USA > Arkansas > History of Methodism in Arkansas > Part 18
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P. W. Archer, J. A. Parker, George W. Mathews, H. Townsend, M. H. Fielding, W. R. Gardner, T. B. Atter- bury, L. W. Piggott, F. Pearson, were received by transfer from other Conferences.
The total membership reported in the State for this year was 23,689.
There were two deaths during the year, both from the White River Conference-Elijah F. McNabb and John Cowle. Of Elijah F. McNabb, we have been able to learn nothing beyond the facts stated in a very brief memoir re- corded in the minutes. From these we learn that he was a Kentuckian by birth, and came to Arkansas when quite young, and settled in Phillips County. He was received on trial in 1847, and appointed to Greene Mission. His health failing, he took a superannuated relation in 1851, which he retained until the time of his death. During the whole of his ministry he maintained the integrity of his Christian character, and was greatly esteemed by all who knew him.
John Cowle was born in Huntingdonshire, England, in January, 1815, and came with his parents to America in 1822, and settled in Vanberberg County, Indiana, where he continued until 1838, when he came to Arkansas. He was received on trial by the Arkansas Conference at Batesville in 1841, and appointed to Bayou Bartholomew Circuit.
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During this year his labors resulted in a gracious revival. In 1853 he was appointed to the Helena Station. In 1854 he was appointed to the Batesville District. He continued on district work for sixteen consecutive years. His health failing, he was granted a superannuated relation, which he sustained until his death, which occurred at the home of his brother-in-law, Hon. Isa Iglehart, at Evansville, Ind. His death was triumphant. His last words were, " Oh, blessed Jesus, glory !" It is said of him that he was a close student, and made rapid progress in all his studies. The appoint- ments that he received indicated the esteem in which he was held by his brethren. He was honored with a seat in the General Conference of 1854.
The Arkansas Conference convened in Van Buren, Octo- ber 18, 1871 ; the White River Conference at Batesville, November 15, 1871, and the Little Rock Conference at Lit- tle Rock, November 1, 1871. Bishop McTyeire presided at all these Conferences.
This was a year of prosperity in all the Conferences. While there was a healthy increase in the membership of the Church in all the Conferences, the largest gain was in the Arkansas Conference. The total gain for this year was 3124 members. The total membership was 32,979. The Conferences were reinforced by a large class of young preachers who were received on trial.
In the Arkansas Conference, James L. Hays, E. M. Col- lum, James C. Daily and Samuel McCurdy were received on trial. R. N. Frances, Hastings Puget and S. D. Gaines were received by transfer.
In the White River Conference, Thomas A. Craig, John J. Alexander, James M. Falkington, James Denton and Joseph Short were received on trial. Robert Blassingame, M. B. Pearson, R. W. Massey, Robert G. Britton, John J. Prather, John F. Armstrong, Benjamin F. Hall and Arthur Davis were received by transfer.
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In the Little Rock Conference, William W. Wilson, George W. Duncan, James R. Sherwood, Finch M. Winburn, Charles D. McSwain, C. A. Bayliss and Phil. W. Archer were received on trial, and John M. Pirtle was readmitted ; Anslem Minor and D. H. Linebaugh were received by trans- fer. There were three deaths in the Little Rock Conference : Richard P. Davies, W. R. J. Husbands and L. M. Chandler. The following memoirs were furnished the Conference for publication :
Richard P. Davies .- He was born in England, March 12, 1833. When 12 years old, he removed with his parents to Canada. His parents were primitive Methodists in England, and his father was a local preacher among them ; but on his removal to Canada he united with the Wesleyan Methodist. Brother Davies was converted in early life, and united with the Wesleyan Church. Upon his removal to Louisiana he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. He was licensed in 1858, and came to Lewisville, Ark., in 1860, and labored as a local preacher until 1863, when he was re- ceived on trial in the Little Rock Annual Conference. He was afterwards ordained Deacon and Elder. He was recog- nized as a useful and acceptable preacher in the various fields of labor to which he was assigned. Being a man of fine personal appearance, and always pleasant and agreeable in social life, and possessing more than ordinary ability, he bid fair to become one of the most useful men in the Con- ference. But in the midst of his usefulness, and with such fair prospects lying before him, he came to a sudden close of his useful life. He fell by the hand of an assassin, who, under the guise of friendship, sought opportunity to take his life. The sad event occurred February 24, 1871, at 2 o'clock p. m., but he lingered until 2 o'clock at night. Dur- ing this interval he spoke kindly to those about him, and tried to comfort his disconsolate wife by giving her assur- ances of the favor of God. He sent messages of love to his
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brethren of the Conference, and then peacefully fell on sleep.
