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 9
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In 1804 he came to Indiana to explore the country. In 1805 he brought his family out, which consisted of his "beloved Rachel," and Patience, a niece of his wife, whom they had adopted as a daughter. He pitched his tent on the land he had entered, in what is now Wayne county. All around him was one wild wilderness. In a short time his humble cabin was erected, into which he placed his family and erected the family altar, which was never taken down.
Though a man of feeble physical frame, and ap- parently slender constitution, he opened a farm in
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the dense forest and supported his family comforta- bly. There being no other minister of the Gospel residing in that part of the Territory, and the trav- eling preachers not having yet found their way into that region, it devolved upon Mr. Cull to plant the Gospel-standard. He at once set about the work. He invited the few families that were in reach of him to come to his cabin, stating he would preach to them. He also visited distant settlements on Sabbath days, and established preaching-places. As ยท soon as the itinerant preachers came in reach, he went after them and invited them to his abode. They came and organized a class at his house, and made it a regular preaching-place, which it con- tinued to be for twenty years.
Mr. Cull was a man of medium size, with black hair-till whitened by age-which he always combed back upon his head, heavy eyebrows-neat in his appearance. He had a pleasant voice, mellow in its tones; he had a very fair English educa- tion ; he possessed the confidence of his fellow- citizens in a high degree. He was a member of the Convention which met in Corydon, then the seat of government for the Territory, and which formed the first Constitution of the State. He was an influential member of that Convention, and took an active part in its deliberations. The people had great respect and reverence for him. He was called Father Cull by the citizens generally, as far back as the writer's memory goes. He was a man of ten-
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der heart, strong affections, kind spirit, full of sympathy, of deep unostentatious piety. He had the full confidence of all who knew him. He was mighty in prayer, a man of strong faith, always enjoying a sacred nearness to God when at the throne of the heavenly mercy.
He was a good preacher, zealous and pathetic. The people always heard him gladly. He was a man of tears when preaching, and often the whole congregation would be melted, under his sermons and exhortations. He delighted much in hearing the Gospel preached; on it he fed and feasted. When his soul was filled with joy Divine, he loved to say glory ! It seemed to afford him peculiar pleasure. "Glory, glory, glory !" was a common expression of his, when in an ecstasy of joy. He was a warm and true friend of the itinerant preach- ers, delighting in their society, bidding them wel- come to his home; ever ready to assist them to the best of his ability. At an early day he traveled a part of a year, as a "supply, " when his circuit extended from Lawrenceburg, on the Ohio River, as far north as Greenville, in the State of Ohio. The country was new, the streams were unbridged, the roads almost impassable ; consequently, the travel- ing was laborious and hazardous. He was always ready to take the circuit for a round or two, when it was necessary to supply the place of a sick preacher, or one who was called away from his work for a short time.
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Father Cull resided on the farm where he first set- tled when he came to Indiana, fifty-seven years ago. He died on the thirty-first day of August, 1862, aged one hundred and four years and ten months. He retained his physical and mental vigor, in a very remarkable degree, to near the close of his long and useful life. About three months before his departure his physical strength began to de- cline. Gradually he descended to the grave. The taper of life burned lower and lower, till it went out. As his end drew near, the prospect of join- ing his former friends and companions, and the wife of his youth, who had passed on before, filled lis soul with heavenly rapture. The last words that escaped his lips on this side the river, and they came forth in a whisper, were, "Glory, glory, glory !" Thus lived and died Rev. Hugh Cull.
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CHAPTER XXII.
REV. JOHN GIBSON.
