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1 
 
 PERSONAL NARRATiVE 
 
 or 
 
 A TOUR THROUGH A PART OF THE UNITED 
 STATES AND CANADA : 
 
 WITH 
 
 NOTICES OF THE fflSWRY AND INSTITUTIONS OP 
 METHODISM IN AMERICA. 
 
 ^-A ">' 
 
 BY JAMES DTXON, D. D 
 
 3N'fU)'-Kork : 
 
 PUBLISHED BY LANE cfe SCOTT, 
 
 200 Mulberry-street. 
 JOSEPH T.ONGKINO, PniNTER. 
 
 1849. 
 
■^j 
 
 I 
 
 #«' 
 
ADVERTISEMENT 
 
 TO THE AMERICAN EDITION 
 
 It has not l)een thought necessary, in reprinting 
 this work, to retain all of Dr. Dixon's quotations from 
 American authorities, in his sketch of the History and 
 Institutions of American Methodism. These can be 
 found much more fully set forth in works easily 
 accessible in this country. Part V. of Dr. Dixon's 
 work, relating to the " Measures adopted by the Me- 
 thodist Episcopal Church on the Subject of Slavery," 
 has been entirely omitted. It consists almost wholly 
 of American documents. 
 
 A few errors, in the use of names, dates, &c., have 
 been silently corrected. Others, of less importance, 
 have been suffered to remain. As a whole, it is only 
 remarkable that Dr. Dixon should, in so short a time, 
 have acquired so just and accurate a knowledge of 
 the topography and geography of the country, as well 
 as of the character and habits of our people. The 
 work is singularly able and philosophical in its 
 viev/s, both of the political and religious institutions 
 
 of America. 
 
 J. M'Clintock. 
 
 June 25, 1849. 
 
I 
 
 ' 
 
t 
 
 ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 I 
 
 ' \ 
 
 This volume lias been prepared for publication under 
 the influence of one only sentiment ; namely, a desire to 
 make the Methodist body in England acquainted with the 
 state and progress of their system of religion in the United 
 States. 
 
 The author is not conscious to himself of any peculiar 
 bias in his opinions ; his aim being simply to state facts as 
 they presented themselves to his attention, and leave his 
 readers to draw their own inferences. 
 
 Not being a political agent, he has not felt himself called 
 upon to enter — except incidentally — into questions of civil 
 government. His general impression is, however, that the 
 Americans possess a larger amount of social prosperity than 
 any other people upon earth. 
 
 But the vexed question of republicanism lies beyond his 
 purpose ; and he begs to inform his reader beforehand, that 
 whatever he may meet with is not to be construed into an 
 expression of opinion for or against this or any other form 
 of government, but simply as historical. 
 
 One thing, however, bearing on this subject, may not be 
 deemed out of place : it is, that the author's impressions of 
 the true greatness of his own country were never so strong 
 as during his visit to the States. America is the offspring 
 of England. England has been reproduced in America. 
 The character of the parent is seen in the athletic growth 
 of the son. The blood, the religion, the ideas, the opinions, 
 and, in substance, the institutions, of England exist in the 
 United States. On this soil the Anglo-Saxon race is assert- 
 ing its supremacy on a gigantic scale, and with a rare 
 
ADVERTlfeliMliM. 
 
 energy and vigour. It is a sinj^ulur plu'noniL'noii, which 
 every visitor must perceive at once, that liis own country's 
 type of humanity is predominant. People from all nations 
 in Europe are seen in largo numbers on the western conti- 
 nent ; but they all become Anglicised. Just as the "father 
 of waters," the Mississipf)i, receives the iimumerable tribu- 
 tary streams which flow in every direction to swell and 
 deepen its flood, and then in turn are blended with and 
 become one with the parent current ; .so, in like manner, 
 all the races which flock to America feel the force, do 
 homage to the superiority, and fall into the current, of 
 Anglo-Saxon life. In two or three generations nothing of 
 the German, the Dutchman, the Frenchman, the C'elt re- 
 mains, but his name. He has lost his foreign distinctness, 
 much of his physiognomy, and all the peculiar character- 
 istics of his origin ; so that the true identity existing 
 between England and America is an identity of race. 
 Other things are but the external adornings of the same 
 soul and body, the same mental and material organization. 
 England's sons, language, sentiments, freedom, enterprise, 
 courage, religion — all live in America ; and are uniting to 
 form the greatest empire of race on which the sun ever 
 shone. England consequently reappears on American 
 ground ; and it is impossible historically to separate the 
 destinies of the same people ; the annals of the Anglo-Saxon 
 race must ever include the American branch. 
 
 The survey now presented to the public can lay claim 
 to nothing more than an outline. It Avould require much 
 more leisure and information than are in the possession of 
 the author, to give a full, a complete, narrative of — as he 
 conscientiously believes — the most gigantic and extraordi- 
 nary development of religious truth which has taken place 
 ia modern times. 
 
 The work, even in its present state, appears under some 
 disadvantage, from the fact that, when in the States, the 
 author had not the most remote idea of writing a book; 
 
ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 his notes were consequently not tak»Mi witli any view to 
 such tt purpose. From this circumat'.nce his materiel whs 
 necessarily scanty ; but the scenes through which he passed, 
 and the facts and incidents wliich came before his atten- 
 tion, were very vividly impressed upon his memory. He h'vs 
 had consequently to draw largely on this resource, W' >h 
 what success, those on the spot alone can judge ; but he is 
 persuaded that, though many things may not be so full 
 and circumstantial as if he had entertained the intention of 
 publication, yet he is certain that no fact is falsified ; and 
 no scenery, whether of nature, society, or religion, has 
 received an untrue colouring. 
 
 In addition to the desire, as before stated, to give infor- 
 mation respecting the state of the Methodist Church, as 
 the predominating motive, the author feels himself under 
 an imperative obligation, as a mere matter of justice, to 
 communicate his impressions respecting his reception by 
 the American body. If they received the messenger of the 
 British Conference with affectionate respect as such, is it 
 not fitting that their good-will, their fraternal regard, their 
 unabated affection towards the parent body, their continued 
 uni':y and oneness with us in spirit and faith, should be 
 made known ? And, moreover, as it has pleased God to 
 bless, to prosper, to enlarge, and to render triumphant that 
 Church which, in its ecclesiastical form, was planted by 
 John Wesley, and nurtured by some of his most distin- 
 guished sons in the gospel ; does it not seem proper that 
 such an occasion as a visit to this Church should, in ojme 
 way, be connected with a report of its actual state ? With 
 these impressions, though with great reluctance, the author 
 is impelled to publish this volume, not doubting but that 
 the hearty good- will of the American Methodist Churo^.. 
 will be as heartily reciprocated by the Methodist bod}' h\ 
 this country. 
 
 Birminghamy March 2Gth, 1849. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 PART I. 
 
 PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 The Voyage— Company on Board— Sunday— Reflections— Atlantic— Agitation 
 — Steam-Powcr — Miracles — Banks of Newfoundland — A Snow-storm — Hali- 
 fax — Nova-Scotia — Passengers— Morality Page 13 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Boston — The Sabbath— Changes of Doctrine — Methodist Preachers' Meeting 
 at the Book-Depot — Bunker's Hill — The Common — The State-House — 
 Churches— The City— Daniel Webster— Set out for New- York— Railroad 
 Cars — The Country— New-Haven— The Sound— Scene on board the Steamer 
 — New- York Harbour 5J2 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 New-York- Harpers' Prbiting and Publishing Establishment— The Methodist 
 Book-Concern — The Exchange and Custom-House — Excitement respecting 
 an anticipated Revolution in England— Charitable Institutions — The City — 
 Leave for Baltimore — David Creamer, Esq. — The Journey — N3w-Jersey — 
 Newark— Princeton— Trenton— The Delaware— Philadelphia— The Chesa- 
 peake Bay 36 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Baltimore and Washington— The City and Capitol— The Senate— General Cass 
 — Captain Fremont— V Calhoun, &c. — The House of Representatives- 
 Debate— Visit to the President— To the Vice-President — The National Insti- 
 tution — Baltimore — The Sabbath — The aristocratic air of the place — Leave 
 for Cumberland — Slavery — Harper's Ferry — Cumberland — The Alleghany 
 Mountains — A Mirage on the Mountain — Brownville — The Monongahela — 
 Scenery of the bf»nks 52 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Pittsburgh- -Lodge at the St. Charles— The Conference— The Bishops— The 
 Preachers — Bishop Soule — The Southern Ministers— Public Services— The 
 Company at the St. Charles— The Town— Manufactures— The African 
 Church — Preach to the Blacks — Curious Scene — Leave Pittsburgh— Take 
 leave of Bishop Soule —His Character — The Ohio— Wheeling— Bishop Camp- 
 hell— Mesmerism 84 
 
 I 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Cincinnali— Mr. Smith— Auburn— A Storm in tiie Country— Bishop M'llvaine's 
 Country Residence— A Fire— The Sabbath— The City— Start for Sandusky— 
 The Forest — Difficulties of clearing Land — The Railroad through the Forest 
 — A Stage Joumev— Arrival at Urbana— Arrival at Sandusky Page 10! 
 
 ;— Agitation 
 torm— Hali- 
 . . . Page 13 
 
 rs' Meeting 
 Lte-House — 
 k— Railroad 
 he Steamer 
 22 
 
 .« 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 The Lakes— Erie— Pass down— Buffalo— Niagara River— Scenery on its Banks 
 —The Falls of Niagara— Canada—The People— Visit the Battle-Field of Lun- 
 dy's Lane — The Suspension-Bridge— St. Catharine's— Hamilton 109 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Ontario— Toronto— Dr. Ryerson— Sir F. B. Head— Bishop Strachan— The City 
 — Departure for Kingston — Mr. Robinson— Mr. Bolton— Coburg College — 
 Kingston— Pass up the Bay of Quinti— Belleville — The Canada Conference 
 —The Union— Reiurn to Kingston 12tt 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 The St. Lawrence- The Tliousand Islands — The Rapids— Montreal— The City 
 —The Cathedral— The Methodist Chapel— Storm— The Earl of Elgin— The 
 Romanists — Passage to Quebec — The City — The Plains of Abraham — General 
 Wolfe— Fortifications — A Rural Repast— Falls of Montmorenci— The French 
 Habitans — Reflections on Canada 138 
 
 Methodist 
 
 respecting 
 
 |The City— 
 
 -Jersey — 
 
 Chesa- 
 
 .... 36 
 
 he 
 
 leral Casu 
 itatives — 
 mal Insti- 
 te — Leave 
 Llleghany 
 igahela— 
 .... 52 
 
 jps— The 
 pes— The 
 African 
 th- Take 
 |»p Camp- 
 ... 84 
 
 : 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Return— Pass the St. Lawrence— Lake Champlain—Plattsburgh— Whitehall- 
 Journey by Stage— Troy— Albany— The Hudson— Arrival a* I^iew- York— III 
 — Doubtf il respecting being able to return Home— Resolved to do so — De- 
 part for Boston— Embark on board the "America" — Passage — Arrival at 
 Home 159 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Reflections on America— Unfairly dealt with by Travellers— A relig .■. ; people 
 — This necessary to explain their state— The real Americans not jiostile to 
 England- Their peaceful and prosperous condition— Education, the prin- 
 ples on which it is conducted — The force of Christianity in its simply divine 
 authority— The American's trust in this— Public Worship and the Duties 
 of Religion— Slavery partly removed by the influence of Christian prin- 
 ciple 1 W 
 

 10 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 PART II. 
 
 fllSTORICAIi NOTICES OF METHODISM IN AMERICA. 
 
 CHArTER I. 
 
 Introductory remarks— Mr. Wesley's great talent for government- -The confi- 
 dence reposed in him — His disinterested encouragement to all who were ca- 
 pable of rendering service to religion — Became the bond of union to the first 
 Methodists in America Page 198 
 
 CHAPTER n. 
 
 The Introduction of Methodism intoNw-York — Philip Embury — Begins to 
 preach — Captain Webb — The first Society — Preaching-Houses — Robert 
 Strawbridge commences preaching in Maryland — Freeborn Garrettson — 
 Captain Webb's labours in Long Island and Philadelphia— Attempts to got 
 Mr. Benson appointed to America — Reflections on these Agents — The Class- 
 Meeting 205 
 
 CHAPTER HI. 
 
 Application to Mr. Wesley for Missionaries — Messrs. Boardman and Pilmoor 
 appointed — Account of the State of Things— Messrs. Asbury and Wright — 
 Account of the former — The Spirit of the Clergy — Mr. Jarratt— Thomas 
 Rankin and Georg3 Shadford arrive— First Conference 218 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 The Revolutionary Period— Messrs. Rankin, Shadford, and Rodda depart for 
 England — Adventures of Shadford — Asbury determines to remain— Ilis Exer- 
 cises of Mind— Finds Refuge in the House of Judge White— Persecutions of 
 Messrs. Hartley and Garrettson — Mr. Jarratt — Reflections on the Revolu- 
 tion — John Calvin's Dogma— Originates the Revolution— Its Success . . 228 
 
 M.I 
 
 ill 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Measures preparatory to the Organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church — 
 Application of the People to Mr. Wesley — His Advice— Dr. Bangs's Account 
 — The Church formed — Success 242 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 The new Order of Things— Mr. Asbury becomes the real Bishop of the Church 
 — His Character and Qualifications for the Office— Dr. Coke exceeds his 
 Powers— Certificate— The Episcopacy defined and guarded— Mr. Wesley's 
 Ofl'ence at the Use of the Term " Bishop"- Letter to Asbury— Dr. Coko in 
 Dili.'ulties respecting the Address to Washington- And on Slavery— The 
 Church takes its Standing among llic Institutions of the United Stales . . 264 
 
 ♦ 
 
 ^. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 11 
 
 PART HI. 
 
 THE INSTITUTIONS OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL 
 
 CHURCH. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 The doctrinal Basis of the Church— The Articles of Religion— This places the 
 Church on a system of dogmatical Truth— The Difference between this and 
 the English system Page 265 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 The Federal Nature of the Cimrch— The Idea of Unity— IIow secured — Doctri- 
 nal — Visible governing Power — Episcopacy 269 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 The Methodist Church in its Subdivisions— The Circuit and Station — The Sta- 
 tion an innovation— The Quarterly-Meeting Conference —Its Powers . . . 274 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Subdivisions continued— The District— How constituted— The presiding Elder 
 — Rules and Laws — The several Orders of Ministers 278 
 
 lurch- 
 account 
 243 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Subdivisions continued — The Episcopacy- Bishops, how appointed — Laws and 
 Regulations — Reflections — The Division of Labour amongst tlve Bishops — 
 Names of those who have received this Office— Purity of Election — Popu- 
 larity 281 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Subdivisions continued— The Annual Conference— lIow constituted — Its Func- 
 tions — Elects Delegates to the General Conference 288 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Subdivisions continued — The General Conference— Dr. Bangs's Account of its 
 formation — Its Fundamental Powers— Principles— Reflections 289 
 
 Church 
 Mii his 
 3sley's 
 :)ko in 
 l-The 
 254 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Subdivisions continued — The Author's presence at tlie Pittsburgh General 
 Conference — Impressions — The Bishops — The Ministers— Mode of Debate — 
 Decorum and Order — Questions at Issue — Mode of conducting Appeal Cases 
 — Reflections 295 
 
 n 
 
11 
 
 12 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 PART IV. 
 
 TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE AMERICAN METHODIST 
 
 EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 
 
 f 
 
 liii 
 
 I. — THE ATLANTIC CONFKRKNCKS. 
 
 Page. 
 
 Maine 310 
 
 New-Hampshire 312 
 
 New-England 313 
 
 Providence 318 
 
 New-York 319 
 
 New-Jersey S2i 
 
 Philadelphia 325 
 
 Baltimore 327 
 
 Virginia 3.12 
 
 North Carolina 334 
 
 South Carolina 335 
 
 Georgia 337 
 
 FJorida 343 
 
 II. — TIIK IIUDSOK AND LAKE LINE. 
 
 Troy 357 
 
 Vermont 357 
 
 Black River 358 
 
 Oneida 363 
 
 Genesee 363 
 
 Erie 365 
 
 North Ohio 3ti6 
 
 Michigan 367 
 
 North Indiana 367 
 
 Rock River 369 
 
 III. — THE OHIO HXE. 
 
 Pittsburgh 380 
 
 Ohio 381 
 
 Louisville 388 
 
 Kentucky 388 
 
 Ilolston 389 
 
 Indiana 392 
 
 Tennes.see 393 
 
 IV. — THE MISSISSIPPI LINE. 
 
 Iowa 406 
 
 Illinois 406 
 
 Missouri 407 
 
 St. Louis 407 
 
 Arkansas 408 
 
 Memphis 409 
 
 Mississippi 409 
 
 Louisiana 410 
 
 Alabama 411 
 
 Texas 412 
 
 East Texas 412 
 
 Oregon 412 
 
 Indian Missions 413 
 
 Ml 1 
 
TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 PART I . 
 
 PERSONAL NARRATIVE, 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Tlie Voyage— Company on Board— Sunday— Reflections— Atlantic— Agitation 
 —Steam-Power—Miracles— Banks of Newfoundland — A Snow-storm— Hali- 
 fax — Nova-Scotia — Passengers— Morality. 
 
 Wk went on board the "Acadia," Captain Stone, at Liver- 
 pool, bound for Boston, on Saturday, April 8th, 1848; a 
 beautiful vessel, well fitted up with a fine and spacious 
 saloon above deck, I found my friend, Mr. Kaye, had 
 engaged for me one of the best berths, which I went at 
 once to possess. I had not been there long, before a 
 Quebec gentleman entered to share it with me, — a good- 
 looking, open-faced man ; and, as I supposed I must 
 necessarily have a cabin-mate, I thought myself well suited 
 in my companion. This, however, was evidently not the 
 impression of my friend. Whether he was alarmed at the 
 sight of a parsonic name on ray trunks, or uncomfortable 
 on other grounds, I know not ; but he instantly became 
 fidgety, exhorted me to go to the purser, and get ft berth 
 to myself; saying, that I should have more influence than 
 himself. I concluded this w^s perfectly unnecessary on my 
 part, feehng quite sure he would accomplish the change 
 for himself, if I left him alone. In a few minutes he came 
 for his luggage, having obtained a berth "forward ;" and, 
 on seeing the purser, he told me they hnd agreed to leave 
 
11 
 
 TULK IN AMERICA. 
 
 mc " uloiie ill my glory." This, to nie, was joyful news, 
 and seemed a good beginning. 
 
 It is customary for passengers to choose their seats at 
 the table, and thev who are I:rst on board have the best 
 chance. Being in good Lime, I had the opportunity of 
 selecting my own place. My friend, Mr. Willey, who went on 
 board with me, and knew much more of such matters than 
 myself, fixed upon a corner-seat, saying it would be out of 
 draughts. For my part, I did not much like it, inasmuch 
 as I thought it would place me at the lower end of the 
 table. I had no objection to a midway place, but felt 
 unwilling to be at the very bottom, and out of the way of 
 everybody. However, for the reason above mentioned, T 
 submitted, rather reluctantly, to my fate. This seat, how- 
 ever, turned out to be on the right hand of the chair of the 
 second table. The company one falls in with on board 
 ship, is very important. The manners, temper, conversa- 
 tion, disposition to accommodate, are vital points in such 
 oontiguri.}' ; and, in the many squalls which must take 
 place in a voyage at sea, it is possible for people, closely 
 packed, to make themselves and others very unhappy, if 
 so disposed. 
 
 When dinner was announced, I took my place in my 
 new locality, somewhat curious as to w hat the issue would 
 be. The chair was taken by an elderly officer of the royal 
 navy, dressed in his uniform and the insignia of his rank. 
 We looked upon him with interest. He proved to be, as 
 is generally the case Avith men in his situation, a complete 
 gentleman, courteous, urbane, and communicative. A 
 more beautifully placid and benevolent countenance cannot 
 be imagined. He had been in the service forty years ; had 
 travelled in most parts of the world ; had passed through 
 mcny interesting scenes ; and willingly communicated his 
 stores of anecdote and information. On mv risrht hand sat 
 an elderly person, a perfect pattern of an English country 
 gentleman of the old school. It turned out that his home 
 
PAKX 1. — PElUSOxNAL XAURAriVE. 
 
 15 
 
 ■ful JlCWi*, 
 
 I" seats at 
 the best 
 iunity of 
 ^ went on 
 ters than 
 >e out of 
 nasmuch 
 d of the 
 but felt 
 way of 
 tioned, I 
 it, how- 
 ir of the 
 1 board 
 )nversa- 
 in such 
 st take 
 closely 
 PP7, if 
 
 in my 
 would 
 
 royal 
 
 rank. 
 De, as 
 
 pleto 
 A 
 annot 
 
 had 
 ough 
 his 
 i sat 
 
 ntry 
 
 ome 
 
 wtis Baltimore ; and, if he might be taken as a sample of 
 the citizens of that place, they are certainly u tine race of 
 people. Before ,our meeting, I had seen a gentleman on 
 deck, whose face and bearing arrested my attention. I 
 said to myself, " There is something in you." I did not 
 much like him, however, at first sight, because he seemed 
 to resemble a famous statesman of our country, once very 
 popular, now very Ioav. This gentleman sat exactly oppo- 
 site me. We looked rather askance at each other. He 
 opened out very slowly, but did so by degrees ; and I 
 suppose it was the same with myself. This gentleman I 
 found to be one of the most intelligent and well-informed 
 men I ever met. I afterwards understood he was an 
 American of the old Bostonian school ; that he lived near 
 Plymouth, the landing-place of the " Pilgrim Fathers ;" 
 had seen all America ; thoroughly understood the character 
 of its institutions, civil and religious ; had travelled through 
 Europe, and in some parts more than once ; was conversant 
 with literary subjects ; knew all the leading politicians of 
 iiis own country, and many in European nations ; and, like 
 all such men, was extremely courteous, free from dog- 
 matism, and, though a decided American, perfectly open 
 to conversation respecting their institutions, and equally 
 willing to admit the excellency of other countries, especially 
 that of England. I found this gentleman a most interesting 
 companion. Thus ensconced in the outset of the voyage, 
 other things being favourable, we had the promise of an 
 agreeable passage. 
 
 On the following morning, Sunday, Avhile at breakfast, 
 an officer came with Captain Stone's compliments to desire 
 me to conduct divine service. To this I cheerfully and 
 thankfully assented. Going to the captain, I asked him 
 if it would comport with their usages, and be agreeable, 
 for me to preach. He consented, on the condition that 
 the discourse was short ; stating, that it would be incon- 
 venient for the men to be engaged for a long time. On 
 
16 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 t^. 
 
 II 
 
 going to the desk, I found the crew and passengers in 
 their places, — the former neat, clean, and well-behaved, 
 and the latter perfectly orderly, and some of them appa- 
 rently devout. There sat beneath the desk as clerk a f'nc 
 young officer, dressed in his official habiliments. He re- 
 sponded most nobly, and like a person accustomed to the 
 employment. When the service was concluded, this young 
 officer came to me, (he proved to be the surgeon of the 
 ship,) and said, ' Perhaps you may have some knowledge 
 of the name of my grandfather. My name is Paley. I am 
 the grandson of Archdeacon Paley." I assured him I was 
 perfectly acquainted with the writings of his great and 
 honoured relative, aid, like everybody else, greatly esteemed 
 them. This young gentleman bears a striking resemblance 
 to the pictures of the archdeacon ; and appeared perfectly 
 frank, open-hearted, and honourable. 
 
 Sunday on board ship is a melancholy day ; at least so 
 it proved to me. The thought of the assemblies of the 
 saints ; the order and religion of the study, the closet, the 
 family ; all now broken in upon, by the strife and agitation 
 around : — this, together wich great anxiety for those left 
 behind, pressed painfully upon my mind. Wesley's Hjinns 
 were a great solace. Nothing :s broad, deep, and elevated 
 enough for ihe soul in her solicude, her sorrows, and her 
 joys, but sacred poetry, connecting one with the Saviour, 
 with the mysterious, with the eternal. The sea is calcu- 
 lated to heighten this feeling ; for what is the ocean, but a 
 mirror orGod's infinity ? and Avhat the roar of its mighty 
 waters, but the voice, the poetry the music, of that infinity ? 
 
 On leaving Cape Clear, and entering the Atlantic, we 
 were met by its surges as if in regal wrath ! ' The majestic 
 ocean seemed perfectly infuriated by the invasion of his 
 domain. I could compare this seeming anger to nothing 
 but to that of a mighty animal taking up a diminutive one 
 in his teeth, and furiously shaking him in his rage. Our 
 noble vessel was no more in the jaws of the Atlantic tlian 
 
PART I. — PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 icngers in 
 -behaved, 
 6m appa> 
 erk a ^no 
 He re- 
 ed to the 
 lis young 
 n of the 
 lowledge 
 y. I am 
 im I was 
 reat and 
 esteemed 
 mblance 
 )erfectly 
 
 least so 
 of the 
 set, the 
 gitation 
 )se left 
 H^onns 
 evated 
 nd her 
 aviour, 
 calcu- 
 
 biit a 
 lighty 
 inity ? 
 ic, we 
 jestic 
 )f his 
 tiling 
 3 one 
 
 Our 
 
 tlian 
 
 ir 
 
 i 
 
 
 a lap-dog in those of a lion. The wind blew right a-head, 
 and met us in the teeth, dashing the waves and spray furi- 
 ously against our bow. "Vye had not to encounter a storm, 
 in the usual ^ense of the expression ; but our old sea-officer, 
 of forty years' standing, declared he had never seen the 
 sea so rough. We were, probably, encountering the effects 
 of distxmt hurricanes. The agitation and swell were inde- 
 scribable. The "fountains of the great deep" seemed as 
 if " broken up ;" and from beneath, as well as from every 
 point of the compass, the waters presented the appearance 
 of universal anarchy, confusion, and agitation. 
 
 This state of things continued for four or five days, the 
 effects on the passengers being such as are usual in these 
 cases. The ladies were entirely absent, cooped up in their 
 cabin, or rolling in their berths, as the case might be ; no 
 doubt amiably bearing with good temper such feelings as 
 a bilious stomach is calculated to excite ; and, being fellows 
 in misfortune, expending upon each other those delicate 
 sympathies which companionship in misery always produces. 
 The gentlemen were seen, some groaning in their beds, 
 some lying in mummy fashion, as if deprived of the cha- 
 racteristics of animated, talking, and thinking beings ; and 
 others, more resolute, or a little less miserable, than their 
 fellows, were seen staggering about deck, eagerly hastening, 
 every now and then, to the sides of the ship for a purpose 
 not to be named. One wo-begone French Canadian fixed 
 himself in a camp-chair near the chimney, to keep himself 
 warm, and, with a rare heroism of the passive sort, continued 
 to occupy his post nearly to the end of the voyage. By 
 this means he preserved sohk so?; of equilibrium, and held 
 up in the midst of the general d-ioomfiture. For myself, I 
 was as good a sailor .ts any of them ; and much better than 
 the majority. Resolution does great things in these mat- 
 ters. If a voyageur wishes to have a feat of sea-sickness, 
 as an adventure, to put into his book, he may easily obtain 
 one ; the power of sympathy will soon do its work : and, 
 
18 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 .* 
 
 !i|l 
 
 p»«ity of „, 3eii,;ir ; ,t:: : "" ""^ p-^ '"« 
 
 «» «ny of those which excited »hT?''' J"" ^ '<"'"'«>"'« 
 <"• other nerves. For Ivl . ''"«"•'' "' ""'^ "'factory 
 
 "i'io" or desire to descZ tP '""''•^ ™'"'"''"'<' "° "■» 
 »ea-advent«res in Zo^''Z''''"'''''T P«-«- to these 
 temptation to yield, whicTwc"' '""'"""^ ''"'™'l «ve^ 
 -d nearly auigeth'er «" """''""- ^«-"e enough' 
 
 ^ut the effects nf n ' . 
 
 respects, were ve'; IS: T'""':! ">« ^™' '" »t..er 
 »olid material on bothTdlT whenT "'"f '^ '""^ -»<= 
 case, to keep me from rolhW "^ ""'"' • '» the one 
 
 »Wpi and, in the "he° "f T"' "" ''""• ^'d« of the 
 
 catastrophe of tumbling out „„»::«""' """" ^«™»» 
 passengers had the pfeca ',1^ ? "°°''- «<»»« "f the 
 
 fasten a board to preC hett di"!""' f " "'"P™'" '<> 
 »yself in the use of trunks ™d 7 *' """ ^ """tented 
 these means preserved m;''Lll""'^^ ^PP'ianees, and by 
 
 fn>ber creak as if some oir bol a . "' """""^ ^^^^ 
 moment give way, but a simL ttl "^ 1"""' '"'■^' ^'-^-T 
 human frame was equally prod^cl A l' """'"'" "^ the 
 t«tion. This to me la I CIT j ^ ""^ "»■""<"'•»? agi- 
 fon. The motion seemed til" 11 T"'"^ ""^ °^'"^- 
 every possible manner. Now The '1 '' "''^' °»« '" 
 then longitudinal, pulhng alead ZZ""""' "" "''"'^■ 
 wards and forwards, as If J^t^J^'" "'*«"'• hack- 
 -solved to make sport with on! '"' '""'^^ '^^'^ '«- 
 
 thatrLrtyXisrt^^"' ^'-'-=-- «- 
 
 of the genius and the mecha L Zl' T'^'"'" '"^' 
 
 f::eaiSa:;;:ri^^^^^ 
 
rAK'i I.— PERSONAL iNARKATlVK, 
 
 19 
 
 mighty swell which, no doubt, was increased in strength by 
 the accumuhitcd impetus of storms, currents, tides, all 
 flowing in the same direction, and meeting us in all their 
 power. And yet we made way against this combination of 
 adverse elements. We appeared in some sort to beat na- 
 ture in a battle with her micfhtiest forces. How amazing 
 this power! There must be something providential and 
 divine in this. God seems to have bestowed upon man 
 the means of surmounting the difficulties of his position, 
 and of overcoming even the ordinary current and course of 
 his own laws, as they arc developed in tides and winds. 
 We decry miracles ; what is a steamboat crossing the 
 Atlantic, in the midst of opposing powers, but a miracle ? 
 Have we not here a force above nature ? What is this but 
 a miracle, in the sense in which miracles are generally de- 
 scribed ? Is not a miracle the mastery of natural elements 
 by mind, whether immediately by God, or mediately by 
 his commission to man ? Do we not in this, and in simi- 
 lar things, perceive the God of providence intrusting to 
 man a physical and a social power, perfectly distinct and 
 isolated a^ ove the laws of nature, so far as this is con- 
 cerned ? Do we not see the mighty machine, instinct with 
 ai'tificial life, — imparted, it is true, directly by the skill of 
 man, but given to him by the teaching and providence of 
 God, — majestically riding above the storm and the waves, 
 in despite of all opposition ? If in this — may we call it 
 humanized ? — miracle we behold nature beaten in some of 
 her forces and forms of power, why may not miracles, on a 
 higher scale, and for more sacred purposes, wrought by 
 the immediate interposition of God, be true and real ? We 
 are surrounded by mysteries and miracles, if we had eyes 
 to see them ; and certainly one of the most remarkable 
 which are made visible is, that man's skill and science 
 should be able to achieve so great an exploit as to impel a 
 ship of fifteen hundred tons across the ocean, in despite of 
 the united forces of wind and waves. 
 
20 
 
 '^OlJtt IN AMEKICA. 
 
 i' 
 
 m 
 
 Nothing more occurr-d in our n,.r„. j 
 consequenc, till we arrived 1 IZ uT'^. ""'^'^ "^ »"/ 
 "'-" W1...1..S appeared orUnJall."' ^'"'^"•"«"'>"<'. 
 »urf»cc of the mighty deep T'Z '''°"""» »''<>™ the 
 The whales I wJ„ot "mitted .1"""'"'.""'' ■"""••"'^"'■ 
 "■y cabin; but the Hnow-sto™ „ "'\'^'''« <^'"'«"<"' "• 
 witnessed befo.. uZZZTorT " """' "-<"• 
 hours ; during this time it descended ''"'°' "' "f'*"" 
 
 t;t.es which, had they fallen on the ■j"'"'^""^' '" '''"'"■ 
 surface to a greit de„Th.°" Sot""' '"^ '"'^''^■"' 
 of the miserable condition of New Ind, f "''". "" " "°"»" 
 t.a. from which direction it came ^1 '' T"^ '''"''■^''■ 
 appeared, and we continued T '""^"e' ''o^ever, 
 
 dismal scene around ",, ' """•"" '» "'« ""-d^' of the 
 
 of ^: rotirir^r ■'' -i "•" "'^'''' -« -^ 
 
 "oonlight, perambulatrd the le"e ""' '""""''• »"■ ^' 
 to ^t foot again on l^rraZ^i '«"'g much delighted 
 --.being still confined to :;• betr ',""" ""^ P'^ 
 f ':; '" «"'=°""ter the climate whicT a d ""' '"""^ '» 
 had sent us the present of thl "^ "'" '"'o before, 
 
 of » 'ady. who wL abtut'tf LnTaTHTf ^^ ■'""•"""^ 
 Mr. Bennett, our long-tried Jd Tv . "' '^ ''"' ''»«»' 
 
 she told me she was «l I """'" missionary there 
 
 "ea>ly opposite ^l^lZr^'o^'') "»' ""^ hv:d' 
 pleasures, on reachin.r Halif.v ,„ f "^ anticipated 
 -^h this venerable .!nd S„7 '"/f »d -"ve^e 
 other missionaries; but be.W d ^"'f"' ""'"' ""^ 'he 
 tion, nil I could do was to se„^ 1'''"™'' °' ""is gratifica- 
 
 The next day we steamed " I ^ ^ """" salutations, 
 tia, ,.hich was dearly nji'f::^ ""^ ""'''^' °' ^--Seo- 
 the appea^ce of sa d- ,i«s^ and 1^'"^ '"^•'"- ^' ''»'« 
 barren. No doubt a nea er T ? "°'' '''•<'■■'■•)' and 
 different view; and a "rumTr' """"" '■"'" '"'•™" « 
 'o'd, would, in a short'pe L ' .."""'^^ ""'f' ^ *- 
 Have banished the illusio,f altoge e ."^Xtr f' 
 
I'AUT I.— PKRSONAL NAUUATIVK. 
 
 ill 
 
 land again in crossing the Bay of Fundy ; but were cheered 
 by the expectation of seeing the shores of the United 
 States. This expectation of soon hinding produces mighty 
 changes in the appearance of everybody. Countenances 
 which before had been bihous and gloomy, brightened 
 up ; parties whose lips had been closed by taciturn pro- 
 pensities were now opened, and their tongues unloosed ; 
 those who had confined themselves very much in tlieir 
 cabins, spending the time as best they could, were seen 
 stretching their necks on deck, to gain a fust glimpse of 
 land ; and many who seemed, up to this time, to take little 
 interest in those about them, became very friendly. Be- 
 fore parting, a sort of confraternity was established. 
 Family interests and affections appeared to have grown 
 up ; and a number of strangers, who never saw each other 
 before, parted as if bidding adieu to near relatives. These 
 were certainly my own feelings, and I have reason to be- 
 lieve that they were shared by others ; and, moreover, the 
 sight of one of these fellow -passengers now, or at any time, 
 would gladden my heart in a manner very unusual with the 
 casual knowledge of men met with on land. 
 
 While mentioning passengers, justice requires me to re- 
 cord the fact, that, through the whole of the voyage, net 
 the least unpleasantness, in word or deed, arose in any 
 quarter. The captain was a most courteous and kind- 
 hearted man. But to myself favours were shown from 
 other quarters. Perceiving that I was suffering great pain, 
 several young gentlemen, some of Avhom I had reason to 
 believe were officers in the army going to Canada, mani- 
 fested a degree of sympathy and attention not only very 
 agreeable, but surprising, in young men full of life and 
 spirits. But they had just left a home endeared to them, 
 no doubt, by the attachments of parents, sisters, brothers ; 
 and it seemed to be no constraint, either upon their nature 
 or their education, to manifest sympathy and regard to a 
 stranger in suffering. I saw, in some of these young gen- 
 
''i! 
 
 ii.:- ( 
 
 § 
 
 'J't'l R IN AMERICA. 
 pr:4:;l:7;g ™f- ;;,.„ eo„vo.auo„ .ca«ed 
 
 'vhere, but especially si tr.'""' "^''"'" P'^'^ ""J- 
 for as my obse ,.„ J ;° '" '^'^ ""-cumstances. And, so 
 
 "unity on board th. ' A 'adh""""'"'''^ °' "" "«'« ««">- 
 fernal vice. "'"'"' '™« ""'ullied by any ex- 
 
 CHAPTEK Jf. 
 
 mad! Bi„:^''T!af ;„!?"■ ' P"'''^" "' «"=» days, wo 
 
 well fortiaed. One chLT^ ' "^ "^'^'"^ ?»'"'« are 
 ^ completely comtand T '! '" """"''' "'"^ "'^ «orks 
 
 "'« -^ea is e.vceedLly r^clmj "7 "^ *'"^ ""'^ f'"™ 
 S-aten>a«,standi„5onrtnr' T" ''"•"""''"• '''h« 
 -"■e.- the aspect of a' pTacTfifeM "IJ ' '""""'^ *" "'^ o^' 
 numerous cburcbes anS ;:i^r "r' ™f ""--d "y 
 
 sufficiently deep to allow us to nl. ^ ''" '™*'"' was 
 -de the wharf, and step fr„° 1? .""^ """"^ ^--' "long- 
 reached the landing-plLe I ^fi "" ■"; ""^ ''""■'■ ^^« 
 noon, and were glad Vl; o r ™ ^ *"'' '" "«' after- 
 
 The l>«.inessof opelgou: runl; T'" "" ^'"''' '""d. 
 
 oustom-house officers Cltt '"' ''" '^P-""" of the 
 •|u<etly on the outside TZ '^ TT'""='^- ^'anding 
 good friend, Dr. PaSth if iTf' ' "" """""^ ^y ml 
 do something to get 'th offi Lrs 1 "'" '"'^"^ --Vself! and 
 terns, I should be the last of k'T'' ""-^ ?»«■"»»- 
 
 "-- n.v into the dart' tZ ft ' """ ^'"""'' "« 
 
 •■'.vmg. ,,t the .same time, he 
 
PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 28 
 
 on recalled 
 nd homes, 
 existence, 
 piety any- 
 And, so 
 little com- 
 >y any ex- 
 
 >rs' Meeting 
 ate-llouse — 
 k— Railroad 
 Ihe Steamer 
 
 days, wo 
 roach to 
 3ints are 
 e Morks 
 impossi- 
 ty from 
 The 
 the ob- 
 ned by 
 er was 
 
 along- 
 We 
 
 »fter- 
 
 land. 
 |)f the 
 
 ding 
 
 ymy 
 and 
 
 nan- 
 11 be 
 he 
 
 would help me to open them, and speak to one of the offi- 
 cers. Both these kind offices he performed ; and after the 
 man had glanced at the contents, he went away, and Dr. 
 Paley told me I must pay three shillings for the trouble 
 of inspection. 
 
 This business being finished, I wended my way to the 
 Revere Hotel, recommended by Mr. Weston, the American 
 gentleman before mentioned, and found most comfortable 
 accommodation. Having been advised by the doctor to 
 have my face examined by a dentist as soon as I got on 
 shore, the preliminaries of eating and drinking being over, 
 I sent for one of these gentlemen. He was at church, and 
 could not be obtained for some time. It may be proper to 
 mention that the blessed Sabbath appeared, in our passage 
 up the city, to be strictly observed by the descendants of 
 the pilgrim fathers. They have very much changed their 
 creed from stern Calvinism to the liberal system of Chan- 
 ning ; but seem to retain their church-going habits in the 
 midst of the change. The streets were perfectly quiet, 
 few persons were seen in motion, whilst every place of 
 worship was filled with orderly worshippers. It is, how- 
 ever, a painful reflection, that the churches of such men as 
 Cotton Mather should now be occupied by a race who 
 preach a diluted kind of Socinianism. The glory has, in 
 this case, surely departed ; for though the rugged doctrines 
 of the first settlers were not, in our vieAvs, exactly accord- 
 ing to the truth, yet the bold, broad, deep faith of the pil- 
 grims in the verities of grace, the work of the Saviour, and 
 the sovereign providence of God, were certainly infinitely 
 preferable to the meagre and flimsy philosophy now an- 
 nounced in their pulpits. Is not this an instance of reac- 
 tion ? The bow, as in many other cases, was pulled too 
 fav ; and the consequence has been, that the perception of 
 the error has led to a rebound on the other side. 
 
 After divine service. Dr. Hitchcock made his appearance. 
 As soon as he entered he exclaimed, "Whv, I am sure I 
 
24 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 have seen you before. Did not you preach missionary 
 sermons at Jewin-street, London, on such an occasion, and 
 at such a time ?" " Yes, I certainly did," was the reply. 
 ** Ah, then, I heard you ; I was stopping at Mr. Cave's ; 
 and you gave out the words, * Those dark Americans con- 
 vert :' now that was too bad." I had, of course, to ex- 
 plain that the hymn, wliich was composed more than a 
 hundred years ago, could not relate to the European popu- 
 lation of America, but to the aboriginal inhabitants, the 
 Indians. The effect of seeing a man who knew me was 
 like magic. The pain left me, and I willingly took his ad- 
 vice to put off all idea of operations until the following 
 morning. After performing two the next day, this gentle- 
 man generously refused the proffered fee, saying he never 
 took a fee from a minister. 
 
 On Monday morning. Dr. Hitchcock undertook to inform 
 the Methodist ministers of the place that I had arrived. 
 In a short time the Rev. A. Stevens, editor of " Zion's 
 Herald," made his appearance, with a profusion of apolo- 
 gies that none of them had met me on landing, and con- 
 ducted me to the house of one of the friends, who had 
 kindly engaged to find me lodgings in case I landed at Bos- 
 ton. I found this first Methodist minister whom I had the 
 happiness to meet in America, a very intelligent and supe- 
 rior man, full of kind feeling, and prepared to make my 
 short stay as agreeable and instructive as possible. He 
 first took me to the Book-Concern, where the preachers of 
 the city were holding their weekly meeting. They had 
 finished their business ; but I found a dozen or more of 
 these good men, and had much very friendly conversation 
 with them. They put many questions respecting English 
 Methodism, and seemed greatly interested in our aflfairs. 
 In turn, I proposed some queries to them, and obtained in- 
 formation, of which I was before ignorant, respecting the 
 nature of their work, and their modes of proceeding. 
 Whilst this conversation was going on, my good friond 
 
PART I. — PERSONAL NARRATIVK. 
 
 25 
 
 Stevens had hired a vehicle to take me through and round 
 the city. 
 
 We set off in grand style, after the American ftishion, 
 dashing away through the crowded streets, and were not 
 long before we were neatly jammed in the narrow space 
 betwixt the body of a cart and its wheel. The collision 
 broke no bones, and did no damage to our vehicle, though 
 pretty severe, and sufficiently alarming to any one but a 
 Yankee. !.Iy companion drove me to Bunker Hill, the 
 scene of the famous battle of that name, and one of the 
 first fought in the war of independence. The battle-ground 
 is now surmounted by a pillar commemorative of the event. 
 The site on which it stands has not much the appearance 
 of a hill, being only sixty-two feet above the level of the 
 sea. Tlie foundation-stone was laid by La Fayette, on 
 June lYth, 1825, being the jubilee, or fiftieth anniversary, 
 of the battle. Its form is that of an obelisk, thirty feet 
 square at the base, and sixteen feet four and a half inches 
 at the top. The height from the base is two hundred and 
 fcwenty-one feet. At the summit of this pillar is an ellipti- 
 cal chamber, seventeen feet high, and eleven feet in dia- 
 meter, with four windows, commanding a view in the 
 direction of the four points of the compass. Ascending 
 the steps of this monument, we obtained a most magnifi- 
 cent view of the city, the sea, and the surrounding coun- 
 try. The town, or rather three or four towns, as seen from 
 this point, are curious enough. Boston proper is built on 
 a peninsula, three miles long and one broad ; chosen pro- 
 bably as furnishing the means of defence against the at- 
 tacks of the Indians ; so, at least, it struck me at the time. 
 But the moderns have managed to add to it what is called 
 South Boston, formerly a part of Dorchester, and East 
 Boston, anciently Noddle's Island The peninsula had 
 originally an uneven surface, and tlie place received the 
 name of " Trimountain," so called from its three hills. The 
 new portions are connected with the old and principal city 
 
 2 
 
2G 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 I 
 
 it'' 11 
 
 ;:!! 
 
 !!' 1^1 
 
 by various bridj^es and ferry-boats, all of which are seen 
 from the monument. The place may not rtsemble Venice 
 in its chief features, but it is Venetian in the fact of its ap- 
 parently standing, if not in, yet very much surrounded by, 
 water. 
 
 My friend seemed to doubt Avhether I should have the 
 magnanimity to ascend this monument of American prowess 
 and independence, and was evidently surprised when he 
 found that it was my purpose to do so. In such circum- 
 stances, however, I thought the wiser way was to forget 
 past quarrels, and make the best of present opportunities 
 of observation and pleasure. It is of little use to cherish 
 old grudges ; and, certainly, it can indicate nothing but 
 folly for Englishmen and Americans to entertain ill feehngs 
 on account of national difl'erences. 
 
 After descending from the monument, my kind con- 
 ductor hastened to the Common ; a fine piece of ground, 
 ornamented with trees, which is, in point of fact, what we 
 should call " a park." This Common is the public prome- 
 nade of the good citizens of Boston, who resort to it for 
 fresh air and recreation. This place possesses, also, some 
 Methodistie traditionary fame. Let my friend Stevens give 
 the history : — " In the centre of the Boston Common still 
 stands a gigantic elm, the crowning ornament of the beau- 
 tiful scenery. On a fine summer afternoon in July, 1790, 
 a man of middle ago, of a serene but shrewd countenance, 
 and dressed in a style of simplicity which might have been 
 taken for the guise of a Quaker, took his stand upon a table 
 beneath the branches of the venerable tree. Four persons 
 approached, and gazed upon him with surprise while he 
 sancf a hvnin. It Wf > sunff by his solitarv voice ; at its 
 conclusion he knelt down upon the table, and, stretching 
 forth his hands, prayed with a fervour and unction so un- 
 wonted in the cool and minute petitions of the Puritan pul- 
 pits, that it attracted the groups of promenaders who had 
 come to spend an oNeninti' hour in the sliady walks, and by 
 
 lUJW ii >' .mmuM i 
 
 'HM)TW4J»UW. 
 
PART I. — PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 27 
 
 liclx are seen 
 mble Venice 
 iict of its ap- 
 rroundod by, 
 
 lid have tlie 
 ican prowess 
 ed when ho 
 5uch circum- 
 is to forget 
 )pportunities 
 e to cherish 
 nothing but 
 n ill feelings 
 
 y kind con- 
 ! of ground, 
 et, wliat we 
 iblic prorae- 
 :>Yt to it for 
 , also, some 
 Itevens ffive 
 )nimon still 
 the beau- 
 uly, 1790, 
 untenance, 
 have been 
 on a table 
 |ur persons 
 while he 
 |ce ; at its 
 Istretching 
 ton so un- 
 [ritan pul- 
 who had 
 Is, and bv 
 
 tlie tunc he rose from his knees they were streaming in 
 processions from the different points of the Common to- 
 wards him. While he oper^.ed his small Bible, and preached 
 to them without notes, but in the demonstration of the 
 Spirit and of power, the multitud*' grew into a dense mass, 
 three thousand strong, eagerly catching every utterance of 
 the singular stranger, and some of them receiving his mes- 
 sage into ' honest and good hearts.' That bold evangelist 
 was Jesse Lee, — the founder, under God, of Methodism in 
 New-En'Hand. "■•'•' 
 
 After exploring the Common, we visited the State- 
 House, that is, tlu! parliament-house of the State of Massa- 
 chusetts, standing on (devated ground at the upper end of 
 the Common. The House was in session, and, at the 
 time, engaged in their legislative functions. We met, on 
 entering, in one of the lobbies, a tall, athletic gentleman, 
 about sixty, his face and brow beini, .narked with intelli- 
 gence and deep thought. He belonged to the Senate, or 
 Upper House ; and, after shaking hands with Mr. Stevens, 
 was introduced to me as one of our brethren, — a noble 
 Methodist. On leaving the Senate, we entered the House, 
 as it is called, meaning the House of Representatives. 
 We were conducted into the body of the chamber, and 
 took our seats amongst the members. This being the first 
 time I had seen an American legislative assembly, I, of 
 course, felt curious to see and hear all I could. The hall 
 is circular, or semi-circular, the seats of the members rising 
 gradually above each other in amphitheatrical style, each 
 being understood to belong to the gentlemen returned for 
 certain constituencies, and furnished with a desk for the 
 convenience of writing. The debate going on was not very 
 interesting, having relation to a fishery. We heard three 
 or four speakers. There was nothing that could be desig- 
 nated eloquence ; for who could be eloquent a tout catch- 
 
 * Stevens'.s "Nfcmoiials of tlio Iiitrodiictioii of M«'tliodisiii into tlif Eastern 
 States." pp. 1.2. 
 
28 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 ii 1 1 
 
 ing fish ? But we had good sense, and no more imperfec- 
 tions of English and of style than may be heard any day in 
 our own House of Commons. The chamber was nearly 
 full of members ; every man seemed to be attending to his 
 duties, and intent upon the business that was before him. 
 
 We saw here portraits of all the old Puritans of former 
 times ; such as Winthrop, Eliot, ' nd others ; a fine group 
 of noble heads and glorious characters. But the chie** at- 
 traction was a statue of Washington, by Chantrey. With- 
 out pretending to any great skill in the fine arts, this statue 
 arrested me certainly more than any work of sculpture I 
 ever beheld. The form, the drapery, the attitude, the 
 features, the expression, are exquisitely given. The great 
 patriot met, in Chantrey, an artist worthy of himself. By 
 the by, it struck me that some of the features of Washing- 
 ton and John Wesley are much alike. Washington's fea- 
 tures, indeed, seem to be larger and broader than Wesley's, 
 and may not present to view so prominent and beautiful a 
 profile ; but the lower part of the face appears very much 
 to resemble that of Wesley, and the expression is very 
 similar. 
 
 From this central point of interest we made our way 
 through the entire city, and beheld its churches, public 
 buildings, shops, and private dwellings. Some parts of 
 Boston have an air of antiquity, somewhat unusual in an 
 American town. Faneuil Hall, erected in 1742, is much 
 celebrated, and is, in reality, a fine building. The old 
 State-House, at the head of State-street, is also a venerable 
 pile. It was originally built in 1658; and, after suffering 
 from fire, was rebuilt in 1*747. It is said there are seventy- 
 three churches in the city, of various dimensions and archi- 
 tectural beauty. I was most attracted, through the power 
 of association, with those which were occupied by the 
 Puritan fathers. The old churches bear the stamp of the 
 plain, simple, spiritual faith of their founders ; the curious 
 will meet little to gratify taste, but the serious Christian 
 
 'X. 
 
PART 1. — PEKSOiNAL NAUKATIVE. 
 
 29 
 
 re imperfec- 
 i any day in 
 
 was nearly 
 nding to his 
 >efore him. 
 IS of former 
 a fine group 
 he chie^ at- 
 rey. With- 
 !, this statue 
 sculpture I 
 ttitude, the 
 
 The great 
 imself. By 
 )f Washing- 
 ngton's fea- 
 n Wesley's, 
 beautiful a 
 jvcry much 
 on is very 
 
 e our way 
 es, public 
 
 parts of 
 sual in an 
 *, is much 
 
 The old 
 venerable 
 
 suffeiing 
 J seventy- 
 nd archi- 
 he power 
 by the 
 
 p of the 
 curious 
 
 Christian 
 
 
 ■i 
 
 much to elicit reflection. The shops are handsome, and 
 apparently well furnished ; and in the suburbs there are 
 fine private houses. The city of Boston is thought to be 
 more like an English town than any other in the Union, 
 and this opinion is well founded ; but < he resemblance is 
 not exact in all respects. Many of the shops are stores ; 
 the private houses are not laid out in our style, but often 
 much better, being more spacious and airy ; the windows 
 and ventilation are ditterent, being framed to suit the state 
 of the climate ; and the hotels, the accommodation, the 
 attention paid, so far as T was concerned, far exceeded any- 
 thing ordinarily to be met with in England. 
 
 The Bostonians are considered the most intellectual and 
 cultivated community in the United States. But of this 
 my opportunities furnished no means of judging. They 
 seemed, indeed, different from the New- York people ; the 
 latter exhibiting a much more commercial character. But 
 do they excel the people of Baltimore ? Not, it struck me, 
 in gentility of bearing, though they may outvie them in 
 intellectual strength and cultivation. At any rate, they 
 have taken the lead in all social and political movements 
 of any consequence. They form the true Yankee stock, 
 among whom the name originated, and their sentiments and 
 opinions have given law to the whole Union. I just saw 
 the shadow of theii great citizen, Daniel Webster, passing 
 in the street ; who had returned from his senatorial duties 
 to attend the obsequies of a beloved son, who had fallen in 
 the Mexican war ; and, to complete the affliction, it was 
 thought by the time the remains of the son had arrived in 
 Boston, a daughter would have ceased to exist, and be pre- 
 pared to share the same grave with her brother. Guch are 
 the events of every quarter of the world ! Neither talent 
 nor station can ward off the misfortunes and sorrows of life. 
 The people were not wanting in sympathy ; but what sym- 
 pathy can reach such woes as these ? 
 
 The day after visiting Boston, I set out in company with 
 
30 
 
 XOUll IN AMERICA. 
 
 Mr. Stevens, who, with his wife and other parties, was 
 going to New- York, on their way to tlie Conference. We 
 travelled by railroad to New-llavcn. This was the first 
 time I saw an American " railroad-car," as it is called. 
 My reading had furnished me with a good stock of preju- 
 dice, and 1 expected anything rather than an agreeable 
 journey. Bad rails, jolting carriages, disagreeable and 
 odious accommodation, with the likelihood of getting off 
 the line, and being maimed or knocked on the head, were 
 the several ideas which filled my mind. First appearances 
 did not tend to remove these impressions. The carriages 
 looked like great monstrous machines ; the wheels much 
 larger, and the bodies prodigiously higher, than in our own 
 country. These feelings Avere soon dissipated. I found 
 myself in a spacious saloon, with an aisle, or path-way, 
 down the middle, and high enoutjh for the tallest man to 
 stand or walk upright. The seai-b appeared more promising 
 still. They were placed across from the aisle to the win- 
 dow, and intended to hold two passengers each, beautifully 
 lined and cushioned with velvet. These seats were so con- 
 structed as to turn up, and form a sort of family pew, in 
 which the inmates might sit face to face. These compart- 
 ments, so formed, accommodate four persons ; who might, 
 if they chose, hold a friendly t^te-a-t^te as they journeyed 
 on. The saloon is windowed from end to end ; and these 
 windows draw up and down to admit the fresh air, at the 
 discretion of the passengers. Each of these saloons is also 
 furnished with an excellent stove, heated as the weather 
 may require. I know not exactly how many persons one 
 of these rooms will accommodate, but certainly not less 
 than sixty or eighty, and they are generally full. The 
 speed is not so rapid as our first-class trains, but equal to 
 some of those which move at a moderate rate. 
 
 Travelling on, I boo'an to think the thing was not so very 
 bad. Apprehensio jf an overthrow soon gave way to 
 eonfidencc, and, so lar as safety was a question, the matter 
 
PART I.— TEllSONAL xNAKUATlVE. 
 
 31 
 
 was settled. But then tlie great room, and the juxta- 
 position with all these Americans! What of this? 1 soon 
 found occasion to be satisfied with this matter also. By 
 the spaciousness of the saloons, and the means of mode- 
 ratino; the atmosphere as occasion required, we obtained 
 good air; much more so than in the draughts or heated 
 carriciges in our own country. Then, again, the windows 
 being continued from end to end on each side, we were 
 spared the mortifying disappointment always felt when a 
 tine view is within range by one of our lines; we could 
 gaze for a considerable length of time, and to a great ex- 
 tent, upon every object worth notice in the country. The 
 landscapes obtained in this way were often very fine and 
 picturesque. 'J'he state of the country, the progress of 
 cultivation, the buildings and towns, and, in fine, everything 
 going on within sight of our route, might thus be pretty 
 accurately seen. And then to be brought into contact 
 with the people, — what can be so interesting to a traveller 
 as this ? He is in search of living men ; he desires to wit- 
 ness their habits, to judge of their character, to hear their 
 conversation, and to join in it. A "railroad-car" in Ame- 
 rica furnishes fine opportunities for all this. These con- 
 siderations soon put an end to my disquiet of mind, and I 
 began to think that, in this affair, the Yankee had improved 
 on the Englishman ; and that his mode of constructing 
 carriages, and managing milroad business, did no discredit 
 to his sagacity and business talent. 
 
 The country through which we journeyed did not pre- 
 sent many points of interest. The cultivation was on the 
 whole good ; but the soil rocky and poor. The seasoii, 
 I found, was not so far advanced as- in our own country 
 Avhen I left it ; and now, towards the end of April, but 
 little vegetation appeared. The Americans declaim against 
 our beautiful hedge-rows ; I suppose, on the principle of 
 people who, not possessing an advantage themselves, are 
 jealous in the case of others enjoying it. Be this as it 
 
Tl 
 
 I 
 
 82 
 
 TOUll IN AMERICA. 
 
 may, there are few, scarcely any, (juick-set hedges in 
 America ; and 1 was told that tiie Englisii thorn would not 
 grow in their climate. Nothing can be more odious than 
 the fences of the country ; the landscape is perfectly de- 
 formed by their appearance. The farmers employ long 
 pieces of wood, no doubt cut up for the purpose. These 
 are laid lengthwise, crossing each other at the end, and 
 piled up one upon another a sufficient height to keep their 
 cattle from going astray. This mode of fence causes the 
 whole c<nmtry to look like one prodigious wood-yard ; and, 
 in the absence of this wood, stone is employed. The en- 
 closures are of greater or lesser extent, in which cattle and 
 sheep are seen grazing, or corn growing, as the case may 
 be. The villages luid towns on our route appeared very 
 pretty ; the houses being chiefly built of wood, painted 
 white, and the window-blinds green. By these means an 
 air of great cleanliness was secured, and many of these 
 ■wooden buildings rose to magnificence, having a mansion- 
 like appearance. I found afterwards that houses thus 
 built of Avood are capable of excluding wind and weather, 
 and securing as great an amount of comfort and warmth 
 as the more substantial erections of brick or stone. 
 
 Springfield, the seat of one of the government armaries, 
 is a beautiful place ; the whole country having a most pictu- 
 resque appearance, well cultivated, and the soil much bet- 
 ter than any we had passed over. Our line, for many 
 miles, lay by the side of the Connecticut ; and, as this was 
 the first of the great American rivers which I had seen, I 
 felt greatly excited by its appearance. It is a magnificent 
 stream, though vastly infeiior to many which I afterwards 
 visited. The banks arje very beautiful, and rich in meadow- 
 land, studded with farm-houses and peaceful villages. My 
 reading furnished me with some reminiscences respecting 
 the first occupancy of this country by European settlers. 
 How different now to the tune when Indian tribes paddled 
 their canoes in these waters, and disputed with the white 
 
 i 
 
 ^- 
 
"^^W 
 
 I'AKT 1. — PERSONAL NAIIKATIVK. 
 
 33 
 
 hedges in 
 I would not 
 )dious than 
 ■rfectly de- 
 iiploy long 
 ie. These 
 
 end, and 
 keep their 
 causes the 
 ard ; and, 
 
 The en- 
 cattle and 
 case may 
 sared very 
 I, painted 
 means an 
 
 of these 
 
 mansion- 
 
 ises thus 
 
 weather, 
 
 warmth 
 
 ^rraaries, 
 >st pictu- 
 uch bet- 
 many 
 /his Avas 
 seen, I 
 jnificent 
 erwards 
 eadow- 
 My 
 ecting 
 ettlers. 
 addled 
 white 
 
 )r 
 
 s. 
 
 man, by war, by stratagem, by fire and blood, the posses- 
 sion of the soil ! These sanguinary contests had taken 
 place on r'very foot of ground w< were traversing. Women 
 and childrt-fi had b»t7» cut off, and taken into a cruel cap- 
 tivity, in the absence of the men ; and it was not till a vast 
 amouiit of Iniman lifr had been sacrificed, that peace and 
 abundance v ere made to take tlu^ place of a ruthless con- 
 test, which ended in the extirj)alion or banishment of the 
 original lords of the soil. I*eaceful flocks were now graz- 
 ing, watched over bv the children of the villages, where the 
 war-whoop and the scnlping-knife used to hold dominion. 
 
 We finished our railnxui journey at New-Haven, and 
 embarked on board a steamer. Our course lay down the 
 Sound, skirted on one side by the Connecticut shore, and 
 on the other by Long Island. The Sound is a most mag- 
 nificent inlet to New-York from the great Atlantic. Ik*ing 
 now on board an American steamer for the first time, I 
 was intent upon seeing whether the people indulged in 
 those tobacco habits which travellers have almost uniformly 
 attributed to them. We had been pretty free from any- 
 thing otfensive in the railroad car ; and I began to doubt 
 whether the reports were true, or to think they were exag- 
 gerations. I was soon undeceived. The practice in ques- 
 ium was almost general ; and nearly tlie whole deck soon 
 became coloured and almost impassable. Among the rest 
 of the pa.ssengers were two young people, male and female, 
 who were evidently not man and wife, but in the probable 
 way of becoming so. They were very respectable in their 
 appeai-ance and attire, — the young man having the bearing 
 of a farmer of the first class ; and the lady, it is to be pre- 
 sumed, a farmer's daughtt of prepossessing appearance, 
 dressed very genteelly, and withal wearing, what seemed 
 to be pretty generally the fashion in America, a green veil. 
 Our young couple, of course, avoided the public, kept 
 themselves in close quarters in one corner of the deck, and 
 
 were in ardent conversation. In pacing backwards and 
 
 2* 
 

 !l 
 
 I' 4! 
 i . 
 
 • I 
 
 ^i 
 
 TOtK IN AMEUICA. 
 
 forwards, my attention was attracted to this scene ; and I 
 observed tliat tlie youn[( gentl«'man, about every five mi- 
 nutes or less, pou'ed forth a stream of tobacco saHva at 
 the lady's feet. This, it is to be presumed, was by way of 
 libation to his goddess ; it was an offering of love. The 
 thing seemed a perfect matter of course ; and neither the 
 lady, nor anybody else, appeared in the least annoyed. It 
 may hv, as well to dismiss this whole affair at once ; and I 
 am sorry to say, that, though I saw occasion to differ in 
 opinion with American travellei*s on many points, in this I 
 was obliged to agree with them. The deck of steamers 
 icems to be the favourite arena for this kind of exploit. I 
 declare, I saw men, again and again, sitting under the 
 av/nings of their beautiful vessels, when it would have been 
 quite as convenient, and often more so, to pour the con- 
 tents of their mouths into the water as upon the deck; 
 but they invariably preferred the latter, and rendered it 
 next to impossible to move without treading in this liquid 
 nuisance. 
 
 Heaven is always propitious. In the midst of what was 
 so offensive in man, nafiire presented great beauties and 
 glorious scenery on every side. The entrance into New- 
 York harbour on the side we took is very intricate, requir- 
 ing great skill on the part of the pilot. We had to pass a 
 place which English jack- tars, when New- York was a Bri- 
 tish province, designated " Heli-gate," not a very religious, 
 but certainly a very appropriate, name. It is a sort of 
 whirlpool, and the watei*s are much agitated ; while the 
 rocks in the river are of such a nature as to narrow up the 
 channel, and render destruction certain if the exact course 
 is not hit by the pilot's skill. In a bend of this intricate 
 channel we were within an ace of running down a vessel, 
 which, turning the point unseen, and getting into the cur- 
 rent, was rendered perfectly helpless in herself, and was 
 exposed to the instant rush of our steamer. With great 
 promptitude and skill our captain turned his vessel nearly 
 
TAHT I — PEUSONAL NAKIIATIVE. 
 
 86 
 
 cene ; and I 
 ery five mi- 
 co saliva at 
 s hy way of 
 lovo. Tho 
 neither the 
 inoyed. It 
 'nee ; and I 
 to differ in 
 3, in this 1 
 )f steamers 
 exploit. I 
 under the 
 liave been 
 ir tlie con- 
 the deck; 
 endered it 
 this liquid 
 
 what was 
 
 uties and 
 
 to New- 
 
 requir- 
 
 to pass a 
 
 as a Bri- 
 
 rehgious, 
 
 sort of 
 
 hile the 
 
 V up the 
 
 ' course 
 
 intricate 
 
 vessel, 
 
 he cur- 
 
 nd was 
 
 1 great 
 
 nearly 
 
 round, so as completely to avoid the ill- fated ship, and she 
 passed safely down the channel. The sight for some mi- 
 nutes was horrific. I felt perfectly certain, that nothing 
 could save us from being brought into collision ; and, had 
 this taken place, one or both vessels must have gone to tho 
 bottom very near the place so ominously named " llell- 
 gate." We were spared this fate by a grncious interposi- 
 tion of Providence. 
 
 As we advanced, we obtained a good view of the build- 
 ings on the banks of tlie channel. The villas of the citizens 
 of New- York are seen on each side ; and many of them 
 are splendid and superb. The wealthy merchants and 
 others seek repose from business, and invigorated he."^ii, 
 in these princely retreats. Ship-building estiiblishments, 
 of great magnitude, are found in these quarters ; and there 
 is a goodly number of hospitals, asylums, prisons, and 
 places of a similar description in view. New-York harbour 
 itself breaks upon the view of the voyager on turning a 
 promontory, all at once. The sight is dazzling. Nothing 
 can be more imposing than the harbour, the shipping, and 
 the city, thus bursting upon the astonished beholder. 
 
 It is difficult, without drawings, to convey a true idea of 
 this magnificent port — one of the finest in the world. It 
 is necessary to remark, that the city stands upon the fork 
 of two great rivers ; one to the east, called ICast River, the 
 other to the North, called North, or Hudson's River. 
 Opposite this tongue of land, at a considerable distance, is 
 the lower end of Long Island, which has the effect of land- 
 locking the harbour, guarding it from storms, and breaking 
 the swell of the Atlantic. By reason of this contiguity of 
 Long Island, the harbour possesses all the qualities of a 
 prodigious basin, with the tongue, on which New- York 
 stands, projecting into its centre. This fine piece of water 
 is entered by two channels ; the one from the Sound, which 
 we passed, and the other immediately from the Atlantic. 
 This latter entrance is so uar.ow, that it is capable of per- 
 
W :| 
 
 I 
 
 ^ 
 
 36 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 feet defence ; and it seems .impossible for any vessels to 
 pass without being exposed to certain destruction from the 
 raking tire of the batteries. The other inlet to the harbour 
 possesses natural defehces, as no ship of war can ascend 
 the rocky and shallow channel we passed. 
 
 The ships are moored around the tongue on which the 
 city stands, which forms a sort of crescent w'th the out- 
 ward circle projecting into the water. Many hundred ves- 
 sels of all sizes, some of the largest class, lay at anchor 
 around this point of land — if it can be called at anchor — 
 for there is depth of water sufficient to permit them to 
 touch the wharves without the use of the anchor. Here, 
 in crescent form, these vessels lay, apparently all round the 
 lower point of the city ; and many of thorn, ascending the 
 two rivers, find a resting-place on the banks of these beau- 
 tiful streams. From this it will appear, that in case Long 
 Island was removed, New-York would be anything but a 
 harbour ; and it would be altogether indebted to its rivers 
 for a place of shelter for its ships. Long Island is the pa- 
 tron saint of New- York, the guardian of its interests — 
 indeed, the cause of its greatness. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 New- York — Harpers' Piinting and Publishing Establishment — The Methodist 
 Book Concern — Tlie Exchange and Custom-IIouse — Excitement respecting 
 an anticipated Revolution in England— Charitable Institutions— The City — 
 Leave for Baltimore — David Creamer, Esq. — The Journey — New-Jersey — 
 Newark — Princeton— Trenton — The Delaware — Philadelphia — The Chesa- 
 peake Bay. 
 
 On making the land'ng-place we were met by Dr. Bangs, 
 the historian ot Methodism in America, Dr. Corson, au- 
 thor of " Loiteriiigs in various Countries in Europe," and 
 two of the Harpers, who all welcomed our arrival with 
 hearty greetings. I was appointed to take up my residence 
 in the family of Mr. Fletcher Harper, who at once con- 
 ducted me to his hospitable home. Besides Mrs. Harper, 
 
PART 1. — PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 37 
 
 ' vessels to 
 )n from the 
 he harbour 
 can ascend 
 
 which the 
 th tlie out- 
 ndred ves- 
 ■ at anchor 
 anchor — 
 t them to 
 >r. Here, 
 round the 
 nding the 
 iese beau- 
 case Long 
 ing but a 
 ' its rivers 
 is the pa- 
 iterests — • 
 
 Methodist 
 respectiug 
 The City— 
 
 -Jersey — 
 lio Cliesa- 
 
 Bangs, 
 on, au- 
 and 
 il with 
 idence 
 con- 
 tarper. 
 
 sen., I here found a young lady recently married to one of 
 Mr. Harper's sons, a countrywoman, from London, the 
 daucrhter of Mr. Jeremiah Smith. Of course, I was at home 
 at once ; had it not been so, I must have possessed a most 
 morose and misanthropic nature ; for everything was done 
 for my comfort which friendship and ahection could sug- 
 gest. This was the first private family I had been domi- 
 ciled with in America ; and certainly the reception I met 
 with, and the habits of the family, tended to give me a most 
 favourable impression of the virtues of private life in the 
 United States. 
 
 But besides the order, decorum, and happiness, so appa- 
 rent in this Christian family, the house itself struck me as 
 one of the most perfect I had ever seen. Everything in 
 America is executed on the most improved scale of com- 
 mon sense. Not that there is any want of taste, of ele- 
 gance, of decoration ; but the basis of every arrangement 
 seems to be that of utility and comfort. This house, so 
 excellent of its kind, is but a sample of the rest. It stood 
 in one of the streets, was one of a row of houses of the 
 same size and form, and was neither greater nor better in 
 appearance than those by which it was surrounded. This 
 gives some insight into the style in which the higher class 
 of merchants and tradesmen in New- York live. 
 
 I had only two days to spare for visiting the lions in 
 New- York, and therefore set about the business in good 
 earnest. It :s surprising how much may be done in a short 
 time, when resolution and industry are brought into requi- 
 sition. On the first day, my good friend Mr. Harper con- 
 ducted me through the city, showing me first his own 
 establishment, the Methodist Book-Concern, the Custom- 
 House, the Exchange, Trinity Church, Broadway, the land- 
 side of the harbour, visiting several magnificent ships, 
 warehouses, and the rest. 
 
 Mr. Harper's printing and publishing establishment is as 
 remarkable as anything in the way of business can well be 
 
38 
 
 TOUR IN AMEIUCA. 
 
 imagined. Everything is done on the same premises. A 
 great number of presses are at work ; and one, called the 
 "Adams press," from the name of the inventor, is remark- 
 able. It was partly self-acting, an instrument of the nature 
 of pincers, or rather a hand, taking hold of the paper as 
 a roller revolved, and placing it so as to receive the de- 
 signed impression ; which, on coming from under the cylin- 
 der, was received by a child, and placed in order. I 
 understood that this machine could print, if necessary, 
 letter-press to an indefinite length, — if the paper would 
 admit it, of miles in extent. I saAv the workmen forming 
 stereotype plate-models, — a curious process. Vast piles 
 of these plates, having done their duty in time past, were 
 lying in store for further orders. In these extensive pre- 
 mises, a great number of females were employed in stitch- 
 ing, and matters of that nature. These females were under 
 the inspection of a Roman Catholic forewoman, of great 
 intelligence and energy. She was from England, had lived 
 in London ; and, though a Romanist, had strayed into City- 
 Road chapel, and, having heard me preach at that place, 
 at once recognized me, and seemed Avell pleased to see 
 any one from home. We had, on entering the work-room 
 of these females, an example of American character and 
 manners. How did Mr. Harper, one of the principals of 
 the firm, and master of these people, accost them? Did 
 he rudely vociferate his orders in dictatorial and impera- 
 tive language, after the English fashion ? No ! On entering 
 their apartment, he took off his hat, paid them the compli- 
 ments of the morning, inquired after their health, and 
 addressed them by the term " young ladies." Was this 
 affectation ? Not in the least. It had all the appearance 
 of habit ; and certainly in their bearing, dress, the absence 
 of all sluttishness, these females deserved respectful treat- 
 ment. This will be sneered at by many of our countrymen, 
 as a specimen of Yankeeism. Well, be it so ; but, let us 
 ask, Which is the man of breeding, the gentleman ? — the 
 
PART 1. — PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 39 
 
 boisterous, imperious, swearing John Bull, giving his or- 
 ders to his servants as if they were his slaves ? — or ti s 
 American, thus addressing the people who supply the 
 hands, the sinews, the labour, (though he may furnish the 
 genius,) which are creating his fortune ? Besides the exten- 
 sive business transacted at this establishment, these gentle- 
 men have branch-establishments in various parts of the 
 country, on a large scale. 
 
 This firm reprints many English books ; and, having 
 nothing to pay for copyright and authorship, they are 
 enabled to get out and publish our most approved works 
 at a very cheap rate. By reason of these cheap editions 
 of our literature, the fact is that English authors are more 
 extensively known in America than in our own country. 
 The light reading of the day, the leading periodicals, 
 novels, and productions of this class, have a prodigious cir- 
 culation. But standard works by our best writers, whether 
 in history, philosophy, theology, or the sciences and arts, 
 are in universal circulation. This importation of knowledge 
 is, no doubt, a present advantage ; but it sadly militates 
 ao-ainst creative talent in the States, It is, indeed, con- 
 sidering their youth as a nation, and the hard and material 
 work they have to do, a matter of astonishment that the 
 competition is so successful, and that America has furnished 
 so many able writers. 
 
 I was extremely sorry to perceive that the Americans 
 exceed us as a novel-reading people. At every public 
 place, the termini of the rail-road, landing-places of the 
 steamboat, and often on board as well, numbers of lads are 
 found vending this trash. 'J'he people in general, the ladies 
 especially, are continually seen amusing or exciting them- 
 selves by revelling in this world of fancy, often extremely 
 vulgar and foolish. To give an instance : On one of my 
 journeys by railroad, there sat before me a family, consist- 
 ing of a husband, wife, and child, perhaps two years old. 
 This mother and wife, a very genteel and lady-like person. 
 
m 
 
 40 
 
 got hold of one of t] 
 
 «y-fro„ her book the XoCftjl """'^ "''•^'^ "- 
 «'"ch occupied the greater p7r '?!'''?""' "'"^ "•''^^"«<'. 
 '" 'he mean time, had thTr " ''''^- 1''"= husband 
 
 --d. -d he pauef i ' rtdT "' '"" ""''' '•°-'-- I' 
 % '.nd he fanned it • i, " 8!'°^;'>"™our ; it slept on his 
 
 -tieuie to find cake ';, d sX ll f"' '"' '»-''"^<' ' « 
 
 perfect nurse. All this tiZ ""'""''• "'" '^'' ^-^ » 
 
 "b-rbed in her ta,e, a„d ttk „;."", " "" "'""P'«"^'y 
 
 husband or boy; and, infactseeld ' ''°""'' "^ ^'"'«^ 
 
 '-^re present, or that she had rTt""'""'"'""^ «>at they 
 
 one or the other. Th ' nt ^ ^ "'"' '» P^''''"™ towards 
 
 American mind, and irrd:: ''"'''' "'^ ^^""^ '""> ^ 
 effects on a great scale. '^ '^""^ ^'«' ^^ deleterious 
 
 - ^^^:Lr.zs::^'^-^on..r., a ^^e 
 
 extensive, beuig desicr„ed f„ 7 r ' ** P''^"''*''^ "re very 
 P"^Ming dep'artm:- .' ThtlS t °'' ""' ^""""^ -^ 
 Method,st literature in the vZT^ '"' " "■« '=«ntre of 
 'T, this literature is of n . . '''"=^- ^ "^ this ooun 
 
 ^'^e Methodist pres^lir/St^-inotive eha.r,: 
 «Y«^ed in the publication 'fl^ f"«'' "»' exclusively 
 Wy and designed for its :1'™* fT-""^ ^'-om the 
 ™ Jo-nial, and the Methodist O, ! . ""™ ^-^^o^ate 
 t"te the periodical literature o ^^ ""'' ^'''''' ""nsti- 
 hough the fo^er of these "orksm^^'^"'^'""*^'"- »"' 
 'he newspaperform, it partakesm T ' "' W^^ance i„ 
 of a magazine than a'Lewsl7"'',r°''^°^*'^««haracJ 
 ■^.■J^e designates, and ulZ?:!'!^: '""^^ '^ '^hat ij 
 ^^?'"y; The standard ikoCyt^l^ T'" """^'''--We 
 hemg the same a.s o-.,r own U f„n ^"''"^'*' Church 
 
 ^'■: Wesley, a„d the mist' If '/ """ «>« '^"rks of 
 7'ters, constitute the srn ! "^ ""^-'^h^d of „„r EnglL 
 these books are seen'n tlfj \"'' *''^<'«- '^ast P-W 
 -lation through the our'ST"' P-P-edCc^ 
 ">at the instn.cti„n, co^oJCd " '"'"'"^ '° '"'ow 
 
 ' '^'^ ^""ouragement which 
 
''cely Jifted lier 
 tliey travelled. 
 The husband, 
 little boy. It 
 it slept on his 
 ransacked tlie 
 m fact, was a 
 as completely 
 otice of either 
 ious that they 
 'form towards 
 tting into the 
 i deleterious 
 
 cern, a large 
 ises are very 
 printing and 
 ^e centre of 
 n this coun- 
 
 character ; 
 exclusively, 
 g from the 
 
 Advocate 
 ew, consti- 
 lent. But 
 •earance in 
 
 character 
 
 what its 
 asiderable 
 
 t Church 
 
 works of 
 English 
 
 piles of 
 
 i for cir- 
 
 to know 
 wliich 
 
 PART I. — PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 41 
 
 these writings are so well calculated to afford, will alike 
 find their way into the log-hut of the backwoodsman, to the 
 negro in his bondage, to the Indian in his expatriation, and 
 to the abodes of the ore wealthy citizen. 
 
 But though the fathers of the Methodist body on this 
 side of the water are in general circulation, yet the Ame- 
 ricans are not destitute of sterling and valuable writings 
 of their own. Theology, sacred criticism, specimens of 
 pulpit eloquence, biography, narrative, abound among them. 
 But, as in the case of the community at large, the Method- 
 ist body is t^^o busy ; is too extensively engaged in the 
 vocation of the evangelist pioneer ; has too much rough 
 work to accomplish in clearing away rubbish and laying 
 the foundations of their church ; is obliged to carry on 
 operations on too extended a scale, and in the midst of 
 populations demanding incessant pastoral and ministerial 
 care ; to make it possible to devote themselves, in any 
 numbers, and to any extent, to recondite studies. The 
 Methodist press, notwithstanding these disadvantages, is 
 effecting good service for religion, and the progress of 
 general kno'vledge. As their colleges become more effi- 
 cient, as residence and leisure are accorded to the pro- 
 fessors, as facilities for study and learning are furnished, no 
 doubt the religious literature of the church will become 
 progressively much more rich and elevated. 
 
 But at present this Book-Concern must be chiefly con- 
 sidered as a centre of religious llglit and influence, in aid 
 of the living ministry. In this view of the subject it will 
 be seen as possessing immense value and importance. Its 
 immediitce and great purpose is now to promote the work 
 of God, to incite to pious and zealous activity, to confer 
 instruction on the privileges and duties of the religious life, 
 and to point out the way to heaven. It deals but little in 
 speculation. The condition of the Church will not allow 
 of this. It is not sufficiently advanced to find leisure for 
 either the higher or the more polished subjects of religious 
 
42 
 
 ,. ^'^^'^ iN AMJ5RICA. 
 
 literature 'Vha i -i 
 
 ti„„3 Of theo.SS^/;;;;P;-^7, tl,e .fined „,,,„,. 
 
 -;' P'-o»ent, the business o? the Me 1 "' , '^ ''^""dations is, 
 dej-tment they are n.ak , ^ .f'^' ^'■"-''- J" this' 
 ^«ng the vocation of the iS^^^'-^^'S'-'''- ""d- tins 
 devoted to this object I, ""!'""■'>"■ «» "toost eneivy is 
 
 Umon; it-s voice of ^L^J^-^';; -^'-"ities of the 
 wann-ng. is hea,d in telu, '!''"""'"°»' of ■eproof, 
 «ty, of every part of H .'''''derness, the viJh^e the 
 
 fi-, is fnsing^itC 1' ;::::::' v^r "'"■ '*^ ^'-li'a 
 
 «; lessons of divine tmth , r^t , "'' P°P"'-^«»" = ™cl 
 o a p„e, holy, practical C^ZZ ''' '"'''"' "'" »'='^« 
 hHb,tat,ons of this „„n,erons ptl- "' """"'"'"^ '''^ "■« 
 
 In connexion with thn / 
 
 for the »anage„ent of Si::::::;^. '"" — '"ee-roon,. 
 
 •"0 place, ,vith' ,„ elevated Li ".'. " '"*'"'" '"""^ '"'°'' 
 
 'vooden benches for then^embers % " *"™»''. and 
 
 walls of this room were ther, ^^'^P'^'ded upon the 
 
 ™en; B»hop Asbu^ stanC „ ,^ ' '"'S^'"' ^"d sedate 
 bust chamcter and leTaZeT nV'" "^' ^-^ ''- ■'o- 
 v-le picture of Dr. Newton T ^'" P'""'"'' *"» a 
 
 the doctor's visit to t^e State T'""'- "' ""= ti-"" of 
 -ril-tion of his person nd :;"''"« "newspaper de- 
 Pamtersaid, among other th.Cs!^;'" V''"'' "'« "o''" 
 .nhiseye." The author of tbt ,""* *''"'« of the d-1 
 the real painter of our beloved ct': ' '"'°^"' '^''^ "-' 
 "ost certainly put a .ufliclnt i,! f ^"'™ ' '"' ^e has 
 ''- «ye- This is unreal tTe" TZ7 "' ''^ ^"' ""« '» 
 or gmce, has done just the rete ?°" ^^''" ' ""'-re, 
 
 -"h its intelligenc and ge^s !i '''".' T™ *« ""^t eye 
 expression of tn,th and honesty ' *"""' '"'■^"'' ---Ple 
 
 b»iid.Cfiiy Lid':;!':"!: ^^les"'"'";""'-'- ^p'-d.-d 
 
 busmess, and constmcted of 
 
 i „i 'i 
 
rAllT I. — PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 43 
 
 refined abstrac- 
 on tlic foimdft- 
 foundations is, 
 Hircli. In tJiis 
 i-ess ; and, tliis 
 inost energy is 
 reacli tlii-ough 
 mi ties of tlie 
 >n, of i-eproof, 
 e village, the 
 like electrical 
 pulation ; and 
 ying the basis 
 nsively as the 
 
 imittee-room, 
 ain and hum- 
 liairman, and 
 5d upon the 
 shops of the 
 
 and sedate 
 by his ro- 
 mises was a 
 
 le time of 
 
 spaper de- 
 
 the moral 
 
 3f the d — 1 
 
 lave been 
 
 or he has 
 
 vil one in 
 nature, 
 
 that eye, 
 
 t> simple 
 
 splendid 
 icted of 
 
 
 massive blocks of granite. To obtain a new view of the 
 city and harbour, we mounted to the top of one of these 
 edifices, and were well repaid for the trouble. The city was 
 seen to a great extent, with its churches, public buildings, 
 and busy streets ; and the harbour, the sea, Long Island, 
 and the adjacent country, appeared in all their beauty and 
 glory. 
 
 Mr. Harper, who was known to the heads of these es- 
 tablishments, introduced me as an Englishman juat arrived. 
 They were very solicitous for news, and desirous to elicit 
 my opinions respecting our state, and the probabilities of a 
 revolution. We had sailed from Liverpool on the Satur- 
 day previously to the great Chartist meeting held on Ken- 
 nington Common on the following Monday; so thtu our 
 packet carried out the announcement of the intended de- 
 monstration, without its solution. This produced great 
 excitement and apprehension as to the result. These gen- 
 tlemen pressed me a.i to the real facts of the case, ard the 
 probabilities of revolutionary success. This they did, not 
 in the spirit of glorying, or desire of conquest on the side 
 of the Chartists, but, on the contrary, of a real sympathy 
 with our country, and of anxiety for the preservation of 
 the public peace ; but they evidently entertained strong 
 apprehensions. I endeavoured tc dissipate these alarms, 
 anc told them I was certain we should have no revolution ; 
 that the Chartists had no hold in the country, they were 
 mere chaff, a bubble on the surface of the waters, and that 
 the government would gain a very easy victory. *' Well," 
 said they, " the queen is gone to the Isle of Wight ; the 
 ministers must have some reason for dread, or they would 
 not have advised her removal to that place." It was re- 
 plied, that she was partial to that residence, and her cir- 
 cumstances made it necessary for her to seek the quiet and 
 bracing air of that retreat ; that there was nothing at all in 
 that fact. "Well, but then there is Ireland," it was said ; 
 " the Irish are threatening a rebellion ; and will not they 
 
ili 
 
 I ' 
 
 III: 
 
 44 
 
 TO I' It IN AMERICA. 
 
 and the Chartists coalesce, and bring about a revolution?" 
 The answer was, If any other parties had employed the 
 language which the Irish agitators had made use of, there 
 would be reason to fear ; but the bombastic bellowing of 
 these people, which had been heard so loud and so long, 
 would come to very little ; and, moreover, it was question- 
 able whether they would really make any movement at all, 
 inasmuch as the assassin never made his purpose known ; 
 and it was very unlikely that these men would proclaim 
 their rebellious purposes, in case they really intended to 
 revolt. In the course of these conversations the Chartists 
 were called " the people." It was replied, that they were 
 not " the people ;" and that the real people of England 
 were a very different class ; were well satisfied with their 
 institutions, and would certainly defend them, and have 
 the ability to do so successfully. 
 
 From these interviews and convovsations I felt con- 
 vinced, that the class of men with whom I thus casually 
 held intercourse had no sympathy with the malcontents of 
 either England or Ireland ; and that it was their anxious 
 desire that we might 'iscape the dangers which threatened 
 us. Whether my notion be true or not, or to what extent, 
 I know not ; but I certainly fancied, at the time of these 
 conversations, (for in substance they were constantly oc- 
 curring,) that some of the parties seemed somewhat re- 
 lieved of their fears and anxieties. Be this as it may, it 
 was a pleasure to deal fairly by one's country ; and a 
 greater pleasure still, to find that the true, the genuine, 
 the home-born Americans were not so inimical as to desire 
 her overthrow. At dinner with a party of ministers, and 
 other friends, the conversation turned on our institutions 
 compared with the American : and some reflections being 
 in pleasantry made on our queenly office and the aristo- 
 cracy, this called up Mrs. Harper, jun., our countrywoman, 
 who most heroically defended the queen and nobility, na- 
 turalized, as I suppose she was, as an American. Her 
 
PART I. — PERSONAL NARRATIVK. 
 
 45 
 
 I revolution ?" 
 employed the 
 } use of, there 
 bellovvins" of 
 and so long, 
 was question- 
 k'eraent at all, 
 pose known ; 
 uld proclaim 
 intended to 
 the Chartists 
 at thev were 
 ! of England 
 d with their 
 n, and have 
 
 I felt con- 
 
 hus casually 
 
 Icontents of 
 
 beir anxious 
 
 threatened 
 
 i^hat extent, 
 
 le of these 
 
 istantly oc- 
 
 newhat re- 
 
 3 it may, it 
 
 ly ; and a 
 
 e genuine, 
 
 5 to desire 
 
 isters, and 
 
 nstitutions 
 
 ions beinsr 
 
 he aristo- 
 
 rywoman, 
 
 )ility, na- 
 
 an. Her 
 
 kind-hearted father-in-law, I perceived, delighted to put 
 her on the defensive, which always called forth a fine 
 burst of English feeling. How long does it take to extin- 
 guish the love of home, of country ? In fine natures, this 
 can never be effected ; it is an undying, an immortal passion. 
 The next day our good friend Mr. Francis Hall, and 
 other friends, took me to see the charitable institutions be- 
 longing to the city. We visited a hospital, presided over 
 by Dr. Reese, a Methodist physician ; a man of remarkable 
 energ md of great celebrity in his profession. We then 
 made our wp,y to an establishment, a Refuge, half prison 
 and half school, for the reformation of young delinquents 
 of both sexes. This institution we found, also, under the 
 management of Methodists. The matron, a strong-minded 
 and sensible wor.ian, took us to view the female depart- 
 ment ; and from her, as well as from the master on the 
 other side, we were informed that their success was very 
 considerable, that many of the boys and girls, through the 
 influence of this institution, turned out good and virtuous 
 citizens. The Dumb and Deaf Asylum has been so often 
 described by such writers as Basil Hall, Charles Dickens, 
 and others, that it cannot be necessary to enter into de- 
 tails. The inmates, however, are the most interesting 
 class of human beings which can well be met with. Na- 
 ture seems, in some measure, to have compensated the 
 loss of one sense, by giving peculiar delicacy and vividness 
 to others. As everything is done by the eye, this organ 
 seemed to possess extraordinary flexibility and power. 
 The ^vhole soul appeared to throw herself into this bright 
 and beaming orb. Such expression I never saw. Let us 
 mention one incident. I desired the principal to convey to 
 them, by the usual means, our sincere thanks for their 
 kindness in allowing us to put them to the trouble of go- 
 ing through their various exercises for our gratification. 
 The expression on their countenances, and in their gestures, 
 but especially in the eye, when this was conveyed to them," 
 
46 
 
 TOUR IN AMKRICA. 
 
 wns indescribable. At how small a cost is it often in our 
 power to excite emotions of pleasure ! Who would not do 
 this in the case of those who are shut out, by the inscruta- 
 ble providence of God, from so many sources of enjoyment ? 
 But that which most interested me, in this day's excur- 
 sion, was the African Asylum for the orphan children of 
 people of colour. Here, again, we found Methodists en- 
 gaged in the entire management of the institution. The 
 mnster, mistress, and teachers were all of our own persua- 
 sion. The design of the establishment is to provide a 
 maintenance and education for the orphan children of the 
 poor afflicted African race. The name, the wrongs, the 
 colour of these children, I must confess, awakened all my 
 .•sympathies. The building was spacious, and wears the 
 appearance of perfect order and cleanliness ; and the do- 
 mestic portion of the business is evidently well conducted, 
 the children having the look of health and happiness. We 
 were taken into the school-room to see the little orphans ; 
 and what a sight ! They were of all imaginable colours, 
 and nearly of all sizes ; some almost infants, and others 
 nearly growii up. What seemed most astonishing to the 
 ignorant in such matters, was the fact that some of them 
 were, to our unpractised eye, perfectly white ; not exactly 
 the white of the European, but pale, delicate, and very 
 beautiful. The countenance had altogether lost the negro 
 cast, — thick lips, prominent cheek-bones, woolly hair, and 
 all the other characteristics ; and, in their place, the aqui- 
 line nose, black, straight hair, in most cases a beautiful 
 mouth, gave them a Circassian cast, without the florid com- 
 plexion and vivacity of the race. Why these fine and 
 beautiful specimens of human nature are treated as Afri- 
 cans in the United States, and on this flimsy plea cast out 
 of society, who can tell ? Others of these children, how- 
 ever, had retained the perfect African physiognomy, and 
 were as black as jet. Indeed, this interesting group va- 
 ried from white, through every shade of colour, to perfect 
 
PARI I. — PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 47 
 
 t often in our 
 would not do 
 
 the inscruta- 
 f enjoyment ? 
 
 day's excur- 
 1 children of 
 ethodists en- 
 tution. The 
 
 own persua- 
 
 provide a 
 ildren of the 
 wrongs, the 
 ened all my 
 
 1 wears the 
 and the do- 
 l conducted, 
 piness. We 
 le orphans ; 
 ble colours, 
 
 and others 
 ing- to the 
 ne of them 
 not exactly 
 and very 
 the negro 
 Y hair, and 
 , the aqui- 
 beautiful 
 lorid corn- 
 fine and 
 d as Afri- 
 a cast out 
 ren, how- 
 omy, and 
 yroup va- 
 o perfect 
 
 ebony. There sat one little creature at her desk, scarcely 
 high enough to reach its edge, perfectly black, and an 
 inimitable picture of docility and happiness. The image 
 of this child can never be forgotten ! Poor Africmi, it had 
 no consc'ousness of misfortune or trouble, of degradation 
 and injuiy ! To know that that innocent little creature 
 must grow up in the midst of a s^ -^tem of proscription, and 
 be punished jis long as life shall renmin, for no other ima- 
 ginable crime than the colour of its skin, is painful to think 
 f)f, but absolutely certain. 
 
 These forlorn i;hildren were put through their school- 
 exercises, and evinced no deficiency of intellect, but, on 
 the other hand, great acuteness and aptitude to learn. The}' 
 sang us some of dieir sweet and pathetic ditties, having 
 relation to their circumstances; which, with the thought of 
 their fate, went to the bottom of one's soul, and stirred 
 every emotion. Being presented with some little gratuity 
 to procure them sweetmeats, their happiness seemed com- 
 plete ; and we took our leave in the midst of their child- 
 like^ farewells ; but on our own part with something more 
 than even rowerful emotions. 
 
 On our return we called to sec the Croton water-works, 
 connected with a remarkable aqueduct of that name, thirty- 
 three miles in length, thrown over gullies, rivers, valleys, 
 ravines, and all sorts of impediments, to the point which 
 we visited ; from whence it pours its life-giving streams by 
 innumerable pipes through the entire city. 
 
 'J'he city of New-York, the commercial metropolis of 
 America, bears all the marks of increasing wealth, and of 
 a great destiny. Its mercantile establishments, its banks, 
 its shops, its hotels, are on the most magnificent scale. 
 Wall-street, Broadway, and other streets, are equal to any- 
 thing which can be imagined, as thoroughfares and places 
 of business. The public buildings, except those which are 
 connected with tr.vde, are not first-rate. Romanism never 
 established itself in this plaro ; and Romanism alone, of all 
 
48 
 
 TOUR IN AMKRICA. 
 
 relii^ious systems, has left great ecclesiastical monuments 
 behind it : where it 1ms not prevailed, we look in vain for 
 any splendid specimens of anticjuarinn grandeur. Here are 
 pretty churches ; as Trinity, a very beautiful specimen of 
 architecture ; but it is like an infant in a costly dress, com- 
 pared with the old remains of Europe. Aristocracy, an- 
 other element of greatness, which has left behind noble 
 remains of feudal grandeur, never obtained here ; and is 
 now more out of vogue than ever. We have no venerable 
 castles, manor-houses, mansions, from this (juarter. Riches 
 ivill produce their accustomed results at a future day ; 
 but not yet. At present the laws of property dissipate 
 large fortunes, by dividing them equally among children ; 
 and even the demi-aristocracy, such as it was at the pe- 
 riod of the Revolution, is now very much brourjht down to 
 the American level. It seemed strange, in such a city, to 
 see no gentlemen's carriages with footmen in livery. They 
 may, for aught I know, exist to some extent ; but as far 
 as I recollect, I never saw one. This may be considered 
 a good or an evil, according to the taste and notions of 
 men ; but to people who witness these pageants so con- 
 stantly and in such numbers in this countiy, the contrast 
 is striking. 
 
 The streets of New-York are very spacious ; and what 
 adds much to their beauty and comfort, is found in their 
 being planted with fine chestnuts and poplars, which throw 
 their agreeable shade over the foot-passengers. 
 
 I had no opportunity of attending any religious service, 
 so that I cannot speak on such questions as pulpit elo- 
 quence, the manner of conducting worship, the numbers 
 and spirit of the auditors, and the fervour or decorum ob- 
 servable in these assemblies. But the people and minis- 
 ters w hom I had the pleasure of meeting, appeared to me 
 to be very intelligent, thoughtful, and eminent Christians. 
 Our people, indeed, were going to regard the day I left as 
 a day of fasting and prayer, for God's blessing on the Con- 
 
PART I.—PKRSONAL NARRATIVK. 
 
 46 
 
 monuments 
 c ill vain for 
 r. Here jire 
 ipccimcn of 
 dress, com- 
 tocracy, an- 
 ehind noble 
 Rre ; and is 
 10 venerable 
 ter. Riches 
 iiture day ; 
 ty dissipate 
 ig children ; 
 at the pe- 
 ;ht down to 
 h a city, to 
 ery. They 
 i but as far 
 I considered 
 notions of 
 ts so con- 
 he contrast 
 
 and what 
 d in their 
 |iich throw 
 
 b service, 
 [iilpit elo- 
 numbers 
 joriim ob- 
 md minis- 
 id to me 
 /hristians. 
 I' I left as 
 the Ton- 
 
 fercnce ; — ft most laudal)le arrangement. They urged mo 
 to stay to preach, whicli I desired to do ; but had I done 
 80, I must liavc sacrificed Washington ; and tliis could not 
 be thought of. Hence, after hpending two of the most 
 interesting days of ray e*'"*^nce, I prepared to start for 
 Baltimore on the Friday j.\ : rig. 
 
 Our party consisted of Itev. James Porter, a presid- 
 ing elder in one of the New -England Conferences, and au- 
 thor of a good and heart-stirring little volume, called " The 
 True P>angelist," — and David Creamer, Esq., a merchant 
 living at Baltimore, with others. This gentleman left an 
 employment dear to his heart, at New-York, for the pur- 
 pose of accompanying me to his native city. He had been 
 employed for several years in studying the hymns and po- 
 etry of the Wesleys ; and was, at the time, employed in 
 bringing out a work, partly historical and partly critical, 
 through the press, on this interesting subject. He had 
 spared neither trouble nor expense in the pursuit of his 
 object, employing all sorts of agents in Europe to collect 
 every edition in existence of Charles Wesley's poetic effusions. 
 I am not able to give an opinion of this work, as it was 
 not published at the time I left ;* but from a portion of 
 " copy" shown me on our route, I judged it would prove 
 an acceptable and useful addition to the literature of the 
 American Methodist Church. It had been submitted to the 
 inspection of a committee of the Baltimore Conference, who 
 reported favourably, and the Conference recommended the 
 work to the public. This gentleman, like all fine enthusiasts, 
 seemed to live in Wesleyan poetry. It was his ideal of 
 everything beautiful and glorious ; his mind was fascinated 
 and absorbed in his theme ; ne discoui-sed not of politics, 
 or merchandise, or material things, but of Charles Wesley, 
 of sacred songs, of metres, sublimities, and devotional praise 
 to God. It was really refreshing to see a young man, a 
 
 * [The work has since been published, underthe title of Methodist Hymnok)- 
 gy; and is now on sale ..t the Methodist Boole Conrern.l 
 
 o 
 •J 
 
i 31 
 
 50 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 (M 
 
 merchant, in active life, enabled to turn his thoughts so 
 completely from " buying, and selling, and getting gain," 
 a<5 to devote his time and energies to a subject so delicate 
 and sacred. But these Americans are an amazingly ener- 
 getic race ; and, besides, everybody has scope, room, en- 
 couragement. To develop everything having life, soul, 
 intellect, seems to be the American principle, whether 
 found in poetry or prose. The public, and the churches 
 as well, glory in any man, no matter whether lay or cleric, 
 belonging either to the category of talent or piety. Their 
 rule evidently is, to give everybody a chance, to foster, to 
 prompt, to lead on, and make the best of every one's facul- 
 ties and power. Talent is sure to meet with a market ; it 
 is admired, applauded, honoured, and, when connected 
 with piety and goodness of character, cannot fail to elevate 
 its subject to an honourable position in the Church. 
 
 Our route lay through a portion of New-Jersey, em- 
 bracing Jersey City, Newark, New-Brunswick, Princeton, 
 Trenton — famous in the history of the American war, as 
 the scene of one of Washington's victories, and the capital 
 of New-Jersey. Hero we crossed the belaware into Penn- 
 sylvania, and travelled by its western bank to Bristol, and 
 thence to Tacony. This town is six miles above Phila- 
 delphia, where we embarked on board a steamer, and 
 reached the city. by water. The scenery was most magni- 
 ficent ; made so by the breadth and sweep of the river ; 
 the banks being rich, fertile, varied, and well cultivated ; 
 and, moreover, studded with excellent houses, and beauti 
 ful mansions and villas. There stood the Quaker city, 
 peering towards skies as bright as those of Italy, resting 
 on the bosom of a country as fertile as imagination can 
 conceive ; touching one of the finest rivers and baj'^s in 
 the world ; receiving and giving a rich and varied com- 
 merce ; and presenting to view the general aspect of in- 
 dustry, virtue, peace, and happiness. It seems impossible 
 that Wtlltam Penn, the oreat Qu!ikc}-, could have solcrtod 
 
PART I. — PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 51 
 
 ;houghts so 
 iting gain," 
 
 so delicate 
 lingly ener- 
 
 room, en- 
 ■ life, soul, 
 e, whether 
 e churches 
 ij or cleric, 
 sty. Their 
 
 foster, to 
 ane's facul- 
 
 market; it 
 connected 
 
 1 to elevate 
 
 rch. 
 
 ersey, em- 
 Princeton, 
 
 an war, as 
 the capital 
 into Penn- 
 ristol, and 
 •ve Phila- 
 raer, and 
 st magni- 
 
 |the liver; 
 
 ultivated ; 
 
 id beauti 
 ker city, 
 
 |y, resting 
 
 lation can 
 baj'^s in 
 ied com- 
 et of in- 
 iipossible 
 splcctcd 
 
 
 a filler site for his city. If anything can be perfect in 
 this world, one would say Philadelphia presents a perfect 
 ground-plan and locale for the abode of man. This is 
 considered by the Americans themselves as their most 
 beautiful city. Taken as a whole, it may be so. The as- 
 semblage of favourable circumstances seems complete. 
 Earth and sky, land and water, all combine to produce this 
 effect. Nature has certainly selected this spot as for the 
 purpose of showing, in the beauties of even a ruined world, 
 some faint outline, some faded image, of what Paradise 
 must have been. 
 
 But yet I did not like Philadelphia as a city. It is too 
 uniform ; a beautiful landscape cannot be imagined with- 
 out variety. Is not this principle of variety equally neces- 
 sary in everything else having extent, space, magnitude ? 
 A city is not like a cottage, a lodge, a little box. There 
 may be uniformity, and yet taste may not be offended ; 
 but place these neat boxes in a row, in a straight line, of, 
 say a mile or two long, Avithout anything to relieve the 
 eye, and then it will be found that the straight line without 
 a curve, the uniformity of buildings, unbroken by any 
 variation in height and elevation, streets crossing each 
 other at right angles, and at equally measured distances, 
 produces impressions which are not in agreement with our 
 notions of the beautiful. The houses, indeed, are not ex- 
 actly uniform ; but the streets are perfectly so, securing 
 ventilation and a good circulation of air, but giving the 
 notion of a town in livery, dressed in the prim costume of 
 the people who founded the city. The Quaker mind has 
 left its impress on the material form of their city ; though 
 it is to be feared the Quaker spirit has long since evapo- 
 rated. I saw very few persons in the garb of Friends ; 
 though some few were observed passing along in grave and 
 sober dignity. The population is now perfectly miscella- 
 neous, as much so as any other place, and its peculiarities 
 are onlv seen in the town itself. 
 

 
 
 II ; 
 
 II ii 
 
 62 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 The Friends, in their own home, have been far outstrip- 
 ped by other religious denominations. 
 
 Time would not allow us to remain long. I had only an 
 opportunity of running into one or two public buildings ; 
 of passing down a few streets, so as to obtain a general 
 idea of the place ; of getting a hasty dinner, and then start- 
 ing oflf towards Baltimore. I promised myself the plea- 
 sure of a second visit, which could not be accomplished ; 
 so that my adieu to Philadelphia proved to be final. 
 
 We travelled partly by railroac and partly by steam, 
 which, by reason of the diversiu both as to mode and 
 scenery, is very pleasant. In this excursion we crossed or 
 sailed upon the Delaware, Elk river, the Patapsco, and 
 Chesapeake Bay. The latter, on the portion we traversed, 
 had widened into a sea, and had a most magnificent ap- 
 pearance. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Baltimore and Wasliington— The City and Capitol— The Senate—General Cass 
 — Captain Fremont— Mr. Calhoun, &c. — The House of Representatives—' 
 Debate— Visit to the President— To the Vice-President— The National Insti- 
 tution — Baltimore — The Sabbath — The aristocratic air of the place — Leave 
 for Cumberland — Slavery — Harper's Ferry — Cumberland— The Alleghany 
 Moimtains — A Mirage on the Mountain — Brownville — The Monongahela — 
 Scenery of the banks. 
 
 We reached the city after dark, having travelled one hun- 
 dred and eighty-four miles. We were met by the Rev. 
 Thomas B. Sargent, who conducted me at once to my 
 appointed place of abode, the residence of a widow lady 
 of the name of Wilkins, with three or four daughters, and 
 a great number of Mack servants. This lady, I found, had 
 entertained the Rev. Richard Reece, Dr. Hannah, Dr. New- 
 ton ; and, in fact, all our brethren who had -isited the 
 States as a deputation from England. She evidently re- 
 tained a very pleasant recollection of these visits. Her 
 eulogies of the venerable and Rev. Richard Reece were 
 
PAKT I. — PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 m 
 
 outstrip- 
 
 -d only an 
 >uildings ; 
 a general 
 hen start- 
 the plea- 
 aplished ; 
 al. 
 
 J steam, 
 lode and 
 rossed or 
 >sco, and 
 raversed, 
 icent ap- 
 
 meral Cass 
 mtatives — 
 ional Insti- 
 ce — Leave 
 Alleghany 
 )Dgahela — 
 
 ne hun- 
 le Rev. 
 
 to my 
 w lady 
 rs, and 
 id, had 
 
 New- 
 Bd the 
 tly re- 
 Her 
 ? were 
 
 perfectly enthusiastic. His fine person, urbanity, piety, 
 and labours, had left a deep impression on her mind. Nor 
 had the excellent qualities of the oth'^r brethren been less 
 cherished. Indeed, they were recollected with great ad- 
 miration by all. The eloquent labours of Dr. Newton will 
 not lose their impression at Baltimore, nor indeed at any 
 other place he visited, during the existence of the present 
 generation. They are engraven indelibly on the hearts of 
 many hundreds and thouands of grateful and admiring 
 people. Dr. Hannah was a young man at the time of his 
 visit ; but many of the preachers especially speak of his 
 sermons as amongst the best and most finished specimens 
 of pulpit eloquence they ever heard. I found, indeed, that 
 the ministrations of all my predecessors had left a most 
 happy fragrance behind. Their memory is cherished, their 
 services affectionately appreciated, their mission honoured, 
 the bonds of brotherhood strengthened, and the character 
 of England, as well as English Methodism, is judged of 
 by these specimens of the manners and spirit of the father- 
 land. It became evident to me, that the religious public, 
 our own people at least, are not disposed to take their 
 cue of England from newspapers, political sources, or the 
 disputes of diplomacy ; but from the men of their own 
 community who may be sent over, and from the general 
 body of Methodists. 
 
 I had known li^r. Sargent in both England and Ireland, 
 on his visit to this country, as the companion of Bishop 
 Soule. His fine spirit had lost none of its elasticity, or 
 depth of affection. His recollections of our country, of 
 the men he had met with, of the conference, of any, the 
 least, attention which had been shown him, and the plea- 
 sures which fell in his way, all lived, most vividly, in his 
 warm and ardent mind. It is delightful to meet with such 
 specimens of Christianized human nature. I blush to 
 think of the affection and kindness he manifested to me. 
 It embraced everything. It seemed to be the entire busi- 
 
54 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 h' ■ 
 
 i I' 
 
 ness of his life, for the time being, to make my visit as 
 agreeable, as insiructive, as profitable, as possible. The 
 charm such a spirit throws over everything enhances its 
 loveliness ten-fold. It puts life, vivacity, dehj^ht, and joy, 
 as well as piety, into the most ordinary transactions ; and 
 seems to add grace and beauty to every subject of con- 
 versation, to every object seen. It is a kind of music in 
 the midst of the solitudes of nature ; a joyous fragrance 
 intermingled vf'ith her productions ; sunshine thrown upon 
 all things c " earth. To meet with such a man is worth 
 crossing th Atlantic; and to have made his friendship, 
 gives a new zest to life, and increases one's hope of aug- 
 mented happiness in immortality. 
 
 This dear friend soon fell in with my desires tc 3e 
 Washington +he next day, and made instant arrangements 
 to accompany ue there. M-*'^ travelling companions, the 
 Rev. J. Porter, and Mr. Creamer, agreed also to be of the 
 party ; and we set out by the first train for the capital. 
 The distance is forty miles, which we soon reached. We 
 had six or eight hours to remain, feeling obliged to return 
 the next day, which was Sunday, when I had engaged to 
 preach in Baltimore. " What can be done in seeing the 
 metropolis of a great republic in six or eight hours ?" some 
 one will say. Let us see. 
 
 But before we proceed, it may be as well to remark, 
 that this capital is very unlike London^ or any metropoli- 
 tan city of any of the nations of Europe, indeed, of many 
 of the older cities of the New World itself. It is a great 
 unfinished village, laid out on a magnificent scale, but re- 
 maining for completion. The points of attraction are, con- 
 sequently, few, and easily reached. 
 
 The following account of Washington is, in the main, so 
 :accurate, that we cannot do better than insert it : — 
 
 " The city is laid out on a plan of great magnitude, and 
 will, if the design of the founders be carried out, and their 
 anticipations realized, be a magnificent memorial of the 
 
PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 65 
 
 ly visit as 
 ble. The 
 hances its 
 , and joy, 
 ions ; and 
 5t of con- 
 music in 
 fragrance 
 3wn upon 
 is worth 
 •iendship, 
 e of aug- 
 
 s tc 3e 
 igements 
 ions, the 
 be of the 
 I capital, 
 pd. We 
 o return 
 raged to 
 eing the 
 some 
 
 remark, 
 tropoli- 
 f many 
 a great 
 but re- 
 ■ G, con- 
 
 lain, so 
 
 e, and 
 i their 
 of the 
 
 great man from whom it is named, and a city, the gigantic 
 proportions of which shall harmonize with the power and 
 extent of the mighty republic of which it is the capital. 
 The ground on which the city is built has an elevution, for 
 the most part, of about forty feet above the level of the 
 river. The streets cross each other at right angles, those 
 running north and south being intersected by others run- 
 ning east and west. The different parts of the city are 
 connected by broad avenues. When the intersection of 
 these avenues with each other and with the streets would 
 form many acute angles, rectangular or circular spaces are 
 left. The avenues and principal streets radiate from im- 
 portant public points, and are from one hundred and thirty 
 to one hundred and sixty feet wide. The former are 
 named after the States of the Union ; the latter, beginning 
 at the capitol, are ranged in the order of the letters of the 
 alphabet; as A North and A South, B North and B South, 
 &c. ; an'', east and west, they are designated by numbers, 
 as 1st East, 1st West, (fee. Pennsylvania avenue, from the 
 capitol to the President's house, is the most compactly 
 built, and much the handsomest, thoroughfare in the city. 
 Of the avenues, five radiate from the capitol, and five others 
 from the mansion cf the president ; thus affording these 
 prominent places the readiest communication with all parts 
 of the city. 
 
 " Of the public buildings of Washington, the capitol, 
 situated near the centre of the city-plot, on Capitol Hill, 
 is the most splendid. This edifice, in its ample propor- 
 tions, in the style and execution of its architecture, and in 
 its embellishments, both exterior and interior, is believed 
 not to be inferior to any senate-house in the world. Elevated 
 seventy-two feet above tide-water, it affords a command- 
 ing view of the city and the surrounding country. From 
 its immense size, and its elevated position, it is the first ob- 
 ject that fixes our attention on approaching the city. The 
 building, which is of freestone, occupies an area of more 
 
llh 
 
 » 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 than an acre and a half. Including the wings, the front 
 is three hundred and fifty-two feet in length, and the depth 
 of the wings is one hundred and twenty-one feet. The 
 projection on the east or main fronts including the 
 steps, is eighty-five feet wide; and that on the wee>t, 
 with the steps, is eighty-three feet. The projection on 
 the east front is omamer.ted with a splendid portico 
 of twenty-two lofty Corinthian columns ; and a portico 
 of ten columns in the same style adorns the west pro- 
 jection. In grandeur of design, and beauty of execu- 
 tion, the portico in the eastern front has no superior. To 
 the top of the dome, the height of the building is one hun- 
 dred and twenty feet ; the rotunda in the middle of the 
 building, under the dome, is ninety-five feet in diameter, 
 and the same in height. From the cupola which crowns 
 this apartment, there is a fine view of the city and sur- 
 rounding country. The walls of the rotunda are adorned 
 with magnificent paintings by Trumbull, the figures being 
 as large as life. These fine national pictures represent in- 
 teresting incidents in American history, — the Presentation 
 to Congress of the Declaration of Independence ; the sur- 
 render of Burgoyne ; surrender of Cornwallis ; and Wash- 
 ington resigning his Commission. Congress has recently 
 further enriched the rotunda by the addition of two fine 
 paintings, — the Baptism of Pocahontas, by Chapman, and 
 the Embarkation of the Pilgrims, by Weir. This room is 
 also adorned with sculptures, in alto relievo, representing 
 the rescue of Smith by the interposition of Pocahontas ; 
 the landing of the Pilgrims ; Daniel Boone's conflict with 
 Indians ; and Penn treating with the Indians at Coaquenac. 
 To other attractions of the rotunda has lately been added, 
 Greenough's splendid statue of Washington, a colossal 
 figure, in a sitting posture, twice as large as life. Th*" 
 library-room of the west of the rotunda is ninety-two feet 
 by thirty-four, and thirty-six feet high, and contains up- 
 wards of twenty-eight thousand volumes. There is here 
 
9 
 
 the front 
 
 he deptli 
 
 et. The 
 
 ling the 
 
 \ie wedt, 
 
 Jction on 
 
 portico 
 
 I portico 
 
 ^est pro- 
 
 f execu- 
 
 ior. To 
 
 one hun- 
 
 e of the 
 
 liameter, 
 
 crowns 
 
 and sur- 
 
 adomed 
 
 es being 
 
 psent in- 
 
 entation 
 
 the sur- 
 
 Wash- 
 
 •ecently 
 
 ivo fine 
 
 m, and 
 
 'oom is 
 
 senting 
 
 lontas ; 
 
 5t with 
 
 uenac. 
 
 dded, 
 
 lossal 
 
 Th- 
 
 o feet 
 
 \s up- 
 
 here 
 
 PART I.— PERSONAL HAHRATIVE. 
 
 57 
 
 also a valuable collection of historical medals, designed by 
 Denon, the Egyptian traveller; and paintings, statuary, 
 medallions, &c., arc distributed about the room. The 
 senate-chamber, in the northern wing, is seventy-eight feet 
 long, and forty-five high, and of a semicircular form. The 
 vice-president's chair has a canopy of rich crimson dra- 
 pery, held by the talons of an eagle. In front of the vice- 
 president's chair is a light bronze gallery, chiefly appro- 
 priated to ladies. Above and behind the chair is a gallery, 
 supported by fine Ionic columns of variegated marble, 
 from the Potomac. The walls richly ornamented with 
 btucco, the magnificent chandelier, the gorgeous lamps and 
 furniture, &c., give the room an imposing appearance. 
 Adjoining the senate-chamber, is the office of the secretary 
 of the Senate. Under this room is the apartment in which 
 the Supreme Court holds its sittings. It is nearly as large 
 as the senate-chamber, but is much less elegant. The hall 
 of the House of Representatives, in the south wing, is 
 semicircular, like the senate-chamber, but larger, being 
 ninety-six feet long and sixty feet high. The dome of the 
 hall is supported by twenty-four beautiful columns of the 
 Potomac marble, with capitals of • Italian marble, of the 
 Corinthian order. The seats are so arranged that the 
 members face the Speaker, whose chair is considerably 
 elevated above the floor, and approached by avenues that 
 radiate from the chair as a centre. A gallery for men sur- 
 rounds the circular wall opposite the Speaker ; and that 
 appropriated to ladies is in the chord of the arc at the 
 back of the Speaker's chair. The room is ornamented, 
 like the senate-chamber, with fine statuary and paintings, 
 and its whole appearance is imposing and elegant." 
 
 Such is the capitol. Some persons look upon objects 
 of art as connoisseurs, having some knowledge of its ^)ro- 
 ductions ; others judge of everything merely by such sense 
 and feeling as nature alone supplies. There are advan- 
 tages and disadvantages in both cases. The connoisseur 
 
 3* 
 
■ \l 
 
 68 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 will be able to detect flaws, blemishes, and beauties, which 
 the other will not be able to see ; but the latter will be 
 capable of a true impression, as a whole, which the critical 
 taste of the former may prevent. Without any pretensions 
 to be a connoisseur, we may be allowed to refer to such 
 impressions as these various objects made at the time. 
 
 Some of the pictures were found to be very impressive, 
 from the grandeur of the ideal. I was struck with what 
 seemed to me to be a very delicate design in the picture 
 representing the surrender of Cornwallis. Washington is 
 placed in the back-ground, on horeeback, at a considerable 
 distance, looking on with intense interest, while an inferior 
 officer approaches the British commander, for the purpose 
 of receiving his sword. But, when near, instead of de- 
 manding the sword, he is seen stretching out his hand, and 
 offering it in friendship and peace to the vanquished general : 
 the effect is irresistible. Cornwallis is subdued ; serenity 
 and benignity beam in his countenance, and the two ene- 
 mies meet as brothers. The surrender of his sword, by 
 Oeneral Burgoyne, is perfectly different. The American 
 officer is seen approaching in an imperious and commanding 
 attitude ; and Burgoyne is represented as giving up his 
 sword under the influence of tumultuous passions, resent- 
 ment, pride, and contempt, though conquered. Such is 
 the fate of war. Here are two high-minded soldiers, the 
 pride and glory cf the British army and nation, surrender- 
 ing themselves and their glories to men, no doubt, whom, 
 when they took the field, they considered a despicable foe ; 
 probably, not as soldiers at all. Great issues turned on 
 these two events, — the independence of America, and the 
 humiliation of England. 
 
