USA > Indiana > Indiana miscellany : consisting of sketches of Indian life, the early settlement, customs, and hardships of the people, and the introduction of the gospel and of schools ; together with biographical notices of the pioneer Methodist preachers of the state > Part 10
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
Her husband was a very wicked man, violently opposed to her piety, particularly to her being among the Methodists, who, on account of their re- ligion, were not in the sweetest odor in the nostrils of most of the citizens of the town. He not only re- fused to render her any assistance, but by every means in his power strove to block up her way, prevent 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 her domestic concerns, trying in every possi- ble 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 affection- ate, 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 religious duties, but was faithful in all things, always at class and prayer meetings, and always in attendance upon the preaching of the Word. Her steadfastness con-
179
STEADFASTNESS OF A PIOUS WIFE.
tinued as time rolled along, though the opposition she met from her husband increased.
A two days' meeting was appointed in the coun- try, a few miles from town. When the time drew near her husband forbade her going. 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 ar- rangement she could for the comfort of her husband during her absence. When the time arrived she took her two children, and, being aided by some kind friends, made her way on Saturday to the place of the 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, and every eye melted to tears. It rained throughout the day on Sunday, which raised Whitewater beyond fording, and Mrs. H. could not return to town that evening. The rain continued Sunday night, so that no one from the house where she had been staying could get to the church. There being several persons at the house where she was, they held a prayer meeting. 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,
180
INDIANA MISCELLANY.
and his wife did not return, he became furious. About midnight, concluding his wife had given her- self 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 occurred to him that "it would be too cruel to burn the house and all its contents and leave his wife with the children, and nothing to help herself with." 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 Meth- odists 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 day was dawning. He went to his house-which he had left a little after midnight, intending never to re- turn-and put away his clothes. His passion had been wrought up to such a pitch that he felt he must have revenge in 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
181
STEADFASTNESS OF A PIOUS WIFE.
his utter discomfiture, every one he met was in a most pleasant humor. None gave him an unkind word. At this he was so 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 arrived he commenced cursing the Methodists, hoping thereby to provoke her to reply. He was again doomed to disappointment. In this he did not succeed, though he kept it up till a late hour at 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, hoping she would yield rather than "he should do that dreadful deed;" at least, that " she would try to dissuade 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 her good. Being defeated again, he did not know what to do.
In a few weeks after this, the first two days' meeting held in Richmond was to come off. When / Mrs. H.'s husband heard that the meeting was ap- pointed, 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 preparation she could to accommodate a few friends. When the meeting came on, she invited two mothers in Israel home with her, on
182
INDIANA MISCELLANY.
Saturday. Her husband, finding they were at his house, would not go in till a late hour at night. On Sunday morning he ventured to the breakfast- table. While at the table the old ladies invited him to go with them to the love-feast that morn- ing. Instantly he said within 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 will not go in. When I get there and they begin to talk 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 gratification to me."
When the hour for love-feast arrived, he accom- panied his wife and the two old 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 doing up that 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 feet, took a seat. The love-feast was a time of power. He had never been in one before-had not intended
.
183
STEADFASTNESS OF A PIOUS WIFE.
to be in this, " but was caught in a trap." He felt that his distress of mind was intolerable-that if the torments 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 his wife and the Methodists professed he would have it or die seeking. From this time he sought the pardon of his numerous sins. The struggle continued for weeks. So great was his distress of mind that much of the time he could neither eat nor sleep. Now did Mrs. H. most devoutly pray that God would have mercy upon her husband. He was clearly and powerfully converted at a camp meet- ing, 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 opposed to it. How wondrous the mercy of God ! During all the time he was so fearfully opposing his wife in her pious course, the carnal mind was raging within him, fear- ful of being cast out. He was often heard to say, "The steadfastness of my pious 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, if she had not entirely backslidden. The text from which the sermon was preached that was the instrument
184
INDIANA MISCELLANY.
in her awakening, made a lasting impression upon her mind : "Offer unto God thanksgiving, 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 with great tenacity.
----
185
REV. RUSSEL BIGELOW.
CHAPTER XXV.
REV. RUSSEL BIGELOW.
