USA > Arkansas > History of Methodism in Arkansas > Part 19
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The grand forests of Arkansas had put on their gorgeous autumnal livery. Mountain peaks were in view most of the time. We stopped with pleasant people in comfortable houses at night. And what more could a traveler want? As for the dreaded Boston Mountain, I had got to the top of the pass, supposing we were just beginning the ascent. But then we were on the Cove creek route, the lowest and best crossing of the Ozark range. At Clarksville, on Thurs- day night, I dedicated another brick church, large and hand- some, with spire and bell. The full amount to meet the re- maining debt was subscribed during the day and at the dedication service at night. Here one of the newly-ap- pointed trustees of the Central University, Judge Floyd, was our host. Saturday afternoon brought us up to Lewis- burg, where another church was to be dedicated. I found it a gem-carpeted, pulpit supplied with sofas, everything just as it should be in a house set apart for God's worship, After the sermon on Sunday morning, my worthy host, Brother Burrow, led off in a subscription to pay the debt remaining on the church, and in less than fifteen minutes the whole amount necessary, and more, was pledged; and the church was solemnly presented to God. May it be the birthplace of many a soul !
"The next night came down upon us yet on the road. The distance to the point we were aiming at was six or eight miles greater than had been supposed. After two unsuc- cessful attempts to obtain lodgings, we completed our fiftieth mile at the house of Mr. Key, whose cordial reception and ample accommodations made us quickly forget the fatigues of this hard day's work. A pleasanter evening I have sel- dom spent anywhere. On Tuesday morning we drove through a beautiful country, with fine cotton plantations and handsome houses, to Searcy, where we made no stop, and on to White River bottom, six miles wide-a vast solitude, covered with cane, which got higher and higher as we ad-
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vanced, until it nearly overarched the road. At length, we caught a glimpse of White River, and presently saw, re- flected on its clear waters the white houses of Augusta. Here, then, we were at the terminus, ad quem-with three hours to spare-with the team in as good condition as when we set out, and the buggy as sound as if its wheels had never struck root or rock. If duty should call me again to cross the State of Arkansas, commend me once more to Brother Jerome and his steeds, to his pleasant companion- ship and skilful driving, and brotherly care. I shall not soon forget my obligations to him.
" In company with the genial editor of the Western Metho- dist, Brother W. C. Johnson, I was placed under the care of Mr. John Penn and his accomplished wife, during the session of the Conference, and was never more comfortable. The business of the Conference went forward with dispatch, so that when Drs. Green and Winfield arrived there was abund- ance of time to hear them-one in behalf of the highest scholastic culture of young men, the other, of young women. A scholarly address in behalf of female education was also delivered by the Rev. Dr. Collins, President of the State Female College, near Memphis. The Conference, with not a dissenting voice, gave its co-operation, with the other Conferences, to the Central University. It also pledged its support to the institution of Dr. Collins, and ap- pointed a committee, at Dr.Winfield's instance, to co-operate with that of the Little Rock Conference, in behalf of the projected Female College at Little Rock. For the Publish- ing House $490 was subscribed for the fitting up of the Mission Rooms in the new building. Besides, a very fine missionary collection was raised, under the persuasive elo- quence of the distinguished visitors.
"Among the preachers of the White River Conference, I found the Rev. H. T. Gregory, whose friends in South
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Carolina will be pleased to learn that he is an honored and useful minister of the gospel."
The Arkansas Conference for 1873 met at Dardanelle, November 5, Bishop Pierce, President. The admissions on trial were: Richard S. Cole, Joseph P. Callaway, James T. Leard, John W. Powell, Benjamin H. Greathouse, Ambrose H. Williams, Rufus F. Beasley, James E. Martin. Received by transfer: O. P. Thomas, R. G. Porter and A. K. Miller.