JOHN GIBSON was the second Methodist local preacher who settled in what is now Wayne county, Indiana. He came to the Territory at an early day. Where or when he was born is not known to the writer; nor what were the circumstances surround- ing him in early life; nor when nor where he was converted and united with the Church; nor when he was licensed to preach. The presumption is, that he was, in early life, very much after the Benjamin- Abbott style. His education was limited, but suffi- cient for his station in life and the people to whom he ministered in their wilderness-homes. He was rather uncomely in his appearance, low of stature, very round shouldered, of great muscular power, for a man of his size. He was of sanguine tempera- ment-kind spirited-a true friend-firm in his principles, and fearlessly advocated what he believed to be right, and opposed what he believed to be wrong. He was a terror to evil-doers. In his ser- mons he feared not to charge Satan's strongest holds. The vices of the day met in him a steady and pow- erful opposer.
He was a man of true piety and of great zeal in
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his Master's work-of great faith-a good preacher, always acceptable to the Church, but dreaded by the servants of Satan-very successful in laboring with penitents, and a powerful exhorter. He had some peculiarities. He sometimes used expressions in prayer which would have sounded strangely, coming from the mouth of any other man than John Gibson. On one occasion, at a camp meeting, while a prayer meeting was being conducted in the altar, many persons were seeking salvation, and many souls were being converted, the preacher's stand was crowded with the proud and haughty, who stood looking on. Among them, and at the front of the stand, stood a young woman, very gayly attired, who was making sport in a very derisive manner of the exercises. Mr. Gibson was on his knees in the altar, with his face toward the stand, earnestly engaged in laboring with the penitents. Looking up he saw the young woman laughing and making sport. He suddenly exclaimed, in great earnestness, " My God ! knock that young woman down!" repeating it three times; when, as if pierced by a rifle-ball, the young woman fell into the altar. Mr. Gibson turned to a lady who was kneeling near him, and, tapping her on the shoulder, said, "Sister, that is what I call taking them between the lug and the horn." This young woman, after a long and hard struggle, was pow- erfully converted.
Mr. Gibson labored as a local preacher for several
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years, and was instrumental in the salvation of many souls. He and his associates in the " king- dom and patience of Jesus " have all gone home to their Father's house above, where, reunited, they join in the song of the redeemed, "Unto him that loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God; to him be glory forever and ever." He died in holy triumph, in Wayne county, Indiana, in the year 1818.
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CHAPTER XXIII.
INTRODUCTION OF METHODISM INTO RICHMOND.
RICHMOND, in Wayne county, was originally set- tled by Friends, commonly called " Quakers." John Smith and Jeremiah Cox, the proprietors of the town, were influential members of that denomina- tion. Some years before Richmond was founded, Whitewater Friends' Meeting-House was built a short distance above the site of the town as first laid out. The town improved rapidly. The inhab- itants were principally Friends. From their pecul- iar religious tenets they did not give encouragement to any other denomination. They were a quiet, moral people, very exact in the observance of all religious duties as held and taught by their own Society. They, at that time, associated but little with persons of other Churches. They seldom, if ever, allowed their houses of worship to be occupied by ministers of other denominations. These they were pleased to call "Lo-heres and Lo-theres," and considered it their duty to warn their people not to run after them. It was several years after the town began to improve before any other religious denomination made an effort to establish themselves in the place. The Methodists were the first. In
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1822 Rev. Russel Bigelow was preacher in charge of Whitewater circuit. He determined to make an effort to plant Methodism in Richmond. It was difficult to obtain a house to preach in. The inhab- itants who were not Friends were by no means friendly to the Methodists. None would open their houses. After a time permission was obtained to preach in a small school-house. In this Mr. Bige- low preached the first sermon delivered by a Meth- odist preacher in Richmond. He soon organized a small class, consisting of the following persons: George Smith, Sarah Smith, Mercy B. Smith, Ra- chel S. Smith, Stephen Thomas, Margaret Thomas, and the widow Pierson. George Smith was ap- pointed leader of the little band. It was not long till the school-house was taken from them. Preach- ing and class meetings were then moved to a small room occupied by the widow Pierson as a dwelling. In a short time after this Mrs. Pierson moved from the town, when the class was discontinued, the other members living in the country and not being able to procure another house to worship in. The town was now given up by the Methodists for a time. In the Fall of 1825 Rev. James Havens was sent to the circuit. During the year he determined to make another effort to establish Methodism in Rich- mond. A small house in the lower end of the town, remote from any other residence, which was occu- pied by Isaac Jackson, was obtained, preaching was established and a class organized. From that
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period Methodism has maintained a place in Rich- mond.