THE writer feels his inability to present such a sketch of Rev. Russel Bigelow as his great worth and eminent usefulness demand; nevertheless, as this distinguished servant of God spent two years - of the prime of his ministerial life in Indiana, he offers this brief tribute. The facts respecting his early life are meager. From a sketch in one of the published volumes by Bishop Edward Thom- son I find the following :
" Russel Bigelow was the third child, but eldest son, of respectable parents in the ordinary walks of life, both of whom survive him. He was born in Chesterfield, Cheshire, N. H., February 24, 1793. His opportunities for education were very limited, though he learned to read in early life, and in his very childhood was a diligent student of the Bible, and other religious books. When he was eight years old his father removed to Vermont. At the age of nine he was awakened and made a subject of converting grace under the preaching of the Meth- odist ministry, though he made no profession of re- ligion at this time. Soon after his family removed to a parish in Lower Canada, where religious meet-
16
186
INDIANA MISCELLANY.
ings were seldom held and religious persons rarely met with. He became a backslider in heart, and in this condition continued for four years. Under the earnest prayer of a sister, he was reclaimed, and found great peace in believing. He now-May, 1806-united with the society. Alluding to the repugnance which many feel to the reception of children into the Church, he often remarked, in later life, 'I expect to bless God eternally for the privilege of becoming a member while I was so young.' In his fifteenth year he felt that he would be called to preach. He continued to grow in grace, avoided the company of the thoughtless and gay, sought the society of the pious, and was de- risively called by his young acquaintances 'the Deacon,' or 'the old Deacon.' In 1812 he re- moved to Worthington, O. About this time, when he was nineteen years of age, he was licensed to exhort. Unexpected trials and embarrassments awaited him in the pulpit, under the pressure of which he resolved to give up the idea of preaching. A horror now seized his mind, from which he could find no relief but in a quiet submission to his con- victions of duty.
"He was industrious in his habits, and labored successfully with his hands; and though early urged to enter the itinerant ranks, he long delayed, being fearful lest he should 'run too fast.' His internal conflict was so great on one occasion that he 'wandered away.' Describing the feelings of
187
REV. RUSSEL BIGELOW.
his soul at this period, he says, 'I never came so near being willing to exchange situations with the reptiles of the earth as at this time.'
" On the 15th of October, 1814, having been ad- mitted on trial in the Ohio Conference, he started for his first circuit, which was in Kentucky. His natural timidity, his youthful appearance, his low stature, his awkward manners, his unprepossessing face, and his slovenly dress, gave his congregations but poor promise of edification and instruction. Many a proud man sneered, and many a pious one prayed, as he entered the church with his saddle- bags in one hand and hat in the other, and bash- fully hid himself in the pulpit. It was soon appar- ent that he was humble and devoted; and as he progressed in his discourse, the wicked lost their contempt, and the good their mortification; the sluggish were aroused, and the intelligent were amazed; arrows of conviction flew thick and fast; sinners were slain on the right and left ; the aton- ing Lamb was lifted up, and the dead were made alive by his blood.
" His next circuit was Miami, on which he was associated with A. Cummins. In 1816, after hav- ing been ordained deacon, he was appointed to Law- renceburg circuit, Indiana, where he was favored with the counsel of Allen Wiley, who was this year his beloved colleague. During this year he was married to Margaret Irwin, by whom he had seven children, who all survived him. In his journal he
188
INDIANA MISCELLANY.
writes concerning his marriage these significant words, which the young would do well to ponder : 'I now think it would have been better had I re- mained single a few years longer.' His domestic embarrassments did not, however, diminish his domestic attachments."
Lawrenceburg was, at this time, 1817, the most important town in the State. Her citizens were intelligent. Among them were some of the most talented men of the West. The circuit was a la- borious one to travel, covering a large scope of country. Mr. Bigelow labored on this circuit with great acceptability to the people. His talents, as a preacher, were much admired.
In 1823 he was sent to Whitewater circuit, with George Gatch for his colleague, which brought him back into the State. This was also a large circuit, embracing at that time all of what is now Frank- lin, Union, Wayne, and parts of Randolph, Henry, and Fayette counties. He located his family, for the year, in Centerville, the county seat of Wayne county, as it was the most central point in his circuit.
Mr. Bigelow was about medium hight, slender frame, and of feeble, physical constitution. His head was large for a man of his stature, forehead high, and very prominent. His piety was of the deepest character. No one doubted it. It mani- fested itself in his countenance, words, and actions. He exhibited, at all times, that he possessed "the
189
REV. RUSSEL BIGELOW.
spirit of Christ." Any one in his company would soon feel that he was in the presence of a man of God. And yet no one could form a proper estimate of his talents as a preacher, from his appearance. He was not what would generally be called a fine- looking man.
