. RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY YEARS IN THE MINISTRY: WITH NUMEROUS CHARACTER SKETCHES. BY JOHN SCOTT, D. D., AUTHOR OF "PULPIT ECHOES," "THE LAND OF SOJOURN," AND " CATECHISM OF THE DOCTRINES, HISTORY, AND POLITY OF THE METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH," ETC. INTRODUCTION BY REV. J. J. MURRAY, D. D. "$atber up tbe fragments, tbat nothing be lost." jDrotegtcmt iBrmrb of PITTSBURGH. PA.. AND BALTIMORE, MD. U. S. FLEMING, Agent, 422 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. W. J. C. DULANY, Agent, 8 East Baltimore Street, Baltimore, Md. COPYRIGHT, 1898, BY PITTSBURGH DIRECTORY ov METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH. HIS BELOVED WIFE, who, for more than Fifty years, has shared his toils and cares, this volume is affectionately BY THE AUTHOR. PREFACE. THE observance of the fiftieth anniversary of my li- censure to preach the gospel recalled to my mind so vividly many of the scenes and occurrences of the past, and many of the friends of former years, that I have thought it might be of interest to my family, and perhaps to others, to place on record some of my recollections of former times, showing, as they do, the changes which have taken place in one short lifetime. The great mass of the people belong to the industrial classes, who possess good common sense and such educa- tion as qualifies them for the ordinary pursuits and enjoy- ments of life, but who make no pretensions to literary culture and scientific knowledge. A man who can write an instructive and entertaining book about common things, level to the capacity of this class, has an opportunity of doing greater good than the man who can produce a learned and profound treatise on some abstract scientific subject, which but few persons would be able to under- stand and appreciate. After all, it is the common, every- day, practical things of life that really concern and interest the great majority of the people, and these are often deemed too trifling to secure attention and be placed on record for their perusal and instruction. This narrative is about a very common life, passed among common scenes, and occupied with common things. It makes no pretensions to elegance of diction or attract- iveness of style; but tells in a plain and simple manner the story of a life spent by a common man, among com- mon people, in an attempt to do them good. 5 6 PREFACE. The narrative being largely personal, it is hardly neces- sary to apologize for its personal style and its numerous personal allusions and statements. These, by a little at- tention, might have been modified and rendered less strik- ing; but having undertaken to write about myself, I have not hesitated to do so in the most direct manner. This is not agreeable to my own taste, but to accomplish my purpose, it could not easily be avoided. It is perhaps proper, and even necessary, for me to say here, that in what I have written in reference to cer- tain questions which at one time agitated our ecclesiastical economy, causing long and earnest discussion, and the action which followed, I must not be regarded as re- arguing those questions from a present point of view; but as presenting the light in which they appeared to me, and to those who were in accord with me in sentiment, at the time of their discussion. The subject is historical, and the object is to present facts, not in the light in which they appear to us now, but in the light in which they ap- peared at the time of their occurrence. The facts being presented in their proper setting, it is for the reader to judge of the correctness of the action taken. This volume, except a few corrections and additions, was completed on my seventy-third birthday, October 27, 1893. Some important events with which I have been associated, and many changes in the Conference with which I am connected, have occurred since then; but as I only undertook to give the recollections of fifty years, these, of course, are omitted. I trust that my narrative, with its numerous facts and incidents, will not prove entirely uninteresting and un- profitable. Eldersville, Pa, INTRODUCTION. A MAN" that has given fifty years of his life to the min- istry of the gospel in any branch of the Methodist Church, must be a dull man if he has seen or heard, during that time, nothing worth recording. But the author of this book is not a dull man. Going through the world with his eyes open, he has improved his opportuni- ties, and acquired a fund of facts and reflections that will not disappoint the reader who takes up the volume with the expectation of being entertained and edified. The book having been submitted to me in manuscript, I read it with varied but sustained interest from begin- ning to end. Sometimes smiling, sometimes laughing aloud, at one moment stopping to wipe the tears from my eyes, at another admiring a forcible argument, a just re- flection, or a quaint expression, I persevered in the perusal until, at the end of two sittings, I came to the conclusion, regretting that the end had come. Possibly I was more interested than some others will be, because familiar names occur in the narrative, and I had taken part in some of the transactions recorded. But apart from personal, local, or denominational associations, I think there is enough in the book to repay perusal; and I shall be disappointed if the young are not instructed, and the old are not grati- fied, as they go along with the author in the paths which, for fifty years, he pursued as an itinerant preacher of the gospel. Dr. Scott, having lived before the division of the Meth- odist Protestant Church and subsequent to the reunion 7 8 INTRODUCTION. of the same, and having been prominent in the transactions associated with both, naturally records what came under his own observation, and I am free to acknowledge that he does it in the spirit of fairness and charity. Beared amid different surroundings, and associated for the greater portion of my life with people of whom he knew little by actual intercourse, my narration of the events which oc- curred in the trying times of our ecclesiastical history, and my reflections upon the occurrences of those days, might not be identical with his own. Every man speaks of what impresses him from his own point of observation. "When we read history," says Dr. Hugh Frank Foster, "we have not understood the subject if we have gained merely a knowledge of the facts." Facts are misleading, though narrated with honest intent, unless they are pre- sented in a setting of their proper surroundings. Many, if not all, the differences of good men are attributable to their inability to see things clearly on all sides. "Now we see through a glass darkly;" perfect vision is the privilege of the saints that have passed "within the veil." Dr. Scott has clearly presented facts from his point of view, and thereby has done a service to those that thought and acted with him that will be appreciated by them, and he has done it in a manner that will elicit no unfavorable comments from those that differed with him. Those of us who did not so fully understand the pressure of all kinds upon our brethren of the North and West, will revise our judgment in the light of this book. If it does not as fully set forth the difficulties of our brethren in the South, charity will say, it is because the author could not be so familiar with them as we were ourselves. JOHN J. MURK AY. UNION BRIDGE, MD., December 12, 1893. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Parents Born in Ireland Early Methodists Emigration to this Country Grandparents Settlement Birth Early Sur- roundingsPrimitive Customs Early Products Social En- joyments Religious Advantages Bethel Early Methodist Preachers Catechising Important Lesson John Elliott- Shock to my Feelings Charles Scott Methodism and Local Preachers Pages 21-29 CHAPTER II. My Father an Early Reformer "Mutual Rights" Bethel So- ciety Reform Controversy General Conference of 1828 Organization under Conventional Articles Honored Names Other Societies Ohio Circuit Josiah Foster, First Preacher John Wilson Masonic Procession Change of Pastor John Clark New Bethel Two Days' Meetings- Dedication of New Church Large Attendance Great Re- vivalConversions at Private Houses throughout the Neighborhood Love-feast Conversion United with the Church Conversion of Children 30-38 CHAPTER III. My Father's Illness and Death Dying Charge Attending School Books Teachers James Carmichael Visit to Pittsburg Gift of a Dollar Purchase of a Grammar and Dictionary Study of Grammar Improvement in the Char- acter of our School Literary Society Address on Solar System Work on Natural Philosophy Blair's Rhetoric- Hedge's Logic Backsliding Beginning Progress Un- happy Weekly Prayer-meeting George M. Scott Happily Restored Family Prayer Purchase of a Farm Call to Preach Embarrassment Slale of Farm Hand of Provi- dence Dr. George Brown, Pastor Great Privilege Elected Assistant Class-leader 39-50 9 10 CONTENTS. CHAPTER IV. John Herbert Three Years' Pastorate Fatherly Oare Li- censed to Preach My First Sermon Some of the Books Read Doctrines of the Gospel Theory of Preaching- Wise Counsel Recommended to Conference John Cowl- John Beaty A. W. Porter Trip to Conference Distin- guished Members Shinn's Sermon Received into Confer- enceAppointed to Ohio Circuit as Assistant R. T. Simon- ton, Superintendent Muskingum Conference Set off Quar- terly-meeting at West Middletown John Deselm's Prayer- Four Weeks' Circuit Short Sermons My Brother Charles- Good Meetings Small Salaries Had Acquired a Little Experience Pages 51-62 CHAPTER V. Conference in Pittsburg First Saw G. B. McElroy Ordained Deacon Appointed Assistant on Union Circuit James Hop wood, Superintendent Large Circuit Leaving Home Stop in Washington James L. Porter and Wife National Road Laurel Hill Arrival at Uniontown Father and Mother Phillips Henry B. Bascom Preaching-places Entertainment Protracted-meetings James Hopwood F. A. Davis Breakneck Connellsville Isaac Frances- Samuel Catlin Hugh Cameron Camp-meeting Hard Times Book-bill My Only Horse-trade First Marriage- Small Salary 63-75 CHAPTER VI. Conference at Fairmont Mrs. Hannah Reeves and Cornelius Springer Sensational Preaching Uniontown made a Sta- tionAppointed to that Charge Hard Study Lack of Con- fidence in Myself Boarding-places Father Phillips and Hebrew Names D. H. Phillips John H. Deford Water- ing the Horse John L. Means Joseph L. Phillips Fine Singer Close of the Year Case of Trance 70-83 CHAPTER VII. Conference Met in Connellsville Thomas H. Stockton A Peerless Preacher Ordained Elder Appointed to First Church, Pittsburg F. A. Davis, Assistant Boarding- CONTENTS. 11 places Largo Congregations Plenty of Work Leading Members Charles Avery Sketch of His Character Be- nevolence Second Church Colored People Aid Society- Death and Funeral Edward Moore Responses Pro- tracted-meeting "All the Goslings" Small Salary Object of Envy Important Lesson Marriage Acting as Chor- isterClose of the Year * Pages 84-99 CHAPTER VIII. Conference in Allegheny City Appointed to Uniontown Young People and Housekeeping Small Salary Mr. Isaac Skyles, a Kind Friend Left in Debt Church Never Pros- perous Layman's Bureau Wrong Policy Conference in Waynesburg T. H. Stockton's Sermon Appointed to Man- chester Circuit Removal Cold House Mr. and Mrs. Bing- ham Horse and Buggy Cultivation of a Garden Pastoral Visitation The Brown Families Quarterly-meeting No Money No Flour A Barrel of Flour Brought to My Door- Very Bad Flour Controversy About It Many Excellent People A Special Visit Attention to the Poor Local Preachers Joseph Burns A Sad Event Out of Debt 100-118 CHAPTER IX. Conference in Pittsburg Appointed to First Church, Allegheny City Samuel Clawson and Thomas MapleAmusing Con- troversy William Reeves Secret Society Question Trouble in Church Pastoral Visitation Different Stories- Silence Prayer Labor to Harmonize the Church Some Success Conference at Uuiontown William Collier Ex- amination of T. H. Lancaster Returned to Allegheny- Things Very Pleasant Many Good Brethren Numerous Meetings P. T. Laishley Traveling President F. H. Col- lierStudy of Greek and Latin Restrictive Rule Reluct- ance to Leave 119-131! CHAPTER X. Conference in Morgantown Route to Conference Coach-ride Across the Country Infant Baptism Missionary to China Disappointment Daniel Bagley Madison College- Two Scholarships E. Y. Reese and R. H. Ball T. II. Stockton Received into the Conference Sent to Sharps- 12 CONTENTS. burg Old Members William Garner John Cook First Bereavement Religious Prosperity Close of the Year- Conference at Pruntytown Trip to Conference Whisky- Boiled Eggs and Potatoes Crossing the River Noble Gil- lespie The Priest J. W. Rutledge Action on Temper- ance Missionary Society Subject of Slavery Sermon- Threatened with Arrest Difficulty in Stationing the Preachers Sent to First Church, Pittsburg. .Pages 133-143 CHAPTER XI. Removal to New Charge Site of First Church Great Changes Labors Very Arduous Sunday-school Journal Copway, Indian Chief Rev. De Hass Disappointment- Large Congregation David Jones Preparation of Ser- mon Death of William Shinn's Child Embarrassment in Preaching David Jones united with the Church Con- version Entered the Ministry Conference in Washing- ton, Pa. Many Visiting Brethren College Matters En- dowment Money Spent for Current Expenses Great Dis- satisfaction Elected Delegate to General Conference Returned to First Church, Pittsburg Noble Men Precious Memories 144-153 CHAPTER XII. General Conference in Steubenville Differences between North and South Honest Desire for Adjustment Member of Committee on Paper and Book Concern Knotty Ques- tionPlan of Adjustment Faithfully Carried Out Hand of Providence in It Conference in Allegheny City Cholera Death of Henry T. Layton Theories about Chol- eraIsaac B. Clark Western Virginia Conference Set off 154-161 CHAPTER XIII. Editor Missionary and Sunday-school Journal, and Correspond- ing Secretary Board of Missions Visit to Virginia and North Carolina, Conferences Virginia Conference Nor- folk Numerous Incidents Navy-yard North Carolina Conference Numerous Kind Friends Visit to Governor Branch Return Home New York Conference Various Other Visits Ill-health Fear of Location Remedy, 162-172 CONTENTS. 13 CHAPTER XIV. Conference in Bridgeport President's Report Young Men and the Ministry W. H. Phipps Transfers to Unstationed List Appointed to Washington Mission Washington Col- legePleasant Society Small Salary Good Garden Sec- ond Year Good Done Sent to Birmingham Successful Year Hearty Singing In Touch with the Times Confer- ence in Connellsville Elected President Love of Home- General Conference in Lynchburg Memorial Springfield Convention of 1858 Changes in Discipline Easter Sun- dayRemoval to Sharpsburg Its Condition Then Great June Frost Salary Conference in Sharpsburg Allegheny Seminary War of the Rebellion .Pages 173-189 CHAPTER XV. Three Years in Stoarpsburg Conference in Allegheny City- Sent Again to Birmingham Delegate to Cincinnati Con- ventionWoman Suffrage Hard Year Financially John Redman's Liberality Rebels Invade Pennsylvania Forti- fications of Pittsburg Rine and the Donkey Elected Ed- itor of Western Methodist Protestant Removal to Spring- fieldJoel S. Thrap, Agent State Bank Notes No Offen- sive Personalities Asked to Break My Pledge Pleasant Relations with Board Enlargement of Paper Pastors of Springfield Church Acted as Supply One Year Not Best to Do So "Copperhead" Close of War Lincoln Assassi- nated 190-205 CHAPTER XVI. Non-Episcopal Methodist Union Call for a Convention Numerously Signed Meeting of Convention in Cleveland- President Attendance Proposed Basis of Union Action Harmonious Cyrus Prindle in Wesleyan Recorder's Re- marksConvention in Cincinnati Spirit of Fraternity- Constitution Committee to Prepare a Discipline Luther Lee L. C. Matlack American Wesleyan Methodist Prot- estant General Conference Conventional Powers Changes in Discipline General Conference in Cleveland 206-217 14 CONTENTS. CHAPTER XVII. Approval of Editorial Course Publishing Agent Enlargement of Paper Trip West Chicago Then and Now Clerical "Small Talk" Council Bluffs Senatorial Party Kains- ville Mormons Pittsburg Conference Home Missions- Ohio Conference Bishop Morris Favorite Hymn Hard Work Pages 218-225 CHAPTER XVIII. New Jersey Conference Fair Haven T. T. Heis "Outside the Gate" E. D. Stultz T. B. Appleget Many Others- Benjamin Doughty "Flat as a Flounder" Art of Fish- ingNew York Five Points House of Industry Howard Mission Home for Little Wanderers Inside View John Allen Other Places Sad Feeling Publishing-houses At- torney Street New York Conference Tarrytown "Sleepy Hollow" Washington Irving Capture of Major Andr6 Monument Action of Conference about Wesleyans Re- sponsive Action J. H. Robinson and Others Grand Street Church 226-239 CHAPTER XIX. Valentine Lucas Unbecoming Levity Conference in New Brighton Sermon on the Deaconship Pleasant Session Muskingum Conference Dr. Burns Forming Acquaint- ances Numerous Relatives North Iowa Conference R. M. Dalby J. D. Herr Old Lady Giggling Girls State Center Church Agents Small Conference Transfer De- ceased Brethren G. M. Scott Death of T. H. Stockton- Notice by A. H. Bassett New York Conference T. T. Kendrick Singular Action Retribution Mercy, but not Lawlessness 240-249 CHAPTER XX. Conference in Fairmont Church Embraced Leading Citizens J. E. Snowden Subject of Union First Suggestion of It- Discussed in Church Papers Fraternal Delegates to Mary- land Conference Cordially Received Article of J. T. Mur- rayReview of W. C. Lipscomb Editorial Comment Fra- ternal Messengers from Maryland Conference Addresses CONTENTS. 15 Very Kind, but Cautious Sabbath Services Tender Time J. J. Murray's Sermon "Old, Old Story" Fraternal Messengers to Maryland Conference W. H. Wills in Methodist Protestant North Illinois Conference Discuss Finance Smoking-car Nuisance Burying the Hatchet North Iowa Conference Small Attendance High Waters- Laborers Few "Old John Brown" Pages 260-259 CHAPTER XXI. Alexander Clark and Samuel Young Young's Letter Of- fense Article in Methodist Protestant Fraternal Messen- gers Unpleasant Mood Call at Book Room Made Matter Worse Dr. Collier Committee on Fraternal Relations- Grievance Plain Talk Dr. Murray W. C. Lipscomb's Re- marksRetractionSpell Broken Explanations A Mis- understandingPleasant Ending Introduced to Confer- ence Addresses Messengers of Methodist Episcopal Church, South Funny and Flattering Addresses John Paris "Brethren" Sunday Services Something Gained- Resignation as Editor Resignation Accepted 260-267 CHAPTER XXII. General Conference Methodist Protestant Church Brown, Col- lier, Clark, Fraternal Messengers Cordial Greetings Paper by J. J. Murray Discussion Different Views Amended, and in Part Adopted Editorial Notice of the Discussion and Action Last Editorial Reference to the Subject General Convention Recommended Fraternal Messengers to Methodist General Conference Thought of Union Not Abandoned 268-274 CHAPTER XXIII. Removal to Cincinnati Action of Board of Publication Sixth Street Church Organization Location Persons of Wealth Sale of Church New Location A Great Mis- take Leading Members John Whetstone William Young Spirit-intercourse "Never Came Back" John Richards Delirium Tremens Indelible Impressions Noble Women Many Things of Interest Two Sisters^Funeral 16 CONTENTS. of "Susie" Brown Trying Ride Effort to Make a Ser- monTender and Solemn Scene A Good Enough Re- ligion Pages 275-288 CHAPTER XXIV. Woman's Temperance Crusade First Steps Organization- Districting the City Circulation of Pledges Mrs. Scott- Meetings Three Times a Day First Praying Band Ex- citement Reporters Mayor's Proclamation Singular Document Mayor in Committee Room Cross Examina- tion Arrest of the Women At the Lockup Released on Parole In Police Court Mr. Emory, City Missionary The Case of the Women Judge Hagans Examination of Policemen Case Finally Dismissed Offer of Church Yards Authorities Arraigned "Salty Document" Meeting on the Esplanade Shrewdness Great Impulse to the Tem- perance Cause 289-305 CHAPTER XXV. General Methodist Union Subject Discussed Request of Dr. Hoyt Six Articles on Union Delicacy of Subject Desira- bility of Union Difficulties in the Way Color Line Sec- tional Prejudice Secret Societies Question Narrowed Methodist Episcopal and Methodist Protestant Churches Defects of Each Middle Ground Objections of Early Re- formersAn Executive Head Connectionalism and Con- gregationalismCan Not be Combined Present Ten- dency 306-314 CHAPTER XXVI. Lack of Ministerial Association No Ministers of our Church- Methodist Episcopal Preachers' Meeting Invitation to At- tendSpringfield Pastor Other Ministers Dr. Merrill "Colonel Moody, the Fighting Parson" Dr. Walden Com- pliment by Dr. Merrill Sincere Friendship Elected Presi- dent of Preachers' Meeting Closing Address Resolution by John F. Wright Action of Meeting on My Leaving Cin- cinnatiPublished in Western Christian Advocate Other Ministers Dr. Aydelott Delightful Interviews Heaven . ..315-322 CONTENTS. 17 CHAPTER XXVII. Methodist General Conference, 1871 Letter from T. W. Peg- ram Address of J. T. Murray Kind Responses Commis- sioners to Methodist Protestant General Conference Au- thority Never Met Did Not Attend Methodist Protestant General Conference Good Reasons A. Clark and James Robison Appointment of Nine Commissioners Dr. Burns' s Call for Expression of Opinion Answer Letter of Dr. Drinkhouse Answer General Conference in Princeton, 1875 William Hunter Bishop Janes Charles W. Button- Recommendation of Committee on Union Commissioners Appointed Ministerial Education Important Action Re- moval to Pittsburg Pages 323-336 CHAPTER XXVIII. General Conference Methodist Episcopal Church Fraternal Delegates Disappointment Letter and Address Recep- tion of Address Address of Dr. Clark Remarks of Bishop Janes Reference of Dally Christian Advocate Pleasant State of Feeling Change of Feeling No Official Inter- course 337-344 CHAPTER XXIX. Pittsburg Conference, 1876 Invited to Remain in Allegheny- Declined Sent to Sharpsburg Grace Church Former Pas- tor Old Friends Church not Prosperous Francis Mur- phyMan of Great Magnetism "Old Home" Held Meet- ing in My Church Protracted-meeting Gracious Revival- Excellent Singing Mathematics and Music Henry Ding- ierMiracle of Grace Trying to Pray Faithful Peaceful Death Funeral 345-:;.-' i CHAPTER XXX. Meeting of Union Commissioners Action Basis of Union- Action of Conferences Meeting of Conventions Basis of Union Discussed and Adopted Meeting and Blending of Two Bodies Pickens, a Lawyer Scott, a Preacher Stan- Church Pleasant Flow of Good Feeling Happy Consum- mation 351-355 2 18 CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXXI. Alexander Clark Lecture Tour Left in Charge of Methodist Recorder Lecture in Richmond Address at Yadkin Ill- ness Relapse Improvement Reaches Atlanta Kindness of Governor Colquitt Sickness "In the Gate of Heaveu"- Death Remains Brought Home Funeral Addresses Pall-bearers Place of Interment Memorial Services in First Church, Pittsburg Numerous Addresses Dr. Clark, Author Man of Genius Continued to Edit Recorder Elected Editor Editorial Greeting Experience Duties- Tribute of Ingersoll to Clark Editorial Comments Inger- soll's Letter in Reply Laborious Position. . . .Pages 356-371 CHAPTER XXXII. Miss Lizzie M. Guthrie Meeting with Mrs. O'Neal Union Board Education of Girls in Japan Preachers' Meeting- Statements of Miss Guthrie Women Encouraged Wo- man's Foreign Missionary Society Organized Officers Constitution By-laws Miss Guthrie Birth Education- Conversion Missionary to India Failure of Health Japan Service There Attention Called to our Church- Return Home Providentially Brought in Contact with our Women Appointed Missionary to Japan Farewell Meet- ingHer Departure Death in San Francisco Remains Brought to Pittsburg Funeral Miss Harriet G. Brit- tan 372-386 CHAPTER XXXIII. General Conference of 1880 George B. McElroy, President- Session of 1838 Two Survivors Not Members Old and Young Men No Antagonism between Them Re-elected Editor Recorder General Interests Offer of Column to Women Accepted Editor for It Named Kept It Up Assisted the Women Miss Brittan "Brick Fund" Mrs. Scott, Treasurer Work Progressed Slowly Labor Attend- ing It Amount Raised "Home" Paid For Mrs. Scott Resigned 387-391 CHAPTER XXXIV. No Idleness Personal Attention to Every Department of Paper Weary Need of Rest Trip to the West Chicago CONTENTS. 19 Political Conventions Differences Harmonized Council Bluffs Mr. Baldwin Meeting of Relatives Beautiful Scenery First Sabbath in the City Two Sermons Preach- ing of the Gospel Scientific Preaching Assaults on the Bible not Generally to be Answered from the Pulpit- Through Books, Magazines, Quarterlies Visited Several Conferences Mormon Camp-meeting Pages 392-398 CHAPTER XXXV. Routine Work Editorial on Women in the Church Their Position and Work No Thought of Controversy Disap- pointed Critique by Mrs. Taylor Reply End of Contro- versy 399-410 CHAPTER XXXVI. Visitation of Conferences West Virginia. Conference Gov- ernor Pierpont Anecdote Three Original Members of the Conference Pittsburg Conference Solomon Spauld- ing Book of Mormon Pleasant Incident Genesee Confer- ence Narrow Escape Annoying Detentions Pleasant Meeting Onondaga Conference, North Walcott Love- feast Good Meeting Did Not Speak Brother Prindle Aquafortis Zeal Muskingum Conference Detention Midnight Arrival Members of Conference Money Col- lectedA Day at Home New York Conference On Ship- board with Wife Rockville Center Day in New York- Central Park Obelisk New Jersey Conference Atlantic City Home 417-430 CHAPTER XXXVII. Routine Duties Visitation of Conferences Pittsburg Semi- centennial Session Valuable Papers Read Sermon Fra- ternal Messengers Dr. Collier J. W. Rutledge Other Old Members Ohio Conference Old Veterans Straw Mat- tressesLife of Clawson General Conference of 1884 Address of Welcome Conventional Powers Communica- tion from Bishops Simpson and Harris Oase of Anna H. Shaw Re-elected Editor Centennial Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church Addresses 431-455 20 CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXXVIII. Visit to Bethel Sacred Associations Communion Reception of Members Among the Graves of the Departed Rela- tivesRobert and Charles Scott My Father and Mother- Other Cherished Names Sheep-shearing Pastoral Life Scenes in the Holy Land Crossing the Jordan, Pages 456-469 CHAPTER XXXIX. Conference at Burnside Bell's Gap Railroad Ride by Moon- light Election of Delegates General Conference at Ad- rian D. S. Stephens elected Editor Retirement Closing Remarks Numerous Letters Touching One Kind Words of Brother Editors The Interior A Week Unemployed- Appointed a Supply Conference at New Cumberland- Made a Station Appointed to that Charge "Arthur and Hattie" Visit to Springfield Remarkable Case of Mr. Goode 470-479 CHAPTER XL. Session of Pitts-burg Conference in Wellsburg, 1891 Appointed to Wellsburg Charge City of Wellsburg Near Early Home Fiftieth Anniversary Special Services Dyer Jones Westfall La Grippe Express Package Various Letters Gift from Recorder Office Correspondence Sun- day Services Communion Addresses by Various Breth- renMy Address Close 480-495 CHAPTER I. Parents Born in Ireland Early Methodists Emigration to this Country Grandparents Settlement Birth Early Surroundings Primitive Customs Early Products Social Enjoyments Religious Advantages Bethel Early Meth- odist Preachers Catechising Important Lesson John Elliott Shock to My Feelings Charles Scott Methodism and Local Preachers. BOTH my parents were born in Ireland. My father, John Scott, was the son of James and Susan Scott, and was born in the Parish of Enniskillen, County of Donegal, Ireland, on the 9th day of February, 1783. My mother, Frances Carson, was the daughter of Joseph and Jane Carson, and was born in the Parish of Enniskillen, County of Donegal, Ireland, on the 19th day of May, 1782. Their marriage took place in the parish church on June 2, 1807. They became members of the Wesleyan Methodist society in their native village, but the date of their union with it I am not able to give. Their house became a preaching- place, and a home for the Methodist preachers. I have often heard my mother speak of some of the preachers, and especially of a Mr. Hazlett, who appears to have been a special favorite. At that time the ordinances were not administered by the Methodist preachers in Ireland, and my parents, like other members of the society, went to the parish minister to receive the sacraments. In 1819, my parents, with their four children, Susan, Charles, Jane, and Rebecca, together with my grand- father and grandmother, James and Susan Scott, emi- grated to this country. It was before the days of ocean steamers, and they took passage in a sail vessel for St. 21 22 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY John's, New Brunswick why, I do not know and from there they took passage for Baltimore; but in consequence of a report that yellow-fever prevailed in that place, they were landed in Washington City. They were six weeks on their second passage, in consequence of continued stormy weather. In Washington City they procured wagons, which brought them to Cross Creek Township (now Jefferson), Washington County, Pa., where my grandmother had two brothers, Robert and Charles Scott for her maiden name was Scott who had preceded them to this country. Here they settled on a farm, and never removed from the neighborhood. My grandmother had another brother, Francis Scott, grandfather of Eev. T. H. Scott, of the Muskingum Conference, who, with his family, accompanied my parents to this country; but he died on the way, before they reached their final destination. On the 27th day of October, 1820, about a year after my parents arrived in the neighborhood, I was born, within about one-half mile of Bethel church, in what is now (1892) Jefferson Township, Washington County, Pa. The house in which I was born has disappeared, but its site is marked by some of its remains. In this neighborhood I was raised, and lived till I arrived at manhood. This portion of Washington County possesses a rich and productive soil, was originally heavily timbered, abounds in excellent springs of pure water, and is under- laid with thick veins of the best bituminous coal. Its surface is somewhat broken and diversified, but well adapted to agricultural purposes. It is especially adapted to the growing of sheep, and while wool commanded a remunerative price, this industry was largely followed. In the days of my boyhood the work of subduing the forest and clearing up the farms had not been completed, YEARS IN TJIE MINISTRY. 23 and I assisted to some extent in these labors. Like other boys, I attended "grubbings," "log-rollings," "house- raisings," "huskings," "flax-pullings," "scutchings," and other gatherings where both young and old were assem- bled to aid in performing necessary work, which the people generally thought required the help of their neighbors. While the young men were called upon to assist in outdoor labor, the young women were invited to assist in indoor work, such as quilting, or sewing, or something else; and when the labors of the day were over, the young people generally had a good time in social enjoyment, and I dare say they derived more real pleasure from those gatherings than is now enjoyed at fashionable and expensive parties. At nearly all of those gatherings liquor was supplied, and most persons drank, and yet there was not perhaps a greater amount of drunkenness then than now. But then they drank pure whisky. It was not like the adulterated, poisonous stuff that is now used. Of course, the quality of the liquor was not a justification of its use, but it pre- vented the effects of its use from being so injurious. Liq- uor was kept in most families, and men could not be ob- tained to assist in the harvest and at other kinds of work without it. The agricultural implements then used were very rude. Many persons used plows with wooden "moldboards." When the "Half Patent" plow was introduced, with iron "coulter," "shear," and steel "moldboard," it was regarded as a wonderful invention and the height of perfection. But if farm implements were rude, the soil was new and rich, and crops were generally abundant. Grain was reaped with the sickle, and threshed with the flail, and afterwards, as the next step in advance, tramped out by horses on the barn floor. This work was generally done in the winter; and to stand all day in an open barn, with 24 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY the thermometer at zero, with but moderate exercise, was indeed very trying. Yet many a time when a boy I per- formed this service. Sometimes the grain was winnowed with a "fan," used by two persons, and sometimes by throwing it up with a shovel when there was a strong wind blowing, which carried away the chaff. But after a while "windmills," turned by hand, were introduced, which was a great improvement. There were then but few wagons in use. Grain was often carried to mill on horseback; but in winter, when there was snow on the ground, it was hauled on sleds. On such occasions the driving, like that of Jehu, was often furious. The recollection of my own recklessness when a boy, in driving horses with a single line and very in- ferior harness, has often made me shudder. Ajid yet, not- withstanding this, there were but few accidents. Some- how or other, people are adapted to the times in which they live and to the circumstances with which they are surrounded. The people in the country had but few wants beyond their own ability to supply. Nearly every farmer kept a few sheep, sufficient to supply him with wool for the use of his own family. This was carded, spun, and woven at home, and "fulled" in a manner peculiar to the times. A web, or part of a web, of flannel, after being well saturated with strong soapsuds, was placed on the floor, and a num- ber of chairs were placed in a circle around it, at such a distance from each other that the feet of two persons sitting opposite each other on two of the chairs would al- most meet. A rope was tied around the chairs to keep them from slipping back. Then the chairs were all occu- pied, generally by young people, barefooted, and the kicking and pounding of the flannel with a dozen or more feet commenced. As the suds became cold and ran off, YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 25 a fresh supply of hot suds was procured, and the lively work went on till the flannel had attained to the desired thickness. The process was rather a laborious one, but it was generally attended with such mirthful ness that it was deemed a pleasure, rather than a toil. After being thus fulled, the flannel was used for blankets and various kinds of garments for the comfort of the family. Flannel for ladies' dresses was generally woven from yarn that had been colored in different colors by simple dyes, mostly ob- tained from barks, and woven in different patterns of checks, some of which were very pretty. In this way the family was supplied with plain, substantial, and comfort- able clothing for the winter. If their garments were coarse, they were comfortable; and this was the most de- sirable thing. Then the people were very much on an equality, and there was but little cause for envy among them. It is not so much what we have, as what we have compared with the possessions of others around us,, that constitutes the standard of our ambition and desire. The summer wear of the people was generally the pro- duct of flax raised by themselves. The flaxseed was sowed, the flax "pulled," and "watered," and "broke," and "scutched," and "hackled," and then spun and woven by members of the family. There were two grades of the linen fabric; that woven in whole, or in part, from the "tow," the coarser part of the fiber obtained by "hack- ling," and that woven from the finer fiber of the flax. The former was generally used for pantaloons, and the yarn was often colored different shades by barks and cop- peras, and woven in checks. The finer quality was used for sheets, pillowslips, shirts, and other articles of personal and household use. The garments made of this coarse linen were very serviceable, and very pleasant for summer wear. 26 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY There was generally a tannery in every neighborhood, where the hides of cattle killed for domestic use were tanned and made into leather. In the fall of the year the itinerant shoemaker went from house to house, making shoes for the whole family out of the leather thus fur- nished him. The shoes were not always of the most ele- gant make; but they were generally strong and substantial. Wheat, rye, corn, oats, and potatoes were generally raised in sufficient quantities to meet home demands, and some to spare. A sufficient number of cows were kept to supply the family with milk and butter, and sometimes an excess for market. Hogs were raised to afford a supply of meat, while chickens, in addition to furnishing a supply of eggs, were always at hand, in case of necessity, for table use. Maple sugar and syrup were generally manu- factured in sufficient quantities to supply home consump- tion. So far as clothing and food were concerned, but little was needed beyond what was produced at home. The forests were being cleared, wood was abundant, and the great, open fireplace admitted of such a fire as warmed and cheered the whole household. There were no lamps and oil, but candles were "molded" and "dipped" so as to afford necessary light. Of course the light was not equal to that now furnished by oil, gas, or electricity; but it was the best light then in use, and was considered very comfortable. It is wonderful how people can learn to accommodate themselves to their circumstances, especially when they know of nothing better. It seems to me there was far more sociability and real enjoyment in those days than at present. There was less formality, less selfishness, and a greater interest felt by the people in each other than there appears to be now. During the long winter evenings the families exchanged visits, either receiving or visiting some friends almost every YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 27 night, thus passing the time delightfully, when there was no pressing work to do. As people acquire wealth, they become more independent of each other, and as a natural consequence they become more selfish their friendship is more conventional, and less natural and cordial. The' religious advantages of the neighborhood were fair for those days. Bethel church, a small frame building, but sufficiently large to accommodate the people of the neighborhood, had been erected by the Methodist society in 1814. It was embraced in what was called the "Ohio Circuit" a four weeks' circuit, with two preachers so that there was preaching in the church every two weeks. This church was about a mile from my home. My parents united with the society, and worshiped in this church, and to its services, when a very small boy, I often went up with joy. The first Methodist preachers of whom I have any rec- ollection were William West and Andrew Coleman. The former, according to my recollection, was a rather tall, spare man; the latter a rather small, neat man, and, as I thought, of a wonderfully solemn countenance. I was afraid of him, for he always talked to me and catechised me when he came to our house; and I tried, so far as I could, to keep out of his way. I learned an important lesson from this experience, which it would be well for every minister to learn; and that is, that it is better to inspire a child with love than with awe; better to attract a child with kindness than to repel him by austerity. A minister should never be frivolous, neither should he be morose. A pleasant seriousness is the most winning and impressive. A minister can often do the young, and even the old, more good indirectly than by direct appeal. Some- times a vessel under sail can make no headway directly in the teeth of a gale; but by "quartering" and "tacking" 28 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY can advance, though it may be slowly, in the right direc- tion. He that winneth souls must be wise. At a later date Simon Lauck, Leonidas Hamline afterwards bishop and Joseph Boyle were on the circuit. There was a local preacher, John Elliott, in the society, who was considered a very good man and a good preacher, who often preached in Bethel church and in the surround- ing neighborhood. He remained in the neighborhood till I grew to manhood. I had great confidence in him, and was greatly indebted to him for his sympathy and pious counsel when I was a boy. He afterwards united with the "Wesleyan Methodists, and removed to Davis County, Iowa, where he died. I believe he was faithful to the end. On one occasion he greatly shocked me by the utterance, in animated conversation, of the word "gosh." Had a clap of thunder come out of a clear sky, it would not have surprised me more. To my young ears it sounded like swearing, and it seemed difficult for me to restore him to the high place he had occupied in my esteem before. I never heard him give utterance to a similar expression; but that one utterance made such an impression on my mind that I never forgot it. Christian men, and especially ministers, can not be too careful in their conversation to avoid everything that is objectionable, or that might exert an injurious influence on others. I have heard ministers, I suppose from the force of early habit, the propriety of which they were never led perhaps to question, indulge in such expressions as "by gum," "lay golly," and others of like character. Such expressions always grate upon my ear, and although perhaps meaningless, have the appearance of evil, and, as in my own case just referred to, may be the means of wounding tender consciences, and doing much harm. All YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 29 such expressions, it occurs to me, should be carefully avoided. "Let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay." There was another local preacher in Bethel society, Charles Scott, a grand uncle of mine, who preached a great deal in the neighborhood and surrounding country. He was a plain, blunt Irishman; but it was said that while his sermons lacked polish, they were full of thought. He was very plain and pointed in his preaching. He did not denounce the sins that prevailed in some other country, or in some other neighborhood, but those which prevailed in his own; and he was generally able to make the people understand who and what he meant. A sermon that has no point, and that is not calculated to better the life of some one, is useless. Mr. Scott always had a direct aim in his preaching, and he generally made out to reach the point at which he aimed. An aimless sermon seldom ac- complishes any good. A man to succeed in anything must have a definite object in view, and must earnestly labor to reach it. Mr. Scott was not a man of polish and literary culture; but he was a man of excellent common sense, and had a clear understanding of the great saving truths of the gospel. Polish is a nice thing, but unless a man has something worth polishing, it is all glitter and no sub- stance. Methodism in this country, in the beginning, was greatly indebted to the labors of local preachers, and espe- cially to Irish local preachers. They served as pioneers to prepare the way for the regular itinerants, and to watch over and care for those whom they were instrumental in bringing to Christ. Indeed, Methodism was founded in this country by two Irish local preachers, Philip Embury, who organized the first Methodist society in New York; and Robert Strawbridge, who, about the same time, organ- ized a Methodist society on Sam's Creek, in Maryland. 30 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY CHAPTER II. My Father an Early Reformer " Mutual Rights "Bethel Society Reform Controversy General Conference of 1828 Organization Under Conventional Articles Honored Names Other Societies Ohio Circuit Josiah Foster, First Preacher John Wilson Masonic Procession Change of Pastor John Clark New Bethel Two Days' Meetings Dedication of New Church Large Attendance Great Re- vival Conversions at Private Houses Throughout the Neighborhood Love-feast Conversion United with the Church Conversion of Children. MY father was a reader of the Mutual Rights, and a strong advocate of reform in the government of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. This was the prevailing senti- ment in the Bethel society. Whenever the members met, which was very frequently, the subject was discussed, so that from my very earliest recollection I was familiar with the "Reform" controversy. The action of the General Conference of 1828, in Pittsburg, tended to increase the excitement, unify the "Reformers," and render secession, in their opinion, a necessity. The result was, that in many places those persons who had been expelled from the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, not for immorality, but for "envy- ing" against its Discipline, and their friends who sym- pathized with them and who voluntarily withdrew from the Church, organized themselves into Associate Methodist Churches, as they were termed at the time. In 1829 almost the entire Bejthel society withdrew from the Methodist Episcopal Church, and organized un- der the "Conventional Articles" adopted in a Convention of the Associated Methodist Churches in Baltimore, in November, 1828. The society was composed of a class of YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 31 most excellent men and women, whose names are worthy to be had in everlasting remembrance. They were people of unblemished moral and religious character, of strong common sense, and well informed in regard to Church matters. They were honest in their convictions, and con- scientious in the course they pursued. I am sorry that I am not able to give the names of all who entered into this organization. Among them, how- ever, were James Patterson and wife, John Patterson and wife, John Elliott, Sr., and wife, John Elliott, Jr., and wife, John Cassiday and wife, Dr. David Pierce and wife, Charles Scott, Sr., and daughter, Charles Scott, Jr., and wife, John Scott and wife, John Long and wife, Edward Jones and wife, William Melvin and wife, Anne Melvin, Sarah Melvin, and others, whose names I can not give. These men and their associates embraced the leading citi- zens of the neighborhood. About the time of the organization of the society at Bethel, societies were formed at Eldersville, "West Middle- town, Pughtown, Nessley Chapel, and Freeman's Landing, and a circuit formed, called Ohio Circuit, embracing these and some other appointments. The first preacher on this circuit was Josiah Foster, a local preacher from Carroll County, Ohio. He was regarded as a very good man, and a plain, practical preacher. He was noted for his short sermons. How short they were I can not say; but they were considered short compared with the generality of sermons at that time, which were mostly from an hour to an hour and a half or two hours in length. The people were anxious to hear the gospel, and as a preacher did not preach very frequently in the same place, it was common to give a synopsis of the whole gospel in every sermon, showing man's apostasy from God, his redemption by the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the way 32 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY of life and salvation through him. It was the same old story, but differently told, and was always attractive and impressive. "We have more learned preachers and more learned preaching now than we had then; but it is a question whether we have a purer gospel preached, or men who, as a general thing, are as successful in bringing souls to Christ. We have men who can speculate and theorize; but "no speculations however ingenious, no Bible knowledge however extensive, no sentiments or theories of morals however excellent, can be substituted for personal experi- ence of forgiveness and regeneration. The Church that ceases to be distinguished for converting power, and which does not lead its people to walk in the way of holiness, can not be the means of bringing back an alienated world to God." Those early preachers were men of sound, com- mon sense, of deep religious experience, of fervent piety, of clear insight into human character, and appeared to be peculiarly adapted to bringing men to Christ, and teaching them the way of eternal life. Their great object was to get men converted to bring them to an experimental knowledge of the saving power of Christ. Whether their sermons were long or short, or whether they embraced a wide or narrow range, they aimed directly at the one great object of saving souls. Mr. Foster remained but one year on the circuit. I believe he was not so circumstanced as to be able to give all his time to the ministry, and only consented to supply the circuit to meet an emergency. Mr. Foster was succeeded on the circuit by John Wil- son, an Irishman of more than ordinary ability, but some- what eccentric. I was too young to be able to judge cor- rectly of the character of his preaching, but those who were older and competent to judge, pronounced him an excel- YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 33 lent preacher. It was told of him that on one occasion, when giving an invitation to persons to unite with the Church, he remarked: "Now I wish you to understand that we do n't want many, but just a few good ones, for we have more now than are good." This was a precaution which it might be well for other preachers sometimes to take. If there were greater caution taken in receiving per- sons into the Church, there would often be far less trouble in getting rid of improper persons who have proved them- selves unworthy of membership in it. But ministers are often anxious to increase their membership, without proper regard to the character and religious experience of those whom they receive. Mr. Wilson was a Free Mason, and during the year he walked in a Masonic procession and carried the Bible, in Steubenville, Ohio. This gave great offense to Judge McKeever, of West Middletown, and other antimasons on the circuit, to whom his labors were no longer acceptable, and for the sake of harmony on the circuit, he was removed at the end of the year. The following year the circuit was supplied by John Clark, called "Pittsburg John" his home being in Pitts- burg to distinguish him from another John Clark in the Conference, who was called "Hacker's Creek John," be- cause his home was on Hacker's Creek, in Western Vir- ginia. Mr. Clark was a rather tall, spare man, of pleasing address and agreeable manners. He was rather radical in his views, and while popular with all, was a special favorite with those who, the preceding year, had been opposed to Mr. Wilson. He was very successful on the circuit, and his labors were blessed with extensive revivals. For a considerable time after the organization of the new society at Bethel, both societies occupied the same house for worship alternately. But occasional conflicts 3 34 occurred which produced unpleasantness, and it was found that both societies could not well worship in the same building. The members of the new society, by their labor and money, had erected the old house, and in justice it belonged to them. Of all those who adhered to the Meth- odist Episcopal Church in the Bethel class, only one man had contributed anything to the erection of the church, and he but five dollars. But the old society claimed the property, and the "Reformers," rather than engage in any legal contention, resolved to erect a new church-building for themselves. A site was chosen on the same eminence on which the old church stood, and only about ten or fif- teen rods distant from it. This was not done for the pur- pose of annoying their Methodist Episcopal brethren, but for their own convenience and comfort. That was the place where they had been in the habit of assembling to worship for many years, the place where their dead were buried, and they did not wish to leave it. Their feeling was not only justifiable, but commendable. All the necessary arrangements having been made, the work of erecting the new church began in the spring of 1832, and by the latter part of August it was completed and ready for dedication. It was a stone building, and much larger and more commodious than the old one. My uncle, Francis Scott, had the contract for the stone work, and I spent the summer in working at the new building. I carried water, made mortar, and did everything which a stout boy of between eleven and twelve years of age could do. I took great pride in the new building. To my young and inexperienced eyes it appeared like a grand structure. Its large windows large in comparison with anything of the kind that I had seen its paneled pulpit, with heavy moldings and projecting Bible-board, its altar-railng of fine cherry, nicely varnished; its pews, with solid backs YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 35 and capped with a neat molding, looked to me like the perfection of art. Although it would be considered a very plain and homely church now, it was regarded as a very good and comfortable church then, and God honored it with his presence and filled it with his glory. At that time it was customary to hold what were called "two-days' meetings" and "quarterly-meetings," which sometimes were continued till Monday forenoon. "Pro- tracted-meetings," as they are now called, had not then been introduced. It did not require two or three weeks of service to get the Church ready to go to work to save souls. They were always ready, and were always looking for tokens of the Divine favor at every coming together. Persons were often converted under the ordinary preach- ing of the Word. The new church was called "New Bethel," and was dedicated on the second Sabbath (the 9th) of September, 1832, just before the session of the Annual Conference. The services commenced with a prayer-meeting on Friday night, and at the very first meeting the Divine Spirit, in his convicting power, came down upon the people, and many cried out in the earnestness of their hearts, "What must we do to be saved?" On Saturday a great many persons, members of the Church and others, came from West Middletown, Pugh- town, Nessley Chapel, Freeman's Landing, and other places. Some came in wagons, some on horseback, and some on foot. It seemed like the gathering of the tribes of Israel for a holy convocation to the hill of Zion. A holy awe seemed to rest upon the people. The sacred influence appeared to deepen and widen throughout the day. At night the power of the Lord came down in a glorious manner upon the congregation. It seemed like the break- ing forth of mighty waters, the flowing of streams in the 36 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY desert. Believers were made to rejoice, sinners were con- victed, and penitents were converted. There was indeed the shout of a King in the camp. When the congregation was dismissed at a late hour, and the people returned to their homes along the public highways, through the woods and across the fields, from almost every direction might be heard the voices of some singing the praise of God, of others shouting aloud for joy, and of others crying out in the bitterness of their souls for mercy. It was a time of wonderful power and grace. The strangers who came to the meeting were enter- tained by the families of the Church in the neighborhood. There were many persons at my father's house, and many who were seeking the Savior. It was not a night of quiet slumbers. There were those there who could not give "sleep to their eyes, nor slumber to their eyelids," till they had found Him whom their souls desired to love. Several of them arose in the night, and went out into the orchard to plead with God, where they were converted. Similar scenes occurred in other families in the neighborhood. It was a memorable night a night of the right hand of the Most High. On Sabbath morning the people met in the church for love-feast; and it was like the gathering of triumphant hosts. From every quarter came tidings of salvation. Great battles had been fought, and great victories had been won. Souls had struggled into life, and their "mouths were filled with laughter, and their tongues with singing." The glory of the Highest appeared to over- shadow the place. The interest continued during the day, and during the evening, and through the closing service on Monday morning. As the result of the meeting forty- four persons united with the Church, and a far greater number was believed to have been converted. YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 37 I believe I was converted at that meeting. I felt no great and sudden change, but I was fervent in prayer, and my heart gently opened to the influence of the Divine Spirit. I had not been a bad boy; I had not been exposed to bad influences, and had not formed any bad habits. I used no bad language, and never swore an oath in my life. I had been religiously trained; I believed in religion, and thought it the most desirable thing in the world. I had not the sense of guilt which vile transgressors of God's law would naturally have. Yet my heart went out in longings after God. By degrees a great change came over me. It seemed to me I had gotten into a new atmosphere. My heart was filled with love and peace and joy. I was as happy a boy as could be. I could truthfully sing: " The day glides sweetly o'er my head, Made up of innocence and love." There seemed to be nothing to interrupt my happiness. But I did not unite with the Church. Indeed, I do not know that the thought of uniting with the Church oc- curred to me during the meeting. But after the meeting was over, and Brother Clark had gone to Conference, I got to thinking about the matter, and felt a strong desire to become a member of the Church, but feared I was too young to be received. I requested my father to ask Brother Clark, when he should return from Conference, if he would receive me into the Church. Brother Clark was returned to the circuit for another year, and the first time he came to our house my father made known to him my request, and he said that he certainly would. So, at his first appointment at Bethel, in the latter part of Septem- ber, 1832, I united with the Church. I do not believe the doctrine that is now taught by some, that children do not need to be regenerated that 38 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY they are born in the kingdom, and that all that is necessary to save them, is to properly train them and keep them in the kingdom. This doctrine appears to me to be in direct conflict with the plain teachings of God's Word. The carnal mind, which is natural to every child of Adam, is enmity against God, and must be taken away by the renew- ing power of the Divine Spirit, to make us truly accept- able to God. That this carnal mind in children should be repressed and restrained by proper education and train- ing is admitted; and that children who have not run to any great extent into sin, and whose evil propensities and inclinations have not been developed and strengthened by indulgence, may more easily be brought to Christ than hardened transgressors, is undoubtedly true; and that we should earnestly seek the conversion of children before they run into courses of vice, is a most obvious duty. We can not be too earnest in seeking the salvation of the chil- dren; but let us remember that they must be born from above, and be made the children of God by faith. This is in accordance with my own experience. I felt that a won- derful change had taken place in me. It seemed to me I was in a new world. Everything around me seemed to be different. YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 3!) CHAPTER III. Father's Illness and Death Going to School Books Teachers James Carmichael Visit to Pittsburg Gift of a Dollar Purchase of Grammar and Dictionary Improvement in School Literary Society Address on Solar System Back- sliding Unhappy Reclaimed Family Prayer Purchase of a Farm Gall to Preach Embarrassment Sale of Farm Hand of Providence Dr. Brown Pastor Great Privilege Elected Assistant Class-leader. MY father's health had been poor for some time, and his illness increased, and on December 23, 1833, he passed away. He was a good man, a man of uncompromising integrity and honesty, and had been for many years a de- voted Methodist. I believe he was, as was customary in those days, a licensed exhorter in the Church. Before his death he called me to his bedside, and gave me his dying counsel and blessing. Among other things, he told me not to forget to pray to God every day for his blessing to rest upon me; to be faithful in the observance of the means of grace, and not to neglect the prayer-meeting and the class-meeting. When he was through, he laid his hand upon my head, and asked God to bless me, and said, "John, remember." My father's death was a great loss to me; but I did not realize it then as I did afterwards. I commenced going to school when I was a small boy. The schools in our neighborhood at that time were of a very low grade. The teachers were incompetent, knew but little themselves, and, of course, could teach others but little. I had learned to read, write, and cipher. I had gone through the "United States Spelling-book," the "New Testament," and the "Introduction to the English Header," and thought I knew something about "figures." 