USA > Missouri > Annals of Methodism in Missouri : containing an outline of the ministerial life of more than one thousand preachers, and sketches of more than three hundred ; also sketches of charges, churches and laymen from the beginning in 1806 to the centennial year, 1884, containing seventy-eight years of history > Part 17
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SAMUEL B. DUNLAP was admitted on trial in the Pitts- burg Conference in 1838, tranferred to the Missouri Con- ference in 1842, from which his name disappears in 1846, His appointments here were : St. Charles circuit, two years, Fayette, one, and Huntsville one.
THOMAS W. CHANDLER commenced his itinerancy in Kentucky in IS27, came to Missouri in 1842 and was stationed in Jefferson City two years and on Western Dis- trict one. His name disappears in I845.
JESSE SUTTON.
WILLIAM S. McMURRY also began in Kentucky in IS29 and came to Missouri with Chandler in 1845. His appoint- ments were : Monticello, two years, and Palmyra, one.
JESSE SUTTON was a class-mate of McMurry, came with him to Missouri and traveled Bowling Green, Auburn, Hydesburg (See appx. ) and located in IS46. Readmitted again in 1847; located again in 1854; readmitted again in IS57; superannuated in 187S and died at his home in Montgomery county, Aug. ISS2, aged seventy-four years, having been born in ISOS. He was a preacher fifty-three years, thirty-seven of which he was an effective itinerant. The appendix will show that he was often on the same charge. Auburn seems to have been the hub around which he revolved. He was a good preacher and his character was without reproach. He was "a living epistle of the Lord Jesus Christ which all men could read."
JOHN H. LINN also came from Kentucky this year, though he began his ministry in the Baltimore Conference in IS36. He was stationed two years at Centenary Church, St. Louis, and next was agent for St. Charles College. The appendix will show his subsequent appointments in Mis- souri. Dr. Linn was transferred from one conference to another, eight different times. He was a "chosen vessel," and his services were always in demand. The general con- tour of his person was very much like that of Dr. Boyle, thougli I suppose no one ever took the one for the other. He was born in Lewisburg, Va. Feb. 22, IS12 ; was converted when fourteen years old and joined the Methodist Church when fifteen, though his parents were Presbyterians. Four years of his ministry were spent in Maryland, ten in Mis- souri and twenty-six in Kentucky. He was to the Methodists
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of Louisville what Dr. Boyle was to those of St. Louis. His fortieth and last appointment was to the Louisville Dis -. trict, the first time he had ever been made P. E. Soon after which, Dec. 7, 1876, he died peacefully surrounded by those who loved him so well.
"Dr. Linn (he was made a D. D. in IS50) was truly a converted and holy man. He was called of God to the Christian ministry. He was a sound theologian. He was an uncompromising Methodist, both in doctrine and discipline, and at the same time, and for this reason, he was a Catholic Christian, loving all the people of God, and associating with them on the most intimate terms. He was a faithful minister of Christ. He defended the truth, exposed error, and denounced sin among all classes. Dr. Linn was a man of very high order of genius. He possessed in a very high degree the reproduc- tive power, combined with the comparative faculty, which invested him with the highest degree of the creative imagination. All that he had ever known in nature, in art, in science, in philosophy, or history, he could reproduce and make available to the illustration and enforcement of divine truth. His discourses were often a com- bination of the overwhelmingly sublime, and of the transcendently beautiful. Though possessing a princely presence, he was not in the highest sense an orator. His voice was strong and masculine, but lacked flexibility and music; it was, indeed, a deep bass monotone.
"But though he lacked most of the qualities of an orator, he was, in a very high sense, 'an eloquent man.'
"He spoke out of the heart, and reached the hearts of his hearers and so captivated them that, for the time, he had complete control of them. He excelled as a logician. He had just enough of logic to open the way for his wonderful rhetorical appeals. In the death of Dr. Linn, ' a prince and a great man is fallen among us.' But our comfort is that, having fulfilled the ministry he had received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God, he has finished his course with joy, and has gone to receive his reward. 'Though dead, he yet speaketh'."
Dr. Linn was a member of three general Conferences- in 1846, '58 and '66.
200
ELIJAH PERKINS.
ELIJAH PERKINS grew to man's estate in Western Vir- ginia, where in early life he was converted and licensed to preach. He joined the Holston Conference in 1828, trav- eled four years, was ordained elder and located in 1832.
About this time he was married to Miss Elizabeth Winton. In 1837 he and his father-in-law moved to Mis- souri, and settled . in Polk County, in the neighborhood where my father had settled the previous year. In 1841 he traveled the Springfield circuit as a supply. In 1842, hav- ing been received into the conference, he was returned to the same circuit. In 1843 he was appointed presiding elder of Springfield district which he traveled four years, then the Boonville district two years, when his health failed, and he took a superannuated relation, in which he was continued till his death, which occurred June 1853.
