THE LIBRARY
OF
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA
LOS ANGELES
REV. ANDREW JACKSON NEUGKNT
Latest Photograph
THE EXPERIENCES OF
UNCLE JACK
Being a Biography of
REV. ANDREW JACKSON NEWGENT
BY
REV. W. ED. SNYDER
a Minister in the United Brethren Church
A'ineteen Hundred and Elcvtn
United Pre'.hren Publishing llnus^
rr. R. Funk, Agent
Dayton, Oliio
Printed by
United Brethren Publishing House
W. R.Funk, Agent
Dayton, Ohio
"?N'
f3
T
PREFACE
HAT which requires an apology should be left
iindoiio. Hence, the author of tiiis humble work
offers no apology in sending it forth. If it finds
favor in the sight of those into whose hands it may
fall, he will api)reciate it. If not. it is confidently
assumed that the world will pursue its wonted course, and
no one will Ih' the worse, if not the wiser.
No special literary excellence is claimed for it. It is
a feeble, though honest, attempt to preserve from the cold,
merciless realm of oblivion a life story that is well worth
pre.serving — the life story of one for whom I have come
to have the ])rofoundest reverence and affection. My
only regret is that it has not been done better.
Its chief value consists in the fact that it reveals the
fundamental elements of true character and true success.
The life of "Uncle Jack" Newgent is a conspicuous illus-
tration of the fact that each individual is the architect of
his own fate or fortune, that the conditions of success are
internal and not external. This has been his life phil-
osophy and has been abundantly vindicated by his life
record. His right to a proi^er regard among his fellows
rests upon his sterling qualities of mauhood, devotion to a
great purpose, and personal achievements that have added
to the sum total of the world's weal and worth. He
belongs to a worthy line of foundation builders whose
work underlies the great superstructures of both church
and state of the present day.
Hence, two purposes have bet^n kept in view in the
writing of this sketch — to acknowledge, if not to pay, a
debt of honor and gratitude the Church owes to a worthy
man ; and by giving special attention to those personal
(lualities that make for success always and everywhere,
and which were so strikingly exemplified in his character,
to preserve the lessons of his life to the i)resent and
future generations in the hope that they may thus con-
tribute to the ftirther pi"ogress of righteousness. If in
this unpretentious little volume these purposes are in any
degree fulfilled, I shall be abundantlv satisfied.
W. E. Snyder. HH- i^H)
INTRODUCTION
THE pleasing task of writing an introduction to the
life of my noble friend, Rev. A. J. Newgent, has
fallen upon me. The intimate association which I
have had with him for many years gives me_ a
peculiar pleasure in seeing the record of his splendid life
placed before the Church.
Biography is one of the most important departments
of literature, and Mr. Newgent is eminently worthy of the
permanent place in history Avhich this volume accords
him. I feel that fitting tributes in historic sketches
should not only be paid the men of God who have planted
the Church in this nation, but posterity should come and
say over their graves, as Pericles did over the bodies of
his fallen fellow soldiers : "You are like the divinities
above us : you are known only by the benefits you have
conferred." It is of such a man, thougli still living
among us, that Dr. W. E. Snyder gives the accurately
drawn portraitui-e in the chapters of this well-written
biography. The work has been prepared with good judg-
ment and much skill. The incidents of his life are given
in sufficient detail, and make the volume exceedingly inter-
esting and instructive. Such a publication is of great
value, not only to those who enter the ministry, but to the
whole Church, and especially to the young. To study the
career of one, who. by fortitude and zeal, has carved his
way irom humble surroundings to a high place of honor
among his fellow-men — passing through varied and strik-
ing vicissitudes in the struggle — can but inspire and
ennoble other lives.
Entering the ministry before our pioneer style of life
had passed away in the west, Mr. Newgent adapted him-
self to the humblest conditions of society. The fields of
labor which he occupied in those early years of his pastor-
ate were sufficient to remind him of the privation and
hardships of those who had preceded him ; but no condi-
tion was humble enough or severe enough to deter him
from the work to which his young life had been conse-
crated. He could lodge in the loft of the lowliest cabin
and subsist upon the cheapest fare. In quest of souls he
thought little of anything else. Living among the people,
a very small salary' would suffice for him. He knew what
it was to live on a moiety of one hundred dollars and less.
There have been no dangers or hardships, no toils or
privations, no suffering or sorrow sufEcient to daiiut liis
heroic spirit. Fortunately, Mr. Newgent is so constructed
as to see tlie briglit side of every difficulty, and his inimi-
table humor has made his family and friends laugh in the
darkest hours of his ministerial life.
Unflinching loyalty to the Church has ever marked
the career of Mr. Newgent. Though he has been pecu-
liarly f;pe from sectarian prejudices or bitterness, his
iUtadinient to his own xieople has been conscientious and
un\\a\ering. All his energies have been devoted to the
advancement of the Church of his ciioice. He has stood
for the defense of its dcK-triiies and polity, and those who
have drawn him into debate over any feature of our sys-
tem have not challenged him a second time. In the
earlier days of his ministry he was many times called in
debate with the strongest men of other denominations,
and has proved himself e'lual to any antagonist who has
met him in discussion. Many have gone down before his
unanswerable arguments, and not a few have been driven
from the contest because they could not stand before the
torrent of his eloquence and the indescribable power of
his wit. In all his ministerial work these qualities have
often been of great advantage to him. Few men could
possess such wit and eccentricities as Mr. Newgent com-
mands, and use them to advantage without some objection
by the people. Hut like all his other gifts, these peculiar
qualities have been consecrated to the service of doing
good, and in their use he has maintained his ministerial
consecration and influence with never a breath of sus-
picion cast upon his good name.
It is gratifying to his many friends that Mr. Newgent,
though retired' from the active work of the ministry, is
still in possession of all his mental powers, and no doubt
will live to read his own biography. Few men have been
so fortunate. To have spent his long and useful life in
the most interesting period of the history of the Church,
and then remain to read the part he has played in the
making of that history, is a privilege that most of Christ's
embassadors have never enjoyed. Back when the Pub-
lishing House was struggling for existence, he loyally
supported the little plant, and never failed to circulate
our books and push our periodicals in every charge he has
filled. When our institutions of learning were in their
infancy, and much opposition was brought against educa-
tion, he was a friend of the schools, and again and again
has gone into the field to raise money for their support.
He has seen the great benevolent boards of the Church
and nearly all our connectional institutions come up from
the smallest beginnings, and has never failed to espouse
the cause of these important agencies for the promotion
of Christ's kingdom. Even the conference in which he
began his ministry has grown in his day from a handful
to a host, and no man has watdiod its growth with deeper
pride or more anxious concern than himself.
I could write much more in the line of these thoughts,
but the chapters of this volume will give in clear light the
characteristics which can only be hinted at in the limits
of an introduction. The skilled pen of the biographer
will bring out in forceful and charming manner the noble
traits of the gifted brother whose career he has studied
with great care and painstaking interest. Let the book
have a wide circulation, let the youth read its inspiring
sentiments, and the horizon of their thoughts will be
enlarged and the desire to be loyal to God and to every
good work will be stimulated and strengthened.
T. C. Carter.
November 27, 1911.
CONTENTS
PAOR
Preface 3
Introduction . 4
CHAPTER OXK.
Ancestry — Picture of pionpor life — Imprisonment and
release of Pompey Smash — Little Jack's short-cut
in the study of astronomy — The fate of his first
pair of breeches 9
CHAPTER TWO
The tragic death of the father — Removal to Parke
County — School Days — Conversion — Change of
church relationship — A remarkable providence. ... 2.3
CHAPTER THREE
Call to the ministry — First sermon — The boy preacher
— Answering a fool after his folly — Turning a
camp-meeting tide — Quieting a skirmish — Takes a
wife 39
CHAPTER FOUR
Conference membership — Brulitz Creek ministry — The
modprn knight and his steed — Abrupt closing of
family devotions by a dog-on-the-preacher — An orig-
inal marriage ceremony — A case of mistaken iden-
tity — A banner missionary collection — Shawnee
Prairie pastorate — A cold day in April — The re-
demption of Hell's Half Acre — Raiting for a pervese
fish — An experience in the whisky business 51
CHAPTER FIVE
Six months at Rainsville — A hot-bed of Southern sym-
pathizers — A mix-up with saloon men — A sermon
on slavery — Fire and brimstone — An antagonist out-
witted — A sermon from the book of Nevvgent — Can
any good thing come out of Rainsville? 70
CHAPTER SIX
The war spirit in Indiana — Breaking up a traitorous
plot — Narrow escape from enemies — Assists in se-
curing recruits — Becomes chaplain of his regiment
• — Exchange of courtesies with a Presbyterian min-
ister — An embarrassing predicament — Saves his
regiment from capture — Organizes military church
— Chased by Johnnies — An exciting homeward
Journey 80
CHAPTER SEVEN
Plants the United Brethren banner in Terre Haute —
Pralrleton pastorate — Difficulty with the sons of
Analc — A prayer without an "Amen" — Another com-
munity redeemed — Going to the wrong docrtor — A
perverse colt — An unintentional immersion — One
sermon that was not dry 98
PAGE
CnAPTER EIGHT
The New Goshen pastorate — An old grudge healed — Dry
bones revived — Memorable year at "Dogtown" —
"Death in the pot" — The Hittites captured — The
"Jerks" — Other remarkable demonsti-ations — A
rooster in the missionary collection — First debate —
Unpleasant sequel to a horse trade HI
CHAPTER NINE
Labors at Mattoon. Illinois — A persistent campaign and
a arreat victory — Second Nev/ (Joshen pastorate — A
coi'ncirtenct' — Success at I'rairieton — Laboring in the
shadow — The death of Mrs. Newgent — A bishoii"s
trilnite to her character 131
CHAPTER TEN
First groat debate — The debate as an institution — The
challenge — Opponents get weak-kneed — Prolonging
maneuvers — A hungry multitude unfed — Battle be-
gins — Questions discussed — An improvised creed for
liis opoonent — A premature baptism — An opponent's
tril)Ute to his genius — Crowning the victor 138
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Subsequent debates — The Owen contest — He got his
"Treat" — Opponent's confession — Dressing "Stone"
■ — A scared Baptist — Invades the Lutheran ranks —
Measures steel with Doctor Ingram — Dissertation
on infant baptism — Opponent's early flight — Con-
cludes the debate alone — The Haw debate luo
CHAPTER TWELVE
Perrysville and Centerpoint — Industry rewarded from an
unsuspected source — A "slick wedding" — Fruitful
labors" at Centerpoint — A one-sided union meeting —
The doctrine of. the resurrection again demonstrated 1 1 1
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Becomes a missionary superintendent — Second marriage
— An unexpected welcome — Forms a Quaker friend-
ship — The Spirit moves in a Quaker meeting — A
Quaker's praver answered — Builds a college —
Shows what to do for a dead church — Another tilt
on the doctrine of baptism — Conversion of a Dunk-
aid preacher — Turns a great movement in the right
direction 1°"
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Autumn— The fading loaf— Fruit in old age — His later
labors — Present home l**"
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
A Character Sketch 202
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
"Lights out," a dirge of the war 219
C II APT Ell One.
Ancestry — Picture of Pioneer Life — Imprisonment
and Release of Pompey Smash — Little Jack's
Short Cut in the Sttidy of Astronomy — The Fate
of his First Pair of Breeches.
Once upon a time, so lono- aoo that the
clironolo.i>T of it has become hidden in the
mists of liistorical uncertainties, a man with
his family emijiTated from the hill section
of northern Ireland to the vicinity of Dub-
lin. What his real name was also belongs
to the realm of the unknown, but among the
unsophisticated rural inliabitants with
whom he had east his lot he was character-
ized simply as the "new gentleman." In
course of time, the somewhat cumbersome
title became abbreviated to "new gent," the
original appellation finally passing from
common usage entirelv. That this new
gentleman v^^as a person of some force of
character may be inferred from the distinc-
tion he seems to have achieved among his
new neighbors and the fact that the name
has been honored bv men of rank and emi-
nence among his descendants, a conspicuous
example being Lord Robert Xewgent (or
Nugent), the celebrated Irish scholar and
statesman.
9
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
Among tlie later descendants were three
brothers who decided to cast their fortunes
with the land of dreams and fancies across
the Atlantic. Tlioir names were Edward,
William, and Thomas Newgent. On reach-
ing America Edward directed his course to-
ward the snnnv South, William remained
somewhere in the East, while Tliomas struck
out toward the vast region of unbroken for-
ests on the western slopes of the Alleghe-
nies. ITis pilgrimage terminated somewhere
in the bounds of Kentucky. He secured a
tract of land near Cincinnati, and in pro-
cess of time met, wooed, and won a wealth,y
daughter of Virginia. He Avas contempo-
rary with the Boones in reclaiming this
great region of possibilities for civilization;
helped to survey the State; taught school on
both sides of the Ohio River, Avinning for
liimself the title of "Irish Schoolmaster,"
which, in this case, carried with it no small
degree of distinction. He was a soldier in
three wars, that of the Eevolution, of 1812,
and the Blackhawk War, for which serv-
ices he received a pension from the Govern-
ment. He professed religion at the ripe age
of eighty, and was spared to redeem in part
his long neglected opportunities by spend-
ing almost a quarter of a century in active
Christian service, his long and eventful life
10
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
closing, according to an uncertain tradition,
in the 103d year of his age. Ue was the
father of Charles Xevrgent, who was the
fatlier of Andrew Jackson Newgent, the
hero of this simple narrative.
In Charles Xewgent the elements of char-
acter peculiar to his race were exceptionally
strong. A most marked propensity was his
fondness for a joke. He would take more
interest in concocting some new trick to be
played on a neighbor or in devising a scheme
for merrymaking than in a critical study of
the Sermon on the ]Mount, or in solving an
intricate theological problem. But while
the religious faculty remained somewhat
dormant, he was warm-hearted and gener-
ous, a good neighbor and citizen, according
to the simple requirements of the times.
In educational attainments he was far
above the average. He was a prominent
figure in local political circles, being a Jef-
fersonian Democrat of a rather emphatic
type. His ever ready Avit and fluency of
speech made him a master on the stump
and a formidable antagonist in political de-
bates. The abilitv to give a humorous turn
to anv remark or incident served him well
upon such occasions. His peculiar tempera-
ment gave him special aptitude as an auc-
tioneer, in which capacity he had no su-
it
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
perior. People would attend his sales as
much to be entertained hj his witticisms
as for the bargains he might have to offer,
and those who came to laugh often remained
to settle a bill for something they had no
thought of purchasing.
At the age of nineteen, in the year 1825,
he was married to Mary Pugh, of Shelby
County, Kentucky, his native county. Her
parents Imd come from Scotland and were
substantial citizens.
Soon after their marriage they moved to
Parke County, Indiana, and settled on a
tract of land Avhich the Avife had received
as a dower from her father.
Pioneer life in Indiana need not here be
enlarged upon. A solitary dwelling in the
interminable and trackless forest; the build-
ing consisting of a single room built of un-
hewn logs, roofed with hand-split clap-
boards ; the chimney covering one entire end
of the building; the rough doors swung on
wooden hinges; the small windows with
greased paper or the tanned skins of ani-
mals through which a bit of daylight finds
its way with difficulty; the huge fireplace
used for both cooking and heating purposes;
the few pieces of hand-made furniture —
these were some of the outward aspects of
domestic life out on the ragged edge of civil-
12
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
izatiou. The cabin of the Newgents was typ-
ical of those of their neighbors, the nearest
of whom lived some fifteen miles distant.
The larger wild animals were frequent vis-
itors and the war whoop of the Indian had
scarcely died away.
After a brief residence at this place they
moA^ed to Sullivan County. Here, on Sat-
urday, September 15, 1838, the subject of
this sketch was born. He was the youngest
of seven sons. Subsequently the family cir-
cle was enlarged by the addition of two
daughters. The father's political bias was
again asserted in the name, Andrew Jack-
sou, assigned to this youngest son, after the
great hero of earlv Democracv. The name
often has given occasion for humorous
touches by the owner, especially in referring
to his earlv life. Bv the neighbors and
older members of the family, he says, he
was dubbed General Andrew Jackson.
Later the military title was dropped and he
became plain Andrew Jackson, and by suc-
cessive stages the name was further abbrevi-
ated until the boy was doomed to answer to
the simple cognomen of "Jack." Whether
this was a process of evolution or of degen-
eration, he was destined to win for himself
a title that would stand for real worth and
attainment; that would represent the love
13
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
of little children, as well as the esteeiu of
men and women, when the affectionate ap-
pellation of "Uncle Jack" would become a
household term in multitudes of homes.
Perhaps it is to the Scotch blood of his
mother that he owes the more solid elenients
of his character. The Scotch character
stands for thrift, enero-y^ and integrity, so
that wherever the hardy Scotchman goes he
carries with liiin the best elements of cit-
izenship. These combined with the quick
wit and genial temperament of the sons of
Erin produced in our subject a personality
rich in depth and resourcefulness.
The emigration instinct, always strong in
the pioneer, again became active, and the
family set out for a new destination. This
time it was Paw Paw Bend in Knox County,
Indiana, so named because of its location in
a bend of White River, and the prolific
growth of paw paw trees for which the fer-
tile lands were especially adapted. Our sub-
ject was then about eighteen months old.
Here he spent the years of early childliood.
Some incidents numbered among his earliest
recollections and which serve to illustrate
the home life and social conditions in which
these years were passed, will not be out of
place in this connection.
14
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
During this period religious services were
practically unknown in Paw Paw Bend.
The chief diversions were such social func-
tions as shooting matches, wood choppings,
log rollings, husking bees, and dances. The
spelling bee was still of too intellectual a
character to win popularity. At all such
gatherings the familiar demijolin of corn
whiskey was considered an indispensable
adjunct.
Hence, the announcement of a preaching
service to be held at the Newgent home on
a following Sunday morning was hailed
throughout the settlement as a new thing
under tlie sun. Of course everybody would
go. The preacher was to be Kev. Nathan
Hinkle, a Methodist itinerant. It was out
of no particular religious scruples that tlie
host, Charles Newgent, volunteered to enter-
tain the assemblage on this occasion, yet he
had no aversion to preachers or churches,
and in common with his neighbors, he was
always ready to encourage anything that
would break the monotonv and atTord social
diversion.
It so happened that on Saturday evening
before this memorable day, Pompey Smash,
a negro fiddler, was passing through the
neighborhood and asked to stay over night
at Mr. Newgent's. He was informed by the
15
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
head of the house that he Avould be furnished
lodging on condition that he dispense music
for a family dance. The terms were ac-
cepted and there was a sound of revelry by
night as the little company beat time on the
puncheon floor to the droll tunes of their
musical guest.
Early next morning the congregation be-
gan to assemble for worship. The presence
of the fiddler led to the suggestion that the
time spent in waiting for the arrival of the
preacher be used to tlie best possible advan-
tage. Accordingly the Ethiopian turned his
fiddle — for it was before the violin was in-
vented; the familiar demijohn was set in a
conspicuous place, and the gentlemen chose
their partners. Lest the preacher's sudden
arrival in the midst of such hilarious scenes
be the occasion of a shock or an offense to
his ecclesiastical dignity, a member of the
party was dispatched to do picket service.
The watchman, having imbibed too freely of
the contents of the jug, fell asleep at his
post. The dance had gone on merrily for
some time in its rapturous excitement; the
preacher and church service were utterly
forgotten. When, lo! the alarm was
sounded. The faithless watchman had al-
lowed the company to be taken by surprise.
The approach of the reverend was discov-
16
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
ered in the nick of time; tlie dance came to
an abrupt stop. To prevent the minister
from ''smellini;' a rat," a punclieon was re-
moved hastily from tlie floor, and the fiddler,
tlie fiddle, and the wliiske}' jui>' were thrust
nnceremoniousl}' through the opening into
the cellar excavation below. And the peo-
ple put on their Sunday faces for churcli.
After the services a part of the congre-
gation, including the shepherd of the flock,
remained for dinner. This necessarily pro-
longed the imprisonment of the negro, but
when it is recalled that the whiskey jug
was a prison companion, we may surmise
that the hours were not so ''tedious and
tasteless" as otherwise they might have
been. The solemnities of the day came to
an end with the departure of the minister ;
the prison was then opened and the prisoner
released. An "after service" followed,
which, it may be conjectured, was more in
harmony with the tastes of the congTega-
tion.
While unlimited resources lay at the very
doors of these pioneer cabins, the back-
vroodsmen lacked the facilites for develop-
ing them. Their tastes were not so exact-
ing as in later days, and beyond the sheer
necessities and comforts of the household,
ambition did not spur them on. While ordi-
17
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
narilj' the faiuilv dined on homely fare, the
industrious housewife often became so pro-
ficient in the culinary art as to be able to
concoct uiost tempi ini>- dishes with the raw
products tluit nature placed in easy reach.
The sap of the maple tree, wild grapes, paAv
paws, and persimmons, as well as the prod-
ucts of garden, orchard, and fndd were util-
ized in providing for their pliysical wants.
l*ersinimons ripened with the early frosts,
and when put up in maple syrup, became a
staple and most delicious article of diet.
By the addition of the proper quantity of
whiskey, the standard remedy for most of
the ills the flesh is heir to, the mixture af-
forded in addition to its other virtues, a
sure cure for ague, commonly called "ager."
This led to an episode in which little Jack
and three older brothers were the leading
figures, and which he facetiously labeled
"a short cut in the study of astronomy."
The children were left alone one after-
noon. The oldest of the (]uartet was famil-
iar with the process of preparing the com-
mon ague antidote. The necessary ingredi-
ents were, as usual, within easy reach. So
he proceeded to administer the remedy to
his younger brothers on the principle that
"if a littie did good, more vrould do better."
The bearing of this procedure upon the
18
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
science of astronomy becomes apparent
^^ lien we remember that anioni^- the un-
schooled of that day it was a mooted ques-
tion as to whether or not the world is round
and revolves upon its axis, an the o-eoora-
phies teach. Jack dcM-lared that after tak-
ing a few doses it was painfully evident to
him that the world did turn round and
turned at such a rapid rate that he found it
diflicult to keep from falliuii- off. AVhen the
mother returned she found the three
younger boys lying* on the floor unconscious,
and the author of the mischief sitting
astride a joist overhead the unceiled room
in a hilarious condition. By the free use
of sweet milk the younger boys were re-
stored to consciousness, but a special treat-
ment was reserved for the one who led
them into temptation. However, Jack
found this short course in astronomy suf-
ficient for all practical purposes, and he has
never had the occasion or inclination to
extend it.
His early years were as happy and free
from care amid these primitive surround-
ings, as childhood life could well be, even
in what might be considered more favorable
circumstances. Life was simple in the ex-
treme, even crude, but it was the best he
knew. There was nothing in the lives of
19
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
his associates fulL-ulalcd to excite envy or
cause discontent with his own lot. But in
this connection one incident stands out in
hold relief to mar the picture of boyish con-
tentment.
A single liarment of homespun, or "tow
linen," was all that was considered neces-
sary in the way of clothing under ordinary
circumstances for a boy of that aii'e. It
marked a new era in his life when the loose
garment which covered the anatomy down
to the knees was supx)lemented by a pair of
breeches of the same material. Upon one
occasion as Jack stood watching liis mother
a,s she was measuring the material for the
older boys' winter suits, he heard her re-
mark that there would probably b(» enough
scraps left over to uiake him a pair of
breeches. AVith emotions alternating be-
tween hope and fear, he waited impatiently
for the outcome. His joy was unbounded
when he found that his hopes were to be
realized. His motlier laid hiui on the
floor and tlius marked the pattern. It
was seen that the closest econouiy hnd
to be used to uiake the goods hold out;
so instead of the regulation number of
two suspenders which were one piece with
the breeches, the material would only war-
rant the nmking of one. By extending it
20
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
from one side on the back diaa:onally across
the shoulder, making connection on the op-
posite side in front, the new liabiliment
maintained its balance and no special incon-
venience was snffered.
But alas! his rejoicintj; was soon to be
turned into mourn inji'. A few days later,
clad in his new outfit, he went with his
brothers to the woods to ji;ather pecans. It
was a warm autumn afternoon, and in
climbing and clubbing the trees and picking
up the nuts, the boys found it convenient to
cast of unnecessarA' articles of clothing.
As Jack had scarcely become accustomed to
more than one garment, he could easily dis-
pense with the breeches for the time. Ac-
cordingly they were removed and hung on
a bush near by, and for a time forgotten in
the fascination of nut hunting. When the
party was ready to start home with the
fruits of their toil, he was alarmed to find
that his cherished breeches had disappeared.
The boys searched diligently but found
them not. When about ready to give up
in despair, they chanced to observe, a short
distance away, a mellow-eyed, crinkly-
horned, brindle cow making a meal off the
lad's wearing apparel, or perhaps using it
for dessert, as though it were a dainty mor-
sel. And the last Jack saw of his first pair
21
The Experiences of Uncle JacK
of breeches was the lone suspender dangling
from the innocent old brindle's mouth, the
major part of them having been engulfed in
her capacious maw. And to the sorrow of
his heart, his wardrobe for another year
was limited to the single piece of homespun.
22
Chapter Two.
The Tragic Death, of the Father — Removal to Parke
County — School Days — Conversion — Change of
Church Relationship — A Remarkable Providence.
Thus far onr narrative lias covered the
childhood of our subject up to the ninth
year of his age. At this juncture occurred
an event that cast the first real shadow over
his youthful pathway. It was the death of
his father, the tragic nature of which and
the subsequent effect it was to have upon
his career, made the shadow all the deeper
and more significant. Charles Newgent
went with a company consisting of sixty
adventurous spirits, upon an expedition to
the West, the real object of which seems to
be somewhat indefinite. The restless and
venturesome spirit of the pioneer, a curious
desire to penetrate the mysteries of the
great western world, the dream of untold
treasures that nature had in store for those
who dared to conquer the dragons that
guarded them — all mav have figured in
this ill-fated enterprise. However that may
have been, while crossing the western plains
the company was attacked and massacred
by a band of hostile Indians. As in the
calamities that befell Job's household, one
23
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
of the uuinber was k'ft to tell the story.
This one was supposed by the savas^es to
have shared the fate of all the rest, bein^jj
left on the field for dead; but it so hap-
pened that in his case the weapon of death
did not do complete work. IT(^ was picked
up the next day by a party of hunters to
whom he was able to give a vague account
of the preceding day's terrible tragedy.
After the father's death, the mother with
her nine children moved bark to their
former home in Parke County. Life then
took on a sterner aspect for the boy. His
tender hands must perform their part in
the maintainance of the family. Accord-
ingly he hired out to ^Ir. Jesse Maddox, a
neighboring farmer. Ilis wages the first
year were to be a pair of shoes, ten bushels
of corn, and the privilege of attending the
district school. The market price of corn
was ten cents per bushel. Even at this mod-
est stipend he admits that he made money,
"though not very much." While in after
rears of fruitful labors in the ministry he
often remarked that the question that most
perplexed him was how to earn vrhat he re-
ceived, it is not probable that the question
at this time had assumed very serious pro-
portions,
24
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
The most important stipulation in the
contract was the privilege of attending
school. But even this is subject to shrink-
age when we recall that the school system
of Indiana was then in its first stage of
development. It afforded no royal path
to learning, and the common thoroughfare
was neither smooth nor flowery, ^\'e would
scarcely expect to find in the schoolroom
comforts that the home itself was a. stranger
to. Strikingly suggestive of the interior as-
pect of those primitive seats of learning are
the lines from Whittier's "In School Days" :
''Within, the master's desk is seen,
Deep scarred by raps official ;
The battered seats, the warping floor,
The jack knife's carved initial.
"The charcoal frescoes on the wall,
The door's worn sill betraying
The feet that creeping late to school,
Went storming out to playing.
?>
To fit the particular building in which
our subject first tasted the fruit of the tree
of knowledge, the picture needs but slight
modification. If anything, it should be
made even more simple and primitive. The
"battered" seats were made of puncheon.
Since this word is passing from common
25
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
usage, it may be well to explain that pun-
cheon is made by splitting a small log in
two equal parts. The split edges are then
trimmed down, and the pieces thus treated
served as a rough substitute for sawed lum-
ber. To make them into seats, two holes
were bored near each end in the unhewn
side. These being at proper angles, wooden
pins were inserted into them for legs. The
rude seat was then ready for service. It is
not to be taken for granted tliat these seats
were always made perfectly smooth. What
was lacking to smooth them down by the
Avorkmen was expected to be completed by
the pupils. They finished the task, but often
it was a long and painful process, with
many a protest from a new gown of home-
spun or a pair of "tow-linen," home-grown
breeches. Thus, with no rest for the arms
or the back, with one side scorched by the
heat from the great fireplace and the other
chilled by the winter winds creeping through
cracks in floor and walls and roof, the
children wore away tJie dreary hours. The
floor, being composed of this same puncheon,
did not easily warp. The recess recreation
consisted mainly in carrying fuel from the
surrounding forest to feed the every-hungry
fireplace.
26
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
Whatever dijinity the schoolmaster may
have possessed in the eyes of his pupils, cer-
tain it is he was not the original of Gold-
smith's creation in the "Deserted Village,"
of whom the wonder was "that one small
head conld carry all he knew." Beyond tlie
traditional essentials of scholarship, con-
sisting of reading, writing, and ciphering,
with a specially intimate ac(iuaintance with
the spelling book, he did not pretend to
lead. His chief business was to govern the
school. He proved his divine right to his
throne in the schoolroom by his ability to
handle the most obstreperous cases the dis-
trict could produce. The scholars were on
hand as a challenge to liis generalship. The
hero of the school was the one who held out
longest against his despotic authority. To
lick the teacher was the height of his ambi-
tion. This realized, his place in the local
hall of fame was secure. According to the
philosophy of the times "lickin' and larn-
in' " went hand in hand, lickin' being es-
sential, while larnin' was incidental.
