Columbia Umbersitp 
 
 THE LIBRARIES 
 
 JPb 
 
 
 ;V 'If* 
 
 Bequest oi 
 
 Frederic Bancroft 
 
 1860-1915 
 
 GENERAL LIBRARY 
 
^teoflecthms of s Sip'ammiite: 
 
 OR, 
 
 SKETCHES 
 
 OP 
 
 LIFE, LABOB, AND EXPEBIENCE 
 
 IN THE 
 
 METHODIST ITINERANCY. 
 
 BY 
 
 BEV. DAVID LEWIS, 
 
 OF THE OHIO AHNTTAI COXFEEEXCE. 
 
 EDITED BY SET. S. M. MERRILL. 
 
 CINCINNATI: 
 
 PRINTED AT THE METHODIST BOOK CONCERN, 
 FOR THE AUTHOR. 
 
 R. P. THOMPSON, PRINTER. 
 1857. 
 

 
 Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1857, 
 
 BY DAVID LEWIS, 
 
 In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Southern District 
 of Ohio. 
 

 C3 
 
 PREFACE 
 
 "Of making books there is no end;" and no 
 doubt the publication of works of superior merit 
 on scientific, literary, and religious subjects, is 
 accomplishing much good. But these do not 
 meet the whole demand. Many will be enter- 
 tained and profited by the perusal of works of 
 humbler pretensions. For this class of persons 
 this volume is designed. 
 
 In presenting it to the public, the Author is 
 
 fully sensible that a mass of prejudice must be 
 
 encountered. Some regard such publications as 
 
 unnecessary in this day, when such immense 
 
 quantities of reading matter are issuing from 
 
 the teeming press ; others think it particularly 
 
 unbecoming in any one to write his own history. 
 
 But, being unable to see any impropriety in the 
 
 course, the Author has yielded to the solicitations 
 
 3 
 
4 PREFACE. 
 
 of his friends, who have repeatedly expressed 
 their desire that he should do it, and prepared 
 these " sketches," which he now sends forth, with 
 his sincere prayer to the Father of mercies, that 
 his blessing may attend tins last effort of an old 
 man to benefit his fellow-men, and that the little 
 book may be rendered subservient to some useful 
 purpose. 
 
 This is a reading age. There is little danger 
 of producing too many books for the demand ; but 
 there is some danger that in these fast times 
 the prevailing taste will require too many pub- 
 lications of a peculiar kind — light, trashy, cor- 
 rupting — while solid truths in plain dress will 
 be overlooked. The " rage " is for something 
 new, fresh, racy; the Author does not presume 
 to have produced a work that will meet this 
 fashionable "rage." He has spoken of olden 
 times, of familiar truths, in a plain way. As a 
 writer, he makes no pretensions beyond the mere 
 statement of what he knows. He writes not for 
 the critic, but for the common reader ; and those 
 who can not be entertained with the narration of 
 the every-day life of the Methodist preacher, he 
 can not hope to please. He has not aimed at 
 
PREFACE 
 
 elaborate polish, or rhetorical ornament; he claims 
 no striking originality or peculiar felicity of style ; 
 and sincerely requests all who read these pages 
 to refrain from uncharitable criticism, and to pray 
 that God's blessing may rest upon the truths 
 inculcated, so that the name of the Lord may 
 be glorified. 
 
 To all his old friends among whom he has 
 gone preaching the Gospel, the Author would 
 commend the little volume, without any formal 
 "dedication." He has been much profited, and 
 whiled away pleasantly many hours of his " super-* 
 annuated" life, in writing these "recollections;" 
 and if the reader should be in the least bene- 
 fited in perusing them, he will be amply re- 
 warded for his toil. 
 
 9 
 
 Johnstown, 0., August, 1856. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTEK I. 
 
 EARLY LIFE AND EXPERIENCE. 
 
 Place of birth — Parents — Mother's pious conversation — Early convic- 
 tions — Good resolutions— Satan's delusion — Attend Church with uncle 
 and aunt — Great thoughtlessness — A strange scene — Pride — Mother's 
 admonition — Wicked reply— Conviction — Deep anguish — Firm resolu- 
 tion — Penitence — Earnest struggle — Sins pardoned — Happy change — 
 Further prayer — The -witness of the Spirit — First profession — Happy 
 meeting — Exhort sinners— Concern for the unconverted — Unite with 
 Baptist Church — Bigotry — Baptist ministers — First sight of a Methodist 
 preacher — Good advice neglected — Strong temptation — Rash deter- 
 mination — Snares of Satan — Backslidden state — New epoch— Strange 
 preacher — Interesting discourse — Rev. Joseph Mitchell — Awakened — 
 Restored — Methodist preachers — Slander — Sister converted — Father's 
 opposition to Methodism — Sister's happy death Page 15 
 
 CHAPTEK II. 
 
 JOIN THE METHODISTS COMMENCE PREACHING. 
 
 Attachment to Methodism — Opposition of the Baptist minister — Result 
 of fighting the truth — Married — Go into business — Selling rum — Con- 
 sequence — Move to Plattsburg — Methodist meetings — Determination 
 formed — Join the Methodist Episcopal Church — "Wife joins — New relig- 
 ious interest — Holiday meetings — Persecution — Prayer answered — Op- 
 poser converted— New society formed — Impressions in reference to 
 preaching — Want of qualification — Embarrassment — Mind made up — ■ 
 Lincensed to exhort — Employed to fill the preacher's place — Licensed to 
 preach— Employed on Fletcher circuit, first quarter— First sermon- 
 Temptation — Yow — Woman converted — Encouragement — Employed on 
 Dunham circuit, Lower Canada — Destitute neighborhoods — Obstinate 
 woman — British dominions — Better prospects — Obstinate woman con- 
 
» CONTENTS. 
 
 verted— Hard fare — Good homes — Bigelow family — Anderson family — 
 Horse lost — Mind beclouded — Deliverance — Opposer converted — Close 
 of first itinerant year Page 33 
 
 CHAPTEE III. 
 
 FLETCHER CIRCUIT — UNDER THE ELDER. 
 
 Vacancy left — Rev. F. Brown — Opposition to Methodism — Circuit distant 
 from home — Waterbury — Good meetings — Temptation — Humbling views 
 of self — Responsibility of the Christian ministry — Jericho — A Calvin- 
 istic objector — Mr. S. W. — Colloquy — St. Alban's Point — Conversion of 
 N. White— First Methodist sermon in Fairfield — Preaching in a new 
 place — Marks of true prosperity — Close of the year 49 
 
 CHAPT EK IV. 
 
 GRAND ISLE CIRCUIT. 
 
 Admitted on trial in the New York conference — The Grand Isle circuit — 
 Narrow quarters — South Island — Good neighbors — Appointment in 
 Canada — A wonderful sermon — Nature and duty of confession — A camp 
 meeting — Discouragement — Success — Advantages of camp meetings — 
 Good result — Quarterly meeting in a barn — Exchange with brother 
 B. — Intemperate young man — Appointments neglected — A crooked 
 stick — A perilous ride — Providential deliverance — We know not when 
 we do most good — Close of the year — Cost of living— Blessed hope- -63 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 BRANDON CIRCUIT — FIRST TEAR. 
 Size of the circuit — Rev. T. Madden — British oppression — Interview with 
 Major Powell — American tories — Sentiments respecting the war — Evils 
 of war — Anticipation of universal peace — Irreligious tendency of the 
 times — Mount Holly — Long rides — Kind friends — Pi ttsford— State of 
 religion — Want of meeting-houses — Brandon village — Leister — Judge 
 Olin — Methodist polity — Rev. S. Draper — An incident — Conference — 
 Elected and ordained deacon — A spoiled preacher — Humility desired • 75 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 BRANDON CIRCUIT SECOND YEAR. 
 
 A new colleague — What the "big-head" did— Hard circuits not shunned — 
 New Haven, Vermont — Route to East Bay — Rev. Air. W., and deacon 
 M. — Colloquy — Sudbury — First sermon — Advantage of good lungs — 
 The good class-leader — The Plague — Controversy not desirable — Happy 
 
CONTENTS. y 
 
 year — Conference in New York city — Preaching — City and country 
 Methodists — Oneness of Methodism — Conference business — Liberality 
 of " mine host " Page 86 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 CHARLOTTE CIRCUIT — TWO YEARS. 
 
 Generosity of Major H. — Bad roads — No house rented — Goods stored 
 under a shed — Infidel physician — His skepticism learned in College — 
 A great mistake — The appropriate work of the Church — Importance of 
 Christian education — Infidel Doctor awakened — His deep sorrow — His 
 conversion — Happy change — His subsequent course — Field for useful- 
 ness — Start to camp meeting, on Brandon circuit — Became sick on the 
 road — Long affliction — Battle of Plattsburg — Incidents of the contest — 
 A glorious victory — The battle of life — The final triumph — Methodism 
 on the circuit— Conference in Albany — Ordained elder — Dr. Phoebus' 
 sermon — Return to the circuit — Rev. N. White — Starksboro — Twin 
 brothers — Novel call to settle as pastor — Reply— Changes — Perma- 
 nency of Methodist doctrines — Methodist Church government not op- 
 pressive, to ministers or members — Close of the term of service — Power 
 of Gospel truth 95 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 BRANDON CIRCUIT, AGAIN TWO YEARS 
 
 Move to Hubbardston — Rev. J. Byington — Poultney — New Appointment — 
 The privilege of singing — An interesting scene — Young converts — 
 Enticed to join the Baptists — Return with their parents — Locked out 
 of the school-house — An unconverted friend — Better days — Cold, dry 
 season — Scarcity of food — A day of fasting and prayer in Sudbury — 
 The wicked want prayer in time of danger — Illustration — Close of the 
 year — Quarterly meeting — Eloquent preaching — Conference at Middle- 
 bury, Vermont — Preaching of Bishops M'Kendree, George, and Dr. 
 Emory — Return to the circuit — Rev. James Cowl — Manner of labor- 
 Power of religion — Exhortation to the reader — Prosperous year — Mount 
 Holly — Interview with a Predestinarian — Common source of error- 
 Fatal reasoning from Calvinistic premises — The right spirit 103 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 POWNAL CIRCUIT — TWO YEARS. 
 
 The Rev. Jacob Hall — Hoosack — Petersburg — Father joins the Method- 
 ists — Oldest brother a local preacher — Pownal society — Williamstown, 
 Massachusetts — Presbyterian tax-law — Charged with preaching Calvin- 
 
10 CONTENTS. 
 
 ism — Ignorance respecting Methodism — Colloquy on Baptism — Power 
 of early impressions — Close of the year — Friendly greetings — Manner 
 of traveling to conference — The Rev. N. Levings — Rev. D. Ostrander — 
 Presiding eldership — Difficulty of dispensing with the office— Quarterly 
 meeting at Adams's Koch — An extraordinary sermon — Natural and gra- 
 cious ability contrasted — A Colloquy — A funeral sermon — The Rev. Mr. 
 D. — Conversations on Baptism— Play upon a word — Rev. Mr. S. preach- 
 ing that we are under obligation i :o do what we can not do— Why record 
 familiar conversations? — Camp meeting — Its results — Conversion of 
 a son— His subsequent life and death — Blessed hope — Close of the 
 year Page 124 
 
 CHAPTEE X. 
 
 CAMBRIDGE CIRCUIT — FIRST YEAR. 
 
 Move to Cambridge — Irish members — Quotation from Rev. Bishop Hed- 
 ding — Father Baker, as class-leader — Model financier — Rev. D. J. 
 Wright — Temptation — Self-examination — Conviction of the necessity of 
 holiness — Nature of this conviction — Seeking full redemption — Earn- 
 est struggle — Continuous seeking — Increasing joy — Fort Edward — 
 Sandy Hill— Wrestling with God — Assault of the enemy — Tempta- 
 tion resisted — Faith prevails — Melting, overpowering joy — Profession 
 of perfect love — Exhortation to holiness — Sore affliction — Loss of a 
 daughter — Deep sense of bereavement — The doctrine of the resurrec- 
 tion of the dead becomes precious — Revival of the work of holiness — 
 Enemies to the doctrine — Paul's profession — The doctrine of Christian 
 perfection defined and defended — Objection answered — Source of 
 light— Prayer for holiness — Close of the year 144 
 
 CHAPTEE XI. 
 
 CAMBRIDGE CIRCUIT SECOND YEAR. 
 
 Returned without a colleague — Old friends — Controversy not unneces- 
 sary — Character of pioneer preachers — Methodism not yet understood — 
 Success in counteracting prejudices — Conversion of a rigid Calvinist — ■ 
 Brother King and the minister — Reason and faith — Brother King and 
 Judge R. — Conversation with the Judge — Infant salvation — Judge R. 
 converted — Skeptical men, with pious wives — Inspiration of the Scrip- 
 tures proved by prophecy — Incongruities of infidels — Two sermons in 
 the Baptist Church — Advocates for perseverance — Argument from the 
 parable of the leaven hid in meal — Spiritual enjoyment— Hinderance to 
 the work of conversion — An incident — The grace of Christ better than 
 Popish absolution — Perilous situation — Providential preservation — Close 
 of the year — Cheering hope 163 
 
CONTENTS. 11 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 BEEN CIRCUIT — TWO YEARS. 
 
 An unexpected appointment — Rev. H. Ames — First dissatisfaction — Un- 
 comfortable quarters — Move to Rensselaerville — Reconciled to the field 
 of labor — Prostrate condition of the circuit — Indications of good — 
 Middletown — Calvinistic opposition — A short address — Revival of Re- 
 ligion — Scoharrie — A converted pugilist — Preacher's body-guard — 
 General prosperity — Close of first year — Interview with Bishop George — 
 Returned — New-Light preacher — His zeal in propagating Unitarian- 
 ism — Manner of preaching against the Deity of Christ — Proposed 
 reply — Excitement — Sermon on John i, 1 — Result — Pastoral visiting 
 with the unconverted — A fiery woman — Her conversion — The Glass- 
 works — " I glory in the water " — A rigid Calvinist — Infant damna- 
 tion — Number of the elect — Revolutionary soldier and the " tithing- 
 man " — Better been preaching the Gospel — The fullness and freeness 
 of the grace of Christ — Close of the year Page 179 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 KINGSTON CIRCUI T — T WO YEARS. 
 Satisfactory appointment — Kingston — Hard place for Methodism— Rev. 
 John Kennedy — The settled minister — Preacher from Long Island — 
 Extent of the atonement — Marbletown — Impertinent young man re- 
 proved — Baptists — The example of Christ — Incidental circumstances 
 not essential to Christian ordinances — Preparations for conference which 
 are important — Close of first year — Returned to the circuit — Rev. F. 
 W. Smith — Move to Saugerties — Keeping boarders— Conclude to move 
 to Ohio— Economy practiced — The work on the circuit — Glass-works 
 appointments — Rough country — "Want of energy — Poverty and riches — 
 Attachment to the people — Good hope. 211 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 MOVE WES T — L O C A T E — E MPLOYED BY THE ELDER. 
 
 Conference in New York — Interesting time. — Granted a supernumerary 
 relation — Bishop George — His opinion of Ohio — Farewell— Start west — 
 Nazareth township — The first Sabbath on the road — Second Sabbath- 
 Carlisle, Penn— Brother Grifiin— Kind friends— Third Sabbath, spent 
 in the Mountains — Fourth Sabbath, spent in Virginia— A dance — 
 Arguments for dancing— The subject dropped — Manner of traveling- 
 Reach Ohio — Route to Berkshire — Arrive at our destination — Meeting 
 with friends — First sermon in Ohio— Services in demand — Columbus 
 
12 CONTENTS. 
 
 circuit quarterly meeting — Presbyterian convinced — Mr. Dustin— Com- 
 mence business — Building a cabin — Locate — Nominally a local preach- 
 er — Camp meeting — Knox county brethren — Regular appointment — 
 Black Lick camp meeting — Rev. S. Carpenter — Columbus Quarterly 
 meeting — Rev. C. Springer — Radical defection — Employed on Fairfield 
 circuit— Extent of the work — Healing the disaffected— Failure of " Re- 
 formers " — Declining spirituality — Close of the year — Rev. L. Sworm- 
 stedt's camp meeting — Attend the Ohio conference first time... Page 221 
 
 CHAPTEE XV. 
 
 DELAWARE CIRCUIT — ONE YEAR. 
 
 Readmitted to the traveling connection— Rev. S. P. Shaw — Rev. R. Bige- 
 low — Extent of Delaware circuit — Bad roads — Delaware — Welsh broth- 
 er — Discipline — Marion — The strong man armed — Wyandott camp 
 meeting — Indian worship — Missionary spirit — Young chief — Indian civ- 
 ilization — Camp meeting on Delaware circuit — Close of the year — Con- 
 ference in Lancaster — Bishop Soule — Rev. A. W. Elliott — Appointed 
 to Pickaway circuit — Death of brother Baird — Building a parsonage.. 239 
 
 CHAPTEE XVI. 
 
 PICKAWAY CIRCUI T — T WO YEARS. 
 
 Boundary of the circuit — Character of the country — Revival in Circle- 
 ville — Revival in Royalton — Sudden conversions— Lakin Chapel — So- 
 ciety organized in Kingston — Hopewell — Generosity — Lithopolis — Camp 
 meetings on Adelphi, Deer Creek, and Hillsboro circuits — Result of 
 the year's labor— Conference in Mansfield— Bishop Hedding — A year 
 of general prosperity — Rev. Jacob Dixon — Rev. A. Eddy — Old father 
 Crouse — A noble example — Methodizing new converts — Dealing with 
 delinquents — A good rule — South part of the circuit — Swiftness of 
 time — Attachment to the people — Close of the second year 247 
 
 CHAPTEE XV II. 
 
 DEER CREEK CIRCUIT TWO YEARS. 
 
 Rev. J. A. Reader — Condition of the charge — Old Town — Right kind of 
 reception— Helps and hinderances to pastoral visiting— Call from the 
 Baptist minister — Conversation on doctrines— Gracious, versus Natural 
 ability— Calvinistic paradox— Folly of trying to modify Calvinism- 
 Regular routine of duty— A camp meeting— Rev. C. C. Lybrand— Wil- 
 liamsport — New-Lights— Preaching on the Deity of Christ— Rev. Mr. 
 Harvey's reply— Rejoinder— Power of truth— Close of the year— Old 
 friends — Reviving hope 260 
 
CONTENTS. 13 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 ONE YEAE WITHOUT REGULAR WORK. 
 
 Request to be left without appointment — Conference hesitates on prin- 
 ciple — Request granted — Sickness and death of oldest son — Comfort in 
 bereavement — Faith in Providence— Quarterly meeting in Columbus, 
 Granville, Newark, and Lancaster — Camp meeting below Kingston — A 
 year of sacrifice Page 269 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 MARIETTA AND ADELPHI CIRCUITS. 
 
 Rev. M. P. Kellogg — Marietta — Sanctified learning — Revivals — Slave 
 case— Spirit of freedom — Year of affliction — Death of another son — Rev. 
 S. Hamilton — Grace sufficient — Narrow escape from injury — Appointed 
 to Adelphi — Rev. B. Ellis — Dyspeptic — Remedy — Queer Creek — Crooked 
 men — Camp meeting — Happy sight — Close of the year 274 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 GRANVILLE CIRCUIT — SUPERANNUATED. 
 
 Rev. J. T. Donohoe — Parsonage — Settlement of Granville — Congrega- 
 tional Church — Rev. J. Little — Baptists — Episcopalians — Welsh — 
 Methodism in Granville — First and second quarterly meetings — Rev. J. 
 Young — An incident — Long and severe illness — Near the Jordan of 
 death — Blessed prospect — Convalescent — Happy meeting with friends — 
 A Psalm of praise — Conference in Columbus — Superannuated — Em- 
 ployed in the spring — Arrival of a brother — Happy association — Meet- 
 ing in heaven 282 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 LITHOPOLIS AND HEBRON CIRCUITS. 
 
 Formation of Lithopolis circuit — Rev. J. Young — Centenary subscrip- 
 tion — Groveport — How it got its name — Methodism flourishing — Camp 
 meeting at Needles's — Glorious winding up — Conference in Zanesville — - 
 Bishop Hedding — Political excitement— Preachers and Politics — Party 
 strife detrimental to religion — Formation of Hebron circuit — Old 
 friends — Rev. M. Fate — Brownsville, Linnville, George's Chapel, etc. .291 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 GLANCE AT SEVERAL YEAR S — C ONCLUSION. 
 Revs. W. T. Hand and J. A. Bruner— Rev. R. 0. Spencer— Granville 
 circuit— C. W. Lewis— Protracted meetings— Major Warren— Blendon 
 
14 CONTENTS. 
 
 circuit — Rev. N. Emory — Westerville Academy — Millerism — Johnstown 
 circuit — Character of the work — Irville circuit — Hebron circuit — Rev. 
 P. A. Mutchner — Rev. W. Webster — Thornville circuit — Rev. B. Ellis — 
 Camp meeting — Rev. J. M. Jameson — Exchange with Rev. J. Gilruth — 
 Supernumerary — Baltimore circuit — Rev. A. B. See — Pickerington 
 circuit — Rev. A. Fleming — Rev. R. Pitzer — Groveport circuit — Last 
 colleague — Retire from the work — Superannuate — Health and employ- 
 ment since — Glance over the past — Present comforts and prospects — A 
 delicate subject — Appeal to the Church — Closing invocation... Page 299 
 
RECOLLECTIONS OF A SUPERANNUATE. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 EARLY LIFE AND EXPERIENCE. 
 
 I WAS born in the state of Connecticut, in Feb- 
 ruary, 1783. My parents were both pious members 
 of the Baptist Church, having experienced religion 
 prior to their marriage. From my earliest recollec- 
 tion my father prayed in the family, and craved the 
 Divine blessing upon the food before eating. My 
 mother often conversed with her children in reference 
 to the salvation of their souls, and told them of the 
 blessed Savior — of his condescending love, and of 
 his suffering and death to save a guilty world. My 
 tender mind would often be seriously impressed, but, 
 0, the depravity of the heart ! Soon all would be 
 forgotten, and childish sports absorb my thoughts. 
 Sometimes, however, the day of judgment would 
 appear before me in solemn array, and fill me with 
 fear and trembling. Once, when about six or seven 
 years old, while walking toward my father's barn, 
 sudden thoughts of death and judgment flashed upon 
 my mind, filling me with such awful forebodings, 
 
 that I wished I had never been born. Annihi- 
 
 15 
 
16 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 lation seemed desirable to me. Indeed, I did wish 
 it possible to sink into nothing, in order to avoid 
 standing before God ; for I knew myself to be a 
 sinner, and felt conscious that I could not be saved 
 in that condition. I now began to form resolutions 
 of amendment, frequently promising myself to do 
 better, but soon lost my good desires. At length I 
 became deeply impressed with the worth of my soul, 
 and determined to be religious, but to allow no one 
 to know it. This was a stratagem of Satan. He 
 suggested that I could have religion and keep it 
 to myself; and, by falling into this delusion, I once 
 more lost my good impressions. I was not out- 
 wardly immoral, yet the Spirit often led me to feel 
 that my heart was wicked. 
 
 I went on in this way, vowing amendment and 
 breaking vows, till I was about thirteen years of age. 
 That winter I was sent to board with an uncle for 
 the purpose of attending school. On one Sabbath 
 day in February, I attended Church with my uncle 
 and aunt, but thought only of enjoying the sleigh 
 ride, having no concern for the salvation of my soul. 
 The meeting was held in a private house, which was 
 crowded to overflowing. After the preaching was 
 over, I observed a number of people in another room, 
 including the minister, my father — who was deacon 
 in the Church — and many other prominent members; 
 and out of curiosity I crowded in. The room was 
 quite full, the young people standing on the benches 
 next to the wall, all weeping ; while near the minister, 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 17 
 
 a man stood up talking and crying as if nearly 
 overcome with emotion. I looked round upon the 
 young persons who were affected to tears, with a 
 feeling of disdain; and the pride of my heart 
 prompted me to say that I would not stand up there 
 and weep as they were doing for all the world. 0, 
 how thoughtless I then was ! I knew not what the 
 man was talking about, nor why the people wept. 
 I felt ashamed for them. Afterward I learned that 
 God had converted this man, and several others, and 
 he was now telling what great things had been done 
 for him. 
 
 The meeting closed and I went home, still thinking 
 nothing about seeking religion, or trying to serve 
 God. 3STo harassing views of death and judgment 
 then obtruded upon my thoughts. The next morn- 
 ing, with my young heart bounding with merriment, 
 I went home to my father's, and, as usual, went in 
 talking and laughing. My mother spoke kindly to 
 me, and said, " David, what makes you so rude ? 
 Zebulon and Polly — my oldest brother and sister — 
 and all the young people are setting out to be Chris- 
 tians, and I am afraid you will be left to go to hell 
 alone." Looking my mother full in the face, I said, 
 "I would not act so much like salvation!" This 
 was the first, and, thank God! the last time I ever 
 spoke lightly of religion. My mother sighed and 
 lifted up her heart to God, and with strong faith 
 invoked divine mercy upon her wicked son. I 
 walked to the door and stepped upon the porch, 
 
18 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 and just then my mind was suddenly and powerfully 
 impressed with the wickedness of the language used 
 to my mother. Light from heaven flashed into my 
 guilty heart, and discovered to me the wretchedness 
 of my condition as a wicked sinner. I started for 
 the barn, and it seemed that the earth would open 
 to swallow me up. Hell appeared to yawn beneath 
 my feet. The agony of my soul was inexpressible. 
 Overwhelmed with anguish, I fell prostrate upon the 
 earth, and exclaimed, " Whatever others may do, 
 I will plead for mercy!" 
 
 My mind was now made up to wait for none of my 
 companions, but to engage at once in the great work 
 of preparing to meet God. I went back to my 
 uncle's a deeply-convicted boy, and for four weeks 
 groaned and prayed for the pardon of my sins. 
 Sometimes it appeared that there was no mere} 7 for 
 me ; sleep departed from my eyes, and I found no 
 rest day or night. I attended meeting, but carried 
 my guilt with me and carried it home again. Wher- 
 ever I went a load of guilt pressed me down. Bear- 
 ing my hell about in my own bosom, my daily prayer 
 was, "God be merciful to me a sinner;" "Save, 
 Lord, I perish." I thus passed four weeks, lacking 
 one day, in pleading and groaning for mercy and 
 pardon, when, on Sabbath morning, — ! that blessed 
 morning, I shall never forget it — I started to go to 
 my father's, and having gone perhaps halfway, I 
 kneeled by the side of a fence to ask God once more 
 to pardon my sins, and then it appeared to me that 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 19 
 
 God frowned upon me from above, and that hell was 
 ready to open and receive me. I then thought all 
 was lost, but perceived so clearly the sinfulness of 
 my heart, and the justice of God's law, that I only 
 expressed my true feelings when I said, "Lord, 
 if thou shouldst send me to hell, it is nothing more 
 than I deserve ; but while sinking down to the bot- 
 tomless pit, I will cry for mercy." Just at that 
 moment, I saw the blessed Jesus, by the eye of faith, 
 as clearly as with the natural eye — I saw his smiling 
 countenance, the most glorious ever beheld — and 
 heard him say in my heart, " Young man, be not 
 concerned, thy sins are all forgiven thee !" 
 
 Now the gaping hell was closed beneath — heaven, 
 no longer brass, was opened to my vision — love filled 
 my heart, and an indescribable flood of glory over- 
 powered my soul. My guilt was gone; the blood 
 of Jesus washed it all away, and my poor heart was 
 made new. I rose up and gazed upon the old stumps 
 in the field, and they all looked bright and cheerful; 
 the little grove near by, with branches waving in the 
 gentle zephyr, seemed to praise God with delight. 
 My little journey was resumed with a light heart, 
 while my feet seemed scarcely to touch the earth. 
 The earth, air, trees, sky, sunshine — all things, with- 
 out and within me, spoke of the goodness of my 
 Redeemer. When I arrived at my father's house 
 and went in, the old kitchen looked new ; the whole 
 family looked as I had never seen them before — 
 every thing looked new, and I felt new all over. 
 
20 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 " Old things were passed away, and, behold, all things 
 were become new." 
 
 But, notwithstanding this delightful experience, it 
 had not yet occurred to me that I was in possession 
 of religion ; the idea that my soul was truly regen- 
 erated and born of God, had not crossed my mind ; 
 but I felt a desire to pray again, and accordingly went 
 into a secret place and fell down upon my knees to 
 say — and never thought of saying any thing else — 
 " God be merciful to me a sinner!" But when I 
 attempted to say these words, ere I was aware of it, I 
 said, "Glory!" I was frightened; something seemed 
 to say to me, " What ! such a wretch as you say, 
 Glory?" But another "glory" came, and I felt ten 
 thousand glories in my soul ! My next thought was, 
 " What does all this mean ?" And then it seemed to 
 me that a voice from heaven said, "This morning, 
 while down yonder crying for mercy, God pardoned 
 your sins." Then I felt the Spirit of God bearing 
 witness with my spirit that I was a child of God. 
 Then and there I received the Spirit of adoption, 
 whereby we cry, Abba, Father ! 
 
 Immediately I ran into the house and said, " Fa- 
 ther, can you forgive ? God has forgiven me, and 
 I've found religion !" The manly face of my father lit 
 up with a smile, and with the tear of joy starting from 
 his eye, he said, "David, I have nothing against you! 
 I have ten thousand times more against myself than 
 against you!" 
 
 This was about the 20th of March, A. D., 1796. 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 21 
 
 Soon afterward my untutored mind sought to express 
 the happy experience in verse, and I here present a 
 few of the lines, not for their poetic value, but 
 because of their association with my history at this 
 interesting period of my life : 
 
 "And when I rose up from the place, 
 I thought I saw my Savior's face ; 
 My soul did leap, and shout, and sing, 
 And made the heavenly arches ring. 
 Then to my friends I soon did go, 
 To tell what love I'd found below ; 
 And there we met with joy and peace, 
 And had one glorious Gospel feast." 
 
 That day I accompanied my father to Church, and 
 found it far the happiest day of my life. The old 
 meeting-house and all the people — in a word, the 
 whole world seemed entirely new to me. God had 
 given me a new heart, and every thing around me 
 rejoiced in the smile of heaven. 0, how delightful the 
 worship of God ! What melody in the hymns of 
 praise ! How precious the word of truth ! How sweet 
 the fellowship of kindred minds ! 
 
 A short time after this, perhaps the next Sabbath, 
 after the sermon closed I stood upon the pulpit 
 stairs and talked to the people of the love of Jesus. 
 The house was full, and my heart burned with intense 
 desire to tell the congregation what God had done for 
 my soul, and to warn sinners to flee from the wrath 
 to come. While inviting all to come and taste, and 
 see how good the Lord is, my soul was filled with 
 
22 RECOLLECTIONS OP 
 
 unutterable happiness ; and, though I had never yet 
 heard those beautiful words — 
 
 " 0, for a thousand tongues to sing 
 
 My great Redeemer's praise ; 
 The glories of my God and King, 
 
 The triumphs of his grace," 
 
 they express the feelings of my heart at that time. 
 My heart was deeply moved at the indifference of 
 those who were slumbering in sin. My past life of 
 thoughtlessness and folly now seemed wonderfully 
 mysterious, and my soul was burdened for the con- 
 version of my young acquaintances. I could say, in 
 the language of the poet, 
 
 11 0, for a trumpet voice, 
 
 On all the world to call — 
 To bid their hearts rejoice 
 In him who died for all : 
 For all, my Lord was crucified ; 
 For all, for all, my Savior died." 
 
 I shortly united with the Baptist Church. As be- 
 fore stated, my parents were connected with that 
 denomination, and I had no acquaintance with any 
 other. I had heard of the Presbyterians, and of the 
 Church of England, but had not the most distant idea 
 that there were any Christians among them. About 
 all I knew of these denominations was, that they 
 "sprinkled babies." This was often mentioned by the 
 Baptist members in my hearing — but only in such a 
 way as to inspire in my heart a feeling of disgust 
 toward all that practiced it. Indeed, the force of 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 23 
 
 circumstances surrounding me, at this time, led me to 
 suppose there was not a Christian in the whole world 
 who was not a Baptist. I have no remark to make 
 upon the propriety of educating children to look upon 
 the different Christian denominations in this light, but 
 only record the fact as an important item in my early 
 experience. We were living at this time in Renssellaer 
 county, New York ; my father having moved from 
 Connecticut twelve years previous. 
 
 Our minister was not a very popular preacher, 
 though he was a man of strong, cunning mind, pos- 
 sessing the "wisdom of the serpent," if not the "harm- 
 lessness of the dove." I continued faithful in the 
 discharge of duty and was very happy most of the 
 time, and still exhorted in the Church nearly every 
 Sabbath. In the township adjoining ours there was 
 a very excellent Baptist preacher, and I would fre- 
 quently go over to hear him, and sometimes would 
 exhort the people there. One Sabbath I attended 
 his meeting, and at the conclusion of his sermon 
 arose and talked of the love of Christ and hope of 
 heaven. I then saw a little man in the pulpit who, 
 when I ceased talking, kneeled down and prayed with 
 great fervor, and most astonishing fluency. After 
 the benediction was pronounced, this strange little 
 man came down, and, throwing his arm around my 
 neck, whispered in my ear, urging me to be faith- 
 ful. Some years after this, I learned that the little 
 man was the Rev. Joseph Mitchell, of the New York 
 conference. 
 
.24 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 Happy would it have been for me, if I had followed 
 his advice ! But the pride of my heart began to 
 struggle, and it soon became very difficult to speak in 
 public. The cross became heavy. More self-denial 
 was requisite ; I began to seek for ease, and, of course, 
 my enjoyments declined. Sometimes I would take up 
 the cross, and then the Lord blessed me; but some- 
 times I would shrink from duty and leave the sanctu- 
 ary, feeling badly. I was subject to strong tempta- 
 tions; indeed, my course was exactly calculated to 
 induce temptations ; and while in this condition, I 
 overheard a conversation between some members of 
 the Church which proved injurious to my spiritual 
 comfort. They were speaking of the duty of exhort- 
 ing in the Church; some of them said they could 
 exhort if they felt well, but if not, they could not suc- 
 ceed if they tried; then one remarked, "Yes, but 
 there is little David Lewis, he can exhort any time/' 
 The remark hurt me. I had been thinking, for some 
 time, of giving up the practice, and now the enemy 
 tempted me powerfully ; not that the assault was irre- 
 sistible — we have the promise that no such temptation 
 shall befall us — but I entered into the snare, and made 
 up my mind to exhort no more ! The suggestion was 
 thrust upon my mind, "You can be a still Christian 
 as well as others; you can pray in secret and live 
 religion, and be admired." My mind instantly turned 
 to several who never prayed in public, and were 
 highly esteemed as pious, worthy members of the 
 Church. I then said I would never pray or exhort in 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 25 
 
 public again, but would pray in secret and be a still 
 Christian. 
 
 " Ten thousand baits the foe prepares 
 
 To keep the wandering heart, 
 And seldom do -we see the snares 
 
 Before we feel the smart." 
 
 So it was with me ; for the first time I went into 
 secret to pray, after forming this resolution, but I 
 found my relish for prayer was gone ; my access to 
 the throne of mercy was hindered — darkness super- 
 vened, joy fled, and prayer became an irksome task. I 
 still intended to live a Christian life, but found so little 
 enjoyment, that the closet was almost entirely neg- 
 lected. Gradually I sunk into a lifeless state, re- 
 taining the outward form of godliness, but destitute 
 of its power. But while in this condition, every day 
 and almost every hour, something seemed to be say- 
 ing to me, "You are doing wrong." My own heart 
 condemned me and kept me constantly in heaviness ; 
 and I felt truly that God was greater than my heart, 
 and knew all things. I always intended, and fre- 
 quently purposed to come back to God ; and I remem- 
 ber once to have gone out to pray, and fell upon my 
 knees, but dared not open my mouth before -the Lord. 
 So greatly had I sinned that my mouth was stopped, 
 my tongue refused to utter the anguish of my mind 
 in the presence of the Holy One ! 
 
 But I was never so far backslidden as to lose re- 
 spect for the house and service of God ; his fear was 
 yet, in a measure, before my eyes all the day, and it 
 
26 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 gave me pleasure to hear of the prosperity of Zion. 
 Even while under the cloud, while destitute of vital 
 communion with Christ in my own heart, nothing 
 would give me more pleasure than to hear of a 
 revival of religion. The report of the outpouring 
 of the divine Spirit would induce me to feel — 
 
 " that I were as heretofore, 
 "When, warm in my first love, 
 I only lived my God t' adore, 
 And seek the things above. 
 
 Upon my head his candle shone, 
 
 And lavish of his grace, 
 With cords of love he drew me on, 
 
 And half unvail'd his face. 
 
 Far, far above all earthly things 
 
 Triumphantly I rode ; 
 I soar'd to heav'n on eagles' wings, 
 
 And found and talk'd with God. 
 
 Where am I now ? From what a hight 
 
 Of happiness cast down ! 
 The glory swallow'd up in night, 
 
 And faded is the crown." 
 
 Yes, reader, " the glory was swallowed up in 
 night?" All was gloom and darkness. I knew there 
 was a reality in religion, for I had felt its power. 
 On eagles' wings my new-born soul had soared to 
 heaven, and found and talked with God ! His candle 
 shane upon my head, his love drew me as with cords 
 in the way of duty; far above the glittering things 
 of earth my spirit rode in triumph! But from this 
 hight of enjoyment, I came down to seek pleasure 
 in the world. Vain effort! The world, all beautiful 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 27 
 
 and bright, with its charming melody and fragrant 
 flowers, so full of goodness, and teeming with the 
 rich blessings of heaven, can afford no pleasure to a 
 soul deprived of the favor of God. 0, the bitterness 
 of backsliding! Father of everlasting grace, pity 
 all who feel it ! Dear reader, beware of the neglect 
 of duty. You can not enjoy religion without watch- 
 ing unto prayer. In order to maintain the life of 
 godliness, you must keep the great end of life in 
 view, feel that you are not your own, live not to 
 self, but to Christ. Regularly retire into some se- 
 cret place and pour out your soul in prayer. If you 
 feel but little, go the oftener; press your suit before 
 the throne, remembering that Christ enjoins importu- 
 nity; and let no day pass without a new consecration 
 to God. If you thus live — if you make it your de- 
 light to commune with heaven, you shall prove the 
 deep meaning of St. Paul's words, "I am crucified 
 with Christ : nevertheless, I live ; yet not I, but Christ 
 liveth in me : and the life that I now live in the flesh 
 is by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and 
 gave himself for me." You will then answer the end 
 of your creation, glorify God in your body and spirit, 
 which are his, live and die happy, and possess the 
 kingdom with the city which hath foundations, whose 
 builder and maker is God. 
 
 But to return. I continued to wander in this back- 
 slidden state for several years — all the time an ac- 
 ceptable member of the Church, and looked upon by 
 others as a good Christian — yet feeling conscious that 
 
28 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 my soul was barren and desolate, having long since 
 ceased to bring forth the fragrant fruits of the Spirit. 
 But I was approaching a new epoch — a turning point 
 in my history, to which I look back with peculiar 
 interest. I went down, one Sabbath day, to hear the 
 minister in the adjoining township, to whom I have 
 referred, and, in company with two young men of my 
 acquaintance, started toward home. But, instead of 
 going directly home, being full of glee, we rode on 
 till we came to Milltown, rode up into the place, and, 
 
 seeing a crowd collected about the house of , we 
 
 were soon in their midst, and found that there was 
 some one preaching in the house. I stood near an 
 open window, and soon found myself deeply inter- 
 ested in the discourse. The preacher was dwelling 
 on the atonement of Christ, its fullness and freeness, 
 and the agency of man in availing himself of its rich 
 provisions. The subject fixed my attention, and I 
 listened to every word with the greatest eagerness, 
 not doubting that the stranger was a true embassador 
 of Jesus Christ. I believed every word he uttered, 
 though brought up to believe in a limited atonement — ■ 
 or, at least, in a Church that taught the doctrine of 
 a limited atonement, and denied the agency of man in 
 the attainment of salvation. In a word, I had been 
 taught the doctrines of unconditional election and 
 reprobation, but could never believe them. I had 
 even held some little disputes on these points; but 
 my mind was beclouded. I stood in need of light; 
 for it was plain to me that there was something 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 29 
 
 unsound in the teachings of the Church in relation 
 to these doctrines, but I could not sufficiently compre- 
 hend the subject to tell precisely where the difficulty 
 was. But in this reverend gentleman's discourse, the 
 Gospel method of salvation by grace through faith, 
 was opened to my mind and made so plain that I 
 wondered every one did not embrace it. His remarks 
 were Scriptural, lucid, and convincing. As I listened, 
 a thrill of pleasure ran through my heart. I was 
 instructed, amazed, captivated. The divine simplicity 
 of this truly-evangelical sermon charmed my soul. 
 The preacher was Rev. Joseph Mitchell, the little 
 man once before referred to, who put his arm around 
 my neck, and urged me to be faithful ! 
 
 This was the first Methodist sermon I ever heard. 
 At the close of the discourse, some of the people 
 came out, and, forgetting my companions, I crowded 
 in. The preacher stepped up on a bench and com- 
 menced singing that beautiful hymn, " Jesus, my all, 
 to heaven is gone." I stepped up by his side so as 
 to look into his book ; for I had never heard the words 
 before, and we sung the hymn through. He then 
 whispered in my ear the question, "Do you enjoy 
 religion?" My answer was according to the times, 
 "I hope so T 
 
 Rev. Mr. Mitchell then said, " I am now going to 
 prophesy: God is about to revive his work here — we 
 shall soon have a reformation in this place. Now, if 
 you have any old backslidden Baptists in this region, 
 they will be the first to oppose the work." He left 
 
30 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 another appointment, came round in four weeks, and 
 God did revive his work ; sinners were awakened and 
 converted to God. I attended the meetings, and felt 
 the hardness of my heart giving way ; I began to sigh 
 and groan for my forfeited peace ; my hidden sorrow 
 burst forth in gushing tears. Then could I say — 
 
 " God, thou art my home, my rest, 
 For which I sigh in pain ; 
 How shall I 'scape into thy breast ? 
 My Eden how regain 1" 
 
 Thank God! I did not sigh in vain. I now discov- 
 ered all the follies of my backslidden life, felt deeply 
 sensible of my ingratitude, promised the Lord in 
 humility to perform every known duty, pleaded earn- 
 estly the prayer of the humbled Psalmist, "Restore 
 unto me the joy of thy salvation, uphold me with thy 
 free Spirit," and, adding the Psalmist's vow, "Then 
 will I teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners shall 
 be converted unto thee," I fully consecrated myself 
 to his service, feeling that, living or dying, I would be 
 the Lord's. Thank Heaven! like the first approach 
 of morning, light began to dawn upon my soul, and 
 it continued to shine more and more till every cloud 
 was dispelled, and the full beams of the sun of right- 
 eousness poured down upon my heart — scattering 
 darkness, doubt, fear, and sorrow, and filling my mind 
 with the peace of God that passeth all understanding. 
 
 There were other preachers on that circuit with 
 whom I was much pleased. Their prayers and exhor- 
 tations interested me very much; and I thought if 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 31 
 
 • 
 
 their lives only corresponded with their profession, all 
 ■would be right. But, alas ! it was reported that they 
 were "black-legs;" and every thing that was bad was 
 said about them. I was often led to ask myself the 
 question, Can it be possible that men guilty of such 
 wickedness as is charged upon these, can pray as 
 they do? 0, thou tongue of slander, what evil hast 
 thou wrought! What contempt hast thou poured 
 upon the cause of God ! What deep injury hast thou 
 inflicted on the servants of Christ ! Truly thou art a 
 deadly poison ! Thou art a fire, a world of iniquity ! 
 Thou settest on fire the course of nature, and art set 
 on fire of hell! 
 
 " The dark villain who shall aim 
 To hlast a fair and spotless name ; 
 He steals a precious gem away — 
 Steals what both Indies can't repay." 
 
 I knew nothing at this time of the economy of the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church. I knew nothing of the 
 conference, of the annual examinations of character, 
 of the manner of sending preachers to their fields of 
 labor; and, hence, however difficult it was to suppose 
 men capable of acting a feigned part in such a man- 
 ner, and for such a length of time, some doubts did 
 spring up in my mind respecting these men of God. 
 But still I attended upon their ministry, and my 
 father would sometimes go ; he* said they were smart 
 men, but did not preach the Gospel. He became 
 much offended at their preaching, but would not 
 desist from hearing them. We would sometimes talk 
 
32 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 together about the subject matter of their preaching; 
 he violently opposed it, but I defended it as well as I 
 knew how, with much zeal ; for, though no thought 
 of joining the Methodist Church had yet entered 
 my mind, I dearly loved the doctrines these men 
 preached, and fully believed them to be the doctrines 
 of the Bible. 
 
 My oldest sister experienced religion about the 
 time of my own conversion, and, like myself, subse- 
 quently lost her enjoyments ; but now, by attending 
 these Methodist meetings, she was renewed in the 
 divine life and made happy. Being but nine years of 
 age when first converted, she was yet under parental 
 control, and being desirous to join the Methodist 
 Church, she asked her father's consent. He peremp- 
 torily denied her the privilege ! After she went out, 
 I interceded in her behalf, but he would not consent. 
 I asked which he would prefer — that she should join 
 the Methodists, and live a religious life, or remain 
 where she was and lose her religion ? He said there 
 was no need of losing her religion. I insisted that 
 she would surely backslide, if she did not join the 
 Methodist Church ; and so she did ; but, after she 
 was of age, she was again renewed — she then imme- 
 diately joined the Church of her choice, and lived 
 and died a flaminir Christian. 
 
 " Glory to God on high ! the Christian dies ! 
 Dies from the world, and quits the earthly clod : 
 Dies, and receives the crown hy Christ bostow'd ; 
 Dies into all the life and plenitude of God." 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 33 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 JOIN THE METHODISTS — COMMENCE PREACHING. 
 
 I continued to attend the Methodist meetings, and 
 was more and more pleased with them. There I 
 found congenial spirits — Christians baptized with the 
 Spirit of love, whose warm hearts, and generous im- 
 pulses overstepped the narrow limits of sectarian dis- 
 tinctions, and embraced with brotherly affection, all 
 true disciples of the risen Lord. Embracing a Gospel 
 that offered eternal life to all men on equal terms, 
 proclaiming as a fundamental truth that God is no 
 respecter of persons, delighting in the belief that 
 Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death for 
 every man, and aiming at nothing less than the sub- 
 jugation of the world to the reign of Messiah, they 
 evinced a nobler charity and a purer zeal than any 
 people I had ever known. Their simplicity of man- 
 ner, fervor in prayer, and love for the souls of sin- 
 ners for whom the Savior died, rendered their associ- 
 ations agreeable to me, and tended greatly to allay 
 my fears in reference to those who preached for them 
 the word of life, and on whose reputation the poison- 
 ous breath of slander had fallen. 
 
 But our minister was violently opposed to the 
 Methodists — their success gave him much uneasiness, 
 
34 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 and he hurled upon them unmeasured denunciation. 
 He frequently gave out that, on such and such Sab- 
 baths, he would expose their doctrines, and these an- 
 nouncements were understood as intimations that his 
 "big gun " was to be fired off. But it would prove to 
 be charged with invective and calumny. The explo- 
 sion would be great enough; but, like all over- 
 charged artillery, the most fearful execution was pro- 
 duced at home. In other words, his vituperation re- 
 bounded, and fell with crushing weight upon his own 
 head. In his over-zealous efforts to counteract Meth- 
 odism, he sunk himself in the estimation of the better 
 part of community, and saw his own Church dwindle 
 away and fall to rise no more in that place. This is 
 the inevitable result of blindly fighting the truth. 
 But the Methodists increased in numbers and influ- 
 ence, bought a lot, built a house of worship, and con- 
 tinued to prosper in spite of the detractions of their 
 enemies. 
 
 On the third day of October, in the year of our 
 Lord, 1802, I was united in the holy bonds of matri- 
 mony with Miss Desire Steward — my present wife, 
 who from that time to this has been my companion in 
 labor, and sharer of my joys and sorrows. With the 
 ambition of young, hopeful hearts, we set out in life 
 with fair prospects and high expectations. Possess- 
 ing good health and willing hands, we anticipated 
 the acquisition of a " competency " of this world's 
 good, not doubting that, with the blessing of Heaven, 
 we should spend our days in comparative quiet, with- 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 35 
 
 out witnessing much of the bustle and turmoil of the 
 world in its heated strife. How little did we know 
 of the ways of Providence ! 
 
 I entered into business, but did not succeed well. 
 And no wonder that Heaven frowned, for I rented a 
 tavern stand, opened public house, set up a "bar" 
 and sold rum ! This was then regarded an honorable 
 business, and professors of Christianity would pour 
 out the " liquid fire " for gain, as freely as they would 
 perform any other labor. But, thank God ! light has 
 been poured upon the accursed traffic, revealing in 
 hideous colors the monstrous iniquity attending it, so 
 that it is now expunged from the list of pursuits in 
 which Christians can engage. "While thus employed, 
 I lost my enjoyments in religion, and lost several 
 hundred dollars in money; I closed the business in 
 the year 1806. 
 
 During that same year we moved to Plattsburg, 
 bought land, and went to work in the woods. In a 
 short time I cleared off a spot of ground, built a 
 house, and moved into it. Now we felt happy to find 
 ourselves settled on a little farm of our own, though 
 it was in a rude state, the settlement being new. Our 
 neighbors were very kind, as is generally the case in 
 a newly-settled country, but they were not religious. 
 I still frequented Methodist meetings, but had no 
 thought of uniting with the Church. Why, I can 
 scarcely tell ; for I believed their doctrines, and had 
 enjoyed myself better in their meetings than any- 
 where else ; but the power of early education, preju- 
 
36 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 dice and association, is very great. Being reared in 
 the very lap of the Baptist Church, I had not yet 
 deliberately looked upon my Church relations as an 
 open question, admitting of choice or preference. I 
 delighted, however, to converse with pious Method- 
 ists, especially in reference to camp meetings. Their 
 reports of the displays of divine power witnesssed by 
 them on these occasions, excited me with emotions of 
 peculiar interest — they struck my mind as in perfect 
 accordance with the Scriptures. 
 
 After spending some months in this place, the sub- 
 ject of my Church connection was suddenly brought 
 to my view in a different light from what it had ever 
 been before. While chopping in the woods, medi- 
 tating on the goodness of God, and the privileges of 
 Christian fellowship, the question rushed, upon my 
 mind, as if uttered by a voice, " Of all branches of 
 the Church, which do you think the most Scrip- 
 tural?" My mind responded as if by spontaneous im- 
 pulse, " The Methodist." Following this in rapid suc- 
 cession, the following questions and answers sprang 
 up in my mind : " With what people do you best en- 
 joy yourself?" "The Methodists." " Why then do 
 you not join them?" "Because my relations are all 
 opposed to them — the world despises them, the devil 
 hates them, and the pride of my heart keeps me 
 back." "Did you not promise God that if he would 
 heal your backslidings, you would perform every 
 known duty?" "I did." "Well, now God has 
 shown you that it is your duty to join the Methodist 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 37 
 
 Church, has he not?" " Truth, Lord, and if my life 
 is spared, I will join that Church to-morrow !" 
 
