USA > Illinois > Pages from the early history of the West and Northwest: embracing reminiscences and incidents of settlement and growth, and sketches of the material and religious progress of the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri > Part 3
USA > Indiana > Pages from the early history of the West and Northwest: embracing reminiscences and incidents of settlement and growth, and sketches of the material and religious progress of the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri > Part 3
USA > Missouri > Pages from the early history of the West and Northwest: embracing reminiscences and incidents of settlement and growth, and sketches of the material and religious progress of the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri > Part 3
USA > Ohio > Pages from the early history of the West and Northwest: embracing reminiscences and incidents of settlement and growth, and sketches of the material and religious progress of the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri > Part 3
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acceptability and usefulness. Robert W. Finley had been a Presbyterian minister for several years, and was the father of Rev. James B. Finley, who rose to such distinction in Ohio. At the close of the year there were returned from the five circuits in Indiana a total membership of 1,121, which seems to present a decrease in the number of Church members; but from some cause, there were no returns from Lawrenceburg and Patoka circuits. This accounts for the apparent decrease in the number of members.
In 1813 the old Western Conference was divided or discontinued, and the Ohio and Tennessee Con- ferences were formed out of it. The circuits in Indiana were placed in these two Conferences, Lawrenceburg and Whitewater were placed in the Miami district, and Silver Creek in the Salt River district, all within the boundary lines of Ohio Con- ference. Patoka disappears this year. William Dixon was sent to Lawrenceburg, John Strange went to Whitewater, and Thomas Nelson to Silver Creek.
At the close of this year the number of Church members reported were as follows: Lawrenceburg, 489; Whitewater, 847; Silver Creek, 555; Vin- cennes, 175; Patoka, 110. Total membership, 2,176.
In five years, two thousand, one hundred and seventy-six members had been gathered into the Methodist Episcopal Church in Indiana, and this though the country was new, and though but a small portion of the territory was inhabited by white people.
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This large increase shows that the men who had been sent into the wild wilderness to cultivate Im- manuel's land, had done their work faithfully, and God had crowned their labors with success.
In 1814 Moses Crume was sent to Lawrence- burg circuit, David Sharp to Whitewater, Charles Harrison to Silver Creek, and Zachariah Witten to Vincennes. Patoka does not appear on the list of appointments this year. Charles Holliday was ap- pointed presiding elder of Salt River district, and Silver Creek being in his district gave him connec- tions with the work in Indiana; and Jesse Walker, being presiding elder of Illinois district, and Vin- cennes being in that district, he was brought in con- nection with the work in Indiana.
The number of members reported at the close of this year was 1,759, showing a decrease, which was caused by the derangement of the work produced by the war in which the country was then engaged. In 1815 John Strange was sent to Lawrenceburg, William Hunt to Whitewater, Shadrach Ruark to Silver Creek, John Scripps to Patoka, and John Shra- der to Vincennes, with the same presiding elders that traveled the districts the year before. The number of circuits was not increased, but their boundaries were greatly enlarged.
The terror among the settlers, caused by the war, and the constant danger from the Indians that infested the country by thousands, had caused many of the inhabitants to return to the old States for
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safety. Among them were many Methodists, causing a great decrease this year. There were reported to Conference a total of 1,504.
In 1816 David Sharp was sent to Lawrenceburg, Daniel Fraley to Whitewater, Joseph Kinkade to Sil- ver Creek, John Shrader to Blue River, Thomas A. King to Patoka, and Thomas Davis to Vincennes. Blue River circuit had been formed out of a part of Silver Creek. It extended down the Ohio River and out to the head-waters of Patoka. We now have six circuits formed in Indiana. The war being over and the country becoming more quiet, the inhabitants who had fled for fear of the Indians be- gan to return, with many new emigrants. The preachers were enabled to report this year a total of 1,877 members, an increase of 373 over the past year.
In 1817 Russel Bigelow was sent to Lawrence- burg, Benjamin Lawrence to Whitewater, Daniel M'Henry and Thomas Davis to Patoka, James M'- Cord and Charles Slocomb to Vincennes, John Cord to Blue River, Joseph Pownal to Silver Creek.
