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BENJAMIN TITUS ROBERTS.
LATE GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT OF THE
FREE METHODIST CHURCH.
A Biography.
BY HIS SON,
BENSON HOWARD ROBERTS,
PRINCIPAL OF THE A, M. CHESBROUGH SEMINARY,
1900.
“Toe EARNEST CHRISTIAN” OFFICE,
NortuH Curt, N. Y.
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CONTENTS.
CHAPTER L—Earty Lire. The young student, memoriz-
ing Scripture, school teacher, studying law, resisting conviction,
conversion, change of his plans, preparing for the ministry.
Pages 1-8.
CHAPTER II.—Coizizaz Lirs. Middletown, letters home,
student-teacher, use of teachers, object in studying, friend to the
negro, Redfield, revival, letters to one about marrying an uncon-
verted man, Steele and Kendall, commencement, Ellen Stowe,
preach or teach. Pages 9-29,
CHAPTER III.—UNITES WITH GENESEE CONFERENCE. Ap-
pointment at Caryville, marriage, journey through New York
State, second appointment at Pike, a rundown circuit, expenses
and salary, parsonage furnished with trunks, Stephen Bronson,
revival, donation party. Pages 3049.
CHAPTER IV.—Srconp YEaR aT Pixs. Deeper baptism,
pastoral labor, joins in full connection, bereavement, letters.
Pages 50-57.
CHAPTER V.—Ruvsurorp 1851. The parsonage again, an
efficient sister, working for a revival, conversions, stormy confer-
ence at Lockport. Pages 58-66,
CHAPTER VI.—Niacara Street Burraro. Spiritual
death, Purdy, Redfield, faithful preaching, seeming failure, oppo-
sition, free church agitation, journal. Pages 67-78.
CHAPTER VII. ApromntmMenT aT BROCKPORT, 1858. Well
received, good field for service, preaching for results, a thorough
revival, reaches Water Street Mission, Purdy’s labors, seeking
higher state of grace, meetings at Caryville, hammering or melt-
ing power, at North Chili, willing to be poor, Bergen camp-meet-
ing. Pages 79-97.
CHAPTER VIII.—Srconp Year AT Brockport. Odd fel-
Jowship in conference, meetings at Holley, Carlton camp-meeting,
iv CONTENTS.
death comes again, Methodism and secretism, Nazarites, Olean
conference, two factions. Pages 98-107.
CHAPTER IX.—Pastor aT ALBION. Results of Kendall's
pastorate, letter, revival influence, ‘‘ New School Methodism,”
the essay that caused trouble, ‘‘ Nazarite Reformers and Reforma-
tion.” Pages 108-134.
CHAPTER X.—BurxiineHam’s REVIEW oF TRIAL. Prelim-
inary consultation, packed jury, perversion of utterances, ostensi-
ble and real cause of action, punishment not in accord with al-
leged offense, reappointed as pastor. Pages 135-140.
CHAPTER XI.—APPOINTMENT AT PEKIN, 1857. Give hima
hearing, the Chesbroughs, old-fashioned Methodism, examples
imported, Dr. Redfield’s visit, revival, more conference trouble,
Estes Pamphlet. Pages 141-148.
CHAPTER XII.—Account or TRIAL. Expulsion, Roberts
and McCreery, what course shall we take? effect on the public,
urged to join other conferences. Pages 149-166.
CHAPTER XITI.—LayMEn’s CONVENTION. Call, proceed-
ings, 195 delegates, right of redress for Methodists, resolutions,
support voted for Roberts and McCreery. Pages 167-179.
CHAPTER XIV.—WipER Fie.tp or Lazor. Homeless, a
wife’s support, kept from discouragement, moved to Buffalo,
travelling, St. Louis, Buffalo a hard field, preaching tours, oppo-
sition, expulsions, read out of church, the Earnest Christian es-
tablished. Pages 180-200.
CHAPTER XV.—TuHE ApPEaALs, The account quoted from
““Why Another Sect.” Pages 201-214.
_ CHAPTER XVI.—FormaTION oF THE FREE METHODIST
CuurRcH. Roberts and Stiles, character of the movement, system
of laymen’s conventions, Ketchum’s chapel, free church at Albion,
at St. Louis, Bergen camp-meeting. Pages 215-221.
CHAPTER XVII.—Tae Worx In Iuuinors. Redfield; la-
bors, antagonisms of 1858-9, Terrill’s account of St. Charles camp-
meetings, Illinois laymen’s convention, resolutions. Pages 222-229,
CHAPTER XVIII.—Orcanizine a NEw CaurcH. Call to
Pekin convention, camp-meeting, accounts of Chesbrough and
Downing, question of organization, not agreed, minority organize
Nazarite bands, drawing up a Discipline, sanctification, reasons
for organizing, General Superintendent, church polity, labors in
CONTENTS. v
the west, first free church at Buffalo, first annual convention
Pages 230-243.
CHAPTER XIX.—Worxkine IN THE New Harness. Let-
ters, Terrill, Downing, Dr. Curry, accessions, Burdick in Illinois,
Stiles in Pennsylvania. Pages 244-254,
CHAPTER XX.—TuE Work Spreaps. Longing for free-
dom, liked the meeting, out-door meetings, a summer at camp-
meetings, first annual session of the western convention, appoint-
ments, labors in Carbondale, testimony of a Baptist, true church
unity. Pages 255-265.
CHAPTER XXI.—Continuation oF LAzors 1861-2. Second
Genesee convention, restraint felt, sympathizers, letters from
Judah Meade, E. P. Hart, Susquehanna convention organized.
Pages 266-275,
CHAPTER XXIL—First GENERAL CONVENTION 1862.
Lack of harmony, organization of Susquehanna convention the
ostensible cause, cannot agree. Pages 276-282.
CHAPTER XXIII.—LAstT oF THE SUSQUEHANNA QUESTION.
Dissatisfaction of minority in Genesee, how met, letters of protest,
Genesee convention of 1863, incident closed. Pages 283-291.
CHAPTER XXIV.—LETTERS AND EXTRACTS FROM DIARY,
1861-2. Pages 292-328,
CHAPTER XXV.—DeratTHs, Events or 1863-4. Death of
Dr. Redfield, letters from him, extravagance must be checked, .
labors and events of 1864. Pages 329-339.
CHAPTER XXVI.—CrviL War AND SLAVERY. Extracts
from editorial writings of this period, Earnest Christian Bands,
pro-slavery members, more restrictions. Pages 340-345.
CHAPTER XXVII.—LeEtTERS 1864, 5. Pages 346-352,
CHAPTER XXVIIL—FounpinG A ScHOOL. Interest in edu-
cation, moves to Rochester, farm purchased at North Chili, con-
ference declines responsibility, first teacher Delia Jeffries, her ac
count, one woe escaped, dedication of the school, sacrifices, teach-
ing, object lessons, Lucy Sellew, God’s plan thwarted, a help-meet,
Pages 353-370.
CHAPTER XXIX.—Events AND Drary 1866-8. Second
general convention convenes at Buffalo 1866, Michigan conference,
reproach and blessing, meagre salaries, large blessings, diary 1866,
vi CONTENTS.
to a discouraged preacher, progress of work in Illinois, preaching
tours 1869.—Pages 371-398.
CHAPTER XXX.—Events or 1869, 70, 71. General con-
ference of 1870, increase of membership, labors of William Cusick,
what one Earnest Christian did, faith and works, spread of the
work into Minnesota, how a woman built a church in the west,
events of 1871. Pages 399-413,
CHAPTER XXXI.—LeEtters, EvENtS 1872, Labors in Mich-
igan, letters, in Ohio, letters, in Kansas, letters. Pages 414-430,
CHAPTER XXXII.—Letrers 1873. Pages 431-443,
CHAPTER XXXIII.—Events, Diary, Letrrers 1874-77.
New Year’s consecration, diary 1875, letters 1874, events 1875, 776,
letters 1876, 77. Pages 444-516,
CHAPTER XXXIV.—Writine Books. Talks to ministers,
“Fishers of Men,” Simpson’s Cyclopaedia of Methodism, letters,
‘‘Why Another Sect,” ‘‘ First Lessons on Money,” women preach-
ers, ‘‘ Ordaining Women.”—Pages 517-533.
CHAPTER XXXV.—GrowtH oF THE CHURCh. General
conference of 1874, two superintendents, growth of the church,
obstacles necessary and unnecessary. Pages 534-537.
. CHAPTER XXXVI.—Enpitor1aL Lazors. Earnest Chris-
tian, topics, popular sins, secretism, pew renting, worldliness, not
a reformer, enduement of power, holiness, editor of The Free
Methodist, pointed writings. Pages 538-546.
CHAPTER XXXVIL—PREACHER, PRESIDING OFFICER, MAN.
Use of the pulpit, terse, practical, what his brethren said, Mathews,
Gould, Hart, Terrill, presiding officer, baptism of the Spirit on
conferences, should foster love, denials, ready to suffer loss. Pages
547-554,
CHAPTER XXXVIII.—Cuiosine Years. Failing health,
general conference 1890, disappointment at lack of unity, vexed
questions, Pentecost Bands, Hawkins’ case, letters to W. P. Fer-
ries, destruction of seminary buildings, sickness, at his post, death,
funeral, reminiscences, a tribute. Pages 555-570.
PREFACE.
To write this book has been a labor of love.
It is not the product of leisure hours, but rather
it has been written amidst exacting cares and
duties.
It has been no part of the writer’s purpose to
enter into the difficulties in the Methodist Epis-
copal Church that resulted in the formation of
the Free Methodist Church. Such considera-
tion on his part was rendered unnecessary by
the careful statement of the case presented in
“Why Another Sect,” from which copious ex-
tracts have been made covering this period.
Acknowledgement is made of the valuable ser-
vices rendered to the author by his mother.
Also of the aid of friends in the use of letters
and memoranda, in particular 8. K. J. Chesbro,
Wm. Gould, M. N. Downing, Zenas Osborn,
Delia Jeffries Catton, Wm. P. Ferries.
Trusting the perusal of the events narrated
may prove a blessing to the reader, this volume
is sent forth.
Principal’s Manse,
A. M, Chesbrough Seminary.
North Chili, N. Y.
August 16, 1900.
CHAPTER I.
EARLY LIFE.
SUPERNATURAL conversion explains the
motive of many lives, which otherwise are
mysterious, The power of Christ to lift man
from a lower to a higher plane of life has been
manifested in many a life of self-denial and fidel-
ity to the principles of righteousness in the face
of bitter persecution and obstacles. Heroism of
no mean order may be seen in the quiet career of
many a minister of Christ’s Gospel, who plods
steadily on his monotonous rounds of duties sus-
tained in his course by the grace of God and
comforted by the Holy Ghost.
In the uplands of Cattaraugus county, among
the hills of Western New York, rich in well-
timbered farms, Benjamin Titus Roberts was
born in July, 1823. His childhood was spent in
scenes of toil; a life without luxury ; but it was
a training school that made him strong to con-
tend with great obstacles and grapple with diffi-
culties in his manhood years. He did not have
as a boy vulgar companions, nor bad habits; he
did not use tobacco, nor liquor, though the use
of both was very common in those days. By the
flickering light of the candle, or the flaring blaze
2 BENFAMIN T. ROBERTS,
of the fire-place, he mastered such books as were
taught in the district schools. He soon became
the best scholar, and as champion speller he went
from school to school to spell down any competi-
tors in the frequent spelling matches. He also
held himself ready to solve any problem in any
of the arithmetics in common use, that might be
given him. He mastered algebra before he saw
anyone who understood the science. Latin he
began without a teacher.
He says of himself: ‘‘A Presbyterian minister
came to me one day when a boy, and invited me
to go to Sabbath-school. I went. I committed
many chapters of the Bible to memory. At one
lesson I recited the whole of the Epistle of James.
Many of my later associates openly rejected the
Bible ; but my knowledge of its contents not only
kept me from infidelity, but enabled me to ex-
pose and refute their sophistical objections.”
The results of the old time Sunday-school training
largely justify the methods. Often he came to
the Sunday-school with more Scripture com-
mitted to memory than the time of the session
would permit him to repeat. What was the
pastime of the boy became afterwards a power-
ful weapon in the hands of the man. The foun-
dation was here laid for a wide, accurate knowl-
edge of Scripture, not often equalled, rarely sur-
passed.
Such was the correctness of his habits, that
the Presbyterian minister of his native town—
THE LAW STUDENT. 3
Gowanda—desired to educate him for the min-
istry of that Church. This generous and flatter-
ing proposal was refused with the statement, ‘‘I
cannot accept it, as I have not been converted.”
Much as he desired an education, and hard as
were his labors to secure it, he had too much rec-
titude of character to permit him to accept of aid
bestowed with the thought that he would assume
a relationship into which he was not prepared to
enter. Yet the offer was renewed, his refusal
being regarded as an evidence of unusual mod-
esty and an additional mark of worth.
At sixteen, he becomes schoolmaster, often
teaching boys and girls older than himself, yet
maintaining the dignity and respect of his office.
His schools were uniformly well taught and gov-
erned. He retained the respect and esteem of
his scholars, receiving many testimonies of the
same when advanced in years and the former
pupils of the red school house had become gray
with age.
He began the study of law and carried it on
oftentimes in connection with his school teach-
ing. In April, 1842, he went from his native
hills to Little Falls, N. Y., where the Mohawk
river rushes through the romantic rocky gorge
on its way to the Hudson. Here he entered the
law office of Mr. H. Link, teaching in the mean-
time in that town. He says: ‘From my earliest
recollections God’s spirit strove with me and re-
strained me. I was ambitious, proud and worldly.
4 BENFAMIN T. ROBERTS.
At times I was powerfully convicted; but I
thought it was a part of manliness to resist as
long as possible; conviction left me, and my
heart became hard.” While he was at Little
Falls much prayer was offered for him in his
home.
In May, 1844, he returned home, and studied
law with C. Howe. It was said in the family
that he came home in answer to prayer. It was
a memorable step, made but a short time before
he expected to be admitted to the bar; it re-
sulted in an entire change in his life and plans,
He says: ‘‘At length it pleased God to answer
the prayer of my friends in my behalf. He
awakened me to a sense of my lost condition.
The instrumentality was very humble. A pious,
but illiterate cooper, a very bad stammerer, gave
in his testimony at the regular Sabbath after-
noon prayer-meeting. I was there by invitation
of friends, and his testimony found way to my
heart. There was no special religious interest.
The church was cold and sinners hard. God en-
abled me to start alone. Oh! the riches of His
grace. But I felt that it was my duty to become
a Christian. I commenced to pray. It was hard
work ; but God encouraged me to persevere. As
the light of the Spirit shone, I gave up one thing
after another; but I clung to my profession.
