USA > Ohio > Twenty-five years in the West > Part 24
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" The Avon to the Severn runs, The Severn to the sea, And Wickliffe's ashes shall be strewn Wide as the waters be."
The ashes of the martyrs fertilize our soil. The fires that consumed their bodies lighten our skies. The clanking of their chains, and the groans they uttered, are yet sounding in our ears, and inspire us with indig- nation against despotism of every name and kind. They did as much for humanity by suffering and dying, as by the pen, speech, or holy life. Their tears and their blood form a river that has been meandering through the heart of humanity down to the present time ; and all along its margin, little rills have been pouring into it from the hearts and eyes of those who have been perse- cuted for righteousness' sake. And the stream once small has become large, and will increase as it flows on, imparting vitality to the great heart of humanity. Re- vere those great men. And though they may not have known the whole truth, yet they were far in advance of the age in which they lived, were true friends of man. and we owe them a lasting debt of gratitude.
And what shall I say of the present condition of the enlightened nations of the earth ? The truth is, never be-
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fore did man attain the intellectual and moral eminence he has now reached ; never was the human mind so active or making such rapid strides as now. "The world is entering on a new moral cycle. The great heart of humanity is heaving with hopes of a still brighter day. The instincts of our nature prophesy its approach, and the best intellects of our world are struggling to turn that prophecy to fulfilment. Thoughts of freedom, duty, benevolence, equality and human brotherhood agitate the nations of the earth; and neither the Pope with his Cardinals and Jesuits, nor the kings with their ministers, can repress it. Were these thoughts imprisoned in the center of the earth, they would burst its granite folds, speed onward in their career and fill their destiny. They are imbued with a deathless vigor. They must prevail, or the idea of a Moral Governor of the universe is im- possible, and the divine truths of the gospel a fable."
Old ideas are being modified, or laid aside, and new ones from the heavenly mint are taking their places. The pruning-hook and plough-share are making sad havoc of grey-bearded theories. But we must not for a moment suppose the worshipers of antiquated institutions and ideas, will yield in this struggle without desperate efforts to preserve their idols. And no doubt the cry will be raised as of old, "Great is Diana of the Ephe- sians ; " and multitudes will shout, "Crucify, crucify, all who are not of our party."
All who have eyes must see that changes are taking place every where. Men may shut they eyes and prophesy that all things will continue as their are; but as Galileo said of the earth, after renouncing his philosophy to save his life : " IT REVOLVES STILL; " so whether we believe it or not, the human mind is out-growing old errors,
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which had their origin in barbarism, and advancing into the region of truth and reality.
But the old heavens and earth will not pass away with- out great noise, and not until the elements shall be melt- ed with fervent heat, by the Sun of righteousness. The nations of the earth have long fought with steel and bul- let, but now the battle of ideas is being fought. The old and the new, the past and the present, the kingdom of God and the kingdom of satan, have entered the list; and as sure as the rising sun dispels the darkness of night, as sure as day succeeds night, will truth triumph over error in this conflict. The hay, wood and stubble will be consumed, but the silver and gold will pass the fiery ordeal .:
Had some conversation with a Spiritualist. The Bible, in his estimation, is full of lies and absurdities; as unreliable as an Almanac in its weather prognostics. But all Spiritualists do not go to that extreme; many entertain sincere respect for that Book, and love to cul- tivate the religious element. I have a great deal of faith in that kind of Spiritualism. The old prophets, Christ and his apostles, and multitudes of the wise and good in all ages, have been Spiritualists of that character. That kind of Spiritualism is only another name for Christianity. But with the irreverent and ungodly sort, I have no sympathy.
Attended a revival meeting while on this journey, and witnessed some extraordinary doings. There was shout- ing, ranting, screaming, jumping, crying and laughing. The preacher told us, that the lowest and vilest could be instantly translated into saints. Remembered the old song I had heard on a similar occasion :
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" Come diity, come filthy, come ragged, come bare ; You can't come too filthy - come just as you are. "
The preacher did not intend to promote immorality ; but no doubt this telling people, that scoundrels at the end of a long life in every crime can be instantly trans- formed into saints of the first water, and so escape all punishment for a misspent life, has a very immoral influ- ence. A hardened sinner may to-day right-about face, and resolve to walk in virtue's ways, but he has a long journey before him. But if he pursues it, he will finally reach the heavenly city, and walk its golden streets.
