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 16
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CHAPTER XXXIV.
REV. ISAAC OWEN.
THE subject of this sketch is worthy "to be had in everlasting remembrance," and will long live in the affections of those who knew him. The more intimately he was known, the more highly was he appreciated. He was not so attractive at first sight, but as your acquaintance ripened he would draw you close and closer to himself.
Isaac Owen was born in Wilton, Vermont, March 8, 1809. In 1811 he was brought by his parents to Indiana, then a Territory. His father settled in the woods in Knox county. Like most of the early emigrants, he was poor; hence he could not make extensive provision for the comfort of his family. This subjected Isaac as he grew up to many hard- ships and privations. To be the son of a poor man in a wilderness country did not bode a bright fu- ture. As an instance of the hardships and priva- tions to which his father's family were subjected, we give the following as related by Mr. Owen in after years : " When I was a boy we lived in the woods, in Knox county. Grist mills were few and far between. In order to get meal to make our bread we had to pound the corn in a hominy mortar, with
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a pestle. In the Winter season, sometimes having no shoes, I was driven to the expedient of heating blocks of wood to stand upon, in order to keep my bare feet from the frozen ground, while I pounded the corn to make meal for our bread."
In 1824 his father fell a victim to the disease and exposures incident to a new country, leaving him with his widowed mother to struggle with all the infelicities of poverty. She had early sown the good seed in his tender mind, and had daily carried him in the arms of faith and prayer before the throne of Heavenly mercy. And now, being left a widow, all the care of her children devolving upon herself, with greater earnestness she besought the widows' God to lead her children "to the Rock that was higher than they." It was not long till her prayers in Isaac's behalf were answered. In the sixteenth year of his age he was converted and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. Boy though he was, he took up the cross and began to pray in public. Continuing faithful, growing in grace and in the knowledge of Divine things, ho was, after a time, licensed to preach. This laid upon him a burden which was hard to bear; never- theless, throwing himself upon the Lord, he found grace to enable him to stand in his lot. In the Fall of 1834 he was admitted on trial in the Indiana Conference, and sent to Otter Creek mission.
Mr. Owen's early opportunities to obtain an edu- cation were poor, but possessing great energy of
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character he applied himself to study with diligence, using the facilities he had to the best advantage. At the end of two years he was received into full con- nection in the Conference and ordained deacon, and at the end of four years graduated to elder's orders.
Though he traveled hard circuits for several years, he continued to apply himself closely to study. When he had pretty thoroughly mastered the En- glish grammar, he commenced the study of the Greek language, which he continued to pursue till he obtained a fair knowledge thereof. While en- gaged in his literary pursuits he did not neglect the study of theology, but divided his time between his literary and theological studies. He attained quite an eminence as a theologian.
As a preacher he was plain, clear, logical, and forcible, always shedding light upon the subject he had in hand. Though not an orator, he seldom failed to make an impression upon his hearers, and often moved his congregation to tears. His delivery was good, his voice pleasant. He had an inventive genius, full of expedients, ready for any emergency. As an evidence of this we give one instance. When he was a boy some twelve years old, the country new, the forest dense, the population sparse, he went into the woods one day in search of some missing cattle. Traveling in various directions, he lost his course and became bewildered, so that he could not tell in which direction his home was. For an hour or two he strove to right himself, but
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all in vain. He was still lost. The sun was getting low, night would soon close in-something had to be done. The faithful old family dog was with him. Believing the dog knew the course home, he hit upon the following expedient. Having cut a switch he called the dog to him, took hold of him, gave him a good basting and then let him go. The dog bounded away through the thick woods, and the boy after him at the top of his speed. The dog soon distanced him and was out of sight, but Isaac kept on the course the dog had gone, and about dark arrived safely at his father's cabin.
Mr. Owen was original in preaching-he did not allow himself to use skeletons prepared by other men. He selected his texts and then prepared his sermons on the texts. He did not first make his sermon and then search for a text to suit it. He had a strong, clear, discriminating mind, and could look into a passage of Scripture and soon see the points to be presented to the congregation. He had a peculiar faculty for raising money for Church pur- poses. His great success was not so much before a public congregation as by personal application. If he called upon a man for a contribution and he de- clined to give, the more he declined the more Owen good-naturedly pressed his plea. If the man be- came surly or crusty Owen was the more bland and pleasant. He seldom failed to obtain a contribution if he called upon a man.