 I threw down the ax, went to the house, and told 
 my wife that I was going to Peru the next day — 
 this being Saturday — to join the Methodists. She 
 expressed much surprise, and remonstrated strongly 
 against it ; said she would rather follow me to my 
 grave, etc. ; but I was decided in my course. She 
 then tried another method : "I would," said she, "join, 
 the Church with old T. and J!" These were two 
 poor men in the Church; T. was an excellent, pious 
 man ; but J. was not what he should have been. My 
 wife was not only affectionate, but pious ; and yet her 
 prejudices betrayed her into these remarks, so unlike 
 herself. And this may be taken as a fair illustration 
 of the feelings which other denominations enter- 
 tained toward the Methodists. They felt disgraced 
 if their friends joined them. I then told my wife 
 that she could have her liberty in relation to the mat- 
 ter, and I would take mine ; that she could have a 
 horse and go to her meetings whenever she wished ; 
 that if she would go with me to meeting, I would 
 wait on her as I had ever done ; but if she preferred 
 going to her own, we would go together as far as the 
 road would permit, and if we could fall in company 
 on our way home, I would be pleased to assist her as 
 formerly ; but to decline joining the Methodists, I 
 could not. It was my duty to join them several 
 years ago, but my friends were opposed to them, and 
 the pride of my heart had hindered me, etc. We 
 
38 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 both wept, but nothing could move me from my 
 purpose. I did go the next day, and made appli- 
 cation to be received into the Church, and, thank 
 God ! with all my unworthiness, they accepted me 
 and received me cordially to their Christian fellow- 
 ship. This occurred on the 13th day of June, A.D. 
 1807 ; and in October following, my wife joined 
 with me, and from that time we went on hand in 
 hand praising God. 
 
 Our place of meeting was six miles distant, but I 
 was absent only two Sabbaths in twelve months — 
 beside attending prayer meeting nearly every Wed- 
 nesday. These were blessed days to my soul ! God 
 was with us in very deed. As before remarked, our 
 neighbors were unusually kind, but cared nothing 
 for religion. When they heard I had joined the 
 Methodists, they said they were astonished that I 
 should be so deluded. They were ignorant of Meth- 
 odism, and unacquainted with Methodist people ; they 
 had heard something about them, but nothing good. 
 A scene of persecution ensued — manifested princi- 
 pally in petty annoyances. In those days the 
 Methodists held meeting every holiday — would 
 that it were so now — and, of course, myself and 
 family were there. One of my neighbors sent to 
 my house on Christmas day for a pair of bullet 
 molds, and was highly offended because we were 
 not at home. On New- Year's day he sent again, as 
 he wanted to go to a shooting-match — but found the 
 house locked. He was now more angry than before, 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. o\) 
 
 and said he " wished to God the house was burned 
 down, and Lewis burned up in it." He said we 
 were eternally gone to meeting, and would come to 
 nothing. 
 
 And just here permit me to record a remarkable 
 instance of prayer answered. On Sabbath night I 
 
 prayed earnestly for this neighbor, Mr. S , and 
 
 asked God to convict him so that he could neither 
 eat, sleep, nor work, till he sought religion. On 
 Monday, I made the same request — several times 
 during the day retiring into the grove, and pleading 
 with God to send his Holy Spirit and awaken Mr. 
 S to a sense of his sins, and trouble his con- 
 science so that he could neither eat, sleep, nor work. 
 
 On Tuesday Mr. S came to where I was, and 
 
 said that he had been up to his father-in-law's to 
 do some work, but felt so badly that he could not 
 get through with it. He told his father-in-law the 
 state of his mind, and the old gentleman replied that 
 he had been under conviction for six months. "But," 
 
 said Mr. S , " I know I can not live in this state 
 
 six weeks ; why, I can neither eat, sleep, nor work !" 
 
 I said to him, "Mr. S , your father-in-law might 
 
 have been under conviction six months, but not such 
 as yours — you are on the margin of conversion; 
 and if you will go with me into the grove, we will 
 engage in prayer, and God will pardon your sins." 
 " 0," said he, " Mr. Lewis, it can't be possible that 
 so much filth can be purged away in so short time !" 
 " Come with me and I will pray for you," said I, 
 
40 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 " and God will have mercy on your soul." We 
 walked together into the grove, and he kneeled down 
 with me. This encouraged me much, for I had 
 heard it remarked as an old saying, that if you could 
 get a Yankee on his knees he was half converted. 
 
 I commenced praying, and Mr. S manifested 
 
 deep feeling. I continued to plead with God in his 
 behalf, and he groaned and sobbed. His heart was 
 now broken up, and he poured forth, in the language 
 of confession and contrition, most bitter lamentations 
 for past follies, with earnest supplications for mercy 
 and pardon in the name of the precious Redeemer, 
 whom he had so often slighted. And, 0, the riches 
 of mercy ! God heard his penitent desire, pardoned 
 his sins, sent down the Holy Spirit, and filled him 
 with happiness, and he went home rejoicing in hope 
 of eternal life. 
 
 I now prevailed on the preacher to make an ap- 
 pointment at my house. He came and preached for 
 
 us, then came again and preached in Mr. S 's 
 
 barn, and soon formed a class, giving me the class- 
 book. The good work went on gloriously, so that 
 in a short period we had a good society of forty 
 members. This society was formed in the summer 
 of 1808. 
 
 About this time, my mind was greatly exercised 
 in relation to preaching the Gospel. Indeed, the 
 thought that I must preach had pressed upon my 
 mind for a long time, but there appeared so many 
 hinderances in the way, that I had not laid the 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 41 
 
 matter seriously to heart. Now, however, the subject 
 became one of moving interest — so much so that it 
 could not be put off without careful attention, and 
 conscientious decision. I felt that my spiritual en- 
 joyments, my usefulness, and my temporal prospects 
 were involved in the question, to say nothing of my 
 eternal interests. Prayerfully did I revolve the 
 question, "What shall I do?" To refuse positively, 
 I dare not ; and to undertake the great work seemed 
 impossible. An overwhelming sense of my want of 
 qualification for so important a calling, filled me 
 with fear and trembling. Having been reared in a 
 new country, where school advantages were scarce, 
 my education was defective, and my stock of general 
 knowledge necessarily limited. My embarrassment 
 was great. My brethren would often pray that God 
 would thrust me out to do my duty, yet I felt con- 
 scious that I knew not how to preach. Moreover, I 
 felt that if I preached at all, I must make a business 
 of it, enter the itinerancy and devote my life to the 
 work ; and the thought of subjecting an affectionate 
 wife and dear children to the privations and hard- 
 ships incident to the circumstances of the family of a 
 Methodist traveling preacher, was to me very painful. 
 I knew not how to go, and to stay at the hazard of 
 disobeying God, I felt that I could not. But, after 
 many severe mental conflicts, my mind was made up 
 that if the Church would give me license, I would go 
 out into the wide world and call sinners to repent- 
 ance. In the month of March, 1809, the preacher — 
 
42 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 Rev. Samuel Draper, of the New York confer- 
 ence, the brother who took me into the Church — 
 left the circuit ; and having previously licensed me 
 to exhort, gave me liberty to preach, and employed 
 me to fill the appointments on the circuit, till the 
 preachers should arrive from conference. The door 
 was now fairly open, and, in the name and strength 
 of God, I started out to commence the work which, 
 in the providence of God, was to " make my heart 
 rejoice, and spend the remnant of my days." I 
 completed my engagement; and, when conference 
 was over, there proved to be a vacancy on the 
 Fletcher circuit, on the eastern side of Lake Cham- 
 plain, which the presiding elder employed me to 
 fill till the first quarterly meeting, at which time 
 the brother appointed from conference would arrive. 
 I attended quarterly meeting on Saturday, and 
 received a regular license to preach, and on Monday, 
 started for the circuit. 
 
 My trials of mind at this time were very great. 
 The mingled emotions to which the circumstances 
 surrounding me gave rise, kept me in continual 
 agitation. But while crossing the Lake, I strove 
 to give myself up entirely to God and his work. 
 My sincere prayer to God was, that he would make 
 me useful. I lifted my heart to him, and promised 
 that if he would raise up one soul to testify that 
 my labors had been instrumental in his or her con- 
 version, I would travel all the year, provided there 
 should be an opening. I arrived upon the circuit, 
 
A SUPERAiNNUATE. 43 
 
 and found my colleague, Rev. 0. Sikes, a deeply pious 
 man and good preacher. He furnished me with a list 
 of the appointments. My first one was at the house 
 of Deacon Thurston, on the river Samile, in Vermont. 
 Sabbath came, and, after preaching as well as I could, 
 it was suggested to me that a thousand such sermons 
 would be of no benefit to any one. Mortified and 
 humbled, I would gladly have hidden myself, if it had 
 been possible; but the class must be met. Without 
 this, our work was never considered done in those 
 days. I proceeded to the afternoon appointment 
 with my mind under a cloud, thinking of the dis- 
 grace brought upon myself and the cause of religion. 
 I prayed and wept; and, on coming round in two 
 weeks, found an old lady happy in God, saying that, 
 under that sermon, she was awakened, and had found 
 peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ ! This 
 encouraged my poor heart, and brought to remem- 
 brance the pledge made to God, that if he would 
 raise up one soul to testify that my labors were 
 instrumental in his or her conversion, I would travel 
 the whole year, if there should be an opening. I felt 
 that God's seal was now placed upon my humble 
 efforts, and desired to follow the leadings of his 
 providence, to whatever labor or sacrifice he might 
 call me. 
 
 At the first quarterly meeting the preacher came 
 on, as was expected. We had a glorious meeting, 
 resulting in several conversions. The presiding elder 
 then took me with him into Lower Canada, to travel 
 
44 EECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 with brother Whiting on Dunham circuit, for the pur- 
 pose of turning it into a four weeks' circuit. Here 
 I found the country new, the people poor, and fear- 
 fully wicked. I preached in townships that had been 
 settled seven and nine years, and never a sermon in 
 them till that fall. The people were very shy of us — 
 so much so, that we found some difficulty in holding 
 conversations with them respecting their souls. I 
 
 went into the township of Stukely to Mr. L 's. 
 
 He wanted preaching at his house, but his wife was 
 violently opposed to it. She said she would not har- 
 bor the lazy Methodist preachers, who were going 
 about the country getting money and picking people's 
 pockets. I staid all night, however, and conversed 
 
 with Mr. L in reference to the salvation of his 
 
 soul — his wife retiring early, determined not to har- 
 bor Methodist preachers. The next morning — Sab- 
 bath — the people came in, and I preached to them 
 from 2 Corinthians v, 17 : " Therefore, if any man be 
 
 in Christ, he is a new creature." But Mrs. L 
 
 shut herself up in another room, determined not to 
 hear. We had an intermission, and then preaching 
 again. In the afternoon, I traveled through the 
 woods some distance, and at night preached from, 
 "This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them." 
 Here the family had no religion, but desired to have 
 preaching. They treated me with so much kindness 
 that I felt quite at home with them. 
 
 Thus I passed once around the circuit, a stranger 
 in a strange land ; but God was with me, the strength 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 45 
 
 of my heart, a very present help in trouble; and his 
 strong arm sustained me. 
 
 I was now in the British dominions, and often sat 
 and heard many hard things said against the Govern- 
 ment of the United States — the Government of my 
 own beloved, my native land. This was a source of 
 great pain to me, but the only alternative was to sub- 
 mit and bear it. If I should utter a word of objec- 
 tion against their form of government, they would 
 immediately say, "You must not talk so here; we 
 are bound to inform against you." 
 
 On my second round, the aspect of things was more 
 pleasing. I now found some to bid me welcome to 
 their houses with smiling faces. Soon God gave me 
 
 the hearts of the people, and even Mrs. L , who 
 
 would not hear me preach on the first round, was 
 converted, joined the Church, and became an honored 
 mother in our Israel. Her house became one of the 
 best homes for the toiling itinerant that could be found 
 in the country. But while in this province, I suffered 
 extremely from the cold. I would often sleep in open 
 cabins where the snow would cover the bed, and with 
 too light clothing for the season; sometimes in an 
 open loft where the wind had full sweep. On the 
 older part of the circuit, however, I found better 
 accommodations; for I found some old, well-tried 
 Methodists, faithfully serving God night and day. 
 Among these, I may name the Bigelow family — pa- 
 rents of the lamented Russell Bigelow — a most ex- 
 cellent family, and a blessed home for the weary 
 
46 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 herald of the cross. Here were grandmother, fa- 
 ther, mother, two sons, and three or four daughters, 
 all pious. We would hold family prayer meeting 
 every time I came to stop with them, and I always 
 obtained an increase of strength. Here also was a 
 family of the name of Anderson, whose house was 
 open for the preacher. One daughter belonged to 
 the Church. She would always hold family worship 
 when the preacher was not present. I met with her 
 a few years ago, living in Springfield, Ohio. She was 
 a widow, still holding fast her profession — took great 
 pleasure in talking over olden times, and relating the 
 dealings of God with her. 
 
 During this year, I lost my horse ; then walked and 
 preached two and three times a day, for two weeks. 
 Previous to this, I had never but once walked the dis- 
 tance of seven miles at one time. I bought another 
 horse, for which I paid all the money I had, gave up 
 my watch, gave my note for the balance, and hired 
 five dollars to bear my expenses home. We had no 
 missionary societies in those days. 
 
 I remember, while on this circuit, preaching at a 
 brother's house, where I had but little feeling; my 
 mind was beclouded, and religious enjoyments fled. 
 I had another appointment at night, where a lady 
 belonged whose husband was greatly opposed to us, 
 and would not allow her to attend the meetings. 
 Several of the friends started with me to this ap- 
 pointment, but I should have preferred being alone. 
 My mind was much beclouded. I tried to think of 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 47 
 
 some subject on which to dwell, but all was as dark as 
 midnight. I could think of nothing to say — the Bible 
 was a sealed book to me, and my mind was depressed 
 with grief. I reviewed my past life, looked into my 
 heart, felt anxious to know the cause of this distress- 
 ing darkness, but could detect no neglect of known 
 duty, nor did I realize any condemnation. In this 
 state of feeling I arrived at the house where the ap- 
 pointment was, retired to a private room, fell upon my 
 knees in prayer, and pleaded with God for light — but 
 all was darkness before me. I continued to wrestle, 
 groan, and struggle in supplication before the Lord, 
 till the congregation assembled. The people were 
 now waiting; the agony of my soul was inexpressi- 
 ble ; but I determined not to rise from my knees till 
 God should bless me. At length faith prevailed, and, 
 suddenly as the spark from smitten steel, light flashed 
 into my heart! It seemed as though a ball of celes- 
 tial fire burst upon my head, and ran through my 
 soul ! " This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with 
 them," rushed into my mind. I rose up, entered the 
 room to the presence of the people, and said, "God 
 will let down his power in the congregation ! " That 
 wicked man, who hindered his wife from attending her 
 meetings, happened to be present, and as I uttered 
 these words, the power of God struck his heart. I 
 preached with great freedom, and, after preaching, 
 we labored with this poor, convicted sinner, till God, 
 for Christ's sake, pardoned all his sins. We had a 
 shout in the camp. "0 come, let us sing unto the 
 
48 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 Lord: let us make a joyful noise unto the Rock of 
 our salvation." 
 
 I closed my first year of itinerant labor, having 
 received toward supporting myself and family, con- 
 sisting of my wife and three children, the sum of 
 thirty-six dollars, quarterage, and about seventeen 
 dollars given by friends toward making up the loss 
 of my horse. These were times that tried men's 
 souls and bodies too. 
 
 I returned to the bosom of my family, thankful to 
 God that our lives were preserved, and spent some 
 time visiting old friends, and preaching to them the 
 Gospel of peace. And here let me give glory to God 
 for the good that was done through the instrument- 
 ality of my feeble labors. I saw a large number of 
 souls happily converted to God, and took many into 
 the Church. Doubtless, ere this, some of them are 
 singing the song of Moses and the Lamb, high up in 
 glory. Lord, keep me faithful till death releases me 
 from earth, that I may meet them in the glorious 
 world above! 
 
 " There is a land where grief can never come, 
 Nor sorrows press the heavy -laden heart ; 
 There friends shall meet in an eternal home, 
 And from each other never more shall part." 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 49 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 FLETCHER CIRCUIT-UNDER THE ELDER. 
 
 At the session of the New York conference for the 
 year 1810, there was a vacancy left for me on the 
 Fletcher circuit, where I traveled under the direction 
 of the presiding elder. This was the circuit on which 
 I labored prior to the first quarterly meeting of the 
 previous year. My first acquaintance there, though 
 short, was very happy. I was much pleased with the 
 people, and they gave me a hearty welcome to their 
 circuit. My colleague this year was Rev. Francis 
 Brown — a worthy little brother, faithful and well 
 received. We labored together in great harmony, 
 and were permitted to see the work of the Lord glo- 
 riously revive — sinners were pricked in their hearts, 
 cried for mercy, and found redemption in the blood 
 of Christ, even the forgiveness of sins according to 
 the riches of his grace. 
 
 Methodism had now gained a pretty strong hold on 
 the affections of the people, but all opposition was 
 not yet broken down in that quarter. In common 
 with all true disciples of Christ, we had to contend 
 with the world, the flesh, and the devil, and, in addi- 
 tion, with some who professed to be Christians. In 
 
50 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 other denominations, among ministers and members, 
 were many found to cry out against us. I am sorry 
 to record this fact. The recollection of it is painful 
 to my heart. But my old Baptist and Presbyterian 
 friends know that what I affirm of the state of things, 
 forty and fifty years ago, is strictly and literally 
 true. But, thank God! I have lived to see the day 
 when those who were most violently opposed to us, 
 give us the right hand of fellowship. Say not that 
 the former days were better than these. Thank 
 Heaven ! light is increasing, darkness recedes, the 
 power of bigotry is broken, truth prevails, error falls 
 to the ground, and let all the people say, Amen. 
 
 My family lived in Peru, on the west side of Lake 
 Champlain, and my circuit was on the eastern side ; 
 of course, I was absent from my family most of the 
 time. The circuit was large, containing from twenty- 
 five to thirty appointments to be filled every four 
 weeks. Generally, I could spend one or two days 
 with my family in two months. My whole time was 
 given up to God and his cause. We met with oppo- 
 sition wherever we went, but God laid to his helping 
 hand, and added to our numbers daily, so that the 
 despised Methodists were happy and prosperous, 
 walking in the light of the Lord. 
 
 At Waterbury, the society had been for some time 
 in a cold state; but the set time to favor Zion at this 
 place was come. I went to brother Jones's, where the 
 preaching was held, and spent a happy night with 
 the family. The next morning, Sabbath, the people 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. ,51 
 
 collected as usual, and I opened the service with 
 singing and prayer, then read the text — Isaiah xl, 
 9-11 — and proceeded to expound it as well as I 
 was able ; and while I yet spoke, " the Holy Ghost 
 fell on all them which heard the word." God reveal- 
 ed himself in great power — sinners were cut to the 
 heart and cried for mercy. The membership awoke 
 and prayed to God mightily, and the glory of the 
 Lord filled the whole house where we were assembled. 
 About. twenty were awakened and cried for mercy, 
 and, God be praised ! they did not cry in vain. God 
 heard our prayers, poured out his Spirit, and shed 
 his love abroad in penitent, broken hearts. I 
 remained and labored with the seekers as long as 
 duty would permit, and then went on to my after- 
 noon appointment, filled with faith and the Holy 
 Ghost. There were, perhaps, more souls awakened 
 here than under any one sermon I ever preached. 
 
 Once, while preaching in S , in a barn — the men 
 
 sitting on one side and the women on the other — 
 the power of God came down like the rushing of a 
 mighty wind, and the people fell like men slain in 
 battle. JSTearly half the congregation were on the 
 floor crying for mercy, or shouting the high praises 
 of God. 
 
 But notwithstanding these evidences of God's bless- 
 ing upon my labors, I was often tempted to think he 
 had never called me to this work. I often wished that 
 no one had heard me say I thought it my duty to 
 preach, and thought if I were to begin again, I would 
 
52 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 keep it to myself. But now I was committed, and 
 the Church had called me out, and I knew not how 
 to draw back. I frequently prayed to God, that if he 
 had called me to preach, he would send down his sin- 
 slaying power in the congregation; and I seldom 
 asked for such witness, but, before my sermon ended, 
 one, and sometimes a dozen persons would fall to the 
 floor. Still, when I looked into the Bible, and saw 
 the depth of divine truth, its precious pearls lying so 
 far beyond my reach, the contemplation so impressed 
 my mind with a sense of my unfitness for the work 
 of the ministry, that I did look upon myself as one 
 having run before he was sent. I seemed like a 
 man standing upon the earth, looking down into the 
 deep mines of gold, viewing the precious metal far 
 beneath his grasp, while he was only permitted to 
 pick up some bits here and there which lay near 
 the surface. 
 
 And, my brethren, it is not a light thing to be a 
 minister of the Gospel. "When we think of standing 
 between God and the souls of men dead in tres- 
 passes and sins, to teach them to escape hell and gain 
 heaven — when we think of being made a mouth-piece 
 for God, and of the account we must give to him in 
 the great day, as to how and what we have preached 
 — and when we remember that our preaching will be 
 a savor of life unto life, or of death unto death, we 
 may well exclaim with St. Paul, "Who is sufficient 
 for these things !" Yerily, " our sufficiency is of 
 God," who hath said, "My grace is sufficient for 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 53 
 
 thee." Thank God ! after forty-seven years' expe- 
 rience in the blessed work, I am now happy, and 
 would that all the world might come and see how 
 good the Lord is. Salvation to God and the Lamb ! 
 
 This year we took in a new appointment, in the 
 town of Jericho, a gentleman living near having 
 opened his house for our entertainment. I spent 
 many happy nights with this man and his old lady. 
 They had never experienced religion, but were pleased 
 to have us preach in the neighborhood. As we held 
 forth the word of life in this place, some mocked, but 
 others listened with attention ; for our doctrine was 
 entirely new to them. The people had been taught, 
 in lieu of the Gospel, that God foreordained whatso- 
 ever comes to pass — that he had, from all eternity, 
 elected a certain and definite number to eternal life, 
 and foreordained the rest to eternal death — that the 
 number of each class was particularly and unchang- 
 ably designed, and so certain and definite that it 
 could not be increased or diminished. One day, at 
 the close of preaching here, a man rose up in the 
 congregation and said, " God has his elect, and he 
 gave his Son to die for them, and for them only; and 
 St. Paul says, 'If I or an angel from heaven preach 
 any other Gospel, let him be accursed.' ' I replied, 
 " Paul says, ' Therefore, as by the offense of one, 
 judgment came upon all men to condemnation ; even 
 so by the righteousness of one, the free gift came 
 upon all men unto justification of life;' and, 'We see 
 Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels 
 
54 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 for the suffering of death, crowned "with glory and 
 honor, that he, by the grace of God, should taste 
 death for every man;' and, again, in speaking of 
 Christ, he says, that ' he gave himself a ransom for 
 all, to be testified in due time.' And now, sir, the 
 due time has come, and I am sent to testify this glo- 
 rious truth to all men, and you are found preaching 
 ' another Gospel,' and upon you the curse must 
 fall." 
 
 When I came round to this point again, a friend 
 
 told me that he had asked a Mr. S. W why he 
 
 did not come out to hear me preach. His reply was, 
 " The Methodists are not fit to preach — they are a 
 poor, ignorant set, not fit to preach in any polite 
 place ; but if they can get a lot of ignorant old 
 women together, in some corner of the town, they 
 will do to preach to them. I would like to see your 
 Mr. Lewis." After preaching, notice was given that 
 there would be a prayer meeting at the house of Mr. 
 
 W , father to the S. "VV above mentioned, 
 
 that evening. Mr. W sent word to his son that 
 
 there would be a conference meeting at his house that 
 night — that the Methodist preacher was to be there, 
 and he — the father — would like to have him — the 
 son — attend. I opened the meeting, and in some 
 introductory remarks, took occasion to notice two 
 extremes into which men sometimes fall ; namely, 
 Pharisaism and Antinomianism. Said I, " The Phar- 
 isee will tell us he is going to heaven by his works, 
 and the Antinomian rushes to the opposite extreme, 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 55 
 
 discarding works altogether, and claims salvation by 
 faith alone ; but St. James sets both right when he 
 says, f Show me thy faith without thy works, and I 
 will show thee my faith by my works.' Faith and 
 works must go together. Our faith must be ' of the 
 operation of God, producing good works.'" After 
 
 the meeting closed, S. W and myself entered 
 
 into friendly conversation ; but he soon introduced 
 his favorite notions, no doubt for the purpose of 
 exciting controversy; and to give the reader an 
 idea of the readiness of Calvinists to attack us, and 
 of the manner of their disputations, and with the 
 method adopted for the purpose of setting aside their 
 speculations, I give the substance of what passed on 
 this occasion : 
 
 L. " I heard Mr. Denison preach a fine sermon 
 the other evening." 
 
 W. " Did you, indeed ! Was he dwelling on the 
 doctrine of particular election?" 
 
 L. " No, sir ; if he had been, I should probably 
 not have been so well pleased, as I do not believe 
 in the doctrine of fate — that God, for his own glory, 
 foreordained whatsoever comes to pass." 
 
 W. " That is what you call the doctrine of fate, 
 is it? Well, I never could see how it is possible that 
 any man can have consistent views of the character 
 of God, without believing him to be infinite in knowl- 
 edge." 
 
 L. " I do not doubt that God is infinite in knowl- 
 edge." 
 
56 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 W. " Well, I never could see how God could know 
 a thing unless he had decreed that it should be." 
 
 L. " Do you believe God is as wise as man ?" 
 
 W. " Yes, I believe God is infinite in knowledge." 
 
 L. " Do you not remember that man foretold 
 that in June, 1806, there would be an eclipse of 
 the sun? And was it not fulfilled exactly to the 
 day and hour ?" 
 
 W. "Yes; I recollect it all." 
 
 L. " Well, did the man decree that the sun should 
 be eclipsed at that time ?" 
 
 W. "No, of course, he did not." 
 
 L. " Then if man may foreknow a thing without 
 decreeing it, may not God likewise ? But, sir, it 
 is your doctrine that denies the infinitude of the 
 knowledge of God." 
 
 W. " How do you make that out ?" 
 
 L. "Do you not believe that the knowledge and 
 decree of God, are one and the same?" 
 
 W. " Yes, certainly." 
 
 L. " Well, wherever there is a decree, there must 
 be a being who makes it, and the author of a decree 
 must exist prior to the decree which he makes. 
 Now, God is the author of his own decrees, and he 
 existed before they were made ; and his decrees and 
 knowledge being the same, it follows that he existed 
 before his knowledge ; or, in other words, if he could 
 not know any thing before he decreed that it should 
 be, the time he existed prior to his decrees was a 
 time in which he knew nothing ! But herein, sir. 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 57 
 
 is the mistake. Knowledge and decree are not one 
 •and the same. Knowledge is an attribute of the 
 Divine nature, and decree is an act or purpose of 
 the Divine mind. Then, if a decree is an act or 
 purpose of the Divine mind, there must have been 
 a time when it was enacted or purposed, and a time 
 previous to that when it was not jet enacted or pur- 
 posed ; and if the decree is the same as knowledge, 
 there must have been a time when there was no 
 knowledge, simply because there was a time when 
 there was no decree." 
 
 W. "Well, I can not clear it up, but if Mr. D. 
 was here, he could clear it up." 
 
 L. "No, sir; I beg leave to say that Mr. D. 
 can not clear it up ; neither can any other man, in 
 harmony with the doctrines of Calvinism. But, 
 Mr. W , you are a Universalist !" 
 
 W. "No, sir, I am no Universalist." 
 
 L. " Does any thing take place in the world con- 
 trary to the will of God?" 
 
 W. " Nothing ; he worketh all things after the 
 counsel of his own will." 
 
 L. " Then all men do the will of God, do they not?" 
 
 W. " 0, yes, of course." 
 
 L. " Well, the Savior said, ' If any man do the 
 will of my Father, the same is my brother, my sister, 
 and my mother ;' and these words denote the most 
 intimate union with him — a union which, if we pos- 
 sess it, will enable us to overcome all our enemies, 
 and entitle us to reign with him forever. True, 
 
58 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 we can not overcome and reign with him, unless we 
 do his will. But you say, all do his will ; and if they 
 do, they will most certainly all be saved." 
 
 The above conversation took place in the presence 
 of the congregation. The people listened attentively, 
 and we all parted in friendship. 
 
 We preached on St. Albans Point, where we had 
 an excellent society. Here were brother Brooks, 
 the two Duntons and their wives, brother Green, 
 who finally became a local preacher, and brother 
 Veets, then an excellent local preacher. He sub- 
 sequently settled in the northern part of Ohio, and 
 died some years ago in the faith of the Gospel. He 
 was a charming man, and greatly beloved. The 
 members of this society were much persecuted. They 
 could find no protection against outrage from their 
 enemies, by appealing to the law ; because the officers 
 thought that Methodists ought not to be protected 
 in their worship. One of the brothers Dunton told 
 me he had been compelled to run his horse all the 
 way home from the county-seat, in order to escape 
 the fury of the mob — and that, when called to the 
 seat of justice to attend court ; and for no other 
 reason than that he was a Methodist. Nevertheless, 
 God blessed them, and they flourished like olive- 
 trees planted in the courts of the Lord's house. 
 They were a little Church founded upon solid rock, 
 and " the gates of hell could not prevail against " 
 them. " Bless the Lord, my soul, and all that is 
 within me bless his holy name !" 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 59 
 
 One beautiful Sabbath morning of the summer of 
 this year, I was preaching on the Point in a barn, 
 when a number of young people came over in a boat 
 from Georgia township, in Vermont, among whom 
 was a young gentleman of the name of Nicholas 
 White, who was engaged in teaching school. They 
 came on a sort of pleasure excursion, but the atten- 
 tion of this young man was arrested, and he looked 
 and listened with astonishment. He was awakened, 
 and soon afterward gave his name as a probationer 
 for membership in the Church. lie then invited me 
 to go over and preach in his school-house. This I 
 did on the day he joined, and at the end of the 
 sermon called on him to close the meeting with 
 prayer. This was putting him to work very soon, 
 but I knew that if he was converted he must pray ; 
 and being in the neighborhood of his friends, I 
 thought that to have him thus decidedly commit 
 himself to the service of God, would have a salu- 
 tary effect both upon himself and others ; and I was 
 not mistaken. He was faithful, and soon obtained 
 license to exhort — then to preach — then he became 
 a member of the New York conference, and, if 
 living, is still a member of that honored body of 
 self-denying men of God. Notwithstanding the oppo- 
 sition we received from the people of St. Albans, 
 and in the neighborhood, before leaving the circuit 
 I preached in the town ; and, a few years after 
 this, the place became a station, which has been 
 well sustained. God can work and none can hin- 
 
60 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 der. " The wrath of man shall praise him, and 
 the remainder of wrath he will restrain." 
 
 While on this circuit, a brother obtained the priv- 
 ilege from the officers, and made an appointment for 
 me in the town-house, in Fairfield. This town was 
 occupied by Presbyterians; and as soon as the min- 
 ister heard of my appointment, he determined to 
 crowd me out and preach himself. The brother who 
 made the appointment for me, came and informed 
 me of the fact, and inquired if I would yield. I 
 told him I should preach at the time appointed. 
 I went to the place before the hour, selected my 
 text and hymn, and waited for the congregation ; 
 but when the minister and his company came in, I 
 rose up and commenced the service. Upon seeing 
 my firmness, and the start I had of them, they 
 sat down and quietly listened, while I preached from 
 John iv, 14 : " But whosoever drinketh of the water 
 that I shall give him, shall never thirst; but the 
 water that I shall give him, shall be in him a well 
 of water springing up into everlasting life." This, I 
 believe, was the first Methodist sermon ever preached 
 in that town. 
 
 In the course of the same year, I was invited to 
 preach in another town which had never been visited 
 by the Methodists. Here a gentleman of consider- 
 able wealth and influence, living in the place, took 
 my arm, saying it might not be safe for me to walk 
 the street alone. He had no religion, yet he was 
 in favor of liberty of conscience — wished to hear 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 61 
 
 for himself — and determined that those of his neigh- 
 
 o 
 
 bors who wished to hear Methodist preaching, should 
 have the opportunity. Thus God raised up for us 
 friends in the midst of our enemies. 
 
 And here let me say that those were the days 
 of real prosperity to our Zion. True, we had but 
 comparatively few members, yet what we had were 
 of the right stamp. Worldly men would not join 
 us through sinister motives. No influx of pride and 
 folly had yet corrupted her communion, endangering 
 the spirituality, life and power of her simple worship. 
 Seldom did any unite with us without a mind made 
 up to serve God through life, and to follow Christ 
 through evil report as well as good. In the midst 
 of opposition, we were the happiest people on earth. 
 We loved God and each other, took joyfully the 
 reproaches of the world, and delighted greatly in 
 the services of the sanctuary. " How amiable are 
 thy tabernacles, Lord of hosts !" This was the lan- 
 guage of our hearts. Methodists would go forty and 
 fifty miles to quarterly meetings. These were our 
 great festivals. Here we renewed our covenants 
 with God and his people, obtained encouragement 
 and strength in our souls, and rejoiced together in 
 the salvation of God. " that men would praise the 
 Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works 
 to the children of men!" Truly our fellowship was 
 with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 
 
 At the close of the year of toil and privation, I 
 found that God's grace had been all-sufficient, and 
 
62 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 returned to my family, having received the sum of 
 sixty-five dollars and some cents, quarterage, and 
 about five dollars' worth of presents. And how 
 thankful I was that a kind Providence had pre- 
 served us all alive and in health, to see the close 
 of the conference year ! And how forcibly does 
 the winding up of the year's labor remind the itin- 
 erant of the truth that here we have no continuing 
 city ! Then he sees the shortness of time, the vanity 
 of the world, and feels the importance of being ready 
 for the close of life, and for the judgment-day, when 
 he shall give account of his stewardship. God 
 grant that, as the revolving years roll us onward to 
 the judgment-seat, we may so acquit ourselves as 
 to triumph over the evils that surround us, and be 
 able to sing — 
 
 Away with our sorrow and fear, 
 
 We soon shall recover our home ! 
 The city of saints shall appear — ■ 
 
 The day of eternity come. 
 From earth we shall quickly remove, 
 
 And mount to our native abode ; 
 The house of our Father above — ■ 
 
 The palace of angels and God." 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 63 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 GRAND ISLE CIRCUIT. 
 
 Having traveled two years under the presiding 
 elder, and having made up my mind to continue in 
 the work, if an opening should present itself — indi- 
 cating that it was the will of God that I should, I 
 now offered myself to the New York conference, and 
 in May, 1811, was admitted on trial, and appointed 
 to the Grand Isle circuit, on Lake Champlain. This 
 was a two weeks' circuit, including the South Hero, 
 the Middle, the North Hero, the Vineyard, and a 
 point of land which ran down into Canada. The 
 scenery was picturesque — well calculated to impress 
 the mind with sentiments of reverence, and lead to 
 admiration of the wisdom and goodness of the Cre- 
 ator in beautifying the earth with so much pleasing 
 variety. 
 
 I moved my family, and situated them on the 
 circuit, by renting a small room with the privilege 
 of setting a bed in the loft. We found ourselves in 
 very narrow quarters. In order to get out, we must 
 pass through three doors, and when the wind blew 
 from a certain point of the compass, our chimney 
 had a powerful draught — the wrong way. On such 
 occasions, our only alternative was to extinguish the 
 
64 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 fire, and dispense with it till the wind changed. "And 
 did you live ?" Yes, and we still live, and, thank 
 God ! that Methodist preachers are not obliged to 
 situate their families now, as we were then. We 
 look upon the change, and with gratitude exclaim, 
 "What hath God wrought !" 
 
 We lived on the South Island, where we formed 
 agreeable acquaintance with several families who 
 treated us kindly, and sought to make us as com- 
 fortable as circumstances would permit. Here were 
 two families of the name of Lauden, two of the 
 name of Jones, brother Rackets, and others, many 
 of whom are gone to rest. The numerous virtues 
 of these disciples of Christ, with whom we used to 
 mingle in worship, are embalmed among the heart's 
 choicest memories. 
 
 I had an appointment in a small village in Canada, 
 where we occupied a large school-house, in which 
 also a reverend gentleman of another persuasion 
 sometimes officiated. I was in the habit of urging 
 my hearers to " cleanse themselves from all filthiness 
 of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the 
 fear of God." Yea, I insisted that "the blood of 
 Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin." But the 
 reverend gentleman took exceptions, and thought 
 it his duty to enlighten the people in reference to 
 this matter. He came and delivered a wonder- 
 ful sermon — and wonderful it was — for the pur- 
 pose of destroying all our anticipations of deliver- 
 ance from sin through the blood of Christ, without 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 65 
 
 the assistance of the purgatorial power of the " king 
 of terrors." In describing the righteous, he said, 
 " I do not know whether I am of the character or 
 not, but this much I do know : I have the proudest 
 heart of any man in the world ; yea, my heart is 
 deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked ; 
 yea, I have committed sin enough in one prayer 
 to damn a thousand souls ; yea, further, I have 
 committed sin enough standing here preaching this 
 sermon to damn a world !" This was doing it 
 after the old style. 
 
 When I came round to my appointment, a friend 
 told me what had occurred, and described the 
 sermon. I proceeded to preach from Prov. xxviii, 
 13 : " He that covereth his sins shall not prosper : 
 but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have 
 mercy." 
 
 The preacher alluded to was present, expecting 
 me to say something of his sermon. After speak- 
 ing of the different methods by which men cover 
 their sins, I noticed the duty of confession. Under 
 this head, I remarked that some men confess more 
 than they were ever guilty of — they make them- 
 selves out worse than they really are. " Did you 
 
 not," said I, " hear the Rev. Mr. say here, 
 
 the other day, that he had the proudest heart in 
 the world — that his heart was deceitful above all 
 things, and desperately wicked — that he had com- 
 mitted sin enough in one prayer to damn a thousand 
 souls — 'that he had committed sin enough standing 
 
66 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 here preaching that one sermon to damn a world! 
 Now, if that man told the truth, I advise him never 
 to pray again, unless he asks God to give him a 
 better heart; and never to preach another sermon, 
 for if he keeps on in his present course, he will 
 damn a great many souls ; and I, for one, do not 
 wish to be damned by any man's preaching or pray- 
 ing." I told the congregation that I had a better 
 opinion of these men than they appear to have of 
 themselves* — that they were not near so bad as they 
 pretended, but that it was a kind of " voluntary 
 humility," which prompted them to tell how bad 
 they supposed themselves to be. There was as 
 much impropriety in confessing too much as too 
 little ; we should be honest, confess all, but no more 
 and no less ; and if we thus come before God with 
 deep humility of soul, trusting only in the merits 
 of Jesus Christ for acceptance, we shall obtain 
 salvation ; for the text says, " Whoso confesseth 
 and forsaketh his sins shall have mercy." 
 
 The preacher took it all in good part, simply 
 remarking that I had sent him to hell and prayed 
 him out again. The friends treated me well here; 
 they welcomed me to their houses, sympathized with 
 me in all my cares and toils, and I have no doubt 
 prayed the divine blessing upon me. 
 
 In August we held a camp meeting on North 
 Island. On Saturday night, the rowdies gave us 
 considerable trouble. I found it necessary to be on 
 my feet continually, to prevent depredations. The 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 67 
 
 labor and anxiety so completely exhausted me that 
 I thought I should never have another such meeting 
 in the bounds of my work. But Sabbath was a 
 blessed day. There was an immense concourse of 
 people present, and the preaching was in the de- 
 monstration and power of the Holy Ghost. Sabbath 
 night, the rowdies left, and the display of Divine 
 power in the congregation was great. Sinners were 
 convicted and converted to God. Like Jacob, we 
 said, " The Lord is in this place, and we knew it 
 not." The scene reminded us of the words of the 
 Lord to Moses, " Put off thy shoes from off thy feet, 
 for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground." 
 The grove was made vocal with the high praises of 
 God. Then I thought I should be willing to hold 
 a camp meeting every quarter. 
 
 God be praised that camp meetings were ever 
 thought of! Their origin, the reader will recollect, 
 was entirely providential. Many attend these meet- 
 ings, and hear the Gospel, who would not go to 
 preaching on ordinary occasions ; and doubtless there 
 are souls in heaven singing the song of Moses and 
 the Lamb, who, but for these extraordinary services, 
 might have lived and died in sin, and sunk down 
 to perdition. I knew a man in the state of New 
 York, who was quite wicked, and seldom attended 
 divine worship of any kind — but went to camp 
 meeting, and acted for some time as ringleader 
 among the profane, and then came into the congre- 
 gation ; and while standing with his back to a tree, 
 
68 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 looking upon the scene before him, the power of 
 God smote him — flashing conviction upon his mind 
 and heart ; and there he stood as if petrified, and 
 almost cold as dead. Before the meeting closed, 
 he was happily converted, joined the Church, and 
 in a short time was preaching the unsearchable 
 riches of Christ. "But he was one of the elect," 
 says the Calvinistic objector, " and would have been 
 brought in any how !" Hold, brother ! do you not 
 believe " God has foreordained whatsoever comes to 
 pass?" Then please remember, camp meetings come 
 to pass. 
 
 What thrilling, soul-cheering times I have experi- 
 enced in the tented grove ! The contemplation of 
 these gives me, even now, a new spring of joy and 
 gladness. There the best spirits of our Zion assem- 
 bled, and after spending several days in devout 
 worship, gathering new strength, building up the 
 feeble, and pointing the inquiring to the fountain 
 of life, they went out to spread the flame of their 
 new zeal among their associates in different and 
 distant parts. Thus an influence for good was 
 often sent out from the camp meeting which subse- 
 quently resulted in the conversion of souls who had 
 not been there at all. I received quite a number 
 into the Church, as the fruits of this camp meeting, 
 beside the general increase of piety among the old 
 members. 
 
 During the winter, we held a quarterly meeting 
 in brother L 's barn. u What, hold quarterly 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 69 
 
 meeting in a barn, in the dead of winter?" Yes, 
 reader, I have attended a number of such. On those 
 occasions we had crowds of people, and no meeting- 
 house. We would then resort to the barn, and, giving 
 the floor to the women, the men would take the loft, 
 sit close together, with hearts warmed with divine 
 love, and sing, and pray, and shout the praise of 
 God, with hearty good-will. At this meeting we 
 were favored with some divine influence, and closed 
 with rather an upward tendency. 
 
 The preacher on Fletcher circuit, brother B , 
 
 proposed to change with me one round — and as that 
 was my field of labor, the previous year, and as a 
 number on my circuit desired baptism, which I was 
 not authorized to administer, being yet unordained — 
 
 I consented to the proposal. Brother B came 
 
 on, and while preaching in a school-house, one even- 
 ing, there was a young lady standing and warming 
 herself, when a young man stepped up by her side 
 and said, "Good evening, Miss." Having been well 
 reared, the young lady deigned him no reply, but 
 turned away in disgust. He then sat down and com- 
 menced talking to others; whereupon, brother B 
 
 said to him, " Can you not be still?" He replied, 
 "If you could squeeze the brandy out of me and 
 bottle it up, perhaps I might." Said the preacher, 
 "I wish, sir, you would hold your peace." Then 
 clinching a writing-desk, he replied, " I am holding 
 a small piece, and will hold it as long as I can." 
 Said brother B , " Is there not some one here 
 
70 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 that will put that young man out of the house?" The 
 young man replied, "You would preach half a dozen 
 sermons easier than you would put me out of the 
 house." The reader will discover in this an exempli- 
 fication of the words of Solomon, " Wine is a mocker, 
 strong drink is raging, and whoso is deceived thereby 
 is not wise." This young man, with his associates, 
 went and complained of themselves, and saved half 
 their fine. For, Methodists as we were, we could en- 
 joy some legal protection at this place. But I ought 
 to say that this is not a fair specimen of the young 
 men on the island. Generally they were well reared, 
 and treated us with respect; but wherever young men 
 have unrestrained access to ardent spirits, some of 
 the "baser sort" will ruin themselves, and disgrace 
 the community. 
 
 Brother B left some of my appointments and 
 
 went home; so, on returning and finding the work 
 neglected, I discovered that I would better have 
 remained on my own circuit ; and from that time to 
 this, I have not entered into another such an arrange- 
 ment. Some time after this, I met with brother 
 
 B and complained to him for leaving my work. 
 
 He replied, "Well, I am a poor, crooked stick." I 
 remarked to him that I should not mind his being 
 crooked, if he did not always crook one way, and 
 that toward home. And I am still persuaded that 
 when a preacher can just break off and leave his 
 work, to go home, he ought to locate and stay at 
 home. 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 71 
 
 In the month of April, I rode fourteen miles on 
 the ice, as afterward discovered, in constant peril of 
 my life. At one place I saw a large crack just before 
 me; but putting spurs to my horse, he jumped it, car- 
 rying me safely over. A brother from North Island 
 attempted to cross with a sleigh, directly after me, 
 but one of his horses fell through and was drowned. 
 You could force an ax through the ice, that same 
 day, in the road over which I passed but a few 
 hours before. When I learned this, I was greatly 
 thankful to my heavenly Father, who preserved me 
 from a watery grave. Yes, it was the hand of a 
 kind Providence that took care of me in that perilous 
 journey. Once before, that same divine hand saved 
 me while traveling on the ice, when one-fourth of the 
 steps of my horse broke through. There was no 
 alternative but to rush forward in the way till I 
 reached the shore. 
 
 " Through hidden dangers, toils and deaths, 
 He gently cleared my way." 
 
 That I still live, is a wonder to myself and others. 
 When I started out to preach, my friends thought I 
 could not endure the toil and privation of itinerant 
 life, through one year ; but now forty-seven years 
 are past, and I am still a probationer in time. It is 
 all of the mercy of God, and I ought to love him 
 more, and serve him better. I pray God that my 
 remaining days may prove the earnestness of my 
 desire to dwell only in him ! 
 
72 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 We ought always to labor in faith, whether we have 
 much feeling or not, for we know not when we do the 
 most good. Here is an illustration : While on this 
 circuit, I preached one evening on North Island, but 
 felt gloomy, and had but little enjoyment; in class 
 meeting I was surprised to find the members all alive, 
 and to hear them tell how greatly they were blessed 
 under the preaching. To me it was very strange, for 
 I could not find much enjoyment, even in the class 
 meeting. The next morning, I called to see an 
 afflicted disciple, who had been thirteen years con- 
 fined to her bed, but was always happy. Upon enter- 
 ing her room she said, " Brother Lewis, you had a 
 good meeting last night." I replied that the mem- 
 bers seemed happy, but I had rather a poor time 
 myself. "Why," said she, "the family say you 
 preached better than you have done since you came 
 on the island." After prayers, I went to the other 
 end of the island, and had scarcely entered the house 
 at which I was calling, when a friend addressed me 
 much as the afflicted sister had done. I made the 
 same reply as before. "Why," said this friend, "our 
 people say, you beat yourself — that they never heard 
 you preach so well as you did last night!" I then 
 concluded that, as preachers of the Gospel, we are 
 not judges of our own efforts ; that, sometimes, where 
 we think we have done most, we have in reality 
 accomplished but little, and that sometimes when we 
 think we have done nothing, God blesses our labor to 
 the positive good of souls. Much also depends on 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 73 
 
 the spirit of the hearer. He that listens to the word 
 with an open heart, seeking spiritual nourishment for 
 his soul, and praying God to bless the speaker and 
 the word spoken, will seldom fail of finding divine 
 truth sweet as the honey-comb. But those who listen 
 only for intellectual gratification, are seldom pleased 
 or profited. I know we should always preach as 
 well as we can, and leave the result with God who 
 only can "give the increase;" but I confess I never 
 could feel satisfied without being made happy in my 
 own soul, while trying to preach to others. And 
 surely it is our privilege to find happiness in this 
 work, for if we have been " moved by the Holy 
 Ghost" to preach the Gospel, we may claim our 
 Savior's special promise, " Lo, I am with you alway, 
 even unto the end of the world!" 
 
 This was a year of considerable trial to me. I was 
 greatly wanting in experience as a preacher, and yet 
 had pastoral charge, in this circuit, of the Church of 
 God, which he purchased with his own blood. I was 
 deeply sensible of the responsibility of my position — 
 felt my lack of wisdom, but asked of God, who giveth 
 to all men liberally, and upbraideth not. We enjoyed 
 a reasonable degree of prosperity, and had over a 
 hundred accessions to the Church. 
 
 I closed my labors on this circuit in May, 1812, 
 having received one hundred and twenty-four dollars 
 for the year. We paid our own house- rent. All the 
 time of my connection with the New York conference, 
 provisions ranged as follows : Corn, from 75 cts. to 
 
74 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 $1.25 per bushel; wheat, from $1.25 to $2.25; pork, 
 from $5 to $10 per hundred ; hay, from $5 to 
 $20 per tun, and other things in proportion. Does 
 the reader inquire how we lived ? We had a little 
 means of our own, and Mrs. Lewis plied the nee- 
 dle, day and night, till she found it necessary to 
 wear glasses at thirty-five. But God was with us, 
 and He is still with us, and we have food to eat, 
 raiment to wear, and a house to shelter us from sum- 
 mer's heat and winter's cold. We are surrounded by 
 kind friends, and lift up our hearts to Heaven in 
 thankfulness for the temporal and spiritual blessings 
 of this life, and for the bliss-inspiring hope of an 
 immortal life of joy and peace in a world all radiant 
 with the smile of God ! 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 75 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 BRANDON CIRCUIT— FIRST YEAR. 
 
 At the conference of May, 1812, I was appointed 
 to Brandon circuit, with brother Thomas Madden 
 for my colleague. Our field of labor extended over 
 twenty-six townships, in some of which were several 
 appointments. War having been declared against 
 England by our Government, the situation of my col- 
 league, as a Methodist preacher in the United States, 
 was rendered very unpleasant, and resulted in his 
 leaving the work some time before the year expired. 
 He owned land in Canada West, and his father-in-law 
 lived there — he having joined the British in the Revo- 
 lutionary war, and continued a half-pay officer to the 
 time of which I write — so that brother Madden and 
 his wife were, from interest and association, all on 
 one side. This rendered them very unpopular, and 
 very unhappy, although brother M. was an excel- 
 lent preacher. Some time in the winter they deter- 
 mined to visit their friends in Canada, and I advised 
 them to take their children along. Upon this, sis- 
 ter M. said, "You don't want us to come Back 
 then." I replied, "When you arrive there and find 
 you can't come back, you will wish your ehildren 
 were with you." Brother M. said that when he 
 
76 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 reached there, if he found he could not go into Can- 
 ada and out again when he wished, he would not 
 cross over the line. They went, and the British made 
 brother Madden a prisoner of war. They then sent 
 for their children, and we willingly gave them up 
 to join their parents ; and I have never seen my 
 colleague since. I had several letters from him, 
 and think it probable that he enjoyed himself better 
 than he could have done on this side of the line ; but, 
 how any one can prefer that Government to ours, is 
 passing strange to me. I love the land of my birth. 
 My father fought for the liberty of which we boast. 
 The noble blood of patriot martyrs consecrated this 
 whole land to freedom, and — bating the three and a 
 half millions of slaves, whose groans pierce the 
 heavens — we are the best governed people beneath 
 the sun ; and I trust all who choose to seek asylum in 
 our country, will always find ample protection against 
 the oppressions of tyranny. 
 
 Politics ran high. Some, in our part of the country, 
 violently opposed the national administration, and 
 denounced the war with unwonted fury. I remember 
 stopping once to rest, at the house of brother G. — he 
 kept public house — when Major Powell, and some 
 other British officers, came in. They were hardly 
 seated before two men, living near by, came in, and, 
 after heartily shaking hands with them, commenced 
 a tirade of abuse against our Government, interspersed 
 with horrid curses upon the war. I sat listening, for 
 some time, and then, addressing one of the men, said, 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 77 
 
 " Sir, you speak too diminutively of the Government 
 under which you live. If you were to go into Canada 
 and say half so much against that Government, they 
 would hang you up between the heavens and the 
 earth ! Now. sir, if that Government is so much 
 better than ours, why don't you go there?" He 
 replied that " that Government is the best in the 
 world." "Very well," said I, "but why do you not 
 go there ? I advise you to start immediately, and, 
 rather than fail, I will pay for moving one load of 
 your goods. If that is the best Government in the 
 world, you ought to be off at once." Major P. 
 then said, " Mr. Lewis, your people can never suc- 
 ceed in this war — they are too much divided; it is not 
 so with us — we are united to a man." I replied, 
 "Major, I know you, and where you have been : Gen. 
 Clark took you and your men prisoners, and you 
 were sent down to Greenbush. There you probably 
 heard some speak against their own Government, and 
 now you are returning to be exchanged, and here you 
 hear two men do the same thing ; but what of all 
 that ? What if all New England should rise against 
 the General Government ? The power of the Federal 
 Union would still be unshaken !" 
 
