Bible. 
 We were about to have family service and I asked for the 
 book. The oldest boy, a big burly young man, about grown, 
 with more grease in him that grace, looked around for a 
 while, on the tables, under the tables, on the beds, and I think 
 did actually look into the cupboard for the Bible, but it was 
 not to be found. Finally, he said: "The Testament is not 
 here, somebody has sure borrowed it." We had prayer, but 
 I always believe that that big, burly young man told me a 
 big one. "He that provideth not for his own has denied the 
 faith, and is worse than an unbeliever." Parents need not 
 expect their children to be pious and free, even from immoral- 
 ity, when they don't show piety at home. 
 
 153 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 "Let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves together as 
 the manner of some is." Church members who do not attend 
 services will soon get oiF the religious gear and lose their 
 religion, if they have any to start with. Piety soon becomes 
 an unknown quantity, and the preacher more or less a 
 stranger in the land. But some people are providentially 
 prevented from attending church, and of course they are ex- 
 cused. Bad roads, bad weather, bad breeches, unfashionable 
 hats, the new ones not having arrived, keep people away some- 
 times from the Sunday services, but with healthy folks they 
 are excuses that do not excuse. I have found out this — the 
 man who does not attend church when he can will be guilty of 
 some meanness before long. Just give him time and oppor- 
 tunity and some sort of rascality will just ooze out. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 The "CalV to Preach — Dependence of the Methodist Minis- 
 try/ — Punkeyton Circuit — Rev. Thos. Trotter, P. C. — 
 The Officials — The Stewards' Meeting — The Preacher's 
 Expenses — Closing Scene. 
 
 I. 
 
 The call to preach, the vocation of a Methodist preacher, 
 is not a mere hallucination. It is not, as a general rule, 
 undertaken as a profession — the result of a choice. Men do 
 not elect this course as they do the law, medicine and other 
 avocations. There are exceptions, I do believe — but few. 
 The great majority of Methodist preachers are sincerely and 
 fully persuaded that they were moved by the Holy Spirit to 
 preach the glorious Gospel of the Son of God, and forego all 
 trouble and trial, and make all the sacrifices necessarily con- 
 nected with the holy and arduous work of the sacred ministry. 
 In early life, often in childhood days, there comes to the soul 
 
 154 
 
The "Call" to Preach. 
 
 the impression to preach or to prepare to preach the Gospel. 
 Later on this impression gains ground, and the young Chris- 
 tian concludes that he ought to prepare to enter the ministry. 
 If this wooing of the Spirit, this persuasion, is resisted, and 
 frequently it is, there comes over the soul an inward conviction 
 that he must preach if the way is open and circumstances are 
 favorable. He meditates seriously upon the striking passage 
 of the apostle : 'Woe be unto me if I preach not the Gospel," 
 and the fearful probability of being lost at last if he heeds 
 not the call and disobeys the heavenly vision. It is a trying 
 hour, when he is in sore need of the voice of encouragement, 
 and a strong, brotherly, helpful hand — and happy is he when 
 finall}' he submits, takes up his cross and begins the itinerant 
 life. The young man "called to preach" sometimes makes up 
 his mind to follow some other profession, keeping the sacred 
 secret within his own bosom, and divulges it to no one. He 
 nurses his resolution, maps out his course and draws up his 
 plans, notwithstanding "the still, small voice." But after 
 awhile — after some experience, after, it may be, some years of 
 trial and temptation — he yields at last to that continued im- 
 pression, that he ought to preach, and he has been known to 
 give up all earthly hopes and ambitions and devote himself, 
 time and talent, entirely to the ministry of the Word. May 
 be it was the profession of medicne this one "called" preferred 
 and did put his hands to this plow ; but ere long he left his 
 laboratory, and possibly a world-renowned reputation, to fol- 
 low the Mastor in the humble sphere of mountain mission or 
 lowland circuit, preaching the Gospel. Or else, as it is not in- 
 frequently the case, another, he who had received the divine 
 impression to preach, chooses law and begins a brilliant career, 
 but in course of time he yields to a conscience that had never 
 ceased to uphold him, turns his back upon once fond associa- 
 tion, his office and emoluments, and begins a practice in a more 
 sacred court and pleads for the souls of fallen humanity. He 
 can of course, being a moral free agent, resist this inward 
 
 155 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 impression, this call to preach and follow whatever pursuit or 
 profession he may elect, but the conviction is not effaced, and 
 it is a long time before continued rebellion hardens the con- 
 science and drives the Spirit away. The result of disobedience 
 to the heavenly calling of the self-willed moral free agent, as it 
 may be or may have been noted in living witnesses, is that it 
 leaves him free to do right, but more than ever prone to do evil, 
 that while Christian rectitude can be attained, and the more 
 excellent way be found, there really will be in him, who was 
 called, but did not regard, a disposition to wander away from 
 God, and a fearful tendenc}"^ to be borne along the broad way 
 with the wild, worldly crowd that gravitate to ruin and 
 destruction. When there is real consecration and ready 
 acceptance of the high calling, the young itinerant is initiated 
 into the society and fellowship of as faithful a body of men 
 as this dear old earth affords, and into an ecclesiastical system 
 which for aggressive evangelistic power is without a parallel 
 in all the religious world. If the Methodist Church fails or 
 falters in her onward march, it will not be because of wanting 
 in a divinely ordered arrangement for achievement and con- 
 quest. The world's her parish, and if she doesn't eventually 
 spread from pole to pole by her untiring, unique and united 
 itineracy, proving the greatest blessing to the people every- 
 where, she will have forgotten her past inspiring history and 
 will have turned aside from her glorious destiny. 
 
 II. 
 
 There is no other kind of evangelist, or denominational 
 prophet, that appeals more to the liberality of a people for 
 support and sustenance than the Methodist itinerant. His 
 pastorate, like his avocation, is not of his own choosing. He 
 does not preach trial sermons to congregations and, if elected 
 preacher in charge, agree for certain stipulated sum in 
 shekels to serve them. He has no choice in the business ; 
 he is sent to preach the Gospel, and his field of labor is an 
 
 156 
 
The "Call" to Preach. 
 
 appointment of Providence and the powers ordained of 
 God. He calls together, when the appointment has been 
 made and the year's work has begun, his Board of Stew- 
 ards, to consult with them and to receive meekly any appro- 
 priation they may see fit to bestow. From a business stand- 
 point they have got him fast, they have every advantage ; he 
 is entirely dependent. If the support allowed is sufficient, 
 the preacher will be encouraged; if short rations are prom- 
 ised, he cannot afford to show discouragement — he must 
 accept the proposition and conform to the situation. The 
 vows are upon him and that "Woe be unto me if I preach not 
 the Gospel." Whether for pounds or pennies, he must go 
 forward in the great work, though he must needs bear the 
 burden and heat of the day. Oh, these Boards of Stewards ! 
 What a power in Methodism ! In this wide field of Christian 
 soldiery they hold the keys of the commissary department and 
 the revenues of the kingdom. They have the ability and priv- 
 ilege to feed and the means to clothe the prophets who are 
 sent unto them. They have at their disposal grub and 
 greenbacks, and that's what keeps the world on a move. The 
 Church's great ecclesiastical system would degenerate and 
 perish were it not for the faithful men of God who serve the 
 tables, and until the ministry becomes so that it can easily 
 subsist on air and water alone, we must ever, in grateful sub- 
 mission, bow to the supremacy of laymen's rights in carnal 
 things. 
 
 But there are some pastoral charges where the people and 
 Church officials are not dominated by the spirit of liberality 
 and progressiveness, and they keep the pastor in such a state 
 of continued want and carking care as all but freeze the genial 
 current of his soul. 
 
 III. 
 
 The following story of Punkeyton Circuit is not an 
 unusual history, and the experience of the Rev. Thomas Trot- 
 ter will touch a sympathetic chord in kindred hearts who 
 
 157 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 have been along the same way. The characters of the 
 stewards portrayed have their prototype in hving mortals 
 moving around in this good land today. Sister Huckster 
 lives free from pain and care, somewhere — and all contain far 
 more fact than fiction. The Punkeyton Circuit is situated 
 away back in a retired part of the Lord's vineyard, far from 
 the "maddening crowd's ignoble strife." The good people 
 of that prosperous land have been pursuing the even tenor of 
 their ways for many years, well known for excellent house- 
 keepers, good cooks, big old-time meetings in midsummer and 
 many dear old folks who occasionally "shout" during 
 religious services over the old-time religion. Punkeyton is a 
 small collection of houses and inhabitants, beautiful for situa- 
 tion. There are no shops, no railroad, and, I am informed by 
 the oldest inhabitant of the village, that it is about as large 
 now as it was fifty years ago, when its corporate lines were 
 surveyed and the boundaries became a fixed fact. Among the 
 important residences and business places I might mention 
 that the parsonage home is there. The manse, built many 
 years ago, holds its own within the corporate limits. The 
 postoffice, kept in an old rickety building, is presided over by 
 a fat, red face man, Mr. John Snapper, whose politics have 
 always been in a state of uncertainty, and whose piety has 
 been equally as unreliable. Dr. Sankey Mustard is the prac- 
 ticing physician of the little town, and lives conveniently to 
 the parsonage and the cemetery. Mr. Jerry Heckley, the 
 principal merchant, owns a large store of dry goods and 
 groceries, and Peter Snarer, a notary public and farmer, lives 
 in a cozy home, also near the manse. The parsonage has 
 never been quite finished. There are no blinds for the windows 
 of the second story, and it will take two or three more ice 
 cream entertainments to realize a sufficient sum to supply the 
 parsonage with curtains for the windows, chairs and other 
 needed furniture. The parsonage furnishing, upholstering 
 and repairing generally, is a slow, patient work of years, 
 
 158 
 
The "Call" to Preach. 
 
 and it was so with the manse of the Punkeyton Circuit. Tlie 
 Rev. Thomas Trotter, the preacher in charge, had announced 
 a meeting of the Board of Stewards at all of his ai)point- 
 ments the first round after Conference, and that all-im- 
 portant day, Wednesday after the third Sunday in January, 
 had arrived. During a grave consultation, held by the elder 
 Trotters in the back porch on the probable events and out- 
 come of the day, little Lila May, the oldest girl, a bright, 
 bouncing lass of fourteen summers, came upon the scene with 
 a hop, skip and jump, and declared, excitedly, that, "Papa 
 must buy her a piano, her music teacher said she was execut- 
 ing beautifully now, and just must have one. Nina Huckster 
 and Minnie Quartz each had one, and Sarah Tinhorn's papa 
 had ordered Sarah a pretty upright piano just the other 
 day. Now, papa, if the stewards give you a heap of money 
 today, wont' you buy your Lila May a piano, too.^* You can 
 buy it on the installment plan in such an easy way that you 
 can't feel it. Now, won't you.''" The father replied that he 
 "would see about it," and Lila May grew more affectionate, 
 kissed papa, and hurried off to school. She felt encouraged, 
 because whenever her papa said he would "see about it," 
 whether concerning the purchase of a new dress or a big doll, 
 the articles would ere long be forthcoming — and she thought 
 of the new piano all the day long. 
 
 The brave little woman of the parsonage, anxious to make 
 it as pleasant and happy occasion as it was possible for her to 
 do so, began operations early in the morning, making prep- 
 arations for the dinner, for all the stewards, as it is custom- 
 ary, were to dine with the preacher in charge. She was 
 cumbered with much serving. There were not sufficient 
 dishes, and she had to borrow of Mrs. Tabitha Mustard, the 
 doctor's wife, a few more plates; cups and saucers were 
 needed, and two large boatlike dishes it was necessary to bor- 
 row to hold the boiled ham and roast. Mrs. Jerry Heckley, 
 the merchant's wife, was kind enough to lend bright new 
 
 159 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 table linen on which to place the stewards' dinner, and from 
 Mr. Peter Snarer, who 'had only two heirs and a very large 
 dwelling, were transferred some comfortable chairs and easy 
 rockers with which to seat the expected guests during their 
 stay and deliberations. Ere long the industrious Mrs. Trot- 
 ter had everything in ship-shape, and soon a most appetizing 
 dinner of a varied and tasteful assortment was simmering, 
 stewing, browning and baking, and by 11 o'clock all were well 
 under way in pot, pan and oven. 
 
 The stewards arrived irregularly, hitched their fat horses in 
 the parsonage yard, formed in little groups, momentarily in 
 the bright sunshine of a pleasant winter's day, and discussed in 
 a desultory sort of way the price of cotton, and other things, 
 and the occasion that had brought them together. One or 
 two were in favor, one especially, Toney Railey, of raising the 
 salary of the preacher in charge, and had talked it about. 
 He represented Salem church, and said Salem was willing and 
 ready to pay her proportionate part, or more if necessary, in 
 order to get the charge to raise the salary. The churches 
 were all fairly represented, on an average of about two from 
 each of the four churches composing the circuit. John Peter 
 Ruckster was chairman of the board, and a leading spirit. 
 He represented Pisgah. He was familiarly called simply 
 "J. P." Everybody knew "J. P."— many liked "J. P.," and 
 not a few of the poorer people were dependent largely upon 
 the favor of "J. P." He was a big country merchant as 
 well as farmer, and was indulgent to some who could not pay 
 cash for dry goods and groceries during the hard months 
 between March and October. He was rather a nervous gen- 
 tleman, "J. P." was, quick in movement, and had such a posi- 
 tive way of making assertions as precluded all further argu- 
 ment or opinion to the contrary. He was generally the first 
 man in the circuit the new preacher consulted, or was con- 
 strained to consult, when he arrived in Punkeyton, and 
 "J. P." was always ready and willing to inform who is who, 
 
 160 
 
The "Call" to Preach. 
 
 and what's what. The phrenological and physiognomical 
 makeup of "J. P." was much against him in the estimation of 
 an observer of ordinary insight. He possessed a large red 
 face, and small head, with rather low receding forciiead. 
 He had a small, short chin, high cheekbones, eyes very 
 near together, which would entirely close when he laughed. 
 In the midst of the big red, fat face there was a nose of 
 not unusual dimensions, neither aquiline nor Roman, but was 
 somewhat blunt and inclined to turn up. The fat cheeks 
 seemed disposed to push out that important member and make 
 it more conspicuous. "J. P." was neither vicious, nor virtu- 
 ous, as a general rule. If it required a questionable action in 
 a business transaction to accomplish something for Huckster, 
 he'd have no scruples in doing it. If a virtuous action would 
 add to "J. P's." popularity, or increase his trade, he would 
 have no hesitation in doing a virtuous action, provided, it didn't 
 cost too much. He followed the dictates of his consicence, and 
 often that happy disposition caused his peace to flow as a river. 
 When "J. P." made a bad bargain and got "bit," he would 
 have compunction of conscience and would enjoy no rest for a 
 season. When it was the other fellow's hard luck and "J. 
 P's." good fortune, then would the latter's conscience have its 
 own sweet way. Bill Spotts, of Zion, had much flesh, being 
 heavily built, with a fearful tendency to a lazy state of 
 obesity. Intellectually, he was dull and drearj"^, and as he 
 increased in fatness, there was an apparent decrease in men- 
 tality. He was a man of no convictions as to religious duty 
 and his opinions and activities, if Bill had anything in him 
 you might call Christian activity, with reference to the 
 Church and its work, were formed and fashioned by the influ- 
 ence of Huckster and others. During service at Zion on any 
 spring or summer Sabbath morning, he would almost invari- 
 ably fall fast asleep, but would wake up promptly when the 
 Doxology was being sung, and after the benediction was pro- 
 nounced he would often very cordially invite the preacher 
 
 161 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 home with him for dinner. Spotts was a very prosperous 
 fanner and lumberman, and had hoarded many hundreds, 
 which he prized most highly. While Spotts possessed a few 
 commendable characteristics, it was apparent that he was too 
 fat and flourishing physically to be continuously a seeker of 
 the Lord, and too prosperous to be genuinely pious. 
 