A man at the meeting asked if one could be "saved without repentance and regeneration." I replied :
"You might as well ask if a man can see without eyes, hear without ears, think without a head, talk without a tongue, or walk without legs. You misunderstand salva- tion. It is not from an outward hell, but from ignorance, error, sin, and all their debasing effects. He who has sincerely repented, or reformed, which is the same thing, is saved, not will be; a regenerated man is saved, not will be saved at some future period, and in some other world. Repentance and regeneration sweep and garnish the soul, make it a fit habitation for the heavenly guest - salvation. Jesus said, ' Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.' It is always 'at hand,' ready to be es- tablished in every reformed, regenerated heart."
Said another, "If Universalism is true, what is the use of preaching ? "
" Why, my dear sir," I answered, "preaching is one means by which salvation is effected. God works by means. By means of the sun he lightens and warms the earth; by means of the rain he cools and purifies the at-
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mosphere, fertilizes the soil, and fills our fountains with living water. By means of physical laws he controls every globe, and every particle of matter in the universe. So, by wise and righteous instrumentalities, he blesses man spiritually, and will continue to bless him forever and ever. And the proclamation of truth and righteous- ness through the Christian ministry, is one means appointed by heaven to this blessed end. Eighteen hundred years ago Jesus said, 'Know the truth, and the truth shall make you free; ' and he consecrated men, and commissioned them, to 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.' It is freedom now that we need ; it is salvation now that the proclamation of the truth produces. As the presence of Jesus brought salvation into Zaccheus' house, so the preaching of the gospel brings present salvation to the soul. Give up the wretched delusion, that the chief end of preaching is to save us from hell. It i's for no such a purpose. Its object is to enlighten and purify us now, save us now."
In Kimball I delivered a discourse; and at its close a Methodist minister told the congregation that he, heart and soul, believed in the "Restitution of all things ; " and that he would not part with that faith for the world. It was the joy of his life; it made him a better man; it prepared him to live, and he trusted that it would be his stay and his hope in the hour of death.
Stopped at Moline, Ill., and delivered one discourse This is a manufacturing place, at the head of Rock Island, and exhibits much thrift and enterprise. Said a man to me in the town :
" The Bible says, no self-murderer shall enter the king- dom of God. What do you do with that passage ? "
" That is home-made scripture," I replied; "there is
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nothing of the kind in the Bible. Besides, there never was, and never will be, a self-murderer. To murder is to 'kill with malice aforethought.' A man may commit suicide, but that is not murder, for he does not do it with malignity or malice toward himself. For the poor suicide I have much sympathy. Who can estimate the agony he suffered, to escape which he took his own life ? Have charity for the poor unfortunate ; speak not harsh- ly of him; condemn him not. Jesus would weep over his grave, and say, 'Father, forgive him.' The apostle John says, ' Whoso hateth his brother is a murderer, and ye know, that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.' I John iii. 15. This speaks of the present condi- tion of the murderer - not his everlasting condition. No murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Of course he has not, or he would not be a murderer. Eternal life is Christ-life, heaven-life; a life of love to God, and good will toward man. A murderer is selfish, cruel, bloody, revengeful. A murderous character, and a Chris- tian character, cannot exist in one soul. But the mur- derer may reform. Paul was a persecutor, assisted in murdering Stephen of blessed memory, but he reformed. Jesus on the cross prayed God to forgive his murderers."
" But then suppose he dies a murderer, what will be- come of him ? "
" If the murderer can reform before he dies, why not after he dies ? Does reason, wisdom, goodness, the Bible say, that if a man leaves this world a sinner, he will be compelled to be a sinner eternally? That is an assumption of Orthodoxy ; but it never was proved, and never will be. Why does the Bible say, 'God will have all men to be saved,' if it is his purpose that all who eave this world sinners never shall be saved? Why
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does he call on all to repent, if he intends that all who die impenitent never shall reform? It is a dreadful thing to live or die a murderer ; but the mercy of God can save him in this world, and that same mercy can save him in the future world."
