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YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

THE LIBRARY OF THE
DIVINITY SCHOOL

AT 80.

($tu:p Again
BEING SOME FURTHER THOUGHTS AND EXPERIENCES
OF
Uttltam <garnt0*m Srohmutg

i >
CLASS OF 1848

IN THE NEW YORK ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

AUTHOR OF -GRACE MAGNIFIED," "FIFTY YEARS A MINISTER,'
"A FEW MORE WORDS."

Uriitratefc

TO ALL WHO MAY BE INTERESTED ENOUGH TO READ
CAREFULLY, DISMISSING PREJUDICES

PRINTED AND BOUND FOR THE AUTHOR

PRESS OF
THE A. V. HAIGHT COMPANY
POUGHKEEPSIE, N. T.
1905

NO RIGHTS RESERVED.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.
what it means.
Not Expected; but no Vow Broken— Does God want it? — He
Makes no Mistakes — Can write some things better than say
them, pp. 1-6. CHAPTER II.
WHAT WILL IT AMOUNT TO ?
Honest Doubts — Some Encouragement— Old Books sometimes
valued — Good Seed will Bring Forth some Fruit — ''Duty is
ours, Results are God's" — Limited Sphere— No Copyright,
pp. 7-12. CHAPTER III.
FRESH EXPERIENCES.
All within Three Short Eventful Years— Flying Shafts
— A Disturbed Church — A Mild Criticism, pp. 13-17.
Sixtieth Wedding Anniversary — An Impressive, Interest
ing and Touching Poetic Production — Sorrows soon follow
joys, pp. 17-19.
Other Deaths — Rev. B. M. Adams— Another House of Sorrow,
pp. 19-23.
Wife Departed— Her Creed— Inscription on Tombstone-
Some Thoughts on Marriage, pp. 23-29.

iv CONTENTS.
Conference Session of 1903 — Brought to author in Pough-
keepsie, N. Y. — Bishop Charles C. McCabe — A good time-
Kindly recognition, pp. 29-31.
A Trip West Once Again— Visited in Denver, Colo.— Heard
Bishop Warren — Colorado Annual Conference — Preachers'
Meetings — Holiness Association — Special means — Wearing
jewelry — The altitude — How affected by it — Return trip —
pp. 31-39.
Another Son-in-law Gone — Kind and Obliging Disposition-
Followed by Deadly Enemy — A Message and its Delivery —
Body laid carefully away — Visions, pp. 39-45.
A Remarkable Boy— Simple and Devout Christian — Wonder
fully Endowed — Taken Seriously 111— Died — Lessons, pp.
45-49.
Conference of 1904— Nicely Entertained— Pleasant Session —
Bishop E. G. Andrews — What Next — Musings, pp. 49-52.
Stockport Once Again— Visited June 15, 1904— Preached
there 56 Years since — Delightful Ramble — Looked into Old
Home — Columbia Springs, pp. 52-54.
Cornwall Jubilee — Pastor there 28 Years since— Jubilee,
June 20, 1904, pp. 54-55.
Commencement at Yale— Baccalaureate Address June 26,
1904— Religious Spirit Prevails— Eventful Week, pp. 55-57.
Ocean Grove Once Again— Went July 27, 1904— Family Wor
ship—St. Paul's M. E. Church— A Rich Experience— Bro.
Franklin's Class— Other Meetings — Principles of Associa
tion — Children Noticed — Wonderful Scenes — Meeting
friends— The Camp-meeting— Closing Exercises— Not all
like Heaven — Don't Misunderstand, pp. 57-74.

CONTENTS. v
A Delightful Visit— Among Mother's Kindred— A Pretty
Ride — Felt at Home — Religious Privileges — A Plucky In
cident—Returned, pp. 74-80.
Poughkeepsie Once Again— Epworth League— Christian
Fraternity — A Banquet — Sixty-second Wedding Anniversa
ry — Rev. Geo. Hughes — A Unique Missionary Meeting —
A Triumphant Death— Independent Parish — Mother Mor
gan, pp. 80-97.
A Bunch of Experiences— W. F. M. S. Once Again— Anniver
saries and Reunions — Washington Heights Once Again —
Pine Plains"Once Again — New Haven Once Again —Perora
tion, pp. 97-111. CHAPTER IV.
HOBBIES.
Websterian Definition — Holiness — Second Coming — Resurrec
tion — Sabbath— Return of the Jews — Divine Healing —
Practices— Drinking — Smoking, pp. 112-121.
CHAPTER V.
HUMAN PROBATION.
Of Stupendous Interest — Power of Choice — Another Gospel —
Not so Jesus — " Sinners' Hell Here " — Psalmists' Perplexi
ties — Job's case — Some Important Passages — No Chance —
Our Duty, pp. 122-135. CHAPTER VI.
THE SACRED SCRIPTURES.
Articles V and VI of Methodist Episcopal Church— Principles
of study— Man's Relation to Sin— Promises and Threaten-
ings Conditional— God Always Right— True History— The
Scarlet Thread— Modern Quibbles— Two Questions Consid
ered— "The Lord's Prayer"— What Good is Prayer? pp.
136-150.

vi CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VII.
JESUS ONLY.
Key to Real Christian Union— "Bible Society Record" — Bible
Society — Our Real Desire, pp. 151-156.
CHAPTER VIII.
TEMPERANCE.
Term ought to be obsolete as formerly used — Drinking Habits —
Change in Notice of Evil — Hopeful — Dr. Swallow and Rev.
L. A. Banks in Poughkeepsie — Indifference of Many —
i Presidential Campaign of 1904 — Roosevelt and What can
be Expected of Him— Ex-Gov. St. John — Ocean Grove Sen
timent — Some Quotations — Is this Too Radical? — General
Conference of 1904— Bishop Potter — A Widening Theme,
pp. 157-175.
f CHAPTER IX.
NO BREAKFAST PLAN.
Explanation and Confession — Difficulties — Convictions — Two
Meals Enough — No Supper Plan — Use Reason — The Fasting
Cure, pp. 176-182. CHAPTER X.
LAST DAYS.
May Provoke a Smile — Have been Greatly Favored — Great
Changes in the World, and in our Own Country — More Im
pressive Changes — The Board of Bishops — General Confer
ence Action — New York Conference Changes — Class of 1848
Once Again — Final Reflections, pp. 183-198.

ONCE AGAIN.

CHAPTER 1.

WHAT IT MEANS.

Into whosesoever hands this book may come, who has
has read the former volumes of the author, — and especi
ally the one published in 1902 entitled A Few More
Words — there may be a remembrance that on page
170 of said latter book it was stated: " I can scarce
think it possible that I make another attempt to put in
book form any more of the experiences that may yet
be before me."
The writer was then seventy-seven years old, and
feeling some of the infirmities that naturally accom
pany that period of earthly life. It was a surprise to
him then that the "three-score and ten" had been
reached and past; and he was almost confidently ex
pecting a speedy departure to be with Jesus and the
blood-washed throng before the throne.
But time has run on and with it an improved physi
cal and mental condition; — especially in the months
immediately preceding the writing of this opening
chapter. Had the resolution been positively formed to make
no further ^attempt at book making, it would needs

2 ONCE AGAIN.
have been kept; but no such position was assumed; and
so no vow is broken in this work, Once Again, being
undertaken. There has been some strange and peculiar exercises
of mind in connection with the purpose to write this
book. It has been suggested: " If you put in print some
of the thoughts running through your mind, you may
get some very unenviable notoriety, but you will not
popularize yourself. " "And then you may give offense
to some whose friendship, and even love, you now have."
Well, I surely have no desire, much less purpose, of
offending; and it is not to be coveted to be judged as
putting forth disagreeable and unpopular sentiments.
The only questions, however, that can be considered
here and now are: Is it in accordance with the will of
God that this work should be done ? And: Is this
proceeding in His order \ The purpose is all control
ling to seek Divine guidance at every step, and in the
writing of every word. The prayer for the spirit of
Christ that goes out in love to Him and to all men, shall
go up from day to day, and at all times in the day,
that nothing harmful or misleading shall find a place
in these pages. To say that there is no expectation
that any one will disagree with anything that shall ap
pear is virtually to admit that there exists no reason
for the expenditure of time and energy and money to
simply repeat what everybody knows and believes.
But how shall we know what is the will of God in
such an undertaking as this ? How better than to fully
sink our will in His; and commit our way unto Him ?
So, it is resolved, to go forward believing that if this
work is pleasing to Him whom we serve, that He will
give grace to keep and wisdom to guide until the task

WE AT IT MEANS. 3
is accomplished. If He decides, at any point of the
procedure, that "It is enough," He will so indicate,
either by incapacitating for further doing by taking
away the ability, or taking away the earthly life thus
engaged. Many a Christian worker has lain down his
plans, as well as ceased to speak on earth, just when it
seemed to men that he, or she, was in the midst of most
profitable work. God knows best, and He never makes
mistakes! It may be claimed that there is, and must be, some
qualification to this way of reasoning. The declaration
that: " Man is immortal until his work is done," is a
strong way of saying that God directs as to the length
of every faithful Christian's life; and that he, or she,
shall surely live out all the allotted days." Well who of
us would be justified in disputing this ? The Bible
says: " The years of the wicked shall be shortened."
( See Proverbs x: 27. ) And again: " Bloody and de
ceitful men shall not live out half their days. " ( See
Psalm lv: 23.) But of the godly it is said: " With
long life will I satisfy him." (See Psalm xci: 16. )
Nevertheless, it would be pure fanaticism to argue,
that all good men live to be old, or, that there is no ob
ligation to care carefully for the health of our bodies,
and for the length of our days. So, with the hearty be
lief that we are in the Lord's hands, and subjecting our-
self willingly to His control, we set about this unex
pected work of publishing once again a volume of ex
periences and opinions, with the purpose of husbanding
our strength by proper rest and other means that are
appointed by the the Great Physician of both body and
soul. We earnestly hope that this will not be labor in

vain

i

No one has been consulted as to the subject matter of

4 ONCE AGAIN.
this book, and no one has been asked to give it indorse
ment by way of introduction. We act thus indepen
dently. First : Because, as already intimated it is not
believed that anyone could be found who would fully agree
with all that may find its way herein. And Secondly:
Because if a friend might, be found willing to be asso
ciated, the Author does not care to involve anyone in
the responsibilities of some utterances that may appear
in print in this effort.
It is enough to say, that the several members of this
volume have been conceived during the Summer of the
year 1904 ; and their struggle for birth has resulted in
the body of whatever form, or feature, it may bear when
it appears for public inspection.
No Money In Ii.
Possibly some may thiuk that this writing of books
pays. So it does, or it would not be attempted Once
Again. How it pays will appear further on. But,
there is no money in it — i. e ; In our book writing.
When Grace Magnified was issued, it was said in
the Introductory chapter: "It was far from my
thought in entering upon this work, that any financial
profit could come of it."
We did have some hope then, that enough money
might be realized from sales to re-imburse the outlay.
So far from this being the case, the "outcome" showed
a balance on the debit side of Eight hundred and eighty
three dollars, after drawing largely for help from a
special fund that we felt authorized to employ to some
extent in this way. Saying nothing about some smaller
publications, the publishing and distributing of five
hundred copies of A Few More Words, as a supplement
to its larger companion, caused an outlay of two hun-

WHAT IT MEANS. 5
dred and sixty-two dollars and twenty-six cents. Only
about twenty dollars of this was met by sales.
Somehow, the idea of selling books of my own writing
has become more and more distasteful, and, after spend
ing considerable money in the usual and legitimate ef
forts in that line, I sometime ago abandoned these
efforts. I do not purpose to resume any such methods
now. Let it be understood then that this book will not be
put on sale nor is any price put upon it.
Nevertheless, as all the money I handle is only as a
steward and for the Great Proprietor, and I must not
waste my Lord's substance, this statement is made, viz:
If the desire is present with any to whom this volume
comes unsolicited to contribute any sum to aid in the
expense of publishing, said amount will be gratefully
received and sacredly appropriated. And, as we do
not propose to distribute this book so promiscuously as we
have sometimes done as to others, it is decreed that any
person desiring a copy may order it by mail, addressed
to the Author; and, in order to show a real desire to
carefully read, such will be expected to accompany the
request by any sum they may incline to forward, by
which to reimburse the Lord's treasury.
If the Author passes to the heavenly home before
these books are all disposed of, he assures all concerned
that any money returns received after he has gone will
be sacredly regarded as belonging to the missionary
treasury of the Methodist Episcopal Church. And the
further request is here recorded that instead of sending
more than the necessary postage in such case, the re
cipient of the book will give direct to said named society
any sum, in appreciation of the contents, that may meet
the mind of the reader and giver.

6 ONCE AGAIN.
So with these things projected, the work of book-
making is once again entered upon with a kind of ambi
tion (I trust a lawful ambition) that I may celebrate
the arrival of my Eightieth Birthday Anniversary with
a souvenier to the members of my immediate family
and tried and trusted friends. All of these I believe
will be charitable in their judgments, both of the writer
and of what is written.
Meanwhile, even if in God's order the work here
begun is not finished, the writer is furnished with some
congenial employment for awhile; and that is no small
boon to one who feels that he is regarded as an old man,
and "left out" frequently when his heart \s, yearning
to do something. Beside this there is a growing con
viction that I can often better write thoughts in the
quiet of a study than I can utter them before an audi
ence, where the surroundings sometimes prove a diver
sion and embarrassment. It may also be that some of
these things that find expression in writing would not
be proper in public speech.

CHAPTER II.
WHAT WILL IT AMOUNT TO ?
Honest Doubts.
It may very likely be that some reader ( perhaps many
readers ) of the first chapter of this book will say; "what
after all, will it amount to?" "The world is full of
books, and many of them never get farther than the
shelves on which they are placed." "Besides, many
books are more captivating than autobiographies."
And, again it may be said that only when writers have
some reputation are their books valued or sought after.
All of these statements are true, and many more
might be added just as true ; and it is certain that the
question raised is worthy of candid consideration.
It is not sufficient to say: "The writer is pleased
with this kind of employment, and we ought to consent
to let him please himself."
This would be a very narrow way of answering the
question set at the head of this chapter.
Not an Untried Field.
When entering this arena some years since, it was an
unexplored region ; and no one was more astonished than
the writer that he should venture in such a field. Our
experiences have 'however been of great value. They
have not all been discouraging. First, we have cer
tainly learned that the proportion of those reached by
gift books are no more demonstrative than the lepers
healed by the Master when he told them to go and show

8 ONCE AGAIN.
themselves to the priests. (See Luke xvn: 12-18.)
Out of the ten only one returned to acknowledge what
had been done for him. About this ratio of those to
whom the writer has sent his former books have ever
written of their reception.
This has been true of all classes to whom they have
gone. It has been especially true of my brethren in the
ministry. About one in ten have let it be known that
they came to hand. In a less degree has this been true
of the Editors to whom these books have been sent.
Sometimes to be entirely ignored has been quite a chagrin
to the sender.
Of all this there is probably no good reason to com
plain. It is as might be expected. These brethren and
editors have many reasons for not noticing all that comes
to them unsolicited.
There have been encouragements, however, some most
marked and manifest exceptions that have compensated
for all that have seemed neglects. Some communica
tions have been not only most brotherly, but have been
so full of kind expressions and opinions, that it has
seemed that the writers ought to weigh their words most
carefully, lest they convey more than they intended.
One of the most prominent members of the New York
Conference wrote to the author in a loving spirit after
he had read the books. He also sent double the money
that would have been named as a price, if the transac
tion had been in the form of a sale and purchase. More
over he positively refused to have this money returned
when solicited to receive it back.
This is Not an Isolated Case.
Another quite as prominent member of the same con
ference did just about the same thing several years

WHAT WILL IT AMOUNT TO ? 9
since; and the same is true, in modified forms, of several
others of the dear brethren who have thus been binding
us together as the years of our Conference fellowship
have been running on.
In closing out the remaining copies of both books
that have gone before this Once Again volume, the
author made bold to mail them to each member of the
•Board of Bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
so far as he could command their addresses. From
two of them he received most kind and encouraging
letters in response.
But quite beyond letters of acknowledgment have
been the many expressions that have been personally
made from time to time. Some have even told of having
received benefit not only intellectually, but also spirit
ually. This is compensation indeed.
To be told of deeper Christian experience resulting
from convictions attending the reading of any of these
books; and of souls brought to a knowledge of Christ
through this instrumentality, is to be valued more than
all silver and gold. Watched Over.
To trace some of the means by which this has been
brought about is wonderful. Some years since a for
mer parishioner was found reading Grace Magnified,
and deeply interested. Being somewhat curious to
know how this book came to be in his possession the in
quiry was made. The fact was learned that it had been
picked up from a cheap book stand for a few cents. It
had probably found its way there after being read and
left in the library by hands that were mouldering back to
dust, while the earthly possessions passed under the
auctioneer's hammer, or to "the second hand dealer."

10 ONCE AGAIN.
There is nothing discouraging, or disgraceful in such
incidents. Some of the most valuable and profitable
reading, and some of the books that have been most
cherished, come to us because the days of sale for them
have passed, and the remaining stock is closed out at
nominal prices.
The fact that these books were written twenty, thirty,
or more years since, only give them greater interest and,
value to those who thus learn of past events that general
history may not have noticed. Some of the most flat
tering commendations of Grace Magnified, have been
recently made because of its references to past events in
the city of New York in earlier days, and in many parts
of the land ; and particularly within the bounds of the
author's travels as an itinerant.
Sometimes it may seem like waste in spending time and
money to get books written and circulated, but if the
seed is good, some of it will catch in good soil and pro
duce a harvest in after years and in eternity.
I remember once standing and witnessing a kin of
mine sow his wheat. It was good wheat that might
have been ground into flour and made into bread for
family supplies ; but here he was throwing it away by
the handfuls, and he did it liberally. He was a good
and thoughtful farmer, and his crops brought him
riches ; and those who came after him enjoyed the bene
fit of his toils and sacrifices.
When the Lord put forth the parable of the sower he
admitted that even much good seed would be lost and
fall by the wayside, or where there was not much deep
ness of earth, or among thorns and briers; but the encour
agement to sow was that some seed would fall upon good
ground and bring forth abundantly.
So books treating of God's gracious dealings, and wit-

WHAT WILL IT AMOUNT TO? 11
nessing to His wondrous saving power must do some
good. The enemy is still abroad sowing tares, but the time
of sorting will come and the good wheat will be gathered
in the heavenly garner.
It is a privilege to have any part in this seed sowing!
The thing for us to look out for is that the seed is
good and pure, and then to scatter it lavishly by what
ever means in our power. Some can use one means, and
some another. We are differently endowed. Let us
find out what we can do best and do that.
It has of ten been said: "Results belong to God, — •
duty is ours." This thought may be abused and lead to
carelessness or indifference; but rightly received it is of
great value. Montgomery has beautifully written :
' ' Sow in the morn thy seed ;
At eve hold not thy hand :
To doubt or fear give thou no heed,
Broad cast it o'er the land.
Thou knowest not which shall thrive
The late or early sown."
The condition of the soil into which the seed falls is
the great consideration, and so as this writer has said
over and over, so Once Again he repeats that the im
portant work is the doing what we can to lead to the
enrichment of the hearts of those who listen to the
gospel message in whatever way it can be brought to
them. When the desires of the heart are purified, and it is
open to the truth, it will seek after and find it in every
effort to bring it to notice.
limited Sphere.
It may yet be said: "This writing is largely the
history of one individual, and he is thus made more

12 ONCE AGAIN.
prominent than will interest others." Well the Bible
is to a considerable extent, history and biography, and
some of it autobiography, and if what we put forth has
any measure of the inspiration that came to the
patriarchs and prophets and apostles, some of the same
results and help that come to us from them may also
come to others as we relate our experiences and tell of
our relation to this world, and preach the gospel as^
brought out in our knowledge of it during our passage
through this mortal and transitory life.
The fathers and the prophets, where are they ? They
live in their writings and what has been written about
them. So shall we, if we live as we ought, and leave
something behind us that will make this world better
because we, in our turn, passed through it.
As the reading of this book will naturally be confined
to a considerable extent to the immediate circle of
friends and acquaintances of the author and those to
whom they may introduce it; and, as this company is
growing smaller all the time, the edition will be quite
limited. No money will be spent for stereotype plates.
When the first edition is exhausted there will be no
other. If anything is found thought worthy of more ex
tended circulation it is free for use. No one can claim
a copyright. If anything ought to be antagonized and
refuted, the opportunity is open and welcomed, if
thereby good may come.

CHAPTER III.
FRESH EXPERIENCES.
Only three short years have passed since the volume
entitled A Few More Words went through the press.
They have indeed been eventful years. None have been
more so in the experiences of the author. This it is be
lieved will be the verdict of all who have their attention
called to them, and who are prepared to judge.
Flying Shafts.
The early spring months of 1902 witnessed sorrow in
many households more or less intimately connected with
the writer of these pages. During the month of March
the family of the only remaining full brother, and
youngest child of our mother, who was the little prat
tler when she left her nine children on the earth, was
visited in a sad and impressive way. His oldest and
dearly beloved son was, as it would seem to us, ruth
lessly taken from him on March 7th. This bereavment
was the more difficult to bear because the father was
seriously ill himself at the time. On the 16th of the
same month, this father passed out of sight, anddeft his
widow to mourn his loss, with only one daughter re
maining out of the family of two sons and two daughters
who had been cherished and trained through childhood
and youth into manhood and womanhood. Three of
these were called to lie down and die at periods when the
greatest hopes of life seemed just opening before them.
About this same time, and soon after, some dear
13

14 ONCE AGAIN.
Christian friends in the city of Poughkeepsie and- else
where bid adieu to their weeping families, and their
bodies were carried to their resting places, and other
widows and fatherless ones were increased to bear testi
mony to the fleeting nature of all earthly ties.
During the Conference session of April, 1902, the
writer was most generously entertained in a family that
has become particularly dear because of loving asso
ciations for more than thirty years. There he had gone
in and out as one of them, and as their changes had
been met in the passing years. Children had come and
gone during that time; and their dear mother, who had
been one of my most cherished parishoners for almost
all of this time, had also been called away. Her funeral
services and obituary notice gave this writer some of
his sad and yet profitable experiences. Of her it might
well be said: " The memory of the just is blessed!"
And so the years have run on, all the time reminding
us that: " Here we have no continuing city or abiding
place." A Disturbed Church.
It seems that a peculiar condition of church relation
ship should have some place in this chapter. With the
close of the Conference session in April, 1902, and the
reading of the appointments, there came to one of the
churches in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., to which the writer
has held a semi-official relation for several years, a sur
prise that was really full of doubtful results.
This church is, in some respects, of youthful exist
ence. It was organized many years ago; but of recent
years has assumed great responsibilities in a new and
expensive building and changed location.
Somehow the working of the itinerancy has been un-

FBESH EXPEBIE NCES. 1 5
usual with this people and congregation. Their heavy
debt and many young people of late — especially since a
glorious revival of ten years since — have made them
feel that extraordinary care must be exercised in the se
lection of their pastors. After some experiences that
had severly tested the loyalty of the officers and member
ship in years past, the spring of 1902 opened very aus
piciously with them. Both pastor and people were in
harmony as to their relations, and it was fully expected
that these pleasant conditions were to run on for at least
two or three or more years. Especially was this antici
pated as the present pastor had only served since the
former annual Conference.
It was believed that both the financial and religious
prosperity largely depended upon a continuance of this
harmony. What was the surprise and excitement when it was
announced that a change was made by Episcopal author
ity without consultation with the parties so deeply inter
ested and immediately affected. Erroneous and hasty
conclusions were formed and had a baneful effect. It
was indeed a serious question: What will be the result ?
Some blamed only the Bishop, and said that he was
antagonistic to the welfare of this particular church.
These cited in support of their opinion, that the same
Bishop had done virtually the same thing a few years be
fore, resulting in the withdrawal of some of the strong
est financial supporters. Of course this judgment could
not be agreed with by the more knowing and more
charitable. It was just one of these cases that will
sometimes occur in the difficult duty of fixing the yearly
appointments of thousands of ministers to thousands of
churches. One of the best preachers in the Conference, and most

16 ONCE AGAIN.
gentlemanly of men, was announced as the successor of
his younger ministerial brother who was removed to fill
the place in a stronger church that had not readily been
content with any other arrangement, but had agreed
harmoniously on this.
For a time everything was squally. The new ap
pointee came and by his manner and talents soon made
many friends. But there were some who refused to be
reconciled, and the pastor was handicapped during his
entire administration. When the question of removal
had to be considered again there were many perplexing
things about it. Suffice it that after two years of ser
vice under these conditions, another change was decided
upon ; but there was much of friction about it, and a
disposition upon the part of some to make the most of
the circulated statements that this pastor had been
meanly used.
But God is tender and loves the church. The offi
ciary refused to unite on any man, or to extend the
unmethodistic custom of "a call." They resolved to
leave the matter to the regularly appointed power —
which is the presiding elder — as the adviser of the
bishop. This they did, with some modifications.
When the appointments of 1904 were read off it was
found that one of the most to be desired, indefatigable
and successful of pastors was to be in charge of this dis
turbed church.
To say that this was at once a solution and settlement
of all the trouble would be to say too much. It can be
said in truth that it soon became evident that the church
had no ground of complaint as to Episcopal prerogative
in this case; and the zealous and self-sacrificing efforts
of the new pastor began at once to gain him friends and
co-operation. Now, with the prayer, that so it may be

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 17
more and more ; at and this writing, before the first
year of the new pastor has ended, to express a most
profound desire that a great work of God may break
out as the only effectual means of bringing real brotherly
love and Christian unity, this statement may be allowed
to go in print.
It ought to be said, however, in justice to all earnest
messengers of Christ, that if all hearers would, after
listening to the word preached, go and practice the les
sons of instruction and earnest appeal, instead of con
tenting themselves with comments favorable or other
wise upon the ability of the preacher, much better re
sults would continually appear whoever is the pastor.
A Mild Criticism.
Before leaving the above recital it may not be amiss
to take advantage of the opportunity and repeat, once
again, what is by no means said or written for the first
time: That nothmg so prejudices the operation of our
itinerant system as anything that looks like an arbitrary
exercise of the appointing power of the Bishops. When
ever a sudden and unexpected and undesired change of
pastors is determined upon, all parties interested ought
to be consulted as fully as possible, and shown the nature
of the emergency that calls for what was not premedi
tated. Sixtieth Wedding Anniversary.
Without attempting to pick up so many of our ex
periences as to make it tiresome, both for writer and
reader, let us come to an event that has a peculiar inter
est because of its rarity.
On October 6th, 1902, the writer was permitted to
celebrate the Sixtieth Yearly Anniversary of his mar-

18 ONCE AGAIN.
riage union with her to whom we were so solemnly
united when we were both in our youth.
On page 169 of A Few More Words was printed the
following, viz : "On page 479 of Grace Magnified I
wrote : Wife and I are nearing our fiftieth wedding
anniversary. Shall we reach it ? Only God knows."
And continued : " We did reach it, and are now within
a very brief time of the sixtieth anniversary. Again I
may ask : Shall we reach it ? And answer again.
Only God knows."
Few who are joined in holy wedlock have been
favored as we in its continuance. The sixtieth anni
versary did come, and we quietly observed it. Only
two of our living children were with us to take part in
the very simple [ceremonies that were indulged. With
one of these children we were spending what we believed
to be our closing earthly days. The other came, with
the wife of his choice, to add to our pleasures on this
occasion. One of the great surprises and gratifications
of all our lives was that this married son and our daugh
ter-in-law brought us an original poetic production en
titled: Sixty Years.
This work of theirs contained a complete history of
our married life in rhyme. The sixty verses, each be
ginning with the year specified, from that of " Eighteen
hundred and forty-two " up to and including that of
" Nineteen hundred and two, " brought out about all the
the facts of births, deaths, and marriages of all our
children and grandchildren. These verses also traced
our wanderings from place to place, through all our
itinerant life and up to the time of this " Sixtieth Anni
versary." The matter thus contained in these sixty verses is too
personal and sacred to be put in this book. But, the

FBESH EXPERIENCES. 19
closing lines are so impressive, tender, and touching,
that they are here produced for the entertainment of the
reader: " And so the course of years has run
With trials met and duties done,
With joys that sorrows could not foil,
With leisure after years of toil ;
A checkered course, not dark, but fair,
Since two were always present there
In joys and sorrows to unite,
And point each other to the light.
God grant their children's earnest prayer,
And long these faithful servants spare ;
And when at length their goal is won,
Grant them the victor's crown — ' Well done.' "
The reading to us of these verses, with all they con
tain, was fairly overwhelming in a delightful way; and
this evidence of thoughtfulness and love will always be
among our most cherished remembrances.
*********
But now comes the exclamation " Once Again!" O
how our joys and sorrows intermingle! I do not think
it well to indulge in the pessimistic words of the poet
when he writes: " We should suspect some danger
nigh when we possess delight;" but it must be recorded
that just four months and twenty-two days from this
Oct. 6, 1902, the death angel came for this wife. More
of this further on in this chapter of experience.
Other Deaths.
In this world, where sin has made such havoc with
human hopes, and where the almost universal rule is :
" Death passes upon all men, " our sorrows often tread
very closely upon the heels of our joys.
The year 1902 closed with the shadows falling in other

20 ONCE AGAIN.
places and on those to whom the bonds of friendship and
kindred held us.
Right at the Christmas time when the expressions of
good cheer are the rule, the notice came to others:
"Arise ye and depart; for this is not your rest."
Rev. B. M. Adams.
On Wednesday morning, Dec. 24th, 1902, the papers
heralded the intelligence that the Rev. Benjamin Mer-
win Adams, a brother in the ministry greatly beloved
by multitudes, had been called to change worlds and had
passed to his heavenly home at ten o'clock the previous
morning. This dear brother was of the same Conference
class with the writer, and had for more than fifty years
been regarded with great affection. He had seemed
strong in body as well as mind, and I had confidently
expected that he would live and labor in the ranks of
efficient ministers long after the hand that writes this
had ceased to move. There had been an agreement be
tween us, of some years standing, that he would attend my
funeral. It had hardly entered my thoughts that I
might be called to attend his. Soon after the an
nouncement of his death had been noted, a kind missive
came to hand which was in effect an invitation to be at
his funeral in the church where he had so acceptably
and usefully preached the gospel for the five years last
past at Bethel, Conn.
I learned afterward that this was in accordance with
his own directions, given near the close of his stay to
his attendants. The distance being considerable, and
for want of perfect information, it seemed almost im
possible to reach the regular funeral services in time.
Further intelligence received later informed us that the
precious remains were to be brought through Pough-

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 21
keepsie on Saturday, Dec. 27th, in care of a delegation of
his devoted officials. This gave the opportunity to
volunteer to meet the company and accompany them to
the place of burial in the same pretty cemetery where
we had both held plots in readiness for use when needed.
The arrangement met with the approval of all concerned
and was carried out. On the afternoon of the day pre-
ceeding his first Sabbath in heaven, we laid the sleeping
form he had so. recently occupied in the prepared place.
A last look upon his placid features brought the sweet
assurance that he slept the sleep, not only that ' ' would
not wake to weep, " but that he was numbered with those
who sleep in Jesus, to come with him in the day of final
and glorious triumph. Just as we committed " dust to
dust " the sun broke forth from the clouds that had
somewhat obscured it, and caused the snow mantled sur
roundings to sparkle as with diamonds of the purest
water. A memorial service was held in New York, at the
Preachers' meeting, on Monday morning, Jan. 5th,
1903, at which the writer was permitted to read a paper
setting forth almost exclusively his personal relations
to this dear brother during our long and somewhat
intimate acquaintance; and giving what, to us, was the
manifest reason of his great influence as a minister of
the Lord Jesus Christ.
At the sessions of the New York and New York East
Conferences that followed in April, obituary notices of
Bro. Adams were inserted in the minutes of both. He
belonged to the former for seventeen years of his earlier
ministry before becoming connected with the latter.
His greater distinction in the New York East Confer
ence as Presiding Elder, General Conference delegate
and Conference participant, grew until his removal.