 Zedekiah Tinhorn, another steward from Zion, possessed 
 an excitable, nervous temperament. He had been troubled 
 for years with dyspepsia, and it produced a marked eff'ect 
 upon his physical frame, which was ver}'^ weak and lank, and 
 doubtless it was that annoying bodily ailment which had much 
 to do with the springs of his character. Possessing tender 
 sensibilities, he has been known to shed tears over pulpit ora- 
 torical pictures of distress and affliction, and on a love-feast 
 occasion during a big midsummer revival meeting. Zed, if in 
 good trim, would tell his experience in an affecting, tremulous 
 way, and would shed tears over past faults and follies — and 
 the pardoning love. There were some good points in Zed's 
 dyspeptic soul, and some not so good. He was moody, fickle, 
 unreliable — displayed much zeal for the Church at times, and 
 at other times he would become lukewarm and very indifferent. 
 It is said that he was very much like his father, who died be- 
 fore Trotter came to the Punkeyton Circuit. The old man did 
 not attend church for a long time before he died, although he 
 had been an active member many years. They brought an 
 organ in the church against his will, he became offended and 
 would not attend any service there whatever. He was buried 
 in the old cemetery of Zion church, and heavenly words about 
 "fidelity" and the "crown of righteousness" were deeply 
 inscribed upon the polished marble erected to perpetuate his 
 memory, but many good people who knew him well were in 
 doubt as to his Christian fidelity and very uncertain as to the 
 crown of righteousness the tombstone said he would wear. 
 Like many other Scriptural truths inscribed on graveyard 
 marble these days, they were written and put there more to 
 
 162 
 
The "Call" to Preach. 
 
 gratify the wishes and soothe the spirits of the living tlian to 
 portray the real character and well-grounded hope of the soul 
 whose dust and bones reposed beneath the monumental slab. 
 Sims Starkey, of Pisgah, was another steward whose char- 
 acteristics fonn a profitable study. He was a brother-in-law 
 of Huckster. He married "J. P's." sister, and was only a 
 year his wife's senior, who was now in her forty-seventh year. 
 Sims Starkey was a peculiar man — a peculiarly quiet man — 
 and always bore a heavy countenance and a grave face. All 
 sense of humor seems to have taken wings and left him for- 
 ever. He was never known to laugh heartily, and rarely 
 ever progressed in risibles beyond a faint, quiet smile. His 
 movements were slow, and he was never seen in a hurry. He 
 would stand at a public gathering, political meeting and other 
 places alone, often like a statue, summer or winter, with his 
 two big hands down to the bottom of his pants' pockets. But 
 Sims Starkey was an industrious, good fellow, and everybody 
 in the community liked him. If a neighbor experienced a 
 misfortune of any kind, such as the loss of a barn by fire, 
 Sims would come to his assistance. If a poor widow needed 
 her garden ploughed, or potato patch "broke up," Sims 
 would be the man to do the work, or have it done. Sims was 
 kind to his preacher and sometimes would give him a load of 
 oats after the harvesting, or a one-horse load of corn at the 
 gathering time — all a free gift, not to be reported as "script" 
 at the ensuing Quarterly Conference. Sims was fondly 
 attached to his church, Pisgah, and would attend, without 
 being requested, to the care and keeping of the yard and 
 cemetery, and when there was to be a burial, Sims was gen- 
 erally called upon to look after the grave digging — which he 
 always did well and superintended the melancholy work with 
 becoming solemnity of manner. But in all kind actions and 
 deeds of charity, as above enumerated, when Sims was called 
 upon, it was obsei-ved that he, while entertaining the question 
 or appeal sympathetically, would invariably give an evasive 
 
 163 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 answer would say, "I'll let you know tomorrow," or "as 
 soon as I go home and see what's to be done there." The 
 neighbors soon learned "what was to be done there." It was 
 to consult Mrs. Sophronia Malinda Starkey. Sims dared not 
 undertake to do anytliing of importance without first consult- 
 ing her. She was as kind to liim as one need be when Sims 
 was observant of her wishes and obedient to her will — but 
 was quite severe on him when he crossed her purposes, and 
 seemed inclined to have his own way. Therefore, if the widow 
 in need was on good terms with Mrs. Starkey, the garden 
 would be ploughed; if the deceased had been friendly with 
 Mrs. Starkey, the grave digging by Sims would be attended 
 to. If Sister Starkey and the preacher in charge were on 
 congenial and pleasant terms, Sims would visit the parsonage 
 barn lot with his load of com or oats, but if "she didn't take 
 a likening to the preacher," the preacher would go without 
 Sims' corn and forage. Poor Sims Starkey was beyond doubt 
 in the fearful bondage of apron and skirt, and was under 
 strictest form and surveillance of petticoat government. Mrs. 
 Starkey was a determined woman, strong, hearty and in 
 perfect health ^t forty-seven. She was much of a woman. 
 She'd bustle in and bustle about, and would lead in any Church 
 work and do more for any Church society enterprise than any 
 other female member if she were permitted to have her own 
 way. She resembled strikingly her brother, J. P. Huckster, 
 in mind and manner, but was more resolute and had far more 
 temper. It is said that Sims one day when the oldest boy was 
 four years old, with the laudable view of bringing him up in 
 the way he should go, undertook to spank him, and that at a 
 psychological moment Mrs. Starkey appeared on the scene 
 and interfered in such a resolute way that Sims gave up the 
 job, and never undertook another of the same kind. Mrs. 
 Starkey was chairman of the Parsonage Furnishing Society 
 of Punkeyton Circuit, kept an inventory of all the things 
 belonging to the manse, and it was a happy occasion to her 
 
 164 
 
The "Call" to Preach. 
 
 when the society convened, as she was ahvays full of chat, and 
 sociable. "She'd thank the Lawd, her youngest, Sims 
 Sparkey, Jr., was five years old, that she was through with 
 cradle rocking, and was going to enjoy life — that she was." 
 She would visit the parsonage on an inspecting tour some- 
 times, examine this, peer into that and bustle in and bustle 
 about, and would insinuate that some wives were not as care- 
 ful and economical as they should be. One day during one 
 of these inspecting tours at the Punkeyton parsonage the little 
 boy of the house, chasing a playful kitten, accidentally fell 
 across a bed, disarranging quilts and pillows. This attracted 
 the inspectress, who calmly remarked that the parsonage beds 
 were not placed there by the society for little boys to play on. 
 I got this straight from Mrs. Thomas Trotter, who, until her 
 last "lab'ring breath" will not forget Mrs. Sophronia 
 Malinda Starkey. 
 
 Ezekiel Swartz, who represented Bethel church, was a well- 
 to-do farmer, indeed, comparatively speaking, he might be 
 said to be rich. Besides a large estate of five thousand acres, 
 he owned a great deal of machinery, two ginneries, and 
 enjoyed a clear income, in dollars, of three thousand or more. 
 He began his career, a poor boy, before the war, had a lung 
 trouble, or heart failure, or some chronic complaint all along 
 during that terrible catastrophe, all of which of course 
 exempted him from service as a Confederate soldier. He 
 rallied so effectually after the bloody and cruel contest was 
 over, that he was enabled to prosecute his life work diligently 
 and began to buy land and increase his worldly possessions. 
 Uncle Zeke, as he was familiarly called, was always fond of 
 telling others how earnestly he toiled in his earl}'^ manhood 
 days, and on what strict principles of economy he lived. In 
 early life he lived on "hard tack," he and wife, that they 
 might put by a snug sum for a rainy day. "A dollar saved 
 is a dollar made" was his motto. He has been known, even 
 since he became independent and dwelt in a palatial country 
 
 165 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 home, to follow behind the cotton wagons on the way to the 
 ginnery and pick up every little lock of cotton that might 
 have been jostled out. He did deny himself and took up his 
 carnal cross, forgetting the things of the past and reaching 
 for the possessions in this world. He pressed toward the 
 mark and got there, and now, in his old age, he could say, 
 "Soul, take thine ease, thou hast much goods laid up for 
 many years." Though he may not have been conscious of it, 
 "Uncle" Zeke had the highest estimate of his opinions, his 
 judgment concerning men and measures, and even of his 
 religious qualifications. Along with that mental and spirit- 
 ual attitude he had a poor opinion generally of the mental and 
 moral attainments of most other mortals. Very few people 
 won from him a complimentary remark, very few actions of 
 others would he commend. He was just built that way — 
 Uncle Zeke was — naturally censorious and egotistical, with an 
 alarming amount of bigotry. 
 
 Berry Whetstone, the other steward from Bethel, was a 
 busy-bee man — a man with two or three irons in the fire at one 
 time and dexterously managed all tolerably well. All the 
 time at it, and hard at it, strong physically, and muscular, 
 intellectually not so deep nor brilliant, but his mind was fairly 
 clear and sound as far as it went. He enjoyed far more sur- 
 veying a twenty-acre field and forest at $3 a day than think- 
 ing with Carlyle or dreaming with Milton. He was a school 
 teacher, and a good one, a farmer, a sui'veyor, a notary pub- 
 lic, a trustee, a Sunday school teacher and a steward. If 
 anything had to be done at Bethel with reference to Church 
 work, graveyard work or building or repairing. Whetstone 
 was always placed on the committee to guarantee prompt 
 execution. Whetstone did not overflow with sentiment, and his 
 soul was barren of song. His sympathetic nature did not 
 stretch over a large field, and he was hardly capable of deep 
 devotional feeling — but a loyal, true member and steward was 
 
 166 
 
The "Call" to Preach. 
 
 Berry, cand Punkeyton Circuit could not have spared him 
 without sustaining a perceptible loss. 
 
 Toney Railey, of Salem, was a man of commendable parts. 
 He was not the success in the business world that Swartz and 
 Ruckster were, or even that attained by Billy Spotts, but in 
 manners and morals he was their superior. Toney was 
 refined in taste, and showed the mai'ks everywhere, in all rela- 
 tions, of genuine good breeding. He was deferential to the 
 opinions and wishes of others, and while not at all demonstra- 
 tive or pretentious, he exemplified likely more Christian virtue 
 and culture than any other man on the board. The only 
 thing against Toney was he was a bachelor of some years' 
 standing. His home was without the song and sunshine of a 
 good wife. It is said that he was engaged once to a pretty 
 young lady, that on the eve of the anticipated happy mar- 
 riage she went back on him and he never loved again. 
 
 IV. 
 
 At about 10 A. M., all the stewards present, representing 
 the four churches of the Punkeyton Circuit, assembled in the 
 parsonage, and warm and cordial was the greeting and sincere 
 was the welcome by the pastor. He had a warai, fraternal 
 grasp and a kind word for one and all. "Howdy, howdy-do, 
 brethren. Glad indeed to meet you this morning. Bro. 
 Ruckster, walk in, sir. I hope you keep well, and Bro. Spotts, 
 come. Bro. Tinhorn, you're welcome; sorry to learn of Sister 
 Tinhorn's indisposition — and Bro. Swartz, how are you. 
 Regret to learn you were so unfortunate as to lose your fine 
 Jersew cow the other day." "Yes, sir," replied Swartz, "that 
 was a fine cow. Cost me $30, besides the expense of feeding 
 her since I got her — a clear loss, sir." "Sorry, sir," con- 
 tinues the pastor ; "and Bro. Whetstone, pleased to greet you 
 — Avas afraid you would not come, you live so far — and Bro. 
 Toney, glad indeed to see you. You bring up the rear — walk 
 in — all walk in." 
 
 167 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 After prayer by the pastor, the organization was soon per- 
 fected by electing J. P. Huckster, chairman, and Toney 
 Railey, secretary, and the Board of Stewards of the Punkey- 
 ton Circuit was ready for the business of providing for the 
 support of the person and family of Rev. Thomas Trotter 
 for the ensuing year. The preacher in charge made a mod- 
 est, interesting statement concerning the work, and how glad 
 he was to be with them again. His labor among them had 
 been a work of pleasure — a labor of love. He was thankful 
 that the business of the charge closed so well last year, every- 
 thing having been paid in full, and that the circuit had made 
 so propitious a beginning this new year. He congratulated 
 them upon the general material prosperity of the country and 
 community — which should be a source of devout thanksgiving 
 to God, the Giver of every good and perfect gift, whose 
 goodness had been so wonderfully displayed. He thanked 
 his stewards for what they had done in the past and of course 
 would not be unappreciative of future favors. He implored 
 divine blessings upon them and their deliberations. 
 
 The Chairman : "Now, gentlemen, let us come right down to 
 brass tacks, and say what the assessment shall be for the sup- 
 port this year. Speak out your minds. Let everything be 
 done squarely and fairly. The assessment last year was 
 $650, and we all know it was a long pull, and a pull altogether 
 to get that amount, but we did, and I'm glad our preacher 
 reported a clean sheet at Conference — so I am. Come, speak 
 out. I 'spect it would be better for our pastor to retire a 
 short while, that we might all speak out without embarrass- 
 ment." (Trotter retires.) 
 
 Berry Whetstone: "Mr. Chairman: As our pastor has just 
 said, we have had two or more years of unusual prosperity in 
 the Punkeyton Circuit and community. This last year I am 
 satisfied that in this part of the county 50 per cent, more 
 cash was in circulation among the people than there was five 
 years ago. The Punkeyton Circuit then paid the pastor 
 
 168 
 
The "Call" to Preach. 
 
 $650, and as I believe we are abundantly able to do so, I 
 move, sir, that the assessment be raised to $800, each church 
 to pay its proportionate part in the same way we assessed 
 and collected the $650." 
 
 Toney Railey: "I second the motion of Bro. Whetstone. 
 The time for Punkeyton Circuit to do something has arrived. 
 Let us go forward, or we might go backward. Other charges 
 in the district have gone up on salaries, and our circuit is 
 able to do so. I know, too, that $650 is not sufficient to sup- 
 port a preacher with eight in family. Last year Bro. Trotter 
 was not able to pay all his grocery and dry goods accounts, 
 and only recently I endorsed a note for Bro. Trotter, and 
 endorsed it willingly, for $50, to furnish liim money to pay 
 parties who were pressing him. We have a good preacher, 
 brethren, let us hold up his hands and enable him to live and 
 preach and attend to God's business without worry and with- 
 out being troubled about matters of bread, meat and 
 clothing." 
 
 Then followed a momentary pause and some quiet general 
 talk among the stewards. The motion and the short, earnest 
 speeches in favor of it >vere a surprise. "J. P." seemed nerv- 
 ous. "Come to order, now," said he ; "let us proceed. Speak 
 out your minds." 
 
 Uncle Zeke Swartz and Tinhorn both arose about the same 
 time to address the chair, but Swartz was recognized. 
 
 Swartz: "I just want ter ax one question, does yer want 
 ter make the preacher rich ? Does yer want to put purple on 
 him that he may live persumptuously every day ? Now, I ax 
 yer, where's the reason of it.? Six hundred and fifty dollars 
 is the same as fourteen heavy bales of cotton without a cent 
 of expense and no fertilizers to pay for. I believe I could do 
 on $400 myself and have a leetle at the end of the year." 
 
 Tinhorn (interrupting) : "I know I could do on $300 a 
 year." 
 
 Chair: "One at a time, brethren, one at a time." 
 
 169 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 Swartz: "Where's the reason of it I say? A man that's 
 to hve right in this here world must be saving — save every 
 scrap, every lock of cotton. That's the way I got my start. 
 We have got a good home here for the preacher to live in, free 
 of rent. The Parsonage Aid Sassity keeps the house well 
 furnished, as good as mine or yorn, as yer all see — and if yer 
 think our pastor and family air starvin' yer just wait till we 
 go to dinner. Where's the reason of it, I say? Then, again, 
 there air three acres of as good a land around this parsonage 
 as yer will find in this whole district — and if the preacher is 
 mind ter use these here (exhibiting and stretching out two 
 big, red scaly hands, the fingers curved nearly to the palms) 
 — if he's a mind ter work, I say, he can make three bales of 
 cotton on that patch. That's the way I made my start. I 
 move to have nothing to do with the motion that we've 
 heard, and make the salary what it was last year. Take care 
 what yer air doing. If you make it $800 this year, another 
 preacher will come along next year, mebbe, with a larger 
 family than Bro. Trotter's — for Methodist preachers air get- 
 ting famous of late for large families — and he will want 
 more — •" 
 
 Whetstone (interrupting) : "How many children have you, 
 Uncle Zeke?" 
 
