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 4
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 4
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 4
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 4
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On Monday morning, though ill prepared, I set out through a wilderness to my next appointment, the house of brother. Combes, twenty miles away. After a vain attempt to get some rest at noon, among the busy subjects of the musketo kingdom, I resumed my burden, and my march through briers and obstacles numberless, and in due time reached
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my appointment. How glad the people were in those days to see their preacher ! The Gospel feast was a feast indeed, generally a whole month between meals ! This year may be summed up as a total of long, hard rides and great labor, both of preaching and settling Church difficulties. But it was a year of great spiritual comfort; not only for what I gained in it, but what I did, with God's blessing, for others. The membership on my charge had increased from 346 to 436. My horse never quite recovered, and I had to exchange for another.
It may be worth while to remark that I was no exception to the general rule in regard to Methodist preachers and their horses. I never lost a horse till I had traveled twelve years. My cash receipts for the year were $40. In addition to the camp meet- ings already spoken of, I visited another on the Blue River circuit-preachers in attendance, James Garner, senior, George Hester, and Wm. M'Reynolds. My efforts here were attended with such success that one brother came to me, and said that if I would go around the camp-ground and exhort, the people would all be converted.
I returned to my circuit inspired with new zeal for my work, not only for the rest of the year, but for the next year's labors. Returning home at the end of the year, I spent a few days there, little thinking, and caring less, where my next work would lie, and what it would be.
The Conference was a large one, inclosing Arkan-
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sas, Missouri, Illinois, and a large portion of Indiana; on which I might be sent 800 miles from home, the only mode of reaching my destination being on horseback. The Conference met at St. Louis, Octo- ber, 1823. I was not present; but learned in a few weeks that I was appointed to Lemoin circuit- David Sharp presiding elder-in what was called the Boone's Lick country; the distance was 500 miles. Speedily getting my little effects together, I set out, leaving a circle of weeping friends and neighbors, to a land and among a people that I knew not. I crossed the Wabash at Vincennes, and soon struck the Grand Prairie, not knowing where I should find resting places, and Winter close at hand.
I was not a little comforted to meet brother Samuel H. Thompson-presiding elder, Illinois dis- trict-late one evening, on his way to a quarterly meeting. He insisted on my stopping over night with him. After some religious conversation, in which he gave me very good advice, he led the family prayers, in which he remembered not only me but my horse-suggesting what Mr. Wesley said, that when he prayed for his horse, he never lost any. He then gave me a "way-bill" to my circuit, being acquainted with the whole 500 miles I had to travel, which embraced the inhabited por- tions of Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri. I had not traveled far the next day before I encountered a snow-storm, which continued till late in the evening.
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I at length reached old brother Padfield's, where I was received with open arms, and received much assistance in preparing for my journey. I preached before I left-my first sermon I preached in Illi- nois, some forty-four years ago. I crossed the Mis- sissippi at St. Louis, spending the Sabbath with Rev. John Scripps, for whom I preached in the evening. I did not enjoy much liberty in this my first experience in the "pulpit," which was con- structed in the old style, about six feet high and four feet square. I, however, did my best, no un- common thing, perhaps; for if a preacher has not religion enough he has pride enough to do that.
Next morning I left, crossing the river at St. Charles. I every-where found kind, liberal friends. Passing through brother Redmond's work-Boone's Lick circuit-I spent Saturday and Sabbath at his quarterly meeting. Being entirely out of money, I had the good fortune to borrow twenty-five cents to help me across the Missouri River to my circuit. My horse being much worn down, I borrowed one that was both young and wild, to bear me on my first tour of my work. About thirty miles from the place I left in the morning, in the midst of a large houseless prairie, my horse took fright, and jumping from under me, left me and my saddle-bags by the wayside. In his haste homeward, he soon left the saddle also. I shouldered both and traveled back laboriously to the first house, where I left them and went on after the horse. Night soon over-
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took me. I missed my way and wandered I knew not whither, till, at length, I found myself on the banks of the Missouri. There was no house within two miles. It was very dark and the cold was be- coming intense. At length, after prolonged halloo- ing, I persuaded the people to come over for me. I spent the night at the house of a deist. It took all the little money I had to pay my bill and ferriage back in the morning. I presently found my horse, which had been stopped by a friend, and mounting " bareback," returned to where I had left my sad- dle and luggage, and went on visiting my appoint- ments, which were from eight to fifteen miles apart. I enjoyed good health, and was generally able to meet my appointments this year.