" Leonard M. Chandler .- The information furnished the Conference in reference to this brother was to the effect that he was born in 1841, in the State of Mississippi. He was converted in 1868, and was soon afterwards licensed to preach, and the same year was admitted on trial in the Little Rock Annual Conference. His last appointment was the Eudora Circuit, where he died of swamp fever, October II,. Those who knew his personal worth regarded him as a man of great consecration to duty. He was very successful in his ministry, under which many souls were converted. His singularly pure and devoted life was closed in great peace."
The name of Arthur Davis appears for the first time in 1871 in connection with the work in Arkansas. He was a prominent member of the Tennessee and Memphis Confer- ences for many years, filling many important charges in those Conferences. He transferred to Arkansas in the fall of 1870 and remained in Arkansas until his death, which occurred January, 1879. The following notice of him is from the pen of his old friend, Dr. T. L. Boswell :
" Brother Davis had a long and useful career among us as a traveling preacher. There is before the writer a list of thirty- four appointments filled by him, including circuit, mission, district and station work ; and well filled, too, as all can testify who witnessed his success in the work of the Master. No doubt scores and hundreds will rise up to bless him as the instrument of their salvation in that day when 'the righteous shall shine as the sun in the kingdom of their Father'- when those who 'turn many to righteousness shall be as the . stars forever and forever.' In all his going in and out among us there never was the shadow of a complaint against him ; he was not only ' blameless in life and official administra- tion,' but highly commended for his work's sake. As a .preacher he was strong, clear, religious and effective in an
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eminent degree. He was an indefatigable worker himself and knew how to get others to work-hence the secret of his great success in the work of soul-saving. Brother Davis was a man of good proportions-of medium stature, strong and active, sandy complexion, keen, piercing eye, quite pre- possessing in his person and manners. He possessed a strong and vigorous mind, and though he had but little cul- ture in early life, he acquired a large amount of knowledge of men and things by reading and observation. He had a good collection of books, and used them as occasion re- quired, but the great book of Nature was his study. He developed a rare degree of originality in strong ideas and modes of expression and illustration. He borrowed but little from human sources; the individuality of Arthur Davis was more or less stamped upon everything he said and did. He was, moreover, of a bold and princely spirit ; he scorned to think of a little, low or mean thing; 'in his eye a vile person was contemned.' In the sense of the Psalmist if he swore to his own hurt he changed not; what he promised he would perform at any cost; his word was as good as his bond; he was an honest man. It was not necessary to convert Arthur Davis to make him honest ; he was that by nature, and conversion only refined and elevated that noble element in his nature to a higher plane of action."
"W. R. J. Husbands was a native of Lincoln County, Tennessee, and at the time of his death was 50 years of age. He was converted in 1840 and licensed to preach in 1842, and was received on trial in the Tennessee Conference the same year and appointed to the Bellefonte Mission. In 1860 he was transferred to the Little Rock Conference, where he filled the Tulip Circuit, Clark Circuit, Arkadelphia District and Pine Bluff District. He was everywhere recognized as a faithful, devoted and very useful minister of the gospel. A life of such devotion and purity was closed in peace and holy triumph. His last words were, 'All is bright.'"
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The Arkansas Conferences for 1872 were placed in the Episcopal District of Bishop Wightman. This was his first official visit to Arkansas, and he succeeded by his wonderful power in the pulpit and great administrative ability, com- bined with his elegance of manner and gentleness of spirit, in capturing completely the hearts of both preachers and people, which he continued to hold until the day of his death.
The Arkansas Conference met at Bentonville, October 16, 1872.