 Swartz : "That's no matter — I've got ten, it's true, but 
 they don't haveto 'pend on charity for a Uvin\" 
 
 Chair: "You move, Bro. Swartz, do you, to lay the motion 
 on the table?" 
 
 Swartz: "Yes, sir, and let it stay there." 
 
 Tinhorn: "I second that motion with all my heart." 
 
 Spotts : "Me, too." 
 
 The motion was put, and was carried, Swartz, Tinhorn, 
 Spotts and Starkey voting for it ; Whetstone and Raile}-^ vot- 
 ing against. The salary was soon fixed — same as the jj^ear 
 before, $650, with a few remarks to the eff'ect that if any 
 amount was collected in excess it should be handed over to 
 
 170 
 
The "Call" to Preach. 
 
 the preacher in charge. The pastor was called in and in- 
 formed by "J. P." of the decree of the council. The brave 
 circuit rider deported himself as well as a good man could in 
 the adverse circumstances. He thanked them for what they 
 had done in good voice, attended by one of those feeble, 
 fluctuating smiles that often appear on occasions of disap- 
 pointment, and invited one and all out to dinner. Sister 
 Trotter had worked and worried. Her dinner was superb — 
 rich, rare and racy. The bread was brown on top, with a 
 thin, delicate crust at the bottom. The rice grains were 
 cooked whole, and thoroughly done. The roast was tender 
 and juicy, the ham had been boiled just enough, the cutlets 
 were stewed well down and nicely seasoned, the macaroni pie 
 was most savory, the coffee of a rich amber without a dreg, 
 the Irish potato salad, sliced sweet potatoes after being baked, 
 stewed in sugar and butter, and condiments in pickles and 
 catsup, stood all around, greatly encouraging the appetite. 
 Oh! it was a dinner, and no one enjoyed the "persumptuous" 
 meal more than did old Uncle Zeke Swartz. 
 
 When the Rev. Thos. Trotter sat alone in his study by the 
 blazing fire late in the afternoon, after the stewards had all 
 departed for their homes, he gave himself up to moments of 
 melancholy reflections, natural to mortals of keen sensibilities 
 whose hopes have been frustrated and whose praiseworthy 
 plans could not be executed. Trotter was a disappointed 
 man. He was anxious for an increase of salary that he might 
 be able to accomphsh two things — first, by strict economy, 
 plus the yield of the three-acre patch, to send his seventeen- 
 year-old boy, an ambitious lad who had jut finished the ninth 
 grade in the village school, to college; second, to gratify tlie 
 wishes and fulfill the conditional promise to Lila May, his 
 oldest daughter, in purchasing for her a piano on an easy 
 installment plan. These cherished hopes had all been scat- 
 
 171 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 tared to the winds by the disastrous speech of Bro. Swartz 
 and the vote of the Board of Stewards, and Clarence, the boy 
 must stay at home, and Lila May must do without the piano. 
 There is nothing that so saddens a parent's heart as to be con- 
 strained to disappoint the high hopes and commendable plans 
 of his children. The shock of personal grievances can be 
 withstood, personal disappointments can be easily borne, but 
 it is hard to be compelled to darken the way of the bright and 
 joyous expectations and thwart the praiseworthy designs and 
 the laudable aspirations of the young. It hurts away down 
 near the heart — and so that dreary evening in January, after 
 the stewards had gone, as Trotter reflected, and mused, and 
 looked into the blazing fire, all alone in his study, he could 
 not restrain the silent tear from falling as he thought of the 
 now vanished piano for Lila May, and Clarence's poor pros- 
 pects of entering college — both of which had been the talk of 
 the family fireside for many days past. This was not the 
 first hard stroke Trotter had received since he entered the min- 
 istry in obedience to the "call," with a clear conscience and 
 godly purpose. He had, without a murmur or word of com- 
 plaint, drank the cup of financial embarrassment and humilia- 
 tion to the dregs. On a certain circuit of the same faith and 
 order as the Punkeyton he had once to don his old brown, 
 three-year-old faded coat .and borrow $25 from a Presbyterian 
 brother with which to meet his brethren and defray his 
 expenses at Conference. On another circuit of the same 
 grade and godliness as the Punkeyton, he had to send his 
 report and Conference collections by the hands of a steward 
 delegate because he was not able to pay his own expenses. 
 He could not borrow — tried and failed. That charge still 
 owes him over $100 and interest for several years. The fear- 
 ful deficit will likely continue to increase until the great judg- 
 ment day. 
 
 Another true incident — trifling in itself, yet it bespeaks of 
 a poverty persecution inflicted on a faithful itinerant of which 
 
 172 
 
The "Call" to Preach. 
 
 the world never heard before. A lovely little child had died 
 in Trotter's home. A leading steward called to see the child 
 and afflicted family just a moment or two after the precious 
 one left this world of sorrow. Its eyes would not remain 
 closed, "Put a gold coin or silver piece on the lids," said the 
 steward. There was no gold coin in that parsonage, nor had 
 there been one in a long time; neither was there a piece of 
 silver. A brass penny, a dull, copper one-cent, was all that 
 Trotter had on hand — and the leading steward worth $20,000 
 or more, stood by with equanimity and permitted it to be 
 placed there — the one-cent piece of brass — to keep closed the 
 eyelid of the lifeless child ! It was, I've thought, one of the 
 dreariest and saddest instances of extreme poverty that had 
 ever occurred in the history of the South Carolina Confer- 
 ence. 
 
 VI. 
 
 But the laudable ambition of the seventeen-year-old Clar- 
 ences and the reasonable wants and demands of the musical 
 Lila Mays must be attended to. Should they not.'' Should 
 they not their commendable aspirations be encouraged — and 
 ways and means provided to train, educate, to embellish, that 
 they might keep abreast with enlightened progi'cssivcncss. 
 But how.'' If not by sacred means — if that prove insufficient 
 — money and means accruing from a sacred calling, why not 
 resort to secular means to a reasonable and righteous extent.'* 
 A college education of a promising boy is sacred business, and 
 the musical training and the piano for the girl — if she have 
 talent — is not that sacred business, too.? "Let us hold fast to 
 the faith," says a pious exhorter — and I'm glad we have pious 
 exhorters — "let us hold fast to the faith, walk wortliy of our 
 high vocation and avoid secularity." Amen ! But a seculax'- 
 ity that gives a Christian education to a boy and refines and 
 enlightens a promising daughter, does not that secularity be- 
 come almost as sacred as an altar? Is not that showing piety 
 at home? "Providence will provide," says the same pious 
 
 173 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 exhorter. Yes, indeed, but the bigotry, narrow-mindedness 
 and penuriousness engrafted into such responsible souls as 
 J. P. Huckster, Zeke Swartz and Sister Sophronia Starkey 
 form a combination wherever it unfortunately exists, suffi- 
 ciently for a time at least, to defeat as beneficent designs of 
 a kind Providence as ever rose with a morning sun ! You 
 don't have to go far, nor search diligently, in some sections 
 to find the conspicuous conditions of a growing secularity 
 in the South Carolina Conference. I fear it is gaining 
 ground, or rather, the necessity back of it that compels. It 
 is the demand that drives. Not long since a fellow-minister, 
 needing more cash to provide for his own, told me how suc- 
 cessful he had been in buying acres and selling again at a 
 profit— realizing as much by the transaction as his one year's 
 "ministerial support." Another preacher preached on Sun- 
 day about the treasures in heaven, and bought town lots on 
 Monday. Sold the lots at a big profit to educate his sons. 
 I was making inquiries the other day of a friend who travels 
 about, concerning the health and habits of a fellow-minister 
 who occupied a small station in his town, and he said the 
 preacher was doing well, was having revival meetings, con- 
 ducted by a traveling evangelist of course, that he liked the 
 climate and the people, but the salary was not sufficient, and 
 the preacher was going around as agent for an insurance 
 company to help support himself and family. Another good 
 preacher not only preaches the faith once delivered and edifies 
 believers, but becomes an expert designer of houses and homes, 
 and lets himself out to the public as an architect and makes 
 money. Another reverend gentleman, with a family of seven, 
 whose parishioners promise $700, manipulates skillfully the 
 keys of pianos and blows music into B flat comets, and teaches 
 instrumental music by the hour or session, thus materially 
 adding to his income. One preacher becomes inventive and 
 discovers a new and pious way to catch a rat, and knows how 
 to make a horse bridle without buckles — patent applied for. 
 
 174 
 
The "Call" to Preach. 
 
 Another good, gentle man, who lives under a conviction that 
 he was called to preach the glorious Gospel, obtains the posses- 
 sion of a woolly horse — a meek looking sorrel with hair long 
 and soft like wool, and I am told on good authority tiiat he 
 exhibited the woolly animal behind canvas for ten cents a 
 show. He doubtless needed the surplus shekels accruing from 
 the horse show with which to buy bread and books. 
 
 It is a sad sight to see, yet a sight that has been seen : An 
 elderly and rather dignified preacher ministering at the altar 
 of the church — administering the Sacrament, or talking to 
 "mourners" on Sundays, and going around the following 
 week among his parishioners, driving a poor horse, visiting 
 from house to house, having prayers and selling an old patent 
 chum, or coffee pot, for the sake of small profits — done to 
 keep the wolf from the door. 
 
 This necessity should by all means be avoided, especially by 
 prosperous Christian communities — this land selling, woolly 
 horse, coff^ee pot and patent churn business — to supplement 
 the preacher's salary and support. No preacher can make 
 ful proof of his ministry and have a seat in the market place 
 and indulge in trade and traffic. No prophet can well bear 
 the burden of souls and be zealous in pulling down the strong- 
 holds of Satan when he always must need be looking around 
 for an extra job in order to secure comforts for his home and 
 "rations" for his pot. 
 
 VII. 
 
 What are the legitimate expenses of a traveling preacher in 
 the South Carolina Conference, or, for that matter, in the 
 Alabama, or Georgia Conferences, whose family equals that 
 of the Rev. Thos. Trotter's in number, expectations and 
 aspirations.? What should be the reasonable and righteous 
 sum for salary assessed by a broad-minded and godly Board 
 of Stewards to defray the necessary expenses of six children 
 from four to seventeen years of age — all bright, live crea- 
 tures, and two enlightened adults who are obligated to serve 
 
 176 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 the Lord and obey His commandments in spreading Scrip- 
 tural holiness over the land? Let us cogitate and consult 
 together without exaggeration concerning the contribution to 
 the saints, and introduce a comparison in expenditure that 
 shows the sense of appreciation and the general religious drift 
 among a dear people who are on their way to Canaan's happy 
 land. 
 
 It is surprising to know how liberally our people as a gen- 
 eral rule contribute to useless things, unnecessary luxuries and 
 extraneous measures, which neither confer grace nor glory. 
 I have no inclination to wage a war against tobacco and 
 tobacco users, but let us put down the expenses incurred by 
 this extravagance, together with the amount expended for 
 other narcotics by the average well-to-do congregation of 
 believers. Take, for instance, the Punkeyton Circuit, assessed 
 $650.00 for the support of the preacher in charge. There 
 are, say, 460 members — that is nearly the average member- 
 ship of a pastoral charge — 460 members. It would be safe 
 to say there are 200 males. Of that number there are about 
 80 from 14 to 60 years of age. Of that number — and this 
 remark is based on close observation — there are fully 50 who 
 use tobacco in cigarette, in pipe, in five-cent cigars and in 
 downright chewing. The whiskey bill, I am sorry to state, 
 continues to be a considerable item of expense in congrega- 
 tions of Christians generally. There is a small per cent, of 
 our people, here and there, who use whiskey more than for 
 necessary purposes. I've been North, East and West, and I 
 am now living in the Southern section of our beloved State, 
 and I declare that much intoxicating liquors in "wet" places 
 and "dry" are sold and bought for beverage. We have a 
 more temperate people than we had years ago ; we have less 
 drunkenness than fonnerly, but still the old dram cup is 
 passed around — "fuss" X at the cross-roads and palatable 
 punch in the halls of society — and it will ever, it seems, be a 
 menacing evil. Once, not long ago, I lived in a "dry town" 
 
 176 
 
The "Call" to Preach. 
 
 — a very dry town — and I was glad I did live, move and have 
 my being in that same dry town. A fearful situation was 
 revealed when, on one occasion, Saturday, I visited the express 
 office of the "dry" town. I noticed all sorts and sizes of jugs 
 and demijohns there, from distilleries and liquor houses, from 
 the Old North State or other States. I notice they, the jugs 
 and demijohns, all belonged to the different denominations. 
 There stood the Presbyterian demijohn, and right near its 
 brother was the big mouth broAvn jug of the Baptist persua- 
 sion, and over against the Baptist brown jug was a large 
 chosen vessel of a Methodist. I departed from the express 
 office, after seeing and knowing, filled with troubled thoughts 
 of the trend and tendency of denominationalism in South 
 Carolina. 
 
 Well, even away back on the Punkeyton Circuit, as every- 
 body knows, the whiskey bill is no small item of expense among 
 the people who use it. To the liquor and tobacco bills I 
 might add the snufF and morphine outlay. Wherever you 
 may be, on land or on the sea, you will find some one who "eats 
 morphine." Sometimes it is a quiet, drowsy, old, pale female, 
 sitting in the chimney comer of a village or country home, 
 with a bottle of opiate "handy," and the poor old creature will 
 have devoured pecks of it before her departure to the other 
 world. SnufF is in demand in places. Go to any up-country 
 town, especially if there are cotton mills around, and in most 
 of the town groceries, and in all the mill stores, you will find 
 cart-loads of snufF — and how, with their little sticks in their 
 mouths they snufF and snufF, all the day long! 
 
 I will not comment longer on the sad story, but with a view 
 of a general average, below are about the facts and figures of 
 the Punkeyton Circuit — 460 strong: 
 
 Fifty, with pipe, cigar, cigarette, or "chawin'," 
 4 to 6V2 cents per diem, say 5 cents, per year, 
 at least $ 912 50 
 
 1T7 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 The whiskey bill — not including medical and "cam- 
 fire liquor" expenses $ 150 00 
 
 Morphine eating and snuff snuffling (low estimate) 50 00 
 
 Total, in pipe, jug, snuff box and morphine 
 
 bottle $1,112 50 
 
 But, to the question : What are the reasonable expenses of 
 a preacher and family in the South Carolina Conference of 
 this day and time, and what should the assessment be? Let 
 us see, and be fair with figures and honest with facts. Let us 
 take that same family of Ti'otters, eight in all. Let them 
 live decently and in order, and let them be kept free from 
 embarrassment in bed, board and clothing. Let it be under- 
 stood that Trotter must stay on his work all the year long, 
 and bear the burden and heat of the day. No mountain trip 
 for Trotter, no excursions — nothing will be allowed for extra 
 refreshment and recreation. Trotter must keep healthy and 
 hearty. The drug store bills, plasters and panaceas are not 
 included in the bill of items mentioned further on. Mrs. 
 Trotter must hold her own and avoid sanitariums and hos- 
 pitals, as medical and infirmary fees are not thought of in the 
 account. Trotter is presumed not to pay any fees to society, 
 such as are growing now in conspicuousness as the "Sons of 
 Confucius," or "Cavaliers of Bengal." It is also presumed 
 that he pays nothing for life insurance, and belongs to no 
 life insurance organization. No one will object to him pay- 
 ing towards the benevolent collections of the Church. It 
 would be cruel to deprive him of that great pleasure, and $20 
 is placed in the account. The board bill includes of course the 
 cost of entertaining visitors — fellow preachers assisting in 
 protracted meetings, the appreciated visits of the Presiding 
 Elder, college agents, etc. : 
 Board and table expenses — including cow expenses . $ 480 00 
 
 Clothing — the three smaller children 20 00 
 
 Clothing — the three larger children 40 00 
 
 178 
 
The "Call" to Preach. 
 