40 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY Indeed, I began to consider myself somewhat of a scholar. But this vain conceit was soon taken out of me. We got a new teacher, Mr. James Carmichael, who was a fine scholar, and a teacher of large experience. He soon made me realize that I knew nothing. He put me, as well as many others, back into the spelling-book, and back to the very beginning of it. He taught me the difference between vowels and consonants, which I did not know before; the various vowel sounds, all about diphthongs, silent let- ters, hard and soft consonants, as he called them, accents, the rules of spelling, and the combination of syllables into words, or word-building in short, he gave me a thorough drilling in the rudiments of English. The idea began to dawn upon my mind that language was a very nice thing, and that it was subject to very exact rules, or laws. I have always felt that I was more indebted to Mr. Carmichael than to any other teacher to whom I ever went. Mr. Car- michael remained with us for several terms, and I profited much from his instructions. Many young men who pass through college, and study Greek and Latin, labor under great disadvantages all through life, because of insuffi- cient drill in the rudiments of their mother-tongue. A short time after my father's death, I made a visit to my brother-in-law, Mr. Thomas Johnston, residing some sixteen or eighteen miles west of Pittsburg, on the Pan- handle Eailroad, at what is now called McDonald, a new town largely built on what was my brother-in-law's farm. "While there, my brother-in-law had occasion to go to Pittsburg, and he took me with him. It was a great grati- fication to me, for, although Pittsburg was then but a comparatively small place, it was by far the largest town I had ever seen, and it impressed me with a sense of its greatness. In the market my brother-in-law gave me a silver dollar, and my mind was at once exercised as to what YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 41 I should do with it. The idea of keeping it never oc- curred to me. Boy-like, I must spend it; but I could not decide what to purchase. At that time English Grammar was not taught in our school; but I had met with a boy, John L. Johnston, who afterward became a brother-in-law of mine, who lived in another neighborhood, who told me that it was taught in his school, and that he was studying it. He also gave me the name of the Grammar he was studying. After a good deal of thought, and after looking at a great many things I saw for sale in the market-place, I concluded to buy an English Grammar. So I went into a bookstore on Market Street, and asked for "Koswell C. Smith's English Grammar." I had never seen a Grammar, and had not the slightest idea as to what kind of a book it was. The clerk threw it down, and I took it up and happened to open it at the conjugation of the verb, "I love, thou lovest, he, she, or it loves." I thought it was a very queer book, and that that kind of reading would not do me any good. I told the gentleman I did not like it. He asked me what objection I had to it; but I could not tell. But as I had asked for the book, I thought I must take it; so he wrapped it up for me. I then asked the price of it, and he said, fifty cents. I had fifty cents left, and I con- cluded that as I had a Grammar I should have a diction- ary. I asked for "Walker's School Dictionary," a small, square book then in pretty general use. He threw it down, and I asked the price. He said, fifty cents. I told him to tie it up for me. So now my dollar was gone, and I had a Grammar and a dictionary. I was rather proud of my purchase, and anxious to get home, so I could examine my books more fully. The gift of that dollar, and the purchase of those books, I have always regarded as the turning-point in my life. As a little pebble cast into a tiny stream near its 42 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY source changes the direction of its waters, and turns them into a new channel, so they gave a new direction to my thoughts, and shaped my future course. It is true I was ambitious before that to learn, and it was this that influ- enced me to improve the opportunity afforded me. When I got home and examined my Grammar, I found that Mr. Carmichael had taught me a good many things contained in the first part of the book, and that I under- stood them pretty well. I was greatly encouraged by this, and determined to master the book. After looking through it in a general way, I concluded to commence at the beginning. I soon found that it was very plain and simple, and that as soon as I understood one thing thoroughly, it prepared me to understand something else that I did not and could not understand before. Thus I went on, every step I took preparing me to take another. The trouble with most young people, and indeed with old people too, is, that they try to understand something which depends on a knowledge of that which precedes it, which they do not possess. The only way to succeed in anything, is to begin with first principles, and advance by degrees to final conclusions. This was the way I tried to study grammar, and I think it was the right way. Of course, my progress was very slow, as I had no one to teach me; and had no time to study but at night, after my day's work was done. But instead of being a task, it was a pleasure. I always liked the study of language, and had a greater taste for it than for most other studies. This enabled me to persevere in my effort; and I succeeded in acquiring such a knowledge of grammar as enabled me to avoid gross errors, without being able to observe those nice distinc- tions on which the beauty of language often depends. When we got a teacher in our school who could teach YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 43 grammar, he said I understood it as well as he did; but I suppose he did not understand it very well. Our school improved, and in addition to reading, writ- ing, and arithmetic, we had English grammar and history taught. Indeed, some of the boys began to have literary tastes, and a literary society was organized, in which ques- tions were discussed and speeches and lectures delivered. Of course, the performances were very humble and feeble; but they indicated a taste in the right direction. A person may know very little, but there is hope of him if he moves in a proper course. It is not so important where a person begins, as where he ends. I had somewhere come across a pretty full and clear outline of the solar system. I had read it with great in- terest, and indeed wonder, and thought I had become pos- sessed of rare knowledge, and that I was competent to enlighten my young companions on the subject; and so chose it for my next address. The thing is too ludicrous to put on record even of a boy, if it were not for the sequel. I delivered my address and told all that I knew, which I suppose was well enough; for I did not venture beyond the record. When the society adjourned, our teacher, who was quite an intelligent man, came to me, and told me that he had a book which he would let me have, that would tell me a great deal more on that and many other sub- jects. A few days afterwards he brought to me a work on Natural Philosophy, which opened up to me a new world. I read and studied it with deep interest. Some time after that I got a copy of "Blair's Rhetoric," and a little later a small work on Logic. I suppose I would not have stood a very good examination on any of the subjects I attempted to study; but I tried to know all about them I could. 44 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY After my father's death, which, as before stated, oc- curred a little more than a year after I had united with the Church, I did not feel the same restraint over me that I had felt before. I was older, and mingled more with other boys, and was exposed more than formerly to evil influences. The influence of the great revival had some- what worn off. There was not the same religious fervor and zeal in the Church. All these things affected me. My religious ardor abated, and my religious enjoyment diminished. It was customary at that time for the members of the Church to occupy the seats at each side of the pulpit, and immediately in front of it, while the non-professors occu- pied the seats in the back part of the church. It was also customary, then, to have class-meeting immediately after the public congregation was dismissed. I had always occu- pied a place in the Church, from the time I united with it, about two seats from the front, among the members of the Church. When the congregation was dismissed, those around me sat down and remained for class; and being among them I did not find it difficult to do so also. But as I grew cold in religion, class-meeting had not the same attractions to me, nor had immediate association with my brethren. The result was, I dropped back a seat in the Church, and then another; until I soon found myself sit- ting among the, ungodly. When the congregation was dis- missed, all around me went out, and I had not courage enough to resist the temptation, and I went out too. Thus class-meeting was neglected. But, notwithstanding this, I did not abandon the Church, or run into vice. I still considered myself a mem- ber of the Church, and felt its restraints upon me. But I had lost my love. I was a servant, and not a son. I was far from being happy. This state of things continued YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 45 for a year or more. But at length it seemed to me I could endure it no longer. I did not feel so much a sense of guilt as of loss. It seemed to me I had lost something. There was a great void in my heart, and I was filled with sadness and sorrow. I often thought of the dying words of my father, "John, remember," and they gave me pain. I could stand it no longer, and I determined to retrace my steps, and endeavor to regain what was lost; and began earnestly to seek God in secret. I also became regular in the observance of the means of grace, and went even to the altar of prayer, and sought God publicly; but I could not find comfort. I was told to believe, and to lay hold on Christ by faith; but it seemed to me I could not do it. There was a cousin of mine, about my own age, or per- haps a few months older, George M. Scott, who for many years past has been a minister in the Iowa Conference, who was a member of the Church, and, like myself, seeking the Savior. There was a little cottage prayer-meeting held in the neighborhood every week from house to house, but which met for the most part at Brother William Melvin's, about two miles from where I lived. My cousin and I attended this prayer-meeting very regularly, and generally went and returned together. "We would often stop on our way to this meeting in the woods, and pray God to meet with us, and reveal himself to our hearts. Like the Greeks of old at Jerusalem, we desired to meet Jesus. No one but God knew the feelings of our hearts and the exercises of our minds. One night at this little prayer-meeting at Brother Mel- vin's, my distress of mind became so great that I feared if I remained in the room I would not be able to restrain my feelings, and I felt ashamed to give way to them before others; so I concluded to go out and seek some private place, where I could pour out my soul before God; and if 46 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY I gave way to my feelings, no one would hear me. I got out of the house, and out of the little yard in front of it on to the public highway. It was very dark, and I did not know where to go. It seemd to me that I would sink be- neath my load. While standing there in deep distress, Jesus of Nazareth, the friend of sinners, passed that way. It seems to me I did not "lay hold" on Christ, as I had often been told to do; but I let go of everything, and fell, helpless, into his arms, feeling that he alone could save me; and he did save me. My burden was gone, my soul was filled with joy, and I shouted aloud the praise of God. I do not know that I have ever shouted since, or that I will ever shout again till I join the great multitude before the throne; but I shouted then in the fullness of my joy, and returned into the house and told what great things God had done for me. The man-fearing spirit that had possessed me but a short time before was gone. A short time after my conversion, and before the meet- ing closed that night, it was deeply impressed upon my mind that I must go home and establish family worship in my mother's house, which had not been attended to since my father's death, or I would lose my religion. I could not divest myself of this impression. I remained at Brother Melvin's that night; but when I went home the next morning, I told my mother of my conversion and of the impression made upon my mind in regard to my duty. She was greatly rejoiced, encouraged me to perform my duty, and to be faithful. That night I read a portion of . God's Word, and offered prayer in the family as best I could. This practice I kept up till I left home to enter the itinerancy. I was but a boy, and we frequently had young people as well as others at our house over night, and it was often a great cross to me, in their presence, to attend to family YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 47 worship; but God sustained me, and gave me grace to en- able me to bear the cross. This was the means of my pres- ervation. The only way in which any one can stand fast in the faith and maintain his integrity, is by doing his duty, bearing the cross, and trusting in God for support. It is not surprising that so many persons who have been truly converted fall away, and sometimes make shipwreck of faith, when they refuse to take up the cross, and confess Christ before men. Every young convert should at once be put to work, and taught that the only way in which he can stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made him free, is to be faithful in the performance of every Christian duty. My father left some means at his death, and the little farm on which we resided was designed for my mother's support while she lived, and at her death it was to be di- vided between my brother, who was my senior by about nine years, and myself. At the age of seventeen I had attained to my full stature, and had the appearance of a strong and vigorous young man, and was able to do any kind of work on a farm. About that time a neighbor of ours came to my brother, and wished to sell him his farm, which adjoined ours, and was one of the best farms in the neighborhood. The price was very low, and the terms were very easy. My brother thought if I would take his interest in the home place, that he could buy it. I had no money, nor was there any immediately required of me; but I thought I could make some. I agreed to the propo- sition, and my brother bought the farm. We worked to- gether, and we worked very hard, and succeeded as well as we expected, and had not conscience and a sense of duty on my part interfered, we would no doubt have succeeded in carrying out our purpose, and would have become the owners of adjoining farms. 48 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY From the earliest period of my recollection, I thought I would be a preacher. I had no idea how such a thing would be brought about; but such was my impression. After my conversion I often thought. of it; but the subject would pass out of my mind, and after a time return again; but I was too young to give it very serious attention. But when I grew older, and thought more upon the subject, and especially after I found myself tied up by financial responsibility, I became greatly troubled; for the matter began to press upon my conscience, and I began to feel that God had called me to the work of the ministry. But I could not repudiate my obligation, nor relax my efforts to meet it. I could not see any honorable way of escape. My way appeared to be completely hedged up. Obligation and duty appeared to be drawing me in different directions. In the meantime every spare moment I had was given to my books. Indeed, I was seldom without a book in my pocket, to read at odd moments when I was not employed. This state of things continued for a couple of years or more. My mother, and also my brother, became aware of the state of my mind; but there seemed to be no way of escape. At length my mother proposed that we sell the home place, and that she transfer her interest to my brother's farm, as that would release me and assist him; as he desired to retain the farm he had bought, as it was larger and better than the old one. This plan was agreed upon. But there was one great difficulty in the way. Times were hard, money was scarce, and there was no sale for property, and the prospect of being able to carry out our purpose appeared to be almost hopeless. Still, the farm was offered for sale, and very unexpectedly to us, a neighbor, whom no one supposed desired to procure a farm, came and bought it, giving us our price, and I was released YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 49 from my obligation, my mother was equally well provided for, and my brother's financial condition improved. I have always regarded this as a special interposition of Divine Providence, and I have introduced it here to show how God can work out deliverance for us, save us from ourselves, our own imprudences, and open up the path of duty before us. If I did not believe in a special superintending Providence, and that God hears the prayers of his children, and, notwithstanding their many mistakes, guides them by his counsel, takes care of them, and opens up their way before them, I would give up all hope, and sink into utter despair. I had made a mistake in assuming the obligations I did. But God knew my sincerity and inexperience, and, in a manner that I could not have thought of, opened up a way for my escape, and without injury to any one. "Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass." When I was about eighteen years of age, the Rev. Dr. George Brown was pastor of our circuit, and it was a great privilege to hear his very able and practical preaching. He was then in his prime, and many of his sermons were grand and overpowering. He discussed the great doc- trines and practical duties of Christianity, and his sermons, for a student of theology, were far superior to most lec- tures delivered in our theological seminaries. I endeav- ored to profit by them, and was thankful that I was per- mitted to sit under the ministry of such a master in Israel. The preaching of the gospel is designed to teach men, as well as to excite their emotions; and that preacher who does not instruct the people in the great mysteries of the gospel and make the way of salvation plain to their minds, it matters not how much he may arouse their feelings, fails in the most important part of his work. Dr. Brown 4 50 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY was clear and forcible in his expositions of Divine truth, and also, powerful in appeal. Before leaving for Conference, Dr. Brown held an election for leader in our class, and after the society had elected Brother George Elliott leader, Dr. Brown pointed to me, and said, "I want you to elect that young man assistant leader," which the class at once did. It was very unexpected to me, and almost overwhelmed me, for I was exceedingly diffident and backward in those days. Brother Elliott was a good and prudent man, and he dealt kindly with me, and by degrees induced me to take some part in leading the class and in conducting our social meetings. I am thankful that I had sense enough not to put myself forward, or seek to bring myself into notice. A man who has not sense and modesty enough to know and keep his place is not fit to be a minister of Jesus Christ. Humility and modesty are graces which every man, and especially every young minister, should diligently cultivate. YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 51 CHAPTER IV. John Herbert Three Years' Pastorate Fatherly Care Li- censed to Preach My First Sermon Some of the Books Read Doctrines of the Gospel Theories of Preaching Wise Counsel Recommended to Conference John Cowl John Beaty A. W. Porter Trip to Conference Distin- guished Members Shinn's Sermon Received into Con- ference Appointed to Ohio Circuit as Assistant R. T. Simonton, Superintendent Muskingum Conference Set Off Quarterly Meeting at West Middletown John Deselm's Prayer Four Weeks' Circuit Short Sermons My Brother Charles Small Salaries Had Acquired a Little Experience. DR. BROWN remained on the circuit but one year. He was succeeded by John Herbert as superintendent. Brother Herbert was a good man and a good preacher, and because of his straightforward course and his unswerving integrity had acquired the sobriquet of "Honest John." He was popular on the circuit, and remained for three years, the full time then allowed by the Discipline. He was kind to me, and encouraged and counseled me, and a friendship grew up between us which was never inter- rupted while he lived. Shortly after leaving Ohio Circuit, he retired from the itinerancy, and located in Allegheny City, Pa., where he went into business, and where he gained the respect and confidence of all who knew him. He connected himself with our First Church in that city, and was one of its main pillars. He was over eighty years of age at the time of his death, and he was gathered in peace to his fathers. During his last year on Ohio Circuit, Brother Herbert watched over me with the care and solicitude of a father. He was prompt in suggesting whatever he thought would 52 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY be for my good, and he endeavored to open up my way. Without any solicitation on my part, for I never could have asked for it, he brought my case before the second Quarterly Conference of the year, on the 19th day of Feb- ruary, 1842, and I was duly licensed to preach the gospel of Christ. That was on Saturday, and on the following Tuesday evening, I think, I preached my first sermon in Eldersville. My text was Colossians i, 28: "Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom: that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." I noticed three points: The great subject of preaching "Christ;" the manner of preaching "warning and teaching every man in all wisdom;" and the great object of preaching to "present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." Although my text embraced the whole gospel, my sermon was very short about fifteen minutes. In that length of time I said all I had to say. I have always been thankful that I had wisdom and grace enough to make Christ the theme of my first sermon, and I hope he will be the theme and inspiration of my last. Men may preach other things; they may speculate and philoso- phize as they please; but, after all, a crucified Christ and a risen, exalted, and interceding Savior, is the only hope of the world. Although I had been endeavoring to prepare for the ministry for several years, yet having no one particularly to direct me, my reading was desultory and confined to such books as I could obtain. Among other books I had read Dr. Adam Clarke's Life, written by himself, Wesley on "Christian Perfection," Baxter's "Saints' Rest," Her- vey's "Meditations," Finney's "Lectures on Revivals," one or two volumes of Dr. Thomas Dick's works, a portion of Ruter's "Ecclesiastical History," and a part of Watson's "Theological Institutes." I also had access to Clarke's YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 53 Commentary, which I often consulted. I was groping my way, reaching out after something, I hardly knew what, and greatly needed some competent person to direct me in my studies. I had, however, formed a pretty correct idea of preaching, having been permitted to sit under the ministry of some of the best preachers of that day, such as Dr. Brown, Bishop Hamline, and others. From them, too, I had obtained a pretty good knowledge, in a general way, of the leading doctrines of Christianity. I had also formed, perhaps, a right conception of the work of the ministry, but I was poorly qualified to perform it. Still, my aim was in the right direction, and while wasting a good deal of time and strength in ill-directed efforts, I made a little advancement towards the desired goal. But had I fully realized the fearful responsibility I was about to assume in becoming a teacher and guide of others, in regard to interests of the highest importance, involving not only their happiness in this world, but also in the world to come, I should have shrunk back from the work as utterly incompetent to perform it. But then, when does a true minister feel that he is competent? My mother had been comfortably settled in her new home, my little worldly business had been settled up, and I had made what arrangements I could to enter the itin- erancy and devote my life to the work of the ministry. At the last Quarterly Conference of the Ohio Circuit for the Conference year ending September 1, 1842, I was duly recommended to the Pittsburg Conference as a suit- able person to be received into the itinerancy. The breth- ren also with great kindness and consideration instructed their delegate to the Annual Conference to ask for my appointment to the circuit as assistant preacher for the next year. They said they knew me, and could bear with my weaknesses better than strangers could. 54 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY I will never forget the advice given me by Brother Samuel Bushfield, of West Middletown, before starting out in the itinerancy. While a boy on the farm I had been in the habit of wearing what is called a "wammus," which was an outer garment made of red flannel, much like the blouses that are now worn. When taking leave of me, Brother Bushfield said, "Johnnie, never forget your red 'wammus.' '' I fully grasped the idea, and have been thankful all my life that I had a friend to give me such wise counsel. I have never been tempted to vanity, be- cause I have always felt my deficiencies to be so great that I have had cause for humiliation rather than a feel- ing of self-importance. But in the last fifty years I have known a good many young men, who, by the grace of God and the favor of the Church, were called from ignorance and poverty into the ministry, who, if they ever received such counsel as Brother Bushfield gave me, certainly for- got it. They appeared not to know themselves, and to have forgotten "the hole of the pit whence they were digged." During Brother Herbert's first year on Ohio Circuit William Eoss was the assistant preacher. He was a young man of piety, of fair ability as a preacher, and was well received and held in esteem by the people. At a later date he removed West, and united with the North Illinois Con- ference, where I believe he labored successfully for many years. During Brother Herbert's second year on the cir- cuit, John Cowl was assistant preacher. He was a single man. He was born in England, and came to this country when quite young. He had been two or three years in the Conference, was a fine preacher, and consecrated to the work. He became one of the leading ministers of the de- nomination, and never abandoned the ministry while he was able to preach. He is still living (1892), in the sev- YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 55 enty-seventh year of his age, esteemed and loved by all who know him. He has an honorable record, and although no longer able to preach, he is ably represented in the Con- ference in the person of his eldest son, W. R. Cowl, who has been a member of the Conference for nearly twenty years, has filled some of its best appointments, and is one of the very best thinkers and preachers in the Conference. During Brother Herbert's last year Alexander W. Porter was assistant preacher. He was of Irish descent; indeed, may have been born in Ireland; was raised in Pittsburg, and had not been preaching long. His brother James, spoken of as a precious young man, had traveled the circuit some years before, but fell a victim to consumption, and soon passed away. Brother Porter was a bright young man, pleasant and agreeable in his manners, and gave promise of becoming a fine preacher. But, like his brother, he was afflicted with pulmonary disease, and soon ended his labors. .Brother Porter and I procured a horse and buggy, and went together to the Conference, which met in Mount Ver- non, Ohio, in the early part of September, 1842. The dis- tance we traveled can now be made by rail in five or six hours. But there were no railroads in those days, and, traveling by private conveyance, it took us between three and four days to reach the seat of the Conference. The first night we stopped in Cadiz, Ohio; the second with a cousin of mine, Charles Scott, near Cambridge, Ohio. Here we spent the Sabbath. The following Monday night we spent at Brother Joseph Thrapp's, father of Israel and Joel S. Thrapp, near Newark, Ohio; and on the afternoon of our fourth day's travel we arrived in Mount Vernon. As we neared the end of our journey, we found ourselves in a company of perhaps twenty or twenty-five preachers and delegates, mostly on horseback, who had fallen in with each other at different points along the way. They appeared 56 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY like a company of troopers who were hastening forward to engage in some impending conflict. Some of those who attended the Conference had come two hundred miles or more, and seemed cheerful and happy, and indifferent to the toil they had endured. The Conference was composed of a large number of re- spectable and talented men, among whom were such men as Asa Shinn, George Brown, Zachariah Eagan, Cornelius Springer, William Eeeves, Israel Thrapp, and others. It was my first Conference. Everything was new to me, and deeply interested me. In due time, after a not very rigid examination, my name was reported to the Conference for reception. Several of the preachers knew me, and spoke kindly of me, and Judge McKeever, who was the delegate from our circuit, also spoke in favor of my admission, and stated to the Conference that he was instructed to ask for me as assistant preacher on Ohio Circuit. Preachers were needed, especially young men, and the standard of quali- fications was not very high; so I was received into the Con- ference as a probationary member. Several persons were received into the Conference at that session; but I can now recall only the names of Henry Palmer and Joel S. Thrapp, the former of whom, after preaching in the Pittsburg Conference for nearly forty years, and serving several times as its president, was placed on the superannuated list, and after a few years of occa- sional local service, died in peace at a good old age. The latter served for many years in the ministry in the Mus- kingum Conference, acting as its president several times, and also serving as Publishing Agent, and then for several years as agent of Adrian College. He still lives (1892) at an advanced age, a hale and vigorous old man, honored and esteemed, but not engaged in regular ministerial work. At that Conference I heard the venerable Asa Shinn YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. f>7 preach for the first and only time. As I remember him, he was a man of medium height, of well-rounded form, high and broad forehead, placid countenance, and keen and penetrating eyes. His whole appearance and bearing were deeply impressive. His text was Ephesians iii, 8: "Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ." The general subject dis- cussed was the office and work of the ministry. I can not give an outline of the sermon; but it struck me at the time as one of great force, and this was the general opinion. One point particularly impressed me. It was the apostle's humility in view of the great work to which he was called. He entertained a lowly opinion of himself. He spoke of himself as "less than the least of all saints," using, as Mr. Shinn said, "the superlative diminutive," to show the low estimate he put upon himself. It is an act of infinite con- descension in God to call any man, it matters not how great his talents, into the ministry, and make him a co- worker with him in saving the souls of men. "Who is suffi- cient for these things? At that session the Muskingum Conference was set off, embracing that portion of the State of Ohio formerly em- braced in the Pittsburg Conference. The two Conferences were of about equal size, embracing each about 'he same number of ministers and members. Israel Thrapp was elected president of the Muskingum Conference, and George Brown president of the Pittsburg Conference. My lot fell in the Pittsburg Conference, in which I have re- tained my membership ever since. At that Conference Robert T. Simonton was appointed superintendent of Ohio Circuit, and, at the request of the delegate, I was appointed his assistant. Brother Simon- ton was, in many respects, a pleasant and agreeable man, 58 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY yet he did not impress me as a man of deep sympathies or broad and generous views. I thought he was more dis- posed to criticise than to help me. Still, there was no breach between us, and we labored in harmony through the year. He was a fluent speaker, and never at a loss for language. His words seemed to flow in an unbroken stream. Taking him all in all, he was an ordinary preacher of about average ability. I never felt disposed, however, to choose him as a model, either in matter or manner. One event occurred during the year, illustrative of his character, which was unpleasant, but not without amusing incident. Our second quarterly-meeting was held in West Middletown. John Clark, who had formerly been pastor of the circuit, was on Pittsburg Circuit, and Judge Mc- Keever, who was a great friend of his, without consulting Brother Simonton, had invited him to come to our meet- ing. According to the strict rules of propriety, this, of course, was out of place. Brother Clark was not at home when the letter was received, nor till after our meeting. Sister Clark read the letter, and supposing that ministerial help was desired, sent Moses N". Warren, who was the as- sistant preacher on Pittsburg Circuit, to our assistance. This gave great offense to Brother Simonton, and he re- fused to take charge of the meeting, claiming that his authority had been ignored. He was very dumpish and taciturn. The situation was decidedly unpleasant. Of course, we endeavored to conceal the trouble as much as possible; but any one could see that there was something wrong. Brother John Deselm, a local preacher from the Nessley appointment, had come to the meeting. He was a man of deep piety, of good common sense, a good preacher, and withal very eccentric, and sometimes given to saying queer things. He did not know anything about the trouble with Brother Simonton, but felt that there was YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 59 something wrong, which was a drawback to our meeting. Some one called on him to pray, and he told the Lord that there was something wrong. He could not tell him what it was, but he conjectured that there might be an Achan in the camp, who had stolen a wedge of gold and a Baby- lonish garment; or a Judas, who had betrayed his Master; or a Peter, who had denied his Lord; or an Alexander the coppersmith, who had done much harm; or a Diotrephes, who loved pre-eminence. When he had gotten through with the whole list, he could not decide which of them it was, but he told the Lord that there was "some devilment the matter." A good many knew what the "devilment" was, and many others, who did not know, felt as Brother Deselm did. The meeting passed off without any public manifestation of unpleasantness, but, of course, under the circumstances, without any special religious interest. It is well enough to observe the proprieties of life and the respect that is due to others; but a Christian, and especially a Christian minister, should be willing, for the glory of God and the good of his cause, if circumstances require it, to waive his claims to precedence and personal recog- nition. The circuit was what was called a "four-weeks' " cir- cuit, consisting of eight appointments, each preacher preaching at two of them every Sabbath. In this way every appointment had preaching every two weeks, while each preacher preached at all the appointments once in four weeks. The appointments embraced in the circuit were: Independence, West Middletown, Bethel, Eldersville, Holliday's Cove, Freeman's Landing, Pughtown, and Ness- ley Chapel. There were church-buildings at all of these appointments, except Independence, Holliday's Cove, and Freeman's Landing. At these appointments we preached in schoolhouses. The two extreme points on the circuit, 60 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY West Middletown and Nessley Chapel, were between twenty-five and thirty miles apart. The distance between any two of the appointments at which we preached on the same day was not more than five or six miles, and in most cases less. The circuit was therefore considered an easy one to travel. The roads, however, were bad, and in winter the traveling was very disagreeable. My leisure time was spent at my mother's in study, and in the preparation of sermons. I found sermonizing a diffi- cult work. I never could talk without having something to say, and it kept me very busy to find something to say to the people; and after all my efforts I was always ashamed of my performances. I preached short sermons, because I could generally tell all I knew about a subject in a short time. I never was much of a repeater. Kepeating rifles, I suppose, are very effective weapons; but repeating preach- ers seldom do much execution. I soon found that when I failed to express myself clearly at the first attempt, I sel- dom improved it by further efforts. Clearness of thought is the great essential to clearness of expression. A man who has a thought clearly defined in his mind, if he has ordinary use of language, will have very little difficulty in expressing it clearly; but if his thought is confused, it matters not how often he attempts it, he will fail in clear- ness of expression. Dr. Adam Clarke said that he often preached not more than fifteen or twenty minutes, because in that length of time he had said all he had to say on the subject, and he did not think it worth while to repeat it then and there. The best way is for a preacher to have something of importance to say, then to say it in the most impressive manner he can, and when he is through, to quit. Before the year was out, I had preached the same ser- mons at different appointments on the circuit, always try- ing to improve them. From my own experience, I could YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 61 appreciate the wisdom of Mr. Wesley in removing his preachers from one circuit to another often at the end of six months. Had they remained longer, they would but have repeated themselves. But after a preacher has acquired hahits of study, and gained a little experience, it is best for him to be placed in a position that will compel him to study, so that he may bring out of his treasure things new as well as old. Whenever a preacher relies wholly on his old preparations, and does not labor to prepare new subjects and develop new themes, it matters not whether he is young or old, his mental growth will cease, his mind will become sluggish, and he will be no longer efficient. If we cease to burnish the metal, it will grow dim; if we cease to employ our mental powers, they will grow feeble and sluggish. While we had no great and general revival on the cir- cuit during the year, we had some good meetings and sev- eral conversions. It was my great happiness, at one of my appointments at Bethel, to receive into the Church, in connection with others, my only brother, Charles, some nine years older than myself. He maintained his connec- tion with that society for nearly fifty years, and died in faith and hope, February 5, 1892, a little over eighty years of age. Those were not the days of large salaries. The full "allowance," as it was called, of a single preacher was one hundred dollars a year. He was expected to be generally on the go, and not to stay very long in a place at a time. He was entertained by the members of the Church on whom he called, taking a meal, or spending a night or a day or a couple of days with them, acording to circum- stances. Then he passed on, to call on some other family, and be entertained in a similar manner. In those days it was customary in the country for school-teachers to 62 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY "board with the scholars/' as it was called, spending a week with one family, and then a week with another, until all the patrons of the school had been visited in this manner. So the young preacher was expected to board round among the members. Of course, a young man would naturally be tempted to stay longer where he was well entertained, and where he felt that he was welcome, than where the entertainment was not so good and where the welcome did not appear to be so hearty. Great care had to be taken to prevent jealousies among the people, by avoiding every appearance of partiality. The opportunities for study by a young man under such circumstances were far from being favorable, and it required a good deal of determination and perseverance to enable him to make much improvement. A married preacher was allowed one hundred dollars for himself, one hundred dollars for his wife, and twenty dollars a year for each child under fourteen years of age. A married preacher, although he had a home, was neces- sarily absent a great deal, visiting the members, and in going to and in returning from his appointments. His "al- lowance," all things considered, was perhaps more ample than that of the unmarried man. But small as the "allow- ance" was, the whole amount was seldom received. When this was the case, the amount contributed was divided betwen the two preachers in proportion to their respective claims. My first year I received sixty-three dollars, and Brother Simonton received the same proportion of his "allowance." These were not large salaries, but then our wants were not. so numerous, and money possessed a greater purchasing power than now. I had acquired a little knowledge and experience during the year, and although still but poorly equipped, I was a little better prepared to go among strangers than I was at the beginning of the year. YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 63 CHAPTER V. Conference in Pittsburg First Saw G. B. McElroy Ordained Deacon Appointed Assistant on Union Circuit James Hopwood, Superintendent Large Circuit Leaving Home Stop in Washington James L. Porter and Wife National Road Laurel Hill Arrival at Uniontown Father and Mother Phillips Henry B. Bascom Preaching-places Entertainment Protracted-meetings James Hopwood F. A. Davis Breakneck Connellsville Isaac Frances- Samuel Catlin Hugh Cameron Camp-meeting Hard Times Book-bill My Only Horse-trade First Marriage Small Salary. THE next Conference met in Pittsburg. I have no very distinct recollection of its general business. At that Con- ference I first saw George B. McElroy. He was a tall and very slender young man. If my recollection serves me right, he was a delegate from the First Church, Pittsburg. For some reason the Stationing Committee thought of sending me to Wheeling, and in view of this fact the Con- ference deemed it necessary to ordain me. So I was or- dained deacon, the Church at that time, recognizing -two orders, deacon and elder, in the ministry. But near the close of the Conference the arrangement was changed, and I was appointed assistant on Union Circuit, embracing Uniontown and Connellsville, Pa., and the region round about. Brother D. H. Phillips was delegate from Union Circuit, and he seemed to be pleased with my appointment, and promised me a hearty welcome to the circuit. James Hopwood was appointed superintendent of the circuit. He was a stranger to me, but impressed me favorably as a pleasant and agreeable man. At the close of the Conference T returned home, and 64 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY prepared to go to my new field of labor. I found it very difficult to bid adieu to my friends, and break off all my early associations, to go among entire strangers. I tried to treat it with seeming indifference; but no one but myself knew the struggle that it cost me. The distance from my home to Uniontown, the nearest appointment on my circuit, was fifty-six miles. The first day I went to Washington, Pa., and stopped with Brother James L. Porter, one of our good brethren there, with whom I was acquainted, and to whose home the weary itinerant was always welcome. During the preceding win- ter, I had assisted Brother J. B. Roberts, pastor of our Church in Washington, at a protracted-meeting, and had been entertained by Brother Porter. He was a man some- what advanced in years, a sincere Christian, and deeply in- terested in the welfare of the Methodist Protestant Church. Sister Porter partook of his spirit, and heartily seconded all his efforts to promote its interests. During my visit there I had formed some very pleasant acquaintances, among whom were the Misses Elizabeth and Margaret Hunter. The former became the wife of Eev. John Cowl, and the latter, some three years after, assumed my own name. But now I did not call on any one, but spent the night pleas- antly with Brother and Sister Porter, and early next morning, after receiving their blessing, I started on horse- back for Uniontown, thirty-six miles distant. My way was over the National turnpike, which at that time was one of the great thoroughfares of trade and travel between the East and the West. The road was splendid, the day was delightful, and my progress was very satisfactory. About the middle of the afternoon I saw the blue range of the Laurel Hill, like a heavy cloud lying along the horizon, in the distance. I pressed on, and a little before sunset reached Uniontown, and found a delightful home with YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 65 Brother John Phillips and his excellent wife, an aged couple, among the first "Reformers," devoted friends of the Church, and justly held in high esteem by all who knew them. Brother Phillips was a local minister, and had long been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and had known many of the early. Methodist preachers in the West. He related to me at various times many interesting anecdotes of Bishop Asbury, Jacob Gruber, Thornton Fleming, John F. Fielding, Henry B. Bascom, and others. Mr. Bascom boarded with Brother Phillips while president of Madison College, and he knew all about his personal habits. A part of Mr. Bascom's library was still at Brother Phillips's when I first went there. Among his books were a great many volumes of sermons by different authors, many of which appeared to have been very much used. One of Mr. Bascom's peculiarities, as stated by Brother Phillips, was, that he never would allow another person to shave him. If he was so circumstanced that he could not shave himself, he would permit his beard to grow. Another peculiarity was his great love of home. He would ride long distances after preaching at night to get home, rather than remain among strangers. Sometimes in the summer, when the weather was pleasant, he would walk back and forth in the shade in the back yard for nearly half a day, apparently absorbed in deep thought. On such occasions he did not seem disposed to talk, and appeared to be annoyed if any one spoke to him. Brother Phillips said that when Mr. Bascom was in one of those moods, they always expected something grand on the next Sab- bath, and they were never disappointed. On one occasion a little niece of Mr. Bascom was at Brother Phillips's, and some of the friends teased her by telling her that her uncle could not preach that he was no preacher. The little girl 5 66 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY was greatly annoyed, and seemed to take the matter greatly to heart. The next Sabbath Mr. Bascom preached one of his grand sermons, and everybody was carried away with his eloquence. His little niece was present, and was as much excited as the rest, and, unable to restrain her feel- ings,, she clapped her hand, and exclaimed, "I knew my uncle could preach! I knew my uncle could preach!" It was in Brother Phillips's house that some of Mr. Bascom's strongest articles in favor of the Heform movement in the Methodist Episcopal Church were written. Although Mr. Bascom was afterwards elected a bishop in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, he never retracted the charges he had made against the government of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Brother Phillips had three married children, D. H., Joseph L., and Mrs. Mary Byers, all members of the Meth- odist Protestant Church, residing in Uniontown. His old- est son, John Wesley Phillips, resided in Connellsville, Pa., and was a leading member of our Church, and one of the foremost citizens of the place. Union Circuit covered a good deal of territory. It em- braced as preaching-places, Oliphant's (now Fairchance), Uniontown, Monroe, Union Schoolhouse, Franklin (now Dunbar), Connellsville, Breakneck, Kell's Schoolhouse, Gallatin's, Fayette Furnace, and the Neck (now Broad Ford). There are now six charges within the territory embraced in Union Circuit, to wit: Uniontown; East End Church, Uniontown; Fairchance and Monroe, Dunbar, Connellsville, and Broad Ford. It was a "four-weeks' " circuit, with two preachers. I preached in Oliphant's in a private house on Saturday night. The room in which I preached served as church, parlor, dining-room, kitchen, and bedroom. We have a good church there now. On YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 67 Sunday morning I rode seven miles, and preached in Uniontown at eleven o'clock; and then rode two miles to Monroe, and preached at three o'clock, and sometimes back to Uniontown, where I preached at night. On the next Thursday night I preached at Breakneck, four miles from Connellsville. I always returned to Connellsville the same night after preaching. There was no place there to stay. One man always invited me very kindly to stop with him; but I was told that he had two wives, and I did not like to accept his invitation. On Friday night I preached at Kell's Schoolhouse, about four miles from Connellsville, in a little different direction. I always stopped with Brother Kell, a very clever, but somewhat eccentric brother, who appeared to be quite comfortably situated. There I always slept cold in winter, which was my own fault, for had I asked for additional covering, I have no doubt I would have obtained it, as the family appeared to have plenty of everything. But I was very timid and back- ward in those days, and could not summon up courage enough to do so. On Saturday I rode some nine or ten miles up the mountain to 'Squire Gallatin's, on Indian Creek, where I preached in a schoolhouse at night. Mr. Gallatin and family were Germans, very clever, and very comfortably circumstanced. Mr. Gallatin spoke English very well, his wife rather imperfectly; but all the children spoke German only. I stopped with Brother Gallatin, and slept in a room upstairs, where there had never been fire, and sometimes in winter it was very cold. There were plenty of covers, comforts with feathers quilted in them as I thought. They were very warm; but too small. When I would pull them up to cover my shoulders, my feet would be bare; and when I would try to cover my feet, my shoul- ders would be bare. So I had to work them round cata- 68 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY cornered, and when I got fixed right, I slept very com- fortably. Brother Gallatin was a very intelligent man, and treated me very kindly. On Sunday morning I rode seven miles across Laurel Hill to Fayette Furnace, where I preached at eleven o'clock. In the afternoon I rode thirteen miles down the "mud pike," as it was called, to Connellsville, where I preached at night. In summer-time this was a delightful round; but in winter it was very disagreeable and trying. Sometimes in riding down the mountain, it seemed to me I would perish with cold. The next Sabbath I preached in Connellsville in the morning, and rode some four or five miles to the Neck (now Broad Ford), where I preached in the afternoon. I had no preaching-places for the following week. The next Sabbath I preached at Franklin, about four miles from Connellsville, at eleven o'clock; at Union Schoolhouse, four miles from there, at three o'clock; and at Uniontown, four miles from the latter place, at night. This made one round on the circuit. When in Uniontown my home was generally at Father Phillips's; when in Monroe, at Brother Thomas Nesmith's. He was a local preacher, and a very pleasant and agreeable man, full of the milk of human kindness. He loved to talk, and his conversation was generally entertaining. When in Connellsville, I stopped with J. W. Phillips, John Coup, and Samuel Freeman. While I visited the other members, these were my principal stopping-places. They were all in good circumstances, always gave me a hearty welcome, and made me feel at home. The superintendent of the circuit was James Hopwood, who, I believe, was raised in Monroe, formerly called Hop- wood, after his father, who, I believe, laid out the town. His father and one of his brothers lived there, and another YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 69 brother, a lawyer, lived in Uniontown. Brother Hopwood was a good man, and a fair preacher. He was kind to me, and treated me well, and our relations were very pleasant. His wife was a pleasant woman, a lady of refined taste, and proved herself a good friend of mine. I always recall my intercourse with Brother and Sister Hopwood with pleas- ure. Brother Hopwood was a man of varying moods. Sometimes he would be greatly dejected, and seem to think that everything was going wrong. At other times he would be greatly elated, and then everything was right. He had a quick, short way of speaking, and sometimes, when ex- cited, would make amusing remarks. One night in Church in Connellsville he became very happy, and in his quick, nervous way exclaimed, that he did not know what the Lord was going to do with him; that he did not know but that he would set him to making worlds yet. On my re- turn home to Brother Phillips's, I told Brother F. A. Davis, one of our invalid bachelor preachers, who was stopping there, what Brother Hopwood had said, and he remarked very sarcastically, "I would like to see one of the worlds that he would make." Thus it is. /:. i A-.V /.v r ii i<: MINISTRY. 