The following were admitted on trial: J. B. Hickman, T. M. C. Birmingham, J. R. N. Bell and W. L. Derrick. J. W. Shook and F. M. Paine were readmitted. . B. Williams, R. McTydings, W. T. Bolling, T. F. Brewer and George W. Evans were received by transfer.
The White River Conference met at Augusta, October 30, 1872.
The following were admitted on trial: James B. Mc- Kamy, Moses C. Clark, John A. Cooper, David J. Hare, Albert H. Woodward, Francis M. Petty.
There was one death in this Conference during the year. Of W. W. Gillispie we have no information except that fur- nished by the minutes of the Conference. From these we learn that he was received on trial in the Arkansas Confer- ence in 1866. He traveled successively the Jacksonport Circuit, Walnut Bend Circuit and Clarendon Station, in all of which he had a fair degree of success.
The Little Rock Conference met at Pine Bluff, December 4, 1872. The admissions on trial were: Alonzo Monk, William H. Hagan, R. M. Traylor, W. H. H. Biggs, F. M. Jones, C. C. Godden, Z. T. McCann. The transfers from other Conferences were: H. D. Howell, S. N. Burns, J. A. Clower. Of these Alonzo Monk is at this time an honored member of the Memphis Conference. W. H. Hagan died in 1879 ; he was regarded as being one of the most faithful and . devoted young preachers of the Conference. W. H. H.
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Biggs, transferred to one of the Texas Conferences in 1874, faithful and true to every interest of the Church. H. D. Howell transferred to the Memphis Conference in 1873. S. N. Burns is a member of the Conference, and enjoys the love and confidence of the people on every pastoral charge he has filled. J. A. Clower transferred to one of the Texas Conferences in 1870. R. M. Traylor is a member of the Arkansas Conference, faithful and true to every interest committed to his hands. C. C. Godden is a member of the Little Rock Conference, beloved, honored and trusted by his brethren. Z. T. McCann is now a member of the Mis- souri Conference, and for these twenty years he has proven himself worthy of the confidence reposed in him. There was one death reported at the Conference.
Rev. Isaac Ebbert was born near Baltimore, Md., March 2, 1817. Graduated at Augusta College in 1840. Professed conversion and joined the M. E. Church in early life. Re- ceived on trial in the Ohio Conference in 1840. At the di- vision of the Church in 1843 came South and joined the Kentucky Conference. Located in 1850. In the fall of 1858 readmitted into the Memphis Conference, and trans- ferred to the Little Rock Conference in 1871. He went to Paducah, Ky., in 1872, where he was taken violently ill with typhoid pneumonia, and died in great peace. Among his last utterances were ; " the way is clear-all clear." Dr. Ebbert did no active work in Arkansas, but the records show that in other Conferences he did much valuable service for the Church. He was recognized as a preacher of a very high order of ability, and an educated and refined Christian minister.
During this year a death occurred in the East Texas Conference, which demands a notice at our hands on account of his former connection with the Arkansas Con- . ference. :
" Jefferson Shook was born in Madison County, Mo., May
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20, 1820. He was converted October 15, 1838. Joined the Methodist Church November 2d, of the same year, in Ar- kansas. He was licensed to preach September 18, 1841, and admitted on trial the same year in the Arkansas Conference and appointed to the DeKalb Circuit in the then Republic of Texas. He was ordained Deacon in 1843, and in 1846 was ordained Elder. For a number of years he traveled various circuits and districts in the Texas Conference with great acceptability. He served the Church in various ca- pacities, in all of which he was a faithful servant of the Church. His capacities were above mediocrity, both as a preacher and writer. His pulpit style was rather polemic in its nature. He investigated his subject closely, de- fended the doctrines of the Church sternly, and clung to what he believed with tenacity. As a writer he rather ex- celled, wielding a vigorous pen in vindication of truth and in the expulsion of error. He died December 20, 1872, in great peace."
The published minutes for this year show a very large in- crease in the membership of the Church. It was a year of great prosperity in every branch of Church work. The total increase for the three Conferences was 2870 members.