 "Well," said the Major, "you have gained noth- 
 ing from old Clark's conduct; our Government has 
 sent and taken all the inhabitants of one of your 
 towns." 
 
 "What town is that?" said I. 
 
 "Alburg," said the Major. 
 
78 RE-COLLECTIONS OF 
 
 "Well, you are welcome to theru," said I, "and I 
 hope you will not let them come back again ; for the 
 place was inhabited by Tories, and I have learned that 
 enemies at home can do a great deal more harm than 
 those at a distance." However, the Major was 
 mistaken. The inhabitants of the town were not 
 taken; so we had to live with them as before. 
 
 But, notwithstanding the occasional opposition, the 
 general sentiment of our people was in favor of the 
 war. The majority cordially supported the adminis- 
 tration, and thought "John Bull" had been borne 
 with too long in impressing our seamen, and searching 
 our vessels. The spirit of freemen was fully aroused. 
 Hundreds rushed to arms, ready, at any sacrifice, to 
 repel the British invaders. But war is a calamity to 
 any people. Though permitted by the Almighty, and 
 sometimes employed, in his providence, as the means 
 of punishing wicked nations, and though he overrules 
 it in its results, rendering it subservient to his own 
 purposes of evangelizing the world, it is, nevertheless, 
 antagonistic to the spirit of the Gospel, and always to 
 be regarded as the last resort to throw off oppression, 
 and to maintain the rights of our manhood, with 
 freedom to worship God. 
 
 I know it has been said that war is a glorious strife 
 between contending nations ; and that the brilliant 
 parades, cheering music, and waving banners stir up 
 the soul, and arouse to action, the slumbering 
 patriotism of the people, urging them on to heroic 
 deeds, and to the acquisition of martial glory ! But 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 79 
 
 war is more than this : it is the destruction of many 
 lives — the desolation of towns, cities, and country- 
 places — the sacrifice of millions of money — the 
 enemy of the arts and sciences — the demoraliza- 
 tion of the people — the rupture of the ties of friend- 
 ship — the prostration of commercial interests — the 
 downfall of numerous benevolent institutions — and 
 the mightiest obstacle to the advancement of civili- 
 zation ! 
 
 War consigns innocent wives and children to help- 
 less widowhood and orphanage, compelling them to 
 drag out, in poverty and wretchedness, the life God 
 gave them for happiness and usefulness. War 
 authorizes robbery, oppression, and violence ; and 
 by familiarizing so many with wholesale outrages 
 upon the rights of others, weakens the tenure by 
 which we hold our property, our liberty, and our 
 lives. War excites the baser passions, distorts the 
 public mind, establishes a false standard of merit, 
 and tends to elevate the physical above the intel- 
 lectual accomplishments. It thus creates a morbid 
 taste for military exploits, and leads aspiring youths 
 to put forth ambitious efforts to acquire martial fame, 
 rather than to excel in the pursuits of peace. 
 
 ISTo proper estimate can be made of the frightful 
 ravages of war. The amount of human suffering it 
 has entailed on our world, is past computation. The 
 withering blight has fallen on each successive genera- 
 tion, from time immemorial. The sighs, the tears, 
 the groans, the inexpressible anguish, which war has 
 
80 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 caused, will not be fully known till eternity shall 
 unroll the dark record ! 
 
 And still men love war. Trivial misunderstandings 
 arise between neighboring nations, and immediately 
 heated politicians plunge into angry disputes which 
 nothing can settle but a resort to arms. Then the 
 war-cry is shouted through the land ! Instruments 
 of death are multiplied with all rapidity. Men, 
 trained for the desperate conflict, are hurried to the 
 field. Like infuriated beasts, they thrust each other 
 through, till human gore runs in torrents, and human 
 souls, by scores and hundreds, are driven into the 
 presence of a holy God ! But from the details of the 
 battle-field the heart sickens and turns away. 
 
 But men will not always delight in carnage. 
 Christianity will yet diffuse her peaceful principles 
 among the nations, and inaugurate a better civiliza- 
 tion. Her transforming power will be felt by rulers 
 as well as subjects. The instruments of death will 
 then be turned into implements of husbandry, and 
 war will be learned no more. Men will no longer be 
 counted valiant according as they have faced the 
 death-dealing artillery, or butchered their fellow- 
 mortals. God hasten the day ! And may we never 
 more hear the roar of the wide-mouthed cannon, the 
 rattle of small arms, or the clash of swords, the 
 groans of the dying, or the wail of the bereaved ! 
 
 But to return. I was now left alone on this large 
 circuit, and, although the prevailing tendency of the 
 times was to irreligion, we had some precious seasons 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 81 
 
 of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. Sinners 
 were awakened, converted, and added to the Church, 
 and believers were strengthened and built up in their 
 most holy faith. 
 
 One of my preaching-places was Mount Holly. I 
 used to go there and preach, then visit, sing and pray 
 with the families, and the next morning ride twenty- 
 three miles before breakfast ; then ride three miles 
 further and preach, sometimes to six or eight persons. 
 Here, however, we had some good times, and God in- 
 creased the little society both in numbers and graces. 
 At this place, I formed a most delightful acquaintance 
 with a family of the name of Anderson ; and, after 
 the fatigue of such a long ride, it was truly refreshing 
 to find one's self at home with such kind friends. 
 They were surrounded with worldly comforts, and 
 their warm-hearted friendship increased the pleasure 
 of their society. Many a happy night did I spend 
 beneath their roof, talking of the loving-kindness of 
 our God. 
 
 In Pittsford we had a very good society of from 
 forty to fifty members — warm-hearted, zealous, happy 
 souls. Here the Baptist and Presbyterian Churches 
 were established, had meeting-houses, and regarded 
 us as intruders into their "parishes." One day I 
 
 fell in company with Elder H , in the road, and, 
 
 after riding with him some distance, said, "Well, 
 Elder, what is the state of religion in your Church ?" 
 " 0, a pretty cold time with us," said he ; " but this 
 is our seed-time, you know ; if we should always 
 
82 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 have harvest, we should have no seed-time ; and if we 
 always had seed-time, we would never have harvest." 
 True, in regard to the vegetable kingdom ; but is not 
 this illustration resorted to sometimes as an apology 
 for barrenness in the kingdom of heaven? I thank 
 God, the economy of grace is such that we may have 
 seed-time and harvest both at once. We are often 
 permitted to sow the seed of the kingdom, and imme- 
 diately witness the glorious fruit ! 
 
 We labored under great disadvantage through want 
 of meeting-houses. We had but one on this large 
 circuit, and that was built on a cheap plan, and quite 
 small. Our preaching was in school-houses, dwelling- 
 houses, barns, shops, and in God's own temple, the 
 leafy grove. But the Lord blessed us greatly, and 
 being sweetly united in the bonds of "the glorious 
 Gospel," we were happy. It was a great cross in 
 those days to be a Methodist; hence, the people gen- 
 erally counted the cost before giving their names for 
 membership ; and when they did come they generally 
 held on their way, growing strong in faith and hope. 
 In the village of Brandon we had an excellent society. 
 Here my principal home was at the house of brother 
 Pomeroy, father to Rev. Charles Pomeroy, of the 
 New York conference. In Leister our society was 
 large. At this place, I made the acquaintance of 
 Judge Olin, the father of the lamented Dr. Stephen 
 Olin, the distinguished writer, traveler, preacher, di- 
 vine, and scholar. The Judge was a tall, robust man. 
 He used to attend our meetings, and, on first seeing 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 83 
 
 him in the congregation, I took him to be a sleepy, 
 dull man, and not much given to talk ; but, on further 
 acquaintance, after visiting him in his own house, my 
 first impressions proved incorrect; for he was a man 
 of sound mind, of extensive information, and a great 
 talker. He told me he thought our Church polity 
 the best in the world, so long as the officers have 
 plenty of religion; "but," said he, "you have the 
 machinery all arranged so that if your leading men 
 lose their religion, they can cut your heads off at a 
 stroke." I told him that all Church governments 
 have their difficulties; that we did not pretend that 
 ours was entirely perfect; but it had hitherto worked 
 well, with as little, and perhaps less friction than any 
 other, and we were disposed to hold on to it ; and that 
 I believed it would stand the test as long as Church 
 governments are needed in the world. 
 
 I formed the acquaintance of many Christian fam- 
 ilies on this circuit, who welcomed me to their houses, 
 ministered to my temporal wants, and sympathized 
 with me in all my labors, trials, and privations. The 
 year closed with the very best of feeling among the 
 entire membership. In looking over the stewards' 
 book, it appeared that I had received one hundred 
 and fifty dollars for the year. After a few days' rest, 
 I started to conference in company with my presiding 
 elder, Rev. Samuel Draper. 
 
 On our way, we called at a house to lodge for the 
 night, when the man came out, shook hands heartily 
 with brother Draper, and asked him if he remem- 
 
84 RECOLLECTIONS OP 
 
 bered preaching up in the Green Mountains at a cer- 
 tain time, when he had but one man for a hearer. 
 Brother D. remembered it well. He took the text, 
 " Thou art the man ;" and the hearer was convicted 
 and converted to God, and now stood before us, 
 happy to welcome us to his house. 
 
 We often preached to small congregations in those 
 days, and incidents similar to the above have often 
 occurred. Our business was to declare the whole 
 counsel of God to few or many, whether they would 
 hear, or whether they would forbear. " Sow thy seed 
 in the morning, and in the evening withhold not thy 
 hand; for thou knowest not which shall prosper, 
 whether this or that, or whether both shall be alike 
 good." 
 
 The conference sat in Amenia, New York. The 
 exercises of the session were peculiarly interesting to 
 me. In company with several others, I was admitted 
 into full connection, and elected and ordained deacon. 
 In the examination of character, it appeared that one 
 brother had not been to his work. His reason was, 
 that his appointment was too far off. He had friends, 
 and wished to live near them. It was also discovered 
 that this brother was somewhat afflicted with that 
 unfortunate disease, the "big-head." He was sus- 
 pended. He was a man of more than ordinary mind 
 for one of his years, but by some means or other, he 
 found it out when he was too young, and was led to 
 " think more highly of himself than he ought to 
 think;" and then, of course, he was ruined for a 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 85 
 
 Methodist preacher. Whenever a young preacher is 
 attacked with this disease — unless, by some means, 
 he is cured immediately — his usefulness is at an end. 
 "Humility is the forerunner of advancement and 
 honor; and ambition, the harbinger of destruction 
 and ruin." Humility adorned the life of Jesus, and 
 crowns the worship of angels. And shall man — poor, 
 frail, short-sighted man — called to minister in holy 
 things — to lead wretched, sinful, perishing souls from 
 the verge of hell to the foot of the cross of Jesus, to 
 be pardoned, purified, and saved through his atoning 
 blood — shall man, I say, thus employed, be proud or 
 vain of a little talent, which God has given him for 
 improvement, and for which he must give account in 
 the great day? Rather 
 
 "Let me be little and unknown, 
 Loved and prized by God alone." 
 
8G RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 BRANDON CIRCUIT— SECOND YEAR. 
 
 From the conference of May, 1813, I was returned 
 
 to Brandon circuit, with a young brother, B 
 
 N , for my colleague. We traveled together in 
 
 harmony. He was brought up in Canada, was with- 
 out polish, staid with us a few years, and then 
 concluded there was too much labor devolving on a 
 Methodist itinerant — got the " big-head" — joined the 
 Episcopalians, and became a " lay-reader" in the 
 "Church;" of his subsequent history I know nothing 
 more. 
 
 It was strange, in those days, to hear men complain 
 of hard labor in the Methodist ministry. We used to 
 vie with each other for difficult appointments, consid- 
 ering such the more responsible, and therefore the 
 more honorable, as affording better opportunity for 
 self-denial, and for testing our attachment to the 
 cause of Christ. For the first nine years of my itiner- 
 ant life, I volunteered for work in the old North dis- 
 trict, in the New York conference. I never desired to 
 be any thing other than a traveling — yes, a traveling 
 Methodist preacher. In the midst of the toil of such 
 a life, I could ever sing, 
 
 " This work shall make my heart rejoice, 
 And spend the remnant of my days." 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 87 
 
 I was soon among old friends, who gave me their 
 warm congratulations, and contributed in every pos- 
 sible way to make us comfortable among them for 
 another year. This was truly a warm-hearted, gen- 
 erous people. I loved them dearly, and I love them 
 still ; but most of them have passed on before me to 
 the land of promise. I pray God to keep me faithful 
 a little longer, and then I shall meet them in heaven. 
 
 This year we took in a new appointment, in New 
 Haven, Vermont. We met with much opposition, 
 but the hand of our God was upon us for good, and 
 we had a glorious revival of religion. We organized a 
 new society of forty or fifty members, among whom 
 were some noble spirits. One of these was Mrs. 
 Smith — sister to Rev. William Jewett, of the New 
 York conference. She now resides near Granville, 
 Ohio, and enjoys the esteem of her brethren and sis- 
 ters as a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church. These were seasons of refreshing indeed. 
 God was with his people, working salvation in the 
 midst of the earth ! We did then, do now, and ever 
 will, give all the glory to God, " who is glorious in 
 holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders." " It 
 was not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, 
 saith the Lord." 
 
 On going to one of my appointments, in the re- 
 motest part of the circuit, I took a road on which I 
 was not acquainted, and, having a long ride, thought 
 best to stop at a public house and refresh my horse. 
 While sitting in the "bar-room," there were present 
 
88 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 two men enjoying themselves exceedingly in conver- 
 sation, who, I learned, were Rev. Mr. W , of the 
 
 Baptist Church, and Mr. M , one of his deacons. 
 
 When ready to start, I inquired if there was a nearer 
 way to East Bay than through New Haven. Mr. 
 
 W answered, "Yes, but to what part of East 
 
 Bay do you wish to go?" " To Mr. Harlow's." "To 
 Isaac Harlow's?" said he. "I do not know his first 
 name, sir." " Well, is he a Methodist ?" "Yes, sir." 
 "And are you a Methodist preacher?" "Yes, sir." 
 " Well I am a Baptist preacher," said he. "Yes, sir; 
 how do you do, sir?" said I. "Mr. Harlow once 
 belonged to the Baptist Church," said he; "but he 
 was always a Methodist at heart." "And so is 
 every man when his soul is converted," said I. At 
 this the deacon spoke and said, "0 no! I never 
 was." (Here they both talked at once.) " One at a 
 time," said I, " and it will last the longer, or both at 
 once and the sooner over." The deacon continued, 
 " When I was convicted I fought against God with 
 all my might." "Well, did you not submit to God 
 before you was converted?" "No," said the deacon, 
 "I fought against him all the time!" "Well," said 
 I, "St. Paul says, 'As ye have received Christ Jesus 
 the Lord, so walk ye in him:' and as you received 
 him fighting against God, you must be walking in 
 him fighting against God ; and so you can not be one 
 of his people ; for the Bible says his people shall be 
 willing in the day of his power ; not that they shall 
 be forced to submit, but they shall be a 'willing peo- 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 89 
 
 pie ;' as the Psalmist said, so do they, i I delight to 
 do thy will, God.'" He contended that God has 
 determined to save certain persons, whether they will 
 submit or not ! How amazing is the power of preju- 
 dice ! I insisted that men must first submit to God's 
 terms, or he will never save them ; and after consid- 
 erable conversation, we parted in peace. 
 
 Some time in the summer, we established an ap- 
 pointment in Sudbury — a place in which there had 
 never been a Methodist sermon preached. At my 
 first visit to the place, I had only about a dozen 
 hearers ; but the Spirit of the Lord rested on me 
 while I dwelt on these words : " But truly as the 
 Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a 
 step between me and death." The little congrega- 
 tion manifested considerable interest ; there was 
 indeed a "shaking among the dry bones," and I felt 
 strong confidence that God would favor us with a 
 good work in the place. Opposition was excited, as 
 a matter of course, but the Lord made bare his arm 
 in our behalf, and we had a glorious time. One of 
 my hearers asked a neighbor why he did not come to 
 hear the Methodist preach. He replied that there was 
 no need of coming, for they could hear him any where 
 in the neighborhood. The Lord blessed me with 
 a good pair of lungs, and the probability is that I 
 had as many hearers that did not come to meeting as 
 there were in the house. A good society of forty or 
 fifty members was formed, as the result of these 
 
 efforts. 
 
 8 
 
90 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 An excellent brother lived here, of the name 
 of Rhodes, who was, in every respect, well quali- 
 fied to take charge of the class. And, 0, how 
 much depends on this ! Many a society has dwindled 
 away for the want of a suitable leader. He should 
 possess deep piety, sound judgment, and strong feel- 
 ing for the prosperity of Zion. His work is arduous 
 and responsible. If any of his flock are absent, he 
 should know the cause : if any one is sick he should 
 visit and pray with him, and report the case to the 
 pastor : if they are discouraged, he should counsel, 
 instruct, and encourage them : if they are careless, 
 he should exhort and expostulate with them : if they 
 are Wicked, he should affectionately admonish and 
 reprove them ; and, if they persist, or become out- 
 breaking, he should have them excluded the Church, 
 lest their example corrupt others. With such a 
 leader, a society will scarcely fail to prosper. The 
 Lord raise up such among us more and more — men 
 full of faith and the Holy Ghost! 
 
 In the winter of 1813, the epidemic, called the 
 plague, prevailed to an alarming extent. People 
 were smitten down and carried off as rapidly as with 
 the cholera. They would be taken with a pain in 
 the finger, or thumb, or toe, or ear, and die in six or 
 eight hours. They scarcely ever lived over twenty- 
 four hours. This was a most dreadful calamity. 
 Some of the best members of the Church were taken 
 away at a stroke. I had to attend funerals almost 
 every day, sometimes several in the same neighbor- 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 91 
 
 hood* These occasions afforded me opportunity to 
 declare the Gospel to many who seldom, if ever, heard 
 Methodist preaching ; for, in that region, at that time, 
 there was but little sociability with Methodists, on the 
 part of other denominations. 
 
 I still found myself occasionally in collision with 
 Presbyterian and Baptist preachers; but this was 
 never with me a matter of choice. It was always more 
 pleasant to me to live in harmony with all Christians, 
 and to unite my efforts with theirs in assaulting, 
 directly, the powers of darkness, and seeking the 
 conversion of souls. Yet, when the peculiarities of 
 Methodism w T ere assaulted and misrepresented, I 
 esteemed it nothing less than a sacred duty to 
 " contend earnestly for the faith which was once 
 delivered unto the saints." 
 
 I will now say, that, upon the whole, this was a 
 happy year. Many precious souls were born into the 
 kingdom, and united with us in Church fellowship. 
 When the labors of this second year closed, I found 
 the mutual attachment between pastor and people 
 to be stronger than at the end of the first year. 
 Religion is pre-eminently a social principle. It 
 cements Christian hearts into one — lays, deep and 
 broad, the foundation for reciprocal love and friend- 
 ship in this life, and fits us for eternal association in 
 the kingdom of our Father above. 
 
 " And if our fellowship below 
 
 In Jesus be so sweet, 
 What hight of rapture shall we know, 
 
 When round his throne we meet !" 
 
92 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 The next session of our conference was held in the 
 city of New York, which furnished occasion for my 
 first visit to that great emporium of trade. On the 
 first Sabbath, I had an appointment to preach in the 
 Green-Street Church, which I did from the words, 
 " Is there no balm in Gilcad ? Is there no physician 
 there ?" Had but a moderate time, as it was a new 
 thing with me to preach in a great city. Subse- 
 quently, however, I had precious times in holding 
 forth the word of life, in Duane-Street, Allen-Street, 
 and in the old John-Street Church, on the spot where 
 was erected the first Methodist church in America. 
 The "city folks" were fond of listening to the 
 preachers from up north, and Ave frequently had a 
 shout in the congregation ; and, I doubt not, that, 
 when favored with an old-fashioned Gospel sermon, 
 some of the New York Methodists will yet shout 
 forth the praise of God in the midst of the Lord's 
 house ; for, there are among them, not only warm- 
 hearted Christians, . but some genuine, whole-souled 
 Methodists. 
 
 I have sometimes been pained to hear a certain 
 class of our members in the country, insinuate that 
 city Methodists were destitute of the life and power of 
 experimental religion, and were too proud and formal 
 to possess the living faith that should characterize the 
 followers of Christ. And, on the other hand, it can 
 not be questioned that some of the members in the 
 city look upon the membership in the country as 
 destitute of true Christian refinement, if not as 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 93 
 
 ignorant enthusiasts. But I am happy to know that 
 these improper views are entertained only by such 
 of each class as have had little or no opportunity of 
 mingling with those whose religious character they 
 underrate. If there could be more intercourse 
 between country and city Methodists, there would 
 be found to exist more oneness of sentiment and 
 feeling among them, than is frequently supposed. 
 The spirit of Methodism is the same every-where. 
 It is in reality but the spirit of genuine Christianity 
 itself, and, therefore, is capable of adaptation to 
 all the varied circumstances of human life. While 
 Methodism can not be bent, in spirit, to all the 
 gayeties and follies of fashionable life, it does not 
 adopt an "iron bedstead" law, so as to prevent 
 conformity to the decent usages of society. Chris- 
 tianity is designed to rule in all the kingdoms of 
 the earth, by diffusing through all a spirit and 
 power to mold the life after the Gospel standard, 
 without bringing all the nations under one form of 
 civil and social law; and so Methodism, which is 
 "Christianity in earnest," is, and ought to be, sus- 
 ceptible of those outward modifications which different 
 communities imperatively demand, so far as such 
 modifications can be made without marring her spirit, 
 but no farther! 
 
 In attending to the business of conference, at this 
 session, in listening to remarks of older brethren in 
 the ministry, and hearing the representations of the 
 work of the Lord, in the different parts of our 
 
94 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 geographical boundaries, I was instructed and edified. 
 Like as the officers of an army, after a successful 
 engagement with an obstinate foe, meet and detail 
 the progress of the battle, as it transpired under their 
 immediate supervision, in different parts of the 
 extended field of strife, so these ministers of truth, 
 officers in the army of the Lord, report at their 
 annual convocation, the advancement made at differ- 
 ent points, and the trophies won under the banner of 
 the cross, and shout together the praises of the 
 Captain of their salvation, through whose wisdom 
 and power they have been led to achieve their glori- 
 ous victories. At the close of the session, Mr. C , 
 
 the gentleman with whom I boarded, favored me with 
 some fine presents, for which I was truly grateful, as 
 the pittance received from my circuit was entirely 
 inadequate to meet the wants of my family. At his 
 urgent request, I mostly afterward put up with him, 
 during my visits to the city, and he never failed to 
 bestow upon me some substantial evidence of his 
 undissembled friendship, and true Christian gen- 
 erosity. His presents, though not large,, were always 
 useful. Whosoever giveth to a disciple, shall not 
 lose his reward. 
 
 The conference closed with a sterling address from 
 the Bishop, after which we were all soon en route for 
 our respective fields of toil, suffering, and triumph. 
 
 " When we asunder part, 
 
 It gives us inward pain ; 
 But we shall still be join'd in heart, 
 
 And hope to meet again." 
 
A SUPERANNUATE 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 CHARLOTTE CIRCUIT — TWO YEARS. 
 
 At the close of the conference of May, 1814, my 
 appointment was to the Charlotte circuit, in Vermont. 
 My family had lived two years in Hubbardstown, in 
 
 a house furnished by Major H- , who generously 
 
 offered us the use of it another year, if my family 
 would remain. I felt unwilling to leave them, and 
 we proceeded to move to our circuit. The roads were 
 now extremely bad. The Government had been haul- 
 ing cannon and other munitions of war, and cut them 
 up so that they were almost impassable. When we 
 succeeded in getting through to Muncietown, where 
 we expected to find a house in readiness, we ascer- 
 tained that there was none provided, and none in the 
 place that could be rented. We stored away our fur- 
 niture under a shed, where it remained till we suc- 
 ceeded in renting part of a house for a few months. 
 After some time, an infidel, a physician in the place, 
 offered us the use of a house, if we would accept it. 
 We did so, and moved in, thankful for \he kindness, 
 though the house was not very comfortable. 
 
 And here let me speak of the infidel doctor. He 
 was a man of noble, generous impulses, though, like 
 too many others, he imbibed infidel principles while 
 
96 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 in college. He informed me, himself, that he was 
 established in disbelief of the Scriptures before leav- 
 ing the institution. When will all our colleges be- 
 come nurseries of Scriptural Christianity, instead of 
 "hot-beds" of corrupting infidelity? Heaven hasten 
 the day ! Some think the Church is turning aside 
 from her appropriate work when she is vigorously 
 laboring to endow colleges, and to build up institu- 
 tions of learning under her immediate supervision 
 and control. This is a grand mistake. The Church 
 never will accomplish her glorious mission fully till 
 she provides for the education of her children under 
 such circumstances as will effectually guard them from 
 the poisonous skepticism that lurks within the pre- 
 cincts of too many colleges. I bless God, the Church 
 is becoming conscious of her responsibility at this 
 point. Like the prophet casting salt into the springs 
 to heal the waters of Jericho, she is beginning to 
 purify these fountains of moral influence, that there 
 may issue therefrom no more the streams of moral 
 death. But the doctor now discovered his error, and 
 came to my house three times in one night to ask me 
 to pray for him. He was in an awful agony of soul. 
 He said he had cursed his only Savior, and feared 
 there was no mercy for him. I told him that Jesus 
 died for sinners — for sinners of every class and hue — 
 that he invites all who labor and are heavy laden to 
 come unto him, and promises to give them rest. I 
 assured him that the promises of the Gospel were not 
 yea and nay, but yea and amen in Christ Jesus, and 
 
*A SUPERANNUATE. 97 
 
 that heaven and earth would pass away sooner than 
 any one of them shall fail. I urged him to look to 
 Calvary — to the rejected, despised Jesus of Nazareth, 
 who prayed for his enemies while hanging upon the 
 cross in the agony of death — as his only refuge. He 
 did look to Christ. He pleaded and groaned for par- 
 don through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 
 and found peace in believing. What a blessed change 
 was this! The caviling skeptic was humbled to the 
 foot of the cross, and by the power of divine grace, 
 was renewed and clothed in his right mind. His de- 
 spairing wail of agony gave place to the song of 
 victory and thanksgiving. After this, he often took 
 me with him to visit his patients, to talk and pray 
 with them ; and he would join in the delightful work 
 of pointing the sick and dying to the Lamb of God 
 that taketh away the sin of the world. And what a 
 field of usefulness is open to the pious physician! 
 He can whisper " Jesus" in the ear of many to whom 
 the minister can have no access. Would to God that 
 all who practice the " healing art" were men of faith 
 and prayer ! 
 
 Some time this summer, there was to be a camp 
 meeting on Brandon circuit, and having traveled there, 
 the two previous years, I felt anxious to attend it. 
 The time came — I made ready and started, but, when 
 fourteen miles from home, was taken sick. It was 
 thought the attack would prove fatal. My wife was 
 sent for, and we remained several weeks. The friends 
 
 were very kind, and did all in their power to make us 
 
 9 
 
98 RECOLLECTIONS OP 
 
 comfortable. Many of the preachers called to see 
 me, and sung and prayed with me, on their return 
 from camp meeting. They told me that if prayer 
 would keep me alive, I would not die then; for they 
 had never heard so many prayers for one person as 
 w T ere offered for me on the camp-ground. "The 
 effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth 
 much." When I became some better, they put me in a 
 carriage and took me home, where I remained several 
 months before I was able to preach. During this 
 long affliction the grace of God sustained my heart. 
 "We were now living nearer the seat of war than 
 we had been before. We were only seven miles from 
 the Lake, on which M'Donough's celebrated battle 
 was fought. Every thing relative to our safety de- 
 pended on the success of the American arms in that 
 desperate conflict. About the 1st of September, Sir 
 George Prevost, commander of the British forces, 
 moved his army to Plattsburg, and the British fleet 
 sailed up Lake Champlain, for the purpose of making 
 a simultaneous attack, by land and water. The Brit- 
 ish forces were far superior to the American, both 
 in numbers and training — they consisting of veteran 
 troops recently transported from the European wars 
 which had just terminated. Generals Macomb and 
 Moores hastily collected what forces they could — con- 
 sisting, in large part, of New York militia, and pre- 
 pared to meet the overwhelming force of the enemy, 
 and check, if possible, this portentous invasion. The 
 Americans abandoned the town at the approach of 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 99 
 
 the enemy, and it was occupied hj the British. The 
 place is situated on the banks of the Saranac, near 
 its entrance into the Lake, and the American works 
 were on the opposite side of the stream. Here the 
 Americans prepared to give battle to their haughty 
 foe. The American fleet was also inferior to that 
 of the British. Our vessels carried eighty-six guns, 
 and eight hundred men, while the British had ninety- 
 five guns and over a thousand men. In every re- 
 spect the odds were fearfully against us. It was a 
 beautiful Sabbath morning, the 11th of September, 
 when, at nine o'clock, we heard the thunder of the 
 cannon on the Lake. I was just able to walk out 
 with my cane. For a few minutes, my mind was 
 considerably agitated ; then all was calm within. 
 I trusted that the God of power, who sustained our 
 fathers through the Revolutionary struggle, would 
 give us the victory that day. The people in the 
 neighborhood rushed to the scene of action. It was 
 an awfully solemn time. The roar of artillery, the 
 rattle of musketry, with the vivid impression that 
 scores of immortal souls were rushing into the eter- 
 nal world, combined to inspire in my heart emotions 
 of no ordinary character. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. W , of Fairfield, Vermont, a 
 
 Presbyterian minister, called upon the people of his 
 parish to come to the rescue. A large number of 
 them joined with him, and they hurried to the field. 
 In crossing the Lake, their boat ran aground — where- 
 upon the preacher cried out, " Follow me, boys!" and 
 
100 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 dashed into the water. They followed him, gained 
 the shore, and were soon in the midst of the battle. 
 The " old priest," as they called him, was soon 
 discovered down on his knees, taking deliberate aim 
 at a "red coat." 
 
 The engagement commenced on water and land, 
 at the same hour. The British troops on land made 
 several desperate efforts to cross the Saranac, so as 
 to storm the American works, but were foiled in 
 every attempt ; while the air was full of flying bombs, 
 rockets, and hot balls, carrying death across the 
 stream. On the water, every vessel was brought into 
 action at once, and for over two hours the deadly 
 strife raged with fury, the victory seemingly poised 
 equally between the contending forces, when the 
 Saratoga, of the American fleet, performed a most 
 difficult maneuver ; she warped round, and brought 
 to bear a fresh broadside, which soon determined 
 the fate of the day. Some of the enemy's vessels 
 sunk, a few escaped, and the rest surrendered. The 
 loss of the Americans was fifty-two killed and fifty- 
 eight wounded. The loss of the British was eighty- 
 four killed, and one hundred and ten wounded, and 
 eight hundred and fifty-six prisoners. On land, the 
 firing was kept up till night ; then, under cover of 
 the darkness, the whole force of Sir George Pre- 
 vost precipitately fled, leaving behind the sick and 
 wounded, with large quantities of munitions of war, 
 much of which was discovered to be buried in the 
 earth. 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 101 
 
 This was a most brilliant victory, and put an end 
 to the war on Lake Champlain, and through that 
 part of the country. The sensations of joy that 
 filled the hearts of thousands, as the tidings of 
 victory spread from place to place, may be imagined, 
 but never can be described. God grant that the 
 quiet of the holy Sabbath may never again be dis- 
 turbed, in this lovely land, by the din of battle or 
 the alarm of war. 
 
 But as Christians, we have a battle to fight with 
 weapons which are not carnal, but mighty, through 
 God, to the pulling down of strongholds. " For we 
 wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against prin- 
 cipalities, against powers, against the rulers of the 
 darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness 
 in high places." 
 
 " Angels our march oppose, 
 
 Who still in strength excel — 
 Our secret, sworn, eternal foes, 
 
 Countless, invisible. 
 From thrones of glory driven, 
 
 By flaming vengeance hurl'd, 
 They throng the air, and darken heaven, 
 
 And rule this lower world." 
 
 This conflict began in Eden, when appetite gained 
 the first victory over duty. Then the " Prince of 
 darkness " became the " god of this world ;" but he 
 was scarcely seated on his usurped throne, before the 
 proclamation issued from the palace of the Lord of 
 lords that the seed of the woman shall bruise the 
 serpent's head. And when the fullness of time was 
 
102 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 come, God sent forth his son in the likeness of 
 sinful man ; that, in the nature of man, as " the 
 seed of the woman," he might destroy the works of 
 the devil. He grappled with the monster in his own 
 domain, by dying for the sins of the world, and came 
 oif with the triumphant shout of victory, " I am he 
 that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive 
 for evermore, amen ; and have the keys of hell and 
 of death!" He is the Captain of our salvation. In 
 his name we trust. By his grace we may withstand 
 all the assaults of the devil, and in the midst of the 
 strife against the powers of darkness, sing — 
 
 "What though a thousand hosts engage 
 A thousand worlds, my soul to shake ; 
 
 I have a shield shall quell their rage, 
 And drive the alien armies back : 
 
 Portray *d it bears a bleeding lamb; 
 
 I dare believe in Jesus' name." 
 
 But to return. I found Methodism on this circuit 
 the same as in my former fields. Nothing of verj" 
 especial interest transpired in our bounds. It was 
 a year of much personal affliction ; so that I was in 
 a great measure disabled from putting forth the 
 active efforts for the promotion of the good work 
 that I desired. My powers of endurance, after the 
 protracted illness of the summer, were not sufficient 
 to justify severe labors through the winter season ; 
 yet, when able, I followed the regular routine of 
 duties on the circuit, and found that my labors were 
 not in vain in the Lord. I found many excellent 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 103 
 
 spirits on this circuit, and closed the year, thankful 
 to God, that through scenes of deep affliction, and 
 the ragings of war, he had preserved us alive and 
 restored my wonted health. 
 
 Our next conference sat in the city of Albany. 
 At this session I was ordained elder, by the venerable 
 Bishop M'Kendree. The Rev. Dr. Phoebus preached 
 the ordination sermon from 2 Cor. vi, 7 : " By pure- 
 ness, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, 
 by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned.'' The dis- 
 course contained many remarks calculated to impress 
 the mind with the importance of a thorough qualifi- 
 cation for the ministerial office, especially by pos- 
 sessing the Holy Ghost, and love unfeigned. The 
 venerable Bishop Asbury was with us, and I think 
 this was the last session of our conference he ever 
 attended. 
 
 From this conference — May, 1815 — I was returned 
 to the Charlotte circuit. This was very satisfactory 
 to myself and family, and seemed equally pleasing 
 to my friends in the circuit. They gave me a cor- 
 dial welcome ; and as I had been so much hindered 
 from efficient service the previous year, on account 
 of affliction, I now felt like devoting my energies 
 anew to God and his work. The conference sent 
 along with me my son in the Gospel, the Rev. Nicho- 
 las White, of whose conversion I have before spoken. 
 He was a faithful laborer in the vineyard of the 
 Lord — but he over-taxed his physical powers, pro- 
 duced hemorrhage from the lungs, and found it 
 
104 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 necessary to desist from preaching for some time. 
 He was able to preach but little, for several years ; 
 but at length recovered his health, was made effective, 
 and continued in the work till one or two years 
 ago. Since then, I suppose he is like his father 
 in the Gospel, " superannuated." But if he had 
 strength, I doubt not that he would still rush into 
 the thickest of the battle, and fight valiantly for his 
 king and his God. He was a worthy man, a faithful 
 minister of the Lord Jesus, and a most companion- 
 able colleague. We traveled together harmoni- 
 ously, and the Lord gave us many souls as seals to 
 our ministry. 
 
 In Starksboro, we were favored with a precious 
 revival of religion, in which we had the pleasure of 
 receiving a large number into the Church. Here 
 lived two twin brothers, who were awakened on the 
 same day, both converted on one day, received into 
 the Church on the same day, both licensed to exhort 
 at once, licensed to preach at the same time, recom- 
 mended for the traveling connection both at once, and 
 finally admitted into the conference on the same day. 
 At several other points on the circuit, the Church was 
 blessed with the outpourings of the Holy Spirit, and 
 sinners came flocking to the "ark of safety" like 
 clouds, and as doves to their windows. 
 
 In the course of this year, in a village above where 
 my family lived, the people — and I do not know that 
 there was a professor of religion among them — built 
 a neat house of worship and finished it completely, 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 105 
 
 with cupola and bell, and then invited me to settle 
 among, them as pastor. Among other things, they 
 said, " Mr. Lewis, your people do not pay their min- 
 isters enough for a comfortable support — come settle 
 with us and preach for us, and we will pay you bet- 
 ter." I knew we did not get enough to support our 
 families, but I could not find it in my heart to leave 
 the itinerancy on that account; so, in my answer, I 
 said to them. " The Savior's command is, ' Go ye into 
 all the world, and preach the Gospel to every crea- 
 ture ;' but I do not find that he ever said, ' Stay and 
 preach.' " Afterward, I went and preached for them 
 from these words : " I must preach the kingdom of 
 God to other cities also, for therefore am I sent." In 
 discoursing on these words, I took occasion to give 
 my views of the relative advantages of a settled and 
 traveling ministry, after which they ceased to impor- 
 tune. I subsequently learned that the preachers who 
 followed us on this field, embraced that place in their 
 regular labors, and that they had a glorious revival of 
 religion; the people became converted, joined the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church, and their appointment, 
 so novelly begun, became a strong point on the circuit. 
 The place is probably a station ere this; for it is now 
 over forty years since they built the meeting-house, 
 and invited me to become their preacher. In that 
 time great changes occur — some for the better, and 
 some that do not work so well. But I bless God, 
 that in all the changes that have taken place, the 
 doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal Church remain 
 
106 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 unchanged; and I trust in God that those doctrines 
 will ever remain unchanged; for I have the most 
 unwavering belief that the founders of our denomi- 
 nation hit upon the true theology of the Bible. 
 
 And I still believe the Methodist Church polity is 
 the best in the world. Disaffected persons may cry 
 out "Despotism," "Tyranny," "Episcopacy," etc., 
 but I have lived within her pale a great many years, 
 and never yet found her economy oppressive. And 
 no one need be alarmed about oppression in the 
 Methodist Church, who wishes to be a self-denying, 
 devoted Christian, and lay himself out to do good 
 in his day and generation. But when persons 
 become worldly and restless, and wish to make a 
 fair show in religion without possessing its life and 
 power, then her rules are found too stringent, and 
 the cry of oppression is soon raised. So in re- 
 gard to the ministry. A God-fearing, self-sacrific- 
 ing Christian minister, whose object is to do good 
 and save souls, never finds room for complaint; 
 but the worldly, time-serving, half-hearted preacher, 
 whose soul is not consecrated to the work of Christ, 
 finds the itinerancy laborious, burdensome, oppres- 
 sive. All I am, and all I have, I owe, under God, 
 to the Methodist Episcopal Church. In all her 
 trials, she has had my sympathy and prayers, and 
 in all her glorious triumphs my heart has rejoiced. 
 In her ministry, I have had a good share of hard- 
 ship and toil, but, by the grace of God, I have not 
 shunned the cross, nor shrunk from responsibility, 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 107 
 
 and my heart has been kept at peace with God, 
 and in love to his Church. 
 
 "Beyond my highest joy, 
 
 I prize his heavenly ways ; 
 Her sweet communion, solemn vows, 
 Her hymns of love and praise." 
 
 I closed my second year on Charlotte circuit, 
 having preached in several places where Methodist 
 preachers had not been permitted before to deliver 
 their messages to the people. One had been beaten 
 with rods, or with the cow-hide, and others were 
 most shamefully treated ; but in my day there, the 
 prejudices of the people were yielding, and they 
 have since then broken down. The light of a pure 
 Gospel will always break off the shackles of prejudice, 
 and emancipate the people from the thraldom of 
 bigotry. It discovers to men their heaven-born 
 right to worship God according to the dictates of 
 their own consciences. There is nothing like it to 
 conquer the captious spirit of sectarianism. May 
 it shine more and more till Christ shall come in glory 
 to make up his jewels! " Then shall ye return and 
 discern between the righteous and the wicked, be- 
 tween him that serveth God and him that serveth 
 him not." 
 
108 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 BRANDON CIRCUIT AGAIN — TWO YEARS. 
 
 Our conference sat in May, 1816, in New- York 
 city, but owing to the ill-health of my wife, I did not 
 attend. "We were this year sent again to Brandon 
 circuit, which was quite gratifying to myself and fam- 
 ily. We were, of course, well acquainted, and per- 
 haps more attached to the people of that circuit, than 
 of any place in which we had lived. My mind was 
 also free from anxiety in reference to the matter, for 
 one of the stewards had visited the presiding elder 
 in order to induce him to use his influence to have me 
 sent there. We soon moved hack to Hubbardstown, 
 where we resided the other two years we were on the 
 circuit. The Rev. J. Byington was my colleague. He 
 was an elderly man, though he had only traveled a 
 few years. He was a man of strong mind, a good 
 reasoner, and a very fine theologian ; but on some 
 account he was not very popular with the people. 
 Men are not always valued according to their real 
 worth. People are apt to be attracted by the tinsel 
 of oratory, while they overlook the pure gold of rea- 
 son and truth. 
 
 We took in a new appointment in Poultney — 
 preached a few times, and then the people in whose 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 109 
 
 house our meetings" were held, told me they would be 
 pleased to have us continue preaching there, but their 
 neighbors were so much opposed to my colleague, 
 that they threatened to have no friendship with them, 
 if they permitted him to preach in their house. They 
 said to me, "You can preach here, but your col- 
 league will have to desist." I replied that I and 
 my colleague were one in the work — that he was a 
 worthy man and ought to be heard, and that I could 
 not consent to preach where he was not permitted to 
 do the same. Then a gentleman living some three 
 miles distant, invited us to preach in his house. We 
 did so, and found large and attentive congregations, 
 where we could worship in peace, and some good was 
 done in the name of our divine Master. "We met with 
 some opposition at nearly every point, but the good 
 Lord gave us favor in the eyes of many people, and 
 souls were converted through the instrumentality of 
 his own truth, and united with the Methodist Epis- 
 copal Church. 
 
 In the early part of this year, a young man whose 
 parents were Baptists, went to New York city, for 
 the benefit of his health, and while there attended 
 meeting in the old John-Street Methodist church, 
 where, for the first time in his life, he heard a Meth- 
 odist sermon. After returning, he came and told me 
 of his visit to the city, and of the sermon, and invited 
 me to come over and preach in the township in which 
 he lived. I sent an appointment — went, and found 
 ten or twelve persons assembled to hear the stranger ; 
 
110 RE COLLECTIONS OF 
 
 preached, and left another appointment. There were 
 more out on my next visit; the new doctrine seemed to 
 attract some attention ; and this gave me encourage- 
 ment to hope that the seed sown would soon produce 
 some fruit. When preaching was over, about a dozen 
 young people went into an adjoining room, and com- 
 menced singing some pieces of music. I went in and 
 proposed to take part, and after singing several tunes 
 with them, took occasion to make some remarks in 
 regard to the privilege of singing the high praises of 
 our Redeemer, and spoke of the fearful state of those 
 who are cast out from his presence, and forever 
 deprived of the delight and joy attending the celebra- 
 tion of the praise of God in his holy habitation above. 
 The remarks were kindly received, seeming to make 
 good impressions on the minds of the young persons, 
 and in order to improve the occasion still further, I 
 invited them to kneel with me in prayer ; and while 
 my heart was lifted up to heaven, invoking the 
 blessing of God upon them, a scene presented itself 
 such as angels delight to gaze upon. My young 
 friends began to cry for mercy ; the great deep of 
 their hearts was broken up, and they poured forth 
 their undissembled anguish, pleading for salvation in 
 the name of Jesus. I continued praying with them 
 and pointing them to the " Lamb for sinners slain," 
 till four of them were happily converted to God. Be- 
 fore leaving, I said to them, "Now, my young friends, 
 in four weeks from this time, I shall expect to see you 
 in this room and learn how you are getting along." 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. Ill 
 
 But before I came again, the Baptists had three of 
 them under the water, and, of course, into the Bap- 
 tist Church. Although the Baptists and Congrega- 
 tionalists denounced us as "false teachers," and 
 ''wolves in sheep's clothing," they were very willing 
 to take our converts on their Methodist experience. 
 At my next appointment, I found the house crowded 
 to overflowing, and preached from Hebrews ii, 3 : 
 " How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salva- 
 tion ?" We had a glorious season. In a short time 
 we organized a class here, and continued to preach; 
 for the Lord commanded his blessing upon us, so that 
 prosperity attended us. Those young converts who 
 were enticed into the Baptist Church, came back, 
 bringing their parents with them ; and they all con- 
 tinued steadfast in the doctrine of the apostles, in 
 prayers, in fellowship, and in the breaking of bread, 
 in the Methodist Episcopal Church ; and great grace 
 rested upon them. After organizing a society, and 
 establishing a regular appointment, we applied for 
 the use of the school-house in the neighborhood, and 
 preached in it a few times ; but the teacher was a 
 Congregationalist, and being violently opposed to us, 
 locked up the house. But God raised us up a friend 
 in the person of a gentleman of materialistic senti- 
 ments. He was a man of wealth, had attended some 
 of our meetings, and now proposed to furnish us a 
 house to preach in which he owned in a village of 
 considerable size. This was not a central point for 
 Our little society, but it was a fine place for a congre- 
 
112 RECOLLECTIONS OP 
 
 gation. " The wrath of man shall praise thee, and 
 the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain." God 
 continued to smile upon us for good, and finally I 
 had the privilege of preaching Christ in the Baptist 
 meeting-house, in the center of the township. The 
 school-teacher who locked his door against us, came 
 and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
 brought his wife along. Now the Methodists are a 
 flourishing, influential Church, and have a large 
 house of worship on one side of the public square. 
 Truly, the handful of corn on the top of the moun- 
 tain shakes like Lebanon. " This is the Lord's 
 doing, and marvelous in our eyes I" 
 
 The summer of 1816 was a cold, dry season, far 
 surpassing any known to me in all my experience. 
 There was not one-fourth enough corn grown in the 
 region where we lived to fatten meat for the use 
 of the people. Wheat was very poor; potatoes 
 almost entirely failed; hay was less than the fourth 
 of a crop; pastures and water-streams dried up 
 completely, and the cattle could be heard lowing 
 mournfully for food and drink. People were much 
 alarmed. The horrors of famine stared them in the 
 face. I went to a gentleman living near who had 
 a quantity of old wheat, and purchased enough to 
 sustain my family another year, paying for it $2.25 
 per bushel. In Sudbury — the place in which I 
 organized a new society, while on the circuit before — 
 I was preaching in the Presbyterian meeting-house, 
 upon invitation of the members, their minister having 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 113 
 
 left — and proposed having a day of fasting and 
 prayer, in view of the prevailing drought; and ap- 
 pointed public service in this church. But what I wish 
 to notice is, that the people left their farms, houses, 
 stores, and shops, and flocked to the house of prayer. 
 Even wicked men came, and brought their hired 
 hands with them to attend divine service. Death, 
 in ghastly array, stood before them and their cattle, 
 making them willing, and then they could find time 
 enough to come out and join with us in the solemn 
 services of the sanctuary. This circumstance proves 
 that ungodly men have some confidence in prayer. 
 In fact, there is scarcely a sane man to be found, 
 who, when in distress or threatened with calamity, 
 does not wish to have an interest in the prayers 
 of God's people. I have now in mind another melan- 
 choly illustration of this truth. While stationed on 
 the island, the enemies of religion sought to injure 
 the cause of Methodism by circulating reports derog- 
 atory to the character of the preacher; and none 
 were fonder of the ridicule heaped upon him, or 
 took more delight in bespattering his reputation than 
 a certain lawyer, who often made himself and others 
 merry by repeating silly tales hatched up for the 
 purpose. But he was suddenly attacked with hemor- 
 rhage of the lungs — then he immediately sent for 
 me to come and pray for him! I went in haste, 
 and found him in great distress of mind. Every 
 lineament of his face bespoke the deep agony of his 
 
 soul. I praved for him, and urged him to pray for 
 10 
 
114 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 himself. He replied that he prayed every breath 
 that God would have mercy on him a sinner; but 
 after a few hours, he died, and I attended his funeral. 
 Men can easily make light of religion, while in health 
 and prosperity, but when eternity presses upon their 
 view, if they have their senses, they will want Chris- 
 tians to counsel and pray with them. Pause, reader, 
 and think of this ; delay not to make thy peace with 
 God while life and health are afforded thee, lest 
 thou also be brought to lie upon a bed of death, and 
 feel those bitter pangs of remorse which will follow 
 abused mercies. 
 
 The year was, at length, drawing to a close — and 
 our last quarterly meeting was postponed a little, so 
 as to fix it upon a time when we could secure the 
 services of brethren on their way to conference. By 
 this arrangement, we enjoyed the presence and labors 
 of Revs. D. Ostrander, Dr. Bangs, S. Merwin, P. P. 
 Sanford, and other worthy men of God. Brother 
 Sanford preached on Saturday, and at night we had 
 a prayer meeting. This was our invariable custom, 
 no matter how many preachers were present, whether 
 strangers or not. On Sabbath morning, Dr. Bangs 
 conducted the love-feast exercises ; and a feast of 
 love it was. While preachers and members sketched 
 their experience, the heavenly fire burned within us. 
 We then repaired to the grove, and brother Ostran- 
 der preached a powerful sermon ; this was followed 
 by a stirring exhortation from brother Merwin, under 
 which the power of God fell upon the assembly like 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 115 
 
 successive shocks of electricity. The moving elo- 
 quence of the speaker enchained the large audience, 
 and swept like a resistless tide, overwhelming all in 
 its course. A number of preachers sat in front of 
 the stand, and, quick as the lightning's flash, all 
 were at once overpowered with the revealing of the 
 Divine glory, while the whole congregation, as if 
 moved with one Divine impulse, quaked with silent 
 awe before the majesty of the mighty God. The 
 Spirit of the Lord God rested upon his servant — 
 smote the hearts of sinners, and filled his people with 
 rejoicing. In the afternoon, our meeting closed with 
 the sacrament of the Lord's supper, and with it closed 
 the labors of another conference year on Brandon 
 circuit. That was a delightful season, and now that 
 forty years have passed away, the remembrance is 
 still refreshing to me. 
 
 The next morning these brethren went on to the 
 seat of conference — Middlebury, Vermont — and the 
 day following I was with them. This was the first 
 time the conference was held so far north. The good 
 people of Middlebury exerted themselves to entertain 
 the preachers in attendance, well. Bishops M'Ken- 
 dree and George were present, and we had a harmo- 
 nious session. The preaching was doctrinal, practical, 
 and instructive. Many that listened to the great and 
 good men who preached the Gospel there, went away 
 saying, " We never heard it on this fashion ;" some 
 said, "That was a splendid sermon;" others would 
 say, " That's a smart man — but he needs indoctrin- 
 
116 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 ating!" Bishop George preached in the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church, on Sabbath morning — text not 
 remembered — a most delightful sermon. His -warm 
 pathetic appeals, his wholesome Gospel truths, and 
 his startling flights of oratory, fired every Christian 
 heart, and held, spell-bound, his numerous auditory. 
 But this was usual with the Bishop. He was an 
 admirable preacher — with me, a great favorite. I 
 would love to give the reader an idea of that sermon, 
 but it is impossible. I would ride twenty miles, any 
 day, to hear another like it. Its fruit will appear in 
 the great day. Dr. Emory — subsequently bishop — 
 preached a strong sermon in the court-house, on 
 regeneration. Text: "Ye must be born again." 
 Bishop M'Kendree delivered one of his smooch, 
 melting, instructive discourses, in the Presbyterian 
 church, from Jude 3 : " Beloved, when I gave all 
 diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, 
 it was needful for me to write unto } t ou, and exhort 
 you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith 
 which was once delivered unto the saints." Every 
 eye was fixed upon the venerable speaker, and every 
 ear turned to catcli the words as they proceeded out 
 of his mouth. It was a noble effort, and I doubt not 
 that much good was done. 
 