315 CHAPTER XXVI. Lack of Ministerial Association No Ministers of our Church- Methodist Episcopal Preachers' Meeting Invitation to At- tendSpringfield Pastor Other Ministers Dr. Merrill "Colonel Moody, the Fighting Parson" Dr. Walden Com- pliment by Dr. Merrill Sincere Friendship Elected Presi- dent of Preachers' Meeting Closing Address Resolution by John F. Wright Action of Meeting on My Leaving Cin- cinnati Published in Western Christian Advocate Other Ministers Dr. Aydelott Delightful Interviews Heaven. WHEN I went to Cincinnati I found myself without ministerial association. There were none of our own min- isters in the city. I felt very seriously the deprivation. I knew one or two of the Methodist Episcopal preachers in the city, with whom I became acquainted in Springfield. I met them in their Book Room, and was invited to attend their Preachers' Meeting, which I did. I was very cordially received, and invited to meet with them regularly. I ac- cepted the invitation, and for five years was a member of their weekly meeting, and was treated with unifonn kind- ness and courtesy. I became well acquainted with many of the brethren, among them Dr. Merrill, now bishop; Dr. Wiley, afterwards bishop, and since deceased; Dr. Moody, who was a colonel in the late War of the Rebellion, and sometimes called "the fighting parson." He was a noble- looking man, and as noble as he looked. He was some- what eccentric, and a man of much more than ordinary ability. 'He and I became intimately acquainted, and I liked him very much. Dr. Walden (now bishop) and I were associated on the executive committee throughout the Woman's Crusade, and I got to know him very well, and to esteem him very highly. I became more or less 316 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY acquainted with more than a score of other preachers dur- ing those five years, for the meeting was largely attended, more than thirty sometimes being present. During those years of intimate intercourse no one ever insinuated the thought of my changing my Church relation and uniting with them but once. When I was in Springfield, the High Street Methodist Episcopal Church, the wealthiest and most aristocratic Methodist Episcopal Church at that time in the place, desired to secure a certain minister for their pastor, and assumed that to do so it was only necessary for one of their leading members to go to Conference and make their wish known to the bishop. But the bishop refused to grant their request, and sent them a man they did not want. They were very much disappointed and felt badly over it, and, as a consequence, did not treat their pastor, as he thought, with proper kindness. After a while he and I became intimately acquainted, and he would sometimes tell me of his troubles. When I went to Cincinnati he was there, and we renewed our acquaintance. I can not recall his name, though I have often tried to do it. One morning I went into the Book Eoom, and he and several other preachers that I knew very well, among whom was Dr. Merrill, were gathered in a little group talking, and I joined them. Dr. Merrill had just returned from the ses- sion of his Conference, I think the Central Ohio, and he said to me, "Do you know that two of your preachers joined our Conference?" I told him I did not know they had joined; but I knew they had intended to join. Then the Springfield brother, whose name I can not recall, turned to me, and playfully remarked, "0, you had better come, too." But Dr. Merrill paying me one of the highest com- pliments' replied, "0 no, we do n't expect him to come." He knew I was not in the market. There are some men, who, from certain considerations of advantage to them- YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 317 selves, can change their principles and Church relations, and there are other men who have honest convictions, and who can not give them up for good places. Dr. Merrill regarded me as one of the latter sort. He was right, and I considered his remark as highly complimentary. That was the only hint ever given me in regard to uniting with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and it was promptly repelled by one of their leading men. I was fully convinced of the sincerity of their friendship, and that it was not with a view of winning me over to their Church. Afterward they elected me president of their meeting for a term of six months. I often felt out of place, and told the brethren so; but they assured me it was all right. Every Church has difficult questions to discuss which are not for the public ear. Questions of this kind came up in the .Preachers' Meeting, and I became familiar with all their internal affairs. But the brethren gave me their confi- dence, and I never betrayed it. Those matters were as sacred to me as they were to them. At the expiration of my term, before retiring from the chair, I made the following little address: "DEAR BRETHREN, In retiring from an office in which your partiality placed me six months ago, I can not refrain from expressing to you my deep sense of the honor you have done me by this expression of your Christian confi- dence and esteem. It is hardly necessary for me to say that I love my own Church, which was instrumental in bringing me to Christ, and which took me when a little, ignorant boy, and nourished and cherished me, and hon- ored me by putting me into the ministry, and which has since honored me by committing to my trust some of her most important interests. But while as an honest and honorable man I feel bound to be- true to her interests. 1 318 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY feel at the same time that she is too small to fill my heart. Grace has so enlarged my heart that it embraces all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. And especially do I love the various branches of the great Methodist family. I recognize their common origin, their common family likeness, and I rejoice in their common prosperity. In all that is essentially Methodistic we are one; and al- though a member of one of the smaller tribes of our Israel, I claim a portion in the common heritage. The tribe of Judah was the most powerful of the tribes of ancient Israel, and produced a David who spread his conquests far and wide. But the tribe of Benjamin, which was the least of the tribes, produced a Paul, who was set for the defense of the gospel. We do not hope to equal you in the extent of our labors, but we hope to equal you in our sphere, in our faithfulness and devotion to the cause of the Master. "With assurances, dear brethren, of my high appreci- ation of your great kindness to me, and of the pleasure which I have derived from my intercourse with you, and praying the blessing of God to rest upon you, I retire from my present position with sentiments of sincere Christian regard for you all." I had hardly concluded this address when John F. Wright, who was pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Cincinnati more than forty years before, when several local preachers for their reform views were expelled, and more than two hundred and seventy members for the same reason withdrew, and who was then charged with having treated the Reformers very harshly, was on his feet with a very complimentary resolution, couched in the kindest terms, in reference to me. It seemed to afford him great pleasure to offer the resolution, and he took special pains YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 319 to show his friendship for me. More than forty years of experience from the time of the expulsion and secession of the brethren in Cincinnati had no doubt modified his views and changed his feelings towards the Reformers. It seemed as if he wanted to give evidence of the fact. On my removal from Cincinnati, the brethren, of their own motion, and without my knowledge at the time, adopted the following paper: "John Scott, D. D., of Grace Methodist Church, of this city, having closed his labors here, and is about to remove to Pittsburg, Pa., the undersigned were appointed a com- mittee to prepare an expression of the kind regards and high appreciation cherished for him by the members of the 'Preachers' Meeting' of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Cincinnati and vicinity. "It gives us much pleasure to give utterance to the sentiments of high esteem and brotherly regard which we cherish toward Dr. Scott as an able preacher, a faithful pastor, a genial companion, and a catholic^spirited Chris- tian gentleman. "His relations with us during his residence in this city, have more and more endeared him to us. As a member of our meeting, he has fraternized heartily, and as presi- dent during one term presided with dignity and much satisfaction to the body. "We part with him with reluctance, and feel assured that he will be welcomed with equal pleasure where his duty now calls him. From his sentiments, repeatedly ex- pressed, we are fully persuaded that if his opinions and spirit "were cherished throughout the various Methodisms, all would soon be one in spirit and in organization. "We pray that God's blessing may attend his labor in the future as in the past." This paper was signed by C. W. Ketcham, S. B. Smith, 320 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY A. N". Spahr, and E. K. Deem, and was adopted unani- mously, and published in the Western Christian Advocate. I insert it here as alike creditable to those dear brethren and ta our common Christianity. They knew I was a Methodist Protestant, and that I intended to continue so; but this did not prevent them from treating me as a brother while I was among them, and manifesting their respect for me when I was about to leave them. Every man has a right to think for himself, and honestly form his own opinion; but a difference in opinion, or non-essential points, should not alienate Christian men in affection. It was also my happiness to form the acquaintance of several Presbyterian and other ministers in the city, whom I found to be kind and brotherly. Especially was I favored with the friendship of the venerable Dr. B. P. Aydelott, of the Presbyterian Church. He had been raised an Epis- copalian, studied medicine, and entered on its practice in New York City; but by reading the Bible, as he told me, and not by anything he heard from the pulpit, he was led to Christ, and converted in his own office, and filled with great joy. He at once abandoned his practice, went to a theological seminary, studied for the ministry, and in due time became a rector in the Protestant Episcopal Church, and continued so for many years; but because of what he believed to be the Romanizing tendencies of that Church, he withdrew from it, and united with the New School Presbyterian Church. He was a man of ardent piety, rare literary culture, a very able preacher, and the author of several valuable works. He possessed a true catholic spirit, and fraternized with the brethren of the various Christian Churches. He was regarded as a patriarch among his brethren. He frequently attended our Church, and often preached for me. I had his sympathy, his counsel, and, as he assured me, his frequent prayers. I felt it to be a YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 321 great privilege to enjoy the friendship of such a great and good man. When he learned that I was about to leave the city, he wrote me a kind and tender letter, too flattering in its terms to be introduced here, expressing his regret and his best wishes for my prosperity. I recall with pleasure the many interviews we had together. I always felt like a little child, sitting at the feet of a venerable father, rich in experience, and wise in counsel. Our interviews were always closed with prayer. He was a leader in every good work, and a tower of strength in the Church. He passed away a few years ago at an advanced age, in full assurance of a blessed immortality. What a glorious place heaven will be, where the good of all ages and all lands will be gathered together to celebrate the wonders of redeeming grace forever! About a year after my removal to Cincinnati, my dear old friend, George Brown, D. D., one of the founders of the Methodist Protestant Church, entered into rest, at his home in Springfield, Ohio, October 6, 1871, in the fifty- sixth year of his ministry and the seventy-ninth year of his age. He was a great and good man. He had served as presiding elder in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and as president of his Conference for many years in the Meth- odist Protestant Church. He served for a time as presi- dent of Madison College, and for two years as editor of the Methodist Recorder. He was author of "Becollections of Itinerant Life," a large octavo volume, and of "The Lady Preacher/' a 12mo, being a biography of Mrs. Hannali Eeeves. Dr. Brown was a man of noble bearing, of clear, strong intellect, genial and companionable, full of "the milk of human kindness," and a great friend of the young preachers. He was a clear, strong writer, and a preacher of great power. We have seen vast assemblies spellbound by his thrilling utterances, or swayed, like the forest in 21 322 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY the breeze, beneath the power of truth as it fell in burning fervor from his lips. In the days of his prime, he towered in the pulpit like a giant in his strength, and wielded the sword of the Spirit with a dexterity and power seldom surpassed. He was wise in counsel, firm in purpose, and prudent in the discharge of duty. He was one of the early Eeformers, and the Methodist Protestant Church is in- debted to but few men so much as to Dr. Brown. His funeral was attended, among others, by more than a score of ministers; but I was the only member of his Conference who was present. His remains repose in the "Fern Cliff Cemetery," Springfield, Ohio, beside thosa of his amiable companion. fo ! YE AUS /.V T.HJ5 MINISTRY. 323 CHAPTER XXVII. Methodist General Conference, 1871 Letter from T. W. Peg- ram Address of J. T. Murray Kind Responses Commis- sioners to Methodist Protestant General Conference Au- thorityNever Met Did Not Attend Methodist Protestant General Conference Good Reasons A. Clark and James Robison Appointment of Nine Commissioners Dr. Burns's Call for Expression of Opinion Answer Letter of Dr. Drinkhouse Answer General Conference in Princeton, 1875 William Hunter Bishop Janes Charles W. Button- Recommendation of Committee on Union Commissioners Appointed Ministerial Education Important Action Re- moral to Pittsburg. AT the General Conference of the Methodist Church in Pittsburg in May, 1871, a communication from Kev. T. W. Pegram, of North Carolina, one of the delegates of the Methodist Protestant General Conference, breathing a kind and brotherly spirit, was received and read; and Rev. J. T. Murray, of Maryland, addressed the Conference in person, and presented the greetings of himself and brethren. Kindly responses were made, and John Scott, John Burns, F. H. Pierpont, A. H. Bassett, and H. E. H. Hartsock were appointed commissioners, or messengers, to the General Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church, to meet in Lynchburg, Ya., May 1, 1874, and were authorized to "receive any proposition looking toward union that might be made by the General Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church, and report the same to the General Conference of the Methodist Church." These commissioners never had a meeting, and never did anything, because a resolution offered by Dr. J. J. Murray in the General Conference of the Methodist Prot- 324 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY estant Church in 1870, to authorize the president of that body, in case of the appointment of such a commission on our part, to appoint commissioners to meet and confer with us on the subject of union, had been voted down. We could not, therefore, do anything before the meeting of their General Conference in 1874. These commissioners, for what they considered good and sufficient reasons, did not attend the General Conference in Lynchburg; but Revs. Alexander Clark and James Eobison, our editor and book agent, attended and represented the feeling of our Church. At that Conference, on the recommendation of a com- mittee, of which John Paris was chairman, the following resolution was adopted with great unanimity: "Resolved, That a committee of nine persons be appointed by this General Conference, to confer with any like commis- sion from any Methodist body in America, who may signify a desire to confer with them upon the subject of union with the Methodist Protestant Church, and especially with a com- mittee of nine, to be appointed by the Methodist Church, which has made overtures to us for a reunion: believing it to be the desire of a majority of the members of the Methodist Church to effect a union of the Methodist and Methodist Prot- estant Churches, upon terms which shall be alike agreeable and honorable to each." This was an important step towards union in advance of any that had been before taken. The overtures for union which had been made by the Methodist Church were personal and not official, and just the same as had been made by the Methodist Protestant to the Methodist Church. The desire for union was evidently mutual, and there was nothing discreditable in it. In the latter part of November, 1874, Dr. Burns called on me, through the Recorder, for an expression of opinion YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 325 in regard to the duty of our commissioners. This was after the meeting of the General Conference at Lynchburg. To that appeal I responded in the following article, published in the Recorder of December 19, 1874: "As Brother Burns has publicly called on me for an expression in regard to the duty of the commissioners ap- pointed by the last General Conference of the Methodist Church on the subject of union with the Methodist Prot- estant Church, I beg permission to make a brief response. "After examining the action of the General Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church, I am satisfied that our commissioners have no power to act in any way in the p x rem- ises as matters now stand. "In the first place, we were appointed to receive propo- sitions in reference to union, and not to make them. "In the second place, the General Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church entirely ignored our present commissioners, consisting of five members, and authorized its commissioners to confer with a commission of nine, to be appointed hereafter, of course, *by the General Confer- ence of the Methodist Church.' "Whether our present commissioners were objectionable to our Methodist Protestant brethren or not, I do not know. One thing, however, is very clear, that their commissioners have no authority to confer with us on the subject of union. So far as I am concerned, then, I think that we must dis- miss the whole subject, so far as negotiations are concerned, until the meeting of our General Conference in May next. That body can then take such action on the subject as it shall think proper. "From the last number of the Methodist Protestant I learn that the editor of that paper does not seem to deem it prudent at present to continue the discussion of the sub- ject of union in his columns, because some of his sub- 326 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY scribers object to the 'discussion of premature and irrele- vant issues.' It may be well for us, also, perhaps to act with becoming prudence, and 'do nothing before the time.' "Could our commissioners have a meeting for consulta- tion with each other, it would afford me great pleasure; but they are so scattered that this is scarcely practicable under the circumstances. If it is the wish of the brethren composing our commission, however, to meet at some cen- tral point, say Cambridge, Fairmont, Pittsburg, or Cin- cinnati, I will be happy to meet with them, and carefully consider the subject of the union of the Methodist and the Methodist Protestant Churches. Such preliminary dis- cussion might lead to more judicious action at a subse- quent time. In reference to such a meeting, some time be- fore our General Conference, I will be pleased to hear privately from other members of the commission." This article I thought was judicious, and not out of place. But under date of Baltimore, December 24, 1874, 1 received from Dr. E. J. Drinkhouse, editor of the Methodist Protestant, the following letter: "DEAR BROTHER SCOTT, Your communication on the union (commission) business in the Recorder (19th) I think judicious. Evidently nothing can be done before the meet- ing of your General Conference, and very probably nothing then. If the position of the Methodist Church is that the original organization is to make proposals to those who 'suspended' relations, to put it 'mildly,' this would be a strange reversal of the natural and logical order of things. "Again permit me to notice your reference to the action of our General Conference in appointing nine instead of five, or twenty, or any other arbitrary number, with the exclamation-point annexed. You attempt to saddle the wrong horse. It seems, then, you had a committee to YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 327 receive proposals of five; yet not one of you appeared even fraternally at Lynchburg worse still, not one of you con- descended even to communicate in writing. Brothers Clark and Eobison did the best they could over the bungling busi- ness; but could not offer even an apology, so utterly did you pass us by. It seems to me it comes with an ill grace from you, as one of the five, to insinuate by an exclamation- point, that there was some ulterior purpose in appointing nine. The fact is, you left us perfectly bare of information, not knowing whether you were five or what. The nine was a mere accident. "I have shut down on the discussion in the interest of union, not against it this ought to be plain enough. How- ever, a few letters like yours and Brother Widney's will effectually kill the whole project, I fear. "Yours fraternally, E. J. DRINKHOUSE." Under date of Cincinnati, Ohio, December 28, 1874, I answered the above communication as follows: "KEY. E. J. DRINKHOUSE: "My Dear Brother, Yours of the 24th instant was re- ceived in due course of mail, and is now before me. Its general tone is objectionable, and if its contents were a matter of personal interest only, it would probably pass without further notice. But as the general subject referred to is one of more than personal interest, I have concluded to answer your letter, or lecture, and disabuse your mind in reference to certain matters contained therein. "As to my failure to attend your last General Confer- ence, or to communicate with that body in writing, I had sufficient reasons at the time to justify the failure, even in your estimation, were I to state them; but after the man- ner in which you have referred to the matter, I do not deem it proper to do it now. 328 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY "As to the exclamation-point on which you place so much stress, I have only to say that it was not in my manu- script, and how it got into the printed copy I do not know. I am not much in the habit of insinuating anything by exclamation-points. I mostly express my sentiments in a way sufficiently plain to be understood without the use of such appendages. So much, then, as to matters merely personal. Now a few words in reference to matters of far more importance. "You say, 'If the position of the Methodist Church is that the original organization is to make proposals to those who "suspended" relations, to put it "mildly," this would be a strange reversal of the natural and logical order of things.' If I understand this, it simply means that your Church, claiming to be the 'original organization,' pro- poses to stand on its dignity, and make no proposals to the Methodist Church, which 'would be a strange reversal of the natural and logical order of things;' but that 'those who "suspended" relations, to put it "mildly,"' must humbly approach your 'original organization,' and ask for a reunion with it. I think I do not misunderstand you. This is a vital point, and I wish to consider it candidly, and will ask for it the same consideration from you. "I observe, then, that the question as to which of the two Churches, the Methodist Protestant or the Methodist Church is the 'original organization' is one that is unde- cided, and still in dispute. This may be a new thought to you, and it may, therefore, be the more valuable. Let me state the case. It has been held by the court of Noble County in this State (Ohio), in a case involving the title to Church property, in a suit brought by a Methodist Prot- estant society, to recover a house of worship from a Meth- odist society, that all the changes which were made by our Conventions in the Constitution and Discipline of the YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 329 Methodist Protestant Church, even to the change in our name, were made according to the provisions of the Con- stitution of the Church, we having represented in the Con- ventions the necessary number of Annual Conferences to enable us legally to make the changes. If this decision was correct, and the evidence satisfied the court that it was, and no appeal was taken from the decision, then the inevitable conclusion is that the Methodist Protestant Church, as it now stands, is not properly the 'original or- ganization/ but a faction which refused to concur in the legal acts of the original body. You will please observe that I am not now indulging in theory and speculation, but refer you to a matter of fact, a judicial decision, ren- dered in a respectable court of justice, and which remains to this day unquestioned. To this you may reply that a court in West Virginia has rendered an opposite decision in a similar case. If such be the fact, I at once admit it. How, then, does the case stand? Simply that the question as to which of the two bodies, the Methodist Protestant Church or the Methodist Church, is the 'original organiza- tion/ is in dispute, and that conflicting decisions on the subject have been rendered by the courts, and that the question can not be legally and finally settled till the case is carried by appeal to the court of last resort. Are we to wait till such a decision is obtained to enable us to observe proper etiquette in making and receiving proposals, before we enter upon negotiations for union between the two Churches? If so, the day of union is very far distant. HV have as good a right, basing our claim on judicial decisions, as you have. Suppose, then, we both claim to be the 'original organization/ and stand on our dignity, and de- cline to make any advance toward each other, when do you think a union will be effected? We are willing to treat with you as our equals, but never as our superiors. 330 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY "It seems to me, then, that the question as to which of the two bodies is the 'original organization/ and all the feeling of dignity which such a claim inspires, must be entirely dismissed in the consideration of the subject of union, and the fact as it now stands must alone be taken into account, that we are now two distinct and independent bodies, of equal rights and respectability, and that any proposals for union submitted by either one to the other, is not in any way an acknowledgment of inferiority, but an expression of a desire for a more intimate union in the future, in view of the good to be thereby accomplished. Any other course would be 'a, strange reversal of the natu- ral and logical order of things/ "Permit me to suggest another thought. It is this. A union of the two Churches can never take place on the basis of past relations, past positions, or past acts. To attempt to effect a union on such a basis would be to fight our old battles over, and reach, perhaps, the same conclu- sions we did before. So far as I am personally concerned, I have no intention to stultify myself, or go back on my record. I acted honestly in all I did, and if I were placed again in the same circumstances, with the same light I then had, I would, doubtless, act in a similar manner. I presume that the feelings of my brethren on the subject are the same as my own. I have no idea that the Methodist Church, for the sake of union, will ever offer any apology for her past course, or renounce the principles she has advocated. Such a thing need not be asked. What I am unwilling to render to others in this connection, I am un- willing to ask of them in order to union. It seems to me that in all negotiations for union, the past must be left out of sight, and we must act, not in view of past but of present circumstances, and of the good to be accomplished in the future by the united body. The cause that divided YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 331 us in the past no longer exists to distract us in the future, and the differences which exist on other points are so small that, by mutual concessions, they may in a Christian spirit be easily arranged. "So far as details are concerned, I have nothing now to say. The time for that has not yet come. The prin- ciples on which these negotiations are to take place, if they ever occur, is the first thing to be settled. I have indicated briefly my views on that subject, and I commend them to your consideration. What I have written is my own indi- vidual opinion on the subject, for which I alone am re- sponsible. I am free to admit that I am heartily in favor of the union of the two Churches; but at the same time I am not willing to humiliate myself, or to ask either of the negotiating parties to humiliate themselves, to accomplish it. Hence I have suggested what appears to me to be the only practicable course to be pursued in order to effect the union. My article in the Recorder, to which you refer, was written deliberately, without the exclamation-point, in the interest of union. Although you may not understand its bearing, I do, and I think it will do good. This reply to your communication is written for the same purpose, and I trust it will not do any harm, but turn attention in the right direction. As I read the signs of the times, Churches which differ no more than those do to which you and I belong can not much longer innocently remain apart. "You are at liberty to make any proper use of this letter you may see fit. Yours truly, "JOHN SCOTT." I regarded this letter at the time it was written as suggesting the proper course to be adopted in negotiating a union between the two Churches, and it was the course adopted at last, and the two Churches met, through 332 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY their chosen representatives, as equals, possessing equal rights. The General Conference of the Methodist Church met on May 19, 1875, in Princeton, Illinois. Dr. John Burns, an excellent presiding officer, was elected president. It was an important session, and many subjects of deep interest came before it, and were freely discussed and acted upon. The vexed question of the ordination of women to the Christian ministry, which had been negatived in the pre- ceding General Conference in Pittsburg in 1871, by a vote of forty-six to nineteen, was introduced by D. B. Turney, and referred to a committee; which brought in two reports, which were placed on file, and no further action taken on the subject. The spirit of fraternity seemed to prevail at that Con- ference. The Rev. Dr. William Hunter, a fraternal mes- senger appointed by the General Conference of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, was present, and presented the fraternal greetings of that body. He was responded to in a kind and brotherly spirit, and fraternal messengers were appointed to attend the next session of the General Con- ference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Eev. E. S. Janes, senior bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was also present, and addressed the Conference. He said he did not come to represent anybody but him- self; that he wanted to show his respect and love for the brethren of the Conference and those whom they repre- sented; and that he hoped the day was not far distant when all the Methodists of this country would be united in one body. The bishop was responded to by the president, by Alexander Clark, and by the writer; and the occasion was one of much interest, because of the feeling of brotherly love which prevailed, showing that the Spirit of Christ united in heart those who were separated by systems of YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 333 ecclesiastical polity. Bishop Janes, if not as a bishop, yet as a Christian man, captured the hearts of the brethren of the Conference, and while they did not admire his office, they could not but love the man. Charles W. Button, a fraternal messenger from the General Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church, was introduced, and addressed the Conference in words of kind and Christian greeting. He assured the Conference of a rapidly-growing sentiment in the Church he repre- sented, in favor of organic union between the two bodies. He said that they were fondly cherishing the hope that erelong the divided stream might again become one. Brother Button was recognized as a representative man, a man of candor and sincerity, and his address was received with great pleasure, and very favorably impressed the Conference. Eesponses were made by W. R. Parsons, T. H. Colhouer, and the writer, in a similar spirit of Christian fraternity. The Committee on Methodistic Union, among other things, contained the following, which was adopted: "Inasmuch as the cause for suspension of official relations by the Conferences of the North, now represented in this Con- ference, is now entirely removed by the providence of God, and the suspension having from the first been declared to be only contingent upon the continuance of the cause complained of; and "WHEREAS, Furthermore, the General Conference in the South, assembled at Lynchburg, May, 1874, did, in accordance with mutual and reciprocal advances for reunion, elect nine commissioners to meet nine co-ordinate commissioners, ex- pected to be appointed by this General Conference now in session, to deliberate together and devise plans for reunion alike honorable and desirable to each; therefore, this Com- mittee unanimously recommend the election of nine persona as commissioners for said purpose." 334 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY In harmony with the preceding recommendation, the Conference elected nine commissioners, as follows: J. Burns, J. J. Smith, T. J. Finch, F. H. Pierpont, J. J. Gil- lespie, E. A. Wheat, P. F. Eemsburgh, A. Clark, and G. B. McElroy, five ministers and four laymen. Thus the cause of reunion was placed in such a position as to give reasonable hope of its success. There is one amusing thing, however, which can not fail to be noticed in connec- tion with the action of each of the parties to the proposed union, and that is the caution taken to prevent the impres- sion that it was the party that first proposed the union. At the Princeton General Conference important action was taken in reference to the Board of Ministerial Edu- cation, which placed it on a better footing, and guarded against certain evils connected with its operations, which were perhaps unavoidable in the beginning of such an enterprise. It was found that unsuitable persons had been admitted as beneficiaries of the Board, who had disap- pointed the expectations of the Church, and some of whom, after receiving aid from the Church, with utter indifference to their obligations, had left it. I happened to be chair- man of the committee to which the report of the Board was referred. I had given the subject special thought, and was prepared to suggest such remedies as I believed would correct the mistakes which had been discovered. The other members of the committee agreed with me, and we made several recommendations, which were adopted, and which have produced important practical results. In the first place, we recommended that in the future "no person be received as a beneficiary of the Board unless he be recommended by an Annual Conference as a young man of undoubted piety, and of good natural ability, and who shall be able to pass an examination admitting him to the second year in the college/' by which was meant YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 335 the preparatory department. There is no sense in the Church supporting boys, or young men, at college, who may pursue the very same studies in the common or high schools at home. As the report said, "Any young man who can not, in a reasonable length of time, with the as- sistance which may anywhere be obtained, qualify him- self to enter the second preparatory year, has not the per- severance and energy necessary to secure success in the ministry." In this day dreamy drones are not wanted in the ministry. We want young men, not only of undoubted piety, but of snap and vim, who can study and work in every appropriate way to build up the kingdom of Christ. The committee recommended, in the second place, "that the aid afforded young men shall be in the form of a loan, without interest, to be refunded to the Board by the party receiving it, at the rate of ten per cent of the amount of salary received per annum after he has entered the min- istry. And that in case he shall leave the Church, or en- gage in secular pursuits, he shall refund the whole amount, with interest from the time he leaves the Church or retires from the ministry: and that every beneficiary, before en- tering the college, should be required to give his written obligation to the Board to comply with the above con- ditions." Young men should not be made to feel that they are paupers, dependent on the charity of the Church; but, should the Church educate competent young men for the ministry, it will receive back in the value of the service they render it, more than an equivalent for the money expended on them. Still, the committee were of the opinion "that the adoption of the above plan would de- velop the manhood of the young men, make them more self-reliant, and prompt them to greater efforts to sustain themselves." In this way young men are assisted in the 336 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY way of an accommodation, to be paid back at a future time, and the Church is not only benefited by their labors, but the money they pay back can be usjed in educating others indefinitely for the service of the Church. The committee also directed attention to the impor- tance of providing for the necessary theological instruction of the young men pursuing their literary course in college in view of entering the ministry. This has since been done, and I have had the satisfaction of seeing the measures which I proposed and earnestly advocated, adopted with success by the Church. In the fall of 1875 I left Cincinnati, and was stationed in the First Church, Allegheny City, Pa. I had served the charge before; but during my absence many changes had taken place. Still, I found some of my old friends left, among whom was the Rev. John Herbert, who mani- fested the same interest in me that he had always done. The year was one of faithful labor and some success. YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 337 CHAPTER XXVIII. General Conference Methodist Episcopal Church Fraternal Delegates Disappointment Letter and Address Recep- tion of Address Address of Dr. Clark Remarks of Bishop Janes Reference of Daily Christian Advocate Pleasant State of Feeling Change of Feeling No Official Inter- course. THE General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church met in Baltimore, Md., in May, 1876. Dr. John Cowl and myself, two of the fraternal messengers appointed at the Princeton General Conference to attend the next session of that body, when the time came, prepared to attend, and, with the other members of the delegation, dis- charge the pleasant duty imposed upon us. But at the last moment we were providentially disappointed. We, how- ever, hurriedly prepared a brief address to the Conference, and forwarded it with an accompanying note explaining the cause of our absence. These communications were placed in the hand of the Conference by Brother Alexander Clark, who had been appointed to take the place of W. H. Jordan, one of our fraternal messengers. I insert these papers here, as showing th'e state of feeling which existed at that time between the two Churches. Bishop Janes, who presided on the occasion, said: "The Conference will recollect that Dr. Hunter, of the Pitts- burg Conference, and Dr. Martin, of the West Virginia Conference, were appointed fraternal delegates to the Gen- eral Conference of the Methodist Church, held in Prince- ton last year. Dr. Hunter's report was read to you this morning. The fraternal delegates appointed by that Gen- eral Conference to reciprocate the visit of your fraternal 22 338 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY delegates are prevented from being present. The president of the Conference has appointed a substitute. That sub- stitute is present. He, however, must leave, as he sails for Europe in a day or two. He desires your attention for a very few minutes. I trust this Conference, in view of the exigency of this case, will give him the opportunity to be presented, and to make that brief communication. The Conference indicating their wish to hear the fra- ternal delegate referred to, Bishop Janes said: "It is due, previous to his being presented, that the reasons for the absence of the other delegates should be read." The secre- tary here read the following: "To the Members of the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, assembled in the city of Baltimore, May, 1876: "DEAR FATHERS AND BRETHREN, We deeply regret our inability to be present with you in person, as we greatly desired. We had procured our tickets, and were on our way to the train, when intelligence of the death of a near relative constrained us to change our purpose. We have, however, endeavored, in a brief and hurried communica- tion, which we trust the other members of our delegation will approve, to discharge the duty imposed upon us, and also to express to you some of our individual views and feelings. "Praying that the blessing of the Great Head of the Church may rest upon you, we remain, dear Fathers and Brethren, Yours in Christ, "JOHN SCOTT, "JOHN COWL. "PiTTSBURG, PA., May 9, 1876." After the reading of the above, Bishop Janes said: ''There is the document to which that letter refers a communication prepared and sent here by these fraternal YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 339 delegates, when they found that they could not be present. Brother Clark, however, says he will consent that the read- ing of this be postponed until some time when it will meet your convenience to hear it, unless you prefer to hear it now." Several voices: "Let us hear it now." The secretary then read as follows: "To the Members of the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in General Conference assembled, in the city of Baltimore, May, 1876: "DEAR FATHERS AND BRETHREN, We are happy, as Fraternal Messengers of the 'Methodist Church' without prefix or suffix one of the smaller bodies of Methodism, to extend to you the fraternal greeting and kind Chris- tian regards of the body which we have the honor to rep- resent. This is an official duty which it affords us very great pleasure to perform. "In addressing you, we feel that we are addressing our brethren; for we regard Methodism in its various branches as essentially one. We had a common origin, and for a considerable time a common history; and we are sure we have, or ought to have, a common interest. We all venerate the name of Wesley, adopt the theology of Watson, and recognize as a standard of exposition and comment the learned writings of Adam Clarke. "The teachings of Methodism everywhere are the same. Differences have arisen in reference to forms of govern- ment and questions of a domestic nature; but no difference exists in reference to the essential doctrines of Methodism. In this respect the branches are as thoroughly Methodistic as the original stock. And this, after all, is the great essential thing. This is the soul of Methodism; and in this respect it is one and undivided. Its ordinances, its forms 340 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY of worship, and the general outlines of its economy are also the same. In all that is essential to Methodism there is an absolute and permanent agreement among the various Methodist bodies. The points of difference are compara- tively unimportant and non-essential, and relate to mat- ters not originally connected with the great Methodist Reformation. "For eighteen years after the introduction of Meth- odism into this country it existed without a formal and general organization, and without a general executive head, except so far as Mr. Wesley, through others, partially superintended it. At the Christmas Conference, held in this city (Baltimore) in 1784, a general organization was effected, and general superintendents or executives were chosen. These measures, as well as those of a different character, adopted by bodies which afterward seceded from the Methodist Episcopal Church, formed no part of original Methodism. They were measures adopted by the different parties concerned, according to their best judgment, for the extension and permanent establishment of Methodism. They no more constitute Methodism than the coat a man wears constitutes the man. Variety of form is not incon- sistent with unity of character. "Every branch of Methodism is a living, fruitful branch, and each acts and reacts upon the other. The mutual influence thus exerted has perhaps, after all, been of a healthful and beneficial character, and has promoted the common good. One of the results has been to bring the various Methodist bodies into greater harmony, and, in things not essential, into greater practical unity. They are now moving on converging lines, and we know that such lines, if sufficiently extended, ultimately meet. "Some forty-five years ago our fathers planted a little vine in this city (Baltimore). It was a cutting from an older YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 341 vine, and they so trimmed and set it that, in the'ir opinion, the fruit was wonderfully improved. But they planted it in the same ground where the old vine was growing. Its roots permeated the whole soil, and its branches cast their shadows far and wide. In consequence of this the little vine was deprived of the nourishment, sunshine, and air it would have enjoyed had it been permitted to grow alone. Still, it grew and produced good fruit, and its friends claim that, by some means or other, it has so affected the old vine that its fruit has improved to such an extent that it requires a person of some penetration to tell the differ- ence between the two. In consequence of this, some have thought that the young vine might now be safely ingrafted again into the old vine. But there are others who think the old vine should be ingrafted into the new. This prob- lem is too difficult for us to solve. "We are happy to say, however, that the irritation which almost necessarily attended the 'Reform' contro- versy, the expulsion of some ministers and members, the withdrawal of others, and the organization of a new Church, has passed away. A new day has dawned, and the spirit of fraternity and brotherly love has taken the place of a spirit of division and strife. The great funda- mental principle of lay representation, for which the found- ers of our Church mainly contended, has been conceded, if not fully applied, and the mother now looks tenderly upon the children, and the children dutifully "return her love. "One year ago, the Eev. Dr. Hunter, one of your Fra- ternal Messengers to our General Conference, visited us, and extended to us your fraternal greeting, and assured us of your kind regards. His visit afforded us very great pleasure. We were glad to greet him as a brother beloved and honored by us, and also heartily to receive him as your 342 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY messenger. Your venerable senior bishop also honored us by his presence, not in an official capacity, as he told us, but to represent himself and assure us of his love, and we think he will bear record that his reception was most cor- dial; for we felt it a great privilege to greet and honor such a man of God. He told us that, however the statement might subject him to criticism, he was in favor of an organic union of the Methodist Churches in this country. As individuals, we most heartily indorse his position on that subject. We say here, as we have said elsewhere, we are in favor of one Methodism for the continent. We can not, Mr. President, for the life of us, see any good reason for the existence now of so many different Methodist Churches in this country. The tendency of this age is not to a blind submission to usurped authority, but to restive- ness under the proper restraints of law. This undue tend- ency to liberalism does not need to be fostered, but rather to be restrained. "The Church which we have the honor to represent is now negotiating, with favorable prospects, a union with the Methodist Protestant Church, a part of her former self. This step is in the right direction, and we hope will be succeeded by others, which will result in a general Meth- odist union. We believe the angels in heaven would re- joice at such a consummation. "It may be proper for us, Mr. President, to say, as your venerable senior bishop said, in the expression of these sentiments on the subject of union, we represent our- selves, and for them we are individually responsible. We were appointed to bear to you the fraternal greetings of our brethren; but perhaps we may be pardoned for the additional expression of our individual views and feelings on a subject of so much interest. Recognizing, then, the essential unity of Methodism, and the minifying of non- YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 343 essential differences, we come to you in the name and by the authority of the 'Methodist Church/ to assure you of our high esteem, of our Christian love, and of our sincere desire for your prosperity and more abundant success. We ask the Divine benediction upon you in all your works of faith and labors of love. We devoutly pray that the spirit of fraternity and unity may increase until we shall not only be one in Christ, but also one in organization and in name. "JonN SCOTT, "JOHN COWL." Dr. Alexander Clark, who was present, said in the Recorder of the following week, that "the address elicited the greatest attention, and was several times applauded heartily by the Conference, especially at the point where the principle of lay representation, instituted by the fa- thers of 1828, was said to have been indorsed at last by the Methodist Episcopal Church. This, in . Baltimore, so handsomely said, and so thoroughly enjoyed, was a scene worthy of remembrance." After the reading of the preceding address, Dr. Clark, in his own peculiar and impressive manner, proceeded to address the Conference in person, his remarks frequently eliciting applause. At the close of his address, Bishop Janes said: "I can assure our brother that in due time the Conference will express, by resolution and otherwise, their appreciation of the manner in which he has performed his services before it to-day, and also of our fraternal interest in the branch of Methodism which he represents." The Daily Christian Advocate, which published both addresses in full, said: "The reception of the Fraternal Delegates from the Methodist Church was an exceedingly pleasant affair. The addresses of Drs. John Scott, John Cowl, and Alexander Clark, Fraternal Delegates, were ad- 344 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY mirable in kind, and were listened to with great satisfac- tion." There were pleasant feelings existing between the two Churches at that time, and these good feelings continued for several years afterwards; but of late years there has been no official intercourse between the Methodist Episcopal and the Methodist Protestant Churches. Whether the change has contributed anything to the glory of God, or the prosperity of either of the Churches, I will not pre- tend to say. YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 345 CHAPTER XXIX. Pittsburg Conference, 187ft Invited to Remain in Allegheny- Declined Sent to Sharpsburg Grace Church Former Pas- torOld Friends Church not Prosperous Francis Mur- phy Man of Great Magnetism "Old Home" Held Meet- ing in My Church Protracted-meeting Gracious Revival- Excellent Singing Mathematics and Music Henry Ding- ierMiracle of Grace Trying to Pray Faithful Peaceful Death Funeral. THE Pittsburg Conference met in the fall of 1876 in Bellevue, a suburb of Pittsburg. The First Church, Alle- gheny, had invited me to remain with them another year, but I preferred not to do so, and the Conference sent me to Grace Church, Sharpsburg. I had been their pastor at two different times before; but had been absent more than a dozen years, yet on my return I found that comparatively few changes had taken place. Most of the old members were still there, while new ones had been received. I found Dr. William Collier, and his son, Judge F. H. Col- lier, Thomas H. Gibson, John Cook, H. F. Dunham, Fran- cis Alsup, James I. Robinson, and other old friends there to greet me. I always liked Sharpsburg, and my residence there and my intercourse with the people at different times for more than a dozen years was always pleasant, and I know of no place where I would rather reside to-day, did circumstances justify it, than among my old Sharpsburg friends. The Church was not in a very prosperous condition spiritually. The prayer-meetings were poorly attended, and there was no class-meeting. There were not many who would lead in prayer, and if some of these were absent, it 346 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY made our prayer-meetings rather short. But I entered upon my work resolved to do the best I could. That fall and winter Francis Murphy, the great apostle of temperance, was in Pittsburg, and the excitement which he produced among the people was wonderful. His head- quarters were in our First Church on Fifth Avenue, where the Kaufman building no\v stands, and during the Murphy movement it was known as "The Old Home." It was a large church, with galleries on both sides and one end, and would hold a great many people. But it was crowded for weeks and months with all sorts and^classes of persons, and thousands of them, I suppose, signed the pledge, and many of them kept it. Mr. Murphy was a man of great magnetism, of quick perception, full of Irish wit and humor, an eloquent speaker, and he seemed to know exactly how to manage and control a great mass of all sorts of people. He ap- peared to be perfectly at home, and self-possessed in the midst of the greatest excitement. He urged the people not only to sign the pledge, but also to become religious and lead better lives. And, so far as he could, he put every one who signed the pledge at once to work. He would urge them, after signing the pledge, to speak and give some of their experience as to the evils of intemperance. He tried to imbue the people with the idea that they must go to work, and do something to advance the good cause. Meetings were held at other places besides "The Old Home," and the excitement spread in every direction. I was fortunate enough to be able to persuade Mr. Murphy to hold one meeting in my church in Sharpsburg. He was accompanied by several other speakers, and a vast crowd of people was in attendance. The large folding doors between the church and the chapel were thrown open, and both church and chapel were packed to their utmost YEARS IN THE MINISTJ; ) . 