 Clothing — for the two parent-Trotters $ 50 00 
 
 One cook — services and board 96 00 
 
 Washing — $2.00 per month 24 00 
 
 Ironing 12 00 
 
 Extra laundry work 12 00 
 
 Keeping a valuable horse in good condition 75 00 
 
 Shoeing that horse 6 00 
 
 Buggy repairs and oil 4 00 
 
 Harness repairs 3 00 
 
 District and Annual Conference expenses 15 00 
 
 District Institute expenses 2 00 
 
 Books and periodicals 6 00 
 
 Fuel and lights 40 00 
 
 School expenses — supplementary to public school 
 
 fund 15 00 
 
 ]\Iusic — tuition 10 00 
 
 School books, pads, pencils, etc 10 00 
 
 Stationery, stamps, etc 4 00 
 
 Taxes on one cow, one horse, one watch and poll ... 3 00 
 
 Benevolent collection contribution 20 00 
 
 Total $ 947 00 
 
 If he is moved, add 25 00 
 
 If he sends the 17-year-old lad to college, take price 
 
 of home board from $250.00 190 00 
 
 Grand total $1,162 00 
 
 Income : 
 
 Let us grant him $ 800 00 
 
 Marriage fees (about) 30 00 
 
 Garden and patch 40 00 
 
 "Pounding" — few, irregular, mostly uncertain ... 30 00 
 
 Total $ 900 00 
 
 179 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 There is a balance on the wrong side here of $262.00, 
 which places the Circuit Rider in debt so as to embarrass him 
 and others. A second year of such a deficit and expenditure 
 would drive him to the wall, and it would only be a question 
 of time when he would be obliged to quit the Conference and 
 surrender his credentials — if he continued to thus live beyond 
 his income. But the average itinerant preacher like Trotter 
 "foreseeth the evil and hideth himself" — and lives within his 
 salary limitations. How is it done.'' By strictest economy, 
 wise financiering in dimes and nickels, and by self-denial. 
 The cook is dismissed, or not hired at all, and the wife does the 
 cooking, scouring and dish washing. Trotter, with the 
 assistance of the children, cuts the stove wood, minds off the 
 calf and becomes a general "hewer of wood and drawer of 
 water." The book and periodical bill is cut down to one or 
 two dollars. A washing machine is introduced and Trotter 
 turns the crank — thus saving quite a sum. Most of the 
 clothing is darned and redarned, patch and repatched — an- 
 other item to be discounted. Trotter's regulation pulpit and 
 Conference coat, now in its fourth year, has been binished and 
 brushed, and to keep it fresh looking and active in the service, 
 chemicals have been applied to it so copiously and so fre- 
 quently that on a calm, damp morning. Trotter, with that 
 coat on, has been known to smell like an old ammonia bottle. 
 Closest, severest attention must constantly be paid to table 
 expenses. When the old cow goes dry there is a dearth of 
 deserts and dainties, and when she "comes in" again the event 
 is hailed with delight by all the parsonage family. The fare 
 generally must consist of a diet noted for its inexpensiveness : 
 grits and gravy. Of course there are attendant circum- 
 stances of bread, bacon and vegetables in vegetable time, but 
 the main substantial and regular fare must be grits and 
 gravy. All can get so they like grits and gravy. Appetite 
 is the best sauce. After drawing the water, cutting the wood, 
 digging the patch and minding off the calf. Trotter is glad 
 
 180 
 
The ''Call" to Preach. 
 
 to say grace over his grits and gravy, the wee Trotters become 
 fond of 'em and, doubtless, early conclude that the principal 
 food of all the earth consists of grits and gravy. 
 
 So by working with "both hands earnestly" along lines of 
 strictest economy the Circuit Rider allowed $800.00 can get 
 down and live within his income, and may be, have enough at 
 the end of the year to defray his expenses and pay his "grits 
 and gravy" bill until the fii'st Quarterly Conference of an- 
 other year arrives. There are, according to the Minutes of 
 1896, only ten circuits in the South Carolina Conference 
 which pay for the support of preacher and family $1,000 to 
 $1,100 a year. There are thirteen circuits which pay from 
 $800 to $850 a year. There are scores and scores of others 
 which fall way below those figures. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 Not as the angels do, but as many mortals here below look 
 upon it, the termination of the average Circuit Rider's faith- 
 ful itineracy in death has in it a peculiar pathos, not so con- 
 spicuous in the closing scenes of other earthly careers. Often 
 there is nothing in his exit from the stage of action to attract 
 attention of the world of business around him, or disturb m 
 the least the ceaseless hum of trade. The bulletins of his 
 dying moments are not wired over the land to be eagerly read 
 by anxious and surging crowds. The world's wild tramp 
 doesn't stop to take notice of an humble preacher passing 
 away, and few only are for a moment arrested by the sad 
 notes of his funeral bell. The banks have lost no depositor, 
 the lawyer no client. The State has lost no important tax- 
 payer, politics no partisan. There is no large estate for the 
 administrator to settle, no claims of heirs to adjudicate. I 
 have seen on a table in a rear room at Conference most of 
 his earthly possessions: a few books— the dead preacher's 
 library left to be sold at about half-price for the benefit of 
 the widow and orphan child. I have seen his grave away back 
 
 181 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 amidst the wild wood in a quiet country churchyard. A sim- 
 ple marble slab, worn and weather beaten, shows where the 
 hero lies interred. He at last found a resting place in a 
 strange ground whose memorial stones around him bear no 
 kindred name. He gave to the world all he had, his time, 
 talent, his life, and, in a commercial sense, with everything 
 lost, and nothing gained. No landed estate does he own, no 
 place on earth could be called his home. Perhaps his plans 
 and purposes during life have often been thwarted, the frui- 
 tion of the heart's longings, denied him, but sore and weary 
 he toiled on from year to year because he felt that God hast 
 called him and bade him go. His struggles against want and 
 chill penury have been long and severe from early manhood to 
 the very last hour of earth's existence. His troubles and bur- 
 dens have often been the most trying, his silent tears the 
 saddest. But at his post he fell ; all hardships and trials are 
 over, and he has found a place at last. I recall the end of 
 one whose career was a brief one in our Conference, whose 
 name doubtless by many has been forgotten, but who had 
 that sublime courage and Christian zeal so clearly marked in 
 the character of the martyred heroes of old. I refer to Lucius 
 Bellinger, whom, personally, I did not know. He was moved 
 by the Conference during a bleak season in midwinter from 
 Orangeburg County to Sampit, in Georgetown. He was 
 taken ill upon his arrival to his new field of labor, and, after 
 a short, painful illness, the brave itinerant preacher was 
 called up higher. A Hebrew physician, Dr. M. S. Iseman, 
 whose name should be held in grateful remembrance, attended 
 the preacher during his dying moments and thus records the 
 incident and the closing scene : 
 
 "I saw my patient for the first time as he lay prone upon 
 his bed, tossing with pain and delirium ; neither suffering nor 
 the ravages of a mortal disease could mar the benign expres- 
 sion of striking dignity of a face cast in such kingly mould. 
 
 "At brief intervals a gleam of returning consciousness 
 
 182 
 
The "Call" to Preach. 
 
 would enable him to recognize those at his bedside. Even at 
 this moment I can recall the smile, the charming manners, and, 
 above all, the cheerful play of sunlight illumining his features 
 during those flitting moments of lucidity. 
 
 "He would open those large, bright blue eyes of his — a 
 soft, melting blue — beaming with kindness and boundless love, 
 answer a few questions intelligently, never failing as oft as 
 he recognized me to inquire after his old friend and com- 
 panion. Brother Stokes, whom he knew lay ill at Georgetown. 
 All through his brief illness, he was still the watchman on the 
 heights, the shepherd calling to his flock ; as he lived so would 
 he die, with the name and battlecry of his Master upon his 
 lips. 
 
 "Alas, the transition was rapid. The day before he 
 passed away I knew the fair-haired Levite had sung his last 
 canticle before his earthly altar, and when next he would 
 swing the golden censer, it would be in that temple where the 
 Urim and Thummim dim not upon the breastplate of the 
 faithful and the light burns before the mercy-seat forever." 
 
 The Michigan Christian Advocate published a few years 
 ago the following lines, written by the wife of an itinerant 
 preacher : 
 
 "A place of my own at last!" he said. 
 As he stretched his limbs in his dying bed. 
 Then his smile grew strangely sweet and bright, 
 And his eye lit up with a heavenly light. 
 
 "Just a little place, six feet by two, 
 Is all that I need with my travel's trough ; 
 To the world my grave in flowers will smile 
 As my dust returns imto dust the while. 
 
 "Body and spirit I am content — 
 The way now shines where my Master went ; 
 Hardships forever gone with the past, 
 A city appointment hails me at last !" 
 
 183 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Ideas and Items. 
 
 From debt, dirt and the devil, good Lord deliver us. 
 
 * * * 
 
 What is a crank? 
 
 One of God Almighty's instruments out of tune and 
 cracked. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Insurance Agent (to widow) : "I will send you a check for 
 the $5,000 insurance on your late husband." 
 
 Widow : "Ah, if my poor husband had only lived to see this 
 day ."' 
 
 Two colored brethren overheard on the subject of prayer — 
 Joe : "Say, Bro. Sam, what am de best way ter pray ; wid 
 your eyes open or shot?" 
 
 Sam: "Wid my eyes shot, ob course, from de world, ole 
 self, everything. Why ; how does you pray ?" 
 
 Joe : "I prays wid my eyes open ; kase de Scriptur' say you 
 must watch while you pray." 
 
 * * 5^ 
 
 Sister Trepan: "I'll say this, I am just a poor old sinner. 
 I do many things I oughtn't to, so I do; I am a poor sinner 
 —but—" 
 
 A Neighbor : "That's what I have heard ; I am told that at 
 times you are rather obstreperous — " 
 
 Sister Trepan : "Look here, when you come to the real facts 
 I'm as good as you or anybody else, and whoever says I am 
 s'treperous, and such like, tells what's not so, and I'm right 
 here to tell ye!" 
 
 Moral — It won't do to tell some people their faults or 
 point out their follies. If you desire peace, let them confess 
 their own sins. 
 
 184 
 
Ideas and Items. 
 
 The following will readily, generally, keep our dear lay- 
 men, who were elected delegates, from attending the District 
 Conference of their Church : 
 
 1. A sick mule. 
 
 2. Showers, in potato-slip time. 
 
 3. The building of a new kitchen, dining-room, or pasture 
 fence. 
 
 4. A coroner's inquest in the neighborhood. 
 
 5. The Circuit Court, to convene a week after the Confer- 
 ence, where they are to serve as jurors. Therefore, they say, 
 "Please have me excused." 
 
 * * * 
 
 Don't scenes shift in a startling way in this dear old chang- 
 ing world.'' 
 
 Little Girl (playing) : "Oh, my doll, my dolly — hit's name 
 is Susie. Sit in yo' 'ittle chair and let me sing to 'oo." 
 (Sings.) 
 
 Same Girl, twelve years after (not playing). Time, mid- 
 night: "Jim, you just get right out of that bed and go for 
 the doctor. I've been holding this brat in my arms half the 
 night, and every time I sit down he bawls and bawls — and 
 vou over there in bed a-snoring and a-snoring. Go for the 
 doctor, I say, Jim.' (Weeps.) 
 
 * * * 
 
 Senator Tillman tells of an old darky in his employ that he 
 once permitted to make use of certain land for farming pur- 
 poses on condition that the darkey should give to the Senator 
 one-fourth of the crop raised. 
 
 At the harvesting of the crop the Senator was amazed to 
 find that the darky had not kept his part of the agreement, 
 for, while he hauled away three w^gon loads of produce, he 
 had not sent a single one to the Senator's barn. Tillman 
 called the negro's attention to the fact that he had taken the 
 entire crop, asking: 
 
 185 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 "Now, how's that, Zeh? Wasn't I to receive a fourth of 
 the crop?" 
 
 "You was, Massa Tillman, you was," excitedly exclaimed 
 the darky, "but dere's only three loads, sah, only three loads." 
 
 * * * 
 
 The day after the battle of Manassas Jackson's pastor, 
 the Rev. Dr. White, was standing in front of the postoffice in 
 Lexington, anxiously awaiting the opening of the mail. A 
 letter was handed to him. As soon as this was done he recog- 
 nized Jackson's handwriting, and exclaimed to the expectant 
 group around him : "Now we shall know all about the facts." 
 He opened it and read: 
 
 " 'My Dear Pastor: In my tent last night, after a fatigu- 
 ing day's service, I remembered that I had failed to send you 
 my contribution for our colored Sunday school. Inclosed you 
 will find my check for that object, which please acknowledge 
 at your earliest convenience, and oblige. 
 
 " 'Yours faithfully, T. J. Jackson.' 
 
 » »» 
 
 * * * 
 
 Apphcation warranted by facts: "Who hath woe? Who 
 hath sorrow? Who hath contentions? Who hath babbling? 
 Who hath wounds without a cause? Who hath redness of 
 eyes?" They that tarry long at "the bucket shops," they 
 that seek fortunes in cotton futures. 
 
 Compensation. — I have seen an old married man, worth 
 thousands, without an heir; I have seen a married man with- 
 out lands, and "no cottage in the wilderness," who had 'em in 
 abundance. Which is the richer? Which of the two has the 
 greater fortune? 
 
 ^ ^ 
 
 "A man kin forgit his manners an' git along foh awhile," 
 said Uncle Eben, "but de fust' t'ing he knows he gits so 
 
 186 
 
Ideas and Items. 
 
 liaughty he neglects to bow to de inevitable, an' den he's in 
 trouble sho' nufF." — Sel. 
 
 Where shall the next District Conference be held? Where 
 arc the District Conferences being held this year? In the 
 small towns and villages mostly. They are more appreciated 
 there and congregations are larger. Avoid the big towns, 
 and the big churches in the big towns. They will freeze out 
 your District Conferences, I have seen it ti-ied. The aver- 
 age District Conference, you know, for blaze, show and excite- 
 ment, can't compete with the carnival exhibits and the thrilling 
 theatrical displays. Then again, there is the push of busi- 
 ness and the superior wisdom of some city people. Go, there- 
 fore, to the country — meet in some quiet village. 
 
 The steamer was sinking, and a stout German, seizing a life 
 preserver which some one had thrown aside, stood, with limbs 
 apart and distended cheeks, blowing with all his might to 
 inflate it. One of the officers passing by said: "You can't 
 blow that thing up ; it has a hole in it." "Ish dot so," said 
 the Teuton, "den I petter keeps my vind in me, ain't it.?" 
 
 O negligent good housekeeper, do pardon me, I write for 
 your good, and I write, too, because I've suffered. In the 
 days that' are gone I have slept on a hot summer's Sunday in 
 the church building all the night long. The village reposed 
 around me, but there were two or three feather beds in "shed 
 rooms" with which I was acquainted, and I knew if I accepted 
 kind invitations into one or the other I'd land — so I begged 
 off and slumbered in the house of the Lord, with the amen 
 corner bench for my sleeping couch and the big pulpit Bible 
 for my pillow, 
 
 "W,," said Dr. C. once in a nice room where we were to 
 
 187 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 lodge together after a weary day ; "W.," said he, feehng of 
 the bed, "there is something wrong here — with the bed." 
 W. — "No, it is clean ; the sheets are snowy white." 
 C. — "What's wrong, then — I — I — smell a — a — " 
 W.-^"New feathers, sir, and they have not been properly 
 dried and aired." 
 