For several years the Church met with the most decided opposition. The struggle for an existence was a hard one. Satan and the enemies of the Church strove hard to drive her from the place. The faithful few who were there united in Church fellowship, were firm in their religious principles, praying always, "lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting," that God would strengthen them, give them the victory, and add to their num- ber such as should be saved. The ministers sent to them from year to year labored diligently, shunning not to declare the whole counsel of God. Gradu- ally, the Church gathered strength, and her mem- bership increased in numbers.
The first Methodist two days' meeting held in Richmond, commenced on the first Saturday in June, 1828. At that time there were but few members in the place, but they were devotedly pious, and were closely united in Christian bonds, though sur- rounded by the most intense opposition. Rev. Stephen R. Beggs, who was in charge of the circuit, had made the appointment. There had been con- siderable prosperity in other parts of the circuit, and now, that a two days' meeting was announced for Richmond, the attention of the people generally was turned in that direction. A Methodist two days' meeting was something new to most of the citizens, and created no little excitement; partly to
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know what it would be like, and, partly, because these "hireling preachers " were about to disturb the quiet of the place. Some were anxious to keep the people from attending, others, to see the great sight.
The meeting was held in the brick school-house, on the public square. When the time appointed arrived, the Methodists came in from different parts of the circuit. Mr. Beggs and two or three local preachers were in attendance. At the first coming together there was quite a congregation. An excellent sermon was preached, one that stirred the hearts of the people to their very depths, kin- dling anew the holy fire. At the close of the sermon the tide of feeling was running so high that the songs and shouts of the congregation were heard far away. This increased the excitement in the town. At night the school-house was crowded, the Holy Ghost attended the Word preached and the exhortation which followed. An invitation being given, five or six persons presented themselves as seekers of salvation. This was a strange sight to many in the house. The pious gathered around the penitents, singing and praying with them till a late hour.
On Sunday a love-feast was held. It was a time of power. Toward the close of the exercises, an invitation was given to persons to unite with the Church. Several came forward. Among the num- ber were three sisters, Misses K., of one of the
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first families of the town. Their father was rather inclined to infidelity. He had taken great pains to educate and prepare his daughters to move in the highest circle of society, not dreaming they would ever be Methodists. When the three Misses K. came forward and united with the Church, some evil-designing one, on the outside of the house, who saw through the window what was going on within, hastened to Mr. K., and told him that the Methodists had got his daughters "befooled ; that they were acting very disreputably, lying prostrate upon the floor," etc. This statement exasperated Mr. K. very highly. He immediately made his way to the school-house, where the love-feast was being held, and demanded admittance. The door- keeper, not knowing what had been told him, re- fused to let him in. He forced open the door and entered, trembling with rage. Going to where his daughters sat weeping, he took them by the hand, and led them away. As they passed out, the excla- mation, " Lord have mercy," in subdued tones, was heard from different parts of the congregation. When he reached his residence, his daughters in- formed him that all they had done was to unite with the Church. Finding that he had been de- ceived, that his informant had misrepresented his daughters and the Methodists, he led them back to the school-house and to the seat whence he had taken them. He then went to Rev. Mr. Beggs, and requested him to make an explanation of his
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course that morning, and offer an apology for him to the public congregation. He remained to hear the sermon, and, at the close of the services, invited the preachers to dine with him that day. He ex- pressed an entire willingness, as it was the wish of his daughters, for them to be members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They were soon after converted, and continued, at the last account from them, pious, influential members. Thus, Satan was thwarted in his design. This meeting resulted in much good. Preaching was continued in the school- house for some time, class and prayer meetings being held in a private house.