347 capacity. Standing-room was at a premium. The enthu- siasm was indeed wonderful, and a great many persons signed the pledge. Among these were quite a number of young married men, and some verging on middle life. It was the season for protracted-meetings, and we at once commenced a series of religious services. The meet- ings were interesting from the start, and they increased in interest as they progressed. Many sought the Savior, and found him to the joy of their hearts. Unlike most revivals, the principal work appeared to be among the men. Many of them sought Christ, and professed faith in his name. As soon as they were converted, I put them to work, called on them to pray, and urged them to speak, and I do not remember one of them that refused to bear the cross. The Church was quickened and revived, and a most gracious state of spiritual prosperity was enjoyed. There was nothing boisterous, but the melting and sub- duing power of the Holy Spirit, and the overflowings of Divine love seemed to be manifested in every heart. There was no longer a lack of persons to pray or exercise in the Church. "The people had a mind to work." The young men organized a prayer-meeting, which was held in the chapel every Sabbath morning an hour before public serv- ice, and which was largely attended. From this meeting they came into the church with hearts aglow, ready for the public worship. My three years' pastorate in Sharpsburg at that time, although embarrassed with some serious difficulties, was the most pleasant of my life, and I never recall the memory of those happy days without the most tender emotions. I am passionately fond of music, and our choir in Sharps- burg, at that time under the leadership of Judge Collier, could not easily be surpassed anywhere, and the songs and anthems of praise which they sung were sometimes 348 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY so inspiring and uplifting that it seemed to me the place was the very vestibule of heaven. The Eev. Dr. George B. McElroy, professor of Mathematics in Adrian College, once said to me that he expected to continue the study of mathe- matics to all eternity. I told him that, while he sat apart, enrapt in profound thought, I would visit the great mu- sical conservatory of heaven, and try to learn some of the songs of the redeemed. There is no part of religious wor- ship more delightful and more pleasing to God than the heartfelt singing of his praise. There was one man, Brother Henry Dingier, who was converted during our series of meetings, who is worthy of special mention, as illustrating the power of Divine grace to elevate and save the most abandoned. He was of German descent, and had enjoyed but few educational ad- vantages. He had served as a soldier through the War of the Eebellion, but he contracted habits of intemperance, and had become a great inebriate. His father had left him a handsome property; but he had wasted it all, and was reduced to poverty. He signed the pledge the night of Mr. Murphy's meeting in our church, and then came to our meetings and presented himself at the altar for prayer. He was honest, he was sincere, he wanted to break away from his sins, and lead a new life. And God thoroughly converted him made a new man out of him. I almost at once called on him to pray, and be did not refuse; but he seemed to have few ideas, and fewer words. But God un- derstood him, and we bore with him. I continued to call on him, and he never refused; but did the best he could. And it was astonishing how rapidly he improved. He seemed to get control of his thoughts and the use of words, and it was not long until he could make a very sensible prayer. Persons always learn to talk when they are chil- YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 349 dren. So when persons are converted they must begin to pray and speak for God. If they do not learn to do so then, it is not likely that they ever will. A child does not at first speak with a clear and distinct utterance. It takes time to enable him to do so. So with the Christian. He can not reasonably expect to be able at first to pray and speak without some embarrassment and difficulty; but if he perseveres like the little child, these difficulties will soon be overcome, and he will be enabled to do so with comparative ease and comfort. This was very clearly illus- trated in the case of Brother Dingier. Through the mercy and grace of God, Brother Dingier was preserved, and led a sober and upright Christian life, showing to all around him the power of Christ to save. After some seven or eight years he sickened and died; but he died as the Christian dies, in peace and in hope of a better country. His remains were brought to the church, and Judge Collier, in whose regiment he served in the army, spoke of him as a good soldier, and I spoke of him as a Christian, and his companions in arms conveyed his remains to the cemetery, and gave him an honorable burial. During my pastorate in Sharpsburg, it was my privi- lege to receive into the Church Brother H. J. Heinz and wife. Sister Heinz is with the pure ones before the throne; but Brother Heinz, with his sincere devotion, his wonder- ful energy, and his almost unequaled business talent, is still spared to bless the Church of his choice. At the Bellevue Conference A. \V. Eobertson was re- ceived, and has continued in the Conference to the present time. In addition to his other opportunities, he enjoyed the advantages of a course in the Western Theological Seminary, of the Presbyterian Church, while pastor of one of our Churches in Allegheny City. He is a man of keen, 350 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY penetrating legal mind, of great indiistry, a pleasing and attractive speaker, an able debater, cool and self-possessed, and an authority on questions of Church law. Were he to turn his attention to the legal profession, he would, no doubt, attain to eminence. It is unnecessary to say that he is an excellent preacher. YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 351 CHAPTER XXX. Meeting of Union Commissioners Action Basis of Union- Action of Conferences Meeting of Conventions Basis of Union Discussed and Adopted Meeting and Blending of Two Bodies Pickens, a Lawyer Scott, a Preacher Starr Church Pleasant Flow of Good Feeling Happy Consum- mation. THE committee appointed by the General Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church, at its session in Lynchburg, Va., in May, 1874, and the committee ap- pointed by the General Conference of the Methodist Church, at its session in Princeton, Illinois, in May, 1875, met in joint session in the First Church, Fifth Avenue, Pittsburg, on Tuesday, October 22, 1875, and remained in session till the following Monday evening. Seven of the nine commissioners appointed by the Methodist Protestant General Conference to wit.: L. W. Bates, S. B. Souther- land, B. F. Duggan, R. H. Wills, W. M. Betts, ministers, and 0. Hammond, and William Vandervort, laymen; and John Burns, J. J. Smith, E. A. Wheat, Alexander Clark, and G. B. McElroy, ministers; and P. F. Remsburgh, J. J. Gillespie, T. J. Finch, and F. H. Pierpont, laymen, ap- pointed by the Methodist General Conference, were pres- ent. L. W. Bates was elected president, and G. B. McElroy secretary. A committee was appointed, which examined the Dis- ciplines of the two Churches, and reported to the com- missioners such modifications of each as they deemed nec- essary in order to the formation of one Discipline for the united body. The modifications were considered, and such action taken as was deemed necessary to form a basis of 352 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY union on which it was believed the two bodies could unite. This basis of union was published in the Methodist Prot- estant and Methodist Recorder, that the two Churches might know what their commissioners had done, and on what grounds it was proposed they should come together. The commissioners also recommended that a Convention of each Church should be called, to meet in the city of Balti- more on the second Friday in May, 1877. All the Annual Conferences of the Methodist Church, twenty-one in number, at their several sessions during the year 1876, concurred in the basis of union adopted by the commissioners, and elected delegates to the proposed Con- vention of their own Church in the city of Baltimore. Sixteen of the twenty Conferences of the Methodist Prot- estant Church voted in favor of a Convention, and four against it; yet all of them elected a full representation of delegates to the proposed Convention. It was not pro- posed that the representatives of the two Churches should meet in joint session; but that the representatives of each Church should meet separately, and, according to the pro- visions of their own law, take action on the proposed basis of union. The two Conventions met in Baltimore as proposed, on the llth day of May, 1877. I had been elected a mem- ber of our Convention by the Pittsburg Conference, and it afforded me great pleasure to attend. I was heartily in favor of the union; but I was not one of the "gushing" kind, who permitted emotion to overcome reason and judg- ment. When a thing is done right it generally stays done, and good results follow; but when a thing is not done right, it matters not how much "gush" there may be about it, results are not favorable. It took the mellowing influence of time to enable the two Churches to overcome the excite- ment under which they had labored for years, and with YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 353 calm and cool judgment to consider in a proper spirit the whole subject, and to act on it measurably free from sec- tional influence and bias. The wonder is, not that the union did not take place sooner, but that it took place as soon as it did. The basis of union proposed by the com- missioners was candidly and earnestly discussed in each of the Conventions, and finally adopted by each with very little dissent. The union having been virtually effected, it only re- mained for the two bodies to come together, and hence- forward act as one. This was very pleasantly brought about. It was arranged that the brethren of the Meth- odist Convention, which had held its sessions in the Meth- odist Protestant Church, on the corner of Green and Lom- bard Streets, should proceed to the corner of Lombard and Fremont Streets, where the brethren of the Methodist Protestant Convention, which had held its sessions in the church on the corner of Fayette and Aisqueth Streets, should be waiting, and that the presidents of the two Con- ventions respectively should join arms, followed by the secretaries in like manner, these to be followed by the mem- bers of the two Conventions, two by two, each twain being of one from each body, all to march to the Starr Church, on Poppleton Street. This order was nicely, and without any confusion, car- ried out. When I came up to the gentleman who was waiting for me, and took him by the arm, he said: "My name is Pickens S. V. Pickens I am a lawyer, from North Carolina." I said: "My name is John Scott. I am a preacher, from Pittsburgh So, we were introduced, and talked pleasantly with each other, and found that there was no conflict between the law and the gospel. The two Conventions having assembled together in Starr Church, the body was called to order by L. W. 23 354 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY Bates, president of the Methodist Protestant Convention, after which J. J. Smith, president of the Methodist Con- vention, delivered a brief and well-timed address, breath- ing a fraternal and hopeful spirit, which was well received. He was followed in a brief address, in a similar spirit, by L. W. Bates. At the close of his address, he pronounced the Convention then in session the General Convention of the Methodist Protestant Church. The doxology, "Praise God, from whom all blessings," etc., was then sung with great emotion, after which an hour was given to five- minute speeches from the brethren, and exchange of greet- ings and congratulations. The scene that followed was one difficult to describe. It was a scene of joy and glad- ness, and brethren spoke and acted in harmony with their natural impulses. Some were calm and self-possessed; but their countenances, radiant with smiles, indicated the deep satisfaction of soul which they felt. Others were not only full of feeling, but also full of words, and they could not restrain themselves, but bubbled over in the fullness of their joy. Many speeches, tender, touching, and gushing, were made by brethren, calling forth responses in similar strain. It was, indeed, a scene long to be remembered, and one over which the angels no doubt rejoiced. After more than twenty years of estrangement and sepa- ration, the divided parts of the Methodist Protestant Church had been brought together, and were united in one body. This was a consummation which had been greatly desired and sought by many, and by no one more earnestly than myself for years. It removed cause of friction along the border between the divided bodies, and gave increased strength and ability for more extended and efficient work. In 1878 the Pittsburg Conference met in Sharpsburg, where I was then pastor. I was not in good health, and the arrangements for the entertainment of the Conference YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 355 largely devolved upon me, so that when Conference met I was quite worn down. Then the brethren elected me president, which imposed an additional burden upon me. The result was, that after Conference adjourned I broke down, and had a severe sick spell. There is a point of endurance beyond which we can not safely pass. It is not best for men to undertake te accomplish too much. At that Conference J. H. Hull, who had been a mem- ber of the Conference for nearly thirty years, and who had served two years as president, was placed on the super- annuated list, and during the following year withdrew from the Church. But he never was satisfied, and after twelve years, although broken down in health, he returned and was received again into the Conference, and died among his old and early friends. It is hazardous for a man to break off his early associations, and sever his connection with the Church of his early choice, that was instrumental in bringing him to Christ, and unite with some other Church, unless he has the very best of reasons for doing so. At this session J. C. Berrien was received from the New York Conference, and has proved a faithful and successful worker. He is a man of genial spirit, a good preacher, and devoted to the Church. Since the death of J. B. Walker, he has filled the office of corresponding secretary of the Board of Ministerial Education with great acceptability. 356 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY CHAPTER XXXI. Alexander Clark Lecture Tour Left in Charge of Methodist Recorder Lecture in Richmond Address at Yadkin Ill- ness Relapse Improvement Reaches Atlanta Kindness of Governor Colquitt Sickness "In the Gate of Heaven" Death Remains Brought Home Funeral Addresses Pall-bearers Place of Interment Memorial Services in First Church, Pittsburg Numerous Addresses Dr. Clark, Author Man of Genius Continued to Edit Recorder Elected Editor Editorial Greeting Experience Duties- Tribute of Ingersoll to Clark Editorial Comments Inger- soll's Letter in Reply Laborious Position. DURING the last year of my pastorate in Sharpsburg, Dr. Alexander Clark, editor of the Methodist Recorder, ar- ranged for a short lecture tour in the South, and requested me to take charge of the Recorder till his return. I had often helped him, and supplied his place in his absence for a short time. Having been editor of the paper, the work was familiar to me, and I suppose he thought I could do it better than one who had no experience in it. On the 26th day of May, 1879, Dr. Clark left home, in poor health, to deliver the annual literary address at the Commencement of Yadkin College, North Carolina, and fill a few other lecture engagements in the South. After lecturing in Eichmond, Virginia, on his way, he reached Greensboro, North Carolina, on the 1st of June, and was the guest of the Eev. J. L. Michaux. Here he was taken ill; but after a few days he rallied, and, by permission of his physician, although very feeble, he went to Yadkin, a distance of forty miles, and delivered his address before a crowded audience on the afternoon of June 5th. The labor, however, was more than his strength could bear, YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 357 and the next day he took a relapse. But after a few days, with careful nursing, he again rallied, and on the 10th of June he returned to Lexington, from which place, on the evening of the llth, he took passage for Atlanta, Georgia, although extremely feeble. He reached that place the fol- lowing day, and took lodgings at a hotel. But His Excel- lency, Governor A. H. Colquitt, hearing of his arrival and illness, went to the hotel in person, and had him removed to the executive mansion, where he received every attention which love could bestow. But the skill of physicians and the kind ministries of dear friends could not arrest the pro- gress of his disease. Yet, amid all his suffering and pain, he was calm and resigned. On the 13th, in a letter to Rev. J. L. Michaux, he sent the following message to his friends in North Carolina: "Say to them how I love them. Tell them I am patient trying to get towards home, and my love for the Savior abounds more and more." When vis- ited by Brother Michaux on the 23d of June, he said to him: "I have been very ill, but am better, though still very weak. The doctor says I must not talk. I have been at death's door, but right in the gate of heaven." "At another time," says Brother Michaux, "he spoke how good the Lord had been to him, and how much he had blessed him. He spoke of the valley of the shadow of death said it was only the 'valley of the shadow of death/ adding, 'I know it, for I have been there.' '' On the 24th of June his son Edward arrived from Philadelphia, and remained with him till the end. He was the only member of his family who was able to be with him at any time during his illness. Far from home and the dear ones he loved, he was called to suffer and die. On Sunday evening, July 6th, he breathed his last, just as the church-bells were giving the first signals for evening worship, and so calmly that those who sat by his 358 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY bedside, and his devoted son, who clasped his hand, were not certain of the moment when he took his final leave. "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace." After appropriate services, at three o'clock on Monday afternoon, July 7th, his remains, having been placed in a metallic coffin, or burial case, left Atlanta, in care of his son, in a special car, by way of Louisville, for Pittsburg, where they arrived at eight o'clock on Wednesday morn- ing, July 9th, William Clark, the only brother of the deceased, arriving on a train from the East at the same hour. The remains had been expected at that time, and all the necessary arrangements for the funeral had been made by a committee of the Board of Publication and of the Pittsburg Preachers' Meeting. Through the kindness of the officers of the Cleveland & Pittsburg Railroad, a special car was placed at the dis- posal of the committee for the accommodation of friends desiring to attend the funeral at Wellsville, the home of Brother Clark's family, fifty miles west of Pittsburg. The train left the Union Depot at 8.40 A. M., and arrived at Wellsville about eleven o'clock A. M. Quite a large num- ber of ministers and friends from Pittsburg accompanied the remains. On the arrival of the train at Wellsville, the casket was taken to the family residence, a beautiful home on the banks of the Ohio, where, at 2.30 P. M., the funeral services took place. The afternoon was unpleasant, a light, drizzling rain falling continuously, as if in harmony with the feeling of sadness and gloom which appeared to have settled on the large multitude of friends assembled to pay the last tribute of respect to one whom all loved and hon- ored. The services were necessarily brief. Rev. M. B. Taylor, of Beaver Falls, read the Scriptures; Rev. D. True- man, of Wellsville, announced the hymn; Dr. John Scott, YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 359 of Sharpsburg, and Dr. A. M. Reid, president of the Fe- male College, Steubenville, Ohio, made brief addresses. After prayer, Dr. John Cowl, of Port Homer, pronounced the benediction. The remains were then taken to their last resting-place, and deposited in a beautiful spot in the Spring Hill Cemetery, on high ground overlooking the village of Wellsville and the Ohio River, the following persons acting as pall-bearers: J. J. Gillespie, president of the Board of Publication, and Dr. T. "W. Shaw, also a member of the Board; John J. Murray, D. D., pastor of the First Methodist Protestant Church, Pittsburg, and Henry T. Reeves, of the Methodist Protestant Church, Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania; Alfred Wheeler, D. D., editor of the Pittsburg Christian Advocate, Pittsburg, and "W. B. Watkins, D. D., pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Sewickley, Pennsylvania; Rev. James Robison, Publishing Agent, and Rev. M. A. Parkinson, pastor of the Presby- terian Church at Industry, Pennsylvania. Although Dr. Clark died among strangers, yet he was buried in the midst of his friends. His aged father and mother, both of whom were over eighty, his wife and eleven children, his only brother and two sisters, together with a large concourse of neighbors, and friends from near and far, were present at his funeral. With gentle hands the remains of this endeared husband, this loving father, this honored minister and faithful servant of the Church, were laid away to their rest until the Angel of the Resur- rection shall bid them rise. On Friday afternoon, July 11, 1879, a service in mem- ory of Brother Clark was held in the First Methodist Protestant Church, Fifth Avenue, Pittsburg. The large edifice was well filled by a deeply-interested audience. A few members of Dr. Clark's family, embrac- ing three sons, a daughter, his brother, one sister, and a 360 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY few other near relatives, were provided with seats in the middle aisle, while the ministers of the Methodist Protest- ant Church and a large number of divines of other denomi- nations had seats on the opposite side of the same aisle. Under the direction of a florist, assisted with exquisite taste by loving friends of the deceased, the church was decorated with beautiful simplicity. At the base of the desk, within the altar, where the deceased had often offi- ciated in his capacity as minister, growing plants were placed in an attractive manner. From the moss in the center, vines were run so as to reach either corner of the desk, and in the center was a mammoth calla-lily, the pure whiteness of which contrasted beautifully with the deep green of the plants and vines. The posts supporting the lamps at either side of the desk were draped with crape and smilax, and at the base on one side was a large anchor, while at the other side was a cross artistically worked in white flowers. On either side of the desk was a vase filled with beautiful flowers, and on these vases rested a piece on which appeared the simple but expressive word, "Best." On the wall in the rear of the pulpit was a large portrait of the deceased, draped with crape and smilax. These decorations were beautiful in their simplicity, and accorded with the tastes so often expressed by the deceased. The services were conducted by Eev. Dr. J. J. Murray, pastor of the Church, and were opened shortly after two o'clock, with a voluntary by the choir, led by Mr. Frank Rinehart, "And he shall wipe away all tears." Rev. David Jones, of New Brighton, read selections from the Scriptures, after which Rev. George B. McElroy, D. D., of Adrian College, led in prayer. The choir then sang YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 361 the 888th hymn, which was announced by Rev. John Gregory, of New Cumberland, West Virginia, commencing, "How blest the righteous when he dies!" after which addresses were made by Rev. Dr. E. J. Drink- house, editor of the Methodist Protestant, Baltimore; Rev. Dr. C. L. Thompson, pastor of the Third Presbyterian Church, Pittsburg; Rev. Dr. Alfred Wheeler, editor of the Pittsburg Christian Advocate; Rev. Dr. James Allison, ed- itor of the Presbyterian Banner, Pittsburg; Rev. Dr. W. B. Watkins, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Se- wickley, Pa., and by the writer. Many pleasant and touch- ing things were said of our deceased brother, and the occa- sion was one of deep interest. Dr. Clark was the author of some half-dozen or more volumes, which were received by the public with favor, and some of which were republished in England. His first publication was entitled, "The Old Log Schoolhouse." This was followed by "Schoolday Dialogues," then "The Gospel in the Trees," then "Workday Christianity," then "Starting Out." His last work was, "Summer Rambles in Europe," embracing sketches of travel in England, Scotland, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, and France. Besides these, he was the author of some smaller publications. In addition to writing profusely for his own paper, he was a frequent contributor to other journals, and performed a great deal of literary labor in other ways. Some of his best articles in the Recorder, while he was ed- itor, appeared under a nom de plume. Dr. Clark was a man of genius, noble-hearted, kind- spirited, and full of the charity of the gospel. A son of toil, with indomitable will, in physical weakness and straitened circumstances, he nobly battled against diffi- culties under which others would have succumbed. From 362 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY a poor country boy, without the advantages of wealthy parentage or collegiate culture, he raised himself by his own unaided efforts to an enviable place in the world of letters, and compelled recognition from the learned and the great. He was a Christian of sincere faith and broad catholic views. All the impulses of his nature were sym- pathetic and responsive. In his death he was mourned by all classes, by all denominations, and by all parties. His life presents an example which should stimulate young men, even in the midst of the greatest difficulties, to hope- ful and persevering effort in the performance of their life- work. The following letter, neatly printed in circular form, and addressed to the editor of the Methodist Recorder, was received shortly after Dr. Clark's death, from Colonel Rob- ert G. Ingersoll: "Editor Methodist Recorder: "Upon the grave of the Rev. Alexander Clark I wish to place one flower. "Utterly destitute of cold dogmatic pride, that often passes for the love of God; without the arrogance of the 'elect;' simple, free, and kind, this earnest man made me his friend by being mine. I forgot that he was a Christian, and he seemed to forget that I was not, while each remembered that the other was a man. "Frank, candid, and sincere, he practiced what he preached, and looked with the holy eyes of charity upon the failings and mistakes of men. He believed in the power of kindness, and spanned with divine sympathy the hideous gulf that separates the fallen from the pure. "Giving freely to others the rights that he claimed for himself, it never occurred to him that his God hated a brave and honest unbeliever. He remembered that even YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 363 an infidel has rights that love respects, that hatred has no saving power, and that in order to be a Christian it is not necessary to become less than a man. He knew that no one can be maligned into kindness; that epithets can not convince; that curses are not arguments, and that the finger of scorn never points towards heaven. With the generosity of an honest man, he accorded to all the fullest; liberty of thought, knowing, as he did, that in the realm of mind a chain is but a curse. "For this man I entertained the profoundest respect. In spite of the taunts and jeers of his brethren, he pub- licly proclaimed that he would treat infidels with fairness and respect; that he would endeavor to convince them by argument, and win them with love. He insisted that the God he worshiped loved the well-being even of an atheist. In this grand position he stood almost alone. Tender, just, and loving where others were harsh, vindictive, and cruel, he challenged the respect and admiration of every honest man. A few more such clergymen might drive calumny from the lips of faith, and render the pulpit worthy of respect. "The heartiness and kindness with which this generous man treated me can never be excelled. He admitted that I had not lost, and could not lose, a single right by the expression of my honest thought. Neither did he believe that a servant could win the respect of a generous master by persecuting and maligning those whom the master would willingly forgive. "While this good man was living, his brethren blamed him for having treated me with fairness. But I trust, now that he has left the shore touched by the mysterious sea that never yet has borne on any wave the image of a home- ward sail, this crime will be forgiven him by those who still remain to preach the love of God. 364 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY "His sympathies were not confined within the prison of a creed, but ran out and over the walls like vines, hiding the cruel rocks and rusted bars with leaf and flower. He could not echo with his heart the fiendish sentence of eternal fire. In spite of book and creed, he read 'between the lines' the words of tenderness and love, with promises for all the world. Above, beyond the dogmas of his Church humane even to the verge of heresy causing some to doubt his love of God because he failed to hate his unbelieving fellow-men he labored for the welfare of mankind, and to his work gave up his life with all his heart. EGBERT G. INGERSOLL. "WASHINGTON, D. C., July 13, 1879." This letter I published in the Recorder, with the follow- ing appended remarks: "We insert the above letter in the Recorder for two reasons: first, to show that every expression of sympathy and respect for Dr. Clark meets with a hearty response from his friends; and, secondly, respectfully to express our dissent from some of its conclusions. We would water with our tears, and ever keep fresh the flower that Colonel Ingersoll lays upon the grave of our brother. "True worth always deserves respect, and we are glad when it is recognized and acknowledged. We know that Dr. Clark, as Colonel Ingersoll expresses it, was simple, free, and kind, frank, candid, and sincere, practicing what he preached, and looking with the holy eyes of charity upon the failings and mistakes of men; giving freely to others the rights he claimed for himself, remembering that even infidels have rights which love respects. Dr. Clark was all this, because the religion which he professed, and with the spirit of which he was imbued, requires it. All these graces, which Colonel Ingersoll so much admires, are Christian graces, and are expressly enjoined in the Word YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 365 of God, and professedly Christian men are amiable, or otherwise, in proportion as they attain, in conformity to the requirements of their religion, these graces of the Chris- tian character. It was really the true Christian in Dr. Clark that Colonel Ingersoll admired. 'In this grand po- sition,' says Mr. Ingersoll, 'he stood almost alone. Tender, just, and loving where others were harsh, vindictive, and cruel, he challenged the respect and admiration of every honest man.' That all who bear the Christian name are not really Christians we are free to admit and deeply la- ment; but this is not the fault of Christianity, but of un- christian men. But to say that Dr. Clark was almost the only man who possessed the noble traits of Christian character above enumerated, would be giving him undue praise. "Colonel Ingersoll declares that Dr. Clark, 'giving freely to others the rights he claimed for himself, it never occurred to him that his God hated a brave and honest unbeliever.' And why should such a thought occur to him, when the Bible teaches that God is love, that his care is over all his works, that he maketh his sun to rise upon the evil and upon the good, and sendeth rain upon the just and upon the unjust, and that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life? "But if God loves his creatures, he must discountenance and discourage whatever is injurious to their happiness and welfare. Sin is the great curse of the universe, and God, in the administration of his divine government, would discourage and restrain it, and this can only be done by manifesting his approval of virtue, which always pro- motes happiness, and his disapproval of vice, which always promotes misery, by rewarding the one and punishing the other. And whatever may be said of the 'fiendish sentence 366 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY of eternal fire/ based on some figurative expressions in the Bible, the whole tenor of its teachings is, that the Judge of all the earth will do right, and that he will reward every man according to his works, and that whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. God will not punish any man more than he deserves, and then only to promote the happiness and welfare of the universe. To promote the happiness of the universe we must have order; to secure order, we must have government; to maintain government, we must have law; to enforce law, we must have penalties; and to maintain respect for law, these penalties must be exe- cuted. Whether would it be more 'fiendish' to abrogate all law, and remand the universe to moral anarchy, or to en- courage virtue by rewarding the good, and to discourage vice by justly punishing transgression? Can God be good, and yet ignore all distinctions in moral character, and, in the final awards of his administration, treat with equal complacency the evil and the good? "There is a matter of fact to which we wish to refer, and in regard to which Colonel Ingersoll appears to be in error. He says that Dr. Clark, 'in spite of the taunts and jeers of his brethren, publicly proclaimed that he would treat infidels with fairness and respect; and that he would endeavor to convince them by arguments, and win them with love.' And again, that 'while this good man was living his brethren blamed him for treating me (Inger- soll) with fairness/ That there are some professing Chris- tians who do not possess a Christian spirit, we admit; but to our personal knowledge Dr. Clark received many letters from ministers and laymen of his own and other Churches commending his course in reference to Colonel Ingersoll, while a few others objected, not to his treating Colonel Ingersoll with fairness, but to his conceding perhaps more YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 367 than truth and justice required. We most heartily indorse the position that 'no one can be maligned into kindness; that epithets can not convince; that curses are not argu- ments; and that the finger of scorn never points towards heaven.' "The right of private judgment in matters of religion was one of the fundamental principles in the great Refor- mation, and it is one of the cardinal principles of the Methodist Protestant Church indeed, of all Protestant Churches. While we claim it for ourselves, we freely con- cede it to others, and if exercised in the spirit of Christ, it will be in kindness and love. We trust the day will ne come when Colonel Ingersoll, or any one else, will be treated unfairly in the columns of the Methodist Recorder" I mailed Colonel Ingersoll a marked copy of the Re- corder containing his letter and my editorial notice. of it, and the following is his reply: "WASHINGTON, D. C., August 4, 1879. "REV. JOHN SCOTT: "My Dear Sir, I received, read, and liked your article. Of course, I do not expect you to agree with me; but, really, I see no reason why we should not be friends. 'Master/ said a disciple of Confucius, 'is there any word that contains the whole duty of man?' and Confucius re- plied, 'Yes; reciprocity.' "I liked Mr. Clark simply because he treated me with kindness, and I am not used to such treatment from the clergy. I was astonished. "Nearly every day I receive papers containing the most cruel and heartless things said by the clergy about the death of my dear brother. I never felt so resentful towards Christianity as I do now. Your kind article did me good, and I thank you for it. I surely hope the time may soon 368 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY come when every man will give to every other every right that he claims for himself. Thanking you again, I remain, "Your friend, E. G. INGEBSOLL." I give this correspondence, in hope that it may do good. In my article I yielded nothing to unbelief; but I treated Mr. Ingersoll with respect and kindness, which found a response in his heart. Reciprocity is a great thing; but love to God and man, which Christ inculcates, is far greater. We should remember that if we would convert men to Christ, we must do it in the Spirit of Christ. Being in charge of the Recorder at the time of Brother Clark's death, I continued to edit it in an uncertain and hesitating manner, without any further authorization than that given me by Brother Clark, till the 20th of August, 1879, when I was elected editor by the Board of Publi- cation, to fill out the unexpired time of Brother Clark. For four months I had charge of the paper, under circum- stances of peculiar embarrassment, and had also charge of the Church in Sharpsburg. The duties devolving upon me were delicate and difficult; but I did the best I could in my double capacity as editor and pastor. To give the reader a correct view of my feelings in entering officially upon my work as editor, I here insert my editorial greeting to the readers of the paper: "I assume control of the columns of the Methodist Recorder, and of the three Sunday-school papers of the Church, with great diffidence. Having occupied the po- sition before, I am familiar with its duties and responsi- bilities, which, instead of diminishing, are continually in- creasing. Nine years ago, after a term of nearly six years, I tendered my resignation, and retired from the position to which I have now again been called. I was succeeded by our lamented brother, Eev. Alexander Clark, who YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 369 wielded a keen and versatile pen, and who, as a journalist, had but few equals. This fact renders the position now more difficult to fill. I shall not attempt to imitate an- other, whose peculiar talent I do not possess; but, bring- ing the talents which God has given me to the perform- ance of the duties assigned me, I shall do the best I can, and endeavor to be faithful to my trust. The interests of the Church, with which I have been identified almost from its organization, and whose servant I am, I shall feel it my paramount duty to promote. In this work I shall need both the forbearance and assistance of my brethren, and I respectfully and earnestly solicit their hearty co- operation. With many of Dr. Clark's special contributors I am not acquainted; but I trust they will kindly continue their favors, which will be highly appreciated, and that an acquaintance may be formed which shall prove mutu- ally agreeable. "I greet the many thousand readers of the Recorder this day sadly, yet hopefully; sadly, when I remember the cause which has rendered this greeting necessary; but hope- fully, when I remember that in the Divine hand any instru- ment may be rendered efficient in the accomplishment of good. I shall labor to make the Recorder worthy of your patronage and support, an assistant in every good word and work, and a means of Christian edification and cul- ture. I trust that our acquaintance will prove agreeable and profitable, and that with tender memories and bright- ening hopes, we shall labor in our lot till the angels of mercy shall whisper us to our rest." Having had six years' experience as editor of the Church paper, I knew something of the difficulties connected with it, and of the character of the work to be performed. In consequence of this, I was not so sanguine as one possess- ing less experience would probably have been. It is easy 24 370 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY in this vocation, as well as in every other, to talk of suc- cess; hut it is not so easy to succeed. The editing of a Church paper, where so many different tastes are to be suited, and so many different demands to be considered, is peculiarly difficult. After the exercise of the calmest judgment and the most impartial and disinterested de- cision, in view of all the circumstances in the case, the editor is often censured; and if his decision had been the reverse, the censure would have been no less severe. While the judgment of others should be duly considered and respected in this connection, it can not be safely recog- nized as the rule of action any more than in the discharge of other duties. An editor's own judgment, after duly considering all the facts before him, must decide the case in every instance. If he yields his own judgment, he will be like a vessel without helm or compass; tossed about by every contrary wind. As it sometimes requires a firm hand to grasp the helm so as to conduct the vessel safely through the dashing waves, so an editor must sometimes act with great firmness in pursuing a proper course in the midst of conflicting opinions. But when the editor of a Church paper is officially associated with others, who are equally responsible with himself for the success of -the enterprise, it is his duty to treat their judgment with special respect. The office on which I entered was by no means a sine- cure. It involved a great deal of labor indeed, enough for two men. For five years I edited the Methodist Re- corder, the Morning Guide, the Sunday-school, and the Child's Recorder, prepared all the "copy," wrote up the cuts for the Sunday-school papers, and read all the proof, without an assistant. The last four years of my term I was relieved of the Sunday-school papers, and for a while in the close of my term I had some assistance on the Recorder. I never had the art of inducing others to do my YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 371 work, and my work was always a labor I put my thought into it, and did not write out every foolish thing that came into my mind. That all my work was of first-class char- acter was more than could reasonably be expected in the circumstances. In the fall of the year I was required to visit as many of the Conferences as I could, and in order to keep up my work, I had to prepare what matter I could for the paper before I left home, and then prepare editorials on the cars, or at the depots while waiting for trains, or wherever I was, so that my absence from the office did not relieve me from work. Had it not been that it was a kind of work that I liked, it would have been an unendurable drudgery. 