 C. — "Good gracious, man ! What shall we do ! It will 
 never do, not to use the bed." 
 
 W. — "No, never. You use the bed and I'll to the floor. 
 And you will do fairly well if you are still. The least move- 
 ment of arms, head or foot will create unpleasant odors." 
 
 Lying perfectly straight, with white sheets tucked close 
 around him, the doctor, I thought, presented a peculiar pic- 
 aure. He was perfectly still, however, and soon went off into 
 a troubled series of snorts and snorings. I remember it well 
 — there lay the divine, asleep in atmospheric conditions most 
 distressing. 
 
 A corpse came up on the Seaboard last night to be shipped 
 on over the Southern. The transfer people had a new negro 
 driver in charge. There was loaded on his wagon a crate of 
 hounds, besides the corpse, but the negro failed to make any 
 mental note of the hounds, so engrossed was he with his grue- 
 some freight. 
 
 With all his nerves tingling, he drove on until he got 
 between Eleventh and Twelfth streets. Here the dogs began 
 whining, but the negro had forgotten that he had any dogs 
 along, and attributed the pitiful bescreechments to the dead 
 man. "Whoa!" he cried, instinctively, leaped from the 
 wagon and tore it up to the Seaboard depot. 
 
 The transfer people got messages as to where the horses 
 had halted. They thought that the dead man had slid from 
 his conveyance or that the wagon had bogged or the team 
 balked. So they sent to the depot to inquire of the negro, 
 
 188 
 
Ideas and Items. 
 
 but, "Lawd," said he, "how c'n you cxpec' me to keep on 
 drivin' a whinin' daid man ?" 
 
 The driver was not impervious to reason, however, and when 
 he was convinced that the hounds, and not the dead man, had 
 done the whining, he chmbed to his perch again and made in 
 safety his terminus at the Southern. — Charlotte Observer. 
 
 * * * 
 
 It has been remarked as a serious fact of science that a per- 
 son cannot feel pain in two different places at the same time. 
 To be sure, there are people who maintain that the place some- 
 times covers the entire body, but that does not interfere with 
 the general theory. 
 
 A certain dentist, whose name and address are not given, 
 is a staunch adherent of this theory, and has once or twice 
 sought to demonstrate the truth of it by jabbing his patients 
 in the arm or leg with a heavy needle just as he extracts the 
 offending tooth. One day he got hold of a particularly stub- 
 bom tooth, which gave him no end of trouble. 
 
 "Here it comes at last," he exclaimed, as he felt it yielding, 
 and at the same time he plunged his needle into the patient's 
 
 "There," he said triumphantly, as he held up the forceps, 
 with the tooth securely wedged, "we've got it, you see !" 
 
 "Yes, I see," replied the victim, ruefully. "I knew it was 
 a big one, and I was afraid it would come hard, but I never 
 supposed the roots went so far down as this," and he rubbed 
 the spot on his leg, where the doctor had jabbed him, with a 
 look that was partly awe and partly proud. — Youth's Com- 
 panion. 
 
 * * * 
 
 The truth told in pecuHar circumstances: Considerable 
 amusement was created on Wednesday by a posted advertise- 
 ment. Just outside the temporary office of a dentist the fol- 
 lowing notice in lai'ge letters was posted against the wall : 
 
 189 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 "Dr. G. R. Harding, 
 
 The Painless Tooth Extractor 
 
 is Now Here. 
 
 Come in." 
 
 By pure accident the dentist had pasted his notice over the 
 upper part of one of the bills — "The Lonely Widow" — which 
 appeared recently in the opera house, and immediately below 
 the dentist's announcement was the following conspicuous let- 
 ters : "One Solid Scream from Start to Finish." — Newberry 
 Observer. 
 
 * * * 
 
 In the old home — in the low country — there are the sad, 
 dreamy eyes of the picture on the parlor wall. It is that of 
 the little boy that died some years ago. The story is told. 
 He played the day before he died all the morning, was taken 
 suddenly ill, and, whispering, "Mama, mama," passed away. 
 
 Or it is that of the little girl, the pet of the home, just 10 
 or 11 years, meek, and in disposition as sweet and lovely as 
 the violets and lillies she loved to gather and twine in bouquets 
 with her tiny hands. "Sister," says the young brother, "used 
 to go after the cows with me every evening, but I have to go 
 by myself now. Sister — she is gone." All of her playthings 
 are carefully placed away, and there is attached to them the 
 most sacred sentiment of a mother's heart. The toys, the 
 dolls, with the now faded dress she made before she was taken 
 ill of a fever — all kept to themselves. At times in the morn- 
 ing hours, while the "hands" are plowing and singing nearby 
 in the fields, and the husband is engaged in business cares, and 
 all the world is seeking its own, this bereaved mother stops 
 often for awhile in her domestic work, and thinks of her 
 darling child who was taken from the old home a few years 
 ago. She creeps almost stealthily to the closet where the old 
 dolls and dresses and other sacred relics are hidden away, and 
 as she views them, hot fresh tears steal down her cheeks : "O 
 God!" she exclaims, "why didst thou take my child from me?" 
 
 190 
 
Ideas and Items. 
 
 These old homes are here and there in this woodland today. 
 
 And the shadows and sorrows are there. 
 
 And the picture that hangs on the wall. 
 
 And the little empty chair, and playthings in the closet. 
 
 Thank God for the consolation of the glorious Gospel. Let 
 us journey cheerfully on to that other home where there is no 
 more sorrow, "And God shall wipe away all tears from their 
 
 eyes." 
 
 * * * 
 
 The public highway in Berkeley and Orangeburg in places 
 is a delight to a good horse. Maude seems pleased, and makes 
 it readily nine miles in an hour. The recent rains have packed 
 the sand, making private travel so much more satisfactory 
 and comfortable. The tall pines standing here and there, 
 gracefully, hard by the roadside, and often the road running 
 through quite a forest, as yet untouched by the woodman, and 
 unscarred by the turpentine seeker, are positively conducive 
 to helpful thinking and soothing of the spirits of the traveler. 
 I've often somehow been stimulated in feeling or enchanted 
 with hope of future pleasing prospects in driving through 
 forest of the tall pines. May be there is a subtle music in 
 these mighty silent shades which the soul instinctively recog- 
 nizes and appropriates. * * * 
 
 * * *• 
 
 A father, fearing an earthquake in the region of his home, 
 sent his two boys to a distant friend until the peril should be 
 over. A few weeks after, the father received this letter from 
 his friend: "Please take your boys home and send down the 
 
 earthquake." 
 
 * * * 
 
 It is said that John Wesley preached three hundred times 
 from the words, "Ye must be born again," and that when 
 asked why he preached from it so often, his answer was, 
 "Because ye must be born again." — Abbie C. Morrow. 
 
 191 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 Some modern Wesleyan prophets are ever on the watch for 
 something new, strange and pecuhar in the way of texts. 
 Possibly some South Carohna preacher last Sunday took for 
 his text, "And Abraham begat Isaac." 
 
 * -* j& 
 
 "Are you the defendant in this case.'"' asked the judge, 
 sharply. 
 
 "No, suh," answered the mild-eyed prisoner. "I has a law- 
 yer hired ter do de defendin'. I's de man dat done stole de 
 
 ahticles." — Sel. 
 
 * * * 
 
 The following has been printed in many papers, and as it 
 is such an earnest petition and moving prayer, I will insert 
 here: A white minister was conducting religious services in a 
 colored church in North Carolina recently. After exhorting 
 a bit he asked an old colored deacon to lead in prayer, and, 
 according to the Roanoke News, this is the appeal which the 
 brother in black offered for his brother in white: 
 
 "O, Lord, gib him de eye ob de eagle, dat he spy out sin 
 afar off. Glue his hands to be Gospel plow. Tie his tongue 
 to de line ob truth. Nail his ear to de Gospel pole. Bow his 
 head way down between his knees and his knees way down in 
 some lonesome, dark and narror valley where prayer is much 
 wanted to be made. 'Noint him wid de.kersene ile of sal- 
 vashum and set him on fire." 
 
 * * * 
 
 In many sections of our happy land this past summer 
 there has been a great deal of malarial fever, and some typho- 
 malarial fever, but rarely did it assume the malignant type. 
 God has been merciful. Many families escaped entirely, and 
 many who were sick are convalescent. One of our popular 
 physicians has been quite ill, but he is improving, and is up 
 and doing. If I were asked to prescribe for him I would 
 say, "Doctor, let me see your tongue. Ah, slightly coated, 
 
 192 
 
Ideas and Items. 
 
 indicating biliousness and malaria. Here is your prescrip- 
 tion : two calomel tablets of one grain each, every two hours 
 until you have taken six. Five hours after the last dose, take 
 one heaping teaspoonful of castor oil, with four drops of 
 tui-pentine. Twelve hours after the last oil dose, take another 
 full teaspoonful of castor oil without the turpentine. The 
 most effective remedies, doctor, are the simplest. Castor oil is 
 the king of oils. There is nothing in the world more unpleas- 
 ant and nauseating to the mouth and palate as this same 
 castor oil, and nothing more agreeable to the internals of 
 man, nor more heartily and more enthusiastically welcomed in 
 their midst than oil, the old-time castor oil." If he'd take it 
 I'd cure him. 
 
 If people generally would swallow more oil there would be 
 less trouble in the land, and untimely deaths and bereavements, 
 and funerals. Appendicitis is a modem trouble of the flesh 
 that's encouraged because oil is not used. And it is almost 
 becoming fashionable to have a case of it. To be stretched 
 out on a long table in an operating room, to be made insensi- 
 ble by use of chloroform, and to have sharp-nosed, spectacled 
 doctors, with their imported knives of finest steel making 
 incisions, hunting for the appendix — I say it is getting too 
 common, and too commonly fatal. Whenever a fellow goes 
 to that operating room, and is placed upon that operating 
 table to be operated on for appendicitis, I look upon him as 
 being about nine-tenths dead. Many a poor patient has been 
 thus most skillfully operated on and most skillfully and scien- 
 tifically placed in his coffin. So, therefore, reader, whenever 
 you have a pain in the right side, go to taking oil. You may 
 have appendicitis, but take oil rather than steel. Everybody 
 has an appendix. Adam, I am fully persuaded, had it — but 
 the Lord has given us oil. 
 
 * * * 
 
 The current of past associations, habits, depravity of mind 
 bear the poor sinner on downward to ruin. In course of time 
 
 193 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 rescue from sin is rare. \ isitations from God are in vain. 
 Afflictions and sorrows fail to be means of liis redemption from 
 vice and the devil. 
 
 One calm spring day some years ago, I remember well, a 
 sweet motherless girl, hardly yet out of the teens, lay upon 
 the dying pillow. She had not many moments to live, she 
 knew, and confessed it, but such a cahuness of soul and 
 serenity of spirit I had never seen before. Her last words 
 to the sad group around her bedside were so tender and touch- 
 ing. She thanked the kind physician for his unremitting 
 attention during her long ilhiess and bade her weeping 
 friends around her couch a sad farewell. Then she turned 
 to her father, who sat tearful near her, and, with her pale 
 little hand in his, begged him to be a good man and meet her 
 and mamma in heaven, "won't you, papa?" 
 
 Everybody thought that the death of the daughter would 
 change the heart and life of the father, but the flowers had 
 hardly faded over her grave before he drifted into the ways 
 of sin again, to his wallowing in the mire. 
 
 * * * 
 
 Now and then a Methodist preacher, as we read in the 
 history of the Church, gets the mule in him somehow, attacks 
 authorities that be, kicks violently against imaginary 
 "tyranny," and after causing quite a stir and sensation with- 
 draws, or is excommunicated. Brother Alex. Kilham brought 
 about some excitement among the people called Methodists in 
 the year 1796. He issued pamphlets on "Progress of Lib- 
 erty" and another called "Methodistic Bull." He published 
 charges involving prominent brethren of the connection. 
 Some were accused of wasting the public money, "swindling," 
 and secrecy in business. They were accused by Brother Kil- 
 ham of "tyranny," "admitting preachers from selfish 
 motives," and "much of that sort of thing." His charges 
 against the preachers were pronounced "unproved and slan- 
 
 194 
 
Ideas and Items. 
 
 derous." He was adjudged "unworthy of being a iiRMiiber of 
 the Methodist connection," and his name was struck from the 
 rolh In the course of human events O'Kelly made a dash for 
 "liberty." He made a motion that a preacher discontented 
 with his appointment might appeal from the Bishop to the 
 Conference, and if the Conference sustain him, the Bishop 
 should give him another appointment. O'Kelly failed, of 
 course, to carry his point, and "he and his friends against 
 much entreaty withdrew from the Conference." 
 
 O'Kelly oi'ganized a sort of church, but the institution soon 
 collapsed. He clamored stoutly against "despotism" until 
 his death at ninety-two. Dr. Hyde, in his "Story of Meth- 
 odism," makes this short entry with reference to a small 
 schism in our own beloved Conference: "A smaller schism 
 apparently from only personal ambition was made by one 
 Hammett in Charleston. He was eloquent and popular, and 
 his followers built him in the city a very fine church. He 
 denounced Asbury and Coke as tyrants, but he made out no 
 case, and his church died with him." Hammett's voice against 
 "tyranny," O'Kelly's "clamors," and Kilham's "Bulls" all 
 came to nought. They each doubtless gloried in their oppo- 
 sition and imagined their strenuous efforts would stop the 
 march of a great Church, or seriously hinder her progress, 
 but the wonderful ecclesiastical system, born of heaven, has 
 made such wonderful strides as a Church of Christ that their 
 antagonism seem the more insignificant, and a charitable 
 oblivion has covered all their misdoings and misdeeds, save as 
 mere mention in the historical annals of Methodistic triumphs. 
 
 I believe in the baptism of children with all my heart. I 
 believe that fonn of dedication of the child to God accords 
 with the mind of the Master, that it is a most impressive cere- 
 mony, and will have a most salutary moral effect upon the 
 baptized child when he or she will have arrived at the years of 
 
 195 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 discretion. Some years ago, one morning I was earnestly 
 conversing, discussing, debating with an old man who had 
 never made a profession of religion, with reference to the 
 salvation of his soul. I urged upon him the duty — yea, the 
 necessity of confessing Christ before men and uniting with 
 God's people ere he go hence. I had the best of the argu- 
 ment, for all opposing theories and objections had been 
 silenced, but the old man would not give up and consent to 
 join the Church. "Don't you tliink," said I to the feeble 
 old gentleman, sitting in his chimney corner, full of his self- 
 righteousness, "don't you think you have a good, true, faith- 
 ful wife?" 
 
 He replied: "I don't think anything about it; I know I 
 have." 
 
 "Well," I rejoined, "she has made this profession I am urg- 
 ing you to make. She has confessed the Saviour you have 
 denied. You say she is true and good — and that she is. If 
 she would leave this old home tomorrow for some other place, 
 deeming it wise and best, you no doubt would follow her, would 
 you not.?" 
 
 "Old Man : "Yes, I beheve I would." 
 
 "Well," I answered, "she is on her way to the better world. 
 She has already made preparations. Will you not prepare 
 and follow on ?" (Silence.) "Again, were you baptized when 
 you were a baby in arms?" 
 
 Old Man: "Yes, sir." 
 
 "What did they do that for? What was their purpose?" 
 
 Old Man: "Well, it was custom." 
 
 "No," I replied, "not because it was merely custom, but 
 your parents were interested in the soul's training and salva- 
 tion of their child. They dedicated their baby to God with 
 heart's desire and earnest prayer that you might grow in 
 grace and favor with God, and become a confirmed Christian. 
 They did all they could with that end in view. And now will 
 you go back on their faith, their dedication, their prayers?" 
 
 196 
 
Ideas and Items. 
 