CHAPTER XIX.
Left Chicago, accompanied by Mrs. Manford, Tuesday night, Septemper 16, 1866, and by sunrise the next morning were in Galesburg, Ill., one hundred and sixty miles southward. The United States Convention of Universalists was holding its annual session in that place, and we tarried till its close. Met many clergymen from the East and West I had not before seen; and had the satisfaction of shaking hands with W. S. Balch, with whom I studied many years before, but had not beheld his face since I left his sanctum at Claremont, N. H., to come West. He was then pastor of the Universalist church in Galesburg.
Lombard University is located here; and though "University " is rather a big name for such an institution --- the West is fond of high sounding names - it is an excellent school, and is doing a great work. It combines an academy and college; its doors are open to both sexes, they having equal privileges. This is as it should be. The old custom of educating girls and boys apart is all wrong. They learn faster together than if educated separately. A healthy rivalry is induced, each sex being anxious to secure the approbation of the other ; besides, associating together, not less in the school-room than at home, tends to refine and invigorate both sexes.
September 20th. Mrs. Manford returned to Chicago and at 5 o'clock P. M., I took cars for Quincy, one hundred miles south. Next morning was steaming across
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the Missouri prairies to Macon City, sixty miles west of the great river. Most of the country is prairie, high, dry and rolling, with good soil, but thinly settled. Saw large herds of cattle, horses, mules and sheep, feeding on the vast savannahs. Lectured in Macon City.
22nd. Rode to Brookfield, forty miles west. Crossed the dividing ridge between the Mississippi and Missouri rivers- two of the great rivers of the world. Most of the country is hilly, timber is plenty, and the soil mid- dling. Brookfield is exactly midway between the two rivers. The railroad company has its machine shops here. The country around is beautiful and productive. It is a charming locality for a home. Rode into the country, eight miles, the next day, and talked to the people; returned in the afternoon, and lectured to a fair congregation.
25th. Proceeded to Chillicothe, forty miles toward the setting sun, and delivered my message. This is a fine town and rapidly improving. I. M. Westfall, several years since, had a discussion in this place with a Metho- dist minister, and he made the dry bones shake.
27th. Journeyed to St. Joseph, about seventy miles. This is the largest town in Northern Missouri. Is locat- ed on the east bank of the Missouri river ; has quite a city appearance; the streets are paved, and the business houses are chiefly brick, and of a substantial character. This, and three other towns within seventy-five miles are striving for the mastery - Kansas City, Leavenworth and Lawrence. Time only will determine which wins. But there is bound to be a large commercial center somewhere in this region. Which of the four will it be? I refer to 1875 for an answer.
28th. Rode to Savannah, thirteen miles northward
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and lectured in the evening. Expect to spend three weeks traveling where there are no railroads; and having no conveyance shall depend on a kind Providence, and good friends, for transportation.
29th. Rode horseback to Fillmore, ten miles ; a sprightly boy went with me to lead the horse back; and on the next day, Sunday, was conveyed by a friend, to Mound City, eighteen miles, where I delivered a long discourse at eleven o'clock, in a beautiful grove, and in the evening spoke in a school-house four miles distant.
October Ist. Rode a borrowed horse twelve miles and lectured at night. Was sick two days from excessive speaking. Met a woman who heard me in Ohio twenty- five years ago. Am now sixty miles above St. Joseph, on the Missouri river bottom. The soil is as rich as the far-famed valley of Egypt. It is a charming region - beautiful beyond description. A few miles west, the Missouri bluffs in Kansas and Nebraska are visible. Though barely able to sit on the horse, I rode twelve miles.
4th. The ride did me good- am all right again. Went in a buggy to Oregon, twelve miles. About one year ago, I delivered three discourses in this town, the first of the kind heard there, whereupon Mr. Smith, a Presbyterian clergyman, proposed debating. We settled the preliminaries; but Mr. Smith's ardor for the discus- sion soon abated, and the subject was dropped. But another party is now trying to get up a discussion with me, and are now corresponding with Mr. Summerbell, of Cincinnati, a noted minister in his order, about en- gaging in it.