The school house was three miles from
the Maddox home. The school was main-
tained on the basis that "whosoever will
may come." There was no penalty for
tardiness or absence, but as young Newgent
possessed a real thirst for knowledge and
27
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
was in the habit of making the most of
whatever he undertook, his attendance was
more roguhir than the average. However,
the sum total of his schooling was limited to
three terms of about three months each, an
aggregate of nine months. Meager as were
his school advantages, they were well im-
proved and furnished a foundation for self-
culture upon which he built as only a genius
can. He learned to read in less than four
weeks, and his progress was correspondingly
rapid throughout. His real school was not
bounded by the walls of the log school
house ; it was rather the great school of life
with its harsh discipline and inexhaustible
curriculum; and in this he grew to be the
peer of the ripest products of educational
institutions. "Opportunities," he says, in
his characteristic way, "the woods has al-
ways been full of opportunities. I had
splendid opportunities Avhen I vras a boy,
and so did m.y companions; but many of
them, like some young folks now, failed to
see them." He saw what many fail to see,
that opportunities are not so much in our
environment as in ourselves, and that suc-
cess is not determined by outward circum-
stances, but by one's own will and energy.
A habit early formed was that of turnin^T
everything to account in the pursuit of
28
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
knowledii'o. ]Mrs. Newgent, anxious to en-
courage her ehihlren's propensities for
stu(h\ furnished the home with such read-
ing matter as lier means would permit.
Though the family were separated most of
the time, they came together at frequent in-
tervals. On these occasions the time was
v»-ell spent in reading and in discussing cur-
rent topics. Whatever was read became the
subject of conversation. These conversa-
tions often took the form of argument, in
which the various sides of a subject were
presented and zealously defended. Thus,
he early displayed and developed an apti-
tude for argumentative discussion, which
made him a master in debate, and is a
strong element in all his public discourses.
His conversion occurred when he wa.s
about ten years old, while still in the serv-
ice of Mr. Maddox, abenef it which was not con-
sidered in the contract with his employer.
This took place during a gracious revival
at the Canaan Methodist church, of which
his employer was a member and was serving
at the time as class leader and janitor. The
meeting had been in progress for a number
of days; many had found the Savior, and
the community was deeply stirred. He had
been sent to open the church and build the
fire for the evening service. While going
29
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
quietly about his duties, all alone, the im-
pression came to him quite vividly that he
ought to be a Christian, and he resolved to
go to the '"mourner's bench" that night. He
was never long in making up his mind,
and when a decision was once made, it was
as a law of the Medes and Persians. So he
went to the altar tliat night and each suc-
ceeding niolit for more than a week. One
evening as he was listening to the sermon,
conviction became so intense tliat in his ex-
tremity he left tlie house. Though it Avas a
cold niglit and the ground was covered with
snow, he stole out in the woods. Kneeling
in the snow, this youthful Jacob wrestled
with God in prayer. How long he tarried,
he could not tell, but faith triumphed, and
the next lie knew the woods were resound-
ing witli his shouts of victory. liushing
into the church while the preacher was yet
talking, he put an end to the sermon by his
shouting and praising God. The congrega-
tion was electrified. Soon the demonstra-
tion became general, and for a time pande-
monium hehl sway; but it was of a sort in
which there were both method and meaning,
for its source was from above.
Like God's servant of old, he could say,
"My heart is fixed." He joined the church
and from that time never missed an oppor-
30
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
timity to pray and testify in public or pri-
vate. At that time children did not receive
much attention from the church. Churches
were strong on saving souls from dam-
nation, but the idea of saving the entire
life for service had not taken deep root.
As a result of the revival there was a large
class of "probationers." When the pc^riod
of probation had expired, according to the
church law, and they were to be admitted
into full membership, his name was not on
the list. He was not considered a member ;
at least that was his version of it, and the
only loaical conclusion the case would war-
rant. It was a sore disappointment, but of
too delicate a nature to mention to his
elders. So he kept his feelings to himself.
Thus matters stood for little more than a
year, when he learned that there was to be
a quarterly meeting at the Otterbein United
Brethren Church a few miles away. This
church belonged to the Rockville Circuit of
the Wabash Conference. Rev. William
Sherrill was the pastor. The presiding
elder, who was to hold the quarterly con-
ference, was Eev. Samuel Zuck. Both were
strong and good men. Jack had never at-
tended a United Brethren service. What
knowledge he had of the Church was gained
through conversations overheard in the
31
The Experiences of Uncle JacK
]Maddox home. ^Finisters being frequently
entertained there, conversation at such
times naturally took to relioious channels.
As this was an age when churches did not
entertain the most fraternal feelings toward
one another, these conversations were not
calculated, as a rule, to produce a favorable
opinion of a rival denomination. His inter-
est in churches and religion was genuine,
born of a desire to know the truth. Hence,
is was not mere curiositj' that led him to
obtain his emploj^er's permission to spend
Saturday and Sunday with a neighbor in
t^ tj cry
the Otterbein community so that he might
attend the services of the quarterly meeting.
The Church proved to be his aflflnity.
Whatever misgivings he had, vanished one
by one. The general atmosphere of the
first service harmonized vrith his tempera-
ment. There was spirit in the singing. His
heart burned within him as he listened to
the eloquent sermon by the presiding elder ;
and when the pastor followed, as the custom
was, with a warm exhortation, he was en-
raptured. He resolved to join the Church.
As usual, the decision was made without
much preliminary. He knew where he
stood, and stood there with both feet. When
he returned, his employer, as well as his
own folks, was thunderstruck to learn that
32
REV. ANDREW JACKSON NEWGENT
When he traveled his first circuit.
The Experiences of Uncle JacK
he luid become a, fiilMIedged United Bretli-
ren. Ilavino- put his hand to the plow, he
never turned back. "I have been so busy,"
is a connnon sayinji,' with him, ''that I have
never had time to backslide."
It should be said in justice to the church
where he first joined, that his name had
been entered upon the book, but bj mistake
it was placed in the list with the full mem-
bers. This accounts for his not beino- re-
ceived with the probationers, to which class
he belonged, and led to the conclusion that
he was not considered a member. Thus an
apparently insignificant thing may prove to
be a matter of vital importance.
As a boy he possessed pronounced convic-
tions and a keen sense of religious obliga-
tion. This is demonstrated by an incident
which occurred while he was in the employ
of Mr. Jerry Rush, a short time after leav-
ing the service of :Mr. :\faddox. Mr. Rush
was a well-to-do farmer and stock dealer.
Neither he nor his wife made any profes-
sion of relig-ion, thougli their lives were re-
garded as exemplary and above question in
other respects. Some of the men who
worked on the farm, however, were of the
baser sort. It seemed strange to young
Newgent that a man of ]Mr. Rush's habits
would surround himself with men who were
33
The Experiences of Uncle JacK
utterly destitute of moral scruples or of the
commonest decencies. To him their vulgar-
ity and profanity were a source of constant
annoyance. At one time as their coarse
jests were grating- on his sensitive ears, he
was impressed with the idea that this un-
couth crowd afforded him a field for mis-
sionary work. The impression was not long
in taking definite shape. It came with the
force of a challenge, a bugle call to duty,
a call that he never failed to heed. His
mind was made up that he would offer
prayer with these men before they retired
that evening if Mr. Rush would grant him
the privilege.
It was a bold resolve, an ordeal from
which a braver heart might well have
shrunk. Let eloquent tongues proclaim the
praise of those who face death at the can-
non's mouth, or the inspired pen immortal-
ize the hero, who, amid the applause of
admiring multitudes, imperils his own life
to save another; but who would not count
it a worthy act to place a laurel wreath
upon the brow of a fourteen-year-old lad
who dared to face, not one Goliath, but a
company of Goliaths, with the simple
weapon of faith, and demand that they bow
before their God while he offered a petition
in behalf of their needy souls? Yet this
34
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
resolute purpose was to undergo a severe
test. The fiercest battles are fought in our
own hearts. As the time drew near, he felt
his courage slipping away. He stole out to
the barn for a time of secret prayer, that he
might be equal to the emergency. Feeling
comforted and strengthened, he started to
the house to execute his plan. On reaching
the yard gate his courage seemed to take
flight, and he could go no farther. He went
back to the place of prayer. On the second
venture he got as far as the door, when his
strength again vanished. Not to be beaten,
he went back to the barn to fight the battle
to a finish. The third effort won the da v.
He hastened to the house, determined not to
give the enemy a chance. The men were sit-
ting about the fire. Without a word bv
way of preliminary, he stepped up to Mr.
Rush and asked permission to kneel with
them in prayer. The permission was
granted, and a solemn hush came over the
startled company as they listened while
the boy, with trembling voice and stammer-
ing accents, poured out his soul to God. He
then sought his bed with the consciousness
that he had done his duty. A sweet peace
filled his soul and he lay for hours in
ecstacy of joy,
35
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
The next eveninoj the family devotions
were repeated. But on the third evening
the prayer was forestalled by a preconcerted
plan on the part of the men. As the time
for prayer approached, oneafter another, they
arose and stalked out of the room, and the
victor in two hard-fought battles was left
alone — defeated and dejected. His sjjirits
dropped down to zero. The fiery dart had
pierced him through and through. In agony
of soul he sought his bed, but not to rest.
Out of the depth of his troubled heart he
called upon God for comfort. But the fury
of the storm seemed only to increase. In
his desperation he felt that something must
be done. So, about the hour of midnight,
he arose, dressed himself, and left the house
to go — he knew not where. Through the
remaining hours of the night he wandered,
directing his course toward the West. Dav-
light came, the sun rose above the horizon
and pursued its course toward the zenith,
but his pilgrimage continued. At noon he
found himself in the citv of Terre Haute,
then a mere village. Here he tarried for a
time to seek employment. Failing in this,
he resumed his westward journey. He asked
for work at the various farm houses which
he passed. While he found kind hearts who,
touched by pity for the youthful pilgrim,
36
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
ofave him food and temporary shelter, he
found no man to hire him until he reached
Mattoon, Illinois, nearly a hundred miles
from whence he started. Work at that sea-
son of the year was scarce, and his term
of service at Mattoon was brief. At the end
of three days his employer oave him his
Avages with the intelligence that his services
were no longer needed.
He now decided to go back to Indiana.
^Alth his three days' wages in his pocket,
with which he expected to pay for his trans-
portation at least part of the way, he set
out upon the return journey. Within the
vicinity of Terre Haute he succeeded in find-
ing steady employment and a congenial
home.
There were two sides to this stor}^ and
some months after Jack was settled in his
new home he learned the other side. It was
glorious news to him. The sequel was that
Mr. Rush was converted, joined the Bap-
tist Church, and became a zealous leader in
religious work. It came about in this waj :
When Mr. Rush found that Jack had disap-
peared and diligent effort failed to solve the
myster3^ of his disappearance, a feeling of
remorse over his unchristian conduct so
possessed him that for days he was almost
in a state of frenzy. Remorse took the form
Z1
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
of spiritual conviction and genuine repent-
ance which led to a glorious conversion.
On learning of the whereabouts of his
young benefactor, Mr. Rush at once went
to see him, and told him his side of the story.
He confessed to Jack that he was a guilty
party to the scheme the men had used to
defeat him. The boy's awkward prayer to-
gether with their own antipathy for such
pious exercises w^as a source of embarrass-
ment to the men, and they agreed among
themselves to use the method described to
rid themselves of further annoyance. Lit-
tle did Mr. Rush realize that those awkward
prayers were to' be the means of his salva-
tion.
"God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform,
He plants his footsteps on the sea,
He rides upon the storm.
"Judge not the Lord with feeble sense.
But trust him for his grace.
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face."
38
Chapter Tiiuee.
Call to the Ministry — First Sermon — The Boy
Preacher — Ansivering a Fool After his Folly
— Turning a Camp Meeting Tide — Quieting a
Skirmish — Takes a Wife.
Providence seemed to ordain that there
should be one preacher in the Newgent fam-
ily and that tliat one should be Jack. As
has been observed, his religious zeal from
the time of his conversion at the age of ten,
was exceptional. Jnst when the first im-
pression looking toward the ministry came
to him he could scarcely tell, such impres-
sions having been associated more or less
with his religious experience from the be-
ginning. Bv the time he was thirteen the
conviction that he had a "divine call'' to
preach the gospel became clear and definite.
And the conviction deepened with the pass-
ing of time. Of course, no one dreamed of
the emotions that were stirring the boy's
breast, and to him the ministry was so high
and sacred a calling as to seem infinitely
beyond his possibilities. Hence, he dared
not express his feelings to even his most
intimate friends, and so received no sympa-
thy or encouragement from any hunmn
source. Ue went about his Father's busi-
39
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
ness in his own way, rendering such serv-
ice to the cause of his Master as a boy of his
years was capable of. His zeal knew no
abatement, and such dilijience is sure to lead
to recognition and reward.
The minister who first took a special in-
terest in him was llev. Ira Mater, an able
preacher and a sympathetic discerner of the
thoughts and intents of the heart. Be-
tween the man and the lad there sprang up
a beautiful friendship, suggestive of that be-
tween Paul and Timothy. Rev. Mr. ^Mater
frequently invited his young friend to ac-
company him to liis appointments, and by
way of stirring up the gift that was in this
prospective Timothy, sometimes called upon
liim to open the service, to exhort after
tlie sermon, or perform such other pub-
lie ministrations as were convenient. Rev.
Mr. Newgent has always gratefully ac-
knowledged his indebtedness to this spirit-
ual father.
This association with Rev. Mr. Mater was
during his sixteenth and seventeenth years.
He was small and rather delicate for one of
his age. His entire youth was a continual
conflict with disease, the entire category of
which seemed to try their hand upon his
slender frame. But wliile his body was
frail, his mind was strong and alert. That
40
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
his povsitive temperament and seeming dis-
position to never give up had somewhat to
do in staving off the grim monster, death, is
not at all inilikelv.
His first regular discourse was preached
at the Stedd School House near Foutanet,
in Clay Count^^, Indiana. The school house
was used as a preaching point and weekly
prayer meetings were maintained. He was
a frequent attendant at these services, and
one evening, on entering the house, he wsls
met by the leader who said, "Jack, the peo-
ple are expecting j^ou to preach to-night."
That he was to preach was simply a sur-
mise, his association with IJev. Mr. Mater
being the probable foundation of it. But
some one surmised out loud and the rumor
gained currency'. Observing his surprise at
this intelligence, the leader continued, "You
had just as well begin here and now," in a
manner that indicated that it was a fore-
gone conclusion that preaching was to be
his life business. And Jack preached. At
any rate, if the effort could not be classed as
preaching, it was a splendid substitute for
it. He announced as a text, "If the rinht-
eous scarcely be saved, where shall the un-
godly and the sinner appear?" The congre-
gation was visibly affected by his fervor
and earnestness, some of the more demon-
41
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
strative ones i^ivinjj; vent to their feelings
in shouts of praise. He was urged to preach
the next night, and the meetings were con-
tinued for more than a week, heing held at
various private homes, Newgent preaching
at each service. The divine seal was thus
placed upon his ministry, and the meeting
marked the beginning of a new epoch in his
career.
A few weeks later the Kockville quarterly
conference granted him a license to preach.
The action was taken in his absence. J. P.
White was the preacher in charge and
Thomas M. Hamilton was the presiding
elder. The action of the quarterly confer-
ence was almost a superfluous formality,
as he was now so greatly in demand that
he could not well avoid preaching.
The boy preacher was a popular charac-
ter. To see a man on the auic meridian of
life in the pulpit was at that time quite
unusual. The popular prejudice was in
favor of men who had spent the major part
of their lives on the farm or in business, thus
acquiring a competence that would en-
able them to proclaim that salvation is free
without being embarrassed or embarrassing
their congregations on the money question.
Hence, a diminutive lad of seventeen, weigh-
ing only about eighty pounds, exercising the
42
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
ministerial function was in itself sufficient
to attract the multitudes. Wherever he
preached he was greeted by immense audi-
ences. By many he was regarded as a
prodigy, though he could not be classed as
such, ]>rodigies seldom accomplishing more
than to afford amusement for curious spec-
tators. It is true, howeyer, that he dis-
played qualities unusual for one of his
years, though it must be admitted that the
greater part of his power lay in his intense
religious zeal and earnestness.
Some characteristic incidents in this
part of his ministry will not only be of in-
terest in themselyes, but will at the same
time serye to illustrate his unique indiyid-
uality. He went on one occasion to fill an
appointment at what was known as the
Rough and Ready School House. The name
was justified by the preyailing social con-
ditions. Like Paul on Mars Hill, he found
that at least some of the people were very
religious, though their religious energy was
not always directed to the best advantage.
Not infrequently does it transpire that men
will fight for their religion even when they
are utterly averse to the practice of it, a
fact which had a forcible illustration in this
particular service. He preached with his
usual energy. The house was crowded and
43
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
the sermon seemed to be well received. There
happened to be present a minister of what
was designated as the Campbellite persua-
sion. Evidently the sermon did not coin-
cide with his theological bias. He asked
permission to say a few words as the
speaker took his seat. The permission
granted, he sallied forth with a tirade of
abuse and denunciation of the young
l)reacher and his theology in which his pas-
sion played a larger part than either his
judgment or his conscience. When he
finallv ran down, Newgent arose in a calm
manner and said, "Brother, with your way
of applying Scripture, I can prove that Eve
was the mother of a turkey buzzard."
"Prove it, then," shouted back the irascible
theologue. "Well, the Bible says that Eve
was the mother of all living, and that in-
cludes turkey buzzards. Let us be dis-
missed," and calling the audience to their
feet, he pronounced the benediction before
his assailant had time to reply.
At another time, with his brother, John
Newgent, he happened to drop in at a Meth-
odist campmeeting in Sullivan County.
They arrived just in time for the morning
service. A number of ministers were seated
on the platform, among them being Rev.
Hayden Hayes, the presiding elder. Rev.
44
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
Mr. Flaves had met Newaent on a former
occasion, and as soon as he saw him enter
the camp, rushed back and taking him by
the arm, led him to the platform. Hayes
was a strong, portly man, and the delicate
lad was helpless in his grasp; thus he was
led as a lamb to the slaiigliter, and was in-
formed that he must preach. Though he
vainl}^ sought to be excused, yet he was
equal to the emergency. He had proceeded
about ten minutes with his discourse, when
a man sitting a few feet in front of the
platform was converted and began to shout.
He continued, and four others in the con-
gTcgation broke loose in like manner, all of
them having been converted through the ef-
fect of the sermon, and the discourse disap-
peared in a whirlwind of praise that com-
pletely drowned the speaker's voice. Up to
that time there had been no move in the
meeting.
Jolm Newgent was imbued with the old-
school Baptist doctrine and had not sympa-
thized with his brother's preaching propen-
sities. After resuming their journey they
rode for a time in silence. Finally the older
brother said, "Jack, you know I have al-
ways opposed your preaching. But I want
to say that I have no further objection to
it; but," he added with quivering lips, "I
45
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
want you to i)ray for me," The sermon had
touched his heart.
Though urgent demands were made upon
the boy preacher to stay and assist in the
meeting, he was unable to do so, and heard
nothing furtlier from it until after he had
returned from the war, when by chance he
again passe<l tlirougli the vicinity. He
stopped at the home of a Mrs. Mayfield, on
whose farm the camp was located, to get
his dinner and his horse fed. As he was
taking his leave, having paid his bill, he
chanced to observe the camp ground a short
distance away. Up to that time he was not
aware that he was in tlie immediate vicinity
of it. He inquired of his hostess concerning
the camp meetings. She told him that but
one such meeting had been held, though the
intention was to make it a permanent in-
stitution. The unsettled condition of times
during the Rebellion prevented the plan
from being carried out,
''How was that meeting?" NcAVgent asked,
as one who had a peculiar interest in it.
"Oh, it was a grand success. There was
a little Baptist preacher from near Lafay-
ette happened in and preached one morning,
and just set things on fire. From that time
on the meetings were powerful."
46
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
"What was the fellow's name?" he asked,
but she could not recall it.
"Was it Newgent?" She said that sounded
like it.
"Well," he said, "I know him. He isn't
considered much of a preacher up there
where he lives, but," he added, "you are
mistaken about his being a Baptist. He is
a United Brethren."
She looked at him curiously for an instant
and said, "I believe you are the fellow."
And his smile told that she had guessed
ai'ight.
His money was returned at once, and she
insisted that he stay and preach at the
Methodist church near the camp ground
that night, assuring him that he would have
a good hearing as there had been mucli
talk about the little preacher who had "set
the camp meeting afire." This he was un-
able to do, but promised to return at a later
date.
A short while after the camp meeting, he
filled an appointment for his pastor, Rev.
J. F. Moore, at the Leatlierwood church,
which was a part of the Bockville charge.
The pulpit arrangement of this church was
in strict harmony with the fashion of the
times. It consisted of a sort of wall which
shut the preacher in almost completely from
47
' The Experiences of Uncle Jack
the congregation, suggesting a military for-
tification. Newgent, being small of stature,
could with difficulty peer over the top of the
ramparts. He was led to believe, liowever,
that the fortification was a necessary pre-
caution, for his artillery had been turned
loose but a short time when it was evident
that there was a hearty response. Bang!
Some sort of a missile struck the rampart
just in front of him with a loud report. It
was followed immediately by another, and
the bombardment continued until six dis-
charges were fired. The preacher withdrew
within the breastworks that small fraction
of his anatomy that was exposed, and waited
for hostilities to cease. The congregation
was at once thrown into a state of confusion
and excitement. When the preacher finally
surveyed the situation after the heavy bat-
teries were silenced, he saw that a hand-to-
hand skirmish was on between two men in
the rear of the room. One was making a
desperate effort to get the other to the door
and out of the house. With the help of the
congregation, he succeeded in putting down
the rebellion, and going back to his forti-
fications he finished the discourse and the
service was concluded in fairly good order.
The difficultv was onlv a side issue, the
culmination of a grudge between a couple
48
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
of natives. The missiles were not uimed at
the preacher, hut were fired from ambush
tlironi^li tlie open door; the man for whom
they were intended happened to ])e sitting
in range with the ])nl])it.
rjev. ^fr. Moore resigned Uui Kockville
charge during tlie year and Newgent was
appointed to serve the unexpired term.
This was his first experience in the pastor-
ate. His brief term of service here was
cliaracterized by a revival of extraordinary
results at Otterbein, his home church. Con-
verts were nundK'red by the scores and the
community was shaken by sucli a spiritual
upheaval as it had nev(»r known.
Another adventure should be chronicled
here. It has been said that there are but
three real important events in a man's life,
namely, his birth, his marriage, and his
death. Tlie second of this gTeat trio in the
life of our subject occurred during the
period embraced in this chapter. It is a
common saying with him that he does not
believe in early marriages, hence, he de-
ferred this important step until he was
eighteen years old. And on the seventh of
January, 1857, he took to himself a wife in
the person of INIiss Katharine Copeland.
She proved to be a worthy and sympathetic
companion, heroically assuming her part of
49
The Experiences of Uncle JacK
the burdens and responsibilities that belon«!j
to the faniih^ of an itinerant preacher. That
her lot was not an easy one may be readily
assumed when we consider what the minis-
terial callino- involved in that early day.
Its peculiar hardships fell most heavily
upon the wife, yet these she endured with-
out protest. Brave in heart, gentle in tem-
per, and in heartiest accord with her hus-
band's interests, she proved to him a real
heli)meet, and an inspiration to his loftiest
endeavors.
50
Chapter Four.
Conference Membership — Brulitz Creek Ministry —
The Modern Knight and his Steed — Abrupt Clos-
ing of Family Devotions by a Dog on the
Preacher — An Original Marriage Ceremony — A
Case of Mistaken Identity — A Banner Missionary
Collection — Shawnee Prairie Pastorate — A Cold
Day in April — The Redemption of Hell's Half
Acre — Baiting for a Perverse Fish — An Experi-
ence in the Whiskey Business.
Rev. ^h\ Xewo^ont was received into the
Upper Wabash Conference at Mil ford, Indi-
ana,, in the spring- of 1850. Bishop David
Edwards presided. The Conference had
been formed the preceding year by a divi-
sion of the Wabasli Conference territory.
As a matter of coincidence he was ordained
four years later at the Conference in ses-
sion at the same place with the same Bishop
presiding. He was now in his twenty-first
year, having been quite prominent in minis-
terial labors for about four years, and had
a record for zeal, earnestness, and success
in revival work that commended him favor-
ably to the Conference.
He was appointed by this Conference to
the Brulitz Creek Circuit, which gave him
an unlimited field for the exercise of his
zeal and talents. The circuit consisted of
eighteen appointments, only two of which
51
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
wore at clnn'cli-liousos; the otlHTs were <at
school lioiisesaiid in privateliomes. With lit-
tle or no competition, the circuit-rider was
monarch of all he surveyed, thou<;li in most
cases when he received his appointment he
found enouo-h already surveyed to tax his
time and energy to the limit. Preaching
services were not confined to the Sabbath,
but would fall u])on any day of the week,
and ev(Mi then the intervals between ap-
jtointments, exce]>t durini"' the periodic "big
meeting," were usiuilly not less than five or
six weeks.
The standard mode of travel was by horse-
back, and the circuit-rider, in addition to
his other qualifications, needed to be efficient
in horsemanship. This was scarcely nec-
essary in Newgent's case, however. Not
being able to own a horse at this time, he
secured the loan of one from an accommo-
dating neighbor. The hoi*se was as accom-
modating as its owner. It was quite well
"broke," having endured the rigors of some
nineteen winters, and was experienced in
the various departments of farm work. It
had sowed and reaped — and eaten — its wild
oats, and was absolutely reliable, at least
to the limit of its physical endurance. At
any rate the horse had many acknowledged
good points, as a faithful portrait would
52
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
have deiiKmstrated. A\'liile it may not liave
been in its real element on dress parade, it
served the more practical purpose of loco-
motion — to a somewhat limited extent.
As the rider weighed scarcely a hundred
pounds, the horse had no cause to complain
at his burden. And when it came to matters
of appearance, the odds were not so un-
evenly balanced as mii^ht be supposed. The
spare-built, smooth-faced youth, clad in his
suit of home-spun, which was made with a
reckless disreoard of the lines and propor-
tions of his anatomy, miij,ht well have re-
called the lines of Shakespeare:
"A\'()uld that he were fatter, but I fear him
not ;
Yet if my name were liable to fear,
I know of no one whom I would so much
avoid."
Thus, mounted upon his trusty steed,
armed with all the weapons of spiritual war-
fare, this modern knight errant of the sad-
dle-bags rode forth valiantly to the scenes
of the year's conflicts and triumphs. En-
route to his first appointment, he found an
opportunity to do some pastoral work which
led to an episode, without mention of which
these chronicles would be incomplete. Pass-
ing by the home of one of his prominent
S3
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
members, he stopped for a brief call. The
house stood on the side of a hill, some dis-
tance from the road. A flight of steps led
lip to the front door. Ascending the steps,
he rapped at the door and was kindly admit-
ted by the good housewife. All went merry
as a marriage bell and the time of his de-
I)arture Avas at hand all too soon. He asked
the privilege of bowing with the family in
prayer before going, which was freely
granted. The weather was warm and it
was not thought necessary to close the door,
though had it been done in this case, it
would have prevented a bit of embarrass-
ment and incidentally spoiled a good story.
As all was so congenial within, the pastor
anticipated no molestation from without,
and so injudiciously knelt with his back to
the open door.
As he warmed up to his devotions, he
aroused from his slumbers a large New-
foundland dog, that had evidently not no-
ticed the approach of the stranger, and up
to that time was unaware of his presence.
The aroused canine at once began an investi-
gation, and when he saw what was going
on, seemed much offended that he had not
been consulted about the matter. He
bounded up the steps into the room, and,
seizing the preacher by the luxuriant
54
K.imilj Di'volions IntorrupCeJ.
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
growth of black hair that covered liis dome
of thouuht, att'ordinnj an excellent hold for
his teeth, he zealously set about the task of
removing the supposed intruder from tlie
premises. The preaclier was taken una-
wares. Before he could assume a defensive
attitude, he and the dog were rolling pell-
mell, higgledy-piggledy over each other,
down the steps, and landed in a confused
heap on the ground. Devotions thus came
to an abrupt close; the family came to the
preacher's rescue. All formalities were dis-
pensed with for the time. By the united
efforts of the family, the dog and preacher
were finally separated without either of
them being seriously damaged, and the new
pastor of Brulitz Creek Circuit went on his
way to face new adversaries and new ex-
periences.
He reached the home of Mr. Jacob Wim-
sett, in Vermilion County, on Saturday
evening as the sun was dropping below the
liorizon, and there put up for the night.
This was in the vicinity of his Sunday
morning appointment. It was an old-fash-
ioned home even for that day; the home at-
mos])here was more hospitable than conven-
tional. As the preacher himself was quite
democratic in his temperament, no formal-
ities were required. He noticed among the
55
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
various lueiiibers of the liousehold a .young
man and a young woman who seemed as un-
obtrusive and as awkward as liimself. No
introductions being given, he took it for
granted that they botli were members of the
family and so gave tliem no particular
thought until he was ready to start to
church the next morning. As he was about
to take his leave, the young man approached
him rather diffidently and requested him to
wait a. few minutes.
"^fe an' the girl," he explained, pointing
to the blushing lass on the opposite side of
the room, "are a goin' to git married, an'
we want you to say the words for us before
vou go.''
"All right," said Newgent, in a manner
that left the impression that he understood
the situation all the while, "give me your
license."
The document was produced and the
twain took their place in front of the
preacher, while the rest of the company
looked on. Up to this time he had never
served in that capacity and had not the
slightest idea of a marriage ceremony. Ex-
amining the document in a seemingly crit-
ical manner for an instant as if to make
sure that it conformed to all require-
ments, he looked gravely at the trembling
56
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
yoiinj]^ couple. "If you are agreed to live
together," he said so rapidly as to render his
words scarcely int<'lligi])le, "according to
the marriage covenant, join your right
hands." Scarcely had they time to heed the
injunction when he continued, "In the name
of God I pronounce you nmu and wife."
And the twain were made one.
He then hastened to his morning appoint-
ment, reaching tlie church before the people
began to gather. This was one of the two
cliurch-houses on the circuit, and was called
Nicholls' Chapel. "Father" Nicholls, one of
the wheel-horses of the church, and in whose
honor it was named, was sweeping the floor
and ]>utting the house in order. His t^sk
comph^ted, he went home to get ready for
the morning service, without making the
acquaintance of the young stranger. Ere
long the people began to arrive. By the
time Sunday school commenced the house
was quite well filled. Newgent took his seat
in the rear of the house and received no par-
ticular attention. He was not even invited
to a place in a Sunday-school class. How-
ever, his presence incognito gave him a good
opportunity for taking notes. He over-
heard frequent remarks concerning the new
preacher. The people had heard nothing
of him and were expressing doubts about
57
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
his beino- in the neighborhood. And when
Sunday school closed without his presence
being made known, their doubts seemed to
be confirmed.
