USA > Arkansas > History of Methodism in Arkansas > Part 13
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The Arkansas Conference for 1856 met at Batesville, and the Ouachita Conference met at Princeton. These Confer ences were again embraced in the Episcopal District of Bishop Pierce, who presided at both of these sessions.
While there was not a very large increase in the member- ship during this year, the reports indicated that there had been an encouraging improvement in every part of Church
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work. There was a steady, solid growth in all the principal charges in the Conferences.
The itinerant force was strengthened by the addition of a number of valuable men, both by admission on trial and by transfer. It was one of those periods in the history of the Church when it appears to be gathering strength, and pre- paring for new conquests and greater triumphs The centers of religious influence were becoming strong enough to do aggressive work, and the leaders of the Conference were obtaining a larger influence over the people of the State, and a stronger hold upon their affections.
The additions to the Arkansas Conference were, William R. Foster, Marion D. Steel, James M. Rogers, John M. Dea- son, James L. Denton, John P. Maxwell, Wiley C. Pershall, James C. Beckham and John A: Roach, by admission on trial.
The following were received on trial into the Ouachita Con- ference : John W. Mann, Franklin F. Bond, Benjamin Kel- logg, Anderson Putman, Archelaus Turrentine, James M. Goodwin, Thomas B. Attebury, Malcolm Turner, Robert L. Jones, Elijah Smoot. By transfer, W. J. McFarland.
As an indication of the strength of the Church in the towns of the State at this time, the following list of stations is given : Little Rock, Pine Bluff, Camden, Washington, Helena, Batesville and Jacksonport.
The numerical strength of these stations was very small compared to the majority of our present stations. The membership of Little Rock was only 109 whites ; Pine Bluff, 130; Camden, 115; Washington, 88; Helena, 60; Jackson- port, 21 ; Batesville, 30.
As we progress in our history of the Church we meet with names that are familiar to the present generation of Metho- dists Some of the preachers of that day are yet in the active service of the Church, either as traveling preachers or in the local ranks; while the names of others who have passed away are still fresh in the memory of the membership of the Church.
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The following were received on trial in the Arkansas Con- ference : Josiah A. Williams, Peter A. Moses, Jesse Glas- cow, William Carter, William T. Noe, Samuel E. Thornton, Cornelius Sykes. By transfer, John W. Pearson.
The Ouachita Conference was strengthened by the admis- sion on trial of George H. Warring, John Dixon, Augustus Chamberlain, George W. Livingston, Horace E. Bickers, Cal- vin M. Gentry, Thomas A. Graham. By transfer, Columbus - Steele, Josiah R. Greer, T. M. Rhodes and James E. Cobb.
Of these, Josiah Williams did faithful service in the Con- ference until 1870, when he retired to the local ranks. George H. Warring continued in the itinerant ranks until 1873, when he located, Peter A. Moses was a faithful, earnest preacher in every position he occupied, whether as pastor of a church, chaplain in the army, or principal of a church school. He was for a number of years identified with the educational interests of the Church in Arkansas ; first, as the President of Wallace Institute, and afterwards as the President of Quitman College.
James E. Cobb came to Arkansas as a transfer from the St. Louis Conference, and was for many years intimately connected with the publishing interests of the Church, as the editor of the Memphis Christian Advocate, and afterwards of the Arkansas Christian Advocate, published in Little Rock. In 1870 he was transferred to the Louisiana Confer- ence to take charge of the Homer College, where he re- mained as President of the College until 1873, when he was appointed to the Opelousas District. He continued to travel until his death. James E. Cobb was recognized as a man of ripe scholarship, a writer of marked ability, and a most excellent preacher of the gospel, and of singular purity of character. During his entire connection with the Con- ference in Arkansas he was recognized as one of the leaders in every movement for the advancement of the best interests of the Church.
CHAPTER XV.
BISHOP KAVANAUGH-A GREAT SERMON -- DR. HENDERSON -H. PERRY -- J. W. OWEN -- J. A. STANLEY-SIMEON WAL- KER -- R. C. ATCHLEY-W. C. HAISLIP-JAMES E. COBB- OUACHITA CONFERENCE -- ARKANSAS CONFERENCE TRANS- FERS -- M. C. MORRIS-H. M. GRANADE-JOSEPH AN- DREWS-STEPHEN CARLISLE-BENJAMIN KELLOGG-JACOB WHITESIDES.