For three weeks or more I pleaded with God to
convert me, but to let me have my choice in the
business I would follow. Many who had power
CONVERSION. 5
witb God prayed for me; but I had to yield.
Christ demanded an unconditional surrender ; I
made it. The joys of pardon and peace flowed
into my soul. My cup was full, my happiness
was unspeakable.” Henceforth God was to be all
in all-to him, and in the service of his Master his
powers of mind and of body were to be spent.
But it was not a light struggle for a young man,
just on the threshold of an active, professional
career, to lay aside his cherished plans and hopes,
to abandon the results of years of study, acquired
only through extreme exertions and sacrifice—
bending over books when others slept, toiling
when others enjoyed recreation. To make this
sacrifice meant much ; but with the eye of faith
fixed on the eternal world, he chose with God.
The divine choice for him, he made his own
choice. He was thenceforth to plead not for
wealth nor fame, but for immortal souls. He
was to join the true apostolic succession, to be-
come a spirit-endued preacher of the glorious
Gospel of the Son of God.
What course should he now pursue? KEvi-
dently in his mind there was no hesitancy.
He did not do, as many zealous, but mis-
taken young men presume to do, enter the
Christian ministry in the very flush of zeal,
and undertake the difficult work of winning
souls, and the very important and delicate
task of caring for the spiritual welfare of the
flock of Christ, with less of preparation than
6 BENYAMIN T. ROBERTS.
men give to the trade of shoeing a horse, or
building a house.
He decided at once that, as it was needful that
he should make careful preparation for pleading
at the bar cases involving the temporal interests
of men, he should make no less careful prepara-
tion for pleading at the bar of the human con-
science, the interests of God’s kingdom and the
truths of Christ’s Gospel.
His conversion occurred in July, 1844, when he
was twenty-one years of age. April, 1845, finds
him at Lima Seminary preparing to enter col-
lege. June 16th, 1845, he was licensed to exhort.
His thorough knowledge of the fundamental stud-
ies, and the progress made privately, enabled him
with but two terms’ work in the Seminary to
enter college in the fall of 1845, in the sophomore
or second-year class, the class of 1848. His let-
ters written home from Lima show how earnestly
he was engaged in the matter of personal salva-
tion :
“Lima, N. Y., July 1st, 1845.
** Dear Sister :—I trust, sister, that the Lord is
sparing my life, and teaching me by His provi-
dence for some good purpose. O, that He would
deign to work through so humble an instrument
as myself, and by the means of this animated
clay, open the eyes of the infatuated, sin-be-
nighted mortals. But the more I know of my-
self the more do I feel my incapacity for stand-
ing as a watchman on the walls of Zion. Had I
LONGINGS AFTER GOD. 7
that humility of soul, that spiritual wisdom,
that constant, unremitting flow of love, that
purified, sanctified heart that should be and
abound in every child of God, then could I work
the mighty works whereto I am sent. I trust
you continually remember me in your prayers.”
“My Dear Mother :—Much do I praise God,
who, in the midst of all your trials, enables you
with Christian confidence to say : ‘ All our afflic-
tions here will only make us richer there.’ And
the riches of the other world! Who can esti-
mate their value. Who can appreciate their
worth? Eternity alone can unfold their import-
ance. When the silver and the gold, and all
the treasures of the world, shall have lost their
value; nay, when the earth itself has been dis-
solved by fervent heat, that little pearl, so light-
ly esteemed by the ungodly, but which to the
Christian is indeed the ‘pearl of great price,’
will have but just begun to unfold its beauties
and display its magnificence to our ravished
sight. O, mother, I long to know more of God
—to enjoy more of His love shed abroad in my
heart. Tell me how to crucify myself to the
world and live wholly to God. Religion grows
more lovely to me the more I know of it;
and I hope and expect to live religion while
I live, that when I die I may meet all the
saints of God around the throne. I feel the con-
tinued need of an interest in all your prayers.
8 BENFAMIN T. ROBERTS.
*Tis a great encouragement for me to feel assured
as I do that I have the prayers of Christian
friends. We are all preparing here as hard as
we can to get through this term and close up.”
In this spirit of devotion he sets out for col-
lege. His father and sister accompanied him as
far as New York, where he parted from them,
and took the steamboat up Long Island Sound
and the Connecticut river to the seat of the uni-
versity, Middletown, Conn.
CHAPTER II.
COLLEGE LIFE AT MIDDLETOWN.
IDDLETOWN is a place of studious repose,
free from the noise and bustle of commerce,
buried in a wealth of foliage, its avenues shaded
with over-arching elms, after the graceful cus-
tom of many New England towns, and it charmed
him. The college buildings stern and barren,
repelled him.
The college builders of New England in those
days, satisfied, no doubt, that they did well to give
a home to learning, gave little heed to grace or
beauty in the structures erected. ‘‘ Four square
to all the winds that blew,” these college halls
stood, a standing monument of the wealth of zeal
and the dearth of taste on the part of the build-
ers. But, notwithstanding this, “‘there were
giants in those days,” men of mental and moral
sinew, fitted to cope with the conflicts of 1860-
1865.
He writes his impressions in a letter dated :
““ UNIVERSITY, MIDDLETOWN, Conn.,
“ September 5th, 1845.
“‘ My Dear Sister :—The recollection that your
daily prayers are ascending in unison to a throne
10 BENYAMIN T. ROBERTS,
of grace in my behalf, and the remembrance of
the mercy of God in sparing my life, converting
my soul, and calling me to the holy work of
the ministry, and opening the way for my pre-
paration to that sacred office, came to my relief,
and banished, if not the sadness of my soul, at
least all repining thoughts, and made me willing
to acquiesce in the will of God. Much as I love
learning for itself, greatly as I desire to become
versed in human lore, nothing but clear convic-
tions of duty, brought to my mind by Providen-
tial interferences in opening the way, can ever
induce me to spend three years within these
gloomy walls. For, in the quaint true words of
my friend Morrow to his friends at home: ‘The
houses here are aristocratic; the college looks
more like a prison than an institution of learn-
ing.’
“Middletown is certainly, without exception,
the pleasantest place I ever was in. It lies on
the west bank of the Connecticut river, some
thirty miles from its mouth, and sixteen miles
below Hartford. The land from the river as-
cends back with a gradual and even rise. Some
of the streets run parallel with the river, and
these are intersected by others crossing them
at right angles, thus forming some beautiful
squares. The houses are all of them good, many
of them very elegant and costly. I have not
seen a poor dwelling in the place. Almost every
house is surrounded by a large and well-culti-
MIDDLETOWN. rr
vated garden, containing many choice fruit trees,
and many situations have a fine, large yard in
front filled with ornamental trees and shrubs.
This gives the city an appearance of elegance
and comfort. Did my friends reside here, I
should think it a most delightful place. Did a
sister’s presence enliven my feelings, I might not
think these college halls so gloomy and irksome.
But why should I give vent, or even give way to
such feelings? I know that the period has now
arrived when we must be separated. Tho
calls of duty are more imperious than the feel-
ings of affection. We ought to feel ‘at home,’
ought to feel happy when pursuing the paths that
our own conscience and the Spirit of God points
out to us to walk in. And so I endeavor, so I
trust, I shall be enabled by Grace Divine to feel.
You are still permitted to enjoy the society of
friends who love and cherish you. Love them,
as you do, fervently in return. Suffer no oppor-
tunity of adding to their happiness to pass unim-
proved. Cultivate a cheerful temper, a smiling
aspect, a habit of being pleased. Remember, we
are all fast passing away, and at the hour of
death we shall never regret the pains we may
have taken to increase the happiness of others.
Above everything else, live at the foot of the
Cross; maintain a nearness to the Throne of
Grace. Make the Word of God your study, do-
ing His will your chief delight; go often to the
Fountain of Wisdom, and you will find fresh and
12 BENYAMIN T. ROBERTS.
continual supplies. And in your wrestling be-
fore the Throne, forget not the absent brother.
And I, too, will endeavor, with all my weakness,
with humility, to improve to the utmost the ad-
vantages with which I am blessed. I will strive
to act in all things to the acceptance of my
Heavenly Father and the approbation of my
friends at home. I thank God that He ever en-
ables me to remember you in my feeble supplica-
tions. And delightful to me are the seasons of
prayer. Christ our Saviour is blessing a simple
mortal with His love. And, now, sister, I want
you should lay aside all anxiety about my tak-
ing care of myself. For, as I told father; I am
resolved to make the interests of my soul of first
importance, my bodily health second, and the im-
provement of my mind third.”
This then was the rule of his college life, and
subsequently of his whole life.
The interests of the soul of first importance ;
second, bodily health ; intellectual advancement
third. No one of these was afterwards neglected.
In the midst of cares his soul must have needed
care; in the midst of toils and studies his body
must have rest. Regular sleep and care in eat-
ing were the rules where practicable. The mind
too, must be fed, and daily was the Bible studied
History, finance, and science, were made the min-
isters to his pleasure and power. God’s blessing
rests upon such students. His thoughts do not
STUDENT AND TEACHER. 13
center upon himself; even there he has the same
care for others that marked his whole life.
To his sister he writes of her studies, though
at this time he was teaching a district school to
help meet the college expenses, and at the same
time keeping up his studies privately :
** MIDDLETOWN, Noy. 23rd, 1845.
*“You anticipate attending school this winter.
Iam glad to hear it. I have been afraid they
would get such a teacher, that you would not
think it profitable to attend. I hope you may
pass the winter pleasantly as well as profitably.
To do this, you must feel confidence in your
teachers. Go to them freely with any difficul-
ties you may come in contact with; ask them to
explain away every obstacle that retards your
progress; and if you do not fully and clearly
comprehend their illustrations,do not be backward
to inform them of it, they will like you the better,
think the more of you for it; you will make much
more rapid progress, be satisfied with yourself
and pleased with them. Do not be afraid of
troubling them ; they were hired for that pur-
pose, and receive pay on that account. Besides,
they will deem it not a trouble, but a pleasure to
impart unto you all the information and assist-
ance you need. Mingle freely with such of your
fellow-students as are worthy of it. Show your-
self interested in them, and they will be in you.
By doing so, you will gain knowledge of man-
14 BENGFAMIN T. ROBERTS.
kind, your influence will be greatly augmented,
and your own happiness and that of others promot-
ed. The school-room contains all the elements of
human character, all the springs of action to be
found in the world. Above all, do not neglect
frequently to implore the Divine blessing to rest
upon your labors and crown them with success.
I have proven by experience the truth of that
quotation, found in the excellent little treatise,
‘Watts On The Mind,’ ‘ orasse est bene studuisse’
—‘ praying is the best studying.’ When my heart
is often lifted up to God in secret prayer I meet
with the greatest success studying. When Iam
happy in Christ my mind acts with vigor. Pray
then for a cheerful, happy heart if you would
study with success, And let your design be to
glorify God with your learning as well as with
your body and spirit, all of which are His. The
third inst., the day on which your last was
mailed, I commenced my school. Going to the
school-house, I found that the walls had been
white-washed, and the floor and seats scoured
about as white as the walls. It looked much
neater than I am accustomed to see district
school-houses look. The scholars also have, with-
out exception, a neat and comfortable appear-
ance. The attendance, so far, has been very
uniform, numbering at present about fifty-six.
There will probably be some more at the ap-
proach of cold weather. And what I never saw
in any school before, almost every scholar is pre-
THE OBFECT IN STUDYING. 1s
sent at the opening of the school in the morning
at nine o’clock.”
The reasons for his own intellectual success are
clearly outlined in the following extract from a
letter to the same sister :
** MIDDLETOWN, Dec. 20th, 1845.
“‘T have become convinced from experience,
that our true advancement is not measured by
the rapidity with which we pass over an author,
but by our thoroughness in completely master-
ing whatever we undertake. The grand object
in studying is to discipline the mind, expand its
faculties, and prepare it for grappling with and
overcoming obstacles. Our object in studying is
not so much the acquisition of useful, practical
knowledge, as to fit ourselves for skillfully cull-
ing that knowledge in future not only from
books, but from the common occurrences of
every-day life. This grand desideratum will be
better attained by completely mastering one
branch of science than by curiously skip-
ping over a score. Do not suspect me of inti-
mating by this an opinion that you have too
many studies on your hands at once, for it by no
means follows that those who have the fewest
have the best recitations. On the contrary, I
have found that those who accustom themselves
to habits of constant and close study, will get
from recitations better results than the careless
16 BENFAMIN T. ROBERTS.
student will. I hope that you will not give your-
self so much to do that you cannot perform it
without tasking your mind to a degree that will
endanger your health, or cause clouds of anxiety
and discontent to settle on your brow.
For myself, I can say that I still enjoy my
school to a high degree. I enter upon the duties
of each day with a sense of my weakness and a
feeling of dependence upon Him who has said :
“My grace shall be sufficient for thee.’ I con-
sider myself accountable to God for the manner
in which I perform the various offices of the
school-room, and studying to do the best I can, I
leave the room at night with a conscience void of
offence towards God and man. I feel daily that
I am accepted of God, owned and blessed by
Him. My health is continued. The people are
friendly and affectionate. So you see that I have
every reason to cherish a cheerful gratitude to
the Father of all our mercies. My spiritual en-
joyments are as great as they are undeserved.”
The breadth of his sympathies is clearly mani-
fested even at this early day. He was already
ardently enlisted in the cause of the slave. The
first speech he ever made was an abolition speech,
delivered when a law student. It is not sur-
prising then to find him teaching a Sunday-
school class in the negro church, though at some
risk,
These were the days of anti-slavery agitation
FRIEND TO THE NEGRO. 17
and to befriend a negro was to be branded an
abolitionist and to become an outcast in many
circles, but this did not deter him from the path
of duty.
‘MIDDLETOWN, Jan. 20th, 1846.
** Dear Sister :—I used to be, when I first came
here, very lonely on the Sabbath, especially after
the afternoon service, at that hour which we
were accustomed to spend together and read for
each other when at home! But I now meet at
that hour of the day a very interesting Bible-
class at the African Church. They have too
much of the slavery spirit even here among the
descendants of the Puritans, to worship the Uni-
versal Father in the same temple with their sable
brethren. They have, therefore, here in Con-
necticut, not negro slips, but negro churches,
negro preachers, presiding elders and confer-
ence.
“My class consists of young ladies, some of
them, I believe, devoted Christians. I feel very
much interested in them, and strive and pray to
be the means of doing them good. They are
both attentive and intelligent.
“T also meet a Bible-class of young ladies in
the Methodist church after morning service. So
you see that having charge of a school of seventy
scholars, and studying to keep up with my class
in college, and reading and leading class-meeting
one evening, and prayer-meeting another even-
ing in the week, with two Bible-classes, and
18 BENFAMIN T. ROBERTS.
boarding around from house to house, affords
me quite constant employment. Last Thursday
evening we had a most interesting meeting.
