USA > Ohio > Twenty-five years in the West > Part 19
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IV. The instruments or mediums made use of by the preacher, will now be considered. Every person, creed and institution, that propagates the doctrine that men shall not surely die on the day of transgression, is an in- strument of the father of lies.
I. Calvinism, Arminianism, Mormonism, Catholicism, Mahommedanism and Heathenism, tell us that this world is not one of retribution, that God does not here reward virtue or punish vice. They unite in teaching that this life is a state of probation, of trial; and of course no one is punished till his probation ends, his trial is closed. This is the deceiver's first sermon gone to seed.
2. The preachers of all these isms are also his instru- ments. They are faithful to their father's cause, and he is much attached to them. If one opposes their creed, some of them will at once exhibit the spirit of the devil. INFERENCES.
I. That the devil is not dead, but still lives, and is able to preach as well as ever, "Ye shall not die on the day of transgression."
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2. Orthodoxy is no new fangled scheme, but can boast of great antiquity.
3. See a reason why it ought to be rejected because it is an ancient devilish doctrine.
4. See a reason why satan is such a mortal enemy to the promises of the Bible, for it says, "Christ came to destroy the devil." Heb. ii. "Will make an end of sin." Dan. ix. " Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world." "He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but for the sins of the whole world."
5. He hates the gospel, because it is " good news, glad tidings;" is the "glorious gospel of the blessed God;" "gospel of the grace of God;" "gospel of our salvation ; " " "' " gospel of peace."
6. He hates the true Christ, because he will save the world from sin, error, and death. "We have seen and do testify that this is the Christ the SAVIOR of the WORLD." When the world shall be saved, satan's occu- pation will be gone.
7. See whence it was that satan exerted himself so much to convince our first parents there was no punish- ment in this world, because the denunciation of the Almighty was true, and he was afraid that Adam and Eve would continue in the belief of it, and so not believe. in endless punishment in eternity - his favorite doctrine. If there was no proof of present punishment, satan would not be so busy in trying to convince men that there was none.
8. We infer that ministers should not be proud of their preaching. If they preach the true gospel, they only in substance preach Christ's sermons. If they preach, " Ye shall not surely die on the day of trans-
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gression," they only make use of the devil's old notes that he delivered about six thousand years ago.
9. It is probable that Orthodoxy will still prevail, since this preacher is still alive, and not in the least superannuated ; and every effort against him only enrages him more and more, and excites him to new inventions and exertions to build up his cause.
To close the subject. As the author of this discourse has spoken of the character of satan, he trusts no one will feel himself personally injured by this short sermon. But should any imbibe a degree of friendship for this aged deceiver, and think that I have not treated this Orthodox preacher with that respect and veneration he justly deserves, let them be so kind as to point it out, and I will most cheerfully retract; for it has been a maxim with me, "RENDER UNTO ALL THEIR DUE."
This was too much for the three preachers present, so they left in a hurry, when I reached the "inferen- ces." As they were marching out, I remarked, "The wicked flee when'no man pursueth." They intended an insult by throwing that tract in my face .; but the new dress in which I returned it kindled their ire; and leav- ing the house as they did, was an acknowledgement, they were defeated. The congregation fully appreciated the " situation," and two or three zealous hearers clapped their hands as the preachers were departing.
I preached in the Methodist meeting-house in Jersey- ville at the request of Mr. Lewis, my Springfield oppo- nent. He being present, was told to be free in making any strictures on my discourse he might see proper. " Oh, no," said he, "criticism would be improper as you will be in my pulpit by invitation." In my sermon, I said nothing about other creeds, but presented my own faith
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forcibly as possible. Mr. Lewis, at my request, made the closing prayer, and such a prayer ! He took up my discourse, item by item, systematically, and replied to it. He first told the Lord what the speaker had said on a given point, and then, "O Lord, thou knowest that is not true, for, by the mouth of thy holy prophet Isaiah, thou hast said "- and then he quoted from the Bible. After arguing that point to his satisfaction, he took up another subject ; and so on through with my discourse. Having finished his reply, I told the congregation I did not like that way of debating; but he said, "I would as soon debate on my knees as on my feet." Before I left town, we made arrangements for a written discussion in the Golden Era. He was to write twelve letters; but having written six, he sickened and died. Called on him during his sickness, at Jacksonville. " Brother Man- ford," said he, " if I do not go to heaven this time, I will not work as I have done. I am broken down by hard labor -by trying to save souls."