22 ONCE AGAIN.
His highest distinction, however, was as a man of God.
A man of almost constant prayer. A successful and
faithful pastor; a preacher of the gospel of our Lord
Jesus Christ in its fullness under the Holy Ghost dis
pensation. Ever emphasizing the importance of the
pentacostal baptism. Another House of Sorrow.
While we were in the very midst of the services con
nected with the transfer of this valued member of the
class of 1848 of the New York Conference, the death
messenger was busy in another family, quite intimately
related to me and mine. A young man and woman, who
were almost as our older children, had been joined -in
marriage by us nearly forty years prior to the events
of which we are now writing. One of their precious
daughters had fallen, in the flower of her youth, fifteen
years since. Then the mother had been made a victim
of disease, and removed from the care of the remain
ing daughter. Now the deeply bereaved husband and
loving father was struggling in the unequal contest.
Having taken our part in the memorial exercises of
Monday, Jan. 5th, I hastened to obey a summons else
where. Upon reaching that " house of mourning " we learned
that on Sunday, Jan. 4th, 1903, at 10.15 p. m. the end
of earthly toils and trials had come to another pilgrim
and he had entered into rest.
On Wednesday, Jan. 7th, the plot in Greenwood had
another occupant, and the grave closed over the form
of another who had suffered and endured much and
only fairly reached the " three-score " without the addi
tion of the "ten."
He had stood and borne his trials manfully, and died

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 23
with the testimony of all who knew him, that an honest
man had lived and labored unfalteringly, and had gone
to the approval of Him who judges only righteous judg
ment. Wife Departed.
Now comes an account of the bereavement that most
nearly affected the chronicler of these "Fresh Experi
ences," aad leads us Once Again, to go over the old
story of death's doings.
On Feb. 27th, 1903, the companion of so much of my life
was in about her usual health, and present in the family
all day. She sat with us at the social board at the
morning, noon and evening meals, and was engaged
during the day, even more fully than usual for her in
making plans for continued life among us. After we
bowed together at the family altar, as we had been wont
to do, both morning and evening, through almost the en
tire period of our wedded union, she went upstairs to
her room to prepare for the night's rest. Suddenly a
noise was heard as of something falling. This precious
wife was found about helpless on the floor. She was
calm and referred to her condition as evidencing that
" something was the matter, " but manifesting none of
the uneasiness that had been characteristic of her when
anything serious was encountered. Such attention as
was possible was quickly given and she was removed to
her bed. With the inquiry made of her physician,
" Doctor what is the matter ? " and a word or two ex
pressive of some conscious suffering, she passed into ob
liviousness as one falling into a heavy slumber. God's
decision had been made, and the messenger had come for
her departure. She knew no more of her surroundings,
and breathed her life away during the twenty following

24 ONCE AGAIN.
hours. Then the deserted tenement was left for our
care. Her absent living children were summoned, and
all reached the scene of this dispensation in time to par
ticipate in the preparation of the body for its resting
place and in the interesting services that occurred on Wed
nesday afternoon, March, 4th in the home where her last
earthly years had been spent. These services were con
ducted by our pastor, the Rev. Wm. N. Searles, D.D., as
sisted by others. They had a special feature in the
reading of a simple, impressive and comprehensive
creed that had been inscribed by the now motionless
hand in a little book found among her effects. So much
notice was then taken of this part of the ceremonies, and
so many have referred to it since, that it is thought well
to put it in here for more permanent preservation. It
runs thus :
"Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of
God, God dwelleth in him and he in God. I DO."
"Whosoever belie veth that Jesus is the Christ is born
of God. I DO."
" For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord
shall be saved. I DO."
"If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,
and shalt believe in thy heart that God hath raised Him
from the dead thou shalt be saved. I DO."
It will readily be seen that this is no "man made
creed, " but consists simply in a few quotations from
the New Testament scriptures, with the ready and hearty
assent of the transcriber. (See Romans x: 9 and 13, and
I John iv: 15, and v: 1. )
There were many more entries of scripture texts that

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 25
had been specially valued ; and of comments some
times from the other authors but often original, found
in the scrap books of the now missing one.
On the margins of her well used and freely marked
Bible were many things, to attract attention. There
were enough of these to have formed a considerable
"booklet." The disposition to produce something of this kind
quite possessed the mind of the bereaved husband; but
knowing so well that if she could be consulted, she
would not sanction such a work, we refrained from what
would have been a pleasant service.
Her body was plainly and neatly dressed, and laid
away in the place long since set apart near the village of
Rhinebeck, Dutchess Co. , N. Y. There a plot had been
purchased many years since and put in order. And
there the dust and ashes of our five darling infants, and
young children, had been put to rest so that "Father"
and "Mother" could have these between them as we
sleep together awaiting the resurrection. Simple but
not fulsome inscriptions are on the stones that mark these
places; so that generations to come may not altogether
forget whose bodies lie there. On wife's stone there is
chiseled as husband's personal testimony:
A VIRTUOUS WOMAN.
A FAITHFUL WIFE AND MOTHER.
A HUMBLE CHRISTIAN.
Some Thoughts on Marriage.
Perhaps my mind has not been so startled since the
event just related, as when a brother said to me in sub
stance, during the summer of 1904: "Why don't you
get another wife ? " Before I hardly thought what 1

26 ONCE AGAIN.
was saying, I held up the finger on which is the badge of
married union that my wife wore for five years before
the " Sixtieth Anniversary " already noted, and that
was transferred to my hand when she left for the
heavenly home, and expressed myself as not being able
to entertain such a thought.
It may be some one will say: ' ' Do you think it wrong
to marry again after death has separated man and wife 1 "
Of course I must .answer: No, it is not wrong if there
is sufficient reasons for such a remarriage ! The mar
riage ceremony does not recognize the binding obliga
tion of the vows then taken beyond the earthly life of
either of the parties joined. Paul, with all his doubtful
advocacy of marriage at all, says in Romans vn: 2: "If
the husband be dead, she" (i. e. the wife) "is loosed
from the law of her husband." Undoubtedly the law
that applies to the wife also applies to the husband.
We are not however just here and now arguing a
question of Jaw, but of expediency. — What is right and
best to do in a given case. So I may allow myself to
say: That I do not believe it would be right for me,
situated as I am, to remarry.
I can easily conceive of reasons that may not only
justify, but even make it a duty for a bereaved husband
to marry again. This may be especially so if he have
small children to care for. He may feel called to seek
another wife who would mother his children; but this is
often a perilous and frequently an unsuccessful under
taking. There are other reasons that may be urged. Some
times a first marriage proves not to be a union of hearts;
and a second, or even a third may really be the true
marriage. Then there is the argument, that the lonely one seeks,

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 27
with perfect propriety, a companion to cheer and com
fort, and be as far as possible in the place of the tem
porarily absent and, for the time, lost one. This last
reasoning might have some force if it would be right to
discuss it, but even this has in it much more to be con
sidered than what may readily appear. If the idea of
companionship — company and comfort — be the only plea
it should demand a consideration in its application to
both parties, or become a merely selfish element and in
volve a happiness that would be too one sided to be in
keeping with the spirit of Christianity. I write from a
Christian standpoint.
I really doubt whether the pure love that brings to
gether two young hearts (or older if the passion does
not develop in youth ) can ever be duplicated in after
years, or transferred from one to another. I do
however believe that sometimes the youthful, or early
devotement of two hearts may fail of its gratification
through some of the strange and to be condemmed
agencies, that are, like satan, protruding where they have
no business; and whose interference allies them to the
destroyer of all happiness. And so sometimes marriage
alliances are formed that are not of God. Sometimes
after years of heavy trials, and dark and unexplained
dispensations, these hearts are brought together. It
may be in this world — -perhaps oftener in the next.
An inquiry may be injected here into this kind of so
liloquy. Some one may say: "Do you not know
that our Saviour overset all this kind of reasoning in his
answer to the Sadducees as noticed by the evangelists,
Matthew, Mark and Luke ? " I answer unhesitatingly:
No, I do not know or believe that ! The Master's teach
ings did settle that there will be no marriage engage
ments, or marriage ceremonies in heaven; and really only

28 ONCE AGAIN.
interests "those who shall be accounted worthy to ob
tain that world." (See particularly Luke xx: 35 and
36. ) But how does this interfere with the cherished be
lief that hearts that have been united here, shall be re
united there, to spend an eternity of bliss in such em
ployment as shall be assigned them when all the hind
rances to the most perfect union of earthly married life
shall be swallowed up in the glory of the heavenly con
dition ?
Another delightful truth, taught by the interview of
Jesus with the quibbling Sadducees, is that in the
heavenly state all jealousies and animosities, that so often
curse us here and break into the harmony of the dearest
relations, will be removed. We may be permitted to
say: Blessed shall forever be the man or woman who
having had more than one wife, or husband, shall
meet them all again in the heavenly hereafter to find
that nothing but love controls all and every part of
society in the new Jerusalem ! ( See again and study
more carefully with delight, the 36th verse of Luke
xx ; and look at Matthew xxii: 29 and 30 ; and Mark
xii: 25.)
O the joyous prospect of all who love God supremely
on earth meeting by and by, in an atmosphere of per
fect harmony, to enjoy the greater felicities of the re
unions that await those who have been joined mutually
to God and each other in loving bonds here!
Perhaps I ought to ask pardon of the reader for
writing so much on this delicate subject, but my answer
is: This is one of the themes that took root in my
thoughts, and led me to write this Once Again.
My own sincere prayer is: That I may never drift, or
be drifted into any act that would lessen my influence
for good on the generation in which I live, or on any

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 29
that may follow. This earnest prayer makes me some
times more afraid to live than to die.
Perhaps the most sensible and virtuous thing recorded
of King David in his old age, in his relation to women,
is found in the statement contained I Kings i: 1-4. But
what was not challenged 3,000 years since and passed
current then would be a scandal in this twentieth cen
tury. Even in David's time it led to jealousies and
serious family troubles a little later on. ( See I Kings
ii: 13-25.
It hardly comes in naturally here, and yet it may be
added to this section that: Some marriages seem to be
nothing more than gaining the sanction of human laws
to flagrantly break God's commands. While some of
the thoughts just expressed were in the mind of the
writer, an account was noticed in one of our leading
journals of some proposed legislation that would make
the marriage vows refer only to a limited period of the
lives of the contracting parties, and then cease of their
obligation. It cannot be that so vile a suggestion can
gain favor even in this corrupt age.
Conference Session of April, 1903.
The physical and mental strain of the months that
marked the beginning of the year 1903 made it quite a
question whether I could attend the Conference session
that spring.
The place for the session that year remained unsettled
until at a very late period. At last it was decided to be in
Poughkeepsie in accordance with an invitation from the
officiary of the Washington Street Methodist Episcopal
Church. So the Conf erence was brought to me much to
my delight.
On Wednesday morning, April 1st, the session was

30 ONCE AGAIN.
regularly opened. Bishop Chas. C. McCabe was in the
chair as the appointed President.
We were naturally gratified at this arrangement.
Bishop McCabe had been of us for many years before
his election in 1896 to the high and responsible office he
now held; and this was his first Episcopal visit to this
Conference. He had been familiarly known because of
his wonderful relation to the war of 1860-4 as " Chaplain
McCabe, " and this appellation had held to him through
all his great services as Secretary of the Church Exten-
tion Society, and afterward in the Missionary Society.
We, who had been so closely joined to him in these Con
ference relatives, knew of his devout spirit, and unsur
passed, if at all equalled, energy and enthusiasm. We
did not yet know what kind of a bishop he could or
would make.
One of the oldest living members may be allowed to
bear testimony that the Conference opened richly ! In
his belief, abetter or more profitable session of the New
York Conference was never held during all its long his
tory of one hundred and four years. The brethren, who
arrived at the Conference room to be on hand at its
opening, had but little time to give to handshaking
outside. Personal greeting, however pleasant, often
consumes too much of the valuable hours that can be
even more profitably employed.
Before the time for opening had fully arrived the
Bishop was in his place, and the voice of praise and
prayer was being lifted up. All who love the really
best things were incited to hasten inside and have a part
in these exercises.
So from the start, the coming together of those who
were among the highly privileged, had a "good time."
And there was no break in this ' ' good time " until the

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 31
very close, and the appointments were read out and the
body scattered again to preach the gospel on the hills
and in the valleys of this old region, as well as in the
great cities and large villages of the territory now known
as "The old New York Conference."
Praise the Lord for brotherly love, and the religion of
of Him who came into our world to redeem a fallen race,
and to send men forth to preach the glad tidings near
and far! A Kindly Recognition.
Among the very kindly considerations that came to
me personally during this Conference, was a desire ex
pressed upon the part of some of the brethern ( in which
I have no reason to doubt the body generally shared
and would have joined ) to insert in the minutes a no
tice of my recently departed wife. For the same reasons
I have mentioned in connection with my thought of a
" booklet, " and for others that I named, I made decided
objection to this action, and it was abandoned.
Such recognition in the way of obituary notices of
faithful wives who have shared in the trials, and some
times very great trials, of the itinerant life, is certainly
grateful to those whose hearts are sore; but some of these
dear women would not be in favor of such notice. Then
to do this, establishes a precedent that sometimes might
become embarrassing.
However I do not want to be reckoned as objecting to
this being done by conferences that so elect as some do;
and perhaps, in' the future many others may do so also.
A Trip West Once Again.
When my dear wife rested in the sleep that knows no
waking until the resurrection, my thoughts turned to

32 ONCE AGAIN.
the fact that I was a wanderer on the earth as never be
fore. The inquiry arose: How shall I spend the time
still allotted me to the best advantage 1 There is nothing
more natural than that I should desire to be with our
children all I could. Their mother was a poor traveler
and had made her last long journey in visiting those
who were separated from us by considerable distances.
I quickly decided that, as soon as such a trip could be
arranged for, 1 would go once again to the west, and
spend more time there than I had ever done before.
Two daughters were in the city of Denver in the state
of Colorado, and that city had, for many years, had
charms for me beyond the power of gratification in the
several short stays I had made there at intervals, in the
more than thirty years since part of our family had be
come permanent residents out there.
Some business matters, and an engagement to per
form the marriage ceremony on June 10th, 1903, for one
of my wife's kindred whose parents I united in holy
bonds on December 7th, 1875, caused a few months of
delay. The intervening time I improved at home, and in some
short runs in different directions.
Having completed preliminaries and gone, once again,
to look at the "sleeping place " in Rhinebeck, on Tues
day, July 28th, I took a train on the New York Central
Railroad on the evening of that day. A through
ticket to Denver, Col., and also berths in "Pullman "all
the way, had been secured.
The trip was a very pleasant one, and specially favored
as to comfortable weather. With only one change at
Chicago, I sped on; and on Friday morning was in the
midst of the several members of my family dwelling in
Denver.

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 33
Upon arriving at the end of this charming trip, I was so
gratified that it seemed as though I would stay there as
long as my way was open so to do. My former visita
tions had made me quite familiar with the city and with
its immediate surroundings. I could go about without
a guide and find readily the places I sought.
Privileges.
The first Sabbath morning found me, after a long
walk, a delighted listener to Bishop Warren in the Capi
tal Hill Methodist Episcopal Church. In the evening
the same day I worshipped in Christ's Methodist Epis
copal Church, which was only a short distance from my
very comfortable abode in the home of one of the
daughters I had come so far to see. So my privileges
began; and they continued during all the nearly five
months of my stay in these enchanting surroundings.
I had the great gratification of attending the session
of the Colorado Annual Conference, presided over by
Bishop Cranston. This was held, from August 26th-
31st, in the church already indicated as being so near my
temporary home.
I found a very instructive resort on Monday mornings
by attending the Preachers' meetings of the Methodist
ministers, and monthly of all evangelical ministers in a
a union gathering. " Holiness Meetings.''''
I found an orginized "Holiness Association " that held
meetings in a hall at sundry times during the week and
on Sunday afternoons. While I confess to regret that our
brethren ever feel themselves called to form such "as
sociations, " as distinct from the regular means of grace
in the churches, yet I know that they sometimes believe

34 ONCE AGAIN.
themselves constrained so to do, and I am not among
those who condemn them. Suffice it, that the exercises
of all such gatherings have a charm for me; and I was
not slow to put in an appearance among the attendants
of these Sunday afternoon meetings.
On the very last days of August and some of the first
days of September, a camp meeting was held in the out
skirts of Denver, under the auspices of the "Holiness
Association, " that was a most earnest and profitable oc
casion. I was in attendance upon that meeting as much
of the time as other duties and obligations would allow.
When visiting Denver some years previously, I was
honored with the acquaintance of an elect lady who was
one of the prominent members of the Trinity Methodist
Episcopal Church of that city. This lady was specially
interested in the doctrine and experience of Christian
or Bible Holiness. Her residence was in the charming
University Park, where the " University " itself is lo
cated, and where Bishop Warren has his beautiful home.
I was permitted, in former visits, to meet with others at
this Christian sister's house for the consideration and
promotion of what lay so near her heart, and was con
sidered as demanding more attention than it often re
ceives. I called again upon this beloved of the Lord,
and found her ready to welcome another attempt at a
special meeting for the same worthy and most impor
tant object.
Accordingly, and without delay, a "Friday meeting "
was instituted, and continued with gracious results. This
meeting did not cease upon my return to the East, and
did the work of the Lord as an agency in the entire
sanctification of believers, and the rescue of perishing
souls. I had the honor of an invitation to preach before the

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 35
Sunday afternoon meeting of the "Holiness Associa
tion " already referred to. This invitation was gladly
accepted and a sermon prepared upon a text in I Peter
i: 15-17, which reads in the Revised version: "But like
as He which called you is holy, be ye yourselves also
holy in all manner of living; because it is written, ye
shall be holy; for I am holy."
This sermon was delivered on Sunday afternoon Oct.
11th, 1903, and the Lord gave perfect liberty.
An Interlude.
There was an incident connected with this service that
is related here just to show how conscientious and care
ful the members of that organization were; and, for the
opportunity of saying that my spirit of love for them
was rather intensified than disturbed by what I give my
readers. Just before the time for preaching had arrived, the
leader of the meeting, who was also the President of the
association — a dear good man, who was then in very feeble
health, and has since gone to heaven — came from his
place within the altar rail, where I had not yet been in
vited, and putting his arm tenderly about me said: "If
our people notice that ring on your finger, they will not
listen to you."
I was so assured of what the Lord would have me do
in this situation, that I said in the best of humor: " You
leave that to me and I will get along with it. " He hesi
tated, and went again to confer with his official associ
ates. I was allowed directly to take the place of
preacher and I began at the proper time. I told the
audience ( a very good one ) that I was compelled to do
what I had never done before, and that was to make a
prelude to my sermon. I then related the kind words

36 ONCE AGAIN.
and brotherly spirit of the president, and went on to
state how the objectionable ring came to be on ray
finger. All listened attentively and none left. I did not j ustif y
the wearing of jewelry, and told how averse both my
self and my departed wife had always been to anything
like display in that line since we became identified with
the disciples of the meek and lowly Jesus. I then ex
plained the impulse that had led me to appropriate this
outward sign of our marriage. I told that when it had
pleased the Lord to remove her and leave me to finish
the earthly pilgrimage alone without her assistance, I
had been moved to place this ring on my finger as a daily
remembrance of solemn vows that must still have their
influence over me. That I wore it much as many of my
audience had on their badges of their relation to friends
whose honor and standing they revered. This was the
substance of my ''prelude."
I do not think my explanation quite satisfied the more
exacting of my congregation, but it seemed to put at rest
all their opposition to me, and I do not think the ring
was in the way of the operations of the Holy Spirit, as
1 set forth, with earnest words and warm heart, the
obligations inculcated in the text.
The wearing of this ring is rather an embarrassment
than otherwise, and I sometimes lay it off when I think
it may offend the minds of some who do not understand
the facts. The human hand is not adorned or beautified
by rings, no more than other parts of these divinely
formed bodies are by ornaments. But sometimes a badge
may be worn, not only innocently, but with helpful sig
nificance. I believe the godly admonitions of the script
ures may be used out of place sometimes and not give
their intended meaning. Peter exhorts, concerning the

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 37
women of his day, and by way of bringing out the im
portant fact, that character, and not tinsel, or fashion, is
precious in the sight of God. "Whose adorning, let it
not be that outward of plaiting the hair, and of wearing
of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the
hidden man of the heart, . . . a meek and quiet
spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." ( See
I Pet. in : 3-4. ) So in Paul's letter to Timothy: "That
women adorn themselves .... not with braided
hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; .... but
with good works." ( See I Tim. n : 9-10. ) These script
ures, and all like them, are admonitions that God looks
at the heart and knows them that are His. He sees them
and recognizes their obedience to Him, and not as they
make a show before men.
The folly of both men and women shows itself in various
ways. Sometimes in fussing with the hair as to how it
must be fixed. Then again with the cut and style of the
outward garments as -the prevailing fashion demands,
and then in " foolish adornments. " But, when the heart
is right, these outward things will have little influence,
though they may have some importance, rightly and
modestly considered. The Altitude.
As in former times, the altitude of Denver did not
fully agree with me. The blood pressure was a little
too much for my physical condition. A kind of dazed
feeling was upon me much of the time. My tendency
to brain trouble was evidently increased.
At different times I had a partial loss of memory and
inability to get about without some appearance of being
slightly intoxicated. Then a form of eczema attacked
me upon almost all parts of my body, more especially

38 ONCE AGAIN.
on my lower limbs. This was of a very stubborn nature
and refused to yield to ordinary treatment. This con
dition of things led my kind and skillful medical adviser
to express himself as convinced that I ought to return to
my home in the East; and I came to entertain the
thought of doing so at an earlier date than I had in
tended. There were also some other reasons that may be noted
further on; but these of themselves were sufficient and
led me to the conclusion when some of the chief objects
of my mission seemed to be accomplished as well as
they could be, to arrange to get in the lower altitude
again. When the arrangements were about completed they
were brought to a temporary stand still; and I was
threatened with an attack of pneumonia. My kind physi
cian almost decided that I must defer the thought of
starting on the long journey, lest I should fail to ac
complish it. However, this opinion was held in obey-
ance and I looked to the Great Physician for healing, if
He might be pleased to so order.
On Thursday, Dec. 17th, the doctor pronounced both
temperature and pulse normal, and gave his consent
with some caution, to my plans.
The Returning Trip.
On Monday evening, Dec 21st, 1903, I took train for
my trip from the state of Colorado to the state of New
York, where I had begun this mortal life and where I
expect now to end it. This return trip was also marked
with much of Divine favor and protection. The Lord
seemed to hold in check the severe weather that had re
cently prevailed — the evidence of which appeared in
frozen streams and enormous icicles as we came toward

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 39
the Atlantic coast. On Thursday noon — one day before
Christmas — almost on schedule time, our train rolled
into the depot at Poughkeepsie, and I had the pleasure
of meeting other parts of my dear family who had taken
pains to be on hand to strengthen the joy of a safe re
turn, and to welcome me back.
Another Son-in-law Gone.
On page 13-14 of A Few More Words, a brief account
was given of the sad fact that our eldest son was called
unexpectedly out of time into eternity on Wednesday
night, Oct. 3rd, 1900. In same volume, just before this
statement, it was noticed that our eldest son-in-law was
taken, even more suddenly, from his earthly surround
ings in exactly one month, viz., on Saturday morning
Nov. 3rd, 1900. So two families, both being branches
of our own, were bereft in much the same way of the
husband and father. Now, upon my return from Colo
rado, I found my youngest son-in-law very poorly and
giving evidence that the day of his stay here was rapidly
coming to a close, before advancing years had made any
impression upon his strength, or weakened his facul
ties. One of my reasons for coming back from Colorado,
just at this time, was the knowledge that this son-in-law
was running down. I felt a great desire to be of any
possible service I might. It was not necessary for
me to return for this purpose, but my heart moved
me so to do; and I followed these inclinations and
impulses, rather than avoid duties that seemed to me
important. Upon my arrival this son-in-law was quite as strong as
I had anticipated finding him. He was able not only to
be about the house, but he was going out more or less,

40 ONCE AGAIN.
each day. He was a remarkable lover of the noble
horse, and had a faculty and ability of horsemanship
that but few possess to such a degree. So, almost
every day, he went to ride. He had persisted, up to
about this time in going to business often, and had not
given up the purpose and expectation of resuming his
place as an active and efficient partner in a large dry
goods establishment.
It was evident, however, that the "destroyer "was
creeping on, and getting much nearer than this victim
anticipated. He never went to the store again after
Christmas day. But he took part in that festive oc
casion at home, and was well represented in presents dis
tributed. He was of a generous nature and was a kind
and obliging friend. In his relation to his father-in
law he had given numerous evidences of affection, and
rendered real service at different times, in the several
changes we had made from Poughkeepsie to Brooklyn
and elsewhere and back again to Poughkeepsie. He had
not only consented, but had made some sacrifices in his
own home comforts, to provide a place for his wife's
parents. We had possessed a close family relation in
his house for the last eight years of our married life.
After the event that left me so lonely, he assured me that
my home was secure while my life on the earth lasted,
and when I went west my "domicile" was not disturbed.
The room, more sacred than any other place on this
globe, was re-occupied upon my return from the few
months absence.
There were many things about this son-in-law to make
him ' ' friends " and he had many of them. Some of these
were worthy of his friendship, and some others were
not.

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 41
A Deadly Enemy.
He had been followed, unrelentingly, from his early
manhood, by the most subtle, persistent and merciless
demon that is allowed to prowl this earth. This deceiver
was introduced to him, through mistaken medical ad
vise, in the guise of a helper; but began, from the first,
to reach after his vitals, and continued this until the
noble, physical man, and the good mind and judgment
were at last all a wreck.
An Effort at Rescue.
Ever since his introduction into our family, and
especially after he became a member thereof, this writer
can testifiy, without any expectation of contradiction,
that our heart went out in regard and solicitude to this
young man, in about the same way as toward other
sons. Both precept and example were exerted to do
him good. At times plain and urgent entreaty was
used to show and lead him in the right way. He never
in any rude manner repelled these advances.
When I reached home in Dec, 1903, and saw the in
roads being made upon this member of our group, my
prayer went up, even more earnestly than ever, for a
message to him and an opportunity to deliver it.
With the opening of the year 1904 I ventured, on a
trip, in the severest of the Winter weather, to New
Haven, Conn., to accompany our granddaughter back to
her school privileges, which had been suspended during
the holiday vacation. This my son-in-law greatly ap
preciated, of which he gave substantial evidence. The
weather was so severe that heavy overcoat and large
shawl were necessary to protect the still tender lung from
the sharp air that affected it.

42 ONCE AGAIN.
Upon the return to Poughkeepsie my son-in-law was no
better, but evidently failing.
On Sunday night, Jan. 24th, there came a crisis and he
was much worse. This seemed the opportunity given in
marked answer to prayer. He was approached with kind
words, and in the same tender spirit in which the Mas
ter inquired of the poor fellow who had suffered with
an infirmity, "thirty and eight years, " when he asked:
" Wouldest thou be whole ? " ( See John v : 5-6. ) His
attention was called to the Isrealites in the wilderness,
when so many of them had been bitten by the fiery ser
pents, and were dying from the poison that had entered
their veins. Also, to God's order to Moses to make a
serpent of brass and to put it on a pole; and to His de
cree that whoever of the bitten victims would look upon
the serpent of brass should be healed and live. Then his
mind was drawn to the words of Jesus: "As Moses
lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the
Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in
Him should not perish, but have eternallife." (SeeNum-
bers xxi : 6-9 and John in : 14-15. ) He listened atten
tively and seemed really interested. He also gave some
remarkable and unmistakably evidence of appreciation.
On the Tuesday morning following this special inter
view, at his particular request, when there were present,
besides the regular family, his own mother and his busi
ness partner, we were gathered to read the Bible and
have prayer. This we did with a sense of the Holy
Spirits' gracious influence attending.
On Thursday evening following, as we returned from
the regular midweek prayer meeting, he welcomed us at
his bedside, and although a little delirious, said emphatic
ally: "I want you to come in, and come in often ! "
He was then exhorted, in a subdued voice, to look to the

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 43
Great Physician. The familiar words: "The Great Physi
cian now is near, the' sympathizing Jesus, " were quoted
in his ear, and he was assured that none could sympa
thize with him as the loving Jesus who died for him.
No Further Opportunity.
The following morning he was removed into the room
from which his mother-in-law took her heavenward
flight a few months previous. This was in accordance
with his inclination to be in that room where he had
been accustomed to go somewhat frequently, and to
company with the now absent one. He seemed to think
much of her since she was there no more.
From that time, during the twelve days he remained
with us, he had but little consciousness of his surround
ings. He tried at times to struggle against the inevit
able, and often endeavored to help himself beyond the
possibility of his being able to do.
He did not want to die, but the hour drew rapidly on.
The decision was made, and God had ordered the close
of his earthly career.
On Thursday morning, Feb. 11th, 1904, at 1.30
o'clock, his heart ceased to beat, his chest ceased to
heave, and his spirit returned to God who gave it.
Thus passed away a man, who, from our stand-point,
ought to have lived and blessed the world for many
years. His emaciated body was, with great care for its
preservation and safety, lain quite near that of his wife's
mother, on Monday, Feb. 15th. This was believed to
be his wish from some expressions he had made when
visiting her resting place. Her taking away, during his
absence from home, was a great shock and affliction to
him, from which he never recovered.
It may be only a vii-ion of my mind and have no real

44

ONCE AGAIN.

existence, but somehow I have, ever since that Sunday
eight, some two weeks before this soul was called away,
seen a little pure gospel seed finding its place in his open
mind and heart and germinating beyond our ken. Per
haps when he left the earthly tabernacle, the eye of his
faith may have been, though only obscurely and feebly,
upon the cross and the crucified. Oh the tenderness
of that love, that responded so quickly to the penitent
at his side, when a simple request for remembrance was
uttered in his ear ! And that too while himself in the
agonies of a violent death !
Another Vision.
It was the influence of this case upon my mind; as well
as the fullness of love being poured into my soul, that
led, a few months afterward, to another vision in the
night, thafmade so deep an impression that it led to the
printing of an invitation card with the words on one
side:

"Him that cometh

to

me

I will

in no

wise cast

out."

John

VI,

37-

(see

OTHER SIDE)

And on the " other side, " in very large letters
COME
FRESH EXPERIE N CES. 45
These cards have been circulated by the hundreds,
and from them we believe there will be some good
fruit. Let this section be closed with the exclamations :
Oh the terrible nature, danger and consequence of
sin ! Let all these be trumpeted everywhere, as among
the warnings we are commissioned to convey to men,
while we continue to " cry aloud, " and labor zealously
for the rescue of the sinner !
A Remarkable Boy.
Soon after the tragedy, only hinted at in the former
section of this chapter, another experience occurred
that was different in many of its features, and yet also
had its sad side.
But the cloud in this case, had a distinctly marked
silver lining.
A little boy, only six years old, was brought from the
far West by his doting mother to visit relatives, and for
a special purpose as will appear in the narration. This
little boy was, in years, only a child. He was beautiful
in person and endowed in a remarkable way, with a
power of voice and faculty of imitating the sweetest
notes of the songsters that so entrance the lovers of
music. He was also a simple and devout Christian child,
and seemed not to have lost the initial justification that
comes to all children under the broad cover of the atone
ment. The endowments of this child, naturally led his
parents to desire to give him special and expert advan
tages for the cultivation of the gifts put upon him. So
in the month of January, 1904, the excusably proud
mother started with her boy on the long journey of 3,000
miles from Tacoma, in the state of Washington, to
the city of Poughkeepsie, in the state of New York.