The following letter from Bishop Wightman to the West- ern Methodist will no doubt be read with interest by the older class of Methodists, who remember his visit to the State in 1872 :
" You insisted, my dear friend, as I was on my way west- ward, that I should write you my impressions of the midway frontier work of the Southern M. E. Church. I regret that the incessant demands on my time have allowed me hitherto no opportunity to comply with your request. The statistical information connected with the three Conferences I have just held has been furnished you in the minutes, which were promptly forwarded, and the communications of my pleas- ant traveling companion, Dr. McFerrin and others. The 15-M
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ground I was called to go over was to me entirely new. I was notified in advance that my 500 miles of travel, in pri- vate conveyances, might leave some recollections of the In- dian country and of Arkansas more forcible than agreea- ble. But let me say frankly, that, all in all, I have had very few tours of official visitation which were so full of interest and have left reminiscences so entirely satisfactory.
" It was a new thing in my experience to see a large con- gregation of Indians; but I shall not soon forget the im- pression made upon me by the decorum and solemnity which marked that congregation-men and women -- chief and members of the National Council, at a Sunday camp- meeting service. It had all the excitement of a new ex- perience, to address such an assembly, in aphoristic sen- tences, each followed by the interlude of the interpreter's voice. It was getting decidedly into a new groove of public speaking, and I am satisfied with having tried it once. Yet you must not suppose that I broke down at all; while I am free to admit that Bro. Harrell and Dr. McFerrin awakened my admiration at the ease and facility with which -- old, practiced hands as they are-they worked in that sort of harness. The words of the interpreters had a musical ring ; yet they seemed to lack the directness and percussive force of the English. Sometimes the interpreter, who stands to the left of the preacher, would catch the glow of a strong sentence, and show the effect in the flash of the eye, and the rhetorical movement of the hand, as well as in the swell of the voice. The Indian listener, however, is apt to maintain his composure. ‘Nil admirari' seems to describe pretty accurately his habitual temper.
"The Chief of the Creek Nation received us with great courtesy. Though he speaks English fluently, yet, accord- ing to court etiquette, I presume, he welcomed and con- versed with us through his interpreter. In the run of the conversation, ' Ask the Chief,' said 1, ' how old he is.' The
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question was put in the Creek language, and the reply was in the same tongue, 'About fifty years old.' 'Tell him,' I answered, ' if he will pardon the liberty of my saying it, that he is the finest-looking man I have seen west of the Mississippi River.' The ear of royalty is accustomed to pleasant words, and Chicote quietly but graciously acknowl- edged the compliment with a smile and a bow. He is a man of high principle, well versed in affairs, of fine adminis- trative ability, and very popular. He dresses and looks like an American gentleman. The proceedings of the National Council, which is held annually, in conformity with a written constitution, were conducted with propriety, and showed a growing advancement in the knowledge and application of the principles of government which protect life, person and property. The Cherokees, Creeks, Choctaws and Chicka- saws, have more than 150 schools in operation, attended by more than 5000 children, for the support of which $165,000 is annually appropriated from the interest received on the $4,000,000 the United States government holds in trust for these Nations. The Conference has two seminaries-one among the Cherokees, the other among the Choctaws- which are well managed, well patronized and popular. The pressure of my engagements did not allow me to visit them, as otherwise I should have gladly done. The number of Indians in these four Nations is reckoned, I think, at some 60,000. They are agriculturalists and stock-raisers-not hunters -- and live in houses and cultivate farms. As a gen- eral thing, they lack the energy and push of the white man. This is not at all surprising. Time is required, and their ad- vancement toward the higher planes of civilization is, of course, gradual. The Methodist Church has long had its evangelizing agencies at work among these Nations. A Presiding Elder's district covers each one of them. A band of devoted, self-sacrificing men, both whites and Indians, carry on the work of the ministry in these districts. The
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$12,000 allowed by the General Mission Board for the sup- port of this work was drawn on to the last dime, and felt to be $500 too little to meet the urgent wants of the field. The presence of the Missionary Secretary was highly appre- ciated, and he was 'utilized' to the full extent. When the Conference closed I was sorry to lose his company; and, particularly, as I found appointments strung along, day and night, en route to Bentonville, it being supposed he would ac- company me through Arkansas.