 The pictures of the embarkation and landing of the Pil- 
 grims are exquisitely impressive. In the first, the minister 
 of the church in Holland, the Rev. John Robinson, who 
 could not sail with the first expedition, on account of the 
 duty of taking care of the flock left behind, is seen in the 
 
 ) 
 
PART I.— PERSONAL NAKUATIVE. 
 
 50 
 
 ies, which 
 er will be 
 he critical 
 retensions 
 * to such 
 time, 
 opressivc, 
 vith what 
 e picture 
 lington is 
 isiderable 
 n inferior 
 
 purpose 
 d of de- 
 and, and 
 general : 
 
 serenity- 
 two ene- 
 yord, by 
 merican 
 Handing 
 
 up his 
 
 resent- 
 Such is 
 3rs, the 
 render- 
 
 whom, 
 )le foe ; 
 ned on 
 md the 
 
 he Pil- 
 linister 
 I, who 
 of the 
 in the 
 
 attitude of prayer, bare-headed, with outstretched hands, 
 and eyes lifted up to heaven. At a short distance there 
 sits a venerable figure, tlie personification of calm, contem- 
 plative, abstract, and believing piety, — his hand resting on 
 the pages of an open Bible, through whose sacred teaching 
 he appears to be looking into the invisible, the future, the 
 divine, with unruffled composure and hope. A little in the 
 back-ground the form of a matronly female (a real character 
 who distinguished herself greatly by her piety and forti- 
 tude) is exhibited in the costume of the times, attending, 
 with profound and reverent looks and feelings, upon these 
 devotions. Groups of children and young people hang 
 around, with a mixture of awe, surprise, hope, and youthful 
 joy, depicted in their countenances. I never saw religion 
 mateiiahzed so perfectly as in this picture : it cost an effort 
 to get away. All the graces may be said to have their 
 type in this canvass. Wisdom, devotion, faith, meekness, 
 love, courage, hope, all beam in those heaven-illumined 
 countenances. They appear as if they had some fore- 
 thought, some prescience, of their great destiny. Any 
 looker-on would think that they were either dressed in 
 their bridal robes for the " wedding-supper of the Lamb," 
 or that they were under the influence of some extraordinary 
 inspiration, preparing them for great and glorious work. 
 The artist seems most fully to have caught and compre- 
 hended the morale of that greatest event in American 
 history. 
 
 The picture of the Baptism of Pocahontas, an Indian 
 princess, is very striking ; and, coupled with her marriage 
 to an English gentleman, is an interesting historical fact. 
 Siie is represented in a kneeling posture, while the venerable 
 clergyman is performing the rite. Her figure is beautiful, 
 her face interesting, and the whole effect is exquisitely im- 
 pressive. Poor Indians ! Had this laudable beginning of 
 the admixture of the races been continued, how different 
 Avould have been their fate ! 
 
ii ► 
 
 60 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 ill 
 
 M 
 
 1 , 
 
 t I 
 
 i 
 
 •I 
 
 Some of the alto relievos arc very fine. One, which 
 represents Daniel Boone's conflict with an Indian, disputing, 
 ill lact, for the dominion of Ohio, is fearful. The piissiona 
 o*" the savage warrior are exhibited to the life, in dreadful 
 ferocity. The two men are wrestling in personal combat ; 
 and each is employing the weapons of their respective 
 modes of attack and defence. The catastrophe is not 
 given ; but, of course, the child of nature, the lord of the 
 forest, was obliged to yield to the white man, — a distressing 
 emblem of an historical fact. The passions, the ferocity, 
 the undying resolution, the tenacious grasp, the courage of 
 that Indian chief, and his fall, were only representative of 
 the dispositions and of the doom of their race. They strug- 
 gled, as he struggled, through the long years of their 
 eventful story ; and as he fell beneath the blows of liis 
 antagonist, so their nations and tribes fell before the aggres- 
 sions of a superior foe. 
 
 While we were examining these works of art, it was 
 announced that the Senate had broken up. This was occa- 
 sioned by information just brought from the city, that one 
 of their number, a Mr. Ashley, was dying. We hastened 
 to the Senate-House ; and to me it seemed a great disaster, 
 as I desired to hear some of the members in this first 
 assembly in the United States. In some respects it was 
 an advantage, however, inasmuch as it gave us an oppor- 
 tunity of entering the body of the hall, and holding per- 
 sonal intercourse with many of the members. Our friend 
 Mr. Slicer,* who t-eemed perfectly at home with the 
 senators, knew them all, and appeared to be much respected, 
 introduced me to many ; telling- them who I was, and in- 
 forming them of the nature of my mission to the States. 
 They all shook me cordially by the hand, welcomed me 
 into their country, and expressed the hope that I should 
 be pleased and gratified. Among the gentlemen to whom 
 I was thus introduced, were General Cass, Colonel Benton, 
 
 * One of the chaplains of Congress. 
 
PART 1.— PERSONAL NAIUIATIVE. 
 
 61 
 
 General Foote, Colonel Davis, Captain Fremont, Mr. Cal- 
 houn, and many others. Of coui'se, 1 looked with some 
 attention upon General Ca«s, many of whose violent and 
 belligerent speeches ai^ainst this country, in connexion with 
 the boundary and Oregon questions, 1 had read ; and, 
 moreover, who was then understood to be a candidate for 
 the office of President. He is a stout, athletic man, about 
 the middle size, but, for an American, rather corpulent 
 and sanguiferous in his appearance ; and, if his physiognomy 
 did net greatly deceive me, he is a man of strong passions, 
 capable, one Avould say, of being exalted into the furioso. 
 His keen eye turned upon me, as I imagined, with a some- 
 what sinister glance ; and, after a few remarks of no im- 
 portance, he seemed glad to get away. Colonel Davis had 
 been wounded in the Mexican war ; was just recovering, 
 but Hmped very much. This officer had greatly distin- 
 guished himself, but seemed, by his modesty, to be uncoa- 
 hcious of his own fame. We iiad considerable con\ ersation 
 with this gentleman about Mexico and the war ; and he 
 showed himself to be a most amiable and well-informed 
 man. Captain Fremont, who is tlie son-in-law of Colonel 
 Benton, is a first-rate man. He conducted two or three 
 scientific expeditions, for the purpose of exploring various 
 portions of Oregon, California, and the Rocky Mountains, 
 and making observations on altitudes, levels, rivers, soils, 
 mountains, &c. His reports of these journeys, now in my 
 possession, are most interesting and able productions. But 
 he showed, in one of these missions, that the man of science 
 can also become the man of Avar. Believing that a certain 
 course would be favourable to the political interests of his 
 country, he laid aside the sextant for the sword : and it 
 was very much owing to his exertions that California be- 
 came American. 
 
 But we had most conversation -with Mr. Calhoun. This 
 distinguished senator is now in the autumn of life, — the leaf 
 is yellow. He is tall and thin, with an upright and erect 
 
 ; iil 
 
I 
 
 I 
 
 11^ 
 
 !i! 
 
 I 
 
 IN 
 
 62 
 
 TO UK IN AMERICA. 
 
 beariu^. His face is full of intelligence, of the sharp and 
 acute kind ; ho looks as if it would be perfectly natural 
 and easy in him to catch a boor while bunglinrr in his logic, 
 and quite as easy to trip up his heels. With a visage 
 somewhat elongated, pale, after the American "ishion, there 
 beams a kern eye, not devoid, however, of V ^nignity, sur- 
 mounted by a good, square, but not very lofty brow, with 
 snow-white hair, turned back after the clerical fashion. We 
 spent considerable time in the body of the hall in conver- 
 sation with this gentleman. He seemed an.xious respecting 
 our country, and European aftairs in general ; and urged 
 the usual questions respecting the CMiartist riots, the state 
 of Ireland, the prospects of a revolution, and all the rest. 
 The customary answers were given. 1 came from the pre- 
 sence of Mr. Calhoun with the impression that I had seen 
 and conversed with a really great man ; one ot the first, if 
 not the very first, I had met with in the United Staio^j. i 
 was grieved not to hear him speak. He had just been 
 delivering an interesting speech on a message thiit morning 
 received from the President on a very important subject. 
 However, as wc were not permitted to hear, we were much 
 pleased to see, so distinguished a citizen and statesman. 
 
 The House of Representatives were in session, and we 
 hastened from this conversation to listen to the debates. 
 The President had that morning sent a message to the 
 two Houses, recommending a military intervention in the 
 affair of the Yucatan civil war, then rao-inof between the 
 Indians and the people of Spanish descent. This promised 
 to be an interesting topic. We heard some five or six 
 gentlemen deliver their sentiments. Their mode of debate 
 seemed peculiar. Very little was said on the merits of the 
 question ; almost all the speakers arguing on constitutional 
 points, as to how the matter could be rightly disposed of, 
 how it could be made to agree with this and the other 
 rule of the House, and the provisions of the law. This, of 
 course, prevented all effusions of eloquence, all fine bursts 
 
PAUT I. — PKUSUNAL NAHKATIVE. 
 
 63 
 
 larp and 
 natural 
 lis logic, 
 I visHgo 
 )n, thero 
 ity, sur- 
 w, with 
 )n. We 
 conver- 
 ipecting 
 I uri^cd 
 
 o 
 
 le state 
 he rest, 
 he pre- 
 id seen 
 first, if 
 
 t been 
 lorning 
 ubject. 
 ! much 
 an. 
 
 nd we 
 ibates. 
 o the 
 n the 
 n the 
 mised 
 n- six 
 ebate 
 )f the 
 ionjil 
 id of, 
 other 
 is, of 
 iirsts 
 
 of feeling, all argument on the real ((ucstlt .1. A dry detail 
 of opinion on the subjects mooted was nearly all we heard. 
 One gentleman, indeed, Mr. Joseph Ingersoll, wjis im|)as- 
 sioned and elo(|uent, and indii;atod that he was in posses- 
 sion of considerable powers of debate. There sat in the 
 chair one of the Winthrops, Honoured name ', Descended 
 from a good stock ; the first, one of the fathers of America, 
 and his descendants among the most virtuous and patriotic 
 of the citizens. It is delicrhtful to see talent and virtue 
 hereditary ; and the expectation and belief were expressed, 
 that the present worthy Speaker of the House of Repre- 
 sentatives would some day be the President of the United 
 States. , 
 
 From thus examining the capitol, conversing with the 
 senators, and listening to the members of the House of 
 Representatives, we hastened to the President's house, to 
 see if we could gain access, and be favoured with an inter- 
 view with the first magistrate of the republic. 
 
 On our arrival we met with a black man, the only servant 
 of the President we saw ; and, on asking whether it would 
 be possible to obtain an interview, he said he saw no diffi- 
 culty in the case, but would inquire. He went, with Mr. 
 Sheer's compliments, and soon returned with a message 
 that the President would be very happy to see us. We were 
 ushered, not into a drawing-room, or state-apartment, but 
 into a business office, with desks, tables, pens and ink, 
 bundles of state-papers, and books on business. And there 
 stood to receive us, to shake us by the hand, to bid us 
 welcome, the chief of the greatest republic, if not the 
 greatest state, in the Avorld. He accosted us very kindly, 
 and bade us be seated, at the same time resuming his own 
 chair. 
 
 My embarrassment left mc in a moment. I had felt 
 some httle trepidation at the idea of being brought into 
 contact with a man so high in station. His demeanour, 
 however, soon dissipated this feeling. There was no state 
 
64 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 !• (! 
 
 etiquette observed, no ceremonies but such as common 
 courtesy demanded, and might be performed by the plainest 
 person ; no court dress, no cocked hat, no sword and sash, 
 no bowing the knee, no kissing of hands, and, moreover, no 
 peer of the realm, or officer of the court, necessary to gain 
 an introduction : a black boy, to obtain his master's assent, 
 and to show us the way, seemed all that was expected. 
 With our European notions, this did not really look like an 
 introduction to the head of a mighty nation. Truly this 
 American republicanism must either be considered as a 
 great retrogression into the ages of social simplicity, when 
 shepherds and farmers left their flocks and ploughs to 
 command ai'mies and govern states, and then returned to 
 their avocations ; or else it must be considered as a vast 
 stretch into the future, the anticipation of something to 
 come, the model of a perfectly new order of things. It is 
 most assuredly not identical with what has been, and con- 
 tinues to be, in the Old World. Is this simplicity agreeable 
 to nature, to common sense, to the truth of things ? I con- 
 fess, these questions puz/led me at the time, and continue 
 still to puzzle me. There is a fascination, a charm, about 
 royalty, greatness, courts, presentations, and all the em- 
 broidery connected with these things, which make it 
 difficult for one to think that there is no reaUty in them, — 
 that they can be done without. So much of power, of influ- 
 ence, of government, have stood connected with the old 
 names, and insignia of thrones and courts, that many of us 
 cannot dispossess our minds of the idea that there is great 
 use, though we may not know how, in these external ac- 
 companiments of states. 
 
 Here, then, we were, four Methodist preachers, and one 
 merchant, snugly ensconced in a goveniment office, a sort 
 of counting-house, with President Polk, one of the greatest 
 men, by position, in the world ! Who could forget some 
 of the documents which had issued from this centre of 
 power, this heart of American diplomacy ? Decrees had 
 
 >/' 
 
PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 65 
 
 IS common 
 the plainest 
 I and sasb, 
 Dreover, no 
 iry to gain 
 Jr's assent, 
 expected. 
 )ok like an 
 Truly this 
 ered as a 
 'ity, when 
 oughs to 
 turned to 
 as a vast 
 Jthing to 
 fs. It is 
 and con- 
 igreeable 
 ? Icon- 
 continue 
 
 about 
 
 le em- 
 
 nake it 
 
 hem, — 
 
 influ- 
 le old 
 
 of us 
 
 great 
 al ac- 
 
 one 
 a sort 
 atest 
 some 
 
 ! of 
 
 had 
 
 been framed here which had thrilled through the body 
 politic in every part of the world, producing mighty 
 palpitations of heart, and convulsive throes ! Who could 
 forget some of ^resident Polk's own " messages," directed 
 from this very desk, and carried probably by the black boy 
 to their destinations ? The policy and messages of this 
 very President have produced strange emotions. They 
 once filled Great Britain, if not with consternation, yet, at 
 any rate, with indignation ; they put the Parliament of 
 England into a ferment, and called forth the impassioned 
 eloquence of men of all parties ; they made it expedient to 
 employ the diplomatic skill of Lord Ashburton,* esteemed, 
 at the time, one of the most sagacious peers of the realm ; 
 they led to treaties but little relished, and much condemned 
 by some of the best sons of the British empire ; and they 
 resulted in the political exaltation, strength, and aggran- 
 dizement of America. Some of these messages, moreover, 
 moved the military forces of the republic, by land and sea, 
 to the invasion of Mexico ; to the victoiies of Taylor and 
 Scott ; to the spoiling of a feeble people ; and led to the 
 annexation to the States of a territory, but little, if at all, 
 inferior to the whole of Europe. These are some of the 
 effects produced by the decrees sent forth from this place, 
 with the signature of this plain little man. Things are not 
 then to be estimated by the appearance. The room is com- 
 mon, but it is the centre of mighty forces; the President 
 appears destitute of the forms of majesty, but possesses 
 its reality ; the missiles lying about are not artillery, swords, 
 and helmets, but they move, they shake the world. 
 
 And what of President Polk himself? He is small 
 of stature, and the opposite of corpulent. There is some- 
 what of a cadaverous and American look about him ; but 
 he is grave, thoughtful, meditative, and slow and mea- 
 sured in his speech. A thin face is surmounted by a 
 fine brow, and his features indicate great decision and 
 
 * [The Ashbuilon treaty was made under Tyler's administration, uot Polk's,] 
 
66 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 ; 1,! 
 
 <i 
 
 unconquerable firmness. President Polk's demeanour is 
 perfectl} simple, his conversation natural and easy, his 
 dress plain, after the American fashion, and his whole 
 contour irresistibly reminds one of the venerable Puritans. 
 In the course of a lengthened conversation, besides the 
 matters relating to the Chartists, the Irish, and other 
 general questions, two or three points of great consider- 
 ation were introduced. Some one having mentioned the 
 necessity of American intervention in the affairs of Yucatan, 
 in agre oent with the President's message of the morn- 
 ing, it was added, " If we do not interfere, some one of the 
 European powers will ;" referring to England. The Pre- 
 sident promptly remarked, " But we will not let them ;" 
 and then added, " We do not meddle in European affairs, 
 and we will not allow them to intermeddle in American." 
 Here is a political axiom for Lord John Russell and his 
 successors in ofhce to meditate upon, a difficulty to solve ! 
 James Monroe's principle of " America for the Americans," 
 has been fully adopted by President Polk. It was, indeed, 
 no mystery before ; it had been proclaimed in many of his 
 state-documents, and was here unequivocally asserted. 
 Well, but - inada, and the British provinces ! These are in 
 America, v.hey constitute a portion of its territory, they are 
 in the possession of an independent power ; and this pre- 
 supposes political rights and duties on the part of Great 
 Britain. Does the fact that these possessions are colonies, 
 and not independent states, deprive the parent state of the 
 right to interfere in general questions ? This seems to be 
 the notion, the dogma, assumed. Time must solve this 
 point. It was also said by some one respecting the Mexi- 
 can war, that the American armies might as well have 
 finished the work of conquest, and taken the entire coun- 
 try, as they would certainly possess it some day. To this 
 the President replied, " Ah, but the apple is not yet ripe !" 
 " Not yet ripe !" Who does not see the meaning of this ? 
 When it is " ripe," it will fall. 
 
PART I. — PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 67 
 
 Qeanour is 
 
 easy, his 
 his whole 
 ! Puritans, 
 esides the 
 md other 
 
 consider- 
 ioned the 
 Yucatan, 
 ;he morn- 
 >ne of the 
 The Pre- 
 i them ;" 
 n affairs, 
 nerican." 
 
 and his 
 to solve ! 
 ericans," 
 . indeed, 
 y of his 
 Lsserted. 
 e are in 
 hey are 
 bis pre- 
 
 Great 
 
 'lonies, 
 
 of the 
 to be 
 
 e this 
 
 Mexi- 
 have 
 
 coun- 
 
 [0 this 
 
 •ipe !" 
 
 [this ? 
 
 Tlie black boy came to announce his master's dinner ; 
 we made our bows, shook hands, and parted. 
 
 Our indefatigable fiiend, Mr. Sheer, had not yet satisfied 
 his own kind intentions ; and took us at once to the Vice- 
 President's room. We gained an easy access. Here we 
 found one of the most handsome men it was ever my plea- 
 sure to see. Vice-President Dallas is somewhat beyond 
 middle life. He possesses a fine and engaging person ; a 
 countenance perfectly ruddy and blooming, an unusual 
 thing in an American ; dark eyes, bright as the morning 
 and evening stars ; his brow is good and spacious, w\th hair 
 white as snow. We remained here about half an hour, 
 tallying on the usual European and American topics. This 
 gentleman had the kindness to present me with a copy of 
 Rickey's ** Constitution of the United States," writing his 
 name in the title-page, together with a large bundle of 
 state-papers, prepared by order of Congress, on the subject 
 of Mexico and Califo; iiia. 
 
 From the rooms of the Vice-Precident we went to visit 
 the Patent-Office. The large upper room is two hundred 
 and seventy-five feet in length, and sixty-five feet wide, 
 which is appropriated to the collections of the National 
 Institution. Here .was a most superb collection of plants, 
 minerals, and specimens of the American animal kingdom. 
 The enormous birds, serpents, and animals of South 
 America exhibited in this room, are most remarkable. 
 But the two things which attracted most of my attention 
 were, a collection of bugs, and General Washington's 
 camp-equipage. Being somewhat personally interested in 
 the first, on the ground of old acquaintance' sake, they could 
 •not be regarded but with some emotion. The prodigious 
 size of some of these creatures is frightful. They are more 
 like reptiles than anything else. The idea of having these 
 monstrous vermin in bed, crawling about, and sucking 
 one's blood, is perfectly horrifying. Their " local habi- 
 tation" is in the hot and sunny south : had tlicy found 
 
68 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 a home in the north, I should have had ample expe- 
 rience of their nocturnal visits ; — bad enough as it was, 
 but the warfare of the night must have been ten times 
 worse, if these southern gentry could have Uved in the 
 regions I visited. 
 
 The camp-equipage of Washington is entire. His mill- 
 tary costume, his tea-kettle, his gridiron, and all the rest 
 of the utensils employed in the camp -life of the general, are 
 sacredly preserved. And here hang the very coat, vest, 
 small-clothes, boots, spurs, sword and belt, of the great 
 patrio.t ! The identical clothes he wore when com- 
 manding the forces of his country, gaining the victories of 
 independence, establishing the nationality of the colonies, 
 and paving the way for a new order of things in the world, 
 are kept as relics, with as much care as a saint's coat in a 
 Popish church. Who could look upon these things with- 
 out deep feeling ? The country is studded with his statues; 
 but I confess I could riot view these effigies of Washington 
 with the same feelings as possessed me when standing be- 
 fore the mute, but in some sort speaking, costume and 
 habiliments of war which he had actually worn. It seemed 
 as if his own spirit were present, though unseen. Is this 
 feeling superstition ? Does hero-worship originate in this 
 class of sensations ? The Americans next to adore, with 
 reason, the founder and father of his country. So pure, 
 so disinterested, so exalted a patriot never adorned the an- 
 nals of time. Moreover, he is believed to have been a 
 true Christian. His whole career is said to have been mixed 
 with much prayer. He was known to have retired to the 
 woods, away from the bustle of the camp, on ail emergen- 
 cies, to acknowledge and seek direction from God. His 
 great battles were always so prefaced ; and the more press- 
 ing the emergency and desperate the state of affairs, the 
 more he was obsen^ed to frequent the solitudes of nature 
 for purposes of devotion. Bishop Asbury sayb, on occa- 
 sion of his death, "At all times he acknowledged the pro- 
 
 
PART I- -PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 69 
 
 iple expe- 
 is it was, 
 ten times 
 ed in the 
 
 His mill' 
 [ the rest 
 meral, are 
 oat, vest, 
 the great 
 en com- 
 ctories of 
 colonies, 
 he world, 
 soat in a 
 ags with- 
 3 statues ; 
 ishington 
 iding be- 
 iime and 
 seemed 
 Is this 
 in this 
 re, with 
 5o pure, 
 the an- 
 been a 
 I mixed 
 to the 
 lergen- 
 His 
 , press- 
 ps, the 
 aature 
 occa- 
 pro- 
 
 vidence of God, and never was ashamed of his Redeemer : 
 we believe he died not fearing death. In his will he or- 
 dered the manumission of his slaves — a true son of liberty 
 in all points." How different a character is Washington 
 to such charlatans as Bonaparte, and men of his class ! and 
 how equally diflFerent the issue of their work ! Had he 
 lived in the times Avhen greatness in men was thought to 
 be div''ne, and they, in consequence, were deified ; h "d 
 shrines erected to their honour, and became objects of 
 popular adoration — had Washington lived in these times, 
 he would have been the god of America. As it is, he is their 
 model-man. If they cultivate his spirit, adhere to his maxims, 
 imitate his moderation, and preserve and work out his wise 
 and judicious theories of government, they must prosper. 
 
 We turned our backs on the city bearing the name of 
 this wonderful man, and which was projected by his ge-. 
 nius, with deep feeling. We had collected ample material 
 for reflection. The things and the men there seen, were 
 not likely to be lost sight of: they could not, they never 
 can, be forgotten. Our good friend, the chaplain, pressed 
 me very urgently to remain over the Sabbath, and take his 
 place by preaching to the Congress. This I should gladly 
 have done, but had engaged to officiate in Baltimore. We 
 arrived in that city late in the evening, well repaid for our 
 day's excursion. 
 
 The Sabbath came ; as bright and glorious a day as ever 
 dawned on earth. It was the first I had fully spent in 
 America, and brought with it the rest and spiritual exer- 
 cises I had long sighed to enjoy. I preached twice, to 
 large and ap arently very serious and devout congrega- 
 tions. Here I felt quite at home, among our own people, 
 just the same as in England. This was very different to 
 the promiscuous and mixed groups I had to 'address on 
 board ship. The worship was solemn, spiritual, and holy ; 
 God was, as we trust, present, and the people " shouted 
 aloud for joy." 
 
70 
 
 TOUR IN AMBUIICA. 
 
 In tlio coiirso of the day we visited two or three Roman 
 Catholic places of worship, and among the rest the Cathe- 
 dral, a splendid building, full of fine paintings. Here I 
 saw, for i\vi first and only time of my life, the railroad 
 principle applied to the purposes of worship. There was 
 provided a tram-road to wheel round the pulpit, from some 
 convenient nook, which was its common resting-place, to 
 the centre of the building, where the officiating minister 
 might stand and obtain a commanding position for address- 
 ing the people. Nothing comes amiss to Papists ; they 
 have the adroitness to press everything into the service of 
 the church. It can be no matter of surprise, if, at some 
 time, they employ steam-power to work their machinery, 
 to ring their bells, to shift and move the scenery of their 
 dramatic exhibitions ; and to work the innumerable springs, 
 pulleys, and wires of their scenic worship. And, for aught 
 we can see, the mummeries of the system might as well be 
 worked by steam as by living men : as no soiil is required, 
 the element of liquid smoke might serve perfectly, and save 
 money. 
 
 Whether from the power of association, or the reality 
 of things, I know not, but I liked Baltimore as much, or 
 more, than any city I saw in America. It is, indeed, a 
 beautiful place. The houses are fine, spacious, and ele- 
 gant. There is, moreover, an air of aristocracy, which is 
 seldom to be met with. It is clear enough that .aristocrats 
 reside in this place ; and although the Americans decry 
 this class of men constantly, yet there is certainly some- 
 thing about a people, and institutions, of the aristocratic 
 cast, which gives the impression of superior dignity. We 
 were now, indeed, in one of the slave-holding States; and 
 from the specimen given in this and other places visited, 
 it is pretty apparent, that the system of slavery tends to 
 produce this spirit. Indeed, the slave-holder, in despite of 
 the prejudices against the name, exhibits all the charac- 
 teristics of a perfect feudal aristocrncy. As T understood, 
 
PART I. — PERSONAL NABKATIVE. 
 
 71 
 
 ch, or 
 Qd, a 
 Id ele- 
 ich is 
 locrats 
 decry 
 lome- 
 ratic 
 We 
 and 
 lited, 
 s to 
 ;e of 
 rac- 
 >nd. 
 
 liis house is, generally, in the case of the wealthy classes, 
 a complete palace ; princely in its dimensions, its furniture, 
 its ornaments, and its luxuries. How can it be otherwise, 
 with a man who is the lord of a great number, not of 
 vassals, but of slaves ? These poor creatures are the abso- 
 lute property of the master, obedient to his behests, the 
 panderers to his passions and appetites, and in all things 
 the servants of his caprices. The young gentlemen and 
 ladies, brought up in the midst of slavery, learn, as early 
 as they are capable of authority, imperiously to command 
 the service of the menials of their father. They stir not 
 without their attendance ; they are waited upon in the 
 most trivial matters ; they are fanned when the weather is 
 hot, and guarded in the most assiduous manner from the 
 approach of the buzzing insect ; while all their wants are, 
 if possible, more than anticipated by the black slaves. 
 What is all this, if not feudal aristocracy, in its most re- 
 volting features ? The lords of the European nations, when 
 the institution existed in its most perfect glory, were ^^^ver 
 in so transcendental a state of power as these gentlemen. 
 Their vassals, though low enough in the scale of humanity, 
 were not so degraded as these Africans. The right of the 
 seigneurs of Europe to exact the services of their serfs, 
 never amounted to the absolute dominion of the slave- 
 holder. Probably the rule of the Roman Catholic Church, 
 which at first, and for many subsequent years, was para- 
 mount in this place, had something to do with this aristo- 
 cratic character. The first colonists, as is well known, 
 were of the Roman Catholic persuasion ; and hence the 
 cathedral, and other splendid churches, are now among 
 the chief ornaments of the city. Sir John Calvert, after- 
 wards Lord Baltimore, from whom the city takes its name, 
 was in early Ufe a Protestant ; but afterwards, embracing 
 the Romish faith, became the means of establishing that 
 system of religion extensively in the colony. The present 
 prelate is an American, the first ever appointed to the see ; 
 
rmmf' 
 
 T2 
 
 tOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 it having hug been the policy of the Popes to select foreign- 
 ers, generally Irishmen. 
 
 Baltimore is sometimes called " the Monumental City," 
 by reason of the number of statues it contains. " The 
 Washington Monument, at the intersection of Charles and 
 Monument streets, is a noble specimen of architecture, 
 both in design and execution. Built on an eminence one 
 hundred feet above tide-water, it rises majestically above 
 the city, at once forming its noble embellishment, and a 
 conspicuous landmark to travellers and voyagers. The 
 monument consists of a Doric column, rising from a base 
 of fifty feet square, and twenty high. Its height is one 
 hundred and eighty feet, including the statue of Washing- 
 ton, which is sixteen feet. The base is ascended by a 
 fUght of twenty-eight steps ; the ascent to the summit is 
 by a winding staircase, or flight of two hundred steps. 
 The cost of the monument, including the statue, was 
 200,000 dollars." This is, indeed, a noble pillar. The 
 above description, though, no doubt, accurate in detail, 
 gives but an inadequate notion of the majestic appearance 
 of this splendid work of art. 
 
 Heroes are not likely to be forgotten in America, any 
 more than elsewhere. We have another called Battle 
 Monument, erected to the memory of those who fell de- 
 fending the city in September, 1814, at the comer of Cal- 
 vert and Fayette streets. " The square sub-base on which 
 the pedestal, or column, rests, rises twenty feet from the 
 ground, with an Egyptian door on each fron^, on which 
 are appropriate inscriptions, in haseo relievo, of some of the 
 incidents of the battle. The column rises eigbte^^n feet 
 above the base. This, which is of marble, in the form of 
 Roman fasces, is enriched by bands, in which are inscribed, 
 in letters of gold, the names of those whose memory and 
 patriotic valour the monument is designed to commemo- 
 rate. Tlie column is surmounted by a female figure, in 
 marble, emblematic of the city of Baltimore. The wliole 
 
 I 
 1 
 
TART I. — PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 78 
 
 t foreign- 
 
 tal City," 
 I. "The 
 arles and 
 bitecture, 
 lence one 
 lly above 
 It, and a 
 rs. The 
 tn a base 
 it is one 
 V^ashing- 
 ed by a 
 immit is 
 d steps, 
 ue, was 
 r. The 
 I detail, 
 learance 
 
 ica, any 
 Battle 
 Ifell de- 
 
 of Cal- 
 which 
 
 )m the 
 which 
 of the 
 
 'n feet 
 
 rm of 
 
 3ribed, 
 
 y and 
 
 nemo- 
 re, in 
 
 whole 
 
 
 height is fifty-two feet." Such arc some of the architec- 
 tural ornaments of this city. I3ut none of them equal the 
 Popish cathedral. This, in point of fact, is the tnie monu- 
 ment of the place ; and as far as such things arc concerned, 
 its distinction and glory. It reminds one of home, of 
 Europe, more than anything I i^nv, ,n the United States ; 
 and tends to give this city a peculi irly European appear- 
 ance. Such are the types of time. America is pre-emi- 
 nently, in its whole appearance, the emblem, the type, of 
 modern ideas ; but there is just one memorial of the past, 
 of a defunct age. In the midst of the simple forms of re- 
 publicanism, the activity of commercial life, the humble 
 and unostentatious chiiiches of Protestantism, the cathe- 
 dral of Bait* .ore seems to stand as the catacomb, the 
 mausoleum c^' * parted ages ; and as a mighty fragment, 
 a rock, sep. "atecl by some great convulsion from surround- 
 ing things. Nothing appears in unison ; it stands in soli- 
 tude, in the Midst of a vast population, having no sympa- 
 thy to be tow, and receiving none from the young genera- 
 tion around. 
 
 On Monday morning, May 1st, wc took an affectionate 
 adieu of our dear friend Sargent, and the Baltimore people, 
 and set out by the railroad for Cumberland. Our party 
 had now increased. Besides Mr. Porter, we here met 
 with Dr. Pierce, the representtitive from the South Metho- 
 dist Church to the Pittsburgh Conference, Dr. Bond, the 
 editor of the Christian Advocate in New- York, and a gen- 
 tleman and his son, planters and slave-holders, from the 
 Mississippi State, Methodists, and very agreeable persons. 
 The assembling of these parties in the same vehicle was 
 rather ominous ; nobody could tell to what it might lead, 
 — whether the peace Avould be kept, or the tedium of our 
 journey be relieved by a polemic war. The two doctors 
 were amongst the heads and chiefs of the great controversy, 
 which had been going on for the past four yeai*s, and 
 which had ended in dividing the church ; the one hv his 
 
 4 
 
74 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 pen, and the oti\er by his vivd voce eloquence. They liad 
 been old friends ; and it was plca.sing to see, that the un- 
 dying instincts of Christian love soon gained the ascendant. 
 The knotty questions in dispute were forgotten, or only 
 referred to in general terms ; and the North and South, at 
 any rate, in this journey, met without collision. 
 
 Our route lay along a very interesting country, partly in 
 the State of Maryland, and partly in Virginia. We beheld 
 a great number of slaves at work in the fields ; the first I 
 had seen at their degrading labours. 'J'hey exhibited no 
 life, no activity, in their occupation ; but seemed to drag 
 themselves along, as if existence were a weariness ; they 
 plied their implements of industry, careless as to the 
 amount of work done, or studious to do as little as lossible. 
 My companion, Mr. Porter, a stanch anti-slavery man, 
 descanted on the deleterious eftcets of slavery on the soil 
 itself; endeavouring to prove that Maryland and Virginia 
 were worn out by this kind of cultivation. Whether it is 
 so or not, I cannot pretend to determine ; but the whole 
 country where these slaves were at work, has an extremely 
 barren appearance. Such is the decree of God, that this 
 enormous evil may wear itself out, and the planters be 
 obliged to turn to the cultivation of such productions as 
 may make it profitable to employ free labour. God ap- 
 pears to curse with sterility the land cultivated by slaves. 
 The planters, I was informed, were getting very poor ; and 
 it was, apparently, becoming their interest to turn their at- 
 tention to something else in the place of tobacco and the 
 other productions on which slave-labour is chiefly era- 
 ployed. We passed on, and soon lost sight of the hag- 
 gard, dispirited, broken-hearted, oppressed slave. Those 
 fields had witnessed the labour, the tears, the blood, of 
 their race, for generations ; and, for aught which appears, 
 must continue to witness the same miseries in their chil- 
 dren, unless Heaven shall, in mercy, increase the intensity 
 of his malediction, nnd ronflcr the countrj' completely 
 
 
 4 
 
 I 
 
PART 1. — PERSONAL NARRATIVK. 
 
 75 
 
 They liad 
 t the un- 
 scendant. 
 or only 
 South, at 
 
 partly in 
 'e beheld 
 he first I 
 ibited no 
 to drag 
 58 ; they 
 to the 
 lossible. 
 ry man, 
 the soil 
 Virginia 
 her it is 
 e whole 
 tremely 
 hat this 
 iters be 
 ions as 
 od ap- 
 slaves. 
 and 
 leir at- 
 id the 
 ly em- 
 le hag- 
 Those 
 )d, of 
 Ipears, 
 chil- 
 lensity 
 ]letelv 
 
 I 
 
 >i 
 
 sterile. But would this be any relief ? No ; these poor 
 wretches would be sold, and sent farther south ; and if 
 even the same fate should follow them into the Carolinas 
 and Georgia, still there arc Texas, Mexico, and California, 
 to be peopled and cultivated by this unfortunate race. 
 The evil seems to be indefinite, eternal. Provision has been 
 made, designedly or otherwise, by the conquests of the 
 States, for the progress of this scourge, for all time to 
 come. 
 
 Harper's Ferry, a curious phenomenon of nature, lay in 
 our line, and as it was our dining-place, and the Americans 
 not being so exact, as to lime, as the railroad authorities 
 in this country, I obtained an interval, which, though brief, 
 enabled me to take a look at the scenery, in itself pre-em- 
 inently grand. " Harper's Ferry is situated in Jefferson 
 county, Virginia, at the confluence of the Shenandoah and 
 Potomac rivers, at the passage of these streams through 
 the Blue Ridge, upwa^-ds of one thousand two hundred 
 feet in height. At this point, the two streams, in search 
 of an outlet to the sea, and each, as it were, conscious of 
 the insufficiency of its separate exertions to overcome the 
 barrier that opposes its pronrress, united their waters, and, 
 rushing in one impetuous current against the mountain, 
 rent it asunder. Such, it is thought, was the origin of a 
 scene which Mr. Jefferson has characterized as ' one of 
 the most stupendous in nature.' 
 
 " The scenery i* of the wildest and most majestic cha- 
 racter. Jefferson's Rock, named after Mr. Jefferson, and 
 the spot where he wrote a description of the place, in his 
 * Notes on Virginia,' is a place of huge detached rocks, 
 leaning over the steep cliffs of the Shenandoah, and look- 
 ing into the mountain-gorge of the Potomac. Its top, al- 
 most level, is twelve feet square ; its base, not exceeding 
 five feet in width, rests upon the top of a large mass of 
 rock jutting out from the hill. Tt is a wild * eagles' nest,* 
 which, as Jefferson truly declares, is worth a trip across the 
 
 S 
 
7« 
 
 TOLR IN AMERICA. 
 
 I. ! 
 
 ocenn to behold. It is not, however, equal to the enchant- 
 ing scene presented to the view from the opposite mountain, 
 about a mile and a half up, on the Maryland side. From 
 this the beholder surveys with admiration a large extent of 
 country, fields, woodlands, and plantations ; wnilst the 
 beautiful Shenandoah, as it breaks upon the magic picture, 
 appears like a series of beautiful lakes." 
 
 Such is Harper's Ferry. It is very tantalizing to be 
 within sight of a great object of curiosity, and not ha able 
 to reach it. This was our case. We were at the foot of 
 this " rock," it stood towering above us ; and yet our time 
 would not allow us to ascend. 13ut so far as th(j slight 
 glimpses which we could obtain, by running liere and 
 there to catch a bird's-eye view, the above appeared a 
 tolerably correct description. And yet, after all, descrip- 
 tive writing must always depend upon the vision, the brain, 
 the nervous system, and the grouping powers of the ob-ser- 
 ver. Had we obtained our desired point of observation, 
 no doubt, the prospect would have varied itself, in some 
 degree, from the accoimt given by other minds. 
 
 In this journc} our line lay, for m.any miles, along the 
 meanderivigs of the beautiful Potomac. Nature, as if in 
 bounty to man, had just left room enough for a road be- 
 tween the banks of the river and very lofty and precipitous 
 rocks. This made the route perfectly romantic, and the 
 scenery beautifully picturesque and agreeable. The Ame- 
 ricans have been charged with travelling slowly by their 
 trains. The mystery, however, was, that they could get on 
 at all in the midst of the elbosvs, curves, and bends of this 
 serpentine course ; and yet, with the difficulties of th' zig- 
 zag kind of movement, vre reached Cumberland from Bal- 
 timore, a distance of one hundred and seventy-ei '^ht miles, 
 in about nine hours. 
 
 Cumberland lies at tlie foot of the Alleghany moun- 
 tains, which we had now to cross in "stages" in the night. 
 I had determined to remain here till morning, being de- 
 
 i\ 
 
 ^i 
 
 i--- 
 
1 
 
 PART 1. — PERSONAL NARRATIVK. 
 
 77 
 
 enchant- 
 lountain, 
 . From 
 ixtent of 
 lilst the 
 picture, 
 
 ig io be 
 ' bo able 
 foot of 
 our time 
 i« slight 
 ere and 
 )C'ared a 
 desciip- 
 10 brain, 
 e obser- 
 Jrvation, 
 in some 
 
 )n'? the 
 IS if in 
 3a d be- 
 ipitous 
 nd the 
 Arae- 
 their 
 |get on 
 f this 
 zig- 
 Bal- 
 Imiles, 
 
 poun- 
 
 light. 
 
 de- 
 
 I 
 
 sirous of gaining as com[)lote u view as poHsiblo of these 
 lofty regions. Hut I was informed that tlu; proprietors of 
 the "stages" never ensured a passage, unless they could 
 obtain the full ejmplement of nine, this being the number 
 which one of the coaches would accommodate ; and, like- 
 wise, that it was perfectly uncertain as to whether there 
 would be any sue i number to cross the following day. 
 Hence, no choice was left. I was unwilling to run the 
 hazard of losing a day, and therefore preferred to mount 
 the "stage," and cross the mighty barrier betwi,\t the east 
 and the west. 
 
 "The Alleghany Mountains, oth.erwise called the Appa- 
 laches, from a tribe of Indians, who lived on the banks of 
 the Appalachicola, (or Alleghany,) a river which proceeds 
 from these mountains, are a part of that extensive ra.^'e 
 which is situated between the Atlantic, the Mississippi, and 
 the lakes of North America ; and which nms in a direction 
 from south-west to north-east, passing through the country 
 of the United States, and giving origin to many rivers, that 
 flow either into the Gulf of Mexico, or into the Western 
 Ocean. As the Alleghany mountains form a principal part 
 of the chain just alluded to, they often give their name to 
 the whole group. This range commences in Georgia, 
 stretches northward and eastward through the territory 
 of Virginia, passes on in the same direction through Penn- 
 sylvania and the northern countries and terminates in the 
 division of New-Brunswick. Its whole extent, according 
 to Pinkerton, is not less than nine hundred geographical 
 miles. As it approaches its termination, the mass rises in 
 height ; the chief summits are in New-Hampshire, and are 
 reported to be nearly eight thousand feet above the level 
 of the ocean. Besides the main ridge, there are several 
 othere which are collateral to it, as the Iron or Bald Moun- 
 tains, the White-Oak Mountains, and the Blue Mountains, 
 — the Cumberland Mountains forming the exterior skirt 
 toward the north-west. T- 3 breadth of the whole is often 
 
78 
 
 T'JoK m AMliKlCA. 
 
 equal to seventy miles." This was tiboui, the breadth of the 
 mountain where we passed. 
 
 Our cavalcade consisted of six or eight stages, all well 
 horsed and manned. On leaving Cumberland we instant- 
 ly plunged into the midst of rocks and precipices, the 
 road meandering its course among gullies and cataracts, 
 and then again by the side of the rising mountiiin. The 
 scene was unmixed forest ; for though the mountain, of 
 course, consists of nx-k, yet, as is the case everywhere else, 
 it was covered from the bottom to its most elevated sum- 
 mit with noble trees. Having two or tliree hours before 
 night closed the prospect from our view, I had conse- 
 quently that space to look upon the scene as wc passed 
 along. The impression wiu> a very melancholy one, in exact 
 agreement with the sombre aspect of all things around : — 
 the stillness, the indefinite and mystic character of the 
 forest, as if forming a sort of infinite labyrinth ; the stu- 
 pendous rocks and precipices ; the moaning of the waters, 
 as they rolled down the gullies, or dashed among the 
 stones ; the wilderness itself, which seemed vocal with no 
 note of bird or voice of man ; and then the gradual ap- 
 proach of night, till the curtain dropped. This general 
 gloom, I confess, produced in me the most melancholy 
 sensations. This state of mind, however, is not unfavour- 
 able to reflection. Tlie forest taught its moral ! The trees 
 appeared not in uniform life, verdure, and beauty. Great 
 numbers lay prostrate on the ground in total decay, even 
 their form nearly gone ; and mother earth se^*r\ed about 
 again to receive to her embrace those noble forms of life 
 "which had been nursed at her bosom, and had been the 
 ornaments of the forest in other years and centuries. Others 
 had more recently fallen, and retained their perfect shape, 
 though beginning to decompose and lose somethiiig of their 
 texture as wood, and change into that of earth. Again, 
 others, and that in gieater numbers, had been riven, by 
 time or the storm, from their grasp of the soil, and leaned 
 
 li 
 
 \ 
 
Ith of the 
 
 i, all well 
 i instaut- 
 )ice8, the 
 cataracts, 
 lin. The 
 intain, of 
 here else, 
 ted suin- 
 rs before 
 id coiise- 
 e passed 
 , in exact 
 "ound : — 
 r of the 
 the stu- 
 e waters, 
 long the 
 with no 
 ual ap- 
 general 
 ancholy 
 nfavour- 
 le trees 
 Great 
 ^ even 
 about 
 of hfe 
 en the 
 Others 
 shape, 
 ►f their 
 Again, 
 en, by 
 leaned 
 
 
 PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 79 
 
 
 upon their neighbours, younger and stronger than them- 
 selves, for support. The space, however, was filled up ; 
 no room was lost ; the generation now in their prime stood 
 towering over the prostrate and decaying ; and innumerable 
 young ones, of every age and size, filled every atom of soil 
 left betwixt the living and the dead. Who could help 
 thinking of human nature ? of the generations of the past, 
 of the active spirits now occupying their place, soon to 
 follow th«'m ; of the young plants of humanity, so blooming, 
 so beautiful, so sanguine, so full of hope and joy ; waiting 
 for their turn, and impatient for the removal of the genera- 
 tion standing in the way of their enterprise and ambition ? 
 That forest was to me a lesson. It served to furnish matter 
 for reflection in the darkness ; and as the sun retired, and 
 hung around us the sable ciu'tain of night, the moral seemed 
 complete. 
 
 Our long train of " stages," with their brilliant lamps, 
 reflected by the foliage, presented a singular appearance, 
 and not devoid of interest and beauty. It became very 
 cold as we ascended the mountain, and we were gUid to 
 halt for supper. This was served, considering the character 
 of the place, in very good style ; and, no doubt, we did it 
 justice. After a good warming, we again renewed our 
 journey. The road is designated " national," being pre- 
 pared at the public expense ; but un[)leasantly rough. The 
 shaking and jolting, the up-and-down kind of exercise we 
 had to endure, made sleep in my case quite out of the 
 question. Hearing a remarkable noise as we proceeded, 
 I inquired of my companions what it meant ; and was 
 informed that ii arose from the merry-making of frogs. 
 The sound was not r croak, but a chh'p, very much like that 
 of crickets by our fire-sides, only much louder. For many 
 miles the mountain was perfectly vocal with the music of 
 these hapj)y creatures. How good is God ! Ail things 
 serve him in their seiison. This concert of frogs broke 
 the tedium of Uic iouniev and the iflooni of nitrlit ; and it 
 
 jouniey 
 
11 
 
 ao 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 became my business to listen to this singular melody for 
 several hours. 
 
 All my companions, being accustomed to this kind of 
 travelling, slept soundly ; but I " watched for the morn- 
 ing" with great desire. At length it came. We had 
 reached the summit of the mountain, and were now begin- 
 ning to descend. The sun rose ; and it was never my 
 fortune to behold such n sunrise. As he ascended the 
 skies, they appeared tinged by the most beautiful and va- 
 riegated colours imaginable. 'I'liey were clothed in the 
 most gorgeous dress ; the deep blue being relieved and 
 diversified by banks of clouds, their edges being tingec with 
 all the colours of the rainbow, liut on looking out on my 
 left hand, I saw something which 1 took to be a prodigious 
 lake ; and, being surprised at so singular a phenomenon 
 appearing on the top of a mountain, roused one of my fellow- 
 travellers, and asked, "What lake is that on the left?" 
 He rubbed his eyes, and grumbled out, " I reckon there is 
 no lake here." He closed them again, and I could obtain 
 no inforniatior. I continued to gaze; and felt certain that 
 the object seen was the waters of a lake or sea, stretching 
 to an indefinite extent, and losing itself in the distance. 
 After ruminating in this uncertainty for some considerable 
 time, it occurred to me that possibly it might be the 
 MIRAGE, so often referred to by eastern travellers. So it 
 turned out. We were at a great distsmce from either lake 
 or sea ; but the sun had given the rising mist this peculiar 
 appearance. No wonder that the pilgrims of the desert, 
 in imagination, quenched their burning thirst, and plunged 
 their weary limbs, in one of these illusive seas. Attracted 
 by the promise of water, they rushed towards a blessing 
 ti-Uv-h retired as they approached, and left tliem still a 
 prey to thirst and mi.sery. Had it been my lot to command 
 a steamer, or vessel of any kind, I should not have doubted 
 for a moment tluit the sea I fancied 1 saw, would furnish 
 depth and space enough for her navigation. Such are the 
 
 i. 
 
PART f. — PERSOxNAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 81 
 
 slody for 
 
 kind of 
 le morn- 
 We had 
 vv begin - 
 >ver my 
 ded the 
 and va- 
 l in the 
 ved and 
 red with 
 t on my 
 odigious 
 lomenon 
 / fellow- 
 s left?" 
 tiiere is 
 [I obtain 
 lin that 
 ching 
 tance, 
 erable 
 be the 
 So it 
 r lake 
 cuHar 
 esert, 
 iinged 
 acted 
 :;ssing 
 >till a 
 mand 
 ibted 
 rnish 
 «' the 
 
 illusions of life ! A few moments sufficed to dissipate these 
 vapoury deceptions ; it may, perchance, take a longer pe- 
 riod to disenchant the soul of the haze around her being, 
 arising from tlie unreal objects of desii i and hope ; but the 
 time is certiiip. to come when tlie niiraye >viil be dissipated, 
 and f^e mountain scenery of life, rough and rugged, will 
 appear in its true character. 
 
 But a more gorgeous deception awaited us. Turning 
 my eyes to the other side of tlie moun<ain, 1 b«'held another 
 most magniiicent spectacle, Tiiis arose from the agency 
 of the same causes ; th«' mist lying on the side of the moun- 
 tain, and the beams of the rising sun sliining upon it. But 
 in this instance his rays were not absorbed, but reflected, 
 and the appearance was not that of water, but of fire. How 
 shall a description of this wonderful scene be attempted ? 
 We have no analosries. It was unlike anvthing ever beheld 
 by me. Nothing either in the heavens or on the earth can 
 furnish any <erms of comparison or modes of illustration. 
 The point <^f observation in surveying the beauties of the 
 heavens is from below. We see all their glories over our 
 heads. But in this case we Avere elevated above the phe- 
 nomenon ; we did not look up, but down ; the magnificent 
 spectacle lay at our feet, — like the miraijc on the other side 
 the mountain, — stretching to an indefinitt; distance. Again, 
 this spectacle had not the appearance of mountains of 
 clouds, heaped one upon another, variegated by tints and 
 hues of many colours, their edges dipped in gold, and re- 
 flecting every possible form of beauty ; it was uniform, 
 presenting the same aspect and colour ; the intensity o*" its 
 brightness seemed not to admit of variation, the one ele- 
 ment swallowed up all inferior forms, and absorbed them 
 in its own indivisible purity and lusti \ The arch of heaven, 
 the rainbow, the rising and setting sun, the brilliant noon- 
 day, — none of these can give a notion of this splendid 
 illusion. Its position was longitudinal ; its surface, its bo- 
 som, like that of the ocean, seen from a lofty elevation, 
 
 4* 
 

 m 
 
 TOUK l\ AMERICA. 
 
 presented i'.-elJ' t» view us at a git:!t di'^jtuiice be'.ow; — 
 reflecting tbe sun's '»eams back affii'i to their fountain, and 
 giving their duzYm^i brightness as if in emulation of the 
 parent orb. To v.l5aL shall we compare it ? It looked like 
 a sea of olory ! I gaztd and gazed on this lovely object, 
 till dragged by the rumbling motion of our vehicle be- 
 yond the sight of the deceptive vision. We were soon 
 lowered to the common level; and, leaving these regions 
 of splendour and magic grandeur, were called to move 
 along the common roat/ , in the midst of clouds and sha- 
 dows. 
 
 Notwithstanding *ill that we had se^in on the mountain, 
 we were thankful enough to get to Uniontown, warm our 
 almost frozen limbs, and regale ourselves with breakfast. 
 Those necessary duties being soon despatched, we hastened 
 to Brownville, where a steamer awaited our arrival to con- 
 duct us to Pittsburgh. 
 
 The MonongalK'la, on which we embarked, descends 
 from the mountain in tuis direction, and forms a fine navi- 
 gation, meanderii'<^ its jourse through a picturesque country 
 .to its destination. We now found ourselves in the great 
 Valley of the Mississippi ; which, commencing at this point, 
 stretches to the Rocky Mountains. These two ranges of 
 mountains, in the geogi-aphy of the continent, are held to 
 be the ban-iers on the ea.st and west of this prodigious 
 tract of coimtry. The immense space lying between us at 
 11 e moment of our eivibarkation at Brownville, at the foot 
 01 the Aileghanies, to the great barriers raised by the 
 Rocky Mountains, and separating the Western States from 
 Oregon, is considered a part of this valley. The Mississippi 
 itself may be taken as the centre line of this great tract of 
 country, stretching from north to south, prepared by na- 
 ture herself as a drain for the waters descending from the 
 east and west. We were now on one of these streams ; 
 flowing, in the main, from the east, in a westerly course, 
 to join the rivers descending in the opposite direction ; and, 
 
 irtrtww.i>' j w * mnm y^v" *" 
 
 
PART I. — PEHlduiJAL NARKATIVE. 
 
 88 
 
 below ; — 
 itain, and 
 >n of the 
 oked like 
 y object, 
 liicle be- 
 jre soon 
 ; regions 
 to move 
 md sha- 
 
 lountain, 
 arm our 
 reakfast. 
 lastened 
 to con- 
 
 lescends 
 lie navi- 
 country 
 e great 
 |s point, 
 igcs of 
 (leld to 
 ligious 
 us at 
 le foot 
 )y the 
 from 
 fssippi 
 fict of 
 J)y na- 
 the 
 fams ; 
 ^urse, 
 and, 
 
 i 
 
 as it were, to meet in fraterna' unio^i in ihe arms of the 
 " f richer ol" vi nters." 
 
 Every tiling now appeared diffeient Tiic climate be- 
 cajue genial and balmy, and the toil uuci^ ri..lier ; vegeta- 
 tion appeared luxuriant; the tree- vverii giving out thei" 
 foliage, and the shrubs and plaut'« thou colours and fra- 
 grance more richly ; the skies were clear and lofty, the sun 
 warm and cheering, while every bree?;e stemed to beai* life 
 and vivacity on '♦« wings. The river was enchanting. From 
 the edge of the waters the banks gradually sloped up so as 
 to form a hilly embankment on eacli side, covered with 
 various trees, now enriched with variegated hues. The 
 channel of the river appeared to have teen scooped out of 
 the solid earth by some giant power, its level being below 
 the adjoining country, so as completely to embosom its 
 waters in overhanging woods. This beautiful, ambrageous, 
 woody, sylvan scene was, it is true, broken in upon, now 
 and then, by human habitations, little villages, and places 
 of incipient commerce ; but, generally speaking, we passed 
 through silent and unbroken solitudes. Taking a chair, 
 and placing it under the awning of the steamer, I gazed 
 in a sort of intoxication, wonder, and ecstasy, in perfect 
 silence, or, at any rate, unwilling t/ be dis( iirbed for any 
 purpose. I can never forg- the < ftect tins bcenery had 
 upon my feelings, in this fv ^ sig»it of its peculiar loveli- 
 ness. I looked till my cyt-s grew dim with the dazzling 
 luxuriance of the ever-var/iag prospect, and my brain 
 fairly ached with the attempt to rm some notion of its 
 unique grandeur. 
 
 On our descent the banks of tlie river became more pre- 
 cipitous and rocky; and, for several miles above Pitts- 
 burgh, the causes of its manufacturing greatness and wealth 
 began to appear. For many miles beds of coal projected 
 their crust and edge upon the banks ot the river ; and, 
 here and tnere, the collier had employed his mattock and 
 spade in digging out of the 'e of the hill thu- "valuable 
 
84 
 
 TOUK IN AMERICA. 
 
 I 
 
 » ! 
 
 article of muiiulucture. The trouble and ccst of the ope- 
 ration consisted in getting it out of the rock, t nd transport- 
 ing it to its destination. A slide of plunks, fixed at the 
 mouth of the level, was placed, from whence the coals 
 were rolled down into a boat below prepared to receive 
 them. This was all the expense and labour attendant 
 upon procuring this valuable article. The same is the case 
 with iron ore. This is as abundant Jis coal, and is pro- 
 cured and removed in the same manner. How dift'erent 
 is the operation in our country ! It occurred to me, that 
 one of our friends had a pit in this locality, (Birmingham,) 
 on which he had just expended twelve or fifteen hundred 
 pounds, to ascertain whether there was a bed of coal on his 
 propert)". The Americans are saved this uncertainty and 
 expense altogether. They know before they use a tool, 
 that their exertions will not be in vain ; for they see the 
 coal and iron challenging their labour, and inviting them i j 
 enterprise. The advantage of the livalry of the two coun- 
 tries, in this respect, is greatly on the side of the Americans. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Pittsburgh— Lodge at the St. Charles— The Conftrcncc— The Bisliops— The 
 Preachers— Bishop Soulo- The youtliern Ministers— Public Services — The 
 Company at the St. Charles — The Town— Manufactures — The African 
 Church— Preach to the Ubcks— Curious Scene — Lenvo Pittsburgh— Take 
 leave of Bishop Souk— His Character— The Ohio — Wheeling;- Bishop Camp- 
 boll — Mesmerism. 
 
 We made Pittsburgh about five o'clock. On calling with 
 the other ministers at the Book Concern, I found I was 
 appointed to take up my board at the St. Charles Hotel. 
 This excellent house was kept by Mr. Miller, who, with his 
 wife, was very friendly. We met with several preachers 
 domiciled with us ; all very agreeable and excellent men. 
 I was at once installed as the entire master of a commo- 
 dious sleeping-room ; and our party had th*? privilege of 
 
PART I. — PEKbONAL NAKilATiVE. 
 
 85 
 
 with 
 was 
 [otel. 
 |h his 
 ;hers 
 Jnen. 
 uno- 
 of 
 
 meetbg together in the evenings in the family parlour. 
 This arrangement proved to be very agreeable to all par- 
 ties, as it afforded the means of private intercourse apart 
 from the general company. We took our meals at the 
 public table. A large and spacious room was occupied for 
 breakfast, dinner, and tea ; it" any one chose supper, he or- 
 dered it specifically, and took it in his own apartment. 
 This was our daily routine as to the common-place matter 
 of eating and drinking. Our fare was excellent, made up 
 of many sorts of the more substantial dishes and dessert 
 every day, and all prepared in the best possible manner. 
 We often found an .nggregate of not less than two hundred, 
 scarcely ever fewer than one hundred and hfty. These par- 
 ties consisted of travellers, men of business, inhabitants of 
 the town, and, for the time being, of Methodist preachers. 
 I soon found my position very pleasant ; and the thing 
 T most coveted was now put into my hands — an opportu- 
 nity of observing American character and manners on a 
 large and divt-rsitied scale. 
 
 Being now ti.\ed in my comfortable domicile, the next 
 thing was to open my commission. It began with a diplo- 
 matic blunder. My friend Stevens, from Boston, an inmate 
 at our house, told me he would arrange with one of the 
 senior brethren to introduce me to the ('onference ; and, in 
 due time, call for me. Accordingly, in a while he made 
 hio appearance, and informed me he had spoken to one of 
 tiie elder ministers, who had agreed to perform the duty 
 of introducing me. We went together to the church where 
 the assembly was sitting, and 1 made my way into the midst 
 of the preachers. Happening to take a seat near my old 
 friend, Dr. Durbin, I accosted him, and at first he did not 
 know me ; but, soon recovering from this absence of mind, 
 he said, 1 had done wrong in coming in, that they were 
 about to send a deputation to introduce me in form, and 
 that I should have waited. 1 offered to retire; but he 
 proposed to speak to the Bishops; and, on his doing so, 
 
M 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 they desired me to remain. In a short time they called 
 me up ; and when I liad delivered my credentials, Bishop 
 Hedding introduced me to the Conference, making such 
 observations Jis occurred to him. In the few remarks I 
 made, the official short-hand writer entirely misreported me 
 in one particular. He represented me as saying that we, 
 the EngHsh Methodists, were " all on one side ;" while tlie 
 fact is, I said, " We were all on tlie side of liberty, of 
 emancipation." By tliis interpretation of my remarks, I 
 was made to assume the position of a partisan in the great 
 dispute between tlic North and the South ; whereas no- 
 thing could by possibility be farther from my thoughts or 
 meaning. Were it not that I considered myself, not as a 
 private person, but as the representative of the British 
 Conference, and that they have an interest in the spirit 
 and manner in which the person representing them wjis 
 received, propriety would dictate that I should be silent 
 on many things which occurred at this first meeting, and on 
 many subsequent occasions. I3ut seeing that the Method- 
 ist body in England in some sort stood in my person, in 
 the presence of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Ame- 
 rica, in fraternal relations, undoubtedly those who sent me 
 have a right to know how their greetings vrere received. 
 They may, then, be assured that they were bailed in the 
 most cordial, affectionate, and Christian spirit and manner. 
 When the British Conference (for so the matter is to be 
 understood) was introduced to the American body, as a 
 mark of respect and good-will, every minister present 
 spontaneously, not by order of the chair, stood up, and 
 paid the parent b<jdy the most profound and hearty respect. 
 This WHS done in a manner not to be mistaken. Nothing 
 trifling, forma], diplomatic, marked the mo\cm''nt. It was 
 not the expression of mere courtesy to a stranger ; it was 
 the manly burst of affectionate regard for a body to whom, 
 I am perfectl}-^ sure, they feel the most devout attaclir^ent. 
 After these introductory greetings were tinished, one of the 
 
TAUT 1. — rEKftUAAL ^AKUAT1VE. 
 
 87 
 
 brethren offered a resolution, to the effect, that the British 
 representative should be incorporated arnon^ themselves as 
 a member of Conference, and should be invited to take part 
 in their proceeding's and debates, as he might find it con- 
 venient, and be so disposed. This resolution was unani- 
 mously carried. 
 
 Not content with a public recognition, the five bishops 
 came that evening to my lodgings to pay their respects ; 
 not to me, let it always be kept in mind, but to the Method- 
 ist Church in this country. This they did in the most 
 handsome and hearty manner. The conversation turned, 
 as might be expected, on the affairs of Methodism in both 
 countries, f found the Bishopii, on this and all subsequent 
 occasions, deeply interested in our affairs. Looking up to 
 us as the elder branch of the great Methodistic family, 
 from whence they received their own birth and blessings, 
 they evidently entertain a most ardent attachment to us ; 
 and, whether well or ill deserved, certainly a high opinion 
 of our religious state. Wliatever may be the fact respect- 
 ing the sentiments and feelings of ihe political body to- 
 wards the mother country, — an:l on this question my 
 opinions differ from those who coasider the great body of 
 the American people as hostile to Great Britain, — most as- 
 suredly, there is nothing of ill-will in the Methodist Bishops, 
 ministers, and people, towards their brethren in England. 
 All our jld and distinguishing characteristics, such as the 
 itinerancy, class-meetings, and other advantages ; the state 
 of piety and experimental religion, the progress we were 
 making, as well as our doctrinal fidelity : were all matters 
 of inquiry on the part of the Bishops. After an interesting 
 and lengthy conversation on these and kindred subjects, 
 we parted ; certainly with a deep impression left on my 
 mind, that the American Church was greatly favoured in 
 its chief officers. 
 
 Having given a narrative of conference proceedings else- 
 where, the account need not be entered upon here. The 
 
88 
 
 TOUK IN AMERICA. 
 
 " 
 
 few remarks which remain to bo made, mui t refer to men 
 and things. I happened to be placed in a most favourable 
 position to see and hold intercourse with everybody. All 
 had free access to my room, and it was hardly ever empty. 
 The whole body of preachers, at one time or another, 
 called upon me ; and T had much very pleasant and profita- 
 ble intercourse with them. 1 found them, in private, a 
 most pious, intelligent, and well-informed race of men. 
 Their knowledge of their own system, economy, and cou- 
 stitutio'.i, I perceived, v/ia exact and enlightened ; their 
 experience of the working of the system of Methodism 
 complete ; lor many of them had been in the service of the 
 church many years, and had seen much of their country, 
 together with its habits and manners. They were well- 
 informed on all American affairs, and took a lively interest 
 in their country's weal ; and, moreover, some of them were 
 extremely respectable in literature and general knowledge. 
 Mo man amongst them was a neuter ; he had opinions on 
 all points, and held them with tenacity ; but was perfectly 
 free to hear those of other people, and removed as far as 
 possible from a dogmatical spirit. Reasoning is thaw forte : 
 they are fond of argument. I found them loyal to their 
 country and to Methodism. They seem to entertain no 
 scruples or doubts as to their government being the best 
 in the world. This being the feeling of sober and religious 
 men, must be considered as worth notice, much more than 
 that of political zealots of any grade. I found most of the 
 Methodist ministers what is called in America " Whigs," 
 which means in our country " Conservatives." They had 
 an utter dislike to the war-spirit growing up in America, 
 disapproved very much of the Mexican war, and denounced 
 the policy of President Polk's administration. There were, 
 of course, exceptions ; but this seemed to be the general 
 opinion amongst them. 'J'he northern men were all de- 
 cided and zealous abolitionists. They abhor slavery as 
 much as it is possible to be abhorred in this countrj' ; and 
 
I'AUT 1. — PERSONAL NAKKATIVK. 
 
 80 
 
 many of them ure sanguine as to the possibility of mukiiij:^ 
 this a state (|ucstiun, and in a short time electing an anti- 
 slavery president. 
 
 Their Metliodisni is a belief, a truth, a principle. They 
 as much belirve in the soundness of Methodistic doctrines, 
 the excellency of their ecclesiiistical j)olity, and the religion 
 of their system, as in the truth of the word of God itself. 
 Ilepublicans though they may be, they are not revolution- 
 ists. And the same is the case regarding their religious 
 convictions. In a free and easy intercourse with these 
 men for a fortnight, 1 did not hear one word which sa- 
 voured of disatlection to their ecclesiastical institutions. 
 This was the case respectin'^ their JJishops ; not a murmur 
 was heard. They were perftii tly loyal to the church. 
 This, as will be seen, must ^,»\e the churcn great power 
 and force. Every man is prepared to take his place, and 
 do his best. None of his strength is frittered away iji 
 wrangling disputes, in projects of reform, in tinkering and 
 mending the system. On the other hand, he occupies his 
 sphere of labour witli the undoubted persuasion that he is 
 serving the cause of God ; that he i.s connected with a 
 form of religion which must prevail, because divine ; and 
 that his business is not to mend the rules, but to keep 
 them. We cannot be surprised at the amazing success of 
 a system of religion so supported, and so worked. Every 
 man is possessed of an idea, a truth, which he feels himself 
 bound to propagate. He does this without hesitation, 
 puts his whole soul into his mission, and it is done unto 
 liim according to his faitli. 
 
 In a few days after my arrival, bishop Soule made his 
 aj)pearance, and took up liis abode, at our hotel. This to 
 me was a most pleasant incident. We had much inter- 
 course and conversation. He had not lost his English im- 
 pressions. His sojourn in our country, his reception and 
 treatment by the conference and people, had left a very 
 grateful recollection on his mind. He entered fully into 
 
 
 
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 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 the subject of his connexion with the South ; saying, he 
 supposed we should be surprised at the event. He avowed 
 that he acted from th( dictates of his conscience, believing 
 that he should be best enabled, in the section of the Church 
 he had chosen, to advance the interests of his Master's 
 kingdom. P] very body who knows Bishop Soule must re- 
 ceive this testimony. He is incapable of equivocation, or 
 of anything dishonourable. He avowed tliat his convictions 
 of the evils of slavery had undergone no change ; it was as 
 much the object of his abhorrence as ever. His explana- 
 tions of his conduct amounted to this : — that, in his opinion, 
 the only possible way of ever reaching a measure of eman- 
 cipation lay in bringing the population of the South, mas- 
 ters and slaves, under the influence of the Gospel ; and that 
 the only means of accomplishing this was, not in agitating 
 the question, but in quietly preaching the truth to both, 
 leaving it in the providence of God to work its own results : 
 moreover, that for ministers to agitate the question of 
 emancipation, would infallibly cause the planters of the 
 South to shut the door against all attempts at evangeliza- 
 tion, and have the effect of leaving masters and servants 
 in their sins. 
 
 Impressed by these considerations, he thought it best to 
 remain in the South, his family residing in that part of the 
 country, and he himself having, for many years, chiefly 
 laboured in these States. He desired that his aftectionate 
 remembrances might be given to the British Conference ; 
 saying, he knew that, with our opinions and relations to 
 the American Episcopal Church, we could hold no official 
 communion with them ; but if the conference chose to 
 send or allow any of their messengers, on visiting America, 
 to call upon them, or inspect their work, they would be 
 most gladly and heartily received. As long as Bishop 
 Soule lives, there can be no doubt that this would be the 
 case. The nobility of his nature is above all petty jea- 
 lousies : and there are many men in the South of a like 
 
 i.--...- 
 
PART 
 
 -PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 91 
 
 I ; saying, he 
 He avowed 
 ce, believing 
 the Church 
 lis Master's 
 Lile must re- 
 ivocation, or 
 5 convictions 
 5 ; it was as 
 lis explana- 
 his opinion, 
 re of eman- 
 ^outh, mas- 
 1 ; and that 
 in agitating 
 th to both, 
 wn results : 
 luestion of 
 ers of the 
 ivangeliza- 
 id servants 
 
 it best to 
 •art of the 
 Irs, chiefly 
 ectionate 
 •nference ; 
 lations to 
 10 official 
 chose to 
 raerica, 
 ould be 
 Bishop 
 |d be the 
 itty jea- 
 lof a like 
 
 spirit with himself. Several other Southern men made 
 their appearance, as Mr. Early, the book-agent or steward 
 at Richmond, Dr. Lee, and Dr. Bascora. With all these 
 gentlemen I held intercourse. Mr. Early presented me 
 with a newly-revised hymn-book, beautifully got up and 
 well arranged, together with several other works connected 
 with the Southern question. These gentlemen manifested the 
 greatest kindness and urbanity ; and did all in their power to 
 leave an impression on my mind, that the position which they 
 now hold has not caused them to be less Methodistical than 
 before. In spirit, piety, honesty of purpose, — in frankness 
 of character, in warm affections, — they certain! v are not. 
 Dr. Lee presented me with his memoirs of his illustrious 
 uncle, Jesse Lee. A wor'.hy scion this of a noble stock. 
 There are found here and there great roots of humanity, as 
 well as of forest-trees, which send forth, for some genem- 
 tions, noble offshoot-. This is one. A tine young man, 
 full of feeling, learning-, intelligence, and good principle ; 
 destined, it is to be hoped, for irtany years to adorn the 
 sacred calling to which he is devoted. Dr. Bascom, the 
 president of Transylvania University at Lexington, came 
 late, and I had only the opportunity of seeing him once. 
 But this one interview was sufficient to convince me that 
 he possessed a powerful intellect, of masculine form, richly 
 furnished, highly polished, and convei*sant with vai!ous 
 learning and knowledge. He had been making a long 
 preaching tour in the South during the vacation, and we 
 heard that his ministry had made a deep impression. This 
 gentleman is considered a master of eloquence ; and if he 
 drew up the state-papers which appear in the dispute 
 betwixt the South and the North in 1844, which I believe, 
 his pen is as eloquent as his tongue ; his eloquence, how- 
 ever, not being that of declamation, but of reason, and 
 clothed in the flowincj dress of lucid and beautiful diction. 
 I deem it but fair thus to mention the ministers of the 
 South to whom I was introduced, fearing lest their con- 
 
 11 
 

 !:: 
 
 ilS 
 
 i :i 
 
 ., : 5 
 
 i' 1 
 
 92 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 nexion witli tliat cluiivli should load to tho conclusion that, 
 in their personal ohnractor, they are something ditierent 
 from other Methodist ministers. 
 
 It was my happim^ss to preacli twice each Lord's day, 
 on tho two Sutidays 1 remained at Pittsburgh, and once be- 
 fore the conference. Tiie worship was devout and spiritual, 
 the congregations wore large, und everything proceeded 
 much in our Knrrlish manner. After the morninu: service 
 on th(^ tiixt Sabbatlu the Lord's supper was administered, 
 exactly after the order of the Prayer-Hook. An incident 
 occurred at this service of a ])leasing nature. liishop 
 Soule and Dr. Pierce being present, they were invited to 
 take part in tlu^ service, which they did ; thus showing to 
 the world thai the ecclesiastical dillerences existing be- 
 tween the two parties, were not deemed sufficient to sever 
 the bonds of religious brotherhood, to destroy the more 
 sacred ties of spiritual atfection, or to indicate that one 
 party considered the other as heretics. This was very 
 cheering to bi'hold. 
 
 Whilst mentioning these matters, T mast state one or 
 two things in passing, not of mucl; consequence in them- 
 selves, and yet tending to illustrate the state of feeling 
 amongst our friends in the States. As a loyal subject of 
 Queen Victoria, maugre all suspicions to the contrary, 1 
 deemed it my duty, in every public service, to pray tirst for 
 our queen and government, and then, secondly, for the 
 president of the States, and governnu^nt of the country ; 
 putting in })etitions, that our union might never be inter- 
 rupted by discord und war. How was this received? 
 Did it produce disapprobation ? Just the reverse. It 
 called forth hearty responses, and many expressions of ap- 
 proval. One more incident. We had been holding a 
 school-meeting one evening in the conference chapel, when, 
 after the service was concluded, the choir struck up " God 
 save the Queen." I confess 1 felt this a most delicate and 
 grateful compliment paid to my country ; and, moreover, 
 
PART I.— PERSONAL N'ARRATIVK. 
 
 98 
 
 that a people who eould do this, were in possession, at 
 once, of good feeUng and tine taste. 
 
 I had promised niyseh' the acquisition of a good deal of 
 information, in connexion with onr table dli(ste at the hotel, 
 by being brought into contact with so many people. But, 
 in truth, little came out of it. The .Vmericnns have re- 
 tained our ViUglish characteristics ; they ai-e vastly taciturn ; 
 general conversation was out of the question allog(Mher. 
 This never liMppcMied. And. in iiuiumerable instances, 
 many of the people would tinish their repast without 
 speaking a single word. One of these American menls is, 
 indecMl, a curio.sity. The despatch of business is prodigious. 
 The dinner is speedily over ; and (>very man as he tinishe.s 
 rises from the table and departs ; tluis thinning the ranks 
 of the regiment of "beef-eaters." till th(^ Inst man remains. 
 This wns generally myself. I could not keep up at all 
 with the march ; and often felt perfectly ashamed at sit- 
 ting by myself to finish my plate. Indeed, 1 very often 
 saw that one and another of my kind-hearted friends, see- 
 ing my embarrassment, nMuained to ke(>p me in ccnmfe- 
 nance. Tea Avas worse still. 1 dt^'kii-e 1 have seen men 
 spring from the table in three miniites after they \vm\ been 
 seated, and make their exit. One thing 1 must mention, 
 however, tha., .airing the: whole of this time, in which, by 
 the constant change of the company. 1 must have ob- 
 served .«omc two or three thousand )ieople, if not more, F 
 never sa\"^ one take a single glass of wine at tabl^^, (^r any- 
 thing but water, and milk. This I took to be a remarkable 
 proof of the influence of ^he temperance ]u-inciple. " But 
 there is a bar," it may be snid. True ; but I never saw nnv 
 drinking at the bar, or in any other part of the hotel, or an 
 inebriated person. The order, decorum, sobriety, and vir- 
 tue, so far asoutward appearances go, were ascomplete in this 
 great establishment, as in the best-r<\gul;it(Ml jirivate family. 
 
 The servants of this house weie all people of colour; 
 and T found the man who jittended upon me wns a nm- 
 
 * 
 
 I 
 
H 
 
 94 
 
 Torn IN AMERICA. 
 
 away slave. He felt no compunction on account of this 
 act of self-emancipation ; why t^hould he ? He told me a 
 fearful story re;;pecting his mother and family. He had 
 the pain to see his parent sold and dragged away from her 
 cliildren, and never saw her more. His sisters were treated 
 in the same manner, and he knew not what had become jf 
 them. T found this poor black a truly religious man, and 
 full of faith, as he expressed it, " that all would be right 
 in the end ;" meaning by this, that at some time liberty 
 would come. He was as acute and intelligent as the gene- 
 ral class of labourers in this country, and even much more 
 so than many. These people are a distinct body of Me- 
 thodists, and have an episcopacy of their own. One of 
 the public services I conducted was in their church, newly 
 erected, — indeed, not finished ; and it was a memorable 
 time. The poor blacks manifested great feeling. There 
 sat before me a female whose countenance was lit up with 
 an amount of ecstatic emotion, such as I never before wit- 
 nessed. After the sermon the people sang some of their 
 own peculiarly soft and melancholy airs. This excited 
 them ; and we had a remarkable scene. They leaped, I 
 know not how high, and in a manner one would have 
 thought impossible. But, more than this, they danced to 
 their own melody, and in perfect time, and exhibited 
 the signs of the most rapturous happiness. This looked 
 strange to us sober people : T stood somewhat aghast, 
 fearful lest it should lead to mischief. I heard of none ; 
 and hope it was the mere expression of joyous feeling. 
 
 I must now say a word respecting Pittsburgh. In truth, 
 it consists of three cities, under one name ; as Southwark 
 is included in the one eoofnomen, London. These cities 
 have their separate cor])orate rights and jurisdiction. One 
 is Pittsburgh proper ; the second Alleghany, after the river 
 of that name ; and the third is called Birmingham. Pitts- 
 burgh is often called the Birmingham of America, but with 
 little reason, except from fhe fact that both are smoky 
 
 ■M 
 
int of this 
 told me a 
 He had 
 y' from her 
 ere treated 
 become jf 
 man, and 
 d be right 
 me liberty 
 the gene- 
 (iiich more 
 dy of Me- 
 Onc of 
 rth, newly 
 nemorable 
 g. There 
 it up with 
 )ef()re wit- 
 e of their 
 is excited 
 leaped, I 
 uld have 
 llanced to 
 exhibited 
 lis looked 
 aghast, 
 )f none ; 
 |ing. 
 fn truth, 
 liithwark 
 5e cities 
 One 
 le river 
 Pitts- 
 |ut with 
 smoky 
 
 PART I. — PERSONAL NARRATIVK. 
 
 95 
 
 places ; and that the new town manufactures many of the 
 articles which are made in the old one ; otherwise, they 
 are not at all alike. The city stands on the forks of the 
 two rivers Monongahela and Alleghany ; which, after a 
 course of something like a hundred miles, meet at this 
 . lace, and by their union form the Ohio. Standing, as it 
 does, on this point of land, the city is, of course, environed 
 by water on two sides of the triangle. Its facilities of trans- 
 port by water are complete ; it is connected with the 
 Atlantic States, partly by canal, to Philadelphia; and with 
 all the Western States, and the lakes, by the Ohio, the 
 Mississippi, and the innumerable streams branching from 
 them in every direction. The city itself is substantially 
 built, chiefly of brick ; the shops are not much like ours, 
 being generally in the store fashion ; and not, consequently, 
 either elegant or showy ; but many of them appear to be 
 in a prosperous and thriving state, as marts of business. 
 The manufactures are iron and steel goods of all sorts, 
 glass, tin, brass, and, in line, the same precisely as are 
 made in Birmingham. Here, for the first time in America, 
 T beheld smoke. The Atlantic cities all burn anthracite 
 coal, which, being free from the bituminous quality, thougli 
 it gives a glowing heat, yet emits no smoke. On this ac- 
 count the atmosphere of the largest cities is as clear as in 
 the country ; the buildings are preserved in their freshness, 
 and appear beautifully clean. It is different at Pittsburgh. 
 The coal, like ours, being strongly impregnated with bitu- 
 minous matter, sends out, from the furnaces and tall chim- 
 neys, dense volumes of smoke, as in our manufacturing 
 towns. Besides, the city being embosomed in a valley, 
 and surrounded by hills, some of which are high, the sooty 
 nuisance cannot escape : this causes the place, in some 
 states of the wind and weather, to be intolerably dirty and 
 suffocating. 
 
 But these are the things which create wealth ; and no- 
 thing can possibly prevent Pittsburgh from becoming one 
 
 I 
 
 I. 
 
 It 
 
 t 
 
 i 
 
ll.l 
 
 r 
 
 96 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 of the greatest manufacturing cities in the world. I met 
 many of our countrymen located at this place ; giving their 
 genius, their knowledo-e, their labour, to augment the crea- 
 tive power of the greau rival of their own fatherland. They 
 were in a thriving condition ; many of Lhem becoming 
 wealthy. One who had left the north of England when a 
 youth, a poor collier, witliout sixpence in his pocket, and 
 who began his career by heaving coals out of the side of 
 the hills, told me he was worth tiftcen or sixteen thousand 
 dollars, showing me, with grateful feelings, some half- 
 dozen houses of which he was the owner. He had in- 
 duced all his relations to join him, and the whole family 
 were living in great comfort and respectability. This is 
 only a sample. 
 
 All the world contributes its quota of help to enrich the 
 Americans. When I was passing down the river, and saw 
 the collieries at work, I felt sure that those collieries were 
 not worked by Yankee hands, that my poor countrymen 
 were the drudges ; and on putting the question with the 
 express purpose to ascertain the fact, I found it perfectly 
 correct ; hardly a single American ever works in a coal-pit, 
 or, indeed, performs any analogous task. This is done for 
 liim by the labouring hands of ail portions of the world ; 
 and especially by the Avorkmen of England. 
 
 Human life, which is often a burden in other countries, 
 constitutes the wealth of America. The black population 
 perform all the menial damestic duties; they are seen in 
 every house, unless superseded by Irish girls ; the poor Celts 
 from the sister island dis: for their canals and railroad line?, 
 and carry bricks and mortar up the scaffolding, in all build- 
 ing processes ; and the Germans, besides yielding their 
 portion of help in canal and railroad work, fiirnish labour, 
 to a great amount, in all agricultural improvements. The 
 true American is the f/entlemcm of the country ; and all 
 these classes constitute his mechanists and labourers. If 
 he ran command a little capital, he will have the skill and 
 
 •w ; ' ! 
 
rid. I met 
 givinjQj their 
 nt the crea- 
 iand. They 
 I becoming 
 Lmd when a 
 pocket, and 
 the side of 
 m thousand 
 some half- 
 He had in- 
 hole family 
 tv. This is 
 
 enrich the 
 ^er, and saw 
 llieries were 
 countrymen 
 Ion with the 
 it perfectly 
 a coal-pit, 
 is done for 
 the world ; 
 
 countries, 
 
 population 
 
 ■ire seen in 
 
 poor Celts 
 
 Iroad line?, 
 
 n all build- 
 
 i£r their 
 
 sh labour, 
 
 nts. The 
 
 ; aiid all 
 
 lurers. If 
 
 skill nnd 
 
 PART I. — PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 t>7 
 
 adroitness to put everybody else to work for him ; but lot 
 any one find a genuine Yankee puttinj| his own hand to 
 any hard work, if he can. There is no luifairness in all 
 this, inasmuch as the same road is open to all the new- 
 comers. In the lifetime of many of them, they get into 
 the same position themselves, or, if this is not secured, their 
 children are certain to attain it. AVhat America is to do 
 if the current of emigration sets in in another direction, it is 
 difficiiU to say. Will her real children turn out to the 
 drudgery of working coal-pits, iron-furnaces, glfiss- works, 
 brick-making, and the rest ? Heads will not do alone. At 
 present the Yankee seems to imagine that his calling is to 
 furnish the ideal, the plan, the scheme, the head ; but it 
 belongs to Europeans and Africans to find the hands to do 
 the drudgery. It is very clear, however, that the heada 
 may become too numerous ; how the right equilibrium is 
 to be maintained, is difficult to imagine. 
 
 The time for leaving Pittsburgh now came. My travel- 
 ling companion was the Rev. John Ryerson. On tendering 
 our money for the passage to Cincinnati, a distance of five 
 hundred miles, to occupy tAvo days and two nights, we 
 were told that the regular fare was six dollars, but that 
 they only charged ministers five. This favour shown to 
 ministers is universal in the States. On occasion of cross- 
 ing one of the bricges at Pittsburgh, I saw a written notice 
 of the toll to be oaid ; and tenderinof the amount to the 
 man, who sat, in the American style, Avith his legs cocked- 
 up on the back of a chair, and a cigar in his mouth, he 
 asked if I belonged to the Conference ; and being told that 
 I did, he said. " Our directors have ordered me to pass you 
 on ; there is nothing to pay." So, in our passage down 
 the Ohio, we were lodged and boarded, in the best manner, 
 for two days and nights, for tJie sum of sometliing less 
 than twenty-two shillings. Many of the brethren accom- 
 panied us to the vessel, to bid us farewell. Among the 
 rest was Bishop Soulo ; T saw him for the last time, with 
 
 V 
 
 m 
 
y» 
 
 TULK IN AM»::h1CA. 
 
 an achiiij^ licart, amonp^ the group of preachers and people. 
 It is sad to thhik of seeing him no more. I felt this keenly, 
 as I turned my ejes from him., with the certainty that it 
 was a final adieu. A noble man ! One of the first spirits in 
 America. In bearing, a perfect gentleman, manly, courte- 
 Ods, and dignified ; in principle, feeling, and demeanour, a 
 true Christian ; in the character and calibre of his mind, 
 strong, clear, masculine ; in moral force, firm, unwavering, 
 inflexible ; inofficial life, judicious, prudent, and decided in 
 his adherence to settled constitutional rule, but practical 
 and wise ; in evangelical toils and labours, as abundant as 
 any living man in the church ; and in spirit, calm, coura- 
 geous, and active. It is more than pleasant to meet with 
 such a man, it is highly instructive. For a fcjrtnight I had 
 enjoyed the happiness of Bishop Soule's society ; and my 
 inmost soul reverenced and did homage to him, on taking 
 a last look of his manly and venerable form. 
 
 We soon lost sight of Pittsburgh ; gliding rapidly down 
 one of the finest streams that ever graced or blessed any 
 country in the world. The banks, for five hundred miles, 
 were exactly like those already described. The rocky soil 
 sloped up, in many places, to a considerable height, and 
 was invariably covered fi'om the water's edge with rich and 
 beautiful foliage. The weather was most brilliant, and 
 towards evening we arrived at Wheeling ; and, stopping a 
 sufficient time to allow us to land, we visited the town. It 
 had no show of beauty from the river ; but on entering, we 
 found it a very large and handsome place, full of fine shops, 
 and commercial activity. The usual rocky ascent, which 
 generally rose from the river's brink, had here been thrown 
 in to the distance of a few miles into the interior, leaving 
 room on its banks for building the city. The hill, however, 
 appeared in due course ; but formed a sort of back-ground 
 to the town, the effect of which was exceedingly beautiful. 
 The whole scene was enchanting. The sun was retiring, 
 all nature was clothed in lier most glorious dress ; not a 
 
 ^ . 
 
PART I. — PKRSONAIi NAUR ATI VK. 
 
 99 
 
 111(1 people, 
 liis keenly, 
 nty that it 
 st spirits in 
 ily, coiirte- 
 ncanour, a 
 his mind, 
 mvaverint^, 
 decided in 
 it practical 
 )iindant as 
 dm, coura- 
 meet witii 
 light I had 
 y ; and my 
 , on taking 
 
 jidly down 
 
 )lessed any 
 
 Ircd miles, 
 
 rocky soil 
 
 eight, and 
 
 h rich and 
 
 liant, and 
 
 topping a 
 
 itown. It 
 
 jtering, we 
 
 ne shops, 
 
 |nt, which 
 
 n thrown 
 
 , leaving 
 
 however, 
 
 -ground 
 
 eautiful. 
 
 retiring, 
 
 Is ; not a 
 
 "\ 
 
 breatli of air disturbed the universal calm ; not a cloud 
 or s])eck was seen across the deep blue sky ; our noble 
 river roiled majestically, but peacefully, along ; and all 
 things conspired to make this one of those bright, illu- 
 siv<> hours, in the midst of the storms and labours of life, 
 which leave an ind(!lible impression upon the soul. Wo 
 were soon called to move from our moorings ; we descended 
 the stream ; and the sunny hour spent at Wheeling, soon 
 became a vision, an idea. 
 
 It may be proper to remark, that great numbers of vil- 
 lages and towns, few of them, at present, of any magnitude, 
 lie along the shores of the Ohio. Many of these rising 
 towns bear the names of our own, as Liverpool, Manchester, 
 Portsmouth ; collieries and founderies, in an incipient state 
 of progress, are beginning their operations, soon to become 
 of gigantic power. We had the State of Ohio towards the 
 north, always free, ne^ jr having admitted slavery ; and that 
 of Kentucky on the south, having always been a slave State. 
 The extent of many of these States may be pretty accu- 
 rately understood, when it is stated, that the river Ohio 
 washes one of the frontiers of Kentucky, in its windings, 
 for the distance of seven hundred miles. 
 
 This voyage down the Ohio was rather fortunate in 
 bringing me into contact with several parties of some in- 
 terest. Among others Bishop Campbell introduced himself. 
 This gentleman was the husband of a Mrs. Campbell, who, 
 in Scotland, some few years ago, produced much excite- 
 ment by (if I recollect right) following in the train of poor 
 Irving, and giving utterance to noises, which used to be 
 called " the tongues." In doctrine and sentiment, they, 
 the Campbells, adhered to the Rowite party, and dissemi- 
 nated their sentiments. I could not exactly understand 
 what church my friend was bishop of, but suppose it must 
 liave been one founded on the principles above referred to. 
 I also met with a very intelligent farmer, living in the State 
 of Ohio, who expatiated much on the fertility of the soil, 
 
 
 P 
 
f 
 
 100 
 
 TOUH IN AMKRTCA. 
 
 ii 
 
 and the social condition of tho people; ; but he ^ave me 
 information on another point, in which I felt a deeper in- 
 terest. Oil my saying I supposed they found it difficidt to 
 get their children educated in the coimtry, he assured me 
 that universal j)rovision Avas made to meet this want. He 
 remarked, "For instance, here, where the land is cleared, 
 and farms established, and that is the case for many miles, 
 there are school-houses, built by the townships, and main- 
 tained by rates levied by the people themselves, at the 
 distance of about four miles from each other ; so that chil- 
 dren have to walk but two miles to school from the most 
 distant points, which they do, carrying their dinner with 
 them, by which they are enabled to remain all day." 
 
 }3ut, in addition to this information thus connected with 
 education and morals, we had on board a gentleman of an- 
 other genus, a lecturer on mesmerism, having in his train 
 three or four persons, whom he seemed to be carrying 
 with him for the purpose of operating upon. He favoured 
 the company with a lecture, Avith experiments upon his 
 subjects. The sight of this was too much for my sober- 
 minded companion, Ryerson, who soon retired ; but I was 
 determined to see it out, and remained. It was an odd 
 affair, most certainly. Having put them into a mesmeric 
 state, the operator professed to touch and move the phreno- 
 logical bumps of his patients ; and, whether real or feigned, 
 I know not, but they played off some most singular antics. 
 All parties were perfectly civil, no one disputing or contra- 
 dicting in any way. The ladies wei^ full of amazement ; 
 some in raptures, exclaiming, " How astonishing !" " Won- 
 derful !" " Beautiful !" " Is it not fine ?" the men, in the 
 mean time, shrugging up their shoulders, skulking back, 
 knitting their brows, and frowning doubt, without saying 
 anything. 
 
t 
 
 PART I. — PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 101 
 
 ^ave me 
 eeper in- 
 ifficult to 
 sured me 
 ant. He 
 cleared, 
 ny miles, 
 nd main- 
 s, at the 
 that chil- 
 the moat 
 mer with 
 
 y." 
 
 }ted with 
 
 lan of an- 
 
 liis train 
 
 carrying 
 
 favoured 
 
 Apon his 
 
 y sober- 
 
 t I was 
 
 an odd 
 
 icsmeric 
 
 I phreno- 
 
 |feigned, 
 
 antics, 
 
 contra- 
 
 sement ; 
 
 'Won- 
 
 in the 
 
 back, 
 
 saying 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 CiDciiinali— Mr. Smith— Auburn— A Storm in tho Country— Hishop M'llvaine's 
 Country Rosidencc— A Firo— Tlic Sabbatli— The City— Start for Sandusky— 
 Th« Forest— Difficulties of clearing Land— Tho Railroad through tho Forest 
 — A Stage Journey— Arrival at Urbaiia— Arrival at Sandusky. 
 
 We arrived at Cincinnati early on Saturday morning. The 
 friends being informed, by telegraph, that wo might be 
 expected, we found a carriage waiting our arrival to con- 
 duct us to our lodgings. 1 had been appointed to stay at 
 the house of Christopher Smith, Esq., wliom I found to be 
 a countryman, from Stockton, in the north of England, and 
 Mrs. Smith, a county-woman of my own, from Leicester- 
 shire. Mr. Smith had left home when young ; but, before 
 his r'^moval, had obtained the knowledge and enjoyment 
 of religion. He remembered several of the old preachers, 
 having waited upon them in his boyhood, and mentioned 
 Mr. Kershaw with great affection. He received me with 
 genuine cordiality, and set himself to do all in his power to 
 make my sojourn as agreeable as possible. After the 
 necessary ablutions and breakfast, I set out by myself to 
 obtain a notion of the character of the city. Rambling 
 into one of the suburbs, I saw five or six large cotton-mills 
 by the river-side, together with other manufactories. The 
 day being hot, and feeling some weariness from the voy- 
 age, I sat down on some steps — not of stone, but of wood 
 — in the outskirts of the town, on the entrance into a gar- 
 den, in front of a genteel-looking house. I had not been 
 seated many minutes before the lady of the house came, 
 and asked me to walk in and take a seat. On my decUning 
 this polite offer, she very soon returned with a bouquet of 
 most fragrant roses ; and then, in a little while after, she 
 came a third time, with newspapers, saying, " You would, 
 perhaps, wish to see the morning papers." I know not 
 what Mrs, Trollope would make of this instance of Ame- 
 
 i?i 
 
w 
 
 I I 
 
 V 
 
 102 
 
 TOUU IN AMEIUCA. 
 
 rican manners ; but I felt that any politeness could hardly 
 exceed this. 
 
 Bishop Morris had, in his great kindness, written to 
 fi lends hving four or five miles from the city, to Uike me 
 to see a suburb, in the direction of their residence, called 
 Auburn ; it seems considered by the citizens as the " West 
 End" of Cincinnati. I was accordingly escorted in the 
 afternoon to this place ; and certainly it is, and promises to 
 be much more so, a beautiful locality. The house of our 
 friends is quite in the country; and, among other pros- 
 pects, commands a view of the residence, which would, in 
 this country, be called the palace, of one of the first men 
 in America — good Bishop M'llvaine, His people have 
 built him a fine li tie church, near his residence ; and the 
 spire of this church, rising in the midst of the sylvan scene, 
 causes it to have a perfectly English appearance. The 
 good Bishop was from home, in his diocese ; otherwise I 
 might have enjoyed the benefit of hearing him, as the 
 church in which he usually officiates is close to the house 
 of Mr. Smith, and the family are in the habit of hearing 
 him often. The Bishop enjoys a high reputation as a faith- 
 ful and able minister of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
 
 While in the country, at our friend's house, we were 
 visited by a tremendous storm. This storm was exceedingly 
 {-rand; the thunder was loud and terrific; the rain de- 
 scended in torrents ; and the lightning, unh'ke ours of the 
 forky description, appeared like sheets of jre, while the 
 heavens seemed enveloped in one universal blaze. This 
 stor*T! did considerable damage. One of our own Method- 
 ist friends, being thrown from his horse, suffered some 
 mi&chief ; but, providentially, his life was spared. In the 
 night, another of our people had his house set on fire, near 
 our lodgings. The noise from the sounding of bells, 
 the yells of the population, and the exertions of firemen, was 
 awful. The fire in due time was happily subdued, though 
 much damage was doae ; vhe stock in trade being paper. 
 
 
 ; 
 

 n 
 
 PART I. — PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 103 
 
 lin de- 
 of the 
 ile the 
 This 
 ethod- 
 some 
 [n the 
 , near 
 bells, 
 , was 
 ougli 
 Ipcr. 
 
 The Sunday dawned ; and it was a blessed day. I 
 preached twice ; the congregations beings large, lively, 
 and devout. To show the difference of feeling between 
 the Americans and rao^jt Christians in our country, we may 
 just mention, that Dr iVydelott, an eminent Episcopalian 
 minister, sat in the pulpit with the Methodist ministers 
 present, on both occasions. Having found, for the first 
 time, in the possession of Mr. Smith, a copy of Asbury's 
 Journal, I spent the intervals of worship very profitably in 
 perusing this interesting narrative. Mr. Smith had the 
 goodness, afterwards, to present me with this work ; an 
 invaluable treasure, full of important information and inci- 
 dent connected with the early history of Methodism in the 
 United States. 
 
 Cincinnati is called " Tne Queen City of the West," and 
 deserves the designation. It is beautifully situated on the 
 banks of the Ohio, on rising ground, somewhat in the form 
 of a half-circle. The houses and shops are spacious, and 
 well furnished ; the streets cut each other at right angles, 
 giving the place perfect uniformity of appearance ; and the 
 allotments of houses and buildings thus formed are called 
 " squares." This name at first deceived me ; when hearing 
 them speak of First, Second, and Third Square, and so on, 
 I thought a square in our sense of the term was meant, but 
 soon found out my mistake. When perambulating this 
 place, and recollecting the brevity of the period of its exist- 
 ence, I was much puzzled to know where the funds came 
 from which built and furnished all their costly houses and 
 shops. My friend, Mr. Smith, had resided in Cincinnati 
 about forty-five years. He informed me, that, when he 
 took up his abode first, there were only between nine and 
 ten hundred inhabitants : *' And now there are," he said, 
 ** near one hundred thousand:" at that time he made the 
 twenty-second member in the Methodist society ; but at 
 the present time there are many thousands : and when he 
 went first to the place, he informed me, he used to sweep 
 
104 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 i« 
 
 E V 
 
 out his joiner's shop for preaching, there being no other 
 place in the city in which they could hold divine service ; 
 but they have raised in the course of this time about twenty 
 large churches. This good man justly and gratefully ap- 
 preciates the dealings of Providence with himself. With 
 eyes brilliant with joyous emotions, he added, "And I 
 feel it a great mercy and privilege to have had some httle 
 liand in it all." Well might he feel grateful and happy at 
 the consciousness of helping forward the work of God for 
 so many years, and of living to witness such results ! 
 
 Time pressed, and we were obliged to leave on Mondi^y 
 morning. Our course lay by rails across the country to 
 the lakes, a distance of two hundred and nineteen miles, 
 I had been told that this route would afford me the oppor- 
 tunity of seeing, on an extended scale, the agricultural 
 character and resources of the western country ; and I was 
 not disappointed. The entire territory was either perfectly 
 new, or only very recently cultivated. This will appear 
 from the fact, that many of the rising tovms bear the name 
 even of living men ; as Polktown, called after the Presi- 
 dent, and Claysville, after the eminent statesman of that 
 name. The whole scene was very curious ; the only uniform 
 and finished thing being the railroad on which we travel- 
 led ; the greater part of the country still remaining un- 
 broken forest. Through this forest-scene our railroad had 
 been cut, at a vast cost of money and labour ; the trees 
 having, of course, to be felled by the woodman's axe, as 
 well as the road itself levelled and prepared. To the inha- 
 bitants of these solitudes — now limited to wild animals, the 
 Indians being all gone — the blaze of our fire, the fizzing of 
 our steam, the sound of our whistle, the noise of our mo- 
 tion, and the rapidity of our speed, must appear a singular 
 solecism in the midst of the sylvan scenes of their joyous 
 freedom. What music for the forest is a railroad train! 
 How fine and perfect the harmony between the singing of 
 birds, the leap of squirrels, the bounding of the hind, the 
 
 L 
 
ao other 
 service ; 
 t twenty 
 fully ap- 
 '. With 
 "And I 
 Me little 
 lappy at 
 God for 
 si 
 
 Monduy 
 untry to 
 n miles, 
 J oppor- 
 cultural 
 d I was 
 •erfectly 
 appear 
 name 
 Presi- 
 of that 
 miform 
 travel- 
 ig un- 
 id had 
 trees 
 xe, as 
 inha- 
 s, the 
 ng of 
 r mo- 
 gular 
 yous 
 rain ! 
 g of 
 the 
 
 PART I. — PERSONAL NAURATIVE. 
 
 105 
 
 I 
 
 stag, the deer, and all the other forms of life and motion 
 peculiar to the wilderness ; — and the smoke, ashes, dirt, 
 creaking, bellowing, of a huge train, laden with human and 
 all other kinds of lumber ! We dashed along through these 
 forest scenes, indifferent as to the sentiment of concord, 
 the " eternal laws and fitness of things," and matters of 
 that sort, notwithstanding ; intent only upon our mission of 
 progress, though it should oblige us to cut down all the 
 trees in the universe, disturb the repose of nature in her 
 lair, and quench the lights of heaven by the smoke of our 
 civilizing chimneys. 
 
 But to return. The country through which we passed 
 appeared to be extremely rich, and capable of bearing 
 most abundant crops of wheat, and every other kind of 
 grain. A great part of the land, which is considered as 
 cleared, and occupied for agricultural purposes, is only so 
 to a very imperfect degree. The trees of the forest are 
 cut off about two feet above their root, and the stumps left 
 standing in the fields. These stumps are seen everywhere, 
 and have not an agreeable appearance ; the farmer ploughs 
 and sows around them ; so that tlie harvest has to be reap- 
 ed and collected in the midst of these annoying hin- 
 drances to the sweep of the scythe. They are left in this 
 state to rot ; and when th(! process of decay has proceeded 
 to a certain point, a machine is employed to draw, that is, 
 to twist, them up; just on the principle of the dentist's 
 operations in drawing a tooth. 
 
 On beholding this line of road, I was very deeply un- 
 pressed with the idea, that the matter of " clearing" forest- 
 land is a most Herculean affair. Let any one just imagine 
 even an acre to be cleared by a new-comer, with only his 
 own hands and those of his children, either not having the 
 means of obtaining help, or that help not to be obtained. 
 How great the difficulty ! When the trees are felled, the 
 roots and stumps still remain ; the soil turned up, the 
 must have time to srrow. and the returns of labour " 
 
 crop 
 
 gn 
 
 ;* 
 
106 
 
 lOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 waited for till harvest ; the log-hut, built in the spare hours 
 Baved from sleep and pressing calls of duty elsewhere, is 
 no defence against the wintry storm ; if domestic animals 
 are possessed, they are wanted for food ; if clothing is en- 
 joyed in the beginning of the operation, it wears out ; and 
 as to money to purchase new, when even the necessarios 
 of life have not yet been obtained from the soil — that is 
 out of the question. The privations, sufferings, and sacri- 
 fices of life, which even the matter of clearing must have 
 cost the human family, in the amount of forest now occu- 
 pied by the habitations of man in America, must be infinite. 
 How vital, indeed, how profound and dominant a passion 
 must the love of possession and independence be, to impel 
 such hosts of men to quit a quiet and mediocre mode of 
 life, but dependent, to seek in the forest, in the midst of 
 such toil as this, the happiness of calling their land and 
 their house their own ! The first occupants can never, cer- 
 tainly, enjoy much of the fruit of their own labour, except 
 in very particular cases : but then here another mighty 
 passion comes in to help the soul in her heroic perseve- 
 rance ; there is the love of posterity, the hope of laying a 
 foundation for the happiness of children. The clearance of 
 the forest is no other than the development of these instincts 
 of nature. 
 
 The line along which we passed was evidently doing its 
 work. Numerous villages and towns were rising ; stores, 
 warehouses, mills, and buildings of every kind were being 
 put up ; new farm-houses were appearing at intervals all 
 along the road ; and, passing large portions of forest still 
 imdisturbed, every now and then the effects of the wood- 
 man's axe were apparent in chasms made by the recent fall 
 of trees, and the partial cultivation of portions of the ground. 
 Everything was life, bustle, and activity. Great numbers 
 of Irish were seen at work on the line, and at other em- 
 ployments ; a useful and laborious class. One could not 
 help seeing the contrast betwixt these poor people and all 
 
 
 ) 
 
PART I. — rEllSONAL NAKKATIVE. 
 
 107 
 
 are hours 
 where, is 
 ) animals 
 ng is en- 
 out; and 
 scessaries 
 — that is 
 nd sacri- 
 ust liave 
 ow occu- 
 e infinite. 
 I passion 
 to impel 
 mode of 
 nidst of 
 and and 
 ver, cer- 
 , except 
 mighty 
 
 )ing its 
 
 I stores, 
 
 being 
 
 em- 
 
 not 
 
 id all 
 
 } 
 
 around them, even in America. The Celt bears the unmis- 
 takable physiognomy of his race in all countries, for at least 
 one generation. 
 
 Before reaching our destination, we had to quit the rail- 
 road, and mount stages fourteen miles, the line being 
 unfinished. I took a seat on the box to see the country, 
 but had difficulty enough to keep my equilibrium ; the 
 jolting was horrible. Our course could not be called a 
 road, in any sense, except from the mere fact that it had 
 been traversed before, and we also were now passing over 
 it. We made our way across gullies, rivulets, rising hil- 
 locks, and then again sunk up to our axletrees in bogs. 
 We were roughly handled by great stones lying in our 
 course, roots of trees projecting their fibres ; and then 
 again by pieces of timber put into soft places, by way o^ 
 making a pavement for passengers to cross. Really this 
 journeying of the American stages, in the midst of a coun- 
 try such as we passed through this day, is a curiosity. It 
 would be, indeed, extremely difficult, a priori, to imagine 
 how the carriage was to escape being capsized many times 
 told ; how the horses were to keep their feet, and perform 
 their task ; and how the driver could possibly preserve his 
 seat, and pilot his vehicle through so many shoals to a 
 safe anchorage. Such, however, is use and experience, 
 that calamities rarely occur ; and though sufficiently shaken, 
 and not free from fear, yet we arrived safely at our des- 
 tined place of rest for the night. 
 
 The country through which we passed is of the nature 
 of an avenue cut through the forest, sometimes a mile or 
 two broad, and at other places less. This space is occu- 
 pied by splendid farms, rich and productive in the highest 
 degree. The farm-houses are nearly all good substan^'^al 
 brick or stone buildings ; and many of them much like the 
 fine residences of our country gentry. There must be 
 great comfort in this region, and, when the railroad is 
 finished, easy of access ; it affording the means of transport 
 
108 
 
 TO UK IN AMERICA. 
 
 I i 
 
 for the produce of the soil, cither to Cincinnati on the 
 Ohio on the one hand, or to tlie lakes on the other. And 
 one cannot help asking, If without this road and its advan- 
 tages 'ndustry and enterprise could do so much, what are 
 we to expect now that nil ihese facilities of progress are 
 opened ? It must ceitainly become, shortly, one of the 
 richest tracts of country in America. This is a fine part 
 of the States for settlers in the farming line, if necessity or 
 inclination should cause them to leave their fatherland. In 
 case any such parties should cast their eyes on this book, 
 I should certainly recommend them to examine this region, 
 before they think of locating elsewhere. 
 
 Our resting-place for the night was a neAV and rising 
 town in the wilderness, called Urbana. We found a good 
 <inn, and spoke for beds. While we were doing this, some 
 Methodist friends, who had been apprized of our coming 
 by telegraph, were in search of us. Wr called to pay a 
 friendly visit, and found them very agreeable ; but, having 
 engaged our lodging, declined a kk^d and hearty invitation 
 to take up our abode with them. On retiring to bed, I 
 was soon expelled by some old friends, who own me wher- 
 ever I go ; and was obliged to go down stairs, and get 
 such rest as lying across some chairs would allow. While 
 in this posture, a number of young fellows, black and 
 white, assembled at the door of the house ; and I suppose 
 we had in them a specimen of back-wood language of the 
 worst sort. I had not, up to this time, heard an oath or 
 profane language of any kind since I left my native land, 
 either on board ship or in America ; but these young sin- 
 ners made up for the lack. I cannot repeat their oaths : 
 it is a shame to speak of such deeds of darkness; but I 
 never heard since I existed such shocking profanity. This 
 sort of life no doubt prevailed — we have all kinds of testi- 
 mony to the fact — universally, till the forests and woods 
 were visited by the messengers of sah ition ; and a better 
 state of things was superinduced by their labours. 
 
PART 1. — PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 109 
 
 We set out the next morning for Sandusky, and, reach- 
 ing ihat place towards niglit, beheld Lake Erie for the first 
 time. The town itself has no great beauty for the present. 
 It is, however, a bustling, stirring plao(^ ; and, from its 
 situation, must soon rise to magnitude and importance. 
 
 some 
 
 
 h 
 
 CHAPTKK VJI. 
 
 The Lakes — Erie — Pass down — IJufTalo — Niagara Kivcr— Scenery ou its Banks 
 —The Falls of Niagara— Canada— The Peo()]e— Visit the Battle-Field of Lun- 
 dy's-Lanc — The Suspension- Rridgo — St. Catharine's — Hamilton. 
 
 It was impossible to see this wonderful inland sea without 
 deep emotion. The evening was bright and calm, the 
 bosom of the lake unrutHed by a breeze, the sun retired 
 in majesty and beauty behind the waters ; it was a lovely 
 sunset. 
 
 "Lake Erie is three hundred irilesin length, forty-six 
 at its utmost breadth, seven hundred and sixteen in cir- 
 cumference, and about fifty-six fathoms at its greatest 
 depth. At its northern extremity it is much exposed to 
 violent gales, and its navigation is both tedious and dan- 
 gerous. It contains, towards the Avest, a number of beau- 
 tiful islands, in wliich are many remarkable caverns, abound- 
 ing in curious stalactites. These islands are also full of 
 reptiles, especially rattlesnakes ; and the margin of the lake 
 is in many places completely covered, for many acres, with 
 the large leaves of the pond-lily, upon which, in the sum- 
 mer season, myriads of water-snakes are seen basking in 
 the sun. The bottom is a bluish limestone rock, and its 
 banks are clothed with wood, abounding in game and wild 
 animals." 
 
 Some of these characteristics are rapidly disappearing. 
 On the American side, especially, large and flourishing 
 towns are rising up ; the country, to tlio edge of the lake, 
 is being cultivated, and a busy and thriving population is 
 
 " 
 
110 
 
 TOUK IN AMEIUCA. 
 
 n., 
 
 taking tlio place of the wild animals formerly inhabiting 
 the jungle. The Canada side has not made the same pro- 
 gress ; but still the country is gradually being cleared and 
 occur ied. 
 
 We departed from Sandusky, nearly at the top of the 
 lake, the moniing after our arrival. Our destination was 
 Buffalo, at the other extremity of the lake, so that the dis- 
 tance was soinetliing like three liundred miles. The day 
 •was fine, and tlio view beautiful. We called at many 
 places to take in wood and passengers ; and among the 
 rest at Cleveland, a large and flourishing city, the termina- 
 tion of the Erie Canal, and consequently tlie link conneclJng 
 the Lakes with New- York and the Atlantic Strtes. Keep- 
 ing rear the American shore, a pretty good view was often 
 obtained of the country, which everywhere indicated 
 activity and progress. 
 
 We arrived at Buffalo the next morning. This is a large 
 and populous city, full of business, bustle, and enterprise. 
 Its importance consists in the excellency of its harbour, 
 and its contiguity to Canada. A flourishing commerce is 
 apparent, which must constantly grow with the increase of 
 population. But other thoughts now occupied our minds ; 
 we cared little for trade and business in the immediate 
 vicinity of one of the miracles of nature, — one of the won- 
 ders of the world. Our breakfast was late in coming, at 
 least so we thought in our feverish anxiety ; when it came, 
 it was soon despatched, and we at once mounted the " car " 
 for the Falls of Niagara. Tlie distance is only twenty- two 
 miles, and Ave soon reached this celebrated spot. Our line 
 lay in sight of the IS iagara River, connecting Lakes Erie and 
 Ontario. This is a most magnificent stream, studded with 
 beautiful islands ; one of which, called " Grand Island," is 
 of great extent. I listened with great eagerness long before 
 we approached the spot ; then listened again, as we ad- 
 vanced, with augmented intensity of interest, to catch the 
 sound of the cataract, but lieard no note of the rush of 
 
 
 
PART I. — PEUHONAL NARUATIVE. 
 
 Ill 
 
 iliabiting 
 line pro- 
 ired and 
 
 1 of the 
 tion was 
 the dis- 
 The day 
 it many 
 ong tlie 
 tcrmina- 
 nnectinnr 
 , Keep- 
 as often 
 idicated 
 
 1 a large 
 
 terprise. 
 
 iar])our, 
 
 lercc is 
 
 ease of 
 
 minds ; 
 
 nediate 
 
 c won- 
 
 ing, at 
 
 came, 
 
 'car" 
 
 ty-two 
 
 Lir line 
 
 ie and 
 
 I with 
 
 d," is 
 
 )efore 
 
 e ad- 
 
 1 the 
 
 hof 
 
 ** mighty waters." Arriving at the termiims, and alighting, 
 everything wore the same c^uiet aspect. No imusual sound 
 of any kind was perceptible, and the people seemed uncon- 
 scious of anything remarkable in their neighbourhood. 
 " How is this ?" was the thought, " is the giant asleep ? 
 Or have we been deceived by exaggerated reports respect- 
 ing the extent of sound arising from this waterfall ?" No- 
 thing then arose to solve the mystery, and nothing since has 
 been suggested. And if it is true that the sound is heard 
 for fifteen miles, as is often asserted, it can only be in some 
 peculiar state of the atmosphere. 
 
 Some preliminary account seems to be necessary to any- 
 thing like an accurate description of the Falls themselves. 
 We begin by observing, that the river divides, about a mile 
 above the cataract, into two streams. This division of the 
 water is not equal ; and i-he principal river suffers no per- 
 ceptible diminution, keeping on in a straight line. But at 
 the distance above mentioned a comparatively small chan- 
 nel is formed to the right, and through this branch a por- 
 tion of the original river pours forth its torrent. Tlie first 
 effect of this division is to form an island, denominated 
 Goat Island. This smaller stream continues its course for 
 about a mile, ai.a then returns to the main channel, re-en- 
 tering by its side some short distance below the Great, or 
 Horseshoe, Fall ; and the precipitous leap of this branch 
 stream into the bed of the main river constitutes the Ameri- 
 can, or Little, Fall. 
 
 The Rapids, extending for a mile above the Falls, con- 
 stitute another peculiarity. The descent in the course of 
 this distance is about fifty-two feet, so that the velocity cf 
 the waters from this cause necessarily becomes prodigiou Iv 
 great. But this movement is not merely occas'oned bj 
 ihe above incline ; the channel is, in the same space, nar- 
 rowed from something like three miles across to less than 
 one as it approaches the cataract ; the effect of this double 
 process of descent and compression is to produce a vastly 
 
! 
 
 llli 
 
 TOlIll IN AMKUICA. 
 
 n\»|^in(*»'*j'(l foriM' tuul vrlocily. Wlirlhcr from iho. wohi* 
 niul ni|)i(lily of (lu* Hlrrum. or from other niUHCH, i»o oiio 
 can toil, hut tho chfiiinrl Ihroiij^rli thr wludo of this Hpaco 
 is cvidontly sh<'lv«'(l iin;! hrokcii, roiiniii^^ piirliiil |)nMM|tic(«s, 
 ov«'r \vlii«'h (he \\a •wv «'onslMn(ly (lashing-, sciKhiif^ up 
 tlu'ir foam aiul spra^ Tlu^ a^n(,j!li(ms, rchlicH, whirlpools, 
 ciMM'ntrir nicount<Ms (,f wavo with wavo, and rJirroiit a^niiimt 
 ourront, unite to produce one of tlu' most euiious tumidlsJ 
 of w'ller wliit'h can well Im' imaLijined ; and w<Me it not for 
 the proximity of somethinsjf more j^rand and nohle. the 
 Rapids would he considered a sini^ular exceplion (o lh«' 
 iinii'ormity of nature, and would ho visited as a relief to 
 the cntuti left upon (he mind hy only seeinu^ seas, lakes, 
 rivers, and all the olher elahoralions of the universe pro- 
 ducing^ (heir resuHs m (he onlinary manner. 
 
 'riu^ smaller strt'am al)o\e dtserihed is al(o^e(h<'r on \\\v 
 American .side, and (}oa( Island is reached by a wooden 
 hridoe spannino- (he channel. We has(ened to cross this 
 l)ridi>'e. and en(er upon (he mai^ic ground of Goat Island ; 
 resolved, at (h(» sann (ime, (o h'ave every avenu<^ to the 
 soul open to the inspira(ions of the moment, whether of 
 surprise, of raj)tm(S or of awe. 
 
 Hut this was found (o be diOicult. Pn^possessions in 
 visi(in_i>- scenes of this nature are unfavourable to lirst im- 
 pjessions, to a full admission of line feelings, of lofty senti- 
 n ents, oi even of real and adiMpiate concepdons. These 
 pieposses.uons, in my case, I found to be all untrue; they 
 had all to be removed from my mind before even the 
 grandeurs which 1 beheld, which stood arrayed before me 
 in all their majesty and glory, could produce any accurate 
 ideal, or excite any corresponding emotion. 
 
 These mental errors reached to everything ; just as the 
 mind under the influence of one false impression is itself 
 placed in a wrong position, and conscciueiitly becomes in- 
 capable of seeing anything aright. The whole scene, from 
 these causes, though not less extraordinary than I had 
 
PART I. — I'KIIHONAL NAIIKATIVK. 
 
 tl3 
 
 l\\o wc.ir 
 >, no out' 
 
 iJH MpHCO 
 
 ■<M'i|)i»TM, 
 (liiiLC up 
 irl|i()i)ls, 
 
 llllMUllW 
 
 . nol lor 
 l)lc, till- 
 to (Ii<> 
 clicf to 
 I, lakes, 
 •80 ])ro- 
 
 on tho 
 ivoodcii 
 )HH this 
 slaiid ; 
 to the 
 icr of 
 
 )ns in 
 
 1st iiji- 
 
 sonti- 
 
 I lieso 
 
 thoy 
 |i tho 
 \o nio 
 
 irate 
 
 the 
 tself 
 
 in- 
 ironi 
 had 
 
 I 
 
 imM^rjiiiMl, y(;t WHS HO in H jMtri'cctly diilVTonl nmnnor lo 
 unythiti^ anticipated. 
 