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CHAPTER VI.
IT was some time in July that I went up to assist brother Harris of the Fishing River circuit. It was the first camp meeting held on brother Baxter's camp-ground, near Liberty, about one hundred miles up the Missouri. Brother Harris and myself were the only Methodist preachers present; and we both preached and exhorted each in turn. The meeting grew in interest till Monday. I tried to preach on that day, and brother Harris was to preach a funeral sermon. When I closed, he com- menced giving out the hymn,
" And am I born to die, To lay this body down ?"
When he came to the second verse,
" Soon as from earth I go, What will become of me?"
the power of the Almighty came down in such a wonderful manner as is seldom witnessed. Brother Harris fell back in the pulpit, overcome by the in- fluence of the Holy Spirit, and called upon me to invite the people forward for prayers. During my sermon I had noticed that one powerfully built man in the congregation was so filled with the power of God, that it was with difficulty he restrained his feelings; now was the time for him to give vent to
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his feelings, and his shouts of " Glory to God in the highest !" were such that the whole congregation seemed thrilled with the "power of God." It was as if a current of electricity ran through the assembly, setting on fire with the love of Jesus each soul in Divine presence.
It was a memorable time. The whole camp- ground was convulsed, and the invitation was no sooner extended than the mourners came pouring forward in a body for prayers, till the altar was filled with weeping penitents. It was as if the shouts of his "sacramental hosts were heard afar off." The meeting continued that afternoon and all night. Late in the night I went to brother Bax- ter's house to get some rest; but the work was so urgent-sinners weeping all over the camp-ground- that I was sent for to come back and continue my exertions ; and there we wrestled, the Christian and the sinner, in one common interest, like Jacob of old, "till the break of day." On Tuesday morning scarcely a soul remained unconverted, or not seeking pardon.
The next Friday my camp meeting commenced, and bid fair for a great good; till a preacher of another denomination, who craved our success, re- quested the privilege of preaching. He was at first denied, but he urged his request till I gave him liberty to speak on Sabbath evening. His words fell with such a dead weight on the congregation, and at the close of his sermon so little interest was
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felt, that we were obliged to close the meeting without the usual invitations. But on the following morning we laid hold of the work again. My faith was strong that we should succeed, and victory turn on Israel's side. A profane man, witnessing the spirit of the meeting, remarked with an oath that " Beggs was like to take the ground." Our meet- ing proved a blessing to the class and neighborhood.
I finished my work here on this circuit by hold- ing a camp meeting. On my way to Conference I at- tended a camp meeting, held by E. T. Webster, on the St. Louis circuit. We had good preaching and a successful meeting. Leaving the camp-ground we staid over night with brother M'Alister, and the next night arrived at St. Louis. Here for the first time I saw Bishop Soule.
Our Conference in 1824 was held at Padfield's, some twenty miles east of St. Louis. We had with us three Bishops-M'Kendree, Roberts, and Soule. It was the first Conference I ever attended, and it was a very profitable time to me. By the act of the General Conference, held the previous May, the Illinois work was set off from the Missouri Confer- ence, which however met, agreeably to adjournment, at the same place. As the session possesses a his- torical interest, I shall give in this chapter an ac- count of its proceedings. After the introductory exercises, conducted by Bishop M'Kendree, who presided, the roll was called, and about a dozen brethren responded to their names.
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Jesse Hale and William W. Redman were appointed Stewards, and J. Dew, James Armstrong, and John Scripps were appointed a Committee to prepare mem- oirs of the deceased brethren. A resolution was in- troduced by the latter Committee, requesting Bishop Soule to preach on the camp-ground, at 11, A. M., October 24th, a funeral sermon, in memory of our much-revered father in Christ, William Beauchamp. Bishop Roberts then formally introduced Bishop Soule to the Conference, the members of which rose to receive him. The Committee also requested Bishop Roberts to preach the funeral of brother Samuel Glaze in the afternoon of the same day. The Committee to examine candidates for admission into full membership consisted of brothers Thompson, Walker, Scripps, Armstrong, and Cord. The Bishop then informed the Conference that Peter Cartwright and Andrew Monroe, elders of the Kentucky Con- ference, had, by transfer, become members of this Conference; also, by transfer, Uriel Haw and Edwin Ray, deacons in the same Conference; also, brother R. J. Dungan, a member on trial. The President announced that the Conference could draw on the Book Fund for $150, and on the Chartered Fund for $80.