Rev. William Jones, a retired preacher
and a meml)er of the local class, cajne in
just as Huuday school was closing and at
once made iuijuirv concerning the pastor.
''We haven't seen or heard anything of
him," was the information he received from
Father XichoUs.
"Whv, there he is now," and Rev. Mr.
Jones pointed to the diminutive lad near
the door.
"That fellow?" Father Xicholls was dum-
founded. "That fellow has been here all
morning. I supposed he was some hired
hand in the neighborhood that had just hap-
pened in."
Explanations and apologies were freely
indulged in, the supposed hired hand enter-
ing heartily into the joke. He was intro-
duced to the astonished congregation, and
the service proceeded to their entire satisfac-
tion and delight. Father Nicholls treated
him kindly; he piloted him to the afternoon
appointment, introducing him to all whom
they chanced to meet, invariably accom-
panjing the introduction with the story of
the forenoon experience.
58
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
"If I had been out hunting for preachers,"
he would say, in telling the story, "I would
not have snapped a cap at him."
The year's work on this field was a most
fruitful one. The membership was doubled,
and though the charge was not above the
average in financial strength, he received
the largest salary of any member of the
conference.
Little attention was given, at this time,
to the cause of missions. Money was not
generally recognized as a vital factor in
Christian service. Salaries were meager
and often consisted in provisions rather
than cash. In many places a strong senti-
ment prevailed against a paid ministry.
Poverty and ignorance were considered nec-
essary prerequisites tO' ministerial piety.
The General Missionary Board was only
about nine years old, and missionary senti-
ment had not taken deep root. But New-
gent sowed missionary seed with a lavish
hand, and had the pleasure of reaping at
least part of the harvest. His ability to
lead men to loosen their purse strings even
then began to be asserted in a marked de-
gree. More than half of the missionary con-
tributions of the entire conference that year
was reported from Brulitz Creek Circuit.
59
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
His report attracted attention and won
him considei'nl)le distinction at the annual
conference. According to custom each pas-
tor reported in person in the open confer-
ence relative to the different int(M'ests of his
charge. When asked about his missionary
offering, Newgent replied, "Ilei'e it is," and
taking a woolen bag, commonly called a
sock, from his pocket he emptied its con-
tents on the table. The contents consisted
of coins of various denominations just
as he had gathered them to the amount
of 133.40, the small change giving it the ap-
pearance of a larger sum than he actually
had. However, this was considered remark-
able. Most of the pastors reported nothing.
Dr. D. K. Flickinger, the first missionary
secretary of the Church, was occupying a
seat on the platform near the Bishop, and
joined heartily with him in applause at the
splendid report and the unique manner of
presenting it.
The year's work placed the "boy preacher"
in a most favorable light, and led to his ap-
pointment to the Shawnee Prairie Circuit,
the strongest charge in the Conference. The
chai'ge had had the pastoral service of Rev.
Thomas H. Hamilton, a. mighty man who
stood high in the counsels of the denomina-
tion. It was characterized by more than the
60
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
usual amount of wealth and culture, and
withal an air of aristocracy that led to
demands upon a pastor that were most ex-
acting. Rev. jMr, Hamilton was a favorite
on the circuit, and the people had no
thought of losing him. His election to the
office of presiding elder, however, necessi-
tated the change, and when the awkward,
and, as they thought, inexperienced lad
came among them, they felt that their aris-
tocratic tastes were outraged. It was a wet,
cliilly day in April when he arrived, and
the crestfallen spirits of the people made it
still more chilly for him. And when he
learned that the matter of rejecting him was
being seriously considered, the situation was
anything but cheerful.
He told the people he would remain until
the first quarterly meeting, when the presid-
ing elder, Rev. Mr. Hamilton, would be pres-
ent, and that be would Avilliugly abide by
their decision at that time. This was a
judicious step, as it gave him an opportun-
ity to prove himself. So he went to work
with his usual zeal and by the time of the
quarterly meeting he had sixty conversions
with about an equal number of additions to
the church. All thought of rejecting the
pastor had completely vanished. In fact
they would not have swapped him off for
61
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
the "bijTjgest ^im they liad ever heard fired."
Such success as the charge had never known
crowned the labors of that year — great re-
vivals at all the appointments, the circuit
more than doubled in streniith, and en-
thusiasm at hi.iili tide. Thus their mourn-
inji' was turned into laughin<>-. A unan-
imous demand was made for his return for
another year, but his restless spirit sought
new worlds to conquer. His motto has al-
ways been that it is better to go to a needy
field and build it up than to go Avliere
further advancement is impossible. On this
ground he asked to be sent to a new field.
One experience on Shawnee Prairie Cir-
cuit is worthy of special mention. Contig-
uous to the circuit, near Attica in Foun-
tain County, was a section of country known
as Hell's Half Acre. Its leading spirit was
an infidel doctor. His influence and teach-
ino-s had so dominated the community that
it was found impossible to maintain reli-
gious services there. Ministers were consid-
ered proud, indolent, and altogether an un-
desirable lot. Newgent determined to do
some missionary Avork in that benighted
place, though repeated efforts to that end
had been made in vain.
In order to make a favorable impression
and avoid the imprecation of being proud,
62
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
he dressed in his everv-day t'k>thes and vis-
ited the district school, which was the Geo-
graphical and social center, and the only
place where meetings could be held. He
announced tliat there would be services at
the school house that evening, to be contin-
ued indelinitely, and urged the children to
spread the news.
The announcement, however, did not pro-
duce satisfactory results. The attendance
the first three or four evenings did not ex-
ceed a half-dozen. The atmosphere was
rather chilly and the spiritual barometer
did not indicate an early change. It soon
became apparent that the old doctor was the
key to the situation. If the people were to
be reached, it must be done mainly through
him. How to capture this Goliath was now
the problem, and this problem Newgent set
about to solve.
The Sundav services having been no bet-
ter attended than the preceding ones, he
decided upon a. bold move. On Monday
afternoon he called at the doctor's home.
The doctor answered his knock at the door
in person. The old fellow's rough demeanor
and uncouth appearance, his ancient cob
pipe that had long been entitled to a super-
annuated relation, the musty, dingy room
wliich the half-open door disclosed — all
63
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
Roemed in strikino- harmony Avith his atti-
tude toward religion. The ])reacher iutro-
<lnced himself and explained that he was
holding a revival over at the school house.
The grizzled old sinner looked him over
from head to foot, but said nothing, though
the expression on his sin-hardened face
seemed to say more plainly tlian words,
"Well, you little rascal, you had better be
at home with your mother."
"I understand," persisted the preacher,
ignoring the old gentlenmn's contemptuous
frown, "that you are a good singer and a
prominent citizen, and I would like to con-
sult you about the work and get you to help
me."
"Help in a revival ? AVliy, don't jou know
that I don't believe in the Bible or churches,
or religion of unj sort?"
"Well, that needn't stand in the way.
The evenings are long and the young people
want somewhere to go. You can do the sing-
ing and I'll do the preaching."
That put a different complexion on
things. Here was a chance for some fun,
and incidentally an outlet for his musical
propensities, for he was well versed in
music. The idea seemed to take hold. The
grim features began to relax. The boys
were called and told to "put up the preach -
64
The Boy Preacher Visiting the Infidel.
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
er's horse," aud the i)reacher was invited
into the house. The invitation was heartily
accepted. Newgent understood fishing; he
had fished before. The hook was baited and
he now perceived tliat he had got a nibbl(\
The afternoon was spent to a good advan-
tage. Conversation flowed in various chan-
nels, but fought shy of religion — no time
for that yet. lie waited for his fish to take
the cork under before pulling in. The doc-
tor had a large family of children, and their
appearance bore testimony to the fact that
they were strangers to church and Sunday
school. The boys spread the startling news
that "dad was goin' to help the boy preacher
in the big meetin.' " And such news traveled
as it were with seven-leagued boots.
That was all the advertisement the meet-
ing needed. The infidel accompanied the
preacher to the meeting, taking his place up
front, and led the singing after the droll
nmnner then in vogue. An earthquake or a
man from the dead would not have created
more excitement or comment. From that
time the little school house did not accom-
modate the crowds.
The sermon that evening was not calcu-
lated to create a very profound impression.
It was more saturated with Irish humor
than with real gospel truth. The time for
65
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
serionsnoss had not yet arrived. But the
axe was hi id at the root of the tree, and the
kingdom was nearer at hand than anv of
them supposed. As a lisher of men, the
preacher was still baiting for the fish.
The next night he took for his theme the
Judgment. This was the occasion for sol-
emn and serious facts. He turned loose all
the artillery at his command in storming
the batteries of infidelity and sin, and felt
the presence of the Spirit in directing the
message. As he neared the close of his dis-
course, he turned to the doctor. The wind
had been taken out of the old man's sails;
his face was in his hands and he was weep-
ing bitterly.
"What's the matter, doctor?'' he shouted,
in a strong, firm voice, striving to make his
words as impressive as possible.
The doctor did not answer.
"Get down on your knees," he commanded
as one who spoke with authority.
And the great exponent of infidelity went
down, and his example was followed by a
number of others. He wrestled in agony
and prayer until near midnight, when the
light broke in upon his long benighted soul
— and the fish was caught. Such demon-
strations had never been seen in Hell's Half
Acre as took place in the rude school house
66
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
that nio-ht. The tide hjul surely tiirnod and
tlie redemption was at hand.
As he dismissed the service, Newo^ent an-
nounced that he was ready to ^o home with
the first man who invited liim. A tall,
threadbare, weather-beaten fellow accepted
the challenrje. But when the preacher
started to go, he explained that he didn't
mean it. "I can't take care of you ; I haven't
any room," he protested.
''Go ahead," said the preacher, "I can
sleep on dry coon skins and eat roasted
potatoes." And he went in spite of the pro-
tests of his host.
The man was surely honest in his protest.
He dwelt in a hut built of round poles. In
one corner was a badly cracked stove that
had long done service for both cooking and
heating purposes. Two large box-like ar-
rangements partly filled with leaves gath-
ered from the forest, together with some
ragged covering, served as feeble apologies
for beds, and between these beds was a bar-
rel of whisky. Though it was past mid-
night, the wife was sitting up. She was
scantily clad, yet her face, though care-
worn, revealed a high degree of intelligence,
bearing evidence that she had seen better
days. Two little girls whose appearance
harmonized only too well with their
67
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
wretched surroundings, completed the fam-
ily circle. As Newgent entered this hovel
his eyes rested upon such a picture of desti-
tution as he had never seen. The whisky
barrel, however, told the whole story.
Newgent. soon had the entire family feel-
ing jjerfectly at ease. Tie played with the
children and proved himself a most con-
genial guest. But he was there for their
spiritual good. That night the wretched
home, for the first time, became a house of
prayer. Before the light of a new day
dawned the light from heaven broke in upon
the sad heart of that wife and mother, and
a new day dawned in her life. The next
morning the husband likewise found the
Savior, and the whisky barrel, the cause of
so much misery and poverty, vacated its
place in the home, for old things had passed
awa}' and all things had become new. An-
other stronghold was lost to the enemv. A
glorious night's work it was, and a mighty
step toward the final conquest of this spirit-
ual Canaan.
The man asked N(nvgent to roll the barrel
of whisky into the river. But he said, "No ;
let us sell it to the druggist. We can use
the money to a good advantage."" So he bor-
rowed a team and wagon, and hauled the
whisky to the nearest drug store, and re-
68
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
ceived eighteen dollars for it. With the
money he bought some much needed cloth-
ing for the wife and children. It was his
first and only experience in the whisky busi-
ness.
The entire community was swept by the
revival. ^Fultitudes were converted, a
church was organized, and a church-house
built. The whisky man and the ex-infidel
became pillars in the church, one serving
as claSvS leader and the other as steward.
Never was a work of grace more com])lete,
or the power of God more wonderfully or
graciously displayed in the transformation
of a community than in the case of Hell's
Half Acre.
69
Chapter Five.
Six Months at Rainsville — A Hotbed of Southern Sym-
pathizers — A Mix-up with Saloon Men — A Ser-
mon on Slavery — Fire and Brimstone — An An-
tagonist Outwitted — A Sermon from the Book of
Neicgent—Can Any Good Thing Come Out of
Rainsville?
In 1861, the time of holding the Upper
Wabash Conference was changed from
spring to fall. Hence, two sessions were
held that year with an interim of but six
months between them. This period was
spent by Kev. Mr. Newgent on the Williams-
port Circuit in Warren County, Indiana.
He moved with his family to Rainsville, a
village of about one hundred and fifty in-
habitants, located on Vermilion Kiver. The
town was still in the rough, its chief activ-
ities centering about two rival saloons. As
it had no church and not a single inhab-
itant who professed religion, the saloons
had things pretty much their own way.
The Newgents occupied part of a building
that formerly did service as the village inn ;
the rest of it was occupied by one of the
saloon keepers. The two families, however,
did not have undisputed possession of the
place, as it seemed to have been preempted
by bed bugs and fleas, which were no incon-
70
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
spiciious feature of life in Kainsville. While
the saloon keeper and the preacher main-
tained peaceable relations with each other,
these aborij^inal neighbors maintained an
<attitude of hostility with a persistence that
was worthy of a better cause than they rep-
resented.
Another thing that made life in Rains-
ville interesting: during^ this period was the
war which was then in its first year of
progress. The sympathies of the inhabi-
tants were decid(Hlly with the South. But
one man could be found who claimed to be
loyal to the Union, and as might be ex-
pected under such circumstances, he was
not very enthusiastic about it. They could
safely be counted on the off side of anv
question or movement that involved a moral
element. With the war agitation to stir
their blood, the well patronized saloons do-
ing business seven days and nights in the
week, and the absence of any religious in-
stitution or influence, Kainsville might well
have served as a basis for the doctrine of
total depravity.
The Williamsport Circuit, like most of
the country parishes of its day, afforded a
man plenty of room to grow in. If a pastor
rusted out it was his own fault. But New-
gent, witli his active temperament and fond-
71
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
ness for adventuro, was not the man to rust
out. Not only the Sabbatli, but most of the
(n'onings between Sabbaths wore taken up
witli ])reachin,i!; services. Each alternate
Sabbath during the Williamsport pastorate
he preached four times, which entailed forty-
two miles of travel by horseback. The dav's
program was as follows : Leaving* home at
daybreak, he rode twenty miles to a. ten
o'clock appointment. After the service he
would get a "hand out" for dinner and reach
the next appointment at two o'clock, then to
a 4:30 service, and on home for meeting at
night. Life was both simple and strenuous
in the extreme.
The first Sunday in this village was a
memorable one. Leaving his plucky young
Avife to hold the fort, the new pastor made
his forty-two-mile round, reaching home
about sundown. No provision hnd been
nuide for preaching in town, but NeAvgent
resolved to give the inhabitants of this in-
ferno a chance to hear the gospel. A rowdy
mob was collected about each saloon. An
air of general lawlessness, recklessness, and
cussedness prevailed. Games and sports of
various sorts were maintained on the
streets. Horseback riders were galloping
here and there, firing pistols and perform-
ing various stunts in imitation of life among
72
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
the untamed cowboys and Indians. Their
boisterous talkinj; and hollowinj?, with here
and there a, man stau-.uerini;- under his loa<l
of KainsviHe's eliief i)roduet, all condnncMl,
mii»ht well have led to the conclusion that
the demons of the lower regions had been
liberated and were holding hioh carnival in
celebration of the event.
When Xewgent told his wife that he had
decided to preach at the school house that
night, she tried to dissuade him, fearing for
his safetv. xVnd well she might after what
she had seen of life in Rainsville that day.
But he gloried in heroic tasks and heeded
not her wise counsel. He at once set about
to publish the appointment. In order to
find tlie people he Avent to one of the sa-
loons. The saloon was full of men, and the
men were full of the saloon. Stepping up to
the bar-tender he told him that he was going
to hold a religious service at the school
house at 7 : 30. "As there are no church
services in town," he said, "I am sure you
will be willing to encourage such a move-
ment by closing your place of business and
attending."
"You can preach all you d please;
I haven't been to church for twenty years,"
answered the booze dispenser with a look
n
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
that seemed to add, "and I don't propose to
commence now."
"But I am a stranger here, and you don't
know but I am the smartest man in the
country-, or may be the biggest fool. You
had better come and find out for yourself."
The idea, of a church service struck the
saloon patrons as a desirable innovation,
and as they were in favor of anything that
promised a diversion, they began to take
sides with the preacher. Their enthusiasm
waxed intense, due mainly to the reflex in-
fluence of tarrying long at the grog shop.
The3' were unanimous and emphatic in de-
nmnding that the saloon be closed and that
all go to church.
The proprietor finally said that he would
consent on condition that his competitor
would do likewise.
"All right, I'll see him," and Newgent
broke for the other saloon where a similar
situation prevailed. Several of the men vol-
unteered to accompany him and assist in
enforcing the demand, so that an ambas-
sage that carried with it no small authority
presented itself before the high priest of
Gambrinus of the rival saloon. A delega-
tion from one saloon to another, headed by
a preacher, was an uncommon sight, espe-
cially in Rainsville, but it had the desired
74
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
effect. For once the saloons were closed
and the center of interest transferred to the
school house. News of the meeting spread
in short order. The new preacher made
himself an object of curiosity and comment
by his establishing; diplomatic relations
with the governing bodies of the village,
and everybody was anxious to see more of
him. So all Kainsville turned out to church
— men, women, boys, girls, and dogs — all en-
tering heartily into the novelty of a reli-
gious service with a real, ''sure enough"
preacher at the head of it.
Newgent prudently made the service
brief. The sermon was not as spiritual as
it might have been under different condi-
tions, as the congTegation Avas quite symjm-
thetic and responsive, and he considered it
injudicious to encourage their emotions at
that time. He was more especially con-
cerned about laying plans for the future.
How to get them back was the question,
which he sought to solve by a bit of strategy.
So, in addition to giving them a few mor-
sels of wholesome advice, well sugarcoated
with his native good humor, he made the
startling announcement that at the next
meeting he would preach on the subject of
slavery. If anything were calculated to
bring them back, surely that was.
75
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
It was takon for orantorl, of course, that
he was an Abolitionist and wonld denounce
the South. The bk)od of those southern
sympathizers at once be^an to boil. Every-
body anticipated a lively time, and interest
became intense. All felt that the foolhardy
vounc; fellow did not realize the dancrer to
which he was exposinj>- himself. An old
i>entleman, the villaije blacksmith, whose
father had been a United Brethren preacher,
felt it his duty to warn the reverend gentle-
man and have him to call off the entire
proceedino's. As usual, Newi>ent was firm.
He told the j>entleman, however, that he
wanted to be fair to both sides, so if those
who disai^Teed with him desired, they mi^ht
*:;et a. man to follow him and present the
other side of the question.
This they were only too anxious to do.
When the time came, they had their man.
By the time Newi>ent and his wife arrived
at the little school housc^ that evening it was
completely packed and an immense crowd
was gathered on the outside. It was with
the greatest difficulty that they forced them-
selves through the anxious throng and made
their way to the front of the building. The
opponent was on hand, ready to take his
measure and smash all of his arguments.
As might be surmised, sympathy was plainly
76
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
and emphatically with the southeru advo-
cate. If he could not demolish the frail Ab-
olitionist, there were enough present who
were ready to lend all the assistance he
needed. The smell of brimstone was in the
air, indicating the presence of that commod-
ity in unlimited (|uantities. All that was
lacking for a real conflagration was some-
thing to touch it off. And that something
was momentarily expected.
After a brief preliminary exercise, the
preacher opened the discussion. Like the
great apostle on ^lars Hill, he compli-
mented his hearers on their seeming inter-
est in the subject at hand. "As the subject
of slavery," he said, "is stirring our countrv
from one end to the other, and as it is a
subject of such vital importance, I take
pleasure at this time in presenting (me
phase of it.
"I wish to observe in my remarks. First,
the slave; Second, his master; Third, the
law by which he is held in bondage; Fourth,
how he is to be liberated ; Fifth, where he is
to be colonized." Thus far, well and good.
These were familiar topics, and had been
discussed pro and con even by the school
children. Hence, his opening remarks were
according to expectations, and breathlessly
they awaited what was to follow.
77
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
Their consternation and chagrin can only
be imagined when he proceeded to state that
the slave is the sinner; his master is the
devil ; the law by which he is held in bond-
age is sinful lusts and habits; he is to be
liberated through the blood of Christ; and
heaven is the place of his colonization.
Around these propositions he built his dis-
course without any reference to slavery as
a civil institution. It was strictly a gospel
sermon, and his antagonist had no dispo-
sition to reply.
"Well, we are beat," said the old black-
smith after the service was dismissed, "but
the boy is the sharpest fellow that ever
struck this town." And he was not alone
in his conclusion.
With a view to holding the audience for
the next appointment, he announced that
he would preach at that time from the Book
of Newgent, the twenty-eighth chapter and
thirty-third verse, "Can any good thing
come out of Rainsville?"
A few days after this announcement, he
received a call from an old gentleiuan. The
unsuspecting brother had been having
trouble over the Book of Newgent. He
stated that he and the old woman had been
searching the Bible all week and were un-
able to find it. He was kindly urged to be
78
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
present at the preaching service and assured
that his troubles would all be cleared up.
Presumably the matter was explained to his
satisfaction, as he was not heard from
again.
The Rainsville pastorate, though brief,
was full of thrilling interest, and was not
without substantial results for good. He
won the respect and confidence of this un-
couth people, and had the satisfaction of
seeing many of the grosser evils disappear
under his ministry. Before he left, the signs
of a brighter day were plainly discernible.
His influence with them was turned to good
account, as will be seen in the next chap-
ter.
79
Chapter Six.
The War Spirit in Indiana — Breaking up a Traitor-
ous Plot — Narrow Escape from Enemies — Assists
in Securing Recruits — Becomes Chaplain of his
Regiment — Exchange of Courtesies icith a Pres-
byterian Minister — An Embarrassing Predica-
ment — Saves Regiment from Capture — Organizes
a Military Church — Chased by Johnnies — An Ex-
citing Homeward Journey.
Indiana was a storm center during- the
Civil War. her position was a strateoic one.
She was regarded as the keystone of the
North. With Oliver P. Morton, "Indiana's
great War Governor," at the head of affairs,
she was held firmly to her moorings, and
furnished a larger number of soldiers for
the Union Army in proportion to popula-
tion than any other State. Yet the State
was constantly harrassed by citi/.ens who
were unfriendly to the Union cause, and
who secretly or openly sympathized with
the South. Secret organizations for the
purpose of aiding the Confederacy were
common. Conspicuous among these was the
Knights of the Golden Circle. Yet many
not identified with these traitorous organ-
izations were utterly disloyal. Hence, much
bitterness and not infrequently bloodshed
prevailed. It w^as not unusual for men in
80
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
official ])Osition to use their influonce
against the Government, or even to join the
army witli traitorous intent.
Rev. ]Mr. Newj^cnt was serving as pastor
for the second year on the Clark's Hill
charge, Avhen in the fall of 1863, he was
"persnaded," as he said, "to go into the
army for safety," With his wife he was pay-
ing a visit to his father-in-law in Parke
County. In the neighborhood lived a man
who was captain of Home Guards, but
whose loyalty was strongly suspected. A
small brother of ^Irs. Newgent sometimes
visited with his children, and on returning
from one such visit, incidentally mentioned
having seen some pretty guns in the barn
where they had been playing. Newgent un-
derstood the meaning of these guns secreted
on the premises of this traitorous man, and
telegTaphed the news to Governor Morton.
A squad of soldiers was dispatched to the
place and some three hundred guns were
found. They were confiscated and a trait-
orous scheme was thus frustratefi.
Newgent at once became the object of a
great deal of attention. That he was re-
sponsible for the exposure, was generally
surmised. A plan was formed to do away
with him. On Sundav evening following
the episode he was to preach at the Oak
81
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
Kidge United Brethren Cliurch in the com-
iinmity. In the midst of the service, by a
preconcerted ])lan, the liji^hts were suddenly
extini^uished, and his adversaries were
about to execute their desis^n. lie succeeded
in making his escape in the darlvuess by the
assistance of an uncle. The outlook seemed
rather stormy, and he was convinced that it
was safer in the army than out of it. Leav-
ing his wife in the care of her father, he
hastened to Lafayette where a regiment,
the 116th Indiana Infantry, was being
formed by Colonel William C. Kise.
At that period recruits were hard to get
and the work proceeded slowly. Newgent
asked the colonel what the chance would be
for him to get the appointment of chaplain.
"What church do you belong to?" the col-
onel asked.
"I am a United Brethren," was the an-
swer.
''I am sorry," said the colonel, "I like the
United Brethr(Mi riiurch and would like to
give you the appointment; l)ut this is to be
a ^Niethodist reginu^nt ; all the officers are to
be jNFethodists, and it is understood that the
chaplainshi]) is to be given to a Methodist
preacher up in tlie city."
"Will you take me, then, as a private?"
he asked.
82
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
"Cortainly," was the eajr^r reply, "we
shall bo .c:la(l to take voii, for recruits are
com inn: in awfully slowly." There were
then only seven companies started. None of
them were complete. Newjrent offered to
assist in raisinc: recruits.
"If you will nive me transportation pa-
pers," he said, "I think I can jjet some men
over in Warren County."
"Warren County!" exclaimed the colonel
in disirust. "It's of no use to i^fo there for
recruits. I have had a couple of irood men
over there for three weeks and they have ^jot
only four men." But Newijent insisted that
he be allowed to try. He understood those
people and felt that he knew how to ap-
proach them. The papers were finally inven
him, and he set out for Rainsville in this
doubtful territory.
rJainsville, it will be remembered, was a
headquarters for southern sympathizers,
where little more than a year before but
one Union man could be found. The task
was a challeuije to Newcrent, the kind of a
task he deliohted in. Takins: a boy with a
drum and flaij, he went to the villasre and
nearby points, and soon had the inhabitants
inoculated with the war microbe. The pros-
pects of a draft about this time proved an
effective arjjument in favor of enlistment,
83
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
which was used for all it was worth. After
an absence of six days he returned to camp
with 104 men, wliich was the first full
company in the regiment, this, too, from
territory that was as completely southern
in sentiment as thou,i»li it had been in the
verv heart of the Confederacy.
The march to camp was a triumphal pro-
cession. Tlie company of volunteers was
accompanied by several hundred men and
boys who fell in on the way. As they came
into camp about twelve o'clock on Satur-
day nioht with colors flyinu; and irivini; vent
to their enthusiasm by sinjiinc; and hollow-
innf, it had the effect of a small army, not
unlike tliat of Gideon's band, Avhen thev
multiplied the effect of numbers by noise
and enthusiasm and scared the Midianites
out of their wits. Tlie colonel met them
with a drum corps and the company was
welcomed amid the most extrava^-ant ex-
pressions of delio'ht. The fact that recruits
were comins; in so slowly _2:ave increased
cause for demonstration. When the sjeneral
hub-bub liad somewhat abated, the crowd
demanded a speech from Newjjent, and tlie
demand was imperative. Thou2:h worn by
physical exertion and hoarse from much
harang^uino;, he gave a brief talk, at the
close of which, amid jj^reat applause, some
84
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
one moYod that "Rov. Mr, Nowiront he marie
chaplain of the rooinient." It was heartily
seconded, and shonts of approval hnrst
from every section of the camp. So, l)y tren-
eral consent the rnle to make it a Methodist
refjiment was waived, insofar as it related
to the chaplainsliip, much to the satisfac-
tion of Colonel Kise, and Newsjent hecame
their spiritnal adviser.
The ]\rethodist brother, who. it was nnder-
stood, was to receive the appointment, came
ont the next afternoon (Snndav) to preach
to the bovs and fret acnnainted ; bnt on be-
ing: apprised of what had taken place the
niiiht before, he qnietly withdrew, leavinoj
Newcrent in iindispnted possession of the
lionors which his tact and enerjrv had won.
The recfiment was finally completed and
mustered in for a term of six months,
thonirh it served considerably over time. Its
first service was rendered in en a rd in a: the
U. S. Armorv at Detroit, ^fichiaan. The
armory was threatened bv General Vallan-
dicrham, who had been banished from the
United States because of treasonable expres-
sions, and had placed himself at the head
of a force in Tannda with the purpose of
threatenincr the Union from the north. The
regiment was Inter sent to reonforce Gen-
eral Bnrnsides in east Tennessee.
85
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
This was diirinj;- the terrible winter of '63
and '04, when Bnrnsides was besieced In'
Confederate (General Longstreet and was
shut up in Knoxville. The hardships suf-
fered bv the Union soldiers during- that
memorable siege are matters of history and
need not be recounted in detail here.
Amonu' the foremost of the sufferers was
Newgent's regiment, the 116th Indiana. All
supplies having been cut off, the boys for
many weeks had a hard struggle to kee^)
from succumbing to hunger and cold. For
a time they each had but one ear of corn a
day; no tents, and not sufficient clothing
for protection even under favorable circum-
stances. In the midst of the severest win-
ter weather, over three hundred of the men
were barefooted. Newgent was the best
dressed man in his regiment, and it was
with difficulty that he got his dress coat to
hang together at the collar: and he suffered
no little uneasiness lest his trousers would
dissolve partnership with him.
A few characteristic army experiences
\A\\ suffice in this connection and occupy
the remainder of this chapter.