The White River Conference for this year met at Forrest City, Bishop Pierce, President. Joseph W. Ross, David D. McCutchen, John D. Brewster, Pleasant C. Oliver, William C. Malone, Thomas P. Hare, Milton R. Umstead and William B. Foster were admitted on trial. Thomas A. Brickwell was received from the Congregational Church, and C. H. Ford by transfer. During this year the Conference lost by death one of its most faithful and useful members-William M. M. Cobb, who was born September 2, 1817, in Granville County, N. C. He removed to Tennessee with his father about the year 1833, and settled in LaGrange. He was licensed to preach and admitted on trial in the Tennessee Conference in 1838, and appointed to the Marshall Mission. In 1839 he was transferred to the Arkansas Conference, and appointed to the Fayetteville Circuit. In 1843 he was mar- ried to Miss Susan M. Brodie of Washington County, Ark. His last work was on the Harrisburg District, in 1870-71. In 1872 he was attacked by a cancer, from which he suffered until released by death, January 20, 1873. The early advan- tages of Bro. Cobb were not very good, but by close appli- cation and severe study he made considerable proficiency in scholarship, and in a large degree supplied the lack of an early education, by studying literature and languages. He was recognized as a preacher of more than ordinary ability, and was greatly respected by all who knew him. As would have been expected of such a man, his end was peaceful
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and his death triumphant. His remains were placed in Mount Zion Cemetery, Cross County, Ark.
The Little Rock Conference for this year was held at Camden, November 26, 1873, Bishop Pierce presiding.
Weems Wooten, John Mclaughlin, W. J. Rogers, James C. Rhodes, John W. Haskew, Amariah C. Biggs and Wil- liam C. Dunn were admitted on trial. B. H. Malone, L. D. Webb and C. O. Jones were received by transfer.
Of the preachers received into the Conferences during this year, were some who have proven to be very valuable ac- quisitions to the ministry of Arkansas. Of those admitted into the Arkansas Conference, there were B. H. Greathousee, A. H. Williams and J. E. Martin, who are still on the effect- ive list, and doing most excellent service for the Church
M. B. Umstead and William R. Foster, of the White River Conference, have filled some of the most important positions in the Conference and enjoy the confidence and esteem of their brethren.
In the Little Rock Conference John Mclaughlin, William J. Rogers and James C. Rhodes are still on the effective list and doing faithful service for the Church, honored and re- spected by their brethren.
The total membership of the Church was 36,490, showing a gain of 998 members during the year. While this was not a very large increase, it shows that there was sufficient vitality in the Church to make some aggressive movements and to lay the foundation for future success.
The Conferences in Arkansas lost some valuable preach- ers by transfer during this year. J. Y. Brice transferred to the Trinity Conference, and G. R. Brice, to the Northwest Texas Conference, J. W. Johnson to the Trinity Conference and J. W. Walkup to the Northwest Texas Conference.
During this year the Church was called to mourn the loss of one of her chief pastors.
The venerable Bishop Early died at his home in Lynch-
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burg, Va., on the morning of November 5, 1873. His biog- rapher says of him: "John Early was born in Bedford County, Va., January I, 1786, and was at the advanced age of 87 years, 10 months and 4 days. He was converted April 22, 1804, under the ministry of the Rev. Stith Mead. His parents were Baptists, but he united with the Methodists, and gave early promise of his devotion to the Master's cause. In 1806 he was licensed to preach. Among those who received the benefit of his first labors were the slaves of President Jefferson. He began his ministry by preach- ing the gospel to the poor and doing the duty that lay next to him. After a few rounds on the Bedford Circuit, under the direction of the Presiding Elder, he was recommended for the work of the itinerant ministry, and admitted on trial iuto the Virginia Conference, February, 1807. From the date of his admission into the Conference until 1813, he traveled on circuits, the four last years as the senior preacher. In 1815 he appears as the Presiding Elder on the Meherrin District. During these years his ministry was attended with great revival power. On the Greenville Circuit he received 500 members into the Church, and at the ever memorable camp-meeting held at Prospect, in Prince Edward County, Va., it is said 1000 persons were converted. From 1833 to 1840 he was agent for Randolph Macon College. He was a member of the General Conferences of 1828-32-36-40-44. He was General Book Agent from 1846 until his election to the Episcopacy in 1854. For twelve years, from the time of his election to the Conference of 1866, he continued in the active discharge of the duties of his office. At the Con- ference of 1866 he was, with Bishops Soule and Andrew, granted a superannuated relation. Bishop Early was uni- versally recognized as a man of very superior ability. Presidents of the United States, Governors of his own State, politicians and citizens had time and again invoked his superior practical wisdom for the management of import-
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ant civil trusts, but he yielded to none except in an inci- dental way. When he died public sentiment testified that a great and good man had fallen. His funeral obsequies furnished another evidence of the high esteem in which he was held."
The Conferences for 1874 were placed in the Episcopal District of Bishop Kavanaugh.