 Krom all I had read, aH well iim from the testimony of 
 eye-witnesses, I had always supposed that the sc<'nery 
 around, tlu! <'ountry itself, was hold, lofty, suhlime, — 
 whereas it is perfectly hvel. ThnMii^h the same deception 
 1 had imagined that the walers of the river must huv<; 
 rushed throuj^h sonKi niii^hty (diasm, some prodij^^ious rent 
 and fissure of itjount.iin, hroken throuj^jh to form the chan- 
 nel, whilst overhaiif^in;^ rocks, hideous pr(!cipices, and lojty 
 peaks, fnjwned in awful majesty uptm the; current as it 
 passed ; hut instead of this hein^ tin; case, the banks are 
 c|uit(! even, and «'()V(;red with verdure, j)lants, flowers, and 
 beautiful trees. Under the, infhuince of th<' suhrie mis(;on- 
 ception, I had next fanci(!d that the visitor was always 
 placed at the bottom of the Kails, that tluj torrent fell at 
 his feet, that h(! had to lift uf) his astonisht!*! eyf;s to fjaze 
 on th(! de.scendm^ Hood ; whilst, in reality, he finds him- 
 self at tin; tof), on a h^vel with the (sdj^e of the preci[)ice, 
 liavin^ to look down into a frii^htful ^nU below. 
 
 Our |)ath across (Joat Island brou/ iit us close to the 
 Anuirican Kail. I sat down on tlu; roots of u tree on a 
 level with the crest (jf the catukact, and almost near enough 
 to touch the waters with my foot. My companion, who 
 1 ad often seen these wonders of nature previously, left me 
 alone, and amused himself by walking a})out the island. 1 
 sat silent and motionless a long time, looking with a sort 
 of vacant astonishment on the whole scene. The thoughts, 
 " It is grand ! it is sublime ! it is awful !" crossed my 
 mind, but nothing definite had fixed itself there ; all re- 
 mained in the same confusion, chaos, stupefaction. At 
 length, as if awaking from a dream, I exclaimed, " How 
 beautiful !" And 'then, in a moment, a thrill ran through 
 my soul like an electrical shock, which at once scattered the 
 mists ; and I exclaimed, loud enough to have been heard, 
 " Ah, yes, that is it, that is it, — it belongs to the beautiful !" 
 
\n 
 
 114 
 
 TOUll IN AMEUICA. 
 
 
 rit 
 
 1 
 
 I 
 
 This was a new idea, a revelation, and transformed the 
 wliole scene in an instant into pert'oct unity and {,dory. 
 
 With tliis trcneral notion, this new instriimont, I b(»fran 
 to examine (he several obj(!cts around ; endeavoured to 
 analyze, to separate, the elements, to watch the extraordi- 
 nary movements of the liquid machine which was moving 
 so niaj(!stically around me ; and yet, at the same time, to 
 combine, to grasp the whole. Is beauty compatible with 
 sublimity ? Can the two attributes exist in one and the 
 same object ? Must the sublime be necessarily devoid of 
 the beautiful ? must the beautiful be destitute, jyci' se, of 
 the sublime ? These are questions which have enjjjaged 
 the attention of great authorities. Generally speaking, 
 they seem " to have entertained the notion that the ideas 
 are incompatible ; that the beautiful and the sublime be- 
 long to distinct and separate departments, whether of na- 
 ture or of thought ; and that no union, no harmony, no 
 concord of circumstances, can blend the beautiful with the 
 sublime, or the sublime with the beautiful, constituting 
 them one and the same object. We venture to dift'er from 
 these authorities ; and our proof, our demonstration, is the 
 Falls of Niagara. 
 
 No one doubts as to their sublimity ; the grandeur of 
 the scene is too palpable, too imposing, too overwhelming, 
 to admit of doubt on this point. The subject admits not 
 of reasoning, it is a matter of mere sensation. No human 
 being ever beheld these wonders without doing homage to 
 this sentiment. Many have, probably, been unable to 
 comprehend their own sensations as they have looked upon 
 the astonishing phenomena ; but thev have felt their 
 power, and been subdued into reverence and awe. It 
 seemed almost impossible for me to stir for a great length 
 of time ; an irresistible fascination seizing all my faculties, 
 as if overshadowed by the presence of a mystic power, 
 whose voice was heard in the thunder of many waters, as well 
 as his majesty seen in the grandeur of every object around. 
 
rm(((l the 
 
 lory. 
 
 I hvjrnn 
 oil rod to 
 xtniordi- 
 i moviiu' 
 
 time, (() 
 ible with 
 
 and the 
 [ivoid of 
 ?r se, of 
 cnfi^nired 
 peaking, 
 le ideas 
 ime be- 
 r of na- 
 ony, no 
 v'ith the 
 tituting 
 
 r from 
 1, is the 
 
 !ur of 
 liming, 
 its not 
 iiiman 
 ige to 
 [le to 
 
 I upon 
 their 
 
 It 
 jngth 
 
 II ties, 
 wer, 
 
 hvell 
 md. 
 
 PART I. — FEK80NAL NAUKATIVE. 
 
 115 
 
 Diit tlie sensations of pleasure and happiness arc pro- 
 duced by the beautiful ; and, at the time, I considered 
 Niagara us tlic most sublimely beautiful object my eyes 
 ever beheld. Heaven was most propitious ! The sun 
 shone forth in all his glory, the skies were lofty, blue, clear, 
 and stretched over an infinite span, an ample arch, such as 
 is only seen in such climates on a summer's day. Seated 
 on the roots of the tree before mentioned, I began to em- 
 ploy my new power, the idea of the beautiful, and soon 
 found its use. Above the crest of the cataract the water 
 was of a yellow colour ; but I saw that as soon as it passed, 
 with the exception merely of slight streaks of its primitive 
 hue, and in one or two places of green, which only height- 
 ened the effect, it instantly changed into perfect white. 
 This brilliant and dazzling white, as pure and spotless as 
 snow, was predominant, and gave its character to the whole 
 scene. By intense f^^Mzing, I next perceived that the de- 
 scending waters did not retain a smooth, glassy, stream- 
 like surface, but broke into crystals, as the dew-drops of 
 the morning, losing their watery appearance ; and were 
 made brilliant and sparkling, like gems, by the illumination 
 of the sun's beams. This magnificent expanse of crystals 
 was next seen falling from the precipice in countless my- 
 riads, not in confused heaps, but in perfect order, as an 
 immense roll of beautiful drapery studded with brilliants, 
 and united by the force of some common element. This 
 unity and order is, in fact, one of the peculiarities of the 
 scene. It might be expected that the " flood of many wa- 
 ters" was dashed against stones and rocks, and broken 
 into fragments. Not so. The flow is perfectly regular ; 
 and the splendid sheet of white and dazzling fluid of gems 
 is seen to fall in a regular and continued stream. The 
 only deviation from this regularity is the apparent forma- 
 tion of a beautiful curve at the Great Fall, the bend or 
 concave side being inward ; whilst, below, the flood of 
 white foam spreads itself out, like the robes of sovereignty 
 
 
 J 
 
116 
 
 i'Ol/lt IN AMEKICA. 
 
 «" into festoons, as if sTor^.Tr^r"^" • '' - gather- 
 n.ent. The crest of the 7l;!° ^' ^^P^^^^ »f o™a- 
 the.o a. ..ook, projections f ll? "t '1"''^™"-" — ' 
 c'enOy great to divide and b^.k ft T "' ""' ™«- 
 wMst t],e stream retains its nn'Z "',p;'""r '" "'^''- <■«"• 
 g'asp the flood, a., if by the ZJ' u . "**"" "^ '^is is to 
 
 -«.ao™,aKrehtth^^^^^^^^^ 
 
 Parts of a mile in lenZTZTI' "''"• " "^^^^ '^r^e 
 -vent, feet above thetel'Zl'TT "' ^'^'^ » 
 ^ome mysterious power everlfsZf •' n™ '"' ''™ ™^g™ 
 a robe of ho^, .frost, white 3'^ "^^'"^ fr°» this cTest 
 beautiful dmpery, festooned a"d 2 ^r'^' deseending lite 
 « h a long train spread on u" . T V™' '•''^"''^'" f"™. 
 'V'lH.ave the best idea w^.lbr''^"' ?'="" '"^><»v; and he 
 of Niagan.. Coneept ns '^rt diffl" ,f '^ "' "'^ ^annture 
 ■"possible: .mtnre'haa, howeve s ' "r'':"' ''"""'"'on 
 
 Powerof short ejac„lati;„sr he 'nir";"*, "' *"" "^^ 
 of expression ; and, after ga.iL Jif. '^^ °' "" o*^"- "eans 
 o" this glorious object, IcZrl ''™'"""^ "'^"-'ty 
 beautiful robes falling f;^ l^f^^-'lj «claim, "It is lite 
 
 On returning from Goat r I T '' °^ " ^^'^'''^^^ •'" 
 Indian women with little trinkerrf 'th""" "^'"""^ ^«^«™1 
 for sale. One was a mother w / . ' """" manufacture, 
 o" .ber lap. Wo gave tte Ct ''"',^ «"«• "bubby child 
 -b'ch its tiny han! wit diffi uuT " T' «f -'ver 
 purchasing a few articles toot ^ f"'^"^ ' *»<'• ^fter 
 'uteresting women, and dl :°V'"'^''- '"^'^ 'ooked 
 now seen all which could be sel ,. "f ''''■ ^-^'"S 
 b^^tened to cross the river be !. H .' ^™™''» ^'"e, wf 
 -H of reciprocity railr d cltivt f ' "^^ ^'"■"<* ^ 
 down the hiH-side to the watered ' ^ ^'"'"> '» let us 
 
 «'afer„ edge, a fearful height; the 
 
 1 
 
 in 
 e( 
 th 
 ra 
 
 Wi 
 
did robe 
 s gather- 
 of oraa- 
 uneven, 
 lot suffi- 
 heir fall, 
 this is to 
 Is, which 
 y of the 
 
 at Niaof- 
 est three 
 sixty or 
 imagine 
 his crest 
 ding like 
 in form, 
 and he 
 amiture 
 cription 
 ith the 
 f means 
 tensity 
 is like 
 ss!" 
 everal 
 cture, 
 child, 
 [Silver, 
 after 
 oked 
 ivingr 
 we 
 |nd a 
 }t us 
 the 
 
 ' 
 
 PART I. — PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 117 
 
 descending carriages dragging up, by their velocity, corre- 
 sponding carriages with passengers and goods. The boat 
 by which we crossed was of the most fragile kind, and 
 navigated by one man. Rain had come on ; but we ob- 
 tained a perfect view of the Falls, being within a short 
 distance ; and to me it seemed surprising that we were able 
 to cross so near. A dense mist was now rising from the 
 spray and foam, giving an entirely new and interesting 
 aspect of the scene. The rain passed off before we crossed, 
 and the sun again shone. AVe leaped on shore without 
 thought ; but after walking up the ascent a short distance, 
 the truth suddenly rushed upon my mind, and I exclaimed, 
 " We are on the territoiies of Queen Victoria. Pull off 
 your hat !" at the same time doffing my own, in reverence 
 to the majesty of England. We ensconced ourselves at a 
 magnificent hotel just in front of the Falls, and saw them 
 in all their glory from the windows. 
 
 As soon as some necessary preliminaries vrere disposed 
 of, we went to see the Great Fall. The river at this point 
 is about three-fourths of a mile across ; the fall itself is in 
 the form of a crescent, the curve inward, and is often called 
 the Horse-Shoe Fall, by reason of its resemblance. The 
 descent of the water at the American Fall is one hundred 
 and sixty-four feet ; and at this greater one, one hundred 
 and fifty-eight. Below the cataract, the river is only half 
 a mile in breadth, being, as we see, contracted after its 
 descent, while its depth is said to be three hundred feet. 
 This rush of water is connected with distant forces. The 
 river forms the outlet of the waters of the great upper 
 lakes, which, together with Erie and Ontario, drain, accord- 
 ing to Professor Drake, of Kentucky, an area of country 
 equal to forty thousand squiire miles ; and the extent of 
 their surface is estimated at ninety-three thousand square 
 miles. These lakes contain nearly one-half of the fresh 
 water on the surface of the globe. 
 
 On arriving near the fall, T placed myself on Table Rock, 
 
 I 
 

 I 
 
 i 'I 
 
 li 
 
 II. 
 
 'm '« 
 
 p 1^1 
 
 118 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 the usual and best position to obtain a perfect view. With 
 all the characteristics of beauty mentioned in connexion 
 with the first scene described, we have here many additional 
 elements brought to view. The difference is in position, 
 extent, greatness, and, if the term may be employed, the 
 unity and perfection of the object. The lesser fall is that 
 of a branch stream, — this is the parent river ; the former 
 finds its way into the channel from the side, the bank, — 
 this spans the channel itself; the crest of the smaller 
 precipice is nearly a straight line, — this is a beautiful curve ; 
 the dependent stream looks like an accident, a phenomenon, 
 that need not have been, and in which even now some 
 change might possibly be produced, — but the great fall 
 looks like the " everlasting hills," as, so to speak, an eternity, 
 an essential, original, immutable power of nature. A 
 stranger, having never seen this fall, would be led to ima- 
 gine that something extremely confused must prevail, like 
 the heavens in a storm, cloud crossing cloud, or like the 
 ocean agitated by opposing currents. Nothing can be a 
 greater mistake. The very opposite is the fact. The day 
 does not break, the tide does not flow, the planet does not 
 move in its orbit, with greater regularity and certainty than 
 Niagara, From Table Rock, or my bed-room at the hotel, 
 I always saw the same calm, unruffled, majestic object. 
 No diminution or augmentation of water appeared, but a 
 constant, inexhaustible roll of the torrent ; nothing analo- 
 gous to the rise and fall of the tides, or the ebbing and 
 flowing of the sea, occurs, but one deep, even, everlasting 
 movement : winds and storms will scatter the spray before 
 the cataract is reached, but after the wateis have passed, 
 they can have no effect ; they cannot turn the stream one 
 hair's breadth, or stop its course for a moment. There is 
 something perfectly awful in the idea of the undeviating 
 uniformity of all the forces seen to be at work at this great 
 fall. 
 
 We behold motion, calm, but rapid, — uninterrupted, 
 
PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 110 
 
 5W. With 
 
 connexion 
 additional 
 1 position, 
 loyed, the 
 Fall is that 
 he former 
 e bank, — 
 e smaller 
 fill curve ; 
 inomenon, 
 low some 
 great fall 
 1 eternity, 
 iture. A 
 d to ima- 
 evail, like 
 r like the 
 lean be a 
 The day 
 does not 
 nty than 
 he hotel, 
 object. 
 I, but a 
 analo- 
 [ing and 
 rlastins: 
 before 
 assed, 
 m one 
 lere is 
 li'iating 
 great 
 
 [ipted, 
 
 irresistible, eternal, — with the feeling that this motion has 
 been in progress for hundreds, for thousands, of years ; for 
 aught we know, from the beginning of time, or, at any 
 rate, ever since the flood. We see force and power, — 
 palpable, tangible, concentrated, and, to man, omnipotent, 
 — always at work, and unwearied, silent, majestic, hke the 
 omnipotence of God. We contemplate a created sove- 
 reignty, a kind of rectoral glory, enthroned ; — a power, 
 concentrating itself at this point in Ic^'y grandeur, as if to 
 render itself visible, — then sweeping along, and, in regard 
 to all within its sway, helpless in resistance ; like the mighty 
 stream of time, bearing the fate and destiny of nature and 
 empires into the abyss below, the hades of all created things. 
 We follow the course of the waters, and see, at a prodigious 
 depth, a frightful gulf, scooped out as if to embrace the 
 descending flood, and conduct it to some new destiny ; — 
 as the present receives the past in its passage onward, and 
 impels it by a new impulse, together with all it bears on its 
 tide, to the mysterious future. We stretch our gaze over 
 this yawning deep, and perceive that the water has changed 
 its aspect altogether. It now has a milk-like appearance, 
 and is tossed, agitated, whirled, infuriated, — heaving its 
 bosom to an immense height, and sending forth its spray 
 and mist to be arched by the rainbow, and painted by sun- 
 beams with every variety of colour; thus imitating the 
 progress of human events in reducing old, great, majestic, 
 time-worn forms of power into chaos, and then handing 
 them over to other agencies to receive some new form, to 
 run in new channels, and push their way into an untried 
 destiny. 
 
 Such were the thoughts which passed through ray mind ; 
 but who can grasp, who can describe, the combined effect ? 
 We have no analogies in nature. These Falls are alone in 
 the universe; they stand in peerless mbj^ "^^ ; nothing is 
 like them. The sublimity consists in their combined majesty 
 and beauty. Their grandeur is not in the shghtest degree 
 
% 
 
 120 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 in liarmony with that of the Alpine mountains, rugged 
 heights, and overhanging rocks, covrred with clouds, and 
 lost in darkness. It is rather as if nature had sat in council 
 with herself, to create a living embodiment of her utmost 
 power, sovereign glory, irresistible force, rapid motion ; and 
 then throw around the representation of her visible symbol 
 — instinct with the life of many, of all, elements — a covering 
 of exquisite, of inexpressible, beauty. 
 
 There this living monument stands, a glorious emblem 
 of the majesty of God ! It has been looked upon Avith 
 wonder next to a(' oration by a countless number of visitors ; 
 these have all received different impressions, in accordance 
 with the structure of their nervous systems, the powers of 
 vision, and the facuuy of combination. Many have given 
 their impressions to the public ; some in classic and eloquent, 
 impassioned and poetic, strains ; some, again, in scientific 
 and geological language ; — but all have come short, all have 
 failed. This attempt to convey the impressions of another 
 soul, the feelings of another heart, is equally short of the 
 truth, is equally a failure. Who can describe thunder? 
 who can paint the rainbow ? who can exhibit the ocean in 
 language ? who can grasp the infinite ? God has left, in all 
 his dominions and works, space for imagination. Everything 
 has its mystery, — nothing its limits. Niagara stands a 
 mystib creation, defying the admeasurements of the human 
 intellect. But he welcomes all who approach to indulge 
 the feelings of admiration, wonder, awe; — and by the 
 eternal roar of his glorious music, he sends up sounds of 
 adoration to God, and challenges for his Creator the homage 
 of all hearts. 
 
 We finish our sketch by inserting " Cora Lynn,' by an 
 accomplished American lady, Mrs. Sigourney. 
 
 " Thou 'rt beautiful, sweet Cora Lynn, 
 In thy sequester'd place, 
 Thy plunge on plunge, 'mid wreathing foam, 
 Abrupt, yet full of grace, 
 
s, rugged 
 Duds, and 
 in council 
 Br utmost 
 tion ; and 
 le symbol 
 I covering 
 
 s emblem 
 pon with 
 F visitors ; 
 3cordance 
 )owers of 
 ive given 
 eloquent, 
 
 scientific 
 t, all have 
 f another 
 rt of the 
 thunder ? 
 
 ocean in 
 
 sft, in all 
 ['erything 
 
 itands a 
 
 human 
 
 indulge 
 
 by the 
 
 nds of 
 
 [homage 
 
 by an 
 
 PAET I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 121 
 
 Down, down with breathless speed thou goest 
 
 Into thy rock-sown bed ; 
 Bright sunbeams on thy glancing robes, 
 
 Rude crags above thy head. 
 
 " Thy misty dew is on the trees, 
 
 And forth, with gladness meet, 
 They reach the infant leaf and bud, 
 
 To take thy baptism sweet. 
 No Clydesdale spears are flashing nigh, 
 
 In foray wild ard rude ; 
 But Cora's time-rock'd castle sleeps 
 
 In peaceful solitude. 
 
 " What wouldst thou think, sweet Cora Lynn, 
 
 Couldst thou Niagara spy, 
 The mighty monarch of the West, • 
 
 With terror in his eye ? 
 Thou 'dst fear him on his ocean throne, 
 
 Like Lon in his lair ; 
 Meek snooded maiden, dower'd with all 
 
 That father Clyde can spare. 
 
 " For thou might'st perch, like hooded bird. 
 
 Upon his giant hand ; 
 Nor 'midst his world of waters wake 
 
 A ripple on his strand. 
 He'd drink thee up, sweet Cora Lynn ; 
 
 And thou, to crown the sip, 
 Wouldst scarce a wheen of bubbles make 
 
 Upon his monstrous lip. 
 
 " Thy voice, that bids the foliage quake, 
 
 Around thy crystal brim, 
 Would quiver like the cricket's chirp, 
 
 'Midst his hoarse thunder-hymn. 
 For like a thing that scorns the earth, . 41 
 
 He rears his awful crest. 
 And takes the rainbow from the skies, 
 
 And folds it round his breast. 
 
 " Thou 'rt passing fair, sweet Cora Lynn : 
 
 And he who sees thee leap 
 Into the bosom of the flood. 
 
 Might o'er thy beauty weep. 
 But lone Niagara still doth speak 
 
 Of God both night and day ; 
 And force, from each terrestrial thought, 
 
 The gazer's soul away." 
 
 Every book I had read, and every person with whom I 
 had conversed, after visiting America and Canada, united 
 in their testimony as to the great difference instantly felt on 
 
 6 
 
 
 
122 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 I 
 
 P 
 
 I: ( 
 
 I f:^ 
 
 passing the boundary -line ; and this change seemed always 
 to be represented in favour of Canada ; while any attempt 
 at pointing out the nature of this contrast, its causes and 
 its characteristics, has never, so far as I know, been at- 
 tempted. The fact is indisputable. It is not a matter of 
 reasoning, of inference, of opinion ; it is instantly felt, as 
 much as in going out of a warm room into a cold atmos- 
 phere. What is it which produces the change ? The pre- 
 ference is, of course, a matter of taste. The American 
 temperament is by some generally preferred, and by others 
 the Canadian. 
 
 Let us look at the case. On the American side, the 
 people are all life, elasticity, buoyancy, activity ; on the 
 Canadian side we have a people who appear subdued, tame, 
 spiritless, as if living much more under the influence of 
 fear than hope. Again : on the American territory we 
 behold men moving as if they had the idea that their call- 
 ing was to act, to choose, to govern — at any rate to govern 
 themselves ; on the Canada soil we see a race, perhaps 
 more polite than the other, but who seem to live under the 
 impression that their vocation is to receive orders, and 
 obey. Then, on the American side, you are placed in the 
 midst of incessant bustle, agitation ; the hotels are filled, 
 coaches are in constant movement, railroad trains passing 
 and repassing with their passengers, while men of business 
 are seen pushing their concerns with impassioned ardour. 
 On the Canada shore we have comparatively still life ; 
 delicate, genteel, formal. Moreover, on the American ter- 
 ritory, all along the shores of the lakes, the country is being 
 cleared, houses and villages built, works put up, incipient 
 ports opened, and trade begun. On the Canada shore, 
 unbroken forest appears for miles, while the small openings 
 which have been made present themselves to view in a 
 very infantine and feeble state of progress. 
 
 All this was exhibited at once at our hotel itself. We 
 had been put down in the town of Niagara on the Amori- 
 
PART I. — PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 123 
 
 d always 
 attempt 
 uses and 
 been at- 
 latter of 
 f felt, as 
 1 atmos- 
 The pre- 
 Vmerican 
 3y others 
 
 side, the 
 
 ; on the 
 
 sd, tame, 
 
 uence of 
 
 itory we 
 
 heir call- 
 
 o govern 
 
 perhaps 
 
 nder the 
 
 ers, and 
 
 in the 
 
 e filled, 
 
 passing 
 
 usiness 
 
 ardour. 
 
 11 life; 
 
 an ter- 
 
 [s being 
 
 icipient 
 
 shore, 
 
 )eninj]fs 
 
 |w in a 
 
 We 
 
 imori- 
 
 can side, in the midst of an active population, and hastened 
 at once to one of several large hotels. Besides being splen- 
 didly fitted up, it was full of people. In my ignorance I 
 liad imagined that we were to take up our residence at this 
 place, and hastened to engage a room : in this attempt I 
 found it difficult to obtain accommodation at all, and failed 
 altogether in securing a chamber which commanded a view 
 of ih.} Falls. We crossed over to the Canadian village, and 
 found an equally commodious inn ; but the contrast was 
 most striking. The saloon to which we were directed was 
 equal to one of the American dining-rooms, capable of ac- 
 commodating from one hundred and fifty to two hundred 
 persons. What was the company ? When dinner was an- 
 nounced, about ten persons sat at one end of a prodigious 
 table, receiving the good things of Providence in perfect 
 silence, except as broken by some common-place phrases 
 of politeness. 
 
 There sat at our table, on this and on all other occa- 
 sions, an old lady, the perfect personification of the state 
 of things around us. This lady had a dowager-like appear- 
 ance and air, the quintessence of politeness, with studied 
 movements and manners, as if she had been in the observ- 
 ance of punctilios for fifty years. Her dress, head-gear, 
 and ornaments, had been adjusted as if for a ball-room. 
 Our friend might have been taken from Niagara to any 
 saloon in St. James's, and would have surprised no one by 
 the transfer. Now these are the things which, no doubt, 
 please many of our voyageurs from this country, and cause 
 them to consider Canadian society as transcendently above 
 that of the United States. The sight of that old lady would 
 settle the question at once on the score of gentility ; and 
 especially when it is added, that at the Canada hotel the 
 gentlemen and ladies take wine at dinner, and at the other 
 side of the border this is not the fashion. 
 
 There is another striking difference between the Ameri- 
 cans and the Canadians. Tn the first-mentioned country, 
 
 
 1 
 
124 
 
 TOUK IN AMEUICA. 
 
 ideas, sentiments, opinions — in finc^ knowledge seems to be 
 considered a common stock. The people sit with their legs 
 across a chair-back, or place them in some other elevated po- 
 sition, and talk at their ease. On the other hand the Cana- 
 dian people seem to say, " Do yon not know that 1 am a gen- 
 tleman? Keep your distance, sir." Then, again, the Ame- 
 rican officer never forgets that he is a citizen, and the citi- 
 zen does not forget that he is a man ; their intercourse is 
 perfectly easy, free, unembarrassed ; the one class never 
 assumes an air of superiority ; the other never lowers his 
 status, or yields up his consciousness of equality, or his 
 self-respect. On the other hand, tin; Canadian officer never 
 removes from his standing of assumed dignity, or conde- 
 scends to become the citizen ; he rarely almalgamates with 
 the people ; and they, on their part, as seldom think of 
 stepping beyond their line, and claiming equality. These 
 artificial distinctions liave a powerful and obvious effect. 
 The manners of the Canadian population, being thus regu- 
 lated, appear much more in accordance with European 
 notions than their neighbours'. This circumstance, no 
 doubt, causes the one class to be decried as vul^'ar, and the 
 other to be praised as polite. The opinion, as we have said, 
 is a matter of taste. They who desire to sec nature in its 
 genuine tendencies, will prefer the one ; they 'vho admire 
 it most under the restraints of distinctions and lashion, the 
 other. But it would be unjust in me to say, that the 
 more unrestrained population are* not polite ; for, in truth, 
 I met with nothing but the most perfect politeness from 
 them all. 
 
 My companion, Mr. Ryerson, had desired that his horse 
 and gig might meet us at Niagara. And being thus 
 favoured, on the second morning we set out, and, by the 
 help of this vehicle, visited several interesting places in the 
 neighbourhood. Among the rest Drummondvillp o named 
 after General Druramond, called some years ago ^jundy's- 
 Lane. At this place a dreadful battle was fought in the 
 
PAllT 1. — PKRSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 125 
 
 ms to be 
 their logs 
 ^•lted po- 
 be Can;i- 
 im a gen- 
 he Amc- 
 the citi- 
 jourse is 
 iss never 
 wers his 
 J, or liis 
 ^.er never 
 )r conde- 
 ites witli 
 tliink of 
 These 
 IS effect, 
 us regu- 
 luropean 
 mce, no 
 and tlie 
 ive said, 
 re in its 
 admire 
 ion, the 
 hat the 
 truth, 
 s from 
 
 Is horse 
 \g thus 
 ]by the 
 in the 
 Inamed 
 mdy's- 
 lin the 
 
 hite war, between the British and American forces. The 
 people have erected three or four " stands," of considera- 
 ble elevation, ascended by a fligiit of steps in the inside, 
 for the purpose of showing tlu; battle-field. We reached 
 the top of one of these stands, kc^pt by an old soldier, who 
 described the course of the battle in all its details. Gene- 
 ral Scott, the distinguished commander of the American 
 armies in thi; late Mexican war, was second in command 
 at this sanguinary conflict. The old man pointed out a 
 grave-yard, belonging to a littic Presbyterian chapel, where 
 the iiritish artillery was planted. The Americans attacked 
 this artillery, and took it ; the English commander ordered 
 a body of infantry to advance, for the purpose of re-cap- 
 turing the lost guns ; and this proved successful. The 
 Americans, not willing to lose their prizes were brought 
 into deadly conflict with the British troops, in a charge of 
 bayonets. The old soldier descanted on the fact, that this 
 bona-fide crossing of bayonets constituted the third instance 
 on record of such a struggle ; in all other cases, when a 
 charge had been made, one of the parties invariably gave 
 way before they came into actual co.^lision. On this 
 occasion the numbers were about equt;l ; they closed 
 upon each other ; the steel flashed fire as the weapons of 
 death struck ; the struggle was that of man to man, of the 
 same blood, speaking the same language, possibly descend- 
 ants of the same parents ; resolution, heroism, the strength 
 of muscle, the qualities of the soul, were all brought into 
 requisition ; blood flowed in torrents, hundreds fell on either 
 side ; the balance quivered, sometimes turning on one side, 
 and sometimes on the other ; the decisive moment at length 
 came, the Americans slowly retired, and the British were 
 left in posse sion of their guns, and of the ensanguined 
 battle-field. And there they lay — victors and vanquished 
 — side by side, in the little burying-ground, quietly sleep- 
 ing now as brothers. 
 
 We turned aside from this field of blood, to see the peace- 
 
126 
 
 TOUK IN AMERICA. 
 
 I ' 
 
 ful fruits of industry and union, " The Niagara Suspension- 
 bridge." There has been a mighty amount of nonsense 
 published in the newspapers respecting this woik of art. 
 How often have the British pubUc been gulled and amused, 
 by articles respecting a bridge being *' built over the Falls 
 of Niagara !" The bridge in (juestion has no more to do 
 with the Falls of Niagara, than London bridge, except in 
 the fact of its closer proximity. The simple matter of fact 
 is, that the bridge now in progress is about a mile below ; 
 and instead of being " over the Falls," is designed neither 
 more nor -less than just to span the river. The following 
 is an American account : " The Niagara suspension- bridge 
 will span the narrow gorge of tlie Niagara river, between 
 the cataract and the whirlpool, in view of both, by an arch 
 eight hundred feet long," (how can this be called an arch ?) 
 *' forty feet wide, and two hundred and thirty feet above 
 the water. It will be supported by sixteen wire cables, 
 one thousand one hundred feet long, and upwards of twelve 
 inches in circumference. Its strength is to be equal to six 
 thousand five hundred tons' tension strain ; and it is to be 
 subjected to the most severe and conclusive tests, so as to 
 render it safe beyond any possible contingency. A rail- 
 road-track will extend through the centre, uniting the roads 
 terminating at the Falls ; there will also be carriage-ways, 
 ind a foot-path. It is to be completed by the first of 
 May, 1849, at a cost of 190,000 dollars. The engineer is 
 Charles Ellet, Esq., of Philadelphia." 
 
 The work was in progress at the time we visited the site, 
 not, however, very far advanced. But the frightful chasm 
 embracing the river was then crossed by — I know not what 
 it is called — a cable suspension, moved by a windlass 
 power, like the one at Clifton, near Bristol. 
 
 In the afternoon we took a last look of the Falls ; feeling 
 reluctant to leave so soon. But my companion having ar- 
 ranged for me to pieach at St. Catharine's, a town some 
 miles across the country, I felt obliged to obey the call of 
 
to be 
 as to 
 A rail- 
 roads 
 ■ways, 
 ist of 
 
 e site, 
 
 ;hasm 
 
 what 
 
 idlass 
 
 Jeling 
 ig ar- 
 some 
 iillof 
 
 PART 1.— PEllSONAL NAUUATIVE. 
 
 127 
 
 duty. This journey aflbrded me good opportunity of 
 judging of the progress of agriculture in Western C'anada; 
 and I am compiilled to say, that I sr>w no farming in the 
 United States ('(pial to that of this jiarl of ihe country. 
 The land is exceedingly rich and good ; and cidtivation, so 
 far as it has extended, lias evidently been conducted on 
 an excellent principle. The crops app.jared promising and 
 abundant. 
 
 We arrived at our destination in time for public service, 
 and had a good attendanci . Here I beheld an unusual 
 spectach; ; when I gave out the hymn, the whole congre- 
 gation swung round, Avith the regularity of a regiment of 
 soldiers Avhceling to the right-about, — turning their backs 
 upon me. I Avas startled, not knowing but the sight of an 
 Englishman had either put them into a fright, or produced 
 some other unpleasant sensation, till told that it was the 
 Presbyterian custom, and our people had learned it from 
 them. We are certainly a very Icaminf/ people ; but the 
 sooner these St. Catharine folks, and all others, uiUearn 
 this vile practice, the better. 
 
 On our route to Hamilton the next day, we called to 
 dine at Mr. Edwards's, the brother-in-law of my travelling 
 friend. Here I had an opportunity of seeing a farm-house 
 and family of the better class of Canadian farmers. Every- 
 thing wore an air of great comfort, abundance, and happi- 
 ness. The house itself, a wooden one, was very commodious, 
 well-furnished, and, in some sort, elegant. The land around 
 appeared exceedingly rich and fertile, bearing abundant 
 crops. We were hospitably and kindly entertained, having 
 for dinner the accustomed tip-top fare when friends of the 
 first consideration are entertained, — a sucking pig. After 
 a pleasant journey, (for the roads are much better in Canada 
 than in the States,) we arrived in Hamilton, and I found 
 myself happily lodged in the family of my kind companion, 
 Mr. Ryerson, 
 
 The Sunday brought with it much peace and enjoyment. 
 
 il 
 
128 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 I preached in tlic morning at Dundiis, a large ♦own, four 
 miles from Hamilton, to a p) *in country congrcgp.tion ; and 
 in the evening at Hamilton. It is pletisant to find the 
 sweet rest of the Sabbath in these journeyings, excitements, 
 and converse with men : it brings one to God, and reminds 
 of heaven. Hamilton, named aficr the first settler on the 
 spot, is a fine and improving place ; one of the finest towns, 
 in some respects, if not the finest, in Canada. It is beau- 
 tifully situated at the head of Lake Ontario ; is a place of 
 much trade, being placed in a position to enjoy the navi- 
 gation of the lakes, and to obtain an easy access to the 
 United States. A railroad, now in progress, will connect 
 it with the west, so that its prospects of progress are great. 
 A rising hill, called " the Mountain," forms a beautiful back- 
 ground to the city, the slope of which is even now partly 
 occupied by splendid residences, commanding a magnificent 
 view of the lake. This hill has little pretensions to the 
 name "mountain;" but being the only elevation of any 
 consideration in Western Canada, the definite article is 
 employed. This whole ridge is capable of being used for 
 building purposes ; and, no doubt, in time, both its a^jcent 
 and level plain above will be covered with the habitations 
 of men. We ascended this mountain, and obtained a most 
 beautiful prospect of the lake and country around. The 
 locality is ornamented by a tiny castle, the residence of Sir 
 Alan M'Nab, the only native titled gentleman in the pro- 
 vinces. The place is ill situated, in the vicinity of a swamp, 
 and the inmates are said to be exposed to that constant 
 consequence of such malaria, the ague. 
 
PART 1.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 120 
 
 )wn, four 
 !,ion; and 
 
 find the 
 itements, 
 
 reminds 
 ?r on the 
 }t towns, 
 
 is beau- 
 place of 
 \\e navi- 
 s to the 
 
 connect 
 re great, 
 ul back- 
 w partly 
 ^nificent 
 } to the 
 
 of any 
 irticle is 
 ised for 
 i atjcent 
 )itations 
 
 a most 
 The 
 of Sir 
 
 le pro- 
 
 wamp, 
 
 )nstant 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Ontario— Toronto— Dr. RyorHon— Sir F. H. lload— Hishnp Striirhan— Tho ( ity 
 —Departure for KingNton— Mr. RobiriNOii— Mr. Unlloii— Cobur^ College- 
 Kingston— I'aws up tho Day of yuinti— Hellovilli; — The Canada Conference 
 —Tim Union— Return to KingMton. 
 
 After spending Moiuhiy in tijis agreeable town, we started 
 on Tuesdfiy morning for Toronto, in a iinc steamer, down 
 the lake. The passage was enchanting ; everything con- 
 spired to make it agreeable. The day was splendid, the 
 lake unriiilled, the company pleasant, the shore fine, and 
 blooming with a luxuriant vegetation. 
 
 The next morning we arrived at Toronto, and I was met 
 at the landing- T)lace by my dear friend Dr. Ryerson, who 
 conducted me to hi,-> own house, where I lodged during 
 my sojourn in this city. I was now at home with one 
 whom I had long known, and greatly esteemed. We talked 
 of old times, old friends, old troubles and misunderstand- 
 ings ; and could now well afford to rejoice in the altered 
 state of things, the union of the two bodies having been 
 effected ; and, especially, in the settled peace of the Me- 
 thodist Church in Canada. 
 
 I found my friend in possession of the office of chief 
 superintendent of the government-school system, now in 
 vigorous progress ; an office somewhat analogous to that 
 occupied in this country by Dr. Kaye Shuttleworth. He 
 was fully engaged by the duties of this post, was much 
 and zealously devoted to the cause, and, I have no doubt, 
 conducted its business with great ability. He had pre- 
 vailed upon the authorities to allow the old government- 
 house to be occupied as a training school. This government- 
 house had been celebrated by Sir Francis Head, as the 
 place of his quiet slumbers, when the rebel Mackenzie and 
 his American sympathizers were approaching the city in 
 battle array ; and where he developed the wonderful re- 
 
 6* 
 
130 
 
 TOUll IN AMERICA. 
 
 sources of his civil and military genius, and, as if by magic, 
 drove the rebel forces reeling, if not into the lake, yet back 
 again to the opposite shore. This was a rare man, this Sir 
 Francis ! However, o.:e wouM like to know whether there 
 happened to be some thoughtful military officer awake, 
 when Sir Francis was so snugly asleep ? whether the science 
 and strategy of war had anything to do with the miracu- 
 lous magic which drove the rebels back? whether Sir 
 Francis, not being a military man, shared the toils and 
 dangers of the non-military inhabitants of the city, as a 
 volunteer ? Be these things as they may, the house in 
 which all the wonderful feats of this gentleman were con- 
 cocted and performed, we now found to be occupied for 
 very different purposes. It is no longer a place for the 
 manufacture of bulletins and missiles of Avar, but a school 
 for training messengers of peace ; it no longer witnesses 
 such heroics as were played off by Sir Francis, but fur- 
 nishes a quiet home for the development of such faculties 
 as the youth of Canada may happen to possess, to enable 
 them to benefit their fellow-countrymen. 
 
 These schools are truly national, not denominational. 
 The system is very much like the British, or Borough-road 
 scheme ; the Bible, in the authorized version, is employed 
 daily, and the more specific teaching left in the hands of 
 ministers and parents. Schools are planted through the 
 whole country, so that the children of the poor have now 
 the means of obtaining a good education. The moral and 
 religious advantages of this must be immense ; and, in due 
 time, will tell most beneficially on the state of tlic people. 
 An educated population is growing up ; th'ir improved in- 
 lelligence and morals will blend with general society, and 
 the effects be seen in all their ramifications and interests. 
 * The district-meeting was sitting in Toronto ; so that I 
 had the opportunity of judging of the state of things in the 
 Canadian body, so far as they were developed by the })ro- 
 ceedir.gs of this assembly. Poverty pressed upon the 
 
PART I. — PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 131 
 
 itional. 
 h-road 
 iloyed 
 ids of 
 •h the 
 |e now 
 l1 and 
 |n due 
 ople. 
 d in- 
 and 
 ts. 
 at I 
 the 
 |j)ro- 
 tlie 
 
 brethren; their deficiencies in many of the circuits were 
 considerable, which they had not the means of meeting ; 
 and the preachers were obhged to bear the loss themselves, 
 which they did without murmuring. Their religious state 
 was found to be good ; they had increased in numbers al- 
 most everywhere, and progress was apparent in every de- 
 partment. 
 
 On Sunday I had the happiness to preach twice, in Ade- 
 laide and Richmond-street chapels, to spiritual and lively 
 congregations. Whilst at this city. Dr. Ryerson took me, 
 amongst other visits, i.o pay our respects to the lord bishop 
 of Toronto, Dr. Strachan, a Lowland Scotchman, one 
 would say by his stature ; possessing all the shrewdness 
 and tact of his countrymen ; a clever man of business, 
 having long had much influence in public affairs. We 
 found he had lost none of the brogue of the north ; and to 
 listen to the sounds of his voice one would have supposed 
 the place of interview to have been Glasgow instead of 
 Toronto. We were very politely received, and after half 
 an hour's conversation on general questions, took our leave. 
 
 Toronto is beautifully situated on Lake Ontario ; the 
 country is level, but free from swamp, md perfectly dry ; 
 the city is new, but there are many excellent buildings ; 
 and King-street is about the finest in America : the shops 
 of this street are not stores, but finished and decorated in 
 EngUsh style ; and, in appearance, would be no disgrace 
 to Regent-street, if placed by its side. 
 
 After spending four or five days at Toronto, we took our 
 departure for Kingston on Monday morning. On board 
 the steamer we met Chief- Justice Robinson, and Mr. Bol- 
 ton, late Chief-Justice of Newfoundland, now a resident in 
 Toronto, and one of the members of the House of Assem^ 
 bly. These gentlemen belonged to different grades in 
 politics ; Mr. Robinson being at tlie head of the conserva- 
 tives, and the leading member of the late government ; 
 whilst Mr. Bolton belongs to the Liberals, and supports 
 
132 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 ti 
 
 the present party in power. They were going on circuit, 
 the one as a judge, and the other as counsel. We found 
 them very agreeable men, Chief- Justice Robinson being 
 evidently a man of first-rate intellect and mental power. 
 Mr. Bolton, whom I met again on board the " America," 
 on my return to this country, complained much of the 
 treatment he had met with in connexion with his office of 
 chief-justice in Newfoundland. He had quarrelled with 
 the popish power on that island ; and in the dispute, the 
 home-government, in Lord Melbourne's time, had, as usual, 
 taken part, as he said, with the Papists. He was ob- 
 structed in the discharge of his duties by open violence ; 
 the popish bishop offered to help him out of his difficulties 
 if he would allow his official influence and commands to 
 pass through his hands to the people ; by this, proposing 
 to put the judge's office in commission, the bishop being 
 the chief commissioner. This he indignantly spumed, and 
 determined that the law should be enforced bv the civil, 
 the constitutional power. This brought the judge into im- 
 mediate collision with the popish party ; and disputes, agi- 
 tations, and riots ensued. Pie was in danger of personal 
 violence ; and his wife, a Romanist herself, took sides with 
 her husband, and heroically sheltered him from his enemies. 
 The issue was dismissal from office. The civil power, the 
 constitution, the flag of Queen Victoria, were made, as was 
 always the case in those times, to succumb to popish vio- 
 lence. Mr. Bolton could never extort from the home 
 government, either by personal application, or by getting a 
 friend to push the matter in the Commons, any explanation 
 of the cause of his dismissal, though he knew perfectly, 
 that it was done to gratify, to conciliate, the papists. His 
 notions of the Romanists on the one hand, and of their 
 friends and patrons, the then British government, on the 
 other, were anything but favourable to either. 
 
 Towards evening we reached Coburg, where these gen- 
 tlemen left us. The captain had the politeness to remain 
 
PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 133 
 
 !s, agi- 
 Tsonal 
 !s with 
 leniies. 
 !r, the 
 IS was 
 |h vio- 
 home 
 Iting a 
 lation 
 sctly, 
 His 
 their 
 the 
 
 |gen- 
 lain 
 
 longer than his usual time, to allow us to run up and take 
 a hasty glance at Victoria College. Nature could not fur- 
 nish a finer site. The building stands on an eminence be- 
 hind the town, commanding a most glorious view of the 
 lake and surrounding country. It was vacation-time ; we 
 did not consequently see the young men. It is a fine in- 
 stitution, and promises to be of great benefit to the Me- 
 thodist Church in Canada. After regaling our sight with 
 this lovely scene, we hastened on board, and were soon 
 again in motion : such is life. 
 
 We anived at Kingston the next morning, and hoped to 
 go on immediately to Belleville, our destination, and the 
 town where the Canadian Conference was appointed to be 
 held. Our expectations, however, were doomed to be dis- 
 appointed. A steamer had been engaged to take us ; but 
 behold, on our arrival we found, to our consternation, that 
 a telegraphic communication had been sent, countermand- 
 ing the order ; and the vessel having been despatched to 
 Montreal, no other could be obtained. I had risen in great 
 pain and misery, and was obliged to go to a friend's house, 
 and lie on the sofa all day. In consequence of this disaster, 
 I had little opportunity of seeing Kingston. 
 
 At night, an hour or two before dark, we began our voy- 
 age up the. Bay of Quinti, one of the loveliest pieces of 
 water in Canada, and suiTounded by fine and beautifully 
 wooded banks. Our steamer was a miserably poor affair ; 
 our accommodations indifierent ; the night wet and cold ; 
 and, to complete the alscomfort, a number of our brethren 
 placed themselves just against the door of my cabin, sup- 
 posing I was asleep, and indulged themselves in conversa- 
 tion till about one o'clock. Altogether, it was a most 
 miserable night. We arrived at Belleville towards nine 
 o'clock ; and, as soon as we had finished breakfast, pro- 
 ceeded to open the conference, and begin business. 
 
 Most of the brethren had arrived, and we mustered 
 more than a hundred men. The business was chiefly rou- 
 
 I 
 
134 
 
 TO UK IN AMERICA. 
 
 tine, and not of much public interest. The union had 
 been effected the year before, by tlie good-will and co- 
 operation of nearlj all parties, but chiefly by the prudence 
 and indefatigable exertions of Dr. Alder. He laboured at 
 this laudable task with great abiUty and perseverance, and 
 happily succeeded in his exertions. In all such conditions 
 of the church as obtained in Canada, there must, of course, 
 be hostile elements, — passions and prejudices called forth 
 by former antagonistic operations ; things in themselves of 
 little consideration are elevated, in the opinion of dispu- 
 tants, to the importance and dignity of principles ; imagi- 
 nary interests, honour, and consistency are considered as at 
 stake ; and, moreover, the separate movements of the par- 
 ties will be thought by themselves to embody the cause of 
 God. These difficulties stood in the way of the union so 
 happily effected. When the good men, — for they are 
 good men, — of both parties came to consider the question 
 dispassionately, their judgment Avas convinced, and their 
 prejudices so far gave way, as to lead them to assent to the 
 proposition of union. But it may easily be seen that it 
 would require a skilful hand to manage these clashing in- 
 terests, and bring all parties into a state of harmony. By 
 the good providence of God, this experienced pilot was 
 found in Dr. ^Alder : his knowledge of the men, his ac- 
 quaintance with the work, his influence in the country, all 
 came in to aid his excellent judgment ; and a work was 
 accomplished on which he and all parties will have cause 
 to reflect with great satisfaction. To heal divisions, to re- 
 move stumbling-blocks, to bring brethren estranged from 
 each other by misunderstandings into a state of unity, — 
 must surely be considered a good Avork. and in agreement 
 with the entire spirit of the Gospel. 
 
 We heard little on the subject at conference, except 
 exultations that the measure had been effected. The few 
 preachers who had expressed opposing sentiments the 
 year before, were now not only satisfied, but became zeal- 
 
lion Iiad 
 and co- 
 Drudence 
 oiired at 
 nee, and 
 onditions 
 f course, 
 ed forth 
 selves of 
 3f dispu- 
 i ; imagi- 
 red as at 
 the par- 
 cause of 
 union so 
 they are 
 question 
 ind their 
 nt to the 
 n that it 
 ihing in- 
 
 lilot was 
 his ac- 
 
 [ntry, all 
 irk was 
 e cause 
 ., to re- 
 d from 
 mity,— 
 •eement 
 
 except 
 
 ^he few 
 
 its the 
 
 zeal- 
 
 TAKT 1. — PEKSOWAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 135 
 
 ous eulogists of the measure. We heard not a word of 
 dissatisfaction from any portion of the people; though I 
 have understood that since, on the removal of their pastor, 
 an Englishman in connexion Avith the British Conference, 
 the people in one place have taken occasion u> revolt, and 
 some have left the body. On the whole, the union may 
 be considered as complete, and to work Avell. It is to be 
 hoped that the issue will be seen in the extension of true 
 religion, and the revival of the work of God. 
 
 I found that mr'ny, probably one-half, of the preachers 
 are Englishmen. They are laborious and diligent in their 
 work, are men of good sense and sounJ piety, much attach- 
 ed to all the distinctive charactt^ristics of Methodism, alive 
 to the progress and prosperity of the work in which they 
 are engaged, and prepared to endure much privation for the 
 accomplishment of the object of their desires and prayers. 
 They have already dv^ne much in the cultivation of Western 
 Canada; their chapels, schools, and religious institutions, 
 are numerous, and on a respectable scale ; their circuits 
 pervade the entire country, embracing the back settlements 
 and outposts, as well a the cities and larger towns : the 
 character and moral influence of the Cnurcli are such as to 
 command the respect of the entire community ; and as 
 population progresses, and the resources of the country are 
 developed, this people must, in the ordinary course of events, 
 become an increasingly great and influential body. 
 
 We closed our business on Thursday, June 15th, at 
 noon ; thus accomplishing our work in a week and one day. 
 It required close attention, much evening labour, no super- 
 fluity of talk, good order, and brotherly kindness, to bring 
 this about : all of which were happily observed. Many of 
 the good brethren seemed surprised at themselves when 
 they had done ; they imagined the thing impossible. We 
 broke up, as we had continued together, in great harmony 
 and concord. For myself, I left them with unfeigned 
 regret and entire aflfection ; and they will never be forgotten, 
 
136 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 they will never cease to Ikj objects of my most cordial 
 esteem and regard. 
 
 It had been my happiness to be entertained at the house 
 cf Mr. Flint, a member of the Assembly, and a most kind- 
 hearted man. Our pleasure was, however, in some measure 
 abated by the circumstance of his being afflicted with ague, 
 which came upon him at regular periods of the day, and 
 produced the most depressing prostration. Mrs. Flint is a 
 most charming and excellent lady, and did her utmost to 
 make our abode in the family agreeable and happy. From 
 these kind friends we parted with sincere regret, and prayers 
 for their continued happiness. 
 
 Nothing is so pleasant as to recount kindnesses ; but 
 when all are kind, it is difficult to select instances without 
 appearing invidious. But I must confess, in parting with 
 my Canadian brethren, that I should be most migrateful 
 were I not to say, that from Mr. John Ryerson, in a long 
 journey through the States as well as Canada, by residence 
 and fellowship at Pittsburgh, at Hamilton, at Belleville, 
 down the St. Lawrence, to the very end of om* intercourse, 
 — I received nothing but the most cordial acts of kindness ; 
 not, I am sure, so much on my own account, as to betoken 
 his respect for the Methodist Conference in this countrj\ 
 Our friend, the Rev. Enoch Wood, Superintendent of 
 Missions, residing at Toronto, I found to be a very able 
 man ; and universally respected for his excellent character, 
 ability, and devotedness to the service of his Divine Master. 
 It Y:as, moreover, refreshing to meet once more with our 
 old brethren and acquaintance, Peter Jones and John 
 Sunday. They hold on their way, retain all the freshness 
 of religion, devote themselves to the work of God among 
 their countrymen, and do much good. John Sunday made 
 us a missionary speech with as much spirit as ever, height- 
 ened by the interest he felt — and caused us to feel — from the 
 fact that he was brought to God at Belleville, in the chapel 
 in which he was then speaking for his heavenly Master. 
 
 i^% 
 
PAllT 1. — PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 137 
 
 it cordial 
 
 :he house 
 iost kind- 
 ! measure 
 rith ague, 
 day, and 
 Flint is a 
 itmost to 
 y. From 
 d prayers 
 
 3ses ; but 
 13 without 
 ting with 
 ingrateful 
 in a long 
 residence 
 Belleville, 
 tercourse, 
 kindness ; 
 betoken 
 countr}'. 
 ndent of 
 very able 
 laracter, 
 e Master, 
 with our 
 nd John 
 reshness 
 d among 
 ay made 
 , height- 
 from the 
 e chapel 
 ister. 
 
 Another noble evangelist, whose name is perfectly familiar 
 to our people in this country, also attended the conference, 
 — the Rev. William C se ; a man of beautiful simplicity, 
 fine sense, great moderation and charity, fervent piety, and 
 most abundant and useful labours. There are men in 
 Canada destined, as I hope, to perpetuate and carry out to 
 a blessed consummation the good work already existing. 
 
 We embarked on board the steamer about four o'clock 
 on the day we finished our conference business, and made 
 our way rapidly down the Bay of Quinti. The daylight 
 remained for many hours, so that I obtained a prolonged 
 view both' of land and water. The whole scenery was most 
 enchanting : the banks were covered with unbroken forests, 
 with rich blue foliage, bending to the water's edge ; and 
 were studded, here and there, with flourishing villages and 
 fertile f^irms. At the close of day we landed, and found a 
 fine Uttle town, situated in a singular nook formed by an 
 inlet of the bay, and apparently lost in the midst of the 
 forest. The night was passed in tranquillity ; and early in 
 the morning we found oui'selves at Kingston. I now saw a 
 little more of this city : it is 'situated in a most lovely local- 
 ity, and it may be fairly doubted whether any inland town 
 in the world can vie with it, in either its astonishing conflu- 
 ence of waters, or, in some respects, beautiful scenery. 
 Placed at the extremity of L .liC Ontario, and at the head 
 of the St. Lawrence, Kingston commands the navigation of 
 both. By the river, it is connected with the Atlantic, and 
 consequently with Europe ; and by the lakes, with the 
 interior of Canada and the United States. Its military 
 strength, moreover, gives it the complete command of the 
 channel and of the country ; and in any war with America, 
 it must be considered as the key of the St. Lawrence, and 
 vrill cost Jonathan a severe struggle to master. We hope 
 this tug of war may never aiise ; if it should, the fate of 
 Kingston must have much influence in settling the question, 
 as to who shall be masters of Canada, 
 
138 
 
 'I'OUK IN AMEIUCA. 
 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 The SI. Lawrence— The Thousand Islands — Tlic Rapids — Montreal — The City 
 — Tiic c;athpdral— Tlic Mclliodist Chaiiol— Storm— The Earl of Elgin— Tho 
 Romanists — Passage to Quebec— The City — Tho Plains of Abraham — (Jeneral 
 VVolfo— Fortifications — A Rural Roi)ast— Falls of Montmorcnci — The French 
 Habitars — Reflections on Canada. 
 
 Our steamer from Montreal was aAvaiting our arrival ; and 
 after some time we got on board, and were soon off again, 
 for fresh scenes and a new destination. We at once got into 
 the current of the St. Lawrence, and found ourselves in the 
 midst of, I should think, the most perfect fairy-scene in the 
 world, — the Thousand Islands. The.-e islands are so called, 
 not because they have been counted, — a definite being ^r^'t 
 for an indefinite number. They extend, from the singular 
 union of waters by the termination of the Lake Ontario, the 
 Bay of Quinti, and the head of the St. Lawrence, for a 
 space of thirty miles. They are of every size and form, 
 though never attaining any great elevation ; and are all 
 covered with trees and shrubs. Our passage lay in the 
 midst of this wonderful group, through which we threaded 
 our course safely, though it needed the most skilful pdotage. 
 Some of the islands appeared to occupy a considerable 
 space on the bosom of the flood ; but one isolated little 
 thing, just standing in our course, and I'equiring some tact 
 to avoid, looked exactly like a flower-pot, with one plant 
 growing in its centre, of diminutive size, reaching only the 
 elevation which its scanty soil could nourish. So true is 
 nature to her laws ! Had this tiny shrub risen higher, the 
 winds would soon have levelled and sent it floating in the 
 water. 
 
 The day was clear, the sun bright, the winds soft and 
 genial : could anything more perfectly remind one of Para- 
 dise than this scene ? No ruined castles, it is true, graced 
 these islands ; no rising turrets, covered with ivy, mantled 
 these spots of primitive beauty ; no baronial traditions, no 
 
—The City 
 Elgin— The 
 71— General 
 The French 
 
 val ; and 
 
 ff agiiin, 
 
 J got into 
 
 es in tlie 
 
 ne in the 
 
 10 called, 
 
 leing |/'t 
 
 singular 
 
 Lario, the 
 
 je, for a 
 
 nd fonn, 
 
 are all 
 
 in the 
 
 hreaded 
 
 )ilotage. 
 
 iiderable 
 
 led little 
 
 »ine tact 
 
 le plant 
 
 fnly the 
 
 true is 
 
 ler, the 
 
 in the 
 
 )ft and 
 
 If Para- 
 
 I graced 
 
 lantled 
 
 )ns, no 
 
 PAllT 1. — rEKSUNAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 lau 
 
 deserted halls, no banqueting-rooms, once the scenes of 
 revelry, of love, and of revenge, were here open to inspec- 
 tion. All was simple, primeval ; — nature clothed in her 
 own attire of leafy loveliness. Not a building, not a cottage, 
 was seen. No ascending smoke, no signs of human life, 
 no bleating animals, no ploughman's note, no stroke of the 
 woodman's axe, no labours of the spade or hoe, were any- 
 where visible ; silence and repose reigned in these islands, — 
 which, in ancient times, would have been peopled, in the 
 imagination of poets, with nymphs .md goddesses, — Avithout 
 one interrupting sound, except ii.u whispers of the wind. 
 Nature lay undisturbed in her own soft bod ; cradled in the 
 waters ; rocked by the elements ; and soothed by the rip- 
 pling stream as it pfiased along. This simple, primitive 
 state of things, has always been, from the time when God 
 first spoke creation into existence ; or, certainly, from the 
 period when, some convulsion breaking oft" these fragments 
 from the main land, he stretched out his hand to place 
 them in their present position, to show his love of beauty, 
 and teach mankind lessons of grateful admiration. 
 
 One only inhabitant has been known to dwell on these 
 islands, a sort of freebooter, who made them the head- 
 quarters of his piracy for some time. He shifted his abode 
 as occasion dictated, in order to avoid detection ; and, 
 sallying forth upon passers-by, feeble enough to tempt his 
 cupidity, plundered them of their effects, and then haotened 
 to his lurking-places in the islands, to enjoy the spoil. 
 He was at last detected, and is now expiating his oftences 
 in some distant prison, or living at large with the brand of 
 infamy upon his forehead, as the violater of the sanctities 
 of a spot hallowed to innocence, peace, and beauty. 
 
 In the course of the day avc passed down the Rapids, 
 rendered classical by Tom Moore's celebrated " Canadian 
 Boat Song." They are perfectly frightful. The descent is 
 considerable, the river narrow, the current impetuous, the 
 rocks turning the stream into foaming and dashing fury, 
 
vv 
 
 140 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 
 5rr 
 
 ft t. 
 
 t ■ e'l 
 
 III 
 
 like the waters of the sea on a shelving shore. A perfect 
 knowledge of the channel is necessary in the pilot, a keen 
 eye, a strict and vigilant watchfulness : if any of these 
 should be wanting;, or an accident in any way happen ; if 
 the ship, from any cause, should refuse to obey the helm, 
 in the smallest de^^ree ; destruction Avould be inevitable. 
 In one place the lend of the river is so abrupt, and the 
 angle so acute, that one would suppose the vessel must go 
 headlong against the shore. Such, however, was the skill 
 of our pilot, that at this point we suddenly wheeled round 
 with the current, and passed safely the whole course of the 
 Rapids. 
 
 We lay to for the night a few miles above Montreal, having 
 other Rapids to pass, and the day-light not serving. Early 
 on Saturday morning we were again in motion, and passed 
 the frightful flood of agitated waters. No vessel can pasa 
 up these Rapids; and to facilitate tliL- navigation, the Wel- 
 land Canal has been constructed. A noble work this ! 
 Vessels of great tonnage can ascend this canal, and by 
 these artificial means an easy communication is secured up 
 the river to the Lakes. About nine miles from Montreal, 
 we were met by several friends, who conducted us by rail- 
 road to the city One of these friends, the Honourable 
 James Ferrier, took me to his own house, where I was 
 domiciled during my stay in the place. I found with this 
 fine family a very happy home. It was never my pleasure 
 to meet with a more perfect Christian household than this. 
 Parents and children seemed to be actuated by the same 
 spirit ; the one by the most tender but judicious paternal 
 affection, and the young people with devout and deferential 
 filial regard. 
 
 I was immediately conducted to see the curiosities of the 
 place. Montreal wears the appearance of the olden times ; 
 the stately and majestic cathedral being its chief ornament. 
 We went first of all to inspect this building ; and found 
 that its interior, ornaments, and pictures, in the usual style 
 
 J 
 
perfect 
 a keen 
 f these 
 pen ; if 
 e helm, 
 ivitable. 
 and the 
 nust go 
 he skill 
 i round 
 e of the 
 
 1, having 
 Early 
 [ passed 
 ;an pass 
 he Wel- 
 rk this ! 
 and by 
 ured up 
 [ontreal, 
 by rail- 
 lourable 
 I was 
 ith this 
 leasure 
 an this, 
 e same 
 aternal 
 terential 
 
 of the 
 
 times ; 
 
 liament. 
 
 found 
 
 il style 
 
 PART I. — PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 141 
 
 of the popish church, did no discredit to its external ma|T- 
 nificenco. Various superstitions and follies were then, and 
 had long been, going on. Among tlu; rest, a bell, said to 
 be heavier, and every way larger, than " Great Tom " of 
 Lincoln, was suspended by machinery, employed for the 
 purpose; waiting to be baptized tho day following ; which 
 ceremony was performed with great pomp, attended by 
 immense crowds of people. Nothing is done without pay 
 in popery ; and all who Avitnessed this baptism of the bell 
 wore obliged to pay for their devotions or amusement. A 
 beautiful hill is seen in the back-ground of the city, as 
 usual, covered with fine shrubs and trees. The ascent is 
 filled with houses, — some, very large and splendid gentle- 
 men's villas. Around this hill Mr. P'errier took me for a 
 ride in the evening, and the scenery was most lovely. We 
 passed the country residence of the Governor-General ; no 
 very splendid place, but finely situated, in perfect seclusion. 
 
 On Sunday I preached twice, — in the evening in the 
 large chapel. This is by far the most spacious, beautiful, 
 and splendid chapel I have seen in Methodism, at home or 
 abroad ; and the congregation corresponds. Tt is quite as 
 great as any of the Yorkshire chapels, and much more 
 elegant, and well furnished. The day was, as I think, the 
 hottest I ever li\ ed through, the thermometer being about 
 a hundred and forty in the sun. During the evening ser- 
 vice a thunder-storm came on, with overwhelming torrents 
 of rain. The thunder was so loud, that I could scarcely 
 hear my own voice ; and Lhis lasted a good part of the 
 sermon. The lightning ^as of the same terrific nature ; 
 and some of the lower windows abutting against high 
 ground, about level with themselves, the rain rushed 
 through in torrents ; so much so, as greatly to wet and 
 discompose the dress of many of the females sitting in that 
 part of the building. Altogether, it was a most distressing 
 season. 
 
 The following day we waited upon the Governor- General, 
 
 ' i 
 
 ^ 
 
142 
 
 TOUR IN AMERiTA. 
 
 ■) 4 
 
 0,0 
 
 r 1 4 
 
 f li 
 
 at Governmont-houso, in the city. In tlifi antc-roora we 
 found a fine old popish priest, waitinj,' for an audience. 
 Tiiis was a most intellii^ent man, frank, open, affable ; the 
 very opposite of the Jesuit class. We conversed freely 
 with this priest on various matters, and were pleased to 
 find that a bad system had not succeeded in defacing the 
 characteristics of a noble nature. On being called into the 
 presence of his Excellency, we were very courteously re- 
 ceived. Lord Klijfin is, in appearance, bearing, and de- 
 meanour, a fine specimen of the British peer. We had, 
 liowever, in him, a clear evidence of the nature of the re- 
 sponsible government principl(>, as understood in Canada, 
 and as it is being carried out by the British authorities. 
 He could not be prevailed upon to give any answer to our 
 inf[uirics on the business we had come upon, nor even so 
 much as give an opinion. He told us he would lay the 
 matter before his council ; and we could get no further 
 than this. My companions were astonished, and not much 
 pleased at this ; not understanding how a Governor- General 
 should not himself settle a question of the nature proposed, 
 and at once decide the whole case. For myself, I confess, 
 that T was neither surprised nor displeased, well understand- 
 ing, that if the principles of the British constitution are to be 
 carried out literally in Canada, the representative of the 
 sovereign cannot act as if he were the representative of an 
 absolute monarch ; he must take counsel with his ministers, 
 council, or whatever else his advisers may be called. This 
 principle, in one form or other, no doubt, had much to do 
 in paving the way for the severance of the colonies, now 
 constituting the United States, from the mother country. 
 Its adoption may have the same effect in Canada ; but how 
 it is to be got rid of, in the present state of things, or whe- 
 ther desirable, if it could, are difficult questions to solve. 
 In the present state of the world, absolute or irresponsible 
 power is out of the question, at any rate, in regions which 
 have been blessed with British rule. 
 
PART I. — PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 143 
 
 om we 
 dience. 
 le ; the 
 freely 
 ised to 
 in^ tlio 
 nto the 
 isly re- 
 ind de- 
 ^e had, 
 the re- 
 ^anada, 
 horities. 
 r to our 
 even so 
 lay the 
 further 
 )t much 
 General 
 oposed, 
 confess, 
 rstand- 
 re to be 
 of the 
 e of an 
 nisters, 
 . This 
 to do 
 s, now 
 untry. 
 it how 
 r whe- 
 solve. 
 nsible 
 which 
 
 With a view to ascertain the fact, I examined the names 
 over the shops and places of business, both in Montreal 
 and afterwards in (Quebec, and found that they were nearly 
 all English and Scotch. Tiic bulk of the population beinjj 
 French, it is clear from this, that our countrymen have 
 pushed the French inhabitants into the obscure par i: 
 these cities, and obtained for themselves the commrrw ..(' 
 the chief trade and commerce of the country. Thi.s, ino ed, 
 is notoriously the case. The original founders of these 
 cities are now seen inhabiting small dwellings in the obscure 
 and meaner streets, keeping little fruit and hucksters' shops, 
 and other trades of a similar description. They are re- 
 ported as very inert, improvident, and careless ; they even 
 alienate their lands without much concern, though natu- 
 rally addicted to a rural life ; and, like the Irish, seem to 
 claim kindred with the soil on which they have been bred. 
 They appear, in themselves, a very harmless race, are alto- 
 gether under the influence of their political chiefs and 
 priests, and, consequently, easily excited one way or 
 other, and never think of acting for themselves. Educa- 
 tion, and, indeed, information of every kind, is at a very low 
 ebb among them ; and I was told by the highest authority 
 in the country, on this subject, that it was extremely diffi- 
 cult to get them to employ the government grant for 
 educational purposes ; the treasurer always having a large 
 sum of unappropriated money belonging to them in hand. 
 
 It will be in the recollection of many, that Lord Mel- 
 bourne's government restored the island of Montreal to the 
 order or society of St. Sulpice, to whom it was originally 
 granted by the French king ; but in the midst of the con- 
 fusions of the world, arising out of the French revolutior. 
 the society becoming extinct, or from some other cause, it 
 had been alienated to the crown. The society having been 
 revived in the general resuscitation of popery, the right 
 had been restored, in the desire to conciliate popery, so 
 that the fee-simple of the whole island now belongs to this 
 
144 
 
 TCITR IN AMERICA. 
 
 body. I was told, on g:ood authority, that, on every trans- 
 fer of property, by fine or the renewal of lease, the priest- 
 hood obtain a sum equal to eight shillings in the pound, as 
 their share in the tranisaction. The island being large ; the 
 city now being made the seat of government ; the commer- 
 cial transactions of che place being extensive ; and, alto- 
 gether, this being the most flourishing port ki Canada ; it 
 results that the revenue derived from these sources is enor- 
 mous. Certainly, popery presents here the aspect of great 
 wealth, and evidently occupies a commanding position. 
 Their fetes far transcend, in splendour and cost, those of 
 any other country, in the present day ; and while the 
 Church of Rome seems in a state of decay everywhere else, 
 it is in f^reat life and prosperity under the British dominion 
 in Canada. But little impression has ever been made upon 
 it by Protestantism ; and it is evidently as undisturbed and 
 secure in its supremacy, as if the country had remained 
 under the sway of the Bourbons. The industry of the 
 British peopL, in the mean time, by its restored title to the 
 proprietorship of the island, tends to enrich the church and 
 build up its power ; every shilling which is expended in 
 improvements, as the fruit of British enterprise and indus- 
 try, puts, as we see, more than one-third into the pockets 
 of the priests. 
 
 I found, also, that the Jesuits were earnestly urging their 
 claim to their forfeited possessions. When the society be- 
 came extinct, they, of course, lost their rights of property 
 in the country. They were in possession of numerous 
 houses, large tracts of land, and privileges of various sorts, 
 when in their days of power and glory. When in Quebec, 
 I lodged exactly opposite a large building, once a college 
 of Jesuits, now emploj^ed as barracks. Tlie nature of their 
 influence, the extent of their possessions, (for they must 
 have enjoyed pay and food, as well as lodging,) and their 
 numbers, may be pretty accurately judged of by this build- 
 ing. It is, I should believe, largo enough to hold a regi- 
 
PART I. — PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 145 
 
 a resji- 
 
 ment of soldiers ; and, supposing Jesuits would require 
 accommodation superior to the army, it would certainly 
 accommodate, even in that case, not less than five or six 
 hundred. Whecher, in the progress of conciliation, — ^for 
 so many years followed by the British government, — this 
 Jesuits' college and their ocher possessions will ever be re- 
 stored^ it is impossible to say. The local government is, 
 at present, resisting the claim ; and I read, when in the 
 country, very able articles from the pen of one of the chief 
 functionaries against conceding these claims. This is pro- 
 bably the security of the country. Society at large, having 
 an interest in preserving the present settlement of property, 
 and in keeping themselves free from the dominion and yoke 
 of the Society of Jesus, may possibly be able to resist the 
 encroachments sought to be made ; whereas, if the matter 
 were entirely in the hands of the home-government, nothing 
 would be more likely than Jesuitical success, and for the 
 world to see them again installed in the college at Quebec, 
 as well as enjoying all other kinds of property and power, 
 — now enhanced a thousand-fold by Protestant enterprise 
 and labour. 
 
 The steamers only pass between Montreal and Quebec 
 by night ; and on Monday evening I embarked with Mr. 
 Ferrier, Dr. Richey, the Rev. John Jenkins, and other 
 friends, for the latter place. We had a pleasant night-trip, 
 sitting up late to see Mr. Ferrier off, who had to land at 
 Three Rivers, for the purpose of attending to business in 
 connexion with some iron-founding operations ; the only 
 works of the sort, as I understood, in the country. 
 
 Mr. Ferrier, and a fine old gentleman, one of the owners 
 of the steamer in which we were passing down the river, 
 had a long debate respecting steam navigation. This latter 
 gentleman I found, in connexion with his father, was the 
 first to employ steam power on the St. Lawrence, and had 
 been very successful in his vocation. I learned from this 
 conversation many things respecting American steamers, 
 
 7 
 
146 
 
 TOUE IN AMEKICA. 
 
 fii 
 
 of which I had before been ignorant. I had seen that 
 these vessels possessed amazing space, especially on deck, 
 giving them the means of providing a splendid saloon and 
 beautiful state-rooms by their sides for passengers, and an 
 equally fine promenade on the outside, where I had often 
 sat or walked, enjoying the fresh air, and looking at the 
 surrounding country. I found now that this spage was 
 gained by projections from the sides of the vessel in the 
 form of beams or spars, and on these projections a platform 
 considt ably wider than the vessel itself was obtained. 
 But was there no danger of the steamer, in case of a 
 squall arising, turning over on her beam-ends ? To obviate 
 this, it seems, an instrument, on the principle of the cork- 
 jacket employed by amateurs in swimming, is placed on 
 each side ; so that, in case the vessel reels, she is righted 
 again by this instrument. It was told me that by the use 
 of these appliances, it is impossible for any vessel in any 
 weather to be capsized. The argument of these two clever 
 and experienced disputants turned on the possibility of 
 crossing the Atlantic in one of these flat-bottomed steamers 
 so guarded ; Mr. Ferrier taking the affirmative side, and 
 our other friend the negative. All manner of science was 
 brought to bear on the points in dispute ; and whether 
 it might be more profitable io employ this species of ship, 
 I know not ; but think, from what I heard, that it is pos- 
 sible to cross the ocean in one of these flat-bottomed 
 American river vessels, sufficiently guarded by the cork- 
 jacket. Our countrymen need not be surprised if they see, 
 some day, in the Mersey, a grand flat-bottomed steamer, 
 with a saloon as magnificent as the drawing-room of a 
 palace, and state-rooms as convenient and beautiful as the 
 sleeping apartments of a first-rate hotel. 
 
 We reached our destination in good time in the morning. 
 Quebec is unique in its appearance within and without ; 
 there is nothing equal to it in America. Like New- York 
 and Pittsburgh, it stands on the point formed by two rivers; 
 
L that 
 deck, 
 )n and 
 md an 
 I often 
 at the 
 
 ce was 
 
 • 
 
 in the 
 atform 
 tained. 
 \e of a 
 obviate 
 J cork- 
 ced on 
 righted 
 the use 
 in any 
 ) clever 
 iUty of 
 earners 
 e, and 
 ce was 
 hether 
 |f ship, 
 is pos- 
 tomed 
 cork- 
 ley see, 
 learner, 
 of a 
 as the 
 
 )ming. 
 Ithout ; 
 l-York 
 
 rivers; 
 
 PART I.— PERSONAL NARi ITIVE. 
 
 147 
 
 i 
 
 . 
 
 though not, hke them, meeting in terminis. The majestic 
 St. Lawrence is one of these rivers, and still rolls along lis 
 course ; and the other is the St. Charles, emptying itself into 
 the greater stream from the north-west, and thus forming 
 the triangular point on which the city stands. It wears, in 
 its general aspect, an appearance of great antiquity^ quite 
 unlike any other place on the continent. The streets are 
 narrow, irregular, and steep ; hke many of the old seaports 
 on our coast, or those of France, on the opposite side of the 
 Channel. The ecclesiastical buildings of all sorts — cathe- 
 drals, (for there are two, Popish and Protestant,) churches, 
 convents, hospitals, Hdtels de Dieu, and all the rest — are 
 seen to predominate over everything secular — like some old 
 cathedral town in a Popish country. This feature, together 
 with the military air of the place, causes Quebec to wear 
 an aristocratic and feudal appearance, perfectly dissimilar 
 to the trading and commercial aspect of all other places in 
 America, whether belonging to the States, or to Great 
 Britain. 
 
 As soon as possible after our arrival, the friends had two 
 or three carriages ready to convey us round the city, under 
 the projecting rocks overhanging the road, to Wolfe's Cove 
 — up the heights leading to the fortifications — to the Plains 
 of Abraham — and to Cape Diamond. 
 
 It must be understood that the angle referred to before, 
 formed by the two rivers, terminates, not in a slope leading 
 down to the waters, but abruptly, in a prodigious rock 
 three hundred and fifty feet above the level of the river ; 
 and seeming at a distance to overhang it, but in reality 
 leaving space for roads and buildings. This culminating 
 point is called Cape Diamond ; and, while standing on this 
 elevation, on the right flows the St. Lawrence, and on the 
 left the St. Charles, while the space immediately in the rear 
 forms the Plains of Abraham. From this elevated region, 
 there is no descent at all — the rock is next to perpendicular ; 
 but farther on, both towards the St. Lawrence and the St. 
 
148 
 
 TOUi; IN AMERICA. 
 
 Charles, the ground, in some places gradually, but often 
 abruptly, descends : this descent, however, admits of roads, 
 winding round the mountain, by which the summit is reached. 
 I am thus particular, for a reason which must now be 
 explained. When this city was taken by the immortal 
 Wolfe, he, by some miraculous means, in the night, pushed 
 his fleet, with his army and artillery on board, from below, 
 past this Cape Diamond, with its terrible fortifications, 
 unobserved by the enemy, and reached a part of the hill 
 yhere an ascent was possible, now called Wolfe's Cove. 
 His troops immediately climbed up the sid i ^ of the eleva- 
 tion ; and by prodigious exertions dragged up several pieces 
 of ordnance. When the next day dawned, the French 
 general found, to his astonishment, the British army, with 
 artillery, formed, in Ime of battle, on the Heights of Abra- 
 ham, I was conducted by my friends thi 'gh the whole 
 of 'this scene. We traced the course of the fleet up the 
 river, its anchorage, the place where the troops disembark- 
 ed, the track of the artillery, of the soldiers up the moun- 
 tain ; and I, for myself, determined to climb up in the path 
 which tr?dition has marked as the identical line which was 
 trodden by the immortal hero, who added, by his genius 
 and bravery on this occasion, an empire to his country's 
 possessions. When at the top, we, in our wwmilitary and 
 ztwprofessional way, endeavoured to trace the course of 
 events, and believe we obtained a pretty accurate notion 
 of the battle. The issue is known. The spot where Wolfe 
 received the tidings, " They flee," and then expired, is 
 marked by a mean and paltry monumental stone. I clung 
 with intense feeling to this spot ; looking again and again 
 to the place where the destinies of a mighty country were 
 fixed, by the decrees of God, in the death-throes of the 
 successful instrument. There are events in history which 
 turn the tide of national interests ; form the epochs of 
 time ; raise the monuments of great destinies ; pillars 
 written upon by the finger of God, in the annals of the 
 
 Y 
 
PART I. — PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 149 
 
 world, as the data of nationalities : and that little monu- 
 mental stone on the summit of the Plains of Abraham is 
 one of these mementos. 
 
 We went from this scene to examine the fortifications. 
 These are denominated the Gibraltar of America, and are 
 certainly the strongest on the continent. But they are not 
 much like Gibraltar. The celebrated batteries of the latter 
 fortress are pretty familiar to my recollection, and greatly 
 surpass their supposed type at Quebec. One would say, 
 however, that these are perfectly impregnable, having been 
 much strengthened since they came into the hands of the 
 English. We went to the Cape Diamond rock ; and, stand- 
 ing on its elevation, obtained a most magnificent view of 
 ^he country around. The glorious St. Lawrence rolls ma- 
 jestically at the foot of the mountain, and the ships in the 
 harbour looked most diminutive, their masts reaching but a 
 very short way towards the point where we stood. The 
 country is seen to a prodigious distance by reason of the 
 clearness of the atmosphere ; the mountains and plains 
 alternately stretching in fine plateaux, or rearing their heads 
 to the clouds. The scene also presents to view, what is 
 scarcely ever seen in America, a finished picture. The land 
 is well cultivated, and herds of cattle were grazing quietly 
 in the meadows ; while the whole country was dotted with 
 the whitewashed cottages of the French hdbitans ; and 
 here and there through the landscape a country church 
 reared its beautiful spire in the midst of the rural scene. 
 The river was seen to an immense distance, meandering its 
 course towards the sea. Altogether, the view from Cape 
 Diamond is one of the most splendid imaginable, and far 
 surpassed anything I had seen in America. Western Ca- 
 nada is, with the exception of what they call "The Moun- 
 tain," perfectly level ; but this part of the country is full 
 of lofty ridges, often rising to the elevation and ruggedness 
 of real mountain scenery, with bold and abrupt peaks, lost 
 in the clouds. 
 
150 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 We were taken to dme in the country, a distance of four 
 or five miles, with a fine old Methodist friend, originally 
 from Guernsey. The table was spread under the umbra- 
 geous branches of a lovely tree, on a lawn near the house ; 
 and on this spot, protected from the rays of the sun, we 
 partook of our social repast in great harmony and joy. 
 This was a bright oasis in the desert of hfe, an innocent and 
 happy meeting of Christian friends, favoured to see each 
 other once, never to meet again. This house possesses 
 some traditional importance, as it was chosen by the famous 
 American general, Arnold, for his head-quarters, and where 
 he himself lodged, in his mad expedition against Quebec. 
 This man afterwards turned traitor against his country ; 
 and it was hi connexion with his perfidy, in delivering up 
 West Pohit to the English, that the brave and accom- 
 plished Major Andre, employed by the British general to 
 negotiate the surrender of that place, fell into the hands of 
 the Americans, and lost his life. Strange things happen 
 in the course of one's existence. I had been reading, on 
 my voyage out, a very minate account of these transac- 
 tions ; and now it was my lot to dine, not in the house of 
 Arnold's head-quarters, but under a tree by its side, which 
 he had often looked upon, and, if he had not dined imder 
 its shady branches, had probably been protected from the 
 storm. Having to preach at night, our sojourn could not 
 be long. We hastened back in time for the service, and 
 had a fine congregation. Here I met with quite a pheno- 
 menon in Canada, — a Presbyterian minister, who, in the 
 midst of the general disruption, had adhered to the old 
 kirk. I found him a good, moderate, and truly sensible 
 man. 
 
 One day only remained for Quebec. In good time, my 
 kind friends and myself set out to visit the Falls of Mont- 
 morenei, a distance of nine miles. By this journey I had 
 an opportunity of seeing a little of the state of the French 
 peo{)le in the country. We called at a small inn for re- 
 
 . 
 
 . ■« 
 
PART I. — PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 151 
 
 on 
 
 isac- 
 
 se of 
 
 ^hich 
 
 ider 
 
 the 
 
 not 
 
 and 
 
 leno- 
 
 the 
 
 old 
 
 me 
 
 my 
 
 )nt- 
 
 Ihad 
 
 Inch 
 
 re- 
 
 freshment, and found it very comfortable ; but as different 
 from the same sort of habitation in our own country as possi- 
 ble. The farms seemed small, the cottages corresponding ; 
 but the people were clean, tidy, and apparently very contented 
 and happy. They are a primitive race, remaining in much 
 the same state as they were in the time of their ancestors' 
 coming to the country. British rule causes no innovation 
 in their manners and habits ; they retain the use of their 
 own language exclusively ; and are perfectly docile to the 
 priesthood, and obedient to the Church. The difference 
 betwixt the Anglo-Saxon race and these people of French 
 descent, is most glaring. The one is a restless, grumbling, 
 thrifty, and ambitious set, wherever found ; the other al- 
 most as stationary as the nomadic tribes of the East. Even 
 Popery fails to amalgamate the Irish and French races. 
 They cannot agree to say mass together. The antipathy 
 of the F'rench to the Irish, is equal to the antipathy of poor 
 Pat to the English. The rude, vociferous, agitating spirit 
 of the sons of the Green Isle, cannot be endured by the 
 quiet Canadians ; and the priests are compelled to part 
 them. There is a sort of dual Popery in Quebec ; the 
 Irish being obliged to keep to themselves, and perform 
 their religious duties in their own peculiar way of roaring 
 riot ; whilst the gentle hahitans are left to walk in the foot- 
 steps of their quiet predecessors. The Falls of Montmo- 
 renci are very fine, and the descent of the waters is greater 
 than at Niagara ; but after beholding that wonder of na- 
 ture, they appear very insigpificant as a whole. In this 
 country they would be a prodigy, and attract univereal at- 
 tention ; but in the midst of the stupendous waters of 
 America, they look like a little rill, a mountain torrent, 
 falling from a lofty eminence. 
 
 We hastened back to town in time for a hasty dinner 
 and a cordial farewell ; and then an embarkation again. 
 Truth obliges me to say, that I never in my existence met 
 with a finer people than our friends in Quebec ; generous, 
 
 lil 
 
152 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 I 
 
 !|.ij ^If, 
 
 open-hearted, frank, intelligent, pious, and perfectly united 
 amongst themselves. Tliey occupy a very important reli- 
 gious position ; and, it is hoped, will be the means of much 
 good. I found they had begun a new chapel, the exact 
 size, and intended in all things to be the counterpart, of 
 the magnificent one at Montreal ; so that Lower Canada 
 will, ere long, contain the most magnificent places of wor- 
 ship in the Methodist world. It is intended to get Dr. 
 Bangs, on his visit to the Canada Conference next summer, 
 to open this new place of worship. This will, to all par- 
 ties, be interesting ; as I believe this eminent minister of 
 Christ was the first to preach our doctrines in this city. A 
 man is often permitted, in his own life-time, to see great 
 results from small beginnings in America. Taking a most 
 affectionate leave of this kind people, many of whom had 
 assembled for the purpose, we got on board the steamer 
 in the evening ; and, ascending the St. Lawrence during 
 the night, found ourselves again in Montreal for breakfast 
 the next morning, at the house of Mr. Kay, a countryman, 
 and belonging to one of the numerous families of that 
 name in Lancashire. 
 
 Before quitting Canada, a remark or two may be proper 
 on general subjects. No one can see this country without 
 being convinced of its great importance. Its area is that 
 of a mighty empu-e ; for, though thousands of square miles 
 are barren, and must always remain so, by reason of then- 
 northern position, yet still there will be left, for profitable 
 cultivation, probably as large a portion as the whole of 
 central Europe. The soil of this vast space is most pro- 
 lific, capable of bearing abundant crops of wheat, and 
 every other kind of grain and fruit, suited to a wheat- 
 growing country. Moreover, this territory being inter- 
 sected by noble rivers, navigable in most places, and capa- 
 ble of being made so by canal-adjuncts almost universally, 
 is, of itself, an infinite ad\antage, and presents vast facili- 
 ties of intercourse, and cheap transmission of both people 
 
 ^ 
 
PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 153 
 
 roper 
 
 thout 
 
 that 
 
 miles 
 
 theii' 
 
 table 
 
 le of 
 
 pro- 
 
 and 
 
 leat- 
 
 iter- 
 
 lapa- 
 
 jally, 
 
 icili- 
 
 jople 
 
 ^ 
 
 and produce from place to place. My duties called me to 
 pass along the shores of Queen Victoria's possessions, for 
 just about a thousand miles. This was effected, partly 
 by the course of the Lakes, and partly by the Bay of 
 Quinti and the river St. Lawrence ; whilst at the same 
 time I did not see the termination of the latter by be- 
 twixt three and four hundred miles. This magnificent 
 river, with the Lakes, through which it is always con- 
 sidered as passing, is of greater length than even the 
 Mississippi ; and is, in itself, of the value of an empire. 
 Those who command the navigation of the St. Lawrence 
 must be the masters of a highway of water-communication 
 of prodigious importance. 
 
 Every year will increase this value, as the return of 
 every season must develop the resources and riches of the 
 country. In speaking of the command of the river, I am 
 reminded, that, in passing between Kingston and Montreal, 
 there was seen a branch of the main channel, which, after 
 running some miles, returned to the parent stream. The 
 shore on the right bank belongs to America, and that on 
 the left to Canada. To my utter surprise, and equal indig- 
 nation, by some sort of diplomatic concession to Jonathan, 
 I found our statesmen had given up both banks ; so that 
 America is the owner of the entire stream, and the branch 
 river constitutes the boundary-line. This is just as if it 
 were agreed upon in general terms by the authorities, that 
 the Grand Junction Railroad between Birmingham and 
 London should be the boundary of territorial rights ; but, 
 on some subsequent occasion, one party should say the 
 meaning of the treaty was, that the line should go through 
 Oxford, leavhig them in possession of the main trunk, and 
 compelling the opposite party, in going to town, to turn 
 off and proceed by the University city ; — with this excep- 
 tion, indeed, that the branch river is unnavigable ; so that, 
 in case of dispute, the British would be altogether shut 
 out. These boundary-treaties are most humiliating to this 
 
 7* 
 
! 
 
 T- 
 
 154 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 m 
 
 country; they always result in favour of the claims of 
 America. Indeed, it seems a settled conviction in the 
 American mind, an axiom of policy, and one would think a 
 standing rule in tlie offices of the government, that, on all 
 occasions of diplomacy, John B; '! is destined, made, to be 
 diddled, to be gulled, to be beaten. Our dandy, blunder- 
 ing diplomatists are a poor match for the long-headed, 
 practical, sclieming statesmen of the United States. Cana- 
 da is full of just complaints on this point, not even except- 
 ing the famous Ashburton and Oregon treaties. 
 
 My good friend, Mr. Fcrricr, told me a most laughable 
 instance of this kind of thing. The subject-matter was a 
 railroad from Montreal to — I think the name of the place 
 is — Rochester, [Portland,] on the Atlantic seaboard, or, at 
 any rate, somewhere in the east. There lived at this Ro- 
 chester a Judge , whose interest it was, as will be 
 
 seen, to promote the business of Rochester, and get the 
 trains to run to that place. But the new line bad to con- 
 nect itself with the line to Boston, and the Boston line was 
 on the broad gauge. What did our worthy Yankee judge 
 do ? He went to Montreal to persuade the boobies that 
 the broad gauge is a very bad gauge, and that it would be 
 much for their interest to adopt the narrow gauge ; thus 
 preventing the new line from connecting with the Boston, 
 and making it necessary for every bale of goods to be un- 
 shipped from one train to the other, at a considerable 
 amount of trouble and expense, or else to run on to Ro- 
 chester. By this contrivance the probabilities were, that 
 the goods would be sent on to Rochester, and increase its 
 traffic. The judge prevailed upon the company to believe 
 that the narrow gauge was much the best, and they 
 forthwith adopted it. The bill came before the provin- 
 cial parliament; and Mr. Ferrier was so convinced of 
 the folly of the thing, that when it came before the senate, 
 he offered it his most strenuous opposition, and for the 
 time defeated the scheme of the judge. But he was not at 
 
 
 ■f 
 
I 
 
 PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 155 
 
 all discomfited ; he went again to Montreal, and now, get- 
 ting amongst the scnatjrs, prevailed upon them to believ»< 
 that the broad gauge is a very bad gauge ; and the rail- 
 road is cither already constructed, or is in course of con- 
 struction, on the principle of the narrow gauge. And this 
 very judge, Diddle or Bibble, (his name is one or the other,) 
 is the very person whose dicta ruled in the treaty betwixt 
 Lord Ashburton and the States: a measure pompously 
 put forth, at the time, as a most masterly piece of states- 
 manship, but which every tyro in politics in Canada knows 
 to be a surrender of the main poi.its in dispute, and a most 
 humiliating affair to Great Britain. 
 
 I found the country full of complaints and dissatisfaction 
 from one end to the other. The people everywhere, and 
 of all shades of politics, spoke the same language. Their 
 fortunes were wrecked, their commerce destroyed ; their 
 agriculture, the sinews of the colony, enfeebled, ruined. 
 Of course, all blamed the home-government. They refused 
 to do anything, they said, to support their credit, or to fur- 
 ther their exertions to obtain any loan, to assist in the public 
 works ; — the execution of these was required, to expand 
 their strength, and to develop the resources of the coun- 
 try, but they could obtain no help. Nay, it was asserted, 
 by men of first-rate intelligence, and who had been engaged 
 in the attempt, that they even could not get a hearing ; 
 nobody among the bureaucracy in London could be found 
 to acquaint themselves with their affairs, or pay any atten- 
 tion to them. Hence the only railroad in Canada is the 
 insignificant line, of about a dozen miles, from Montreal to 
 the place where the steamers land their passengers for 
 that place. This one fact shows clearly enough the stag- 
 nant state of the country. When railroads are, of all the 
 gifts of Providence now known, best calculated to call forth 
 the hidden resources of such a country as Canada, their 
 absence is sufficiently indicative of the want of patronage 
 on the part of government, or of indolence in the people ; 
 
 ii 
 
m 
 
 166 
 
 TOUR IN AMEUICA. 
 
 V 
 
 ^ 
 
 and, as th«^ latter cannot bo tnily uftirmed, the cause must 
 be attributable to the former. There is a pretty general 
 belief, indeed, that England has virtually given them up ; 
 and, because of this, it would not be in the power of min- 
 isters to get the sanction of Parliament for any great scheme 
 of colonization and credit. The capitalists of England, they 
 believe, will not embark their money without government 
 security, entertaining the notion that the colony is vibrating 
 in the balance ; aid this not being accorded, probablv for 
 the same reason, there thoy are, floundering in a mighty 
 ocean of greatness and wealth, for the want of the means 
 of picking it up. - How long this state of things will last, 
 nobody can tell. The connexion ^between the mother- 
 country and this her most athletic oftspnng, is now merely 
 political ; or as nearly so as possible. All England now 
 does for Canada, they said, again and again, is to appoint 
 them a governor, and make them pay him five times more 
 than they should in case they appointed him themselves ; 
 and to maintain an army at a prodigious expense to keep 
 them in order. This talk was not the conversation of radi- 
 cals, of demagogues, of French republicans ; but of many 
 of the best subjects of the British crown in America ; men 
 of intelligence, of integrity, of honour, of loyalty, of reli- 
 gion ; and these men are beginning openly to propose the 
 question, "What are the advantages of English connexion ?" 
 and to weigh and discuss those of annexation. 
 
 It does not become me to enter into such a subject in 
 detail ; but the fact is, that the recent policy of this coun- 
 try — the free-trade policy — has had the effect of throwing 
 all the advantages possessed by Canada, as a part of the 
 British empire, (and which, as such, the people considered 
 that they had a right to possess,) into the hands of the 
 United States. Montreal used to be the great market for 
 English produce, the centre whence it flowed to the whole 
 of the provinces ; but now almost all this trade has found 
 its way to New-York. On the enactment of Lord Stanley's 
 
PART I. — PERBONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 157 
 
 )n V ' 
 
 !t in 
 
 )un- 
 
 kving 
 
 the 
 ired 
 
 the 
 
 for 
 lole 
 
 ind 
 
 V 
 
 I' 
 
 bill respecting tho admission of Canada flour into this coun- 
 try, a vast outlay in buiUlinLj mills took placo, which mills 
 had just begun to work prolitably ; hut the now j)olioy 
 effectually crushed this trade. I myself saw one of these 
 mills, belonging to one of our friends, — a new building of 
 great size, and which must have cost many thousand 
 pounds in its erection, — standing still. This I understood 
 was generally the case. Uefore the new measures, the 
 people cf Canada could afford to purchase com in the 
 United States, and, turning it into flour at these mills, obtain 
 a market for it in Europe ; thus deriving a benefit to them- 
 selves from the soil of the States. The tables are now 
 completely turned. The Americans arc now the millers ; 
 and corn-dealers from the States come over to buy up the 
 grain of the country, turn it into " bread-stuffs," and sell 
 Canadian-grown wheat in our markets as American flour. 
 Thid iL. rather too much for flesh and blood to bear. Canada 
 and the United States are now placed, as nearly as possible, 
 on an equal footing with regard to commercial transactions 
 with this country ; the one being a colony of the British 
 empire, and the other the greatest rival this nation has to 
 contend with in the world. How long this state of things 
 can last, is for statesmen to consider. Canada now only 
 belongs to Great Britain by a figment, a tradition, a loyalty, 
 a recollection of heroic deeds ; and not by any material in- 
 terest or benefit. Nay, in the present state of things, cast 
 off by the mother country, and left to their own resources, 
 with the United States just by their side, possessing vast 
 political power and influence ; a growing credit, and mone- 
 tary resources ; a prodigious mercantile and commercial 
 navy ; an active, industrious, and virtuous people ; a govern- 
 ment capable, in all respects, and equally disposed, to 
 foster, protect, and strengthen all its possessions ; — we say, 
 with all these things staring them in the face, the policy 
 of this country has made it the plain, palpable interest of 
 the Canadians to seek for annexation. This is as clear as 
 
158 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 i" 
 
 any problem in Euclid. How long the tradition and the 
 loyalty will weigh against the interests now put in the 
 balance against them, nobody need be at a loss to deter- 
 mine. Perhaps the non-election of General Cass will settle 
 the question for the next four years ; but, had that gentle- 
 man obtained the presidency of the States, — why, tlie 
 world would have presented itself in different phases at the 
 end of the above period. 
 
 Whether these fears and auguries take place or not, 
 Canada must have a great and noble destiny. A country 
 so magnificent, a soil so prolific, water communication so 
 abimdant, and a people, moreover, in whose veins British 
 blood flows, and who are in possession of the incipient 
 principles, freedom, and laws of England, safely planted 
 in the soil ; such a country must rise to greatness and 
 power. The French leaven is constantly losing its relative 
 strength, and the British is as constantly increasing. The 
 on*^ population is rapidly getting ahead of the other, and 
 assuming the lead. This must, in tlie nature of things, 
 fix the destiny of the colony. Our language, our iiistitu- 
 tions, and our religion, will prevail. A mighty empire 
 will rise up, enriched with knowledge, with public and 
 private virtue, and possessed of all the appliances of poli- 
 tical power and wealth. We wish them well ; the^ are at 
 present our children ; and, in all future time and contin- 
 gencies, they will be our brethren. They will carry out 
 and perpetuate all that is valuable in our system, and, 
 planting old England on a new soil, will reproduce our 
 nation on a gigantic scale. 
 
 *) 
 
 t 
 
PART I. — PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 159 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Return — Pass the Si. Lawrence— Lake Champlain — Plattsburgh — Whitehall — 
 Journey by Stage— Troy — Albany — The Hudson — Arrival at New- York — III 
 — Doubtful respecting being able to return Home— Resolved to do so— De- 
 part for Boston— Embark on board the "America" — Passage — Arrival at 
 Home. 
 
 On Thursday, June 2 2d, the day on which we came up 
 from Quebec, we bade farewell to our dear friends at Mont- 
 real, and took a last look at Canada. Last things are 
 painful, and full of interest. We parted from those who 
 had endeared themselves by every kind of attention and 
 affectionate regard, with the desire, never to be effaced, for 
 their highest happiness. We crossed the St, Lawrence, 
 and soon entered Lake Champlain. A portion of the wa- 
 ters of this lake belong to the British ; as usual, just the 
 fag-end, whilst the great body of the lake is owned by the 
 States. The lines of demarcation are marked by a fort, of 
 small dimensions or strength, which might easily be dis- 
 mantled. This is, un(iuestionably, the finest lake I had 
 seen. The scenery on its banks is perfectly enchanting ; 
 and, unlike Lakes Erie and Ontario, it commands a view 
 of mountain scenery of the most majestic description. This 
 lake is one hundred and thirty-two miles in length, and 
 varies in breadth from the narrow channel above mentioned 
 to nine or ten miles. Many beautiful islands stud the wa- 
 ters, and have a fine effect. At the close of the day we 
 approached a place called Plattsburgh. The scene was 
 the most beautifully romantic which nature can possibly 
 present : A blue sky, deep, lofty, stretching its heavenly 
 arch to span the landscape, the sun setting in all his gor- 
 geous glory, the lake smooth as glass, except as disturbed 
 by our motion, wild fowl fluttering about and enjoying the 
 cool evening, the majestic mountains of Vermont looming 
 ip the distance, and all the intermediate space filled with 
 
160 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 cultivated fields and towering forests, — and then the lonely- 
 little town of Plattsburgh, touching the fringe of the lake, 
 and presenting the most perfect aspect of rural peace and 
 quiet on which the eye ever gazed. My manliness was 
 here for the first time overcome ; I longed and longed to 
 get on shore, to fix my tent, and remain forevc. This 
 sentiment was new ; I had never before felt any remarka- 
 ble desire to locate in any place I had seen ; but here, for 
 a moment, I was perfectly overcome. Other affections, of 
 course, soon sprang up, and wafted my soul across the At- 
 lantic, where treasures dearer than evoii these beauties had 
 their dwelling. During this little paroxysm, delirium, or 
 ■whatever it may be called, my kind companion. Dr. Richey, 
 had retired to his cabin, so that one of my wants could not 
 be relieved, — a vent for exclamations of delight ! This was 
 just one of those moments Avhich can never be forgotten, 
 an Eden, a paradisiacal scene, into which none can enter 
 with one, and which leaves its picture vividly pencilled on 
 the soul". But how soon things change, and in their reality 
 fade away ! We left this spot, passed on, the night closed 
 in, the curtain dropped. 
 
 " So even now this hour had sped 
 
 In rapturous thought o'er me ; 
 Feeling myself with nature wed, 
 
 A holy mystery ! 
 A part of earth, a part of heaven, 
 
 A part, great God, of thee." 
 
 In the morning, in good time, we found ourselves at 
 Whitehall, a port at the head of the lake ; a place of con- 
 siderable traffic and growing importance. After breakfast 
 we had to mount the stage for Troy and Albany, a dismal 
 road, if it can be called road, of between seventy and eighty 
 miles. The jolting was prodigious, and at the end of the 
 journey I was completely knocked up. My physical man 
 had not failed till now ; but this tumbling about perfectly 
 disordered me, and I was glad to arrive at the end of the 
 journey. We stayed to dine at Troy, a large and well- 
 
PART I. — PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 161 
 
 ?s at 
 
 con- 
 
 cfast 
 
 smal 
 
 jhty 
 
 the 
 
 rnan 
 
 ^tly 
 
 I the 
 
 ell- 
 
 * 
 
 *■■ 
 
 built city, and there again took the stage for Albany, being 
 too late for the rails. It was night when we arrived ; and 
 being too unwell to move out, except to see one or two of 
 the main streets, I had not much opportunity of inspecting 
 the place. But I saw it was a large, fine, and most respect- 
 able-looking city ; many of the houses being spacious, the 
 streets broad, and the public buildings very commanding. 
 This is the capital of the State of New- York, the seat of 
 government, and of the State Parliament. 
 
 We embarked on the Hudson the next morning, and 
 descended this classical stream, the pride and glory of the 
 Americans, being esteemed by them as presenting the most 
 beautiful scenery in the States.. It well deserves its fame. 
 The banks are studded with towns and villages, rich fields 
 in a state of fine cultivation, stupendous and rugged rocks, 
 together with mountain scenery of the most interesting and 
 majestic nature, some near, and some in the distance ; 
 abrupt and precipitous shores, yawning and frowning upon 
 th« passers by ; and splendid landscapes, and picturesque 
 views, enriched with umbrageous woods and forests. I 
 could only now and then take a peep at this magic combi- 
 nation of land and water, being obliged the greater part of 
 the voyage to keep in my cabin. 
 
 We were on board one of the most complete of the 
 American river-boats. Nobody in this country can form 
 an idea of the nature of one of these vessels ; our ships 
 furnish no analogies, except in the fact that both are pro- 
 pelled by steam, and glide on the water. For, by reason 
 of the peculiar structure of the class of steamers already 
 referred to, this vessel presented the aspect of prodigious 
 size, both below and above. The dining-room was below, 
 and occupied the space between the sides of the ship, 
 reaching from stem to stern, and was filled with five or six 
 tiers of berths, one above another ; the saloon was equally 
 large, with state-rooms on each side. This enormous float- 
 ing palace could accommodate a thousand persons on board. 
 
162 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 The term " palace " is used, of course, improperly, as a ship 
 cannot be like a palace. But in fittings-up, in decoration, 
 in ornament, it was a perfect palace : and altogether pre- 
 sented a scene of magnificence of a very extraordinary 
 description. 
 
 We arrived at New- York in the evening ; and being too 
 unwell to trouble any private friend, we took up our resi- 
 dence for the night at the City Hotel. The necessity of 
 applying to Mr. Harper for Dr. Belcher's address, brought 
 him acquainted with my situation,, and in the afternoon he 
 kindly took me to his own house. In passing through the 
 streets of New- York, it was very pleasing to sec the crowds 
 returning from their places of worship. Blacks, coloured 
 people, and whites, were all mingled together in a long 
 flowing tide, quietly and gravely passing along to their 
 homes. 
 
 By Tuesday morning I had begun to amend, and, feeling 
 better, the thought suddenly rushed into my mind, " I can 
 go home, and I will." But the doctor must be consulted. 
 He came ; and, on telling him my thoughts and feelings, 
 he said, the probability was that I should do very well ; 
 but there was just a chance that T might have a relapse. 
 The reply was, "Then the probability shall have it, and 
 we will throw the chances to the winds." 
 
 We took our leave of our affectionate friends, the Har- 
 pers, about four in the afternoon. The steamer made her 
 way down the Sound, and we soon lost sight of New- York, 
 and its splendid harbour. I found, on trial, that my cabin 
 was just over some kind of machinery which produced a 
 jarring and upheaving motion, which precluded the possi- 
 bility of rest ; and when night came on, I was obliged to 
 drag my mattress into the saloon, but failed to get one 
 wink of sleep. We left the vessel about daylight, and 
 passed on by railroad to Boston. After spending a few 
 hours at the Revere, and in visiting the city, we went on 
 board the " America," lying in the offing, four or five miles 
 
mmm 
 
 PART I. — PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 163 
 
 distant. This noble ship had made the voyage from Eng- 
 land in eleven days and a half, the shortest trip ever known ; 
 and is, of her class, the finest steamer in the world. We 
 got under way about four in the afternoon, and soon lost 
 sight of the shores of America. 
 
 Nothing of any consequence took place on the voyage. 
 We made Halifax again in the night, so that I could not 
 see anything either of the harbour or the city. Here I lost 
 my dear friend, Dr. Richey, and became traly desolate. 
 He had been my companion at Pittsburgh, at the Canada 
 Conference at Belleville, and travelled with me through 
 Canada, and forward to this place. Truth and justice 
 demand that I should say, that Dr. Richey is one of the 
 most perfect Christian jentlemen I ever came in contact 
 with. Politeness, founded on gentle, warm, and genuine 
 affections, is the very element of his nature. I never heard 
 from him a rash, rude, or unkind word, much less ever saw 
 him perpetrate an unchristian or unbecoming action. I 
 looked after my dear friend as far as the dim lamps would 
 allow me to see him, and in my heart bade him a sad, a 
 long, a la^si adieu. 
 
 There sat opposite to me at our table a gentleman, with 
 a lady and little girl, and on my right a thin, pale, interest- 
 ing-looking young man, both completely Americanized in 
 their appearance ; their beards were sticking out on their 
 chins in Yankee fashion, and their dress and bearing alto- 
 gether seemed to bespeak them citizens of the States. We 
 had taken several meals in company, when the gentleman 
 who sat opposite said to me, "Pray, sir, is your name 
 Dixon?" On replying, " Yes," he said "And my name is 
 Cocker : I am the son of Henry Cocker, of Hathersage :" 
 and then the pale young man, who was standing by, said, 
 " And my name is Ibbotson : I am the son of Mr. Ibbotson, 
 of Sheffield." The meeting was mutually pleasant. Mr. 
 Cocker left us at Hahfax ; but Mr. Ibbotson was my very 
 agreeable companion to the end of the voyage. 
 
164 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 Sunday was unlike our Sabbath on board the " Acadia." 
 Dr. Richey had spoken to the captain, whom he knew, and 
 had told him who I was, and mentioned my taking the 
 service ; and, moreover, he understood that the captain had 
 assented to the proposition. But it did not so turn out. 
 He read prayers himself, and finished the service with one 
 of Henry Blunt's sermons. The service was well read ; and 
 the sermon, as may be imagined from the name of the 
 author, was excellent. How singular is human character ! 
 This captain would certainly not lay claim to Methodism, 
 and yet he seemed to take great delight in acting the parson, 
 and really did it well. He is, however, somewhat celebrated 
 for his exclusive churchism. About a dozen American 
 divines sailed with him from the great Alliance Meeting in 
 London, not one of whom would he allow to officiate ; but 
 on that as on the present occasion, he performed the service 
 liimself. One other trait of character, but quite of another 
 description, arose out of this affair. When the time came 
 to propose the captain's health, which means returning him 
 thanks for his conduct, a good Free-churchman, a genuine 
 Scot, rose up and went out. He afterward told me, that, 
 perceiving what was going to be done, he departed, because 
 he could not in his conscience be a party to a vote of thanks 
 to a man who had, as he expressed himself, " insulted you, 
 by taking the service himself when there was a regular 
 minister on board." The matter had httle effect on my 
 own mind, except in so far as it prevented me having the 
 pleasure of preaching the cross of Christ to the promiscuous 
 group around. But how truly characteristic of the real 
 Scotchman was the conduct of my friend ! And, moreover, 
 how honourable to his principles, his integrity, and his 
 religious convictions ! 
 
 On Saturday, the 8th of July, we hove in sight of old 
 Erin early in the morning, and passed up Channel, all day 
 seeing many spots interesting in Irish history, successively 
 presenting themselves to view. Sunday morning we saw 
 
 a 
 
PART I. — PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 Ib5 
 
 |ous 
 •eal 
 
 Ihis 
 
 I 
 
 Holyhead. We were met, on returning home, with the 
 truly English welcome of a dense fog and a drenching 
 rain. Om* pilot brought newspapers, containing an ac- 
 count of the massacres of Paris. We had a great number 
 of French on board ; they had been very gay up to 
 this period ; but now an entire change came over them. 
 Thoughtfulness, sadness, melancholy, were expressed for 
 the moment : how longf would it last ? Some of the coun- 
 tenances seemed to indicate the fear, that possibly some 
 endeared relative might have fallen in the conflict. Had it 
 not been for the serious events connected with the cause 
 of this change, it would have been perfectly ludicrous ; it 
 was like the overshadowing of a sunny scene by the sud- 
 den rush of passing clouds. 
 
 We landed at Liverpool at half-past two. I went to 
 Stanhope-street chapel at night, and heard my present 
 colleague, Mr. Brice. How sweet, how soothing, how 
 heavenly is the service of God's house, after the tos^ngs of 
 a sea-voyage ! And how full of rest and quiet to the soul 
 is the society of religious friends, after dwelling for a long 
 time in the midst of promiscuous company ! I hastened 
 down to the custom-house by five o'clock the next morn- 
 ing ; but could not get released till near nine. Paid eight 
 shillings duty for the American books which had been 
 given me by friends. Set out for my beloved home, ar- 
 rived about noon, found all well. To God be all the 
 glory ! Amen. 
 
 )ld 
 
 lay 
 
 }y 
 
m 
 
 lb6 10 IK IN AMEKICA. 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 Reflections on America — Unfairly dealt witii by Travellers — A religious people 
 — Tiiis necessary to explain their state— The real Americans not hostile to 
 this country— Their peaceful and prosperous condition — Education, the prin- 
 ples on wliich it is conducted— The force of Christianity in its simply divine 
 authority — The American's trust in this— Public Worship and the Duties 
 of Religion — Slavery partly removed by the influence of Christian principle. 
 
 A LENGTHENED investigation of objects of curiosity, or of 
 men, manners, and institutions, is not necessary or intended, 
 as our literature abounds with books of travel, graphic de- 
 scriptions Oi scenery, and analysis of the institutions and 
 social ^ I' ^ America. These productions, of course, 
 
 take the co.ouiirg, in some degree, from the opinions, 
 tastes, prejudices, cind passions of their authors. They 
 abound with information, but contain little instruction. 
 And it cannot be denied, by candid persons, that most of 
 them are grievously deformed by partial and exaggerated 
 description — caricatures — of the manners and habits of our 
 transatlantic brethren. 
 
 The causes of this are undoubtedly many ; and, probably, 
 if traced to their motive, would be found much diversified. 
 One of these causes, however, is obvious enough. The 
 Americans are a religious people ; and this element can 
 neither be avoided nor lightly touched. But, instead of 
 treating this question with either the hand of the Christian 
 or of the philosopher, these parties, in some instances, dis- 
 regard the subject altogether, and, in others, treat it with 
 levity or hostility. The religious notions and peculiarities 
 of the people are turned into ridicule and scorn ; their asso- 
 ciations for benevolent and Christian purposes are lam- 
 pooned as fanatical ; their modes of expression and devo- 
 tional exercises are held up to contempt ; and their absti- 
 nence from the amusements of the world are treated as 
 indicative of ill-breeding, or signs of hypocrisy. 
 
 It is obvious that writers of this class are ill-suited to 
 
 SSBSS 
 
I'AIIT I. — PEltSONAL NAKRATIVE. 
 
 167 
 
 to 
 
 understand or to delineate the character of a grave and 
 religious community. Taking their gauge and measure- 
 ment from the beau monde of London or of Parisian soci- 
 ety, they naturally find all sober sense, industrious habits, 
 and religious sentiments an eccentricity or a bore. The 
 point with this race of vouageurs is, to see if the manners 
 of the plain republican are in agreement with those of the 
 aristocracy of old nations ; whether they come up to the 
 coteries of the West End, of the clubs of St. James's, of 
 the fashionable routs of our great parties; and, moreover, 
 if they speak, and dance, and play in the first style of 
 fashion. Can anything be more ridiculous than this? 
 What right can the flippant dames, the miUtary beaux, the 
 panderers to frivolity, have to expect a pe .le ready made 
 to their several purposes? Of what conseque e can it be 
 to the morality, the honour, the greatness of a people, that 
 they should fashion their course by adopting the manners 
 of the most frivolous, useless, and unreal portions of our 
 own people ? Neither the wisdom n the strength of 
 even European society will be found in these quarters. 
 The people who make sport of the Puritanism of the 
 Americans, are themselves the objects of as much con- 
 tempt, in their own country, as pity will allow to be just. 
 Like other buzzing creatures, they have just the power to 
 sting ; and, with a malicious pleasure, they evidently de- 
 light in the gratification of their feeble natures. Were the 
 disposition felt, the laugh might be turned upon these tri- 
 flers, with as much effect as they choose to indulge in at 
 the expense of the " evangelical^ of the States. 
 
 The irritation produced in America by the liberties 
 which have been taken with their innocent and unimportant 
 peculiarities, is not the worst effect of the ephemeral pro- 
 ductions of the English gossips, who have chosen to make 
 themselves merry at the expense of good manners. De- 
 ception on the public mind of this country, to a fearful and 
 mischievous extent, has been another of the consequences. 
 
I> 
 
 168 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 Gathering their opinions of American character from the 
 representati(jns of persons only intent on making a book, 
 and rendering it spicy, is it any matter of surprise, that in 
 this nation most false and injurious notions are entertained ? 
 The evident intention merely to provide mental food for 
 our circulating libraries ; to get up the tinsel sentimentality 
 necessary to pamper the appetite for amusement and plea- 
 sure ; the sardonic purpose (o gratify the malevolence 
 which takes delight in scandal ; to train and excite the 
 worse than human infirmity whicli revels on the foibles and 
 weak points of our fellow-men — supposing them to exist — 
 merely for the sake of rendering them ridiculous ; in fine, 
 the disposition to meet the morbid prejudices of their read- 
 ers, instead of being intent on truth, and doing justice to 
 the character of the people they profess to exhibit ; utterly 
 disqualify these authors for their task, and render their 
 productions devoid of credit. 
 
 It is humiliating thus to write ; but much more so to 
 know, that gross deception has been practised in getting 
 up even these productions. While the stranger has been 
 admitted to the frank confidence of respectable and honour- 
 able men, he has sometimes employed this privilege in 
 making them the subject of a mental picture, drawn in the 
 mind, and anon to be transferred to his journal ; turning 
 into ridicule all the real or imaginary singularities of then* 
 manners, and making them the butt of his wit. Their ac- 
 tual character is not delineated. They may be good men, 
 pure patriots, worthy citizens, successful merchants ; pos- 
 sessed of strong and well-cultivated faculties, of good prin- 
 ciples, of courteous manners, and generous dispositions ; 
 and yet all this is thrown into the back-ground, or never 
 appears at all. At the same time, every trifling and un- 
 important deviation from the heau iiUal of dandyism is 
 magnified into prominency, and, by the ingenious combina- 
 tions of the artist, a distorted picture is drawn, as untrue to 
 life as if the noble frame of the American citizen had been 
 
m the 
 book, 
 hat in 
 lined ? 
 0(1 for 
 ntality 
 I plea- 
 olence 
 te the 
 ,es and 
 3xist — 
 in fine, 
 r read- 
 stice to 
 utterly 
 ;r their 
 
 e so to 
 getting 
 s been 
 lonour- 
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 in the 
 turning 
 if then- 
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 men, 
 
 ; pos- 
 
 prin- 
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 never 
 id un- 
 lism is 
 
 ibina- 
 
 Irue to 
 
 been 
 
 PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 169 
 
 screwed into the shape of the exquisite, who has, in his 
 kindness, been taking liis Hkencss. In the same spirit the 
 privacies of domestic Hfe, generous hospitahty, and well- 
 meant and courteous attentions, have all been distressingly 
 outraged. Not even the ladies have escaped. Whilst 
 they have been doing their utmost to make their home 
 agreeable, provide the luxuries of the table, and administer 
 to the pleasures of their guest, — he has had the meanness 
 to select them as the victims of his satire ; and, whilst in- 
 dulging in plaudits, compliments, and smiles, he at the 
 same time has been treasuring up matter for a mean and 
 cowardly exhibition of whatever his skill could afterwards 
 turn to the account of his craft, in rendering ridiculous the 
 women of America. 
 
 This sort of conduct on the part of our countrymen — 
 not to say countrywomen — has had the effect of keeping 
 up irritation amongst the Americans, and of producing 
 false notions in thisj country. Nothing can be more unfair 
 to a people than to make their peculiarities the ground- 
 work of any kind of description, physical, social, or reli- 
 gious. The staple of their qualities must be fixed upon, 
 not the exceptions ; otlierwise the details will be untrue, 
 and the picture distorted. 
 
 On reading the productions to which reference is made, 
 one cannot help asking, Is there anything else in these 
 people ? If so, what is it ? That there must be so lething 
 in them besides the trifles dwelt upon by these authors — 
 even supposing them to be real — must be apparent to 
 every one who allows himself to reflect but for a moment. 
 The effervescences of society are not society itself : the 
 holiday foibles of men cannot be taken as illustrative of 
 their every-day habits ; the loose and slip-slop gait of a 
 nation, when the day's work is over, cannot be considered 
 as descriptive of their state when braced to the labours of 
 life ; the free and familiar conversation of a people in their 
 moments of relaxation, cannot be considered as the ex- 
 
 8 «* 
 
170 
 
 TOUR IN AMEllIPA. 
 
 prcssion of those trutlis and principles l)y wliicli tlwy are 
 guided in tlicir serious moments ; and it could only lead to 
 deception to suppose for a moment that the surface of a 
 great community, made up as it must be of iimumerablo 
 irregularities and follies, can justly indicate the forces which 
 are constantly at work below. 'J'h«^ aggregate, the totality 
 • of moral elements must be grappled, or otherwise any de- 
 scription of the character and conditions of a nation must 
 be perfectly Tallacious. Judged by this rule, and ex- 
 amined as a whole, it is the author's opinion, that the 
 -American people would suftcr nothing from a comparison 
 with any other. 
 