 From this conference — May, 1817 — I was returned 
 to Brandon, with brother James Cowl for my col- 
 league. He had traveled one or two years, and was 
 a young man of sterling worth — had a good mind — 
 excellent constitution — was fond of study, and, I 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 117 
 
 thought, could see the doctrine of a text quicker than 
 any man of my acquaintance. He loved to preach, 
 and the people loved to hear him. He was, subse- 
 quently, stationed in New York city, and, finally, had 
 charge of the Academy in Poultney. He died, some 
 years ago, greatly lamented, but went off most 
 triumphantly. 
 
 We were pleased to have the privilege of remain- 
 ing on the circuit another year — and none the less so 
 from the fact that we now had a new parsonage, with 
 better accommodations for living than we had enjoyed 
 since we commenced traveling. Myself and colleague 
 were soon at work, preaching, and visiting from house 
 to house, holding something like family class meetings, 
 in which we inquired of the different persons how 
 their souls prospered, and urged upon them the neces- 
 sity of deep, uniform piety. After preaching we 
 detained the members for class, urged them to seek 
 for higher attainments in religion, and to be in life 
 decidedly Methodistic — that is, to live by rule or 
 method, having every-day religion ; not merely hav- 
 ing good desires, but putting them into constant, 
 faithful practice — -" living the life they lived in the 
 flesh, by the faith of the Son of God, who loved them 
 and gave himself for them." We sought to instill 
 into their minds the truth, that "Methodist" was 
 only another name for a genuine Scriptural Christian. 
 Although originally given in derision, it was adopted 
 by our fathers as an honorable, expressive appel- 
 lation. 
 
118 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 We knew well that in order to have a revival, there 
 must be hearty co-operation between the members 
 and preachers — that strong faith must be exercised 
 by the Church, as well as by the ministers ; hence, 
 we labored to see the Church aroused, to put on her 
 strength, and engage with us in direct efforts for the 
 salvation of souls. And, whenever we succeeded in 
 inducing the membership to covenant together to pray 
 two or three times a day for the special outpouring 
 of the Spirit, the cause of God was seen to advance. 
 Faith and prayer are said to constitute a lever that 
 can turn the world upside down. This is just what 
 we need. The moral world was inverted by sin ; it 
 has been wrong side up, to the extent that sin has 
 prevailed, ever since the progenitors of our race ate 
 the forbidden fruit ; but, thank heaven ! there is 
 moral power in the Gospel to right it up again. 
 Religion brings revolted man back to God, and en- 
 ables him to breathe his native air. It restores to 
 him his forfeited holiness — lights up in his soul the 
 fire of divine love — resuscitates the dormant energies 
 of his moral being, and constitutes him happy in the 
 light of God's reconciled countenance. "Who would 
 not have religion ! Reader, art thou still unconverted? 
 Is thy soul destitute of spiritual life? Hast thou lived 
 till this hour without God, and without hope in the 
 world ? Then make up thy mind now, that thou wilt 
 not rest till thy soul is born anew from above. Thou 
 art standing on dangerous ground ! With every pul- 
 sation of thy heart, thou art verging to the grave ! 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 119 
 
 Thou mayest now be on the trembling margin ! Be- 
 fore thee is the yawning gulf ! Beneath thy feet roll 
 turbulent waves of dark damnation ! Now, 0, pre- 
 cious soul, think — 0, think of thy danger ! Look at 
 the ceaseless flow of everlasting ages ! Look out — 
 out — out upon the limitless duration of eternity ! 
 Eternity ! eternity ! Think of that word ! Think of 
 night — dark, rayless, starless night — night drawn 
 out into perpetual continuance ! Night eternal, 
 boundless, merciless, " the blackness of darkness 
 forever!" ''Canst thou dwell with everlasting burn- 
 ings? Canst thou dwell with devouring fire?" Canst 
 thou endure the gnawings of the undying worm ? 
 Then, for thy soul's sake, make haste to Jesus, thy 
 only Savior. Yield thy heart to him in earnest, hum- 
 ble, contrite prayer. Embrace, by faith, his precious 
 promises. " Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and 
 thou shalt be saved." 
 
 " Believe in him -who died for thee; 
 And, sure as he hath died, 
 Thy debt is paid, thy soul is free, 
 And thou art justified." 
 
 And now, dear reader, whosoever thou art, I lift 
 up my heart for thee in prayer, that for Christ's sake 
 thou mayest be led to venture thy all on the merits 
 of the Redeemer's blood, and at last be saved in 
 heaven ! 
 
 Having prepared the way by visiting, the people 
 went into the work with us heartily, and omens of 
 good began to appear ; my old friends were at their 
 
120 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 posts, ready to stay up our hands, and encourage our 
 hearts, and God graciously granted us a year of pros- 
 perity. At the close of my first year of this terra of 
 service, which was properly my third year, I preached 
 a farewell sermon at Mount Holly, from these words : 
 " Finally, brethren, farewell ; be perfect, be of one 
 mind, live in peace, and the God of peace shall be 
 with you." On going back to that place to commence 
 another year's labor, and thinking of this last dis- 
 course, my mind rested on the following words as an 
 appropriate foundation for a sermon : " And some 
 days after, Paul said unto Barnabas, let us go again 
 and visit our brethren in every city where we have 
 preached the word of the Lord, and see how they 
 do." We had a loving, weeping time. I told them 
 I had come to inquire after their spiritual health. I 
 rejoiced to find them in prosperity. God was with 
 them in deed and in truth. The young converts of 
 the previous year stood firm, and were growing in 
 grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
 God continued to favor us with special divine influ- 
 ence, so that this, too, was a blessed year for Mount 
 Holly. 
 
 While riding to one of my appointments, I fell in 
 company with a gentleman who had an intelligent 
 appearance, and wishing to give our conversation a 
 religious turn, I remarked, on passing a grove, that 
 there was a fine representation of the human family — 
 that there were the young, the middle-aged, and the 
 old ; that some of each class were dying, and others 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 121 
 
 rising to fill their places, etc. He responded, but 
 gave me to understand that his religious training had 
 been of the prevailing sort ; the doctrine had been 
 carefully instilled into his ' mind that God foreor- 
 dained -whatsoever comes to pass. I asked him if he 
 believed that God had decreed from all eternity that 
 he and I should ride together that day down to Bish- 
 op's Corners? He said he had not the least doubt of 
 it. "Well, I wiU break that decree," said I, turning 
 my horse. " 0," said he, "God has decreed that you 
 should go no farther." "Then I will break that 
 decree," said I, giving my horse another turn. I 
 now told him that my actions did not depend on 
 God's decrees, as much as his decrees depend on my 
 actions — not that God, or his sovereign purposes, in 
 any wise, depend on his creatures, only that in form- 
 ing decrees respecting us individually, the divine 
 prescience does take our dispositions and conduct into 
 the account. Looking up to me he said, "Are you 
 not a Methodist preacher?" I answered in the affirm- 
 ative, adding that I delighted in my vocation. 
 
 I relate this to show that whenever we approached 
 persons on the subject of religion, we were met by 
 the old stereotyped dogma of fatalism, that God fore- 
 ordained whatsoever cometh to pass. This formed 
 the rampart behind which the formal professor, the 
 moral sinner, the vile transgressor, the ranting Deist, 
 and the brawling Universalist, would each fortify 
 himself for the purpose- of warding off the heavy blows 
 of Gospel truth. And how many souls have perished 
 11 
 
122 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 in the quicksands of this monstrous error, can only 
 be disclosed by unrolling the record of eternity ! Just 
 look at it. A man is convinced of sin, his soul 
 mourns within him because of the wickedness of his 
 life ; from the depth of a contrite heart he exclaims, 
 " 0, wretched man that I am ! Who shall deliver me 
 from the body of this death?" How chilling to the 
 best feeling of his soul to be told that God foreor- 
 dained whatsoever cometh to pass! How blasphe- 
 mous to assure him that his sins and sorrows alike 
 originated in the counsels of heaven ! And how 
 dreadful, how cruel to inform him that God decreed 
 the positive, unconditional salvation of a definite 
 number for whoru the Savior died, and foreordained 
 all the others to everlasting death ! Under such 
 teaching, how soon the temptation will arise that he 
 is one of the reprobates ! He will then begin to rea- 
 son, " The Redeemer is not mine — is not any thing 
 to me which he is not to the inhabitants of the world 
 of despair. I am no more indebted to him — have no 
 more right to sing redeeming love, than millions of 
 damned spirits !" Thus the black waves of despair 
 overwhelm his anxious soul, till, if reason be not 
 driven from her throne, he drowns his convictions by 
 plunging into dissipation. Numerous instances of 
 just such fatal reasoning from the premises of this 
 wonderful system, have actually occurred. 
 
 Toward the close of the year, brother Cowl ex- 
 pressed a desire that the appointing powers would 
 send him to the hardest field of labor in the con- 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 123 
 
 ference. Said he, "lam a young man — my health 
 is good — I am able to travel any circuit, and I want 
 the hardest they have." This was the right spirit; 
 it was no vaunt, put forth for effect ; it was the 
 spirit of the man ; and he was accommodated — but 
 rejoiced to labor and suffer in the cause of his Master. 
 He humorously said there should be an exception in 
 the rule in my behalf — that this was my fourth year 
 on the circuit, and the people said they were just 
 becoming acquainted with me. It is, perhaps, true 
 that it required four years on those large circuits, 
 to form as thorough acquaintance as preachers and 
 people now form with each other in two years. 
 
124 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 POWNAL CIRCUIT— TWO YEARS. 
 
 In May, 1818, I was appointed to the Pownal 
 circuit, with brother J. Hall for my colleague, who 
 was a pretty fine young man. This circuit extended 
 into three states ; namely, Massachusetts, New York, 
 and Vermont. 
 
 We lived in Hoosack, at which place were several 
 worthy families — the Millimans, Barnums, and others. 
 Thomas Milliman had built a house for the use of the 
 preachers, with wood-house, barn, etc., and made a 
 practice yearly of putting a load of hay in the barn, 
 and pasturing the preacher's cow gratuitously. It 
 is refreshing to record such noble acts of generosity. 
 Other friends were kind and liberal. Our situation 
 now was perhaps more agreeable than in any for- 
 mer year. "We were surrounded with choice friends, 
 had a good meeting-house, good neighborhood, and 
 a pleasant section of country in which to travel ; 
 hence we soon felt quite at home. 
 
 One of our appointments was in Petersburg, where 
 I was reared and converted. My father was still 
 living, and having spoken of his opposition to Meth- 
 odism, it may not be out of place to speak farther 
 of him here. As he continued to attend the Meth- 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 125 
 
 odist meetings, his prejudices wore away, and he 
 frequently remained with the members for class meet- 
 ing — an exercise of which he soon became fond ; so 
 one day at the close of class meeting, the preacher 
 in charge — the lamented brother Arnold — addressed 
 the members thus : " Old brother Lewis seems to 
 like our class meetings pretty well, so I think, breth- 
 ren, I will put his name on the class-book," and 
 turning to him, said, " I suppose you have no objec- 
 tion, Deacon Lewis ?" The old gentleman smiled 
 and gave his consent. I now found him a class- 
 leader on my circuit, in which office he continued 
 fourteen or sixteen years, and died — permit me to 
 say it — enjoying the confidence -and esteem of a large 
 circle of acquaintances, having lived in peace with 
 his neighbors to the age of seventy-four or seventy- 
 five years. He became a Methodist not only in 
 name, but in reality, embracing the doctrines and 
 discipline of the Church most cordially. My rela- 
 tives, and other friends who had known me from 
 childhood, received me kindly, and, perhaps through 
 some curiosity, flocked out to my appointments. Our 
 society in the place was good. Among the member- 
 ship were four of my brothers, the oldest a local 
 preacher. He had naturally a good mind, and was 
 disposed to combat error wherever he found it. He 
 had an appointment in North Adams, met with con- 
 siderable opposition, but continued to expose the 
 absurdities of particular election and reprobation, 
 and to preach Christ crucified, till the Spirit of 
 
126 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 God descended upon the people; then sinners were 
 awakened and converted, and a good society was 
 organized in the place. Wherever the doctrine of 
 free grace is faithfully preached, whether by men 
 of much or little learning, the ungodly will be cut 
 to the heart and tremblingly inquire, " What must 
 we do to be saved?" 0, that God would raise up 
 men full of faith and the Holy Ghost, and thrust 
 them out into the field now white to the harvest ! 
 And I pray God to give me a fresh baptism of the 
 Spirit, that, whether able to labor or not, I may 
 feel the worth of souls lying near my heart. 
 
 In Pownal we had probably the oldest society on 
 the circuit, and in it were some excellent members, 
 but they had neglected to build a church, on which 
 account we labored under great disadvantage. The 
 opposition from other denominations was strong ; 
 yet, in the midst of surrounding difficulties, we found 
 some prosperity, but nothing like what we might have 
 expected in a comfortable house of worship. 
 
 We made several appointments in Williamstown, 
 and, as usual, provoked the opposition of the " stand- 
 ing order." This was in Massachusetts, where the 
 law required every man to pay a tax to the Presbyte- 
 rians, unless he made affidavit that he attended divine 
 service and paid for the support of the Gospel in 
 some other denomination. He must procure a certifi- 
 cate to that effect from the preacher, and take it to 
 the town clerk and have it recorded. This law was 
 oppressive, and in direct contravention of that relig- 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 127 
 
 ious freedom which has always been the boast of the 
 American people. But oppressive as it was, it was 
 mild in comparison with what it was a few years 
 prior to the time of which I write. Then no such 
 certificate would be of any avail. Every man must 
 pay to support Presbyterians, though he might belong 
 to the Methodist, or some other evangelical Church, 
 and in his heart detest the absurd tenets of the "five- 
 points." On one of my visits to this place, a friend 
 who, though brought up a Baptist, always attended 
 our meetings, invited me home with him, when, in the 
 course of friendly conversation, some remarks were 
 dropped which bore against the peculiar notions pro- 
 mulgated by the great, and, as I trust, good John 
 
 Calvin; whereupon Mr. Y said to me, "Mr, 
 
 Lewis, I heard you preach good Calvinism the other 
 night." "Well," said I, " if you will convince me of 
 that, I will make my confession when I come round 
 again." " Well," said he, " you preached the doc- 
 trine of depravity as strongly as any Calvinist I ever 
 heard !" This indicates the view others took of our 
 theology. They labored to confound it with the Socin- 
 ian Unitarianism that overran New England prior to 
 the introduction of Methodism. They might have 
 known better, it is true, but none are so blind as those 
 who will not see. I informed him that we always 
 preached depravity, but that we do not leave the sin- 
 ner in his ruined condition without remedy; that after 
 portraying his real state, we offer him the atonement 
 and helps of divine grace flowing therefrom, so that 
 
128 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 the responsibility of life and death rests upon the sin- 
 ner, and not upon the Savior ; and assured him that 
 herein is where we differ from Calvinism, and not in 
 the doctrine of depravity. 
 
 My friend then introduced the subject of baptism. 
 Said he, " Mr. Lewis, if you will give me one precept 
 or example — I will only ask one — for baptism by 
 pouring or sprinkling in the days of the apostles, I 
 will yield the point and never argue on the subject 
 
 again." Said I, "Mr. F , if you will give me one 
 
 precept or example — I will only ask one — for bap- 
 tism by immersion in the days of the apostles, I will 
 yield the point and never argue on the subject again." 
 I took occasion to remark, further, that we were on 
 an equality so far as the proofs of the mode of bap- 
 tism, by positive precept or example, are concerned, 
 the facts in the case being these : " From certain 
 facts and circumstances named in the Scriptures, the 
 Baptists infer that the ordinance was administered by 
 immersion ; and from these same facts and circum- 
 stances, ive infer that it was administered by pouring 
 or sprinkling." This narrowing down of the issue to 
 its proper limits is always unfavorable to the hypoth- 
 esis of exclusive immersion. 
 
 Mr. F was a sincere friend, notwithstanding 
 
 his peculiar notions of doctrine. He had been trained 
 up in them, and all his religious feelings were asso- 
 ciated with his early training. The views instilled 
 into the mind in youth, are always retained with won- 
 derful tenacity. Early prejudices exert a powerful 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 129 
 
 influence over the mind in after life, often consti- 
 tuting a formidable barrier in the way of advance- 
 ment in the knowledge of the truth, and a fearful 
 obstacle to progress in the experience of the Chris- 
 tian life. How important, then, that the first religious 
 instruction of children be strictly evangelical ! 
 
 I do not know that I missed an appointment during 
 the year. I had some hard rides — was often much 
 exhausted in body, had some trials of mind, but was 
 always cheered with friendly sympathy, and was per- 
 mitted to wind up my labor pleasantly, thankful to 
 God who sustained me through the eleventh year of 
 my itinerant life. And now the season was come for 
 the annual greetings of brethren beloved, whose 
 hearts beat in unison, and whose mutual attachments 
 were warm, cordial, and lasting. No men know 
 better how to give an affectionate, whole-souled shake 
 of the hand, expressive of unalloyed friendship, than 
 itinerant Methodist preachers, returning, after a 
 year's toil, suffering, and triumph, to mingle together 
 in the session of conference. 
 
 In May, 1819, our conference sat again in the city 
 of New York. Going to conference then was differ- 
 ent from what it is now. Those of us who trav- 
 eled north, rode from one to three hundred miles on 
 horseback, which brought us within fifteen or twenty 
 miles of Troy; here we left our horses with kind 
 friends, who took care of them, and conveyed us to 
 Troy in wagons; then we took stage to Albany, 
 where we clubbed together to secure a cheap passage 
 
130 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 on a sloop. This cost $5, if boarded, and $2 if we 
 boarded ourselves. We chose to supply ourselves with 
 bread, butter, tea, sugar, crackers, etc., and thus sail 
 for New York, boarding ourselves. " But why detail 
 all this?" Simply to remind you, dear reader, that 
 our manner of traveling to conference then was quite 
 different from the commodious methods now enjoyed. 
 The change is great, yea, glorious, and I thank God 
 for it. 
 
 I was returned to Pownal circuit. This suited 
 myself and family well. Brother N. Levings was 
 my colleague. This was perhaps his second year on 
 trial in the traveling connection. He was a most 
 amiable, lovely young man, of strong mind, deep 
 piety, studious, and industrious. He commanded 
 respect wherever he went ; and my opinion is that 
 he prepared more new subjects for the pulpit than 
 any man with whom I have been associated in the 
 work. He was to be depended on at home or 
 abroad, by night or by day — at all times and in 
 all places. In the course of the year, he became 
 deeply impressed with the necessity of a clean 
 heart — entire sanctification. For this he sought with 
 all the ardor of his soul, and was enabled to embrace 
 and realize the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel 
 of Christ. After this, he appeared to move heaven 
 and earth in his religious exercises, and I doubt not 
 that he retained the enjoyment of perfect love to 
 his dying hour. The reader will recollect that he 
 died a few years ago, in the city of Cincinnati, in 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 131 
 
 the full prospect of heaven, esteemed and regretted 
 by the whole Church. May we follow his example, 
 as a disciple of the meek and lowly Savior, and 
 then, like him, die in full triumph of faith ! 
 
 We were soon at our work, and found my old 
 friends still at their posts, contending for spiritual, 
 heart-purifying religion. The Rev. D. Ostrander 
 was our presiding elder this year. I had formerly 
 traveled under the Revs. S. Draper and W. Anson. 
 The former died near forty years ago, and it is 
 probable the latter has gone to his long home before 
 this. Our first quarterly meeting was held in Adams's 
 Nock, Massachusetts. This was the first time brother 
 D. Ostrander preached in that region. He was a 
 good man, a sound theologian, and reasoned most 
 conclusively — was rather slow in his commencement, 
 but wound up in triumph. He would, as was once 
 said of the Rev. Samuel Coate, when deeply engaged, 
 stroke back his hair and preach so as to fairly make 
 his hearers see heaven, and smell the odor of the 
 burning pit. Lord give us more such men, whether 
 they come fresh from the college or the field ! We 
 want men of faith and prayer, with the unction of 
 the Holy One resting upon them, whose preaching, 
 like Paul's, shall not be with enticing words of man's 
 wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and power, 
 that the faith of the hearers may stand not in the 
 wisdom of men. but in the power of God. 
 ' Hitherto I have- said but little of my presiding 
 elders. This has been from no lack of esteem for the 
 
132 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 office, or for the men who filled it ; but simply be- 
 cause my limits would only permit a passing remark, 
 in which the character and zeal of those laborious 
 ministers of Christ could not be worthily exhibited. 
 It would be a far pleasanter task to delineate the 
 character, and detail the work of my presiding elders, 
 were I in possession of the necessary material, than 
 to write of myself; but in sketching these recol- 
 lections of my personal experience, I have felt it 
 necessary to avoid extended notices of others. My 
 presiding elders have all been dear to me, without 
 exception, and we have been sweetly united in the 
 Gospel yoke ; and I thank God that we still have such 
 an office in the Church. I never desired any change 
 in our Discipline on this subject. During the long 
 and heated controversy connected with the Radical 
 secession, not one of the proposed " reforms " 
 seemed to my mind to promise any improvement. 
 My motto in relation to this point has been, "Let 
 well enough alone !" True, our circuits are cut 
 down very small, and this could not be avoided. 
 The circumstances of the people demanded it — but 
 this is not a sufficient reason for changing our 
 economy. There is as much ability on these small 
 circuits now to meet the expenses, as there was on 
 the large circuits of forty years ago. My heart 
 rejoices to find our pastoral charges so compact as 
 they are ; those little fields may be cultivated well ; 
 and every true-hearted minister will find enough to 
 do in them. Often, while traveling the large circuits 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 133 
 
 of former years, was my physical frame so fatigued 
 that it seemed I must fall from my horse ; and I am 
 truly glad that our young men do not find it neces- 
 sary to ride twenty-three miles before breakfast in 
 order to reach their appointments. The change is 
 grateful to every feeling of my heart. But our 
 system is a "wheel within awheel." Like in the 
 clock, where every wheel is necessary to keep the 
 correct time, all the parts of our well-adjusted itiner- 
 ant plan are dependent on each other ; and to remove 
 the presiding eldership would leave the whole system 
 of machinery in confusion. Instead of modifying 
 the rules of the Church, so as to rid the people of 
 paying the presiding elder, let each pastor cultivate 
 more thoroughly the ground he occupies, especially 
 in the way of pastoral visiting, and there will be no 
 difficulty in supporting our whole system. Let our 
 young men in particular seek a new baptism of the 
 Holy Spirit, and devote themselves anew to this 
 work, and they will contribute much more to the 
 peace, harmony, and permanent well-being of the 
 Church as it is, than they can possibly do by in- 
 troducing innovations upon her time-honored and 
 heaven-sanctioned usages. 
 
 But to return from this digression. The quarterly 
 meeting mentioned was an excellent one — not that 
 many were converted, but the Church was quickened 
 and strengthened; and an impetus was given to the 
 work which proved of lasting benefit to the cause of 
 religion. New life was imparted to the membership, 
 
134 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 who went out to different parts of the circuit ani- 
 mated with fresh zeal for the glory of God, and for 
 the salvation of souls. 
 
 I stopped on one of my rounds to attend a funeral 
 
 service, and heard the Rev. Mr. G preach from 
 
 Job xiv, 10 : " But man dieth, and wasteth away : 
 yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?" 
 This was, in some respects, an extraordinary ser- 
 mon. The preacher said, "We are dying, and all 
 must die ; you have the evidence before you that man 
 dieth. Now, you can never be happy without salva- 
 tion ; and you can never have salvation, unless you 
 comply with the terms of salvation. These terms are, 
 repentance toward God, and faith in our Lord Jesus 
 Christ. You ought to repent and believe now, be- 
 cause, first, 'man dieth.' You ought to repent and be- 
 lieve noiv 7 because, secondly, God commands it. You 
 ought to repent and believe noio, because, thirdly, 
 you can not do it till God gives you a new heart. 
 Now, why will you delay ? I beseech you to repent 
 and believe now, for I tell you that you never can till 
 God gives you a new heart. In evidence of this, 
 think how many in this place, last winter, when God 
 was pouring out his Spirit, tried to repent and could 
 not. Then why will you neglect to repent? for I tell 
 you that you never can repent till God gives you a 
 new heart!" For half an hour he kept urging his 
 hearers to repent, and the great reason assigned was, 
 "You never can till God gives you a new heart." 
 After preaching, he passed round shaking hands with 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 135 
 
 the friends, and when he came to me, we took each 
 other by the hand, and after some conversation, I 
 whispered to him, " You told us we should repent 
 now, because we never can till God gives us a new 
 heart!" Turning round, so as to face the congrega- 
 tion, he said in an audible voice, "I presume my con- 
 gregation understood me." I replied that perhaps 
 they did, and that I thought I likewise understood 
 him; for I always suppose a man to mean what he 
 says, unless he makes a slip of the tongue, which is 
 pardonable in any one. Said he, " I presume my con- 
 gregation understand the difference between natural 
 ability and moral ability." I answered that they 
 probably did, and that I thought I also did. Then I 
 proceeded to address him as follows: " Now, Mr. 
 
 G , you have told us, to-day, how awfully bad you 
 
 feel when you hear people talk about going to heaven 
 by their own works. I wish to say to you that I abhor 
 such a sentiment just as much as you do yourself; 
 but whose doctrine is it that sends men to heaven by 
 their own works, yours or mine ? You say men have 
 a natural ability — let them, then, exercise that natural 
 ability, and go to heaven without any thanks to grace ! 
 What ! men possess natural ability to perform the 
 moral duties they owe to God ? Every principle of 
 philosophy stands opposed to it. If that position be 
 correct, then the exercise of natural ability will pro- 
 duce a supernatural effect, and secure a supernatural 
 result; then the effect is superior to the cause, the 
 stream rises higher than the fountain ! But we .say our 
 
136 EECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 ' ability' is not natural, but gracious; and the im- 
 provement of a gracious ability produces a gracious 
 result; and thus we expect heaven by grace, and not 
 
 by works." "Well," said Mr. G , "that's as good 
 
 Arminianism as I have heard in a long time. But 
 what is it that constitutes this gracious ability of 
 which you speak?" "The quickening grace of God, 
 sir, which affects every sinner's heart. Jesus Christ is 
 the true light which lighteth every man that cometh 
 into the world; the grace of God that bringeth salva- 
 tion hath appeared unto all men; and a manifestation 
 of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal." 
 
 " Well, I do not know but it may be so," said G , 
 
 "but none of the authors I have read view it in that 
 light." "I do not know what authors you have read," 
 said I, " but the Bible teaches the doctrine I have 
 laid down." 
 
 Just then, an old gentleman stepped up, and, laying 
 his hand on my shoulder, said, "Young man, you are 
 on bad ground, and had better give it up." Said I, 
 "You are a man of years, and ought to know." 
 "Yes," said he, "I am an old man, and I tell you 
 that you are on very bad ground." I told him I was 
 willing everyone should think for himself. "Yes," 
 said he, "but do have them think right." "That's 
 the very reason I make my plea, that men may think 
 right," said I. The old gentleman, as if abandoning 
 me as a hopeless reprobate, turned round, and, with 
 cane in hand, moved for the door. I was urged to 
 stay and preach, but it was too late in the day. 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 137 
 
 When I came round, in four weeks, a sister to the 
 deceased brother was dead, and the friends desired 
 me to preach the funeral sermon. This I did in the 
 same house, and to many of the same hearers that 
 were present on the former occasion. My text was 
 John xii, 35 : " Yet a little while is the light with 
 you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness 
 come upon you." 
 
 The following method was pursued : 
 
 I. The privilege enjoyed: "The light is with you." 
 
 II. The duty enjoined: "Walk while you have 
 the light." 
 
 III. The consequence of neglect : "Darkness Com- 
 eth upon you." 
 
 Many in that place, afterward, professed to view 
 the economy of grace differently from what they had 
 done before. These incidental conversations, on doc- 
 trinal points, often led to inquiry, and resulted in 
 removing the film of prejudice from many eyes. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. D now came into this neighbor- 
 hood and commenced preaching, and manifested an 
 intense desire to enlighten me in regard to baptism. 
 When I filled my regular appointment, he was in the 
 congregation. After service I was introduced to him, 
 and, in less than three minutes, he introduced his 
 favorite theme. I waived the subject then, and in a 
 few days he met me on the street and introduced it 
 again. At my next round, he was out to hear me, 
 and was soon upon his old hobby. He requested me 
 
 to visit him at his house — said he had some passages 
 
 12 
 
138 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 in Church history he wished to read to me. I made 
 him a call, and he was soon at work. He read of some 
 abuses of baptism that occurred in the Church at an 
 early period — that under certain circumstances lay 
 members were permitted to administer it to infants. 
 
 I replied, " If the abuse of an ordinance destroys 
 its validity, you should reject the sacrament of the 
 Lord's supper, for it was grossly abused in the days 
 of St. Paul, when the Corinthians ate and drank 
 till they were gluttonous and drunken. Now, why 
 not reject that ordinance because of the abuses to 
 which it has been subjected? If the abuses of infant 
 baptism constitute a valid objection against the ordi- 
 nance, the same objection holds good against the sac- 
 rament of the Lord's supper. Now, be consistent." 
 Said he, "We have to go to Church history because 
 others do, but the Bible is the only rule of faith ; now 
 give me one passage from the New Testament in 
 favor of the baptism of infants." "Lydia and her 
 household were baptized," I remarked. Said he, 
 " Lydia was a lady of Thyatira, a seller of purple, 
 and her household consisted of herself and some 
 young ladies she had employed to assist her in 
 business, and there were no infants among them." 
 "Well then, sir," said I, "if these young ladies 
 could be baptized on the faith of Lydia, as being in 
 her employ, certainly children may be baptized on the 
 faith of their parents ; and we have no evidence that 
 one of Lydia's household had faith except herself." 
 
 We had prayer together and parted ; but in a 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 139 
 
 subsequent interview, Mr. D said he did not 
 
 know that there was one Presbyterian, or one Meth- 
 odist, or one Episcopalian in heaven, but he did 
 know that there was one Baptist there. My reply 
 was, " Baptist means baptizer, or one who baptizes, 
 and if there is one who baptizes in heaven, he cer- 
 tainly must do it right ; and I suggest that the next 
 trip you make to that country, you ask the old Bap- 
 tist what mode he employs, and then give it to us 
 direct from him. This will be perfectly satisfactory 
 to me ; but it may not be to some others ; for I once 
 heard a minister assert that he would not believe 
 that infants were proper subjects for baptism, if an 
 angel should come down from heaven and declare 
 that they were." 
 
 This play upon the word " Baptist," is a favorite 
 employment with our immersionist friends. Some 
 years ago, a grave divine approached a young 
 
 student of divinity — now the Rev. Dr. C , of 
 
 G , Ohio — and said, " Remember, Mr. C , 
 
 you never read in the Scriptures about John the 
 Presbyterian, or John the Methodist, or John the 
 Episcopalian, but you do read of John the Baptist." 
 
 About the same time, the Rev. Mr. S came 
 
 along and preached a sermon from, " Ye must be 
 born again." He treated his subject evangelically 
 for some time, and then affirmed that " we are under 
 obligation to do that which we can not do." Said 
 he, " I will give you a simile : Suppose a father 
 directs his son to take a pitcher and bring it full 
 
140 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 of water. The son goes, but breaks the bottom out 
 of the pitcher. Is he not still under obligation to 
 bring the water — to do that which he can not do ?" 
 He appealed to the prophet who said, " Ye have 
 hewn out to yourselves cisterns — broken cisterns 
 that can hold no water," and claimed to have proved 
 triumphantly that " we are under obligation to do 
 what we can not do." After the sermon, a person ac- 
 costed me, wishing to know my opinion on that point. 
 I remarked, " If you will allow it, I will make use 
 of the same illustration : If God said to Adam, take 
 the pitcher and get it full of water, and he broke 
 the bottom out, Jesus Christ came and put the bottom 
 in again, and now we are required to get water, 
 not in the broken vessel, but in the mended pitcher; 
 so that we are not under obligation to do what we 
 can not do, notwithstanding our total depravity. 
 For, depraved as we are, we have an interest in 
 the redeeming sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which secures 
 to us the helps of Divine grace, and capacitates us 
 to do all the Gospel requires of us in order to sal- 
 vation. Hence, if we are not saved, the fault is not 
 in Adam, not in Christ, not in God, but in ourselves 
 alone. God is sincere when he says he is not willing 
 that any should perish, and that he has no pleasure 
 in the death of the wicked." 
 
 "But why record these familiar conversations?" 
 Simply because I deem them calculated to give to 
 a large class of readers a clearer idea of the real 
 points in dispute between Methodists and others, than 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 141 
 
 they would obtain from the more formal statements 
 and learned arguments of systematic theological 
 writers; and also for the purpose of illustrating 
 the fact that we had to contend for every inch of 
 ground we obtained. From the dignified clergyman, 
 the sober deacon, the loquacious squire, and the 
 " learned " pedagogue, we met with vehement oppo- 
 sition. Preachers of other denominations labored 
 assiduously to make the people believe our doctrines 
 were anti-scriptural and pernicious. Hence, we often 
 found it necessary to vindicate our positions from 
 the misconceptions, misrepresentations, and perver- 
 sions of others, both in public and in private. These 
 incidents show the kind of arguments brought against 
 us, and to what depths of absurdity men will plunge, 
 and with what unaccountable tenacity they will 
 cling to an exploded subterfuge, rather than yield 
 a favorite dogma. 
 
 We held a camp meeting, this year, near to our 
 own residence. We built a tent, and the whole 
 family went upon the ground. Here we labored and 
 pleaded for the conversion of our children, and of 
 our neighbors' children. We enjoyed some gracious 
 influence, but not to the extent we had on other 
 occasions. The Church was much blessed, and some 
 souls were converted. We returned home, and that 
 night had a prayer meeting. Now the power of God 
 came down upon us like the rushing of a mighty 
 wind ; sinners were cut to the heart and cried out, 
 "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Among 
 
142 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 the number was my own son, a boy of eleven years. 
 He bowed at the altar of prayer, and while I was 
 pleading in his behalf, in the name of Jesus, God in 
 mercy smiled, took his feet out of the miry clay, 
 set them upon a rock, and put a new song into his 
 mouth, even praise to God and the Lamb ! Once 
 more I say, thank God for camp meetings!* This 
 son — Calvin Wesley — afterward became a preacher ; 
 and while on the Jacksonville circuit, Illinois con- 
 ference, he passed away from earth. Some eight 
 or ten ministers, of different denominations, have 
 since told me that his was the most triumphant death 
 they ever witnessed. Thy will, God, be done ! 
 
 "0 may I triumph so, 
 
 "When all my warfare's past ; 
 And, dying, find my latest foe 
 Under my feet at last." 
 
 Sometimes, when camp meetings close without 
 many conversions or accessions to the Church on 
 the ground, the fruit will be seen after many days. 
 It was so here. Many souls were subsequently 
 gathered into the fold, as the result of this camp 
 meeting effort, and the Church was built up and 
 made strong in the Lord. God's name be praised ! 
 The remembrance of those days makes my heart 
 
 * He subsequently fell into a lukewarm or backslidden state, from 
 which he was reclaimed in a remarkable manner. After he commenced 
 preaching, he usually, in relating his experience, began at the period of 
 his reclamation. Those who have heard him will hereby understand the 
 cause of any discrepancy between the above statement of his conversion, 
 and his experience as related by himself. 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 143 
 
 glad. God was with me then, and he still permits 
 me to feel that I have a home in heaven. There 
 all the ship's company shall meet, freed from the 
 imperfections of this mortal state. 
 
 "No slightest touch of pain, 
 
 Nor sorrow's least alloy, 
 Can violate our rest, or stain 
 
 Our purity of joy : 
 In that eternal day, 
 
 No clouds or tempests rise ; 
 There gushing tears are wiped away 
 
 Forever from our eyes." 
 
 Time rolled on and brought another year's labor 
 to a close. During this second year, the people 
 generally, by their hospitality, kindness, and un- 
 diosembled friendship, endeared themselves to my 
 heart in such a manner as to cause me then to feel 
 that I should never forget them; and now I find 
 real delight in thinking of them, and of the many 
 happy seasons we enjoyed together on Pownal cir- 
 cuit. We may meet no more on earth, but — 
 
 "E'en now, by faith, we join our hands 
 With those that went before ; 
 And greet the blood-besprinkled bands 
 On the eternal shore." 
 
144 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 CAMBRIDGE C IRCUIT— F I R S T TEAR. 
 
 From the conference of 1820, my appointment was 
 to Cambridge circuit, which gave us a move of only 
 about twelve miles. Here we found a fine little house 
 built for the accommodation of the preacher's family, 
 but there was no barn. I drew up a subscription 
 paper and circulated it, telling the people I would 
 pay half as much as any one for the purpose of build- 
 ing a barn, and, with this proposition acting as a 
 stimulus, the necessary sum was procured, and the 
 barn and carriage-house soon erected and occupied. 
 
 This was a delightful section of country, and a 
 warm-hearted, Christian people. Many of the mem- 
 bers were from Ireland, among whom was father Ba- 
 ker, who had heard Mr. Wesley preach. These Irish 
 brethren received me with great cordiality, while 
 those born in America were not behind them in the 
 warmth of their friendly greetings. In a word, the 
 membership welcomed me to the circuit in such a 
 manner as to make me feel that, though among 
 strangers, I was surrounded with friends and breth- 
 ren in Christ. The following remark in reference to 
 this circuit, was made by Bishop Hedding, and is 
 found in Dr. Clark's "Life and Times" of that excel- 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 145 
 
 lent man: "If we were wanting proof that Meth- 
 odism is the child of God, and that it has received the 
 fostering care of the great Head of the Church, we 
 need look no further for a confirmation of these facts 
 than to its rise and progress within the bounds of 
 what was formerly Cambridge circuit. The state of 
 the Church in all this region in 1801, with its two 
 meeting-houses, scattered population, and scanty mem- 
 bership, forms a striking contrast with the state of 
 the Methodist Church here in 1849. Thriving villages 
 have sprung up in the place of the lowly farm-house ; 
 stately houses instead of lowly dwellings where we 
 used to congregate ; the ' tens ' of God's worshipers 
 have been multplied into 'thousands;' so that we 
 can but exclaim of a truth, ' The wilderness and soli- 
 tary place has been made glad, the desert has rejoiced 
 and blossomed as the rose !'" 
 
 The Bishop contrasts the state of the Church in 
 1801, with what it was in 1849. My period of labor 
 there, beginning in 1820, transpired between those 
 two points ; and I presume the changes which have 
 occurred in that region since my day there, are fully 
 equal to those which occurred between 1801, and the 
 time of my commencement on the circuit. It will be 
 perceived, therefore, that it was not strictly pioneer 
 work when I was there, nor had Methodism attained 
 any thing like the maturity, the position, and influ- 
 ence which it now has. 
 
 Father Baker, above alluded to, had been class- 
 leader for perhaps forty years, in Ireland and 
 13 
 
146 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 America, and was truly an " old-fashioned Meth- 
 odist." He possessed a strong mind, was deeply 
 pious, and the society looked up to him for counsel, 
 as to a father. As a leader, he was somewhat strict — 
 insisting that Methodists ought to live by rule, both 
 in respect to worshiping God and sustaining the 
 Church. Take a specimen : One day, at the close of 
 class meeting, he said, " Now, brethren, we will at- 
 tend to our quarterly collection. Brother N , 
 
 come forward and call the list of names." Brother 
 
 N called over the list of names, as they stood on 
 
 the class-book, and the members came forward as 
 their names were called, and laid the money on the 
 table, and the amount each one paid was credited 
 opposite his or her name. Some who were not able 
 to be present, knowing it to be collection-day, sent in 
 their contributions by others, that they might not be 
 delinquent. That class was rightly trained, and 
 every thing went on like clock-work. There were 
 no deficiencies there! This old brother collected quar- 
 terage on the right plan, at the proper time, and with 
 the least possible trouble. 
 
 My colleague — D. J. Wright — and myself went 
 immediately to our work, and, on the first round, my 
 mind was assailed with the temptation that I was 
 never called to preach — which temptation pursued me, 
 day and night, for six weeks. During this period, I 
 could find no comfort except in the act of preaching, 
 and, even then, the impression would sometimes be- 
 come so strong as to drive away the train of thought 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 147 
 
 I desired to dwell upon. The experience was painful, 
 but it led me to inquire, carefully, as to the design of 
 Providence in permitting it, and to review, minutely, 
 my past experience. 
 
 Some twelve or fifteen years prior to this, I thought 
 I experienced the blessing of perfect love ; but now I 
 doubted, and the more I examined the subject the 
 more I doubted, till my mind became satisfied that I 
 did not enjoy that great blessing. With this conclu- 
 sion came a deep conviction of my need of holiness. 
 Past experience and present attainments were all in- 
 sufficient. Nothing was now so desirable as the image 
 of God. An earnest struggle for full redemption, in 
 the blood of the Lamb, ensued. This was, in some 
 respects, the most interesting period of my life. God 
 was leading me by a way that I knew not, and con- 
 ducting my soul to richer feasts and purer delights 
 than I could possibly have anticipated. It was like 
 the yielding of winter's dreary reign, before the 
 balmy breath of opening spring. " Eye hath not 
 seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the 
 heart of man, the things which God hath prepared 
 for them that love him. But God hath revealed them 
 unto us by his Spirit ; for the Spirit searcheth all 
 things, yea, the deep things of God." 
 
 I was under conviction ; but this was as different 
 from my first conviction of sin and need of pardon 
 as light from darkness. That was accompanied by 
 a consciousness of guilt and condemnation — a dread 
 of divine wrath and fear of hell ; but this was accom- 
 
148 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 panied by the most pleasing train of thought that 
 could enter the mind : it was a simple discovery of 
 holiness as an experience desirable in itself. It 
 was a clear apprehension of the blessedness arising 
 from an all-pervading faith and zeal for the glory 
 of God, delivering my soul from backwardness of 
 duty ; the discovery of the nearer approach to God 
 as a privilege secured permanently through the blood 
 of the everlasting covenant. My mind was impressed 
 that the more I was made like God, the more pleas- 
 ing I should be to him, the more useful in the Church 
 and in the world, as well as the more happy in my 
 own soul. 
 
 About this time, a pamphlet on sanctification fell 
 into my hands, which assisted me not a little. In 
 perusing it, I was instructed and encouraged to seek, 
 expecting to find this high and holy experience. On 
 Tuesdays and Fridays I fasted till three o'clock in 
 the afternoon, bending all the energy of my soul to 
 the work of seeking a clean heart, often quoting the 
 poet — 
 
 " With me, I know, I feel, thou art ; 
 
 But this can not suffice, 
 Unless thou plantest in my heart 
 
 A constant paradise. 
 My earth thou wat'rest from on high, 
 
 But make it all a pool : 
 Spring up, Well, I ever cry: 
 
 Spring up within my soul." 
 
 "My earth thou wat'rest!" I felt it so; but this 
 did not meet the urgent want of my soul. Small 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 149 
 
 rivulets in the desert refresh the weary traveler, and 
 fertilize the little margin along their courses, but 
 do not render the whole land fruitful, causing it to 
 rejoice and blossom as the rose. Thus my heart 
 was kept alive, but not filled to overflowing with the 
 living water, and my cry was, " make it all a 
 pool !" I wished to plunge beneath the purple flood, 
 and be made every whit whole. My enjoyments 
 were increasing; I was approaching nearer and still 
 nearer the Divine likeness, but felt that the end of 
 Christ's death for me was not yet attained; I was 
 not filled with all the fullness of God. My most 
 absorbing desire was to die unto sin, and live unto 
 righteousness. As the hart panteth after the cooling 
 water-brook, so panted my soul after the living God. 
 But in vain would I attempt to describe the longing 
 of my soul for the mind that was in Christ Jesus my 
 Lord. Fully did I realize the sentiment of the 
 poet — 
 
 " O'erwhclmcd with thy stupendous grace, 
 
 I shall not in thy presence move; 
 But breathe unutterable praise, 
 
 And rapt'rous awe, and silent love. 
 Then every murm'ring thought, and vain, 
 
 Expires, in sweet confusion lost : 
 I can not of my cross complain — 
 
 I can not of my goodness boast. 
 Pardon'd for all that I have done, 
 
 My mouth as in the dust I hide ; 
 And glory give to God alone — 
 
 My God in Jesus pacified." 
 
 In the strength of grace, I purposed to be satisfied 
 with nothing short of entire consecration to God. 
 
150 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 At home or abroad, in the sanctuary or by the way- 
 side, in public or private, the aspirations of my heart 
 went up to heaven, often embodied in lines like 
 these : 
 
 "Suffer'd no more to rove 
 O'er all the earth abroad, 
 Arrest the pris'ner of thy love, 
 And shut me up in God." 
 
 Then would follow ejaculations such as the follow- 
 ing : " Lord, thou knowest that I desire to be shut 
 up in thee !" "I would be thine — wholly thine, lost 
 and swallowed up in thee !" "0 Lord, arrest my 
 wandering heart ; settle and fix my wavering soul ; 
 make me daily the prisoner of thy love !" While 
 drawn out in solemn, ardent prayer, I was favored 
 with such power with God as I had never before 
 experienced. 
 
 For about four weeks, I continued seeking the 
 priceless pearl — redemption from all sin — when I 
 went to Fort Edward, and preached with much free- 
 dom and spiritual comfort. Every breath was fraught 
 with prayer to God for the fullness of his love, with- 
 out which my anxious soul could not rest. After 
 preaching, in company with others, I went home with 
 a friend, and, though the brethren conversed freely, 
 I said but little ; my mind was too deeply engaged in 
 communion with my heavenly Father. We had family 
 worship, the friends left, the family retired, leaving 
 me alone to meditate and pray. I slept but little, 
 that night — not that I had pain or guilt of mind — but, 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 151 
 
 0, the burning desire, to be made holy in heart and 
 life ! Morning came — I rose from my bed — fell upon 
 my knees and found my Savior near — more gloriously 
 near than ever before ; yet the blessing, so ardently 
 desired, was not realized. Breakfast being over, I 
 started for Sandy Hill ; there I called at brother 
 Clark's — went into a bedroom for secret devotion — 
 fell upon my knees at the bedside, and poured forth 
 my soul in prayer for a clean heart. I wrestled with 
 God, Jacob-like — I say it with humility — and, while 
 engaged in prayer, Satan tempted me, as he had 
 often done before, with such thoughts as these : 
 "Now you may as well give it up — there is no such 
 blessing attainable — all that have professed it have 
 been deceived — if there were any such blessing for 
 you, it would certainly have been bestowed before this 
 time — here you have been fasting and praying earn- 
 estly for it these four long weeks, and, certainly, it 
 can not be that so high a state in grace is attainable." 
 But, then, the thought occurred to me, " This is 
 surely a temptation ;" so I resisted the subtile reason- 
 ing of the adversary — giving it not a moment's lodg- 
 ment in my mind, and continued the struggle for full 
 salvation. Faith prevailed ! Suddenly the Holy 
 Ghost descended, filling my soul with heavenly rap- 
 ture. 0, the light, the peace, the melting joy which 
 overpowered my heart ! I felt the saving power of 
 the all-cleansing blood, and my whole frame was 
 affected to trembling. Had I an angel's tongue, I 
 could not be able to describe the blissful emotions 
 
152 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 that thrilled all my powers. Truly the words of my 
 Savior were fulfilled, "If a man love me, he will 
 keep my words : and my Father will love him, and we 
 will come unto him, and make our abode with him." 
 On leaving that room, I learned, to my astonishment, 
 that half an hour had passed away. I could not have 
 thought it over five or six minutes. In the fervor of 
 my pleadings with God, and in the rich communings 
 of my spirit with heaven, all consciousness of passing 
 time was obliterated from my mind. 
 
 Yes, I proclaim it with humility — my heart was 
 made clean. This is no fiction. " God is love : and 
 he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in 
 him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may 
 have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he 
 is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; 
 but perfect love casteth out fear : because fear hath 
 torment. He that feareth, is not made perfect in love. 
 We love him, because he first loved us." I was now 
 better than ever prepared to do and suffer the will 
 of God, for I knew something of what it was to be 
 "filled with all the fullness of God ;" and I now say 
 it to the praise of the glory of his grace, that, for 
 years, without interruption, I could sing — 
 
 "All praise to the Lamb ! accepted I am, 
 Through faith in the Savior's adorable name : 
 In him I confide, his blood is applied ; 
 For me he hath sufler'd, for me he hath died. 
 Not a doubt doth arise, to darken the skies, 
 Or hide, for a moment, my Lord from mine eyes: 
 In him I am blest ; I lean on his breast, 
 And, lo ! in his wounds I continue to rest.' : 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 153 
 
 .Now, dear reader, think of this high privilege. 
 Remember that an inspired apostle prayed for it 
 in behalf of the whole Church — yea, that Christ 
 himself prayed for it in behalf of all true believers 
 of every age. Believe that thou art " not called 
 unto uncleanness, but unto holiness;" seek for it 
 daily, purpose never to rest till thou art " saved 
 indeed." Fill that glass with pure water, and it 
 will contain nothing else without displacing some 
 of the element which first filled it ; so when the 
 heart is full of God, full of love and holiness, sin 
 can not enter without excluding so much of the 
 Divine presence : " For what fellowship hath right- 
 eousness with unrighteousness ? and what commu- 
 nion hath light with darkness ? and what concord 
 hath Christ with Belial?" But, having God filling 
 the soul, thou mayest "walk by faith," "seeing 
 him who is invisible," and keep thyself " unspotted 
 from the world." What else is meant by "walking 
 in the light as he is in the light," by having 
 " fellowship with his Father and with his Son," 
 and by having tl the blood of Jesus Christ to cleanse 
 from all sin" — "from all unrighteousness?" Here 
 I lift my heart and say, " I thank thee, Father, 
 Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these 
 things from the wise and prudent, and hast re- 
 vealed them unto babes. Even so, Father, for so 
 it seemed good in thy sight." In order to receive 
 these richer manifestations of the Father's love, 
 we must become like little children — simple-hearted, 
 
154 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 confiding, wishing to be taught ; for if we esteem 
 ourselves " wise and prudent," these things will 
 remain " hid from our eyes." " And if our Gospel 
 be hid, it is hid to them that are lost; in whom 
 the god of this world hath blinded the minds of 
 them which believe not, lest the light of the glo- 
 rious Gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, 
 should shine unto them." But if we bow submis- 
 sively at the feet of Jesus, and with strong faith 
 appropriate the death and passion of the Son of 
 God to our own hearts, grasping the atonement as 
 the soul's only refuge, then Christ is made unto 
 us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, 
 and redemption. Once more I say, dear reader, 
 seek this high privilege ; make it thy one desire, 
 aim and work to seek and find the " fullness of the 
 blessing of the Gospel of Christ." Live — struggle — 
 agonize for it as for thy life ! Then shalt thou 
 not be unfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord 
 Jesus, but thou shalt " bring forth those fruits 
 which show that thy roots are in the clefts of the 
 rock, that thy leaves are refreshed by the dews 
 of heaven, and that thou dost bask in the sheen 
 of an unsetting and a blessed sunshine !" 
 