But few men ever impressed themselves more deeply and favorably upon the people of Southwest Missouri than did Mr. Perkins.
While local he seldom failed to be at the sessions of the quarterly Conference, was jealous of the church's honor, would call his brethren to account for any seeming way- wardness, preached regularly, often and well, and was "dili- gent in business, serving the Lord."
While engaged in the regular work of the ministry, but few things grieved him more than to miss an appointment.
I knew him from my boyhood, and he was much in my mind as I grew up to man's estate, and more than likely, I have assimilated some of his traits of character, though I have never measured up to my pattern. He was my ideal of a man. Tall, squarely built, portly, large head ; short, straight, standing hair ; broad forehead, deep blue eyes, high
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1842.
cheek bones, large nose, big mouth, thin lips, florid com- plexion-that was Elijah Perkins.
During his first year on Springfield district, he kept a journal, from which I make a few extracts.
He first states that he did not attend the Conference at Lexington in 1843, because he did not have suitable clothes, and his family was in poor health; also that he wrote to · Brother Wallace, his presiding elder, to ask for a location for him. "But contrary to my expectation, I received an appointment to this district, which greatly afflicted my wife."
His "Betsy" was not the first nor last wife thus afflicted.
This appointment, however, retained an excellent preacher in the Conference to the day of his death, and thereby secured an annual income to the wife.
"Sunday, December 10 .- Preached and asked the people to aid in the support of the preacher, and from a stout congregation, well-dressed, land and slave-owners, with other property, I did not get a cent. Oh! avarice ; what hast thou done !"
In another place he exclaims : "Oh! when will the church treat her ministers justly ?" In another he says : "Preached ; then lectured on the support of the gospel and took a collection which amounted to $1.91." In my judg- ment there was never a better method devised for starving preachers than public collections. I once heard a steward say in quarterly Conference : "Some of the members that did not pay me anything said they would throw in to-mor- row." But why "throw in" on Sunday, rather than "pay" on Saturday? Because ten cents given to a pauper will, in a measure, relieve the conscience, where it would take a dollar to pay him who "is worthy of his hire."
202
ELIJAH PERKINS.
The steward, that relies on public collections, will settle- with his preacher by paying him fifty cents on the dollar.
"December 11 .- To-day has been spent in writing. I have prepared an obituary of Sister Woodard, my nearest neighbor, who died Nov. 22, in the triumphs of a living faith."
That was my grandmother.
"March 9, 1844 .- The quarterly meeting for Neosho circuit was held at E. Fly's, on Joy's Creek. At this place I saw and felt a literal fulfillment of the Lord's word : 'The poor have the gospel preached unto them!' I stayed three nights successively. The first I was tired, having rid- den all day in a strong wind. After a badly-cooked supper and prayer, I laid down to rest on a thin bed, without pil- lows, spread upon clapboards laid upon poles, with one end in an upright pole, and the other between the logs of the cabin, resembling a bedstead. Here passed a weary night, for in addition to being tired, I was racked with rheumatic pains. The next night we had more company, and the good woman spread her little bed on the floor for me and two local brethren to sleep on crosswise. I made a pillow of my saddlebags and slept comfortably. Sabbath morning I awoke and felt somewhat refreshed.
At nine held love-feast. The Lord was with us. Afterwards preached to a large and attentive congregation, and administered the Lord's Supper. The meeting closed that evening, resulting in five or six conversions and twelve accessions to the church."
The Conference for 1844 met in St. Louis. He and J. M. Kelly left home in Kelly's "Dearborn," in which they traveled to Jefferson City. Here they left their horse and:
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IS 12 .
"Dearborn," and took passage on the L. F. Linn for St. Louis. They went aboard at ten a. m. After praising the boat, fare, and crew, and meeting "several of the breth- ren on their way to Conference," he makes this statement : "At two p. m. we grounded on a sand bar," on which they hung fifty hours. Here they spent the Sabbath. He and J. M. Jamison preached. On Tuesday morning they went on their way again, but at nine a. m. grounded a second time. "Some of the passengers said, 'Our difficulties are caused by the clergy being on board,' as there are upwards of twenty."
After expressing regrets for trying to reach St. Louis by boat, and fears that they would not reach Conference, and his anxiety to hear from his "dear Betsy and children," the journal abruptly closes, leaving the boat on the bar.