In the course of events it became necessary for the Methodists to leave that place of worship. Again they were without a tabernacle. The pros- pect looked gloomy. It was not long, however, till they found a place, not very inviting, it is true, in its appearance, but they were glad to find shelter any where. James Henry offered a small frame building which had been occupied as a residence. It was humble in its appearance, but was gladly accepted, and soon fitted up with rough seats and made as comfortable as the ability of the members would admit. Here the preachers again admin- istered the Word of Life to the faithful few, and here prayer and class meetings were held, led by that good man, Elisha W. Fulton. Glorious seasons were enjoyed in this small tabernacle. The circuit preachers usually held class meeting immediately
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after preaching. If the sermon was a good one, and the preacher gave the members a class meeting after it, they went from their humble place of wor- ship strong in the Lord. If the sermon was not so good, but the preacher held class meeting after preaching, all were well satisfied. Though the ser- mon was good, very good, if the preacher did not meet the class, the members went away feeling that they had had but half a loaf. If the sermon was a poor one, and the preacher did not meet the class, then the members returned to their homes sorry indeed. What was true of the little band in Richmond, at that time, in regard to desiring the preachers to meet the classes, was true with the members of the Church generally in the planting of Methodism in Indiana. In the use of this means of grace they grew in piety.
The house obtained from Mr. Henry was too small and too much out of repair to answer the purpose long. Something had to be done-some other arrangement made. The male members were called together for consultation. They were few in number-none rich-some very poor. After earnest prayer it was determined to build a house for the Lord. A subscription paper was prepared-all put down their names. A few men who were not mem- bers of the Church gave some aid. The largest amount given by any one was twenty-five dollars --- the smallest, one dollar. One young man who was working for nine dollars per month, and boarding
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himself, gave ten dollars. A lot was purchased where the Pearl-Street Methodist Episcopal Church now stands, and the work commenced. The Church was to be one story in front, two in rear, being located on the side of a hill-the lower to be of stone, the upper frame. Though the men had subscribed all they thought they were able to give, they turned out, quarried the rock, drew them to the spot, dug out the foundations, and attended the masons while they built the wall and made it ready for the frame-work. They had not progressed far till the small amount raised by subscription was expended. There was no alternative left but to try it again. Accordingly, every man put down just half the amount of his first subscription. Again the work went on. When the house was up, in- closed, and the floors laid, the funds were again exhausted. Although compelled to cease operations for a time, the members were greatly rejoiced that they had some prospect of a house of worship of their own, from which they could not be driven by their enemies.
At this time Asa Beck and Richard S. Robinson were traveling the circuit. The members of the Church desired a two days' meeting in their new meeting-house. Mr. Robinson, the junior preacher, agreed to give them one. The time was fixed. Temporary seats and pulpit were arranged in the new church. Then most carnestly did the members of the Church pray that the Great Head of the
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Church would meet them at their first two days' meeting in the new house of worship. At the prayer meetings and around the family altar this was the burden of their petitions. Arrangements were made with Rev. John A. Baughman, who was then traveling Greenville circuit, in Ohio, his family residing at Eaton, and whose fame as a preacher had reached Indiana, to attend this meeting. Dur- ing all this time the opposition to Methodism had by no means abated in Richmond, and now that another two days' meeting was to be held, something must be done to prevent it. Accordingly, a report was put in circulation that "the small-pox was raging at Eaton," where Mr. Baughman resided, and as he was coming to the Methodist meeting it would not be safe to permit him to enter the town. Upon this report a committee, called a "Board of Health," was appointed. On Friday this "Board of Health" went to all the families whom it was supposed would be likely to entertain any Method- ists that might come from a distance to attend the meeting that was to commence the next day, and warned them not to receive any company, "as the small-pox was then in Eaton," and the probability was, if Mr. Baughman came to the Methodist meeting, " that dreadful disease would spread among the cit- izens." They also appointed men to keep watch of the road leading from Eaton to Richmond, and pre- vent Mr. Baughman from entering the town.
