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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