YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY ^^
DISCOVERY AND
SETTLEMENT OF
WESTERN
NORTH AMERICA
/^
COLLECTION OF
WILLIAM
ROBERTSON COE

tf/f/M

f.j/r ;>,

'U0

y rw

SKETCHES

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN,

NEARLY HALF A CENTURY A MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL
IN THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

JOHN F. WRIGHT,

Cinrinnatt:

PRINTED AT THE METHODIST BOOK CONCERN,
FOB THE BENEFIT OF THE WIDOW.
R. F. THOMPSON, PRINTER.
1851.

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1851,
BY JOHN F. WRIGHT,
In the Clerk's OfBce of the District Court of the United States for the
District of Ohio.

DEDICATION.

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE OHIO CONFERENCE.
Vert Dear Brethren, — I am impelled, by many considerations,
to dedicate the " Sketches of the Life and Labors of James Quinn "
to you. He was your senior brother, and was long associated with
you in the labors and sacrifices of our itinerancy. You know he
loved you most cordially; delighted always in your society; and
was ready, by counsel and otherwise, to bear his full share in ad
vancing the Redeemer's kingdom. And now that he is removed,
and is no more seen or heard in your councils, you will long cherish
in fond remembrance his many virtues and great worth of character;
and will, I doubt not, ever take a deep interest in the welfare of
his bereaved widow, for whose pecuniary benefit this work is
published. It is hoped, also, that it will otherwise contribute
to promote the cause of Christ, in which you are so earnestly
and successfully engaged.
I am, dear brethren, your fellow-laborer,
With sincere respect and affection, John F. Wright.
January 22, 1851.

PREFACE.

In compliance with the resolution of the Ohio conference,
I have applied myself, as I could redeem time from other
duties, to the labor of preparing this biography for publi
cation. The want of materials out of which to construct
it, has greatly embarrassed and delayed my work. I
earnestly solicited the aid of Mr. Quinn's cotemporaries,
and numerous acquaintances, and had reason to hope that
many would furnish me with important facts and incidents
connected with his life and labors, which would have given
great interest to the work. I could not doubt but just
such facts were treasured up in the memory of his friends;
yet every method I have adopted to influence them to write
those facts, and transmit them to me, has been attended
with very little success. Comparatively few have commu
nicated any thing; and to those few I present, publicly, my
acknowledgments. Some, in reading this volume, will
think — and, perhaps, say — that the "Life of James Quinn"
ought to have been enriched with a great many more inci
dents connected with his useful labors. The writer is of the
same opinion; and did what he could to supply this lack.
Now, if the reader had knowledge of any incident that
would have added to the interest of these "Sketches," and
failed to furnish it, he ought to blame himself, and sympa
thize with the author, rather than complain of a want of
incidents in the book.
Near the close of life, Mr. Quinn confessed himself in
error, in not keeping a journal, and commenced writing
"Sketches" of his own life. But, alas! this was soon
found to be too much labor for his age and infirmities; and,
after continuing his narrative through the period of infancy
1* 5

6 PREFACE.
to his dedication to God, in Christian baptism, he ceased
to write.
The subject of this biography has passed away, and we
are assured that he has made a safe landing on the shore
of immortality — having gained the port of endless rest.
Much, however, that he experienced, suffered, and did, on
earth, is unknown to us. His record is on high; and we
believe "God is not unrighteous, to forget his work and
labor of love." And although he went forth weeping,
bearing precious seed, he has returned with rejoicing,
bringing his sheaves with him.
Knowing Mr. Quinn's objection to the prefix "Rev.,"
on a gravestone, and as it is not on his monument, out of
respect to him I have not used it on the title-page of his
"Life." Imperfect as this biography may be, it will be eagerly
sought after, and read, on account of its subject, by many
who were associated in labor and suffering with the de
ceased; by many who waited on his ministry; and,
especially, by those who were converted to God through
his instrumentality.
It is sent forth into the world, accompanied by the
prayers of the author, that God may make it a blessing to
all classes of readers into whose hands it may fall.
John F. Wright.
Cincinnati, January 22, 1851.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.
Address to the reader — Reasons for not writing — Determines to attempt
it — Birthplace — Ancestry, and their removal to the west — Number of chil
dren — Greatly affected by his mother's death — Religious training — Amount
of tuition at school — The family library — His opinion of iEsop's fables —
He feared but loved not God — Longed for baptism — Causes of its delay —
Removal of his parents — They attend the Methodist ministry — Become
members — His father backslides — Reclaimed late in life — Remarks on the
effects of intoxicating drinks — Is baptized, but finds it did not change his
heart — The first sermon he heard, and how he received it  Page 13
CHAPTER H.
Chasm in the materials for his "Life" — Religious impressions and sedate
manners — The first annual conference in the west — His life endangered
by the bursting of a gun — His mother's assurance that some of her sons
would be called to preach the Gospel — The great loss he sustained in her
death — Powerful convictions — Leaves home — Is employed in other fami
lies — Is thoroughly awakened — Proposes himself, and is received into the
Church — His conversion and call to the ministry — Is employed by Mr.
Crooks, and asked permission to pray in the family — Resided with Mr.
Foot, a local preacher, and longer with Mr. Wilson — All circumstances
favorable to his theological training — Is licensed to preach, and recom
mended to the annual conference to travel — Is admitted, and appointed to
Greenfield circuit — Receives his appointment, and fixes on the third of
June to start — Is greatly depressed — Is relieved by a passage in the morn
ing lesson — Adopts it as his motto through life  21
CHAPTER HI.
Appointed to the Pittsburg circuit — Western Methodist pioneers — State
of society — Other denominations — The efficiency of Methodism — Robert
Worster — State of the Church people, and readiness to receive Method
ism — The first society formed near Uniontown — Effects of Swedenborg's
works, with a dream and its interpretation — Doddridge and Teeter fami
lies — Indian depredations — The Roberts family — Moriarty, Fidler, and W.
Lee — The Meek family — Stoneman and Spbar — Major M'Cullock and
others in the vicinity of Wheeling — Phoebus, Wilson, and Phelps appointed
to Redstone — The circuit enlarged — C. Waymond and family — The im
provement of Asa Shinn under the theological training of Methodism —
No place for loungers in the itinerancy — The Ellsworth family — Joseph
Chieuvrant — The Hacker family — W. Strange got lost and perished in the
7

8 CONTENTS.
woods — John Strange sent forth — Barren regions, with fierce opposition —
Universalism — Conference at Uniontown — Emigration to the west — Great
loss sustained— Talbot, Stewart, and Wakefield— Debate between Cook and
Jamison— Connellsville and the Connell family  Page 29
CHAPTER IV.
Ordained deacon, and appointed to Erie circuit— Feels his responsi
bility—State of the population— Forms a large circuit, embracing eight or
ten classes— First class organized at J. Mershon's — Could do nothing at
Meadville — Great scarcity — Suffers with the people — Finds R. R. Roberts,
and urges him to help at a watcbnight — Sees him made bishop — Lived to
see other great changes — Appointed to Winchester — Two circuits united —
The plan— Oterbine's societies— Fruitless effort of Vasey— A revival-
Young men of Winchester — J. Fry and others become preachers — Clothe3
threadbare and no money — Valuable local preachers — Fall of his col
leagues — E. George and others entered the field — Glorious success — A
pleasant day spent in good company — Asbury preaches at Winchester —
Meets O'Kelly— Prays at the meeting of the company at Mr. Phelps' — No
light talk — Grave subjects selected for social entertainment — The com
pany described and named — Intellectual musical instruments — Dinner —
Profitable conversation — Song of praise— Prayer and benediction by Mr.
Asbury  57
CHAPTER V.
Attends conference at Baltimore — Ordained elder — Views of his ordina
tion vows — Escapes a city station — Appointed to Redstone circuit — Reports
to Bishop Asbury his intention to marry — Conversation on that subject —
Conducted himself prudently toward women — Marriage — No provision
then made for house-rent, fuel, and table expenses — Thrown from his
horse — Kindness of a young woman — After the lapse of many years, does
her a kindness — Success in his labors — Attends the annual and General
conferences — Views expressed by old Methodists — Organization of the
General conference — Solemn address of Bishop Whatcoat— Resolution to
review, and pass upon the entire Discipline — Proceeded accordingly —
Amendment proposed to the eighth article — Doctor Coke's speech — Motion
to amend withdrawn — Article on civil government— All American Churches,
even Romanists, should give such a pledge to the civil government — The
necessity of a delegated General conference argued, admitted, but no plan
adopted — Restrictive rules — Bishops — Presiding elders — Quarterly confer
ence — General conference of 1808  76
CHAPTER VI.
His father-in-law and he remove to the west — His cabin — Attends con
ference — Appointed to Hockhocking — Size of his circuit — Long from
home— His first-born — Contrast — Disposition of the aged — Cakes of fine
flour a great rarity— Visit of Bishop Whatcoat — Returned to the same
circuit — Some success — Appointed to Scioto circuit — Farther from home —
Visits his family but seldom, and that with great labor — Furnishes the
sacrament to his charge — A great change — An instance of usefulness—

CONTENTS. 9
Meets an immigrant in the woods — Lodges with him — Mrs. Jane Trimble 
Thrilling incident — Locates — Suffers great distress of mind — Embarrassed
in his temporal affairs — Consents that Bishop Asbury might present him
to the conference for readmission  Page 90
CHAPTER VH.
Is readmitted into the conference— Appointed to Muskingum district —
Reminiscences of Bishop Asbury — Camp meetings — Their origin — A de
scription of one in their primitive simplicity and power — Their effect on
preachers — Continuous labors of presiding elders — Business duties of pre
siding elders — Mr. Quinn is faithful — Candidates for the itinerancy — Their
course of study — Wesleyan plan successful — Testimony of a doctor of
divinity — Pedantry rebuked — Was not opposed to a collegiate education —
Is abundant in labors — Is successful — Testimony of Jacob Young — Bishop
MorriB' description of a camp meeting — Testifies to the eloquence and
power of Mr. Quinn in the pulpit — Territory divided into two districts —
Is appointed to Scioto district — Continued four years — Visits sick and
dying soldiers — Conversion of one reported after the lapse of many
years  100
CHAPTER VHI.
Historical account of Methodism in the valley of the Ohio and its tribu
taries — Notice of camp meetings as held in early times — Valedictory — At
tends the General conference of 1816 — Account of that session — Leaves
Baltimore for the west — Extreme illness — Mrs. Quinn meets him at Cum
berland — Thrilling incidents — Closes his four years on the district — Poor
health — Made supernumerary — Appointed in charge of Fairfield circuit —
Teaches the people publicly, and from house to house — Pastoral visits — ¦
Their salutary effects — Duty and encouragement of ministers to be faithful
pastors — Pursues the wanderer — An incident — Appointed to Pickaway cir
cuit — Stationed in Cincinnati — Reappointed — Attends the General confer
ence in 1820 — Account of the conference — The cause of education and of
missions receive a powerful impetus — A remarkable dream — Fulfilled as
he interpreted it next morning — Honorable course of the bishop elect —
Stationed two years in Chilicothe — Long and dangerous illness — Appointed
to Deer Creek circuit — Family remains in Chilicothe — Death of his wife — ¦
Greatly affected by the bereavement — Poem composed after her death —
Travels for the benefit of his health — Letter to Mr. Williams — Appointed
to Brush Creek circuit — Attends the General conference in 1824 — British
delegates— Petitions for a lay delegation — Election of Bishops — Letters
to Mr. Williams — A year of trial — Solicitude for his motherless daughters —
Extracts of sundry letters to two of them — Severe affliction — Sweet sub
mission  117
CHAPTER LX.
Appointed to Zanesville — Second marriage — Letters — Appointed to
Fairfield circuit — Subordinate relation — Reappointed — Stationed at Chili
cothe — Attends the General conference at Pittsburg — Appointed to Hills-
boro circuit — Purchases a home — Returned to Hillsboro — Enforces Dis-

10 CONTENTS.
cipline — Appointed to Wilmington — Family devotions — Manner of instruct
ing and praying for his children — Peculiar fervor in prayer on leaving
home — His wife inspired with great confidence — Great gift in prayer —
Success — Singular incident — Appointed to Straight Creek circuit — Labori
ous field — A great change — Attends the General conference at Philadel
phia — Extract from the Bishops' Address — Rev. J. G. Bruce's letter — His
and the testimony of others in regard to Mr. Quinn — Love-feast expected —
Disappointment — Importance of keeping our Rules — Is punctual to his
appointments — Kindly reproves and counsels his junior brother — Well
received and practiced on ever since — Appointed to Washington circuit —
Hard labor — Is exposed in a muddy region — Letter to Mrs. Clark — Ap
pointed to Hillsboro circuit — He and colleague have a prosperous year —
Appointed to Sinking Spring — Small circuit  Page 141
CHAPTER X.
Is appointed presiding elder on the Lebanon district — Adam Miller's
notice of him — Attends the General conference at Cincinnati — Canada
conference claim — Bible Society — Missionary secretary — Liberia confer
ence formed — Rule to locate a preacher — Death of Bishops MTiendree and
Emory — Waugh, Fisk, and Morris elected — Fisk to be ordained when he
should return from Europe — He is safe in counsel — His views of bishops —
Is appointed to the Chilicothe district — Great improvement in twenty-four
years — Reminiscences — Bishop Asbury among log-cabins — On the Mus
kingum — Entrance of Methodism into Marietta — Continues three years on
this district — Affecting incident — Ministers should instruct the children —
His skill and success as a pastor — A good work on pastoral visits a desid
eratum — Books enough to aid in pulpit labors — The importance of visiting
pastorally — If we would maintain spiritual life as a Church, it must be
done — Two instances of his skill and success in this work — His striking
manner of setting forth practical truths in his discourses — Two specimens—
His power in the pulpits— Twenty men added to the Church under one ser
mon — A specimen of his pulpit eloquence — Wonderful effects  157
CHAPTER XL
His district enlarged— Death of his daughter — Encouraging dream —
Closes his labors on the district — Keeps a journal for three weeks — Starts
to conference — Lodges at Washington — Recollections of the past — Cheno-
weth family — Columbus, what it is and what it was — Rev. W. Hogue —
Franklinton— Mr. Grubb— General Harrison— Fallen ministers— Worthing-
ton — Female academy — Bigelow and Strange — How Methodist ministers
learn to preach — Delaware — Wonderful change — Galena — The Carpenter
family — Granville — Newark— Old circuit — Muskingum district — Reaches
Zanesville — Conference begins — Conference closes — Leaves for his work —
Reaches Rushville — Large society — Lancaster — Tarleton — Kingston — J.
Crouse — Chilicothe — Returned to Wilmington circuit — Revival— V. Cook —
Appointed agent of the Preachers' Relief Society— Address  182
CHAPTER XH.
Is made supernumerary— A severe trial— Letter to his brother— Fierce
opposition to the Methodists in the west— Public discussion between Mr.

CONTENTS. 11
Jamieson and Mr. Cook — Debate between Mr. Welsh and Mr. Scott — Dis
cussion on baptism between V. Cook and John Corbly — School at Union-
town — Produced some literary fruit — Claims to be a western man — Three
classes of preachers — Great embarrassment to such as had families — Lots-
peich in distress — Soon after removed by death — The western pioneers
worthy of respect — Redundancy of laborers — Ministers invited farther
west — -Invited to attend large meetings — Bad conduct of young men-
Successful method of reproving them — Wonderful effect — Sometimes re
proved with severity — Case of a young woman — Failed in one case — Inter
view between Bishop Asbury and Mr. O'Kelly — Reason O'Kelly left the
Church — He and adherents organize  Page 211
CHAPTER XTTT.
Depression relieved by the courtesies of the people — Letter to Mr. Fow-
ble — Is superannuated — Embarrassing relation — Some in it have not been
treated kindly — He shared much attention — Death of his brother Isaac —
Letter to his brother Matthew — The General conference of 1844 — Greatly
affected by its sayings and doings — Attends conference at Marietta — An
affecting scene — Addresses the conference — Is approved by his brethren —
Trusts alone in Christ — Admits himself worn out — Retrospects the past —
Contrasts it with the present — Afflicted in anticipation of the division of
the Church — Save the union — Let not the living child be cut asunder —
Take care of the widows and orphans — Reminiscences of Cincinnati — The
conference — Bishop Asbury — Lines on a lock of his hair — Note from
Mrs. C.  231
CHAPTER XIV.
His disposition to honor the good and useful — What is said of the pious
dead may do the living good — The Ellsworth family — Many reminiscences
connected therewith — Always was a friend to temperance — Letter to Rev.
John G. Bruce, embracing matters of great interest — Second letter to the
same — Plan of Philip Henry — Pleasantry toward southern writers — Let
ter to Professor Merrick — Is not to be suspected of opposition to sound
learning — Defends the plain, common-sense preaching of the old Methodist
preachers — The revival in Wesley's day was chiefly through the instru
mentality of an uneducated ministry — Declines giving Bishop Asbury's
Bible — Was never connected with any literary institution — Was a kind of
president of " Brush College" — His connection with Mr. Wesley in orders —
His health — Letter to the writer — Letter to J. W. Fowble — Attends the
conference at Fiqua/ — Address to his brethren — Collection raised for his
benefit — Presented by Rev. G. W. Walker with an address — His response —
A skeleton of one of his sermons  247
CHAPTER XV.
Return from conference — Good spirits — Anecdotes — Conversation a
source of information — Dreads the common habit of old men — Watches,
and is safe — Pioneer's rest — Description of the house — Furniture — En
gravings — Springs, garden, orchard — Barn and stock — Venerable owners —
Has learned how to be old — Lights and shadows of his itinerant lifo—

12 CONTENTS.
Letter to his son — Attentive to bis own children and other youths — Good
counsel— Resurrection of the body — Dangerous illness — Depressed and
tempted— Victory obtained — Beautiful poem — Private interview— Expresses
his wishes in regard to his interment and funeral— Recovers, and lives
several months — Happy retrospection — Tale of hardships — Hockhocking
Valley — Athens— University— Preachers — Rev. Henry S. Fernandes — His
tomb— Quarterly meeting— Address in love-feast — Accompanies the writer
to Louden Church— Rests well — Happy in the morning — His solicitude to
attend conference — Is gratified — Farewell address — Present conference-
Western conference in 1804 — Field of labor — Scioto circuit — Hard labor-
Discouragements — Some returned to worldly business — Others kept on,
cheered by the blessing of God — First church in the Scioto Valley — Wes-
leyan succession — New Testament authority — The bishops — Whole itiner
ant plan  Page 274
CHAPTER XVI.
His return from conference — Physical condition — Enjoyment of mind —
Letter to Bishop Janes— Kindly acknowledged — Letter of Bishop Asbury —
Attends the election — Gradually declines — Hemorrhage of the lungs —
Conversed with difficulty — Expatiates on the atonement — Extraordinary
eloquence — Long preached Christ — Nothing to take back — Favorable off
set—Visit of the writer — State safe and happy — Blesses his household, and
commends them to God — Sets forth bis own state by the experience of
another — Family collected — Reading the Scriptures, and prayer — Blessing
pronounced on the writer — All is peace — Death-bed scene — Interment and
funeral — Synopsis of the sermon — Burial service read — Monument at his
grave — Inscription  ^.302
CHAPTER XVH.
His person — Hight — Never corpulent — His countenance — Hair — Social
qualities — Admired and respected by all who knew him — Movements of
body and mind — Steady and uniform — Promptness in decision and ac
tion — Ministerial vows — Of moral obligation — Discharged his duty in
every relation — In strict conformity to rule — Appearance in the pulpit —
Impression of his hearers— His voice — Eloquence — His style — Mixture of
argument and application — Addressed the understanding and heart — The
Bible was his authority — Selected his subjects with judgment — Skill in
his arrangement — Well instructed in the Scriptures, and all subjects con
nected with his work — Could manage well what he knew- — The atonement
his favorite — All the attributes combined — Scenes of Calvary — Great effect
on bis auditors — Lover of the poets — Used them to good effect — Can not
be described — His conversation was a feast — A lover of Methodism — Was
set for its defense — His public prayers — Abounding in Scripture language —
Taught much truth in his prayers  316

SKETCHES

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN.

CHAPTER I.
Address to the reader — Reasons for not writing — Determines to
attempt it — Birthplace^ — Ancestry, and their removal to the west —
Number of children — Greatly affected by his mother's death — Re
ligious training — Amount of tuition at school — The family li
brary — His opinion of jEsop's fables — He feared but loved not
God — Longed for baptism — Causes of its delay — Removal of his
parents — They attend the Methodist ministry — Become members —
His father backslides — Reclaimed late in life — Remarks on the ef
fects of intoxicating drinks — Is baptized, but finds it did not
change his heart — The first sermon he heard, and how he re
ceived it.
In compliance with the earnest request of many friends,
Mr. Quinn, in his sixty-eighth year, commenced writing
"sketches" of his own life and labors. On account of
his enfeebled state at that period of life, he made but little
progress in this desirable work. The little he did write,
however, is deemed of much interest, and is certainly very
appropriate with which to commence his biography.

"ADDRESS TO THE READER.
" I have often been urged by my brother, Rev. Dr. Isaac
Quinn, and other friends, as Samuel Williams, Dr. How-
land, etc., to prepare and leave some account of my Chris-
2 13

14 SKETCHES OF THE
tian experience, life, and ministerial labors. To this I have
felt a repugnance, for several considerations; as,
" 1. That in my experience there was nothing of a spe
cially-interesting character; so that its readers would find
nothing but what they had read and heard, both from the
living and the dead. Nothing new could be added — no
new light emanate from my production on the subject of
evangelical experience, embracing, as it does, supernatural
illumination, inducing repentance, justification, and renova
tion, ultimating in a complete removal of the old man in
righteousness and holiness; an entire deliverance from the
spirit of bondage unto fear, and the constant indwelling of
the Spirit of adoption, while the fruits of the Spirit are de
veloped both in the inner and outward man. In the com
mencement, progress, and final result, there is a constant
conflict between nature and grace, while visible and invisi
ble agencies are engaged on both sides. Hence the severe
conflicts which enter into the experience of all Christians.
The man himself is called into action, for he is not a pas
sive receiver — as some have taught — but has an important
part to act. Sometimes he takes sides with nature against
grace, and 'gives place to the devil;' sometimes he takes
sides with grace against nature, 'resists the devil,' and
'draws nigh to God.' Hence, in the experience of both
people and preachers you see, as in the Shulamite, ' as it
were the company of two armies.' There may be shades
of difference, owing to a variety of circumstances — as con
stitutional temperament, education, habits, modes of think
ing and speaking, etc.; yet a genuine Christian is substan
tially the same in all the subjects of grace; so that, 'as in
water face answers to face,' so in Christian experience
grace answers to grace.
"2. As to my life and labors in the ministry, they were
commenced under unpropitious circumstances, and have
been prosecuted in a very imperfect manner. Their his-

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 1 5
tory would exhibit but little in which posterity would be
likely to take an interest, or from which those who come
after could draw much profit, in the prosecution of the great
work for which they are much better qualified than I have
been. "But my last objection to this work is, that I have kept
no journal — that was a fault, I confess; and now, if I write
any thing, in my sixty-eighth year, I must depend chiefly
on memory.
"Are these reasons not sufficient, my brother and good
friends? You say, No, and still urge me to write! Well,
then, by the help of God, I'll try. J. Q.
"May 29, 1842."

"I was born in the county of Washington, state of
Pennsylvania, April 1, 1775. My father, John Quinn,
was the son of James Quinn, of the county of Armagh,
Ireland. He left his father and came to America about
the year 1769. My mother was Sarah Henthorn, daugh
ter of John and Fanny Henthorn. Her parents were from
Ireland; but she was born and raised in the state of Mary
land. Her father was among the first adventurers to the
Redstone country, and was associated with the Beesons
and others, who built a fort, for the protection of themselves
and families, on the spot where Uniontown now stands. I
think they were there when Braddock met his defeat, in
1755. "My mother was married young, and with her husband
settled near Washington, then called Catfish, after an old
Indian captain, or chief, who had his camp and wigwam
near or at that place. My mother's first husband died
young, and left her a widow with one or two small chil
dren — all dead, long since. My father came to that coun
try in company with Col. John Cannon, the proprietor of

16 SKETCHES OF THE
Cannonsburg, where he became acquainted with and mar
ried my mother. She lived to give birth to four sons and
three daughters, and on the day that her oldest son — my
self — was fourteen years old closed her eyes in death.
Ah, never shall I forget that scene ! It is still present to
my mind, though more than half a century has elapsed.
Overwhelmed in sorrow and bathed in tears, I saw her
breathe her last. My parents were raised and educated in
the Church of England, and, I suppose, thought them
selves pretty good Church people. They took some pains
to instruct their children in the principles of religion and
morality. By repeating after my mother, I had committed
to memory the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments, the
Apostles' Creed, and the Church Catechism, by the time I
was five or six years of age; so that religious truth and a
sense of moral obligation were impressed on my mind,
yea, deeply infixed, while I was very young. Hence, I
may say I feared God from my youth; yet it was rather a
servile, tormenting fear, which, however, in some good
degree, restrained me from running into sin.
"My parents had a pretty good English education, and
were anxious to give the same to their children, but they
wanted opportunity; for we seldom had schools, and they
were of a very inferior character. I, however, got some six
or nine months' schooling; so that I read pretty well and
wrote some by the time I was seven or eight years old.
My father procured for me a New Testament, which I re
garded as a great treasure, and read it over and over many
times. This Testament and old Dilworth were all the
books I had, and their contents were eagerly devoured.
One day my father brought home a newspaper — the old
Pittsburg Gazette. I laid hold on it with great avidity,
and read it over and over, till it was literally worn out. I
had a great love for books, and was fond of reading, but
was confined to very few. The principal books were the

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 17
New Testament, and the old book of Common Prayer,
which my father had brought with him from Ireland.
This paucity of books, however, in one sense proved a
blessing; for, if we had but few books, we possessed the
'book of books,' and no trash. The only book of a fabu
lous character that fell into my hands before my sixteenth
year, was ^Esop. When I first saw it, I thought it told a
great many big lies, when it represented beasts and birds
talking. This was explained to me by my mother; yet
still I thought it came very near lying. I had some idea
of trying whether / could not lie in the same way and yet
speak the truth.
"I had a sense of the majesty and glory of God, and a
fear of offending him; yet my heart rose up in opposition
to him. Truly, 'the carnal mind is enmity against God.'
Upon my knees I repeated ' Our Father who art in heaven;'
yet I loved him not as a father, and feared he did not and
would not own me as his child. I sometimes prayed, then
sinned, and then was afraid to pray.
"My Catechism taught me that in baptism I should be
'made a child of God, an heir of Christ, and an inheritor
of the kingdom of heaven;' but, alas! I had not been bap
tized. Then I longed for baptism, and so did my parents;
for they were afraid that their children would be shut out
of heaven, and damned for want of the regenerating sacra
ment. It was out of our reach. The Presbyterians and
Covenanters would not baptize their children, unless they
would give up their attachments to the Church of England,
and take the Westminster Confession as their guide in mat
ters of faith and Church fellowship. This they would not
consent to do. 'Then,' said they, 'we can not baptize
your children.' 'What shall we do? We have no priest.
There, indeed, is old parson M.; but, then, he is such an
intolerable drunkard, such a wicked man; he has no wife,
and that is not the worst of it.' 'I,' said my mother,
2*

SKETCHES OF THE

'would rather trust to the mercy and grace of God to save
my children, without baptism, than to have them baptized
by such an unworthy man.'
"About the year 1784 my father sold his farm in Wash
ington county, intending to remove to Kentucky with his
neighbors Frazier, Rankin, etc.; but my mother and her
connections being much opposed to it, it was determined to
remove to Fayette county, which they did, and settled near
Uniontown. They had heard one or two of the Methodist
preachers, at Mr. Frazier's, before leaving Washington; but
after settling in Fayette, their opportunities were more fre
quent. Peter Moriarty, John Smith, Wilson Lee, Enoch
Matson, etc., were the preachers of that day. My pa
rents, in attending their ministry, were soon awakened,
and, I believe, obtained peace with God. In this grace
my mother stood fast to the end, and died in peace, April 1,
1789. But, alas! my father turned back again to the
world and sin, from which he was not reclaimed till late in
life, and after two of his sons were in the ministry, and
most of his children in the Church. Then, O amazing
grace, the wanderer was reclaimed and brought home;
scarcely* saved; 'escaped as by the skin of the teeth.'
The most of his associates, who helped to draw him back
and lead him on, have long since gone down to the
drunkard's grave; and O, eternity! eternity! Drunkard,
stop! Tippler, stop, stop; for the pit yawns; damnation
is just before you. There is little hope for those who
break their vows to God, the Church, their wives, and
society, and, for the momentary gratification of a morbid
appetite, cast away all that belongs to the dignity of men;
throw themselves sprawling below brutes; and render
themselves as bad, perhaps worse than devils. I am sure
I have seen many of them who were fit for no better com
pany; and yet some of them have been and still are con
nected with decent, pious, yet almost heart-broken wives.

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 19
"See that fine, pleasant, blooming countenance; those
joy-sparkling eyes, with the sweet blending of the rose and
lily. See! how the bloom is fading, the gloom gathering,
the eye losing its luster! etc. Ah! what is the matter?
She sighs; the countenance exhibits signs of confusion; the
tear rolls down; she remains silent. We cease our in
quiries; for we see the heart is almost broken. Has she
found out that her handsome, smiling, fair, yet false-
promising husband, is a secret tippler? Yea, in some in
stances, a downright inebriate? And that all his promises,
pretexts, and perfumes, go for nothing but to make him
more obnoxious in the sight of heaven, and more ridiculous
in the sight of men? I have found many such cases in the
course of my ministry, and have put them on my list as
subjects of prayer; but as I know that God will not con
vert drunkards unless they cease from that evil, I have
prayed that God would give them to see and feel the evil,
and then, if they still refused to obey, that he would take
them away. Why should they live to curse the world,
trouble the Church, and break the hearts of pious and sen
sible women, who could and would be a blessing at home
and abroad, if they were not thus unequally yoked? Some
may say this savors of man, and is akin to the desire that
would pull up the tares or command fire to come down
from heaven. Well, we are willing that the forbearance
and long-suffering of God may be extended to them; and
yet we know that there have been offenders for whom God
would not be entreated, though Moses, Daniel, and Job
stood before him. There may now be those of whom God
may have said, 'He is joined to his idols — let him alone.'
0, it is heart-sickening. I return to my narrative.
"In 1786 my parents, having joined the Church — or
society, as it was still called — and set up family worship
and religious order in their household, resolved to give up
their children to God in Christian baptism, according to

20 SKETCHES OF THE
the order of the Methodist Episcopal Church. This was
required of all heads of families, who became members
of the Church; nor could they remain in fellowship un
less they complied. Accordingly, on a set day we were
taken to the house where preaching was held. My parents
presented their five children — four sons and one daugh
ter — myself the eldest, for baptism. The elder, Enoch
Matson, first addressed the parents most solemnly and
affectionately on the great importance of training up their
children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; observ
ing that it might be the will of God to call some of these
sons to preach the Gospel. After he had gone through
the service he closed with extempore prayer, in which he
with great earnestness plead with God for our early conver
sion, and that some of us might be called to preach.
From that time I felt that I belonged to God, and that his
vows were upon me, and that I was under obligations
'to renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomps
and vanities of the world, and all the sinful lusts of the
flesh.' But I soon found that although I had received the
outward and visible sign, I was a stranger to the 'inward
and spiritual grace,' and finally was led to this conclusion,
that the 'sign,' apart from the 'grace,' is not regeneration;
and that, therefore, I was not ' an heir of Christ, a child
of God, and an inheritor of the kingdom of heaven.' And
yet I thank God for my baptism; for it was a means of
restraint and preventing grace, till I obtained the knowl
edge of salvation by the forgiveness of sins. About
this time I heard preaching, for the first time in my hfe: I
'was about eleven years old. The sermon was preached
by Rev. Peter Moriarty from Heb. xii, 1. I regarded
the preacher as no ordinary man, and believing that he
was God's messenger, I listened to every word as coming
right from God."

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 21

CHAPTER II.
A chasm in the materials for his life — Religious impressions and
sedate manners — The first annual conference in the west — His life
endangered by the bursting of a gun — His mother's assurance that
some of her sons would be called to preach the Gospel — The great
loss he sustained in her death — Powerful convictions — Leaves
home — Is employed in other families — Is thoroughly awakened —
Proposes himself, and is received into the Church — His conversion
and call to the ministry — Is employed by Mr. Crooks, and asked
permission to pray in the family — Resided with Mr. Foot, a local
preacher, and longer with Mr. Wilson — All circumstances favor
able to his theological training — Is licensed to preach, and recom
mended to the annual conference to travel — Is admitted, and ap
pointed to Greenfield circuit — Receives his appointment, and fixes
on the third of June to start — Is greatly depressed — Is relieved
by a passage in the morning lesson — Adopts it as his motto
through life.
The reader, as well as the writer, will deeply regret
that Mr. Quinn had not continued his narrative, and
furnished brief "sketches" of his own life and labors, in
accordance with his well-settled purpose when he com
menced writing in 1842. From the time of his baptism,
when about eleven years old, up to the period of his
entrance on the work of the ministry, we have very little
information concerning him. We are assured, however,
that a good foundation was laid for his religious training.
The instructions of his parents, especially those of his
intelligent and pious mother, made permanent impres
sions on his mind and heart, and did not fail to exert
a salutary influence over his conduct. He was a youth
of unusual sobriety; and his exemplary deportment and
sedate manners attracted the attention of all his juvenile
associates, as well as the admiration of older persons.
The first annual conference of the Methodist Episcopal
Church west of the Alleghany Mountains was held at
Uniontown, Penn., July 22, 1787. Young Quinn was

X% SKETCHES OF THE
present, and witnessed the first ordination that ever
took place in the great western valley. Bishop Asbury
officiated, assisted by Richard Whatcoat, elder. The dis
tinguished and worthy person ordained elder was Michael
Lord. James was then in his thirteenth year; but how
ever young, it appears the solemn and impressive services
of this conference occasion made good and lasting impres
sions on his mind.
Some time during his youth, he loaded a gun very
heavily, to fire off and make a loud report on Christmas
morning. The gun bursted, and inflicted a wound on his
forehead, and injured his hand very much.- He always
considered this a "hair-breadth escape" from death by
the special providence, if not the miraculous power, of
God. Through the fostering care of the Almighty, he
escaped this and other imminent dangers to which he
was often exposed in life, that he might live long to
receive and do good in the world.
On the very day James was fourteen, April 1, 1789,
his faithful and devoted mother died. Previous to her
departure, she received an assurance that God would
visit her family, and that some of her sons would be
called to preach the Gospel. This she communicated to
a female friend with unwavering confidence. She had
carefully taught her children, according to their ca
pacity, their duty to God, their parents, to each other,
and their own generation. She had set a good example
before them — added her most fervent prayers and earnest
supplications for their salvation, usefulness, and happi
ness; and she had no doubt watered all her efforts to
raise her children for God and heaven with her tears;
and no marvel if God inspired her with an assurance,
that her labor should not be in vain in the Lord, but that
he would grant her the desire of her heart in the salva
tion of all her children, and that some of her sons would

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 23
be useful ministers of the Gospel. The value of such a
mother is inestimable. James, though young, appears, in
some good degree, to have been able to appreciate her
great worth, and he felt most sensibly the incalculable
loss which he sustained in her death.
The night after the interment of his good mother, he
was so much concerned about the great interests of his
soul that he could neither rest nor sleep. There was a
godly sorrow produced in his heart by the divine Spirit.
Indeed, he had all the marks of a genuine penitent; and
if he had been favored with as many spiritual helps as
the youths of our country now have, in most places, it is
very probable he would have soon found the pearl of
great price.
After the death of his mother, James continued to labor
on the farm; and with much industry, diligence, and care,
he assisted his father in providing for the other children.
Some time after the second marriage of his father, it
appears James, by mutual consent, -left his home and
father's house, and was employed in the families of other
farmers in that region.
In the year 1792, under the ministry of Daniel Fidler
and James Coleman, who traveled Redstone circuit that
year, the youthful Quinn became thoroughly awakened to
a sense of his wretched condition as a sinner, and the
indescribable danger to which he was exposed. He at
tended preaching statedly at Col. Beck's, and, in his
diffidence and humility, he usually took his seat on a
small chest which stood behind the door. Here he eagerly
availed himself of all opportunities of religious instruc
tion. Here he mourned, and wept, and prayed for pardon
and salvation, using all the means of grace within his
reach. He had enjoyed the third class meeting, and
knowing that he could not, consistently with the rules of
the Church, remain in another, unless he became a mem-

24 SKETCHES OF THE
ber, he rose from his seat behind the door, and, without
any invitation, presented himself to the preacher, James
Coleman, saying, "I wish to join your Church, if there
are no objections." Of course there were no objections
offered, and he was admitted on probation in the Meth
odist Episcopal Church, when about seventeen years
of age. The pious members of the class felt a deep
solicitude for his speedy conversion. All were ready
to aid him by their sympathy, counsel, and prayers, in
seeking redemption in the blood of Christ — the for
giveness of sins. And it was but a short time till he
obtained justification by faith, and reahzed the washing
of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Such
was the manifestation of mercy and grace in his case,
that he was fully satisfied that God had created him anew
in Christ Jesus, and rejoiced in the direct witness of the
Spirit. Under the influence of this great grace, and its
renewed energies from day to day, he continued firm in
his Christian profession, steady in his conduct, walking
worthy of his high vocation, and adorning the doctrines
of God his Savior. Few young men, professing godliness,
were ever more grave, exemplary, and uniformly pious
than was James Quinn; and few ever shared more largely
of the confidence and love of their acquaintance than
he did.
When about eighteen years of age, young Quinn was
employed by a farmer by the name of Crooks. The
whole family were irreligious, yet they were all delighted to
hear him sing, and of evenings would often request him
to sing his Methodist hymns and spiritual songs. And
having sung for the family every evening for some time,
though a diffident and retiring youth, he ventured to ask
if he might pray in the family. Permission was cordially
and readily granted, and he took up the cross, and prayed
regularly in the family, every evening, the whole time of

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 25
his sojourn with them, which was several months. This
was, perhaps, the first attempt of our young friend at
the labors of a missionary. I have no information of the
success of his efforts to do good to this family; but have
no doubt but that the stirring up of the gift of God that
was in him was made a great blessing to his own soul.
And when the light of eternity shall shine upon the his
tory of his residence with that family, it may develop
results of great interests from the songs and prayers of
the young servant of Christ in the generations of that
household. One, at least, of the descendants of the
Crooks family is known to the writer as a pious member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is endeavoring to
order his household aright before the Lord.
Young Mr. Quinn was usually solicitous and successful
in obtaining situations in pious families. He resided some
time with a local preacher by the name of John Foot,
where he labored on the farm." He lived much longer
with William Wilson, who was also a local preacher in the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and one greatly beloved and
useful in the whole sphere of his labors. He remained
with Mr. Wilson till he entered upon the great work of
the Christian ministry; and it was from his house he
started to his first circuit in the itinerant field.
We have ample grounds to infer that Mr. Quinn's
associations were all favorable for the development of
the fruits of the Spirit, the cultivation and exercise
of all the Christian graces, as well as his intellectual
improvement and theological training. The pursuit of
agriculture, and his labors on a farm, were favorable to
his physical education, and, no doubt, contributed much
to the firmness of his constitution and the soundness of
his health. It was said of John the Baptist, "The child
grew and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts
till the day of his showing unto Israel;" and there can
3

26 SKETCHES OF THE

be no doubt John's physical training and manner of life
contributed much to the qualifications necessary for his
laborious and important mission. Equally necessary and
important was the training generally received by the self-
sacrificing and laborious men of God, who first preached
the Gospel, as itinerant pioneers, in the then sparsely-
populated and newly-settled western country.
It was not very long after Mr. Quinn's union with the
Church and his happy conversion, that his mind became
solemnly impressed that it was his duty to proclaim "the
unsearchable riches of Christ" to a lost world, and urge
and persuade sinners to repent and believe the Gospel.
The love of Christ constrained him, and the Holy Ghost
moved him to this duty; yet he hesitated long, and seemed
not disposed to enter on so holy and important a work,
till all his acquaintances in the Church were fully con
vinced that he was surely "called of God, as was Aaron,"
and the authorities of the Church took up his case, and
literally thrust him out into the work. The quarterly
conference of his circuit, in view of his grace, gifts, and
usefulness, judged him to be a proper person to receive
license as a local preacher, and, therefore, authorized him
to preach the Gospel. He was duly recommended to the
Baltimore conference, held in Baltimore, May 1, 1799, as
a suitable person to be admitted into the itinerant ministry
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He did not attend
the conference himself, but awaited at home the decision
of that body in his case.
In those days there were but few mail facilities, and the
means of receiving intelligence from the east to the west
far between, and exceedingly slow at that. It was nat
ural for him to feel some stretch of anxiety in regard to
his case, and a desire to know the result by some com
munication from conference. On the first day of June,
just a month after the beginning of the conference, he

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 27
had the pleasure of meeting Rev. Thomas Waymond at the
house of the venerable John Spahr, who, on his way from
conference, was seeking his field of labor for the year —
Ohio circuit. He reported to Mr. Quinn that he was
admitted into the traveling connection and appointed to
Greenfield circuit. And as Mr. Waymond had been trav
eling and preaching eight years, he had an experience that
enabled him to be eminently useful to his young friend,
who was now in a state of mind to receive with eagerness
every ray of light that would reflect upon that untried
field into which he was about to enter; and it appears he
greatly profited by the conversation and prayers of this
man of God, who was then just on the brink of Jordan;
for in twelve days after this interview Thomas Waymond
took his exit from earth to heaven.
Mr. Quinn returned to his residence at Rev. William
Wilson's, and fixed on the third of June for his departure
to his first circuit. The morning of that day dawned
upon him, but brought with it an hour of gloom and dis
tress to his mind. He well-nigh wavered in the purpose
he had formed to yield to the call of God and his Church,
and endeavor to do the work of a preacher of the Gospel.
He trembled at the fearful responsibilities he was about to
assume in the great work of the Christian ministry. And
such was the estimate he formed of his own qualifications,
that he was sorely tempted to believe that he would accom
plish no good, and even do injury, to the sacred cause of
Christ. In this state of mind Mr. Wilson asked him to
officiate at their morning prayer, and lead the devotions of
the family. With trembling he approached the stand, and
took up the holy book with a heavy heart. He opened
the Bible at the seventy-first Psalm, and read on till he
came to the sixteenth verse, which reads, "I will go in
the strength of the Lord God: I will make mention of thy
righteousness, even of thine only." In a moment the

28 SKETCHES OF THE
cloud of darkness was dispelled, his soul was disburdened
of its load; and he was made light in the Lord. He then
saw the great source of his strength, and, with the help of
the great Jehovah, he might do valiantly. His way was
made plain before him, and he clearly saw the true method
by which he, weak as he supposed himself to be, might
accomplish the great work to which he was called. This
text was made such a blessing to his soul, that he adopted
and used it as his constant motto through life. Whenever
he received his appointment at an annual conference, he
would immediately recur to those precious words, and, in
the form of this text, enter into covenant with God, and
with renewed energy and zeal prosecute his holy calling.
When regularly engaged in the itinerant work, he was in
the habit of improving the third of June of every year, as
a sort of anniversary, by preaching on his favorite motto.
Greenfield circuit appears first on the minutes in 1796,
and embraced parts of Greene, Washington, and Fayette
counties, in western Pennsylvania. We infer at the end of
this year this circuit was distributed among other circuits,
or was known by some other name, as it appears no more
on the minutes till 1804, when the name was revived.
Edmund Waymond had charge of the circuit, and Daniel
Hitt was the presiding elder. The death of Thomas
Waymond occasioned a vacancy on Ohio circuit in the
beginning of the year, which might have made it necessary
to change several preachers in the district. Mr. Quinn
was changed twice by the presiding elder, and labored on
three circuits during the first year of his itinerancy, but
served the most of the year on old Redstone circuit, as
helper to James Paynter.

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 29

CHAPTER III.
Appointed to the Pittsburg circuit — Western Methodist pio
neers — State of society — Other denominations — The efficiency of
Methodism — Robert Worster — State of the Church people, and
readiness to receive Methodism — The first society formed near
Uniontown, Penn. — Swedenborg's works, with a dream and its
interpretation — Dodridge and Teeter families — Indian depreda
tions — The Roberts family — Moriarty, Fidler, and W. Lee — The
Meek family — Stoneman and Spahr — Major M'Cullock and others
in the vicinity of Wheeling — Phcebus, Wilson, and Phelps ap
pointed to Redstone — The circuit enlarged — C. Waymond and
family — The improvement of Asa Shinn under the theological
training of Methodism — No place for loungers in the itinerancy —
The Ellsworth family — Joseph Chieuvrant — The Hacker family —
W. Strange got lost and perished in the woods — John Strange sent
forth — Barren regions, with fierce opposition — Universalism —
Conference at Uniontown — Emigration to the west — Great loss sus
tained — Talbot, Stewart, and Wakefield — Debate between Cook
and Jamison — Connellsville and the Connell family.
In 1800 he was appointed to the Pittsburg circuit, asso
ciated with Nathaniel B. Mills.
Mr. Quinn, in his contributions to the Western Historical
Society in 1839, has given a description of his fields of
labor the first few years of his itinerant life, and a history
of the rise and progress of Methodism in the head of this
great valley, and many incidents, which I gladly avail
myself of in this place:
"By a reference to the book of bound Minutes, it ap
pears that Jeremiah Lambert was the first Methodist
preacher that ever was appointed to the western waters.
He stands for Holston, 1783, Henry Willis for 1784,
Richard Swift for 1785. Lambert I never knew; but with
Willis and Swift I was pretty well acquainted, especially
the latter. They were regarded as men of deep piety,
and more than ordinary preaching talents. They were
both men of fine personal appearance, say six feet in
3*

30 SKETCHES OF THE
stature, rather slender, good English scholars, well-read;
and therefore men of useful science, if not classically edu
cated. They were among the first elders of the Church,
and the young men esteemed it a privilege to learn of
them; and many a useful lesson has the writer of this
humble narrative taken from them.
"Dean, as we used to call him, in 1802 — which was the
fourth year of my itinerancy — in appearance and address
in the pulpit, was little — if any — inferior to that of our
dear M'Kendree; and his conversation in private and the
social circle was charmingly edifying. His health failed
in the prime of life. He located, married, and settled in
Berkley county, near Shepherdstown, Va., where he lin
gered a few years: then died in great peace.
"Willis was an eloquent man, mighty in the Scriptures,
and a most profound and powerful reasoner. He also be
came feeble in the prime of life, retired from the itinerant
field, married, and settled on a farm near Frederick county,
Md. The Baltimore conference sat in his parlor in April,
1801. In this neighborhood Robert Strawbridge raised
his first society. At this conference William Watters
re-entered the work — having been local for some years 
and was ordained elder. Willis lingered on a few more
years in pain, then fell asleep, and was gathered to his
fathers. "In 1784, John Cooper and Solomon Breeze stand for
Redstone; in 1785, Peter Moriarty, J. Fidler, Wilson Lee;
for 1786, John Smith, Robert Ayres— Enoch Matson,
elder. "I was born and raised in western Pennsylvania, and
traveled over all the country called Redstone, extending
back from the foot of Laurel Hill to Wheeling on the
Ohio, thence up the Ohio to Pittsburg, and thence up the
Monongahela and Youghiogheny almost to their sources,
during the first three years of my itinerancy, commencing

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 31
fifteen years after the first missionaries entered the field,
and while some were still remaining to testify of the grace
that had been made known to them through the instru
mentality of the men whom they believed God had sent
to them.
' ' Redstone was the name given by those living on the
east of the mountains to all the country settled by the
whites on the west of the mountains; though among the
settlers themselves it was the name of an inconsiderable
creek; but on it were the first settlements made. Union-
town, Fayette county, is near its head, and Brownsville
near its mouth. The country itself, into which our mis
sionaries entered, and which - they occupied under the
name of Redstone, was of considerable extent, embracing
parts of the states of Pennsylvania and Virginia, and may
be called the head of the great and fat valley. At that
time Pennsylvania had four organized counties west of the
mountains: Westmoreland, Fayette, Alleghany, and Wash
ington; and Virginia had two, perhaps three: Mononga-
hela, Harrison, and Ohio. I have no data from which to
give the number of inhabitants; but new and frontier as
was the country, and still subject to savage depredations, it
was not a moral waste; for there were laws, courts, judges,
and magistrates. And in those days they whipped,
cropped, branded, and hung men for stealing; and fined
and imprisoned for swearing, Sabbath-breaking, etc. And
as they were not without law, so neither were they without
Gospel. The Methodist preachers were here the very first
year of their Church organization; but the Presbyterians,
Seceders, Covenanters, and Baptists were here before
them. "In Fayette there were two or three organized congre
gations of the Presbyterian Church, under the pastoral care
of Rev. Mr. Dunlap. He was said to have been a devoted
man and good preacher. He, perhaps, was the first in

32 SKETCHES OF THE
western Pennsylvania who brought in the psalms and
hymns of Watts, which divided the congregation, and put
up another synagogue in Westmoreland. There were
three or four churches of the same order, under the care
of Rev. Messrs. Finley and Powers. These were said to
be very orderly men, and searching preachers. Of Alle
ghany I can say nothing with certainty. In Washington
county Rev. John M'Millin and Rev. Joseph Smith had
care of several congregations. I heard both these men
preach since I became a man, and verily they used not
flattering words, nor did they daub with untempered mor
tar, or speak peace when God had not spoken peace.
"The Seceders and Covenanters also had some three or
four ministers and congregations in all, in most of the
counties of Pennsylvania.
"The regular Baptists had a number of churches in
Washington and Fayette counties, and in all the counties
of western Virginia. There were three brothers by the
name of Sutton, and two by the name of Lofl'boro, and
old father John Corbly, all Baptist ministers — all stiff
Calvinists, close-communion men, and strongly opposed to
the Methodists, as were the Presbyterians. But some of
their descendants of the third and fourth generations are
now warm-hearted members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. ,
"But the children of old mother Church — not of Rome,
but of England — where were they? and what of them?
Why, they were scattered throughout the land in all the
length and breadth of it; and, like those of old who had
hung their harps on the willows, some of them, at least,
wept while they thought of Zion. Dear souls, they were
left to perish for lack of knowledge; they had no kind
shepherd near to guide the sick, the spiritless, and faint.
The Presbyterians would not give them the sacrament, or

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 33
baptize their children, unless they would subscribe to the
Westminster Confession, and promise to bring up their
children in that faith; the Baptists would not permit them
to commune, except they would renounce their baptism
and become immersed; and they concluded that they
could not enjoy Church privileges at so high a price. 0,
what a field was here for a missionary bishop! Strange!
very strange! that the third year of the nineteenth century
should have passed away, before the mother should have
happened to think of providing for her starving children
in the right way: so, that has been done last which should
have been done first.
"But old, clear-sighted John Wesley saw what was to
be done, and how it was to be done. So, leaving mother
and grandmother to scold away about order and succes
sion, he pronounced the whole a dream, and made haste,
according to New Testament order, 'to provide' — to use
his own words — 'for those poor sheep in the wilderness.'
And so it came to pass, that while the mother was busied
here and there, trying to get ready, -his plan had well-nigh
turned the world upside down.
"The itinerant heralds were running, yea, almost flying',
in every direction, with an efficient, itinerant general super-
intendency, directing the energies of the whole. Ah! if
mother had set Bishop White side by side with the emi
grant Asbury, full of faith and holy fervor, instead of
making him diocesan in the city of brotherly love, then
might the missionary bishops have shared the toils of the
morning, and divided the spoils in the evening. Well,
mother Rachel, do not weep for thy children as if they
were not. I, one of thy sons of the second generation,
have a word of comfort for thee. Many, very many of
them, have been housed and homed in the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and thence transferred to the house not

34 SKETCHES OF THE
made with hands, where there are no Churchmen, Presby
terians, Baptists, or Methodists, and no contention about
order or succession.
"But it is now time to return to our Methodist preachers,
Cooper and Breeze. They made their entrance at Union-
town, in the immediate neighborhood of which were many
Church people, and a few Methodists. But they had been
preceded by Robert Worster, a local preacher of piety and
considerable talent. He had preached in many places,
both in Fayette and Washington counties. Souls had
been awakened and converted to God by his preaching;
but I am not sure that he formed any societies. He came
to one of my appointments in 1799, and preached for me
a pure and powerful Gospel sermon. At that time his
head and his hair were as white as wool. I felt it a privi
lege to hear, perhaps, the first Methodist preacher whose
voice was ever heard this side of the Alleghany Moun
tains. No doubt he is safe at home in paradise. He was
an Englishman; came to America about the time that Mr.
Asbury did. He was then a local preacher. He left the
Redstone country early in the present century, settled in
Bracken county, Ky., and removed from thence to Indiana,
on White Water, near Connersville, and died shouting;
but in what year my informant could not say with cer
tainty. It is remarkable that our local preachers are very
often the pioneers of Methodism, in forming new circuits
in the west. Cooper and Breeze of course had no plan
of ministerial labor to direct them; they might have re
ceived some assistance from Worster, but the country was
before them. They therefore went to and fro, up and
down, watching and following the leadings and openings
of Providence; and wherever they found an open door,
there they entered. But as I went over all the ground
fifteen years after they left it, while their footsteps remained
to be seen, and their evangelical marks found in living

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 35
epistles all through the country, I shall follow them in a
somewhat regular pian, commencing at Uniontown. Here
were the Jennings, the Henthorns, the Kindalls, the Mur-
phys, etc., all Church people, most of them strangers to
experimental religion, and some of them very loose in
their morals; yet it is true there were among them some
who were hungry for the bread of life, and thirsty for the
waters of salvation. And such was the state of the Church
people, generally, in the western country at that time.
These were among the first to receive the word with
readiness of mind. Here was the prayer-book abridged,
containing the same articles of religion, and the sacra
ments, with the same forms of administration, which they
had been accustomed to hold sacred. If they had any
misgivings on the subject of order in regular succession
from St. Peter or St. Paul, they soon gave it up, and con
cluded, with Mr. Wesley, to call 'it a fancy or a dream;'
and so found — as they believed— an evangelical home in
the Methodist Episcopal Church. Here scores, yea hun
dreds of them, have lived holy, and died happy.
"The first society was raised in the vicinity of Union-
town, but at whose house I am not certain. Most proba
bly it was David Jennings' or widow Murphy's; and D.
Jennings, old James Kindall, widow Henthorn, widow
Murphy, with their numerous households, at an early
period, became subjects of converting grace, and mem
bers of the Church. I knew the fathers and mothers,
and now have an acquaintance with the children to the
third and fourth generations. They are still at home in
the Methodist Episcopal Church — still endeavoring to fol
low on in the footsteps of those who have gone before. I
next found their footsteps on Youghiogheny near the Broad
Ford. Here Thomas Moore, from the eastern shore of
Maryland, lived on one side of the road, and Joshua Dick-
crson, from Cecil county, Md., on the other side. Both

36 SKETCHES OF THE
opened their doors to receive the messengers of peace, and
their hearts were opened to receive the grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ. These were both Churchmen. Moore, I
think, had attached himself to the Presbyterian Church for
the sake of privileges; but, being called to account for his
Methodistic sentiments, he dissolved his connection with
that Church, and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church,
of which he remained a member till he removed to' Ken
tucky, about the close of the last century.
"J. Dickerson had a numerous family of children, who
mostly embraced religion when they were young, and be
came members, with their parents, of the same Church.
The old patriarch fell a few years since, leaving a posterity
of near two hundred, many of whom, to the fourth gen
eration, are living members of the same Church in which
their pious predecessors died.
"I now follow our pioneers down the river Youghio-
gheny, and find their evangelical marks in the forks of
Youghiogheny, Westmoreland county. Here Benjamin
Fell opened his door, and the Lord opened his heart.
This man was of Quaker origin, raised near the City of
Brotherly Love, and was a member of the first Congress
that sat in the United States — a delegate, I think, from
Bucks or Berks county. I used to love to listen to his
conversations by the hour, of the then gone-by days, and
congressional movements, etc. Well, this man, his wife,
and some eight or ten sons and daughters, together with
the widow Beazel and her numerous family of sons and
daughters, soon became subjects of grace and members
of the Church.
"A large society was raised, which was greatly strength
ened by the addition of Edward Teal, an old Methodist
class-leader, from the vicinity of Baltimore. This man 
originally a Churchman — was converted and Methodized
under the ministry of Asbury before the Revolution. Of

1 >

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 37
the descendants of the Fells, Beazels, and Teals, I think
there are some hundreds now living, members of the
Church. The old people, and many of the second and
third generations, already sleep in Jesus, among whom is
the wife of my youth. Here she was born in Zion, under
the ministry of Valentine Cook, in 1796, and fell asleep in
Jesus in the town of Chilicothe, January 1, 1823. She
was a woman of an excellent spirit, and truly pious. She
left her father's house, and accompanied me in all the toils
and privations of an itinerant life in a new county, pa
tiently and submissively, without a murmur or complaint,
nineteen years and eight months. Precious saint, well
might the heart of thy husband safely trust in thee, and thy
children rise up and call thee blessed! May they possess
and cherish her graces as she did those of her mother!
"Old Edward and Sarah Teal died in peace, the one at
seventy-five, the other at eighty-five years of age. Their
spirits are at home in paradise, and their flesh resteth in
hope. "Next we find our missionaries passing from the forks
of the Youghiogheny over the Monongahela river into
Washington county, and, directing their course up the
river, they raised the standard on Pike run. Here they
are received by William and Jeremiah Riggs, and William
How. These were all zealous Churchmen, but they were
hungry and thirsty for the bread and water of life, and
joyfully received both through the instrumentality of
Methodist preacheis. William Riggs became a local
preacher, and his brother Jeremiah, leader. In this place
old Robert Worster had labored with success. In 1799
I found a large class of devoted Christians here, who met
at the house of old father How. The fathers and mothers
here, too, are all gone. But I have seen and heard of
their descendants, who still stand in the ranks of Meth
odism, still pressing forward in their happy toil.
4

38 SKETCHES OF THE
"Our missionaries find an open door some five or six
miles from Brownsville, on the road to Washington. Here
William and Thomas Hockins, and Joseph Woodfield, be
came the happy subjects of regenerating grace. All
became members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and
all Jocal preachers. These, too, had been raised Church
men, but, upon examining Methodism, they came to the
conclusion that Christianity, in that evangelical and simple
form, was good enough for them and theirs; so they cor
dially embraced it. These men have all passed away, and
of their posterity I know nothing with certainty. But in
1799 some of them were there, and a good society, with
whom I had many refreshing seasons.
"As you pass on the National Road eastward, say five
miles west of Brownsville, on the left hand, you see a neat
stone chapel, called Taylor's; that stands on the spot
where stood the little log hut that, some forty-five or fifty
years ago, was called Hockins' meeting-house, and the sec
ond, if not the first, Methodist meeting-house that ever was
reared in the great valley. In this vicinity Swedenborg's
works made, as I believe, their first appearance in the west,
say forty-five years ago. They were circulated by a vision
ary old gentleman, and read by some. His notions were
embraced by a few, who appeared much elated with the
expectation that the Lord's new Church was soon to be
set up and prevail over all. But the New Jerusalem has
not descended from God out of heaven as yet. One of
those who had become illuminated with the science of
correspondences, began to see visions and dream dreams,
one of which he could not comprehend, so he told it
to Joseph Woodfield. Said he, 'I stumbled and fell,
and my head broke from my body and tumbled down a
declivity; I hastened after it, caught it up, and clapped it
on; but unfortunately, in my haste, set it wrong side
foremost, and could not get it turned the right way, as it

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 39
instantly grew fast.' Joseph looked wise, and said, 'My
friend, yours is a serious case, perhaps more so than that
of the poor person who thought his head had become so
enlarged, that he could not get into the church door with
out having it compressed. Your head has got wrong side
foremost, sure enough, else how could you gulp down the
fantastic dreams and imaginary visions of Swedenborg.'
These works I read in 1799, and in the course of forty
years have observed, that most of those who embrace the
notions of the Baron are either, 1. Those who have lost
the enjoyments of religion; or, 2. Those who are of a fan
ciful or visionary turn of mind; or, 3. Those who are
strongly disposed to skepticism.
"But it is time to look west; and, following the track
left by our missionaries in the immediate neighborhood of
Washington, an open door was set before them by F.
Lackey. This man with his house, and old father Abra
ham Johnson and his house, became obedient to the faith.
A good society was raised here, of which, if I am not
mistaken, Mr. John Jones, father of our Greenbury R. Jones,
was an early member. From this society, also, Methodism
found its way into Washington, through the instrumen
tality of Mrs. Hazlet, who used to go to that class before
there was one in town. She invited the preachers to town
and entertained them kindly. Her husband was a very
gentlemanly man, but at that time not decidedly religious.
Mrs. Hazlet yet remains, but fathers Lackey and Johnson
are long since at rest. Of their posterity I can give no
satisfactory account.
"Next, George Frazier, an old eastern-shore man, near
Cannonsburg, opened his door, and the word was preached;
but I think no society raised. My father and mother
heard them at this place — for here I was born — and
thought well of them; and after they came home, Church
people as they were, talked of having their children bap-

40 SKETCHES OF THE
tized by them. Old Mr. Frazier shortly after that moved
to Kentucky, and was the progenitor of the Fraziers, near
Cynthiana; and my father moved to Fayette county, near
Uniontown, where both my parents became members of
the Church, and had their children baptized. My mother
died in the faith fifty years ago, believing, as I afterward
learned by an aunt of ours, that God would visit her
family after her death, and that some of her sons would
be called to preach the Gospel.
"My father wandered from the fold, and from the
Lord, but late in life returned, and had hope in his death.
To God be all the glory! Still in Washington, we next
find our missionaries on the waters of Cross creek and
Buffalo, kindly received by John and Philip Dodridge,
and their old brother-in-law, Samuel Teeter. These all,
with the greater part of their numerous families, fell into
the ranks of Methodism; and Joseph, son of John Dod
ridge, became a traveling preacher — and the first in the
great valley — of considerable promise and success. But
after mother got ready, he went and took orders, got a
black gown, and white band, and came out parson. I
have heard both Joseph and Dr. Joseph Dodridge preach,
and, according to my recollection and judgment, I think
Joseph could preach as well as the Doctor, if not a little
better. The difference was this: Joseph preached, and
the Doctor read.
"On the land of John Dodridge was built a little log
meeting-house, which Dr. Joseph Dodridge insisted — the
last conversation I had with him — was the first on this
side of the Mountains. The original society here has
had the place of its meeting transferred to Middletown,
as I am informed, midway from Wellsburg or Steubenville
to Washington; hence, going east on that road, a short
distance before you reach Middletown, you leave on your
right hand, within one mile, Dodridge's meeting-house,

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 41
and the sleeping dust of many of the first members of
the Methodist Church in the head of the great valley.
"Before I leave this section, I must be permitted to say
that the Dodridge and Teeter families, and the society in
their neighborhood — and I knew them well more than
forty years ago — were a noble, free-hearted set of Chris
tian people, who loved one another, and served God with
humility of mind. We still have scores, yea, hundreds
of their descendants within the pale of Methodism.
"I am not sure that Cooper and Breeze ever got out any
further toward the Ohio river; but if they did, it does not
appear to my recollection, or according to my information,
that they made any permanent stand. In those days
there were perilous times; Indian depredations were quite
common. " Next I find these devoted and indefatigable servants of
Christ, raising the flag of Gospel liberty on Muddy creek,
where they were received by William Shepherd, George
Newland, and others — children of the Church — where a
society was raised, and a meeting-house built, called
Shepherd's meeting-house. It was a small, log building.
Methodism still lives in that place, although those who
first were brought under its influence, having served their
generation, by the will of God, have fallen asleep. Thence
I follow them up the Monongahela to Whitby and Dunk-
ard Creeks, where they met with a kind reception by
David and George Boydston, the Longs, and others.
Here I found a good society in 1799, and I am told that
God still has a people in that place. They also raised
a society on Crooked Creek, eight or ten miles from Mor-
gantown, Va.; here Amos Smith, Thomas Luzel, George
Smith, and the Fraziers, were among the first fruits.
These honored their profession, and it is believed died
in the faith, and some of them in holy triumph.
"In Morgan town they had not much fruit of their
4*

42 SKETCHES OF THE
labor; but in 1799 I found a meeting-house and a small
society in that place. I know not that Cooper and his
colleague went any further up the waters of the Monon-
gahela, but turning their faces toward Uniontown, near
the mouth of Cheat River, they found the Parishes. These
were men of sterling worth. Here a good class was
formed, and a-meeting-house built, called Martin's Church,
and Methodism has had a permanent standing there ever
since its first introduction.
"They now leave Virginia, enter again into old Fayette,
and bearing down the Monongahela river toward Browns
ville, they establish a preaching-place at a Mr. Roberts',
nearly opposite the mouth of Muddy Creek, two or three
miles from the river. Here also a society was raised,
and a meeting-house built, called Roberts' meeting-house.
There was a good society here in 1803, and in that year
they had an accession to the Church, and built a new
meeting-house. James, the eldest son of old Mr. Roberts,
became a traveling preacher at an early day, but soon
married and retired from the work, yet sustained the rela
tion of a local preacher, and maintained the Christian
character till a few years since, when, near the town of
Cadiz, Harrison county, 0., he closed his eyes in death,
leaving his family well provided for in temporalities, and —
as I am told — piously disposed.
"I have followed these indefatigable and laborious men
round their circuit, embracing parts of five counties, four
in Pennsylvania, and one in Virginia, and have come to
the place of beginning — old Uniontown. Here is the
place where — by the instrumentality of Worster, Cooper,
and Breeze — the handful of corn was placed in the head
of the great valley, the fruit of which has been shaken,
like Lebanon, for more than half a century. I next pro
ceed to take some notice of the extension of the work by
those who came after. In 1785 P. Moriarty, J. Fidler,

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 43
and W. Lee were appointed to Redstone. Moriarty was
the first man I ever heard preach; I was then a lad in my
eleventh year. His text was Hebrews xii, 1 . Under that
sermon I concluded myself a sinner, and that anger was
the sin that most easily beset me. Whether this was a
correct conclusion or not, I have been profited greatly by
it through life thus far. These men were greatly beloved
by the people, and very useful among them; and the first
generation of Methodists in that region of country loved,
and thought, and talked about their beloved Cooper,
Breeze, Moriarty, Lee, etc., as long as they lived. Blessed
preachers! blessed people! they are now in paradise, and
will be in heaven each other's joy and crown. Moriarty
and his colleagues not only nursed the societies that had
been raised by their predecessors, while they were en
larged under their ministry, but they also extended and
enlarged their field of labor, including all or most of the
settlements between Washington county and the Ohio
river, and embracing that part of Virginia included in the
counties of Brook and Ohio, and extending on the Ohio
river from Wheeling, some twenty-five or thirty miles up
to, or above a place called Holliday's Cave.
"In the bounds of this enlargement, forty-eight years
ago — I speak of those with whom I had a personal ac
quaintance — stood pre-eminent, as the first fruits, Isaac
Meek, Esq., father to the Rev. John Meek. This very
aged man still lives, as I am told by his son John. He
was a circuit steward, and a very influential, useful mem
ber of the Church for many years; and I know not how
many scores of his descendants are or have been Meth
odists, for he had a very numerous family; and three of
his sons became preachers — one itinerant, John, and two
local, James and Jacob.
"Mr. John Stoneman was a most excellent, devoted,
noble-souled man. He was the father of Rev. Jesse

44 SKETCHES OF THE
Stoneman, who was a laborious and very successful itin
erant preacher for several years, but located, and yet
lives in Perry county, 0. He is a happy old man, and I
love him much; for her was my first class-leader. Old
Major Derrick Hogeland had been a very rough man be
fore his conversion; but as he had much forgiven, he loved
much. He was a warm exhorter, and used to call whisky
the devil's jack-plane; 'for,' said he, 'the joiner can
make every tool in his shop follow his jack. So if the
devil finds a fellow drunk, he can lead him captive at
his will.'
"Old John Spahr was a strong, clear-headed, warm
hearted Dutchman. His wife, Rebecca, a sensible, well-
read, and well-informed Virginian, a deeply-devoted Chris
tian, died in great peace, some thirty years ago. She
was one of those excellent women, whom her husband
might praise, and whose sons and daughters might rise
up and call blessed. She exerted a most salutary influ
ence in her own family, the society — which long met in
their house — and the neighborhood round about. I wept
when I heard of her death; for she was one of my nursing
mothers. Old father Spahr yet lives, although almost or
quite one hundred years old. If ever you have seen a
print or bust of Martin Luther, you have seen a pretty
good likeness of old father Spahr. This pious pair had
two sons and many daughters, all of whom became re
ligious while young. The youngest son, Joseph, became
a traveling preacher. He was a pious, amiable young
man of considerable promise, but the Lord called him
home at the close of the first year. - He died on his way
to conference, at the house of old mother Hamilton,
mother of our Samuel Hamilton, of the Ohio conference.
His colleague, Rev. Isaac Quinn, loved him much, and
remained with him till his spirit took its flight. His bodv
was interred in the burying-place at Zanesville. Where?