372 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY CHAPTER XXXII. Miss Lizzie M. Guthrie Meeting with Mrs. O'Neal Union Board Education of Girls in Japan Preachers' Meeting- Statements of Miss Guthrie Women Encouraged Wo- man's Foreign Missionary Society Organized Officers Constitution By-laws Miss Guthrie Birth Education Conversion Missionary to India Failure of Health Japan Service There Attention Called to our Church- Return Home Providentially Brought in Contact with our Women Appointed Missionary to Japan Farewell Meet- ingHer Departure Death in San Francisco Remains Brought to Pittsburg Funeral Miss Harriet G. Brit- tan. IN the beginning of February, 1879, Miss Lizzie M. Guthrie, a returned missionary from Japan, visited Pitts- burg, and, seemingly by accident, met with Sister O'Neal, a member of our First Church, Allegheny City. The two ladies a few days afterwards visited our Preachers' Meet- ing, and Miss Guthrie gave us some account of her labors in Japan, and of the great opening presented there for Christian work, and excited a good deal of interest in the minds of the brethren. Previous to that time we had been co-operating with the Woman's Union Foreign Missionary Society, and had furnished money for the education of sixteen or seventeen girls in Japan, to become Bible-readers there. Miss Guthrie proposed that the women of our Church should organize a Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, and endeavor to enlist the women of our whole Church more fully in the missionary work. Her sugges- tion met with the hearty approval of the brethren of the Preachers' Meeting, and they encouraged the women to go forward and effect an organization. YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 373 The subject was accordingly discussed among our wo- men in and about Pittsburg, and on the 14th day of Febru- ary, 1879, a meeting of the ladies was held in the First Church, Fifth Avenue, Pittsburg, at which Miss Guthrie was present. She informed them of the general mission work done by the Union Missionary Society in Japan, and particularly of the good that was being done through the liberality of the Methodist Protestant Church, in furnish- ing means for the education of young girls in Japan, in view of becoming Bible-readers and helpers in missionary work. After due deliberation a society was organized, to be known as the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist Protestant Church. Mrs. Margaret H. Scott, wife of the writer, was elected president; Mrs. John H. Claney, secretary; Mrs. N. B. O'Neal, corresponding secre- tary; and Mrs. Shaw, treasurer. Mrs. James I. Bennett, Mrs. F. H. Collier, and Mrs. John L. Sands were elected vice-presidents. A committee was appointed to prepare an address to the women of the Methodist Protestant Church, and another committee was appointed to prepare a Constitution and By-laws for the Society. These com- mittees subsequently reported, and their reports were adopted, and a thousand copies were printed in pamphlet form for distribution. Thus the Society was fairly inaugu- rated, and entered upon its career of great usefulness. There seemed to have been something peculiarly provi- dential in the organization of this Society, and in the way in which it was brought about. It would seem as if God had chosen Miss Guthrie, and thrown her -in our way. to stimulate our lagging zeal in the missionary cause, and lead us to engage in the work of the foreign field. Miss Guthrie was born in Bakerstown, Allegheny County, Pa., a village about eighteen miles north of Pitts- 374 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY burg. Her father, the Eev. Joseph Guthrie, D. D., was a minister in the Reformed Presbyterian Church, and cousin of the celebrated Dr. Thomas Guthrie, of Scotland. Her mother died when she was but two days old. She was then placed in charge of her grandfather, Mr. Joseph Coskey, who tenderly cared for and educated her. In 18G1 she was adopted by an aunt, Mrs. McClurg, and removed to Philadelphia, where she enjoyed every comfort and even luxury, and became a gay and fashionable young lady, full of life and joy. But a change came over her. Jesus laid his hand upon her heart, and called her into his service. "Won by his love, she yielded to the Divine Spirit, and dedi- cated herself to God. Her heart was changed, and also the great purpose of her life. She could now say, "Fade every earthly joy, Jesus is mine." Like the Master himself, she resolved to seek, and, by the assistance of Divine grace, to save the lost. She was converted under the ministry of our own sainted Thomas H. Stockton, and partook of the last communion ever ob- served in the church at the corner of Eleventh and Wood Streets, Philadelphia, where Brother Stockton served for so many years as pastor. That was an Independent Church, and Miss Guthrie knew perhaps nothing of the Methodist Protestant Church, of which Brother Stockton was a min- ister. Miss Guthrie's attention was soon turned to the sub- ject of missions, and, after due deliberation, she made up her mind to go out as a missionary in the foreign field. In 1868, Miss Guthrie's services were secured by the Woman's Union Missionary Society of New York, and she was sent out as a missionary to India. The climate of India, however, did not suit her. Her health soon gave YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 375 way, and at the end of a few years her fellow-missionaries deemed it advisable that she should return home. Her friends were advised of her purpose, but were also in- formed that but little, if any, hope was entertained that she would live to reach her native land. Contrary to ex- pectation, however, the sea voyage proved beneficial; her strength began to return; and when she reached Japan, the improvement in her condition was very marked. She ' was urged by the missionaries of the Woman's Union Board there to remain a few months until her health should be fully restored. To this she assented. At length, having entirely recovered from her illness, and her services being needed there, she entered heartily into the mission work, under the direction of the Union Board, and remained there for six years. During her stay in Japan, the. funds of the Union Board were taxed to their utmost extent, and she was di- rected not to receive any more girls into her school, as there were no means at command for their support. Con- trary, however, to this direction, she did admit two girls for whom no provision could be made. She felt that she could not reject them. She took the case to God, and entreated him to open up some way for their support. About this time God put it into the hearts of some of our people to assist in the education of young girls in Japan. Dr. William Collier, pastor of our Church in Connells- ville, raised forty dollars for this purpose, and Sister John L. Sands, of the First Church, Pittsburg, contributed forty dollars for the same purpose. The Woman's Union Board presented a medium through which they could carry out their purpose, and it was soon reported that the Methodist Protestant Church had made provision for the support of two girls, and Miss Guthrie regarded this as a direct an- swer to her prayers, and, as a consequence, her attention 376 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY was turned to our Church, and she became very much in- terested in it, and anxious to leaxn something more about it. How wonderful are the dispensations of our Heavenly Father, and how mysterious his ways of working! Who could have imagined that an entire stranger to our Church, though one who had been converted under the labors of one of our ministers, but who had been trained under the auspices of another organization, should become the means of arousing our missionary zeal, organizing our women, and should go forth as our first missionary to a foreign field! But so it was. It seems that God had pre- pared and sent her to lead us out into the foreign mission- ary work. Miss Guthrie aided our women by her counsels and efforts, and during the year subsequent to the organiza- tion of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, visited some of our Conferences, to promote its interests. The first anniversary meeting of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist Protestant Church was held in the First Church, Pittsburg, February 19, 1880, the president, Mrs. Margaret H. Scott, presiding. The morning session was occupied with an old-fashioned Meth- odist love-feast, and was a season of much religious in- terest. It was then the day of small things with us in mis- sionary work. Neither the Board of Missions nor the Woman's Society was prepared alone to send out a mis- sionary. Before the meeting of the Woman's Society in the afternoon, the Eev. C. H. Williams, corresponding sec- retary of the Board of Missions, met Mrs. Scott in my office, and we discussed the propriety of the Board of Mis- sions and the Woman's Society uniting for the present in sending out and supporting a missionary, until they should YEARS IN THE MINISTRY, 377 be able to engage separately in the work. This, it was agreed, was the best thing under the circumstances that could be done. At the afternoon session of the Society, Mr. Williams being present, by request addressed the meeting, and as- sured the Society of the kind feelings of the Board of Missions, and suggested that they unite their strength, and then a missionary could immediately be sent to the foreign field, and the labors of the girls being educated by our money in Japan could be utilized in connection with our own Church. This suggestion met with favor; but did not assume tangible form. I took the liberty of making a few remarks in favor of it, and said that if I were a mem- ber of the Society, and had a right to make a motion, I would move that a committee be appointed to confer with the corresponding secretary of the Board of Missions, to ascertain if a suitable arrangement could be devised to carry into effect the suggestion which had been made. Some one then moved that such a committee be appointed, which was carried, and the committee named. Thus the matter was placed in proper form. The committee and the corresponding secretary arrived at a satisfactory understanding, and reported the same to the Society. The report was adopted, and all that was needed was the sanction of the Board of Missions to ren- der the arrangement complete. This was soon obtained, and Miss Guthrie was appointed our first missionary to a foreign land, to represent the General Board of Missions, and also the Woman's Society. The women agreed to pay her salary, and the Board agreed to meet her other expenses. As soon as convenient, the necessary arrangements were made, and April 23d was fixed upon as the time of her departure from Pittsburg. On Thursday evening, April 22, 1880, a farewell meeting was held in the First Meth- 378 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY odist Protestant Church, Union Avenue, .Allegheny City. It was an occasion of deep interest. The Eev. S. F. Crow- ther, pastor of the Church, presided. The large lecture- room was filled with a select audience, in which nearly every evangelical denomination was represented by earnest workers for Christ, who had come to greet Miss Guthrie and extend to her their kind regards. The stand was deco- rated with beautiful flowers, and in the rear of it was a large American flag, presented to the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society by the ladies of the Muskingum Con- ference, to be placed over the mission home in Yokohama, Japan. The first hour was given to social enjoyment, the ladies having provided substantial refreshments for the occasion. After this came the devotional exercises and addresses. Prayer was offered, several hymns were sung, and short impromptu addresses were made. Miss Guthrie was introduced, and spoke in the most tender and touching manner in reference to her departure. She said: "To-morrow I shall leave you, dear friends, and set my face toward the rising sun in Japan, the place of my future labors and love. I rejoice to know that I do not go alone. My Savior will go with me, and keep me and bless me in my distant field. But there is one thing that I wish to urge upon you, Christian friends, especially upon the young members of the Church, that you soon send me an assistant, as the field there is already white to the harvest; but the laborers are few. What can one do among so many millions who are hungering for the bread of life? I shall expect to read in every kind letter from you the cheerful tidings of your earnest efforts to send, as soon as possible, another worker into the vineyard in Japan." Then, extending her thanks to the Christian friends for their great kindness and courtesies bestowed upon her, and soliciting a deep interest in their prayers YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 379 and symapthies for the future, she said she would pro- nounce the words, "good-by," or in its Saxon meaning, "God be with you." After Miss Guthrie's address, the writer of this made a few remarks. He said: "The cause of Christ can only be promoted in the Spirit of Christ. This truth should be deeply impressed upon every mind and heart. To attempt to promote it in any other spirit would be in vain, and would bring upon us the fate of those who offered strange fire upon God's altar. We are now about to take an ad- vanced step as a Church, and to attempt greater things for Christ, and we should seek a greater consecration to him. God's ancient people on one occasion desired a king, that they might be as the nations round about them. We should not permit Church pride or denominational am- bition to influence us to engage in this work, that we may be as other Churches; but the love of Christ should con- strain us. This love has constrained our dear sister to sever the tenderest ties, and leave home and friends to cany the gospel to perishing souls. As a Church, we have the ability; and all that is necessary to send out an assistant missionary at an early day is to be more fully imbued with the Spirit of Christ and the love of souls." He urged the Church to a more entire consecration to the Savior, and to the work of converting the world to Christ. He assured Sister Guthrie of our sympathy, our prayers, and our sup- port as a Church. Dr. J. J. Murray spoke in the most earnest terms, and indorsed the remarks that had just been made. He urged the Church to greater missionary zeal, referring to the case of a Christian mother, who cheerfully gave her only son to go and die in Africa as a missionary of the Cross, and thanked the Lord that he had given her a son for such a glorious purpose. He said: "If we have the Spirit of 380 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY Christ, we will soon have funds and workers in the foreign field." Several other short addresses were made, kind adieus were uttered, and the meeting, after a most enjoyable and profitable season, adjourned. The next forenoon was spent by Miss Guthrie in re- ceiving calls from her numerous friends at the residence of her uncle, Mr. James Irwin, Pittsburg, and at two o'clock a little company of brethren and sisters accom- panied her to the cars, where the last farewell words were said. The parting with her aunt and foster-mother, Mrs. McClurg, of Philadelphia, and her uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Irwin, of Pittsburg, was very tender and touch- ing. But with a sublime faith, inspired by the love of souls, alone and unattended, she started to cross this broad con- tinent and the wide Pacific, to teach the ignorant the way of life, and tell them of the love of Jesus. But the last tender words and whispered prayers of loving hearts were uttered. The train was in motion, and the object of our Christian love and deep solicitude was borne away from us. I shall never forget that last earnest, tender, tearful look! It shall abide with me as a constant benediction. My wife accompanied her across the river to Allegheny City, and there bade her a final adieu. Miss Guthrie intended taking the steamer that sailed from San Francisco, California, on May 10th; but not having entirely completed her arrangements, she concluded to wait for the steamer which was to sail on the 22d. In the meantime she was taken ill, and died at the home of a relative of hers on the morning of May 15th. In referring to her death in an editorial in the Methodist Recorder of May 22d, I said: "God has greatly chastened us as a Church. In the hour of our expectancy, when all hearts were cheered with YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 381 the prospect of entering upon a successful career of for- iegn missionary labor, a deep shadow has fallen upon us, and our standard-bearer, on the very threshold of her work, in the van of the host, has been released by the Master, and called to the joy of his presence. On last Saturday evening, the 15th instant, a telegram was received by Miss Outline's relatives in this city, from San Francisco, conveying the sad intelligence that on the morning of that day Sister Guthrie departed this life. None of the particulars of her death were given, and a week must elapse before full in- formation will be received. Her remains will be brought to this city for interment. "This appears like a mysterious dispensation of Divine providence. We can not fathom it. A mist is before our eyes. Still we would not reproach God foolishly. We would not murmur against his providence. It is a Father's hand that has bereft us. He knows what is best, and we would bow submissively to his will. 'The workmen die, but the work goes on.' The broken ranks must be closed up, and another take the place of our dear departed sister. Moses led the children of Israel through the wilderness to the border of the Promised Land, and then ascended to the top of Pisgah and died before the Lord; and Joshua conducted the people through the disparted waters of the Jordan into the land of their possession. Elijah went up in a chariot of flame, escorted by the angels to his God; but his mantle fell upon Elisha, and he became the prophet of Israel. Although Sister Guthrie has been taken from us, the work on which she had entered must not be aban- doned. Our faith must not fail, our zeal must not abate; but, impressed with the importance of the work, we must meet the emergency with calm determination and renewed effort. God may try us, to prove our fidelity to his cause; but if we are faithful, he will open up a door of usefulness 382 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY to us, direct us to suitable instruments, and prosper us in our foreign mission work. Let no one yield to discourage- ment. It is God's cause we labor to advance, and while doing so we may confidently rely upon Divine aid. "From the example of our dear, departed Sister Guth- rie,who placed herself upon the altar of service, consecrating all she had to God, not counting her life dear unto herself, let us draw fresh inspiration, and consecrate ourselves anew to the mission work in which she labored, in which she died, and from which her gentle and purified spirit went up to join that great multitude before the throne, gathered out of all lands. We have a missionary crowned in the kingdom, and from the exultant presence of the Master she is beckoning us on to the conflict and the victory. With chastened spirits and trusting hearts let us look up through our blinding tears to our loving Father for grace to enable us to press forward in our mission work. Let us trust God where we can not trace him." The. news of Miss Guthrie's death was almost a crush- ing blow to the members of the Woman's Missionary So- ciety. A special meeting of the Executive Committee was called, and the following action was taken: "WHEREAS, We have learned, by telegram from San Fran- cisco, of the death of our beloved missionary, Miss Guthrie, on Saturday morning, May 15th, we, the resident membei-s of the Executive Board of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, at Pittsburg, convened by special call, May 17th, de- sire to place on record some expression of the deep feeling of sorrow produced in our hearts by this afflictive dispen- sation; therefore, "Resolved, That we bear testimony to the gentle, amiable disposition of our sister, and her earnest devotion and self- sacrificing spirit in the cause she had espoused. "Resolved, That while we can not understand the sad provi- dence which has removed our sister so suddenly from the work ehe loved, that we bow in humble resignation to the will of YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 383 our unerring Father, and in the words of our blessed Lord himself, say, 'Not ray will, but thine be done.' "Resolved, That we hereby extend our heartfelt sympathy to the immediate relatives of our deceased sister, to the Board of Missions of our Church, under whose auspices she had gone forth, and to the women of the Methodist Protestant Church, who have so earnestly aided to raise the standard of our Church in a foreign field. MRS. JOHN SCOTT, Prcs't, MRS. CHAS. A. HERBERT, Scc'y, MRS. JOHN H. CLANEY, MRS. M. A. MILLER, Committee." Miss Guthrie, when she found she was about to die, hurriedly made a will, and left her money and effects, in- cluding her library in Japan, to the "Woman's Society. Her will was found after her death to be informal, and not legally binding; but her brother, Dr. Guthrie, of Sparta, Illinois, carried out her wishes to the letter, and saw that her effects were disposed of according to her desire. Miss Guthrie's remains were brought to Pittsburg for interment. They arrived in the city on Saturday after- noon, June 5th, and were taken to the residence of her uncle, Mr. James Irwin. On Monday morning, -June 7th, her funeral took place from the First Methodist Protestant Church, Fifth Avenue. The large auditorium was filled with relatives and deeply-interested friends, who came with tearful eyes and throbbing hearts to pay the last tribute of respect to one whom all had learned to love. Revs. T. H. Colhouer, J. C. Berrien, and Messrs. Charles A. Scott, Charles A. Herbert, \V. K. Gillespie, and John H. Clancy acted as pall-bearers. As the remains were borne to the chancel, the choir ren- dered in a very beautiful and impressive manner the an- them, "And God shall wipe away all tears." Upon the altar was placed a large cross of pure white flowers, and a 384 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY floral pillow showing the single word, "Best." Upon the casket was laid a beautiful floral cross and crown. Other floral decorations were placed upon the altar, and the pul- pit and altar and casket were trimmed with smilax. The whole arrangement was simple and tasteful, and the effect pleasing. At the close of the anthem, Rev. S. F. Crowther read part of the fifteenth chapter of First Corinthians, and part of the seventh chapter of Revelation. At the close of the reading of the Scriptures, Rev. William Wragg announced the eight hundred and ninety-fourth hymn, beginning, "Farewell, dear friend," etc.; after which Rev. "W. H. Phipps led in prayer. After the prayer, the writer of this made a few remarks, in which he endeavored to speak in befitting words of the deceased, the purity of her character, the sublimity of her faith, and her entire consecration to the mission work in which she was engaged. Providence appeared to have sent her among us. Wherever she went she won the hearts of our people, and all eyes were turned to her as our standard-bearer in the foreign field. But almost at the moment when we expected her to sail from San Francisco for her field of labor, the sad news was borne to us, that she had passed through the "Golden Gate," and entered the Celestial City, and our ex- pectations were cut off, and our hopes turned to ashes. But God's hand was in this. He knows what is best. He sees the end from the beginning. What is mysterious to us, is plain to him. This dispensation, which we can not comprehend, God may make the means of stirring up the whole Church to greater missionary zeal and effort. Her relatives, the women of the Missionary Society, with whom she had so pleasantly associated, and the members of the Church at large, were urged to imitate her example of de- YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 385 votion to the Master, and after a while, when the reapers return, bringing their gathered sheaves, there will be joyous greetings before the throne, where God shall wipe away all tears. Dr. J. J. Murray followed in a few well-chosen, tender, and touching words. He held in his hand a volume of daily Scriptural readings, which had been the constant com- panion of Miss Guthrie amid her toils in Yokohama, and which, on leaving her brother at Sparta, Illinois, to come to Pittsburg, she presented to him as a small token of re- membrance. In this small volume is the following entry: "February 4, 1880. Left Sparta for Pittsburg." The pas- sage for the day reads: "The Lord hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way." On the day of her death, May 15, 1880, is this entry, made by her brother: "Passed from death to life at San Francisco, Cali- fornia." The passage for the day was: "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrrow, nor crying, neither shall there .be any more pain: for the former things have passed away." The chorister, without knowing this fact, selected for the opening anthem, "And God shall wipe away all tears." The coincident was beautiful and touching. We can not reproduce the words of Dr. Murray; but they were such as found a response in every heart that was present. The remains having been embalmed in San Francisco, were remarkably well-preserved, and Miss Guthrie's friends were permitted to look once more on the face, now pale and cold, of their dear, departed friend. The large audience, without any confusion, came up the west aisle, passed in front of the altar, looked upon the calm, sweet face of the silent sleeper, and then passed down the east aisle, and filed out of the Church. The remains were then carried to the 25 386 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY hearse, and followed to the Allegheny Cemetery by as sin- cere a band of mourners as ever entered the portals of that beautiful city of the dead. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them." Shortly after Miss Guthrie's death, Miss Harriet G-. Brittan, who had spent eighteen years as a missionary in India, and who had organized the work of the Woman's Union Foreign Missionary Society in that country, came forward, and was employed to take the place left vacant by the death of Miss Guthrie. Miss Brittan was a very excellent lady, but very differ- ent from Miss Guthrie. She was of a sterner character, and possessed of great executive ability; but she lacked the sweetness and gentleness of Miss Guthrie, which gave her such power to win the hearts of those with whom she came in contact. Miss Guthrie and Miss Brittan were co-laborers in India during the stay of the former in that country. Miss Brittan served the Society with faithfulness, accepta- bility, and success for several years in Japan, until she en- tered upon independent missionary work of her own. She made a good record. YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 387 CHAPTER XXXIII. General Conference of 1880 George B. McElroy, President- Session of 1838 Two Survivors Not Members Old and Young Men No Antagonism between Them Re-elected Editor Recorder General Interests Offer of Column to Women Accepted Editor for It Named Kept It Up- Assisted the Women Miss Brittan "Brick Fund" Mrs. Scott, Treasurer Work Progressed Slowly Labor Attend- ing It Amount Raised "Home" Paid For Mrs. Scott Resigned. AT the session of our Conference which met in Beaver Falls, Pa., September 3, 1879, Rev. S. F. Crowther was elected president, and J. F. Dyer secretary. Brother Crow- ther united with the Conference in 1865. He is a man of good mind, a fine preacher, and has faithfully filled some of the best appointments in the Conference, and has repre- sented it in the General Conference. He served two terms as president. He is now among the older members of the Conference, and his sun is beginning to decline. Two members of the Conference, Alexander Clark, D. D., and Charles S. Cowl, youngest son of John Cowl, D. D., de- ceased during the preceding year. The General Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church met in its fifteenth quadrennial session in the First Church, Pittsburg, Pa., on Friday, May 21, 1880. This was the first session after the union of the Northern and Southern branches of the Church. George B. McElroy, D. D., was elected president, and discharged the duties of his office with ability, and to the satisfaction of the body. Dr. McElroy was born in the city of Pittsburg, Pa,, June 5, 1824. He was converted when sixteen years of age, and united with the First Methodist Protestant Church 388 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY in his native city. Almost immediately his attention was turned to the ministry, and on his eighteenth birthday he was licensed to preach the gospel. In September, 1843, he was received into the Pittsburg Conference, and for eight or nine years labored faithfully as an itinerant min- ister, filling different appointments within its bounds. In 1852 he accepted a position in Madison College, Union- town, Pa., where, in addition to teaching, he finished his course of study, and graduated with honor. After a few years he was elected professor of Mathematics and Natural Science in that institution, which position he retained, ex- cept during a short interval, when he voluntarily retired from his chair, till 1857, when he removed to Henry, Illinois, where, for five years, he had charge of the North Illinois Institute. After that, for two years he served as county superintendent and principal of city schools. He then removed to Sharpsburg, Pa., and for three years had charge of the Allegheny Seminary, located in that place. In 1867 he was called to the chair of Mathematics in Adrian College, at Adrian, Michigan, and during the year became vice-president, and in 1873 he succeeded Rev. Asa Mahan, D. D., LL. D., as president of that institution. A few years ago he resigned the presidency, and is now pro- fessor of Mathematics, and also dean of the School of Theology connected with the college. In personal appear- ance, Dr. McElroy is tall, erect, and commanding. His hair and full beard are perfectly white, giving him a venerable appearance. He is modest and retiring in disposition, and never disposed to put himself forward, or bring himself into notice. In his chair of Mathematics he has few equals, and perhaps no superior in the country. As a preacher, he is clear, logical, convincing, and thoroughly orthodox. As a writer, he is chaste, exact, and attractive in style. As a man and a Christian, he is true as steel, and can not be YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 389 turned aside from his convictions of duty. He is not a place seeker; but has filled with credit every position to which he has been called. The General Conference had met in Pittsburg in 1838, but not one of its members was present at the session of 1880, and it was stated on the Conference floor that but two of them were living, Kev. John Clark, of Rushville, Illinois, and James Barnes, of Greene County, Pa. Forty- two years had made an entire change in the men to whom the interests of the Church were committed. In the course of nature the old men pass away, and the young men as naturally come forward to take their place. As the grasp of the old men slackens, that of the young men tightens, and almost imperceptibly the former are succeeded by the lat- ter, who, in turn, will be succeeded by others. The young should regard with affection and gratitude the old, who have laid the foundation of success; and the old should look with joy and hope upon the young, who will carry forward the work which they, often amid many difficulties, began. No sensible man, unless he has some sinister object in view, would excite antagonism between these two classes, who, like links in a 'chain, are mutually dependent on each other. At that Conference I was elected editor of the Meth- odist Recorder and Sunday-school papers for another term of four years. I was not called to the position because there was no one else who felt himself competent and willing to fill the place. Such a thing as that could not occur in a Church of "mutual rights." But, however imperfect my work had been, the Conference chose to continue me in it for another term. In conducting the Church paper, I made it a special object to keep all the general interests of the Church before the people, and to do what I could to promote them. When the women engaged in the work of foreign missions, I ten- 390 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY dered them the use of the columns of the Recorder, and offered to give a column or more of the paper, to be edited, if they preferred it, by one of their own number. This offer was accepted, and a column devoted to woman's work was opened in the paper, and an editor of it was elected by the Woman's Society. The matter for this column was furnished to me, and I took pleasure in arranging it, and reading the proof, and often supplemented it with selections of my own, and when matter was not supplied, I still kept up the column. At one time I did this for perhaps six months, when the editor was absent, and still kept her name at the head of the column. Indeed, I did everything in my power to help the women in their new enterprise, and I think the Woman's Society was no little indebted to me for their success in the beginning of their work. Although I do not go to the extent of some in the advocacy of woman's rights, yet I advocated their cause when they needed a friend, and when there was not only indifference, but opposition on the part of many to their work. On the 8th of August Miss Brittan came to Pittsburg, to meet with the Woman's Society, and arrange for her departure to Japan. She was with them in council for several days, making suggestions and proposing plans for future work. Among the things suggested was an immedi- ate effort to raise money to build a missionary home for the woman's work in Japan. She proposed that an appeal be made to the Church, and that any one giving ten cents should be considered as giving one brick for the building, and larger sums at the same rate. This plan was adopted, and the fund to be raised was called the "Brick Fund." My wife was elected treasurer of this fund, and began her collections in hope of being able to raise three thousand dollars, which it was thought at first would be sufficient to secure the desired home in Japan. The work progressed YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 391 slowly, the contributions ranging from five cents to fifty dollars. Every contribution was entered in the treasurer's book, and then transcribed and published in the Recorder. This continued for several years. As the sura collected in- creased, the amount needed seemed to enlarge, until nearly eight thousand dollars were collected, and a beautiful home for the Woman's Society in Yokohama, Japan, was erected and paid for. This being accomplished, and we having left the city of Pittsburg, Mrs. Scott resigned as treasurer of the Building Fund, feeling that she had accomplished a good work. The long-drawn-out effort involved no little labor and expense; but the satisfaction of having succeeded compensated for this. 392 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY CHAPTER XXXIV. No idleness Personal Attention to Every Department of Paper Weary Need of Rest Trip to the West Chicago- Political Conventions Differences Harmonized Council Bluffs Mr. Baldwin Meeting of Relatives Beautiful Scenery First Sabbath in the City Two Sermons Preach- ing of the Gospel Scientific Preaching Assaults on the Bible not Generally to be Answered from the Pulpit- Through Books, Magazines, Quarterlies Visited Several Conferences Mormon Camp-meeting. DTJKING my editorial term in the office of the Methodist Recorder I did not eat the bread of idleness. I gave con- stant and personal attention to every department of the paper, except that of the publisher, and, as a consequence, I was often weary and worn, and a little relaxation became absolutely necessary. During the summer of 1880 I made a visit, with my wife, to the West, for the double purpose of obtaining a little rest and visiting some relatives. We left home on the 8th of June, and arrived in Chicago the next morning. The Eepublican National Convention, which met in that city, and which nominated General James A. Garfield for President, and Chester A. Arthur for Vice-President, of the United States, had just ad- journed, and the National Greenback Party were to meet in Convention in the same hall that day. The city was full of people, and we did not tarry long amid the confusion. At 12.30 P. M. we took the train on the Chicago & Northwestern Eoad for Council Bluffs. The cars were crowded in large part with the delegates returning home from the Convention, and we were treated to no little po- litical talk. They had been the followers of various polit- ical leaders; but they had been converted, and were return- YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 393 ing home all of the same mind at least they had waived their differences, and agreed to unite for the promotion of a common object. Verily, we thought, "the children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light." Next morning, about nine o'clock, we reached the city of Council Bluffs, and were soon conveyed to the home of my brother-in-law, John T. Baldwin, where mother and sisters and nieces united in giving us a hearty welcome. Here we spent a couple of weeks in delightful intercourse with our relatives and other friends in the city. The scenery along the Missouri, especially in the neighborhood of Council Bluffs, I always regarded as very beautiful. The towering bluffs, of almost every form and contour, with their cozy dells, covered here and there with the dark shadows of passing clouds, while some of their peaks were bathed in a shimmering light, presented a beautiful picture, which I could not but greatly admire, contrasting, as it did, with the broad plain stretching out two or three miles to the river, whose winding course could be seen in the distance for several miles. On our first Sabbath in the city I heard two sermons from two different ministers, in different Churches, both of whom discussed Christian doctrines from a scientific point of view. The first was an attempt to prove, on scien- tific principles, the existence of a future spiritual state of being, as the perfection and development of the present life, and the light which this truth casts on the doctrines of miracles, providence, and prayer. The second was an attempt to show the harmony between science and the Bible, and the development of the higher manhood through faith and knowledge. Both were creditable productions; the latter was especially scholarly, and showed a great deal of thought. 394 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY The preaching of the gospel is the most important, and, perhaps, the most difficult work in which a man can en- gage. Its importance will appear when we consider the vast issues, embracing the spiritual and eternal interests of the souls of men which it involves. Its difficulty will become apparent if we consider the natural perversity of the human heart, its aversion to spiritual and divine things, the many forms of unbelief which prevail, and the numerous influences which are continually at work to draw men away from Christ and heaven. To present the truth to men in such a manner as to overcome all these opposing influences, and lead them to the Savior, requires more than human wisdom and skill. Unbelief, although at all times essentially the same, is continually assuming new forms, and assaulting Chris- tianity on what it claims to be new grounds. Its present form of attack is of a scientific character. The facts of science, it is claimed although without any just founda- tion can not be harmonized with the teachings of the Bible; and as truth can not contradict itself, it is con- tended that the teachings of the Bible, which conflict with science, so called, can not be true. However unfounded these assumptions may be, they are put forth with the greatest assurance. That the various forms of error and unbelief which prevail among men should be fairly met and their fallacy exposed, does not admit of doubt; but how far this should be attempted in the pulpit, in the presence of promiscuous audiences, the great majority of whom, perhaps, never heard of them, and who can not appreciate the arguments by which they may be clearly refuted, is a question not easily answered. As a general thing, it may perhaps be safely assumed that the pulpit is not the most suitable YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 395 place for their discussion, and yet it would be unwise, no doubt, to exclude them entirely from it. After hearing the two sermons above referred to, I endeavored to analyze them, and to get clearly before my mind the object at which they aimed, and to what extent the arguments presented sustained the positions assumed. The end contemplated was evidently nothing more nor less than to secure an intelfectual assent to the truth, and the arguments employed were well calculated to do this. But this, while essential, is not sufficient to save the soul. There are hundreds and thousands of men who give an in- tellectual assent to the truths of the Bible, who are not Christians. Indeed, we are assured that intellectually the devils believe and tremble. Something more than a mere intellectual assent to the truth is necessary to the salvation of the soul. The most that scientific preaching can do, when it accomplishes the object which it proposes, is to convince unbelieving minds that there is no conflict be- tween science and the Bible, but that when properly un- derstood they harmonize with each other. But this only brings the objector to the condition of the great mass of unconverted men, who never, perhaps, had a doubt upon the subject. Scientific preaching, then, can never convert men. The preacher must pass beyond this, if he would bring men savingly to Christ. He must present truths unknown to science, although not in conflict with it. The fact of our morally lost condition, the necessity of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ as necessary to a change of heart and life, must be pressed home upon men's consciences, and they must be made to feel that they are not their own, but that they are bought with a price, and that they should therefore glorify God in their bodies and 396 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY spirits, which are his. The very same gospel which proved the power of God unto salvation before modern science set up its high and pretentious claims, is the only gospel that will convert and save the world. The apostles did not preach the gospel with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in the power and demonstration of the Spirit. Hence they declared that the weapons of their warfare were not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. What the Church and the world need to-day is less scientific preaching, and more of the power from on high for which the apostles tarried in Jerusalem, accord- ing to the command of their Divine Lord. Let the assaults of science on the Bible be met, as a general thing, through the same channels in which they are made, in books, and magazines, and reviews, and quarter- lies; but let the pulpit be left free, not to deal in negatives, or in scientific speculations, but in the plain and positive truths of the gospel. Let it ever be aggressive, and let all true ministers of the gospel, like those of old, preach Jesus and the Resurrection to the people. This is the work to which ministers of the gospel are especially called, and they should faithfully perform it. Our little visit was very pleasant, and we returned home stronger and in better spirits to resume our labors. An editor who is always on the go can not do the work he is capable of doing if he would give it proper atten- tion; nor can a man who is always tied down to his office till he is jaded and worn out, do what he is capable of doing under other circumstances. As a general thing, the editor who is least before the public in person is the one who has most influence with his readers and the public. "Distance lends enchantment to the view." Still, an editor must take sufficient relaxation to keep in healthy action both mind and body. YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 397 In the fall (1880) I attended the Michigan, the West Michigan, the Pittsburg, the North Illinois, the Iowa, and Muskingum Conferences. The visiting of the Conferences was always a labor to me; but, nevertheless, a source of great pleasure. I was always glad to see the old members, and form the acquaintance of the new ones. Some of the pleasantest recollections of my life are associated with my visits to the Conferences. I often think of the dear breth- ren with whom I was permitted to mingle, many of whom have ceased from their labors, and have entered into rest. It will be pleasant to meet and greet them again. While in Iowa, I had time between the sessions of the North Illinois and Iowa Conferences to attend for a day a camp-meeting of Mormons, or Latter-day Saints, a few miles from the Missouri River, in Pottawattamie County. It was more like a session of our General Conference than an ordinary camp-meeting. It was largely devoted to the transaction of business and planning for future work. The parties composing the encampment belonged to the Joseph Smith, Jr., faction, who profess not to believe in polygamy, "blood atonement" or in killing a man to save his life or in resisting the laws of the land. I found, perhaps, seventy-five tents or more pitched in a grove, one-half of which, I suppose, were designed to furnish refreshments and entertainment for those needing them. The tents were all of muslin, of a very primitive style, and the interior of many of them, which was exposed to view, showed the most simple arrangements for com- fort. I found an assembly of several hundred persons seated in front of the stand, which contained a number of the dignitaries of the Church, among them "Joseph," its recognized head. The meeting proved to be a business one, and the secretary was engaged in reading reports from their missionaries all over the country. I tried my 398 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY best to hear; but the wind happened to be blowing so strong at the time, that I could not hear with much satisfaction. I found, however, that they had missionaries all over the country, whose reports were being read, and that they were putting forth an amount of zeal, in support of their grand delusion, worthy of a better cause. Taking a position at the end of the stand, for the purpose of hearing and also of seeing, I took a good look at the assembled multitude, full in the face, and after looking at them, I did not wonder that they believed in Mormonism, and would not wonder at them believing in any other delusion. I did not see an intelligent-looking person in the crowd. They seemed to me to be of the very lowest and most ignorant class. As I retired I fell in company with a couple of the "Saints," who appeared to be very enthusiastic in support of their religion. One of them informed me that the business ses- sion, in which they were then engaged, would last till five o'clock P. M., but he proposed to call "Joseph" out of the stand so I might be introduced to him. But I declined the honor. There is nothing peculiarly striking in the appearance of "Joseph," although he is said to be a man of good education and fair ability. His great claim is that "he is the son of his father," the founder of the Church. He could never become a leader among intelligent people. Many of the persons present had come hundreds, and some of them thousands of miles. There were delegates, I was informed, from Utah, California, England, and even Australia. Many of them had, no doubt, appropriated their last dollar to enable them to be present at this grand con- vocation. When will the friends of true religion be willing to make equal sacrifices to advance the cause of Christ and build up his kingdom in the world? While truth al- ways elevates and ennobles men, error degrades and lowers them in the scale of intellectual and moral being. YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 399 CHAPTER XXXV. Routine Work Editorial on Women in the Church Their Position and Work No Thought of Controversy Disap- pointed Critique by Mrs. Taylor Reply End of Contro- versy. AFTEB the Fall Conferences were over, I settled down to my regular routine of work. From some cause or other my attention was turned to the subject of women's work in the Church, and I wrote an editorial on it, which, in my simplicity, I thought to be about the right thing; at least, that was the way the thing presented itself to my mind. Here it is: "Women are coming to the front and pressing for recog- nition everywhere. They are no longer willing to be ignored or kept in the background. They have talents, education, and influence, and they desire u proper field for their recognition. And that they have a right to exercise their talents and influence in appropriate spheres, no one can rationally deny. The bestowment by the Creator of any gift, either upon man or woman, implies not only its use, but also ultimate accountability for the manner in which it is employed. The talents which God has bestowed upon women were evidently designed to be exercised, and that in a way to promote the greatest good. They are cer- tainly designed to be workers in the great harvest-field of the world as well as men. They have ability to work; they have a right to work, and no one has a right to hinder them. Their demand to have their rights recognized can not con- sistently be disregarded. "As to the proper field in which women should labor, 400 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY different opinions are entertained. Some maintain that every sphere of usefulness is open to them; others are of the opinion that they are necessarily restricted, by circum- stances over which they have no control, to a more limited field of usefulness; but a field, nevertheless, sufficiently large to admit of the grandest achievements. This ques- tion, we think, must be determined by the law of adapta- tion which everywhere prevails throughout the works of God. All men are not adapted to the same positions in life, and it would be folly for them to aspire to move in the same sphere. There is much in common between them, and most of the duties of life alike devolve upon them. There are some positions, however, to which some men are especially adapted, and to which other men are especially unfitted. These differences sometimes arise from physical and mental constitution, and sometimes from external cir- cumstances and mental and moral training. When they inhere in our physical and mental constitution, they can not be overcome; but when they arise from accidental cir- cumstances, it is possible for them to be removed. A man's usefulness and success in life depend upon his moving in that sphere to which his natural endowments and his men- tal and moral training properly fit him. If he attempt to move in a sphere to which he is not thus adapted, he will necessarily fail. "The same law of adaptation applies to women. There are certain spheres in life to which women are especially adapted, and there are other spheres for which they are physically and naturally unfitted. This is true of men, and is equally true of women. While men and women are fitted for the performance of most of the duties of life in common, they possess, without question, natural and mental peculiarities which clearly point in some particulars to different spheres of action. There are positions of useful- YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 401 ness to which women are by natural endowment and train- ing especially fitted, and from which men are necessarily excluded. And who can reasonably doubt that the con- verse of this is equally true? While men and women possess a common nature, and are properly one, yet God himself has endowed them with certain peculiarities which clearly indicate that he designed them to move, in some respects at least, in different spheres, for the promotion of a com- mon end. There is nothing in this that can reasonably be regarded as humiliating to women any more than it is to men. While the body is one, it has many members, and every member has its own office. Each one is necessary, and bears its proper relation to the others. Hence, as the apostle declares, 'The eye can not say to the hand, I have no need of thee; nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you/ Each one occupies the position which God gave it, and fills the office which he assigned it. So God has evidently, by a different constitution of their physical and mental powers, fitted men and women in some impor- tant particulars, for different spheres in life, and it is the highest honor of both faithfully to perform the duties of their respective spheres. "The family circle is, primarily, woman's domain. God has honored her by making her the mother of the race, and committing the early training of all the generations of men into her hands. No higher duty could be imposed upon her, and no grander field of usefulness could be af- forded her. Young minds, in their plastic state, by her magic touch, may be molded into forms of moral beauty, and started upon careers of usefulness and unending happi- ness. In this respect she occupies a pre-eminent position, and has committed to her hands a work of far-reaching influence and untold importance. But she is not neces- sarily confined, in her ministries of love, to the family * 402 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY circle. When its duties do not demand her attention, in- numerable opportunities are presented for exerting her influence in society at large, in the promotion of benevolent labors, and in all the social and religious enterprises of the Church to which, by physical and mental constitution and intellectual and moral training, she is fitted. This field is certainly large enough to give full scope to her abilities, and satisfy her most enlarged and reasonable desire for usefulness. "But there are those who are not satisfied with this wide field, and who claim that in the Church, so far as official position, labor, and authority are concerned, there should be no distinction made between men and women; that the pastoral office should be open to them, and that they should, like men, be solemnly inducted into this office by ordina- tion. While the New Testament gives no sanction to this view, either by precept or example, woman's lack of adap- tation to this work is a sufficient reason, if there were no others, to convince us that God did not design her for it. This lack of adaptation does not arise from any intellectual or moral inferiority for in these respects some women are vastly superior to many men who fill the sacred office but it arises from other causes. Women must either renounce the family relation, for which God has eminently qualified them, or decline to enter the ministry till the period when the Jewish priesthood retired from the duties of their sacred office, before they can continuously discharge the duties of the pastoral relation. This is a point that can not be pressed; but it is one that determines the whole question, and clearly shows that God designed women to move in a different sphere. "We honor the Christian love and zeal of those women who would break every barrier and serve the Master in the sacred office of the ministry. But if they will look around YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 403 them in the Church, they will find numerous other open- ings for usefulness, better adapted to their capabilities, and in which they may more successfully serve the Master." I had no thought when I wrote this article, that it would excite any controversy, or call forth any dissent. In this, however, I was disappointed. It was not long until I received the following lengthy criticism of my article, from the pen of Mrs. M. Johnson Taylor, since deceased. I give it in full, that I may not be accused of marring it. She said: "When moral issues are before the public for consider- ation and decision, there are no neutral grounds. Hence, thinking women rejoice when leaders of thought pronounce themselves on this modern problem, even though they can not go into heroics over the negative notions which pious prejudice always brings forth as 'strong reasons' for draw- ing the sex-line between pulpit and pew, thus to define lay privilege and clerical prerogative. "Controversies through the columns of Church periodi- cals, however, are usually as objectionable as they are un- profitable. Nevertheless, truth and justice require the reconsideration of some of the statements in the editorial of October 16th, as to the 'women who are coming to the front and pressing for recognition everywhere/ "But, first of all, let me modestly say, though I have written sermons and read theology most of my life even studied it a year in Boston University as a pleasure yet I pronounce myself as one woman not aspiring to the pastoral office, not asking ordination, not even considering myself 'called to the ministry/ Beside the irresistible power of the Holy Ghost upon the heart to believe that the true call, without regard to sex, implies a very special fitness of one's triune nature spiritual, intellectual, and physical and that disability in any one of these ton 404 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY ditions disproves the divineness of the call, however great 'the feeling' or other constraining influences in the matter: according to this belief, God has not called me to the min- istry. Friends have, frequently; but, fortunately, I have never mistaken the fond wishes of friends and generous judgment of fellow-workers for the 'voice of God within,' or the direct impression of the Holy Ghost, as, it is to be feared, many have done, judging from their manifest dis- abilities in pulpit and pastorate. Aside, then, from all self- seeking, and only in defense of the right in any cause, I am going to pick at a few of the able editor's paragraphs. "In the first, he generously grants woman 'the talents, education, and influence bestowed by their Creator/ admits that they are 'designed to be workers in the great harvest- field of the world/ concedes that 'bestowment of any gift implies its use and ultimate accountability for the manner in which it is employed/ etc. 