Soon after this, Mr. Mahan, a Methodist clergyman of Indiana, proposed a written discussion in the Golden Era. He agreed to write twelve letters ; six, however, exhaust- ed his resources.
I made a long journey through Northern Missouri into Iowa; thence to St. Joseph ; down to Weston, Kansas City, Independence, Lexington, Booneville, back to St. Louis. Traveled twelve hundred miles, all on horse- back, and lectured most every day. In most of the towns and villages on this route I had no references, and generally made the appointments through the post- masters. The liberal faith was entirely new to most of the people, and as notices of my meetings were exten- sively published, large numbers attended, some travel-
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ing ten, twenty, and thirty miles. Had much contro- versy in private, concerning the new doctrine. Found some who received it with glad hearts and others dis- posed to see if these things were so. Received no com- pensation for my labor and time, but obtained many subscribers for the paper.
Have room for only a few of the incidents of this joul- ney. In Kirksville, Mo., a minister asked many ques- tions ; finally came to the sage conclusion, that reason is carnal, I was an emissary of satan, and he would say no more to me; but gave notice, he should reply to my discourse the next Sunday. In Greentop, found a settle- ment of believers from Tennessee. They were excellent people ; often visited them in subsequent years ; but the war dispersed them, and they are scattered here and there over the country. Kirksville, near by, was one of the battle-fields of the rebellion. Rebel Porter's forces were there routed, ruined, and the town much injured, but has since recovered. Some years after, had a dis- cussion here with John S. Sweeney. Major Linder of that place, one of my friends, was an active man in the Union cause. Traveled on what was called the " Mor- mon Trace "- a road from Nauvoo to St. Joseph, the route the Mormons journeyed from Nauvoo to Salt Lake It was generally through a wild region, but the face of the country was rolling and pleasant. About sundown one day, I inquired at a cabin, the distance to the next house.
" Ten miles."
"Will you keep me to-night?"
"I reckon so; the old woman is powerful sick; have a heap of ailments in my cabin."
" Are there many settlers on this creek? "
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" Oh, yes; right smart sprinkling."
Some fifteen men and women belonged to the house, and how we were to be disposed of that night, was a puzzler, as there were only two rooms; but there was really no difficulty on that score. The principal room answered five valuable purposes, though not over twenty feet square - it was kitchen, dining-room, parlor, sitting- room, bed-room. True, there were only two bedsteads in it, but when bed time arrived, the floor was covered with blankets, which afforded ample sleeping accommo- dations. I was conducted into the " parlor bed-room, " which was entirely void of all "modern improvements." It was made of round logs, without any weather-board- ing, plastering, ceiling, or "chinking; " the stars were glistening through its sides and roof, and its clay floor was covered with water. In one corner of the. pen some stakes had been driven into the mud, rails fastened to them, on which a straw bed lay. with a blanket or two. That was my bed; no, not mine, but our bed ; for soon a big fellow stretched himself on one side of me, and he was followed by another, who laid about six feet of flesh and bones across the foot of the bed. I was tired, and slept first-rate all night, and crawled out of the den in the morning much refreshed.
Mine host said he had been on the frontier all his life ; did not own the land he occupied - was a squatter - and wanted to sell his "improvements " and go west, where he could hunt bear and buffalo. He was a Bap- tist ; and when I told him of my faith said he did not want to go to heaven if all sinners go there.
M. "But no sinners go there; they will be regener- ated."
Squatter. " Don't tell me that ; the reprobates will not
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be regenerated ; their doom is sealed. I have grace in my soul, and know I am right."
When I offered to pay for keeping me, he said, "You are welcome; the fare was hard, but when you come this way, give me a call."
Next day rode with a negro an hour who had been visiting his wife and children.