When I first appointed them, all the brethren
said that we should be disturbed at the school-
house, as the boys had broken up the meetings
entirely about two years ago. I told them I
would answer for the school-boys. Our large
school-room was filled, and a more attentive aud-
ience I never saw together. The Lord was with
us, His presence was felt by all, a solemn serious-
ness was manifested by all. My soul longs to see
a gracious effusion of the Spirit in this place,
and immortal souls brought into the fold of
Christ. I hope I shall have an interest in your
prayers and in those of all the family, that I may
act well my part as a Christian, discharge every
duty to the acceptance of my Heavenly Father.
“T have been thinking about home a great
deal for the past few days, not that I am getting
homesick, but I ardently long to see you. I do
not know what I should do, did I not find warm-
hearted friends, full of kindness and sympathy.
I am happier than I ever was before, for I enjoy
more religion. I have a peace which passeth all
understanding. The Lord blesses me abund-
antly, above my deserts, both temporally and
spiritually. Oh! for a sense of His goodness.”
This winter Rev. J. W. Redfield, M. D., held
a series of revival meetings in Middletown. The
DR. REDFIELD'S REVIVAL. 19
city was shaken by the truths poured out upon
the people, which were powerful. But not the
least important result was the acquaintance here
begun that led to the subsequent union of the
two in the work of the Lord. Western New
York and Northern Illinois know the result to
the joy of hundreds of souls. Of this revival he
afterwards wrote in The Harnest Christian of
February, 1864:
‘“We first heard Dr. Redfield preach in the
City of Middletown, Conn. The state of relig-
ion in the Church was extremely low. Profess-
ing Christians were chiefly distinguished for
their conformity to the world. The Methodists
had ceased to be persecuted, and were fast be-
coming a proud and fashionable people. In
the University, intellectual rivalry had well
nigh supplanted zeal for the cause of God. But
a small proportion of the students professed re-
ligion, and these exhibited but too little of the
power of godliness, Dr. Redfield’s preaching
created a profound sensation. His deep-toned
piety, the Divine unction that rested upon him,
his fervent, moving appeals to the Throne of
Grace, and his unearthly, overpowering elo-
quence, disarmed criticism, even in that congre-
gation of critics, and prepared the way for the
reception of the searching truths he offered.
Had he lowered the standard to suit the pride
and prejudices of his hearers, his popularity
20 BENGAMIN T. ROBERTS.
would have been unbounded. But, like Gen-
eral Jackson, he never compromised, but always
went in for a clean victory, or a clean defeat.
He insisted upon the Bible standard of entire
conformity to the will of God in all things.
The church was crowded, and the people seemed
amazed. Such exhibitions of the truth they
had never listened to before. It was for some
time doubtful how the scale would turn. Dr.
Olin heard of the commotion. He was unwil-
ling to take the representation of any, but arose
from a sick bed, and went and heard for himself.
His majestic intellect, and deep experience in
the things of God, could not easily be imposed
upon ; and a candid hearing satisfied him both
of the sincerity and the soundness of the preach-
er. ‘This, brethren,’ said he, ‘is Methodism,
and you must stand by it.’ His word was
law. The faculty, the official members, and the
Church received and endorsed the truth. Such
a work of God as followed we never witnessed.
Professors in the college, men of outwardly
blameless lives, saw they were not right with
God, frankly confessed it, and laying aside
their official dignity, went forward for prayers.
The city and adjoining country were moved as
by the breath of the Lord. For some eight or
ten weeks, the altar was crowded with penitents,
from fifty to a hundred coming forward at a
time. The conversions were generally very clear
and powerful. Dr. Olin seconded the effort in
REVIVAL FRUITS. at
the University, and went beyond his strength in
exhorting the students and praying with them.
This great man never seemed so great as in
prayer. Then he seemed clothed with the—
‘Awful majesty of man,
Who talketh often with his God.’”
Nearly all the young men in the college were
converted, and of the converts a large number
became ministers of the Gospel. The fruits of
the revival remain, and have been multiplying
ever since. Such preaching helped to shape the
thought and course of Methodism. Among his
class-mates were William Kendall, who received
at this time the blessing of holiness under Dr.
Redfield’s labors. He went forth from college
to speak moving, eloquent and convincing words
upon the theme of holiness, and helped to set
Western New York aflame for God. Daniel
Steele, since D. D., whose writings on the subject
of holiness have mightily strengthened the cause
of truth, was also a class-mate.
The effect of this revival upon himself is
clearly manifest in the tone of a subsequent let-
ter bearing the date:
‘““WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY,
“June 27th, 1846.
“Commencement exercises come off now in
about five weeks. I wish you could be here at
that time, as it is expected to be an interesting
occasion, though, from the absence of our much-
22 BENFAMIN T. ROBERTS.
loved president, there will probably be this fall
less than ordinary interest. By taking the Gos-
pel standard, and, with due reliance on the good
Spirit of God for assistance, constantly endeav-
oring to come up to that standard, it is compar-
atively easy to live a Christian. As for myself,
I am still enjoying a high and altogether un-
merited degree of the goodness of God. Sur-
rounded as I am by temptations of the most se-
ducing kind, and taking into view my own
natural weakness, I am led to wonder at that
grace which has thus kept me from falling. I
need as much as ever continual remembrance in
your prayers, that I may bear every burden,
perform every duty as becometh the disciple of
Jesus Christ.
“My studies this term are much easier than
they have been at any time before, not having
but three on hand ; but I am striving to improve
the advantages for reading, which access to an
excellent library affords, so that my time is quite
taken up. I also spend from one to two hours a
day in walking.”
In the fall of 1846, he again resumed the duties
of teaching. Of his hopes, fears and experiences
we get glimpses from his letters :
“‘T intend to leave for my school district, about
thirty-six miles from this place. The inhabi-
tants are said to be Saturday-night Presbyterians
of the deepest dye. No Methodist meetings, I
TEACHING SCHOOL. 23
am informed, are held near. I expect to be
homesick in its worst form, but do not allow my-
self to become uneasy at the anticipation. I find
that the ills of life are sufficiently troublesome
when they flock in upon us without being suf-
fered in advance. I mean to live as devoted and
useful a life among them as I can, strive to enjoy
the presence and favor of God, and I doubt not
everything will go off, if not according to my
wishes, which is of minor importance, at least
according to His will. And if so, sister, how
can I be unhappy ?
““T have a very good, orderly, forward school.
I have some studying algebra, geometry, latin,
a class reading Virgil, and expect a class in greek
next week.
““The people have found out that a student
from the Wesleyan University is teaching school
here, and they are sending in from other dis-
tricts. I have never taught a more pleasant
school, or one easier to govern. I do not pun-
ish, and yet I do not hear a whisper from Mon-
day morning to Saturday night.
‘*T have not been homesick yet, though this is
a back, gloomy place.”
Though yet a young man, and young in ex-
perience, he was convinced of the necessity of
choosing associates that were religious, if one
would lead a devoted life. Earnest words are
those written to a relative whom he learned
24 BENFAMIN T. ROBERTS.
was engaged to marry an unconverted young
man:
**OxrorD, Feb. 12th, 1847.
“TI could not bear the idea that you should
place your happiness,—in a great measure risk
the interests, the eternal salvation of your soul,
—in the hands of an ungodly, prayerless man.
Nor am I yet reconciled to it. Nor can I see
how you, who have always sat at the table on
which God’s blessing has been invoked, can
think of sitting down in a house of which you
are mistress, around the board which your own
hands have spread, to graceless meals. Ac-
customed, evening and morning, to surround the
family altar, and offer to the God of our fathers
thanksgiving and praise for mercies past, and to
invoke the continuance of His mercies for time
to come, how can you think of forming the
joined head of a house, your own house, where
no domestic altar is reared, where the blessing of
God is not asked, and His very existence is not
acknowledged ? Allow me to predict that you
will not, that you cannot feel at home; there
will be something wanting. And looking for-
ward to the day of separation—for the day
which comes to all must come to you—how can
you think of being eternally separated from him
to whom you have given your heart’s best affec-
tion ? He whom you have chosen as your friend
through life is, I presume, possessed of many
virtues, of much amiability and worth, or yon
A NEW ENGLAND SPRING. 28
would not have loved him; but I would much
rather have seen you go down the lonely vale of
life alone than to take a step so pregnant with
danger.
“Be assured of my lasting affection: you shall
ever have my wishes and my prayers for your
happiness. I do not know as I ought to have
written as I have done, but know that it has
come from a heart in whose affections you have
a large share.”
Nor did the earnestness of his religious views
make him gloomy or unmindful of the enjoy-
ments of life or heedless of the beauties of nature.
The spirit of New England May breathes in
this letter :
‘WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY,
**May 21st, 1847.
“My Dear Sister:—Term has again com-
menced. Study and toil are again the order of
the day. But I do not know that I dread it
much. The fine spring air of New England
makes me feel vigorous and buoyant. I have
spent vacation here, reading, sailing, etc., enjoy-
ing it much, though the latter part of the time I
was quite lonely, most of the students having
left to attend the anniversaries in New York, or
to make excursions into the country. I wish you
were here by my side this morning, that you
might look out from my window on the most de-
lightful prospect you ever beheld. I have looked
26 BENYAMIN T. ROBERTS.
at it a thousand times, and it seems more beauti-
ful than ever. The trees are finely leaved out,
the meadows and the fields are clothed in their
brightest green, the curving river rolls gently
and gracefully along, bearing on its bosom, and
plainly in sight, several sun-reflecting sails, the
birds are gaily chanting their most cheerful
lays, and lilacs and lilies and pinks are filling
the air with the most grateful fragrance.
I want to see youall much. I want again to
bow with you around that consecrated spot, the
family altar, on which my memory loves to
dwell, and which is endeared to me by the ten-
derest recollections. I want to see you, to talk
with you face to face.”
The foregoing letter is written on one-half of
a sheet of paper, on the outer half of which is
printed the program of the literary exercises
known as the Junior Exhibition, which con-
tains the following names of interest to our
readers :
Oration............ ‘Mission of the American Scholar.”
WIiLt1amM C. KENDALL, Covington, N. Y.
Classical oe
(modern).......
BENJAMIN Titus RoBERtTs, Lodi, N. Y.
Philosophical Oration ! “The Moral, the Perfection of
(mental).....-...s006 the Intellectual.”
DANIEL STEELE, Windham Center, N. Y.
In his Journal he notes: ‘‘April 19th, 1847,
Licensed by the Quarterly Meeting Confer-
Hise “Genius of Saxon Literature.”
COMMENCEMENT WEER. 27
ence, at Middletown, to preach.—B. Creagh,
P. E.”
The last year of a busy college life had now
arrived. Though obliged to economize, to sup-
plement slender resources by teaching, and at
the same time keep up with his classes, he had
not suffered in mind or body thereby. The re-
sults to himself and friends were highly gratify-
ing. One of the first college honors was his, and
his attainments were such as to open the door of
the learned society of Phi Beta Kappa to him.
He writes to his father :
“WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY,
“June 24th, 1848,
“ My Dear Father :—The long-looked for per-
iod has at last nearly arrived. In little more
than five weeks graduation day will come—the
first Wednesday in August, 1848. For four years
most of our class have been anxiously waiting
for that day. Our appointments for commence-
ment have been given out. I have one of the
first honors assigned to me, the metaphysical
oration.
“‘T am becoming rather anxious than other-
wise to join Conference and go to preaching. I
tremble when I think of the responsibility and
my own unfitness, but I know that it is my duty
to preach, or I have rather the firmest conviction
that it is, and since God has so condescended as
to call me to this high and holy work, and the
28 BENYAMIN T. ROBERTS.
Saviour has promised to be with and support
those who endeavor to do it in reliance upon
Him, why should I shrink ?
“*T see that our Conference holds its session on
the 16th of September. This will give me time
to visit some before going out into the work. I
feel physically strong and vigorous at present,
and mean not to overdo myself before getting
through.”
Commencement week came at last in the midst
of August heat, after the good old fashion, now
obsolete. Its round of receptions, literary ex-
ercises, re-union and parting calls make it the
culminating day of the academic year and of col-
lege life. An important period to him, not only
because it was the threshold of an active career,
but because it brought him into acquaintance
with her who was to become the sharer of his
joys and trials, a source of strength in the hour
of trial and trouble.
Ellen Lois Stowe had come from her home in
New York with her uncle, Rev. George Lane, then
agent of the Methodist Book Concern, to attend
the wedding of a friend at Middletown where
she was to act as bridesmaid. She was visit-
ing, meantime, at the home of her cousin, Prof.
Harvey Lane, whose wife had often made the
Senior, Roberts and Clarke, his room-mate,
welcome in her home. Naturally, in the usual
order of Commencement events, these students,
soon to leave, took tea at Prof, Lane’s and there
TEACH OR PREACH. 29
met Miss Stowe, whose quiet ways and sweet
face had been found attractive by others than
students. There is a rumor of a certain member
of the faculty, who through learned eyes could
see much that was winning in that face. Other
calls followed, but the vanishing collegian had
made his farewell call and taken the boat for
New York without speaking words of serious
import.
A dense fog settling down upon the river.
caused the captain to put back to Middletown
wharf, so another evening in Middletown fol-
lowed. He again found his way to the house
of Prof. Lane, and before he left a correspond-
ence was arranged that resulted in a closer ac-
quaintance, a deep affection, and a marriage that
was a source of strength and happiness.
It must have been gratifying to the young
graduate that his abilities and scholarship had
won such respect and recognition that he, before
leaving Middletown, was offered the presidency
of the Wyoming Seminary at Kingston, Pa.
With regard to the acceptance of the position he
consulted Dr. Olin, who replied, ‘‘There are
more who are ready to teach than to preach,”
and advised that he hold to his calling. This
advice he heeded.
CHAPTER III.
UNITED WITH THE GENESEE CONFERENCE.
HE 16th of September, 1848, Benjamin T.
Roberts joined the Genesee Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, held at Buffalo.
Quite naturally, the agent of the Methodist Book’
Concern attended this conference with his wife.
Certainly, they were interested to meet the
young preacher, whose letters were so frequent
to their niece. Suffice it to say, they were pleased
with his manly appearance and his spirit of de-
votion.
We have from his own pen an account of the
reception to the young pastor at his first appoint-
ment:
“ CARYVILLE, Sept. 18th, 1848.”
“ Dear Father and Mother :—Supposing that
you would be naturally anxious to know how I
am pleased with the appearance which my new
field of labor presents, I avail myself of the ear-
liest opportunity to write a few lines. I arrived
here Saturday about noon. Bro, Buck, my pre-
decessor, to my great satisfaction, had not left.