'Tacts fairly and fully stated, but wholly negatived in the next paragraph, where 'as to the proper field in which women should labor/ instead of the judgment of the above- described capable women, and their undeniable efficiency and success in all departments of Church work being sug- gested as proof of 'the proper field/ the same old opinions of extremists who are forever wasting words on woman's 'limited sphere/ or woman's 'restricted fields of useful- ness/ are quoted as if man's opinion should decide wo- man's place! "What a pity these speculators on 'spheres' and 'fields' have not yet learned that God has never transferred his right of defining woman's proper place to man or mannish woman, though many have assumed such right, forgetting utterly that it is alone God's prerogative to create, call, choose, and even ordain whom he will; and as he knows their fitness for any field be it as home-makers in the YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 405 family circle, as benefactors in the social world, as reform- ers on the platform, or as spiritual guides in the pulpit. "But mere opinions aside. The next statement is that woman's 'proper field must be determined by the law of adaptation.' We would n't quarrel with this in the least if, as afterward applied, it did not limit women, indiscrimi- nately (not according to individual fitness, but by the sex- line again, because they are women!), to a few fields, and these always the hardest physically, and always cautiously below the officially recognized places of privilege, oppor- tunity, and power for good, wholly ignoring the fact that the class of women who are asking for these latter places give the same assurance of their 'divine call' as are univer- sally received as 'sufficient evidence' for the bestowment of clerical rights upon a brother. Perhaps men and Churches will wake to realize what a fearful thing it is to repress the Holy Ghost when these women are all forced out of regular Churches into all manner of undenomina- tional unions, where they can work 'according to their ability,' and not as restricted by mere sex. "The same paragraph continues: 'While men and wo- men possess a common nature, and are properly one, yet God himself has endowed them with certain peculiarities which clearly indicate that he designed them to move in different spheres.' Somewhat, I suppose, as in the Churches of our childhood: men solemnly entered at one door, women the other, and sat on opposite sides, as a re- ligious duty. We have always looked upon this as a horri- ble heathenism; but it may be that they were 'endowed with certain peculiarities which clearly indicated that God designed them to move in different spheres.' So, all down the ages, many foolish Church customs, as well as ridiculous theological theories, have been cherished and sacredized and dogmatically asserted, until they have seemed to be 406 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY 'clear indications of God's designs;' hence all the notions about 'different spheres,' 'proper fields/ and 'sound the- ologies.' "But again, if, as is asserted, men and women are 'one body of many members,' and if 'the law of adaptation is to determine the proper field,' why do not the able-bodied brethren of the pulpit exchange places with the more deli- cately organized sisters, acknowledged to be their equals mentally and morally, yet, for lack of physical endowment, always restricted to fields requiring far greater physical power than would the full work of the ministry? "I wonder, if God were to 'clearly indicate his design* for a change in the offices of the members of this meta- phorical body, how many of the heads would humbly be- come hands and feet? How many of the brother ministers would willingly become 'hewers of wood and drawers of water/ and allow the sister ministers to serve the temple in spiritual things for a time? "Only when women, as well as men, are allowed to enter the 'different spheres' for which their individual 'pecul- iarities' fit them, will it be, as the last of this paragraph says it is, 'the highest honor of both faithfully to perform the duties of their respective spheres/ for only then can they work out God's design in their several lives. "So far, this law of adaptation limits women simply, as sex, to certain fields. In the next paragraph, it limits all women, first, to the family circle, which is necessarily true only of mothers while rearing families, hence does not apply to women as ministers; secondly, to 'society at large/ to which thankless toil the women in question are seldom 'called' or adapted; and, finally, to 'the social and religious enterprises of the Church, to which, by physical and mental constitution, and intellectual and moral training, she is fitted/ YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 407 "Well, experience has proven how much more 'physical and mental constitution and moral training' are required to attend to 'the social and religious enterprises/ such as presiding over gossiping societies, managing annual fairs and festivals (those spiritual waste-pipes of the Church), harmonizing quarrelsome choirs, enthusing dull prayer- meetings and Sabbath-schools, and filling in the niches generally, than is ever necessary to constantly prepare and preach the sermons, visit the sick, bury the dead, and do the whole work of the pastorate. We admit all this, and much more on this point as to the 'unlimited field of usefulness' for women as lay workers. "But what about eminently spiritual and intellectual maids and widows and even childless mothers who are not adapted by nature or circumstance to 'the family circle;' whose capabilities compass more than the benevolences of society at large; and who, in so far as Church authorities allow, are giving unmistakable proof that they are 'called of God,' and adapted to the full work of pulpit and pastor- ate, though not to baking and boiling, washing and iron- ing, sewing and entertaining, child-bearing and rearing to none of which honorable home-labors these women are constitutionally called, or circumstantially chosen. "These are the consecrated women, who by God's four- fold preparation of nature and grace, education and expe- rience, are 'asking that the pastoral office should be open to them, and that they should, like men, be solemnly in- ducted into this office by ordination.' Yet these are the very women whose demand for a 'proper field' is not 'de- termined by the law of adaptation,' when that law selects the 'family circle as woman's domain,' or limits her to benevolent and religious enterprises only, or allows her the unsettled 'field' of a traveling evangelist, or even permits her to go and preach the gospel to the heathen. 408 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY "Just here we never could quite understand how the editor can encourage women going to foreign fields with their hardships, exposure, and renounced 'family relations/ yet pronounce against their preaching in their native land, where the work of settled pastorate would he better adapted to woman's nature, where her sufferings would he fewer among Christian people, and where her home relation could remain unbroken. If his law of adaptation determines the proper field/ does n't it seem as if his consistency, cour- tesy, and Christianity would require him to urge women not to go to, but rather return from missionary lands, and 'preach the Word' in their home-land? "In the next paragraph, speaking of official distinction and ordination, it is said that 'the New Testament gives no sanction to this view/ Of course not. The whole mat- ter is a modern problem, and, like many others, not to be solved by the teachings of apostolic times. If Scripture be interpreted in its true light of time and place, and people and circumstance, then the restrictions of ignorant, degraded women in the early Church will not be applied to educated, consecrated women in the Churches of our time. Moreover, if local injunctions be literally applied as general principles, they will 'silence' women's voices in the Sunday-school, prayer-meeting, and all religious serv- ices just as much as in the pulpit, and remand enlightened women back to the veil, subjection, and ignorance of Ori- ental women. "And, finally, as to 'the point that determines the whole question/ that is, as before hinted, that 'women must re- nounce the family relation before they can continuously discharge the duties of the pastoral relation.' This is true only of mothers who are rearing children, and such neither claim to be 'called' nor seek to enter the regular ministry. No other family relation need be renounced by women YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 409 assuming pastoral relations. If efficient women can devote hours daily and days weekly through months and years, as many are doing, to practice in the arts, research in the sci- ences, studies in literature, pursuits in professions and busi- ness, beside sustaining all manner of meetings missionary, temperance, gospel, and social without neglecting home duties or 'renouncing the family relation/ why may not capable, consecrated women, with similar economy and holier inspiration, 'continuously' prepare and preach ser- mons, and do the whole work of the pastorate without 're- nouncing the family relation?' "But those who have no such 'relation to renounce/ nor ever intend to have, are the ones chiefly asking official recognition in the 'field' to which they are called, and for which they have made equal preparation with men in col- lege and schools of theology. Cases without number could be quoted of talented single women; such as Miss Annie Oliver, of Brooklyn; Miss Annie Shaw, of Massachusetts; Miss Elizabeth Delevan, of New York all graduates of Boston Theological School, and now doing excellent work as regular preachers in independent charges. Then there are faithful widows, whose lives are literally sanctified for the work; such as Mrs. Mary Willard, of Chicago, Mrs. VanCott, and many others, besides a few mothers whose families are reared and gone from them to life's work or its reward; such as Mrs. Hibbard, of New York; Mrs. Liver- more, of Massachusetts; Mrs. Davis, of Cincinnati; and, again, the well-known evangelists, Miss Sarah Smiley, Miss Frances Willard, Miss Leonard, Mrs. Jennie Willing; with the newer ones Miss Fannie Hamlin, of Pennsylvania; Mrs. Jennie Caldwell, of Illinois; Mrs. Hartsough, of Iowa; and local preachers, such as Mrs. Slade, of Illinois; Mrs. York, of Michigan; and many others, all earnestly preach- ing as they have opportunity. These are the 'women who 410 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY are coining to the front' with holiness of heart, discipline of mind, endurance of body, experience of life, combined with that womanly tact, insight, and spirituality (so de- pended upon in other departments of Church work), simply asking Churches and Conferences to formally sanction God's call and God's ordination to the field for which he has adapted them by their organization, education, and circumstances. "Surely the Methodist Protestant Church, with its boasted motto of 'Mutual Eights/ should be the first among Churches to welcome to its pulpits and pastorates the wo- men thus called and ordained of God. "Once more: as one Methodist Protestant, I publicly protest against drawing the sex-line to define any 'sphere' whose boundaries can and should only be determined by individual adaptation. And now, if our good friend, the editor, will pardon my picking his paragraphs, I '11 promise to pick no more, provided his pen pursues preaching women no further." I give this critique of my esteemed correspondent in full, and my reply to it, not as presenting anything decisive on the subject, or even a glance at it in all its phases; but simply as affording a slight view of the early discussion of a subject which is still in controversy in our own as well as other Churches. Here is my reply to my learned critic: "On the second page of this week's Recorder will be found an article from the pen of Mrs. M. Johnson Taylor, criticising our editorial on 'Women in the Church,' which appeared in our issue of October IGth. We are pleased to lay this communication before our readers, because it emanates from a lady of talent and culture, a personal friend, who has 'written sermons, and read theology most of her life, even studied it a year in Boston University as a pleasure,' and who, if the cause she espouses admits of ) I>:A us IN TII /: M / .v / > rn r. 411 defense, is able to maintain it. It is also gratifying that on a subject of some delicacy, to certain phases of which we felt at liberty but barely to allude, a lady has so heroic- ally led the way, and compelled us, in self-defense, to speak plainly. We accept the situation, and do not shrink from the discharge of a duty which our relation to the Church requires. In doing this, however, it is not necessary for us to follow our respected correspondent through her lengthy communication, and notice all the points which she pre- sents. If our object was merely an effort to display skill in polemics, we might, perhaps, be tempted to do this; but our only desire is to maintain the truth, and guard the Church against views and practices which we consider detri- mental to her highest interests. We shall, therefore, only notice a few essential points to justify our former remarks, and render our position more clear. It is hardly necessary to say that we do this with the most profound respect for women. We do not forget that our mother, of precious memory, who, in intellectual and moral worth, has never been surpassed by any of her sons, was a woman; that our sisters were women; and that our wife is a woman; and we would not dishonor ourself by dishonoring them. "Although it may be distasteful to our esteemed corre- spondent, we can not but regard it as highly creditable to any one to faithfully perform the duties of the 'sphere* in which God has placed him. That all have not been en- dowed with the same capabilities, and placed in the same 'sphere' of action, is a fact too obvious to be denied; and this is not chargeable to the 'pious prejudices' of men, but to the inscrutable design of the all-wise and benevolent Creator. We may question the wisdom of men, but we should not murmur at the allotments of Providence. "Our reviewer, in defining what she believes to be a true call to the ministry, sets forth that it 'implies a very 412 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY special fitness of one's triune nature, spiritual, intellectual, and physical, and that disability in any one of these con- ditions disproves the divineness of the call, however great the feeling or other constraining influence in the matter/ This is simply an affirmation, in a somewhat different form, of our position, that 'the law of adaptation which every- where prevails throughout the works of God/ must deter- mine this question. The lack of either spiritual, intel- lectual, or physical fitness, she admits, 'disproves the divine- ness of the calP to the work of the ministry. This is precisely what we affirmed. We said: 'There are some positions to which some men are especially adapted, and to which other men are especially unfitted. These differences sometimes arise from physical and mental constitution, and sometimes from external circumstances and mental and moral training. When they inhere in our physical and mental constitution, they can not be overcome; but when they arise from accidental circumstances, it is possible for them to be removed.' The same law of adaptation, we asserted, applies to women. 'There are certain spheres in life to which women are especially adapted, and there are other spheres for which they are naturally and physic- ally unfitted,' and the regular pastorate in the Church of God we regard as one of these. This lack of adaptation inheres in their physical constitution, and can not be over- come. However much some may rail out against the 'sex- line/ it exists; God himself has established it; and neither men nor women can blot it out. "On this distinction of sex is based the family relation, which is not an artificial, but a natural one. This is the normal condition of the sexes, and whatever interferes with this forms but an exception, and not the rule. Christ declared to the Jews, that 'from the beginning of the cre- ation, Grod made them male and female,' and 'for this YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 413 cause shall a man leave father and mother, and cleave unto his wife.' The design of this relation was clearly expressed by the Creator himself when he commanded the original pair to 'be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.' This is still the design; but in these modern times many persons have become so enlightened as to defeat the divine purpose. The woman who enters into this relation and accomplishes its design, is physically unfitted for the duties of the pastorate. A mother, for several months before the birth of her child, and for several months afterward, while it is dependent on her for that nourishment and care which God designed her to supply, would find it utterly impos- sible, continuously and properly, to discharge the duties of the ministerial office. No woman, under such circum- stances, with any sense of propriety, and of the natural and social obligations devolving upon her, would attempt to do so. According to the rule acknowledged by our correspondent such women are debarred from the pas- torate. "'But what/ she inqiures, 'about eminently spiritual and intellectual maids and widows, and even childless mothers, who are not adapted by nature and circumstances to the family circle,' and who, as she expresses it again, 'have no such relation to renounce, nor ever intend to have?' This class of women, she seems to think, may safely be admitted to the ministry, as the disabilities of mothers can not affect them. So far as maidens are concerned, we know of no place in the New Testament where they are instructed or exhorted to decline the marriage relation and enter the ministry; but we know that Paul, in his first letter to Timothy, says: 'I will, therefore, that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give no occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully/ This, we justly in- fer, he uttered under the influence of Divine inspiration; 414 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY for, on another occasion, when he advised Christians to refrain from marriage, for the time being, on account of the distressed state of the Church, he was careful to inform them that he did not speak by commandment, but simply expressed his own opinion as a man. But here there is no such intimation, and we are left to infer that he speaks by inspiration of the Divine spirit. Still, there is a diffi- culty about receiving young women into the ministry. If the Church receives them and forbids them to marry, she develops one of the signs of the great apostasy of the last times, which the apostle declares to be, 'forbidding to marry.' If she receives them without such prohibition, who can tell how soon they may change their minds and enter the marriage state? The same is equally true of young widows, whom the apostle exhorts Timothy to re- fuse, because they will marry. Xow, what the possibilities of marriage may be in any given case, within the limits which God has fixed, who can tell? The marriage relation is that which God in our original creation designed the sexes to sustain to each other. The few women who do not marry, whatever the cause may be, are exceptional cases on which it would be folly to base a general rule. Taking the original design of God in creating the dis- tinction of sex, on which is based the family relation, for the perpetuation of the race, we must determine the differ- ent 'spheres' of men and women according to this design, and not in disregard of it. This is the true principle, and according to this principle, women, on account of their sex, and not because of any inferiority, are disqualified for the duties of the pastoral office. It is not for us to pre- sume that they will not fulfill this design, and on that pre- sumption assign them a position inconsistent with it. "As to women who have ceased 'bearing and rearing children/ or whose children are grown and settled in life, YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 415 we have only to remark, that they have arrived at a period of life when even men are regarded as unfitted to enter upon the ministerial office and discharge its duties effi- ciently. "Our argument here is based upon plain, undeniable facts, and the conclusion is irresistible. We did not in our former article, nor do we in this, attempt to develop the Scripture argument, which we think will be found in per- fect harmony with the order of nature. We have not space to attempt to do so now. Indeed, as preliminary to such an argument, we would have to show that the teachings of apostolic times are authoritative in the case, which our esteemed correspondent denies, for she says, 'the whole matter is a modern problem, and like many others, not to be solved by the teachings of apostolic times.' We had thought the teachings of the Bible were of universal and perpetual obligation, and the Methodist Protestant Church, unless we are greatly mistaken, so teaches. But as we barely alluded to Scriptural teaching on this subject in our former article, we shall not enlarge upon it here. "One word in regard to the editor's 'consistency, cour- tesy, and Christianity' in encouraging women to go as missionaries to foreign fields may not be amiss. We have conversed with many ladies who have served as mission- aries in heathen lands, and have ascertained from them that the duties of such missionaries are very dissimilar to the duties of regular pastors in Christian countries. And for the discharge of these duties it is not necessary to re- nounce the 'family relation,' as they are not inconsistent with it, any more than many benevolent and Christian labors in which women engage, outside of the pastorate, at home. Married women, as well as single women, can reach heathen mothers in their seclusion, and converse with them, and by familiar intercourse teach them the 416 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY words of life. To encourage such missionaries we think does not compromise our 'consistency, courtesy, or Chris- tianity.' "We would not debar women from any sphere of Christian activity to which God has called them, and to which they are adapted. We have only attempted to show that there is one calling, that of the regular gospel min- istry, to which they are not adapted, and to which, there- fore, God has not called them. "There are other points in the article of our corre- spondent which, did space permit, we might notice; hut having considered the essential points, we shall not further trespass upon the patience of our readers except to say that, in the exercise of our right, and in the discharge of what we considered our duty, we published our former edi- torial. We have permitted our correspondent freely and at length to criticse it. We have, without introducing any new issues, as the lawyers say, in the exercise of our right, explained and fortified our former positions. And now, without giving any pledge that we will not pursue it further at another time, we dismiss it from our columns for the present." Here our controversy ended, although my respected contributor desired to continue it. YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 417 CHAPTER XXXVI. Visitation of Conferences West Virginia Conference Gov- ernor Pierpont Anecdote- Three Original Members of the Conference Pittsburg Conference Solomon Spauld- ing Book of Mormon Pleasant Incident Genesee Confer- ence Narrow Escape Annoying Detentions Pleasant Meeting Onondaga Conference, North Walcott Love- feast Good Meeting Did Not Speak Brother Prindle Aquafortis Zeal Muskingum Conference Detention Midnight Arrival Members of Conference Money Col- lectedA Day at Home New York Conference On Ship- board with Wife Rockville Center Day in New York- Central Park Obelisk New Jersey Conference Atlantic City Home. BUT little occurred out of the ordinary course of things till the visitation of the Conferences in the fall of 1881. The first of these to be visited was the West Virginia Con- ference, which met in Palatine, W. Va., August 31st. At that Conference I was kindly entertained in the family of my old and genial friend, Ex-Governor Pierpont, of Fair- mont, whom I had known almost from the time I had entered the ministry. He is a lawyer, and a devoted Meth- odist Protestant. He never wavered in his attachment to the Church of his early choice. Neither business, nor politics, nor office could cause him to neglect his Church, or become indifferent to the claims of religion. He is a man of fine social qualities, of sweet spirit, and although sometimes impulsive, never cultivated any bitterness of feeling. He was elected president of the General Confer- ence of the Methodist Church, in Pittsburg, Pa., in 1871, being the first layman who ever presided over a Methodist General Conference. It is needless to say that he filled the office with credit to himself and the Church. 27 418 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY An anecdote was told me of Brother Pierpont by Rev. George Shaffer, who was his pastor at the time. Mr. Pier- pont had large business interests, and dtiring the time he was governor of his native State and wholly occupied with official duties, these interests were controlled by a gentle- man who was associated with him. When Mr. Pierpont came to look after his own business, he found that it had not been conducted in a manner satisfactory to him. The result was serious litigation between him and his business agent, with considerable unpleasant feeling. While this state of things existed, a brother of Mr. Pierpont died, and he was absent at and after the funeral for two weeks or more. During his absence a great revival broke out in our Church in Fairmont, and the gentleman above referred to, with many others, was converted. Mr. Pierpont got home late on Saturday evening, and had not learned much about the meeting. On Sunday morning he went to Church, and many parents presented their children for baptism, and among them the gentleman spoken of. Mr. Pierpont noticed it; but did not appear to think it strange. But when, after preaching, an invitation was given for persons to unite with the Church, and the gentleman came forward among many others, Mr. Pierpont seemed to regard him for a moment with great interest, and then got up, and passing inside the altar railing, came up to the man and threw his arms about his neck, and in an instant the two men were encircled in each other's arms. The whole congregation seemed to be electrified, for everybody knew they had not been on good terms. That incident showed what kind of a man Mr. Pierpont was, and what sort of re- ligion he had. At the writing of this he is still living, bordering, I suppose, closely on fourscore. He is justly honored and esteemed by all who know him. YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 419 I found at that session of the West Virginia Conference but three persons who were members of it when it was set off, twenty-seven years before. These were Samuel Claw- son, George Nestor, and William M. Betts. D. R. Helmick, P. T. Laishley, and J. B. McCormick, although members of the Conference when it was first organized, had for several years been members of the Pittsburg Conference. D. H. Davis was elected president, and B. F. Stout, present corresponding secretary of the Board of Home Missions, was elected secretary. The session was a pleasant one. My next' visit was to the Pittsburg Conference, which met in Amity, Washington County, Pa., a pleasant hamlet, where we have a good Church, composed of excellent ma- terials. While at the Conference I visited the grave of Solomon Spaulding, in the Presbyterian churchyard, but a short distance from the Conference room. Mr. Spaulding was the author of the Book of Mormon, or the romance on which it was based. From all the facts in the case there can be scarcely any doubt of this. Mr. Spaulding was a Congregational minister, whose health had failed, disquali- fying him for the regular duties of the ministry. To amuse himself, he employed his leisure hours in writing a sort of religious romance, chapters of which he read to his neighbors from time to time. We were informed that at that time there was still living in the neighborhood a very old gentleman, Mr. Jospeh Miller, who knew Mr. Spauld- ing, and who had heard him read portions of his book. Mr. Spaulding's work fell into the hands of Sidney Rig- don, who, in the beginning of the Mormon delusion, was associated with Joseph Smith, ,ind was used by them as the basis of the Mormon Bible, which Smith professed to have obtained as a revelation from heaven. Mr. Spauld- 420 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY ing died in 1816. The headatone placed at his grave had almost entirely disappeared. A portion of the footstone remained. Men's deeds live after them, and they can not be too careful to bring influences to bear that, instead of injuring, will benefit mankind. It is true, that which is in itself harmless may be turned by bad men to evil uses. Little did Mr. Spaulding think when he whiled away his leisure moments in writing his romance, that it would form the basis of one of the greatest superstitions that has ever cursed the world, and whose influence for evil is still in- creasing. Our home during the session of the Conference was with A. J. Swart and his kind family near the church. At high noon on the first day of the Conference, September 7, 1881, an event of more than ordinary interest occurred in the family of our respected host and hostess. Their eldest daughter, Miss Florella, was united in marriage to Mr. Samuel Luellen, a highly-esteemed young gentleman of the neighborhood. The ceremony was performed by Rev. G. G. Conway, pastor of the Church, assisted by Rev.' S. F. Crowther, president of the Conference, Rev. J. J. Murray, D. D., pastor of the First Church, Pittsburg, and the writer. A large company of friends, together with a goodly number of the members of the Conference, were present, and enjoyed the festivities of the occasion. After the cere- mony, the company sat down to a sumptuous repast, suffi- cient to tempt the appetite of an epicure. In the evening the Amity Cornet Band serenaded the happy pair, discours- ing sweet music for the entertainment of them and their many friends. At a late hour the company dispersed, all feeling that the occasion was one of the most enjoyable. There are two persons at least who will never forget the Conference at Amity. YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 421 Another interesting event occurred at the close of the services in the church on the evening of the first day of the session of the Conference. Brother G. G. Conway had served the Church for four years, and his services for another year were called for. The members of the Church, desiring to give their pastor some special token of their regard, presented him a copy of Henry's "Exposition" in five large octavo volumes. A gold-piece was also presented to Sister Conway. Such tokens of appreciation are very grateful to a sensible and faithful pastor. Among others who were received at that Conference was W. II. Gladden, a whole-souled, earnest man, of bright mind, endowed with natural tact, making him a successful worker. From the Pittsburg Conference I went to the Genesee Conference. I had but one day at home, into which I tried, but unsuccessfully, to press the labors of a week. In company with N. E. Swift, on the morning of September 14th I took a train on the Allegheny Valley Eoad, and followed the Allegheny Eiver a distance of one hundred and thirty-two miles to Oil City. I had a pass over the road to that place. I had never been there, and knew nothing about it. When the brakeman called out "Oil City," I. got off to get a ticket to Salamanca. The agent had no tickets for that place, and the conductor, coming in, said I would get a ticket on the other side. I supposed he meant on the other side of the train, and that the ticket-office was there, and I stepped over to get a ticket, when the train started. It did not seem to be moving fast, and I took hold of the handles to get on; but it was moving much faster than it appeared to be, and I could not keep on my feet, and had nothing but the strength of my arms to keep me from falling under the wheels. A gentleman standing on 422 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY the platform, seeing my perilous condition, seized hold of me, and hy his aid I got upon the steps, with hardly strength enough lefi to stand. Had it not been for the assistance I received, I certainly would have lost a limb, and perhaps my life. Before retiring to rest that night, I made a record of the fact, and gratefully acknowledged the goodness of my Heavenly Father in delivering me from danger and death. Out of how many dangers does God deliver us, when, perhaps, we are not aware of their pres- ence! How thankful we should be to him continually for his preserving care! Passing up Oil Creek, we intersected the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Eoad at Corry, and finding that we could not get a train going East from Sala- manca that night, we stopped at Kennedy, where we were most kindly entertained by Brother S. S. Thatcher. Next morning we took an early train for Salamanca, where we connected with the New York & Erie Koad for Hornells- ville, near which the Genesee Conference was holding its session. Our train on the Erie Eoad was in no hurry, although we were. It stopped wherever it pleased, and started when- ever it chose, and in a most provoking way tried our patience all morning. At last, as we neared the place where we wanted to stop, it perversely dashed ahead and carried us four miles beyond our station. The only thing we could do was to take another train and come back; and, as if there was a conspiracy against us, that other train was an hour behind time, and when it did come up and stop, it seemed as if it never would start; but it did, in its own good time, and at last, after a day of delays and provoca- tions, we reached our destination, and had the privilege of being present during one session at the Genesee Confer- ence. The brethren received us very kindly, and permitted us to present to the Conference and friends the interests YI'lARS IN THE MINISTRY. 423 which we represented. Our stay was necessarily brief; but very pleasant. Next morning we took an early train for Rochester, where Brother Swift took the New York Central, which would take him by his home, and I took the Lake Shore for Wolcott. Here I staid all night, and next morning secured conveyance to North Wolcott, the seat of the Conference, about five miles distant. I was kindly entertained by Brother and Sister Field during my stay at the Confer- ence. The Conference at North Wolcott was one of much interest. The religious feeling which prevailed was espe- cially good. The services on Sabbath commenced with a love-feast at ten o'clock, which was very spirited and deeply impressive. The house was nearly full, and from all parts of it persons testified for the Master, sometimes two or three persons being on their feet, desiring to speak at once. In some, the tearful eye, the quivering lip, and the tremu- lous voice indicated the depth of pent-up feeling in their hearts; others, with different emotions, spoke without ap- parently any restraint, while some even shouted aloud for joy. I have no criticism to offer on the manner in which Christians express the feeling of their hearts. Much in this respect depends upon natural temperament and education. The one great thing is to have the love of God in the heart, and whether it shines forth with a mild and steady light, or flashes out in coruscations of glory, I am satisfied. I did not speak during that love-feast. The excitement was too great. I could not have got in a word if I had tried ever so much. Brother Prindle, a very good and zealous brother, who was all excitement, and as unlike me in natu- ral temperament as one person can be unlike another, thought, I suppose, as I did not speak, that I did not like the meeting, or did not approve of it. When he got up to 424 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY speak I listened to him attentively; but he spoke so fast that I could not hear distinctly all he said; but I heard him mention "this Pittsburg religion/' and then ask the Lord to apply the aquafortis. He wanted the Lord, I suppose, in some way to test it, to see if it was genuine. It was hard on Pittsburg, and amused me greatly; but nothing more. The dear old brother meant it all right; but his zeal was greater than his discretion. How much men are inclined to bring every one to their peculiar standard, and if they can not pronounce their Shibboleth, to condemn, if not to anathematize them! Men often need a little better judg- ment and a little more charity than they manifest in their well-meant but short-sighted zeal. We can not all move in the same line. Indeed, it would not, perhaps, be best if we could. Every man has his own proper gift. My next visit was to the Muskingum Conference, which met in California, a small village in Pike County, Ohio. Going by way of Springfield, I took the train from there on Wednesday morning, September 28th, on the Ohio Southern, for Whitman's Station, the nearest railroad sta- tion to the seat of Conference. Brother William Hastings and 0. V. W. Chandler and the delegates from their charges were on the train, on their way to Conference. Other brethren boarded the train at different points, until the number had increased, before we reached the place of our destination, to perhaps twenty-five. As the train did not stop at any place long enough for dinner, the con- ductor, Mr. Lewis Carr, very kindly telegraphed ahead, and ordered dinner to be brought on the car for us, and al- though not such a dinner as Delmonico could get up, yet it was very good and very acceptable. We greatly enjoyed it, and felt very thankful to our kind conductor for having procured it for us. The great trouble was, neither the dinner nor the diners could keep still, and although it is YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 425 said a blind man can find the way to his mouth, we found it quite difficult, with ordinarily good vision, to find the way to our mouths. But we continued our efforts, and succeeded comfortably well. Taking that dinner, with all its surroundings, it was very enjoyable, and in the strength of it we went, not like the prophet Elijah, for many days, but like other of our brethren, for many hours. Our train was due at Whitman's at four o'clock, and we expected to get to California before dark. But it was a day of mishaps. A wreck on the road detained us more than three hours, and, instead of reaching Whitman's at four o'clock, we did not get there till after seven. It had rained all the afternoon, and the young moon soon went down, and the night was dark and gloomy. The teams that had come to the station to meet our train had met other brethren and gone home. There was no place to stay, and no place to go to. The station-house consisted of one room, occupied as a store and ticket-office, and was alone in the country there were no houses near it. It had hardly space enough to hold us, and had no accommo- dations for eating or sleeping. A more dreary outlook could not easily be imagined. At last, about nine o'clock, a team arrived, and Brothers Fisher, Chandler, Sears, Slosser, Wolf, and myself started, under the care of Mr. Thomas Brown, for California, six miles, as we were told, away. The incidents of that ride, and the many witty and sparkling remarks, to say nothing of the solemn expressions, it called forth, I will not at- tempt to describe. The miles seemed to increase with the hours; but at last, as the clock in the tower struck twelve, we made our triumphal entrance into the village of Cali- fornia, and, driving to the parsonage, called up the pastor, Brother Lowther, who received us kindly, and greeted us with a midnight welcome. The members of our party 426 ' RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY were soon all provided for, and the trials of the day were forgotten in sweet slumber. John Burns and W. H. Marshall, two of the old veter- ans of the Conference, in consequence of illness, were not able to be present. Among the old men of the Conference who were present were: Israel Thrap, Joel S. Thrap, John Baker, E. S. Hoagland, G. W. Hissey, and J. H. Hamilton. Then, of a younger class, were: S. A. Fisher, F. A. Brown, J. A. Thrap, W. A. Samson, and 0. V. W. Chandler; and of a still younger class, were: J. H. Gray, L. Bowman, W. L. Wells, and many others, whose names I can not now recall. J. A. Thrap was elected president, and J. B. Wil- kin and J. W. Thompson secretaries. The session was a pleasant one, and one of much interest. I returned home from that Conference with nearly five hundred dollars collected for the Recorder and other general interests of the Church. A better system now prevails of forwarding all collections as soon as taken to the treasurers of the re- spective Church Boards. After a day or two at home, endeavoring to put things right in the Recorder office, and already tired, having at- tended five Conferences in succession, on Thursday, Oc- tober 6th, at four o'clock P. M., I took a train on the Pennsylvania Central, accompanied for once by my wife, for New York, to attend the session of the New York Con- ference, to meet in Eockville Center, Long Island. We took a sleeper, and next morning found ourselves in the metropolis of the great Empire State, in the midst of its teeming multitudes and wonderful activities and enter- prises. Finding that we could not conveniently make the morning train from Brooklyn for the seat of Conference, we took a car and ran up to Pier 46, North Eiver, to call on Mr. Thomas Stevens, second officer of the California, of the Anchor Line, plying between New York and London, YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 427 and for whom we had a pleasant message. We were fortu- nate enough to find Mr. Stevens on board, and had the pleasure of spending some time with him very agreeably. He had the reputation of being a very skillful officer, and we certainly found him to be an exceedingly pleasant gen- tleman. He kindly showed us through his vessel, and gave us a great deal of information in regard to many matters of which we had but an imperfect knowledge. In the afternoon we made our way to Rockville Center, where we were kindly entertained by Brother and Sister Hulshart during our stay. The Conference had been in session two days when we arrived; but several of the mem- bers were still absent. Business progressed slowly. The brethren did not seem to be in any hurry, and gave them- selves sufficient time to transact their business. There are, perhaps, two extremes to be avoided in this matter: too much haste on the one hand, and too much deliberation on the other. That was our fifth visit to the New York Conference, and we were glad to meet with a number of old friends, among whom were Brothers Withie, Painter, Smith, Hanks, Weaver, Robinson, Hulshart, and others. Of younger men, we met Brothers Woodworth, Berrien, Davis, Hanks, Jr., Holden, and others. Of these last, Brothers Berrien and Hanks, Jr., are now members of the Pittsburg Conference. Our Church at Rockville Center was a large and strong Church. Brother Hulshart had served them for ten years as their pastor, and the people desired him to remain. This was alike creditable to him and them. Long pastor- ates should be encouraged, rather than discouraged. The desire for change for something new and novel should not be encouraged. If a minister is the right kind of a man, and is adapted to the place and people, the longer he remains the better. The conditions which rendered a 428 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY change of pastors necessary every year or two, do not now, at least in many cases, exist; and where they do not exist, a change should not be made, except for very good reasons. Having accomplished our mission so far as possible, we left on Tuesday morning, before the adjournment of the Conference, in order to attend the New Jersey Conference, to meet in the Palestine Church, on English Creek, New Jersey, October llth. We spent a little time in New York, and took the opportunity to visit Central Park, and among other things to take a view of the obelisk which had been recently brought from Egypt and put in its present po- sition a task which required a large expenditure of means, and no little engineering skill. In looking at its massive proportions, one can hardly imagine how it was ever taken from the quarry, reduced to its present form, and erected anywhere, much less taken down, placed on shipboard, and transported across the seas for many thousands of miles, and again erected. Under each corner of the shaft, resting on the square and massive block of granite that forms its pedestal, is an immense bronze crab, showing its great claws, and which was no doubt intended to represent something, of which we can now only 'conjecture. While standing at its base and looking on the hieroglyphics on its sides, we could not but imagine that Moses had often looked upon and read those characters, which, to us, were entirely unintelligible. On Thursday evening, after some unexpected delays, we arrived at the seat of the New Jersey Conference, and found a pleasant home in the family of Captain E. S. Barrett. The captain was absent when we arrived, but Sister Barrett was so kind and whole-hearted in her hospi- tality that we felt perfectly at home. On Saturday evening, the captain, having left his vessel at New York, arrived, which added to our pleasure. The attendance of the Con- YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 429 ference was good, and, although some inconvenience was felt by committees, in consequence of the members being entertained at places considerably distant from each other, the business of the Conference was conducted with dis- patch, and it reached a final adjournment by Saturday evening. Several members of the Conference left on the evening of its adjournment, which we thought detracted somewhat from the interest of the Sabbath services. I think every Conference should embrace one Sabbath within the time of its session. Sunday should be at every Confer- ence the great day of the feast. Early on Monday morning the members of the Con- ference left in crowded vehicles for their homes. We had nearly a day on our hands, and not being far from Atlantic City, we concluded to run down there, and spend the day till train-time on the seashore. The crowds of pleasure-seekers were gone; but the city and the beach and old ocean were still there, and the day being pleasant, we enjoyed ourselves very much. We concluded that pleasure, as recreation, was a very good thing; but as a regular business, it could not but become irksome. At half- past three o'clock we took a train for home, where we ar- rived safely the next day. The Pittsburg Conference of 1882 met in Waynesburg, Pa. Mr. Samuel Melvin, proprietor of the Downey House, Waynesburg, an old friend of mine, had sent Mrs. Scott a very kind invitation to accompany me to Conference, and make his house our home during its session. This invi- tation was accepted, and we enjoyed a very pleasant time with him and his kind family. Brother John Gregory, who had been president of the Conference the preceding year, was re-elected, and Brother J. F. Dyer was elected secretary. At that Conference George Shaffer was received by letter from the Pennsyl- 430 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY vania District, and has made an honorable record in the Conference. Brother Shaffer is a man of an original mind, of clear analytical powers, social and pleasing disposition, an ahle preacher, and an excellent pastor. He is approach- ing the prime of life, and seems to have a hopeful future before him. Brother George C. Sheppard was also re- ceived at that session on recommendation of the Eighteenth Street Church, Southside, Pittsburg. He had graduated at Adrian College, and desired to take a special course at Yale; but his services being needed, he entered the active work, and has become a very successful minister. He has filled some of the best appointments in the Conference, and served with credit to himself and the Church as its presi- dent. He is a good executive, a fine preacher, and a tire- less worker. Brother John Henderson came into the Conference also at its Waynesburg session that year. He was appointed to his home charge, and has remained there ever since, and the indications are that if the charge can have its choice, he will remain there much longer. He is a good preacher, and a very faithful and diligent worker. He is a man of sweet spirit, genial and companionable, and so calm and self-poised, that his society is restful. C. E. Wilbur also united with the Conference that year. He came by transfer from the New York Conference. He is a man of ability, one of our best preachers. Since entering the Pittsburg Conference, he has served for several years as a professor in Adrian College; but as a matter of choice he has returned to the active work of the ministry. He is highly esteemed. YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 431 CHAPTER XXXVII. Routine Duties Visitation of Conferences Pittsburg Semi- centennial Session Valuable Papers Read Sermon Fra- ternal Messengers Dr. Collier J. W. Rutledge Other Old Members Ohio Conference Old Veterans Straw Mat- tressesLife of Clawson General Conference of 1884 Address of Welcome Conventional Powers Communica- tion from Bishops Simpson and Harris Case of Anna H. Shaw Re-elected Editor Centennial Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church Addresses. THERE is generally not much in the regular routine of editorial work worth recording. As on a broad, flat prairie there is nothing presented to the view but a mo- notonous sameness,, so there is ordinarily in regular edi- torial work nothing special to attract attention or excite more than ordinary interest. Occasionally something may occur worth noting; but this is not of frequent occurrence. So there was nothing during the year of sufficient interest to be noted here. In the fall of 1883 my visitation of the Conferences again began. I visited the Michigan, the Ohio, the Pitts- burg, the Genesee, the Onondaga, and the Muskingum Conferences. The session of the Pittsburg Conference that fall was its semi-centennial session, and was held in the Eighteenth Street Church, Southside, Pittsburg. The attendance at the opening of the Conference was unusually large. The session was opened with religious services, under the direc- tion of the president, by Dr. John Cowl, after which busi- ness was taken up. Rev. G. G. Westfall was elected president. On Wednesday evening, according to previous 432 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY arrangement, Eev. T. H. Colhouer delivered an address on the general history of the Methodist Protestant Church, which commanded close attention. On Thursday evening the Eev. James Eobison read an interesting paper on the history of the Pittsburg Conference from its organization down to that time. At the close of Brother Eobison's his- torical sketch, the Eev. John Gregory presented three papers, one of them giving an account of the time and place of each session of the Conference for fifty years, with the name of every president and secretary, and brief notes of some important action taken at each session. He also presented a list of deceased members, and also a list of all persons who at any time held membership in the Confer- ence. This last list numbered four hundred and eight. On Friday evening the Eev. David Jones preached on the doctrinal position of the Methodist Protestant Church. All these special services were of deep interest, and appeared to be highly appreciated. The valuable papers of Brothers Eobison and Gregory have been preserved in the Minutes, and will be available for the future historian in writing a history of the Pittsburg Conference. The Eevs. J. A. Thrap and S. A. "Fisher, of the Mus- kingum Conference, and Eev. C. M. Conway, of the "West Virginia Conference, were present, and presented the fra- ternal greetings of their respective Conferences. Letters expressing fraternal regard were also received from Eev. J. B. Walker and T. Douglas, of the Ohio Conference, and from Eev. H. C. Gushing, of the Maryland Conference. Proper responses were made to these greetings, in the midst of which Dr. William Collier, a superannuated member of the Conference, who had been unable to attend any of its sessions for several years, was carried up the aisle in a large chair, and placed beside the president. Dr. Collier was then in the eighty-first year of his age. He was licensed YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 433 to preach in 1824. In 1829 he became identified with the Beform movement, and for fifty-four years had been con- nected with our Church as an itinerant minister, part of the time in the Maryland Conference, and after 1851 in the Pittsburg Conference. He received the hearty greetings of his brethren, who were delighted to see him once more in their midst. He answered to his name at roll-call, and dismissed the Conference with the benediction. He had been conveyed from his home in Sharpsburg, some six or seven miles distant, to the Conference room in an easy carriage, and after remaining till the close of the afternoon session, returned home in the evening. I feared that the trip would be too much for his strength; but, calling next morning about seven o'clock, I found him comfortably seated at the breakfast-table, cheerful and happy, though feeling somewhat tired after his unusual exercise and ex- citement. Another old veteran, also on the superannuated list, Eev. J. W. Eutledge, who had not been able to attend the sessions of the Conference for several years, was also pres- ent. He was very feeble, but slightly better just then. He was over seventy, and had long been in the ministry of the Methodist Protestant Church. He came to the Pittsburg from the Pennsylvania Conference in 1852; but in consequence of feeble health, had been superannuated for several years. It was a great pleasure to Brother Eut- ledge, as well as to his brethren, to be able once more to be present in the Conference. There was not an individual present at that session who was a member of the Conference at the time of its organiza- tion. There was one person living who was a member then, John Clark; but who had long been a resident of Rushville, Illinois, and who, by force of circumstances, in order to obtain a Church home, had become a member of another 28 434 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY Church. James Robison and John Cowl had united with the Conference in 1837, Henry Palmer and myself in 1842, E. H. Sutton in 184t>, James M. Mason in 1850, and W. Collier in 1851. All these were present. Brothers Col- lier, Robison, and Palmer have passed away, and Brothers Cowl, Sutton, and Mason have been superannuated for several years. Brother Mason is the only one of the last three named who has been able to attend the Conference for several years past. He is feeble; but his heart is still in the work, and, if he had physical strength, would still be active. He was a faithful laborer, and never refused any work assigned him. Among others who united with the Conference at that session was W. S. Fleming, a gradu- ate of Adrian College, who is still in the active work; also