He was one of the four agents first sent out to
25
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raise an endowment-fund for Indiana Asbury Uni- versity. To say he was successful in his agency would be to say what is well known to the friends of the institution in its early history. He served in the agency four years, and in that time suc- ceeded in raising, by the sale of perpetual scholar- ships, about sixty-three thousand dollars. He did more to build up Indiana Asbury University, finan- cially, by raising funds, than any other man.
He labored fourteen years in Indiana as an itin- erant. In 1848 he was appointed one of the first missionaries to California, and in the Spring of 1849 crossed the plains with his family. Soon after reaching California, and before he had commenced housekeeping, he lost all his personal goods by the sinking of a steamer. This left him in great desti- tution, a stranger in a strange land. But, nothing daunted or discouraged, he went to work, trusting in his Divine Master. He was the first man ap- pointed to the presiding eldership in California.
In physical stature Mr. Owen was of medium size, well-proportioned. He had a finely-formed head, inclining to baldness, hair dark, a well-de- veloped forehead, piercing black eyes, a dimple in one cheek, a well-curved mouth, and always wore a · pleasant smile. He was affable, social, kind in his disposition, and affectionate. As descriptive of the latter part of Mr. Owen's life, and of the final clos- ing scene, we take the following from a funeral dis- course preached before the California Conference by
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Rev. John Daniel: "The following shows that amid his many cares and labors his mind was dwelling on the final conflict : 'I keep death before me. I regard it a mere question of time and as the end of toil, the end of care. My time in this world is growing short. I hope to be able to im- prove the few hours I may enjoy as so many precious hours of probation, and to honor Christ my Savior and Redeemer.'
" Again : 'I feel that my time for improvement in this world is short, yet I am as strong for all the duties of my office as I was years ago. My great desire is to finish life with life's labors. The thought of being put on the retired list is horrible to me. Let me cease to work and live the same day.'
" His death was in near accordance with his wishes. What seemed at first to be a trivial acci- dent to his hand had proved the cause of great suf- fering and physical prostration. On coming home from the Santa Cruz quarterly meeting, he could scarcely retain his place in the saddle, and had to be assisted from his horse. The brethren in San Francisco, the place of his next meeting, learning of his prostrate condition, kindly sent word that they would excuse him, while all pecuniary require- ments should be met and attended to as if he were there. But he could not be prevailed on to rest. He went to the city, and on Friday morning filled an appointment at Oakland, returning in the after-
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noon. In the evening, having an appointment in the Folsom-Street German Church, he went, and though not able to preach, delivered an address to those present, and conducted the business of the quarterly conference as usual. This was his last public service. He grew worse, retired to the par- sonage in connection with the church of his last service, where he lingered till Friday, February 9, at one o'clock, when he quietly fell asleep. In his last moments he had the soothing attentions of his wife and kind ministerial brethren, together with the best medical aid. His ruling passion of life-to labor for the Church-was manifest in his affliction, but it was in harmony with the will of God. His words in the brief period of his last illness were free, but they were in unison with his life and with his sacred calling. To one he spoke of how delight- ful it would be to go and enjoy the Christian's re- ward. When desired to try and get rest, he said, ' I shall soon be at rest.' To a brother minister he said, 'The waves are dashing around me, but I have measured the depth of the waters; they will waft me to a peaceful shore.' Again he said, 'The river is cold, and deep, and calm.'"
Thus passed away our beloved brother Owen after nearly thirty-two years uninterrupted employment in the vineyard of the Lord. Industry, zeal, and faithfulness marked his life; resignation, serenity, and hope in his dying hours. Heaven's holy rest, the Savior's glory, is the unending reward.
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EDWARD BROWN.
CHAPTER XXXV.
EDWARD BROWN.
THE subject of this sketch having emigrated to Indiana at an early day labored faithfully in the Re- deemer's cause, wielding an extensive influence for good, and having maintained a high reputation for moral integrity, is worthy to be remembered, and deserves a permanent record.