The Conference then took up the question, "Who remained on trial last year?" The following were examined and continued: Orsenath Fisher, Andrew Lopp, Edward Smith, James E. Johnson, William Shores, William Moore, John Miller, Benjamin S.
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Ashby, Joseph Edmondson, Rucker Tanner. The characters of the deacons were then considered, and the following were examined and passed : David Chamberlin, Dennis Willey, Ebenezer T. Webster, James Bankson, John Glanville, John Blasdell. The morning session was concluded by prayer by J. Hale. At 2, P. M., the Conference was opened by Bishop Soule, who presided. The character of dea- cons was taken up, and William W. Redman, H. Vre- denburg, George K. Hester, and William M'Rey- nolds were examined, approved, and elected. The following brethren were then, on recommendation, admitted: George Randle, Samuel Low, Daniel An- derson, James Garner, Jacob Varner, John Fish, Shadrach Casteel, Cassell Harrison, Green Orr, Gil- bert Clark. The stewards then called on the preach- ers for their claims and receipts, and Conference then adjourned, after prayer by brother Walker.
At 9, A. M., Monday the 25th, brother Roberts opened by prayer, Bishop Soule in the chair. The following brethren answered to their names : J. Wal- ker, Jesse Hale, S. H. Thompson, Thomas Wright, J. Scripps, J. Patterson. John Scripps was elected Secretary, on the nomination of brother Armstrong. Bishop M'Kendree then announced God's afflictive dispensation in the removal, by death, of our highly esteemed brethren in Christ, William Beauchamp and Samuel Glaze, accompanying the announcement with deeply interesting and affecting remarks. Dur- ing his remarks the Divine presence was sensibly felt.
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After the singing of a suitable hymn, Bishops Soule and Roberts severally prayed. Proceeding to busi- ness, Bishop Roberts in the chair, S. H. Thompson and John Dew were appointed a Committee to super- intend Divine service. J. Scripps, Thomas Davis, John Harris, J. Cord, T. Medford, Thomas Rice, James Armstrong, J. L. Thompson, Jesse Green, A. Munroe, William W. Redman, H. Vredenburg, Davis Willey, E. T. Webster, James Bankson, J. Glanville, J. Blasdell, William M'Reynolds, U. Haw, E. Ray, Samuel Hull, character passed and elected deacons; S. R. Beggs, F. B. Leach, Cornelius Rud- dle, T. Randle, William H. Smith, Isaac N. Piggott, examined and approved; Deacon George Horn- transferred from the Tennessee Conference-examined and approved. Bishop M'Kendree then addressed the Conference on Missions.
The afternoon session was opened with prayer by Jesse Hale, Bishop Roberts in the chair. The follow- ing brethren were examined and approved as elders : Walker, Thompson, Hall, Scripps, Wright, Patter- son, Harris, Davis, Cord, Stephenson, Sharp, Dew, Green, Cravens, (superannuated,) Medford, (located,) Armstrong, Thompson, Ruter, Hamilton, Delap, and Glaze, (deceased.) Richard Hargrave, who had traveled under the elder-Beauchamp, deceased- was, on recommendation, admitted. J. Scripps was superannuated. A resolution was passed requesting Bishop Roberts to furnish his funeral discourse-of Beauchamp-for publication. Jesse Walker, mission-
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ary of the Missouri Conference, reported in regard to his work among the Indians. On motion of brother Dew, brother Walker's mission was continued under the patronage of the Illinois Conference.
At the afternoon session, Charlestown was fixed upon as the place of the next meeting of the Confer- ence, August 25th. The Missouri Conference was appointed to meet August 4th. On Tuesday morn- ing the Conference adjourned.