The time for the meeting to commence arrived.
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On Saturday morning the Methodists from the country met the few who lived in town, in the street in front of the new church. While they stood there sorrowing over the state of things sur- rounding them, they saw at some distance several groups of men watching them to see what they would do. The hour for the services to commence having arrived, Mr. Robinson, who was with them, said, "Well, friends, let us go into the house. I will preach, by the help of the Lord, if the devil stands at the door." They went in. The preacher gave out a hymn-they all joined in singing ; after which they bowed before the Lord. Mr. Robinson prayed, and such a prayer! The power of God came down; the house trembled to its foundation ; the souls of the pious caught new fire; their faith was increased and they felt that the Lord of Hosts was with them. The sermon which followed did their hearts good. At night there was preaching again-the congregation much increased. God was in their midst. Their battle-cry was, "The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!" The love-feast was held Sunday morning. It was a time long to be remembered. Truly,
" Their hearts did burn while Jesus spake, And glowed with sacred fire ; He stooped, and talked, and fed, and blessed, And filled the enlarged desire."
At the close of the love-feast, Mr. Baughman made his appearance among them. By affliction in his
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family he had been prevented from leaving Eaton on Saturday, as he had anticipated. Having heard nothing of the report put in circulation at Rich- mond, and the arrangements made to prevent him from entering the town, he left home at an early hour on Sunday morning, and before those who had been appointed to keep watch over the road were aware of it, he was among God's people at the church. The news that " Baughman was at the Methodist Church, and was going to preach," flew like lightning through the town. The people came in crowds. The leading infidels of the place, who had been active in getting up the opposition to the meeting, came. The house could not hold the people. Mr. Baughman took the pulpit, opened the services with singing and prayer, and then read for his text, Isaiah liii, 1: " Who hath believed our report, and to whom is the arm of the Lord re- vealed ?" In his sermon, he took hold of the pillars of infidelity, and bore them off in triumph, and then razed the foundation thereof. Poor Infidelity ! How pale and ghastly it appeared that day, under the mighty power of the truth! Mr. Baughman preached again at night. By this time, hearts were yielding; sinners were crying for mercy; the Lord was among his people in converting power, and the shouts of new-born souls were heard. The meeting closed on Monday. Thirty-two united with the Church, and about that number were converted. Among them was Rev. Silas Rawson, now of the
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Indiana Conference. This meeting was a great vic- tory for Methodism in Richmond. It was held in the Summer of 1831.
From that time the Methodist Episcopal Church has steadily advanced in that place. She had a hard struggle for a lodgment there. Sometimes her progress has been slow, and at other times more rapid. There are now two Methodist Churches, with large congregations, in that city. The little leaven, cast in that place by Rev. Russel Bigelow, still works.
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STEADFASTNESS OF A PIOUS WIFE.
CHAPTER XXIV.
STEADFASTNESS OF A PIOUS WIFE.
THE Divine Being will always take care of those who trust in him, and unreservedly devote all their time and strength to his service. He will support, sustain, comfort, and deliver them in time of trouble.
In the year 1828, when Stephen R. Beggs traveled the Wayne circuit, Mrs. H. who then re- sided in Richmond, was deeply convicted for sin. She was awakened under a sermon preached by Mr. Beggs, from Psalm 1, 14, 15: "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." She had a long and hard struggle, but after weeks of deep penitency, found redemption in the blood of the Lamb; her burden of guilt was taken away, and her "mourning turned into joy." So intense was the agony of her mind before she found peace in believing, that she was almost incapable of attend- ing to her domestic duties. So great was her joy when she felt that her sins were all forgiven, that she shouted aloud the praises of God, saying, "Now, Lord, from this time forth, in weal or in woe, in
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sickness or in health, in tribulation, distress, poverty, persecution, living or dying, I am thine-thine for- ever !" She connected herself with the Methodist Episcopal Church, casting in her lot with the little persecuted band in Richmond.
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