5th. Went to Fillmore - rode part way, and walked part way -and lectured in the evening. At a previous
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visit to this town, a preacher replied to my discourse. There were several clergymen of different denominations present, and they delegated this one to be spokesman. But he yielded so much that his colleagues were dis- gusted and said, "he might as well have proclaimed himself a Universalist."
7th. A friend conveyed me on Sunday morning, to Whitesville, eighteen miles, where I spoke on that day twice.
8th. A gentleman and lady took me in a buggy to Rochester, sixteen miles, where I spoke to a large con- gregation, but found only few sympathizers.
9th. A kind friend conveyed me to my next appoint- ment, at Maysville, twenty-five miles eastward. He took his three boys with him, he said, to show them the coun- try, for they were all recently from Ohio. Men and boys were delighted with the country we passed over, as well they might be, for it is a lovely land - high, rolling, rich prairie. Probably not a dozen in M. had before heard a discourse on the Restitution. Hope some good seed was sown, and, that it will germinate, bud, blossom and yield a rich harvest.
roth. Rode twenty-five miles to-day, and preached at night, and the next day. These were the first sermons on our faith ever heard in Gallatin. A Congregational- ist minister gave notice he should reply, two days subse- quently. In a conversation with him he remarked, that his denomination were the "liberals of the evangelical school."
12th. Rode horseback sixteen miles, to Bancroft, and lectured. Though our liberal faith had not before been publicly taught here, I found many friends. A large family, by the name of Hendricks, all formerly Dunkers,
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reside here and are devoted believers in the Restitution. Most of that denomination, I have met with, agree with us in the final redemption of man, and they are generally truly Christian people. Elhanan Winchester once said, " If God has a people on earth, it is the Dunkers."
13th. A friend took me to Trenton, eighteen miles, where I delivered three sermons. They were the first of the kind in the town, or county, and large numbers at- tended. A preacher did his best to keep the people away, but he was nearly deserted, for the people were bound to hear the "the new doctrine." Met a man by the name of John Murray, who said he was a distant relative of the sainted Rev. John Murray. There is an aged man in Iowa City by the name of Winchester, who is a relative of Rev. Elhanan Winchester, of blessed memory. They have good blood in their veins.
15th. Conveyed to Lindville, fifteen miles, and preached at night. The people had not before heard one of our faith. Some believed, and some disbelieved.
16th. Rode fourteen miles on horseback, and walked six miles. Came to a stream where there was no bridge, and pulling off boots and socks, waded through, and passed on to fill my appointments. Lectured twice in this place, Milan.
18th, Went to Greencastle, fifteen miles, and lectured twice. Two brother preachers are residing near by - W. Brise and G. S. Ayers. It is to be hoped they will hereafter devote more of their time to the ministry.
20th. Lectured in Unionville twice, and once in the neighborhood ; next day was conveyed by a friend to Lancaster, twenty miles still farther onward, where I also spoke twice. The day after, rode to Memphis, or rather rode and walked, twenty-five miles, where I spoke
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twice, and once in the country. Thence conveyed by a friend to Bentonsport, Iowa, where I took the cars and went home.
I recently heard a discourse by one of our ministers, and he gave Orthodoxy an awful cudgeling. Do not like that kind of preaching; it is too much of the meat-axe order. The Christian minister should preach the gospel in its fulness - present it in its doctrinal, moral and spiritual aspect. But cutting, slashing, and banging, at this creed, and that creed, at this sect, and that sect, is not exactly preaching the gospel. It may be the minis- ter's duty, now and then, under peculiar circumstances, to handle other creeds without gloves; but let him re- member and do his duty in this respect in a loving spirit. But there should be but little of this kind of controversial sermonizing. Telling people of the beauty and glory of truth and virtue, and urging a practical knowledge of the same, are far better than fighting Orthodoxy. It must be admitted, that some of the fathers of our denomina- tion, in this respect, set a bad example. They had too much of the Ishmaelite spirit, and many of us have im- bibed copiously of the same. True, they were assailed by slander and falsehood, in private and in public, at home and abroad, when they went in, and when they went out ; and it required a copious infusion of the Divine Spirit to be perfect lambs under such circum- stances. And our people in the West and South, espe- cially the ministers, are still pursued with the same maliciousness, injustice and cruelty, and it requires remarkable good nature to be thus treated without strik- ing back. But some of us have rather overdone this matter of " using up " Orthodoxy. Not, it is to be hoped. that we have been actuated by the fiendish spirit of some
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of our enemies; but we spend too much precious time, and waste too much material, on their creeds. Better present the truth in its native beauty and grace, and the world will soon fall in love with it, and take it to its heart.