" The drive from Fort Gibson to Ocmulgee and back, was. in the double-seated buggy of my old friend, Brother Ewing, to whose kind attentions and skilful driving I am under special obligations. The drive from Park Hill, near Tahle- quah, to the Arkansas line, was rough and hard, as we were out of the prairies, and the roads in the Indian coun- try are seldom worked. I was struck with the singular dis- integration of the quartz rocks on the mountain ridges all along this road. It seems as though volcanic or chem- ical action had broken up into small fragments innumerable the masses of rock. These lie on the slopes of the ridges, a level and smooth coating of stone, multitudinous as the sands of the sea-shore. They evidently have never been subjected to the grinding action of the sea.
"I found an appointment waiting for me at Boonsboro, the night after reaching Arkansas. In this pleasant little town there is a new brick Methodist Church, and a good female academy under the charge of Prof. Welch, a local preacher and an accomplished instructor. The Cumberland Presby- terian Church was politely tendered by its pastor, as it was supposed that ours would hardly hold the congregation. There I preached to an assembly the size of which surprised me. But the weather was delightful, the moon at the full, and the surrounding country populous. I preached the next day at Viney Grove, some ten miles on. These two appointments formed the pastoral charge of my young friend, the Rev.
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Jerome Haralson, whose acquaintance I formed at Boons- boro, and the quality and metal of whose horses I tried then as the prelude to the 350 miles of subsequent travel along which they were to carry us. I was now in Washington County, far up in the northwest of Arkansas. But this county, and its neighbor, Benton, I found to be very choice bits of the grand far-off West. A heavy population, indus- trious, stirring, thriving, covers the soil, which is highly pro- ductive. No cotton grows there, and consequently fences and outbuildings are in fine repair ; houses are painted, corn and oats are plentiful, stock fat, and the apple orchards are magnificent. The apple grown in these two counties is the boast of everybody.
" The next Sunday I spent in the bright, picturesque Town of Fayetteville, finding a pleasant home in the house of Brother Stone. A handsome brick church had just been completed-seats and pulpit excepted. These were extem- porized for the occasion, and I preached in the new church, but did not dedicate it. On Monday night and Tuesday there were of course appointments strung along my road to Bentonville, the seat of the Arkansas Conference. They understand in that country how to get out of a Bishop all that is in him. We dined on Tuesday with Gen. Pierce, after I preached near by. The General took me over his apple orchard, and pointed out twenty varieties of that fruit, each in highest perfection. At his table I found the only game I tasted in the whole trip-wild ducks. I had been rather hoping I should see bear meat and venison, and wild turkey in abundance, here and there. But I was mistaken ; and what difference does it make now? The fare every- where was good and well-cooked; constant riding in the open air gives one a fine edge of appetite, and your friends are glad to see you eat heartily. And now on to Benton- ville. The country is as level as a plain ; but we are on a mountain plateau, not very far from the termination of the
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grand Ozark range. My quarters are at the house of Judge Ellis, and the session is held in the Methodist Church, a new and handsome brick building, which, by the way, I dedicated on Sunday. The religious exercise of the occa- sion were full of interest. Several persons found peace with God the first night of the Conference; and throughout crowds hung with profound attention upon the word preached. The business of the session went on without hindrance, and in the spirit of work and love. Three or four valuable men were received by transfer. The independ- ence of one of these I admired; he had come from the Western Conference in his own wagon, bringing his wife and children and household goods with him, camping out at night, and ready for the work assigned him. He drove up to the church while the Conference was in session, and took up his quarters in the rear of the building. With entire unanimity, and even enthusiasm, the Conference ap- proved the design and plan of the Central University and selected four Trustees to represent them in the Board. They also contributed liberally to the support of the institution.
"The business of the Conference all completed, at the close of a powerful sermon by Brother W. the appointments were read out.
" ' Look out for Boston Mountain !' had been said to me time and again. I had been forewarned that in crossing the State of Arkansas, from its northwest extremity to Augusta on White River, I should have abundance of rough work ! But what is the use of crossing rivers, or mountains either, until you come to them? The seat which I occupied along- side of my friend Haralson, and behind his superb horses, for the next eight days, not counting Sunday, was just as pleasant as the one I had three years ago by the side of my friend Veal in West Texas. Both were delightful drives. We had no accident, no detention, no solicitude. The weather, a few hours excepted, was bright and enjoyable.
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