M. "Why do you not live with your family ?"
N. "Master won't sell me to my wife's master, so I live ten miles off."
M. " How often do you see her ? "
N. "'Bout once a month."
M. " Did you ever have another wife ? "
N. " Yes ; but her master died, and she was taken south, and the children."
M. "Have you heard since of her, and the children ?"
N. " No; don't know whar they are ; may be dead."
M. "Perhaps this wife and these children will be sold south."
N. " I hope I may die if they be."
M. " Why do you not buy your freedom ? "
N. " Master won't sell me. I offered him a thousand dollars, and pay him in five years, but he would not sell me. Black men can't do anything."
M. " Are you treated well ? "
N. "Yes; but I work hard; but I would not mind that if my family were with me."
M. "Where are you from? "
N. "Virginia ; left thar many years ago."
M. "Where are your parents ? "
N. "Sold south, long ago."
M. " Where are your brothers and sisters ? "
N. "Don't know ; sold to traders."
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M. " Do you belong to any church? "
N. "I belong to the Methodist church, and try to preach."
M. " How often do you preach ? " N. " Most every Sunday." M. " In how many places ? " N. " Four."
M. " Are you paid for preaching ?" N. " The black people pay a little."
M. " Do you think your white master will go to heaven ? "
N. "Why, yes."
M. " Do you think slavery is right ?"
N. " I can't think it is."
M. " How, then, can you think slave-holders can be saved ? "
N. " I don't know how, but I sort of think some of them will be saved."
M. "Would you not save all white men and all black men if you could ?"
N. " That I would."
M. "Will not God save them all ? "
N. "Why, no."
M. " Then you are better than God, are you ? "
N. "Why, master, who ever heard of God saving al) men? Now, I think of it, a man is to preach in Gen- tryville to-night, who preaches that very doctrine, and I am bound to hear him."
M. " What do the people say about him ?"
N. "He is a bad man, and I believe it or he would not preach that doctrine."
Here the negro left me to go to his home. Saw him at the window of the school-house that evening, the
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picture of astonishment. Met him in the street next day, and he said, " Master, forgive me for what I said yesterday."
Lectured in Weston, and became acquainted with Thomas Abbott, who was preaching in that place. He subsequently moved to St. Louis, and resides now in Mt. Vernon, Ind. He obeys the injunction, " Go and preach." He does go far and near; labors in season and out of season, in his Master's service.
On the other side of the Missouri river was Kansas Territory, inhabited then only by Indians, but now a populous state, with several large cities. While in Lex- ington, at this time, or subsequently, two negroes were hung for murdering their owner. He had whipped them unmercifully, and they killed him for it. They rode from the prison to the gallows through the principal streets in a wagon, on their coffins, with white hoods on their heads, white frocks thrown over their shoulders, and large ropes around their necks. The poor creatures sang frantically,
" I am bound for the kingdom ; Will you go to glory with me?"
This scene, take it all in all, was the most abominable, outrageous, and disgusting exhibition, I ever wit- nessed. "What do you think of that ?" said I to a Methodist preacher, who was looking on with a satisfied air. " The majesty of the law must be sustained," said he. The town was full of negroes; but they were silent ; saw tears ir. many of their eyes.
After publishing the Golden Era four years I sold it to Thomas Abbott, and soon after he connected it with the Gospel Herald , a paper published in Indianapolis, Ind. It was being issued weekly when sold; but I found by
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experience, that a weekly paper of our denomination could not be sustained in St. Louis, the expense of pub- lishing and living being so high. While issuing the Golden Era, I received hardly any compensation for all my toil; Mrs. Manford did all her work gratuitously, and I could not have hired one to do what she did for less than five hundred dollars per year.
The Golden Era had done a good work, and it was like parting with a dear friend to dispose of it. Its circulation when it went out of my hands was thirty-five hundred. Its name had become quite popular. Captain Bursie, who was a subscriber, named his splendid new steamer, " The Golden Era," and Bridge Brothers, a well known firm of St. Louis,who were also subscribers, called a cooking stove they patented, " The Golden Era."
But I did not cease working for the good cause when the paper was disposed of; rather, worked harder than ever. For about two years was absent most of the time, preaching in Missouri, Illinois, Iowa and Indiana.