C. A. Sturm, who came by transfer from the Pennsylvania Conference. He is an excellent man, and needs only to be known to be appreciated. The Ohio Conference met that fall on the Ohio Con- ference Camp-meeting grounds, about four miles from "Washington Court House, Ohio. I had the privilege of being present a few days with the brethren. There were several of the old veterans present, among them A. H. Bassett, R. Rose, C. Caddy, A. H. Trumbo, and R. C. Davis. I was kindly entertained at the boarding-hall. The party having charge of it set a good table, and the sleeping ac- commodations were as good, perhaps, as could be expected under the circumstances. But it requires a good deal of practical philosophy and skill, in a country where grain grows very rank, to enable any one to make up an ordinary camp-meeting straw mattress so as to be perfectly smooth and level, and as soft as a bed of down. There are some- times irregularities or protuberances in these mattresses, which, by a concatenation of circumstances, are brought into immediate contact with certain irregularities of the YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 435 body, which produce a sort of pivotal sensation, not free from uncertainty as to what turn matters may take. These things are not always of a soothing character, but, never- theless, excite reflection, and fill the mind with pleasing anticipations. Such things must be agreeable to some minds. But men will differ, even in regard to the make-up and length of an ordinary camp-meeting mattress. In the fall of 1883, Brother James Robison published a very interesting volume, entitled, "Recollections of Rev. Samuel Clawson." Mr. Robison was a great friend of Mr. Clawson, and had treasured up many anecdotes of that good and wonderfully eccentric man, with which he enriched his book. At Brother Robison's request, I wrote a short in- troduction to the volume, as I was well acquainted with Brother Clawson. The book, I suppose, is now out of print; but a new edition, I have no doubt, would com- mand a ready sale. It is greatly to be regretted that so many of the fathers, good and great men, have passed away without any suitable record of their lives and labors. The Genesee Conference, which I attended that fall, met at Adams Basin. The Church at that place is the mother Church in this district, and there appears to have been a special providence connected with its organization. The Rev. Isaac Fister, when a young man, in passing through Charlotte, some eight miles north of Rochester, New York, and about sixteen miles from where the Church at Adams Basin now stands, was taken sick, and Dr.' .Web- ster, of the latter place, was called to attend him. He made him three visits, and then informed his patient that he thought, with proper care, he would, get along, and that it would not be necessary to visit him again. Mr. Fister then asked the doctor for his bill, whereupon the doctor inquired if he was not a minister, and on receiving an affirmative answer, remarked that he had inferred as 436 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY much, and stated that he would require Mr. Fister to re- turn his visits, and preach an equal number of times in his house. This Mr. Fister agreed to do, and on his third visit a revival broke out, and twelve persons were con- verted, and the Church at Adams Basin was organized. The first class consisted, in part, of Stephen "Webster and wife, familiarly known as "Aunt Betsy," "Joseph Wood- mansee and wife, Jeremiah Webster, and Asa A. Webster and wife. Stephen Webster was a son of Dr. Webster. Dr. Covil was the first pastor on this charge. We had the pleasure of meeting Sister Webster ("Aunt Betsy"), who was the only surviving member of the original organization. All the others had passed away to their eternal rest, and she had almost reached the close of life's journey, and although feeble in body, was strong in faith, giving glory to God, and expected soon to "depart and be with Christ, which is far better." We took her by the hand, bade her farewell, not expecting to see her face again till we meet in our Father's house of many mansions. That little class grew and strengthened until circuits, and at last a Con- ference was organized, where our cause before was un- known. How mysterious the ways of Providence! Who could have imagined that such important results should be linked with the apparently accidental sickness of a stranger in a strange place? There were but two changes made in the pastoral re- lation at that session of the Conference, Brother Bowen and Brother Leach exchanging places. Sometimes at some of the Conferences the changes are quite numerous. Not- withstanding the discomfort which this system of minis- terial supply sometimes occasions, it is perhaps the best system that has been, or can be, devised. But the burdens which it imposes on ministers should, so far as possible, YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 437 be lessened by the Churches which they are appointed to serve. Some men are adventurers, dissatisfied with what they have, and willing to run the risk of change in hope of bettering their condition. With them familiarity creates contempt, and consequently they are always seeking for something new. They are never so much at home, as when they are abroad; never so much in the midst of friends, as when surrounded with strangers. This may be the case with some preachers; but generally it is not the case with them, nor with any other class of men. Persons of this character form an exception to the general rule. By continued intercourse the social principle, generally, is developed, and attachments are strengthened. Whatever disturbs these attachments and associations is disrelished, and gives pain to the mind. The frequent changes to which itinerant preachers are subject is a fruitful source of trial, and as they advance in life, and can not so easily accommodate themselves to change, this trial increases in severity. Persons who are permanently settled in life, or who even change their locality as a matter of choice, from motives of interest connected with worldly pursuits, can not appreciate the feelings of those who, for the Church's sake, without any prospect of worldly gain, but in view of loss and discomfort, patiently submit to the severance of the strongest social and Christian ties, and go forth amid the chilling shyness of uncaring strangers, to per- form their work in the spirit of self-denying love. Strangers in any community should be treated with attention and consideration, on principles of common po- liteness and humanity. God expressly declared to the chil- dren of Israel, "Ye shall not oppress a stranger; for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in 438 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY the land of Egypt." And who can know the heart of a stranger but he who has been himself a stranger, cut off from the tender associations of known and tried friends? On the same principle the apostle exhorts us to be "not forgetful to entertain strangers." Many of our preachers go to their fields of labor, and enter upon their work as strangers, with a sense of loneli- ness stealing over their hearts. And, if in their sadness they can sing at all, they will feel like singing: "A stranger lonely here I roam, From place to place I 'm driven; My friends are gone, and I 'm alone, The earth seems dreary as a tomb, I have no home but heaven." The members of the Church, instead of increasing this sense of loneliness in the preacher's heart, and in the hearts of those who share his toils, by a distant and re- served behavior and an apparent indifference to his com- fort, should at once rally around him, and with grasping hands and kindly words assure him that, though strangers in the flesh, they are brethren in the Lord. It is to be presumed that the official bodies of the Church have done their duty; and if so, that he is a tried and true man, and worthy to be received to the hearts and homes of the membership. He does not come as a probationer. He has already served his probation, and proved himself worthy, and should be so regarded. Let him be received, then, "without doubtful disputations." Brethren and sisters should promptly call upon their new minister at his home, and invite him and his family to enjoy their hospitalities. They should show him that they sympathize with him, and desire him to feel that he is at home among them. When a Church invites a min- YEAHK IN THE MINISTRY. 439 ister to labor among them, and the invitation is accepted, the advances should be upon their part. But how much more so if a minister has been sent who had not been called! How much more, in that case, does he need the attention of his brethren to relieve his mind from the anxiety which he can not but feel, and assure him that he may be "among them without fear!" But something more substantial, but not more agree- able, than these kindly attentions is also needed. Our min- isters often find it difficult, with all the economy they are able to exercise, to maintain their families, without laying aside a surplus of means. A removal from one circuit or station to another, necessarily incurs an expense which they are not well able to meet. With their little means ex- hausted by their removal, they have nothing left to sup- port them till the close of the first quarter, and great em- barrassment in feeling is the result. They can not think of beginning their labors by asking their brethren for money, or the grocer for credit, and yet the necessaries of life must in some way be secured. Brethren should not permit their ministers to endure these embarrassments. Unsolicited, they should at once, either as a gift of kind- ness, or by the prepayment of a portion of their regular contributions, furnish him with means to meet his present wants. The General Conference of 1884, to which my brethren of the Pittsburg Conference saw fit to elect me as one of their representatives, met in the St. John's Independent Methodist Church, Baltimore, on May 1(5, 1884. The Con- ference was called to order by Dr. G. B. McElroy, president of the preceding General Conference. After the opening religious services, Dr. L. W. Bates presented to the presi- dent a handsome gavel, the gift of Dr. E. J. Drinkhouso. Dr. S. W. Hammond, secretary, then called the list of 440 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY members, after which a Committee on Credentials was appointed. A very interesting address of welcome to the members of the Conference was then delivered by Dr. J. J. Murray, pastor of the Church in which the Confer- ence met. Among other things, he said: "It is with no little pleasure that I welcome you to St. John's Church. Considerations of convenience, not to be overlooked in a city of such physical proportions, prompted the Committee of Arrangements to solicit the use of this building for your meetings; but it was not without a touch of sentiment that application was made; for within these very walls, fifty-six years ago, assembled our fathers in council, and -fifty-four years ago they here adopted the Constitution and Discipline under which, with some modifications, the Church has lived and grown to its present proportions." The Kev. W. S. Hammond, of the Maryland Conference, was elected president, and Kev. S. K. Spahr, of the Ohio Conference, secretary. It was decided, after considerable discussion, that two- thirds of the Annual Conferences had clothed their repre- sentatives with conventional powers, and that the body was fully authorized to make changes in the Constitution as well as the Discipline of the Church. In the exercise of this power, numerous changes were made in the Consti- tution and Book of Discipline. At an early stage in the business, Dr. G. B. McElroy presented a communication from Bishops Simpson and Harris, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, inviting the General Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church to take such action as would secure the participation of our body in the approaching celebration of the Centennial of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States. The paper was referred to the Committee on Fraternal Re- YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 441 lations. The committee, at a subsequent time, made a re- port which elicited considerable discussion, and which re- sulted in the reference of the subject to a special committee, whose report, after a spirited debate and several changes, was adopted. The report, as adopted, recommended the appointment of a Fraternal Commission of two ministers and two laymen, to convey the fraternal greetings of our Church to the Centennial Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church of 1884. We had been invited to become a constituent part of that Conference; but this our Con- vention declined, and resolved to remain outside and pre- sent fraternal greetings. I was not favorable to this action, and thought that we should have accepted the very kind and respectful invitation extended to us. I submitted to the action of the Convention, simply because I found that no other action could be secured. The whole thing was simply a matter of Christian courtesy, and was not intended to imply in any way a renunciation of our eccle- siastical principles. But not being able to secure such action as I desired, I acquiesced in the action taken. The Committee on Judiciary reported that at the fifty- first session of the New York Annual Conference, Miss Anna H. Shaw was elected to elder's orders, and received ordination. This, the committee declared, was unauthor- ized, and that her ordination was not entitled to recognition in the Methodist Protestant Church. This report was adopted, and the advocates of this view claim that, as it was the action of a General Convention, it can not be re- versed by the action of a General Conference; but only by the action of a General Convention. The General Confer- ence of 1892, however, reversed the action of the General Convention of 1884, the highest body known in the Church, and recognized the validity of female ordination. I simply 442 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY state the facts, and the further fact that I was not favor- able to the action of the General Conference; but, from .conscientious convictions, opposed it. At the General Conference of 1884, I was again elected editor of the Methodist Recorder for another quadrennium. I had previously served in that position for nearly eleven years, and I appreciated the evidence of confidence in me which my election afforded. My home during the Convention was with my old and highly-esteemed friend and brother, Eev. J. J. Murray, D. D., formerly pastor of the First Methodist Protestant Church, Pittsburg, but then pastor of the St. John's Inde- pendent Methodist Church, Baltimore. The Eev. J. L. Michaux, editor of the Central Protestant, North Carolina, whose acquaintance I formed thirty years before, and whom I have always highly esteemed, together with Kev. W. H. Phipps and Mr. William McCracken, Jr., Publishing Agent, Pittsburg, Pa., shared with us the hospitality of Dr. Mur- ray and his very agreeable and amiable family. Words can not express our appreciation of the kind attentions we received, and the pleasure which our association with so many old friends afforded us. Those sunny days form a bright spot in our recollection, to which we revert with pleasure. We often think of the happy reunion of the loved and saved ones in our Father's house of many man- sions, to go no more out forever. Blessed hope! In connection with Eev. L. W. Bates, Dr. J. W. Hering, and F. H. Pierpont, I was appointed one of the commis- sioners to bear the fraternal greetings of our Church to the Centennial Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Conference met in the Mt. Vernon Place Methodist Episcopal Church, Baltimore, December 10, 1884. It was a large and imposing body, embracing the representatives of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Methodist Epis- YEARS IN THE .W/.\7> //.'}'. 443 copal Church, South, the Independent Methodists, the various colored Methodist Churches of this country, and the Methodist Church of Canada. After the organization of the Conference, Bishop Foster delivered the opening sermon, which was fully up to the demands of the occa- sion, and a credit both to the head and heart of the preacher. It was a grand discourse; grand in its great practical truths, which were presented with a clearness and incisiveness which could not be surpassed. It was but partly delivered, although the bishop spoke for two hours and ten minutes, without wearying his audience, which appeared to be willing to sit, had he gone on, that much longer. The sermon, however, appeared in full in the next morning's Centennial Daily. Many able papers were read and discussed in the very best spirit, and the whole atmosphere of the Conference was one of fraternity and love. On Thursday afternoon one of the colored bishops presided, and presided with becoming dignity. Several of the colored members participated in the discussions during the Conference, commanding as marked attention as any other speakers, and sometimes being as enthusiastically ap- plauded as any others. There was one subject which, when- ever it was alluded to, called forth the greatest .applause; it was the subject of Methodist unity. Of course, it was not on the program, and was not formally discussed; but it was often alluded to, and always with the same effect. Thursday evening was set apart for the hearing of fra- ternal delegates, no other service being held under the direction of the Conference that evening, although on the preceding evening services in the regular program had been held in eleven churches. The only fraternal delegate present, in addition to those from the Methodist Protestant Church, was the Rev. Richard Thomas, of the Bible Chris- tian body. The evening was wet and disagreeable; but a 444 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY large audience was present, and a very respectful hearing was given to the addresses delivered on the occasion. In- deed, the Conference could not have treated the fraternal delegates with greater kindness and respect than it did. I always 'believed that our Church should have been represented in the Conference as one of the constituent members of the body, and after attending for some days upon its deliberations, I was more than ever convinced of the correctness of my view. Our Church, in appearing as it did, lost an opportunity which might have been im- proved greatly to its advantage. The Conference was not occupied with fulsome eulogies of Methodism, much less of Episcopacy. While it properly recalled the important facts in the history of Methodism, it devoted large atten- tion to the presentation of broad plans and wise counsels in regard to its future operations and success. No grander ecclesiastical body ever assembled in this country, and its influence was, no doubt, productive of good. The day is past for any Church to succeed by exalting human theories above Divine truth, and cultivating a spirit of narrow sec- tarian bigotry, rather than the broad, catholic spirit of the gospel. A very amusing incident took place that evening in the opening of the evening services. The senior bishop in the chair had invited a very venerable-looking old brother from the South to open the exercises with singing and prayer. The Mt. Yernon Place Church had a grand organ and an excellent choir. But it is presumed that the ven- erable brother was not favorable to such modern inno- vations; for, having read through the hymn, he repeated the first two lines, and immediately, without waiting for the organ and choir, started the tune himself. Having sung the two lines, he repeated two more, when the great organ struck up, and the choir chimed in, and when those lines YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 445 were sung, the organ would not stop; but poured forth its pealing notes, and the choir seemed enthused with the spirit of song, so that they ran away with the tune and hymn. The old gentleman stood, and seemed to look on in amazement. The situation appeared to be pretty gen- erally comprehended, and every one seemed amused. Bishop Foster, on whom my eye happened to fall, almost shook his sides at the old brother's discomfiture. We may have our own notions about things; but we can not always control those who differ from us in opinion. After the address of Brother Thomas, our delegation was heard. Dr. Bates, in his address to the Conference, said: "A few years ago, in 1874 perhaps, by the earnest invitation of Bishop Janes, I held an agreeable interview with the Board of Bishops in this city, the entire Board being present, I believe, with the exception of Bishop Simpson, Bishop Foster, and Bishop Haven, and I do not hesitate upon this occasion to refer to passages in that pleasant interview. "Bishop Janes asked me what I believed to be the chief impediment to organic union, and, in reply to my answer, said he believed my opinoin was correct. Bishop Ames then asked me what impression it would make upon our Church if the right of appeal were extended to elders, leaving deacons and licentiates still absolutely in the hands of the stationing authority. He would not say that it could be done, but simply wished to know what impression such a measure would make upon our people. I answered that such a measure would make a profound impression upon our Church. We have the right of appeal; but during a membership of forty-four years in the Maryland Confer- ence a Conference of one hundred and nine traveling preachers, and eighty-six stations, circuits, and missions 446 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY I can not recall a half-dozen appeals during those forty- four years. "Bishop Peck asked me how the class-meetings were attended in our Church. I told him that they were at- tended just as they were in his Church; those who had Methodist religion enough attended class, and those who had not, neglected class-meeting. He then asked me what plan I believed would be the most effective to bring about the union of all the Methodists in the United States. I answered: 'A joint Convention with equal powers; for every branch represented in such a body would yield much more than they would concede by mere negotiation/ He re- plied, 'Yes; that is the most honorable way to do it.' "Before I leave this point, I will take the liberty to present to you a prediction by Eev. Nicholas Snethen, Bishop Asbury's 'Silver Trumpet/ In 1834, Nicholas Snethen and Asa Shinn were joint editors of our Church paper, and in one of his editorials Mr. Snethen said: 'The point of controversy is reduced to a unit a pure, un- mixed question of representation. If we are true to it, if we are not ashamed of it, it must finally prevail and prose- lyte every Methodist in the United States. They may, in- deed, remain Episcopal Methodists; but so sure as we are not moved from our high calling, the whole lump will be leavened into representative Methodists/ Thus, you see, we once had a true prophet in our Zion; and as a son of the prophets, I venture to predict that a union of American Methodism is a foregone conclusion. "We claim the credit of your lay delegation, and when the union comes to pass and'lo, it will come we shall claim the credit of that also/' Dr. Hering's address was very chaste and pleasant, and confined to the expression of fraternal regard. YEA1M IX THE MINISTRY. 447 In my remarks, I said, among other things: "Could it be demonstrated that a particular form of Church government existed in apostolic times, it would not necessarily follow that the same form of government should always exist, under different circumstances and in dill'erent conditions. The fact that Christ and his apostles did not enjoin any particular form of Church government, very clearly indicates that the whole subject of Church order was left to the enlightened judgment of the Church, and may be varied according to the varying circumstances in which it may be placed. "We may safely conclude, then, that men may honestly differ in regard to questions of Church polity and discipline, but that these honest differ- ences of opinion do not afford just cause for the alienation of Christian brethren, especially when they agree in doc- trine and the observance of the same means of grace. A man who is not willing to accord to others the same rights of conscience, and the same liberty in regard to prudential regulations in the Church which are confessedly a matter of individual judgment and preference that he claims for himself, is a tyrant, however much he may boast of liberty. But there are many men who overlook the unity of the Churches in what is essentially saving and divine, and magnify their differences in regard to non-essential things, thereby producing alienation and strife. "While recognizing the differences in matters of polity between the Church which I, in part, represent, and most of the Churches embraced in this Conference, I do not re- gard these differences as sufficient to prevent the exercise of that brotherly love, Christian fellowship, and general co-operation that should exist between brethren of a com- mon origin, a common faith, and of the same high and Christian aims. While I love all of them, of every name and order, who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity and 448 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY truth, I have a special love for my Methodist brethren of the different Methodist Churches, who agree with me on the great doctrines of the gospel which are essential to the salvation of the world. However others may feel, I desire to act towards them in such a manner that, when I shall meet them in heaven, I shall not be ashamed to look them in the face. "May we not hope, my dear brethren, that this Confer- ence will exert a unifying influence on all the Methodist Churches in this country, and lead them to magnify those things wherein they agree, and minify those wherein they differ? Christ is the great center of Divine attraction and glory, and as lines drawn from a circumference to a com- mon center continually approach each other, until they at last unite, so as we draw nearer to Christ we shall draw nearer to each other, until at last, either on earth or in heaven, we shall be 'gathered together in one, even in Him.' "I would be willing, Mr. President, to live to a great age, if I could only see all the Methodist Churches in this country sink out of sight the minor differences which sepa- rate them, and, as my brother from Canada suggested this afternoon, unite in one great Methodist Church." From present indications I am inclined to think that I would have to live to a very great age indeed, to be permitted to see a union of all the Methodist Churches in this country. In the summer of 1884 there appeared a very sensa- tional article in the Pittsburg Leader, which it styled, "A Modern Miracle." It was the cure of a little boy by the name of Albert Clemmer, of Eedstone Township, Fayette County, near Brownsville, Pa. His father, Samuel Clem- mer, was a saddle and harness maker, doing business in Brownsville. His home was more than a mile from town, situated in a little vale a quarter of a mile from the old YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 449 National Road. The reporter represented it as a pretty place. He described his visit to it, and his meeting with the little boy. He says: "He was a delicate-looking boy, with a pale, intelligent face, black, bright eyes, and jet- black hair. His limbs were slender; but he seemed graceful in action. It was no use to ask him his name, as he was at once known to be Albert Clemmer, from the description of him. Mrs. Elizabeth Clemmer, his mother, is a comely matron of forty-five, intelligent in speech, and pleasant in manner. A pretty, black-eyed daughter, Gertrude, also joined the company, when the following interesting facts were elicited from the restored boy, who took a seat close by. 'I have been sick for nearly three years, and in bed for ten months. My left limb was drawn forward and my head downward, so my chin touched my knee; my right leg was bent straight back, and out of joint; my backbone, they said, like the letter S. My left leg was paralyzed, my right eye. was entirely blind, and I could just see day- light with my left one. I had no appetite, and could neither sit up in bed nor crawl. My pains were very great. I had the dream at night, for three nights in succession. I did not speak of the dream to ma until after the third night. I dreamed that I was directed by God to go to Pittsburg, where, on a big street full of people, I should get the drugs. I thought I went into a drugstore, and got the drugs and made the ointment, mixed in sweet-oil, as directed, and that I got well in two days.' (The names of the drugs his father had forbidden him to tell; but by dint of persuasion, his mother gave them as follows: Xanth- oxylum, filbrin, lupulin, xyris, euphorbium.) He con- tinued: 'How I mixed them in proportion I am not allowed to say now. I first told my mother and sister of my dream. The drugs were mixed in sweet-oil. I asked pa to get me the drugs, and he finally did so. He sent off for them. 29 450 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY When he brought them home, I could tell that they were right by the smell. I made the ointment at ten A. M. on Sunday. My mother and sister saw me with the drugs.' Upon being asked if he thought they would cure him, he said: 'I knew they would cure me, for God told me in my dream they would. I mixed them in bed. At a quarter to twelve my left or paralyzed limb was anointed with the ointment. At twelve ma anointed my back. I then lay till five P. M. I could not raise myself in bed. At that time I was again anointed as before. I then lay till seven A. M., Monday, when it was applied again. A bandage was then put about my hips for half an hour. It was removed by my direction, and tightened in a double band higher up, and remained an hour. At twelve I stood up. There was to be a throbbing in my back, so I would know when to try to stand. When my paralyzed limb straightened out I suf- fered awfully for about two minutes; at the same time my back straightened and went to its place/ His sister said that when his limbs were straightening out he cried out: '0 ma, God has made my legs the same length.' The boy con- tinued as follows: 'God told me in my dream that when I had done all he wanted he would cause a clap of thunder overhead, which he did. There was a little white cloud overhead. I went and saw it. God said in my dream that when I first applied the ointment the limb would turn purple, and it did; and then when the circulation started it grew very hot and felt good. I have not had any pain since I began to walk. I have walked continually since I began. I can see well out of both eyes. I am thirteen years old. I have a good appetite.' Upon wishing to see his former afflicted parts, he refused, saying that no one was to look at his body, according to his dream, for a certain num- ber of weeks, when the shrunken limbs and breast would be filled out. He had expected to walk a quarter of a mile YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 451 to a neighbor's house to-day; but sent word he would not go, having company. Said he: 'I prayed to God frequently to help me, and I believed that he would do so. When I dreamed, I thought God said no man could cure me, and that if I followed his directions I would get well. I will never, never lose faith in the good God who has helped me so. I am getting stronger day by day. My limbs are filling out, my breast is fuller, and I feel well.' If ever a boy told a plain, unvarnished tale, little Albert Clemmer did, so truthful and honest is his countenance that its ex- pression strikes one on sight. The boy had told his people that there would be a clap of thunder when he was cured, and the medicine was no longer needed. In speaking to his mother, she said that what remained of the ointment had been put away in a bottle, and the boy had forbidden any one to touch or uncork it, alleging that it is dangerous. The medicines unmixed were not strong; but when mixed were almost unapproachable. The boy's case had been looked into by several physicians, none of them giving her any hope. When the boy's limbs and back straightened, those about the bed could see the cords loosening and twitching throughout his frame; all thought he was dying, and the mother fainted and had to be taken from the room. . . . .In religious matters his father had some 'go-as- you-please' ideas of the existence of a God, and when the boy began to mix the drugs he went off to his mother's house, not believing in the boy's whim. When he saw his son rise up and walk, he cried out, 'This is God's work,' and now believes as the boy does. Said the mother: 'At first my son complained of a pain in the back of the neck, then it went down his back, then his left limb began to be para- lyzed, and it kept bending him until from walking on crutches and crawling he got past moving. I have taught my son to pray and ask God to help him in trouble, and I 452 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY believe he did so.' When the writer departed, Albert arose from his chair and walked to the door alone, and, extend- ing his little hand, said: 'When you see me again I will tell you more than I am allowed to now.' The writer went away, convinced that something beyond earthly power had transpired in that house. Either the Divine Hand had in- terposed, or there has been a most wonderful and fortuitous concurrence of circumstances. The writer called upon Mr. Theodore Vankirk, a neighboring wealthy and very intelligent farmer, known to nearly all Fayette County people. In answer to the question as to whether he thought there was anything in it, he said: 'I know there is; I have known the boy and his condition, and it is the most won- derful cure I ever heard of. I heard the clap of thunder, and wondered whence it came; when, looking up, I saw a little cloud, light in color, and over the house down there (pointing to Clemmer's house). I have seen the boy since, and I say there is more than man's hand in it.' Rev. Nevin, pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Brownsville, questioned the boy closely, and the reverend gentleman says that since the time when Christ was on the earth no such miracle had been performed. The Brownsville physicians have for the most part visited the boy, and all agree that the doctor who cured the lad is greater than they. The mystery to physicians is how the boy, who knew the names of no medicines in the world, could dictate the medicine by name, and spell it properly. 'There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy." 1 The preceding marvelous statement appeared in the Pittsburg Leader of June 19, 1884. I thought of inserting it in the Recorder; but as the writer of it referred to the Rev. Mr. Nevin, of Brownsville, I concluded, before doing YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 453 so, to send the article to him, and ask if its statements were correct, which I did. Here is Mr. Nevin's answer: "BROWNSVILLE, PA., June 24, 1884. "BEV. JOHN SCOTT, D. D.: "Dear Brother, Your note, together with the clipping from the Leader, is just received. It is only necessary for me to say that it is correct. I was just out with the pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of this place to see the boy. He was away at the house of a neighbor, and we saw him there. He is now about as well as he ever has been. Eev. J. T. Steffy is the brother who was with me. You might write to him, when you will have testimony from one whom, I presume, you personally know. 'The prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up/ Why should it be thought a thing incredible? "Very respectfully, W. G. NEVIN." At Brother Nevin's suggestion, I wrote to Brother Steffy, and here is his reply: "BROWNSVILLE, PA., June 27, 1884. "EEV. JOHN SCOTT: "Dear Sir, Yours in reference to the Clemmer boy to hand. The statement as to his helpless condition is true. His dreaming of the remedies by their technical names, ... is true. He was to mix them in olive-oil, and apply at a quarter of and at twelve; and a quarter of and at seven, and then walk, and in the presence of family and neighbors [he] stretched out his limbs and walked. I met him a few days ago at a neighbor's, one-fourth of a mile from home, and he is still improving. His uncle, II. S. Clemmer, told his mother, a few days previous to the cure, that the boy must die in a few days. In the main, the newspaper accounts are true; in detail, somewhat colored. 454 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY I confess I have been skeptical, and would explain every- thing away on natural principles; but there are facts about this case that won't down at our bidding. There is* no doubt that the boy was distorted, suffering, growing sight- less, and given up to die. He dreamed of remedies, fol- lowed directions, and was cured. Truly, "T. J. STEFFY." This is a wonderful statement, and as given in the Leader, is pronounced by Mr. Nevin to be correct, while in some other papers its details, as Mr. Steffy states, may have been somewhat colored. The main facts being ad- mitted, how can we account for them? If we refer the cure of this boy to the operation of mere natural causes, we do so without sufficient reasons; for there are no natural agencies of which we have any knowledge capable of bring- ing about a result involving mental operations and the acquirement of important knowledge while the senses are locked up in sleep, as well as the previous knowledge of natural phenomenon which no human wisdom can fore- tell. But if we refer the cure in all its parts to the power of God, the difficulty disappears; for with God nothing is impossible. In other ages he gave evidence of his power by performing miraculous cures beyond the power of hu- man skill to effect; and where has he told us that he will not do so again? In such an age of skepticism and unbelief as this, may there not be sufficient reasons why God should, as in olden time, give, as he may see fit, some special evi- dence of his Divine power? "We are willing that everything that can be explained on natural principles, and in har- mony with physical laws, shall be so explained. But, after all, we hold that there is a God that doeth wonders in the earth, and that he is to judge when circumstances justify the special interposition of his power. That God can cure YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 455 the sick, with or without means, in answer to prayer, we do not doubt; but in this, as in other things, except for special reasons known only to himself, he works through ordinary means. But that he will cure all sickness in answer to prayer it is foolish to assert. Paul prayed thrice for the removal of the thorn out of his flesh; but his prayer, in that form, was not answered. All men must die. There is a sickness that is unto death, from which no prayer can deliver. If it were not so, men in answer to prayer would in the flesh become immortal. 456 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY CHAPTER XXXVIII. Visit to Bethel Sacred Associations Communion Reception of Members Among the Graves of the Departed Rela- tivesRobert and Charles Scott My Father and Mother- Other Cherished Names Sheep-shearing Pastoral Life Scenes in the Holy Land Crossing the Jordan. PASSING over a year or two which contained nothing but the ordinary routine of duty and labor, and a few things which should be forgotten rather than remembered, I can not refrain from noticing a visit to my early home, which was of much interest to me, if to no one else; and yet it may possibly be of some interest to others. Ever since Jacob slept at Bethel, and in divine vision saw a ladder set on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon it, the name has been invested with more than ordi- nary sacredness. But before I was old enough to know much of the place where Jacob slept, with a stone for his pillow, another Bethel, scarcely half a mile from where I was born, became associated in my thoughts with all that was sacred and divine. There was Old Bethel, and then, after the organization of the Methodist Protestant Church, there was New Bethel, but a few rods distant. Old Bethel has entirely disappeared, and New Bethel now stands alone as the one central place of worship for the neighborhood. This Bethel is not located at the place Luz; but in a far more fertile region in Washington County, Pennsylvania. For more than eighty years God has had a house and an altar here, and through him, whom Jacob's ladder pre- figured, uninterrupted communication has been kept up be- tween earth and heaven. For many years I have made YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 457 annual, and sometimes more frequent, visits to that sacred place, where my fathers worshiped, and where, in the adjacent graveyard, many that I knew and loved sweetly sleep in Jesus. On the 14th day of May, 1887, 1 visited my early home to assist Brother William A. Eush at his quarterly com- munion at Bethel. The occasion was one of much interest. There were large congregations, and a very large com- munion on the Sabbath. Four persons were received into full membership, in one of whom my youngest son, Albert E. Scott I felt the deepest and most tender interest. God had blessed the faithful labors of Brother Bush, and given him success and favor in the eyes of the people. Brother Bush is one of the younger members of the Conference, having been received at the session of 1881, held in Amity, Pa. He is a good preacher, a faithful pastor, and a con- sistent Christian, and commands the love and respect of all who know him. After speaking to the living, it was natural enough to recall the memories of the dead, with many of whom I had associated and worshiped in former years. One among the first books I ever bought was Hervey's "Meditations Among the Tombs." The title, to many persons, is suggestive of unpleasant thoughts; but although it is nearly sixty years since I read the book, my recollection is that the style was pleasing, and to a Christian mind the meditations were by no means disagreeable. Indeed, to the Christian death is not the king of terrors, for to him he has lost his enven- omed sting. Christ has consecrated the grave, and by his rising has burst its barriers and scattered its gloom. My meditations among the graves of my fathers were not dis- agreeable. There was something pleasing in the retro- spect, and also in the prospect. There are sacred memo- ries and sacred hopes which we delight alike to cherish. 458 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY Among the graves I found were those of two brothers, Bobert Scott and Charles Scott. My grandmother, on the paternal side, Susan Scott, who married a Scott, was their sister. Eobert died in 1821, at the age of nearly seventy. His wife, Catharine, who lies by his side, died in 1837, in the eighty-sixth year of her age. The family were Irish, and had some of the peculiarities of their countrymen. Eobert died in my infancy. I never saw him; but in my boyhood I heard some amusing anecdotes of him. Among others, was this: He had a young horse that he was breaking to the saddle, and he was anxious to know whether it would be easily frightened or not, and concluded to test the matter in a practical way. Accordingly, he directed his son, Eobert, to go out along the lane and hide in a fence-corner, and when he came along riding on the colt, to jump out and say, "booh!" This plan was carried out effectually. When the old gentleman reached the place where Eobert .was concealed, he jumped out and said, "booh!" The colt was greatly frightened, and threw its rider, considerably shaking up the old gentleman. But gathering himself up, and addressing his son, he said very earnestly, "Ah, Eobbin, that was too big a 'booh' for a filly." There are many things in this world that are overdone. The experiment of the old gentleman was not, perhaps, a very philosophical one; but there are many men, esteemed very wise, who are experimenting on subjects of a far more serious character, involving far more serious consequences, but which are not any more successful. Eobert Scott, who was the innocent cause of his father's discomfiture, had a large family of sons and daughters. Four of his daughters married Methodist preachers. Pa- mela married "Eev. Eobert Hopkins, D. D.; Catharine mar- ried Eev. Hamilton Cree; Eachel married Eev. George B. YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 459 Hudson; and Mary married Rev. Edward Hunter. They are all dead except Mrs. Hopkins and Mr. Hudson. Charles Scott, the other brother, was a local preacher, and died in 1840, in the eighty-ninth year of his age. He was the grandfather of the Rev. George M. Scott, for many years a member of the Iowa Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church. His wife, Annas, died sixteen years before him, aged seventy years. He preached a great deal, and never softened the truths of the gospel to suit the carnal tastes of his hearers. If he knew of any prevailing sins, those were the sins he denounced, and generally with such plainness of speech that there was no misunderstand- ing of his meaning. He was not a learned and cultured man in the modern sense, but possessed a great deal of good common sense, accompanied with a sparkle of Irish wit. He often preached in Wellsburg, Virginia (now West Virginia), and Philip Dodridge, who resided there, and who was one of the most eminent lawyers of his time, a compeer of the celebrated Charles Hammond, and brother of Rev. Joseph Dodridge, author of "Notes on Virginia," always went to hear him preach, and often said that he liked to hear the Irishman; for, although he sometimes blundered, he got more ideas from him than from most men whom he heard. By the way, ideas are not a bad thing in a sermon. As the old gentleman advanced in years, his memory became somewhat impaired, which sometimes led to amus- ing results. On one occasion he had an appointment to preach in a private house near Burgetstown. He had never been there, did not know the way with certainty, and, un- fortunately for him, he had forgotten the name of the gentleman at whose house he was to preach, so that he did not know for whom to inquire. In the midst of his per- plexity he overtook a gentleman and lady on foot, going 460 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY in the same direction as himself. He kindly spoke to them, and after some remarks, begged leave to ask them where they were going. They informed him that they were going to a certain place to preaching. He inquired who was to preach, and they informed him Mr. Scott. He then in- quired the way. They gave him the proper directions, and he reached his appointment in good time. He preached his last sermon, by special appointment, in Bethel, and he requested all his relatives in the neighbor- hood to be present. His friends turned out to hear him, and it was said there were twenty-one Scotts of the third generation present. In company with his grandson, Rev. G. M. Scott, I watched with him the night he died. He was perfectly self-possessed, and conversed with us freely, and apparently with ease. He informed us of the first sermon he heard preached in this country, and of the manner in which the preacher handled his subject. He spoke of great preachers whom he had heard, and of the greatest sermon he thought he had ever heard. He gave us good advice, worthy of a dying patriarch. I left him about twelve o'clock at night, and in about two hours afterward he was dead. He was a man of sterling character, of great moral courage, and neither feared the frown nor courted the favor of any. A short distance from the graves of these two brothers and their wives are the graves of my sainted father and mother, John and Frances Scott. My father was a class- leader and exhorter in the Church, and his house had been a preaching-place for the Methodists, and a home for Meth- odist preachers in Ireland, long before I was born. He died on the 19th day of December, 1833, aged fifty years and ten days. There was no obituary written of him. In- deed, it was not customary then, except in special cases, YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 461 to publish obituaries of deceased friends. But his record is on high. My mother, who sleeps by his side, was one of the best of Christian women. She survived my father forty- two years, and died on the 1st day of August, 1875, in the ninety-fourth year of her age. She had been a Christian for more than seventy years, and died in peace. There was no obituary written of her. Her pastor did not see fit to do it, and her children left the matter to him, and did not interfere. Indeed, it would be well if fewer obituaries were written. When, as editor of our Church paper, I re- ceived so many obituaries, and some of them quite lengthy, even of children, and of persons who were not even identi- fied with the Church, I often thought of my parents, whose lives of Christian devotion were worthy of imitation, who went up to heaven without any obituaries being written of them. But their rest is as sweet, and their children are as fully assured that they are with the Lord, as if high eulogies had been written upon them. Another grave that attracted my attention was that of Miss Nancy McNeely, who died April 22, 1834, in the twenty-third year of her age. She was an orphan, and pos- sessed of considerable property. She was educated at Dr. Beatty's Seminary, Steubenville, Ohio, and after her gradu- ation became a teacher in the school. She bequeathed all her property to Dr. Beatty; but in her sickness was brought to Robert Pogue's, near Bethel, whose wife was a distant relative of hers, where she died. Dr. Beatty erected a tombstone at her grave, of sandstone, which was originally about two and a half or three feet high, about sixteen inches broad, and perhaps two inches thick. The ground had been thrown up around it, and it then stood about twenty inches above ground. The back of the stone was Scaling off, and before many years it will disappear. Dr. 462 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY Beatty, who received her fortune, should have placed a more permanent monument at her grave. She died tri- umphantly. I found two other graves side by side those of James Patterson and his wife, Sarah. James Patterson died August 31, 1849, in the ninety-second year of his age. His wife died a few months before him, on January 8, 1849, in the eighty-fourth year of her age. A little distance from these graves are those of John Patterson and his wife. John Patterson died October 29, 1849, in the eighty-sev- enth year of his age. His wife, Jane, died eighteen years before him, on August 5, 1831, aged fifty-four years. James and John Patterson were brothers, but very different in disposition and temperament. James was a man of clear, strong mind, gentle spirit, and great self-possession. He was a man of deep piety, and a wise and safe counselor. I had the pleasure from a boy of numbering him among my warm friends. After I commenced preaching, he al- ways called me "Johnnie," as he had been in the habit of doing from my childhood. He said I was too young for him to call me '"'brother," and "Mr." was too cold an appel- lation. His brother was a man of warm temperament, great energy, and devoted to business. He, too, was a mem- ber of the Church, and a professor of religion, but not so devoted and self-sacrificing as his brother. In the early days of Methodism in that neighborhood, as was the case in many other places, the people had preach- ing only on week-days. It was related of John and James Patterson, that on a certain preaching-day in the neighbor- hood both were plowing, and had marked out "lands," or pieces of ground, of the same size in the morning, each plowing his own "land." James resolved to go to preach- ing, but John thought he could not spare the time, and YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 463 plowed on. James went to preaching, returned, and re- sumed his plowing, and finished his "land" as soon as his brother John, having plowed as much and gone to preach- ing, too. There was nothing marvelous in this. James was so anxious to go to preaching that he worked with greater vim and energy while he was at it, and thus overcame his loss of time, as his brother thought, while he was at preach- ing. It is wonderful what an earnest purpose can accom- plish, especially when that purpose is in the right direction. A little distance from these are the graves of John and Nancy Elliott. John Elliott, Sr., died December 20, 1835, aged seventy-eight. Nancy, his wife, preceded him a little over six years, having died August 2, 1828, in her sixty- first year. He was a small man, a devoted and enthusiastic Christian, consistent in life, an Israelite indeed, in whom was no guile. Not far from these are two other graves those of John and Jane Cassidy. John Cassidy died March 23, 1868, in the eighty-sixth year of his age. * His wife died less than a year before him, on July 8, 1867. Mr. Cassidy was a man of strong convictions, of great conscientiousness, and of deep piety. All these, with the exception of Miss McNeely, were members of the Methodist society of Bethel, and all of them, except she and Robert Scott, who died before its organization, became members of the Methodist Protestant Church. The great age, with one or two exceptions, to which they all attained, is worthy of note, and also the fact that none of them re-married. But they are only a few of a great host of worthies who were members of that society, and many of whom sleep sweetly there, till Jesus shall bid them rise. But time would fail me to tell of the scores who, from this Bethel on earth, have gone up to the Bethel 464 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY above. If I am ever so happy as to reach the Father's house of many mansions, I shall not enter it as a stranger. "There's rest at home, there's joy at home, And many I love are there; They wait with sweet songs for me to come, Their glory and bliss to share." My visit happened to he in the time of sheep-shearing, a time that has heen fraught with interest from the earliest ages. The raising and caring of sheep has heen an im- portant industry from the very infancy of our race. Abel, the second son of Adam, was "a keeper of sheep." For what particular purpose he kept them we do not know. It is probable that they were principally kept for food. Our first parents were in the beginning clothed with the skins of animals; but we can hardly suppose that the skins of sheep, at least in their natural condition, could have been used for that purpose. The nature of the climate was such that, in their state of innocence, they were perfectly comfortable without clothing. The wearing of sheep- skins, in almost any form, in such a climate, would