USA > Indiana > Indiana Methodism: a series of sketches and incidents grave and humorous concerning preachers and people of the West with an appendix containing personal recollections, public addresses and other miscellany > Part 28
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30
445
SKETCHES AND INCIDENTS.
al fallen Church-the kingdom of Christ within the. state-Church of the Eastern Roman empire, and within the Church-state of papal Rome.
The scene changes. The martyr-Church of the- last 1260 years, is pictured as "two sackcloth wit- nesses," "two prophets," "two olive trees, and two candlesticks," standing like prime ministers "before the God of the whole earth." Two-a long line of faithful ministers, and a long line of faithful church members-faithful among the faithless-have wit- nessed against the great apostasy, during the ages of darkness. In the Eastern, and in the Western Roman empire, these two long lines of ministerial and lay-witnesses, like the two olive trees of Zech- eriah's vision, have poured out the golden oil of the Spirit in their testimony, and like two golden can- dlesticks, they have shed light upon their apostate surroundings. Two, in the midst of thousands and millions of enemies, they prophesy, with souls in sackcloth, and in heroic loneliness, during the long ages of anti-Christic darkness, and cruelty. As all preaching is prophecy, predicting man's future des- tiny ; these witnesses have "the gift of power," not in miracle, but in prophesying, in testimony, and in prayer ; and God, who "works in them, both to will and to do," makes his word a devouring fire among their enemies, withholds "rain," lets loose the war- demons of the ages to redden their waters with blood, and "smites the earth with all plagues," in avenging his unterrified yet dying witnesses.
And now comes the crisis of their fate. The mar- tyr witnesses, of the last 1260 years, "have finished their testimony," in the East, and in the West, of
446
INDIANA METHODISM,
the Roman world; and a beastly Roman power from hell, destroys them, as individuals, and as collective bodies, and all the ranks of the great apostasy re- joice over the defeat of the reformation. The martyr witnesses are pictured as dead, and "their dead bodies" are miniatured, as lying "in the street of the great city," which in "spiritual" or mystical phrase, is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified-that is, in fallen Jerusalem. The secular name of the great city is Rome ; for Egypt and Jeru- salem were a part of the Roman Empire. and Rome was the only great city of John's day, and after- wards, "that reigned over the kings of the earth." The nations of the great anti-Christic capitol, are miniatured as exposing and dishonoring "the dead bodies" of the witnesses, for "three days and a half"; and as pouring derision upon them, in demonstra- tions of festal joy ; because they were "tormented" with the testimony of the martyrs against them. The three days and a half of exposure,-being the half of the sacred seven, which means three years and a half, and a "day for a year,"-is the 1260 years of the suffering martyrs, and of their triumph- ant anti-Christic foes.
Again the scene changes. There is a flash of millennial glory in the miniature. The 1260 years of martyr-sufferings are at an end. "They are seen as members of the first soul resurrection, "ascending up to heaven," like Enoch and Elijah, and like the great conquering man-child of the Church. At last their enemies see the true martyrs of Jesus, full of "the power of his resurrection," and triumphant in heaven. They see the triumph of the warrior-king
447
SKETCHES AND INCIDENTS.
Messiah over anti-Christ. They see the tenth-ten the symbol of universality-of the secular domina- tions of Rome, absolutely destroyed. They see the number of the slain limited by the divine seven, showing that mercy spares vastly more than Justice slays. They behold, and are "affrighted," and con- verted, and enter into the glorious millennium. The blessed miniature, is but a hint-a small sketch of the coming glory. Under the sounding of the sev- enth trumpet, we shall have the full portraiture. Eternal thanks to God, the dark problem of the world, is soon to be solved in the final triumph of the right. Dark indeed, has been the problem of the Papacy, in the history of the Church, and of the world. It has been computed that since the rise of the Papacy, fifty millions of persons have been put to death on account of religion. "The Papacy persecuted very little during the first half of its existence ; but, during the last six hundred years, after the witnesses had finished their tes- timony, the greater part of the fifty millions have been slain." The prophetic outline sketch of the struggle of Christ with anti-Christ, with its 1260 years of persecution and slaughter, has passed into history. We see the beginning of the end. The last grand Messianic battle comes quickly ; but "in wrath he will remember mercy," and the "nations not utterly wasted," shall join the "voices" of the ce- lestial spaces, and the great shout shall ring through earth and heaven, and on the pained ear of hell,- "The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever." Here the words of John endetli.