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 45
not a stone tells where! Three traveling preachers ob
tained wives out of this family: J. Young, J. Laws, and
J. Cowley; and an excellent set of women they were.
But they have all gone to join their sainted mother in
paradise. "Next, old Major M'Cullock, his excellent wife, and
old Mrs. Zane — sister of the Major — together with Col.
M'Mechan — in the vicinity of Wheeling — with his most
devoted wife — who after his death married Col. Strickler —
all stood forth prominently as the first fruits in the front
ranks of Methodism, and honored the cause which they
had espoused. One of the grandsons of mother M'Mechan,
who used to lodge Methodist preachers, midway from
Wheeling to Grave Creek, shone with brilliancy among
Methodist preachers a short time, but mother — Church —
offered him a black gown and white band. He accepted;
and now he preaches or reads, perhaps both, in another
sphere. Well, when the Methodist Church gets up her
theological seminaries, such cases may be of frequent
occurrence; but while Methodist itinerancy goes on upon
its present plan, there will still be use for long-headed,
strong-headed, clear-sighted, warm-hearted, common-sense
men, who will be ready on all occasions to go through evil
as well as good report, not counting their lives dear to
themselves. "At the close of 1785 the number of members from this
field of labor was five hundred and twenty -three; so that
it appears they labored not in vain in the Lord.
"The next year, William Phoebus, John Wilson, and E.
Phelps being appointed to Redstone, they enlarged the
circuit, passing up the several branches of the Monon-
gahela above Morgantown, Va.; namely, West Fork, Bu
chanan, Tygart's Valley, and Cheat River, as far as settle
ments had been made by the whites. On the West Fork,
some twenty miles above Morgantown, a society was formed

46 SKETCHES OF THE
in the neighborhood, perhaps the house of old Calder Way
mond. This man, his three sons and several daughters,
with their families and others, constituted a large and
flourishing class. Thomas, the second son of old father
Waymond, became a traveling preacher, was admitted on
trial in 1790, and for eight years was a most devoted,
heavenly-minded man, a good, plain, and very successful
preacher. In May, 1799, he was appointed to Ohio cir
cuit, Va.; and as that was the year of my admission on
trial, he brought me my first appointment. We roomed,
conversed, prayed, and lodged together, at the house of
the old patriarch, Spahr, on the night of the first of June,
1799. We parted next morning to meet no more on
earth; for on the 13th of that month, at the house of
Caleb Pumphrey, his happy, blood-washed spirit took its
flight to paradise, and his body was entombed in the
Methodist burying-ground, at Cadesh Chapel, midway be
tween Wellsburg and West Liberty, Brook county, Va.,
'where not a stone^ tells where he lies. But I was told a
few years ago, that a lovely elm had sprung up on or near
his grave. Lovely man, I loved him much; and when I
heard of his death, I tried to pray that the Lord would
give me his mantle, if it had not fallen on some other.
"Some fifteen or twenty miles further up toward Clarks
burg, a door was opened, and a good society formed, at
the house of Mr. J. Shinn, father of Rev. Asa Shinn.
This man was of Quaker origin, but he believed and was
baptized, and his household. Forty years have passed
away since I preached and met the class in this good
man's house. At that time Asa was seeking salvation
with a broken spirit — a broken and a contrite heart; we
prayed together in the woods, and I have loved him ever
since — would that he were yet with us. This young man
was admitted on trial in 1801, although he had never seen a
meeting-house or a pulpit before he left his father's house

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 47
to become a traveling preacher. Having only a plain,
English education, yet in 1809 we find him, by the ap
pointment of the venerable Asbury, in the Monumental
City, as colleague of another backwoods youth, R. R.
Roberts, now Bishop Roberts. So much for a diligent
attention to the course of theological reading and training,
laid down by Wesley for his preachers, and carried out by
Asbury and his coadjutors.
"A learned son of the Church has furnished a very
good-natured apology for Mr. Asbury's apparent inatten
tion, if not opposition, to classical education and theolog
ical training; but who shall be apologized for? or who
shall write the apology, at the close of the second century,
when the Church shall have been in the hands of a
classically-educated and theologically-trained ministry,
amply provided for in handsome, local, congregational,
or diocesan style, for half a hundred years? Perhaps
some son of the Church will be able then to show, from
proper data, that the Methodist ministry of the first one
hundred years, both in Europe and America, were not
lacking in New Testament qualifications for the great
work which God wrought by them.
"Methodist itinerancy, as a system, has hitherto had no
place for loungers, and may Heaven forbid it ever should,
and let all the people say, Amen. This plan calls for men
to cut loose from the world, and cast it behind. Let us
have the men who are constrained by the love of Christ,
moved by the Holy Ghost — men who can walk hand in
hand with poverty, for twice twenty years; then leave
their widows to trust in the Lord, and their fatherless
children to be provided for and preserved alive by him.
"But whither am I rambling? Methodism could ob
tain no footing in Clarksburg for many years — not so now,
I am told; but some eight or ten miles still further up
the West Fork, a door was opened, and a blessed work

48 SKETCHES OF THE
ensued. Many souls were born of God. The patriarch
in the membership here was old Moses Ellsworth, of Ger
man descent. He was great grandfather to our Ellsworths
of the Ohio conference. His wife was a Henkle, and a
grandaunt to the Henkles that once were with us. I used
to think of the father and mother of John the Baptist,
when I saw this venerable pair. They are long since gone,
but Ichabod has not yet been written upon the family
escutcheon. "In this vicinity lived, and labored, and died in holy
triumph, Joseph Chieuvrant, a Frenchman by birth. He
was converted from Catholicism, and converted to God,
about the commencement of the Revolution, and had
permission to exhort. He was called out by draft as a
militia-man in the army; he became acquainted with and
was instrumental in the conversion of Lasley Matthews,
an Irish Catholic. These men were mighty in the Scrip
tures; they preached, and loved, and lived holy. Many
a good Bible lesson have I taken from them; for I always
intended to learn something when I got in company with
such men. Old brother Chieuvrant was one of the most
extensively-useful local preachers I ever knew. He was
son-in-law of old father Ellsworth. Still on tire West
Fork, ascending, a society was raised at an early date;
hence I found, as the first fruits, two brothers by the
name of Simms, and old brother Curl, etc. Some of these
people journeyed to the west, and settled in Champaign
county, 0., where some of their posterity are still in the
ranks of Methodism.
"We now take a left-hand fork, called Hacker's Creek,
and find a living, loving, large society at old father
Hacker's. His numerous family were chiefly members,
and his son William a local preacher, and another a class-
leader. No doubt forty years have made great changes
here. Thence wo cross over a mountain, or very high

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 49
hill, on to the head of Buchanan, another branch of
the Monongahela. Here I found a very good society,
which had been formed by the first preachers. Here
were the Reegers and others of the first fruits still re
maining. To this class belonged William Strange, a local
preacher of piety and usefulness. He was the father of
our dearly-beloved Rev. John Strange. This good man
was strangely lost and never found. He had gone out with
a company of hunters to bring in a horse load of venison;
which having obtained, he started home alone, which he
never reached. Those who sought him for many days,
found the horse, and part, or signs of the load, and — as
they believed — traced his footsteps for some miles. He
was evidently bewildered, as his tracks were leading him
from, and not toward home. His loss was much lamented
by the society, for he was greatly beloved by them. The
Lord took him, but took care of his widow and orphan
children. Mrs. Strange was a Hitt, a relative to the men
of that name, so long and favorably known in the ministry
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. At the time of which
I write, she was, by a second marriage, the wife of Mr.
Hall, an Englishman, and a respectable member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. He loved John, who was
then a lad, in 1810.
"I took this same John as an exhorter, and sent him to
help J. B. Finley, on Wills' Creek circuit. 0, lovely youth!
0, blessed man! I loved him much, and hope to meet
him in heaven. From Reegers' settlement, on Buchanan,
we cross the high or mountainous lands to the swamps in
Tygart's Valley. Here was a society forty years ago,
which had been raised by the pioneers of Methodism, some
eight or ten years prior to that period. The principal
members here were two brothers, by the name of Thomas,
sons of an old Methodist traveling preacher, who used to
labor successfully on the eastern shore of Maryland and
5

50 SKETCHES OF THE
Virginia, in the early days of Methodism; also, Edward
Waymond, brother of Thomas, of whom I have taken some
notice; likewise, brother N. Hall, the class-leader. No
doubt great changes have taken place here in forty years,
but still I remember and love that good society; for with
them the Lord often refreshed my spirit.
"Having taken this little excursion of a hundred and fifty
miles or more, through the hills or mountains of Virginia,
and visited all or most of the societies which had been or
ganized some years previous to the close of the eighteenth
century, and given the names of some in each society as
the first fruits, and that from personal acquaintance formed
on the spot, I now propose to return to old Uniontown —
the place of beginning — passing down Tygart's Valley to
the mouth, and so on through Morgantown. I found in
this range some pretty large settlements, where there was
no Methodist preaching or a society, although attempts had
been made in all; some of these were held under and by
Baptist influence; and these thought it their religious duty
to guard the people against the influence of Methodist
preachers and principles, whom they regarded as false
prophets, who, if possible, would deceive the very elect,
or wolves in sheep's clothing; and never did the early set
tlers take more care and pains to guard and protect their
sheep from the prowling wolves of the forest, than did
these to keep out Methodist preachers; yea, some of them
appeared to think it would not be much harm to dispose of
them as they used to dispose of the wolves of the forest;
namely, take them in steel traps, or pitfalls, or pass
cold lead through them. Other settlements were held by
the 'prince of the power of the air, the spirit that ruleth
in the children of disobedience;' and the Universalians,
whose visible leader, A. S., had once been a thorough
going predestinarian and minister of the regular Baptist
Church, and many of the predestinarians of that day, fell

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 51
into the ranks of Universalism. And why not? Al
most all the Universalians with whom I have had conver
sation for forty years, whether of the old or new school, I
have found to be determined predestinarians. The wicked
of all classes, who had no religious sentiments, and wished
to be under no moral restraints, fell into these ranks, and
zealously joined the strong man in keeping his house and
goods in peace. Thus Methodism, for a time, at least, was
kept out of these strongholds. But I am inclined to think,
that it hath had an entrance; yea, after the lapse of forty
years, I have found the grandchildren and great grand
children of those who, at that time, were the determined
enemies of Methodism, among its warmest friends and most
zealous supporters and* defenders.
"In 1787 an annual conference was held in Uniontown,
in the month of July. I was at that conference, a lad, in
my thirteenth year, and witnessed, I think, the first ordi
nation that ever took place in the great valley. Mr. As
bury officiated, not in the costume of the ' lawn-robed pre
late,' but as the plain presbyter, in gown and band, assisted
by Richard Whatcoat, elder, in the same habit. The per
son ordained was Michael Lord, of whom it was said, that
he could repeat nearly the whole of the New Testament
off the book and large portions of the Old. The scenes
of that day looked well in the eyes of the Church people;
for not only did the preachers appear in sacerdotal robes,
but the morning service was read, as abridged by Mr.
Wesley. But the priestly robes and prayer-book were soon
laid aside at the same time; for I never saw the one,
or heard the other, since. Soon after this, Mr. Lord de
sisted from the traveling ranks, and died in poverty, ob
scurity, and peace, on Cheat River, about forty-one or forty-
two years ago.
"In 1787 the number in society in Redstone was seven
hundred and fifty-six. From Uniontown, which was then

52 SKETCHES OF THE
the emporium of Methodism in the head of the great val
ley, the preaching continued to enlarge the field of labor
on every side, and to every place where the Macedonian
cry was heard.
"I now ask the reader to accompany me on a little
mountain excursion of one hundred and fifty or one hun
dred and sixty miles. In 1788 the Redstone field seems
to have been divided into four circuits — Glarksburg, Ohio,
Pittsburg, and Redstone. To this field of labor seven
preachers were appointed. I knew them all. They were
considered pious men, and useful in their day, and some
of them of very acceptable preaching talents. J. Lurtan
and Lasley Matthews stand for Redstone proper; and it
was for them to enlarge the work to the east, and carry the
glad tidings of salvation to the sparse settlements inter
spersed through the mountains. They entered the moun
tains, say fifteen miles south of Uniontown, and passing
up a creek, made their way to Sandy Creek Glades. Here
was a pretty large settlement. Here they preached, and
raised a pretty large society, which was a good, loving
people forty years ago, and met at the house of old William
Waller. "Next, a society was raised among the Kemps, Listans,
Fraziers, etc., near where the National Road crosses the
Big Crossings. There were more than fifty in society here
in 1803.
"Thence passing on down the stream, they planted the
standard on Turkey Foot, where the Big Crossings, Little
Crossings, and Laurel Hill Creek, coming together, form
the Youghiogheny river. Here was a considerable tract of
fertile land, on which lived many families. Benjamin Jen
nings, Isaac Dwire, Isaiah Strawn, and others, were among
the first fruits. This society was large and prosperous for
many years. The regular Baptists had also a large so
ciety here. But they loved not the Methodists, because

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 53
they baptized children, published a free and full salvation
to all, urged the necessity of good works as the fruits of
a true faith, and taught the fearful doctrine of the possi
bility of making shipwreck of faith, and so falling off, or
falling from grace. No doubt forty years have made great
changes here. I know that many of the people emigrated
to Ohio at an early day.
"Next, they found an open door at Michael King's, in
the Glades, not far from Berlin. This man, his family,
D. Moore, his family, and the parents of Rev. John Solo
mon, were there, as the first fruits in the winter of 1799 and
1800, when old brother J. Paynter rode old Redstone,
having the writer as helper.
"In that winter, old father King fell asleep. He died
in great peace; yea, sweetly as babes sleep, did he yield
his life up. His death was much lamented; for he was a
good man, and a good and useful local preacher.
"I now must cross over the Laurel Hill, and make my
way into the head of Ligonier Valley. There was a small
society at A. M'Lean's, from Shippensburg or Carlisle, and
another at Enos King's, son of the old local preacher.
These, however, at that time were of recent date, and the
prospect not flattering. But near old Fort Ligonier was
raised a large and flourishing society. Here the father of
the venerable Bishop Roberts, and his extensive family,
although Church people, fell into the ranks of Methodism.
Ah, old mother missed it, in not having a missionary
bishop here, or some one to take care of the poor sheep in
the wilderness. Well, the Lord took care of them, and
sent them pastors of his own making, and after his own
heart; and they collected the flock, and gave them food.
"Here, too, were the Shaws and Fishers — the latter of
Quaker origin. Here, also, was the devout Cornelius Ri
ley, and his excellent wife, Abigail, father and mother of
James and Tobias Riley, of the Baltimore conference.
5*

54 SKETCHES OF THE
Little did I think, at the time I received them into the
Church, and wrote their names on the class paper, at old
brother John Roberts', brother of the bishop, that I should
live and be effective, till the lads should become senior
ministers in the mother conference. This the Lord hath
wrought; to him be all the glory. 0, what a living, loving
society was here! Often was my spirit refreshed among
them. 0, how they loved to think and talk about their
dear brothers, Lurtan, Matthews, and others, through
whose instrumentality they had been brought to God!
"This society suffered much by emigration to the west,
as most of the societies in the mountains did; for when the
rich lands of the west came into market, the mountaineers
made a general rush, as if the bears, panthers, wolves,
Indians, rattlesnakes, and fire, had all broke loose upon
them; and, poor things, many of them lost their religion
and their lives in the scuffle.
"There was another good society still further down the
valley, which met at the house of a brother Howell. Here
James Talbot was a prominent and useful local preacher;
and the father and mother of brother Stewart, of Cincinnati,
with their numerous family, were prominent in the mem
bership. Here we leave the valley, and crossing a moun
tain or very high hill, and passing over Conemaugh river,
we arrive at a pretty extensive settlement on Black Lick.
Here a handful of corn had been placed in the earth by
the pioneers, and a good society sprang up, which met at
the house of James Wakefield. This man was a local
preacher. I am told he still lives. He taught me some
good things, and I loved him. I believe he has two sons
in the ministry, and one of them presiding elder on old
Redstone. Well, we need not be afraid; for if the Church
is faithful, and will pray in faith to the Lord of the harvest,
he will supply the Church and the world with laborers of

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 55
his own making and sending, ' who shall speak the Word
with power as workers with their God.'
"Such has been the character of the Methodist ministry
down to this day, and such may it be till time shall be no
more. "We now leave the Black Lick settlement, and direct
our course west, and on the top of the Chestnut Ridge the
handful of corn had produced a good society, which met
at the house of father Wakefield, father of James. To
this class belonged the venerable Martin Fate, his deeply-
pious wife, three or four sons, and as many daughters. A
son and grandson of this family became preachers, one
local — Martin, who still lives near Zanesville — and the
other itinerant, whose name will appear on our next annual
minutes, as fallen at his post on his circuit. At the foot
of the Chestnut Ridge, on the west, we recross the Cone
maugh — here called Kiskiminitas — having received as a
tributary the Loyalhanna, which comes rushing down Lig
onier Valley.
"We now look again south or south-west, toward old
Uniontown, which is sixty miles or more distant; but let us
not be in haste; we have got out of the mountains again,
and let us move leisurely along through old Westmoreland,
passing by Hannahstown as we go, and leaving Greensburg
to the right hand.
"Hannahstown had been designated as the seat of jus
tice for Westmoreland county; but it was demolished
and burnt down by the Indians, and the inhabitants cut off,
more than sixty years ago. I regret that I can not give
the circumstances in detail, with correctness and certainty.
"A few miles distant from this place, the great polemic
battle was fought between the Rev. Mr. Jamison and the
Rev. Valentine Cook, the former of the Seceder, and the
latter of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which we
shall take some notice hereafter. But I was not present,

56 SKETCHES OF THB
and it is possible that some eye and ear witness may be yet
living, who can give a more perfect and satisfactory account;
this would be most desirable. There was a door opened
for preaching on Jacobs' Creek, among the Masons, and
Ragans, and a small society raised, which, however, passed
off westward by emigration, leaving scarcely a vestige be
hind. "A few miles distant from Ragan's, on the Youghio-
gheny river, and near the foot of the mountain, they ob
tained a preaching-place, at one Flaugherty's and Hains',
on a farm belonging to Zachariah Connell, grandfather of
our Zachariah Connell. Here a society was raised by Ja
cob Lurtan, which Mr. Connell, and his numerous family,
attended, and became members. And the farm itself be
came the site of the town of Connellsville; and Connells-
ville is now the emporium of Methodism in an extensive
tract of country."

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 57

CHAPTER IV.
Ordained deacon, and appointed to Erie circuit — Feels his respon
sibility — State of the population — Forms a large circuit, embracing
eight or ten classes — First class organized at J. Mershon's — Could
do nothing at Meadville — Great scarcity — Suffers with the people —
Finds R. R. Roberts, and urges him to help at a watchnight — Sees
him made bishop — Lived to see other great changes — Appointed
to Winchester — Two circuits united — The plan — Oterbine's socie
ties — Fruitless effort of Vasey — A revival — Young men of Win
chester — J. Fry and others become preachers — Clothes threadbare
and no money — Valuable local preachers — Fall of his colleagues —
E. George and others entered the field — Glorious success — A pleas
ant day spent in good company — Asbury preaches at Winchester —
Meets O'Kelly — Prays at the meeting of the company at Mr.
Phelps — No light talk — Grave subjects selected for social entertain
ment — The company described and named — Intellectual musical
instruments — Dinner — Profitable conversation — Song of praise —
Prayer and benediction by Mr. Asbury.
In 1801 the Baltimore conference was held at the house
of Rev. Henry Willis, on Pipe Creek, Maryland, May 1.
At this session Mr. Quinn was ordained deacon, by Bishop
Whatcoat, and appointed to Erie circuit alone. This was
the first time Erie appeared on the minutes. J. Rowen
had explored a part of the ground the year previous, and
reported the prospect of the reception of a Methodist
preacher among the people; and if one were sent, he might
be able to form a circuit. With this prospect in view, the
bishops determined to send a preacher to the settlements
in the north-west, and fixed on James Quinn for that diffi
cult and important work. After his appointment was an
nounced, Bishop Asbury called him to him, pressed him
to his bosom, gave him a Discipline, and said: " Go, my
son, and make full proof of thy ministry." He felt, most
exquisitely, the fearful amount of responsibility connected
with the great work of planting Methodism and organizing
societies in that new country. With the solemn charge of

58 SKETCHES OF THE
the bishop pressing on his heart and conscience, he started
immediately for the field of labor assigned him, in com
pany with Joseph Shane, a probationer of the first year,
who was appointed to Chenango circuit, which had been
formed two years before. They had no railroads or even
turnpikes then, but the whole journey was accomplished
on horse, and along the narrow, difficult mountain paths.
After crossing the Alleghany river at Pittsburg, they sep
arated. Joseph Shane passed down the Ohio to Beaver
River, and Mr. Quinn went directly to Meadville, which
was supposed to be the center of his new circuit, or rather
mission. The Presbyterian Synod of Pennsylvania had
sent out ministers, who had laid out all, or most of the
settlements, into congregational districts; and, whenever
they could gather a sufficient number of members, they
organized churches and ordained them elders, so that they
seemed to have taken possession of the entire country.
Our pioneer, however, thought he saw a well-marked
opening to spread Scripture holiness over that land; and,
with the zeal and courage of a true missionary, he went
forth with his Bible, Hymn-Book, and Discipline, visiting
the various settlements, and, from cabin to cabin, preach
ing Christ and him crucified, and praying most fervently
for the salvation of the people. His labors were greatly
blessed of God, and he finally succeeded in permanently
forming a circuit between three and four hundred miles
round, embracing about twenty preaching-places, and
eight or ten small classes. The first class he organized
was at the house of John Mershon, near the lake shore, in
Erie county, Penn. Some four or five families were found
in this neighborhood, who hailed our missionary with a
joyful welcome, and received with readiness of mind the
word of truth, the Gospel of their salvation, which he
preached. At this distance of time, it may be interesting
for the Methodists of Erie county to know at whose house

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 59
the first class was organized, and the number and names
of the members. They were John Mershon, his wife
Bathsheba, Daniel and Elizabeth Monroe, brother and
sister of Joshua Monroe, of the Pittsburg conference, and
Andrew StuU. Of these five, I believe, none remain on
earth but the venerable Mershon, who lives to furnish this
information, and who says this was the first religious
organization of any kind ever formed in Erie county.
These were the first fruits of Methodism gathered into the
Church, but, since that period, the wilderness has blos
somed as the rose.
Mr. Quinn said himself, "I could get no foothold in
Meadville. They had an educated and classically-quali
fied minister there, and the Methodist ministers were said
to be 'very illiterate,' and were viewed rather as a set of
irresponsible men, unworthy of confidence. But time has
proved, that if they could not write or speak classically,
the most of them were capable, by grace, of making an
EVANGELICAL MARK."
During this year the people, throughout the entire
bounds of his labors, experienced such a scarcity of pro
visions that it was bordering on a famine, and the preacher
suffered in the painful calamity as well as the inhabitants.
He says, in his own modest language, "I suffered a little
in the flesh this year. Breadstuff's were very scarce, and
what flesh we ate was chiefly taken from the woods with
the rifle. But about midsummer we got plenty of good
potatoes. Once, however, having been several days with
out bread or meat, I indulged, when very hungry, in eat
ing too freely of half- ripe blackberries, which caused an
attack of bilious colic that held me two days. But, on
the third day, an old lady cured me by giving me weak
lye made of hickory ashes. Thank God for that. Upon
the whole, I look back with as much pleasure upon the
labors' and sufferings of that year, as any one of the many

60 SKETCHES OF THE
years I have been employed in the vineyard of the
Lord." It was in this year's travels that he found the modest,
diffident, and very retiring Robert R. Roberts, on the head
waters of the Little Chenango, where he then lived, a pious
private member of the Church. Mr. R. had been cer
tainly called of God to the work of the ministry, but
he was laboring to suppress his convictions of duty in
his much-loved retirement. At a watch-night, held by
Messrs. Quinn and Shane, some six miles from his resi
dence, Mr. Quinn urged R. R. Roberts to help them in the
labors of the meeting. He made no definite answer, but
when the Hymn-Book was handed to him at the close of
the first sermon, he arose and addressed the congregation,
in an exhortation of fifteen or twenty minutes, which was
about his first public effort. In 1816 Mr. Quinn saw him
ordained bishop, at the General conference in Baltimore,
and conducted to the episcopal chair. His exclamation
then was, "What hath God wrought!" He lived to see
other and great changes and improvements. A Meth
odist' college has been established, and many circuits,
stations, and districts, and parts of three conferences, are
now embraced in what was then the territory of his Erie
circuit. Truly, a little one has become a thousand. "It
is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes!"
In 1 802 the Baltimore conference was held on the first
of April. Mr. Quinn was appointed to the Winchester
circuit, and Solomon Harris and Thomas Doxey to Berk
ley. By some process, it appears the two circuits were
united, and the three preachers traveled the whole as one
circuit, each making a round once in six weeks, preaching
twice in Winchester, so as to give that town preaching
every Sabbath. The extent of this field of labor, the
prosperity of the work of God on the circuit this year, and
many other interesting particulars, shall be given in Mr.

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 61
Quinn's own language. He says: "I assure you we had
work enough to do, as you will see when I give you the
plan. "In Winchester we preached twice on the Sabbath.
We preached, also, at Hagan's, Mersor's, Buckmaster's,
Ryzer's, Ambrouse's, Cramer's, and Warm Springs. The
societies at the four last-named places were pious, devoted
people, chiefly of German descent, and attached to Mr.
Oterbine's societies, and at that time called Dutch Meth
odists. They had voluntarily placed themselves under
our watch-care, for the purpose of obtaining English
preaching for the benefit of their neighbors and rising
families, who were losing a knowledge of the German
language. Indeed, at that time there was a strong incli
nation in that society to become one people with the Meth
odist Episcopal Church; and this, certainly, was the advice
and desire of the good Oterbine. Hedge's Chapel, Mar-
tinsburg, Samuel Harris', Bucklestown, S. Chalfant's, Na
than Young's, Pane's Meeting-House — at all these stands
we had classes, except Martinsburg. That at Hedge's
Chapel was a good society, composed chiefly of old Church
people, and the church or chapel itself was built under
the crown; but the Methodists had peaceable possession.
My first appointment in Martinsburg was at night, and we
held meeting in the court-house, by the light of one candle.
We had a few pious members here, but they were attached
to classes in the country. In Bucklestown there were the
remains of a good society, but it had suffered much by
emigration to the west. At Rev. N. Young's we had a
good, loving society, and a blessed revival in the course
of the year. At Pane's the society had been almost
ruined and broken up by  . Verily, one sinner spoileth
much good. There were some buddings of good that year,
and a few souls added to the Lord. G. Bruce's, Gran
tham's, Joseph Hite's, Thomas Keys', Samuel Welch's,
6

62 SKETCHES OF THE
William Taylor's, Lemmon's, Shepherdstown, and Charles-
town — at all these appointments there were good societies,
except at Joseph Hite's. There had been a large and
flourishing society here, and a meeting-house; but it had
been so reduced by death and emigration to the west, that
we found but seven members; but the Lord remembered
his heritage here this year, and so built up this waste place
of Zion that we left about sixty in the society — a most
lovely and hopeful set of young people. I have met some
of them in the west, who now, like myself, are old and
gray-headed; but this guide of their youth is now the staff
of their age, and they have not forgotten the revival of
1802, at Hite's, near Charlestown, Jefferson county, Va.
In Shepherdstown there was a good society in a healthy
state, and the Lord of hosts was with them. In this place
the Rev. Thomas Vasey — one of Mr. Wesley's elders, who
was present, and perhaps assisted, at the organization of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and ordination of Mr.
Asbury — having separated from that Church, he en
tered into the bosom of old stepmother, put all his ener
gies into action for the purpose of raising up her wastes,
and restoring her glory. But ah! it would not do — the
candlestick was removed, and the glory departed. The
anti- Christian union between Church and state had been
broken up, tithes and glebes could no longer be relied
upon for Church revenue, and the religious orders of
America were left free to choose their own course, and
worship God, with or without name, in temple, synagogue,
church, or meeting-house, standing, sitting, or kneelinc,
in silence or with a loud voice, with or without book.
Besides, the interests of stepmother had suffered griev
ously during the Revolution; for, while the Presby
terians, Baptists, and Methodists, with other pastors,
remained with their flocks during the terrible conflict!
being willing to spend and be spent— to live, to labor, to

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 63
suffer, yea, to die with and for the flocks over which the
Holy Ghost had made them overseers — the hirelings, pre
tended successors of the apostles, took fright, and took flight
to the land of their fathers, leaving their flocks to the
mercy of the devil, or to the care of the Presbyterians,
Methodists, Baptists, etc. Now, if havoc was made of
those flocks that had been abandoned to their fate by
their faithless shepherds, who is to bear the blame?
Thanks to the good Shepherd, he gave these deserted
sheep and lambs into the care of other shepherds, and
they have been led into green pastures, where living
waters flow, and all the blustering and blowing of the
inflated sons of old stepmother can not make them believe
that they have not Gospel order and Gospel food. Well,
Mr. Vasey found, after a time, that he was engaged in a
hopeless enterprise, that all his efforts proved fruitless;
and, therefore, yielding either to discouragement or con
viction of a premature or improper course, he gave up and
returned to old England, where, after a time, he found his
way back into the Wesleyan connection, in which, I be
lieve, he lived, labored, and died. The old church, in
Shepherdstown, stood unoccupied in 1802.
"But it is time to give my reader another section of our
circuit. Whitehouse, on Bull-Skin; Bartholomew Smith's,
father of old brother Henry of Baltimore conference;
Scurff's, near Battletown; widow Green's, near Paris, or
the Blue Ridge; Northern's, in Sniger's Gap; Weekly's;
Leehewtown, on Shenandoah; North's. At all these places
we had classes, save one; and some revival influence, and
refreshing from the presence of the Lord, in the course of
the year. This last section was a very rough portion of
the circuit, as we had to cross the Blue Ridge and Shen
andoah river, each twice. But we minded not the toil;
for in those days Methodist preachers were wont to find
their way into every nook and corner where there were

64 SKETCHES OF THE
human beings, provided they could find an open door, and
procure an audience, be the fare rough or smooth. But
we have not got round yet. We have still another im
portant section, and this will bring round Stevensburg,
White-Post, Middletown, the Cove among the mountains,
on Cedar Creek — a small class of pious people, but they
were not to be thrown out of the circuit because they
were poor, few in number, and remotely situated — Spack-
elford's Meeting-House, and William Sadler's. At all
these stands we had societies. That at Spackelford's,
however, was very feeble: I think only four in number.
It had once been large and flourishing; but by death, de
clension, and emigration to the west, it was almost gone;
yet the Lord had mercy on them in their low estate, made
bare his arm for them, stretched it out, and raised them
up, so that when we left the circuit they were, say seventy
in society, most of them warm and happy in their first
love. One young man in this revival gave me great joy.
I had labored much with him, and rejoiced over him as
Paul did over Timothy, believing that in him, at least, I
had one seal to my ministry. , For several years he was a
most successful traveling preacher, and an instrument of
great good to my father's house; for under his ministry
three of my brothers and a sister, with my father, were
brought into the fellowship of the Church; but, having
married — that was not wrong — he located, entered into
business, became drowsy, laid his head on a pillow, or
soft lap, was shorn of his strength, almost lost both his
eyes; but awoke up, made a mighty struggle, and, it was
hoped, made the shore; but it was like the escape from
the dwelling wrapped in flames, or the mariner flyino- in
the slender bark from the foundered and sinking wreck.
Ah, Joseph, I loved thee much! At Stevensburg we
were favored with a most blessed revival — scores of pre
cious souls were brought from darkness to light, and from

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 65
the power of Satan to God. Out of this revival several
preachers came forth — a White, Talbot, Pool, Brison, etc.
I have met some of the subjects and witnesses of that
revival in the west, and have talked and thought of the
subject till our hearts have burned within us. In Win
chester we had a charming set of young men, to whom
I became much united in spirit, and with them I often
took sweet counsel. Fry had laid down the carpenter's
tools, and gone forth at the Master's bidding to labor in
the vineyard. His brother Joe was still pushing the
plane, and Michael boot and shoe-making. J. Carson was
making shoes, and Simon Lauk making guns. They all
believed that they heard the Master say, ' Go ye also into
my vineyard:' and they were using all diligence, and
exerting all their energies, to get ready. I often visited
their shops; found on the bench, or near at hand, the
Bible, a grammar, logic, some book on science or the
ology — proofs, this, that they gave attention to reading — no
filthiness, fooling, talking, or jesting, but such as was
good to the use of edifying. They were young men, but
sober-minded; and yet there was a cheerfulness and
buoyancy of spirit that sweetened society, and made the
heart better. 0, brothers of my heart, how I loved
them! Well, as might have been expected, they all be
came useful, yea, able ministers of the New Testament.
"I reached my circuit, and took my first appointment
in Winchester early in May, and first learned here that
the circuits had been tied together, and that I was released
from the charge. This suited my feelings well; but I
came rather in poor plight, for I had traveled on Mus
kingum, Hocking, and Kanawha in 1800, and on Erie in
1801; and as there were no missionary funds in those
days, my purse was empty, and my clothes threadbare.
Nevertheless, I was not ashamed; for I believed I had
been sent by Him who sent out his first missionaries
6*

66 SKETCHES OF THE
without purse or scrip, while he himself had not where
to lay his head; and they suffered from hunger, cold, and
nakedness. Shall I say that the man who can not brook
all this is unfit to be a missionary? Well, it was not long
before I was well clad, and had money, too. Permit me
now to mention my visit, in company with and by request
of brother G. Reed, to the sick room and dying bed of
Gen. Daniel Morgan, that terrible thunderbolt of war,
who, with his companions, made the British lion quail.
But the thunder and din of war had passed, and the
hero had retired to wear in private life the fading laurels
accorded to him by a nation. In the mean time, death,
who had passed by him in the field of battle, had not
lost sight of him or given up his claim, but pursuing him
close through every lane of life, nor missing once the
track, at length overtook him in his bed-chamber, and he
must go the way whence he shall never return. I was
introduced to him in character by Mr. Reed. He reached
out his hand, and looking me full in the face, said, ' 0, sir,
I am glad you have come to see me, and I hope you will
pray for me; for I am a great sinner, about to die, and I
feel that I am not prepared to meet my God.' I ventured
to show him the way of salvation by faith in Him who
suffered the just for the unjust, that he might bring us
to God — then prayed with him. He wept much, and I
left him bathed in tears. Never did I see tears flow more
copiously from man, woman, or child. Ah, thought I,
how little can the honors or riches of the world do for
poor man when death comes! When I came round
again death had done its work; the body had been in
terred with the honors of war, and the spirit had gone
to God who gave it. Rev. Mr. Hill, Presbyterian min
ister, who continued his visits to the last, believed there
was some ground of hope in his death. 0, how hazard
ous to defer repentance till stretched upon the bed of

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 67
death! I now took my plan of thirty-eight appointments,
besides six or eight appointments at night, for the special
benefit of the people of color, and went on, from day to
day, with fear and trembling, feeling a deep sense of my
great inadequacy. But the Lord helped me, gave me
favor in the sight of the people, and access to their hearts.
I soon became deeply interested in the prosperity of the
people at each preaching-place, as may be inferred from
the fact that I still retain the name of each preaching-
place, though I have kept no record. The territory of
three large counties was embraced in our bounds; namely,
Frederick, Berkley, and Jefferson; and we must have rode
near four hundred miles in reaching all the appointments,
as they stood arranged on the plan. In no section of the
work in which my lot has been cast, have I found so
large an amount of first-rate ministerial talent operating
in a local sphere. In Winchester Enoch, afterward Bishop,
George, having located, was engaged in school-teaching
in Shepherdstown. S. G. Roszel, having located, was en
gaged in the same business. Near the same place was
located, on a farm, Richard Swift. Between Shepherds
town and Charlestown, Samuel Welch. In the vicinity of
Stevensburg there were Elisha Phelps, Wm. M'Dowell,
and Lewis Chasteen. These had all been successful and
popular traveling preachers, and were considered men of
first-rate talents; and, although none of them were classi
cally educated, yet were they men of sound, well-improved
minds; and, were they now alive, they would be listened
to with interest and profit by the most intelligent con
gregations. At the feet of these excellent men I took
many useful lessons in theology; for I was more than
willing to learn, and they were apt to teach. Roszel and
George again entered the itinerant ranks; but the other
five ended their lives and labor in a local relation, re
maining fast friends of the Church and of itinerancy to

68 SKETCHES OF THE
the end. The circuit and cause of religion sustained some
injury from the rather worse than imprudent conduct of
the other two preachers: the one, being a probationer, left
without leave; the other was reprimanded and removed,
dragged on a year or two years, and was finally expelled
for grossly-immoral conduct. 0, how this grieved and
wounded me, causing me to go with my head bowed
down for many days and weeks! for, till then, I had never
been associated with a Methodist preacher in whose re
ligious integrity I had not the utmost confidence. 0, to
what amazing lengths in crime have some men gone under
the mask of religion! Few, very few men have attempted
this in the Methodist Episcopal Church, whose sin has not
found them out, so that they have been unmasked. But
in our trouble we called on the Lord, and he helped us.
The spirits of those worthy men whose names I have
mentioned was stirred within them, and they came to the
help of the Lord against the mighty, and the cause of
Christ was well sustained. Brother George dismissed his
school, took up and girded on the Gospel armor, and
came forth, sword in hand, and the Lord of hosts was
with him. The other local preachers helped much, and
our excellent host of young men of Winchester sallied
forth like so many young Davids, each with his Gospel
sling and pouch of pebbles from the brook. In the mean
time along came Mr. Asbury, giving us, as he passed
through our circuit, six sermons, many exhortations, and
prayer almost without ceasing; and commending us to the
grace of God, on he went to Holston, leaving his traveling
companion, Rev. Edward Matthews, to help us. Now the
Gospel car began to move gloriously, increasing in velocity
to the end of the year, and we wound up with the addi
tion of three hundred souls to the Church. 0, glory! my
soul gets happy while I think and write."
Mr. Quinn has furnished the following graphic account

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 69
of a pleasant day, profitably spent in good company,
during this year:
"The untiring Bishop Asbury, in wending his way to the
south-west, had sent on his appointments to enter the fertile
valley at Shepherdstown, Va.; and so passing up the val
ley, preached at Shepherdstown, Charlestown, Winchester,
Stevensburg, Harrisonburg, Stanton, etc., on to Abingdon.
"Sunday, August 22, he spent in Winchester, preached
twice, read letters, etc.; had a good day. (See his Jour
nal, vol. 3, p. 76.)
"Monday, 23, had his last interview with Mr. O'Kelly.
It was friendly in its character, and it is probable that
hatred was, to some extent, conquered by love. An
arrangement was made for the Bishop to rest a day or
two at the house of his warm-hearted friend, Rev. Elisha
Phelps, in the vicinity of Stevensburg, where he would
receive his friends. Accordingly, on Tuesday, 24th, at an
early hour, before the heat of the day came on, a most
interesting company convened at the lovely country resi
dence, where true Virginia hospitality, in old style, stood
ready to receive them with smiling welcome. As soon as
the company were seated in the not splendid but neatly-
arranged parlor, in order that all things might be sanc
tified by the word of God and prayer, the Bishop, in his
usually-laconic and comprehensive style, addressed the
throne of grace. Although the prayer was short, it
seemed to take in all for which man or minister should
pray. 0, how much unprofitable, not to say vain, rep
etition do we sometimes hear in the long prayers of
some well-disposed persons! Not so prayed Asbury.
The prayer concluded, the company resumed their seats:
and what then? Light chit-chat, mixed with peals of
laughter, in which all persons talk and no one hears?
No, no; it was 'the feast of reason and the flow of soul,'
in a free flow of conversation on a variety of interesting

70 SKETCHES OF THE
topics, chiefly of a moral and religious character. The
state of the old world, in religion and politics, occupied a
part of the time. The revolutions in Europe, the shaking
of thrones, the fulfillment of prophecy, the overthrow of
the beast and the false prophet; Newton, Faber, Bengelius,
and Wesley, on the fulfillment of prophecy; infidelity in
Europe and America; the spread of the Gospel, the rolling
of the stone cut out of the mountains, the glorious 1836,
which — according to some — was to usher in the glories of
the millennium; these, together with the state of affairs in
our own America, God maintaining his own cause, making
bare his arm, pouring out his Spirit gloriously on different
branches of his Church, etc., entered largely into the so
cial entertainments of that pleasant day.
"And now, if I could I would most cheerfully give the
reader a minute description of that social band. I fear a
failure, but will try. Well, then, here were our host, Rev.
E. Phelps, and hostess. He had been a traveling preacher,
of respectable talents. His heart was still warm in the
cause, though he had retired from the work. His open,
good-natured countenance told his guests that they were
welcome, and that was enough. His deeply-pious lady,
somewhat in advance of him in years, was of olden style,
a sensible, well-informed woman, without the tinsel and
flippery of modern etiquette. She was a daughter of Col.
Hyte, of Revolutionary fame. Her orderly movements and
countenance beaming with good nature said to her friends.
Feel yourselves welcome.
"Then here was Mr. Asbury, in better health than
usual, and in fine spirits; I never saw him in a more cheer
ful and. pleasant mood; for the Lord was then gloriously
pouring out his Spirit in many places, and many souls were
coming home to God; and this always cheered the heart
of the good man.
"Well, that tall, swarthy southerner, of ministerial garb

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 71
and mien — who was that? That was Rev. Philip Bruce, a
bachelor. He brought good news from the south of Vir
ginia. His district was all in a flame.
"Well, that somewhat robust, fine-looking gentleman,
with black band, in Virginia cotton home-spun, and that
sickly-looking lady near him, who were they? That was
Rev. Samuel Mitchell, of Bottetourt, Va. He was a whole-
souled Virginian, who, by word and deed, carried out the
first principles of the doctrine contained in the Declaration
of American Independence. His heart was all on fire.
The news of the great work of God in west Tennessee
and Kentucky had just come to hand by private letters.
In his amiable lady we saw and admired the power and
loveliness of blest Christianity, fortifying the mind and
cheering the heart, while sweet resignation sat smiling at
the approach of death. A few months more, and she
slept in Jesus, and all was well.
"But there is still another interesting figure, somewhat
robust, but not corpulent, a fine manly face, and smiling
countenance. Well, that was Dr. J. Tildon, a local
preacher; had been a captain in the Revolution; held a cer
tificate of membership in the Cincinnati, with Washing
ton's signature as president of the society. He was in
teresting in conversation.
"That aged lady in black? That was Dr. T.'s mother.
She had lived more than seventy years. She was waiting
her change, and ripening for heaven.
"And that interesting lady, whose head and hair were
naturally white as pure wool, and an eye beaming with
intelligence? That was the Dr.'s lady; she knew when to
speak and when to keep silent.
"Here, also, was Dr. William M'Dowell, late of Chili
cothe, at that time in the prime of life, a man of most
dignified appearance: his raven locks, hanging in ringlets,
were beginning to be sprinkled with gray; and the fine

72 SKETCHES OF THE
Irish bloom was yet glowing on his cheek. He had been
a successful traveling preacher, but had retired from the
field of toil and privation. This was often a subject of
regret to him. His amiable wife also was present, all vi
vacity of body and mind: she had a smiling, talking eye,
and when she spoke it was with wisdom, and what she said
was worth attention and memory.
"And this ruddy Englishman, who looked as if he was
always in a good humor with himself and every body else;
often laughed heartily, but not at his own wit? That was
brother Mason, the watchmaker, quite gentlemanly in his
manners. And that meek, neat lady, of Quaker appear
ance? That was sister Mason. In her we saw a pattern
of neatness and piety.
"Here, too, was the pious widow of Rev. B. Talbot.
While her countenance well expressed the meekness and
sweetness of resignation, it seemed to say, ' Pity me, pity
me, 0 ye my friends; for the hand of the Lord hath touched
me.' Sympathies were well expressed in those kind and
gentle attentions which are calculated to soothe and cheer
the bereaved heart, and no gloom was cast over the com
pany. "And now I must make you acquainted with my col
league, the Rev. Edward Matthews, a Welshman, and not
long from his native land, with the fire, manners, and dia
lect of his country — a pleasant and companionable man,
and zealous in the cause of God. He was modest and re
served; but Mr. Asbury and the Virginians led him out,
and made him feel at home.
"But it is proper that I should notice one other circum
stance, which added much to the religious sociabilities of
the day: it was music — sweet, spirit-stirring music. It
charmed the ear, and warmed the heart. We had six or
eight intellectual musical instruments in our company, which
the Lord himself had strung and tuned. The Methodists

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 73
used only such in that day. With these we occasionally
made melody in our hearts to the Lord. In this exercise
Dr. M'Dowell took the lead, for he had the best instrument
in the company, and could use it with skill. He sounded
the key-note, all the rest chiming. 0, it was heart-warm
ing, soul-animating!
"The writer of this reminiscence was also one of the
company. But he was the junior of all present; at that
time a student of the fourth year in the Methodist theolo
gical seminary, which had its establishment in all the
United States, and a few branches in the western wilds;
and a backwoodsman withal; it behooved him, therefore,
to be swift to hear and slow to speak. But being now
in 'good company,' he resolved to take a lesson or two on
good behavior and Christian politeness, and also gather a
few good thoughts on divinity; for in those days he was
all eye and ear, and constantly on the look-out: he was
studying man as well as a few good books. In due time
we were summoned to the dining-room. Upon approach
ing the table, the Bishop tuned his musical powers — a
deep-toned, yet mellow bass — to
'Be present at our table, Lord,
Be here and every- where adored;
Thy people bless, and grant that we
May feast in paradise with thee.'
The blessing asked, and all were seated — old Virginia for
all the world; and for once we partook of food; ate our
bread with singleness of heart; the decanters with wine or
stronger drink were neither on the table nor sideboard; but
we had a fresh supply of new wine just from the kingdom.
From the dining-room we returned io the parlor, and again
united our musical powers in one of the songs of Zion,
then bowed before the sprinkled throne, and found access,
by one spirit, through the one and only Mediator to the
God of all consolation. The afternoon passed pleasantly
7

74 SKETCHES OF THE
and profitably away on subjects of conversation. We had
just entered the nineteenth century. Here were those who
had lived and witnessed many of the scenes of more than
half of the eighteenth century; the prophecies which — in
whole or in part — in the old and new world, had been ful
filled, and what would probably take place in the fulfillment
of prophecy during the century on which we had just en
tered. Glorious things were anticipated, and we were
ready to think that the beast and the false prophet would
both be overthrown, and Satan bound and imprisoned.
Well, almost half of that century has passed away, and
these things have not yet taken place; but the Lord hath
said that he would make a short work in the earth; and
what his mouth in truth hath said,
' His own almighty hand shall do.'
But the day was now far spent, the shadows of even were
lengthening out, and the time for parting came, when all
met in the parlor, and tuned our well-strung instruments
in lofty strains to
' The Lord into his garden came,
The spices yield a rich perfume,
The lilies grow and thrive,' etc.;
and then the parting prayer and benediction by Mr. As
bury. O, it was a season not soon to be forgotten! it sa
vored of heaven.
" But forty years have passed away; and here pausing, I
lay down the pen, and say, Where are they? and hear the
echo, Where are they? Ah, 'time, like an ever-rolling
stream,' has borne them all away, except Samuel Mitchell!
Yes, of that interesting company, that social band, but one
remains, either to correct or approve of this reminiscence,
written by him who was then junior, but who now has but
few seniors in any social circle or association into which he
may happen to come. Ah, could I believe that I never
should again enjoy the society of those loved ones, my

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 75
heart would sicken, and I should be ready to wish that I
had never been born! but immortality, conscious and so
cial existence, are gloriously brought to light, and placed
before us in the Gospel. Amen! halleluiah! ministers and
people are to be each other's joy and crown in that day —
the day when Christ shall make his jewels up."

76 SKETCHES OF THE

CHAPTER V.

Attends conference at Baltimore— Ordained elder— Views of his
ordination vows — Escapes a city station — Appointed to Redstone
circuit — Reports to Bishop Asbury his intention to marry — Con
versation on that subject — Conducted himself prudently toward
women — Marriage — No provision then made for house-rent, fuel,
and table expenses — Thrown from his horse — Kindness of a young
woman — After the lapse of many years, does her a kindness — Suc
cess in his labors — Attends the annual and General conferences —
Views expressed by old Methodists — Organization of the General
conference — Solemn address of Bishop Whatcoat' — Resolution to
review, and pass upon the entire Discipline— Proceeded accord
ingly — Amendment proposed to the eighth article — Doctor Coke's
speech — Motion to amend withdrawn — Article on civil govern
ment — All American Churches, even Romanists, should give such
a pledge to the civil government — The necessity of a delegated
General conference argued, admitted, but no plan adopted — Re
strictive rules — Bish ops — Presiding elders — Quarterly conference —
General conference of 1808.
At the close of this conference year, Mr. Quinn says,
"My probation of four years is closed, and I am going to
the city of Baltimore to attend conference, and receive the
office of an elder — if my brethren shall judge me worthy.
Ah! man's judgment may determine in my favor; but 0,
let me always remember that he who judgeth me is the
Lord! The decision of the conference was in my favor;
and, on the third day of April, 1803, in the presence of
thousands, assembled in Light-street church, the trembling
backwoodsman was called forth to take the vows of God
upon him, and received, by the imposition of the hands of
the sainted Whatcoat, assisted by the elders, the office
of an elder, accompanied with prayer, that the Holy
Ghost might be poured upon him, to fit him for the office
and work then committed to him, by the layino- on of the
hands of the presbytery. 0, it was to me a most solemn
season! and the more so, perhaps, as I had to stand alone,

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 77
in the presence of God, angels, and men — there being no
other elder ordained at that conference."
The following shows how he appreciated, yielded to,
and constantly kept in mind, his ordination vows: "From
that day, I saw the bridge by which I might return to
secular and worldly pursuits cut off behind me. I have
been pressed by want, tempted with civil office, and plans
of worldly gain by speculation. But this thought — the
vows of God are upon me, has kept me in the work till
all my seniors, and very many of my juniors, have finished
their work, and retired to rest."
It appears, at this conference he narrowly escaped a city
station. Bishop Asbury, however, learned that his mind
was set on the west; and, cordially approving of his plan,
as a preparatory step, appointed him to Redstone circuit,
lying chiefly in the Alleghany mountains.
Before leaving Baltimore, Mr. Quinn made known to
Bishop Asbury his intention to marry, with a view to ob
tain his counsel, in so important a matter. The marriage
of a minister is a momentous epoch in his history. It is
not only of great interest to himself, and the loved one to
whom he may propose his heart and hand, but is of much
interest to the ministry and membership of the Church to
which he belongs; hence, the propriety of that rule:
"Take no step toward marriage, without first consulting
with your brethren." The interview with the Bishop re
sulted in the following dialogue. The Bishop first pleas
antly inquired, "How old are you?" "In my twentieth
year." "That is the proper age for a Methodist preacher
to take that important step. How long have you been in
the work?" "Four years." "Then you have elder's
orders?" "Yes, sir." "All this is proper. When men
enter their probation, they have ministerial characters to
form, and ministerial talents to exhibit, to the satisfaction
of the Church. Prudence says, that they ought to form

78 SKETCHES OF THE
that character, and exhibit those talents, before they take
that important step. But few novices have ministerial
weight sufficient to justify them in bringing the expense
of a wife and family on the Church. The people will feel,
and they will make the men feel; and the dear sister of
sixteen will feel, too. Besides, in green age, men do not
always select such women as the apostle says the wives
of deacons and elders must be — such as may be whole
some examples for the flock of Christ.
"Well, how now?— locate?"
"No, sir; that is not my intention."
"Very well; I should suppose your call was not out.
Some men marry fortunes, and go to take care of them;
some men marry wives, and go to make fortunes for them;
and thus, when, for the time, we should have age and ex
perience in the ministry, we have youth and inexperience;
and such have charge — this, not of choice, but necessity.
We must do the best we can."
Soon after this conversation with Bishop Asbury, Mr.
Quinn left Baltimore for the field of labor assigned him.
We have ample evidence that Mr. Quinn's conduct toward
females was always marked with prudence, well becoming
the character of a Christian and the dignity of a minister.
And when he considered it his duty to enter into the holy
and honorable estate of matrimony, he did it, not only
advisedly, but reverently, discreetly, and in the fear of
God. On the first day of May, 1803, he and Patience
Teal were united in marriage, in a Christian manner — their
presiding elder, Rev. Thornton Fleming, performing the
solemn service. Miss Teal, who was a pious young woman,
and a member of the same Church, was considered a very
suitable helpmate for Mr. Quinn; and, it appeared, she
made him an excellent wife. She was the daughter of
Edward and Sarah Teal, who removed from the neigh
borhood of Baltimore, where they were converted and

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 79
Methodized under the ministry of Asbury, before the
Revolution. Their beloved Patience experienced religion
under the ministry of Valentine Cook, when presiding
elder in the west, in 1796.
At the time of Mr. Quinn's marriage, no provision had
been made, officially, in the Church to meet the house-
rent, fuel, and table expenses of married preachers, and
it is presumable that Mrs. Quinn was accommodated with
a home in her father's house for the principal part of this
conference year, while Mr. Quinn traveled round and per
formed the labors of his extensive circuit.
It was, perhaps, during this year that Mr. Quinn, in
one of those rugged mountain roads, was thrown from his
frightened horse, and, his head coming in contact with a
stone, he was much hurt, and rendered insensible for a
time. His horse ran back to the house that he had just
passed; and a young woman, supposing some one was badly
hurt, after securing the horse, took a bottle of the spirits
of camphor, and went in search of the rider. She soon
came to where he was lying; and having wiped the blood
from his head, she applied the camphor, and bound it up,
and helped him back to the house; and after resting a few
hours, he was able to go on his way. About thirty years
after this occurrence, he was traveling through the same
region, and passed a house, where he saw a horse standing
with a lady's saddle on. He had traveled but a few hun
dred yards before he heard the horse coming very swiftly
behind him. He caught the horse, and led him back,
and soon met the lady who was thrown. She reported
herself but little hurt; and thought she recognized him
as the stranger she once relieved in distress. She inquired
if he remembered, many years ago, of being thrown from
his horse, and of a young woman's binding up his head,
and helping him back to the house. He said he remem
bered it very well. Then said she, "I am that young

80 SKETCHES OF THE
woman, whom you have had an opportunity of doing a
kindness, in return, after the lapse of so many years."
The reader may well think this a remarkable coinci
dence; yet it is believed that many somewhat similar are
often developed in the providence of God; and although
they may be scarcely noticed by the persons concerned,
and never recorded on the pages of history, yet we are
assured the light of the day appointed to judge the world
will exhibit them most strikingly to view, as "the wheel
within a wheel." We should learn from this to do good
to all that need our help, for we know not how soon our
necessities may require similar aid and relief.
Thomas Budd was associated with Mr. Quinn on Red
stone circuit this year, and we have grounds to believe
that their labors were abundantly successful; for, not
withstanding the many removals, by certificate, to the
then young and popular state of Ohio, they reported a
net increase in the membership of the circuit of one hun
dred and sixty-two. At the close of this conference year,
Mr. Quinn attended the annual conference, held at Alex
andra, on the 27th of April; and as all elders were, at
that time, eligible to a seat in the General conference, he
attended the session of that body in Baltimore, on the
6th of May. The account of that important session of
the General conference — the last that Bishop Coke ever
attended — is given in Mr. Quinn's own language:
"Having traveled five full calendar years, from the
time I was admitted on trial by the Baltimore annual
conference, I resolved on attending the General conference,
in order that I might see, hear, and learn something that
might be useful to me. My mind had been somewhat
prepared by an acquaintance and frequent conversations
with intelligent and close-thinking men, who had been
members of the United Societies, previous to the American
Revolution, when they were without Church order or

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 81
Gospel ordinances. Said one of these- — William Hamil
ton, father of our Samuel, 'I am pleased with our ec
clesiastical economy; but good as it is, it is yet insecure.
When,' said he, 'we were a society without Church order
and the sacraments, we felt the want of both, but waited,
committing our cause to the great Head of the Church,
till Providence opened the way, by securing to us our
national independence, as the result of the Revolution.
During this period, Asbury, Waters, and others, were
with us, watching over and feeding the flock, till the din
of war had ceased, and the thunder of artillery was heard
no more. We then called on Mr. Wesley, by petition, to
take such measures as, in his wisdom, he might judge
most proper, so as to provide for his societies in America,
that they might have Church order, ordained ministers,
and the sacraments duly administered. That great and
good man made no delay, but sent us regularly-ordained
ministers, with the Episcopal form of Church government,
and the ordinances in their hands — with the forms of
service, administration of sacraments, ordination, articles of
faith, and terms of communion. This plan he preferred,
and we approved and joyfully received, both preachers
and people, with the exception of Messrs. Pillmore and
Streebeck, among the preachers, and of the people, a part
of the society in the city of New York. And these ob
jected, not because they were opposed to the Episcopal
form of Church government, but, being High Churchmen
in their views, they doubted the right of presbyters to
ordain, which was the ground taken by Mr. Wesley, in
the course which he pursued in making provision for the
societies in America, judging that the urgency of the
case was a sufficient justification of the measure. Since
that period,' continued that intelligent man — and the same
views and sentiments were expressed by others, 'matters
have gone on well, and the Church has greatly prospered.

