USA > Indiana > Indiana Methodism : being an account of the introduction, progress, and present position of Methodism in the State; and also a history of the literary institutions under the care of the church, with sketches of the principle Methodist educators in the state . . > Part 18
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But the glory of the Church is seen, not so much in the prominence of a gifted or privileged few, nor in the liberality of her wealthy men, although these are ele- ments of power, and may be instruments of good, as in the thousands that have been reclaimed from sin, and are walking in the light of Christian purity and love, and in the tens of thousands who, converted in their youth, have been guided in the paths of knowledge and useful- ness and honor, through the Church's instrumentality.
In nearly every community there have been "elect ladies " who by their intelligent piety, and ardent yet un- ostentatious Christian zeal, have contributed much to the Church's influence. Eveline Thomas, in the city of Mad- ison, although a lady of comparatively delicate constitu- tion, and retiring disposition, was, nevertheless, in that community, for the space of some twenty years, a recog- nized Christian power. The depth of her Christian ex- perience, the strength of her faith, and the cheerfulness of her piety, combined with Christian activity in the sphere of her labor, gave her a prominence that she never sought, and a power of which she was all un- conscious. Lydia Hawes, of Indianapolis, whose singing is almost national in its reputation, not so much from its artistic culture as from the rich tones of her voice, es- pecially when under strong religious emotion, and the:
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melting pathos with which she gives utterance to the grand truths of theology, and the great and precious privileges of Christian experience as embodied in the hymnology of the Church,-her labors have been won- derfully blessed through a period of more than thirty years. Few ministers equal her in efficiency, in times of religious revivals. She is remarkably successful in leading penitents to Christ; and the fervor of her pray- ers, the inspiration of her singing, and the narration of her rich Christian experience, often make a profounder impression than the most searching appeals from the pulpit.
L
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CHAPTER XIV.
The Fathers-Rev. A. Wood, D. D .- Rev. Joseph Tarkington-Rev. Enoch Wood, D. D .- Rev. John Schrader-Rev. John Miller-Rev. Amasa Johnson-Rev. Asa Beck-Rev. James Scott-Rev. Elijah Whitten -- Rev. Henry S. Talbott-Rev. Richard Hargrave-Rev. Robert Burns-Rev. John W. Sullivan-Rev. David Stiver-Rev. James T. Robe-Rev. Charles Bonner-Rev. John Kearns-Rev. John C. Smith-Rev. John A. Brouse-Rev. James Havens-Rev. Calvin W. Ruter-Rev. Allen Wiley-Rev. Augustus Eddy.
THE FATHERS.
PROMINENT among the fallen heroes of Indiana H Methodism who toiled, suffered, and died to lay the foundations of the Church, in the early settlement of our state, are the names of John Strange, Allen Wiley, Cal- vin W. Ruter, James Armstrong, James Havens, N. B. Griffith, James L. Thompson, James Jones, William Shanks, William Cravens, Edwin Ray, Amasa Johnson, and George M. Beswick. These, with many of their as- sociates, many of them their peers in ability, and equally useful in their day, though not so widely known, all died in the faith. But some of the Fathers are yet with us, whose heroic deeds and self-sacrificing piety the Church will garner up and cherish as a precious legacy.
REV. A. WOOD, D. D.
BROTHER WOOD was licensed to preach, August 24, 1822, by John Strange, then presiding elder of Lebanon District, Ohio Conference, by a vote of the Quarterly Conference of Mad-river Circuit, and the same Fall was admitted on trial into the Ohio Conference, and appointed
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as junior preacher on London Circuit, with George W. Maley as preacher-in-charge. He traveled 2,260 miles during the year, and preached 233 times.
Brother Wood's parents were eminently pious. He was saved in his youth from every form of immorality, and early obtained a knowledge of his personal accept- ance with God, through faith in Jesus Christ, and united with the Church. He was born in Virginia, October 15, 1802, and was brought by his parents to the state of Ohio when but three years of age. He had aptness for learning, and secured a good English education, including a knowledge of English grammar. He formed in youth a taste for reading, and a habit of study, which have characterized him all through life. In the Summer of 1820 he began to lead prayer-meetings, and occasionally exhort; and in December, 1820, he was licensed to ex- hort by R. W. Finley ; and during that Winter he took his first lesson in itinerancy, traveling a part of the way around the circuit with A. S. M'Lane. During 1821, Mr. Wood spent most of his time in school, working on the farm out of school hours, and in the Winter of 1821-22 he taught school.