Missouri Conference having been formed, all of Illinois and all of Indiana, except Lawrenceburg and Whitewater circuits, were placed in that Con- ference. The other circuits were in the Illinois dis- trict, with Samuel H. Thompson for presiding elder. Moses Crume was placed over the Miami district, in the Ohio Conference; which brought him back to Lawrenceburg and Whitewater circuits, where he
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met a hearty welcome from the people. The preachers on the six circuits, in Indiana, reported at the close of the year a total membership of 1,907, being a small increase over the past year. In 1818 Samuel West and Allen Wiley were sent to Lawrenceburg, William Hunt to Whitewater, Charles Slocomb to Patoka, Thomas Davis to Little Pigeon, John Shrader and John M'Cord to Vin- cennes, Othniel Taebert to Blue River, and John Cord to Silver Creek. Little Pigeon was a new circuit just formed, and embraced the country south-west of Blue River circuit. We have now seven circuits, traveled by nine preachers. The preachers reported to Conference at the close of this year a total of 3,044 members, an increase of 1,037.
In the year 1819 the work in Indiana was so ar- ranged as to place the circuits in two Annual Con- ferences, namely, the Ohio and Missouri, and to form three districts; namely, the Lebanon and Miami, in the Ohio Conference, and the Illinois in the Missouri Conference. There were three new circuits formed, which appear upon the Minutes this year for the first time; namely, Madison, Indian Creek, and Harrison. The circuits were placed in districts as follows: Whitewater in Lebanon dis- trict, with Moses Crume presiding elder; Lawrence- burg and Madison in Miami district, with John Sale presiding elder; and Silver Creek, Indian Creek, Blue River, Harrison, Vincennes, Patoka, and Pigeon, in Illinois district, with Jesse Hale presiding elder.
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Allen Wiley and Zachariah Connell were sent to Whitewater circuit, Benjamin Lawrence to Lawrence- burg, John T. Kent to Madison, David Sharp to Silver Creek, William Mavity to Indian Creek, John Pownal to Blue River, William Medford to Harrison, John Cord to Vincennes, John Wallace and Daniel M'Henry to Patoka and Pigeon. This was a year of considerable prosperity. The whole number of members in Indiana was 3,470, giving an increase for the year of 426.
In 1820 the districts and circuits were again changed, and supplied as follows: Miami district, Ohio Conference, Walter Griffith presiding elder; Whitewater . circuit, Arthur W. Elliott, Samuel Brown; Lawrenceburg, Benjamin Lawrence, Henry S. Farnandis; Madison, Henry Baker, William H. Raper; Indiana district, Missouri Conference, Sam- uel Hamilton presiding elder ; Silver Creek circuit, Calvin Ruter, Job M. Baker; Indian Creek, John Shrader, John Everhart; Blue River, John Stew- art, Joseph Pownal; Patoka, John Wallace; Vin- cennes, Daniel M'Henry. Pigeon and Harrison do not appear on the Minutes this year.
This year Calvin Ruter commenced his labors in Indiana. He had been admitted into the Ohio Con- ference two years before, and was now transferred to the Missouri Conference. The whole number of members returned this year was 4,399, giving an increase of 929. In 1821 Charlestown, Blooming- ton, Ohio, Mount Sterling, and Corydon appear on 4
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the Minutes as heads of circuits. The presiding elders continued upon the districts as they were the past year. This year James Jones was sent to Whitewater, John P. Durbin and James Collard to Lawrenceburg, Allen Wiley and William P. Quinn to Madison, Calvin Ruter and William Cravens to Charlestown, John Scripps and Samuel Glaize to Blue River, Daniel Chamberlin to Bloomington, Job M. Baker to Vincennes, Elias Stone to Patoka, John Wallace to Ohio, George K. Hester to Mount Ster- ling, and John Shrader to Corydon. The aggregate membership for this year was 7,314. Methodism was now advancing rapidly in the State.