 Shortly following this happy experience, I was 
 called to pass through a sore affliction. While at a 
 distant part of the circuit, in company with a good 
 brother, making pastoral visits, a man from the 
 neighborhood in which my family resided, was seen 
 approaching, and, on seeing him, a vivid impression 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 155 
 
 seized my mind that something serious had occurred, 
 demanding my presence at home. I expressed my 
 apprehensions to the brother in company, remark- 
 ing that, during my eleven years' itinerant life, my 
 family had often been sick in my absence, but had 
 
 never before sent for me. The man, brother F , 
 
 came up and told me that my daughter was very 
 sick, and it was thought best that he should come 
 for me. It was now late in the evening ; we took 
 some refreshment, and started in the night ; the 
 burden of my prayer being that myself and family 
 might profit by the affliction, however it might ter- 
 minate. Thus we passed the lonely hours and 
 tedious miles, till about the rising of the sun, when 
 we came in sight of the house and discovered the 
 beds lying out, by which we knew that my dear 
 child was gone to her long home. Upon entering 
 the house, I found it even so ; her lifeless remains 
 were lying before me, cold, still, fast in the em- 
 brace of death ! My wife, overcome with anguish, 
 was lying on the bed; I took her hand, pressed it, 
 wept, but could not speak. Passing into another 
 room, I sought relief in prayer. On the wings 
 of faith my soul went up to God, pleading that 
 the mysterious dispensation might be overruled to 
 his glory and our good; and I heard the respon- 
 sive whisperings of his Spirit, " Thy prayers are 
 come up before God — thou shalt be delivered." My 
 heart was full — " unutterably full of glory and of 
 God." Arising from my knees, I could but ex- 
 
156 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 claim, " Lord, it is enough !" While gazing on 
 the loved form of our child, still beautiful in death, 
 ■whose silvery tones and cheerful smile so often 
 sent sunshine into our hearts, we could say as we 
 never before had said — 
 
 " Give joy or grief, give ease or pain, 
 Take life or friends away ; 
 But let me find them all again 
 In that eternal day." 
 
 On Saturday morning, this daughter was in good 
 health; in the evening she was attacked with dis- 
 ease ; and on Sunday night, she sweetly sunk into 
 the arms of Jesus, and passed away to join the 
 swelling throng in the paradise of God. 
 
 "The morning flowers display their sweets, 
 
 And gay their silken leaves unfold, 
 As careless of the noontide heats, 
 
 As fearless of the evening cold. 
 Nipp'd by the wind's untimely blast, 
 
 Parch 'd by the sun's director ray, 
 The momentary glories waste, 
 
 The short-lived beauties die away." 
 
 This stroke of affliction fell heavily upon me. 
 It then seemed to me that I should not have felt 
 a deeper sense of bereavement, if every relative — 
 save my companion — had been taken away : yet I 
 was enabled to bow at the foot of the cross, and 
 say from the heart, " Not my will, but thine, 
 God, be done." But the doctrine of the resurrec- 
 tion of the dead never appeared so precious to my 
 soul as then. Without the blessed assurance that 
 
A SUPERANNUATE* 157 
 
 even " this vile body shall be changed and fashioned 
 like unto the glorious body of Christ," and live 
 again in perpetual youth, the Christian system would 
 be radically defective, in that it would fail to meet 
 an irrepressible desire of the human mind. But, 
 bless God ! our redemption is perfect. " He that 
 raised up Christ from the dead, shall also quicken 
 our mortal bodies, by his Spirit that dwelleth in us." 
 
 " Those bodies that corrupted fell 
 Shall incorrupt arise, 
 And mortal forms shall spring to life 
 Immortal in the skies." 
 
 The providence was dark, but heaven was kind ; 
 and, in reflecting on these words of our Savior, 
 "What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt 
 know hereafter," I felt that all was sanctified to 
 our good. 
 
 But to return to the work of God on the circuit. 
 I filled my appointments in regular order, enjoyed 
 the Divine presence, and saw the powers of darkness 
 tremble ; for the word of truth, though not clothed in 
 the tinseled garb of human rhetoric, nor spoken in 
 enticing words of man's wisdom, was nevertheless 
 owned of God, and made mighty through him to the 
 pulling down of strongholds. And yet we did not 
 have a large ingathering of souls. The revival was 
 more within than without. Holiness of heart and 
 life became a favorite theme for pulpit ministration, 
 and there followed a general waking up on the sub- 
 ject among the membership. Many sought the fuller 
 
158 KECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 baptism, and felt "the blood that cleanseth from all 
 sin," applied by faith. My own soul was richly 
 watered, day by day. Praise the Lord ! I was per- 
 mitted to enjoy communion with the Father, the Son, 
 and the Holy Ghost. The triune God was enthroned 
 in my heart, "bringing every thought into captivity 
 to the obedience of Christ." "Where sin abounded, 
 grace did much more abound." Once, sin had com- 
 plete dominion in my soul ; now, I felt, by sweet expe- 
 rience, that the tyrant was expelled by the Spirit of 
 God, and that all my quickened powers were under 
 the reign of grace. 0, the depth of redeeming love ! 
 All I had was upon the altar of consecration ; Christ 
 was all and in all to me. Truly I could say, "Whom 
 have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon 
 earth that I desire besides thee!" I had often urged 
 holiness upon my hearers as a Bible doctrine, but 
 never till now could I pour it forth from the fountain 
 of a full heart. 
 
 But there were enemies to this doctrine then, as 
 now. A friend remarked, one day, after meeting, 
 "Brother Lewis professes more than St. Paul did." 
 This remark was based on Philippians iii, 12: "Not as 
 though I had already attained, either were already per- 
 fect : but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that 
 for which I am also apprehended of Christ Jesus." 
 From this it is inferred that the apostle to the Gen- 
 tiles repudiated the doctrine of evangelical holiness, 
 or perfect love. But how terribly confused must be 
 the mind that reasons thus ! St. Paul was speaking 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 159 
 
 of that perfection which belongs to the resurrection 
 of the just. Unto that perfection he had not yet 
 attained, of course; but he immediately acknowl- 
 edged himself and others perfect in another sense, in 
 these words: "Let us, therefore, as many as be per- 
 fect, be thus minded." Christian perfection, attain- 
 able in this life, is one thing ; the perfection of " the 
 spirits of just men made perfect," in the intermediate 
 state, is another thing; and the perfection of glory, 
 or that which belongs to the soul and body in the 
 resurrection, is still another. But all these must be 
 confounded in order to pour contempt upon a most 
 precious truth, or heap odium on such as profess to 
 "follow peace with all men, and holiness, without 
 which no man shall see the Lord." The first, or 
 Christian perfection, which Paul professed, and which 
 numerous living saints enjoy, does not imply deliver- 
 ance from the effects of sin, so as to restore the soul 
 to freedom from error, and the body to exemption 
 from death — but only that the reign of sin be de- 
 stroyed, and the fruits of the Spirit brought forth to 
 maturity. The second, or that which invests the soul 
 upon its deliverance from the earthly tabernacle, does 
 not include all the hights and depths of glory that 
 pertain to the final state, but it implies freedom from 
 the pains, foibles, and imperfections of body and mind, 
 which are inseparable from this mortal state. These 
 shall be thrown off — no more to mar the felicity, or 
 interrupt the joy of the Spirit, in its communings 
 with the fountain of life and purity. The third, 
 
160 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 the perfection of glory, attained when the dead are 
 raised incorruptible — the consummation of all our 
 hopes, was the object of the apostle's earnest aspira- 
 tion, when he "counted all things but loss," sacrificed 
 honor, ease, and pleasure, " if by any means he might 
 attain unto the resurrection of the dead." In this 
 sense, he was "not yet perfect;" but, like a perfect 
 Christian, he "pressed toward the mark for the prize 
 of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." 
 
 We plead not for positive perfection in this life, 
 but for relative ; not for absolutely sinless perfection, 
 but for a perfection of "faith that works by love, and 
 purifies the heart;" not for infallibility of judgment or 
 action, but that the "blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth 
 from all sin." We do not expect, in this life, to love 
 God with all the strength of unfallen Adam, nor with 
 the fervor of sinless angels, nor yet with the inten- 
 sity of translated Enoch or Elijah, nor even with 
 the holy ardor of disembodied saints — but with all 
 the powers of redeemed, sanctified sinners; "with all 
 the heart, soul, mind, and strength" of fallen spirits 
 quickened by the Holy Ghost ! 
 
 "But many have professed this perfection, whose 
 lives witnessed that they did not enjoy it." Well, 
 what of that? Are Ave to deny the doctrine on this 
 account? Do not many profess justification, whose 
 lives declare plainly that they are either deceived or 
 grossly hypocritical? Shall we abandon our faith in 
 that doctrine, because some will dishonor their pro- 
 fession? Never! A man in England once said he 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 161 
 
 did not believe there were fifty pounds in the king- 
 dom. Upon being interrogated for the reason of his 
 strange assertion, he replied that he had not one-half 
 that amount himself! Thus, some men, who never 
 experienced any thing of the sort themselves, blindly 
 set up their own attainments as the standard of Chris- 
 tian privilege. But if we come to the word of God 
 for light, we shall find inspired men praying for it, 
 the provisions of the Gospel ample to warrant the 
 expectation of it, the commands of God expressly 
 enjoining it, and the promises teeming with encour- 
 agement to seek it. And now, dear reader, "for this 
 cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord 
 Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven 
 and earth is named, that he would grant you, accord- 
 ing to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with 
 might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ 
 may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being 
 rooted and grounded in love, may be able to compre- 
 hend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, 
 and depth, and hight; and to know the love of Christ 
 which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled 
 with all the fullness of God!" 
 
 Time sped away. Another year was numbered 
 with the past, and I was again ready to leave the 
 field of battle for the purpose of mingling with my 
 brethren in the labors and privileges of the annual 
 conference. I had passed through some of the 
 severest mental conflicts of my life, but, through the 
 
 rich mercy of God, the close of that year was hap- 
 
 14 
 
162 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 pier than all the past. God was the strength and 
 refuge of my soul. My labors being closed, I bowed 
 upon my knees and poured out my soul to God in 
 gratitude and praise — committed my flock to the 
 protection of heaven, prayed that God would direct 
 in the appointment of preachers to this field, and 
 that the year to come might be more abundantly 
 prosperous than the year past. And now to the 
 praise of my Redeemer, I will again record the fact 
 that in the year of our Lord, 1820, on Cambridge 
 circuit, my soul was made perfect in love. " My 
 mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord ; and let 
 all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever." 
 Amen. 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 163 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 CAMBRIDGE CIRCUIT— SECOND YEAR. 
 
 From the conference of May, 1821, I was returned 
 to Cambridge circuit, and was shortly in the midst 
 of my old friends, the press of whose hands bade 
 me welcome to the field of toil and triumph. My 
 sincere prayer to God was, that I might be more 
 useful than the previous year. The conference sent 
 me no colleague, but there was a young man em- 
 ployed, who, though inexperienced, preached well 
 for his years, was a good man, and well received. 
 But the principal part of the labor devolved on me. 
 When our doctrines and usages were assailed, I must 
 be found in the front of the battle, warding off the 
 missiles of error, by wielding the sword of the Spirit. 
 
 At their ordination, Methodist preachers promise 
 to be diligent in banishing " all strange and false 
 doctrines," and never did I suppose that in "con- 
 tending for the faith which was once delivered unto 
 the saints," the minister of the cross necessarily 
 departs from his appropriate business of preaching 
 " Christ crucified." I could have no sympathy with 
 that sickly, fawning spirit that smiles upon error as 
 an innocent foible, permitting it to pass unrebuked, 
 under pretense of avoiding contention and promoting 
 
164 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 peace in the Church. The motive may be laudable, 
 but the means are to be detested. Our fathers, the 
 pioneers of Methodism, never sought the good-will 
 of the world, or to conciliate the favor of the " stand- 
 ing order," by conniving at heresy; nor did they 
 think themselves " contentious " when laying bare 
 the stupendous errors which they found labeled with 
 Scripture names, and incorporated into creeds and 
 confessions, in lieu of the sublime doctrines of Gos- 
 pel truth. Had they refused to stand up in defense 
 of the doctrines they avowed, or cowered before the 
 haughty bearing of their " learned " opponents, defeat 
 and not success would have marked their career, 
 and the glorious triumphs of Methodism would never 
 have been written. The mountains of bigotry, pre- 
 judice, and ignorance, cleaved asunder by these 
 dauntless heralds of salvation, would never have 
 fallen before the "modest" labors of pedantic time- 
 servers. Their brilliant achievements stand out in 
 bold relief, proving that they were no truckling 
 cravens, seeking to establish dogmas w T hich they 
 were unwilling to submit to the crucible of enlight- 
 ened controversy. But notwithstanding the boldness 
 and fidelity of the fathers, and their great success 
 in refuting error, and in expounding the doctrines 
 of the Bible, so inveterate was the prejudice of other 
 denominations, that they had not yet learned, or 
 would not acknowledge the true character of our 
 theology. Even so late as 1821, any number of false 
 notions prevailed in reference to our doctrines and 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 165 
 
 usages. In the bounds of Cambridge circuit, were 
 Burgers and Anti-Burgers, Congregationalists, Pres- 
 byterians and Baptists — all affirming that Methodism 
 was "Arminian stuff." Scarcely ever looking into 
 our standard books, they contented themselves with 
 setting up and beating down, "a man of straw." Had 
 I refused to labor in public and private to counteract 
 these errors, and to make known, " with all plain- 
 ness of speech," the distinguishing doctrines of the 
 Church, I should have proved recreant to the trust 
 committed to my charge. But believing that Meth- 
 odism was a revival of primitive, Scriptural Chris- 
 tianity, I ceased not to insist that the distinctive 
 features thereof were fully sustained by the Bible — 
 " The only rule, and the sufficient rule, both of our 
 faith and practice." 
 
 These efforts were not altogether unavailing. 
 Some were induced to "search the Scriptures," like 
 the Bereans of old, " to see whether these things 
 were so." And God was pleased to raise up for us 
 champions for the truth, able to vindicate their faith, 
 and to defend the usages of the Church against her 
 most wily adversaries. An old gentleman of the 
 name of King, who was raised among the Burgers, 
 the most rigid Calvinists in the country, borrowed 
 some Methodist books, and, after reading for a short 
 time, found his prejudices giving way. He became 
 anxious to hear for himself, came out to preaching, 
 and listened with intense interest ; the word fastened 
 upon his heart, and he went home determined to see 
 
166 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 whether the Bible did warrant the new doctrine. 
 Searching the Scriptures carefully, with his mind, in 
 a good measure, freed from the fetters of prejudice, 
 he was not long in discovering that his old creed was 
 no part of the Gospel of Christ. Possessing the 
 spirit which prompts men to act upon their own con- 
 victions, he at once embraced the truth, " in the love 
 of it," and united with the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church. Of course, a storm of persecution followed; 
 his own family and friends denounced his course, 
 pouring out torrents of indignation — but his position 
 was chosen deliberately, and he stood firm. The 
 whole community seemed arrayed against him ; the 
 labors of the minister were brought into requisition, 
 and all possible efforts made to bring him back to 
 the. "faith of the fathers" — but every thing proved 
 unavailing. He read Fletcher's Checks, and other 
 works, storing his mind with arguments, and proved 
 more than equal to the best of his opposers. 
 
 On public occasions — days of town meetings, etc. — ■ 
 the minister would attack brother King in company — > 
 perhaps with a view of convincing others that Meth- 
 odism was false — at all events, he seemed to take 
 pleasure in disputing with him when others would 
 listen. On one of these occasions, some remarks 
 were made on a disputed point, when brother K. 
 asked, " Is it reasonable ?" Thereupon, the minis- 
 ter exclaimed, "What has reason to do with faith!" 
 Brother K. replied, "God made promise to Abra- 
 ham, that he should have a son in his old age — that 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 167 
 
 his seed should be numerous as the stars, etc.; all 
 this might look unreasonable to Abraham, but he 
 looked up to heaven, and saw the sun shining in his 
 strength — remembered the twinkling of the stars by- 
 night — thought of his past mercies and goodness, and 
 then reasoned, He who made all these thing3, 
 whose wisdom and power clothed them with light, 
 beauty, and harmony, can fulfill his own word ; and, 
 while looking upon these witnesses of God's perfec- 
 tion, ' Abraham believed God, and it was counted to 
 him for righteousness.' Thus, sir, we see what reason 
 has to do with faith." 
 
 Yes, reader, here is the way to believe the tenets 
 of Calvinism: just stifle the intuitive convictions of 
 right,, as they spring up in your soul, put out the eyes 
 of common sense, shut off the light of heaven, and 
 dogmatically exclaim, " What has reason to do with 
 faith!" 
 
 One day brother King went to Judge R , car- 
 rying with him a copy of the life of Wesley, and said 
 to him, " Judge, here is a book, which, if you will 
 read it, will leave its tracks behind it; however, if it 
 does, you will, perhaps, never tell me, as you know 
 the tongue can be made to do as you please." The 
 Judge took the book, promising to read it. Some 
 time afterward, brother K. went over to see the 
 Judge, and found him in the field. After the 
 usual civilities, the Judge said, " Well, Mr. King, 
 do you remember what you said about that book ?" 
 Brother K. replied, " I remember it very well." 
 
168 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 "And it does leave its tracks behind it," said the 
 Judge. 
 
 K. " I knew it would do that, but I thought, 
 probably, you would never tell me about it." 
 
 Judge.. "What a wonderful man Mr. Wesley 
 was !" 
 
 K. " He was truly a wonderful man." 
 
 Judge. " And now I want to hear some of these 
 Methodists preach ; I want to hear for myself." 
 
 K. " One of them will preach to-morrow, at Mr. 
 D 's, and you must go and hear for yourself." 
 
 Judge. " 0, I can't go then, but I will go soon." 
 
 K. "If you do not go to-morrow, perhaps you 
 will never go." 
 
 Judge. " Well, really, I can not stop my team." 
 
 K. " I shall be going, and I will come and 
 take you." 
 
 Judge. "Then I will go with you." 
 
 Brother King was so pleased that he rode all the 
 
 way up to D 's, six miles, just to tell him that 
 
 Judge R was going to attend Methodist meeting 
 
 the next day. I happened to be there, and heard 
 him relate the conversations which had passed be- 
 tween them. Said he to me, "Now, brother Lewis, 
 you know that Calvin taught that God works right- 
 eousness in the righteous, and wickedness in the 
 wicked; but our Savior says the good man sowed 
 the good seed, and the devil sowed the tares. Now, 
 brother, not that I wish to teach you how to preach, 
 but if you could touch upon these points in a natural 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 169 
 
 way, it seems to me that good might result from it." 
 Brother K. left, and returned the next day in com- 
 pany with his friend, the Judge. This was the first 
 
 time Judge R ever heard a Methodist sermon. 
 
 He remained for class, after which we had a lono- 
 conversation. He was much surprised on being told 
 that we believed all infants, dying in infancy, would 
 be saved. He had been taught that if both parents 
 were pious, the child would be saved; if one was 
 pious and belonged to the Church, there was some 
 hope; but if both the parents were wicked, neither 
 of them belonging to the Church, there was no hope : 
 the child of such parents, dying out of the Church, 
 was surely a reprobate, and would perish forever ! I 
 explained to him that no infants were saved because 
 their parents were pious, but because Christ redeemed 
 them by his blood, and saved them from the curse of 
 the law. He raised many objections, which I an- 
 swered as plainly as I could, and after conversing 
 freely together, we parted with the best of feeling. 
 Shortly after this, the Judge said to brother King, " I 
 have been thinking over what the minister said, the 
 other day, about infants being saved, and the more I 
 think of it, the more reasonable it appears." " Yes," 
 said brother K., "it is certainly the Bible doctrine." 
 
 It was not long till the Judge, in company with 
 brother King, attended one of our quarterly meet- 
 ings. We had, as usual, prayer meeting at night, 
 family worship where we lodged, and then the Judge 
 observed that most of us, before retiring to rest, 
 
 15 
 
170 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 bowed the knee in secret devotion. He remarked, 
 in surprise, that these men prayed more than any 
 people he had ever known. Said he to brother King, 
 " Only think of it : they had prayer meeting, prayed 
 again in the family, and then prayed in secret before 
 going to bed !" The Church members with whom the 
 Judge had been associated, thought they were suffi- 
 ciently pious if they prayed once in a week, or once 
 in a month. He continued to attend our meetings, 
 and finally joined the Church, and became a warm- 
 hearted Christian and a happy man. 
 
 At one appointment on this circuit, there lived 
 several men of skeptical sentiments, with consider- 
 able wealth and refinement, whose wives belonged to 
 the Church, and were seldom absent from divine 
 worship, although the preaching was on week-day. 
 Sometimes their husbands would accompany them, 
 and invite me home with them. I would generally 
 accept the invitation; and, though they had no confi- 
 dence in the divinity of our faith, they would treat 
 me well, so that I felt quite at home beneath their 
 roofs. Some men are amiable in spite of the cor- 
 rupting tendency of their mental convictions. The 
 refining principles of Christianity mold their hearts, 
 while the evidences of the heavenly origin of the 
 system fail to command the assent of their minds. 
 My association with these men was most agreeable, 
 and I remember their hospitality with pleasurable 
 emotions. One of them once expressed to me his 
 doubts of the inspiration of the Scriptures: there- 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 171 
 
 upon I immediately called his attention to Zechariah 
 ix, 9: "Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion; shout, 
 daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh 
 unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, 
 and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt, the foal of 
 an ass." I first dwelt upon the time intervening 
 between the declarations made in the text, and their 
 alleged fulfillment. The prophet wrote some five 
 hundred and eighty- seven years before the birth of 
 Christ, and yet he clearly discovered the Son of 
 David making his noted entry into Jerusalem; he 
 described the beast he rode, the multitudes accom- 
 panying him, and heard their triumphant shouts of 
 "Hosannah in the highest!" My remarks were ex- 
 tended to considerable length. Then, after a time 
 spent in silence, my friend responded, that we want 
 preachers to marry us and to bury our dead, and that 
 he believed the preaching was useful; that it tended 
 to correct improper habits, improve the morals of 
 society, etc. 
 
 Here is one of the strange incongruities of the 
 unbelieving. They admit that the Gospel is useful — 
 that it makes men better — that it improves the 
 morals and promotes the general well-being of so- 
 ciety, and, when their friends are dying or dead, 
 they want its consolations ; but still they insist that 
 it is not divine, and therefore must be the might- 
 iest fraud ever palmed upon the world ! But not- 
 withstanding the inconsistency of their course, these 
 were special friends of mine, and I believe they 
 
172 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 were more liberal in furnishing their wives with 
 money for the support of the Gospel, than any 
 men in the range of my acquaintance. Often did 
 my prayer ascend to heaven for their conversion ; 
 and I humbly trust that, ere this, the Gospel which 
 they at the same time esteemed and denied, has 
 become the power of God unto their salvation. 
 
 In the town of M , I was permitted to preach 
 
 two discourses in the Baptist Church. In the first, 
 I endeavored to set forth the absurdity of flattering 
 ourselves that we are Christians, while remaining 
 destitute of the Scriptural marks of discipleship. 
 At the close, a gentleman approached me and com- 
 menced advocating the doctrine, " Once in grace, 
 always in grace." By way of illustration, he said, 
 " You know we sometimes cover up our fire in 
 the evening before we retire, and when we get up 
 in the morning we see no signs of fire till we rake 
 over the ashes — then we find here and there a 
 spark that may be brought together and kindled." 
 " Yes," said I, " and very often, after raking the 
 ashes most diligently, we find that it has all gone 
 outT After the second sermon, the gentleman 
 came forward again, and put to me what he evi- 
 dently considered a "stumper" of a question. Said 
 he, " Mr. Lewis, when a man is converted he re- 
 ceives something, does he not?" My answer was 
 in the affirmative. " Xow, then," said he, " when 
 a man falls from grace, what becomes of that some- 
 thing ?" I assured him that God could withdraw 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 173 
 
 his grace from any that would abuse it, referring 
 him to the case of the man who refused to improve 
 the one talent, and the command to take it from 
 him and give it to him that had ten. 
 
 Some time after this, I fell in company with the 
 Baptist minister. He also introduced the subject, 
 and attempted to vindicate the notion of uncondi- 
 tional perseverance. He based his argument on 
 the parable of the leaven hid in three measures of 
 meal till the whole was leavened. Said he, " Did 
 you ever know leaven placed in meal that failed to 
 produce its proper effect ?" I told him I had known 
 it often. ""Well," said he, "has not the leaven 
 an acting principle that is destined to work V I 
 admitted it ; but reminded him that much depended 
 on the condition of the meal — the temperature at 
 which it is kept, etc. The meal must be prepared, 
 and when the leaven is deposited, it must not be 
 kept too hot or too cold. So with the grace of 
 God. It must be received into the heart, and then 
 its operation must not be resisted. The heart only 
 comes under the assimilating influence of grace, in 
 proportion as it yields to the demands of the 
 Gospel. "Without the concurrence of the human 
 will, the grace of God will no more diffuse itself 
 through the soul, transforming the affections to the 
 likeness of God, than leaven will produce its legiti- 
 mate results in meal, while kept in an atmosphere 
 so hot or so cold as to prevent fermentation. 
 
 In attending to my regular rounds of duty on 
 
174 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 the circuit, I still realized much of the divine pres- 
 ence. My communion with God was uninterrupted. 
 I could still sing — 
 
 "Not a doubt doth arise, to darken the skies, 
 Or hide for a moment my Lord from mine eyes." 
 
 Our meetings were lively and spiritual; our class 
 meetings, in particular, were seasons of refreshing 
 to our souls. God was in our midst to kill and 
 make alive, and the attention of many wanderers 
 was turned to the things of the kingdom of God. 
 But one great hinderance to the work of conversion 
 was, that many thought they must make themselves 
 better before God would accept them. This is a 
 common error ; or, I may say, a common delusion 
 of the devil. When persons are convinced of sin, 
 they discover their unworthiness in so startling a 
 light that they are easily persuaded that they must 
 not venture on Christ for salvation, till they expiate 
 some of their own sins by repentance, reformation, 
 prayers and tears, if not by penance ; and under 
 this specious delusion, they go about the work, only 
 to prove the weakness of their resolutions, and 
 the strength of the chains which bind them. Vain 
 effort ! 
 
 " If you tarry till you're better, 
 You will never come at all !" 
 
 Here I will give an incident illustrating the folly 
 of trying to remove the malady from our own sinful 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 175 
 
 hearts. It was related by one of my Irish members 
 on this circuit, who lived in Ireland at the time it 
 occurred, and knew the man well. A Roman Cath- 
 olic was passing down street, and, hearing singing 
 in the Methodist chapel, he concluded to step in a 
 few minutes, which he did, without any intention of 
 staying ; but after the preacher took his text, he 
 soon found himself deeply interested in the discourse, 
 and tarried till the meeting closed. The next day 
 he went to the priest, and told him that he felt very 
 badly. The priest, after examining him somewhat, 
 said to him, " I know what is the matter ; you have 
 been among those Methodists, and they have made 
 you crazy; but I can cure you." After receiving 
 from the priest his prescription of penance, the man 
 returned home; but after several days, he went back 
 and said to the priest, " Indeed, sir, and I am very 
 sick yet!" "Well," said the. priest, "I can do nothing 
 more for you ; you must go to the i old father ' on 
 the island, thirty miles distant, he can cure you. 
 When you arrive at the island, any one can tell you 
 where the father lives." Away went the man to 
 the island, to see the "father." When he arrived 
 there, the imposing mansion of the lordly priest was 
 pointed out to him,, situated on an eminence, sur- 
 rounded with indications of wealth and luxury sur- 
 passing any thing to which the untutored "penitent" 
 had been accustomed. With no little trepidation, he 
 approached, being little less in awe of the august 
 character of the " old father," than of the magnifi- 
 
176 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 cence surrounding his dwelling, and with unaffected 
 simplicity handed the old priest a written confession, 
 which the other priest had sent — not doubting that 
 his mysterious "sickness" would now be cured. The 
 "old father" read the confession, looked gravely at 
 the man, and said, " You are a desperately wicked 
 fellow." "Ah, sir, an' that's not all that I'm guilty 
 of!" said the man. "Well, here," said the priest, 
 "take this crust of bread, and go over yonder on the 
 beach, and go so many yards [I forget the number] 
 on your bare hands and knees; eat this crust of 
 bread, drink a little water, and you will soon become 
 well." He followed the prescription to the letter. 
 He went to the beach, fell down on his hands and 
 knees, both bare, and though the pebbles cut and 
 mangled his flesh in a terrible manner, he went the 
 round three times a day for three days, but found no 
 relief. He was in great distress, and said, " What 
 shall I do? I went to the priest, and he could do 
 me no good ; I went to the ' old father,' and he 
 makes me no better ; now, here I am, thirty miles 
 from home, my hands and knees cut to a jelly, and 
 lam yet no better; what shall I do?" He deter- 
 mined to get home, if possible ; so he hobbled off in 
 the night, and, after much suffering, he reached home, 
 exhausted and full of pain. He went to bed and 
 remained till the following morning, but could not 
 sleep. The anguish of his mind was more intense 
 than the pains arising from his abused limbs. That 
 morning, he left his bed and went down into his 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 177 
 
 meadow to pray. He says, " I fell upon my knees 
 behind a bunch of hay, and said, ' I have been to 
 the priest, and he could not cure me ; I went to the 
 "old father," and he could do me no good; and now 
 I am come to try what the Lord Jesus Christ can do 
 for me.' ' While thus engaged in prayer, the burden 
 of guilt was rolled from his heart, and he was made 
 well and happy. How true the language of Dr. 
 Watts : 
 
 "Nor bleeding bird, nor bleeding beast, 
 Nor hyssop branch, nor sprinkling priest, 
 Nor running brook, nor flood, nor sea, 
 Can wash the dismal stain away !" 
 
 Now I wish to record the goodness of God in pre- 
 serving my life, in the midst of imminent peril. I 
 was using a remarkably skittish horse, which would be 
 frightened at the flutter of the smallest leaf. On an 
 extremely cold, windy day, I was driving him in a 
 light carriage, having myself wrapped up in overcoat 
 and cloak, with a horse-blanket gathered about my 
 feet, to protect me from the cold, when I came to a 
 hill with a steep descent of about the fourth of a 
 mile. I started down, thinking that if my horse 
 should attempt to run, I would try to run him over 
 against a high fence, which stood to the right, when 
 suddenly my thoughts were interrupted by the break- 
 ing of the band which held up the breeching. The 
 harness fell, and I was at the mercy of my horse, 
 now trembling with fright. I sprang to my feet, but 
 found them fast in the blanket. The horse stood 
 
178 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 trembling, till I disentangled my feet, jumped out, 
 chocked the wheel, and readjusted the harness. My 
 heart went up in thankfulness to God, whose restrain- 
 ing hand rested on that horse, and thus preserved my 
 life. I believe not only in a general, but also in a 
 particular providence ; and I do believe that God 
 mercifully interposed^ perhaps, by sending an angel, 
 to avert from me a fearful calamity, if not sudden 
 death. A horse is a vain thing for safety, but salva- 
 tion is of the Lord. 
 
 The year closed pleasantly. God sustained me by 
 his grace, and we felt grateful to him for all the mer- 
 cies of the year. I look back to the two years spent 
 on Cambridge circuit, with more than ordinary in- 
 terest. The scenes, the associations, the labors, and, 
 especially the experience of the divine fullness which 
 I there first realized, are among my most cherished 
 recollections. But many who were then my asso- 
 ciates, with whom I took sweet counsel, and in whose 
 company I went to the house of God, have entered 
 the upper glory, and are now tuning their harps in 
 the presence of the Lamb. May I meet them all in 
 heaven ! 
 
 " They mark'd the footsteps that he trod ; 
 His zeal inspired their breast ; 
 And, foll'wing their incarnate God, 
 Possess the promised rest." 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 179 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 BERN CIRCUIT — TWO YEARS. 
 
 May, 1822, our conference sat in the city of New- 
 York. At the close of a very pleasant session, I 
 received my appointment to Bern circuit, on the west- 
 ern side of the Hudson. This was very unexpected 
 to me. I had generally taken the whole ground; 
 indeed, I had traveled every circuit from Lower 
 Canada down to Massachusetts ; and, in going to 
 Bern circuit, I had to pass through one of the finest 
 fields of labor in the whole conference, where there 
 were two parsonages, and the people fully able to 
 support two married preachers. There was no 
 preacher's house on the circuit to which I was sent, 
 and I had a married man for my colleague — the Rev. 
 H. Ames — a blessed good man, who could pray and 
 exhort so as to make the sinners tremble. This was 
 the first time I felt dissatisfied with my appointment. 
 Before conference, the presiding elder said to me, he 
 did not know what he should do for Bern circuit ; that 
 the ministerial labor had been inefficient, and the 
 work was running down : but I did not suspect that 
 he was putting out a " feeler." My health was poor, 
 and the country was exceedingly rough; so I felt 
 
180 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 very much aggrieved at being sent there. I besought 
 the elder and the bishop for a change, but all to no 
 purpose ; this, and only this, was to be my field of 
 toil for the coming year, and the sequel will show 
 how unreasonable it is to murmur at the allotments 
 of Providence. 
 
 Having completed my two years at Cambridge, I 
 had made my arrangements for moving before setting 
 out for conference, and, on my return, found every 
 thing ready for loading up, so that the Saturday fol- 
 lowing the close of conference, brought us safely to our 
 field of labor. The distance to conference was two 
 hundred miles, and the move from the old to the new 
 circuit, from fifty to sixty. On Sabbath, I preached 
 my first sermon in a very filthy house ; but we soon 
 had it renovated, and also engaged part of an un- 
 finished building for sheltering my family. This 
 house stood in a retired place, with no water there 
 that was fit for drinking or washing ; and Methodist 
 preachers know something of the need of such accom- 
 modation as good washing facilities afford, after a 
 long move ; but, Providence came to our relief, and 
 sent down refreshing showers, from his own reservoir ; 
 and, by putting out numerous vessels, we were soon 
 supplied with the element so indispensable to clean- 
 liness. 
 
 I soon set out for the lower end of my charge, and, 
 at Rensselaerville, learned that a comfortable house 
 could be obtained, with good water privileges. This 
 was an extreme point on the circuit, and, if my family 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 181 
 
 lived there, I should have to be absent from them 
 most of the time ; but as it seemed the only point at 
 which comfortable quarters could be had, I deter- 
 mined to accept the kind offer of some of the brethren 
 to move us, as soon as the demands of the work would 
 allow me a few days to myself. Before I made the 
 first round, the work of the Lord broke out gloriously 
 at one point, and I told my wife that we were in 
 the right place ; that I now felt satisfied we should 
 enjoy ourselves better than if we had gone to the 
 circuit we desired. I also told her, that, though we 
 did not live in elegantly-furnished rooms, and walk 
 upon Turkey-carpets, we could have a comfortable 
 house, with all necessary conveniences, and a good 
 school for our children. Although it had always 
 been severely trying to Mrs. L. to pack up and move, 
 she went at it, this time, with pleasure, and we were 
 soon in the little village, feeling quite at home. 
 
 The presiding elder's remarks before conference, in 
 reference to ministerial inefficiency, were now forcibly 
 brought to mind. At many points on the circuit the 
 class-books had not been marked for twelve months; 
 class meetings were slimly attended, and, of course, a 
 general prostration of religious interest was the con- 
 sequence ; for whatever other denominations may do, 
 experience and observation teach me that unless class 
 meetings are kept up, Methodist societies will dwindle 
 and die. Some of our societies were ripe for refor- 
 mation or destruction; and with this impression dis- 
 tinct in my mind, I commenced revising the class- 
 
182 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 books, visiting the leaders and members, and urging 
 upon all the necessity of attending the means of 
 grace. After preaching, I would request all the 
 members to stay for class, and then exhort them to 
 faithfulness, warning the delinquents that if they per- 
 sisted in neglect of duty they must be brought before 
 the society and laid aside for breach of rule. 
 
 God blessed our feeble efforts and poured out the 
 Spirit from on high, making the wilderness to become 
 a fruitful field. We were soon in the midst of a pow- 
 erful revival of religion. Rocks, hills, and valleys 
 were no longer dreaded; rough places were made 
 smooth, crooked places were made straight, hills were 
 brought down and valleys were exalted before the 
 Lord; for he rained righteousness upon us. This 
 mighty baptism of the Spirit seemed to renew the 
 face of earth, overspreading the landscape with a 
 mantle of light. "Sing, ye heavens; for the Lord 
 hath done it : shout, ye lower parts of the earth : 
 break forth into singing, ye mountains, forest, 
 and every tree therein: for the Lord hath redeemed 
 Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel." 
 
 We now established a new appointment in Middle- 
 town, where we met with great opposition. Some of 
 the " standing order" raised the hue and cry against 
 us, as if we had been the veritable wolves in sheep's 
 clothing. The minister, who had not been in the 
 neighborhood for perhaps six months, came and stuck 
 to them like a brother — laboring, night after night, 
 warning the people against our encroachments, and 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 183 
 
 telling them that we preached most dangerous doc- 
 trine ! And it did sometimes seem that a plain, 
 Methodist, Gospel sermon, was like a bomb-shell 
 among Calvinistic refinements. 
 
 Once, when I came to this point, and learned what 
 a dust had been raised, I alluded to the subject in a 
 short speech, something after this fashion: "It ap- 
 pears to me, that those who believe God has fore- 
 ordained whatsoever comes to pass, so that not the 
 smallest event can possibly occur otherwise than as 
 he has decreed, ought in all candor to be careful 
 how they oppose Methodism, lest they be found fight- 
 ing against God; for if that doctrine be true, God 
 has decreed that there should be just so many Pres- 
 byterians, so many Baptists, and so many Methodists, 
 and it is impossible that there should be any more 
 or any less of either than he has particularly and 
 unchangeably designed. And if this doctrine be 
 true, God has decreed, from all eternity, that there 
 should be a little man named David Lewis; that he 
 should be a Methodist preacher; that he should 
 preach just such doctrines in Middletown as he has 
 preached; that just so many should believe them, 
 and so many should not ; and he has moreover de- 
 creed, that if people will dislike it, get mad and scold 
 about the new doctrine, this same David Lewis should 
 be perfectly unconcerned, so Christ is preached, sin- 
 ners converted, and the name of the Lord glorified." 
 
 Notwithstanding the outcry against us, the Lord 
 favored us with his rich grace, and a fine revival 
 
184 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 ensued. A Church was organized, and we soon had 
 a flourishing society, the members of one heart and 
 one soul, pulling sweetly together in the Gospel yoke. 
 " Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: 
 they shall walk, Lord, in the light of thy counte- 
 nance. In thy name shall they rejoice all the day : 
 and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted." 
 
 A brother in this place had a pair of twin-boys, 
 active, bright, good scholars for their age. What was 
 singular about them was, that one of them would pick 
 up a book, and if it happened wrong end up, he 
 would read with the greatest fluency ; it seemingly 
 making no difference which way the book was held, 
 or whether he read backward or forward. I should 
 like much to know what has become of those fine 
 little boys. 
 
 We had an appointment in Schoharie, the county- 
 seat. Some years before, this place was noted for 
 wickedness. It was considered rather unsafe for a 
 preacher to pass through the town. But there was a 
 man of the name of Stots, noted for pugilistic accom- 
 plishments, who became soundly converted, and the 
 fighting propensity all taken out of his heart. After 
 this, he became the stanch friend of the preachers, 
 and the people were mostly afraid of him. He was 
 in the habit of accompanying the preachers through 
 this place, as a sort of body-guard, to their next 
 appointment beyond; but in my day here, outward 
 opposition of this kind had pretty much ceased. I 
 found living here an excellent local preacher, of the 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 185 
 
 name of Wate. Many a happy night did I spend 
 with him and his pious family. 
 
 Finally, I will say that we were blessed with a 
 general revival throughout the circuit; and rough 
 and forbidding as the country seemed in the start, 
 I closed up the year's labor happy in the Savior, 
 and having no desire to move to another field. I 
 still felt an indwelling God. Blessed be his holy 
 name ! " 0, that men would praise the Lord for his 
 goodness, and for his wonderful works to the chil- 
 dren of men!" 
 
 This year, I received my whole quarterage claim, 
 and seventeen or twenty dollars for table expenses; 
 paid my own house-rent, but received more than any 
 previous year in the New York conference. Having 
 made new class-books, and attended to the various 
 concerns of the circuit, I left for the seat of confer- 
 ence, where I was permitted to renew many happy 
 acquaintances with brethren in the ministry. We 
 greeted each other in the name of our common Lord, 
 and talked over the labors, sufferings, and success of 
 the past year, and rejoiced together in hope of "the 
 common salvation." 
 
 In 1823, our conference sat in . Bishop 
 
 George presiding. For the first time in my life, 
 I now made some remarks relative to my appoint- 
 ment, which the Bishop readily understood. Said 
 he, "You do not wish to move." Said I, "You 
 crowded me there, and now I do not want you to 
 snatch me away." I was returned to Bern circuit, 
 
 16 
 
186 KECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 which was satisfactory, so far as I know, to all 
 concerned. The Church was in a healthy state, 
 the membership generally disposed to commence 
 anew the divine life, giving themselves np more 
 fully to the service of God ; but new obstacles to 
 the advancement of truth were preparing for us. 
 
 A Mr. S , a preacher of Unitarianism, of the 
 
 order called New-Lights, now known as Bible Chris- 
 tians, began preaching some twelve or fourteen 
 miles below us, and created quite a stir among the 
 people, by his zeal in advocating those peculiar 
 notions for which the sect is distinguished. Many 
 of our citizens went down to hear him, and some 
 thought him the greatest man they ever listened to. 
 Of course, his sentiments spread like wildfire, and 
 threatened serious consequences to the cause of 
 orthodox Christianity. A young Mr. W , a stu- 
 dent of medicine, whose sentiments were of the 
 
 materialist type, invited the Rev. Mr. S to 
 
 come to our town and preach. On hearing it, I 
 expressed a desire that he should preach on their pe- 
 culiar doctrines. The Doctor, with whom the young 
 student was boarding, said he would — that he ex- 
 pected him to put up at his house, and would 
 request him to do so. The appointed time arrived, 
 
 and Mr. S came and delivered his wonderful 
 
 discourse. He spent considerable time, in the first 
 place, proving that there is but one God; then he 
 occupied an hour and a half in proving that Jesus 
 Christ is the Son of God; and finally closed by 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 187 
 
 drawing the conclusion from these two propositions, 
 that Jesus Christ is not God. 
 
 The first and second propositions are perfectly 
 Scriptural ; no man, with the Bible before him, will 
 pretend to deny them ; but the inference is not. 
 warranted by the premises. There is more in the 
 conclusion than in the premises ; hence, the argu- 
 ment is fallacious ; but it was just the kind of dis- 
 course to produce effect among superficial thinkers. 
 Many were highly elated — thought the new doctrine 
 unanswerably established ; it was therefore mani- 
 festly important to do something at once to counter- 
 act the influence of the mischievous error, before it 
 brought forth fruit to perfection. Impressed with 
 this fact, I announced that at my next regular ap- 
 pointment — three weeks from the Sabbath on which 
 
 Mr. S preached — I would, the Lord willing, 
 
 offer my views on the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
 
 This produced a breeze. Mr. S 's sermon, and 
 
 the one now proposed, formed the whole topic of 
 conversation ; the excitement was intense ; Bibles 
 were seen on the counter and in the shops — every 
 one had something to say on the Sonship of our 
 adorable Redeemer. 0, that they had been as 
 eager to seek redemption in his blood! But men 
 are always inclined to show more zeal for an 
 
 opinion, than for the life of their souls. Mr. S 
 
 preached another sermon before my appointment 
 came, which had no tendenc}^ to allay the excite- 
 ment. At length the day arrived, the house was 
 
188 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 crowded with wide-awake hearers, and I endeavored, 
 to the best of my ability, to vindicate this funda- 
 mental doctrine of our holy religion, which had 
 been so virulently assailed. I propose to give an 
 outline of the discourse delivered on that occasion. 
 
 The text selected was the last clause of the first 
 verse of the first chapter of our Lord's Gospel by 
 St. John: "And the Word was God." I re- 
 marked as follows : " And — the — word — was — God." 
 Was it not ? Who will dispute it ? I dare not ! 
 Jesus Christ was the Word, as may be seen in the 
 14th verse : " And the Word was made flesh, and 
 dwelt among us, etc." Now, this Word, the Lord 
 Jesus, who was God, and who was made flesh, pos- 
 sessed two whole, complete, and yet distinct natures; 
 he was truly and essentially God, and truly and 
 essentially man. He is sometimes spoken of in 
 Scripture in reference to his human nature, and 
 sometimes in reference to his higher nature — his 
 essential Godhead, or Deity. When reference is 
 had to his humanity, inferiority is attributed to him ; 
 as when he says, "My Father is greater than I;" 
 but when the reference is to his higher nature, 
 perfect equality with the Father is ascribed to him ; 
 as when he says, "I and my Father are one." 
 
 But right here, in the outset, we are met with 
 the objection — the old stereotyped objection of in- 
 fidelity against Christianity — that this is so mys- 
 terious that we can not comprehend it. The inquiry 
 is urged upon us, "Do you expect us to believe 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 189 
 
 in mysteries?" "We do expect you to believe in 
 facts, the mode of which you can not understand. 
 If you do not, you will believe in nothing. You 
 are surrounded with mystery ; you find it without 
 and within you ; the air you breathe, the water 
 you drink, the food you eat, the sights that delight 
 your eyes, the sounds that salute your ears, the 
 fragrant odors that regale your sense of smell — 
 all these contain mysteries which no finite mind 
 can fathom. But Ave do not ask you to believe 
 in mysteries ; we only ask you to believe what 
 God has revealed — to take his word and testimony, 
 believing it to contain nothing but the truth, though 
 that truth be so high, so great, so sublime as to 
 tower to the heavens, and lose itself from your 
 gaze, in the ineffable light that surrounds the throne 
 of God! You must learn to distinguish between 
 a fact, and the mode of a fact. You can believe 
 in one and not the other. You believe your soul 
 and body are united — there is the fact ; but you 
 know nothing about how they are united — that is, 
 you do not understand the mode of the fact, and 
 you believe nothing about the mode. The fact is 
 before you, and it challenges your belief; but the 
 mode is mysterious. Thus in religion: the facts, 
 the truths, are revealed, and we are called upon to 
 believe them ; and whatever of mystery attaches to 
 them, is found to belong to the mode of the facts, 
 and is not an object of faith. But it is absurd to 
 reject facts, because you can not understand the 
 
190 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 manner of them. You do no such thing in regard 
 to the world around you, and I would have you 
 draw off your minds at once from mysteries, and 
 fix them upon the facts brought to light in the 
 Bible. 
 
 But suppose I quote fifty passages proving that 
 Jesus Christ is the Son of God, these will not dis- 
 prove that he is God — for he is both ; or suppose I 
 bring forward as many texts to prove that he is God, 
 these will not disprove that he is man — because he is 
 both God and man ; so when our opponents prove 
 that the Son of man was inferior to his almighty 
 Father, they have proved nothing at all bearing on 
 the issue before us. They must prove that he is not 
 God! They must make it appear that the Word 
 was not made flesh, or else that the text is false when 
 it says the Word was God ! 
 
 I wish you to notice that there are two names — I 
 say not words, but names — which are synonymous : 
 I Am, and Jehovah. These are underived, and 
 incommunicable. I Am, means self-existent, inde- 
 pendent, a perfect whole ; it denotes a nature, or 
 subsistence, that can not but be — and which can not 
 be imparted to any other being. So with the name 
 Jehovah. It is the proper title of the self-existent, 
 independent, immutable God. Now, if I show that 
 Jehovah of the Old Testament, and Jesus Christ of 
 the New Testament, are one and the same being, 
 you will be bound to admit the doctrine for which I 
 contend ; that our Lord and Savior is the ever-living 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 191 
 
 and true God. Now for the text once more : " And 
 the Word was God!" 
 
 I have one broad proposition ; namely, Jesus Christ 
 is the unoriginated God. I pledge myself to establish, 
 from the Scriptures, this most glorious doctrine. In 
 order to redeem this pledge, I will proceed to col- 
 lect and collate passages from the Old and New 
 Testaments, showing their bearing on the point before 
 us. The first I notice is Exodus iii, 14 : " And God 
 said unto Moses, I Am That I Am : Thus shalt thou 
 say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me 
 unto you." Compare this with John viii, 58: "Jesus 
 saith unto them, before Abraham was, I Am." Had 
 Christ merely intended to claim that he existed be- 
 fore Abraham was born he would have used the past 
 tense ; but this he never did with reference to his own 
 essential nature or being. He claims the Old Testa- 
 ment appellation of the self-existent God. He was 
 therefore the eternal God, or he made a wrong use of 
 this title, and claimed a character he did not possess. 
 
 See, next, Ex. xix, 16-20 : " And it came to pass, 
 on the third day in the morning, that there were thun- 
 ders and lightnings and a thick cloud upon the mount, 
 and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud ; so that 
 all the people that were in the camp trembled. And 
 Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to 
 meet with God ; and they stood at the nether part 
 of the mount. And Mount Sinai was altogether on 
 a smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire : 
 and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a 
 
192 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. And 
 when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and 
 waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God 
 answered him by a voice. And the Lord came down 
 upon Mount Sinai, on the top of the mount : and the 
 Lord called Moses up to the top of the mount ; and 
 Moses went up." Compare this with Hebrews xii, 
 18-26: "For ye are not come unto the mount that 
 might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor 
 unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, and the 
 sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which 
 voice they that heard, entreated that the word should 
 not be spoken to them any more, (for they could not 
 endure that which was commanded, and if so much 
 as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or 
 thrust through with a dart : and so terrible was the 
 sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake;) 
 but ye are come unto Mount Zion, and unto the city 
 of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to 
 an innumerable company of angels, to the general 
 assembly and Church of the first-born, which are 
 written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and 
 to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus 
 the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood 
 of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that ■ 
 of Abel. See that ye refuse not him that speaketh ! 
 For if they escaped not who refused him that spake 
 on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn 
 away from him that speaketh from heaven: whose 
 voice then shook the earth : but now he hath prom- 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 193 
 
 ised, saying Yet once more I shake not the earth 
 only, but also heaven." Both these passages, I 
 claim, refer to Jesus Christ as God : " See that ye 
 refuse not him that speaketh!" This manifestly 
 refers to Christ. He is the "Mediator of the new 
 covenant;" and his word is the law of the Church. 
 "Whoever may be alluded to as speaking on the earth, 
 which was probably Moses, it is Christ that " speak- 
 eth from heaven." This is clear beyond question from 
 the scope of the passage ; but it is equally plain that 
 it was the same being " whose voice then shook the 
 earth" — that is, when the voice spoke to Moses on 
 Sinai. But if it is Christ that speaketh from heaven, 
 and if it was his voice that shook the earth in the 
 days of Moses, then surely Christ is God, or Paul 
 was mistaken. 
 
 In corroboration of the position that both the above 
 Scriptures refer to Christ, proving him to be the 
 Jehovah of the Old Testament, I present the follow- 
 ing : " The chariots of God are twenty thousand, 
 even thousands of angels : the Lord is among them, 
 as in Sinai, in the holy place. Thou hast ascended 
 on high, thou hast led captivity captive ; thou hast 
 received gifts for men ; yea, for the rebellious also, 
 that the Lord God might dwell among them." Psalm 
 lxviii, 17, 18. Compare this with Ephesians iv, 7, 8 : 
 "But unto every one of us is given grace according to 
 the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore, he 
 saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity 
 
 captive, and gave gifts unto men." Now, that same 
 
 17 
 
194 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 God that was upon Mount Sinai, was among the 
 angels of God, and ascended up on high, according 
 to the Psalmist ; and St. Paul affirms that it was 
 Christ. Who ascended up on high, leading captivity 
 captive, and gave gifts unto men? Paul says it was 
 Christ ; but the Psalmist says it was the Lord, the 
 God that dwelleth among the angels, the same that 
 was upon Sinai; therefore, Christ is God, the God 
 of Israel, or Paul made a wrong application of the 
 passage. 
 
 Look, next, at Numbers xxi, 5, 6: "And the peo- 
 ple spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore 
 have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the 
 wilderness ? for there is no bread, neither is there any 
 water ; and our soul loatheth this light bread. And 
 the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and 
 they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.' 3 
 Compare this with 1st Corinthians x, 9: "Neither 
 let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, 
 and were destroyed of serpents." The Israelites 
 tempted the Lord in the wilderness — they 'spake 
 against God ;" but Paul says they tempted Christ. 
 This is the meaning of the apostle's language, beyond 
 all doubt ; for, the pronoun him, after the word 
 " tempted," is clearly implied; and the plainest rules 
 of grammar require that it be understood of Christ. 
 But if so, then Christ must be God — the Jehovah 
 God of Israel, or Paul has misapplied the Scripture. 
 