Ever and always your friend and brother,
J. W. T. MCMULLEN.
418
INDIANA METHODISM,
A GODLY MAN.
Although, in the preceding pages, the name of John H. Hull appears in connection with several of the incidents narrated, yet in view of his long and faithful services-from childhood to advanced age -it is deemed proper that a somewhat more extend- ed notice of this true man of God should be given.
Rev. J. H. Hull.
John Henry Hull, son of Daniel and Sarah Hull, was born in Highland County, Ohio, January 18th, 18IS.
449
SKETCHES AND INCIDENTS.
John was converted at a Camp-meeting on Hills- "borough Circuit, Ohio Conference,in the twelfth year of his age, and now says, "My call to preach, came the same day and hour of my conversion to God,"- it was at an old fashioned camp-meeting conducted by Augustus Eddy, presiding elder, and George W. Maley, preacher in charge, the meeting held for six or seven days,and registered according to official re- port in the conversion of 363 souls.
The Rev. John Collins licensed the boy to exhort, before he was fourteen years of age-he was licens- ed to preach at twenty, and when a few months over itwenty-one was admitted on trial to the Indiana conference held at Rockville in 1838-Bishop Soule presiding.
His first appointment was to Winchester Circuit with F. A. Carey assistant-for the next two years he served Muncytown and Marion circuits-in 1841, returned to Winchester, and in 1842,again to Muncy- town-the next year to Richmond Station-and from there to Cambridge City, then to Williams- burg, and in 1846 to LaFayette Station one year, then Greencastle Station two years -- in 1849 and 50, two years at Roberts Chapel, Indianapolis. In 1851 he was stationed at Centerville one year, and the next year again at Richmond.
. After traveling circuits for six years, and laboring in stations eight years, he was in 1853 appointe d presiding elder of Indianapolis district, where he re- mained a full term of four years.
In 1857 he was stationed at Berry Street Church, Ft. Wayne, where soon with broken health, he was compelled to resign his charge and leaving Ft. Wayne,
450
INDIANA METHODISM,
settled on a little farm near Tippecanoe Battle ground.
After two years of superannuation he became effective, transferred to the Northwest Indiana conference in 1860, and was appointed to Battle Ground Station. In 1861 he was appointed presid- ing elder of the LaFayette district, serving a full term of four years, followed with three years on Indianapolis district, one year on Terre Haute dis- trict,-two years on Battle Ground district, and two years, 1871-2, on the LaFayette district-twelve consecutive years, abundant in labors did he sustain the responsible position as presiding elder.
At the conference of 1873 with health for the sec- ond time broken down he was granted a change of relation-a release from active labor, which relation continued for nine years. At the conference in Val- paraiso in 1885, when no suitable man seemed avail- able for one of our good stations, Bishop Foss af- ter consulting Brother Hull, appointed him to Dan- ville station, to which he was again appointed in 1886. During his second year's pastorate at Dan- ville, he was stricken with paralysis and at the con- ference held at Greencastle in 1887, he was for the third time granted a release from the active duties of a traveling Methodist preacher, which relation at this writing ( 1892) he still sustains and is now in the seventy- fifth year of his age.
John H. Hull is one of natures noblemen-in- stinctively a gentleman-by nature, gifted, noble, frank, ingenuous, cast in the gospel mould at about eleven years of age, with an exhorter's license at thirteen-a preacher, with a good wife by his side
45I
SKETCHES AND INCIDENTS.
at twenty-at twenty-one a traveling preacher, the trumpet tonés of whose voice sent out no uncer- tain sound, no marvel that he was loved and hon- ored wherever he went.
In a recent letter from the subject of this sketch, my first colleague in Indiana and still much loved friend and Brother-alluding to his want of early advan- tage in education he says: "Having commenced when but a child, I ought to have made more of myself, but so it is-I leave all in the hands of a merciful savior, who called and sent me out with some natural gifts, much saving grace, and almost nothing more-save a burning desire to save souls," and then with char- acteristic modesty adds-"I would tell you more, but I am ashamed to write about myself." For un- selfishness in the ministry he is rarely equaled- for generosity unsurpassed. As a colleague on the circuit these manly traits, were never wanting in his plans of work.