46 ONCE AGAIN.
It was an unusally severe Winter in the East ; and the
great change of climate was too much for the boy with
the delicacies of childhood upon him. He soon began
to droop. With skillful medical treatment and careful
nursing, he rallied so that the mother felt she could pro
ceed with her cherished mission. Early in March the
trip was made to Greater New York ; and this remarka
ble boy introduced to the attention of prominent and pro
fessional parties who became at once greatly interested
in his exhibited powers. An arrangement was made to
bring him more fully into notice in the St. Thomas
Protestant Episcopal Church in the Borough of Man
hattan. But alas, before this plan could be carried out, the
little boy gave evidence of more alarming illness, and
the backward journey to Poughkeepsie was decided up
on. It was at once evident, in the mature and learned
judgment of the same skillful physician who had treated
him so successfully before, that he was marked for an
early death.
There is really nothing in the statement : " Such
children always die young." They do not, or the re
markable men and women, who were remarkable from
their childhood, would never have had their later lives
written for the benefit of others.
Sometimes these remarkable children are removed
from the trials and temptations of this life, before these
come upon them, as they would have to be met in later
years. Let us be careful that we do not impugn the Divine
wisdom that orders and over-rules ; and sometimes sets
aside all our plans that we part with so reluctantly.
Well so it was in this case. Physicians were summoned
and nurses employed, and no pains, or expense, spared

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 47
to combat disease and lengthen out the life of this re
markable boy.
The father came on in haste, from the troubled home,
and arrived in time to give such personal attention as
he could to the little sufferer. The mother felt that her
prayers for the recovery of her boy must be answered.
But, despite all these means and influences, the inroads
of firmly rooted disease refused to yield, and it was
daily observant that this child was soon to leave this
world. When he was brought back from New York, and his
anxious mother hovered over him in her desire to retain
him, he calmly told her that he was "going home to
Jesus." What gives this case a peculiar interest to the writer,
as placed among our experiences, is that this child
came into the world on exactly the same date in June
(the 29th) as marked the birthday of the companion of
so much of my earthly life ; and his departure was on
the exact date in March (the 20th) that marks my own
birthday. These of course are only what we call " co
incidents, " but co-incidents are sometimes impressive,
and fix in our minds many things more fully than they
would otherwise be fastened.
On Sunday, March 20th, 1904, just before the mid
night hour, as the 79th Anniversary of my birth (. which
was also on Sunday ) was closing, the pure spirit of this
little Christian boy escaped from his distressed body,
and went to the arms of Him who has said : " Suffer
the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not,
for of such is the kingdom of heaven. "
In company with the pastor, with whom the writer
had been associated in visiting this afflicted family, we
had the privilege of attending a service on Monday

48 ONCE AGAIN.
evening, March 21st, and looking upon the features,
calm in death, of this greatly beloved only child whose
body had been carefully prepared for the long journey
westward to be lain among his kindred. The next morn
ing the sad, and almost disconsolate parents were on
their way with this sacred charge, and in due time they
arrived with it. On March 29th, the prepared grave
took to its embrace this lovely form.
Another co-incidence may be noted here, viz : Both
the father and mother of this prodigy were themselves
only children of their parents.
Some lessons.
Does unbelief or skepticism say : " This was a
hard and unkind dispensation ? " We answer ; not so !
Think of the honor put upon these parents in having
such a child. Then think of the eternal delight which
is before them as they submit to the decision of infinite
wisdom and love and say : "The will of the Lord be
done ! "
Somehow there has been pictured before my mind
this remarkable boy placed in the heavenly choir for the
entertainment of the innumerable company about the
Throne. Forever free from the temptations and snares
that would most certainly have been his if he had been
subjected to the flatteries and adulations that would have
come to him if his singing had been confined to the praises
of fallible and enthusiastic audiences, that often do not
measure the influence of their expressions. Then, let it
be remembered that the advantages coveted for that child
here will be without doubt infinitely outmeasured by the
schooling and drill of the redeemed in the palace of
Angels and of God.
These thoughts are put in print in hopes that they

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 49
may do something to assuage the grief of the immediately
bereaved ones ;' and in further hopes that they may
minister something to others, who in their turn, have
measured out to them what they find it so difficult, at
times, to recognize as coming to them from a hand more
loving than that of any earthly friend — even from Him
who is "Too wise to err, and too good to be unkind."
Conference of 190%..
Now another meeting of our beloved brethren of the
New York Conference was at hand, and I had the ines
timable satisfaction of another invitation to be the guest
in my former parishioner's home where I had been a kind
of member of the family for so many years. I was most
comfortably entertained and real handy to the means of
conveyance, in the use of which I could go to and come
from the Conference room for the small sum of five cents a
trip ; and with such expedition that I could be in time
for the morning devotions, as well as get the entire
benefit of the business matters from the beginning to
the end.
The session was a very pleasant and profitable one,
under the presidency of Bishop Edward G. Andrews,
who was especially dear to New Yorkers. He was our
" resident Bishop " and greatly beloved for his urbanity
and wisdom. Many other excellencies endeared him to
all who came within his influence.
If 1 mistake not, this was the last Annual Conference
assigned Bishop Andrews in the exercise of his office,
as an active "General Superintendent." I doubt
whether he himself, or many of his intimate friends,
then thought that he would be so soon reckoned among
the " Superannuates. " Well, there is work enough yet
for him ; and it may be that his release from the exact-

50 ONCE AGAIN.
ing duties of traveling throughout the connection, and
taking charge of the Conferences, as the appointing
power, with all its great responsibilities, may make him
more efficient during his remaining years, than he could
otherwise have been. What Next ?
When the Conference session of 1904 closed, there
came to me almost a conviction, that " the time of my
departure was at hand. " I had experienced many of the
same mental exercises that Paul, the great Apostle to
the Gentiles had given vent to in his day. I know I
have need of care in comparing myself with that wonder
ful Evangelist, yet, I had felt much of late : "A desire
to depart and be with Christ." This desire however,
had not been gratified ; and I had been kept from im
patience at the delay. But now, as I returned to my
uncertain home, with all the facts of my surroundings
before me it seemed to me that the time for me to go to
the higher and larger sphere was at hand. I had at
tended the Conference for the 56th time, and was on the
superannuated list, and evidently being looked upon, by
many, as "worn out" and so put aside often when it
seemed to me that I might perform some service. This
was and is all right so far as the brethren are concerned.
I felt that I could say in a modified way : "I have
fought a good fight, " — The fighting had never been very
hard, and I felt that I might have been a better soldier,
but the warfare had been in the ranks of noble men, and
under a Divine leadership of which 1 felt I might justly
boast; and put the defects and failures "under the
blood." I felt also that I might say, with some degree
of comfort; "I have kept the faith." I had not been
switched off on any of the side tracks, that lie alongside

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 51
the straight and plain highway that leads steadily up
ward and onward to the glory life. I had continued to
call sinners to repentance, and believers to full salvation.
But I was getting old in the estimation of others, and my
later convictions of the future life, in its employments,
seemed to be opening to me a more to be desired field
than a further stay in the church militant.
These reflections may all have been wrong, and I did
not seek to cherish them unduly, so as to fall into con
demnation, or feel that my Heavenly Father was dis
pleased. My prayer was then, and is still : O Father,
when my death will be of more value to others, and to
the cause of Christ, in this world, than my continued
earthly life, please let me depart hence and be with Thee
and the loved ones who are already there !
The immediate future of my remaining days had to be
considered ; and while I wanted to be careful in any dis-
cisions I should make, I could not see how some prob
lems could be solved so well as by my departure.
Helped.
I was aroused from this reverie by the kind counsel
and companionship of my pastor. He insisted that I
could be of service to him ; and extended to me a very
brotherly and cordial recognition as an associate. This
did much for me ; and all the more when I found that
the pastor did not propose to over -load me with duties
for his own relief ; but that he intended to go to work
most diligently himself , and only asked me to help where
he saw I could with the careful use of what powers 1
had. Some Mental Musings.
My children were largely where I could expect to see
but little of them ; and yet I had a desire to be with them

52 ONCE AGAIN.
what and when I could. My temporary home was with
one of them ; but she had her plans, and I must not be
a hindrance rather than a help. My only son was settled
in his beautiful new home in New Haven, Conn. , and fully
occupied with the pressing duties in fulfillment of his
office as Assistant Professor of Chemistry in the Kent
Laboratory connected with the Yale University. To
think of a home with him was to consider severance of
all the ties that bound me to Poughkeepsie and go among
strangers at my advanced period of life, outside the
bounds of my own cherished Conference.
Stockport Once Again.
One of the desires of my mind had been to visit once
again the scene of my earliest labors in the itinerancy.
On June 15th, 1904, I awoke with a rather sudden im
pression as of a voice speaking to me and saying : " Now
is the opportunity to do what you have so long desired."
I acted upon the impression thus made, and started for
Stockport, where, 56 years since, I went as a young
minister and probationer in the ranks of the remembered
and revered brethren, the most of whom had now passed
away. The trip was a very impressive one, as by train
and trolley I rode to a point quite near the site of the
old church, that I called to mind so clearly. A young
man, whom I did not learn, until after we set out for a
long walk together, was a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, volunteered to become my guide.
Together we climbed the hill into the old burying-ground
where the bodies of many of my former parishioners lie
mou Idering back to dust. The church building was there
no more. It had been removed to a more eligible place,
and greatly improved in appearance.
With my companion, I looked the ground over and

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 53
was much interested. Then we strolled toward the home
of my little family, so peculiar in some of its features
and experiences when we occupied it in the Conference
years 1848 and 1849. -It was some two and a half miles
from the church towards the city of Hudson. On the
way we met with much kind attention. The Protestant
Episcopal Church was opened for us that we might look
at the tablet in memory of a gentleman who was one of
the most respected men in this community in the days
when I was serving my first pastorate. He was par
ticularly remembered as a kind and generous friend of
the Methodist Church in his life. So we walked on and
conversed freely, of the by-gones.
After parting with the young man, who had contri
buted so much to make my visit to these former scenes
so enjoyable, and getting an assurance from him that we
would meet in heaven, I pursued the walk alone. Just
then I saw an old gentleman approaching in his wagon,
and I mentally said : "If this man invites me to ride,
I will regard it as of the Lord, and will accept. " Sure
enough, when opposite me, the rider held up and asked
me to join him. When I had taken my seat, I inquired
whither the traveler was going, and was informed that
he was on the way to the exact house that I desired to
visit. We entered into a conversation and I referred to
the former days when I had lived for two years in a part
of that house with a farmer, giving the name of my land
lord. The gentleman said he "remembered a young
minister used to live there by the name of Browning."
So I had been directed to the only man I met that day
who could enter, to any degree, into my experiences of
the 56 years since. The house, toward which we were
thus going is a large one. It had been a hotel before
being owned and occupied by the farmer who so kindly

54 ONCE AGAIN.
rented me some rooms in my emergency, as related in
the book Grace Magnified on pages 52-57. Since then,
a sad change had come over the premises. The fences
were down ; the unkept door-yard but poorly brought
to mind the pretty lawn with its knoll of flowers ; and
the house was again, " A public house." However we
drove to the door and I entered the room that was, in
our day one of the nicest we had, and that was rendered
memorable as the birth-place of one of our daughters.
This room was now the ' ' Bar-room, " and the proprietor
was there engaged in serving those who called for drinks
and cigars. This gentleman received me kindly and of
fered to treat. The latter favor of course I declined,
and took occasion to drop some tenderly expressed
words, as I related my former experiences in this neigh
borhood, and in this house. All was accepted courte
ously, and I was granted freedom to look over the rooms
where, with my young wife and babies, I had dwelt so
long ago. After leaving these associations, I started to
walk to " Columbia Springs " where I used to go often
and get the sulphur water for my father-in-law when he
was our visitor. This walk seemed much longer now
than it used to ; and, after some religious conversation
with those I met on the way, finding my time expiring,
I stopped a little short of ' ' the Springs " and took the
trolley back to Hudson and returned to Poughkeepsie
with a grateful heart that I had accomplished a wish that
I had long entertained. Cornwall Jubilee.
Just a few days after the experiences as to Stockport,
1 had the great pleasure of participating in a " Jubilee "
at Cornwall, N. Y. Twenty-eight years ago I had the
honor of being a pastor in this place among the " High-

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 55
lands." It was very delightful to me to have a cordial
invitation to take part in some elaborated services ar
ranged to celebrate the fiftieth year of the founding of
the church there. It is to be noted that the years that
had passed since my pastorate here were just half of
those that had elapsed since my first pastorate ; and so
I was twenty-eight years older when preaching the gos
pel at Cornwall than when serving at Stockport. The
"Jubilee" was a very happy occasion. After an early
sail upon the morning of Monday, June 20th, 1904, I
was in time for the social gathering of many old, and
younger friends at the noon meal most sumptuously pre
pared for the guests. After this we had some very in
teresting exercises in the church with other former pas
tors. I returned to Poughkeepsie rather late that Sum
mer evening, but with a feeling that the day had been
well and profitably spent.
Commencement at Yale.
Closely following these experiences, was a visit to my
son at New Haven ; and an attendance upon the " Com
mencement Exercises " of the University with which he
is identified. My son's position, and especially because
he was assigned duties in connection with the seating of
audiences during the "Commencement" week, gave me
some desirable advantages. This led me to set out upon
this expedition on Saturday, June 25th, 1904.
Although I had been honored with the graduation of
two sons at this Institution of learning, I had enjoyed
but few of the many entertainments furnished from time
to time, and from year to year. Now, there was opened
to me an unusual privilege.
The Baccalaureate address of President Hadley was
on Sabbath morning, June 26th. The day was one of

56 ONCE AGAIN.
the hottest of the Summer of 1904. This was in great
contrast to my former visit in New Haven amidst the
severities of the Winter preceding. My son, knowing
my practice and feelings, did not propose a trolley ride
for the two miles that separated us from "Woolsey
Hall, " but, most kindly, accompanied me on a delight
ful walk down and back, to the heart of the city to at
tend the large gathering of Alumni Graduates, distin
guished guests and friends, that filled all the accommo
dations of this new auditorium.
The exercises were very interesting. I had a seat
from which they could all be seen, heard and enjoyed.
I will not attempt to report the President's discourse
on that occasion, nor his apt and appropriete remarks,
when he conferred the numerous degrees, that honored
their various recipients on "Commencement Day"
which was on the Wednesday following. I will only
say : That the religious spirit, and sentiment, running
through the whole led me to feel most grateful for the
tone, that could not fail to impress all, that this institu
tion is under the influence of our Holy Christianity ;
and, if its thousands of students will yield themselves
to the best impressions that come to them during the
years of study, and ceremonies of graduation, the world
will be constantly made better by the large classes that
annually go forth to life's realities from these educa
tional halls.
We went back and forth to the varied gatherings,
and even some of the sports that occurred in their ar
ranged order.
The weather moderated and the convenient modes of
conveyance, at hand, were freely patronized.
This was indeed one of the eventful weeks of my life.
On Thursday, the last day of June, I was conveyed

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 57
safely and rapidly back to Poughkeepsie, N. Y., with a
feeling that I had been highly favored, and had much
added to my stock of information that could be used
along the remaining period of earthly stay; and, I
trust, be in some way helpful through, eternity.
Ocean Grove Once Again.
When returning from New Haven, after the Com
mencement Exercises, it was my purpose and expecta
tion to return there again about Aug. 1st.
But, "We know not what a day may bring forth ; "
and often our plans do not come to pass in accordance
with our thoughts. A train of circumstances changed
what had seemed the right thing to do ; and, with a
short trip.away, and the spending of Sunday, July 10th
with some relatives in a quiet retreat back of New-
burgh, Orange Co. , N. Y. , I was led to the conclusion
that it was in the Lord's order, that 1 should spend
another season at Ocean Grove, New Jersey.
There in days past, I had been wont to put in whole
Summers in close relation to the great attractions and
privileges of that wonderful place.
Accordingly preparations were made and quarters en
gaged. On Wednesday morning, July 27th, in company
with my kind and loving son, who had taken pains to
accompany me part of the way, a sail was enjoyed on the
fine steamer Mary Powell down the magnificent Hudson
River to the great city of New York. From thence I
crossed to Jersey City and took passage on the train of
the Pennsylvania Railroad, and long before evening, I
was comfortably settled in a nice room, with all neces
sary conveniences in one of the most eligibly situated
and well kept hotels by the sea-shore, for a stay if it
might so be, of several weeks.

58 ONCE AGAIN.
Family Worship.
One of the things that is often neglected, or omitted,
by Summer tourists, or visitors to places of resort, is
the special and helpful religious gatherings for worship
at the family altar.
In former years it had been my office and pleasure to
be identified with a morning service of family worship
at this same hotel. So I was not slow to confer with the
proprietor as to the possibility of such an arrangment
once again.
He most cheerfully and readily sanctioned this sug
gestion and gave his co-operation. A neat notice was
prepared and placed conspicuously at the entrance to the
parlor, reading thus :
SPECIAL NOTICE.
THERE WILL BE A BRIEF SERVICE OF FAMILY WORSHIP
EACH MORNING AT 8.15 o' CLOCK
IN THE PARLOR.
ALL MOST CORDIALLY INVITED.
The consequence was that, without an omission, the
voice of song, scripture reading and prayer, was heard,
for 15 minutes each morning, from July 28th to Sept.
6th. The attendance upon these exercises was never very
large, and never what it seemed it might have been if all
the guests had appreciated the arrangement. But the
seasons were always profitable. Some of them bore im
mediate fruit ; and it is believed that the results were
far-reaching. Of course the attendants were constantly
changing, as the comers and goers mingled and com
mingled, — welcoming each other upon arrival, and
saying "good bye" upon parting.

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 59
Some very helpful assistants were found in the con
duct of these exercises, both among ministers and lay
men who were among us from time to time. Also among
the lady guests we found helpers, particularly as leaders
of the music. One little girl ought to be specially re
membered who was always ready, even, if her breakfast
must be deferred, or passed altogether.
It was indeed a means of grace highly esteemed by
some ; and gracious influences, no doubt, followed many
to their homes when they left. It is hoped that some
thing was done to repair family altars, that had fallen
into partial decay ; and possibly to lead to the erection
of some that ought to have been established before.
St. Paul's M. E. Church.
The visitors at Ocean Grove should always be informed
that it is not only a "Summer Resort, " but also a place
of residence for an increasing number of families who
have their homes there, and who enjoy, at all times, the
privileges of a settled community.
It is a regular appointment in the list of the New
Jersey Conference and is always supplied with a faith
ful and zealous pastor, and a flourishing membership.
The exercises of the church established there, are some
what modified when the "season" opens under the di
rection of the "Association, " which begins each year at
about, or a little before, July 1st, and runs into the
early days of September. But the services identified
with "St. Paul's" are not altogether suspended at any
time. It is well for all who are seeking the best things
when they spend some time at Ocean Grove, to know
that, both before and after the "special days, " they may
find regular and profitable meetings to which they are
invited.

60 ONCE AGAIN.
The writer of this learned these things in the years
when spending much time as a cottage holder in Ocean
Grove. Upon the evening of our first day's stay in the year
1904 — it being Wednesday evening — we went to the
regular "mid-week prayer meeting" in St. Paul's
church. The meeting was an excellent one and I was
brought into a more intimate acquaintance with the
then present pastor.
This, and other fellowships with this devout and dili
gent man of God, led him to ask me a few days later
if I "liked to preach sometimes ? " My ready answer
was : 1 like to preach all the time, but am restrained by
the advice of my kind physicians. This, I thought,
would preclude any further advances in that direction
by my questioner. On the following Wednesday even
ing I was at the prayer-meeting again ; and then learn
ed that on the approaching Sunday the sacrament of
the Lord's Supper would be observed. I was asked, if
I "could safely make some remarks in the way of a
short address on that occasion ? " I thought I could do
that, and so engaged to. This brought a wonderful rev
elation and inspiration that was as unexpected as it
was comforting. The advice I had received, and the
knowledge I had of my own physical condition, had led
me to much care as to my public exercises ; and begot
ten the purpose not to put myself in the way of invita
tions to preach, although the self-denial was often
great. But now my " Great Physician " had an oppor
tunity to display His skill in a way I had not anticipated,
as I resolved, shall I say, to be more fully in His hands.
A Wonderful Experience.
When the notices of the approaching Sunday services
appeared in the Saturday papers, I discovered myself

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 61
advertised to preach. The thought came to me, that
as I had had nothing to do with this announcement, I
ought to regard it as an over-ruling not to be unheeded.
A text came to me and a line of thought that I hastily
put in the best order of arrangement I could in the
short time to be thus used. I set myself to consider
this outline and mentally to enlarge upon it.
While engaged in so doing on Saturday evening, as I
sat outside on the porch, to get the benefit of the pure
atmosphere prevailing, suddenly my head became op
pressed and my thoughts confused.
The impression came to me that I was transgressing
and that I ought to find the pas 'or and notify him that
I probably would not be in a condition to serve him, in
any way on the Sabbath so near at hand. With this
thought in mind I put on my hat to go to the parson
age. When, as if spoken to me, came the suggestion :
"This is hasty and distrustful ; go to bed and get rested. "
It was still early but I acted at once, upon this that
seemed such good and reasonable advice. I had a
sweet night's sleep and awoke refreshed.
After conducting the family worship in the parlor on
Sabbath morning I went as usual to the 9 o'clock "holi
ness meeting" in the tabernacle. Quite to my sur
prise, the good bishop in charge accosted me, upon my
entrance, and invited me to give the opening scripture
lesson. As this was not of my seeking, and a lesson was
on my mind, I gladly complied ; and enjoyed much lib
erty while so engaged in reading and exposition. At the
close of this meeting, I repaired to St. Paul's to fill my
engagement there. The congregation was good and
expectant, and I took my part under the direction of
the pastor.
When the time came for preaching, 1 learned that

62 ONCE AGAIN.
twenty minutes only could be spared for that part of
the service. My mind and heart were both full. I
was enabled to crowd a forty minute discourse into half
that time (a task quite difficult to perform as every
preacher will testify ). I was permitted to set forth,
with little opportunity to enlarge, several regards in
which the " Lord's Supper" may and ought to be cele
brated as a "memorial" arranged by the Master him
self before leaving his disciples. The recent obser
vance of the Annual "memorial services" under the
direction of the Association, on Sunday, July 31st, in
the tabernacle, when kind words of remembrance had
been spoken of so many who had " gone away " dur
ing the past year, afforded an appropriate illustration
to help this discourse.
The sermon, such as it was, being over, I had the
privilege of assisting in the distribution of the elements
representing the broken body and shed blood of our Risen
Saviour. Usually on sacramental occasions in this church there
is no lack for helpers from among the several retired
ministers who are making a mecca of their residence in
Ocean Grove : but on this Sunday, as it is likely to be
when there are services in the Great Auditorium, they
were all elsewhere.
These sacramental exercises being ended, I repaired
to my place at the hotel with a question : Whether I
had over done ? Dinner being through I felt so far
from being entirely exhausted that I decided to go to the
Bible Class in the Auditorium. I always feel quite at
home there from having held the position of "Vice
President" in some former years. To my surprise
again, the leader came directly to me, upon his entrance,
with an invitation to offer the opening prayer. This I

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 63
did with no apparent harm to my vocal organs, filling
in the great house.
This day was in the interest of the Womans' Foreign
Missionary Society. Doctor Leonard, the well known
Missionary Secretary, had discoursed to the multitude in
the morning.
After the Bible Class, this official orginization held
another meeting, to which I had the privilege of re
maining and listening to the instructive and encouraging
addresses — especially one by Bishop Warne.
The inclination to go to the " Beach Meeting " was not
yielded to ; but I assembled with the large congregation
in the evening to enjoy the rare treat of a full discourse
by the same Bishop who spoke so helpfully in the after
noon. I retired to my room that night most'thankful to God
for His support, and with the conviction, more fully up
on me, that I was not yet quite worn out, and praising
the name of my Keeper.
Bro. Franklm's Class.
The reference to St. Paul's church, as among the in
stitutions and attractions of Ocean Grove, ought not to
be closed without calling attention to one of the most re
markable and profitable of all the means associated with
that place of worship. There has been held, for many
years, a Monday evening class under the leadership of
Rev. William Franklin, that has been doing a great work
of salvation, and is the resort of the knowing from all
parts of the world, as they have opportunity to meet
with the faithful and regularly attending membership.
The writer learned about this class some years since, and
always rejoices in being permitted to go there. This we
did upon our visit to Ocean Grove in the Summer of

64 ONCE AGAIN.
1904. The spirit was as in former years, and the crowds
found it difficult to get into the room assigned for this
meeting. Bro. Franklin is a retired minister, but of
the number that never rust out. He has been in feeble
health for a long time, and during the Summer now being
noticed, it seemed that he could not remain on the earth
until the close of "the season."
He did however ; and, at this writing is still active
and useful. This class knows no suspension, except for
the two Monday nights embraced in the " Camp-meeting
days " when Bro. Franklin is more busy than ever in the
" Helping hand" meeting of which he has long been the
recognized leader. Whether this dear brother will be
among men when these references to him are read can
not now be predicted. But if he is not, he will be with
God. Otlier Meetings.
My arrival at Ocean Grove, on July 27th, 1904, was
in the "height of the season." The daily meetings, in
the Temple and Tabernacle, at 9 o'clock each morning
were in progress. The Sunday services were in the
great Auditorium where there was preaching both
morning and evening. The " Union Sunday School "
was organized and doing its work, in the different de
partments, in all the several buildings used for these
purposes. The "Beach Meeting" at the shore, was
being held regularly at 6 p.m. on each Sunday evening.
Those who have not been to this wonderful place can
scarcely gather a proper idea of these meetings by what
may be said, or written, of them. It needs a looker-on
and a participant, to get the facts imprinted on the mind
and memory.
To give direction to all these meetings, and see that

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 65
they are properly conducted, is no small matter and in
volves great wisdom and responsibility.
Principles of Association.
"The Ocean Grove Association " has been regarded
as standing for the highest possible attainments in re
ligious life, and for the consistent and scriptural expo
sition and illustration of the doctrine and experience of
" Christian Perfection." Consequently all who become
members of this Association are justly expected to ex
emplify in life, conversation and example, the true
spirit of Christ, or otherwise the avowed purpose of
the organization is not only marred, but harmful re
sults must follow.
It has been a perplexing problem, what to allow, and
what not to allow. The unprejudiced observer must
admit that there has been no hasty consideration of
these questions.
In the passing 35 years, many changes in the senti
ments of many people have taken place ; but it will not
do to admit that Christianity in its best exhibition to
the world, admits of changes.
Of course the minds of honest, and thoroughly con
secrated, men will be influenced in some degrees by the
changes that take place in society. The best means of
reaching the best results in the effort to save all classes
of this society must always be an important question.
Every change in method should be of such a charac
ter that it can be advocated as intending to accomplish
more good ; and bring more of this world's inhabitants
under the influence of the glorious gospel of salvation.
The fact that the authorities have introduced enter
tainments of different kinds into the attractions of
Ocean Grove ; and that they have lessened to some ex-

66 ONCE AGAIN.
tent, the rigid rules and requirements that used to be en
forced, is a matter for criticism at times. It must be
said however that "Outsiders" cannot judge of these
things as those upon whom the direct responsibility
rests. There is nothing easier than to find fault ; and
there is often nothing harder than to suggest improve
ments upon what we do not exactly like. Let all the
lovers of good things, and especially those who really
desire the fullest success of this wonderfully developing
spot, see to it that in all they think, and particularly
in all they say, they not only have the approval of their
own consciences, but that they do not call in question
the good judgment and honest intentions of those who
are responsible for the entire program. The thirteenth
chapter of Paul's first letter to the Corinthians is inval
uable to all who want to be just right. The great
agency in saving this world and establishing the King
dom of the Redeemer, is the exhibition of the New
Testament standard of piety upon the part of those who
openly profess faith in Jesus.
Those among men who live in these days, although
not members of the churches, know all about the
fundamentals of Christianity and are ever looking for
evidence as to its saving power in the lives and actions of
those who have joined themselves to the churches. They
read them more carefully than they read other things ;
and they are often good judges of what is, and what is not
the spirit of the Master. For these reasons, I have
long felt that the mission of Christ's Ambassadors in
this day, and where the gospel has been long preached,
is to the members of our churches. When Jesus was
upon the earth His most energetic and positive denun
ciations were to the chief men among the Pharisees
who boasted of their goodness but were really stumbling

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 67
blocks in the way of the progress of the salvation He
preached to others. Children Noticed.
One of the most effective means used at Ocean Grove
to accomplish the spiritual interests of the multitudes
who gather there, is addresses by those who are specially
endowed in this line to win the young.
Too much pains cannot be taken here. Let the chil
dren be properly instructed as to their normal relation
to Him who said ' ' suffer the little children to come un
to me," and the time will rapidly roll on when "all
shall know the Lord."
There needs a great revival of family religion ; and
the institution of the "family altar " and all public re
ligious instruction, in all places, should partake largely
in the enforcement of this truth.
Wonderful Scenes.
As I have sat, from time to time, and looked over the
immense audiences assembled in the several places of
worship at Ocean Grove, — "The Holiness Meeting" in
the Tabernacle ; "the Young People's Meeting" in the
Temple, led for so many years by Rev. Mr. Yatman ;
and the worshippers in the Auditorium sometimes num
bering as high as 10,000, and even more — it has seemed
to me that I got a view of part of the " multitude " who
are already crowding about the Throne on high, and
adoring the King of Kings.
Meeting Friends.
One of the very pleasant things in being at Ocean
Grove, for one who has had a long experience in the
Christian ministry, is in connection with meeting former

68 ONCE AGAIN.
associates who gather there from so many places. Some
are former parishioners. Some are children of such
parishioners who recall a childhood remembrance of
"father's" or "mother's pastor." Some are kindred,
or children of kindred, who are interested in meeting
again, or for the first time, one of whom their dear ones
have spoken and kindled the desire to meet. Several
such meetings, some of which were great surprises,
could well be written out in this chapter on ' ' Fresh Ex
periences." We are all making history and it would be
well often to note more carefully the passing events.
The Camp- Meeting.
It is not too much to say that the hopes and expecta
tions of those who most deeply love Ocean Grove, center
in the annual " Camp- meeting " that occurs each year in
the ten days included in the close of August. During
this most sacred time, all diversions, so far as possible,
are put aside ; and no entertainments other than those
connected with these continuous exercises that have the
one object of leading souls to immediate decisions, and
high spiritual results, are allowed.
Some remarkable leaders have been identified with the
Camp-meeting at Ocean Grove for years past ; and these
were promptly on hand for this season 1904. With Rev.
Joseph H. Smith ; Mrs. Lizzie Smith ; Miss Lizzie Sharp ;
anda host of active evangelists, and prominent preachers,
from all over the world ; and with meetings from 5:45
in the morning until bed time, with only short inter
missions, there is no lost time to those who are inter
ested in the establishment of the kingdom of Christ in
the souls of men.
The entire season of 1904, and particularly the ' ' Camp-
meeting, " was admitted to be at least one of the best in

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 69
the history of Ocean Grove. The numbers in attend
ance could at no former time been greater ; and the
crowds often could not be accommodated with comfort
able places ; and only found room by standing in the
doorways ; and even then could not always get within
hearing distance.
The preaching was always good, and some of the mes
sengers seemed to be specially inspired to deliver words
accompanied with gracious influences that could not fail
of permanent results.
Lest mistakes might be made in giving names it will
only be recorded here that the lines between denomina
tions were very dim. Baptists, Congregationalists, Pro
testant Episcopalians, and others, heartily fraternized ;
and some of the most impressive discourses fell from
lips other than Methodists. There was no instance, as
in the judgment here expressed, when there seemed to
be an attempt at "great sermonizing."
When the Love Feast of Sunday morning, Aug. 28th,
came, the enthusiasm was unbounded ; and from the main
floor, and also the galleries of the great Auditorium, the
testimonies rolled in in such numbers that often several
would be speaking at the same time to only heighten the
interest and the real spirit of devout joy.
The ' ' closing exercises " of a Camp-meeting at Ocean
Grove must be witnessed to be at all appreciated. We
had the privilege of being in the great gathering on
Monday morning, Aug. 29th, 1904. Infant baptism was
administered to a large number of children as per cus
tom. The reports of the many branches of the work
performed during the season now ending, were given by
the representatives of these several departments. Spe
cial and effective music, both instrumental and vocal,
was rendered by individuals and also by the choir. Then

70 ONCE AGAIN.
the wonderful march, headed by the leaders of singing
and the Bishop, and forming a long procession, took its
way out and around about; through the various buildings
made sacred by their associations, and the adjacent
grounds, and back again to the place of starting.
Now comes the most impressive and solemn of all the
services. The bell is tolled, three successive times,
"in the name of the Father ; and of the Son ; and of the
Holy Ghost, " and the Camp-meeting is pronounced
CLOSED. O, how the tolls of that bell go through the hearts of
the truly devout ! They not only tell of the end of pre
sent privileges so dear, but they seem as the death knell
of some who have been called, but have refused.
May God grant another chance to all " such ! is the
prayer here recorded. But who knows how many have
resisted for the last time ?
****** •it-
It is almost incredible how soon the crowds melt
away when the ' ' Camp-meeting " is closed. A few days
find Ocean Grove deserted, and left almost entirely to
those who are permanent residents.
Not Altogether Like Heaven.
It is a remark frequently heard by the enthusiastic
lovers of Ocean Grove : " It is the nearest like heaven
of any place on earth. "
The writer of these things is not disposed to discount
this assertion more than it ought to be, and has made it
himself many more times than once; and inclines to make
it "once again." Yet, it must be admitted that the
regular inhabitants of this place sometimes give evidence
that a familiarity with so much earnest work during
the Summer months along spiritual lines becomes a

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 71
hardening influence to many who do not enter into the
religious movements ; but rather regard them in the
light of " business opportunities."
But it was not for the purpose of emphasizing this
thought that the heading was given this section.
There are some respects however in which this mar
velous place, even during the season of "the meetings,"
is not like heaven. Some which always stamp it quite
unlike the abode of the blessed on high.
First : It must be admitted that among the thousands
who go thither every year there are many who do not
go for the religious privileges. To these the restraints,
that are so to be commended, and because of which it is
believed the special favor of God has always rested up
on Ocean Gr-ove, are irksome. These spend much of
their time promenading on "the board walk" even
when the most successful of the religious meetings are
in progress. They go fishing, sailing and bathing more
than is conducive to health, and because that is what
they are here for.
On Sabbaths these slip over the boundry lines and
get their coveted Sunday papers, and grumble that the
cars do not stop here on Sundays and the gates remain
open the seven days of the week. They come and go
on Sundays, although this involves a passage through
the streets with traveling bags and other " carriages "
that show their disregard for God's law as contained in
the fourth command of the Decalogue.
These also get up, at every opportunity, diverting
entertainments that have in them no religious or intel
lectual profit.
Now all this is not like heaven. There all is harmony
and love ; and all engage in ascriptions of praise to Him
that sitteth upon the Throne.