The Arkansas Conferences for 1857 were placed in the Episcopal District of Bishop Kavanaugh, and as this was his first Episcopal visit to Arkansas, there was considerable anxiety upon the part, both of the preachers and people, to hear him, for his fame as a pulpit orator had gone out over the Church. The Bishop appears to have been in his happiest moods at both sessions of the Conferences-in Little Rock and Jacksonport-and fully met the expectations of the people. The old preachers who were present at these Con- ferences delight in giving a description of his sermons on these occasions, especially one of his efforts at Jacksonport. This was at that time a small town, and the Conference ses- sion was very much like a protracted meeting, at which the entire surrounding country came out to attend the services and especially to enjoy the preaching. From the descrip- tions given, the people were fully satisfied with the minis- trations of the Bishop.
Dr. Howard Henderson, who was Bishop Kavanaugh's traveling companion during his tour of the Arkansas Conferences, gives this graphic description of the Bishop's. preaching during this Conference session :
" The Arkansas Conference met at Jacksonport, then a struggling frontier village where primitive simplicity had
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residence, and pioneer hospitality hung its latch-string, like the Percys of Northumberland, their banners, on the outer walls.
" On Tuesday evening he preached again, and almost from the first sentence captured every heart, continuing to ascend in a series of thrilling climaxes, piling Chimborazian peaks upon Himalayan heights, Appenines upon Alps, until it seemed as if he might have pushed ajar the gates of glory. -
" At this remote day it seems as though my pencil would melt, did I attempt to drive it to the task of writing the ar- dent climaxes and peroration, the greatest piece of eloquence I ever heard breathed in words. I have never since, from any man, in senate or hustings, on platform or in pulpit, heard such oratory. It was more than Miltonic-it was an- gelic. The Bishop never transcended this effort. The feel- ing was too intense for utterance; all were silent, and every person seemed statuesque before this Niagara of eloquence. The pent-up emotions of the crowded congregations found vent in song, which rolled in ocean surges. I would travel 500 miles to hear the like again. And when the good man returned to his room he seemed as simple as a child and per- fectly unconscious of the mighty spell with which he had entranced his hearers. I have heard the Bishop often since, when he delighted vast congregations, but such an effort can scarcely be possible to a man more than once in a life- time. I saw him bend the knee, and as he prayed I sat in silent awe as with mental petition he claimed and caught the ear of God. I would not at that moment have been much surprised to have seen the flaming chariot and fiery steeds that alighted at Elijah's feet come sweeping down to claim the great preacher as a passenger."
Those who have had the pleasure of hearing Bishop Kav- anaugh in his happiest moods, can appreciate this glowing description of that sermon.
There were two deaths during this year among the Ar-
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kansas preachers, Horatio Perry of the Arkansas Confer- ence and Jesse W. Owen of the Ouachita Conference.
"Horatio Perry was a native of Tennessee, but in early life moved to Mississippi, where he was converted and joined the Methodist Church. He was licensed to preach in 1852, and in the fall of the same year received on trial and transferred to the Arkansas Conference and appointed to the Mississippi Mission. He filled, in the order named, the following pastoral charges : Batesville Station, Jackson- port Station and Searcy Circuit.
"On his way from the seat of the Conference in 1856 he was taken violently ill, and after three weeks of suffering passed away. He was represented as being amiable in his disposition, gentlemanly in his manners, studious in his hab- its, and devoted in his attachments to the Church of his choice."
"Jesse W. Owen was converted in Hickman County, Kentucky, when in his seventeenth year, licensed to preach in 1842, and remained in the local ranks until 1852, when he was received into the traveling connection in the Arkansas Conference, and traveled the following circuits : Jackson- port, Benton and Lapile.
" While on the latter circuit towards the close of the year he was seized by disease which terminated his life.
" He was a faithful and useful preacher of the gospel, and was noted for his zeal and strong faith. His death was tri- umphant, and added another witness to the long list of those who have testified of the power of God to sustain in the dying hour."
While this was a year of general prosperity, the increase of membership was not so great as it was the preceding year. Every preacher, however, of large experience, has learned that while large accessions to the Church are desirable, that it does not always mark the real progress of the Church. There are times of sowing as well as times of reaping.
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In the plan of Episcopal visitations for 1858, the Arkan- sas Conferences were assigned to Bishop Early. The Ar- kansas Conference met at Dardanelle, and the Ouachita Conference met at Arkadelphia.