 I direct attention to the following verses from the 
 thirty-second chapter of Deuteronomy, for the pur- 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 195 
 
 pose of fixing your minds upon the term "Rock;" 
 
 namely, the 4th, 15th, 18th, 31st: "He is the Rock, 
 
 his work is perfect : for all his ways are judgment : 
 
 a God of truth, and without iniquity, just and right is 
 
 he." "But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou 
 
 art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered 
 
 with fatness ; then he forsook God which made him, 
 
 and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation." " Of 
 
 the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and 
 
 hast forgotten God that formed thee." " For their 
 
 rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves 
 
 being judges." See, also, Psalm lxxviii, 35: "And 
 
 they remembered that God was their Rock, and the 
 
 high God their Redeemer." But St. Paul, in his 
 
 first epistle to the Corinthians, says, this rock was 
 
 Christ. "And did all drink the same spiritual 
 
 drink: (for they drank of that spiritual Rock that 
 
 followed them ; and that Rock was Christ.") 1 Cor. 
 
 x, 4. Christ was the Rock, the Redeemer, the God, 
 
 the high God, the salvation of Israel, or St. Paul is 
 
 guilty of perverting the Scriptures ! 
 
 Now read Nehemiah ix, 30 : " Yet many years 
 didst thou forbear them, and testifiedst against them 
 by thy Spirit, in thy prophets: yet would they not 
 give ear : therefore gavest thou them into the hand 
 of the people of the lands." Whose spirit was in 
 the prophets ? Was it not the Spirit of God ? But 
 Peter said it was the Spirit of Christ. " Of which 
 salvation the prophets have inquired, and searched 
 diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should 
 
196 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 come unto you : searching what, or what manner of 
 time the Spirit of Christ, which was in them, did sig- 
 nify, when it testified, beforehand, the sufferings of 
 Christ, and the glory that should follow." 1 Peter i, 
 10, 11. God inspired the prophets, by his Holy 
 Spirit, and that was the Spirit of Christ ; therefore, 
 Christ is God, or Peter was in the wrong ! " Thy 
 throne, God, is forever and ever : the scepter of 
 thy kingdom is a right scepter. Thou lovest right- 
 eousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy 
 God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness 
 above thy fellows." Psalm xlv, 6, 7. St. Paul ap- 
 plies this passage to Christ, in Hebrews i, 8, 9: 
 " But unto the Son, he saith, Thy throne, God, 
 is forever and ever," etc.; therefore, the Son is God, 
 or the application of this passage to him is wrong. 
 " Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth : 
 and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They 
 shall perish, but thou shalt endure : yea, all of them 
 shall wax old like a garment ; as a vesture shalt thou 
 change them, and they shall be changed : but thou 
 art the same, and thy years shall have no end." 
 Psalm cii, 25-27. This is an inspired address to 
 God, the God of Israel, whom David worshiped ; 
 but it is applied to Christ by an inspired apostle, 
 Heb. i, 10-12: " And, Thou, Lord, in the begin- 
 ing hast laid the foundation of the earth/' etc.; the 
 conjunction " and " connects this with the first 
 clause of the 8th verse, " But unto the Son, he 
 saith," etc.; so that there can be no doubt that 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 197 
 
 the passage is applied to Christ : Christ is there- 
 fore God, or the apostle was wrong in applying these 
 words to him. 
 
 Let us next notice Isaiah xl, 3-5 : " The voice 
 of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye 
 the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a 
 highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, 
 and every mountain and hill shall be made low : and 
 the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough 
 places plain : and the glory of the Lord shall be 
 revealed, and all flesh shall see it together : for the 
 mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." This passage 
 is applied to John the Baptist, preparing the way 
 before Christ, the coming Messiah. " For this is he 
 that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, 
 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare 
 ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." 
 Matt, iii, 3. Wesley, Burke tt, Benson, Buck, Clarke, 
 and the learned generally, tell us that "Lord," in 
 this place, is Jehovah, in the original of the Old 
 Testament, and there is not the least shadow 
 of doubt that the prophet spoke of the great God 
 of Israel; but John was the "voice," and he was 
 sent to prepare the way before Christ; therefore 
 Christ is God, the Jehovah of the Old Testament, 
 or the passage is misapplied in Matthew. On 
 this point also compare Malachi iii, 1, with Matthew 
 xi, 7-10. 
 
 Hosea xiii, 4: " Yet I am the Lord thy God from 
 the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no God but 
 
198 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 me : for there is no Savior beside me." Compare 
 with Jude 25 : " To the only wise God our Savior, 
 be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both 
 now and for ever. Amen." God says by the mouth 
 of Hosea, that he is the only God, and the only 
 Savior ; Jude ascribes praises to the only wise God 
 and Savior ; therefore, if Christ be not God, he is 
 not a Savior ! So Isaiah xliii, 11 : " I, even I, am 
 the Lord; and beside me there is no Savior." But 
 Paul says, " Looking for that blessed hope, and the 
 glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior 
 Jesus Christ." Titus ii, 13. Jesus Christ is there- 
 fore God, or he is not a Savior ; for God says, 
 "Beside me there is no Savior!" 
 
 Look at the following : " Thus saith the Lord the 
 King of Israel, and his Redeemer the Lord of hosts; 
 I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me 
 there is no God." Isaiah xliv, 6. Now look at this : 
 " And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. 
 And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto 
 me, Fear not ; I am the first and the last : I am he 
 that liveth and was dead; and, behold, I am alive 
 for evermore, Amen ; and have the keys of hell 
 and of death." Rev. i, 17, 18. Was it Christ that 
 was dead, and liveth again, having the keys of hell 
 and of death ? None dare dispute it ! Then Christ 
 says, "lam the first and the last:" and God says, 
 " I am the first and the last ; and beside me there 
 is no God!" Christ, therefore, is "the Lord the 
 King of Israel, and his Redeemer the Lord of 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 199 
 
 hosts;" or this Scripture, which calls him " the first 
 and the last," is false. 
 
 I now direct attention to Isaiah xii, 2: " Behold, 
 God is my salvation ; I will trust, and not be afraid : 
 for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song ; 
 he also is become my salvation." Compare with 
 Acts iv, 12 : " Neither is there salvation in any 
 other : for there is none other name under heaven 
 given among men, whereby we must be saved." This 
 was said of Christ ; but the prophet said the Lord 
 Jehovah is become his salvation : Christ is there- 
 fore the Lord Jehovah, in whom is everlasting 
 strength, or else the prophet, or St. Peter was 
 mistaken. But if Christ is the Lord Jehovah, he 
 is truly and essentially God ; for this is that un- 
 derived and incommunicable name which belongs to 
 none but the self-existent, eternal God. 
 
 But I will cease collating Old and New Testament 
 passages, and notice a few other Scriptures in a 
 general way, and bring my remarks to a close. 
 
 "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is 
 given : and the government shall be upon his 
 shoulder : and his name [expressive of nature] shall 
 be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, 
 the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace." Isaiah 
 ix, 6. This passage refers to Christ, and causes 
 no little trouble to those who deny his claims to 
 
 the perfections of Deity. Mr. S told us that 
 
 Christ is called God, because he is the father of 
 God's children — pretty good, is it not? — and that 
 
200 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 there can not be a father without a son, nor a son 
 without a father ; and that the son can not be as 
 old as his father, etc. Now look at this : There can 
 be no father till there is a son ; then, whatever 
 God was prior to the existence of the Son, he was 
 not Father ; and the moment the Son came into 
 being, the Father, as such, came into being, or be- 
 came what he was not before ! Or, he says, " There 
 can be no Father without a Son ;" and if father is 
 a property of the Deity, an essential characteristic 
 of his nature, then the existence of the Son is nec- 
 essary to the perfection of God ; and if God was 
 always perfect, the Son must always have existed. 
 But the trouble with our opponents is, they constantly 
 conceive of God as of men, and because a man is 
 never so old as his father, they argue that there is 
 no sense in which the Son of God is equal to his 
 Father, in power and eternity, notwithstanding such 
 equality is ascribed to him in the Bible. But the 
 cases are not parallel. The nature of God and 
 the nature of man are far different. This argument 
 against the Deity of Christ falls to the ground, 
 because the analogy, in which it is founded, has no 
 existence. 
 
 Here is another criticism. Mr. Millard says, " The 
 prophet does not say that he is the mighty God, but 
 that he shall be so called" But who calls him the 
 mighty God? Have we not seen that he is "so 
 called" in the Scriptures? And if so, are we not 
 bound to believe that he is correctly so called? If the 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 201 
 
 sacred writers " call " him what he is not, they do it 
 from ignorance or wickedness ; but to attribute either 
 to them is to destroy their claim to inspiration, and 
 plunge us into open infidelity. 
 
 But again: It is said that men are called gods in 
 the Bible, as when the Lord said unto Moses, "I have 
 made thee a god to Pharaoh." True; but where 
 men are called gods, the scope of the passage points 
 out the subordinate sense in which the term is used. 
 Not so of Christ. He is plainly recognized as the 
 very God who said to Moses, "I have made thee a 
 god to Pharaoh." This expression refers to Exodus 
 iv, 16, where God tells Moses he shall be to his 
 brother as God, or "instead of God," implying that 
 what Moses received of God, he should communicate 
 to his brother, who was to be his spokesman. He 
 was to make Pharaoh see the power and feel the 
 judgments of God; but there is nothing like the 
 nature of God ascribed to Moses. Neither Moses, 
 Joshua, or any of the prophets or apostles, are called 
 the "mighty God." This appellation belongs to the 
 " Son given," "Immanuel," God with us. 
 
 "But he is the Son of God." Yes, and men are 
 sometimes called "sons of God;" but this fact does 
 not prove that men are sons in the same sense that 
 Christ is a Son. So the fact that men are called 
 "gods," does not prove that Christ is God in the 
 same sense that men are. The same argument that 
 will prove him not God, because men are called gods, 
 will prove him not the Son, because men are called 
 
202 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 sons. He is called the Son of man; meaning that 
 he is truly and properly man, for he had no human 
 father; so his being called the Son of God, denotes 
 that he is truly and properly God; that he has the 
 nature, the attributes, the perfections of God. You 
 might as well argue that I am not man, because I am 
 the son of a man, as to contend that Christ is not 
 God, because he is the Son of God. 
 
 I do not pretend to be deeply skilled in logic, but 
 I understand it to be a well-established maxim, that 
 any proposition or argument that proves too much, or 
 proves a falsehood, proves nothing at all. This is 
 certainly the case with the argument of our oppo- 
 nents. It proves what is false in proving that Christ 
 is not the Son of God, because men are called the 
 sons of God. Or if it be said that it only proves 
 that Christ and men are gods in the same sense — that 
 is, inferior gods, or gods by office — it will still prove 
 that they are all "sons" in the same sense, and con- 
 tradict the passages that call Christ "the only-begot- 
 ten Son." View it as you will, it proves too much, 
 and therefore proves nothing. 
 
 My next proof-text is 1 Timothy iii, 16: "And 
 without controversy, great is the mystery of godli- 
 ness : God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the 
 Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, 
 believed on in the world, received up into glory." 
 There being but the one nominative expressed or 
 implied, the plain grammatical construction of the 
 passage is, " God was manifest in the flesh, God was 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 203 
 
 justified in the Spirit, God was seen of angels, God 
 was preached unto the Gentiles, God was believed on 
 in the world, God was received up into glory." This 
 was all in the person of Christ — the Word which was 
 made flesh, and dwelt among us. 
 
 I present one more proof-text: "For by him were 
 all things created that are in heaven, and that are in 
 earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, 
 or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things 
 were created by him, and for him : and he is before 
 all things, and by him all things consist." Col. i, 16, 
 17. Our opponents try to break the force of this 
 and other texts of like character, by asserting that 
 Christ created all things by delegated power; that 
 God made him an instrument in this great work. 
 But this is false. If Christ had created all things by 
 delegated power, he would have created them for him 
 from whom he received the 'power; but the text says 
 " all things were created by him, and for him /" He 
 is, therefore, the absolute proprietor of the creation. 
 Isaiah — xliv, 4 — bears witness against the idea of cre- 
 ation by delegated power : " Thus saith the Lord thy 
 Redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I 
 am the Lord that maketh all things ; that stretcheth 
 forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the 
 earth by myself." This was Christ. He is the Lord 
 of hosts, the Redeemer of Israel, beside whom there 
 is no God or Savior. He created the heavens alone; 
 he spread abroad the earth by himself! He employed 
 neither agent nor instrument. "For he spake, and 
 
204 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast." He 
 is before all things, he created all things, he upholds 
 all things, and all things were made by him alone, 
 and for him alone. This includes all things visible 
 and invisible; all thrones, dominions, principalities, 
 and powers, whether they be visible or invisible ; and 
 if there can be any thing found throughout the lim- 
 itless empire of matter and mind, which he did not 
 make, or which existed before him, then he is not 
 God, and this text is not true ! But, till that some- 
 thing be found, we will maintain that our adorable 
 Christ is he who "stretched out the heavens over 
 the north, and hung the earth upon nothing." " As 
 for our Redeemer, the Lord of hosts is his name." 
 Whatever others may say, or in whomsoever others 
 may trust, I want no Redeemer beside. 
 
 I now close the argument, believing I have made it 
 plain to you, that the Jehovah of the Old Testament 
 and Jesus Christ of the New Testament, are the same 
 identical being, the one true and living God. I have 
 given you plain Scripture compared with Scripture, 
 all bearing directly on the point. I have given you 
 Scripture without garbling or torturing, and if you 
 are not satisfied, you would not be satisfied if I had 
 quoted many more passages — which might have been 
 done if time would have permitted — and now I leave 
 the subject with you. But remember this distinctly, 
 that if you controvert the subject, your controversy 
 is not with me, but with the Bible; if you gainsay 
 the doctrine, you gainsay the Bible; and if you 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 205 
 
 refute the doctrine, you refute the Bible. I shut 
 you up to this faith, and pray God to guide you by 
 his Spirit into all truth. And I charge you to keep 
 this blessed doctrine without spot, " unrebukable, till 
 the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: which in his 
 times he shall show who is the blessed and only Po- 
 tentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; who 
 only hath immortality, dwelling in light unapproacha- 
 ble, whom no man hath seen, nor can see; to whom 
 be honor and power everlasting. Amen." 
 
 Prior to the delivery of this discourse, Mr. S 
 
 had crowded audiences; he was looked up to, by 
 many, as an oracle, and began to wield a mighty 
 influence ; but his next appointment came one 
 week after the vindication of our doctrine, when he- 
 preached to twelve or fifteen persons, and made no 
 more appointments in our place. Gentlemen in the 
 place expressed themselves astonished that they had 
 permitted themselves to be duped by the sophistical 
 arts of this man, in relation to so plain and Scriptural 
 a doctrine. He was now vanquished, not by supe- 
 rior intellectual prowess, rhetorical niceties, or dex- 
 terity in logic, but by the sword of the Spirit, the 
 plain word of God. 
 
 I should have mentioned, as connected with my 
 first year, on this circuit, that, in making pastoral 
 visits, I was not confined to the membership, but 
 called at the houses of the irreligious. In visiting a 
 certain family of this description, I found the man 
 gentlemanly and kind, conversed with him about the 
 
206 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 interest of his soul, and he listened attentively. Then 
 I turned to his wife, and asked her if she had expe- 
 rienced religion. She was much offended, and used 
 language which I will not repeat ; but, while ven- 
 geance gleamed from her keen, black eye, I pressed 
 upon her attention the things of the kingdom of God. 
 After this, I obtained the privilege, and prayed with 
 them, and went on my way, trusting in God. Subse- 
 quently, our quarterly meeting was held in that 
 neighborhood, and the presiding elder leaving on 
 Saturday, devolved the duty on me to preach on Sab- 
 bath, at 11 o'clock. In those days, this was no small 
 responsibility ; but, in the name of the Lord, I lifted 
 up my voice, claiming the promise of him who said, 
 "Lo! I am with you always, even to the end of the 
 world." In the afternoon we had prayer meeting, 
 when I delivered an exhortation, and invited peni- 
 tents to the altar for prayers. To the astonishment 
 of, perhaps, all in the house, this woman who had 
 given me to understand that she did not thank me for 
 my religious visits, rose up in the congregation, 
 rushed forward, and cried aloud for mercy. Thank 
 God ! her cry was not unavailing. She found peace 
 and joy in believing, and with her husband and 
 several others, she united with the Church, and 
 became a faithful Christian. This encouraged me to 
 follow the divine direction: "Sow thy seed in the 
 morning, and in the evening withhold not thy hand ; 
 for thou knowest not which shall prosper, whether 
 this or that, or whether they shall be both alike 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 207 
 
 good." We are never to be weary in well-doing, for, 
 in due season, we shall reap if we faint not. 
 
 This year, I made a new appointment at the glass- 
 works — a fearfully wicked place. At first, there were 
 many skeptics, and I felt much embarrassment in 
 preaching to them. I had to preach in the morning, 
 and meet a society of forty to sixty members, ride 
 three miles and preach, meet class, and ride seven 
 miles over the sand-plains, to preach here at six in 
 the evening. At, perhaps, my third visit, my mental 
 sky cleared, my soul warmed into a flame of love, the 
 embarrassment was gone, and my tongue made like 
 the pen of a ready writer. I became exceedingly 
 happy, and a deep, solemn feeling pervaded the audi- 
 ence. Ever afterward, I took pleasure in preaching 
 at the glass-works, and may say, with humility, that, 
 under God's blessing, my labors at that place were 
 made instrumental in laying the foundation for a good 
 society. 
 
 At one of my preaching-places a Rev. gentleman 
 came, crying, " Water, water !" He would feign have 
 people think they must not only go into the water, 
 but be covered all over with it, or they could not 
 enter the kingdom; and some partly believed his 
 preaching. He was about to baptize some, and was 
 wading about in the water, pouring out anathemas 
 upon all who would presume to baptize otherwise than 
 by immersion ; when, becoming exceedingly zealous, 
 he cried out, " I glory in the water!" Thereupon, 
 an old lady upon the shore exclaimed, "I would 
 
208 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 much rather you would glory in the cross of our Lord 
 Jesus Christ !" A good rebuke. Whenever men be- 
 come so absorbed with the idea of water salvation, 
 they are in danger of neglecting the "blood of 
 sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that 
 of Abel." I would commend to all such the words 
 of Peter, " Baptism is not the putting away of the 
 filthiness of the flesh, but the answer of a good con- 
 science toward God. 
 
 At another point in this circuit was the strongest 
 preacher of Calvinism I have ever known, the Rev. 
 
 Mr. W . He used language which showed him 
 
 to be a genuine Calvinist — one of the pure stock. I 
 will give a few of his remarks. Said he, " There are 
 but eleven elect in this township ; I am not sure that 
 there are that number, though I think there are ; but 
 I am certain that there are nine, and I know that I 
 am one of them." Again, he said, " You have heard 
 
 that old W has said there are infants in hell not 
 
 a span long, and you said you did not believe old 
 
 "W ever said so. Now I tell you there are infants 
 
 in hell, not a span long, and all reprobate infants, 
 born or unborn, are damned!" The reader will 
 agree that Mr. W was one of the real blue-stock- 
 ing sort. He held up the monster to the gaze of all, 
 without covering. I commend his honesty, but envy 
 not the heart that received such " horrible decrees" 
 as the Gospel of grace — the glad tidings preached to 
 all people! 
 
 Mr. W 's calculation that there were nine or 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 209 
 
 eleven elect in the township, reminds me of an anec- 
 dote related to me, over forty years ago, of an officer 
 in the Revolutionary army. He was riding through 
 one of the New England towns on the Sabbath day, 
 when the "tithing-man," accosted him with the infor- 
 mation that he must or ought not to travel on the 
 Sabbath day. "What shall I do, sir?" said the offi- 
 cer. "Go to meeting," said the tithing-man. Said the 
 officer, " Meeting ! where is meeting?" " Up there," 
 pointing to the church, said the tithing-man. The 
 officer put up his horse at the tavern, and went to 
 church. As he went stamping in, the pew-doors flew 
 open in every direction, but he fixed his eye upon 
 the speaker, and walked half way to the pulpit before 
 he sat down. The minister was deeply absorbed in 
 his subject — giving the opinions of different men in 
 regard to the number that would be saved. It was 
 the opinion of some that one out of fifty would be 
 saved, others thought it would be only one out of a 
 hundred; "but," said he, "I give it as my opinion, 
 that not more than one out of five hundred will be 
 saved !" At this the officer sprang to his feet, and 
 said, " Well, gentlemen, you may have my chance 
 for nothing !" and put on his cocked hat, and walked 
 out of the house. Now it was perhaps wrong in the 
 officer to travel on the Sabbath, and wrong to disturb 
 the congregation by speaking and going out ; but it 
 was also wrong in the preacher to be calculating the 
 number of the elect. Had he been preaching the 
 
 unsearchable riches of Christ, from a full heart, the 
 18 
 
210 RECOLLECTIONS OE 
 
 warm, generous, impulsive heart of the rough old 
 officer might have been touched, and his soul humbled 
 at the foot of the cross. Eut the cold, repulsive 
 propositions of high-toned Calvinism will always dis- 
 gust, and never attract such unsophisticated spirits 
 as that old Revolutionary officer. Thank God that 
 my feet were disentangled from the meshes of this 
 heart-chilling system, in the days of my youth ! I 
 then learned that he who sendeth rain upon the just 
 and the unjust, whose tender mercies are over all his 
 works, who feedeth the young ravens when they cry 
 unto him, and supplieth the want of every living 
 thing, hath no pleasure in the death of any, but pro- 
 vided amply in the death of his only-begotten Son 
 for the salvation of every child of man. Then, also, I 
 learned that men perish not for Adam's fault, but 
 only for rejecting or neglecting the great salvation 
 provided in Jesus Christ. 
 
 When my second year on this circuit wound to a 
 close, I was constrained to call it a very happy year. 
 We had revival influence in our bounds all the year 
 round, and many souls were happily converted to 
 God. Halleluiah to God! I delight to think of 
 those days. They were days of labor and toil, 
 but also of great peace and joy. I left many dear 
 friends on Bern circuit, never to see them more on 
 earth, but with a good hope through grace of meet- 
 ing them in heaven, where 
 
 K Sickness and sorrow, pain and death, 
 Are felt and fear'd no more." 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 211 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 KINGSTON CIRCUIT— TWO YEARS. 
 
 In May, 1824, we had a harmonious session of 
 conference, in the city of New York. Some time 
 previous to this, the presiding elder of the district 
 adjoining that in which my work was, the Rev. D. Os- 
 trander, called at my house and gave intimation that 
 he wanted me on the circuit next below where I then 
 
 was. The Rev. S had a congregation there, and 
 
 many of the people were falling in with his notions, 
 and, having been successful in arresting the progress 
 of his mischievous sentiments where I lived the pre- 
 vious year, it was thought I might be useful in that 
 work. I told him I had no objection to the arrange- 
 ment, and we parted ; but, at the close of this con- 
 ference, I was unexpectedly sent to Kingston circuit. 
 This appointment, though contrary to my expecta- 
 tion, was entirely satisfactory to me. 
 
 Kingston was a very pleasant town of considera- 
 ble size. It had been burned down in the Revolu- 
 tionary war, but was rebuilt^ mostly of stone ; it was, 
 however, rather a hard place for Methodism. In an 
 early day, some of our pioneer preachers formed a 
 class near town, but the members were severely per- 
 secuted, the house in which they met was stoned, the 
 
212 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 windows broken in, and finally the place was aban- 
 doned, and left without Methodist preaching till 
 within two or three years of my appointment to the 
 circuit. John D. Moriarty had been enabled then 
 to establish an appointment in the place, and a few 
 Methodists that lived in the town and vicinity, deter- 
 mined to build a house for God. It was mostly done 
 by three men — brothers O'Neal, Hitt, and Jacobus — 
 was not large, but neat and well finished. Brother 
 John Kennedy was my colleague. This was his 
 second year in the ministry, and his second year on 
 this circuit. He was quite a promising young man ; 
 but I need not speak further of him, as he is now 
 extensively known as Dr. Kennedy, and was an 
 active member of the General conference which 
 recently sat in Indianapolis, Indiana. We labored 
 together harmoniously, both living in Kingston, and 
 preached there twice on every other Sabbath. We 
 were looked upon as miserable heretics in doctrine, 
 and every effort was made to prevent the people 
 from hearing us preach ; but, at night especially, 
 they would come out to hear for themselves. In this 
 way our doctrines and usages became better under- 
 stood, prejudices gave way, and we were listened to 
 with patience and attention. The settled minister 
 was a rigid Calvinist, and frequently lectured his 
 people against countenancing us with their presence 
 in our meetings. One day he had a minister from 
 Long Island to fill his pulpit, and, having no after- 
 noon appointment, I went to his church. He preached 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 213 
 
 a doctrinal sermon, laboring to establish the idea of 
 a limited atonement. He maintained that Christ died 
 not for the world, but for God's "dear children" — 
 said this was more comforting than Arminianism, etc. 
 That night I preached in our church, and had a large 
 number of the same hearers. I took opposite ground, 
 and dwelt on the universality of the atonement. I 
 expressed astonishment that men could have hardi- 
 hood enough to stand up and assert, in direct con- 
 tradiction to the holy Scriptures, that Christ died 
 not for the whole world, but for God's children only. 
 Then, drawing out the Scripture argument at length, 
 I told the people I should believe the Bible on this 
 subject, in preference to the say-so of five hundred 
 of those men fresh from Andover College. This 
 effort had the desired effect. The plain word of God 
 impressed many hearts, and, under the all-command- 
 ing motives of the sublime doctrine that Jesus Christ, 
 by the grace of God, tasted death for every man, 
 quite a number were led to the cross, happily con- 
 verted, and united with the Church under our care. 
 
 We found, in this work, quite a number of old- 
 fashioned Methodists. These were noble spirits, who 
 served God from principle, and labored to sustain the 
 cause of God, by supporting the ministry, and in 
 every way contributing to the advancement of relig- 
 ion in their midst. In Marbletown, we had a small 
 house, small congregation, and small society, but 
 strong opposition. People seemed to think they had 
 a right to do as they pleased when they attended our 
 
214 KECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 services. For example : A young man came into the 
 church one Sabbath, laid down flat on his back, threw 
 his feet over the bench, and lay there grinning, gap- 
 ing, and showing his teeth, as if he were teaching 
 grinning school, and considered himself a perfect 
 model for the imitation of his pupils. After he had 
 exhibited in this way for some time, I paused, and 
 then remarked in substance as follows: "If that 
 young man is sick, I would thank some of those 
 young men near him to help him out and to assist 
 him home ; he may need a physician, for he seems to 
 be in great distress." The remarks had some effect 
 in improving his manners, and in restraining the im- 
 pudence of others. "It takes all sorts of people to 
 make every body," says some one; but what every 
 body are fit for is, perhaps, very difficult to tell. At 
 all events, many act as though they were fit for noth- 
 ing else, and had no higher aim in life than to annoy 
 those who try to do better than themselves. 
 
 In this circuit, also, I found some Baptist brethren 
 who were exceedingly zealous for having the water 
 applied in the right form, in the act of baptism. 
 While engaged in pastoral visiting, I fell in company 
 with one who introduced this subject. I informed 
 him that I came there to preach the Gospel, that I 
 sought no controversy, but should always vindicate 
 the usages of my Church when they were assailed. 
 "Well," said he, "if we follow the example of our 
 Savior, we know we are right; and if we do not, we 
 know we are wrong." "Well, Christ was circum- 
 
A SUPEKANNUATE. 215 
 
 cised," said I, "and you do not follow his example; 
 therefore, you know you are wrong." "Ah," said 
 he, "that was not Christ's own act — it was done for 
 him when he was a child." "Then I will give you 
 another," said I. "Christ continued all night in 
 prayer; you do not follow his example, and, there- 
 fore, you know you are in the wrong." And here is 
 another : " Christ kept the Jewish Sabbath all his life ; 
 you do not follow his example, and you are, there- 
 fore, wrong." Again : " When Christ ate the Passover 
 and instituted the sacrament of the Lord's supper, he 
 did it in the night, in an upper room; and if you 
 follow his example, you must take that sacrament in 
 the night, in an upper room; but you do not do it, 
 therefore, you know you are wrong." He was led to 
 discover that all the forms and incidental circum- 
 stances connected with the original administration of 
 the Christian ordinances, are not essential to the va- 
 lidity of the ordinances themselves. We had no fur- 
 ther disputing on the subject. He was a kind, pious, 
 and generally well-informed man, but inclined to put 
 a little too much dependence in the water. His oldest 
 daughter attended our meetings, was awakened, con- 
 verted, joined the Methodist Church, and continued a 
 faithful Christian as long as I knew her. 
 
 We had some precious seasons on the circuit, and 
 witnessed the conversion of a goodly number of souls. 
 As the year drew to a close, I commenced making 
 new class-books, setting aside such as were delinquent 
 and could not be reclaimed, and admitting such as 
 
216 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 had stood out acceptably their term of probation. 
 This I deem important, that at the close of each year 
 such disciplinary work as this should all be done up 
 clean and fair, as far as it is possible to do it. I 
 found myself much attached to this people, and 
 wound up the year pleasantly, it having been a year 
 of reasonable prosperity in the Church, and took my 
 leave only for a short time, fully expecting to return 
 the second time, as I had always done, excepting the 
 first year, when I was stationed upon the Island, and 
 wished to leave at the end of the first year. 
 
 I was not disappointed in my expectations. At the 
 close of the conference of May, 1825, held in Troy, 
 N. Y., I was returned to Kingston, with F. W. Smith 
 for my colleague. He was a young man of some 
 standing in the conference, of good mind, well dis- 
 posed, but possessed of a good deal of vivacity, which 
 sometimes betrayed him into lightness of conversa- 
 tion. But thirty years of toil have doubtless put the 
 "curb-bit" upon the sprightliness of his temper; and 
 if this little volume should fall into his hands, he will 
 read and smile at the remembrance of days long since 
 past. I have no fear that he will take offense at these 
 remarks. I knew him well, and feel satisfied that he 
 now views the matter of which I speak in the same 
 light here presented. God grant that we may meet 
 in heaven ! We labored together like brethren, in 
 perfect concord, throughout the year. Since then he 
 has filled some important stations in the Church. 
 
 This year, I rented a house and moved my family 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 217 
 
 to Saugerties, twelve miles from Kingston. Here, 
 near the mouth of Esop's creek, were falls, which 
 afforded excellent water-power privileges for mills 
 and machinery. A company from New York city 
 made an extensive purchase, commenced business on 
 a large scale, employing from fifty to one hundred 
 hands, and paying good wages. Two of my sons 
 engaged more or less of their time with this com- 
 pany, and my house was filled with boarders ; this 
 necessarily increased my care, but never hindered 
 me from my prayers at home, nor from my duties 
 on the circuit. My wife's parents had moved to 
 Ohio about fourteen years previous to this, and they 
 often wrote, urging us to come out and live and 
 die near to them. They wrote in glowing terms of 
 the advantages that men with growing families might 
 derive by coming to this state ; and inasmuch as 
 my family was growing, my own health considerably 
 impaired, and my private means nearly all spent, I 
 felt, after weighing the matter in all its bearings, 
 that it was my indispensable duty to make an effort 
 for providing better for my family than I could 
 possibly do in the bounds of the New York con- 
 ference ; and, feeling thus, I saw no alternative but 
 removal to the state of Ohio. I think I never pos- 
 sessed a whining disposition — but I must tell the 
 reader that much of the time, while traveling in 
 that conference, I was so pressed for means of 
 support as scarcely to know which way to turn; 
 
 I wore patched clothing, and rode many a day with- 
 19 
 
218 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 out dinner, because my family had need of every 
 cent I could save. While on this subject, I will say 
 that I have passed through scenes of suffering from 
 filth, insects, open cabins, swamps, swimming creeks, 
 insults, etc., enough to fill a volume ; but this is not 
 my object. I count not the sufferings of this life 
 worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be 
 revealed in us, or even with what God has permitted 
 me to enjoy all along the pathway in which his 
 providence hath led me. While I write, my heart 
 rises up in thankfulness to Him for his great good- 
 ness, and his wonderful works to the children of men* 
 I feel like laying down my pen and shouting his 
 high praises ! Glory to God and the Lamb forever ! 
 But, notwithstanding my resolution to emigrate to 
 the state of Ohio, with a view to improving the con- 
 dition of my family, my heart was as fully as ever 
 in the work in which I had been engaged for seven- 
 teen years. 
 
 In regard to the work on the circuit, I will say 
 that we enjoyed peace and harmony in our borders 
 through all the year, and we had some good 
 revivals of religion. We had two glass-works 
 appointments on this circuit. In order to reach 
 one of these, we had to ascend a mountain for about 
 three miles, and when we were there the land seem- 
 ingly stood up edgewise. There was a large society 
 here, but the members were poor, very poor, as 
 regards this world's good ; yet, many of them were 
 rich in faith, and heirs of a kingdom. They were 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 219 
 
 truly pious, and always glad to see the preacher, 
 and make him as comfortable as they were able. 
 But their good will and warm hearts would not 
 screen him from the piercing wind and biting cold. 
 Often did my back, limbs, and toes ache with 
 cold, beneath their friendly roofs. I said to one, 
 " Brother, why do you stay here upon the mountain, 
 where the land stands edgewise, and the rocks cover 
 the surface ?" Said he, " We are too poor to get 
 away." He actually believed he was, and I told 
 him he always would be as poor, if he remained 
 there, and that I believed it was intruding on the 
 wolves and bears to occupy such places — that God 
 never designed them for human habitations, for he 
 had spread out rich, fertile plains and valleys suffi- 
 cient for the wants of the race ; and that I, for one, 
 intended to go to the wide west, the coming year, 
 the Lord willing. It does seem that some men are 
 almost afraid to venture beyond sight of the smoke 
 of the cabin in which they were born, and, to the 
 permanent injury of their families, cleave to the 
 knobs and hill-sides of their nativity, when they 
 might, with a little industrious effort, establish them- 
 selves in independent circumstances upon some of 
 the broad fields which yet lie in a state of nature. 
 
 Although we preached at this place on week- 
 day, we had a good-sized congregation of attentive 
 hearers. Poverty did not prevent the people from 
 loving and enjoying the means of grace. " The poor 
 have the Gospel preached to them ;" and I doubt 
 
220 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 not that many from these hill-sides and mountain 
 peaks, will ascend to heaven, while rich, ungodly 
 sinners, from their costly mansions and splendid 
 farms, will sink down to the gulf of perdition. Dear 
 reader, think of this — think how terrible it is to 
 exchange the luxuries of life for the quenchless fire 
 and the undying worm ! I pray God to send his 
 Holy Spirit to thy heart, this moment! Thou art 
 my brother, my sister, redeemed by my Savior's 
 blood, and I desire to see thee saved high up in 
 heaven ! I will be clear of thy blood ! I once more 
 pray God to have mercy on thy never-dying soul ! 
 
 As the time of my departure from this field drew 
 near, I found myself more and more attached to 
 this people. Many of them were strong in the Lord 
 and in the power of his might. More than thirty 
 years have passed since I gave them the parting 
 hand, yet I still have them in my heart. Through 
 the grace of God, I hope to meet them on the other 
 side of Jordan's stream. Some of them have gone 
 on before, and while I sing — 
 
 "On Jordan's stormy banks I stand, 
 
 And cast a wishful eye, 
 To Canaan's fair and happy land, 
 Where my possessions lie," 
 
 I fancy their response comes wafted by the gales 
 of Paradise — 
 
 "All o'er these wide- extended plains, 
 
 Shines one eternal day; 
 Here God, the Son, forever reigns, 
 And scatters night away." 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 221 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 MOVE WEST— LOCATE— EMPLOYED BY THE ELDER. 
 
 In May, 1826, the session of the New York con- 
 ference was held in the city of New York. Having 
 made up my mind to move west, and having been 
 cordially invited by friends in the city, to bring my 
 wife with me to conference, I concluded to do so, as 
 this would, in all probability, be her last opportunity 
 of visiting that city. We were kindly entertained at 
 the house of brother Palmer, who, with his amiable 
 family, took delight in entertaining the servants of 
 Christ on such occasions. Brother P. was blessed 
 with an abundance of this world's goods, and placed 
 a horse, carriage, and driver, at our disposal, every 
 day of our sojourn in the city. This arrangement 
 was very agreeable to Mrs. Lewis, as she had never 
 before been in the city, and was thereby enabled to 
 visit all the places of interest, and form some tolera- 
 ble idea of the extent and situation of this great 
 emporium. 
 
 I attended this session with intense interest, as it 
 was the last time I expected to meet with the New 
 York conference. The thought of leaving the hon- 
 ored fathers, who had instructed me in the great prin- 
 
222 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 ciples of Christianity, and the younger brethren, with 
 whom I had been associated, in the work of the min- 
 istry, perhaps no more to meet on earth, together 
 •with the consideration that I was about to take a step 
 which would, probably, result in dissolving my rela- 
 tion to the Church, as a traveling preacher, excited, 
 in my mind, reflections of a thrilling character. Bat I 
 saw no alternative. The decisive step must be taken. 
 My family had been laboring for months, in keeping 
 boarders, teaching school, hauling lumber, and blast- 
 ing rocks, for the purpose of raising means to carry 
 us to Ohio, and I felt, that, as the best of my life had 
 been given to the Church, my health was declining, 
 and the Church was failing to give a sufficient com- 
 pensation to meet the wants of my growing family, it 
 was now my imperative duty to turn my attention to 
 the cultivation of the rich soil of the west. I had 
 been bred to farming, regarded it as a healthful and 
 honorable employment, and was rather pleased with 
 the idea of digging my support out of the earth. 
 Hence, when my character came under examination, 
 I arose and stated, my purpose to the conference, and 
 was immediately granted a supernumerary relation, 
 with liberty to carry out my intention of moving to 
 Ohio. I also received a certificate of this action of 
 the conference, signed by Bishop George, the pre- 
 siding officer. I have, before, spoken of Bishop 
 George, as a favorite preacher. He was a man of 
 strong, discriminating mind, a good presiding officer, 
 an amiable companion, and a deeply-pious Christian. 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 223 
 
 I had the pleasure of rooming with him during one 
 or two conference sessions, and was not only inter- 
 ested, but highly delighted with him. I also attended 
 a camp meeting in company with him, and found him 
 a warm-hearted, diligent laborer in his Master's vine- 
 yard. I saw him frequently down upon his knees, 
 encouraging the mourners, and pointing them to the 
 Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. 
 While others were praying, he would often respond, 
 Amen, with much emphasis ; and, sometimes he 
 would lift up his clear, melodious voice, crying out, 
 "0, for the descent of the Holy Ghost!" And, 
 when he prayed, it was evident that his prayer en- 
 tered the ear of the Lord God of Sabaoth, for answers 
 were so manifest, that the most skeptical were made 
 to tremble. His great power in the pulpit has been 
 attributed, by some, to his deep feeling, and strong 
 sympathy. This was not the only source of his power ; 
 he possessed the elements of genuine oratory — a voice 
 of fine compass and variety, a clear, well-cultivated 
 mind, and a wonderful knowledge of the human pas- 
 sions. Added to all this, was his love for the souls 
 of men, his fervency of spirit, and the unction of the 
 Holy One. I could say much more, but will not in- 
 dulge. My feelings of respect, for the memory of 
 this devoted servant of Christ, whose praise should be 
 in all the Churches, would not permit me to say less. 
 I talked with the Bishop in regard to the country 
 to which I was about to move. He told me there was 
 abundance of mud, and few improvements; "but," 
 
224 RECOLLECTIONS OP 
 
 said he, "if a man have plenty of boys to work, he 
 may do well, and it is a fine country for Methodists /" 
 This was what I wanted to hear ; I was only about 
 forty years of age — had not forgotten how to work — 
 had some boys, and expected to contend, in common 
 with others, with the difficulties peculiar to a newly- 
 settled country. I took leave of the conference, went 
 home, and commenced preparations for the journey. 
 I had to visit, and bid farewell to my aged father, 
 and other relatives and friends, where I was reared. 
 This duty was to me a severe trial. Here were the 
 hills over which my youthful feet had rambled, the 
 companions of my childhood, my youth, and of my 
 riper years, with whom I had mingled in friendly 
 intercourse, all my life ; the old school-house, in 
 which I had been taught, and to which I had so 
 often run an entire mile, after doing the chores of 
 the morning, lest I should lose a lesson; and here, 
 too, were the numerous disciples of Christ, whose 
 acquaintance I had made as a minister of the Gos- 
 pel — all these were now to be left, with the numerous 
 associations that clustered around them, for a home 
 among strangers in the western wilds. I thought of 
 the words of St. Paul, " And now behold, I know 
 that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the 
 kingdom of God, shall see my face no more." With 
 emotions of no ordinary sensibility, I bade adieu to 
 my father and friends. Resting in the promise that 
 God would protect us in the line of duty, I pro- 
 nounced the word, Farewell. 
 
A SUPEKANNUATE. 225 
 
 On the 4th day of July, 1826, the fiftieth anniver- 
 sary of American Independence — a day suggestive 
 of patriotism, heroic suffering, brilliant triumph, lib- 
 erty and success — we started for the state of Ohio. 
 A two-horse wagon held the few things we brought, 
 and most of the family ; while my wife, daughter, 
 and myself, came in a light carriage, drawn by my 
 old circuit horse. We made our way through New 
 Jersey, into Pennsylvania, passing through Nazareth 
 township, which I thought the most delightful spot 
 of country I had ever seen. The face of the coun- 
 try was fine, the soil good, and in a state of high 
 cultivation, with beautiful groves of timber with the 
 underbrush cleared away, so that teams could pass 
 freely in every direction. Taken altogether, it 
 looked like a little paradise. On the first Saturday 
 evening, we put up with a local preacher. On Sun- 
 day morning, I rode out with him some three or four 
 miles, and preached to his congregation ; came back 
 and preached in the village at five o'clock. The next 
 morning, I proposed to pay my bill, but he thought 
 we were about even, and refused pay ; so we took 
 leave of this kind friend, and moved on slowly toward 
 our western home. The next Saturday night brought 
 us to Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Brother Griffin, of the 
 Baltimore conference, was the stationed preacher at 
 this place, and his quarterly meeting commenced 
 that evening. Upon learning who I was, he in- 
 quired where I put up ; I told him at the tavern. 
 "Well," said he, "we have plenty of friends in this 
 
226 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 place, and would be glad to have you stay to the 
 meeting." Brother G. soon had us away from the 
 tavern, among Methodists, who received us gladly, 
 and made us feel at home. That evening the pre- 
 siding elder invited me to preach, giving me my 
 choice between that night and the next morning. I 
 took the night appointment. The next morning the 
 elder preached an excellent sermon, and urged me 
 to preach again at night ; this I did to a crowded 
 congregation, and humbly trust some good was 
 effected. On Monday morning the kind friends 
 insisted that we should stay to their love-feast, and 
 rest ourselves and teams another day. We con- 
 sented; and the love-feast in Carlisle, proved very 
 similar to such meetings where I had traveled. 
 Methodism is one throughout the wide-spread con- 
 nection, and nothing contributes more to her unity 
 and spirituality than these feasts of love. 
 
 On Tuesday morning we bade adieu to those 
 friends, whose hospitality we had shared, promising 
 to write them after our journey was ended — a prom- 
 ise which, owing to the press of business, and the 
 numerous cares connected with settling in a new 
 country, was neglected from time to time, and never 
 fulfilled. Should this little work ever fall into the 
 hands of those friends, they will learn that their 
 kindnesses have never been forgotten. 
 
 The next Sabbath was spent in the Alleghany 
 Mountains, without the privileges of public worship. 
 Another weary week rolled round, and the Sabbath 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 227 
 
 dawned upon us in the state of Virginia. Here we 
 had no opportunity of attending divine service, but 
 the young people began collecting at an early hour, 
 at the public house where we were staying, for the 
 purpose of having a dance ! Upon ascertaining the 
 character of the gathering, we hitched up and drove 
 a few miles to another tavern, where we rested in 
 quietness till Monday morning. How terrible the 
 thought that men and women should spend the holy 
 Sabbath in dancing their souls to hell! I am no 
 friend to dancing. It is attended with evil, and only 
 evil, and that continually. No good ever comes of 
 it. The Baptist lost his head through the freaks of 
 a dancing damsel! But many apologize for it on 
 the ground that it is conducive to health. Exercise 
 is good ; but if the young ladies would get up the 
 big spinning-wheel, and exercise upon that, as their 
 mothers used to do ; or if they would engage in other 
 useful employments, which they might do, without 
 sacrificing their dignity, they would never die for 
 want of exercise, nor find it necessary to resort to 
 any such foolish capering, in order to develop the 
 muscular system. " But then it teaches politeness." 
 Well, politeness is "good-breeding," gentility, or 
 elegance of manners ; but how the true refinement 
 of mind and heart necessary to politeness, is to be 
 learned in the ball-room, is a mystery I can not 
 solve. And I give it as my solemn judgment, that 
 I have never marked any difference in the manners 
 of dancers and others, only that they are fonder of 
 
228 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 frivolity, fun, novel-reading, and nonsense, than those 
 who do not dance. But, perhaps, since the practice 
 has been taught morality, and, under a new cogno- 
 men, has been christened and introduced into respect- 
 able "institutions ," it will be best to drop the subject. 
 I could not give the reader who never saw them, 
 an adequate idea of the roads over which we passed, 
 in crossing the Mountains ; and those who have wit- 
 nessed the bluffs, ravines, and rocks, which make up 
 the variety of scenery through those huge elevations 
 of the earth, have no need of description. Day after 
 day, we moved along, cheered with the assurance 
 that every ascent or descent we passed, brought us 
 a little nearer the land of our ardent hopes. Some- 
 times I would drive ahead, unhitch my faithful 
 horse, go back and assist the other team up the 
 steep, and then, after resting beneath the shade of 
 the majestic trees, hitch up and resume our regular 
 gait. At length, we found ourselves in Wheeling, 
 Virginia, and lost but little time in crossing the 
 Ohio, when we found ourselves in the state which 
 we were adopting as our future home. But here 
 we found even steeper ascents and descents than 
 any we passed in the mountains. Still we " scrab- 
 bled" on, till we arrived within about forty miles of 
 Zanesville, where wo hired a man with a team to 
 help us to that place. Thence we made our way, 
 through Granville, to Berkshire, Delaware county, 
 Ohio. Here we met Mrs. Lewis's father, and two 
 brothers, from whom she had been separated four- 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 229 
 
 teen years. I need not speak of the happiness of 
 that meeting. Suffice it to say that the whole neigh- 
 borhood gave us a hearty welcome, and urged us to 
 partake of their hospitalities. Such open-hearted 
 friendship from strangers, is only to be met with in 
 new countries, where artificial refinements, and sordid 
 selfishness, have not yet taken full possession of the 
 people. 
 
 We arrived at our destination on Friday, after 
 being on the road about five weeks. I was immedi- 
 ately called on to preach; the appointment was an- 
 nounced, and, on Sabbath, I preached my first ser- 
 mon in Ohio. This was about the middle of August. 
 Among my hearers that day were old brother Janes 
 and his wife, two of my old friends, while stationed 
 on the island in Lake Champlain. He invited me to 
 preach, the next Sabbath, in his barn; I did so, and 
 had a good congregation for a new country. I soon 
 had pressing invitations from the surrounding neigh- 
 borhoods, to visit and preach among them. Thus, it 
 will be perceived that I did not become settled in 
 my new home till I was at my old, favorite business, 
 preaching the unsearchable riches of Christ. 
 
 Two things seemed to operate to bring my services 
 into demand : First, I came all the way from the New 
 York conference ; and, secondly, I had a clear, smooth 
 voice. People are fond of new things, and they were, 
 perhaps, more pleased with the sound than with the 
 substance of my preaching. But I ought also to 
 add, that they were not, in those days, possessed of 
 
230 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 "itching ears;" they looked not with critical eye 
 upon the rhetoric of the man, but waited for the 
 bread of life and the power of the Holy Ghost. We 
 worshiped God with singleness of heart, and had 
 glorious times together in this wilderness land. 
 
 In about three weeks after our arrival at Berkshire, 
 the quarterly meeting for Columbus circuit was held 
 in the loft of brother Carpenter's large mill; brother 
 Jacob Young presiding elder, and brothers Joseph 
 Carper and J. H. Power, the circuit preachers. I 
 attended, and, after being introduced to the preach- 
 ers, brother Young invited me to preach on Saturday, 
 at eleven o'clock. I dwelt, with some liberty, upon 
 the words of our Savior, John xv, 14: "Ye are my 
 friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." The 
 next morning, we had love-feast; here I found conge- 
 nial spirits, and as the brethren and sisters sketched 
 their experience, I felt that these were children of 
 my Father in heaven. From that day to this, I 
 have felt at home among Ohio Methodists. Brother 
 Young desired me to preach again at, eleven, on Sab- 
 bath. I took for my text, "When the unclean spirit 
 is gone out of a man," etc. A Presbyterian brother 
 present said to one of his brethren, "If the doctrine 
 preached to-day is correct, ours is wrong; and I 
 think he proved his position from the Bible." This 
 man searched the Scriptures, till he was satisfied of 
 the correctness of our doctrines, and then offered 
 himself for membership in the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church. His subsequent life evinced that he was a 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 231 
 
 man of God. On Saturday night, Mrs. Lewis and 
 myself were invited to stay with Mr. Dustin. We 
 formed a delightful acquaintance with* him and his 
 kind companion. They made no profession of relig- 
 ion, but were agreeable, generous friends; and the 
 friendship then formed remains permament. But, 
 some time after this, Mrs. D. died, and I preached 
 her funeral; Mr. D. sought and obtained religion 
 some years ago, and is now a prominent member of 
 the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 
 When we arrived at Berkshire, we had fifteen dol- 
 lars left, with which to furnish our house, lay in pro- 
 visions, etc.; but we knew how, and felt willing, to 
 work, and were soon at it. We lived, the first six 
 months, in a room furnished by my brother-in-law. 
 I sold my old circuit horse and carriage, and bought 
 fifty acres of land. The next step was to get up a 
 house. We went at it in good earnest, and I take 
 pleasure in acknowledging the kindness of friends, 
 who rendered me efficient aid. They turned out with 
 axes and teams, cut and hauled logs, brick, and lum- 
 ber, and soon we had a good cabin, neatly finished. 
 After moving into it, on the 14th of May, 1827, we 
 bowed the knee, and lifted up our hearts to God in 
 thanksgiving, that we were permitted to make a be- 
 ginning in this new country. I had written to the 
 New York conference for a location; this was granted 
 on the 17th of May, three days after we moved into 
 our new cabin. Of course, I was now known as a 
 local preacher. I had before sustained that relation 
 
232 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 to the Church ; but I have never been a local preacher 
 only nominally. I was employed on a circuit before 
 I had license to preach, and when I obtained license 
 on Saturday, I started on the next Monday for my 
 circuit. The year I located, I rode some twelve hun- 
 dred miles, and preached from one to six sermons 
 per week, winter and summer. Almost every day 
 brought some sort of call. Funerals, protracted 
 meetings, quarterly and camp meetings, beside ordi- 
 nary Sabbath appointments, made demand for nearly 
 my whole time. Sometimes I would tell them I could 
 not go; but they would insist, till off would come the 
 harness from my team, and away I went to seek the 
 salvation of some for whom the Savior shed his 
 blood. 
 
 I attended a camp meeting above Delaware, not 
 far from Marion. Here I was remarkably aided by 
 Divine grace, while holding up the only condition of 
 discipleship, from Matthew xvi, 24: "If any man 
 will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up 
 his cross, and follow me." The glory of the Lord 
 overshadowed the assembly, and, at the close of the 
 sermon, three-fourths of the audience were upon their 
 feet, crowding toward the stand. To thy name, 
 Lord, be all the glory forever ! 
 