72 ONCE AGAIN.
Secondly : The going away as well as the coming,
is another respect in which Ocean Grove is not like
heaven. There "they go out no more," but are "forever with
the Lord." To all possessed with genuine Christian af
fection, and who reckon among the evidences that they
have "passed from death unto life," their love for each
other, the constant partings have in them a measure of
pain and regret.
Especially is this true as the end of "the season"
draws near, and day by day witnesses the loaded trains
carrying away those who have mingled so delightfully
for short weeks. It may be only days.
True the conpensation is the hope and expectation of
meeting again where partings never come. How
tender are the ties of those who have been brought to a
knowledge of Christ for the first time, or brought out
into the boundless ocean of perfect love, towards those
who have been, in any way or degree, instrumental in
helping into such glorious experiences.
All these hope to meet again ; but the temptations
and dangers of this life are not yet passed, and much
solicitation must be expressed as the struggles and vi
cissitudes of earthly existence are to be faced again
without the wonderful helps that have been at hand
during the tarry at Ocean Grove.
Thirdly : There is another particular in which Ocean
Grove is not like heaven. Of this we must write most
tenderly and in the spirit of the most abounding char
ity. It has often been said that : ' ' Order is heaven's first
law." Sometimes the really boisterous and obstreper
ous try to take control of the exercises so necessary to
the spirit of devotion in religious assemblies.

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 73
It ought not to be intimated that this spirit is a serious
obstacle to the best interests of Ocean Grove.
The classes indicated are not very much in evidence.
Nor would we have it hastily concluded that the writ
er is opposed to such a condition as might consistently
be likened to " the noise of many waters" that greeted
John's ears in the visions of the Apocalypse. (See
Rev. i : 15 and xiv : 2 and 3. )
This was delightfully subduing ; and neither confusing
nor diverting.
Only the determined purpose to have our own way,
in spite of loving appeals, are here referred to.
The few instances in which this occurs at Ocean
Grove, may seem to make this reference to it here as
out of place. But the spirit that sometimes crops out
is so harmful that a tender word of caution in this con
nection may be useful.
It ought to be said in passing that perhaps leaders, as
well as led, have something to learn here.
In heaven all outbreaks of indiscretion will forever
have passed, and have no place.
The great and many voices that will there be lifted
up will be to ascribe praise to our Lord and Christ, as
King forever and ever. (See Rev. xi : 15.)
Don't Misunderstand.
Lest some of these things be misunderstood and
thought to be written in the spirit of a critic or fault
finder, let it be added : The need for self -suppression
and self-denial that often presented itself in the crowd
ed meetings for testimony during the season of 1904,
acted as a means of grace to this writer and led him
more and more to think less and less of himself.
I learned more clearly the value of Paul's exhortation

74 ONCE AGAIN.
to the Philippians : " Let nothing be done through
strife or vain glory ; but in lowliness of mind let each
esteem other better than themselves." (Phil. n:3)
I grew stronger, in body and mind and soul, during my
stay "once again" at this wonderful place. It was
while there that most of the members of this book, and
of its chapters, were conceived in times of meditation
when the opportunity for expression was not at hand.
A Delightful Visit.
Many who spend "the season" at Ocean Grove plan
to go elsewhere awhile before returning to their homes
for the Fall and Winter. It is admitted that September
and October are very pleasant months by the ocean.
Some visitors remain, or come for these months, but
the great mass cannot be induced to stay, and are soon
on their way elsewhere.
It was in the plan of the writer, to take advantage of
the situation, and a standing invitation of some years
past, to spend a few days in a section that had special
charms because it numbers, among its settlers and pres
ent inhabitants, some of the blood- kindred of his mother,
whose precious memory lingers, although sixty five
years have elapsed since I stood by her bed-side and
saw the death struggles of her long and terribly afflicted
body. My proposed hostess was of the number of these kin
dred ; and there is no other word that suits so well to
designate the character of the visit, as the one used at
the head of this section. Others of my "fresh expe
riences " had been sad and sorrowful ; pleasant and joy
ful ; instructive and profitable ; but those now related,
were simply "delightful."
On Wednesday morning, Sept. 7th, 1904, 1 was ready

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 75
to leave the spot that had brought me much that I shall
never forget, and go to look upon other scenes away
from the sea. My route was selected, and some special
providences had favored the preparation.
A Pretty Ride.
For two hours, and more, I sped by rail on through
a fertile country studded with neat and attractive vil
lages. At the place appointed, the faithful and trusted man,
who had been dispatched on this errand, met me with
substantial conveyance for the completion of this charm
ing journey. Partly over a road new to me, and partly
through familiar scenes of by-gone days, we came to
the prettily located house erected some years since as
the family home of one of the best farmers that ever
tilled the soil.
That father has passed away ; so also has the mother,
and the beloved adopted sister. The present owner
and occupant is there alone. Much of the time she has
no sufficient help for the unnumbered duties that are in
volved in "running a farm." But this did not interfere
with her spirit of hospitality, nor the heartiness of her
welcome.
Made at Home.
We were soon most comfortably quartered in the best
accommodations to be afforded, and that gave us, at
once, a very homelike feeling.
The well spread, and most amply supplied table, was
soon ready, and we had to begin, and practice all the
time, a rein on an always good appetite, to keep from
going too far in its indulgence, and thus fail to be as
abstemious as we had fully learned of late years, is es
sential to the best of health.

76 ONCE AGAIN.
This visit grew more and more delightful. The time
we had for its enjoyment went away sooner than we
felt willing to have it.
It was in the country with no city conveniences at
hand ; but, how wonderfully can inconveniences be
overcome where there is wisdom and tact coupled with
the disposition. The post-office was one mile away ;
but that was turned into a real pleasure as from day to
day the horse and buggy was ready for an invigorating
ride to get ' ' the New York daily " and whatever other
mail was there for delivery.
There was no lack of writing material furnished
freely to keep up corespondence with friends from
whom we were thus temporarily separated.
Kind neighbors were on hand with expressions of
friendship, and to emphasize and increase the spirit of
good cheer.
Then there was no loss of religious privileges. Not
only did we ask our blessing upon the luxuries before
us when the meal time came three times a day, but
also there was time set apart for the morning and eve
ning gathering at the family altar. So we had our sea
sons of spiritual as well as material feasts.
The books at hand were of a character to be used as
companions for the blessed Bible as its sacred and well
marked pages were before our eyes to inspire and warm
our hearts.
No pains were spared to improve any possible oppor
tunity to ride out and call upon families where a "wel
come" added to the enjoyment of this delightful visit.
On the Sabbath, that was included, we had the privi
lege of going to the house of God, as represented by the
church where many of the ancestors of the present con
gregation had worshipped.

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 77
With attractive scenery both going and coming, and
an opportunity to visit the resting place of the bodies of
a number of those whom we so well remembered, the
well prepared and impressive sermon was " taken in "
and I trust properly digested to our best of growth.
A Plucky Incident.
It would not do to hasten over the account of this de
lightful visit without making particular reference to an
incident that it may well be doubted whether it can easily
be matched.
There was a neighborhood prayer meeting to be held
at a farm-house between one and two miles from the
place of our rustification. A proposition was made of
attendance, and most gladly acceded to. When the time
came for starting, as the evening shades drew on, the
faithful horse was harnessed and we got ready. It
would be dark as there was no moon and the clouds
covered the stars. I was honored as being the bearer of
the light. This was that the road might be kept suffi
ciently in sight to avoid disasters. We started on with
my hostess as driver. The route was all strange to me.
We went on at a moderate pace, and were perhaps half
the way, when suddenly an impassible obstruction loomed
before us. A bridge had been torn away for the pur
pose of reconstruction. What is to be done ? My sup
posed wise and prompt counsel was: "Let us turn
back ! "
In a shorter time than it takes to write out this state
ment, my companion was on the ground, with lantern
in hand, and confiding horse by the head. We were led
through the dry ditch on one side, and around the de
bris, and through the ditch on the other side, and out
in the road again. We were in good time at the prayer

78 ONCE AGAIN.
meeting and had the privilege of devotions in company
with a goodly number of others who had obeyed the
summons and congregated for. this profitable service.
Upon our return the same course was pursued to over
come what was really a formidable hindrance, and we
reached our starting place, not only none the worse for
these experiences, but very thankful that we had been
so highly privileged : and all the better prepared to re
tire in comfort with the cherished recollection of having
been to another prayer meeting.
This incident may be commended to the thoughtful
study of many church members who do not go to their
mid-week meetings as often as they might when there is
really nothing to hinder, but everything to invite.
Now don't let anybody spoil this story by saying: ' ' O
yes that was a rough country girl, used to all kinds of
adventure !" It was not "a rough country girl" at all.
It was an educated and refined lady capable of any so
ciety, who is not a farmer by choice, but is bravely filling
out the providentially assigned place that has come to
her when her dear father passed away, and her dear
mother did not want to let this beautiful farm, that had
been gotten in exceptional order fall into the hands
of strangers who would not appreciate the labor and
expense that had been put upon it to make it what it
was. God knows all about these things, and, in the
great day when He makes up his jewels, the wrong
judgment of so many erring mortals will be set right,
and the misfits of this world find their true places.
All Earthly Things Must End.
My delightful visit had to come to a close. On Mon
day morning, Sept. 12th, the noble horses that are re
garded with all the tenderness of children, were gotten

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 79
ready. With the same careful driver who met me at the
railroad station a few days before, we are off for a much
longer ride to meet another train to speed on the way
back to end the "outing " that began on July 27th, as
before related.
This ride had been anticipated with great expecta
tions, as over a route taken many years since, when as a
little boy in company with my next younger brother, 1
had been brought over it in a big covered farm wagon
to visit the long since departed grand-parents of my
present entertainer. The day was fine. The horses
were all right. The carriage was very comfortable and
the companionship all that could be desired. There was
one factor, however, that we had nothing to do with
creating, and we could not regulate. The breeze, that
was considerable, was not adjusted to our exact liking.
We were not presumptuous enough to attempt to alter it,
and there seemed no sufficient ground to warrant even a
prayer for its changing. It persisted in following us
much of the way, and we were compelled to take on board
more of the dust from the well supplied roads, than was
to our comfort. We arrived at the city to which we were
going with more of a cargo on board than when we set
out from the farm ; and it was not of a sort that was
marketable. Nevertheless we arrived in safety. With rather a re
luctant adieu, I had to end this delightful visit with the
hope of renewing it at some future time. If not here,
"where they never say good-bye."
Returning.
A rapid ride to the ferry and a crossing, and I was in
the great city of New York once again. A sail, up the
river this time, was on my way homeward. The sail

80 ONCE AGAIN.
however, on that particular afternooD, was rather tedious
with wind and tide against us. Just as we were entering
"the Highlands" a fierce storm of lightning, thunder,
wind and rain was encountered that drove all the pas
sengers under cover and swept the outer decks of every
thing movable. This was soon over and might have been
readily forgotten but for the sad fact that we learned
from different sources, that what passed over us so
quickly and with no noticable harm, inflicted serious
trials and losses upon others.
In one instance, in which we deeply sympathized, a
well filled barn, with the hard earned and recently
gathered harvest, was smitten by the lightning and con
sumed. So our earthly treasures are not only subject
to "thieves," "moth," "and rust;" but also to de
struction by the elements when they are permitted to
break loose upon us. How important that we lay up
treasure where no harm can reach it !
Poughkeepsie " Once Again.''''
On Monday evening, Sept. 12th, 1904, we were back
to the comforts of the most sacred room left us on the
earth, with the inclination begotten within us to write
out some of the experiences that had so rapidly chased
each other during the three eventful years of the so re
cently past.
Poughkeepsie is by no means a dull place. There is
not only something going on there all the time, but it is
a place of privileges of the best kind, to those who have
the disposition to improve them.
One of the things that attracted our attention, at
once, was a Convention of "The Epworth League " be
ing held in the Washington St. Methodist Episcopal
Church on Sept. 13th and 14th. This gathering was

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 81
largely attended by the ministers and members from
" the Poughkeepsie district, " who were delegates to this
body. The exercises were not only interesting, but very
profitable ; and made it manifest that this organization
was being used to promote the well being of the
churches, and to bring into active co-operation with the
pastors the young people, from whom the expectation
for real success remains, and upon whom such success
depends. Then, the fact that this year 1904 was found to be
"the Centennial " of Methodism in Poughkeepsie gave
additional interest to every movement connected with
this denomination, and also awoke the spirit of Chris-
tain fraternity and brotherly love in the hearts of all who
were ready to rejoice in every evidence that Christ's
Kingdom was being established in this city. One of the
pleasant characteristics of this "Queen City on the Hud
son " is the disposition upon the different churches, to
rejoice in each others prosperity and to join forces, when
an opportunity presents itself, to show their regard one
for the other.
Among the methods adopted by the zealous pastor of
the Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church to fill his place
in this community, was a movement to celebrate this
"Centennial" and to invite all possible participation in
every movement that could legitimately be employed.
He arranged for a series of Sunday evening sermons to
the various civic and benevolent societies which abound
somewhat largely here, and, as a very attractive opening
of this, and other methods to follow, there was arranged
A Banquet.
On Wednesday evening, Sept. 28th, 1904, there was
assembled as choice a company of men, numbering nearly

82 ONCE AGAIN.
200, as probably ever sat down together at such a feast,
and for such a purpose. Of this number there was a
full proportion of the stationed ministers of the Metho
dist Episcopal Church of the city and vicinity headed by
the Presiding Elder of the district. There were also the
prominent pastors of several of the other denominations.
Also official laymen of many of these churches ; and
civil officers, including the Mayor of the city. The
editors were well represented and the best of humor
prevailed among all.
The occasion was by no means a mere jollification.
The ceremonies were introduced by an "invocation,"
asking the blessing of God upon all and everything to
be said or done. This was followed by a form of grace
in song, coming down from the early days of John
Wesley as follows :
" Be present at our table, Lord ;
Be here as everywhere adored ;
These creatures bless and grant that we
May feast in Paradise with Thee."
The "Menu" was not extravagant, and evidently
not intended to be. It consisted rather of substantials
than in a great array of delicacies. Beginning with the
usual "oysters on half -shell" it was of about the ordi
nary number of courses. All of them rather plain, than
out of the line with which all good livers are familiar.
The " fancy ice cream " put in an appearance as a
pleasant top-off. The whole was kept free from any
kind of drinks but pure cold water, with the slight ex
ception of a very modest cup of coffee at the end of the
supper. The meal being over, the grace of "thanks" was
heartily sung :

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 83
" We thank Thee, Lord, for this our food;
But thank Thee more for Jesus' blood ;
Let manna to our souls be given —
The Bread of Life sent down from heav'n."
Then came speeches, introduced by an original poem
on "Poughkeepsie Methodism — Its Growth," by the
honored pastor who was regarded by all as the master
of ceremonies.
A large number of addresses were given. First, by
one of the strong laymen of the New York Conference,
who had accepted an invitation to be present and favor
the assembly with some very practical and freely crit
ical remarks upon Methodist polity and its workings.
This gentleman was followed by a beloved minister
of the same Conference whose address set forth the
line of true loyalty to the church as the way to pro
mote the best, and especially the spiritual, interests of
the Kingdom of God.
About every phase of Methodism was ventilated,
from the doings of the General Conference to the most
simple and constantly occurring efforts of the most
humble Christian to spread the glorious truths of rev
elation as understood and cherished by all true lovers
of the Lord Jesus Christ.
No part of the exercises were more enjoyable than
the several short speeches of the pastors of other
churches ; and of the gentlemen in civil office and of
the press.
They represented the relation of all these religious
movements to society and the welfare of the people
generally. The most fraternal and kindly spirit pre
vailed. When all was over, it seemed to be heartily believed
that the time and money had been well spent to bring

84 ONCE AGAIN.
about such a banquet. That not only the cause of
Methodism had been benefited, but that Christianity,
in its best exhibition had been substantially set forward.
Sixty- Second Wedding Anniversary.
In passing towards a close of this chapter, we may be
allowed to say that Oct. 6th, 1904, brought to us the
62nd Anniversary of the union so fully referred to else
where. This occasion was used for another trip to
" the resting place. " In this we were joined by all the
present members of our family and visitors, making a
goodly company. We found all the surroundings being
nicely kept ; and witnessed also the substantial stone
that had been set up to keep in memory the departed
son-in-law, whose illness and sad taking away have
been minuted. Rev. George Hughes.
An opportunity being in hand, we improve it to put
on record a few things with reference to a dear man of
God with whom we have had some intimate experiences ;
and who was recently called to exchange his suffering
life here for the companionships found in the realms of
glory. Rev. George Hughes was one of our most intimate
friends and associates, in these later years of our life.
He was our publisher and adviser when the book,
entitled Grace Magnified was given to the public.
We do not so much desire to make an obituary notice
of this brother, as to note some things that will not be
so likely to get into the church periodicals and confer
ence minutes.
He was about two years the senior of this Author,
and was one of the most decided and radical advocates

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 85
of Christian holiness. It is not necessary for us to
write particularly of his birth and parentage. In the
course of his early life he was converted and afterwards
became a minister.
He was not in his earlier ministry noted for advanced
piety. In God's good providence, he attended some meetings
held in England by those successful evangelists, Doctor
and -Mrs. Phoebe Palmer. There the Spirit of God
took hold upon him and he was constrained to make a
full surrender of all his powers of body, soul and spirit ;
and of all his time and talents to be an uncompromis
ing, and wholly consecrated, disciple of Jesus. He
entered upon the experience of full salvation and be
came one of its most zealous preachers. He was so
strict and decided in his views and teaching that he
might easily have been judged as rather extreme on
these lines.
He became particularly interested in the kind of liter
ature that is specially devoted to this advanced state of
grace. He was identified with Doctor Walter and both
the Mrs. Palmer in editing and publishing the "Guide
to Holiness " and books of a kindred character. He was
also, for*a time, editor of the Christian Standard, pub
lished in Philadelphia, Pa.
Of late he had been an associate editor of "The Con
secrated Life " which is indeed the regular successor of
the Guide to Holiness.
He has been an evangelist of the most pronounced type
for many years. Even since passing the "four-score, "
his zeal has been by no means diminished. He preached
from time to time with all his former vigor. He was
one of the original members of the " Ocean Grove As
sociation, " and also of the "National Holiness Associa-

86 ONCE AGAIN.
tion ; " and no one of those noble men stood more
staunchly for the faithful application of the principles
and purposes avowed in the beginning of those move
ments. When this brother was engaged in the business of a
publisher, it was our experience sometimes to be in his
office when he arrived in the morning to enter upon the
duties of the day. It was well understood by all the
employees, that when he came in, everything was to be
immediately put aside, and a gathering at once be had
for prayer for the guidance and blessing of God.
We may be ready to say : ' ' Such a man ought not to
be taken from the earth for there are so few like him. "
But He who knows when the measure of our days on the
earth have accomplished their design, decided to sign his
release ; and on Saturday, Oct. 8th, 1904, he was not for
God had taken him.
Influence is the great factor of our lives ; and the
character of that influence determines the value of those
lives. When influence is what it ought to be, it will live
on for all time, and do its work perhaps even more ef
fectually after we are gone. Let us all pray that we may
" So number our days, as to apply our hearts unto wis
dom ! " Then we shall live to some good purpose ; and
when our bodily powers fail, we shall be remembered
kindly, and our failures and weaknesses be judged char
itably. The writer did not have the privilege of getting to the
funeral services held in the M. E. Church of South
Orange, New Jersey on Wednesday, Oct. 12th. Instead
thereof we were permitted to be in " the Tuesday meet
ing " in New York City on the day preceding. With
this wonderful meeting our departed brother was closely
identified for about all the many years it has existed.

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 87
We had, on the occasion referred to, an impromptu me
morial service ; and many excellent things were spoken
as indicative of Bro. Hughes' great influence during his
life. — ' ' His works follow him. "
One principle purpose in making this minute of this
departed brother is to have an opportunity to say that,
he and some of his experiences are in confirmation of the
evident fact that there needs be a future life to adjust
the inequalities of this.
Bro. Hughes, although so fully given up to God, had
for many years, an almost continued series of bodily and
family afflictions. His children did him honor in their
acceptance of his Saviour, and became very active
Christians in the ministry and in missionary work, at
home and in foreign fields. But sickness and death came
often, and the trials of life were very great.
A Unique Missionary Meeting.
On Sunday, October 23rd, 1904, there was held a
Missionary meeting in the city of Poughkeepsie that is
deserving of more than a passing notice because of its
unusual and deeply impressive features. This meeting
was held under the direction of the Reformed Dutch
Churches of the city, and represented some of the mis
sionary operations of that denomination.
The Reformed Dutch Church was the church of my
mother, in which I was brought up in childhood. Per
haps this had something to do with my inclination to go
to the meeting here noticed.
But I do not think I would have been less attracted to
this Missionary meeting, had it been under the auspices
of any other Christian denomination.
The thing that led me to esteem it such a privilege to
be in the audience on that Sunday afternoon, was the

88 ONCE AGAIN.
announcement that some of the evident fruit of the mis
sion among the aborigines of our Country were to be
on hand, and take part in the exercises. The sins of
this nation against the former occupants of "our fair
heritage " have been so terrible and I have so often heard
the expression that : "The only kind of a good Indian
is a dead one, " that I was eager to look upon and listen
to one of these "red-men" who had really been brought
under the influence of the Gospel and been regenerated
by the power of the Holy Ghost.
There was no argument of the truth of Christianity in
the days of the Apostles, that could compare with what
it did for the individual. When the Scribes and Phari
sees and rulers desired to stop the mission of Peter and
John, they could overcome other difficulties more
easily than to close the eyes of the people to the facts
before them. We read in Acts iv : 14 : "And behold
ing the man which was healed standing with them, they
could say nothing against it. "
We do not propose to intimate that this was the first
time we had the opportunity of looking upon the regen
erating fruits of the Holy Spirit upon formerly sinful
and even heathen men. We have, thank God, wit
nessed these scenes many a time, and rejoiced with many
who have become new creatures in Christ Jesus. What
we are seeking now to do, is to emphasize this kind of
testimony, and to incite the desire, and purpose, to bring
forth more of it to help unbelievers to embrace this same
gospel. Together with the pastors of the churches represented,
there were upon the pulpit platform two Chiefs of the
Comanche nation. These men had not yet given up
their old garb and did not present an attractive outward
appearance to a well dressed audience of a refined city.

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 89
They still clung to their blankets and had their hair in
the old Indian style. But they seemed very sedate, and
deeply interested in the scene before them. Their
names were "Periconic" and "Nahwatz."
With some information from the lady secretary of the
Women's Domestic Missionary Society of the Reformed
Dutch Church, as to the introduction and progress of
this work among the Indians, these "Chiefs" were in
troduced as speakers. It would have been even more
interesting if they could have spoken in English ; but
this they conld not do, and so an interpreter was neces
sary. Perhaps we can do no better now than to quote
freely from the Poughkeepsie Eagle of Monday, Oct.
24th, as follows :
"Nahwatz was the first to speak. He said that he
wished to tell about himself and how he came to adopt
the Christian religion. For many years the Comanches
did not know about the true God, but worshipped others,
chief of whom was Mescal ; and Nahwatz himself did as
his forefathers did. He went with the other Indians to
the place of worship and soon learned to be a leader
among them.
"When the time came for him to send his adopted
daughter to the mission school, he told her she must
learn all she could, but to always remember how she had
been taught to worship. Nahwatz told her that at school
she would learn about the Holy Book of the white man,
but if the missionary should talk to her about Jesus she
was nob to promise anything before consulting him.
The girl made up her mind after talking to one of the
ladies of the mission that she was without hope unless
she embraced Christianity and consequently was bap
tised. When she returned to her home Nahwatz asked
her why she had not consulted him, and the girl said that

90 ONCE AGAIN.
she knew he was not right in his belief. She said we
were traveling different roads which always drew apart
and that my road led to eternal punishment. She said
as long as we were on earth everything was all right,
but the time was coming when we must separate and that
she loved me so much that she didn't want me to be lost
forever. "Nahwatz was much disturbed in mind, but finally de
cided to give up the worship of Mescal and follow the
true God. He was beset by many temptations, and had
a hard fight but finally overcame them. He said that
now he was doing his best to live a good life, and that
he wanted to send his children to school that they might
be better men and women.
"Periconic then arose. In a few words he told how
he, the son of a great chief, had also learned to be a great
leader among his peeple in their religion. One day he
saw Nahwatz, his son, and a missionary, and though at
first he did not care to hear them talk, he finally went to
the missionary and said he was ready to turn away from
his wicked life. About two years ago he was converted,
and now many Indians are giving their hearts to God."
A few such meetings will do more to answer the
question, so often asked : " What is the good of mis
sions ? " than all the arguments and statistics that can be
produced. A Triumphant Death.
Nothing comes more welcome to the Christian Min
ister than to be permitted, at least occasionally, to wit
ness a real triumphant departure, from this world of
sorrow, of one who has been brought to Christ from a
life of sin, and given evidence of the power of Divine
Grace under unusual circumstances and trials.