In connection with a splendid physique, Mr. Perkins had a charming, rich, full, sweet, musical voice. From the time I was eight till I was twenty-one years old I often heard him preach, and never without desiring to hear him again. I think, however, the two last sermons I ever heard him preach impressed me most. It was at a camp meeting at Ebenezer, in the fall of 1849.
One of these sermons was mostly about heaven, near the close of which he quoted the song :
"When for eternal worlds we steer, And seas are calm and skies are clear, And faith in lively exercise, The distant hills of Canaan rise, The soul for joy then spreads her wings, And loud her lovely sonnet sings, Vain world, adieu.
20.4
CALVIN F. BREWLEY.
"With cheerful hope her eyes explore Each landmark on the distant shore- The tree of life, the pastures green, The golden streets, the crystal stream. Again for joy she claps her wings, And loud her lovely sonnet sings. I'm going home.
The nearer still she draws to land,
More eager all her powers expand ;
With steady helm and free-bent sail,
Her anchor drops within the vail.
And now for joy she folds her wings,
And loud her lovely sonnet sings, I'm safe at home."
The "gates stood ajar" and the congregation seemed to enter with the preacher the world of supernal light and joy. I think I was never so near heaven before. When I do get there I shall meet Elijah Perkins.
CALVIN F. BEWLEY, admitted this year on trial, trav- eled Neosho and Greenfield circuits, and discontinued in IS44. He lived south of Bolivar a few years, then went back to Tennessee, whence he had come. I remember him as a good, but exceedingly feeble man.
JEPHTHA M, KELLEY is also a Tennessean. He came to Missouri in an early day and settled in Newton county, where he was licensed to preach. Ile traveled Greenfield, Bolivar and Springfield (two years) circuits. In 1846 he was ordained elder and appointed to Steelville district (see appendix). Superannuated in 1856, after which he located. He was readmitted in I871; superannuated in 1876, which relation he still sustains.
Brother Kelley was singularly afflicted in the spring of IS77. The muscles of his throat were so completely para-
IS42. 205
lyzed that he could not swallow anything-not even water- for about forty days. Life was preserved by inserting a rub- ber tube into his stomach, through which he was fed all that time. He says it was a splendid way to take medicine ; qui- nine was not a particle bitter.
He is now "halting fecbly to the tomb ;" soon "like a ripe shock of corn," the Lord of the harvest will gather him into the garner,
DANIEL ASHBURY LEEPER was born in Hopkins county, Ky., March 15, 1819. The following fall his father moved to Missouri. B. F. and T. T. Ashby were his uncles. Hc was raised in the Grand River country where he was con- verted in his youth, and commenced preaching soon after he reached his majority. He entered the Missouri Conference in 1842 and was appointed to Drywood ; 1843, Erie ; 1844, Versailles. The appendix will show him in charge of cir- cuits until 1852, thence of districts until the war. In 1867, he was made Presiding Elder of the Fayette District, where he finished his work March 14, ISSS, the day before the forty-ninth anniversary of his birth.
Mr. Leeper was about five feet, ten inches high, very lean and slender, dark complected with black eyes and hair. He had a sprightly mind and vivacious temperament. Ile never had the "blues" nor could anyone suffer with that malady in his company. There was Ashby blood in him. He was a good preacher, a natural orator and a most power- ful exhorter. The multitudes heard him gladly and hundreds of souls were brought to Christ by his ministry. He was my fifth Presiding Elder and I don't know that I ever had a bet- ter one. He was three times elected to the General Confer-
.
200
DANIEL ASHBURY LEEPER. .
ence, in 1853, IS57 and 1861. By election he was president of the St. Louis Conference in 1861, there being no bishop present.
Never was there a more triumphant death than that avouched to this good man. It occurred at his residence in Chillicothe, after an illness of forty-two days.
"When first taken sick, he said to his wife that on preaching his last sermon he was greatly blessed. The text was, .On this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.' Ever since then a voice has been saying to me, 'Come home, your work is done ; you have suffered enough.' Ten hours before his death he said, 'I am so happy.' When told that he was dying, his response was, 'I am falling asleep in Jesus.' Then he said, 'Tell the preachers to raise the gospel standard high." Bless God! I see the heaven of heavens above me, and I will soon be there. My calling as a preacher of the gospel is a glorious mission. I have suffered greatly, but I now begin to see my reward and crown. This is the sweetest moment of my life. My kindred have come-father, mother, Alice, Martha. Such revelations I never could have conceived of.' After a pause he said : 'Why, I thought I should have been in heaven be- fore now. I thought once I was there. Heaven, my friends, is no mere fancy, but as real as the soul and body. While it was only twilight, I could see ahead, and I saw the great white throne of God, and the redeemed around it; I heard the music of their songs and saw a hand beckoning me to come home. I am about to be off. I am ready. Meet me in Heaven.' and soon fell asleep in Jesus." "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his."