The Arkansas Conference met at Fort Smith, October 28. The admissions on trial were George A. Bugg, Benja- min L. Ferguson, George E. Jamison, H. C. Jolley, Thomas E. Sewell, William J. Stone and Lucius I. Lasley.
The Conference was strengthened this year by the fol- lowing transfers : Stephen P. Hicks, Henry W. Abbott, James A. Peebles, R. S. Hunter and G. P. Vanzant.
The following memoir was furnished the Conference, and should have appeared in the history of 1873 :
"Stephen Farish was born in Virginia in 1816, and im- migrated to Alabama in early life, and in 1844 to South Arkansas, where he served for a short time as junior preacher with the Rev. J. Esterbrook, on the Union Circuit. He was admitted on trial into the Arkansas Conference, at its session in Little Rock in 1844. He came to this Confer- ence under circumstances of much promise-in good health, physically strong, a large, athletic and well-formed man, a good heart, a sound and well-balanced mind, with a large measure of spirit, always cheerful and ever ready to adapt himself to the circumstances surrounding him, ardent in tem- perament and highly social in his character. These qualities of manhood, head and heart, made him the man for the times in this new country. He traveled twelve or fourteen years in the regular work, mostly in the region of country lying between Little Rock and Little Red River, and under circumstances of extreme hardship and many privations ; but nobly did he battle on and on, without a murmur or complaint, until 1857 or 1858, when his health failed, and he
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became a great sufferer from that much-dreaded disease, bronchitis, which terminated his itinerant work as an effect- ive preacher in the Conference. He was placed on the su- pernumerary list, and continued in that relation until 1871, when he was superannuated, and continued in that relation until his death, which occurred December 5, 1872, at his residence, near Lewisburg, Ark. He suffered greatly the last two years of his life with consumption, and was the most of his time confined to his room ; but in all he was patient and resigned to the will of God. As his end grew near he grew stronger in faith and hope of a blessed immor- tality. He died only as a good man can die -- full of joy and peace, beloved and respected by his brethren in the Conference, and in good report among his neighbors. He was a good, practical and sound preacher. He shunned no cross, dreaded no dangers, but was a firm defender of our beloved Methodism. His example was good in his family. He reared six noble sons, who, together with the wife of his youth, are left to mourn their loss."
The White River Conference was held at Searcy, Novem- ber II, 1874. There was a very large class of admissions this year. Z. T. Bennett, Henry E. Robertson, George M. Hill, A. P. Saffold, S. L. Cochran, Thomas J. Franks, James F. Jernigan, Richard Moon, William A. Pendergrass, James G. Miller, A. Walkup, F. M. Munns, Frank Ritter, Samuel Bay- liss, William H. Paschall, John A. Corbitt. Received by transfer, George A. Schaeffer. Of these, Z. T. Bennett, S .. L. Cochran, James F. Jernigan, William A. Pendergrass, Frank Ritter, are still on the effective list in the White River Conference. George M. Hill is a member of the Little Rock: Conference.
This great gain of ministerial force in Arkansas was some- what reduced by the transfer of a number of very efficient preachers. George E. Jamison transferred to the Los An- geles Conference ; W. T. Bolling transferred to the Memphis.
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Conference, and Peter A. Moses transferred to the Columbia Conference. Peter A. Moses was for a number of years connected with the educational interests of Arkansas, and rendered valuable aid in developing an interest in the educa- tional work of the Church.
The Little Rock Conference for this year met at Monti- cello, December 9, 1874. The admissions on trial were Bar- ney E. Mitchell, M. M. Baker, Jacob D. Whitesides, De Jalma Leake, Robert W. Evans, W. H. Vaughn, John R. Cason, Wade Preston and John M. Bradley. By transfer, L M. Lewis. Of these, Jacob D. Whitesides, John R. Cason, Wade Preston and M. M. Baker are members of the Little Rock Conference. DeJalma Leake is a member of the White River Conference. B. E. Mitchell and John M. Brad- ley located after traveling a few years. Robert W. Evans died in 1887. W. H. Vaughn transferred in 1879 to the Northwest Texas Conference.