For the Arkansas Conference the admissions were George Emmett, Leonidas Dobson, Biby B. Canady, Benjamin F. Benefield, David P. Armstrong. For the Ouachita Confer- ence, Julius A. Stanley and Robert C. Atchley.
The transfers were George A. Shaffer and John F. Pear- son to the Arkansas Conference, and Wm. C. Haislip, Simeon R. Walker, Elam A. Stephenson, James E. Cobb, William R. Davis and Cyrus P. Swinney, to the Ouachita Conference.
There was one death during this year. Edwin W. Ware was born in 1829; professed religion in 1842; was received into the traveling connection at the Conference held at El Dorado, November, 1855 ; ordained deacon at Little Rock, in 1857, and appointed to the Bayou Meto Circuit. During this year he was stricken down by disease, which terminated fatally. His end was in great peace.
The Arkansas Conference for 1859 met at Searcy, with Bishop Paine as the presiding officer.
The Ouachita Conference, which met at Monticello, hav- ing no Bishop present, elected Andrew Hunter as the Pres- ident of the Conference.
James Grant, Moses E. Morris, Harvey M. Granade, D. W. Evans, Wm. M. Mathis, S. R. Warwick and W. M. Mal- low were admitted on trial in the Arkansas Conference. The transfers were Pleasant Basham, Lewis C. Woods, Franklin W. Phillips, Geo. W. Dungan, M. B. Pearson and Henry J. Hulsey.
The admissions into the Ouachita Conference were Eze- kiel N. Watson, Wm. C. Adams, Joseph W. Tumley, Wil- liam J. Davis, Hugh P. Robinson and James R. Harvey. The transfers were Wm. D. Shea, Cadesman Pope, James Y. Brice and Horace Jewell.
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Of this number, E. N. Watson, Wm. C. Adams, W. J. Davis and James R. Harvey are active member's of the Lit- tle Rock Conference. Cadesman Pope is the honored Pres- ident of the Millersburg Female College. William D. Shea transferred to the Louisiana Conference the same. year. James Y. Brice transferred to the Texas'Conference in 1862. Pleasant Basham died in 1862. James Grant and W. M. Mathis transferred to the Texas Conference in 1863. Colum- bus Steele traveled in the Little Rock Conference, filling with accepability the various circuits, stations and districts to which he was appointed, until his transfer to the Pacific Conference in 1879. He is at this time an honored member of that body. William T. Noe continued in the traveling connection until his death in 1875. Thomas A. Graham is still living and is an honored member of the Arkansas Con- ference. John Dixon and Calvin Gentry are local preachers within the bounds of the Little Rock Conference. Josiah B. Greer located, and was for many years a useful preacher in the local ranks, near Arkadelphia. Augustus Chamberlain went into the Confederate army, and was a faithful soldier until the close of the war. He located in a few years, and during the remainder of his life did faithful service as a local preacher.
The Rev. H. M. Granade paid this tribute to the memory of his friend and fellow-laborer :
" Rev. Moses C. Morris has passed on to his glorious re- ward. He was born in Lawrence County, Ark., in 1830; became religious at 18 years of age, married Miss Nancy Johnson, who died years ago, as also did two of their four children. In 1881 he married Miss C. Jennie Brownlee, who now grieves in lonely but trusting widowhood. Bro. Morris joined the Arkansas Conference with the writer and four others in 1859; has always been a faithful, humble, prudent man of God and servant of the Church. Though a good preacher and a holy man he was never put forward, nor did
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he urge himself into prominence. He has been in the White River Conference since its formation, going willingly to dif- ficult fields and toiling patiently to build up the cause of our Master. Last year his health was so bad that he labored for months in great weakness and pain to keep up his ap- pointments. He often preached when he had to hold to the pulpit for support and then lie down on a bench for a little rest ; then go home and lie in bed until duty called him out - again. Still on the walls of Zion his clear, ringing voice was heard until his last enemy claimed him as his victim.
" Seeing that he must die he closed up his temporal affairs, gave directions concerning his funeral and burial, told Sister Morris and his son Frank how to live so as to meet him in heaven and calmly awaited the end. Frank, he always thought, would be his preacher son, and so he told him, if God called, not to refuse the duty.