82 SKETCHES OF THE
But this system is not sufficiently guarded. The powers
of the General conference are undefined and unlimited; so
that every thing is in their power— articles of faith, terms
of communion, right of trial and appeal, form of govern
ment, etc., all— all in their power. A remedy ought to be
applied; and let the General conference see to this matter.
Let them see to it, while the fathers of the Church, and
the framers of the Discipline, are yet with us. The ma
terials are all there — in the Book of Discipline. Let the
whole be reviewed, properly arranged, well defined, and
securely guarded, by proper checks, so that the General
conference shall not have power to change or alter at
will.' Such were the views and sentiments of intelligent
men, both preachers and people, at the beginning of the
nineteenth century, who had been members first of the
United Societies, and then of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. "At length, the 6th of May, 1804, rolled round. Dr.
Coke, from England, had landed; and the preachers
came from the east, the north, the south, and three or four
from the far west, and sat down together in Light-street
church, in the city of Baltimore. Dr. Coke, as senior in
office, took the chair. A secretary — John Wilson — was
nominated and elected. The names of the preachers were
then enrolled by conferences — then seven in number.
Thus, in short order, the conference was organized, and
ready for business; for, in those days, we were not so strictly
parliamentary as now. We had, however, a few by-laws,
but took them all from the divinely-inspired volume, and
not from Jefferson's Manual. After reading the Scriptures,
and prayer by the president, that holy man of God, Bishop
Whatcoat, rising, said, ' Brethren, remember where you
are, in the immediate presence of God; what you are,
ministers of Christ; the interests with which you are in
trusted, and the responsibility in which you are involved,

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 83
and act accordingly. 0, let your eye be single!' etc.
This came with an exceedingly-good grace from Bishop
Whatcoat; for, although junior in office, he was senior in
years, both as a man and minister; and a holier man
never filled the episcopal chair among us. All things
being now in readiness, after a short pause, George Rob
erts rose in his place, and offered the following resolution
for the adoption of the conference:
"' Resolved, That the conference now proceed to review
and revise the Book of Discipline, reading and passing the
whole, chapter by chapter, section by section, and para
graph by paragraph.'
"This, in view of the sentiments often expressed by
some of the most intelligent of our people, as given above,
was rather startling to my mind, and I thought within
myself, Well, now, here it comes; 'all in the power of the
General conference,' sure enough! Well, this is serious
business, indeed, and such we may find it, ere we have
done with it. I prayed, ' Great Head of the Church,
guide our heads and hearts — keep us from doing wrong,
and help us to do right.' But, before I had fully recov
ered from my panic, and the train of thought which fol
lowed, the resolution had passed the conference, and the
Doctor was on his feet to read; for no time was to be lost,
where he was concerned. The first section of the first
chapter was read most emphatically. This is historical in
its character; and although twenty years had elapsed
since the facts therein recorded had transpired, yet the
men were still living, and then on the floor, who had been
the eye and ear witnesses, and actors, throughout the
whole transaction. Not only were the Englishmen — Coke,
Asbury, and Whatcoat present, but the Americans — Wa
ters, Garretson, Willis, Ware, and Cooper were there; so
that had there been a misrepresentation, either of facts,
sentiments, or views in the case, then and there was the

84 SKETCHES OF THE
time and place for detection and correction; but no excep
tions were taken, and the vote being called for, the section
passed. The second section, containing the articles of
religion, was then taken up, read, and passed without
note or comment, till the eighth article was read; when
one rose in his place, and moved to amend the article by
striking out the word preventing, and inserting in its place
the word assisting. At this motion sprung Dr. Coke,
and, advancing to the front of the altar, he gave, as I
then thought, the most lucid exposition of the article that
I had ever heard or read. 'This,' said the Doctor,
'would not be to mend, but to mar it — -yea, utterly ruin
the article, and accommodate it to every Pelagian in Eu
rope and America. The article, as it now stands, fully
expresses and maintains a great and leading truth — that is,
that mere human ability, apart from grace, can not accom
plish any thing to purpose; that, therefore, grace is always
beforehand with volition, in turning to faith, calling upon
God, and doing good works; and though it is true the
Westminster divines teach that man hath a will that is
naturally free, yet Mr. Wesley says, "Man hath this free
dom of will, not by nature, but by grace;" and this is the
doctrine of the article — the grace of God, by Christ, pre
venting us, that we may have a good will — a Divine influ
ence, pre-occupying and going before us as a guide, so
that it is God working in us, to will and to do, etc. But,
change the article as proposed, and then the doctrine will
be, that mere human ability can do something — yea,
much, without grace; but, being somewhat enfeebled by
the fall, it stands in need of some help, and so grace is
brought in to assist human exertion, and made a mere
auxiliary in turning to faith, calling upon God, and in
doing good works. This would seem to give to Christ —
and grace by him — the honor of being the finisher, but
not the author of faith,' etc. This exposition, by the

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 86
Doctor, put the subject to rest. The good brother then
withdrew his motion, offered an apology, and on we went,
till we came to the twenty-third article, which embraces
the subject of civil government. What, the subject of
civil government made an article of religious faith? Truly,
and why not? Did not the author of our holy religion
pay tribute, thus supporting the government under which,
as a man, he lived; at the same time enjoining it on the
people, to render unto Caesar the things that are his?
And does not the great apostle of the Gentiles teach and
enforce the same doctrine? Well, then, the Methodist
Episcopal Church has an article of faith on the subject of
civil government; and this great republic has a pledge of
faith from every member of that community, to submit to
and support that form of government which is embraced
and set forth in the article of faith, to which he has sub
scribed in becoming a member of that community. Let
statesmen examine the article. This has been done, and
no defect has been detected. Let ecclesiastics examine
the article, and say if this is not as it should be; and at
the same time inquire whether any good reason can be
given why every American Church should not voluntarily
give the same pledge to the government which protects,
not only their persons and property, but, also, their civil
and religious privileges, extending to all equal rights? If
even the Catholics would give such a pledge! And why
should they not? Many of them are home-born and free-
born Americans, and their fathers were the first to estab
lish a colonial government, without a Maryland religious
test, on this great continent. Let them act worthily of their
fathers — yea, let even His Holiness, the pretended succes
sor of Peter, at Rome, give his approbation to such a
pledge. You smile. Well, I don't expect that such a
pledge will be given, either with or without his consent,
yet who will say that such a measure would not be

86 SKETCHES OF THE
prudent, as it might inspire confidence, and secure tran
quillity to the public mind, for some have great fears? I
am not, however, of the number. But to return to the
article — purely American, both as to production and sen
timent: it had been framed by the fathers of the Church
before the Constitution of the United States had been
framed; hence, it was agreed to amend the article by strik
ing out the words, act of confederation — under which the
union of the states had existed— and insert the word consti
tution in their place. This was done under standingly, and
without a dissenting voice.
' ' The third section was then taken up and calmly con
sidered. The clearest heads, or those possessed of the
strongest powers of investigation, came forth, and showed
clearly that the General conference ought to be consti
tuted on the plan of an equalized representation, accord
ing to a proper ratio, with delegated powers, properly
defined and restricted; and it was my conviction that the
sentiment generally prevailed; but as no plan had been
matured, nothing decisive was done, and the powers of
the General and annual conferences remained as they had
been from the beginning. Thus, it was left for the Gen
eral conference of 1808 to perfect the plan which had
been suggested by the views on the subject, as expressed
in the General conference of 1 804. The doings of these
two conferences form a very important epoch in the his
tory of the Methodist Church. Indeed, I have thought
that but for those six shall nots, limiting the powers of
the delegated body, we should have long since been out
at sea, without compass, pilot, or helmsman. We have
often found them very useful in General conference. A
brother once, finding himself a little embarrassed in his
legislative course, by constitutional restriction and con
struction, exclaimed, with some warmth, 'Methodism has
been significantly called the child of Providence, but now

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 87
it appears we have so hooped it up as to have left no
room for growth, or even respiration;' but the same
brother, with many others, has since found it expedient
and convenient, too, to plead constitutional restriction.
Upon the whole, having had a seat in seven General con
ferences, I am firmly settled in the opinion, that this matter
is as it should be, and that an ample remedy has been
found against the instability and uncertainty connected
with our ecclesiastical economy in by-gone days.
"Next came on the fourth section, respecting the bishops
and their duty; and every question and answer was read,
weighed, and passed, without any motion to amend or
alter, till we reached the second answer to the third ques
tion, when up rose George Dougherty, and moved to
amend the answer by inserting the following words:
'Provided he shall not allow any preacher to remain in
the same station for more than two years successively,
except,' etc.
" This motion was strongly opposed by strong men, but
it went through by a large majority. Mr. Asbury, some
years after, in reference to this regulation, pleasantly re
marked, 'I said nothing in conference; but Frank told
Asbury, "That will save you from some trouble; besides, it
will guard against locality; and the preachers have done
it themselves; but let them take care not to throw in too
many exceptions." '
"But now for the fifth section — presiding elders, and
their duty. 0, well, what do you think? It was moved
to strike the whole section from the book! This, however,
only led to a full and able investigation of the subject, in
which the best talents of the conference were called forth,
and the subject viewed in all its bearings. The result
was, that only one amendment was effected, and that was,
throwing the words, 'and none else,' into the fifth answer
to the second question.

88 SKETCHES OF THE
" This regulation clothes the quarterly meeting confer
ence of each circuit and station with judiciary power, and
guards against the interference of interested members of
neighboring circuits and stations, who, by taking part in
the discussions, might control the decisions of the quarterly
meeting conferences, in cases where they only have cogni
zance. The presiding elder, as chairman, preserves order,
and settles questions of order, but not of law, apart from
the court over which he presides.
"In this sketch it has not been my intention to go into
all the details, but to give a general view of the course
pursued by the conference in reviewing and revising the
book of Discipline — directing the attention to some, only,
of the most important points in our economy, which occu
pied the attention of the conference of 1 804. The fathers
were then with us, and gave their decided approbation
to the course pursued by the conference ; and most of
them lived to see the doings of that conference — perfective
of the doings of all preceding General conferences — se
cured by the General conference of 1808, in constituting
a General conference on the plan of an equalized delega
tion, with powers well defined, properly restricted, and
securely guarded. No new articles, or standards of
faith — no alteration in the old — no new terms of com
munion, or alteration in the old — no infringement upon
the right of trial and appeal, as secured both to the mem
bership and ministry, can be effected by the General con
ference, while the general itinerant superintendency ; with
well-defined powers and responsibilities, is judiciously
guarded. And the whole is a standing monument of the
intelligence and religious integrity of the men. But the
fathers — where are they? They rest from their labors,
and their record is on high. The same may be said of
most of the elder brethren in our Israel.
"Before I close this sketch, I would remark, that no

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 89
chapter, section, or paragraph was lightly passed over;
but the book was seriously, carefully, and even critically
examined, weighed, and passed, as no doubt the journal
of that conference would show. The business, having
been brought nearly to a close, I obtained leave of absence,
and started alone for the far west, little thinking that I
should live to see the General conference cross the Alle
ghany Mountains once, and on its way a second time."
At the time this was written — 1835 — the General con
ference had been held in Pittsburg once, and was then
appointed at Cincinnati. 8*

90 SKETCHES OF THE

CHAPTER VI.
His father-in-law and he remove to the west— His cabin — attends
conference— Appointed to Hockhocking— Size of his circuit-
Long from home— His first-born— Contrast— Disposition of the
aged— Cakes of fine flour a great rarity— Visit of Bishop What
coat— Returned to the same circuit— Some success— Appointed to
Scioto circuit— Farther from home— Visits his family but seldom,
and that with great labor— Furnishes the sacrament to his charge—
A great change— An instance of usefulness — Meets an immigrant
in the woods — Lodges with him — Mrs. Jane Trimble — Thrilling
incident— Locates — Suffers great distress of mind — Embarrassed
in his temporal affairs— Consents that Bishop Asbury might present
him to the conference for readmission.
Some time early in the year 1 804 Mr. Edward Teal re
moved to Ohio, and settled in Fairfield county. At the
close of Mr. Quinn's term of service on Redstone, being
transferred to the Western conference, he removed his wife
into the vicinity of his father-in-law's. Here he built a small
cabin, just sufficient to contain their little plain furniture.
Its dimensions were not more, perhaps, than twelve feet by
fourteen. Soon after fitting up this humble habitation for
his wife, he left to attend the conference, which was held
at Mount Gerrizim Church, near Cynthiana, Ky., October
2, 1804. Bishops Asbury and Whatcoat both failed to
reach the seat of the conference, on account of affliction,
and William M'Kendree was elected to preside over their
deliberations. They occupied an upper room in the house
of Mr. Coleman, who was a true friend to the Church.
Mr. Quinn says, "I never attended a conference where
more of the Divine presence was realized." At this ses
sion thirty-seven preachers were stationed, and James
Quinn and John Meek were appointed to Hockhocking.
This circuit embraced a vast territory: not only the valley
of the stream by that name, but the settlements on the
Muskingum, and on the Scioto from the high bank below

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 91
Chilicothe up to the neighborhood where Columbus now
stands, and the settlements on many other streams. In
attending to his work at those distant points, he had of
necessity to be a great deal from home, and was often com
pelled to leave his wife with no other company than that
of a little niece, when he knew her visitors would likely be
more frequently Indians than white persons. He however
committed her to God, as to a faithful Creator, and she put
her trust in the Lord Jehovah, and all was safe.
This humble cabin was the birthplace of their first-born.
In later years, when visiting that daughter, now Mrs.
Clark, of Chilicothe, he seemed to take much pleasure in
describing to her friends the size of the cabin, and the little
furniture it contained, in contrast with her present spacious
and convenient dwelling, and other favorable circumstances,
and would always close by saying, "I hope my Sarah will
never become ashamed of her humble birth." Near the
close of life he seemed to have special delight in relating
the circumstances of his privations, hard labors, and con
sequent suffering, like the old mariner, who never descants
on the clear sky and smooth sea, but always talks of the
storms and other perils of the deep, or like the old soldier,
who delights to tell of the hardships of his campaign, and
show his scars. Tales of woe are softly pleasing, though
they may sadden the soul !
I have heard him say that the first wheat flour they ever
had in their house, and which was some time after they
removed to Ohio, he brought home on his horse from a
distance of more than forty miles. It formed a matter of
some interest, and when his generous wife had taken of
the fine flour and baked many "cakes," so uncommon in
that region, she had several invited guests present to par
ticipate with them in the great rarity.
Methodists at this time in the new state were few and
far between. The congregations were small; but it was

92 SKETCHES OF THE
just and right that the few should be cared for, and min
istered unto. The minutes show a net increase this year
of one hundred and fifty-eight.
It must have been very cheering and encouraging, during
this year, for Mr. Quinn to receive a visit from his old
friend and superintendent, Bishop Whatcoat. He says he
"entered my old Hockhocking circuit at Zanesville, and
passed out at Chilicothe. I had the honor of accompany
ing him through, and hearing three more most precious
sermons from him. I never shall forget the sweet and
heavenly smile with which he met me. While holding my
hand he said, ' Well, I first found thy footsteps on the lake
shore, in 1801; next I found thee in Winchester, Va., in
1802; then met thee at the altar, in Light-street, Balti
more, in 1803; and now I find thee here. Well, we must
endure hardships as good soldiers of the cross of Christ.
The toils and privations of itineracy are great; but Christ
has said, "Lo, lam with you always, to the end of the
world." In 1805 Mr. Quinn was returned to the same circuit,
having Joseph Williams associated with him. This year,
we infer, was spent as the past, in labor and suffering,
sweetened and sanctified by the Divine presence and bless
ing, and accompanied with some success in the great work
of winning souls to Christ, and in building up the cause of
the Redeemer. The minutes show a net increase of one
hundred and fifty-three.
In 1 805 he was appointed to Scioto circuit, having Peter
Cartwright for his colleague. This circuit embraced a ter
ritory nearly as large as Hockhocking, of the scattered
population of the new country, principally on the west
side of the Scioto river. This circuit was much more dis
tant from his residence, and therefore required him to be
nearly all the time from home.
Having twenty-eight or thirty-one appointments to fill

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 93
every four weeks, he could visit his family only once every
round, spending two days with them, which he redeemed,
by preaching twice a day for nearly a week. As it was
fifty miles from his circuit to his residence, every time he
visited his family required one hundred miles extra trav
eling, and that often over a very bad road. Under these
trying circumstances, there being no provision made for
the expenses of his family, and not receiving all his claim
for quarterage which the Discipline allowed him, who will
be surprised to learn that he was tempted to locate this
year, and that he yielded to it? He was, however, faith
ful, and performed all the duties of an itinerant preacher
punctually throughout this conference year, and had some
success. He fed the flock of Christ in the wilderness,
and, by the blessing of God, added to their number many
who will, no doubt, be eternally saved. He furnished the
sacraments of our holy Christianity statedly and regularly
to the scattered people of his charge. He has informed
me, that during the round on this circuit he designed to
administer the Lord's supper. Having duly notified the
friends of Jesus, the disciples of the Savior, of his inten
tion, he would procure a small bottle of wine in Chilicothe,
and carry it in his saddle-bags; and that small quantity
was sufficient to supply his entire charge with the holy
communion. What a wonderful change has taken place
in the territory of old Scioto circuit! Log-cabins served
the pioneers of Methodism as preaching-places. Now we
have many large, convenient, and durable churches erected
and consecrated to the use of the vast multitudes who
worship God in them; and where we had one member of
the Church then, we now have more than one hundred.
Our churches are often crowded at quarterly love-feasts.
It was early in this conference year that Mr. Quinn met,
at a friend's house, a number of gentlemen from Virginia,
mostly members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, who

94 SKETCHES OF THE
were exploring the new country in search of a permanent
home. It did not require long for him to make their
acquaintance, and understand their object and wishes; and
such was his penetration that he seemed quickly to ascer
tain the mind of each, and the peculiar discouragements
and trials they endured. One of them— W. Maddox, who
is still living to testify to these things — said the picture his
imagination had formed of the state of Ohio had not been
o
realized in actual observation, and in his disappointment
he was, at the time of this interview, greatly depressed
and troubled, and was in doubt whether he could make a
satisfactory location at all. Mr. Quinn imparted to him
and his companions all the information in his power, and
applied to them many words of encouragement and com
fort. When the time for their evening prayer arrived, an
appropriate portion of Scripture was read, many voices
united in a hymn of praise, and the pastor, in his usually
happy manner, offered up prayer, supplication, interces
sion, and giving of thanks. Mr. Maddox, in relating the
circumstances to the writer, said, "He prayed for every
thing, exactly what we needed, and all that was necessary
for us." He asked the Lord tp undertake for the stran
gers, and direct them, by his providence, into such neigh
borhoods, and to such selection of lands, as would be the
very best for them in time and in eternity. This was a
rich source of consolation to the discouraged and pious
adventurers. To one, at least, it afforded a joy unspeak
able. After prayer he commenced singing, in the most
melodious and melting strains,
" We need not go abroad for joy —
We have a feast at home;
Our sighs are turned into joys —
The Comforter is come."
Before the song was ended my informant says he was
perfectly relieved, and his disburdened soul was raised to

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 95
raptures. He was ready to acquiesce in all the disposals
of Providence, and be contented to live in any place.
Now, as such opportunities of doing good, in the min
istry of Mr. Quinn, were of frequent occurrence, this
instance is given as one of a thousand in which his sym
pathy, skill, and success were manifest in his well-directed
efforts to do good to those he had intercourse with.
During this year some members were received into this
charge from Kentucky, as well as other regions. Mr.
Quinn informed me he was traveling, one afternoon, along
a narrow trace in the vicinity of where Louden Church
now stands, in Bainbridge circuit, seeking his way through
the almost unbroken forest, to the neighborhood of his
appointment for the next day. Suddenly he heard the
sound of an ax. The inference was plain: "Some one has
got into these woods." And as the sight of a human
countenance was much desired by the lonely itinerant, he
turned some distance aside to see who it was. He found
one who was more than an equal sharer in the pleasures
of the interview. It happened to be a Methodist, who
had just removed from Kentucky; and as his pious soul
was anxious to enjoy again the ministrations of the Church
to which he belonged, his first question after looking at
the stranger was, "Are you not a Methodist preacher?"
The answer was, "I am." This answer was like good
news from a far country, or cool water to a thirsty soul.
Said the man, "I want you to lodge with us to-night. I
have just raised my cabin; it is in an unfinished state; we
can, however, find some place for you to rest. We have
something for you to eat, and a little food for your horse."
The itinerant consented to remain, and, although the ac
commodations were limited and poor, yet it was a real
feast of soul. Mr. Quinn's remark was, "We ate our
bread in singleness of heart, read the word of God, sung,
prayed, and shouted together." The reader can better

96 SKETCHES OF THE
imagine the great joy of that happy family than I can
describe it. Conceive of its fullness if you can!
Near the close of this conference year, at his appoint
ment at Fitzpatrick's, there appeared in the little congre
gation a very dignified and venerable-looking female, clad
in mourning. She seemed to be an interested auditor,
and her strict attention and intelligent countenance rather
embarrassed him in his sermon. The public services
being closed, he requested, as was his uniform practice,
the members of the Church to remain for class. The
stranger tarried also. It was not long till this lady was
interrogated in regard to her state in religion. She rose,
with a full soul and with eyes swimming in tears, and re
plied, "I am, through the infinite mercy of God, a child
of his, and, by blessed experience, know I enjoy the par
doning love of the Savior. I am a widow, recently from
Kentucky. I have a large family of children. I have
traveled nine or ten miles to enjoy the means of grace,
and to invite you to come and preach in my cabin for the
benefit of my children and my unconverted neighbors."
Her words were with power; and it was manifest that the
love of Christ constrained her — that she was filled with
the Holy Ghost. While she spoke, the same flame was
kindled on the hearts of others, and some shouted aloud
for joy. After class, he learned the interesting stranger
was Mrs. Jane Trimble, mother to the Ex-Governor, and
grandmother to Joseph M. Trimble. He gave her an ap
pointment, and, on his next round, preached at her double
cabin, on Clear creek, three miles north of Hillsboro.
At this meeting, it is probable, no professor was pres
ent, except the pious widow and the preacher. After the
sermon, as there was no class to meet, he stated that it
was his last round on the circuit, and, as he had soon to
leave for conference, he could not preach to them any
more, but that his successors, who might be sent to that

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 97
circuit, would preach to them. He then sung one of the
songs of Zion. At that period in life his voice was most
melodious and sweet. The tones of the music, accompa
nied with a holy unction, melted every heart to tender
ness. While singing, he passed through the room, and
shook hands with every one present. All were more or
less affected. Young Mrs. Trimble, first wife of A.
Trimble, and mother of Joseph M., though once a pro
fessor of religion, became conscious of her backsliding and
lukewarmness, and the absolute necessity of the reclaiming
grace of God to her salvation. Her anguish of spirit was
so great she could conceal it no longer. She first went
out of the room; but, finding there no means of relief to
her distressed soul, she soon returned, and, kneeling down
at a seat, she cried aloud for mercy. Many hearts, per
haps, sympathized with her; but there were but two to
pray for her. They were, however, efficient suppliants,
and, having power with God, they soon prevailed. They
first sung that appropriate hymn,
" Father, I stretch my hands to thee,
No other help I know."
In a short time the earnest seeker was powerfully re
claimed; and such was the overwhelming flood of pardon
ing mercy imparted, and the clear testimony of the Spirit,
assuring her that her soul was restored to the favor and
image of God, that she praised the Lord with but little in
termission till midnight. In a few years she passed away
in holy triumph, and now awaits the arrival of her friends
in heaven.
The foregoing instances are furnished, illustrative of the
openings of Providence and the force of circumstances,
by which the number of his preaching-places were in
creased, and the way he " abounded in the work of the
Lord." We have already noticed the trying circumstances in
9

98 SKETCHES OF THE
which Mr. Quinn found himself placed in view of his
rising family and the limited means afforded for their sup
port. We do not wonder that he should have it suggested
to his mind, that the time had arrived when he should
cease to devote his whole time to the service of the
Church as an itinerant minister, and should provide for
his own household. Unfortunately, he yielded to this sug
gestion, and, at the next session of the conference, he re
ts ' '
ceived an honorable location. He now applied himself,
with great energy and industry, to the means by which
he hoped to secure a support for his family. He once
understood agriculture practically, and was accustomed to
work on a farm. But now his labors seemed to avail but
little; and the anticipated prosperity was not realized.
The Legislature of the state elected him associate judge
of the Court of Common Pleas for Fairfield county. His
friends tried to encourage him. He seemed to have the
confidence and good-will of all his acquaintances; yet he
was an unhappy man. He has informed the writer that,
often at night, after working hard all day, he has retired
to the woods, and, for an hour, writhed in anguish, suf
fering indescribable torture of mind. He seemed to have
a consciousness of having done wrong in retiring from the
itinerant work, and to apprehend that the curse of God
would rest upon the labor of his hands. Many of his
cattle and horses died, and nothing he did seemed to
prosper. He often spoke of the two years he was located
as being the most unhappy of his life. It may be asked,
What counsel or influence was used to get him to desist
from traveling? It gives me sincere pleasure to record
that no blame was attached to his excellent wife. His
father-in-law, however, I can not proclaim thus innocent,
but have reason to believe he used all his great influence
to procure Mr. Quinn's location. Bishop Asbury visited
him, and having ascertained his state of mind, and how

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 99
things were going with him, remarked that he should not
wonder, if he did not enter the itinerant field again, if he
should be taken out of the world in some way. Some
time after this, Mr. Quinn narrowly escaped death by the
falling of a limb from a tree. But for the quick and sudden
leap of his horse he would have lost his life. He rode
home, and told his father-in-law what had happened, and
he, having knowledge of what Bishop Asbury had said,
replied, "Well, you had better go into the itinerant work
again; for I see plainly you will never be fit for any thing
else." Near the close of these two years of bitter regret and
sorrow to Mr. Quinn, Bishop Asbury called at his house,
on his way to the seat of the conference, at Liberty Hill,
Tennessee; and, before he left, Mr. Quinn consented that
he might present him for readmission into the itinerancy.

100 SKETCHES OF THE

CHAPTER VII.

Is readmitted into the conference — Appointed to Muskingum dis
trict — Reminiscence of Bishop Asbury — Camp meetings — Their
origin — A description of one in their primitive simplicity and
power — Their effect on preachers — Continuous labors of presiding
elders — Business duties of presiding elders — Mr. Quinn is faith
ful — Candidates for the itinerancy — Their course of study — Wes-
leyan plan successful — Testimony of a doctor of divinity — Ped
antry rebuked — Was not opposed to a collegiate education — Is
abundant in labors — Is successful — Testimony of Jacob Toung —
Bishop Morris' description of a camp meeting — Testifies to the elo
quence and power of Mr. Quinn in the pulpit— Territory divided
into two districts — Is appointed to Scioto district?— Continued four
years — Visits sick and dying soldiers — Conversion of one reported
after the lapse of many years.
In October, 1808, Bishop Asbury presented Mr. Quinn to
the conference for readmission, and he was most gladly and
cordially received as a brother beloved, and was appointed
presiding elder of Muskingum district. Ralph Lotspeich,
who was appointed that year to Fairfield, having just re
turned from conference, called at Mr. Quinn's in his ab
sence, and left word with his wife that he was appointed
to the district, and wished to know when his quarterly
meeting would be. This unexpected message, under the
circumstances, shocked him greatly, and for a time cast a
gloom over his mind. He, however, soon overcame it,
and entered upon his work with invincible firmness and
zeal. For many years the whole of Ohio formed but one
district, and for the three preceding years John Sale, as
presiding elder, had charge of all the circuits in Ohio, and
two in Virginia. Whether he visited them all quarterly I
am not informed; but if he did, it really appears to have
been more labor than ought to have been required, at that
period of bad roads, of any one man. At this session of

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 101
the conference the work was divided, and Mr. Quinn was
appointed to the upper district, which embraced seven
charges; namely, Fairfield, Wills Creek, West Wheeling,
Marietta, Little Kanawha, Guyandott, and Leading Creek.
Mr. Quinn served on this district four years consecutively,
and was faithful in his work. He was very acceptable to
the preachers and people, and eminently useful in this very
laborious and responsible relation to the Church.
In a reminiscence of Bishop Asbury, etc., Mr. Quinn
has briefly and rather incidentally noticed the holding of
two camp meetings, during his term of service on Mus
kingum district, which I will furnish in his own words:
"It was in- Vae month of September, 1810, that we
pitched 6ur tents in a beautiful sugar grove, on the lands
of Richard Lee, two miles above Parkersburg, on the Lit
tle Kanawha. It was at the time of full moon, and at
night. The camp was well illuminated with pine lights.
The meeting commenced under the most auspicious cir
cumstances; and from the beginning to the close, we had
evidences of the presence and approval of the great Head
of the Church, in the conviction and conversion of many
souls, and the upbuilding of believers in their most holy
faith. Having retired to the preachers' tent for a little
relaxation and rest, the work still going on in the camp,
about ten o'clock a person came to the tent, and informed
me that an old man at the gateway wished to see me. I
arose and went forthwith; and, to my great joy and sur
prise, who should I see in the clear moonlight, but the
venerable Asbury, and his traveling companion, the Rev.
H. Boehm! I conducted them to the house of Richard
Lee, and said to him, ' Rest, and be happy for the night.
You are now in the house of the brother of your old
friend, Rev. Wilson Lee.' At this the good old man ap
peared to be highly pleased; nor were brother and sister

102 SKETCHES OF THE
Lee less gratified at having the privilege of entertaining,
if not unawares, yet unexpectedly, that angel of the
Church below.
"I returned to the encampment and witnessed a glorious
night of the presence and power of the Most High. The
Bishop had a good night's rest, which, he said, was thej
first since he left Wheeling, and came on to the ground';
quite early, in fine spirits, and was highly pleased with thel
arrangements and good order which he saw. He preached
twice during the meeting, with great light, life, and power.
Surely, the Lord helped him, and good, great good was
done. He also ordained one to the office of elder, who
had been elected by the Baltimore conference.
" Our camp meeting closed well, on Monday morning,
and we repaired to brother Reese Wolf's, the old local
preacher who led the way, and invited Methodism on to
the Little Kanawha, by the itinerant preachers, in 1799.
Here we met a kind reception, and rested till next morning.
At three o'clock the Bishop preached a plain and powerful
sermon in Parkersburg, which was a small place then.
O, what awful appeals to the understanding, and to the
heart! There was no daubing with untempered mortar.
"We crossed over the Ohio into Belpre, and were kindly
received, and lodged at the house of Esq. B. The lady
of the house was an intelligent old lady, from the land of
steady habits, who had heard Whitefield preach, and was
greatly delighted in seeing and conversing with the Meth
odist bishop. But, 0, her regrets on account of the great
privations in coming to the west: 'Yonder we had such
fine meeting-houses, comfortable pews, organs, and such
delightful singing; and then, 0, such charming preachers!
O, Bishop, you can't tell,' etc. ' Yes, yes,' said the Bishop,
'old Connecticut for all the world —
•• A fine house and a high steeple,
A learned priest and a gay people."

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 103
But where shall we look for Gospel simplicity and purity?
Let us go back to the days of the Pilgrim fathers.' 'Well,
Bishop, who are you going to send to us next year? I
hope you will send us a very good preacher.' ' Come,
send you a good preacher!' 'Yes, sir; don't you send
them just where you please?' It was evident that the
Bishop was disposed to waive the subject, upon which one
present said, ' Madam, I'll tell you how it is — we send him
and tell him to send us, and then he must come and see
us; for he must travel at large, and oversee the whole
work, and must not stop without our leave.' 'Indeed!
Well, now I guess I understand it better. Well, well,
Bishop, where do you live?'
' " No spot of land do I possess,
No cottage in the wilderness —
A poor wayfaring man." '
At this the old lady appeared much surprised; and so the
conversation closed.
"Next morning we started very early, and called at sev
eral farm-houses on the way down the river, whose inmates
were not Methodists, and the good man prayed with them
all. Indeed, I have seldom known him to leave a family
without prayer, whether they were professors or not; for
he was always intent upon doing good.
"At three o'clock he preached in a school-house oppo
site Blannerhasset's Island; and truly it might be said of
the sermon, as I once heard him say of Harnock's great
law of consideration, ' It was a dagger, to the hilt at every
stroke.' "After preaching we were kindly invited by Col. Put
nam, son of Gen. Putnam, of the Revolution, to the house
of his son, Major Putnam, where we were treated with
every attention. Some six or eight of the principal men,
with their ladies, came in to see and spend the evening
with the Methodist bishop. Most of these were Revolu-

104 SKETCHES OF THE
tionary men. The conversation of the evening was quite
of an interesting character, in which the Bishop took a
lively part.
"But, ever and anon, an important religious sentiment
was thrown in, or a moral application made, to which the
company bowed silent assent, their countenances, in the
mean time, showing that the weight was felt. The evening
closed with devotional services. The company retired,
and we were conducted to our lodgings; and where should
we find ourselves but in the splendid ball-room! 'Here,'
said the Bishop, they were wont to worship the devil; but
let us worship God.' I was informed that the decree was
passed soon after, that no more balls were to be held
there. "As we passed through this delightful settlement, well
improved, in New England style, we saw the extensive
orchards and apparatus for making strong drink. We
entered the dwellings, and beheld the sideboards set out
with decanters. We could but think and say, ruin, ruin,
ruin! It is to be feared that many of these men will die
drunkards, ruin themselves, and entail ruin on their fami
lies; and thirty years have told sad tales of ruin, ruin!
"Next morning we set out for Athens. As we were
crossing Little Hockhocking, I said, ' Here, Mr. Asbury, in
1800, the man used to set me over ferriage free, saying he
never charged ministers or babes; for if they do no good
they do no harm.' 'Ah,' said he, 'that is not true of
ministers; for the minister who does no good does much
harm.' We reached Athens on Friday, at noon, and com-'
menced our camp meeting. It went on well, and closed
well on the fourth day, and the Bishop left us in good
spirits for Chilicothe, having preached two powerful ser
mons. "In making his tour, he had diverged from a straight
road at least fifty miles, and added to his journey more

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 105
than one hundred miles. What love had he for the souls
of men, as the purchase of the Redeemer's blood!"
Although Mr. Quinn refers to but two camp meet
ings, yet he no doubt presided at more than twelve an
nually, while on a district. Those meetings were common
at that period in the west throughout the entire warm sea
son of the year, and Mr. Quinn usually held one in each
charge every year, and frequently two. These meetings
were a special accommodation to the scattered population
of the west, at a period when churches or houses of wor
ship were few and very small. We contemplate Method
ism, in the various features of its history, as the offspring
of heaven, reared up and extended in accordance with the
openings of Providence and the force of circumstances.
It has long been said, "Necessity is the mother of inven
tion;" hence the invention of camp meetings, to meet the
exigencies of the condition of the people of the west.
They originated in that great revival of religion which
commenced among the Methodists and Presbyterians, in
the year 1799, through the instrumentality of two broth
ers — M'Gee — one of each denomination, and who fre
quently held their meetings together, in the south part of
Kentucky. The houses could not accommodate the multi
tudes that attended, and on the approach of warm weather
they worshiped in groves. The people, many of whom
attended in wagons from a distance, brought with them
provision for their families and horses. Tents were soon
added as a matter of convenience for lodging, and the
people continued several days together worshiping God, in
preaching and hearing the word of life, singing appro
priate hymns and spiritual songs, and in fervent prayer.
Thus originated what was afterward called camp meet
ings — something like the ancient "feast of tabernacles."
The report of these meetings, and their wonderful re
sults, spread with astonishing rapidity, and excited the

106 SKETCHES OF THE
most intense interest among all classes. They were soon
adopted in various parts of Kentucky, and extended over
to the North-western territory, now state of Ohio. These
meetings were called "general," because the Presbyte
rians and Methodists united in holding them. It was,
perhaps, in 1801 that general camp meetings were held at
Cabin creek, above Maysville, Ky.; Concord, Bourbon
county; Point Pleasant; and one on Indian creek, Har
rison county. They usually continued four or five days
and nights; but the most celebrated of all the meetings
was the one held at Cane Ridge, seven miles from Paris,
Ky., which commenced on the 6th of August, and con
tinued a week. The number attending this was estimated
at twenty thousand, and it was supposed that three thou
sand fell to the ground under the mighty power of God.
Here the drunkard, the Deist, the nominal professor, in
deed, all classes of sinners, were prostrated on the earth
together, and confessed with equal frankness that they had
not the true knowledge of God. And many arose re
leased from the burden of sin, and, being made new crea
tures in Christ, they mingled their voices together in praise
to God for pardoning mercy. Some of the subjects of
this glorious revival still linger on the earth; but many of
them, both Methodists and Presbyterians, have long since
passed away, to their home in heaven.
On account of our present dense population, and conse
quent difficulty of maintaining good order at our camp
meetings, they have given way, in a great measure, to
protracted meetings held in churches, and chiefly in the
winter season. Hence, there are many now in the Meth
odist Episcopal Church who never saw a congregation
worshiping at camp meeting. And as it now appears
probable that comparatively few of the next and future
generations will have an opportunity of witnessing one of
those useful meetings, it may not be amiss to furnish, in

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 107
this biography, a description of such as were held in the
west during the eight years Mr. Quinn was presiding elder
on the Muskingum and Scioto districts.
When held on every circuit, the time was usually fixed
to suit the quarterly visitations of the elder during the
warm season. If a new ground was selected, a day was
appointed, some time previous to the meeting, when all
might come together to do the public work for the accom
modation of the congregation. The ground was usually
laid off to the best advantage, so as to secure the best
shade, etc. Reference was had, in the selection, to a sup
ply of good spring water, and a running brook for the use
of horses — a good grove, accessible from various roads,
and in a central position for the circuit. The stand was
usually elevated some four feet from the ground, and in
front of the preachers' tent. The seats were arranged,
separated by aisles, into different sections, that they might
be easy of access. A broad aisle was in front of the
stand, extending the whole distance of the seats. On one
side of this aisle, the seats were appropriated exclusively
to the females, and on the other to the males. The inner
circle of tents was arranged so as to furnish room within
for the congregation at its largest size; but the space was
frequently found insufficient, and on the Sabbath preachers
were often called to serve congregations without who
could not hear from the principal stand. Sometimes there
were many circles of tents divided by narrow streets and
alleys, allowing room for the vast multitudes to pass, and
space for small fires for the purpose of cooking. Hours
were fixed upon, at which it was expected that all the
families would breakfast, dine, and sup simultaneously.
The whole system of rules was designed to promote the
convenience, harmony, and enjoyment of all in attendance,
as well as the good order of the meeting. The sound of
the trumpet around the encampment, a short time after

108 SKETCHES OF THE
daylight, was the signal for all to arise and prepare for
family devotion. After a sufficient time allowed, another
sio-nal of the trumpet was given for prayer in each tent,
preceded by singing two or three verses of a hymn. A
short time after sunrise the trumpet was again sounded for
prayer meeting at the stand, at which many attended,
while breakfast was being prepared. It was usual to have
preaching and exhortation at eight and eleven, A. M., and
at three and candle-lighting, P. M. The intervals were
often occupied with prayer meetings at the stand, or in
several of the tents, where mourners or earnest seekers of
salvation were embraced in the praying circle — cared for
and pointed to the Savior of sinners. The noise at such
times was frequently very great; penitents writhing in
anguish, crying aloud to God for mercy; souls just born
into the kingdom shouting in ecstasies and telling their
raptures all abroad, and their relatives and friends, who,
perhaps, had long prayed for them, rejoicing over them as
those recovered from the dead. Now, admitting the
truth, that each one gives of his, or her state, who
would wonder that the noise should be like the sound of
many waters, and heard afar off ! Indeed, we should be
greatly surprised, if, under these circumstances, there
was no noise.
At night the whole scene was awfully sublime. The
ranges of tents, the fires reflecting light amidst the
branches of the forest-trees ; the candles and lamps illu
minating the ground; hundreds moving to and fro with
torches like Gideon's army; the sound of exhortation,
singing, praying, and rejoicing rushing from various parts
of the encampment, was enough to enlist the feelings of
the heart and absorb all the powers of thought.
The labors performed at those meetings were well cal
culated to wear out preachers. Their efforts in the
pulpit, in the open air, sometimes affected them unkindly;

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 109
but their labors in the crowded praying circle, and in hot
tents, did them far greater injury. When we have wit
nessed the astonishing preservation of the health of the
ministers while exposed to the night air, a damp atmos
phere, wet ground, and often having to lie on damp beds
at those meetings, we have been ready to say, truly
" they are immortal till their work is done."
The labors of the presiding elder were usually greater
than any other preacher, because he had to be nearly all
the time employed at camp meetings through the whole
of the warm season. For months together, he almost
literally lived in the woods in attending the numerous
camp meetings on his district. The reader may now have
some idea of the amount of labor performed, and the
fatigue and exposure endured by Mr. Quinn, while he
served as presiding elder of a district.
There is what may properly be denominated a business
feature in the work and office of a presiding elder. This
Mr. Quinn was careful, diligent, and punctual to attend to
in every part. He appears to have been very successful
in procuring candidates for the itinerant ministry. It
would give me great pleasure to know, and to state for
the information of the reader, how many have been ad
mitted into the traveling connection, whose recommenda
tions he brought to conference and represented their
claims for admission; but this is now impossible. I should
suppose they would number more than forty. I have
known many of them who were distinguished and able
ministers. How many exhorters and local preachers have
received license with his signature affixed, during his long
life, who can tell?
In the year 1844, referring to the time when he was
presiding elder on this district, he says: "Upon coming to
Kanawha circuit I found James and William Dixon, Rich
ard, James, John, and William M'Mahan, together with
10

110 SKETCHES OF THE
Samuel West, all happily converted to God, and all deeply
exercised on the subject of preaching. With this lovely
group of young men I spent many a pleasant and profita
ble hour; for, although I was not very competent or apt
to teach, yet they were apt and more than willing to learn.
Moreover, they often had the opportunity of being with,
hearing, and receiving lessons of instruction from that
great and good man, and most profound divine, the late
Rev. William Beauchamp, who at that time lived in the
bounds of Kanawha circuit. Their attention was directed
to all that was contained in the Discipline on preachers —
their qualifications, their work: nothing was kept back;
the Bible was to be their first, second, third, fourth, and
last book. Each, however, had his grammar, and a trea
tise on logic, etc. Well, their profiting soon appeared to
the satisfaction of all concerned, so that, in due time, and
in due form, they were all recommended, approved,
licensed to preach, and admitted into the traveling connec
tion, except Richard M'Mahan, who, though recommended,
died before the annual conference assembled. He was a
good man, of great promise, and we mourned his death.
These were all unmarried men, and set forth with the
Gospel armor on; not to seek themselves wives in the first or
second year of their probation, but to show themselves ap
proved unto God, as 'workmen who need not be ashamed.'
And here I would remark, that in more than forty years'
observation, I have known very few pious young men, of
good common sense, who have followed up and carried
out the Wesleyan plan of ministerial preparation, qualifi
cation, and duty, as laid down in our Discipline, who did
not become able ministers of the New Testament; and
some of them eminently so. Indeed, a doctor of divinity,
in making a handsome apology for the want of literary
attainments and taste in the old preachers, said to their
credit, that they were mighty in the Scriptures. I thank

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. Ill
the doctor for that. Then it seems that a man may be
mighty in the Scriptures who never read them save in his
mother tongue. Can this be said of all our college grad
uates? Come, brethren, no pedantry; it looks bad in any
place, but worst of all in the pulpit."
This language of Mr. Quinn is not to be construed into
an opposition to a collegiate education in a minister. He
admired sound learning in the ministers of Christ. But
he wished to see their Biblical knowledge commensurate
with their attainments in other branches. How disgusting
it must be to all sensible people, to witness in a minister
an effort to display his learning in Latin and Greek, when
it is apparent he is incapable of quoting with accuracy and
appropriateness the plain language of the Bible! This is
the "pedantry" at which he aims his just rebuke.
I have satisfactory evidence before me that, although
the four years Mr. Quinn was presiding elder on Muskin
gum district were years of toil and suffering, yet were they
to himself and fellow-laborers years of special grace and
glorious prosperity. Though they were "abundant in
labors," yet they abounded in the work of the Lord.
Some sowed the good seed of the kingdom, others watered,
and God gave the increase; so that a harvest of many
souls was realized. The venerable Jacob Young, in a
communication before me, makes honorable mention of
Mr. Quinn in this and other parts of his ministry, and
bears unequivocal testimony to the high estimate in which
he was held, both by the preachers and people of his
charge. He also sets forth, in the clearest light, his great
strength in the pulpit, as well as the holy unction, mighty
power, and great success which attended his labors. Mr.
Young was long his cotemporary, and associated with him
in quarterly, annual, and General conferences, labored in
his districts when he was presiding elder, and was also his
presiding elder; he, therefore, knew him long and inti-

112 SKETCHES OF THE
mately in all the relations which a Methodist preacher sus
tains; and his testimony is, " As a theologian, he had but
few equals and no superiors in the Ohio conference."
I have the pleasure to present the reader with the fol
lowing sketch from the pen of Bishop Morris, which
furnishes, with other interesting items, a conspicuous and
just representation of Mr. Quinn's eloquence and power in
the pulpit. He has also set forth, in a very forcible man
ner, the blessed effects which accompanied his efforts at
that period of his ministry:
"In the summer of 1812, when I was but a youth, and
before I had any interest in Methodism, there was a camp
meeting near where I resided in western Virginia, and,
attracted by the novelty of the occasion, in company with
several associates, I repaired to it. The encampment was
in a sequestered place, away from all public thoroughfares
' of travel, in a lonely wood, where naught but the voice of
prayer, the song of praise, and the message of mercy
broke the impressive stillness of the forest. The country
was new and the population sparse; yet the people poured
forth from farm and hamlet, hill and hollow, till a multi
tude had assembled, some to offer the sacrifice of the heart
to God in the wilderness, but probably many more for
mere recreation. The general appearance of those present
was what might have been expected — that of rustic sim
plicity peculiar to new countries; yet they evidently felt,
as I did myself, awed by the sacredness of the occasion,
and conformed respectfully to the order of the public
service. The singing, though not scientific, was devotional
and strictly congregational, so that the mingled voices of
the many reverberated through the shady bowers like the
roar of a mighty cataract, and were solemnly impressive.
After prayer and praise we heard a common-place dis
course, of barely sufficient interest to secure respectful
attention. When the speaker had taken his seat, another

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 113
of very different appearance rose up in the open btand,
from whose remarks on the arrangements of the meeting
we soon learned that he was the presiding officer of the
district. His features were comely, his form was sym
metrical, and his movements were graceful. He was in
the vigor of life, of medium hight, slightly corpulent;
wore a loose, flowing robe; his countenance indicated heav
enly serenity, and, taken altogether, made an appearance
at once imposing and attractive. Having finished his
brief and well-timed announcements, he referred to the
sermon, summing up its parts in few words, like a wise
master-builder, and explaining the use of each, he assumed
the style of exhortation, earnestly persuading the people
to embrace and practice what they had heard. The slow
ly-measured but full-toned accents of his manly voice fell
like heavenly music upon the ears and hearts of the en
chained auditors, while the message of salvation as borne
by him came to them as waters to a thirsty soul, and as
good news from a far country. As he progressed he be
came inspired with his theme, and rising from one point of
interest to another, carried the whole assembly with him.
Among the motives urged to leave off sinning and com
mence praying, was that of avoiding future misery and
securing heavenly bliss. Of the contrast between the final
end of saint and sinner, he furnished a Scriptural example,
which, though familiar to all, was so presented as to ap
pear new, and fix a powerful impression. Without circum
locution he recited the history of the rich man and Lazarus.
While portraying the sufferings of the beggar, his manner
was plaintive and moving; but when introducing him by
the ministry of angels to the society of redeemed and
glorified spirits in the abodes of bliss, he became animating
and inspiring, as if he saw the light of heaven, heard the
music of angels, and felt the streams of consolation from
the river of life. But suddenly he recalled himself and
10*

1 1 4 SKETCHES OF THE
hearers to attend to the case of the once wealthy and
pompous, but now deceased and lost sinner: 'The rich
man also died, and was buried.' Reciting these solemn
words, the countenance and manner of the speaker were
changed from joyful to sad; his trembling accents ex
pressed the weight of anguish which pressed his heart;
his eyes, which had just glowed with delight, now looked
terrible things, as he saw the lost soul taking its downward
plunge to endless perdition. Then elevating his voice to
its utmost extent, throwing his whole soul into his subject,
and at the same time bringing his foot with all his might
down upon the floor of the stand, he exclaimed, with fear
ful energy: 'And in hell he lifted up his eyes, being
in torment, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in
his bosom.' Cold chills ran all over us, the hair seemed
to rise upon our heads, and the flesh to crawl upon our
bones, while groans of pity and shrieks of horror com
mingled around us, like the startling tones of a sweeping
tempest, attended with a shock of Divine power as sensi
bly felt as if it had been the tread of an earthquake.
And, after all, his oratory was not the result of a studied
art, but of nature inspired by grace, leaving a conviction
that he was not only one of nature's noblemen, with a
clear head and warm heart, but that he was an able min
ister of the New Testament, commissioned from Heaven
as an embassador of Christ, beseeching sinners to be
reconciled to him. Though I was but a youth when the
scene transpired, all the changes of thirty-eight years have
not been able to obliterate from my memory the impression
which it produced. The name of that distinguished indi
vidual was James Quinn, of precious memory."
During the four years Mr. Quinn presided on this dis
trict, the work was greatly expanded, and at the close
sixteen charges were formed in pretty much the same
territory. Two districts were constituted, one called Ohio,

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 115
and assigned to Jacob Young, presiding elder, the other
retaining the old name, of which David Young had the
charge. It appears there was also a great enlargement of the
work, and an increase of charges, in the southern part of
the conference; so that at this session, held at Chilicothe in
the fall of 1812, a new district was formed, called Scioto,
and Mr. Quinn was appointed to it. The following cir
cuits were embraced in his district; namely, Deer Creek,
Pickaway, Delaware, Paint Creek, Brush Creek, Scioto,
and Salt Creek. On this district Mr. Quinn presided four
years, and was well received, both by the ministry and
membership of his charge, and was useful. The quarterly
and camp meetings at which he labored were usually sea
sons of great interest and much enjoyment. Very few
now linger in these bounds who report themselves as hav
ing been rescued from the empire of darkness and em
braced in the bright rolls of salvation, during Mr. Quinn's
continuance as their presiding elder — say from the autumn
of 1812 to the fall of 1816: the most of them have passed
into the spirit-land, and, we trust, have a better inherit
ance. While on this district, and during our last war with
England, a part of the army for a time was stationed at
Chilicothe, and Mr. Quinn was often called to visit the
sick and dying soldiers. In this work of mercy he had
special delight. Among them was a young man who re
ceived, through the instruction and prayers of this man
of God, a clear conviction for sin, and felt deeply his need
of a Savior, though he did not manifest it at the time
After the lapse of many years he met Mr. Quinn at a large
meeting, and made himself known as one of the sick
soldiers he conversed with and prayed for in the camp at
Chilicothe. He then added, "From the time you prayed
for me I had no rest for my soul, till I sought and found

116 SKETCHES OF THE
joy and peace in believing." He had then a large family,
and was a happy and useful member of the Church, press
ing toward the high mark of holiness and heaven. No
doubt many similar cases of awakening and conversion
occurred through the pulpit labors and pastoral visits of
Mr. Quinn, of which he never was informed on earth.
But they will all be manifest in the light of eternity, and
appear as stars in the crown of his rejoicing forever in
heaven.

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 117

CHAPTER VIII.
Historical account of Methodism in the valley of the Ohio and
its tributaries — Notice of camp meetings as held in early times —
Valedictory — Attends the General conference of 1816— Account
of that session — Leaves Baltimore for the west — Extreme illness —
Mrs. Quinn meets him at Cumberland — Thrilling incidents — Closes
his four years on the district — Poor health — Made supernumer
ary — Appointed in charge of Fairfield circuit — Teaches the people
publicly, and from house to house — Pastoral visits — Their salutary
effects — Duty and encouragement of ministers to be faithful pas
tors — Pursues the wanderer — An incident — Appointed to Picka
way circuit — Stationed in Cincinnati — Reappointed — Attends the
General conference in 1820 — Account of the conference — The
cause of education and of missions receive a powerful impetus —
A remarkable dream — Fulfilled as he interpreted it next morn
ing — Honorable course of the bishop elect — Stationed two years
in Chilicothe — Long and dangerous illness — Appointed to Deer
Creek circuit — Family remains in Chilicothe — Death of his wife —
Greatly affected by the bereavement — Poem composed after her
death — Travels for the benefit of his health — Letter to Mr. Wil
liams — Appointed to Brush Creek circuit — Attends the General
conference in 1824 — British delegates — Petitions for a lay delega
tion — Election of bishops — Letters to Mr. Williams — A year of
trial — Solicitude for his motherless daughters — Extracts of sundry
letters to two of them — Severe affliction — Sweet submission.
In April, 1840, Mr. Quinn communicated to the West
ern Christian Advocate much historical and other matter,
a part of which I will present to the reader. Referring
to his union with the Western conference in 1804, he says,
"This transfer gave me an opportunity of being an eye
and ear witness of many things connected with the early
history of Methodism in that part of the state of Ohio,
extending on the Ohio river from the mouth of Beaver
river to the town of Ripley; also extending up the Scioto,
Hockhocking, and the Muskingum valleys, and embracing
the circuits on the other side of the Ohio, and extending
up the Sandy, the Guyandotte, and the Big and Little

118 SKETCHES OF THE
Kanawha valleys; as, also, Middle Island and Fishing
Creek valleys. This being the case, it might be expected
that I should furnish much interesting matter for the his
torian or to posterity. I am saved, however, from this
labor by others more competent to the task, so that little
is left for me to do. The reader will find, in the Meth
odist Magazine for 1821, over the signature of Theophi-
lus Arminius, extracts from the manuscript journal of Rev.
Henry Smith. I was one of a committee appointed by the
conference to examine, revise, amend, and forward matter
for publication in the Magazine. I examined this manu
script journal with care, and found it very correct, and
placed it in the hands of T. A., who was then writing his
interesting sketches for our only periodical. The Scioto
circuit I traveled in 1 806, and found that the boundary, as
laid out by Smith, had not been enlarged, but many new
preaching-places had been taken in, and many large socie
ties had been formed; and such has been the success and
increase of Methodism in that section of country, that
what is now denominated Chilicothe district covers but a
part of one small circuit more than was embraced in
brother Smith's old Scioto circuit. Then there was but
the voice of 'one crying in the wilderness,' but now there
are eighteen laborers in this delightful section of the Lord's
vineyard, and work enough for them all, especially if they
will do the pastoral work assigned them in our excellent
Discipline. But if they will not do this, they ought to
quit eating the Church's bread, and go to some other
business. In this lovely district I had the pleasure of
laboring for the last three years, and of viewing upon the
spot the improvements of more than the third of a century.
During those three years I attended one hundred and five
quarterly and camp meetings, missing but two in three
years, and upon an average held two meetings per week
between the quarterly meetings. And 0, it was refreshing

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 119
to my spirit, at those meetings, to meet with the few of my
old friends who yet remain, with many of their descend
ants on their way with their parents to a better country.
Often did I think if brothers Smith, Bowman, Oglesby,
etc., were here with me, they would, with glowing hearts,
unite in the exclamation, 'What hath God wrought!' and
then shout glory! Well, dear Sciotoans, though you may
have many competent instructors in Christ, 'yet have ye
not many fathers.'
"Brother T. A. has also furnished a very correct and
comprehensive outline of the rise of Methodism, of the
formation of circuits, and extension of the work up the
Ohio from the Scioto valley, embracing the settlements on
the tributary streams on both sides of the river. I know
this account to be correct from personal observation; and
if labors have been performed, and sufferings endured, in
clearing and cultivating this part of the Lord's heritage, I
thank my divine Master that he hath honored me with a
share in both. In each of the fields of labor noticed by
T. A., it may be safely asserted, that, during the last thirty
to forty years, thousands of redeemed sinners have been
called, justified, adopted, sanctified, glorified, and taken
home to heaven; while thousands more, to the third or
fourth generation, still on the way, around the Gospel
board appear, and sing the Lamb in hymns below. Bless
the Lord, 0, my soul, for what my eyes have seen! If the
men that labored and suffered here were unlearned in the
classics, and, therefore, in the judgment of some, incom
petent ministers, yet hath the great Head of the Church,
through their instrumentality, given to his Church and the
world many competent ministers, who have been, and still
are, both burning and shining lights. If Chenango circuit,
formed in 1800 by Peter B. Davis, gave the Methodist
Episcopal Church her senior bishop, Guyandotte, formed
in 1803 by William Steel, and traveled in 1804 by Asa

120

SKETCHES OF THE

Shinn, has furnished her with her junior bishop;* and if
Kanawha, Muskingum, Hockhocking, etc., have not sent
out bishops, they have sent out scores of deacons and
elders, and among them a goodly number of scholars and
professional men; but the preacher-making prerogative still
belongs to Christ. 0, Methodists, never forget this!
"But it is time for me to begin to draw to a close. I will
first, however, notice camp meetings, as a means approved
of God, and resulting in a vast amount of good. I may
have attended and superintended one hundred and thirty
or forty of these meetings, and witnessed most powerful
displays of God's amazing grace, in the conviction and
happy conversion of some thousands of blood-bought
souls. At first we used to erect two stands, with seats at
each — one in the encampment, and the other some twenty
or thirty rods distant, and no altar at either. At these we
had preaching alternately through the day, but only the
one in the encampment was illuminated and occupied at
night. Each public service was followed by a prayer meet
ing, which was not to be broken off to make way for preach
ing, but the trumpet was sounded at the other stand,
whither all who wished to hear preaching were wont to
repair. Here, also, a prayer meeting ensued, and so
alternately through the day. There were no altars, no
mourners' benches, or anxious seats, in those days, nor
were any invitations given to seekers of salvation to pre
sent themselves for the prayers of the Church; but soon
after the commencement of the prayer meeting, praying
and singing groups and circles were seen and heard
throughout the encampment, even to the outskirts of the
congregation; and there was no great difficulty in keeping
pretty good order, for an awful sense of the majesty and
glory of God often appeared to pervade the whole assem
bly. As an evidence of the great good resulting from
* Allusion is here made to Bishops Roberts and Morris.