 Some time after this, two brethren from Knox 
 county, over twenty miles distant, came to induce 
 me to make arrangements for preaching regularly in 
 their neighborhood. I told them I could not go. 
 They replied that I would have to board them a 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 233 
 
 week, if I did not consent sooner. I informed them 
 that my purpose in coming west was to raise my own 
 bread; that I wished to labor, " working with my own 
 hands," and was determined, with the blessing of 
 Providence, to accumulate a little for after years. 
 But they were willing to remunerate me for my time. 
 My next excuse was, I had sold my circuit horse, and 
 had no beast fit to ride. In reply to this, one brother 
 said he had an excellent riding nag, and would ex- 
 change with me. At length I yielded, and sent an 
 appointment. I continued riding out there, through 
 the woods and mud, regularly during the year. That 
 same season, I attended a camp meeting on "Black 
 Lick" — preached from Luke xiii, 24: " Strive to 
 enter in at the strait gate : for many, I say unto you, 
 will seek to enter in, and shall not be able." The 
 meeting, upon the whole, was an interesting one. 
 Here I made the acquaintance of Rev. Samuel Car- 
 penter, a local preacher, and his lady. Our inter- 
 course was pleasant then, and remains unchanged to 
 this day. I attended another meeting on the same 
 ground, and preached from Christ's address to the 
 young man who had great possessions : " If thou wilt 
 be perfect, go sell what thou hast, and give to the 
 poor," etc. Both of these meetings were profitable 
 to the Church, and many were awakened and con- 
 verted to God. Once more I thank God for camp 
 meetings ! 
 
 In March, 1829, I went to Columbus to attend 
 
 our quarterly meeting. Rev. L. Swormstedt was on 
 20 
 
234 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 the circuit, and Kev. D. Young the presiding elder. 
 Brother Young said to me, " I am glad to see you ; 
 I want to employ you to fill a vacancy." My reply 
 was, " I can not go." He then read me a letter 
 he had received from Rev. C. Springer, informing 
 him, that he should do no work on the circuit — 
 Fairfield — after the next quarterly meeting, that 
 he intended to withdraw from the Church, etc.; he 
 then read his reply to this epistle. He acknowl- 
 edged the receipt of brother S.'s letter, thanked 
 him for the timely notice given of his intentions, 
 informed him that his labors would be dispensed 
 . with after a certain date ; adding, " If your conduct 
 is satisfactory to yourself, I shall take no umbrage 
 at it." 
 
 Mr. Springer, it will be recollected, was one of 
 the leading spirits in the Radical secession. He 
 had written for the " Mutual Rights," agitated the 
 subject of " reform " extensively, labored hard to 
 break down the presiding eldership and episcopacy, 
 tormented himself with imaginary oppressions and 
 evils, till his soul was completely imbittered against 
 the Church of his early choice and first love, and 
 now he determined to leave, expecting to see the 
 results of his toil, and the proofs of his magic influ- 
 ence, in the sweeping numbers that would rush after 
 him into the new organization. At this point, he 
 was sadly disappointed. Comparatively few followed 
 him ; many were disaffected in feeling, for a time, 
 but the larger part discovered the folly of secession, 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 235 
 
 and refused to run off after abstractions. They 
 soon became reconciled to the policy of the Church, 
 stood firm, and prospered. If outward indications 
 are to be relied on, Mr. S. has lived to see the 
 day when he felt as little at home among "Rad- 
 icals," as he ever did in the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church ; he has found abundant use for his talent 
 of fault-finding, and not a few of his brethren have 
 been made to feel the withering power of his sarcasm. 
 
 After reading these letters, brother Young insisted, 
 saying, "Now you have the whole matter before 
 you; the circuit is large, it contains many excellent 
 members, some of them have their minds poisoned, 
 and I want a man who has had some experience, to 
 counteract the mischievous influence." My answer 
 was, that it would damage me pecuniarily not 
 less than a hundred dollars, and I could not go. 
 Brother Swormstedt had previously traveled the cir- 
 cuit, and he urged me not to refuse. I yielded, 
 and in ten days was off to the work. The quarterly 
 meeting was held in Somerset ; and on the day of 
 its commencement I arrived in the place. That 
 night I opened my ministry from 2 Tim. ii, 19 : 
 "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure," 
 etc. I had some light, but not much liberty. Our 
 meeting was tolerably good, though some excitement 
 prevailed on the subject of " Radicalism." 
 
 I was now fairly upon Fairfield circuit, with brother 
 Jacob Young, preacher in charge. At that time this 
 circuit extended into Fairfield, Licking, and Perry 
 
236 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 counties, including the territory now embraced in 
 Lancaster and Somerset stations, , Rushville, West 
 Rushville, Rehoboth, Baltimore, and Hebron circuits. 
 We found, as already intimated, a good many whose 
 minds were soured and strongly tinctured with 
 radical notions, and our first aim was to " heal the 
 breach." Brother Young administered the dicipline 
 judiciously, and with mildness, and I co-operated 
 with him as best I could, seeking to keep the minds 
 of the people on the cross of Christ, as well as to 
 exhibit the beauty and efficiency of our Church 
 polity. I preached at all the appointments, met the 
 classes, and after class meeting would give a short 
 lecture on the peculiarities of our Church government. 
 I also sought private conversations with the dis- 
 affected ones, met their objections as well as I could, 
 and in a short time we had the pleasure of seeing 
 many that were leaning over, righted up again, and 
 quietness generally restored. Mr. Springer traveled 
 all over our bounds, preaching, visiting and laboring 
 to propagate his faith, but only succeeded in organ- 
 izing one class in our territory. That consisted 
 of eleven members, and the brother they elected 
 leader, the first time we preached where he formerly 
 belonged, came forward, and with tears in his eyes, 
 begged that his name might not be taken off the 
 class-book ; and that, I believe, was about the last 
 of the class. 
 
 Shortly after commencing labor on this circuit, 
 I discovered that, notwithstanding I had been preach- 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 237 
 
 ing from one to six times per week, the world was 
 gaining too strong a hold upon my mind, and 
 that my spirituality had proportionably declined. 
 Then I concluded I must be a traveling preacher, 
 or lose my soul. The world dwindled into insignifi- 
 cance, and I was enabled to say to its charms, fare- 
 well. I now determined to give my whole time to 
 the work, drop the world, and trust all in the hands 
 of God. " What shall it profit a man, if he gain 
 the whole world, and lose his own soul?" This 
 solemn interrogatory was impressed with great force 
 upon my heart. And I thank God that it was so ; 
 for, had I continued in secular employ, succeeded 
 in business, accumulated property, and, consequently, 
 fallen under the influence of worldly maxims and 
 policy, the good Being only knows what the result 
 would have been. But, in the providence of God, 
 when this opening occurred, the good brethren 
 pressed me to enter into the " open door." Here 
 the cloud gathering in the spiritual heavens was 
 revealed, and before the Sun of righteousness was 
 hid from my vision, faith prevailed, and the impend- 
 ing storm was averted. The shadow of a cloud 
 passed over my soul, and I was again light in the 
 Lord. " What shall I render unto the Lord for 
 all his benefits toward me ? I will take the cup 
 of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. 
 I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the 
 presence of all his people." 
 
 At the close of the year, in company with my 
 
238 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 worthy colleague, I started to attend the session of 
 the Ohio conference, which was to be held in Urbana. 
 On our way, we attended brother Swormstedt's camp 
 meeting, about one and a half miles below Columbus. 
 The meeting was a deeply-interesting one. Brother 
 Swormstedt was a good presiding officer, kept fine 
 order, and was not opposed to shouting, when the 
 people were ready to shout, being full of God. At 
 this meeting I preached from Ephesians iii, 7-9. The 
 Spirit helped my infirmities, and the grove was made 
 vocal with the high praises of God. The camp meet- 
 ing over, we went on to conference. This being the 
 first session I attended in Ohio, was specially inter- 
 esting to me. I formed acquaintance with many of 
 the preachers, found them like those I left behind — 
 men of God, sweetly united in the work of saving 
 souls. The cordial welcome they gave me, made me 
 feel that I was among brethren beloved. Thank 
 heaven that it was my lot to become identified with 
 these lovely men of God ! 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 239 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 DELAWARE CIRCUIT — ONE YEAR. 
 
 My name was now presented for re-admission into 
 the traveling connection. My health had been some- 
 what impaired, by an attack of influenza, and some 
 of the brethren thought I would not be able to endure 
 the hardships of an itinerant life, in the west. The 
 conference hesitated ; just then the Rev. John Collins 
 made some remarks on the subject — said he believed 
 I was as able for the work as he was, when he was 
 received, etc.; I was admitted, and appointed to the 
 Delaware circuit, in company with brother S. P. 
 Shaw. My colleague was dissatisfied with his ap- 
 pointment. On this account, his usefulness was hin- 
 dered, in the forepart of the year, but, in the latter 
 part, he did well. Rev. R. Bigelow was our presiding 
 elder. I became acquainted with him when he was a 
 boy, at his father's house, in Lower Canada. But he 
 is too well known to need further notice from me. I 
 will only add, that I can bear witness, from personal 
 knowledge of his life and spirit, that, as a preacher, 
 a diligent laborer, a man, and a meek disciple of 
 Christ, he was all that others have said of him, and, 
 even more. His name is embalmed in the hearts of 
 all that knew him. 
 
240 KECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 This was a heavy circuit. We had thirty-three 
 appointments to be filled every twenty-eight days ; 
 and, when I say the roads were extremely bad, the 
 old pioneers will know precisely what I mean. We 
 went six miles above Bucyrus, and six miles below 
 Delaware. Twice, during the winter, I was caught 
 above Bucyrus, when heavy rains fell, covering the 
 whole surface of the country with water, followed by 
 severe cold, which made the roads a glare of ice. I 
 rode thirty or forty miles when there was scarcely a 
 rod not covered with it. We passed out through the 
 beech woods, over the Salt Section, and down below 
 Delaware. These trips were trying to man and 
 horse. In Delaware, we preached in the court-house. 
 We had a good congregation, and an excellent so- 
 ciety. There were about sixty or seventy members, 
 and they all met together for class. I never favored 
 this plan, but it was very difficult then to " divide 
 each society into smaller companies, called classes," 
 as the Discipline directs. I recollect meeting class 
 here, one day after preaching, when a number spoke 
 of their desire to die happy. A good old Welsh 
 brother arose and said, he heard a number express 
 much concern about dying happy; "but," said he, 
 " I have no anxiety about dying, my anxiety is all 
 about living ; for I know I shall die right, if I only 
 live right." This is both Scriptural and philosophical. 
 Many give themselves unnecessary pain about the 
 dying hour. If all the anxious thought that is be- 
 stowed upon that point, were directed to a proper 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 241 
 
 regulation of the life, many more would die happy 
 than really do. The true servants of Christ, need not 
 be, " through fear of death, all their life-time subject 
 to bondage." Only let this thought, "that, if we 
 live right, we shall be sure to die right," become a 
 matter of veritable faith, of fixed conviction, and we 
 may be delivered from that servile fear, which hath 
 torment. God help us to live for eternity ! 
 
 At one point on the circuit, I experienced some 
 difficulty in administering discipline. A man, highly 
 esteemed among his neighbors, opposed me ; but, as 
 he is now done with the contentions of this life, I 
 would only remark, that, however much the brethren 
 respected this man, they proved, by rallying to its 
 support, that they loved the Church more; and, by 
 firmly co-operating together, we succeeded in carry- 
 ing out the principles of Methodism. If discipline 
 must be enforced, it is cheering to the preacher's 
 heart, to find the membership ready to sustain him in 
 its administration. 
 
 The first time I preached in Marion, I felt that 
 God had a people in that place. At our first quar- 
 terly meeting I made a remark to that effect, adding, 
 " I am after you, and, in the name of God, I will 
 have you !" A man, in the congregation, said to 
 himself, as he afterward told me, " Well, old fellow, 
 you will not catch me, at any rate." Yet he was 
 among the first to approach the altar of prayer— was 
 happily converted, and become a useful member of 
 the Church. The strong man armed keepeth his 
 21 
 
242 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 goods in safety, but when a stronger than he is come, 
 the strong man is bound, etc.; that is, when a man 
 rests in carnal security, he scorns the weakness of 
 those who repent and pray, but, when the Spirit of 
 God takes hold of his heart, then he finds himself so 
 miserable and vile, that he cries out, " 0, wretched 
 man that I am !" Breaking off from his sins, by 
 righteousness, and from his iniquities, by turning 
 unto the Lord, he finds that, "With God. there is 
 forgiveness, that he may be feared." We were 
 favored with a very good revival in this place. 
 
 In the fall, my colleague and myself attended a 
 camp meeting among the Wyandotts, at the mission. 
 The sight of these red brethren, coming on to the 
 ground, pitching their tents, and making ready for 
 the worship of God, filled my heart with gratitude. 
 As I looked upon their sobriety, order, and devotion, 
 I could but exclaim, "What hath God wrought!" 
 They paid strict attention to all the preaching, sung 
 the songs of Zion most delightfully, and their prayers 
 were fervent, full of faith and the Holy Ghost. Their 
 exhortations were full of fire — the fire that kindles in 
 the soul — that runs from heart to heart, encircling all 
 in a flame of love. I felt it burning in my own soul, 
 as I mingled in their devotions', and, thank God ! it 
 made me feel clever! They were addressed on the 
 subject of missions, and responded in the sum of 
 forty dollars. They had the true missionary spirit. 
 One of them, in speaking of the Gospel being brought 
 to them, and of the change it had wrought for the 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 243 
 
 better, exclaimed, " And, now I feel like giving it 
 another push !" I noticed a young chief, per- 
 haps eighteen years of age ; he was covered with 
 rings, beads, and all the tinsels and gew-gaws, found 
 among the wild sons of the forest ; when he walked 
 he appeared to cover over more ground than any per- 
 son I ever saw. I could but contrast him with the 
 converted Indians. In looking at his pride, and 
 their humility, the change wrought by Divine grace, 
 was fully manifest. 
 
 I have attended a great many camp meetings, 
 but for order, devotion, and happiness, I have never 
 seen this one excelled. These Indians were a pat- 
 tern for any congregation, worshiping in the wilder- 
 ness or in the city. And let me say that the sisters 
 spread as white linen upon their tables, as ever 
 graced the tented grove. I left the ground with 
 feelings which I can never describe. Halleluiah to 
 God ! The degraded, abused red man can be saved ! 
 The redeeming grace of God has already housed 
 many of them in heaven, and many more are on 
 their way ! This is no fiction. God is no respecter 
 of persons, and the Gospel is the power of God unto 
 salvation to every one that believeth. " 0, that 
 men would praise the Lord for his goodness, for 
 his wonderful works to the children of men !" But 
 the marks of improvement in their condition, attrib- 
 utable to their having received the Gospel, were 
 not confined to the camp-ground, or their solemn 
 assemblies. We passed through their country, and 
 
244 KECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 on beholding their neat, well-finished houses and 
 barns, their clean yards, high fences, well- cultivated 
 fields, and luxuriant corn, were led to praise God on 
 their behalf. What we witnessed was sufficient to con- 
 vince the most skeptical of the practicability of Chris- 
 tianizing and civilizing this portion of our fallen race. 
 
 We had a camp meeting on our circuit this year ; 
 it was a tolerably good meeting, though nothing of 
 special interest transpired. The year closed pleas- 
 antly, and we took our departure, leaving many 
 friends behind, whom we shall no more see till 
 the day of eternity dawns upon us. I had reason 
 for thanksgiving to God that myself and family — 
 still living on my little farm in Berkshire — had 
 been graciously spared another year. I received 
 one hundred and thirty-seven dollars for my services 
 on the circuit ; and the stewards' book revealed the 
 fact that ninety dollars more had been raised on 
 the circuit than any previous year. My predecessors 
 had close living. 
 
 In September, 1830, the conference sat in Lan- 
 caster, Ohio — Bishop Soule presiding. The business 
 of the conference was transacted with harmony and 
 dispatch. On Sabbath, the Bishop preached a power- 
 ful sermon from the words, " If our Gospel be hid, 
 it is hid to them that are lost," etc.; many were 
 made to feel and tremble at the word. After the 
 sermon, the newly-elected deacons were ordained. 
 In the afternoon, the Rev. T. A. Morris — now 
 Bishop — preached one of his plain, instructive, forci- 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 245 
 
 ble sermons, after which occurred the service of 
 ordaining elders. On one evening of the session, 
 the somewhat eccentric A. W. Elliott preached on, 
 " Behold, I stand at the door and knock," etc.; 
 under this sermon, the congregation manifested deep 
 feeling. The speaker, as usual, threw his whole 
 soul into his subject, and God attended the word 
 with power. The next day brother Elliot's char- 
 acter was examined, and he asked that his relation 
 to the conference — he was superannuated — might be 
 continued. The Bishop remarked, " Brethren, I 
 am not a superannuated man, but if I should preach 
 as brother Elliott did last night, I soon would be." 
 Brother E. was an impulsive man ; what he attempted 
 to do at all, he did with all his might; and some- 
 times he made draughts upon his physical strength, 
 such as the stoutest constitution could not bear with- 
 out detriment. He wielded a powerful influence in 
 the days of his strength, and has doubtless won 
 many souls to the Redeemer's praise. 
 
 At the close of this conference, I was sent to the 
 Pickaway circuit, the head of which was Circleville. 
 Brother Baird, who was just admitted on trial, was 
 my colleague ; and that faithful old pioneer, the 
 now sainted John Collins, was my presiding elder. 
 Brother Baird was a blessed, good man, and a prom- 
 ising preacher ; but his race was short. In March 
 following, he died in sight of heaven, and I preached 
 his funeral sermon. It was a deeply solemn time. 
 I dwelt on the words, " Let me die the death of the 
 
246 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 righteous, and let my last end be like his." The 
 deceased brother had greatly endeared himself to 
 many on the circuit, and to me in particular; we 
 mourned his departure with unaffected grief. The 
 event led me to close self-examination ; I purposed 
 to live better, to be more useful, that I also might 
 be fully ready when summoned away. 
 
 My circuit lying fifty miles from home, with several 
 unbridged streams between, rendered it necessary 
 that my family should move to the circuit ; but there 
 was no parsonage, and no house provided for the 
 preacher's family. I rented a room and moved in, 
 drew up a subscription-paper, and purposed to build 
 a preachers' house. Some noble-hearted brethren 
 and sisters pledged assistance, and I went about it 
 with good hope of success. The members in Circle- 
 ville were just building a church, had it up and 
 roofed, and thought they had all they could do to 
 finish that. At the first quarterly meeting confer- 
 ence, I called attention to the subject, but none were 
 willing to take hold of it ; I then drew out my sub- 
 scription-paper, and read the names and amounts 
 pledged. Upon seeing the encouragement given from 
 distant parts of the circuit, the friends in town took 
 hold in earnest, and we succeeded in the enterprise — 
 not fully, however, till my second year. The most 
 liberal subscriptions were from Grooms' neighbor- 
 hood, on Walnut creek ; an appointment now called 
 Hopewell, on Groveport circuit. But the progress 
 of the work here, will occupy another chapter. 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 247 
 
 CHAPTER XY1. 
 
 PICKAWAY CIRCUI T— T WO YEARS. 
 
 The Pickaway circuit, at this time, was pretty 
 large. It embraced most of Pickaway county, and 
 part of Franklin, Ross, and Fairfield counties. We 
 preached at Richmond, Londonderry, and at a point 
 six miles below Chillicothe, in Ross, came up to Litho- 
 polis in Fairfield, and to Hopewell, in Franklin ; in- 
 cluding, of course, the territory now occupied by 
 Kingston and Royalton circuits, and Circleville 
 station. 
 
 Though the circuit was large, the country had 
 been settled longer, and the roads were better, than 
 on the Delaware circuit. We set out with earnest- 
 ness to explore the ground, to ascertain the condition 
 of the work, and to get ready for a " winter cam- 
 paign." We had sufficient room ; and upon learning 
 where our efforts were most needed, we went into 
 it, calculating to be limited in our exertions, only 
 by our capability of endurance. The blessing of 
 God rested upon us, and our labors were crowned 
 with success. 
 
 In the month of February, we held a protracted 
 meeting in Circleville. As our meeting-house was 
 in an unfinished state, we occupied the court-house. 
 
248 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 The weather was extremely cold. As I was adminis- 
 tering the sacrament of the Lord's supper, it seemed 
 to me that my fingers would freeze. That night there 
 was a move in the congregation ; we called for 
 mourners, and they came, evincing the depth and 
 sincerity of their convictions, by confessing their sins, 
 and pleading earnestly for divine mercy. The mem- 
 bership came up delightfully, " to the help of the 
 Lord," and we continued the meeting, day and 
 night, for three weeks. Many souls were born into 
 the kingdom of Christ. We closed up with one 
 hundred and twenty accessions to the Church. This 
 was one of the best revivals I ever had in any 
 one place. 
 
 In Royalton, religion was at a low ebb, though 
 there were some good members in society. We made 
 arrangements to hold a protracted meeting with them. 
 The services commenced on Friday night. On Sat- 
 urday, we had preaching at 11 o'clock, and in the 
 afternoon. At the close of this sermon, I sat out a 
 bench, and invited any who wished an interest in the 
 prayers of the Church, to come forward. There was 
 a complete rush; many started from the back part of 
 the house, and, before reaching the place of kneeling, 
 some threw up their arms and cried out, "God be 
 merciful to me, a sinner !" This was a time of un- 
 usual power. Some were converted in the space of 
 ten minutes from the time they approached the place 
 of prayer. Many were enabled to say, " Lord, I 
 will praise thee: for though thou wast angry with 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 249 
 
 me, thine anger is turned away ; and now thou dost 
 comfort me." The whole Church were made to rise 
 and shine, their light being come, and the glory of 
 the Lord having risen upon them. I never knew so 
 many conversions, in so short a time, under similar 
 circumstances. 
 
 Some do not believe in such sudden conversions; 
 but it seems to me we ought not to be concerned 
 about the manner of the Lord's work, so it is done, 
 and the people saved. The question is not whether 
 we would expect God to work powerfully and rapidly 
 in the hearts of some, but whether he has done it. 
 As to the possibility of it, there can be no question, 
 for we dare not limit the Holy One. It is, therefore, 
 simply a question of fact, as to whether he ever does 
 produce the moral change in the soul by a sudden 
 manifestation of regenerating power; and the fact is 
 to be determined by the experience of those who 
 profess such conversion, and not by the experience, 
 or want of experience, of those who make no such 
 profession. And it is not at all improper to look into 
 the Scriptures for precedents in this matter. If God 
 did once convert sinners suddenly, he may do so 
 again. Thus, the scenes of the day of Pentecost, 
 when the Gospel ministry was fully opened, the con- 
 version of Saul, and numerous other instances of 
 quick conversions, will be in point. But just here I 
 call to mind a conversation had with a person who 
 objected to so much "confusion." Said I, "Do you 
 not think there was some 'confusion' on the day of 
 
250 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 Pentecost, when three thousand were pricked in their 
 hearts, and cried out, 'Men and brethren, what shall 
 we do?'" "0 yes," was the reply; "but then that 
 was in the days of the apostles, and we don't look for 
 such things now." "No," said I, "you don't look 
 for them, and you don't have them; for the Scrip- 
 tural rule, 'according to your faith, so be it unto 
 you,' is perfectly true; but we do look for them, and 
 we do experience them." Here is the secret of the 
 matter: the opposers of sudden conversions are un- 
 willing to take Scriptural precedents; they do not 
 expect such conversions as are recorded in the New 
 Testament; they do not look for them, they do not 
 desire them, and hence they do not have them; and 
 because they know nothing about them, in their unbe- 
 lief, they are unwilling to credit the testimony of 
 those who claim to know. Like the Jews of old, 
 they close their eyes to the evidences they have, and 
 persistently require a sign from heaven ! The meet- 
 ing in Royalton continued several days, resulting in 
 over twenty accessions to the Church. I then invited 
 all who felt interested in having a house of worship, 
 to meet me at the school-house, to see what could be 
 done. The result was, we had a good church built; 
 and now they have, in that place, a parsonage, and it 
 is the headquarters of the circuit. 
 
 We had an old church about four miles above Chil- 
 licothe, in the Crouse neighborhood, which was called 
 Lakin's Chapel. Near this lived father Crouse, who 
 was getting old — was wealthy, and retiring from busi- 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 251 
 
 ness. He was building a house in Kingston, a beau- 
 tiful little village, ten miles from Chillicothe, and was 
 very anxious to have a Methodist society organized 
 there. After conversing with the old gentleman in 
 relation to the matter, I determined to establish an 
 appointment in the place, and take it into the regular 
 plan of the circuit. We collected a few members 
 who lived in the vicinity, formed a small class, and 
 God added to their numbers by happy conversions; 
 so that, before the year closed, we had a society of 
 forty members, sweetly united in spirit, worshiping 
 God, and walking in the light of his truth. But 
 more of this hereafter. 
 
 I was especially interested in the society on Little 
 Walnut, before alluded to as the Hopewell appoint- 
 ment on Groveport circuit. This was a large, flour- 
 ishing society, established, in a very early day, by 
 Rev. James Quinn. Here were parents, children, and 
 grandchildren, all united in Church fellowship, and 
 laboring to sustain the Church by building up the 
 cause of religion at home, and by contributing to 
 her benevolent operations abroad. I have been inti- 
 mately acquainted in this neighborhood for twenty- 
 six years, and it gives me peculiar pleasure to look 
 over the past and review my associations with this 
 people. As in every other neighborhood, time has 
 wrought many changes. . Some of the older members 
 have died in the faith and gone to heaven, some have 
 emigrated to the far west, others have built a neat 
 brick church, and now worship at Locust Grove, 
 
252 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 about two miles from Hopewell; but still there is a. 
 goodly company left, who, retaining the spirit of their 
 fathers, "walk by the same rule, minding the same 
 things" These have a good house of worship, keep 
 it neat and clean, attend regularly the means of grace, 
 bestow proper attention upon the Sabbath school, 
 and never fail to meet their proportion of circuit 
 expenses ; but, in doing this, the leaders have to put 
 their hands pretty deeply into their own pockets. 
 They calculate to "foot the bill," whatever it may 
 be after having made their regular collections. But 
 this noble generosity on the part of official members 
 sometimes operates injuriously, not to the general 
 cause, but to particular individuals. Members come 
 to think it matters little whether they pay their "little 
 mite" or not; the demands will all be met, at any 
 rate; the society will not suffer in credit, nor the 
 preachers in pocket, though they hold on to their 
 pittance ; thus virtually taking it out of their neigh- 
 bor's pocket! "It is more blessed to give than to 
 receive ;" and those who neglect their own duty be- 
 cause others are more liberal than themselves, rob 
 their own souls of the richest benedictions of Heaven. 
 At my first visit to Lithopolis, I met with Dr. 
 Minor, with whom I had formed a slight acquaintance 
 in Vermont. The Doctor showed me no little kind- 
 ness; and, from that day to this, I have been made 
 welcome to the hospitality of his house, whenever I 
 visited that place. He has shown himself a substan- 
 tial friend, and I trust he will yet obtain the mercy 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 253 
 
 of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. We had a 
 good society in that place ; but Methodism has found 
 much to contend with in that region. The population 
 was made up, in good part, of German Lutherans, 
 whose prejudices against Methodism were very strong. 
 Many of them were good citizens, and exerted a pow- 
 erful influence in the community. Nevertheless, some 
 such have been converted, and now form the bone and 
 sinew of the Methodist Church. It is by no means 
 uncommon that persons educated in an opposite faith, 
 and taught to hate Methodism from their youth, when 
 they experience an evangelical conversion, become 
 her warmest admirers, and most unflinching sup- 
 porters. 
 
 During this year, I had the pleasure of attending 
 several camp meetings. The first was a very good 
 meeting, held in conjunction with Rev. E. H. Field, 
 of the Adelphi circuit, for the benefit of his charge 
 and mine. From this, in company with the presid- 
 ing elder, I went to one on the Deer Creek circuit, 
 held on the old camp-ground at White Brown's. Old 
 brother Brown and his companion were pioneers in 
 Methodism ; they were emphatically " old-fashioned 
 Methodists;" for many long years their house stood 
 open to receive the toiling itinerant, and many of 
 the old soldiers have been refreshed and gladdened 
 within their truly Christian habitation. But now 
 they dwell in the "house not made with hands," and 
 their children, rising up to call them blessed, delight 
 to follow their godly example. The meeting was 
 
254 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 such as were only witnessed in the tented grove, when 
 Christians met to worship in the simplicity of true 
 devotion. From this, I accompanied brother Collins 
 to a similar meeting in the Hillsboro circuit. This 
 was held on the old Rattlesnake camp-ground, 
 under the direction of Revs. G. Maley and G. W. 
 Walker, circuit preachers. This also was a season 
 of great interest and power. The people present on 
 Sabbath were estimated at seven thousand. The 
 presiding elder appointed me to preach that day at 
 eleven o'clock. Why he did so, I can not tell — per- 
 haps it was because I was a stranger in that part, 
 and had a clear, strong voice. The latter was a quali- 
 fication by no means unessential, on such an occa- 
 sion. During the day, the attention was good, con- 
 sidering the vast numbers on the ground; and the 
 interest increased as the meeting advanced, till one 
 hundred and forty gave their names as probationers 
 for membership, before the services closed. The 
 membership were not there to vie with each other 
 in displaying fine clothing and setting extravagant 
 tables, but to worship the God of Abraham, of Isaac, 
 of Jacob, and of Moses, in the wilderness, and to 
 labor for the salvation of precious, blood-bought sin- 
 ners. God was there in very deed, and his word 
 was with power. 
 
 On returning to my circuit, I found the good work 
 still prospering. I received between three and four 
 hundred on trial that year, most of whom stood fast 
 in the faith of the Gospel. It was a blessed year. 
 
A SUPERANNUATE.. 255 
 
 I look back upon it with gratitude to God, who 
 poured out his blessing so freely upon my humble 
 efforts, making them instrumental in the accomplish- 
 ment of good. 6i We have this treasure in earthern 
 vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of 
 God, and not of us." To his name be the glory 
 forever ! Amen. 
 
 The quarterage claims were all met. "When the 
 hearts of the people are open to receive Christ, the 
 spirit of liberality prevails to such an extent that 
 the management of the financial concerns of the 
 Church becomes an easy matter. The people were 
 alive in religion, and not backward to duty ; abound- 
 ing in the other graces, they abounded also in the 
 grace of liberality. Committing my flock to the 
 care of the great Shepherd above, I made ready for 
 another session of conference. This was held, Sep- 
 tember 8, 1831, in Mansfield, Ohio, Bishop Hedding 
 presiding. 
 
 The reports at this conference showed that the 
 year had been one of general prosperity, there being 
 over four thousand of an increase in our bounds. 
 My heart prompts me to speak of the Bishop — but 
 since Dr. Clark has given so faithful a portraiture 
 of the man, of his life and times, all of which every 
 one acquainted with him can fully indorse — such a 
 notice as I could give would be superfluous. The 
 session was a very pleasant one. I was returned to 
 Pickaway circuit, with Rev. Jacob Dixon for my col- 
 league. He was an excellent preacher, possessed 
 
256 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 considerable talent, but was wanting in economy ; lie 
 therefore found much trouble in supporting his fam- 
 ily on the income allotted to a Methodist preacher. 
 Our presiding elder this year was Rev. Augustus 
 Eddy. He is well known in Ohio and Indiana as a 
 faithful, laborious minister of the Gospel. In 1831, 
 he was in the vigor of life ; he was humble, devoted, 
 persevering — beloved by the preachers of his district, 
 and highly esteemed among the people. He is yet 
 upon the walls of Zion in Indiana — but doubtless 
 begins to feel the advances of age, and looks for- 
 ward to his discharge from the militant service, as 
 not very distant. He has done a goodly share of 
 pioneer work, contributed much to the advancement 
 of religion where he has labored, and his name will 
 live, richly embalmed in the affections of children's 
 children, when he shall rest from his labors, in the 
 paradise of God. " The memory of the just is 
 blessed." 
 
 Father Crouse had now moved into Kingston, and 
 was laboring with a large heart for the advantage of 
 the Church. He purchased a house and two lots, put 
 up an addition to the house, built a stable, and then 
 gave it all to the Methodist Episcopal Church. The 
 citizens had, several years before, erected a brick 
 building, which was partly finished, and used for 
 public business, schools, preaching, etc. Father 
 Crouse bought it, remodeled and enlarged it, making 
 it suitable for the worship of God, and deeded it to 
 the Church. In this he might have received some 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 257 
 
 small contributions from others, but the main expense 
 was borne by himself. The Lakin Chapel was getting 
 old, and, on account of the burying-ground con- 
 nected with it, father Crouse was anxious to have it 
 kept up ; he therefore gave fifteen hundred dollars for 
 building a new house at that place. After distribut- 
 ing these and other munificent benefactions, the old 
 man fell asleep in Jesus ; but his name and his works 
 still live. " The righteous shall be had in everlast- 
 ing remembrance." 
 
 Not the least responsible part of our work, this 
 year, was the training, indoctrinating, Methodizing 
 the converts of the previous year. These generally 
 did well ; some became useful members, and some, 
 ere this, have finished their course, and "passed, 
 through death, triumphant home." We were favored 
 with some prosperity this year. Souls were con- 
 verted at several places. 
 
 At one point, the members neglected to attend 
 
 class. I visited the delinquents, admonished them 
 
 of the error of their ways, pleaded with them to come 
 
 up to the work, and be Methodists — but all to no 
 
 purpose ; they seemed intent on breaking down the 
 
 rule on that subject, so far as they were concerned. 
 
 I then cited them to appear before the society, and 
 
 give a reason for their course ; they did not appear. 
 
 I then read the clause of Discipline, bearing on the 
 
 case, and called upon those who believed the accused 
 
 were guilty of violating the rule, to manifest it by 
 
 raising their hand — not a hand was raised. "What!" 
 
 22 
 
258 KECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 said I, "are persons not guilty of breach of rule ? 
 who absent themselves from class for six months, and 
 then refuse to assign any reason when called upon?" 
 I informed them, that, as I differed from them in 
 judgment, I should refer the case to the quarterly 
 conference. But, rather than have the case referred, 
 they reconsidered their action, and voted them 
 guilty; the delinquents were, accordingly, set aside 
 for breach of rule. This case illustrates the import- 
 ance of the rule which gives the preacher the power 
 of reference, when he disagrees with the majority, 
 before whom the accused person is brought. But for 
 the existence of it, these notoriously delinquent per- 
 sons would have been retained in the Church, through 
 the influence of merely personal partiality, or local 
 prejudice. 
 
 Down, on the southern end of the work, I found 
 several excellent families, of whom I would like to 
 speak, did space permit. Old brother King and his 
 whole family were of the right stamp. Here, also, 
 were the Joneses, Gundys, Buns, Orrs, and many 
 others — all striving for the "better land." I shall 
 never forget their kindnesses and Christian fellow- 
 ship. They loved God and his Church — stood up for 
 Methodism in its primitive simplicity; and sustained 
 me nobly in the administration of Discipline. But, 
 soon the grave will close over the last of the old 
 stock. 
 
 " On this side, and on that, we see our friends 
 Drop off, like leaves in -autumn !" 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 259 
 
 I call up the pleasing sensations experienced in 
 conversation "with these old friends, and can scarcely 
 realize, that a quarter of a century has dropped into 
 eternity, since their familiar faces and friendly 
 voices cheered my heart; but, so it is; time, like an 
 ever-flowing stream, moves swiftly on, bearing us 
 rapidly to the ocean of eternity ! At the close of 
 my second year, I found myself even more attached 
 to the people than ever before. I gave to many the 
 parting hand, to meet no more on earth. Some have 
 made a good escape from earth — some still linger, 
 amid the storms of this tempestuous world, looking 
 out, in cheerful hope, to the clime where all is calm 
 and sunshine; but, perchance, others have made 
 shipwreck of faith, and are now stumbling upon 
 the dark mountains ! 
 
 " Brief time, 
 Advances quick, in tread ; few hours, and dark, 
 Remain : those hours, in frivolous employ, 
 Waste not impertinent ; they ne'er return ! 
 Nor deem it dullness to stand still, and pause, 
 When dread eternity has claims so high." 
 
260 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 DEER CREEK CIRCUIT — TWO YEARS. 
 
 In September, 1832, I received my appointment to 
 Deer Creek circuit, with brother J. A. Reader, for my 
 colleague. Brother Reader was a pleasant companion, 
 a good man, and an acceptable preacher. I moved 
 my family to Old Town — now Frankfort — in Ross 
 county. 
 
 The circuit was large, but in good condition ; our 
 predecessors, J. H. Power and J. Gurley, were dili- 
 gent workers, and left the charge as it should be. 
 The territory is now divided into Frankfort, New 
 Holland, and Deer Creek circuits — each sustaining 
 two preachers, and affording work enough to keep 
 them well employed. The village of Old Town was 
 one of the oldest places in that part of the country ; 
 it occupied the site of an Indian village, and was 
 originally called Chillicothe. Methodism was planted 
 there in an early day, by some of the pioneers who 
 penetrated the wilderness, upon the very heels of the 
 first settlers, and preached Christ to them, in their 
 yet unfinished cabins. We found there a good society 
 of plain Methodists — some of them wealthy and lib- 
 eral ; indeed, the membership on the circuit generally, 
 would compare favorably with that of any other field. 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 261 
 
 The members flocked around us, giving us a most 
 cheering reception. The steward, living in the place, 
 called and inquired whether we would like any finan- 
 cial aid before the quarterly meeting ; and thus, in the 
 very outset, we were inspired with confidence, and 
 impressed, favorably, toward the people of the charge. 
 And, how delightful to the itinerant, on leaving an 
 affectionate people, and moving among strangers, to 
 be greeted with such manifestations of Christian 
 regard ! Would that all our people understood how 
 much depends on this ! If the membership would 
 call upon the preachers, immediately upon their arri- 
 val — show them a cheerful countenance — lend them a 
 helping hand, in settling in their new home, exhibit- 
 ing the religion they profess, they would be much 
 more likely to have preachers with frank, warm 
 hearts, strongly attached to their flocks, than by 
 pursuing the course which is now far too common. 
 People often complain that their preachers do not 
 visit them enough. I wish to say that, in my judg- 
 ment, there is nothing so well calculated to induce a 
 preacher to come up to the line of duty, in the way 
 of pastoral visiting, as the simple and easy method 
 above indicated, of making him feel at home, when he 
 first arrives upon his circuit or station. And, on the 
 other hand, there is nothing which so discourages 
 him, and renders this duty embarrassing, and un- 
 pleasant, as to leave him to hunt up his strange mem- 
 bers, and thrust himself upon their acquaintance, 
 without any previous knowledge as to whether they 
 
262 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 desire it or not. Preachers are but men ; and, many 
 of them start in the work with timidity and embar- 
 rassment ; and, being held at a distance, by the peo- 
 ple, or compelled to put themselves forward, to seek 
 acquaintance with the members, and then finding 
 much formality and stiffness of manners to encounter, 
 confirms, in them, habits of backwardness, and ac- 
 tual dislike to this most important, and what should 
 be the most pleasing, part of their work. These re- 
 marks are made after years of experience and obser- 
 vation ; and I am fully persuaded that reform is 
 needed, and that reform, on the part of the people, 
 will be speedily' followed by reform on the part of 
 the pastors. 
 
 Shortly after locating my family in Old Town, 
 
 the Rev. Mr. J , of the Baptist Church, called 
 
 upon me, and expressed a desire to be friendly with 
 all denominations. We conversed together freely, 
 and with much interest, on the subject of religion. 
 He informed me that he had abandoned the old 
 doctrine of limited atonement, and believed that 
 Christ died for all — that all might be saved if they 
 would. Thus far we agreed well. But he went on 
 to say that men have natural ability to repent and 
 believe the Gospel. Here I was compelled to dis- 
 sent. I could not believe that fallen, depraved 
 human nature, possessed any such excellent capa- 
 bility — for I was a firm believer in the doctrine of 
 total depravity. I believed the words of Christ, 
 "Without me, ye can do nothing." I told him that 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 263 
 
 if men have natural ability to perform the moral 
 duties they owe to God, they might exercise that 
 natural ability and go to heaven "without grace. He 
 still insisted that we have " natural ability." I told 
 him that if he meant by that phrase — physical 
 ability — to chop wood, or to lift a man out or thrust 
 him into the gutter, I would acknowledge that we 
 have it; but even this we have through the atone- 
 ment of Christ, to whom we owe all we have, and 
 it is therefore of grace, after all, " and not of works, 
 lest any man should boast." He then said he be- 
 lieved, as he heard me preach a few evenings before, 
 that religion was the one thing needful, and that 
 it is a matter of choice, " but the change comes 
 before," said he. Here is a strange paradox : 
 Religion is a matter of choice — but the heart must 
 be changed before the choice can be made. This 
 is much like the common blunder of Calvinists, in 
 placing regeneration before faith. I pointed him 
 to a water-mill, with its ponderous wheel moving 
 beneath the running stream. Said I, " That wheel 
 appears to move freely, but a glance at the impell- 
 ing cause found in the current above, shows that 
 its motion is necessitated ; and this is the sort of 
 freedom you allow to man. Religion is a matter of 
 choice, but the choice can not be made till God 
 changes the heart — that is, man has the power of 
 choice after his heart is changed, but has no such 
 power antecedent to the change ; what then becomes 
 of your natural ability — what is it all worth ?" We 
 
264 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 conversed on many points of doctrine, sometimes 
 seeing alike, and sometimes not. Old-fashioned, 
 unadulterated Calvinism, which disrobes man of all 
 moral freedom, and degrades him to the pitiful con- 
 dition of absolute passivity, may be arranged into 
 a harmonious system, though it be without any true 
 foundation to rest upon ; but when men attempt 
 to modify it — to throw out the repulsive parts, 
 and introduce some truth into it — they mar its 
 harmony, and present a conglomeration of incon- 
 gruities. There is no middle ground between Calvin- 
 ism and Arminianism. Man is free or bound, the 
 atonement is limited or universal, the decrees of God 
 are absolute or conditional ; there is no such thing 
 as modifying the old-fashioned absolutism of Calvin 
 and Augustine, so as to blend it with some of the 
 great truths of the Gospel. Truth and error will 
 not blend ; there is between them an irreconcilable 
 enmity, and whenever they are brought in contact, 
 the antagonism will show itself. Men may talk as 
 much as they please about moderate Calvinists, 
 modified Calvinism, etc.; I want none of it, unless 
 I take it all. None of the modern improvements on 
 the out-and-out predestinarianism of Calvin, could 
 get a foot-hold in his day ; one glance of his mighty 
 intellect would detect the adulteration, and one 
 stroke of his masterly logic was sufficient to banish 
 it forever. Surely, if the old man were living, and 
 could examine the mixtures of theology, with which 
 his name is associated, and in support of which his 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 265 
 
 learning, piety, and zeal are invoked, lie would cry- 
 out in righteous indignation against the abuse. 
 
 "We found plenty to do on the circuit; but to 
 particularize, would be but to detail the every-day 
 life of the Methodist preacher, much of which has 
 already been done. Much of the same variety of 
 riding in the cold and heat,, wet and dry, and find- 
 ing good, bad, and medium accommodations, with 
 the labor of preaching, praying, visiting, etc., which 
 made up former years, occupied us during our stay 
 on this circuit. We had a camp meeting near New 
 Holland ; but, though it was a good meeting, I 
 remember nothing that transpired worthy of special 
 record. 
 
 The Kev. Charles C. Lybrand was my colleague in 
 Deer Creek circuit, the second year. He is still in 
 the active work of the ministry — an amiable, con- 
 sistent Methodist preacher. "We labored together in 
 great harmony, and with reasonable success. We 
 took in a new preaching-place this year, in the vil- 
 lage of Williamsport. This was in the midst of a 
 New-Light community. (I intend no disrespect in 
 using this term; the word " Christian" is too general 
 to be distinctive.) After preaching several times in 
 a cabin, where we were cramped for room, I was 
 invited to preach in the New-Light church. To this 
 I consented, with the understanding that I should 
 feel at full liberty to preach the doctrine of our 
 Church, without hinderance. Accordingly I an- 
 nounced that at such a time, I would preach on the 
 23 
 
266 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ. The term deity 
 was used in preference to divinity, because many 
 that regard the Savior as a created, dependent being, 
 call him divine, because he was divinely inspired, as 
 were Moses, Elijah, Isaiah, and Paul. A large audi- 
 ence assembled, including four or five "Christian" 
 preachers, with paper and pencils to take notes. My 
 sermon was much the same as the one the substance 
 of which is given in this work. Rev. Mr. Harvey 
 said, at the close, that he was to have replied to the 
 discourse, but the house was so full and the weather 
 so warm, he thought best to postpone the reply for 
 three weeks. He then said, " If I do not show that 
 Christ is a distinct being from the Father, we will 
 give it up." I immediately remarked, "You must 
 disprove that Christ is God, or it will be no reply to 
 my discourse." The time came, and a large congre- 
 gation assembled. Mr. H. spent nearly two hours 
 in proving that Christ was the Son of God, and in 
 some sense distinct from, and inferior to, the Father. 
 This he called a refutation of my discourse. I rose 
 and remarked, "It is too evident to be called in 
 question, that Mr. H. is blessed with the gift of 
 continuance ; he has spent nearly two hours in his 
 professed reply, which is no reply at all to what I 
 advanced. I dwelt on the Deity of Christ ; he dwelt 
 on the humanity of Christ. I proved that Christ is 
 God; he has been proving that Christ is man: this 
 he calls a refutation! To illustrate: Suppose I 
 deliver a discourse proving that the soul of man is 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 267 
 
 immortal, and Mr. H. proposes to refute it; he pro- 
 ceeds to prove that the body is mortal, and calls that 
 a refutation of my argument; would you admit his 
 claim to be legitimate ? It could not be a refutation, 
 because both positions are correct — and they are not 
 incompatible ; so in this case, Christ is both God 
 and man; and proving him man no more disproves 
 that he is God, than proving the body mortal dis- 
 proves the immortality of the soul. Here are two 
 distinct points of doctrine. I dwelt on one, and Mr. 
 H. on the other; but both are equally true!" I 
 then noticed a few points in his argument which I 
 thought deserved attention, and closed. One point I 
 will give: Mr. H. called up the common objection 
 to his hypothesis, that if Christ be not God, we can 
 not worship him without being guilty of idolatry. 
 Said he, "We do worship Christ, and we have no 
 fears of being accounted idolaters therefor — because 
 God commands us to worship him." "That is an 
 excellent thought," said I. "Just look at it: God 
 says, 'Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and 
 him only shalt thou serve,' but he also commands us 
 to worship Christ — therefore Christ is God, or we 
 are commanded to worship what is not God ! ' 
 
 We succeeded in organizing a good society in the 
 place; now they have a pretty good Church, and 
 stand as a prominent point on the circuit. The 
 truth — Bible truth, will prevail; it has God for its 
 author, and salvation for its end; it will become a 
 savor of life unto life, or of death unto death. 
 
268 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 In conclusion, I will say that the two years spent 
 on Deer Creek circuit, were pleasant years to me, 
 and not altogether without prosperity. Since then 1 
 have frequently had the pleasure of meeting with 
 some of the old friends on that circuit, and their 
 cordial press of the hand always betokened the sin- 
 cerity of their friendship. I shall ever cultivate the 
 memory of their kindness while with them, and hope 
 to meet them again in heaven. 
 
 " This glorious hope revives 
 
 Our courage by the way j 
 While each in expectation lives, 
 
 And longs to see the day. 
 From sorrow, toil, and pain, 
 
 And sin, we shall be free ; 
 And perfect love and friendship reign 
 
 Through all eternity." 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 269 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 ONE YEAR WITHOUT REGULAR WORK. 
 
 In September, 1834, our conference sat in Circle- 
 ville. At this session, I asked to be left without an 
 appointment, on account of family afflictions. My 
 oldest son had been suffering from pulmonary con- 
 sumption for about fourteen months ; his wife was dis- 
 abled, through ill health, from giving him the atten- 
 tion he needed; and their means were exhausted, so 
 that they could not provide for themselves. It was 
 clearly my duty to take care of them; but this I 
 could not do, and, at the same time, perform regular 
 pastoral work. I was wanted for Portsmouth station ; 
 but a station I never desired. However, I should 
 have felt it my duty to fill, as well as possible, any 
 appointment assigned me by the appointing power, if 
 sickness had not interfered. 
 
 The request excited some debate in the conference. 
 Some were opposed to granting it, because they saw 
 no Disciplinary provision for such a case. I was not, 
 myself, worn-out or disabled, and did not want a 
 superannuated or a supernumerary relation to the 
 conference; but that, while my name stood upon the 
 effective list, I should simply be left without an ap- 
 pointment. Some of my best friends thought it con- 
 
270 KECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 trary to our economy to grant such a request — that 
 it would establish a bad precedent, etc. ; but the ma- 
 jority were of opinion that if there were no Disci- 
 plinary provision made expressly for such cases, it was 
 clearly within the discretionary power of the confer- 
 ence to grant the request, and that it ought to be 
 done ; they voted accordingly, and I was left at lib- 
 erty to bestow all my attention upon the wants and 
 afflictions of my family. I immediately proceeded to 
 the residence of my son, settled up his business, and 
 moved him and family home to my own house. It 
 was now our daily concern to make him as comfort- 
 able as possible, the short time he had to live. He 
 lingered with us, suffering and rejoicing, till the 
 24th of March, 1835, when he pushed off " life's 
 ambiguous shore," in full prospect of a better inher- 
 itance beyond the grave. His last words were those 
 of the poet — 
 
 " Never will I remove 
 Out of " 
 
 Here his voice failed, and he uttered no more. The 
 whole verse which he attempted to quote, reads — 
 
 " Never will I remove 
 
 Out of his hands my cause ; 
 
 But rest in thy redeeming love, 
 
 And hang upon thy cross." 
 
 Thus departed our first-born, in the 32d year of his 
 age. To those who never experienced a like afflic- 
 tion, I would say, you know not the sorrow, the 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 271 
 
 crushing anguish that parents feel, upon the loss of a 
 son or daughter. You may imagine you sympathize 
 with them, but you can not realize the bereavement 
 of their hearts. But then, there is One whose eye 
 can see the silent workings of the soul, behold all the 
 unuttered grief; who looks upon the secret springs 
 of sorrow, and always looks with tenderness. There 
 is One whose heart can feel the very depth of hu- 
 man woe, whose compassion is infinite, whose sym- 
 pathy is divine ; to him we looked for succor, and we 
 looked not in vain : " For he doth not afflict willingly, 
 nor grieve the children of men." Our hearts were 
 truly stricken and sorrowful ; but we sung — 
 
 " Courage, my soul ; thy bitter cross, 
 In every trial here, 
 Shall bear thee to thy heaven above, 
 But shall not enter there. 
 
 The sighing ones, that humbly seek 
 In sorrowing paths below, 
 
 Shall in eternity rejoice, 
 Where endless comforts flow." 
 
 Without faith in divine Providence, we should have 
 been utterly desolate and comfortless; but, knowing 
 that God is too wise to err, too powerful to be de- 
 feated, and too good to be unkind, we bowed in sub- 
 mission to this stroke, sayiog, "Thy will be done." 
 If his wisdom sees, his goodness provides, and his 
 power executes, what is best, why should we not trust 
 in him and not be afraid? 
 