On reaching Tennessee, the regiment was
stationed temporarily at Greenville. The
cai*e-free boys attended services the first
Sunday morning at the Presbyterian church
in the city. The pastor, Rev. Samuel Mc-
86
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
Corkle, treated tlioiu kindly. They were de-
lighted with the reception accorded them,
and on the followinoj Sabbath a large part
of the re<i;inient, including- the chaplain,
turned out to worship at Rev. Mr. Mc-
Corkle's church. ^Vhen Newgent appeared
in his chaplain's uniform, ^NFcCorkle at once
led him up to the pul])it and insisted that
he preach. The chaplain was never averse
to preaching- whenever there was occasion
for it, and so consented, under slight pres-
sure. He observed the pastor's manuscript
neatly tied up with red ribbon, which told
him he had barely escaped listening to a
manuscript sermon. Newgent had little
sympathy for a written discourse and took
advantage of the situation to indulge in
some pleasantries at the learned parson's
expense. He told the congregation, the
greater part of whom were soldiers, that he
had no set discourse, and that he never tried
to palm off a written sermon upon a help-
less congregation, as such a procedure was
"like a doctor writing a prescription before
examining the patient." Rev. 3Ir. McCor-
kle accepted the criticism good-naturedly
and invited Newgent to take dinner with
him after the service. After several weeks
of army rations, the dinner at Rev. ^[r. Mc-
Corkle's home was a most delightful change.
S7
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
He returned the courtesy that had been
accorded him by inviting his host to preach
to his "boys" in the afternoon. The invita-
tion was accepted. jMcCorkle did not deem
it judicious to use his manuscript after the
episode of the forenoon, and was visibly
handicapped and endiarrassed in his at-
tempt at extemporaneous delivery. He
talked but a few minutes and turned the
service over to the chaplain.
After the service the two men had a heart-
to-heart talk. McCorkle confessed his cha-
grin at not being able to preach without his
manuscript, and expressed a determination
to cultivate the habit of extemporaneous de-
liverv. That the determination was carried
out was seen in the fact that he became a
leader in this method of preaching. And
the two preachers continued fast friends.
An incident more pleasing to relate than
to undergo occurred at Ta2;ewell, Tennessee,
where Newgent's regiment had been dis-
patched with twenty-four others to check a
Confederate force that was approaching
from that quarter. They went into camp,
building temporary fortifications with the
grave stones of a nearby cemetery. About
midnight the army was surprised by the sud-
den arrival of a force of Confederate cav-
alry that captured some of the outposts.
88
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
Newo^ont, with soiiu' of liis rejiiment, was
garrisoned in an old building that had been
used for a granary. As the fire was opened
he caught up his clothes in his arms, and,
mounting his horse, started down the hill
for a more healthful location. The horse
stundiled over some rocks, throwing the
rider to the ground and scattering his pre-
cious wearing apparel to the four winds.
There was no time for trifles, and the clothes
were abandoned for the time. They were
recovered about nine o'clock the next morn-
ing, much to the relief of the reverend,
whose situation in the meantime was as em-
barrassing as it was uncomfortable.
On one occasion his coolness and ingenu-
ity were the means of saving his entire reg-
iment from capture. The regiment had been
ordered across the Clinch River in east Ten-
nessee to guard a narrow passage in the
mountains at what was called Bean's Sta-
tion. They had gotten across and were camp-
ing in a bend of the river when news came
that the rebels had superseded them, and
three brigades were between them and the
gap. They might easily have retreated, but
the river became swollen from heavy rains,
and to cross a swift, mountain stream under
such circumstances was practically out of
the question.
89
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
Newgent was sick at the time, being cared
for at the colonel's headquarters. During
the early part of the night the colonel came
to him, trembling with fear, and said,
"Chaplain, what on earth is to be done?
There is a strong rebel force on one side of
us, and an unfordable stream on the other.
If we are not out of here by morning every
one of us will be captured."
The rebels were confident that they could
not get away and so waited until morning to
bag their gajne.
"Bring six or seven of the boys here," said
Newgent. The boys were brought. He told
them to go down to the river where they
would find an old canoe partly filled with
water. "Build a fire on the bank so that its
light will shine across the stream, bail
the water out of the canoe, put it in as good
shape as possible, and then report."
Thev followed his instructions, after
which they came back to headquarters, and
the sick chaplain got out of his bed and
went back with them to the river. Though
it was a perilous undertaking, the men got
in the water-soaked canoe, and by the un-
certain light of the fire, made their way to
the other side of the angry stream. They
went to General Curtain's headquarters, re-
lated tlie situation, and procured a supply
90
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
of cauiion rope, ^^'ith tlie ropo tlicy made
a cable across the river. They thus devised
a rude ferry by means of an abandoned and
partly siil)meri>-ed barjie Avhich they raised
and repaired for the purpose. The barge
would carry about twelve men or one horse
a.t a trip. It Avas propelled by the men hold-
ino; to the cable and thus laboriouslv work-
in*? their wav from one side of the stream to
the other. Throu^ih the dark, stormy nij^ht
tliev toiled, and before davbreak the entire
regiment with all appurtenances was out of
reach of the enemy. When the rebels
reached forth their hand next morning to
bag their game, lo ! it wasn't there !
It was a terrible night's work, however.
The sick chaplain stayed with the barge un-
til the last man was saved. He was twice
thrown into the water, and ran a fearful
risk in thus exposing himself at so critical
a time. After the excitement of the night,
by which alone his physical strength was
sustained, he suffered a serious relapse. He
was confined to his bed at General Curtain's
headquarters for about two weeks, when he
again reported for duty. The men regarded
him as their deliverer, and the satisfaction
of having saved his comrades from the hor-
rors of a southern prison compensated for
all he suffered. For this heroic deed he was
91
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
complimented ou dress parade by a special
order from the general.
The following reference to this incident
is found in the "Official Kecords of the
Army," Series I., Vol. XXXI. :
Tazewell, Tenn., December 14, 1863.
Major-General Foster, Knoxville:
General: I have the honor of reporting that I
arrived here this evening at about dark, having
left Rutledge at 9:00 a. m., and Bean's Station at
1:30 p. m. . . . At the crossing of the Clinch
River (Evan's Ford) I found a sufficient guard,
under the command of Colonel Kise. The river
was rising quite rapidly, but the guard had raised
and repaired the ferry-boat, which was crossing suc-
cessfully, being pulled back and forth by hand upon
a cable stretched from one shore to another. I
think that it would be well, as a matter of security,
to have another boat built there, and will so notify
Colonel Babcock.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient
servant, O. M. POE,
Captain and Chief Engineer, Army of the Ohio.
As a means for the spiritual welfare of
the "boys," he conceived and carried out the
idea of organizing a military church.
Though there were various religious organ-
izations among the soldiers, and some doubt-
less on similar lines, yet this was an entirely
original conception with him. His church
took no denominational name, but was made
up of all who were willing to become mem-
bers. It was completely officered, and main-
tained prayer meetings and church services
at stated intervals. Two special revival
92
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
meetings were held in whicli about 250 of
the "bo3^s'' were converted.
TTis spiritual ministrations were not lim-
ited to tlie soldiers. AVhenever an oppor-
tunity presented itself be would bold serv-
ices at nearby cburcbes and school houses.
On one such occasion he incidentally, to use
his own expression, "chased seven Johnnies
for three and a half miles." It was a merry
race; like Jehu the entire party rode furi-
ously. But as the chaplain had more at
stake than his companions in the chase, he
managed to maintain his position well in
advance of the seven, and was quite willinii-
to abandon the chase by the time he reached
camp.
Not least amono- the interesting- army "ex-
periences" was the homeward journey. As
previously stated, the regiment served over
the time for which they enlisted. The men
were impatient and homesick. Their desti-
tute condition rendered many of them al-
most desperate. Almost half of them were
barefooted and all were weakened by hunger
and exposure. The morning on which they
were to start home the colonel announced
that they would proceed to Barbersville,
Kentucky, and that there they would find a
supply of much-needed clothing and provi-
sions. This was a two-days' march, which,
93
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
in itself, was no pleasing prospect under the
circiiinstances. Tlie ])roiiiise of food and
clothing, however, nerved them for the or-
deal. It was midnight wlien Barbersville
was reached, and to their utter consterna-
tion the promised supplies were not there.
Things were looking blue. The colonel
sjiid to Newgent, "You have the best horse
in the regiment. Take a couple of the boys
and get out and find something to feed these
men before morning." He started, not to
forage, but to beg. At the first house he
came to he was met by a. woman to whom
he stated his mission. She showed him a
blood spot on the floor where her husband
had been killed by the rebels, and said that
all she had was a half-bushel of meal, but
she was willing to divide. It was all he se-
cured, though he continued the search until
daylight. Returning to camp, he threw tlie
bit of meal at the colonel's feet, and fell
down exhausted, dropping at once into a
deep sleep.
What happened during the time he slept,
when the real situation dawned upon the
men, he could only surmise. The next he
knew, the colonel had him aroused and was
ordering him to ride ahead of the regiment
to a little water-mill about twelve miles dis-
tant to see what could be found there, and
94
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
to arranjjc if possible to feed the men when
they arrived. He found a few busliels of
p^rain, most of it in a bad condition. When
ground into meal it made just one pint each
for the men. After tliey liad eaten their
morsel, the colonel made them ii little speech
in which he told them that the next objec-
tive point would be Camp Dick Ilobinson,
and for every man to look out for himself
until they reached the camp. This they
were quite glad to do. And when in a few
days they met at the camp, they were in bet-
ter spirits, and were pretty well supplied
for the rest of the journey.
The next way station Avas Camp Nelson.
Here they were met by the Provost Mar-
shal wlio declared the regiment under ar-
rest for pillaging, and ordered them to stack
arms. While the authorities were arrang-
ing the details for taking care of them, the
colonel took advantage of the delay. "At-
tention, Battalions," he shouted, "Shoul-
der arms — forward march — double quick !"
The order was eagerly obeyed. A "double-
quick" march was made to Nicholasville.
This was a railroad town. Here they or-
dered a train for Cincinnati. The train
steamed out of the station with its load of
animated freight just as the Marshal with
his guard galloped in sight.
95
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
Tlie authorities at Cincinnati were noti-
fied bv wire to arrest tlie reo-iment on its
arrival there, but this was anticipated. So
they o-ot ott' the train at Covington, crossing
the' Ohio Eiver by ferry to Cincinnati.
There th(\v got a train for Indianapolis
without being detected. The train was
pressed into service to convey them on to
Lafayette, the home of the regiment. They
reached the city on Sunday evening, as the
church bells were ringing for the evening
services. Newgent, as his custom was, went
to church. Possibly he felt the need of it
after what he had gone through. He went
to the First Methodist Episcopal Church,
and at the urgent request of the pastor, de-
livered the evening discourse to the delight
of the splendid audience.
It should be said in justice to Eev. Mr.
Newgent that he was not a party to any of
the irregularities that almost brought his
regiment into disrepute after it had acquit-
ted itself so well on the field. He remon-
strated with the men and exhorted them to
better conduct, but when the pressure of
army discipline was removed, the pent-up
energies of these raw backwoodsmen were
turned loose along various channels and
could neither be suppressed nor regulated.
The officers of the regiment, with the ex-
96
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
ception of Newgent, were summoned before
the proper military tribunal at Indianap-
olis, to answer for their depredations. They
were acquitted, however, being ably de-
fended bv Lieutenant-Colonel O. O. Beam.
Whether or not the verdict was a just one,
is of no special concern to us here. Suffice
it to say that our subject, though a young
man, so ordered his life as not only to keep
himself unspotted from the world, but at the
same time to win for himself the confidence
of even the most hardened sinners. He was
exonerated from all blame in advance, and
his name was not broutiht before the court.
Chapter Seven.
Plants the United Brethren Banner in Terre Haute —
Prairieton Pastorate — Difficulty with the Sons of
Anak — A Prayer Without an "Amen"' — Another
Community Redeemed — Going to the Wrong Doc-
tor — A Perverse Colt — An Unintentional Immer-
sion — One Sermon That was not Dry.
It was in April, 1S64, wlieu Kev. ^Ir. New-
gent returned from the war. His own con-
ference did not meet until fall, but the
Lower Wabash Conference met in its an-
nual session in Vermilion, Illinois, about
the time of his return. With the view to
getting back on the firing line at once, he
attended the latter conference, and was ap-
pointed to Terre Haute ( Indiana ) Mission.
This was strictly prospective work, as the
mission was project<Hl at this session. The
conference at the same session, following
the example of the Upper Wabash Confer-
ence, decided to change the time of its an-
nual meetings from spring to fall, hence the
appointment was made for a. period of only
six months. During this time Rev. Mr.
Newgent devoted himself with characteris-
tic zeal to laying broad and deep the founda-
tions of his church in this new ^lacedonia.
That his labors were fruitful is seen in the
fact that he reported to the fall conference
98
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
an organized church on Second Street, with
splended prospects of a prosperous future —
prospects which subse(|uent history has
abundantly fulfilled. To him belonji^s the
credit of first plantinu- the United Brethren
banner in this thrivino; city, where the
Church has since steadily jjrown to a place
of prestio^e and influence.
The Terre naute pastorate was followe<l
by a year at Prairieton, in Vif^o County,
Indiana. Some experiences on this field are
worthy of note. A revival meetino- was held
in an unevanc^elized community at what was
known as the Battle Row School House,
near the Wabash River. The school house
was a primitive log building with plenty of
ventilation. The wide cracks between the
logs in the walls not only admitted a suf-
ficiency of fresh air, but were a source of
temptation to the untamed sons of the na-
tives who were wont at critical times to
inject missiles of various sorts through them
into the midst of the congregation, causing
more or less uneasiness and often confusion
to the worshipers. It was not a place
where one could worship under his own vine
and fig tree with no one to molest or make
afraid. During the early stage of the meet-
ing reapers were scarce, and to all appear-
ances, were wholly inadequate to the de-
99
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
inaiids of tlie great, over-ripe harvest. The
sons of Anak seemed to liave a perpetual
title to the place, aud showed no intention
of evacuating it. At one time, as Newgeut
was making an earnest plea for penitents to
come to the altar, he observed a company of
ruflians in the rear of the room in a rather
impenitent condition, bantering one another
to go forward to the mourner's bench. The
quick wit of the preacher frustrated their
evil designs. Constant vigilance had to be
exercised to prevent outbreaks and demon-
strations of a similar character. As the
meeting proceeded converts multiplied and
the odds became more and more to the ad-
vantage of the faithful.
There was one wheel-horse who was the
pastor's right hand man in the great con-
flict with primitive elements. A splendid
man he was, though his droll manner was a
subject of sport for the lewd fellows of the
baser propensities. A characteristic atti-
tude when he offered public prayer was to
kneel facing the wall, with his back toward
the congregation. Then with his eyes closed
and oblivious to all his surroundings, he
would soar to a high altitude in his elo-
quence and fervency of spirit. In such sur-
roundings, however, it would have been bet-
ter had P'ather Scott, as he was affection-
100
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
ately called, not forgotten his relation to
this numdane sphere, for the situation
surely demanded watching as well as pray-
ing. Especially would it have prevented an
awkward hitch in the services one evening
when the interest and enthusiasm were at
their greatest height. Intense conviction
was capturing and humbling proud and de-
fiant hearts, and victory was perching upon
the banners of the loyal band.
But, as in the days of Job, when the sons
of God went to worship, Satiin went also.
Battle I\ow School House furnished a good
demonstration of the fact that,
"Wherever God erects a house of prayer.
The devil's sure to build a chapel there;
And 'twill be found upon investigation,
The latter has bv far the larger congreca-
tion."
AMiile the AAorshipers were in the midst
of great rejoicing, Satan's hosts were hold-
ing high carnival on the outside. Father
Scott was called upon, as he frequently was,
at the most critical stage in the meeting, to
lead in prayer. As his custom was, he knelt
with his face to the wall, and by chance his
mouth was dangerously near a huge crack.
While sailing away in the ether world, and
the people were hanging breathlessly upon
his earnest and eloquent words, all unex-
101
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
pectedly, for some strange reason, the ma-
chinery stopjKxI. It wai; iinnsnal for a
prayer to be terminated so abruptly without
the conventional "amen." All eyes were
fixed upon r\ather Scott. What could have
happencHl? It was painfully apparent that
he was in distress. He was making- a des-
perate elfort to clear some obstruction from
his throat, get his breath, and regain his
equilibrium.
The proximity of Father Scott's mouth
to the opening in the wall was too great a
provocation for the unregenerates on the
outside of the house to forego. One of them
had prepared a ball of mud, and with accu-
rate aim, threw it through the crack into the
brother's mouth, putting him temporarily
out of commission. There was, of course,
confusion in the midst of Zion, but Father
Scott, whose battery had been silenced by
this unexpected maneuver, was soon able to
resume operations, and the battle was
pressed with increased vigor.
There was another neglected community
adjacent to this charge. It was entirely
without church services or religious influ-
ences of any kind. In the community lived
a well-to-do gentleman of the name of Owen,
whose wife was an invalid. Being of a reli-
gious turn of mind, and deprived of church
102
A Praver Without An Amen
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
privileges, she desired to have a meeting
held at her home mainly for her benefit.
Kev. Mr. Newgeut was invited to conduct
the service. His Sundays being taken up by
his regular work, the meeting was held in a
forenoon during the week. A goodly com-
pany of neiglibors gathered out of respect
to the dear sister, and she enjoyed the occa-
sion so much that she invited them all back
for a service in the evening. The evening
meeting proved still more interesting, and it
was decided to continue the services indef-
initely. It developed into a grand revival
which resulted in manv conversions, the or-
ganization of a church, and the building of
a church-house. Among the first to come
to the mourner's bench was ^Ir. Owen, the
generous host. He "came through" shout-
ing and became a strong, staunch, and
stormy defender of the faith.
Among attendants at the revival were two
brothers, "Dave" and "Joe" Walker, not-
able characters in a local way. Both were
proficient in the use of the violin, or, in the
vernacular of the dav, thev were gTcat fid-
dlers. Even if there was nothing else to
place them under the ban of pious sentiment,
this in itself would have been sufficient, for
the fiddle had been so exclusively associated
with bad company that it was supposed to
103
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
have absorbed something of the evil spirits
of its companions, and in the superstitious
imaginations of many it possessed invisible
lioofs and horns, and a strange, infernal
])Ower tlmt was to be zealously avoided.
Hence, Dave and Joe were regarded as typ-
ical '^hard nuts," and it cannot be denied
that they made an honest effort to live up
to their reputations. They were more fa-
miliar with tlie conventionalities of the
country "hoe-down" than with the atmos-
phere of a "big meetin'." Until the revival
at the Owen home attracted their attention,
they had not been present at a church serv-
ice since they were boys. They became
fairly regular attendants at the meeting,
and in consequence, both got sick. Their ill-
ness seemed to be of a peculiar character, as
neither of them could explain his symptoms
or give any clue as to tlie seat of the trouble.
Joe became much worse one evening and
by midnight he began to think he was being-
beckoned across the border. Dave, whose
condition was not so critical, was dispatched
to Prairieton for medical aid. While he
was gone, Joe got religion. This proved to
be all the treatment he needed. All un-
favorable symptoms disappeared, and he set
out post haste to meet his brother. Just be-
fore he reached the village, he met Dave on
104
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
his way home, when the followiu<]j colloquy
took place :
''Oh, Dave, I've got all the medicine I
need. It ain't pills we need, but religion."
"Bless the Lord, I've took the medicine,
too," said Dave. He had also been con-
verted on his return from the doctor's office.
It thus became apparent that their malady
was spiritual rather than physical, but be-
ing unfamiliar with symptoms of that char-
acter, they were unable to diagnose the case
until the remedy had been applied. The two
brothers were made every whit whole, soul
and body. They hung up "the fiddle and the
bow," aiul their talents and energies were
turned loose along more legitimate chan-
nels.
Vermilion Circuit, in Illinois, was the
scene of the next pastorate. Here a memor-
able experience took place as he was making
his second "round" on the charge. New-
gent, like other strong men, has alwavs had
some hobbies, legitimate hobbies in his case,
however, that were elements of strength in
his ministry. One of these is punctuality.
He has always been scrupulously punctual
in meeting his engagements. He never
misses a train from the fact that he is far
more likely to be at the station three-quar-
ters of an hour ahead of time than three-
105
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
quarters of a iiiiniite late. He is a strict
believer in the niaxiin of the muse,
^'Better be an hour early and stand and
wait,
Than to be a moment behind the time."
In fillinji; appointments he observes the
same rule, lie finds it helpful to be on
hand sufficiently early to meet and shake
hands with the advance guards of the con-
ereaation. It alfords a, tonic for his wits
and puts him in a mood to be at his best.
On his new charge was a church known
as Prairie Chapel. As usual, in his intro-
ductory services he exhorted his people to
be punctual in their attendance, stating that
he made it a point to be on time, and that
if he at any time was not strictly "on the
dot," they might know that something was
wrong. It so happened that at the very next
service the scrupulously punctual preacher
was behind time, and it also happened that
something was desperately wrong.
As a sort of background to the scene to be
here presented, it would be well to state
that he was clad in a new suit, as preachers
usually were at the beginning of the year.
The new suit consisted of a complete outfit
from boots to hat and gloves, including also
that luxury which not everv circuit rider
could afford, a fine shawl. It should further
106
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
be explained tliat he was riding a colt, not
the nineteen-year-old variety with which he
traveled his first circuit, but a genuine
three-year-old, with all the fire and perverse-
ness of its kind. It niiglit also be in order
to add, by way of parenthesis, that the Illi-
nois roads after the rains and frosts of Sep-
tember began their maneuvers, were no re-
specters of ncAv clothes.
Just before reaching Prairie Chapel, the
road crossed a slough some three hundred
feet wide. At this point the road was cov-
ered by about three feet of water, or per-
haps, as it was difficult to tell just where
the water left off and the mud began, it
would be more exact to say that it was three
feet from the top of the water to the bot-
tom of the mud. It was covered with a, thin
coating of ice. Newgent, being the first to
pass that way on that Sunday morning, had
to break the ice as he went. The colt did not
like the task to begin with, but as this was
the only road to the church and was fenced
on either side with a picket fence, a straight-
forward course was the only alternative.
The colt proceeded reluctantly until it
reached the middle of the slough. There it
became possessed with the spirit of Balam's
beast and refused to go farther. Its pur-
pose seemed to be fixed as all the entreaties
107
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
of the rider were unavailing. The church
was in plain view, and, like the wedding;'
guest of Coleridge's immortal "Kime,'' the
preacher could see and hear the people as
they were assembling, wliile he was trans-
fixed to the spot. Finally giving uf) hope
of going forward, he tried to turn the colt's
head in the opposite direction, wlien, lo, he
found that it was as averse to turning back
as it was to going forward. Just what the
l)east's plan for the future was, could not
well be divined, for, to be in the middle of
a lake with no purpose of going either for-
ward or backward was, to say the least, a
position difficult to explain or defend. The
final bell rang for the morning service, and
the preacher began to realize that his repu-
tation for punctuality was in danger of be-
ing water-soaked. A final desperate effort
was made to induce locomotion, but to no
avail.
It was a real Slough of Despond. The
reverend's heart sank to the bottom of his
new boots when he found that his only
chance was to dismount. This he proceeded
to do, supposing that he could at least lead
the beast out of the water. The water was
by no means comfortable, the mud filled his
boots, and apprehensive thoughts concern-
ing the unpresentable appearance he would
108
c
o
c
c
c
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
make at eliiirch, and the damage being done
to his new suit, and at the same time the
humiliation of being beaten out by a per-
verse colt, all together did not tend to a
devotional frame of mind.
Taking the rein, he waded forward, ex-
pecting the colt to follow, but it had no dis-
position to be led ; he gave the rein a sharp
pull, but the animal also had scruples
against being pulled. He then gave the rein
a jerk, putting all of his physical strength,
and possibly a bit of his temper into the
jerk, when, lo! the rein broke, and the
preacher, not thinking of such a contin-
gency, went splash into the water, being
completely submerged. Things were rapidly
going from bad to worse. It was of no use
under the circumstances, to try to maintain
ministerial dignity. Gathering himself to-
gether, he made his way to the fence, and,
loosing a picket, h» got behind the animal,
and with a few strokes where thev would do
the most good, and unministerial maneu-
vers, he got it started, and by an aggressive
follow-up campaign, the^^ reached the shore
without further ceremony or delay.
He hastened on to the church. The peo-
ple were waiting for the belated pastor, and
when he arrived, they saw at once there
had been a valid excuse for his tardiness.
109
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
There were four other ministers present,
and Newijent tried to get one of them to
preach in his stead, but all declined. So he
went on with the rep;ular program, and
preached with his usual zeal while the water
was still drijipinu' from his new suit. It
was one tinu' at least when the conj^-ega-
tion was not bored with a dr^^ preacher.
After service he went home with one of
his members, borrowed some dry clothes,
and proceeded to fill his other appointments
for the day.
no
Chapteu Eight.
The New Goshen Pastorate — An Old Grudge Healed
— Dry Bones Revived — Memorable Year at ''Dog-
totv7r— "Death in the Pot"— The Hittites Cap-
tured — The "Jerks" — Other Remarkable Demon-
strations — A Rooster in the Missionary Collec-
tion—First Debate— Unpleasant Sequel to a Horse
Trade.
FolloAvino- the Veriuilion pastorate, two
years were spent on the New Goshen Cir-
cuit in Vigo County, Indiana. This circuit
had ranked anioni? the best in the confer-
ence, but unfortunately had become weak-
ened and des])oihHl throujih internal dis-
sension. A chronic grnd^e between two of
the most prominent mend)ers had leavened
the whole lump with its unsavory effects. It
was one of those situations that afford a
pastor a splendid opportunity of losinc: his
ecclesiastical scalp, the very thing that hap-
pened to a number of former pastors who
undertook to heal the sore. It was not New-
gent's policy to take a hand in neighborhood
broils, or to break to the woods in the face
of such contingencies, but ra,ther to "stand
still and see the salvation of the Lord."
His presiding elder told him that his first
duty on going to the circuit would be to get
the difficulty adjusted. It was suggested
111
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
that «is he was a stranger to both parties,
he would be the proper one to do it. He re-
plied that (lOd had not called him to fix up
old gi'udges between church members, but
to save sinners.
"But unless you get this done," he was
told, "you had as well not go, for you can
never accomplish anything until the diffi-
cultv is removed. He said he would not
bother the old grudge directly, and that if
there were sinners who wanted salvation, he
was sure God could save them in spite of
old, grouchy church members. He pro-
ceeded at once to plan a revival campaign.
It is part of his philosophy that if a pastor's
first revival effort is a success it begets con-
fidence on the part of the people and paves
the wav for other victories. It is, therefore,
the part of wisdom to choose the easiest
place to begin Avith. Accordingly, he began
a meeting in the latter part of September
at the Rose Hill class, where he thought
there were the fewest hindrances. But the
people were still busy with their farm work,
and with the old trouble still visible around
the edges, producing a melancholy Indian
summer effect, he had very little encourage-
ment. Two weeks passed and only four per-
sons could be mustered for day services. He
preached to this quartet of faithful souls,
112
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
hold prayer and chiss ineotings witli them,
and encouraged them in every possible way.
"Tell the people to come," he sai<l to his
little band one day, as if seized with a sud-
den revelati(m, "for we are going to have
the biggest revival thev have ever seen. If
vou can't tell it on vonr own faith, tell them
the preacher said so." They perhaps half-
way believed A\liat he said. At least they
did as they were urged, and the crowd was
slightly increased the next day. And with
that service the revival reallv did begin.
The prophecy was fulfilled. It was by far
the greatest revival the community had
ever known, abundautlv demonstrating the
preacher's pliilosophy that when folks want
salvation, a few backslidden church mem-
bei*s, even with their bristles up, cannot pre-
vent them from getting it.
New Goshen Class was the head and heart
of the circuit, likewise the seat of the
trouble that had been its thorn in the flesh.
Newgent proceeded to carry out his policy
of capturing the outposts before storming
this stronghold of opposition. The plan
worked admirablv. Three meetings were
held, each of which resulted in a sweeping
revival. He was now ready for the Hercu-
lean task, the final charge. New Goshen it-
self!
113
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
Hero it was seen how God moves in mys-
terious ways, using- the weak things to con-
found the mighty. Some two miles from
town lived a family, all of whom were ut-
terlv irreligious. The father was a drunk-
ard and a notablv rough character. The
oldest daughter was an invalid, but on
learning of the meeting, she was taken with
a keen desire to attend. So she went to
visit with a family who lived just across
the street from the church, so that it would
be convenient for her. In the first service
she attended, she went to the altar, and was
not there long until she fell into a trance.
This was repeated the second and third
evenings. One of her brothers was present
the third evening, and when he saw his sis-
ter so strangely affected, conviction seized
upon him so intensely that he likewise fell
over in an unconscious condition. When he
"came through" he was a new creature in
Christ. One after another of this wicked
family Avas taken captive by the power of
God until all v.ere graciously saved.
By this time the church began to rub its
eyes and take notice. The dry bones were
surely beginning to shake and show signs
of life. One evening as the power of God
was moving upon the people, the two breth-
ren who were responsible for the old trouble
114
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
on the circuit, were seen edging toward each
otlier, and wlien they got together, they
tlirew their arms around eacli other's necks
and wept like children. Tlie mother of one
of the men was prc^sent and when she saw
what was taking place, she sent up a shout
that really did wake the dead — the si)irit-
ually dead of the congregation. Walls of
opposition suddenly gave way. The fire
from heaven fell as it fell on Sodom and
Gomorrah, not to destroy, but to wip(? out
old scores and to make men and women
alive to God. The fortified city was taken.
The victory was complete.
During this pastorate of two years, over
four hundred persons were added to the
church.
One of his most successful and memorable
pastorates was that on the Charlestown Cir-
cuit, in Illinois. The circuit had a very un-
savory reputation at the time. It was com-
monly known by the undignified and uncom-
I)limentary name of "Dogtown.'' Newgent
had asked to be sent to the worst charge the
conference had, and the reputation of Dog-
town made this a matter easily determined.
His predecessor had been egged and other-
wise badly handled.
It was a serious question with the con-
ference as to whether a pastor should be
115
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
appoiuted to it, as it had proven itself so
unwoi'th3\ ]?esides, it was a ]n'opositioii
tliat few men were williug to face, Kewoent
bein<>- the only aspirant for the sitnation.
The salary the preceding year was .f 180, and
there was not a clnirch paper talccMi (»n the
entire charge.