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 121
camp meetings, it is a fact, that a large proportion of the
members, and many eminently-useful ministers in the
western country, have been brought to a knowledge of
salvation at these meetings. An opinion now prevails, to
some extent, that these meetings should be discontinued,
and their place supplied with what are called 'protracted
meetings.' These, however, are not so convenient for
country places as are camp meetings, and would become
more oppressive on the neighborhood where they might be
held, except the people attending from a distance should
bring their provisions, both for man and beast, with them,
and this would be attended with more inconvenience than
an outfit for camp meeting; so that, in my humble opinion,
well-protecte'd, well-directed camp meetings have the
preference. "Permit me now, in conclusion, to say to those, and the
descendants of those among whom I have gone, lo these
many years, preaching the kingdom of God, ' Finally, breth
ren, farewell.' The high probability is, we shall see each
other's faces again in time no more. But, cheering
thought! it is full of immortality! 'The stars shall fade
away, the sun himself grow dim with age, and nature sink
in years; but these imperishable souls of ours shall flourish
in immortal youth; yea, our flesh shall rest in hope, till
Gabriel's trumpet shall wake our sleeping dust. Then
will Christ be glorified in his saints; then shall the re
deemed be caught up together in the clouds to meet the
Lord in the air. Then shall arise the shout from all who
have washed their robes, and made them white in the
blood of the Lamb, To Him that hath loved us, and washed
us from our sins in his own blood, unto him be glory and
dominion forever and ever. Amen!' Halleluiah! There
your own friend, and the friend of your fathers, hopeth to
meet and unite with you."
Being elected a delegate by the Ohio conference, Mr.
11

122 SKETCHES OF THE
Quinn attended the General conference held in Baltimore,
May 1, 1816. In some respects this was an important
session of that body. After the conference was organized,
Bishop M'Kendree, who, by the death of Bishop Asbury,
was the only surviving superintendent, delivered an ad
dress to the conference on the general state of the work,
and the necessity of their electing more bishops, that the
plan of our itinerant general superintendency might be
more fully accomplished. In compliance with this recom
mendation, on May 14th, Enoch George and Robert Rich-
ford Roberts were elected to the office of bishop, and
being consecrated in due form, they soon entered upon
their important work.
A committee of safety was appointed at thfs session of
the General conference, who made an important report in
relation to erroneous doctrines, which were insinuating
themselves into the Church; "that in some places the build
ing of houses of worship with pews to rent or sell was
gaining an ascendency; and that the rules on dress, and
the manner of supporting the ministry, were too much
neglected. Added to this report, the conference adopted
seven well-timed resolutions of great interest to the Church.
This report was ordered to be recorded on the journals
of the several annual conferences; and the writer is of the
opinion that the design was that it should be read to the
conference at each annual session. He, however, never
heard it read but once, and that was in 1817.
At this session of the General conference some changes
were made in the Discipline, respecting the licensing of
local preachers, the manner in which exhorters should
receive authority to exercise their gifts, and circuit stew
ards were made responsible to the quarterly meeting con
ference "for the faithful performance of their duties."
As the two bishops who had been elected were men of

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 123
families, provision was made to estimate and defray their
family expenses.
The conference renewed the order for the publication of
the Methodist Magazine, in monthly numbers of forty
octavo pages each. It was, however, not commenced
till 1818.
Mr. Quinn no doubt acted well his part as a member of
this General conference, as he was esteemed by the confer
ence electing him an efficient, judicious, and safe delegate
to represent them in that body, and to guard and promote
all the interests of our beloved Methodism.
After the close of the General conference he left Balti
more, and on his return to his homeward field of labor he
suffered a most violent and dangerous attack of inflamma
tory rheumatism. Many of his friends in the west relin
quished all hope of ever seeing him again on earth, having
received, as they supposed, a pretty well-authenticated
report of his death. He was first confined sixteen miles
cast of Cumberland, Md. His physician, who resided at
Cumberland, for the benefit of his patient and for his own
convenience, in a short time had him brought on a bed in
a carriage into town. Here he lay for several weeks, and
endured indescribable pain and bodily suffering. Mrs.
Quinn hearing of his extreme illness, and where he was
confined, late in the evening, set off the next morning on
horseback, accompanied by her brother-in-law, Rev. Job
Baker, and in five days reached Cumberland. She found
her husband exceedingly low; but it was thought he had
passed the crisis in his disease and was improving some.
After Mrs. Quinn's excitement subsided, she became sen
sible of her fatigue, and was almost sick herself. In about
six weeks he was able to start for home, and after a tedious
journey he arrived in safety, and, as far as he was able,
entered upon the labors of his district.

124 SKETCHES OF THE
Many years after this severe season of affliction, a lady
met him in the market-space in Chilicothe, and inquired if
he was a Methodist preacher. He answered, "I am."
She continued, "Were you not once confined a long time
by sickness in Cumberland?" He said he was. She next
inquired, "Do you remember a little girl who sat by your
bedside and kept the flies off of you?" He replied, "I
remember there was a little girl who did me that kindness."
Then said the lady, "I am that Httle girl." The sudden
emotion of gratitude gushing from the deep fountains of
his heart, was so strong that he was carried almost out of
himself, and, forgetting where he was, his grave and dig
nified character well-nigh suffered in the manifestations of
the grateful emotions of his heart.
In the fall of 1816 Mr. Quinn closed his four years of
labor and suffering on the Scioto district, and many of his
brethren thought he was nearly "run down." The con
ference placed him in a supernumerary relation; yet Bishop
M'Kendree appointed him in charge of Fairfield circuit,
remarking to him, pleasantly, "This is rather novel; but
so let it be; you will do the best you can." This circuit
was in the Muskingum district, and near his residence.
This appointment might have been viewed as an accommo
dation. If so, it will be sufficient to say, that he justly
deserved it; and no doubt the people of that circuit con
sidered it an accommodation to them to have such a pastor.
He was not only a good minister in the pulpit, but, with all
his experience, and skillful tact, he must have been well
qualified for the pastoral charge of a circuit. Truly, he
was "apt to teach," and taught the people "publicly and
from house to house." He was particularly attentive to
the poor of his charge. He found his way to many of
their cabins, and in their family circles kneeled upon the
earthen or puncheon floor, and prayed for the present and
eternal salvation of the parents and the children, and that

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 125
there might be a seed to serve God in the family to the
end of time. Many who may read his life will remember,
with heart-felt satisfaction, his pastoral visits to their hum
ble habitations, soon after their arrival in the new country,
or their first settlement after marriage. While memory
holds its seat in the mind, they never can forget how he
instructed, encouraged, and comforted them, amidst the
peculiar trials, bereavements, temptations, and persecutions
to which they were exposed, and suffered at that period of
the history of Methodism and the settlement of the west
ern region. How often has he quoted and applied to the
grief- torn bosom and troubled heart "the exceeding great
and precious promises" of God's word! In those promises
was found, by the distressed ones, who were suffering
"according to the will of God,"
" A balm for every wound,
A cordial for every fear."
When he had sung that beautiful and appropriate hymn,
" Though troubles assail, and dangers affright,
Though friends should all fail, and foes all unite,
Yet one thing secures us, whatever betide,
The promise assures us, 'The Lord will provide,' "
and offered up prayer suited to the wants of all present,
every one felt that he was a man of God, and the minister
of unspeakable good to them. On leaving he would take
each one by the hand and "commend them to God and to
the word of his grace," as his parting blessing.
After this messenger of mercy had retired from the
house of mourning, having so fully accomplished his mis
sion, may we not suppose that the poor man, the widow
and fatherless, the aged and infirm, the afflicted and be
reaved, and the distressed of every description, were ready
to say, and encouraged to believe, that
" Earth hath no sorrow that heaven can not cure?"
Let the minister who reads this contemplate what an
11*

126 SKETCHES OF THE
extensive field for usefulness is presented to him as a pas
tor; and will he not Jbe greatly stimulated, and encouraged
in his pastoral work? Those who visit their flocks much,
and are skillful and faithful pastors, never fail to have their
charges in a healthy and prosperous condition. But, what
is still more encouraging, "when the chief Shepherd
shall appear, they shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth
not away."
Mr. Quinn had great zeal and affection to pursue the
wanderer and bring him back to the fold. On one of his
circuits, I can not say which, the leader reported to him
two members, a man and his wife, who had neglected their
class meetings for some time, and, as they were in health,
he supposed they were willfully delinquent. Mr. Q. had
not been very long on the circuit, and neither of them had
seen him. After obtaining direction, and having their
house definitely described, he set off to make them a pas
toral visit. Being received into the dwelling and seated,
he informed the lady that he was seeking some lost sheep.
She inquired how many he had lost. He replied, "Two
have wandered off in this direction." By this time the
gentleman had come in. His wife, addressing him, said,
"This stranger is searching for two sheep which he has
lost; have you seen any stray sheep about the farm?" He
said he had not, and inquired how long they had been
missing. Mr. Quinn specified some time, making it to
agree with the time they had neglected their meetings.
The gentleman promptly answered, "It is useless to make
further search; for if they have been gone so long, there
can be no doubt but the wolves or dogs have killed them."
Mr. Q. said he hoped they were not yet quite dead, though
they might be in great danger. The lady, taking the hint,
said, "Old man, he has come after us; I guess this is our
new preacher." This brought the answer, that he was,
indeed, their pastor, and had come in search of them.

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 127
/
With this introduction he performed his duty, conversing
plainly and faithfully with those two members of his flock,
and tenderly and fervently prayed with and for them. It
was said they were both happily restored to the fold, and
continued faithful in their attendance upon all the ordi
nances of God while they lived.
In the fall of 1817 he was appointed to Pickaway cir
cuit. This circuit lay on the east side of the Scioto, and
was not very remote from his residence.
In 1818 he was stationed in Cincinnati. His family,
which had been stationary for sixteen years, had now, of
course, to be removed to the city. The station furnished
them a house and ample provision for fuel and table ex
penses. The next year he was reappointed to Cincinnati, having
Rev. Truman Bishop associated with him, which was the
first year that city ever had more than one stationed
preacher. Mr. Quinn was well received in the city, and
useful. During Mr. Quinn's second year in this city, he at
tended the General conference, held in Baltimore, May 1,
1820, of which he was a member. Bishops M'Kendree,
George, and Roberts, were present at the opening of the
session. Bishop M'Kendree, however, was in such poor
health that he could preside but little; but aided his col
leagues, as his health would allow, in guiding the counsels
of the conference. Many important subjects were sub
mitted by the bishops to the consideration of that body.
On account of the great enlargement of the work in various
directions, business had accumulated much since the last
session. The troubles in our societies in Upper Canada,
on account of the interference of the British missionaries,
engaged for a time the attention of the conference, which
resulted, with other measures, in requesting the bishops
to appoint a delegate to the British conference, to be held

128 SKETCHES OF THE
in the following July. Rev. John Emory was appointed,
who, in addition to the existing difficulties in Canada, was
instructed to convey to the British conference the affection
ate attachment of the American General conference to their
Wesleyan brethren in England, and to request a regular
interchange of delegates from one connection to the other.
The cause of education in the Methodist Episcopal Church
received a powerful impetus at this conference, which has
gradually increased to the present time.
This conference adopted the Missionary Society of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, which had been previously
organized in the city of New York, and, with a revised
constitution, made it their own. This great moral machine
has operated ever since with glorious success, both in our
own country and in foreign lands. Of late years an
interesting feature has been developed in our successful
missions among the immigrant Germans of America, and
in sending several missionaries to the father-land. At
the latest dates our mission in Germany had realized unex
ampled success, and furnished the prospect of still greater
things. Many eyes are now turned toward the country of
Luther and the Reformation, and many hearts are lifted to
God in fervent prayer for the success of our mission in
that region.
The following may be worthy of record, as connected
with the life of Mr. Quinn; and as it embraces a very
remarkable dream, in connection with the history of that
General conference, it may interest the reader, if it should
not edify him. Rev. Joshua Soule had been elected bishop,
and the day appointed for his ordination. They had just
closed a warm debate in relation to the question of making
presiding elders elective by the annual conferences, and
many of the members had taken part in the discussion
under considerable excitement. In view of these circum
stances, Bishop Roberts had an interview with Mr. Quinn

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 129
and remarked to him, "I think you are the most suitable
person we can select to preach the ordination sermon
to-morrow, and I wish you to perform that service." He
very reluctantly consented, and applied himself to some
preparation for the important duty to which he considered
himself officially called. He read and studied late that
evening, and retired to rest about midnight. In his sleep
he had the dream alluded to, which I recorded from his
own lips, and when I had read it to him he pronounced it
correct, as follows:
"I thought I was traveling somewhere in the western
country, and came to a place where an assembly of people
were engaged in laying the foundation of a church. They
had arranged and adjusted three corners, and had a stone
prepared for the fourth. And, as they asked me to assist
them, I related the anecdote which is told of Mr. Fletcher,
when the enterprise of building a church was determined
on, and he and the workmen reached the stone quarry
from which the foundation was to be obtained. Mr.
Fletcher said, 'If you will pause, we will have prayers;'
and then offered up a most fervent prayer for the blessing
of God ujion their undertaking. I then proposed to the
assembly that we pray; and, while engaged in devotion, I
was deeply affected, and prostrating myself upon the
ground I wept most profusely. After prayer was ended I
rose up, and found that the stone which had been prepared
for the fourth corner had strangely turned into a block of
wood! Addressing the people, I said, 'Brethren, this will
never do for a foundation;' and under the distress of the
disappointment I awoke. In the morning I said to Rev.
Charles Holliday, who occupied the same room with me,
'There will be no bishop ordained to-day.' He asked me
what reason I had for an opinion in opposition to the order
of the General conference. I then related to him my
dream. He replied, 'That is certainly a remarkable

130 SKETCHES OF THE
dream!' At the hour of meeting, the conference being
opened with the usual religious services, and the journals
read and approved, Bishop M'Kendree presented his pro
test against the action of the General conference in making
the presiding elders elective by the annual conferences.
Then J. Soule, bishop elect, arose and resigned his election
to the office, and declined receiving ordination. So that
we made no bishop at that General conference."
It may not be amiss to add in this connection, that the
views of Rev. Joshua Soule were in perfect accordance
with those of Bishop M'Kendree, and a very respectable
minority of that delegated body. He sincerely believed
the General conference had improperly interfered with the
legitimate and constitutional prerogative of the Episcopacy,
and as a consistent man he could not, under the circum
stances, take upon himself the functions of that holy
office, and, therefore, declined. And it is manifest that
this course did not impair the standing of Mr. Soule in the
Church, or lessen him in the estimation of his brethren;
for at the next session he was elected and ordained bishop,
and the writer is assured that Mr. Quinn voted for him.
Before the conference adjourned, which was May 27th,
the resolutions by which presiding elders were made elect
ive were suspended for four years, which indicated a change
in the minds of some of the members, after the protest of
the senior bishop and the resignation of the bishop elect.
In 1820 and 1821 Mr. Quinn was stationed in Chilicothe,
and served the people of that charge with his usual ability
and fidelity. The first year he and his family enjoyed
health, but, at the close of the second year, his labors were
greatly interrupted by affliction. He suffered a long and
tedious illness from fever. For some weeks no hope was
entertained of his recovery. He endured for three days
the hiccough, which was considered the certain precur
sor of death. Adding to all his alarming symptoms, he

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 131
suddenly called for something to eat, which he eagerly de
voured. When his wife witnessed this, as she supposed,
most unfavorable symptom, she could not restrain her
tears, but wept in his sight. Turning to her he said, with
great confidence, "I shall not die now, but live." And
so it was. From that hour, though slowly, he gradually
recovered. At the close of his second year in Chilicothe, he was
appointed to Deer Creek circuit, contiguous to the city,
having William Simmons for his colleague. He was una
ble for some months to do any labor, could not move, and
he and his family continued to share of the hospitality
and generous aid of the people of Chilicothe.
On the first of January, 1823, Mrs. Quinn died in peace.
She was a woman of deep and uniform piety, patient in
suffering, and cheerfully endjired the toils and privations,
incident to the wife of an itinerant Methodist minister,
nineteen years and eight months, without a murmur.
Truly she possessed "the ornament of a meek and quiet
spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." The
heart of her husband safely trusted in her; and her chil
dren rose up and called her blessed.
This severe bereavement seems to have affected Mr.
Quinn exceedingly, and perhaps the more so on account
of the feeble state of his own health. Those alone who
have drank of the same cup of sorrow, can fully appre
ciate the deep anguish of his heart, occasioned by the
death of a wife so estimable and so much endeared to his
soul. Soon after the death of his beloved companion, Mr.
Quinn composed the following poem, which sets forth the
high estimate he placed upon her excellent character, and
how much he felt the great loss sustained in her death.
In reference to the poetical merits of the piece, it is true
nothing very laudatory can be said. Poetry, however,

132 SKETCHES OF THE
frequently consists as much in its real fire of composition,
as in its studied measure and fine, flowing rhyme:
¦• A solitary mourner,
I roam from place to place,
My heart oppress'd with sorrow,
While tears steal down my face.
I think of former seasons,
And call the years to mind
When bless'd with a loved partner,
Affectionate and kind;
Who shared with me my sorrows,
And comforted my heart
With looks and words of softness,
Which proved she bore a part.
My honor 6he defended,
My faults she never told;
Our hearts in one were blended,
The cord, it was twofold.
By nature formedrfdr friendship,
We loved when first we met;
The day of consummation
We never did regret.
Our hearts and hands united,
Sweet counsel still we took;
She ne'er by me was slighted,
I ne'er felt her rebuke.
In youth we were awaken'd,
We sought for joy and peace,
And through a Savior's merits,
Obtained converting grace.
The Savior who redeemed us
Now brought us to his fold,
And with his children precious
Our humble names enroll'd.
Thus unto Christ united,
We lov'd as in the Lord,
And sought to be directed
By his most holy word.
Thus happy in our union,
Near twenty years pass'd on;
While I proclaim'd a Savior,
She meekly staid at home.

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 133
At length that lovely Savior,
Who guided her in youth,
Said to her, ' Come up hither,
Thou hast endured enough!'
She meekly said, 'I love him,
And know that he loves me:
Farewell my babes and husband,
I go my Christ to see!'
I said, ' And must I yield thee,
0, must I with thee part!
0, God of love, support me,
Or grief will break my heart!'
She's gone — she breathes no longer;
The vital spark is fled;
Bright angels, they have borne her,
That lovely form lies dead!
I mourn, but do not murmur,
For Christ does all things well;
0, may wej^eet in glory,
And there forever dwell:
To join the happy millions,
Whose robes are washed in blood,
Escaped from sin's dominion,
Placed near the throne of God!"
It appears, by some arrangement on account of the
enfeebled state of Mr. Quinn's health, that he was released
from his obligation as the preacher in charge of Deer
Creek circuit, at least for the most of this year; and he
spent most of the spring and summer in visiting his friends
and relatives, and in traveling for the benefit of his body
and mind, as the following letter, addressed to his highly-
esteemed friend, S. Williams, of Chilicothe, will indicate:
" Nashville, May 3, 1823.
"Dear Brother, — I think, by the blessing of God, trav
eling has been beneficial to me both in body and mind.
My health is much improved, and my mind somewhat
relieved. I will now give you a little sketch of my travels.
The Sabbath after I left you, I spent in West Union, and
most of the following week; preached three times; God
12

134 SKETCHES OF THE
is here! The next Sabbath I spent in Maysville; preached
twice; they have good times in this place; sinners are
being converted to God. Wednesday following reached
Augusta; saw the Methodist college; it is a fine edifice;
a good society here; preached once; had a good time.
Reached Cincinnati Saturday; spent two Sabbaths here;
preached five times;' thirty have been added in the last
quarter; the body of the society in peace and love; never
theless, I fear a little of the spirit of opposition and revolt;
but a judicious administration might overcome this. The
next Sabbath I spent in Lexington; preached twice here;
had pretty good times; no convictions or conversions;
speculative preaching don't do much good in any place.
O, what a melancholy state of things is in Kentucky at
this time: a depreciated currency; flour from $9 to $12
per barrel; corn from $5 to $6 per barrel — very scarce;
horses, cows, and hogs have starved to death by hun
dreds, and scarcely any prospect of harvest. I think in
half a day's ride I have scarcely seen as much wheat as
would grow on twenty acres. 0, how soon can the Lord
turn a fruitful land into a howling wilderness for the wick
edness of the inhabitants! O, highly-favored Ohio! but
let her not boast, but be humble. Next Sabbath spent at '
Bowling- Green; preached once; found it hard times;
Methodists too gay, too much like the world. ' Tuesday,
29th of April, reached Nashville; found my brother and
family in good health. ... I expect to continue here
two or three weeks, and then start for Virginia. I hope
to reach Chilicothe some time in July. Health and peace
attend you. My respects to sister W., and all friends."
September 4, 1823, the Ohio conference assembled at
Urbana. At this session Mr. Quinn was elected a delegate
to the General conference, to be held the following May
in Baltimore, and was appointed to Brush Creek circuit,
including West Union, with R. 0. Spencer his colleague,

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 135
who was in the first year of his itinerancy. The people
of this circuit had desired him for their pastor, and re
ceived him with great satisfaction. Many of them were
acquainted with him in years long gone by, and had sin
cere sympathy for him in view of his severe bereavement.
He served faithfully the people of his charge, till he left
for the General conference in the spring. A Mr. Craw
ford, a local preacher of the circuit, was employed to
supply his place during his absence.
The General conference of 1 824 was still more important
than the previous session. All the bishops were present
at the opening of the conference. Rev. Richard Reece,
the representative of the Wesleyan connection in England,
and his associated companion, Rev. John Hannah, were
introduced to the General conference the first day, and
made a fine impression.
Many petitions and memorials were received, praying for
a lay delegation to have a seat in the General conference.
A circular address was sent out in reply to the memorial
ists, showing that the proposed change was inexpedient, in
the judgment of that body.
Rev. Joshua Soule and Rev. Elijah Hedding were elected
to the office of bishop, on the 26th of May, and on the
27th they were consecrated by prayer and the imposition
of hands to that great work.
On the 29th of May the conference adjourned, to meet
in the city of Pittsburg, May 1, 1828.
During the session of the conference he addressed the
following letters to his friend, Mr. Samuel Williams, of
Chilicothe: "Baltimore, May 3, 1824.
"Dear Brother, — You are, no doubt, looking toward
this city, and praying, not as though the Deity were locally
resident here, but as you feel a religious interest in the
results of the General conference now in session here. At

136 SKETCHES OF THE
this incipient stage I can give you but little information, as
we are but barely organized — one hundred and ten mem
bers present; fifteen absent. A most interesting scene
took place to-day: the British messenger, Rev. Richard
Reece, some time president of the British conference, with
his companion, Mr. Hannah, were introduced into the con
ference, escorted by Revs. Bangs and Soule. Reece is a
most venerable figure, say near six feet, a little robust; his
head as white as wool, his face presenting the ruddy hue
of thirty-five, though he may be sixty; a noble forehead,
and an eye expressive of intelligence itself; while the whole
expression of the countenance is benignity and goodness.
I heard him preach yesterday a truly-evangelical sermon —
no philosophical chaff or metaphysical froth — sound Wes-
leyanism. "The accounts from the British connection are pleasing.
They have peace in all their borders. What may take
place among us I can not say. If I might hazard an
opinion, it would be, that no important change will be
effected. Perhaps the Episcopacy will be strengthened by
the addition of one or two more bishops."
"Baltimore, May 26, 1824.
"Dear Brother, — The doctrine that the Methodist
Episcopal Church has a constitution, has been firmly sus
tained by this General conference, and nothing has been
suffered to pass that would be an infringement of the
restrictive articles; hence you may perceive that no change
has or will take place in our government. ' The suspended
resolutions ' have been suspended four years lono-er.
"We have just closed our election for bishops and
book agents. For bishops, on the first ballot, no one was
elected. The second ballot, J. Soule was elected; and on
the third, E. Hedding."
This was a year of trial and some affliction to Mr. Quinn.
The following extracts from letters addressed to his

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 137
daughters will set forth, in a most affecting light, how ex
quisitely he realized the great loss he had suffered in the
death of his wife, and the indescribable solicitude he felt
for his dear, motherless children. His beloved Patience
left him with five daughters. A man must feel before he
can know what the feeling is; and, unless the reader has
realized a similar bereavement, and been left in charge of
five lovely little daughters, with very limited resources of
his own, and, as a Methodist minister, his Church making
very trifling provision for the motherless loved ones, it can
not be expected that he can know the emotions of Mr.
Quinn's heart, and be able to appreciate, at this period of
his distress and sorrow, the anxiety and solicitude of his
soul. His children had to be scattered, and he was under
the necessity of having them taken care of by his friends,
as best he could.
He writes to his daughter Helen, then in Virginia, with
her uncle, Dr. Isaac Quinn, under date of
" West Union, 0., October 9, 1823.
"My Dear Daughter, — I can not tell how it pains my
heart to have my children so far separated from each other
and from me; but it can not be avoided, and, therefore,
must be submitted to. Could I ever have my children all
collected around me again, I should think myself one of
the most happy among mortals. But, ah! this can not be.
Your lovely mother is no more! and her place can never
be filled. I know your uncle and aunt will be a father and
mother to you. Let me enjoin it on you, my child, in the
fear of the Lord, to be attentive and obedient to them as
parents, and let them have every reason to think and
speak well of you. Be very careful in forming acquaint
ances. Remember, your reputation is your all. But,
above all, be attentive to your religious duties — private
prayer, reading the Scriptures, and public worship. You
have many things to learn, which a woman ought to know;
12*

]38 sketches of the
therefore, be not ashamed to learn of any and all who can
teach you. How it would comfort and gladden my heart
to find you possessing those graces and qualifications which
shone in that amiable woman, of precious memory, whose
daughter you are; and the contrary would almost break
my heart. 0, Helen, pursue that course which can not
fail to make you respectable and happy here and forever—
I mean religion and active industry. How this would
comfort the heart of your father, in his declining years,
who, having been bereft of your dear mother, expects his
earthly comfort to consist in the respectability and happi
ness of his daughters!"
To the same he says, under date "January 17, 1825.
" I need not tell you how tenderly I love you, and how
solicitous I feel for your temporal and spiritual welfare,
especially the latter, and that you are not forgotten at the
throne of grace; and I do hope that the God whom I have
feared and endeavored to serve from my youth, will pre
serve and save my dear children. I feel thankful, my dear
child, that you have the fear of the Lord before you, and
have a place in the Church. Yet, when I reflect on the
low state of religion in that place — the great inattention to
class meetings, and the few religious associates you have —
I can not but fear, and feel concerned for you. Helen,
don't forget secret prayer. Ask and you shall receive;
seek and you shall find the pearl of great price — the love
of God shed abroad in thy heart by the Holy Ghost."
In another letter to the same he says:
"My Dear Daughter, — Your separation from me has
been and still is as painful to me as it has been to you; but
it has thus occurred in the order of Providence, and it
becomes us to bow in submission, nor say to God, What
doest thou? Let me now say, fear God and keep his com
mandments. In all thy ways acknowledge God, and he

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 139
will direct thy paths. Read a chapter or two in the Bible
every day; neglect not secret prayer; neglect none of the
means of grace, either public or private. And, 0, remem
ber the Sabbath day to keep it holy."
May I not hope that many of the youthful readers of
this sketch will greatly profit by the foregoing extracts,
especially the young women who have no mother to care
for them? Will they not receive and practice the instruc
tions of this affectionate father, and be safe and happy?
It appears from Mr. Quinn's letters he had two of his
little daughters provided for in some way on his circuit. I
am informed they were accommodated in the family of
Rev. G. R. Jones. From West Union he writes to his
eldest, who was happily married to Mr. James Clarke, of
Chilicothe, soon after the death of her mother. The date
is July, 1824. After giving an account of a severe attack
of fever, he adds, "The Lord has been gracious to my poor
soul in this affliction, as formerly; but, 0, how I longed
after you and my dear children! Mary was brought to
see me once while I was sick. 0, to have had you with
me! but be still, 0, my soul, and know that the Lord hath
done it. I do not expect to be able to do any thing on the
circuit before conference. I doubt the propriety of bring
ing the girls to Chilicothe, or leaving them there in the
sickly season; yet my intention is to bring them on a week
before conference, and take them on to Fairfield. Give
father's love to his dear Susan. Tell her how much I have
been troubled about her sickness; but that I hope the good
Lord, who loves her better than her father, will bless her
affliction to her good, and raise her to health again. Do,
my dear child, let me hear from you by next mail, if it be
only five or six lines. Should either of you be very
unwell, I will make an effort to see you without delay. I
have no lack of kind friends and attention here. Many
hearts and doors are open to receive me. O, for a grateful

140 SKETCHES or the
heart to God and man! May the good Lord bless thee,
my daughter!"
The affliction referred to in the foregoing letter com
menced at Portsmouth, on his way from the General con
ference. He, however, was able to reach West Union, and
having an appointment the next day at his old friend's,
John M'Colm, on Gift Ridge, he determined to make an
effort to fill it. Rev. G. R. Jones accompanied him, to
preach in case he should not be able. On his way the
paroxysm of fever became so violent that he was quite de
ranged, and it was with much difficulty he reached the
place. He could take no part in the services, and retired
to bed. In this attack of bilious fever he lay ten days,
and suffered much. One day, after having taken an emetic,
he was thrown into indescribable pain, which seemed to be
more than he could endure, and in his agony he exclaimed,
"What shall I do?" In a moment he said to his friend
M'Colm, "That was an unguarded and improper expres
sion. I ought to have said:
' When pain o'er my weak flesh prevails,
With lamblike patience arm my breast;
When grief my wounded soul assails,
In lowly meekness may I rest.' "

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 141

CHAPTER IX.
Appointed to Zanesville — Second marriage — Letters — Appointed
to Fairfield circuit — Subordinate relation — Reappointed — Sta
tioned at Chilicothe — Attends the General conference at Pitts
burg — Appointed to Hillsboro circuit — Purchases a home — Re
turned to Hillsboro — Enforces Discipline — Appointed to Wilming
ton — Family devotions — Manner of instructing and praying for
his children — Peculiar • fervor in prayer on leaving home — His
wife inspired with great confidence — Great gift in prayer —
Success — Singular incident — Appointed to Straight Creek cir
cuit — Laborious field — A great change — Attends the General
conference at Philadelphia — Extract from the Bishops' Address —
Rev. J. G. Bruce's letter — His and the testimony of others in
regard to Mr. Quinn — Love-feast expected — Disappointment — Im
portance of keeping our Rules — Is punctual to his appointments —
Kindly reproves and counsels his junior brother — Well received
and practiced on ever after — Appointed to Washington circuit —
Hard labor — Is exposed in a muddy region — Letter to Mrs.
Clark — Appointed to Hillsboro circuit — He and colleague have a
prosperous year — Appointed to Sinking Spring — Small circuit.
At the close of this conference year we held our annual
session at Zanesville. Mr. Quinn and the writer of this
sketch were appointed a committee to write the memoirs
of the deceased preachers, Alexander Cummins and Samuel
Baker. At our meeting, before reporting to the confer
ence, he referred in a most touching manner to our lia
bility to die, and the great importance of our being always
ready. He introduced the subject by the inquiry, "Who
will write our memoirs?" I have often thought of that
profitable conversation, and more frequently since he has
gone on before, and I was called to report his memoir to
his brethren in 1848.
At this session of the conference he was appointed to
Zanesville station. Previous to this time Mr. Quinn had
carefully deliberated on the matter, and had come to the
conclusion that it was his duty to marry a second wife,
and procure a mother for his daughters; and having se-

142 SKETCHES OF THE
lected and obtained the consent of the lady, he went soon
after conference to consummate their union; and on the
third of October, 1824, he and Miss Eleanor Whitten, of
Tazewell county, Va., were united in holy matrimony.
Mr. Quinn was very happy in his second marriage, and the
selected loved one was considered quite suitable, being a
member of the same Church, and deeply pious. In writ
ing to a friend the next year, he says, ' ' I have every rea
son to be thankful for this dear friend. She is an interest
ing companion, and a tender and affectionate mother; and
my children love her tenderly, having found that a second,
or stepmother is not that horrible thing of which they had
heard." The following extracts of letters addressed to Mr.
Williams and Mrs. Clark, of Chilicothe, will show some
thing of the state of the Church in Zanesville, and the
influence of Mr. Quinn's labors in that station:
"Zanesville, December 28, 1824.
"Dear Brother, — I rejoice to learn that the Lord hath
visited you in Chilicothe, and that sinners are awakened
and converted to God. It of course must be a time of
refreshing among old professors. In this town the con
gregations are crowded and serious, both by day and by
night. Some weep, but they are a httle too fearful of a
noise and fire. I have preached over twenty sermons in
the ordinary course, beside attending prayer and class
meetings. We have had six or eight added to the society,
most of whom profess conversion, and I trust others are
under awakenings." "Zanesville, April 8, 1825.
"My Dear Daughter, — I rejoice that in your religious
exercises you have become in a good degree acquainted
with your own heart, and sensible of the impure principle
in your nature. I fear there are too many in whom
repentance only extends to the practice of sin in the life,

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 1 43
and not to the principle of sin in the heart. Hence, it
often happens, that the heart is healed but slightly; and
this being the case, it too often occurs that they soon
relapse again into sin, sink into formality, or become hyp
ocrites. In order to a radical cure, it is of great import
ance to have a thorough knowledge of the disease; yea,
that the whole head is sick, and that the heart is deceitful
above all things, and desperately wicked.
"Be not discouraged, but wait on the Lord, and be of
good courage; and expect, as he hath pardoned guilt, so
he is able, yea, and willing, to cleanse from all unrighteous
ness, and so renew thee in the spirit of thy mind, that
thou shalt love the Lord with all thy heart, mind, soul,
and strength.
"We have taken eight into society since I wrote you last.
Our congregations are still large and solemn. It now
appears to be seed-time; the harvest, I trust, will follow.
It is the privilege of. those who sow to rejoice with those
who reap; and 0 that the harvest may be glorious !"
In the fall of 1825 he attended the conference held at
Columbus; and, on account of feeble health, he was favored
with a subordinate relation on Fairfield circuit — the oner
ous duties of the charge being assigned to his efficient
colleague, Rev. Leroy Swormstedt. As helper, Mr. Quinn
was. a most agreeable associate and fellow-laborer on a
circuit. He knew his place, and kept in it. Never did he
usurp the authority, or attempt to exercise the preroga
tives of the minister in charge, or give him trouble by in
terfering with his administration; but, on the contrary,
assisted him by his counsel, and contributed his great in
fluence to sustain him in the mild and strict administra
tion of Methodist discipline. This was a pleasant, and, we
have reason to believe, a useful year with Mr. Quinn.
The following year he was reappointed to Fairfield circuit,
in charge, having James Laws associated with him.

144 SKETCHES OF THE
In 1828 he was stationed at Chilicothe, and served as
an efficient delegate in the General conference, which
assembled in May of that year in the city of Pittsburg.
Bishops M'Kendree, George, Roberts, Soule, and Hedding,
were all present; and this was the last session Bishop
George ever attended. He died in Staunton, Va., the follow
ing August, with the word "glory" on his lips. At this
General conference "the suspended resolutions" were re
jected by a large majority, and the memorialists who pe
titioned for a lay delegation were answered in the report
of the committee appointed on that subject, and adopted
on motion of the Rev. Asa Shinn, which put that subject
to rest. Many who were dissatisfied left the Church, and
formed a separate connection, called the "Methodist Prot
estant Church."
In 1828 Mr. Quinn was appointed in charge of Hills
boro circuit. Joseph Hill, who had just entered upon his
itinerant labors, was his helper. This was a most success
ful year for this circuit. Many souls were awakened, con
verted, and added to the Church; some of whom passed on
before, and were waiting to welcome him to his final home
above; others remain faithful and useful members of
the Church below.
There was no preacher's house on Hillsboro circuit at
that time; and this circumstance, together with his large
and increasing family, suggested to Mr. Quinn's mind
the necessity of procuring a little home, where his wife and
children might be somewhat stationary, while he gave
himself to the work of the itinerant ministry. He there
fore purchased a small farm in the bounds of his circuit,
of about one hundred acres, and in the fall of 1829 re
moved to it. It was a good location, and in some respects
a very pleasant place. It is immediately on the summit
level, or dividing ridge between the waters of the Miami
and those of the Scioto. The farm was not very much im-

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 145
proved, and the house was made of hewed logs, having
stone chimneys. Upon the whole, it was a comfortable
residence; and there his family have long enjoyed the
sweets of home. This place, once called "Rural Cottage,"
for a time received the name of "the Pioneer's Rest," and
will be more fully described in the future pages of this
work. In 1829 Mr. Quinn was returned in charge of Hills
boro circuit, having George Gatch for his colleague. This
was a year of some declension, and the pruning-knife had
to be used in removing the improper and unfruitful
branches. This work, however painful to the pastor, is
often essential to the spiritual life, health, and prosperity
of the Church. A minister who accomplishes this indis
pensable work may suffer much in his reputation; but let
him not be discouraged, or shrink from his duty. The
judicious and faithful administrator of discipline, such as we
suppose Mr. Quinn was, will be sustained by the unpreju
diced and pious of his charge, and in the light of the fires
of the judgment day, his works will be manifest, and his
"profiting," in promoting the real interests of Christ's
kingdom on earth, will appear to all.
In 1830 Mr. Quinn was appointed to Wilmington cir
cuit, having John M. Goshorn for his helper. Some of
the preaching-places on this circuit were pretty convenient
to his residence, while others were quite remote, requiring
his absence from his family more than a week at a time.
On this and other circuits and districts, his duties as an
itinerant minister required him to be much from home;
but whenever he did return, it was to "bless his house
hold." His manner of conducting the devotions of the
family, and instructing his children, was well calculated
to interest the entire circle, deeply affect the heart, and
make lasting impressions on the memory. The children
were not only required to hear the Scripture lessons read
13

146 SKETCHES OF THE
with attention, but often to pass something of an examina
tion on the interesting subjects embraced. The chapter
read, say in the morning, he would question them on in
the evening; and when they had answered as well as they
were able, he would explain and apply the lesson in a way
suited to their capacities. In his prayers he was in the
habit of embracing all his children by name, and asking
the blessing of God upon them individually, as they had
need. If any of them had been naughty or disobedient
during the day, he would pray the Lord to grant the
offenders repentance, and pardon them by his mercy.
This course was exceedingly mortifying to the children;
but perhaps no other that he could have pursued would
have made an impression so deep and lasting, or proved
more effectual. When his children were small, he caused
them to kneel down at his knee, and repeat their prayers;
and when they became larger, he required them to kneel
at their bedside, and pray. When his duty made it
necessary for him to leave his family for some time, it was
his practice to pray most fervently for them all, and com
mend them to the care of his covenant-keeping God. And
at such times he appeared to have such an assurance, that
his fervor and apparent faith inspired the partner of his
cares with strong confidence to believe that all would be
safe in his absence. This was a source of great comfort
to his wife, and she was enabled to trust in the Lord and
not be afraid.
Mr. Quinn certainly had an extraordinary gift in prayer.
The great variety of devotional matter which he possessed
was truly remarkable; all appeared to be based upon God's
word, and inspired by the divine Spirit. His prayers
were usually much enriched and embellished by the lan
guage of the Scriptures; they were also distinguished for
their ardor and apparent strong faith. On a visit to one
of his daughters, who, at the time, was supposed to be

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 147
nigh unto death, he said to his daughter Helen, who
accompanied him, "I do not think your sister will die
now. On the way here, I tried to pray, but all was dark;
but since we arrived, I have had access to the throne, in
praying for her recovery; and I believe she will be raised
up again;" and so it was. He used to say, in some cases
when he attempted to pray for persons, he had no con
scious access to God in prayer. And at such times his
feelings were painful in the extreme. And when he had
liberty in prayer, he seemed to commune with the blessed
Trinity in holy sweetness.
Is it possible for one Christian to be conscious, while
engaged in prayer, that a distant friend is praying for
him? A very worthy member of the Church, and a man
of strong faith, related once in class meeting, that on one
evening, while engaged in private devotion, he realized in
his own soul a wonderful manifestation of the Divine
presence and blessing, and declared, that it was impressed
on his mind that some brother in Christ was at that
moment interceding at the throne of grace in his behalf.
"And that brother," said he, "was James Quinn." Is
not something like this set forth in those beautiful lines of
one of our hymns?
" There is a scene where spirits blend —
Where friend holds fellowship with friend;
Though sundered far, by faith they meet
Around one common mercy-seat."
At our annual session, "held at Mansfield, in the fall of
1831, Mr. Quinn received his appointment to Straight
Creek, having John G. Bruce associated with him in the
labors of that large circuit, embracing an extensive terri
tory, and many preaching-places. The one nearest his
residence was at least ten miles, and the town of Ripley,
which, perhaps, was the most distant, was more than forty
miles. It is not probable he could visit his family oftener

148 SKETCHES OF THE
than once every round, which required four weeks. At
the present writing — 1850 — the same territory embraces
one whole circuit, parts of two more, and Ripley has been
a respectable station for many years. Of course, the
preachers are now much favored in the labor of traveling,
and if they do the pastoral work which their exemption
from traveling will enable them to do, the people will be
accommodated also in the arrangement.
This year Mr. Quinn was a member of the General
conference, which commenced its session in Philadelphia
on the first day of May, 1832. After the General confer
ence was organized, the bishops called the attention of
that body to many important topics, in a written commu
nication. A short extract from this address may be
acceptable to the reader in this connection:
"The troubles and dangers which threatened us at our
last session have nearly passed away. The secession
from the Church, although embracing some valuable mem
bers, has been far less extensive than was feared; and the
results, with regard to the general interests of the Church,
it is presumed, have been widely different from the calcu
lations of the principal agents in the schism.
"The measures which have been pursued by those who
have been called 'Reformers,' have elicited a more careful
examination of the principles of the government and econ
omy of the Church, among our preachers and people, and
through the community in general. This examination has
resulted in a clearer conviction of the excellency of our
system, and especially the efficiency of our itinerant plan;
and, consequently, peace, harmony, and reciprocal confi
dence have been greatly increased and confirmed.
"To preserve such a happy state of things through that
vast body of ministers and people, to whom we are related
in the strongest bonds of interest and affection, and to de
vise measures for the more extensive and efficient operation

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 149
of that system which has already been so remarkably suc
cessful, is the chief business of your present deliberations
and counsels."
The various subjects included in the bishops' address
were referred to appropriate committees, and their reports
received the consideration and action of the conference.
An able pastoral address was adopted, and sent out by
the conference. A report on the subject of temperance
was also adopted, which gave a new and powerful impetus
to that cause. In adopting the report on missions, the
conference recommended again the establishing a mission
in Liberia, the sending one person or more on a tour of
observation to South America and Mexico, and also the
extension of Indian missions on the western frontier, as
well as greater exertions to supply the bread of hfe, the
ministry of the word, to the destitute portions of the white
population of our country.
In view of the very great enlargement of the work, and
the death of Bishop George, the conference elected James
0. Andrew and John Emory to the office of bishop, and
on the 25th of May they were ordained in the usual form.
Many other important measures were agreed upon, in
which Mr. Quinn took part, and late on the night of the
28th of May the conference adjourned, to meet in Cincin
nati on May 1, 1836.
Under date of January 12, 1848, the writer received a
communication from Rev. John G. Bruce, who was at that
time stationed at Shelby ville, Ky., from which he makes
the following extracts. Speaking of Mr. Quinn, he says:
" There is truth in the remark made by a gentleman some
years since, in drawing a contrast between him and his
brother Isaac. 'The Doctor,' said he, 'is strong, some
times impetuous; but his style is loose and faulty. James
is always strong — always clear; his style is simple, and
every sentence he pronounces is ready for the press when
13*

150 SKETCHES OF THE
it falls from his lips.' Having enjoyed the privilege of
sitting under his ministry nearly two years, when he trav
eled the Scioto circuit, and traveled the Straight Creek
circuit with him in 1832, when I had frequent opportu
nities of hearing him, I not only feel disposed to justify
the remark, but go beyond it, and affirm that I have
known no minister who so uniformly held up before his
congregations an unsullied mirror. Noonday poured upon
his subject, and the lovers of truth went home with new
materials for thought. In 1829 I was boarding with Dr.
James Robbins, who at that time resided at Greenfield.
Father Quinn and brother George Gatch were on the cir
cuit. One morning father Quinn preached a funeral sermon
in Greenfield, from Ecclesiastes xii, 1-8. The Doctor was
of an ardent temperament, a fervent Christian, and, withal,
an enthusiastic admirer of father Quinn. The sermon
perfectly enchained his attention, and at its close, '0,'
said he, 'what profoundness of thought, what beautiful
imagery! I'll be a wiser man!'
"Two circumstances occurred during the year that I
was with him, as junior preacher on Straight Creek, which
show so strongly his love of system, that I desire to see
them recorded in his life; especially as we think our fathers
were not liberal enough in many things. Some time in
July, 1832, he appointed a two days' meeting in Win
chester, Adams county, which he invited me to attend.
Rev. John Meek was also present. Our people had just
put up a frame church, laid the floor temporarily, and
otherwise prepared it for the accommodation of the meet
ing. The public had been liberal in assisting them, and
an obligation was resting upon the Church to be liberal in
turn. There was to be love-feast at nine o'clock Sunday
morning. The door-keeper was at his place at the ap
pointed time; the bread and water were on the table; but
the door-keeper determined to 'mend our rules and not

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 151
keep them,' so that by nine o'clock the house was full of
all sorts of people. Just then father Quinn came in; his
eye ranged along the crowded seats; sadness spread over
his face, and, walking up to me, said, 'John, you must
preach!' 'What,' said I, 'are you going to dispense with
love-feast?' 'Yes,' he replied, 'I never have held a love-
feast contrary to the Discipline of the Methodist Church,
and I never will. So, get up and preach!' I did so,
preaching from the parable of the supper, Luke xiv,
16-20; but not to the edification of the hearers, who asked
for bread and got a stone. They were greatly disap
pointed, but there was no remedy. Fortunate would it be
for the Church if examples of this kind were more frequent.
Then, when the people saw that we had firmness enough
to protect ourselves, they would respect us.
"Every departure from the rules in relation to class
meetings and love-feasts must weaken us. A rigid adher
ence to rule made us what we were; a sinful neglect of
rule has made us what we are.
"The circuit was a large one, embracing twenty-one
preaching-places. Father Quinn's family lived where they
do now. The nearest point to his family was ten miles,
perhaps, yet I have no recollection of his missing a single
appointment during the year, though it was the winter of
the great flood. Being a delegate to the General confer
ence of 1832, his place was supplied, during his absence,
by the venerable Robert W. Finley.
"In the latter part of the year some business required
his attention at home. When his work was at Ripley, he
asked me to exchange work for two weeks, which would
throw him at the upper end of the circuit. I consented.
He then gave some special directions in relation to some
matters connected with the Church in two or three places.
I went on and filled several of the appointments, and then
went to the White Oak camp meeting for the purpose of

152 SKETCHES OF THE
obtaining help at our camp meeting, which was coming on
in a few weeks. I did not meet father Quinn till the camp
meeting, when, as was customary with him whenever we
met, he took me aside and asked very particularly about
the condition of each society. When I told him that I
had thought it better to go to the White Oak camp meet
ing than to attend three of the appointments, he fixed his
eyes on me, and, with great kindness, remarked, 'You
erred; you had no engagement there; at Ripley, etc., you
had. Never disappoint a congregation for the sake of a
popular meeting. There will always be preachers enough
there. You stay at home, and take care of those who
can not go. The ordinary means of grace are much more
important to the health and prosperity of the Church,
than these extraordinary occasions. Always attend to
your own work.' I felt reproved, and determined to profit
by the advice, and, from that day to this, have not neg
lected an appointment to visit any popular meeting. Some
times I am censured for it, but my conscience approves
my course."
In the fall of 1832 Mr. Quinn was appointed to Wash
ington circuit, which was still further from his residence.
At that time this circuit was large in territory, and spread
over a very level, muddy surface, and perhaps the roads,
for a considerable part of the year, were a little worse
than in some other sections. This charge required almost
constant attention, and much hard labor, and of necessity
he had to be a good deal exposed; and, to add to his bur
den and solicitude, his appointed helper, on account of
affliction, failed to come to his aid, and it was long before
he obtained any help. All these circumstances combined,
will enable the reader to account for some expressions in
the following letter, addressed to his daughter, Mrs. Clark.
Quaintness of expression frequently attaches to the con
versation and writings of good as well as great men, and

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 1 53
sometimes this quaintness is the cause of complaint among
the fastidious. We think nothing in the ensuing letter,
however, obnoxious to candid criticism:
"At home, December 14, 1832.
"My Dear Sarah, — I think I am safe in saying, that no
day passes over my head in which my children and grand
children are not remembered more than once. Of course
you may rest assured, though I have not written to or
visited you for some months, it is not because you were
forgotten. I had been so long absent from my circuit at
General conference, that it was needful that I should
remain on it as long as I could. When at conference I
was appointed to a pretty tough circuit, and have no help
as yet. Be it for young men to choose, or get others to
choose, easy places for them; this has not been my course.
Through mercy my health has been pretty good, and I
go, rain or shine, freeze or thaw. This is my thirty-fourth
winter in the work. It may be my last. I sometimes
think of locating, but I am so wedded to the itinerant
cause that it seems like death. I can not stand hardships
as formerly. I am not superannuated, do not mean to ask
for easy places; but I commit my cause to God, and sing,
' Courage, my soul! on God rely —
Deliverance soon will come.'
"I hope, my daughter, you still live in the enjoyment of
religion, and trust in your great Redeemer. 0, he bought
you with his blood, and claims you for his own! Endeavor
to make an unreserved surrender of your all to him."
In the autumn of 1833 Mr. Quinn was appointed in
charge of Hillsboro circuit, having Henry Turner for his
colleague. His residence was in the bounds of this charge,
and his appointment this year was every way agreeable.
Moreover, he and his efficient associate in labor realized
most glorious success. They lived, labored, and rejoiced
in a revival of rehgion the principal part of the year.

154 SKETCHES OF THE
Many were added to the Church, and the circuit in all
respects was blessed with great prosperity.
At the next conference, held the last of August, 1834,
a small circuit was formed, called "Sinking Spring," and
Mr. Quinn was appointed alone to it. It was rather a
contracted field of labor, and, perhaps, did not work well
or give satisfaction, as this was the only year of its exist
ence in that form and under that name. In a published
letter, Mr. Quinn speaks of it, with other interesting
observations which he made in a short tour, setting forth
a great change, as follows:
"A few weeks since, I took a little journey toward the
rising of the sun, and, in riding about fifty miles, passed
half-way through the territory of a circuit as it was in 1 804.
Then I was alone, without a colleague, and my voice alone
was heard as the 'voice of one crying in the wilderness.'
I had preaching-places, but they were small cabins, and
far apart; congregations, but they were small; classes, but
they were few in number, 'like a handful of corn on the
top of the mountains;' but now the fruit shakes, like the
clusters of Lebanon. 0, bless the Lord, said my heart,
this is his doing, and to him be all the glory! In the
above distance I passed through, and was in the bounds of,
five populous circuits, so compact and well arranged, that
the preachers have much time for pastoral visiting and
oversight — say one-third. This is as it should be: now
Sabbath schools can be properly organized and managed;
now Bible classes can be got up in every society; now
every family can be visited once or twice in the year, and
the complaint no more be heard, from poor or rich, ' Our
ministers never visit us.' In this pleasant field — yea,
garden — there are ten effective laborers, and work enough
for them all; and, as far as I could learn, they are both
able and willing to do the work of evangelists, and make
full proof of their ministry. Success to them; and may the

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 1 55
pleasure of the Lord prosper in their hands; the people re
ceive them as the embassadors of Christ; and the stewards
take a lively interest, and, with the people, say they shall
have a comfortable support. This, also, is as it should
be, as it will facilitate the usefulness of the preachers.
One other subject of vital interest I beg leave to notice.
As I passed up on one highway and returned by another,
I counted eleven neat brick meeting-houses; ten of them
the property of — not the bishops or ministers — the mem
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America; two
of these with steeples and bells — would you have thought
it? — but none of them with pews; that's right — Methodists
stick to that; let your seats be as free as salvation; but be
sure to seat on the new plan. The other church, with a
basement story, is, as I was informed, held jointly by
Presbyterians and Methodists; may be this will do; they
may and ought to regard each other as orthodox Churches,
and contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the
saints; let each preach fearlessly the doctrines which he
honestly believes to be according to godliness, and labor
for the conversion of sinners, and the upbuilding of the
saints. There are many more meeting-houses, in the
bounds of these lovely circuits, the property of our people,
and many the property of other denominations, which I
saw not. These things tell well of the state of religion in
that section of our highly-favored land, where I could
cheerfully have lived and died. But I must now return
to my own little field of labor; and, thanks to my blessed
Master! I yet have a little strength to labor in the vine
yard; and long ago I promised that I would do that part
of the work, at those times and in those places, which
might be judged most for his glory. Here I have a two
weeks' circuit — twelve appointments to fill in fourteen
days, and fifteen classes to meet; my family twenty
miles distant — no parsonage — not much time for rest or

156 SKETCHES OF THE
visiting, yet I visit a little, and have thought of an expe
dient: it now takes me twelve days to go round my
circuit, so I'll take twenty-four, and spend two in each
society — the first in visiting, and the second in preaching
and meeting class.
"Lord, help thy poor servant! This field requires the
vigor and zeal of youth; but,
' If such a worm as I can spread
The blessed Savior's name/
quicken, 0, quicken me to do thy work!"

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 157

CHAPTER X.
Is appointed presiding elder on the Lebanon district — Adam
Miller's notice of him — Attends the General conference at Cincin
nati — Canada conference claim — Bible Society — Missionary secre
tary — Liberia conference formed — Rule to locate a preacher —
Death of Bishops M'Kendree and Emory — Waugh, Fisk, and Mor
ris elected — Fisk to be ordained when he should return from
Europe — He is safe in counsel — His views of bishops — Is appointed
to the Chilicothe district — Great improvement in twenty-four
years — Reminiscences — Bishop Asbury among log-cabins — On the.
Muskingum — Entrance of Methodism into Marietta — Continues
three years on this district — Affecting incident — Ministers should
instruct the children — His skill and success as a pastor — A good
work on pastoral visits a. desideratum — Books enough to aid in
pulpit labors — The importance of visiting pastorally — If we would
maintain spiritual life as a Church, it must be done — Two instances
of his skill and success in this work — His striking manner of set
ting forth practical truths in his discourses — Two specimens — His
power in the pulpit — Twenty men added to the Church under one
sermon — A specimen of his pulpit eloquence — Wonderful effects.
At the conference held at Springfield, August 19,
1835, Mr. Quinn was appointed presiding elder on the
Lebanon district, embracing nine charges; namely, Leba
non, Wilmington, Hamilton and Rossville, Germantown,
Oxford, Eaton, Greenville, Westchester, and Dayton.
Although his health and strength were scarcely sufficient
for the labor of this district, yet he prosecuted his work
with great energy, and for the most part met his appoint
ments punctually, and labored with great acceptability and
usefulness. Rev. Adam Miller, M. D., who was that year on Green
ville circuit, has kindly furnished me with the following
notice of Mr. Quinn. He says, "I was gratified to learn
that father Quinn was my presiding elder, and delighted
with the prospect of forming a more intimate acquaintance
with a man of whom I had heard so many favorable ac
counts. I waited with some anxiety for his appearance at
14

158 SKETCHES OF THE
our first quarterly meeting, which was held in the town of
Greenville. He came at the appointed hour, and I had
the pleasure of his company at my house. His pious
example and well-directed conversation were calculated
to make a deep and lasting impression on all with whom
he associated; and I felt that it was a privilege to entertain
so distinguished and pious a guest. He preached a plain,
practical sermon on Saturday. On Sabbath morning he
conducted the devotions of the family. While reading the
lesson, his eyes filled up with tears, and he appeared
deeply affected. He prayed with much energy and pathos.
After prayer he remarked that a strange tenderness of
feeling came over him while reading the Scriptures, and
that it was not usual for him to be affected so much in
that way.
"After conducting the exercises of our morning meeting,
he preached at eleven o'clock, using for his text, ' To-day,
if ye will hear his voice,' etc. It was soon manifest that
his feelings would carry him beyond his physical strength.
He spoke with a loud, clear, musical voice; and, after
having set forth the day of God's grace and merciful vis
itation to sinners, his appeals were most pointed and forci
ble, and the impression made on the congregation was deep
and powerful. He threw his whole soul into his subject,
and so continued till near the close of his sermon, when
his bodily strength was entirely exhausted, and he fell
back in the pulpit, supported by Rev. C. W. Swain. After
he regained his strength to some extent, he was conveyed
to his lodgings, where he remained several days in a very
prostrated condition. In this affliction not a murmur or
complaint escaped from his lips. At one time he remarked,
'It would be a strange providence if I were to be taken
away, so far from my family and home.' Yet he appeared
perfectly resigned to the will of God. When the time for
his next quarterly meeting arrived, though feeble, he

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 159
mounted his horse, and started for his work, in the spirit
of a true and willing itinerant.
"Before the year closed my health failed, and I was
compelled to leave the circuit. My support was exceed
ingly limited — less than one hundred dollars for myself
and wife — quarterage, fuel, table and moving expenses all
included. With this amount I found it impossible to pay
my house rent. Father Quinn hearing of this, when he
came to the circuit immediately drew up a subscription,
headed it with a liberal sum himself, collected the balance,
paid the rent, and relieved the mind of an afflicted preacher.
He furnished abundant proof that he had a heart to feel
for, and sympathize with, and, as far as able, relieve the
sufferings of others.
" Such was his retiring modesty and gentleness of man
ner, that he was loved and admired most by those who
knew him best. And, taking him altogether in the differ
ent relations in life, as a Christian and minister, I doubt
whether 'I e'er shall look upon his like again.' "
Mr. Quinn, being elected a delegate, attended the ses
sion of the General conference at Cincinnati, May 1, 1836.
The General conference of this year was rendered some
what famous, on account of its discussions on the subject
of slavery. The claim of the Canada conference on our
Book Concern was here amicably and satisfactorily ad
justed. The conference recommended that the Bible Society of
the Methodist Episcopal Church be dissolved, and that all
our brethren and friends unite in the cordial support of
the American Bible Society. This recommendation was
readily complied with, and we have ever since co-operated
with our great national institution with much unanimity
and efficiency.
The Constitution of our Missionary Society was so
altered, as to provide for the election of a resident corre-

160

SKETCHES OF THE

sponding secretary, by the General conference, who should
be wholly devoted to the interests of the Society, under
the direction of the Board of Managers.
The Liberia mission was erected into an annual confer
ence, "possessing all the rights, powers, and privileges of
other annual conferences, except that of sending delegates
to the General conference, and of drawing its annual divi
dends from the avails of the Book Concern and Char
tered Fund." The Ohio conference, being very large,
both in numbers and territory, was divided.
This General conference passed a rule authorizing an
annual conference to locate one of its members without
his consent, whenever he renders himself "unacceptable
to the people as a traveling preacher."
Several other rules, deemed important, were adopted by
the conference, which were published in the Discipline.
During the year 1835 the Church had been called to
mourn the loss of her senior and junior bishops. Bishop
M'Kendree had exercised the functions of the Episcopal
office for nearly twenty-seven years, and Bishop Emory for
about two years and six months. Both had filled their
office with dignity and usefulness, and safely passed away
to their reward in heaven.
The committee on the Episcopacy, after adverting in a
most touching manner to the death of Bishops M'Kendree
and Emory, reported the necessity of electing three addi
tional bishops, and the report was adopted by the confer
ence. Accordingly, on the 23d of May, Beverly Waugh,
Wilbur Fisk, and Thomas A. Morris were duly elected
to the office of bishop; and, on the 27th, Beverly Waugh
and Thomas A. Morris were solemnly consecrated, by the
imposition of hands and prayer, to their responsible, im
portant, and holy work. Dr. Wilbur Fisk, who was then
absent in Europe, was to be ordained as soon as he re
turned and it was ascertained he would accept the appoint-

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 161
ment. He, however, declined the office on his return to
the United States, and before the next General conference
he was removed from labor and suffering to his eternal
reward in a better world.
The pastoral address adopted by this conference was an
important Church paper, and, no doubt, exerted a salutary
influence through the entire ministry and membership of
our wide-spread connection.
In the deliberations and action of the conference, in all
its measures, Mr. Quinn participated, watching with vigi
lance all the interests, and guarding with much care every
important principle of our beloved Methodism. He was
considered a wise and safe man in counsel, but never
was much of a debater on the floor of the General con
ference. Indeed, he seldom made a speech in that body,
but in the committee room, in consultation with his own
delegation, and in conversation with other members, his
great influence was exerted, felt, and often accomplished
much. He had now served as an industrious and efficient
member of eight sessions of the General conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church; and, so far as the writer is
informed, he always discharged his duties as a delegate
to the entire satisfaction of his brethren who elected him.
With the session of 1836 he closed his important services,
which he rendered the Church in this responsible relation.
And, as he had just cast his last vote directly in the elec
tion of a bishop, and assisted in promoting two to office as
chief among their brethren, it may not be amiss in this
place to present to the reader his own views of the experi
mental and practical qualifications of a Methodist itinerant
general superintendent. They are expressed in a published
communication, dated December 4, 1842:
"Now see Morris bound for Texas, pretty much in olden
style, only I think he rode in a buggy — but he made up
for that by camping in the woods. Asbury and M'Kendree,
14*

162 SKETCHES OF THE
however, had done so before him. Soule and Roberts,
too, understood this business, in their tours to the far, far
west. Then look at Bishop Soule. He leaves the wharf
at New York, escorted to the ship by a company of the
reverend clergy, lands in England, dashes off to Wales,
then to Ireland, then back to England, then to France,
etc. Presently we find him back at New York; from
thence he sets out on Friday, as if on the wings of the
wind; spends part of a day in Baltimore; and now behold
him in Martinsburg, Va., at the distance of say three
hundred miles, on the Sabbath, preaching the dedication
sermon in the newly-erected house of God, and in a day or
two more he is 'o'er the hills and far away.' Well, now,
if the superintendency may be perpetuated in the hands
of such men as these, and the plan, withal, be preserved
unimpaired, then may the itinerancy and the Church have
stability and perpetuity on the well-secured and well-tried
platform. But changes may take place; for if the General
conference, by oversight, or a latitude of construction
altogether inferential in its character, and contrary to the
plain letter of the constitution, may be composed in part,
or in whole, of those who have never traveled four or
even one full calendar year, then, by the same latitude
of construction, a man or men, who have never been
pastors themselves, who have never 'ruled well' or ill,
may be raised to the superintendency, and clothed by
the General conference with executive power to choose
their own council, and then dispose of the pastoral labors
of three thousand itinerant pastors, although they them
selves should never have been either itinerants or pastors.
Then, indeed, it might be proper so to amend the consti
tution as to take the appointment of the council of pre
siding elders out of the hands of the superintendents.
But my days of personal responsibility are nearly num
bered; yet still I feel a deep interest — have my eyes and

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 163
ears open to all that relates to the welfare of our Zion;
and I hope to pray for the peace of Jerusalem till my eyes
are closed, and my voice lost in the darkness and silence
of death."
After the adjournment of -the conference, which was
late on the evening of the 27th of May, Mr. Quinn returned
to his work on the district, where he continued to labor to
the end of the conference year, beloved and honored by
the preachers and people of his charge.
At the session of the Ohio conference held at Chilicothe,
September 28, 1836, Mr. Quinn was appointed presiding
elder of the Chilicothe district, which then embraced the
following charges; namely, Chilicothe, Piketon, Ports
mouth, Brush Creek, Bainbridge, Hillsboro, Deer Creek,
and Washington. This district, having fewer charges, was
better suited to his enfeebled state -of health than Lebanon.
It was, also, more convenient to his residence, and required
less traveling to reach the various appointments. All this
field of labor, and a great deal more, he embraced in his
old Scioto district, on which he served four years from the
fall of 1812. What a wonderful change had come over
the earth's surface in twenty-four years in this region!
Much of the dense forest had been subdued, and con
verted into fruitful fields, and literally the wilderness had
been made to "blossom as the rose." And the log-cabins
had principally given place to splendid frame, stone, or
brick mansions, while nearly every farm was ornamented
with a good barn; and, instead of worshiping in log meet
ing-houses and private dwellings, he found many spacious
churches erected. How very striking must the contrast
have appeared to our rejoicing itinerant pioneer! It
is reasonable to suppose that many reminiscences of by
gone days would rise up before his mind, interest his
thoughts, and affect his heart. He took great pleasure in
conversing on the subject of the great changes which had