Mrs. Manford was also in the field lecturing, not on theology, but on temperance, the elevation of woman, and general education. She delivered some excellent lectures in Louisiana, Hannibal, Macomb, and other places. Let woman speak as well as man in the lecture- room, in the pulpit, on all subjects of human interest. She is as much interested as man in all intellectual and moral themes. And heaven, having gifted her with a soul, instinct with wisdom, purity and goodness, is well qualified to instruct and moralize her race. Let the world, then, be open to her intellectual and moral activi- ties, that she may make the best use of her time and talent. Let her "sue and be sued," buy and sell, vote if she please, and be president too of these United States,
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if she can get votes enough. England's best rulers have been queens, and why not American women make good presidents ?
Antiquated and barbarous laws and customs, that for ages degraded woman, are being modified or abandoned ; and the day is not far distant when she will fill the place in society God designed, and humanity requires. But it must not be expected she will come from the wash-tub, or band-box, in one a slave, in the other a pet, prepared fully for her new position and responsibilities. She may make many blunders, and for a time illy perform her part ; all of which self-conceited, and self-appointed "lords of creation " will point to and triumphantly exclaim, " Did I not tell you women are only fit for man's convenience ? "
I spent three months in Southwest Missouri, traveling on a circuit I established in that region. Preached monthly in twenty-five places, and rode from ten to forty miles daily. Tried to get a minister to continue the work, but failed. Churches could have been established in Boonville, Georgetown, Calhoun, Clinton, Osceola, Lees- ville, Warsaw, Pisgah, Rocheport - places I visited. Also spent six months traveling and preaching in the northeast part of the state. Visited twenty-two places monthly for six months, and rode most every day. Spent three days each month at home. Likewise failed to in- duce a minister to locate in that region. Clergymen of the liberal faith, residing in the free states, were averse to living in Missouri, it being then a slave state. They were not only generally opposed to slavery, regarding it "the sum of all villainy," but had no faith our cause could be permanently established among slave-holders. They
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thought human slavery and Universalism were eternally and universally at war with each other.
The winters of 1855 and '56 were about the coldest ever experienced in the West, and I spent both winters in Iowa, traveling and lecturing. Often rode on horse- back all day, the thermometer below zero, and delivered a long discourse at night. The Iowa prairies are cold places in cold weather, especially to one whose face is northward. If I had twenty, thirty, or forty miles to ride, I always made it a rule not to go near a fire till the day's work was done. Some men I have rode with, must warm themselves by a fire whenever a little cold, or swallow a dram of liquor; and I noticed they always suffered much more from cold than I did. The best method for a traveler, in an arctic day, to get up an internal heat, is, not by whisky, not by sitting by a fire a few moments, but by thrashing his arms, swinging his legs, or running a short distance by the side of his horse.
Had about this time, a public discussion in Quincy, Ill., with a Methodist preacher, which continued four days. Large numbers attended, and much good was effected. The day after the discussion closed, which was Sunday, a church was organized, and soon after a meeting-house erected. The church prospered awhile, under the ministry of J. H. Hartzell, now of Albany, N. Y. But he leaving, it was finally disbanded, and the meeting-house sold, and some of its members united with the Unitarian church of the place. Quincy is a flourishing town, on the east bank of the Mississippi river, and growing rapidly in importance. There is a splendid bridge across the river at that point.
CHAPTER XVI.
As related in a previous chapter, the Golden Era, after passing out of my hands, was merged into the Gospel Herald, a paper published in Indianapolis, Ind., and St. Louis was left without a denominational paper. This was not contemplated when the paper was disposed of. Mr. Abbott was confident, that with my assistance as editor, it could be sustained in St. Louis; but ex- perience taught him otherwise. Though well satisfied a weekly paper could not be supported in St. Louis, I was confident a monthly magazine could be, and hence in 1857 commenced a monthly periodical, called Manford's Monthly Magazine. It contained twenty- four pages - subscription price, one dollar per year. By the close of the first volume it had two thousand sub- scribers - a pretty good beginning. Mrs. Manford was co-editor, book-keeper, and general assistant.
Resolved to again canvass Missouri, Illinois, Iowa and Indiana, for the benefit of the new journal; and from 1857 to the spring of 1861, was on the wing most of the time. The Magazine was popular with our peo-
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ple, and I had no difficulty in obtaining subscribers. The articles were chiefly doctrinal, explanatory, and answers to the ten thousand objections usually offered to the liberal faith.