" Among his dying words were: 'I love everybody ; I hate none; some have not treated me well, but I forgive ; tell all the preachers good-bye ; tell Bro. Granade to write my obituary ; we joined Conference together nearly thirty years ago, and of our class we alone are left in the work. I am happy! HAPPY !! HAPPY !!! ' Then after three hours sleep he awoke and with uplifted hand and bounding spirit he exclaimed ; 'ANOTHER WORLD !' Sister Morris asked : 'Is it the heavenly world?' He replied: 'Yes, happy! HAPPY !! HAPPY !!! I am so happy! been happy all the time.' Thus this dear man of God triumphed until his tongue was stiff in death, and his enraptured spirit arose to God and eternal life. He died in Beebe, Ark., March 2, 1889, aged 59 years. The funeral services were held in the Church at Beebe by Rev. C. H. Gregory, and our brother's body was buried in the cemetery at Searcy by the side of his former wife, as he requested. 'Let us live the life of the righteous and let my last end be like his.'"
Henry M. Granade was born in Tennessee, December 22,
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1836. He was converted and joined the Methodist Church in early life ; was licensed to preach and admitted on trial in the Arkansas Conference in 1859, and appointed to the Ozark Circuit, where he greatly impressed himself upon the esteem of that people, so that many of the older families of that community cherish many precious recollections of his labors among them. This was the beginning of his itinerant life that continued for thirty years, during which time he filled circuits, stations and districts in the Arkansas, White River and Indian Mission Conferences, to the great accepta- bility of the people. As a preacher, he was bold and zeal- ous in declaring the message that he felt had been com- mitted into his hands. While he was often severe in his denunciations of sin, which sometimes gave him the ap- pearance of a harsh and austere man, he was known to his friends as a man of great tenderness of heart. He was a dear lover of children, who readily recognized in him a de- voted and sympathetic friend, and gave him their confidence as they did few men. Another trait in our brother's charac- ter was his great sympathy for the poor, and among his last acts was the raising of a sum of money to build a house for a poor widow. About a year before his death he discovered that a tumor was growing in his arm-pit, which the physi- cians pronounced incurable, but the announcement did not alarm him. He died however, of another disease, suddenly and unexpectedly, March 11, 1890. Such was the purity of his life that no one doubted his integrity; even those who condemned his plainness of speech believed that he was an honest and sincere Christian.
The Ouachita Conference was called to mourn the loss of two good men during the year-Simeon R. Walker and John J. Kennedy.
Simeon R. Walker was a native of Tennessee. He pro- fessed religion, and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in 1849. Licensed to preach, and received into the
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Memphis Conference in 1854. He was transferred to the Ouachita Conference in 1857, and appointed to the Hamp- ton Circuit. During the month of May, while on his way to visit his brother in Hempstead County, he was taken sud- denly ill in Camden, and died after an illness of three days. The testimony of all who knew him was that he was a deeply pious, zealous and faithful preacher.
Joshua T. Kennedy, at the age of ten years, came with his parents from Tennessee to Arkansas in 1846. He was licensed to preach in 1854; joined the Ouachita Conference in 1855. His appointments were Dallas Mission, Mount Ida Circuit, Warren Circuit, Mount Ida Mission. On the 26th of March, 1859, the good man and faithful young preacher fell in the field of conflict, rejoicing in God. He died talking of heaven.
Among the many advantages which the polity of the Methodist Church has in the successful prosecution of its work, not among the least is the facility it affords to study the progress of the work, and the men who have it in charge. The annual statistical reports give us a clear view of the progress of each charge, while it is possible to trace each preacher through the whole course of his ministerial life, and note his successes, and his failures, and in that way form a fair estimate of his ability as a preacher and pastor.
A study of the statistics for this year will reveal the fact that commendable progress was made in every department of Church work, and is a testimony to the fidelity of the preachers in Arkansas. The centers of influence were grow- ing stronger, and the circuits and missions were reaching out into hitherto unoccupied fields, and new pastoral charges were being formed to meet the increasing demands for labor.
At this Conference twelve new pastoral charges were formed, and the Towns of Monticello, in the Ouachita Con- ference, and Searcy, in the Arkansas Conference, were formed into stations.
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The twenty-fifth session of the Arkansas Conference met at Van Buren, November 7, 1860, Bishop Kavanaugh, President.
John M. Clayton, Abel C. Ray, Joseph W. Bissell, Wil- liam Shepherd and John B. Brown were admitted on trial. A. W. C. Drake, C. M. Slover and William Wilson were re- ceived by transfer.
The Ouachita Conference for this year met at Pine Bluff, Bishop Pierce, President.