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 91
Of such a case we desire to record a few things to the
glory of God, in connection with the variety of inci
dents that have gone to make up this chapter on "Fresh
Experiences." About four years, or more, before the date of this
writing, a woman who had already passed through more
experience of pain and surgical treatment than often
comes to mortals quite beyond her years, without yield
ing her heart to God so as to find rest in Him, was kindly
taken to the city of New York under the care of the
members of the Salvation Army to be nursed in hopes
of physical benefit.
While being treated the Holy Spirit attended the re
ligious instruction she received, and she was delivered
out of the snare of the devil and brought into the fold
and family of the Good Shepherd.
She returned to her home a saved woman and ex
pected to enter upon the duties of a wife, although
strangers would have hardly regarded it as possible for
her to accomplish what she so cheerfully intended.
Almost immediately, disease in other forms, came up
on her, and in much suffering she seemed likely to go
down to death, just as she had taken a look with great
courage and expectation into the resumption of life.
About this time the writer was informed of her case
and began a system of visitation that continued with
little intermission until her release on Monday, Oct.
31st, 1904.
This woman possessed the greatest amount of bravery
and willingness to suffer, if she might be useful espec
ially to her husband, of almost anyone known in a long
experience. She got out into the fullness of salvation
and was always most submissive to the will of God.
She endured patiently a measure of physical pain that

92 ONCE AGAIN.
it seems impossible to associate with months and years
of lingering. Yet her days ran on as she lay much of
the time, almost entirely helpless upon her bed, and yet
giving direction to the minutest affairs of her limited
domestic life. So the weary days multiplied into weeks
and the weeks into months and the months into years.
She was the most omnivorous reader I ever knew. She
delighted in the Word and in good books and papers.
She read and retained the matter so as to converse free
ly about it all. She became the distributer of a large
amount of the best literature, and her contributions
will be greatly missed by those whom she so delighted
to serve with what she knew was good.
Religious conversation and exercises were greatly ap
preciated by her ; and when it would not seem that her
feeble condition would admit of it, she had her Chris
tian friends assemble in her room and took part with
them in the songs and testimonies indulged.
Her intelligence was remarkable ; and her appre
hension of the teachings of the Bible fitted her for an
instructor. So she glided along the narrow way that leads to life,
always brighting up at the idea of getting near the
heavenly home
About the middle of October a greater degree of
feebleness indicated the approach of the glad hour. She
sent for the writer to help her rejoice, and to speak of
some desires in connection with the close of our inti
mate Christian association for these recent years. As
we conversed of the Loving Savior, she said He seemed
to be putting His arms about her. The inspired ex
pressions of the Bible were repeated by her as her own.
On Sunday, Oct. 30th, in company with some of her
kindred and friends, we gathered at her bed-side and

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 93
read a considerable selection of scripture passages in
dicative of "victory over death. " These interested her
much and her expressions of approval were constant.-
Then we sang as well as we could :
" My heavenly home is bright and fair ;
Nor pain nor death can enter there ;
Its glittering towers the sun outshine ;
That heavenly mansion shall be mine."
The chorus was :
"I'm going home to die no more."
As we sang the five full verses of the hymn, each fol
lowed with the chorus in all its members, our sister's
countenance beamed with delight, and her eyes sparkled
with the radiance of heavenly health.
It did not seem like a chamber of death, and, I trust
that genuine sincerity and real joy had possession of
all our hearts as we bowed in prayer committing the
departing spirit and ourselves to the Lover of our souls.
The next day, soon after noon, as a babe closes its eyes
to sleep on its mother's breast, this redeemed and sanc
tified one passed into the glorious realities she had so
longed for ; and her sorrows were over.
On Wednesday, Nov. 2nd, a large gathering of neigh
bors and friends assembled with the few relatives who
could be there, in the rooms that had witnessed the suf
ferings and triumphs of this humble subject of a
Saviour's love ; and, under the special direction of the
Salvation Army officers, we indulged in song and prayer
and address, not in the spirit of sadness, but rather of
joyful triumph over death and the grave.
Independent Parish.
This seems a very appropriate place to insert some
mention of a feature of my residence in the City of

94 ONCE AGAIN.
Poughkeepsie that has been helpful to me and, I trust,
has not failed of some good to others.
It need scarcely be a matter of surprise that during
my tabernacling for more than twenty years in this city,
there has sprung up about me a kind of parish. I can
not say, that I have sought this. It has rather came in
the order of Divine providence. It could not have been
otherwise without a resistance in which I would not have
been justified. I have always endeavored not to infringe
upon the prerogatives of any of the regular pastors with
whom I have been so happily associated. I have rather
desired to be an assistant, if I might, and thus help a
little in doing just the work they all are set to engage
in. To be employed in this way seems legitimate to
any and every Christian man or woman who has a love
for Christ's Kingdom.
My parishioners have come from different sources.
Sometimes they have been in whole families who have
became residents of Poughkeepsie after I have held the
office of pastor to them in other places and it was na
tural to renew my calling upon them. Sometimes indi
viduals of such families have particularly attracted my
attention elsewhere, and it was a pleasure to meet them
again. Sometimes I have been specially invited to call
upon some sick member of a household who perhaps was
not being visited by any messenger of the great sal
vation. I would thus become acquainted and feel called
to include such an one in my independent parish. Some
times a member of one of the evangelical churches, to
whom I had formed an attachment in some of the be
nevolent or reformatory societies in which we were
mutually interested in the days of their activity, would
get old and sick and shut in, and would welcome an oc
casional call for conversation and prayer. And oftener,

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 95
perhaps, than from other causes, my parish would be re
cruited by an attendance upon the " Friday -meeting "
that we held first at our house and afterward elsewhere,
off and on, during a succession of years. Of this " Fri
day-meeting " I have written freely in the past. The
way for its unbroken continuance has not always been
open, and is not just now. For some weeks, within the
late months, it was held on Friday evenings at the
"Rescue Mission" in this city through the kind and
urgent invitation of the Superintendent of that work ;
and not without some good fruit.
In this way I have found some profitable employment
for myself ; and, in some cases, it has constituted a kind
of pastoral over-sight that it did not come in the way of
others to perform.
It is not my intention to enter into an extended history
of this delightful work for the possession of which I
have been thankful. I am now writing of ' ' Fresh Ex
periences" and I desire to confine myself to these.
What has led me to introduce this section at all is the
impressive fact that this "independent parish" of mine
has so nearly died out. When absent in the west during
part of the months of Summer, Fall, and Winter of
1903, some of my sick parishioners passed away ; and
one at least, whom I reckoned in the list, and who was
well when I saw her last, was called, quite suddenly, to
depart while abroad visiting friends in other lands.
There were two in particular, from whom I expected
all the time to learn that they had gone hence to the
prepared mansion. I took pains to learn, by cor
respondence, from these frequently. Both of them
continued in the body until my return, and one of the
great privileges upon such return was to get in and see
them as soon as I could. Of one of these I have written

96 ONCE AGAIN.
in the section " A triumphant death. " The other was
a dear " Mother in Israel " who lived on to the advanced
age of nearly 92 years. She was during her active life,
one of 1he most diligent in ministering to the "shut
ins." She had a long list of these, and took her way
among tbem with frequent visits and tokens of her love.
This work she prosecuted until her own physical con
dition put a stop to it and she became a " shut in " her
self. During her long confinement, she delighted in
busying herself in some expressions of regard for those
she could no more get to see. When her eyes had so
failed that her vision was almost gone, her well trained
fingers enabled her to knit useful articles to distribute
among those she loved. Nothing afforded her greater
pleasure than the expressions of appreciation and re
gard that came so often from these noticed friends.
The word of God was her constant stay, and to quote
the passages that were so strong in her support was her
frequent practice in connection with our interviews.
This "Mother in Israel" was a faithful member of
the Washington Street Methodist Church, and dearly
did she love the church of her choice. During our ac
quaintance her beloved pastors came and went as the
changes of the itinerancy took away one and brought
another. Like us all she had her especial regard for some
of these, and for others of her visiting ministers ; but
one aftei another of her " favorites " preceded her to
the future life. Several years since her beloved hus
band was removed by death, and their only son at
an earlier date. So this maturing saint was a lone
widow for a long time.
On Tuesday, Nov. 15th, 1904, her loving and adored
Father decided to take her to Himself, and she fell asleep
so quietly that her attendants could scarcely realize that

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 97
she was here no more. On the following Thursday, I
was honored by an association with her faithful pastor,
Rev. B. C. Warren, D.D., in the conduct of her simple
funeral services, and went from them with a feeling that
another chapter in my own life had closed.
With the death of each of those who have become dear
to me as traveling with me in the road that leads to life
everlasting, I seem to be accumulating treasure in
Heaven. My Independent Parish has not ended ; for
just while writing this, I have had some new accessions.
O that I may respond to every call, that the Master
makes upon me, that I may not be confounded and
confused when my account must be rendered !
A Bunch of Experiences.
Now it seems that this chapter ought to be brought
to a close, but the subject will last while our earthly
days continue. We may all say with reference to "ex
periences " : They are new every morning and fresh
every evening. What they shall be as the days and years
roll rapidly by we know not. Sometimes the form of
approaching changes seems to cast shadows across my
path and, for the time, I am in gloom. But I appropri
ate the unfailing promises of God — especially these —
" My grace is sufficient for thee " and " as thy days so
shall thy strength be, " and I am sustained.
The latter part of November, in the year 1904 was
very fruitful in "experiences" with me. With some
of these I propose to make a formal closing of this chap
ter and leave it there.
W. F. M. S. Once Again.
On the same afternoon that the funeral services of
Mother Morgan occurred, a convention of " The Worn-

98 ONCE AGAIN.
an's Foreign Missionary Society of the Poughkeepsie
district" was held in the chapel of the Trinity Metho
dist Episcopal Church, and I had been invited to offer
some words of welcome to the delegates. This was a
pleasant duty because it enlisted my heart warm with
great consideration for this important and useful organ
ization. The funeral services made me a little late, but
I still had the opportunity to take my part. Some fit
ting points came to my mind to mention in my very
brief address.
First, I welcomed these delegates for the simple
reason that we were glad to see and greet them. It is
always a joy to meet with those who are working with
us in the Master's Kingdom, and traveling with us in
the same narrow way that leads to life everlasting Such
meetings have always the features of Christian pilgrims
coming together to rejoice and gladden each other.
Secondly, I welcomed these sisters because of the
special work in which they are engaged. I have an
enthusiasm for the Woman's Foreign Missionary So
ciety because to me it seems as the strong right arm of
the whole foreign missionary movement without which
it would be comparatively weak. Although heathen
women are degraded, and not honored as Christian wo
men are, yet they are the wives and mothers, and it is
difficult to withstand their influence upon husbands and
children while they remain in superstition and idolatry
H,nd oppose the gospel of Christ. It is to reach these
that this society is organized and exists.
Thirdly, I welcomed this convention on the day and
evening of our "mid-week service" from a spirit of
sanctified selfishness. I believed that the influence
they brought us would be helpful to the spirit of re
vival that our zealous pastor was endeavoring to pro-

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 99
mote by multiplied means of grace. An important
factor in these " means" was the regular prayer meet
ing that came upon this evening. We expected great
things from the address of Miss Jennie Hughes, the
daughter of my dear brother in Christ who had so re
cently left for the heavenlies and who was herself wait
ing joyously to embark as a missionary to China.
This is the outline of my few remarks, and I trust
they meant much more than the words could convey.
The Convention was I believe, in all respects, a success.
Anniversaries and Reunions.
A number of invitations came almost together about
this time to attend and take part in special gatherings
in different places where 1 had in earlier years been as
sociated in the great gospel field.
I desire to record, with much thankfulness, that I was
able to accept all these with one exception. The " ex
ception " was in the case of the locality nearest me. If
I had the attribute of being present in two places at the
same time I would have gone there also.
I was pastor at Highland, directly opposite Pough
keepsie, only temporarily, about 21 years since.
The program for the celebration of the 35th Anni
versary of the rebuilding and dedication of the church
was a very elaborate one, lasting from the 23rd to the
27th of Nov., 1904.
It would have been my delight to have met and min
gled with so many brethren in the ministry who were
announced to take part in the exercises ; and to have
met again any of the people who could have entered in
to the experiences of my brief pastorate ; and to have
enjoyed the many good things provided ; but as I could
not get there, I had to content myself with the expres-

100 ONCE AGAIN.
sion of best wishes, and the satisfaction of reading about
the doings afterwards. Washington Heights Once Again.
One of the invitations I was able to accept came from
my tried friend and brother at Washington Heights,
New York City, and included a cordial expression of
desire to have me in the home, once again, where I had
been so often since the early days of the church enter
prise there. Although suffering with a considerable
cold, I concluded to do what I could to protect myself
and go to this "Jubilee." The occasion was the 37th
Anniversary of the church organization and the com
memoration of the full payment of the mortgage debt
of $15,000 that had been an incubus upon the prosper
ity of the society since its beginning. In Grace Mag
nified I made the mistake of stating that the mortgage
debt was $17,000. This error is here corrected.
On Saturday afternoon, Nov. 19th, I took rapid train
and by close connection with the trolley in 125th street,
I was carried speedily to my destination and installed
in my frequently occupied comfortable room.
My stay in Washington Heights was well and fully
occupied with an almost continued series of meetings
and commingling with friends. On Saturday evening
I had the pleasure of looking in upon the preparations
making at the church for the doing of the morrow, and
of calling upon the popular pastor in the neat parsonage
that did not exist in the days of my service. I was pas
tor of this church during a part of the Conference year
1868 and the whole of the Conference year 1870. So,
as my experience went back 36 of the 37 years of the
history, I was supposed to know something of the facts.
1 was undoubtedly regarded with some curiosity by the

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 101
large number of young people, from children up to
middle nanhood and womanhood who had come into ex
istence since my pastorate.
On Sabbath I had the privilege of attending class
meeting before the public service. Bishop Edward G.
Andrews was the preacher for the morning. He gave
us a most excellent expository sermon upon the text
found in I Timothy i : 5 : " Now the end of the Com
mandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good
conscience and of faith unfeigned." The discourse was
a very careful unfolding of the meaning of this wonder
ful scripture, accompanied bv a most practical applica
tion of all the points made. The Blessed Spirit caused
the truth to be appreciated, and I am sure we all felt
like saying, as 1 made free to say : Thank God for the
glorious Gospel, and for this profitable expository preach
ing! The afternoon was devoted to the Sabbath school of
ficers, teachers and scholars. Effective addresses were
made by the Rev. Doctors Ezra S. Tipple and F. M.
North. The writer was very unexpectedly called
upon for some remarks, and indulged in a few words by
way of petting forth some of the impressions on his mind
of the changes that 36 years had brought about.
In the evening: we had a sermon by Rev. R. J. Cooke
D.D. It was a most faithful and impressive presenta
tion of the case of the young man who came with the
important inquiry to Jesus : "Good Master, what shall
I do to inherit eternal life ?" It /was shown that in
failing to respond to the instructions given, when in
formed of his one essential lack, this young man lost his
chance and went out to be heard of no more, when he
might have been a flaming herald of the cross and the
instrument of the salvation of multitudes.

102 ONCE AGAIN.
The one thing lacking was brought to the consideration
of the neglectful hearts. The congregation listened at
tentively and it is hoped that the sterling truth found
its way to more than one heart and conscience to bring
forth fruit at no distant day. (Just here I may add, by
way of parenthesis, that I had the privilege of hearing
this name minister, at the New York Preachers' meeting
the next morning, read a paper which was a masterly
advocacy of the supreme Divinity of our Lord Jesus
Christ — The God Man. This paper was highly com
mended by the large body present. It was in opposition
to the defective and harmful teaching of this day that
so often fails to place the Saviour of men where he can
hear and answer our prayers and deliver our souls from
the burden and bondage of sin.)
After the sermon on Sunday evening a " Historical
Statement" was made by Bro. E. B. Treat, who has been
closely identified with the church at Washington Heights
from its inception. The remarkable fact came out that
the interest paid upon the indebtness during the many
years of its existence, had amounted to double the
amount of the principal. So that it had taken $45,000
to get this burden out of the way. Due credit was given
to the New York City church extension and missionary
society for their timely and generous aid in lifting this
crushing weight during the years of their friendship.
After the statements of past history and struggles, the
whole officiary were called to the platform, and Bro.
Chas. A. Briggs, President of the board of Trustees,
produced the paper representing the cancelled mortgage
and proceeded to cremate it in a wire cage that had im
prisoned many such documents and witnessed their de
struction when many thousands of troublesome debts
had been extinguished.

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 103
While the flames of this bon-fire ascended, the choir
and congregation lustly sang : ' ' Praise God from whom
all blessings flow ! "
So ended this noted Anniversary occasion. May it
be just the beginning of a most gracious work of the
Lord in this beautiful part of Manhattan Island that
bounds, on the north, the Great City of New York,
with all its serious obstacles to the success of evangel
ical Christianity. Amen !
Pine Plains Once Again.
The next engagement I had made was to be at Pine
Plains, Dutchess Co., N. Y., to attend "The One hun
dreth Anniversary of the first Methodist preaching in
Pine Plains. Also the Sixty-seventh Anniversary of
the dedication of the first Church, and Thirty-third
Anniversary of the dedication of the present church
edifice. "
Pine Plains is about 30 miles north east of Pough
keepsie. To reach there in time I had to return from
New York on Monday after a ride from Washing
ton Heights down town in the rapidly becoming famous,
but recently opened "subway." All this I was enabled
to do.
Some of my readers may remember what has been
published in Grace Magnified as to my appointment
in the Spring of 1854 and so I must not repeat what is
there stated. In that day there were no rail-roads to
Pine PI ains from any direction. Now there are three that
have stations there. On one" of these I took passage,
and was met by the genial pastor and conducted to most
comfortable and hospitable quarters in the center of
the village and near the church. Some parts of this
village have been built up since I was so familiar with

104 ONCE AGAIN.
it, but the main street has changed but little. A walk
through it seemed very like a half century since.
I had but little time for calling, but improved what I
had. In the evening a congregation assembled to listen to
some reminiscences from former pastors. I was much
the older of these pastors and was assigned the first place
in the list of speakers, and occupied all the time it was
proper I should in a narration of " the good old times."
It would be out of place to fill these pages with anything
like a full account of the statements I was led to make.
O, how vividly before my mind came the scenes and
persons of the 50 years since ! I could see myself with my
family, consisting then of wife and two little girls and
two little boys. We had been fortunate enough to bring
with us our servant from New York, but did not keep
her long. So we were brought over the hills from Mil-
lerton, a comparatively new station on the "Harlem
Railroad." The scenery was fine and I was delighted to
get out in the country again.
When we were introduced into the little parsonage we
found a goodly supply of eatables in the "Buttry" (as
the pantry was then called ) which the kind and thought
ful ladies had placed there as a capital on which we could
enter upon house-keeping in this new place. This was
an out-crop of a habit then indulged in by our par
ishioners. A habit that extended to and affected the
farmers as well as the villagers. I was happy to learn,
from the present pastor, that the descendents of these
noble men and women had not forgotten to follow the
example of their fathers and mothers. It was this prac
tice that used to make many country appointments of
greater value, with their small salaries (where these
gifts were not reckoned into the quarterage, ) than some

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 105
of the city appointments with their larger salaries and
heavier expenses.
As I stood on the platform in the church on that eve
ning of the Anniversary, I could see Stewards, Trustees,
Class Leaders and other officials with many others of
their families and members of the congregation in 1854-
56, who were not there, except as represented by a few
who were children then. Now men and women in
middle and later life. There were two present who
might be called notable exceptions. One of these was
the brother who I have always remembered as my kind
and obliging companion, so often, when I rode from Pine
Plains to Jackson's Corner and Ancram on the Sabbath
afternoons to fill the appointments in those places, as the
work was then constituted. The other was an active
young man fifty years since, and was ever ready to show
me attention. He has passed through many of life's ex
periences as the years have come and gone. He rode in
some miles from his farm home on the evening of the
re-union to be present on that interesting occasion. It
was very refreshing to meet these dear brethren again.
The Remembered Revival.
Of all the scenes before my mind at this Anniversary
time, nothing impressed me more deeply than a remem
brance of the great revival with which we were blessed
in this community in the Fall and Winter of 1855. I could
see the faces of many as they appeared then. Some of
these were business men not accustomed to attend church.
Under the awakening influence of the Holy Spirit they
came into the congregation and listened to the mes
sage of salvation. Some of them yielded their hearts to
God and became the openly avowed disciples of Jesus.
I sincerely trust to have some of these for companions

106 ONCE AGAIN.
through the ages of eternity. But alas ! how sad 1 was
made to feel as I thought of others who refused to sub
mit, and rej ected the overtures of love and mercy. These
went on in their lives of sin and the revival season
passed. Where Are These Now ?
The Parsonage.
After the exercises in the church we were all most
generously invited into the new parsonage to continue
the sociabilities and to be served with evidences of the
pains and expense incurred to make this gathering
memorable. The completion of this much needed build
ing was one of the causes for the present Anniversary.
The new parsonage has grown out of the kindness, con
sideration and liberality of all the friends who have
contributed to make Pine Plains a more to be desired
place than ever. It was a pleasure to congregate with
the attendants, and look over the appointments of this
hence to be the commodious home of the pastors who
are so fortunate as to be sent to this part of the vine
yard. The Old Parsonage.
I may as well confess that the place of greatest at
traction to me in getting to this scene of former
labors, was, The old parsonage. I was so glad to learn
that it had not been destroyed. It has been moved back
and turned in behind the church. It will make a good
chapel, Sunday school room, Class rooms and place for
assemblies that may not need the accommodations of the
church audience room. It will be very useful thus.
During the afternoon of Tuesday, I found the door
unlocked and entered this old building with a feeling of
reverence. It seemed that I was visiting a "Home-

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 107
stead " after years of absence. I can scarcely describe
the sensations as I roamed through almost every part of
my old home. I looked into the "living room" and
kitchen where my dear wife in her more youthful days
worked so hard by way of caring faithfully for her
family and entertaining the many visitors that used to
be with us there. I passed up the broad stairway be
tween the side walls with no railing to hold to. I peer
ed into the small room where our whole family found
the best sleeping facilities the house could afford us. I
entered the little room at the end of the hall from
whence the spirit of our dear Sammy took its departure
on Nov. 15th, 1855. Then there was pictured before
me the night, when in the early hours of the approach
ing morning, I reached his bedside, having been sum
moned from New York because of his serious illness.
I could almost hear again the words of the suffering
child when he saw and recognized me. The long and
lonely journey I took with the precious body to New
York and to New Jersey to place it in the old family
vault was all before me.
Then I went down stairs again and passed into what
was our best room and was called our " front parlor. "
Here I saw the sweet little babe (not so very " little "
either ) who came to us on Feb. 21st, 1856, and who
was so welcomed as taking the place of her brother
who had so recently gone away. I can see just how
she looked then. This daughter has remained among
the living and has had her full share of life's trials as
well as experiences. She has been a worker in the Lord's
vineyard since her girlhood, and has gathered some
jewels for the Redeemer's Crown. She is still seeking
to know that she may do the Father's will. I trust she
may always be led safely, and at last, give a joyful ac-

108 ONCE AGAIN.
count of the use made of the full measure of talents
intrusted to her. New Haven Once Again.
Having accomplished my mission in Pine Plains, and
being under engagement to spend "Thanksgiving"
with my son, I took my departure for New Haven,
Conn. Rail road facilities have so multiplied that I learned
there was a way for me to travel without returning to
Poughkeepsie and thence to New York as I had in
tended. On Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 23rd, I bid good bye
to friends and neighborhood and rode over to the depot
of the Central New England Rail Road (now under
the control of the New York and New Haven corpor
ation) and got a through ticket. I went north and east
and south by way of "Boston Corners," and through
my former charge in Salisbury Conn., to Canaan in the
same state. Changing at that point I embarked for
Bridgeport, and then, by close connection, reached New
Haven in better time than if I had left Pine Plains in
the early morning and taken the route I had in mind
before getting the information that guided me.
My visit in New Haven was a very pleasant one. On
the morning of " Thanksgiving " I had the pleasure and
the privilege of listening to an interesting and orignal
discourse in the Center (Congregational) Church de
livered by Rev. Mr. Haynes the comparatively new and
popular pastor of another church of the same denomi
nation on "the Green." The congregation was really
large for the occasion. The sermon was based upon
the text found in John's gospel, chapter 12 and verse
29. It may be remembered that our Lord had lifted

FRESH EXPERIENCES. 109
up his voice and prayed : " Father, glorify thy name."
And the answer had been returned: "I have both
glorified it, and will glorify it again." Then came the
words chosen for a text : "The people therefore that
stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered ; others
said, an angel spake to him. " This very expressive and
remarkable statement was profitably used by the preach
er to show that, We interpret the voice and providences
of God according to our own state of mind.
This thought was made to apply to all the events of
life. Also to our family relations and individual visi
tations. And to our civil and national affairs.
It was a helpful sermon and ought to lead all who
heard it to look carefully into all their surroundings
and associations to discover their meaning and the les
sens they bring. It was shown that we may thus be
come optimistic in the best sense.
On Sunday, Nov. 27th, I attended the same church
with those I was visiting. This is the place of their
regular worship and membership. That morning I
heard a suggestive sermon from the pastor, Dr. New
man Smyth. He chose for his text the impulsive and
eager words of Peter as found in John xiii : 37 , " Peter
said unto him, Lord, why cannot 1 follow thee now ? "
This question, in its connection shows that Jesus was
talking with the disciples about his approaching depar
ture from them when Simon broke in upon the dis
course with the declaration of his own purpose to cleave
to him under all circumstances.
Dr. Smyth's preaching style is as in a soliloquy.
Bible Study.
After the sermon we repaired to the "Chapel" on
Chapel street, to attend "The Business Mens' Bible

110 ONCE AGAIN.
Class." This was of unusual interest to me on that par
ticular day because my son was assigned the place of in
structor, as he took his turn on the program, with others
who are chosen as leaders.
It may be regarded as a weakness, but I care not, when
I confess that such a position upon the part of any of
mine is appreciated more than other distinctions that
come to them. I value everything that is good and use
ful ; but entertain the wish that all other things may be
made subservient to a study of the Bible and a practice
of its precepts.
On Monday afternoon, Nov. 28th, I returned, by rapid
trains, to my place in Poughkeepsie. I met, on the way,
some members of my family who were for the time our
visitors from their home in the west.
Peroration.
Now I force myself to close this chapter. I am full of
gratitude for God's goodness and favor to me and record
here that I have grown stronger, I trust in every way,
since entering upon the record of these experiences, and
am thus led to believe that this work has been assigned
me and that I have the Divine approval. Christmas is
just at hand, and then follows closely the New Year fes
tivities and many other things in the way of extra reli
gious meetings. All these will abound with "Fresh
Experiences." I trust the future historian will have
far more of interest and importance to chronicle than
any of my commonplaces. 1 will not, however, apolo
gize for what I have written, but will now proceed with
other subjects that press upon my mind, that I may com
plete, as well as I can, what it seems has been put upon
me. *********

FRESH EXPERIENCES. Ill
These experiences might have been arranged in classes
and perhaps have made more interesting reading, and a
better looking Chapter. I have run them off chronolog
ically, as they thus, more readily, bring out the variega
ted character of the constant changes that came to us in
the flying weeks and months of our rapidly passing
years. I trust that in the opportunity embraced to
moralize ; and to enlarge upon the suggestions that have
arisen in the course of the narration, no "experience"
has been lessened to its influence.

CHAPTER IV.
Hobbies.
One Websterian definition of Hobby is : "A subject
or plan upon which one is constantly setting off ; a fa
vorite and ever recurring theme of discussion, thought
or effort, that which occupies one's attention unduly, or
to the weariness of others." This pretty fully expresses
the thought of this writer just now, and leads to the
heading of this chapter.
It is not our design here, to denounce heretical doc
trines, and to inveigh against teachings that we believe
to be wrong, but, to show, if we can, that often the most
honest, as well as zealous effort to present the truth,
may and does so react as to not only defeat the purpose
of well meaning advocates, but to really hinder the pro
gress of what might and ought to be a blessing, and win
adherents, in the most desirable sense. To make a
hobby of the best of things is not only a mistake, but a
serious error by whosoever practiced.
All truth is valuable ; but every truth stands so re
lated to some other truth that if an attempt is made to
make it stand alone it often fails to do so ; and brings to
the ground other truths that also are important to be
considered. This seems a real difficult subject to treat
in such a way as not to awaken prejudice that will be
unreasonable. Holiness.
For this writer to say, that even the glorious doctrines
of " scriptural holiness " may be hobbyized will, I doubt
112

HOBBIES. 113
not, cause at least surprise. It may well be asked :
"How can this be ?" I may answer, it is possible to
become so exacting in our views and methods of pre
senting this subject as to render it offensive, and drive
away rather than attract those we desire to influence.
It must be accepted, that different temperaments with
entirely different environments will have different views
of the same subject. No one man can set up his standard
even of the best things, as in all respects the exact plan
and measurements for all others to conform to.
Of course too much must not be conceded here. To
teach holiness and at the same time compromise with sin
in any form will not do. What is clearly a plain viola
tion of God's holy law must be denounced and put away
as a preparation for the consecration essential to our
entrance upon a life of holiness. But, the element of
selfishness must not appear in our efforts to teach the
mind and will of God. To insist that all must see this
doctrine in the same way, and experience it in precisely
the same manner, often makes it a hobby and does not
draw seekers. I like this word seekers more and more.
We often say : ' ' Without holiness no man shall see the
Lord." This is taken from that important passage in
the epistle to the Hebrews at the twelfth chapter and
14th verse. But, like many other quotations of scrip
ture, it ought to be kept in its place and be presented in
its relations. The whole verse brings to us an exhorta
tion to follow after: (r. v. ) and he who does this
honestly and sincerely is im, the way of holiness. Some
of the best specimens of holy men are so modest that
they will always rather speak of themselves as "follow
ing on to know the Lord." This gives force to Paul's
epistle to the Philippians, as particularly found in the
third chapter from the 12th to the 14th verses. "Not

114 ONCE AGAIN.
as though I had already attained, either were already
perfect ; but I follow after, if that I may apprehend,
that for which also 1 am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Brethren I count not myself to have apprehended ; but
this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are be
hind, and reaching forth unto those things which are
before I press toward the mark for the prize of the high
calling of God in Christ Jesus."
Yet it should be noted that Paul speaks of a perfec
tion in the 15th verse that is essential to the state of mind
rehearsed in the foregoing verses. And in the seven
teenth verse he calls attention to himself as worthy of
being marked. Blessed be the man who can thus incite
those around him to the highest possible state of
Christian living ! But let us not become hobbyists.
The Second Corning.
Take the revealed doctrine of Christ's second coming
so clearly taught by the Lord himself, and held forth in
all the ages since as the dearest hope of all His followers.
Do not, so hobbyize this doctrine as to run into fanati
cism ; and profess to know just when he will appear and
all the attendants and purposes of His coming. It is
because so many, at different periods of the world's his
tory, have become wise in their own estimation, beyond
what is revealed on this subject, that the doctrine itself
has been kept in the background by many most sincere
messengers of the new covenant. " Second Adventists "
have almost come to be looked upon as necessarily
fanatics because of their extravagant assertions. Let
us make the belief in the second coming of Christ the in
centive to holy living, but let it not so absorb us as to
detract from the plain and every day duties upon us.

HOBBIES. 115
The Resurrection.
The resurrection of the human body, in some form
and way, seems to me to be plainly taught in the scrip
tures. But to insist upon the most literal acceptance of this
teaching seems hardly possible. Our faith can grasp
the doctrine when we fix it upon the Omnipotence of
God rather than upon the objections of men. (See
Acts xxvi : 8. ) Even Job, a century and a half or
more before the coming of Christ, found comfort in
this doctrine in the midst of his terrible bodily afflic
tions, and when so misunderstood and misjudged by
bis mistaken friends, (See Job xix : 25 - 27. ) This
teaching of the old patriarch the revisionists have sub
stantially left untouched.
But who can get a definition of this revealed truth so
as to meet all minds ? And who does not know that to
insist upon some one view as the only one that can be
considered, simply leads many to drop preaching the
resurrection as a part of the gospel. — And without this
there is no gospel.
Who can explain to satisfaction the meaning of Phil-
ippians in: 21: "Who shall change our vile body,
that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body,
according to the working whereby he is able even to
subdue all things unto himself % " This language is
CHANGED SOME IN THE REVISED VERSION ; BUT IS NOT
improved. Let us rejoice then to preach "Jesus and
the resurrection," as did Paul, ( See Acts xvn : 18 )
but let us not so hobbyize this glorious doctrine as to
attempt to explain its mysteries.
The Sabbath.
Of the doctrine of the Sabbath perhaps this writer
has treated sufficiently in a former work. The same

116 ONCE AGAIN.
may be said of some other subjects which we have no
ticed already.
The only real object of this section, and of all others
given a place in this chapter, is to emphasize the dan
ger of becoming so possessed of particular ideas as to
seek to enforce them upon others and so nullify our use
fulness, when we really mean to increase it. The Jews,
in the days of Jesus upon earth, were not the only peo
ple in danger of making void the laws of God through
traditions. If we are not careful we may be found
condemning others as Sabbath breakers when we our
selves are guilty. The Return of the lews.
From his childhood the writer remembers opinions
advanced as to the literal return of the Jewish people
to Jerusalem and their re-establishment as a separate
nation. From time to time this teaching has been re
vived and pressed as affecting many other events in the
history of this world. What good has come of it?
Why do many of the most intelligent Jews of our day dis
believe all this % Let us seek to Christianize the Jews
and leave their future history to the God of us all.
To be a little more general, we may say ; It is pos
sible for us to advocate particular religious forms and
observances of non-essential matters. Thus we some
times separate and divide the sincere followers of that
which is good when we ought rather to be seeking
union. To make it obligatory for all to embrace views
that the most learned among men have honestly differed
upon, often results in harm. Many of these things seem,
more and more, to this writer as of light texture. Like
the feeble strings of the spider's web, they will break
asunder and disappear in the sun rays of the gospel as

HOBBIES. 117
these penetrate the dark places and shine everywhere
enlightening the minds of men.
Divine Healing.
The teaching of the Divine healing of our bodies from
the numerous attacks of disease has in it much that ought
not to be turned aside as of no value. But perhaps no
matter so often becomes a hobby as this. It often leads
to most unreasonable statements that cannot be sus
tained. That the God who made the body at first, and upon
whom we all depend for life and breath and all things,
can control all diseases and give health to the greatest
sufferers, whensoever He will, needs no stretch of faith
to believe. That He does not do so in many cases ; but
allows the most lengthened suffering, and death at last,
to many of His most faithful followers is a matter of
constant and vainly disputed observation.
The Apostles were commanded to go forth and "heal
the sick, " among the other duties assigned them. But
even they did not always succeed in that line ; nor al
ways practice this great commission. The great Apostle
Paul was evidently endowed, as were the others, with
the power to heal diseases, ( See Acts xxvni : 7-9 and
elswhere ) but he did not always have that power, or, at
least, he did not always seem to have it. He left Trop-
himus at Miletum sick. ( See II Timothy iv : 20. )
In that wonderful description of the nations being
gathered before the Throne as set forth in the 25th chap
ter of Matthew's Gospel, one of the commendations to
those who shall be on the right hand, will be : "I was
sick and ye visited me." When the surprise of those
thus addressed will be expressed, the answer will be: "In
as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these

118 ONCE AGAIN.
my brethren, ye have done it unto me." So it will ap
pear before the assembled multitudes, that Jesus the
final Judge, had his "sick" representatives in this world.
One of the specific and commendatory acts of His fol
lowers is to visit and minister unto them. There is no
Christian duty more Christlike than this, no evidence
of the true spirit of Christianity in the world is more
impressive than the provision made for and exercise of
the offices of humanity, to the sick and suffering
To cry out against the sick as though they were neces
sarily sinners because they are sick, is indeed one of the
most offensive hobbies possible.
This kind of mis judgment caused the mistaken friends
of Job to highly displease God, and made repentance
upon their part necessary in order to forgiveness.
Before leaving this subject ( which the author has al
ready treated much more fully, in his book entitled Grace
Magnified) we feel that we ought to say that, sometimes
God is dishonored when we fail to recognize our need of
and dependence upon Him even while using the best
means in our power to combat disease. We sometimes
make too much dependence upon men and physicians.
This was the sin of King Asa as recorded in II Chronicles
xvi : 12, and is the sin of many. Some even go so far
as to say that when Jesus left this world all his power
to heal the bodies of men was suspended and is no more
exercised. If this is so there can be no greater mockery
than to pray for the recovery of the sick, whether done
in public or in private.
Let us avoid becoming hobbyists, but let us realize
constantly that our bodies, as well as our souls, are em
braced in the great work of redemption, and bestow
upon them all possible care.