Edward Brown was born in Baltimore county, Maryland, June 7, 1774. When a small child he was brought by his parents to the State of Ohio. In his youth he returned to Baltimore county, where he served an apprenticeship. When fully grown to manhood, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Kemp, a young lady well qualified to be a " help-meet " for him. Soon after his mar- riage with his wife he went to the city of Balti- more, where he took up his residence. He con- tinued to reside in the city till September, 1819, when, with his family, he started for the then Far West. On the seventh day of December following, he arrived in New Albany, Indiana, then a small town on the Ohio River. Here he resided to the close of his life, a period of thirty-six years. Father Brown-as he was familiarly called all the
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latter years of his life-was of medium hight, with a well-proportioned physical frame. His neck was short, face broad, mouth wide, nose prominent, forehead well developed, hair black, parted upon the top of his head, and falling down to his shoul- ders. His countenance indicated great firmness and decision of character. His appearance was intel- lectual. In the prime of life his walk was erect and his step firm.
He was converted in the seventeenth year of his age, alone in the woods, while engaged in prayer. The evidence of his conversion was so clear and sat- isfactory that he never afterward doubted that God did, for Christ's sake, then and there pardon his sins. His soul was filled unutterably full of joy. He soon told his friends what great things the Lord had done for him. He did not connect himself with any branch of the Church till 1804, when he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in the city of Bal- timore. From that time to the end of his life his attachment to the Church of his choice increased in strength; and though many of his friends-among them his brother, Rev. George Brown, D. D .- went off with those who formed the Methodist Protestant Church, he remained firm in his adherence to the old Church. Such were his talents, religious zeal, steadfastness, and upright walk from the time he united with the Church that he soon became a prominent member. He was an intimate friend of Bishop George, and was one of the pall-bearers at
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EDWARD BROWN.
the Bishop's funeral. While residing in the city of Baltimore he was licensed to officiate in the Church as an exhorter, which relation he retained througli life. He was a member of the first class organized in New Albany, and was also a member of the first boards of stewards and trustees organized in the place. These offices he filled with great accepta- bility and usefulness, ever watchful of the interest and welfare of his pastor, the poor, and the Church ; and when, from infirmity, he could no longer serve actively in these offices, his brethren continued him in them as a token of respect for his past services.
As a steward he was a safe counselor of the pas- tor, ever attentive to the wants of his family, mak- ing it his rule to visit them once or twice every week to see if they needed any thing for their com- fort. As trustee he was faithful in discharging the duties of that important office, looking well to the comfort of the congregation when assembled for worship. As an exhorter he was not showy, but impressive. Understanding well the doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he never incul- cated error. He was gifted in prayer, and always prayed with great fervency of spirit. He had strong confidence in the efficacy of prayer. Having been converted while wrestling with the Lord in prayer, he delighted to pray with penitents at the altar. Many precious souls have been " brought out of darkness into the marvelous light," while father Brown was presenting their cause before the blood-
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besprinkled throne. Being "diligent in business," he accumulated a very handsome property, which he used to the glory of God, giving liberally to the support of the Church and all benevolent institu- tions. He was plain in his apparel, wearing the old-fashioned round-breasted Methodist coat, and broad-brimmed drab hat. He was a great enemy to pride, and was faithful in his testimony against it when and wherever he thought he saw it devel- oped, in the Church or out of it, in preachers or private members. He was opposed to church- steeples with bells hung in them, to gayety in the apparel of the members of the Church, jewelry, vails, ruffles, and artificial flowers; to ministers wearing their beard. All these he believed to be the developments of pride, and, as he often ex- pressed it, "came from the devil and would go to the devil." He was very decidedly opposed to the use of a richly-decorated hearse, with its nodding plumes, and the great display often made on funeral occasions in cities. He believed them to be displays of vanity, and evil in their tendency, often causing families to expend an amount of money to keep up appearances on these solemn occasions they were not able to afford.