164 SKETCHES OF THE
taken place during his acquaintance and labors in the
west, with the children and grandchildren of his old and
early friends, who used to welcome him to their log-cabins
when he first came among them to proclaim the unsearch
able riches of Christ. He sometimes descanted on this
contrast very profitably in his public addresses; but nearly
all that was oral has been lost to his friends and the world.
I find the following reminiscences written, which I know
will interest the reader. He entitles it, "Bishop Asbury
among the log-cabins:"
"I once had the pleasure of accompanying Bishop
Asbury ten days, on one of his western tours through the
then infant state of Ohio, in the days of log-cabins; and
they were not such unsightly things, if coon and wildcat
skins were hanging round the walls, and deer horns
strewed over the roof, and wild turkeys' wings sticking
about in the cracks; for they were — with few exceptions —
the best dwellings in the land. Well, in many of these
we met a smiling welcome, and were most hospitably en
tertained, and the good Bishop always made himself
pleasant and cheerful with the families, so that they soon
forgot all embarrassment, and appeared as easy in their
feelings as if they had received the Bishop into ceiled and
carpeted parlors — as some of them had in the old states.
Some of them were very neat and clean, fitted up in good
taste, which showed that if madam could not play on the
piano-forte, she had taken lessons from Israel's wise king,
and knew well how to look to the affairs of her house, if
it was a cabin. It must be confessed, however, that all
were not so; for it was our sad lot to fall in with one or
two that were miserably filthy, and fearfully infested with
vermin. This was a heavy tax on the feelings of the poor
Bishop; for he had as fair, and as clear, and thin a skin,
as ever came from England, and in him the sense of smell
ing and tasting were most exquisite. But, dear souls,

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 165
they were as kind as you please, and the Bishop did not
hurt their feelings, but prayed for them, and talked good
to them. Many of them have got better houses since that
time — have made good improvements, and their daughters
have come out quite polished. But we got to quarterly
meeting — for he was passing my district — and a most
blessed season we had: sinners awakened, souls converted,
believers quickened, backsliders reclaimed. O, the Master
of assemblies was with us of a truth! Quarterly meeting
conference came on. 'Well, Mr. Asbury, you will attend
with us and preside?' 'No, son,' was the reply, 'let every
man stand in his lot, and do his part of the work; when
you shall have got through your business let me know,
and I will come and see you.' So we went to business
pretty expeditiously, expecting an address from the Bishop.
We had no long, tough speeches, and those repeated; but
went through, and brought our business to a close in due
time; sent a messenger to inform him that we were ready
to receive him. He came, took the chair, and after a
short pause, commenced taking notice of the infancy of
the state, the infancy of the Church, the toils and priva
tions, the trials and temptations, peculiar to such a state
of things, and the great necessity of watchfulness and
prayer, and diligent attendance on the means of grace,
both public and private. He spoke of his own toils, cares,
and anxieties with some emotion; of the great and glorious
extension and spread of the work of God in the east and
south, also in the west and south-west, both among the
Methodists and other Christian people. He spoke with
much feeling. ' But the quarterly conference — the import
ance of this branch of our ecclesiastical economy — "to
hear complaints, to receive and try appeals," and thus
guard the rights and privileges of the membership against
injury from an incorrect administration; to try, and even
expel, preachers, deacons, and elders; to examine, license,

166 SKETCHES OF THE
and recommend to office in the local department; to recom
mend for admission into the traveling connection persons
as possessing grace, gifts, and usefulness for the great and
important work of the Gospel ministry; surely you will see
and feel the highly-responsible station which you fill as
members of this body. We send you our sons in the
Gospel to minister to you the word of life, and watch over
your souls as they that must give account. That they
may become men, men of God and even fathers among
you, help them in their great work; and that you may
help them understandingly, read, mark, learn, and in
wardly digest your excellent Discipline: it is plain, simple,
and Scriptural. It is true, speculative minds may find or
make difficulties where there are none. [I am not ashamed
to confess that I learned something during this lecture
that I thought well worth taking care of.l But a few
words about your manner of living at the present. You
are now in your log-cabins, and busily engaged in clear
ing out your lands. Well, think nothing of this. I have
been a man of cabins for these many years, and I have
been lodged in many a cabin as clean and sweet as a
palace; and I have slept on many coarse, hard beds,
which have been as clean and as sweet as water and soap
could make them, and not a flea nor a bug to annoy.
[Here I had to hang my head. Dear old gentleman, he
had not forgotten the other night when he got no sleep.]
Keep,' said the Bishop, 'the whisky bottle out of your
cabins, away far from your premises. Never fail in the
offering up of the morning and evening sacrifice with your
families. Keep your cabins clean, for your healths' sake,
and for your souls' sake, [put this on to your wives and
daughters;] for there is no religion in dirt, and filth, and
fleas. But,' said he, 'of this no more. If you do not
wish the Lord to forsake your cabin, do not forsake his;
you will lose nothing, but be gainers, even in temporal

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 167
things, by going and taking your household with you,
even on a week day; you can not all have Sabbath preach
ing. It is time we close for evening service.' A few
words more in commending us to God and the word of his
grace; and then what a prayer! how spiritual, how fer
vent, how fully adapted to the state of the country and
the Church as they then were! Truly, it might be said,
he was mighty in prayer."
The following reminiscences on the Muskingum I find
in printed form. It certainly is too valuable to be lost;
I therefore rescue it from oblivion for the benefit of the
reader. It is softly pleasing:
" One trait in Methodist itinerancy, is to hold fast
whereunto it has attained, remembering that the proud,
the slothful man, roasteth not that which he took in hunt
ing. Accordingly, in the spring of 1800, D. Hitt, pre
siding elder of Redstone district, brought me on to Mus
kingum, to keep up the appointments and take care of the
societies which had been raised by Robert Manly in the
course of the preceding year, there to remain till the
preachers should return from conference; and truly I
found that that good man and good preacher had not been
idle; nor had he labored in vain. He was not a learned
man; and yet I found his evangelical marks in living epis
tles all through the country. I had made one round on
the circuit, and came to Olive Green, where I was met by
a person in search of a preacher to preach a funeral ser
mon, at or near a place called the Big Rock, some eight
or ten miles farther up the Muskingum than we had been.
A company of Vermonters had made a settlement at that
place; and a few weeks after they got there, the pale
horse and his rider had made them a visit, and a Mrs.
White had fallen a victim. She was pious, and died in
the Lord. Here were the Whites, the Richmonds, and
Cheedles, etc., eight or ten families in all, not one of

168 SKETCHES OF THE
whom had ever seen the face, or heard the voice of a
Methodist preacher before; but they were a religious set
of Congregationalists, and soon, with one accord, fell into
the ranks of Methodism. After the sermon, we moved in
solemn silence to the grave. It was on the second bank, a
high bluff, in a thick forest of beech and sugar, clear of
under brush. After the corpse was laid in the grave, the
father of the deceased lady delivered a short address,
truly patriarchal in its character, which was closed with a
modest eulogy on his deceased daughter. This done, the
company joined in singing a beautiful funeral anthem; and
as they were good singers, and carried the parts, the mu
sic was most charming. I was ready to conclude that,
while the warbling songsters of the forest had let fall their
highest notes, the angels — who had just borne the first
redeemed and blood-washed spirit from that settlement to
paradise — had returned, and, hovering on the wing, were
wondering at the love that crowned us, and, joining in the
sweet songs of Zion, now literally making glad the wilder
ness and solitary places, on a funeral occasion. I was
then going to 'Brush College.' "
I present another of his recollections, in relation to the
entrance of Methodism into Marietta. Referring to the
notice which Dr. Bangs has taken of the same subject, in
his History of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he says:
" It is true the Congregationalists held the religious sway;
but there were many of the disciples of Winchester, as
also of Paine, here; and scarcely the form of godliness was
to be seen among them. Many attempts had been made
to find an entrance, but without success.' Manly had tried;
Stoneman — who had traveled among the Yankees in the
land of steady habits — Quinn, Askins, and others had
tried; but all to little purpose. A few times we got to
preach, and once or twice in the house of this same Jonas
Johnson, through the influence of his wife, who was an

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 169
amiable woman, though a disciple of Winchester. Jacob
Young went on in the fall of 1804; but the meeting of
which the Doctor speaks took place in the summer of 1805.
I had the pleasure and profit of being at that meeting.
Brother Young had been brought near to death, by a long
and very severe fever, and providentially fell in Marietta,
where the people, in their kind attentions to the stranger,
saw what Methodist religion could do for a sick man, ap
parently near death, far from home, and among strangers.
Some had seen, and others had heard. After the Lord
had — almost miraculously — raised him up, he gave him
favor and influence among the people, and the work began
to revive. Brother Burke was our presiding elder, Luther
Taylor was on Scioto, J. Quinn on Hocking, J. Young on
Muskingum alone. Brother B. had obtained the services
of G. C. Light — not at that time admitted on trial — and
sent him to help brother Young, in the summer of 1805.
Brother Burke came to the quarterly meeting, bringing
with him brother Taylor. He sent us both on to help
brother Y. at his camp quarterly meeting at Marietta,
while he went up the country toward Steubenville. As
we had a wilderness of forty or fifty miles along an old
Indian trace, from the head to the mouth of Wolf creek,
we had the pleasure of sleeping securely in the woods one
night, near an old Indian encampment. We received no
harm, but had a very good appetite for our breakfast,
when we reached Waterford next morning about nine
o'clock. When we reached the place of meeting, Jacob
Young was preaching, and we soon found God himself
was there. We felt the spirit, and entered into the work.
Brothers Young and Light were in the right spirit, and in
their place. Brother Taylor — who was a good speaker —
preached on the Sabbath, with the Holy Ghost sent down
from heaven. Showers of grace came down, and showers
of tears fell. I guess some of the New Englanders had
15

170 SKETCHES OF THE
never seen the like before; and yet there was but httle
noise either by saint or sinner. It fell to my lot to admin
ister, and the first person who advanced and fell upon his
knees to receive baptism, by pouring, was Jonas Johnson.
Next came a ruddy youth. He has now been a preacher
for thirty years or more, and was once my presiding elder.
Several others, also, were baptized, and it was a blessed
season, during the sacrament of the Lord's supper.
About this time James Whitney — long and favorably
known — began to lend an ear and turn his feet to the
testimonies of the Lord. Mr. Babcock, his amiable family,
and others, whose names I have forgotten, became the
subjects of grace. The meeting went on, and closed well,
and brother Taylor and myself concluded that we were
well paid for our trouble; but as we did not much relish
another night in the green house, we found our way back
to our circuits by another route, each having got a good
lesson in 'Brush College.' "
It appears this Mr. Jonas Johnson was a man of consid
erable influence in the neighborhood, but a professed dis
ciple of Thomas Paine. After his conversion he burnt all
his infidel books, and adopted those of an opposite charac
ter, with the Bible and Hymn-Book. He threw all his
great influence into the scale of piety, and labored zeal
ously to advance the faith which he had long endeavored
to destroy, and was useful.
Mr. Quinn labored on this district three years in succes
sion, his term of service terminating in the fall of 1839.
Some time during this period there was an incident devel
oped which I deem worthy of record in his Life. In the
early part of his ministry he was traveling in a sparsely-
settled country, and along a road rather difficult to find.
When he called to inquire the way, the kind gentleman,
fearing he might not be able to follow his directions, sent
his little son some two miles with him, to show him the

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 171
right road. Mr. Quinn improved the time in instructing
this little boy in his duties to God, his parents, and brothers
and sisters. He told him of a Savior's love, who died for
him and all our race, and urged him to pray to the Lord
as often as he ate, and seek first the kingdom of God.
When they arrived at the place of separation Mr. Quinn
gave him his knife, and the little boy returned home, with
the seeds of grace sown in his heart, accompanied with
the prayers and blessing of the man of God. After the
lapse of more than thirty years, Mr. Quinn was hailed in
the street of one of the towns of his district by a man, who
inquired if his name was Quinn, a Methodist minister.
He told him it was. He then asked him if he recollected
a little boy, who was sent by his father to show him the
way in a certain section of 4fe-e country, whom he in
structed in the great system, hi salvation, urged him to
pray as often as he ate", and on parting gave him a knife.
Mr. Quinn replied he recollected all the circumstances very
well. "Then," said the man, "I was that little boy, and
have the pleasure to report to you that your conversation
was applied by the divine Spirit to my young heart; and
I never got rid of the powerful impressions I then re
ceived, but yielded to your counsel, and commenced pray
ing to God, and in my youth I obtained the pearl of great
price, and still retain the precious treasure in my heart.
When I grew up I married, and now have a family of
children. My wife and all my children who are large
enough are members — with me — of the Methodist Episco
pal Church; and, I trust, we are all on the way to heaven.
I have recently removed to the west."
Let all ministers be encouraged to pay special attention
to the little children, and instruct them in experimental and
practical godliness, according to their capacity, whenever
opportunity offers. It may "be as the bread cast upon the
waters, which may be gathered up after many days."

172 SKETCHES OF THE
I have had occasion several times to refer to Mr. Quinn's
qualifications and success as a pastor; but as this is such
an important feature in the portrait of a minister, and as I
have additional instances of his great skill and usefulness
in that department, I may be permitted to recur to it once
more. Some ministers appear to act as though they
thought their work was all in the pulpit, and hence, after
the delivery of their sermon, they do but little else than to
prepare for the next performance. Not so with Mr. Quinn;
for after he had closed his labors in the pulpit, he consid
ered his work was not half done; but, in compliance with
our excellent Discipline, he went into every house in course,
as he had opportunity, and taught every one therein,
young and old, to be Christians inwardly and outwardly.
He endeavored to make every particular plain to their
understandings — to fix it in their minds and write it on
their hearts. A minister certainly ought to do his whole
duty, at all times, under a clear conviction produced in his
conscience by those solemn words addressed to Timothy:
"I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who
shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing, preach
the word; be instant in season and out of season; reprove,
rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering" — that is, with all
long-mindedness. Be constantly inspired with the consid
eration, the chief Shepherd will soon come; the judge of
quick and dead will soon appear; therefore, never allow
thy patience to be exhausted, or relax thy diligence.
A good work on the duties and encouragements of a
pastor, adapted to the United States, and suited to the
ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, is, certainly,
a desideratum with us. And we do hope some competent
writer, who has studied human nature in all its phases —
how it is affected by every degree of light and grace, re
ceived into the mind and developed in the life of different
individuals, and one who is practically acquainted with

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 173
all the responsibilities and duties of an itinerant Methodist
preacher — will soon furnish our Church with such a book.
Our Discipline says, in reference to the pastoral work
which it enjoins, "Can we find a better method of doing
this than Mr. Baxter's? If not, let us adopt it without
delay. His whole tract, entitled Gildas Salvianus, is well
worth a careful perusal." The "Reformed Pastor" is
the tract referred to. It is matter of deep regret, that
ministers have so little to aid them in this important
part of their work. They have a great many books
issued from our own and other presses to assist them in
their pulpit labors. We have almost any quantity, and
one may suppose a sufficient variety in quality, of skele
tons, sketches, and plans of sermons, to assist the minister
in his preparations for the pulpit. He has, also, Claude's
Essay on the Composition and Delivery of a Sermon, and
Maury on Eloquence; but where is the work to assist him
to accomplish the greatest possible amount of good in vis
iting from house to house, as the pastor of his flock?
The writer thinks himself warranted in saying, that our
ministry generally admit the necessity of an increase of
zeal and diligence in the performance of our pastoral du
ties. The membership see and feel the importance of this
work for the edification, comfort, and salvation of them
selves and their dear children. Indeed, this work is essen
tial to the welfare of our people; and if we would have
Methodism continue to deserve the definition given to it by
Doctor Chalmers — "Christianity in earnest" — it must be
done. In closing this paragraph, the writer will say, that
in contemplating the fidelity and usefulness of Mr. Quinn,
as a pastor, he has been made conscious of his own defects
in this respect, and has resolved to be more faithful in the
future. And the minister who may honor his book with a
perusal is assured, if he will form the same purpose, and
prosecute his duties as pastor with greater skill, diligence,
15*

174 sketches of the
and success, one important object had in view in writing
this biography will have been attained.
In a letter written by a lady, now before me, she testi
fies that on Mr. Quinn's first visit to her father's house,
which, I infer, was in the bounds of Winchester circuit,
Va., in 1802, he conversed with her plainly and pointedly
on the subject of her personal salvation. Finding her
under deep concern, and inquiring what she should do to
be saved, he took much pains to explain to her the method
of justification by faith. And, to show her the nature of
that faith, which brings pardon and regeneration to the
soul, he told her his own experience. He then entered
into a solemn covenant to pray for her, and pledged him
self to meet her at the throne of heavenly grace at a given
hour every day, till he came round to that part of the
circuit again. But before the time expired she received
the answer to their prayers, and when they met she was
able to report, in the fullness of her joy, that her soul
was happily converted — created anew in Christ Jesus.
It appears this lady subsequently removed with her
parents to the west, and met our pioneer, the instrument
of her conversion, in an almost unbroken forest. Mr.
Quinn witnessed her marriage to Rev. Robert Manly, and
pronounced his solemn and impressive benediction upon
their union. But in less than ten years he was called on
to preach the funeral sermon of Mr. Manly, and comfort
the heart of the deeply-afflicted and bereaved widow, and
not long after to bury one of her children. After nar
rating these circumstances, she adds, "Shall it ever be
said I have forgotten such a friend? Never! no, never!"
Another instance of Mr. Quinn's skill and success as a
pastor may be recorded, for the benefit of the reader. An
acquaintance of his — the name has escaped me  had
professed, and no doubt enjoyed religion, for many years,
and was esteemed a very acceptable and useful member

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 175
of society. In some way his friends could not account
for, he fell under the power of his subtile enemy, who
robbed him of his confidence. Many of his friends and
some preachers labored with him; they tried to persuade
him it was nothing but a temptation, and that he ought
not to distrust the goodness of God, or doubt his promise;
but to no purpose. The power of the tempter appeared
to increase, and from doubt and unbelief he yielded to
despair. And, bordering on insanity, it was soon reported
in his neighborhood that he was deranged. Mr. Quinn,
hearing of his case, with much sympathy and concern
determined to visit him, and make an effort to rescue his
friend from the snare of the devil. Accordingly he en
tered the atmosphere of gloom and despair, and present
ing a bright and cheerful countenance, he said to the
despairing man, with a tone of voice well calculated
to inspire confidence, though it can not be described,
"Brother  , the Lord has taken too much pains with
you to suffer you to be lost." The sound and sentiment
aroused the man, who inquiringly replied, "Do you think
so?" "Yes, I am certain of it," was the prompt answer
of the wise pastor. The snare was broken — the tempter
had to fly. Hope sprung up in the heart of the sufferer.
In a moment his flushed countenance and bright eye gave
evidence of the joy of his soul. Prayer, with much
thanksgiving and praise, was offered up to God. And the
man, clothed in his right mind, was restored to his family,
and continued long a happy and useful member of the
Church. Who can compute the worth of that pastoral
visit? or the blessings it was the means of imparting?
The writer once visited Mr. Quinn in a violent attack
of sickness, in which he endured much pain. He had
been greatly distressed — the enem)r had thrust sorely at
him, but he had obtained relief before my arrival. He
related to me his great trial, as well as the circumstances

176 sketches of the
of his visit to his friend as here stated, and remarked how
encouraging and comforting it would have been to his
depressed and troubled soul, if some one had come in at
the time of his severe temptation and addressed him in
the same way.
Mr. Quinn's manner of setting forth and illustrating the
practical truths which he inculcated in his discourses, was
always interesting and striking, and well calculated to
make a vivid and lasting impression on the mind and
heart. The following are furnished as specimens of his
happy method in this respect: "In our admonitions and
exhortations to delinquent parents, we are often met with
the opposing declaration, 'I can not give my children
religion!' To such we say, you can do more in this mat
ter than you are aware of — perhaps more than you are
willing to know. You can do as much toward giving your
children religion, as you can toward raising a crop of com.
In the latter case you can clear the ground, break the
soil, plant in due time, improve the season of culture;
then look and pray for dew and the gentle rains of heaven.
Now, by education, an education favorable to moral as
well as intellectual culture, clear and prepare the soil.
Plant or sow the seed of pure evangelical truth in their
hearts; then cultivate by precept and example. Teach
them by theory, and show them by practice, how to be
religious; all the while offering up to God for them in
their hearing, and out of their sight, the earnest, con
tinued, and fervent prayer of faith, and leave the rest
with God." What careless and unfaithful parent could
ward off the force of this? And may we not suppose
that many, through the influence of the powerful appeals
of this minister of God, were excited to great diligence
and carefulness in rearing their children for God and
heaven? And who can tell but the developments of the
day of judgment will attribute to his appeals and instruc-

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 177
tions to parents, under God, directly or indirectly, the
salvation of many entire households? The other speci
men which we give was intended to encourage the timid
and the fearful, who tremble at the near approach of
death. Speaking of the death of the saints, he said:
"There was a natural fear of death to the Christian.
Suppose a father to have been necessarily detained long
from home, and, on his arrival in sight of his residence,
he should see the stream which rolls between swelled to a
mighty flood. Now, the husband and father might fear
to enter the muddy and cold waters of the stream, but he
would have no fears of entering the bosom of his family
and of being at home. So of the Christian when he comes
to the Jordan of death. Looking upon its dark, cold
waters, he may fear to enter. Death's struggles, the
agonies of dissolving nature separating soul and body,
may frighten him for a moment, but recollecting the
promise of his Lord, 'Fear thou not, for I am with thee:
be not dismayed, for I am thy God,' he dashes in with
strong confidence, knowing the passage is short and he is
going home. He has no fears then — no fears of being at
home with his Father and with his friends, who wait to
welcome him to his incorruptible inheritance in heaven."
I can not use his words verbatim, but have given the sub
stance of this illustration. I find it has suffered in my
hands: and in the cold type in which it is presented to
the reader, it has lost much of its fire and power of elocu
tion; and no one will be able to appreciate it correctly,
unless he has heard it from his living lips.
I suppose it was some time during his labors on this
district, and at one of his meetings in the Scioto Valley,
the following affecting occurrence was exhibited in the
congregation. He had preached for some time with great
eloquence and power, and toward the close of his sermon
he remarked that some men of influence were standing in

178 sketches of the
the way of others, and, in the final judgment, might be
justly chargeable with the ruin of precious souls for whom
Christ died. Then looking over the multitude, he as
serted, with great energy and force, as though he had
some one in view, " There is a man now present who is
thus standing in the way of his neighbors; and if he would
come out from among the wicked, and unite with the
Church, many of his acquaintances would follow his ex
ample." Just at that moment a man of influence rushed
forward from the midst of the crowded audience, and nine
teen more immediately followed him; so that, in the space
of a few minutes, twenty men were added to the Church.
How impossible for finite man fully to estimate what may
be the success of that one effort! It may indirectly exert
an influence through all time, and exhibit increased fruit
in every generation, and then show a glorious result in
eternity. There is another specimen of his elocution and power
as a minister, in the memory of many who yet live, which,
if I could justly describe it, would be of thrilling interest
to the reader. It was exhibited at a camp meeting near
Moore's meeting-house, on Eagle creek, about the year
1814, in the presence of a congregation — as was sup
posed — of five thousand. He was then in the meridian of
life, and, perhaps, in his greatest strength of mind, body,
and voice; and this must have been one of his most suc
cessful efforts. His text was, Psalms 1, 3-5: "Our God
shall come, and shall not keep silence; a fire shall devour
before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about
him. He shall call to the heavens from above and to the
earth, that he may judge his people, Gather my saints to
gether unto me; those that have made a covenant with me
by sacrifice." The sacrificial offering of Jesus Christ,
once for all, was his favorite theme. The atonement was
set forth, with peculiar perspicuity, as the medium throuo-h

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 179
which rebel man is permitted to approach his God, and
enter into covenant with his rightful sovereign, against
whom he had deeply revolted. He referred, in a most
vivid manner, to the prescribed formula by which God's
ancient people entered into covenant with him — "by sacri
fice" — how that, after they had "offered burnt-offerings,
and sacrificed peace-offerings of oxen unto the Lord, Mo
ses took half of the blood and put it in basins; and half
of the blood he sprinkled on the altar. And he took the
book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the peo
ple: and they said, All that the Lord hath said will we do,
and be obedient. And Moses took the blood and sprinkled
it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the cove
nant which the Lord hath made with you, concerning all
these words." The preacher represented that the covenant
could not be ratified without sacrifice — the shedding and
sprinkling of blood — "and without shedding of blood is no
remission." Under the new dispensation of mercy and
grace presented in the Gospel, a change is made in the
nature of the sacrifices to be offered, when we enter into
covenant with God. We are now required to present our
bodies, souls, and spirits, "as a living sacrifice, holy, ac
ceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service."
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and
a contrite heart, 0, God, thou wilt not despise." All
these sacrifices are to be offered through the merits of
Christ, our great mediator; and our persons and our serv
ices are rendered acceptable by faith in his blood. "For
if the blood of bulls and of goatsj and the ashes of a
heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying
of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ,
who, through the eternal Spirit, offered himself without
spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to
sorve the living God!" Then "we are sanctified through
the offering of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all," and

180 SKETCHES OF THE
have "boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of
Jesus, by a new and living way which he hath consecrated
for us." The covenant which God now makes with his
people is, "I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their
minds will I write them; and their sins and iniquities will I
remember no more." And their obligation is, to glorify
him in their bodies and in their spirits, which are God's.
He next described the saints of God, who had thus
made covenant with him by sacrifice, giving their full por
trait from the Bible in the most lucid manner as the holy
ones. Next he set forth the gathering of the saints together
to the mighty God, the great judge at the last day. He
described the coming of the judge as his text represented:
"a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tem
pestuous round about him." This was explained as em
bracing all the grandeur and terrors of the general judg
ment, ushered in by the voice of the archangel and the
trump of God — "when the heavens shall pass away with
a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent
heat. The earth, also, and the works that are therein shall
be burned up." This terrible conflagration, with all its
accompanying scenery, was presented in the most lumin
ous manner to the minds of the vast multitude present.
The effect was so great that it is said very few could retain
their seats; nearly all arose to their feet, absorbed in con
templating the scene as described by the orator — they ap
peared to forget every thing else. In imagination they
saw the Lord Jesus descending from heaven, accompanied
with an innumerable host of angels, and the souls of the
pious dead of every age and nation.
He then presented to the minds of his auditors the
gathering together of the bodies of all the saints, from
every part of the earth's surface, and from the seas,
rivers, and lakes. They had just heard of the death of

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 181
Dr. Coke, and his burial in the ocean. He had long
labored to establish a mission on the island of Ceylon, in
the east; and when he died he was on his way, with sev
eral other missionaries, to make a united, continued, and
powerful effort for the salvation of the heathen. The
Doctor and his coadjutors, and the anticipated multitude
of India converts, in the representation of the speaker,
were made to form a conspicuous part in the grand pro
cession of the gathering together of all the saints of God.
The holy minister, himself overwhelmed with his subject,
was manifestly endued with power from on high, and a
sacred unction and Divine influence seemed to accompany
every sentence. The enchained multitude stood aghast,
as in solemn awe, till finally the comparative awful silence
was broken by a sudden outburst of the groans, shrieks,
and cries of sinners, and acclamations of joy and shouts of
Christians, from all parts of the densely-crowded congre
gation. Many are still alive who have a distinct recollection of
the appearance and eloquence of the speaker, as well as
the wonderful manifestation of the Divine presence and
power which pervaded the assembly on that occasion, and
can corroborate the truth of this statement. One wit
ness — Rev. John R. Turner — assures the writer that it
would be impossible to convey, in words, an adequate idea
of the overwhelming effects of the discourse, and the moral
grandeur of the scene that was there realized.
o 16

SKETCHES OF THE

CHAPTER XI.

His district enlarged— Death of his daughter— Enconraging
dream— Closes his labors on the district— Keeps a journal for three
weeks— Starts to conference— Lodges at Washington— Recollec
tions of the past — Chenoweth family — Columbus, what it is and
what it was — Rev. W. Hogue — Franklinton — Mr. Grubb — General
Harrison — Fallen Ministers — Worthington — Female academy—
Bigelow and Strange — How Methodist ministers learn to preach —
Delaware — Wonderful change — Good society — Sulphur spring —
Galena— The Carpenter family— Granville — Newark— Old cir
cuit — Muskingum district — Reaches Zanesville — Conference be
gins — Examination of character with open doors — Conference
closes — Leaves for his work — Dines at Summerset — Methodism
strong here— Politics runs high — No danger to the republic while
Churches are divided in sentiment — Reaches Rushville — Large
society— Lancaster — Tarleton — Kingston — J. Crouse — Chilicothe —
Returned to Wilmington circuit — Revival — Happy year — V. Cook —
Invites mourners — Glorious watch-night — Appointed agent of the
Preachers' Relief Society — Objects — Address.
At the session of the conference in September, 1838,
Mr. Quinn's district was enlarged, West Union and
Georgetown circuits being added. His strength continued
about equal to his work, and he served this year, as well
as the two former, with acceptance and some success.
On the 15th of January, 1839, he was called to mourn
the death of a beloved daughter, the wife of Rev. J. W.
Fowble. She was a most amiable lady, of deep and uni
form piety, and she passed over the Jordan of death in
holy triumph, shouting the praise of God; so that her
bereaved friends had every assurance that she realized an
abundant entrance into the kingdom of glory above. Soon
after her departure Mr. Quinn had the following remarka
ble and encouraging dream. He supposed he died and
passed to the heavenly world; and at the place of entrance
six beautiful young females met him, all dressed in snow-
white robes, and one of them was his deceased daughter.

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 183
They all came forward and rejoiced at his arrival, and
then placed golden stars, of indescribable luster, upon
him, which adhered to, and remained on his raiment,
forming the most brilliant and magnificent ornaments he
ever beheld. While admiring the manner in which he had
been decorated by the young women, there came, from a
point above him, a shower of the same kind of stars, as
though they had been poured out of a large scoop, and
covered him all over, making him resplendent from head
to foot with golden stars. Such was the sudden transport
of joy and inexpressible ecstasy he realized under the
supposed shower of stars, that he commenced shouting
the praise of God aloud in his sleep. This alarmed his
wife, who called him so loudly that he awoke, and his
rapturous vision ended. He then told his wife his dream,
regretting that his mind had been so soon called back to
earth. He however continued happy for some time, hav
ing a well-grounded hope of possessing many stars of
rejoicing when really called to his reward in heaven.
Whatever opinions may be entertained of dreams in
general or of this in particular, it is supposed all will agree
that this was a very pleasant one; and while it may be
interesting to some, it will injure no one to read it.
Mr. Quinn having closed his labors on the Chilicothe
district, attended the conference held in Cincinnati, Sep
tember 25, 1839, and was appointed in charge of Wil
mington circuit, having J. W. Steel associated with him.
His health continued nearly as good as usual; and, al
though his bodily strength had somewhat abated, he was
able to attend his appointments, and perform the other
labors of his charge with acceptance, through the confer
ence year. I believe it was on this circuit that Mr. Quinn
visited the eccentric and jesting Mr. P., whose wife was
an excellent member. When reminded that he once said
"that when the preachers came to his house the chickens

184 SKETCHES OF THE
took fright and ran into the weeds and hid themselves,"
Mr. P. replied, "That might have been the case at one
time, but in these days the most of the preachers appear
so much like lawyers that the chickens don't know them."
When Mr. Q. related this anecdote to the writer, he added,
"I concluded I would let that man alone."
At the close of this conference year Mr. Quinn kept a
journal of about three weeks, including the session of the
Ohio conference at Zanesville, September 30, 1840. As
this journal embraces many useful reflections and remi
niscences of by-gone days, it is nearly all furnished to the
readers of his "Life :"
"Having wound up the labors of another conference
year, I had two days with my family to make arrangements
to start for my forty-first conference; and as the young
men had all taken the start of me by different routes, I had
to wend my way alone, in old style, on horseback. The
first day I made thirty miles, which brought me to Wash
ington, Fayette county. Here I had been almost thirty
years ago, when Methodism had little more than an em
bryo existence. Since that time there has been reforma
tion and revival energy, and many souls have been born of
God; and at one time there was a large and prosperous
society here, and a good brick meeting-house was erected,
which has not yet been finished, as there has been a de
clension: some have died, some removed, some backslid
den — but yet there are a few names here who have
watched and kept their garments unspotted. O, may they
walk with Christ in white! They want something more
than good preaching to raise them up — warm-hearted,
faithful pastoral work, with the blessing of God, will do
the deed.
"After a comfortable night's rest at the house of my
kind brother Hazier, on the second day I set out for Co
lumbus, forty miles distant. This day led me through a

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 185
tract of country, which begap to be occupied by Methodist
traveling preachers some thirty years ago. As I went
musing along, my recollections called up many scenes and
circumstances of an interesting character, connected with
camp and quarterly meeting occasions, during the years
of 1813, '14, '15, and '16, when the Church was truly in
the wilderness. But then there was a Church here truly
evangelical in its character, and Christ was in it, and his
goings forth were seen and felt, in the conviction, conver
sion, sanctification, and salvation of many, very many,
precious souls.
"I passed through a pleasant village — Princeton; saw
two snug-looking brick meeting-houses, one of which be
longs to the Methodists. It is said they have a good
society here, and a house for their preacher. This is as
it should be. This was a wilderness thirty years ago.
At 12 o'clock stopped in another village, near the crossing
of Darby; dined and fed; was shown from the tavern
door a splendid brick mansion, said to be owned and occu
pied by a son of my old and highly-esteemed friend, Elijah
Chenoweth. This man and his brother Thomas were the
first Methodists who settled in the Darby Valley; and
they, with their wives — who were sisters, and daughters
of Rev. John Foster, whom I have called a patriarch of
Scioto Valley — with a few others, composed the first society
in that section of the country. This society at first was a
part of Scioto circuit; but when Paint circuit was formed
it fell into that division of the work, and became a kind
of headquarters, and a place for holding quarterly and
camp meetings. Here I have witnessed many refreshing
seasons, while the wilderness and solitary places were
made glad, and blossomed as the rose. Many of the
blossoms that then put forth have been matured into fruit,
which has shaken as Lebanon, ripened, and been gathered.
The old Chenoweths have fallen asleep. Peace to their
16*

186 SKETCHES OF THE
memory! Often has my spirit been refreshed in their
society, and my weary and hungry body rested and fed
by' their hospitality. If our dear friends still live in our
recollections, may we not still live in theirs? If so, shall
not those tender ties and sympathies be renewed and per
petuated, world without end? An old man, on finding
himself overlooked or neglected, eagerly runs back to the
days of other years, seeking society among the compan
ions of his youth. But, alas! where are they? They
have almost all disappeared. Here and there one; but
how faded is the form, while the vivacity and sprightliness
of spirit, which made society pleasant and profitable, has
in a great measure departed from them. Well, then, if
he would not be entirely solitary in his thoughts, he must
dwell aloof from earth, and, by faith, hold converse with
the intellectual world of light, and love, and immortality,
where perfect love and the sacred sweets of endearing
friendship shall reign forever and ever. The day began
to wear away, which had been one of the most pleasant I
ever experienced. All above, beneath, around, within,
without, was calm. No anxious casting up of what might
be at conference disquieted mj mind. But lo! from a
rising ground, at the distance of say two miles, I beheld
the towering spires on the state-house, court-house, and
churches in the delightful city, yes, city, of Columbus.
"Now, if I possessed the descriptive powers of brother
H, a piece might be forthcoming that would do for the
Ladies' Repository and Gatherings of the West. But I
was here in the days of log-cabins; and how was it then?
Why, the site for the seat of government had been selected
and operations commenced; the timber on the public
square had been felled, and the brush burned off; but
great buckeye, beech, sugar, and walnut stumps and logs
were there. The state-house was under contract and
going up, and the builders and a few others had got up,

r

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 187
and were getting up, a few small buildings, chiefly cabins.
Rev. W. Hogue, a Presbyterian minister, who still lives,
had a Church in Franklinton, on the opposite side of the
Scioto, and the Methodists had a small society in the same
place, who met at the house of our worthy brother Grubb,
whose religion was not in word or tongue only, but in
deed and in truth; and if I was sure that he was gone to
heaven, I would say two or three things more about him
and his excellent wife, but think he yet lives; however, I
will say, that on my quarterly tours for four years I
always met a smiling welcome and a comfortable home at
brother Grubb's. But the time was come that the hand
ful of corn was to be planted in the place selected as the
permanent seat of government for the state of Ohio, now
the third in the Union as to population and wealth. Here
came old brother George M'Cormick, his excellent wife
and her mother, Armstrong, brother and sister Harvey,
and two or three more. These constituted the first Meth
odist society in Columbus, but in what year, or by what
preacher, I can not be positive. I found them in my
charge in 1813, and, for the most part, made them a
quarterly visit for four years, for the preachers in those
days kept the presiding elders pretty busy, having ap
pointments out for them almost every day or night, or
both, through the week, between quarterly meetings.
Then the people knew who and what their presiding elders
were; indeed they could not run home between quarterly
meetings, for their log-cabin homes were generally from
fifty to one hundred and fifty miles distant, and they
thought themselves pretty well off if they could get home
for three or four days in a month, six weeks, or two
months. In this section of the work those days of toil
and privation have passed away; and our feelings are
sometimes deeply affected when we have heard dear young
men say, rather in a suppressed tone, '/ think my health

188 SKETCHES OF THE
is too delicate to endure the fatigues of a circuit.' Well, dear
fellows, may the bishop and all the people be good to you,
and give you a good place! An easy place you can not
have in the ranks of Methodism, if you faithfully dis
charge the duties of a Methodist minister, as enjoined in
the Discipline.
" Here I was most hospitably entertained for the night by
brother R., a grandson of an old acquaintance and
friend, E. Harr, a local preacher, and one of the first
Methodists that settled in Chilicothe. 0, how I rejoice in
spirit, to find the children and grandchildren of my old
friends walking in the truth! Great solicitude here about
who shall be the next preacher. ' Hope Mr.  will be
sent.' '0, well, now, he is a very popular preacher; but
then he's about done. He seldom attends prayer or class
meetings, scarcely ever visits, unless by special request.'
'Ah! well, this is a place of great resort, and we must
have a man of splendid pulpit talents.' Well, after all
the talk about eloquent preaching and fine address, let me
have a good, warm-hearted, plain, zealous man of God,
who, using great plainness of speech, seeks to commend
himself to every man's judgment and conscience in the
sight of God; and then to exhort, invite, and pray with
mourners, meet classes, and visit from house to house, as
the Discipline directs, etc. Great Head of the Church,
take care of thy cause and people in Columbus!
" On the third morning started early for Delaware, near
thirty miles distant; found I was to pass through Worth-
ington. General Harrison left this place yesterday, and
Tyler is to be here to-day. 0, what agitation! Great
Ruler of the universe, preserve this republic! I love my
country, and have my political creed; judge of men and
measures, but attend no conventions; be that for others.
When Harrison was guarding the frontiers and treatino-
with the Indians, I was preaching salvation to the dwellers

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 1 89
in log-cabins along the Muskingum and Hockhocking Val
leys, more than forty years ago; and I have not had to go
to newspapers or stump orators to learn his character as a
man, or a general, or statesman; but he is two years older
than I, and yet he may be fit to be President of this great
nation. It is, perhaps, a mark of wisdom in this republic
to make choice of aged men to fill the office of Chief
Magistrate, if they shall possess wisdom and integrity
sufficient to make a proper selection of counselors and
ministers. But of this no more. I continued my musing
as I rode leisurely along on the mud pike.
"A violent shock was heard and felt in this vicinity a
few years ago. It was not an earthquake, or the bursting
forth of a volcano, but the fall of men from ministerial
elevation. Great is such a fall. Then it is that the daugh
ters of the uncircumcised rejoice, and the Church puts on
sackcloth. A fallen minister! Of unhappy men the most
unhappy: ' Ah, whither should he fiee,
Or where produce, in open day,
And to the golden sun, his hapless head,
Whence every laurel shorn?
On his bald brow sits grinning infamy,
And all in sportive fury
Twines around the keen, the stinging adder of disgrace.'
"In forty years I have known four fallen ministers com
mit suicide. It is true, some thought them in a state of
derangement; but, if nothing had been wrong, would not
the Lord have preserved them, and given them a more
honorable death? Bishop Asbury once said, when con
versing on one of these melancholy cases, ' There is some
thing in the disgrace connected with the fall of a minister
calculated to drive the unhappy man into despair, then to
distraction, then to suicide.' But, 0, why should they
not rather follow the example of the disciple who denied
his Lord with oaths and cursing, than of him who basely

190 SKETCHES OF THE
betrayed his Master; for, although they 'never may rise
to their first paradise' — in a ministerial point of view —
yet, 'if the God that reads the heart looks with compas
sion down, and sees repentance bursting from the earth-
bent eye, and faith's red cross held closely to the breast,
then may they not hope that, at last, he will stoop, and
his pity will bring him to them?' Great Head of the
Church, preserve thy poor servants from falling into the
snare and condemnation of the devil; for, verily, those
'men perish not alone in their iniquity!'
"Well, here is Worthington, a most delightful village,
improved in neat, New England style, and a flourishing
female academy here, under the patronage of the Ohio
annual conference, and in successful operation, the annual
examination going on; should have been glad of the priv
ilege of attending, but I was a passing stranger. Not so
once; for here was I, and well known, more than the
fourth of a century ago. It was here I found dear Bige-
low in the cabin of his excellent father. He was small in
stature, and of very youthful appearance; but I soon found
he had a giant mind, with a moderate English education,
and his large soul alive to God, and burning with zeal for
the glory of God and the salvation of souls. I said, and
others said, this is the sort of young men we want: let us
have him. His father consented, he consented, the quar
terly conference recommended, and wc took his name, with
three others — Sadosa Bacon, Curtis Goddard, and Samuel
Lane — to the annual conference. They were all received.
They were all from the same section of country, and, I
think, all recommended by the same quarterly conference.
Three of these young men have finished their work and
rest from their labor, and brother Goddard has retired from
the itinerant field by location. We used to think when
we got such young men we had gotten a prize, and, learned
or unlearned, we were not ashamed of them, for the Lord

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 191
called them and made them ministers, and, as polished
shafts, hid them in his quiver. It has been said by some
one, that the Romans learned to be soldiers by fighting.
And where did Washington and his brave fellows learn
the dreadful trade of war? Where, but on the toilsome
march, the tented field, or battle-ground? And yet were
there ever better soldiers? soldiers who better deserved the
title — who deserved more of their country or posterity?
And where and how did the Methodist preachers learn to
preach? By preaching. The answers to these interroga
tories should be clearly given by the historian. And then
it may be asked, where or when has there been a better or
more successful set of truly-evangelical preachers? They
believed they were called to the work — they felt its import
ance — they devoted themselves to God and the improve
ment of their minds, that they might be qualified for the
great work, to which they honestly believed the great Head
of the Church had called them in their ministry. They
were never to be either unemployed or triflingly employed.
It was enjoined on them to contract a taste for reading,
and read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest what they
read, or else go back to their former avocations. They
were enjoined to ' choose the plainest text — not to ramble,
but keep to the subject, and make out what they took in
hand.' They were to convince — to offer Christ — to build
up God's people. They were to preach Christ in his
offices, his Gospel, his law, both to believers and unbe
lievers. And they were left free- — as pious men of com
mon sense, devoted to the acquisition of useful knowledge
should be — with regard to books and the course of study,
except that they were to read the Bible, yea, the whole
Bible, with the works of Wesley, Fletcher, Baxter, etc.;
and I do know that many, yea, most of them, made good
proficiency, and became good ministers of Jesus Christ.
Of about thirty young men whose names — by recommend-

192 SKETCHES OF THE
ation from quarterly meeting conferences between the
years 1809 and 1816 — were brought to the annual confer
ence by the writer of this humble scrawl, there were very
few who did not sustain this character. Of those who
have fallen asleep, I may say their living epistles are yet
read, and their praise is yet in the Churches. But Strange
and Bigelow stand forth pre-eminent. Ah! lovely men, I
sorrowed when I heard they were dead! Well, although
my heart knows its own bitterness, yet for those I sorrow
not without hope. But it has come to pass in the nine
teenth century — which some think is in the evening of
time — that the human mind has been mightily stirred;
has discovered its mighty powers of ratiocination, and is
at last about to break, or has broken off its shackles, and
rid itself from the dogmas of superstition, prejudice, and
ignorance, which so long enchained the fathers. And
such is the astonishing march of mind, that the Church can
do no longer without a classically-educated and theologic
ally-trained clergy. Well now, really may be it is so, but
we are rather slow of heart to believe. However, no
doubt it appears so to some; for their eyes being more
than half open, they now begin to ' see men as trees walk
ing, and, perhaps, will soon see trees as men walking;'
and what then? Why, I don't know; but I once knew a
college graduate, an A. B., thrown quite into confusion,
on being asked by the examining committee, 'What was
the object proposed by Fletcher in writing the Appeal?
and what method of argument did the author pursue?'
But the graduate of Brush College could tell you very
promptly almost every thing about Fletcher and Wesley.
The Bible, however, was their stronghold. Thev were at
home here, and you seldom heard from them a lame or
inappropriate quotation. Our old self-taught ministers
educate their sons for ministers, and lo! they come out
doctors and lawyers. Other men educate their sons for

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 193
lawyers, doctors, and statesmen, and the Lord takes them
and makes preachers of them, and no thanks to their
fathers, their tutors, or themselves.
"But still the inquiry is urged, 'Will the Methodist Epis
copal Church, who, in her official organs, has become the
zealous and efficient patroness of learning, and seminaries
of learning, with all her wealth and wisdom, much longer
tolerate or suffer an uneducated ministry?' It is believed
by some that the rule-making power, with all its squinting
that way, will not yet for many years assume the responsi
bility of putting a negative on such men as Wesley, with
all his learning, admitted as helpers, and of whom he said,
' as he is the best physician who makes the most cures, so
he is the best preacher who — instrumentally — saves the
most souls.' And yet he was no quack, or friend to
quackery, either in medicine or theology. But although
the rule-making power may not have action in the prem
ises for years to come, yet a course may be pursued in
another department, which may or will deter all who have
not a classical education from offering, except such as have
such clear and strong conviction of duty as to be willing,
for the Lord's sake, to become nethinim. Well, these
were very useful as an appendage to the Jewish priest
hood, and may, yea, no doubt will, be extensively useful
for many years to come, connected with the Christian
ministry in the Methodist Episcopal Church. But let not
the learned historian 'blot the tomb, or insult the memory,
of those whom God hath honored and still continues to
honor.' "But I am drawing near to Delaware; and what a de
lightful section of country I am passing through! What
splendid farms, stately mansions, barns full to overflowing,
with flocks and herds in every direction! Can it be? I
can scarcely believe my own eyes. Here I had seen the
rugged sires of the present incumbents in their first cabins,
17

194 SKETCHES OF THE
with their linsey-woolsey and tow linen frocks, felling the
lofty beech, sugar, walnut, and buckeye; or with their
teams dragging the brush, piling the logs, breaking the
soil, while they ground their corn on the hand-mill, or
pounded it in the mortar; and yet had time to go to preach
ing, even on a week-day, pray in their families, and serve
God. But here is Delaware, and it r9*near sunset. Here
is the northern boundary of my old Scioto district, as it
was in 1816, at that time including the counties of Dela
ware, Franklin, Madison, Fayette, Highland, part of
Brown, Adams, Scioto, Pike, Jackson, Ross, Pickaway,
and the principal part of Fairfield. The year 1816 closed
my quadrennial tour in this field of toil and suffering, and
my friends thought, and I thought, that I was about run
down; so the conference voted me a supernumerary rela
tion, and Bishop M'Kendree did not attach me to the dis
trict, but appointed me to a circuit, and in charge. ' This,'
said he, smiling, 'is rather novel; but so let it be; you will
do the best you can.' On my way to and from conference,
I had sometimes to be assisted in mounting and dismount
ing. Yet my health improved. I reached my circuit in
good time, and missed but three appointments that year.
0, the mercy and goodness of God! The town of Dela
ware is now quite a pleasant place — a good society and
good house of worship — just erected into a station at the
late North Ohio conference. Expectation quite up, I had
a desire to preach here, but there was no opening. This
place will probably , at no distant day, become a place of
much resort, for the benefit of this fine sulphur sprinc,
one of the finest I have ever seen. But 0, mankind are
so prone to abuse blessings, and turn them into curses.
"Saturday night brought me to Galena, where I met a
most hearty welcome at the house of my old friend, Ben
jamin Carpenter, Esq., son of my still more highly-es
teemed friend, Benjamin Carpenter, Esq., now with God;

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 195
but twenty-five years had made so great a change in my
appearance that they knew me not; but the tones of my
voice told that it was the friend of their father who spoke;
when instantly I found myself at home, and every coun
tenance beaming with pleasure, even the minors. This
proved to me that I had not been forgotten in this family.
'You are of course to spend the Sabbath with us; we have
no appointment out for preaching; but we will send out
runners, and you shall have a good congregation.' And
so it was; for, at the time appointed, on going to the place,
I first beheld a good brick church; on entering I saw a
good congregation, to whom I preached with great liberty;
then met the large class, in which I found the children,
grandchildren, and great grandchildren, of those who first
received the Methodist preachers and the Gospel into their
cabins on Big B. and Alum creeks, branches of the Scioto.
I was especially interested in finding so many of the de
scendants of Benjamin Carpenter, Esq., and his deeply-
devoted brother, Rev. Gilbert Carpenter. These men set
tled in this section of country in 1807 or '8; were among
the first settlers and first Methodists. They were sensible,
well-informed men, sentimentally and feroently religious.
They raised their families well, and made comfortable pro
vision for them. They have fallen asleep in Christ; but
as, at the time of their demise, we had no periodical in
the west, so no memoir or biographical notice was ever
published. I sometimes see memoirs and biographical
notices that I could not be prevailed on to indorse: some
things that 'would offend the eye in the good picture are
discreetly cast into the shade,' and the place supplied with
something that did not belong to the character. Not so
did the sacred, whole truth-telling biographers; for they
told about the drunkenness of Noah and Lot, and the base
conduct of Judah, David, and others. But should a good
writer furnish a memoir of Benjamin and Gilbert Car-

196 SKETCHES OF THE
penter — abating for human infirmity — and therein set forth
the spirit, principles, and practice of true Christian piety,
as exhibited in the tempers, conversation, and conduct of
the two brothers, I would most cheerfully place my hand
and seal. A meeting for prayer was appointed at candle
light, but there being a good congregation convened, it
was thought that the old man might as well give them a
second sermon. Their wish was complied with, and we
had a good, feeling, and refreshing season. Great Head
of the Church, bless thy people in Galena!
"Monday, September 26. Set out early for Newark.
No company yet; for, being on horseback, I could not en
joy the society of those who traveled in carriages. So I
went along leisurely, musing as I went, and wondering at
the vast improvements, wherein the forests have become
fruitful fields, etc. Turned in for dinner at the house of
Rev. Samuel Carpenter, nephew of Benjamin and Gilbert,
and son of Samuel; him I had known in his youth, but
now he hath gray hairs. He looked strongly at me. I
said, 'Do you know me?' 'Yes,' said he, 'I know the
voice; it is old brother Quinn.' I confess it does me good
to be called brother sometimes. Here, too, I found myself
at home, and was not treated with the common-place civ
ility due to the passing stranger, but with the expression
of ardent friendship. We conversed and ate — sung,
prayed, and parted, to meet on earth no more. Passed
on through Granville; and thought of other days, when,
perhaps, old brother Gavit was the only Methodist in the
place. In his house I preached before any Methodist
society was organized here. It now gives name to, and
is the center oV a good circuit. I had not time to call;
and I confess that the idea of having to give my name,
and make myself known, has sometimes caused me to pass
along incog.
"Reached Newark a short time before sundown, and

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 197
found comfortable lodgings at the house of a brother,
whose name I did not retain; went to Church, and heard
a sermon on the faith of Moses, by a member of the- North
Ohio conference; was edified; thought of olden times.
But of the large congregation but few knew that the man
was present who used to preach in Newark when there
were but a few log-cabins; when twenty or thirty would
have been considered a large congregation, and five or six
composed the first class, which met at the cabin of Abra
ham Wright, Esq. Now I am in the bounds of my old
Hockhocking circuit, to which I was appointed in 1804,
and also in the bounds of Muskingum district, to which I
was appointed by Bishop Asbury in 1809. The circuit
embraces the principal part of the territory lying and be
ing in the counties of Fairfield, Pickaway, part of Frank
lin, part of Ross, Hocking, Perry, Muskingum, Licking,
and Knox. Through this territory we ranged once a
month, preaching nearly every day. Of course we had
but few rest days. The district embraced the following
counties in Ohio: Gallia, Meigs, Athens, Washington,
Monroe, Belmont, Jefferson, Harrison, Tuscarawas, Co
shocton, Knox, Licking, Muskingum, Guernsey, Morgan,
Perry, Hocking, and the east half of Fairfield; and Ca-
bel, Kanawha, Mason, and Wood counties, in Virginia.
Through this district I ranged regularly once a quarter
for the term of four years; and truly they were years of
privation and much toil. Often have I been absent from
my family from three to six weeks, and on my return found
that disease, and once that death had been there in my
absence; but 'the Lord of hosts was with us; the God of
Jacob was our help.' In those days of minority, both in
the membership and ministry, it frequently happened, not
of choice, but stern necessity, that probationers were ap
pointed to the charge of circuits. This laid greater weight
of duty and responsibility on the man of the district, as the
17*

198 SKETCHES OF THE
ordinances could only be administered quarterly on many
of the circuits. In order, therefore, as far as possible, to
supply- this lack, the preachers used to make a string of
appointments from one quarterly meeting to another, em
bracing nearly every day in the week, and not unfrequently
intricate disciplinary cases were set at the time of the pre
siding elder's visit. These things were looked for by both
preachers and people, and the man made his arrangements
accordingly. On these occasions we frequently had large
congregations; sometimes administering both sacraments,
and witnessing the grace of God, in the conviction, con
version, and salvation of many precious souls. Thank the
Lord, the remembrance of these things causes my heart
often to rejoice in God my salvation. But Newark, too,
has become a station. It may do well, if they get a faith
ful, laborious man, who will not only discharge the duties
of the pulpit with fidelity, but attend also to every other
part of the work required in the Discipline, to the perform
ance of which he stands pledged in his ordination vow.
"28th. From Newark to Zanesville, had the company
of old brother D. Lewis, who, like myself — from necessity
or choice — was on horseback. We talked of the toils,
privations, sufferings, and enjoyments of by-gone days,
rejoiced in the present prospects of the Church in some
things, and trembled in view of other matters, which, con
necting with the Church in her prosperity, might let the
world break in, against which Mr. Wesley was so careful
to guard every part of Methodistical economy — even
building churches — and against which he prayed so de
voutly: 'Let the world ne'er break in;
Fix a mighty gulf between —
Save us from the great and wise,
Till they sink in their own eyes.'
" On the way to Zanesville passed an old quarterly meet
ing stand, where once we had a most blessed season,

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 199
while dear S. Parker was preaching on, 'And it shall
come to pass in what place I record my name I will come,'
etc.; and another time of refreshing, while J. B. Finley
was preaching on the joyful sound, etc. These things
took place in 1811 and 1812. O, God was with us, and
the shout of a king in the camp of our Israel. Passed,
also, an old camp meeting stand, where once we were fa
vored with the presence of Bishops Asbury and M'Ken
dree. On the Sabbath, the Bishops both preached: As-
bury's subject, the great salvation; M'Kendree's, the 12th
chapter of Isaiah entire. The plan of their sermons, in
substance, is yet retained, though not written. God was
with us, of a truth. Our beloved Samuel Hamilton was
converted on this camp-ground, though not at the meeting
of which I now speak. No doubt in heaven many will
rejoice forever for the good received on this encampment.
"Zanesville, September 30. Conference opened at 8
o'clock; went on pleasantly from day to day; some things
not just as I could have wished, particularly sitting with
open doors in the examination. May it not be ascribed to
this modern usage that complaints are sometimes secretly
made in another place, which in justice ought to be made
in open conference, and the evils corrected there, and not
in the executive department, or in the absence of the party
concerned? but it is the will of the majority, and that set
tles the matter. I am here, and I 'will not aught from
favor claim, or on remembered services presume.' This
sentiment I gleaned from the writings of Hannah More,
and have kept it by me as a kind of conference motto for
more than thirty years, and to it I added that fine senti
ment of Thomson, 'Should fate [say Providence] com
mand me to the farthest verge of the green earth, I cheer
fully will obey.' But this last I must now let go; the peo
ple I find are all up — erectis auribus, ears erect- — for great
preaching. In the variety and diversity of ministerial

200 SKETCHES OF THE
talents, some plant and others water, some sow and others
reap. Those who plant and sow are not denominated re
vivalists, or reformation preachers; yet, if there were no
skillful planters, those who water would have but a few
sickly plants to take care of, and if there were no good
seedsmen, the reapers would have but few sheaves to
gather, except they should gather and bind thorns, thistles,
and noxious weeds, and so attempt to make up in quantity
what is lacking in quality; and this would make sad work.
Well, let not the Church be puffed up for one, against the
other class of these teachers, preachers, and evangelists;
for Paul, and Apollos, and Cephas, are ours; and when
the harvest shall be shouted home by 'joyful angels, who
shall fly through every quarter of the sky together, and to
convey all the righteous souls to one capacious place,' then
shall those who plant, with those who water, those who
sow, and those who reap, refuge together. Here I felt
myself a stranger. But the time had come for the ap
pointments to be announced, and the conference come to
an adjournment. This was done in public, and the house
was crowded. It was an interesting time, and many faces
were wet with tears. I never, perhaps, shall witness such
another scene. I have witnessed many such. I have
been present at the appointment of thirty-seven annual
conferences, and eight General conferences, and my heart
and eyes both have always been affected, hard as is the
one and dry as is the other on ordinary occasions. I was
present, as a member, when Dr. Coke presided for the last
time in the General conference; also, when the sainted
Whatcoat, for the last time, sat in the chair of General
conference. So, also, when we were blessed, for the last
time, with the presence and godly counsel of the never-to-
be-forgotten Asbury, the apostle of Methodism in the
United States. I was present at the close of the General
conference in which George— the holy, fervent, spirited

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 201
Bishop George — last presided. I also heard, with strong
emotion, our dear M'Kendree's valedictory, which he de
livered, placing his right hand on the shoulder of Bishop
Soule, who leaned forward to support him, while Bishops
Roberts and Hedding supported on the left, and Bishops
Andrew and Emory sat before him, within the railing,
round the communion-table. As the venerable man re
tired, supported by Dr. Bangs and Bishop Soule — I think —
one on either hand, I said to brother Akers, ' I think we
have seen his face, we have heard his voice, for the last
time, in General conference.'
"Having received my appointment, I set out for my
work; reached Somerset, Perry county, at 1 o'clock; dined
and fed. Methodism had much to contend with here. I
knew it, and with all my little capabilities endeavored to
promote its interest, when it could scarcely stand or walk
alone; but now it is a strong man, a good society, a good
meeting-house, which is the center of, and gives name to a
good circuit. I hope they will not soon take it into their
heads to become a station. I find politics running high.
One of my intelligent friends said, the same amount of zeal
and exertion put forth, with the right spirit, in the cause of
Christ, would convert the nation, yea, the world, in a short
time. I find, however, that neither Romanists, Method
ists, or Presbyterians, are all on one side in politics; and
I am glad of it; for, while that is the case, the republic has
nothing to fear from ecclesiastical combination, in order to
gain power by the blending of Church and state policy.
But whenever an association, professedly religious and
moral in its organization and objects, sets about political
maneuvering, and holding out inducements to political par
ties already formed, for the purpose of using coercion,
where moral suasion only should be resorted to, then it is
time for the sharp-sighted and close-thinking to keep a
sharp look-out.