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IS42. 207
RICHARD F. COLBURN traveled Deep Water, Harrison- ville, and Independence circuits and was transferred to Ten- nessee in I845.
N. WESTERMAN served three years and his name dis- appears in 1845. His appointments were : junior on Lexing- ton circuit, Boonville station and Columbia circuit.
W. C. LACY served as junior on Arrow Rock and dis- continued in 1843.
GEORGE W. CONNOWAY wrought two years-Spring Creek Mission and Bloomington circuit, and discontinued in IS44.
WILLIAM J. BROWN traveled Adair, Fayette, and Ore- gon circuits and located in 1845. His name next appears on St. Louis circuit in IS56. He was placed on the superannu- ary list in 1857, on which he continued until 1866. Then effective until 1872 when he again retired to the superannu- ary list one year; then effective four. In 1877 he took a ·superannuated relation in which he still remains.
WILLIAM HOLMES served six years on circuits-Water- loo, Monticello and St. Charles, and five on stations-Glas- gow, St. Joseph and Weston. On the last his health failed and he asked for and obtained a superannuated relation, which he still sustains. Messrs. Brown and Holmes are both members of the Southwest Missouri Conference ; the first lives near Higginsville and the other in Kansas City.
ANTHONY BEWLEY joined the Holston Conference in IS20, where he traveled five years and located in IS34. 3 He married Miss Jane Winton and moved with his father-in-law. W. Winton, to Missouri in IS37. Entered the Missouri Conference 1843 and served Neosho circuit ; IS.14, Sarcoxie, after which his name disappears. Ile adhered to the north,
205
JONATIIAN K. HAWKINS.
and made a determined and persistent effort to organize that branch of Methodism in Southwest Missouri, but failed. He subsequently went to Texas under an appointment of one of the bishops of the M. E. Church, (North, ) where he con- scientiously believed it was his duty to secure the freedom of the slaves. He was accused of planning and encouraging an insurrection among the negroes. Was arrested by a mob, proven guilty and hanged.
Mr. Bewley was a small, dark complected, nervous, restless, roving man, but a very good and an exceedingly earnest preacher.
He was a martyr to his convictions of what he believed to be right. We wrap his faults in the mantle of charity and believe he has gained a crown of life.
1843.
'JOHNATHAN K. HAWKINS' name first appears this year. However he had been transferred from the Memphis Con- ference the previous year and stationed on New Madrid cir- cuit which had been left to be supplied. Trenton and Chil- licothe were his next appointments. He located in 1849; was readmitted in 1872 and located again in 1873.
When and where Mr. Hawkins began his ministry I can- not learn. He is now living in Oregon.
JAMES M. GREEN in charge of Shelbyville circuit this year and next comes upon the roll as an elder, but whence or how he came, I cannot find out. After fourteen years of service he disappears as mysteriously in 1857 as he came in 1843.
LEOLINE EDDINGS, ALEXANDER BEST, and JAMES B. CALLOWAY were all received on trial in the Illinois Confer-
IS43. 209
ence this year and transferred to Missouri. The first was junior on Shelbyville circuit and district in IS44.
A. Best was junior on Arrow Rock : 1844, Spring Creek Mission, (see appendix). He died in 1849, No memoir of him.
J. B. Calloway wrought eleven years and located in IS55. His two first appointments were Hannibal, junior, and Memphis.
WILLIAM SHRECK served Herman and Pinckney German mission this year, and Lead Mines the next, and disappears in I845.
M. HAGENBACK served the German mission in St. Louis, and disappears in 1844.
GEORGE MCCLINTOCK was junior on St. Louis circuit, and discontinued in 1844. He was one of my local preachers on my first circuit. He then lived in Lawrence county. He afterwards moved to St. Francois county, and lived south of Farmington, where he died many years ago.
EDWARD DOTY traveled New Madrid circuit, and dis- continued in IS44.
R. M. STEVENSON served Bloomfield, Crooked Creek and Black River, and disappears in IS46.
WILLIAM D. TUGGLE tuggled on Little Osage, Deep Water and Buffalo circuits three years ; then tuggled out. He disappeared in IS46.
EDWARD F. ROBARDS was on Sarcoxie circuit two years and Buffalo one. He located in IS46, and lived many years in Roberson Prairie, where he finished his work, and years ago "fell on sleep." "Uncle Neddy" loved to preach, and went far and near to make proof of his ministry. I heard
210
WARREN WHARTON.
him often in my boyhood, and always got an idea out of his dry, prosy sermons. He instructed the people, though he was not eloquent.