Dogtown, the i)la('e wliieli <;ave tlie name
and largely the re])utation to the circnit,
was a stragglino- village noted only for its
oeneral cnssedness. Newgent declared that
it had never been named after a good dog,
but more likely after the lowest bred cur in
the country. The name, however, Avas parti-
ally a. corruption of Diona, by which name
tlie town had been cliristened ; but the appro
priateness of the former name was soevident
tliat it naturallv stuck, and the original
name was well nigh forgotten. Though the
place was utterly fallen from righteousness
— if it ever possesed any — and was inclined
to evil and evil only, it had the one advan-
tage of being well clinrched. It had two
church-houses, each serving as the home for
two denominations. Thus, four denomina-
tions were diligently casting their pearls
into this swine-wallow only to have them
trampled under foot. The INIethodists and
Baptists occupied one house, and the Cum-
berland Presbyterians and United Rretliren
116
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
tlio otlu'i'. Tlu'v suffered no inconvenience
tlii'ouiili lack of room, as the eonildned meni-
bersliip of the four churches numbered onl}^
fourteen, seven of whom belonj^ed to the
United Brethren.
It was one of those mehincholy days, a
Sunday afternoon in September, when the
new circuit rider arrived to till his first ap-
])ointment at Doji-town. Of course the seven
members of liis tlock were present to take
liis measure. The task was soon done.
They were crestfallen when they saw as
their spiritual advisor an unpretentious,
boyish-lookino: fellow, somewhat below the
standard size, and possessing' little of the
air and dii>nity and o-ravity of a ripe circuit
rider, accordino- to their staid notions. The
faithful seven, like the proverbial birds of
a feather, occupied a portion of the house
to themselves; their lonii" faces turned full
upon the pastor, added to the melancholy of
that autumn afternoon. Nor did the small
spriukliui*' of stray sheep throughout the
plain old buildino- serve to any considerable
extent as a counter-irritant.
Newji'ent was keeping- a '"stiff upper lip"
as he introduced the services. The prelim-
inary exercises were about finished, and he
was about to beo'in the sermon ; the concjre-
gation was dronini>- out a familiao' tune
117
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
AvliPii a Yiiw, strapping native came stalking
in. He presented a uuiqne appearance. ITe
was barefooted, his trousers were rolled n])
to his knees, lie wore no coat, and his
checked shirt was nnhnttoued at the collar.
No sooner was he seated than another in ex-
actly similar manner and costnme followed.
One after another followed nntil n])wards in
thirty came in, all dressed exactly alike, and
so timing their movements as to give time
for each to be seated before another fol-
loAved, making the procession as long as
possible — to the anuisement of the pastor
and the stray sheep, and tlie utter conster-
nation of the faithful seven.
It struck the witty Irishman at once that
thev were not trving to install him as the
Presbyterians do their pastors, but rather
to forestall him after the manner of Dog-
town; and he made up his mind not to be
forestalled. He was certain they did not
want any religion and he had no religion to
throw away. lie had his subject in mind,
but he thought it best to select a more ap-
propriate one. Accordingly, he announced
as his text, ''Oh, man of God, there is death
in the pot." He talked about twenty min-
utes, putting in the entire time telling his
funniest stories, and pouring in one broad-
side after another of his Irish wit and
118
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
liuiiior. It was a <lii)l()matic move. All
seeiiHHl licarMly to enjoy the "sermon," ex-
cept the seven members of his own coniiTeo^a-
tion. The proceed in, u' was most too irrei?-
nlar for their conventional tastes. The
members of his nni formed cnard were espe-
ciallv deliohted. Everv witticism was
♦greeted with vociferous applanse, by the
stampino- of their bare feet, clapping of
hands, and unrestrained, boisterous laugh-
ter.
"I would not black my boots to liear a
long, dry sermon," said the preacher by
way of conclusion. "You are a fine looking
set of fellows. I have been sent by the con-
ference to preach to you, and I am sure we
will get along Avell together. Now, if you
see me at any time looking hungry, or if it
is near night, take me in. I am an Irish-
man and easily pleased. And if I see any
of you near my home, I will treat you the
same. But, gentlemen, I have the most
beautiful little wife you ever set eyes on.
Now, I expect to bring her with me the next
time, and you must be sure to put your boots
on and fix up a little."
When he dismissed he went back among
this raw element, shaking hands and talk-
ing freely with each one. ^luch of his time
between that and the next appointment was
119
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
spent stndyinp; "misehiof" — loadino; up for
tlic next dis(har«;e. His second talk was
even more humorous tlian the first, havinsj
been prepared esi)eeially for tlie crowd and
the occasion. In the meantime his fame had
been spread broa<lcast, and an immense
crowd was present to see and hear the "wild
Irishnmn." A number were cono;re,<;ated at
the door for the purpose of greeting him
upon his arrival at the cliurch.
At the third appointment he had an over-
flow crowd. As lie was walking down the
aisle to the jiulpit, a brother whom he recog-
nized as one of the true and blue seven of
the first service, plucked him aside and
whispered:
"Parson, you've got 'em. You're the
smartest feller that ever struck this place.
These fellers say you've got to have order if
they have to fight for it."
"That's what I've been fishing for," said
Newgent. Re began a revival at this time.
Ere long tlie great, rough fellows who
laughed so heartily at his jokes were crowd-
ing to the mourner's bench, shedding tears
of penitence, crying for mercy, and piercing
the air with shouts of victory as one after
another emerged into the light and liberty
of God's children. A marvelous work was
wrought in that sin-polluted community. As
12Q
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
the lives of these linrdy backwoodsmen were
traiisfornied by the jjower of Christ, they
became as potent for ri<>hteoiisness as they
had been for evil. Jnst hoAv man}' were con-
verted could not be definitely ascertained.
One hundred sixty-one members were added
to the United Brethren Chnrch, besides
those that joined tlie other churches of the
town.
There was an appointment some few miles
from Do^town named Liberty. It was prac-
tically dead as a chnrch, there beinj? but
five names on the roll, and they represented
very little in spiritual assets. He bej^an a
revival campaign here immediately follow-
ing the meeting in town, which proved even
more far-reaching in its results. He has al-
ways regarded it as the most remarkable
revival in his entire ministry. The power
of God in the conviction of sinners was ir-
resistible. Strong men and women were
stricken unconscious in almost every serv-
ice. As many as fifty persons could be
counted lying in an unconscious condition
at one time.
A peculiar feature of this revival was the
presence of that strange, nervous phenome-
non among the people, known as the "jerks."
This strange manifestation prevailed in
many of the early revivals where unusual
121
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
power was disi>laye(l. It was especiallj^
prevalent in what is known as the j^^eat
Cuniherland revival w]iieh swept over the
eastern part of Kentucky and Tennessee.
Whatever the explanation of this phenom-
enon, it nsually aeconipanied a deep emo-
tional state, saints and sinners alike being
subject to it. The mystery of it and the fact
that it often became quite violent, especially
on persons who resisted the influence of the
meetings, gave it much weight in these early
revivals. Peter Cartwright, in his well-
known autobiography, describes the physi-
cal effects of the jerks as follows :
"No matter whether thev were saints or
sinners, they would be taken under a warm
song or sermon, and seized with a convul-
sive jerking all over, which they could not
by any possibility avoid, and the more the^'^
resisted, the more thev ierked. If thev
would not strive against it and would pray
in good earnest, the jerking would usually
abate. I have seen more than five hundred
persons jerking at one time in anj^ large
congregation. ]Most usually persons taken
with the jerks, to obtain relief, would rise
up and dance. Some would run but could
not get away. Some would resist; on such
the jerks were usually very severe."
122
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
The nieetini^ was aoconipaiiicMl hy a vari-
ety of spiritual deiuoiistrations, romarkablo
both in their character and extent. It was
entirely beyond Iniinan control. It contin-
ued four months, day ami nii^ht. Most of
the time there was no preachinii', for there
was no opportunity for a sermon, and none
was needed. The people would ji^ather, sinj*-
ini>' and shoutin,'>' as thev came, and the siu<>-
ing, shontin<Tf, and prayino- would continue
spontaneously. Penitents would go to the
altar without an invitation, often as soon as
they arrived.
The entire conimunitv was charjyed with
a peculiar spiritual atmosphere, the limit of
which seemed distinctly drawn. It was
termed the "dead line." On reaching this
line the individual, whether a Christian or
not, A\oul(l at once be seized with intense
religious emotion. On passing out of this
region the change was as distinctly felt as
on entering it.
So great was the interest in the surround-
ing country that six schools were closed.
One teacher sent to the church for heli^.
Some brethren went to see what was the
matter, and found tlie entire school practi-
cally prostrate with conviction. School was
turned into prayer meeting. A number, in-
133
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
cliuling the toucher, were eonver-ted, and
school was iiKletinitely suspended.
The pnlpit and i)latf()rni were smashed
into kindling- wood at one of the services.
People ])erfornied physical feats utterly
impossible under ordinary circumstances,
such as walking across the house on the
backs of the pews with their faces turned
straii>ht upward. Late one night after the
service had closed, a family in the neighbor-
hood Inward singing in the direction of the
church. Not kno\\ing what it meant, they
investigated. But on approaching the
church tliey noticed that the singing Avas
overhead as if produced by an invisible
choir in the upper air.
Whatever question may enter the mind as
to the nature of these phenomena, there is
no question as to the genuineness of the
work of grace wrought in that section of
country. It was swept as completely by the
revival as a prairie is swept by fire. And
the effects were abiding, even the more ex-
traordinary forms of spiritual fervor con-
tinuing indefinitelv.
This was a season of strenuous physical
activity on the part of Eev. Mr. Newgent.
This meeting lasted four months, and for
three months in addition he was in revival
meetings continuously.
124
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
From \w\ns; the worst circuit in the con-
ference, Doijtown suddenly became the best.
It reported tlu* laroest salary. And that
year it led the entire denomination in the
nuiuber of church papers taken. Prizes
were otTered by the })ublisher for the larj^est
club in any conference, and also a sweep-
stakes prize for the largest club in the
Church. Newjient won both the conference
and tlie sweepstakes prize, which was the
more remarkable when we recall that there
was not a i)aper taken on the charge when
he was appointed to it.
Near the close of his memorable meeting
at Dogtown, he announced tliat he would
take a missionary offering the follo\\ing
t^unday, and urged the people to come pre-
pared. The missionary meeting was full of
enthusiasm, as all his meetings were when
a collection was involved. As he was ex-
horting the congregation to give freely to
send the gospel to the heathen, the door
opened and a boy bearing in his arms a large
rooster came walking down the aisle. As an
evidence that tl'.e old-time Dogtown spirit
was not wholly dead, some mischievous fel-
lows planned to have some fun at the
preacher's expense by putting a rooster in
the missionary collection. Tlie bird was not
only large, but also quite game, and was
125
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
almost too much for the lad who was to
do the presentation act in behalf of the
gang. As he proceeded toward the pulpit,
his courage began to fail and he hesitated,
possibly waiting to see what sort of effect
he was producing. The preacher took in
the situation at a glance.
"Come on," he said to the half-frightened
lad, "I'm the fellow who likes chicken."
With this encouragement the boy went
forward and placed his gift in the hands of
the preacher, who received it smilingly and
thanked him for his generous contribution
to the missionary cause. He asked one of
the brethren in the "amen corner" to care
for his charge wdiile he finished the service.
He kept the rooster until fall and took it
to the annual conference. In presenting his
report, he related the incident and asked in
a jocular vein what should be done with the
rooster. A dignified, sober-minded brother
moved that the rooster be sold and the pro-
ceeds be reported to the missionary fund,
and that the undignified proceedings be
closed. The motion carried.
"All right," said the wiley Irishman, as-
suming the pose of an auctioneer, "how
much am I offered for the rooster? How
much do I hear? How much?" Some one
ventured a bid. "Sold," said the preacher-
126
A Unique Missionary Ottering
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
auctioneer amid a roar of lauj^hter, and tlie
conference i)roceeded to more serious mat-
ters.
It was on tliis charo^e that he had his first
debate. His popularity and success in win-
ning converts led to a challenge from a
brother in the Christian (Disciples) church,
who was then serving as pastor at Charles-
town, Illinois. The ([uestion discussed was
the divinity of Christ. Newgent took the
positive position, affirming that "Christ is
the very and eternal Cod apart from his
human nature." The debate was held at
Salisbury, Illinois, creating a great deal of
interest and attracting a large crowd. That
the contest resulted in an easy victory for
our subject was attested by the fact that he
received an offer from the elders of his op-
ponent's church of fifteen hundred dollars
a year to become their pastor, which, at that
time, was considered an enormous sum.
"I would not preach your doctrine for
fifteen hundred dollars a year," he said, "to
say nothing of losing my time and self-
respect."
"We are not asking you to preach the doc-
trine," they said, "all we ask is that you
become our pastor; you are at liberty to
preach j'our own convictions.'' But he was
not on the market.
127
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
Anotlior interostinj? experience cliiriug
this pastorate came as the sequel to a horse
trade. One of his neighbors, a brotlier in
the Chui'ch, coveted his tine drivino- horse,
and bantered liini for a trade. "I have the
very liorse you need," lie urged, and offere<l
what seemed to be a fair bargain. And
after the usual ceremonies and prelim-
inaries, the deal was pulled olf.
The next day being Sunday, the pastor
hitched up his new horse early, and taking
his wife and babe, started for his appoint-
ment. The animal soon showed signs of
treachery, arousing the suspicions of its
owner, but they went on. They got on quite
well until thev came to a low swale in the
road over which the water stood several in-
ches deep. When they were about half-
way across, the horse stopped and looked
back to see if they were coming. But they
had also stopped. Newgent, who had some
knowledge of "horseology," saw that they
were in for it. It being a warm, summer
day, an innumerable multitude of mosqui-
toes soon collected to express their sympa-
thy and to divert the attention of the un-
fortunate family from their troubles.
"Here's a chance to show that we can
keep sweet," said the preacher to his wife,
"even under trying circumstances."
128
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
The circumstances were indeed trying,
for lie spent a conple of lioiirs trying to
argue tlie horse out of his position, but the
horse was not open to conviction. At the
same time he was making n desperate effort
to keep sweet, which, with the mosquitoes
diligently plying their trade — as it was too
good a business opportunity' for them to let
pass — and the hour for the morning serv-
ice passing, was not as easy a. task as it
would have been under less trving circum-
stances.
"Well,-' he finallv said to his wife, sweetlv,
"we are going out of here."
"AA'lien?" was her meek reply.
"Just as soon as possible." And remov-
ing his boots and some other parts of wear-
ing apparel that could be temporanly dis-
pensed with, he got out of the buggy and
carried tlie baby to a dry place. He then
removed his wife to the shore, after which
he proceeded to unhitch the horse from the
buggy, or rather to unhitch tlie buggy from
the horse, as the buggy was movable and the
horse was not. A strategic plan Avas then
inaugurated by making a natural appeal to
the animal's stubbornness. This was done
bv hitching the horse to the rear axle-tree of
the buggy, which proved a. decided success,
at least to the extent of getting both the
129
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
horse and bug-gy out of the water. Newgent
then hitched up according to the conven-
tional style, and with his family started
homeward in deep meditation. He filled no
appointment that day. lie found it difficult
to see the point in his neighbor's argument
that 'Hliis was the very horse he needed,"
unless it was to stimulate the grace of pa-
tience, which is a much-needed (luality in a
preadier. Since then he has stoutly main-
tained that it is a bad thing for a preacher
to swap horses — unless he is sure he can
make a better trade.
130
Chai'tku Nine.
Labors at Mattoon, Illinois — A Persistent Campaign
and a Great Victory — Second New Goshen Pas-
torate — A Coincidence — Success at Prairieton —
Laboring in the Shadorv — The Death of Mrs.
Newgent — A Bishop's Tribute to her Character.
The scene of his next hibors was Mattoon,
Illinois. This was a city of some ten thou-
sand inhabitants. It had been marked by
a mushroom j^rowth, having sprung from a
small village within a few years. More at-
tention, however, had been given to its ma-
terial development than to its moral and re-
ligious welfare. It had eleven churches, but
what members they had, were received
mostly by letter. Like the city itself, the
churches were made up of a conglomeration
of heterogeneous elements. All were lark-
ing in efficient organization, stability, and
vital godliness.
Rev. Mr. Newgent's church, the United
Brethren, like most of the others, was new
in the city. It had but twelve members
when he took charge. He at once conceived
the idea of enlisting the various churches in
a great and much-needed revival campaign.
He met the local pastors and proposed that
all join in a concerted, evangelistic effort —
131
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
each to begin a meeting in his own church
on the same date and continue until victory
was achieved. The plan was unanimously
agree<:l to, and on New Year's Day the cam-
paign began.
It was a stubborn figlit. The bombard-
ment was kept up by all the churches
through the entire month of January with
no apparent results. One after another of
the pastors then became discouraged and
hauled down his colors. By the end of Feb-
ruary all the batteries had ceased except
two, one of them being Newgent's. Some of
his members, convinced of the utter futility
of the effort, counseled him to quit. But he
was determined to fight it out on that line
if it took all summer; and it looked as
though it might take several summers. The
largest congregation he had during those
two months numbered twenty-four.
^^'ith the beginning of the third month
there were unmistakable evidences of a
thaw. Interest was awakened, congrega-
tions increased, and on the fifth day of
March the ice gave way completely. At the
morning service the altar was crowded with
anxious penitents, and twenty-one were gra-
ciously converted. The news was heralded
throughout the city. It was as though a
mighty miracle had been wrought. New-
132
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
irent's clinrcli became the center of intense
interest, the subject of conversation in the
stores and sliops and on the streets. At
ni<iht it seemed as if all Mattoon was seized
with a sudden impnlse to i^o to church. The
liouse was tiUed lonii" before the appointed
hour for worship, and the sexton reported
that over five liundred people were turned
away. The few days following- witnessed
stirrinj? scenes in tliat cliurcli. ^Lultitudes
were converted; no definite account could
be taken of their number. One hundred and
twentv-eio'lit uKMubers were added to the
United Brethren Cliurcli, and other cliurclies
of the city profited laro-ely from the fruits
of the meetinii'. It was the first genuine
revival Mattoon had ever enjoyed.
"What I lacked in sense, I made up in
holdinii' on," was Rev. IMr. Newgent's modest
comment on the situation. But in this case
lioldinti' on was only in lveepin<>- with his
usual jTood judii'iiieut. It was a case where
not only prayer and fastini^, but also perse-
verance were re(piired. Perseverance, how-
ever, is one of his strong points. As a pas-
tor he made it a rule to continue a meeting
until success was realized, a rule that sel-
dom had to be waived.
His labors at jNIattoon were followed by
a pastorate of two years on the New Goshen
133
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
charge, makinii', with a former pastorate of
the same length, an agj^rejiate of four years
of pastoral services on this field. Diirinj^
these fonr years he received over six hun-
dred members into the Church and built two
churcli-houses. His work here was also
made memorable by what might be termed
his first great debat(% the details of which
are reserved for the next chapter.
The year follo^^•ing was a dark year in
his experience, made so by the failure of his
wife's Jiealth, which resulted in her death.
He was serving the Prairieton charge, a
charge he had served some years before.
His labors here were attended by the usual
success — gracious revivals, increased spir-
itual life and activity, churches thrilled with
new zeal and power. A coincidence worth
noting in this connection is that his two
terms of service on this field resulted in an
equal number of accessions to the Church,
203 in each case. "I do not think," he
quaintly remarked concerning his second
pastorate, "tkat these were the same 203
that I received when I was there before."
The sorr}' experiences of many pastors with
vacillating church members occasioned and
justified the remark.
A great meeting at Prairieton stirred up
the congregation and led to the rebuilding
134
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
of their church. It was, liovvever, a great
strugj^le. The cluirch was not stronj? fiDan-
ciallv, and the task almost overtaxed their
resources. l{ev. ^NFr. Newj^ent hibored un-
ceasinii'ly to pull tlie enterprise through to a
successful cousiinimation, contributing of
his own scanty means over three hundred
dollars, which necessitated the selling of
some of his household goods.
And now, to add to his already heavy bur-
dens, came that which for some time had
been recognized as inevitable, and under
the deep shadow of which he had been labor-
ino- with a heavv heart — the dea.th of his
companion. ''Kitty" Newgent, as she was
affectionately called by her husband and in-
timate friends, was never strong in body,
and for manv months she had lingered near
the land of shadows. On the day set for
the dedication of the church, for the success
of which they both prayed and toiled and
struggled so heroically, she passed triumph-
antly to her heavenly home. "Her sun went
down while it was yet day."
She died about eight o'clock in the morn-
ing. Bishop Jonathan Weaver, who had
been secured to dedicate the church, was on
the ground for that purpose. When it was
learncHl that the pastor's wife had passed
away, the Bishop and members of the
135
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
cliiircli suggested that the dedicatory serv-
ices be postponed. liiit as she had helped
to plan the da3''s program, and was so anx-
ious for the success of the occasion, Kev.
Mr. Newgent urged that the plans be car-
ried out. i^o the jirograni of the day was
cjirried out tenderly and lovingly, the
church set apart to the worship of Almighty
Crod, while he and his three motherless lit-
tle ones remained in their sad home by the
silent form of the precious wife and mother.
Bishop Weaver remained to conduct her
funeral. The following account and worthy
tribute from his gifted pen was published
at the time in the Rclif/ioiis Telescope, the
official organ of the United Brethren
Church :
"Some time ago I arranged with Brother
Xewgent of the Prairieton Circuit, Lower
Wal)asli Conference, to attend the dedica-
tion of a church on his field of labor. Ac-
cordingly I left home on Saturday, June 13,
and reached Prairieton late in the evening.
Upon my arrival therc^ I learned that
Brother Newgent's wife was very ill ; yet T
supposed she might recover. Sunday morn-
ing the bell tolled and I knev.' that some one
had passed away. I immediately started for
Brother Newgent's home, and on reaching
it learned that his Avife had just died. It
136
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
was, indeed, a sad siglit. For seventeen years
thev had shared the sacrifices and trials in-
cident to tlie life of an itinerant. Now ho
was left with the care of three little children
to fip,ht the l)attles of life alone. lirother
NeM'p:ent, as he is wont to do, lahored hard
to net the chnrch in readiness for dedica-
tion, anticipatinii' a j^ood time. But it was
a sad day. A\'e attended to the service and
dedicated the chnrch with feelincjs of deep
sympathy for the pastor, who, with his lit-
tle ones, sat beside the earthly remains of
a beloved wife.
"Sister Newgent was a patient, kind-
hearted Christian woman. She had been in
delicate health for a number of years, bnt
neither mnrmnred nor complained. And
when the end came, she quietly fell asleep
in Jesus. On account of her delicate health,
Brother Newi^ent, for a number of years,
seldom remained away from home over
nis^ht. He would fill his appointment and
ride home after services. But no nmtter
how late at nic^ht he would return, he would
always find a lii>ht burninpf, and usually
she would sit up until he returned. But the
lifjht is p;one out — no, it is burninsj still.
'There's a light in the ^\indow for thee,
brother.' "
137
Chapteii Ten.
First Great Debate — The Debate as an Institution —
The Challenge — Opponents get Weak-K7ieed, Pro-
longing Maneuvers — A Hungry Multitude Unfed
— Battle Begins — Questions Discussed — An Im-
provised Creed for his Opponent — A Premature
Baptism — An Opponent's Tribute to his Genius —
Croivning the Victor.
In the earlier days of the church c^eat
stress was hiid upon matters of doctrine.
iMooted theological questions occasioned
much controversy among the "brethren."
Preachers gave special attention to the par-
ticular tenets of their respective churches,
often decrj'ing with heavy hearts the doc-
trinal shortcomings of sister denominations.
While this was a faidt of the times which
a broader Christian spirit is overcoming, yet
it had its compensating features. In an age
of controversy it became every man to have
some knowledge, not only of his own church,
but also of other churches. It is a fact that
people generally were better informed on
doctrinal lines than in these latter days
when the church is swinging so near the op-
posite extreme. The doctrinal sermon was
then the order of the day, while now it is
the rare exception.
The public debate was a popular means
of testing the merits of rival religious sys-
138
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
terns, though in reality it was more a test
of the men enjj^aged tlian of their theolog}'.
Nor was the debate confined to matters re-
ligious. Its field was unlimited. In pol-
itics it was a favorite method of testing
political issues and lexiders, and of spread-
ing political information. The great Lin-
coln-Douglas debate is a notable instance.
Hence, while it has lost prestige somewhat,
the debate once was an honorable and
powerful institution. The victor in such
a contest was regarded much as the ancient
Greeks regarded the winners in the Olvm-
plan games. And he was greatly in demand
to defend the doctrines of his church against
their adversaries. Every pastor needed to
cultivate the debating faculty to some ex-
tent, at least, for self -protection, just as it
was necessary for the early New Englanders
to carry their guns with them to church.
It was during Kev. Mr. Newgent's second
pastorate at New Goshen that he had his
first great debate, and was thrust by force of
circumstances into the debating arena.
Among his numerous converts were a large
number who held the faith enunciated by
the Rev. Alexander Campbell, and com-
monly designated as "Campbellites." This
stirred the controversial fires, and in conse-
quence he received a challenge from mem-
139
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
hers of tliat body to debate publicly certain
questions on which the two churches were,
perhaps, more content to differ than to
agree.
He was quite content to promulgate his
faith in the ordinary way, feeling that the
results of his work were sufficient proof of
the genuineness of his theology. Hence, he
sought to avoid being pressed into this sort
of contest, even proposing to secure a man
to represent his church. But they regarded
him as the high priest of his profession, and
as they had suffered at his hands, they de-
manded that he represent his side in per-
son. Seeing there was no honorable wav of
escape, he reluctantly consented, and pre-
liminaries were arranged.
His opponent was a Rev. Mr. Price. The
place selected was a beautiful grove near
the village of West Liberty, Vigo County,
Indiana. A vast throng of people were
present the day the debate was to open. But
they were doomed to disappointment. Just
as they were getting ready to begin, repre-
sentatives from the opposition approached
Rev. ]Mr. Newgent and asked if thev might
be permitted to let the Rev. William Holt,
D.D., champion their side instead of Mr.
Price. Doctor Holt was a recognized giant
among the Campbellites. He was a veteran
140
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
of thirty-two battles in the debating field,
and was one of the foremost expounders of
the tenets of his church.
Whether or not it was the wish of Mr.
Price to be relieved, it was quite evident
that, there was a lack of confidence some-
where. At any rate the opi>osition felt
more secure with their cause committed to
the hands of their great captain, armed, as
he was, with education and eloquence, and
skilled in the art and science of debate. All
felt that it was to be a great contest, sig-
nificant in its results, and that no chances
should be taken.
Rev. Mr. Newgent consented to the
change on condition that the debate be post-
poned a couple of months to afford time for
further preparation. The condition was
accepted, and the multitudes were sent away
hungry, disappointed, and dejected. The
responsibilty was thrown upon the Canip-
bellites, as their unwillingness to let Mr.
Price champion their side was the cause of
the postponement. For the Irish circuit
rider it was a diplomatic stroke, a bloodless
victorv to begin with.
The two months were well spent by Rev.
Mr. Newgent in preparation for this greater
contest. The delay only seemed to increase
popular interest in the affair; and when
141
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
they agmn mot, the crowd was even larger
than before. The discussions consumed
eleven davs. However, the time was divided
into two sections with an interveninj^j period
of four or five weeks. Tt was estimated
that from eii^ht thousand to ten thousand
people attended daily throughout, anions:
them beinaj a lariie uuudier of ministei-s of
various denominations. Six boardini*; tents
did a thrivine; business. In fact, the debate
was the jijreat event of the year. A political
campai2:n could not have created more in-
terest and excitement.
The discussions covered six propositions,
a.s follows:
1. The church of which I, William Holt,
am a member, is identical in doctrine and
practice with the Church of Christ, as re-
vealed in the Scriptures. Holt affirmed.
2. Jesus Christ is the very and eternal
God, separate and apart from his hunuin
nature. New2,ent affirmed.
3. Water baptism is for the remission of
the past sins of the penitent believer. Holt
affirmed.
4. The Holy Spirit bears a direct, imme-
diate, and personal testimony to the believer
of his pardon. Newijent affirmed.
5. Immersion is the onlv act of Christian
baptism. Holt affirmed.
142 .
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
fi. After a j)€rsoii is suniciently in-
structed in the written Word, the Holy
Spirit operates directly upon the heart in
reijeneration. Newoent affirmed.
In most respects the two men were well
matched. Holt was a man of scholarship,
a deep, loj^ical thinker, and possessed ora-
torical ability of a hioh order, which, with
the practice afforded by thirty-two debatino^
bouts, rendered him an antaj^onist not to be
despised. Newo;ent, then in his prime, pos-
sessed a splendid physique, a strong, musi-
cal voice that seemed never to tire, which
Avas especially adapted for out-door speak-
ing. Though not a product of the schools,
as was his opponent, his mind was strong,
clear, and alert. He was ever a close stu-
dent, not only of books, but of human na-
ture. He could readily analyze a proposi-
tion as much bv intuition as bv logic, and
discern at a glance the weak places in his
opponent's position. His wit and humor
served him well in such matters. When he
turned the shafts of ridicule upon a weak
point in the position of an opponent, it was
as though all the batteries, field pieces,
grape and canister, and every other instru-
ment of destructive warfare had been turned
loose at once. As there were none of the
scholastic or bookish elements in his style,
143
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
he invariably had tlie sympathy of the
masses.
Doctor Holt made the opening address,
affirming that his was the only true church
— ^'identicnl in doctrine and practice with
the Clnircli of Christ as revealed in the
Scriptures." He referred to various doc-
trines hehl by his church and supported
them by Scriptural authority. In most
cases they v>ere doctrines accepted by all
evangelical churches, affording no ground
for controversy. The address was eloquent
and logical.
When Newgent arose to reply, lie com-
plimented tlie brother's address and ex-
pressed his a])proval of much that was said.
"But now, Mr. :\[oderator," he continued, "I
would like to know what church my brother
belongs to when he asserts that they believe
thus and so. He frequently referred to 'My
church.' If he belongs to a church, how are
we to know, in the absence of a written
creed, what the doctrines of liis church are?
Shall we take his statements? That would
not be safe, for I find that they differ among
themselves on various important points.