202 SKETCHES OF THE
"Reached Rushville an hour before sunset. Well, before
I was well seated, the inquiry was, 'Will you preach for
us to-night? Yes, you will; we will ring the bell, and you
shall have a good congregation.' Accordingly we had a
good congregation and a good meeting, and I found I was
no stranger here. Rushville is a pleasant place. I have
known the society here from its first organization, an excep
tion to almost all others with which I have had an ac
quaintance; for, from the beginning, it has continued to
wax and wax, and never wane. So may it continue till
time shall be no more. In 1804 we had a small class of
six or seven members, which met at the house, or cabin,
of Mr. John Murphey. Mr. Murphey, his wife, Mr. Isaac,
J. James, his wife, and two or three others, composed the
class, which continued to prosper and increase; moving
their place of meeting to a little church, a little south of
East Rushville, which they built and called Pleasant Hill.
Here the society continued to grow and grow, till the place
became too strait for them. They next built a neat brick
house in the village. This, however, in a few years became
too small. It was removed, and now, in its place, behold!
a stately, spacious brick church, with basement, steeple, and
bell, all in neat style, and a happy society of more than
three hundred in number, with Sabbath school and Bible
classes, etc.; but nothing of those anti-Methodistical things,
pews or organs. In this vicinity was my family residence
for sixteen years, while I ranged through the Muskingum
and Scioto districts for eight years, and eight years more
on circuits, more or less contiguous, yet not so as to clog
the itinerancy, or embarrass the superintendency. I hope
Rushville will do well, keep humble and good, and not
take it into her head to become a station; for, if all our
flourishing villages should become stations — located, as
they are for the most, in the center of a dense and wealthy
country population — the circuits would soon be so crippled

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 203
that either the local preachers and the exhorters would
have to do the itinerant work, or else we should have to
get up a home missionary society to support the neihin-
ims, who might still be admitted, and retained to supply
the poor and destitute places.
"Having rested a day at Rushville, I set out for Chili
cothe, passing through Lancaster, Tarleton, and Ejngston.
Lancaster I had visited in the winter of 1800, and preached
round among the people about a week, and found them
hungry for the bread of life. There were then a few Meth
odists hereabouts, waiting for the opening of the sales of
public lands — the Brights, Spurgeons, Teals, Tomlinsons,
etc. Much Gospel labor has been bestowed on Lancaster;
many faithful men have labored here; the society has had
its ebbs and flows; but has attained for the last few years
a permanency worthy of a Church of Christ. It has now
become a station, and has for its minister one of the self-
educated sons of its own country. A splendid brick
church, with basement, speaks well of the society and its
friends. 0, that Lancaster may do well!
"Reached Tarleton an hour before sunset. 'Well, you'll
preach for us; we'll ring the bell' — for here, too, they have
a good church, with basement and bell, and a good strong
society. We had a small society or two in this vicinity in
1804, which have ultimately found their center in this
pleasant village. We had a good, feeling time, and retired
to rest, not before we needed it. Thank the Lord for the
work he hath wrought in this land! In this vicinity, in
1812, I received into the Church Rev. G. W. Walker and
James Parcels, both little more than lads at that time.
"Next morning set out betimes for Chilicothe; stopped
an hour in Kingston, with my old and highly-esteemed
friend, John Crouse; found him and his old lady quietly
and patiently waiting for their change, which can not be
far off. This man invited me to preach at his house in

204 SKETCHES OF THE
1804; he was then a gentlemanly man of the world, in
full and successful pursuit of wealth; and in this he was
successful above many; but the Lord showed him his lost
and ruined condition, and sent salvation to his house.
Since that time he has been a nursing father to the socie
ties in his neighborhood; as steward of the circuit, atten
tive to the wants of the preachers and their families; has
built a house for the Lord, and a house for his servants —
with but little if any assistance — in Kingston. We con
versed and prayed, and parted in hopes of meeting again
to part no more.
"Reached Chilicothe Saturday night; met a class at 8
o'clock, Sunday morning; had a sweet, refreshing season;
preached at 11 o'clock to a large congregation; had a
good time, and found myself at home, as I always do in
Chilicothe; but the history and character of the Church in
this place has been fully ascertained and set forth. Rode
on to Bainbridge, eighteen miles; but before I had dis
mounted I was accosted with, 'Well, we have an appoint
ment for you to preach to-night, and we are glad you have
got here in time.' We had a refreshing season, and went
to rest late and tired enough. Lord be praised for the
blessings and sanctuary privileges of the Sabbath! Mon
day reached home, where I rest a few days, and then go
to my circuit; and it may be my last. If so, the will of
God be mine! Amen."
Mr. Quinn was reappointed to Wilmington circuit. He
was, however, released from the onerous duties of charge,
that work being assigned to his efficient colleague — John
M. Howland. This was a year of great prosperity to
Wilmington circuit; a glorious revival was realized, and
many souls were awakened, converted, and added to the
Church. Mr. Quinn was greatly blessed in his own soul,
as well as in his labors, and perhaps this was one of the
happiest years of his whole life. This year he frequently

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 205
invited penitent souls to the seats vacated for their accom
modation, that they might have the advantage of the in
struction of himself and others, and receive the concen
trated sympathy, solicitude, and prayers of such as had
access to the throne of grace, and influence at the court
of heaven. About this time the question was agitated as
to the distinguished individual who first introduced the
practice of inviting penitent persons to the mourners'
bench. Hear Mr. Quinn on this subject:
"Something has been said, in a late number of the
Christian Advocate and Journal, on the subject of inviting
mourners to the vacated seat or railing around the com
munion-table — for I dislike the term altar, or altar for
prayer, on such occasions. A Jew or Catholic may use
the term consistently with his faith on the subject of altar
and sacrifice, but an enlightened Protestant believer, when
he thinks, speaks, sings, or worships, extends his views be
yond temples made with hands. By faith he dwells on
the scenes of Gethsemane and Calvary, and thence ascends
with the ascending Captain of our salvation — now made
perfect through suffering — to the right hand of the throne
of the Majesty Eternal, in the heavens, joyfully exclaiming,
' We have an altar of which they have no right to eat who
serve the tabernacle.' But to return. The writer seems
to think that L. Dow first introduced the practice in
1802-3; but the first I ever saw or heard of it was in
1795 or '6, at a watch-night held at the house of that
mother in our Israel, the widow Mary Henthorn, near
Uniontown, Penn. The person who conducted the meeting
was that holy, heavenly-minded man, the Rev. Valentine
Cook — blessed man! In imagination I view him now,
near or quite six feet in stature, quite stoop-shouldered,
dark complexion, coarse, black, bushy hair, not much
taken care of, small, deep-set, black eye, and full of the
fire of intelligence, strong, well-arched brows, high cheek-

206 SKETCHES OF THE
bones, and an unusually-large mouth. He was not hand
some; but when he conversed on the subject of religion —
and it was almost his constant theme — and more espe
cially when he preached, there was a sweet and almost
heavenly benignity beaming in his countenance, presenting
rather an unearthly attraction. It was next to impossible
for the most heedless to remain uninterested under the
sound of his voice. Mr. Cook's subject was the qualifica
tions, duties, and awful responsibilities of the watchman.
His sermon was close and argumentative, giving to the
greedy and sleepy dogs, as the prophet styles the avari
cious and slothful watchmen or ministers, their portion,
observing, as he passed along, that those who were the
least laborious were often the most clamorous for their
worldly gain. The sermon was closed with an almost
overwhelming exhortation, which appeared as if it must
carry all before it. Then came the invitation to the
mourners to come to the vacated seats, to be prayed with
and for. I think this was new, perfectly new, for the
people appeared panic-struck; and I confess I was greatly
moved, for it appeared to me as if the two worlds were
coming together. Verily, methought the very hairs of
my flesh stood up. He, however, was very particular in
giving the Scriptural character of a true penitent, and, in
the most affectionate and encouraging manner, invited
such, and none but such, to come; alleging at the same
time, that if any should dare to act as did Ananias and
his wife, they might be met as these were. 0, it was an
awful, yet glorious time of the gracious power and pres
ence of God! Several souls found peace with God through
our Lord Jesus Christ, and some obtained the blessing of
perfect love. But brother Cook, and most of those who
united with him in that meeting, have passed away; yet
have they a more distinct recollection of what then and
there took place than the old man, who, by the forbearance

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 207
of God, lives to write about it. Since that time I have
heard many inviting mourners to the place prepared for
the purpose — have not always been suited — have often
attempted it myself, and frequently failed; and it does
appear to me that a combination of time, place, persons,
talents, etc., must concur; otherwise, not only no good but
some harm may be the result of a misjudged and prema
ture effort. We may have seen, as well as read of sparks
of our own kindling."
At the session of the conference in the autumn of 1841,
Mr. Quinn was appointed agent for the "Preachers' Relief
Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church." This be
nevolent institution had been formed by the members of
the conference, at their session in September, 1838; and
as it was very desirable to increase its funds, they re
quested the appointment of an agent for that purpose.
The nature and objects of this noble association can not
be better explained to the reader, than by quoting a few
articles from its Constitution:
"Art. 2. The officers of this society shall be a Presi
dent, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and nine Man
agers, who shall be elected annually by the Society.
"Art. 3. Every preacher of the Ohio annual confer
ence, paying one or more dollars, annually, shall be a
member of this Society.
"Art. 5. The Board of Managers shall, at each annual
conference, inquire into all the cases that may be presented
to them for relief, and make such appropriations as they
shall deem expedient, according to their funds.
"Art. 7. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to keep
a faithful account of all moneys received and distributed,
and report annually to the Society; he shall not donate
any money without an order from the Managers signed b^
the President or Vice-President.
"Art. 8. All subscriptions, donations, and bequest

208 SKETCHES OF THE
shall be safely funded, and the interest only appropriated
by the Board of Managers.
"Art. 9. The appropriations of the Society may extend
to all the members of this conference, their wives, widows,
and children; but if, at any time, the applicants for assist
ance can not all be relieved by the available funds of the
Society, the most pressing cases shall be first met, and,
other things being equal, members of the Society who
have contributed to its funds, shall, in such cases, be
preferred." Soon after entering upon the duties of his agency, he
addressed the members and friends of the Church, within
the sphere of his operations, through the medium of the
Western Christian Advocate, in his usual felicitous style.
The address is given, not only because it may interest the
reader on many accounts, but now that the agent is exalted
to his reward, and has left his widow to the care of the
conference, it is hoped it will still exert an influence to
increase the funds of that useful society, which was so
dear to his heart, and which he once served:
"For more than forty years I have been in the habit of
receiving my appointment at conference to a circuit, dis
trict, or station, and then hastening with pleasure to my
field of labor, never asking for an easy place, nor refusing
to go to a hard one. But now I have received an agency
to solicit donations for the ' Preachers' Relief Society.'
I fear I shall do a poor business; but I suppose I must try.
Some say, 'You will do well; for you have vantage-ground
which can be occupied by yourself only.' It is true, I
am one of those who first brought salvation's joyful sound
to the log-cabins of the fathers and grandfathers of many
who are now blessed by the Giver of all good, and who
are abounding in wealth. Surely, to these I shall not
appeal in vain.
" There are already several well-qualified agents in the

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 209
field, soliciting aid for various institutions. There is
Sehon: it is well known what he can do; I trust none will
turn him away empty, for he is engaged in the blessed
Bible cause. Then there is Maley: there is no getting off
from his solicitations — he hangs on to the last! There is
likewise Gaddis: no one can get out of humor with him;
the cause of learning is good, and I hope it will be liberally
sustained. But our people should never forget the men
who have worn themselves out in the work; or the lonely
widows and helpless orphans of those who have died in
the cause. Those men counted not their lives dear to
them, so that they might finish the ministry which they
had received from the Lord, in proclaiming the Gospel of
the grace of God. They were poor through life — they
laid not up treasure on earth; yet made they many rich!
And are not some, to whom this appeal is made, among
those who have been benefited in a pecuniary point of
view, through the instrumentality of those men?
"I am visiting different places as rapidly as I can, and
I intend to preach as often as I am able, and to meet class
as often as I shall get opportunity; for I should think I
was backslidden from God if I did not love the class
meeting. "I was thinking the other night, that in more than
forty years spent in the itinerant field, my deficiency in
the disciplinary allowance amounted to about two thousand
six hundred dollars. Now, how easy it would be for some
fifty or a hundred of the children and grandchildren of
those among whom I have labored these many years,
preaching the Gospel of the kingdom, to unite and make
up, and hand me over the sum! And what should I
do with it? Buy a farm? Put it out on usury at ten,
Iwelvc, fifteen, or twenty per cent.? No, no! I would
drop the interest, and deposit the principal in the funds of
the Preachers' Relief Society. This would doubtless be
18*

210

SKETCHES OF THE

the means of gladdening the heart of some war-worn
veteran, or of drying the tear of some lonely widow,
when I shall be sleeping in the grave. I trust none will
turn me off quite empty. Only lend the Lord a few dol
lars, and he will pay you good interest — yea, a hundred
per cent."

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 211

CHAPTER XII.
Is made supernumerary — A severe trial — Letter to his brother —
Fierce opposition to the Methodists in the west — Public discussion
between Mr. Jamieson and Mr. Cook — Debate between Mr. Welsh
and Mr. Scott — Discussion on baptism between V. Cook and John
Corbly — Many reminiscences and other matter — School at Union-
town — Produced some literary fruit — Claims to be a western man —
Three classes of preachers — Great embarrassment to such as had
families — Lotspeich in distress — Soon after removed by death —
The western pioneers worthy of respect — Redundancy of labor
ers — Ministers invited farther west — Wishes he were able to go —
Invited to attend large meetings — Camp meeting near Decatur —
Bad conduct of young men — Successful method of reproving
them — Wonderful effect — Sometimes reproved with severity — Case
of a young woman — Often tender, and generally successful — Failed
in one case — Interview between Bishop Asbury and Mr. O'Kelly —
Reason O'Kelly left the Church — He and adherents organize.
At the conference held September 28, 1 842, not being
able to perform the work of an effective laborer, the con
ference assigned him a supernumerary relation; and he
was not expected to do any more work than he should
judge himself able, and find it convenient to do. This, to
a man who had been effective so long, and had taken equal
part with his brethren in the itinerant work, must have
formed a severe trial, which required time for the mind to
submit to. It is no easy lesson to learn how to be old, and
suddenly to change long-continued habits, exercised in the
active duties of the itinerancy. He, however, soon found
grace and strength to endure, with patience, and cheerfully
submitted to his comparative retirement from the work.
The following extract of a letter, addressed to his
brother, of Nashville, Tennessee — Rev. Matthew H.
Quinn — will explain his condition of health, and other cir
cumstances, during this conference year. It is dated
"January 24, 1843.
"By the tender mercy of God, I am yet here, and in the
enjoyment of pretty good health. I eat my food with a

212 SKETCHES OF THE
good relish, but do not require as much by one-third as in
my younger days. I rise early, and never lie down, or nap
it, through the day. I sleep six or seven hours at night.
I have no pain, no disease, except my asthmatic affection,
which, on taking cold, is rather troublesome, especially at
night. I can ride on horseback twenty or thirty miles in
a day, with but little fatigue. I have but little difficulty
in preaching so as to be heard distinctly by large assem
blies. My voice holds out well, and yet my flesh is wast
ing, and my strength is failing. I have not half the
strength of manhood. How true are the words of inspira
tion: 'Man wasteth away!' Truly, time is shaking me by
the hand; and when a few years are come, I shall go the
way whence I shall not return. 0, that I may be pre
pared; that I may bless the summons as a kind one, and
lie down and die in peace!
"At the close of forty-four years' service in the itinerant
ranks, I received last conference a supernumerary relation.
No work, no pay. I feel greatly lost; and being thrown
on my own resources, which are very limited, I am no lit
tle embarrassed; but in God is my trust."
At this period of his life, his mind was often occupied
with the eventful history of the Church with which he was
so long identified. _ Having watched with the greatest so
licitude the rise and progress of Methodism in the west,
and contributed so much to its wide-spread influence and
permanency, it is natural to suppose he would frequently
compare the past with the present. In this contrast he
saw that a wonderful change had taken place in the public
mind in regard to the Church of his early choice; and he
could but think of the severe struggles and conflicts she
once had to pass through. It could not be expected that
the doctrines, discipline, and usages of the Methodist Epis
copal Church would be propagated and established among
the bold adventurers who had first settled the west, with-

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 213
out violent opposition. Pure religion finds an enemy in
every depraved heart, as certainly as that "the carnal
mind is enmity against God." Hence the Savior said,
"Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on the earth?
I tell you nay; but rather division." He who understood
the nature of his own religion, and the condition of the
moral world, could anticipate, with infallible precision, the
terrible strife that would be produced by the preaching and
triumph of his truth. This has been exemplified in every
age and nation where the pure Gospel has been proclaimed;
and when " Christianity in earnest" was introduced among
the western people, of course it excited fierce persecutions.
Other denominations who had preceded the Methodists,
and were pretty well established in many regions of the
great western valley, were expected to adhere with great
tenacity to their peculiar and favorite tenets. Of course
they would not yield the ground to Methodism, without
making as formidable a resistance, by argument and other
wise, as was possible.
Mr. Quinn has left a very interesting statement of the
violent current of infidelity and irreligion which opposed
the introduction of Methodism in every place. He has,
also, narrated some of the public discussions which took
place with other denominations, which, I am sure, can not
fail to interest the reader.
" Opposition, of course, came from various quarters; the
vicious and immoral of all classes arrayed themselves with
all their energies against the servants and work of God.
But although they took counsel together, and set them
selves against the Lord and his people, yet Jehovah of
hosts was with his servants; and as the God of Jacob was
their defense, many of the stout-hearted enemies of God and
his Christ, his Church and his ministers, were made to lick
the dust; they were taken, they were killed with the two-
edged sword, they were healed and made alive by an

214 SKETCHES OF THE
application of Gilead's healing balm. I have been person
ally acquainted with scores, say hundreds, of the van
quished; I have seen them in their right mind, clothed and
seated in the Church— both in the membership and minis
try — and heard them sing and shout aloud the glories of
their conqueror, the great Immanuel. Many of these, as
soldiers of the cross, have not only fought the good fight,
and kept the faith, but they have finished their course, and
gained the prize. The religionists of the day, however
divided among themselves in some things, appeared to
think it their duty to unite in their opposition to the Meth
odists, whom they regarded as heretics, and a common
enemy, calling for the united strength of all to keep out,
or counteract the ruinous tendency of their doctrines,
as calculated to deceive and ruin — if it were possible — the
very elect. They often attacked them in public, after
preaching, and assailed them in private, and sometimes
put them up to all they knew, but often found them better
prepared to defend themselves than they had anticipated,
and not unfrequently found themselves foiled by the illiter
ate green-horns, as they were called; for the Methodist
preachers of that day read their Bibles incessantly, with
much prayer, and could give book, chapter, and verse, the
text with the context, on every disputed point; and they
knew how to wield the powerful argumentative weapons,
furnished by the Fellow of Lincoln College, Oxford, and
the Vicar of Madeley. In this way they often silenced
their opposers, put to flight their adversaries, and made
prosetytes not a few. Several public discussions took place;
in all of which Methodism lost nothing, but gained much;
for thereby public attention was waked up, and inquiry took
place, and the system of doctrines taught by the Method
ists had nothing to fear from the most rigid investigation.
"The first public discussion, which I shall notice, took
place in Westmoreland, Penn., a few miles distant from

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. ' 215
Greensburg, I think in 1792. It was brought on by a Mr.
Porter, a Presbyterian minister, who commenced a most
violent attack upon the Methodists in the newspapers.
Mr. V. Cook replied in the style of a scholar and a Chris
tian; and several pieces passed, in which the Presbyterian
waxed warmer and warmer, and the Methodist grew
stronger and stronger. At length the inquiry was made,
'Who is this Cook?' 'Why, forsooth, he is a scholar of
Cokesbury College.' Then, out came Rev. Mr. Jamieson,
a Scotchman of the Seceder Church, and invited a
public debate. Mr. Jamieson was said to be a profound
scholar, and a man of more than ordinary powers of mind.
Mr. Cook accepted the challenge, and the time and place
of meeting was agreed upon. No doubts or fears were
entertained by Messrs. Porter, Jamieson, and their friends,
but Calvinism would gain a complete triumph, and that
Methodism and Methodist preachers would be put to the
rout. The Methodists thought their cause was good, but
were not so confident of success. They, however, had
recourse to God by fasting and prayer — as I well remem
ber — that the cause of truth might be sustained. At
length the day arrived, the parties met, and a vast concourse
of people were in attendance, of all creeds, and no creeds,
some of whom were from fifty to eighty miles distance, to
witness — as I believe — the first public debate that ever
was had on the subject of religious opinion in the great
western valley. As I was not present at this debate, I
can not go into the details, though I often had them, both
from Presbyterians and Methodists, who were on the
spot. "As to Mr. Cook, I know he was clear and powerful in
argument. And I know, also, that, after this, Methodism
found its way into many high-toned Calvinist neighbor
hoods and families, and societies were raised up in places,
where previous to that it was forbidden a place for the sole

216 SKETCHES OF THE
of its foot; and there are now in the front ranks of Meth
odism, both in western Pennsylvania, and still farther west,
many, very many, of the descendants of those who once
were its most violent enemies and opposers.
"The second public debate took place in the town o'
Washington, Washington county, Penn., some time in
1793, when Rev. T. Scott — now of Chilicothe — was
traveling Ohio circuit, Va., which, at that time, included
the town of Washington. It seems that Mr. S. had ob
tained leave, and had preached a few times in the court
house. He was then young, and of very youthful appear
ance; yet, young as he was, his youth was not to be
despised; for many attended, and became much interested
in the preaching of the young Methodist minister. This
gave the alarm to Rev. Mr. Welsh, of the Presbyterian
Church, a most rigid, thorough-going Calvinist, said to be
a man of learning and talents; and as there was no sister
churching of us in those days, he published that on a set
day he would publicly expose and refute the errors of
Methodism. The youthful Scott, in nothing afraid of his
adversaries, published that he would be there to defend
Methodism as Scriptural truth. The day came; and not
the court-house, but the court-yard, was filled with people,
many of whom had come from afar. Mr. Welsh exerted
all his natural, moral, and literary ability, in a most des
perate effort to demolish Methodism, and tear it up, root
and branch. Then came on the youthful Scott, with his
Gospel sling and smooth stones. He used soft words, but
there were hard arguments in the logical arrangement, and
they sunk deeply lodged in the understanding and the
heart. Time has told well of that day's work, and no
doubt eternity will tell more. The Methodist Church has
long been acknowledged there as an orthodox and sister
Church. Ah, well they could not help it. It is not best
to fight always. No, indeed; and now we are loved as an

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 217
orthodox Church. Well, it may be so, fair lady; but we
know what the old Confession says, and we see you still
keep it under your mantle.
"The third and last public discussion that I shall take
notice of, took place some time in the year 1796 or 1797,
on the subjects and mode of Christian baptism, between
Rev. Valentine Cook and Rev. John Corbly. This gentle
man was a talented, thorough-going, straight-laced Calvin
ist, and close-communion Baptist, who exerted a very
extensive influence in western Pennsylvania and Virginia.
In fact, he was almost the oracle, and was regarded as the
father of the Baptist Church in that section of the country.
He, no doubt, believed it his duty to exert all his energies
in opposition to the Methodists. How the discussion be
tween him and Mr. Cook was brought about, I am not now
prepared to say. But it was conducted with ability on
both sides. The result was, that many who had long been
halting, came forward, bringing their households, and were
baptized into the Methodist Church by affusion, both men,
women, and children, believing baptism to be the seal of
covenant relation; and that, as Christ had placed infants in
the same covenant relation with believers, by recognizing
them as the subjects of his kingdom, they had as good a
title to the seal of that relation as those who, by faith
in Christ, had been converted, and became as little chil
dren, having received the kingdom of God as such. The
venerable Corbly having served his generation, hath long
since fallen asleep; but although he, no doubt, left his
blessing with and upon his offspring, yet hath not his re
ligious creed been entailed upon them; for five or more of
his great grandchildren are now members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church; and one of them the wife of Rev. S.
H., a member of the Ohio conference. And a few days
since I baptized two of the infant great great grandchildren
of him, who would not admit to the Lord's table one who
19

218 SKETCHES OF THE
had not been immersed by a Baptist minister upon a pro
fession of faith."
The following reminiscences, and other interesting items,
written by Mr. Quinn, are deemed worthy of a place here:
"Before I pass from old Uniontown, it may not be
amiss to take some notice of a little literary enterprise,
which was gotten up in that place, which, if it serve no
other purpose, will go to show that the Methodists were
not inattentive to the subject of learning. Indeed, none
but those who are ignorant of their history will make that
charge against them. It is true, they did not, and do not,
make classical learning the Alpha and Omega as to minis
terial qualification, yet they were the friends of learning.
And it may be safely asserted, that no class of men in
that day were more intent upon the acquisition of useful
knowledge, than were the Methodist preachers; they also
urged the importance and necessity of education on their
people. And the rule in our excellent Discipline, which
requires the preachers to preach on the subject of education,
stood forth as prominently in the little book then as it does
now. "The Uniontown school enterprise was gotten up in
1793 or 1794; but at whose instance I am not fully pre
pared to say. I think, most probably, that it originated
with Mr. Asbury. However, most certain it is, that the
good man took a lively interest in the project. A Mr.
Sheppee, an Englishman, of considerable learning, was
the first principal here. He, however, continued but a
short time, and was succeeded by Rev. John Hooker Rey
nolds, a Welshman, a traveling preacher on trial. He was
appointed to Union school in 1795, and remained, say two
years, as teacher of languages, while the English depart
ment was conducted by Rev. William Wilson, of Eastern
Shore, Md. These were said to be competent men. But
as this was a small concern, without charter or endow-

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 219
ment, having to depend wholly on tuition fees for its sup
port, it soon went down, and was abandoned, involving a
few in pecuniary liability to some small amount. Short
lived, however, as was this institution, it produced some
literary fruit: two M. D.s, Stevens and Boyd; one lawyer,
T. Mason; and two ministers of eminence, Rev. Thomas
Lyel, of the Protestant Episcopal Church, of New York,
and our dear S. Parker, of the west, received the rudi
ments of a classical education in Union school. I think I
may safely say, that from the coming of Cooper and
Breeze till the commencement of the present century,
there was a gradual increase and extension of Methodist
principles and influence in the head of the great valley.
The preachers were, for the most part, intelligent, grave,
devoted men, who had the cause of God deeply at heart,
and labored most incessantly for the salvation of souls,
that God might be glorified thereby. In speaking of
those who were instrumental in planting Methodism in the
west, I have made mention of them from my own knowl
edge; for here was I from the beginning. My father and
mother were married in a fort, and I wasjjflrn in a cabin,
not far from a block-house, whither the settlers fled upon
an alarm of Indian depredation. Here I was converted;
here I received my religious and theological training; and
here have I exercised my ministry for forty years, except
one year that I spent in Frederick, Berkley, and Jefferson
counties, Va. I therefore claim to be a western man; and
let no good brother attempt to rob me of this honor. The
number in society, in 1800, as the fruit of sixteen years'
labor, was one thousand, six hundred and forty-seven; but
many had removed, to Kentucky and the north-western
territory. In 1803 there were returned two thousand,
seven hundred and ninety-four. This year closed my la
bors in that section of the country, and I was transferred
from the Baltimore to the Western conference."

220 SKETCHES OF THE
Here he gives the names and locations of the ten Meth
odist meeting-houses, which were in the Redstone country
at the beginning of the nineteenth century, and then con
tinues: "These were all small log-houses, but the Lord honored
them all with his presence; and the writer has witnessed
gracious outpourings of his Spirit in each of them, on
quarterly and other occasions. But the worshipers, where
are they now? Many of them are worshiping in the upper
sanctuary. O, may I join them there! The men who
labored in this extensive missionary field — for such it
properly was — -might be thrown into three classes, as to
the labor they performed, and the sufferings they endured.
The first is composed of those who came on exploring
excursions. These passed through the land in its length
and breadth, saw the perishing condition of the inhab
itants, called them to repentance, pointed them to the
Savior; formed the skeletons of circuits, raised small soci
eties; heard wolves howl, panthers scream, bears growl,
and Indians yell; ate coarse fare — when they could get
it — slept cold and hard, and sometimes in the woods;
fought insects day and night; but held on their way with
courage a year, eighteen months, or two years; then re
turned and told the moving, the spirit-stirring story, and
roused the sympathies of their brethren, both in the mem
bership and ministry. Well, dear, perishing people, they
must have the Gospel; but dear brother ¦  , he has had
hard times, and plenty of them; he must have a good,
easy circuit or station; and the people heard of them once
in a while, but they saw the faces, they heard the voices,
of the dear men no more.
"But others came, full of faith and holy fervor; and
the Lord raised up some here. These entered heartily
into the blessed work, not appearing to count their lives
dear to themselves. They said, ' Here are we to live and

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 221
to die with you, to spend and be spent for you.' They
went on in the strength of the Lord, and the Lord wrought
with them, and the word was confirmed and grew mightily,
and much people was added to the Lord. Truly, truly,
'the wilderness and the solitary places were made glad.'
"But after a few years we saw one look sad, very sad,
and we heard another heave a long sigh, accompanied
with a deep-toned groan. 'Brother, may I be permitted
to ask what ails you?' 'Ah, brother, I find I shall have
to leave the work, and it seems as if it would break my
heart. My family are beginning to rise up; fifty or one
hundred dollars a year is nothing for children or house
rent; cold looks, and sometimes the cutting remark,
"Traveling preachers have no business with wives and
families," etc. I am spending what my wife received, or
my father gave me. My health, too, is beginning to fail,
and I can not endure the thought of my family being
reduced to want, and my widow and orphan children left
in the depth of poverty. I must retire, and endeavor, in
some honest calling, to make provision for my wife and
helpless children. Lord, help me; I hope I may be useful,
to some extent, in a local sphere.' Here tears began to
roll down the manly cheek, and he only added, ' Give me
a location.' "I have a case in point. On the last round of quar
terly meetings before conference, at the close of the meet
ing, brother R. Lotspeich said to me, 'Brother Quinn, I
shall not be at conference. I wish you to obtain a location
for me. I must retire. I have struggled on as long as I
can. I have exhausted the principal part of my present
funds, and shall soon have nothing left. This I would not
regard if I had no family; but my duty to my family is,
in my judgment, paramount to every other consideration.'
'0, brother,' said I, 'try it a little longer; trust in the
Lord — may be matters will get better; the people will
19*

222 SKETCHES OF THE
certainly lay it to heart.' 'No,' said he, 'the matter is
settled with me. Our people will never, in my time, make
provision for a married ministry.' So saying, he turned
off and wept, and I wept too, for the same feelings were
struggling in my own breast. We prayed and parted, and
I saw his face no more.
"Having closed my round of quarterly meetings, I
started for conference. One met me with the inquiry,
'Have you heard of brother Lotspeich's death?' 'Is he
dead?' 'Yes, he died at Dr. M'Dowell's, on Deer creek,
two weeks after you left us, and died shouting. Parker
and Cummins were with him, closed his eyes, laid him out,
and shrouded him; and Parker preached his funeral.' Did
the Lord take him from the evil to come? Many others
located, some with broken constitutions, and almost broken
hearts. If any of these men have, at any time, been
neglected or slighted by any of the traveling preachers,
who have entered into their labors, and now occupy the
pleasant fields that were formed and cleared by them, it
was worse than a shame; and if they are neglected and
slighted by our people, let them look over the minutes of
by-gone years, and see who they were that bore the heat
and burden of the day, who labored and suffered till they
had well-nigh spent their all in serving their fathers and
grandfathers, while yet they lived in their cabins, with
earthen or slab floors, and clapboard doors, without win
dows, and say if they ought not to blush a little.
" But others there were that bora- it more lightly. They
saw the land that it was good; and rest, with a compe
tency in old age, was desirable; so they located, bowed
the shoulder to bear and become servants to tribute; and
I have seen many of these dear men, with the strength of
Issachar, crouching between two burdens: some as states
men, some as lawyers, some as doctors, some as mer
chants, some as tillers of the earth. Well, dear men, in

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 223
my heart I love them; but, 0, what an amount of first-
rate ministerial talent has been, in a great measure, lost
to the Church and to the world! Well, the Judge of all
the earth will do right in reckoning with his servants.
But there were others who held on the even tenor of their
way in the midst of all the discouragements, in view of
which so many of their brethren had quailed, shrunk, and
finally gave up, and left the field. They held on, and on,
till they sunk at their post shouting victory in death. Sale
is gone, Parker is gone, Cummins is gone, Griffith is gone,
Crume is gone, and Ellis, with many more, are gone; but
their widows — O, great Head of the Church, be their
head! — yet remain. 0, ye sons and daughters of these
men of God, let one of the few surviving friends of your
fathers say to you, as old father Chieuvrant did to his sons
and daughters, ' Remember that your father was a Method
ist minister,' and follow them as they followed Christ. As
to the few that yet remain, they must soon go out of sight,
and out of hearing. But behold a troop cometh; and in
this troop are found not only the mechanic and farmer, but
the graduates of many literary institutions, also professional
men, as lawyers, and doctors, and statesmen; and here, too,
are the ministers of other Churches. These last have said,
'We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with
you.' But, dear brethren, this pleasant and fruitful field
is too small to furnish employment for you all. What
shall we do? Divide and subdivide, and run down to
locality? No, no! Some of the old people say, there is
less family visiting nowadays than there was twenty or
thirty years ago — that the preachers have too much leisure
time on their circuits, unless they spend it in pastoral
work, rather than in rest at home, or in attending to their
own private concerns. Such has been the change, that
whereas we used to cry, '0, for more laborers,' we now
say, '0, for more work! The place is too strait; 0,

224 SKETCHES OF THE
Lord, enlarge our coasts.' Well, a remedy is at hand —
the prayer for enlargement is already answered. Hear
you not the Macedonian cry? It is true, brother W.,* from
the far, far west, says, ' Refuse talents will not do here.' I
wish he had thought of a better word, for surely he knows
that we do not keep that article on hand, and have another
way to dispose of it, except the small amount invested in
a few poor old run-down fellows, and their places may
soon be filled with hangers-on. 'Well,' I know you are
ready to respond, ' here are we, send us;' and the bishops
may say — and the conferences will bear them out in it —
' we have talents here, and plenty of them, that, like Eng
lish guineas, or Spanish mill- dollars, will go any where at
par — such as brother W. himself will receive and pass.
Come, what say you? Would that I were able to go with
you; for I would rather labor in such a field than be sta
tioned in the Queen City. I never wondered that our
beloved Ruter left the college, and went to Texas. I
would rather wonder that the man in whose soul the itin
erant fire burns, should leave the itinerant field, to be shut
up in a college, or buried in an office."
During this year Mr. Quinn was often invited to attend
large meetings, and he was much inclined, as his health
and strength would allow, to visit the Churches, and see
how they did. By request, he visited a camp meeting near
Decatur, in the summer of 1843. The meeting com
menced on Thursday afternoon; but few, however, attended,
on account of the rain, till Friday evening, when many
collected, and among them some of "the baser sort," who
influenced some young men of pious parents to associate
with them in disturbing the quiet and the services of the
meeting. On Saturday night the wicked conduct was con
tinued, with a most annoying increase, such as yelling
through the surrounding woods, removing and hiding sad-
* A writer in the Western Christian Advocate.

LTFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 225
dies, etc. On Sabbath morning, the presiding elder, Rev.
M. Marlay, called on Mr. Quinn to preach, and suggested
that he pay special attention to those who had been so
disorderly the night previous, and exert his influence, as an
aged minister, if possible, to reform them. Accordingly,
at the right point in the discourse, he addressed those
young men thus: "The most of you know me; I have
traveled at different periods through all this region. I
have, likely, lodged in the houses of your parents; have,
perhaps, dandled you on my knees, and, it may be, dedi
cated you to God in holy baptism. Some of you have
parents now in heaven, who long prayed for you on earth,
and are now 'where the wicked cease from troubling and
the weary are at rest.' " He described their conduct, and
set before them the great crime of disturbing the peace
and devotions of a congregation, assembled, under the
protection of civil law, to worship the great God of the
universe. They had not only violated the laws of the
land, but'had sinned against God and his people. The
picture drawn and light reflected by the reasoning of the
speaker, enabled the offenders to see the heinous nature of
their sin, and the enormous amount of guilt they had
accumulated. He next reproved, and "rebuked with all
authority." Then he admonished them of the terrible
consequences of such a course, and, with a great deal of
affection and pathos, exhorted them to reform. Said he,
"I am now an old man, rapidly descending to the grave,
and may be addressing you for the last time. If you have
any respect for me, or the sacred cause of religion, which
I advocate; if you have any respect for the ashes of your
pious relatives, or esteem for your pious friends who are
living; if you have any regard for your own eternal
interest, or respect for yourselves, I pray you never to be
guilty of such conduct again; but repent of all your sins,
and pray God to pardon you."

226 SKETCHES OF THE
He continued his address to those young men with great
tenderness, till tears rolled down his furrowed cheeks;
pious parents trembled and wept; and I am informed by
one who was present, and seems to have a most vivid recol
lection of all the scene as it is here described, that he never
saw a more general weeping in any congregation. Even
the offenders could not restrain their tears, under the
affectionate lecture of the venerable servant of God.
There was no more bad conduct known upon the ground,
and the meeting resulted in the rescue of many souls from
the empire of darkness, who were embraced in the bright
rolls of salvation.
Mr. Quinn seldom, ever allowed any misbehavior in his
congregation to pass unrebuked. His reproofs were always
plain and pointed, and sometimes terrible and withering.
One Sabbath morning, in his charge, while offering up the
opening prayer, he happened to observe very unbecoming
and irreverent behavior in a young female. Rising from
his knees, he adverted to the solemn reverence and deco
rum which should characterize all professed worshipers of
the great Jehovah, in his house, and mentioned the de
parture therefrom in the bad conduct he had witnessed
while they were engaged in the solemn service of prayer.
"I think it my duty," said he, "to bring this case to your
notice, the admonitions and reproofs heretofore given hav
ing failed to produce any reformation. I wish the congre
gation to know who is the offender," at the same time
looking and pointing in that direction; "it is that youno-
woman with a leghorn bonnet and artificials, who sits on
the second seat beyond the stove, and adjoining the parti
tion in the seats. I point her out thus publicly, as a warn
ing to other transgressors."
There are some persons, forgetting that God sees them,
and supposing the preacher's eyes are closed while talking
with the Most High, who take the advantage in time of

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 227
prayer to misbehave in the house of God, to the great
annoyance of serious worshipers near them. This must be
a sin of great turpitude, and, surely, all who have the fear
of God before their eyes will agree that such persons
ought to be "rebuked openly, that others may fear."
In regard to minor offenses, and inadvertences of persons
Mr. Quinn associated with, he was remarkably tender and
affectionate in their correction. He was often successful in
restoring the wanderer, who had been "overtaken in a
fault." He failed, however, sometimes, as in one case
related to the writer by the venerable Dr. M'Dowell, as
follows: A man who had contracted the unfortunate habit
of exaggerating almost every thing he talked about, when
Mr. Quinn gravely reproved him for his sin, replied, "I
admit that is my besetting sin, have often lamented
it, and have shed barrels of tears on account of it."
"There," said the faithful pastor, "that is the very thing
I am charging you with, and reproving you for, and you
have at this moment offended in exaggerating the amount
of tears shed for your fault." He then renewed his effort;
but, perhaps, to little purpose. Persons should guard
against this bad habit, as they would against downright
lying. In the fall of 1 839 Mr. Quinn says he passed through
the first volume of Doctor Bangs' History in two days,
beside riding about forty miles, preaching twice, and meet
ing class as often, and then adds:
"I was greatly interested in the account of the meeting
of Mr. Asbury and Mr. O'Kelley, given in volume first,
page 355, which occurred in Winchester, Va. — not Man
chester — as I was witness, in part, of what then and there
took place. The Bishop's appointment had been out for
some weeks; in the mean time it was announced that Mr.
0. would be there at the same time, to hold meetings for
several days. The Presbyterian meeting-house had been

228 SKETCHES OF THE
procured for his use. He commenced on Friday evening,
and I had the privilege of being one of his hearers. He
stood up; his personal appearance was noble and dignified;
he commenced; his voice fixed the silent and solemn atten
tion of all present. After singing and prayer, he read for
his text, ' I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy like
ness,' (Psalms.) He first proceeded to show that in the
likeness, or image of God, consisted the dignity and hap
piness of man, in his primeval state; 2. That from this dig
nified and happy state man had fallen; and hence human
wretchedness in all its varied forms — nothing found in all
creation to satisfy the immortal mind, while exiled from its
God; 3. That through the incarnation and atonement of the
Savior, provision was made for man's recovery; so that, in
the evangelical process of illumination, justification, adop
tion, and sanctification — implying a change in the whole
man — the old man, with his deeds, was put off, and the
new man — which, after God, is created in righteousness
and true holiness — put on, and God is all in all; and now
the soul rests in God, nor seeks for other good. It was a
good sermon. I made no notes, but recollect the sub
stance distinctly. He was to preach the next day; and on
the Sabbath was to preach and administer the ordinances.
Sunday came, and on his way to, or at the church, he was
suddenly and violently attacked with — I think — cholera
morbus; so that he had to retire immediately to his lodg
ings, where, for some hours, his life was thought to be in
great danger. When this came to Mr. Asbury's ears, he
became evidently interested, and gave evidence, both by
words and looks, that he felt strong emotions, of the
benevolent kind. 'Dear old man! no doubt it is occa
sioned by the highly-impregnated limestone water, to
which he has not been used. It may cost him his life.'
In the family and in the church, he prayed most fervently
for him, styling him ' thy aged servant.' After we returned

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 229
from church to the house of brother Reed, at whose house
the Bishop lodged, said he to brothers Reed and Walls —
not Wells — 'I am concerned for Mr. O'Kelley. Go and
offer your attentions in any and every thing that may tend
to his comfort; and say to him that I am here, and willing
to see him.' They went, and returned with a request that
the Bishop would make a visit to him. The Bishop
preached twice on Sunday, with an unction from above,
while many felt that God was with him. It was a day not
soon to be forgotten. On Monday morning Mr. Asbury,
taking with him Edward Matthews — of the Baltimore con
ference — repaired to Mr. O.'s lodgings, while I went to
make arrangements to accompany the Bishop on his way
to Stevensburg. The interview took place, which — as
brother Matthews informed me — was of a most interesting
character. From the tones of voice, the expression of
countenance, etc., there appeared a yielding, yet there was
evidently caution and reserve. Mr. A. prayed most
admirably. A few brief sentences embraced the history
of the past; then the present meeting as providential; the
late affliction a mark of fatherly chastening; thanks for
prospects of recovery; petition that life and usefulness
might be prolonged. They then took the parting hand,
Mr. A. sending his friendly and Christian greetings to Mrs.
O'Kelley. Of this lady the Bishop remarked afterward,
' She was an excellent woman, but of a very different tem
perament from her husband; if he was stern, she was yield
ing — if he was salt, she was sugar.' I was with the Bishop
for several days, but heard not an unkind word of Mr. 0.
Once he observed, ' In the course which I have pursued,
my motives have often been impugned, and sometimes by
good men; but my record is on high.' 0, what a man of
God was he!"
It will be recollected by all acquainted with the his
tory of the Methodist Episcopal Church, that, previous to
20

230 SKETCHES OF THE
the General conference of November, 1792, Mr. O'Kelley,
and other traveling preachers, had objected to the power
of the Episcopacy. Dr. Coke presided at this session of
the General conference, which was held in Baltimore. Mr.
Asbury said, in a note to the conference, "I am happily
excused from assisting to make laws by which myself am
to be governed: I have only to obey and execute."
Mr. O'Kelley brought forward the following resolution:
"After the bishop appoints the preachers at the confer
ence to their several circuits, if any one think himself in
jured by the appointment, he shall have liberty to appeal
to the conference and state his objections; and if the con
ference approve his objections, the bishop shall appoint
him to another circuit." (Dr. Bangs' History.)
The debate on this resolution lasted for about three
days, and elicited great strength of argument on both
sides; but it failed, there being a large majority against it.
This gave great offense to the mover and his friends, and
he sent a letter to the conference the next morning, stating
that, as his appeal was rejected, he could no longer hold
his seat among them. To remove his objections, and
reconcile him to the action of a majority, the conference
appointed a committee to confer with Mr. O'Kelley and his
partisans; but their efforts were ineffectual, and they with
drew from the Church.
Mr. O'Kelley was a very popular minister; and having
long been presiding elder in Virginia and North Carolina,
he had acquired considerable influence in those states.
He and his adherents finally organized themselves under
the popular name of "'Republican Methodists." These
were some of the circumstances which rendered the inter
view between Mr. Asbury and Mr. O'Kelley of so much
interest to the ministry and membership of the Church in
1802.

ANT) LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 231

CHAPTER XIII.

Depression relieved by the courtesies of the people — Letter to
Mr. Fowble — Is superannuated — Embarrassing relation — Some in it
have not been treated kindly — He shared much attention — Death
of his brother Isaac — i/etter to his brother Matthew — Shows the
place selected for his/burial — The General conference of 1844 —
\Greatly affected by i^s sayings and doings — Attends conference at
Marietta — Calling tjie superannuated list — An affecting scene — Ad
dresses the conference — Is approved by his brethren — Trusts alone
in Christ — Admits himself worn out — Yielded to the relation be
cause he coukl hold out no more — Retrospects the past — Contrasts
it with the present — A reed shaken with the wind — Afflicted in
anticipation of the division of the Church — Save the union — Let
not file living child be cut asunder — Take care of the widows and
orphans — Reminiscences of Cincinnati — The conference — Bishop
Asbury — Lines on a lock of his hair — Note from Mrs. C.
Although Mr. Quinn suffered some depression of spirit
in his supernumerary relation, yet, as he was welcomed and
encouraged by the people at the various meetings he at
tended, and wherever he visited, as one greatly endeared
to them, he, no doubt, passed the year with a good degree
of satisfaction.
The following extract is taken from a letter addressed to
Rev. John W. Fowble, once his son-in-law. Mr. Fowble
received many rich communications from him; but, he in
forms me, in his frequent removals they have nearly all
been lost. "At Borne, January 24, 1843.
" Dear Son, — Such I hold you, and as such I esteem you.
Although I have been tardy in writing to you, yet you are
often in my thoughts, and are always included in my
morning and evening approaches to the sprinkled throne.
0, may the great Head of the Church bless you abundantly
in the great work to which, I trust, he hath called you,
upon which you have entered, and in which you are now
engaged! and may you never lose sight of its importance,

232 SKETCHES OF THE
and the high and awful responsibility connected with it!
'It might fill an angel's heart; it filled a Savior's hands.'
An apostle said, ' Who is sufficient for these things?' but
adds, ' Our sufficiency is of the Lord.' Go, then, my son,
in the strength of the Lord, and in the power of his might,
and, hiding yourself behind the cross, preach Christ cru
cified, and make mention of his righteousness — of his only.
Some men are esteemed great who are not very good, and
some are truly great because they are truly good. God
grant that you may be 'a good minister of Jesus Christ!'
You have a course of study, and the books you are to read,
pointed out — all very well; but the disciplinary plan is still
good, if not the best, to convince, to offer Christ, to build
up, and to do this more or less in every sermon; to preach
Christ, in his offices — prophet, priest, king; his law as well
as his Gospel, both to believers and unbelievers. Said
Wesley, ' The Methodists must stick close to their doc
trines, their experience, their morals, and Discipline. If
they dwell on their doctrines only, they will make then-
people Antinomians; if mainly on their experience, they
will make their people enthusiasts; if on their morals, apart
from their doctrines and experience, they will make their
people Pharisees and hypocrites.' Then keep all together;
for God, in his word, hath joined them together; and let
no man put them asunder.
"We were greatly disappointed in not receiving a visit
from you last fall; but suppose you found it impracticable.
Well, come when you can, and as often as you can, and
come as to a father's house. After having served the
Church forty-four years, I am now being laid aside as a
'disabled pitcher,' of little or no use. JSo work, no support.
I do not feel altogether satisfied; for I still think I could
do a little. My health is good, though my flesh and my
strength faileth. Perhaps, if you would give me the time
and place of some of your quarterly or camp meetings, I

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 233
might make you a visit some time next summer; for I can
yet ride twenty or thirty miles in a day, and not feel much
tired." In September, 1 843, Mr. Quinn attended the conference
in Chilicothe, much debilitated, and he and his friends
were compelled to relinquish the idea that he would ever
be able to do effective work. The conference cordially,
and with great respect and affection, placed him on their
superannuated list. He had looked forward to superannu
ation with some dread and repugnance; but he now acqui
esced with true Christian submission. There are several
reasons why this relation, which one called "the starvation
list," is looked to with reluctance. A venerable member
of an annual conference, when it was assigned to him,
thanked his brethren for their regard, sympathy, and
intended kindness, but added, "I have long since learned
that a superannuated Methodist preacher is usually a much
more welcome guest in heaven than any where on earth."
It sometimes happens that the aged minister, who has
worn himself out in the service of the Church, and in
laboring for the salvation of immortal souls, not only fails
to receive an adequate support in old age, but is treated
with cold neglect and disrespect. There are very few in
any branch of the Christian Church, but will unite in say
ing, "These things ought not so to be;" and yet, in practice,
some will do those very things themselves. During the
four years Mr. Quinn sustained this relation, he received
much attention and respect from all classes of the com
munity in which he moved. And although, with others
of the Ohio conference in ihe same relation, he ob
tained a very scanty support, yet I must think the
instances of his being treated uncourteously or unkindly
were very rare. And if any who may read this page feel
conscious that they did thus treat him, I hope they will
repent, and make amends for the wrong inflicted, by
20*

234 SKETCHES OF THE
treating other worn-out ministers more kindly in the
future. He returned from conference, and was soon called to
witness the death-bed scene of one that was dear to his
heart. On the night of the 18th of October, 1843, his
brother, Rev. Isaac Quinn, M. D., died, in the sixtieth
year of his age. He was for many years an acceptable
and useful itinerant preacher, and labored and suffered
much in this work. In 1813 he was married to Miss
Whitten, of Tazewell county, Va., and in 1818 he received
a location. Having studied medicine he practiced in Vir
ginia for some time, and then removed to Highland county,
Ohio, and settled near his senior brother. He preached
much in his local sphere, and was highly esteemed by the
people, both as a minister and physician. His brother
looked to him for counsel, comfort, and support in old age,
having no idea he would outlive him. It appears the
Doctor suffered more than four weeks in his last illness.
His brother James, in an obituary, speaks of his sickness
and death as follows:
"During this period he suffered indescribable pain of
body, under which the feeble flesh often cried out. He
also had some mental conflicts, yet still held fast his trust
and hope in God as the rock of his salvation. As a hus
band, father, etc., he was bound by many strong ties to
earth; and it was necessary, perhaps, that these should be
untied or severed by a severe process. This was done.
After he had disposed of his temporal affairs, his mind
evidently became more tranquil; but he was too far gone
to enjoy the society of his friends. He often, however, in
feeble and broken accents, expressed confidence, trust,
resignation, peace, and gratitude. In this frame of mind 
as we believe — he calmly sunk into the cold embrace of
death. During the illness of our dear brother Isaac, as
if to augment our joys and sorrows, our brother, the Rev.

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 235
M. H. Quinn, an aged elder in the Church, of Nash
ville, Tenn., came on a visit to us; but, ah! thirty years of
time and toil had made so great a change in our persons,
that the brothers could scarcely recognize each other:
besides death was doing his dreadful work on the younger.
The long-absent brother came in time to mingle his
prayers, his sighs, his tears, his sorrows, and his joys
with ours, then close the eyes of his junior brother, and
take the parting hand; and so we shall see his face no
more: ' When shall we three meet again?
Where immortal spirits reign,
There may we three meet again.' "
After his brother, M. H. Quinn, returned to Nashville,
Tenn., under date of Nov. 13, 1843, he addressed him
thus: "I continued very poorly for some time after you
left, and looked and felt more like dying than living, but
then began to recover. My distressing cough abated, and
has now almost left me. I rest well at night, have a good
appetite, gain strength, but not flesh. My distressing
shortness of breath is gradually abating. I regard all
this as a gracious respite. 0, that I may so improve it,
that when the summons comes I may be ready to give an
account of my stewardship with joy and not with grief!"
Mr. Quinn never determined, till after the death of his
brother, where his mortal remains should lie. In October,
1846, having his company in my barouche from Greenfield
to his residence, when we reached Auburn Chapel he
asked me to pause, and said he would show me the spot of
ground he had selected as his last resting-place. It was
near the grave of his brother. I recollect my remark was,
"If I should survive you, and pass this way, I will stop
and look at your tomb, and think of our meeting in
heaven." He responded, with a countenance and a tone
of voice I can never forget, "I hope I shall get there!"

236 SKETCHES OF THE
The first year Mr. Quinn was superannuated, the Gen
eral conference assembled in the city of New York, May 1,
1844. A short time previous to this session Bishop An
drew had, by marriage, become the owner of some slaves
in the state of Georgia. This was adjudged by a majority
of the General conference to be an impediment to his
acceptance and usefulness as one of the itinerant general
superintendents of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and
that he ought to desist from the exercise of that office so
long as the impediment remained. To this action the
minority took exceptions, and entered their protest. The
final result was, the annual conferences generally, in the
slaveholding states, elected delegates, who assembled in
general convention in Louisville, Ky., May 1, 1845, and
separating from the Methodist Episcopal Church, they
organized themselves into "a separate and distinct eccle
siastical connection," denominated "the Methodist Epis
copal Church South." As Mr. Quinn was not a member of
this memorable General conference, his biographer deems
it irrelevant to take furtner notice of its proceedings. It
was, however, reasonable to suppose that Mr. Quinn would
take a deep interest in the discussions and doings of that
body, as reported in the periodicals of the Church, of
which he was a constant reader. His indescribable anxiety
may be inferred from the following extract, taken from a
letter addressed to his brother in Tennessee, under date
of June 11, 1844: "I weep over the sayings and doings
of the General conference every day. It may be a light
thing with young men of yesterday, whether from the
plow-tail or the college, to break up the union and rend
the body of Christ; but to those who have spent their
sweat and blood to cultivate Immanuel's land, and raise
the Church to what it is, it is heart-rending. An amicable
separation may be the best thing that can be done in view
of all the circumstances. The Lord is king in Zion, and

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 237
the gates of hell shall not prevail against that he hath
built on the rock which he hath laid for a foundation.
Sympathize with and pray for your old brother, and send
him a soothing letter."
To the same he writes, under date of November 3,
1844, thus: "The days of my pilgrimage will soon be at
an end, and, thanks be to God! I feel that I have not
labored in vain, or spent my strength for naught. But all
my plea is, that the Savior died for me. My trust is
thrown on Jesus' name.
" Great agitation in the nation and in the Church; and
I can not be an uninterested spectator. But what can I
do? Nothing, but look on with an aching heart, and
sometimes with weeping eyes; while I mentally and vocally
sigh, and say, ' Spare thy people, O, Lord, and give not
thy heritage a reproach to the adversary.' I read and
weigh many arguments on both sides, but slander and
defamation — which appear to be the order of the day —
my heart hates, come from what side they may. 'The
Lord reigneth; let the earth be glad!' What though
clouds and darkness are round about him! yet justice and
judgment are the habitations of his throne. Sometimes
the Lord cometh with his fan in his hand to purge his
floor, and sometimes he suffers Satan to sift us as wheat.
Yet hath he founded Zion, and he will take care of his
Church, so that the gates of hell shall not prevail
against it."
At the close of this conference year we held our annual
session at Marietta, September 4, 1844. Mr. Quinn was
present, and perhaps a little improved in his condition of
health and physical vigor, though much reduced in flesh.
He seemed to be literally wasting away, in the estimate
of those who had not seen him for a year. When the
presiding bishop commenced calling the names of our
superannuated brethren for examination, it was a moment

238 SKETCHES OF THE
of absorbing interest. These pioneers, in the days of
other years, preached the Gospel to the sparse population
of the west, when their labors were attended with incon
veniences, privations, and hardships, which well deserved
to be reckoned in the category of "the sufferings of this
present time." Who that has a heart will not admire and
love such men?
On the calling of the names of those present, the presi
dent very courteously inquired of each if he wished to
say any thing to the conference. I could not describe the
feelings of the conference, or the emotions of my own
heart, when those brethren arose, in the order their names
were called, and addressed their associates in labor. Mr.
Quinn's name was the second called, and as the writer
reported his address soon after conference for the Western
Christian Advocate, he inserts it in his "Life:"
"Mr. President, — If I could so command my feelings,
and extend my voice as to be heard, I would be glad to
say a few words to the conference; and the more so, as it
is very probable I shall never again enjoy the privilege of
sitting or being heard in another annual conference. I am
now truly a superannuated man — a man literally worn
out, and worn out in the one great work; for, ever since I
took the vows of God upon me, I have endeavored to be
a man of one work. In this one work I have greatly
delighted, being willing to spend and be spent therein.
God hath helped me, blessed be his holy name! and to
him I would ascribe all the glory.
"To the question, 'Is there any thing against James
Quinn?' my brethren have kindly responded the forty-
fourth time, 'Nothing.' This response, no doubt, has been
given in the judgment of that charity which thinketh no
evil, and covereth a multitude of sins, or human infirmi
ties. Would that I could have always, had the same
response from within, that my own heart had nevor

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 239
reproached me; that I had so walked with God as to have
enjoyed a constant sense of his approbation. Lord, enter
not into judgment with thy poor servant, but sprinkle him
anew with pardoning blood! I am well aware that the
confidence and esteem of my brethren will not give me a
passport to heaven. 0, no:
' This all my hope and all my plea,
For me the Savior died.'
"I have never been, or desired to be, associated with
any other fraternity but this; and in this it has been my
constant desire and aim to maintain a fair standing, and
leave an unimpaired reputation when I go hence. I have
held the character of my brethren in the ministry sacred —
have defended them as far as I could consistently, and
have never allowed myself to believe evil of them without
ample proof. They have treated me very kindly, and
have shown me many marks of respect and confidence, of
which I felt myself unworthy, and for which I now feel
grateful. "In my younger days I looked to the years of super
annuation as a gloomy period, and shrunk back when I
saw those days at hand. I have yielded to this relation
with great reluctance — yielded because I could hold out
no more. Indeed, I have not felt that degree of resigna
tion that the case required, and religion called for. I
love Zion; and for her I would live, and labor, and suffer.
But why should I be anxious? Methodism lived before I
was, and will live and prosper when I shall be no more on
earth. I have served my generation. 0, that that service
had always, and in every respect, been ' according to the
will of God!'
"In the last year of the eighteenth century [1800] I
entered this valley [Muskingum] as a traveling preacher,
and visited this place [Marietta.] At that time there was
not a Methodist meeting-house in all the north-western

240 SKETCHES OF THE
territory, and but one or two traveling preachers in all the
land. 0, what hath God wrought! What do my eyes
behold? Now the church-going bell is heard in cities,
towns, and villages, not a few, all over the land, while
most country places are furnished with comfortable chap
els, whither the people go forth by tens, yea, hundreds of
thousands, to keep holy day, to hear the word of life, to
drink from the rock, and eat of the bread which cometh
down from heaven. 0, bless the Lord, we have seen his
goings forth, and have witnessed the displays of his power
and grace in the salvation of many souls.
"And now here I am, ' a reed shaken with the wind' —
a feeble old man, trembling as I lean upon the top of my
staff; but where am I? In the midst of a conference of
ministers, near one hundred and fifty in number, most of
whom have been twice born since the time of which I
speak: among them are the sons, the grandsons, and
great grandsons of those who kindly received me, and to
whom I ministered in their humble dwellings. No doubt
I have taken some of these ministers in my arms, and
dedicated them to God in holy baptism; and on some of
them I have laid my hand in consecrating them to the
sacred office and work of the ministry. 0, why should
my heart yield to fear? The Lord of hosts is with us,
the God of Jacob is yet our help.
"'For the affliction of Joseph' I have been greatly
afflicted. My breast has heaved with sorrow, and my
eyes have run down with tears: for the hurt of the daugh
ter of Zion am I hurt. O, 'is there no balm in Gilead?
is there not a Physician there?' May not the hurt of
the daughter of Zion yet be healed? Will the Lord give
his heritage a reproach to the adversary? Will he remove
our candlestick? disperse us? and call his people by
another name? Forbid it, thou great Head of the Church!
Now let the Lord's ministers ' weep between the porch and

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 241
the altar;' and let all the people put on sackcloth, and
mourn. 'When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted him
self in Israel; but when he sinned in Baal, he died.' Jesh-
urun never kicked till he 'waxed fat.' Dear brethren,
you have an important part to act; duties and responsibili
ties devolve on you, which have often made the heads and
hearts of those who have gone before you to ache, while
thtir eyes have run down with tears. The few that have
worn themselves out in the work will soon disappear —
their faded forms and tremulous voices will soon be seen
and heard no more among you; but while we live and
think, we will still 'pray for the peace of Jerusalem.' If
possible, save the union — sacrifice every thing but principle
to preserve it; and let not the living child be cut or torn
asunder! What though one side be deeply leprous, and the
other stricken with strange paroxysms of the mental or
nervous kind, not easily understood by M. D.s, or even
D. D.s, yet are there not proofs of spiritual vitality in both
sides, sufficient to interest and call forth all the energies of
all the wise and good, to ' strive together for the unity of the
Spirit in the bonds of peace?' Will not brethren of both
sides cease to criminate and recriminate, and betake them
selves to prayer and fasting, that the Church may be saved
from division? We hope they will.
" One thought more. The number of your widows and
orphans is still increasing. O, let not these be neglected!
Let not the weakest go to the wall, in your collections and
distributions. Better let the truly superannuated suffer,
than to have the widow's sigh and orphan's cry come up
before the Lord against you; for if you neglect those, who
will attend to them? And now, dear brethren, I take my
leave of you, humbly asking an interest in your prayers;
and commending you to God and the word of his grace, I
bid you an affectionate farewell."
The conference continued his superannuated relation,
21

242 SKETCHES OF THE
and he passed the year similar to the former, visiting
quarterly and other meetings, and preaching as his health
would allow. He appeared to enjoy himself more com
fortably, and improve some in strength this year, but not
in flesh. His aged friend and associate, Rev. John Col
lins, passed away to his reward in heaven this year. Mr.
Quinn attended the conference at Cincinnati, September 3,
1 845, with at least equal health and strength that he
seemed to have had the session previous. It always gave
him special pleasure to meet with his brethren at confer
ence, and he never was absent whenever it was in his
power to attend those annual meetings. He was once
well acquainted in Cincinnati, and still had some dear
friends who lingered in the city.
On his return home from the session in the city, six
years before, he made the following interesting commu
nication to the Western Christian Advocate, which is
deemed appropriate in this place, and which will doubtless
afford special pleasure to the reader:
"Time Flies. — Well, I have just returned from the
'Queen City of the West;' and 0, what changes are here!
One is ready to exclaim, 'Behold! what manner of stones
and buildings are here!' But, ah! these shall all be de
molished; for the earth and the things that are therein
shall be burnt up. Just nineteen years had rolled away,
since I had wound up my ministerial labors in that city,
where I had been actively employed for the space of two
years; and they were years of great peace and tranquillity
to the Church, and great good to my own poor soul. Here
the Lord began to visit my family. At the altar in the old
Stone Church my two oldest daughters were born of God.
Here, I have reason to believe, God gave to my dear wife
the blessing of perfect love, while meeting in band with
those devoted and humble followers of Christ, sisters L.
and L., and D. and S., of precious memory, now all at

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 243
home in paradise. Here, also, the blood-bought spirit of
my first-born son was taken to heaven,
' And found the happy shore,
He neither sought or saw before.'
"In vain I sought for his gravestone in the old burying-
place behind Wesley Chapel. Well, Gabriel's trump will
call to life the sleeping dust of my sweet boy, James Slay-
back Quinn. The congregations in Wesley Chapel, Fourth-
street, and Ninth-street, crowded almost to overflowing by
day and by night; but in vain did I cast an inquiring eye
over the large assemblies, saying, 'Where are my old and
much-loved friends; are they all gone?' No, not quite;
for of the six or seven hundred members, whom I had
served for the space of two years publicly, and from house
to house, by day and by night, always carefully, and some
times with tears, I recognized a few; and eight or nine ad
vanced with extended hand, and friendly greetings. Ah!
if the- sweets of friendship terminated with the present
life, it would be of little worth; but soon that mysterious
cement of the soul, that sweetener of life, that solderer of
society, though it has its commencement in time, shall
receive its consummation in eternity; so that we may say
and sing — ' We shall not lose our friends above,
But more enjoy them there.'
"Had I been called to any of the pulpits — even old
Fourth-street, in which I preached the first and dedicatory
sermon — I should have been a stranger, unknowing and
unknown. The most prominent and active must soon pass
into the shades. Let the aged and worn out indulge no
painful regrets at this; for David, having served his own
generation, by the will of God fell asleep; and those who
have served forty years have served out one generation.
"But the conference; and 0, what changes are here!
Thirty years ago the Western conference held its second

244 SKETCHES OF THE
session on this side of the Ohio, in the then small town of
Cincinnati. Mr. O. M. Spencer furnished the conference
with a room up stairs in his house, which then stood far
out on the commons. Asbury, M'Kendree, and others,
now no more, were there. Of those who were there, only
Lakin, Burke, J. Young, D. Young, and the writer, were
present as members of the late conference; and here were
we associated with a congregation of ministers, almost two
hundred in number, most — say three-fourths — of whom
were unborn when we entered the itinerant field; we can
not but exclaim, 'What hath God wrought!' Well, dear
brethren, you will soon have the interests of our beloved
Zion in your own hands, ministerially, with a weight of
responsibility that has often made the heads and hearts of
those who have gone before you to ache exceedingly,
while they have often exclaimed, 'Who is sufficient for
these things?'
"I shall close this desultory scrawl with a reminiscence
of Bishop Asbury. Said the Bishop, ' The state of the
preacher's mind, in connection with surrounding circum
stances, often suggests the texts and the method of discus
sion. Thus, when I had offered for America, and been
accepted and appointed, taking leave of my parents, the
loving society, and my native land, I stood up and took
for my text, Psalm lxi, 2: "From the end of the earth will
I cry unto thee," etc. My plan:
"'1. Where should the missionary herald be? The
end of the earth.
" '2. And whose heart should be overwhelmed, swal
lowed up, if not the heart of him to whom a dispensation
of the Gospel is committed?
" '3. And whence should he look for succor, but to
Christ, the rock that is higher than he?
" '4. How should he obtain that succor, but by con
stant, fervent prayer?