SAMUEL W. MCCONNELL finished his work in four years, and died in 1847. No memoir. His two first appoint- ments were White River and Roscoe missions.
WARREN WHARTON's two first appointments were Hart- ville and Neosho circuits. (See appendix). He rose rapidly. His fourth appointment was to Jefferson City station. The next year he was stationed in St. Louis. He located in 1864, was readmitted in 1871, took a supernumerary relation in IS74, and died December 12, IS75. Mr. Wharton was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, March 5, 1820; came to Missouri while- quite young; was converted, joined the church, and was married to Miss Sarah Clark, in Green county, Missouri, in IS40. He was licensed to preach, and recommended to the annual Conference' to be admitted into the travelling connection by the quarterly Conference of Springfield circuit, held at Ebenezer, August 4, 1843. His opportunities for mental culture in early life were exceedingly limited. He, however, had a good mind, and by close appli- cation to study, acquired an extensive and varied fund of knowledge, and ranked well -- even high-as a preacher. In personal appearance he was of medium size, had dark auburn hair, fair skin, full round forehead, large, laughing blue eyes, Roman nose, with mouth, cheek and chin to suit. His address was natural and easy, gesture graceful, voice soft, flexible and musical ; his style was florid, and, though he may not have argued his subjects as closely as some of less repu- tation as preachers, yet he instructed and entertained his hearers, and sent them home anxious to hear him again.
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1843.
WILLIAM W. JONES was licensed to preach by the Sar- coxie circuit, and recommended, with Robards and Wharton, by Springfield circuit. He traveled with E. Perkins that year on Springfield circuit ; 1843, Osceola ; 1844, Boonville circuit ; 1845, Wesley Chapel, St. Louis. He located in 1851 ; was readmitted in the Missouri Conference in 1868, of which he is still an effective member. He was a member of the General Conference of 1878, and was secretary of the St. Louis Conference six years.
BENJAMIN M. McDANIEL traveled Deep Water circuit, and discontinued in 1844.
ROBERT J. WILSON wrought three years, and disap- peared in 1846. His appointments were Jefferson, Erie and Liberty circuits.
ISAAC N. WHITE traveled Mill Creek and Steelville circuits (see appendix), and located in 1850, after seven years of faithful service in the itinerancy. He married Miss Jane Hopkins, on Mill Creek, in what is now Phelps county, and after locating, settled, lived and died in that beautiful valley. Mr. White was a local preacher on my fourth circuit, and I am free to say that I never knew a better man. He was also a good preacher. He helped me greatly, and I loved him devotedly.
BERRY HILL SPENCER was the most eminent member of this large class. He was born in Burk county, North Caro- lina, March 23, 1819. His parents moved to Missouri, and settled on Apple Creek, in Cape Girardeau county, while he was yet an infant. Their house was for many years a regu- lar preaching place, and a home for Methodist preachers. The Ark of God rested in this house, and he honored it by calling three of his sons to minister in holy things. At the
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BERRY HILL SPENCER.
age of sixteen Berry gave his hand to Urial Haw as a seeker of religion, and became a probationer in the church. When nineteen he was converted at home, while his mother was praying. January 5, 1842, he was licensed to exhort by N. Henry, presiding elder, and sent to Ripley mission, by which he was licensed to preach May 29, 1842, and which he served till Conference. The same presiding elder, N. Henry, employed him the next year to travel Greenville circuit, which he did. In 1843, having joined the Confer- ence, he was appointed to Oregon circuit ; and in 1844 to Carrollton, serving two years. He served (counting the two years he was a supply) nineteen years on circuits, nine in stations and fourteen on districts-a total of forty-two years. Though he was always feeble-a confirmed dyspeptic-and for years before his death suffered intensely, yet he was always effective. Less than one in a hundred are continu- ously effective so long. McKendree, Berryman, Stateler, Monroe, Sehon, Rush, McAnally and W. A. Smith are all on the Missouri roll that have exceeded him. Mr. Spencer was not favored with an imposing physique ; but, rather, his "bodily presence was contemptible." Except a piercing black eye and a well formed forehead, there was nothing about him to indicate intellectual power. Yet, he ranked among the very best preachers in the state. His sermons were well arranged, his propositions grew naturally out of his text, and were conclusively proven by quotations from the Scriptures and logical arguments. He was a most instructive preacher, and at times impressive and unctious. He was, in an eminent degree, "a pure and holy man, dili- gent and faithful in all his work." He died at his home in Palmyra, Mo., August 2, 1883, and left to his wife eleven children, and to the church the legacy of a good name.
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