 The Spirit of the Lord was there in that home by that fire- 
 side. The old man hesitated, but after awhile he stretched 
 out his bony hand to me, saying: "Here, sir, I wish to join 
 the Church. Help me become a Christian." I received him 
 in the Church then and there, and when I left him late in the 
 afternoon he was rejoicing and shaking hands with some of 
 his old servants, telling them that "their old master had made 
 a profession of religion" and he wanted "all to pray for 
 him." It was a beautiful scene. A few weeks after I 
 administered to him and the "time, good wife" the sacra- 
 ment, and less than a year he passed away — but he died 
 in the faith. One important agency in the conversion of this 
 man was the fact of his baptism when a child. 
 
 Q. 1. What is society.? 
 
 A. A union of fashionable beings united for the purpose of 
 pleasure, maintaining caste, and upholding fashion. 
 
 2. What's the admission fee.? 
 A. Money and manners. 
 
 3. What are among the characteristics of the society.? 
 A. The jig and jug, punch and poker. 
 
 4. Does "society" prevail in South Carolina.? 
 
 A. No, but it's coming. Whatever breaks out up North, 
 comes South in course of time. There are strong symptoms 
 of it in Spartanburg, Greenville and other big towns, and also 
 in Rock Hill, Chester and others. 
 
 5. Which is a bigger institution where society prevails, 
 the society or the Church.? 
 
 A. Society. 
 
 6. Why.? 
 
 A. Because society folks can transgi'ess laws of Church 
 with their fun and frolics with impunity; not a hair of their 
 immoral heads will be touched, but if laws of society are 
 violated, ostracism is the result. 
 
 197 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 7. How is a day divided in society? 
 A. Into morning and evening. 
 
 8. There is no night there, then.^^ 
 
 A. No, the word "night" would interfere with the sense of 
 the term of fashion, "evening." For instance, it would 
 offend the ear of society to say : "Mr. Brockton appeared at 
 the ball in full night dress." It would be all right, you see, 
 to say, "he appeared in full evening dress." 
 
 9. Is punctuality a rule in society.? 
 
 A. Oh, no. It is fashionable to be a little late at society 
 gatherings. It is unpopular to be in a hurry, "on a rush," 
 and considered vulgar to be in haste. 
 
 As a general rule, according to the calling and conduct of 
 many professional mortals, when a rich old sinner suddenly 
 shuffles off, the doctor says : "There was a total and perma- 
 nent cessation of all his vital functions, when the organs not 
 only ceased to act, but lost the susceptibility of renewed 
 action. He is a dead man, but his bill will be paid." The 
 lawyer: "He died solvent, besides his insurance. The busi- 
 ness of the estate can be wound up nicely." The undertaker, 
 with an outward solemnity that has become habitual: "A job ! 
 a job! thank the Lawd." The preacher at the funeral, 
 f uneralizing : "Our deceased brother, who was taken from us 
 so suddenly, was indeed a man of affairs, and, Hke Abraham 
 of old, he was rich. He was not in all things as we would 
 like to have seen and known him, but God is merciful, and 
 likely just as he fell in death, before life was extinct, the peni- 
 tent's prayer was heard. (Tears from the relatives flowing, 
 the preacher's voice more Gospel-tone growing.) He was a 
 long time member of the Church, and the Church paper was 
 ever on his centre table. Therefore we weep, but not without 
 hope. (Tears.) My faith at this moment looks up and 
 says: 'Yes, yes, God is good, our deceased brother is safely 
 
 198 
 
Ideas and Items. 
 
 landed on the other shore' " (Lamentations.) The monu- 
 ment says: "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. Let 
 me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be 
 like His." 
 
 The Bible says : "The soul that sinneth, it shall die." "Not 
 every one that sayeth unto ]\Ie, Lord, Lord, shall enter into 
 the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of IVIy 
 Father, which is in heaven." "By their fruits ye shall know 
 
 them." 
 
 Away with all this toipbstone theology. As a man lives, 
 so he is when he dies. If he live the regenerated life, all's 
 well with his soul; if he die unsanctified, he will go to hell. 
 How readest thou? 
 
 * -* ^i 
 
 There is some truth, may be, in the following clipping : 
 A Dutchman, addressing his dog, said : "INIy dog, you have 
 a schnapp. You vas only a dog and I vas a man ; but I vish 
 I vas you. You efFry haf the best of it. Ven you go mid 
 the bed in you shust durn round tree times and lay down. 
 Ven I go mid the bed in I haf to lock up de place und vind up 
 the clock, und put the cat oud und undress minself, und my 
 vif e vakes up und scoles me ; den de baby cries und I haf to 
 vawk him up und down ; den maybe ven I shust go to schleep 
 it's time to get oup again. Ven you get up you stretch your- 
 self and scratch a cuple of times und you vas up. I haf to 
 light the fire und put on the kettle, scrap some mid my vife 
 already und maybe I get some breakfast. You play around 
 all day und half plenty of fun. I haf to vork all day und 
 haf plenty of trouble. Ven you die you's dead. Ven I die I 
 haf to go to hell yet." 
 
 * * * 
 
 The President of the United States originated a phrase that 
 has become quite popular and used by many writers and 
 speakers— except, I believe, by our gubernatorial candidates 
 
 199 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 (get them off the "Hcker" question and they are lost). The 
 phrase is: "The strenuous Hfe." The Methodist Discipline 
 inculcated that idea long before the President's ancestors 
 were heard of: ^' Never he unemployed; never he trvjiingly 
 employed.'' The latter clause is far preferable than even the 
 "strenuous hfe." A man can be "strenuous" in doing deeds 
 of folly — in "beating the air," in eccentric foolishness. The 
 Discipline's strenuous expression is the best, and blessed is the 
 preacher or the layman who is so governed and ever heeds the 
 injunction, "Never be unemploye4; never be triflingly em- 
 ployed." 
 
 Died, rather suddenly, in Springfield, not long ago, old 
 "Mitty," a respectable hen, at rather an advanced age. Born 
 in '93, she would have been about eight years old at her 
 next birthday. She broke the shell and saw first the light of 
 chicken world near Cuba, S. C, and scratched and labored one 
 year on the Lamar Circuit. Two years on the South Branch- 
 ville work, two years at Woodford, and she finished her course 
 in Springfield. Old Mitty was game, industrious and faith- 
 ful. She would hold to her nest in sumemr's heat and win- 
 ter's cold, never deserting her post. She would hover the 
 chicks 'midst most imminent dangers, or fiercest storms of 
 wind and rain, never leaving nor forsaking them for her own 
 personal comfort or safety. Her sacrifice for her offspring, 
 often a numerous brood, was wonderful. The poor thing 
 coming off her nest in August would be sometimes so poor, 
 pale and puny, yet she'd scratch and almost fall with the 
 effort to obtain worms and soft buried seed for her chicks, 
 even denying herself of every crumb and sweet morsel. 
 
 Unselfish devotion to God-imposed duties is always sub- 
 lime, and Old Mitty in great qualities was superior, I fear, to 
 many mortals here below. "She did what she could." 
 (1901.) 
 
 200 
 
Ideas and Items. 
 
 Woman is rather strangely ecclesiastically constituted. 
 She can be a superintendent of a Sunday school, but is not 
 permitted to belong to Quarterly Conference, nor other sort 
 of Conference. She is still confined to a circumscribed sphere 
 as to vote and voice. But her day is coming. Maybe we will 
 see her sitting in Conference as a delegate and hear the rustle 
 of her skirts in the council rooms of the Church within a 
 decade. Oh, I believe she is coming, making headway now for 
 pulpit and platform, and we must all get ready to bow in 
 humble submission to the mysterious ways of Providence. 
 
 * * * 
 
 A few days ago, on my way to church, near the cabin 
 home by the wayside, I noticed a colored woman washing 
 clothes, and a dead shoat just killed lying on the ground near 
 her. "That's what temper done," said she to me as I was 
 passing. "My ole man got mad because the pig got out of 
 the lot and he couldn't get it back, and he shot it," and she 
 was much annoyed on account of the result of an ungodly 
 temper. I saw a white man in Lamar once who did worse 
 than this colored man. His old ox ran away with him, and 
 when finally stopped he was so infuriated that he, not having 
 a stone or stick, did actually bite that overhanging lip of the 
 ox furiously. 
 
 * * * 
 
 I met a venerable preacher some time ago whose early life 
 was somewhat tinged with the romantic. He fell in love once 
 with a sweet young lass of twelve, about his own age. One 
 day, sitting in the school room, thinking more of love than 
 of lore, he wrote her name on his left arm with pen and ink of 
 an indelible sort, and drew a picture of the emblem of hope 
 just above the name. He bared the arm, and I read the 
 inscription written a long time before I was bom. The little 
 girl died ere she reached maturity, but her name lives in 
 indelible characters upon the arm of her once youthful lover. 
 
 201 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 t 
 
 Sweet talisman, in keeping with a tender heart that treasures 
 
 her memory and loves yet the true, the beautiful and the good. 
 
 A good friend the other day said that all his family and 
 relatives, wuth reference to Church faith and doctrine, were 
 all right and orthodox, except one good brother who had 
 recently become a member of the Boomerang Church. He 
 was much distressed on that account, that a brother who had 
 such sensible and pious parents should have a son that would 
 go back on their teaching and training to the extent of becom- 
 ing a disciple of the Boomerang Church. Exceptions to all 
 rules must be expected. Orthodox parents should have chil- 
 dren of like mind and pattern, and if you train up a child in 
 the way he should go, in after years he should not depart 
 from it. 
 
 But now and then, among the best, a black sheep will occur. 
 Now and then the once hopeful boy will stray from the old 
 paths. It may be because of a reversion to type. The spirit 
 of some grandparent who flourished in the days of the simple 
 life, descends like sin to the scion of the present generation, 
 and makes him a runt— or else its simpl}^ perversity, or a 
 sort of insanity. It may not be this nor that, it may be by 
 petticoat persuasion. If a well raised boy marry a female 
 brought up in a Boomerang atmosphere it's fearfull}^ prob- 
 able he will become a Boomerang too, and in course of human 
 events — mercy on us — there will be a family, maybe num- 
 erically large, upon the face of the earth — and all 
 Boomerangs. 
 
 * * * ^ 
 
 "But David tarried still at Jerusalem," — That proved to 
 be a most disastrous vacation. When David quit the field of 
 action and luxuriated in the cooling hours of leisure, he was 
 overcome by temptation, and embarrassed the moral status 
 of the Church alarmingly. There is religious health in 
 
 202 
 
Beside the Couch of the Dying Itinerant. 
 
 steady work, and salvation in tedious toil. It Is dang^erous 
 for a man with a good circulation and hearty heart action 
 to have idle hands. In the majority of instances he will 
 become a maker of mischief, or his leisure will lead to lewdness. 
 The grace of God, that's startling in often effectual trans- 
 formation of depraved nature, can't do much with the goat in 
 man, if permitted to graze too long in pastures that are green. 
 Were there more perspiration, less sin would prevail. The 
 ready rascal is generally the mortal who failed to finish his 
 task. Blessed is the man who, sunburnt and brown from hon- 
 est toil, labors earl}' and late in his chosen field of work, heart 
 within, God overhead. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Beside the Couch of the Dying Itinerant — South Carolina 
 
 Conference. 
 
 I have been a member of the South Carolina Conference 
 for about eighteen years, and since my first j^ear many have 
 passed away. All died calmly, in the full assurance of faith ; 
 some on the dying bed gave expression of triumph, or of the 
 glor}"^ beyond and of their indifference to the fast approach of 
 death. Our preachers die well. 
 
 William Martin, January 10, 1889 — A day or two before 
 his death he said : "Oh, what a sweet season of peace. I have 
 had such nearness to God. He has made my way clear and 
 shining up to Him." At the last moment, he whispered, 
 "What wonderful calm !" 
 
 John Emory Watson, June 11, 1889 — "Tell my brethren 
 of the Conference, I die at my post. Meet me in heaven." 
 
 E. J. Meynardie, July 1, 1890— "If it please God, I want 
 to die in my boots. 
 
 203 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 John Wesley Murray, December 2, 1891 — "What will my 
 poor wife do?" 
 
 Landy Wood, September 5, 1892 — Before he became un- 
 conscious, his wife said to him, "How is it, now?" "I am 
 crossing over the river," he replied, "but all is well — '* 
 
 William Thomas, December 1, 1890 — "Since I have found 
 Jesus, I have lived and preached the Gospel." 
 
 Whitefoord Smith, April 27, 1893— He requested that 
 Toplady's hymn, "The Dying Christian to His Soul," be 
 recited to him just before he breathed his last. 
 
 William H. Lawton, November 3, 1893 — "I know in whom 
 I have believed — " 
 
 John B. Piatt, January 17, 1893 — "I will see you over the 
 river." 
 
 John W. McRoy, August 6, 1893 — "Since I have been 
 confined to this room I have carefully examined again all the 
 foundations of my salvation, and it is all right." 
 
 Sam'l B. Jones, September 8, 1894 — "It is just as God 
 wills ; I would not turn my hand to decide. * * * It is all well ; 
 I know Whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is 
 able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against 
 that day." 
 
 W. D. Kirkland, May 31, 1896— "Lord, if I may work for 
 Thee, let me live and give me strength for service ; if not, take 
 me home and let me rest." 
 
 Henry M. Mood, May 2, 1897— "God's will be done." 
 
 J. Walter Dickson, July 14, 1898 — "I have examined the 
 foundation, and it is all right." 
 
 William B. Verdin, July 22, 1899— "You do not know how 
 tired I am. I long to fall asleep in the arms of Jesus." 
 
 204 
 
Beside the Couch of the Dying Itinerant. 
 
 M. M. Pooser, April 11, 1900— "Oh, glory!" 
 
 Sidi H. Browne, September 13, 1900 — "I am ready to go, 
 and I am only waiting to be called home. I can say, with St. 
 Paul, 'To me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.' " 
 
 Paul F. Kistler, July 13, 1901— "It's no use trying to hide 
 it, paralysis is coming on. I am not for this world much 
 longer. I'll soon be at rest." 
 
 Frederick Auld, February 13, 1902 — "I scarcely know 
 whether to cry out with this awful pain or shout for joy with 
 the glory that fills my soul. * * * The precious Saviour is so 
 near that He seems almost a visible presence." 
 
 James Smiley Porter, April 11, 1902 — "There is not a 
 cloud; everything is as clear as sunlight." 
 
 Lewis M. Hamer, April 22, 1902 — "It is all right with me, 
 sir ; it is all right. Tell my brethren of the Conference, it is 
 all right with me." 
 
 J. Thomas Pate, May 8, 1902— "All is bright beyond." 
 
 Louis Charles Loyal, November 7, 1902 — "I would like to 
 answer to roll-call at Conference once more." Just before 
 the last gasp, he cried out, "Here !" 
 
 John Attaway, July 14, 1903 — "Are you ready.?" some 
 one asked him. "Yes, for the last forty years." 
 
 James E. Grier, October 3, 1903 — "In all of this experi- 
 ence I see the hand of a special Providence. I do not know 
 when He will land Me." 
 
 A. J. Stokes, April 13, 1906 — "I may not live much 
 longer; nature has lifted her danger signal. I may pass 
 away at any time — I am ready to work on — I am willing to 
 go at any time." 
 
 Benj. Marion Grier, September 22, 1907— "I am leaning 
 on the Everlasting Ann." 
 
 205 
 
The Circuit Rider's Sketch Book. 
 
 IF I SHOULD DIE TONIGHT! 
 
 [The following lines were found on the study table of the late Dr. 
 Noyes, a well known minister of Illinois. The pathetic poem will strike 
 a sympathetic chord in the heart of many a weary toiler:] 
 
 If I should die tonight, 
 My friends would look upon my quiet face, 
 Before they laid it in its resting place, 
 And deem that death has left it almost fair ; 
 And laying snow-white flowers against my hair. 
 Would smooth it down with cheerful tenderness, 
 And fold my hands with lingering caress- 
 Poor hands, so empty and so cold tonight ! 
 