September 10, 1823, the Ohio Conference closed its session in Urbana. At this session young Wood was ap- pointed to Connersville Circuit, in the eastern border of Indiana. On the 12th of September he left his father's house for his new circuit; this was on Friday, and he rode to Father Mosser's, who resided twelve miles from Dayton. On Saturday he rode to Centerville, Indiana, which he reached late in the evening, having traveled sixty miles during the day. He spent the Sabbath in Centerville, and preached in the court-house; and on Monday, October 15, 1823, arrived at Connersville, the head-quarters of his new circuit. During this year he
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traveled 2,250 miles, preached 288 times, did not miss a single appointment during the year, and received forty dollars for his support.
In September, 1824, the Ohio Conference met at Zanesville, at which Mr. Wood was received into full connection, and ordained deacon by Bishop Roberts. At this Conference he was appointed to Madison Circuit as junior preacher, with Allen Wiley in charge.
Beginning with 1822, Dr. Wood traveled the follow- ing circuits : 1822, London Circuit, in Ohio; 1823, Con- nersville, in Indiana ; 1824, Madison ; 1825, Vincennes ; 1826, Bloomington ; 1827 and 1828, Mt. Carmel, in Illi- nois ; 1829, Corydon, Indiana; 1830, Vincennes ; 1831, Mt. Carmel, Illinois,-when he located, and remained in the local ranks until 1834, when he was appointed pre- siding elder on Vincennes District, having been read- mitted into the Conference. In 1836 and 1837, he was agent for Indiana Asbury University. In 1837, he was stationed in New Albany. In 1838, he was appointed presiding elder on Laporte District, where he remained four years. In 1842, he traveled Laporte Circuit. In 1844 and 1845, he was agent for Indiana Asbury Uni- versity. From 1846 to 1851, he was agent for the American Bible Society ; in 1852 and 1853, stationed in Terre Haute ; 1854, Greencastle District, where he remained four years; 1858 and 1859, stationed in In- dianapolis. From 1860 to 1862, he was agent for As- bury University ; 1863, stationed in Perrysville, and re- turned the second year; but during the year was put in charge of Indianapolis District, where he remained until Conference, when he was stationed in Ninth Street, La- fayette; 1866 and 1867, stationed in Michigan City. In 1868, he was appointed Moral Instructor in the Northern Indiana State-prison, at Michigan City, which position
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he still holds. No other man in Indiana has had so large and varied an experience as Dr. Wood. He has enjoyed a personal acquaintance with the leading men of all par- ties in every county in the state. In his early ministry his circuits, many of them, embraced several counties apiece ; and when presiding elder his districts included large portions of the state. And in his work as Bible agent, and agent for Indiana Asbury University, he was brought in contact with the people in every part of the state. He has had a healthy mind in a healthy body all through life. He enjoys an excellent flow of spirits, and has been a genial companion for intelligent people from his youth. His sermons are delivered extempore, except on special occasions. He is the author of several printed discourses. His oration on the occasion of the erection of the monument to Bishop Roberts, in the college campus at Greencastle, was a written performance, and reflected credit upon its author. As a preacher, he is fluent and perspicuous, and the matter of his sermons is evangelical and practical. He has represented his Con- ference in several sessions of the General Conference, and has always enjoyed the unlimited confidence of his brethren. He has been a faithful friend and patron of education, giving both time and means to the advance- ment of our literary institutions. His pulpit labors have been strengthened and enforced by the cheerfulness of his piety and the purity of his life.
REV. JOSEPH TARKINGTON.
THE following sketch of the life and times of Rev. Joseph Tarkington, one of the fathers of Indiana Meth- odism, will be none the less interesting because written in the first person :
"I was born near Nashville, Tennessee, October 30,
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1800. My early religious training was in accordance with Episcopal usage, my parents having been reared in that order of faith. The first impressions on my mind in regard to the instability of earthly hopes and expecta- tions, were made at the time of the severe earthquake which visited Tennessee and the Mississippi country in 1811. The incidents connected with this 'stirring time ' are fresh in my memory to-day. Sixty years 'are as a few days' in this connection.