During the first year of its publication, I took a horseback journey up the Missouri river into Kansas, and was absent nearly all winter. At a hotel in Jeffer- son City had the following conversation with a Deist :
D. " The Old Testament is full of lies, fables and absurdities. I would as soon believe Guliver's Trav- els to be divine as the old Bible."
M. "You are too fast, my friend. There are many excellencies in that book, though it is not perfect; nei- ther does it claim to be. That Moses, its principal char- acter, had a deep insight into spiritual realities, must be conceded by every candid person. He was born, brought up, educated, and lived till he was eighty years old, in the midst of the grossest superstition. The Egyptians deified the bull, the cat, the snake, the croco- dile ; but Moses boldly denounced all such superstitions, and declared there was only one God, and he was a spiritual being, and ruled in heaven and on earth. The Egyptians believed in a formal judgment for every soul after death; Moses taught that God judgeth in the earth. The Egyptian priests said, there is a hell for some and a heaven for others over the river Styx; Moses taught on all occasions, that virtue is rewarded, and vice is punished, in this world. These four tenets are the ground-work, the basis, of Moses' system. He introduced certain forms and ceremonies to be prac- ticed till a superior LIGHT would bless the world and his countrymen be more advanced in civilization, and when that Light came they were laid aside. But his
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doctrines of one God, who rules the universe, and re- wards virtue and punishes vice, are not obsolete. They are eternal realities, and you say you believe them. You are then a disciple of Moses, fool as you say he was. That Moses did not know the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, is readily admitted; that all he said and did were not divine is also admitted; and it is also conceded that sometimes his spirit did not seem to harmonize with the forgiving spirit of Christ. But with all his imperfections, he was a man among men; he was the tallest man of his day; his brow was bathed in the rising sun, while the world was yet shrouded in darkness."
D. "To that view of Moses I do not much object. But what is called the history of the Jews, is contra- dictory, and often much exaggerated."
M. " There may be errors in the biblical history of the Jews, but the main statements are doubtless correct. The writers thereof make no pretension to inspiration, that I know of. You do not reject the history of the United States because you find therein conflicting state- ments.
D. "Well, there are the pretended prophets ; do you think they were God's prophets? "
M. " Many events they predicted have, without doubt, taken place. I believe, sir, God has had prophets in all ages and climes. All history, ancient and modern, is full of the supernatural element. It is found in Grecian, Roman, European, and American histories. It is found in the life of the great and good - of Socrates, Plato, Origen, Joan of Arc, Swedenborg, Sterling, Lavater, Oberlin, Wesley, Luther, Murray, and in the life of in- numerable other worthies of whom the world is not
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worthy. We find them often among the despised and forsaken. They have been spit upon in all the streets in the world. They have been burned at the stake as enemies of God and man. But they cared for none of these things ; they knew that they were walking in the light of heaven, and all the powers of darkness could not terrify their brave souls.
It is man's natural condition to be in alliance with the spiritual. When he is material in all his hopes and aspirations, coarse and brutish, he is in an unnatural condition, and the spirit of God almost parts with him, leaving him alone in his sins. But the pure and the good are exalted to heavenly places, commune with the . spirits of the just, and are enveloped in a halo of glory. Some rise so high, that the hand of God is on their brow ; and then they see visions, dream dreams, heal the sick cast out devils, and speak in God's name. Such are God's prophets; such were the Jewish prophets, and the world in all ages has been blessed with the divine utter- ances of such godly men and women. Though their brows were immersed in the sun-light of heaven, their feet were on this earth, hence we may expect to find their revelations sometimes tinged with earth coloring."
Lectured in Pisgah, and a man gave notice he should reply the next Sunday. "Then I will show that you deny the Bible, and teach a bundle of lies." "Name one lie I have uttered to-night." "You cannot get me into a controversy now." Preached in Booneville, and then proceeded to Marshall, where I spoke twice. Had some talk with a rum-seller.
M. "Do you think it right to poison and impoverish all you can ? "
Rumseller. "I don't poison or impoverish."
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M. "You don't ! Every dram you sell poisons and impoverishes somebody. The body is the habitation of the soul, made in the image and glory of God; and it is your business every day from morn to midnight, to stand in your den and deal damnation to God's noblest work. What abominable business for a man to engage in ! What a life to live! What prostitution of time and opportunities !
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