 Jiut it is, in point of fact, extremely difficult to obtain a 
 tnie notion of the character and opinions of the genuine 
 American, and especially from the public prints. The old, 
 Uk! home-born, the real man of the country is very differ- 
 ent from the alien races which are constantly transferring 
 themselves to the soil of the United States. These races 
 are not always the most creditable in character, in mo- 
 rals, in integrity, among the populations of Europe, which 
 they kindly relieve of their presence, by transplanting 
 themselves, and their ver}'^ questionable virtues, to the New 
 World. Some millions of those classes arc now found 
 located in the States ; and whatever may be the amount 
 of their loyalty to the nation of their adoption, it is certain 
 — indeed, demonstrated in no equivocal manner — that they 
 all retain the viruft of that disaffection to their own coun- 
 try which, in many cases, first stimulated their departure. 
 
 This is pre-eminently the case with the Irish. Steeped 
 in religious, political, and social disaffection at home, what- 
 ever may be the causes — ^just or unjust — these people do 
 not fail to nurse, with the passion and intensity of their 
 inflammable nature, an active and indomitable hatred 
 against England. But now living on the America i soil, 
 these turbulent agitators are considered in this country as 
 Americans, They are no more .Americans than if, pe'chance, 
 
 M 
 
PART I.~PERflONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 171 
 
 le New 
 found 
 mount 
 ertain 
 t tliey 
 coun- 
 tiire. 
 ecped 
 what- 
 le do 
 their 
 hatred 
 soil, 
 ry as 
 anro. 
 
 M 
 
 they were transj)lant<'d to China ; and, taking their place 
 in the midst of that (juiet and peaceful race, they should, 
 by reason of this accidental residence, be considered Chi- 
 nese, It is certain, that a large amount of the viiuperation 
 wliich is heaped upon this country by the public press of 
 th( States is from this (juarter. Partly by their own means, 
 and partly by the iiitluence they exert by their priests, their 
 numbers, and their organization, they are enabled to perpe- 
 lupte ill their exile the same antipathies, and to keep up 
 the same rancorous bullying against the Saxon, as they did 
 in their own b»'lov«'d Erin. Their ardent and fierce pas- 
 Hi4)ns, the author was often told, whether of sympathy with 
 their own island, or of" animosity to ours, always last through 
 the first generation. The Irishman never alters in his own 
 person, whether Ijuund ii St. Giles's or New- York. The 
 sunshine of civilization, tliC soft«^ning influence of free insti- 
 tutions, the example of quiet and good men, and, above all, 
 the blessings of true religion, are all in vain. He continues 
 the same fierce, intractable, restless being as when he left 
 the wilcis, or merged from the bogs, of his native land. To 
 hate the En ;;li.sh and eat potatoes were the two lessons of 
 his Irish life; ; and if he obtains better food in the New 
 Woild, and thus unlearns the physical lesson, he never 
 changes in his antipathies, or unlearns the moral, nay, the 
 religious, duty of eternal hostility. The leaders of these 
 people, some priestly and some laic, possess their newspa- 
 pers everywhere in the United States, and, as in Ireland 
 itself, are not very nice in the employment of epithets of 
 abus'^ against this nation. These, generally speaking, are 
 the parties who are so constantly attempting to keep up 
 in irritation among the citizens of America against this 
 country, by their venomous hatred, their abusive language, 
 their speculations on revolts and revolutions ; and are, by 
 these means, stimulating, as much as is in their power, the 
 disloyalty of their own sweet " gem of the sea," and the 
 Chartism of England. It is from this quarter, chiefly, tha 
 
w 
 
 172 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 I I 
 
 the fiery stream descends upon us, and not from the genu- 
 ine American press or people. 
 
 Then is it fair, is it honest, to attribute to the Americans 
 those hostile passions which, in fact, belong to our own 
 people ? Tlie real Yankee and the hot-headed Irishman 
 are very different personages. It may be considered by 
 everybody as a settled point, that the real American will 
 never stir without an object. His love and his hatred both 
 will have some rationale. He will never be found to dis- 
 turb his own quiet for the sake of agitating a distant nation 
 for no rational purpose. His political belief, his theories 
 of human rights, his perceptions of what he considers essen- 
 tial to social happiness, his ideas of the grandeur of his own 
 country, and of her high and glorious destiny — are, no 
 doubt, deeply and vividly felt in his owo soul. In fact, 
 these thoughts and maxims live in the American as innate 
 powers, as indestructible laws. But he is too proud a be- 
 ing, is too conscious of his own dignity and sti*ength, to be 
 found intermeddling in the squabbles of other nations. He 
 may, and no doubt does, desire that his own republican 
 regime shouli be taken as a model system. All Europe 
 and the world are welcome to the benefit of his experi- 
 ments in legislation and government. In no other sense than 
 this can the true American be considered a propagandist. 
 It is the impression of the author, that a nation more 
 proudly conscious of its own dignified position does not 
 exist on earth. It is not this class who are found employ- 
 ed in the mean and despicable drudgery of vituperation 
 against this country, or seeking occasions of irritation and 
 disturbance. This vocation is taken up and performed by 
 our OAvn recreant children ; with how much success, we all 
 unhappily experience. 
 
 Thus, by the agency of the two classes referred to, the 
 British travellers on the one part, and the Irish residents 
 on the other, the two countries are, in some degree, kept 
 in a state of feverish excitement. This is painful to the 
 
 \ 
 
PARI 1. — PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 173 
 
 [o, the 
 Mdonts 
 kept 
 Ito the 
 
 4 
 
 real fiiends of both. Essentially one people, the bonds of 
 union ought, by the removal of offences and jealousies, to 
 be as much as possible tightened. The relationship is 
 too natural, too dear and valuable, and connected too much 
 with the happiness and advantage of both, to be allowed 
 either to be severed or shaken by such agitators as these. 
 It is easy to see, that the maintenance of peaceful and 
 friendly relations Ix^tween the only two great communities in 
 which any real reciprocity of feeling, founded on religion 
 and liberty, can possibly exist, must conduce, in every way, 
 to the well-being and prosperity of both. 
 
 Tiie past jealousies of the two countries have not been 
 unnatural, but now ought to end. The war of independ- 
 ence, originating, as it did, in great questions of right on the 
 one hand, and of independence on the other, was calculated 
 to awaken every passion of the soul. Time alone could, of 
 course, quench the fire thus kindled. Surely the cool 
 breezes of seventy winters may be supposed sufficient to 
 put out the flames then lit up. The two nations may, 
 possibly, have separate interests to serve ; this must be the 
 case ; but it is certain, that those which are common are 
 much more numerous and durable. The political inde- 
 pendence, the national freedom, the good government, the 
 social happiness, the intellectual advancement, the moral 
 and religious order and prosperity, of each, concurrently 
 progressing, must necessarily act and re-act upon commu- 
 nities so identical in character. These higher considerations 
 may bo strengthened by lesser ones. The trade and com- 
 merce of Great Britain and the States will, in all likelihood, 
 ebb and flow together. At any rate, it mast be an infinite 
 advantnufe to each to have the other for a customer. With- 
 out these political and material tics, it is too much, per- 
 haps, to expect nations to regard each other with much 
 conc(nn. The idea of a nation is, indeed, an abstraction; 
 as a reality, it is only an aggregation of individuals ; and 
 men, all over the world, are certain to seek their own inte- 
 
m 
 
 ri 
 
 174 
 
 TO UK IN AMERICA. 
 
 rests. It follows, that the reciprocity and friendship of 
 nations must rest on the very vulgar fact of mutual bene- 
 fits. It does not bclont; to the mere traveller to discuss 
 these questions ; but he may easily see, that the good of 
 one community is the good of both ; and, moreover, be 
 pardoned if ho modestly venture upon the task of advising, 
 that the leading and active spirits, who, in botii countries, 
 have, and must continue to have, the main responsibility 
 of fashioning the destinies of the two nations, may steer 
 clear of all collisions, in the recollection, that on the peace, 
 harmony, religion, industry, freedom, and modi^ration, of the 
 Anglo-Saxon people, in the two hemispheres, hang the 
 destinies of the human race. 
 
 A real, confiding, well-understood, and permanent union 
 of Great Britain and America must not only secure their 
 own greatness and prosperity, but indefinitely promote the 
 freedom and civilization of the world. The geographical 
 position of the two nations, tiieir addiction to trade, their 
 instinctive maritime propensities, their adventurous spirit, 
 their love of enierprise, must tit them to act together. But, 
 more than this, the real identity of their opinions, though 
 in some points seeming to differ, must prepare them to live 
 in unity and love. This identity of sentiment and feeling 
 may be seen in one single fact — the love of freedom. It 
 would puzzle the finest optician to invent an instrument ev- 
 actly to see the difference in this affection, as existing in 
 the two countries. They may, and, indeed, do, differ in 
 their )pinions as to the best means of securing this inesti> 
 mable prize ; but none as to its nature, its value, its neces- 
 sity, its eternal oneness with the laws of nature and the will 
 of God. On all these points tiie two peoples are fully 
 'igreed. Freedom, in each cou iry, is a truth — a principle 
 — a right. Existence without liberty, in either hemisphere, 
 would be deemed a curse, and not a blessing ; the despot 
 would be abhorred, antagonized, and destroyed. While 
 tJiese sentiments prevail, is it worth while for the two na- 
 
 4 
 
 ■ 
 
PART I. — PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 176 
 
 isthip of 
 lal bene- 
 discuss 
 good ol" 
 Dver, be 
 idvihing-, 
 juntries, 
 msibilily 
 i\y .steer 
 e: peace, 
 II, of tlie 
 Eing the 
 
 it union 
 re their 
 lote the 
 raphiciil 
 e, their 
 IS spirit, 
 But, 
 lOugh 
 to hve 
 'eehng 
 m. It 
 3iit ex- 
 ting in 
 ler in 
 inesti- 
 neces- 
 le will 
 fully 
 iciple 
 )hero, 
 espot 
 Vhile 
 nu- 
 
 ^ 
 
 lions to quarrel respecting the means employed by either, 
 to secure the end they have in view ? The Jioral grounds 
 for harmony and concord are, or ought to be, much n«ore 
 potent than even the political ones for disunion and discord. 
 The one class of motives rests on the eternal laws of truth, 
 religion, honour, and brotherhood ; the other, on the acci- 
 dents and interests of the hour. 
 
 It is to be earnestly desired, that these considerations 
 may have the effect of drawing the two countries together 
 in uninterruptedly amicable relations. We are, in truth, 
 the same people. In mind, in character, in habits, in 
 modes of thought, there is infinitely more resemblance 
 betwi,\t the British and the American populations, than 
 can be found between either and any other nation. It 
 cannot be otherwise, without a perpetual miracle. Spnnig 
 from a common parentage, the same tide of life flowing in 
 the veins of each, the wonderful and mysterious type of 
 soul which is so evidently possessed by races dwelling in 
 bci/h, each speaking the same language', and instructed and 
 trained by the same master mind w^hich I'vos and speaks 
 in their common mother tongue ; — the political institutions 
 of the older people the models of the younger community ; 
 — the laws of the one country transplanted to the soil, and 
 constituting the code, of the other ; — and, above all, the 
 same religious sentiments which were embraced by the 
 British people at the Reformation, and adopted before the 
 pilgpm fathers took their departure to the New World, and 
 still retained as the popular faith of both branches of the 
 family : — All these things considered, how can it be other- 
 wise than that next to a perfect identity should exist ? 
 
 Nature is never untrue to herself, never obliterates her 
 own impress, never does violence to her undying emotions. 
 Is it in human nature for the American republic to reflect 
 upon the birth-place and cradle of her existence, the father- 
 land of her sires, to trace their own pedigrees and repeat 
 their own names, witliout a thrill of ihten'st and feeling, 
 
176 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 which cannot be experienced in the caj,e of any other coun- 
 try than our own ? This is impossible. iNo a.--iii, iiowever 
 far he may wander, ever forgets his homestertd, tlie somes 
 oi his boyhood, the companions of his days ' f hp.ppy fiolic 
 and joy ; and, especially, he nerer forgets the endearments 
 of maternal love. Tradition keeps alive what nature gives 
 birth to ; and it is just as credible, that the Americans are 
 Hii abortion of nature, as that they can ever cease to vene- 
 rate and love the land of their sires. We have had j "-oof 
 that this monstrous perversion has not in reality taken 
 phice. It ',s the author's undoubted belief, that a profound 
 affection towards this country lives in the real American 
 mind. Beneath political agitations, jealousies, and mo- 
 mentary ebullitions of spleen and opposition, there remains, 
 in the depths of the hj^man soul itself, the sure pledge, the 
 indubitable guarantee, of reciprocnl love. 
 
 We say " reciprocal love." It is not to be expected, that 
 the American people should continue to cherish good f<:*eling 
 towards us, if their fraternal regard is rudely or co'itemp- 
 tuously met. From several causes, it is to be feared, that 
 our disposition towards them is less kindly than theirs to- 
 wards us. They can better afford to indulge in ofenerous 
 feehngs than we can. Not to dwell on the fact that they 
 were the victors in the painful strife which separated them 
 from the mother country ; — their prodigious growth and 
 expansion; the vast augm'^r -ition of political power and 
 influence acquired in a {ev rs ; the immense improve- 
 ment in their trade and commercial navy ; the successful 
 trial of their principles of government, and their develop- 
 ment on a constantly enlarging sphere of territory and 
 population ; in fine, the entire success of the " great experi- 
 ment," so emphatically referred to by Washington, when 
 laying the foundations of the republic, may well lead to 
 generous emotions, not to say complacency. But there are 
 other causes of the trial of our feelings in regard to Ame- 
 rica. It is to be feared, that the British population, in 
 
I 
 
 iWRT I. — PERSONAL NAltllATlVK. 
 
 177 
 
 and 
 tperi- 
 [vhen 
 Id to 
 
 arc 
 line- 
 in 
 
 general, Lt ow infinitely less of the Americans than thev^ 
 know of us. Silly tradilionb, clJ prejudices, and the very 
 natural pndv' and r-goti.sm of our nation, lead as often to 
 take a perfectly false estimate of our kinsmen in the New 
 World. Family quarrels and feuds, by general consent, 
 are allowed to be more difficult to appease than any other. 
 And, in the case of the American people, if nature is ex- 
 pected to predominate over political antipathies and jea- 
 lousies, by the recollection of home, of descent, of their 
 fatherland, ought no^ this to be mutual ? Can we forget, 
 or fail to be influenced by the consideration, that the New 
 World has become, and is likely to become more and more, 
 the home of vast numbei's of our own children ? The 
 young life of England is pouring into the States like a deep 
 and rapid torrent. Families and indi' iduals from the old 
 country are everywhere found, and in every possible va- 
 riety of position and employment. The writer of these 
 pages can never forget the intense eagerness and depth of 
 feeling manifested bj' great numbers of tliese chisses, and 
 the joy connected with the mere opportunity of giving ex- 
 pression to their attachment to their country. If it was 
 discovered that I had been at the place of their nativity, 
 knew any of their relations or friends, and especially if an" 
 of them had ever seen me before, their ecstasy seemeJ 
 complete. Are we to forget, then, our children in ^•' , 
 midst of our political hatreds ? England hvcs in Amenca, 
 and is likely to do so to a greater extent than ever. Tho 
 soil which feeds and nourishes myriads of our own flesh 
 and blood, who otherwise must perish ; a system which 
 admits them to its privileges, and adopts them as brethren ; 
 institutions which encourage their industry, foster their 
 talents, and reward their public and private virtues ; a 
 nation which lays open all its avenues of profit, employ- 
 ment, honour, and distinction, of every sort, to our needy 
 or adventurous sons ; such a land is not to be thought of 
 by us otherwise than with profound interest and regard. 
 
 8* 
 
 
17» 
 
 I'OUK iS AAIKKICA. 
 
 1. 
 
 f 
 
 The motives that lead the parent to follow his children 
 with anxiety into ''^e world, when they first leave his 
 house, may well cause us, in the same spirit, to send our 
 thoughts after our children, so numerously seeking their 
 dei^tiny in the United States. 
 
 It has been already said, that the " Americans are a 
 religious people." Their character, habits, and institutions, 
 cannot possibly be understood, without taking this element 
 into consideration. Persons Avho only look at the forms, 
 the skeleton and fiame-work, of society, and consider its 
 strength and perfection to lie in these, will necessarily con- 
 clude, that America is a heterogeneous mass of human 
 beings, devoid of shape and symmetry. To parties whose 
 lives have been spent in old nations, whose governing 
 power, from time immemorial, has been external, and their 
 means coercion, this is a very natural conclusion. The 
 public order, moralit} , peaceful demeanour, and industrious 
 habits of a people in these old societies, tre all supposed, 
 by their theories of government, to be enforced, — to be 
 worked into the mind of the body politic by appliances 
 from without. Government, in tlese cases, is like the dex- 
 terous OA'ocation of the herdsman or the hunter ; Avho, in 
 the one case, pens in his animals, and only allows them to 
 graze at his pleasure, and, in the other, circumvents them 
 by his cunnmg and art. How far the state of these old 
 countries has made this essential, it is not for us to discuss ; 
 but, at any rate, if the necessity exists, it does not speak 
 much iV>r the intelligence and morality of the people. The 
 pageantries of state, the trappings of royalty, the draperies 
 and ornaments of decurated officials, — together with the 
 iufi^.ite and endless, soulless ceremonies to be observed, — 
 T\r<^ al] no doubt brouglit in to }\eighten the impression, 
 *ind strik:*. the senses of the vulgar. Those who place the 
 pow Cx- of good order and national security in these external 
 thmgs. will, as a corollary, think of the United States as a 
 most lawless communit}-. Not having the insignia of order, 
 
 ■ 
 
 4 .. ., 
 
PART l. — PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 179 
 
 children 
 leave his 
 send our 
 ing their 
 
 ns are ti 
 
 titutioiijj, 
 
 i element 
 
 e forms, 
 
 isider its 
 
 rily con- 
 
 F human 
 
 es whose 
 
 Dverning 
 
 md their 
 
 1. The 
 
 lustrious 
 
 ipposed, 
 
 — to be 
 
 pliances 
 
 le dex- 
 
 who, in 
 
 hem to 
 
 them 
 
 ese old 
 
 i.scuss ; 
 
 speak 
 
 The 
 
 iperies 
 
 th the 
 
 ed, — 
 
 pssion, 
 
 je the 
 
 Iternal 
 
 as a 
 
 )rder. 
 
 . 
 
 as found in their own country, they may, perchance,, ima- 
 gine that the substance is absent. 
 
 It was the fortune, good or ill, of the present writer, to 
 pass from Boston to Pittsburgh, and, of consequence, 
 through all the intermediate space, embracing most of the 
 cities, towns, and country of the older States, without set- 
 ting his eyes on a single soldier, liveried policeman, or any 
 other human being shearing the dress of authority. At the 
 last-mentioned place he saw an assembly of volunteers, 
 horse and foot ; and, on intpiiry, found that they had turned 
 out to do honour to the remains of one of their neighbours, 
 an officer, who had lost his life in the Mexican war, and 
 luid been brought honic for sepulture. But though there 
 was not the slighte'^D appearance of anything in the form 
 of external coercion through all the space mentioned, !?b- 
 ciety lay as unruftled, as peaceful and quiet, as one of their 
 own beautiful lakes on a summer's evening. Let it not be 
 imagined that this repose is the stillness of death. Pro- 
 bably no equal number of men on earth are so active, so 
 fully engaged, or have more various and complex business 
 transactions, than this population. Industrious, eager for 
 wealth, proud of distinctions, and sensible of the benefits 
 of a good standing in society, these people are working 
 their way u}) the hill ; and yet there is no visible, certainly 
 no military, force to keep them in order. 
 
 Here, then, are ph(?nomena to be solved. How is this ? 
 What is the power leading to this state of things ? The 
 answer to these (juestions will vary with the creed of the 
 parties putting them. The political philosopher will look 
 to his theories for a solution, and attribute the power and 
 advancement of society to civil institutior'^-. to the republi- 
 canism of the country. He will say that the principles and 
 provisions of this system, lying at the basis of the body 
 po'itic, and extending their ramifications through the whole, 
 are the motive power of the existing life, contentment, and 
 happiness of the people. The economists, the merchants, 
 
180 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 li :'! 
 
 the men of tnide, the dealers in money, and tlie jobbers in 
 all sorts of speculations, will, in their turn, call in to aid the 
 investigation ideas and notions taken from the wide-spread 
 territories of the States, the fertility of the soil, the extent 
 and usefulness of their rivers, the spaciousnet-a of their 
 harbours, mines, forests, manufactures, farms, and all the 
 other a<(encies of industry and wealth. 
 
 Without in the least depreciating the importance and 
 value of all these things ; and, moreover, allowing them 
 their just share in jiroducing the existing prosperity of the 
 country ; we must avow our skepticism as to the power of 
 these moans to create the grcr.lness and the happiness of 
 the American nation. It is, indeed, an unspeakable ad- 
 vantage to be saved from the pressure of a crowded, and, 
 al a consequence, a pauper population. This is fully en- 
 joyed. Every man has scope for his enterprise without 
 treading upon the heels of his neighbour, or injuring his 
 prospects by competition. Every family has room for de- 
 velopment; the young can be profitably employed, and the 
 certainty of success presents itself to stimulate their in- 
 dustry and activity. There is a sufficiency of soil for 
 the scions of every house to take root and spread their 
 branches ; and, in case of suitable culture, the sunshine 
 of heaven, its dews, and it; rains, they are certain to 
 rise to maturity. No kind of genius, of skill in the arts, 
 of inventive powers, of mechanical canacity, of eminence 
 in the profe.ssions, of govei'ning talent, of senatorial elo- 
 quence, or intellect of any other kind, can possibly go un- 
 requited. There may be rivalries, contentions, and fierce 
 gymnastic-like trials of strength, for the higher prizes of 
 the world ; but there is an area of sufficient space to occu- 
 py the population in the ordinary courses of life ; whilst 
 great numbers have been trained in these normal schools, 
 to aspire to the more honourable posts. 
 
 Then, allowing for all the advantages refened to, we 
 •dak, Are they of themselves sufficient to actrount for the 
 
PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 181 
 
 we 
 the 
 
 P 
 
 peaceful and progressive state of society, as it is seen in the 
 United States ? 1 confess, 1 am not persuaded of their 
 sufficiency. There must be something else, more profound, 
 more permanent, more intUiential over men's souls, — some- 
 thing more deeply imbedded in the moral sentiments of 
 the people, more divine, than anything we have mentioned. 
 If, in the absence of external coercion, society is found to 
 be moral and quiet, then these virtues cannot arise from 
 this cause. If not guided by the skill and the poAver of a 
 master, men must be the masters of their own movements ; 
 and in case these movements are in the paths of wisdom, 
 g«od order, peace, and morality, to what docs this lead us ? 
 It leads to the inevitable conclusion, that moral sentiment 
 is the guiding light and the sustaining power of such a 
 community. Jiut then is it possible for morality to have 
 any vitality without religion ? We think not. A morality 
 which is not based on the doctrines of Christianity is a 
 baseless fabric, a sapless tree, a lifeless mummy ; in fine, a 
 contradiction, a falsehood. But we are not left to specula- 
 tion on these points. Inferences in many cases may be 
 pretty truly draAvn ; but we prefer facts. 
 
 It is, then, an undoubted fact, that the American people 
 do pay great regard to religion ; and as this, like every- 
 thing else, is with them a personal and not a conventional 
 concern, it is all the more energetically promoted. It 
 seems a principle of Americanism, that the obligations of 
 our nature are untransferable. An American never dreams 
 of putting his social or religious obligations into commis- 
 sion. He never considers himself as having denuded him- 
 self of his responsibilities, when he has given his vote for a 
 president, and taken his share in constructing a govern- 
 ment. Even his political duties are not, in his own estima- 
 tion, put in abeyance by these transactions, much less his 
 moral and religious. He does not expect the government 
 to serve God for him, or to take into its hands the task of 
 publicly providing for that conservation of morality and 
 
religion vvhicJi ho knn^.. 
 
 ^r^'^o people. The soul /.''^ ^^' ^^«'««i"«tic.,| bu/ 
 
 /nee ^n the Wtato makincr nrovJ ; ""'^^^"' '">t an 
 
 burden oC l,l« „ ■ " P™''- »n<l rclL-vIn i • °" 
 
 n 01 )„s o,vi, iiUfllioence on„ ■ """"S '"m of 'he 
 i''>s 1.S a Jiving ,,„,„, ' "f • <^»"»c'enco, ),„„,,„;. 
 
 « "•"« .-."d .0,,, 1',,,,, „, , , ;;: -':".. con to ,„:,; „„„„ 
 
 ">s appearance diferenl ''lon, „ ' ^ometlnW even in 
 
 «-.-, not ,.„denos.,. tj^Zl!^'''' P™P'- It is °not t^ 
 ""'•S of tl,i. ,ort i3 s e," A ; ""' ""' ""•^""l.ropv. No 
 f; '"dependence .„d Ldo , '""' ""''= '^ "" -''i- of pe 
 »:'d power, repose in ti.e .Z't "T'""'"'^" "^ »""- > 
 *g;'tr «itl, profound en.oti f l"!""'^:' ^"'""-- ""d 
 •my character it was ever n,vT' " ^^'»^"«'n, more than 
 J-" w).o is sensible thlt" ^y"T '° ^""'^•' '""ks li e " 
 
 '"g. se],-„oving intelh-,.ence ■ tZf ■" ''" '' =' -"'f-aot- 
 »ourse, and b,„„„,^ ^,_^ a,c Ik t ^M '^ '" ^''"P« '- o, „ 
 does not seem to be lool^inT, 1°' 'T °''" f<""'"«- He 
 0/ some stray eve,,,, by tvl" " " ""'"'' "'^ chances 
 tl'ouglUs are sieadiiy fiJd '"' '" '^^•*'''ion his life- ,, ' 
 ,— s. and he is It^^Z" '"'""^"'^"'"g Ws „ v„ ^ 
 J'« '^ "Pon. The effect of tr-' '■" " ''°''' '°' "'^ vovaZ 
 
 X d "n^'T"' ""I -- ■•" othe'r'eoc i^'' ■•■ T'"'"''''' 
 "" not comprehend hi,^ •^"t-ieties ; and to tho^P 
 
 ;«3tomeJ to the f wninTfl, r'-'"' "''" '''"' °"'y teen a 
 ^--'•ng-of other natiol ^ o"""''""' " ''^'^ ^ "> " are" 
 l^nter an American stoi; ' ? ■" '•'*'""'^'y offensive 
 
 ''"-^'ed. and deceiveruie^'^Tr afe"^'""^ '^■•-^' 
 
 ^ '&^> as expressed by 
 
rAUr 1. — I'EUSU.NAL NAKUATlVi;. 
 
 188 
 
 ^ personal 
 
 ot consist 
 tioal, but 
 •piilation, 
 not an 
 lie other, 
 o notion 
 a of 'he 
 
 ok upon 
 the full 
 even in 
 ot reck- 
 . No- 
 of per- 
 ■rength 
 Jss and 
 'e than 
 
 like a 
 
 bout 
 
 -act- 
 own 
 He 
 
 ices 
 his 
 re- 
 
 -age 
 
 dly 
 
 etc- 
 
 ose 
 
 ac- 
 
 ire 
 
 d, 
 
 action, is, " Vou may buy, if you please. It is your own 
 concern ; do as vou like." It came to the author's know- 
 ledge, — and tlm fact will illustrate our point, — that a 
 very popular traveller and writer, who was receiving the 
 incense of the fashionable world in the States next to ado- 
 ration, i'. the midst of thi.^ excitement, sent for a grave 
 tradesman to wait upon him at his rooms ; no doubt with 
 the intention of entering into some business arrangements. 
 What was th<' rej)ly ? in spirit, "My compliments to 
 
 Mr. , and inform him it is not the custom of our house 
 
 for one of its princij)als to seek or receive orders in such 
 
 circumstances. If Mr. Avishes to do business with 
 
 us, or has anything to j)ropose, he must come to us ; w.- 
 shall be glad to see him." " How rude!" says one of the 
 gentlemen of " tlie trade," in " the Row," or at the West 
 End. Well, the question of rudeness must be settled be- 
 twixt the two parties. It is just possible that the Ameri- 
 can might think it as rude to be summoned to attend th(^ 
 English traveller, as the latter considered it in him. We 
 only select this instance of independence as illustrative of 
 character. It is a jreneral trait. 
 
 Instead of moving and acliiig like the members of the 
 body at the bidding of some other head or will than his 
 own ; instead of being dragged along, like the helpless 
 travellers of a railroad train, by forces independent of him- 
 self, the American chooses to consult his own counsels, to 
 examine his own course, and to move the machine intrusted 
 to him by his Creator by his own free volitions. All this 
 may either be good or bad. In case the forces which are 
 thus put in motion are fitted to move aright, it is easy to 
 see that the results mnst be vastly important. Man, free^ 
 unfettered, acting on nis own convictions, supposing them 
 to be wise and good, must possess a power which men in 
 chains, or working in gangs like slaves in a plantation, can- 
 not enjoy. This individualism is, in point of fact, the lead- 
 ing feature of American character. The true son of the 
 

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 Sciences 
 Corporation 
 
 33 WEST MAIN STREET 
 
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 (716) 872-4503 
 
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 184 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 soil never parts with it Tl 
 ""ions and committees iJoT^T^'' ""federations, 
 enterprises drive l,in,, never dZ F "' °' eommereial 
 How the,, seeing h,. JV ^"" "^ '"'^ '^entity. 
 
 -' for '.itself,, t'XaJeTto^^fr' '' ^^P^^''-^ '" 
 «™me this point. Its "T,V '"' P"'' • ^^et us 
 
 I'- f« i.e let loose on 1,"^ t "''' "' "^"' "> g«' 
 "Pon Us vitals, or is ho relil" f' ""■' '"'™^'' '" P^ey 
 - '0 ti- question of edS "o" ^ r'"'"'' ' ^'>- '-ds 
 by the Americans to this vial K ' ''""'""■°» '^ Paid 
 -=" ed in this country n io"', f^'"'- ^'''« ^ou'd\e 
 ™"- Schools are pro dTLlr '""',■ """^-^""^ P- 
 "■""gl. this people hive a prov^-K 7 ''"''''" "^P^"^'^'- ^-.d 
 >-et they wilh'ngly tax themClvel ?! '"y^'''' *" '='-'»'>. 
 ystem so often attempted 1 e L „„ ! '" /"''P"-' '^^'>e 
 he continental nations, is no ' thV T"^"^ "' ^""^ "f 
 ^''eyhave not established a central ^""" °' ^"erica. 
 department, under a ministL o" stlt'e"''' "" "'"''"''""^^ 
 8^o«« to our Committee of Pri„ r """..""ything analo- 
 •"'•nage their own aflkirs imP """''• ^''e Peoplo 
 "umcipa, bodies and t e '^^.^f '" f^': 'kings' The 
 Pojer to assess themselves Ced " '"'^r''"' ^^''^ 'he 
 !^ done on a broad scale; n the e d « ""P"^^^- ^his 
 -« un-versal, so that everC hi d ',,''''' "'^ P™"™" 
 obtam the advantages of?'"!/'^' '^ '"^ P^ents choose 
 -nasmuch as every fnhab ^nT" tfed T '^'"^«°''- ^"d 
 the expe..,,, whether he "vaHs v^ , ° P'^ '''^ ^''are of 
 «ot, this is found to ope at^;! T'^^ "^ "'« ^ehool or 
 the advantages are so bit": /'■'""'?' "^«'-'- «"' 
 'gnorance, and in favour of kn'o'l ?"''"'"' ^"'" "S^^^' 
 the duties of citizenship in whw^^ P' '' ^° '"""enfai ■ 
 and its honou,. so tompC \ """•^' "^^ ^^ P'^e^^ing 
 to place his children T ne^ 'f t 'T ''"'^'" '^ '-"-ed 
 
 Zealous partisans would 11m"'^°°'^- 
 "ot >eligious schools, ItZlfj 7'' "^^' ""^^e are 
 enforced. This would be mpos'^tT"'"^ "-ds are „„t 
 
 "possible, m a country where 
 
ifederations, 
 commercial 
 dentity. 
 
 xpected to 
 t? Let us 
 ^ant to get 
 al, to prey 
 This leads 
 ion is paid 
 would be 
 rsally pre- 
 snse; and 
 » taxation, 
 )se. The 
 
 some of 
 America, 
 ucational 
 ig aiialo- 
 e people 
 rs. The 
 ave the 
 This 
 revision 
 
 choose, 
 And 
 
 lare of 
 
 lool or 
 But 
 
 gainst 
 
 ntial ; 
 
 ssing, 
 
 luced 
 
 are 
 not 
 here 
 
 PART I. — PER&ONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 185 
 
 no creed possesses a pre-eminence, or is sanctioned by the 
 State. But if the Holy Scriptures constitute the basis of 
 Christianity, then these are Christian schools, notwithstand- 
 ing the absence of creeds. The Bible is read daily, it is 
 the standard book, the foundation of everything ; and its 
 divine authority is thus universally tfiught, and its sacred 
 lessons constantly inculcated. True to their principles, the 
 Romanists at New-York, some time ago, attempted to get 
 the Bible banished from the public schools. In this they 
 failed ; for though by their union and compactness they 
 possess much strength, and on merely political questions, 
 by throwing their weight into one scale, they have it in 
 their power to turn the balance, — on this point, which was 
 deemed a religious one, and on which all the Protestants 
 were agreed, they utterly failed in their unholy attempt. 
 
 This educational provision, being purely popular, may 
 be taken as an indication of the public mind on a great 
 religious question. Instead of leaving their children to go 
 astray from their birth, we see that Christian instruction is 
 provided for them, as an essential and national blessing. 
 This does not seem as if the people were indifferent to 
 Christianity ; and, moreover, it proves that they desire to 
 seize the most fitting time in the life of man to inculcate its 
 sacred lessons. This, no doubt, is one of the healing ingre- 
 dients thrown into the troubled waters, orje of the moral 
 forces which ever after works in determining the character 
 of the individual, the state of domestic life, and the condi- 
 tions of society. And instead of indifference in this one 
 arrangement, we see religion, in its most catholic form, 
 employed as an instrument of national order, virtue, and 
 peace ; and, that a useful and virtuous citizenship is not 
 expected without the employment of suitable means. 
 
 We are considering the question of religion. Do the 
 Americans trust to the processes of secular knowledge, or 
 the power of merely human means, for the maintenance of 
 public order, and social prosperity ? The answer to this 
 
186 
 
 I'OUll IN AMKliiCA. 
 
 : 'I'i 
 
 question stands out in bold relief In „ 
 =""1 great, are seen lar-.e and n!' • "^ °"^' ^-""'l 
 
 -•l-" inquir,, the »tr:n;er,-:tM ':/;'":"'' ""''"'"^'^ '' 
 common day-sel.ools of tl,e nZ 1 "'"'<' "« th« 
 
 'hat, besides ti,e routine o" ,'^, ?" r'^^^S- ho Hnds 
 "-"bracing the u.ual 1^^"^^ :'"'"''"''' 'y''<''«- 
 «or.ptures are taught to tl e Jhn ,"' '"»'™«'io". the 
 
 -S *o t'.o.n in u.e imp e" ! ""P"'"^''™ ^ ''"^ ^P-^" 
 Here the .ork of Chrii: .';,„tr" ct' "' °"'' -■"• 
 i^'te the amount of iniluence n.vvT , ""^ ""'= '="''^'- 
 
 -d on the moral state ofTo-,':.''". "" """''" ""'""' 
 "el've, pervadin. a.-oney" * p" .P.°°P'f' ''X ""» one ]ivi„,,, 
 
 -'Perateupo„thcryouti:S-be.tt ri'l/'-'r ''^''^Sht To 
 "■■nnmg, attraetive form- „™ , , "^^e^t and most 
 
 S-ipture. It is „ot so ^ry "df, '"'' "' ">^ ^''''^ of 
 'o imagine, that the best «L V„ '" '"'"' P'''""' »««" 
 d^' - to drill them to g!;!","',"" "" "'■'"' "^ »""■'- 
 orabbed dogmas of theol^ ' ^.^IT" r^^^^''^- 
 their teachers ean in the lea t rfl "' "'^'^ehes nor 
 
 ;« 'ho jargon of o„r sectar » L ?■''• ^"'"'"•''hend. Yet, 
 I'giou, while the readinfo P ul" " '""^<^ '«=«=hh,g re 
 
 -°' teaching religio " l^a , "'".f, '\''1^ '-''-''-d as 
 -ord of God, wit! pra,e are stid :t ""'^ "^^ "- 
 a.nly, Americans do not hi,^k « T, Vr"''-"-- ^er- 
 "re a reality with them ; and bv tl ^'">' ®^"P'"'os 
 
 '•eason to think that the; place 1 f"' T,""''' ^^ '■*^« 
 vme teaching of these '• h,^ly „"? ,?°f ""^'"^^ *'. the di- 
 do m the step-by-step pro 1 fof r f , °^ ^'"'' ""'" "'ey 
 hegin at the wron- end T ^"'°'''"*">^' all of whici. 
 
 downwards,, start ^^rthXrt "b'r '""' "^ '"^ 
 d'vme essence and attributes ad! ■*'"™""'>« on the 
 lead the poor little inqui r Jml '" ■,™" "''^ "'"^"'ion 
 of revelation. Is notl p' „ " ^ ^ .'"'"'^ ""<' '-<='^ 
 cat-on of the Scripture, aXt t ', ™'"' '" '^'^ ">«"!- 
 and good citizens as a popu .^^, I-'jrr "^ '''^ ^''^'i"- 
 of any existing CatechiZT U rtt' b" '!l\»''^"--"o„s 
 
 i'lere is a breadth, a fulness. 
 
PAllT 1. — PERSONAL NAKKATIVE. 
 
 18- 
 
 city, small 
 ; buildings; 
 use are the 
 ig, he finds 
 nal system, 
 uction, the 
 Grod speak- 
 own void. 
 
 one calcu- 
 iblic mind, 
 one livinjr, 
 )i'oiight to 
 and most 
 words of 
 sons seem 
 id of chil- 
 ^physical, 
 selves nor 
 id. Yet, 
 ching re- 
 idered as 
 sing the 
 Ir. Cer- 
 
 iriptures 
 
 e have 
 
 the di- 
 
 in they 
 which 
 |d build 
 
 '11 the 
 
 vation 
 facts 
 
 lincul- 
 
 btians 
 
 Ictions 
 
 llness. 
 
 a simplicity, and especially a divinity, in the word of God, 
 which cannot be found anywhere else ; and, least of all, in 
 the bare-bone, skeleton-like lessons propounded to the poor 
 children of this nation. On the whole, then, it must be 
 seen that the entire American people are trained in religion 
 from their childhood, if the Bible teaches it. At any rate, 
 an im^.ression is made as to the divine authority of this 
 holy book, that it is the word of God, the charter of salva- 
 tion, the guide to heaven, and the only rule of faith and 
 practice binding on the human conscience. One wouUl 
 think this is doing something towards forming society, and 
 building the morals, happiness, and progress of the nation 
 on our li'lorious Chrisiiaiiitv. 
 
 But besides the care taken of the young, we find that 
 Christianity pervades the United States in vigorous action. 
 This is seen in the numbers attending public worship, hi 
 the extent of churcli -communion, in the observance of the 
 sacraments of the Ci;urch, in the respect paid to the Sab- 
 bath, in the number and variety of religious and charitable 
 institutions, in tlie placing of their collegiate and higher 
 educational departments imder the care generally of reli- 
 gious men, in the diffusion and influence of a Christian 
 literature ; and, in fine, by the depth and extent of reli- 
 gious feeling and prix. \}le. By these means, Christianity, 
 it is evident, touches and influences the entire social and 
 political state. 
 
 It is not meah^. by this that every individual is a pious 
 Christian, but that the spirit of the evangehcal system is 
 in sufficient power to give to religious opinion and senti- 
 ment the complete ascendant in society. A man is not 
 reflected upon, or deemed less fit for the higher duties of 
 the State, by belonging to a Christian church ; he is rather 
 considered the better qualified for even civil posts of trust 
 and responsibility. It happened that the writer fell in 
 with persons, and heard from them the declaration, that 
 they could not give their suffrages to a \ery favourite can- 
 
188 
 
 I'OUK IJV AMERICA. 
 
 I 
 
 '^^f, on ,,ood .Ul„, n. tl T""' """ " -- 
 
 H Christian cln„-cl,, so thu k'" «^"""«'»»n had joined 
 
 '» '"« «-„„„. T,:: l-;"^ "rit^t'T ™"^' "^^ ^»"-' 
 "^ny of t),c wise ,„e„ of tl i^ wo u j' '"' ''^'S""''' '" 
 to Imve boon the feoIi„„. 1 T ^' ""■ -""y >>« thought 
 Not so. And it iili^rL n TT"'''' ™"'"-'- 
 duced, namely, that Chris ianl'^ '°' "'''"'> '' '« "d- 
 "ent in American society. ^ ' " ^"'•^ P<»^»'-ful ele- 
 
 stl":^n:s »let* f r'T' "-^ '" "-« 
 
 "'"eh will .surprise you is the 5, ' °"' "^ ^e thin^ 
 
 -""t^y." b; the'b " 1 ;t;'- °^ 7*^ -'^ting i„ t^: 
 
 ;-pect between the -^o e" and ,"1' ''""""'''' '" ""s 
 feet here stated is a greatunl,,"^''"'''- '^«' "-e 
 «•" entertain no idea Cu^bfe tf "r'""' .'° "™y' -'"> 
 ;-™t as a unity, and is placed und° TuT" "'^'^ ""'«^^ it 
 f-ourite ecclesiastical f.m tionals r "'""""P °' *h«> 
 «-;" not find their -ideal cln, h ' „ ,^^^'!"'"^' ^''h parties 
 ;v.II look deep enough, they til. ."'"'"*• ^""^ 'hey 
 than an extomn) ^ • ^ ^^"^ discover whaf ic k ^. 
 will fi , ^^'"""^ organization of stunir^fK T ? ^^^^^^' 
 win find very nnicli of the vit.litv Tn^- '"^ ^""'^ ' "^^7 
 «nd active faith, together .hhtlJ ^^"^^^^"ity, a settled 
 
 obligations to energetic piet^^ ^nTth "'' ''"^^^^^^" '' *^- 
 charity. ^ ^'^'^ ' ^nd the exercise of a divine 
 
 This division of th^ pk,.- *• 
 -d the fact th,: Jo :;;;"^'"'^" ^^enea into sects, 
 har against employment of" t ZtT "' '"t" '""'^ '^ - 
 attorney-general, a Presbyteri™ ^Z ""T^^^'- a Baptist 
 «" Independent secreta^'of" , .L"""'!,''" °' "-^ f"--' 
 I'oi-h, gentleman doo^'ed to^ L ^"tith ^'""T'' "' 
 
 ranK with one of these 
 
PART I. — PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 189 
 
 that he was 
 over, it was 
 amuged his 
 iry circum- 
 and it was 
 had joined 
 lave fallen 
 bigoted to 
 be thought 
 enthusiasts. 
 1 it is ad- 
 i^erful ele- 
 
 ng in the 
 he thingfs 
 ing in the 
 ice in this 
 But the 
 any, who 
 unless it 
 of their 
 1 parties 
 it if they 
 better 
 ; they 
 settled 
 1 of the 
 divine 
 
 Ji 
 
 sectarians, or under him, as the case may be, looks strange 
 in this country. This is no fictitious picture, but a matter 
 of fact. Men are united in the common service of their 
 country indiscriminately, irrespective of their creed or re- 
 ligious connexions. The sects may hate each other, as is 
 their Wv^.i. elsewhere; but the State knows no distinction 
 betwixt one class of religionists and another. 
 
 At the present moment, though I was told that the Pre- 
 sident does not hold communion with any church, yet he 
 usually listens to a Methodist sermon in the morning, from 
 one of the chaplains of Congress, who is of that persua- 
 sion, and to a Presbyterian minister in the evening, his 
 lady belonging to that church. One of the judges of tlie 
 Supreme Court, answering as nearly as possible to our 
 Court of Chancery, is at this moment a member of the 
 Methodist Episcopal body, not nominally, but really ; 
 observing the rules, and attending upon all the services, of 
 his church in all his movements. Moreover, the talents, 
 character, and standing of this gentleman are such, that in 
 the present contest for the office of president he has been 
 mentioned, indeed brought forv^ard, by a numerous and 
 most respectable class of his fellow-citizens, as a candidate 
 for the high distinction. These are only mentioned as in- 
 stances of the working of the system ; and no doubt every 
 other appointment is in agreement with these cases of per- 
 fect impartiality. 
 
 But the matter of fact is, that in the United States the 
 several churches to which reference is made are not, in our 
 sense of the expression, sects at all. There are no sects in 
 America, no Dissenters, no seceders ; — or, whatever other 
 term may be employed to designate the position and stand- 
 ing of a Christian society. They are all alike considered 
 as Christians ; and adopting, according to the judgment of 
 charity, with equal honesty, the common charter of salva- 
 tion, the word of God, they are treated as equal, and as 
 possessing similar and indefeasible rights. 
 
in 
 
 ^r' 
 
 190 
 
 '^'^^ IN AMKniCA. 
 
 'a'lons, its own , i • '"'"'•'"iMity itself ;„ ■, '" 
 
 'W..fcsofpf '" '""^' °'-P0;i,hed bv. "''"""■'^' '>o,v. 
 
 '•("•'Xiani , °' '^ '"'''™'='. a divC td ^'' '"'" ''« 
 
 '!«-«» -nnot' e 2l™7 "^e higher rant Th7 ""'- 
 "'■■W which i, !„!" , \ ""^ Christianitv oh. ^"'- 
 
 official di.t;„ , ™''" "raon,. ,,5 »,,„/, ^ "'most all 
 
 '•»-) vh^r'°"-'' -^-'--fei-ca ^f":^ 7»-atio„s, 
 
 •confound d'-HPr.'' "'P°" "'=■•'• own fond "'^'^^ '''"'' 
 
 ^''r ""^■^'^'- "ofT:;' — /ifh^^r 
 
 ''- e.me°"' '■"/'- -ai7;i:f^^ 
 
 times " It , ^'■"^"'•"i'y done fo, ?!' '""^ f "^'esiastieal, 
 •^d person r''''''''''''™'"''-^"Po,e 7''', '" '""'<''' 
 
 '" "' ^'"P'" '•gno.-'.nce and TLf' ''" """ 
 
 ^"^« . then sei>- 
 
 fj 
 
PART I. — PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 101 
 
 isible Chris- 
 
 • ^o test its 
 fid equality 
 tances as in 
 5 own reve- 
 own provi- 
 
 • the hands 
 J modified 
 ite fruits? 
 solution in 
 
 speak of 
 ons, how- 
 
 instantJy 
 n but the 
 
 into ]m 
 laiterable 
 onnected 
 ong our- 
 lese gen- 
 se than 
 ^ost ail 
 nations, 
 
 ss and 
 
 IS, are 
 
 ooked 
 pro- 
 
 ivhose 
 
 ry of 
 ated 
 
 tical, 
 
 cient 
 
 tive, 
 
 3ro- 
 
 cecl 
 
 on- 
 iz- 
 
 ing the reins of even political power, has entwined itself 
 parasitically around the institutions of society, reducing 
 the world to the dominion of a politico-religious despot- 
 ism. 
 
 Much debate has arisen in the world respecting State's 
 adopting the Church, then coiTupting, then enslaving her. 
 In passing, it may be permitted one to ask the zealous par- 
 tisans of church purity and state corruption, of church love 
 of freedom ana state love of tyranny, just to reverse their 
 inquiries, and ask, in all possible candour, as to the real 
 delinquents in tliis matter. My belief is., that, as a general 
 rule, the State has not corrupted the Cliurch, except as a 
 participant, just as companions in vice vitiate each other ; 
 but the Church has, in most instances, corrupted the State. 
 Neither has the State enslaved the Church, as a general 
 rule, though sometimes this may have been the case ; but 
 the Church has, whenever it Avas allowed, invaiiably enslaved 
 the State. Nothing is so detrimental to the liberties and 
 the virtues of mankind as a corrupt, a fetid religion, at the 
 same time organized and guided by the subtle and crafty 
 genius of a profligate priesthood. 
 
 It can be no matter of surprise that the American peo- 
 ple, being favoured with the opportunity, the soil being- 
 clear, and no old institutions standing in the way, should 
 be disposed to adopt a n^^w principle, and, discarding all 
 authoritative church-organization, try the effect of Chris- 
 tiani'y itself, iri its own native grandeur and divine simpli- 
 cit3\ This they have dor< We have seen that the people 
 is the State ; and the State, in this sense, namely, through 
 the people, has, with the exception of the infidels among 
 them, adopted Christianity ; only, instead of being an hie- 
 rarchical government, it is that of the Holy Scriptures — 
 the Bible itself being the governing light, the decisive 
 authority, the court of final appeal. All the interests of 
 sociefry converge to this point ; religion is its life, its power, 
 its beauty. It is like the imhatra^a of tlio world, on which 
 
 X. 
 
192 
 
 TOUR IN AMEllxCA. 
 
 ■I I ,1 
 
 .V !l 
 
 all the soils whence the vegetable productions spring repose 
 in security. 
 
 Is this common Christiiinity, taught and developed in 
 Scripture, sufHcient for u nation ? May the people of a 
 State be safely left, other things being favourable, to this 
 simple process ? . The answer to this question is in course 
 of solution in the United States. So far as it has been 
 tested, it is believed to have answered. Notwithstanding 
 the number of churches, bearing different names, and 
 adopting diversified forms of service, there is probably as 
 much or more unity in these States than elsewhere. 
 Looking at their spirit and visible position ; that is, in the 
 general absence of polemic strife, of bittei* contentions 
 between church and church, of acrimonious declamation 
 against each other in their religious periodicals ; — and then 
 their intercommunion and good neighbourhood, joint exer- 
 tions, for common objects, and, on the whole, harmonious 
 agreement : — these all unite to show that these professors 
 of the name of Christ can meet each other on the ground 
 of their common Christianity, though differing in non-essen- 
 tial points. So far as he had the opportunity of intercourse 
 with ministers and Christians of various denominations, the 
 author is bound to say, that he met with the most frank 
 and affectionate courtesy, and saw the same spirit mani- ■ 
 fested one to another; and, moroeover, that there appeared 
 infinitely less of what is distinctive and sectarian than in 
 this country. While at the Conference at Pittsburgh, all the 
 Protestant pulpits of eveiy sort were filled each Sunday by 
 Methodist ministers, except some one or two of the Episco- 
 pal churches, whose ministers were believed to be tinctured 
 with Puseyism. 
 
 It is no marvel that this unity of spirit prevails. The 
 bitterness of sectarianism is prevented by the nature of 
 their position. No one church thinks of calling another 
 church, resting on the Scriptures as its basis, and onl^ dif- 
 fering in external organization, "heretics," "schismatics," 
 
 J 
 
PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 193 
 
 >ring repose 
 
 eveloped in 
 
 people of a 
 
 ble, to this 
 
 is in course 
 
 it has been 
 
 ntlistanding 
 
 namos, and 
 
 probably as 
 
 elsewhere. 
 
 it is, in the 
 
 contentions 
 
 declamation 
 
 ; — and then 
 
 , joint exer- 
 
 harmonious 
 
 3 professors 
 
 the ground 
 
 non-essen- 
 
 intercoursc 
 
 ations, the 
 
 imost frank 
 
 pirit mani- • 
 
 e appeared 
 
 an than in 
 
 gh, all the 
 
 unday by 
 
 [he Episco- 
 
 tinctured 
 
 lils. The 
 bature of 
 t>- another 
 onl^ dif- 
 Ismatics," 
 
 - 
 
 and " Dissenters.'* No class of ministers, except Popish 
 priests and a few hare-brained Puscyites, ever dream of 
 saying of other ministers that they arc ** unauthorized," 
 have no " vocation," are " intruders" into other men's 
 folds, and " usurpers" of the priestly office. These things 
 can have no existence where common-law Christianity pre- 
 vails ; they are the assumptions of sects, of exclusive pre- 
 tensions, of caste claims. The only unity that ever can 
 be found in this world, — unless God miraculously cut 
 down all souls to one common level, — is this. No power 
 on earth can screw mankind into one shape and form on 
 matters of faith and religious ojjinion. Unity can never exist 
 in the sense of sameness, like bricks in a wall, or metal from 
 a die. What is to throw souls into the same type ? The 
 idea is absurd ; but this kind of unity has ever been the 
 cant of bigots, or oftener still the instrument of tyrants to 
 obtain the object of their ambuion — dominion over their 
 fellow-men. The unity of the Gospel lies deeper ; it is 
 unity in the truth, not as seen by another, but as appre- 
 hended by the individual mind. But this truth is large, 
 broad, open. The divine revelations are not given in set and 
 limited propositions, like the syllogisms of man. It seems 
 to be the purpose of God to leave the manner of appre- 
 liending and believing the Gospel undefined and free. How 
 should it be otherwise ? Give any dogma to the first 
 dozen men who may be met with, and it is certain that 
 every one will conceive of it differently. How, then, can 
 unity be found in the manner of holding the truth ? But 
 though the Gospel may be apprehended variously, yet, if 
 it is really embraced, and simply believed, as the mind is 
 assisted by the helps within its reach, and especially as 
 taught by the Spirit, who shall say that this vitiates the 
 truth itself? 
 
 Hence, though in the United States the churches may be 
 called by different names, and there may be diversities of 
 opinion, even in matters of faith ; yet it does not follow 
 
 9 
 
194 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 from this, that thoy are not every one of them true 
 churches. But it is more on points of disciphne and church 
 order, tlian on questions of truth and faith, that differences 
 spring up, and become tlie proHfic parents of separations. 
 Can any one prove, from Holy Scripture, that the Author 
 of Christianity has not left this an open question? Or, 
 can any one show that He has given his followers a model 
 church, a platform, a skeleton temple? He has done no 
 such thing. In his mercy and goodness to mankind, He 
 has — following the analogies of nature — prepared a world, 
 a universe of truth and grace, appearing confused, but not 
 so in reality, stretching infinitely beyond the line and defi- 
 nitions of man. And just as men are left to build their 
 social state and polity, in the midst of the .agencies and 
 provisions of nature ; to cultivate their fields, erect their 
 cities, appropriate to themselves the bounties of Provi- 
 dence, and create the forms of civilization for themselves ; 
 .so, in like manner. Christians are permitted to erect their 
 tents, found their churches, and enjoy the blessings of reli- 
 gion freely, on the broad field of Scriptural truth ; and, for 
 anything which can be shown to the contrary, one organi- 
 zation is as lawful as another ; the only difference being in 
 the fitness of such organization to edify the people them- 
 selves, and evangelize the world without. 
 
 The American system looks for unity on this broad basis. 
 As far as can be seen, it is as much secured as can be Avell 
 expected in the midst of the infirmities of human nature. 
 At any rate, society is not convulsed, nor the state put into 
 jeopardy, by religious contentions, claims, and projects. If 
 religion does not bless, neither does it curse, the country ; 
 if it does not produce health, neither does it extend any 
 social pestilence ; if, in fine, it does not allay human pas- 
 sions, neither does it exasperate them. But the matter is 
 placed too Ioav by being thus hypothetically put. It is my 
 deep conviction, that religion is the conservative power of 
 American society. \t is the salt of the community ; it is 
 
 % 
 

 PART I. — PERSONAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 195 
 
 f them true 
 10 and church 
 lit dificronces 
 ■ separations. 
 t the Author 
 estion ? Or, 
 kvers a model 
 has done no 
 mankind, He 
 red a world, 
 ised, but not 
 ine and defi- 
 > build their 
 igencies and 
 1, erect their 
 3s of Provi- 
 themselvcs ; 
 erect their 
 ings of reli- 
 th ; and, for 
 one organi- 
 ce being in 
 ople them- 
 
 )road basis. 
 ;an be Avell 
 lan nature. 
 |te put into 
 ejects. If 
 country ; 
 ktend any 
 iman pas- 
 matter is 
 It is my 
 power of 
 litv ; it is 
 
 the life and the soul of public and private virtue ; it is the 
 cement, the power of coherence, which holds the States 
 together ; and, by purifying the public morals, elevating 
 the soul with nobl(! sentiments, creating the sense of re- 
 sponsibility, and stimulating to industry, it is creative of 
 their greatness and power. 
 
 But by the English reader it will be instantly asked, — 
 which, in fact, has often been the case, — If relimon be so 
 powerful an element in American society, why does it not 
 abolish shivery ? Let us look at this question impartially. 
 If this is done, it will be found that cither Christianity, or 
 some other great moral force, has done something in this 
 direction already. The whole continent, includinij all the 
 existing territory of the r<'public, was inherited, at first, 
 from this country, with this great curse. Has anything 
 been acliieved to get rid of it ? The answer is, that many 
 of the States have freed themselves from the evil. The 
 States of Maine, New-Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, 
 Rhode Island, Connecticut, New- York, New-Jersey, Penn- 
 sylvania, Delaware, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wis- 
 consin, Iowa, have all renounced .slavery. Let us learn to 
 do justice where riglit principles have prevailed. 
 
 Christian truth must have had something to do in free- 
 ing the people of colour from their chains. This, no doubt, 
 has been the motive power in bringing about this issue. 
 'J'here remains another triumph, even in these States, for 
 the same influences to effect ; namely, the enfranchisement 
 of the liberated African race in the rights of citizenship. 
 They still remain aliens, though free. The constitutions 
 of the several States, without exception, continue to pro- 
 scribe them for the sin of the colour of their skin, however 
 rehgious, virtuous, and orderly they may be.^ These peo- 
 
 * The constitutions of the several States merely pretermit them, by enact- 
 ing that " every -white male" shall possess the franchise. This is sufficiently 
 efTective. The State of Nevr-York, indeed, mentions them expressly; but 
 (strange to say !) in the case of the African race, they establish a property- 
 •jualification. The wonl-^ ruo • — " No man of colour shall vote, unless he shall 
 
i 1 
 
 1 
 
 
 196 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 pie give their allegiance, their labour, their support to the 
 state ; and yet they are denied any place within its pale. 
 This is unjust, and it is as impohtic as it is oppressive. But 
 we must trust to time, to the growth of better principles, 
 to the improvement of the African race itself; and no 
 doubt, where so much has already been accomplished, in 
 the end right views and feelings will prevail. 
 
 Nothing can be said respecting those States which are 
 not only slave-holding, but manifest a fixed resolution to 
 foster and perpetuate the evil. It is true, the difficulties 
 in the ray of getting nd of the institution are prodigious ; 
 much more so than the people of this coun+ry can appre- 
 hend. But this is no reason why the injustice should be 
 cherished, and the aggregation of the mischief and misery 
 increased, which is undoubtedly tlie case. We see amongst 
 these southern States no disposition to take even the fi'-st 
 step in the direction of liberty. What the religious element 
 will ultimately do, no one can at present tell. If its les- 
 sons pnd influences are not neutralized by the antagonism 
 of slavery itself, in time, no doubt, it will produce the same 
 results as in other places. If thib is not the case, then the 
 evil, as in other instances, must take its OAvn course, and 
 work its own cure. It is impossible that so monstrous an 
 injustice should continue stationary. God has made in his 
 decrees, in his immutable laws, the accumulations of evil to 
 work theii own destruction. Men may endure oppression 
 up to a certain point ; but beyond that point it cani ^ be 
 carried. The recoil comes, in the destruction of either the 
 oppressoi-s or the oppressed. One of these two results 
 must, in the n^lure of things, take place in this case, — re- 
 ligion will illuminate, exalt, and set the Afrijan race free ; 
 or, being opposed, the ignorance, vice, discontent, and tur- 
 bulence of sbvv^ry will, at some time, rise in revolt, and 
 
 i\ 
 
 I 
 
 have beer three years a resident of the State, and, for one year next preceding 
 the election, shall have owned a freehold worth two hundred and fifty dollars 
 above all incumbrances, and shall have paid tax thereon." 
 
 =1. 
 
 sami 
 
 .»... . -j..^.,.,.^ 
 
PART I.— PERSOx'JAL NARRATIVE. 
 
 U7 
 
 upport to the 
 ithin its pale, 
 pressive. But 
 -er principles, 
 iself; and no 
 omplishcJ, in 
 
 es which are 
 resolution to 
 le difficulties 
 ! prodigious ; 
 7 can appre- 
 e should be 
 and misery 
 see amongst 
 ven the first 
 ious element 
 If its les- 
 antagonisra 
 ce the same 
 36, then the 
 course, and 
 ^nstrous an 
 nade in his 
 IS of evil to 
 oppression 
 cam ^. be 
 either the 
 kvo results 
 case, — re- 
 race free ; 
 and tur- 
 3volt, and 
 
 seek its revenge. The alternative is before the Southern 
 people ; they cannot evade it, any more than they can 
 stop the sua in his course. The question at present, 
 though difficult, admits of a peaceful solution ; in a while 
 this period of probation will pas^ away, and some fearful 
 hurricane, some dreadful catastrophe, will come in to set- 
 tle that which religion and justice failed to accomplish. 
 
 i 
 
 xt preceding 
 fifty dollars 
 
I 
 
 198 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 PART II. 
 
 HISTORICAL NOTICES OF METHODISM IN AMERICA. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Introductory remarks— Mr. Wesley's great talent lor government — The confi- 
 dence reposed in him — Ilis disinterested encouragement to all who were ca- 
 pable of rendering service to religion — Became the bond of union to the first 
 Methodists in America. 
 
 The history of Methodism in its commencement is one of 
 those singular facts which come in to illustrate the force of 
 that hidden and divine agency to which the glorious tri- 
 umphs of Christianity are, in holy Scripture, always attri- 
 buted. The insignificance of the instruments often em- 
 ployed in the accomplishment of the work of God, is 
 intended to demonstrate its spiritual, its divine origin. 
 When parties, destitute of every human distinction, are 
 seen to commence and carry to a successful issue the most 
 difficult enterprises of religion ; it seems certain, from this, 
 that they are employed by a higher power — that they have 
 received a commission from God. 
 
 It is true, that, in all its branches, Methodism possessed, 
 from the beginning, the advantage of the counsels and con- 
 summate guidance of its great leader. No man was ever 
 better fitted for the task assigned him, in this respect, than 
 John Wesley. His religious opinions and his policy were 
 in perfect agreement, — Scriptural, simple, cathohc, practi- 
 cal. Everything with him resolved itself into one great 
 purpose, — the promotion of the salvation and happiness of 
 man, in connexion with the highest glory of God. Happily 
 for mankind, the best blessings of religion lie within the 
 compass of this simple area. Policy t.ften perplexes, but 
 never ultimately serves, the cause of true Christianity. 
 
 The idea will look like a paradox to men who can see no 
 
PART II. — NOTICES OF METHODISM. 
 
 199 
 
 N AMERICA. 
 
 fnent— Tlie confi- 
 ill who were ca- 
 mion to the first 
 
 nt is one of 
 the force of 
 glorious tri- 
 Iways attri- 
 3 often em- 
 
 of God, is 
 vine origin, 
 inction, are 
 le tlie most 
 , from this, 
 
 they have 
 
 possessed, 
 s and con- 
 1 was ever 
 pect, than 
 olicy were 
 ic, practi- 
 3ne great 
 piness of 
 
 Happily 
 ithin the 
 exes, but 
 lity. 
 
 n see no 
 
 wisdom in government but what is circuitous, mystical, 
 and subtle, to say that true policy is found on the surface, 
 that it consists in a clear, lucid, and perspicacious adhe- 
 rence to simple tnith. And yet this is unquestionably the 
 case. God, the supreme Ruler, has impressed certainty 
 on all Lis laws. His government is not a labyrinth, a con- 
 tradiction, a confused and clashing contrivance, a subtle 
 system of expedients, intended to allure and to decoy his 
 creatures into certain courses. The sunbeams of heaven 
 are not clearer and brighter tl^an the moral laws of the 
 universe ; and the throne of the great Parent of all is no 
 other than the throne of truth, which truth is being evolved 
 in his entire administration and government. 
 
 Confidence in this truth was never carried further, pro- 
 bably, by any uninspired man than by the Founder of 
 Methodism. His position made him necessarily the patri- 
 arch and the governor of his people everywhere. On what 
 did he depend to accomplish his work ? Nothing, certainl}', 
 but the force of truth through his long life ; and though 
 often placed in very anomalous and perplexing circum- 
 stances, yet we never see him resorting to any kind of 
 finesse. He trusted his work where he trusted his soul. 
 in the hands of God. But his maintenance of principle 
 was free from passion, and equally free from narrow and 
 isolated notions. We never perceive any angry or coercive 
 enforcement even of the truth itself. Truth in his mind 
 was not, indeed, a cold syllogism ; it had all the power of 
 a command, an obligation : and ) et it was only enjoined in 
 the language of forcible argument, tender and affectionate 
 persuasion, and, as occasion required, an awful lifting up 
 of a warning voice as to the eternal consequences of its re- 
 jection. His own keen intellect, illuminated by the Spirit, 
 and sanctified by the grace of God, qualified him to appre- 
 hend the appropriate course in matters of administration, as 
 well as in other things, most fully and accurately : and then 
 the purity of his affections, and his tender regard for his 
 
filll 
 
 rf 
 
 U if 
 
 200 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 fellow-men, enabled him to bear with their infirmities, ob- 
 tuseness, and even factious conduct, when manifested, with 
 entire confidence as to the result. 
 
 But Mr. Wesley was no partial adherent to a system, 
 any more than a dictatorial administrator of its laws. He 
 clearly saw that truth, like nature, is an aggregation ; that 
 one principle is linked with another, in harmonious concert, 
 through the universe, and all to the throne of God ; that 
 isolation is weakness, while a genuine, a catholic belief in 
 religion, gives expansion to the mind, and calmness to con- 
 fidence ; that government, like Christianity itself, must em- 
 brace the happiness as well as the obedience of its subjects, 
 or it must fail ; that i an, in all grades of society, in all 
 conditions of Hfe, in all obligations and duties, in all offices 
 and places of trust, ought to be treated with frankness, 
 honour, and respect ; and, moreover, that in all religious 
 relations the Holy Scriptures alone must be the rule, the 
 final appeal. A ruler who fixes his thoughts and founds 
 his entire policy on some favourite theory, some logical or 
 mathematical line, some human dogma, some narrow party 
 or sectarian base, — is sure, in the long run, to see his policy 
 fail ; and the loss of his chimera will bring discomfiture 
 and despair. His cause being frustrated, he imagines re- 
 ligion itself is lost ; whereas, in point of fact, nothing but 
 an embarrassment is gone. 
 
 Not so with John Wesley. He had no scheme, no 
 theoiy, no pet notions, in seeking to bring about the results 
 of religion. He threw himself on the resources and power 
 of God's economy. The spiritual life, the morality, the 
 practical ends of government, secured, — he was perfectly 
 indifferent regarding the external means. With him the 
 experience of piety, the divine affections, the purity and 
 holiness of soul and body ; the entire devotedness of talents, 
 influence, property, to God ; the operations of a saving and 
 practical faith in the Son of God ; the obligations to a con- 
 secrated and useful life ; the spread of the gospel on the 
 
ifirmities, ob- 
 aifested, with 
 
 to a system, 
 ts laws. He 
 gation ; that 
 ious concert, 
 f God; that 
 •lie belief in 
 ness to con- 
 K must em- 
 its subjects, 
 )ciety, in all 
 in all offices 
 I frankness, 
 ill religious 
 le rule, the 
 ind founds 
 5 logical or 
 rrow party 
 3 his policy 
 iscomfiturc 
 lagines rc- 
 3thing but 
 
 heme, no 
 he results 
 nd power 
 ality, the 
 perfectly 
 him the 
 mty and 
 f talents, 
 ving and 
 
 a con- 
 
 1 on the 
 
 PART II.— NOTICES OP METHODISM. 
 
 201 
 
 widest possible scale ; and all kinds of good offices ren- 
 dered to each other by Christians ; — these were the essen- 
 tials of religion with him ; and whatever best promoted 
 these ends, he considered as all that was important in 
 matters of government. 
 
 Hence his administration — if we may so call his care and 
 authority — became easy. He did not fix his regards or 
 bend his efforts to the formation of an ecclesiastical system ; 
 but his one object was to help souls to get to heaven ; and 
 he taught them that in their journey it was their duty to 
 illustrate their Saviour's glory, and endeavour to persuade 
 others to go Avith them to the same abodes of the blessed. 
 In a word, it is clearly seen, in all the movements of this 
 great man, that he kept but one thing constantly before his 
 attention ; namely, the promotion of experimental and prac- 
 tical religion. And, what is more, the means agreed with 
 the end. There was no ravelled scheme of poHcy in his 
 government ; every one saw the end he proposed, and most 
 persons acquiesced in the agencies employed to secure it. 
 
 Nothing is more remarkable in the history of John Wes- 
 ley than the confidence his character inspired. All sought 
 his counsel and advice, and deferred, in general, to his 
 opinions. By reason of his disinterested regard to all who 
 " loved our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity," the singleness 
 of his purpose, the simplicity of his course, and the urbanity 
 of his manners, — he won the entire, the unbounded reli- 
 ance of his followers. Unlike the vulture amongst birds, 
 devouring some and frightening the rest, he attracted all 
 hj the music of his love, and never betrayed the confidence 
 reposed in him. His object was, never to crush, to subdue, 
 to repress the rising energies of any, even the poorest, 
 Christian. On the contrary, his whole management turned 
 on the principle of calling out the latent powers of the 
 followers of 5iis Lord, and turning them to the best account. 
 No man ever did so much to exalt the lowly, to elevate 
 the obscuie, and to put all who were capable of any kind 
 
 0* 
 
riOii 
 
 'JOUK IN AMERICA. 
 
 I i;^ 
 
 constituted the strfn'tTtd n '" '''^'' =""' ""™«'^'r 
 gious and the soci.7sL , T'"'' "* ''""' "'^ ■•«'! 
 
 p-od through thfi: irL.ti'rnf '""■ ^™'"'' '■^- 
 
 Vicous phases. His rule of .T """""""' '•"«' "O'*' 
 
 that of development. FrL T ?'■' '" ""' ''^^' ^™^^. 
 evident, that he had great cL " ^'""""^'"S '^ '^ 
 
 ^Pectivo of the acJent h """? " """• "- 
 object was to make every one Zn . ''^"'^^^'on. His 
 fou-'d hi„, A priest lie tT ""^ ^'^^''^ ""''» ''« 
 priestly spiri,-L soui?t t'Tn " T""'^ ^^^ fr«» ">e 
 progress of the gospel In til r ' ^ '''^"s'"" '"'d ">« 
 experimental piL*^ b: .^^ ^h ""'' '^'^"'^ <='-e*d b, 
 appears, i„ all th different cir.1°^r "' ""'' ''^'''' ''« 
 '^een, much more of tl o tl f? """'' '" ''^'"^^ •>« is 
 people ; though, in '.^ ^^ "" S"™'"" "^ '"^ 
 d'rected the affairs of a church h 7" """'' '^"'P^^tejy 
 "ore really governed any bod! .L™ " ""■ ' "° "» ever 
 Methodist community. ^ '" '" S«™^"ed "'■« whole 
 
 We arc often surprised tl,„t • . 
 ve^unsuited, achie^Idt^ .LTtT™'^ ^"""^"''^ - 
 this work. The matter of fa^rL '"'^ '"'^'"'•^ "^ 
 
 d-rected by one mind Thf l""!'""'"' '^' """ all were 
 ■nstruments often of the hulhT 77''."'"'" '"'™"^' ^he 
 ;tracted from the lovo and :":"" T' "" '''""'■ '•">■ 
 fequently of the meanest orde" „ . '^cr possessors, were 
 adopted were sometimes ext^t t ,t ""'^ °f "Peration 
 --ou'ded by the plas^pow rr/^.-^-^™'' -• ""'' «" "-ng 
 eumstances, the chaos wasle ,n if ^''"' ""^'^^ "f ",. 
 «=nts which, in their sepL , if '" °''*-"-' ="«> «>e ele- 
 became compact, massive ^d ,t' T ""^"^ ■''^ -'''er, 
 compressed by the laws o nal ? ' ^' ^"''"' "^ ^»d 
 
 It bas been by the union of the ""'^'"^ •"»""""■-• 
 of piety and goo'dness. «." t^^tSf -'J™g".ents 
 
 'o "^ present state. iJut it is m' '"'""'' '"'^ "-» 
 
 pcilcctly easy to see, that 
 
 I 
 
^Q been rescued 
 and ultimately 
 " both the reli- 
 m, would have 
 anest and most 
 the best sense, 
 !-oceeding it i^ 
 •^ as man, irre- 
 ucation. His 
 Ppier than lie 
 free from the 
 igion and the 
 ts created by 
 lis course, he 
 which he is 
 -ernor of his 
 e completely 
 no man ever 
 'd tlie whole 
 
 jparently so 
 history of 
 at all were 
 arious, the 
 alents, ab- 
 ssors, were 
 f operation 
 '•> all being 
 ter of cir- 
 d the ele- 
 as water, 
 s of sand 
 untains. 
 ragmen ts 
 has risen 
 see, that 
 
 PART II. — NOTICES OF METHODISM. 
 
 203 
 
 the power of cohesion could not exist in themselves. A 
 centre of attraction, a uniting force, became essential. With- 
 out this, the creationL of religion itself must have spent 
 their fire, and evaporated into thin air. In the first move- 
 ments of any remarkable revival of the work of God, if this 
 take place in the " field of the world," and not within the 
 enclosures of an existing ecclesiastical system ; — men must, 
 of necessity, become these centres of attraction, and exercise 
 this power of concentration. Institutions, of course, cannot, 
 at this stage, do this, inasmuch as they have no existence ; they 
 may become rallying-points afterwards, as they take their 
 position, and develop their excellencies ; but in the com- 
 mencement, individuals constitute the centres around which 
 those who have not the power of self-support naturally collect. 
 This was the exact position of John Wesley. His labours 
 had put many agencies in motion which could not, of them- 
 selves, continue in any useful course ; but, guided by his 
 wisdom, and h"ld up by his encouraging counsels and sup- 
 port, these simple and good men could accomplish much 
 in the furtherance of the gospel. Hence the first scattered 
 sparks of piety, which flickered in America, at once sought 
 to connect themselves with him. The poor emigrants 
 from this country and Ireland, who, belonging to the Me- 
 thodist body, were made the instruments of introducing 
 the system, — carried with them the traditions of his excel- 
 lencies. They considered themselves his children, and 
 connected with the united societies ; they had received 
 their religious enjoyments in union with his followers ; they 
 had been trained under the discipline he had established ; 
 and hence, in their new circumstances, they could not look 
 upon their expatriation as an excision from the parent tree. 
 This, in some measure, accounts for the facts alluded to ; 
 namely, that of a great result growing out of very insig- 
 nificant means. And yet, by reason of its connexion with 
 Mr. Wesley, nothing seems fortuitous. The rise and pro- 
 gress of Methodism in the States does not look like a happy 
 
11' 
 
 f 
 
 ^' i 
 
 ! 
 
 1 ' " 
 
 t'f 
 
 1 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 204 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 accident ; tliough, in some of its features, it is sufficiently 
 curious. The modes of the divine operation are often mys- 
 terious; but there seems to be one unalterable inile in the 
 economy of Ciiristianity, that is, to bless man by man. The 
 pervading will of God, as well as the influences of his 
 grace, is, indeed, actively and constantly at work in con- 
 nexion with the progress of his gospel, but not so as to 
 exclude human labour. 
 
 This will of God is eclectic as to the choice of agents ; 
 electing some to be the depositaries of power, of trust, and 
 of government ; giving these parties, truly and really, a 
 divine mission, authenticated by gif^s, influence, and bless- 
 ing, though nci by visible miracles , and, as their work .'s 
 amongst souls, and refers especially to religion, bestowing 
 upon them a remarkable degree of spiritual power, in the 
 form of confidence, exercised in their functions and call. 
 On this principle our Founder was an elect man ; chosen 
 for his position ; endowed with divine gifts ; made the cen- 
 tre of a great spiritual power ; and became the instrument 
 and messenger of a new development of the Christian re- 
 ligion ; and, inasmuch as he was " ordained a vessel unto 
 honour," God gave him the hearts and aff'ections of men. 
 By reason of this it will be seen, *\mt when the little rills 
 began here and there to bubble up in America, they con- 
 nected themselves directly with Mr. Wesley ; and thus 
 brought themselves into close and intimate contact with the 
 Fountain of all grace, through the instrumentality of one 
 who had been thus chosen, as the chief channel of its 
 communication in the line in question. The evidences that 
 this is the Avork of God, are complete. Indeed, the social 
 progress of the United States is not more in proof of the 
 contemporary existence and operation of the moral ele- 
 ments of civilization — than the origin and progress of 
 Methodism is in proof of the presence, influence, and vari- 
 ous gifts and blessings, of the Spirit of God, in connexion 
 with its triumphs. 
 
 
PART II.— NOTICES OF METHODISM. 
 
 205 
 
 s 
 
 is sufficiently 
 ire often mys- 
 5le i-ule in the 
 by man. The 
 lences of his 
 kvork in con- 
 not so as to 
 
 3 of agents; 
 of trust, and 
 nd reallv, a 
 3, and bless- 
 heir work 's 
 >, bestowin 
 5wer, in tlie 
 IS and call, 
 an ; chosen 
 id the cen- 
 instruraent 
 iristian re- 
 essel unto 
 IS of men. 
 
 little rills 
 they con- 
 and thus 
 
 with the 
 ^y of one 
 el of its 
 ices that 
 he social 
 of the 
 )ral ele- 
 ress of 
 id vari- 
 nne.'iion 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 The Introduction of Methodism into New-York— Philip Embury -Begms to 
 preach - Captain Webb — The first Society — Preaching-Houses — Robert 
 Strawbridge comnences preaching in Maryland— Freeborn Garrettson — 
 Captain Webb's Labours in Long Island and Philadelphia — Attempts to gel 
 Mr. Henson appoiatci to America— Reflections on these Agents — The Class- 
 Meeting. 
 
 We now hasten to give some notice of the introduction of 
 Methodism into America. Twenty-seven years had passed 
 from the time of the estc^ lishment of the " United So- 
 cieties" in England, and thirty-seven from the period of the 
 meeting of the rudimental society, or " Godly Club," in 
 Oxford, before it made its Avay into New- York, in 1Y66. 
 It is impossible to suppose, that this time had elapsed 
 without emigrant Methodists having arrived from the 
 mother coimtry. They had, consequently, lost their reli- 
 gion, or passed into other connexions ; in the former case, 
 they had been absorbed in the world, as the persons who, 
 at the above date, were instr umental in beginning the Avork, 
 were in danger of being. 
 
 "Philip Embury, and a be */ii of emigrant Methodists from Ire- 
 land, had so far given up their profession as to become card- 
 playei's, Avhen another family arrived from Ireland, amongst Avhom 
 was ' a mother in Israel,' to Avhose zeal in the cause of God they were 
 all indebted for the revival of the spirit of piety amongst them. Soon 
 after their arrival, this good woman ascertained, that those who had 
 preceded her had so far departed from their ' first love,' as to be min- 
 gling in the frivolities and infid amusements of life. The know- 
 ledge of this painful fact aroused her indignation, and, with a zeal 
 which deserves commemoration, she suddenly entered the room 
 where they were assembled, seized the pack of cards with which they 
 were playing, and threw them into the fire." 
 
 How great the pity, that the name and future circum- 
 stances of this noble-minded woman are not preserved ! 
 She may be justly considered as the real instrument of 
 the work which followed ; inasmuch as she roused the 
 
Al\ 
 
 206 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 slumbering men tioni their lethargic dreams, and put them 
 
 in motion. 
 
 " Addrossin;,' Embury, slic said, ' You must prcacli to us, or we 
 shall all f,'o to hell together, aud (• ' nill rciiuirc our blood at yoiu* 
 hands.' He tremblinj^ly reidied, 'j Mot i)rcach,for I have m'ither 
 a house nor a conprepition.' ' I'reu i your own house fu'st, and 
 to our own company,' was the reply. Feclinj; the responsibility of 
 his situation, and not beinj? able any lonjjjer to resist the importuni- 
 ties of his reprover, he consented to eonii)ly with her request; niul, 
 accordingly, preached his iirst scnnon in his own hired house, to five 
 persons only. This, it is believed, was the first Methodist sermon 
 ever ')reachcd in America." — Bangs's ■'■ History of Mdhodisvi,'^ vol. i, 
 pp. 47, 48. 
 
 Thus began Methodism in America. The circumstances 
 are not very auspicious, and the chief agent, as we see, not 
 a very promising person. Had not tlie faith and zeal of 
 our female heroine come in to the help of pusillanimous 
 men, the feeble spark would, at this time, no doubt, have 
 gone out ; and the origin of this great cause would have 
 commenced at some other point, and, possibly, have as- 
 sumed another character. "From this time they gradually 
 gathered strength, till they were able to rent a room in the 
 neighbourhood, of larger dimensions. Here they assembled 
 for mutual edification, Mr, Embury continuing to lead their 
 devotions, and to expound to them the word of God." — 
 Idem, p. 46. 
 
 Captain Webb n ade his appearance on the scene soon 
 after their first feeble efforts, greatly strengthening the 
 confidence of the " little flock," and, instrumentally, aug- 
 menting their numbers. He had been brought to the 
 knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins, at Bristol, 
 about the year 1765 ; and, it seems, immediately began to 
 call sinners to repentance. The character of his preaching 
 may be pretty well ascertained, by an entry or two in Mr. 
 Wesley's Journal. He says, — 
 
 " Captain "Webb preached at the Foundry. I admire the wisdom 
 of God in thus raising up various preachers, according to the various 
 tastes of men. The captain Lj all life and fire ; therefore, although 
 
 tUMMifflttJH 
 
TAUT II.— NOTICES OF METllODItJM. 
 
 207 
 
 and put them 
 
 <'h to us, or Mc 
 r Mood at your 
 f I Imve iK'ithfr 
 liou.sc first, and 
 t'si)on.sil)ility of 
 the inii»ortiini- 
 • request ; and, 
 fl house, to five 
 thodist sermon 
 'hodism;' \o\. i, 
 
 rcumstances 
 
 we see, not 
 
 and zeal of 
 
 usillanimous 
 
 Joubt, ]iave 
 
 ivouJd ]iavc 
 
 y, have as- 
 
 Y gradually 
 
 oom in the 
 
 assembled 
 
 lead their 
 
 |f God."— 
 
 cene soon 
 ening the 
 ^illy, aug- 
 »t to the 
 t Bristol, 
 began to 
 reaching 
 o in Mr. 
 
 e wisdom 
 c various 
 although 
 
 he is not deep, or rejjular, yet many wlio would not hoar a hettor 
 prcaehcr, floek to hear him. And many are convineofl under ids 
 prcaehing, some justified, a few built up in love." — " Works^' vol. iii, 
 p. 287. 
 
 " Captain Webb lately kindled a flame here. (Devizes,) and it is 
 not yet gone out. Several jiersons were still rejoicin;; in God ; and 
 the people, in general, were much (piickened. I fotnid his preaching 
 in the street at Winchester had been blessed greatly. Many were, 
 more or less, convinced of sin ; and several had found peace with 
 God. I never saw the i)reachiiig-house so crowded before, with se- 
 rious and attentive hearers." — Idem, vol. iv, p. 261. 
 
 At the period under review, the captain was stationed 
 at Albany, the capital of the province of New-York ; and 
 his appearance on the theatre must have created great 
 interest in the public mind. His rank in life, his military 
 costume, — in which it seems he preached, — his dauntless 
 resolution, his fervid spirit, would, in a thoughtless and 
 dissipated population, succeed much more in rousing at- 
 tention tiian regular ministrations, however plain or elo- 
 quent. Accordingly, his preaching " drew many to the 
 place of worship ; and the room where they as.sembled 
 soon became too small to accommodate all who ^ ished to 
 hear. Sinners were awakened and converted to God, and 
 added to the society. These, continuing to walk in the 
 * fellowship of the Holy Ghost,' Avere much strengthened 
 and comforted ; while others, who beheld their godly con- 
 versation, were convinced of the power and excellence of 
 their religion." — Banks's " His tori/ of Methodism," vol. i, 
 pp. 49, 50. 
 
 The society of Methodists was now fairly established, the 
 instruments being, as we see, a timid local preacher, a faith- 
 ful and heroic woman, and a brave, believing, and zealous 
 military officer. The hired room now became too small for 
 the congregation, and the next step in advance Avas to rent 
 a rigging-loft, in WilK im-street. This place, like the other, 
 soon becoming too strait, the people began to entertain the 
 notion of building a preaching-house. 
 
208 
 
 TOUU IN AMERICA. 
 
 !'l J| 
 
 
 " Wliiln all ,..p , ... 
 
 ^"y, mul other opulcn/ ' "'P'^''^''' ^^'"^cd on L Z f '^ 
 
 '^n<I from tlu.T ^'''"•'' ^^ >^'»o.n thcv oZ T^'"' ^'^ ''^c 
 
 i '0(cc(l m tlieir undcitakinr' " ^ '^""•^ "^^'om- 
 
 . ^^"s led to the erection nf t i 
 
 from respect for the venornT ' " P-^OP'" calling it 
 
 "Wesley Cl,apel." Thi, !!? '°""<'»^ "^ Methodic 
 
 ever ealled by this „a„ '™ ^T' '"'°'^' "'« «-' e'-'pei 
 
 -""H never a„o,v eit" r'e";^ ''T'''' '""^ ^-% 
 
 *o be called after him. i„ eX":, *""'f y- <»• anything else! 
 
 possessed the power to prZtu '" "' '' '"^ «-^, and 
 
 J'"^ name of the above fema A. .. 
 from oblivion. ''"^'« ^^ been happily rescued 
 
 ;Pee.ing ,„e oirc„„.t„cof „'; -^^f 7"""" "'* «' -X .:" 
 
 people; and I ir '""""^ '" '«<^ive the co„,riJr """ «"= 
 -I W-;n«. ; a„„ „e i,™ '\ ^ « .-'* J""" '-Poral and sp'u' 
 
PAIIT il. — NOTICES OF METHODISM. 
 
 200 
 
 ''le menus to be 
 ■*'n nerossary thv 
 f t'ie Irish t'liii- 
 l>'-"yor for (lircc- 
 ^I'JVssiblc sweet- 
 At the .same 
 >c«iiff sul.niittni 
 i»<loi)tc(l. They 
 3 mayor of the 
 C(l their object, 
 ,'reatly encour- 
 
 el, sixty feet 
 le calling it, 
 Methodism, 
 fii'st chapel 
 ohn Wesley 
 yth'mg else, 
 5 Jived, and 
 
 ly rescued 
 
 of the late 
 
 E])isco])al 
 f and trus- 
 and finally 
 of his age. 
 
 churcJi in 
 
 writer re- 
 ys of Me- 
 -n quite a 
 "fe^s ; and, 
 t into the 
 IS of the 
 •e.' God 
 id spirit- 
 spring 
 >/ of Me- 
 
 Jealous 
 
 labours with j^rcat success. He preached in various places 
 in Long Island, produced great awakenings amongst the 
 peoj)le, and prepared the way for the formation of societies. 
 His love to the Saviour and the souls of men carried him 
 to Philadelphia, and he became the means of laying the 
 foundation of a great work of G(xl in the famous Quaker 
 city. When, in 1709, the iirst missionaries, Messrs, Board- 
 man and Pilmoor, landed at Phibuk-lphia, they found the 
 heroic captain in the city zealously pursuing his cours«% 
 and a society collected by his labours of upwards of one 
 hundred members. 
 
 Much about the time these things were taking place, an- 
 other agent from Ireland, Robert Strawbridge, began to 
 preach in Maryland with equal success. He settled, it 
 seems, in Frederick county in that State, and at first com- 
 menced preaching in his own house. These labours were 
 soon enlarged, and, like his contemporaries in the work, 
 he extended his evangelical exertions to various parts of 
 the country around. The success attendant on these efforts 
 obliged our evangelist to turn his attention to the erection 
 of a place of worship, which he accomplished at Pipe Creek, 
 and which passed under the name of the " log meeting- 
 house." This first Methodist place of worship in Maryland 
 became famous in its history, and several of the early Con- 
 ferences were held within its "log" walls. 
 
 It was in the midst of these first and desultory labours 
 of Mr. Strawbridge, that one of the earliest and most 
 eminent of the native American ministers became acquainted 
 with the way of salvation. Freeborn Garrettson met with 
 Mr. Strawbridge at a friend's house in his own neighbour- 
 hood ; and this incident seems to be the first link in a 
 chain of events, which led that excellent man to become 
 one of the most honoured and successful pioneers in this 
 great work. 
 
 Who does not feel a pleasure in searching out among 
 elevated ridges the springs and rills which, in their course, 
 
210 
 
 '^OUH IN AMERICA. 
 
 I'i < ■ '. 
 
 constitute great rivers' u „ , . 
 
 buUWe is delight in sipjLrL! '? '■"'•'^'"'"- oni, ; 
 
 ■n ' ""'' "'<"> <'«minin. l,o,vT" , ^"'"^'''^ °"t of the 
 
 i' " ^^-^ enough that his f,"'^'""^™S'='"-»sity. B„f 
 h^ve no existence without these™" "-"="^^S««o'.s ecu d 
 g>-eat has its origin i„ f- . ; ' <=''""™'a>-y processes • th„ 
 *''e woodman'^ . '"*''»« "'e river in ti / ^' "'O 
 
 spinning, Xe T /'"/'""S'"-™'^ « I h ""'""'■ 
 '■-de loi^-huT i' I '■""'■'°°'" of the humM ''""^'^'^'fe'^ 
 
 --d dir " t ,"^ ^"""''-■•- Sr:r ? 
 
 ««orts, indicate: I,,,^ S'"' "• ^™" '» "■ Ig^Tt;;. t" 
 "='« 'he characta "" ,^ '"'"P''^' '' '"« be found f. 1 
 
 ifiis ,s evidently true ;„ *i 
 Captain Wehh .„ "'c case under „„ -j 
 
 „ffi X *"^''"s to have K„ "'consideration 
 
 of the true genius and spin^of' 'l''™.'' '^"'^'''' c^bodime™, 
 the grave New-E„.h„T! , ^^"'"'t've Methodism m. 
 '='''^^. would eonsLe 1 "'*«'""'^''' ^"d all m ^of ?'' 
 
 -n "oidiy proeiiiS STi '■'"° -/op d:r 
 
 -'-ofalettertoM^v:re'i„tf;f-':*n. C 
 
 • ="'"« '"'»«elf T. T,, dated 
 
imagination only; 
 ^ at the fountain- 
 "i-glcs out of the 
 r itself a channeJ. 
 conomist ana the 
 for organizations, 
 •"gs are nothing 
 g curiosity. But 
 rregations could 
 ; processes ; the 
 in the fountain ; 
 tJie housewife's 
 ble weaver, the 
 the most ad- 
 disregard, first 
 ^ in despite of 
 found, in fact, 
 
 of operation, . 
 the lines of 
 soul of tJiese 
 ^'en forms, to 
 
 onsideration. 
 embodiment 
 
 ism. What 
 nen of their 
 
 iasm, zeal, 
 
 in the soul 
 
 ^rist. By 
 
 possessed 
 P Embui-y 
 ^ied a sort 
 good cap- 
 pen door, 
 ion. The 
 'i'.. dated 
 
 I'AllT 11. — NOTICES 01' METIIODIBM. 
 
 211 
 
 New- York, April 11th, 1768, gives us some insight into 
 the captain's character and proceedings. 
 
 " For some time few thought it worth their while to hear ; but 
 God so ordered it by his providence, that, about fourteen months 
 ago, Captain Webl), baiTack-master at Albany, (wlio Avas converted 
 three years ago in Bristol,) found them out, and preached in his regi- 
 mentals. The novelty of a man pi-caching in a scarlet coat soon 
 brought greater numbers to hear than the room could contain. But 
 his doctrines were (piite new to the hearers : for he told them point- 
 blank, that all their knowledge and religion were not worth a rush, 
 unless their sins were forgiven, and they had the witness of God's 
 Spirit with theirs that they were his children. This strange doctrine, 
 with some peculiarities in his person, made him soon taken notice of, 
 and obliged the little society to look out for a larger house to preach 
 
 in About this period Mr. Webb, whose wife's relations lived 
 
 at Jamaica, Long Island, took a house in that neighbourhood, and 
 began to preach in his own house, and several other places on Long- 
 Island. Within six months, about twenty-four persons received jus- 
 tifying grace ; nearly half of them whites, the rest Negroes. While 
 Mr. Webb was (fo bonon- his own phrase) 'felling trees on Long 
 Island, b'-other Embury was exhorting all who attended on Thurs- 
 day evenings and Sundays, morning and evening, at the rigging- 
 house, to flee fi-om the wrath to come.' It was the 26th day 
 
 of October last when I arrived, recommended to a person for lodg- 
 ing. I inquired of my host, who was a very religious man, if any 
 Methodists were in New- York; he answered that there was one Cap- 
 tain Webb, a strange sort of man, who lived on Long Island, and who 
 sometimes preached at one Embury's, at the rigging-house." 
 
 It seems that our good captain not only laboured him- 
 self, but exerted his influence to procure others to enter 
 the field. He had an " impression" that Mr. Benson ought 
 to go to America. The matte/, as in all similar cases, was 
 referred to Mr. Wesley, who, in a letter dated March 2d, 
 1773, says, — 
 
 " Certainly, you cannot stir, unless you are clearly satisfied of your 
 call from God. An impression on the mind of another man is no 
 rule of action to you. The reasons you give on the other side arc 
 weighty, and will not easily be answered." 
 
 This call upon Mr. Benson by the captain, roused Charles 
 
212 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 ♦Lesley, who m h' 
 
 "npi-essions arc no morn . ^ "'^ captain's echo Ti, ^• 
 
 George Bell's Z ^' ""'' ''""'y kittle more to Zi "^ <^mam^8 
 
 *h»--'st God t, r "^^'-^^«"«nced,hone,t f"^^'^ ^» *'^-" 
 
 persuaded. ChaWes is i^^ 'fJe ^t T''"""- -" '» "be 
 some t,me, a„d Mr. Benson niav h. ""^ "'"'" "V come 
 he himself evidently refers Hi, ''"' *° ^"^™a; whiki 
 
 that to JmnseJf the "roll" • convince the hmfKn. 
 
 f !-•'• I' -ouM e d ffi Lluo"' """'■^"^ "'-■• d ex' 
 • ™Pressio„" in this ea"e ' ^"""^ """ «''?""■" Webbt 
 P-oe of enthusiasm. ZZZ^r^^'' '^ ■"-^o- ded 
 
 have been justly applied. Butte « ^"^ "™^"'« '»%ht 
 to a man whose affe niefv i ™P''ession " refer^J 
 
 p-tieai ^^^or^:^^:^zr:i'r''''^^^t 
 
 «"d emment eontroversial and Ker" ° *^'""'*^' 'heology 
 
 ■» reason to point him out J .? ^ •''ttainments, seemed 
 
 E»g and for the work. Be ide, ' """' '""'""« ">'»' „ 
 
 ;^ha lance of judgment, two!^, " ^ ^'^^ '° '^^^ ''een 
 
 gone to rCric' Td^'t t ''""■''^"- ■' H^d M^ t" '" 
 -*. as he murCe'd nil if \T»'-de^e 2^ 
 
 "' ««^«' could have had noCce in T' °^- ^«''<'' 
 
 1 ace m the organization 
 
PART II.— NOTICES OF METHODISM. 
 
 213 
 
 ness and energy, 
 
 or not yet going to 
 verable. Mr. F." 
 'lo- The captain's 
 depended on than 
 zealous, loving en- 
 not be called to 
 ' clear,- therefore, 
 efusal." 
 
 ^al parties tJius 
 all refer to the 
 'ali," when di- 
 mmed, and not 
 ^> and to be 
 'I " may come 
 lerica; whilst 
 r» only he ar- 
 the brothers, 
 ^ear and ex- 
 tain Webb's 
 
 i^-founded 
 ^n some in- 
 ^stic might 
 » " referred 
 ng talents, 
 ' theology, 
 ''^> seemed 
 man in 
 iave been 
 t Charles 
 itcher ill 
 
 Benson 
 5 of the 
 nflnence 
 Coke, 
 nization 
 
 of Methodism ; Francis Asbury must have been a secondary 
 man ; and, with Mr. Benson's views and opinions, it is ex- 
 tremely likely, not to say absolutely certain, that the Me- 
 thodist Episcopal Church would never, in its present shape, 
 have existed. On what wonderful contingencies hang the 
 greatest results ! 
 
 These, then, are the agents, and this the beginning, of Me- 
 thodism in America ; now grown to be by far the most nu- 
 merous church in the United States. How different this 
 commencement to any other religious formations in this coun- 
 try ! When the pilgrim fathers sailed in the " Mayflower " with 
 her companion, they constituted a church, an ecclesiastical 
 stat(;. Some of the most eminent Christians, probably, of 
 the age accompanied the expedition ; they were men of I'eal 
 greatness of mind and heart ; they held a doctrinal system, 
 arranged, digested, put into syllogistic order, and defended 
 at all points ; they had left their country for the sake of 
 what they considered a principle, a truth, which they car- 
 ried with them as a sacred deposit, as the ark of God ; the 
 formalities of devotion and of religious rites attended every 
 step ; and they seemed to act upon the conviction that they 
 were going, in the name of their Divine Master, to take 
 possession of a new " land of promise." We do not say 
 they were mistaken in their conv'ctions, or that they failed 
 in their anticipations ; all that is meant to be noticed is, 
 that this was formal, and that the religion of the transaction 
 possessed a shape, a plan. 
 
 When WiUiam Penn took possession of Pennsylvania in 
 the name of Quakerism, this was the case also. The 
 Quaker king was himself a great man in every sense. In 
 family connexions, in social rank, in all the qualities of the 
 statesman, in knowledge and literary attainments, and 
 actual standing in society, William Penn was a man to take 
 rank with peers and princes, philosophers and statesmen. 
 Religion, under the auspices of such a leader, has the 
 appearance of a great interest, and likely to prosper. It 
 
I Iff 
 
 214 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 — -^^^ AMERICA 
 
 tiemands respect anr? i • 
 of the settlers of N. I ^ ^ "^^^^^ ^^oni the Pn.,v 
 
 ™'">''-- Its ftsfdfee;;, ettf " '■" "^ P'''*«"y different 
 >° "eans, „„ scholars,, J ll"''' '"'' "° "^""l «» ra^l 
 
 P; ' and oeenpied the,nse,v^s ^T^'-^' "'" ^""'"on P o 
 "'« general population W ."'" "'^™al affaire of life 
 
 ■^ ^'- «.emsolves nor (he "ol '' "'''""'' "' "^^amcter. Kef 
 
 S.i„::;:r ^''-- SLf oVztt^'' ^^ 
 
 "le, a system, which m fi, ^"^ introduce a 
 
 '": n': ^- ^ ^-t'e «": 7r °' "■™^' ^- "- 
 
 ' f ^e. Us momentum ' uZ . '"' S'*"'" Methodism 
 
 f ;ip'- of Meth°od.m'tr/'^' ^■" «« "'ai' L:': 
 
 likelxr m .1- "fi^^'^tion toman in hi< . mx ' ^7 reason 
 
 • - ^'^^^- B"t how great 
 
'J of parties who 
 i^an abstract 
 Quakerism were 
 /he Puritanism 
 it had its own 
 as a visible em- 
 
 •fectly different 
 name, no rank, 
 lan credentials, 
 and unnoticed 
 ' common peo- 
 
 affairs of life. 
 
 parties lived 
 aracter. Nei- 
 dreamed tbat 
 ' introduce a 
 ^e, was des- 
 
 certainly no 
 uits beyond 
 
 Methodism 
 truth and 
 
 t was trutli 
 
 simplicity. 
 IS array of 
 perimental 
 '' with its 
 
 hat these 
 others. 
 
 to arrest 
 
 itfulness, 
 
 >y reason 
 
 'series, is 
 
 Besides, 
 
 ugh but 
 
 ^y great 
 
 PART II. — NOTICES OF METHODISM. 
 
 215 
 
 1 
 
 the difference between the Methodist doctrine of the par- 
 don of sin, and the Puritan doctrine of the decrees, and the 
 Quaker doctrine of the inward light ! 
 
 The founders of New-England and its religion sought, 
 by all possible means, to establish their repulsive system 
 of election and reprobation ; and, as if to give practical 
 effect to their doctrines, refused residence and neighbour- 
 hood to every one, unless he believed their creed and 
 belonged to their church. The Quaker-prophet taught the 
 people to look within, and to unravel the riglit from, the 
 wrong, the good from the evil, the light from the darkness, 
 the divine from the human ; and insisted that religion was 
 of the nature of an internal oracle, which, if rightly con- 
 sulted, would lead to truth, virtue, and God. The Method- 
 ist, from the earliest period of his appearance in America, 
 on the contrary, went about proclaiming pardon, justifica- 
 tion, as freely procured by the death of Christ, and offered 
 to all men in the gospel. This was his mission, the blessing 
 he preached, the acceptance of which he enforced upon his 
 audience ; teaching, at the same time, the mode of its 
 attainment by faith, and pointing out its evidences and 
 fruits. There is not so much in this to engage philosophy 
 and excite admiration as in the other systems referred to ; 
 but there is much more to meet the w^ants of mankind, to 
 satisfy the cravings of the soul, to ease the anguish of the 
 conscience, and to lead to peace and holiness. Mr. Ban- 
 croft could not write so splendid and philosophical a dis^ 
 sertation on the Methodist doctrine of pardon, as he has 
 produced on the "inward light" of the Quaker system; 
 and yet this doctrine of pardon has done a thousand times 
 more to evangelize his country, and gained a hundred- 
 fold more disciples, than the system he so eloquently eulo- 
 gizes. But this doctrine is powerful, not simply because 
 it is so well adapted to man's state : it is effective, because 
 divine ; the very blessing of the gospel, to which the Holy 
 Spirit gives his testimonv and influence. No one can pos- 
 
'!( » 
 
 216 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 sibly account for the success of the early propagators of 
 Methodistic doctrine, on any other principle than this. It 
 owed next to nothing to its agents, but everything to its 
 own intrinsic truth ; — stripped of all efflorescent verbiage, 
 and rendered poAverful by the blessing of God. 
 
 The only external apphance which Methodism possessed, 
 at this first stage of its existence, was the class-meeting. 
 Many parties will be unable to see anything in this ; and 
 some will smile or sneer, as the case may be. Be this as 
 it may, there can be no doubt that these meetings collected 
 the scattered rays of light into a focus, gave solidity to the 
 work, and fostered the courage and confidence of the dis- 
 ciples ; strengthened, animated, and inflamed their piety 
 and love ; drew out their respective talents, whether for 
 prayer, exhortation, or any other service ; and consolidated 
 their means for exertion and usefulness. The social prin- 
 ciple in religion is power, as well as in other things ; and 
 it is especially necessary in the feeble commencement of any 
 new undertaking. We have seen that Philip Embury and 
 his companions had given way, when roused from their 
 slumbers by the importunities of a more faithful female. 
 The result was, the establishment of what is called " a so- 
 ciety ;" and we hear no more of any vacillations. I'he 
 members of the "little flock" looked after each other; 
 became, in some sort, answerable for each other's character 
 and piety ; assisted each other In their daily trials, and 
 prompted each other " to love and to good works ;" and, 
 by these several means, gave solidity and strength to the 
 whole work. But this is not all ; these class-meetings be- 
 came centres of life. Their several gifts were brought into 
 exercise, and, consequently, improved ; and many of the 
 members, as the result, became eminently useful, who 
 would, probably, have remained in listless obscurity. These 
 classes thus proved to be " schools of the prophets ;" and, 
 like the fountain in the arid desert, sent forth their ferti- 
 lizing waters to the regions around, giving religious verdure 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
 f 
 
propagators of 
 e than this. It 
 iverything to its 
 escent verbiage. 
 
 Jod. 
 
 )(lism possessed, 
 
 e class-meeting. 
 
 ng in this ; and 
 
 be. Be this as 
 
 eetings collected 
 
 ^e solidity to the 
 
 lence of the dis- 
 
 med their piety 
 
 nts, whether for 
 
 ind consolidated 
 
 The social prin- 
 
 her things ; and 
 
 encement of any 
 
 lip Embury and 
 
 ised from their 
 
 faithful female. 
 
 lis called " a so- 
 
 cillations. The 
 
 |er each otlier ; 
 
 hcr's character 
 
 aily trials, and 
 
 |l works ;" and, 
 
 strength to the 
 
 s-meetings be- 
 
 c brought into 
 
 many of the 
 
 y useful, who 
 
 curity. These 
 
 ophets ;" and, 
 
 Irth their ferti- 
 
 [igious vei'dure 
 
 
 PART li. — NOTICES OF METHODISM. 
 
 217 
 
 to places which must otherwise have remained in a state 
 of barrenness and death. 
 
 It results from all that we have seen, in connexion with 
 the early stages of this great revival of religion on the con- 
 tinent of America, that, so far as human and external 
 means are concerned, it owes its origin and progress to two 
 very simple powers, — the doctrine of pardon, and the class- 
 meeting. These, it may be thought by some, are inade- 
 quate means to produce such effects ; that, in point of fact, 
 there must have been something more profound, more 
 recondite. On examination, however, it will be perceived, 
 that, in everything divine, the declaration of the apostle is 
 found true : ** God hath chosen the weak thincfs of this 
 world to confound the mighty." The men first called by 
 Christ to the apostolic office, were selected from amongst 
 the common people ; the speech they employed was plain, 
 pointed, and expressed in the idioms of the times ; the doc- 
 trines they taught were certainly such as we have indicated, 
 and were stated in a popular, and not a scholastic, style ; 
 the societies established were evidently spiritual, practical 
 meetings for merely religious purposes ; and the church- 
 officers were men of plain sense, good character, and emi- 
 nent sanctity ; while their office itself only contemplated 
 the promotion of piety, or relief to the poor. In this 
 manner the Methodist societies were first formed, both in 
 America and elsewhere. Their simplicity was their beauty, 
 their glory, and their strength. This ill accords with the 
 complexity of most ecclesiastical organizations ; in which 
 complexity many, though in great mistake, place their 
 strength. In this work, then, there can be no ground 
 for glorjnng in man. " Not by might, nor by " human 
 " power," were the foundations of Methodism laid in the 
 American colonies. This church can boast of no princely 
 power, no noble patronage, no legislative provision, no 
 chartered immunities, no domestic or foreign support. No 
 apostolic man, linked in the chain of any kind of succession, 
 
 10 
 
m 
 
 218 
 
 TOUll IN AMERICA. 
 
 laid tlie foundations of this gigantic fabric. The Metliodist 
 Church cannot count back to a Peter or a Paul, like the 
 pretence of Rome ; nor can they reckon on great traditional 
 or historic characters, as coming from afar to plant the 
 gospel on their shores. The period will allow of no mys- 
 tery ; no strange missionary, as Patrick in Ireland, can 
 ever be palmed on public credulity, as the agent of this 
 work ; it is not, it cannot be, lost in the dim distance of a 
 remote antiquity. The curious can never dispute about 
 the origin of the movement. Philip Embury, Robert Straw- 
 bridge, Captain Webb, and the " mother in Israel." men- 
 tioned before, instrumentally, laid the foundations of one 
 of the most numerous, well-governed, pious, and useful 
 Prcestant churches in the world ; and the powerlessness 
 of the instruments must lead all to acknowledge, that this 
 is, indeed, the " finger of God." 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Application to Mr. Wesley for Missionaries — Messrs. Boardman and Pilmoor 
 appointed — Account of the State of Things— Messrs. Asbury and Wright — 
 Account of the former— The Spirit of the Clergy — Mr. Jarratt— Thomas 
 Rankin and George Shadford arrive — First Conference. 
 
 We now enter upon a new period in the progress of Me- 
 thodism in America, — the period of more regular ministra- 
 tions. In 1768, the society at New- York addressed Mr. 
 Wesley on the subject of sending them a minister. The 
 writer above referred to, signing himself T. T., was their 
 orcfan. 
 
 • " There is another point far more material, and in which I must 
 importune your assistance, not only in my own name, but also in the 
 name of the whole society. Wc want an able and experienced 
 preacher; one who has both gifts and grace necessary for the work. 
 God has not, indeed, despised the day of small things. There is a 
 real work of grace begun in many hearts, by the preaching r Ir. 
 Webb and Mr. Embury; but, although they are both useful .md 
 their hearts in the work, they want many qualifications for such an 
 
 il » 
 
The Metliodist 
 ca Paul, like the 
 
 great traditional 
 far to plant the 
 -How of no mys- 
 
 in Ireland, can 
 lie agent of this 
 im distance of a 
 !r dispute about 
 y, Robert Straw- 
 
 in Israel." men- 
 indations or one 
 ious, and useful 
 le powerlessness 
 kv ledge, that this 
 
 oardman and Pilnioor 
 Asbury and Wright — 
 Mr. Jarratt— Thomas 
 
 progress of Me- 
 egular ministra- 
 
 addressed Mr. 
 
 minister. The 
 T. T., was their 
 
 in which I must 
 nc, but also in the 
 and experienced 
 saiy for the work, 
 lings. There is a 
 preaching ( Ir. 
 both useful and 
 tions for such an 
 
 PART II. — NOTICES OF METHODISM. 
 
 219 
 
 undertaking ; and tlie progress of the Gospel here depends much 
 upon tlie (jualitications of i)reachers. 
 
 " In regard to a preacher, if possible, we must have a man of wis- 
 dom, of sound faith, and a good disciplinarian; one whose heart and 
 soul are in tlie work ; and I doubt not but, by the fj,oodness of God, 
 such ft flame will be soon kindled, as would never stop till it reached 
 the great South Sea. We may make many shifts to evade temporal 
 inconveniences ; but we cannot pin-chase such a preacher as I have 
 described. Dear sir, I entreat you, for the good of thousands, to use 
 your utmost endeavours to send one over. With respect to money 
 for the payment of the preacher's passage over, if they could not pro- 
 cure it, we would sell our coats and shirts to procii o it for them." 
 
 This letter led to the appointment of the first mission- 
 aries from England. Mr. Wesley, refening to this in his 
 Journal, says, — 
 
 "Tuesday, August 1st, 1769. — Our Conference began in Leeds. 
 On Thursday, I mentioned the case of our brethren in New- York. 
 For some years past, several of our brethren from England and Irc- 
 hmd (and some of them preachers) had settled in North America, 
 and had, in various places, formed societies, particularly in Philadel- 
 phia and New- York. The society at New- York had lately built a 
 commodious preaching-house, and now desired help, being in great 
 want of money, but much -norc of preachers. Two of our preachers, 
 Richard Boardman and Joseph Pilmoor, willingly offered themselves 
 for the service, by whom wc determined to send over jG50, as a token 
 of our brotherly love." 
 
 The two missionaries landed at Gloucester Point, six 
 miles below Philadelphia, October 24th, 1V69. This ought 
 to be regarded as a red-letter day in the history of Me- 
 thodism in America. It is the date of an era; it marks 
 the beirinninjr of a direct connexion between the societies, 
 and the fjither of the entire family ; and it also indicates 
 the period of the admission of a new, a regulating power. 
 Henceforward, the American societies became a part of the 
 pastoral charge of Mr. Wisley and the British Conference; 
 and their history stands intimately connected with that of 
 the entire body. 
 
 On entering upon their duties, our missionaries divided ; 
 Mr. Boardman taking New-York as the centre of his move- 
 
n'T' 
 
 220 
 
 luUK IN AMERICA. 
 
 ' < 'ii ii 
 
 ments, and Mr. Pilmoor, Philadelphia. But, adopting the 
 accustomed rule of itinerancy, they exchanged with each 
 other at certain intervals ; thus giving vitahty and interest 
 to their work, by the effects of varied ministrations. Mr. 
 Pilmoor gave an account of the state of things in Phila- 
 delphia, in a letter dated October 31st, 1*769, only seven 
 days after his arrival. lie says, — 
 
 " By the blessing of God, we arc safely arrived here, after a tedious 
 passage of nine weeks. We were not a little surprised to find Cap- 
 tain Webb in town, and a society of about one bundrcd members, 
 who desire to be in dose connexion witb you. ' This is the Lord's 
 doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.' 
 
 "I have preached several times, and the people flock to hear in 
 multitudes. Svmday evening I went out upon the common. I had 
 the stage appointed for the horse-race for my pidpit, and I thi^'li be- 
 tween four and five thousand hearers, who heard with attention, still 
 as night. Blessed be God for field-])reaching ! When I began to 
 talk of preaching at five o'clock in the morning, the people thought 
 it would not answer in America ; however, I resolved to tiy, and I 
 had a very good congregation. 
 
 " There seems to be a great and cftectual door opening in this 
 country, and I hope many souls will be gathered in. The people, in 
 general, like to hear the word, and seem to have ideas of salvation by 
 grace." 
 
 Mr. Boardman does not write so soon ; but on the 24 th 
 of April, 17*70, he says, — 
 
 " Our house contains about seventeen hundred people. About a 
 third part of those who attend get in ; the rest are glad to hear with- 
 out. There appears such a willingness in the Americans to hear the 
 word, as I never saw before. They have no preaching in some parts 
 of the back settlements. I doubt not but an effectual door will be 
 opened among them. may the Most High now give his Son the 
 heathen for his inheritance ! The number of the blacks that attend 
 the preaching affects me much." 
 
 It is seen by this, that Philip Embury and Captain Webb 
 had done good service. A third preaching-place, holding 
 seventeen hundred persons, was no mean triumph, for the 
 circumstances in which they were placed. 
 
 In the following year another, the most important actor 
 
 
PART II. — NOTICES OF METHODISM. 
 
 221 
 
 lit on the 24th 
 
 nportant actor 
 
 who r\ov appoiuod from Enf^land in Amorica, took his 
 place on the continent, — Francis Ahiuhy, mv-ompanied 
 by Richard Wright. As Mr. Asbury became so conspicu- 
 ous a leader in the affairs of Methodism, it may be as well 
 to give his own account of his early life. 
 
 Mr. Asbury tells us, he was born near the foot of Hamp- 
 stead Bridge, in the parish of Handsworth, four mil^s from 
 Birmingham, on the 20th or 21st of August, 1745. His 
 father and mother, Joseph and Elizabeth Asbury, " were 
 in common life, but remarkable for honesty and industry." 
 On the death of an only daughter in childhood, his mother 
 *' sunk into deep distress, from which she was not relieved 
 for many years." Under this dispensation, " God was 
 pleased to open the eyes of her mind, and she now began 
 to read almost incessantly, strongly urging her husband to 
 adopt family reading and prayer." This affected young 
 Francis ; and he tells us, that from childhood he neither 
 
 " Dared an oath, nor hazarded a lie." 
 
 Being sent to school early, he learned to read the Bible, 
 and took " great delight in the historical parts." His mas- 
 ter, proving a great " churl," and using him " cruelly,'* 
 filled him with such " horrible dread," that it seems he 
 made his escape from this tyranny. This was the amount 
 of his education ; we hear no more of school. He then 
 '* lived some time in one of the wealthiest and most un- 
 godly families in the parish ;" and became " vain, but not 
 openly wicked." When betwixt thirteen and fourteen, he 
 was " put to learn a branch of business, at which he wrought 
 six years and a half," enjoying great liberty in the family, 
 and was " treated more like a son than an apprentice." 
 
 When fourteen years of age, he was awakened by the 
 instrumentahty of a " pious man, not a Methodist," who 
 was invited by his mother to visit the family for religious 
 purposes. He began to attend West Bromwich church, 
 hearing several evangelical ministers, and read all the good 
 
m 
 
 222 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 books he met with. He now inquired of his mother, " who, 
 where, and what were the Methodists ?" and she directing 
 him to " a person who could conduct liira to Wednesbury 
 to hear them," we find him for the first time at this place. 
 ** The people were devout, men and women kneeling down, 
 saying, Arnen.^' They sung hymns, " sweet sound ;" the 
 preacher had " no Prayer-Book, and yet he prayed wonder- 
 fully ;" and, more extraordinary, " he took liis text, and 
 preached, and yet had no sermon-book." " He talked 
 about confidence, assurance, of which," he says, " all my 
 flights a. d hopes fell short." Ho adds, " I had no deep 
 convictions, nor had I committed any deep known sins. At 
 one sermon, some time after, my companion was powerfully 
 wrought on : I was exceedingly grieved that I could not 
 weep like him ; yet I knew myself to be in a state of unbe- 
 lief. On a certain time, when we were praying in my 
 father's barn, I believe the Lord pardoned my sins, and 
 justified my soul." He was now " free from guilt and fear, 
 and had power over sin, and felt great inward joy." He 
 now began to " hold meetings " with his companions, who 
 were " much persecuted ;" the people opening their house? 
 were obliged to close them again. Being driven from these 
 places, he "held meetings" at his father*s house, and went 
 also to Sutton-Colefield for the same purpose, "several 
 souls professing to find peace." He had preached some 
 months before he publicly appeared in the "Methodist 
 meeting-houses ;" and when his labours became more pub- 
 lic and extensive, " some were amazed ; not knowing how 
 he had exercised elsewhere." He now became a local 
 preacher, " the humble and willing servant of any and of 
 every preacher that called on him, by night or by day ; 
 being ready, with hasty steps, to go far and wide to do 
 good." Thus called, he " visited Derbyshire, Stafford- 
 shire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire," " preaching, generally, 
 three, four, and five times a week, and, at the same time, pur- 
 suing his calling." — Ashuri/s Journal,yo\. ii, pp. 133-136. 
 
 I 
 
 ti 
 
 -\ 
 
PART II.— NOTICES OP METHODISM. 
 