"According to 3Ir. Webster, he has no
church. Webster says, 'The Church of
Christ is the universal body of Christ.' Paul
speaks of the 'whole family in heaven and
144
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
earth.' All saints in heaven and on earth
belong to the Church of Christ. This in-
cludes the children. When the disciples
asked Jesus who was greatest in the king-
dom of heaven, he 'called a little child unto
him and set him in the midst of them, and
said, Verily, I any unto 3'ou, except ye be
converted and become aK little children, ve
shall not enter into the kingdom of heav-
en.'
''Hence, his church is not THE Church of
Christ, neither is it A church of Christ.
Again, according to Webster, 'A church of
Christ is a body of Christian believers, ob-
serving the same rites and acknowledging
the same ecclesiastical authority.' It denies
all creeds and all ecclesiastical authoritv.
Hence, it cannot be A church of Christ."
He then appealed to the president, urging
that, in the absence of a written creed, they
should take the writings of their recognized
church leaders to ascertain what tlie doc-
trines of his opponent's church — granting
that it was a church — were. The president
so ruled. It then became the duty of Doctor
Holt to show that the doctrines indicated
were the doctrines of his cliurch according
to the church authorities, and also that they
were Scripturally sound; and furthermore
to prove that other doctrines promulgated
145
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
by tlie church leaders, which lie had not
mentioned, were in strict linrnionv with the
Word.
This opened up a l)i<»L»er field than even
the i>Teat hi*!,h priest of Campbellisni wius
prepared to occupy. Newgent was as famil-
iar with the teachings of his opponent's
church as Doctor Holt was himself, and had
foreseen and pre])ared for this emergency.
"I knew you would not be prepared for
this, so I thought I would be good to you,"
he said in a manner suggesting a cat's habit
of playing with a mouse just before crush-
ing its bones, ''I have, therefore, prepared a
creed from the writings of Mr. Campbell
and other leaders of your church, which will
enable us to ascertain what your church
teaches."
He then read the following imi)r(>vised
creed, the dillerent items of which were
based upon statements cited in the writings
of recognized authorities of the church Doc-
tor Holt was so zealously defending:
I. We profess before all men that we be-
lieve in Avater baptism by immei'sion ; that
it is the great panacea for all spiritual mal-
adies.
II. Tiiimersion is the line between the
saved and the lost.
146
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
III. Iininersion is regeneration, con-
version, tuul tlie new birth.
IV. Inmiorsion is obeyinoj the gospel; it
alone is the act of turning to (jod.
V. l\e])entance, pardon, justification,
sanctification, reconciliation, adoption, sal-
vation, a good conscience, a pure heart, love
to God, saving faith, acceptable prayer, the
reception of the Holy Spirit, and the in-
tercession of Christ for us, all depend upon
immersion.
VI. Immersion is the converting act, and
is the most imi)ortant of all the command-
ments.
VII. The water is the mother of all
Christians.
VIII. We further believe that the Apos-
tles set up the kingdom of Christ on the Day
of Pentecost.
IX. That the gospel was first preached
by Peter, that the first Christian baptism
was administered, and that the reign of
grace began on the Dav of Pentecost.
X. That the kingdom of Christ has apos-
tatized and become totally corrupt.
XI. That the meaning of the Christian
institutions was lost in the Dark Ages, and
that no one pleaded the true cause of Christ
from tlie great apostasy until Mr. Camp-
bell's day.
147
The Experiences of Uncle jack
XII. That tlic true foundation of the
niillcnial church was lost, and tliat it was
hiid aiiain in tlic ])resent centui-y.
XIII. That we have restored the ancient
gospel.
XIV. Thai Mv. (^nnpbell, with others,
lias from nothing;, reorf^anized and estah-
lislied the kinudoni of Christ on earth.
XV. That salvation is alone in the soci-
ety to which we belong-, and which was es-
tablished in the ])resent century.
XVI. ^^'e belieA'e in a reformation ])!'o-
duced witliout the II(dy S])irit, without
godly sorrow, or mourning, oi- prayer, or
anv act of devotion whatever.
XVII. That a mere persuasion that the
gospel is true is all the faith re(iuired.
XVIIT. That even a believer is not ])ar-
doned, born of (jod, or in possession of
spiritual life until after immersi(m.
XIX. That no sinner has a right to pray
before immersion.
XX. That in regeneration there is no
change of the moral f)0A\ers or inward evi-
dence of the same.
XXI. That sinners are buried in the wa-
ter in order to kill them to sin.
XXII. That salvation is by works.
XXII T. AVe deny the divine call to the
work of the ministrv.
148
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
The foregoing proiwsitions had been care-
fully selected with proof statements by Kev.
]Mr. Newgent. To Rfjuare them by the Word
of God was a task that even a greater than
Doctor Holt might well have shrunk from.
And the opening battle which was to decide
the question as to whether or not tlie church
of Doctor Holt's choice was identical in doc-
trine and practice with the New Testament
church resulted in a decided advantage in
favor of the Irishman.
Among the amusing incidents connected
with the occasion was an attempt on the
part of the Holt allies to create a demon-
stration favorable to their cause. On the
day when the subject of baptism was up, a
rumor ciime to Xewgent's ears that a pre-
tended convert to his opponent's doctrine
would present himself for admission to the
Campbellite Church at the evening service.
A baptismal service would then be held the
following morning in a nearby creek in the
presence of the crowd, affording ocular evi-
dence that the champion of immersion
was gaining ground. This, attended with
all the pomp and display necessary to make
it impressive, it was expected, would prove
a staggering blow to Newgent, from which
even his wit and humor would not enable
him to rally.
149
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
He did not give much credence to the
rumor, scarcely believinjij that any one
wouhl resort to such tactics, but thou<;lit it
best to ke('i» at least one eye open. The
eveniui; services were held in the churches,
both denominations bein<2; r('])resented in the
villa«?e. Kach churcli would have preachinjjj
by a visiting- minister of its own faith. Or-
dinarily those who cared to attend would
go to their own church, the champions them-
selves remaining at home to rest and gird
themselves for tiie next day. Newgent, how-
ever, curious to learn whether there was any
foundation for the rumor, on that partic-
ular evening attended the service at his op-
ponent's church. To his surprise, he saw
Doctor Holt there, lie then smelled a rat.
At the close of the sermon, Doctor Holt
arose, delivered a brief exhortation and
opened the doors of the church. And the
rat smelled stronger.
All doubts were dispelled when an old,
nisty-looking gentleman limped forward
and gave the preacher his hand. This was
the convert that the eloquence of Doctor
Holt had won to the standard of Campbell-
ism — an old, decrepit man, by no means dis-
ting-uished for learning or intelligence, who
had been imported from an adjoining county
for the occasion I
ISO
RKV. ANDREW JACKSON NEWCJF.NT
At age of forty
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
The doctor was, of c-ourse, glad that one
penitent was making the "good confession,"
and announced that on to-morrow morning
at eight o'clock, just before the day's excn--
cises would begin, they Avould repair to the
creek and "bai)tize the brother into Christ."
At this jun<ture Hey. Mr. Newgent arose
and asked if he might say a few words. The
permission was granted. "Doctor," he said,
"I have been taking it for granted that you
were sincere in advocating that the peni-
tent's sins were pardoned only in the act
of baptism. Now, here is a dear brother
desiring to fl(^e the wrath to come. Suppose
he should die before eight o'clock to-morrow
morning, and thus be lost. Who would be
responsible? He is getting old. Aren't you
running an awful risk in exposing his soul
to eternal deatli until to-morrow? Doctor,
don't you think it would be safer and more
consistent to take this brother at once to
the creek and baptize him into Christ?"
The doctor admitted that he was right,
and ordered the candidate to be baptized
immediately. A small bodyguard took him
to the creek and reluctantly performed the
task. Thus evaporated the scheme from
which the opposition had hoped to reap so
largely. They did reap largely, but not
what they expected. In his opening re-
151
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
marks tlie next inoi'uiii,Li', Xe\\'geut rocited
with dramatic effect the story of the ex-
ploch'd i)lot, takiiij;' ample time to do it
justice. Tlie story was tohl with many a
liiimoroiis and oratorical flourish, jiroduc-
in<:»- roar after roar of langliter from tlie
great audience. The house thus bnilt npon
the sand fell upon the heads of the unwise
builders with most disastrous effect.
As an illustration of liis peculiar power
over the minds of his hearers, the following
tril)ute from a titled minister of the Camp-
bell faith \y\\\ serve well. He was taking
his usual rest dnrin^r; the noon intermission,
when the reverend gentlenian aaIio Avore a
D.D. and a silk hat, approached him, and
after introducinii: himself, said:
"Ivcv. Mr. Xewii'ent, tiiev liave told me
that you attended scliool but three months
in your life, and also that this is your first
debate. I am convinced that in this yon
have been misrepresented. I heard Doctor
Holt deliver his opening address to-day, and
I tliought no man on earth could answer his
argument. But when you got up to speak,
you had not proceeded five minutes nntil
the people had forgotten all he had said.
The F?me was true of the second address,
and I saw at once that our man was
beaten."
152
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
Newg'oiit told liiiii that he liad liad hut
meager seliool advantages. In a former
chapter it is stated that he attended seliool
three terms of three months each. But as
school attendance then was very irregular
at the best, the gentleman's information was
not far from the truth. He informed his
friend, however, that he had always been a
hard student, and thus had atoned in s<une
measure for the meagerness of his school
advantages.
''Well," said the doctor of divinity, "I
expected to remain until the close of the de-
bate; but I see that our man is fighting a
losing battle, and I do not care to stay and
see him defeated.'' And after a few further
remarks, he bade Kev. Mr. Newgent a cour-
teous good by and left the grounds, not de-
siring to see the end of a contest that boded
no good thing for his cause.
The gentleman's unwilling prophecy was
fulfilled, no doubt, to a. larger degTee than
he himself anticipated. Newgent seemed to
gain power and momentum to the last.
When the great contest closed, defeat was
plainly written upon the countenance of
every Holt sympathizer, while Newgent was
showered with compliments and congi'atu-
lations from his admiring friends. A dele-
gation of Baptist brethren, headed by the
153
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
pastor of the First Baptist Church of Terre
Haute, rushed forward aud placed a ten-
dollar hat on his head in hehalf of that
denomination. Commendations and sub-
stantial tokens of ai)])roval came from rep-
resentatives of a nund^er of denominations.
And the occasion ended pleasantly for all,
exce])t the nundier whose theological bia.s
was plainly and painfully indicated by their
crestfallen spirits.
154
Chapter Eleven.
Subsequent Debates — The Given Contest — He Gets
his "Treat" — Opponent's Confession — Dressing
"Stone" — A Scared Baptist — Invades the Lu-
theran Ranks — Measures Steel loith Doctor In-
gram — Dissertation on Infant Baptism — Oppo-
nent's Early Flight — Concludes the Debate Alone
— The Haw Debate.
As the preceding eliaptei* has sho^^^l, our
subject was not a debater from choice. He
was thrust into the debating arena by cir-
cumstances. His memorable victory over
Doctor Holt placed his name in big letters
among the leading debaters of the time,
creating demands for his sen-ices in this
capacity that could not well be resisted.
Besides being in constant demand to ex-
pound and defend the doctrines for which
he stood, by his own, and other denomina-
tions of a kindred faith, he figured in some
thirteen debating bouts, a detailed account
of which would of itself make a good-sized
volume. Hence, a few passing references
to some of these contests, with some char-
acteristic incidents, is all that will be at-
tempted here.
Shortly after the debate with Doctor
Holt, he received an urgent appeal from
Rev. James Griffiths of the United Brethren
}5S
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
Cliiirfli at Potoniac, Illinois, to come over to
his Macedonia and liel}) him. Controversy
between the Christian and United Brethren
chiirclies of that section was at white heat.
The Christian Church, under the leadership
of a Kev. ^Iv. Owen, was pressing the bat-
tle to the gates and making things unpleas-
antly interesting for Kev. Mr. Griniths,
who was not of a controversial turn of
mind. He felt, however, that the safety of
his cause demanded that his adversaries be
met upon their own ground with their own
weapons. His presiding elder, liev. J. W.
Nye, joined in the request that Kev. Mr.
Newgent go to the rescue.
Accordinglv, a debate between Owen and
Newgent, covering the usual mooted ques-
tions between the two denominations, was
arranged. Rev. Mr. Owen was scholarly
and serious, but utterly lacking in the
humorous element. His dry logic was no
match for the fiery eloquence and quick wit
of his Irish antagonist. Like the bride-
groom at a wedding, he was a rather incon-
spicuous figure, except that his part was
necessary to the carrying out of the pro-
gram. It was an easy victory for the United
Brethren and their allies, resulting in a
cessation of hostilities and a reign of peace
in that section of Zion.
156
The Experiences of Uncle jack
A more riota})l(' coiite.st was that with
Dr. W. B. F. Treat, then president of Indi-
ana, State University, at Bloomint-ton. Doc-
tor Treat, as liis j^osition wonhl indicate,
was a man of line scliolarslii]). lie was a
minister in tlie Christian Chnrch, zealons
in the defense of its doctrines, and had won
many troi)hies as a debater.
The preliminary arranu^cinents for this
debate wei'e made by a conph^ of ministers,
one a rejjresentative of tlie Christian
Clmrch, and the other a United Brethi-en.
Newoent and Treat were secnred by the two
churches as their respective champions.
As the two champions were introduced
on the occasion of the debate, the following
bit of repartee was indulged in by Newo:ent,
who had been sniferinf>' from some sliii'ht
temporary ailment : "I am sorry you are not
in good trim," said Doctor Treat, "I had
hoped to find a man who would be able to
put up a good figlit."
"Oh," said Mewgent, "I think I'll feel bet-
ter wlien I get my Treat."
In his opening remarks. Doctor Treat
again indulged in some pleasantry at New-
gent's expense. He referred to his oppo-
nent as liaving been born in Green County
and cradhnl in a sugar trough. NcAVgent re-
plied that he had missed it four miles as to
157
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
the place of his birth. The su<>ar troup^h
part of it, however, he did not deny; but as
the trough had served well to cradle the dif-
ferent niend)ers of his mother's small family
of nine ehildnMi, lie was (piite sure the rude
cradle sulTered no violence at his hands.
The learned doctor further tried to dis-
count the scholarship of his o])])(ment by
referring; to a postal card received from him
on which there were two words misspelled.
To this Newgent also had an answer.
"Great speakers," said he, "are usually de-
ficient in other lines. I now understand
why the doctor is short on debating; all his
strength lias gone into his spelling."
The usual questions were discussed, six
in number, the same as in tlie great Holt
debate. The arguments were listened to by
thousands of interested and enthusiastic
spectators, among tliem ministers and dig-
nitaries of various denominations, and per-
sons of prominence in educational, political,
and professional circles. As to the result of
the contest. Doctor Treat's own confession,
as brought (mt in the following incident,
will suffice:
A debate between Newgent and a Kev.
Dr. J. W. Stone, of St. Louis, ^Missouri, also
a minister of prominence in the Christian
Church, was scheduled to take place a few
158
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
weeks later. In the meantime Doctor
Stone, anxious to learn all he could cou-
cerninj;- his opponent, sought an interview
with Doctor Treat. He met him at a church
dedication at which Treat was otTiciatin'!;.
The two men, with others, were entertained
for dinner at the same home after the morn-
ing service. At an opportune time, Doctor
Stone introduced the subject in which lie
was especially interested, and the following
conversation between the two men took
place, being overheard and reported to New-
gent by a. gentleman who leaned toward his
side of the question :
"Are you acquainted with a United
Brethren preacher in Indiana of the name
of Newgent?'' Doctor Stone inquired.
"I am," was President Treat's answer.
"Did you not debate with him some time
ago?"
"I did."
"Is he a scholar?"
"I do not know."
"Is he logical?"
"I cannot tell. He claimed that he went
to school only a few months."
"How long did you debate with him?"
"Six days."
"What?" said Doctor Stone in astonish-
ment, "You debated with him six days, and
159
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
could not tell whether or uot he is edu-
cated?"'
"Well/ continued the university presi-
dent, in a nu'ditative mood, "I will say that
he is — forccjiiL"
Doctor Stone looked blank for a nionient,
and then ventured with a smile, "May he
he whipped you?"
"I don't know," was the i>uarded answer,
"hut 1 am inclined to believe that my peo-
ple thought he did/' ObsiM'ving that Stone
was intensely interested. Treat inquired:
"Are you thinking of debating with
him?"
Stone answered in the affirmative.
"Can't you get out of it in some honorable
way?"
Stone replied that he was not wanting
"out of it."
"But vou nuiv want out of it," was Treat's
not very assuring reply.
"Why, is he not fair in debate? Is he not
a gentleman?"
"Yes," answered Treat, "so much so that
all your people who know him love to be
with him and hear him talk." And the
conversation drifted into other channels.
But Doctor Stone, being from :Missouri,
waited to be shown. And the debate was
held according to schedule.
160
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
About this time Doctor Stone was eujo.y-
ino- no small de<»Tee of notoriety. He had
debated with a Methodist minister in south-
ern Illinois, and so completely mastered
him that he acknowled<>ed his defeat in
sack cloth and ashes, and joined the Chris-
tian (Mnirch. Stone was taking- advantaj^e
of his uewly-ac(iuired popularity in wacrincj
a relentless war against the "sects," as he
termed them, when some of the Pedo-Bap-
tists secured Newgent to meet him in de-
bate. And the challeniie was brought to the
great, self-imiKirtant Doctor Stone.
"Newgent !" said this supposed Goliath
with a contemptuous sneer. "He can't de-
bate. He's an Irish jieddler who used to sell
table-cloths in my fatlier's neigiilvorhood."
The committee informed him that they were
willing to risk their case with the Irish ped-
dler. However, Stone's visit to Doctor
Treat to get information concerning the
Irishman would indicate that his contempt
was more fcngned than real.
The debate was held in a small town in
southern Illinois, where the doctor had been
making havoc of the "sects." The table-
cloth story became current, and much spec-
ulation was indulged in concerning the sup-
posed vender of household commodities.
His coming to the tillage was awaited vrith
161
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
intense interest. When the train on which
he was schednled to arrive pulled in at the
station, a. curious and entliusiastic crowd
AvaK waitiniv to o-et a vii^v of the man who
dared to dispute the wisdom of Doctor
Stone. As he stepped from the car, a gen-
tleman who knew him said, jxu'ntinf!^ him
out, ''There's the table-cloth peddler."
A liearty salute was liiven bv th(» crowd.
Newgent, havin<i' been apprised of the story,
was equal to the occasion. As soon as the
liubl)ub ceased, he addressed the crowd,
turning- the table-cloth story apiinst his
opponent in the following speecli :
''(lentlemen, if you have come here to
buy table-clotlis, you will be disappointed.
I have changed my occupation. I have been
informed that there is some fine stone in
southern Illinois, so I have come down here
to set up my shop and spend a few days
dressing Stone."
The "Stone dressing" joke superseded the
table-cloth story and became a catch plirase
throughout the debate.
Tt is likely that Stone often called to
mind tlie friendly advice of Doctor Treat,
and regretted that he did not take it. Tie
could cope neither with the argument, tlie
(|uick Avit, nor the physical endurance of his
opponent. His voice failed completely, and
162
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
the last two addresses of New^ent were iiii-
a,nswered. The Stone-dressing- business
proved eminently suecessfiil.
An aninsing- incident occurred in connec-
tion with a debate in Kentucky witb a
Doctor Fairchilds, an eminent Baptist min-
ister. A stor}' came to the ears of Doctor
Faircliihls after he came on the ground, to
the effect that Xewjj:ent was a man of extra-
ordinary scholarsliip, that he was master
of some thirteen lau.ouages, etc. Tlie doc-
tor was visiblj' disconcerted by the story,
and after hearing Newgent's first address,
was fully persuaded that it was true, espe-
cially the part relating to the thirteen lan-
guages. He was quite nervous, and utterly
broke down about the middle of the pro-
gram, leaving the supposed master of tliir-
teen languages easily master of the situ-
ation.
While on his official rounds as superin-
tendent of the Tennessee Mission Confer-
ence, he once chanced to invade a Lutheran
community, which set in motion a train of
influences that terminated in a del)ate with
a representative of that body. Tliis was
about eight miles from Greenville. He Avas
visiting a United Brethren family that had
moved into the community, and in company
with his host, called at the district school,
163
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
uiid made a talk to tlic pupils. Throuo-h the
iiilliience of liis host, the school house was
secured for a preachiiit^' service tliat eveu-
iug. Other iiitiuences theu be<;aii to be felt,
and the meetiug- was contiuued indefinitely,
resultini*' in a sweeping revival, the organ-
ization of a United Brethren church, and
the building and dedication of a church-
house within two months from the close of
the revival.
This occasioned great concern among the
Lutherans who lost (piite heavily as a re-
sult of the United liretliren invasion. To
regain their lost ground, they challenged
Key. Mr. Newgent to debate certain doc-
trinal (juestions with a representative of
their church. Newgent was then in his ele-
ment, in the debate, and answered that he
would be ready at any time to accommodate
them.
The Lutheran champion was Dr. J. C.
sillier, president of one of tlieir church
schools. The much-mooted (piestion as to
what body ccmstituted the true church was
the first taken up, Doctor Miller posing as
tlie representative of a church whose doc-
trines and usages are identical with those
taught and exemplilied in the New Testa-
ment.
164
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
Tliis placed upon ^fillor the llcrciilcan
task of (lefeiidinii- the vanous lencts and
practices peculiar to liis church. Among
other specimens of Lutheran creed, Ncav-
cent read the following-: "The infant's heart
is corrupt, and it cannot be sa.ved unless
baptized by a Lutheran minister with heav-
enly, o-racious water." When asked if his
church taught that, Doctor ^liller admitted
that it did.
Xew<>ent showed this bit of do<»ina up in
a bad lii>ht b}' the use of an object lesson.
Borrowing- a baby from a mother in the
audience, beheld it upbefore the crowd, stat-
ini>- that the "little rascal's" heart is corru])t
and its only chance for salvation was by
bein|i>- baptized according- to the Lutheran
formula. "Now,'' he continued, "I want
this brother to demonstrate to this audi-
ence how a baby must be saved. I want
him to change this baby's heart from a state
of corruption to a state of purity. I want
to see how a baby is saved, for, according- to
his theolooy, I have three babies in hell."
The brother winced under this outburst
of sarcasm. He refuscMl to ba])tize the child,
v,hich, had he done so under the circum-
stances, would scarcely have made his doc-
trine appear less obnoxious. Other peculiar
Lutheran tenets ap])eared to the same disad-
165
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
vantniio imder similar treatment, and tlio
chnrcirs liope of ivaininsi' its lost "Tonnd
completely vanished. The debate i)()pular-
ized the Ignited Brethren Chnrch, ^i^'ii^S it
a stronii: hold in the commnnity. Flag
Branch, a tiourishiuji,' rnral church, stands
as a monument to Rev. Mr. Newiient's la-
bors in that section.
Another contest worthy of special note
was with a Baptist minister at Blue
Sprin.ijs, Tennessee, in 1882. The mode of
baptism was a live question throughout
that region. The battle line was drawn by
the Baptists and I*edo-Baptists. They
finally agreed to have the question discussed
in a public debate, each side to furnish its
champion. Three churches were repre-
sented on the immersion side, and seven on
the other. The immersionists secured as
their representative, Doctor Tngram, a
prominent Baptist divine of Virginia. New-
gent was selected by the anti-immersionists.
The debate was to cover six propositions
and to continue six days, one subject being
slated for each day.
The Baptists were very desirous of includ-
ing infant baptism in the list of subjects to
be discussed. This was a question that
Newgent had never debated, and in which
he had very little interest. But to acommo-
166
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
date tlie Baptists, lie consented to defend
the practice of infant baptism. His oppo-
nent pro])osed the question, statinp; it as
folloAvs: ''Resolved, That infants are fit sub-
jects for baptism." Newgeut consented to
aflfirm it.
It was slated for the second day. In his
openinii' remarks, Newgent said : "Mr. Presi-
dent, this is a peculiar question; but my
brother ^^•rote it and insisted that I al'tirm it.
It is peculiar from the fact that I am not
to prove that the child needs baptism, or
that there is any command for infant bap-
tism, or that there ever was an infant bap-
tized. I am simply asked to prove that a
child is a fit subject for baptism."
At these remarks a storm of protest arose
from the immersionists. They expected him
to defend the vast array of teaching- that the
various Pedo-Baptist bodies had put for-
ward on the subject.
"Keep cool," he said to the immersionist
part of tlie crowd as they were clamoring
for a hearing and creating no little con-
fusion. "Doctor Ingram and I signed these
papers, and we agreed to be governed by the
board of moderators. This question simply
deals with the child's fitness for baptism.
I appeal to the moderators." The moder-
ators sustained his position.
167
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
He theu iiskcd his opponent whether or
not the Baptist Church would baptize a sub-
ject until he was converted and became as
a little child. His opponent stated that it
would not. This jiave him a splendid foun-
dation for his address, and, at the same
time, removed the last foundation stone
from under his opponent, so far as infant
baptism was concerned. lie made an earn-
est and eloquent address, showing*' tliat the
child is a type of the heavenly citizen, and
as such possesses special litness for all the
sacraments of God's house.
While he was talkinc^, his attention Avas
called to Doctor Ingram. The doctor, grip
in hand, was making rapid strides toward
the railroad station. His moderator and
some friends were accompanying him, try-
ing to persuade him to remain. But he
could endure it no longer.
The doctor's retreat caused a great sen-
sation, relished immensely by the Pedo-Bap-
tists, but a bitter dose to the immersionists.
There were yet four days of the ])rogram
remaining. Newgent's side di^mauded, as
they were paying him for his work, that he
remain and carry out his part of the pro-
gTam. This he did, but as tlie debate had
only one end to it during those four days,
it spoiled tlie excitement, though it served
168
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
well the })iirpose of tliosu who hud employed
him.
Araon.i»- his later debates Mas one held in
1898 at IMechanicsville, Indiana. Dr. J. W.
Haw, of the Christian CMmrch, was his op-
ponent on this occasion. Doctor Haw had
been holdin,i»' revival meetings in that part
of Indiana, and beini^- dogmatic in style and
controversially inclined, was unsparing in
his denunciations of other denominations.
His aggressions and criticisms were disturb-
ing the equilibrium of some of the brethren
whose churches were being used as a target
by this ecclesiastical Nimrod. They wrote
to Newgent, then in Tennessee, urging him
to champion their side against Doctor Haw
in debate, offering him fifty dollars per day
and expenses for his time. He consented on
condition that the propositions were fair
and that the reverend gentleman in question
was a representative man in his church.
He was referred to a two-column article
in a current number of the Christian Stan-
dard relating to Doctor Haw. The article
was extravagant in the use of adjectives de-
scribing the doctor's ability and achieve-
ments, stating that he was the leading de-
bater in the Christian Church, having had
more such battles than any other man in it
at that time. This was quite satisfactory
169
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
to Newgent, as at that i)eriod he did not
care to waste any shot or shell on small
lianie.
In this, as in all other such contests, New-
n-ent ahundantl}' sustained his position and
satisfied the expectations of his supporters.
His experience, self-control, complete mas-
tery of the subjects in hand, humor, and
physical endurance made him an antajio-
nist that even the oreatest debater in a de-
bating church could illy cope with. The
general vei'dict of even Doctor Ilaw's own
sympathizers was that it was decidedly a
O'ne-sided affair.
170
Capter Twelve.
Perrysville and Centerpoint — Industry Rewarded
from an Unsuspected Source — A "Slick" Wed-
ding — Fruitful Labors at Centerpoint — A One-
sided Union Meeting — The Doctrine of the Res-
urrection Again Demonstrated.
A year on the Perrysville charge in the
Upper Wabash Conference, followed by a
year at Centerpoint, in his oAvn conference,
the T^ower Wabash, covering 1874 to 18TG,
closed Kev. Mr. Newgent's work in the pas-
torate for a season. It was from the latter
charge that he received his appointment
from the Home, Frontier, and Foreign
Missionary Society as Superintendent of
the Tennessee Mission Conference. From
thenceforth he was destined to serve the
Churcli in a larger capacity, though there
is no woi'k tliat he regards as more exalted
or more vital to the progress of tlie kingdom
than that of the pastor. And it is but just
to say that there is no work in wh.ich he
has been happier or more in his element.
The pastor, he regards, as the pivotal nu\n
in the church militant, around whose per-
sonalitv must revolve all the machinery of
its organized life. Hence, in whatever po-
sition he has been placed, he has ever been
in fullest sympathy with the men on the
171
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
firing- line, and has sought in every way to
encoiirauc and niap,nify their work.
His <i<)in,i>' to Perrysville was in r('S]»onse
to an ur<;ent appeal from his intimate
friend, Dr. J. W. Nye, then a popular pre-
siding el«h'r in the Upper Wahash Confer-
ence. His work liere was fruitful and con-
genial, and marked by some rich experi-
ences, which he cai'ries with him as refresh-
ing memories. One of these teaches a prac-
tical moral lesson, namely, that lionest in-
dustry has its reward in more ways tlian
one.
It need not be explained here that indus-
try is a part of his religion. He believes
witli Paul that it does not injure, or lower
the dignity of a minister to lal)or with his
liands. In this, as in other respects, he
made himself an example to the flock. Odd
moments are always occupied in diversions
of a practical character. The outward ap-
pearance of the parsonage never failed to
testify to his thrift and good taste. A gar-
den served as an outlet to his surplus physi-
cal energies as well as a means of supple-
menting tlie usually modest income. Under
his skillful hand it invariably became a
thing of beauty and an object of just pride.
Some five miles from Perrysville lived
a horny-handed son of the soil, a man who
172
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
made industry not only the chief olenu*nt
in his reli«»i<)n, but the sum total of it. lie
was an intidel in his belief — or disbelief —
and regarded the church as an imposition,
and preachers as an indolent, worthless lot.
Passini>- throuuh the villaoe one day, he
noticed Kev. ^Ii*. NewG:ent\s o-ardcMi. It was
by far the finest he had seen. II is surprise
can only be ima<»iued when, upcm inipiiry,
he learned tliat tlie owner of it was one
of those lazy preachers.