" On a pleasant Sabbath evening, the children, having retired early, were called down-stairs, with the announce- ment that the house was falling down; and in great fear and trepidation we sat up the entire night, my father go- ing out frequently to ascertain whether evil-disposed per- sons might not have shaken the house, by some means, in order to terrify the family. The dusty old prayer- book was brought forth from its place, its pages scanned eagerly to find something pertaining to earthquakes ; but as we could find nothing, we felt that the interests of a large and flourishing family were in jeopardy for lack of the much needed prayer. After a night of watching and fear, it was agreed that we should say nothing about our fears or their cause, lest we be ridiculed by our neighbors. But with the morning came the neigh- bors, with startling accounts of this strange visitation; and while they yet talked of this night of terrors, a sound like loud, distant thunder startled them. Rush- ing out of the house, they found the earth trembling violently and the trees vibrating hither and thither. ' Surely,' thought they, 'the end has come;' and the promises made to God by the terrified people were not few nor far between. But it was soon found that the earth was still in its orbit, and revolved as usual, and many forgot the solemn promises made to the Lord in
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the day of his power; but many others, as a result of this convulsion of nature, chose the better part-lived and died faithful followers of Him who holds the storms in his hands. But while I remember with satisfaction the salutary effect of this ' shaking' on the lives and con- duct of many of my friends and acquaintances, I could not conscientiously recommend earthquakes as a usual means of grace.
"At the close of the war of 1812, my father moved to the territory of Indiana, and settled on White River, at the block-house built by General Harrison, now Edwards- port, Knox County. This was then a wild country, and, the war having just ended, the fear and dread of In- dians still gave the pioneer and his children much un- easiness. On one occasion a band of Indians, on their way to Vincennes, came up to our cabin suddenly, and the children, in alarm, scattered in every direction. The Indians, comprehending the situation of the little pale- faces, gave a hearty laugh, and resumed their journey, the squaws bringing up the rear, in regular 'Indian file,' each riding her pony, 'not sidewise, but otherwise.'
"Our family being sick much of the time at this place, it was deemed expedient to find another location. So, after the necessary examination, my father bought a piece of land in Monroe County, west of Bloomington ; and to this place we moved in the Winter of 1816. In our new home we found it quite an undertaking to keep the family supplied with provisions. We could not send some of the smaller children to the corner grocery for needed supplies, but the older boys had to go regularly seventy-five miles to Shakertown for corn, which they got ground into meal when that was possible ; but when that could not be done, they took the corn home on their horses, and it was afterward pounded in home-
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made wooden mortars. If my memory does not de- ceive me, the bread and mush made of this pounded corn tasted a little better than any eaten before or since that time.
"It would be hard to forget some of the scenes of this frontier life. One, in particular, made an impression on my mind never to be eradicated. On one occasion, as I was returning with a load of corn, accompanied by an older brother, we met a neighbor who was traveling on a similar errand, who informed us that our little brother George had died at home two days before, and that in all probability we should see his face no more. With grief-stricken and heavy hearts we hastened on, and arrived at home in time for the burial. Our father had made a coffin by splitting a piece of timber, scooping out a trough from the lower, and a corresponding excavation from the upper piece, and then fastened them together with wooden pins. Thus prepared, the remains of our little brother were placed therein, and, with the assist- ance of our neighbors-two or three persons, all told- the coffin and its contents were lowered to its final resting. This was the first burial on Indian Creek, Monroe County.
"Soon after we settled in Monroe County, and while the country was comparatively a wilderness, Methodist preachers would have appointments to preach wherever they could have hearers. The first meeting to which the children of the Tarkington family had access was just eight miles distant. We were all anxious to go ; so the larger children of the neighborhood, boys and girls, walked this little distance barefooted, with shoes in hand, until near the house, where a halt was called for putting on shoes before going into meeting. The good, broad, substantial shoes of that day, were not made
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of glove-kid and paper-lined, but were made to last from season to season, and to descend from child to child, as they grew to fit them. The preacher was the Rev. Morgan, and his text was Songs of Solomon ii, 3 : 'As the apple-tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.' It had been a long time since any of his hearers had seen or tasted an apple; hence, his descriptions and com- parisons were the more striking and vivid to their minds. He contrasted the wicked as the tree of the woods, very knotty, and exceedingly crooked-with the righteous as the healthy apple-tree, very smooth and comely, and abounding in much good fruit. His description of the large, ripe, luscious apples, caused many of the young people, as well as old, to yearn after the good apples they had enjoyed in the years gone by. One of the results of that memorable sermon was that the writer had ยท to make a pilgrimage seventy miles, to Knox County, in quest of young apple-trees ; and the pilgrim- age resulted favorably, for I carried home on horse- back twenty-four trees; and some of these same trees still stand in the old orchard at Stanford, where, near by, may be found the graves of my parents and brothers, who there sleep in Jesus.