 223 
 
 motlier, " who, 
 d she directing 
 to Wednesbury 
 le at this place, 
 kneeling down, 
 }t sound ;" the 
 prayed wonder- 
 { his text, and 
 ' "He talked 
 says, " all my 
 I had no deep 
 nown sins. At 
 was powerfully 
 at I could not 
 I state of unbe- 
 praying in my 
 1 my sins, and 
 I guilt and fear, 
 ard joy." He 
 mpanions, who 
 ng their house? 
 iven from these 
 ouse, and went 
 pose, "several 
 jreached some 
 " Methodist 
 ime more pub- 
 knowing how 
 )ecame a local 
 of any and of 
 -ht or by day ; 
 nd wide to do 
 hire, Stafford- 
 ling, generally, 
 ame time, pur- 
 pp. 133-136. 
 
 
 The account of his entrance on his American mission 
 must be given in his own words : — 
 
 " On the 7tli of Aufjust, 1771, the Conference l)ep;on at Rristol, in 
 England. Before this, I hml felt for half a year strong intimations 
 in my mind that I should visit America ; which I laid hefore the 
 Lord, heing unwilling to do my own will, or to run before I was 
 sent. During this time my trials were very great, which the Lord, 
 I believe, permitted to ])rove and try me, in order to prepare me for 
 future usefulness. At the conference it was proposed that some 
 preachers shotdd go over to the American continent. I Rj)oke my 
 mind and made an offiT of myself. It was accepted l)y Mr. WesU^y 
 and others, who judged I had a call. From Bristol I went homo to 
 acquaint my parents with my great undertaking, which I opened in 
 as gentle a manner as possible. Though it was grievous to flesli and 
 blood, they consented to let me go. My mother is one of the ten- 
 dcrest parents in the world ; but I believe she was blessed in the pre- 
 sent instance with divine assistance to part with me. I visited most 
 of my friends in Staffonlsliire, Warwickshire, and Gloucestershire, 
 and felt much life and power among them. Several of our meetings 
 were lield, indeed, in the spirit and life of God. Many of my friends 
 were stnick with wonder, when they heard of my going ; but none 
 opened their moutlis against it, hoping it was of God. Some wished 
 that their situation would allow them to go with me. 
 
 "I returned to Bristol in the latter end of August, where Richard 
 Wright was waiting for me, to sail in a few days for rhiladelphia. 
 When I came to Bristol, I had not one penny of money ; but the 
 Lord soon opened the hearts of friends, who supplied mc Avith 
 clothes, and £10. Thus 1 found, by experience, that the Lord will 
 provide for those who trust in him. 
 
 " On Wednesday, September 2d, we set sail from a port near Bris- 
 tol; and, having a good wind, soon passed the Channel. For three 
 days I was very ill with the sea-sickness ; and no sickness I ever 
 knew was equal to it. The captain behaved well to us. On the 
 Lord's day, September 8th, brother W. preached a sei-mon on deck, 
 and all the crew gave attention. 
 
 " Thursday, 12th. — I will set down a few things that lie on my 
 mind. Whither am I going ? To the New World. What to do ? 
 To gain honour ? No ; if I know my own heart. To get money ? 
 No ; I am going to live to God, and to bring others to do so. In 
 America there has been a work of God ; some moving first amongst 
 the Friends, but in tine it declined ; likewise by the Presbyterians, 
 but amongst them also it declined. The people God owns in Eng- 
 
224 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 land are the Methodists. The doctrines they preach, and the disci- 
 pline they enforce, arc, I l)elievc, tlic purest of any people in the 
 World. The Lord has greatly blessed these doctrines and this disci- 
 pline in the three kingdoms ; the_^ must therefore be pleasing to 
 him. If God docs not acknowledge me in America, I will soon re- 
 turn to England. I know my views are upright now ; may they 
 never be otherwise !" — Journal, vol. i, pp. 1, 2. 
 
 This is the spirit in which this apostle of Methodism in 
 America began his work, and which only terminated with 
 his life — an eventful period of forty-four years. Th'^rc were 
 now four missionaries from England in America ; and their 
 number was increased by the addition of Robert Williams 
 aiid Johii King, emigrants from the mother-country. The 
 band of brothers evidently laboured together, in general^ 
 harmoniously, and with equal success. The only difference 
 among them seems to have been, on the subject of country 
 work. Mr. Asbury thought his brethren were too fond of 
 remaining in the large towns, while he felt, in the spirit 
 of a true evangelist, that, in order to secure the objects of 
 their mission, it was necessary that the villages and country 
 places should share their attention, and enjoy the benefit 
 of ♦heir ministrations. With these convictions, he deter- 
 mined to sally forth ; and fro)n this time we iind him pro- 
 secuting his itinerant labours with indefatigable zeal — 
 rushing into every open door, and, whore an entrance 
 could not be found, endeavouring to make one. Oi) this 
 subject his remarks are pertinent. On November 20th, he 
 writes ; — 
 
 " I am in York, though unsatisfied with our being both in town 
 together. I have not yet the thing I seek, — a circulation of pieach- 
 ers to avoid partiality and popularity. However, I am i;xed to the 
 
 Meti. ~ list plan, and do what I do faithfully as to God At 
 
 present I am dissatisfied. I judge we are to be shut up in the cities 
 this winter. My brethren seem unwilling to leave the cities ; but I 
 think I shall show them the way. I am in trouble, and more trouble 
 is at hand ; for I am determined to make a stand against all partial- 
 ity. I have lothing to seek but the glory of God, nothing to fear 
 but his disjv ;uoure. I am couie over with an upright intention, and, 
 
 
 .^^ 
 
 ■~L 
 
PART II.— NOTICES OF METHODISM. 
 
 225 
 
 h, and the disci- 
 y people in the 
 s and tliis disci- 
 he pleasing to 
 , I will soon re- 
 now ; may they 
 
 Methodism in 
 rminated with 
 3. Tliore were 
 ca ; and their 
 bert Williams 
 iountry. The 
 r, in general, 
 )nly difference 
 ect of country 
 e too fond of 
 , in the spirit 
 he objects of 
 I and country 
 »y the benefit 
 )ns, he deter- 
 ind him pro- 
 a-able zeal — 
 entrance 
 Oi> this 
 iber 20th, he 
 
 an 
 me. 
 
 both in town 
 tion of pveach- 
 ,m i.xed to the 
 
 God At 
 
 ip in the cities 
 le cities ; but I 
 
 more trouble 
 nst all partial- 
 
 othing to fear 
 intention, and, 
 
 
 through the grace of God, I will make it appear ; and I am deter- 
 mined that no man shall bias me with soft words and fair speeches : 
 nor will I ever fear (the Lord helping me) the face of man, or know 
 any man after the flesh, if I beg my bread from door to door ; but, 
 whomsoever I please or displease, I will be faithful to God, to the 
 people, and to my own soul." 
 
 Here we have the moral elements formino- the character 
 of Fra'icis Asbury. Firmness, fearlessness, integrity, sin- 
 gleness of eye for the glory of God, an intense love to the 
 souls of men, faithfulness to the leading idea of Method- 
 ism, happiness in labour ; — from which he never deviated 
 to the end of life. Such was the man called of Provi- 
 dence to take the lead in this enterprise, in great measure 
 to guide its counsels, and to become its chief apostle. 
 
 At this period the Methodist preachers in America, as 
 •well as in England, considered themselves connected with 
 the Church. Two incidents may be mentioned to show how 
 they fared with different classes of the clergy. In Kent 
 county, Mr. Asbury relates, that he was encountered by 
 Mr. R., a church minister. 
 
 " He charged me with making a schism. I told liim that I did 
 not draw the people from the church, and asked him if his church 
 was then open. He then said, that I hindered the people from theur 
 work. I asked him if fairs .nd horse-races did not hinder them ; and 
 further told him, that I came to help him. lie said, he had not 
 hired me for an assistant, and did not want my help. I told him, if 
 there were no swearers or other sinners, he was sufficient. ' But,' 
 said he, 'what do you come for'?' I replied, 'To turn sinners to 
 God.' He said, ' Cannot I do that as well as you V I told him that 
 I had authority from God. Ho then laughed at me, and said, ' You 
 are a fine fellow, indeed !' I told him I did not do this to invalidate 
 his authoritv : and also -xavc him to understand, that I did not wish 
 to dispute with him ; but he said he had business with me, and came 
 nUo the house in a great rage. I began to preach, and to exhort the 
 people to repent, and turn from all their transgressions, so iniquity 
 should not prove their ruhi. After preaching, the pa- son went out, 
 and told the people they did wrong in coming to hear me ; and said, 
 I spoke against learning ; whereas, I only spoke to this pui-pose : — 
 "When a man turned from all sin, he would adorn every character in 
 life, both in church and state." 
 
 10* 
 
"W 
 
 
 226 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 jj 
 
 This sort of clergy generally predominated in the south- 
 em provinces ; but Mr. Jarratt, of Virginia, was an ex- 
 ception. 
 
 " Under his preaching there was a considerable revival at a place 
 called White Oak. In imitation of Mr. Wesley and his preachers, Mr. 
 Jarratt fonned those who were awakened to a sense of their danger 
 into a society, that they might assist each other in working out their 
 salvation. The good cifects of these meetings were so apparent, in 
 producing the fruits of ' good living,' that they were encouraged, and 
 the revival went on gradually, chiefly under the laboui-s of Mr. Jar- 
 ratt, from 1771 to 1773, spreading from fifty to sixty miles in the re- 
 gion round about." — Bamjs's " Histoi-y of Methodism " vol. i, p. 76. 
 
 This good man identified himself with Methodism, afford- 
 ed his countenance and encouragement to the preachers, 
 him.v^lf took part in their labours, attended some of their 
 early meetings in Conference, threw open his door for 
 their entertainment ; and, in fact, became to the infant 
 cause in America exactly what Mr. Fletcher of Madeley, or 
 Grimshaw of Haworth, were to the Methodists of England 
 in their day. 
 
 In June, 1773, two other missionaries, Thomas Rankin 
 and George Shadford, landed in Philadelphia ; and as Mr. 
 Rankin had travelled several years longer in England than 
 Mr. Asbury, Mr. Wesley appointed him the general assist- 
 ant (superintendent) of the societies in America. 
 
 Mr. Rankin seems to have received, with the superintend- 
 ency, full powers from Mr. Wesley to hold a Conference. 
 Accordingly, we find, the first Conference ever held in 
 America was convened to meet in Philadelphia, in July, 
 Ills. Up to this time the business of the- Church had 
 been transacted at the quarterly meetings. 
 
 At this Conference we find the following questions and 
 answers : — 
 
 " 1. Ought not the authority of Mr. Wesley and that of [the Eng- 
 lish] Conference to extend to the preachers and people in America, 
 as well as Great Britain and Ireland 1 
 
 " Ans.— Yes. 
 
PART II. — NOTICES OF METHODISM. 
 
 227 
 
 I in the south- 
 la, was an ex- 
 
 evival at a place 
 lis preacliers, Mr. 
 J of their danger 
 forking out their 
 e so apparent, in 
 encouraged, and 
 •om-s of Mr. Jar- 
 f miles in the re- 
 " vol. i, p. 76. 
 
 lodism, afFord- 
 Jie preachers, 
 some of their 
 his door for 
 to the infant 
 of Madeley, or 
 its of England 
 
 lomas Rankin 
 
 ' ; and as Mr. 
 
 England than 
 
 >eneral assist- 
 
 ca. 
 
 } superintend- 
 
 a Conference. 
 
 ever held in 
 phia, in July, 
 
 Church had 
 
 uestions and 
 
 fit of [the Eng- 
 de in America, 
 
 " 2. Ought not the doctrine and discipline of the Methodists, as 
 contained in the Minutes, to be the sole rule of our conduct, who la- 
 bour in the Connexion with Mr. Wesley in America ? 
 
 " Ans.— Yes. 
 
 " 3. If so, does it not follow, that if any preachers deviate from the 
 Minutes, we can have no fellowship with them till they change tlieir 
 conduct ? 
 
 " Ans.— Yes." 
 
 The following rules were agreed to by the preachers 
 present : — 
 
 " 1. Every preacher who acts in connexion with Mr. Wesley, and the 
 brethren who labour in America, is strictly to avoid administering 
 the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's supper. 
 
 " 2. All the people among whom we labour to be earnestly ex- 
 hoi*ted to attend the church, and tq receive the ordinances there ; but 
 in a particular manner to press the people in Maryland and Virginia 
 to the observance of this minute." 
 
 Thus the Methodist system was fairly established, and 
 its discipline agreed upon, by the consent of the brethren. 
 Mr. Rankin is reported to have been a stern disciplinarian 
 of the Presbyterian class ; a Scotchman by birth and edu- 
 cation, and somewhat inflexible in his character, after the 
 manner of his countrymen. 
 
 The above resolutions were not passed without debate, 
 or carried into effect without opposition. There seems to 
 have been no demur in regard to the authority of Mr. 
 Wesley and the British Conference ; but on the question 
 of the sacraments, the feeling was not equally unanimous. 
 Some of the brethren, as Mr. Strawbridge, had been in the 
 habit of administering these sacred rites to the satisfaction 
 of the people, so that the rule on the subject came into 
 collision with the practice of some of the societies. On 
 other points there was some difference of opinion, and the 
 New- York people threatened to shut the doors of their chapel 
 against Mr. Rankin. These differences gradually subsided, 
 and by the careful enforcement of discipline, together with the 
 faithful ministerial labours of the preachers, order became 
 predominant, and prosperity attended the work. By the 
 
■«1" 
 
 Bi ;.i! 
 
 |il| ! 
 
 228 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 merciful ordination of Divine Providence, this work of 
 union took effect at the right time. Events of a distressing 
 character were approacliing ; and if this consolidation had 
 not been then attained, the probability is, that it would not 
 have been secured for many years, if at all. Peace being 
 established, the brethren had time to extend their evange- 
 lical labours through various portions of the provinces of 
 New- York, Virginia, Maryland, Long Island, Delaware, the 
 Jerseys, Pennsylvania, as well as in the cities. From what 
 followed, it almost seemed as if Mr. Rankin had received 
 an especial commisoion to grapple with the incipient disor- 
 ders which had unhappily crept in, and establish on a firm 
 foundation the whole Methodist system, before the revolu- 
 tionary hurricane broke out. 
 
 Hi'i' 
 
 CHAPTER lY. 
 
 The Revolutionary Period— Messrs. Rankin, Shadford, and Rodda depart for 
 England— Adventures of Sliadford— Asbury determines to remain— His Exer- 
 cises of Mind— Finds Refuge in the House of Judge Wliite— Persecutions of 
 Messrs. Hartley and Garrettson— Mr. Jarratt's Account of a Revival of 
 Religion in Virginia— Reflections on the Revolution— John Calvin's Dogma- 
 Originates the Revolution— Its Success. 
 
 We now approach the revolutionary period, v/hich, to the 
 infant Methodist Church, was a sore trial. With the Eng- 
 lish preachers a point of conscience of a very perplexing 
 nature at once arose. The Americans began their work by 
 resolving themselves into an independent confederation, in 
 these words : " Resolved, that these united colonies are, 
 and of right ought to be, free and independent States ; that 
 they are absolved from all allegiance to ilie British crown ; 
 and that all political connexion between them and the State 
 of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved." 
 This instrument bears date July 2d, IIIQ. — Hickey's Con- 
 stitution of the United States. This, of course, left British 
 subjects no choice ; they were either obliged to renounce 
 
 i'l : 
 
 III 
 
 ' ;t 
 I 
 
 ^^^ X 
 
PART II.— NOTICES OF METHODISM. 
 
 229 
 
 his work of 
 a distressing 
 )lidation had 
 it would not 
 Peace being 
 their evange- 
 provinces of 
 )e]aware, the 
 From what 
 had received 
 cipient disor- 
 ish on a firm 
 e tlie revolu- 
 
 odda depart for 
 main— His Exer- 
 ■Persecutions of 
 a Revival of 
 alvin's Dogma— 
 
 lich, to the 
 th tlie Eng- 
 perplexing 
 leir work by 
 deration, in 
 olonies are, 
 States ; that 
 tish crown ; 
 d the State 
 dissolved." 
 key's Con- 
 Mi British 
 o renounce 
 
 their allegiance to their own sovereign, leave the coun- 
 try, or evade the laws by concealment. All the preach- 
 ers, except Mr. Asbury, chose at once to return home. 
 But this was evidently a great exercise of their feelings. 
 They delighted in their work, saw much good going on, 
 and had the prospect of witnessing the spread of religion 
 on a magnificent scah. 
 
 The agitations of mind and positive dangers to which these 
 good men were exposed, are truly affecting. On Tuesday, 
 May 10th, 1775, Mr. Rankin remarks : — 
 
 " The preachers came together from their different circuits, and 
 next day we began our little Conference. We converscn togetlier, 
 and concluded our business in love. !Mr. Strengcr spent some time 
 witli us. We all came unanimously to the conclusion to follow the 
 advice that Mr. "VVosley and his brethren had given us, and leave the 
 event to God. \Vc had abundant reasor to bless God for the increase 
 of his work last year. "We haO abov^; a tliousand added to the dif- 
 ferent societies, and they had increased to ten circuits. Our joy in 
 God would have been abundantly more, had it not been for the pre- 
 parations of war that now rang throughout this city. (Philadelphia.) 
 
 I endeavoured to open up and enforce the cause of our misery. 
 
 I told them that the sins of Great Britii md her colonies had long 
 called aloud for vengeance, and in a particular manner the dreadful 
 sin of buying and selling the souls and bodies of the poor Africans, 
 the sons and daughters of Ham." 
 
 How singular that we should find, in the midst of these 
 notes of civil war, the following entry ! — 
 
 " I called at Mr. Fairfax's, (a relation of old Lord Fairfax.) a gen- 
 tleman of large estate, and who of late years had been savingly 
 brought to the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was over at 
 Baltimore at oiu* little conference ; and at the lovefeast that followed, 
 he spoke of what God had done for his soul with such simplicity and 
 unction from on high, as greatly affected every one who heard him. 
 May he live to be aii ornament to the Gospel of the Lord Jesus !" 
 — Jackson's '^ Lives ofEorli/ Methodist Preachers,''^ vol. ii, pp. 189-191. 
 
 Mr. Rankin seems to have made his escape on pretty 
 easy terms ; but George Shadford was called to encounter 
 more formidable difficulties. He savs, — 
 
230 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 n 
 
 " The next summer and winter I spent in Maryland ; the Avinter 
 on the Eastern Shore, Avherc I couhl labour and be at peace ; b-' m 
 the test-oath must take place there also, I was brought to a str-HL. I 
 had sworn allcfj^iancc to tlie king twice, and could not swear to re- 
 nounce him forever. I dare not play with fast-and-lcose oaths, and 
 swallow them in such a manner. We could not travel safe without 
 a pass, nor have a pass without taking the oaths. At our Quarterly 
 Meeting, I said to brother Asbury, ' Let us have a day of fasting and 
 prayer, that the Lord nuiy direct us ; for we never were in such cir- 
 cumstances as now, since we were Methodist ])rcachers.' We did 
 so ; and in the cvcninr? I asked him how he had found his mind. 
 He said lie did not see his way clear to go to England. I told him 
 I could not stay, as I believed I had done my work here at present ; 
 and that it was as much impressed upon my mind to go home now, 
 as it had been to come over to America. He replied, ' Then one of 
 us must be under a delusion.' I said, ' Not so ; I may have a call to 
 go, and you to stay ;' and I believe we both obeyed the call of Provi- 
 dence. We saw we must part, thougl^ we loved as David and Jona- 
 than. And indeed the;^e times made us love one another in a pecu- 
 liar manner. how glad \vcrc we to meet, and pour our grief into 
 each other's bosom ! 
 
 " Myself and another set off, having procured a pass from a colo- 
 nel, to travel to the general ; and, arriving at the head-quarters, we 
 inquired for General Smallwood's apartments ; and, being admitted 
 to his presence, and asked our business, we told his Excellency that 
 we were Englishmen, and both Methodist preachers ; and, as we con- 
 sidered ourselves subjects of Great Britain, wc could not take the 
 test-oath ; therefore should be very glad to return home to our na- 
 tive land. "^ We cast ourselves,' we added, ' wholly upon your Ex- 
 cellency's generosity, and hope, as you profess to be fighting for your 
 liberties, you will grant us to have a pass, to have liberty to return to 
 our own land in peace.' He answered roughly, ' Now you have done 
 us all the hurt you can, you Avant to go home.' I told him our mo- 
 tive ha'' been to do good ; for this end we left our own country, and 
 had been travelling through the woods for several years, to seek and 
 to save that which was lost. It was true, we could not beat the poli- 
 tical drum in the pulpit, preaching bloody sermons, because we con- 
 sidered ourselves messengers of peace, and called to preach the gos- 
 pel of peace. At last he lold us he would give us a pass to the Eng- 
 lish, if we wotild swear we would go directly to Pliiladelphia, and 
 from thence embark to Great Britain. He then swore us, and gene 
 rously gave us our liberty without any further trouble." — Jackson's 
 " Lives of Early Methodist Preachers.''^ 
 
 tx 
 
PART II.— NOTICES OP METHODISM. 
 
 231 
 
 land ; the winter 
 at peace ; b- ' ^s 
 ht to a str-Ui. I 
 not swear to rc- 
 ■loosc oaths, and 
 Lvel safe without 
 It our Quarterly 
 vy of fasting and 
 rerc in such cir- 
 :'hcrs.' We did 
 bund his mind, 
 nd. I told him 
 liere at present ; 
 3 go home now, 
 I, ' Then one of 
 y have a call to 
 ic call of Provi- 
 )avid and Jona- 
 3thcr hi a pecu- 
 r our grief into 
 
 ss from a colo- 
 nd -quarters, we 
 being admitted 
 Lxcellency that 
 and, as we con- 
 d not take tlie 
 )mc to our na- 
 pon your Ex- 
 hting for your 
 ty to return to 
 you have done 
 
 him our mo- 
 1 country, and 
 ■s, to seek and 
 
 beat the poli- 
 cause we con- 
 I'oach the gos- 
 5s to the Eng. 
 adelphia, and 
 us. nnd gene 
 ." — Jackson's 
 
 The danger, however, was not at an end. The same 
 night, Mr. Shadford tells us, that " a man leaped from 
 behind a bush with his gun loaded "nd cocked," and, pre- 
 senting it " at his breast, swore, like a fiend," that if he did 
 not stop he should be a dead man. This man finally 
 " dropped his gun," and allowed the Methodist preacher 
 to take his departure. The next day he got to Chester 
 "with his saddle-bags upon his back;" and, at night, 
 "crept on his hands and knees on a narroAv plank to that 
 part of the bridge that remained standing, and got his 
 horse over the next morning." lie arrived at Philadelphia 
 the next day, and met three or four preachers who, 
 like himself, " were refugees." They remained six weeks 
 in Philadelphia, then took ship for Cork, thence to Wales, 
 and finally for Bristol ; and Mr. Shadford " felt a very 
 thankful heart when he set foot on English ground, in a 
 land of peace and liberty, where was no alarm of war or 
 bloodshed." 
 
 The stout-hearted Francis Asbury was a man of another 
 mould; he would neither take the "test-oath," nor return 
 to his native land. He resolved to bravj all difliculties, 
 remain at his post, and serve his brethren and the cause 
 of his Divine Master as best he could There is something 
 remarkable in the incidents connected with the final settle- 
 ment of this apostle of Methodism in Ame'?a. Before the 
 war broke out, there was evidently some misunderstanding 
 between Mr. Rankin [Wesley's Works, vol. vii, pp. 9, 10) 
 and Mr. Asbury ; and Mr. Wesley again and again recalled 
 the latter, but he firmly, though no doubt respectfully, 
 refused to obey.* Let us listen to the noble sentiments 
 of this true man on the subject of deserting the work in 
 America. 
 
 * The first time I ever saw David M'Nicoll, when very young-, I have a dis- 
 tinct recollection that he said of his countryman, Rankin, that ho was Mr. 
 Wesley's cat's-paw. Great men generally have this kind of animal attached to 
 them, often without any design of their own. 
 
ff 
 
 232 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 I 
 
 n 
 
 l> 
 
 "I received a letter from Mr. T. R., (no doubt Rankin,) in which 
 he informed me, that himself, Mr. R., (Rodda,) and Mr. D., (Demp- 
 ster,) had consulted, and deliberately concluded it would be best to 
 return to England. But 1 can ])y no means af^rcc to leave such a 
 field for gathering souls to Christ as we have in America. It would 
 be an eternal dishonour to the Methodists, that we should all leave 
 three thousand souls who desire to commit themselves to our care ; 
 neither is it the i)art of a good shepherd to leave his flock in time of 
 danger ; therefore 1 am determined, by the grace of God, not to 
 leave tlicm, let the consequence be what it may. Our friends here 
 appeared to be distressed above measure, at the thoughts of being for- 
 saken by the preachers. So I wrote my sentiments both to Mr. R. 
 and Mr. G. S."— JowrHa/, vol. i, pp. 118, 119. 
 
 Being soon after this left to himself, as far as regards 
 the English preachers, it seems from his journal that he 
 suffered great perplexity and agitation of mind. But he 
 continued through the whole period to breathe a noble 
 spirit of piety and devotedness to God. His apprehen- 
 sions of God, the strength and stability of his faith, the 
 tenderness of his spirit, the regularity and fervour of his 
 prayers, (determining to spend ten minutes in every hour 
 in this exercise,) fed his piety, and strengthened his reso- 
 lution. And then the remarkable caution, forbearance, 
 and prudence he manifested; the ardent, untiring, steady 
 zeal, which moved in him with the regularity of the pulse of 
 life ; the heroism of his soul in all possible sufferings and 
 perplexing difficulties ; the decision he continued to mani- 
 fest, in the midst of great temptations to deviate, in support 
 of the doctrines and discipline of Methodism ; and then his 
 indefatigable labours in travelling and preaching, — are all 
 points of excellency, which are finely and fully brought out 
 by these trying events. 
 
 Mr. Asbury was, moreover, evidently a man of much 
 sorrow. The depth of his feelings corresponded with the 
 eminence of his piety, and the delicacy of his spiritual af- 
 fections. Instead of manifesting anything like exultation 
 or bravado in his differences with Rankin, and the part he 
 was obliged to take during the troubles of the war, we find 
 
PART II. — NOTICES OP METHODISM, 
 
 238 
 
 his spirit is prostrate in tho dust, his soul lacerated with 
 feelings of anguish, and he is constantly heard to sigh after 
 the rest and peace of heaven ; very often uttering his 
 wishes in the pathetic language of Charles Wesley's poetry. 
 The outward incidents of his life, in these eventful years, 
 are as nothing compared with the spiritual, the suhlime, 
 exercises of his mind. In the case of those who are in tho 
 hands of God, everything turns to good account. Baxter 
 conceived the idea of his Saints' Rest at Melbourne Hall, 
 in a state of great debility, and when unabl'^ to perform 
 more active service ; and John Bunyan wrou^jut out his 
 wonderful dream, the " Pilgrim's Progress," in Bedford jail. 
 Though Francis Asbury did not write a book in the seclu- 
 sion into which, for a part of the time, he was driven ; yet 
 he diligently improved his time in reading and study, so Jis 
 to attain a fitness for his subsequent work, Avhich probably 
 he would not have so fully possessed without these trials. 
 In nothing does this eminent servant of the Lord Jesus 
 appear so great as in his spiritual character and walk 
 with God ; and perhaps these excellences shine forth in 
 more lustre and strength at this period than at any other 
 of his hfe. 
 
 Refusing to take the oath required in the provinces in 
 which he had spent most of his time, Mr. Asbury retired 
 to Delaware, and was most hospitably entertained and pro- 
 tected in the house of Judge White, for about twelve 
 months. He gives the following account of his reasons for 
 this step : — 
 
 "From March, 1778, on conscientious principles, I was a non- 
 juror, and could not preach in the State of Maryland, and, therefore, 
 withdrew to the Delaware State, where the clergy were not required 
 to take the state-oath ; though, with a clear conscience, I could have 
 taken the oath of the Delaware State, had it been required; and 
 would have done it, had I not been prevented by a tender fear of 
 hurting the scrupulous consciences of others. St. Paul saith, ' When 
 ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak consciences, ye 
 sin against Christ.' " — Journal^ vol. i, p. 208. 
 
234 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 ilN 
 
 We have other sufferers in the cause of religion, as well 
 as Mr. Asbury. 
 
 '• Mr. Joseph Hartley, also, another travellinp; preacher, a man of 
 great zeal and faithfulness, was i pprchcnded in Queen Ann's county 
 for preaching the Gospel, who gave bonds and security to ai)pear for 
 trial at the next court. Being fc>rl)idden to preach, ho attended his 
 appointments ; and, after singing and prayer, stood npon his knees 
 and exhorted the people, until hi.s enemies said that he might as 
 well preach standing on his feet as his knees. lie went thetice to 
 Talbot county, where he was seized and committed tt) jail for ' preach- 
 ing Jesus Christ and him crucified.' This, however, by no means 
 silenced him. The people collected around the walls of Jiis jjrison ; 
 he preached to them through the grates : and so powerfully was the 
 word applied to their hearts, that some of them were decidy awaken- 
 ed to a sense of their lost and guilty state, and began earnestly to 
 seek the Lord. This induced some of the iidiabitants to remark, 
 that unless Hartley were released from prison, he would convert the 
 whole town. After keeping him confined for some time, he was set 
 at liberty ; but such had been the blessed cifects of his preaching, 
 that a powerful revival followed, which terminated in the establish- 
 ment of a flourishing society in that place." — Bangs's " Uistory of 
 Methodism^'' vol i, p. 127. 
 
 Mr. Freeborn Garrettson also suffered greatly. 
 
 " He was knocked off his horse by a brute named Brown, his liead 
 much bruised by the blows he received, and was preserved from 
 death, probably, by a female parsing at the time, who, possessing a 
 lancet, very opportunely bled him on the spot. After his restoration 
 to his senses, a magistrate, as violent as Brown himself, proceeded 
 to write a mittimus to send him to prison. But his exhortations and 
 appeals, delivered in the spirit of the Gospel, so disarmed his as- 
 sailants that they desisted, and allowed him to go at largo. How- 
 ever, after spending some time in indefatigable labours in his Mas- 
 ter's cause, he was finally sent to jail. Though he suffered much in 
 body in consequence of having no other bed than the floor, with his 
 saddle-bags for his pillow, with two large windows open upon him, 
 yet he enjoyed great spiritual consolation in prayer and meditation, 
 reading and writing, and was not a little comforted by the visits and 
 prayers of his friends and pious acquaintances." 
 
 Before his trial commenced, however, he was liberated, 
 through Mr. Asbury's intercessions with the governor 
 
iligion, as well 
 
 :;achcr, n man of 
 en Ann's county 
 Ity to ui)pcar for 
 he attended liis 
 
 upon his knees 
 lat lie might as 
 ' Avent tlienco to 
 jail for 'preaeh- 
 M', by no means 
 Is of Jiis j)rison ; 
 verfully Avas tlie 
 dee])ly awakcn- 
 :an earnestly to 
 mts to remark, 
 iild convert the 
 ime, he was set 
 
 Ills preaching, 
 n the establish- 
 s's '' History of 
 
 rown, liis head 
 eserved from 
 , possessing a 
 lis restoration 
 elf, proceeded 
 lortations and 
 irmed his as- 
 large. How- 
 's in his Mas- 
 pred much in 
 loor, with his 
 ^n upon liim, 
 d meditation, 
 he visits and 
 
 liberated, 
 governor 
 
 PART II.— NOTICES OP METHODISM. 
 
 235 
 
 of Maryland. — Bangs's ** History of Methodism,'' vol. i, 
 p. 127. 
 
 As might be expected, the societies were greatly agi- 
 tated during the war. The question of the sacraments, as 
 we have seen, came into discussion ; and, being pressed 
 upon the subject by the people, a part of the preachers 
 had ordained each other, and administered the ordinances. 
 Mr. Asbury, Freeborn Garrettson, and one or two more, 
 however, remained faithful to Mr. Wesley's principles, and 
 firmly confronted the innovators. A partial separation, 
 for a season, took place ; but by the excellent conduct and 
 judicious management of Mr. Asbury, connected with much 
 prayer, the breach was finally healed, and the dissenting 
 brethren not only returned to their old fellowship, but re- 
 nounced their ordination and the practice of administering 
 the sacraments at the same time. 
 
 Wli .t is remarkable, in the midst of the commotions of 
 war, and the agitations of the times. — a mos^ extraordinary 
 revival of religion took place in Virginia ; and very much 
 by the instrumentality of the Rev. Mr. Jarratt, minister of 
 the English Church. 
 
 We see from this that God's spiritual temple w.is being 
 built in troublous times. War, the worst of all calamities, 
 was mitigated in its horrors " by the peaceable fruits of 
 righteousness." 
 
 In the midst of all these difficulties, Methodism, as an 
 organization, as well as in its spiritual triumphs, made con- 
 siderable progress during these dreary years. At the close 
 of the war the Church numbered eighty-three preachers, 
 and fourteen thousand nine hundred and eighty-six mem- 
 bers. The Conference held in 1*782 performed an act of 
 justice in regard to Mr. Jarratt by passing the following 
 resolution : — 
 
 " The conference acknowledge their obh'gations to the Rev. Mr. 
 Jarratt, for his kind and i.iendly services to the preachers and peo;)Ic, 
 from our first entrance into Virginia, and, more particularly, for ut- 
 
23G 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 tending our eonferoncc in Sussex, in puMie and private ; and advise 
 the preachers in tlie South to eonsult hiiu and taiic his adviee in the 
 absence of brother Asbury." 
 
 Thus luive wo brought our historical notices down to one 
 of the most eventful periods in the annals of this country 
 and of America. The loss of her colonies by Groat Britain 
 was an event of the greatest national consequence, an 
 awful catastrophe. The merits of the contest, the princi- 
 ples involved, tlie spirit manifested on either side, the policy 
 of the (rovernments, and tht talents and blunders of each, 
 are points lying altogether beyond our hue. But it was a 
 fearful thing to see masses of men of the same race arrayed 
 in deadly conflict. It may be very true that great princi- 
 ples were at stake, groat interests the prize of battle, great 
 issues the result ; but this does not alter the painful nature 
 of the fact, that the combatants were brethren. The pas- 
 sions then called forth, and the aninn),ities created, could 
 not but convulse both communities to their centres. To any 
 other nation, less elastic and energetic than Great Britain, 
 the loss of such territory, wealth, population, and political 
 power, — must have produced a perfect paralysis, have 
 prostrated the nation irrecoverably, and sunk her to the 
 state of a fourth or fifth rate power. And to any other 
 people than the children of this country, the prize won 
 would inevitably have entailed insuperable difficulties. 
 
 But the event itself is one of those stupendous facts of 
 history which God decrees once in the course of many 
 centuries, for the creation of new epochs on the theatre of 
 nations. Its morale is infinite : it must reach through all 
 time ; and touch and influence the destinies, in one way or 
 other, of all countries. The reflux of the tide is now felt in 
 all nations ; and the flow of events cannot be turned till all 
 old things pass away, and, for good or evil, all things be- 
 come new. Would the first French Revolution ever have 
 taken place, or, if it had occurred, have assumed its demo- 
 cratic form, had La Fayette and his legions never visited 
 
I'AUT 11. — NOTICES UF METHODISM. 
 
 •1'67 
 
 America, nnd imbib(>d the spirit of tho revolt? Would the 
 thrones of Europe have been shaken by the revolutionary 
 war, and the mighty organic changes have been effected 
 by even that war, which really occurred, had not this de- 
 mocratic spirit prevailed ? Would the decimating power 
 of the movement have swept away the old aristocracy, and 
 the older church, so as to make way for the military dicta- 
 torship of Napoleon, had it not been for tliis prcdominrmt 
 tendency ? Would the singular events of the present day 
 — the republicanism of France, the revolts of all the nations 
 of Europe against their dynasties, the establishment of the 
 democratic power, more or less developed, in new and un- 
 tried institutions ; the freedom of the press, the opening of 
 legislative chambers, the unrestrained expression of public 
 opinion, and the strange sight of all kings and princes per- 
 mitted to reign at all, borne upon the shoulders of the 
 people to their thrones — Avould these things ever have 
 occurred had it not been for American republicanism be- 
 coming indigenous on the oil of France ? Who can sec 
 the end of these things ? No one ; it is impossible. Time 
 alone can develop the principles and agencies now at work. 
 The swell of the Atlantic, of the western waves, is now 
 felt on every shore of Europe and of the world ; and, 
 from appearances, it seems not likely to abate till the 
 tide has borne American principles to every nation under 
 heaven. 
 
 How little did John Calvin think of the egg he was 
 hatching when, in his quiet study, in the quiet little city of 
 Geneva, he first broached the doctrine that it was lawful 
 for Christians, under certain circumstances, to resist their 
 rulers ! This thunderbolt of John Calvin is the poAver which 
 has shaken the world ever since ; and it is that which is 
 heard in the air at this moment. Right or wrong, it is 
 religion, that is, the dogma of a religious man, which has 
 worked all the revolutions of the world. John Calvin's 
 doctrine, studied and imbibed by the Puritans, caused 
 
,*"* 
 
 ¥' 
 
 
 IP' 
 
 'I ! 
 
 Ifif^^l 
 
 238 
 
 TOUr. IN AMERICA. 
 
 them to question the power of Queen Elizabeth and the 
 Stuarts in ecclesiastical matters ; '.heir collisions with the 
 legitimate representatives of the "divine right" principle 
 led to the English Grand Rebellion: this, again, led to 
 innovations in the constitution of our country, and the 
 existence of the Protectorate. Tl:f> republicanism of Eng- 
 land nursed young republicans for the wilds of America, 
 where, under the guise of religious freedom, they were all 
 along building up a de^jocratic fabric; till the whole issued, 
 as we have seen, in the independence of the States, and the 
 mighty changes now taking place in the world. If the 
 present movement should, in its desolating effects, subvert 
 even Popery itself — not a vcr}- impiobable thing, as so 
 much has already been done — this will have been effected 
 by John Calvin ; that is, by the idea which he first broach- 
 ed, and which has been, like a rolling substance, gathering 
 bulk, solidity, and strength to the present moment ; and is 
 destined, like the '* stone cut out of the mountain without 
 hands," to dash in pieces the image, whether of gold, sil- 
 ver, brass, clay, or iron — t'.s image of the beast and false 
 prophet, together with all the forms of power which have 
 so long propped up this monstrous tyranny. 
 
 But the American Revolution is likely to produce an 
 equally wide impression of a religious nature. The exam- 
 ple of a great nation adopting the purely voluntary princi- 
 ple will, it is extremely likely, be followed by others. The 
 people, who arc now everywhere claiming for themselves 
 the privilege ot choosing their own temporal rulers, are not 
 likely, for any length of time, to allow the extraneous 
 appointment of religious governors. The public will claim 
 for itself the right of giving its suffrages in matters ecclesi- 
 astical. This principle, indeed, is sheady powerfully at 
 work. Either a pure voluntaryism, or else nationalism, 
 which is only voluntaryism in a national form, as seems 
 from the tendencies of events, must predominate. A sys- 
 tenl which nations choose for themselves, may possibly find 
 
PART II.—NOTICES OF METHODISM. 
 
 239 
 
 )eth and the 
 ons with the 
 ht" principle 
 again, led to 
 ry, and the 
 lism of Eng- 
 of America, 
 Lhey were all 
 whole issued, 
 :ates, and the 
 Drld. If the 
 ects, subvert 
 thing, as so 
 been effected 
 first broach- 
 le, gathering 
 Qent ; and is 
 itain without 
 of gold, sil- 
 ist and false 
 which have 
 
 produce an 
 
 The exam- 
 
 itary princi- 
 
 thers. The 
 
 themselves 
 ers, are not 
 
 extraneous 
 c will claim 
 tcrs ecclesi- 
 )werfully at 
 nationalism, 
 I, as seems 
 . A sys- 
 ossibly find 
 
 
 
 a place in the new order of ideas ; but as to a religious 
 yoke being imposed by a foreign church — as in the case of 
 Popery in ancient times — this is utterly impossible in the 
 present state of things. The dooinnes of the Papacy may 
 indeed prevail in places where they have been held for a 
 great length of time, till something better obtains ; but as 
 to anything like the old dominion of the Holy See, this 
 cannot find place in the midst of the growing democracy 
 of the world. Indeed, institutions of every kind seem des- 
 tined to be controlled by the public voice. 
 
 The American Revolution, both in its political and reli- 
 gious phases, may be considered as the advent of a new 
 revelation of ideas ; as initiating a new class of social 
 relations ; as founding a new order of institutions ; as 
 creating a new, a democratic force, of tremendous power ; 
 as ushering into the social state a new, but universal, ele- 
 ment, destined, like the atmosphere, or some other ubiqui- 
 tous agency, to modify all existing things ; — in a word, to 
 put the world upon a new path, another probation, an 
 untried exercise of its moral and political capacity. America 
 has r tood before the world, up to this time, like an athletic 
 youth just having escaped from the care of parents and 
 governors. How it will ultimately fiire can scarcely be 
 divined at present. Either from the conviction of conscious 
 strength ; from a repugnance of evils, endured or imagined ; 
 from the teachings of history, and the antecedent miseries 
 of mankind, as suffered in the old world ; from the abhor- 
 rence of the chains which governments and priestlioods had, 
 in every nation of Europe, forged for the people, and suc- 
 cessfully riveted on their limbs ; from a detestation of the 
 waste of public money, the hard earnings of the labouring 
 classes, in the gorgeous decorations of tiie abodes of pam- 
 pered idleness and debauchery ; from the notion that men, 
 equally made in the image of God, are not, as a cons(!quence, 
 destined to be the playthings of vanity or the sport of 
 despotism, but alike possess all the rights of manhooc^and 
 
li 
 
 240 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 are equally capable of its duties and its blessings ; from the 
 impression that rot and decay had entered the timbers of 
 the old social edifices, through the ignorance, impotency, 
 and pride of those who, for age after age, had inhabited 
 them, and which were about to fall over their heads ; from 
 a conviction of the dreadful evils of war and bloodshed, 
 generally arising out of the thirst for aggrandizement, the 
 lust of ambition, the support of despotism, the quarrels of 
 state-gamblers and | rize-fighters, and never, on one side, 
 from truth and ji stice ; — we say, from one or all these 
 considerations the American people determined on abandon- 
 ing the old systems, and to put themselves to the onerous 
 task of working out a new theory. Their trial has proved 
 to be the trial of the world. 
 
 The French, in the exuberance of tlu'ir vanity, attribute 
 the advent of democratic principles to themselves. They, 
 in their own opinion, are the apostles of liberty ; the 
 philosophy of modern civilization originated with them ; 
 their nation constitutes the only focus of light and intelli- 
 gence ; and, moreover, tliey are destined to renovate the 
 world. The egotism apart, the truth is not so. The 
 American Revolution is the event to which we must look 
 as giving the impulse to the new order of things ; and the 
 seeds of this were laid in the Puritanism of the first 
 settlers. 
 
 The disputes about the legality of this revolution are all 
 lost in the splendour of the issue. Nobody now ever thinks 
 of the principles involved, or the disputants on either side. 
 The fact is, in itself, too great to admit of these minor 
 considerations ; it is, in truth, the fad of modern history. 
 What will be the consequences of independence to the 
 Americans themselves ? Hitherto it is vain to deny that 
 the attempts at self-government have been most successful. 
 No doubt there are ferocious passions in Ami lica ; and tales 
 about the uses made of the bowie-knife, Lynch-law, arid 
 mam?rs of that sort, are abundantly rife. It would, indeed, 
 
 > • 
 
PART II. — NOTICES OF METHODISM. 
 
 241 
 
 have been a marvel, if a scattered population, living in 
 remote places, away from the seats of government and 
 magistracy, were not guilty of some excesses. And in 
 passing from under the power of the parent state, and 
 consolidating their own government, it would be equally a 
 matter of astonishment if everything connected with the 
 state-machine could at once be laid in an even balance, and 
 be made to work without friction. But, bating unavoidable 
 accidents, and the imperfections attendant upon all human 
 affak*s, the establishment of the American system and social 
 state must be pronounced hitherto as a perfectly successful 
 experiment. That other races should attempt to follow in 
 th^ aame direction, is no wonder; but it does not follow 
 that they can successfully tread in the steps of the Anglo- 
 American people. The soil was free, the space ample ; the 
 institutions founded among them while colonies of Great 
 Britain were essentially democratic ; the people had been 
 educated for generations in the principles of self-govern- 
 ment, and in most places elected their magistrates, and 
 often the governor himself. In this state of things there 
 was no antagonistic power upon the soil. They had no 
 throne to overthrow, no aristocracy to decimate, no hierar- 
 chy to proscribe, even no code of law to abrogate. Every- 
 thing favoured the exp'eriment ; and, allowing for the 
 infirmities of human nature, it must be conceded by all 
 candid persons that hitherto the people have been true to 
 the doctrines of their origin as an independent nation ; and 
 that the establishment of the U:uted States in their free and 
 confederated nationality is the greatest event of modem 
 
 times. 
 
 11 
 
 •V; 
 
242 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 i 
 
 m 
 
 »h. 
 
 *<, 
 
 In 
 
 III 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 fJeasures preparatory to the Organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church- 
 Application of the People to Mr. Wesley — His Advice— Dr. Bangs's Account 
 — Ths Church formed— Success. 
 
 We now approach a period in the history of Methodism 
 in the United States, of g?^:at importance ; namely, its 
 establishment as an independent church. On the cessation 
 of the war of independence, the American Methodists 
 immediately resumed their intercourse with Mr. "V^t'^Jey, 
 and sought his counsels and advice. The retirement of Mr. 
 Rankin had obliged them to act for themselves ; and the 
 preachers, by their own vote, made Mr. Asbury assistant 
 in his place. This term, at the time, indicated thnt the 
 person bearing the name was assistant to Mr. Wesley , i.id, 
 consequently, implied subordination to him and the confer- 
 ence in England, By this act, then, it is apparent, that 
 they did not contemplate a separation. They had no notion 
 of independence, and did not assert it. The venerable man 
 at once entered into their case, and gave them such advice 
 a.i he deemed most expedient in their new and altered 
 poiition. In a letter dated Bristol, Octobel* 3d, 1783, he 
 writes : — 
 
 " 1. Let all of yoti be determined to abide by the Methodist doc- 
 trine and discii^line, published in the four volumes of sermons, and 
 the Notes upon the New Testament, together with the Large 
 Minutes of Conference. 
 
 " 2. Beware of preachers coming from Great Britain or Ireland 
 Avithout a full recommendation from me. Three of our travelling 
 preachers here eagerly desired to go to America ; but I could not 
 approve of it by any means ; because I am not satisfied that they 
 thoroughly like either our discipline or doctrines ; I think they differ 
 from our judgment in one or both. Therefore, if these or any others 
 come without my recommendation, take care how you receive them. 
 
 " S^feither should you receive any preachers, however recom- 
 men(flR, who will not be subject to the American Conference, and 
 
PART II. — NOTICES OF METHODISM. 
 
 243 
 
 cheerfully conform to the Minutes both of the American and Eng- 
 lish Conferences. 
 
 " 4. I do not wish our American brethren to receive any who 
 make any difficulty in T-eceiving Francis Asbury as the general 
 a^ssistant. 
 
 " Uii'lonbtedly the great danger to the work of God in America is 
 likely to arise either from preachers coming from Europe, or from 
 such as will arise among yourselves, speaking perverse things, or 
 bringing in among you new doctrines, particularly Calvinian. You 
 should guard against this with all possible care ; for it is far easier 
 to keep them out than to thrast them out. 
 
 '• I commend you all to the grace of God, and am your friend and 
 l)rother, John Wesley." 
 
 This advice was soon followed by greater and much more 
 important events. We refer to the organization of the 
 American societies into a regular and independent church. 
 Til is event is so important in itself, possesses so great a 
 bearing on the unexampled success of Methodism in the 
 United States ; and, by some, is thought to fix upon Mr. 
 Wesley the blemish of inconsistency with his cherished and 
 long-avowed principles; — that it see -s necessary tv go into 
 the question. The account given by Dr. Bangs is so exact, 
 and his reasonings upon the case are so perfectly sober and 
 conclusive, and, withal, must, to most in this country, be so 
 new, that it is thought best to give the narration in his own 
 words. 
 
 " We have arrived at a very important period in the history of 
 Methodism in this country. And as so much has been said respect- 
 ing the constituting of the Methodist societies here into an inde- 
 pendent Church, I shall, in the first place, give a detail of the facts in 
 the case, and, secondly, offer some arguments in defence of the 
 measure. 
 
 " I. Hitherto the Methodists, both in Europe and America, had 
 been considered as a society ivithin a church ; in Great Britain they 
 considered themselves as members of the Establishment, in America 
 as members of that denomination to which they might be attached. 
 The preachers in both hemispheres, not having been consecrated to 
 their work by the imposition of hands, were distinguished as ' lay- 
 preachers,' and had not, except in the instance heretofore narrated, 
 presumed to administer the ordinances of baptism and the Eord's 
 
mm 
 
 244 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 supper. Under these circumstances much uneasiness had been 
 manifested both in Europe and America, more especially here. But 
 all solicitftion, whether from the preachers or people, for the estab- 
 lishment of a separate church, had been stitnuously resisted by Mr. 
 "Wesley, as being foreign to his primary design, and incompatible 
 with the principles he had avowed from the beginning of hi: minis- 
 tiy. He commenced his ministerial labour with the single intention 
 of reviving evangelical religion in the Church, by preaching her doc- 
 trines, and enforcing her discipline. This was the state of things at 
 the time of which we are now speaking. 
 
 "As, however, the colonies had now become an independent 
 government, no longer under the control of Great Britain, either in 
 civil or ecclesiastical matters, Mr. Wesley began to relax from the 
 sternness with which he had heretofore resisted the solicitations of 
 the American Methodists, and to think seriously of granting their 
 requests ; and after consulting with his most intimatt' friends re- 
 specting the propriety of tlie measure, — for of its lawfulness he had 
 no doubt, — he resolved to grant their request, and adopted means to 
 carry the resolution into effect. ' At the conference held in Leeds, 
 in 1784, he declared his intention of sending Dr. Coke and some 
 other preachers to America. Mr. Richard Whatcoat and Mr. Thomas 
 Vasey offered themselves as missionaries for that pin-pose, and were 
 accepted. Before they sailed, Mr. Wesley abridged the Common 
 Prayer-Book of the Church of England, and wrote to Dr. Coke, then 
 in London, desiring him to meet him in Bristol, to receive fuller 
 powers, and to bring the Rev. Mr. Creighton with him. The Doctor 
 and Mr. Creighton accordingly met him in Bristol ; when, with their 
 assistance, he ordained Mr. Richard Whatcoat and Mr. Thomas 
 Vasey presbyters for America ; and being peculiarly attached to 
 every rite of the Church of England, he afterward ordained Dr. 
 Coke a superintendent, giving him letters of ordination under his 
 han*^. and seal, and at the same time the following letter, *o be printed 
 and circulated in America :'* — 
 
 " ' To Dr. Coke, Mr. Asbury, and our Brethren in North America. 
 
 " ' Bristol, Sept. }Oth, 1784. 
 '"1. By a very uncommon train of providences, many of the pro- 
 vinces of North America arc totally disjoined from the British em- 
 pire, and erected into independent states. The English government 
 has no authority over them, either civil or ecclesiastical, any more 
 than over the States of Holland. A civil authority is exercised over 
 them, partly by the Congress, partly by the State assemblies. But no 
 
 ^ * Moore's " Life of Wesley," vol. ii, p. 273. 
 
PART II. — NOTICES OF METHODISM. 
 
 245 
 
 one either exercises or claims any ecclesiastical authority at all. In 
 this peculiar situation some thousands of the inhabitants of these 
 States desire my advice : and, in compliance with their desire, I have 
 drawn up a little sketch. 
 
 '• ' 2. Lord King's Account of the Primitive Church convinced mc, 
 many years ago, that bishops and presbyters are the same order, and, 
 conser[ucntly, have the same right to ordain. For many years I have 
 been importuned, from time to time, to exercise this right, by ordain- 
 ing part of our ^ravelling preachers. But I have still refused, not only 
 for peace' sake, but because I was detennined as little as possible 
 to violate the established order of the national church, to which I 
 belonged. 
 
 " ' 3. But the case is widely different between England and North 
 America. Here tliere are bishops who have a legal jurisdiction. In 
 America there are none, and but few parish ministers ; so that, for 
 some hundred miles together, there is none either to baptize or to ad- 
 mhiister the Lord's supper. Here, therefore, my scnxples are at an 
 end ; and I conceive myself at full liberty, as I violate no order, and 
 invade no man's right, by appointing and sending labourers into the 
 harvest. 
 
 '"4. I have accordingly appointed Dr. Coke and Mr. Francis Asbu- 
 ry, to be joint superintendents* over our brethren in North America. 
 As also Richard" Whatcoat and Thomas Vascy to act as elders 
 among them, by bnptizing and administering the Lord's supper. 
 
 "'5. Ifany one will point out a more rational and scriptural way 
 of feeding and guiding those poor sheep in the wilderness, I will 
 gladly embi-ace it. At present I cannot see any better method than 
 that I have taken. 
 
 " ' 6. It has, indeed, been proposed to desire the English bishops to 
 oitlain part of our i)reachcrs for America. But to this I object, (1.) 
 I desired the bishop of Ix)ndon to ordain one only ; but could not 
 prevail: (2.) If they consented, we know the slowness of their pro- 
 ceedings; but the matter admits of no delay : (3.) If they would or- 
 dain them now, they would likewise expect to govern them. And 
 how grievously would this entangle us ! (4.) As our American 
 brethren are now totally disentangled both from the state and from 
 the English hierarchy, we dare not entangle them again, either with 
 the one or the other. They are now at full liberty simply to follow 
 the Scriptures and the primitive Church. And we judge it best that 
 they should stand fast in that liberty wherewith God has so strangely 
 made them free. John Wesley.' 
 
 * " As the translators of our version of the Bible have used the English 
 word ' bishop' instead of * superintendent,' it has been thought by us that it 
 would appear more Scriptural to adctpt their term ' bishop.'— Discipline." 
 
246 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 ■ i! 
 
 '*'4f 
 
 \i :■:■ 
 
 I ^ 
 
 Mi 
 
 i!i 
 
 
 " The following is the letter of ordination which Mr. Wesley gave 
 to Dr. Coke : — 
 
 " ' To all to whom these presents shall come, John Wesley, late 
 Fellow of Lincoln College, in Oxford, presbyter of the Church 
 of England, scndcth greeting : 
 
 " ' Whereas many of the people in the Southern provinces of 
 North America, who desire to continue under my care, and still ad- 
 here to the doctrine and discipline of the Church of England, are 
 greatly distressed for want of ministers to administer the sacraments 
 of baptism and the Lord's supper, according to the usage of the same 
 church ; and whereas there docs not appear to be any other way of 
 supplying them with ministers : 
 
 " ' Know all men, that I, John Wesley, think myself to be provi- 
 dentially called at this time to set apart some persons for the work 
 of the ministry in America. And, therefore, under the protection of 
 Almighty God, and with a single eye to his glory, I have this day 
 set apart as a superintendent, by the imposition of my hands, and 
 prayer, (being assisted by other ordained ministers,) Thomas Coke, 
 doctor of civil law, a presbyter of the Church of England and a man 
 whom I judge to be well qualified for that great work. And I do 
 hereby recommend him to all whom it may concern, as a fit person 
 to preside over the flock of Christ. In testimony whereof I have 
 hereunto set my hand and seal, this second day of September, in the 
 year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-four. 
 
 "'John Wjesley.' 
 
 « 
 
 " Being thus furnished with the proper credentials, in the month 
 of September, Dr. Coke, in company with Messrs. Whatcoat and 
 Vasey, set sail for America, and landed in the city of New- York on 
 the 3d* of November, 1784. From thence they proceeded through 
 Philadelphia to the State of Delaware, where, on the 15th day of the 
 same month, he met Mr. Aslniry, at BaiTatt's chapel. Mr. Asbury 
 gives the following account of this meeting : — 
 
 " ' Sunday, 15th. — I came to Barratt's chapel. Here, to my great 
 joy, I met those dear men of God, Dr. Coke and Richard Whatcoat. 
 We were greatly comforted together. The doctor preached on 
 Christ our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. 
 Having had no opportunity of conversing with them before public 
 worship, I was greatly surprised to see brother Whatcoat assist by 
 taking the cup in the administration of the sacrament. I was 
 shocked when first infonned of the intention of these my brethren in 
 coming to this country : it may be of God. My answer then was, 
 If the preachers imanimonsli^ choose me, I shall not act in the capaciti^ I 
 
PART II.— NOTICES OF METHODISM. 
 
 247 
 
 Wesley gave 
 
 Wesley, lato 
 the Church 
 
 Provinces of 
 and still ad- 
 England, are 
 c sacraments 
 of the same 
 )ther way of 
 
 to be provi- 
 br the work 
 )rotcction of 
 ive this day 
 
 hands, and 
 lomas Coke, 
 
 and a man 
 And I do 
 a fit person 
 rcof I have 
 tnber, in the 
 four. 
 
 the month 
 atcoat and 
 w-York on 
 ed through 
 
 day of the 
 »Ir. Asbury 
 
 • my great 
 Whatcoat. 
 eached on 
 idemption. 
 ore public 
 assist by 
 t. I was 
 rethren in 
 then was, 
 capacity I 
 
 have hitherto done by Mr. Wesley^s appointment. The design of organ- 
 izing the Methodists into an independent Episcopal Church was 
 opened to the preachers present, and it was agreed to call a General 
 Conference, to meet at Baltimore the ensuing Christmas ; as also 
 that brother Garrettson go off to Virginia to give notice thereof to 
 the brethren in the South.' 
 
 " According to this arrangement, Mr. Garrettson set off imme- 
 diately on his Southern journey, sending letters to those he could 
 not see ; and Dr. Coke spent the intermediate time in visiting various 
 parts of the country, and preaching to the people. On Friday, the 
 26th, Mr. Asbury says, ' I observed this day as a day of fasting and 
 prayer, that I might know the will of God in the matter that is to 
 come before the conference. The i)rcachers and people seem to be 
 much pleased with the projected plan ; I myself am led to thinh it is 
 of the Lord. I am not tickled with the honour to be gained. I see 
 danger in the way. My soul waits upon God. O that he may lead 
 us in the way we should go ! ' 
 
 " In confonnity with the above arrangement, December 25th, sixty 
 out of the eighty-three preachers then in the travelling connexion, 
 assembled in the city of Baltimore for the conference, in which Dr. 
 Coke presided, assisted by Mr. Asbury ; and the first act of the con- 
 ference was, by a unanimous veto, to elect Dr. Coke and Francis 
 Asbury as general superintendents ; for although Mr. Asbury liad 
 been appointed to that high office by Mr. Wesley, yet he declined 
 acting in that capacity independently of the suffrages of his brethren 
 over whom he must preside. After his election, being first ordained 
 a deacon, then an elder, Mr^sbury was consecrated by Dr. Coke, 
 .assisted by several elders, to the office of a superintendent, in the 
 manner set forth in the following certificate : — 
 
 " ' Know all men by these presents, tliat I, Thomas Coke, doctor 
 of civil law, late of Jesus College, in the University of Oxford, pres- 
 byter of the Church of England, and superintendent of the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church in America ; under the protection of Almighty 
 God, and with a single eye to his glory ; by the imposition of my 
 hands, and prayer, (being assisted by two ordained elders,) did, on 
 the twenty-fifth day of this month, December, set apart Francis As- 
 bury for the office of a deacon in the aforesaid Methodist Episcopal 
 Church. And also on the twenty-sixth day of the said month, did, 
 by the imposition of my hands, and prayer, (being assisted by the 
 said elders,) set apart the said Francis Asbury for the office of elder 
 in the said Methodist Episcopal Church. And on this twenty- 
 seventh day of the said month, being the day of the date hereof, 
 have, by the imposition of my hands, and prayer, (being assisted by 
 
m 
 
 248 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 ,* 
 
 i 
 
 ,ii? 
 
 ha 
 I'll 
 
 ■\ 
 
 
 the said elders,) set apart the said Francis Ashury for the office of a 
 superintendent in the said Methodist Episcopal Church, a man whom 
 I judge to be well qualified for that great work. And I do hereby 
 recommend him to all whom it may conicrn, as a fit person to pre- 
 side over the flock of Christ. In testimony whercoil I have Jiereunto 
 set my hand and seal, this 27th day of l)eceml)er, in tlie year of our 
 Lord 1784. TiiOMAS Coke.' 
 
 " One of the elders who assisted at the consecration of Mr. Ashury, 
 was the Rev. Mr. Otterbine, a minister of tiie German church. Hav- 
 ing enjoyed an intimate acquaintiuico with this pious and evangelical 
 minister of Jesiis Christ, and having full fellowship with him as a 
 laborious and useful servant of God, Mr. Asbury i-equested that ho 
 might be associated with Dr. Coke and the other elders in the per- 
 fonnance of this solemn ceremony. 
 
 " The following pei-sons were elected, twelve of whom were conse- 
 crated elders : — Freeborn GaiTettson, William Gill, Lo Roy Cole, 
 John Ilagerty, James O. Cromwell, John Tunnel, Nelson Reed, 
 Jeremiah Lambert, Reuben Ellis, James O'Kelly, Richard Ivey, 
 Beverley Allen,* and Henry Willis. Mr. Garrettson and Mr. Crom- 
 well Avcre set apart especially for Nova Scotia, to which place they 
 soon after went ; and their labours and success will be noticed in the 
 proper place. Mr. Lambert wjis ordained for the island of Antigua, 
 in the West Indies. 
 
 " John Dickins, Caleb Boyer, and Ignatius Pigman, were elected 
 deacons. 
 
 " II. Having thus given an account of these transactions, we pro- 
 ceed to offer fi, few arguments in their defence. Let it be recollected, 
 
 " I. That there was a loud call for these things. Most of the 
 clergy of the English Church, during the revolution, had fled from 
 their flocks ; and those avIio remained, with very few exceptions, 
 were fit for anything rather than ministers of the Gospel. From 
 the hands of such men the Methodists felt unwilling to receive the 
 ordinances. As to the Presbyterians and Congregationalists, they 
 would neither baptize the children unless, at least, one of the parents 
 professed faith in their doctrines, nor admit them to the communion- 
 table unless they became members of their cliurch. The Baptists 
 were more rigid still, as they could fellowship none unless they had 
 been baptized by immersion. To neither of these conditions could 
 the Methodists submit. Besides, by these denominations, the Me- 
 thodists were treated as heretics, on account of their opposition to 
 the Calvinistic doctrine of decrees, and the final perseverance of the 
 
 * '* Mr. Allen was not ordained until the conference in 1785 : and Mi . Wil- 
 lis, not being present, was ordained a few weeks afterward."— Lee. 
 
PART II. — NOTICES OP METHODISM. 
 
 249 
 
 saints. Hence a necessity, orij^inatinp from the state of things in 
 this country, compelled the Methodists either to remain without tho 
 ordinances, to administer them by unconsecrated hands, or to pro- 
 vid-; for them in the manner they di<l. Thos( who disclaim all de- 
 pendence upon the arj^ument derived from the tif^:essiti/ of tlie case, 
 would do well to inquire whether any man can he justified in doinj^ 
 an unncressari/ work,— a work that might he Scripturally dispensed 
 with. It appears to the writer, that if there he no weifrht in this ar- 
 gument, then it follows, that Mr. Wesley, and those who acted with 
 him in this solemn affair, were guilty of a work of supererogation, 
 and therefore cannot he justilicd on any principle whatever, either 
 of Scrii»turo, reason, or conscience. 
 
 " 2. Let it be recollected, also, that those who consecrated Hicliard 
 Whatcoat and Thomas Vasey, namely, Mr. Wesley, Dr. Coke, and 
 Mr. Creighton, were all regular presbyters in the Church of iing- 
 hvnd; and that those who laid hands on Dr. Coke, and set Iiim apart 
 as a superintendent of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America, 
 were also presbyters regularly ordained to that office. 
 
 " 3. It appears manifest from several passages of Scripture, par- 
 ticularly Acts xiii, 1, 2, and 1 Tim. iv, 14, and the testimonies of the 
 primitive fathers of the Church, that presbyters and bishops were of 
 the same order, and that they originally possessed the power of or- 
 dination. 
 
 "4. The doctrine of uninterrupted succession from the apostles, 
 in a third order, by a triple consecration, as distinct from, and supe- 
 rior to, presbyters, has been discarded by many of the most eminent 
 ecclesiastical writers, as resting njjon no solid foundation, not being 
 susceptible of proof from any authentic source. 
 
 " 5. Mr. Wesley possessed a right over the Methodists which no 
 man else did or could possess, because they were his spiritual children, 
 raised up under his preaching and superintendence, and hence they 
 justly looked to him for a supply of the ordinances of Jesus Christ. 
 
 " 6. Therefore, in exercising the power with which the divine 
 Head of the Church had invested him, he invaded no other man's 
 right, nor yet assumed that which did not belong to him. 
 
 " 7. Hence he did not, as the objection which this argument is de- 
 signed to refute supposes, ordain either presbyters or a bishop for the 
 English Chm'ch, nor for any other church then existing, but simply 
 and solely for the Methodist societies in America. And therefore, 
 in doing this necessary work, he neither acted inconsistently with 
 himself as a presbyter of the Church of England, nor incompatible 
 with his frequent avowals to remain in that church, and not to 
 separate from it. 
 
 11* 
 
Itst 
 
 250 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 m 
 
 tt 
 
 I 
 
 !' 
 
 I 
 ■ i 
 
 " 8. For, in fact, in organizing the Methodist Episcopal Church, he 
 did not separate cither from the English or IVotestant Episcopal 
 Church ; for that church had no jurisdiction here, and the Methodist 
 was organized some time before the Protestant Episcopal Church 
 had an existence. Ilenee he acted perfectly consistent with himself, 
 with alljiis avowals of attachment to the Church of England, while 
 he proceeded to organize a clmrch here ; for while he did this, and 
 thereby estal)lishe(l a separate and indepcuilcnt church in America, 
 where the English Church had no jurisdiction, he and his people in 
 England still remained members of the Establishment. 
 
 " 9. While the Scriptures are silent in respect to the paitieulav 
 Jbrm of church goverinncnt which s.iould be established, they cer- 
 tainly allow of an ei>isc()i)al form, because it is not incompatible with 
 any known precept or usage of primitive Christianity. 
 
 " 10. This is further nuinifest from the fact, that the apostles and 
 evangelists did exercise a jurisdiction over the entire Church, pres- 
 byters, deacons, and people, tliough, at the same time, there is no 
 proof that as to order, created such by a third consecration, they 
 were higher than the presl)yters. 
 
 "11. Uistinguisliing, therefore, between the power of ordination 
 and the power of jurisdiction, we may see how an episcopal govern- 
 ment may i)e created by a Presbyterian ordination, and hence justify 
 the act of Mr. Wesley and his associates in setting apart Dr. Coke 
 to the office of a general superintendent. 
 
 " These arguments are merely stated here as the grounds on which 
 the organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church is justified, re- 
 ferring the reader who may wish to see them in detail, with the proofs 
 on which they rest for support, to the book recently published, 
 called, ' An Original Church of Christ.' In that performance he will 
 see all objections met, and, I trust, fully answered, and the proceed- 
 ings of Mr. Wesley and his co-workers amply vindicated. 
 
 " 12. Another ground of defence is in the character of those who 
 were employed in this transaction. As to the Rev. John Wesley, it 
 is almost needless now to say anything in his commendation. In 
 him were concentrated all the elements of a great man ; and by a 
 conscientious improvement of his gifts, having been made a partaker 
 of 'like precious faith,' he was as much distinguished by his good- 
 ness as by his greatness ; but all his other endowments were pro- 
 pelled on by his inextinguishable thirst for the salvation of his fel- 
 low-men, and fully employed, as an evangelist, in the grand cause of 
 Jesus Christ. And such were the effects of these labours, tliat, at the 
 time of which we are now speaking, there were no less than sixty- 
 four thousand one hundred and fifty-live members of society, and 
 
PART II.— NOTICES OF METHODISM. 
 
 251 
 
 one hundred and ninety-five prcacliers, in Europe; and fourteen 
 thousand nine hundred and eiy;hty-eight incmhera, and eighty-three 
 preachers, in America; makinj; in all seventy-nine thousand ono 
 hundred and forty-three members, and two hundred and seventy- 
 eight preachers. These had been raised up through liis instrumen- 
 tality in the short space of forty-five years, as seals to his ministry, 
 and as evidences of liis call to the work in which he was engaged. 
 Of his ca , therefore, and qualification for the work of an evan- 
 gelist, tht J can be no doul)t, any more than there should be of hi.s 
 right, as the si)iritual father of this numerous family, to jirovidc 
 them with all the means of grace." — Bangs's " History of Method- 
 ism,''^ vol i, pp. 151-163. 
 
 Thus Avere the scattered societies in America formed into 
 a regular church organization. This event, Hke tlie political 
 independence of the States, is one of those circumstances 
 which constitute epochs in the history of Christianity. The 
 success of the arrangement has put to silence all surmises 
 as to the wisdom of the settlement, whether entertained in 
 this couii+ry or in America. It gayc, in the first place, a 
 free and indbpf'ndono action to the church so established ; 
 which, under the able and judicious management of the 
 new bishops, and especially of Bishop Asbury, at once be- 
 gan, as if with new life, to develop its strength. Much has 
 been said on the subject of Mr. Wesley's love of power, 
 and, by Southey, on his towering ambition ; but this whole 
 business palpably refutes all such allegations. It is not a 
 characteristic of the love of power to part with it : and the 
 yielding up of authority to others, is but an ill proof of 
 ambition. John Wesley might have retained an entire and 
 undivided exercise of government over the American soci- 
 eties, just as he did at home, had he chosen to do so. His 
 appointment of preachers would have been undisputed, and 
 they, on their part, would have cordially supported his pas- 
 toral authority; his missives of instruction would have 
 been unhesitatingly received by his sons in the gospel, and 
 obeyed in the most perfect docility of spirit ; the decisions 
 of the British Conference, expressed in its Minutes, would 
 have been complied with, for aught that appears, as the 
 
252 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 ' 
 
 ■■:; 
 
 canon-law of the American body : a president, sent from 
 England in the name of the father of the whole family, 
 might have presided in the Conferences, and kept up the 
 link of nor and thus have secured subordination. All 
 this m*^ .lave taken place ; and would, no doubt — or 
 some other line of policy similar in spirit — have been pur- 
 sued, had this great man been actuaied by selfish or ambi- 
 tious views. No act of his life, rightly considered, so fully 
 indicates the integrity of his mind, the purity of his motives, 
 the grandeur of his views, and the magnanimity of his cha- 
 racter, as this arrangement. It is the act of a generous, 
 noble-minded parent, dispossessing himself of his patrimony 
 and power, to bestow it upon a son during his own life- 
 time. The magnanimity of the measure, also, appears in 
 its largeness. It went far beyond the anticipations or de- 
 sires of the parties themselves. They had merely requested 
 to have the ordinances among them, and, for this purpose, 
 desired the ordination of ministers. But this could have 
 been secured, as in Scotland, without either the establish- 
 ment of an independent church, or the appointment of su- 
 perintendents. The only question in the mind of Mr. Wes- 
 ley must have been. What is best for the parties interested ? 
 He soon answered th ^ question by his conduct. His pene- 
 trating mind, his sound understanding, his knowledge of 
 the whole case, his Christian philosophy, and capacity 
 to see into the future as well as the present ; — all this, 
 in connexion with his noble disinterestedness, determined 
 him to take the initiative, and himself to originate the 
 organization and independent position of the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church. 
 
 The issue has amply verified, and, one v^ould think, more 
 than verified, the highest anticipations of this faithful shep- 
 herd. The groat end lie sought, in the extension of the 
 gospel, and the conversion of sinners, has certainly been 
 secured on the widest scale ever witnessed in modern times. 
 This of itself would be to him a sufficient reward. He had 
 
 
PART II.— NOTICES OP METHODISM. 
 
 253 
 
 no other purpose save this, in all he did. The object pro- 
 posed by the several institutions ordained by him, was the 
 extension of our Lord's kingdom in the salvation and hap- 
 piness of mankind. 
 
 But every other purpose has been secured, as well as this 
 primary one. The doctrines he held so dear have been 
 faithfully conserved and widely disseminated ; the main 
 points of Methodist discipline have been sedulously guarded 
 and carried out ; the holy hving and piety towards God, 
 so indefatigably promoted by him in his whole career of 
 labour and of shame, have been happily secured ; the 
 unity of a numerous people, who, with few exceptions, have 
 given a cordial and hearty allegiance to the system he 
 adopted, has been exhibited for the illustration of the truth 
 of Scripture, and the edification of the world ; and that 
 evangelic action which is indicated by the establishment of 
 itinerancy, has been fully secured and prosecuted even be- 
 yond the extent of their own gigantic country. 
 
 Moreover, the world may now, if it chooses, look upon 
 a primitive episcopacy in actual and living operation. 
 Before this period it was only ideal. It might be found in 
 the New Testament, in the practice of the first churches, 
 in the remains of the primitive fathers, in the writings and 
 speculations of men of moderate, but true and authentic, 
 notions ; but the reality had long been absorbed in the 
 monstrous usurpations of Popery, and other systems of 
 ecclesiastical error and tyranny. That man must have 
 possessed a stout heart who, in the presence of existing 
 establishments, and the prevalent opinions of the day, and 
 even of the church to which he professed himself to belong 
 — who had the courage to return, practically, to primitive 
 usage, and build up a living body on the model of the 
 Presbytero-Episcopal Church of the first and best ages. 
 He could not help foreseeing, also, that the temerity which 
 would venture upon such a coiu'se must expose him to all 
 manner of reproach. He braved it all ; and the American 
 
M 
 
 254 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA, 
 
 Methodist Episcopal Church now stands, and will forever 
 stand, as the noble monument of his wisdom, love of truth, 
 disinterested devotion to his Master's honour, and his peo- 
 ple's good ; as well as of his own courageous contempt of 
 this world's petty scorn, or of the grave or bitter rebukes of 
 an incensed and privileged priesthood. 
 
 < 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 The new Order of Things — Mr. Asbury becomes the real Bishop of the Church 
 — His Character and Qualifications for the Office — Dr. Coke exceeds his 
 Powers — Certificate— The Episcopacy defined and guarded — Mr. Wesley's 
 GITence at the Use of the Term " Bishop" — Letter to Asbury— Dr. Coke in 
 Difficulties respecting the Address to Washington— And on Slavery — The 
 Church takes its Standing among the Institutions of tlic United States. 
 
 Mr. Asbury, under the new order of things, became the 
 real superintendent of the Methodist Church, Dr. Coke 
 returning home, and only occasionally visiting the conti- 
 nent. It was a merciful dispensation that this power fell 
 into his hands. In addition to true piety, which we have 
 before considered, he was blessed with a sound judgment, 
 great moderation, tender sympathy with his fellow-labour- 
 ers, intense desire for the salvation of mankind, uncompro- 
 mising integrity, and entire decision of character. He 
 seems to have devoted himself most sedulously to the cul- 
 tivation of a knowledge of theology, as far as circumstances 
 would allow ; was a constant and zealous preacher — plain, 
 practical, energetic, though not eloquent ; an assiduous 
 pastor, naturally caring for the spiritual and temporal wel- 
 fare of all the people ; and bent, in his evangelical toils, 
 upon spreading true religion through the entire continent. 
 But Mr. Asbury seems to have possessed, in an eminent 
 degree, that wonderful gift which is sometimes seen in 
 favoured individuals — an almost irresistible influence over 
 men. Undoubtedly this originates, in part, in confidence 
 in their integrity ; and yet not altogether so. Indeed, 
 
PART II. — NOTICES OF METHODISM. 
 
 255 
 
 will forever 
 )ve of truth, 
 id his peo- 
 iontempt of 
 • rebukes of 
 
 ) of the Church 
 ;e exceeds his 
 -Mr. Wesley's 
 ^— Dr. Coke in 
 Slavery— The 
 d States. 
 
 tecame the 
 
 Dr. Coke 
 
 the conti- 
 
 I power fell 
 
 1 we have 
 
 udgment, 
 
 )Av-labour- 
 
 mcompro- 
 
 ter. He 
 
 the cul- 
 
 imstances 
 
 Br — plain, 
 
 assiduous 
 
 )oral wel- 
 
 ical toils, 
 
 ontinent. 
 
 eminent 
 
 seen in 
 
 nee over 
 
 )nfidence 
 
 Indeed, 
 
 without the conviction of this quality, and many others, the 
 homage would not be given ; but no assemblage of moral 
 excellences will, of themselves, lead to this result. It is 
 evidently the power of mind ; though in what that power 
 consists, is extremely difficult to define. To say it is intel- 
 lectual would not meet the case, as there are many men of 
 high and noble intellect who possess no very commanding 
 influence among their fellows. Extraordinary religious 
 attainments, and the reputation of exalted sanctity, though 
 producing great reverence, yet does not, of itself, lead to 
 the dominion of the mind of which we speak. It appears 
 to consist of — shall we call it? — robustness of soul, 
 especially in strength of will. This, when connected with a 
 corresponding amount of intelligence, judgnient, insight 
 into character, integrity, and honour; and, withal, that 
 strange thing called " tact" — a perception of the right 
 time, the right means, the nght spirit- and mode of 
 proceeding — seem to constitute the elements of this cha- 
 racter. 
 
 Be this as it may, these characteristics all met in Mr. 
 Asbury. But, after all, his power was his piety, connected 
 with corresponding energetical labours. No natural en- 
 dowments could have made him what we see him to have 
 been. He seems to have possessed an intense and a pro- 
 found faith, which was constantly at work. He was a be- 
 liever in the living, active, omnipresent reign of God ; and 
 was in the habit of viewing all things through the medium 
 of his providence and will. His mission to America was 
 undertaken, as we have seen, in the full and unwavering 
 persuasion, that it was the call and will of God. The resist- 
 ance he set up against Mr. Wesley's commands to return 
 home, after only being in the country a short time, and his 
 pertinacious determination to remain at his post at the 
 period of the Revolution, though adopted in the midst of 
 the most painful and embarrassing exercises, were taken 
 with the full belief that his continuance at his post was the 
 
** 
 
 
 ^1 
 
 256 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 Ordination of God. So, again, when all his English bre- 
 thren d"-erted him, and his heart was left to bleed at their 
 loss, and especially for the loss of George Shadford, for 
 whom he entertained the warmest possible affection; when 
 he stood alone, and had to pass through years of distress, 
 anxiety, and sorrow ; — he still adhered to the belief that he 
 was called of God to all this. In hke manner, when it was 
 proposed to him to take the new office of superintendent, 
 and adopt the church-system which Mr. Wesley had framed, 
 and of which he seems to have had no premonition what- 
 ever, on consideration, connected with prayer, he entered 
 upon it as the appointment of God. This was the habit of 
 his mind. And never taking up a new position without 
 being entirely persuaded that it was the will of God, he 
 never afterward swerved. 
 
 These are the men who rule mankind. Their soul seems 
 to be rooted in, some eternal, immutable, unalterable truth 
 — which, as the soil supports the oak, strengthens them 
 for every emergency. Hence they are always the same ; 
 the vacillations of weaker men, the sweep of time, and all 
 other contingencies, find them still inflexibly bent upon 
 their mission.. Jrfut this decision of character in Mr. Asbury 
 by no means made him insensible, or blunted his feelings. 
 We often find him in deep distress of mind, his sensibilities 
 lacerated, his soul in an agony, as evils present themselves 
 before him ; but still his refuge is prayer, leading him con- 
 stantly to God in Christ. The miseries of his itinerant life 
 deeply aifected him. Something like the spirit of Jonah, 
 when he saw his " gourd" wither, and the sun smote him, 
 occasionally appears in his Journals. When traversing the 
 untrodden forests, and crossing dangerous rivers, in the 
 midst of all kinds of weather, the summer's heat, and the 
 winter's cold ; living on the meanest fare, and that by the 
 charity of others ; lodging in log-huts, in the midst of filth, 
 vermin, and noisy children ; — he sometimes gives way to 
 exclamations of anguish, and longs for death and heaven. 
 
PART II.— NOTICES OF METHODISM. 
 
 257 
 
 English bre- 
 eed at their 
 ladford, for 
 ction; when 
 I of distress, 
 3lief that he 
 when it was 
 erintendent, 
 lad framed, 
 lition what- 
 he Cxitered 
 he habit of 
 ion without 
 Df God, he 
 
 ' soul seems 
 
 rable truth 
 
 thens them 
 
 the same ; 
 
 le, and all 
 
 )ent upon 
 
 Ir. Asbury 
 
 is feelings. 
 
 ensibilities 
 
 themselves 
 
 y him con- 
 
 inerant life 
 
 of Jona^, 
 
 mote him, 
 
 ersing the 
 
 rs, in the 
 
 t, and the 
 
 at by the 
 
 3t of filth, 
 
 es way to 
 
 heaven. 
 
 No wonder. Yet, harassed by all these exercises, he still 
 goes on. Not an expression of doubt as to his line of duty 
 ever occurs ; no shrinking under his load of labour and 
 privation is ever witnessed ; not a whisper of giving in, of 
 retiring, of seeking ease, is ever heard. Certainly, he had 
 no desire for anything on earth different from his life of 
 toil and danger ; and the only change he ever refers to, is 
 a dismissal by the command of his heavenly Master to the 
 rest of heaven. 
 
 Such was the mar to whom were chiefly committed the 
 interests of the newly-formed Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 As might be expected, some little friction appeared in the 
 movements of the machine for some short time ; but nothing 
 of any weighty consideration. It seerns astonishing that the 
 new regime was permitted to come into Oj^eration so easily ; 
 but, with great wisdom and foresight of consequences, Mr. 
 Asbury refused to take the office assigned him by Mr. 
 Wesley, till he had obtained the concurrent suflFrages of the 
 Conference. This assent was accorded unanimously ; and, 
 of course, afterwards they could not quarrel with their 
 own election. This did no*, enter into the plan of Mr. 
 Wesley, nor of Dr. Coke ; but this judicious man un- 
 derstood his position ; and, as in all his proceedings, 
 before he moved in the matter, he made his ground per- 
 fectly sure. 
 
 In a while after the settlement of these affairs. Dr. Coke 
 returned to England ; and, it seems, exercised some of the 
 functions of his new office while at home, This gave um- 
 brage to his brethren in America. And when, on his se- 
 cond visit, hf arrived in Baltimore, — 
 
 '' Some dissatisfaction was manifested toward him, because, whiie 
 in Europe, he had, as was contended, so far transcended his powers 
 as to alter the time and place for the conference to meet, after they 
 had been fixed by the conference itself This, with some other com- 
 plaints of a trifling character, drew from Dr. Coke, with a view to 
 allay all apprehensions of his American brethren hereafter, the fol- 
 lowing certificate : — 
 
rt i 
 
 
 I 
 
 258 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 " ' The Certificate of Dr. Coke to the Conference. 
 
 " ' I do solemnly engage by this instrument, that I never will, by 
 virtue of my office as superintendent of the Methodist Church, during 
 my absence from the United States of America, exercise any govern- 
 ment wliatcvcrin the said Methodist Church during my absence from 
 the United States. And I do also engage, that I will exercise no 
 P'ivilege in the said Church when present in the United States, ex- 
 <-ept that of ordaining according to the regulations a"d laws already 
 existing or hereafter to be made in the said Church, and that of i)re- 
 siding in the said conference ; and, lastly, that of travelling at large. 
 Given under my hand, the second day of May, in the year 1787. 
 
 " ' Thomas Cokk.' 
 
 " And with a view to gunrd as much as possible against similar 
 infringcnjents of their rights in future, the following question and 
 answer were entered on the Minutes : — 
 
 '' ' QuES. — AVho arc the superintendents of our Church in these 
 United States ? 
 
 "' Ans. — Thomas Coke (when present in the States) and Francis 
 Asbury.' "— Bangs's ''History of Methodism^' vol i, pp. 256, 257. 
 
 About this time the two superintendents took upon them 
 the name of " bishop." This Avas done, it appears, in the 
 first instance, by their own act (was it not that of Dr. 
 Coke ?) in subscribing themselves such, in a new edition 
 of the book of Discipline. This led to some little alterca- 
 tion, and grievously offended Mr. Wesley. But though the 
 Conference did not determine the question in the first 
 place; yet, on their assembling in 1787, they approved of 
 and confirmed it in the following words : — 
 
 " We have constituted ourselves into an Episcopal church, under 
 the direction of bishops, ciders, and deacons, and preachers, accord- 
 ing to the form of ordination annexed to our Pi'ayer-Book, and the 
 regulations laid down in this form of discipline." 
 
 In the Conference of 1788, we have this question and 
 answer : — 
 
 " Ques. — V/ho are the bishops for our church in the United 
 States ? 
 " An8. — Thomas Coke and Francis Asbury." 
 
 Thus Episcopacy was formally established, to the great 
 
never will, by 
 /hurcli, during 
 e any govem- 
 ' absence from 
 11 exercise no 
 ted States, ex- 
 l laws already 
 id that of pre- 
 jUing at large, 
 i^ear 1787. 
 
 WAS COKK.' 
 
 gainst similar 
 question and 
 
 lurch in these 
 
 i) and Francis 
 256, 257. 
 
 : upon tliem 
 ears, in the 
 that of Dr. 
 new edition 
 tie alterca- 
 though the 
 the first 
 pproved of 
 
 :n 
 
 lurch, under 
 hers, accord- 
 look, and the 
 
 estion and 
 the United 
 
 the great 
 
 PART II. — NOTICES OF METHODISM. 
 
 259 
 
 annoyance of Mr. Wesley, who had employed the more 
 humble term " superintendent." Hence he addressed the 
 following characteri- tic letter to Bishop Asbury : — 
 
 " There is, indeed, a wide difference between the relation wherein 
 you stand to the Americans, and the relation wherein I stand to all 
 the Methodists. You are the elder brother of the American Method- 
 ists ; I am, under God, the father of tlic whole family. Therefore, I 
 naturally care for you all in a manner no other person can do. 
 Therefore I, in a measure, provide for you all ; for the supplies 
 which Dr. Coke i)rovides for you, he could not provide were it not 
 for me, — were it not that I not only permit him to collect, but also 
 support him in so doing. 
 
 " But, in one point, my dear brother, I am a little afraid, both the 
 doctor and you differ from me. I study to be little, you study to bo 
 great ; I creep, you strut along ; I found a school, you a college. 
 Nay, and call it after your own names, (Cokesbury.) beware ! 
 Do not seek to be something ! Let me be nothing, and ' Christ bo 
 all in all.' 
 
 " One instance of tin--", of your greatness, has given me great con- 
 cern. How can you, iiuw dare you, suffer yourself to be called 
 bishop 1 I shudder, I start, at the very thought ! Men may call me 
 a fool, or a rascal, a scoundrel, and I am content ; but they shall 
 never, by my consent, call me bishop ! For my sake, for Gwl's sake, 
 for Chi let's sake, i)ut a full end to this. Let the Presbyterians do 
 what they please, but let the Methodists know their calling better. 
 
 " Thus, my dear Frankcy, I have told you all that is in my heart. 
 And let this, when I am no more seen, bear witness how sincerely I 
 am, &c." 
 
 The somewhat anomalous position of Dr. Coke as af 
 British subject and an American bishop, now that the 
 States were free, brought him into some trouble on both 
 sides of the Atlantic. Occasion was taken, by the part 
 he took in presenting the following congratulatory Addres.s 
 to General Washington, on his appointment to the Presi- 
 dency of the United States, to call the doctor's consistency 
 in question.* 
 
 * Tho event led lo great dissatisfaction in England ; so mucli so, as to cause 
 the Conference to leave tho Doctor's name off the Minutes. — Duew's "Lt/e of 
 Coke," p. 144. 
 

 
 jf 
 
 t;i! 
 
 * ■ 
 
 
 »f 
 
 f 
 
 It 
 
 in 
 
 : 
 
 t 'I 
 
 260 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA, 
 
 " To the President oj tlw. United States. 
 
 " SiH, — We, tho bishops of tlie Methodist Episcopal Church, hum- 
 bly beg leave, in the name of our society, collectively, in those 
 United States, to express to you the warm feelings of our hearts, 
 and our sincere congratulations on your appointment to the Presi- 
 dentsliip of tliese States. Wo are conscious, from the signal proofs 
 you have already given, that you are a friend to mankind ; and, un- 
 der this established ideiv, place as full contidence in your wisdom 
 and integrity for t)ie preservation of those civil and religious liberties 
 which have been transmitted to us by the providence of God and 
 the glorious revolution, as we believe ought to be reposed in man. 
 
 " We have received tlie most grateful satisfaction from the hum- 
 ble and entire dependence on the great Governor of the universe, 
 which you luivc repeatedly c.{:p).!sscd, acknowledging him the source 
 of every blessing, and . "•rh^vly of the most excellent constitution 
 of these States, wliich it ^ pre c f the admiration of the world, and 
 may in future become its ^I'cat t . . nplar for imitation; and hence 
 wo enjoy a holy expectation, that you will always prove a faithful 
 and impartial jjatron of genuine, vital religion, the grand end of oiu* 
 creation and present probationary existence And we promise you 
 our fer v^cnt ])rayers to the throne of grace, that God Almighty may 
 cndae you witli all the graces and gifts of his Holy Spirit, that he 
 may enaiilo you to fill up your important station to his glory, the 
 good of his church, the happiness and prosperity of tho United 
 States, and the welfare of mankind. 
 
 " Signed in behalf of tho Methodist Episcopal Church, 
 
 . " Thomas Coke, 
 
 "Francis Asbury. 
 ''New-York, May 29, 1789." 
 
 The following is the reply of President Washington : — 
 
 " To the Bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Cliurch in the United 
 
 States of America. 
 
 " Gentlemen, — I return to you individually, and through you to 
 your society collectively, in the United States, my thanks, for the 
 demonstrations of aiFection, and the expressions of joy, otFered in 
 tlieir behalf, on my late appointment. It shall be my endeavour to 
 manifest the purity of my inclinations for promoting the happiness 
 of mankind, as well as the sincerity of my desires to contribute 
 whatever may be in my power toward the civil and religious liber- 
 ties of the American ])eople. In pursuing this lino of conduct, I hope, 
 by the assistance of divine Providence, not altogether to disappoint 
 the confidence which you have bccu pleased to repose in mo. 
 
Church, hum- 
 cly, in these 
 >f our hearts, 
 ; to the Presi- 
 signal proofs 
 ind ; and, un- 
 your wisdom 
 s^ious liberties 
 of God and 
 ed in man. 
 rom the hum- 
 the universe, 
 lim the source 
 t constitution 
 he world, and 
 in ; and henco 
 rove a faithful 
 id end of our 
 3 promise you 
 Umighty may 
 Spirit, that he 
 lis glory, the 
 f the United 
 
 irch. 
 Coke, 
 
 S ASBURY. 
 
 iinjjton : — 
 
 the United 
 
 rough you to 
 anks, for the 
 y, offered in 
 endeavour to 
 e happiness 
 o contribute 
 igious liber- 
 duct, I hope, 
 o disappoint 
 mo. 
 
 PART II.— NOTICES OF METHODISM. 
 
 261 
 
 " It always affoi'ds me satisfaction when I find a concurrence of 
 sentiment and practice between all conscientious men, in acknow- 
 ledgments of homage to the great Governor of the universe, and in 
 professions of support to a just civil government. After mentioning 
 that I trust the people of every denomination, who demean them- 
 selves as good citizens, will have occasion to be convinced that I 
 shall always strive to prove a faithful and impartial patron of genu- 
 ine, vital religion, I must assure you in particular that I take in the 
 kindest part the promise you make of presenting your prayers at the 
 throne of grace for me ; and that I likewise implore the divine bene- 
 diction on yourselves and your religious community. 
 
 "George Wasuinoton."* 
 
 On the proposition being made to present can Address to 
 the new President, we are told that Conference appioved 
 and appointed the two bishops, Dr. Coke and Asbury, to 
 draw it up, which they did. Bishop Coke, however, being 
 a British subject, it was thought he ought not to read it, 
 and Asbury performed that service, " with great self-pob, 
 session." The other ministers and denominations were 
 angry that " the Methodists should take the lead ;" and the 
 next week batteries of raillery and vituperation were ?t 
 loose on the poor doctor. They ironically asked, " Who 
 was he ? How came he to be a bishop ? Who consecrated 
 him ?" then uttered severe strictures on the impropriety 
 of a British subject signing an address approving of the 
 Government of the United States ; charging him with 
 duplicity, and that he was the enemy of the independence 
 of America. 
 
 To the good people on this side the water, at the time, 
 it would appear equally strange for a British subject to 
 eulogize as a ** glorious revolution," a war which had beaten 
 and imprisoned the armies of his country, and wrested a 
 mighty empire from under her dominion. And then, it 
 would appear equally a question, whether Dr. Coke could, 
 consistently, call the new institutions of America " the most 
 excellent constitution of these States, which is at present 
 
 * Banqs's " History of Methodism," vol. i, pp. 284-286. 
 
t'.. 
 
 262 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 I 
 
 :. 1.1 
 
 the admiration of the world, and may in future become its 
 great exemplar for imitation." The doctor did not trouble 
 his head much about these embarrassments ; if he saw any 
 awkwardness in his position, it made no difference in the 
 discharge of what he conceived to bo his duties. 
 
 But Dr. Coke got into hot water on another, a more vital, 
 matter, namely, that of slavery. Southey gives this case 
 with so much truth and felicity of expression, that we can- 
 not do better than insert his narrative. 
 
 " Wesley had borne nn early testimony aj^ainst the system of Negro 
 slavery ; on this point his condnct is curionsly contrasted with 
 Whitefield's, who exerted himself in obtaining a repeal of that part 
 of the charter granted to the colony of Georgia, whereby slavery was 
 prohibited. Dr. Coke, feelitig like Wesley, took up the subject with 
 his usual ardour, preached u\)on it with great vehemence, and pre- 
 pared a petition to Congress for the emancipation of the Negroes. 
 With this i)otition, he and Asbury went to General Washington, at 
 Mount Vernon, and solicited him to sign it. Washington received 
 them courteously and hospitably ; he declined signing the petition, 
 tiiat being inconsistent with the rank which he held ; but he assured 
 them that he agreed with them ; and that, if the Assembly should 
 take their petition into consideration, he would signify Ins senti- 
 ments by a letter. They proceeded so far themselves, that they re- 
 quired the members of the society to set their slaves free ; and seve- 
 ral persons were found who made this sacrifice from a sense of duty. 
 One planter in Virginia emancipated twenty-two, who were, at the 
 time, worth from thirty to forty pounds each. His name was Ken. 
 non, and it deserves to be honourably recorded. But such instances 
 were rare ; and Dr. Coke, who had much of the national ardour in 
 his character, proceeded in such an intolerant spirit of philanthropy, 
 that he soon provoked a violent opposition, and incurred' no small 
 degree of personal danger. One of his sermons upon this topic in- 
 censed some of his hearers so much, that they withdrew, for the 
 purpose of way-laying him ; and a lady Negro-owner promised them 
 fifty pounds, if they would give ' that little doctor' a hundred lashes. 
 But the better part of his congregation protected him ; and that same 
 sermon produced the emancipation of twenty-four slaves. In one 
 county the slave-owners presented a bill against him, which was 
 found by the grand jury, and no less than ninety persons set out in 
 pursuit of him ; but he was got beyond their reach. A more fero- 
 cious enemy followed him, with an intention of shooting him : this 
 
 
PART II.— NOTICES OF METHODISM. 
 
 268 
 
 jecome ita 
 ot trouble 
 e saw any 
 nee in the 
 
 more vital, 
 3 this case 
 at we can- 
 
 em of Negro 
 trasted with 
 of that part 
 ■ slavery was 
 subject with 
 ice, and prc- 
 the Negroes, 
 ashington, at 
 ;tou received 
 the petition, 
 It he assured 
 smbly should 
 ify liis scnti- 
 lat they rc- 
 ; and seve- 
 ensc of duty, 
 were, at the 
 ne was Ken. 
 ich instances 
 lal ardour in 
 philanthropy, 
 ed' no small 
 this topic in- 
 rew, for the 
 omised them 
 ndred lashes, 
 nd that same 
 i^es. In one 
 , which was 
 ns set out in 
 more fero- 
 ig him : this 
 
 
 the man himself confessed, when, some time afterwards, he became a 
 member of the Methodist society. On his second visit to America, 
 Coke was convinced that he had acted indiscreetly, and he con- 
 sented to let the question of emancipation rest, rather than stir up an 
 opposition which so greatly impeded the progress of Methodism." — 
 Life of Wesley, vol. ii, p. 452. 
 
 Thus, in connexion with some sliglit agitations, not, how- 
 ever, of principle, but of accident, the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church took its ground in the midst of the institutions of 
 tlie United States. The authorities, from the beginning, 
 evidently viewed it with no displeasure ; and, as far as the 
 State has control in such matters, rather gave it countenance 
 than the contrary. Tlie lay public, except in the expres- 
 sion of those outbursts of malignity, spleen, and opposition, 
 which are common to all populations, when an earnest and 
 spiritual religion is introduced among them, were quiet or 
 favourable. Some jealousies, as might be expected, pre- 
 vailed among the religious bodies, and especially with the 
 ministers. The prescriptive Calvinism of the oM churches 
 was disturbed by tlie introduction of the Wesleyan doctrine ; 
 and their notions of the independence of churches, in their 
 individual and isolated state, became antagonized by the 
 connexional principle on which the Methodist Church was 
 established. The title assumed, of bishop, could not be 
 very palatable to ministers, who had all along associated 
 the idea of aristocracy, prelacy, and lordship, with this 
 innocent name. The very term must, in America, have 
 awakened bitter associations in the minds of the descend- 
 ants of the expatriated refugees, often driven from their 
 homes by the persecutions of bishops, in the days of their 
 domination in this country. That so little opposition was 
 encountered at the time, indicates the moderation and the 
 tolerant spirit of the Americans. Taken as a whole, the 
 Methodist Church, in the principles of its foundation, its 
 rules and institutions, together with the titles assumed by 
 its chief officers, presented itself to view as, perhaps, the 
 
 •|»j 
 
264 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 most conservative institution of the States. That it should 
 have excited so little jealousy, and properly no opposition, 
 in the midst of the new democratic republic, shows the 
 confidence of the people in their own power, the entire 
 absence of religious bigotry, and the real and practical pre- 
 dominance of a free and generous spirit. 
 
PART ni.— INSTITUTIONS OF THE M. E. CJIIUKCIl. '266 
 
 t should 
 position, 
 lows the 
 le entire 
 iical prc- 
 
 P A RT III. 
 
 THE INSTITUTIONS OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL 
 
 CHURCH. 
 
 ! 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Tlie doctrinal Basis of tiie Cnurcij— Tlio Articles of Religion— This places the 
 Ciiurch on a system of dog matical Truth— Tlie Difference between this and 
 the English system. 
 
 In presenting some pxcount of the institution of tlie Ame- 
 rican Episcopal Churcli, it is necessary to keep in mind that 
 it rests altogether upon a constitutional basis. Nothing is 
 left to usage, to tradition, to common law, or to the indi- 
 vidual judgment of its officers. By a seriiis of enactments 
 a complete and well-defined code of law and order has 
 obtained, so that it is perfectly easy to comprehend and 
 analyze the entire system. 
 
 From 1760, the time of the formation of the first society 
 in America, till 1784, they adopted the Minutes of the 
 English Conference as the rules and regulations of their 
 administration ; but at the latter period, ceasing to be mere 
 societies, and becoming a regular church, they, partly by 
 Mr. Wesley's recommendation, and partly by the enact- 
 ments of their own Conference, proceeded to frame, from 
 time to time, the ecclesiastical constitution by which they 
 are at present governed. 
 
 The doctrines themselves are the same as those held by 
 the Methodist body hi this country and all over the world ; 
 but the documents securing the recognition and promul- 
 gation of these <. )ctriiies are different. In this country 
 Mr. Wesley's four \ olumes of Sermons, and the Notes on 
 the New Testament, constitute the legal creed of the Me- 
 thodist Church ; in America the Articles of Religion of tlie 
 
 12 
 
'J,o(^ 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 1 
 
 English Church, altered by Mr. Wesley with a view to bring 
 tliera into harmony with his own opinions, have been 
 adopted. These Articles of Religion were originally pre- 
 pared by Mr. Wesley, and printed in "The Sunday Service," 
 which he sent over to America. 'J'hey were accepted and 
 published in 1785, and incorporated into the body of the 
 Discipline in 1790.* These Articles have been reduced 
 from thirty-nine to twenty-four, and some of those which 
 remain have been changed in their phraseology, and por- 
 tions omitted. Those which have been entirely left out are 
 Articles — III. Of the going down of Christ into Hell, 
 ym. Of the three Creeds. XIII. Of Works before Justi- 
 fication. XV. Of Christ alone without Sin. XVII. Of 
 Predestination and Election. XVIII. Of obtaining Eternal 
 Salvation only by the Name of Christ. XX. Of the Au- 
 thority of the Church. XXI. Of the Authority of General 
 Councils. XXIII. Of ministering to the Congregations. 
 XXVI. Of the Unworthiness of the Ministers, which hin- 
 ders not the Effects of the Sacraments. XXIX. Of the 
 wicked, which eat not the Body of Christ in the use of the 
 Lord's Supper. XXXIII. Of excommunicate Persons, 
 liow they are to be avoided. XXXV. Of the Homilies. 
 
 XXXVI, Of the Consecration of Bishops and Ministers. 
 
 XXXVII. Of the Civil Magistrates. 
 
 The Articles which have been adopted, it will be seen, 
 on examination, constitute a clear and complete standard 
 of truth, notwithstanding the omissions ; that is, on the 
 theory of Mr. Wesley, that the Calvinistic doctrine of pre- 
 destination and election is not founded on the tnith of the 
 word of God. The expurgation of the Articles on the de- 
 scent into hell, the three creeds, the authority of the Church 
 to ordain ceremonies, the general councils, and matters of 
 that sort, will be deemed by the great body of Protestants 
 of this day as a benefit ; but, of course, the omission of the 
 
 * Emory's " History of the Discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church." 
 
PART III.— INSTITUTIONS OF THE M. E. CIIURCTi. 2G7 
 
 to bring 
 ve been 
 ally pre- 
 Scrvice," 
 pted and 
 ly of the 
 
 reduced 
 )se which 
 and por- 
 f t out are 
 nto Hell, 
 ore Justi- 
 CVII. Of 
 ig Eternal 
 f the Au- 
 )f General 
 rregations. 
 vhich hin- 
 X. Of the 
 use of the 
 J Persons, 
 
 Homilies. 
 
 Ministers. 
 
 ^1 be seen, 
 standard 
 is, on the 
 |ne of pre- 
 ith of the 
 Ion the de- 
 |he Church 
 Imatters of 
 •rotestants 
 [sion of the 
 
 pal Church." 
 
 sevenieenth Article will be differently considered by those 
 who hold the doctrine therein contained. 
 
 But the point to be regarded is, that by this arrange- 
 ment the Methodist Episcopal Church is found to adhere 
 to a system of positive, of dogmatical, doctrinal truth. In 
 these days of rampant speculation and theorizing on mat- 
 ters of doctrine, this is of great consequence. The Ame- 
 rican people, like many parties in Europe, are somewhat 
 addicted to give reins to their imagination and critical acu- 
 men, even on questions of sacred truth. It is, therefore, 
 of some importance to bind the Methodist body to the 
 observance of something tangible. It argues sobriety and 
 reverence in them, — a new, an active, and a perfectly free 
 people, — to adopt the venerable forms in which the Church 
 of this country put the truth nearly three hundred years 
 ago, instead of placing themselves on the current of living 
 opinion. We believe there have been very lew secessions 
 from the doctrinal opinions of the general body, and heresy 
 is almost unknown in the history of the Methodist Church 
 in the United States. 
 
 There is, indeed, one striking difference between the 
 American and English Methodists regarding doctrines. 
 We on this side the water are bound by legal enactment to 
 preach the doctrines taught in Mr. Wesley's writings, and 
 it seems the Americans are under no such legal obligation. 
 It follows that the obligation with them is moral, a matter 
 of conscience, of faith, of conviction. Here then, at this 
 point, traditioj\ comes in, usjige, and the influence and force 
 of a common opinion. 
 
 It is very well known that Mr. Wesley has taught, in his 
 four volumes of Sermons, and Notes on the New Testament, 
 opinions which are not found in the twenty-four Articles of 
 Religion adopted by the American Church, except in the 
 way of a very remote inference. Reference is here made 
 to such subjects as the witness of the Spirit, — the witness 
 of our own spirit, — C^liristian perfection, — and many other 
 
268 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 ; 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 I'- 
 
 ' 1 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 nice points of experience and duty. Now, as far as appears 
 on the face of documents, and the Book of Discipline, the 
 Methodist Church in the States has not bound itself to these 
 expositions of doctrine. It has indeed enforced some of 
 them, as that of Christian perfection, in the Minutes of 
 Conference ; but they are not found in the Discipline. It 
 has, on the other hand, adopted the fundamental articles of 
 religion, as so many great centres of truth, and, as it seems, 
 left the detail and the interpretation to the living expositor. 
 This will probably startle the English Methodist ; but, as 
 far as appears from the publications, preaching, and testi- 
 mony of the American Church, they have hitherto proved 
 themselves true to the sentiments of our founder, and teach 
 them as faithfully as is the case in this country. The doc- 
 trines of a religious community, so long as they retain their 
 vitality and simplicity, are always adopted as the living faith 
 of the people. There is no danger while this vitality con- 
 tinues ; the danger commences in the decay of piety, in the 
 loss of spiritual life, and in the forfeiture of all that grace 
 of which the doctrine is the type. This day has not yet 
 come to the American Methodists. If it should ever arrive, 
 it might possibly be useful to possess the doctrines of 
 Methodism proper, in some way, so embedded in the 
 system as to place them beyond the i-each of rash and 
 faithless men : and yet tho history of the Church awfully 
 shows how fragile all safeguards have been in the presence 
 of the floods of ungodliness which have arisen and swept 
 truth and holiness alike before its desolating wave. 
 
PART III.— INSTITUTIONS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 269 
 
 5 appears 
 pline, the 
 f to these 
 some of 
 inutes of 
 pline. It 
 irticles of 
 i it seems, 
 expositor. 
 t ; but, as 
 and testi- 
 to proved 
 and teach 
 
 The doc- 
 etain their 
 iving faith 
 tality con- 
 ety, in the 
 that grace 
 as not yet 
 ver arrive, 
 itrines of 
 
 id in the 
 
 rash and 
 awfully 
 
 presence 
 :ind swept 
 
 e. 
 
 chaptp:r II. 
 
 The Federal Nature of the Church— The Idea of Unity— How secured — Doctri- 
 nal — Visible governing Power — Episcopary. 
 
 The Methodist Church is federal as well as episcopal. Its 
 rigime is constructed on the principle of the federation of 
 the whole body, scouring thf rights and freedom, and, in 
 defined cases, the independent action, of the several parts. 
 
 The federal character of the church will be found deve- 
 loped in the establishment of the Annual Conferences — 
 thoir rights and immunities — connecting with the General 
 Conference. Its unity is a unity of several parts, possess- 
 ing almost independent rights. 
 
 In the spirit of this compact the ec'lesiastical canons and 
 government of the Church will be found to stretch to the 
 very circumference of its extent. Every minister is alike 
 under the dominion of its laws, every member is equally 
 subject to its rules, the same doctrines are preached in all 
 its congregations, iis worship is the same everywhere, and 
 the same forms of discipline pervade the whole body. None 
 of these things are left to the suffrages of the people, to the 
 hifluence of the popular will, to the fancies and sentiments 
 of the moment. The framework of the Church has been 
 built by the architectural t^kill of th*^ able fathers of the 
 community ; and those who enter into its family do not so 
 enter to frame a system or to establisii a government of 
 their own as they thii'k best, but to seek for personal edifi- 
 cation, and to obey rules already existing. 
 
 This unity ij variously preserved. The first element, 
 however, is to be found in the adoption of the common 
 creed mid frame of government referred to above. When 
 open and tangible symbols of the truth are professed in a 
 church, and su])scription to these is enacted as a condition 
 of admission from the candidates for office, there can then 
 be no room for disputation or diffenuice, inasmuch as those 
 
270 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 who cannot conform to the doctrines to be subscribed hare 
 an easy remedy in not taking upon them the office. Tliit 
 is certainly a fair principle toward nil parties ; and, to the 
 L)iiurc^ zAoptniif it, must tend to preserve peace and onc- 
 nm^ • and it is equally clear, that churches following any 
 other mode must often be convulsed with discord and 
 divisions. A sufficient freedom, without any compromise 
 of the truths of the gospel, seems the desirable and tlie 
 difficult question in establishing a church upon a creed. 
 How far this freedom should extend is a problem not easily 
 solved. That all understandings can arrive at conclusions 
 perfectly similar, or express themselves in tho same manner, 
 is a pure impossibility. The intellectual, and indeed 
 spiritual, varieties found among Christians ^vill make this 
 absolutely hopeless. Could it have been the will of God ? 
 If so, how is it that in his creating wisdom he has made so 
 great a difference in the structure of the soul ? And, espe- 
 cially, how is it that the glorious verities of God's word are 
 given to man with so little mathematical or logical precision ? 
 It seems sufficient for the purposes of Christian unity that 
 men should believe in the same great truths, and seek for 
 themselves the blessings which these truths indicate. 
 Should not a church be large <'nough to admit men of 
 every calibre of mind ? and while it faithfully adheres to all 
 truth, and even states it dogmatically, which it has a right 
 to do; ought it not to leave the mysttv'i t-^^ to stretch into 
 the hidden and eternal, whonco it emaMtd",;, and to which 
 it points ? No human power can compress the truth of God 
 into a syllogism, into a definition, into a logical proposition. 
 In adopting the Articles of Religion as amended by Mr. 
 Wesley, the American Methodist Church has secured all 
 the great and glorious doctrines of the Christian system, 
 but left the minute details unexplained. This gives as much 
 freedom as any parties can have a right to expect, or as it 
 T.rald be safe to grant. 
 
 In cxt to the loctrinal basis considered as a means of unity. 
 
 m 
 
 f 
 
id hnvo 
 . Thib 
 
 to the 
 nd ono- 
 ing fuiy 
 )rd and 
 promise 
 and the 
 I creed. 
 )t easily 
 elusions 
 manner, 
 
 indeed 
 ike this 
 )f God ? 
 made so 
 1, espe- 
 rord are 
 ecision? 
 lity that 
 seek for 
 ndicate. 
 men of 
 es to all 
 
 a right 
 tch into 
 which 
 
 of God 
 )Osition. 
 
 by Mr. 
 ured all 
 
 system, 
 IS much 
 
 or as it 
 
 )f unity, 
 
 PART Itl.— INSTITUTION? OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 271 
 
 must V reckoned the cen' -al power of legislation which 
 ha^ al'.vays existed. Without some recognized head, whe- 
 ther pope, parliament, assemhU , or confer'^nce, ii is impos- 
 sible that a people can b<^ one. The principle on which 
 this is found unix'ersally to prevail is evidently one of those 
 fundamental laws of the universe which stamp them as 
 divine. No society, social or sacred, can exist without some 
 visible, palpable, recognized head. But it should seem that 
 the mode in which the principle and law sliall be embodied 
 is left, very much to human discretion, guided by the pro- 
 vidence of God. Without the popisli appendages, claims, 
 and absurdities attached, the religious world seems very 
 much disposed to go back to the old practice of giving its 
 allegiance, so far as external order is concerned, to councils, 
 and assemblies of men. These centres of life and authority, 
 besides having the reputation of great wisdom by the joint 
 exercise of many minds, and of purity and disinterestedness 
 by the supposed impossibility of collusion in crime, are 
 looked upon with favour by the people, from the fact that, 
 in different ways, they consider themselves represented, 
 either by election, or else by having men present who are 
 connected with them, whom they know, and on whose 
 integrity they can depend. They whose faith teaches them 
 to expect God to interpose at all in the government of 
 mankind, whether in church or state, look reverently to 
 these centres of order and influence as the depositaries of 
 his power, as the visible and outward embodiment of his 
 mind and purpose. That the shoulders of individuals can 
 no longer bear the weight of government, is clear enoui^ h j 
 and that the people are indisposed any longer to give their 
 allegiance to authority and power as a unit, is equally 
 certain. 
 
 That the Church, and mankind at large, will fare better 
 under the new development than the old, is a subject of 
 general hope and expectation ; the realization is in the 
 future ; and the lover of mankind may indulge the amtici- 
 
 i 
 
272 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 1 1 
 
 i 
 
 pation with glowing exultation, Iiow much soever of dis- 
 appointment awaits him. We sec that things held at one 
 time as sacred and undoubted truths are only allowed a 
 limitt'd course ; like material substances, they can only 
 endure a certain aniount of friction, and then wear out. 
 Who could have imagined, in the palmy days of Popery, 
 that the sentiment of the divine power living in the person 
 of the pope, or in general councils, and spoken from the 
 infallible throne of St. Peter, would have been held as 
 transferred to the French Chamber ? and yet the faith of 
 Lamartine, and men of his cast, is as devoutly fixed on the 
 Revolution and its representative as the embodiment of the 
 divinity, as that of the ancient devotees of Rome was fixed 
 upon his Holiness. 
 
 Be this as it may, the central power which has all along 
 done so much for the unity of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church, is one which partakes very much of the spirit of 
 the age ; namely, the Conference. We only refer to this 
 now, as a means of union and success among the Methodist 
 societies. With few (Exceptions, tliis body has evidently 
 possessed the confidence of the people ; and it has employ- 
 ed its influence assiduously and wisely in promoting both 
 the consolidation and expansion of the Church. It is very 
 evident that, in American society, mere power can do but 
 little to bring about such a result. The cohesive force 
 must be something different from naked, palpable, and 
 frowning authority. V/ith firmness and adherence to con- 
 stitutional rule and order, we believe the moderation of the 
 American (Conference has been its power. Its undoubted 
 desire to proniot< the extension of religion ; to secure the 
 happiness and \n*^rests of rJl its people ; to give them all 
 the advantage.- of knov.lf>dge with those of piety; to leave 
 their civil rights iuid position intact, .vithout any attempt 
 to make them political t«H)la ; the desire for their temporal 
 advancement, and sympathy in ihoir exercises and troubles ; 
 the respect paid to all their feelings and sentiments, as 
 
 
PART :il.— INSTITUTIONS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 273 
 
 er of dis- 
 Id at one 
 illowed a 
 can only 
 year out. 
 Popery, 
 iic person 
 from tlie 
 . held as 
 e faith of 
 ed on the 
 ent of the 
 was fixed 
 
 all along 
 Episcopal 
 spirit of 
 ar to this 
 Methodist 
 evidently 
 3 em ploy - 
 ting both 
 It is very 
 m do but 
 ive force 
 able, and 
 e to con- 
 ion of the 
 ndoubted 
 ecure the 
 them all 
 to leave 
 ^ attempt 
 temporal 
 troubles ; 
 ments, as 
 
 i 
 
 expressed by petition and other means ; the anxiety to 
 follow them in their pilgrimages yito the wilderness, to 
 minister t) their spiritual wants ; — all these, and many 
 other proofs of paternal care and good-will, have united to 
 attract the confidence of the Methodists to their embodied 
 head. So Icng as this confidence remains unshaken, the 
 unity of the Church will be secured ; but the moment tliis 
 confidence is lost, it must be dissolved. The abstraction of 
 the key-stone of an arch would not more surely lead to the 
 fall of the entire fabric, than the forfeiture of confidence in 
 the American Conference, on the part of the people, would 
 lead to the demolition of the Church, and the breaking up 
 of the entire fellowship. 
 
 But we have another great element of federal unity in 
 the American Church in its episcopajy. It is extremely 
 likely that all the rest Avould be i:isutficient without this. 
 This is a vital bond of fellowship. The bishops of the 
 church are in the habit of living among the people : they 
 see and converse with them, they heal their differences, 
 they carry among them the symbols of unity and paternity, 
 and in all thinirs their office is found to conserve the so- 
 cieties. The Americans are too wise and too practical to 
 leave a question of so much importance as the union of the 
 Church to the influence of abstractions, to ideas and laws ; 
 they embody the federal principle in their living repre- 
 sentatives. These good men have never betrayed their 
 trust ; never sought personal aggrandizement at the ex- 
 pense of public peace and usefulness ; never attempted to 
 build up the office of bishop into either a sinecure or a domi- 
 nation. They become in this way the depositaries of a 
 power which, though unfelt, ia very efficient. It is impos- 
 sible that a large community can long remain without 
 causes of difference and debate. These, if left to them 
 selves, will soon produce jars and fnction, which must, in 
 the end, lead to disruptions. Men who refuse to submit to 
 each other arc generally willing to refer differences to a 
 
 12*' 
 
274 
 
 TOUU IN AMERICA. 
 
 third party ; and, supposing confidence in his integrity is 
 felt, are oqually willing to bow to his award. This over- 
 sight of the flock is thought to be well adapted to perpe- 
 tuate the oneness of the body. 
 
 CHAPTER III, 
 
 The Melliodist Church in its Subdivisions— The Circuit and Station — Tlic Sta- 
 tion an innovation— The Ciuarterly-Mcoting Conference— Its Powers. 
 
 The divisions of the Methodist Church exist in the form of 
 circuits or stations, districts, and local Conferences ; that 
 is, Conferences in the sense of a territorial division. 
 
 "We begin with circuits and slutimis. In the commence- 
 ment of the work, circuits, embracing several preachers, 
 and numerous societies, prevailed in America, as is now the 
 case in England. In these circuits, an exchange among 
 the ministers constantly took place, so that the congrega- 
 tions were each Sunday, and at other times, addressed by 
 these preachers alternately. This practice continues at 
 present to a considerable extent, and especially in the 
 country places. 
 
 It seems impossible to cultivate a thinly populated tract 
 of country at first, except upon the adoption of the mission- 
 ary principle ; which principle is embodied in the practice 
 of a pure itinerancy. Hence we find in the new countries, 
 only partially peopled, that the ecclesiastical demar tion 
 is now, properly so called, a circuit. 
 