In 1822 Allen Wiley and James T. Wells were sent to Whitewater, Henry Baker to Lawrenceburg, James Jones and James Murray to Madison, with Alexander Cummins for presiding elder. James Armstrong was sent to Charlestown, George K. Hester to Flat Rock, John Wallace and Joseph Kinkade to Blue River, John Cord to Bloomington, David Chamberlin to Honey Creek, John Stewart to Vincennes, James L. Thompson to Patoka, Eben- ezer Webster to Mount Sterling, Job M. Baker to Corydon, and William Cravens to Indianapolis, with Samuel Hamilton for presiding elder. Indianapolis now appears on the Minutes as the head of a circuit, for the first time. In 1866 there were five Method- ist preachers and one missionary stationed at Indi- anapolis, and the charges in the city belong to four Annual Conferences. The borders of Methodism
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had rapidly enlarged. The men, into whose hands the work had been committed, were fully devoted to their calling. In 1823 the number of circuits had increased to fifteen. Two new ones had been formed in Connersville and Eel River. Cummins and Hamilton were continued as presiding elders. The appointments of the preachers were as follows: Whitewater, Russel Bigelow and George Gatch; Lawrenceburg, W. H. Raper; Madison, J. Stewart and Nehemiah B. Griffith; Connersville, James Mur- ray and James C. Taylor; Charlestown, James Arm- strong; Flat Rock, Dennis Wiley; Blue River, W. M. Reynolds and George K. Hester; Bloomington, John Cord; Honey Creek, Hackaliah Vredenburg ; Vincennes, John Ingersoll and Job M. Baker; Pa- toka, Ebenezer F. Webster; Mount Sterling, Ste- phen R. Beggs; Corydon, James L. Thompson; In- dianapolis, James Scott; Eel River, William Cra- vens. The whole membership this year was 7,733, giving an increase of nineteen.
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CHAPTER IV.
THE Divine Being will always take care of those who trust in him, and unreservedly devote all their time and strength to his service. He will support, sustain, comfort, and deliver them in time of trouble.
In the year 1828, when Stephen R. Beggs traveled the Wayne circuit, Mrs. H., who then resided in Richmond, was deeply convicted of sin; she was awakened under a sermon preached by Mr. Beggs, from Psalm 1, 14, 15: "Offer unto God thanksgiv- ing; and pay thy vows unto the Most High; and call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me." She had a long and hard struggle, but after weeks of deep penitence, found redemption in the blood of the Lamb; her burden of guilt was taken away, and her "mourn- ing was turned into joy." So intense was her agony of mind before she found peace in believing, that she was almost incapable of attending to her domestic duties ; so great was her joy when she felt all her sins were forgiven, that she shouted aloud the praises of God, saying: "Now, Lord, from this time forth, in weal or in woe, in sickness or in health, in tribulation, in distress, poverty, persecu- tion, living or dying; I am thine-thine forever!" She connected herself with the Methodist Episcopal
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Church, casting in her lot with the little persecuted band in Richmond. Her husband was a very wicked man, violently opposed to her piety, particularly to her being among the Methodists, who, on account of their religion, were not in the sweetest odor in the nostrils of most citizens in town. He not only refused to render her any assistance, but by every means in his power strove to block up the way, pre- vent her from attending Church, and break her off from her piety, abusing the Methodists with oaths and curses, threatening her with violence if she did not desist from her religious course. He often crossed her in domestic concerns, trying in every possible way to get her angry, thinking, if he could only aggravate her to madness, the victory would be won and his triumph complete; but in this he failed, while Mrs. H. was kind and affectionate, giving every necessary attention to the wants of her family, enduring the abuses heaped upon herself and the Methodists by her husband, never uttering an unkind word, or allowing a murmur to escape her lips. She did not allow his opposition or threats to deter her from the discharge of her religious duties, but was faithful in all things, always at class and prayer meetings, and always in attendance upon the preached Word. Her steadfastness continued as time rolled on, though the oppositions she met from her husband increased. A two days' meeting was ap- pointed in the country a few miles from town. When the time drew near her husband forbade her going;
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she flew to the Lord, who was her "stronghold in the day of trouble." Receiving, as she believed, an answer that it was right for her to go, she made every arrangement she could for the comfort of her husband during her absence. When the time ar- rived she took her two children, and, being aided by some kind friends, made her way on Saturday to the place of meeting, intending to return on Sun- day evening. As the meeting progressed she was greatly blessed. While she spoke in the love-feast on Sunday morning, the Holy Ghost came down; every heart was thrilled, every eye melted to tears. It rained throughout the day on Sunday, which raised Whitewater beyond fording, and Mrs. H. could not return. There being several persons at the house where she was, they held a prayer meet- ing. During the exercises, Mrs. H. was called upon to pray. She poured out her burdened soul to God; never did woman plead for a husband with greater earnestness.