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 245
" 'Ah!' said the good Bishop, as we rode along, 'this
might not have been of high interest to the hearers, but it
has been of vast interest and importance to the speaker;
for often has my heart been overwhelmed during my forty
years' pilgrimage in America. And if I had been a man
of tears, I might have wept my life away; but Christ has
been a hiding-place, a covert from the stormy blast; yea,
he has been the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.'
Here the Bishop's voice trembled a little — his lip quiv
ered — I looked, and the tear had started from his half-
closed, clear, blue eye. But presently he was gay; 'for,'
said he, 'if I were not sometimes to be gay with my
friends, I should have died in gloom long ago:
' " Give me to feel the grateful heart,
And without guilt be gay." '
"So be it."
The following lines were composed by Dr. William H.
Hollingsworth, on seeing a lock of hair taken from the
reverend man's head twenty-five years after he had joined
in marriage his parents, and nearly twenty-three years
after he dedicated him to God in baptism. The hair
accompanies these lines in a book owned by the mother of
the author, immediately under the name, "Rev. James
Quinn:"
" Aged one, these silvered locks,
That strew thy temples o'er,
Tell plainly that the watchman knocks —
That death is at the door.
Soon thy career of trust and love,
Of labor and of care
Shall close, and thou shalt move,
A spirit pure and fair.
Soon shall thy last good act be done,
Thy last good word be said:
Soon thou shalt have the laurels won,
That crown the righteous dead.
21*

246 sketches of the
When thou art gone, thy name shall live,
Thy memory dear to all,
And those that know thee now will grieve
In sorrow round thy pall.
Vet may thy days be lengthened out,
And blessings rich be given;
And, conquering death, loud victory shout,
A victory gained in heaven!"
With these lines the following note was received from
the mother of Doctor Hollingsworth, now the wife of Rev.
Z. Connell:
"I furnish you with a copy of the lines accompanying
the lock of hair, which I was kindly permitted to take
from the head of Rev. James Quinn, the last time I had
the privilege of seeing him. The hair is placed in the
midst of many, to me, precious mementos. When I look
upon this 'silvered lock,' the sunny days of my life appear
before me in all their vividness. Indeed, a whole life of
many vicissitudes rushes upon my recollections. And
now that his sainted spirit has joined many of my dear
friends who rest from their sorrows, I am reminded of the
future as well as the past. Brother Quinn was one of the
most Scriptural, plain, and pointed preachers. ' Christ
crucified' was his theme. His voice was full of sweetest
melody. In his younger days he was a sweet singer.
He was a great lover of good poetry; he quoted much,
and with great accuracy and force.
"Ripley, February 9, 1848."

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 247

CHAPTER XIV.
His disposition to honor the good and useful — What is said of
the pious dead may do the living good — The Ellsworth family —
Many reminiscences connected therewith — Always was a friend to
temperance — Letter to Rev. John G. Bruce, embracing matters of
great interest — Second letter to the same — Plan of Philip Henry —
Pleasantry toward southern writers — Prefatory remarks to a let
ter to Professor Merrick — Is not to be suspected of opposition to
sound learning — Learning should be the handmaid, and not assume
to take the place of the mistress, religion — Defends the plain, com
mon-sense preaching of the old Methodist preachers — The revival
in Wesley's day was chiefly through the instrumentality of an un
educated ministry — Declines giving_ Bishop Asbury's Bible — Was
never connected with any literary institution — Was a kind of
president of "Brush College" — His connection with Mr. Wesley in
orders — His health — Prospects of an enduring substance — Letter
to the writer — Letter to J. W. Fowble — Many items of great inter
est — Attends the conference at Piqua — Address to his brethren —
Collection raised for his benefit — Presented by Rev. G. W. Walker
with an address — His response — A skeleton of one of his sermons.
Mr. Quinn had a heart formed for friendship; and he
loved his friends, and the friends of Christ and his cause,
with a full soul, fervently. He has made honorable men
tion of many distinguished and useful individuals, both in
the ministry and membership of the Church of his early
association. He inclined to give honor to whom he believed
honor was due. Thousands may read the names of their
ancestors in this book, in connection with the best of all
causes. And who can tell but the remembrance of those
whose names are still dear, and the report of their
godly example and holy zeal for God and his cause, may
lead many of their descendants to genuine repentance,
and a humble trust in Christ for salvation? How insig
nificant must the monuments of earth, or the honor be
stowed by the best of men in the page of history, appear
in the estimate of those who have passed away to their

248 SKETCHES OF THE
heavenly and unfading inheritance! Their names are
chronicled in the Lamb's book of life, and they possess
the imperishable glories of the kingdom above.
The following reminiscences of the Ellsworth family
and others, written by Mr. Quinn, are deemed worthy of a
permanent record in his "Life:"
"In every age of the Church there have been persons
of sterling worth, not only in the ministry, but also in the
membership, who, in their day, were pillars in the house,
or temple, or Church of Christ — who, devoting themselves
to the service of God, exerted all their energies in pro
moting the interests of Christ's kingdom in the world; and
truly their labor has not been in vain in the Lord. But
their names have not always been so recorded on earth as
to carry them beyond the immediate circle of their opera
tions, or give them to posterity: they are soon forgotten
among men; but their record is on high, and Christ will
own and honor them before his Father's face. The Meth
odist Episcopal Church, from the beginning, has had, and
still has, as many pillars in the membership as any other
Church of my acquaintance; and has profited as much by
their services; for in her economy she has places and
employment for all the moral, mental, and gracious capa
bilities of her entire membership; and as many as are
qualified for pillars will soon find their place, their duty,
and responsibility. As my itinerancy in the Country west
of the Alleghany Mountains, for forty years, has given me
an opportunity of a personal acquaintance with many of
those valuable men, who were both pioneers and pillars
in the Church, I have thought I might, with propriety,
record the names and worth of a few of them, in addition
to a few that have been already noticed, as John Foster,
White Brown, Joseph Cooper, Jacob Holmes, and others.
I now propose to give some account of the Ellsworth fam
ily in their generations.

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 249
"In the year 1799 I became acquainted with Moses
Ellsworth, the pious patriarch of this extensive, pious, and
amiable family. He was of English descent. His pious
wife was a German. They often used the German tongue
in conversation. This led me to the conclusion that Mr.
Ellsworth himself was a German, but this was an error.
Of the time and place of his birth I am not advised; it
was most probably in one of the New England states.
But he had married, settled, and raised most of his family
in Pendleton county, Va.; and from thence removed to
Harrison county, same state, 1783, and settled on the west
fork of the Monongahela, near Clarksburg. Here he
opened his house to receive the first Methodist mission
aries, and his heart to receive the Gospel of the grace of
God, which ultimately proved to be the power of God to
the salvation of his own soul, the souls of his household,
and many of his neighbors. He had four sons, Jacob,
John, Moses, and Aaron. Aaron died in holy triumph
before my acquaintance with the family. The sons were
all praying men, and heads of families. The daughters,
three or four in number, were also pious, with their hus
bands and some of their children. When I traveled
Clarksburg circuit, in 1799, there were at least fifty of this
family and connections members of the Methodist Epis
copal Church, and they were religious in earnest; for if
they sung loud, and shouted lustily, they lived up to their
profession. The old patriarch and his good wife held on
the even tenor of their way till death came; but as he
came without a sting, they smiled and bid the world adieu.
I was best acquainted with Moses, the younger, the grand
father of William I. and Jeremiah Ellsworth, of the Ohio
conference; and a charming man he was, and his wife a
most amiable and pious woman — her virgin name was
Bumgarner. He was a large, portly man, and very inter
esting in his appearance and manners; had a charming

250 SKETCHES OF THE
voice, and was a most delightful singer. After the dis
pensation of camp meeting's came, he had full scope for
his talent in this way. He often spent whole nights at
the altar in singing and prayer, and many souls have been
born of God while Moses Ellsworth was singing and pray
ing with them. It is believed that he was converted to
God under the ministry of George Callanhan, and no doubt
they have had a most joyful meeting in paradise. He
had a strong and retentive memory; was a great lover of
preachers and good preaching; often repeated, with great
accuracy, the principal part of many sermons; had com
mitted scores of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; and
was familiar with his Bible. While Rev. Robert Manley
labored on Clarksburg circuit, in 1796, his horse was
stolen on the west fork, and Moses Ellsworth, or William
Hacker, or both, went with the preacher in pursuit. They
overtook and brought back both thief and horse, and gave
up the man to the civil authorities, and he was condemned
to be hanged. 0, murder! hang a man for stealing a
horse! Yes, indeed, such were the laws in the ancient
Dominion in those days. But the preacher and his friends
made haste, by petition to the governor, and procured his
pardon. This man became a great penitent to all appear
ance — used to attend preaching, and weep, and pray, and
wished to join society; but the Methodists would not have
him. Why not? Did not the Savior take a thief into the
society of paradise on the day of his execution? So
should genuine repentance, with the proper fruits, never
be rejected. It is testified of brother Ellsworth that he
was deeply pious, that he was uniform in the duties of
reading the Scriptures, family and private prayer, faithful
in his attendance on the ordinances of God and public
means of grace; hence the light of God abode in his
tabernacle like that of Obededom, for the ark of God was
there. His pious wife and himself were the favored

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 251
parents of three sons and five daughters, all of whom be
longed to the Church, and professed experimental religion,
and some of them have already died in great peace. And
here I wish to remark, in the course of more than forty
years' observation, I have seen religious and moral influ
ence living and operating in some families, from genera
tion to generation, but soon dying out of others, and
infidelity or profanity taking the place. This has led me
at times to search for the cause; and here I will say, 1.
That those who love the Gospel, and, as proof of their
love, uniformly and prayerfully attend upon the ministry
of the word without fault-finding; 2. Pray for and bear
their part in supporting those who preach it; 3. Uni
formly read the Scriptures, pray in secret and in their
families — govern their tongues and tempers — may be sure
that God will be with them, and that he will not forsake
their families when they are gone; for while he only 'visits
the iniquity of fathers upon children to the third and
fourth generation of them that hate him,' he shows mercy
to thousands of them that love him and keep his com
mandments. But those whose love is only in tongue, who
seldom attend upon the ministry of the word, and have
much fault to find, seldom or never bear any part in the
support of the Gospel, seldom read the Bible, never pray
in their families or closets, and sleep or gossip away the
precious Sabbath, with its sanctuary privileges, need not
expect God to be with them; the light with them, and in
them, will be taken from them, and darkness, thick, per
petual, eternal darkness come upon them. Ichabod! Icha
bod! the glory is departed! 0, on how many family
escutcheons is that fearful word written? Not so the
Ellsworths; they loved and served God in their genera
tions, scores are safe at home in paradise, and hundreds,
it is believed, are on the way. Moses Ellsworth moved
from Harrison, Va., to Ohio, in 1805, and settled on

252 SKETCHES OF THE
Tod's fork, near Clarksville; but failing to get a good title
to his land, thence settled in Clark county, and finally
lived with his eldest son Jesse, father of the preachers,
near South Charleston. When such men came, we rejoiced
greatly; for they strengthened our hands in the Lord.
The tide of emigration was a perpetual rush; and it
seemed at times as if morality and religion, law and Gos
pel, were to be borne down before it. Once I was rejoicing
over some substantial men — who had just got out — in the
presence of Bishop Asbury. 'Ah!' said the Bishop, 'your
gain is the loss of others. Illy could they be spared where
they came from — societies almost ruined; but it is well for
you, that while every thing is drifting here, you should
have some salt to preserve you from moral putrefaction.'
Mr. Ellsworth was salt, and not that which had lost its
savor; and never, till the day of judgment, will it be
known how much good has been done by modest, unas
suming, yet „ unflinching piety. A short time before
brother Ellsworth's death, he told his grandson, Rev.
William I. Ellsworth, that he had attended forty camp
meetings, and had been greatly blessed, but that he now
expected soon to be at one 'where the congregations
never would break up, and the Sabbath never end.' A
few hours before his death, he requested his grandson to
read the fourteenth chapter of John, ' Let not your hearts
be troubled, ye believe in God,' etc. He then had the
family called together, gave them his dying charge and
benediction, then sung his last song in the German lan
guage—which he had learned in youth — then ensued a
few gentle gasps, his lips quivered in death, and the
'wheels of life stood still,' May 5, 1833, in the sixty-
seventh year of his age. He sleeps in Jesus; but his sons
and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters, and another
generation rising up, call him blessed, and bear his name
along to future generations with honor to his memory and

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 253
to themselves. The name of Ellsworth has stood in con
nection with religion and Methodism in western Virginia,
Ohio, Indiana, and still farther west, for more than fifty
years. In five generations of this numerous family, not
one drunkard has been known — as I am informed. So
much for a strict observance of our excellent rule, which
not only forbids drunkenness, but drinking spirituous —
intoxicating — liquors, except in cases of necessity. The
Methodists were strict observers of this rule when I first
became a member. O, may the light of God still abide
in the tabernacles of the Ellsworths, and may they bear
in mind, through all their generations, that God hath said,
'They that honor me will I honor, and they that despise
me shall be lightly esteemed.' "
, Mr. Quinn rigidly adhered to the principles of temper
ance, and zealously exerted all his great influence on every
suitable occasion against the opposite. At an early period
in the history of Methodism in Ohio, when sickness was
anticipated with almost equal certainty with August and
September, one of his fellow-laborers in the ministry, be
ing advised by a physician to use some bitters preserved
in some kind of spirits as a preventive, carried a bottle
with him. This minister, meeting Mr. Quinn at a camp
meeting, explained to him how the doctor had prescribed
some bitters, and urged him to use them through the
sickly season, to prevent his being attacked with the dis
eases of the country, and asked him to drink some. Mr.
Quinn declinedTand, looking his friend full in the face, said,
with an appropriate tone of voice, "What an awful thing
it would be if brother  , in using his preventive, should
acquire a relish for intoxicating drinks, and finally die a
drunkard!" The admonished brother threw away his
bottle, and near the close of his laborious and faithful life
reminded Mr. Quinn of the timely reproof which he gave
him, and acknowledged it as a great kindness.-

254 SKETCHES OF THE
LETTER TO REV. JOHN G. BRUCE,
THEN STATI0NEO AT GEORGETOWN, KENTUCKY.
"Rural Cottage, January 13, 1846.
"Dear Brother, — I have been rather tardy in respond
ing to your friendly letter, which came to hand in due
time, with assurances of Christian affection and esteem, of
which I feel myself unworthy. Thanks be to God, that I
am not cast off and utterly abandoned by those with
whom I have long been united, and in whose society I
have taken great delight.
"As to your uniting with 'the southern organization,'
you had the right to do so, and it is not for me to judge
another man's servant; to his own master he stands or
falls. In this case I hope God will hold you up, and
direct you in the way in which you may serve your genera
tion most to his glory. I regret that in that organization
Methodist ministers should become the most efficient agents
ill perpetuating that 'great evil,' the curse and shame of
this great republic, and the Church. Well, the Lord, in
the order of providence, appoints and ordains some things,
and suffers other things; yet so superintends and over
rules, that all things work together for good to them that
love him. What then? If, for the purification of the
Church, the purging of his floor, he should either come
with his fan in his hand, or suffer Satan for a season to
sift as wheat, yet only the chaff shall be driven away,
while the wheat shall be gathered and garnered. 'The
Lord hath founded Zion,' and I will still pray for the
peace of Jerusalem; for God hath said, 'They shall pros
per that love her.' I believe there are hundreds, yea,
thousands, in ' the southern organization ' who love our
Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Grace, mercy, and peace,
from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, be with
them! Amen.
"You wish, yea, urge me much, to write somethinc-

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 255
that may be read after I am gone. Ah! my dear John, if
you could stand where I stand, see as I see, and know as
I know, retrospect and review as I may, and as I ought,
the privileges and responsibilities of fifty-four years in the
membership, and forty-seven in the ministry of the Meth
odist Episcopal Church, you would not be as urgent as you
are that I should write — you would see but little that
would interest or be useful to posterity. It is true, I have
been a man of one business; I have not laid up treasure
upon earth; I have, for the most part, been poor, and yet,
perhaps, have made some rich. My physical and mental
energies, and worldly substance, in great measure, have
been devoted to, and spent in the cause of Methodism,
which I honestly believed to be the cause of God. But
what of all this? Others have done more, suffered more,
made greater sacrifices, been more extensively useful, have
passed off, and, perhaps, scarce a stone tells where their
bodies lie. They nobly fought, and bravely fell, and fell
at their posts, covered with scars and glory, and Jehovah
Jesus took care of them, and their record is on high. Is
not this enough? What does the present generation know
of the character, labors, sufferings, and usefulness of the
holy, heavenly-minded Whatcoat, or even the great and
good Asbury, except what may be gathered from the
hasty sketches in his brief journal? What of M'Kendree,
and many, very many others that might be named, with
whom I have had an intimate acquaintance, and in whose
lives and labors there was much to interest and edify?
But they only served their own generation, and then fell
asleep; and this will do for me. Dr. Clarke's friend, when
urging him to write, as you and others have been urging
me, told him 'that there were many waiting to write him
to death, as soon as he was dead!' I am in no danger
from that quarter, you know.
"Should any of my sons in the Gospel wish to speak or

256 SKETCHES OF THE
write of me when I am gone, they can gather all, and
more than all, that need be said or written. My where
abouts for more than forty years may be found in the
bound Minutes, beginning with 1799. To the question,
' Is there any thing against  ?' the response has uni
formly been, 'Nothing.' I have never been united with
any other brotherhood. The character of a Methodist
preacher I have held sacred, and desire to leave with the
conference and my family an unimpaired reputation. My
traits of character have been closely scanned and defined
in close and confidential intercourse with the bishops,
elders, deacons, and members, in the west, for more than
forty years. I have written a number of historical sketches
for the 'Historical Society,' in which I have made myself
sufficiently prominent.
"In the Life of Bishop Roberts my name is given as the
confidential friend and adviser of that good man, on his
first entrance into the ministry, and when he was elected
bishop. Dr. Bascom will tell you that I signed his first
license to exhort, procured his recommendation, and
brought him before the annual conference for admission,
etc. From these sources sufficient matter for an obituary
may be collected, and that is enough. As to those who
wish to live in fame, when they shall be seen and heard
no more, we may say, in the language of a British bard,
'Perchance some hackney, hunger-bitten scribbler
May insult thy memory, or blot thy tomb,
With long, flat narrative, or duller rhyme,
Drawling aloug, enough to rouse a dead man into rage,
Or warm with red resentment the wan cheek.'
"Upon the whole, beloved John, though we do not wish
to be forgotten, yet it will be no loss to posterity, and do
me no harm to let my character go out with my name, and
remain under seal till Christ shall come."

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 257
TO THE SAME.
"Rural Cottage, January, 1846.
"Beloved John, — As plans and sketches of sermons are
in pretty brisk demand in these days of memorizing, re
peating, and popular preaching, with an eye to the D. D.,
or something better, I thought it would not be amiss to
send you one or two from the head and heart of old Philip
Henry, father of Matthew, you know, found in his 'Life.'
" ' TEXT.
" ' The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Amen,' Philemon, 25. " ' EXORDIUM.
" ' By grace, in the text, is understood,
" ' 1. Not so much the good-will of God toward us in
Christ, as his good work in us by his Spirit. Mark this.
" '2. It is called the grace of Christ, because he is the
author and finisher, the pattern and example of it.
" '3. Now, the choicest things we can ask of God for
our friends is that this grace of our Lord Jesus may be
with their spirit. " ' DISCUSSION.
" ' The grace of Christ in the spirit enlightens the spirit;
quickens the spirit; softens and subdues the spirit; purifies
and preserves the spirit; enlarges and guides the spirit;
sweetens the spirit; and strengthens the spirit with might
in the inner man. " ' APPLICATION.
" 'The grace of Christ in the spirit is "the one thing
needful;" the better part; the root of the matter; the whole
of the Christian; the principal thing; the more excellent
way; a blessing indeed; the gift including all others. But,
ah! my friends, what is a spirit without grace? A field
without a fence; a fool with no understanding; a horse
without bridle; a house without furniture; a soldier with
out armor; a cloud without rain; a tree without fruit; a

258 SKETCHES OF THE
traveler without a guide; a carcass without a soul. Then
how earnestly should we pray for grace, both for ourselves
'and others!'
"My friendly greetings to Evander.* Still as pert as a
lark, no doubt he believes in his heart that he is doing
right, and so did the man who went from Jerusalem to
Damascus, etc.
"A brother who hails from the south-west seems to
apprehend that preachers from 'the southern organization'
would not be received kindly, and might be handled with
out gloves! Now, I would vouch for the Buckeyes, that,
if they will come with the Spirit's two-edged sword, well
furbished, they will be received like gentlemen, and with
Christian courtesy; and Judge Lynch shall not call the
rabble to assist the Church in thrusting them away. I think
my friend Evander will back me, and my warm-hearted
John will support me.
"I have scrawled the above for the want of something
better. Do the work of an evangelist; make full proof
of thy ministry. That is all at present."
The following letter, addressed to Rev. F. Merrick, pro
fessor in the Ohio Wesleyan University, will be read with
interest by all, especially those acquainted with the vener
able pioneer. It is an accurate index to his mode of think
ing, as well as the feelings of his heart.
Mr. Quinn must not be suspected of any opposition to
sound learning, while he refers to the palpable facts of
history, and affirms sober truths. He was in the habit of
representing religion as the mistress, and learning as the
handmaid of Christianity; and before I introduce the
reader to his letter to Professor Merrick, I must allow Mr.
Quinn to explain for himself, as found in his apology to his
friend, a writer in the Western Christian Advocate:
"Our friend, it seems, does not blame me much for
* Evander, the fictitious signature of a writer in Kentucky.

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 259
entertaining fears, lest the handmaid should become mis
tress, and the mistress handmaid, being a little apprehen
sive himself on that score. Judging of 'the future from
the past,' might we not say, from the present, 'Do we not
sometimes now see the handmaid in full uniform, and hear
her flowing eloquence, while little is seen or heard of the
mistress — repentance, faith, and holiness?' Not long since,
a public entertainment was given at one of the public inns
of the Church, and many were in attendance, who were
'hungry for the bread of life;' and who should appear, but
the handmaid, with a dish of chemistry, served up in
learned style; and what should it be, but one of the four
elements analyzed! There was a little murmuring among
the guests; but one comforted them, saying, 'If the
preacher had been in possession of his chemical apparatus,
the house might have been blown down, or we all thrown
out at the windows.' But the subject is grave, and I
acknowledge that our friend guards well against what, it
seems, we both fear. As to what I have said in vin
dication of the fathers, he thinks I used unfairness:
first, in misrepresenting his statements; and, second, in
giving an unfair specimen of the ministerial talents and
characters of the fathers; and compliments • me with the
appellation of 'good, mistaken brother.' Well, I did
understand our friend to mean, that the fathers were so
illiterate, that thejr could not have been useful among an
enlightened, well-informed people, although he allows
them to have been good men, and useful in their day; and
he sticks to his text, and I am not willing to give up mine.
'I said, 'Though not classically educated, yet they were
men of strong minds, well stored with useful knowledge;
that they were mighty in the Scriptures; and that they were
able ministers of the New Testament.' Not so, indeed,
at their first entrance — for then they were illiterate — but
they gave themselves to reading, and their profiting soon

260 SKETCHES OF THE
appeared, to the astonishment of many. In truth, they
were a set of good, sound, common-sense preachers, who
brought home their sermons to the understanding and
heart, by strong and Scriptural appeals. Bishop Asbury,
in preaching the funeral of Dr. Coke, before the Ohio
conference, said the Methodist preachers, as a body, under
stood what they professed to know and teach — that is, the
science of salvation; and old Dr. J. D. T. said of the
Methodist preachers, that they were a set of intelligent,
well-read men; and that their reading was of the best kind;
and he had an opportunity, and was capable of judging;
for he was a scientific man, and was once a traveling
preacher, but took ordination in the Protestant Episcopal
Church, and left us. Well, now, I think that this plain,
Scriptural, common-sense kind of preaching, goes very
well; and with intelligent, well-informed men, I know
many that greatly prefer it; and as to those who only
think themselves intelligent, or wise, perhaps there is as
Httle hope of them now as there was in the days of Solo
mon; and, may be, St. Paul would tell them that they
must become fools, that they may become wise.
"As to the specimen, I think it went fully to sustain the
character of the fathers, as I had set it forth; yet, allow
that it might have been fuller by the addition of such
names as B. Abbott, J. Everitt, P. Cox, T. Hayman, T.
Fleming, T. Wilkerson, J. Watson, and Q. W. P.; then
the specimen would have taken in classical men, and
men that were not perfect in grammar, but who had ac
quired the habit of speaking pretty correctly, by having
kept good company and read good books; being entirely
dependent on men and books — the living and the dead —
both for ideas and words; and who, pray, has his supply
of either from any other source? Now, our friend must
not take me for an enemy, for I think his numbers are
worthy of their name, 'Helps,' and calculated to do good;

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 261
hope they will go into book form, with Dr. C.'s letters,
and show to future generations that the Methodist preach
ers have, from the beginning, had line upon line, precept
upon precept, on the all-important subject of not only
moral, but literary and scientific qualifications for the great
and important work. Yet, as an old-fashioned man, I
might still prefer those old books, which we happened to
read long ago, such as Baxter's Reformed Pastor, Smith's
Lectures, Hannah More's Strictures on the Character and
Writings of St. Paul; and above all, the Portrait of St.
Paul, by J. De La Fletcher. These, indeed, are helps,
powerful helps; and ministers, however learned they may
be, read these books with pleasure. With regard to learn
ing in general, I am not an enemy, but an ardent friend;
and I say to the people on this subject, ' Go ahead — to use
a western-coined phrase — and educate your sons, and do
not let them stop at the half-way house, as some do, but
take them quite through; lest, when they come to show in
public, they should appear a little pedantic, as half-learned
men sometimes do; then, if the Lord converts them, and
calls them to preach, they will know how to keep the hand
maid in her place; and how, and when, and where, to call
her forth; and with Paul, the learned, count all things loss
for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ — refusing to
glory, "save in the cross of Christ" — being thereby cru
cified to the world, and the world crucified to them.' May
the great Lord of the harvest fill the world with such la
borers! Amen."
But it is time to introduce the letter:
"Rural Cottage, February 3, 1846.
"Dear Brother, — Some time ago I received a short,
but very friendly letter from you, to which I should have
replied before now, but found myself lacking in more
respects than one. I wish well to the cause of sound
learning, in which you are so ardently and efficiently

262 sketches of the
engaged; and pray that sound learning, and deep, ardent
piety, may keep pace with each other in the Methodist
Episcopal Church. This, you know, has not always been
the case. In Mr. Wesley's day, he tells us, 'no man
could get orders in the Church except he had received a
university education;' and yet what was the state of re
ligion? what the character of the clergy? Bad enough.
And if it is better now, has it not been chiefly through the
instrumentality of an uneducated ministry? Some of our
young men, who have a little true piety, talk of studying
theology, and preparing themselves for the ministry!
Well, all I have to say is, if the Lord don't call and
qualify them, they will be poor things, after all; and,
instead of 'saving themselves and those who hear them,'
may be the means of damning many, and losing their own
souls. The ministry is holy ground, and no unholy man —
however learned — should venture on it. It is shrewdly
thought and said by some, that our literary institutions are
a little too liberal — perhaps vain — in conferring literary
honors. Some, at least, of those who have received the
literary titles of honor, are known to be very superficial
scholars. 'But Methodist preachers,' they say, 'love high
titles.' "Dear brother Merrick, excuse this liberty of an old
man. The Methodist Church and her ministry are dear
to my heart, yea, dearer than life itself; of this I have
given some proof, in the toils and privations of forty-
seven years; and my love to all that belongs to Methodism
is not less ardent, now that I am old, and worn out, than
it was in the days of my youth and manly vigor. I can
do little now, but pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and
weep over her desolations.
"Well, you wish for something as a memorial, or keep
sake, and mention Bishop Asbury's Bible. Indeed
brother, that is all I have that would be worth presenting;

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 263
but my family cleave to that as such a treasure, that they
can not consent to part with it; besides, my name has
never been officially known, in any connection, with any
of our literary institutions in life, and it would, therefore,
be unimportant to connect it after death — I have had the
honor of being some kind of president in Brush College
for eight years, during which period I had something to
do with the theological training of such men as Finley,
Strange, Bigelow, Bascom, etc.; and it is found in the
bound Minutes — with the exception of one year — ever
since 1799. And in ministerial orders I stand up close to
Mr. Wesley himself; for he ordained Bishop Whatcoat as
his first presbyter, and Bishop Whatcoat ordained me, in
the first year of the nineteenth century.
" Please excuse this bit of pleasantry, as a kind of get-
off, and if you ever come near us, come all the way. We
shall be right glad to see you; we talk sometimes about
you. My health is pretty good, though I am extremely
weak and short of breath; yet I preach a little sometimes.
My wife 'joins in Christian salutations to you and your good
lady. We rub along, having food and raiment; and with
this religion teaches and enables us to be content, while
we trust that in heaven we have a better and an enduring
substance. " I once walked over and admired the lovely site on which
the University stands before such an enterprise was talked
of, and thought what a lovely place it would be for a
seminary of learning. Hope the conferences were provi
dentially directed in the whole business, and that you will
do well and prosper, and it may be the Church will some
time make such arrangements as to put education in reach
of poor Methodist preachers' children. This, however,
will not be in my day; but I can not see reason why the
Church in the United States should not do as well by the
children of their ministers as in England.

264 SKETCHES OF THE
"Now, farewell, my good and kind brother, and pray
for me. Sincerely yours, in Christ Jesus."
The following letter, addressed to the writer in the
summer of 1846, will produce most pleasurable sensations
and emotions in the hearts of many, and excite a thrilling
interest generally. There are some things softly pleasing,
though they sadden the soul. The letter speaks for itself,
and I would not mar its beauty or dilute its strength by a
single remark:
"Dear Brother, — As I have been connected with the
Methodist itinerant ministry almost half a century, and
have never been affiliated with any other brotherhood, it
has been my privilege — and no small one — to have a per
sonal acquaintance with many of the fathers of the Church.
With some of them that acquaintance was close and con
fidential, and to me very profitable. I might name, in
this connection, Coke, Asbury, Whatcoat, Waters, Gar-
retson, Swift, Willis, the Lees, the Hitts, Ware, G. Rob
erts, Rozel, M'Kendree, R. R. Roberts, etc. These all
served their own generation by the will of God, and now
rest from their labors, and their works do follow them.
They believed that the Gospel which proclaims glory to
God, and on the earth peace, good-will to men, was a
system of grace and salvation to and for all men; and
that the grace of God therein appeareth to all men, placing
salvation before them, and putting it within their reach:
that it is, therefore, the power of God to salvation — the
salvation of every one that believeth — a present salvation
from the guilt, the power, and the pollution of sin. They
believed that the preaching of this Gospel in the demon
stration of the Spirit and power, was calculated to spread
Scriptural holiness over these and all lands; that a dispen
sation of this Gospel was committed to them; and that
they were moved by the Holy Ghost to take upon them
the office and enter into the work. They believed, they

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 265
experienced, and they spoke, not indeed with enticing
words of man's wisdom, but in power, and in the Holy
Ghost, and in much assurance. With them justification,
adoption, and sanctification, were clearly and distinctly
set forth, not barely as a systematic theory, but as enter
ing into sound Christian experience, attainable by all
believers in this life, and accompanied by an assurance of
God's love, peace of conscience, and joy in the Holy
Ghost. They believed that he who would spread Scrip
tural holiness must possess in his own experience, and
carry out in spirit and practice, the principles of Gospel
holiness. Hence, they sought, found, lived, and preached
Scriptural holiness. And, 0, with what glowing zeal!
with what burning love! and how extensively did the sa
cred flame spread! In one of Bishop Asbury's letters,
still in my possession, he gave me this exhortation: ' 0,
my son, seek sanctification, live it, preach it. If we would
spread holiness, we must possess it: we must be holy.'
They all preached holiness clearly and Scripturally, as set
forth and defended in the works of Wesley and Fletcher.
But I think Bishop Whatcoat was pre-eminent. He had
walked in the light of God's countenance, enjoying the
blessing of perfect love for more than forty years. I
might venture to say of him, as Dr. Coke said of Mr.
Fletcher in the General conference in 1804, '0, what a
saint of God was he! Never shall I look upon his like
again on this side paradise.' If a holy unction was com
municated by the laying on of hands in ordination, I might
indulge a secret pleasure, if no more, in the thought, that
I was set apart to the office and work of a deacon and
elder by the laying on of the hands of Richard Whatcoat,
and hold my ordination parchments with the seal and sig
nature of Mr. Wesley's first ordained presbyter.
"Our Episcopacy certainly originated with Mr. Wesley.
He chose the episcopal form of Church government for the
23

266 SKETCHES OF THE
societies in America. He chose and appointed a presbyter
of the Church of England to the episcopal office, and then
set him apart to the office and work of a general superin
tendent, or bishop, by the imposition of hands — assisted
by other presbyters — according to the forms of ordination
in the Church of England. He, at the same time, chose
and appointed to the same office and work, a man who, at
that time, was neither deacon nor presbyter — Francis
Asbury. He also ordained Richard Whatcoat and Thomas
Vasey presbyters, and sent them with Dr. Coke to organize
the Church in America, with special directions to ordain
F. Asbury to the episcopal office and work. Mr. Asbury
declined receiving the office by Mr. Wesley's appointment,
unless it met the approbation of the conference of preach
ers. They voted — perhaps unanimously — approving of
Mr. Wesley's choice and appointment, and he was ordained
deacon, elder, or presbyter, and superintendent. The con
ference then, by another vote, received 'Thomas Coke
and F. Asbury as joint superintendents, being fully satis
fied of the validity of their episcopal ordination.' Any
one who will be at the pains of looking closely into this
matter, must see that the votes given by the conference
were not votes conferring or creating office, but votes of
approval and acceptance. They might have rejected the
whole plan with the office and men, but they accepted.
To illustrate my meaning, I refer to the case of Bishops
Soule and Hedding, in 1 824. They were elected to the
office of bishop by simple majorities; but upon the expres
sion of hesitancy on the part of those brethren, a resolu
tion was introduced, expressing the desire of the confer
ence that they dismiss their doubts and misgivino-s, and
submit to the judgment of their brethren. This resolution
was adopted by a rising vote, and I think it was unan
imous. But who does not see that this was not the vote
eroating office? Neither were those which were given by

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 267
the conference in 1784. Besides, they were neither dea
cons nor elders.
"Having now received orders, and an organization being
effected, they proceeded to make rules and regulations for
carrying on the glorious work on the great original itin
erant plan. Upon this plan Scriptural hohness has been
spread to some extent over these lands. 0, may it still
continue to spread and spread more extensively and glori
ously! But I fear there is a tendency to locality. One
said, 'Your itinerancy has done wonders; it has roused
the world; but it has had its day, and must go down.
It never can be expected that a learned clergy, who study
and write their sermons, can submit to the toils and priva
tions of an itinerant life.' Well, I hope such predictions
will never come to pass; but a lovely son in the Gospel
writes me thus: 'I have a fine four weeks' circuit, with
five rest days in every week, and a very pleasant boarding-
place.' And I have knowledge of other arrangements
nearly, or quite, as pleasant; and that, too, in regions
where some of us 'beat the bush,' and were glad to get
rough food, even when we thought it might not be very
clean. When I look away to the ' land of steady habits,'
where they have pews, and organs, and pay the choir to
do their singing — where the itinerant is snugly fixed in
the village station, and the local preacher doing what little
itinerant work is done, my fears come on. But then I
look to God, and say,
* Away, my unbelieving fears.'
" 'The Lord hath founded Zion, and the poor of his
people shall trust in it.' Well, the Methodist societies in
the United States became an episcopal Church, with an
energetic itinerant superintendency vested in the Episco
pacy, with prerogatives, duties, and responsibihties well
defined. The conference might have done away epis
copacy, and destroyed the plan of an itinerant general

268 SKETCHES OF THE
superintendency at any time between 1784 and 1808; but
at no time since have they had power to do either, without
a direct and open violation of the constitution, which says,
' They shall not change or alter any part or rule of our
government, so as to do away episcopacy, or destroy the
plan of our itinerant general superintendency.' When Dr.
Coke asked the conference to district the work, he asked no
more than the conference had power to do. Not so now.
"My strength is gone, and I can go in and out with my
dear brethren no longer; but my heart is with them. I think
I have loved the cause in which they are engaged better
than life. I have likened myself to the old farmer. In the
strength of manhood, with his youthful consort, he entered
the dense forest and commenced operations. He cleared off
a spot on rising ground, near a lovely spring of water, then
put up his cabin. Then with ax, maul, wedge, and mat
tock, he attacked the forest, and by hard toiling — submit
ting, in the mean time, to many privations — he succeeded in
subduing the wild forest, and transforming it into fruitful
fields. We visited him in his cabin when he had just
commenced his labors, and after the lapse of more than
thirty years we visited him again, and gazed with wonder
over the splendid farm, with neat and comfortable house,
barns, out-houses, orchards, etc. Upon entering the
dwelling, there sat my old friend in his arm-chair, with
his Bible on the stand. His spectacles raised on his
wrinkled forehead, and staff at hand, he rose to receive
me; but I saw that the strong men bowed themselves,
the keepers of the house trembled, while those that looked
out at the windows were darkened. His sons and his
daughters were grown up and married, and he had buried
Rachel. The wife of his youth was no more. He had
retired from business, and had given up the farm, stock,
and all, to the direction and management of his trust
worthy sons. And yet it was apparent that he still held

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 269
a lingering interest in the premises, as though they might,
or would suffer, if he did not extend his guardian care
over them. He knew every nook and corner of the exten
sive farm. He had a gateway into every apartment,
which he could open and shut at pleasure, and he kept an
old pacing horse, that he could ride in safety; and when
the weather was fair, he would mount the old horse, and
off he would go from field to field, from pasture to pasture,
and from one inclosure into another, till the whole was
visited. Then a dialogue, something like the following,
might be heard:
"Father. I was out in that far pasture, and saw some
strange, wild-looking cattle.
"Son. They are some I took in a few days ago.
"F. I suppose the gate has been left open, and the
hogs are in among the sheep, and they will destroy the
lambs, I fear.
"S. I will have that matter attended to, but have a
number of important matters on hand. I will send the
boys. "F. But some of them are already missing. I think it
ought to be attended to without delay.
"S. Well, we have a great many of them, and some of
them poor, dirty things, are of but little worth. It will be
no great loss if they do stray off, or the hogs eat them.
"F. Ah, the time may come when you will think differ
ently, etc.
"Ah, poor old man! he is behind the times. He thinks
that matters must be done up in the old way, or they are
not done right.
"Mr. Wesley said that a proper attention to the rule on
visiting from house to house, would drive from among us
all those preachers who are as salt which has lost its savor;
for to such this employment would be mere drudgery.
And surely such . preachers are a drag upon any Church,
23*

270 SKETCHES OF THE
however talented they may be. I am inclined to think
that the tendency of the Church South is to high diocesan
episcopacy, and that of the north and north-west to pres-
byterial or congregational parity. The 'summary' doc
trine on the character of our Episcopacy looks that way.
"The Methodist Episcopal Church, as a whole, will
never again be as she has been, or what she once was.
A politician, fifty years ago, said, 'The Methodist Episco
pal Church will spread over these United States, and then
break down with her own weight.' If Bayard had lived
a few years longer, he might have said, ' My prediction is
fulfilled.' 0, I hope He who walketh among the golden
candlesticks, and holdeth the stars in his right hand, will
not cast us quite away!"
TO REV. JOHN W. FOWBLE.
"At Home, July 18, 1846.
"Dear Son, — It is some time since we received your
kind letter informing us of your affairs, in which we still
take an interest. We are glad to hear that you are so
pleasantly situated, and so well provided for, and especially
that you have success in the great work in which you are
engaged. May you still prosper more and more, and to
the end!
"I fear that there is too little originality in the sermons
we sometimes hear — too much memorizing. 'O, popular
applause, what heart of man is proof against thy seducing
charms!' That heart that is renewed by grace, that heart,
' Where only Christ is heard to speak —
Where Jesus reigns alone,'
may such a heart be thine and mine while life shall last!
"I am glad that the Lord hath given you a son, and I
hope you have given him to the Lord. 0, may he be as
good and as great as was the holy man whose name you
have given to him! [George Cookman.] He took me by
the hand and led me to his pulpit in Philadelphia in 1 832,

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 271
but I never saw his face again, nor shall I till the earth
and sea shall give up the dead which are in them.
" I traveled over the ground where you are now travel
ing in 1800; it was then, comparatively, a wilderness,
with solitary places, but now a pleasant and fruitful field.
So the Scriptures are fulfilled."
Mr. Quinn was able to be at the conference at Piqua
September 2, 1846, in rather an improved state of health.
He mingled with the brethren with more than a common
flow of spirits, and participated in the business of the
conference to a greater extent than he had for several
years. When his name was called he made a brief ad
dress to his brethren, the substance of which is here given:
"Mr. President, — Forty and six years have my breth
ren passed my character without objection. Yet I have
some things against myself. I am a minister of the eight
eenth century, ordained by the venerable Whatcoat. I
spent four years of my itinerant life in Pennsylvania and
Virginia, and one on the shore of Lake Erie. To avoid
one of the city stations I petitioned to be sent west. It
was granted, and in 1804 I found myself in the Hocking
Valley. The first Western conference I attended was held
at Mount Gerizim, Ky., October 2, 1804; and I see here
but one man that I met there — brother Jacob Young.
When I cast my eyes over the conference, I see the sons
and the grandsons of those who bade me welcome into
their cabins more than forty years ago. I am now a
worn-out preacher; yet I have a relish for my food, sleep
as sweetly as an infant, have no local disease, and can
preach occasionally thirty or forty minutes, and loud
enough to be distinctly heard by an ordinary congregation.
I have peace with God, and a good hope, through grace,
of everlasting life. I have the sympathies of my brethren;
they almost burden me with their kindness. They are
all ready to contribute to the comfort of their senior

272 SKETCHES OF THE
brother. They have my ardent love. It gives me great
pleasure to meet them in conference, and if alive and able
I will go to conference next year. And if I go to heaven, I
do not know but I shall be permitted to satisfy my anxiety,
by looking from paradise upon you at your annual meet
ings. "I have got back, Mr. President, to the place of begin
ning. I went to the class-leader where my family meet, and
requested him to put my name on the class-book, saying
I would attend when able. The young preacher seeing
my name on the book, seemed a little embarrassed to meet
me. I said, ' Come on, brother; I love to have my
brethren talk to me of Jesus and his dying love.'
"I live convenient to three districts, and have the privi
lege of attending brother Wright's, brother Simmons', and
brother Connell's quarterly meetings. But I shall soon
close my earthly pilgrimage, and rest in my Father's
house above. Pray for your aged brother, that he may
meet you all in heaven."
The conference, knowing the very small amount Mr.
Quinn would receive as a superannuated minister, made a
contribution to assist him. In presenting the amount col
lected, Rev. G. W. Walker made an appropriate address to
him in the presence of his brethren, to which he responded
in a few words, expressive of his gratitude, manifesting at
the same time much feeling and deep emotion.
Having furnished the reader with a plan selected by
Mr. Quinn from Mr. Henry, and embraced in his letter to
Mr. Bruce, I will now insert a brief skeleton of his own,
as a specimen of his method of explaining and applying
an important portion of Scripture. It is taken from many
hundreds, not because it is judged to be the best of all
he has left, but it is esteemed good. While there is
nothing elaborate or far-fetched in the four general prop
ositions, the subdivisions are exceedingly natural, brief,

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 273
and simple — well calculated to make a vivid impression on
the mind. The text is taken from
"PHILIPPIANS II, 6-11.
"I. The personal dignity and glory of Christ.
"1. In the form of God, etc.
"2. Equal with God.
"II. His voluntary and deep humiliation.
" 1. Made in the likeness of men.
"2. Found in fashion as a man.
"3. Took on himself the form of a servant.
"4. Became obedient unto death, even the death of the
cross. "His obedience for man met the claims of the first cov
enant, and released man from its curse.
"III. His glorious exaltation.
"1. In our nature as our Representative, Advocate, and
High Priest.
"2. Sacerdotal and gracious prerogative as our Savior.
"3. His regal prerogative as King in Zion.
"Lord of the universe and King eternal of all mankind.
"IV. His universal triumph in the subjugation of all to
his authority.
"Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess. His
willing subjects to the glory of his abounding grace.
"His rebel foes to the glory of his justice."

274 SKETCHES OF THE

CHAPTER XV
Return from conference — Good spirits — Anecdotes — Conversa
tion a source of information — Dreads the common habit of old
men — Watches, and is safe — Pioneer's rest — Description of the
house — Furniture — Engravings — Springs, garden, orchard — Barn
and stock — Venerable owner — Has learned how to be old — Lights
and shadows of his itinerant life — Letter to his son — Attentive to
his own children and other youths — Good counsel — Resurrection
of the body — Purely a doctrine of revelation — Dangerous illness —
Depressed and tempted — Victory obtained — Beautiful poem — Pri
vate interview — Expresses his wishes in regard to his interment
and funeral — Recovers, and lives several months — Happy retrospec
tion — Tale of hardships — Hockhocking Valley — Athens — Univer
sity — Preachers — Rev. H. S. Fernandes — His tomb — Quarterly
meeting — Address in love-feast — Accompanies the writer to Lou
den Church — Rests well — Happy in the morning — His solicitude
to attend conference — Is gratified — Farewell address — Present con
ference — Western conference in 1804 — Field of labor — Scioto cir
cuit — Hard labor — Discouragements — Some returned to worldly
business — Others kept on, cheered by the blessing of God — First
church in the Scioto Valley — Wesleyan succession — New Testa
ment authority — The bishops — Whole itinerant plan.
Mr. Quinn returned from conference in an improved
state of health, and with a fine flow of spirits. He accom
panied me to several of the charges of the district, and
frequently assisted us in the labors of the pulpit at our
quarterly meetings. In riding in the carriage with me,
we had an excellent opportunity for conversation, and
many of the incidents found in his biography were received
from his own lips during the last three years of his life.
He treasured up many things in his youth, and seemed to
have an anecdote appropriate on all occasions. At one
time, when he received a refreshing drink of water in the
heat of summer, he remarked that he knew an aged and
very pious lady who was in the habit of returning thanks
thus: "Thank God for a cool drink of water; there is not
a drop of it in all hell!" This was certainly an awful

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 275
description of hell, and people should make a powerful
effort to escape that place where there is no water!
In listening to his conversation, I have often been re
minded of the anecdote of Bishop Asbury. In preaching
once, he announced an inquiry as though it had been made
by one in the congregation: "How do you preachers know
so much?" He then answered, "We tell one another."
And truly it is a source of much information to hear intel
ligent and good men converse; and he who will not learn
from this source, will not likely ever know much.
It is not an unusual thing for aged men to become ego
tistical, and make large calculations on the deference and
attention of others, on the ground of their seniority and
services rendered. Mr. Quinn was esteemed an excep
tion to this general course. He exhibited in old age all
his former diffidence, modesty, and unfeigned humility.
He appeared to have a lively apprehension of the danger,
and feared so much that he might fall into the common
errors of old men, that he was guarded every hour, and,
by constant vigilance, stood secure. He had watched
these things in others when developed, and saw the effect
they produced in the minds of their acquaintances, and
therefore braced himself by a variety of strong motives,
which rendered him quite safe from this common habit.
In his confidential interviews with the writer on this sub
ject, he has sometimes quoted from Hannah More the
maxim which he always desired to practice. It is found
in her Sacred Drama, where she represents David as say
ing to Saul: " I would not aught from favor claim,
Or on remembered services presume;
But on the strength of my own actions stand,
Ungrac'd and unsupported."
The writer, for the satisfaction of the numerous and
distant friends of Mr. Quinn, furnished for publication in

276 SKETCHES OF THE
our western periodical, early in October, 1846, a descrip
tion of his residence, giving it the name of the "Pioneer's
Rest." I freely confess that every thing that appertained
to the venerable pioneer, and all of his class, was interest
ing to me; and I know we are apt to suppose that what
ever interests ourselves will affect others in a similar way.
I think, however, this description will be read with pleas
ure, as it will give all the readers of his Life some idea
how the home of that good man appeared at the time it
was written:
" The Pioneer's Rest is about five miles north-west of
Hillsboro, in Highland county, Ohio. It is a beautiful
situation; and although it is not immediately on any large
road, it is easy of access, and well adapted to the retiring
and modest disposition of the worthy man who occupies it.
As you approach the little farm from the east, you enter
by a large gate, and pass up a lane to the house, standing,
north and south, on a small eminence. The building I
would suppose forty-six by twenty-two feet, a story and a
half high, with stone chimneys. The body is made of
logs, weather-boarded in front, with a piazza the entire
length of the house. The piazza is well-nigh surrounded
with the coral honeysuckle, the rose, and the sweet-brier.
The front yard is beautifully set with fruit, shade, and
ornamental trees, and shrubs: among which may be seen
the althea, and the balm of Gilead, the cedar, and a great
variety of the rose. On the border of the yard, and but
a few steps from the house, is one of Nature's purest
fountains gushing from the rock. A little lower down
there is another spring, over which the spring-house
stands. A short distance east of the spring is the garden
spot, cultivated in vegetables and flowers. North-east
from the house, and but a short distance, is the orchard,
furnishing a variety of excellent fruit. South-west from
the house may be seen the barn and stables. This little

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 277
farm is stocked, perhaps, with the variety that is common,
but to a very limited extent. A fine flock of sheep may
be seen eagerly surrounding the superannuated minister,
their shepherd; and truly they know his voice, and they
follow him.
" Perhaps it may not be amiss to describe the interior of
some of the apartments of this humble dwelling. As you
enter what may be called the parlor, facing the fireplace,
which is north, you will see 'the eye of time,' the mantle
clock; on the left of which hangs the large portrait of
Bishop Asbury, and on the right that of M'Kendree. On
the west side, and between the door and window, hangs,
neatly framed, brother Quinn's certificate of life member
ship in the Parent Missionary Society of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. On the south, clustered together, are
the portraits of all the presidents of these United States,
except Mr. T. and Mr. P. On the east side, and near the
corner, stands a plain bureau, supporting the bookcase,
which contains a small library of well-selected and most
valuable books, chiefly theological. Near the east door,
and under the looking-glass, there is a small stand, on
which may be seen a beautiful copy of the holy Scriptures,
used in the devotions of the family. Adjoining the sit
ting-room, and south of it, is what may be called the
preachers' room, somewhat better furnished than the
prophet's room of old. And this venerable man and his
lovely family are always glad to have the preachers and
their wives call to see them. They are 'given to hospi
tality.' "The distinguished pioneer of Methodist itinerants in
the once 'far-off west,' who rests in this habitation, is
much more interesting than any object embraced in my
description. Indeed, it is he alone that gives interest to
the various items of this communication. His person was
once a noble and beautiful specimen of the human form;
24

278 SKETCHES OF THE
but the frosts of seventy-one winters have covered his
head with the whiteness of wool. He is bending beneath
the weight of years. His cheeks are furrowed, and his
flesh and strength are wasted; so that all who behold him
will readily admit, that he properly and deservingly sus
tains a superannuated relation to the Ohio conference.
His numerous and distant acquaintances will rejoice to learn
that he has a place and a habitation, and truly a 'sweet
home' it is, at which to spend the evening of his days,
and where he can say to his friends, ' Come in.' His vis
itors usually find him seated in his plain armed-chair —
cushioned, I presume, by his own excellent wife — for he
never lies down during the day. His conversation will
not fail to interest and edify his guests. I look to him as
the best model, for aged men, that I have known. He
appears constantly striving to learn how to be old, and
makes good proficiency, to say the least; and although
this is said to be a hard and difficult lesson, yet it is cer
tainly attainable, and all may be encouraged to learn how
to be patient, agreeable, useful, and happy in old age."
Under date of February 23, 1847, Mr. Quinn, in cor
recting an error in the view given in the fifth volume of
the Ladies' Repository, of the scene at Harper's Ferry,
speaks of the Potomac, as seen on the right, and Shenan
doah on the left hand, and then expatiates a little upon
some of the lights and shadows of his itinerant life, as fol
lows: "Forty-five years ago, in the order of Providence, it
was my lot to travel the extensive circuit lying in that
lovely valley, extending from Harper's Ferry, up each
river, say fifty miles. In passing round and through this
noble circuit, we crossed the valley — diagonally  twice,
Shenandoah twice, and the Blue Ridge twice. That was a
glorious year on Berkley and Winchester circuits; for they
were joined in one that year: many souls were brought to

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 279
God, Out of this revival and its results, the Lord raised
up six or seven able preachers. One carpenter, two shoe
makers, one gunsmith, and a wagon -maker, were of the
number. The Lord knows who to make preachers of, and
where to find them. That was one of my happiest years.
It was my fourth year. And at the next conference I
received orders, and turned my face to the west, spending
one year on the way, chiefly in the Alleghany Mountains, as
if to take a last and lingering farewell of my beloved
mother— Baltimore conference. During that year the
Lord made bare his arm in the mountains and valleys, and
many souls were brought to God.
"The first camp meeting on the western waters was held
that year — 1 802. Greenbury R. Jones, of Ohio, and James
and Tobias Riley, both of Baltimore conference, were raised
up in this revival. They were good ministers of Christ.
They served their generation faithfully, and have fallen
asleep. When I was transferred to the great western
valley, I thought, in my heart, I could venture to say, with
Paul, ' I will very gladly spend and be spent for this peo
ple.' And now, after the toils and privations of more
than forty years, I think I might venture to change the
passage from the future to the past tense, and say, ' I have
spent and am spent.' I now have a tent on the very back
bone of the two fat valleys — Miami and Scioto — for the
lovely spring from which we drink flows away into the
Scioto; and another lovely fountain, sixty perches distant,
on the west end of my one hundred acre lot, meanders
away into the Miami. Over these valleys I often look with
an interest and feeling not to be expressed. 0, the toils,
privations, labors, and sufferings, I, with others, have had!
Well, well, what of all that? He that can not endure
hardness is not likely to make a good soldier:
' To patient faith the prize is sure.'
" 0, the amount of good that has been accomplished by

280 SKETCHES OF THE
those toils and privations! 'Look to heaven for your
reward,' say some of our kindred friends, when we have
ventured to say we were a little straitened, 'look to heaven,
brother, for your pay.' 0, true, and where are you to
look for your pay? Here am I in the interior of rich
Ohio; and if I could ride on old Pompey forty miles a day,
I could go from here to Harper's Ferry, and lodge every
night within the bounds of some circuit on which I had
once traveled. But I should find only the second and
third generations of those with whom I was sweetly united
in Gospel fellowship. Farewell, loved ones! We shall not
lose our friends above, but more enjoy them there."
The following letter written to his son, Dr. Isaac H.
Quinn, is deemed worthy of a place in his " Life." Though
somewhat reserved and dignified in his manner, as a
father, yet his children were permitted to enjoy close and
confidential intercourse with him. He took much pains to
secure them against prevailing errors, and to guide them
into all truth. His talents and energies were all enlisted
in the defense of every important doctrine in the wide range
of evangelical truth. In the closing years of his life, he
appeared to take a special interest in the young people of
his acquaintance, and nothing delighted him so much as
to explain to them the word of God, whenever he could
get their attention, either in public or private. Though he
did not obtrude himself as a debater on any, yet he loved
to meet the objections of the youthful skeptic with the
powerful truths of revelation. And he conducted the dis
cussion in such a kind spirit, and with so much manifest
solicitude for the good of the inquirer, that he seldom
failed to convince the judgment of the truth, and produce
an impression on the heart in favor of Christianity. The
doctrine of the resurrection of the body, which is the prin
cipal subject of the letter, was deemed by him of vital im
portance, and he argues it with his usual clearness, brevity,

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 281
and force. The aged as well as the young may read it
with interest and profit; and let all remember it is the
voice of a father, in the last year of his life, falling upon
the ears of a son. "Rural Cottage, March 1, 1847.
"Beloved Son, — We were all made very glad in receiv
ing a letter from you, bearing date February 13. In order
that you may be respected, it will be of great importance
that you form and keep up a close and very intimate
acquaintance with one strictly-honest and religious man.
This you will find to be next in importance to the favor
and approbation of God, as in that acquaintance — properly
cultivated — you may always have the answer of a good
conscience; and this is more than all the world besides.
"One writer has said, 'It is dangerous to dip into most
men beneath the surface, lest our curiosity should rob us
of our good opinion.' However rude it may be to dip into
others, and however often you may be robbed of your
good opinion in dipping into other men, return and dip,
yea, dip often, and dip deep; and on finding all things
about right in your religiously -honest man, you may hold
up your head and sing, 'I'm happy on my journey home.'
"We are not displeased that your attention has been
called to a very grave subject; a subject in which all men
have an interest of vast import; a subject which ought not
to be discussed in the dim glimmerings of philosophy or
metaphysics, but in the pure light of revelation; for as
philosophy did not, could not, make the discovery, so
neither can it develop and set it forth free from ambiguity.
Indeed, on subjects of pure revelation, philosophy often
only leads to 'bewilder and dazzles to blind.' 'Beware,
then,' saith Paul, 'lest any spoil you through philosophy
and science, falsely so called.'
"But you desire me to give you my views on the grave
subject which you have been discussing. If I attempt
24*

SKETCHES OF THE

this, it must be briefly and with marks of imbecility. But
I will try a little. And, first, I hold that death is in the
world — as a penal forfeiture of life— by or through the sin
of Adam. 'By the disobedience of one, judgment came
upon all men.' And again, 'In Adam all die; by man
came death;' and the Jews believed that there would be a
resurrection, both of the just and unjust. But when Paul
preached Jesus and the resurrection to the wise men of
Greece, some mocked, and others said, ' He seemeth to be
a setter-forth of strange gods.' Whence this difference?
We answer, the Jews had the light of revelation on the
subject, which the Greeks had not. They, with all their
learning, had to grope their way, by the dim light of
nature, and so 'feel after God, if haply they might find
him,' as that apostle saith. But when the fullness of the
time was come, God sent forth his Son, and Christ took the
form of a servant, and as the children were partakers of
flesh and blood, he took part of the same; and thus he
became the kinsman of our guilty and ruined race, in
order that, through death, he might abolish death, and —
as the glorious 'repairer of the breach' — he might bring
life and immortality to light, and so restore paths for men
to dwell in; and, through suffering, bring many sons to
glory. " Second. So you see I hold that Christ's commission
and mediatorial work embrace the whole family of man, as
they came from Adam, depraved, guilty, and under the
sentence of death. But Jesus proclaims himself 'the
resurrection and the life,' and declares that 'the hour is
coming, when all that are in their graves shall hear his
voice, [the voice of the Son of God,] and come forth;
they that have done good, to the resurrection of life; and
they that have done evil, to the resurrection of damnation,'
John v, 28. ' And many of them that sleep in the dust of
the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 283
to shame and everlasting contempt,' Daniel xii, 2. Again,
'The earth and the sea gave up the dead which were
in them, and the dead, small and great, stood before God.'
So that in the final judgment the individuality — the per
sonal identity of each individual — will be so secured that
each shall give account of himself to the Judge of quick
and dead, and 'receive the things done in his body, accord
ing to that which he hath done, whether it be good or
bad.' O, my son, keep this solemn and final reckoning in
view. But to proceed: you may observe an essential and
important difference between the just and the unjust, in
their rising and coming forth; those who live in Christ here
and die in the Lord, sleep in Jesus; their flesh resteth in
hope, and their souls are with him in paradise; and when
he shall descend, with a shout, and the voice of the arch
angel, and come to be glorified in his saints, he will bring
them with him; when, saith the apostle — 1 Cor. xv, 52 —
at the last trump, in a moment, and in the twinkling of an
eye, the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we — mark
well — we shall be changed; that is, the bodies of the
saints, those who died in the Lord and slept in Jesus.
You may observe that when Christ ' shall be revealed from
heaven with his mighty angels,' etc. — 2 Thes. — he will
come to be glorified in his saints, and take vengeance on
them that obey not his Gospel. He will be glorified in his
saints by changing or transforming their bodies like unto
his glorious body. Mark the model. Not as born of
Mary; not as he appeared among the Jews and was recog
nized by them as the carpenter, the son of Joseph and
Mary; not as he appeared at Pilate's bar; not as he
appeared to his disciples at different times, and divers
places, after his resurrection; but as he appears in glorified
humanity, as the great mediator, at the right hand of the
throne of the Majesty in the heavens. The three disci
ples, Peter, James, and John, had a glimpse of that glory

284 SKETCHES OF THE
on the mount of transfiguration, Stephen when he was
dying, Paul on his way to Damascus, and John in the Isle
of Patmos. So that while the saints shall be raised to
immortality, their bodies shall be changed and fashioned
like the glorious or glorified body of the Lord Jesus, so
that they shall be like him, for they shall see him as he is,
not as he was. The wicked shall be raised too, to immor
tality; but not to eternal life, but to everlasting shame
and contempt; for they are to be 'punished with everlasting
destruction from the presence of the Lord and the glory
of his power.' 'These shall go away into everlasting
punishment, but the righteous into life eternal. So far
the pure, unerring light of revelation leads the way, and
so far we may go with certainty.
"I would write more on this important subject, but have
had a pretty severe attack of rheumatism. Farewell."
In March, 1847, Mr. Quinn suffered a most severe ill
ness from inflammatory rheumatism. As soon as I reached
Hillsboro I heard of his extreme illness, and that he de
sired me to visit him. On the 28th of the month we
closed our quarterly meeting in that station, and I deter
mined to devote the next day principally to the service of
my afflicted senior brother. His old friend, Mr. C. Crum,
accompanied me to "the Pioneer's Rest." When we
arrived we found he had suffered exceedingly for three
weeks. The severity of the pain had well-nigh exhausted
all his strength, and he was nearly helpless. It was
thought, however, he had passed the crisis of the attack,
and if the violent pain did not return, he might soon be
restored to a somewhat comfortable condition of health.
He was gradually gaining strength, and could converse in
a very low tone of voice, without much fatigue. He had
endured, in a,-p,art of his affliction, a dreary season of de
pression and gloom. The enemy had thrust sorely at him,
but he soon obtained a comfortable view into the upper

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 285
sanctuary, as he expressed it, and the cloud bursted, and
his soul triumphed in the rock and God of his salvation;
and I found him happy in the supposed near approach of
death, and in the prospect of eternity. While conversing
on death and the glory which is to follow, his eyes seemed
to sparkle with the sacred fires of religion, his soul being
inspired by the hope of immortality and eternal life. I
need not say it afforded me sincere pleasure to sit for
hours at his bedside, and receive again from his feeble lips
words of edification and comfort. He commenced repeat
ing, then referred me to a piece of poetry, which he judged
well suited to an old man. It was evident, however, he
admired and adopted its language as expressive of his own
views and feelings in old age. It was as follows:
"Days of my youth, ye have glided away,
Hairs of my youth, ye are frosted and gray;
Eyes of my youth, your keen sight is no more;
Cheeks of my youth, ye are furrowed all o'er;
Strength of my youth, all your vigor is gone;
Thoughts of my youth, your gay visions are flown.
Days of my youth, I wish not your recall;
Hairs of my youth, I'm content ye should fall;
Eyes of my youth, ye much evil have seen;
Cheeks of my youth, bathed in tears ye have been:
Thoughts of my youth, ye have led me astray;
Strength of my youth, why lament your decay?
Days of my age, ye will shortly be passed,
Pains of my age, yet awhile may ye last;
Joys of my age, in true wisdom delight;
Eyes of my age, be religion your light;
Thoughts of my age, dread ye not the cold sod;
Hopes of my age, be ye fixed on your God."
I remained with him till after 4 o'clock, P. M.; read
the fifth chapter of Job, and offered up prayers, interces
sions, and giving of thanks in the family circle, and at the
bedside of my suffering brother. It seemed to be a season
of special grace and interest to all present.