He repeatedly made the request of his friends that when he should die his body should not be placed in a hearse to be conveyed to the grave; that there should be no display of carriages in his funeral procession, saying, "When I die I want to
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be carried to the grave on the shoulders of my friends, all the people marching on foot. If I have not friends enough to carry me to the grave, put me upon a dray. Don't let my body go into a hearse." Some may think that in all this father Brown was governed by a prejudice which was the result of a lack of refined cultivation, but such was not the fact. All who knew him awarded to him honesty and Christian candor in his opposition to whatever he believed to be the result of pride. He was a faithful witness for Jesus, ever ready to tes- tify that "Christ has power on earth to forgive sins; that the blood of Jesus can cleanse from all sin; that perfect love casteth out all fear that hath torment." In 1841 the wife of his youth was taken from him by death. This he felt to be a sore trial, but grace sustained him. After the death of his wife he found a home with his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Beeler, who kindly admin- istered to his comfort as the infirmities of advanced age came upon him. As he drew near the close of life his soul ripened for the heavenly garner, death lost all its terror, and the grave its gloom. He looked forward to the moment of his depart- ure with great delight. A few days before his death he went to the undertaker and selected a plain coffin, in which he wished to sleep his last long sleep, and had it set aside till it should be needed. He then went to the city cemetery and pointed out to the sexton the precise spot in his own
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family lot where he wished to be buried, saying, "There I want my body to rest till the resurrection morn." The evening before he was attacked with his death sickness he led the family devotion. He was unusually drawn out in prayer. In his peti- tions he embraced all the Churches, particularly the one in which he had so long lived and labored. He was greatly blessed. In the morning he was very ill. His sickness was of short duration. In the af- ternoon of March 16, 1855, he finished his earthly pilgrimage, in the eighty-second year of his age, having been a member of the Church fifty-one years. In accordance with his request his remains were carried on a bier, the oldest citizens of New Albany serving as pall-bearers, to Wesley Chapel, where a funeral discourse was delivered to a large congregation from Hebrews xi, 14. At the close of the sermon the procession formed, all marching on foot to the grave, where the funeral services were read. Father Brown lived a long life of earn- est, consistent piety, and died respected by all who knew him.
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REV. CALVIN W. RUTER.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
REV. CALVIN W. RUTER.
ALL the efforts I have made to obtain informa- tion in regard to Mr. Ruter's early life; the place of his birth; his training in childhood and youth; when and where he was converted and united with the Church, etc., have been unsuccessful. In at- tempting to write a sketch of him I am well aware I can not do justice to his memory, or present such a portrait of him as his great worth demands; nev- ertheless, as he was so prominently connected with the planting of Methodism in the State, and did so much to lay the foundation of the Church deep and broad, I can not consent to pass him by unnoticed, for he was, in the language of Rev. D. M'Intire, in a letter now before me, "one of the apostles of Methodism in Indiana." As a tribute to the mem- ory of an able minister of the Lord Jesus this brief sketch is presented, leaving to others who knew him better, and who wield an abler pen, to write more at large.
Calvin W. Ruter was born in one of the New England States some time in the year 1790. In youth he came to the State of Ohio. His surround- ings were such as to throw him principally upon
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his own resources, which tended much to his devel- opment, physically and mentally. In early manhood he performed some hard manual labor. Having been converted, and having united with the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, he was licensed to preach, and, according to the bound " Minutes of the Sev- eral Annual Conferences," he was received on trial in the Ohio Conference in the Fall of 1818. His first appointment was to Steubenville circuit, with Samuel Hamilton and William Knox for his col- leagues, he being the junior preacher. At the close of his second year in the Conference, in the Fall of 1820, he was admitted into full connection, ordained deacon, and transferred to the Missouri Conference, which embraced all of Indiana except Whitewater, Lawrenceburg, and Madison circuits. Mr. Ruter was appointed to Silver Creek circuit as preacher in charge, with Job Baker for his colleague. This was his introduction into the work in Indiana. The circuit was large, covering the territory known as "Clark's Grant." On this circuit he emphatically made his mark, planting the Church in some locali- ties where it still continues to flourish and grow. Samuel Hamilton, who had been his colleague on his first circuit in Ohio, where their hearts had been knit together like those of David and Jona- than, was now his presiding elder. This year a camp meeting was held in the bounds of the cir- cuit, superintended by Hamilton, the presiding el- der, and Ruter, the preacher in charge. The
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following account of that camp meeting is taken from a sketch written by Rev. W. H. Goode, of North Indiana Conference, which now lies before me : "This camp meeting was held, perhaps, in Oc- tober. ... One morning, looking out from their tents, they discovered the whole face of the earth covered with snow. [Rather chilling we should say to their prospects.] But these men of God were nothing daunted, and the tent-holders, too, were no fair-weather Christians. The people hungered for the Bread of Life; souls were there to be saved ; firmly they maintained their post in prayer and supplication. God looked down upon the scene. The sun melted away the snow, and the Word of God melted the hearts of the people. A Pentecostal scene ensued. Souls in large numbers were con- verted-the neighborhood was revolutionized. Al- most half a century has passed and still one of the leading country churches of Southern Indiana marks the spot. Many an aged pilgrim, the stead- fast fruit of that revival, is still on the way, sur- rounded by a godly household of the second and third generations. Some half a dozen of the con- verts entered the Christian ministry."