During all this time her husband was at home, raging like a madman. When Sunday night came and his wife did not return, he became furious. About midnight, concluding his wife had given herself to the Methodists, caring nothing for him, he resolved to burn up his house and all it contained, and "run away by the light." He went to work and packed up his clothes. When all was ready and he was about to kindle the fire to consume his house, it oc- curred to him that it would be too cruel to burn the
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house and all its contents, and leave his wife and children with nothing to help themselves. After a moment's pause, he concluded to leave the house and goods for her; but "he would go, and she should nevermore see his face." He took his pack and started, directing his steps toward Eaton, Ohio. When he had walked about four miles, suddenly the thought entered his mind, "This is just what my wife and the Methodists desire to get rid of me." With an oath he determined they should not be gratified. " He would go back and devil them as long as he lived." Retracing his steps, when he reached town the day was dawning. He went to his house- which he had left after midnight, intending never to return-and put away his clothes. His passion had been wrought up to such a pitch that he felt he must have revenge some way. To this end he went to a liquor-saloon and took a potion, to nerve him more fully for his purpose. He then went out on the streets, intending to whip the first man that gave him a harsh word or an unpleasant look. To his utter discomfiture, every one he met was in a most pleasant humor; none gave him an unkind word. At this he was so much chagrined, he determined to commit suicide; but soon the thought occurred : "This is what my wife and the Methodists desire- any thing to get rid of me." Toward noon of this day, his wife returned home. As soon as she ar- rived he commenced cursing the Methodists, hoping thereby to provoke her to reply. He was again
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doomed to disappointment. In this he did not suc- ceed, though he kept it up till a late hour in the night. Finding this effort to provoke his wife into a dispute failed, he now tried another scheme; that was to make her believe he would kill himself, hop- ing she would yield, rather than "he should do that dreadful deed ;" at least, that "she would try to dis- suade him from his purpose." Mrs. H. did not make any reply, but with her heart uplifted to God in earnest prayer, felt that he would overrule all for good. In a few weeks after this, the first two-day meeting held in Richmond was to come off. When Mrs. H.'s husband heard that the meeting was appointed, he gave her most positive orders not to bring any Methodists about the house at that time. She gave no promise, but as the time drew near made what preparations she could to accom- modate a few friends.
When the meeting came on she invited two mothers in Israel home with her on Saturday. Her husband, finding they were in his house, would not go home till a late hour at night. On Sunday morning he ventured to the breakfast-table. While at the table the ladies invited him to go to the love- feast that morning. Instantly he said to himself, "That's my chance. The Methodists have door- keepers when they hold love-feasts, and they talk to those who are not. members of the Church before they let them in. I will go to the door, but I will not go in. When I get there and they begin to talk
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to me, I will give the Methodists-preachers and people-a round cursing in the hearing of them all, and then turn away; that will be some gratifica- tion to me." When the hour for love-feast arrived, he accompanied his wife and the two ladies to the school-house where the meeting was held. As they drew near the door-there being quite a crowd there-he concluded to fall back a little, till all had passed in, "lest the door-keeper might not speak to him, and then he would lose the opportunity of do- ing up the job of cursing he had prepared himself for." When they had all passed in he stepped upon the door-step. The door-keeper swung the door wide open. He stepped in and halted. The door- keeper, putting his arm around, drew him a little forward and closed the door without saying a word. Mr. H. turned pale, and, trembling from head to foot, sat down.
The love-feast was a time of power. He never had been in one before had not intended to be in this, " but was caught in a trap." He felt that his distress of mind was intolerable; that if the tor- ments of the damned in hell were any greater than he had been enduring for months, he could not bear the thought. In that love-feast he resolved if there was any such religion as the Methodists and his wife professed, he would have it or die seeking. From this time he sought the pardon of his nu- merous sins. The struggle continued for weeks. So great was his distress of mind, that much of the
5
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time he could neither eat nor sleep. Now did Mrs. H. most devoutly pray that God would have mercy on her husband. He was clearly and powerfully converted at a camp meeting, joined the Church, and became as zealous in the cause of the Redeemer as he had been in that of Satan, and as ardently attached to the Church as he had been bitterly op- posed to it. How wondrous the mercy of God! During all the time he was so fearfully opposing his wife the carnal mind I was fearful of being cast out. He was often heard to say, "The steadfastness of my wife, with God's blessing, saved me."
Had Mrs. H. yielded in the slightest degree, or faltered in her religious course, the probabilities are her husband never would have been converted, and she would have retrograded in her piety. The text from which the sermon was preached, that was the instrument in her awakening, made a lasting im- pression on her mind : " Offer unto God thanksgiv- ing; and pay thy vows unto the Most High; and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee: and thou shalt glorify me." To this she clung till she realized the fulfillment of the blessed promise.
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CHAPTER V.