He introduced me to Bro. March, one of our
stewards. He received me very cordially, in-
vited me to make his house my home until I
CARYVVILLE. 31
could find a better place. I shall stay in his
family this week, and then I hope to have a per-
manent boarding place. The farmers here are
very busily engaged sowing their wheat, and
consequently our official meeting will not be
held until next Saturday. I preached yesterday
twice. I never had such feelings when attempt-
ing to preach as I did in the morning. I tried to
have Bro. Buck preach for me, but he would
not. I felt that most were sitting as critics, com-
paring me with their former preacher. In the
afternoon I had a much better time, and was
greatly assisted from on high. The word was
listened to with marked attention and with out-
ward manifestation of feeling. The congrega-
tion, both forenoon and afternoon, was large,
and to appearance respectable and intelligent.
In the evening we had a prayer meeting. There
was a good number out, but the prayers were,
for the most part, indicative of a low state of
piety. A general coldness and stupor prevail
among the members, as far as I can learn; but
they are said to be united, and in each other’s
confidence. A hundred and eight were reported
by the preacher to Conference as belonging to
this church, but of some of this number he could
give me no account, as he had not seen them
since he had been here, a period of two years.
There may be eighty or ninety in good standing.
I think the prospect on the whole is very favor-
able. I do not mean to spare hard labor or study
32 BENFAMIN T. ROBERTS.
to sustain myself and make myself useful to this
people. I am trying to give myself up wholly
to the work of the Lord, to be a man of one call-
ing, of one work. I cannot get along without I
have very much of the assisting grace of God,
and I hope you will pray earnestly that grace
may be multiplied unto me more and more. I
do feel that my trust is in the Lord, and I do not
believe He will suffer me to be confounded, not
because I am worthy, but because His mercy is
infinite towards the most unworthy.
I was honored with a call this morning from
the Presbyterian preacher. He appeared very
friendly. I take him to be a plain, sound, pious,
well-meaning man. He expressed a hope that
we might live together in brotherly Christian
union, to which I most cheerfully assented, and
in which hope from my heart I joined. This
village is situated six miles west of Batavia, in a
most beautiful, fertile, and wealthy region of
country. Itisin the edge of the oak openings,
said to be the best land for wheat in the State.
**Cary Collegiate Institute,” quite a flourishing
academy with a pompous name, is situated here.
I think I shall feel more at home from being sit-
uated where I can now and then run into a liter-
ary institution.
“Thope, father, when you go to New York, you
will make your arrangements so as to spend a Sab-
bath with me, and to preach for me, either go-
ing oron your return. You can do so by leav-
MARRIAGE. 33
ing home either Friday, if you stop going down,
or Monday, if you stop on your return. Let me
know by letter when you will be at Batavia, and
I will meet you then. I hope you will both
write as soon as is convenient.”
The winter did not pass without a revival, but
he was not satisfied with the resnlts, though
there were conversions, yet it was not thorough
enough to meet his ideas, for he says: ‘‘It did
not survive the spring fashions.”
Upon the people he got a deep hold. They be-
came deeply attached to him.
During this year, May 3rd, 1849, he was mar-
ried at the house of Rev. George Lane, in New
York, to Ellen L. Stowe, a union that was made
a blessing to him all the days of his life. His
wife was of good New England stock, the Stowes
being an old New England family. Ellen Stowe’s
native place was Windsor, N. Y., whence her
parents had gone to Illinois, to plant a new
home at Bonus Prairie, that became later a
place where God’s power was manifested. Upon
the removal of the family west, this daugh-
ter went to make her home with her mother’s
brother, the Rev. George Lane. She became as
a daughter to the family. Her girlhood was
passed in this Methodist atmosphere, though she
had been reared a Presbyterian of the strictest
sort.
Naturally, at this new home, she met many
Methodists of prominence. Bishops and outgo-
34 BENYAMIN T. ROBERTS.
ing missionaries were frequent guests. Thus
early she gained an interest in mission work that
was life-long.
At this wedding, as it was anniversary week,
was a notable company. Bishops Morris, Hed-
ding, Waugh and Jones sat down to the wed-
ding supper with other guests,
To this country circuit they soon proceed, but
first visited the family home at Gowanda or
Lodi. The following account of the journey is
written by the young wife to her aunt, Mrs. L.
B. Lane:
“‘Lopt, May 18th, 1849.
“ My very dear Aunt Lydia :—To speak of my
feelings on leaving home with you and uncle
seems like folly, for I could not in any words I
can command tell you just what they were.
Your motherly care over me, aud uncle’s fatherly
care, your thousand kindnesses to me, your for-
bearance towards me, will never be forgotten.
*Tis all a debt I cannot pay. For many days be-
fore I left, when I thought of these things, when
I looked upon you, and remembered how I would
miss your society, your counsel and advice, I
felt how hard it was—
‘**To smile when one would weep.
To speak when one would silent be.’
**We had a comfortable night’s rest upon the
boat; good sleeping accommodation, only very
hard beds. At five in the morning we landed in
THROUGH NEW YORK. 35
Albany, only had time enough to change from
the boat to the cars, which left at six. At some
place we stopped long enough to take a cup of
coffee and some crackers.
** At Little Falls, Mrs. Link, the lady in whose
family Mr. Roberts spent some time, got in the
cars and went as far as Utica. She said they
were down to the depot several times last week
to see us, thinking we would return then. I was
very much pleased with her, she was so warm-
hearted. At Syracuse we dined, and had time to
take quite a walk, while they were waiting for
another train of cars to come in. I felt a great
interest in seeing all I could of the different
places we passed through, about which I had
heard so much. Of Auburn we could see little,
save the prison. Geneva was very pretty on
that lovely lake, Rochester looked pleasant. At
Batavia quite a home feeling came over me. I
was delighted with the place. Darien was the
next place we stopped at, where Mrs. Kidder’s
friends live. We reached Buffalo about nine.
What an uproar the hackmen make! New York
doesn’t begin to equal them. We were safely con-
veyed to Bennett’s Hotel. I was exceedingly
weary, and after supper we retired ; nearly mid-
night it was. Our accommodations were good
enough, but only tolerable in comparison with
other places where I have been. At nine we took
our seats in the stage for this place. We passed
over some rough road, and I thought rough
36 BENFAMIN T. ROBERTS.
country. The first ten miles I was quite sick,
the same sensation I had as when we were on the
ocean: after that we took seats on the outside,
and rode so for near twenty miles. I felt much
better and enjoyed the ride more. I thought of
you so many times and your ride in Vermont.
At six we arrived in Lodi, now called Gowanda.
Our Father Roberts met us at the gate, and our
Mother Roberts and sister and brother at the
door. The meeting was warm and kindly.”
From six A. M. till nine at night, in those days
rapid travelling, would now be thought slow time
from Albany to Buffalo, but it was more com-
fortable and swifter than the stage-coach. The
same distance is now traversed in about six
hours.
Between the people and pastor a deep friend-
ship sprang up, that made this a happy year
with its quiet ministrations. It shows what
strides have been made during the intervening
years to note the surprise that springs up in the
mind when told that a proposition was made this
year that Mr. Roberts go as a missionary to the
far off people of Oregon, The Pacific coast was
almost a heathenland. The gold discoveries of ’49
had not yet called the thousands who came a
year later to California. White settlements
were infrequent, and as yet the Indian held
sway over the mountain peaks and wooded val-
leys of Oregon and the prairies of California.
For some time it was debated whether he
SECOND APPOINTMENT. 37
should go or not. Not till a year later was the
question fairly settled in the negative.
The year at Caryville was nearly at its close.
Respecting the preacher and his work, the
young wife writes to her aunt, under date
of June 16th, 1849:
**One old sister said to me, ‘We would not
have Brother Roberts go away for nothing.’
The meetings are good. Sabbath day we have
large congregations. The prayer meetings are
well attended; have one at sunset on Sunday
and one Thursday evening. I attend class Tues-
day evening. A very zealous, good brother, who
can sing, is my leader. That the church isina
very different and far better state from what it
was when Mr. Roberts came all admit. They
have avery neat, cheerful and pretty ‘house of
worship.’ I like the preaching much.”
From his journal we take the following entry :
‘* September 12th, 1849.
‘* Attended Conference at Albion. Bishop
Morris presided. I had a pleasant year at Cary-
ville. Was favored with some success. Received
during the year about forty members into the
society. Enlarged and repaired the church at an
expense of about six hundred dollars, and paid
an old debt on the parsonage. I came out myself
at the end of the year sixty dollars in debt for
board. The people expressed a strong desire for
our return. Stationed at Pike.”
38 BENFAMIN T,. ROBERTS.
The second appointment was amongst the hills
of Wyoming county, a country church, an ex-
ceedingly dilapidated circuit. The appointment
scarcely suited the preacher, and, moreover, the
people felt free to say the preacher did not suit
the appointment. ‘They wanted an older man,”
they said. But dark as was the outlook, they
settled down to work.
Not all, however, of the people were thus un-
sympathetic. Stephen Bronson and his wife were
old-fashioned saints, with love for men and power
with God. They saw the difficulties besetting
the new preacher, and proposed coming to Pike
to live in the parsonage, and make a home for
the preacher and his wife. They did so, to the
great comfort of his wife. A forlorn parsonage
it was, never painted; it was poverty-stricken
without and within; a broken-down fence about
the premises: the walls without paper, and in
many spots without plaster. It was little won-
der the preacher failed to keep good heart under
it all. Of the new house the young wife writes:
“Pixn, Wyoming Co.,
**September 22, 1849.
“ My Dear Aunt Lydia :—We are again in a
strange place and among all strangers, where we
see no face that we have ever seen before. We
left Caryville Thursday evening. There was
great lamentation among the people because of
our leaving; indeed, I never knew a people or
FROM CARYVILLE TO PIKE. 39
community that seemed more generally and sin-
cerely to regret losing their preacher. Many
inquired, as we were about leaving, if some
change could not be effected, and we could not
remain, and when they found we must go, said
they would send in a strong petition for us next
year. There are, perhaps, but few pleasanter
stations in the Conference than Caryville, with
one exception—it is, perhaps, one of the best—
and that is, their remissness in supplying the
temporal wants of their minister, not that they
are not able, but the official brethren are so inef-
ficient. They found some difficulty in paying
Mr. Roberts a small salary which they knew to
be insufficient to meet his expenses, though they
have been in the habit of having men that had
large families. Now, I did not intend to write
this to you, and am most sorry I did. We ar-
rived here last night, and stopped at a Brother
Olin’s. He is a cousin of Dr. Olin, and I should
think a fine man. Pike is quite a village, rather
an old place. There are three churches. I have
been in much handsomer places, more prepossess-
ing in their appearance, and I have been, too, in
worse-looking places, much. We mean to make
the very best of our lot we can, and try and do
all the good we can, and after we have been here
a while I presume it will look pleasanter and
seem more homelike. There are some very fine
dwellings here. The country around us is quite
hilly, very unlike Genesee County, but not less
40 BENFAMIN T. ROBERTS.
pleasant, on account of the hills, I think. We
are twenty four miles from the railroad. Attica
is the nearest point, and there is a stage running
to that place daily, I think. We are quite unset-
tled as to what disposition we will make of our-
selves. There is a parsonage which is rather an
old house, in need of repair, and much larger
than we would wish. They seem to prefer that
we should keep house, but we feel unwilling to
do so until we know something certain concern-
ing our going to Oregon. Under any circum-
stances we do not feel willing to go into the house
unless it is repaired and furnished with heavy
furniture, as we would have to pay much more
than the value for anything we purchased here.
For the present, we will try and find a boarding
place, and board till we know something more of
the future. Mr. Roberts has been fearful lest
his last letter to uncle might not be understood,
as he did not wish to convey the idea that his
mind was changed in regard to going there, only
a desire to know something certain.”
**PrKE, October 24th, 1849.
*¢ We have been in the parsonage a week, occu-
pying our rooms furnished with trunks only, and
one or two wooden chairs, but though a barren
and forsaken place, it has seemed good. We
have enjoyed being once more where we could
feel it was home, though it has not looked home-
like much. Yesterday, a brother in the church
FURNISHING THE PARSONAGE. 41
came and offered to lend us some furniture, as
he had broken up house-keeping, having recently
lost his wife. We accepted his kind offer, and
now have a table, rocking-chair, stove and
wash-stand of his. We looked at some rock-
ing-chairs a few days since, the same kind as
that of Martha’s, only not so well made, and
they were twenty shillings a-piece. I thought
it too much to give for one. Every thing they
have here they sell about the same rates, and it
is only a few things comparatively that can be
found at any price. The men seem very slow
and easy, and the women I see nothing of, save
at church and a few places where we have called.
Only one sister has called on me since I have
been in the place. The parsonage is sufficiently
retired. It stands in a narrow, back street, where
we see only two or three people pass all day.
It is a short street, and there is no travelling
through it. We have Presbyterian neighbors on
each side of us. Our house is an old-looking,
unpainted building, two stories high, with a
good yard in front and garden spot back, the
fence around it in a very dilapidated state. We
occupy two rooms up-stars, a small bed-room and
quite a large room adjoining, which has two
large windows in it, and is very pleasant, partic-
ularly since we have papered, white-washed and
painted it. Mr. Roberts made a seat for a lounge,
which we have cushioned and covered just like
the one at home, only it is rather longer. When
42 BENGAMIN T. ROBERTS.
we get all settled we shall be very comfortably
‘and pleasantly situated. Mr. Roberts is going to
make a book-case. If he only had converiiences
for working, I think he might make all the fur-
niture nearly we would need for house-keeping.
I have very queer times mopping my floor. Have
longed for a New York scrubbing brush, You
will think I am writing very small things to
you; but you know I would not write thus to
any one else. Brother Bronson, with whom we
board, is a local preacher, and seems like a very
fine man. His wife is kind and social. Both
seem to enjoy much religion. They came from
Danbury, Conn., three years ago, and were ac-
quainted with Mr. Stebbins, and know many of
the New York preachers, which makes them seem
quite like old acquaintances, One son, about
sixteen, is all the family they have. They will
stay only till spring, then Mr. Roberts hopes to
have some repairs made about the house, and we
will keep house by ourselves. It may be made
a very comfortable and pleasant home for the
preacher, but a more forlorn and neglected-look-
ing place I hope Methodist preachers will not
often find than this was when we first came to it.
We have very cold weather, cold and rainy, with
short spells of sunshine. The summers are so
short and cold, they say, that tomatoes never rip-
en, The meetings are very good. I should think
there were some excellent members, while there
are very many in a back-slidden state.”