 But this principle has been nearly altogether abandoned 
 in the towns and cities. The substitution for this is the 
 STATION, which moans the appointment of a single minister 
 to the pastoral charge of one society and congregation 
 during his term, which cannot be longer than two years. 
 This minister is usually kmnvn by the designation, " the 
 preacher in charge" of such and such a church. This 
 "preacher in charge" is the sole pastor of the church in 
 
PART ni.— INSTITUTIONS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 275 
 
 itegrity is 
 [■his over- 
 to pcrpe- 
 
 jti— TIjo Sla- 
 Powers. 
 
 e form of 
 ices ; that 
 m. 
 
 ommcnce- 
 preachers, 
 s now the 
 re among 
 congrega- 
 ressed by 
 itinues at 
 y in the 
 
 tted tract 
 B mission- 
 3 practice 
 countries, 
 mar tion 
 
 bandoncd 
 lis is the 
 minister 
 ^rogation 
 wo years, 
 on, "the 
 h. This 
 •1 lurch in 
 
 
 question, and he is alone responsible ; no one has the right 
 to interfere with him, except as by the provisions of the 
 constitution. This arrangement is important, inasmuch as 
 it is the abandonment of the practice of an alternating, mixed 
 ministry, deemed so essential an appendage of Methodism 
 in this country. Either by the force of habit, the influence 
 of tradition, or the opinion of Mr. Wesley, and some of his 
 most eminent followers, it is now a sort of settled point, an 
 understood case, to be admitted without question or de- 
 bate, that the same congregation cannot be well and effi- 
 ciently served in their spiritual interests, without a change 
 of ministers ; if not once every Lord's day, at any rate 
 every other Sunday. If any deviation from this should bo 
 suggested, a thousand voices, without a moment's reflection, 
 indeed, in less time than thought could be formed into 
 words, Avould cry out, *' Heresy !" and at once j)redict that 
 Methodism would be ruined ! These parties would do well 
 to meditate upon two facts ; namely, that when Mr. Wes- 
 ley established a universal system of itinerancy, including 
 the change of men in the same circuit, he considered them 
 as mere preachers, and not pastors ; and in theory he 
 regarded the Methodist body as societies in the Church ; 
 and, consequently, that the Establishment, was the church 
 to which h*^ and his people belonged ; and, moreover, that 
 the minister of the Establishment, who administered the 
 sacraments to them, was their proper pastor. With these 
 views, and with the purpose of perpetuating this state of 
 things, he made itinerancy a legal part of the Methodist 
 system in this country. The second fact is, that when he 
 established a church in the United States, though no doubt 
 his desire and expectation was that itinerancy in all its 
 gradations would prevail, yet he made no provision for its 
 perpetuity. He evidcntl}'^ did not intend that tlie American 
 ministers slionld be considered only as preachers. Hence 
 his ordinations, his preparation of the " Sunday Service," 
 his organization of u complete church. 
 
i 
 
 (1 
 
 276 
 
 TOUU IN AMERICA. 
 
 I 
 
 
 ri 
 
 
 Without giving up itinerancy formally, it will be found, 
 on examination, that the introduction of the "station" 
 scheme is a very great and important modification of the 
 principle. Many of the " preachers in charge" are literally 
 confined to one congregation. Tiiey never preach beyond 
 the precincts of their own church, and visit no countiy 
 places, cottages, or anything else in the city in which they 
 reside ; — in point of fact, they are limited to the pastoral 
 charge of one congregation, and discharge none of the 
 work of evangelists. It is not intended by this, that these 
 men are idle, that they fail in the duties of their vocation, 
 or, in fine, that they cease to possess the spirit of real min- 
 isters. A large society and numerous congregation Avill 
 find enough of employment for any f^ne man. American 
 Christians, like those nearer home, lequire pastoral attcn- 
 ticii, and earnestly demand it at the hands of their minister. 
 This, with constant preaching to the same people, fills up 
 the time, and entirely engages the labours, of " the preacher 
 in charge." 
 
 The internal government of these circuits and stations is 
 provided for in an exact manner. We find that an execu- 
 tive power, called the " Quarterly-Meeting Conference," is, 
 with the " preacher in charge," the governing body. Be- 
 sides providing funds, and discharging the secular duties 
 of the station, they possess judicial functions of some con- 
 sideration. Indeed, it seems from the Rules that they 
 constitute a court of appeal, as the last resort in all cases , 
 of discipline affecting the standing or character of mem- 
 bers. The delinquent member is, in the first place, brought 
 to trial — 
 
 " Before tlie society of which he is a meTn1)cr, or a vsolect niimher 
 of them, in the presence of iv bishoji, elder, deacon, or preacher. If 
 the accused person be found guilty hy the decision of a majority of 
 the members before whom he is broufjht to trial, and the crime bo 
 such as is expressly forbidden by the word of God, sufficient to ex- 
 clude a person from the kingdom of grace and glory, let the minister 
 or preacher who has the charge of the circuit expel him Never- 
 
 
3e found, 
 ' stution" 
 •n of the 
 ; literally 
 i beyond 
 
 country 
 lich they 
 
 pastoral 
 ic of the 
 hat these 
 vocation, 
 real niin- 
 ition will 
 ^Vmeiican 
 ral attcn- 
 
 minister. 
 ), fills up 
 
 preacher 
 
 tations is 
 \n execu- 
 cnce," is, 
 dy. IJe- 
 ar duties 
 lomc con- 
 lat they 
 all cases . 
 of mem- 
 brought 
 
 ot nmiibcr 
 ichcr. If 
 uijority of 
 
 rrinic be 
 iont to ex- 
 c ministei' 
 
 . . Never- 
 
 
 1 
 
 PART III —INSTITUTIONS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 277 
 
 thelcss, if in an v of the ahovc-mentioncd ojises the minister or prcnchor 
 (liflTer in judj^iacnt from the majority of the society, or the select 
 number, conceriin>; the innocence or (jnilt of the uccuse<l person, tlio 
 trial, in such duse, may he referred hy the mitiister or preacher to 
 the ensuing (luartcrly-meeting conference. " 
 
 Again : — 
 
 " If there he n murmur or complaint from any excluded person, in 
 any of the above-mentioned 'iistnnces, that justice has not been done, 
 he shall be allowe<l an appeal to the next (piartcrly-mceting confer- 
 ence ; and the majority of travellinj; and local ])reachers, cxhortcrs, 
 Btcwards, and leaders present, shall finally determine the case.''^ 
 ''Discipline'' pp. 99-101. Last edition, 1844. 
 
 This evidently places the final decision of all ca.ses of 
 discipline, regarding members in any particular station, in 
 the hands of the authorities of that station. There is no 
 appeal in these cases of moral criminality to any jurisdiction 
 beyond the boundaries of the local church to which the 
 accused party may belong. 
 
 It may be interesting to some to give one item of the 
 temporal economy of the Methodist Church through this 
 Quarterly-Meeting Conference. 
 
 " It shall be the duty of the said committee, ap]»ointed by the 
 above body, or one appointed for that ])urposc, who shall be mem- 
 bers of our chiu'ch, to make an estimate of the amount necessary to 
 funiish fuel and table expenses for the family or families of the 
 preachers stationed with them, and the stewards shall provide, 6_y.s«r7i 
 means as tfin/ inai/ devise, to meet such cx|K'nses, in money or other- 
 wise." — "Discipline," p. 190. Last edition, 1844. 
 
 It is to be hoped these committee gentlemen, Avho are 
 called to sit in judgment on the eating and drinking capat 
 city of their preachers, their wives, and children, are uni- 
 formly family-men themselves, possess the sympathies of 
 parents and husbands, and do not receive their appointment 
 because of a disposition to put the poor wretches upon 
 " short commons !" 
 
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 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 
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 rl 
 
 CHAPTEIl IV. 
 
 Subdivisions continued— The District— llow constituted— Tiie presiding Elder 
 —Rules and Laws— The several Orders of Ministers. 
 
 TnK district is the charge of the presiding elder, and is 
 constituted of a greater or less number of circuits or sta- 
 tions, according to the convenience of the case. Properly 
 speaking, the presiding elder is a bishop, and the district 
 is his diocese. He is not appointed to any local charge, and 
 travels through his district constantly for the purpose of 
 superintending its affairs. 
 
 The presiding elders are chosen by the bishops ; they 
 are stationed and changed by the bishops: the bishops 
 may allow a presiding elder to remain in the same district 
 for any term not exceeding four years successively ; after 
 which he shall not be appointed to the same district for 
 six years. 
 
 The duties of the presiding elder arc, — 
 
 " 1. To travel tliroiigli his appointed district. 
 
 " 2. In the absence of tlic hishop, to take charge of all tlie elders 
 and deacons, travelling and local preaclicrs, and exhorters iu his 
 district. 
 
 "3. To change, receive, and suspend preachers in his district dur- 
 ing the intervals of the conference, and in the absence of the bishop, 
 as the Discipline directs. 
 
 ■•;. In the absence of a bishop, to preside in the conference; but 
 in case thci'C are two or more presiding elders belonging to one con- 
 ference, the bishop or bishops may, by letters or otherwise, iippoint 
 ^ he president; but if no appointment be ni;ulo. or if the jMcsiding 
 elder appointed do not attend, the conference shall, in either of these 
 cases, elect the president by ballot, without a debate, from among 
 the presiding elders. 
 
 " 5. To be present, as far as practicable, at all the quarterly-meet- 
 ings ; and to call together, at each quarterly meeting, a (juarterly-mcet- 
 ing conference, consisting of all the travelling and local preachers, ex- 
 horters, stewards, and leaders of the circuit, and none else, to hear 
 complaints, and to receive and try ajjpeals. The (juarterly-mecting 
 conference shall ai)poin! a secretary to take down the proceedings 
 
 
 ! iiii 
 
\- 
 
 \ 
 
 csiding Elder 
 
 ler, and is 
 lits or sta- 
 Propcrly 
 he district 
 uirge, and 
 )urpose of 
 
 ops ; they 
 le bishops 
 me district 
 'cly ; after 
 district for 
 
 the ciders 
 iters ill his 
 
 istrict diir- 
 thc hishop, 
 
 orcnoc ; hut 
 to one con- 
 iso, !H)i)oint 
 jiri'sidiii^ 
 ler of these 
 •cm among 
 
 terly-mcet- 
 terly-meet- 
 cachers, ex- 
 Isc, to hear 
 rly-meetinnj 
 )rocccdings 
 
 
 PART III. — INSTITUTIONS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 279 
 
 thereof, in a hook kept liy one of the stewards of the cirenit, for that 
 purpose. 
 
 " 6. To oversee the spiritual and temporal business of the church 
 in his district, and to promote, l)y all ]>roper means, the cause of 
 missions and Sunday-schools, and the publication, at our own press, 
 of Bibles, tracts, and Sunda\'-school liooks : and carefully to in(|iiirc, 
 at each quarterly-mcctinp: conference, whether the rules rcspectinj^ 
 the instruction of children have been faithfully obsened ; and to re- 
 port to the annual conference the names of all travelling preachers 
 within his district, who shall nes^lect to observe these rules. 
 
 " 7. To take care that every part of our Discipline be enforced in his 
 district. And to decide all questions of law in a (piarterly-nieetiuj:^ 
 conference, subject to an appeal to the president of the next annual 
 conference ; but in all cases the application of law shall he with the 
 conference." — '■'■Discipline^'' pp. 31-33. 
 
 From these rules, it is evident tlic oflice of tlie presiding 
 elder agrees, in character, with the suffragan bisliop of 
 ancient times. By right of his appointment, in tlie absence 
 of the bishop he presides at meetings for business ; he hears 
 appeals, and sits in judgment in cases of discipline ; ho 
 travels through his district for the purpose of " overseeing" 
 its state, and putting all things in ord or ; and on him lies 
 the responsibility of seeing that all the rules of the Disci- 
 pline are observed by both preachers and people. But the 
 fact that all this is only done in the absence of the bishop, 
 indicates that he is, in some sort, considered as his substi- 
 tute. In point of practice, the whole falls pretty constantly 
 upon the presiding elder, in consequence of the constant 
 travelling of the bishops. We see from these laws that 
 the American Methodists are not afraid of giving power to 
 their officers sufficient to enable them fully to exercise the 
 functions of their calling. A vigorous executive is what 
 their system everywhere indicates ; but, at the same time, 
 this executive is responsible for all its acts. 
 
 Various other ecclesiastical officers are found in one of 
 these districts. It may be proper to give them a place 
 here, that the whole case may be ufiderstood. 
 
 " There arc the c.rhorins, who receive their license from a (piarterly- 
 
 t% 
 
ffff^ 
 
 
 280 
 
 TOUR IN AxMERICA. 
 
 
 i ■' ^ " 
 
 
 
 £ 
 
 !»! 
 
 meeting conference, and have the privilege of holding meetings for 
 exhortation and prayer. 
 
 " A preacher is one that holds a license, and is authorized to preach, 
 hut not to bjii)tize or administer the Lord's supper : he may be either 
 a travelling or local preacher. A local preacher generally follows 
 some secular employment for a livelihood, and preaches on the Sab- 
 bath, and at other times occasionally, without any temporal emolu- 
 ment. A travelling preacher devotes himself entirely to the work 
 of the ministry, and is supported by the people among whom he la- 
 bours. All these, after being recommended by the class to which 
 they respectively belong, or by a leaders' meeting, receive their 
 license from a quarterly-meeting conference, signed by a presiding 
 elder. 
 
 " A deacon holds a parchment from a bishop, and is authorized, in 
 addition to discharging the duties of a preacher, to solemnize matri- 
 mony, to bury the dead, to baptize, and to assist the elder in admin- 
 istering the Lord's supper. It is his duty also to seek after the sick 
 and poor, and administer to their comfort. 
 
 " An elder, besides doing the duties above enumerated, has full 
 authority to administei all the ordinances of God's house. These 
 generally, whenever a suflRcient mimber can be had, have the charge 
 of circuits, and the administration of the several parts of the Disci- 
 pline of the Church." — Bangs's '■' History of Mcthcdisin^^ vol i, p. 246. 
 
 These extracts, it is hoped, will give a pretty accurate 
 notion of a Methodist district in the American Church, and 
 of the functions of its several officers. The gradation of 
 orders, it is seen, is very strictly observed. The exhorter, 
 the preacher, the deacon, the elder, the presiding elder, — 
 all taking their place in conformity to law and order ; and 
 no man, as appears, moving in any sphere without a com- 
 mission. The recommendation of " a class," as to a man's 
 qualifications, and the power exercised by the Quarterly- 
 Meeting Conference, will appear novel to us; but, on 
 examination, the anomaly will not turr out to be very 
 great, neither be found very much different from our own 
 practice. 
 
i 
 JCIVC 
 
 actings for 
 
 to preach, 
 
 y be either 
 lly follows 
 n the Sab- 
 ral emolu- 
 ) the work 
 hom he hi- 
 to whicli 
 their 
 I presiding 
 
 horized, in 
 iiize matri- 
 ' in admiu- 
 ;er the sick 
 
 id, has full 
 Be. These 
 the charge 
 tlie Disci- 
 fl i, p. 246. 
 
 accurate 
 
 ircli, and 
 
 ation of 
 
 exhorter, 
 
 elder, — 
 
 er ; and 
 
 t a com- 
 
 a man's 
 
 uarterly- 
 
 biit, on 
 
 be very 
 
 our own 
 
 PART III. — INSTITUTIONS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 281 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Subdivisions continued — The Episcopacy— Bishops, how appointed — Laws and 
 Regulations — Reilectious— The Division of Labour amongst the Hislmps — 
 Names of those who have roceived this Oflice— Purity of Election — Popu- 
 larity. 
 
 We now approach a grave question : we enter upon the 
 consideration of that function by wliich the Methodist 
 Church is distinguished. We are not here called upon to 
 enter into the controversies which arose on the appointment 
 of superintendents for the Methodist Church by Mr. Wes- 
 ley, or the assumption of the title of " bishop," as we have 
 seen, by these superiniendents, first b}^ themselves, and 
 then as assented to by the Conference. Our task is rather 
 to describe the nature of the office, and the manner in 
 which this episcopacy has hitherto worked. 
 
 We begin with the appointment to the office. We have 
 already seen that Mr. Asbury refused to take upon himself 
 the episcopate, on the nomination of Mr. Wesley, till he 
 had obtained the suffrages of his brethren in Conference ; 
 so that his assvmiption of the duties of the station assigned 
 him was rendered valid by the election of the body in ques- 
 tion, as well as by the nomination of the father of the 
 family. This pr'^cedent, no doubt, has had its effect in all 
 future ■ .ppointments. The bishops have never been, from 
 that time, elected to the office by the episcopacy itself, by 
 the call of the bishops preceding them, but by the Con- 
 ference. It 155 necessary to give the law itself on this case. 
 The Conference enacts as follows ; — 
 
 " QuES. 1. — How IS a bishop to be constituted ? 
 
 " Ans. — By the election of the General Conference, and the laying 
 on of the hands of three bishops, or at least of one bishop and two 
 elders. 
 
 " QuES. — If, by death, expulsion, or otherwise, there be no bishop 
 remaining in our Church, what shall we do ? 
 
 " Ans. — The General Conference shall elect a bishop ; and tho 
 ciders, or any three of them, who shall be appointed by the General 
 
 \iif 
 
* vi 
 
 282 
 
 TOUR IN AiMERICA. 
 
 
 Conference for tliat purpose, .sliall ordain him according to our form 
 of ordination. 
 
 " QuKS. — What arc the duties of a bisl:op ? 
 
 " Ans. — 1. To preside in our conferences. 
 
 "2. To fix the appointments of the prcaclicrs for thn several cir- 
 cuits, provided he shall not allow any preacher to remain in the 
 same station more than two years successively ; except the i)residing 
 ciders, the general editor, the general book-steward and his assistant, 
 the editor and assistant-editor of the Christian Advocate and Jour- 
 nal, the editor of the Sunday-school hooks, the corresponding secre- 
 taries, editors, and agents at Cincinnati, the supernumerary, super- 
 annuated, and worn-out preachers, missionaries among the Indians, 
 missionaries to our people of colour, and on foreign stations, chap- 
 lains to state-prisons and military posts, those preachers that may be 
 appointed to labour for the special benefit of seamen, and for the 
 American Bible Society, also the preacher or preachers that may be 
 stationed in the city of New-Orleans, and the presidents, prinfiialr^, 
 or teachers of seminaries of learning, which arc or may be under our 
 superintendence ; and also, when requested by an annual conference, 
 to ajipoint a preaclKu- for a longer time tlian two years to any semi- 
 nary of learning not under oiu' care ; provided, also, that with the 
 exceptions above named, he shall not continue a preacher in the 
 same appointment !nore than two years in six ; nor in the same 
 city more than four years in succession ; nor return him to it after 
 such term of service till he shall have been absent four years. lie 
 shall have authority, when requested by an annual conference, to ap- 
 jioint an agent, whose duty it shall be to travel throughout the 
 . bounds of such conference, for the purpose of establishing and aiding 
 Sabbath-schools, and distributing tracts, and also to appoint an 
 agent or agents for the benefit of our literary institutions. 
 
 " 3. In the intervals of the conference, to change, receive, and sus- 
 pend preachers, as necessity may require, and as the Discipline 
 directs. 
 
 " 4. To travel through the connexion at large. 
 
 " 5. To oversee the spiritual and temporal business of our Church. 
 
 " 6. To ordi:in bishops, elders, and deacons. 
 
 " 7. To decide all questions of law in an annual conference ; sub- 
 ject to an appeal to the General Conference ; but in all cases the ap- 
 plication of law shall be with the conference. 
 
 " S. The bishops may, when they judge it necessary, unite two or 
 more circuits or stations together, without aflfecting their separate 
 financial interests, or pastoral duties. 
 
 " QujiS. 4. — To whom is a bishop amenable for his conduct 1 
 
 
;o our form 
 
 several cir- 
 lain in the 
 ic presiding 
 is assistant, 
 e and Joiir- 
 iding sccre- 
 rary, snper- 
 lic Indians, 
 tions, eliap- 
 liat may he 
 and for tlio 
 hat may be 
 , prinrii.ab, 
 e under our 
 conference, 
 3 any scmi- 
 at with the 
 chcr in the 
 1 the same 
 . to it after 
 years, lie 
 mce, to ap- 
 ;5hout tlie 
 and aiding 
 ippoint an 
 
 >, and sus- 
 Discipline 
 
 iir Church. 
 
 ence; sub- 
 es the ap- 
 
 ite two or 
 r separate 
 
 duct 1 
 
 PART III. — INrfTITUTIOXS OE THE M. E. CHURCH. 2i>3 
 
 " Axs. — To the General Conference, who have power to expel 
 him for improper conduct, if they see it necessary. 
 
 " QuES. 5. — What j)rovision shall be made fo/ the trial of a bishop, 
 if he should be accused of immorality in the interval of the r-merai 
 Conference "? 
 
 '• Ans. — If a bishop be accused of immoralky, three travelling 
 elders shall call u])on him, and examine him on the subject ; and if 
 the t...oe elders verily believe that tlic bisliop is guilty of tlie crime, 
 they shall call to tlicir aid two presiding elders from two districts in 
 the neighbourhood of tliat Avhcre the crime was conmiittcd, each of 
 which presiding elders shall bring with him two ciders, or an elder 
 and a deacon. The above-mentioned niiic persons shall form a 
 conference, to exami".e into the charge brought against the bishop ; 
 and if tAvo-thinls of them verily believe him to be guilty of the crime 
 laid to his charge, they shall have authority to suspend the bishop 
 till the ensuing General Conference, and the districts shall be regu- 
 lated in the mean time as is provided in the third and fifth sections ; 
 but no accusL.ion shall be received against a bishop, except it be de- 
 livered in writing, signed by those who are to prove the crime; and a 
 copy of the accusation shall ])e given to the accused bishop. 
 
 "QuKS. 6. — If a bisl.oj) cease from travelling at large among the 
 people, shall he still v.xercise his episcopal office among us in any 
 degree ? 
 
 " Ans. — If he cease from travelling Avithout the consent of tlie 
 General Conference, he shall not thereafter exercise the episco^Kil 
 office in our Church." — •' Disci plive,^^ pp. 27-31. 
 
 The real genius of the American Church comes out ia 
 these regulations. 
 
 1. We may remark, that the execution of the laws and 
 discipline of the Church is invariably committed to men, 
 not to Boards, to Committees. There is a great difference. 
 A Committee is a thing : it is an amalgamation of many 
 intellects, minds, hearts, consciences, just making — nil. A 
 Committee can do no wrong ; because, as all are supposed 
 to do the wrong thing, none do it ! And as a Committee 
 can do no wrong, so it can suffer no punishment ! Who 
 could hang a Committee ? Because business is done by 
 many and not by one, some parties have the idea, that more 
 freedom is secured by this arrangement, and that Commit- 
 tees cannot play the tyrant, while a man may do so. A 
 
 j:! 
 
f(T' 
 
 '^:^-mM 
 
 284 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 i i 
 
 '■> ,1 
 
 greater fallacy never entered the brain of man than this ; 
 and all experience, whether in Church or State, will furnish 
 ample illustration. Surely, ^'^'^ Americans understand the 
 question of liberty pretty well ; and, no doubt, it WaS this 
 feeling, in connexion with other reasons, — and, among the 
 rest, the intention to have their work done, and not shelved 
 from time to time, — Avhich led them to commit its execution 
 into the hands of living, tangible, moving men. 
 
 2. With the office and obligations of great duties, they 
 consistently give ample power for the execution of the trust. 
 In this we see no suspicions, no niggardly and petty jea- 
 lousies, no fear. A franV and noble confidence in the men 
 of their choice is manifested ; and these men, we see, are 
 sent through tlic churches with full credentials and powers 
 to execute their noble task. 
 
 3. This investiture with real authority is not nullified by 
 the miserable bondage of a load of conditions. They are 
 not sent to move through the country with a web of spi- 
 ders'- work around them at every point ; or of nets, gins, 
 pitfalls at their feet, into which at any moment they may 
 tumble ; nor has any small creature the power, by means 
 of some of these contrivances, to trip up their heels, or 
 prevent them from moving. What says the law ? The 
 bishops shall " travel through the connexion." This is all. 
 It is not said how fast, by what routes ; whether on foot, 
 on horseback, or in a carriage. The meaning is, they shall 
 be free to go, to execute their commission, none hindering 
 or putting obstructions in their path. There is this differ- 
 ence betwixt a little and paltry, and a great and magnani- 
 mous, policy : the former sends its agents forth bound hand 
 and foot, as mere puppets, to execute its commission by the 
 instructions received ; the lacter selects competent men, 
 furnishes the commission to act, and then gives freedom to 
 the soul, — and in this freedom is strength. Xo human 
 /ules and canons can meet the exigences of the world ; 
 man's soul alone, taught by God's own truth and Spirit, 
 
PART III.— INSTITUTIONS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 
 
 285 
 
 lan this ; 
 1 furnish 
 tand the 
 w:\s tills 
 ^on(r the 
 i shelved 
 ixecution 
 
 ies, they 
 
 he trust. 
 
 etty jea- 
 the men 
 see, are 
 
 i powers 
 
 llified by 
 rhey are 
 b of spi- 
 ks, gins, 
 hey may 
 by means 
 leels, or 
 ? The 
 lis is all. 
 on foot, 
 ley shall 
 indering 
 is differ- 
 nagnani- 
 nd hand 
 »n by the 
 nt, men, 
 edom to 
 human 
 world ; 
 i Spirit, 
 
 can do this. It is this principle, we are persuaded, wliich 
 has given American Methodism its strength, its elasticity, 
 its expansion, and its triumphs. 
 
 4. With these powers and this freedom of action, then, 
 we find connected the principle of responsibility. But this 
 responsibiUty is, in the law, limited very much to the ques- 
 tion of immorality. These bishops are not put upon their 
 trial as to the observance of technical rules in their adminis- 
 tration. Any dereliction in these matters is left to circum- 
 stances, to the force of public opinion, and to the power of 
 the constitution to rectify any existing evil. The absence 
 of all fear as to any mischievous effects resulting from 
 freedom, whether possessed by a bishop in the execution 
 of his ofHce, or by the private member in the enjoyment of 
 his privileges, is very apparent in the whole economy. 
 
 It may be as Avell to remark, at this point, that the 
 bishops are not appointed to their respective provinces, or 
 spheres of labour, by the conference. The practice is, for 
 the bishops to meet after each General Conference, and 
 settle among themselves the several parts of the work to be 
 done by each, till the meeting of the next General Confer- 
 ence. By this method the same bishop is not confined 
 constantly to the same portion of the country ; they change 
 as occasion may require, and the state of the Church may 
 make expedient. 
 
 Some may be curious to know how these dignitaries of 
 the Cliurch fare in the matter of living, episcopal palaces, 
 and all whicli pertains to the external glory of a bishop. 
 This, then, is the matter of fact : " The annual allowance 
 of the married travelling, supernumerary, and superannu- 
 ated preachers, and the bishops, shall be two hundred dol- 
 lars, and their travelling expenses." — "Discipline,'^ p. 182. 
 We find such notices as the follov/ing in Bishop Asbury's 
 Jom-nal : — " The we^iher has been unpleasant ; and our 
 clothing needed improvement and increase." " The super- 
 intendent bishop of the Methodist Church in America being 
 
 M 
 
2^Cy 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 reduced to two dollars, lie was obliged to make his wanta 
 known." This was in 1814, after he had been a bishop 
 about twenty 3'ear.s. 
 
 Under this constitution the following bishops have been 
 appointed in the American C/hurch ; namely. Dr. Coke, 
 Asbury, >Vhatcoat, M'Kendree, George, lloberts, Soule, 
 Hedding, Andrew, Emoiy, Waugh, Morris, Hamline, Janes ; 
 and in the Methodist Episcopal Church South, Capers and 
 Inline. 
 
 Bishop Whatcoat was an Englishman, and was recom- 
 mended for the work by Mr. Wesley, lie was evidently a 
 man of ardent piety ; a constant and successful preacher ; 
 a most amiable man, and a faithful bishop ; and was, 
 moreover, greatly beloved by his brethren and the people. 
 ])ishops Asbury and Whatcoat seem to have been kindred 
 spirits, and greatly attached to each other. They travel- 
 led much together, and Asbury constantly speaks in the 
 most respectful and affectionate terms of his brother What- 
 coat. 
 
 Bishop M'Kendree is evidently, after Bishop Asbury, 
 about the first man amoncf the dead who ever belonired to 
 the Church : angelically devout ; fervent, holy, and affec- 
 tionate in his spirit; an ardent, pathetic, and powerful 
 preacher ; constant, and indefatigable, and self-denying in 
 his labours ; and a most upright, judicious, dignified, and 
 faithful superintendent of the church. In his early days 
 the bishops had to traverse the whole continent; and we 
 find Bishop M'Kendree taking his share in this painful toil. 
 Often, in company with his noble-minded leader, we see him 
 suflfering every kind of privation and inconvenience to win 
 souls to Christ, and spread the savour of his Divine Master's 
 name. After the death of Bishop Asbury, being the senior, 
 he was called to perform very onerous duties in the affairs 
 of the Church ; and by his goodness, firmness, wisdom, and 
 entire devotion to his Master's service, succeeded in rescu- 
 ing it from many pei'ils, as Avell as establishing it in 
 
 I 
 
 liiij 
 
PART III. — INSTITUTIONS OF THE M. E. OllUROII. 2H7 
 
 :ing m 
 
 greater stability and order than when he entered upon his 
 work. 
 
 Bishop Emory was a different man to either of the above. 
 ]]eing educated for the hiw, liis mind became sharpened by 
 his studies, so that he possessed great acuteness and logical 
 power. He was, however, an eminently good man, a very 
 able preacher ; and during the short time of his continuance 
 in office, displayed all the essential qualities of a most 
 excellent superintendent. lie was mysteriously called away 
 (being killed by the overthrow of the vehicle in which he 
 was travelling) in the prime of life, and the prospect of 
 great usefulness. 
 
 As far as appears, the conference has never been moved 
 by party feelings in the choice of these important officers. 
 No low or paltry motives seem to have entered into their 
 views in conferring this responsible trust. They have 
 invariably selected fine and excellent men ; the proof of this 
 is in the fact, that no charg has ever been substantiated 
 against any of them. But this is low praise ; they have 
 shown themselves to be men of exalted character. With 
 such bishops, there is no danger of episcopacy being sub- 
 verted in America. 
 
 This system, moreover, has been, on the whole, extremely 
 well received among the people. It may, indeed, be said 
 to have been popular ; and the few attempts which have 
 been made to subvert the episcopacy, have been utterly 
 fruitless. It is clear, that the people affectionately reve- 
 rence these men of God ; and not the less, but the more, 
 for their being bishops. There is, indeed, nothing in them 
 to offend the most simple, the most republican, taste. 
 Sacerdotal habiliments were attempted at first, but, meeting 
 with opposition, were soon laid aside. It is not likely, in a 
 country where the President of the States, the Speakers of 
 tlie Senate and Congress, the judges and counsel of the 
 courts, all appear in plain attire, that robes of office would 
 be very palatable in the Methodist priesthood. Religion 
 
 Ml 
 
 'M 
 
 . '■'HI 
 
f^ 
 
 t ■ I' 
 
 288 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 its(;lf is the power of these holy men ; the people know 
 their character, iind esteem them for their work's sake ; and 
 Avere it not for this, coUpled with great and disinterested 
 labours, the Methodist episcopacy would undoubtedly soon 
 come to an end. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Subdivisions continued— Tho Annual Conference— How constituted— Its Func- 
 tions— Elects Delegates to the General Conference. 
 
 The Annual Conferences are forty in number, and embrace 
 the whole area of the United States. An Annual Confer- 
 ence means, among other things, a territorial district, 
 defined by the general laws. Each preacher of the body 
 in America belongs, ministerially, to one of these Annual 
 Conferences, and not to the general Church. In the ordi- 
 nary course of things, he consequently moves within the 
 limits of this ecclesiastical demarcation ; and if he remove 
 to any other conference, he is transferred to the new sphere 
 by the proper authorities. 
 
 The conference assembly is composed of all the travel- 
 ling preachers of the district in question ; and this meeting 
 is presided over by a bishop. The business of this assembly 
 consists of the ordinary routine, and it has no legislative 
 functions whatever. The usual questions are asked as to 
 " What preachers are admitted on trial ? Who remain on 
 trial ? Who are admitted into full connexion ? Who are 
 the deacons ? Who have been elected and ordained elders 
 this year ? Who have been elected, by the suffrages of the 
 General Conference, to exercise the episcopal office, and 
 superintend the Methodist Episcopal Church in America? 
 Who have located this year? "^Vho are the supernumera- 
 ries ? Who are the superannuated or worn-out preachers 
 this year ?" &c. If charges are found against any of the 
 preachers, they are put upon their trial at this tribunal, 
 
 1 
 c 
 
 \ 
 I 
 
e know 
 ke ; and 
 tercsted 
 ily soon 
 
 [— ItH Func- 
 
 embrace 
 1 Confer'- 
 district, 
 Lho body 
 e Annual 
 tho ordi- 
 I'lthin the 
 e remove 
 w sphere 
 
 e travel- 
 meeting 
 assembly 
 egislative 
 ed as to 
 emain on 
 Who are 
 ed elders 
 es of the 
 ffice, and 
 \merica ? 
 rnumcra- 
 preachers 
 ny of the 
 tribunal, 
 
 PART 111. -liSSTlTUTlONS Oi THEM. E. ClIUlUJII. 'lx\i 
 
 with the right of appeal against its decisions to the General 
 Conference. Monetary matters are adjusted at this meet- 
 ing, and accounts received from the circuits and stations. 
 Tlie preachers here receive their appointments for the year, 
 within the bounds of the conference, and always by the 
 authority of the bishop. 
 
 It is evident from all this, that the Annual (^)nference 
 is chiefly an administrative body. It is the meeting of the 
 preachers with the bishop, for the transaction of the busi- 
 ness of the Church in that particular department. Of course, 
 they have enough to do. The conferences often consist of 
 one hundred, and sometimes near two hundred, preachers ; 
 and to settle the business of their several circuits, and adjust 
 what may be out of order, will require much time and 
 talent. On the approach of a General Conference, these 
 local bodies elect their delegates to attend, the proportion 
 being one representative for every twenty-one preachers. 
 These Annual Conferences, of necessity, exercise great 
 moral influence within their own sphere ; and they possess 
 certain constitutional rights, which the General Conference 
 cannot annul ; and when these constitutional rights come in 
 the way of that body, they cannot mt)ve without the con- 
 currence of three-fourths of the votes of the preachers 
 composing these Annual Conferences. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Subdivisions continued — Tlie General Conference — Dr. Bangs's Account of its 
 formation — Its Powers— Fundamental Principles — Retleclions. 
 
 The General Conference, as a distinct institution, did not 
 come into existence for several years after Methodism had 
 assumed great strength. The account given by Dr. Bangs 
 will place this subject in its true light, which we now give. 
 Under the date of 1792, he says, — 
 
 U 
 
i^yo 
 
 TOUK 1^ AMERICA. 
 
 " As has been seen in the preceding pages, the general affairs of 
 the Church had been conducted heretofore chiefly in the several an- 
 nual conferences, which were considered only as so many parts of 
 the whole body ; for nothing was allowed binding upon all, unless it 
 were approved of by each and every of these separate conferences. 
 It is true, that tho Christmas conference of 1784, at which the Church 
 WHS organized, was considered a General Conference, b- 'ause all 
 the preachers were invited to attend, for tlie transaction of the im- 
 portant business then and there to be submitted to them ; and, there- 
 fore, the acts and doings of that conference were considered to be 
 binding upon the whole Chiu'ch. As the work continually increased, 
 anc spread over such a large and extended territory, it was found 
 impracticable for all the preachers to assemble annually in one place, 
 without too great a consumption of time and expense ; and hence the 
 practice which had been adopted of appointing several conferences 
 in the same year in different parts of the country, for the convenience 
 of both the bishop and the } leachers : but as one of these conferences 
 could not make laws for all tlie rest, nor yet all the rest for that one 
 without its consent ; and as it was not likely that so many indepen- 
 dent bodies could be brought to harmonize in all things pertaining 
 to ihc welfare of the Church ; there was danger from this state of 
 tilings, of a ilissolution of the body, and the establishment of a num- 
 ber of separate and distinct communities, acting independently of 
 each other. 
 
 " To prevent evils of this chara' ter, and to create a centre of union 
 to the entire body, the council had been instituted ; but this unpopu- 
 lar mcasiu'c, not answering the end of its organization, was, by gene- 
 ral consent, dissolved, and a General Conference called in its place. 
 This was, it seems, agreed upon by the several annual conferences 
 which had been held this year. 
 
 " This conference assembled in the city of Baltimore, on the first 
 day of November, 1 TO"?, and was composed of all '^e travelling 
 preachers who had been received into full connexion. As this was 
 considered the first regular General Conference, and as those who 
 composcii it came together under an expectation that very impor- 
 tant matters would be transacted, it seems proper to give a particular 
 account of tlieir acts and doings. Dr. Coke had returned from 
 Europe, and presided, conjointly witii Bishop Asbury, over their 
 deliberations. 
 
 " As there were no restrictions upon the powers of this conference, 
 the entire discii)line of the Church came up for review and revision; 
 but to prevent, as far as possib'j, any imi^roper innovation upon ex- 
 isting rules, or the premature adoption of new regxdations, they 
 
ral affairs of 
 e several an- 
 lany parts of 
 I all, unless it 
 e conferences, 
 ■h the Church 
 e, b< 'fiusc all 
 on of the im- 
 n ; and. there- 
 sidei'cd to be 
 ally increased, 
 , it was found 
 Y in one place, 
 and hence the 
 al conferences 
 ic convenience 
 !se conferences 
 St for that one 
 many indepen- 
 ags pertaining; 
 I this state of 
 lent of a num- 
 iependcntly of 
 
 •entre of union 
 this unpopu- 
 was, by gene- 
 id in its place, 
 al conferences 
 
 re, on the hrst 
 •^c travelling 
 As this was 
 as those who 
 at very impor- 
 ve a particular 
 returned from 
 rv, over their 
 
 lis conference, 
 and revision ; 
 ation upon ex- 
 juhitions, they 
 
 i 
 
 PART 111. — I.NSTITLTIONS OF THE M. E. CllUllCll. 'l\)l 
 
 agi'ecd that ' it shall take two-thirds of all the members of the con- 
 ference to make any new rule, or abolish an old one ; but a majority 
 may alter or ameuu any rule.' 
 
 " They soon had an opportunity to try the strength of this rule in 
 preserving them from an innovation upon established usage, in respect 
 to the power of stationing the preachers." — Bangs's ^'■History of Metho- 
 dism" vol. i, pp. 34-J-344. 
 
 "Another General Conference was held iu 1796, and at this con- 
 ference the discretionary power of the bishops to assemble as many 
 animal conferences as they pleased was taken away, and the number 
 limited to six. 
 
 " In 1 806, Bishop Asbury submitted a proposition to all the an- 
 nual conferences, in which he proposed, for the first time, the estab- 
 lisliuient of a delegated General Conference. As it was deemed 
 proper to secure perfect unanimity on so grave a question, this was 
 defeated by Jesse Lee, who induced tiiC Virginia Conference to ob- 
 ject." — Bangs's ''History of Methodism,'' vol. ii, p. 177. 
 
 "In 1808, tliis question was brought to a decision in favour of the 
 mea:uire, l)y the adoption, on the part of the General Conference, of 
 the following recommendation of a committee appointed to consider 
 the subject : — 
 
 '■ ' Whereas it is of tlie greatest importance that the doctrine, form 
 of goveniment, and general rules of the united societies in America 
 be preserved sacred and inviolate ; and whereas every prudent mea- 
 sure should be taken to preserve, strengthen, and peri)etuate tlie 
 union of the connexion ; 
 
 " ' Therefore, your committee, upon mature deliberation, have 
 thoiiglit it advisable, that the third section of the form of discipline 
 sluill be a'< follows' — adopting the principle." — Bangs's '" History of 
 Methodism" vol. ii, p. 229. 
 
 It only remnins to give the constitution of this supreme 
 assembly of the American Episcopal Church : — 
 
 " i. The Cenoral Conference shall be composed of one member for 
 every twenty-one members of each annual conference, to be appointed 
 cither by seniority or choice, at the discretion of such annual con- 
 ference ; yet, so that such representatives shall have travelled at least 
 four full calendai- years from the time that they were received on 
 trial by an annual conference, and are in full eonneidon at the time 
 of holding the conference. 
 
 " 2. The General Oonference shall meet on the first day of May, 
 in the year of our Lord 1812, in the city of New- York, and thence- 
 forward on the first day of May, once in four years perpetually, in 
 
 k' 
 
 *;-i 
 
 I 
 
 |i 
 
292 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 such place or places as shall he fixed on by the General Conference 
 from time to time ; but the general superintendents, with or by the 
 advice of all the Annual Conferences, or, if there be no general super- 
 intendent, all the Annual Conferences respectively shall have power 
 to call a General Conference, if they judge it necessary at any time. 
 
 " 3. At all times when the General Conference is met, it shall take 
 two-thirds of the representatives of all the Annual Conferences to 
 make a quorum for transacting business. 
 
 " 4. One of the general superintendents shall preside in the Gene- 
 ral Conference ; but in case no general superintendent be present, 
 the General Conference shall choose a president, /)ro tern. 
 
 '' 5. The Geni-nU Conference shall have full powers to make niles 
 and regulations for oiu- Church, under the following limitations and 
 restrictions, viz : — 
 
 "(1.) The General Conference shall not revoke, alter, or change 
 our Articles of Religion, nor establish any new standard or rules of 
 doctrine contrary to our present existing and established standards 
 of doctrine. 
 
 "(2.) They shall not allow of more than one representative for 
 every fourteen members of the Annual Conference, nor alhnv of a less 
 number tlian one for every thirty : provided, nevertheless, that when 
 there shall he in any Annual Conference a fraction of two-thirds the 
 number wliich shall be fixed for the ratio of represer tation, such An- 
 nual Conference shall be entitled to an additional dvdegate for such 
 fraction ; and provided, also, that no Conference shall be denied the 
 privilege of two delegates. 
 
 " (3.) They shall not change or alter any part or rule of our gov- 
 ernment, so as to do away episcopacy, or destroy the plan of our 
 itinerant general superintendency. 
 
 "(4.) They shall not revoke or change the general rules of the 
 United Societies. 
 
 "(5.) They shall not do away the privileges of our ministers or 
 preaHiers. of trial by a committee, and of an appeal : neither shall 
 they do away the privileges of our members, of trial before the soci- 
 ety, or by a committee, and of an appeal. 
 
 " (6.) They shall not appropriate the prodiu^e of the Book-Concem, 
 nor of the Charter Fund, to any pui7)ose other than for the benefit of 
 the travelling, supeniumeraiy. superannuated, and worn-out preach- 
 ers, their wives, widows, and children. Provided, nevertheless, that 
 upon the concuiTcnt recommendation of three-fourths of all the mem- 
 bers of the several Annual Conferences, who shall be present and 
 vote on such recommendation, then a majority of two-thirds of the 
 General Conference succeeding shall suffice to alter any of the above 
 
onforence 
 or by the 
 ral super- 
 \\e power 
 iny time, 
 shall take 
 erences to 
 
 the Gene- 
 )e present, 
 
 tnake niles 
 :ations and 
 
 or change 
 or rules of 
 , standards 
 
 ntative for 
 u\v of a less 
 , that when 
 o-thirds the 
 n, such An- 
 ite for such 
 denied the 
 
 )f our gov- 
 )lan of our 
 
 [nk's of the 
 
 linisters or 
 nther shall 
 [re the soci- 
 
 Ik-Concem, 
 
 le benefit of 
 
 lout preach- 
 
 Iheless, that 
 
 111 the mem- 
 
 bresent and 
 
 liirds of the 
 
 If the above 
 
 PART III. — INSTITUTIONS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 293 
 
 restrictions, excepting the first article ; and also, whenever such alte- 
 ration or alterations shall have been first recommended by two-thirds 
 of the General Conference, so soon as three-fourths of the members 
 of all the Annual Conferences shall have concurred as aforesaid, such 
 alteration or alterations shall take effbct." — " Biacipliyie" pp. 21-24. 
 
 Here, then, we have the Magna Ciiarta of Methodism 
 in the States. This document indicates the good sense and 
 the diligent forethouajht of those who framed it. We see 
 from it, that the American Methodists are no revolutionists, 
 and that they desire to escape such a catastrophe. The 
 legislative power is not at liberty to alter anything deemed 
 fundamental. This limits the functions of the assembled 
 ministers within what may be considered a settled and fully 
 recognized constitution. This constitution supposes various 
 points as already settled, to which all agree, and which are 
 not to be disturbed. 
 
 The doctrines of the Church are among these fundamental 
 principles. Here innovation generally begins, when churches 
 decline. The loss of vital religion always causes the truths 
 of the evangelical system to become tasteless. Or, perhaps, 
 rather, these truths bemg found antagonistic to a bad life, 
 or a state of spiritual sloth, they are hated on account of 
 the irritation and condemnation which they inflict. But, 
 more than this, when religion is itself given up, in its expe- 
 rience and holiness, these doctrines are not wanted ; no one 
 needs the spirit-stirring instructions of the gospel to teach 
 him to go to sleep, to live in sin. Besides this tendency, 
 there is always found another, namely, that of adventurous 
 speculation. One age is never satisfied with the past. 
 While praising the great men of former times, yet still we 
 generally think we can improve on their intellectual laboura, 
 and do something better for ourselves than they could do 
 for us. The "go-ahead" principle, so rife in Amerioa, in, 
 political and social matters, is not absent from the genius 
 of its theologians. They seem to be much tempted to drive 
 criticism to something beyond its legitimate province, and< 
 
 
 .1 
 
294 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 li ii 
 
 I' '' 
 
 Jt' I' 
 
 I'' I ' 
 
 to push their inquiries into the spiritual world beyond what 
 is revealed. The age and the circumstances of the country- 
 favour this sort of adventurous spirit. It must consequently 
 be considered a wise arrangement, that the great truths 
 of the evangelical system, embodied in their Articles of Reli- 
 gion, are not to be altered, — are not, indeed, to be discussed. 
 
 Another fundamental point is the episcopacy. This, as 
 we see, is not left an open question. The Church, through 
 all time to come, is to be the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 This enactment, it must be recollected, was adopted after 
 this form of church government had been upon its trial for 
 several years. It had, consequently, been tested as to its 
 working, in respect 1,0 the general ministry, the conserva- 
 tion of order, and the progress of religion ; and in all these 
 particulars had approved itself to general acceptance. It 
 must be remembered also, that the men who sanctioned 
 this principle as final, were the ministers themselves, — the 
 parties most interested in the question ; and their approval 
 is to be taken as complete evidence that, in their judgment, 
 the episcopacy was considered both Scriptural and profita- 
 ble. The overthrow of episcopacy would, consequently, 
 perfectly revolutionize the Church. 
 
 The " General Rules" of the society are equally held as 
 sacred. These are not to be touched by the legislative 
 body. This is important, and promises to be one means of 
 perpetuating true religion for ages to come. 
 
 The right of a " fair trial" of the preacher by his peers 
 — which means, that liberty and an impartial treatment 
 shall be secured — is equally inviolate. This point is not to 
 be discussed or altered. 
 
 Other subjects, which relate to property, are not deemed 
 so sacred. But though left open to revision, this is to be 
 effected in the most cautious manner, and numerous safe- 
 guards are placed around the law. These are very import- 
 ant provisions, and promise to check any rash tendency to 
 innovation, which may from time to time arise. 
 
PART III.— INSTITUTIONS OF THE M. E. CUURCII. 295 
 
 3nd what 
 '■ country 
 lequently 
 at truths 
 3 of Reli- 
 scussed. 
 
 This, as 
 , through 
 
 Church. 
 )ted after 
 3 trial for 
 
 as to its 
 conserva- 
 
 all these 
 ance. It 
 mctioned 
 res, — the 
 approval 
 idgment, 
 i profita- 
 equently, 
 
 y held as 
 
 gislative 
 
 neans of 
 
 his peers 
 reatment 
 is not to 
 
 deemed 
 is to be 
 |)us safe- 
 
 import- 
 dency to 
 
 I 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Subdivisions continued — The Author's presence at the Pittsburgh General 
 Conference — Impressions — The Bisliops— The Ministers— Mode of Debate — 
 Decorum and Order— Questions at Issue — Mode of conducting Appeal Cases 
 — Reflections. 
 
 In Pittsburgh, in the year 1848, it was the autlior's good 
 fortune to be present at one of these General Conferences. 
 It was an era in the history of Methodism in the United 
 States. Tlie f>;reat division of the Church between the 
 Nortli and the South had taken place four years before, 
 and this had not produced satisfaction and peace. Strong 
 feelings and passions prevailed ; the minds of the ministers 
 were much agitated ; and business of great importance had 
 to engage their attention. In this state of tilings, it might 
 be expected that the assembly could not preserve its usual 
 order and decorum ; that strong feelings would excite cor- 
 responding language ; and that, consequentl}^ some disor- 
 der would ensue. Nothing of this kind, however, disturbed 
 the proceedings for a moment. 
 
 As a matter of course, the attention of a stranger would 
 be first directed to the highest officers of the Church — the 
 Bishops. They were all present, five in number — Hedding, 
 Morris, Waugh, Hamline, and Janes. The three first named 
 are men in years, especially Bishop Hedding ; the other 
 two are in the prime of life. They preside in turn, begin- 
 ning with the senior, whose business it is to open the Con- 
 ference This is usually done by reading a written docu- 
 ment of considerable length, entering upon the general 
 state, prospects, and duties of the Church — somewhat 
 after the manner of the Message of the President of the 
 United States. 
 
 These grave and dignified officers constitute what might 
 be fitly called " the Bench of Bishops," only they happen 
 to sit in chairs. They are seated by themselves, facing, of 
 
 If i.ii 
 
 rii 
 
296 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 il 
 
 !! 
 
 i t 
 
 I I 
 
 course, the assembly, on a platform, elevated, it may be, 
 two feet above the common level of the floor. None share 
 with them the distinction of this position. The secretary 
 and his assistants are placed at ?. table on the floor of the 
 house ; and no other officers, of any sort, or for any pur- 
 pose, are tolerated in the assembly. 
 
 The spirit and demeanour of the Bishops could not but 
 excite attention. " How do they conduct themselves in 
 their high office ?" was a natural question. It was soon 
 answered. The bearing of these men of God was perfectly 
 uniform ; there was no deviation. It is difficult to describe 
 it ; just as what is pre-eminently beautiful, excellent, and 
 morally sublime, refuses to submit to the touch of the most 
 perfect artist. It is not enough to say, that it was digni- 
 fied, grave, judicious, impartial, commanding. It was all 
 this ; but all this with much more combined. There is 
 always in mental and religious excellence an intangible, an 
 impalpable power, glory, of the soul, which cannot be de- 
 scribed. It is this inward ajid spiritual force which gives 
 to the several faculties their strength and elevation ; and 
 when tliese faculties are so balanced as to receive the hid- 
 den impulse equably, and transmit it to practical and useful 
 purposes, then greatness is produced. This was manifest 
 in these eminent officers : and it was never the writer's 
 good fortune to behold a class of men who gave him 
 such an ideal of what bishops ought to be, as in these 
 American eTriaiioixoL. 
 
 It is not customary for the bishops to take part in the 
 debates, or in any way to interfere with the proceedings of 
 Conference, except on questions of law and order. Two or 
 three occasions arose in connexion with points of law, when 
 one of the bishops expounded its meaning with great clear- 
 ness and logical precision. The bishops seem to be perfect 
 masters of all constitutional questions, and also of the com- 
 plicated details of business. When the^' had occasion to 
 interpret any matter of order, being appealed to for that 
 
 I 
 
may be, 
 one share 
 
 secretary 
 lor of the 
 
 any pv.r- 
 
 1 not but 
 [iselves in 
 was soon 
 
 perfectly 
 D describe 
 llent, and 
 ' the most 
 vas diffni- 
 [t was all 
 
 There is 
 ngible, an 
 ot be de- 
 liich gives 
 -ion ; and 
 
 the hid- 
 nd useful 
 
 manifest 
 
 writer's 
 jave him 
 
 in these 
 
 rt in the 
 jdings of 
 
 Two or 
 iw, when 
 jat clear- 
 e perfect 
 the com- 
 jasion to 
 
 for that 
 
 PART III.— INSTITUTIONS OF THE M.E. CHURCH. 297 
 
 purpose, all parties invariably acquiesced ; not an objection 
 WIS ever raised, or any infringement attempted. Some 
 persons may imagine that all this must reduce these officers 
 to mere ciphers. Not so. They possess great influence, 
 and are treated with undeviating reverence and respect. 
 Their moderation, in fact, is their power. By not attempt- 
 ing to do too much, thoy possess the means of doing every- 
 thing which their station requires from them. 
 
 The great body of ministers appeared to be, on the 
 whole, very able and good men. There was clearly an en- 
 tire absence of part}', and party spirit, and, consequently, 
 of party leaders. No man appeared in this latter charac- 
 ter. There is nothing answering, as far as could be seen, 
 to Tory and Whig, in their church politics. No number 
 of men were seen acting together as the type of any parti- 
 cular clas.s of opinions. They seemed alike desirous of pro- 
 moting the common cause ; and persons who had given 
 their votes together on one question, would give them 
 against each other on the next. This absence of party 
 spirit not only gave the appearance, but the reality, of per- 
 fect independence. No man is bound to the opinions or 
 the interests of another ; and, right or wrong in his judg- 
 ment, certainly every one acts for himself, and gives a sin- 
 cere and conscientious vote. There is no embarrassment in 
 consequence of this state of things. No preacher ever 
 thhiks of impugning another's character as something ana- 
 logous to radical, because he gives his suffrages in a parti- 
 cular way. He speaks, votes, stands up, in perfect fearless- 
 ness as to the consequences of the side he takes. There 
 is no low Methodism and high Methodism, no ins and oiita, 
 no (government and its partisans to keep in office, or to re- 
 move. Methodism is one ; and every person seems intent 
 on giving it his best support. 
 
 The debates of the Conference, to an Euglishman, are 
 
 somewhat strange till the matter is understood. The fact 
 
 of the existence of a constitution, designated " The Disci- 
 
 13* 
 
 I 'I 
 
298 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 l!' \^ 
 
 I 
 
 pline," is always present in the mind of the speaker. A 
 subject is scarcely ever discussed on its merits, but always 
 in reference to this constitution. Every question falls under 
 some law and rule ; and this is invariably the starting-point 
 with the speaker. Ho\/ the matter squares with the law, 
 and how it may be disposed of constitutionally, are the 
 subjects argued. This, of necessity, produces some amount 
 of stiffness in the style of speaking, and the logical faculty 
 is much more in requisiiion than that of impassioned ora- 
 tory. These men certainly excel in the use of sound, sober, 
 clear reasoning. This habit produces great self-possession. 
 The calmness of the preachers in their debates is truly 
 astonishing;. Nothing hurried, perturbed, indistinct, or 
 confused, ever appears — not even in the youngest. This is 
 a remarkable characteristic of American debate, and is pos- 
 sessed m an eminent degree by these ministers. Self-com- 
 mand seems to produce distinctness of enunciation, so that 
 every one is enabled to say what is in his mind to utter. 
 These debates were invariably conducted, on the part of the 
 speakers, in the spirit and manner of men having the most 
 perfect respect for the understanding and capacity of their 
 auditory. No clap-trap finesse, or attempt to play upon 
 the passions or fancy of others, ever appeared. This, con- 
 sidering that these debates take place in Jie presence of 
 the public and the public press, is rather singular. But 
 certainly no speech, while I remained, was delivered in 
 reference to popular taste or prejudices, and the people 
 were never mentioned with the idea of invoking their suf- 
 frages ; indeed, for au ^ht which appeared in the proceed- 
 ings, they might not have been present at all. 
 
 The rules of debate and good order are admiiably pre- 
 served. There was not, in my presence, an instance of the 
 least confusion. No man ever interrupted another, except 
 very occasionally, on a point of order, and the interposing 
 party invariably did it in the most courteous manner ; the 
 appeal was always to the chair, no third party ever inter- 
 
 
aker. A 
 
 it always 
 
 ills under 
 
 ;ing-point 
 
 I the law, 
 
 , are the 
 
 e amount 
 
 al faculty 
 
 )ned ora- 
 
 ad, sober, 
 
 ossession. 
 
 1 is truly 
 
 >tipct, or 
 
 This is 
 
 id is pos- 
 
 Self-com- 
 
 1, so that 
 
 to utter. 
 
 art of the 
 
 the most 
 
 1 of their 
 
 lay upon 
 
 his, con- 
 
 sence of 
 
 ar. But 
 
 vered in 
 
 people 
 
 heir suf- 
 
 proceed- 
 
 ibly pre- 
 ce of the 
 r, except 
 crposing 
 mer ; the 
 er inter- 
 
 I , 
 
 PART III.— INSTITUTIONS OF IHE M. E. CHURCH. 299 
 
 fering ; and, when the chair had decided, no one ever dis- 
 puting the award. In listening to these ministers of reli- 
 gion for a fortnight, truth obliges me to say, that I never 
 heard an angry tone, an uncourteous word, the employment 
 of a sing'ij s.'ircasm, the use of any kind of personality, any, 
 the lear.t attempt, to throw odium upon an opponent, or 
 refer to the opinions of others otherwise than with the 
 most perfect respect. If good breeding constitutes a Chris- 
 tian gentleman, then ir.ost certainly this assembly of minis- 
 ters may be pronounced most emphatically as Christian 
 gentlemen. 
 
 We have said that Mic Conference did not indicate that 
 they were divided into parties, or placed themselves under 
 leaders. This is not intended to insinuate that they have 
 no leading men. That is impossible. The master-spirits 
 in any apsembly are soon perceived. They could not be 
 mistaken in the American Conference. It required no long 
 time to find out who possessed the mastery of mind. This, 
 however, in every case was borne with great modesty. No 
 intellectual puj^py appeared on the stage. I was surprised 
 at this, because I understood that great numbers of young 
 men attended these Conferences, and that, moreover, these 
 scions of exuberant I'fe often delivered themselves with 
 sufficient confidence. It was said at the Pittsburfjh Con- 
 ference, that an unusual number of young men were present. 
 There must be some mistake in this. Because the old men 
 who used to take part in public assemblies are absent, 
 some in the grave, and others from debility, it is often taken 
 for granted that th'^se who take their place must be young 
 men. Ah, how easy it is to lose sight of the progress of 
 time ! At this Conference there was present certainly a 
 considerable number of old men; hardly one belonging to 
 the delegates could be properly considered as young, whilst 
 the greater number were men in or above middle life. 
 Many of these are the princes of tlie people. It would be 
 easy to mention their names ; there is a temptation to it ; 
 
 li 
 
 !| 
 
 
 if 
 
 ill 
 
 ^4 
 
300 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 nothing could giv3 greater pleasure; but delicacy for- 
 bids. 
 
 The great subjects of debate at this Conference related 
 tr the division of the Church into the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church, and the Mothodis* nscopal Church, South. This 
 division had taken place fi vcars before ; but various 
 points still remained unsettled. These divided themselves 
 into the constitutional question, as to whether the Confer- 
 ence posseseed the power to make such a division at all ; — 
 the boundary-line which had been agreed upon ; — the divi- 
 sion of the property of the Book-Concern ; — and the fra- 
 ternal recognition of the delegate who had been sent from 
 the Southern Church. 
 
 As the gentleman sent by the South was present, this 
 latter question came on first for settlement. After con- 
 siderable debate, it was unanimously agreed that, till the 
 matters in dispute were finally arranged, he could not be 
 received. The persons who took part in the debate were 
 very firm and decided, but perfectly calm and courteous in 
 their language. And though, for the present, the Confer- 
 ence could not fraternize with their brethren in the south, 
 Dr. Pierce, their representative, was invited to take a seat, 
 as a private gentleman, with them. This he did not deem 
 it right io do ; and when he appeared in Conference at all, 
 he took his place among the strangers. 
 
 The bounday question, after being sent to a committee, 
 was disposed of by abolishing the settlement altogether ; 
 so that each party is at liberty to make reprisals upon the 
 other, and extend their operations as best they can. This 
 must lead to painful collisions. The ministers upon the 
 borders will be brought into perplexing and miserable dis- 
 putes -with each other ; it is to be feared, to the great in- 
 jury of true religion and Christian charity. Both parties 
 seem determined to exert their utmost strength, and are 
 confident of the ultimate triumph of their principles. 
 
 The Book-Concern dispute was settled, so far as the ac- 
 
PART III.—INSTITUTIONS OF THE M. E. CIIURril. 301 
 
 acy for- 
 
 related 
 piscopal 
 h. This 
 
 various 
 3mselves 
 
 Confer- 
 
 it all ; — 
 
 the divi- 
 
 the fra- 
 
 ?nt from 
 
 enl, this 
 ter con- 
 till the 
 not be 
 ite were 
 teous in 
 Confer- 
 ! south, 
 a seat, 
 )t deem 
 at all, 
 
 ^mittee, 
 rether ; 
 
 [on the 
 This 
 
 Ion the 
 
 )le dis- 
 
 jat in- 
 
 )arties 
 
 id are 
 
 Ihe ac- 
 
 tion of the (Conference was concerned, by referring the mat- 
 ter to — I think — four gentlemen, not of the Methodist 
 communion, whose arbitration was to be final.* 
 
 But the constitutional point which had been raised could 
 not be decided.! How was it possible that the supreme 
 legislative body could agree that a former act of the same 
 body was unconstitutional ? The difficulty, however, gave 
 rise to a proposition, on the part of Bishop Hedding, as the 
 organ of his colleagues, to appoint a body of men whose 
 office should be to determine on the constitutional nature 
 of the enactments of the legislature, (that is, the Confer- 
 ence,) with a power to arrest the progress of any such 
 enactments. 1 confess I was greatly surprised at this pro- 
 posal for the moment ; till, recollecting that a similar prin- 
 ciple prevailed in the civil constitution of the United States, 
 the astonishment ended. This power in the civil state be- 
 longs to the judges of the Supreme Court. The idea seems 
 to ground it.self on the sovereignty of the people. The 
 people, universally considered, are supposed, in convention, 
 to have framed and assented to the constitution by which 
 they are governed ; that the legislative bodie^ are not om- 
 nipotent, but subordinate to the sovereigr power, this 
 power being the people ; and that they have not, and can- 
 not have, the right to infringe on the principles and provi- 
 sions of this constitutional system so agreed upon by the 
 sovereign power. But, to secure this provision inviolate, it 
 was found necessary to deposit a power of judging of the 
 acts of the legislature somewhere ; and it was determined 
 
 [* By a provision for arbitration, should it be found practicable and legal ; if 
 not, the question of arbitration was ordered to be referred to the Annual Con- 
 ferences,] 
 
 [t It was decided that, in view of the fact that one of the provisions of the 
 Plan of 1844 had been made dependent upon the concurrence of three-fourths 
 of the meniiiers of the several Annual Conferences, and had failed to obtain 
 that concurrence ; and in view of the fact, also, that the boundary provisions, 
 which formed a condit'in of Ihe resolutions adopted, had been violated by the 
 Church, Soutli ; that the General Conference was not bound to observe the 
 provisions of said Plan ; and it was, therefore, declared null and void.] 
 
802 
 
 TOUR IN AMEHICA. 
 
 If 
 
 i 
 
 .■,n 
 
 :H 
 
 i 1 
 
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 - ' 
 
 f i 
 
 l!i ■ 
 
 u i 
 
 ! 
 
 ' i-j 
 
 1 i 
 
 1 i 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 il 
 
 i 
 
 Ie 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 
 u 
 
 to give it to the liifjhost judioiul functioniiries in the 
 land ; that is, to tlie Supreme Court, answering, in some 
 sense, to our Court of (Hiancory. This power not only ex- 
 ists, but has, on some occasions, been exercised ; and acts 
 of the American Purliumont have been arrested by this 
 authority. 
 
 In like manner, constitutional diflleulties having spning 
 up in connexion with the division of the Church, and the 
 legality of the enactment by which it was effected being 
 disputed, the bisliops found themselves in a dilemma, and, 
 to prevent future perplexities of the same sort, they pro- 
 posed th(! above-mentioned court. The subject had not 
 come on for decision when I left, and I believe the pro- 
 position fell to the ground ; probably for the want of a 
 suitable body to whom to refer questions of such grave 
 importance. 
 
 The General Conference is a court of appeal, as well as 
 a legislative body ; and, of course, numerous appeals como 
 up for adjudication every four years. The practice is, that 
 the appellant, either in his own person, or by the employ- 
 ment of one of the preachers as his counsel, shall have the 
 privilege of an impartial hearing and settlement of his 
 cause. I witnessed two of these appellant causes, conduct- 
 ed, in one case, by the appellant in person, and in the other 
 by one of the ministers. 
 
 In order clearly to understand this, it is necessary to give 
 
 the rule on the subject. 
 
 " In all the al)Ovc-mciitionc(l case?, it shall he the duty of tlic sc" 
 cretary of tlie Annual Conference to keep reonhir minutes of the trial, 
 including all the questions proposed to the witnesses, and their an- 
 swers, together with the crime with whicli tlic accused is charged, 
 the specification or specifications, and also preserve all the docu- 
 ments relating to the case ; whicli minutes and documents only, in 
 case of an appeal from the decision of an Annual Conference, sliall 
 be presented to the General Conference, in evidence on the case. 
 And in all cases, when an appeal is made, and admitted by the Ge- 
 neral Conference, the appellant shall either state personally or by 
 his representative (who sliall be a member of the Conference) the 
 
I in the 
 
 in some 
 
 only ox- 
 
 md acts 
 
 by this 
 
 sprung 
 and the 
 id beinf^ 
 na, and, 
 hey pro- 
 liad not 
 Llie pro- 
 tint of a 
 ;h grave 
 
 3 ■well as 
 xls come 
 i is, that 
 employ- 
 lave the 
 ; of his 
 ;onduct- 
 le other 
 
 to give 
 
 )f llic se* 
 
 tlie trial, 
 
 their an- 
 
 cliarged, 
 
 le docu- 
 
 ouly, in 
 ice, sliall 
 the case. 
 
 tlie Gc- 
 y or by 
 lice) the 
 
 rAllT III.— -INSTITUTIONS OF THE M. E. CIIUUCII. 303 
 
 ffroiiiuls of liis appeal, showinjij cause why he appeals, and he shall 
 he allowt'd to make Imm defence without interruption. Afler whieh 
 the ripresentativeri of the Annual C<»nferen('e, from wiiose decision 
 the appeal is nu\de, shall !»e permitted to respond in j)rcscnee of the 
 appellant, who shall have the privilcj^e of rcjilyinp: to such represen- 
 tatives, which shall close the pleadin{j;s on hoth si<les." — "• Uisci- 
 plim" pp. 73, 74. 
 
 The liist case to be mentioned is tliat of an unhr.ppy 
 wir/ht, not accused of immorality, but of embroiling the 
 people, and throwing the Ciiurch into a state of perfect 
 confusion. This had taken place again and again ; and at 
 length it was found necessary to arrest tlie evil, and put 
 the culprit upon his trial, lie had been found guilty, and 
 sentenced to suspension. This case came on by appeal, 
 and the appellant appeared in person. He had been, 
 among other things, a great mesmerist, and something else 
 which 1 did not understand, connected with the same sci- 
 ence. It was my fortune to listen to this odd subject for 
 half a day ; that is, during the morning sitting. He con- 
 ducted his defence Avith great ability, of its kind. We had 
 from him a nrofusion of wit, raillery, sarcasm ; he dealt 
 heavy blows against his judges ; but all with that sort of 
 sanf/ froid which indicates the absence of malice. It was 
 evident enough, from his defence, that he coidd not live 
 without throwinor around himself the siuoke and fire of all 
 manner of confusion and mischief. But, with this tendency, 
 he was not devoid of great acuteness and powers of 
 reason. 
 
 The Annual Conference to which this scapegrace be- 
 longed, had sent his case to a committee, and on their 
 report had formed their decision. It will be seen by the 
 law, that the secretary of the Annual Conference is required 
 to preserve " the questions and answers." The secretary, 
 in this case, was not a member of the committee ; and in 
 his absence they had appointed one from their own number. 
 The documents were perfectly regidar, and had been de- 
 posited with the secretary, but had not been taken down 
 
% 
 11 
 
 304 
 
 TOUR IN AMEIUCA. 
 
 by that officer of the Annual Conference. With great tact, 
 the appellant pleaded this in bar of the decision against 
 him. But he did not rest his cause on technical questions. 
 He went through the whole case, lampooning everybody 
 who came in his way; and berating the parties among 
 the people with whom he had quarrelled in a most un- 
 merciful manner. All this was done, it must be recollect- 
 ed, in the presence of the public, and the public press. 
 Had it taken place in this kingdom, it would have thrown 
 the whole Church into confusion from one end of the coun- 
 try to the other. Such, however, is the difference of man- 
 ners in the two communities, that nobody seemed to care 
 anything about it. 
 
 But, during all this outpouring of invective, no human 
 creature ever interrupted this man. And he was not only 
 unassailed, but u^/t the least confusion or disorder took 
 place. The Annual Conference delegated their defence to 
 one of their members, who very ably replied. The contrast 
 was great. The harshest thing he said — what everybody 
 could easily perceive — was, that brother so and so possessed 
 *' all manner of sense but common se.ise." The argument 
 of the appellant on the law question was submitted to the 
 decision of the bishops. They, like impartial judges, gave 
 the prisoner the benefit of a doubt, and pronounced that 
 the omission of the secretary 's copy, according to rule, was 
 fa; >1 to the trial ; and that the case must go back to the 
 Annual Conference. 
 
 The other case was not conducted by the appellant in 
 person, but by Dr. Holdich, The form of the argument, 
 the appeals to law, the technical objections raised, the 
 eloquence and zeal evinced, might have led a spectator to 
 suppose himself listening to an appeal case before the 
 Privy Council, or in the House of Lords. The whole 
 subject was managed with an ability, regularity, and order, 
 both on the part of the counsel and the court, which would 
 have done credit to any tribunal of justice in the world. 
 
PART III. — INSTITUTIONS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 305 
 
 »reat tact, 
 Dn against 
 questions, 
 everybody 
 ies among 
 most un- 
 ! recollect- 
 blic press. 
 ,ve thrown 
 ' the coun- 
 ce of man- 
 ed to care 
 
 no human 
 IS not only 
 order took 
 defence to 
 he contrast 
 everybody 
 possessed 
 argument 
 tted to the 
 idges, gave 
 unced that 
 o rule, was 
 ack to the 
 
 ppellant in 
 argument, 
 
 raised, the 
 
 pectator to 
 before the 
 
 The whole 
 and order, 
 lich would 
 the world. 
 
 
 These cases impressed me with the idea, that the personal 
 rights and privileges of the Methodist preachers, in the 
 American body, were held as very sacred things. 
 
 One other matter remains — the privilege of petition. 
 Numerous petitions were presented on various subjects, and 
 great numbers were read at length. The most numerous 
 class related to the division of the Church. Many societies 
 on the borders of the division, which held anti-slavery 
 views, had, by the arrangement, been placed on the South 
 side of the line of demarcation, and handed over to the 
 pro-slavery church. These parties felt greatly aggrieved. 
 They remonstrated not only in energetic terms against the 
 impropriety of being incorporated with the South, but they 
 argued the question in all its breadth ; and some of them 
 with great force and ability. These, and all other petitions 
 of the people, were received with great deference, and 
 many of them read in full, and sent for investigation to their 
 appropriate committees. 
 
 One word on these committees. They are appointed on 
 the opening of the Conference, and embrace all the subjects 
 which can come before the attention of that body. They 
 sit concurrently, during the whole period of the session, 
 and usually meet in the afternoon of each day. We had 
 Committees on the Episcopacy — on the Stafe of the Church 
 — on the Itinerancy — on the Missions — on the Sunday- 
 Schools — on the Temperance question — on the Boundary 
 subject — on the Book-Concern, kc. ; so that, instead of ap- 
 pointing a committee to consider separate matters of inter- 
 est, everything needing the examination of such a body was 
 sent to one of these standing committees. 
 
 Such, in substance, was the Pittsburgh Conference. 
 There was much to admire in the parties present, merely 
 considered, as men. They exhibited, with religion, the real 
 American character. Individualism is one of its obvious 
 characteristics. But this is not selfish, egotistic, or flippant 
 and vain. It is rather the exhibition of the freedom of the 
 

 ! 
 
 
 ■ I 
 
 "' ,i 
 
 it 
 
 306 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 soul, connected with calm judgment and conscious strength. 
 Deliberation in the movements of the mind, in speech, in 
 coming to a decision, is an evident feature of American 
 character. Nobody seems to be in a hurry, to indulge in 
 fidgety feelings, impassioned exclamations, or haste, either 
 in mind or body. This affects the character of their oratory. 
 There is infinitely less of the impassioned, the figurative, 
 the ornate, than among us ; but much more of the force of 
 reason, of natural logic. I was surprised at this, after 
 hearing so much of American violence and passion ; and 
 also considering the exciting atmosphere in which some of 
 them five. There appears, indeed, some difference betwixt 
 the northern and southern men ; but the latter were less 
 fiery than might be expected. 
 
 In its aggregate character, the Conference may be con- 
 sidered as near what is desirable as it seems possible to 
 carry the order of a large deliberative assembly. All things 
 combined to produce this effect. The dignified impartiality 
 of the presiding bishops on the one hand, and the willing 
 deference paid to them on the other ; the establishment of 
 exact and well-digested rules of debate, not only in written 
 codes, but as carried out in practice, and the scrupulous 
 regard paid to them by all parties ; the avoidance of all irri- 
 tating modes oT address in reference to each other, toge- 
 ther with perfect courtesy in language and bearing constantly 
 manifested ; the absence of all party strife, and the appa- 
 rently simple purpose of every one to bring his best facul- 
 ties to support the common cause of Christ ; .the religious 
 spirit blending, like heavenly unction and influence, with all 
 things, and impressing them with purity and piety ; — in 
 fine, the fear of God, and the love of each other, all 
 tended to present a picture such as the mind loves to 
 dwell upon, and desires to see prevail everywhere. Were 
 there, then, no blots and drawbacks ? no dark shades ? 
 I only report what I saw, and the impressions left on 
 my own mind. Illusions are common, sometimes plea- 
 
 
PART III.— INSTITUTIONS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 307 
 
 strength, 
 peech, in 
 A.merican 
 ndulge in 
 ;te, either 
 r oratory, 
 igurative, 
 3 force of 
 this, after 
 sion ; and 
 1 some of 
 36 betwixt 
 were less 
 
 ly be con- 
 )ossible to 
 All things 
 Impartiality 
 the willing 
 shment of 
 in written 
 crupulous 
 of all irri- 
 ler, toge- 
 constantly 
 the appa- 
 best facul- 
 e religious 
 e, with all 
 piety ; — in 
 other, all 
 loves to 
 re. "Were 
 ( shades? 
 ■ns left on 
 imes plea- 
 
 
 sant ; but what one sees with one's eyes, can hardly be an 
 illusion. 
 
 This, then, is the Church of John Wesley. He did not 
 consider Methodism in England, in his days, as a Church, 
 but as Christian societies. He felt himself free to act in 
 respect to America ; and we have a right to infer, that had 
 he entertained any other notion of what a real Christian 
 Church ought to be, he would have attempted its estab- 
 lislimciit. lie gave them the platform of their present 
 episcopacy ; and, consequently, this was his " ideal of a 
 Church." He, indeed, refused to call liis superintendents 
 bishops ; but that is of no consequence ; he gave the 
 order and the office, and the name followed as a matter 
 of course. 
 
 No doubt this agreed with his most cherished and ma- 
 ture opinions. At the period he established this order of 
 things, he could liavo little temptation to falsify his own 
 convictions by doing a thing repugnant to his judgment. 
 He was nearly at the end of his eventful journey ; the 
 opinions of men could be of little consequence to him, and 
 he heeded them as little ; he expected constantly to be 
 called to give his account, and yield up his spirit to God ; — 
 in this state it is impossible to conceive that he would per- 
 petuate a practical falsehood, and finish his life by estab- 
 lishing a system which he did not fully believe to be ac- 
 cordant with the truth of God and the cfood of man. But, 
 besides, these convictions were the mature judgment of a 
 minister of rehgion who possessed all the means of study- 
 ing the whole question, of acquainting himself with the 
 voice of antiquity, of observing the operation of all reli- 
 gious systems, almost in every part of the world ; and the 
 conclusion, we find, was, the establishment of the episcopal 
 order. 
 
 The progress of the American Cliurch is only the devel- 
 opment of this idea. History must judge whether the an- 
 ticipations of Mr. Wesley have been realized. Time has 
 
Iff 
 
 308 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. 
 
 now been given for this. The trial has been made, and 
 made on a most magnificent scale. Has this trial failed, or 
 has it succeeded ? Facts must answer this question. And, 
 in order to meet this important query as fairly and fully as 
 possible, we now go to the consideration of our next point 
 — the territorial progress of the American Methodist Epis- 
 copal Church. 
 
TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 809 
 
 ade, and 
 failed, or 
 n. And, 
 d fully as 
 ext point 
 dist Epis- 
 
 P ART IV. 
 
 TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE AMERICAN ME- 
 THODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 
 
 It is desired, in attempting to give some account of the 
 territorial j)rogress of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 
 the United States, to notice such educational and other 
 institutions as are found existinor in the several localities 
 hoping by this to attain to a pretty accurate notion of the 
 practical operations of the entire system. And, moreover, 
 as the different States and churches have each somethins: 
 characteristic and peculiar, it is intended to notice, briefly, 
 these circumstances, by way of enlivening the narrative of 
 details. These details, in themselves, are necessarily dry, 
 as statistics must be ; but we have alwavs somethinof inter- 
 esting, where living men are found, to give vivacity to sub- 
 jects ill themselves tedious and barren. 
 
 It is hardly necessary to say, that the investigation has 
 been found btset witli difficulties. It has, indeed, cost 
 much trouble and research ; and even, after all, exactness 
 and perfect accuracy cannot be claimed for these state- 
 ments. All that can be hoped — all which is possible un- 
 der the circumstances — is, to give a general outline of a 
 great Avork. It would require an American, with much 
 leisure, great experience, and a command of documents, to 
 do justice to such a subject. And it is a subject well 
 worthy of the attention of some master-mind in the United 
 States. 
 
 The authorities possessed have been consulted with 
 much attention ; and the whole ground has been carefully 
 examined and gone over, so far as these guides could lead 
 the way. By the kindness of my friends in the States, I 
 have been put into possession of most valuable historical 
 
m 
 
 310 
 
 TO UK IN AMEraCA. — PAKT IV. 
 
 Tfiir 
 
 \b I 
 
 I ^ 
 
 (' 
 
 documents ; and v/itli more time and leisure, a much better 
 digest and analysis would have been possible. 
 
 To secure order and precision, as well as to render our 
 survey intelligible, it is proposed to take certain lines of 
 country separately, making the Annual Conferences the 
 basis of our statistical calculations. By this it is hoped, 
 that something clear and tangible may be kept before the 
 mind of the reader ; wliereas, if we allowed ourselves to 
 wander at large on a space so great as the American con- 
 tinent, we must soon tind ourselves lost in a perfect laby- 
 rinth. 
 
 Adopting this principle, we propose to examine the state 
 of Methodism. 1. On the Atlant'c seaboard. 2. By the 
 line of the Hudson and the Lakes. 3. Along the Ohio and 
 the adjoining country. 4. The Mississippi. 
 
 L— THE ATLANTIC CONFERENCES. 
 
 It seems natural that we should begin our survey where 
 population had its commencement. The Atlantic States em- 
 brace a line of seacoast extending eighteen hundred miles 
 from north to south, and stretch into the interior for a dis- 
 tance constantly varying, but in some places amounting to 
 between three and four hundred miles. These States are 
 filled with great cities ; possess the most magnificent bays 
 and harbours in the world ; a considerable amount of manu- 
 facturing industry, in various branches ; a great and flour- 
 ishing commerce, and the country parts are occupied by 
 beautiful villages and a prosperous agriculture. The people 
 of these States, being the descendants of the original set- 
 tlers, constitute' the {!!ite classes of society ; and the living 
 mind of these people has always predominated. 
 
 I. We begin our survey at the northern point of the 
 Atlantic line — the Maine Conference. In connexion with 
 this division we find six districts, namely, Portland, Gardmer, 
 Readjield, Bangor, Thoniaston, and Bucksport. One hun- 
 
TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 311 
 
 iich better 
 
 •ender our 
 ti lines of 
 rences the 
 is hoped, 
 before the 
 irselves to 
 erican con- 
 rfect laby- 
 
 le the state 
 
 2. By the 
 
 le Ohio and 
 
 Lirvey where 
 3 States em- 
 idred miles 
 3r for a dis- 
 mounting to 
 States are 
 iticcnt bays 
 mt of nianu- 
 it and flour- 
 iccupied by 
 The people 
 original set- 
 id the living 
 
 point of the 
 inexion with 
 id, Gardiner, 
 One hun- 
 
 dred Jind sixty-four circuits and stations ; one hundred and 
 sixty-one ministers, with one hundred and sixty-seven local 
 preachers ; and twenty thousand two hundred and eighty- 
 one churcli-racaibers. 
 
 Methodism was introduced into Maine in 1793, by the 
 indefatisrable Jesse Lee. 
 
 " A few weeks after tlie adjoummeiit of Conference, he entered 
 upon what, in those days, was a journey of considerable magnitude. 
 Leaving Lynn, lie passed through Newbiu-yport into New-Hamp- 
 shire, Greenhmd, and Portsmouth, preaching as he went, and thence, 
 on the 16th of Sei)tember, entered Maine, and, at a little village called 
 Saco, on the same night preached in a private house, crowded wi'h 
 attentive hearers, on Acts xiii. 41. As the most of his time, until the 
 Conference of 1794, was employed in the formation of a cu'cuit in 
 Maine, we may very properly give a brief narrative of his labours, 
 abridged from his History of the INIethodists. From Saco, he went 
 to Castine, at the mouth of the Penobscot Kiver ; thence along the 
 river to the upper settlements near Old Town, and returned by the way 
 of Twenty-Five Mile Sand to Kennebeck Eiver; thence up to Sandy 
 Eiver, and back to Hallowell, and through to Portland. ' Although 
 I was a perfect stranger, and had to make my own appointments, I 
 preached almost every day, and had crowded assemblies to hear. 
 After viewhig the country, I thought the most proper place to form 
 a circuit would be on the west side of the Kennebeck.' Here the first 
 circuit in Maine was formed, and it is known in the Minutes of the 
 period as Kead field. It was nearly two hundred miles beyond the 
 circuits already formed in New-England. It extended from Hallow- 
 ell to Sandy Eiver. It was not long after the formation of tliis cir- 
 cuit, and the establii^hment of regular preaching, before God merci- 
 fully vouchsafed his blessing to those who went forth sowing precious 
 seed Sinners were converted, and sought church-fellowship with 
 those from whom they had received the ' good word of God.' Socie- 
 ties were soon formed, churches were erected, and Methodism started 
 out upon a wider career of usefulness, with stirring zeal and vigorous 
 hope." — Dr. Lee's ^^ Life and Times of the Rev. Jesse Lce.''^ 
 
 The progress made from the above date will be seen to 
 be very great, if the whole case is considered. It must be 
 kept in mind, that the church-members mentioned are 
 persons meeting in class, communicants ; and do not include 
 the congregations attending the ministry of the word v/ho 
 
"»•" 
 
 I ],v 
 
 v-i i 
 
 \lihk ji 
 
 812 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV. 
 
 are not members, nor the children of either of these classes. 
 Judging from the common rules of proportion betwixt 
 communicants and hearers in both countries, it seems pro- 
 bable, that the number of persons and families which are 
 found under the ministry and influence of the Methodist 
 Church in this region, will amount to four or five times the 
 numbers enumerated above. On this principle, which, it must 
 be admitted, is a perfectly sound one, the souls under the 
 reliarious care of the Maine Conference will amount to some- 
 thing like one hundred thousand. 
 
 II. Adjoining Maine we find the State of New-Hamp- 
 SHiRE ; and the Methodist Church has estabhshed one of 
 its local centres in this place, bearing the name of the State. 
 The New-Hampshire Conference, Hke the territory itself, 
 does not appear to be large, compared with many of the 
 other conferences ; and yet it is evident, from the extent 
 and numbers of the Church, that successes much the same 
 as in other places have crowned the efforts of the servants 
 of God. 
 
 We have three districts ; namely, Dover, Concord, and 
 JIaverhill. Seventy-seven circuits and stations ; eighty-tAvo 
 ministers, with sixty-four local preachers ; and ten thousand 
 three hundred and eighty-four church-members. 
 
 We have the following extra appointments : — Osmon 
 C. Baker, Professor in the Biblical Institute ; Richard S. 
 Rust, Principal of the New-Hampshire Conference Semi- 
 nary ; William D. Cass, Agent for the New-Hampshire 
 Conference. 
 
 The work in New-Hampshire began about 1*7 94 ; the 
 pioneer evangelist being Mr. Hill, who seems to have had 
 little success in the beginning. But the mission soon fell 
 under the care of Mr. Lee, he being appointed presiding 
 elder for several districts of country, of which this w^s one; 
 and progress was soon manifested. 
 
se classes, 
 n betwixt 
 eeras pro- 
 Avhich are 
 Methodist 
 1 times the 
 ich, it must 
 under the 
 it to some- 
 
 Few-Uami'- 
 led one of 
 ,f the State, 
 ritory itself, 
 nany of the 
 1 the extent 
 ;h the same 
 he servants 
 
 oncord, and 
 
 eighty-two 
 
 2n thousand 
 
 ,s : — Osmon 
 Richard S. 
 
 rence Semi- 
 Hampshire 
 
 1794 ; the 
 have had 
 on soon fell 
 3d presiding 
 ,his w^s one; 
 
 
 TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 313 
 
 III. Descending the coast-line from this northern point, 
 we arrive at the state of Massachusetts ; and here we find a 
 Conference, bearing the name of the New-England Con- 
 ference. This Conference embraces such places as Bos- 
 ton, Cambridge, Newburyport, (the burying-place of George 
 Whitefield,) Lowell, the famous cotton-manufacturing 
 Manchester of America, Worcester, Springfield, together 
 with their adjacent towns and villages. We have here 
 three districts ; namely, Boston, Worcester, and Spring- 
 Jield ; one hundred and twenty-one • ^".tions and circuits ; 
 one hundred and eight regular ministers, with seventy-six 
 local preachers ; and thirteen thousand three hundred and 
 eighty-one church-members. 
 
 This portion of the country may be considered as the 
 cradle of the American system. Here the pilgrim fathers 
 landed ; here, in the midst of the wilds and tempests of 
 nature, and the wars of the Indians, these brave spirits 
 cherished the love of freedom, for which they had aban- 
 doned their niitive land ; here, left very much to themselves 
 by the mother country, the people fostered the habits of 
 self-government, elected their own council, officers, and 
 even governors ; and here, in the performance of the func- 
 tions of a tiny, but actually independent, society, were laid 
 the foundations of the existing state of things ; here the 
 stern Puritanism, founded partly on the rigorous dogmas 
 of a Calvinistic creed, and partly on the jus-divinum prin- 
 ciple of Church order and government, which characterized 
 the rigid opinions of early times, took entire possession of 
 the hearts of the people ; here, strange to say, an ecclesi- 
 astical power, as exclusive, as undivided, as repulsive even 
 as Popery itself, became the established and dominant reli- 
 gion; here, on this spot, the obtrusive Quakers and Bap- 
 tists, when they dardd to adventure, and all others not of 
 the church of the prevailing sect, were expelled ; here a 
 number of poor old, and some young, women were merci- 
 lessly put to death for witchcraft ; and here the Mathers 
 
 14 
 
 1^ 
 
i 
 
 314 
 
 TOUll IN AMERICA. — PART IV. 
 
 
 Ifi- 
 
 .1 " ■: ( 
 
 and such men preaclied, ruled, put up and j)ut down at 
 their pleasure ; — blessed, cursed, and did many other things 
 which look very strange to us in these days. 
 
 But though homogeneous and awfully stern, this was a 
 great religion. The faith of the men was vividly realizing. 
 The nearness and majesty in which they beheld God, in- 
 spired them with inflexible principles ; their habit of con- 
 necting the divine decrees and providence with all the 
 events of life, led to the idea that, in all things, they were 
 the agents of the sovereign will of Deity ; and their admis- 
 sion of, their belief in, the supreme and paramount import- 
 ance of pure, spiritual religion, as they understood it, caused 
 them to expel from their society " all the sons of Belial," 
 and, indeed, every opinion and sentiment which they con- 
 sidered heretical and injurious. Animated by this strong 
 belief in their call and destination, connected, moreover, 
 with the bitter persecutions they had endured in their 
 own country ; — their banishment for conscience' sake ; the 
 sufferings and hardships they had passed through ; the 
 labours, privations, and terrors of the wilderness, and the 
 solitude in which they lived ; their habitual converse with 
 the invisible and spiritual world ; — these men were pre- 
 pared to become the pioneers of a great religious and 
 sov-ial creation. 
 
 The love of freedom of these heroic Christians lived 
 through all their generations, down to the period of Inde- 
 pendence. It is a strange coincidence that the animus, the 
 spirit, of real Americanism, should have its root and its 
 final development, its catastrophe, on the same spot. It 
 was these very Bostonians, the descendants of the pilgrim 
 fathers, and many of them bearing their names, who first 
 resisted 'taxation without representation;" who opposed 
 the coercive power of the mother country, and threw the 
 tea into the sea ; it was these very people who raised the 
 shout of liberty, proclaimed the claim of independence, 
 marshalled themselves into military bands, and fought the 
 
TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 316 
 
 t down lit 
 :hcr things 
 
 this was a 
 / realizing, 
 d God, in- 
 bit of con- 
 th all the 
 
 they were 
 heir admis- 
 iint import- 
 d it, caused 
 
 of Belial," 
 1 they con- 
 
 this strong 
 , moreover, 
 red in their 
 f sake ; the 
 iroiigh ; the 
 ess, and the 
 mverse with 
 1 were pre- 
 cliilious and 
 
 istians lived 
 lod of Inde- 
 animus, the 
 oot and its 
 ne spot. It 
 the pilgrim 
 5, who first 
 ho opposed 
 nd threw the 
 \o raised the 
 [dependence, 
 d fought the 
 
 lirst battle — now commemorated by thi* " IJunker-lliir* 
 monument. They were what the Americans call "strong 
 men," these. And let the pseudo-philosophi^rs of the age 
 know, that it was the religious sentiment wluch produrod 
 this power, and led to these results. Let the A nigricans 
 themselves remember the fact, keep it as a sacred truth, 
 treasure it up as an heir-loom in their houses, and teacli it 
 to their children, that it was the Christian religion, em- 
 braced and held by men now deemed fanatics, which laid 
 the foundations of their freedom, their social happiness, 
 their political greatness, their advancement in all the bless- 
 ings of civilization ; and that the moment they either neg- 
 lect or renounce this religion of the Bible, then, that mo- 
 ment, they lay sacnlegious hands on the foundation which 
 supports the entire fabric of their power. 
 
 We see, from" the above statement, that Methodism has 
 taken considerable hold of this interesting population. It 
 can, however, be a matter of no surprisi^ that, at its com- 
 mencement, it was looked upon with some amount of 
 jealousy, and that the first (evangelists met with much 
 annoyance and opposition. The details are curious and 
 interesting, especially so far as they relate to the labours of 
 one man of eminent piety, originality, simple but effective 
 eloquence and glowing zeal. We refer again to Jesse Lee.* 
 This eminent Christian minister seems to have been won- 
 derfully fitted for the work assigned him by the great 
 Head of the Church, and he made full proof of his minis- 
 try. How changed is the scene now, as compared with the 
 beginning of the work of evangelization by this zealous 
 champion of the tnith ! 
 
 There is some resemblance between the character and 
 history of Jesse Lee and John Nelson. Soon after his 
 conversion, and while his heart was glowing with love, the 
 
 * See his "Life," by his nephew, the Rev. Dr. Lee. See also Bangs's 
 "History," Asbury's "Journal," and Stevens's "Memorial of the Introduc- 
 tion of Methodism into tlie Eastern States." 
 
31G 
 
 TOUR IN AMEUICA.— PART IV. 
 
 1 
 
 If 
 
 I " \i 
 
 revolutionary war tlien raging, . he was balloted for the 
 militia. 
 
 He continued four months in the army, bearing witness 
 for his divine Master. 
 
 " * Many of them,' he says, ' on one occasion v^ere very solemn, nnd 
 some of tliem wept freely under the preaching of the word. I was 
 happy in God, and tliankful to him for the privihige of warning tho 
 wicked once more. It was a great cross for me to go forward in 
 matters of so much importance, where there were few to encourage, 
 and many to o|)p()se ; hut I knew that I had to give account to God 
 for my conduct in the world. I felt the rcspon.sil)ility laid upon me, 
 and was resolved to open my mouth for God. I often thought I had 
 more cause to praise and adore him for his goodness than any other 
 person. For some weeks I hardly ever prayed in i)ul)lic, or preached, 
 or reproved a sinner, without seeing some gd^d elfccts produced hy 
 my labours.' " — Stevens's " Memorials of Mtt/todism,'^ pp. 22-25. 
 
 Such, in part, was the training, and such the character, 
 of Jesse Lee, the founder of Methodism in the New-England 
 States. 
 
 It may be proper at tliis point to remark, that other 
 moral agencies besides the existence of church organiza- 
 tions will often be found to exist Avithin the limits of these 
 "ocal conferences. We notice one or two in connexion 
 with the New-England Conference. 
 
 Besides a Book-Depot found at Boston, a branch of the 
 general Book-Concern, we find amongst other things a 
 local newspaper conducted at this place, called Zion's 
 Herald, and possessing great influence. This paper has 
 been established for a number of years ; and, amongst other 
 services for religion and humanity, it has been probably the 
 most powerful instrument in the States, amongst the Me- 
 thodists, in favour of the abolition of slavery. It opened 
 its columns for the discussion of this great question some 
 dozen or more years ago, and continues the discussion to 
 the present time. It was this paper which first broke 
 ground on this question amongst our people; thus com- 
 mencing, in the old locality, a new movement in favour of 
 
TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 317 
 
 for the 
 witness 
 
 lemn, nnd 
 d. I was 
 iniing the 
 irward in 
 ncouruge, 
 nt to God 
 upt)n me, 
 ij,'ht I luul 
 any other 
 preached, 
 oduced by 
 2-25. 
 
 iharacter, 
 -Eniiland 
 
 lat other 
 
 orirtiniza- 
 
 of these 
 
 connexion 
 
 ch of the 
 things a 
 ed Zion's 
 )aper has 
 igst other 
 bably the 
 the Me- 
 t opened 
 tion some 
 cussion to 
 rst broke 
 hus com- 
 favour of 
 
 
 freedom, — but on this occafion that of the African race. 
 Boston in this stands out in honourable distinction, as truo 
 to her original spirit, her traditions, her love of liberty. 
 
 To us it seems a strange thing that any difficulty should 
 be connected with a question of this sort. Hut the matter 
 of fact is, that the opening of this debate was like the fall 
 of some mighty Alpine avalanche into tlu^ peaceful regions 
 below. Without harshness, or any design to impute im- 
 proper motives to any parties, it will be admitted by all 
 who are tolerably acquainted with the facts of the case, 
 that the Methodist Church /ca/rt/ the agitation of the ques- 
 tion of slavery ; and endeavoured, as much and as long as 
 possible, to stave off the subject f<jr the sake of peace. 
 
 In consequence of this state of things, it became a sort 
 of heroic, not to say desperate, adventure for the Herald 
 to take up the cause. It did so, liowcver, not in the one- 
 sided manner of the public press in general, but admitted 
 both sides of the argument, and left the public to judge. 
 That the impression was deep, and the sentiment against 
 shivery powerfully excited, we have sufficient proof in the 
 fact, that this circumstance, tliis very discussion in the 
 Herald, led to a painful secession, and the establishment 
 of a new community of Methodists. These parties, think- 
 ing that the spirit and action of the Mx^thodist Episcopal 
 Church were not sufficiently decided against slavery, after 
 miserable altercations on both sides, and debates upon the 
 subject, ultimately left the body, and formed themselves 
 into what they call the Wesleyan Methodist Church ; the 
 main distinction of this new organization being the non- 
 admission of slaveholders into the Christian fellowship.* 
 
 A history of this affair is not intended ; and the subject 
 is introduced merely to give some notion to the English 
 reader of the nature and the power of these local papers. 
 Society is greatly influenced, and it is to be hoped, on the 
 
 * Those who wish to see a more detailed account of these matters, may 
 find information in Matlack's " Life of the Rev. Orange Scott." 
 
 Ii& 
 

 318 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV. 
 
 whole, greatly enlightened and benefited, by this mode of 
 producing an impression. It must be clear to every intel- 
 ligent and thoughtful person, that in such a community az 
 that of the New-England States, it is impossible for any 
 body of Christians to hold up their heads, to make any 
 progress, to possess any standing at all, unless they con- 
 nect literature with religion. Every human creature above 
 eight years of age, whether man, woman, or child, will be 
 found reading some daily newspaper. Whether this is a 
 good, a wholesome state of things, may be a question of 
 difficult solution. But, right or wrong, it is a fact, a habit. 
 With this condition of society to deal with, it became ob- 
 vious to the leaders of the respective religious bodies, that 
 they must accommodate themselves to the public taste, or 
 otherwise abandon the ground altogether to a secular, po- 
 litical, and occasionally infidel, press. Necessity originally 
 led to this mode of influence ; and certainly this Zion's 
 Herald has done its work on the point in question with 
 great ability and force ; and in other labours has, no doubt, 
 performed its share of duty in sustaining and carrying out 
 the designs of the Church. 
 
 IV. Immediately contiguous to the New-England is the 
 Providence Conference. Providence being the caoiUil 
 of the State of Rhode Island, of course the territory within 
 the limits of this conference Avill include that locality. The 
 religious history of this State is exceedingly interesting. It 
 was settled very early, chiefly by the wisdom and perse- 
 verance of Roger Williams, about the most remarkable man 
 of his age. Mr. Williams was a minister oi" religion, and 
 first went to the Plantation of Massachusetts in that capa- 
 city ; but embracing the notions of the Baptists, he was 
 harshly banished from his adopted home, and, to hide him- 
 self from his persecutors, and perhaps to save his life, he was 
 oblig'" '^ to throw himself amongst the Indians. These poor 
 savages, more merciful than his countrymen and fellow- 
 
mode of 
 rery intel- 
 raunity ac 
 e for any 
 make any 
 they con- 
 ture above 
 ild, will be 
 r this is a 
 uestion of 
 ct, a habit. 
 )ecame ob- 
 )odies, that 
 'ic taste, or 
 iecular, po- 
 y originally 
 this Zion's 
 lestion with 
 i, no doubt, 
 larrying out 
 
 rland is the 
 the caoiial 
 itory within 
 cality. The 
 iresting. It 
 and perse- 
 irkable man 
 eligion, and 
 1 that capa- 
 ists, he was 
 o hide him- 
 life, he was 
 These poor 
 and fcUow- 
 
 TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 319 
 
 Christians, admitted him to their settlements, and protected 
 him for a length of time. He became a great favourite, (as 
 who does not, who treats the sons of the forest with kindness ?) 
 and gained great ascendency over them. This influence 
 he was called upon to use on many occasions afterwards for 
 the security of those very men who had driven him from 
 their society. Whether from the effects of persecution, or 
 from the strength of his own genius, does not appear ; but 
 Roger Williams attained to a just perception of the appa- 
 rently difficult question of religious liberty. He is nearly 
 the first, if not the very first, man in modern times who 
 acquired this knowledge. He boldly taught, as well as 
 firmly held, in all vicissitudes of fortune, the precious truth 
 he had attained. But the notions of the times regarding 
 the legitimate connexion betwixt spiritual and secular 
 things — if the reador please, betwixt Church and State — 
 are shown in his case ; for this Baptist pastor became one 
 of the first governors of the community he had been the 
 instrument of establishing. (See Bancroft's " Hiatory of the 
 United States^) 
 
 In connexion with the PR0VIDE^x'E Conference we 
 find three districts ; namely, New-Bedford, New-London, 
 and Sandwich : one hundred and twelve stations and cir- 
 cuits ; one hundred and twelve ministers, with seventy-two 
 local preachers, and fourteen thousand four hundred and 
 twenty-nine church-members. 
 
 Here we find the following extra appointment : — Samuel 
 C. Brown, teacher in Providence Conference Academy. So 
 it seems this conference also possesses the patronage of 
 an academy, and is promoting the intellectual advancement 
 of their people. 
 
 V. By reason of its extent, its population, and its wealth, 
 New York is called the " Empire State." It is worthy of 
 this name. Besides all its other advantages already re- 
 ferred to, — its central position, and easy means of commu- 
 
mm 
 
 320 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. — PART IV. 
 
 :,' m^ >. 
 
 nication to every part of the continent, and the great extent 
 of country lying in its rear, and to be reached cliicfly through 
 its port, for all commercial purposes, must unite to make 
 this city the great emporium — in fact, the metropolis — of 
 the United States. 
 
 These great centres of life, wherever found, have not 
 only an important local position, but an equally important 
 relative destiny. They form the great moving power in the 
 societies of men ; they constitute the reservoirs whence the 
 waters flow, to irrigate, with good or evil sentiments and 
 influences, the whole surrounding countr)\ This city must, 
 in the nature of things, give a mighty impulse to all politi- 
 cal, social, intellectual, and religious interests existing on 
 tiie whole of the continent. This is the natural result of 
 its population and wealth. Men of certain classes, cither 
 in pride or in ignorance, will discard everything as alien 
 not found in their own department ; but all this is a vain 
 imagination. Political speculators may repudiate the idea 
 of religion having anything to do with politics ; and, vice 
 versa, religious men may repudiate the notion of what is 
 purely spiritual being brought in any Avay into contact with 
 the secular. All this is pure fiction. The world is made 
 up of two great elements, the secular and the spiritual ; 
 they cannot be separated ; they lie by the side of each 
 other ; it is impossible that either should exist in a healthy 
 state in isolation ; action and re-action must be constantly 
 going on ; — and, as in nature, the only safety for society is 
 found in the equitable balance of the two powers. 
 
 On this principle it follows, that the existence of large 
 cities presents a favourable sphere for religion ; inasmuch 
 as they constitute an ample theatre for its development, 
 and also furnish the means of its extension. The state of 
 Methodism in New-York must, on these grounds, not only 
 be important in itself, but deeply affect its condition in other 
 places. 
 • For these reasons it will be interesting to give the best 
 
TERRITOBIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 321 
 
 eat extent 
 \y through 
 e to make 
 ^polis — of 
 
 , have not 
 important 
 3wer in the 
 rt^hence the 
 iments and 
 5 city must, 
 ,0 all pohti- 
 existinjr on 
 il result of 
 sses, cither 
 nsr as alien 
 bis is a vain 
 ate the idea 
 3 ; and, vice 
 of what is 
 contact with 
 ►rid is made 
 e spiritual ; 
 de of each 
 n a healthy 
 2 constantly 
 or society is 
 rs. 
 
 ice of large 
 inasmuch 
 evelopment, 
 'he state of 
 ds, not only 
 tion in other 
 
 ive the best 
 
 view in our power of the progress of the Methodist Church 
 in the city itself. It may be proper to say, that Brooklyn 
 is to NeAV-York what Southwark is to London ; or, more 
 properly, what Birkenhead is to Liverpool, because the 
 channel is too broad to be crossed by a bridge. In the 
 two places we find no fewer than thirty-six churches, thirty- 
 seven ministers, and eleven thousand two hundred and 
 seventy-four church-members. But if our former principle 
 of calculation is adhered to, namely, that the congregations 
 and children belontrinfj to these several churches amount to 
 something like four or five times t,he number of communi- 
 cants ; then it will appear, that fifty thousand of the popu- 
 lation is under the influence of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church. 
 
 Having given the statistics of the city separately, it is 
 now proper to add the numbers furnished by the confer- 
 ence. This will include the city. 
 
 We find eight districts ; namely, JVew- York, Loiuj Island, 
 New- Haven, Hartford, Poughkecpsie, Rhinehcck, Delaware, 
 Newburgh : two hundred and fifty-five stations and circuits ; 
 two hundred and fifty-four ministers, witli two hundred 
 and twenty local preachers ; and forty-six tliousand nine 
 bundled and seven church-members, three hundred and 
 seventy-nine being people of colour. 
 
 But, in addition to these general items, we find the fol- 
 lowing : — Editor of the Quarterly Review and Books of the 
 General Catalogue, George Peck ; Assistant Editor of the 
 Christian Advocate, George Coles. 
 
 These entries are connected with the literary labours of 
 the body at New-York. 
 
 Another most interesting minute is found in connexion 
 with this conference. We find the Middletown Wesleyan 
 University, with Stephen Olin, President ; Joseph Holdich, 
 Professor ; John H. Lindsey, Tutor. The " Repository of 
 Useful Knowledge" adds the following particulars respect- 
 ing this collegiate institution; — Founded in 1831; in- 
 
 U* 
 
S22 
 
 TOUIl IN AMERICA.— PART IV. 
 
 f M 
 
 L ).: 
 
 If: fi 
 
 I 
 
 i'lC't 
 
 structers, 7; alumni, 283; ministers, 104; students, 125; 
 volumes in the library, 12,000. 
 
 The estimable President of this University, Dr. Olin, is 
 not unknown in this country, and, being known, is highly 
 esteemed. Like many of his countrymen, he has been a 
 great traveller, and given to the reading world the results 
 of his investigations on the most interesting and historically 
 eacred countries of our globe. And by general consent 
 it is allowed, that his " Travels " rank amongst the most 
 instructive and edifying books of the age ; and that his 
 Biblical criticisms, derived from a careful examination of the 
 topography of Jerusalem and the Holy Land, are invaluable 
 to the student of the Bible. But as a theoloofian and 
 preacher. Dr. Olin is equally esteemed ; and must be classed 
 pot only amongst the brightest lights of his own body, but 
 as one of the men of his country, and, indeed, of the age. 
 Dr. Holdich is an Englishman, and is full of tender recol- 
 lections of the scenes of his boyhood, and of his own and 
 ^' his father's friends." His attainments, his urbanity, and, 
 moreover, his business capacity, unite to make him a most 
 valuable man. It was ray happiness to see a good deal 
 of this gentleman ; and everything tended to produce in 
 jne a perfect admiration of his talents and character. With 
 such leaders as these, it is fair to suppose that the youth 
 educated at this University are fully fitted to take a useful 
 and honourable post in society. 
 
 We have one other item in this New- York Conference 
 worth noticing : — State-prison at Wetliersjield, Nathaniel 
 Kellogg, Chaplain. 
 
 So it seems the State ['Connecticut] is not indisposed to 
 intrust the care and instruction of its prisoners to a Me- 
 thodist minister. But it may be imagined by some, that 
 prisoners do not excite much concern amongst the states- 
 men and citizens of the New- World. This is a perfect 
 mistake. If any one thing more than another engages the 
 attention and interests the philanthropy of the Americans, 
 
TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 328 
 
 mts, 125 ; 
 
 r. Olin, is 
 , is highly 
 as been a 
 the results 
 listorically 
 al consent 
 , the most 
 d that his 
 ition of the 
 invaluable 
 lofjian and 
 be classed 
 body, but 
 of the age. 
 nder recoi- 
 ls own and 
 anity, and, 
 him a most 
 good deal 
 produce in 
 ;ter. With 
 , the youth 
 ke a useful 
 
 Conference 
 Nathaniel 
 
 disposed to 
 s to a Me- 
 some, that 
 the states- 
 s a perfect 
 jnirao'es the 
 Americans, 
 
 it is the reformation of prisoners. They speculate on 
 this point of progress and goveniment with their accus- 
 tomed fearlessness and energy. It is not our business to 
 pass any opinion on their silent system, their solitary con- 
 finement, and other modes of reformation or pu' hment ; 
 with but this one exception, — namely, that there can be 
 nothing on this side the bottomless pit more horrible, more 
 repugnant to human nature, or more completely calculated 
 to break the heart and crush the powers of the poor wretch, 
 who unfortunately gets immured in one of these prison- 
 houses, than these appliances. They are no half-measure 
 men, these Americans. If they punish, tliey do punish 
 with a vengeance ; if they set about the task of reformation, 
 they do not for a moment hesitate about the feelings, the 
 tastes, the likings and dislikings of the miserable culprit, 
 or the sentimentalism of the public. They strip him, flay 
 him, place him on aPr'^>crustes'sbcd, and crack every bone 
 in his body. Lovers of liberty as they are, they reduce the 
 souls of these poor prisoners to u state of perfect passive 
 existence. The system is found effective enough ; for many 
 of the inmates are drivt , mad; and the most fortunate 
 amongst them lose the proper, the m-^nly tone of their 
 faculties ; and, crushed beneath the iron despotism of their 
 discipline, they appear as mental automata, moving just as 
 they are moved. Those who wish to gain an idea of the 
 inexorable justice of Tartarus, where, it may be, the lost 
 soul is left no choice, but bends to the ever- varying torments 
 of his condition, in passive pain and hopeless misery ; — 
 those who desire to gain an idea of this, had better go to 
 one of these State-prisons. 
 
 We cannot but think this mode ^i reformation is some- 
 what opposed to American ideas and opinions. As a 
 general principle and rule, they seem to seek the correction 
 of the evils of human nature and of society by ameliora- 
 tions, by developments, by advancement ; — but here all this 
 is reversed. 
 
824 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV. 
 
 It is, indeed, a most effective way of dealing with a 
 diseased man, at once to kill him. This is a certa' ^imedy 
 in his case. When buried, he can no longer need the 
 nurse's assiduity, or be a medium of contagion. But this 
 is not the American way in general. The}^ set about the 
 cure, not by annihilation, but by calling forth the remaining 
 powers of life. They unfold, expand, invigorate, all the 
 functions of humanity. They endeavour to improve and 
 exalt every person, and, indeed, the whole of society, by 
 calling forth the latent energies, the hidden virtues, tlie 
 mental and moral power, of every living creature. Their 
 prison-system is the contrast of all this. As far as the dis- 
 cipline goes, it is perfectly crushing ; it is an attempt to 
 kill the seeds of vice, to put the evil propensities to death. 
 We have no faith in the scheme. It may be possible to 
 change, to modif , to turn and twist the evil nature of man 
 this way and that ; but it is never changed but by divine 
 truth and grace. Indeed, we generally find, as in the case 
 of this Wethersfield, that some religious teacher is con- 
 nected with these prisons ; and a plentiful supply of Bibles 
 is furnished. No doubt good is done ; there is something 
 alleviating in this arrangement. But it is to be feared, that, 
 in most cases, the religion of the prison will, in the mind 
 of the poor sufferer, be connected with the system itself. 
 It does not come to him as daylight to his dungeon, — as 
 a salvation, — a redemption, — an emancipation, — but as a 
 branch of the discipline under which he groans. We can- 
 not have much confidence in the efficacy of religious appli- 
 ances, when attached to so horrible a scheme as the silent 
 and solitary systems of the American prison-house.* 
 
 VI. The New-Jersey State joins that of New-York, and 
 we find a local conference bearing this name. The New- 
 Jersey Conference contains six districts ; namely, New- 
 
 [* Dr. Dixon's acquaintance with the American prison-system seems to be 
 purely theoretical.] 
 
f with a 
 ^imedy 
 need the 
 But this 
 ibout the 
 remaining 
 }., all the 
 »rove and 
 ocicty, by 
 tues, the 
 ■e. Their 
 IS the dis- 
 ttempt to 
 to death, 
 aossible to 
 ire of man 
 by divine 
 n the case 
 er is con- 
 f of Bibles 
 something 
 ircd, that, 
 the mind 
 tern itself, 
 geon, — as 
 -but as a 
 We can- 
 ious appli- 
 the silent 
 |e.* 
 
 York, and 
 
 The New- 
 lely, iWw- 
 
 socms to be 
 
 TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 325 
 
 ark, Paterson, Railway, Trenton, Burlington, and Camden : 
 one hundred and fourteen stations and circuits; one hundred 
 and fifty-five ministers, with one hundred and ninety-four 
 local preachers ; and tweniy-nine thousand five hundred 
 and ninety-two church-members. 
 
 VII. Our progress towards the south now leads us to 
 Philadelphia. This city and State are celebrated as 
 iiaving descended from the Quaker colony of William Penn. 
 Its history is profoundly interesting. Like the establish- 
 ments of the pilgrim fathers in the New -England States, 
 this also originated in religion. But the type was very 
 different, the Quaker regime being mild and liberal, Wil- 
 liam Penn himself was, no doubt, one of the most eminent 
 Christians of his day, or, indeed, of any day ; his com- 
 panions and followers, many of them at least, partook of 
 his own spirit ; and, as a consequence, the Christian element 
 became the predominant one in tlie settlement of the colony. 
 But the religious power brought to bear on the interests 
 of the settlement was only spiritual, and, consequently, 
 perfectly mild and gentle. The lav of love was that which 
 was relied upon by this eminent man, both in the manage- 
 ment of the affairs of the infant State, and in his dealings 
 with the Indians. 
 
 The site of the settlement was a subject of treaty and 
 purchase, not of robbery ; the rights of the natives of the 
 forest were recognized, as well as those of the white man ; 
 equity and truth towards the children of the soil were 
 deemed as binding as the exercise of the same virtues in all 
 other relations ; and, moreover, the law of God, whether 
 found in the written word or in the living soul, was fully 
 believed in as obligatory in matters of social life. The 
 purchase of the land, the treaty with the Indians, the re- 
 cognition of the principle of religious liberty, government 
 without coercion, and a perfect confraternity of rights 
 and interests, were remarkable developments for the times. 
 
mm 
 
 I 
 
 I: 
 
 ^ 1 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. — PART IV. 
 
 happy world, if Quaker sentiments could find a conge- 
 nial existence ! (See Clarkson's "Life of WilUam Penn," 
 and Bancroft's "History") 
 
 This happy beginning soon became beclouded, William 
 Pcnn's own life was embittered, towards its close, with in- 
 finite trouble and vexation. His beautiful fabric broke 
 down beneath the pressure of man's sins and follies ; and 
 the Quaker colony of Philadelphia stood in as much need 
 of the awakening and revivifying influence of Methodism, 
 in the early days of its enterprise in America, as other 
 places. 
 
 Quaker neatness and love of order are, however, still 
 impressed on what is visible in the city ; and this is nearly 
 all of Quakerism which rem.nins. 
 
 It was at this place that Francis Asbury landed on the 
 27th day of October, 1771 : a memorable day this, both 
 for himself and America. His words on the occasion 
 are simple and touching : — " When I came near the Ame- 
 rican shore, my very heart melted witliin me, to think from 
 whence I came, where I was aoino- and what I was £foin<x 
 about. But I felt my mind open to the people, and my 
 tongue loosed to speak. I feel that God is here ; and 
 find plenty of all we need." Poor missionary' ! he did not 
 "need" much, if he possessed all he desired. He tells us 
 just before, when relating his journey and voyage : "When 
 
 1 came to Bristol, I had not one penny of money ; but the 
 Lord soon opened the hearts of friends, Avho supplied me 
 with clothes, and £10." Thus were our predecessors 
 equipped for their work. We suppose his passage had 
 been paid, or gratuitously furnished by some kind-hearted 
 captain ; but as to himself, we see that his wardrobe and 
 pocket were both alike empty. It required some faith in 
 those days to do the Avork of the Lord. Tiiis blessed man 
 does not seem in the least to fiilter or shrink at the idea 
 of landing in America without a penny in his pocket, with- 
 out any treasury to draw upon at home ; — or to have cntcr- 
 
 II .f\ 
 
!i conge- 
 i Peiiiit 
 
 William 
 , with in- 
 •ic broke 
 lies; unci 
 uch need 
 etliodism, 
 
 as other 
 
 ever, still 
 is nearly 
 
 ed on the 
 this, both 
 } occasion 
 the Arae- 
 Lhink from 
 was going 
 [>, and Txiy 
 here ; and 
 he did not 
 ie tells us 
 3: "When 
 \^ ; but the 
 ipplied me 
 •cdccessors 
 ssajje had 
 nd-hearted 
 rdrobe and 
 me faith in 
 lessed man 
 Eit the idea 
 cket, with- 
 liave enter- 
 
 i 
 
 TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 327 
 
 tained the least conception how his supplies were to be 
 furnished in a strange land, and amongst a strange people. 
 But he drew on a Bank which never foils to honour those 
 who rely upon its resources. 
 
 This has been a much-favoured city and State with re- 
 spect to the progress of Methodism. We find in union 
 with this conference six districts ; namch', Philadelphia, 
 South Philadelphia, Peadinr/, Wilmington, Easton, and 
 Snoio-Hill : one hundred and thirteen stations and circuits ; 
 one hundred and fifty-six ministers, too-ether with one hun- 
 dred and fifty-eight local preaclicrs ; au.i I'orty-two thousand 
 two hundred and eighty-nine church-members ten thousand 
 and forty-two of the above number arc colour h1 people. 
 
 Pennsylvania is not now a slave State. In 1840, only 
 sixty-four remained in bondage ; and it is to be ])resumcd, 
 that by this time the evil has become entirely extit:ct. From 
 this it will follow, that the coloured people above mentioned 
 are free. 
 
 It may be as w^ell to explain here, that those States 
 which have adopted the principle of abolition, have never 
 done it as an instantaneous emancipation. The law has 
 always made provision for a prospective and gradual ex- 
 tinction of slavery, by enacting that all children, born after 
 a certain date, should be free ; and in some cases, also, in 
 passing measures to enable masters to manumit their slaves 
 by their own free choice ; or to allow the poor creatures 
 to work out or purchase their freedom. In consequence 
 of these prospective enactments, it sometimes happens, as 
 in the above instance, that a State will have a few old 
 slaves within its bosom, for many years after the act of 
 emancipation has been passed. We believe, in general, 
 these poor relics of a discarded system are looked upon 
 with great kindness, and are suflficiently provided for in 
 their old age. 
 