He was mighty in the Scriptures. He made them his daily study. The writer has heard him say, that he had "read the Bible through, several times, on his knees." He made it "the man of his coun- sel," and could have said, "I have hid thy law within my heart." He had a logical mind, and was a very close reasoner. He was a man of great humility-never exalted in his own estimation- much inclined to look upon his pulpit efforts as be- ing feeble. Sometimes he felt much dejected after preaching, considering his efforts, "so poor, so in- efficient in accomplishing good." On one occasion he preached a sermon on Saturday, at a quarterly meeting, which he thought was an exceedingly fee- ble effort. For sometime afterward he reproached himself bitterly for having made an entire failure- one "that accomplished no good." Three months after this, at the next quarterly meeting held in the same place, in the love-feast on Sunday morn- ing, three young men arose in succession and pro- fessed to have obtained the pardon of their sins, stating that they had been awakened under the ser- mon preached by Mr. Bigelow, on Saturday, at the last quarterly meeting, and were thereby led to
190
INDIANA MISCELLANY.
seek salvation. That was the sermon which Mr. Bigelow thought "had accomplished no good."
When he arose in the pulpit to open the services a stranger would not call him graceful, nor would expectation be very high. But soon it would be discovered that a man of master mind stood before the congregation.
Rev. J. B. Finley, in his Autobiography, gives the following account in regard to Mr. Bigelow. It occurred at Steubenville, Ohio, during the session of the Conference, held at that place. Mr. Finley being presiding elder of the district, was requested to assist in appointing the preachers to their places of lodg- ing, during the session of the Conference. He says : "A request was handed to me by one of the stew- ards, from a gentleman of wealth, that if I would send him one of our most talented ministers, he would cheerfully keep him during the Conference. The gentleman was a member of the Episcopal Church, and had a worthy family, rather more than ordinarily refined, and enjoying all such elegancies of life as a country village would afford. Wishing to gratify him, I sent Russel Bigelow to be his guest. Now, Russel was dressed in plain, homespun ap- parel, cut and made with as much skill as home could furnish. It was not exactly that à la mode which suits fashionable life. The young Miss in the parlor cast many sidelong glances at the young preacher, who diffidently sat composing his features, and gazing at the various objects around him.
191
REV. RUSSEL BIGELOW.
Meeting the steward, Mr. - said, 'I do not think you have treated me right in sending me such a common, homespun-looking man.' At this the stew- ard came to me in great haste, saying Mr. - was displeased. 'Well,' said I, 'his request has been complied with; he asked for a talented man, and I have sent him the most talented man we have. Go and tell him that I wish him and his family to go to the Presbyterian Church to-morrow and hear him preach, and then if they are dissatisfied, I will remove him.'
"Sabbath came. The minister in homespun as- cended the desk; all eyes were upon him. ‘How finely he reads !' says ' What distinct articula- tion !' said Mr. - to his lady as they sat in the pew. 'Dear me,' said the daughter, 'how beauti- fully our country preacher reads poetry! Then followed the prayer; and when, with warm heart, he prayed for the families who had, with generous hospitality, thrown open their houses for the enter- tainment of God's servants, the silent tear and half- suppressed sigh told of his power over the heart.
"He preached, and it was only as Russel Bigelow of sainted memory could preach. Indeed, it is said he excelled himself on that occasion. The effect upon the hearers was powerful, and upon none more so than upon his worthy host and family, who took him home, and sent for me to ask my pardon, re- marking that he had never heard such a sermon in all his life."
192
INDIANA MISCELLANY.
Mr. Bigelow, from the time he read his text to the close of his sermon, would remind you of the most skillful master-mechanic from the time that mechanic made the first mark upon the timber with his square and compass, through all the operation, till the superstructure was reared up complete in every part, each piece of timber fitting exactly in its place, the whole, when completed, presenting the most beautiful specimen of architectural skill. Few men, if any, excelled him in analyzing a subject. He exhibited all its parts, and then brought all to- gether in one complete whole. His sermons pre- sented the most beautiful symmetry-perfect in every part. As he advanced in his discourse, the inspira- tion increased, his voice rising and swelling, his countenance glowing with increasing luster as he became more and more absorbed in his subject, till he seemed to be lost to every thing else. He would hold his congregation as if spell-bound, carrying his hearers with him, till they, too, like himself, lost sight of every thing but the subject he was unfold- ing before them.