doubt- less have been attended with great discomfort. The skins may have been used for the covering of tents, as they were afterwards used by the Israelites for the covering of the tabernacle in the wilderness. Whether Abel had learned at that -early day to utilize the wool of his sheep for any valu- able purpose, is a question we have no means of deter- mining. At what time the practice of shearing sheep was intro- duced is a fact which history has not recorded. We find, long before the Israelites went down into Egypt, about one thousand seven hundred years before Christ, that the prac- tice existed among the patriarchs. We read of Judah hav- ing sheep-shearers at Timnath, and of his going to see YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 465 them in company with his friend Hirah. Long after that, in the time of David's persecution by Saul, we read of Nabal, a man of Maon, who had large possessions in Cannel, and among other things three thousand sheep and a thou- sand goats; and when David fled from Saul, after the death of Samuel, Nabal was shearing his sheep in Carmel. The treachery of Absalom, in causing his servants to slay his brother Amnon on account of his conduct toward his sister Tamar, when he had sheep-shearers at Baalhazor, will at once suggest itself to the mind of every Bible-reader. While hearing some of the shearers complain of the inferior character of their shears, and knowing, both from observation and experience, that the best quality of steel is necessary to produce a pair of shears that will give satis- faction, I could not help thinking of the state of perfec- tion to which metallurgy and the use of metals must have been brought in those early days referred to, to enable men to produce shears with which one could shear sheep at all. We hear a great deal of boasting about the intelligence and knowledge of "this nineteenth century," and the won- derful achievements which men have made in the arts and sciences, and I would not detract one iota from the just claims of modern discovery; but while this is the case, we must not suppose that men were less capable in those early days than they are at present; but their minds were exer- cised about fundamental and necessary things, a knowl- edge of which underlies all the achievements of modern times, and the discovery of which, under the circumstances, required, perhaps, as much penetration as the seemingly marvelous discoveries of the present day. The men who could build the pyramids, and erect the obelisks of Egypt, and embalm their dead so as to preserve their remains for thousands of years, were men of no mean intelligence, and not to be sneered at by our modern Solons, who seem to 30 466 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY think that all who preceded them were, comparatively, fools. The fact is, the more we learn of antiquity, the more we are led to admire the wisdom and achievements of the ancients. I should not wonder if Judah's sheep-shearers at Timnath had shears that answered their purpose quite as well as those do which are furnished to sheep-shearers at the present day. "Washington County, Pennsylvania, is celebrated for its valuable flocks, and for the superior quality of its wool; yet there are few persons in the county, if any, who have as many sheep as JSTabal had at Carmel. Indeed, the flocks are not nearly so large there now as they were some years ago, on account of the low price of wool for the last few years, and especially of the finer qualities or grades of wool, such as are produced in this county. The wool- growers claim that this industry does not receive proper protection from the Government; that foreign wools are allowed to be imported at such a low duty that the native clip does not command a remunerative price. I do not pretend to know much about these questions of Govern- mental policy; but I know that sheep-raising and wool- growing are by no means as profitable as they were a few years ago, and as a consequence the number of sheep is diminishing, and farmers are compelled to turn their at- tention to other industries to which the soil is not so well adapted. Sheep-raising in this country has never been carried to the same extent that it was in Palestine and adjoining countries. Sir John Chardin, whose manuscript notes are quoted by Mr. Harmer and others, says that he saw a clan of Turkoman shepherds whose flocks numbered three mill- ion sheep and goats. This great number did not belong to one individual, but to a clan, or tribe, of quite a consider- able number. Job, before his affliction, had seven thousand YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 467 sheep, and after his affliction God wonderfully prospered him, and the number of his sheep increased to fourteen thousand. Jacob, no doubt, had large flocks, which re- quired a large range of pasturage to meet their necessities; hence his sheep, under the care of his sons, were often pastured at a considerable distance from home. When Joseph was sent by his father from the vale of Hebron to visit his brethren, he found them pasturing their flocks in Dothan, not far from Shechem. In those ancient times sheep were always attended by a shepherd, and sometimes more than one. He watched over them by day and night, and protected them from beasts of prey, to whose attacks they were constantly exposed. In this country sheep are not thus attended, because they are not exposed to the same dangers. They are assorted into flocks of different sizes, and placed in different pastures, salted, and changed from pasture to pasture as circumstances require. The owner in caring for them is not, like Jacob when he kept the flocks of Laban, parched by drought during the day and by frost at night. Sometimes, in this country, dogs attack and injure the sheep by night, but not often. There is something very agreeable in pastoral life, and most persons take pleasure in attending to their flocks. Sheep are very innocent and harmless animals, and afford a pattern of meek and patient endurance. The prophet uses this fact to illustrate the character of the blessed Savior, who was "led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep be- fore her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth." Shearers sometimes handle the sheep very roughly; but ordinarily they submit to this without resistance, and meekly and patiently endure. There are more illustrations of Christian life and char- acter drawn from the pastoral vocation in the Bible than from any other. The psalmist declares, "The Lord is my 468 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY Shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters." Christ represents himself as the Good Shepherd, who careth for the sheep who has even laid down his life for the sheep. He said to Peter, 'Teed my sheep feed my lambs." Every child of God is embraced in the fold of the Ee- deemer, and will be protected and preserved by him. Dr. Thomson, in "The Land and the Book," gives an acount of a shepherd and his flock, which he once saw crossing a river between Damur and Sidon. He says that the shepherd went before, and the sheep followed him. "Not all in the same manner, however. Some enter boldly, and come straight across. These are the loved ones of the flock, who keep hard by the footsteps of the shepherd, whether sauntering through green meadows, by the still waters, feeding upon the mountains, or resting at noon "beneath the shadow of great rocks. And now others enter, but in doubt and alarm. Far from their guide, they miss the ford, and are carried down the stream, some more, some less; and yet, one by one, they all struggle over and make good their landing." "I once saw," he continues, "flocks crossing the Jordan 'to Canaan's fair and happy land/ and then the scene was even more striking and im- pressive. The river was broader, the current stronger, and the flocks larger, while the shepherds were more pictur- esque and Biblical. The catastrophe, too, with which many poor sheep were threatened of being swept down into that mysterious sea of death which swallows up the Jordan itself was more solemn and suggestive." ,, This may well illustrate the final scene through which we all must pass. The crossing of the Jordan is before us. The Good Shepherd is leading us to its "stormy banks;" but we know that if we keep close to his side, we need not fear to enter its "cold stream," for he will conduct us YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 469 safely over, and we shall rest with him in peace on the farther shore. We may well say with the psalmist, "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." That visit was a pleasant and refreshing one, and I returned to my post of duty strengthened and encouraged. C.WILSQN, 470 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY CHAPTER XXXIX. Conference at Burnside Bell's Gap Railroad Ride by Moon- light Election of Delegates General Conference at Ad- rian D. S. Stephens elected Editor Retirement Closing Remarks Numerous Letters Touching One Kind Words of Brother Editors The Interior A Week Unemployed- Appointed a Supply Conference at New Cumberland- Made a Station Appointed to that Charge "Arthur and Hattie" Visit to Springfield Remarkable Case of Mr. Goode. IN the fall of 1887 the Pittsburg Conference met in Burnside, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. The great majority of the members, in reaching the seat of the Con- ference, passed over the Pennsylvania Central Eailroad to Bell's Mills, one hundred and twenty-four miles east of Pittsburg, and then over the BelFs Gap Eailroad for thirty- seven miles, to Newburg, and from there in wagons, bug- gies, and carriages, a distance of eight miles, to Burnside, making in all one hundred and sixty-nine miles from Pittsburg, and, with the delays we experienced, occupying the whole day. The BelFs Gap Eailroad was built principally as a means of reaching the coal-fields and lumber region near and beyond the summit of the mountain. This road pre- sented great engineering difficulties in its construction. For heavy grades, sharp curves, and the height to which it ascends the mountain in such a short distance, it has no competitor in the eastern section of our country. Starting from Bell's Mills, seven miles east of Altoona, this remarkable road threads its serpentine way up the mountain's side, over gorges and torrents, around sharp YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 471 curves and steep inclines to the coal-fields at the mountain top. The distance to the summit is nine miles, and every mile reveals some of the grandest and wildest scenery of the Alleghany Mountains. The grade in some places, we were told, is one hundred and seventy feet to the mile. As the panting engine strains up* precipitous heights, twists around sharp curves, and glides over high enbankments, the passenger's nerves are severely tried; but alarm gives way to wonder and admiration. Here a beetling precipice seems about to break from its moorings; there one looks down into a gorge, seemingly thousands of feet deep, through which a rushing torrent dashes its silver flood. Here the skill of the engineer has constructed a path for the track high above the solid earth, which, contrasted with the majesty of nature around it, seems as frail as a spider's web; there, above and below, is the dark mass of the mountain, covered by primitive forest, and cracked into gaping fissures, dotted with mighty boulders, grand in the wild ruggedness of untamed nature. With every step of the journey interest intensifies, so that it is hard to decide whether the views from the ascent or the summit are the grandest. Near the summit of the mountain a resort, called Rhododendron Park, has been laid out, and equipped with all the conveniences of a picnic ground. Mountain springs form pretty little lakes; rustic bridges span the sparkling streams, and a beautiful fountain scatters its spray amid green bowers. Pavilions and tables are provided for the use of excursionists. The park is surrounded with a wild tangle of mountain laurel, presenting, when in full bloom, a magnificent spectacle. I have frequently passed over the Pennsylvania Central Road, with its "Horseshoe Bend" and other magnificent mountain views, and over the Baltimore & Ohio Road, which 472 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY also presents some magnificent mountain scenery; but no- where have I seen anything to compare with the bold, weird scenery brought successively to view in the zigzag windings of the Bell's Gap Bailroad, in its ascent to the summit of the Alleghany Mountain. To a lover of nature's grandeur, a view of this magnificent sctnery would more than com- pensate for the cost of a trip across the mountains. I doubt whether many travelers to foreign lands see anything in their travels more grand than the views here presented. A ride of eight miles by moonlight in a country hack, concluded a day's journey of no little interest. The session of the Conference at Burnside was the one immediately preceding the session of the General Confer- ence, and elected delegates to that body. This matter had occupied the attention of some of the members for a con- siderable time, and the election was quite spirited. For reasons which I deemed entirely satisfactory, I did not visit any of the Conferences that fall, except the Pittsburg Conference. At the General Conference in Adrian in 1888, 1 retired from the editorship of the Methodist Recorder, after a service in that position, at two different times, of nearly fifteen years. Eev. D. S. Stephens, D. D., president of Adrian College, was elected to take my place. Immediately after the General Conference I turned over to my successor all my editorial responsibilities, and prof- fered him any aid I might be able to render him in his new position. In retiring from the duties of editor, I said, among other things: "We have kept the paper true to the doc- trines and traditions of Methodism and of the Methodist Protestant Church, and we are pleased to know that the Methodist Recorder never had a better subscription-list, nor stood better with its readers than now. Every enlargement YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 473 and improvement made in the Recorder within a quarter of a century has been made under our editorial supervision, and it is with- no little degree of satisfaction that we are able to turn it over to our esteemed successor in such a prosperous condition. We trust he will be able to increase its prosperity, and carry it forward to a still higher degree of excellence." Upon my retirement as editor I received many kind letters from many persons, expressing appreciation and regret, and saying even complimentary things, which it would be improper here to insert. Such expressions, how- ever, were very agreeable, and showed that my labors had not been without appreciation. Several of my brethren of the press were pleased to notice my retirement, and to say kind things of me. I can not, of course, give these ex- pressions here; and still I can not resist the inclination to insert a single specimen of them. Dr. Gray, editor of the Interior, Chicago, gave the following brief notice: "Bev. Dr. John Scott retires from the editorial chair of the Methodist (Protestant) Recorder of Pittsburg. In closing his adieu, he says: " 'As the sun declines and the shadows lengthen, and the time for labor lessens, we would quicken our pace and improve the closing hours of day before the twilight deep- ens and the time for work is past. We know not what is before us; but if it is the Father's will, we would go from active service to join the victor throng who have been faithful to the end.' "Dr. Scott was editor of the Recorder before that beau- tiful and brilliant character, Alexander Clark, came to its tripod. At his death Dr. Scott again resumed the editor- ship, and now after long and faithful and acceptable serv- ices retires. The words we quote from his valedictory will touch the heart of many a worker who is on the down- 474 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY grade of life 'quicken our pace and improve the closing hours of the day before twilight deepens and the time for work is past.' Beautifully said! Heroic words! Not the rest that an old man feels entitled to claim; but the full and busy employment of the golden hours of sunset for the dear Master. A few months before his death the vener- able Dr. Plumer said to us: 'My time is so short, and I have so much to do.' Brother Scott's words will come as a reproof to many of us. I have said: 'Let the boy do the work I have done my share, and now I propose to take it easy.' Perhaps Brother Allison said as much also.* Now we should reconsider, and say: 'Let us quicken our pace, and improve the closing hours.' ' : Equally kind were the words of many of our late con- freres of the religious press. For about one week in forty-six years I was without regular employment in the Church. But in about a week's time I was appointed by the president of the Pittsburg Conference to fill out the unexpired term of Brother M. L. Jennings, who, on account of illness, had resigned the charge of the First Church, Eighteenth Street, Southside, Pittsburg. The session of the Pittsburg Conference of 1888 was held in New Cumberland, W. Va. It is a manufacturing town, and the seat of justice for Hancock County. We had a good Church there, which had been connected with Manchester Circuit; but at that session it was set off as a station, and I was appointed to that charge, where I re- mained for three years. When we went to New Cumberland, there was a great business "boom" in the town, and as the Church at that time had no parsonage, I found it almost impossible to * Dr. Allison, of the Presbyterian Banner, Pittsburg, had shortly be- fore lost a promising son, YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 475 obtain a house. At last I secured part of a house from Mr. Arthur Stewart, who, with his wife, occupied the other part. They were a young married couple, and were as kind to us as our own children could have been. I had the pleasure of receiving them both into the Church, with a good many others, during my pastorate there. "Arthur and Hattie," as we familiarly called them, endeared them- selves to us, and will ever retain a warm place in our affec- tions. Although hampered by lack of room, we did not move till we left the place. We had many excellent mem- bers there, among whom were the Smiths, the Stewarts, the Donagans, the Bradleys, the McGrews, the Coopers, and many others. The Church has prospered, and is one of our most pleasant charges. At that session B. F. Saddler, A. E. Fletcher, A. E. Rush, and F. N. Foster were received into the Conference. They are good and faithful men, who will make full proof of their ministry. Brother Foster came by transfer from the Genesee Conference. At the Conference which met in Springdale, Pa., in 1889, E. B. Whitehead, a graduate of Adrian College, was received and loaned for one year to the New York Con- ference. At the end of that time he returned to the Pitts- burg Conference, and is one of the most active and earnest laborers in the Conference. In 1890 the Pittsburg Conference met again in Amity, Pa. Brother J. F. Dyer was elected president, and after serving acceptably that year was re-elected the following year. Brother Dyer is a devoted Christian man, earnest and faithful in the performance of duty, a good preacher, and an excellent pastor. He has the confidence of his brethren, and has not only served as president, but also for several years as secretary. He is a man of sweet spirit, and always affable and gentlemanly in his bearing. At that 476 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY Conference Robert McGarvey and J. M. McCormick were received as licentiates. In May, 1891, my wife and I made a visit to Spring- field, Ohio. While there I took occasion to inquire into some particulars connected with the last sickness and death of Frank C. Goode, Esq., son of Judge James Goode, of that city. I had learned something of the matter from my son, and also from Miss Bowman, with whom I had traveled some time before from Springfield to Pittsburg on the cars; but being in. Springfield, 1 concluded to get the facts from first hands. Judge Goode was for many years one of the leading lawyers in Ohio, and for one or two terms judge of the Circuit Court. I knew him very well when I resided in Springfield, and frequently met him afterwards, as my oldest son was for several years associ- ated with him in the practice of law. He was, I believe, a member of the Second Presbyterian Church, of Spring- field. His son, Frank, had studied law in his father's office, and entered successfully upon its practice. He was a young man of fine mind, correct habits, studious, and devoted to his profession. He was a married man, and at the time of his death was about thirty-five years of age. He had been quite successful in his profession, and had accumulated considerable property. He was an attendant on the services of the Second Presbyterian Church, of which Dr. Fullerton was pastor, but was not a member. He was very popular, and one of the most promising young men at the Springfield bar. Wishing to learn the particulars of young Mr. Goode's death, I called on Dr. John Eodgers, his physician, and Dr. Fullerton, his pastor. Dr. Eodgers informed me that Mr. Goode was taken ill with typhoid-fever; but in the bginning of his illness he did not regard the case as serious; that one evening, after YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 477 the gas had been lighted, while his wife was standing by his bedside, and his eyes wide open, he instantly seemed to lose all sensibility and consciousness. He was immedi- ately summoned, and was soon at his bedside. He said that, to all appearance Mr. Goode was dead. There were no signs of life perceptible. He remained in that condition for about an hour, when in an instant he regained con- sciousness, and requested the gas to be turned up. Dr. Rodgers said that for a moment he appeared slightly agi- tated; but almost immediately became perfectly composed. He said he never knew a man who had such perfect self- control as Mr. Goode. Next morning when the doctor called to see him, his trained nurse, a very intelligent man from Cincinnati, was walking back and forth before the house, taking a little fresh air, and he remarked to the doctor that Mr. Goode had had a vision the night before. The doctor passed in, and, after making a few inquiries of his patient, Mr. Goode said: "Doctor, I was in the other world last night, and T saw hell, and no mind can conceive nor tongue express its horrors." Dr. Rodgers, as he told me, replied: ''Mr. Goode, you are a very sick man; I want you to get well; we will not talk about this now; but at another time when you are stronger." This terminated the conversation on the subject. The doctor said he did not wish to talk with him then about the matter, lest it might excite and injure him. Dr. Rodgers said that throughout Mr. Goode's entire sickness his mind was never affected in the slightest dc either before or after the above occurrence. As an evidence of this fact, he said, when he found that Mr. Goode could not recover, he told him that if he had any business to arrange, he had better attend to it. Mr. Goode then called his father, and informed him how he wished to dispose of 478 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY his property, and requested him to write his will. His father, according to his direction, proceeded to write his will, and, when it was finished, read it to his son. But he objected to it, and pointed out two or three particulars in which it was not sufficiently clear and definite, and might admit of different constructions, and he requested his father to re-write and correct it, which he did. Dr. Rodgers said that he referred to this fact to show that to the last Mr. Goode's mind was clear, and as keen in its perceptions as ever. He said, had Mr. Goode been a nervous, imaginative, and excitable person, he might have supposed that the whole thing was an hallucination; but knowing Mr. Goode as he did, and knowing the clearness of his mind, and his perfect self-possession and self-control, he could not ac- cept the supposition. He said he never knew of such a remarkable case; and while the facts were as he stated, he had no theory to present on the subject. After my interview with Dr. Rodgers, I called on Dr. Fullerton, and informed him of the object of my visit. He said that Mr. Goode had sent for him, and that he had visited him; that he had told him the same thing that he had told Dr. Rodgers, that he had seen hell; that it was a horrible place; that he did not want to go there; and that he wanted him to thank God for letting him come back to this world. Dr. Fullerton, like Dr. Rodgers, would not permit him to talk on the subject, lest it should excite and injure him. But he prayed with him, and conversed about his soul. He continued to visit him and pray with him, and he expressed his full trust and confidence in Christ as his Savior, and the hope of a blessed future life. Dr. Fullerton said that on one of his visits, Mr. Goode addressed his father in the most tender and touching ap- peal he ever heard. He said: "Father, you are an honor- able man; you are an honest, upright man; but, father, YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 479 that is not enough; your sins must be washed away in the blood of Christ, or you can not be saved/' He said he could not repeat his words; but his appeal surpassed in tenderness anything he had ever heard. At last the end came, and he passed away in great peace. I have no explanation to offer of this peculiar case. There is a mystery about it that I can not explain. There is one thing, however, which it seems to me clearly to establish, and that is, that there is a soul a spiritual es- sence or entity in man, separate and distinct from the body, that is capable of perception, thought, and feeling, independent of the physical or bodily senses. This living, spiritual agent can use our bodily organs, which in them- selves are lifeless and inactive; but it can exist independ- ently of them, in possession of all the attributes of an in- telligent, immortal being or essence. It is separate and distinct from gross matter. During this year, on the 3d day of August, 1890, Brother James Robison, the oldest member of the Confer- ence, passed from labor to reward. He had been a member of the Conference for fifty-three years, had filled its best appointments, had served as secretary and president of the Conference, had represented it in several General Confer- ences and General Conventions, and had served for ten years as Book Agent. Indeed, he filled almost every po- sition of honor and trust the Church could bestow upon him. He was honored and trusted by all who knew him. He was a man of quick, bright mind, well-informed, a good preacher, an excellent pastor, and the church-builder of the Conference. He had been the means of erecting eight churches, and some of them among the best in the Con- ference. He was a man of sweet spirit, genial and com- panionable, and of unswerving integrity. Esteemed in life, mourned in death, his memory is precious. 480 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY CHAPTER XL. Session of Pittsburg Conference in Wellsburg, 1891 Appointed to Wellsburg Charge City of Wellsburg Near Early Home Fiftieth Anniversary Special Services Dyer Jones Westfall La Grippe Express Package Various Letters Gift from Recorder Office Correspondence Sun- day Services Communion Addresses by Various Breth- renMy Address Close. AT the session of the Pittsburg Conference, in Wells- burg, West Virginia, in September, 1891, I was appointed to the Wellsburg Charge, to which I removed as soon as convenient after the rise of the Conference. Wellsburg is the seat of justice for Brook County, West Virginia. It is one of the oldest towns on the Ohio River. Marietta, Ohio, I believe, is the oldest, and Wellsburg comes next. It is only ten miles from where I was born and raised, and is associated with the recollections of my boyhood. It is a nice little city, with paved streets, electric- lights, excellent waterworks, and good graded schools. It is located on the southeast bank of the Ohio River, with a railroad running through it, and two other railroads run- ning along on the opposite side of the river. It is sixteen miles above Wheeling, and fifty miles west of Pittsburg. It is near my early home and many of my relatives, and the place where I expect to sleep with my fathers. We have a good church-building here, and a comfortable parsonage adjoining it; but the membership is small, and the Church has much to contend with. There are some excellent mem- bers in it, however, who do all they can to sustain it. Among those worthy of special mention are Benjamin YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 481 Huggins and wife, Ulysses Huggins and wife, Charles Hug- gins and wife, Brother Cram and wife, and a few others. At the Wellsburg Conference B. \V. Anthony was re- ceived by transfer from the South Illinois Conference, and W. S. Hanks from the New York Conference. They are both successful workers. On the 19th of February, 1892, occurred the fiftieth anniversary of my -licensure to preach the gospel. The brethren, learning of this fact, resolved that the occasion should be observed by some special services. Arrangements were accordingly made to that effect. Brother J. F. Dyer, president of the Pittsburg Conference, and David Jones and G. G. Westfall, two of the oldest members of the Con- ference, and special friends of mine, were invited to be present, and to participate in the services of the occasion. A couple of weeks before the time of these special services, I was taken ill with grippe, and when the time came I was greatly prostrated, but able, by a great effort, to be up. I was exceedingly nervous, a new form of afflic- tion for me, for I had never been subject to anything of the kind before. The services were to take place on Sabbath, February 21st. On Friday evening the expressman brought me a package containing a copy of Ridpath's "History of the World," in four large octave volumes, beautifully bound. There was nothing to indicate from whence they came. Shortly after, one of the brethren brought me my mail, which contained letters from various friends, extending their congratulations. Among these letters was one which particularly touched me, and, in my feeble and nervous condition, considerably excited me. It was from the em- ployees of the Methodist Recorder office, and called up memories of years of toil which the senders of it and I 31 482 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY pleasantly shared together. Although I had been absent from the office for nearly four years, it showed that I was not forgotten. Here is the letter: "REV. JOHN SCOTT, D. D., "Wellsburg, W. Va.: "Dear Doctor, Your friends, the *boys' of the Meth- odist Recorder office, send their congratulations upon the completion of your half-century in the ministry of the Methodist Protestant Church. "As a slight testimonial of their regard, and in recog- nition of your uniform kindness and courtesy to all during the years in which they worked with you daily, they ask you to accept a set of Eidpath's 'History of the World.' "With the assurance of highest esteem, and sincere wishes for your future happiness, we remain your friends, "William McCracken, Jr., M. S. Johns, Jesse Hook, Pres. K. McClelland, J. H. Nieth, T. D. Jones, T. J. Armor, J. S. Leland, J. W. Zirckel, Charles H. Gullett, August Stoehr. "PiTTSBUKG, PA., February 18, 1892." Here is my response: "MY DEAK 'Boys' OF THE METHODIST RECORDER OFFICE: "Your kind letter and accompanying gift of a copy of Ridpath's 'History of the World,' in four royal octavo vol- umes, elegantly bound, came to hand last night. Your kind remembrance of me, and your congratulations, deeply touched my heart. For nine years, in our almost daily intercourse, nothing occurred to interrupt the pleasant re- lations that existed between us. Your gentlemanly bearing, your promptness in complying with my every wish, and your constant readiness to do me any kindness within your power, placed me under great obligations to you, YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 483 and laid the foundation for a friendship that shall never die. "Please accept the assurance of my appreciation of your valuable gift, and of my far higher appreciation of the kindness that prompted it. I shall preserve your auto- graphs among my most precious things. "My prayer is, that prosperity may attend you through this life, and that the friendship which we formed in our long and intimate intercourse with each other, may be re- newed and cemented in a brighter and better world than this. God bless you all! "Your old and sincere friend, JOHN SCOTT. "WEIXSBURG, W. VA., February 20, 1892." The services on Sabbath were very interesting. Brother Westfall preached an excellent and touching sermon in the morning, after which the Lord's Supper was adminis- tered. In the afternoon the anniversary services were held. The choir had arranged for some good music for the occa- sion. Brother Dyer made the opening address, after which I read, with considerable effort owing to my weakness, my address. Then, after singing by the choir, addresses were made by Brother Jones and Brother Westfall, and others. Brother Jones preached on Sabbath evening to a crowded house, and Brother Dyer preached on Monday evening to a good congregation. This closed the services of the occa- sion. The addresses were interesting, and the people pro- fessed to be very much pleased. The following is the address which I delivered on the occasion: "On some public thoroughfares there are mile-posts at the end of each mile, to remind the traveler of the distance he has come, or how near he is to the end of his journey. So it is in the journey of life. The even, onward flow of 484 -RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY time is divided into separate periods. Some of these are artificial, such as minutes, hours, months, and years. Some of them are natural, such as day and night; the return of the seasons, as spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Some of them are marked by events in social life, such as birth- days, marriages, and deaths. Then there are periods marked by important historical events, deemed worthy of commemoration, such as the granting of Magna Chaxta and the Declaration of American Independence. So, also, in the religious world, there are important events which mark the progress of religious movements which it is deemed proper to observe. Then, in each individual life, there are events of special interest which the individual may observe, but which are not observed by others, except through courtesy. "An important event, at least important to me, oc- curred in my history fifty years ago on last Friday. On that day, after due examination by the authorities of the Church, I was licensed to preach the gospel of Christ. That was my entrance upon public life; and as you have been pleased very courteously to take some notice of the fact, it is due to you that I should recall some of the events of the half-century through which, since then, I have passed. Hours could be occupied in such a review; but I am admonished that but a few minutes can be thus em- ployed. "Fifty years ago I was a young and vigorous man; to- day I am an old man, and not so vigorous as I then was. Then, like most young men, I thought I knew a good deal; now, like all sensible old men, I think I know but very little. Then, like other young men, I entertained high hopes of the future; now, like other old men, I have very clearly-defined experiences of the past. Then the battles of life were mostly before me; now they are mostly behind YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 485 me. Then the end appeared to be a great way off; now it appears to be drawing near. "The changes which have taken place around me in the last fifty years, in the social, scientific, political, and relig- ious worlds, have been great and marvelous. "In that length of time the social habits and customs of the people have almost entirely changed. Their modes of life are very different. They are now more cultured and refined. Schools and colleges have increased, and the people, generally, are better educated. The comforts, and even luxuries of life, which, fifty years ago, were enjoyed only by the few, are now largely enjoyed by the many. Other changes have also taken place. Then a farmer could not employ hands to reap his harvest, or to assist him in performing other labor, without whisky. In many in- stances the intoxicating bowl sparkled on the sideboard of the minister, sealed the vows at the hymeneal altar, and drowned the sorrows of the living over the forms of the dead. When I first came to this town, sixty years ago, the bottle was placed on the merchant's counter, and every customer ladies may have been excepted was invited to drink. Then slavery existed in nearly one-half of the States of the Union, and it existed in this State. But great changes have taken place, and the state of things which then prevailed has largely passed away. "Fifty years ago there was no electric telegraph. The first telegraph line was established between Washington City and Baltimore in 1844, two years after I was licensed to preach"; and the thought of an ocean telegraph had not entered the mind of man. It was not until more than sixteen years after my licensure, on the 28th day of Au- gust, 1858, that the first message was received in New York over an ocean cable. At the time of which I speak, there was no electric-light. The first electric-light was used by 486 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY Professor Tyndall in 1855. There were then no telephones, nor any of the other phones now in use. The first attempt to transmit vocal sounds by elctricity was made in 1860. Nor were there then any sewing-machines in use. The first successful machine was given to the public by Elias Howe in 1847; but it was not introduced into use till 1854. There were then no reaping-machines. McCormick's reaper was invented in 1831; but was not perfected till 1846. Travel was then on horseback,, or in carriages, or by river and stage-coach. The first Conference I attended was in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, some five or six hours' ride from here by rail; but it took me between three and four days to reach it by private conveyance. There was then no railroad west of the Alleghany Mountains, except, perhaps, a portion of the 'Little Miami/ between Xenia, Ohio, and Cincinnati. I saw, in 1851, the first, train of passenger cars that ever went out of Allegheny City, over a short piece of road ex- tending then to Eochester, Pennsylvania. The Pennsyl- vania Eoad was not completed to Pittsburg, I think, till the following year. There were then less than three thou- sand miles of railroad in the United States, and only about five thousand miles in the world. Now there are in this country over one hundred and twenty-two thousand miles, and in the world about two hundred and seventy-seven thousand miles. "The changes which have taken place in the political world have been equally great. Fifty years ago John Tyler was acting President of the United States, William Henry Harrison, President, having died on the 4th of April, the preceding year, just one month after his in- auguration. Daniel Webster, of Massachusetts, was Secre- tary of State; Walter Forward, of Pennsylvania, a member of our First Church, Pittsburg, was Secretary of the Treas- ury; John C. Spencer, of New York, was Secretary of Wax; YEARS JN THE MI. \JSTRY. 4*7 Abel P. Upshur, of Virginia, was Secretary of UK- Xavv; C. A. Wicliff, of Kentucky, was Postmaster-General; Hugh S. Lagare, of South Carolina, was Attorney-General; and Roger B. Taney, of Maryland, was Chief-Justice of the Supreme Court. Calhoun, and Benton, and Cass, and Ber- rien, and Crittenden were leaders in the Senate; and Hun- ter, and Yancey, and Garrett Davis, and Joshua Giddings, and others, now almost forgotten, were leaders in the House. Neither Seward, nor Sumner, nor Fessenden, nor Douglas had then entered the Senate; nor had Breekin- ridge, nor Chase, nor Winter Davis, nor Thaddeus Stevens, nor Henry Wilson appeared at the Capitol, nor had Abra- ham Lincoln taken his seat in the House of Representa- tives. The "great War Secretary," Edwin M. Stanton, was practicing law in Steubenville, Ohio. "Then there were only twenty-six States in the Union; now there are forty-four; then there were but 18,000,000 of inhabitants in the United States; now there are 63,000,- 000. Texas was then an independent State, and was not admitted into the Union till March 1, 1845, and the war with Mexico, which grew out of its annexation, com- menced in the spring of the following year. California was not then ceded to the United States, and was not admitted as a State till 1850. The War of Secession did not occur till nineteen years afterwards, in 1861. "Then Louis Philippe filled the throne of France. Na- poleon III did not become emperor till 1852, ten years afterwards. It was before the unification of Italy, the re- construction of the German Empire, the great Sepoy Re- bellion in India, and the emancipation of the serfs of Russia. China was not then open to foreign influence and traffic, and Japan still maintained the isolation in whith she had for centuries been concealed. Africa was, indeed, the 'Dark Continent/ and Livingstone had neither been 488 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY lost nor found. The Free State of Orange, in South Af- rica, had not been founded. The construction of the Suez Canal had not then been even proposed. Brazil, so far as our knowledge went, was a land full of Jesuits, slaves, and debased races. Then a few adventurous travelers, at long intervals, visited the Holy Land; but now such visits are deemed but little more than an ordinary pleasure tour. Eight hundred vessels now touch at Jaffa, the ancient Joppa, every year, and within the next two or three months a railroad will be completed from that city to Jerusalem. Three locomotives for the road were received there from Philadelphia more than a year ago. Such changes were not then even imagined. "The changes which have taken place in the religious world in the last fifty years have also been very great. Fifty years ago a spirit of antagonism prevailed to a great extent among the Churches. Religious and ecclesiastical contro- versies were the order of the day. The Calvinistic and Arminian forces in this country were earnestly arrayed against each other. Presbyterians and Methodists often encountered each other, and not always in the sweetest spirit. The excitement caused by the organization of the New School Presbyterian Church a few years before, added a new element to the strife. The contention between the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Methodist Protestant Church was still active. In 1843 the Wesleyan Methodist Church in this country was organized, and equally assailed both the Methodist Episcopal and Methodist Protestant Churches. In 1844 the Southern Conferences of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church withdrew, and organized the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, South, involving bitter sectional controversies. Alexander Campbell, at the time to which I refer, was in the fullness of his strength, and, with many others of similar belief, was laboring earnestly to extend YEARS JN THE MINISTRY. 489 the influence of his new organization, and being an able man and fond of debate, many interesting controversies were engaged in throughout the country. In 1858 the Methodist Protestant Church was virtually divided into two parts, North and South. In 1860 the Free Methodist Church was organized, antagonizing all the other Meth- odist Churches. In 1862 the Southern Commissioners withdrew from the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, and organized another Presbyterian Church in the South. In 1868 the ^Reformed and the Associate Re- formed Presbyterian Churches, through their commission- ers, which met in Pittsburg, organized the United Presby- terian Church. In 1869 the Old and the New School Presbyterian Churches, through their commissioners, met in Pittsburg, and united. In 1877 the two branches of the Methodist Protestant Church, by their representatives, met in the city of Baltimore, and became one. "Fifty years ago the Evangelical Alliance had not been organized, the Pan-Presbyterian Council had not been called, and an Ecumenical Conference of Methodists had not been thought of. The uniform Sunday-school Lesson system had not been devised, and the great temperance reformation was only taking form. The ^higher criticism' was unknown, and infidelity under its old forms attacked the Christian faith. "What a wonderful change has taken place since then! While the old Churches remain, they have largely forgotten their controversies; they are no longer actuated by a spirit of antagonism, but of friendly rivalry in doing good. Men have ceased to quarrel about non-essentials, and now unite in practical efforts for the salvation of men. Religious and benevolent organizations of almost every kind have been multiplied, and are exerting a powerful influence for good. All Christians are learning that love is the essential prin- 490 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY ciple of our holy religion, and that 'every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.' "When I united with the Pittsburg Conference, fifty years ago, it covered the territory now embraced in the Muskingum, West Virginia, and Pittsburg Conferences, and had about six thousand members. The Muskingum Conference was set off from the Pittsburg Conference the year I united with it; the West Virginia was set off in 1834. The Muskingum Conference has now 12,717 members; the West Virginia Conference, 15,867; and the Pittsburg Con- ference, 8,056; making nearly 37,000 members, where we then had but 6,000. The increase is not what we could have desired; but it shows, nevertheless, encouraging pro- gress. "When I entered the Conference there were on its roll the honored names of Asa Shinn, George Brown, Zachariah Eagan, William Reeves, John Herbert, James Eobison, John Cowl, Peter T. Laishley, D. B. Helmick. John Clark, and many others, all of whom have passed away, with the single exception of Dr. John Cowl, and he has not been able to attend a session of the Conference for several years. There is not a single person left who was a member of the Conference when I united with it, except Dr. Cowl. "I have attended fifty consecutive sessions of the Pitts- burg Conference, never, from sickness or any other cause, having missed a single session since I became a member of it. I am the only man, I think, who has done so. God has mercifully kept me all these years, notwithstanding my unworthiness and unfaithfulness, and I desire this day to acknowledge my indebtedness to his love, and to call upon all that is within me to laud and magnify his holy and excellent name. From a long experience of the comfort- ing and sustaining power of the religion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I can with confidence commend it YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 491 to you to-day. Change is written on everything around us. But while everything earthly is changing, our God is unchangeable. He is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. We may, then, confidently trust in him, for 'in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.' "The great sorrow of my life has been that I have not been more successful in bringing souls to Christ; that I have not been instrumental in doing greater good. My success has not been equal to my desire. Still, I trust I have been the means of doing something for the Master. If I have not been able to take a place in the van, perhaps I have sometimes helped to steady the column. "A few years ago, when editor of the Methodist Recorder, I attended a session of the North Illinois Conference at La Harpe, Illinois. I preached on Sunday morning, and at the close of the service some one told me that a lady at the door wished to speak to me. I went to the door, and was introduced to a lady in a plain calico dress, and wear- ing an old-fashioned sun-bonnet. She said to me, 'Are you the editor of the Methodist Recorder?' I told her I was. 'Bless the Lord!' said she. And then, as if to assure her- self of the fact, she said, 'Are you the editor of the Re- corder?' I told her again that I was. Then, 'Bless the Lord!' she exclaimed, with greater fervor. Then she told me that she lived sixteen miles from there, out on the prairie; that she had no Church, no pastor, no preaching. The only preacher she had was the Recorder, and that it did her so much good that she was rejoiced to see the editor. After all, I thought, I am doing some good, and felt en- couraged to toil on. "When I retired from the editorship of the Methodist Recorder some three or four years ago, I received a great number of very kind letters; but the one that touched me most, because the most unexpected, was from a young lady 492 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY in Baltimore. She was one of those bright, light-hearted girls that make sunshine wherever they go, and about the last person that I should have supposed would be impressed with my style of thought. After saying some pleasant things, and telling me how sad she was while reading my closing editorial, she went on to say: " 'Now I want to tell you that your paper, and your editorials particularly, have helped me a great deal, and have been really a source of inspiration to me. I can not tell you the strength and comfort I have many times re- ceived from them. I am so sorry you are no longer editor, for my sake as well as that of many others/ "I wiped the tears from my eyes, and took courage, and thanked God that he had condescended to use me as an instrument, even in any degree, in doing good to others. I trust that at last, through the Divine mercy, I may be able to bring a few sheaves, and lay them at the Master's feet. . . . ''Well, the day is declining, the shadows are lengthen- ing, and, as a matter of course, the end is approaching. But the evening grows pleasant, and I think there will be a calm sunset after a while. "WELLSBUKG, W. VA., February 21, 1892." So, with crowding memories of the past, and, through grace, a pleasing hope of the future, closed fifty years in the ministry. In looking over my life I find much to regret, and but little on which I can look with entire satisfaction. God has been very good to me; but I have been a very unfaith- ful and unprofitable servant. My only hope for salvation and eternal life is in the atoning merit of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In him I trust; on him I cast my helpless soul. His grace is sufficient; his arms of ever- YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 493 lasting love encircle me. I hope in his mercy. I know that his faithfulness endureth forever. My trust and con- fidence in him are firm and abiding. Could I begin life again with the experience I now have, I might be able to do better than I have done; but I would not begin life again as I did begin it, lest, instead of improving, I might even do worse than I have done in the past. We can pass over life's journey but once. We can not go back and correct our mistakes. We have but one trial. How important, then, that we tread life's path- way carefully, and that we earnestly seek, and, by the assistance of Divine grace, endeavor to do the right! Were I called upon to give my closing advice to my young brethren in the ministry, I would say: First of all, consecrate your heart and life unreservedly to God. Lay your all upon the altar. Like the apostle, "count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowl- edge of Christ Jesus," your Lord; and, like him, "count not your life dear unto yourself, so that you may finish your course with joy in the ministry which you have re- ceived of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." Second. Let your one great aim be to save souls; to bring men to the Savior. Abase self and exalt Christ. Endeavor to be able to say in truth, "We preach not our- selves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your serv- ants for Jesus' sake." Hide behind the cross. Third. Diligently improve your time in qualifying yourself, so far as you can, for your great work. Do not trifle away your time; do not spend it in needless and un- important things. It is a precious gift. Improve it to the very best advantage. Fourth. Be not a place-seeker. Put yourself into the hand of God, to be at his disposal. Qualify yourself for the 494 RECOLLECTIONS OF FIFTY highest position; but if God so order, be content with the lowest. The place where God puts you, it matters not how trying it may be, or whether it be high or low, is the right, the best place. Put your hand in God's hand, and let him lead you. Fifth. Pursue your work in the Spirit of Christ. Let the love of Christ constrain you. "We love him," says the apostle, "because he first loved us/' Love begets love. Convince the people that you love them and seek their good, and you will be likely to gain their love, and acquire a saving influence over them. You can not, by harsh re- proofs and unkind treatment, drive people into the king- dom; but you can drive them beyond your influence. Seek earnestly to possess the gentleness and tender sympathy of the blessed Savior, who wept over the doomed city of Jerusalem and prayed on the cross for his cruel enemies who rejected and crucified him. "Love is of God." Noth- ing but love will ever conquer the world and win men to Christ. In this spirit pursue your work. Sixth. Be faithful. Make full proof of your min- istry. Do the best you can, and all you can. Be instant in season and out of season, always abounding in the work of the Lord. Try and be able to say with the Apostle Paul, when you come to the end of your journey, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, ihe righteous Judge, will give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." What a blessed hope! What a glorious consummation! "Abide with me! Fast falls the eventide, The darkness deepens Lord, with me abide! When other helpers fail, and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, O abide with me! YEARS IN THE MINISTRY. 495 Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day; Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away; Change and decay in all around I see; O Thou, wlio changest not, abide with me! Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes; Shine through the gloom and point me to the sku,-, Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee; In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!" S3 A3 . 3 1205 00915 3444