Cd oro & OUYBRAR® . ‘ornell Universit Benjamin Titus Roberts. Late general sup DATE DUE re GUN RX SUF ROY ROS Ys } G deren 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. OLIN Qu Role ROS CorrricHtTsp 1900. B, H. ROBERTS. fe oe Re wg a #8 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.