HOBBIES. 119

Practices.

It is quite probable that this theme of hobbies needs
a still more careful investigation when we turn our at
tention to>what men do rather than to what they believe.
Of course it is difficult to separate these things and it is
to be feared that but few do as well as they know or be
lieve. But even here there needs much charity and
self investigation.
Perhaps it is impossible to write on this subject and
accomplish the best results.
The writer was approached quite recently with the
inquiry : ' ' Where is that passage found that ' actions
speak louder than words? ' " The inquirer was quite
astonished when imformed that, nowhere in the Bible
does that exact statement occur.
The practices of those who profess discipleship to
Christ are the constant theme of observation and criti
cism ; and it becomes us all to look carefully at our
selves. The apostle Paul inquires, in that remarkable four
teenth chapter to the Romans; "Who art thou that
judgest another man's servant ? " In the beginning of
that same epistle, as appears in the second chapter, it
is asserted ; "Therefore thou art inexcusable, Oman,
whosoever thou art that judgest ; for wherein thou
judgest another, thou condemnest thyself ; for thou
that judgest doest the same things. "
A little further on, in the same chapter, this apostle
inquires; "Thou therefore which teachest another,
teachest thou not thyself ? "
In that wonderful sermon on the mount there fell
from the lips of the immaculate one ; " Judge not, that
ye be not judged. "
The evangelist John in his first general epistle, Chap.

120 ONCE AGAIN.
in: 20 and 21, writes: "If our heart condemn us,
God is greater than our heart and knoweth all things.
Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we
confidence towards God. "
With all this premised, that we may not be uncharit
able, or fail to make allowance for the prejudices of
education, we may notice briefly what may sometimes
be regarded as simply " a hobby." We mean the refer
ence that is made from time to time to the influence of
some habits and practices that many Christian men, and
even ministers sometimes indulge and refuse to abandon.
We might name other things, but incline to particularize
only two, viz : The use of intoxicating beverages, in
any form or degree, and the use of tobacco. Of the
former we need scarcely say, It is so largely abandoned,
and the growing sentiment is so great against it, that
there are but few Christians left who will venture to de
fend the practice. Even in old testament times those
who ministered in holy things were required to separate
themselves from all practices that might in any way
render them unclean or lessen their influence for the
highest and purest services. The cry of Isaiah that seems
to be intended for these gospel days : "Depart ye, de
part ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing;
go ye out of the midst of her ; be ye clean that bear the
vessels of the Lord, " was but a reiteration of God's re
quirements of the Priesthood under the old dispensa
tion. (See Isa. lii : 11 : Lev. xxii : 2, and elsewhere. )
One of the most noted of modern evangelists, and one
whose observation has been very wide, remarked to this
writer awhile since : ' ' Smoking parsons do not have re
vivals. " I hoped then and hope still, that there might be
some exceptions to this expressed rule. The plain word
of God may be accompanied by the power of the Holy

HOBBIES. 121
Ghost, when and where and by whomsoever spoken.
But is there not reason to fear that many an earnest am-
bassor has been, and continues to be, thoroughly hin
dered, as to usefulness, in this day of light and know
ledge, because carrying about with him, in clothing, and
breath, the fumes of the poisonous weed ?
This is written in tenderness of spirit with the recog
nition of the fact that some of these tobacco users are
men of mental strength, and whose spirit far excels many
of those who are free from this particular habit.
But O Brethren, whether in the ministry or laity,
if you, or I, fall into, and fail to abandon, a generally
condemned practice, that lessens our influence with our
generation, and leads any to stand aloof from the em
brace of the gospel we preach to them, it is not a matter
to be lightly considered and put aside in the exercise of
our assumed independence.
All this may be adjudged as the utterances of a
"hobbyist," condemning himself, but God will judge
"righteous judgment."
Perhaps enough, if not too much, has been written on
this subject to accomplish the object sought ; and to help
the spirit of charity, and to invite all the lovers of our
Lord Jesus Christ to engage in a joint effort to win the
world to Him.
When men are found casting out devils in the name
of Jesus it will not do to forbid them, because they do
not join us, and follow in the same path. To his own
master he standeth or falleth.
More and more " Jesus only, " and what He taught,
is the motto that influences this writer. This may lead
to a separate chapter before our Once Again book is
finished.

CHAPTER V.
Human Probation.
Perhaps there is no subject of such stupendous in
terest to all men, as the inquiry; " When and where
and how are the great issues that attach to time, in its
relations to eternity, to be settled ? " This however is
too full and broad an inquiry to be entered, upon by
any finite mind, with the expectation of finding a com
plete answer.
There is no wiser reply to many of the problems in
volved in such an inquiry than the frank acknowledge
ment : " i do not know ! " "It has not been fully re- '
vealed ! " There is enough, however, found in what
has been revealed to make it both wise and safe to raise
the solemn note of warning and entreaty to all the
travelers through this wilderness world, lest by care
lessness or indifference to the voice of tenderness and
love, they rush on to ruin when the promise for safety
and eternal happiness has been abundantly made. It
will scarcely be denied by any that, the readers of the
Bible (which we who write and those who read this
book insist upon is the word of God to men), will find
the danger signal floating at almost every point, indi
cating that care must be exercised, or disaster will result
from a journey through this life.
That the future life is being shaped by the use made
of this seems so clearly taught, or so fully adduced by
a reading of the Bible, that it is surprising that any
should doubt and venture to assert that, " This is not
so ! " Indeed we might almost say that, the instincts

HUMAN PROBATION. 123
of the race are such that it scarcely needs a revelation
to fix this belief in the human mind. There must be
something very wrong when this thought has no influ
ence upon the conduct of men. All exhortation to
make a wise use of this life because of its relation to
what will follow, not only teaches that something will
follow, but that the consequences may be sad if neglect
is indulged.
That man is, " A probationer in time for eternity "
is so generally believed that various expressions have
sprung up and are received with almost the authority
of scripture quotations, even when not found in exact
form anywhere. The frequently quoted expression:
"As death leaves us so judgment will find us," is based
upon the distinct statement found in the epistle to the
Hebrews, 9th chap, and 27 th verse: " It is appointed
unto men, once to die, but after this the judgment."
Also upon the words found in Ecc xi : 3 , " If a tree
fall towards the south, or towards the north, in the
place where the tree falleth, there shall it be." The
labored and far fetched efforts sometimes employed to
do away with these convictions are and must be very
unsatisfactory. There is no argument at all to be based upon the
short period of this life as compared with the endless
ages of the hereafter in the history of any individual.
That is not the question at all. It is rather : What
will be the result of a failure to make a right choice ?
The exhortation found in Ecc. ix: 10 : "Whatsoever
thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might ; for there
is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in
the grave, whither thou goest " indicates plainly that if
the opportunities of this life are not improved, they
cease to exist when this life is over. Or, in other words,

124 ONCE AGAIN.
there is a work assigned us here, that must be done
here, or not done at all. The wise man was inspired to
write: "He that being often reproved hardeneth his
neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without
remedy. ( Prov. xxix : 1.)
When God made man in His moral likeness He en
dowed him with the power of choice, and He has never
taken from him that power. So he has been exhorted
over and over again : ' ' Choose ye whom ye will serve ! "
and every man knows that he has this power whatever
efforts be made to persuade himself otherwise.
The great and gracious God and Father of us all
represents Himself as pleading with the rebellious
among men and urging that they turn from their evil
ways and live and enjoy his favor.
When we come to the New Testament we hear the
¦God man inviting all to come unto him ; but faithfully
telling them who refused : " Ye shall die in your sins :
Whither I go, ye cannot come. " ( See John vin : 21
and 24.) Another Gospel.
The writer once heard a speaker, in a funeral address,
say: "Death isa beginning rather than an ending.
When one dies we say, the end has come ; it would be
truer if we said, the beginning. Death is always a be
ginning, the beginning of better things. "
This speaker afterward published his address and in
such printed document, repeated " O believe me friends,
¦death is a beginning, not an ending ; and always the
beginning of better things" — with the emphasis upon
" always " and " better. "
This being so, death, instead of being an enemy to
man, as represented in the scripture, is, The best friend

HUMAN PROBATION. 125
that can come to the obdurately wicked, though he may
come by the hand of the suicide.
This may seem a strong way of putting the case, but
it seems to the writer as the inevitable and unan
swerable conclusion from the premises. If the conclu
sion is wrong the premises are wrong ; and there is no
escape from the responsibility of such teaching.
I have wondered whether such teaching can have ex
tended so far as to be responsible for the frequency of
self-destruction as it has multiplied in these latter days !
It used to be rare for men in gospel lands to take their
own lives, and a suicide created a horror°and sadness in
the community ; but this is not so any more. '
Some very good Christians admit that if they could
come to believe what was stated in the address refer
red to, they would be led to seek escape from the se
vere trials and afflictions that are upon them. But, to
the man or woman not a Christian, passing through this
world in the midst of disappointments and reverses,
poverty and suffering, until life itself has become a bur
den, this teaching suggests a ready and easy way out of
all into a better condition. It is only to turn on the gas
and lie down to die ; or to jump into the water and
drown, or to take some quickly acting poison, or to put
the pistol at the head and blow out the brains, and enter
upon the better things. Beware ye that teach that all men
have a probation after this life, and that death is " always
the beginning of better things " lest some, hearing this,
neglect the "great (present) salvation " and their blood
be found on your shirts !
Not So Jesus.
If there is any meaning at all to our Lord's teaching
in the parable of "the rich man and Lazarus, " as re-

126 ONCE AGAIN.
lated in Luke's Gospel at the 16th chapter, verses 19-31,
it is, First. — That at the death of these bodies, the man
lives right on.
Secondly. — That the life and conduct here determine
the conditions hereafter.
Thirdly. — That a life of the highest condition of
luxury and ease here, may end in the most abject misery.
Fourthly.— That the lowest and most undesirable con
dition, as to our surroundings here, may at any time, be
exchanged for one of bliss and happiness ; and
Fifthly. — That the proud revellers here, may in vain
desire the service of the most lowly there when it is for
ever too late.
About the most glaring and absurd teaching that can
be indulged in is to say : "All men receive the reward
of their doings in this life. " Or, as it is sometimes put,
" Sinners have their hell here ! "
God, in the exercise of His tender love often makes
"the way of the transgressor hard" that he may be
turned therefrom ; but He quite as often permits men to
defy His efforts to save them, and lets them have their
heaven here.
The Psalmist was no more perplexed than many an
other has been when, considering " the prosperity of the
wicked," He said: "Their eyes stand out with fat
ness." "Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in
the world ; they increase in riches." And there was no
solution of the problem until he " went into the sanctu
ary of God." — Then he "understood their end." (See
Psalm Lxxni : — particularly verses 3, 7, 12, 16-17. ) The
same Psalmist declared : "I have seen the wicked in
great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree,
yet he passed away, and lo, he was not." (See Psalm

H UMA N PROBA TION. 127
xxxvu : 35-36 ) The assurance is given and cannot fail,
that somewhere and somehow, ' ' It shall be well with the
righteous, for they shall eat the fruit of their doings."
And that "It shall be ill with the wicked, for the reward
of his hands shall be given him." ( See Isaiah IH : 10-
11. ) But that this is often not so in this life, needs no
discussion. God's providential dealings with men in this
life, seem often most unequal and not to be understood.
The serious blunder that the three ' ' friends " of Job
made when he was suffering so deeply in body, mind
and estate from the severe visitation that had come up
on him, was an attempt to read the mind of God in the
condition of our bodies and our possessions.
This life is not the period of judgment nor of retri
bution. It is the day of grace and discipline.
The satisfactory explanation of God's permission to
Satan to afflict Job as he did, is found in the illustration
given to the world for all time, of the reward of sterling
integrity persisted in under the most mysterious trials.
Job declared : " Though he slay me yet will I trust in
him ; but I will maintain mine own ways before him."
Satan was vanquished and at last completely over
thrown. So shall it ever be. A good man's ways are
ordered of the Lord ; and though he be permitted to
fall into and under serious troubles he shall be delivered
and come out victorious.
Attention has sometimes been called to the fact that
in the 23rd verse of the wonderful 37th Psalm, the
word "good" has been supplied by the translators. It
is argued from this that if this word had not been in
serted another, and a very different doctrime would
have been taught : It is even more than intimated that
this particular scripture teaches that the steps of all
men are ordered of the LorcK

128 ONCE AGAIN.
This seems to this writer not only as untenable but
most positively unscriptural, for the proof of which
we need not go beyond the verse itself now only par
tially quoted. The other portion of the sentence is
"and he delighteth in his way." Are those to whom
we refer willing to assert that, God delighteth in the
way of the wicked man ?
To us it seems that our translators could not have
performed a better service than to insert this word
"good." It shows that they apprehended the real
meaning as is evident from what immediately follows,
and from the whole trend of the psalm ; and we may
say the entire tenor of the scriptures elsewhere.
The effort to appear zealous for the most literal ren
dering of the Bible sometimes makes very crude reading,
and calls for the exercise of some common sense as well
as learning.
The supplied words of our translators, while not al
ways appearing necessary, are often very helpful, and
cannot be dispensed with altogether and give the best
version of the revealed word. The comments of good
and wise expositors and the marginal readings in our
"Student Bibles" have given us almost all we have
needed for many years to be able to understand the
mind of the spirit as set forth in " the book of books. "
The hearty reception of our "King James'' version"
has furnished food for the souls of vast multitudes who
have lived happily and died gloriously in the centuries
past. This is not to condemn the new versions, so multiply
ing in these latter clays, but only to guard the unwary,
that sometimes wrong impressions may be made, by a
very little matter, and thus the steps of some turned out
of the way. Let us beware ; and make sure that new

HUMAN PROBATION. 129
leaders are always pointing the right way, and let us not
readily give up our faith in what we have believed to be
the fundamentals of our holy Christianity.
Some Important Passages.
Before closing this chapter on Human Probation let
us look at a passage, or two, from both the old and the
new testaments, for the candid consideration of all who
desire to tread the narrow way that leads to life.
In the book of Proverbs chapter 1st, vs. 24-31, it reads:
" Because I have called, and ye have refused ; I have
stretched out my hand, and no man regarded ; but ye
have set at naught all my counsel, and would none of my
reproof : I also will laugh at your calamity : I will
mock when your fear cometh ; when your fear cometh as
desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind;
when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall
they call upon me, but I will not answer ; they shall seek
me early, but they shall not find me ; for that they hated
knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord ;
they would none of my counsel ; they despised all my
reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their
own way, and be filled with their own devices."
These words are quoted from the King James version
and are not modified in the "revised edition." They
are strong and very plain, and it is no part of this
writer's business to even attempt to explain them away.
Very early in the history of the race, God said : ' ' My
spirit shall not always strive with man. "
This warning has, in substance and in fact, been often
repeated as the ages have come and gone.
When we turn to the New Testament and listen to the
Great Teacher, in His direct intercourse with those He
gathered about Him, we hear Him say : "Many will

130 ONCE AGAIN.
say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophe
sied in thy name ? and in thy name have cast out devils?
and in thy name done many wonderful works? And
then will I profess unto them, I never knew you ; de
part from me ye that work iniquity. " These words are
found in Matthew's Gospel in the 7th chapter and vs. 22
and 23 and are part of the wonderful ' ' sermon on the
mount. " They are followed by a showing of what shall
be the result of hearing but not doing, the sayings that
Jesus was then speaking to the multitude, and that
have come down to us just the same as though we
had been in the groups immediately addressed. Indeed
they come to us with even greater force than attended
their deliverance more than 1900 years since.
The element of righteousness ran through all Jesus'
teaching ; and He was careful to show the comparative
responsibility of all. (See and read with care Matthew
xi : 20-24. ) For further enlightenment on this whole
subject consult Luke xiii : 24-30.
There surely is enough in all this and in the specific
teaching of the inspired volume, to lead the poet to say
in the hymn we sometimes sing :
'' Some one will knock when the door is shut."
And to lead us all to solemnly inquire: "Shall you?
Shall I?" Dear reader, let us both, and all, answer,
" No, it shall not be any of us ! "
Let us rather join heartily in the language of invita
tion found in another familiar hymn :
" Now God invites ; how blest the day !
How sweet the gospel's charming sound!
Come sinners, haste, O haste away,
While yet a pardoning God is found. ' '
To those who turn from their sins and accept Christ
as their Saviour and serve God according to their abil-

HUMAN PROBATION. 131
ity, and bear up under the trials that come to them here
the future is bright and blessed. To all such it is dis
tinctly promised : "Be thou faithful unto death and I
will give thee a crown of life." And : "He that shall
endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." But
read Rom. n : 1-11. We will not quote in full. A part
of this is : " Who will render to every man according
to his deeds : To them who by patient continuance in
well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality,
eternal life : But unto them that are contentious, and
do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indig
nation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every
soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of
the Gentile; for there is no respect of persons with
God." "iVo Chance."
But it is often said by our not imaginary opponents :
"Multitudes who come into this world and go hence
have no chance of choice offered them here ; and surely
they must and will have a probation hereafter."
It seems as though those who tlius confidently de
clare, over-look the distinct statement concerning Jesus
as " The light of the world. "
The evangelist John says : ' ' That was the true Light,
which lighteth every man that cometh into the world."
(See John i : 9.) The "revised version" states this
truth even more emphatically when it says: "There
was the true light, even the light which lighteth every
man, coming into the world."
Paul in his 1st epistle to the Corinthians at the 12th
chapter and 7th verse says : "But the manifestation
of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal."
Nor have such seemed to consider the wonderful

132 ONCE AGAIN.
words found in the epistle to the Romans, put in paren
thesis in our King James' version but not by the revis
ers : "For not the hearers of the law are just before
God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. For
when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature
the things contained in the law, these, having not the
law, are a law unto themselves ; which shew the work
of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also
bearing witness, and their thoughts the meanwhile ac
cusing or else excusing one another. (See Rom. n :
13-15.) But it is said : "It would not be right for them who
have not had the gospel in this life to be held account
able for its teachings when called to judgment."
We have need to go back only one verse in that 2nd
chapter to the Romans — even to the 12th, to note with
what care the Holy Ghost sets forth the exact justice
of the whole proceeding. For although there may be
a little obscurity in the language employed, yet we
must concede that the meaning is, There will be no in
justice done and cannot be !
I must believe that somehow and somewhere every
intelligent and immortal soul will have a distinct oppor
tunity to " choose life " and live forever with all that is
thus implied. The when and how must be left for infi
nite wisdom coupled with infinite love to determine.
The Righteous Judge must have it to say to all who are
finally condemned : " /would but ye would not."
Where does it appear that the Great Lawgiver of the
universe has appointed an attorney to defend His ad
ministration ? And if any believe themselves called to
such office, will not the presumption of such a thought
lead all such volunteers, somewhere, and at some time,
to hang their heads in shame at the folly and failure ?

HUMAN PROBATION. 133
Our Duty.
Let us do all in our power to spread the knowledge
of the gospel. For us to express pity for the heathen
and not do what we can to give them the advanta
ges we enjoy, is very much like saying to the hun
gry and naked, " be clothed and fed," while we do
nothing to either cover or feed them. There is no
trust in God that can compare with that which comes
at the end of our best endeavors to obey His man
dates !
It is hardly possible to exalt the love of God too
much, except where it is done at the expense of the
principle of justice. He is perfect m all the attributes
of His nature.
Let those of us who have the gospel rejoice in its
privileges and do what we can to call all men to repent
ance ; and then let us have the fullest confidence that
the God and Father of us all will never be wanting to
recognize us and make us His instruments to spread
the knowlege of His name.
Do not let us by word or deed shut up the Churches,
but rather do all we can to fill them with attentive
hearers. Do not let us disband our missionary societies or
lessen their influence just when the doors of the whole
world are open for the " glad tidings."
Do not let us do less, but always more, for the promo
tion of every reformative movement that is trying to
make the world better.
Do not let us insist that the world is growing worse,
when all the nations are coming more and more under
the influence of Christianity.
Above all things, do not let us attempt to hold God
responsible for the evils that exist ; but let us ever seek

134 ONCE AGAIN.
to be His agents in the more rapid establishment of His
kingdom among men.
And let us all do what we can to induce those around
us to make an immediate decision to listen and obey the
tender invitation of the Christ whose voice comes down
to us in this 20th Century, saying : "Come unto me,
all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give
you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me ;
for I am meek and lowly in heart ; and ye shall find
rest unto your souls."
It has been well said many a time : " Procrastination
is the thief of time and the destroyer of men's souls."
He who neglects to hear, or refuses to obey, has no
warrant for the belief that he will ever hear again.
The nature of sin is to harden the heart against heaven
ly influences. In Ecclesiastes viii : 11, it is written :
' ' Because sentence against an evil work is not execut
ed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is
fully set in them to do evil."
If the Spirit is grieved and driven away the mind is
left in darkness and without help.
We may appropriately introduce here a clipping from
Archbishop Whately, taken from a recent copy of the
Christian Advocate :
"It is a melancholy task for us, the ministers of the
Gospel, to be so often applied to, on the approach of
death, by those who have not prepared for the great
change ; whose seedtime has been delayed till the har
vest. * * * 'Give us of your oil (they seem to say),
for our lamps are going out.'
" The time to prepare for the Lord's coming is now.
" 'Be ye therefore ready,' that you may inherit the
blessing promised to those faithful servants 'whom
the Lord, when he cometh, shall find watching. ' ' For

H UMAN PROBA TION. 1 35
yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so
cometh as a thief in the night. * * * But ye, brethren,
are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you
as a thief. * * * Therefore let us not sleep, as do
others ; but let us watch and be sober.' "
Of how many must it be said, as Jesus said to those
he directly addressed in his day : " Ye will not come
to me, that ye mighf have life."
Let no one, who reads these words, say : "I have
never had a fair chance." tou have it now. Do not.
reject at your peril ! May God help us to not only es
cape the death that never dies ; but to Jay hold on eternal
life. " God gave unto us eternal life, and this life is in his
Son. He that hath the Son hath the life ; he that hath
not the Son of God hath not the life. ' ( I John v : 11-
12 vs. r. v. )
Let me quote once again : " Him that cometh to me
I will in no wise cast out."

CHAPTER VI.
The Sacred Scriptures.
Probably the faith of all denominations of avowed
Christians in the sacred scriptures can scarcely be stated
better than it is found in Articles v and vi, in the Book
of Discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church. So
we transcribe these articles as a preliminary to the pur
poses of this chapter.
Article V: " The Holy Scriptures contain all things
necessary to salvation ; so that whatsoever is not read
therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be re
quired of any man that it should be believed as an arti
cle of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to sal
vation. In the name of the Holy Scriptures we do
understand those canonical books of the Old and New
Testament of whose authority was never any doubt in
the Church. The names of the canonical books are :
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy,
Joshua, Judges, Ruth, The First Book of Samuel, The
Second Book of Samuel, The First Book of Kings, The
Second Book of Kings, The First Book of Chronicles,
The Second Book of Chronicles, The Book of Ezra,
The Book of Nehemiah, The Book of Esther, The Book
of Job, The Psalms, The Proverbs, Ecclesiastes or the
Preacher, Cantica or Song of Solomon, Four Prophets
the Greater, Twelve Prophets the less.
All the Books of the New Testament, as they are com
monly received, we do receive and account canonical."
Article VI : "The Old Testament is not contrary to
136

THE SACRED SCRIPTURES. 137
the New ; for both in the Old and New Testament ever
lasting life is offered to mankind by Christ, who is the
only Mediator between God and man, being both God
and man. Wherefore, they are not to be heard who
feign that the old fathers did look only for transitory
promises. Although the law given from God by Moses
as touching ceremonies and rites doth not bind Chris
tians, nor ought the civil precepts thereof of necessity
be received in any commonwealth ; yet notwithstanding,
no Christian whatsoever is free from the obedience of
the commandments which are called moral."
These words being believed, it must be acknowledged
that there is hardly anything so important as a correct
knowledge of what these books, constituting the Old and
New Testaments, contain ; and no effort to correctly
understand them can be too great. And as our Bibles
are translated from the tongues in which they were origi
nally written, all honest effort, made by sincere and
learned men, to give us the best rendering is to be com
mended and observed ; and this is true into whatsoever
language or dialect these scriptures are translated. No
man can possibly engage in a higher and nobler work
than those who are seeking to multiply the copies into
all languages and dialects, so that all the inhabitants of
the earth can read for themselves the word of God to
them. The miracle of the Pentecost, when all heard in
their own tongue wherein they were born, (See Acts n :
8 ) whether performed in the speakers, or hearers, was
but a type of the will of God in these last days, brought
to pass not by miraculous, but by natural and regular
means and instrumentalities.
It is no purpose of this chapter to take up, or repeat
the unanswered and unanswerable arguments that go to
establish the Divine Authority of these sacred scriptures.