 VIII. AVe now come to a real slave-holding State, Mary- 
 
If f- 1 n 
 
 I 
 
 328 
 
 TOJJll lis' AMER1CA.--PART IV. 
 
 land, containing the Ba;.timoke Conference. It is tliought 
 by some, having, by tlie by, good means of information, 
 that Metliodism lias m{?de greater progress, and holds a 
 more commanding position, in the city of Baltimore, than 
 in any other part of the 'Jnited States. Certainly, external 
 appearances favour the opinion, that it has taken hold of 
 large masses of the popvlation, and occupies a very influ- 
 ential place in the midst Oi" the religious denominations of 
 the city. Whether it is the predominant interest, it is not 
 for me to say ; but this is the opinion of some of the esti- 
 mable ministers and people of the place. If spacious and 
 beautiful churches, large and most respectable congrega- 
 tions. Christian and kind-hearted families, — connected with 
 all the marks and evidences of intelligent piety, — are to 
 be taken as proofs of progress, then, most assuredly, Balti- 
 more must be considered as ranking very high in a religious 
 point of view. 
 
 The Baltimore Conference numbers eight districts ; 
 namely, Baltimore, North Baltimore, Potomac, Rocking- 
 ham, Winchester, Carlisle, Huntingdon, Northumberland : 
 one hundred and forty-three stations and circuits, two hun- 
 dred and twenty-eight ministers, with two hundred and 
 eighty local preachevs ; and fifty-two thousand three hun- 
 dred and thirty-eight church-members : sixteen thousand 
 three hundred and eighty-seven of these are people of 
 colour, many of them, no doubt, slaves. 
 
 Dickinson College is located at Carlisle, within the limits 
 of this conference. Of this institution the Repository states 
 that it was established in 1783: instructers, 10; alumni, 
 531 ; students, 108 ; volumes in the library, 12,000. The 
 late amiable, pious, and talented Dr. Emory was, at the 
 period of his death, in May, 1848, the president of this 
 college. Dr. Emory was the son of Bishop Emory, who 
 is remembered in this country with admiration on account 
 of his eminent character and talents. Dr. M'Clintock, pro- 
 fessor up to the last General Conference, is a gentleman 
 
TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF fllE M. E. CHURCH. 329 
 
 is thous^ht 
 formation, 
 i liolds a 
 nore, than 
 J, external 
 en hold of 
 very influ- 
 inations of 
 it, it is not 
 >f the esti- 
 lacious and 
 congrega- 
 lected with 
 iy, — are to 
 edly, Balti- 
 1 a rehgious 
 
 t districts ; 
 :, Bockinff- 
 umberland : 
 s, two hun- 
 indred and 
 
 three hun- 
 n thousand 
 
 people of 
 
 n the limits 
 sitory states 
 
 ; alumni, 
 1,000. The 
 was, at the 
 
 ent of this 
 
 ilmory, who 
 on account 
 
 intock, pro- 
 i gentleman 
 
 of high reputation as a scholar and minister, and was ap- 
 pointed by the above-mentioned body as the Editor of the 
 Quarterly Review. From the date of its institution, it will 
 be perceived that this college was not originally founded 
 by the Methodist Church, but by some other parties; who, 
 failing to realize the objects designed, turned it over to its 
 present occupants. This has been the cise with several 
 others. We hope the fact does not indicate any decay of 
 zeal in the case of other friends and patrons of education ; 
 but certainly it does indicate the growing power and influ- 
 ence of Methodism in this department. 
 
 But the metropolis of America, the city of Washington, 
 is within the limits of this conference. Under the head 
 Wesley Chapel, we ha^ e the following appointment : Henry 
 Sheer. This is all wliiah is said. Now, no one would 
 know anything remarkable about Henry Slicer by this sim- 
 ple insertion of his name, in connexion w.'th Wesley Chapel. 
 The matter of fact is, that this gentleman is one of the 
 chaplains of Congress, and is called, in the course of his 
 duty, every Sunday to preach Christianity to the President 
 of the United States, and to many of the senators and mem- 
 bers of Congress. 
 
 In this country the idea of a court chaplam, or a preacher 
 to the House of Lords or Commons, is connected in- 
 stinctively with the notions of a great ecclesiastical digni- 
 tary, or a divine of the first pink of religious fashion. 
 Probably some such notion may fill the reader's mind re- 
 specting this chaplain to the Congress. Nothing would be 
 more fallacious or untrue than such a fancy. I found Mr. 
 Slicer one of the plainest Methodist preachers I saw in 
 America. I do not mean vulgar ; but in his garb, manners, 
 bearing, and entire demeani ur, he retains all the charac- 
 teristics of the simple, pious, unsophisticated Methodist 
 minister. So, at any rate, I have seen one clergyman who 
 has lived long in the precincts of a court, who has held 
 constant inte; course with the chiefs and great men of the 
 
330 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV. 
 
 hi 
 
 M\^ 
 
 
 tii 
 
 ] I 
 
 nation, and yet who still remains uncorrupt. By the kind- 
 ness of our ^ood friend, I enjoyed many advantfiges in my 
 visit to Wa.shington, which could not have been attained 
 in so easy a manner without his intervention. 
 
 But my object in this part of our investigation being 
 merely to trace out the position and influence of Method- 
 ism, I must refer the reader to another part of the narra- 
 tive for information on these matters. 1 was informed 
 that several Methodists were members of Congress ; and, 
 as we have seen, had the pleasure of hearing one, a local 
 preacher, of the name of Hilliard, ijpeak in the House of 
 Representatives. He appeared a man of good talents, 
 practical mind, an agreeable address, and possessing very 
 respectable elocution. This good friend, I understood, 
 often took the pulpit in one of the churches at Washington ; 
 so that he was not a preacher at home, and a silent Chris- 
 tian at the seat of government ; but fearlessly maintained 
 his religious character and vocation everywhere. The fact 
 is, however, that he suffered nothing from this. A man is 
 not sent to Coventry for being a Methodist, nor loses rank, 
 or anything else, by maintaining his principles. Freedom 
 in religion is no fiction in the States. Men are estimated by 
 their character, their talents, their capacity to serve the pub- 
 lic; and not by their creed, or by denominational distinctions. 
 
 Two or three facts, having a religious bearing, connected 
 with the State of Maryland, are worth mentioning. The 
 first is, that Lord Baltimore, as we have seen, from whom 
 the city is named, was a Roman Catholic, a convert from 
 Protestantism, and an eminent statesman, of the age of 
 Charles II. Romanist though he became, yet he retained 
 his attachment to religious liberty ; and notwithstanding 
 many persons of his own creed constituted the first bodies 
 of settlers, yet the stringent doctrines of Popish intolerance 
 were never countenanced. In point of fact. Popish Mary- 
 land was the first colony in America where a system of 
 practical toleration and religious freedom obtained a foot- 
 
 
the kind- 
 ges in my 
 a attained 
 
 tion being 
 f Mothod- 
 thc njirni- 
 I informed 
 ress ; and, 
 me, a local 
 s House of 
 Dd talents, 
 jssing very 
 inderstood, 
 '^ashington ; 
 ilent Chris- 
 maintained 
 , The fact 
 A man is 
 loses rank, 
 Freedom 
 stimated by 
 ve the pub- 
 distinctions. 
 •, connected 
 ►ning. The 
 from whom 
 mvert from 
 the age of 
 he retained 
 dthstanding 
 first bodies 
 intolerance 
 •pish Mary- 
 i system of 
 ined a foot- 
 
 TERRITORTAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 331 
 
 ing. (8co Bancroft.) As might be e.xpected, tlie Pupisli 
 Church is still in great power in Baltimore. 
 
 A second fact is, that though Maryland is a slave State, 
 yet slavery itself is decreasing. In 1700, the number of 
 slaves amounted to 103,030 ; and in 1810, to only 89,737. 
 The same dates give for the white population, in 1700, 
 310,728 ; and in 1840, 1,239,797. From some causes, of 
 which 1 confess myself to be ignonmt, it is very evidepi. 
 that slavery, in this State, is not favoured by the general 
 population. A pro<'ess of extinction is evidently going on. 
 The balance on the side of the white and free population is 
 clearly increasing rapidly ; whilst, instead of the slave por- 
 tion augmenting in a ])roportionate ratio, we find that their 
 numbers are rapidly decreasing. It is cheering to see that 
 in a short period, by the natural process of things, the evil 
 must end itself. I, indeed, found many estimable men, no 
 friends to slavery, lo' l^ing forward to this with some degree 
 of confidence, as a goo 1 which they ardently anticipated. It 
 was thought by these gentlemen, that such States as IMary- 
 land, having ceased to cherish and uphold slavery, in fact, 
 would soon be led to renounce it by a le<;islativc enactment. 
 Well or ill founded, it is the opinion of these parties, that two 
 or three of the other States would have done so before this, 
 had it not been for abolitionist agitations. It is certain that, 
 of all men in the world, Americans are the least likely to 
 yield to an external pressure ; and it is very possible that 
 the majority, in particular States, may have been roused to 
 a reaction by what they consider the unauthorized and im- 
 pertinent interference of other people with their affairs. In 
 this I am not delivering opinions of my own ; I am merely 
 stating an alleged fact, as it was often represented to me 
 by thoughtful men, and friends of abolition. However 
 this may be, it is delightful to have ocular demonstration, 
 from the diminished and diminishing numbers of slaves in 
 Maryland, that the free men of the State are not, in general, 
 the patrons of slavery. 
 
332 
 
 TOUR IN AMliRICA. — PART IV. 
 
 
 
 m' 
 
 ■■'f J 
 
 ■ir 
 
 J 
 
 
 ' ' 5 ■ 
 
 — i . 
 
 y '• 
 
 1,; 
 
 
 II 
 
 11 
 
 1^ 
 
 IX. In our descent alongj the Atlantic coast, we now 
 enter the South division of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 The Virginia Conference is the first on the Hne. We 
 have, belonging to this conference, six districts ; namely, 
 liichmond, Charlotteville, Lynchhurgh, Randolph Macon, 
 Petersburgh, and Norfolk : seventy-six stations and cir- 
 cuits ; ninety-one ministers, with one hundred and sixty- 
 five local prefihers : and twenty-eight thousand four 
 hundr<:^d an<^ fifty-seven church-members ; of these mem- 
 bers, five thousand six hundred and ninety-one are people 
 of colour. 
 
 The slavery of this State has greatly increased ; the 
 numbers being, in 1790, 203,427 ; and, in 1840, 448,987. 
 It is to be presumed from this, that the people are really 
 in favour of vac system. They would probably say they 
 are nof, so, in reality ; in the abstract, that they consider 
 liberty, freedom, human rights, as essential and divine. 
 But then they think that the poor blacks are better off as 
 slaves than if free ; and, moreover, that the system is so 
 dovetailed into their social condition, that it is impossible, 
 in the present st.:ic of things, to change it. These are the 
 apologies I often heard. One thing surprises me on enter- 
 ing into a statistical examination of this first Southern Con- 
 ference : it is the very limited number of coloured people 
 belonging to the Church as compared with the slave 
 population in the State. I am aware that the Virginia 
 Coniercnce may not, and indfc'^d does not, include the 
 whole of the State ; but still, it is very evident that it em- 
 braces a considerable proportion ; and if this proportion is 
 no more than half its extent, it still leaves but a very small 
 fraction of the slaves as members of the Methodist Church. 
 What are 5,600 slaves, compared with even half 448,987 ? 
 The most cogent reason, and, as it struck me at the 
 time, the most legitimate, fo; the neutrahty of the Method- 
 ist Church in the South on th^ subject — in fact, for its 
 present separation from the North — was, that the ministers 
 
TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 333 
 
 t, we now 
 lal Church. 
 Hne. We 
 ; namely, 
 ph Macon, 
 IS and cir- 
 and sixty- 
 isand four 
 hese mem- 
 are people 
 
 eased ; the 
 3, 448,987. 
 I are really 
 ly say they 
 ey consider 
 and divine, 
 etter off as 
 stem is so 
 impossible, 
 esc are the 
 e on enter- 
 Xhem Con- 
 red people 
 the slave 
 he Virginia 
 include the 
 that it cm- 
 'oportion is 
 very small 
 ist Church. 
 448,98Y? 
 me at the 
 le Method- 
 ict, for its 
 e ministers 
 
 
 might have permission to seek the salvation of these poor 
 outcasts, lead them to Christ, ameliorate their condition, 
 and thus prepare them for freedom. But really, is it worth 
 while (I say nothing rS the lawfulness of the thing) to 
 sacrifice a principle, to lay aside a great truth, to bend be- 
 fore the great Moloch, for such a result fis this ? Virginia 
 is one of the oldest fields of enterprise belonging to the 
 Methodist Church ; on this ground it has been at work 
 almost from the beginning ; and see the issue, as regards 
 the slave populatiori. Why, if Christianity is to prepare 
 these people for liberty, and Methodism is to be its agent, 
 aejes and ages must intervene betwixt these wretched 
 people and the mighty boon. Fiom this investigation one 
 cannot help believing, that this accursed evil stands in the 
 way of the religious good — the salvation — of the poor Af- 
 ricans, to an extent but little apprehended. 
 
 The Book-Room belonoinj; to the Southern Church is 
 established at Richmond, within the limits of this confer- 
 ence: John Early, Book-Agent, and L. M. Lee, Agent and 
 Editor of the Richmond Christian Advocate. Dr. Lee, the 
 nephew of Jesse Lee, is, as we see, Editor of the Richmond 
 Christian Advocate. These Christian Advocates, in these 
 times, arc fearful things. One cannot help deploring, that 
 talents competent to the highest studies and investigations 
 of theological and sacred truth, should be devoted to parti- 
 san warf.ire. This is unhappily the case now. This fine 
 young man. Dr. Lee, and another at New-York, not as 
 young, but of equally excellent spirit. Dr. George Peck, 
 must now be pitted against each other in deadly war- 
 fare, on the points at issue between the North and 
 the South. It makes one's heart bleed to think of men 
 like these spending their time and their talents in service 
 so wretched. 
 
 We have another appointment to notice. It is William 
 A. Sn\ith, President of R. M. College ; B. R. Duval, and 
 Nathaniel Thomas, Agents. Now, as R. M. College is 
 
litis 
 
 334 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV. 
 
 I e 
 
 I iU' 
 
 placed under the Randolpli Macon District, I suppose it 
 must mean a college bearing that name. Our good breth- 
 ren across the Atlantic are so fond of abbreviations, that it 
 is really difficult for a stranger, not well acquainted with 
 them, to make out their meaning. But the fact indicated is 
 of importance, namely, that in this place a college is found 
 for the purpose of advancing the interests of general and 
 sacred kno vledgo. We may see, from the number of these 
 institutions, and their frequent occurrence as we traverse 
 the continc it, that the attention of the Church is intently 
 fixed upon the subject of education. Results of great im- 
 portance to religion and civilization must arise out of this 
 potent agency. 
 
 X. The North Carolina Conffrence is the next in 
 our line. This conference has within its limits five districts ; 
 namely, Raleigh, Salisbury, Danville, Washington, JVew- 
 hern : fifty-seven stations and circuits ; seventy-five minis- 
 ters, witli one hundred and thirty-nine local preachers ; 
 and twenty thousand three hundred and eight member:^ : 
 out of this number, seven tliousand seven hundred and fifty 
 are people of colour. 
 
 This, as every one knows, is a slave State, and the evil 
 is increasing. In 1790, we find 100,5*72 slaves; in 1840, 
 245,817. But the progress of Methodism among the Afri- 
 can race is much more satisfactory than in Virginia. The 
 total, 7,750, in the midst of a population of 245,817, will 
 give a proportion much more than double, or treble, that 
 of the other State. This, however, is a very poo^ average 
 on the whole population ; and indicates that the progress 
 made has not been very extraordinary. 
 
 We have the following appointments in the Conference : 
 B. T. Blake and J. Jamieson, Professors in Greensborough 
 Female College. We shall be under the necessity of no- 
 ticing these female colleges elsewhere ; and may conse- 
 (jucntly omit any particular remarks here, further than to 
 
TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHUi .^H. 335 
 
 ippose it 
 od breth- 
 is, that it 
 iited with 
 .diccated is 
 e is found 
 sneral and 
 lY of these 
 e traverse 
 is intently 
 great im- 
 lut of this 
 
 he next in 
 e districts ; 
 ^ton, New- 
 -live minis- 
 preachers ; 
 members : 
 d and fifty 
 
 d the evil 
 in 1840, 
 the Afri- 
 
 •inia. The 
 
 I 
 
 5,817, will 
 reble, that 
 Qv average 
 e progress 
 
 rr 
 
 Ponference : 
 msborough 
 [sity of no- 
 lay conse- 
 ^er than to 
 
 
 entreat the reader to notice the fact, that the planters of 
 the South — a very different race — are no more negligent of 
 this subject of education than the sturdy citizens of the 
 North ; being willing, it seems, to send their daughters for 
 training to religious schools. 
 
 XI. We now come to the South Carolina Confer- 
 ence. On the territory of this ecclesiastical division, are 
 found six districts ; Charleston, Cokeshury, Columbia, Wil- 
 mington, Fayetteville, Lincolnton : seventy-four stations, 
 circuits, and missions ; one hundred and seven ministers ; 
 (no return of local preachers ;) sixty-five thousand one hun- 
 dred and sixty-seven church-members : in this aggregate, 
 thirty-eight thousand and eighty-two are people of colour. 
 This is a splendid result. 
 
 South Carolina is a plantation country, and consequently 
 in favour of slavery. The numbers have increased in the 
 following ratio : — In 1*790, there were 107,094; and in 
 1840, no less than 327,038. But it is delightful to find so 
 large a number of them as 38,082 members of the Method- 
 ist Church. Religion is the only real mitigation of the 
 miseries of this condition ; and let us hope that it may 
 please God to confer it upon an increased number, and thus 
 prepare them, by its influence, for all the rights of the social 
 state. But still we must keep it in mind, that these ecclesias- 
 tical boundaries are not those of the State ; and it is very 
 likely, that this South Carolina Conference stretches into 
 the northern State of th.it name. 
 
 The religious history of the two Carolinas is very inter- 
 esting, inasmuch as it is connected both with great princi- 
 ples and great men. The territory was granted to propri- 
 etaries by Charles II., the most distinguished of whom 
 were the famous Ashley Cooper, Earl of Shaftesbury, and 
 John Locke. The constitution which these eminent men 
 framed for the government of the plantation — but which, 
 by the by, did not last long — recognized the principle of 
 
^,„g0mmiimimm 
 
 33G 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART I 
 
 i. 
 
 V ] 
 
 , I'. 
 
 (•f 
 
 *. 
 
 religious toleration to the fullest extent ; and, at the same 
 time, conceded that all free men had an absolute right of 
 property in their slaves. Even Locke "uopted this theory, 
 made this a provision of the constitution which he drew up 
 himself, and secured this as an indefeasible right to the 
 emigrants. The one provision drew to these sunny shores 
 imfortunate religionists from every country ; and the other 
 filled the settlement, with enslaved Africans. 
 
 What a mystery is man ! Here, on this very soil, refu- 
 gees from England, driven by the persecutions of Charles 
 and James; from Scotland, by that ruthl". 4 ruffian, the 
 brutal Lauderdale ; from Ireland, by its chronic miseries 
 and woes; from France, expatriated by the rescinding of 
 the Edict of Nantz, and the ferocious cruelties of Louis 
 XIV., then in his dotage, and under the power of his mis- 
 tress ; from Holland, the Low Countries, rt. x Germany: — 
 all these people, from so many nations, came, smaiting 
 under the lash of tyranny, to seek a home in the wilder- 
 ness of America, for the sole purpose that they might 
 enjoy personal and religious freedom. And yet, one of the 
 first things they did in their new state, was to subject the 
 Negro to the degradation, not of political, not of religious, 
 bondage — but of personal slavery ; implying the absolute 
 forfeiture of his manhood, and his reduction to the condition 
 of goods and chattels — the absolute property of his master.* 
 
 But interest may be pleaded in favour of these planters; 
 it may be imagined that" the want of labourers for the cul- 
 tivation of the soil made it essential to employ the African 
 race. But what are we to say of Locke ? No such tempta- 
 tion could lie in his patli. His speculations Avere those of 
 the philosopher ; the constitution he provided was the pro- 
 duction of his studious reflections ; he was, as is well 
 known, profoundly acquainted with the laws of nature, the 
 principles of jurisprudence, and with the word of God. 
 This great man may be considered as one of the apostles 
 
 * See Bancroft. 
 
the same 
 ; right of 
 lis theory, 
 e drew up 
 rht to the 
 iny shores 
 I the other 
 
 soil, refu- 
 of Charles 
 ■uffian, the 
 ic miseries 
 cinding of 
 !S of Louis 
 of his mis- 
 ermany : — 
 3, smarting 
 the wilder- 
 ^hey might 
 one of the 
 subject the 
 reliii'ious, 
 le absolute 
 le condition 
 lis master.* 
 3e planters; 
 for the cul- 
 the African 
 ch tempta- 
 •e those of 
 as the pro- 
 as is well 
 nature, the 
 rd of God. 
 ^he apostles 
 
 
 TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CllUUClI. 337 
 
 of liberty, both political and religious ; and yet he delibe- 
 rately makes provision, in his constitution for Carolina — 
 the matter is not left to accident — for the Avhite popula- 
 tion, the free men from Europe, to enslave the African. 
 Could he believe these poor Negroes to be men ? If so, 
 on his own principles — the principles of nature's laws, the 
 principles of inalienable, immutable, eternal equity and 
 justice — these parties, being men, have as iiiuch right to 
 libert}^ personal and religious, as any other men. How 
 little, according to the Scriptures, "is man to be accounted 
 of?" The only solution of this wonderful enigma is, that 
 the philosopher, by some means, allowed himself to get 
 under the influence of Shaftesbury, the wily politician. 
 But, then, what are eternal truths, principles, laws — fixed 
 as the u,' .verse — worth, if they are to be sacrificed at the 
 shrine of political expediency ? Even Locke, as we see, 
 made truth partial, limited its range, confined it to classes. 
 Liberty, even with its greatest champion, only meant liberty 
 for men of a certain colour while these . ons of frcodoni 
 themselves might be permitted to perpetrate the most 
 cruel wrong within the power of man, by enslaving their 
 fellow-creatures. Here, then, strange to say, we have reli- 
 gion and philosophy uniting to inflict this most execrable 
 of all villanies — religion in the pei-sons of expatriated JFuri- 
 tans, Calvinists, Huguenots, and Quakers ; and philosophy in 
 the embodied sentiments of Shaftesbury and Locke. Truth 
 comes slowly to man ; and it should seem that neither deep 
 misfortunes on the one hand, nor profound knowledge on the 
 other, can be a suflicient guarantee of its claims and rights. 
 
 Xn. The next Annual Conference is that of Georgia. 
 Within the boundaries of this conference we find eight dis- 
 tricts : Augusta, Athens, Gainsville, Marietta. La Grange, 
 Macon, Columbus, JeffersonviUc : one hundred and one sta- 
 tions, circuits, and missions ; one hundred and twenty-six 
 
 ministers ; (local preachers not given ;) fifty-seven thou»and 
 
 15 
 
IF 
 
 388 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. — PART IV 
 
 it 
 
 
 ffi 
 
 one hundred and sixty-seven church-members. Among 
 these church-members we find sixteen thousand and sixty- 
 two people of colour. This is gratifying. 
 
 The slavery of Georgia has been progressing. In 1*790, 
 the numbers are reported as 29,264 ; and in 1840, they are 
 swollen up to 253,532. This is fearful ; but the horror is 
 mitigated by the fact of so many being, as we hope, free- 
 men in Christ. 
 
 Georgia is interesting to all the followers of John Wes- 
 ley, inasmuch as it is the place to which he went as a mis- 
 sionary to the Indians. Poor Indians ! where are they now ? 
 No missionary is needed in Georgia for their benefit. He 
 says, in the first paragraph of his Journal : — 
 
 " Mr. Benjamin Ingham, of Queen's C(illcge, Oxford, Mr. Charles 
 Delamotte, son of a mcrcliant in London, who liad ofFercd himself 
 some days before, my brother Charles Wesley, and myself, took boat 
 for Gravesend, in order to embark for Geor^iii. Our end in leaving 
 our native country, was not to avoid want, ( God having given us 
 plenty of temi)oral blessings,) nor to gain the dung or dross of riches 
 or honour ; but singly this, to save our souls, to live wholly to the 
 glory of God." — Wesley's Works, vol. :, p. 17. 
 
 He tells us, under the date of February 6th, 1736 : — 
 
 " About eight in the moniing, we first set foot on American ground. 
 It was a small iminhabitcd island, over against Tyber. Mr. Ogle- 
 thorpe led us to a rising ground, where we all kneeled down to give 
 thanks."— Wesley's WorJcs, vol. i, p. 23. 
 
 This act of religious worship consecrated the commence- 
 ment of his interesting sojourn in this place. He remarks 
 again, under date 
 
 " February 29th — When I left England, I was chiefly afraid of twc 
 things ; one, that I should never again have so many faithful friends 
 as I left there ; the other, that the spsrk of love which began to kin- 
 dle in their hearts would cool and die away. But who knoweth the 
 mercy and power of God ? From ten friends I am a while secluded, 
 and he hath opened me a door into a whole Church. And as to the 
 very persons I left behind, his Spirit is gone forth so much the more, 
 teaching them not to trust in man, but in Ilim that raiseth the dead, 
 and calleth the ' things that are not, as though they were.' " — Weslei/^s 
 Works, p. 26. 
 
TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 
 
 ^39 
 
 Among 
 
 md sixty- 
 Ill 1790, 
 
 , they arc 
 horror is 
 
 Dpe, free- 
 
 ohn Wes- 
 
 as a mis- 
 
 ,hey now ? 
 
 nefit. He 
 
 Mr. Charles 
 i-cd liimsclf 
 ilf, took boat 
 d iu leaving 
 ng given us 
 ^•oss of ridics 
 holly to the 
 
 ll736 :— 
 icun ground. 
 , Mr. Ogle- 
 down to give 
 
 commence - 
 ie remarks 
 
 afraid of two 
 ithful friends 
 icgmi to kin- 
 knowcth the 
 lile secluded, 
 \nd as to the 
 uch the more, 
 eth the dead, 
 ,y^ ^Wesley's 
 
 There is much to interest, much to meditate upon, in 
 these few words. This apparent accident mentioned, — " He 
 hath opened me a door into a whole Church," — is, in truth, 
 the germinant fact of all Methodism. He refers to the 
 Moravian Church, many of whose members he sailed with 
 from England, observed their spirit with more than admi- 
 ration, conversed with them on matters of experimental 
 religion, and engaged in some of their services. These were 
 among the circumstances which led to his own conversion. 
 And now, in the wilds of Georgia, he had the opportunity 
 of seeing their church order, witnessing their religious 
 exercises, and entering into a free conversation with many 
 of their best and holiest ministers, Cii questions of doctrine 
 — and especially on the most vital of all — that of justifying 
 faith. This connexion of Mr. Wesley with the Moravian 
 Church, constituted the providential instrumentality in 
 leading him to adopt his most fondly cherished notions of 
 personal piety, and the religious life ; to see much of the 
 most elevated and spiritual portions of religious practice, 
 which he afterwards adopted as essential, and embodied 
 in his various institutions ; and to embrace from their 
 model most of the disciplinary and organic portions of 
 his own system. It led, no doubt, to the idea of the 
 societies which he established, and which became so 
 important an element in his Avork, and so mighty an 
 instrumentality in the progress of religion ; — all these 
 things, so vital in Methodism, were, evidently, more or 
 less, connected with his partial union with the Moravian 
 Church in Georgia. He had, indeed, formed a small soci- 
 ety, as he calls it, in Oxford, in 1729 ; but this consisted 
 of members cf the University only ; and though religious 
 exercises were connected with their meetings, yet they par- 
 took very much of a literary character. The first Method- 
 ist society ever formed among the people, and for their 
 benefit, was in Georgia. On this subject, he says, under 
 date 
 
340 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. —PART IV. 
 
 Wift •■ 
 
 M 
 
 : m 
 
 Ai-'il 
 
 " Saturday, April 1 7th.— Not finding as yet any door open for the 
 pursuing our main design, we considered in what manner we might 
 be most useful to the little flock at Savannali. And we agreed, 1. 
 To advise tlie more serious among them to fonn themselves into a 
 sort of ' little society,' and to meet once or twice a week, in order to 
 reprove, instruct, and exhort one another. 2. To select out of these 
 a smaller numlier for a more intimate union with each other ; which 
 might he forwarded, partly by conversing singly with each, and 
 partly by inviting them all together to our house. And this ac- 
 cordingly we determined to do every Sunday in the afternoon." — 
 Wesley's Works, vol. i. p. 30. 
 
 Accordingly, in his " Short History of the People called 
 
 Methodists," we find him saying, — 
 
 " On Monday, May 1st, 1738, our little society began in London. 
 But it may be observed, the first rise of Methodism, so called, was 
 in November, 1729, when four of us met together at Oxford; the 
 second was at Savannah, in April, 1736, when twenty or thirty per- 
 sons met at my house ; the last was in London, on this day, when 
 forty or fifty of us agreed to meet together every Wednesday eve- 
 ning, in order to a free conversation, begun and ended with singing 
 and prayer. In all our steps" (he means in this last organization) 
 "we were greatly assisted by the advice and exhortations of Peter 
 Bohler, an excellent young man, belonging to the society commonly 
 called Moravians." 
 
 It is evident from this that the first Methodist society, in 
 the popular sense of the expression — that is, a society of the 
 people themselves — was formed by John Wesley himself in 
 America. The historical fact is interesting, though no 
 doubt the "little society" soon became extinct on Mr. 
 Wesley's departure. Whitcficld, indeed, laboured in these 
 parts afterwards, and founded his celebrated Orphan- 
 House ; but it was not the practice of this eminent preacher 
 to institute or foster societies. Conceiving his mission to 
 be rather prophetic than pastoral, he contented himself 
 Avitli the delivery of his message, without attempting to 
 constitute church organizations. The effect of this has 
 been disastrous to the permanency of his work. The 
 mighty impression made by his powerful ministry often 
 evaporated, like " the dew of the morning," for the want 
 
 
TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CIIURCU. 341 
 
 pen for the 
 r we might 
 ; agreed, 1. 
 ilves into a 
 in order to 
 .ut of these 
 her; which 
 each, and 
 nd this ac- 
 •tcrnoon." — 
 
 )ple called 
 
 in London. 
 » called, was 
 Oxford; the 
 )r thirty per- 
 is day, when 
 Incsday eve- 
 with singing 
 5rg!\nization) 
 ons of Peter 
 ty commonly 
 
 t society, in 
 ciety of the 
 y himself in 
 though no 
 net on Mr. 
 red in these 
 ;d Orphan- 
 ;nt preacher 
 3 mission to 
 ted himself 
 .empting to 
 of this has 
 work. The 
 inistry often 
 'or the want 
 
 of a conserving power in the form of religious societies. 
 When this was not the case, as in individual awakenings 
 and conversions, the parties were obliged to seek commu- 
 nion in other churches ; so that their numbers were swell- 
 ed, and their power greatly increased, by the itinerant 
 labours of this eminent man. 
 
 We are naturally interested in the religious history of 
 Sfivannah, where, as we see, the first popular Methodist 
 society was formed. The traditions of the place respecting 
 Mr. Wesley would be interesting, and probably not favour- 
 able either to his fair name or his cause. He had greatly 
 offended the people by his rigorous conduct in relation to 
 the rubrics, canons, and services of the Churcli ; insisting 
 on baptizing their children by immersion, and compelling 
 them to observe the very letter of the law on all points of 
 ceremony. This would have been sufficiently burdensome 
 in an old, well-trained parish ; but in a new place, made up 
 of emigrants from every quarter, of every kind of senti- 
 ment, and, it is to be supposed, of somewhat lax habits, 
 such sort of discipline became intolerable. He gives the 
 following account himself:— 
 
 " Observing much coldness in Mr. C 's (probably Mr. Causton, 
 
 the chief magistrate of Savannah) behaviour, I asked the reason of 
 it. He answered, ' I like notiiing you do. All your sermons are 
 satii'es upon particular persons, therefore I will never hear you 
 more ; and all the people are of my mind, for we won't hear C'j.r«elve3 
 abused. Besides, they say they are Protestants : but as for you, they 
 cannot tell what religion you are of. They never heai'd of such a 
 religion before. They do not knoAv what to make of it. And then 
 your private behaviour : all the quarrels that have been here since 
 you came have been long of you. Indeed, there is neither man nor 
 woman in the town who minds a word you say. And so you may 
 preach long enough ; but nobody Avill come to hear yon.' " 
 
 There is no doubt much exaggeration and passion in 
 this, but some truth. Mr. Wesley was now "under the 
 law ;" his preaching and entire conduct, public and pri- 
 vate, were such as to produce exasperation. A conviction 
 of sin, without any antidote, any remedy — law without 
 
842 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV. 
 
 1 
 
 ! 
 
 k , i. 
 
 'I ' 
 
 V 
 
 :A 'I 
 
 gospel — can only irritate, produce wounds which it cannot 
 heal. 
 
 It is possible that the trad'tions of the place may 
 have something to do with the antipathy manifested 
 against Methodism, as related by iis historian. Dr. Bangs. 
 He says : — 
 
 " After Imrd toiling, they finally succeeded, by soliciting aid from 
 varions parts of the country, in erecting a house of worship in 1812, 
 which was dedicated to the service of Almighty God by Bishop As- 
 bury, and was called Wesley Chapel. This took place about seventy- 
 five years after the town was visited by John Wesley ; and the spirit 
 which vented itself in opposition to him seems to have descended to 
 their posterity, and shown itself in similar acts of hostility to his fol- 
 lowers: yet, by patient perseverance in well-doing, this prejudice 
 has been measurably overcome, and the cause of Methodism has 
 taken firm stand in Savannah, and is exerting a salutaiy influence 
 on its citizens." 
 
 Yet this " salutary influence" seems very limited to this 
 day. Dr. Pierce, who is well acquainted with Savannah 
 and the whole of Georgia, told me that the society and 
 congregation still remained very meagre ; that the opposi- 
 tion to Methodism is still most decided ; that the people 
 continued to worship in a small and poor place, the one 
 probably above referred to ; and that, altogether, the work 
 continues in a depressed and languishing state. 
 
 But notwithstanding this hostility of Savannah, we find 
 that Georgia, in general, has received the gospel at the 
 hands of the folloAvers of John Wesley on a pretty large 
 scale. 
 
 We have the following in connexion with this Confer- 
 ence : — Emory College, Aug. B. Longstreet, Alexander 
 Means, George W. Lane, 0. L. Smith, William I. Parks, 
 Agent for Emory College. 
 
 It is gratifying to find another of these institutions, and 
 so well and efficiently manned with officers. But we have 
 another minute : Thomas C. Stanley, chaplain in the United 
 States' navy. I heard that this is a sinecure. The gentle- 
 
TERRITORIAL PROORESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 343 
 
 b it cannot 
 
 place may 
 manifested 
 Dr. Bangs. 
 
 ing aid from 
 •ship in 1812, 
 y Bishop As- 
 ibout scvcnty- 
 and the spirit 
 descended to 
 lity to his fol- 
 his prejudice 
 ethodism has 
 tai7 influence 
 
 nited to this 
 ,h Savannah 
 society and 
 the opposi- 
 t the people 
 ace, the one 
 ler, the work 
 
 nah, we find 
 
 ospel at the 
 
 pretty large 
 
 this Confer- 
 
 Alexander 
 
 im I. Parks, 
 
 itutions, and 
 But we have 
 in the United 
 The gentle- 
 
 man occupying this post is required to make a sham voyage 
 or two, to qualify himself for the office of chaplain of the 
 United States' navy ; but whsn the post is attained, very 
 little duty is expected. As chaplain, Mr. Stanley is not re- 
 quired to go to sea ; his quart(;rs are somewhere on shore ; 
 and if he performs any duty at all, it is in connexion with 
 some dockyard or naval'station. 
 
 The design in noticing this appointment is not, however, 
 to point out these circumstances, but to show how Method- 
 ism stands with respect to the State. At Washington we 
 found a minister of this Church occupying the position of 
 chaplain to the Congress, and now we find another chap- 
 lain to the United States' navy. The good people of Eng- 
 land would be astonished if the Gazette should announce 
 that some Methodist preacher was appointed chaplain in 
 the royal navy, having his residence at Doptford, with pay, 
 rations, and rank as an officer ; and, moreover, having the 
 right to be saluted as such by every jack-tar and sentinel 
 on duty. This Avould look strange indeed. Such is the 
 difference betwixt the position of Methodism in America 
 and in England. We say nothing respecting which is 
 right and which is wrong ; but the difference is palpable 
 enough. 
 
 XIII. The Florida Conference follows that of Georgia. 
 We find in this ecclesiastical boundary four districts, 
 namely, Quincy, Tallahassee, Newvansville, and St. 
 Mary's : thirty-three stations, circuits, and missions, thirty- 
 two ministers, with seventy-four local preachers ; and six 
 thousand seven hundred and twenty -nine church-members, 
 two thousand seven hundred and thirty-six of whom are 
 peopl'j of colour. 
 
 It will be seen by these numbers, that no very great pro- 
 gress has been made in Florida. This will be accounted 
 for by the fact, that this region was originally colonized by 
 the Spaniards ; and the bulk of the population must, to 
 
344 TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV. 
 
 this day, be of that nation. These prople are, wherever 
 found, ignorant, besotted, superstitious Roman Catho- 
 lics. Tiieir superstition, indeed, seems to be a part of 
 themselves. It is a question whether there exists a single 
 church of real evangelical Spanish Christians in any part of 
 the world. Whether they are paying; the penaltios due to 
 infinite justice and outraged humanity, for the crimes of 
 the Inquisition ; whether Popery has so seized all the pow- 
 ers of their intellectual and moral nature, by its traditions, 
 dogmas, and confessional, as to render them incapable of 
 receiving the truth of God ; or whether the Spaniard is 
 naturally and essentially a superstitious animal — seems 
 difficult to say. But in the M'liole world, wherever he is 
 found, he is true to his idolatry. Had we the complete 
 history of the case before us, no doubt it would be found 
 that the Popery of Florida had, as in other places, proved 
 impervious even to the energetic zeal of American Me- 
 thodism. 
 
 We present the result of our inquiries with respect to 
 the several conferences on this line of coast, in a tabular 
 view. 
 
 All the following tables contain, in the different columns, 
 an enumeration of the conferences, districts, circuits, (in- 
 cluding stations and missions,) ministers, supernumeraries, 
 local preachers, and members. 
 
 Conferences. Dist. Circuits. Ministers. Local Pr. Members. 
 
 Maine 6 162 161 1G7 20,448 
 
 New-Hampshire 3 78 81 64 10,448 
 
 Ncw-En<:land . . 3 117 108 76 13.381 
 
 Providence C 112 112 72 14,429 
 
 New- York 8 216 254 220 46,748 
 
 New-Jersey ...6 112 152 194 29,590 
 
 Philadelphia ..6 112 156 208 40,289 
 
 Baltimore 8 140 229 280 68,725 
 
 Virginia 6 77 96 165 28,457 
 
 North Carolina 5 58 75 139 20,308 
 
 South Carolina 6 75 108 Not given 65,160 
 
 Georgia 8 102 126 Not given 57.161 
 
 Florida 4 33 32 74 6,729 
 
 72 1,394 1,690 1,659 405,541 
 
 
i^i 
 
 wherever 
 1 Catho- 
 k part of 
 , a single 
 \y part of 
 ics due to 
 crimes of 
 the pow- 
 traditions, 
 apable of 
 ipaniard is 
 ijvl — seems 
 rever he is 
 3 complete 
 I be found 
 jes, proved 
 erican Me- 
 
 respect to 
 n a tabular 
 
 nt columns, 
 rcuits, (in- 
 numeraries, 
 
 Members. 
 20,448 
 10,448 
 13,381 
 14,429 
 46,748 
 29,590 
 40,289 
 68,725 
 28,457 
 20,308 
 65,160 
 57.161 
 6,729 
 
 n 
 en 
 
 
 405,541 
 
 TERRITORIAL PROGRESH OF THE M. E. t'llURClI. 345 
 
 Two facts appear on the face of this tabular view : the 
 first is, that the number of local preachers in these confer- 
 ences, as compared with the same class of agents in this 
 country, is very small. How this is to be accounted for, I 
 do not exactly know ; but believe that the American Me- 
 thodists support a regular ministry on a much larger scale 
 than is done in this country. For instance : in the English 
 Minutes for 1848, we have reported, as the aggregate num- 
 ber of members in England, 338,801 ; short of the numbers 
 on the Atlantic seaboard conferences, by 00,080. In con- 
 nexion with these 338,801 members in England, we have 880 
 ministers engaged; while the pastoral oversight of 405,541 
 members in these American conferences enoafres 1,090 
 ministers, which is nearly double the ratio .among ourselves. 
 
 The second fact is, that two or three of the confer- 
 ences in the slave States present a much greater number 
 of members J taking population as the rule, white and 
 coloured, chan any other. This throws some gleams of 
 light upon the state of things, and holds out the promise 
 that at some period or another, if the gospel itself does not 
 become enslaved, a change will take place, and Christiaaiiy 
 will enfranchise this class of our fellow-believers in the 
 rifjhts of freedom. 
 
 This territorial extension, wc must recollect, is not an 
 ideal thing, a scheme to be accomplished, a project exist- 
 ing in the brain, or in the books and calculations of some 
 theorist ; a platform or basis on which to erect a building. 
 It is a reality, a positive occupancy of four hundred thou- 
 sand square miles of country by the institutions of a living 
 Church. But how occupied ? By men holding this parti- 
 cular faith in the numbers specified. Men constitute the 
 power of the Church, as they do that of the State. In case 
 these persons are really imbued with the spirit of true 
 religion ; with the great conceptions of the gospel ; with a 
 strong and vivid faith in the divinity of Christianity, and 
 
 its high and glorious destiny ; — if they are so actuated, can 
 
 16* 
 
346 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. — ^PART IV. 
 
 I , 
 
 'I a. . 
 
 il ¥ 
 
 they live in the midst of the general population withoat 
 producing a mighty impression ? But are these individuals 
 8'' influenced, so actuated ? If activity m religion, devoted- 
 .icss to its interests, self-denying exertions and sacrifices, 
 costly contributions and zealous support, are evidence of a 
 profound conviction, then they certainly present this proof 
 of sincerity and sound faith. 
 
 But we have not only men devoted to God and his cause, 
 but institutions calculated in every Avay to consolidate this 
 living thought, this active piety. Institutions are essential 
 to the stability and permanency of any interest ; and with- 
 out them the work of the mind, and even the feelings find 
 sentiments of religion, must soon evaporate. There have 
 been, Jit different times and places, noble fruits of religious 
 feeling ; blessed visitations from God ; profound movements 
 on the minds and hearts of large masses of men : but, for 
 the want of suitable institutions, all this has passed away, 
 sometimes in one generation. 
 
 We may judge pretty accurately of the probable desti- 
 nies and progress of a people by their organizations. 
 Everything which has obtained any footing or strength in 
 the weld, has gained these advantages by these means. 
 That which has distinguished Methodism in all places is, 
 among other things, its uniform and universal attempt to 
 institute means for the consolidation and progress of its 
 work. It never reckons on anything permanently useful, 
 except with the preaching of the gospel it can establish its 
 polity. 
 
 This, it must be confessed, is wise, and in perfect agree- 
 ment with the primitive practice of the Church, as well as 
 with the analogies furnished from other quarters. But it 
 is one of the conditions of our state that things in them- 
 selves good, proper, and even divine, by excess become 
 mischievous. The Church has invariably, in all ages, ruined 
 itself. And the ruin has generally approached through an 
 excess of tinkering at its polity. Institutions, in the begin- 
 
on without 
 individuals 
 1, devoted- 
 l sacrifices, 
 idence of a 
 i this proof 
 
 d his cause, 
 iohdate this 
 ire essential 
 ; and with- 
 feehngs and 
 There have 
 of rehgious 
 movements 
 3n: but, for 
 assed away, 
 
 )bable desti- 
 rganizations. 
 • strength in 
 ,hese means. 
 1 phiccs is, 
 attempt to 
 of its 
 lently useful, 
 establish its 
 
 erfect agree- 
 ih, as well as 
 ers. But it 
 nirs in them- 
 cess become 
 ages, ruined 
 i through an 
 in the begin- 
 
 oficress 
 
 TERRITORIAL PROGREfcJS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 3-17 
 
 ning both Christian and necessary, have become, in the 
 hands of thoughtless, often of designing, occupants, snug, 
 tight, circumscribed things ; the centres of power, instead 
 of light ; the means of oppression, instead of blessing ; the 
 machinery of depression, of suppression, and of immoderate 
 and universal control, instead of expansion and progress. 
 Whilst institutions are retained in their freshness, purity, 
 and vigour, they are of infinite service ; but when they lose 
 these qualities, and become the instruments of selfishness 
 and ambition, they not only lose their power for good, but 
 they become absolutely ruinous. 
 
 In passing, it may be as well to say, that in a system of 
 religion such as ours, in which Societies, Committees, Con- 
 ferences, and all manner of institutions are so much in use, 
 a danger will arise, perhaps has arisen. There is the dan- 
 ger of trusting in them. This cannot be done without such 
 an affront being offered to God as must cause him to frown, 
 to perplex, to chasten, and, if persisted in, to forsake. 
 There is the danger of destroying individual power, intelli- 
 gence, and activity. The tendency of government by insti- 
 tutions is to cut all men down to one common level, to make 
 them work within the limits of some miserable line of cir- 
 cumvallation, find to press them within the dimensions of 
 the canons and laws of the institute. Hence, in tliis state 
 of things, there is no scope for faith, for any teaching of 
 God, for any inspirations of love, any bursts of ardent zeal. 
 The best men arc those who creep along the line, wlio 
 S'^rve God and their generation by the human canons thus 
 prepared, who study their duties, not in tlic %lit of Scrip- 
 ture, the visions of eternity, the great designs of the gos- 
 pel, or the miseries, groans, and dangers of a suffering 
 world ; but in that of the code, the pandects of a society. 
 All this is mischievous, is absolutely destructive. Insti- 
 tutions ought to be a focus of diffusive light and intelli- 
 gence, not of diu-kness and death ; they ought to contain in 
 them the pulse, not of stagnation, but of life, beating con- 
 
348 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV. 
 
 s 
 
 stantly, and sending out its vitality to every part of the 
 body ; they ought to encourage and foster every thing spi- 
 ritual, pious, holy, designed for the spread of truth, and 
 the evangelization of the world, and not discourage and 
 quench the zeal of good men. By some means, a Church 
 ought to possess two great elements at the same time, — 
 order and liberty. Institutions which secure order with )ut 
 giving liberty, gain their point, so far as this one thing is 
 considered ; but it is the order of death, "bought, genius, 
 principle, faith, love ; — all, in Aict, which makes the man, 
 or constitutes the Christian, is buried in one grave ; and 
 then the inactivity is called "order." It is, indeed, order 
 with a witness ! So is the silence of the churchyard. The 
 dead trouble nobody, except the affrighted child and wo- 
 man, who, as they trip along in the dusk of the evening* 
 imagining the appearance of a ghost, " whistle to keep their 
 courage up." 
 
 These sons of order and men of business in Christianity 
 are always a second-rate set. They are never found guilty 
 of a noble conception, a fine flow of feeling, a generous sym- 
 pathy, an heroic act. Whether their one idea has origin- 
 ated in themselves, or whether it is the oft'spting of another 
 brain, (wliJch is generally the case,) they are a perfect uni- 
 ty. The idea is the man, find him where you may, and the 
 man is the idea. Let this man of business be followed any- 
 where, and he is still at his task. He gives his jaded soul 
 no respite. He is poring at his accounts, mending his ma- 
 chinery, examining how his appliances will answer, trying 
 whether he can fit in some new stave to the wheel ; and, 
 with all his dexterity, is ever endeavouring to make his grap- 
 pling-irons sharp, and long enough to reach and torment 
 everybody. "What, then," it is exclaimed, "are we to 
 have no order ?" Yes ; such order as comports with the 
 development of the faculties, the exercise of all the graces 
 of religion, the supremacy of the word of God. The laws 
 of God are all true and exact ; but they are so made to 
 
TERRITORIAL PROaRESS OF THE M. E. CnURCII. 349 
 
 art of the 
 r thing spi- 
 truth, and 
 >urage and 
 , a Church 
 me time, — 
 ierwitl. )ut 
 ne thing is 
 ^•ht, genius, 
 ;s the man, 
 grave ; and 
 deed, order 
 lyard. The 
 ild and wo- 
 ,hc evening* 
 keep their 
 
 Christianity 
 mmd guilty 
 nerous sym- 
 L has origin- 
 V of another 
 perfect uni- 
 iiay, and the 
 )llowed any- 
 jaded soul 
 liner his ma- 
 swer, trying 
 wheel ; and, 
 ike his grap- 
 \\\d torment 
 " are we to 
 trts with the 
 11 the graces 
 The laws 
 so made to 
 
 operate as to give expansion to every created thing, up to 
 the full elevation of its nature. The institutions of the 
 Church ought to embrace this principle. It is infinitely 
 better to have some disorder, with piety and life, than to 
 have the most perfect order without progress. 
 
 Every one of the things above mentioned, may be consi- 
 dered in the light of an institution. Each building, called 
 a ihurch in America, is secured to the people by law ; 
 while these people themselves will be found to exist as a 
 little community, with their rights, duties, and interests all 
 defined and represented, and, moreover, managed by com- 
 petent officers. A station, a circuit, or a mission, is not a 
 place of resort for a migratory tribe of rambling religion- 
 ists, who just assemble now and then, as inclination or 
 caprice may dictate. One of these ecclesiastical depart- 
 ments — parishes they would be called in ancient times — 
 is, in fact, an organization for promoting the service of God 
 on the one part, and the spiritual happiness of the people 
 on the other. We see that there are thirteen hundred of 
 these ir.otitutions scattered up and down in this portion of 
 the American population. These centres of living Chris- 
 tians, of gospel light, of intelligent piety, of active zeal 
 and aggressive energy, cannot be without power. In fact, 
 it is at this point that we must look for the real, the living 
 influence of the system. Other arrangements may blend 
 the masses, link the separate societies together, lock the 
 arms of the trees into one immense and widely extended 
 forest ; but the real life and force of the organization will 
 be found to exist in the several stations and circuits. 
 Whilst these belong to the Avhole Church, to the great 
 aggregation, they are free in their individual action. From 
 their union with the body, they derive encouragement and 
 moral support, as is always the case when societies feeble 
 in themselves inhere in some large and vigorous confedera- 
 tion ; but then they possess a capacity for much separate 
 usefulness from their individual freedom. 
 
350 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. — PART IV. 
 
 iii 
 
 ir 
 
 •1 ; 
 
 We have only to look at this question by the light of 
 other interests. In case some general theory or doctrine, 
 of political or any other science, had succeeded in organiz- 
 ing for its support and propagation some thirteen hundred 
 separate institutions, with three parts of a million of the 
 people ; whilst these people devoted their intelligence, 
 their labour, and a good portion of their wealth, for the 
 support and extension of this cause, should we not imagine 
 it to possess great advantages, and the prospect of perma- 
 nent success ? So it is, as we think, with, these churches. 
 They rest on a solid basis, they have become a part of 
 the spiritual and moral life of society, they are dovetailed 
 into its other arrangements, they belong to the soil itself, 
 they communicate and receive nutriment from all things 
 around them, and they are rendered vital by the truth 
 which is in them. 
 
 We generally speak of the institutions of a Church as 
 something distinct from the Church itself; whereas, the 
 view just given supposes any local church to be a religious 
 institution. And yet it must be conceded, that some things 
 connected with the Church look like institutions growing 
 out of its organization. What is either the distri«^t or the 
 conference but an offshoot of this sort ? Of course, we 
 speak of the conference proper, the assembly of min'sters, 
 and not of the topical use of the term as applied to territory. 
 This conference is an institution of the Church, contrived 
 as an organ of its action, under certain conditions. But the 
 Church might exist without it, just as an empire might ex- 
 ist under one chief, instead of being organized under king, 
 lords, and commons. 
 
 The tendency, nay, the very genius, of Methodism, is to 
 build institutions upon the truth it holds. In some sort, it 
 is a religion of institutions; it finds an organization for every 
 purpose ; it deposits everything in an institution. Its doc- 
 trines, so far as man is concerned in their conservation, are 
 intrusted to the care of institutions ; its church-membership 
 
 ii 
 
TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. ClIURCU. 
 
 35i 
 
 e light of 
 3r doctrine, 
 in organiz- 
 en hundred 
 lion of the 
 ntelUgence, 
 1th, for the 
 not imagine 
 t of perma- 
 e churches. 
 > a part of 
 3 dovetailed 
 e soil itself, 
 
 1 all things 
 y the truth 
 
 Church as 
 rhereas, the 
 
 2 a religious 
 some things 
 ►ns growing 
 stri*.t or tlie 
 
 course, we 
 )f ministers, 
 to territory. 
 
 I, contrived 
 is. But the 
 e might ex- 
 under king, 
 
 odism, is to 
 orae sort, it 
 on for every 
 
 II. Its doc- 
 n'vation, are 
 membership 
 
 is an incorporation founded on rules and laws ; its ministers 
 constitute a common brotherhood, resting on reciprocal 
 rights, all defined and understood ; its government is in the 
 hands of various bodies, either bearing the name or analo- 
 gous to committees or conferences. The world is not more 
 fully and completely parcelled out into governmental de- 
 partments, whether named counties, parishes, hundreds, 
 tithings ; and these, again, are not more perfectly pervaded 
 with various centres of antliority and power, for purposes 
 of administration and government, than is Methodism, It 
 is not a religious opinion loosely floating on the breeze ; it 
 is not a random and eccentric flow of feeling and zeal ; it is 
 not a wide-spread moral wave, ebbing- and flowing witli the 
 seasons ; it is not the casual and disconnected existence of 
 many thousands of enthusiastic people, flying here and 
 there through society, like George Fox and the old Friends, 
 delivering their testimony, and then departing. No ; it is 
 not this. In its best state it is full of feeling, of energ-y, 
 of faith, of holiness, of good works. It is soul as well as 
 body. It is animated by a living, thrilling, beating pulsa- 
 tion of piety. Its love is of the most ethereal as well as 
 practical kind ; embiacing the Saviour and the souls of men. 
 But, then, while Methodism is spirit and life, it has shown 
 itself to be wise and judicious ; inasmuch as it has every- 
 where done its best to render its truths, its spirit, and its 
 work permanent, by connecting the whole with appropri- 
 ate institutions. 
 
 Then, in looking at the territorial position and power of 
 Methodism in the States we have had under review, a most 
 inadequate conception on the subject would be attained, if 
 the mere numbers of the people were a. one regarded. 
 This would be to consider them an unarmed and helpless 
 set of savages ; like the Indian tribes, to be driven from 
 their territorial possessions by the force and influence of 
 some future aggressive movement of Christianity. Their 
 connexion with the country is of a vcrv different nature 
 
352 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. —PART IV. 
 
 I I 
 
 n 
 
 r. 
 
 t -I 
 
 ■1 V 
 
 to this. They have taken root in the soil, in the social 
 state. Men die off, human life is a fleeting vapour, gene- 
 rations pass away ; but institutions outlive these ravages of 
 time. 
 
 But they not only continue, they collect around them, — 
 they rather embrace within their enclosure new generations 
 as they come into being. Individui*! man, in his isolation, 
 sohtude, and sorrows, looks abroad for some resting-place, 
 and is glad to connect himself with a Church which 
 promises him permanent help and guidance in his passage 
 to eternity. In some sense, truth, knowledge, religious 
 ideas and sentiments, — which are embedded in permanent 
 institutions, — may be said to be fastened to society, as the 
 trees of the forest to their earthy home. It is true, all this 
 may exist in a very inert and lifeless state, as has often 
 been the case ; and yet, when the seed is found in the 
 earth, there is some cliancc that the genial rains and sun- 
 shine of heaven may reach and bring it to maturity ; where- 
 as, if not there at all, these powers of nature could not 
 draw forth the ear or ripen the harvest. Where institu- 
 tions are not established, everything depends on individual 
 character and exertions ; and when living men are not 
 found to maintain and propagate the truth, it must be alto- 
 gether banished ; but when they exist, though in them- 
 selves insufficient, yet still a basis is found, a testimonj'' is 
 borne, a standard continues unfurled ; and, although the 
 depression may remain through a long and dreary winter, 
 yet still, in time, a season of " refreshing will come from 
 the presence of the Lord." 
 
 The point of interest, then, is, that, besides the thousands 
 of living men professing the Methodist faith on the Atlantic 
 seaboard, these people have adopted means to conserve 
 and propagate their doctiines ; to carry on a constant 
 aggressive evangelization amongst the unconverted and 
 thoughtless ; to promote and extend, by the vigorous use 
 of the press, their sentiments and views on religious ques- 
 
the social 
 our, gene- 
 ravages of 
 
 id them, — 
 venerations 
 s isolation, 
 iting- place, 
 irch which 
 [lis passage 
 3, religious 
 permanent 
 ety, as the 
 rue, all this 
 1 has often 
 and in the 
 is and sun- 
 ity; where- 
 
 could not 
 ere institu- 
 i individual 
 en are not 
 ust be alto- 
 li in them- 
 estimony is 
 ihouofh the 
 !ary winter, 
 
 come from 
 
 i thousands 
 he Atlantic 
 conserve 
 a constant 
 verted and 
 oforous use 
 gious ques- 
 
 TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. ' 353 
 
 tions ; and to raise the standard of intelligence and know- 
 ledge by a collegiate course of education ; and then to 
 govern and direct the whole to a good and useful practical 
 result, by a minute and local or a general system of govern- 
 ment, as the case may be. This form of Methodism shows 
 that it has taken root in the country, and is not likely soon 
 to be destroyed. For good or for evil, this form of the 
 Christian faith is likely to remain an element of American 
 society in all time to come. Its principles, its men, its or- 
 ganization, and its institutions, must have their share in 
 fashioning the destinies of the Ameiican people. A wild 
 outburst of religious effervescence will soon be over ; and, 
 like the course of the vessel on the sea, no trace be left be- 
 hind in a very short period. This has been considered the 
 character and the destiny of Methodism by many erroneous 
 and bigoted observers. Its history has not shown it to be 
 of this ephemeral nature anywhere ; and what(;ver may be 
 its destiny in the Old World, most assuredly it is not likely 
 to have this fate in the New. 
 
 In the aspect in which we are considering it, the Method- 
 ist Church is now favoured beyond anything we can con- 
 ceive by the conditions of the country. In establishing 
 territorial institutions, it will be seen at once, that the suc- 
 cess must depend very much upon the occupancy or the 
 non-occupancy of the soil. Where a territorial Church is 
 found with prescriptive rights, ecclesiastical arrangements, 
 embracing the whole country, a numerous clergy, strong 
 public prejudices in its favour, and a long traditional ce- 
 lebrity, — where all this is found, it is evident that a new 
 territorial organization must meet with great obstructions 
 in its progress. Nothing of this sort existed, in the com- 
 mencement of Methodism, at all in some parts of America, 
 and in the old States only to a very limited degree. 
 
 What, then, in this state of things, should prevent 
 Methodist institutions from obtaining a permanent footing 
 in a country so circumstanced ? In themselves they possess 
 
354 
 
 TOUB IN AMEltlCA. — PART IV. 
 
 m 
 
 iii 1 
 
 s 
 
 a conservative principle, which tends to consoHdaiion ; so 
 that the only qu'^stion is, as to whether they are adapted 
 to the civil state, the genius of the people, the spirit of the 
 age, and the wants of the country. Religion, it is true, as 
 a divine and spiritual dispensation, will continue in all its 
 freshness and glory forever, in despite of anything exter- 
 nal and human. But it is different with organizations. 
 These must be adapted to the circumstances adverted to, 
 or otherwise they will be abandoned by the people, and, 
 as a consequence, decay. For the want of this principle 
 of adaptation, many great combinations of social, political, 
 and reli^ -^ -'^wer have fallen beneath the pressure of 
 changes a i rev. lutionary tendencies, which the progress 
 of time and eventa aas rendered inevitable. As this has 
 been the fate of so many massive edifices, it is but t?o pos- 
 sible that, at some time or another, it will be the case with 
 the polity of this Church. But this day has not yet ar- 
 rived, and is not likely soon to appear. 
 
 One of the main features of our system hitherto has been 
 its power of adaptation, its elastic spring. This, again, 
 arises from keeping clear of divine-right theories and max- 
 ims in matters which have been left as indifferent. Method- 
 ism holds nothing but the truth, the gospel itself, as pro- 
 perly divine. Having never considered one of its conclaves, 
 like a Popish council, as in possession of inspired wisdom, 
 it has never held that the decrees of these bodies are in- 
 fallible, and consequently divine. Popery has split on this 
 rock. Its infallibility, it is true, has been a great power in 
 its hands : it has done prodigious service in its time. But 
 it entirely annihilates the principle of adaptation, except by 
 evasions. The papacy is fastened to this dogma ; it cannot 
 alter, and must, sooner or later, be destroyed. This free- 
 dom is one of the safeguards, as well as one of the mightiest 
 instruments of Christianity itself. Holding the doctrines of 
 the gospel firmly, tenaciously, faithfully ; yet still we con- 
 sider ourselves at perfect liberty respecting the mode and 
 
TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 355 
 
 ids.tion; so 
 ,re adapted 
 pirit of the 
 t is true, as 
 e in all its 
 ,hing exter- 
 ■ganizations. 
 adverted to, 
 people, and, 
 lis principle 
 lal, political, 
 pressure of 
 he progress 
 As this has 
 but t?o pos- 
 lic case with 
 not yet ar- 
 
 rto has been 
 This, again, 
 es and max- 
 it. Method- 
 self, as pro- 
 ts conclaves, 
 red wisdom, 
 )dies are in- 
 split on this 
 eat power in 
 5 time. But 
 m, except by 
 la ; it cannot 
 This free- 
 ;he mightiest 
 doctrines of 
 still we con- 
 he mode and 
 
 means of making them known. The conduits, the pipes by 
 which the waters of life are conveyed to an arid world, 
 have never been confounded with the waters themselves. 
 By just adhering to this simple maxim, a freedom of action 
 is secured, that enables the Church to do the work of the 
 Lord in any place, and in the midst of every variety of con- 
 dition in which a people may be found. 
 
 But the aggressive spirit of the system is admirably fitted 
 to meet the wants of a new country. This one cliaracter- 
 istic has carried it to its present point of progress, and must 
 carry it much fartlicr. Besides, u body which is always 
 in motion must possess the habit of activity. Notliing can 
 be well stagnant in a Cliurch which is constantly ebbing 
 and flowing, like the tides of the ocean, by ^-cason of its 
 itinerancy. But this wonderfully agrees with ch<. \merican 
 spirit. To aim at progress, onward advent re, ii vv acqui- 
 sitions, greater scoj-c, unexplored territory, are the very 
 elements of American character. These passions and tastes 
 seem almost to belong to his being, to be i part of himself. 
 What kind of church-order or ministry cua be so perfectly 
 fitted to meet all this as an itinerant system ? The two 
 things might have been made for each other, they so ad- 
 mirably fit. Even the episcopacy of the Church is con- 
 ceived in the same spirit. The Methodist bishop is, of all 
 men, full of enterprise, and is constantly in motion. He is a 
 bishop that he may oversee. Instead of being confined to 
 any particular locality, he is found everywhere, to the very 
 extremities of the country, seeking the scattered flock of 
 Christ, and looking diligently after those who are within 
 the fold. The distant prairies and settlements of the " far 
 west," the wigwams of the Indians in their far-off territories, 
 the huts and the plantations occupied by the negro race — 
 all witness the presence and labours of the bishop. His 
 business is to lead on the militant host of God's elect to 
 new enterprises and labours. His prerogatives are not de- 
 signed to exact obedience, to subdue and intimidate, but to 
 
856 
 
 TOUR IN AMEillCA.— PART IV. 
 
 inspirit to fresh zeal and devotion to the cause of God. It 
 is not his callinnr to *' eat the flesh and warm himself in'the 
 wool of the flock," but to go before them in the wilderness, 
 allure them to green pastures, and " feed them with the 
 finest of the wheat." Thus, as far as can be perceived, the 
 institutions of this Church, and the wants and spirit of the 
 country, are in perfect harmony. Only let the truth and 
 Spirit of God imbue and live in these institutions, and then 
 they are not only safe from decay, but they must accom- 
 plish their purpose in diff'using true religion and virtue 
 through the entire country for ages and generations to 
 come. 
 
 •. 
 
 II.— THE HUDSON AND LAKE LINE. 
 
 In prosecuting our territorial survey of the Methodist 
 Church, we now enter upon the line of the Hudson and 
 the Lakes. By an examination of the map, it Avill be seen 
 that this marks out a distinct portion of the States, and 
 furnishes a convenient division for our purpose. 
 
 In passing from the seacoast into the interior, by this 
 route, the results will be found much the same as on the 
 Atlantic line. The country itself is amongst the most beau- 
 tiful and fertile portions of the States. Many parts of it 
 are highly cultivated; fine arable and meadow land, water- 
 ed, as is usual in America, by innumerable rivers and 
 streams, everywhere meets the eye ; hills of every eleva- 
 tion, covered with trees and foliage, rich with various hues 
 and fragrance, rise to adorn the landscape ; and as far as 
 such a fact can be attested by appearances, a thriving and 
 happy population is rapidly filling the country. 
 
 All this territory is occupied by the Methodist Church. 
 Its enterprising evangelists have entered every open door. 
 A little time ago the whole presented the aspect of a mis- 
 sion, an enterprise, a trial for occupancy; but now the 
 Church presents the appearance of a quiet, peaceful, and 
 settled power. Along this line, and the country adjacent, 
 
God. It 
 self in'the 
 irilderness, 
 I with the 
 jeived, the 
 firit of the 
 truth and 
 1, and then 
 ist accom- 
 and virtue 
 erations to 
 
 Methodist 
 Hudson and 
 ,vill be seen 
 States, and 
 
 ior, by this 
 as on the 
 most beau- 
 j parts of it 
 and, water- 
 rivers and 
 jvery eleva- 
 arious hues 
 nd as far as 
 hriving and 
 
 ist Church, 
 open door, 
 t of a mis- 
 ut now the 
 jaceful, and 
 ry adjacent, 
 
 TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF TUE M. E. CHURCH. 357 
 
 it will be found, on examination, that a complete ecclesias- 
 tical organization has been formed, and that the ministry 
 and religious ordinances of the body pervade the entire 
 country; and, moreover, as the system is everywhere 
 voluntary, it follows that great numbers of the people be- 
 long to the community, else its institutions could not exist. 
 
 I. About six miles north of Albany stands the city of 
 Troy, which gives its name to a conference. Why Troy, 
 instead of Albany, should have been fixed upon, when the 
 latter is the metropolitan city of the State of New- York, 
 and much larger than Troy, it is difficult to say. 
 
 Connected with the Troy Conference we find seven dis- 
 tricts, — Troy, Albany, Saratoya, Povltney, Burlington, 
 Plattshuryh, St. Allan's ; one hundred and thirty-eight 
 Stations, circuits, and missions ; one hundred and ninety 
 ministers, Avith one hundred and thirty-eight local preach- 
 ers ; twenty-five thousand three hundred and twenty-seven 
 church-members ; ninety-seven oniy of whom are people of 
 colour. 
 
 We find the following stations : — Troy Conference Aca- 
 demy, J. T. Peck, principal ; R. Q. Mason, teacher. The 
 above Dr. Jesse T. Peck is brother of Dr. George Peck, 
 now editor of the Christian Advocate, and is a gentleman 
 of fine talents and much energy. He was chosen one of 
 the secretaries of the last General Conference at Pitts- 
 burgh, and discharged its duties with excellent tact and 
 ability. 
 
 The work in this locality commenced in 1Y88. I find 
 a cr.nference was held in Albany in 1*791 ; but the term 
 " corierence," at that time, docs not seem to indicate a 
 territorial division — a diocese — but simply a meeting of 
 preachers, for the transaction of business. 
 
 II. The Vermont Conference is the next in topographi- 
 cal order in our line. This is a small ecclesiastical section. 
 
358 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV. 
 
 and only embraces a few places. We have three districts; 
 namely, Moiitpelier, Danville, Sprimjjield : sixty-four sta- 
 tions, circuits, and missions ; seventy-one ministers, with 
 forty-six local preachers ; and seven thousand nine hundred 
 and fifty-three church-members. 
 
 We have the following appointment noted : H. C. Wood, 
 Principal of the Spiingliold Wesleyan Seminary. 
 
 Methodism was introduced into this State in 1704. 
 
 III. We now come to the Black River Conference. 
 In connexion with tliis conference we have six districts; 
 namely, Rome, Syracuse, Osweyo, Adams, Watertown, and 
 Pottsdojii : ninety-three stations, circuits, and missions; one 
 hundred and thirteen ministers, with one hundred and forty- 
 five local preachers ; and fifteen thousand nine hundred 
 and seventeen church -members ; twenty only being people 
 of colour. 
 
 It will be seen that this conference, like that of Troy, 
 does not take its name from any State ; and, to a stranger, 
 there is some diliiculty in fixing its exact locality. The 
 names of the stations are so curious, and so few of them 
 can be found on the best maps, that were it not just for the 
 discovery of one or two of the most prominent, one might 
 be left in the dark altogether respecting this Black River 
 Conference., 
 
 Black River empties itself into Lake Ontario, and flows 
 in a somewhat northerly direction from the interior of the 
 State of New-York. Sackett's Harbor, one of the stations 
 of this conference, is nearly opposite Kingston, on the 
 Canadian side of Lake Ontario, as are Mexico and Oswego, 
 two other stations. This ecclesiastical division of the terri- 
 tory of the State of New- York skirts the above beautiful 
 lake at a point which brings the American and Canadian 
 bodies into pretty close contiguity to each other. We know 
 of no bitterness or strife ; all is harmony and concord be- 
 twixt the two Churches. 
 
TERRITOUIAL PROOUEriS OF Tllii: M. E. CHURCH. 359 
 
 iistricts ; 
 four sta- 
 Bfs, with 
 hundred 
 
 C. Wood, 
 
 194. 
 
 FERENCE. 
 
 districts ; 
 town, and 
 sions; one 
 and forty - 
 } hundred 
 people 
 
 ing 
 
 t of Troy, 
 
 I stranger, 
 
 lity. The 
 
 w of them 
 
 ust for the 
 
 one might 
 
 ack River 
 
 and flows 
 rior of the 
 le stations 
 n, on the 
 id Oswego, 
 f the terri- 
 e beautiful 
 1 Canadian 
 We know 
 oncord be- 
 
 The numbers found on this conference division, — fifteen 
 tliousand nine hundred and seventeen, — just at a point 
 "wlierc the northern extremity of the State of New- York 
 iibuis upon the Ontario Lake, and exactly opposite to the 
 Canadirn shore, indicate a fact which has been before 
 referred to, and may be worth lookini,' at again. It relates 
 to the contrast in j)opulation and progress in the two co'm- 
 tric'S. It will be found, on examination, that, in the same 
 space in Canada which is occupied by this Black River 
 Conference, there arc scarcely as many hundreds of mem- 
 bers as there are thousands on the American side. How 
 is this? Q^rtainly not because the Caniidian preachers are 
 less laborious, or that there is a less disj)os;ition in the peo- 
 ple to embrace their doctrines and fellowship. Tlie case 
 is to be accounted for on a perfectly ditl'erent principle ; 
 namely, the wonderful dillenincc betwixt the population, 
 the activity, and the progress of ihe American State, as 
 contrasted with the British colony. The soil, the climate — 
 indeed, all the elements of social improvement, are as great 
 on the Canadian side as on that of America ; but the dilFer- 
 ence, in point of fact, is prodigious. 
 
 It IS not for us to speculate on the causes of this differ- 
 ence. They are, however, easily seen and understood on 
 the spot. We perceive, in this case, that population and 
 Methodism in the States go on concurrently : considering 
 the comparatively recent ingress of any large amount of peo- 
 ple towards this frontier of the Union, it is amazing how 
 great and mighty the amount of advancement they have 
 made. The harbours and shores of these lakes — these 
 inland seas — are being filled up by an energetic race, who are 
 laying tLe foundations of an extended trade and commerce, 
 onlv second to that which is seen on the Atlantic seaboard, 
 or ti. it which is carried on on the Avaters of the Mississippi. 
 It is cheering to the philanthropist and the Christian to 
 perceive, that this new population does not settle down in 
 a state of heathenism. The preaching of the gospel, the 
 
360 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV. 
 
 '*.' 
 
 'r I 
 
 
 ri 
 
 ordinances of the Church, and the apphances of education 
 and knowledge, arc all finding their way, and becoming 
 living elements of the growing and expanding civilization. 
 
 We have no fewer than three notices of educational in- 
 stitutions in this conference : — Mexico Academy, to be sup- 
 plied ; Gouvemeur Wesleyan Seminaiy, J. W. Armstrong ; 
 John Dempster, Professor of Theology in the Methodist 
 Biblical Institute, Concord, New-Hampshire. 
 
 It wfis the writer's happiness to meet with Dr. Demp- 
 ster at Pittsburgh. The Biblical Institute, of wh.ich he is 
 the professor, in point of fact, is a theological college. It 
 is the only institution of the kind in the United* States in 
 any way connected with the Methodist Church ; for, thougli 
 at the colleges and universities many of the professors have 
 theological classes, they have not yet thought it advisable 
 to establish separate and exclusive theological schools. 
 This is a subject which the American Methodist Church 
 lias not decided. It seems to be an open question among 
 them, and not likely soon to be settled. It must not be 
 inferred from this, that they are indiiferent to theological 
 leaiTiing. Their energetic support of educational institu- 
 tions, and their practice of connecting theological classes 
 and lectures with their college and university courses, most 
 clearly show the contrary of this. The nmtter of fact is, 
 that a very deep, indeed, enthusiastic, conviction of the 
 advantages of instruction, and, moreover, of a well-trained 
 ministry, exists almost universally amongst them. 
 
 The only point on which there is any demur is, as to 
 whether it is better, or the contrary, that the youth des- 
 tined to the ministry should be educated in common with 
 the rest of the Methodist conimunitv, availinix themselves 
 of the theological instruction provided, as above mentioned ; 
 or, whether they should be separated altogether from the 
 young community abunt them, and placed by themselves 
 in a sort of monastic establishment. Much, it is clear, may 
 be said on both sides of the (jueslion. The practice of 
 
TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 361 
 
 education 
 becoming 
 
 vilization. 
 
 national in- 
 to be sup- 
 
 »^rmstrong ; 
 Methodist 
 
 Dr. Dcmp- 
 vhicli he is 
 college. It 
 d* States in 
 
 for, though 
 fessors liavc 
 it ad usable 
 cal schools, 
 idist Church 
 ^stion among 
 must not be 
 o theological 
 onal institU" 
 
 oical classes 
 
 ourses, most 
 er of fact is, 
 iction of the 
 
 well-trained 
 
 cm. 
 
 nur is, as to 
 youth des- 
 ommon with 
 IT themselves 
 c mentioned ; 
 her from the 
 ly themselves 
 is clear, may 
 practice of 
 
 separate theological institutions is that which, in this coun- 
 try, has prevailed amongst the Dissenting and Noncon- 
 formist bodies ; but it is not the practice of the national 
 universities, whether in England, Scotland, or Ireland. In 
 these great seminaries of learning the lay youth, and those 
 who are designed for the ministry, are educated in common. 
 There are no theological institutions having a national cha- 
 racter : these all belong to the separate Christian sects. 
 Which is the better system, it may be difficult to say ; and 
 which turns out the greater men, it might be considered 
 invidious to pronounce. There are obviously benefits pecu- 
 liar to both modes ; but they must be different in their 
 kind. To young men shut up from all contact with others, 
 there is the advcintage of preservation from the evils of bad 
 example ; and then the discipline brought to bear upon 
 them, can be much more stringent than if they lived in 
 common with others. But, oi. the other side, an educa- 
 tional course in union with the lay youth of the community, 
 and, for this reason, a much more numerous body, must 
 tend to produce a more generous, manly, catholic, and 
 national character than the other. Better denominational 
 divines will be made, so far as sectarian theology is- con- 
 cerned, by a merely isolated education. When this is the 
 main object, it is evident enough that separate schools, 
 placed under strict surveillance, will be the best. But if 
 the design is to expand the faculties, to produce generous 
 and catholic feelings, to attach the soul to truth on a uni- 
 versal scale, to make the youth a citizen of the nation, to 
 strengthen his sympathies with all God's universe, — then 
 an open education seems the tiling. 
 
 Whether a sound knowledge of theology can b(! attained 
 in connexion witli this general system, must be judged of 
 by facts. Are old Thomas Jackson, Barrow, Pearson, 
 Butler, divines of any learning and religious acquirements ? 
 because they were educated and trained in the national 
 universities, in common with the lay youth of their age. 
 
 10 
 
 t| ■»< 
 
 31- 
 m 
 
362 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV. 
 
 U I 
 
 k 
 
 Are Rutherford, Gillies, Chalmers, of the Scotch nation, 
 theologians of any distinction ? for they were brought up 
 in the open schools of their country. Are Usher, Skelton, 
 Magee, of the Irish nation, names of any consideration ? 
 these also were educated in common with the laity. These 
 are amongst the great teachers of the Christian Church. 
 They belong to all parties, to all ages, to all nations. They 
 are the instructors of all communities, and will be so to 
 the end of time. But it would be unjust to the other sid« 
 not to say, that the theological college system has pro- 
 duced great names : Drs. Watts, Doddridge, and Pye 
 Smith, will live as divines, and diffuse the fragrance of 
 their pious and eminently useful labours through the 
 Church, in all time to come. 
 
 How the American Methodist Church may settle this 
 question, and whether they will ever be led to adopt the 
 plan of a separate theological training for their young min- 
 isters, it is difficult to say. Besides the usual prejudices 
 against an isolated and separate education, on the grounds 
 of spoiling the students for enterprise, and the endurance 
 of toil and hardship, — it strikes me that the nationalism 
 of the American preachers will be found to stand in the 
 way of the adoption of this system. These ministers are 
 thorough citizens ; they feel themselves of the people ; 
 they identify themselves fully and entirely with the nation; 
 and though they possess the ministerial office and function, 
 yet there is little aOjL'ctatiou of the clerical caste. I should 
 say, that, next to piety to God, a full belief in Christianity, 
 and the love of the Gospel, the leading characteristic of 
 the American minister is, a full and perfect identification 
 of feeling and principle witl\ ''i"^ country : it will be difficult 
 to bring about any plans of instruction, in case they should 
 be attempted, the tendency of which is in any way to alien- 
 ate the minister from the citizen, the priest from tlic Ame- 
 rican. It is clearly seen by these sagacious men that the 
 institution of exclusively theological colleges, which should 
 
TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 363 
 
 ;h nation, 
 rought up 
 , Skelton, 
 ideration ? 
 y. These 
 n Church, 
 •ns. They 
 I be so to 
 other sidtt 
 1 has pro- 
 and Pye 
 igrance of 
 rough the 
 
 settle this 
 adopt the 
 young niin- 
 1 prejudices 
 he grounds 
 endurance 
 nationalism 
 itand in the 
 linisters are 
 he people ; 
 the nation ; 
 nd function, 
 I should 
 Christianity, 
 u'tcristic of 
 Icutification 
 be difficult 
 they should 
 vay to alien- 
 in the Anie- 
 aen that the 
 hich should 
 
 detach the youth of the Church from the body of the 
 people, is, in spirit, directly opposed to the genius of 
 general citizenship, and must tend to create a class whose 
 feelings, tastes, and habits, will necessarily be, in some 
 sort, sectarian. At any rate, at present, the idea has very 
 little favour and countenance amongst either ministers or 
 people. 
 
 IV, The Oneida Conference joins that of Black River. 
 It includes eight districts, — Cazenovia, Oneida, Chenanr/o, 
 Otscr/o, Newark, ( 'arjuf/a, SusqueJuinnah, and Wyoming : 
 one hundred and twenty-seven stations, circuits, and mis- 
 sions ; one hundred and sixty ministers, with two hundred 
 and two local preachers ; and twenty-five thousand seven 
 hundred and seventy-six church-mcrabers, eighty-six of 
 wliom are coloured people, and ninety Indians. 
 
 We have the following appointments in this conference : 
 — Henry Bannister, Principal of the Oneida Conference 
 Seniin?'/y; Edward Bannister, Professor ; Nelson Rounds, 
 Editor of the Northern Christian Advocate ; Alonzo Wood, 
 Chaplain of State Prison at Auburn ; R. Nelson, Principal 
 of Wyoming Smiinaiy. 
 
 Here, then, we find the usual agencies at work. Two 
 seminaries, one Christian Advocate, and one chaplain to a 
 state prison. This does not look like an inefficient church 
 system, 
 
 V. The Genesee Conference abuts upon Oneida. We 
 have nine districts belonging to this division of the country ; 
 namely, Ontario, East Itoehester, Omesee, Buffalo, Niagara, 
 Rushford, Dansville, Wellshoroucfh, and Seneca Lake : one 
 hundred and fifty-nine stations, circuits, and missions ; one 
 hundred and eighty-seven ministers, with two hundred and 
 fifty-three local preacliers ; and twenty-six thousand six 
 hundred and twenty-four church-members, fifty-eight of 
 whom are coloured p( oplo. 
 
 i «!' 
 
364 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. — PART IV 
 
 3^' 
 
 ,:i' 
 
 h 
 
 !. 
 
 1 
 
 ."* ' 
 
 : - 
 
 ^-M 
 
 
 
 The manner of the commencement of the work in this 
 pait of the country, is given by the historian 'n Lle- 
 fiiodifim : — 
 
 "As early as 1792, Mr. Giirrcttson had traveiLd through varioat* 
 parts of this new country, prcnchinj^ to the people in their log-houses, 
 in banis, and often holding his <iuartcrly-meetings under the foliage 
 of trees. Aided as he was by those zealous young j)reacher8, who 
 entered this field of labour, he was instrumental in extending the 
 gospel and its attendant blessings into these destitute places. By 
 these means those societies were cstal)lished which have continuod 
 to flourish and increase to the present time. Along the Mohawk 
 River, as far as Utica, as well as the Chenango and Susquehannah 
 rivers, those pioneers of Methodism penetrated, and laid the founda- 
 tion for those extensive revivals of religion which have blessed that 
 region of the country. Wc may form some judgment of the good 
 effects of these labours and sacrifices from the fact, that tlierc were 
 returned in the Minutes tor this year, including Tioga, Wyoming, 
 Saratoga, and Seneca circuits, eight hundred and ninety-two members 
 of the Church. Had ecjual zeal been manifested at this early period 
 in building suitable houses of worship, as the work enlarged with the 
 progress of the settlements, ^.Ijtliodism would hav(! takes; a stand 
 here more firmly, and have exerted a much more hallowed and ex- 
 tensive influence over the popidation." — Bangs's " Histonj of Met/tod- 
 ism" vol. ii, pp. 66, 67. Sec Asbury, vol. iii, p. 293. 
 
 Nothing can well Ix; finer than the work above described. 
 For the evangelist to place himself by the side of the ad- 
 vancing population, to make himself one of them, to share 
 their privations, — to enter their log-huts with raessagea 
 of mercy, — to hold his mei-.iiigs for preaching and prayer 
 under the spreading foliage of the trees of the wilderness ; 
 — to encourage the woodman in his aggressions upon the 
 forest, and the farmer in his efforts to turn up the virgin 
 soil, for a first crop ; — then to see these primitive families 
 erecting their altar, like Abraham in the desert, to the God 
 of the lonely waste, as well as of the crowded city ; — to 
 listen to the echoes of praise and prayer reverberating in 
 the midst of solitudes, made vocal for the first time since 
 time began : — all this is infinitely beautiful. This was the 
 
territorja:^ progress of the m. e. church. 366 
 
 k m this 
 
 log-houses, 
 the foliage 
 ichers, who 
 ending the 
 )laces. By 
 ; continued 
 ic Mohawk 
 squchaunah 
 the founda- 
 blcssed that 
 of the good 
 t there were 
 , Wyominj?, 
 ,vo members 
 early period 
 gedwuh the 
 kci.' ft j^tand 
 wed ind ex- 
 )/ of Method- 
 
 i escribed, 
 of the ad- 
 r\, to share 
 messagea 
 md prayer 
 wilderness ; 
 s upon the 
 the virgin 
 ve famihes 
 to the God 
 city ; — to 
 •beruting in 
 time since 
 his was the 
 
 work of that glo ious evangehst, Freeborn Ga rettson, and 
 his young men. The seed they sowed hiL*; in^-eed spniiig 
 up, and produced a pl< ntiful harvest, notwithstordin^- the 
 somewhat mi urnf'il tune of our good friend Bangs about 
 the " preaching-liouses," How everything could have 
 been done at once, it is difficult to divine. How great 
 " preaching-houses " are to be built, whether in America 
 or anywhere else, before there is a people to build them, 
 or money to pay for them, one cannot well imaerine. But 
 it is always the fashion for the present to find fault with 
 the past. Why were our forefathers so very foolish as to 
 build such little paltry chapels, — " houses of worship," — 
 as they did ? How mucli more rational and religious 
 it would have been, if they had erected edifices Avhich 
 would have held, say, a couple of thouf-nnds ! Besides, 
 these miserable little shahh/ temples only stand in the 
 place of great ones ; just as a rotten tree, till it is blown 
 down, fills the space which might be occupied by a grace- 
 ful, majestic, blooming young son of the forest. 
 
 This is the way people talk on this subject. But how 
 the " preaching-houses" in the American wilderness were 
 to be built, almost before the timber was felled, — certainly 
 before the soil was cultivated, — is puzzling to know ; and 
 how, nearer home, the spacious, elegant, costly edifice is to 
 rise, except from a previous beginning, perhaps of a very 
 humble and homely description, is equally difficult to com- 
 prehend. Let not the great despise the little ; they would 
 never have held their own elevated position, had not some- 
 body laid the foundation. And let not the c<nzen gentle- 
 man despise the woodman ; his city had never risen, had 
 not the pioneer cleared the ground. 
 
 VI. The Erie Conference, A narrow strip of country, 
 belonging to the State of Pennsylvania, stretches to Lake 
 Erie ; and a town, named after the lake, stands on this 
 narrow neck of land. This ecclesiastical division contains 
 
 '^1£: 
 
'^ 
 
 
 ... '' 
 
 m 
 
 
 
 366 
 
 TOUE IN AMERICA.— PART IV. 
 
 six districts ; namely, Ravenna, Warren, Meadville, Erie, 
 Jamestown, and Franklin : eighty-five stations, circuits, 
 and missions ; one hundred and twenty-eight ministers, 
 with on ^ hundred and ninety-three local preachers ; twenty 
 thousand one hundred and forty-three church-members, 
 fifty-eight of whom arc people of colour. 
 
 We have the usual appointments and agencies in this 
 conference : — Asbury Seminary, G. B. Hawkins, Principal ; 
 Alleghany College, G. W. Clark, Calvin Kingsley, Pro- 
 fessors; M. G. Briggs, Agent. 
 
 Besides the north western point of the State of Penns}^ 
 vania, above referred to, this conference embraces portions 
 of the New- York and Ohio States bordering on Pennsyl- 
 vania, But the greatest point of interest is its connexion 
 with Lake Erie. It was the author's privilege to touch at 
 one of the most important stations, Cleveland, in this con- 
 ference, and to witness, as in many other cases, the rapid 
 development of the resources of the country. The harbour 
 is both spacious and safe ; and the city presents a beautiful 
 appearance from the water. The Cuyahoga River empties 
 itself intc the lake at this point ; and the Ohio canal termi- 
 nates here. This city is destined to hold a high position 
 amongst the cities of the lakes. 
 
 VII. The North Ohio Conference joins that of Eiie. 
 This conference contains seven dibtricts, — Delaware, Mount 
 Vernon, Wooster, Norwalk, Tiffin, Maiimee, Sidney : 
 eighty stations, circuits, and missions ; one hundred and 
 thirtj' three ministers, with forty-two local preachers, and 
 twoHy-six thousand and forty-three church-members, fifty- 
 six of whom aie coloured people. 
 
 "V\'e i\cA the following special appointments : — Ohio Wes- 
 ieyan T^iversity, Edward Thompson, President ; H. M. 
 Johnson, 5*^ofessor ; E. B. Gurly, Agent. Baldwin Institute, 
 Lorenzo Wanier, Principal. Chaplain to Western Seamen's 
 Frieud Society for the port of Toledo, Thomas Cooper. 
 
 i'i. 
 
TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 367 
 
 ^Je, Erie, 
 circuits, 
 
 ministers, 
 ; twenty 
 
 members, 
 
 es in this 
 Principal ; 
 ;ley, Pro- 
 
 f Pennsjl- 
 3s portions 
 1 Pennsyl- 
 connexion 
 :o touch at 
 in this con- 
 , the rapid 
 he harbour 
 a beautiful 
 er empties 
 anal termi- 
 gh position 
 
 at of Erie. 
 %ire, Mount 
 Sidney : 
 andred and 
 achers, and 
 libers, fifty- 
 
 -Ohio Wes- 
 nt; H. M. 
 in Institute, 
 rn Seamen's 
 Cooper. 
 
 The above university, which is located at Delaware, was 
 founded so recently as 1844. Dr. Thompson, like some 
 other eminent men in the ministry, is an M. D., and has been 
 selected for his present onerous post on account of his 
 abilities and learnincf. The State of Ohio stretches from 
 tl. e river of that name to Lake Erie ; and this North Ohio 
 Conference touches its beautiful waters. There remains 
 much land still to " possess ;" but the country is rapidly 
 filHng up with a thriving and prosperous population. 
 
 Vlir. The Michigan Conference is the next in our 
 present line. This name, it is to be prosumed, is taken from 
 the State, and this latter from Lake Miciiiiran. This con- 
 ference gives us seven districts ; n:imcly, Detroit, Ann Ar- 
 bor, Marshall, Monroe, Kalamazoo, Grand River, and In- 
 dian Mission : seventy-nine stations, circuits, and missions ; 
 one hundred and eighteen ministers, with one hundred and 
 ninety-one local preachers ; sixteen thousand and seventy- 
 one church-members, eight of whom are coloured people. 
 
 The special appointments are as follows : — Jolin A. 
 Baughman, Agent of the Americtm Bible Society ; D. D. 
 Whedon, Professor in the Michigan University ; F. C. Kin- 
 near, Principal of the Wesleyan Seminary at Albion. 
 
 Michigan University, in which Mr. Wiiodon is a profes- 
 sor, is not a Methodist institution. It is located at Ann 
 Arbor, and was founded so lately as 1837. But the fact 
 that this gentleman is appointed lo his present office by 
 the authorities of the university, shows that neither Method- 
 ism woY its ministers occupy a low position in public esti- 
 mation. 
 
 IX. The North Indiana Conference wvixV^ with the 
 Michigan. This division contains nine districts, — Green- 
 cattle, Crawfordsville, Lafayette, Tndiana}K)lis, Centreville, 
 Peru, Lo(/anxj)ort, Laj>orte, Fort Wayne : «Mghty-six sta- 
 tions, circuits, and missions ; one hundrtd and thirteen 
 
 
868 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV. 
 
 
 Hi 
 
 
 ministers, with two hundred and fifty-seven local preach- 
 ers; and twenty-six thousand three hundred and two 
 church-members : of this number there are fifty coloured 
 people. 
 
 We find the following extra appointments : — Indiana 
 Asbury University, AVilliam C. Larabee, Cyrus Nutt, Pro- 
 fessors ; G, M. Beswick, W. H. Huffman, Agents ; B. F. 
 Tefft, Editor of Ladies' Repository ; Aaron Wood, Agent 
 of the American Bible Society. 
 
 But though the Minutes report the above-named gentle- 
 men as officers of Asbury University, by turning to the 
 Indiana Conference we shall find four more appointments. 
 The usage seems to be to place every minister in connexion 
 with his own conference, let his oflftcial post be what it may. 
 Hence a person may belong to a conference at any dis- 
 tance, and yet have an appointment in one of the public 
 institutions in another place. The four additional appoint- 
 ments referred to are, — Matthew Simpson, President of the 
 Indiana Asbury University ; Isaac Owen, Agent for the 
 Indiana Asbury University ; Greenlee H. M'Laughlin, 
 Agent for the current expenses of the Indiana Asbury Uni- 
 versity ; and William M. Daily, Agent for the Agricultural 
 Professorship of the Indiana Asbury University. 
 
 It seems that agricultural science is connected with this 
 school. Looking at the business of farming as one of the 
 permanent callings of a vast population, this will appear a 
 suitable subject of study. Who can say thiat farming ought 
 not to have the advantages of learning as well as other de- 
 partments? Why should not the exterior world engage the 
 recondite investigations of gifted men ? Surely, there is 
 enough in the business of agriculture to make it most de- 
 sirable that all the productions of mother earth should be 
 scientifically examined, classified, and urM. 
 
 Be this as it may, the functions of Dr. Simpson are of a 
 different order ; and no doubt he ably dischp ges his duty. 
 Dr. Simpson is a man of mark. I had the privilege of 
 
TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 369 
 
 preach- 
 ind two 
 coloured 
 
 -Indiana 
 utt, Pro- 
 s; B. F. 
 d, Agent 
 
 id gentle- 
 ifr to the 
 )intments. 
 connexion 
 lat it may. 
 t any dis- 
 he public 
 1 appoint- 
 ient of the 
 it for the 
 'Laughlin, 
 jbury Uni- 
 gricultural 
 
 I with this 
 me of the 
 
 appear a 
 ling ought 
 
 other de- 
 ingage the 
 
 there is 
 
 most de- 
 should be 
 
 )n are of a 
 s his duty, 
 rivilege of 
 
 much friendly intercourse with this gentleroau, and wit- 
 nessed with great admiration the discharge of his public 
 duties at the conference. He is a very able man in every 
 way, and, being young, is likely, it is hoped, long to bless 
 the Church and the world with the benefits of his valuable 
 labours. 
 
 X. We now come to the Rock River Conference, the 
 last on this lake line. The district of country designated 
 by this term, seems to lie betwixt the western shores of 
 Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River. It contains ten 
 districts; namely, Chicago, Ottoiva, Washington, Peoria^ 
 Rock Island, Mount Morris, Platteville, Fondulac Mission^ 
 Milwaukie, and Racine : one hundred and seven stations, 
 circuits, and missions ; one hundred and forty-one ministers, 
 with tlirce hundred and nineteen local preachers ; and 
 eighteen thousand nine hundred and thirteen church-mem- 
 bers, twenty-seven of whom are people of colour, and one 
 hundred and sixty-one Indians. 
 
 It cheers one at length to meet with some Indians. We 
 have traversed a prodigious extent of country before over- 
 taking any of them, except once. Here some of them are, 
 it seems, driven to the extremity uf the States, in this 
 direction ; for this Rock River Conference joins the Wis- 
 consin Territory ; indeed, embraces some of it : and, as the 
 term indicates, it is a newly settled country, not yet formed 
 into a State. When these Wisconsin people have filled the 
 country, will any of the Indians remain ? It is certain they 
 will not. What will be their fate, when the tide of popu- 
 lation has reached the utmost limits of the country in the 
 direction of the west ; when the inhabitants of the Atlantic 
 shore, and those of the Pacific, are linked together in one 
 unbroken chain; it is fearful to think. They will not be 
 pushed into the waters of the mighty deep ; but the 
 pressure, like that of disease and age, will crush the last 
 
 of their noble race to the earth. 
 
 16* 
 
j ' 
 
 870 ..M» I 'TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV. 
 
 We find the name of a station in this conference some- 
 what familiar to the ears of English people ; but in a very 
 different connexion : it is Nauvoo. Nauvoo, it -will be re- 
 membered, is, or was, tlie headquarters of the Mormonites ; 
 who, on account of their fantastic and impious doctrines, 
 have met, we are told, with no great favour from the Ame- 
 rican people. 'I'hey have been driven from this place, and 
 are wandering in various directions ; and amongst other 
 locations which they have selected, the parliamentary d ,- 
 bates lately taught us, that numbers of them were squatting 
 m Vancouver's Island. We know not whether the good 
 and zealous Methodist preachers occupied this post of duty 
 before or after the dispersion of these poor, deluded Mor- 
 monites. It is likely they rushed in amongst them for the 
 purpose of seeking their conversion ; but, failing to accom- 
 plish this, they now occupy the quarters from whence these 
 obstinate blockheads have been driven. Would it not be 
 as well, if a name can be found, to change the old one ? 
 
 Having now passed through this interesting portion of 
 territory, it may be proper, as in the case of the Atlantic 
 seaboard, to give a tabular summary. 
 
 Conferences. Dist. Circuits. Minist. Supcrnum. Local Pr. Members. 
 
 Troy 7 138 174 16 133 25,327 
 
 Vermont. ... 3 64 71 14 46 7,9.')3 
 
 Black Kiver . . 6 93 113 11 145 15,917 
 
 Oneida 8 127 160 27 202 25,776 
 
 Genesee .... 9 159 187 32 253 26.6.S2 
 
 Erie 6 85 128 13 193 20,143 
 
 North Ohio . . 7 80 133 8 242 26.043 
 
 Michigan ... 7 79 118 10 193 16,544 
 
 North Indiana 9 86 113 7 258 26,302 
 
 Rock River . 10 107 141 20 31U 20,143 
 
 72 1,065 1,343 153 1,984 210,790 
 
 It is extremely difficult to say which portion of the 
 United States is the more important, or promises to excel 
 in permanent prosperity, when, in fact, the whole is so rich 
 in proriise. But there are two things which appear very 
 favourable in the regions now under review ; namely, the 
 
TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 371 
 
 ce some- 
 in a very 
 ill be rc- 
 rmonitcs ; 
 doctrines, 
 the Ame- 
 plfice, and 
 igst other 
 entary d - 
 I squattinq 
 the good 
 )st of duty 
 ided Mor- 
 cm for the 
 to accom- 
 lence these 
 d it not be 
 Id one ? 
 portion of 
 le Atlantic 
 
 Vr. Members. 
 
 25,327 
 7,953 
 
 15,917 
 1 25,776 
 1 2f).6S2 
 \ 20,143 
 
 • 26,043 
 \ 16,544 
 
 26,302 
 
 20,143 
 
 ^ 
 
 210,790 
 
 ion of the 
 cs to excel 
 e is so rich 
 ppear very 
 lamely, the 
 
 climate and the lakes. Tt is in vain to deny that climate 
 las anything to do with the characteristics of our race. 
 I^orthern latitudes have always produced the most mus- 
 cular, hardy, and masculine races, 'i'hat some kind of in- 
 telligence, such as develops itself in delicate, poclic, and 
 refined sentiments, may be found in the more genial and 
 luxuriant p»)rtions of the earth, will be allowed : but the 
 working and the governing races have always been found 
 located in the midst of Uoroan tempests. The voluptuous 
 south may cradle its gener.ations of impassioned sons; but 
 the north will always produce the ruling class. This will 
 probably be the course of things with the peoph; we have 
 been contemplating. They are, at present, but in their in- 
 fancy of social life. Not more than something like one- 
 third of the land belonijinfr to the State of New-York is 
 cleared, and even that not p<'rfectly. Vast forests still 
 await the woodman's stroke, and prodigious tracts of fruit- 
 ful soil must some day reward the laboui's ot the husband- 
 man. This State is remarkably formed, probably at first 
 without design, but in its effects very much for its own ad- 
 vantage. Let the reader take a fan in his hand, just open 
 it, and he has presented to him the form of tlie State of 
 New-York. The narrow point which he holds in his hand 
 is the city itself, and the spreading silk is the country 
 stretching away to the lakes. The shores of these waters 
 constitute the Avide-spread circumference of the State. This 
 is a great territorial and commercial advantage ; inasmuch 
 as the Atlantic and the Lakes are linked toijether. New-York 
 harbour is now one of the great commercial emporiums of 
 the world, and it is destined to be the greatest. Its rivers, 
 canals, and railroads, connect it with Lakes Ontario and 
 Erie ; and these again v,=th the St. Lawrence on the one 
 side, and through that noble river with all the British do- 
 minions and the Atlantic ; and then, in the other direction, 
 with Lakes Michigan, Huron, Superior, and the Mississippi. 
 All we have mentioned, and much more, makes it abso- 
 

 
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 372 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV. 
 
 « Hrf' 
 
 lutely certain that, as time advances, this State will grow 
 into a great kingdom. The contiguous countries through 
 wliich wo have been passing, partake of the same features 
 of prosperity and progress ; but we mark this one in par- 
 ticular, that we may have something definite before us. 
 
 Now, how stands the question with respect to Method- 
 ism in this State ? We have already remarked on the sub- 
 ject with respect to the city ; what is its progress in the 
 country ? We answer, that four of the conferences we 
 have been examining lie principally in the State of New- 
 York ; namely, Tkoy, Black River, Oneida, Genesee, 
 and a part of Erie. In these conferences we find 93,Y02 
 church-members ; which, with 45,907 for New- York itself, 
 gives a total of 140,609. If we suppose — which is a low 
 estimate — that there will be four other persons, for every 
 one of these, belonging to congregations, families, and 
 schools, who are not members of the Church, but who are 
 attached to Methodism as their religious system, then we 
 shall have 562,430 persons under its influence in thi^ one 
 State. 
 
 How long has this work been in progress ? When did 
 it begin ? Philip Embury preached his first sermon in 
 New- York in 1*760. Captain Webb followed in a year or 
 two, and in 1769 Richard Boardman and Joseph Pilmoor 
 were appointed by the British Conference. This is no very 
 remote date. Tliere must have been some life and energy 
 in a Church which can present such a result in so short a 
 time. 
 
 But the nature of the power whence all this has sprung, 
 is a matter of serious importance. Suspicions are enter- 
 tained as to organizations of this sort. It is often imagined 
 that self-interest, ambition, or enthusiasm, leads men to 
 unite in these masses. In the early times of Methodism, 
 as well as in the primitive ages of the Church, these con- 
 fraternities were suspected of perpetrating, in their private 
 assemblies, gross and revolting immoralities. All this has 
 
 i.ii 
 
will grow 
 es througli 
 ne features 
 3ne in par- 
 fore us. 
 to Metliod- 
 on the sub- 
 ;ress in the 
 erences we 
 te of New- 
 , Genesee, 
 find 93,702 
 -York itself, 
 lich is a low- 
 is, for every 
 irailies, and 
 but who are 
 3m, then we 
 ! in thib one 
 
 When did 
 sermon in 
 in a year or 
 [^ph Pilmoor 
 lis is no very 
 ! and energy 
 n so short a 
 
 has sprung, 
 s are enter- 
 :,en imagined 
 ;ads men to 
 
 Methodism, 
 1, these con- 
 their private 
 
 All this has 
 
 TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 373 
 
 passed away long ago. But still the problem remains un- 
 solved, — What has led to this result ? 
 
 We can entertain no doubt but that tliis church-organi- 
 zation originated in real religious faith, convictions, and 
 power. It was not in the begiiniing, any more than it is 
 at present, produced by any mysterious gravitating in- 
 stincts, leading men to unite together tliey know not why. 
 And, moreover, it never imbibed the spirit, acted upon the 
 principles, or proposed the ends, of communism — in any 
 form or shape. The men who formed these first societies 
 did so under the teaching and influence of religion alone. 
 There is something very much akin to the progress of the 
 first churches of Christ, in this great development of reli- 
 gious power, from so small a beginning. With some per- 
 sons the msignificance of the instruments, and the ab- 
 sence of all the supposed fitness for so great a work, will 
 form a difficulty. Let it be remembered, however, that 
 this objection lies as much against the apostles and first 
 evangelists, as against these men. But when this class of 
 difficulties i? felt and objections raised, the}- always rest 
 upon the implied principle, — not seen, not understood, per- 
 haps, but certainly in the mind, — that the conversion of 
 men and the spread of religion is a human thing. If di- 
 vine, if of God, then, for aught which can be imagined, 
 Peter and Paul, — Bunyan and Baxter, — Asbury and Lee, 
 — might be very fit and suitable instruments. It is not 
 learning without God, — not philosophy without the Holy 
 Spirit, — not a polished exterior and worldly distinctions 
 without faith, — which can save the souls of men, or lay the 
 foundation of churches. Then, if this work is begun in 
 the grace and power of the Divinity, acting through the 
 labours of men, it is easy to see that in innumerable cases 
 the fittest instruments will be persons of plain, but pure 
 and elevated, minds. 
 
 Judging of the nature of the work to be done in Ame- 
 rica, one cannot but admire the wisdom of God, in the se- 
 
-!Wf™PpWrP'**' "iWV^fl^V.Vl ?^' ' 
 
 k I 
 
 y 4 ill i 
 
 It 
 
 J 5 m 
 
 374 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV. 
 
 lection of his instruments. Would delicate and fastidious 
 gentlemen have gone into the American wilderness to 
 preach the Gospel, — to converse in familiar phrase with 
 the peasant emigrant, in order to seek his salvation? 
 Would this class have submitted to the privations of a new 
 country ? have cheerfully takei; their place in the log-hut, 
 and been content with its fare and its lodging ? Nay, had 
 this class of persons been disposed to enter the field, ould 
 they have done the work required ? The tone, dignity, and 
 superiority produced by a higli style of education and 
 knowledge, are very beautiful and excellent, but ratlier be- 
 long to society when formed and polished than to its wil- 
 derness state. We may safely say that they could not, if 
 they would, have accomplished the work assigned to our 
 pioneer evangelists. 
 
 But let it not be supposed that the plain Christian 
 preacher is incapable of great service for religion because 
 he is destitute of the ability to descant on its philosophy. 
 Those who mahe history seldom write it. Those who per- 
 form noble deeds are never the men 1 j emblazon them. 
 These classes are too busy witli their enterprise to turn 
 aside to talk about its progress. Their work, the temple 
 raised, is their monument. Judging by this rule, we shall 
 be led to see that the workmen selected by God were fit- 
 ting instruments for his purpose. 
 
 Their very plainness, their paucity of polish, might ope- 
 rate in their circumstances most beneficially. They would, 
 as one consequence, be kept from theorizing, from plung- 
 ing into the abstract, from soaring into the ideal. But, 
 better still, they would be kept to their work, and find 
 their happiness in its success. They were eminently men 
 of one business, and their calling swallowed up their whole 
 soul. This principle is found to succeed in otlier things : 
 why should it not in this ? Their oneness of purpose will 
 account for their success, as far as instrumentality is con- 
 cerned. But it will account for much more : — What led 
 
1 fastidious 
 derness to 
 hrase with 
 salvation ? 
 IS of a new 
 he log-hut, 
 Nay, had 
 field, ould 
 [inanity, and 
 Lcation and 
 ; ratlier be- 
 i to its wil- 
 Duld not, if 
 ned to our 
 
 n Christian 
 ion because 
 philosophy, 
 ;e who per- 
 azon them, 
 ise to turn 
 the temple 
 le, we shall 
 3d were fit- 
 might opc- 
 hey would, 
 rom plung- 
 deal. But, 
 k, and find 
 nently men 
 their whole 
 lier things : 
 )urpose will 
 ility is con- 
 -What led 
 
 TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OP THE M. E. CHURCH. 375 
 
 to this entire separation of themselves from the world, and 
 devotedness to such a cause as this ? Certainly, religious 
 faith. They had a firm and vivid belief in the Christianity 
 which they wont about to establish ; they had confidence 
 and certainty in their own vocation and calling ; they had 
 no doubt as to the particular dispensation in which they 
 were called to be workmen ; they entertained a full per- 
 suasion in their inmost soul in the principle tliat God could 
 " raise up children to Abraham" from amongst the scat- 
 tered tribes around them ; and they saw, in the promised 
 perspective, that the American " wilderness and soJifary 
 place should be r/lad and blossom as the rose ;" " be r/lad" in 
 the privileges, blessings, and joys of God's salvation ; and 
 *' blossom" in all the beautiful fertility of Christian holiness 
 and love. Yes, these men knew what they were doing ; 
 they lived, and laboured, and suffered, under the full and 
 plenary conviction that God had sent them, and they were 
 accomplishing his will. 
 
 But this of itself is not sufficient to account for the Avon- 
 derful moral phenomena on which we look. There must have 
 been something more than man's labours, to bring about 
 these results, though performed in honest simplicit)^ and 
 under the impressions of a strong belief in the " things of 
 God." We refer to the direct influence of God the Holy 
 Ghost. Nothinnr short of his inlluencc and effusions could 
 possibly produce this spiritual and moral creation. The 
 beginning, the original impulse, the life, must have ;:prung 
 from this source. How could human nature, or the politi- 
 cal and social movements going on in this new country, 
 produce this spiritual life ? Its first seed must have come 
 from above. This being the case, all the rest would fol- 
 low. The unsightly root, which out of the soil is lifeless 
 and barren, no sooner finds a congenial element therein, 
 than it bursts through the incrustations in which it is em- 
 bedded, and, appropriating to itself the nounshing influen- 
 ces of nature, soon appears a perfect tree, clothed with 
 
(i- 
 
 I ^ 
 
 «-iiS.i 
 
 III 
 
 37G 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. — PART IV. 
 
 foliage and laden with fruit. So it must have been with 
 this "seed of the kinffdom." How could the "word of 
 the gospel," sown by these good but powerless men, have 
 produced so rich a harvest, had it not been a divine seed, 
 and been blessed by the fructifying rains and dews of God's 
 Holy S':,irit? 
 
 We are chiefly contemplating this work in its organi. .d 
 form. But let us endeavour to understand it. We shall 
 be in great error, if w^ imagine that the Oxganization cre- 
 ated the people. The people formed the system, and not 
 the system the people. Nothing could be more simple 
 than this process. The men who entered the wilderness in 
 order to cultivate it took no theory, no plan, no platform. 
 All they did was to preach the truth ; to deposit it in the 
 soul ; and then leave it to its own development. They won 
 the people to Christ, and then trusted them to his care and 
 love, to be dealt with and to be employed as he chose. 
 The rest followed. They obeyed the instincts of their new 
 nature ; and, as in social life, sought union with each other. 
 They felt the impulse of holy and divine affiections ; and, 
 as in the closest and most endearing friendships and rela- 
 tions, they delighted to commingle "with kindred hearts. 
 Here is the origin, the plastic power of this fellowship, this 
 brotherhood. Rules followed the life ; they did not create 
 it. The whole framework and machinery of the Church 
 sprang from this antecedent power and holiness. Wants 
 grew up with existence, as they do in all analogous cases. 
 The most complex constitutional system is only the expan- 
 sion of society in a state of high civilization. This is the 
 case also, if we understand the question, of the American 
 Methodist Church. 
 
 But every religious organization must cherish and keep 
 the spiritual alive, or otherwise the framework will soon 
 break down. The same reviving " showers of blessing " 
 from above, the same effusions of the Holy Ghost, the same 
 presence of Christ, the same fulness of divine love, which 
 
Ill 
 
 been with 
 
 " word of 
 
 men, have 
 
 ivine seed, 
 
 v^s of God's 
 
 organ!, .d 
 We shall 
 ization cre- 
 m, and not 
 ore simple 
 ilderness in 
 
 platform, 
 sit it in the 
 
 They Avon 
 lis care and 
 3 he chose. 
 t their new 
 each other, 
 tions ; and, 
 s and rela- 
 red hearts, 
 wship, this 
 
 not create 
 he Church 
 5S. Wants 
 rous cases, 
 the expan- 
 rhis is the 
 
 1 American 
 
 and keep 
 [ will soon 
 
 blessino' " 
 t, the same 
 ove, which 
 
 TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF T"E M. E. CHURCH. 377 
 
 were sought and enjoyed by the first converts, must be 
 constantly sought and received, or wintry barrenness must 
 succeed the beauty and fertility of spring and summer. 
 The walls of a palace may remain after its lord is dead. 
 
 This is the danger of complicated, perfected organization. 
 1'hrough all nature we see, that as soon as the fruit is ripe, 
 it falls ; and as soon as physical life is perfect, it begins to 
 exhibit signs of decay. How different, now, at this mo- 
 ment, is the political and economical state of America, as 
 compared with some of the old, worn-out nations of Eu- 
 rope ! — just upon this principle : the one is like a fine ath- 
 letic youth, full of health, bloom, vigour, activity; the 
 other, like a decrepit old man, w^orn down by years, and 
 equally full of miseries ; not knowing which way to turn, or 
 what expedient to adopt, to keep himself alive. Something 
 hke this comes to be the condition of churches. Perhaps 
 there is no great danger of formality, languor, or decay, at 
 present in American Methodism, — of the external, parasite- 
 like growths, first embracing and then crushing the spirit- 
 ual ; the organization, with its complexities, superseding 
 and pushing aside the vital and divine. But this danger 
 must come. 
 
 Everything, indeed, at present, favours the idea of pro- 
 gress. The Church cannot well stand still while everything 
 else is in motion. She must move on with the perpetually 
 advancing tide, or be left, like a gallant ship, stranded on 
 the shore. Nothing can continue stationary in the States. 
 They are obliged to go on. The wilderness cannot remain 
 as it is ; the gloomy solitudes must be peopled ; the dark 
 forests, now that the Indian no longer prowls through their 
 thickets in quest of game, must give place to the civilized 
 man ; and innumerable, untold, indeed, unimagined, multi- 
 tudes of cities, with their teeming and busy populations, 
 will, of necessity, occupy these silent and melancholy re- 
 gions. The Church is obliged to advance with these ever- 
 progressing multitudes. At present, the Methodist body 
 
 I ^! 
 
 Jl 
 
 i 'I 
 
|;l' \ 
 
 378 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV 
 
 most certainly truly apprehends its duties and its destiny, 
 and is nobly Dressing on in the career of usefulness. We 
 hope — we pray — that it may never lose its spirit ; never 
 nk into inertness ; never be paralyzed by its own ponder- 
 ous bulk ; and never forget or forsake the principles and 
 the elevated faith of its founders. 
 
 m\ 
 
 m 
 
 III— THE OHIO LINE. 
 
 By following another of the great lines of communica- 
 tion into " the far-west," we shall meet with the same thing 
 as we have done in the other routes. Pass the Alleghany 
 Mountains, either from Philadelphia or Baltimore, to Pitts- 
 burgh ; from thence to Cincinnati, and from the latter place 
 to St. Louis ; and a distance something like from fifteen 
 hundred to two thousand miles will be laid out to traverse. 
 This is the journey we now propose. In all these States of 
 the west, with their cities and towns constantly increasing 
 in population, the Methodist Church has planted her insti- 
 tutions. Besides the chief places already mentioned, which 
 contain very large bodies of people belonging to our faith, 
 the noble-minded servants of God have entered the wilder- 
 ness wherever man is found to have pitched his tent, and 
 have introduced the ever-blessed gospel. 
 
 It was the writer's good fortune to meet with many of 
 the humble, but courageous and enterprising, " backwood" 
 missionaries, who had spent their lives in following their 
 countrymen into the forests and prairies of these distant 
 regions, for the purpose of winning them to Christ. A 
 finer race of men it was never his happiness to see ; ath- 
 letic, robust, muscular; of noble and independent mien, 
 open countenance, lofty and expanded brow, brave and 
 resolute bearing ; and withal full of fine common sense, in- 
 telligence, benevolence, and zeal. These men had, many 
 of them, followed the Indians to their hunting-ground, and 
 lived with them in their wigwams ; had borne with their 
 childish weaknesses, and the storm of their fierce and fu- 
 
its destiny, 
 ilness. We 
 pirit ; never 
 )\vn ponder- 
 inciples and 
 
 communica- 
 same thinir 
 3 Alleghany 
 re, to Pitts- 
 latter place 
 from fifteen 
 to traverse, 
 se States of 
 y increasing 
 ;d her insti- 
 oned, which 
 to our faith, 
 the wilder- 
 is tent, and 
 
 th many of 
 backwood" 
 3wing their 
 bese distant 
 Christ. A 
 3 see ; ath- 
 dent mien, 
 brave and 
 n sense, in- 
 had, many 
 ground, and 
 I with their 
 ce and fu- 
 
 TERRITOUIAL PROGRESS OF THE iM. E. CHURCH. 379 
 
 rious passions ; — and all for the sake of their spiritual and 
 eternal good. They had, as well, accompanied the white 
 race in their endless peregrinations. They had lived, more- 
 over, to witness the magnititent result. Many a race of 
 " squatters" they had seen become a race of freeholders, 
 substantial farmers, happy and prosperous in their circum- 
 stances. Many a group of log-huts, letting in wind and 
 weather, they had beheld changed into beautiful villages or 
 substantial towns, the residence of civilization, opulence, 
 and religion. Many a league of gloomy, almost impervious 
 forest they had witnessed yield to the woodman's axe, to 
 the ploughman's industry ; and, in the place of this, had 
 beheld rich and abundant harvests Avaving beneath the 
 breezes of heaven Many haggard, care-worn, afflicted, 
 and anxious matrons, dragged into the wilderness by their 
 lords, surrounded by a wretched, squalid, fretful family, — 
 they had lived to s^f'o. rise above their difficulties, and be- 
 come the centres of domestic order and peace, and cheered 
 by beholding iheir sons and daughters pass into a happy 
 and hopeful maturity. Yes, these " backwood " preachers 
 have seen something of life ! They have done some work 
 worth mentioning for God and for man ; and they now reap 
 their reward in the fruits of their toil. 
 
 Nothing can well exceed in importance the results of this 
 success. What would these vast regions have become, had 
 they been peopled by our profligate race, without the cor- 
 rective power and influence of the gospel ? It is easy to 
 anticipate. The people must have sunk into a state of per- 
 fect barbarism, as well as unmitigated vice. To have pre- 
 vented this is a great work. But the prevention of a pre- 
 sent catastrophe of this kind is not th^ wliole ; it is not half 
 the case. These men have laid a foundation for the per- 
 manent Christian and social progress of these new aggre- 
 gations of people. They have succeeded in planting the 
 ordinances of the gospel in what may be fitly considered 
 the rudimental state of society. They have gone to the 
 
 M 
 
 I 
 

 M 
 
 •ii -4 
 
 380 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA.—PART IV. 
 
 bottom ; they have begun at the beginning ; throwing 
 the salt into the very fountain, they have purified the 
 stream. 
 