"It was not very long, however, before there was a change for the better in reference to preaching. Rev. Daniel Anderson, a very good preacher, was sent as missionary to the new settlements in this part of the country. His work extended over much territory, and he preached in the cabins or in the open air, as circum- stances dictated. He held a camp-meeting during this year near Eel River; and I remember well, while plow- ing in the field, that the families of Freeland, Rollins,
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and others, went past, with their bread, venison, and bedding packed on their horses, en route to camp-meet- ing. Mr. Benjamin Freeland had four children con- verted to God at this meeting, and, with true missionary zeal, one of them stopped on their return, and exhorted me to turn to the Lord and seek the new peace in which he now rejoiced ; and as he talked with an earnestness irresistible, I promised to attend the approaching camp- meeting near Bloomington, and endeavor to seek the Lord; and I kept my promise faithfully. I went to the meeting intending to avail myself of all its privileges and benefits ; and on Sabbath evening, under the preach- ing of John Schrader, I was caused to cry for mercy, and about 11 o'clock I found joy and peace in believing on Jesus Christ. This was August 27th, 1820.
" It will not be deemed surprising to many readers of these lines when I say that the events of that blessed camp-meeting, and the experience of that Sunday night, will never be forgotten by the one so much benefited thereby. It had been my desire that the Lord would bless me in private, and in a peculiar manner, and my prayers had been directed to this end; but before the blessing came, I was willing to receive it in any manner, and on any terms. I left this camp-meeting, however, without connecting myself with the Church, not having made up my mind fully with which branch of God's people I expected to make my future home. Subse- quently, however, at a class-meeting led by my old friend, D. Rollins, I gave my name to Rev. David Cham- berlain, as a probationer in the Methodist Episcopal Church. My parents were present, and saw with deep emotion the step I was taking. From this time forth the great concern in my mind was that father and mother, brothers and sister, should find the new hope, in
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which I was so happy. It was not long before I was found leading in prayer at our class-meetings, and occa- sionally exhorting my young friends to accept the over- tures of mercy, and travel with me to the heavenly country. In my public efforts in prayer and exhortation, I found great difficulty on account of my limited edu- cation; but feeling that there was something for me to do for the Heavenly Father, I commenced the study of English Grammar under the direction of my class-leader; and as I was in earnest, with a direct object in view, I made rapid progress. I was soon appointed class-leader by the new preacher, John Cord, and was much encour- aged in my new position during the year by a gracious revival of religion in our neighborhood. The next year (1822) Rev. James Armstrong was sent to the Bloom- ington Circuit, and, being a great favorite with my parents, he preached frequently at our house ; and it was during this year that I received license to exhort at his hands. During the year 1824, at a local conference-a feature that existed only four years in our Church-I was licensed to preach the Gospel; and when Armstrong handed me the paper announcing the fact, he stated that there was immediate use for me, that one of the preach- ers on Booneville Circuit had failed on account of ill- health, and that I must depart for my field of labor immediately. Excuses of every kind proved unavailing, and as it seemed to be the will of the Lord, I consented to go.
" When it became known in the neighborhood that I expected to go away, the members of my old class re- quested me to try to preach them a farewell sermon. Accordingly, a meeting was held at my father's house, the neighbors were all there, and I talked as well as I could, urging them to hold fast to the faith, that we
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might all meet in heaven, etc. At the close of the ser- mon I opened the doors of the church, and two or three came forward. A slight pause ensuing, my father and mother, hand in hand, presented themselves as candi- dates for membership in the Church. O, the joy of that hour! The long-prayed-for event had happened ! To God be all the glory !