Had been at home but a few days, when I was called to Southern Illinois, to deliver two funeral discourses. One on the occasion of the death of Mrs. Middle- worth, of Windsor, an estimable woman, cut down in the vigor of womanhood, and in the midst of usefulness. A large number attended the service; some came fifteen miles. Surely, if ever we need consolation, it is when death enters our abode, and snatches therefrom a dear friend. Sensitive ties are then severed, and affection's nerves receive a dreadful shock. The death of a friend is like an untimely frost on an orange grove ; it may indeed kill but one, but it blights the whole grove. But death is no new thing under the sun. For six thousand years it has been in the world. Every where are dying scenes, and funeral scenes. An army of the living are constantly employed in burying an army of the dead. And this sad work has been going on for sixty centuries.
While in the neighborhood where this service was held, I delivered two other discourses, to great congregations. Thence to Dudley, and delivered another funeral dis- course, on the occasion of the death of Mrs. Sutherland, a devoted believer in our most holy faith, and a superior woman. It is sometimes said that faith in the Great Sal- vation is good to live by, but not to die by. But evidently what is good to live by, is good to die by, for what prepares us to live prepares us to die. When the opposer tells me, that my religion " is good to live by," I thank him for such testimony, but cannot return the con-
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pliment, cannot admit that his creed, let it be what it - may, if it denies the essential features of the Restitution, " is good to live by." Is Atheism, which denies a God, and orphanizes the world, " good to live by ? " Is Deism, that denies a Savior, and doubts a hereafter, "good to live by ? " Is Partialism, that represents God as cruel, revengeful and unjust ; as loving some and hating others ; blessing some and cursing others, world without end, " good to live by?" Men can live with such creeds in their heads, as they can live on horse ham and mule stake ; but it is living at a poor dying rate.
But then, this faith, so full of grace " is not good to die by." But why not? It represents God as a Universal Father, Christ a Universal Savior, and heaven the home to which all are tending. Is not faith in such a God, such a Savior, such a Destiny, good in the hour of death ? The truth is, nothing but this can afford peace and con- solation in that dark and solemn hour. Atheism, Deism, Partialism, are found wanting in man's dying moments, as when in the possession of health and vigor. True,
many close their eyes in death with blissful hopes, who do not accept the gospel in its fulnesss, and for this reason - in their dying hour they gaze entirely on the bright side of their creed, for it has a bright side as well as a dark side. They think they can read their "title clear to mansions in the skies," hence depart in peace. But if they looked for an instant on the dark side of their faith; if they considered that they may be mistaken concerning their own salvation, and, instead of going to heaven, may go to hell ; and then, around their dying couch are their near and dear friends, and for aught they know, all of them in a few years will be lifting up their eyes in eternal torment, and begging for a drop
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of water to cool their flaming tongues- if the dying deem this possible, and it is possible if Orthodoxy is true, would not the thought turn joy into the bitterest sorrow, and songs of praise into howls of despair ? But the truth is adapted to all stages and conditions of humanity. It is our Counselor, Guide, and Hope in the strength and vigor of manhood ; our Staff in sickness and old age ; our ALL when our eyes are closing in death, and the grave is opening at our feet.
I had a long discussion in Drakesville, Iowa, with Frank Evans, of the Methodist church, which continued six days, commencing April Ist, 1867. Mr. Evans is a gentlemanly and talented man, and the debate was con- ducted very pleasantly. There was not an unkind word spoken by either of the speakers, and the hearers seemed to partake of the good feeling of the disputants. Dis- cussions often divide the people, and cause angry strife ; but this harmonized them, and produced kind- ness and brotherly love. Notwithstanding the roads were almost impassable, great congregations assembled twice each day during the week. All business was laid aside, and the citizens gave the discussion their undi. vided attention.
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