A few days later he drove up to the par-
sonatic with a barrel of flour, which he un-
loaded and unceremoniously rolled upon
the porch. This time the surprise was on
the pr{»acher, as a reputation for benevo-
lence was a thinu' of which, up to that time,
the infidel could not boast. He explained
that ordinarily he had no use for preach-
ers, but as he had found one that was not
Iaz3^, he "wanted to help him." The donation
was an expression of his reoard for the
minister who showed a willinsjness, accord-
ing to the infideFs conception of the term,
to earn his bread in the sweat of his face.
Another incident, picked up at random,
occurred one cold day during the winter of
his stay at Perrysville. A couple whose
appearance did not indicate a superabund-
ance of worldly prosperity, came to the par-
173
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
Ronaiio to be luarried. Tliev had come from
the adjoiniiiii' county, tlie bonndarv between
the two counties bein"- tlie Wabash River,
on the bank of which Perrysville was lo-
cated. The river was frozen over. The
conph^ traveled afoot, havinj^- crossed the
river on the ice. The preacher explained
that they would liave to recross the river
before the ceremony could be performed, as
the law required that marriajjes be solem-
nized in the county in which the license Avas
issued. So he conducted the matrimonial
candidates to the river.
When tlie preacher was satisfied that they
had proceeded beyond the half-way point on
the river, he ordered the couple to halt and
join hands. By this time their presence
had attracted the attention of the younoj
people who were out on tlie ice in larj^e
numbers enjoyinii' the fine winter sport of
skatinc;. As the weddini.!; was a public func-
tion, no restrictions beint!; placed on attend-
ance, the ceremony was performed in the
presence of an enthusiastic multitude.
The service comjileted, the sjroom, who
was unacquainted with ministerial usa,2:es,
inquired as to the amount of the fee. To
save him the responsibility and further em-
barrassment of determininc: the sum to be
paid for the service, the preacher suggested
174
The Younji Man s Financial Ratinji Was Over-estimated.
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
that a dollar would be sufficient, fearing;
lest he ini<iht set the price too hi^h for his
purse. Even at that it was painfully evi-
dent that the young man's financial rating
was overestimated. After nervously fum-
bling through his pockets he was able to
produce but fifty cents. In his dilemma he
found it necessary to call upon his bride
for financial assistance. Happily she was
equal to the emergency, and supplied the
deficit from her own purse.
"This is the fairest wedding I have ever
seen," said the preacher. "It has always
been my opinion that the lady ought to help
pay the preacher, and she receives as much
benefit from the ceremony as does the man.
I hope you will always share each other's
burdens in this way.'' And wishing them
happiness and prosperity, he sent them on
their way rejoicing.
The local paper gave a flowery account of
the wedding that took place on the ice, stat-
ing that it was the "slickest" wedding that
Jiad ever occurred in that section. But the
minister's fee and the manner of paying it
was not allowed to become public, lest it
sliould become a troublesome precedent in
matrimonial circles.
The following year, which was spent on
the Centerpoint charge, was a most fruitful
175
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
one. Here, us in so many oIIut places, ho
found a splciidiil opportunity of denion-
stratiuii' his favorite doctrine of the resur-
rection — the resurrection of dead churches.
The spiritual life of tlie churches at Center-
point was at ebb tide, and had been for an
iud(^finite time. Soon after his arrival the
]Methodist pastor, who Avas also new in the
town, called upon him to confer as to their
plans for revival work. As workers were
scarce, it was thoujuht best to plan their
nuH'tinjis so that they would not conflict.
Uev. ]Mr. Newgent, AbraJiam-like, let his
brotlier do the choosin"-, and the brother,
perhai)s as anxious as Lot to j^et in on the
oround floor, decided to commence a revival
at once. Newi>ent beoan a meetinc: at the
same time some few miles in the country.
Newgent's meeting immediately develoyjed
into a revival of so great proportions that
it became the one overshadowing event of
the whole country, drawing tlie Methodist
pastor's congregation from him and render-
ing it impracticable for him to continue.
His situation was a rather bmely one. In
his extremity he souglit anotlier interview
with his fellow pastor, proposing to close
his meeting at once if Newgent would join
him later in a union revival effort.
176
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
This Xcwoent consented to do on three
conditions, as follows :
1. That the nieeting-s be held in the
United Brethren church.
2. That the United Brethren pastor do
all the preachinc;.
3. That tlie United Brethren pastor do
the mana.i>inji'.
Hardastlieconditions seemed, the brother
agreed to them. The conditions, in fact,
look esjotistical and perhaps selfish on the
surface, but when the United Brethren pas-
tor explained his reasons for them they were
seen to be neither. On the contrary they
were meant for the hio;liest c,ood of both
churches, and were abundantly vindicated
by the outcome. TTe was intensely anxious
that Centerpoint have a s^enuine revival of
reliction. To promote such a revival at any
cost was his purpose. That this purpose
mioht be realized he would not permit mod-
estv, formalitv, or anv other creature to
stand in the way.
The United Brethren Church was the
more commodious and had the advantajje in
location. This was the reason for the first
condition. The reason for the second and
third conditions was that Centerpoint had
been preached to death. A chano-e of meth-
ods was imperative if the people were to be
177
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
reached. lie wanted a meetinG; without
preachinji', witliout too much liuinan aoency,
])ut where (Jod liiniself inij^lit control to
his own glory. Only by having the manage-
ment left to him could he apply the remedy
needed according to his diagnosis of the
case.
His plan A\'as now to be put to the test —
a revival without preaching, the laity to do
the work as they felt divinely moved. The
meeting began on a Friday evening. But
with no life there could be no real activity.
The chariot wheels dragged heavily at the
first. On Sunday morning he announced
that at four o'clock p.m., a children's uieet-
ing would be held. Aside from selected
helpers, only children within a certain age
limit would lie admitted. Such meetings
even at that <late were quite unccmimon.
The announcement, therefore, aroused a
gn^at deal of curiosity. But that was one
point in the anouncement. Something must
be done to stir tlie people. There must be
a new avenue of approach to their cold
hearts.
The children's service produced the de-
sired effect. At the appointed hour the
house was filled to overflowing. There were
three helpers, all ministers, present, who
did their part according to Newgent's di-
178
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
rections. Soni^s wero sunj;', prayers offered
by the niiuisters as they were calU'd npon, a
brief talk by the leader, some siiuph^ propo-
sitions, and the meetinp; closed in less than
a lialf-hoiir from the time it beo-an. But
that lialf-hour turned the tide in Center-
point. Tlie cliildren became the van;T:nnrd
in a religions movement that was to s]t:ike
the town from center to circumference.
]Many of tliem went home weeiiinc; to speak
of the loniiin^- of tlieir tender hearts to
fathers and mothers, wlio, in turn, were
awakened to a consciousness of their ov,])
need.
At the erenino* service which followed,
seventy-five persons came to the altar, most
of whom professed conversion. The revi-
val was no lon<]^er a problem. It spread
tlirouohout the town and community like
fire in dry stubble. The church arose from
the fifrave of letliariry and formalism, cast
off her o-rave clothes — and the doctrine of
the resurrection was a2;ain abundantly dem-
onstrated.
179
Chapter Tiiiuteen.
Becomes a Missionary Superintendent — Second Mar-
riage — An Unexpected Welcome — Forms, a Quaker
Friendship — The Spirit Moves in a Quaker Meet-
ing — A Quaker's Prayer Answered — Builds a Col-
lege — Shews What to do for a Dead Church —
Another Tilt on the Doctrine of Baptism — Con-
version of a Dunkard Preacher — Turns a Great
Movement in the Right Direction.
In the fall of ISTC), Rev. :\rr. Kewoent en-
tered upon his (liiti(^s as Hnperintendent of
the Tennessee Mission Conference, under
appointment of the Home, Frontier, and
I'^'orei'm Missionary Association. In the
meantime he had married ]Miss Annie Crow-
ther, of Terre Haute, Indiana, who, under
the divine blessing-, abides as the companicui
of his joys and sorrows amid the leno-then-
intj,' shadows. She is a woman of rare and
excellent qualities, which es])ecially fitted
her for her position as the wife of an active
and ambitious minister. She is in fullest
accord with her husband's aud)iti(ms and
tastes, and has contributed her part toward
the success of his career. He freely accords
to her this credit. With this queenly woman
ordering its affairs, the Newgent home has
ever been a haven of real rest, a, retreat for
Ciod's servants especially. It extends a wel-
180
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
come and hospitality — a true home spirit —
that at once makes the wayworn pili^rim
feel at ease in body and mind, and charms
the hearts of the young as well.
At the time of their removal to Tennessee,
the United Brethren Church was new in the
South. Its attitude of open hostility to
slavery lari^ely shut it out of regions south
of ^Mason and Dixon's line. The Tennessee
Conference then had less than four liundred
members, with only six houses of worship.
So a great field spread out before the ncAv
Superintendent, taking him back to condi-
tions in many respects similar to those in
wliicli he began his ministerial labors. It
was still a time of reconstruction in church
affairs as well as in matters political. But
his was a work of construction rather than
of reconstruction.
Aside from the need of laborers and the
vavSt opportunities afforded for building up
the church in this section, one reason he had
for accepting this appointment was the
condition of his oAvn and his wife's health.
Both were threatened with failing health,
and a change of climate was advised, the
high altitude of eastern Tennessee being
recommended as especially adapted to their
physical needs.
181
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
They arrived at Limestone, Tennessee, on
a Friday evenini^ in September. Here was
illustrated how liis fame as a genial, good
limnorod personality had spread thronglioiit
the ( •hnrcli, so that the peoi)le felt that they
were acquainted with '"Jack" Newgent
(later Uncle Jack) even though they had
never met him personally. Arriving at the
city some time after dark, worn by the long
journey, the discomforts of which were ag-
gravated by their poor health, they little
dreamed of finding in that particular realm
an acquaintance or anyone who had any con-
cern for them.
(Jreat indeed was Nev/gent's surprise
when, as he alighted from the train, a gen-
tleman, a total stranger, with a lantern on
his arm, stepped uy> and in a familiar man-
ner accosted him, ''TIcllo ! Is this Jack New-
gent?"
ITe had been so familiarly knov;n as
"Jack,'' that he had resolved to be known
by the more grave and dignified appellation
of Andrew J. Newgent when he came into
his new kingdom. But his expectation
perished, as it would have done even had
the circumstances been otherwise. A man's
name, like his clothes, is a part of him,
and if it does not fit, his friends will per-
sist in trimming it until it does. The per-
182
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
sonality ;ui<l the title cannot he unequally
3^oked tooether.
"Well," said the reverend gentleman from
the IToosier State, "I suppose if I should
land in the heart of Africa, some Hottentot
Avould come rushino- out of the junole and
say, 'Hello, Jack Xewoent!' Who are you,
anyway?" The stranger was iMr. W. C.
Kee/.el, a. i)rominent layman in the confer-
ence, who had been advised of their coming
by Dr. D. K. Flickinger, Secretary of the
Missionary Society, and was there to take
them to his hospitable home. It was a pleas-
ant surprise, and they felt at once that they
were among friends whose hearts God had
touched with his spirit of kiudness and
tenderness. Their anxieties were dispelled,
and they felt as near heaven in Tennessee
as in Indiana.
Next day his host took him' on a ten-mile
ride by horseback over a mountain road to
a quarterly conference, where he met a num-
ber of ministers, and ])egau to get ac-
quainted with his new co-workers. His
presence filled the little band of faithful
toilers with new hope and courage. He
preached the following day (Sunday) at a
neighboring church to an immense crowd.
Here he met TJev. Eli Marshall, a minister
of repute in the Quaker — or Friends —
183
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
cluircli, \\illi whom he was destined to form
a close frieudship, a friendship which re-
vealed later to both of these servants of God
how mysteriously God moves in answer to
the earnest prayers of his faithful cliildren.
Kev. ]Mr. Marshall was not only an able
minister, but was also a successful business
man, bein.*^ the owner of several plantations,
lie took New^ent to his home, and later
showed him a con2:enial cotta^ce on one of
his plantations. "This is at thy disposal,"
he said, "if it suits thee." Newgent replied
that it was just such a place as he was look-
ing for, as it was but a short distance from
town and the railroad station, and inquired
as to the rental value.
"Just move in," said Marshall, "we v;ill
talk about that some other time."
But Avhen Kewgent insisted, he sc^t a
nominal price, which indicated that he was
not especially concerned about the financial
side of the transaction. He furthermore
insisted on transporting NeAvgent's house-
hold goods from the station, but this priv-
ilege lie was compelled to share with Mr.
Keezel. While they were moving his goods
from the train, his Quaker neighbors set to
work and filled the smoke-house with pro-
visions, and supplied sufficient fuel to last
him through the winter. Such expressions
184
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
of kindness and m^KMosity seldom had hwn
seen.
Tlie foTirtli Aveok in October was the time
for the Quakers" yearly meetinc:, to be held
at Rev. Mr. ]Mnrshairs home church. He
had issued an order to Newi^ent to have no
en£ia.|[;ement for that time, as his presence
and help were desired at the meeting-. Un-
der the circumstances there was but one
thing to do, and that was to respect the
order. These meetings were matters of no
small significance in that denomination.
They usuall^^ lasted several days, and were
great seasons of fellowsliip. They were
very lai'gely attended so that the progi'am
sometimes had to be carried out in several
sections. Xewgent had never had the priv-
ilege of attending a Quaker meeting, but his
appreciation of the Quakers by tliis time
knew no bounds.
He first went to the meeting on Saturday
morning and was surprised to find more
tllan a thousand people on the ground. His
friend, I\ev. Mr. Marshall, met him immedi-
ately and said, "If the Spirit moves thee
to preach to-day, we want thee to preach in
the church this morning." Some one v/as
to preach in the school house nearby. The
Spirit moved, and Xewgent preached.
185
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
111 the afternoon he was "moved'' to
preacli ai;ain. He was urj^ed to i)i'each
ag'ain at uii^lit. This time the Si)ii'it was
not cousiilted, but his preachiDf*- had
touched a responsive chord in the (Quaker
heart, so it was taken for ^ranted that the
S])ii'it would he favorable. An out-door
service and a service in the school house
besides that in the church were required in
order to accommodate the crowd. Newgent
declined to preach at this time, not wishing
to usur]) the honors that belonged to the
(Quaker preachers. But the (Quaker "Spirit"
refused to let him oif. He was even urged
to sing a special song, which was a great
departure from Quaker usage in those days.
While preaching with his usual power, it
was evident to him that great conviction
prevailed in the congregation. As he had
been invited to depart from one oif the
Quaker usages, he now felt bold to depart
from another. Indeed he felt strongly
moved by the Spirit to give an invitation for
seekers to come to the altar. The invitation
given, the altar was soon crowded with anx-
ious ])enitents. He then called upon the
Quakers to come forward and to sing and
pray with the seekers. This a considerable
number did, casting aside all reserve, and
the meeting became a typical United Breth-
186
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
ren revival. It was one time when the
Spirit "moved" beyond question in a
Quaker meetinj^'.
He was j>-iven rioht of way in the cluireh
on Sunday morniuG:, Sunday evening, and
Monday evening. A new element was thus
di if used into (^uakerdom. He held a meet-
ing in that same community a few weeks
later, in which the Quakers took a leading
part, and which resulted in about a hun-
dred conversions.
The best part of the whole procedure
came to light when Newgent called to pay
his landlord the small pittance that was
due on rent. Rev. Mr. Marshall refused to
accept even the nominal amount that had
been agreed upon.
"Let me explain,'' he said, "I have never
told anybody what I am going to tell thee —
not even my wife. Some three months ago
I moved my foreman out of that house, and
began to pray for the Lord to send us a
good, live preacher from the North. I had
got tired of these slow-going Southern fel-
lows. But I forgot to tell the Lord to send
a Quaker. So the Lord was free to send
whomsoever he pleased. And the first time
I heard thee preach, I said, ^There is the
answer to my prayer.' Now, it would not
do for me to charge rent of the man th.e
187
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
Lord sent in answer to my praj'er, when he
is living in the property I vacated for him
when I besought the Lord to send him.
That house is for thee as long* as thee wants
it."
When this noble soul was called to
heaven some years later, Kev. Mr. Newgent
was callcNi from a distant State to preach
his funeral. Truly, he was a man of God.
When the conference projected a college
enterprise at Greenville, Kev. Mr. Newgent
took up his residence at that place so as to
give personal attention and encouragement
to the institution. This college was after-
wards inoved to White Pine, Newgent being
the leading spirit in the matter of reloca-
tion. He served as financial agent and
supervised the construction of the building.
Through his personal efforts the building
was erected and paid for.
The evangelistic gift and executive fac-
ulty, both of which were prominent in our
subject, peculiarly fitted him for the duties
of Missionary Superintendent amid such
conditions as the Tennessee Conference pre-
sented. iMuch incipient work liad to be
done. The routine work of his office re-
quired only a. small portion of his time, leav-
ing him free to do the work of an evangel-
ist, to encourage weak churches and to sur-
188
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
vey new territory to conquer. This narra-
tive has already afforded many exaiiij)les of
his eonstructive work alono- tliese lines.
One more; characteristic incident may not
be out of place.
Near Limestone, Tennessee, was a church
which was so uuproniisinoj that the quar-
terly conference seriously considerefl aban-
doning- it and disposing- of the property. It
was well locatfHl, but there were strong
churches on either side, and the little
church, overshadowed as it was by these
older organizations, had never been able to
gain a proper standing.
"Let us give it another chance," said New-
gent, who was presiding at the meeting. "I
will hold a meeting there at the first oppor-
tunity, and we will see if it can be saved."
He held the meeting accordingly and re-
ceived ninety-seven members into the
church, and the little, struggling church
was lifted to such a position of prestige
and prominence that it overshadowed its
rivals, becoming a. strong center of religious
influence.
But it was not enough to merely get peo-
ple converted and brought into the church.
They must be taught in the doctrines of the
church, so as not to get their doctrinal ideas
from other sources.
189
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
Ono of the stron<j; cliurchos of this coni-
iininity was of the Dmikard order, and
mainly tliroiiiih its iutliieiice a stroug im-
mersion sentiment pi-evailed. At the close
of the revival there were a lari>e number of
ai)plieants for baptism. Acoordino; to pre-
vailinji: custom, all expected to be immersed.
It was in order on such occasions for the
baptismal service to be prefaced by a ser-
mon on baptism. Kev. Mr. Newj^ent took
advantaue of the opportunity to make some
remarks on the mode of baptism, which was
the one live subject in reli,i»ious circles. In
his discourse he said:
"We often hear i>eople say, '1 want to be
baptized as Jesus was.' I do not share this
sentiment. For in one essential res])ect Je-
sus' baptism was different from ours. It
was for a differ(Mit purpose. lie was bap-
tized to fulfill the law; we, because we are
sinners, either for the foriviveness of sins
or because they are foroiven.
"But we may be baptized in the same
manner in which he was baptized, and if
you wish, 1 will tell you what that was.
Paul said, 'He was made a. priest like unto
his brethren.' Jesus said, 'T am come, not
to destroy the law or the ])ropliets, but to
fulfdl.' He fulfilled every jot and tittle of
the law. Tli(^ hnv required a priest to have
10(1
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
the water of eonseeration sprinkled upon
his head when he was thirty rears of aiic.
Ileuee, if Christ wa.s made a priest like his
brethren, it is easy to see that his bai)tisin
was the same as that of the priests, liis
brethren, and that the water was s})rinkled
upon his head at the an;e of thirty; other-
wise he would not have fulfilled every jot
and tittle of the law."
A prominent Dunkard preacher present
made a public statement at the close of the
discourse to the effect that, while he had al-
ways believed and taught that Christ was
baptized by immersion, he was now fully
convinced that he had been mistaken. When
they came to the baptismal service, all the
applicants chose the mode of sprinklin*?,
thouo'h they had come prepared to be im-
mersed.
Under his capable and a.iiiiTessive leader-
ship the conference maintained a steady
orowth. At first its territory was confined
to the eastern part of the State. But in
the early nineties he, with some other min-
isters, advanced to the central and western
parts of the State on a sort of missionary-
evanjjelistic campaig-n. They held a num-
ber of meetinii's and were successful in win-
nini? quite a spriuklino- of converts. The
work thus accomplished made possible the
191
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
organization of what was then known as
the Tennessee Kiver Conference in 189(1.
One of tlie most important ev(Mits in con-
nection with tlie Tenn(\ssee Conference, and
which was bronoht about mainly through
his intluence, occurred in 1895. It is re-
ferred to as follows in Berger's History of
the United Brethren Church, page 614 :
"About two years ago a movement which
had been for some time in process of devel-
opment, began to take detinite form, result-
ing in considerable additions both of min-
isters and laymen to the United Brethren
Church. The greater number of these came
from the Methodist Episcopal Church, some
from the M, E. Church, South, and a. few
from other denominations. Those coming
from the Methodist churches were attracted
chiefly by the milder form of episcopal gov-
ernment in the United Brethren Church.
There was for them no possible inducement
in material or worldly considerations. They
could not look for larger salaries or easier
fields of labor or lighter sacrifices, nor was
the prospect of official promotion better
than in the churches from which they came.
Nor could thev bring with them anv of the
cluirch-houses or other property which they
luid aided in building. No thought or hope
of this kind was entertained; much less was
192
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
any effort made to do ro. Influenced by
principle alone, and in the face of present
loss, they chose to cast in their lot with us,
and they have addressed themselves earn-
estly to the work in their new relations.
About twenty-five ministers in all, with a
considerable number of members, have thus
connected themselves with the United
Brethren. Amonij the leadini; ministers of
the movement are: Dr. T. C. Carter, Rev.
W. L. Kichardson, J. D. Droke, and others.
They have been ijiven a cordial welcome by
the United Brethren Church, not in any
spirit of proselytism, for no proselytini2: was
done, nor from any desire to reap where
others have sown, but mth an open heart
and door to receive any persons who love
our common Lord and desire to cast their
lot with us."
It seems a pity, however, that church his-
tory is so silent in rejxard to Bev. ^Ir. New-
.2;ent's connection with this event, for it was
he who turned this movement toward the
United Brethren Church. Those who re-
fused to tolerate what they considered
abuses of episcopal supervision in the two
^eat ^Methodist bodies were in the very act
of forminfj a new church. In this movement
Dr. T. C. Carter, now Bishop Carter, occu-
pied a conspicuous place of leadership, as
193
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
he did in every great religious movement in
that part of the country. His name was a
household word in all that realm, and when
he spoke, multitudes reverently listened.
Rev. ]Mr, Newgent met him, and sliowed liim
a Discipline of the United Brethren Church,
believing that it set forth the very prin-
ciples of church government for which these
great souls were contending, and thus pre-
sented the alternative of connecting them-
selves with a denomination that afforded
what they wanted, or of adding to the num-
ber of denominational organizations which
many believed were already too many. Doc-
tor Carter suggested that Disciplines and
other United Brethren literature be sent to
the leading ministers of the movement.
This was accordingly done; and as a re-
sult they decided to connect themselves
witli the United Brethren Church.
They were formally received in a special
conference held in Knoxville, A number of
the Bishops, general officers, and leading
ministers and laymen throughout the de-
nomination attended this conference, which
was presided over by Bishop AYeaver. One
of the leading ministers of the movement,
in delivering the welcome address on that
occasion, made use of the following lan-
guage :
194
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
"I am certain that one-half the member-
ship of both churches (the Methodist bod-
ies) heartih^ prefer a church government of
the people, by the people, and for the peo-
ple, to their own. ... In view of these
things, I may venture to say that a strong
church that will fill the valleys and moun-
tains of this country with a religious paper
devoted to Arminianism and liberty, and
will follow up this plan with men and with
churches may expect a glorious welcome."
195
Chapter Fourteen.
Autumn — The Fading Leaf — Fruit in Old Age — His
Later Labors — Present Home.
"We all do fade as a leaf," was the lam-
entation of an ancient prophet in a melan-
choly mood. The fading leaf speaks in sad
but beautiful language of waning vitality.
It is the harbinger of autumn, telling us that
nature is getting ready to close her books
for the season. It brings with it a tinge
of sadness mingled witli sweetness ; for there
is compensation in even the saddest experi-
ences. What would the year be without the
pensive days of autmun? They are the
golden fringes of the bounteous summer
season. Sad, indeed, would they be if the
summer has been ill spent. Then might
the melancholy wail arise from the forlorn
heart, "The harvest is past, the summer is
ended."
But when autumn looks back upon a
springtime of bountiful seed-sowing, and a
summer of bountiful reaping, it becomes the
year's climax of joy, the beneficiary of all
its blessings. Enriched by the summer's
heritage, it is beautiful and peaceful and
happy.
196
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
"We all do fade as a leaf." Maj it be said
philosophically. The fadin«- of the leaf re-
veals more perfectly its innate qualities,
and rounds out its brief existence. The red
or brown or yellow, in nuite lanG^uage, tells
its life history and closes tlie book.
It is said of the aged, sometimes, "They
are set in their ways." That is because in
them character has become a finished prod-
uct. The incidentals and accidentals have
become eliminated, and the accumulated
results of years of striving and hoping, sor-
row and pain, defeats and victories are
plainly discernible. Personal traits stand
out in bold relief so that all may fittingly
say, "Behold the man."
Thus, TJncle Jack — for we may now use
this affectionate designation, having passed
his three score and ten, is now in the au-
tumnal glory of a life beautiful and boun-
tiful in its fruitage. And so the autumn of
his life is enriched and made fragrant by the
year's benedictions. Blessed, indeed, is he
to whom it is given to enjoy a long period
of service, and who can then gracefully let
his mantle pass to others whom God has
called and prepared to receive it. To grow
old sweetly, to let the sun go do^-n amid
the splendors of an unclouded evening sky,
is the crowning glory of old age.
m
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
Blesised, indeed, then, is Uncle Jack. He
approaches this period in life, not only in
the spirit of a true pliilosopher, but in the
spirit of a true Christian. He still lives in
the sunshine, he keeps the windows open to
the breezes that brincj to him the fra^jrance
of flowers, the song of birds, and the "music
of the spheres." The world smiles upon him
and he returns its smile.
He has lived in an active, changing age,
but has always kept up with the procession.
He performed a vital part in the changing
order in which he lived and moved and had
his being; and he who helps to fashion
events, who has a part in directing the move-
ments of progress, is not likely to be left
behind or to be trampled under foot. He
not only kept pace with the world, but with
a prophet's vision, he anticipated the course
of human events. So, as great changes ap-
proached, he was ready to march out to
meet them. Like a true prophet, he had a
message for his own day and generation,
but the message was more potent because
he had a vision of things yet to be.
In him is illustrated the Psalmist's ob-
servation concerning the children of God,
"They shall bring forth fruit in old age."
For him there is no "dead line." The body
may lose its agility; it may fail to do the
198
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
bidding of the mind properly, but the mind
and heart remain abreast of the times. The
dead line means more than physical infirm-
ity, and it often occurs that the mind lingers
near that dread spot while the body is in its
prime. The dead line belongs to the mind
and not to the body, and hence, taking that
view of it, there is no dead line for Uncle
Jack.
It is given to but few men to continue in
the public ministry until they pass their
three score and ten. Uncle Jack had never
been out of the active connection in some
form from the time he entered the ministry
until his seventy-third year, giving more
than a half-century of unbroken service to
the public work of the Church.
In the interest of accuracy and complete-
ness, more specific mention should be made
of his later work. After spending eleven
years as presiding elder in Tennessee Con-
ference, he returned North for a time, serv-
ing as pastor at Veedersburg, Indiana, as
college pastor at Westfield, Illinois, as pas-
tor at Gluey, Illinois, and three years as
presiding elder in Upper Wabash Confer-
ence. His work as pastor at Veedersburg
included two periods, one of three years',
and the other of four years' duration. This
199
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
was one of the wealthiest and most influen-
tial cluirc'lies in Upper Wabash Conference.
Keturuin.i? to Tennessee — now East Ten-
nessee — C'onference, he was ai^ain elected to
the presiding eldership, serving five years in
that relation. Altogether he spent twenty-
one? years in the Tennessee Conference, serv-
ing five years in the pastorate besides six-
teen years in the presiding elder's office.
His last work in the pastorate was at
Clarinda, Iowa, being called from there to
the field agency for Indiana Central Uni-
versity at Indianapolis by the trustees of
that institution. He has always been in-
terested in the educational work of the
Church. In his varied experience in reli-
gious work he has seen demonstrated in so
many ways the need of an educated minis-
try. So he entered upon this latter work
with a deep conviction of its importance,
and with the earnestness and zeal which
characterized his labors all through life;
but finding his physical strength insufficient
for its taxing demands, he was compelled
to relinquish it.
In the fall of 1910 he again attended the
East Tennessee Conference session, desiring
only to enjoy its fellowship. He had no
thought of assuming again an active rela-
tion in the conference, but his brethren were
200
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
loath to lot him escape. When the election
of })i"08idin_ii; elder was called, their minds
once more centered upon him, and he lacked
but four votes of being the unanimous
choice of the conference. This, however,
brought him to face a delicate matter which
set a task for his tender conscience. Seeing
that his election meant the crowding of a
worthy young man out of an appointment,
he very generously resigned the office with
instructions to the Bishop that this young
man be given the place.
His present home is at Odon, Indiana.
Here he finds himself among sympathetic
friends, and is near the scenes of his early
childhood. FTe takes pleasure in doing what
he can in the local church, setting a whole-
some example to the membership by his
faithful attendance at all the services and
by loyal and liberal support of all its inter-
ests. Here he enjoys the hearty good will
of old and young alike, and has frequent
calls for addresses at various functions,
where he is always greeted with unfeigned
delight.
While not employed in a regular way by
the Church, an appreciative public will con-
tinue to recognize his worth, and keep ajar
the door of opportunity for rendering valu-
able service to his fellow men.
201
Chapter Fifteen.
Character Sketch.
The analysis of a floAver is the work, not
of the florist, but of the botanist. The flor-
ist sees in the combination of the various
parts the beauty of a perfected whole, while
the botanist sees the parts separated and
classified but loses sight of the flower itself.
The florist's viewpoint is preferable to that
of the botanist. This is no less true in deal-
ing with human life than in the treatment
of a flower. However, in the interest of
thorou.2;hness, some attention should be
ji^iven to a study of the particular elements
of character which give to our subject his
peculiar individuality and made possible
that degree of eminence which he has won
for himself. The task is not an easy one.