The Church in Arkansas lost several very excellent preachers by transfer during this year. M. H. Wells and E. R. Barcus transferred to the Northwest Texas Conference ; W. H. H. Briggs and I. Z. T. Morris transferred to the Texas Conference, and William C. Hearn transferred to the Denver Conference. Of these, M. H. Wells is a member of the Louisville Conference. He has filled a number of very im- portant charges in the Northwest Texas Conference, the Alabama and Louisville Conferences, to the great satisfaction of the people whom he served. E. R. Barcus was for many years a teacher of music in our colleges, and was regarded as one of the best teachers in the Southwest. He is an ex- cellent preacher, and thoroughly devoted to the work of the Church. W. H. H. Briggs and I. Z. T. Morris are held in high esteem by their brethren in the Texas Conference. W. C. Hearn remained in Denver but one year, when he was compelled by ill health to transfer to the North Alabama Conference. He was a good preacher and polished Christian
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gentleman. The statistics show a good healthy growth of the Church in all the Arkansas Conferences. The largest increase, however, was in the White River Conference.
The Arkansas Conference for this year met at Lewisburg; the White River at Helena, and the Little Rock at Mineral Springs. Bishop Wightman presided at the Arkansas and Little Rock Conferences, and Bishop Doggett presided at the White River Conference. Judging from the statistical reports this was not a prosperous year. The Arkansas Con- ference suffered a loss of 1161 members, and the Little Rock Conference a loss of 987 members. There was a small in- crease of members in the White River Conference of 513. The total loss in the State, as will be seen, was 1635 mem- bers. A decrease in the statistical report, however, does not always indicate a real loss; it may result from a more pains- taking and careful enumeration of the membership, or from a correction of the mistakes of former pastors who had not been careful in keeping the roll of Church members. The loss for this year, however, cannot be accounted for in this way, for it is not probable that so great a loss would occur from this source. The revival power in the Church this year was not sufficient to replace the loss by death and removals. There was a goodly number of admissions on trial, and trans- fers to the Arkansas Conferences this year, but these gains were very nearly counterbalanced by the deaths, locations and transfers from the Conferences.
The loss of ministerial force in the Arkansas Conference was just equal to the gain; in the White River Conference the gain lacked one of being equal to the loss; in the Little Rock Conference there was a gain of three preachers.
The admissions on trial in the Arkansas Conference were George Pleager, Ambrose H. Williams, James N. Coker, David C. Simmons, P. B. Summers and James Caldwell. The transfers to the Conference were J. W. Bryant; J. E. Walker and F. H. Thacker.
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The additions to the White River Conference were T. W. Morton, R. M. McAllaster, Alonzo C. Griffin and James M. Clark. Those received by transfer were Elam A. Stephen- son, Clarence J. Nugent and J. H. Priddy.
The additions to the itinerant force of the Little Rock Conference were Houston Armstrong, William F. Clark, John Jenkins, Euphrates Garrett, Willis Jones, T. P. Minor and Edward M. Whitmore. There was one addition by transfer, James Atkins. Of these, Houston Armstrong trav- eled for several years in the Little Rock Conference, and transferred to the Louisiana Conference of which he is now a member ; William F. Clark, after a few years, transferred to one of the Texas Conferences; Euphrates Garrett is a mem- ber of the Little Rock Conference; Willis Jones discon- tinued ; T. P. Minor located in 1878; John J. Jenkins died in 1889. The following memoir was presented to the Con- ference for that year :
" Rev. John J. Jenkins was born at Woodlawn, Ouachita County, Arkansas, August 15, 1852 ; was converted and re- ceived into the Church in 1869 by Rev. Wm. Moores; was licensed to preach September 26, 1874, by the Quarterly Conference of Ouachita Circuit, Rev. J. A. Parker, P. E .; Rev. E. R. Barcus, P. C .; was admitted on trial in the Little Rock Conference at Mineral Springs, December IC, 1875; ordained Deacon by Bishop Kavanaugh in 1877, Elder by Bishop Pierce, at Camden, 1879. . He gave fourteen years of faithful work to the Conference, eight of them to various pastoral charges in the Monticello District, one to Malvern Station, four to the Camden District, and one on a bed of sickness, showing his brethren how to suffer the will of the Lord.
" Deprived of early educational advantages, he became a student from his admission into the Conference, and his pro- gress was wonderful. When informed of an error, he cor- rected it immediately; and his use of language became varied
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and judicious. His powers, of application were of the finest order. He did not merely read; he studied, digested and assimilated. He drew ideas from any and all sources, but only ideas. He took no man's words. He dressed up the ideas according to his own taste. He bought books and read them, and his acquaintance with theology was very re- spectable. Had he lived to old age, he would have been a champion of Arminianism.