A FRIENDLY DRIVER. 43
Full insight may be gained as to the trials of
the young itinerant from the following letter
written by the young wife to her sister-in-law
Florilla. It shows how a light heart makes
light what otherwise would be a heavy burden.
**Pixn, October 25th, 1849.
“« My Dear Sister Florilla :—I said : ‘When we
get settled I will write to you;’ but fearing that
day may still be far away, I will wait no longer.
I saw you last standing in your front door send-
mea good-bye kiss, with your morning wrapper
on, your hair still in papers, and your face as
bright and shining as this morning sun that now
looks upon me. The day, you know, was ‘cold
and dark and dreary,’ and my ride would have
been a tedious one but for my silent musings and
meditations, and the pleasing fact that I was go-
ing to see your brother, from whom you know I
had been some time separated. From Spring-
ville I was the only passenger. The driver exer-
cised a fatherly care over me, fearing I was not
sufficiently clad for the evening dews, he bor-
rowed a cloak on the way, and as night came on
he wrapped it around me, and then drew the
buffalo skin up over me, so I did not suffer with
the cold. He told me his own history, and the
history of all the people that live between here
and Yorkshire. A few drops of rain fell upon
us as we drew near Pike—‘ beautiful’ Pike,
‘loveliest village,’ etc. We reached Brother
44 BENFAMIN T. ROBERTS.
Olin’s between eight and nine. The brother had
arrived only a few hours before us.
“We found they had made partial arrange-
ments with a Brother Bronson to rent the par-
sonage and board us. This arrangement we
thought for the best; and a little over a week
ago the people moved in, and we removed our
bodies and effects thither, glad to be in a place
once more where we could feel we are at home.
You can never fully understand this feeling, my
sister, till you join the itinerancy.
**We occupy the two upper rooms, which we
have papered and white-washed and painted.
We had excellent success in white-washing, espe-
cially Benjamin. I wish you could see his suc-
cess in this line. The outlines are bold and can
be easily traced, many graceful curves, and
equally many abrupt turns. One coat would
look like milky water, the next would be one of
white-wash in spots about.
“We thought best to furnish our own rooms,
and this we could easily do, as we have not a few
trunks. So till yesterday we have had a trunk
on each side of our room, one chair that had no
back, and two that had backs, wooden chairs,
which made me feel when sitting upon them as
perched upon a high rail fence, my feet hanging
down. Brother Wiles took pity on us, and of-
fered to lend us a table, stove, and rocking-
chair, which offer, so kind, we accepted. Soon
we will have a bed and a carpet come, and then.
CONFRONTING DIFFICULTIES. 45
we will live like other people. Yet this prim-
itive style of bare floors and open fires I rather
like, only for its novelty, I reckon, though. I
wish you could see our window curtains—so
scant in size, neither wide enough nor long
enough ; but we dream of better ones soon. Yet
we are very happy here. The sun, when it
shines, looks in upon us the livelong day, and
our little birds fill our rooms with the sweetest
music. Weare so retired that we will never be
annoyed by the din of the world without, will
never long while here ‘for a lodge in some vast
wilderness.’ Neither will we long for the multi-
tude. Our hearts shall be a spring of ceaseless
pleasures deep and pure, We will try to be
good and do good.”
But not as easily did the young minister face
the unpleasantness of his situation ; yet, learn-
ing to count all things loss, he gained a victory
over self that led to greater victories over Satan’s
kingdom.
He writes as follows :
*“Pixn, November 20th, 1849.
“My Dear Father :—Yours of the first inst.
has done me much good. I knowI have been
quite too much dissatisfied with my station
and with my allotments. I have felt down, clear
down most of the time since I came here. I
never thought of preaching for the purpose of
making money, and I used to think [ should not
46 BENFAMIN T. ROBERTS.
be at all particular about the support I received
asa preacher. But when I saw my class-mates,
whose qualifications, it is modest to say, are not
superior to mine, receiving from four to six hun-
dred a year, for labors not as severe as those
which I have done, and am doing, and myself
receiving at the same time but a bare subsist-
ence, and not even that, while the churches, I
believe, possess the ability to give their minister
a respectable support, I felt like repining. It
seemed as if our people assumed the principle
and acted upon it: that it was right and meet
and proper to get out of their preachers as much
as possible of both labor and money, and to pay
them in return as little as possible. Ihave been
looking the wrong way altogether. I should
have looked at the Saviour more and at the peo-
ple less. As a necessary consequence I have not
been able to preach with any degree of satisfac-
tion. Till last Sabbath, I have hardly had a
comfortable time preaching. But I am trying
now to give myself up wholly to the Lord, re-
penting of my sin, and I feel better, and I believe
preach better. Prospects are rather promising.
Our congregation is increasing. Class and prayer-
meeting are better attended, and there is, I hope,
an increase of spirituality among the members.”
The results of this spiritual uplift were soon
manifest in a kindling in the hearts of others of
the flame that glowed in his own. ” it was ob-
THEY LIKED THE MEETING. 257
***YVes, they made some noise, but what of
that? It was just such a meeting as I like to go
to. They had a sermon of course and then they
sang and invited them forward, and some dozen
came forward to be prayed for ; and they all got
down and prayed. Two or three went through
the aisles exhorting, and then there were two
or three preachers around among the people
arguing up the case.’
“Tf Thad known how it was I would have
brought my wife down and let her see it. I tell
you I am coming down to-morrow night.’
‘-* After all had left, but one or two, the land-
lord who had also been at the meeting, began to
complain of feeling unwell.
“““Don’t you know what ails you ?’ said one
of the men.
***No,’ said the landlord, ‘I never had such
a queer feeling in my life. I had several chills
coming home, and I feel so cold through my
vitals and around my heart.’
“Said his friend, ‘I know what is the matter
with you. You must keep away from these
meetings. They will affect anybody. I tell you
they’ll have you if you don’t keep away.’
“<¢Well,’ said the landlord, ‘I’m dreadful glad
to have the people go forward there and get
religion. I wished to-night that everybody in
the neighborhood would go forward and get
converted.’ ‘‘‘Hadn’t you a little notion of
going yourself ?’ inquired the other.
258 BENFAMIN T. ROBERTS.
““*T did come pretty near it, to tell you the
truth, I almost wanted to. One or two came
and spoke to me, and I almost felt like going.’
“Thus the conversation went on. Our friend
interposed —showed them it was dangerous to
trifle with conviction — that God was evidently
calling them to repentance, and they ought to
seek him at once. The next morning the land-
lord was too ill to come down before our friend
left, but as the revival interest has continued,
we trust that ere this he has given his heart to
God.”
As the summer of 1861 came on, he urges the
people to prepare for out-door meetings in the
following words:
“‘Rich and poor, moral and immoral, Catho-
lics, Protestants and Jews, rumsellers, gamblers
and their victims, great sinners, hardened sin-
ners, men and women, who never go to church,
and those who do go to church, all seem
to enjoy a lively, spiritual, out-door meeting,
where they can listen to the songs of Zion, not
performed in operatic style by professional sing-
ers hired to worship God for the congregation,
but sung in the spirit by those whose souls are
in harmony with the sentiments they utter ; and
where they can hear, not faultless essays read in
faultless style, but soul-stirring exhortations and
thrilling relations of personal experience. In
these assemblies no aspirant for the honors of
REPORTS PROGRESS 259
social aristocracy can gratify his vanity by pur-
chasing the right to the occupancy of the best
pew, for there are no pews. Respect of persons
is laid aside. The great truth that the Lord is
the Maker of us all is practically recognized.”
This summer was spent chiefly in attending
camp-meetings. The progress of the work was
highly encouraging. Of his visit to the West he
says:
“We spent about four weeks preaching in dif-
ferent places and doing what we could to pro-
mote the work of God. We were highly gratified
at the progress that has been made since last fall
in promoting earnest Christianity. Nearly every
appointment of the Free Methodists has been
visited by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
The number of our members has, we judge,
nearly doubled from conversions alone. In some
places where, last fall, we had not a single mem-
ber, good societies have been raised up. Churches
have been built at St. Charles, Clinton, Ogle,
and one purchased at Belvidere.
“These results have not been brought about
by promoting secessions. No attacks are made
upon other denominations, The preachers pro-
claim with the power of the Holy Ghost the
plain, searching, old-fashioned truths of the
Bible. Formalists are alarmed and saved, and
sinners convicted and converted. But few join
us from other churches, unless they become con-
260 BENFAMIN T, ROBERTS.
victed by the Holy Spirit that this is their solemn
duty. When they are thus convicted and can
answer the searching questions of the discipline
they are received. Some have so strongly felt
it their duty to join us, that they have done so
at the risk of losing a large portion of their
worldly goods. We were highly gratified to find
a more tolerant spirit manifested toward us than
has been previously exhibited.
“At Crystal Lake the appointments of the
Methodist Episcopal Church were taken up, and
the use of the house kindly given us to hold a
general quarterly meeting. This shows a great
improvement in a region where that devoted
champion of the cross, Rev. Seymour Coleman,
of the Troy Conference, could not have access to
the pulpits of his own denomination no longer
ago than last year. On this circuit a good re-
vival was still in progress, and almost every night
souls were coming to the Saviour.”
The St. Charles camp-meeting was highly suc-
cessful. Very many were converted. Among
those uniting with the Free Methodist Church
was Father Shepardson, who had been for fifteen
years an itinerant preacher.
“The first session of the Western Convention
of the Free Methodist Church, after the adop-
tion of the Discipline, was held at the house
of Brother John Laughlin, near the St. Charles
camp-ground. There were twenty preachers and
THE WESTERN CONVENTION. 261
an equal number of laymen in attendance. The
Holy Spirit was present in our deliberations, and
the business was transacted harmoniously, and
we believe, to the entire satisfaction of all con-
cerned. Two preachers—Rev. J. W. Redfield
and Rev. Joseph Travis—were elected to deacon’s
orders and ordained ; and two—Rev. Judah Mead
and Rev. J. Travis—were elected and ordained
elders.
“‘Ten preachers were admitted to the travel-
ling connection. All the preachers profess, and
we believe enjoy the blessing of entire sanctifica-
tion. They are devoutly pious, laborious young
men, capable of doing a great deal of service in
the cause of Christ upon a very small salary.
One of them during the year walked 1,600.miles,
visited and prayed with 1,000 families, and re-
ceived thirty dollars. Such men are not easily to
be put down when engaged in spreading holiness
with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven.”
Appointments were made for seventeen preach-
ers as follows:
St. Louis District—Joseph Travis, chairman.
St. Louis Circuit—J. Travis, one to be supplied.
St. Charles District—Judah Mead, chairman.
St. Charles Circuit—Thomas La Due.
Clinton Circuit—J. H. Fairchild, W. D. Bishop.
Aurora Circuit—J. G. Terrill, Erastus Ribble.
Marengo Circuit—E. P. Hart, J. W. Dake, one
to be supplied.
262 BENYAMIN T. ROBERTS.
Crystal Lake Circuit—R. M. Hooker, E. Cook.
Newfield Circuit—G. L. Shepardson (supply).
Ogle Circuit—C. Underwood, G. P. Bassett.
Sugar Creek Circuit, Wis.—D. F. Shepardson,
C. E. Harroun.
Geneva Circuit—P. C. Armstrong.
Belvidere Circuit—J. W. Matthews.
Elroy Circuit—J. Collier.
Rennselaer Mission—A. B. Burdick.
Norwegian Mission—J. Oleson.
General Missionary—J. W. Redfield.
Each circuit is expected to have at least six
different appointments.
No path of ease was sought or marked out for
these men. They went, knowing that privation,
self-denial, misrepresentation and icy blasts,
wind-swept prairies and persecution, with divine
glory, souls hungry for truth and waiting for
light awaited them. Not a murmur, but witha
heaven-born determination in their hearts and a
hallelujah on their lips, they went forth singing,
Let me stay, I fain would labor,
In the vineyard of the Lord,
Where the fields are ready ripening,
For the sickle of his word.
The Bergen camp-meeting was, as usual,
largely attended. Extravagant misrepresenta-
tions of these meetings led some from New York
and New England to come and see for them-
selves the character of the meeting and its pro-
moters. Their testimony, before leaving the
ROSE CAMP-MEETING. 263
camp-ground was, ‘“‘ Brethren, this is old-fash-
ioned Methodism. This is what we used to see
years ago, and still believe in.”
August finds him at Vestal, N. Y., at a grove-
meeting, where he was met by the old friend of
his early ministry, Stephen H. Bronson, in
whose house he lived at Pike, his second ap-
pointment. Brother Bronson took him in his
carriage across the hills to Carbondale, Pa.,
where he had a powerful meeting, preaching on
the street, first to about five hundred listeners.
An after-service, held in Brother Bronson’s
house, resulted in several conversions. At Bing-
hamton he preached from the Court-House steps
to a good congregation, who stood through a
drizzling rain to hear the sermon. Camp-meet-
ings at Pekin, Yates and Rose, N. Y., occupied
his time later. At the Rose camp-meeting, min-
isters representing five different denominations
worked in harmony for the salvation of men.
““ All agreed in inculcating a religion that
leads to practical self-denial, to non-conformity
to the world, and to entire devotion to God.
They taught that the blessing of holiness is ob-
tained by faith subsequently to justification, and
all professed to enjoy this state of grace. Holi-
ness of heart and of life is common ground on
which all true Christians may unite.”
Rev. D. F. Newton, a devoted Baptist minister
of New York City, who attended these services
264 BENFAMIN T. ROBERTS.
with Rev. H. Belden, a Congregationalist, writes
of the meetings:
*“Are there not those at the present day who
dare take their lives in their hands, go forth as
sheep in the midst of wolves, declaring meekly,
humbly, boldly, all the words of this life? God
in his mercy is raising up a people to stand in
the breach. Here and there are those walking
in white, with garments unspotted by the flesh.
Praise be to God! There are yet more than
seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to
Baal. Among the number standing boldly for
Jesus, going forth without the camp, bearing
the reproach of Christ, is a society called the
Free Methodists, rapidly increasing in the West,
a devoted, persecuted people, The Lord is with
them, crowning their labors with remarkable
success. The Bible is their text-book, Jesus
Christ their pattern.
‘* Besides cutting loose on the right and on the
left against the popular sins of the day—Sabbath
desecration, rum selling, slaveholding, tobacco
chewing, smoking and snuffing, pleasure seek-
ing, the extravagance of the day in dress, secret
oath-bound societies, the evils of the choir sys-
tem, the making of God’s house a house of
merchandise—against everything, indeed, in op-
position to a pure Gospel, a Bible standard of
holy living is held up vividly, forcibly ; entire
consecratedness to God’s service, a presenting
SPREADING HOLINESS. 265
the body a living perpetual sacrifice, holy and
acceptable to the Lord, which is our reasonable
service. In this glorious work of reformation,
of spreading Scriptural holiness through the
land, God is with them in very deed, smiling
graciously on their self-denial and untiring per-
severance,”
CHAPTER XXI.