The ninth session of the Illinois Conference was held September 5, 1832, Bishop Soule presiding. It had twenty-five members, of whom six are still living : Peter Cartwright, A. L. Risley, John Vancleve, S. R. Beggs, Robert Delap, J. S. Barger. I extract a curious item from the minutes of the tenth Illinois Conference, held at Union Grove, September 28, 1833, Peter Cartwright in the chair. After prayer by Samuel Mitchell, the following resolution was introduced by brothers S. H. Thompson and Stith M. Otwell : "That we, the members of the Illinois Conference, do agree to wear hereafter plain, straight- breasted coats." The yeas and nays were called, with the following result: Yeas-Taylor, M'Kean, Massey, Hadley, Fox, Mavity, Barger, Robertson, Vancleve, Thompson, Randle, James Walker, Deneen, Otwell, Beggs, Mitchell, Benson, Peter, Hale, Royal, (21). Nays-French, Phelps, Cartwright, Roylston, Sinclair, Trotter, Crawford, Fisher, Jesse Walker, Starr, Dew, (11).
The ministers of that day held to plainness of
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dress, both for male and female, the straight coat and plain bonnet being insisted on by many. After a considerable debate, we agreed, before taking the above vote, to have brother Samuel Mitchell deliver an address on the plain, straight-breasted coat-old Methodist style.
One of the voters for the straight coat was ap- pointed agent of M'Kendree College. In visiting some of the eastern and southern cities he for some reason changed the cut of his coat, and returned to Conference the next Fall in a frock-coat. The brothers were quite astonished, and must know the reason, as he had been among the most strenuous in contending for the straight coat. He took the op- portunity, a great many questions being asked, to explain to the Conference in a body. He said, ad- dressing Bishop Roberts, who presided : " As a num- ber of the brethren have asked me my reasons for changing the cut of my coat, I wish to state that I have been reading Mr. Wesley on dress; and he does not fix upon any fashion or cut of coat, only let it be comfortable and plain. This frock-coat which. I wear comes as near fulfilling that recom- mendation as any thing I can fix upon." The Bishop replied in his pleasant vein, telling the brother that he reminded him of a man who was made a Calvin- ist by reading Mr. Fletcher's writings. The anec- dote was so applicable, that the brother wished no further time for explanation, and retired amid a roar of laughter.
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CHAPTER VII.
THE Missouri Conference being divided, as stated in the last chapter, I was still continued in the Missouri division, and was appointed to Fishing River circuit. There were eighteen preachers then stationed in the Missouri Conference. Jesse Hale was my presiding elder. Members returned, 143.
It was a great trial for me to be absent another year from parents and friends. To visit them would necessitate a ride of six hundred miles, and I should then be three hundred miles from my circuit. Win- ter was close at hand. I made it a subject of prayer, and, after many tears and struggles, resolved to give up all for the Master's sake. In company with brother Benjamin Ashby, I set my face westward. We journeyed on together very pleasantly, some- times preaching in the evening when an opportunity offered.
One evening, having found a resting-place rather earlier than usual, we sent out runners to call the people together for evening service. We soon had a house full, and it was decided that brother Ashby should preach and I exhort, as was the custom in those days. Being exceedingly weary, and having a comfortable seat, I soon fell asleep. Brother Ashby's voice failed him in the midst of his discourse and
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he called upon me. Some one who sat near had been kind enough to awaken me, and after rubbing my eyes I took his place, supposing he had finished his sermon. I told them I supposed they had heard enough from the preacher if they would improve it; yet, if they would bear with me, I would exhort for a short time. Very soon there seemed to be a deep interest felt, and loud responses of " Amen" were heard, and from the "amens" the responses arose to a shout. Many were greatly blessed, and it was an occasion of benefit to all.
After brother Ashby left me I was almost alone till I reached my circuit. I had scarcely commenced my labor, when a deep snow fell. My appointments were far apart; the country new; the roads often blind, or, worse, none at all, so that it was very hard getting back and forth from the stations. My circuit extended about seventy miles along the Mis- souri River, embracing some of the settlements west of the State line. I crossed the river twice in every journey, and once on a bridge of boards thrown across two canoes.
My quarterage this year was twenty-three dollars. My clothing that I had brought from home was by this time so nearly worn out that it was necessary to replace it with new. Some of the sisters spun wool, and made me a coat of blue and white cotton, a pair of white cotton pants, and one of mixed. One of the brothers gave me his old hat, which I got pressed, and then I was fitted out for Confer-
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ence. It was held on the fourth of August, 1825, at Bailey's meeting-house, Sabine Creek, Missouri. The weather was very warm and the roads dusty, and, by the time I had reached my journey's end, my new coat had changed from its original color to a dusty brown. There were, however, kind hands and willing hearts who soon set me to rights. Un- .der the combined influence of soap and water my coat came out as good as new, and, thanks to the "Marthas" of modern times, "who care for many things," I appeared in the Conference room next morning, looking quite respectable.