Zbb SKETCHES OF THE
He desired that all should leave the room, having a few
things to say to me alone. When all had retired he pro
ceeded, with the utmost calmness, to give me some instruc
tion in regard to his funeral and interment. He requested
that when his remains should be prepared, and the proper
time for their interment arrived, that a short service be
performed at the house, including reading a portion of
Scripture, exhortation, and prayer. And at the place of
interment he desired that the whole of the burial service
should be read. He then added, "If any thing more
should be thought necessary, let there be a time and place
appointed, when all my children can attend, and a funeral
sermon preached." He desired that the writer should
preach the sermon, if alive and could attend; and de
sired also that he should perform the service at his burial,
if convenient.
In humility he remarked, "I wish nothing unnecessary
said — no eulogy. I am of low origin — converted in my
youth, and thrust out into the work by others rather than
myself. Of my God I deserve nothing, but I do believe
I deserve the confidence of my brethren, both of the min
istry and laity. I have spent and am spent in the service
of the Church." This was an affecting interview to me,
and it now seems if I had not written his words soon after
they were spoken, I would scarcely have forgotten them,
as they made such an impression on my mind. I left this
house of mourning under a very pleasant persuasion
that I should meet him again on earth, and have another
opportunity of conversing with him on various subjects
of interest to myself and others. And so it was. He
recovered and enjoyed nearly his usual health for several
months. This aged minister, having served in that high vocation
nearly half a century, and under circumstances of a strik
ing and eventful character, must have realized a most

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 287
exquisite pleasure in the remembrance of the past. From
his point of observation the whole of the checkered scene,
through which he had been conducted, appeared spread
out before him. The mixed cup of which he drank was
still in hand, and all the variety that filled it at every
period recollected. Opportunities of doing good were
looked upon as the golden spots of time; and even the
toils and sufferings endured, now that they were past,
appeared light and momentary, and formed green places
along the journey of life. And 0, what comfort must
the reflection have afforded him, that they would ulti
mately form a constellation of brilliant stars in the crown
of his rejoicing in heaven, when permitted to receive that
"exceeding great and eternal weight of glory!"
Hear him tell the tale of some of his hardships, as
follows: "My first missionary excursion, up the Hockhocking
Valley, was performed in the last month of the last year
of the eighteenth century. Leaving the vicinity of Mari
etta, I ascended the Muskingum to the mouth of Wolf
creek; there I took the trace to Athens, and the falls of
Hocking. But, taking the right hand trace, I left Athens
to the left hand; and, passing through Amestown, I struck
Hockhocking at the identical spot where Nelsonville now
stands. There, at the root of a lovely beech-tree, I tried
to pray, and pleaded the promise, 'Lo, I am with you.'
Bless the Lord! While I pen this my eyes fill up with
tears; but they are not the tears of grief and sorrow.
Having given my horse his mess of corn, and eat my piece
of pome and meat, I cut my name on the beech, mounted
poor Wilks, and went ahead. Between sundown and
dark, I reached the old Indian town near the falls. Here
I found three families. They came together, and I
preached to them salvation in the name of Jesus, and they
appeared to feel their need of a Savior. I passed on up

288 SKETCHES OF THE
the river, as far as there were settlements, spending near
a week with the people, chiefly in the vicinity of where
Lancaster now is. I then returned by the way I had
come, and stopped again at my beech-tree. I saw it again
after the lapse of several years; but the people have taken
it away, and have put a town there; and the Lord hath
planted a Church and recorded his name there. And if
the people of that little city were to cast an eye down to
the bank of their little river, and let imagination run back
to the beginning of the present century, they might see,
with the mind's eye, what angels oft have seen — a lonely
missionary, meekly kneeling at the root of a tree, far from
human habitation, devoutly praying, that the wilderness
and solitary places might be made glad and blossom as
the rose, and desert places learn the joys.
"The Hockhocking Valley is not wide, and the country
on each side is rather hilly; but it is moderately good
farming land, and abounds with coal and iron ore. The
lateral cut from the great Ohio canal, passing down this
valley, from the head, through Lancaster, to the mouth,
will be of great utility to the country.
"Saturday night found me at Athens, or I found my
self there, and in comfortable lodgings at the house of a
Mr. Stevens. The people came together on the next day,
which, I think, was the first Sabbath of January, 1800.
I took for my text St. Paul's language to the Athenians
of old times, ' Of this ignorance,' etc. It' was a solemn
time. There were a few Methodists then in the region
round about, and their hearts were made to leap for joy.
My senior, the Rev. Jesse Stoneman — now with God — was
an excellent man, and a good preacher. He exerted a
favorable influence, and good was done. Methodism has
had an embodied existence in Athens and its vicinity ever
since. Though at times very feeble, yet the circuit has
had the regular supply of approved ministers, with their

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 289
diversity of gifts, by annual appointment. And thus the
sanctuary privileges of more than two thousand two hun
dred Sabbaths have been secured to that people, by the
men who counted not their lives dear to themselves —
whose speech and whose preaching was not with enticing
words of man's wisdom.
"But I find I can not go into detail, or give incidents in
minutiae; my strength of body and mind forbids me to
advance further. One thing, however, I wish to notice, to
the glory of God; it is this: that the revivals and awak
enings with which Athens has been favored from time to
time, have sometimes reached the University; and a good
number of young men — students — in attending upon the
plain, searching ministry of plain, uneducated men, who
never read the Bible, or heard the Gospel in any other
than their own tongue wherein they were born, have been
powerfully awakened, and happily converted to God, and
brought into the Church, in which they now stand as con
spicuous ministers and pillars in our Zion. I could name
some five or six of them who would not blush to own that
unpretending, humble-minded, meek-spirited little man,
Henry S. Fernandes, as the instrument of good to them.
Well they may give a plain marble slab, at the head of
his grave, at Rushville, 0. Seven or eight good preachers
have been gathered in the bounds of Athens circuit. Our
ministry is certainly improving, in a literary point of view.
The style, both in writing and speaking, is undergoing a
great change. Some of our periodical writers can say so
many pretty things, and say them in such a pretty style,
that they appear wholly absorbed in their theme. But
the lights of science, and the ardor of youth, bursting
on the raptured vision, impelling them onward and up
ward, it ought not to be thought strange if some of their
pieces should smack a little of romance or fiction. They
will do better when they get older, and obtain more grace.

290 SKETCHES OF THE
Mr. Wesley said, when somewhat advanced in years, 'I
have learned, by the grace of God, to use fewer words,
both in speaking and writing, than formerly.' He was a
good example."
In May of 1847 we held our quarterly meeting for
Highland circuit in Mr. Quinn's own neighborhood, and
some from a distance had the pleasure of visiting "the
Pioneer's Rest." The meeting was profitable throughout.
Mr. Quinn gave us several very appropriate and useful
addresses. The love-feast was a time of unusual interest.
He made the closing speech, and, with other very perti
nent remarks, he addressed the young people of the
Church, saying when he determined to be religious he
never made any other calculation than to spend his hfe in
the service of God. And he was sorry to see so many
start in the good way, and then turn back. Said he,
"Although I travel so slowly, yet I endeavor to make
sure work. Some, who started about the same time I did,
far outstripped me in the race. After a while I met them
returning to the world and sin again." He then warned
all of the great danger of backsliding, and subjoined an
impressive exhortation to firmness and perseverance in
religion, stating that such alone as endured to the end
could be saved.
Soon after this meeting he accompanied me to the Bain-
bridge quarterly meeting at Louden Church, in the midst
of his old friends. Mrs. Quinn was so much concerned
for his comfort and safety, when he would leave home,
that she would enjoin it on me to lodge in the same room
with him, which I was careful to do. The first day we
reached his kind friend Heigh's, near Belfast. He was
fatigued, and retired early. When I assisted him to bed,
and placed the covering over him, he exclaimed, with deep
emotion and fervor, 'Thank God for a good bed! My
Savior had not where to lay his head!" In the morniny

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 291
he awoke greatly refreshed with rest and sleep, and re
peated several pieces of the most appropriate and beau
tiful poetry, committed in his younger days, in praise to
his kind Preserver. He said he had not thought of these
pieces for many years. It was pleasant to hear him refer
to the solicitude his good wife felt for him, and say,
"If my dear wife could only know how well I feel this
morning, she would be greatly delighted."
This will furnish to the reader a specimen of his usual
comfort through the night, and his joy in the morning.
And though they may be esteemed small things, yet, as
an index, they show his heart was right, and filled with
gratitude. It was in this tour that he bestowed great praise upon
the excellent horse which conveyed us so safely, remarking
he was afraid some thief would steal that horse from
me. I have no idea he had the spirit of prophecy about
the matter, but the horse was stolen in less than a week,
and was never recovered.
Mr. Quinn indulged an ardent solicitude all the year,
that he might be permitted to meet his brethren once more
in conference; and the Lord, in his good providence,
granted him the desire of his heart. Our session was
held at Columbus, September 1, 1847. He reached the
place in good time, suffering only from his extreme de
bility and shortness of breath. His brethren rejoiced at
his coming, and made him as comfortable as they could.
We met in the Presbyterian Church, and he was accom
modated with a cushioned seat. I think he was in con
ference every day, and while we had but one session a
day he remained all the time, and manifested much inter
est in the business. When his name was called, he was
courteously invited by the president to address the con
ference. When our senior and venerable brother rose to speak,

292 SKETCHES OF THE
the scene was most solemn and affecting. In addition to
the large conference there was a multitude of interested
spectators present, nearly filling the house. His voice,
though feeble and tremulous, could be heard in every part
of the large church in the almost breathless silence that
prevailed. All heard him with intense interest, and many
with deep emotion; for the supposition was universal that his
voice would never be heard in another annual conference.
As soon as he had resumed his seat, the conference, by a
unanimous vote, requested their aged brother to furnish
the substance of his remarks, for publication in the West
ern Christian Advocate and in the Christian Advocate and
Journal. The writer, as his amanuensis, assisted him in preparing
his address for publication, which may, in truth, be de
nominated his farewell address. This was the last
time many of his brethren ever heard the sound of his
voice, which was soon after silenced by the paralyzing
touch of death. The following is the address:
"Dear Brethren, — My connection with the Methodist
itinerancy commenced in May, 1799, so that I now num
ber seven times seven years in close and confidential min
isterial fellowship with that honorable and pious fraternity,
nor have I ever desired or sought for a connection or fel
lowship with any other. I never shall forget, or be able
fully to express, the emotions of my heart, upon entering
the conference-room at Columbus. A number of the
preachers arose to receive me, and I was conducted to a
cushioned seat in front of the bishop's table. I had not
expected ever to be at another conference; but lo, I am
here! A poor worm, I deserve not the honor conferred
upon me by those strong and repeated expressions of
more than mere respect. I sank down into my seat, and
wept. Sorrow and joy were both mingled with those
tears. Truly it was a state of feeling in which I was

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 293
willing to remain; but the strong emotion of my full soul
subsided in some degree, and I raised my eyes and looked
over the conference, and thought, 'Well, this is the Ohio
conference; and they say there are about two hundred
preachers in attendance, and dressed in fine cloth and good
style — the people say a little too stylish for ministers.'
My mind soon ran back to my first entrance into the West
ern conference, which was held October 2, 1804, at Mt.
Gerizim, near Cynthiana, in Kentucky. Of those who
composed that conference, only brother Jacob Young
remains on the effective list. Brother David Young and
brother J. B. Finley, who came in a few years after, and
remained till the Western conference was divided, yet live
and are with us. But brother Young is an old superan
nuated man, as well as brother Lakin; and brother Finley
looks as if he would not live always. Of the thirty-seven
preachers who composed that conference, but few, very
few, remain; some located, and yet linger. Some few are
truly superannuated, and are found on that list; but the
most of them, having served their generation, have fallen
asleep. Ah, we were a band of brothers in truth.
' And if our fellowship below,
In Jesus was so sweet;
What hight of rapture shall we know,
When round his throne we meet!'
But I yet sorrow, being still tossed upon the sea of dis
tress. And again I wept. But I look over the conference
again, wipe my weeping eyes, and rejoice in spirit; and, in
almost ecstasy, exclaim, 'What hath God wrought!' In
1800 J. Kobler was in the Miami Valley; Henry Smith
was in the Scioto Valley; and James Quinn in the Mus
kingum and Hocking Valley. They were all truly mis
sionaries. Without funds they were sent, and came forth
'without purse or scrip;' but He who sent them not only
went before them, but came with them.
25*

294 sketches of the
"In 1804 thirty-seven — including probationers — com
posed the Western conference. They were mostly clad in
'homespun,' such as their good mothers, sisters, and
wives carded, spun, and wove for them- — often vieing with
each other, whose son, brother, husband, or preacher,
should have the finest and best suit to go to conference in.
It must be confessed, that our ladies of that day knew
more about distaffs, wool, cotton, and flax, than they did
about pianos, etc.; but they could read, and sing, and
shout, walk some distance to meeting rather than not
attend, talk in class and love-feast, encourage mourners,
and pray, as if they would bring heaven and earth to
gether. 0, I love to think of those times long gone by.
But to return to the conference: we all got up stairs at old
brother Coleman's, and a melting, moving time we had of
it. Bishops Asbury and Whatcoat had fallen sick; and in
the absence of both, we elected William M'Kendree to
preside over us. I never attended a conference where
more of the Divine presence was realized.
"I was a graduate of the Baltimore conference, and
labored under its jurisdiction five years, during which
time I had traveled, by the direction of the presiding
elder, parts of one year on Muskingum, Kanawha, and
Hockhocking; and, in 1801, was appointed to Erie circuit,
which, at that time, included a large part of the Erie con
ference as it now is. In 1 804 I was, with consent, trans
ferred to the Western conference. From my first entrance
into the ministry, I had looked with interest to this coun
try as my field of labor. Indeed, before I believed a dis
pensation of the Gospel was committed to me, I intended,
with compass, quadrant, chain, scales, and dividers, to
make my fortune here; but the Lord had other business
for me, and sent me here, as I humbly trust, to spend mv
strength, and life, and pains, to take up and cultivate
Immanuel's lands. When I crossed the Ohio river at

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 295
Wheeling, although I had to borrow six dollars from a
friend to pay my expenses to my assigned field of labor,
my heart said, 'I will very gladly spend and be spent for
this people.'
"As I had passed my probation and entered my twenty-
ninth year, I judged it proper for me to enter the holy
estate of matrimony, which I did 'reverently, discreetly,
advisedly, and in the fear of God.' My wife was an
excellent woman, pious from her youth, 'of a meek and
quiet spirit.' She was my companion in tribulation, and
helped me much in the Lord. I can say, in truth, we
were joined in one spirit to our Head, and were ready to
go wherever he appointed. For nineteen years and eight
months she was truly a helpmate, and then sweetly slept
in Jesus, leaving me with five motherless daughters: these
have all grown up, married, and, I trust, embraced relig
ion. One of them, since her marriage, died shouting
'victory,' and is gone to rest. Well, here is Hocking, the
center of the territory over which the circuit is to spread.
Beginning at Lancaster, thence it ran to the settlements on
Clear creek, Salt creek, Canicanick, Sippo, Pikehold, and
Walnut creek, to Highbank, below Chilicothe; thence up
the Scioto, by the meanderings of the river, on the east
side, till we came within a few miles of Columbus; thence
along the Walnut creek valley till we fell over on the Lick
ing waters, embracing Hog run, Newark, Mt. Vernon, Co
shocton, Walkatomaka, Zanesville, Jonathan's, and Rush
creek, to the place of beginning. In this field of labor we
had twenty-eight or thirty appointments to fill every four
weeks. I continued here eighteen months, living in a
small cabin of my own providing, and received about one
hundred dollars as quarterage. At the end of this term,
I was appointed to Scioto circuit, nearly or quite as "exten
sive in territory as Hocking, and embracing as many
appointments. Here I traveled a full calendar year,

296 sketches of the
visiting my home once a month, spending two days there,
which I had to redeem by preaching twice a day for nearly
a week, and riding fifty miles out and in. This year I
received one hundred and sixty dollars, the full allowance
of a married preacher. In those days we had nothing
allowed for house rent, fuel, or table expenses. This drove
many excellent men from the itinerant ranks into location,
where they became lawyers, doctors, merchants, farmers,
etc.; but thanks be to the great Head of the Church, he
helped us, and we saw his pleasure prospering, the wilder
ness and the solitary places blossom as the rose, and the
Gospel standard planted where the Redeemer's name had
not been known or sung. There, there the blood-stained
banner has continued to wave for almost half a century.
I never have forgotten the evening when, at the cabin of
old brother Groom, a few miles east of Columbus, which,
at that time, was an unbroken forest, we preached Jesus
and the resurrection, planted the standard of the Prince
of peace, recorded and called upon his name, and he
blessed and made our hearts glad. The standard there
remains, and many have flocked around it in the forty-
three years which have rolled around since that blessed
day. We organized, classed, and collected all that could
be made available into action — local preachers, exhorters,
leaders, private members of gifts, both male and female,
and all united, striving together for the faith of the Gos
pel. Truly, the Lord showed to us, that he could furnish
a table in the wilderness. At that time there was not a
Methodist meeting-house in all the Scioto Valley; and it is
now just forty-one years since I called together the board
of trustees, who caused to be built the first Methodist
meeting-house in all this great and rich valley — the old
brick house in Chilicothe. Dr. Tiffin, the first governor
of Ohio, and Judge Scott, were members of this board.
They are all gone now to the house not made with hands

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 297
except Judge Scott. He is an extraordinary man, both
for intellectual and physical strength, at his time of life;
but the strong men are beginning to bow themselves.
" The old house was consumed by fire more than
twenty-five years ago, and a much larger one built in its
place. And within a few years, they have erected a second
church, quite superior to the former, and have divided
Chilicothe into two important pastoral charges. I had a
great desire to attend the opening of this new house, from
curiosity or something else, as I had preached to the Sab
bath congregation in this place in a private room, and met
the class up stairs, to avoid turning the family out of
doors. I heard that the house was to be dedicated shortly;
waited for a call, but heard none, and so it passed by.
Truly, 'the little one has become a thousand.' In all
three of those rich valleys, there are many spacious and
convenient meeting-houses, where large congregations and
societies statedly assemble to worship God. Indeed, 'the
Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad.'
Blessed be his holy name! But should we not rejoice
with some fear? Let the Methodists beware, lest pride
creep in and destroy their simplicity, purity, and power.
When Jeshurun waxed fat, he kicked. It was to keep
Paul from being exalted above measure through the
abundance of the revelations, that there was given him a
thorn in the flesh. I am now old and feeble, and know
not the day of my departure. I see and hear many things
that grieve me, but Jesus reigns King in Zion, and because
he lives the Church shall live also. Thanks be to God, I
have seen, and still see and hear many things which cause
my poor heart to rejoice in the Lord, while mine eyes ran
down with tears. Ah, what I feel I can not well express.
It is a bitter sweet; a sorrow full of joy: sorrowful, yet
rejoicing; dying, and behold we live. I have seen the
goings forth of the Lord Jehovah — have witnessed the

298 sketches of the
stately steppings of the Prince of peace, and heard his
chariot wheels! ' O, what shall we render unto the Lord
for all his benefits? We will take the cup of salvation, and
call upon the name of the Lord.'
"In almost every place I go, I meet the grand and great
grandchildren of those loved ones in whose houses, or,
rather, cabins, I lodged and preached more than forty
years ago, yea, before these were born, but they are now
the happy subjects of the second birth, and on their way
to heaven — ' Traveling home to God
In the way their fathers trod.'
Yea, some of them are on the walls of Zion, with the silver
trumpet in hand, sounding forth the joyful news of re
demption and salvation, through Christ. In looking over
this conference, I count nine elders, whose grandfathers
were among the first to receive preaching into their houses,
and entertain the preachers. Peace to their memory! I
loved them much, and hope to live with them forever.
Here, too, I see two great grandsons of one who embraced
Methodism in the time of block-houses, Indian hostilities,
and savage cruelty. I might add two more from Ken
tucky, and two from Indiana. 0, my heart is full. I do
love the young men. May they live long and be very useful!
The young men of this conference treat me with great
kindness. God bless them! I hope they will continue to
pray for me. No doubt God hears and answers the prayer
of faith. I have often heard that man of God, Bishop
Asbury, pray in families to this effect: ' God be gracious
to, and bless this household in all their generations to the
latest posterity; yea, let thy mercy be shown to thousands
of them that may love thee, and keep thy commandments;'
and to this prayer we have heartily responded, amen; and
although it grieves me to say the glory has departed from
some families, and Ichabod is written on them, yet the

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 299
candle of the Lord continues in the habitation of others,
and we see its light in the third, fourth, yea, in the fifth
generation. "There is one other thought which deeply affects my
heart, and endears these brethren to the warm affections
of my soul. It is this: for more than twenty years, as one
of the seniors of the conference, I have been called to
assist the Bishop in ordaining the elders, so that these
hands have been laid on most of the elders of this confer
ence, and on many of other conferences in the west, when
they took the vows of God upon them, and the office and
work of elders were committed to them by the laying on
of the hands of the presbytery, and prayer made that they
might receive the Holy Ghost for that office and work.
What a solemn service! What sacred vows! Can any of
those who have taken the vows upon them in this impress
ive manner, lay them aside and enter into other avocations
of a worldly and secular character? 0, brethren, read your
ordination vows frequently, at least once a month. Never,
O never, shall I forget the time and place when, by the
imposition of the hands of that holy man, Richard What
coat, in Light-street Church, Baltimore, I was set apart for
the office and work of an elder. In the Wesleyan suc
cession, he stood next to Wesley, being ordained by him,
assisted by Coke and Craighton. These were all presbyters
of the Church of England. Whatcoat was the first Wes
leyan Methodist presbyter, and assisted in the ordination
of Mr. Asbury. With respect to succession in the ministry,
if It can be traced in any line, it must be in the presbytery;
and if it be there, then Wesley had it; and if he was in it,
then we are in it. But grace, gifts, fruit, these are the
infallible marks of the true succession. If Christ be with
them, then he hath sent them; and if he hath sent them,
then are they his embassadors; and he hath said, ' He that
receiveth whomsoever I send, receiveth me; and he that

300 sketches of the
receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me.' But need we
testimonials — letters of commendation? See them in mul
tiplied thousands, in living epistles throughout the land.
To these we refer. They are our epistles, which may be
known and read of all men. And to these we make our
appeal and say, if we be not apostles to others, yet,
doubtless, we are to you; for the signs of our apostleship
are among you. I have been acquainted with fourteen
bishops in regular succession from Bishop Coke to Bishop
Janes, inclusive; have sat in conference where they pre
sided; have been present at the election and ordination of
eight of them; eight of them have broken bread at my
table, sheltered under my roof, and prayed with my family.
Having been a member of eight General conferences, I have
served on important committees with several of these men
before they were bishops. With some of them I have been
in close and confidential counsel on matters of great in
terest to the Church, and I am free to say, that I have
found them, as far as I was able to judge, men of intelli
gence and true piety, who had truth and righteousness,
the cause of God, and the salvation of souls, deeply at
heart — true men, and worthy of the office and important
trust committed to them. The office never has been, and,
we trust, never will be, a sinecure.
"The whole itinerant plan is one of sacrifice, responsi
bility, privation, and toil, so that the man who enters this
field must make up his mind to endure hardness as a good
soldier, not looking for accommodation, seeking promotion,
or asking for a good and easy place in which to labor. I
now have in my eye a senior of this conference, who, when
he was a junior, said to me, in a letter, ' I ask no accom
modation; the poorest circuit in the conference deserves a
better minister than I am.' 'Well,' thought I, 'that
spirit and temper of mind will carry a man through the
toils and privations of a Methodist itinerancy thirty or

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 301
forty years, if the machine don't break or wear out.' Mar
tin Ruter, you know, was a learned man, and the first
Methodist D. D. in the world; yet, being impelled by the
true itinerant missionary spirit, he left the presidency of a
college to become a missionary in a foreign land. He
went forth, planted the standard of science and of salva
tion, and fell — mysterious providence! — at the spot. But
the name of Martin Ruter will never be forgotten in
Texas while the world shall stand.
" Gladly have I spent my all in this work, and long have
I endeavored to serve God and his Church. Thank God,
I have some fruit of my labor. I have some sons in the
Gospel ministry on both sides of the river. I have been
connected with you nearly half a century. You see now
I am like a reed shaken by the wind, trembling on the
brink of the grave. I may never see you all again. 0,
may we meet in heaven! Let me have an interest in your
prayers, that, whether I live or die, I may be wholly the
Lord's."

302 sketches of the

CHAPTER XVI.
His return from conference — Physical condition — Enjoyment of
mind — Letter to Bishop Janes — Kindly acknowledged — Letter of
Bishop Asbury — Attends the election — Gradually declines — Hem
orrhage of the lungs — Conversed with difficulty — Expatiates on the
atonement — Extraordinary eloquence — Long preached Christ —
Nothing to take back — Favorable offset — Visit of the writer — State
safe and happy — Blesses his household, and commends them to
God — Sets forth his own state by the experience of another —
Family collected — Reading the Scriptures, and prayer — Blessing
pronounced on the writer — All is peace — Death-bed scene — Inter
ment and funeral — Synopsis of the sermon — Burial service read —
How his tomb may be found — Monument at his grave — Inscrip
tion. Mr. Quinn left Columbus a short time before the confer
ence closed, and previous to the selection of the place of
our next session. When some of the preachers overtook
him, his first inquiry was, "Where will the next confer
ence be held?" They answered, "Newark." There was
nothing said for some time, and finally he broke the silence
by saying to Mrs. Quinn and his friend, C. Crum, who
were in the carriage with him, "You have no idea what I
have been thinking about. Strange as it may seem, I have
been trying to devise a plan by which I may get to con
ference at Newark next year."
He considered the goodness of God strikingly manifested
in the preservation of his life, and in sustaining him so
mercifully in the journey, and while at conference. He
reached his home in peace and safety, and nearly as com
fortable in his physical condition as when he left. I shall
not attempt to describe the high satisfaction of mind which
he realized, after having the privilege of meeting with his
brethren once more in conference. It was to him a season
of inexpressible enjoyment; and his friends were also
happy in the pleasures of the last interview.

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 303
Shortly after his return, he wrote the following letter to
Bishop Janes: "September 28, 1847.
"Respected Brother, — I have forwarded to you my
parchments of Deacon's Orders, with the signature and
seal of that holy man of God, Bishop Whatcoat. He,
you know, was Mr. Wesley's first ordained presbyter or
elder. A holier man I never knew. 0, what sweetness
and benignity beamed in his countenance! And truly his
conversation was with grace seasoned with salt. In 1802
I enjoyed his society for two weeks, in conducting him
through parts of Maryland and Virginia. In him I saw
what I think is implied in walking with God. I have
often thought that those two weeks were of greater profit
to me than six months' or a year's training, in a well-
regulated theological seminary.
"He always spoke in the highest terms of Bishop As
bury, whom he had known from his youth; stating that
he was an amiable youth, and that he used to meet him in
class with his pious mother.
"As a further matter of curiosity, and perhaps some
thing more, I send you one of Mr. Asbury's original let
ters, in his own handwriting. You will see in this, the
deep interest which that great and good man took in the
flock over which, no doubt, the Holy Ghost had made
him overseer. You will also perceive the responsibility to
which he held presiding elders; and what he expected of
them. He once said pleasantly — but he meant what he
said — ' I call you to counsel, not to govern me.' I never
knew him open a council session without prayer. I shall
never forget one of his petitions: '0, for wisdom and
grace to scatter the salt of the earth with an impartial
hand!' "I have had personal — though not intimate — acquaint
ance with fourteen bishops, in regular Wesleyan succession.

304 SKETCHES OF THE
I have sat in conference with each of them when they
presided. Six of them have broken bread at my table,
and lodged under my roof.
"All I can do now is to pray for the peace of Jerusa
lem. "Since conference, there has been no perceptible change
in my health; still I am very feeble. Though no acute
pain, still 'life sinks apace.' '0, that the word of his
grace may comfort me through!'
"I hope the Head of the Church will let you live long,
and prepare you for great usefulness in the Church and
the world. Amen.
"Yours, in the love of Christ."
Bishop Janes' answer is now before me, in which he
gratefully acknowledges the receipt of all sent him, in very
courteous and affectionate terms; but it was too late, being
dated the third day after Mr. Quinn's death.
The original letter of Mr. Asbury, sent to Bishop Janes,
and which he had published in the Christian Advocate and
Journal, was addressed to Mr. Quinn while he was presid
ing elder of the Muskingum district. It is laconic and
strong, characteristic of the man, and suited to the times.
I make no apology for inserting it here.
"September 24, 1812.
"Mt Dear Son, — The God of all grace and wisdom,
grant to us grace and wisdom as Christian ministers, and
eminently, to rule in our Israel. The days of visitation
are come. Israel ought to know it. The prudent should
keep silent in this time; it is an evil time. But ye that
make mention of the Lord, keep not silence. Move
heaven with your prayers, and earth with your cries.
Cry aloud, spare not, lift up your voice like a trumpet!
Diligence, prudence, courage, perseverance. You will
care for every circuit, every society, every preacher, every
family, and every soul in your charge. You will be

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 305
planning continually to extend and establish the Church
of God in your section. You will be eyes, ears, mouth,
and wisdom, from us to the people; and from the people
to us. You will be in our stead, to supply our absence.
'Tis order, 'tis system — under God — that hath kept us
from schism, and heresy, and division, till we number near
two hundred thousand in membership; congregate, possi
bly, three millions. No doubt, in forty-eight years four
thousand have died in Jesus — nearly or remotely have died
in faith by our means.
"You will be planning all the year. You will collect all
the information you can for the superintendents. Know
men and things well. Seek sanctification, feel it, preach it,
live it. I pray, invariably, for all the presiding elders, by
name, twice in the day. When the connection was small,
I prayed for every traveling preacher and circuit; now by
districts. Let us be as one soul — one great soul of the body!
"We ought to teach our brethren the impossibility of
existing as a people without union, and an able executive;
for thousands of our people know not their right from
their left hand, in government. If there is treachery, or
disorder in the body, what damage will ensue to spiritual
life, liberty, and prosperity! The more sacred the inter
ests, the greater the damage. 0, how careful we ought to
be what men we take into the ministry, and spy out their
motives and manners! F. Asbury."
On the fourteenth of October, 1 847, 1 visited Mr. Quinn,
and remained nearly two days. I found him gradually
sinking. The swelling in the lower extremities was ex
tending up toward his body, furnishing a clear indication
to his friends that his end was nigh. He was aware of it
himself, and, being "ready to be offered," he was waiting
till his change should come. In a conversation with the
writer, he most touchingly, yet calmly, referred to the symp
toms of his rapidly-approaching dissolution.
26*

306 SKETCHES OF THE
After his return from conference, he went from home but
little. He was once called to the house of a neighbor, to
join a couple together in holy matrimony; and on the day
of the annual election in Ohio, being urged by several of
his friends, who brought a carriage to convey him the
short distance to the place of voting, he attended. As he
approached the officers, at the polls, his venerable appear
ance and dignified manner attracted universal attention;
and all conversation for the moment was suspended. Ob
serving this pause, and the respect shown him, he con
cluded he would relieve the silence, and meet what might
be the expectation of the company, by the following short
speech: " Gentlemen, — I am permitted once more to exercise
one of the greatest rights that belong to freemen — the
right of suffrage. This inestimable privilege cost the blood
and treasure of our forefathers, who secured it to us, their
children. It is sacred; hold it fast."
By slow degrees his flesh continued to waste away, and
his strength fail, till, on the twenty-second of November,
he was attacked with a hemorrhage of the lungs. He
awoke in the morning, with his mouth filled with blood;
and, after the first discharge had passed, he calmly informed
his wife and children that he must now soon leave them.
He manifested no dread of death; but, with a sweet sub
mission to the will of his heavenly Father, he waited with
unwavering confidence and Christian patience, for nine
days, for him to finish his work, and release him from his
earthly tabernacle. The rising blood so obstructed the
organs of his voice, that it was with great difficulty he
could articulate the sound of words; yet he would try, and
was often distinctly heard. He expatiated on the theme
of human salvation through Jesus Christ, as realized by
himself and others, by faith in his blood, in the most con
cise, pathetic, and eloquent manner. It was thought by

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 307
those who heard him that, as he drew near to his heavenly
inheritance, his soul "caught new fire," or received addi
tional light and power from the Spirit's influence, which
enabled him to set forth the great truths of our holy relig
ion with extraordinary perspicuity, brevity, and force.
To a neighbor and friend, who visited him in his last
illness, he said, "I have preached Christ more than forty-
eight years;" and, after a pause, with all the energy he
could exert, he added, with emphasis, "and I have nothing
to take back." To another intimate and pious friend, he
said, "I have been looking over my account, and find my
self much in arrears; but I have a most favorable offset."
He then referred to, and pleaded Christ's atonement, as suf
ficient to cancel his whole debt, and wash all his imperfec
tions away. Very often, during his extreme suffering, he
repeated, with much apparent confidence and comfort,
these words of the Psalmist: "My flesh and my heart faii-
eth; but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion
forever." After recovering from a paroxysm of coughing, he said
to his daughter, Mrs. Hibbin, who adjusted and smoothed
his pillows, " ' Calm on tumult's wheel I fly.' "
At a similar time he said to a friend, who supported his
head in coughing, "We sometimes sing and sometimes
say, ' Jesus can make a dying bed
Feel soft as downy pillows are.'
It is true; it is true!"
On Monday, the twenty-ninth of November, having
closed a quarterly meeting some fourteen miles from his
residence, without having heard of his increased affliction,
I determined to visit my venerable friend. That night I
arrived within four miles of his house, where I first heard
of his dangerous illness; and early on Tuesday morning I

308 SKETCHES OF THE
was at his bedside. Although much prostrated, I found
him perfectly sensible, and able to converse some. He-
gave me every desirable assurance that all was well; that
his faith took hold of Christ, his mighty advocate with
God; and that his comfort was strong in the Lord. His
family, for whom it was natural for him to feel much
solicitude, he had committed to God the day preceding;
and his mind appeared to be perfectly at rest in regard to
those dear, loved ones he was about to leave.
The interesting formula which he adopted in committing
his wife and children into the care of his covenant-keeping
God, was the following:
Being bolstered up in the bed, he had the family all
collected around. His eldest daughter, Mrs. Clark, then
read a portion of the holy Scriptures, which he directed
her to select. Each member of the family then kneeled
down, and as near him as they could, and he offered up a
most fervent prayer; and with his feeble, tremulous voice
he blessed his household, and commended the wife of his
bosom, and all his children, severally and collectively, to
the protection of his faithful Creator.
With many expressions of strong confidence in God,
and his implicit trust in Christ for eternal life, this dying
saint set forth to me his own happy state, by relating the
circumstances of the triumphant death of a very pious
Presbyterian minister, who thus reported of himself, when
dying: " 'My soul is staid upon the living God; I love him
and he loves me; and he never will forsake me; no, never;
never — no, never — never' — and continued to repeat the
words 'no, never, never,' till his voice was lost in death."
When the family had collected in his room, for their
morning devotions, I took up the Bible, and inquired if
there was any particular portion of God's word which he
desired to hear read once more. After a pause, he an
swered, "Read the twenty -third and twenty-fourth Psalms;

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 309
and read the twenty-fourth first." How appropriate and
rich the selection! The twenty-fourth delineates the good
man. "Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or
who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean
hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul
unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully." The twenty-third
sets forth the assurance and triumph of that good man in
death. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the
shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me:
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me!" How precious
was the sound of these words to the good man, when hear
ing them read for the last time on earth!
After reading the two Psalms, in the order which he
dictated, we united in fervent prayer. He appeared per
fectly sensible of the near approach of death, and, like a
true Christian, he was suitably affected with the momentous
circumstances connected with his exit from earth to an
eternal world. His ardent spirit seemed to adopt every
petition, and earnestly plead with God for the answer.
He frequently and audibly responded "Amen," while
prayer was being offered.
By previous arrangement I was under the necessity of
attending a meeting of stewards for the district, that day,
at Hillsboro. I remained at his bedside as long as I could
that forenoon, which was nearly four hours, and then
prayed with him again. On taking my leave of him, he
pronounced a blessing upon me, in a very interesting form
of words, which I distinctly heard, and can never forget.
Soon after nightfall I returned, and, on entering this
house of mourning, I found him rapidly sinking into the
arms of death. He appeared almost insensible; but my
well-known voice aroused him, when I reported my ar
rival, and he expressed thanks to God twice, that I had
returned. I asked him if he still enjoyed peace; and he
answered, with as much energy and pathos as his weak

310 SKETCHES OF THE
state would allow: "O, yes; all is peace." These were
his last words in relation to his spiritual state and enjoy
ment. After a short paroxysm of restlessness, he appeared
to pass the time calmly, sweetly, and in comparative ease.
He had previously requested, that when he was dying
his wife and children should kneel around his bed, and
that some one should offer up prayer to God just at the
time of his departure.
In compliance with this request, at midnight all the
family, except three distant children, collected in his room.
His partner in life, and sharer of his joys and sorrows,
kneeled in front of his bed; his children present, and his
half-brother, Mr. David Quinn, kneeled around, and as
near as convenient; Rev. J. F. Conrey, the stationed min
ister at Hillsboro, took his position at the head of the bed;
while I was at the foot, and where I could see his face,
and know precisely the state of his breathing. When it
was manifest he must soon pass away, the writer broke
the solemn silence by offering up prayer to the God of the
widow and fatherless. We earnestly implored the pro
tection and blessing of Heaven upon the deeply-afflicted
family; and we then commended the soul of our beloved
friend, and the devoted servant of Christ and his Church,
into the hands of God. The family continued upon their
knees. My position enabled me to look him full in his
countenance; and, although there was no struggle or
groan, I perceived his respiration grew shorter and less
frequent. For nearly a minute he turned his eyes up
ward, and, like Stephen, seemed to look "steadfastly into
heaven," as though he saw the commissioned convoy of
angels descending to escort him to his heavenly inherit
ance. He then, with apparent design, drew down his
eyelids, till they were nearly closed, and laid his hands
across his breast. Then the attenuated thread of life
gave way — the silver cord was loosed, and the golden

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 311
bowl was broken; and the weary wheels of nature stood
still. The earthly tabernacle was dissolved, and the
spirit, with all its matured graces and rich endowments,
released from its clay tenement, was accompanied by
angels to the paradise of God. Thus,
" Sweetly as babes sleep, did he give his life up,"
on the morning of the first day of December, 1847, half
an hour after midnight.
I announced to the bereaved family, and for the infor
mation of all present, "He is gone." Never can I forget
the heart-rending and deep emotions which were felt at the
moment of this announcement. The scene was overwhelm
ing. Every heart was touched. Some wept in silence,
while others could not restrain the outbursts of strong
feeling. After a solemn pause, Mrs. Quinn arose from her
knees, and, having kissed the lips that felt no kiss, she
retired into another apartment; and I closed his eyes.
In consultation with the family and friends, it was de
termined that his burial should take place at 11 o'clock,
A. M., on Friday, the third day of December. He had
selected the place himself, and wished his remains to be
laid near those of his brother, Dr. Isaac Quinn, in the
graveyard at Auburn Chapel, nearly three miles distant.
It was agreed, also, as all his children, of both marriages,
except two, could be present at his interment, that the
funeral discourse should be delivered at the same time.
In compliance with the instructions which he furnished the
writer eight months before he died, the obsequies were
attended to. On Friday morning many of his neighbors
and intimate friends assembled at his late residence, and
we united in prayer, worshiping the God of our fathers.
We then moved in procession to the chapel, where, the
corpse being placed in the altar, we proceeded with the
solemn services. Opportunities to circulate the notice of
the funeral were limited; but, notwithstanding the weather

312 SKETCHES OF THE
was somewhat inclement, and roads difficult, the church
was well filled. The writer attempted to improve the
mournful occasion in the use of the favorite motto of the
deceased: "I will go in the strength of the Lord God; I
will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine
only," Psalms lxxi, 16.
It may be of some interest to the reader to have a
synopsis of the sermon:
This is the pious purpose of a pious mind, in view of
any lawful enterprise; and, to improve it in application to
the subject of our present discourse, we will consider,
I. The conviction of duty realized in a call to the Chris
tian ministry, and the purpose of mind raised thereon.
It is God's prerogative to call and commission men to
preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. Hence, it is
inquired, "How shall they believe on Him of whom they
have not heard? and how shall they hear without a
preacher? and how shall they preach except they be sent?"
The Lord Jehovah alone has the right to send the preacher;
therefore, our Church, in the examination of her ministers,
asks this question, "Do you trust that you are inwardly
moved by the Holy Ghost to take upon you the office of
the ministry in the Church of Christ, to serve God for the
promoting of his glory, and the edifying of his people?"
The answer is, "I trust so;" which all should be able to
render before they enter upon this holy vocation. St.
Paul said, "Necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto
me if I preach not the Gospel." A similar conviction, we
believe, was produced on the mind of our beloved James
Quinn; and that he yielded to the heavenly calling, under
the influence of the same motives and fearful sanctions.
Now, the purpose of mind raised from this clear convic
tion of duty, is,
1. I will go in obedience to thy authoritative command.
It is "the King of kings, and Lord of lords," who says,

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 313
" Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every
creature." 2. I will go under an abiding sense that it is my duty
to go; and, while I tremble at the fearful responsibility that
rests upon me, I will go in the strength of the Lord God.
3. I will go with a humble reliance on thy strength.
This was the purpose of the venerable James Quinn; and
in this was found the reason of his great influence over his
congregations, and the secret of his success; and every
minister who would win souls to Christ, and promote the
cause of his divine Master in the world, must rely upon the
same source for help.
II. The righteousness of God, of which the minister is
to make mention.
It is the duty of the minister to set forth the righteous
ness of God, in the redemption of our lost race, through
an incarnate and a suffering Mediator, who became a sin-
offering for us, who knew no sin, "that we might be made
the righteousness of God in him." As there were two
whole and perfect natures in Christ — the Godhead and'
manhood — he was under obligations to no superior or to
any law, and was, therefore, competent, voluntarily, to
become subject to our law, and, by obedience thereto, to
magnify and make it honorable; and by suffering the death
of the cross he hath wrought out an extraordinary work of
righteousness, which is "a full, perfect, and sufficient
sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the
whole world.' ' God's righteousness being thus declared, it
is manifest to all that " God can now be just, and the jus-
tifier of him who believeth in Jesus."
The minister is to mention God's method of saving sin
ners, and declare his righteousness in this respect only;
"for there is none other name under heaven given among
men whereby we must be saved," but Christ's.
The method of being saved through the merit of our
27

314 SKETCHES OF THE
good works can never succeed. Equally ineffectual, and,
if possible, more absurd, is the doctrine of metempsycho
sis, or the transmigration of souls, and modern Universal-
ism, as well as several other theories of human invention,
that we have not time to enumerate. The meritorious and
sacrificial death of Christ, appropriated to our moral
nature, "through faith in his blood," is the only possible
way of reconciliation and acceptance with God. Many
who hear me to-day know this was a peculiar theme with our
deceased friend, and will remember with what great zeal
he would insist upon these cardinal truths; namely, sal
vation through the mediation and atonement of Christ, and
justification by faith alone. On these essential points he
excelled, and was "a wise master builder;" exhibiting, in
the clearest light and force, the foundation of the hope of
all our lost race.
2. The true minister will set forth the righteousness of
God, in governing the wide-spread family of man; first, by
his laws. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all
thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy mind, and with
all thy strength, and thy neighbor as thyself." In these
two precepts are found an epitome of all law which God
has promulgated for the moral government of the world;
and in them is manifest the righteousness of God. Second,
by his providences, which also exhibit to our view the
righteousness of God. Some things, in the providences of
God, may appear mysterious, and we may not be able to
know the reasons for many events; yet let us submit to the
righteousness of God. He is too wise to err, and to good
to be unkind. He can never make a mistake, or do any
thing wrong. O, for resignation!
In these respects, also, the deceased did not fail to make
mention of the righteousness of God in all his ministra
tions; and he urged his hearers patiently to suffer, as well
as faithfully to do, the will of God; and, what was still

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 315
better, he enforced his admonitions and exhortations by his
own example. O, that we may all follow him, as he fol
lowed the directions and example of Christ!
After the sermon was delivered, Rev. J. F. Conrey
closed the services in the church by singing and prayer,
and the congregation moved in procession a short distance
to the grave, where the burial service was read, entire;
and we deposited all that was mortal of that man of God,
to await the sound of the trumpet at the last day, when
"the dead shall be raised incorruptible."
It may be of interest to some to add, in this place, that
his tomb may be seen at Auburn Church, on the road lead
ing from Hillsboro to Jamestown, and five miles north of
the former place.
Many members of the Ohio conference have united their
contributions and erected a monument to his memory.
The nether base is of hard limestone. The second base is
of marble, on which rests the beautiful marble obelisk,
making the entire hight more than ten feet.
On the monument is the following inscription:
GRAVE of
JAMES QUINN,
who was nearly
half a century
a minister of
the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Died
December 1, 1847;
Aged 72 years
and 8 months.
Erected by his
brethren of the
Ohio conference. Weight and Coxnkll, Committee.

316 SKETCHES OF THE

CHAPTER XVII.
His person — Hight — Never corpulent — His countenance — Hair —
Social qualities — Admired and respected by all who knew him —
Movements of body and mind — Steady and uniform — Promptness
in decision and action — Ministerial vows — Of moral obligation —
Discharged his duty in every relation — In strict conformity to
rule — Appearance in the pulpit — Impression of his hearers — His
voice — Eloquence — His style — Mixture of argument and applica
tion — Addressed the understanding and the heart — The Bible was
his authority — Selected his subjects with judgment — Skill in his
arrangement — Well instructed in the Scriptures, and all subjects
connected "with his work — Could manage well what he knew —
The atonement his favorite — All the attributes combined — Scenes
of Calvary — Great effect on his auditors — Lover of the poets —
Used them to good effect — Can not be described — His conversation
was a feast — A lover of Methodism — Was set for its defense — His
public prayers — Abounding in Scripture language — Taught much
truth in his prayers.
The following sketch of the person, character, and
talents of Mr. Quinn was written, at my earnest request,
by Rev. Z. Connell, of the Ohio conference. I most
cordially adopt it, not only as furnishing very accurate
delineations of the subjects treated, but also exceedingly
appropriate for the closing chapter of this biography:
"In sketching the character of this eminent minister
and man of God, there are changes at different periods
of his life, when he may be seen rising step by step to the
meridian of his greatness and usefulness in the Church.
But, in following him thenceforward through other suc
cessive changes of various incidents, and sometimes into
shades of darkness, till the night of death fell upon him,
we are saved the pain, too often realized in such cases, of
recording any loss of the confidence of his friends in the
ministry, or membership of the Church. And there was
less depreciation of talents and usefulness, and a less
number of such other events as usually occur at such an

L1±JB ABJ LiABlmo \JV JAJnES QUINN. 317
advanced age, which are calculated to shed a gloom over
the minds of those with whom he associated.
"As brother Quinn was so well known to the ministers
and members of the Church, it might be thought altogether
unnecessary to attempt any portrait of his person, relig
ious character, or talents. It must be recollected, how
ever, that the name, numerous labors, and great usefulness
of James Quinn, were associated principally with western
Methodism; and that comparatively few who will read
the history of American Methodism will have had any
personal acquaintance with him; and some, at least, may
feel an interest in surveying even an imperfect portrait of
so good and useful a servant of the Church. This may
justify an intimate friend in venturing some remarks of
this kind, familiar as many may have been with him as a
man, a Christian, and a minister.
" Brother Quinn was a man more than usually comely,
and interesting in his personal appearance; so much so,
that his manly and graceful form eminently fitted him for
the grave profession of the ministry. His stature was
about five feet ten inches, and the frame of his body re
markably well proportioned. He was never inclined to
corpulence, and from about the middle to the close of
life he became more lean, till the frame was left with but
little except its thin covering. When standing in the pul
pit or elsewhere, or when walking, he inclined a little
forward. His forehead was prominent and broad, and his
face was well proportioned. His eyes were brown, and
somewhat deeply set in his head, and shaded bj' dark and
rather projected eyebrows. His mouth was of medium
size, with very thin lips, and his nose and chin rather
sharp. He had a full suit of black hair, which he always
kept of moderate length, and combed smoothly down
according to its natural inclination. As he advanced in
years his hair became gray, and before his death it was
27*

318

SKETCHES OF THE

white as wool; but it never fell off so as to leave him bald.
For a man with dark hair, eyes, and eyebrows, his com
plexion was more than usually fair.
"We may justly say, that, though no one impression
was very strongly marked in his countenance, there were
charms standing out, of lovely form, which left a deep and
cherished impression upon the remembrance of those who
had the pleasure of an intimate acquaintance with him.
No one could be in his society, admitted to the hospitali
ties of his fireside, and enjoy the privilege of his friend
ship, without a deep feeling of respect, nor without finding
that respect growing and ripening into cordial and affec
tionate attachment. All his demeanor and conversation
in the social circle were characterized by a dignified sim
plicity, a majesty free from pomp, and a manly grandeur,
which gave delicacy, charm, and pathos to his friendship
and conversation.
" The movements of his body and mind were alike; not
hasty, nor yet were they tardy. He sat, stood, and
walked, in private and in public, with great dignity and
ease, and yet free from all stiffness and effort to show
any thing like dignity or greatness. He did not think or
speak rapidly; nor was he a cold, plodding theorist, or a
dull, prosing speaker. He permitted no subject, to which
his thoughts were directed, to be decided and acted upon
without due consideration; and, when fully investigated,
all matters were decided and acted upon with sufficient
promptness to let nothing hang heavily on his hands.
The feelings of his heart were so kept under the control
of a calm and sober judgment, that he was not impelled
by that effervescence 'of zeal which is without knowledge.
He was a consistent, lively, warm-hearted Christian minis
ter. His effusions were neither an impetuous torrent of
words, nor a dry, drawn-out essay, without the breath of
life.

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 319
"Mr. Quinn's ministerial vows rested upon him with
great moral weight. Obedience to the rule and order of
the Discipline of the Church, and subordination to her
properly-constituted authorities, he always deemed essen
tial, and of binding moral obligation. As junior preacher,
preacher in charge, and presiding elder, he always acted
in strict conformity with the duties of the relations and
offices as laid down in the Discipline. All the duties of
the stations and offices which he was called to fill, he
looked upon as engagements which he had contracted to
fulfill with the solemnity of an oath. He believed the
rights, privileges, and responsibilities of ministers in the
various relations, orders, and offices in the Church of
Christ to be reciprocal, and that the duties of each should
be performed in their proper place. And while a high
sense of moral obligation might have been traced through
all the relations in which he was placed, he was never
known to step out of his own appropriate sphere. Strict
conformity to rule and order, without ostentatious show,
was a striking trait in his character.
"But in any memorial of the life of James Quinn, a
description of what he was as a preacher, must be of
chief account in this imperfect sketch. His personal ap
pearance in the pulpit was in striking conformity to the
temper of his mind. His countenance was unusually cool
and unmoved in its aspect when he commenced the
services of the sanctuary. His whole mien, however,
impressed his hearers that he possessed powers adequate
to the most declared and full manifestation of the deep
and sublime truths of the Gospel. As he advanced and
became warmed into excitement by the inspiration of his
theme, his countenance kindled into light, and at times it
would become lighted up to almost a glare. His voice
was not very strong, but it was clear, sweet, and full of
melody. It was perfectly manageable when not strained,

320 SKETCHES OF THE
or raised to its highest point of elevation, and peculiarly
adapted to grave subjects. There was a blended solemnity
and pathos in his easy, smooth, original eloquence, which
made an impression that the coldest apathy .could hardly
resist. His style was chaste and pathetic, his enunciation
clear and distinct, and his words were well chosen and
full of meaning. His subjects were for the greater part
doctrinal; but his manner of treating them was neither a
process of cold, metaphysical reasoning, nor a boisterous
and desultory declaiming. There was a due mixture of
argument and application, of gravity and warmth, in his
sermons, by which he addressed himself to the under
standings of his hearers, and at the same time seized the
hearts and won the affection of the attentive listeners.
Language was ready at his command, and always seemed
to be suited to his purpose, whether for nice distinctions
in points of doctrine, for clothing grand and sublime sub
jects, for pathetic expostulations, for strong invective, or
for common, plain topics. Whatever help he drew from the
powers and means of reason and argument, he constantly
referred to the Bible, as the supreme and final authority;
from a firm belief that all Christian doctrines and rules of
human conduct must, both in their statement and proof,
be drawn from the holy Scriptures.
"Brother Quinn always manifested great judgment in
the selection of his subjects, and much skill in the arrange
ment and management of his sermons. He kept the feel
ings of his hearers alive to every sentiment which he ad
vanced. He made no pretensions to literary attainments,
yet he was well instructed in the holy Scriptures, and such
subjects as were connected with his profession as a Christian
minister. The richness, variety, and extent of his knowl
edge were not so remarkable as his mastery over what he
knew. But he always appeared to the best advantage when
lie unvailed the mercy-seat, and made the hearts of his

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 321
hearers vibrate with the glad tidings of salvation pro
claimed through the blood of atonement. He seemed to
range among the prophets with a kindred spirit, so as to
afford scenes of the fulfillment of their predictions around
the cross and Calvary. He was mighty in the Scriptures,
mostly because their truths deeply affected his own heart.
But he had studied them so as to be well acquainted with
the great system of salvation which they revealed. He
fortified every part and point of his sermons with Scripture
well chosen, and quoted with the strictest accuracy.
"The priesthood and atonement of our Lord Jesus
Christ, and justification by faith, and holiness of heart,
as the benefits of Christ's death flowing to us, were
themes on which he delighted to dwell. He moved about
the cross as though he was a native of that consecrated
place. His contemplations of the scene were thrilling, his
allusions and images were of the richest class, and his
words so exquisite that they fell upon the ear as the
dialect of heaven. As he portrayed all the Divine attri
butes and perfections separately, and then combined in
the great scheme of redemption, in the administration of
the Divine government, and the dispensations of Provi
dence, the bright assemblage formed a theme which over
whelmed and humbled the proudest heart; and so sub
dued as in the presence of the Lord himself. Meekly and
adoringly the responses of praise were often involuntarily
uttered. But when he expatiated on the redemption of
the world by Jesus Christ, the benevolence of its character,
the richness and fullness of its provisions, its adaptedness
to the wants of fallen man — it was then that he opened to
the view of his hearers the tremendous scenes of Calvary,
and traced the sufferings of Christ and his painful death,
the value and extent of the atonement, and the rich bless
ings purchased by his precious blood, with such force
that their hearts were made to glow and thrill with

SKETCHES OF THE
animation, to startle with amazement, to shrink with awe,
and vibrate in sympathy with the tones of a Savior's dying
love pictured in all his extreme agonies and deep humilia
tion. But the power to enchain, and perfectly command
such varied impulses, and achieve such workings, was
always by him attributed to the Holy Spirit giving energy
to revealed truth, by which it was commended to the
conscience. "Although Mr. Quinn's main strength as a successful
minister was drawn from the holy Scriptures, with which
long study and habitual use had made him perfectly
familiar, he availed himself of other helps. He was a
great lover of the poets; and few pulpit speakers used
them to better advantage. But he did not waste his time,
and weaken the force of his sermons, by drawing upon
every pretender to this sublime art. He blended the pure
and sublime strains of poetry with the pure and elegant
language of inspiration. With Milton he would become
fired, as he described, with all the force of language,
' The infernal serpent,
 with ambitious aim,'
raising war in heaven, and planning and -securing the
destruction of this fair creation. But his soul would be
come elevated to its highest pitch of exultation, and filled
with reverence and lowly devotion, at the appearance of
the Son of God,
' From the right hand of glory, where he sat,
As the third sacred morn began to shine,
Dawning through heaven.'
Young, Thomson, Cowper, and others of the same class,
occupied a place in his high esteem. He used the poetry
of the Wesleys and Watts with great effeet in his sermons.
"James Quinn must have been seen and heard, to form
any adequate idea of him as a preacher. I can neither
describe what his preaching was, nor do justice to my

LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN. 323
conceptions of it. Any attempt of the kind may be
thought an intrusion, and may be regarded as superfluous '
by those who may have long had the means of an exten
sive acquaintance with him, and of forming a judgment of
him as a man, a Christian, and a minister. My long and
intimate acquaintance with him, and the true friendship
which existed between us, may, with other considerations,
justify at least an attempt to give the short description
wished for by our mutual friend. I have often sat under
his ministry, and heard his sermons delivered with so
much ardor of feeling and sentiment, that I could not
believe it was in the power of any man to present the
truths of the Gospel in a more lucid manner.
"I have sat with him by the fireside of his own dwell
ing and elsewhere, and listened to his conversation with
unspeakable delight. He talked of books as if he had
made their contents his own. To hear him was to enjoy
a rich feast. He often spoke of the early ministers of the
Church, and his association with them, with uncommon
interest. Bishops Coke, Whatcoat, Asbury, M'Kendree,
and many others were his associates, and early fellow-
laborers in the ministry. He cherished a mos.t affectionate
remembrance of them. He was a true lover of Wesleyan
Methodism as it was established by 'our fathers.' And
he always observed well, and defended its ancient land
marks. "His public prayers were what might have been looked
for. They evinced great and deep exercise of thought;
and as to the devotional spirit in which they were offered
at the throne of grace, only one impression prevailed.
There were the evident marks of seriousness, solemnity,
simplicity, plainness, genuine piety, and humble prostra
tion of the whole heart before the Almighty. There was
nothing showy in the language, but they were always in
good taste; and they might have been called 'a thinking

324 LIFE AND LABORS OF JAMES QUINN.
performance.' His prayers showed great and familiar
acquaintance with the states and moral characters of men.
His thoughts seemed naturally to recognize the condition of
the people. His prayers were interspersed with appropriate
passages of Scripture, suited to the circumstances and- con
ditions of the assembly. The well-selected parts of Scrip
ture brought into his prayers gave them great effect, and
secured attention and admiration. The succession of sen
tences in direct order, led the hearer's mind distinctly to
the object prayed for; and as a very large proportion of
these sentences were in Scripture language, the mind was
led at once to the exact import of the prayer. Bishop
M'Kendree once said in the hearing of the writer, ' There
is more preaching in James Quinn's prayers, than in the
prayers of any man I have ever heard.' "
The secret of Mr. Quinn's great success at sundry
periods of his ministry, was the moral power which
attended his efforts; and it maybe exemplified by the fol
lowing narrative, related by Mr. Flavel: Ruffinus reports
that at the Council of Nice, a godly man, of no great learn
ing, was the instrument of converting a learned philosopher,
whom the bishops, with all their arguments, could not per
suade; of which the philosopher himself gave this remark
able account: "While you reasoned with me," said he to
the bishops, "against words I opposed words; and what was
spoken, I overthrew by the art of speaking; but when,
instead of words, power came out of the mouth of the
speaker, words could no longer withstand truth, nor man
resist the power of God."

YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

3 9002 08954 9738

'