CONTINUATION OF LABORS 1861-2.
ROM the New York meetings he went to at-
tend the fall meetings in Illinois. He writes
of the Bonus meeting :
“Here, about one year ago, we held a grove-
meeting. The attendance was small, but the
Spirit of the Lord was with us in mighty power
to save. There was not then a single Free
Methodist in the neighborhood. Judge of our
surprise, on going on the camp-ground, on the
same farm, the 7th of September, at finding
thirty large tents well filled with devout wor-
shippers.”
The Ogle meeting followed with cold rains and
mighty conviction, with such interest, that two
tents’ companies remained to carry on the meet-
ing another week.
A fall session was held of the Western Con-
vention at Clintonville, at which Edwin P. Hart,
later to become an honored superintendent of the
church and spend his life in its service, Charles
E. Harroun, destined to be abundant in labors,
Joseph G. Terrill, who became a preacher of un-
usual ability and a ready writer, and James
Matthews, whose influence for good was felt from
266
SECOND GENESEE CONVENTION. 267
New York to Kansas, were ordained deacons.
After preaching in Illinois till into October, he
returned to New York. October 10th, at West
Falls. October 16th and 17th, made pastoral
visits in Niagara County. Encouraged the peo-
ple to look for revivals. October 19th and 20th,
quarterly meeting at Buffalo.
‘“What hath God wrought in this city! We
have here, where strong opposition has been
urged every possible way, a good society of
about seventy members, all united and walking
in faith and love. They enjoy a constant re-
vival, At the regular meetings, week-day even-
ings, the house is well filled, and Sunday evenings
it is crowded, gallery, aisles and porch, and hun-
dreds go away unable to find standing room. Six
precious souls have been converted in the past
week at our regular meetings. As soon as our
church is paid for we must open another.”
The second annual session of the Genesee Con-
vention met Oct, 24, 1861, at Perry, N. Y. Rev.
A. Abell, A. G. Terry, C. D. Brooks and L. Wood,
late of the M. E. Church, were received into full
connection. Twenty-eight appointments were
made at this session. There were reported 1,667
members and probationers, and church property
to the value of $24,800 belonging to this con-
ference.
Already the infant church began to feel the
restraint of the very rigid rules, and some who
268 BENFAMIN T. ROBERTS.
had entered the movement through sympathy
had scarcely the grace or strength to insist upon
a close adherence toitsrules. It was owing to
this fact he writes in November, 1861:
‘*We deeply grieve to see the desire for popu-
larity already manifested by so many among us.
Is it impossible for Christ to have a pure church
on earth? If the Free Methodist Church is to
be added to the popular, fashionable, time-serving
churches of the day, the sooner it goes down the
better. There are too many of that kind now.
If we cannot have a holy church I hope we may
have none. Why cannot those who do not wish
to conform to our rules, and to have others do
the same, keep away, and leave the humble few,
who do wish to walk with God, at liberty do
so?”
Again, in December of the same year, he writes
in the following strain :
‘““We have no disposition to proselyte, espe-
cially do we want none to join us from other
churches unless they do it from a conviction of
duty. If they come among us because they are
thoroughly in sympathy with us, feeling that
God requires it, and go to work to spread Scrip-
tural holiness, Holy Ghost religion, they will
find a large, open field ; but if they come among
us because we are weak and feeble and despised,
to ‘give us character,’ and to regulate and keep
SYMPATHIZERS AND PATRONIZERS. 269
us in order, they will only injure the cause they
profess to love.”
It does not take very careful reading between
the lines to see that this new movement was be-
ginning to suffer from patronizers as well as sen-
timental sympathizers.
The reports that came in from the West were,
however, of a highly encouraging character, the
ministers there not looking for accessions to their
numbers from other denominations, but for the
salvation of sinners. One of the ablest ministers
associated with this movement in the west was
the Rev. Judah Meade. He was appointed dis-
trict chairman at the last Illinois Convention.
He writes as follows respecting the work in [li-
nois at that time:
“* AuRoRA, IIll., Jan. 11th, 1862.
* Rev. B. T. Roberts, Dear Brother :—I have
been around the district, and the work progres-
ses beyond my most sanguine expectations.
There is general peace and harmony throughout
the whole work. Bless the Lord. Amen. Dr.
Redfield and Brother M. have been holding
meetings at St. Charles four weeks. There has
not been as great an increase in numbers as we
could wish, but the Church has been greatly
blessed. The preacher is doing well at Clinton,
and has taken on some new appointments. The
Lord is wonderfully blessing their labors at
Marengo. The most of this society enjoy the
270 BENFAMIN T. ROBERTS.
blessing of full salvation. Iattended a quarterly
meeting on Sugar Creek circuit the last Satur-
day and Sabbath in October, and think the time
is not far distant when they will have a district
formed in Wisconsin. Brother B.’s health failed,
and he returned to his home after quarterly meet-
ing. When he left there were six appointments
out for the Sabbath, and Sister §. filled three
of them. They have been holding a protracted
meeting in Round Prairie, Wis., and the Lord
has blessed their labors in the conversion of over
thirty, and about the same number have experi-
enced the blessing of holiness. They kept up
the meeting until the preacher’s voice failed, and
about that time help arrived, and I understand
the work is still progressing.
**The preacher for Crystal Lake is doing all
he can, but the work is so large that his health
will not permit of his holding extra meetings.
On Belvidere and Bonus Circuit the preachers
are laboring faithfully for souls; the Lord is
blessing their labors. They have founded a new
society at Winnebago. They are holding a pro-
tracted meeting at Belvedere, but with what
success [ have not yet learned. They are having
a good work at Ogle: they have a large field of
labor. The preachers are engaged in protracted
meetings, but I have not learned the number of
the converts. The brethren on Ogle charge still
retain the camp-meeting fire. On Newfield Cir-
cuit they have had quite an accession to the
REPORTS FROM ILLINOIS. 271
membership. The preacher is engaged in a pro-
tracted meeting, and the Lord is saving souls
At Geneva the society is in a flourishing con-
dition.
‘We held our quarterly meeting on the Au-
rora Circuit the last Saturday and Sabbath in
December, and I think it was the best we ever
had. Although there is not so great a demon-
stration of the Spirit as we could wish, yet the
Lord is saving souls. Quite a number have been
converted, and several enjoy the blessing of holi-
ness. The preachers are like men of God. And
now, Brother Roberts, I can say in truth, this
has been the best year of my life.—I remain,
your brother, in the Gospel of Christ,
“ JupaH Map, Chairman.”
The following letter will be read with great
interest, inasmuch as it relates to the same sub-
ject, and is written by one who was to be iden-
tified with the Church for many years subsequent
as one of its general superintendents :
“‘MaRENGO, IIL, Jan. 7th, 1862.
‘‘ Brother Roberts :—I never got along as well
before as I have since the Ogle camp-meeting.
The light still shines, and I am walking with it.
Souls are being converted every week. We are
living to the Discipline, and God honors us in
this course by saving the people. We close the
doors of our classrooms to all persons not mem-
bers of our church, except those who manifest
272 BENFAMIN T. ROBERTS.
an earnest desire to flee from the wrath to come.
On last Wednesday evening, quite a number of
persons who were not members of the church
came into Brother B.’s class. When the time
arrived for commencing meeting, the leader,
telling the rules of our Discipline, kindly re-
quested them to leave. They found a good deal
of fault, but finally went out. Satan tempted
the leader strongly for a time about the matter,
but he looked to Jesus for deliverance, and be-
fore the meeting closed, an old grey-headed man
came along and was soundly converted to God.
Brother B.’s doubts were all gone. God had put
his broad seal of approbation on the transaction,
and he was now satisfied. Again, last evening,
at Brother B.’s class, a middle-aged man came to
the door, and the leader, opening it, inquired if
he wanted religion. He said he did. He was
invited in; said he had been seeking religion for
six months, but could get no light. The leader
asked him if he would come forward to the altar
and do his own praying. He said he would do
anything. He came forward, and the Lord met
him, and saved him powerfully. To God be all
the glory !
“Pray for us. ““Epwarp P. Hart.”
In the month of February, 1862, he spent some
time in New York, preaching with acceptability
and laying the foundation for the future work in
that city. The revival spirit continued to burn
THE SUSQUEHANNA CONVENTION. 273
throughout Western and Southern New York,
and during this winter and spring he was inces-
sant in labors in endeavoring to help on the work.
During the year previous he had held many meet-
ings in New York, Binghamton, Union, Syra-
cuse, Utica, Rome, Rose and Clyde, besides being
present at grove-meetings and camp-meetings
elsewhere in that part of the state that lay east
ot the bounds of the Genesee Conference. One
who knew him well writes of these services, that
his preaching, his praying, his manner of con-
ducting meetings, was very acceptable, and made
a deep and lasting impression upon his hearers.
This was especially true at Binghamton. As a
result, many from this section of the country
urged the organization of a conference covering
this part of the state. They had become tired
with a formal service, and wished for a church
home where they could unite in spiritual wor-
ship according to their own convictions.
Inasmuch as the Discipline made no provision
for the organization of new conferences, but did
specifically state that the general superintendent
was to labor in the advancement and upbuild-
ing of the work, in response to this call, he or-
ganized the Susquehanna Conference, at Union,
N.Y., April 10th, 1862. Like the Western con-
vention, this was an out-of-door convention, the
members sitting upon a pile of rails in an apple
orchard. James Guion, John Olney, A. B. Bur-
dick and T. F. Johnson received appointments,
274 BENFAMIN T. ROBERTS.
A. B. Burdick acting as secretary. The confer-
ence adjourned to meet at Rose on the 15th of
September following.
Already there had been some dissatisfaction ;
first, on the part of those who thought the or-
ganization at Pekin to be somewhat premature,
and, secondly, on the part of some who were dis-
appointed with respect to the superintendency.
The number of the latter was, however, very
few. Mr. Roberts was aware of this feeling, and
to avoid any appearance of lording it over his
brethren, he carefully refrained from any men-
tion in his publications of his personal advance-
ment to office, or from any reference to the
position which he held as general superintend-
ent. He published announcements of the con-
ventions, but nowhere does he mention himself
as occupying this office, fearing lest he might
offend some of the brethren.
This organization of the Susquehanna Confer-
ence was destined, however, to make him trouble.
It was assumed by some that he had transcended
his powers, and they began to talk of ‘‘one man
power.” This, however, was limited to but very
few. it was a source of very great trial to him,
and a grievous disappointment to lose in any de-
gree the confidence and sympathy of any of his
brethren, especially of some with whom he had
gone through severe trials. This, however, did
not deter him from faithful adherence to his line
of duty, nor did he suffer it in any way to affect
THE SUSQUEHANNA CONVENTION. 275
his spirit towards others or towards the work of
God. He made it his first duty to keep his heart
filled with love. He went through the summer
laboring more earnestly, if possible, than ever
before. He found the work prospering in the
West. New charges were organized at differ-
ent points, and the preachers and people were
strengthened.
CHAPTER XXII.
FIRST GENERAL CONVENTION 1862,
ELEGATES were elected this fall at the
second session of the Susquehanna Con-
vention, and at sessions of the Illinois and Gen-
esee Conventions, for the General Convention
to be held at St. Charles on the 8th of Octo-
ber. This General Convention was far from
being harmonious, inasmuch as the delegates
from the Genesee Convention opposed the ad-
mission of those electedfrom the Susquehanna
Convention, on the ground that the Susque-
hanna Convention was not legally established.
They wished to refuse them admittance. This
feeling threatened for a time to result seriously.
We give his account of the matter as set forth
in his own handwriting :
“The delegates appointed by the several an-
nual conventions of the Free Methodist Church
met at St. Charles on the 8th of October, 1862.
We were called together at two o’clock. One of
the delegates from the Illinois Convention, B.
Hackney, was absent on a jury, and could not
be present at the General Convention until the
next day. It was proposed on that account to
276
THE GENERAL CONVENTION. 277
organize temporarily, and defer a permanent
organization until all the delegates could be
present. Rev. L. Stiles opposed an adjourn-
ment. He said that the mere matter of organ-
izing was not of sufficient importance to occasion
any delay. We should organize, he urged, and
be ready for business when all the delegates are
present. Other of the Genesee delegates said
their time was precious, they were anxious to
get through as soon as they could. An attempt
was made at organizing. When the credentials
of the delegates from the Susquehanna Conven-
tion were read, Rev. A. Abell said that at the
proper time he would object to their admission.
An issue being raised, an adjournment was made
until ten o’clock the next day, that all the del-
egates might be present. In the evening, O.
P. Rogers, the reserve delegate of the Western
Convention, arrived.
‘“‘In the five o’clock morning prayer meeting,
all the delegates, except the Genesee, being pre-
sent, it was thought best, to accommodate them,
to call the service at half-past eight. A preacher
was accordingly dispatched to them by seven
o’clock, informing them of the change of time.
Word was brought back that they said: ‘We
have adjourned to meet ai ten, and we will not
meet till then. One man has not the power to
call this convention together.’ At ten we met.
The Genesee delegates wished to have the dele-
gates from one of the conventions admitted by
278 BENFAMIN T. ROBERTS.
virtue of their credentials, and regarded as the
nucleus, and then they vote in the rest. The
President decided that all who came with proper
credentials were prima facie members, and should
be so regardea for the purpose of organizing.
After we were organized, if anyone held a seat
improperly he could be deprived of it by the
General Convention. Every organized body
must be a judge of the qualifications of its
own members. In this view of the case the
Western delegates concurred. They urged that
if there was any good reason for excluding the
Susquehanna delegates, once organize and they
would then exclude them. They pressed this
point, They said repeatedly and emphatically :
‘Come in with us and organize, and then if the
Susquehanna Convention is not a legal conven-
tion, or if there is any personal reason why the
Susquehanna delegates should not have a seat,
we will help you put them out.’ But the Gene-
see delegates refused to organize, though on the
vote for secretary two of them put in ballots.
After the secretary was elected and the General
Convention organized, Rev. L. Stiles whispered
to G. W. Holmes, a lay delegate from the Gene-
see Convention, and Mr. Holmes moved, ‘ That
the Susquehanna delegates be admitted.’ The
President decided ‘That the delegates have al-
ready been admitted by virtue of their creden-
tials,’ and that the proper form of the motion
would be to move, ‘ That they are not entitled to
THE GENERAL CONVENTION. 279
seats as delegates.’ They refused to make the
motion in that form. They talked the matter
over at length. They said the only thing that
divided us was the formation of the Susquehanna
Convention, When the president remarked that
that was not the main difficulty, that there were
other things that lay back of the Susquehanna
Convention that were the real cause of the diffi-
culty, Mr. Stiles resented the remark, and asked,
with a good deal of spirit, ‘if their veracity was
called in question ?? Hesaid that the only thing
that divided us was the Susquehanna Conven-
tion. Mr. Hartshorn also said the same thing.