During the Conference, Bishop Roberts requested all the preachers who wished any private conversa- tion with him to stay behind; I was among several who had requests to make, and when my time came to speak, I asked for a transfer to the Illinois Con- ference. My request was granted, and I started on a journey to Charlestown, Indiana, where the Con- ference met this year. On my way, I fell in with Samuel H. Thompson and Jesse Walker, at a camp meeting near Padfield's, and a most glorious time we had there. On our way, near Mount Carmel, Illi- nois, we attended another camp meeting, and the gracious outpouring of the Spirit converted many souls, and quickened the believers. The meeting closed, and we journeyed on, reaching Conference the first day after its session. I was then within five miles of my father's house. My parents and family were all at the Conference, but attending Divine
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service at Church. On hearing of my arrival, after two years of absence, they all left the meeting, and ran to greet the long-absent son. It was like the meeting of Joseph and his brethren. Weary and worn by sickness, with my travel-stained garments, they hardly recognized me.
After resting a few days, and receiving from my father a better suit of clothes, I started for my new circuit at Rushville, John Strange presiding elder. It lay mostly on Blue River, and east to Greens- burg. This was a four weeks' circuit ; appointments scattered over a large and thinly settled country, with mud and high water, at some seasons of the year almost impassable. The principal villages were Rushville, Greensburg, New Castle, West Liberty- now Knightstown-and Shelbyville. At the three last-named places, we had a good work, especially at West Liberty. Twenty or thirty of the leading inhabitants were converted and joined the Church. We held a camp meeting under the charge of the presiding elder, near West Liberty. Brother Strange preached at the opening of the meeting, and, in one of his prophetic and electrifying strains, told us that God would convert many souls then within hearing of his voice. Saturday, in the afternoon, he arose to advertise the order of exercises; and, seemingly without intention, began to exhort. One thought led to another, and in a very few minutes the whole encampment was trembling and crying. Several souls were happily converted to God; and from this
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to the close of the meeting we had a succession of conversions, some of which were most powerful and clear; many of the believers were quickened with such blessings of full salvation that its fruits may be seen at the present day. My last quarterly meeting was also a camp meeting, and we had a sea- son long to be remembered.
I seldom left a circuit where the people seemed more unwilling to give me up. This year I attended four camp meetings-two on my own-one in Connersville circuit, and the other one mile east of Indianapolis. This was on my way to Conference. John Strange, James Havens, and others, with my- self, were the preachers. O what a blessing we received ! The meeting, closed on Monday, with many converts.
On our way to Bloomington, where Conference was to sit that year, as Strange and myself were riding along together, a stranger rode up by my side, and in conversation with us soon found out that we were preachers. Our plain coats, saddle- bags, and other equipage might have told him that. He turned to me and said, " Your name is Strange ?" "No!" said I, turning to my companion, "that is the Rev. Mr. Strange." He seemed a little con- fused at his mistake, and had no more to say to me, but addressed his conversation to brother Strange.
This year our members numbered two hundred and eight. Bishops Roberts and Soule were with
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us, and our Conference was exceedingly pleasant and profitable to me. John Strange was a man of sur- passing personal beauty, eloquence, and piety. Once, at the close of the sermon, he administered the sac- rament. After a most impressive introduction, he was greatly annoyed by some boys throwing nut- shells over the floor. Starting suddenly, as if awak- ening from a reverie, he said, "Did I say Christ was the Son of God? He is, to the humble, penitent believer; but to you"-pointing with his long fin- ger toward the young men-" to you, sinner, arouse him, and he is the Lion of the tribe of Judah; and, by the slightest exertion of his power, could dash you deeper in damnation than a sunbeam can fly in a million of ages !" The effect was awful; the transition from the gentle and pathetic to the ter- rible was so unexpected that one of the young men afterward said that he felt his hair raise on end at the imagination of himself going with the velocity of thought toward the doleful regions. The leader of the disturbers is still living, and is a worthy mem- ber of the Church in Lafayette.
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