 If I should die tonight. 
 My friends would call to mind with loving thought. 
 Some kindly deeds the icy hands had wrought. 
 Some gentle words the frozen lips had said. 
 Errands on which the willing feet had sped; 
 The memory of my selfishness and pride. 
 My hasty words, would all be put aside; 
 
 And so I should be loved and mourned tonight ! 
 
 If I should die tonight, 
 E'en hearts estranged would turn once more to me, 
 Recalling other days remorsefully ; 
 The eyes that chill me with averted glance 
 Would look upon me as of yore, perchance. 
 And soften in the old familiar way, 
 (For who could war with dumb, unconscious clay.-^) 
 So I might rest forgiven of all tonight ! 
 
 206 
 
If I Should Die Tonight. 
 
 O friends, I pray tonight, 
 Keep not your kisses for my dead cold brow ; 
 The way is lonely, let me feel them now. 
 Think gently of me ; I am travel worn ; 
 My faltering feet are pierced with many a thorn ; 
 Forgive, O hearts estranged, forgive, I plead! 
 When dreamless rest is mine, I shall not need 
 The tenderness for which I long tonight. 
 
 THE END. 
 
 207 
 
ADVERTISEMENTS 
 
Advertisements. 
 
 Columhia College 
 
 ^<HIS institution has been pro- 
 ^^ jected for the highest devel- 
 opment of Christian womanhood. 
 The buildings are large, imposing, 
 comfortable and conveniently ar- 
 ranged. The location is ideal for 
 health and study. 
 
 There is a bountiful supply of 
 purest water. The sanitation is 
 as perfect as can be made. 
 
 A large and competent faculty. 
 Every department is under the 
 care of an efficient and exper- 
 ienced teacher. Unusual advan- 
 tages are offered in Music, Art, 
 Expression, Languages and Busi- 
 ness. 
 
 For catalogue and further in- 
 formation, address 
 
 W. W. DANIEL. President 
 
 Columhia College 
 
 Columhia, S. C, 
 
 210 
 
Advertisements. 
 
 A SCHOOL OF MERIT 
 
 Muffurii 
 1 1 p g p 
 
 Olarltsb Jitting Bt\]aaitl 
 
 Bamberg, South Carolina 
 
 A high grade, conservative school for boys and 
 girls. Military discipline. Uniform dress for both 
 sexes, reducing cost of this item to a minimum. 
 Excellent boarding departments. Artesian water 
 in all buildings. Remarkably good health record. 
 Departments of Latin, Greek, French, Mathe- 
 matics, Science, English, History and Civics, 
 Music and Elocution. Individual attention. Lit- 
 erary societies. Library. Y. M. C. A. Athletics. 
 For catalog and information write the head master, 
 
 W. S. HOGAN. 
 
 The Murray Drug Co. 
 
 
 COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA 
 
 THE LARGEST DRUG HOUSE IN THE SOUTH 
 
 211 
 
Advertisements. 
 
 '*A LITTLE HIGHER IN PRICE, BUT— ^' 
 
 That line expresses the whole situation 
 in a not shell 
 
 "Rock Hill" Buggies 
 
 are the standard vehicle of the South. Sold by agents 
 
 in every important town. See them for prices 
 
 or write direct to the undersigned 
 
 I refer to any Methodist preacher in the Sooth Carolina Conference 
 
 J. G. ANDERSON, President 
 ROCK HILL BUGGY CO., Rock Hill, S. C. 
 
 THE quality of our Printing is as distinctive as 
 it is swperior. Let us blend your ideas with 
 our meclianism and sbow you now DeautiTul 
 tke finished article appears :::::::: 
 
 The R. L. Bryan 
 
 c 
 
 iriTVI-nO-n-^T ^^SONIC BUILDING 
 
 Ullipctll^/^ COLUMBIA, S. C. 
 
 Originators :: Publishers :: General Printers 
 Jylanufacturing Stationers :: Booksellers 
 
 212 
 
Advertisements. 
 
 SPARTANBURG, S. C. 
 
 HENRY NELSON SNYDER, M. A., Litt. D.. LL. D. 
 PRESIDENT 
 
 Xen Departments. Gynasium under competent director. 
 Atnletic Grounds. Library and Librarian. Science Hall. 
 Fiity-iourtn year began September 18, 1907. For cata- 
 logue address 
 
 J. A. GAMEWELL, Secretary. 
 
 mt^'^P 
 
 DO OUR PAINTS STAY ON? 
 
 It s because we make them ourselves 
 at our Factory, trom carerully 
 selected materials, especially to suit 
 
 our o"wn Soutnem climate. Tbererore, they do not fade, 
 
 cbalk or peal off — tney do stay on! 
 
 INVESTIGATE! 
 
 Leland Moore Paint and Oil Co. 
 
 THE PAINT PEOPLE 
 211-213 East Bay - Ckarleston, S. C. 
 
 213 
 
Advertisements. 
 
 Lander College 
 
 One of Our Conference 
 Colleges 
 
 d Pursues its fixed ideals: 
 
 {[ Of modest claims and large fulfillments. 
 
 C Of thorough college-work and continual reviews of elementary studies. 
 
 ([Of building womanly character. 
 
 C Of pointing to Christ as highest Teacher and shunning all that does 
 not honor Him. 
 
 (T Commodious new buildings, steam-heated, electric lights and all mod- 
 ern conveniences. 
 
 C Competent Faculty, home-like oversight, experienced physician and 
 every attention needed. 
 
 d Good and wholesome food, well prepared. 
 
 d Cost as low as any first-class institution. 
 
 ([ Fall Opening September 18, 1907. Second Section begins October 23, 
 190T. Third Section, November 27, 1907. Fourth Section, January 14, 
 1908. Fifth Section, February 18, 1908. Sixth Section, March 24, 1908. 
 Seventh Section, April 28, 1908. Commencement, May 31-June 2, 1908. 
 
 Send for Catalogue. 
 
 JOHN O. WILLSON, Greenwood, S. C. 
 
 Wofford College Fitting School 
 
 Three new brick buildings. Steam heat and electric lights. Head 
 Master, three Teachers and Matron live in the buildings. Individual 
 attention to each student. Situated on the Wofford Campus. 
 
 Students take a regular course in the College Gjinnasium, and have 
 access to the College Library. $125.00 pays for Board, Tuition and all 
 Fees. Sons of Methodist ministers do not pay tuition. 
 
 Next session begins September 18th. For Catalogue, etc., address 
 
 , A. MASON DuPRE, Head Master, 
 
 Spartanburg, S. C. 
 
 214 
 
Notes and Personals. 
 
 NOTES AND PERSONALS. 
 
 WorFORD College this year has dangerously near, if not 
 quite, 500 students — too many for the men, money and means 
 of the grand old institution. When will prosperous Metho- 
 dist laymen awake and shell out? If we had one or two North 
 Carolina Dukes an endowment would soon be realized. I am 
 of the opinion that in our colleges for boys and young gentle- 
 men there should be unifonnity of dress. Otherwise, dudism 
 will prevail, more or less, and there will be cranks on cravats 
 and cassimeres, pants and panamas. A ten-dollar suit 
 should do for a soph., but he wants a thirty-dollar outfit, and 
 wants to be geared in new garments every season. The Car- 
 lisle Fitting School has adopted a uniform for the boys. 
 Wofford should do something to counteract the rivalry in 
 
 dress. 
 
 * *■ * 
 
 OuB, Colleges for Women are prospering ; standard high 
 especially at our Columbia College — raised recently. The 
 young woman, with all of her classical tutoring and training, 
 should be brought up and educated for the home — and taught 
 to do practical things pertaining to home life and household 
 work. That is her destiny if she gets married, and if she 
 fails to be won there will be a sad, disappointed heart. What 
 Columbia College or Lander sweet-girl graduate wants to live 
 the monotonous life of the old maid.-^ She, the female college 
 student, should be taught the science of cooking and the art 
 of housekeeping. No prizes in our colleges, unfortunately, 
 are awarded to the girls who can bake the best bread. My 
 idea of the first lady of a home is not a lover or writer of 
 fiction and poetry, or a platform star, but one who can pre- 
 side skillfully and intelligently in the kitchen and over the 
 
 cradle. 
 
 * » * 
 
 The Rock Hill Buggy Co. has a disjunctive conjunction 
 that has achieved success : "A little higher in price, but " 
 
 215 
 
Notes and Personals. 
 
 It has been a most fortunate "But " Jno. G. Anderson, 
 
 who runs the business, a few years ago was a workman, but 
 he chmbed higher. He was in course of time made manager, 
 but he went higher still and today he is president of the 
 company. 
 
 * * * 
 
 The R. L. Bryan Co., publishers of the Circuit Rider's 
 Sketch Book, is an old concern — true and tried. The senior 
 Bryan, and founder, Richard L., departed this life and 
 handled his last copy in 1900. A son, R. B. Bryan; a 
 nephew, T. S. Bryan ; G. A. Selby and Jno. T. McCaw man- 
 age now the large establishment, and they are meeting with 
 the success that their skill, business tact and Christian courtesy 
 
 deserve. They are also a "little higher in price, but " 
 
 To use their own words: "At a price that is just a Httle in 
 excess of the shoddy kind." 
 
 The Murray Drug Co., of Columbia, S. C, is the largest 
 drug establishment in this big South. They receive car loads 
 of pills, plasters and panaceas for suffering mortals, and no 
 doubt have and keep on hand "rivers of oil." A drug store 
 wisely managed is a rehgious institution. They contain cura- 
 tive compound cathartics for bad livers — and that's what 
 makes most rascals — the torpid liver. 
 
 "Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast." 
 
 The Cable Company, of Charleston, besides their organs 
 and pianos, purpose to do some soothing with their Edison 
 phonograph. Who is it that is not charmed by the tuneful 
 melodies that issue from that marvelous instrument.'' The 
 Cable Company is a house of harmony — of wide, extending 
 fame. 
 
 216 
 
Advertisements. 
 
 IN GOOD COMPANY 
 
 Is the man with an 
 Edison Phonograph, 
 In the comfort of his 
 home^ with an easy- 
 chair and pipe, he has 
 the music of the world 
 at his command. 
 
 Whether his pref- 
 erence be classical, op- 
 eratic, sacred, or rag- 
 time music, the Phon- 
 ograph supplies it. 
 The Phonograph keeps him familiar with the popular 
 airs of the day. 
 
 If you doubt the advantages of the Edison Phono- 
 graph as a means of entertaining you, call at our store 
 or write for information* 
 
 We sell and guarantee Mason & Hamlin, Conover, 
 Cable, Kingsbury and Wellington Pianos, and the fa- 
 mous Inner Player Pianos, the most complete musical 
 instrument made. Send for art catalogue and easy 
 payment plan of buying. 
 
 IN GOOD 
 
 COMPANY 
 
 THE CABLE COMPANY 
 
 EVERYTHING KNOWN IN MUSIC 
 
 Phone 420 ^ .3t ^ J. V. WALLACE, Manager 
 CABLE BUILDING ^ > CHARLESTON, S. C. 
 
 217 
 
Advertisements. 
 
 I » i^ ii j I ' 
 
 ^CV^. . \TAILODI/tG Co./ / 
 
 1.' \ CHICAGO 
 
 We 
 
 Believe 
 In 
 
 the International 
 
 System of Made- 
 
 To-Measure Tai- 
 
 loring and we 
 
 want you to do 
 
 the same. For 
 
 Clothes Value, Style Correctness and Square Dealing we 
 
 cannot too strongly commend them. A visit to this address 
 
 will convince you of their ability to satisfy you in all 
 
 respects — in Price, in Fabric and Style Variety. Nearly 500 
 
 Samples to choose from, all-up-to-the-minute and nobby. 
 
 P. F. WEST COMPANY 
 
 EUTAWVILLE 
 
 ^ 
 
 SOUTH CAROLINA 
 
 Also Dealer in Dry Goods, Groceries, Shoes, Hats, Farm- 
 ing Implements, Etc. We believe in Large Sales and 
 Small Profits 
 
 218 
 
Advertisements. 
 
 DO YOU KNOW OF 
 
 ACETYLENE? 
 
 It's the light for churches, halls, 
 stores, residences and streets. A 
 beautiful white light, free from 
 odor or smoke, and with just the 
 smallest amount of heat. Inex- 
 pensive and reliable. 
 Caldwell Hotel, Columbia, S. C, 
 uses it, so do Senators Tillman 
 and Latimer. Write me for esti- 
 mate on complete plant, stating 
 Size of your building. 
 
 STATE 
 AGENT FOR 
 
 OTIS BRABHAM 
 
 Hercviles GerversLtors 
 
 ALLENDALE. SOUTH CAROLINA 
 
 IHB LARGEST TRUCK FARM 
 IN THE WORLD 
 
 Cabbage Plants, Lettuce Plants, Celery Plants, 
 Onion Plants, Plants of all Kinds 
 
 These plants raised in the OPEN AIR, on the Sea Islands, surrounded 
 by salt water. The chemical ingredients of these vegetables show the wise 
 provision of the Creator for His CHOSEN ONES. The iron in the Cabbage 
 to correct the weak, pale face. The opium in the Lettuce and Onion for the 
 nervous, the juice of the Celery for the nervous. Our method of planting and 
 fertilizing increases and intensifies these properties in the different vegetables. 
 
 PRICES— 1,000 to 4,000, $1.50 per M; 4,000 to 9,000, $1.25 per M; 
 over 9,000, $1.00 per M, F. O. B. Express Office, Meggetts, S. C. 
 
 Shipments ready from Nov. 1st to May 1st 
 
 N. H. BLITCH COMPANY 
 
 219 
 
Notes and Personals. 
 
 Everyone should join in this prayer — of Spurgeon: 
 
 "O Spirit of God, make us all more holy. Work in us more 
 completely the image of Christ. We long to be as the Lord 
 Jesus Christ in spirit and temper, and in unselfishness of life. 
 Give us the character of Christ. Redemption from the 
 power of sin is purchased with His blood, and we crave it, 
 and pray that we may daily receive it. Let the whole militant 
 Church of Christ be blessed ; put power into all faithful min- 
 isters ; convert this country ; save it from abounding sin ; let 
 all the nations of the earth know the Lord. The Lord bless 
 His people. Bring the Church to break down all bonds of 
 nationality all limits of sects, and may we feel the blessed 
 unity which is the very glory of the Church of Christ ; yea, let 
 the whole earth be filled with His glory. Our prayer can 
 never cease until 'Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on 
 earth as it is in heaven.' Hear us as we pray for the chief 
 magistrate and all in authority and for Thy blessing to rest 
 upon this land. Let Thy blessing extend over all the family 
 of man. We ask it all for Christ's sake. Amen." 
 
 FOR SALE 
 
 Twenty-seven acres in the heart of the Town of Eutawville, 
 S. C, including residence, barn, tenant house and out buildings. 
 
 Could be divided in most desirable building lots. Three miles 
 from Eutaw Springs. Flowing well near. 
 
 Will sell all, or the lot, to suit the purchaser. 
 
 P. F. WEST, Exitawville. S. C. 
 
 220 
 
Advertisements. 
 
 NONE BUT THE BEST COMPANIES REPRESENTED 
 
 J. FRANCIS FOLK 
 
 OFFICE BANK BUILDING HOLLY HILL, S. C. 
 
 LEA & COMPANY 
 
 KEEP FULL LINE OF DRUGS 
 
 All Prescriptions carefully compounded by experienced 
 and Licensed Pharmacist 
 
 Toilet Supplies^ also Dry Goods^ Notions^ Milliner y 
 a Specialty — Hats made to order by skilled Milliner 
 
 We keep up with the fashions in dress and our customers will 
 
 have the advantage of artistic developments in the 
 
 latest styles. Secure our prescription, and get 
 
 our hat and dress, and be healthy, 
 
 harmonious and happy 
 
 MAIN STREET HOLLY HILL, S. C 
 
 221 
 
Holly Hill, S. C. 
 