 J. After passing the AUoghanies, and descending into the 
 valley of the Mississippi, the first conference boundary we 
 enter is that of Pittsdi:kuh, In this division we have nine 
 distiicts ; namely, Pittshurffh, Uniontown, Clarksbtirtj, Mor- 
 [fantowrit Wheelinff, Barmville, Cambridge, SteuhcnviUc, Bea- 
 ver: one hundred and eleven stations, circuits, and missions ; 
 one hundred and eighty-four ministers, with two hundred 
 and sixty-iive local preachers ; and forty-two thousand 
 three hundred and seventy-eight church -members ; three 
 hundred and forty-five of these being people of colour. 
 
 We find the following appointments : — Editor of Pitts- 
 burgh "Christian Advocate," William Hunter. North- 
 Western Virginia Academy, Gordon Battell, Principal ; 
 Alexander Martin, Teacher. Alleghany College, H. J. 
 Clarke, President ; F. S. De Hass, Agent. 
 
 There is also something here which is not noticed ; 
 namely, a very large and spacious Book- Concern, with a 
 most excellent Agent at its head ; and inasmuch as his 
 name is not inserted for Pittsburgh, he, of course, belongs 
 to another conference. 
 
 The progress of religion in Pittsburgh may be imagined 
 from the state of things, as described by Bishop Asbury, 
 in 1809:— 
 
 " Wc reached John Wrenshall's," he I'emarks, " in Pittsburgh, on 
 Friday evening. The Rev. Mr. Steel offered, unsolicited, in the name 
 of the Presbyterian eklcrship, their large, elegant house for Sunday's 
 exercises. I preached at Thomas CoopcrV' on Saturday. 
 
 " Sabbath, 20th. I accepted the offer made, and preached at three 
 o'clock. It was an open time. Could we unite nations and lan- 
 guages, as well as spirits and tempers, we might do great things here. 
 A Baptist family of the name of Plummcr receives ns on Tuesday. 
 Young Plummer is sick, a child is sick, and the whole family feel 
 awful. Who will pray with young Plummer when we ai'e gone 1 
 The young man is certainly under convictions." 
 
throwing 
 uritied the 
 
 ng into tlie 
 tiindtiry we 
 L! have nine 
 hiouj, Mor- 
 tiviUe,Bea- 
 d missions ; 
 hundred 
 ) thousand 
 3ers ; three 
 colour. 
 Dr of Pitts- 
 r. North- 
 Principal ; 
 3ge, H. J. 
 
 »t noticed ; 
 3rn, Avith a 
 ich as his 
 se, belongs 
 
 e imagined 
 )p Asbury, 
 
 ittsburgh, on 
 , in the name 
 br Sunday's 
 
 hod at three 
 ns and Ian- 
 things here. 
 )n Tuesday. 
 c family feel 
 3 are gone ? 
 
 n 
 
 TEIIRITOIUAL PKOGUESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 381 
 
 Here we have dates and facts. In 1809, Bishop v\sbury 
 had no place of worship to perform divine service in ; he 
 preached in Thomas Cooper's cottage on Saturday, and the 
 Presbyterian church on Sunday. He had no Methodist 
 family to entertain him, it seems ; and he was invited to a 
 Baptist's of the name of Plummer ; and, when he was gone, 
 lie knew of no one who would pray with " young Plum- 
 mer," who was " certainly imder convictions." How 
 amazing the progress of forty years ! We now find about 
 ten large Methodist churches, and a corresponding number 
 of people. 
 
 II. The Ohio Conference joins that of Pittsburgh. 
 We have in this division fifteen districts ; namely, East 
 Cincinnati, West Cincinnati, Daytov, ITrhana, Hilhho- 
 rough, Chilicothe, CoUimhus, Zanesiille, Marietta, Ports- 
 month, Kanawha, Cincinnati German, Pittshnrgh German, 
 ^ndiana German, North Ohio German : one hundred and 
 sixty-one stations, circuits, and missions ; two hundred and 
 eight ministers, with five hundred and twenty-eight local 
 preachers ; and sixty-two thousand one hundred and ninety- 
 eight church-members, five hundred and fourteen of wliom 
 are people of colour. 
 
 The number of special appointments for tliis conference 
 will be found very great. We have the following : — 
 Western Book Concern, Leroy Swormstedt, Agent ; West- 
 ern Christian Advocate, Charles Elliott ; Christian Apolo- 
 gist, William Nast ; Agent to the American Bible Society, 
 William P. Strickland ; Wesleyan Female College, P. B. 
 Wilbur, President ; M. P. Gaddis, Agent ; Ohio Confer- 
 ence High School, P jlomon Howard, Principal ; Augusta 
 College, Joseph S. Tomlinson, President ; Oakland Female 
 Seminary, Joseph M'D. Mathews, Principal ; Greenfield 
 Seminary, James G. Blair ; Frederick Merrick and L. D. 
 M'Cabe, Professors in the Ohio Western University; 
 Worthington Female Seminary, Ezra M. Boring, Principal ; 
 
 1> 
 
 I 
 
 ! r. 
 
882 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA.— I'AHT IV. 
 
 Uriah Heath, Agent ; James B. Finley, Moral and Reli- 
 gious Instructor to the Oiiio Penitentiary. 
 
 The above Charles Elliott is Dr. Elliott, the author of 
 *' Romanism Delineated," — rej)ublished in this country. 
 Dr. Elliott is an Irishman ; and is possessed of the vivacity, 
 acumen, logical power, and withal hatred of popery, which 
 unite to distinguish the natives of the north of Ireland. In 
 liis editorial labours, as well as in his Delineation, he has 
 done good service in the support of Protestantism. He is, 
 besides, a perfect abolitionist. Slavery can have no favour 
 in the siuht of Dr. Elliott. It is an abhorred and detested 
 evil; an unmitigated injury to the slaves themselves; a 
 crime in the slaveholder to exact this oppressive wrong ; 
 and, moreover, an outrage against Christianity, and a sin 
 against Almighty God, in the estimation of Dr. Elliott. 
 These, if I understood him aright, are the sentiments he 
 entertains on this subject. He is now removed from his 
 office of editor of the Western Christian Advocate, and 
 placed in another very responsible literary post ;* namely, 
 to write the history of the great division which has taken 
 place in the Methodist Episcopal Church ; and in the pro- 
 secution of this task, of course, the question of slavery 
 must, in some of its phases, if not in all of them, come 
 before his attention. From the character of Dr. Elliott, his 
 habits of research, his thorough acquaintance with his sub- 
 ject, and the deep interest he feels in the points at Issue ; it 
 is not too much to expect a very able work on the subject. 
 
 Dr. Tomlinson, the President of Augusta College, lo- 
 cated at a place of that name in Kentucky, is equally 
 adverse to slavery, — takes decided views, and does not 
 hesitate to announce them. He is, also, in other respects, 
 a man of talent, of energy, and of learning. Dr. Tomhnson 
 .ippeared to great advantage in the Pittsburgh Confer- 
 ence, in every question in which he took a part. 
 
 But the establishment which will excite the most earnest 
 
 * [Not as a separate " post :" Dr. Elliott has a regular station as a preacher.] 
 
1 and Keli- 
 
 3 author of 
 lis country, 
 the vivacity, 
 ipery, which 
 Lreliind. In 
 ition, he has 
 ism. He is, 
 vcno favour 
 and detested 
 icmselves ; a 
 5sivc wrong ; 
 y, and a sin 
 
 Dr. Elhott. 
 cntiments he 
 ved from his 
 dvocato, and 
 st;* namely, 
 ch has taken 
 
 . in the pro- 
 n of shivery 
 
 them, come 
 
 r. EUiott, his 
 with his sub- 
 ,s at Issue ; it 
 
 :,lie subject. 
 
 College, lo- 
 
 , is equally 
 md does not 
 
 ler respects, 
 )r. Toralinson 
 iirgh Confer- 
 
 most earnest 
 
 on as a preacher.] 
 
 I 
 
 TERUITORIAL PUOUUESS OF THE M. E. JIIUUCH. 383 
 
 curiosity, in this lon^*- list of learned institutions, is the Fe- 
 male College of Cincinnati. 
 
 It is easy to anticipate many scruples as t his institu- 
 tion. To give diplomas to young ladies may excite sur- 
 prise in the grave dames of this country, and cause the 
 gentlemen to shrug their shoulders in consternation, ex- 
 claiming, " What next ?" iiut really, after all, why should 
 not learning and good conduct b(! encouraged and stimuhited 
 in the female sex as well as in the other ? Do they occupy 
 an unimportant position in comnmnitics ? Are their sons 
 and daughters less likely to become respectable, pious, and 
 useful members of society for the good training, attainments, 
 and honourable distinctions of their mothers ? Is a well- 
 disciplined mind, a cultivated intellect, a soul inspired with 
 the noble sentiments which a knowledge of truth must give, 
 less likely than others to govern a household with wisdom 
 and discretion ? Have not mothers much more to do with 
 the formation of the chai acter of their sons than the father ? 
 and, as a consequence, much more concern in laying the 
 foundations of communities in all which concerns their 
 manners and morals ? Are not families the light, the salt, 
 the ornament, the salvation of States ? And are not women 
 all this to the family ? And, moreover, cannot the vulgarity, 
 the rudeness, the asperities of the world, be modeiuted and 
 polished by the more delicate and milder nature of the 
 softer sex ? This being so, how can it be improper to adopt 
 means effectually to educate the young girls as well as the 
 young boys of any generation ? 
 
 But there are other reasons for these female colleges in 
 America. The disciples of the Church of Rome, in all 
 these matters, exhibit more practical sense than Protestants. 
 In every part of the world, they have always striven to 
 obtain the education of youth. This has been, amongst 
 other things, one of the most remarkable vocations of the 
 Jesuits. They are now at work in every quarter of the 
 globe ; and, as might be expected, with indefatigable in- 
 
 ' il 
 

 I '] 
 
 '-.A .f 
 
 i >■. 
 
 
 384 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV. 
 
 dustry and perseverance in the United States. Hence these 
 institutions are partly framed in self-defence. The very 
 intelligent principal of the college informed me, that the 
 Methodist body found it absolutely necessary to establish 
 these schools, in order to prevent the children of their own 
 people from being alienated from them l)y being educated 
 at either a Popish or else some other school, alien in senti- 
 ment to their own Church. Moreover, he gave me to 
 understand that their establishment had commended itself 
 very much to the public ; it was well supported, always 
 being full ; and had answered the purpose of preserving 
 the children of their flocks from going astray. 
 
 We may be pretty certain that there is something valua- 
 ble and vital in this novel establishment. Of all men, the 
 Americans will be found to possess a clear perception of 
 what is practically important and useful. Without examina- 
 tion, if it is found that these people have established some- 
 thing new, it may be assumed at once tliat some useful 
 element may be discovered somewhere, that a valuable end 
 is proposed. Being free from prepossessions and preju- 
 dices, as well as free in other things, they do not scruple to 
 adopt modes of action, which in this and the other old 
 European societies would be laughed at. Many of their 
 projects have been so treated by other people. This mat- 
 ters little to the Yankee. You may laugh as long as you 
 please ; but, generally speaking, he is sure of his game. 
 This very instu^tion will, undoubtedly, prove a most in- 
 teresting auxiliary to the Church, and an element of great 
 power for the conservation of the Protestant youth of the 
 country. The " Avomcn"* are always the objects of atten- 
 tion with the Popish Church ; and the Americans have no 
 objection, in this affair, even to take a lesson out of their 
 book. The moral force of Popery, so long exercised in the 
 world, has been accomplished very much through the so- 
 
 * See Michelkt's remarkable pamphlet, entitled, " Priests, Women, and 
 Families." 
 
[lence these 
 The very 
 le, that the 
 to establish 
 of their own 
 ng educated 
 lien in senti- 
 gave me to 
 tended itself 
 rted, always 
 if preserving 
 
 jthing valua- 
 all men, the 
 erception of 
 out examina- 
 )lished some- 
 some useful 
 valuable end 
 5 and preju- 
 lot scruple to 
 he other old 
 lany of their 
 This mat- 
 long as you 
 of his game, 
 re a most in- 
 nent of great 
 youth of the 
 ects of atten- 
 icans have no 
 out of their 
 ercised in the 
 rough the so- 
 
 ;sts, Women, and 
 
 TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 385 
 
 cieties formed in various ways to influence, to educate, and 
 then to employ, " women," for the furtherance of its ob- 
 jects. With us, generally, it is sufficient to know that the 
 Popish Church adopts a certain lino of policy at once to 
 discard it. If it is Popish, that is quite enough ; we in- 
 s( ctively resolve that it must be wrong, and adopt a 
 course as opposite as we can. This has been the case 
 regarding female education. The Church of Rome has 
 everywhere maintained an ascendency. Many of the nun- 
 neries have always been set apart for educational purposes ; 
 and now, the highest and the best female education which 
 can be obtained is to be found in these establishments. 
 We h?.ve nothing of this kind in Protestantism in this coun- 
 try, or, as far as I know, elsewhere in Europe. The 
 education of females is left to accident, to chance. The 
 Americans have in this, as in other things, taken the initia- 
 tive ; and, when we have done laughing and wondering 
 at the notion of female colleges and diplomas, we shall 
 imitate them. 
 
 The sooner the better ; at any rate in spirit, in principle. 
 Our opposition to Popery by declamatory harangues is just 
 beating the air. The papacy is not an abstraction ; it is 
 an organization of living souls ; and it will employ any 
 kind of industry to train a child, to gain a proselyte, to 
 attract another atom to tlic Church. Like the coral insect, 
 they are busy in building their island in the ccean : and, 
 being constant in their labour, they consequently progv; ssin 
 every place. The priests of this sect care no more about 
 the declamations of Protestants than the insect tiibe — 
 secure below the surface of the sea — care for the rumbling 
 of the tempest on the surface. The only possible way of 
 keeping out Popery is to occupy the soil. Let tlie world 
 be filled with institutions, educational and religious, which 
 shall embody and set forth truth, — the truth of the Bible, 
 and truth on all other subjects ; and then the falsehoods 
 of this system will find no room. 
 
 n 
 
 11 
 
386 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. — PART IV. 
 
 With much less of asperity, as it struck me, than is 
 found amongst ourselves, the American people have a full 
 perception as to the evils of Popery. Their system of 
 government, however, never allows them to think of op- 
 posing it by any legislative enactment. The only means 
 they ever imagine or think of adopting are mora^ This 
 very female college, so far as it is designed to be protective, 
 is a measure of this sort. It occupies the space, it fills the 
 vacuum ; and in this way it bars out the Popish nunnery. 
 The American Methodist Churcli will, no doubt, aim at 
 giving as good, and, if possible, a better, education, than 
 the nunnery, and beat Popery even in its own favourite 
 vocation. Certainly they will entertain no doubt on the 
 practicabihty of this, or anything else which they see to 
 be desirable. There is a spirit in them to cope with any 
 difficulty, and to win any prize which may be within the 
 reach of man. Tliey indulge no doubt as to the excellency 
 of their system ; and, this being the case, they set them- 
 selves manfully to carry its embodied truths into living 
 efficiency. Whilst we are bandying about our dogmas in 
 fierce debate, and appeahng to the legislature, the American 
 is doing his own work ; he is putting his principles into 
 practical operation, by forming institutions to give them 
 development, and to bring them to bear upon society. 
 
 I remember seeing in some Romish periodical, in a letter 
 from a missionary-priest, employed in — I think — Oregon, 
 that they met with more obstruction from the ignorant and 
 fanatical Methodists than from any other people. If I am 
 not mistaken, in future yeais, as the struggle thickens, and 
 the belligerents come face to face on this continent, the 
 Methodist body will present a noble front, to obstruct the 
 progress of this ambitious and intrusive Church, — more re- 
 solute and potent, perliaps, than any other power, not even 
 excepting the civil government. 
 
 There is another interestino- incident connected with the 
 Methodism of Cincinnati. It is, that four of the districts 
 
TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 387 
 
 ne, than is 
 have a full 
 system of 
 hink of op- 
 only means 
 Qora!".. This 
 e protective, 
 e, it fills the 
 sh nunnery, 
 lubt, aim at 
 ication, than 
 \n favourite 
 oubt on the 
 they see to 
 >pe with any 
 le within the 
 le excellency 
 ey set them- 
 3 into living 
 ir dogmas in 
 he American 
 'inciples into 
 give them 
 society, 
 al, in a letter 
 nk — Oregon, 
 iofnorant and 
 »le. If I am 
 thickens, and 
 ;ontinent, the 
 obstruct the 
 h, — more ro- 
 ver, not even 
 
 )ted with the 
 the districts 
 
 enumerated are German. These four German districts, 
 indeed, embrace much more territory than is included in 
 this conference. It will be seen that they extend to Pitts- 
 burgh, Indiana, and North Ohio, as well as to Cincinnati. 
 The number of missions is thirty-four ; with forty-two mis- 
 sionaries. Great numbers of Germans have located in these 
 quarters ; and religion has spread amongst them in a most 
 encouraging manner. This work began, in its present, its 
 modern form, in the conversion of a learned native of Ger- 
 many ; who, when he left Europe, and for some time after- 
 wards, cherished skeptical notions. Being himself savingly 
 converted to God, he instantly began to recommend the 
 Saviour to his countrymen ; and, from this beginning, one 
 of tli3 noblest works of religion in modern times has sprung 
 up and spread its hallowing leaven. It was my happiness 
 to listen to the account of these things from this minister's 
 own lips ; who, in company with two or three more Ger- 
 man missionaries, detailed the interesting narrative. This 
 oentleman havinfj been trained at one of the universities 
 of Germany, (as was the case with several others,) he en- 
 joys the advantages of learning in connexion with piety. 
 Dr. Nast sustains a literary as well as a ministerial relation 
 to his countrymen, and is well able either to exhibit or 
 defend the doctrines he has happily embraced. In fact, 
 both these functions are well sustained by him. But the 
 greatest ornament and beauty of these German Christians 
 is their piety. They are eminently devout and holy men. 
 It is impossible to hold intercourse with them without being 
 impressed with the purity and affection of their spirit. 
 They are, indeed, in happy circumstances. Beligion with 
 them is emphatically a new creation. They were all either 
 Papists, or, what is quite as deadening to the soul, Ra- 
 tionalists. Tlieir escape is like getting out of hell into 
 heaven. They feel all this. It impresses them deeply; 
 so that, in truth, religion with them is enjoyed in all its 
 virgin sweetness. They are in their " first love ;" and the 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 
388 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV. 
 
 w 
 
 ardour and simplicity of their souls is perfectly refreshing 
 to see — rather to feel. These Germans must live in the 
 affections of all who come in contact with them. 
 
 III. On the Ohio, in the State of Kentucky, below 
 Cincinnati, stands the city of Louisville, which gives its 
 name to a conference. The Louisville Conference 
 contains five districts ; namely, Louisville, Hardingshurg, 
 Smithland, Hopkinsville, and Boioling- Green: fifty-four sta- 
 tions, circuits, and missions ; sixty-six ministers, with one 
 hundred and ninety-nine local preachers ; twenty thousand 
 four hundred and seventy-two church-members, three thou- 
 sand seven hundred and forty-two of whom are people of 
 colour. 
 
 We have one extra appointment : — Funk Seminary, J. 
 Randolph Finley. 
 
 Louisville, as the name imports, was originally settled 
 by the French. It is no great distance below Cincinnati, 
 on the Ohio, and is a place of great commercial importance. 
 It belongs to the southern Church, and slavery obtains 
 through the country around. It is clear, however, that 
 great religious progress has been made. Louisville was 
 visited by Bishop Asbury, when in a very infantine state, 
 who, in 1811, says he preached "in great affliction of 
 body ; but it was a hberal season." From that period it 
 has risen, as we see, to great consideration. 
 
 IV. Kentucky is skirted, through a part of its frontier, 
 by the Ohio River ; and, consequently, the conference 
 bearing that name joins the Ohio Conference. The Ken- 
 tucky Conference belongs to the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church, South. We find eight districts ; namely, Parhers- 
 hurg, Guyandotte, Magsville, Covington, Lexington, Shelbij- 
 ville, Harrodshurg, Barhonrville : seventy-five stations, 
 circuits, and missions ; ninety-three ministers, with two 
 hundred and forty local preachei*s ; and twenty-eight thou- 
 
TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 389 
 
 refreshing 
 live in the 
 
 cky, below 
 h gives its 
 
 'ONFERENCE 
 
 rdingsburg, 
 fty-four sta- 
 s, with one 
 ty thousand 
 three thou- 
 e people of 
 
 Seminary, J. 
 
 lally settled 
 r Cincinnati, 
 importance, 
 cry obtains 
 wever, that 
 luisville was 
 intine state, 
 affliction of 
 at period it 
 
 its frontier, 
 conference 
 The Ken- 
 t Episcopal 
 ly, Parkers- 
 ton, Shelhj- 
 ve stations, 
 with two 
 eight thou- 
 
 sand six hundred and twenty-four church-members; five 
 thousand one hundred and eighty-three of these are people 
 of colour. 
 
 We are now, as will be seen by the number of people 
 of colour belonging to this conference, in a slave-hold'ug 
 State. The progress of the slave population is great. In 
 1*790, it only amounted to 11,830; and in 1840, it had 
 increased to 182,258. 
 
 We find the following appointments connected with this 
 conference : — Transylvania University, H. B. Bascom, Jo- 
 siah L. Kemp. This institution is located at Lexington, 
 and is, for America, an old establishment ; having been 
 founded in 1*798. It is reported in the Repository as having 
 seven instructors ; six hundred and ten is given as the 
 number of its alumni ; three ministers ; one hundred and 
 twelve students ; and four thousand five hundred volumes 
 in its library. 
 
 v. Adjoining Kentucky, to the south-east, in the State 
 of Tennessee, the Ilolston River is seen emptying itsrff, 
 after a pretty long course, into the Tennessee. This river 
 and district of country gives its name to a conference. The 
 HoLSTON Conference contains seven districts ; namely, 
 Wytheville, Abingdon, Rogersville, Knoxville, Cumberland^ 
 Athens, Ashville : sixty-four stations, circuits, and missions ; 
 eighty-four ministers, with three hundred and thirty-four 
 local preachers ; and thirty-eight thousand three hundred 
 and one church-members, three thousand nine hundred and 
 fifty-seven of whom are people of colour. 
 
 We find the following extra nppointments : — Emory and 
 Henry College, C. ColHns, President; E. C. Wiley, Pro- 
 fessor; Holston College, C. Fulton, President and Agent; 
 Knoxville Female Institute, I R. M'Anally ; M. Episco- 
 palian, L. Patton, Editor ; Thomas Stringfield, Agent to the 
 American Bible Society ; William II. Rogers, Agent to 
 Sabbath-schools. 
 
 ^Jl 
 
 It 
 
.■i "' 
 
 890 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. — PART IV. 
 
 IV M 
 
 U '. 
 
 
 \ ■ M 
 
 t I, 
 
 *»f 
 
 ^' I f 
 
 Emory and Henry College is located at Glade-Spring, 
 in Virginia, and was establisher" in 1839. 
 
 This division of territory lies f? little out of our line. It 
 does not touch the Ohio at any point ; neither does it be- 
 long to the Atlantic or the Mississippi lines. The Holston 
 Conference embraces some small portions of North Caro- 
 lina, Georgia, and Virginia ; but it cannot be classed with 
 those conferences. We place it on the Ohio line, because 
 it is nearer to it than any other. It belongs to the Me- 
 thodist Church, South, and is a slave-holding territory. 
 
 Good Bishop Asbury seems to have met with some 
 cross providences in these quarters, in the early history of 
 Methodism. He says : — 
 
 " We crossed Holston to Smith's Ferry, and rode thirty miles to 
 
 Ami's, where we were entertained for our money We turned out 
 
 our horses to graze, and they strayed off : so here we are anchored 
 
 indeed We are now in a house in which a man was killed by 
 
 the savages ; and O, poor creatures, they are but one remove from 
 savages thcr.iselves. I consider myself in danger ; but my God will 
 keep n).e whilst thousands pray for me. My soul is Iiumblod before 
 God, waiting to see the solution of this dark providence, (the loss of 
 the horses.) The man of the house is gone after some horses sup- 
 posed to be stolen by Indians. I have been near fainting ; but my 
 soul is revived again, and my bodily strength is somewhat recovered. 
 
 .We loaded brother Anderson's little horse with my great bags, 
 
 and two smaller ; four saddles : with blankets and provender. Wo 
 then set out, and walked ten miics, and our hoises were brought to 
 us ; and those who brought them were pleased to take what we 
 
 pleased to give. Brother A sought the Lord by fasting and 
 
 prayer, and had a strong impression that it was not the will of God 
 
 that I should go with that company From December 14th, 
 
 1789, to April 20th, i 790, we compute to have travelled two thou- 
 sand five hundred and seventy-eight miles. Hitherto hath the Lord 
 helped. Glory, glory to our God!" — '•Journal,'" vol, ii, pp. 70, 71. 
 
 This is itinerancy in the wilderness. The following is 
 an account of one of the first conferences, if not the very 
 first, in tl.is district : — 
 
 "Our conference (April, 1793) began at Nelson's, near Joncsbo- 
 rough, in the new tcmtory. We have only four or five families of 
 
TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH, 391 
 
 de-Spring, 
 
 ir line. It 
 does it be- 
 le Holston 
 orth Carc- 
 assed with 
 le, because 
 to the Me- 
 rritory. 
 with some 
 history of 
 
 irty miles to 
 c turned out 
 ire anchored 
 vas killed by 
 cmove from 
 my God will 
 tnbl'^d before 
 }, (the loss of 
 e horses sup- 
 ing ; but my 
 at recovered. 
 y great bags, 
 k'cnder. Wo 
 e brought to 
 ikc what we 
 fasting and 
 i will of God 
 cember 14th, 
 )d two thou- 
 ath the Lord 
 pp. 70, 71. 
 
 ollowinof is 
 
 t the 
 
 rery 
 
 lar Jonesbo- 
 c families of 
 
 Methodists here. Wo had sweet peace in our conference. There 
 are appearances of danger on the road to Kentucky ; but the Lord jh 
 with us. "We have formed a company of nine men, (live of whom 
 
 arc preachers,) who are well armed and mounted If report bo 
 
 tnie, there is danger in journeying through the wilderness ; but I do 
 not fear: we go armed. If God suffer Satan to drive the Indians on 
 us. if it be his will, he will teach our ' hands to war, and ' our ' Hnge» s 
 to fight ' and conquer. Our guard appeared fixed and armed for the 
 
 wilderness. We came down to E 's, and were well entertained. 
 
 Thence we proceeded to the main branch of Holston, which, being 
 
 swelled, wc crossed in a flat ; thence to R 's, where I fouTid the 
 
 reports relative to the Indians were true ; they had killed the post, 
 and one or two more, and taken four prisoners. I had not much 
 thought or fear about them." — ^^ Journal," vol. ii, pp. 161, 162. 
 
 Tliirteen years after, in 180G, he says : — 
 
 " We crossed Holston at the mouth of Watanga. I lodged at 
 William Nelson's, (where the above conference was held,) an ancient 
 house and stand for Methodists and Methodist preaching. Saturday 
 the Western Conference commenced its sittings, and ended on Mon- 
 day. We had great peace. There are fourteen hundred added 
 within the bounds of this conference. Of the fifty-five preachers 
 stationed, all were pleased. The hrctliren wore in wont, and could not 
 suit themselves ; so I parted with my icatch, my coat, and my shirt." — ''^Jour- 
 nal,''' vol. iii, p. 206. 
 
 These passages are given as specimens of the hfe of an 
 American bishop in the early period of the work ; of the 
 nature of wilderness itinerancy ; of the smallness of the 
 commencement of this great church organization ; of the 
 precautions and heroic spirit of these early missionaries ; 
 and of the dangers arising from the hostility of the Indians. 
 
 This latter feature is distressing. Poor Indians ! they 
 felt the power which was pressing upon them, and took 
 their revenge. They could not see their lands invaded and 
 occupied by the stranger, — his villages rising, and harvests 
 waving, on territory which used to furnish them with game, 
 — without evincing the passionate instincts of a savage 
 nature ; and sought, as we see, for every opportunity of 
 aiming a deadly blow at their oppressors. The gospel 
 which Bishop Asbury and his associates preached, seems not 
 
 II 
 
392 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. — PART IV. 
 
 3 , 
 
 to have reached these poor outcasts. Whether any attempt 
 was made to save them, does not appear : they were left 
 in their Paganism. Indeed, it is difficult to imagine that 
 any effort, in their state of exasperation, would have proved 
 .successful. We must ccnfess, however, that, in forniei 
 times, the proselyting efforts of the Popish missiona ies in 
 these wild regions far exceeded the attempts of the Pro- 
 testants. These self-denying men followed the Indians 
 in their wanderings with untiring zeal, and sought to 
 bring them over to the profession of their faith. Finer 
 examples of devotedness are seldom to be found ; and in 
 many instances they won the confidence and affections of 
 the savage tribes. 
 
 1 
 
 VI. We now come to the Indiana Conference, on the 
 right bank of the Ohio, and belonging to the northern 
 division of the Methodist Church. We find in connexion 
 with this conference eight districts ; namely, JBrooJcviUe, 
 Lawrencehurg, Madison, Neio- Albany, EvansvUle, Vincennes, 
 Indianaiwlis, Bloomington : eighty-seven stations, circuits, 
 and missions ; one hundred and fourteen ministers, with 
 three hundred and nine local preachers ; and thirty thou- 
 sand seven hundred and forty- five church-members, of 
 whom one hundred and seventy-four are people of colour. 
 
 Vincennes, above referred to as the head of a district, is 
 one of the oldest and most interesting places, — historically 
 considered, — in the whole of this part of America. It was 
 settled by French emigrants from Canada, near the begin- 
 ning of the last century, and long remained a solitary 
 village. But few settlements were made in the country 
 till the commencement of the present century ; since which 
 time its increase in population has been very rapid. This, 
 in the whole State, is given as, in 1800, 4,8V5 ; in 1810, 
 24,520; in 1820, 147,178; in 1830, 343,031; in 1840, 
 685,800. Metliodism, we see, has progressed with the 
 general population, and constitutes, no doubt, one of its 
 
 
I 
 
 ny attempt 
 Y were left 
 laginc that 
 ave proved 
 in formci 
 siona ies in 
 ►f the Pro- 
 be Indians 
 sought to 
 ith. Finer 
 id ; and in 
 Sections of 
 
 fOE, on the 
 e northern 
 
 connexion 
 BrooJcville, 
 
 Vincennes, 
 IS, circuits, 
 sters, with 
 lirty thou- 
 mbers, of 
 
 of colour. 
 
 district, is 
 historically 
 
 ^. It was 
 
 the begin- 
 
 a solitary 
 le country 
 ince which 
 bid. This, 
 
 ; in 1810, 
 
 ; in 1840, 
 with the 
 
 one of its 
 
 TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OP THE M. E. CHURCH. 393 
 
 most potent moral elements. This continued, the State 
 must become one of the most prosperous and well-ordered 
 in tlie Union. Its situation is, in every sense, most favour- 
 able for progress ; commanding the navigation of the Lakes 
 on the one hand and the Ohio on the other. 
 
 VII. The Tennessee Conference is closely connected 
 with the Holston. Tliis ecclesiastical division of country 
 comprises nine districts ; namely, Nashville, Lebanon, Cum- 
 berland, Murfreesborough, Winchester, Huntsville, Florence, 
 Dover, Clarksville: seventy-eight stations, circuits, and mis- 
 sions ; one hundred and forty-seven ministers, with three hun- 
 dred and seventy-eight local preachers ; and forty thousand 
 one hundred and forty-eight church-members, seven thousand 
 two hundred and forty-nine of whom arc people of colour. 
 
 We have the following extra appointments : — John B. 
 M'Ferrin and Moses H. Henkle, Editors Nashville Chris- 
 tian Advocate ; Columbia Female Institute, Jared O. 
 Church ; Tennessee Conference Female Institute, R. H. 
 Rivers, B. IT. Hubbard ; La Grange College, Edward 
 Wadsworth ; Clarksville Female Academy, Joseph E. 
 Douglass ; Philip P. Nutty, Agent for Transylvania Univer- 
 sity ; William G. Gould, Agent for La Grange College ; 
 Ethelbert H. Hatcher, Agent for American Bible Society. 
 
 Tennessee, as will be seen from the number of coloured 
 people belonging to the Church, is a slave-holding State. 
 And we are sorry to perceive that the slave population is 
 constantly increasing. In 1*790, the numbers were 3,417, 
 in 1840 they had swelled up to 183,059. It is hardly 
 necessary to say that this conference belongs to the Method- 
 ist Episcopal Church, South. 
 
 Having now travelled from tbe i^ eghany Mountains, by 
 the course of the Ohio, to thb Mississippi, in the "far 
 west," we shall, according to our practice, give a tabular 
 view of the result of this territorial progress of the Method- 
 ist Church in these regions. 
 
 17* 
 
it;i 
 
 !i^ 
 
 1 
 
 894 
 
 • 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA 
 
 —PART IV. 
 
 
 II , 
 
 Conforoncos. 
 
 Dist. 
 
 Circuits. 
 
 Minist. 
 
 Suponium. 
 
 Local Pr. 
 
 Memi)or«. 
 
 
 Pittsburgh . . 
 
 . 8 
 
 Ill 
 
 184 
 
 12 
 
 265 
 
 42,378 
 
 Ohio 
 
 15 
 
 161 
 
 288 
 
 13 
 
 528 
 
 62,188 
 
 Louisville . . 
 
 . 5 
 
 64 
 
 66 
 
 2 
 
 199 
 
 20.472 
 
 i 
 
 Kentucky . . 
 
 . 8 
 
 75 
 
 93 
 
 9 
 
 240 
 
 28,624 
 
 
 Indiana . . . 
 
 . 8 
 
 87 
 
 114 
 
 8 
 
 309 
 
 30,745 
 
 
 ^olston . . . 
 
 . 7 
 
 64 
 
 84 
 
 8 
 
 334 
 
 38..301 
 
 1 
 
 xcnnessee . . 
 
 . 9 
 
 78 
 
 147 
 
 4 
 
 378 
 
 40,148 
 
 r 
 
 ill, 
 
 i 
 
 •^1 '' 
 
 
 t; . f ■ 
 
 
 ^W 
 
 60 630 876 56 2,253 262,858 
 
 As the country which wc have now traversed is new ter- 
 ritory, and is a part of the Valley of the Mis.sissippi, it may 
 be proper to give some notices of its settlement, in order 
 that an idea may be formed of American progress. The 
 earliest settlements in Tennessee were made between the 
 years 1765 and IVVO; in 1790 it was placed under a 
 separate territorial government, under the name of the 
 ''Territory South of the Ohio;" and in 179G, the inhabit- 
 ants formed a constitution, and Tennessee was admitted 
 into the Union as an independent State. The permanent 
 settlement in Kentucky began in 1775 ; and in 1792 it was 
 admitted into the Union as an independent State. The 
 first settlements in Ohio were commenced at Marietta, in 
 1788. In the following year the country was put under a 
 territorial government, and called the " Western Teni- 
 tory;" and in 1802 it was erected into an independent 
 State. In 1800, Indiana was erected into a territorial 
 government; and in 1816 it was admitted into the Union 
 as an independent State. The mean length of Tennessee 
 is said to be 400 miles, and its breadth 114, containing 45,- 
 600 square miles. Kentucky is about 400 miles in length, 
 and its breadth is 170 miles, containing 40,500 square 
 miles. Ohio is 200 miles long, and 200 broad, containing 
 40,000 square miles. The length of Indiana is 260 miles, 
 and its breadth 140, containing 36,000 square miles. The 
 aggregate of this territory is thus seen to contain 162,000 
 square miles. 
 
 This western country consists of the finest land in the 
 United States, and, perhaps, the most productive in the 
 
r. Members. 
 42,378 
 62,188 
 20.472 
 28,624 
 30,745 
 38,.30l 
 40,148 
 
 262,858 
 
 is new ter- 
 ppi, it may 
 t, in order 
 ress. The 
 !twecn the 
 i under a 
 ime of the 
 he inliabit- 
 3 admitted 
 permanent 
 V92 it was 
 tate. The 
 [arietta, in 
 lit under a 
 tern Terri- 
 idependent 
 
 territoiial 
 the Union 
 
 Tennessee 
 aining 45,- 
 1 in length, 
 •00 square 
 
 containincf 
 260 miles, 
 liles. The 
 n 162,000 
 
 ind in the 
 /ive in the 
 
 , 
 
 TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 396 
 
 world. It is capable of the highest possible cultivation, — 
 of producing all kinds of grain and fruits, and, conse- 
 quently, of feeding an indefinite number of inhabitants. Its 
 population, at present, considering the length of time it has 
 been occupied by a civilized race, is very gr«at, and must 
 soon become prodigious. The influ.x of emigrants from 
 Europe, and the older States, is constantly going on : and 
 their occupancy of the country is accompanied by a clear- 
 ance of the soil, the erection of new villages, towns, and 
 cities, and all the appliances and means of civilized life. 
 There is amazing grandeur in this process. It is like a 
 creation. A world of civilized men throwing around them 
 all the garniture, the ornaments, and the blandislmients of 
 existence. Cities beautifully laid out on their rivers are 
 springing up, almost as in a day ; finely situated for com- 
 mercial purposes, and, as time progresses, evidently des- 
 tined to become great and interesting centres of life. New 
 villages, as the •wilderness is passed through, appear at 
 short distances from each other, embosomed in the forest, 
 and surrounded by land only partially cleared ; but suffi- 
 ciently so to "provide richly for the wants of the new 
 comers. Railr-ads are made to pass along in the midst of 
 both the occupied territory and the gloomy forest ; -whilst 
 they connect, by perfectly easy moans, the people of remote 
 regions, and unite their rivers and lakes as one great 
 thoroughfare. 
 
 It is easy to see that this portion of America must ulti- 
 mately, and at no remote period, become equal, if not supj- 
 rior, to any part of the Union. It is, in one sense, far from 
 the seacoast, and in this respect must lie under disadvan- 
 tages. The means of transport, however, are perfectly easy, 
 and the cost cannot be great. Such places as Pittsburgh, 
 Wheeling, and especially Cincinnati, though the buildings 
 are new, yet have the appearance of great manufacturing 
 and commercial towns. They have the air of communities 
 full of life and activity, of comfort and affluence, and of 
 
 
396 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV. 
 
 i-M 
 
 ■ il 
 
 perfectly established business habits. Their transactions 
 cannot be less regular and orderly than those of long esta- 
 blished entrepdts of trade. There must be master minds at 
 work in every department ; these things cannot be the 
 growth of chance. And, from the peculiarities of the coun- 
 try, and the great influx of people from Europe, wo sec 
 the result is, that a great city springs up in a short period ; 
 whereas, in old countries, many years have been necessary 
 to their growth. We have no such places exactly as Pitts- 
 burgh and Cincinnati, inasmuch as these cities lie on the 
 banks of a river, forming an inland navigation, — and not on 
 the seacoast. On this ground wo cannot compare the latter 
 with such a place as Liverpool, one of the most remarka- 
 ble marts of commerce in the United Kingdom. But Cin- 
 cinnati has progressed much more rapidly than Liverpool 
 could have done at any period of its history. Less than 
 fifty years ago it was i\ mere village, containing a few 
 scattered huts, and its population only amounted to a few 
 hundred souls ; whilst at present, as we have seen, it is not 
 less than something like one hundred thousand. But it is 
 not so much the social life of this country, as matters con- 
 nected with the Church, which most demand our attention. 
 The progress of religion has been as remarkable as that of 
 society in general. 
 
 The privations and sufferings of the first pioneers of 
 these deserts, in introducing the gospel, must have struck 
 every one. If Bishop Asbury, the chief and leader of this 
 noble band of heroic men, endured the difficulties which we 
 have recorded, what must have been the condition of the 
 humble missionaries, who were daily devoted to this enter- 
 prise ? It is impossible to imagine the amount of mental, 
 as well as physical, suffering, through which they were 
 called to pass. But they have reaped a glorious reward 
 in their work. Its massive grandeur stands out as the 
 best monument of their wisdom and piety. Generations 
 unborn — indeed, through all time — will be influenced in 
 
TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 307 
 
 msactions 
 long csta- 
 
 • minds at 
 )t be the 
 the coun- 
 e, wc see 
 rt period ; 
 necessary 
 ^ as Pitts- 
 lie on the 
 md not on 
 
 the hitter 
 , rcmarka- 
 
 But Cin- 
 Liverpool 
 Less tlian 
 ing a few 
 d to a few 
 n, it is not 
 
 But it is 
 itters con- 
 
 • attention, 
 as that of 
 
 oneers of 
 ivc struck 
 ler of this 
 which we 
 on of the 
 his enter- 
 ^f mental, 
 they were 
 IS reward 
 ut as the 
 enerations 
 uenced in 
 
 their present and eternal destinies by what they have 
 achieved. 
 
 Mucii more than zeal has been exhibited in building 
 up this great Church. There must have been connected 
 with it from the beginning men of great practical wisdom ; 
 of high talent in the management of business ; and also of 
 enlarged Christian views as to the wants of their country- 
 men, as well as devoted zeal, God must either have di- 
 rectly given the pattern of this Church, as he did that of 
 the old dispensation to Moses, or otherwise the men must 
 have possessed great talents. The most rational solution 
 will be found in the belief, that the Deity directed the 
 movement by his own good Spirit ; but, at the same time, 
 that the grace was developed in the high judgment as well 
 as faith of the agency employed. 
 
 The first office and duty of these early evangelists would, 
 of necessity, be the preaching of the gospel ; the awaken- 
 ing of the people to a sense of religion, and leading them 
 to Christ; thus gathering the ilock in the wilderness. 
 Hence their " Cam}) " and " Revivalist " meetings. What 
 could be more appropriate to the condition of a people 
 living in scattered hamlets, and remote from each other ; 
 having no " houses of ivorskip,^' and sometimes none even 
 for themselves, except the log-hut ; — what, we say, could 
 be more suited to their state and wants than the creation 
 of the '* stand" under the umbrageous shade of the trees 
 of the forest, and having crowds of people present to seek 
 their conversion to God ? But these services must have 
 exercised other useful influences over a people so circum- 
 stanced. Isolation is found to be favourable to the growth 
 of the worst passions of our nature. Barbarism and bruta- 
 lity connect themselves with the hfe of men and families, 
 living remotely from their fellow- men. Hence, social ties, 
 friendly feelings, virtuous friendships, brotherhood and 
 kindness, — indeed, all the ameliorating!: characteristics of 
 religion — must have been promoted by these assemblies 
 
 [I 
 
398 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV. 
 
 fill 
 
 m ■ 
 
 ^f 
 
 '.' I 
 
 l.«1| 
 
 
 1 
 
 in the wilderness. Those who can see nothing but rant and 
 fanaticism in these " camp-meetings," are shallow observers 
 of the tendencies of human associations. For a great length 
 of time, the evangelisti* of tliese western wilds could have 
 no choice between the private dwelling, as a place of 
 worship, and the forest. How few must have attended the 
 log-hut service ! whereas, by calling the people to the 
 worship of God under his own bright skies, making the 
 wilderness his temple, they found space for the people, 
 whilst their increased numbers would produce a wholesome 
 excitement on the mind of the preacher, and call forth his 
 utmost energies. 
 
 There is something vastly fascinating and beautiful in 
 these primitive, patriarchal modes of worshipping God. 
 True, this is not religion. It is not the spirit — the essence 
 — the hidden mystery — the abstract — belonging to the 
 Christian system. But is there any harm in enlisting the 
 sentiment, the sympathies, the poetry, in man's soul on the 
 side of the spiritual ? Why has God made silence impres- 
 sive, i: we are not to be impressed ? Why has he put beauty 
 in ten thousand forms, and hues, and tints, if we are not 
 to taste the beautiful ? Why has he caused the grove, the 
 forest, the wilderness, to spaak in accents of awe or of joy, if 
 Ave are not to indulge in corresponding feelings ? Why has 
 he impressed the glorious sun, the blue sky, the retiring 
 day, the rising morning, the dark night, with the grand and 
 sublime, if we are to entertain no suitable apprehension of 
 all this ? Why has he made it a law of nature that the 
 winds, as they rustle through the leaves ; the sweet warb- 
 ling of the birds, as they pour their carols through the 
 thickets; and, in truth, all things vocid; why has God made 
 it a law that all this should soothe, soften, and elevate the 
 soul ; why, if we are not to listen to this music, and 
 enjoy the concert ? It has been objected against these 
 " camp-meetings," that they are got up for effect, Wiiy 
 ought they not to be got up for eftect, if the ^'effect" 
 
 ^ 
 
 
it rant and 
 observers 
 reat length 
 ;ould have 
 place of 
 tended the 
 ►pie to the 
 naking the 
 he people, 
 wholesome 
 11 forth his 
 
 beautiful in 
 pping God. 
 -the essence 
 ino: to the 
 enlisting the 
 1 soul on the 
 !nce impres- 
 3 put beauty 
 we are not 
 e grove, the 
 orof joy, if 
 ? Why has 
 the retiring 
 e grand and 
 ehension of 
 ire that the 
 sweet warb- 
 th rough the 
 IS God made 
 elevate the 
 music, and 
 gainst these 
 ffect. Wliy 
 lie ^'effecV 
 
 ^ 
 
 TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 399 
 
 is in harmony with religious sentiment and feeling ? God's 
 beautiful world will remain hanging out its lamps of glory, 
 speaking in its divine harmony, inviting all created intelli- 
 gences to behold their Author in his works, in despite of 
 this prudish cant. And, moreover, human nature will 
 strike in with the design ; it will gaze and admire ; it will 
 listen and send forth its echoes ; it will feel the attraction 
 of the divinely delicate touch of the ten thousand influences 
 around, in happy sympathies : — it will do all this, despite 
 of any code of crabbed and mistaken godliness. God 
 lives in the temple of the universe. Christianity teaches 
 no lesson the contrary of this ; it is one of its great and 
 fundamental truths. Why, then, attempt to obscure or 
 obliterate what is immutable, whether in nature or in man ? 
 
 Probably, without knowing it, these forest preachers 
 obej'^ed a law of our being, and the voice of nature herself, 
 when they took their stand in the woods for the purpose 
 of preaching Christ crucified. We dare say the scenerv, 
 the occasion, the solemnity, aided the message — why not ? 
 What are forms of speech, modes of address, — tropes, figures, 
 poetry, logic, — everything belonging to the preacher's or 
 the orator's art, — but so many means to Droducc effect ? 
 The essence of the greatest truth lies in the shorte^^t and 
 most simple proposition. What is amplification, illustration, 
 argument, ornament, but means employed to render this 
 trnih impressive, — in a word, to produce effect ? 
 
 Man is made for this. He is not a piece of cold mecha- 
 nism, neither is he a mental abstraction. The affections, 
 the imagination, the taste, the sympathies, — the deep-toned 
 emotions of man's soul, — as much belong to the domain 
 of reliofion as what are called his mental faculties and his 
 conscience. In point of fact, the Avhole man belongs to 
 this kingdom of God ; — all his mind, all his nature. If, 
 in the case we are considering, the truth should find its 
 way to the depths of the soul through the feelings, where 
 is the harm ? These avenues are much more accessible 
 
 1 
 
 n 
 
400 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. — PART I\\ 
 
 ;i ; 
 
 than anything else in man. It is infinitely more difficult to 
 reach the heart through the understanding, the logic, the 
 judgment of nature, than through the passions. Every 
 human being comprehends the language of love, — it meets 
 with an instant response. And it may be fairly questioned, 
 whether any progress can be made in the spread of the 
 gospel, the triumphs of the cross, and the conversion of 
 men, unless, in the first place, the human rebel is disarmed 
 of his enmity against God, by a direct appeal to his feel- 
 ings. It is by his passions, much more than by his un- 
 derstanding and his conscience, that he stands out against 
 the truth. These passions are the barriers in the way of 
 the admission of the gospel message. Then, where can be 
 the wrong in endeavouring to melt and subdue, to produce 
 an impression, to elicit the feelings, on the side of the 
 man's own happiness ? It may, indeed, be granted that 
 in case the matter was left here, it would be wrong, it 
 would be useless. But then, if, with the impression pro- 
 duced, the softening of the feelings, the emotions of the 
 heart, by God's blessing on the scenery of a " camp-meet- 
 ing," you declare the truth, and press it upon the under- 
 standing and the conscience, then, instead of the practice 
 being an evil, it must be considered a good. No doubt 
 can be entertained but that this was the case with these 
 forest preachers. 
 
 Out of these first efforts, these small beginnings, these 
 rude labours, the Methodist Episcopal Church, in these 
 western wilds, lias sprung ; and the real question for con- 
 sideration is, How have the architects performed their task ? 
 What sort of building have they erected? One thing 
 must strike every one in surveying its territorial position, 
 namely, that there is a desire and purpose that the whole 
 should rest upon truth ; should be cemented by the 
 means of knowledge and education ; that, in a word, the 
 community should understand its own duties, and be pre- 
 pared to bless the world by a course of enlightened conduct. 
 
difficult to 
 logic, the 
 3. Every 
 — ^it meets 
 questioned, 
 ead of the 
 version of 
 s disarmed 
 to his feel- 
 by his un- 
 Dut against 
 :he way of 
 liere can be 
 to produce 
 side of the 
 ranted that 
 e wrong, it 
 ression pro- 
 ions of the 
 camp-meet- 
 the under- 
 le practice 
 No doubt 
 with these 
 
 nings, these 
 h, in these 
 ion for con- 
 l their task ? 
 One thing 
 ial position, 
 ,t the whole 
 ed by the 
 a word, the 
 and be pre- 
 led conduct. 
 
 
 TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 401 
 
 Hence, in agreement with this, we find their educational 
 institutions growing up concurrently with church organiza- 
 tions. This course of conduct not only indicates sound 
 policy, but, in the circumstances of the country, it has the 
 appearance of real patriotism. The number of colleges, 
 academies, and schools of every kind, is, considering tlie 
 shortness of the period in which they have existed as a 
 people, quite astonishing. It is true, that some of these 
 may be feeble establishments, only in their commencement, 
 and having, as yet, no great claim to distinction for learn- 
 ing and scholarship. But even these circumstances are 
 very encouraging. There must be a beginning to every- 
 thing ; and this commencement, in a career of great useful- 
 ness, is not only valuable as a present provision, but it has 
 also a prospective importance. It will be found, on exami- 
 nation, that these collegiate institutions amount to sixteen 
 in these several conferences ; and, considering the date of 
 the work, and the difficulties to be encountered in a new 
 country, this is very extraordinary progress. Some of 
 th-^se colleges, indeed, were not founded by the Methodist 
 body, but have fallen into their hands from the want of 
 patronage on the part of those who originated them ; but 
 most of them have been reared by the fostering care and 
 benevolence of our people themselves. 
 
 It is evident that the Cimrch rightly judges, that, in 
 these times, it is hopeless to expect either permanency or 
 advancement, otherwise than by connecting education and 
 knowledge with religion. The day is certainly past for 
 churches to build up their influence and power exclusively 
 on the exercise of the priestly function. The instrumen- 
 tahty must be very different to the old craft of Rome, em- 
 ployed, it is true, with great success for many ages, but now 
 grown obsolete. There is too much kepticism, — philoso- 
 phy, — speculation — literature, — in the world now-a-days to 
 admit of anything of this kind. And even amongst classes 
 who cannot, with any truth, be ranked amongst the enemies 
 
 1 
 
402 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA.—PART IV. 
 
 i(- f; 
 
 of the gospel, there is such a spirit of inquiry and inde- 
 pendence of thought, that any attempt at imposition upon 
 them is at once detected. This spirit of free inquiry may 
 be an advantage or a disadvantage, just as it is improved or 
 neglected by the ministers of religion, and those who are 
 intent on the promotion of its interests. Let priesthoods of 
 all sorts and names scowl and complain at the " spirit of the 
 age," as unbelieving, instead of buckling on the harness, and 
 coming forth to discharge their duties ; and then, as a con- 
 sequence, the world is inevitably filled with real infidelity. 
 But if this tendency for progress, philosophy, and knowledge, 
 operate as it ought on the minds and habits of priesthoods ; 
 if it make them studious lovers of knowledge, "apt to 
 teach," and leads them to a comprehensive view of the 
 glorious truth put into their hands ; then, instead of an evil, 
 "free inquiry" will be a good. 
 
 Religion is knowledge. It is the highest intellectual re- 
 gion which can be reached by man. It is a libel on the 
 great truths and revelations of the word of God, to repre- 
 sent them as merely dealing with the heart, whilst the 
 higher faculties are left untouched. The intellect is, in point 
 of fact, strengthened, expanded, and elevated, infinitely 
 more by the teaching of the gospel than by anything else. 
 What has the Christian system, as an economy, as the king- 
 dom of God, to fear from light and knowledge, when it is 
 in truth the perfection of light and knowledge itself ? What 
 is there to alarm any one in the investigations of philoso- 
 phy and metaphysics, as they pry into the spiritual, the 
 hidden, the divine ; when, at the same time, the Christian 
 philosophy, the raetaph; sics of the Bible, reveal and exhi- 
 bit these objects to its disciples as their daily common les- 
 sons ? What, in the profound and sublime researches of 
 science, in its application to nature, — whether in the heights 
 above or the depths below ; — when, in truth, they only 
 amount to a commimcement, a gloss, an illustration of 
 truths which the Bible has taught its disciples from the be- 
 
^ii 
 
 TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 
 
 403 
 
 and inde- 
 ition upon 
 ^uiry may 
 ^proved or 
 e who are 
 sthoods of 
 pirit of the 
 irness, and 
 I, as a con- 
 infideUty. 
 inowledge, 
 •iesthoods ; 
 3, "apt to 
 iew of the 
 i of an evil, 
 
 jllectual re- 
 ibel on the 
 i, to repre- 
 whilst the 
 t is, in point 
 d, infinitely 
 y thing else, 
 as the king- 
 when it is 
 ,elf? What 
 of philoso- 
 jiritual, the 
 le Christian 
 al and exhi- 
 ;ommon les- 
 isearches of 
 the heights 
 , they only 
 astration of 
 from the be- 
 
 tjmnmo: 
 
 ? What, in studies in history, in morals, in human 
 relations, ii. jurisprudence and law ; in principles of equity 
 and right ; in the well-being of States, and in the mundane 
 destinies of mankind? Has the Christian code anything to 
 apprehend from all this ? Is it not rather the great store- 
 house of all which is true and certain on all these points ? 
 What, again, in beauties of thought, forms of truth, and 
 ideas and sentiments, whether expressed in prose or po- 
 etry, — didactive speech or ornate langunge ? Have the 
 books of Scripture anything to dread from a comparison 
 with any, with all, of the productions of either ancient or 
 modern times ? We have said nothing about inspiration, 
 prophecy, miracles, — tliosc things Avhich are taken gene- 
 rally as the proofs of divinity. But a divine system must 
 be true and immutable, independently of the external 
 manifestations which make it known as such. These are 
 only the outward coruscations of God ; ihe voice which 
 the truth uses to make known its own claims, not the truth 
 itself: they are, so to speak, the hand- writing upon the 
 wall, — not the essence, the qualities, the glories, of the 
 spiritual and invisible Being, who holds out that hand, and 
 inscribes the characters. The Cliristian religion is God, — 
 is the glorious Trinity, — is the spiritual world, — is the es- 
 sence and truth of all being, — as well as a mighty and mer- 
 ciful remedy for the evils of sin, and the miseries of the 
 human race. It is just as possible for inf'delity to blow up 
 the universe by its puny malice, as it is to uproot Chris- 
 tianity. Then the teachers of our religion need not fear 
 anything from knowledge, from investigation, from the ad- 
 vancement of science and literature. But has not religion 
 much to gain as to the character of outward development ; 
 if all its ministei*s, instead of employing the language of 
 complaint, came forward, and, as was the wont in the best 
 times of antiquity, made themselves the high-priests of 
 knowledge, of light, of progress ? These, it seems, are the 
 notions of the ministers and people of the Methodist Church 
 
 ^1 
 
 I 
 
404 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV. 
 
 in America. The establishment of their collegiate institu- 
 tions indicates their desire to place their church-progress 
 abreast of the advancing light of the age. 
 
 But these efforts to establish a good and useful system 
 of education must give the American Methodist Church a 
 status in the country, which nothing else could possibly do. 
 In despite of system and theory, humai. society must have 
 its aristocracies ; and scholarship creates a sort of aristoc- 
 racy in the United States. No people on earth, not even 
 excepting the French, are better hero-worshippers than the 
 Americans. Their great men are their gods. Political 
 leaders, and the chiefs of war, it is true, create more ex- 
 citement than any others ; but learning comes in for its 
 share of public applause. It is difficult to estimate the real 
 amount of intellectual culture existing in the country ; but 
 the idea as to its value has undoubtedly gone forth, and is 
 universally entertained. 
 
 In this state of public feeling, it is impossible for any 
 church to possess anything like an honourable standing in 
 the country, without recognizing the necessity of scientific 
 and literary instruction, and making provision for its at- 
 tainment. 
 
 Indeed, it is clear, in a nation where all the offices of 
 law and the professions, all the dignities and honours of the 
 State, are open to all classes, the fact that none can enter 
 upon them but those who have been previously prepared, 
 will, of itself, be an inducement to exertion. Hence the 
 position of a church must be infinitely advanced by its 
 progress in knowledge. What we see in these fine coun- 
 tries, is only the beginning. But from these foundations 
 must, as time progresses, grow up great establishments. 
 Nothing is to be despised in which a principle of life is 
 found, however feeble in its present state. Give it time, 
 scope, and the means of growth, and it is certain to de- 
 velop itself. This must be the case with these schools. 
 They arc in their infancy, but they possess vitality. The 
 
ite institu- 
 b-progress 
 
 ful system 
 Church a 
 ossibly do. 
 must have 
 of aristoc- 
 1, not even 
 rs than the 
 . Political 
 e more ex- 
 i in for its 
 ate the real 
 luntry ; but 
 orth, and is 
 
 j[q for any 
 standing in 
 of scientific 
 for its at- 
 
 e offices of 
 [lOurs of the 
 le can enter 
 y prepared, 
 
 Hence the 
 ,nced by its 
 e fine coun- 
 
 foundations 
 ablishments. 
 le of hfe is 
 
 ive it time, 
 irtain to de- 
 ^ese schools. 
 Ltality. The 
 
 TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 405 
 
 progress of events, the increase of population, the accumu- 
 lation of wealth, will bring with them multiplied demands 
 for instruction ; and these rudimental colleges must grow 
 into great universities. 
 
 On the whole, then, this western Church is a fine illus- 
 tration of the power of the grace of God ; of (he energizing 
 character of divine truth ; and of the indefatigable zeal, 
 industry, and piety of its founders. 
 
 What is to follow, no one can tell. But it is to be hoped 
 that the same mercy and power which enabled the fathers 
 of the work to lay the foundations of a structure so noble, 
 will continue to be manifested in carrying on the building 
 through all succeeding generations. 
 
 IV.— THE MISSISSIPPI LINE. 
 
 We now enter upon a perfectly new route, the line of 
 the Mississippi : — 
 
 The Mississippi, " Father of Waters," is 3,S00 miles in 
 length ; rises from Lake Itasca, to the west of Lake Supe- 
 rior, and flov/s south into the Gulf of Mexico. It receives 
 in its course, besides innumerable smaller contributions, 
 the following great rivers ; namely, on its left the Wis- 
 consin, 400 miles in length ; the Illinois, 500 ; and the 
 Ohio, 1,200. It receives on its right, St. Peter's, 850 
 miles in length ; Iowa, 350 ; Missouri, 3,200 ; White River, 
 450 ; Arkansas, 2,000 ; and Red River, 1,500 The Mis- 
 sissippi, counting from the sources of the Missouri, is 4,300 
 miles long. 
 
 This is the line we have now to explore ; and to ex- 
 amine the territorial extent of the Methodist Church in 
 these vast regions. 
 
 The Wisconsin Territory, which forms the most northerly 
 district on the line of the Mississippi, being a new territory, 
 is not in possession of a separate conference ; but the Rock 
 River Conference embraces this portion of country ; and, 
 
400 
 
 TOUR IN AMEHICA. — PART IV. 
 
 li I 
 
 » 
 
 no doubt, as population increases, a new organization -will 
 take place. 
 
 I. But, on the right bank of the river, parallel, in point 
 of latitude, with Wisconsin, we find the Ioava Conference. 
 In this division are four districts, called mission districts ; 
 namely , Burlinff ton, Bloomington, Dubuque, and Desmoines : 
 forty stations, circuits, and missions ; fifty-four ministers, 
 with ninety-seven local preachers ; and eight thousand four 
 liundred and forty church-members. 
 
 This is a new country, having been erected into a terri- 
 torial government in 1838, and admitted as a State into the 
 Union as late as 1846. In consequence, all the districts 
 and stations are marked as missions. AVe have, strange to 
 say, no Christian Advocate, and as yet no college of any 
 kind, connected with this conference. This whole ter- 
 ritory, more than a hundred ym , ago, used to be 
 traversed by Jesuit missionaries from Canada. Their 
 mission was then to the Indian tribes ; not, however, with- 
 out political and territorial objects. The Jesuits and the 
 Indians alike have disappeared, and now an Anglo-American 
 population is springing up, and Methodist missionaries are 
 everywhere found. 
 
 II. In descending lhe Mississippi, on the left bank, we 
 find the Illinois Conference, joining that of Rock River, 
 and continuing the ecclesiastical line of posts towards the 
 south. In this conference we have ten districts ; namely, 
 Quincy, Bloomington, S2)ringfield, Jacksonville, LcbanoUy 
 Sparta, Mount Carmel, Danville, St. Louis German Mis- 
 sion, and Quincy German Mission : one hundred and six 
 stations, circuits, and missions ; one hundred and thirty 
 ministers, with four hundred and twenty-five local preachers ; 
 and twenty-four thousand and ninety-eight church-members. 
 
 We find the follow ; extra appointments : — Conference 
 Female Academy, W . D. R. Trotter, Agent ; M'Kendree 
 
sation will 
 
 ;1, in point 
 
 SFERENCE. 
 
 districts ; 
 Desmoines : 
 
 ministers, 
 usand four 
 
 nto a terri- 
 ite into the 
 he districts 
 strange to 
 ege of any 
 whole ter- 
 ised to be 
 da. Their 
 rever, with- 
 its and the 
 o- American 
 ionaries are 
 
 ft bank, we 
 Rock River, 
 towards the 
 ts; namely, 
 e, Lebanon, 
 erman Mis- 
 ed and six 
 and thirty 
 1 preachers ; 
 h-members. 
 Conference 
 M'Kendree 
 
 TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 407 
 
 College, Erastus Went worth, President ; A. W. Cummings, 
 Spencer Mattison, Professors ; William Goodfellow, Prin- 
 cipal of Preparatory Department; Georgetown Seminary, 
 Jesse II. Moore. 
 
 The German missions in the bounds of this conference 
 constitute a very important portion of its work. These 
 plodding, industrious, and sober people, fall very much 
 under the care of the Methodist Church ; and, by suitable 
 attention and culture, become excellent, and many of them 
 eminent. Christians. Numerous ministers are raised up 
 belongir/ to their nation ; and, for piety, zeal, devotedness, 
 and ability, are exceeded by no other class. 
 
 III. Missouri, on the right bank of the Mississippi, aijd 
 only separated from Illinois by the river, is the next con- 
 ference demanding our attention. It belongs to the Me- 
 thodist Episcopal Church, South. We have five districts 
 in this country ; namely, St. Charles, Columbia, Richmond, 
 Weston, and Hannibal : thirty-five stations, circuits, and 
 missions ; fifty-one ministers, with eighty-seven local preach- 
 ers ; and ten thousand nine hundred and twenty-four 
 church-members, eleven hundred and sixty-four of whom 
 are people of colour. 
 
 We find the following appointments : — Isaac Ebbcrt is 
 President of St. Charles College ; Jeremiah F. Riggs is Agent 
 for the College ; Richard Bond is Agent for the American 
 Bible Society ; Nathan Scarritt is Principal of Howard 
 High School. 
 
 We are here, as the number of people of colour will indi- 
 cate, in a slave State. In 1810, I he number is reported as 
 3,011; and in 1840, as 58,240. Out of these only 1,1G0 
 are members of the Methodist Church. This cannot be 
 considered as very encouraging success amongst this de- 
 graded race. 
 
 IV. St. Louis, verj' famous as a western first-class city. 
 
 ! J 
 
408 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV. 
 
 il 
 
 i * 
 
 which is found in the State of Missouri, gives its name to 
 a conference. The St. Louis CoNFErtENCE contains six 
 districts ; namely, St. Louis, Cape Oirardenif, Polosi, 
 Sprinffjield, Lexington, Boonville : fifty-one stations, cir- 
 cuits, and missions ; fifty -nine ministers, with one hundred 
 and sixty-three local preachers ; and thirteen thousand 
 seven hundred and fifty-five church-members, eight hun- 
 dred and ninety-five of whom are people of colour. 
 
 As this city and locality constitute an interesting por- 
 tion of the Union, and is much visited and remarked upon 
 by our countrymen, it may be proper to notice, that it was 
 founded in 1*704, by the French, as the name indicates, 
 when they were in possession of New-Orleans, and com- 
 manded the waters of the Mississippi from the south. Me- 
 thodism was introduced so recently as 1821. 
 
 Twenty-seven years ago, it seems, the Methodist Church 
 had no existence in St. Louis ; we have now a conference, 
 numbering 13,755 members in the city and neighbouring 
 country. About the time in question, namely, in 1820, the 
 city itself numbered 4,598 inhaultants ; in 1.845, they 
 amounted to 34,140. It appears from this, that population 
 and Methodism have been concurrently progressing, and 
 probably in pretty equal proportions. 
 
 V. The State of Arkansas, on the right bank of the 
 Mississippi, gives its name to a conference belonging to 
 the Methodist Church, South. This conference contains 
 five districts ; namely, Little Roch, Fayetteville, Washing- 
 ton, Pine Bhiff, and Helena : forty-one stations, circuits, 
 and missions ; forty-three ministers, with one hundred and 
 forty-eight local preachers ; and nine thousand seven hun- 
 dred and thirty-six church-members, seventeen hundred 
 and fifty of whom are people of colour. 
 
 Agent for the Washington Seminary, Lewis S. Marshall. 
 
 This is new ground, Arkansas having been separated 
 from the State of Missouri only in 1819, and erected into 
 
TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CUUUCIl. 409 
 
 M 
 
 3 name to 
 ntains six 
 t, Potosif 
 tions, cir- 
 e hundred 
 
 thousand 
 iight hun- 
 ir. 
 
 sting por- 
 rked upon 
 that it was 
 1 indicates, 
 
 and com- 
 Duth. Me- 
 
 list Church 
 conference, 
 lighbouring 
 1 "1820, the 
 1.845, they 
 population 
 essinff, and 
 
 ank of the 
 longing to 
 3e contains 
 Washing- 
 IS, circuits, 
 undred and 
 seven hun- 
 n hundred 
 
 Marshall, 
 separated 
 rected into 
 
 a territorial government. In 1836, it was admitted into 
 the Union as an independent State. Its white population 
 is stated to be 14,273 in 1820 ; and in 1845, to have in- 
 creased to 145,000. It« slave population in 1820, con- 
 sisted of 1,617 ; and in 1840, it had increased to 19,935. 
 
 It will le seen, that the Methodist Church has rapidly 
 advanced in thii- new country. Its work, as is evident 
 from the Minute-,, is chiefly missionary. Time has not 
 allowed of much consolidation, or of the introduction of 
 seminaries of learning. Institutions of this description 
 must ibllow evangelization, and no doubt they will appear 
 in due time. 
 
 VI. Memphis, standing on the left bank of the Missis- 
 sippi, and in the lowest point of the State of Tennessee, 
 gives its name to a conference. The Memphis Confer- 
 ence contains six districts ; namely, Memphis, Granada, 
 Salem, Somerville, Jackson, Paducah : seventy-one sta- 
 tions, circuits, and missions ; one hundred and one min- 
 isters, with three hundred and forty-four local preachers ; 
 and thirty thousand nine hundred and forty church-mem- 
 bers, six thousand and sixty-eight of whom are people of 
 colour. 
 
 Jackson Female Institute, L. Lea, President ; A. W. 
 Jones, Professor ; G. T. Baskerville, Agent for the Jackson 
 Female Institute and Centenary Fund. 
 
 This ecclesiastical division, in great part, lies in the upper 
 or northern portion of the State of Mississippi, though its 
 head is in Tennessee. Slavery, it will be seen, abounds 
 here ; and it is gratifying to find upwards of six thousand 
 slaves belonging to the Church 
 
 VII. The Mississippi State, the scuth-east point of 
 
 which touches the Gulf of Mexico, is occupied by another 
 
 division bearing the above name. This Mississippi 
 
 Conference contains seven districts; namely, Clinton, 
 
 18 
 
If I 
 
 ^ll- 
 
 I 
 
 410 
 
 TOUll IN AMEKlCA.—l'AKT IV. 
 
 Natchr,, Vicksburff, Yazoo, Lake Washington Mission, 
 Sharon, Pearl liiver : fifty-four stations, circuits, and mis- 
 sions ; seventy-three ministers, witii one liundred and 
 ninety-three local preachers ; and sixteen thousand five 
 hundred r.nd ninety-eight church-members, six thousand 
 one hundred and eighty-tlirec being people of colour. 
 
 Centenary College, John C. Miller ; Joseph M'Dowell, 
 Agent for Old Centenary College. 
 
 livi-'l { 
 
 VIII. The Louisiana Conference now demands our 
 attention. We have six districts in this division ; namely, 
 Neiv- Orleans, Baton Romje, Opelousas, Monroe, Shreve- 
 port, Vidalia : fifty-three stations, circuits, and missions ; 
 forty-seven ministers, with seventy-one local preachers ; and 
 eight thousand two hundred and seventy-two churcli-mem- 
 bers, three thousand seven hundred and forty-nine of whom 
 are people of colour. 
 
 D. O. Shattuck, President of Centenary College ; Robert 
 R. Read, Agent for the Centenary College. 
 
 The above college is located at Jackson. 
 
 This conference is impoitant, because it includes New- 
 Orleans, the great commercial mart of the Mississippi, and 
 famed as the most profligate and wicked place in the Union. 
 On examination, it will be found that the societies in this 
 city are very small, which seems to corroborate the common 
 report as to the dissipation of the place. Its inhabitants 
 are, it is said, constantly changing, and consist very much 
 of desperate adventurers ; and it should seem, that the 
 sickliness of the place causes the people to push the pm*- 
 suit of gayety and pleasure to the utmost extreme ; as if the 
 uncertainty of life led them to seek as much of what they 
 consider enjoyment in a short space as possible. This is 
 no unusual thing. The inhabitants of Vera Cruz are simi- 
 larly distinguished ; and yet it is about the most pestilential 
 locality in the world. 
 
 Races of men, it should seem, have something to do with 
 
 ^ I, 
 
 .1 |!i 
 
TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. ill 
 
 both religion and solid freedom. Wherever, on the conti- 
 nent of America, we find the basis of population to be 
 French, as in New-Orleans ; — or Spanish, as in Florida ; — 
 we perceive in this circumstance an effectual barrier against 
 the progress of the gospel, as well as an incapacity for self- 
 government and liberty, as demonstrated by their departed 
 power. Romanism may, indeed, perform its part in all this. 
 Its policy has everywhere been to attach man to a system, 
 instead of oducatini; him to walk and act for himself. But 
 systems break down ; and when this takes place, and the 
 people are found helpless vassals, they are sure to be inca- 
 pable of acting for themselves, and necessarily fall under 
 the dominion of stroncrer laces. 
 
 IX. Alabama is not exactly on our line. It lies betwixt 
 the State of Mississippi on the one hand, and Georgia on 
 the other ; having Florida, for a considerable extent, as its 
 frontier towards the south, and yet toucliing the Gulf of 
 Mexico by its south-west point. The conference of this name 
 contains eight districts ; namely. Mobile, Gainesville, Colum- 
 bus, 7\iskalQosa, Tallade</a, MonUjomenj, Eafaula, and 
 Summerjield : ninety-eight stations, circuits, and missions ; 
 one hundred and eighteen ministers, with four hundred and 
 forty-nine local preachers ; and forty-four thousand six 
 hundred and three church-members — fifteen thousand two 
 hundred and seventy-nine being people of colour. 
 
 Macon Female Institute, Frederick G. Ferguson. Cen- 
 tenary Institute, A. H. Mitchell ; Agent, G. Garrett. 
 
 The white population of this State, in 1810, amounted 
 to 20,845 ; and in 1845, it had increased to 624,827. In 
 1820, its slave population amounted to 41,879; and in 
 1840, to 258,532. This is a fearful augmentation. It 
 shows that an active and distressing internal barter in the 
 flesh and blood of man must be going on within the limits 
 of the States. 
 
 Wc have some relief in the fact above stated, that 
 
412 
 
 TOUE IN AMERICA.— PART IV. 
 
 M^ i 
 
 ■!'' 'If 
 
 15, 2 7 9 of these poor wretches are within the pale of the 
 Church. 
 
 We have two other conferences in this southern direction, 
 which must be noticed, though they lie beyond our Missis- 
 sippi route. 
 
 X. The Texas Conference contains four districts; 
 namely, Galveston. Mtitersville, Austin, San Antonio : 
 twenty-nine stations, circuits, and missions ; twenty-nine 
 ministers, with fifty-four local preachers ; and three thou- 
 sand two hundred and thirteen church-members — seven 
 hundred and ninety-nine of whom are people of colour. 
 
 XI. The East Texas Conference embraces three dis- 
 tricts ; namely, San Augustine, Marshall, Clarkesville : 
 twenty-seven stations, circuits, and missions ; twenty-three 
 ministers, with seventy local preachers ; and four thousand 
 eight hundred and three church-members — six hundred 
 and thirty-seven of whom are people of colour. 
 
 XII. In 18J4, the Rocky Mountains were crossed by two 
 or tliree missionaries, and the gospel was introduced into 
 Oregon. This work has been progressing from that period 
 to the present time. But as Oregon has not been formed 
 into a conference, we are unable to report its exact state. 
 Indeed, at the Pittsburgh Conference, I heard a mission- 
 ary, who had spent several years in the country, give a 
 most interesting account of the state of things, and the 
 hopeful prospect of much good. He proposed the estab- 
 lishment of a conference for Oregon and California;* 
 though at the time the treaty for the cession of the latter 
 territory to the United States had not been signed. The 
 arguments of the missionary were listened to very atten- 
 
 {* The " Oregon and California Mission Conference " has since been 
 formed.] 
 
e of the 
 
 direction, 
 ir Missis- 
 
 districts ; 
 Antonio : 
 enty-nine 
 ree thou- 
 rs — seven 
 olour. 
 
 three dis- 
 
 rkesville : 
 
 jnty-three 
 
 thousand 
 
 hundred 
 
 }d by two 
 uced into 
 lat period 
 m formed 
 act state. 
 I mission- 
 y, give a 
 and the 
 the estab- 
 ilifornia ;* 
 the latter 
 led. The 
 ery atten- 
 
 since been 
 
 TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 413 
 
 tively by the conference ; and good Bishop Hedding pro- 
 posed several questions as to the time it would take a 
 bishop to travel to the place to constitute the conference ia 
 question, the route, expense, and modes of travelling, as if 
 he had it in his heart to attempt the journey. This was 
 fine in a man near seventy, not very acrile in his structure, 
 and not by any means in good healtli. 
 
 At the above date, the mission was exclusively intended 
 to benefit the heathen population. A fine establishment 
 was formed near the mouth of the Columbia ; and the first 
 efforts of the missionaries were crowned with promising 
 success. Since that time, the territory has been divided 
 between the British and the Americans ; and the hitter are 
 pressing to occupy the country. The portion of Oregon to 
 which they have chiefly at present emigrated, was described 
 as surpassingly fertile and beautiful ; and the people were 
 represented as making great progress in the cultivation ot 
 the soil. Distant ages will hear and know more about 
 Oregon. It will, no doubt, share in the prosperity and 
 greatness of the American world ; become the area of seve- 
 ral new States, and be the means of extending the influ- 
 ence and power of this great nation to the seaboard of the 
 Pacific ; and, as a consequence, to China, India, and Poly- 
 nesia, by a dirf ct and easy route. The consequences lie in 
 the future ; but that their influence must be great on the 
 destinies, not only of America, but also of the world, may 
 safely be predicted.* 
 
 XIII. Indian Missions. — To the west of Iowa, Mis- 
 souri, and Arkansas, is found the Indian Territory, six or 
 seven hundred miles in length, and of less breadth ; where^ 
 
 * Since tlxe above was written, the great excitement respecting the discq- 
 very o' gold in California, and tlie emigration of tiie people' in great num- 
 bers in search of the precious metal, have occurred. How singular are the 
 ways of Providence ! This gold mania will attract a large population to a 
 country which would otherwise only have been peopled in the usual way ; 
 and though much disappointment will, no doubt, arise respecting the gold, 
 the people will remain to cultivate the soil, and extend tlie Christian cause < 
 
 
m 
 
 414 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV. 
 
 |f^^ 
 
 
 for the present, the wrecks of numerous powerful tribes and 
 nations are located. The Methodist Episcopal Church, 
 South, has established itself amongst these tribes, and 
 designates the ecclesiastical territory the Indian-Mission 
 Conference. In this conference we have three districts ; 
 namely, Kansas River, Cherokee, and Muscogee : twenty- 
 six stations, circuits, and missions ; thirty-two ministers, 
 with thirty-two local preachers ; and three thousand eight 
 hundred and fifteen church-members : these are divided 
 into ninety-seven whites, two hundred and seventy-three 
 people of colour, (that is, people of the African race,) and 
 three thousand four hundred and forty-five Indians. 
 
 We find the following extra appointments :-.-Indian 
 Manual-Labour School and Station, Thomas Johnson, 
 Tyson Dines ; Asbury Manual-Labour School and Station 
 among the Creeks, Thomas B. Ruble ; Fort Coffee Manual- 
 Labour School, New-Hope Female School and Station, 
 Jesse L. M'Alister ; M'Kendree Manual-Labour School and 
 Station among the Chickasaws, Wesley Browning ; Robert- 
 son-Neijjhbourhood School, Erastus B. Duncan. 
 
 It is a subject of rejoicing that Christianity has found 
 its way, to any extent, amongst these deeply injured races 
 of the human family. Their tale of wo is one of the most 
 painful on the records of time. Whilst the poor Negro 
 submits with docility and comparative content to his lot of 
 degradation and toil, the Red-man, in the pride of his man- 
 hood, has ever spurned the yoke of oppression ; and rather 
 than submit to become the white man's slave, he has 
 chosen to fight for his freedom through long ages of 
 unequal conflict ; till now the remains of innumerable 
 nations, which owned and hunted freely through the whole 
 continent, are pent up in a mere nook in the farthest west. 
 
 In the conquests and settlements of the Christian nations 
 of Europe — it may be well asked, — What has the world 
 gained by their Christianity ? The pagan nations of anti- 
 quity invariably contrived to connect the social and politi- 
 
TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OP THE M. E. CHURCH. 415 
 
 tribes and 
 . Church, 
 ibes, and 
 sr-Mis8ioN 
 districts ; 
 ; twenty- 
 ministers, 
 land eight 
 e divided 
 inty-three 
 •ace,) and 
 
 IS. 
 
 :-.-Indian 
 Johnson, 
 d Station 
 e Manual- 
 l Station, 
 School and 
 ; Robert- 
 has found 
 iired races 
 : the most 
 )or Negro 
 his lot of 
 r his man- 
 ind rather 
 3, he has 
 ages of 
 numerable 
 the whole 
 best west. 
 an nations 
 the world 
 IS of anti- 
 ind politi- 
 
 cal improvement of the conquered or colonized countries, 
 with the possession of their territory and dominion over t^ e 
 people. Northern Africa was colonized by the Phoenicians , 
 and their political power, their system of government, their 
 commercial enterprise, and their social progress, spread 
 civilization amongst the natives of those countries, and they 
 were, as a consequence, assimilated into the general mass 
 of the Carthaginian population. The colonics established 
 by the Greeks are notorious as centres of knowledge ; of 
 improved institutions and laws ; of freedom and good 
 government ; so that, instead of being constituted to repel, 
 to alienate, to barbarize the people of the territories they 
 occupied, the door was opened for their reception ; and the 
 colony became the means of organized order, and the foun- 
 dation of franchises securing all the blessings of the 
 social state to the native population. The progress of the 
 Roman power was chiefly that of conquest. But even this 
 great people invariably carried the arts of civilized life to 
 the abodes of the conquered savage tribes. The Roman 
 empire is known to have laid the foundation of civilization 
 through the whole of central Europe. What were the an- 
 cient Britons at the time the country was invaded by Caesar ? 
 Not one tittle in advance of the Red-men of the American 
 forests, when that country was first visited by the European 
 settlers. But how different the issue ! The Pagan power, 
 the Roman conquerors of Britain, became its civilizers. The 
 foundation of our improvements was laid by the policy and 
 lessons of the legions and the cohorts of Rome. They did 
 not seek to crush the native population, to possess and 
 occupy their lands with a race of Italians, to the entire ex- 
 clusion of the natives of the soil. True, they sought the 
 complete ascendency of their political institutions ; and this, 
 exciting the opposition of the Britons, brought them into 
 collision with the Roman power : but the policy of the lat- 
 ter was to turn the wild hordes into peaceful, prosperous, 
 and happy Roman citizens. 
 
 
416 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV. 
 
 rl. 
 
 4 ,i: 
 
 How perfectly different has been the conduct of pro- 
 fessedly Christian nations in America and elsewhere ! The 
 policy of every power which has established itself in that 
 country has been the same. The English — the Dutch — 
 the French — the Spaniards ; — the Puritan — the Huguenot 
 — the Calvinist — the Papist; — all nations, all religions, 
 have equally and uniformly acted upon the principle of 
 isolation; of establishing social and religious freedom 
 exclusively for themselves; of causing law, government, 
 commerce, education, religion, to radiate amongst their 
 own communities ; — whilst, by ten thousand modes of in- 
 trigue, fraud, oppression, cruelty, and wrong, the natives 
 of the soil have been repelled and driven from the abodes 
 of civilized man. 
 
 Religion has been blamed, in no very measured terms, 
 for its failures in preventing the injustice and wrong done to 
 man in his most helpless condition. And it must be con- 
 fessed, that it is not blameless in the matter ; it ought more 
 strenuously to have asserted the rights of the oppressed. 
 Good men in their individual capacity exerted themselves, 
 in some instances, very nobly to communicate a knowledge 
 of the Christian faith, and not without success. The exer- 
 tions of Eliot, of Brainerd, of Penn, anu others, stand out as 
 fine instances of devotedness and zeal. Their successes cor- 
 responded to their toils ; and had other influences and agen- 
 cies corresponded with their philanthropic labours, perma- 
 nent good must have been the result. But the matter of 
 fact is, that the politico-social power which was simultane- 
 ously at work with these feeble agencies, constantly thwarted 
 and destroyed the effects of their exertions. These religious 
 men were ardently seeking the instruction, the conversion, 
 the Christianization, of the savage tribes ; but the pohtical 
 power was equally intent upon the aggrandizement of the 
 European population, at the expense of the natives. The 
 latter became the predominant force ; so that everything 
 built up by the honest and laborious efforts of the rais- 
 
 1. 1. 
 
ct of pro- 
 lere ! The 
 ilf in that 
 5 Dutch — 
 Huguenot 
 religions, 
 inciple of 
 1 freedom 
 vernment, 
 ngst their 
 des of in- 
 he natives 
 he abodes 
 
 •ed terras, 
 ig done to 
 3t be con- 
 iight more 
 Oppressed, 
 lemselves, 
 cnowledge 
 The exer- 
 and out as 
 jesses cor- 
 and agen- 
 rs, perma- 
 matter of 
 simultane- 
 
 thwarted 
 le religious 
 jonversion, 
 le pohtical 
 ent of the 
 ves. The 
 3verything 
 
 the mis- 
 
 TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 417 
 
 sionary, was as regularly pulled down by the action of the 
 political power. Two antagonistic forces were constantly 
 at work side by side. The selfish one, however, as might be 
 expected, was always infinitely stronger than the Christian. 
 
 The only possibl mode of averting the wrongs inflicted 
 upon the Indian races would have been so to blend the. 
 Christian with the political power, as to make the latter in, 
 its spirit Christian. Had the governments, in attempting 
 to establish themselves in the country, been controlled and 
 guided by truly religious principles in the hands of a suffii 
 ciently influential executive, the mischief might have been 
 prevented : nnd at this day, instead of finding the Indians 
 an outcast race, in the extremities of the Western world, 
 we should now see them free, prosperous, and Christian 
 citizens of the United States. Nothing is equally just, — . 
 nothing is truly liberal, — nothing regards the primary 
 rights of mankind, — nothing establishes social relations, — 
 nothing assimilates and blends into brotherhood all races, 
 — nothing points to one almighty Father, — nothing brings 
 men together on similar terms, and in the posture of prayer 
 and worship : — nothing does all this but Christianity. 
 
 The Christian name has been miserably outraged by its 
 representatives ; but never on so large, so gigantic a scale 
 as in America. Licentious courtiers, hard-hearted and 
 selfish politicians, money-mongering commercial companies, 
 chartered pickpockets, riotous adventurers and fortune- 
 hunters ; — all these soon overpowered the Puritan, the Qua- 
 ker, the Christian. Not, indeed, that the Pilgrim Fathers, 
 except in individual instances, — as in the case of Roger 
 Williams, — seem to have entertained much scruple respect-? 
 ing t'lie rights of the aborigines ; and probably their creed 
 prevented them taking much pains to make them Chris- 
 tians. They were a gigantic race of men, full of lofty and 
 noble sentiments, and had a firm belief in their own high 
 destiny ; but they had little sympathy with human nature 
 
 as such. A race of men who excluded even their fellov* 
 
 18* 
 
 I 
 
418 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV. 
 
 r , 
 
 
 '5 i 
 
 J* r 
 
 ,) 
 
 ( 
 
 ■tl 
 1 
 
 i ! 
 
 ! V I 
 
 Christians from social fellowship, and drove them from their 
 homes on differing . opinion with themselves, were not 
 very likely to seek any close connexion with the reprobate 
 heathen. 
 
 William Penn and his Quaker followers were of a differ- 
 ent spirit. This eminent person* had a just perception of 
 the rights of man, in the Christian sense of the term. He 
 nobly exerted himself to secure these rights to the Indians ; 
 and, had he been supported by a power corresponding to 
 his own just notions, at any rate, a model colony would 
 have been established in Pennsylvania. But the principles 
 of Penn may be said to have died with himself; and that 
 on which his tender heart was so intensely fixed, the free- 
 dom, the civilization, and the Christian state of the Indian 
 tribes connected with his colony, was buried in his own sa- 
 cred resting-place. 
 
 The reliifion which alone could have saved this noble 
 race must, in order to be effective, have been united in some 
 way with tlie political power. The isolated and individual 
 exertions of good men were found inadequate to the task. 
 The day for g»eat and free religious organizations and in- 
 stitutions had not then arrived. No missionaries, except 
 Popish, connected with large and influential bodies at 
 home, were then in the field. The only church having the 
 forms and the power of a great institution in this country, 
 in the first days of American colonization, when the mis- 
 chief began, was the Episcopal Church. 
 
 Is it too much to expect a Christian nation to conduct 
 
 « ^ 
 h 
 
 f-. 
 
 ,1 — <» 5 
 11 t» t 
 
 * Since this was penned, Macaulay's "History" has been published, in 
 which Penn is shown [doubtful] to have yielded to court influence in some 
 instances, which place his character in those transactions in a questionable 
 point of view. Tiiis only shows that courts, in the times of Charles and 
 James, were not very suitable places for Christians ; and thai the religious 
 principles of Penn were much safer in the wilderness, in toil, in executing pro- 
 jects of usefulness, than in the keeping of Whitehall, and under the influence 
 of Jesuits. We speak of Penn all along in his character (f Christian and law- 
 giver in America ; and certainly, in this sphere, his conduct is seen to be most 
 exemplary. 
 
 Hi 
 
TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 419 
 
 Tom their 
 were not 
 reprobate 
 
 if a differ- 
 3eption of 
 erm. He 
 Q Indians ; 
 )ondins: to 
 )ny would 
 principles 
 ; and that 
 , the free- 
 the Indian 
 lis own sa- 
 
 this noble 
 
 ed in some 
 
 individual 
 
 ) the task. 
 
 ns and in- 
 
 les, except 
 
 bodies at 
 
 laving the 
 
 s country, 
 
 n the mis- 
 
 conduct 
 
 published, in 
 encc in some 
 
 questionable 
 Charles and 
 
 the religious 
 xecuting pro- 
 
 the influence 
 tian and law- 
 en to be most 
 
 its policy on Christian principle, — upon the truths of the 
 gospel ? JIad this been the case, the political body which 
 laid the foundation of English rule in America, would have 
 acted a very different part towards these injured people. 
 Would Christian truth, nay, would heathen honesty, have 
 allowed the seizure of their lands ; often connected with 
 the most infamous chicanery, fraud, and dishonour ? Would 
 occasions of irritation and barbarous wars have been sought, 
 for the sole purpose of driving the sheep to the slaughter, 
 and occupying the space vacated by their immolation or 
 their banishment ? Would the superior attainments of 
 knowledge and the means of aggression possessed by white 
 men have been em})loyed as a snare to entrap the poor 
 children of the forest into some bargain and covenant to 
 their own utter ruin ? Would these noble tribes have octm 
 incited to hate each other, to imbrue their hands in eacli 
 other's blood, to butcher and exterminate women and chil- 
 dren, and feast their voracious appetite for cruelty, — that 
 the white man might profit by the decimation of these se- 
 veral tribes by their slaughter of each other ? Would their 
 suflp3iently miserable existence have been still more distress- 
 'cigly embittered by the fiend-like design of poisoning the 
 very springs of life by the introduction of " fire-water," 
 and new diseases to thin their ranks ? Would systems of 
 bar^f'r and intercourse have been established on a large and 
 uraversal scale, the whole design of which was to defraud 
 the Indian, and to rob him of the scanty and hard-earned 
 fruits of the chase ? No ; Christianity repudiates all this. 
 It utters its voice in the wilderness ; it warns of the present 
 and eternal consequences of cruelty and injustice to the 
 feeble, the poor, the dependent. And had the nation, 
 sending out its swarms to occupy the territory of these 
 tribes, instead of exerting a power to destroy, been governed 
 by its doctrines, perfect justice must have been done. 
 The absence of the aboriginal inhabitants from the United 
 States will be a silent, — continued, — eternal memorial of 
 
r? 
 
 fc ■ 
 
 420 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV. 
 
 the cruel wrongs, first of tlie nations which began their ex- 
 pulsion, and next of the Aniciicans who finished it. From 
 their location in the west, the Indian territory, they will 
 forever send across the flourishing territory, the populous 
 cities, the mighty commerce and growing opulence of the 
 white man's usurpations, the wail of sorrow, the cry of in- 
 justice and of wrong. 
 
 It is now time to examine what the Methodist Church 
 has done for this class ; and with what degree of success. 
 The work amonjjst them beijan lonof before tlie Indians 
 entered upon their present location, and has often been 
 much injured by their removal. We cannot attempt a full 
 account ; all we can do is to give some slight notice of 
 facts. These poor outcasts, it must be remarked, have been 
 drawn from every part of the United States. The whole 
 continent was once occupied by them. 
 
 The attempts of the Methodist Church amongst them 
 began with the Wyandot Indians, in Upper Sandusky, in 
 the State of Ohio, in 1816. The agent in this work — in 
 spite of orders, priesthoods, canons, callb, and imposition 
 of hands — was a poor freeiuan of colour, " born and raised 
 in Powhatan county." How strange, that the name of 
 the father of the Indian lady married to the English- 
 man, should also be the name of the country of this 
 man !* If one could believe in the transmigfra- 
 
 good 
 
 tion of souls, it would be no difficult matter to imagine, 
 that the soul of Pocahontas had entered this poor coloured 
 man, " Having been brought to the knowledge of the 
 truth as it is in Jesus, it was powerfully impressed on the 
 mind" of John Steward — for that was his name — " that it 
 was his duty to travel somewhere north-west, in search of 
 some of the lost sheep of the house of Israel." He could 
 have no rest in his spirit, until he yielded obedience to what 
 he considered the call of God. John Steward took his 
 departure from his home and kindred, and continued his 
 
 [* The county was named after him.] 
 
TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCU. 421 
 
 1 their ex- 
 it. From 
 , they will 
 I populous 
 nee of the 
 cry of in- 
 
 ist Church 
 )f success, 
 ic Indians 
 )ften been 
 impt a full 
 notice of 
 have been 
 The whole 
 
 ngst them 
 idusky, in 
 1 work — in 
 imposition 
 and raised 
 ! name of 
 3 English- 
 ry of this 
 ransmigra- 
 o imagine, 
 )r coloured 
 ige of the 
 ed on the 
 — " that it 
 search of 
 He could 
 ice to what 
 d took his 
 itinued his 
 
 course till he arrived at Pipe-Town, on the Sandusky 
 River, where a tribe of the Delaware Indians dwelt. He 
 delivered a discourse to them through an interpreter, and 
 took his departure to Upper Sandusky. Steward related 
 his experience to Mr. Walker, the sub-agent of the States 
 to the Indians ; and he being finally satisfied that he was 
 actuated by pure motives, both Mr. and Mrs. Walker en- 
 couraged and assisted him ; and, speaking the Wyandot 
 dialect, the agent became his interpreter. He delivered 
 his first sermon to one old Indian woman ; his next to an 
 old mu».; ^n addition to the old woman ; they " were both 
 soon converted to the Christian faith." 
 
 "In the month of November, 1810, by the faithful 
 labours of Steward, assisted occasionally by some local 
 preachers, before any regular missionary was appointed, a 
 large society of converted natives had been formed." 
 Among these were several influential chiefs — such as Be- 
 tween-the-logs, Mononcue, Hicks, and Scuteash, with two 
 of the interpreters — Pointer and Armstrong. " Between- 
 the-logs was one of the chief counsellors of the nation, a 
 man of vigorous intellect, who soon became an eloquent 
 advocate of the Christian cause." "In the year 1819 this 
 mission was taken under the superintendence of the Rev. 
 James B. Finley. At a quarterly meeting in November of 
 this year, about sixty of these native converts were pre- 
 sent ;" the account given by themselves of their conversion 
 is very interesting. Between-the-logs said truly, " This is 
 the first meeting of the kind which has been held for us ; 
 and now, my dear brethren, I am happy that we, who have 
 been so long enemies to one another, are come together as 
 brothers ; at which our great Father is well pleased." Yes, 
 this was " the first meeting of the kind ever held" for In- 
 dians. How affecting ! Christians, so called, had lived in 
 contact with these people for two hundred years ; but their 
 lips had never, till now, been opened to declare their con- 
 version to the faith of Christ. And, stranger still, no one 
 
. 
 
 422 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA. — PART IV. 
 
 
 U 'i^i i 
 
 , I 
 
 amongst all the zealous and devoted missionaries of the 
 Methodist Church, so far as we can perceive, had attempted 
 to seek these lost souls : this honour was reserved for a 
 poor man of colour ; himself, like those he visited, an out- 
 cast from the great world of civilized man. Trul}', God's 
 ways are not as ours. If these Indian tribes arc ultimately 
 saved and made socially happy, let it be eternally remem- 
 bered, that, so far as the Methodists are concerned in tho 
 matter, the work began by a poor man of colour, of Afri- 
 can blood. 
 
 In 1821, this mission is reported as still prospering, the 
 Rev. James B. Finley being appointed its superintendent, 
 who established a school, " to teach the boys the art of 
 agriculture, and the girls to sew, spin, and knit, and all 
 the duties of the household." Having enclosed a large 
 farm, Mr. Finley " laboured with his own hands, for the 
 purpose of setting an example to the Indians, that they 
 might habituate themselves to an agricultural life. These 
 movements had a salutary effect upon their physical and 
 moral condition." 
 
 In 1823, Bishop M'Kendree says of these Indians, — 
 
 " But now they are huiUling hewed log-liouses, with brick chim- 
 neys, cultivating their hinds, and successfully adopting the various 
 agricultural arts. They now manifest a relish for, and begin to en- 
 joy the benefits of civilization ; and it is probable that some of them 
 will this year raise an ample support for their families, from the i)ro- 
 duce of these farms. There are more than two hundred of tliem who 
 have renounced heathenism, and embraced the Christian religion, 
 giving iinequivocal evidence of their sincerity, of the reality of a di- 
 vine change." 
 
 What became of John Steward, the man of colour, the 
 apostle of this nation ? 
 
 " When so exhausted in his physical powers as to be unable to la- 
 bour for his support, his temporal wants were provided for by hi3 
 friends; about fifty acres of land, on which was built a cabin for his 
 accommodation, being secured to him by fee-simple. Here he lived 
 tlie remainder of his days : and on his demise, the property was m- 
 
TEllUITORIAL PllOGUESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 423 
 
 ies of the 
 attempted 
 ved for a 
 d, an out- 
 ily, God's 
 ultimately 
 ly rcmem- 
 led in tho 
 r, of Afri- 
 
 )ering, the 
 intendent, 
 the art of 
 it, and all 
 d a large 
 is, for the 
 that they 
 fe. These 
 ysical and 
 
 ans, — 
 
 )rick chim- 
 tlie various 
 begin to eii- 
 )me of them 
 om the i)ro- 
 jf them who 
 an religion, 
 lity of a di- 
 
 olour, the 
 
 nablc to la- 
 for by his 
 ahin for his 
 ere he lived 
 ertv was in- 
 
 herited by his brother. In this place, loved and honoured by those 
 who hud been benelited I)y his evangelical labours, he lingered along 
 the shores of mortality until December 17th, 1823, Avhcn he fell 
 asleep in Jesus, in the thirty-seventh year of his age, and the se\enth 
 of his labours in the missioiuiry field. On his death-bed he gave the 
 most consoling evidence of ins faith in Christ, and hope of immorta- 
 lity."— Bangs's •' History of Mdhodism" vol. iii, pp. 246, 247. 
 
 In 1821, an attempt was made to introduce the gospel 
 to the Creek Indians, located in Georgia and Alabama. 
 After various disappointments, this enterprise was aban- 
 doned in despair. 
 
 In 1822, an effectual and successful mission was estab- 
 lished amongst the Mohawks, in Upper Canada, at that 
 time connected with the Methodist Church in the United 
 States. 
 
 The narrative is very interesting. Many were truly con- 
 verted to God, and formed into church-fellowship. The 
 Rev. William Case was one of the chief instruments ; and 
 these Indians constitute a portion of tho mission-church, 
 now under the care of the British Conference. 
 
 ■' The Cherokee mission was also commenced this year. The 
 Cherokee Indians inhabited a tract of country included in the States 
 of Georgia a^^u North Carolina on the cast, Alabama on the 
 west, and that part of Tennessee lying soutli of IHwassce and Ten- 
 nessee rivers, comprising not less than ten millions of acres. These 
 natives had been partially civilized ; some of them had become 
 wealthy, possessing domestic cattle in abundance, and were thriving 
 agriculturists. White people had settled among tliem, intermarriages 
 had taken ])lncc, so that there were many half-breeds of respectable 
 fclanding and character, who could speak both the English and Che- 
 rokee languages ; and many of the children were well educated. 
 And had they been left undisturbed in their jiosscssions, they doubt- 
 less would have arisen into a wealthy, intelligent, religious, and re- 
 spectable community." — Bangs's •' Historij of Mdhoclisin" vol. iii. pp. 
 206, 207. 
 
 1823. " A mission was commenced this year among the 
 Pottawataray Indians, a small tribe settled in the neighbour- 
 liood of Fort Clark, on the Fox River, in the State of Illi- 
 
424 
 
 TOUll IN AMERICA.— PAUT IV. 
 
 i» 
 
 i' 
 
 1^ ;1 
 
 nois. " After the " hard labours" of seven years, Mr. Walker, 
 the missionary, was obliged to abandon this enterprise as 
 hopeless. " Their strontr attachments to savage life, and 
 incurable suspicions of white men, together with their final 
 determination to remove west, frustrated the benevolent at- 
 tempts to introduce the gospel and the arts of civilized life 
 among them." — Bangs's " History of Methodiwiy* vpl. iii, 
 p. 223. 
 
 This year Mr. Finley, in company with some of the con- 
 verted chiefs and an interpreter, set off on a visit to the 
 Chippeways. They at length arrived at the Wyandot re- 
 servation, on the Huron River, where they were cordially 
 received and entertained by a white man, called Honnes, 
 who had been taken prisoner when a lad. He was now 
 supposed to be one hundred years of age ; could remember 
 notliing of his parentage, or of his days previous to his cap- 
 tivity, only that he was called Honnes. He was now a 
 cripple, and nearly blind ; but very intelligent and commu- 
 nicative. 
 
 In 1825, a work of grace commenced among the Missis- 
 sauga Indians, of Upper Canada. Peter Jones, "feeling, 
 after his conversion, for the salvation of his wretched tribe, 
 hastened away to them, and told them what great things 
 God had done for his soul. This had a powerful effect upon 
 their minds, and led them to attend the meetings on the 
 Grand River." This mission has prospered to this time, 
 and is now under the care of the British Conference. 
 
 A similar work commenced among a branch of the Dela- 
 warcs and Chippeways, who were settled at Moncytown, 
 on the river Thames. 
 
 In 1827, a new mission was begun among another branch 
 of the Mississaufjas, residine: on Snake and Yellow-Head 
 Islands, in Lake Simcoe, Upper Canada. This arose from 
 some of the people hearing a sermon from one of the 
 preachers, — then desiring a missionary, — then the estab- 
 lishment of a Sunday-school ; — and in two years there were 
 
 .1- 
 
^Ir. Walker, 
 iterprise as 
 ^e life, and 
 li their final 
 icvolent at- 
 ^ivilized life 
 r/i," vpl. iii, 
 
 of the con- 
 visit to the 
 '^yandot re- 
 *e cordially 
 jd Honnes, 
 e was now 
 I remember 
 I to his cap- 
 was now a 
 nd comrau- 
 
 the Missis- 
 s, " feeling, 
 ched tribe, 
 reat thino-s 
 effect upon 
 igs on the 
 » this time, 
 snce. 
 
 f the Dela- 
 [oncytown, 
 
 her branch 
 ;llow-Head 
 arose from 
 )ne of the 
 the estab- 
 there were 
 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
 TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF TUE M. E. CHURCH. 425 
 
 four hundred and twenty-nine under religious instruction ; 
 three hundred and fifty of whom were " orderly members 
 of the Church." — Bangs's ''History of Methodism,'' vol. iii, 
 p. 350. 
 
 The Oneida mission commenced in 1829. This tribe of 
 Indians were settled on an Indian reservation, in the western 
 part of the State of New-"> :: they were partially civil- 
 ized, and were cultivators ol i', soil ; but were deeply de- 
 based by immoral habits. .i this state they were visited 
 by a young man from the Mohawks in Upper Canada. He 
 had been converted among that tribe of Indians, and " was 
 impelled, by his thirst for the salvation of others, to make 
 known unto them the way of peace and salvation." Be- 
 ing able to speak to them in their own language, and 
 from his own experience, they received the tidings in peni- 
 tent hearts ; and a work of reformation commenced among 
 them, which eventuated in the conversion of upwards of 
 one hundred. This good work has steadily gone on. The 
 Onondagas, a neighbouring tribe, by the example and teach- 
 ing of these new converts, "received the gospel, and twenty- 
 four of them were converted to God, and brought into 
 church-fellowship." 
 
 A mission to the Shawnee and Kanzas Indians, inhabit- 
 ing the western part of the State of Missouri, was under- 
 taken in 1830. 
 
 In the year 1831, the American Church gave up their 
 Indian Missions in Canada to the British Conference ; and 
 our historian makes the following reflections upon the 
 subject : — 
 
 " From the movements already alluded to in Upper Canada, the 
 Indian missions in that province, includinj^ no less than ten stations, 
 and one thousand eight hundred and fifty adult Indians under reli- 
 gious instruction, most of whom were members of the C'mrch, were 
 taken from our superintendence, and put under the care of the Wes- 
 leyan Conference in England. These missions, Avhich had become 
 endeared to us by such associations as could no' be easily dissolved, 
 and for the benefit of which we had expended so much labour and 
 
426 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV. 
 
 money, still clung to our affections ; and could not therefore be sur- 
 rendered, even in the amicable manner in which the arrangement for 
 their future supply was made, without feelings of regret. Knowing, 
 howe\er, that they would be provided for by our brethren in Eng- 
 land with the same assiduous care with which they had been from the 
 beginning, we withdrew our pastoral oversight with the less sorrow, 
 still praying Almighty God to bless and prosper them." — Bangs's 
 "■History of Methodism^' vol. iv,pp. 60, 61. 
 
 We now enter a new and a very difierent scene. About 
 this time the United States government consummated the 
 injuries of centuries ; and by various means drove the In- 
 dian nations, from their several locations in the heart of the 
 country, to the western territory beyond the Mississippi, 
 where we have found them under the designation of the 
 "Indian-Mission Conference." 
 
 As might be expected, this dissolution of old associations 
 and attachments produced great convulsions amongst them. 
 The Indian possesses the same instincts and passions as 
 other men. Though former oppressions, which had les- 
 sened the extent of the territory of the several tribes, might 
 leave them little to esteem and love ; yet we all know how 
 a last shred, figment, shadow, of departed possession and 
 enjoyment, is prized by those who feel that they are losing 
 their hold of the beloved object forever. 
 
 The slander against these people, of incapacity for civili- 
 zation, stands refuted by facts, as their general charac- 
 ter repels the equally unfounded slanders against their 
 manhood. They, on the contrary, evidently possess ah the 
 elements of a noble race. Their resolute resistance to the 
 encroachments of the whites; their repugnance to their 
 manners and customs ; their fierce and heroic defence of 
 their soil , their love of the chase, and of forest life ; their 
 struggles to prevent the dissolution of their clanships, and 
 tiny nationalities ; their repudiation of all eJ0Feminate emo- 
 tions, and systematic culture of fortitude, courage, and 
 manly exercises ; and, as the case stood for ages and ages, 
 their hostility to the Christian Church ; — are facts to be 
 
 Hte 
 
TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 427 
 
 ■efore be sur- 
 ingement for 
 ;. Knowing, 
 iren in Eng- 
 3een from the 
 ! less sorrow, 
 nti."— Bangs's 
 
 ne. About 
 nmated the 
 •ove the In- 
 heart of the 
 Mississippi, 
 ation of the 
 
 associations 
 longst them. 
 
 passions as 
 ich had les- 
 tribes, might 
 11 know how 
 )ssession and 
 ey are losing 
 
 ity for civili- 
 eral charac- 
 igainst their 
 Dssess all the 
 stance to the 
 nee to their 
 defence of 
 ist life ; their 
 lanships, and 
 minate emo- 
 ourage, and 
 res and ages, 
 ) facts to be 
 
 resolved into a peculiar st'-ength and greatness of charac- 
 ter, rather than of incapacity. How unhke the negro and 
 the Hindoo is the red man of the American forests ! Ho 
 much more resembles the noble, the dauntless, the inde- 
 pendent Arab, as he spreads his tent in wildernesses never 
 St\bdued ; and, mounting his steed, bids defiance to all pur- 
 suers. Why should the American Indians be refused the 
 meed of admiration for qualities which in other cases call it 
 forth ? They have eternally refused to submit to the domi- 
 nation of their invaders. Is this a proof of weakness: ? 
 Rather, does it not indicate prodigious moral strength ? 
 They have defended their territories by disputing every inch 
 of ground with the white man, and, when beaten, have re- 
 fused quarter, challenging the infliction of tlie lost cruel 
 tortures, and meeting death with the fortitude of the great- 
 est heroes ? Is this evidence of a mean, a dastardly, and a 
 decrepit nature? Is it not much more in proof of real no- 
 bility ? Had these tribes lived in the days of chivalry, they 
 would have been found amongst the most renowned knights. 
 These Indians, moreover, were lovers of freedom. It might 
 be wild, — the freedom which delighted to snuff the winds 
 of the desert, instead of that which rests in a finely poised 
 balance of political power ; but there it existed, deeply 
 seated in the soul ; — in all its resentments, its frenzy of 
 passion, its repulsive force, its fixed, undying resolution. 
 Is this love of liberty a weakness ? Vv ill this be said in the 
 midst of the struggles of modern times ? They were gene- 
 rous and frank when treated with confidence and justice, as 
 the cases of Roger Williams, — Wilham Penn, — Smith, — 
 the effects of the marriage of Pocahontas, — the affection 
 and gratitude manifested to many of the Roman Catholic 
 missionaries, — will all evince. Is this deemed a sign of a 
 feeble character ? Is it not invariably taken as evidence of a 
 magnanimous soul ? When confided in on honourable terms, 
 even by the European nations around them, they were 
 found capable of observing treaties, of taking their share in 
 
'; 
 
 428 TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV. 
 
 the operations of war, of fighting in connexion with the more 
 disciplined troops of their allies, and uniformly conducted 
 themselves with truth and bravery. To help themselves 
 against a rival foe, all the colonial powers often sought 
 their assistance and co-operation. Does this, again, seem 
 as if they were deficient in intellectual and manly qualities ? 
 Does it not indicate, on the contrary, that, even in the opin- 
 ion of these detractors, they possessed useful powers in the 
 matter of war ? Yes : these Indians are, in truth, amongst 
 the noblest race of untutored men on whom the sun ever 
 shone. 
 
 We are astonished at the late^v^ss of the attempt made 
 by the Methodist body, to bring thep-" children of the 
 forest into the fold of Christ. There is no evidence from 
 his Journal, that Bishop Asbury, the apostle of Methodism, 
 entertained the idea of extending the kingdom of God 
 amongst this people. His benevolei t and active mind em- 
 braced the whole population of the United States, with 
 this exception. It seems to have been taken for granted, 
 on all hands, that they were incapable of Christianity, till 
 the delusion was dissipated by the labours of John Steward, 
 the poor man of colour. The labours of faithful men, in- 
 deed, might not have succeeded in retaining them in their 
 primeval homes, securing their rights to the soil on which 
 they lived, or giving them a place in the citizenship of the 
 United States ; and, as the matter stood at the time, it is 
 easy to see, that the remedy, supposing it to be successful, 
 came too late to secure these blessings. Ages of oppres- 
 sion and wrong had thinned the ranks of all the Indian na- 
 tions ; they were only the shreds and skeletons of former 
 strength and power ; they had been hunted, like wild beasts, 
 into nooks and corners, and seemed only to exist by suffer- 
 ance ; they were writhing under the scourges and miseries 
 of centuries ; and the traditional suiferings and wrongs of 
 past generations, handed down to them by the maledic- 
 tions and sworn revenge of their ancestors, leaving them 
 
TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 429 
 
 'ith the more 
 y conducted 
 p themselves 
 often sought 
 again, seem 
 ily qualities ? 
 I in the opin- 
 powers in the 
 uth, amongst 
 the sun ever 
 
 ittempt made 
 Idren of the 
 vidence from 
 )f Methodism, 
 rdom of God 
 Live mind em- 
 States, with 
 n for granted, 
 [iristianity, till 
 ohn Steward. 
 ;hful men, in- 
 them in their 
 soil on which 
 zenship of the 
 the time, it is 
 be successful, 
 res of oppres- 
 the Indian na- 
 ;ons of former 
 ke wild beasts, 
 xist by suifer- 
 s and miseries 
 and wrongs of 
 y the maledic- 
 j, leaving them 
 
 the legacy of their cruel oppressions, tended to feed and 
 infuriate their passions. Yes, it was too late. The blow 
 had been struck, the deed was done, the murderous wound 
 inflicted. All of life which remained, at the time, was the 
 mere death-struggles of a giant; cursing, in bitter scorn, 
 the power which had inflicted the blow. This giant has 
 now trailed his remnant of existence to the extremity of 
 the west. The song of love is no longer heard amid the 
 rippling streams and forests of their primeval fatherland ; 
 the lute, the drum, the dance of the red man, now never 
 gladdens the wigwam village, or echoes through the thickets, 
 rendered joyous by the frolics of boyhood and the excite- 
 ments of the chase ; the incense of religious rites to avert 
 the invasions of the genii of evil, or to propitiate the " Great 
 Spirit," ceases to rise in the midst of the groves and bowers 
 of their " high places ;" the war-whoop will never more be 
 borne by the breeze, or heard in frightful notes to disturb 
 the repose and rouse the apprehensions of the wives and 
 children of the white man. The morning breaks, the sun 
 shines brightly, nature appears in all lier gorgeousness, 
 fragrant flowers give their sweetness to the winds ; birds 
 and animals play and sing gayly ; the day declines, the 
 dews fall, and all things are hushed in soft slumbers, — 
 never, no, never to be broken again by the joys or sorrows 
 of the poor Indian. Let a stranger be permitted to chant 
 his funeral dirge. 
 
 Never was conquest so complete as that gained over 
 these races. The Norman lords of this island cut down 
 the heads of the nation ; but they left the meaner kinds 
 of life to vegetate. The northern barbarians subdued Italy 
 and Europe ; but they allowed the people to remain on the 
 soil, to outlive the oppression, and assert the rights of hu- 
 manity. The ruthless Turks conquered the Greek empire ; 
 but even they have not succeeded in cutting off the race, 
 or expelling them the country. England has subdued In- 
 dia ; but the notion of deporting the inhabitants has never 
 
430 
 
 TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV. 
 
 •I I 
 
 
 t.\i 
 
 1 '! 
 
 formed part of her policy. America is alone in this. Her 
 work is perfect. She occupies the largest territorial pos- 
 sessions of any civilized power in the world ; and it is all 
 cleared of the nations once inhabiting the soil. Her occu- 
 pancy is now undisputed. One people, — one power, — one 
 system, — one government, — now pervades the mighty 
 spaces once filled with innumerable races. The Roman 
 empire never possessed the unity, the homogeneity, the 
 strength of the American Republic. 
 
 We hope this gigantic mistress of so splendid an empire 
 will not, in fu . ^.re, think it essential to her interest or glory 
 to molest the Indians in the "far west." Surely they may 
 now be left alone to live, — if it may please God, — and if 
 they do not become extinct by natural causes. It would, 
 moreover, be a mercy, if Christianity might now be per; ■'^- 
 ted to have Wr play amongst them, and let it be seen if 
 they are an e^ 3ption to the ':;.neral rule, and cannot pos- 
 sibly be saved. Every well-wisher to the race will look 
 with deep interest towards this Indian territory ; and if, 
 after all the- miseries of the past, it should turn out that a 
 happy and Christian community is the result of this ar- 
 rangement, he will rejoice in the goodness of God, whatever 
 he may think of the policy which led to the settlement. 
 
 We now give the statistical results of this section of the 
 work, in a tabular view : — 
 
 (Jonlerciices. Dist. 
 
 Circuits. 
 
 Minist. 
 
 Supernuni. 
 
 Local Pr. 
 
 Members. 
 
 Iowa 4 
 
 40 
 
 54 
 
 2 
 
 97 
 
 8,440 
 
 Illinois .... 10 
 
 106 
 
 130 
 
 54 
 
 425 
 
 24,458 
 
 Missouri .... 5 
 
 35 
 
 51 
 
 
 87 
 
 10,924 
 
 St. Louis .... 6 
 
 51 
 
 51 
 
 5 
 
 163 
 
 13,755 
 
 Arkansas ... 5 
 
 41 
 
 43 
 
 3 
 
 148 
 
 9,730 
 
 Memphis. ... 6 
 
 71 
 
 101 
 
 4 
 
 344 
 
 30.940 
 
 Mississippi . . 7 
 
 54 
 
 73 
 
 • 5 
 
 195 
 
 16,598 
 
 Louisiana ... 6 
 
 63 
 
 47 
 
 2 
 
 71 
 
 8,279 
 
 Texas 4 
 
 29 
 
 29 
 
 2 
 
 54 
 
 3,213 
 
 Indian Mission 3 
 
 26 
 
 32 
 
 1 
 
 32 
 
 3,815 
 
 66 506 511 98 1,616 130,052 
 
 The whole statistical result of our survey of the territorial 
 
 tv 
 
TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 431 
 
 this. Her 
 itorial pos- 
 md it is all 
 Her occu- 
 ower, — one 
 iic mighty 
 ["he Roman 
 reneity, the 
 
 i an empire 
 est or glory 
 ly they may 
 od, — and if 
 It would, 
 V be pen ' '- 
 t he seen if 
 
 cannot pos- 
 ce will look 
 Dry ; and if, 
 n out that a 
 
 of this ar- 
 )d, whatever 
 ttlement. 
 ^ction of the 
 
 al Pr. Members. 
 8,440 
 24,458 
 
 97 
 25 
 
 87 
 63 
 48 
 44 
 95 
 71 
 54 
 32 
 
 10,924 
 
 13,755 
 
 9,730 
 
 30.940 
 
 16^598 
 
 8,279 
 
 3,213 
 
 3,815 
 
 16 130,052 
 
 he territorial 
 
 Circuits. 
 
 MiList. 
 
 Local Pr. 
 
 Members. 
 
 1,300 
 
 1,687 
 
 1,611 
 
 405,541 
 
 1,065 
 630 
 506 
 
 1,343 
 876 
 511 
 
 4,417 
 
 1,984 
 2,253 
 1,616 
 
 7,464 
 
 910,790 
 262,858 
 130,052 
 
 3,501 
 
 1,009,241 
 
 progress of the American Methodist Episcopal Church will 
 be as follows : — 
 
 Conf. Dist. 
 
 Atlantic Line ... 13 72 
 Hudson and Lake 
 
 Line . 10 72 
 
 Ohio Line 7 60 
 
 Mississippi Line . . 10 56 
 
 40 260 
 
 We have not noticed the supernumeraries in the above 
 table, because not employed in full work. They, however, 
 amount to 423. 
 
 We leave this sketch of the territorial progress of Me- 
 thodism in the States to the reader's own reflections ; with 
 the single remark, that, in the author's own opinion, it is 
 unexampled, — that it is the greatest development of ^^eli- 
 gious truth which has taken place in the history of Chris- 
 tianity, either in ancient or modern times. ^ 
 
 THE END.