He had even then more than fifty years ago -- learned the Pauline ethics of esteeming others bet- ter than himself. Whenever he saw that any par- ticular part of the work, was likely to be especially hard or even unpleasant, that he never failed to. choose for himself-while whatever to him seemed easier or more desirable, especially if he thought there was in it something like promotion, that he never failed to assign to his colleague. If as else- where alluded to, the rule of the Indian chief, as given to his braves, viz .- "The brave that brings in the most scalps is the greatest warrior," be applied in a religious sense to John H. Hull-as an expert in winning souls to Clirist it may well be doubted
.452
INDIANA METHODISM,
whether any preachers of any church from the broad west, will finally have more stars in the crown of his rejoicing, than my old friend, brother and for- mer colleague. While it may be granted that in the estimation of the general public, Brother Hull,as an exegete, a learned and able expounder of God's word, may not stand as the equal of a Simpson, a Berry, or a Hargrave, yet, who shall say-in view of his glorious life-work, that the great exceeding and eternal reward, which the Master may mete out to him, shall not be equal to theirs, or any other of the great of earth ?
If with the call to preach comes the "burning de- sire to save souls," underlying and permeating all attainments in college or school, of theology, the young preacher of to-day ought as a soul winner to exceed the boy who went from the plow handle, or tailor's shop, to his circuit. Let the youthful theo- logical student have all the benefits of mental train- ing and intellectual development furnished by the schools, yet if he lacks the "One thing needful-a burning desire to save souls," whatever he might be in some other vocation-as a Methodist preacher he is a failure.
According to Pauline teaching the true minister of the Lord Jesus, is not only a preacher rightly dividing the word of truth but he is an evangelist-a soul winner. What else can Paul the aged mean when he says to Timothy "preach the word"-"do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy minis- try." Paul did not wish his student in divinity to be able to preach the word only, and then be com- pelled to suffer the humiliation of having as a mat-
REV. C. C. McCABE, D. D.
455
SKETCHES AND INCIDENTS.
ter of necessity, to send off for Philip the evangel- ist, without whose presence and labors no souls could be won to Christ.
Let it be understood then that in all training of the coming Methodist preacher the largest measure of success is attainable only by him in whom is united the preacher and evangelist-and such only can, as Timothy was instructed to do "Make full proof of his ministry." With all his training in the schools pre- paratory to active service in the full ministry, may the Methodist preacher of the future, as in the past, know that in the kings service "a burning desire to save souls," must be his chief equipment for the post of honor, in leading to victory over sin, the advanc- ing columns of the conquering army of our God.
Such a man-excepting the early advantages of education-combining the preacher with the evan- gelist-and with "a burning desire to save souls"-I repeat such a man was and is John H. Hull-now waiting and watching for the "Well done thou good and faithful servant enter thou into the joys of thy Lord."
REV. C. C. MCCABE, D. D.
Rev. Charles Cardwell McCabe was born at Ath- ens, Ohio, October 11, 1836, and is son of Robert and Sarah Caldwell (Robinson) McCabe. His great grandfather, on the male side, was a native of the county of Cavan, Ireland, and descended from Cov-
456
INDIANA METHODISM,
enanter stock. His father was a man of noble and generous impulses, and was for many years a mer- chant and railroad contractor in the West. He died in Chicago, in June, 1872, loved and respected. His mother was born in England, and came with her parents to this country when seven years of age. She was a lady of high social position and fine literary attainments, whose name was well known as a contributor to the Ladies Repository, in the earlier days of Ohio Methodism. Her life as a Christian was characterized by deep piety and be- nevolence, and as a mother, by unceasing devotion to the welfare of her children. She died in Bur- lington, Iowa, in 1852, in the full assurance of a blessed immortality.
During the first ten years of his life, Dr. McCabe was a very delicate child. Indeed during all that period, he never passed what might be called a well day ; nor was it till his army experience that he at- tained to robust and muscular manhood.
He was educated at the Ohio Wesleyan univer- sity, which he entered in 1853,remaining four years. After leaving college he taught school for two years to pay expenses of his education, his father at that time being in straitened circumstances. On the 5th of July, 1860, he married Miss Rebecca, daughter of John Peters, Esq., of Ironton, Ohio, a lady well qualified to fill a wife's place in the sphere in which her husband moves. They have one son, named John Peters; a youth of fine appearance and good parts, likely to follow the footsteps of his fa- ther. Dr. McCabe entered the ministry the same year in which he was married, joining the Ohio con-
457
SKETCHES AND INCIDENTS.
ference of the Methodist Episcopal church. His first charge was Putman in that state, where he re- mained over a year. In 1862 he entered the army as chaplain of the One Hundred and Twenty-second Ohio Infantry, Col. Wm. H. Ball, of Zanesville com- manding, and followed the fortunes of that regi- ment until June, 1863, when, during the raid of Lee into Pennsylvania, while with his regiment in the defense of Winchester, he was captured by the rebel General Early, with others, and sent to Libby prison, where he remained four months, his health being most seriously impaired by the rigors of the incarceration.