" The next morning found me on my way to my new field of labor, accompanied by the presiding elder, James Armstrong. It required about three weeks to get round to Booneville, and during this time we attended nine quarterly-meetings. By the time we arrived at our des- tination, I began to know, to some extent, at least, what itinerancy meant. We found the Rev. O. Fisher at his post. The quarterly-meeting was held in the court- house in Rockport, and on Sunday night, after the ser- mon by Fisher, I tried to exhort in the fear of the Mas- ter. Many came forward for the prayers of the Church, and conversions were numerous. It was a season of power, the victory on the Lord's side. The next morn- ing Fisher, myself, and others went into the country, to brother Barnett's, for breakfast. When taking leave of the family, and invoking the . blessings of God to rest upon them, brother Fisher got to singing and shouting, and forgot that I was holding his horse, and patiently waiting for him outside. After waiting a long time, I hitched the horses and went into the house, and prevailed on him to resume our travels. After traveling some dis- tance, he again commenced singing, then shouting; then he jumped off his horse, and singing and shouting was the order of the day. His horse, used to such things, waited by the way-side ; men and women passing, stopped to see what was the matter; and the feeling seeming to- be contagious, the triumphant shout of victory, mingled.
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with the penitent cry for mercy, made the woods rever- berate, and God was greatly glorified. This brother Fisher, my first colleague, was one of the most holy men I ever knew.
" At the close of the Conference year, we started to Conference at Charlestown, stopping on our way at a camp-meeting on Paoli Circuit. Here we met Richard Hargrave, who was also on his way to his first confer- ence. At this meeting we saw, for the first time, that celebrated preacher, Rev. William Cravens, noted for his peculiarities. The old man, discovering that George Randle, one of the young preachers, was dressed in what was considered a fashionable coat, said to Armstrong, in the hearing of all, 'Where did you get this young fog- maroony ?' Armstrong replied, 'In the Wabash coun- try.' ' Well,' said Cravens, 'I'm afraid you'll never Methodize him.' Armstrong made no reply, but Ran- dle, greatly incensed, made some snappish rejoinder, and utterly refused to preach at this camp-meeting, on ac- count of this occurrence. Many were the apologies and excuses given for this speech of Father Cravens, but it was not arranged satisfactorily until the good old man got a new coat for Randle, cut in the most approved Methodistic style. These men, Cravens and Randle, were both singular men, but there was a vein of goodness and frankness about the former that made him friends wherever he traveled.
" On one occasion, Cravens preached a sermon at a camp-meeting near Bloomington, in which he censured severely a recent Indiana Legislature, which had divorced almost all the numerous applicants who applied to it for that purpose. At the dinner hour, Dr. Maxwell, who had been a member of the said Legislature, endeavoring to justify its action in this respect, instanced many sup-
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posable cases, in addition to the case given in the New Testament, wherein it would be cruelty to refuse di- vorces. Not attempting to answer the arguments in de- tail, Cravens straightened himself up, and said, 'Isn't it wonderful Christ did not think of that?' This good- natured sally ended the discussion.
" We arrived in due time at the seat of the Confer- ence. We junior preachers had to remain in the country adjacent until the commencement of the Conference. This Conference consisted of about twenty preachers, Bishops M'Kendree and Roberts presiding, the sessions held in an up-stairs room in the house of James Sharpe. I was received on trial, and appointed to Patoka Circuit, James Garner, Preacher-in-charge. Garner left his family at Charlestown, and was only able to visit them twice during the entire year. This might seem neglectful, yet how could he do better, when his entire receipts were twenty-eight dollars, my own fourteen dollars, while Hol- liday, the presiding elder, who lived in Greene County, Illinois, got little or nothing. Verily, the man who preached for money alone, in that day, was a little liable to disappointment. The outfit of the itinerant, at that day, in addition to horse, saddle, and bridle, was a pair of saddle-bags, Bible, hymn-book, thread and needles for repairs, and a package of tallow candles. I always car- ried candles to read by, and many cabins were thus lit up that had not seen the light of candles hitherto. The year on Patoka Circuit concluded with a good camp- meeting, at which Revs. Aaron Wood and Richard Har- grave, from neighboring circuits, were present, and la- bored faithfully and efficiently in the service of the Master. And now, while I remember these two young men, and reflect that they are yet on the watch-towers, strong men for duty, preaching the same Gospel as of
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