The Western delegates urged that they should
take their seats, and then make a motion to ex-
clude the Susquehanna delegates, and if there
was any good reason for excluding them, they,
the Western delegates, would help them out.
“The following papers were offered and adopted
on the 10th and 11th of October :
“The Free Methodist Church as a body, as
well as this General Convention, is organized on
the basis of the Discipline adopted at Pekin,
August 28rd, 1860, and printed at Buffalo in 1860,
under the title of ‘The Doctrines and Discipline
of the Free Methodist Church.’ This Discipline
is the outward, visible bond of union among us
as a people.
“The delegates from the Genesee Convention
are dissatisfied with the admission of the dele-
gates from the Susquehanna Convention, and
280 BENYAMIN T. ROBERTS.
refuse in consequence to participate in our action,
and have expressed an intention to leave and go
home.
“‘Therefore, we propose that inasmuch as we
have come together on the basis of the Discpline
that we act together on the same basis, make
such changes as can be agreed upon by all, and
where all cannot agree upon any change, then no
change shall be effected.
** Adopted October 11th, 1862 :
“Whereas, the delegates from the Genesee
Annual Convention handed in the book of re-
cords of said convention certifying to their elec-
tion as members of this body; and whereas a
part of them subsequently voted for secretary,
and after we organized made a motion and
speeches; and whereas they subsequently de-
clared that they were not members of this body,
and have accordingly absented themselves, and
continue to absent themselves ; and whereas they
have withdrawn their book of records; there-
fore,
“Resolved, that we, the General Convention
of the Free Methodist Church, consider them as
withdrawn from this body, and that we proceed
to the discharge of the duties assigned us by the
church, whose representatives we are.”
After continuing in session from the 8th to the
16th of October, at St. Charles, the General Con-
vention adjourned to meet at Buffalo, on the 4th
THE GENERAL CONVENTION. 281
of November, 1862. Inasmuch as some of the
delegates who were in attendance at St. Charles
were not present, the reserve delegates from the
Genesee Convention were seated in their places.
Rev. Levi Wood in place of Loren Stiles and
Titus Roberts in place of G. W. Holmes. Rey.
M. N. Downing, who was at this time pastor at
Buffalo, writes of this session :
‘A number of delegates of the Genesee dele-
gation declined to take their seats unless the
General Convention would organize without the
Susquehanna delegation, inasmuch as they be-
lieved the latter delegation was illegal, main-
taining that the superintendent had no right to
organize the Susquehanna Convention, stipulat-
ing, however, that if the General Convention
would thus organize without the Susquehanna
delegation they would consent that the legality
of the organization of the Susquehanna Confer-
ence should be passed upon by the General Con-
vention. Benjamin Hackney, delegate from the
West, a man of prominence who had been a
member of Congress, arose and said that much
as he loved the Free Methodist Church, he would
see it split in two in its infancy before he would
compromise on a principle of righteousness. He
maintained that the Susquehanna Convention
was legally elected, and that in the absence of
any specified law governing the organization of
annual conventions, the general superintendent
282 BENYAMIN T. ROBERTS.
had the right to organize the Susquehanna Con-
vention, and that the Susquehanna delegates on
presenting their credentials should be admitted.
Thereupon Rev. Lorin Stiles and Asa Abell,
ministerial delegates and the lay delegates with-
drew, the reserve delegates taking their places.”
This action caused very strong feeling which
manifested itself positively a little later.
This body met under the designation General
Convention ; before its adjournment it adopted
the name General Conference.
CHAPTER XXIII.
THE LAST OF THE SUSQUEHANNA QUESTION.
HE Genesee Annual Convention, that was
held at Albion, the 18th and 22nd of Sep-
tember, was a somewhat stormy time; the
principal occasion being with reference to the
admission of some to the convention. Because
of the dissatisfaction, emanating largely from the
Susquehanna matter, confined, however, to a
small majority, an attempt was made to call a
second session of the Genesee Convention, to
meet at Perry, 4th of November. This call was
issued by Rev. Lorin Stiles, Asa Abell, G. W.
Holmes and H. Hartshorn. The evidence in
hand as to its existence is the copy of the fol-
lowing letter, addressed to these brethren, which
reads as follows :
To THE MINISTERS AND MEMBERS OF THE FREE
METHODIST CHURCH, CONVENED AT PERRY,
NOVEMBER 4TH, 1862, AT THE CALL OF REV.
L. Stites, JR., AND Rev. A. ABELL, G. W.
Hotmgs anp H. HARTSHORN.
Dearly Beloved Brethren:
I should have been glad to have met with you, and
should have made arrangement to do so, had I known
in time that you had been called together. I was in
283
284 BENGFAMIN T. ROBERTS.
the same village with the brethren who called you to-
gether at the time when, I suppose, they decided to
doso. They said nothing to me about their intentions ;
nor did I learn that they had issued a call until one
week ago last Saturday. I learned the fact incident-
ally. My engagements are such—the General Conven-
tion having adjourned to meet at Buffalo the same
day—that, very much to my regret, I cannot meet with
you. From what I have heard, [ gather that the
object of those who have called you together is to pro-
cure a condemnation of my official action. If such is
the case, it appears to me that I should have been
consulted in reference to the time. ‘‘ Doth our law
judge any man before it hear him, and know what he
doeth.”—John vii. 51. Does Christian candor require
any less than that you should suspend, not only any
formal decision bearing upon my official acts, but even
the formation of your own private opinion, until you
hear what explanations I have to make? Could com-
mon candor, to say nothing of brotherly love, ask
you to form and express your judgments upon mat-
ters affecting deeply the interests of our infant church
upon one-sided representations? I am aware of the
successful efforts that have been made among you to
excite prejudice against me; but you owe it to your-
selves, as well as to the cause of God, to lay aside all
prejudice as far as possible, and to defer all action in
the premises until I can have a fair and full hearing.
Precipitous measures will sensibly injure the cause
of God, whereas no possible harm can come by your
waiting until the regular session of our convention,
acquainting yourselves in the meantime, as far as pos-
sible, with all the facts of the case. ‘‘He that believeth
shall not make haste.” Ihave endeavorec to perform
all my official duties as superintendent of the Free
Methodist Church with fidelity and love, in meekness
LETTER OF PROTEST. 285
and humility. I have studiously avoided everything
that could excite envy or jealousy in anyone. I have
never published myself in any of the periodicals as
occupying an official position, and have been care-
ful not to injure the feelings or reputation of any
among you.
In organizing the late General Convention, I took
the only course that, as it seems to me with my limited
knowledge of parliamentary usages, it was proper for
me to take. The Discipline (chap. 2, sec. 2, par. 1, p 34)
prescribes how the general convention shall be com-
posed. Persons coming with credentials duly certified
are, as it appears to me, entitled to a seat until an or-
ganization can be affected. Then, if any one holds a
seat to which he is not entitled, the General Convention
can deprive him of the seat improperly held. I so de-
cided. In this decision I am sustained by the highest
authority on parliamentary usages. The Constitution of
the United States says: ‘‘Each shall be the judges of
the election returns, and qualification of its own mem-
bers (art. 1, sec. 5, par. 1)” The president does not say
who shall have a seat in the Senate; nor the Senate
who shall sitin the House. The representatives from
New York do not, in their local capacity, say whether
the representatives from Illinois shall be admitted or
not, but all who hold certificates of election are en-
rolled, and the house is organized, and then after the
organization is effected, if anyone hold a seat improp-
erly he is excluded. I am charged with “an usurpa-
tion of power, such as was never exercised by any
bishop, or by any number of bishops, in the history
of Methodism,” whereas the real ground of complaint
is my refusal to usurp the power belonging to the Gen-
eral Convention alone, and on my own prerogative ex-
clude from their seats persons whose credentials as
delegates from an annual convention had been pre-
286 BENFAMIN T. ROBERTS.
sented and read. This power, I believe, belongs to the
General Convention alone ; but because I did not usurp
this power I am held up in an odious light, and charged
with unprecedented usurpation. After we were organ-
ized, Brother Stiles whispered to Brother Holmes,
and the latter made a motion: ‘That the delegates
from the Susquehanna Convention be admitted.” The
motion I decided to be out of order in this form, as
they had already been admitted by virtue of their cre-
dentials. I stated that a motion to the effect that the
delegates from the Susquehanna convention are not
entitled to seats would bein order. But no one would
make it. The Genesee delegates argued the case at
length, but failing to carry their points they left. Be-
fore they left, however, I presented to them in open
convention the following proposition: ‘‘The Free
Methodist Church as a body, as well as the General
Convention, is organized on the basis of the Discipline
adopted at Pekin, August 28rd, 1860, and printed at
Buffalo, in 1860, under the title of ‘‘ The Doctrines and
Discipline of the Free Methodist Church.” This Discip-
line is the outward visible bond of union among us asa
people. The delegates from the Genesee Convention
are dissatisfied with the admission of the delegates from
the Susquehanna Convention, and refuse in conse-
quence to participate in our action, and have ex-
pressed their intention to leave and go home. There-
fore, we propose that, inasmuch as we have come
together on the basis of the Discpline, that we act to-
gether on the same basis, make such changes as can
be agreed upon by all, and where all cannot agree
upon any change, then no change shall be effected.
The Genesee delegates took no notice whatever of this
proposition. If they had desired the preservation of
the Free Methodist Church, essentially as organized,
would they not have accepted this proposal? Any
LETTER OF PROTEST. 287
small, needful changes would, no doubt, have been
acquiesced in unanimously by men of piety and love of
peace. But under this proposition an attempt to re
volutionize the church could not have succeeded.
The ‘‘usurpation of power” complained of may refer
to the organization of the Susquehanna Convention.
But was this any usurpation? The first question to be
settled is this: ‘‘Had the superintendent, prior to the
meeting of tho first General Convention, the right to
organize any annual convention? The Discipline does
not in express words make it the duty of the superin-
tendent to organize conventions. Nor does it say he
skall not. Nor does it make it the duty of anyone else
to organize annual conventions. In the M. E. Church
annual conferences are made by the General Confer-
ence. But this usage could not obtain in our case, for
we had no General Convention, nor could we have any
until annual conventions were formed, as the General
Convention is composed of delegates elected by the an-
nual conventions. The General Convention could not
organize annual conventions in the first instance. Who,
then, should doit? The Discipline does not say in ex-
press terms, but it makes it the duty of the superintend-
ent to preside over the annual conventions. It is a
maxim in the interpretation of law, that a requirement
to do anything carries with it the right to do everything
that is essential to the doing of the thing required.
This is common sense and common law. A command
to a general to lead an army across a river implies the
right to bridge over if there is no other way of cross-
ing.
The Discipline says (chap. 3, sec. 1, par. 2, p. 46) that
it shall be the duty of the superintendent to preside at
the annual conventions. But how can he preside over
an annual convention until it it organized? It seems
plain, then, that in the absence of any other provision
288 BENFAMIN T. ROBERTS.
for organizing an annual convention, the superintend-
ent has an unquestionable right to do it. Nor can this
with any fairness be said to be setting a dangerous pre-
cedent, for the first General Convention could, and un-
doubtedly would, make provisions for organizing annual
conventions in the future. The superintendent organ-
ized the Genesee Convention in the same way. Some
brethren presented credentials as delegates from Free
Methodist Societies, or from persons who desired to be
organized into Free Methodist Societies. By virtue of
their credentials they were organized as members.
They then by vote admitted the preachers. The West-
ern Convention and the Susquehanna Convention were
organized in the same way. In no case did the superin-
tendent say what preachers should, and who should
not, belong to an annual convention; nor, as we judge,
has one annual convention the right to say what
preachers shall belong to another annual convention.
Some have assumed that when the Discipline was
formed, it was contemplated by those adopting it to
have only two annual conventions until after the Gen-
eral Convention. But this is mere assumption without
the shadow of proof. Nothing of the kind is in the
Discipline. Nothing of the kind was said in the Pekin
Convention. The Discipline plainly implies that there
might be more than two. It says (chap. 2, sec. 2, p. 34):
‘“‘Kach” annual convention. Had only two been meant
it would have read ‘‘both” annual conventions. The
small number of delegates of which the General Con-
vention would be composed, on the supposition that
there are to be but two annual conventions, plainly
shows that in the judgment of those who formed and
adopted the Discipline, there would be more than two
annual conventions prior to the first General Conven-
tion.
The Susquehanna Convention was formed in good
LETTER OF PROTEST. 289
faith for the purpose of spreading the work of God, and
for good and sufficient reasons, as I believe I can satisfy
any unprejudiced mind. But suppose there had been
any irregularity in forming this convention, is it not
fully justified by the fact that we are in a formation
state? Many irregularities have been tolerated among
us, and justified on this ground. The church at Albion
was formed without asking of these received as mem-
bers the questions required by the Discipline (chap. 1,
sec. 3, p. 32). The delegates to the General Convention
elected by the Genesee Annual Convention were elected
contrary to the express provisions of the Discipline.
The Discipline (chap. 2, sec. 2, par. 1; p. 341) requires
that the ministerial delegates should be elected by the
ministers in full connection. But probationers and
supplies were allowed to vote. The Discipline says that
the ministers should elect their delegates and the lay-
men theirs. But all voted together. If the plea that
we are in a formation may cover in the administration
at Albion, and in the action of the Genesee Convention
irregularities, that were not necessary, and that are in
conflict with express provisions of the Discipline, shall
the benefit of that plea be denied to me when I organ-
ized annual conventions in the only mode in which
under the circumstance they could be organized? Will
you justify others in violating plain provisions of the
Discipline when there is no necessity for it, and then in
order to procure my condemnation, have recourse to
the usages of another church which has long been in
existence? Where is the justice, the charity of such a
course? Can men of God act thus inconsistently and
uncharitably.
I have only touched upon a few leading points bear-
ing on this matter. I have written in great haste, sur-
rounded with company and crowded with cares; but I
trust I have said enough to lead you to pause in your
290 BENFAMIN T. ROBERTS.
verdict until you have heard the matter presented on
both sides.
May the Lord bless you and lead you aright, and
send peace and prosperity in our midst.
Yours affectionately in Jesus,
B. T. ROBERTS.
This clear and courteous presentation of the
case had weight. The matter of a convention
was dropped. Surely the infant church had no
quiet birth, nor gentle cradling; foes without
and dissensions within must alike be met, and in
a Christ-like spirit, exemplifying the grace that
was preached.