"As a preacher he was unusually effective. Argumenta- tive, logical, tender, fearless, he gained access to the hearts of his hearers. He could preach on eternal punishment and not chill the hearts of Christians. In his preaching there were variety, thought, power, and that nameless unction that draws and holds an audience. . There was sweetness in his voice, grace in his manners, love in his heart, and fire in his soul. He was popular as a preacher. He was in demand. Large congregations waited on him. He was courted, praised and flattered, yet he was singularly free from vanity. He was himself; he aped nobody. His individuality was marked; yet few men used the word I less than he. There was a manly independence in all he said and did, which was equally removed from arrogance and cowardice. He had religion. It permeated all his sermons, formed the atmosphere of his life, sparkled in his eye, glowed in his countenance, spoke in his voice, renewed his heart, and made beautiful his life.
"As a pastor he was wise, firm, judicious and sympathetic. He was born a Presiding Elder, and in this office he was the peer of any. Well versed in the law of his Church, brave, loving, having the courage of his convictions, well poised, he controlled men with no apparent effort. He possessed the rare faculty of projecting his spirit upon others. It was im- possible to be with him and not catch the tone of his lofty enthusiasm. Broad-gauged and liberal himself, penurious- ness blushed into liberality under his gracious words or wise rebukes. His strong faith reproved and helped the weak and 16-M 1
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despairing. A worker himself, wherever he went preachers and people caught his spirit, and his district blossomed like the Garden of God.
"He was happily married to Miss Ida M. Garner, by Rev. H. D. Mckinnon, November 24, 1881. As a husband and father he was the embodiment of tenderness, patience and firmness. In his home his life and character were trans- parent. -
"He died well. He passed away on Sunday night, Sep- tember 16, 1889, as peacefully and as easily as an infant go- ing to sleep. He knew his condition, bade his family good- by, and exhorted them to meet him in heaven, and died praising that blessed Jesus who redeemed and saved him. On Saturday before his death Bro. H. H. Watson visited him, and talked with him an hour. He asked Bro. Watson to sing, 'There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood.' While the hymn was being sung, he exclaimed : 'O, precious Savior! O, thou immaculate Son of God! What a precious Savior you have been to me.' Bro. Watson asked him if he had any message for the brethren. 'Nothing,' he said, 'only I am trusting in Jesus, and I leave my family in the hands of the good Lord and the Little Rock Conference.'
" He was my friend. I loved him as Jonathan loved David, and my heart is sad. I place this tribute to his memory, in the belief that it is not overdrawn, and in the hope that our friendship will be renewed and perpetuated in Heaven.
"J. R. MOORE."
The White River Conference sustained the loss of four members of the traveling connection during this year-Wil- liam T. Noe, John H. Hall, Andrew Conley and J. W. Ross.
William T. Noe was a native of Kentucky, and was born in 1834. He professed religion at a camp-meeting held in Graves County, Ky., in 1854. The writer had the pleasure of being present at the time. He was licensed to preach in 1856, and was admitted on trial in the Arkansas Conference
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in 1857, and was appointed to the Jacksonport Circuit. He was ordained Deacon by Bishop Paine in 1859, and Elder by Bishop Pierce in 1866. From the time of his admission into the Conference until his death he filled, with great ac- ceptability to the people and usefulness to the Church, the various circuits, stations and districts to which he was ap- pointed. His father, dying when he was quite a child, he was raised by his mother and grandparents, who were peo- ple of great devotion to Christian duty. As a result of this careful training, young Noe was saved from many of the dangers into which too many youths are led by the allure- ments and temptations of the world. Before his conver- sion he was known as a young man of most excellent char- acter, which only needed the purifying and refining power of religion to mould it into a beautiful and consistent life. From childhood he labored under the disadvantage of a feeble constitution and frail body that prevented him from doing much that he otherwise would have accomplished. In all his appointments he labored to the extent of his phys- ical strength and to the satisfaction of the Church. A man of such excellent character and sweet spirit would neces- sarily have many warm and devoted personal friends. His death, which was caused by pneumonia, occurred at his home, in Forrest City, November 6, 1875. William T. Noe was a warm personal friend of the writer. We were school- mates. I was present at his conversion, and at the Quarterly Conference, where he was licensed to preach, and from per- sonal knowledge can testify of the excellence and purity of his character. Such a life was closed in great peace, as he gave his friends in the last hours the most satisfactory evi- dences of his clear prospects of future bliss.
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