 I was now at liberty to go out into the field, and 
 
272 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 join the brethren in the " battle-cry." In company 
 with brother Eddy, I attended quarterly meeting in 
 Columbus — preached twice during the meeting ; once 
 from John xv, 14, and again from the 4th Psalm. 
 On Sabbath, brother Eddy preached a powerful ser- 
 mon. The power of the Lord was in the assembly to 
 apply the word, and good was done in the name of 
 Christ. Brother Eddy being detained on Church busi- 
 ness, I went on to his next quarterly meeting, which 
 was in Granville. I preached on Saturday, from Phil. 
 i r 6: "Being confident of this very thing, that he 
 which hath begun a good work in you, will perform it 
 till the day of Jesus Christ." On Sabbath, at 11 
 o'clock, I dwelt upon 2 Timothy ii, 19. This was 
 one of my happiest visits to Granville. I shall never 
 forget it. Brother Joseph Carper was on this work, 
 and had been favored with considerable revival influ- 
 ence. This meeting wound up with a fine ingathering 
 of souls, and I trust many of them will land safely 
 in the better world. During the meeting, we went 
 down to the creek and administered baptism to eight 
 or ten persons. Leaving Granville, I went to New- 
 ark, where I preached from Jeremiah viii, 22. This 
 was a very good meeting. Here I met with brother 
 L. White, then stationed in Lancaster. L T pon invita- 
 tion from him, I attended his quarterly meeting the 
 next Saturday and Sabbath. It was a profitable sea- 
 son. I endeavored to expound Luke xiii, 24. From 
 this place, I accompanied brother Eddy to a camp 
 meeting, below Kingston. The meeting was a de- 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 273 
 
 lightful one, although my own enjoyments were not 
 so good as usual. 
 
 I now returned home, and assisted the preachers 
 on the circuit where my family lived, in holding pro- 
 tracted meetings, etc., till conference. It was to 
 me a year of sacrifice, toil, and affliction; but I felt 
 that I was in the line of duty, and therefore in the 
 path of safety. In the midst of all, I could say, with 
 Job, " Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him." 
 Thank God that it is written, "All things work to- 
 gether for good to them that love God \" May he 
 still protect and keep us humble before him ! 
 
 " Glad frames too often lift us up, 
 And then how proud we grow I 
 Till sad desertion makes us droop, 
 And down we sink as low. 
 
 He that is down, need fear no fall ; 
 
 He that is low, no pride ; 
 He that is humble, ever shall 
 
 Have God to be his guide." 
 
274 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 MARIETTA AND ADELPHI CIRCUITS. 
 
 In September, 1835, conference sat in Springfield, 
 Bishop Soule presiding. My appointment was to 
 Marietta. M. P. Kellogg was my colleague. He 
 had previously belonged to the Presbyterian Church, 
 in which he was a distinguished revivalist — some- 
 thing after the style of the Rev. Mr. Finney. He 
 was constantly inclined to get up revivals, by some 
 sort of maneuvering ; some of his plans were admira- 
 ble, but others, I could not approve. I considered 
 him a pious, good man ; he read the Bible on his 
 knees more than any man of my acquaintance ; but 
 he was impulsive, hasty, and sometimes very incon- 
 siderate in his movements ; he subsequently got into 
 difficulty, was suspended for a year, and then per- 
 mitted to locate. The last I heard of him, he was 
 preaching in another branch of the Church. I trust 
 he will find rest in heaven. We labored together 
 harmoniously, and had a good work on the circuit. 
 Brother Kellogg was undoubtedly a useful man in 
 that day. Having purchased a home, and located 
 my family in Kingston, my work was one hundred 
 and five miles from my residence. While in Marietta, 
 I boarded with brother Crawford, an excellent local 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 275 
 
 preacher, in whose kind family I found agreeable 
 entertainment. Marietta was the point at which 
 the first settlements in Ohio commenced. The peo- 
 ple were mostly of the New England stock, and to 
 this day they retain many of the customs of Yan- 
 keedom. Some of these peculiarities are worthy 
 of imitation every- where. They cultivate tasto in 
 arranging their houses, barns, yards, gardens, fences, 
 etc.; so that their residences are characterized by 
 order, neatness, and comfort. There is a college 
 in the place of good reputation ; it is under Presby- 
 terian control, and has sent out a large number of 
 graduates, who, as teachers, preachers, and members 
 of other professions, occupy positions of usefulness 
 and honor, and may be justly esteemed blessings to 
 the country. I bless God for sanctified learning ! 
 All true science links the soul to God. Leave him 
 out of the account, and philosophy loses its sub- 
 limity, and sinks into blind conjecture. And our 
 holy Bible courts the light. Its author is the author 
 of all things ; He who inspired the prophets, hung 
 the world upon nothing, spread abroad the heavens, 
 ordained the laws of gravitation, and upholds all 
 things by the word of his power. The study of 
 science, is but the study of God. The heavens 
 declare his glory, and the firmament showeth his 
 handy work. The rocky pages of geology beneath 
 our feet, and the shining stars above our heads, 
 alike display the wisdom, power, and glory of that 
 God whose loving kindness the Bible reveals. 
 
276 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 Marietta was a half-station; we preached there 
 every Sabbath morning, and in Point Harmer in 
 the afternoon. In the winter, I held a protracted 
 meeting on the Marietta side, which resulted in the 
 happy conversion of a goodly number of souls, who 
 united with us in Church fellowship. We had some 
 revival influence at nearly every appointment on 
 the circuit. We also raised money and built two 
 churches in the course of the year. 
 
 The first and last slave case I ever had any thing 
 to do with, occurred in Marietta this year. A mem- 
 ber of the Church in Virginia, who owned a number 
 of slaves, sold them, and came here and commenced 
 living in princely style, on the price of blood. I 
 had him arraigned under our General Rule which 
 forbids the buying or selling men, women, and 
 children with the intention of enslaving them ; he 
 was found guilty and expelled the Church — but 
 took an appeal, and pleaded nearly two hours in 
 his own defense ; the appeal was not sustained ; 
 so he remained expelled, becoming very bitter against 
 me for the part I took in administering the Discipline 
 against him. It was truly a sad spectacle to see a 
 man professing Christianity, guilty of the black crime 
 of selling his fellow-beings into slavery, stand up to 
 justify the deed before an ecclesiastical court. In 
 slave states such things may yet be done, but I 
 mistake the signs of the times if the light of truth 
 does not yet put an end to scenes so humiliating, 
 even there. The spirit of freedom, flowing on with 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 277 
 
 a deep, smooth current, will rise and extend, till it 
 spreads over all the area of oppression, inundating 
 our whole land with a flood of glory. Sectional 
 animosity, and political strife, may, for a time, im- 
 pede its progress ; but, like every running, living 
 stream, it will gather strength, surmount every 
 obstacle, and sweep away every obstruction. May 
 God hasten the day when the Church, the state, and 
 nation, shall be freed from the curse of slavery ! 
 The prospect looks forbidding, but we may still hope, 
 for God reigns. 
 
 But this, no less than the last, was a year of trial 
 and deep family affliction. God saw fit to remove by 
 death another of our sons. He was in the twenty- 
 third year of his age, doing business in Kingston, 
 possessed a good mind, was well educated, and — 
 permit a father to say it — was highly esteemed in 
 the community. He was scrupulously moral and 
 upright. The Rev. S. Hamilton said if there was 
 ever any one retained his infantile justification, he 
 was the person ; but he deferred a profession of 
 religion, till the spring he died. While he was yet 
 in good health, he wrote me as follows : " I have, at 
 last, joined the Church. I did not do it in the time 
 of excitement, nor in an excited moment ; I joined 
 because I wanted to be a Methodist, and a Christian. 
 I can not say that I do now, or ever did, feel that 
 conviction which others speak of feeling ; but I feel 
 badly because I can not feel worse than I do." 
 This was his last letter. He never entered the 
 
278 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 Church after the night he joined, till his lifeless 
 remains were carried there for funeral services prior 
 to interment. He was suddenly prostrated with 
 hemorrhage. Another son wrote me, and I hastened 
 home. Brother Hamilton was on the Kingston 
 circuit, and kindly offered to exchange work with 
 me, during this affliction ; this was a great accommo- 
 dation. I could fill his appointments, and be home 
 every night. The attacks of hemorrhage were 
 repeated, till all hopes of saving him from death 
 were at an end. Thus, in the "morning of life," he 
 must be resigned to the fell destroyer. It was 
 hard — but God is good and wise! He lingered till 
 the 22d of May, 1836, when he breathed his last, 
 saying, " Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." This was 
 in the same room in which, fourteen months before, 
 my eldest son sank sweetly to rest. But they 
 dwell together in the world of light. They were, 
 perhaps, " taken away from the evil to come." 
 
 As parents, we could but weep and trust in God. 
 We must learn to suffer, as well as do, his will. 
 "Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth 
 every son whom he receiveth." We must look for 
 afflictions — but we may, at the same time, look for 
 supporting grace. Thank heaven I we have a loving 
 Savior. 
 
 " His heart is made of tenderness, 
 His bowels melt -with love." 
 
 This is a precious truth ; and I can say, with a 
 grateful heart, that, as my trials have been, so has 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 279 
 
 been the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. After the 
 decease of this son, I returned to Marietta, and con- 
 tinued in the work till the close of the year. We 
 were permitted to wind up pleasantly. On my return 
 home, while riding through Logan, my horse stumbled 
 and fell upon his side, fastening my leg beneath him. 
 Some time after, he released me by rising. I arose, 
 and was astonished to find that the limb was not 
 broken. Surely, it was God's providence that pre- 
 served me from serious harm. Praise his name ! 
 
 The field of labor assigned me, in September, 
 1836, was the Adelphi circuit. My colleague was 
 the Rev. Benjamin Ellis, a good preacher, and a 
 pious, companionable man. We worked sweetly to- 
 gether in the Gospel yoke. Most of this circuit ex- 
 tended over the hills, which were covered with white- 
 oaks and pitch-pine. My health was not very good ; 
 by some means, I had become dyspeptic ; but I found 
 the invigorating atmosphere, and pure water, of these 
 hills, together with plenty of good corn-bread, to be 
 very efficacious in relieving me from this annoying 
 and distressing disease. Perhaps, however, a share 
 of the credit is due to the picturesque scenery, which, 
 with ever-varying aspect, passed before the eye, in 
 crossing the lofty hills, and passing the deep ravines. 
 No doubt the exhilarating influence arising from fre- 
 quent contact with the grand and beautiful in nature, 
 is calculated to counteract the nervous depression, 
 which is one of the attendants of deranged digestive 
 organs. But the pleasurable sensations which the 
 
280 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 romantic scenery inspired, were greatly enhanced by 
 finding, scattered through the hills and valleys, a 
 goodly number of earnest, self-denying Christians, 
 who were always ready to work for God. 
 
 Passing through this circuit, was a stream very 
 appropriately called Queer creek. It wound its way 
 through the hills, in such a serpentine course, that, in 
 traveling the distance of two miles, we crossed it not 
 less — and I am not certain but more — than forty 
 times. I used to think it fairly represented the zig- 
 zag life of some specimens of humanity with whom I 
 have had acquaintance. They seem utterly incapable 
 of pursuing a straight-forward course, but exhibit as 
 many windings and turnings as Queer creek. They 
 will make a contract with you to-day, and, to-morrow, 
 if they see opportunity of making a little, a very 
 little, too, they will violate it without scruple. They 
 care nothing about their word; and, as for honor, they 
 know nothing of its import. Poor creatures. They 
 are objects of commiseration, when we look at them 
 as immortal beings, led captive by the devil at his 
 will; but much of their crookedness results from 
 downright dishonesty. Having abandoned themselves 
 to absolute selfishness, they become the victims of 
 passion and self-interest, so fully as to be incapable 
 of resisting any gust that may break upon them ; the 
 winds and waves drive them hither and thither, so 
 that, like the "double-minded man," spoken of by 
 St. James, "They are unstable in all their ways" — 
 a poor, motley mixture of contrarieties — a heap of 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 281 
 
 jumbled contradictions. God pity them ! I lift my 
 heart to Him, in prayer, that they may be rescued, 
 by infinite mercy, from their perilous condition. 
 
 In the course of the year, we held a camp meeting, 
 in conjunction with the preachers, on the Logan 
 circuit. The meeting was pretty well attended, the 
 preaching was evangelical, and, of course, profitable ; 
 sinners were awakened and converted to God, and 
 the Church was enlivened in faith and holiness. How 
 delightful is the tented grove, with hundreds of happy 
 souls assembling to worship God ! and, how much 
 more delightful, when answers of prayer are visible, 
 in the awakening of sinners, who, with broken hearts, 
 cry to Heaven for mercy! but, how transcendently 
 glorious, when the cloud passes away, and the Sun of 
 righteousness pours into their mourning hearts the 
 rays of heavenly light, and they, with countenances 
 beaming with joy, arise, exclaiming, "0 Lord, I 
 will praise thee : for though thou wast angry with 
 me, thine anger is turned away, and now thou dost 
 comfort me !" "We had peace and quietness in all 
 our borders, and closed up the year with thankfulness 
 to God for his protecting care. Many of the mem- 
 bers of this charge still live in the affections of the 
 writer. May the smile of Heaven cheer us all in the 
 close of life ! 
 
 24 
 
282 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 GRANVILLE CIRCUIT — SUPERANNUATED . 
 
 September, 1837, I was appointed to Granville 
 circuit, with Rev. J. T. Donohoe for my colleague. 
 Brother D. is too well known to require a lengthy 
 notice here. He was in the regular work in the Ohio 
 conference for a long time, then located for several 
 years, and was, last year, readmitted, and placed 
 upon the superannuated list, in order that he may die 
 in connection with the conference which he served so 
 many years. Granville was fifty miles from my resi- 
 dence in Kingston, the circuit was large, and, believ- 
 ing I could not do justice to the work without living 
 upon it, I moved my family to that place. We found 
 a noble board of stewards, but they were unable to 
 procure us a house ; they did, however, succeed in 
 renting part of a very poor one. We went at it 
 and raised funds and bought a parsonage. It was 
 good enough, at that time, but, though still used for 
 the purpose, it evidently is some the worse for age. 
 Would that the people could realize how much they 
 would save themselves and ministers, by keeping com- 
 fortable accommodations for the families that lead the 
 wearisome life of itinerants ! 
 
 Granville was settled nearly fifty-one years ago, 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 283 
 
 by a colony from Granville. Massachusetts. Most of 
 the original settlers were Congregationalists. They 
 were organized into a Church, under the pastoral 
 direction of the venerable Dr. Cooley, who still lives, 
 before leaving for the west. The Congregational 
 Church, in Granville, is, therefore, older than the 
 town itself. The fiftieth anniversary of their arrival 
 on the site of the town, was celebrated by a jubilee, 
 in October, 1855, at which Dr. Cooley was present, 
 and delivered an address. The Congregationalists, 
 having thus preoccupied the ground, have kept the 
 ascendency ever since. The membership is large, 
 and, under the pastoral care of the Rev. J. Little, 
 this Church occupies a position of influence and high 
 respectability. The Church is Congregational, but 
 the pastor is a Presbyterian, of the New School. It 
 requires no little skill, patience, and perseverance, to 
 keep together so large a membership, composed of 
 such variety of material, under a government so 
 peculiar. But, with very moderate abilities as a 
 preacher, Mr. Little performs this difficult task, 
 thereby displaying unusual capabilities as an admin- 
 istrator. Perhaps the secret of his success is attribu- 
 table to the great personal influence he has acquired, 
 by his position among his people, most of whom he 
 has known from their youth. 
 
 The Baptists commenced operations here at an 
 early day, established a Church, and by making it 
 the seat of their College, were enabled to concentrate 
 an influence which has raised their Church to a 
 
284 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 position above that which it occupies in other places 
 in the state. Their Church is large, and their Col- 
 lege, though prostrate for some years past, is being 
 resuscitated, with fair prospect of a career of use- 
 fulness. 
 
 The Episcopalians have a respectable Church, and 
 a literary institution for females ; but their influence 
 in the community is not felt a great deal — though 
 some of the best citizens of the place are members 
 of that sect. The Presbyterians, and the Calvinistic 
 Methodists, each have a congregation of worshipers 
 in the Welsh language. Both are rigid Calvinists, 
 and why they do not unite, I am unable to tell. 
 
 A note in the stewards' book reads thus : " Meth- 
 odism was introduced into Granville, Licking county, 
 Ohio, by Rev. James B. Einley, in the year 1810, 
 at which time a class was formed in the house of 
 Mr. William Gavit, one of the early settlers of the 
 place." The place was taken into the Knox circuit, 
 in 1811; James Quinn was presiding elder, and Elisha 
 W. Bowman circuit preacher. Brother Bowman was, 
 therefore, the first preacher who regularly preached 
 in Granville, A long list of worthies have followed 
 him, and preceded the writer, in this field. The list 
 continues : Michael Ellis, David Knox, Samuel West, 
 John Solomon, John M'Mahan, Shadrick Ruark, 
 Henry Baker, etc. I noticed in the list the names 
 of C. Goddard, H. S. Fernandes, L. L. Hamline, 
 and others, which will long live in the affections 
 of the Church. But, occupied as the ground has 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 285 
 
 been by other denominations which had an earlier 
 start and superior advantages, Methodism has not 
 nourished in Granville, as in many other places; 
 and when the circumstances are fully known, the 
 wonder is not that it has not prospered so well here 
 as elsewhere, but rather that it has lived at all. But 
 with all its disadvantages, Methodism has done a 
 work for God, even here. Hundreds through her 
 instrumentality have been born of the Spirit in this 
 place, many of whom have landed safely in heaven, 
 and some of whom are upon the walls of Zion, while 
 others have emigrated to the far west, leaving a 
 "remnant" who still keep the altar-fires burning, 
 waiting and trusting that God will enlarge the 
 borders of his heritage, and bless his people with 
 abundance of prosperity. God grant unto them the 
 desire of their hearts ! 
 
 Our first quarterly meeting was held in Granville, 
 and was an excellent meeting, all things considered ; 
 near twenty gave us their names as probationers for 
 membership in the Church. 
 
 The second was held in Etna — a small village 
 on the National road. The society was in a cold 
 state, and there was little prospect of success; but 
 on Friday night, before the regular commencement 
 of the quarterly meeting services, I delivered a dis- 
 course in which the low state of religion was de- 
 scribed, and the operations of unbelief in the heart 
 pointed out. I remarked, "You say there will be 
 nothing done at this meeting — that is the language 
 
286 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 of unbelief; I do not believe a word of it. I feel 
 assured that God will work at this time." Our faith 
 was quickened, and God did work for us gloriously. 
 Rev. J. Young was our presiding elder. He preached, 
 Saturday, and attended quarterly conference, but was 
 out of health and did not get out at night. The 
 next morning he told me to attend the love-feast, 
 and he thought he would be able to preach at eleven. 
 The hour arrived, and he came and attended the 
 preliminary services, but, after prayer, he turned to 
 me and said, "You will have to preach, I am so 
 hoarse I can not do it." There was no time for 
 premeditation. I announced a text at once, and 
 entered upon its elucidation in the name of Him 
 whose presence is promised. I was graciously as- 
 sisted. Our meeting increased in interest, power, 
 and glory. The services lasted for several days, and 
 were profitable to the Church, and to many others. 
 On Monday morning, two of the stewards started 
 home, but, like the disciples that journeyed to the 
 village of Emmaus, they talked by the way of all 
 these things, and their hearts warmed as they talked, 
 so that they felt they were doing wrong, and resolved 
 to return. They did so — and, after coming back, 
 they told what had transpired ; they had talked over 
 the qualifications pointed out in the book of Disci- 
 pline, as necessary to be possessed by stewards, con- 
 cluded they did not possess the deep piety required, 
 and proposed to resign. I dissuaded them from 
 that course, and urged them to seek for more grace. 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 287 
 
 At our third quarterly meeting, which was held in 
 April, I got wet, took cold, and was, in a short time, 
 disabled from preaching. I returned home, and re- 
 member putting my horse in the barn, and the next 
 I had any knowledge of was, finding myself lying in 
 my own bed, very sick. There I lay twelve weeks, 
 at the point of death. For a number of weeks, I 
 could move neither foot nor hand any more than if 
 dead. Many of my friends called in and prayed with 
 me, of which I had no knowledge. The amount of 
 food taken, within the twelve weeks, might have been 
 put in a tea-cup. My life was despaired of by all 
 except my dear wife, without whose skillful nursing 
 and persevering efforts, I must have died. Almost 
 constantly, through those long twelve weeks, was she 
 upon her feet, striving to allay the burning fever, and 
 to minister to the demands of my helpless body. At 
 one time, two physicians said I could not live, and 
 the third said I was already dying ; but she would not 
 yield; her trust was in God. To him she looked, by 
 him she was sustained, and, under his blessing, my 
 life was spared. At about the close of the twelve 
 weeks, I was enabled to hold a little conversation 
 with my wife, by whispering in broken sentences, in 
 which we agreed in reference to my burial, etc. I 
 took, as we supposed, my last farewell of my family, 
 and viewed myself as just crossing the cold stream. 
 I realized no ecstatic joy, neither had I any dread or 
 fear. I seemed to be moving calmly out upon the 
 dark waters, till the impression became vivid in my 
 
288 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 mind that I was half over the swellings of Jordan; 
 then looking before me, all was light and glorious ; I 
 gazed, as I supposed, upon the trees of paradise, 
 waving their immortal branches in the winds of 
 heaven, and beckoning me to the shore. I fully 
 expected to rest, in a few moments, upon the plains 
 of light, with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and all the 
 redeemed from earth; with my children and friends 
 who had died in the Lord; and, above all, with my 
 blessed Savior. This was not delirium; my mind 
 was clear, and my consciousness distinct; but I can 
 scarcely say whether I was more in the body than out 
 of the body. It was a blessed night, which I shall 
 never forget. The next morning, I was pronounced 
 better. Though the improvement was almost imper- 
 ceptible, I continued to grow better; and, at our last 
 quarterly meeting, some of the friends lifted me into 
 a carriage, and took me to it. I appeared to many 
 as one risen from the dead. Some had heard that I 
 was dead, and none expected me to recover. All 
 greeted me with much tenderness and affection, de- 
 claring it a privilege to meet me again in the sanc- 
 tuary, which they had not expected on earth. It was 
 a solemn, weeping, glorious time, but my pen can 
 never describe the happiness of that hour. Unin- 
 spired language can not express the gratitude of my 
 heart, in reviewing the past mercies of my heavenly 
 Father. "Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord 
 from the heavens: praise him in the hights. Praise 
 ye him, all his angels : praise ye him, all his hosts. 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 289 
 
 Praise ye him, sun and moon : praise him, all ye stars 
 of light. Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and yo 
 waters that be above the heavens. Let them praise 
 the name of the Lord: for he commanded, and they 
 were created. He hath also established them forever 
 and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not 
 pass. Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, 
 and all deeps : fire and hail ; snow and vapor : stormy 
 wind fulfilling his word: mountains, and all hills: 
 fruitful trees, and all cedars: beasts, and all cattle; 
 creeping things, and flying fowl: kings of the earth, 
 and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth: 
 both young men and maidens; old men and chil- 
 dren: let them praise the name of the Lord, for his 
 name alone is excellent ; his glory is above the earth 
 and heaven. He also exalteth the horn of his people, 
 the praise of all his saints; even of the children of 
 Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the Lord!" 
 When the conference for this year — 1838 — sat in 
 Columbus, I was able to reach there ; but my limbs 
 were swollen, and I was yet so debilitated as to be 
 unable to put on and off my clothing without assist- 
 ance. Of course, I was not able to take work, but 
 took a superannuated relation to the conference, and 
 returned home and spent the winter. In April, 1839, 
 four appointments were set off from Circleville, and, 
 in pursuance of the desire of the membership, the 
 presiding elder prevailed with me to take charge of 
 them. My old friends made me welcome among 
 
 them, and we had some most delightful meetings. 
 
 25 
 
290 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 In the month of May, a brother of mine came, 
 with his family, and settled close by me. We had 
 been separated thirteen years. He is the only rela- 
 tive of mine that ever settled in Ohio. Soon after 
 his arrival, he and brother R. Green commenced a 
 series of meetings a few miles from Johnstown, which 
 they continued till God blessed them with a glorious 
 revival of religion. Many souls, through their instru- 
 mentality, were happily converted to God, and joined 
 the Methodist Episcopal Church ; and a large portion 
 of them still hold on their way. Praise God for con- 
 verting power! This brother was very dear to me. 
 While I was stationed on Lake Champlain, he made 
 me a visit, and God made me instrumental in his 
 awakening and conversion. He still lives near by 
 me. We often visit each other, and talk of the deep 
 things that pertain to the kingdom of God. Here wc 
 meet and part; but, if faithful a few more days, we 
 shall meet where parting is not known. 
 
 " When all our toils are o'er, 
 Our sufferings and our pain ; 
 "Who meet on that eternal shore, 
 Shall never part again." 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 291 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 LITHOPOLIS AND HEBRON CIRCUITS. 
 
 At the conference of 1839, some appointments 
 taken from Worthington circuit were added to those 
 of which I had charge the latter part of the previous 
 year, forming Lithopolis circuit. Upon this work 
 I was sent, in connection with brother Jacob Young, 
 who had just completed his term as presiding elder 
 of the district. We labored together in love, and 
 were blessed with some good times. During this 
 year, we raised a " centenary subscription r ' for the 
 purpose of building a parsonage in Groveport, a 
 small village on the canal, ten miles from Columbus, 
 which subsequently became the head-quarters of the 
 circuit. 
 
 This charge contained some excellent, old-fashioned 
 Methodists. I have before spoken of the Hopewell 
 appointment in Grooms's neighborhood, which was 
 now connected with Lithopolis ; in the latter place 
 were some whose names I cherish with pleasure, as 
 also in Groveport. This last place was originally 
 called Rarysport, from the fact that it was laid 
 out by W. Rary, who did considerable business in 
 the produce line ; it was also known by the name 
 of Wert's Grove — a Mr. Wert owning part of the 
 
292 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 land on which it was built. When the village came 
 to be incorporated, some strife arose as to the name 
 it should bear, both proprietors, with their respective 
 friends, contending for the honor. The controversy 
 was settled by a "compromise;" the names of both 
 the men were left off, while the " Grove " and the 
 " Port " were united, making the very appropriate 
 name — Groveport. For many years Methodism 
 flourished well in this place. Men of sterling worth 
 lived here, some of whom will long be remembered 
 by the preachers whose lot it has been to spend a 
 year or two on this work. One fact may be named, 
 of some significance. It has several times happened 
 that the presiding elders on the district, who were 
 well acquainted with the work, and whose position 
 gave them some advantages in the way of selecting 
 their own fields, have closed their term of service 
 in that relation, and then taken this circuit. I love 
 to think of the old soldiers of the cross — but many 
 of them have removed to the Church triumphant, 
 while their children occupy their places in the army 
 still in the field. 
 
 "We held a camp meeting, that year. The site 
 selected for the purpose was a beautiful grove 
 offered by old brother Keedles, between Pickering- 
 ton and Columbus. This was in one of the finest 
 farming sections in Ohio, and surrounded by a neigh- 
 borhood of moral, enterprising, industrious, and, of 
 course, prosperous citizens. On the day appointed 
 for preparing the grounds, there was a general 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 293 
 
 turnout. Quite a number of noble-hearted men who 
 made no profession, came and took hold manfully; 
 we took this as a good omen. The best of order 
 prevailed throughout the meeting. I do not recol- 
 lect of having occasion to administer reproof but 
 once the whole time of the encampment. Every- 
 thing moved on delightfully till the last day — 
 " the great day of the festival." Then the "doors 
 of the Church" were opened — that is, they were 
 announced as open; for, like the "happy gates of 
 Gospel grace," they stand "open night and day" — 
 persons were invited to join the Church on proba- 
 tion ; they came one after another till about fifty 
 names were enrolled as new recruits. Many were 
 converted to God, became useful members of the 
 Church, and still live to honor their profession ; 
 some of them holding official stations, are now stand- 
 ing in the fore front in the battle with sin and error. 
 Some will read this sketch and say from the heart, 
 " Thank God for that meeting ! that was the time 
 I started for heaven." God bless them ! May they 
 one and all obtain the crown of life ! 
 
 In 1840, our conference sat in Zanesville. Bishop 
 Hedding presided with his usual dignity and urbanity 
 of manners — a perfect specimen of the refined Chris- 
 tian gentleman. He permitted each member, who 
 wished, to speak on every question that came up, 
 and yet the business was done up with unusual dis- 
 patch. The year 1840 will be remembered as the 
 time of the most excited political campaign our 
 
294 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 country has ever known. The business of confer- 
 ence was hurried to a close to give the members 
 opportunity to reach home in time to vote for the 
 man of their choice. I do not mean that the con- 
 ference, as such, hurried business for this purpose ; 
 but the members doubtless refrained from consuming 
 time with long speeches, and from introducing 
 matters of an extraneous character, in order that 
 the session might not be unnecessarily prolonged. 
 Preachers are men, and citizens, and as citizens, 
 if not as preachers, they have equal rights and 
 privileges, politically, with their fellow-citizens ; and, 
 though prudence would always dictate that they 
 should not become entangled with the partyisms that 
 prevail, so as to hinder their usefulness as ministers, 
 they ought not to yield to the bullying cry of 
 political demagogues, and be driven from the exer- 
 cise of their rights, simply because they are called 
 to minister in holy things. They must not only 
 "render unto God the things that are God's," but 
 they are equally bound to " render unto Caesar the 
 things that are Caesar's ;" and in performing this 
 latter duty conscientiously, they will find it necessary 
 to give the weight of their influence in favor of that 
 form of civil government which, to them, appears 
 best calculated to promote the interests and happi- 
 ness of the people. In a country where the people 
 are the sovereigns, no man can innocently stand 
 aloof, and allow the elections to go by default, so 
 as to raise to offices of trust and power corrupt, 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 295 
 
 time-serving politicians, when by attending to his 
 privilege and duty he can contribute to hinder such 
 unworthy elevations, and promote the election of 
 men at least a little better fitted for the responsible 
 positions. The right of suffrage, secured to us by 
 the organic law of the state and nation, is no less 
 a right than a duty ; as good citizens, we can neither 
 refuse to vote, nor vote carelessly, under the influ- 
 ence of mere party bias ; we owe it to ourselves, 
 to the country, and to posterity, to vote, and to vote 
 understandingly, with an eye single to the best inter- 
 ests of the whole country. Viewing the matter thus, 
 we can not find fault even with a body of Christian 
 ministers for being anxious to perform this duty of 
 citizenship, at a time when grave interests were pend- 
 ing; nor can we envy the wisdom or patriotism of 
 those partisan tricksters who are forever harping about 
 the importance of keeping politics and religion sepa- 
 rate. The fact is, politics have been separated too 
 far from religion ; men are coming to think it pos- 
 sible to be, at the same time, religious saints, and 
 political knaves ; and, on the other hand, some are 
 looked upon, through party prejudices, as being 
 perfect paragons of political purity, while they are 
 known to be morally and religiously corrupt. Such 
 things ought not to be. 
 
 But we hope to see no more such contests for the 
 Presidency. The influence of the political excite- 
 ment of 1840, was detrimental to religion. Many 
 pious members of the Church, in different places, 
 
296 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 were led away by the intoxication of the times, and 
 " made shipwreck of faith, and a good conscience ;" 
 while the minds of the irreligious were too much dis- 
 sipated to be reached with the serious truths of the 
 Gospel. Although it is to be hoped that party 
 politics will never again rage as in that year, while 
 I write these lines, deprecating the irreligious tend- 
 ency of such excitements, there is reason to appre- 
 hend a return of similar scenes, during the election 
 campaign which is now begun. I pray God to save 
 his Church and people from corruption and apostasy! 
 At this conference some appointments were taken 
 from Granville, and some from the Rushville circuit, 
 and the Hebron circuit organized, and I was ap- 
 pointed to labor on it. The arrangement suited me 
 well; for, having purchased a snug little farm near 
 Johnstown, and located my family upon it, this 
 work was convenient to my residence. My health 
 was not very good, and as very many of my old 
 friends lived in the bounds of this new charge, I 
 considered myself well favored in receiving this 
 appointment. There were some whole-souled Meth- 
 odists here of the original type. I found them 
 ready to co-operate in the good work, willing to 
 bear the cross and make the sacrifices necessary 
 to advance the cause of religion. My mind reverts 
 to the different preaching-places, and before it rises 
 the image of familiar faces, some of whom shall no 
 more be seen in this w T orid. Of many I would like 
 to speak freely, but must not indulge. There were 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 297 
 
 the Pitzers, Brights, Coulters, Siglers, Hulls, Wil- 
 sons — but the list extends, suggesting names loved 
 and honored as disciples of our blessed Lord; yet I 
 must not omit the name of that venerable servant 
 and minister of Jesus Christ, Rev. Martin Fate. 
 For many long years, when the country was new, and 
 Methodism, not being understood, was despised, he 
 as a faithful sentinel stood upon the walls of Zion, 
 watching for souls as one who should give an account; 
 and God made him instrumental in comforting the 
 bereaved, in directing the inquiring penitent to the 
 cross, and in convincing the gainsayers of the truth 
 and beauty of our holy religion. His walk and con- 
 versation accorded with the Gospel of Christ, and his 
 example of unobtrusive piety exhibited the spirit of 
 meekness, faith, and charity, sending out an influ- 
 ence more potent for good than can be exerted by 
 scores of impetuous, time-serving professors. He 
 lived to see his children "walking by the same rule, 
 and minding the same things ;" and, enjoying a 
 "green old age," he lingers in happy expectancy of 
 a blessed immortality. "May his sun go down in 
 smiles, and bring a pleasing night !" 
 
 In Brownsville we had a small brick chapel, since 
 used by brother J. Fluke as a wagon-shop ; but the 
 commodious church in which the congregation now 
 worship was then building, and it was completed and 
 dedicated that year — Rev. Samuel Hamilton preach- 
 ing the dedicatory sermon. The friends in Linnville 
 built a good church the year previous ; in Hebron 
 
298 KECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 we had no house, but "went to work and secured 
 funds for building one, which was afterward done ; 
 and it has been the chief ornament of the place since 
 its completion. There, too, was George's Chapel — 
 a large brick church, one and a half miles from 
 Hebron, with a good society and congregation — but 
 now, owing to changes in the community, the mem- 
 bership are scattered, and the "old brick" is gone — 
 as these old tabernacles which we inhabit will soon 
 be gone — taken down and applied to some other 
 use. The year passed away pleasantly, and I left 
 the circuit thankful to God for inclining the hearts 
 of this people to bear with my infirmities, and to 
 sympathize with me in my afflictions and toils. Thus 
 closed the third year after the severe sickness which 
 brought me to the grave's mouth. 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 299 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 GLANCE AT SEVERAL YEARS— CONCLUSION. 
 
 In 1841, I was on the Granville circuit in company 
 with Rev. W. T. Hand and J. A. Bruner — two effi- 
 cient and agreeable companions in labor. My family 
 lived in the bounds of this work, and, having previ- 
 ously traveled the circuit, I was well acquainted with 
 the people, and felt myself at home among them. 
 Rev. R. 0. Spencer was presiding elder. He was a 
 good theologian, a faithful, affectionate preacher, and 
 a warm-hearted Christian. He filled the office with 
 dignity and usefulness — but he is still in the good 
 work, and I will indulge in no further remarks in 
 reference to him, in this place. We all united, heart 
 and hand in the "labor of love," and were soon 
 permitted to see that our "labor was not vain in the 
 Lord." The Spirit of God fell upon the people, 
 quickening believers and convicting sinners, causing 
 the powers of darkness to tremble. Penitent souls 
 were led to cry out, " What must we do to be 
 saved?" We stood ready to point them to the Lamb 
 of God that taketh away the sin of the world, and 
 witnessed the conversion of a large number. 
 
 My son, C. W. Lewis, lived about two miles from 
 Johnstown, where he and the neighbors erected a 
 
300 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 log meeting-house, in which, "when it was finished, we 
 held a protracted meeting, and, through the divine 
 mercy, we had a glorious time of refreshing from 
 the presence of the Lord. Many were awakened and 
 converted, and taking these with some members who 
 lived in the vicinity, we organized a large society. 
 My brother, of whom I have spoken, and this son, 
 who had been preaching for some time, rendered us 
 efficient aid during this meeting. 
 
 At another place, brother Bruner and myself held a 
 protracted meeting in a log-house, which, all things 
 considered, excelled any thing of the kind I ever wit- 
 nessed. We took in about ninety members, some of 
 whom, alas! have " fallen away; " but others remain 
 steadfast, and are now living members in the Church. 
 In the spring, brother Hand and myself held a pro- 
 tracted meeting in the town of Granville, which was 
 an excellent meeting, the fruit of which yet remains. 
 Here, a young lady, reared by Major "Warren, sought 
 and obtained peace in Christ, and the day following 
 her conversion, I visited the Major and family. The 
 young lady, in answer to a question, said she was 
 still happy. I conversed with the Major, and learned 
 from him, that he thought it right and proper to have 
 meetings on the Sabbath, but saw no propriety in 
 having services through the week. I urged him to 
 attend, but he would not promise. I had prayer and 
 left, not much expecting to see him again, while the 
 meeting lasted ; but he was in the congregation that 
 night. The next day he came again, and, when 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 301 
 
 mourners were invited to the altar, he arose delib- 
 erately, and came forward. While upon his knees, he 
 requested us to take his name as a probationer, which 
 we did, and he was shortly afterward enabled to em- 
 brace the Savior by faith, and has continued in the 
 narrow way till the present time. In November — 
 1855 — he was smitten down with a stroke of palsy, 
 and remains in a very feeble condition, with little 
 prospect of restoration of bodily health, but enjoys a 
 cheering hope of immortality and eternal life, which 
 is as an anchor to the soul, sure and steadfast, sus- 
 taining his spirits, and affording him holy comforts, 
 under the trying providences through which he is 
 called to pass. 
 
 We had other special meetings on the circuit, which 
 were attended with good success ; but I must not par- 
 ticularize ; the year closed happily. I look back 
 upon it with pleasure, and know not that I can ex- 
 press my feelings in regard to it better than by 
 repeating the well-known doxology — 
 
 " Praise God, from whom all blessings flow ; 
 Praise him, all creatures here below; 
 Praise him above, ye heavenly host ; 
 Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost." 
 
 In 1842, I was appointed to the Blendon circuit, 
 without a colleague.* The Rev. Nathan Emory was 
 then living on the circuit, sustaining a superannuated 
 relation to the conference; but, being able to do some 
 work, he was employed to fill the vacancy. He was 
 formerly a member of the New York conference — was 
 
302 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 a man of noble, generous impulses — a good theologian, 
 and delighted to point out, to inquiring hearers, the 
 way of life and salvation, through the blessed Re- 
 deemer. In the days of his strength, he filled some 
 important stations in the Church, and always acquit- 
 ted himself well. He lived to a good old age, and 
 died, a few years ago, in clear prospect of heaven. 
 We labored together in harmony, and with some suc- 
 cess. It was not a year of extensive revival influence, 
 though we were favored with reasonable prosperity. 
 The high school was then flourishing at Westerville, 
 under the direction of brothers Kingsley and Blair. 
 Brothers Ingals, "Westervelt, and Lonnis, were there 
 in course of preparation for the ministry. The Insti- 
 tution has passed into the hands of the United 
 Brethren, and, under the patronage of that denom- 
 ination, it is enjoying a fair degree of prosperity as 
 the Otterbein University. At our last quarterly 
 meeting conference, the three young brethren named 
 were recommended for the traveling connection, and, 
 at the next session of the Ohio conference, they were 
 admitted on trial. Brother Ingals is now a member 
 of the Iowa conference ; brother Westervelt died in 
 the work, several years ago ; and brother Lonnis is 
 still a member of the Ohio conference. 
 
 It was that year that the great Millerite excitement 
 swept over the country. It became, for a time, the 
 main topic of conversation in many places — some 
 were alarmed — some became serious — some went 
 crazy, and others treated the whole matter with 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 303 
 
 indifference. It was a fearful delusion, the effects of 
 which have not yet terminated. In many places, that 
 year, large numbers flocked into the Churches, whose 
 minds were probably brought to bear on the subject 
 of religion, under the influence of that excitement ; 
 and, it is altogether likely, that some, by that means, 
 became good Christians — nevertheless, the evils at- 
 tending the propagation of Millerism, were apparent 
 to all candid observers. It was a grand deception ; 
 yet, perchance, the good Being made it the occasion 
 of the awakening of some who were really converted. 
 He can overrule evil so as to bring good out of it, 
 without sanctifying the evil. On the other hand, it 
 may not be contrary to his plan of providence to 
 permit such delusions to prevail as a scourge to the 
 Churches for their indifference to the true objects of 
 their holy mission. At all events, the prevalence of 
 such heresies should serve as warnings to Christians, 
 of every name, never to relax their efforts for the 
 maintenance of sound doctrines and pure morality. 
 
 Here, as in all other places where I have traveled, 
 there Vere some members whose light, like the city 
 upon the hill, could not be hid. Such are, indeed, 
 the "salt of the earth." Praise God, religion is the 
 same every-where! It enlightens the eyes, makes 
 wise the simple, rejoices the heart, and, in a word, it 
 exalts man to his proper dignity, fits him for living 
 and for dying, and qualifies him to live forever with 
 the holy and the happy in heaven. Having finished 
 the work, made new class-books, etc., I started to 
 
304 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 conference, praying God to pardon all he had seen 
 amiss in preachers or people, and to direct in the 
 appointments for the coming year. 
 
 In 1843, at the session of conference held in Chil- 
 licothe, there were some appointments taken from the 
 Granville charge, and formed into a separate two- 
 weeks' circuit, called Johnstown circuit. Here I was 
 appointed to labor. This was home work. Having 
 traveled over the ground two years, while it was con- 
 nected with Granville, I was well acquainted with the 
 people. No time was lost from moving, or other 
 causes, but I entered at once upon the work of visit- 
 ing from house to house, talking and praying with the 
 families, and preaching nearly every day in the week. 
 I probably prepared more new pulpit subjects, this 
 year, than any one year of my life. I had preached 
 a great many times to this people, and felt anxious 
 to feed them with food convenient for them — some 
 with "milk," and some with " strong meat," that they 
 might grow thereby. We s had no special revival, yet 
 the people lived in the unity of the Spirit and the 
 bond of peace. Love and harmony prevailed through 
 all our borders. It was a year of real profit to my- 
 self. In applying my mind to books, in studying the 
 holy Bible, seeking to bring forth from that store- 
 house of knowledge things new and old, I found great 
 delight. Some incidents occurred worthy of record, 
 but space will not permit me to dwell. 
 
 In 1844, I was appointed to Irvillc circuit, in con- 
 nection with Rev. Samuel Hamilton. We labored 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 305 
 
 together as brethren, in love and harmony, had some 
 good times, but no special revival; the circuit was 
 large, and the work was pretty heavy. In 1845, I 
 went to the Hebron circuit with brother P. A. Mutch- 
 ner, who has long since departed this life, in full 
 prospect of the heavenly glory. This was a year of 
 some prosperity. In 1846, I was returned with Rev. 
 Wesley Webster, now of the Cincinnati conference, a 
 worthy, faithful preacher, and a most amiable col- 
 league. We had some revivals during the year, and 
 closed up, thankful to God for comforting and sus- 
 taining grace. This was a warm-hearted people, who 
 exerted themselves to meet their obligations to the 
 Church and ministry with promptness and fidelity. 
 
 In 1847, the Thornville circuit was my field of 
 labor, and Rev. Benjamin Ellis my colleague. The 
 year passed away pleasantly, closing with a camp 
 meeting, which was held four miles from Rushville, 
 and resulted in forty accessions to the Church, most 
 of whom found redemption, in the blood of Christ. 
 This was a glorious meeting. The numbers present 
 on Sabbath were estimated, by good judges, at fifteen 
 thousand. Rev. J. M. Jameson was presiding elder. 
 He filled the office well, and met the responsibilities 
 of this occasion to admiration. He still lives to do 
 battle in the Lord's army — an affable man, and an 
 able minister of the New Testament. 
 
 In 1848, I traveled the Granville circuit, with Rev. 
 C. C. Lybrand. My appointment, this year, was to 
 
 Irville, and Rev. James Gilruth was appointed to 
 
 26 
 
306 RECOLLECTIONS OP 
 
 Granville; but it was ascertained, after conference 
 closed, that brother G. had only been absent from 
 that circuit three years, and could not constitutionally 
 travel it this year. So a change was effected, he 
 going to Irville and I to Granville. In 1849, my 
 name was attached to Hebron circuit, as supernu- 
 merary. The next year I traveled Baltimore circuit 
 with Rev. A. B. See, a warm-hearted brother, a good 
 preacher, and a pleasant enough colleague for any 
 man. In 1851, with Rev. Archibald Fleming, I 
 went upon the Pickerington circuit. Brother F. 
 was, like most of those of whom I have had occasion 
 to speak, a lovely man of God. I was returned, the 
 next year, with brother Richard Pitzer. We had a 
 very prosperous year. Brother P. is a zealous, faith- 
 ful laborer. He follows the direction of Solomon, 
 "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy 
 might." Pickerington is one of the best little cir- 
 cuits in the conference. 
 
 In 1853, I was appointed to the Groveport circuit, 
 with brother S. M. Merrill, my last colleague; and 
 this was my last circuit. The connection of brother 
 M. with the preparation of this volume, precludes 
 remarks. Before this year closed, my health failed, 
 and I was compelled to retire from the field. Thank 
 God ! that, upon retiring, I could say, of a truth, that 
 I never retreated from the hottest of the battle ! In 
 my humble way, I ever sought to advance the cause 
 of truth and piety; and now, in reviewing the past, 
 my conscience bears me witness that my motives have 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 307 
 
 been pure ; and it is a source of great satisfaction to 
 me to be able to say and feel that my endeavors have 
 not been altogether unavailing. 
 
 In September, 1854, I received a superannuated 
 relation to the conference, and from that time to this, 
 August, 1856, I have only been able to preach an 
 occasional sermon. At times, it has been difficult for 
 me to pray in my family; at other times, my voice 
 has been better, so that I could preach with such 
 apparent ease that the hearers would not suspect the 
 labor caused me any pain. For the greater part of 
 the time, I have enjoyed uninterrupted communion 
 with my heavenly Father, and felt a comforting as- 
 surance that, if my earthly house of this tabernacle 
 were dissolved, I have a building of God, a house 
 not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. How 
 good the Lord is! 
 
 I used to imagine that, if I should live to be super- 
 annuated, I would become a lugubrious old man, and 
 feel like retiring from society, and shutting myself 
 up in some unfrequented place, to linger out the 
 "evil days" in hermit loneliness. Thank God! such 
 is not the case. Never in my life did I enjoy the 
 society of friends better than now. To go out and 
 mingle with those whose kind words and friendly 
 voices cheered me in the days of my toil, is to me 
 like living life over again. This I am sometimes per- 
 mitted to do ; and I find the same warm hearts and 
 open hands ready to greet me, and the same willing- 
 ness to hear what words I can yet utter in honor of 
 
308 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 the name of my precious Savior. Praise God for 
 friends and friendship ! 
 
 And now let me glance over the past. The provi- 
 dence of God hath led me in a way that I knew not. 
 Reared in the Baptist Church to the years of man- 
 hood, without any particular inclination to public life, 
 and with only such advantages for education as the 
 common schools afford, the idea could not possibly 
 have entered my mind, when setting out in life, that 
 I should ever become a Methodist preacher; but so it 
 is. More than forty years of my life have been spent 
 in this work. My pathway has been checkered; the 
 "lights and shades" of itinerancy have alternated in 
 my experience; but, in reviewing the past, I must 
 say, that " goodness and mercy have followed me all 
 the days of my life." Some of the dispensations of 
 Providence have been not only mysterious, but sorely 
 afflictive; yet, in the hour of darkness, when earthly 
 comforts fled, and lowering clouds overspread my 
 spiritual sky, I trusted in the Lord, "endured as 
 seeing the invisible," and, through his abounding 
 grace, my soul found refuge and safety. In Clinton 
 county, in the state of New York, on the shore of 
 Lake Champlain, we consigned to the grave the mor- 
 tal remains of two lovely babes. In Washington 
 county, of the same state, stands a stone sacred to 
 the memory of Betsey, the daughter, of whose death 
 I have already spoken. In Albany county, sleeps the 
 dust of another tender babe. In Ross county, Ohio, 
 lie the two sons whose deaths were mentioned. And 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 309 
 
 in Sangamon county, Illinois, the body of my son, 
 Calvin Wesley, rests in hope. " The Lord gave, and 
 the Lord hath taken away, and blessed be the name 
 of the Lord!" All of these which had come to years, 
 died triumphantly. Sleep on, dear children ! Rest in 
 peace till the angel of God shall sound the trumpet, 
 when the dead shall rise incorruptible! Then shall 
 ye come forth, glorious and immortal, with the tri- 
 umphant shout, "0 death, where is thy sting? 
 grave, where is thy victory ? The sting of death is 
 sin, and the strength of sin is the law ; but thanks be 
 to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord 
 Jesus Christ V 3 
 
 Most of my family have preceded me to that land 
 which is very far off, where the inhabitants never say 
 they are sick, where all darkness is excluded, where 
 light, pure, unsullied and uninterrupted, reigns for- 
 ever. There is the absence of all pain, and the pres- 
 ence of all ease — the absence of mortality with its 
 concomitant ills, and the presence of immortality with 
 all its attendant blessings. Blessed world ! we may 
 not, while in the flesh, conceive of its unrevealed 
 glories, but, happy for us if, with St. John, we can 
 say, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it 
 doth not yet appear what we shall be : but we know 
 that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; 
 for we shall see him as he is." This is enough! 
 " We shall be like him ;" like the spiritual, immortal, 
 glorified body of Jesus Christ ! what stupendous 
 grace ! What boundless love ! Let us fall at the 
 
310 RECOLLECTIONS OF 
 
 feet of Jesus, and adore the God and Rock of our 
 salvation, who hath brought life and immortality to 
 light through the Gospel ! Most of my seniors have 
 passed on before me, and many of my juniors have 
 departed this life, while I remain, much like the soli- 
 tary tree in the open field, exposed to the sweeping 
 blasts of this stormy world ; but, unworthy though I 
 be, God is my refuge and defense, my shield and 
 buckler, my high tower and my salvation. His lov- 
 ing-kindness is better than life, and my lips shall 
 praise him. 
 
 Now that my days of active service in the Church 
 are past, I may be permittted to speak plainly on a 
 point of some importance, and yet of such delicacy 
 that, under other circumstances, I could not dwell 
 upon it without exposing, myself to suspicions of 
 selfishness. I refer to the support of preachers. 
 If the Disciplinary allowance had been the same that 
 it is now from the commencement of my itinerant 
 life, and if my receipts had been the same under 
 that provision that they actually have been, the 
 aggregate of my deficiencies would have amounted 
 to about four thousand dollars. The fact that the 
 allowance in former years was less than now, de- 
 creases this deficiency somewhat, but the statement 
 illustrates the results of that policy which allows 
 the laborers to go off from their charges year after 
 year, without receiving their full claims. They are 
 sometimes compelled to retire, after many years of 
 toil, without any means of support, when the aggre- 
 
A SUPERANNUATE. 311 
 
 gate of the little mites not received from their various 
 charges, would be sufficient to render them comfort- 
 able, and smooth their pathway to the tomb, crown- 
 ing the evening of their lives with tranquil joy. 
 
 I write not for myself — through the basing of a 
 kind Providence, my own wants are not so urgent 
 as are the wants of others — bufr I can sympathize 
 with the worn-out and needy, as men in the prime 
 of life can not; and, in *behalf of all those who have 
 spent their physidH and mental energies in the glo- 
 rious work of the Christian ministry, I appeal to the 
 liberality, the conscience, the piety, the magnanimity 
 of the Church! Brethren, let the claims of these 
 be considered ; think upon them for good ; remember 
 them in prayers and offerings; make their hearts 
 glad with your munificence, and the blessings of old 
 men, with the benedictions of their God will rest 
 upon you. And now, dear reader, I close. I bid 
 you adieu till we shall meet in the better world. But 
 in taking my leave of you, I invoke the divine bless- 
 ing upon us all, during our remaining days, in the 
 language of the poet : 
 
 " May the grace of Christ our Savior, 
 
 And the Father's boundless love, 
 With the Holy Spirit's favor 
 
 Rest upon us from above : 
 Thus may we abide in union 
 
 With each other and the Lord, 
 And possess, in sweet communion, 
 
 Joys which earth can not afford 1" 
 
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