This disturbing Susquehanna matter was
not, however, allowed to drop just yet. One
more trial must be had before this question was
settled. The Genesee Convention in 1863 met at
Parma, N. Y. Because the discipline had been
amended at the General Convention in the year
preceding, in which the delegates from Susque-
hanna had a seat, a minority headed by John W.
Reddy objected to having the superintendent
preside over its sittings. But how to organize
legally they did not know, for he was present,
It was a curious sight, doubtless, to see him
sitting quietly by and submitting in meekness to
have his position canvassed publicly. Finally
John W. Reddy ventured the astounding request :
*“Would he not permit the convention to do its
work without him in the chair?” A gentle, but
CLOSING INCIDENTS. 291
firm, ‘‘No, Sir,” made it manifest that meekness
and strength are not incompatible. To appease
the minority he consented to a compromise, as
he knew how to do when there was no principle
at stake. He soothed their ruffled feelings by
consenting to use the discipline as originally
adopted, not as amended by the General Con-
vention, of which the obnoxious Susquehanna
delegates were a part. This action, I believe
ended this incident.
CHAPTER XXIV.
LETTERS AND EXTRACTS FROM DIARY.
HIS was a period of most engrossing labors
and of severe trials, inseparable, perhaps,
from a work of such character. But in the
midst of temptations, labors and trials Divine
grace did not fail him.
The following letters reveal the spirit with
which these difficulties were met. To his wife he
writes :
*“NEwW YORK, Feb. 14th. 1862.
“Yesterday afternoon after writing you, I
called with Brother Newton at Brother Belden’s.
He was very glad to see me, and seemed just as
he did when at camp-meeting. His wife is a
good solid, plain women, and they have quite an
interesting daughter of about fourteen. He feels
anxious to have us obtain a footing here. Last
night I stayed with Brother McCrossan — found
them all well and glad to see me. I went with
them to prayer-meeting and the Lord opened
the way for me to exhort. After meeting the
preacher and some of the brethren came to me
and wanted me to preach next Sunday evening,
and hold meetings with them next week. I
invited the preacher, Rev. Mr. Mead, to call on
me at Brother McCrossan’s this morning. He
did so and I told him all about our matters. He
202
LETTERS. 293
still desired me to preach and I think the Lord
must be in it and will cause good to grow out of
it, and I think I will doso. His church is the
De Kalb Avenue, where Brother Ives held meet-
ings last winter. You must pray for me that
God will own my labours as never before. I am
looking to Him and He blesses my soul. The
Lord will, I believe in some way, give us a
footing in this city ere long.
“Sister Newton is a helpful woman and walks
with God. Sister Wm. Belden is one of Brother
Purdy’s converts, and she gives it straight and
rough ; as the Lord leads her,
““T have not heard from you since I left home,
but feel anxious to. I pray for you and the dear
children often. Tell them they must be good for
my sake and be very kind to you and Cornelia
and to one another.
“Your affectionate husband.”
“May 2nd, 1862.
“‘T came here to Spencerport to take the seven
o’clock train but it did not stop, so I had to wait
till ten. I preached Wednesday night at Parma
Centre—had a good time; and last night at
Hoosack, at the General Quarterly Meeting. It
was very rainy and there were but few out,
“Brother Terry has received a mighty bap-
tism —is well and says he feels like a new man.
Brothers Stiles, Brooks, Hard and Tinkham are
at the General Quarterly Meeting ; but there are
294 BENFAMIN T. ROBERTS.
only Sisters Latta and Martin and Father War-
ren of the members that have yet come.
“T am feeling very well in soul and body,
much better than when I left home.
“Darling you have a great work to do for the
Lord, and I pray often for you that you may
have all the grace you need. You must look up
and keep blessed and not be tempted. I want
you to continue to pray about the printing. I
do not want to get out of God’s order again. It
makes such confusion when I do. Look after
your mission and have the brethren get new
seats. I love you very much. Write to me at
Syracuse.
“Your affectionate husband.”
‘“BINGHAMTON, Dec. 29th, 1862.
“‘T was very glad to receive yours on Saturday.
We found you did not come on the cars, and
your letter relieved me of a great deal of anxiety.
I feel satisfied in your not coming. The Lord
bless you and your labors in Syracuse. I have
felt a good deal since I haye been here like going
to Syracuse, and get Brother Hicks to go with
me to some of the wealthy men and see if God
will not open their hearts to give enough to
build a free church, not a Free Methodist Church,
but a free church, It seems to me God wants
free churches in all our cities. Let us look to
Him for direction. ,
“‘We have had a good meeting here— the best
LETTERS. 295
one I have held since Convention. I am trying
to seek the Lord with all my heart; but it has
seemed to me some of the time that I should die.
The first twenty verses of the sixty-ninth Psalm
expresses my experience better than I can tell
you. I know you pray for me; for I feel the
effects of your prayers.
**T go from here to-day to Corning, and expect,
the Lord willing, to be back in Buffalo the 2nd
of January. I cannot hardly bear to go back to
Western New York. If there was a good open-
ing in New York or Philadelphia, I should be
glad to go; but I mean to let the Lord lead
me. Some want that I should come here and
hold a protracted meeting. I may do so ina few
weeks,
“Sister Dunning’s health is quite poor, but
she has been very much blessed at these meet-
ings. Brother Bronson from Carbondale was
also here. He is getting along well. Sister
Blatchley is doing well—same as she used to.
Brother Perry is well and is getting on well,
so also is Brother Guion. The meeting, has I
trust, done some good. I love you, my precious
one, very dearly —never so much—also our
precious children. I hope God will spare them
to do the work that I seem to get along with so
poorly. Give my love to Sister Anderson and
Catherine, Brother and Sister Hicks and Vina;
and kiss dear little Samuel for me.
“ Your affectionate husband.”
296 BENFAMIN T. ROBERTS.
“P, S.—Sister Gorham attended the meeting all
through, and appeared greatly interested. I was
told that she said last night that if I held a pro-
tracted meeting she would attend and get re-
ligion.
‘She told me she wished I would hold one, that
she would attend and help all she could.
““Write to me, so that I can get a letter at Buf-
falo when I get home.
“Yours affectionately.”
‘‘ BINGHAMTON, Feb. 2nd, 1863.
“Reached here safely about seven o’clock
Saturday evening, had rather tedious journey.
Train stopped at all stations, and we had to wait
over an hour or so on coming. Preached in the
afternoon from ‘Examine yourselves’ and in-
vited those forward who were not saved. Six
came forward, among them Sister Sparks and
Sister Gorham, both got help. In the evening
preaching from 1 Cor. 13:3; and nine came for-
ward—three got out clearly, and we had quite a
victory. I believe God is is about to do a great
work here. I should like very much to have
you here.
“There is a letter on my table from Brother
John Dunckle, I commenced reading it, but had
not the courage to go through. He thinks I was
very wicked in not going to my appointment
there the last time. I did go to Fort Plain as
I wrote him. There was no one there to meet
LETTERS. 297
me. The stage was full and would not take
another one, except they would go through
to Cooperstown. The roads were muddy—it was
dark and rainy —I was very tired and sick at
heart. So I took the cars and went back to
Rochester. I wish you would read the letter
and make the best defence of me to him you can.
I do hope the Lord is not going to let me lose all
all my friends.
“Tt occured to me yesterday that you and I
as soon as I get through here should make a trip
East, having meetings along on the way at
Batavia, Chili, Rochester, Rome or Clyde, Caze-
novia, Nelson, Utica, Albany, and perhaps New
York. Pray over it and think of it.”
‘* BINGHAMTON, Feb. 8th, 1863.
“‘T have got up, made a fire, bathed, prayed,
and on looking at the watch I find it wants
twenty minutes of three, as I do not feel like
sleeping I thought I would write you a few lines.
“Yesterday was the best Sabbath I have seen in
a long time—indeed I do not know that I ever
saw a better. I know you were praying for me.
On Saturday night I gave out that the Lord
willing we would have Sabbath morning an ex-
perience meeting—that is a meeting for people
to experience salvation. At the opening I was
led out a good deal in talking — the Lord helped
me and blessed his truth. Sisters Gorham,
Sparks, and a good many of the Court str: ot
298 BENGFAMIN T. ROBERTS.
pilgrims were there. After speaking I invited
those forward who wanted to get saved, quite a
number came. The Spirit was poured out upon
us; and we had such a time of salvation power
as I have not seen in any church for years.
Indeed I do not know that I ever saw anything
much ahead of it. Brother Cook got clear out
and was so filled with the Spirit that he could
not contain himself. He and Brother Guion
and Brother Severson were all on the floor at
once, walking and shouting and praising the
Lord. Sister Sparks was very much blessed,
and I do not think there was one in the room
but that felt a touch of divine power. In the
afternoon Sister Dickinson from Marathon—the
young woman of whom you heard Brother
Thurston speak as having a call to preach,
talked to us in the name of Jesus. She isa
modest appearing, devoted young woman. She
reminds me some of Sister Freeland. She spoke
well and the Lord helped me exhort after her.
““We had another time of salvation. In the
evening the multitude came together and the
house was very crowded and a good many had
to go away, for they could not find room. The
text given me was Rev. 21:8. I was very hoarse
at first, for I have the hardest cold I have had
for years, but after a little the Lord gave me my
voice, and I was drawn out to preach as I never
did before. The people seemed spell-bound, and
some dodged literally, as if they were afraid of
EXTRACTS FROM DIARY. 299
getting hit. A few came forward to seek salva-
tion, and one felt that the Lord converted her.
I was too tired at night to sleep and so I got up
and wrote you this letter.
‘“God has commenced a gracious work here
and I pray that it may go on until multitudes of
souls are saved.”
The following extracts from his diary throw a
vivid light on his work during this period :
“January 2nd, 1861.—In the meeting this
afternoon, there was a great deal of divine in-
fluence. A very respectable-looking old lady
said that she had been for fifty years a mem-
ber of the Episcopal Church. Yesterday she
was convinced that she had no religion, that
she was a mere formalist. The devil told her
that she should not speak, as she belonged to
another church. But she became greatly con-
victed and went forward. In the first season
of prayer the Lord set her free. She arose and
shouted, and clapped her hands, and praised the
Lord. ‘I am a formalist no longer.’ Brother
Alanson Reddy preached in the morning. In
the evening I preached to a large and attentive
congregation from, ‘Are they not all minister-
ing spirits?’ After sermon we had the com-
munion, and after that a precious season of
testimony.
“ January 3rd, 1861.—Brother Bacon, of Otto
Y ?
300 BENFAMIN T. ROBERTS.
preached this morning at half-past ten. He is
young in the work, but has piety, sense, a fine
voice, and will, I doubt not, if faithful to God.
yet make an eminent preacher. Several pro-
fessed to be saved to-day. The afternoon prayer-
meeting was a time of power. Some four or five
were justified or sanctified, as we had good rea-
son to believe.
*“Dr. Curry preached in the evening from a
portion of the Lord’s Prayer. At the close he
organized a Free Methodist church. An aged
sinner, a Mr. B., objected to his wife’s joining
without the consent of her preacher. He was in
the gallery and spoke out, and then came down
and rushed up in front of his wife and forbid her
being received. Quite a scene of confusion took
place. Order was restored, and they were re-
ceived into the Free Methodist church.”
“ January 4th, 1861.—Went across Point Peter,
over Forty, to East Otto. The country is one of
the wildest, most romantic regions that can be
found in this part. The banks of the creek
are over a hundred and fifty feet high, I should
judge. A little stream falling over the bank
froze into beautiful icicles, and a nice screen of
ice was formed. We went by sleigh—roads very
good,
“‘ We commenced the meeting at East Otto at
eleven. The congregation was small. But we
had avery good meeting. The Lord was with
EXTRACTS FROM DIARY. 301
us, and assisted as I tried to urge people to trust
not in numbers, or wealth, but in the living
God.”
“January 5th, 1861.—Dr. Curry preached last
evening, and left this morning for home. My
father preached at 11 a. m. from ‘Be ye stead-
fast.’ I exhorted. Nearly all the members or
professors spoke. There is a great weakness of
faith among the pilgrims. The M. E. Church
here used to number 176 members, and was a
strong church. They have expelled four mem-
bers for being Nazarites. Thirteen others have
withdrawn. The balance of the church are very
low in religion. Ihave seldom ever been ina place
where there is so little religious influence. The
young people appear to have lost all restraint.
It is a wealthy farming community, but the
young people seem lost to all sense of propriety.
In the evening the house was crowded, and the
preaching was listened to with marked attention.
The Lord assisted me in bearing a plain testi-
mony. The Baptists kindly gave us the use of
their house, taking up their meetings to-morrow
that our services may be continued.”
“ January 6th, 1861.—At East Otto. We had
a love feast in the Baptist church at 9 o’clock,
We had a very good time, but the meeting was
greatly interrupted by people coming in.
“* At half-past ten I preached to avery crowded
house, The Lord especially blessed me and the
302 BENFAMIN T. ROBERTS.
people, as I endeavored to show the privileges
belonging to those who could rightfully claim
God as their Father.
“* After sermon, I organized a Free Methodist
church of fifteen persons. The Lord was with
us. The communion that followed was a gra-
cious season. In the evening the house was very
much crowded. The young people during the
first season of prayer clapped their hands and
behaved very disorderly. I was afterwards in-
formed that the disturbers were mainly the
children of members of the M. E. church. I re-
proved them and we had good order, and the
preaching was listened to with marked attention.
A good deal of feeling was manifested, and two
came forward for prayers.”
“January 8th, 1861.—Brother Woodruff took
Mrs. R. and myself to Great Valley. We passed
through Ellicottville about 2 p.m. In the jail
here lies a man convicted of the murder of his
wife. He had been married about three months.
Prior to his marriage he had courted another
young woman and had been refused. She moved
to the West, and, not knowing of his marriage,
wrote him that she had changed her mind and
was willing to wed him. On learning this, he
and his family resolved to put his wife out of the
way. One day, as she was at her father’s, he
asked her to walk with him in the woods in rear
of the house. They went into the woods, where
EXTRACTS FROM DIARY. 303
he was joined by his father, mother and sister.
He threw her shawl over her head, drew one cor-
ner around her neck, and, with the help of his
father, strangled her. She screamed, and begged
them not to kill her, as she was not prepared to
die. The husband’s courage failed, and his father
said it would not do to give it up, and he finished
her. Since he was confined in jail the husband
has made a confession.”
“January 8th, 1861.—Rev. W. Gordon took
me in his buggy from Peth, in Great Valley,
about six miles on the way to Tunungwont. I
walked the balance of the way to Livingstone,
about five miles. Here is an old fort, circular in
form, the back about two or three feet high. On
it were growing large pine trees. I stopped at
Brother J. E. Beardsley’s.