 HOLLY HILL, S. C. 
 
 Some Years Ago the Atlantic Coast Line crossed the old 
 State road from Columbia to Charleston, and right there at 
 this cross roads a little town, with all the aspirations of a 
 town, was born. There is no "hill" in all Berkeley County 
 that I know of except an ascent before you reach the Wasa- 
 masaw Swamp — but the cross roads aforementioned was some- 
 what elevated above surrounding plain and swamps, and there 
 was, too, a large, thriving holly tree near — hence it was 
 called Holly Hill. 
 
 The only difference between Holly Hill and Chicago is that 
 Chicago is bigger — Chicago is immense; Holly Hill is insig- 
 nificant. Chicago has pork packers ; Holly Hill has pork 
 eaters and producers. The same sort of human nature pre- 
 vails in both towns — the same sort of sins and sinners, and the 
 real good people of both places have the same characteristics. 
 Chicago, I find, exerts a wonderful influence in morals and 
 manners on other smaller communities — so do other large cen- 
 ters of population. Holly Hill, and other villages that are 
 progressive, will keep up with the fashionable world in dress, 
 decorations or divinity. If a certain balloon sleeve of the 
 feminine gender is worn in Chicago, and a big, obnoxious 
 bustle, it is not long before that sleeve and that big bustle will 
 be seen in the little Holly Hills of our land — you can't keep 
 'em out. Holly Hill, S. C, has a Methodist church and a 
 Baptist appointment. The Afro-Americans have three 
 churches within the corporate limits. The colored brethren 
 shout and sing lustily and are very religious, but their morals 
 as a colored community are not good — far from the standard. 
 The possibilities in the way of production of the lands sur- 
 rounding Holly Hill are wonderful. Agriculture is progress- 
 ing rapidly. The soil yields abundantly corn, cotton and 
 cane, 'taters, goobers, peas, pumpkins and all sorts of vege- 
 tables. The farmers generally live well and fare sumptu- 
 
Holly Hill, S. C. 
 
 ously all the year round on their home-raised hog and 
 hominy. Needed: two or three more live merchants with 
 capital; a good hotel; a bright, breezy newspaper, cleverly 
 edited; an artesian well; a knitting mill, or oil mill, or 
 cotton mill, or some sort of manufacturing enterprise; a 
 brand new brick, up-to-date building for the flourishing 
 graded school — and also more of the undcfiled religion — all of 
 wliich I believe will be realized ere the town gets gray with old 
 age. The merchants and others >vho advertise in the Circuit 
 Rider's Sketch Book are the leading spirits, and the future 
 welfare of the town depends largely upon them. They are 
 growing in wisdom and liberahty, and all seem happy and 
 hopeful of better days. 
 
 "Chicago, Oct. 7. — Reports received by the Tribune from 
 ten of the Methodist Episcopal Conferences in Illinois and 
 neighboring States show that the question of higher salary 
 for the average minister of that Church has reached a crisis. 
 
 "The generally expressed opinion is that religious work 
 soon will suffer for lack of preachers unless salaries are 
 raised. In many of the Conferences just held there was an 
 exodus of preachers from the pulpit to enter business life. 
 
 "The higher salaries movement was discussed and advocated 
 at practically all the Conferences. 
 
 "Salaries have been advanced about $100 each during the 
 last four years, but this increase — which has not kept pace 
 with the increase in cost of living — has failed to stem the 
 ministerial stampede into business life." — Tfie State, Co- 
 lumbia. 
 
 Thank the Lord there is no disposition on the part of our 
 effective preachers of the South Carolina Conference to for- 
 sake their high calling — let the salary be small or great — and 
 enter the whirl of business life, and come what way, God help 
 us ever to be faithful. 
 
 223 
 
Advertisements. 
 
 lank nf l^nllg l|tU 
 
 ?i|nUg fiftU. #. (H. 
 
 W.L. DeHay De. J. L. B. Gilmorb J. Francis Folk 
 
 President Vice-President Casliier 
 
 Miss Leila Rhame, Asst. Cashier 
 
 lat? of Olliartpr Sulg r. 1905 
 
 The following figures show that we have pleased our patrons 
 
 Deposits September 30, 1905, $13,598.21 
 Deposits September 30, 1906, $18,405.32 
 Deposits September 30, 1901, $71,082.59 
 
 Wt i'nltrit ^nur Patrnnagr 
 
 (UJl^ ^nllg i^tU ^rai^Jt ^rtjnnl 
 
 A well-organized .graded school for boys and girls. De- 
 lightfully situated at Holly Hill, S. C. Graduates are 
 prepared for entering any of the colleges in the State, and 
 may enter Winthrop without examination. A movement 
 now on foot to add to the school under the recent high 
 school Act, and to erect a handsome brick building. The 
 The present session began September 16 and will continue 
 nine months. Experienced faculty consisting of 
 
 FITZHUGH 6ALLEY, B. A. College of Charleston 
 
 Teacher of High School Department 
 
 MISS BESSIE MITCHELL, B. A., Leesville College 
 Intermediate Department 
 
 MISS BERTIE MATHENY, Primary Department 
 
 For further information address the Principal, or Dr. J. L. B. GILMORB, Secretary 
 of the Board. 
 
 224 
 
Advertisements. 
 
 The Holly Hill Hardware Company 
 
 UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT 
 
 Have a First Class Hardware Store in every 
 respect. We can furnish everything in Steel 
 and Iron and Farming Implements, from a 
 monkey wrench to a three-horse Oliver Sulky 
 Plow. We carry a full line of Stoves, Ranges 
 and Kitchen Furniture. Paints, Oils, Var- 
 nishes, Brushes, Harness, etc. Also a choice 
 line of Cutlery that are Keen Kutters, and 
 the true and tried American Fence Wire. 
 
 GORDON WIGGINS, Manager 
 
 HENRY HORRES 
 
 General Merchant and 
 Cotton Buyer 
 
 Holly Hill, S. C. 
 
 Will keep full line of men's and youths' Ready-Made Clothing. 
 Specialty in children's Clothing, and Hats, Caps, Shoes and 
 Notions. My Dry Goods Department will be full of 
 Dress Goods of finest quality. The Ladies espec- 
 ially are invited to come to my store and in- 
 spect my beautiful line of fabrics. Will 
 also keep in stock the best Groceries, 
 Farmers' Supplies, Candies, 
 Canned Goods and 
 Patent Drugs. 
 
 My object will be to please all my customers in prices and goods. Thanking 
 my friends for patronage of the past, I ask a continuance of the same, assur- 
 ing those who favor me, will be favored. 
 
 225 
 
The Negro Question. 
 
 THE NEGRO QUESTION. 
 
 The Grandson of the old darky of 1850, whose love and 
 loyalty to "ole marster and missus," was as conspicuous as it 
 was sincere, has been been wonderfully evolutionized. His 
 heart has been exalted, and he sees visions afar off that lend 
 enchantment to the view. His education brings out a char- 
 acter not so pleasing, often, to contemplate, and his principles 
 involve adhesion to "rights" that conditions of nature and 
 birth do not warrant or justify. The idea of any sort of 
 menial service for the white man is becoming more and more 
 abhorrent to the common negro. It may be the knowledge of 
 the slavery of his fathers produces a repugnance or indiffer- 
 ence to perform tasks for tlie "white buckra." It may be the 
 "colored" laborer is becoming more delicate and refined. 
 Anyway today, as a general rule, all over this broad land, 
 colored cooks and washing women, gardeners and ditchers, and 
 "wages hands'' are unreliable, uncertain and often hard "to 
 have and to hold." Education increases difficulties. Hire a 
 negro now, if you can, of some "lamin' " and some rations 
 ahead, to serve in your kitchen, or hoe your patch of cotton! 
 The thought of dependence upon the white man is becoming 
 apparently unpleasant to the Afro-American and there is a 
 striving to escape a consciousness of that condition. 
 
 In rural life, if the darky can rent his forty acres, and 
 buy a mule on credit, and get some one "to run him on the 
 lien" he will not give his sei*vices for the best wages, nor let 
 himself out as a "cropper" under most favorable conditions. 
 
 In ecclesiastical functions the dusky prelate wants to sit 
 on the right hand of things in Zion with the same pri^dleges, 
 and on the same platform, with his brother in white. Our 
 Southern Church years ago labored dihgently for the dark 
 man's welfare and did sacrifice for liis Christian civihzation. 
 Paine and Lane Institutes for the education of the negro 
 stand as evidence of the Church's sympathy and liberality. 
 
 226 
 
The Negro Question. 
 
 Thej have been manned by our oAvn men and supported by 
 our money. Maybe it is time to stop and let them follow their 
 own ways. It would please them well and gratify the colored 
 cult of the South if those institutions were conducted by 
 negroes for negroes. As long as Paine and Lane are on the 
 list of benevolences of the Church we will annually carry to 
 the synod of the saints collections for their maintenance, but 
 in the hght of recent events it would be prudent and politic to 
 put those colleges, for fair remuneration, in the black hands 
 that covet them. Dr. J. J. LafFerty recently, in the Balti- 
 more Methodist, has this to say under the caption, "Where 
 Two Seas Meet" : 
 
 "The General Conference of the Northern Methodist 
 Church at its last session propsed a change in the constitution 
 of that denomination so as to allow Bishops to be elected 'for 
 work among particular races and languages or for any of 
 our foreign missions, limiting their episcopal jurisdiction to 
 the same respectively.' The Annual Conferences are now 
 voting on tliis amendemnt. There are discussions in their 
 papers, and with warmth. 
 
 "The 'Brother in Black' seems not to favor the scheme. 
 The negro Methodist resents what he calls 'a Jim Crow Epis- 
 copacy' — a negro Bishop for negro Conferences. Reverend 
 Abbott, a negro, declares for 'a whole Bishop or no Bishop at 
 all,' which means a negro Bishop, the peer of white Bishops in 
 every function, overseeing the white Conferences, ordaining 
 the white licentiates, preaching 'the Conference sermon' and 
 after sel•^dces taking the arm of the first lady of that church, 
 escorting her to her carriage, or rather auto, (with white 
 chauffer), and selecting a rear seat by her side — that's 'a 
 whole Bishop!' The Central Missouri Conference (black) 
 demands a Bishop of their race 'as much Bishop as the Rock 
 River or New York East Conferences' (the two top synods of 
 white preachers) could furnish. Zion's Herald, of Boston, 
 makes boast that from its cradle it has roared and rent the 
 
 227 
 
The Negro Question. 
 
 air as a Goliah for the 'black race in the South.' Even a 
 Zion's Herald can get a gorge. For fifty years and more it 
 has bellowed bravely for the blacks, in the distant 'South.' 
 But when its negro Methodists refuse to be 'satisfied with no 
 other sort of a superintendent than one who will rank in all 
 respects to preside over wliite as well as colored Conferences' 
 — it tilts the diaphragm of the Boston editor. 
 
 "Never did we dream of such a drastic dose to the 'black 
 race in the South' as the prescription of Parkhurst, of Zion's 
 Herald. Lend an ear and listen. This from Zion's Herald, 
 of Boston, organ of New England Methodism: 'The fact 
 might as well be plainly stated that negro writers who plead 
 for a Bishop of their own race who "shall be as good as any 
 other Bishop with the same prerogatives and jurisdiction" 
 are hurting the very interests which tHey vainly think thus 
 to advance.' Editor Parkhurst rubs in the cayenne. 'There 
 is no likelihood that in our generation a negro Bishop will 
 ever be allowed to preside over a white Conference.' Shades 
 of Gil Haven ! 
 
 "Our Northern brethren are where 'two seas meet.' If a 
 whole Bishop of the African assortment is not elected the col- 
 ored members may forsake 'the mother Church.' If a fat 
 and odorous prelate, with skin soft and shining as a new 
 rubber shoe, presides 'over' New England pulpiteers, then 
 there will be a righteous ruction. On the other hand, the 
 threat hangs menacing, hke the sword of Damocles, of cap- 
 turing the chief seats of the high priests. If the 'amend- 
 ment' is adopted permitting negro Bishops for negro 
 preachers, German prelates for German, etc., a chief captain 
 of the colored corps tells how the members of a General Con- 
 ference of African, Chinese, Hindoo will combine and make 
 their candidates full 'whole' Bishops by a majority vote. Or 
 these members of divers 'races,' 'languages,' a majority 
 would refuse to elect full Bishops till all of that sort die out 
 and so end the Wesleyan-Asbury episcopacy !" 
 
 228 
 
Advertisements. 
 
 Dr I I R Gilmorp physician 
 
 L/l . J. U. U. UIIIIIUI C AND DRUGGIST 
 
 MODEL DRUG STORE 
 
 Experienced Pharmacist, Finest Assortment of Toilet 
 Articles, Stationery and Perfumes 
 
 '''' W.B. GROSS °^ 
 
 STAPLE AND FANCY GROCERffiS 
 
 ALSO PATENT DRUGS AND 
 
 SMALL NOTIONS 
 
 Two things I aim to accomplish: Please my customers in prices and quality 
 of goods, 
 
 OPPOSITE DEPOT, HOLLY HILL, S. C. 
 
 Here We Are! 
 
 A NEW FIRM in A NEW STORE 
 with ALL NEW GOODS 
 
 The Book says: "AU the labor of a man is for hi« mouth"— and we can fill it. 
 
 A line of General Merchandise at prices to suit you. 
 Come on and give us a trial. Highest prices paid for 
 Chickens, Eggs and Country Produce. Holiday Goods 
 
 Santa Claos will be conspicuous in December 
 
 RHAME & HEESEMANN. 
 
 HOLLY HILL. 
 
 SOUTH CAROLINA 
 
 C. A. EAGLESTON 
 
 AT THE SAME OLD STAND— HOLLY HILL, S. C 
 
 Where all are welcome, and politest attention given to 
 
 customers. My Winter and Christmas stock full 
 
 and complete in Dry Goods, Groceries, Hats, 
 
 Shoes, Clothing, Tobaccos, etc. 
 
 I STRIVE TO PLEASE 
 229 
 
Advertisements. 
 
 ' 'If at first you don H succeed 
 Try^ try J again^^ 
 
 The big fire of July destroyed our store and stock 
 of goods, but on their ashes a large brick store now 
 stands full of DRY GOODS, GROCERIES, 
 NOTIONS, etc. I am "trying it again," and be- 
 lieve I'll get there with large sales and small profits. 
 We have on hand now the finest grade of top 
 and open Buggies, Carriages and other vehicles 
 ever brought to Holly Hill. Also a Feed and Sale 
 Stable. If you want a fine horse or mule, call on 
 us at once. Come and see for yourselves. We 
 thank our patrons of the past, and want them to 
 'try again," 
 
 A. B. BENNETT 
 
 HOLLY HILL, S. C. 
 
 J. G. CLARK 
 
 The only man in Holly Hill, S. C, that runs a 
 Five and Ten Cents Store 
 
 Wonderful Values for a dime! Also keep a full line of 
 Glassware, Crockery, Tinware and Notions 
 
 Come and see what I have to sell, and then 
 go and your neighbors tell 
 
 I DEAL IN GOOD GRUB, GRITS and OTHER 
 GROCERIES, Ham, Rice, Flour, Sugar, Syrup, 
 &c. A beautiful array of finest brands of Canned 
 Goods occupy the shelves. My Cigars and Tobacco 
 among the best. Fruits a specialty — also Mackerel, 
 Picketed Pork and other Meats. Everything for 
 the inward man kept on hand. 
 
 HENRY D. PRICE^s". 
 
 230 
 
 OLLY HILL 
 
 OUTH CAROLINA 
 
Ir