This is true in the case of all men of su-
perior strength. The sources of power are
so embedded in the depths of one's person-
ality as to make them diflicult to trace. In
the presence of such men we are instinc-
tively aware of their superiority, but if
asked to give a reason for our impressions
we would be unable to do so. The power of
a personality is to be felt rather than ex-
202
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
plained or analyzed. It is this invisible, iin-'
definable somethin.n- that lifts the man above
the level of tlie ooiinnonplace and gives him
a commanding!; influence among his fellows.
The strength of some characters is due to
one or two exceptionally strong traits, Avhile
in other particulars they may be correspond-
ingly weak. The world sees only the moun-
tain peaks of strength and upon them it
builds its estimate of the man. To this rule
Rev. A. J. Newgent is one of tlie rare ex-
ceptions. "Like a tree planted by the rivers
of water," the distinctive feature of his life
is rather in the full and symmetrical devel-
opment of the various qualities of mature
and well-rounded manhood. Hence, he is
essentially a man of the people — not a man
of one class, but of all classes, the embodi-
ment of the true spirit of democrarcy. Like
Paul, he can be all things to all men with-
out sacrificing principle or dignity or los-
ing the respect of any of them. His sympa-
thies are broad and deep, and go out to all
alike. There is no assumed or conscious
superiority to create a barrier between him-
self and the humblest soul. He observes no
arbitrary distinctions. Whoever he chances
to meet is at once a friend and brother. He
possesses in a large degree the rare faculty
of making people feel at home in his pres-
203
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
ence. Fads and snobs and artificiality he
hates as he hates sin. The p^litter and tinsel
show of life are counted as dross, bnt the
pure liold of human character that needs no
outward adornment is his delight.
His well-balanced temperament enables
him to so adjust himself to different condi-
tions, that he is invariably master of the
situation in which he may be placed. In the
home, whether marked by riches or poverty,
culture or illiteracy, he is always the same
ejenial guest. To the children, .young peo-
ple, and old folks alike, the presence of
"Uncle Jack" is always welcome. In his
public ministry, whatever the demands of
the occasion, he is ready to meet them.
Never is he at the mercy of his surround-
ings. Not many months ago, while doing
service as field secretary for Indiana Cen-
tral University, he was secured by the pas-
tor of a country church to hold an all-day
meeting. The morning program was inter-
fered with by a severe rainstorm, so that be-
sides himself and the pastor, only three per-
sons were present. Yet, he preached to his
small audience with his wonted zeal and
earnestness, the effort being pronounced by
those who heard it superior to the one in
the afternoon, when he had the inspiration
of a full house.
204
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
He never follows the beaten paths simply
because others have walked tlierein. The
fact that some one else did a thing in a cer-
tain way is not sufficient reason why he
should proceed upon the same plan. He
imitates no one and it is safe to say no one
imitates him, for the reason that he is so
intensely oriijjinal ; the processes of his mind
are so completely his own that no one could
well repeat them. Bishop Edwards once
said, "There is one man whose sermons no
one has ever tried to copy ; that man is New-
gent." This originality has been a valuable
asset in debate. His opponent might come
with his mind well furnished with all the
laws of logic, the tactics known to debaters,
and the arguments on both sides of the ques-
tion well in hand, only to find his materials
practically useless. Rev. Mr. Newgent's
method being so unique, his approach to the
subject from such unexpected angles, and
his presentation of unheard-of arguments in
defending his position, while transgressing
no valid law of debate or of logic, made him
a law unto himself. The opinions of other
men rather than being accepted as author-
ity, only serve to quicken his thought and
incite to investigation. In preaching he is
purely extemporaneous, often deferring the
selection of a text or theme until after he
205
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
enters the pulpit. But his resourceful
mind, well stocked with information, the re-
sult of general reading and observation,
and his aptness at illustration, rendered
safe for him what to some men would be a
hazardous undertakinpj.
While original in his thinking, he never
discredits the opinions of others, no mat-
ter how widely they may differ from his
own. Honesty and sincerity he regards as
superior to articles of faith. "If no one
gets to heaven except those who believe as I
do," he often says, "tlie audience there will
be rather small." David said, in his haste,
"All men are liars." If Rev. Mr. Newgent
should err in his judgment of mankind, it
would more likely be in the opposite direc-
tion. A source of strength is his faith in
men, their possibilities and aspirations for
better things. To be a leader of men, this
faith is imperative. Beneath the surface
shale of human differences, selfishness and
error, may be found a sub-stratum of gen-
uine manhood. And upon this the true
builder must build. He must recognize that
he is dealing with intelligent beings who can
think and feel, and who are possessed with
a sense of honor and self-respect. The man
who would inspire others to higher things
must not despise or ignore these vital fac-
206
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
tors of individual consciousness. There are
sacred precincts in every life which the
owner has a ri.oht to j^uard as with a flam-
ini? sword, and which should not be ap-
proached except with unsandaled feet and
sanctified hands. That there is more real
incentive to noble effort in a vision of the
possibilities and beauty of a noble life than
in the lash, is a prominent article in Rev.
Mr. Newi?ent's faith. The spirit of "anti-
ism" and the methods used by a certain
type of evano-elists of pourins; out the vials
of their sarcastic and vituperative wrath
upon men and thini^s in p^eneral are offen-
sive to him in the extreme. Hence, the posi-
tive note is always dominant in his preach-
ing.
The secret of oettinor on with men is in
knowino- what chord to strike to get the de-
sired response. That he knows well the
secret, the achievements of his career bear
ample testimony. An incident in his boy-
hood may not be out of place here, as it il-
lustrates the principle by which he has been
actuated throuohout his entire life in his
relations with men. He was employed at
a saw-mill. The loj^s were hauled from the
forest to the mill with oxen. That an ox
team is no friend to grace, is the general
verdict of those who have experimental
207
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
knowledge of ox-driving. One large, burly
team in particular that was noted for ob-
stinacy and general degeneracy, had defied
all the skill and whips and profanity the
driver could produce. He repeatedly had
gone to the woods for his load and returned
with the empty wagon. At a critical point
in the road the team would balk and refuse
to budge until the wagon was unloaded. It
became a standing challenge to the entire
crowd, different ones of whom accepted the
challenge, with the same result. Finally
Jack, as he was then called, asked permis-
sion to try. He was only a spindlinG; lad of
a hundred-weight avoirdupois, and the very
suggestion was met with jeers. "Have you
ever driven oxen?" he was asked. "No,"
was the reply, "but I think I have ox sense."
They finally consented, but no one expected
anything but another failure. The driver
offered him the whip. "I don't need the
whip," he said, and started for his charge.
He made friends with his dumb servants,
rubbed their ears, spoke to them coaxingly,
and soon had them on the way to the woods.
He took the precaution to provide himself
with a small bag of corn. He succeeded in
getting the log on the wagon and again
patted the oxen, and as a reward of merit,
gave them each a nubbin, letting them see
208
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
that there was more in the bap: that would
be available if they proved worthy. Thus,
as he said, he "sooked" them alonjjj, and to
the astonishment of the mill hands, arrived
in an unusually short time with a lar^je \o^.
It was not only a lesson to the men, but to
himself as well, by which he has profited
throu.ijhout his entire life. He has verified
the fact many times that "sooking" will suc-
ceed with men as well as oxen when the
whip will fail.
There are two kinds of leadership among
men. One is the arbitrary leadership of the
boss; the other is natural, a true leadership,
which has for its basis personal strength and
merit. The former is transient, having no
real place among thinking and liberty-lov-
ing people. The other is abiding, for the
true leader is ever in demand.
This latter type is quaintly set forth in
Longfellow's "Song of Hiawatha":
"As unto the bow the cord is,
So is unto man the woman ;
While she bends him, she obeys him.
Though she leads him, yet she follows.''
It is the woman's leadership — controlling
by obedience, leading by following. A para-
dox, perhaps, but supported by the logic of
actual achievements in every realm of hu-
man endeavor. The workman controls the
209
The Experiences of tJncle Jack
force of a stream by obeying that force.
Should he plant his turbine on the hilltop
and command the water to flow up the hill
and turn the wheel, the stream would only
laugh at his impudence as it rippled on its
way. But when he plants his wheel in the
current, the stream at once becomes his
servant. It is the principle observed by the
engineer, the sailor, the electrician, or the
aviator in harnessing and utilizing the vari-
ous forces of nature. The same principle
lies at the basis of all true leadership in soci-
ety, church, or state. The strict observance
of it has enabled Eev. Mr. New gent to touch
the motive springs of character by means
of which men are aroused to action. His
close sympathy with men ever gives him an
unconscious, commanding influence. And
this influence is always turned to account
in their own uplifting and in the advance-
ment of rigliteousness. Out of over a half-
century in the public ministry, about one-
half of his time has been spent as presiding
elder. This official relation does not afford
the opportunity for evangelistic and other
forms of direct church work as does the pas--
torate; so that definite, visible results can-
not readily be computed. Yet, few men have
built for themselves greater or more en-
during monuments in the line of tangible
210
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
results. More than six thousand members
have been oathered into the denomination
throu<»h his labors. Thirty chnrch-houses
stand to his credit as a churcli builder. He
has ofliciated at about one hundred dedica-
tor^^ exercises, a recojiuition of his ability as
a moneY-2;etter. On Chautauqua platforms
and special occasions of both a relioious and
senii-relij?ious character he has been a
prominent ficjure. And his advice is always
at a premium in the counsels of the denom-
ination.
It has been well said, "When God made
wit, he pronounced it i>ood." Rev. ^Fr.
Newsjent has demonstrated the practical
utility of sanctified wit and humor. It is
possible, however, that his humor has led
to more misconception of his character than
any other t]iini>' that could be mentioned.
The trait that touches the most popular
chord is likely to be so ma<i;nified as to shut
from view others of equal or greater sio-nif-
icance. The fame of an author not infre-
quently rests upon a single production, and
that by no means his best. Edward Eggle-
ston did not res^ard the "Hoosier School-
master," as the best of his works, but multi-
tudes who have been charmed by that sim-
ple story will never know that he ever wrote
anything? else.
211
The Experiences of Uncle jack
That Key. ^Iv. Newjiont has in some de-
<?ree suffered in a similar manner is, there-
fore, nothinii' more than might be expected.
Yet, if his humor, in the minds of some,
would reduce him to the level of a mere
jokesmith, to him it has been an invaluable
asset. It has served to open the way for the
assertion of the more substantial and prac-
tical qualities; it has enabled him to capture
hostile and even riotous audiences; with it
he has battered down strongholds of oppo-
sition; it has been an effective weapon
against false doctrine, hypocrisy, and deep-
seated vice in its various forms; it has
served as the sugar coating for truths that
were unpleasant because of a perverted
taste; he has found it a splendid tonic to
dispense with more solid food to aid the
digestion of mental and spiritual dyspeptics.
His humor is of the spontaneous sort, ready
to boil over whenever the lid is removed.
It flows out through his discourses and con-
versations as naturally as the stream guslies
from the fountain, and is alwavs mellowed
by tenderness and a deep human sympathy.
"Where dwellest thou?" was asked of the
Son of Man. The question was of greater
significance than the interrogator supposed,
and the answer was even more significant.
The Savior did not say, in Galilee or Pales-
212
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
tine, or Nazaroth, but simply, "Come aud
see." A man's habitation is not a matter of
geograpliical boundary. Should the ques-
tion be addressed to Kev. ^Ir. Newijent, he
would say, "I live on the sunny side of the
street." A critic of Emerson said that be-
cause of his unorthodoxv he was doomed
to go to hell. A contemporary who was ac-
quainted with Emerson's kindly and genial
disposition remarked that if he did, he
would change the climate. Rev. Mr. New-
gent not only lives on the sunny side of
the street, but he carries sunshine with him.
He has a knack of distilling sunshine from
every circumstance of life. He changes the
climate to suit his own temperament. With
Solomon, he believes in the medical virtues
of a smile, that "a merry heart doeth good
like a medicine."
He was once called to visit a woman in
the mountains of east Tennessee, whom he
had never seen. She was supposed to be
dying of consumption. It wavS late at night
when he arrived and the weather was in-
clement. The physician was leaving the
house as he approached. On learning who
he was, the physician told him he was too
late; the lady was dying. He went at once
to her bedside, and found that the death
sweat had begun to gather and the death
213
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
rattle was in her throat. Flo lifted up her
head liently and spoke to lier. Her face
bri«,htened, and presently she bejian to talk.
She told him that she was glad he had come,
that she must soon die, and feared she would
have to go without seeing him.
But in a voice tender but cheerful, he told
her he was glad to do her anv favor, and
added, "But don't be in a hurry about go-
ing. I wouldn't go to-night, if I were you.
The night is dark and stormy, and you
might get lost in these mountains. You had
better wait until morning. It will be so
much better to go in the dav time." She
smiled at the eccentricity of the remarks,
and seemed to make up her mind to take the
advice. ^lorning found her much improved,
having apparently decided to postpone the
matter indefinitely. And contrary to the
predictions of her physician and friends,
she recovered to thank the preaclier rather
than the physician for prolonging her days.
To him there are "sermons in stone, and
books in the running brooks." He finds in
the commonest things and most common-
place occurrence of everyday life, lessons of
practical truth that enrich and adorn his
discourses. Once while in his company we
were stopping at a hotel for dinner. While
we were seated at the table, some one
214
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
dropped a coin in the slot of an automatic
music machine, at which it bej:^an to ftrind
out n familiar tune. Rev. Mr. NewG^ent on
observini!^ the operation, quoted the lan-
suaae of Job, "I caused the widow's heart to
sinji- for joy," and added, "Don't you sup-
pose that was Job's way of making people
siuii- for joy — with a bit of money?" And
subsequently the illustration was used with
fine effect in a discourse on benevolence.
Underlying all, and harmonizing all the
elements of his personality is a firm and
abiding faith in God. It is doubtless easier
foi' some persons to be religious than for
others. In this respect he has been favored.
The natural bent of his mind from earliest
childliood was toward religion. Converted
at the age of ten, his entire life has been
controlled by a strong and steady devotion
to religious ideals. His faith is broad and
well balanced. Religious affectation and
fads have no part with him. His relio-ious
character was formed amid the strife and
controversies of various creeds in a day
when creed was everything. These contro-
versies drove him to a critical study of the
various systems of theology in the light of
the Bible. He made the Word of God his
sole authority in all doctrinal matters.
That which he recognized as supported by
215
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
the Rook, lie made liis own. That he de-
fended without apolooy or eompromise.
While he is dojjmatic to a larj^e den;ree, his
dogmatism is of a practical sort. Tie be-
lieves that there is a vital relation between
doctrine and Christian character. A true
life cannot be built upon erroneous or
crooked theoloc^y. He often deplores the
fact that the church has SM-unir away from
the strict, doctrinal teachinc; of the past, be-
lievinc: that in consequence it has suffered
the los« of spiritual vitality and zeal.
His faith is as simple as it is broad and
deep. The essentials of reliijion are few and
easilv comprehended. The simplicity of
crospel truth when properly presented is one
of its stron^jest attractive elements. In
many instances the simple oospel has been
con\Tdicated and ob«icured bv a mass of theo-
lorrical rubbish heaped up by men more in-
terested in a creed than in the ultimate
truth. Tf the rubbish is cleared awav, the
truth will shine forth clear and distinct in
its beauty, and men will accept it. To re-
move the rubbish and crive a clear settiniof
to the simple, vital elements of Christian
faith seems to have been a larire pnrt of his
appointed task. This is amon<x bis chief
contributions to the cause of pure and unde-
filed religion.
216
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
To the simplicity of his faith should be
added another quality, perhaps best de-
scribed by the word "practical." With him
faith is an intensely practical thinc!^. The
faith that expresses itself merely in stock
phrases, articles of a creed or church mem-
bership is, to say the least, a base counter-
feit, a useless commodity. Nothing; seems
to him more irrelij^ions than the relin^ion
that beoina and ends in noise. Genuine
faith has a personal, spiritual, and commer-
cial value. Its hijxhest expression is in do-
injs: somethinc: that ous^ht to be done. It
crystallizes into character, and contributes
to human welfare. It places its possessor
upon the broad hi,2:hway of the world's need,
brinn:in!2: him into sympathetic touch with
the throbbino; heart-life of humanity. Thus
he maintains tlie sound Scriptural philos-
ophy that faith is to be tested by works.
The church has profited lar^^ely from his
beneficence. A habit which he has followed
throufjhout his ministry is, as he says, "to
live like a poor man and sjive like a rich
man" — that is, like a rich man ou^ht to
g-ive. He never turns down a worthy call
for help. Even should there be a question
as to the merit of the call, he usually chives
it the benefit of the doubt. "His house is
known to all the vacrrant train," and, to
?I7
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
borrow another quaint phrase from Gold- ,
smith, "even his faults lean to virtue's side."
The tramp that comes to his door gets with
his dinner a genial smile and wholesome
words of admonition, even though the din-
ner, the smile, and the admonition are lost
upon a worthless subject.
In dedicating churches he has made it a
general rule to give his own subscription for
an amount equal to the largest on the list.
On a number of occasions, under pressure of
a great need, he has pledged more than he
was worth, in the faith that God would
open the way for meeting the obligation.
And his faith in every such case has been
vindicated. His life illustrates the Bible
doctrine of increasing by scattering. He
surely has scattered with a lavish hand. He
has not only observed the Lord's tithe in his
benevolence, but has gone quite beyond it,
even to the giving, in some instances, of
the greater part of his income to the Lord's
cause. Yet with it all, he has increased in
temporal possessions. He has honored God
with his substance, and God has smiled
graciously upon him, so that with David he
can well say, "I once was young, but now
am old, yet have I not seen the righteous
forsaken, nor his seed begging bread."
218
Chapter Sixteen.
''Lights Out" — A Dirge of the War.
A marked characteristic of Uncle Jack,
as these pajjes have shown, is his peculiar
ability to establish and maintain stronjo;
ties of personal friendship. This has been
evident even from his youth. He has gath-
ered friends from all walks of life, and their
name is legion. The list has always been
characterized by names that were written
large in the annals of Church and State.
Conspicuous among these is the late Lieu-
tenant-Colonel James T. eJohnson, of Rock-
ville, Indiana, a man distinguished for
talent and achievement in various fields.
The twain were boys together, and the
friendship thus early formed continued un-
til severed by the death of Johnston in 1904.
When Newgent was first winning laurels as
a boy preacher, Johnston often walked five
miles to attend his services. They were
young men, mere youths, when the Civil
War broke out. Both heard and responded
to their country's call at that dark time
when not onlv the countrv's honor, but her
very existence was at stake. Both served
uuder General Burnsides, and both held of-
219
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
ficial positions in the army, New.G:eut as
chaplain of his reoiniont, and Johnston as
lieutenant, later lieutenant-colonel. After
the war was over, each won honors and
served well his generation in his chosen pro-
fession, the one as a minister of the gospel,
the other as a lawyer and politician. Johns-
ton found room near the top in the le^nl
profession, and at the same time repre-
sented his district three successive terms in
Conp-ess. He ranked high as an orator,
and, like his clerical friend, was much in
demand at reunions and other gatherings
of the soldiers, the two men frequently di-
viding time upon such occasions. Had New-
gent chosen politics as a career, he would
doubtless have become a political leader.
Had Johnston turned his attention to the
niinistry, he would liave t;\ken rank in all
probability among the leading preachers of
his day.
But there was one sad difference between
them — Johnston was skeptically inclined.
While the two men maintained the highest
regard for each other, and frequently were
associated together in their work, the sub-
ject of religion was one point on which, to
the regret, possibly, of both parties, they
were not in accord. Johnston's skepticism
however, was not of the positive sort. He rep-
220
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
resented the honest doubter ratlier than the
avowed disbeliever. Ills wife was a devout
Presbyterian, and while he could not sub-
scribe to the tenets of the church, he never
disparaged the church or its work. Every
worthy cause found in him a syni])athizer
and liberal supporter. Ilis honor and inteij-
rity were never questioned, and he enjoyed
the full confidence and esteem of his fellows.
It is a matter of satisfaction that such a life
was not permitted to go out in the dark.
And Newgent had the joy of finally leading
him, just as his sun was sinking below the
horizon, to a simple faith in Christ and a
blessed assurance of his acceptance witli
God.
During his last illness, which covered a
period of six months, the colonel was visited
frequently by local ministers, but owing to
his reputed skepticism and his high pro-
fessional standing, the subject of religion
was not pressed upon him. There is a tend-
ency to fear big men in matters of religion
not easily explained and not easily over-
come, and it is quite probable that many a
great life has ended without the consola-
tions of religion that, were it not for this
tendency, might have been led into the light
as readily as a little child. Oh, how Chris-
tians fear the logic of the world, and yet,
221
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
the sword of the Spirit is a jj^reater weapon
than all the world's artillery!
Kewjient visited him almost daily during
this time, and on one occasion determined
to broach the subject of relij^ion. "Col-
onel," he said, in his usual tactful manner,
"while you are shut in here, would it not be
a fine opportunity for you to read the Bible
throuiili?"
"Well," he answered, "Laura and I tried
it ; we took it up by books, but we pjot
stalled." It was, of course, the colonel him-
self who "got stalled." Laura, his wife, was
a Christian, as has been noted, and her faith
was not shaken by Scriptural difficulties.
"Wliat was your trouble?" Newgent ques-
tioned, with a view to encouraging conver-
sation along that channel.
"Well," he said, "we got to the book of
Job. I could not reconcile the book of Job
with the idea that God is our Heavenly
Father, full of love and mercy. If Job was
God's child and a good man, as the Bible
says he was, how could a loving father al-
low a loving, obedient cliild to be so abused
and tempted by the de^il? I can't see
through it."
After he had delivered his speech on the
difficulties of the book of Job, and unburd-
ened his mind somewhat, Newgent drew
222
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
near to him, and speaking very simjjij but
earnestly, said : ''Colonel, you are a great
lawyer, but you are only a child in the
Bible. Your trouble is that you commenced
at the ^vrong place. When, as a little child,
you started to school, your teacher did not
start you in the advanced studies. She put
you in the A, B, C class. No^v, don't be in
too big a hurry to get out of your A, B, C's
in the study of the Bible, for there is where
you belong. I have been making a study of
God's Word for many years, and I want you
to listen to me a while. I think we can get
oyer the rough places after a while. Do you
have any trouble with Jesus Christ? He
was God's dear son, yet he had to suffer
more than any man, but his suffering was
for others. So we learn from Job's suffer-
ings that he has helped millions to trust
God in the dark."
This was the colonel's A, B, C lesson in
religion. The visits and conversations were
continued day after day, until a couple of
days before his death, when the truths of
the preceding lessons were clinched in the
following conversation :
"Colonel," said the preacher, resuming
their lessons, "vou had one of the best moth-
ers in the world, did you not?" He admit-
ted that he had.
223
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
"She taught you to say your little pray-
ers?"
"Yes," said the great man, as the tears
started from his eyes.
"And vou never doubted her word?"
"No — never."
"That was simple faith in mother. Now,
in your mind <i,o back to mother, and though
she is dead, looli up into her face as when
you were a child, and trust her as you did
then. That will represent the soul looking
up to Jesus and trusting him for salvation.
That is all Christ requires of a sinner."
As the preacher finished this little homily
on faith, the colonel was weeping like a
child. "Jack," he sobbed, "is that all there
is in coming to Christ to be saved?"
"That is all there is," and before the
preacher could continue the discussion
further, the light broke in upon the humble
and contrite heart. "I've got it," he inter-
rupted with much emotion, at the same time
grasping the preacher's hand with all the
strength his six-months' illness had left
him. Thus, the man who all the years of
his eventful career, by his own wisdom and
logic and learning knew not God, was at
the last critical moment melted and trans-
formed by the light from Calvary, and a
great life was snatched as a brand from the
224
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
otornal Imrniiio-. Tlio lawyer, the statos-
iiian, tlio scholar, the orator rofoivod the
kingdom of heaven on the Savior's easy
terms, "as a litle ehild," and two days later
his soul passed into the presence of Jehovali.
Kev. Mr. New«»ent delivered the funeral
oration. ^Nfen of ])roniinence from various
parts of the country helped to swell the
vast throng' that was present at the funeral
service. The story of the colonel's conver-
sion from skepticism to simple, savinp; faith
in riirist was related by the speaker, and
produced a profound impression.
The paper with which this chapter is
concluded refers to the life-lonsj association
of the two men, Johnston, the "younp; caval-
ryman of Indiana," and Newoent, the "boy
chaplain." It wa^s read before a special
meetinsj of the Steele Post G. A. K., and aux-
iliary orders of Txockville shortly after
Johnston's death by ;Mrs. White, the wife of
Judjre A. F. White of that city. Judj^e
White was also a soldier and a life-long
friend of Johnston and Newp^ent. The doc-
tor referred to in the paper had served as
a physician in the Confederate army, but
afterward took up his residence in Rock-
ville, where he built up a larpe practice.
The three men were present with the wife
when Colonel Johnston died, and helped to
225
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
make up the scene in the death chamber so
dramatically described in the paper.
-i.lGHTS OUT."
"It is midwinter in east Tennessee in
1863. The riveis are flooded, the valleys
desolate, the mountain ^aps gorged with
snow. It is the home of mountain patriots ;
it must be held at all hazards to the last.
This is Lincoln's solemn wish; it is a part
of (irant's giant ])lan when Mission Kidge
is stormed. A young cavalryman of Indi-
ana is one of the ten thousand who keep
freedom's vigils along the Clinch, the Hoi-
st ein, and the French Broad. He munches
his meager rations of parched corn; he rides
the wild mountain roads night and day ; he
obeys to the letter his orders to hold to the
last man the ford of a renu)te mountain
stream. A buckshot buries itself in his
wrist, making a wound which heals long
after the war and a scar which he carries
to his grave. The old flag stays in east Ten-
nessee.
"He has a comrade from a neighboring
county who shares with him the suffering
and sacrifice of that desperate campaign.
He is the "boy chaplain" of the brigade.
"It is the sanie winter along the Ra.p])a-
hannock and the rjai)])idan. The snow, like
226
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
a measureless shroud, covers the numberless
dead of the debatable laud between the Po-
tomac aud the James. There is another
soldier, a mere boy, a young artilleryman
from the Shenandoah, who is one of the
thousands who hold Lee's unbroken lines.
His battery long since won its title to glory.
It helped to clear the mountain gaps of the
Blue Kidge; its red guns helped feed the
fires which liglit(Hl up the valley of death
for Pickett's dauntless charge. Ill fed,
ragged, but inbred with the chivalry of the
South, he is in it all. There is victory at
Chancellorsville, but defeat at Gettysburg;
but St. Andrew- 's cross still gleams blood red
on the breast of the South. The Stars and
Bars still flash defiance from Marye's Hill.
"The voung artillervman also has a com-
rade from the valley, a young trooper who
rides with Ashbv's cavaliers in all their wild
forays.
"Two Hags, two oaths of allegiance^, the
culminating hates of a hundred years, sep-
arate these two young soldiers of the North
and the South. But they are not alien in
blood, they are brothers of the same race,
Anglo-Saxon from the first Americans to the
last. They speak the same tongue, their
mothers read the same Bible, prayed to the
same (Jod; their forefathers fought for the
227
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
same country — Nathaniel (Ireene at York-
town, Wash i no ton on Cambridge Heights.
"It is midsummer of 1904. The cavalry-
man of '03 is dying; not in the weary hos-
1)1 lal of pain; not on the perilous edge of
battle. ^lore than forty years have passed
since the grim midwinter of east Tennessee.
"It is the home he has made for his de-
clining years. The rooms are cool and
sweet, a broad porch looks down a quiet
street, familiar books are everywhere; his
escutcheon over the mantel shows his soldier
record from '62 to 'G5 — the old, old story of
duty and glory. A blue book on the table
tells briefly his struggle from the farm to
the halls of Congress; the faces of states-
men, kinsmen, and friends look down from
their appropriate places on the walls.
"The good right hand of the veteran lies in
that of another ; grief-stricken she keeps her
vows, 'till death do us part.'
"A o-rev-haired man holds the other. It is
the soldier of the Rappahannock. Lee's
battery boy of '63 is the trusted physician,
the medical confidant, and ministrant of the
Union soldier. With all the knowledge of
a learned and skillful physician, he has
fought the common enemy for the life of
his dving friend. But the odds are too
great. Old pains, old ailments, old wounds
228
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
of 'f)3 oiitmatcl) the modical arts of 1904.
But. tlie doctor has known the jrriof of de-
feat before. Once a Umrr time a^jo he yiehled
to the inevitable in the orchards of Appo-
niatox. lie lays his ear close over the fail-
ing; heart to catch, if he can, its last linj^er-
inji' drum-beats in the battle of life. He
places his finjjers on the pulseless wrist,
searching for its last faint throb — and they
rest montionless for a moment on the old
scar of '63. 'It is over,' he says very softly.
"A low word of prayer for the widow and
fatherless falls from the lips of the grey-
haired minister at the foot of the bed. It is
the 'boy chaplain' of the dead veteran's old
brigade — vouthful to the end. Another
man beside him, thin-visaged and bent. It
is Ashby's old trooper, and his eyes are full
of tears as he walks slowly out of the room.
" 'Lights out.' 'The bands in the pine
woods cease. A robin sings close bv, as thev
will in summer evenings; the fragrance of
old-fashioned flowers steals in through the
white window curtains. The sun sinks be-
hind the church across the street, the
shadow of its belfry coming in at the open
door. And over all, Lincoln's worn face
looks down from its place among the pic-
tures on the wall. Even now with the hush
of death upon us all, we hear his plaintive
229
The Experiences of Uncle Jack
])ropliecy of loii"' aj^o : 'We are not enemies
but friends. We must not be enemies.
Tbouj^li passion may have strained, it can-
not break the bonds of our affection. The
mystic cliord of memory, stretcliing from
(H'ery patriot "rave and battlefield to every
living heart and hearthstone all over this
broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the
Union when touched again, as they surely
will be, by the better angels of our nature.' "
230
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIURARV
Los Angeles
This book is DUE on the last date stamped below.
Form L9-Series4939
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