He was exchanged on the 28th of October follow- ing .. Many thrilling passages might be produced from lectures afterwards delivered by him before vast audiences on life in that notorious "keep."
While yet suffering from the effects of his impris- onment, and looking more like a galvenized skele- ton than a living man, at the request of George H. Stuart, of Philadelphia, he delivered many address- · es in behalf of the "Christian Commission," an or- ganization that accomplished untold good on behalf of the sick and suffering soldiers. Over $100,000 were raised for the commission by the efforts of "Chaplain McCabe," assisted by John B. Farwell and B. F. Jacobs of Chicago; Wm. Reynolds, of Peoria, and M. P. Ayers of Jacksonville, Ill. It was during his visit to Jacksonville, that Jacob Strawn, the giant farmer of the West, proposed to give $10,000 to the "Christian Commission,"on condition that the remaining farmers of Morgan county could be induced to give that much more. The condition
458
INDIANA METHODISM,
was more than complied with ; Mr. Ayers sending on one occasion to George H. Stuart, the sum of $23,500, the result of ten days work in that county.
After the Chaplain's return to his regiment in the spring of 1864, then at Brandy Station, Va., a great revival of religion broke out in the brigade to which he was attached.
Meetings were held every night in the open air, or in a large tent, and many souls were convert- ed to God as the result. Over-exertion in this great work brought on a relapse of his former ill- ness, and for several weeks he was in a most crit- ical condition. A few months, however, found him again at his post of duty, where he remained until the close of the war, after which he returned to the regular ministry of his church, and in the autumn of 1865, was placed in the pastoral charge of a large congregation at Portsmouth, Ohio.
Here, within a short time, he secured the erection of a fine church at a cost of fifty thousand dollars, mainly raised by his own efforts. He was not how- ever, permitted to remain long at pastoral work.
His gifts had fitted him for a broader theater of action and a wider field of usefulness. At the call of his conference in 1866, he accepted the position of Centenary agent, to utilize the enthusiasm pervad- ing the Methodist body of Ohio during the cen- tenary year of Methodism in America, with a view to the endowment of the Ohio Wesleyan university. This position he held for two years with the most satisfactory results. In the autumn of 1868 his su- perior talents as a financial agent were called into requisition in a national enterprise for the extension
459
SKETCHES AND INCIDENTS.
of the church, and the placing of the society for that purpose upon a solid basis. This position he held for sixteen years, his headquarters being in Chica- go, and traveling not less than twenty- five thous- and miles annually in the discharge of his duties. His efforts were crowned with marvelous success. Besides all his regular work, the care of all the (weak) churches, he was mainly instrumental in building up a loan "fund" in the treasury of the Board of Church extension, which reached the sum of $550,000 in cash, which has since been increased to $750,000. As long as time lasts will the influence of this movement be felt by the church and by the nation. It has become a power in the land. It ex- tends a helping hand to some struggling church ten times each week, and it is the aim of its officers to aid two churches each day of the year. In his labors in this connection Dr. McCabe has invaded the territory of the "Saints." He assumed a debt of forty thousand dollars on our church in Salt Lake City, and with the help of his thousands of friends, raised the money and paid every dollar of it.
When the Metropolitan church at Washington, D. C., was in peril of being sold for debt-at the re- quest of Bishop Simpson, Dr. McCabe boldly as- sumed the whole debt of $47,000 and called upon the church to help him. Every dollar of the debt was paid.
He has also aided in building a church in Salem, Oregon, which is by far the finest structure in the state, at a cost of forty-five thousand dollars. These are the works that constitute his record, and these are the labors which shall be his monument when
460
INDIANA METHODISM,
the heavens are no more. As a lecturer on popu- lar subjects, and especially in behalf of the objects of his mission, he has few superiors. His style is terse, pungent, and irresistable. His pathos is from the heart, and goes directly to the heart. It is the logic of human feeling and Christian love.
His lecture on the "Bright side of life in Libby Prison," has been in the greatest demand for many years. But, indeed, no place could be without a bright side that was enlivened by the cheering presence of Dr. McCabe.