I WAS received into the Missouri Conference, Oc- tober, 1822, and was appointed in charge of the Mt. Sterling circuit, Indiana, Samuel Hamilton presiding elder. This was a four weeks' circuit, lying mostly on the Ohio River, and extending north nearly to Pealey. It was a sore trial to my friends as well as me. They wept as I wept; and for the first few miles I indulged myself in a good "fit of crying." I constantly thought of what father said; that in a few years I would break down, and die poor and helpless, as he had almost nothing to give me. I was to have only $100 a year if I got all my " quar- terage;" and very many, I knew, labored the whole year and did not get one-fourth their dues. But all such thoughts I had to banish, and rely on the sim- ple promise of God, "Lo, I am with you always !" I thank him that to-day I can look back upon the realization of more than my expectations, both as regards things spiritual and things temporal.
Upon reaching my circuit, which was fifty miles from home, I had a harder task yet-that was, to let the people know what I had come for. I was a mere boy. Many of them had no suspicion that I was their preacher, and my numerous questions did not give them the hint; so I had to make a clean
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breast of it at last. I soon realized my inexperi- ence-alone, on an old circuit, with no Hedding or Baker to instruct me in my duties in enforcing dis- cipline. In no subsequent year did I have more Church trials to conduct, and more perplexing busi- ness to transact. But the more crushing the respons- ibilities, the more and more earnestly did I pray. I was fortunate, however, in at last having the ad- vice of a few old preachers who lived on the circuit, and got through the year without any charge or suspicion of maladministration; at which I thanked God and took courage.
After a few rounds on my circuit the good work began. In spite of a three weeks' attack of pleu- risy, I maintained the interest unremitted. Two camp meetings were held. At the first Elder Ham- ilton presided, preaching frequently with great dem- onstration of the Spirit and of power, especially in the conversion of souls. This led the way to a second, which was held among the hills of Patoka. Brother Hamilton was not present, but the local preachers-one a colored man-rendered most effect- ive assistance. I had heard the doctrine of sancti- fication preached-the first time by William Cra- vens-and now, believing it as Scripture doctrine, and because thousands had lived in its enjoyments, I preached it to others and besought it for myself. Before the meeting closed, I, along with many who heard me, was blest with a deep experience of its truth. God's will became my will, and I learned to
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live in him continually. All my soul was love, and for weeks I could continually sing,
"There's not a cloud that doth arise To hide my Savior from my eyes."
My long rides this year, continually breasting the storms of a very cold Winter, together with ex- posure in open houses, brought on a violent attack of pleurisy. In May or June I was obliged to travel on foot, my horse having become lame.
One morning I left brother Joseph Springer's for Rome, fifteen miles distant, where I was to preach at 11 o'clock. I journeyed-carrying saddle-bags and great-coat-over the most hilly portion of Indi- ana. Calling at a house to inquire the way, the owner was kind enough to assist me. for some dis- tance across a stream, and as we journeyed I intro- duced the subject of religion, and learned his relig- ious history, which was substantially as follows: He thought religion necessary, and believed he would have experienced it had brother Hamilton remained in charge of the district; "For," said he, " I was at a certain camp meeting where he preached, and during the sermon I was affected with chills, alter- nating with contractions of the skin on my head. The preacher's voice was soon lost in a general shout, scores of penitent sinners exclaiming as one man, 'What must I do to be saved?' Then Hamilton paused for a quarter of an hour, as he said, to 'let the Lord preach;' then he began again, and in his mild, pathetic manner told of the goodness of God, and
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of the sinner's portion if he did not repent; and," said the friend, "he hurt me a devilish sight worse than when he preached loud." But, deprived of his favorite preacher, he was still in his sins, in which state I was obliged to leave him, after thanking him for his kindness, and exhorting him to go directly to God for the blessing.
Having filled my appointment at Rome, and being unable to get a horse, I concluded to try a raft on the Ohio River. I soon had one afloat, reaching my appointment, twelve miles down, in good time. , I reached the next appointment-Troy-eighteen miles further down, in the same manner, by an ex- tra use of the paddle; likewise, the next, six miles further down. Having no horse yet, I failed to reach the next appointment, sixteen miles distant, through a low, wet country; so I took my way across to a two days' meeting, to be held at brother Moore's the next Saturday and Sabbath. Here I expected to meet some local brethren; but none came, and the work all came on me-four sermons, besides several exhortations, the results of which were very encouraging.
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