The following were received on trial: William O. Lanier, James M. Lee, Obadiah Burnett, Buckner Abernathy, John L. Partin, Jarrett W. Brandon, John L. Emmerson, Robert C. Atchley, Jonathan A. Clover and William W. Echols. The transfers to the Conference were Joseph G. Ward, James H. Warfield, Henry D. McKennon, W. R. J. Hus- bands and Britton G. Johnson.
Of these, Britton G. Johnson, H. D. McKennon and Rob- ert C. Atchley are at this time honored members of the Little Rock Conference.
Abel C. Ray located in 1874; Joseph W. Bissell died in 1865 ; William Shepherd transferred in 1868; James Lee died in 1864; Jarrett W. Brandon died in 1867; Jonathan A. Clover transferred in 1870; Joseph G. Ward, James H. Warfield and William R. J. Husbands traveled for a number of years, doing most faithful service. We will have occa- sion to refer to these honored names again in the progress of this work.
The statistics show that this was a year of great pros- perity, in which many of the pastoral charges were blessed with gracious revivals of religion.
The reports show that there were 8952 white members and 2787 probationers in the Ouachita Conference; and 11,177 white members and 2367 probationers in the Arkan- sas Conference. Total in the State, 25,283 white members and 4518 colored members.
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The Church sustained the loss of four most valuable preachers from the itinerant ranks by death during this year. Stephen Carlisle and Joseph Andrews from the Arkansas Conference, and Benjamin Kellogg and Jacob Whitesides from the Ouachita Conference.
" Joseph Andrews was born in Giles County, Tennessee. He was licensed to preach in 1849, and admitted into the- traveling connection and transferred to the Arkansas Con- ference the same year. He traveled the following circuits in the order named : Harrison, Lapile, Dardanelle, Clarks- ville, Dover, Augusta, Richland and Carrollton. He was regarded as a sweet-spirited, amiable and useful Christian minister. He departed this life in great peace."
Stephen Carlisle occupied a prominent position in the Church for many years, and was justly regarded as one of the most useful and devoted preachers within the Confer- ence. He was a native of Arkansas, and was thoroughly identified with every interest of the Church in the State, and enjoyed in a very large degree the confidence of all the people. He was born in 1818; was converted under the ministry of Rev. John Harris in the summer of 1837, and joined the Methodist Church. He was licensed to preach in 1839, and was received the same year on trial in the Ar- kansas Conference. He filled the following appointments : Elizabeth Circuit, Little Rock Circuit, Pine Bluff Circuit, Fayetteville Circuit, Huntsville Circuit, Washington Circuit, Lafayette Circuit, Benton Circuit, Elizabeth Circuit, Bates- ville Station, Little Rock District, Batesville District, Helena District and Searcy District, where he remained until his death, which occurred April 14, 1860. It will be seen that during his long and eventful life he filled some of the most important positions in the Church. He was twice elected to the General Conference-in 1854 and 1858. When told that his end was near, he replied that he was ready, and committing his wife and children into the hands of God he
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died in peace. His widow still lives in Searcy, and by her quiet, Christian life, illustrates the beauty of holiness to all who witness her daily walk.
Of Benjamin Kellogg we have been able to learn but little. From the records we learn that he was licensed to preach in 1856, and received the same year on trial in the Ouachita Conference, and appointed to the El Dorado Circuit ; in 1857, Camden Circuit ; in 1858, Magnolia Circuit ; in 1859, Lib- erty and Mound Circuit, but was taken sick and died before reaching his field of labor. He was a young man of great piety, and was an earnest, faithful preacher of the Word.
The venerable Jacob Whitesides, after a pilgrimage of more than four-score years, departed this life at his home in Hempstead County, Arkansas. He was for more than fifty years a minister of the gospel. In the early part of his ministry, from 1814 to 1822, he was a member of the Ten- nessee and Missouri Conferences. He then moved to the Territory of Arkansas, and settled in Hempstead County. He was readmitted into the Arkansas Conference at its organization in 1836. For many years before his death he sustained a superannuated relation to the Church, and although unable to do much active service on account of feeble health, his consistent life and purity of character gave him great influence in the community where he lived. His descendants are now living in the southwestern part of the State, and are known as most excellent people. His grandson, the Rev. Jacob Whitesides, is a useful and very devoted preacher and member of the Little Rock Annual Conference-a worthy descendant of a noble and venerable pioneer in Arkansas Methodism.
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