Like Paul and Silas in the Philippian Prison, he and his comrades sang praises at midnight, and the prisoners heard them, a spiritual earthquake shook the prison, the Holy Spirit descended and opened the prison doors of guilt and fear to many hearts, and the spiritual shackles fell from many limbs. In view of this aspect of the case, well might he dwell upon "The bright side of life in Libby." At the re- ception of the news of the victory of Gettysburg,the rugged walls of the old dungeon re-echoed the strains of the "Battle Hymn" of the Republic, led by the Chaplain:
"Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord,
Hle is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored,
IIe has loosed the fateful lightning of his terribly swift sword, Our God is marching on, Glory, glory, hallelujah."
In 1884 the General conference elected Dr. Mc- Cabe corresponding secretary of the Missionary so- ciety. He immediately raised the cry of "a Million for Missions." Many prophesied failure but in 1887
461
SKETCHES AND INCIDENTS.
the church responded to his call by giving $ 1,044,- 000 and last year (1891) the cry of a million and a quarter was also as Bishop Foss expressed it changed from a wail of want to a shout of victory.
At the General Conference in the City of New York in 1888, Dr. McCabe was reelected with an in- creased majority ; and for the third time was he called to the high position, by the General Confer- ence in the city of Omaha in May, 1892,-this time his election being practically unanimous.
Charles C. McCabe has never known failure in any thing the Church has given him to do-indeed, his success has been phenominal-from Libby Pris- on in Richmond Va., to the General Conference in Omaha, Nebraska. Should a kind providence spare his valuable life till 1896, he will have been "Field Marshall," in our great church extension and mis- sionary movements for twenty eight years.
If Moses was forty years in training for leader- ship in his day who shall say, that with the advanc- ing light and knowledge of the Centuries, that C. C. McCabe, in view of his twenty-eight years of dis- tinguished services, may not be called by his breth- eren to the primacy in Methodism-"Chief among equals," in the year of grace 1896.
A minority of his friends say, the Church can not afford to lose his services in the cause of Missions- a large majority of his friends reply, why work a man to death, along one particular line simply, be- cause he is loyal, willing, and successful.
If Dr. McCabe will heed the sage advice of "Paul the aged," "let your moderation be known," and so, not be broken down by over work, before the next
462
INDIANA METHODISM,
General Conference, still then, less than sixty years of age-ripe in experience, mature in judgment,and in every way fitted, as a Scriptural "episcopos," let the Church then place him where thousands of Methodists, including hundreds of Methodist preach- ers, believe he ought to be.
May the great head of the Church guide in all things, for the good of our Zion, and to his Glory.
Amen.
J. L. SMITH.
CHARLES N. SIMS.
Charles N. Sims was born in Union County, Indi- ana, near Fairfield, May 18, 1835. His parents, John and Irene Sims, were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, his father being a class-leader for many years. He was one of the early contributors to the building and endowment fund of Indiana As- bury University and in this way his children had their attention early directed to this institution of higher learning. Charles worked on the farm until he was nineteen years old, attending school in the winter until he was seventeen and teaching district schools during the two following winters. In 1854 he entered the preparatory department of Indiana As- bury University, boarding himself and doing such work as came within his reach for self support while in college. In 1857 he took charge of Thorntown Acad-
-
Aca
REV. CHARLES N. SIMS, D. D., LL. D. Chancellor Syracuse University, N. Y.
465
SKETCHES AND INCIDENTS.
emy, which position he held for three years. Dur- ing the time of his principalship here a new build- ing was erected and the number of students increas- ed from 120 to 300. In 1859 he graduated with the degree of A. B. from Asbury University and from 1860-2 was president of the Valparaiso Male and Female College. During his stay here a large brick building was erected and the institution transferred from the former structure in which it was opened to the new and more pretentious one built for it. In 1862 he entered the pastoral work, being two years pastor at Richmond, Ind., (1852-64) ; one year at Wabash, Ind., (1864-65) ; two and a half years at Evansville, Ind., (1865-67) ; two and a half years pastor Meridian Street Church, Indianapolis, Ind., (1867-70) ; three years pastor of Madison Avenue Church, Baltimore, Md., (1870-73) ; three years pastor of St. Pauls Church, Newark, N. J., (1873-76); three years pastor of Simpson Church, Brooklyn, N. Y., (1870-79) ; two years pastor of Summerfield Church, Brooklyn,(1879-81). In 1880 he was elect- ed Chancelor of Syracuse University and entered upon his duties in April, 1881. He has continued in this position until the present.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.