138 ONCE AGAIN.
The fact of their numerous writers widely separated
from each other and in different periods of many hun
dreds and even thousands of years apart, making to
gether a marvelous whole and agreement cannot be put
aside or estimated too highly. The wonderful preser
vation of these books despite the numerous efforts of
wicked men and of those in authority to destroy them,
challenges overthrow. The revelations of science that,
more and more, are confirming the disputed historical
references of the Bible are invaluable.
All these things are well known and understood by all
careful Bible students.
To dispute with infidels, or open unbelievers, is no part
of our present work.
Our object is entirely a different one, viz : To em
phasize such principles that should be observed in
reading the Bible to get the best results and to be saved
from such skeptical suggestions and insinuations that
may often tend to confusion and barmfulness.
One of These Principles.
In Ecc. vn : 29 it is written : " Lo this only have I
found that God made man upright, but they have sought
out many inventions." To observe this conclusion will
help much in reading the Bible.
This is said at the end of a perplexing investigation to
find out "the reason of things." Verse 25 of this same
chapter says : "I applied mine heart to know, and to
search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things,
and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness
and madness."
Allowing these to be the words of Solomon, there
would seem to be an end to the attempt to reason out the
cause of this world's troubles, or, in any way, to make

THE SACRED SCRIPTURES. 139
God the Author of evil. God endowed Solomon with
"a wise and understanding heart," so that there was
none before, or after like unto him ( See I Kings in :
12. )
If Solomon did not write these words, they are still a
part of the sacred record, and conform fully to the
whole trend of revelation. Very Important.
It is of the greatest importance that it be constantly
observed that the promises of God in the sacred scrip
tures, as well as His threatenings ; and also the inspired
writings of the prophets and New Testament admoni
tions and teachings, are all conditioned upon the accept
ance or rejection of men, and upon their obedience, or
disobedience as the case may be.
In illustration of this, will the reader please consider
carefully the statements found in II Chronicles vn : from
the 12th verse to the close of the chapter, giving special
attention to the 16th, 19th and 20th verses. Also, in fur
ther illustration, please examine Ezekiel xviii : from the
20th verse to the 30th. Then look upon one of perhaps
the tenderest scenes to be found in the Bible, and wit
ness Jesus weeping and exclaiming: "O Jerusalem,
Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest
them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have
gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth
her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!"
( Matt, xxin : 37 and Luke xiii : 34. )
Some have lessened the solemn import of the declara
tions following this pathetic statement, viz : ( "Behold
your house is left unto you, desolate. For I say unto
you, ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say :
Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord, '' )

140 ONCE AGAIN.
by concluding that the latter of these words indicate
that the sin of Christ's crucification will be wiped out at
His second coming. How this remarkable idea can be
reached when the preceding context in Matt, xxiii :
verses 31-36 is read, I cannot see. True it is that Jesus
prayed for the active participants in his tortures while
He hung upon the cross, in the ever memorable words :
" Father forgive them for they know not what they do. "
The soldiers and servants engaged in the work of exe
cuting the putting to death of "Jesus of Nazareth, "
were undoubtedly ignorant of his character and nature,
and were only fulfilling the offices assigned them. But
how about those who cried before Pilate : "Crucify him,
crucify him, " and said " His blood be on us, and on our
children? " ( See Mark xv : 13 and 14 and Matt, xxvn :
25.) It was of these that Jesus said to Pilate: "He
that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. " ( John
xix : 11.) Who can say that none of these, still unre
pentant leaders, will be among those who when this same
Jesus shall come in the clouds of heaven with power and
great glory, " shall wail (or mourn) because of Him? "
Of course, the time is coming when "every knee shall
bow, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ
is Lord to the glory of God the Father." But does it
follow that because all enemies shall be overthrown and
brought into submission as conquered, that men's hearts
will be changed, or the consequences of their sins no
more separate them from God and goodness? When
this material universe shall fall into ruin, and God's
great day of reckoning shall have come, there will be
many seeking to hide themselves "from the wrath of
the Lamb ; " and crying to the rocks and mountains to
fall on them, that they may escape from the face of Him
that sitteth on the Throne. ( See Rev. vi : 15-17. )

THE SACRED SCRIPTURES. 141
Meanwhile let us be ambitious to join Paul in saying :
" I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ ; for it is the
power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth ;
to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. " ( Rom. i : 16. )
Let us emphasize the words it and every one that
believeth. I have written thus much in this section of the chapter
on "the sacred scriptures, " which almost seems as
though it should have come in under the chapter on
"Human Probation." But the desire to get the condi
tional character of God's reasoning with men in the re
vealed word, before all minds, in reading the Book of
Books, has seemed to give it its place here. There is a
growing disposition to unduly exalt the love of God at
the expense of His justice ; and this must not be if He is
put before us as of infinite perfections.
God Always Right.
Another principle that should ever be kept in mind,
in reading the scriptures, is, that : God is always the
unchangeable lover of righteousness and hater of all in
iquity. God is identified in many places in the Bible with se
vere inflictions upon men ; but it is always because of
His enemies rising up against Him, and bringing upon
themselves the sorrows and afflictions that came because
of their rebellion. In the unequal contest man must al
ways be the loser. True History.
Then it should always be borne in mind, in reading
the Bible that where it gives history it must be true to
that history. It is an argument in support of its integ
rity that the failings, faults and sins, of some of its most

142 ONCE AGAIN.
prominent characters are portrayed without any attem pt
at justification.
It will not do to conclude that because it is recorded
of Bible characters that they lied at times, or sinned in
other ways, that it is right, or safe, for us to make light
of sin. Not even the most prominent of Bible charac
ters ( aside from Jesus) are our exemplars.
There never has been but one perfect life on earth and
there will never be another.
Rev. Henry Ward Beech er once said : " We must not
go back to Abraham, Isaac or Jacob for our examples
of holy living." He might have included more in the
list. If we take David's life we find that he was an
adulterer and murderer at one time. Back a little
farther we learn that Noah got drunk ; and that Lot fell
into some of the most disgusting crimes.
As we read on however, we have the record of the
deep repentance and plea for pardon and cleansing of
some of these. When we come down to the New Testa
ment we learn that one feature of Christ's mission into
the world was to call sinners to repentance. The scrip
tures show us the power of Divine grace to change the
vilest ( See I Cor. vi : 9-11. )
We must make allowance for the measure of light
enjoyed and for many other influences, and always re
member that God knows the heart and has always
winked at sins committed in times of ignorance that
must be repented of when discovered.
The Mormons justify the practice of polygamy be
cause some of the early fathers, and even some of the
patriarchs were polygamists. The same kind of reason
ing would j ustify drunkenness, adultery and murder. If
God had intended that man should have more than one
wife at a time, He would have applied His own anaes-

THE SACRED SCRIPTURES. 143
thetics more liberally, and have performed a further
work of surgery upon Adam in providing the supply ;
and would have so ordered that the females of the race
should have largely outnumbered the males. He did
none of these things, but instituted the marriage re
lation between one man and one woman in the most
sacred way, as is stated in Genesis u : 24.
Two Distinct Characters.
Two distinct characters are constantly recognized and
commented upon in the Bible. These are spoken of as,
" The righteous and wicked ; " as " Saints and sinners ; "
as "They who love God and they who do not;" as
"Those who come to Jesus and those who refuse."
All teaching is one-sided and misleading that does
not consider this continually.
uThe Scarlet Thread."
There is nothing that makes the reading of the Bible
so dear to those whose hearts become filled with love to
God, as to observe the various methods in which the
plan of human redemption is kept before the reader. Be
ginning in the promise to the first sinning pair, it crops
out through the history of the Jews in their sacrifices ;
and in the predictions of the prophets ; until it is un
folded in the history of the incarnation, birth, life,
death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. And then
it runs on in the fulfillment of the prophesy and prom
ise of the Holy Ghost dispensation.
Thence we are left to wait for the second coming of
the Lord with all its yet unrevealed glory.
Modern Quibblers.
With a desire to correct a kind of quibbling that
sometimes prevails where it ought not, and is calculated

144 ONCE AGAIN.
to only do harm, this section makes mention of a prac
tice that has often distressed the writer ; and that it
seems to us ought not to be continued.
In the days when Christ was on the earth, the Phari
sees, Sadducees, Lawyers and others, often gathered
about him to ask curious questions with the purpose of
"catching Him in His words." It seems there could
have been no other motive in this than to discredit if
possible His wisdom and lessen His influence. He was
able always to answer in such a way as to put these
quibblers to shame and to silence these gainsayers. But
the day of quibbling has not altogether ceased.
Open infidelity hardly makes any show now and sel
dom, if at all, lifts up its voice in our religious assem
blies. There are those however who, while professing
to be Christians, seem sometimes to pride themselves
upon introducing knotty questions that are supposed to
be difficult, if not impossible, of perfectly satisfactory
answers. If infinite wisdom could be imparted to all human
teachers, these questions could always be answered
readily and the questioners forever silenced ; and most
if not all, who hold the responsible place of teachers
in our Sunday schools and Bible classes would find
themselves able to defend the precious word from
harm. What is desired here is : To protest against 'all such
practices. If there are really serious questions that amount to
difficulties, let us quietly and confidentially and private
ly converse about them ; and remember that the Bible
should not be judged by single passages selected here
and there away from their connections ; but rather
should be read and studied, as other books are studied,

THE SACRED SCRIPTURES. 145
as a whole with one part explaining as well as depending
upon all other parts.
It is no reflection upon the Bible to say that, almost
any doctrine, or practice, can be bolstered up by sin
gling out some statement independently of other state
ments elsewhere, or wrongly linked.
The sacred scriptures will be to us just about what
we resolve to make them. If the purpose is, to find
fault, and to look for some error to magnify, we can
easily get into darkness and doubt. But if we study for
heavenly wisdom we will be made wise unto salvation.
The Bible will grow more and more interesting when
read continuously as other books are read ; and over
and over again. It is always new and does not become
stale by repetition. Two Questions Considered.
Having said so much in a general way, upon this dis
position to quibble, may I venture to refer to two
questions that have been heard so many times that it
seems to this writer they ought to be satisfactorily
answered, once for all ?
The first of these questions is : " Where did Cain
get his wife ? " Or, "who was Cain's wife ? "
1 cannot tell how many times my ears have been
greeted with this question, which is evidently supposed
to contain an almost unanswerable problem. This does
not so seem.
I should answer unhesitatingly : All men to get
wives at all at the beginning must have selected of
the "females," however near the kinship might have
been, and then it could not be as intimate as that of
Adam and Eve. Cain probably took for a wife one of his
sistei s ; and by so doing not only did not do wrong, but

146 ONCE AGAIN.
if he were a true and faithful husband was exactly in
God's order. God created man " male and female " and
instituted the holy rite of marriage between them as
male and female. The relationships of brothers and
sisters, and other affinities, did not exist in their
actions in the same way, until, through the licentious
ness of sinners the world became so corrupt, that, some
2,500 years after the first family, God instituted specific
laws among the Israelites to rescue men from shame
less wickedness, and establish a purer people. (Exam
ine the book of Leviticus. )
We need to-day more legislation, both in church and
state, to guard this sacred institution.
When the Pharisees came to Jesus with the questions
about putting away one's wife, he answered them in
a way to settle the whole matter, and put special
stress upon what marriage was in its institution at
the beginning. ( See Matt, xix : 3-9 and also Mark x :
2-9. )
Another question that has been often proposed as
seeming to intimate that there is an inconsistency in that
part of the prayer Jesus taught the disciples, where it
says: "Lead us not into temptation," is: "what
does it mean ? " I have listened to sundry attempts to
answer this question that did not answer it so satisfac
torily but that it came up again in a little while. Is it
not sufficient to say : This cannot mean that we are in
danger of being led into temptation by our Heavenly
Father? Must it not rather be regarded as a specific
prayer for divine leading?
Inasmuch as Our Father knows where the sources of
temptations are, we are all taught to ask Him to lead
ns away from them, and to "deliver us from evil" or
'¦'¦from the evil one.'" (r .v. )

THE SACRED SCRIPTURES. 147
These two questions have been noticed because they
have been so often brought into notice as being particu
larly difficult ones, and in hopes that something might
here be written to help put them aside.
All quibbling, for the sake of quibbling, is harmful.
Let us rather settle in our minds that, we have in the
sacred scriptures a mine of inestimable wealth and dig
earnestly for the gems that enrich. When John the
Baptist came as the forerunner of Christ and as the link
between the Old and New Testaments he said : "The law
was given by Moses, grace and truth came by Jesus
Christ. " Let us always keep this in mind in our study
of the sacred scriptures.
Another Reference to The Lord's Prayer.
The reference to the "Lord's prayer " that we have
already made, leads to the passing observation, that it
would be well if all Christians and Christian congrega
tions could fix upon the same form of words in the use
of this prayer, and thus be in more perfect harmony.
Some of us say: "Forgive us our trespasses," and
others say : "Forgive us our debts." The latter form
is quite zealously insisted upon by some because the ren
dering is so in Matthew's gospel. We prefer the former
because it seems to us, that it more perfectly explains,
in that word "trespasses," the meaning. This seems to
be made plain by our Lord himself in the 14th and 15th
verses of that 6th chapter in Matthew, immediately fol
lowing the form in which the word "debts" is em
ployed. It is a little thing, and because so little, might
we not all fix upon our Lord's explanation, and be in
harmony ? The word " debts " has a kind of commercial
meaning now ; and probably none of us mean that when
we repeat the Lord's prayer.

148 ONCE AGAIN.
But if we cannot agree in everything let us "agree to
disagree " in what is not an essential matter.
All Prayer.
In attempting to suggest some helps to the study
of the scriptures we would make a great omission, if we
failed to urge the importance of prayer for Divine en
lightenment. Nothing can take the place of this, or
atone for its neglect.
Is it asked : What is prayer ? We may answer that
James Montgomery has beautifully expressed the reply
in his hymn we so love to sing :
1 ' Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,
Uttered or unexpressed ;
The motion of a hidden fire
That trembles in the breast.
Prayer is the simplest form of speech
That infant lips can try :
Prayer the sublimest strains that reach
The Majesty on high."
There is more of this hymn but these verses bring the
definition to us very helpfully.
To put it in prose : Prayer does not always consist in
the utterance of words, unless the words express the
real longing of the heart to know God and the things of
God ; and to get from Him a fulfillment of His will as
expressed in His word.
But it is sometimes asked : " What good is prayer ?
Can it change the mind of God, and make anything dif
ferent from what it would otherwise be? " We answer:
Yes ! It always changes the mind of God when it
changes our attitude towards Him. When will we ever
get out of the old metaphysical muddle between the at
tributes of God and His acts? God knows everything —
even the end from the beginning ; but He has ordained

THE SACRED SCRIPTURES- 149
prayer, and is exercised in His dealings with us just in
proportion to our estimate of the privileges of making
our wants and wishes known to Him in submission to
His wisdom and will. The declaration in James, chap
ter 4 and verse 2 : "Ye have not, because ye ask not, ' '
has no meaning or force at all except it is the purpose of
God to give us, when we ask aright and to withhold when
we refuse to ask.
To indulge in a little poetry again, we may say that
the facts of sacred history, justify the strong words of
Charles Wesley when he writes :
''O wondrous power of faithful prayer !
What tongue can tell the almighty grace ?
God's hands or bound or open are,
As Moses or Elijah prays ;
Let Moses in the spirit groan,
And God cries out, Let me alone ! "
This was illustrated over and over again in the history
of the Israelites both in Egypt, in the wilderness, and
afterwards, when their backsliding led to the Divine
threatenings ; and when, in answer to the prayers of
God's prophets, His anger was turned away and His
mercies exercised.
The case of the Ninevites, as related in the book of
Jonah, is in point as to the averting of national calami
ties in answer to prayer.
The prayer of Jabez as related in I Chronicles iv : 9
has often been referred to as a model, and is worthy of
being quoted here, as embracing both temporal and spir
itual things, and the assurance that he was heard and
answered: "Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed,
and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with
me ; and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it
may not grieve me ! " This is the prayer, but it is added

150 ONCE AGAIN.
in the record: "God granted him that which he re
quested." Surely then no prayer can be of greater value to us,
in an endeavor to know the scriptures than this : Oh
God open Thou mine understanding ! The answer to
this prayer is often more to us than all human teachers
and commentators. These have their great use, but
some of their best thoughts come in answer to their own
prayers, or in listening to the inspired testimony of some
simple and humble disciple who has been taught of God.
Human leaders are fallible, but if we are really taught
of the Lord we will be always taught aright.
A recent writer in one of our religious magazines, in
commenting upon Jesus' words in Matthew vn : 8 :
"Every one that asketh receiveth, " made the points,
First — "He receiveth something."
Secondly — "He receiveth good things."
This was based upon the strong query found in the
1 1th verse of the 7th chapter of Matthew : " If ye then
being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your chil
dren, how much more shall your Father which is in
heaven give good things to them that ask him? " The
other point made by the writer referred to, was :
Thirdly — " He shall receive the very things he needs."
This was established by the assurance contained in the
words found in Matthew 6th chapter and 8th verse :
"Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of."
These are all good points.
I admit, and like to repeat : The highest form of
prayer is communion with God. But this also em
braces the sweet idea of asking and receiving. Jesus'
prayer as found in John xvii was communion, but it
was also supplication, and we are to-day rejoicing in its
answer.

CHAPTER VII.
Jesus Only.
I want to write a short chapter under this heading be
cause I believe it is the key to all real and genuine Chris
tian union, and has in it the fulfillment of the prediction
found in Isa. xi: 9, when " the earth shall be full of the
knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea."
When Jesus took Peter, James and John, into the
mountain and was transfigured before them, and when
Moses and Elijah appeared upon the scene, the disciples
became so diverted that they were in danger of losing
the benefit of the lessons they were there to learn. They
were inclined to give equal attention to the old worthies
as to the Master himself. Peter said : "Let us make
three tabernacles ; one for thee and one for Moses and
one for Elijah." Just then a "cloud overshadowed
them," and obscured their vision, and a voice out of
the cloud said : "This is my beloved Son, in whom I
am well pleased ; hear ye Him." They were aroused
from their wanderings and saw Jesus Only.
It seems to me that that wonderful display with its
lessons, has in it much of great value to us in this day.
It has not only been true in past ages, but it is especi
ally true now : That other teachers may attract us away
from the person and words of Jesus. Jesus' ministry
upon the earth was short and His words were few. But
it seems to me that His words were so comprehensive
that the study of them cannot be exhausted. This makes
of special interest the copies of the New Testament that
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152 ONCE AGAIN.
mark and thus emphasize these words. It is the fact
that all Jesus did and said was so capable of expansion
that John was led to end his gospel with the remarkable
statement: " There are also many other things which
Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every
one, I suppose that even the world itself could not con
tain the books that should be written? "
One thing is certain, that Jesus took particular pains
to caution against the coming of false teachers when He
said : ' ' There shall arise false Christs and false proph
ets ! " and it would seem that this prophesy is being ful
filled in our day. But we are safe if we keep to the
words of Jesus, and remember that He said concerning
them: "They are spirit, and they are life." What
ever leads us to study Him, in His sayings and doings,
more carefully, is valuable ; and whatever diverts is
harmful. The time is drawing on when all forms of
religious systems, and all other leaders must bow to Him
who is Lord of all.
The epistle to the Hebrews opens with this declara
tion : " God, who at sundry times, and in divers man
ners spake in times past unto the fathers by the proph
ets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son,
whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom
also He made the worlds."
These thoughts may be somewhat crude and not well
expressed, but I have a profound conviction that we are
in danger of drifting away from the source of all power
if we fail to stamp the motto on our minds that " Jesus
Only" is sufficient for us all, and that the world is not
so much to be brought to any form of opinions as to lis
ten, with open ears, and to obey with ready feet, the
words left on record as falling from His lips. ( See
Matt, vii: 24-27.)

JESUS ONLY. 153
When the Jews boasted that they were "Moses' dis
ciples, "Jesus said to them: "Had ye believed Moses,
ye would have believed me ; for he wrote of me."
All religious truth worth attention must center in
Jesus and his teachings ! All religious teachers of all
ages, must go down before His authority ! Not only
Confucius and Buddha and Mohammed, with all their
followers, will some day have to own him " Lord of all, "
but everything in any system, that attempts to shade His
glory must some day be found to be false and to be
abandoned. These desultory observations will have more point
when I say, It must be " Jesus Only " because He alone
can meet the world's needs. The soul of man is longing
after the rest and peace that Jesus only brings. The
heathen cannot find in their most careful and exacting
and wearisome observances, what the acceptance of Jesus
brings them at once. The illustrations in support of
this might be multiplied by the thousands and ten thou
sands, and indeed might be extended to the experience
of every genuinely regenerated soul.
Bible Society Record.
There comes to hand just as I am considering this sub
ject, the number for December 1904, of the organ of
the American Bible Society. It contains several things,
that bear so directly upon what I am trying to write
about, that I yield to the suggestion to appropriate some
of these things, and thus help in circulating them and
giving them permanency. From a sermon preached by
the Rev. Canon H. Henley Hanson there is quoted :
"The Gospels contain the record of the perfect human
life ; * * men see the lines of their duty, not in cold
rigid statute, but in a winning personality. Jesus

154 ONCE AGAIN.
Christ stands before them in His purity, His strength,
His tenderness, His sorrow ; and men perforce confess
the majesty of His character, and the authority of His
example. Think what it means that in an age when
men's minds are fired and debased by sordid dreams of
materialism, when the strain of domestic strife grows
daily more severe, and the madness of oppression stirs
in many crushed and blighted spirits, there should al
ways and everywhere be this pattern of Jesus sustained
before the people. * * * When the mind of Christ
has really been communicated to the Church, and His
spirit controls the relations of Christians with one an
other, then indeed, we shall see things justly, and get
the better of our prejudices, and rise superior to our
traditions of conflict."
In an address by a missionary in Syria we find these
words : "We do not come primarily to make Moslems
better men or better Moslems. Lf they do (become so)
we may be thankful, even if they do not become Chris
tians. But we come to win Moslems to a saving faith
in Christ, and to secure their reformation by their union
with Him. * * Christianity is the entire scheme of re
demption as found in the Bible, from the lamb slain be
fore the foundation of the world to the lamb at the mar
riage supper."
In an account given of the recent conversion of a
Buddhist priest, in Japan, there appears the following
testimony from him: "Many years I have longed
for peace, but I could not find it in the teachings of
Buddha. I do thank God for what I have found since
Christ has pardoned all my sins and accepted me as
his child. What a blessed thing this is ! I cannot
describe it to you. It passes all comprehension by
those who have it not. You can never know what it is

JESUS ONLY. 155
until your sins have been washed away in the blood of
Christ." But of all the interesting things in this interesting
paper, there was nothing that seemed more worthy of
being noted than the record of a Sunday School in the
city of Boston, where the study of the Bible is made in
such a way that its teachings concerning Christ is the
truth made most prominent ; and the scholars are drilled
in committing the passages bearing upon His nature, life
and offices. The program of one of the public exercises
of this school is published, and it is stated that, without
the usual methods of interesting audiences, it is found
that this means of bringing out the history of Jesus is
most intensely attractive. The following are some of
the questions proposed on the particular occasion men
tioned: "Is Christ our Good Shepherd?"
"Would Christ gather us all into one fold? "
" Does Christ care for the lost sheep? "
" Does Christ give us promise of immortal hope? "
"How does Christ comfort us in trouble? "
"What does Christ bid us do if we love Him? "
" In whose name shall we be saved? "
"Can we claim Christ for our brother? "
" Does Christ care for us in peril? "
These questions were assigned to different classes and
the answers were in scripture quotations from various
parts of the Bible. In this way Jesus as the one " alto
gether lovely" is fixed in the mind of childhood and
comes to fill the mental vision.
If in quoting thus freely from the " Bible Society Re
cord " 1 may turn the attention of some of my readers
to the great and important institution of the American
Bible Society, as one of the most efficient agencies in

156 ONCE AGAIN.
bringing this world to Christ, I am sure I need not
apologize. Our Real Desire.
The one thought that led to this chapter may be indi
cated in the question : "Is there not a danger of losing
sight of Jesus' person, so that we fail to meditate upon
His words as we ought, if we get infatuated with any
merely human teachers ? "
John Calvin and John Wesley were good and great
men in their day. So were Jonathan Edwards and
George Whitefield and many others that will occur to
us all. But if we put any of their teachings before us
so that we do not give the attention we ought to Jesus'
words, we will lose instead of gaining.
And if this is true, what becomes of those who are
being carried away by some of the new cults where the
"founders" are evidently studied more carefully, and
esteemed more highly, and preached more constantly,
than He who is the Lord and maker of us all ?
What makes such books as "In His Steps" and the
" Pansy " putting of " Yesterdays Framed in To-day, "
and such like, of interest and valuable, is the fixing at
tention on ' ' Jesus Only. "
There is no danger of our making too much of Him !
There is danger of our making too much of any one
else ! ' ' Hasten mortals, to adore Him ;
Learn His name and taste His joy ;
Till in heaven ye sing before Him,
Glory be to God most high ! "

CHAPTER VHI.
TEMPERANCE.
This word "temperance" ought to be so obsolete, in
its relation to the use of intoxicating beverages, that
it be banished from our vocabulary when talking, or
writing on that subject. We all know that the com
mon meaning of the word is : " Moderation in the in
dulgence of appetite." The time was when a man
might be called a temperance man though he used, in
moderation, intoxicating drinks. That time has passed !
The poisonous nature of alcohol, and the work of
desolation and death that it is constantly working in
our land, precludes the propriety of calling any man " a
temperance man " who indulges at all in any of the
beverages that contain the deadly drug. The state
ment that the word "temperance" should now mean,
" A moderate use of that which is healthful, and an en
tire abstinence from that which is known to be hurtful, "
is the only consistant signification of this term.
We have written heretofore so fully in opposition to
the drinking habits that prevail, alas so fearfully among
us ; and so decidedly in support of the effort to banish
these habits, or to materially lessen them by legislation
against the traffic in the death dealing agency, that
it is difficult to know how a profitable chapter can be
inserted in this effort to "once again" use what influence
we have, or can gain, to arrest the desolating tide.
Despite all the time and talent and money spent by con
scientious men and self-sacrificing women, to counteract
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158 ONCE AGAIN.
the rising waves that threaten to inundate this fair land
of ours, and sweep it out of existence under the curse
of God, we learn, from those who study statistics, that
the ratio of drinkers, to the population, grows greater
instead of less. Then it has been frequently set forth of
late, by speakers on this evil, that the sad fact is now
apparent that females, in much larger numbers than in
former years, are becoming drinkers of intoxicants in
the form of wines and cordials, both in their social
gatherings and in their individual practice.
This writer does not like to believe these state
ments, and always hopes that there is some mistake.
There is one thing that I am inclined to notice, and
that is, a hesitation upon the part of many to speak out
their opposition to what they will admit, in private
conversation, is without excuse. This is particularly
true of those who hold official relations to us in muni
cipal, state and general government.
A few years since the great political parties would,
in some way, indicate their knowledge of the existence
of the drink evil ; but they have now come to choose
perfect silence in their platforms.
Does it follow, that this is a discouragement ? I trow
not ! It is my belief that the evils of the liquor traffic,
and the horrible results of drinking intoxicants, are
becoming so glaring that even unprincipled politicians
prefer to say nothing rather than to say what fastens
upon them a disposition to excuse and uphold. This is
hopeful ! Sometimes we can find encouragement in
strange ways when we believe that God is working out
His plans ; and that men are beginning to fear before
Him. Although there was by far too much drinking at the
great political conventions of the year 1904 when the

TEMPERANCE. 159
presidential candidates were nominated and ticketg
framed, yet it seems to me that too little notice was
taken of the published statements that drinking pre
vailed less, at both the republican and democratic
nominating gatherings than in former recent years. It
was freely stated that the extensive arrangements of
the saloonists, for a big and profitable business, were not
patronized according to expectations. That the money
profits fell far short of former times, and resulted in
the open complaints of those most immediately inter
ested. This may be only "a straw /" but the old adage
still holds good: "Straws show which way the wind
blows !"
Then compare the public spirit of the campaign of
1904 with that of 1884 in relation to the Prohibition
question. In the twenty years past we may easily note
a great difference in the disposition to give respectful at
tention to the advocates for the overthrow of the liquor
traffic. I do not say that this is altogether confined
as to the speakers in support of the Prohibition party,
but that it is true of the genuine, out and out denuncia
tion of the saloon, and the authorized protection of the
whole abominable business of dealing in intoxicants. .
The Rev. Dr. Swallow, the presidential candidate of
the Prohibition Party, was given a very respectful
hearing in the Presbyterian Church of the city of
Poughkeepsie, N. Y. , on Monday evening, October 17th,
1904, as he faithfully set forth the distinct issue pre
sented by that party for the suffrages of the voters. In
the course of his address Dr. Swallow related how kindly
he was being received everywhere ; and how many re
quests were being made by editors and publishers of our
best periodicals for the facts relating to the cause he was
advocating.

160 ONCE AGAIN.
On the very next evening the Rev. Dr. L. A. Banks,
one of the prominent ministers of the Methodist Epis
copal Church, addressed a large and intelligent audience,
in the First Reformed Dutch Church in the same city of
Poughkeepsie, on the horrors of drunkenness and the
deadly work of the liquor traffic. In this address Dr.
Banks brought out the startling fact that, if five great
battles, with the terrible slaughter of 20,000 or more
men in each of them, as had recently been fought be
tween the Russians and Japanese, had taken place with
in the bounds of these United States, the number of
slain would not have been more than the victims of
drunkenness in this Republic within the past year. He
also, most earnestly, depicted the horrors accompanying
this work of strong drink — surpassing all the horrors of
war with all its terrible results — making fiends and mur
derers of husbands and fathers, and bringing upon thou
sands of mothers, wives and children a condition worse
than death in any form.
Now I know that the reason we cannot find much
comfort in rehearsing these things, is that we stand as
tonished at the indifference of multitudes who do not
and cannot deny the facts, but are not moved to action
to stay the results.
But the only point sought to be made just here, is,
that these men would not have been invited, or even
tolerated in these churches to make their disclosures in
recent years as now. The public mind became stirred
on this subject in the active campaign of 20 years since.
The Prohibitionists were then denounced, persecuted
and hated. But all this opposition is dying away, and
there is a disposition to listen and weigh reasonable
arguments. No one knows better than this writer where the defect

TEMPERANCE. 161
in all this reasoning lies, but the object is to make re
cord of the facts of history, and to get, from them, all
the encouragement possible.
We have just passed through a presidential cam
paign of which much might be written that had better
be kept out of sight. It has ended by a most remark
able decision so emphatically expressed that it has al
most the effect of the Master's voice, when He said to
the angry waves of Galilee : " Peace be still ! " As to
this outcome perhaps no words can more fully explain
it than those of Dr. J. M. Buckley, the editor of the
Christian Advocate when he says : " The people
knowing Mr. Roosevelt so well have elected him because
they preferred him and his party to any other of the
seven candidates and his party. This is the length,
breadth, height, and depth of the whole matter."
A storm of personal and disgraceful vituperation
prevailed that seemed likely to involve the whole nation
in the bitterness of permanent animosities ; but it has
quickly and we trust forever, subsided. The effort was
made, it seems for the first time in the same way in our
national history, to make the voters believe that one
more than the other of the candidates of the two great
parties was honest, and could be really and safely trusted
in the high position to which his party and friends de
sired to place him. The shame was that to counteract
the hitherto good name for integrity of both candidates
the unblushing policy of belittling and defaming was
resorted to.
Well, thank God, that is all over ; and it is believed
that the defeated and successful candidates will both de
cide to be friends again as in former years, and call
" all things fair in politics" — which nevertheless is our
disgrace.