Mr. Ruter continued to reside and labor in Indi- ana to the close of his useful life. He was, through failing health, at different times compelled to take a superannuated relation to his Conference; but was, when his health would allow it, found in the effective ranks. He filled some of the most im-
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portant stations as pastor, and was for several years presiding elder. He enjoyed the confidence of his brethren in the ministry in a high degree, and was, by them, elected three or four times to represent them in the General Conference of the Church. He was a member of the General Conference of 1844, which met in the city of New York, when the celebrated cases of Bishop Andrew and Rev. Francis A. Harding came before that body. Dur- ing his superannuation he filled several offices of public trust honorably and acceptably to the people. He was postmaster in the city of New Albany for four years under the administration of President Polk, after which he held the office of Register of the Land-Office, at Indianapolis, for four years. He did not allow these offices to interfere with his attachment to the Church, nor his devotion to her interests. Though superannuated he took a lively interest in every thing that pertained to the pros- perity of Zion, and preached as often as his health would allow. He was a man of fine appearance, having a physical frame about six feet in hight, well-proportioned, and a finely-developed forehead. He was always dignified, and would, by his lofty bearing, attract attention in any company or delib- erative body. Any one looking upon his noble form would have been impressed that he was a man of much more than ordinary intellect and talents. IIis education was fair-above mediocrity. His ad- ministrative abilities were of the first class. He
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was cautious, mild, prudent, firm. He understood
well the Discipline of the Church. His talents as a preacher were of a high order. His voice was pleasant, and at times of great compass. He knew well how to use it. He could tell an incident with great effect. In his sermons he was very pathetic, and often moved his audience to tears. When in his full vigor few men were more successful in preach- ing on popular occasions, such as camp meetings and quarterly meetings. On camp meeting occa- sions he was a good commander, knowing well how to direct the battle and use the forces he had to the best advantage. Rev. W. H. Goode, in his sketch from which we have already quoted, speaking of Mr. Ruter as a preacher, says: “His preaching was plain, clear, lucid; always mak- ing out fairly what he took in hand; sound in theology and rich in Christian experience, as well as eminently practical. But his great strength lay in his pathos and the melting appeals that often closed his discourses. These were, at times, overpowering, especially at camp meetings and on popular occasions. At such times he ordi- narily left the pulpit broken down, prostrate in bodily strength; but brought down the 'pillars' of the temple with him." As a friend Mr. Ruter was kind, generous, and true. Rev. J. A. Brouse, of the South-Eastern Indiana Conference, in a com- munication which now lies before me, says : "My acquaintance with brother Ruter commenced in the
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Fall of 1832, which continued till his death. From the time of our first acquaintance we kept up a reg- ular correspondence. We have been associated to- gether in the work of the ministry. He has been my presiding elder, and I have been his. In all these relations I ever found him a confidential friend and safe adviser." The exact date of his death is not now known to the writer, but was about 1859. He died on Saturday, in the afternoon, at his residence near Patriot, in Switzerland county. He had preached a sermon in the forenoon characterized by his usual power and efficiency. In the afternoon, while engaged in shaving himself, he was attacked by his old enemy, the heart disease, and fell upon the floor a corpse. Thus passed away this distin- guished minister of the Lord Jesus. In the morn- ing of his last day on earth he cried, " Behold! be- hold the Lamb!" and in the afternoon fell asleep in Jesus. He and his compeers, Strange, Hamilton, Wiley, Havens, and Armstrong, are now together around the throne. P.E
THE END.
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MAR 19 1941- PL: 291 NOHEST
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