His eloquence was peculiar to himself-difficult to describe. No one can form a correct idea of his overwhelming pulpit power who never heard him. In 1823, when he traveled Whitewater circuit, he was requested to preach a sermon in Centerville on the fourth day of July, which he consented to do. The word went out through all the country round about. When the day arrived the people came in
193
REV. RUSSEL BIGELOW.
from six and eight miles. The congregation was large, men of the legal and medical professions being generally present. When the hour for the services to commence arrived, after the opening prayer Mr. Bigelow read for his text, "He hath not dealt so with any nation." Psalm cxlvii, 20. We can not attempt at this distant period to give a de- scription of the sermon further than to say that its effect on the audience was overwhelming, making an impression upon the hearts and minds of many who heard it that time can never erase. It was, perhaps, the greatest sermon of his life. All went away impressed as they never had been before with the great truth that "the Lord reigneth " among the nations of the earth. In the forty-third year of his age, on July 1, 1835, in the city of Colum- bus, Ohio, this holy man of God passed away from earth to heaven. The Church felt deeply his loss, for he was greatly beloved. I can but quote again the words of Bishop Thomson :
" Russel Bigelow had the manners of a gentle- man, the graces of a Christian, and the gifts of an orator. His favorite theme was the atonement. This gave animation to his hopes, fire to his tongue, luster to his discourses, harmony to his doctrines, and efficacy to his labors. On all the cardinal doc- trines of the Gospel he was clear and uncompromis- ing, eliminating them from error with a hand that never wanted cunning, and heart that never wanted courage. His favorite book was the Bible, which 17
194
INDIANA MISCELLANY.
he was accustomed to study through and through, by course, upon his knees.
"His favorite refreshment was prayer. To this he devoted the first moments after he rose from his bed. At eight o'clock he retired again for closet devotion. For the last five years of his life, how- ever, in order that he might be at the throne of grace at the same time that a beloved brother- Rev. Mr. S .- was there, he changed the hour to nine o'clock. At midday he sought again the Sun of Righteousness; three o'clock, and twilight, and the hour before retiring to rest, were other periods when he devoutly and privately communed with God. Thus, morning, noon, and night-at nine, at three, and at twilight, did this good man regularly retire to his 'closet.' The hour which he most prized was twilight, because it was associated with his regeneration. At this time he was accustomed to remember every preacher on his. district, and every awakened person who had within the last three months solicited an interest in his prayers. He would bring them, name by name, before God, dwelling upon the peculiar dangers, or trials, or wants of each case as a father would plead for his children.
" His family prayers were marked by all the fer- vor and energy of his more public ministration. Indeed, earnestness marked all his labors. Whether in private or public, teaching in the Sabbath school, praying at the altar, preaching on the camp-ground,
195
REV. RUSSEL BIGELOW.
presiding in the Conference, or writing in the com- mittee-room, he was a man of zeal. Love animated and sustained him; so that his zeal was tempered with sweetness, his firmness with mildness, his courage with tenderness, and his godly daring with a most subduing affection, as if, like his Master, he would 'draw all men unto him.' Just to con- scientiousness, exact to scrupulousness, and orderly as a field-marshal, he avoided even the appearance of evil.
"Long-suffering and forbearing, his expostulations with sinners were in tones of mercy, till mercy ceased to be a virtue, when he rose with the majesty of a monarch to assert the dignity of law in tones that made the rebellious tremble. This, however, was not often the case. His charity cov- ered a multitude of sins. It was ingenious perhaps to a fault, in devising excuses for offenders, and putting the most favorable aspects upon every case.
" At the root of all his excellencies was a mighty faith. He believed God implicitly ; relied upon him unwaveringly ; wrestled with him victoriously ; con- tinuing in prayer till petition burst into thanks- giving."
196
INDIANA MISCELLANY.
CHAPTER XXVI.
REV. ALLEN WILEY.
THE subject of this sketch was among the first, if not the first man licensed to preach by a quarterly conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the State of Indiana. Nearly all his Christian and ministerial life being spent in Indiana, he deserves a place in every record of the rise and progress of Methodism in the State.
"The Life and Times of Rev. Allen Wiley, by Rev. F. C. Holliday," has been given to the Church and the world. Though in that volume a more ex- tended notice of the life and labors of Mr. Wiley is given, the writer, having known him from early boyhood, would bear some humble testimony to his worth.
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.