162 ONCE AGAIN.
The reader of this may well inquire : " What has all
this to do with your subject of Temperance? " We
answer : Just this, that the methods of politicians are
to a great degree Intemperate. This spirit is so catchy
that it is likely to get hold upon political speakers of all
parties, and is always shameful.
The question that most interests us now is : What
has been gained, or lost, to the real cause of Temper
ance ? By which we mean, the cause of the prohibition
of the liquor traffic.
It must be answered at this writing. It is difficult to
tell 1 What has been done, is that this question has had
a quiet and yet vigorous discussion, and has had more
hearers and a more respectful hearing according to the
testimony of many than perhaps ever before. This
sowing must somewhere and sometime produce a harvest.
The most telling thing that Dr. Swallow said, in
our estimation, was that when President Roosevelt
was petitioned, by a large number of signers, through
the instrumentality of a prominent and consistent cham
pion of Prohibition, to make some mention of the evils
of the liquor traffic in his message to Congress, he
utterly failed so to do. This is but an illustration of
the influence of the liquor power upon office holders
and candidates for election, as quoted from the Method
ist Discipline on page 89 of the book entitled A Few
More Words, and so not repeated here.
It is incidents like this, and the declarations that
"prominent distillers and brewers are among the ad
visers and confidants of our Presidents, " when, coming
to be known by our Christian voters, will tell upon
men of conscience, and lead yet to the change of senti
ment that will some day, show itself at the ballot box.
I am free to say that my estimate of President Roose-

TEMPERANCE. 163
velt's character and temperament and desire to do right
leads me to hope ( if I dare not say expect ) that, being
now elected to this high office by so decided a vote, and
having, at once, taken special pains to say, that this is
his last term, his strenuousness and inward conviction
of the awful nature of the licensed traffic in intoxicants,
will result in giving his great influence to some means
in the line of a Constitutional Amendment, that will
be accepted, and result in the gradual abolition of this
abominable wickedness.
Perhaps I am too optimistic ; but I would rather be
so than on the other extreme.
A movement is on foot to memorialize congress in this
direction from which great and successful results may
be hoped.
I may not live to rejoice in such an outcome but it
gives me some joy, in advance, to encourage such an ef
fort to do something. This, and the renewed circula
tion of the total abstinence pledge in our schools ( Sun
day schools as well as others, ) academies and colleges
have great promise in them, and will secure the co-oper
ation of multitudes who are too afraid of the success of
"the other fellows " to give their vote anywhere else
than to " their party."
That the principle of Prohibition is growing, and
spreading in the minds of men, there can be no ques
tion. Ex-Governor St. John who ran as presidential candi
date on the prohibition party ticket in 1884, did some
very excellent work for the same party in the canvass
of 1904. In one of his speeches he said :
" The Prohibition party proposes to blot out every
distillery, brewery, and saloon in this country. 1
would like to ask if there is one here to-night who

164 ONCE AGAIN.
would be injured by that ? Would it make your wives
sleep sounder if you knew the saloons were to be kept
running wide open ? Would your nights be more rest
ful if the boys continued to stay out late ? Can you
call to mind a single human being that was ever made
better by the use of intoxicating drinks? * * While you're
thinking about it I want to say that there are thousands
and tens of thousands of men who have gone down to
drunkards' graves under the influence of the liquor
traffic. You may say, 'My boys don't drink.1 Yes,
but your neighbor's boys do. * * For every dollar our
government receives from the liquor traffic as license,
we spend seventeen dollars in prosecuting the criminals
and endeavoring to suppress the crime which is the
direct outgrowth of the business. "
To all this thousands of other people than the Prohi
bition Party voters say ; ' ' That is all right ! " " BUT. ' '
Ocean Grove Sentiment.
One of the gratifications of my stay in Ocean Grove
during the summer of 1904, of which I have written so
freely elsewhere, was the pleasure of listening to Bishop
Fitzgerald, the President of the Ocean Grove Associa
tion; in an address he gave one afternoon in Asbury
Park, at a convention of Prohibitionists. He there, in
a sensible, practical and unanswerable way, brought
encouragement to the workers for the overthrow of the
licensed liquor traffic.
One of our new bishops, who is President of the
National Anti-Saloon League, in a sermon in the great
Auditorium in Ocean Grove quoted Abraham Lincoln's
declaration, to his own temporary overthrow some
years before his election as President : ' ' This nation
cannot continue to exist, half slave and half free ! "

TEMPERANCE. 165
We all know what a place the great Lincoln had in the
fulfillment of this prediction.
The bishop to whom we now refer, said in substance,
if not in exact words : "No more can this nation con
tinue to exist, half drunk and half sober ! " This he
illustrated by the overthrow of other nations when they
incurred the Divine displeasure.
The teacher of the great Bible class at Ocean Grove
during the summer of which I am now writing, was
most outspoken in his occasional remarks, clearly indi
cating his profound opinion as to the liquor curse.
So although old party politics still controls many
who are managers of that highly spiritual community,
yet some of its most respected and influential leaders
are right in their opinions and actions. This must tell
sooner or later upon the whole people there gathering.
The right must somewhere and sometime, and somehow
prevail. "The saloon must go!" say the church people.
"The saloon must go !" say thousands of other people.
We naturally inquire When ? and How ? Of course this
sentiment must be focalized.
No less a personage than General Nelson A. Miles is
reported as saying recently :
"The temperance people of this country, if they
would get together, could elect the President of the
United States, and break off the partnership between
the government and the saloon."
So it is constantly asserted. How many believe it ?
and when will it be done ?
Some Quotations.
Not because these views are new ; but because we
find them strongly and pretty fully expressed by some

166 ONCE AGAIN.
articles in one of our most excellent religious journals,
we appropriate and quote.
One of these writers said :
" I am opposed to the saloon because it is the nesting
place of crime. The saloon breeds crime. It is where
criminal plots are concocted. It is where fights and
murders are committed. It is where the scarlet woman
resorts for patronage. It is where the police are most
ly needed. It is where officers of the law go when wish
ing to ferret out some criminal. It is where men are
robbed of their money.
The saloon is the mother of corrupt politicians. Why
have we so many officers in our city government that
are vile and incompetent ? Simply because they are
made by the saloons. The saloon is the debaucher of
youth. Boys are debauched and ruined, both for time
and eternity every generation. They resort to all
sorts of tricks to get them — music, games, free lunch,
theatricals, and some have their hired henchmen who
seduce the school boys into their dens and get them
started to perdition.
The saloon is a destroyer of home. Thousands of
homes are wrecked because of this hideous monster.
It transforms the husband into a vagrant. It takes a
skilled workman and ruins his ability. It takes away
his ambition. It leaves him a pauper. It transforms
the husband and father into a fiend. Into how many
homes do you think each night there reels a drunken,
swearing man, who, with kicks and curses abuses wife
and children ?
What good is the saloon ? Brewers say it is the poor
man's club. Yes, and as long as he patronizes it he
will remain a poor man. It truly is a poor man's club.
In fact, it causes him to use a club on his wife and chil-

TEMPERANCE. 167
dren, driving them from home and shelter at the mid
night hour.
It is a place where rude and coarse jests are made ;
where iniquity is the topic of conversation ; where
woman's character is defamed ; where moral excellence
is dragged through the mire. Death to the saloon !
Coming generations will rise and call us enemies to our
God-given trusts for allowing the saloon to exist ! "
Another writer in the same journal, and of the same
date pursued this subject in a little different and yet
familiar way. To quote again :
" Much is said about the impossibility of making
men sober by law, and of the impropriety of attempt
ing it. This kind of argument is supposed to have
much force. But we submit that it is exactly the
wrong way of putting the case. It is not a question of
making them sober by law, but of making them drunk
ards by law ; and that is a very different proposition.
Men are born sober - except those who inherit a taste
for strong drink from drunken parents. It takes the
tempter and the dramshop to make them drunkards.
Without the dramshop there would be few drunkards.
It is the drunkard-maker. When it is established by law
then it is the making of drunkards by law that is to be
considered, and not the making of men sober by law."
The duty of the State is to remove its sanction from
all evil. The true object of legislation is to prevent,
not to protect evil.
God never instituted a government on earth with a
view to its throwing a protecting shield over vice and
immorality. He has never commissioned men to sit
in high places to accomplish any such work. The end
of government, so far as it bears on that point at all, is
to suppress crime, to punish wrong-doers, to remove

168 ONCE AGAIN.
iniquity, to promote that which is just and true. Any
government legalizing wrong for the sake of revenue
is one with which the throne of God can have no fel
lowship. " Is This Too Radical ?
But, say some, "You are too radical, and do not con
sider that many of our citizens come to us from other
lands, and enjoy habits from which we ought not attempt
to fully exclude them." This they say, " Is particularly
true of the Germans, and they ought to be allowed to
have their beer and 'Beer gardens,' if they desire."
We are not now discussing the case of foreigners in
other lands, nor the conditions that surround them
there — although this might be made a very interesting
investigation and our theme would not suffer in the facts
elicited. But, we are presenting what is before us ; and
desire to have some things noticed for the particular
benefit of beer drinkers.
To look just a minute at the financial question as it
affects working men, by way of showing that the cause
of poverty is often something else than low wages.
I do not guarantee the perfect exactness of the fol
lowing statement. I do not know the price of beer by
the glass, and 1 am not an expert at figures. But, this
showing is worthy of thought and study by those who
think they must have their beer. Consider :

1 Barrel of Flour, 10 Pounds of Rice,
50 Pounds of Sugar, 20 Pounds of Crackers,
20 Pounds of Cornstarch, 100 Bars of Soap,
10 Pounds of Macaroni, 3 Twelve Pound Turkeys,
10 Quarts of Beans, 5 Quarts of Cranberries,
4 Twelve Pound Hams, 10 Bunches of Celery,
1 Bushel of Sweet'Potatoes, 0 Pounds of Prunes,
3 Bushel Irish Potatoes, 4 Dozen Oranges,
10 Pounds of Coffee, 25 Good Beef Steaks.
10 Pounds of Raisins,

TEMPERANCE. 169
This would fill four barrels heaping full, and there
would be in one pocket of your trousers a five dollar bill
marked ' a new dress for mother ' and in the other
pocket a ten dollar bill marked ' to buy shoes for the
children." But, says another : " Beer is comparatively harmless
and really healthful if not used to great excess. "
For the benefit of those who thus reason, we quote
again. This time from the published opinion of a medi
cal practitioner of over thirty-five years. He says :
' ' I think beer kills quicker than any other liquor. My
attention was first called to its insidious effects when I
began examining for life insurance. I passed as unus
ually good risks five Germans — young business men —
who seemed in the best health, and to have superb con
stitutions. In a few years I was amazed to see the
whole five drop off, one after another, with what ought
to have been mild and easily curable diseases. On com
paring my experience with that of other physicians, I
found they were all having similar luck with confirmed
beer drinkers, and my practice since has heaped confir
mation upon confirmation.
"The first organ to be attacked is the kidneys ; the
liver soon sympathizes, and then comes most frequently
dropsy or Bright's disease, both certain to end fatally.
Any physician who cares to take the time will tell you
that among the dreadful results of beer drinking are
lockjaw and erysipelas, and that the beer drinker seems
incapable of recovering from mild disorders and injuries
not usually regarded of a grave character. Pneumonia,
pleurisy, and fevers, seem to have a first mortgage on
him, which they foreclose remorselessly at an early op
portunity. " The beer drinker is much worse off than the whisky

170 ONCE AGAIN.
drinker, who seems to 'have more elasticity and reserve
power. He will even have delirium tremens ; but after
the fit is gone, you will sometimes find good material to
work upon. Good management may bring him around
all right. But when a beer drinker gets into trouble
it seems almost as if you have to recreate the man be
fore you can do anything for him.
"Beer drinkers are peculiarly liable to die of pneu
monia. Their vital power, their power of resistance,
their 'vis medicatrix naturae,' is so lowered that they
are liable to drop off from any form of acute disease,
such as fever or pneumonia. As a rule when a beer
drinker takes pneumonia he dies.
"Beer drinking produces rheumatism by producing
chronic congestion and ultimately degeneration of the
liver, thus interfering with its function by which the
food is elaborated and fitted for the sustenance of the
body, and the refuse materials oxidized and made sol
uble for elimination by the kidneys, thus forcing the
retention in the body of the excrementitious and dead
matter I have spoken of. The presence of uric acid
and other insoluble effete matters in the blood and tis
sues is one main cause of rheumatism."
General Conference of I904-.
I would that it might be recorded on the pages of
this " once again " effort to lift up the voice of warning
against this fearful evil, that the great legislative body
of the Methodist Episcopal Church that met in Los
Angeles, California in May, 1904, really did something
effectual to put a stop to the iniquitous licensed liquor
traffic. This body was very emphatic in the endorse
ment of the resolutions and advices of former
sessions of the same legislative assembly, in which no

TEMPERANCE. 171
stronger words can be employed in condemnation of the
liquor traffic and in setting forth the evils of the use of
intoxicants. They provided for Church temperance
societies and did other good things in indorsement of
the principle of Prohibition. But did they make a real
advance movement ?
It seems to me no small thing that this great body of
the Church of my choice holds its sessions on the same
years of the elections for the chief rulers of our Re
public. I believe in the entire separation of Church and State;
but surely the Christian citizen must recognize the idea
that, the Church should exercise a powerful influence
upon the State in its legislation, or he has not gone far
in the ethics of the Bible and of Christianity.
With us the blessings of free speech and the passage
of resolutions, must culminate at the ballot box to be
of any real service. While our General Conference
continues to resolve and express opinions and advise,
and yet is so careful to relieve all our church members
from all responsibility when "election day" arrives;
and to assure them that their political preferences must
not be interfered with, the sincerity of the strong ex
pressions will be doubted.
There seems a" strange inconsistency often between
the expression of our legislators, as embodied in the
Book of Discipline, and the course adopted in political
Campaigns by many who frame the strong resolutions
and sentiments of our "temperance chapters" and
" advices." I am really jealous lest some of the other great de
nominations take from the Methodist Episcopal Church
the banner of Prohibition of the liquor traffic, and
carry the Palm.

172 ONCE AGAIN.
In the 31st Annual Convention of the National Wo
men's Christian Temperance Union, held in the City of
Philadelphia, Pa., from Nov. 28th to Dec. 4th, 1904,
Prof. Charles Scanlon, field secretary of the general
assembly's committee on temperance of the Presby
terian Church is reported to have said :
"I have the honor, sisters of the white ribbon army,
to stand before you as the first representative ever em
ployed by a great denomination to devote his entire
time to temperance work. We believe with the church,
that the Christian religion is not simply a subjective
influence ; that it requires that a man do good as well
as be good ; and that it is not only a duty to refrain
from doing wrong, but it is a sin to refrain from doing
right. We believe that the church ought not be silent
when right and wrong are in conflict. We believe that
she should not be neutral when right and purity battle
for the mastery. We believe that she should not stand
aside when truth and honor and purity and peace are in
question. Since the angel with the flaming sword stood
at the gates of Eden, history does not record an instance
where vice and virtue, truth and falsehood, love and
hate met more squarely face to face than when the
church of the living God, is confronted by the legal
ized liquor traffic.
We do not believe that it is sensible economy, re
ligion or statesmanship, to maintain a national quaran
tine against idiots, paupers, criminals, lunatics from
abroad, and license two hundred and fifty thousand sa
loon keepers to manufacture that product at home.
We do not believe that it is a good thing to levy taxes
to support orphans and widows, and license the mur
derers of husbands and fathers.
Christ did not say he came to regulate the works of

TEMPERANCE. 173
the devil but to 'destroy' them. We want to follow
his example. And to you, sisters, I bear the greetings
of more than a million Presbyterians. We ask for
your co-operation and we promise and pledge to you
our hearty sympathy and support."
Such sentiments, and like sentiments contained in the
discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church, carried
to the ballot box, would have added 1,000,000 votes in
support of the candidate for President on the Prohibi
tion Party ticket in the election of Nov. 8th, 1904.
President Roosevelt could have easily spared that
number (and they would not have, more than half,
come from the Republican party) and yet been trium
phantly elected. But, together with his election, the
Prohibition principle and issue would have been elect
ed ; and one or both of the old parties would have been
eager to have had a Prohibition plank in their platform
in 1908.
More trust in God would be a most consistent and
healthful feature in our zeal to promote the best in
terest of mankind and of the nation.
Bishop Potter.
I have no other feeling than that of sorrow, that an
honored prelate of the Protestant Episcopal Church
should have been so ensnared as to give his influence to
the licensed liquor traffic in officiating, with" religious
ceremonies, in the opening of a saloon.
This was probably the honest expression of an idea
for which many contend, viz : That it is possible to so
regulate the sale of intoxicants that they shall be help
ful and not harmful. God settled this question 600
years before the coming of Christ, when He taught,
Jeremiah to put it strongly, in the inquiry : "Can the

174 ONCE AGAIN.
Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots ?
He, anticipating and commenting upon the necessarily
negative answer said : "Then may ye also do good,
that are accustomed to do evil." The word "accus
tomed" is given in the margin as taught. (See Jere-
mial xni : 23. )
Our Lord said that a corrupt tree cannot bring forth
good fruit. No amount of whitewashing the bark or
pruning the limbs can change its nature. The nature
of the saloon is bad, and neither prayer nor praise can
make it better while within its walls the work of death
goes on.
Perhaps, however, Satan never more effectually over
shot the mark than when he successfully tempted Bishop
Potter to give his presence, and to lift his voice in
that "sub-way saloon." The Bishop, sadly for him,
lost caste that he can hardly, by any possibility re
gain ; and so far the adversary secured an advantage.
But the Christian and temperance public were never
more fully brought to see the pit into which so many
are falling to their ruin. The principle of prohibition
scored a positive gain by this movement.
God sometimes permits evil to show its deformed
head that those in danger may discover its presence and
flee for safety. A Widening Theme.
This question is more and more pressing itself upon
all nations. The lessons of disaster, through the use of
intoxicants, are coming more and more to the front.
Without lessening a belief in the direct interposition
of God in the conflicts of recent years, the history of
our war with Spain, and of the present terrible struggle
between Russia and the Japanese, will undoubtedly re-

TEMPERANCE. 175
veal that some of the naval and other battles, where num
bers and strength seemed not to count, the true solution
was the contestants on one side were under the influ
ence of strong drink and the others were sober.
May God hasten the time, in the use of any means
He may employ or permit, when this terrible evil will
be put away, and the world be thus more fully pre
pared for the gospel of peace and Brotherhood !

CHAPTER IX.
" No Breakfast Plan. "
The writer is quite frequently asked : ' ' Do you yet go
without your breakfast ? " This question is the result
of the knowledge, among our immediate friends, that
we did, at one time, abandon our morning meal, and
neither eat nor drink anything until the noon hour.
In the chapter on "Health, " in A Few More Words,
we were frank to acknowledge that we did not get fully
confirmed in this habit so as to say that this plan should
always, and without exception, or qualification, be ours.
We did say there that from Dec. 17th, 1897, we had
"not eaten a full breakfast as formerly." This last
statement can be repeated, with scarcely any modifica
tion now ; while it must be acknowledged, ( or perhaps
we ought to say confessed) that we have not followed
the "No Breakfast Plan " as fully, or faithfully, of late,
as in the earlier years of its practice.
But, in taking an opportunity to publish this fact, we
desire especially to add, that this confession is not in
tended in any sense, or degree, to be regarded as either
an abandonment, or renunciation, of anything we have
formerly written, or said, as to this "plan." It is the
opinion of this writer that if the "No Breakfast Plan "
could be universally adopted and practised by all men,
it would work out results, as to general health and long
life, that would be marvelous. It may be that this
"plan " will yet be recognized as the plan in connection
with the question : " When and what is it best to eat? "

NO BREAKFAST PLAN. 177
The difficulties in the way of individuals becoming
confirmed in this habit — for it is largely a "habit, " —
are :
First — That most of us are not in control of our sur
roundings sufficiently to enter upon so radical a change
without interfering with prerogatives that are not ours.
Secondly — The hours for meals cannot always be so
arranged as to conform to this, or any other set rule.
Thirdly — It must be admitted that what is quite easy
for one, is really hard and almost impossible for another.
Fourthly — Different constitutions demand different
treatment and habits. Although I believe there is not
really so much difference in this regard as we are prone
to believe. And
Fifthly— It is a very easy thing to run to extremes
when we get to advocating any theory. To this we are
all liable. This is the matured conviction of this writer
as evidenced in his own experience.
Now, with all this, I want to say, by way of almost
repeating some of the things said and written in the
past : The question of eating : How much ? And
when? hold a more intimate relation to the health and
life of the human family than almost any other ques
tion that can possibly be mooted. The old inelegant,
and yet significant statement : " Many dig their graves
with their teeth " is worthy of a much more careful and
universal study than it gets. We have all said, over
and over again, "Some men live to eat, while others
only eat to live. " I have become so impressed with the
force of these common and oft-repeated sayings that I
find it necessary to hold myself to the influence of them
constantly. Almost everybody who has looked into this
subject at all, is ready to admit, " we eat too much ! "
Of course, not to render ourselves ridiculous, we must

178 ONCE AGAIN.
admit that all this refers to those whose supplies are
sufficient to gratify their healthful appetites ; and not
to those who are the victims of famine, or whose means
do not admit of eating enough to satisfy real hunger.
Yet may we be permitted just here to call attention to
what I believe many of us must have observed as a fact,
viz : That those classes who, because of small means,
have to: keep to plain food in moderate supplies^ are
generally the most healthful and long lived. The chil
dren of the honest and worthy poor are often rugged
and strong, while the offspring of their rich neighbors
are frail and weakly.
Perhaps this may be a good place to say to those who
are really desirous of reaching the best results in this
matter of daily eating, Put aside what are called
"luxuries"; and, to avoid over-eating, resolve to de
cline " the second helping" at table, because of a vora
cious appetite that is often mistaken for health but is
really the precurser of disease.
These simple guards will be found, by experience,
invaluable and helpful, and the craving for inordinate
supplies will cease with the restored functions of the
over-taxed stomach.
It cannot be repeated too frequently : "It is what
we digest and not what we eat that contributes to our
physical well being." The study of "How little will
supply the real demands of nature ? " instead of " How
much can we eat and continue to live ? " is really the
important question for us to consider.
Two Meals Enough.
I am more and more fully convinced that two meals a
day are fully sufficient for any of us ; and perhaps
always better than three.

NO BREAKFAST PLAN. 179
No Supper Plan.
And this leads to a wide branching off from the sub
ject indicated in the heading of this chapter. But, as
our object is to reach the best results for ourself and
our readers, we may be excused in some wandering.
There are reasons that sometimes lead me to the
partial belief that "The no supper plan" has advan
tages over the "No breakfast plan." I am not suffici
ently confirmed in this view to enter as an earnest
advocate of it.
I have doubts whether any plan can fully equal the
"No breakfast plan."
But there seems much good sound common sense in
the argument, that rest would be more complete, if the
stomach also might rest during the night when the
wearied members of the body are getting their strength
renewed in sleep. Heavy suppers seem most incon-
sistant with refreshing sleep when we come to know,
that the digestion of food is a tax on our vital energies.
Our brain cannot regain its power in sleep when called
into exercise by a full stomach needing attention.
Our own experiences are most valuable to us. We
have learned that the indulgence of a craving for food
before retiring, results in troublesome dreams and
heaviness in the morning. It is unnatural and must be
denied. This whole subject is worthy of more attention than
it has had in the past.
I have learned that a feeling of not being very well is
oftener corrected by the omission of a meal than by a
dose of medicine. To persist in eating something be
cause we like it, and then take some physic or other
remedy, to counteract the bad effects seems not only
senseless, but positively trifling with the God of our

180 ONCE AGAIN.
bodies, who has so plainly given us laws that ought to
be studied and obeyed. Use Reason.
We may learn much from the lower animals. They
cannot be coaxed to eat when they are not well — their
instincts teaching them what our "reason" often re
jects. On the other hand, they will overeat and become
sick if their human masters do not exercise a supervision
over them.
Lessons — Study to get wisdom from these creatures
where they are endowed ; but recognize them as under
our care to be benefitted by us. Let us at least prove
our claimed superiority and listen to the voice of God,
and the dictates of reason, and refuse to become gluttons.
This study is becoming more universal, and the con
clusions of those who have given us their views in the
past, only to be ridiculed, are beginning to have greater
weight and less opposition.
There was a most sensible article in the editorial
columns of the New York Times on Friday, Sept. 23rd,
1904, entitled : " The Vice of Overfeeding, " from
which we may quote profitably. A portion of it reads
thus :
"As was to have been expected, the tentative discus
sion of 'the lunch habit' in these columns a few days
ago has called out many assenting and dissenting opin
ions. Fortunately, it is a subject which will repay in
telligent discussion. Lf any fact is established by obser
vation and experience it is that as a people we are
grossly overfed. Abundance has its disadvantages.
"A large and steadily increasing number of men and
women have reached or are reaching the conclusion that
it is vastly more difficult to avoid eating a great deal too

NO BREAKFAST PLAN. 181
much than to get enough to eat. * * But unwelcome
truth has ever been accounted heresy. Students of
dietetics are learning from beneficial experience that
two meals a day are better than three."
*********
"The latest and most authoritative generalization on
this important subject of food and feeding is that of
Prof. Rabagliati, one of the most celebrated of living
British gynecologists, physiologists, and general sur
geons and a lifelong student of dietetics, in his work on
the "Predisposing Causes of Disease," from which we
quote as follows :
" ' Moderation is the only fixed and the only unfailing
rule of living, and in the case of food supply to people
living in towns I attempt to more or less define modera
tion as lying between twelve and twenty- four ounces of
ordinary diet of wholesome quality a day, taken prefer
ably at two meals eight hours or so apart. '
" This at least comes on good authority. Dr. Rabag-
liati's observations and experiments, which cover a
wide range, show that very much less food than he
thinks may be taken in moderation is ample to sustain
a normal person in good health and full strength ;
whereas with more than he thinks admissible the func
tions of the body are sooner or later congested and the
' starvation of over-repletion ' manifests itself in various
ways. As a physician he does not hesitate to say that
but for overfeeding there would be little for his profes
sion to do beyond easing the natural infirmities of old
age and ministering to the accidentally wounded."
It should be observed, in this connection, that the
same eminent Dr. Rabagliati quoted in the above clip
ping, has given his hearty indorsement to the opinions
and practice of Dr. E. H. Dewey of Meadville, Pa. He
says, in his work on Air, Food and Exercise.1 "It

182 ONCE AGAIN.
strikes me as somewhat curious * * * that observers so
wide apart, and in circumstances so very different as
the conditions of human life must be in Yorkshire from
what they are in Pennsylvania, should come to conclu
sions so practically similiar as Dr. Dewey and the writer
have reached." So we do not need to go across the ocean
to be enlightened and instructed in these principles so
fundamental to the laws of health.
Now perhaps I have indulged enough on this subject
to lead some, who have been thoughtless, or who have
refused to investigate because of the self-denial involved ,
to stop and think and practice "The true science of
living, " and thus become advocates of what they have
opposed. It is the belief of this writer that all who so do, will
become a benefit and a blessing to their race, as well as
to themselves.
What I really wanted to say in this chapter, even
more than to argue specifically on " The No Breakfast
Plan," was to assert that " the fasting cure," i. e. :
An abstinence from food systematically, has, in the
judgment of myself, and of intimate and intelligent
friends, been the means of adding several years to a life
that seemed about going out ; and of giving to one, re
garded in advanced age, the appearance as often de
clared, of being more than a score of years younger
than the calendar shows.
1 close this chapter with a prayer for grace and wis
dom to enable me to still more carefully keep within the
knowledge resulting from the entrance upon the "No
Breakfast Plan," now more than seven years since, and
to improve upon it, as with the light of further experi
ence I may more intelligently and faithfully "practice
what I preach."

CHAPTER X.
Last Days.
Undoubtedly some who read this book will come to
the last chapter with a smile at its heading.
On page 2 of Grace Magnified, I wrote, in connec
tion with the introductory chapter, "A rather sudden
apprehension of a rapidly closing ****** career
among men led me to put in book form some of the
material," &c This was eighteen years siDce, and in
some respects I may almost say, I feel younger to-day
than then.
That book was closed with the feeling that it was the
only attempt that I would ever make to publish, and
leave to be read, anything relating to my earthly life.
On page 450 of that volume it was written : "All the
days of my appointed time will I wait till my change
come. "
When the " supplement" in the form of the book en
titled A Few More Words appeared, I thought, " Surely
this is the last in this line of effort ! "
I have tried to explain, and almost to apologize, in
the first chapter of this volume, for thus "once again"
intruding upon the patience of readers with the com
paratively unimportant experiences and opinions of only
a humble member of a great fraternity.
Now we come to the last chapter of this Once Again
volume, with the hope that it will not be looked upon
as labor and expense that ought not to have been in
curred.

18* ONCE AGAIN.
More than once since entering upon writing this book,
the question has been carefully and prayerfully con
sidered : "Would it be well to abandon this matter
entirely and let the past suffice for this kind of effort to
do good?"
I may truthfully say : The desire above all desires,
is present with me all the time, to put in this life to the
best possible advantage.
Upon every consideration of the question of abandon
ing there has come the conviction, that : "If it is of
the Lord it ought not to be abandoned ; and, if He would
have it abandoned, He will, in some way make that
known so that there will be no harm done."
But all this time " The last days " have been drawing
on, and they are getting nearer all the time. Like all
who have gone before me, "I am but a Pilgrim and a
stranger." "Here I have no continuing city, but seek
one to come." What may be the will of the Lord as to
the continuance of my earthly life I do not seek to
know. He will order all that well ! Nevertheless in
the midst of all uncertainties I know that the "last
days " must be near. What if these continue for even
a score more ? Oh how quickly they will flee away !
It is difficult to realize that events that have passed
more than a score of years since, have been gone so
long. And as the years increase they all seem shorter ;
so that months seem weeks and weeks as only days ; and
the years go by as the summer seemed scarcely to do in
boyhood. How this would all be, if I were the subject of suffer
ing and trials such as come to many I do not know. Lf
like Job I were visited with bodily affliction and led to
say : " When I lie down, I say, when shall I arise, and
the night be gone? And I am full of tossings to and fro

LAST DAYS. 185
unto the dawning of the day, " the days and years would
pass differently. ( See Job vn : 4. )
The revised versionists have made this passage in
Job's experience even more emphatic in rendering it :
" When shall I arise? but the night is long. "
When reading to a sufferer lately from the Revela
tion : "There shall be no night there, " this promise
was caught at eagerly as so full of comfort because of
the terrible nights here.
God has greatly favored me in all this. If it shall
please Him to continue these physical blessings to the
end, and permit me " to cease at once to work and live "
it will indeed be a factor in my note of praise and
thanksgiving through all the coming ages.
Great Changes.
I am much impressed at this period of my lif e with the
very great changes that have occurred within my recol
lection. These changes relate to the whole world in
which we live, and are too many and too great to be re
hearsed in this place. The world has been growing
larger as to the number of inhabitants, but very much
smaller as to the knowledge at hand of all its doings.
Many parts of this globe were unknown regions in
my early days. And from those parts that were known
to exist the intelligence was very sparse, and so infre
quent that what we did come to know was of events so
long past as to have little fresh interest. Now we read,
with our morning journals, served before many of us
are awakened from the night slumbers, the transactions
from all parts of the planet. And curious enough, be
cause of the difference of time, some of these things
seem to have not yet occurred.
If our friends go abroad now we expect to hear from

186 ONCE AGAIN.
them with about the same regularity as if they remained
near us. And they, who until quite recently were neces
sarily separated from all intelligence for at least several
days, can now with the latest advance of science, keep
posted even while on the broad ocean. It is almost too
much to believe and yet it cannot be disputed.
It is, of course, too ridiculous to expect, and yet if
told that a connection with some distant orb had been
made and the inhabitants of the earth put in communica
tion with the dwellers in another sphere, we would need
be slow with our unbelief while waiting for confirma
tion. Will the reader bear with me when I say: A greater
than this has been accomplished in the order of the
Great God with us. Earth and heaven have been con
nected in prayer by a process quicker than the latest
accomplishments of electricity. This has always existed
since God made man and placed him here.
One great change that rejoices the Christian in this
day is the openings for the gospel that are being made
more and more. By all means, and all of them under
the Divine control — even the terrible means of war — the
barriers that separated the nations a few years since are
being broken down and the consistent zeal of all who
love the Lord Jesus Christ is more than ever incited to
help on the time when " The earth shall be full of the
knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. "
This prophesy was spoken nearly 2000 years since.
The hindrances have been many and the time has been
long, but it draws near now.
Our Own Country.
What is true of the whole world is particularly true of
our own United States. I remember very well when

LAST DAYS. 187
what we now call our " middle states" were far away.
There is present in my mind the family farewell meet
ings, when some of our friends were about to remove
to Michigan. Since then many States have been added ;
but now to go to the " far west " — even to the "Pacific
coast " — is little more than a pleasure trip, occupying,
at most, only a few days, in the midst of about all the
comforts that our well furnished homes afford. Then
distance has become almost annihilated by the intro
duction of the telephone. We can now often converse
with our absent friends as though they were standing
by us. Having a son in New Haven, Conn., it is a
pleasure to have an evening chat occasionally from
our place in Poughkeepsie, N. Y. This is only a spe
cimen of what can be done with many more miles in
tervening. Going back a little, I might say that about all the im
provements and inventions that are modern enough to
bear mentioning in the use of that term have come into
existence since I was a boy.
Chapter third in Grace Magnified has attracted some
attention lately because of its reference to the condition
of things in the City of New York, when I was old
enough to notice and remember my surroundings.
Steamboats and steam cars were a novelty then.
Much later than that it was a stretch of faith to reach
the conclusion that sewing machines and a score more
of machines, now in constant use, were possible. To
get a letter from home, when I was a school boy and
separated from the family only by a few miles, by
going to the post office for anxious inquiry was a real
luxury. The postage was many times over what it is
now ; and if the distance was increased it became still
more taxing.

188 ONCE AGAIN.
More Impressive Changes.
But all these changes, reminding one of years that
have passed, are not, after all, of so great interest to
the thoughtful as the more serious facts concerning the
Kingdom of God on the earth as they have taken on
other forms as the days of our years have rolled away.
It would only be repeating and taking up space in
the writing that is not called for to go back to the
incidents of my childhood and early days in my rela
tions to the church and religious associations. They
have been dwelt upon sufficiently in former reminis
cences, and I only feel inclined now to note some things
that have impressed me in these later years, and in my
intercourse with and interest in the brethren and minis
try of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The Board of Bishops.
I do not know whether it would have been permissi
ble to have spoken of our Bishops as constituting a
" board " when I began my itinerant life. There were
five Bishops then in the Methodist Episcopal Church
without numbering those of the South. These latter
have become so much nearer us now than they were
then that they ought not to be altogether overlooked in
this writing, while we indulge the hope that the time is
coming when there will be no annex in the designation
of this great body.
One of the five Bishops in 1848 was in old age then,
and although he presided over the deliberations of the New
York Conference once again in 1850, his sleeping form
has long since been committed to its resting place in the
cemetery at Poughkeepsie ; while his name and memory
in this city still live in honored remembrance. Bishop
Wangh was with us as President of the New York Con-

LAST DAYS. 189
ference in 1854, and soon afterward he passed away.
Bishop Hamline created something of a sensation and
established a precedent that has again and again been
pointed to since, when, because of enfeebled health and
a desire to be relieved of all the responsibility of this
high office, he resigned it altogether and retired into
comparative seclusion for the rest of his life and to
await the summons to come up higher. The other two
I shall always remember with special veneration because
to them it was committed, in their turn, to lay Episco
pal hands upon my head.
I will make reference here to but three of those who
have, since the year 1848, become members of the
Board of Bishops and passed away before this writing.
Others have been mentioned in former volumes as they
have come to notice in connection with current events.
It is beyond our present plan to attempt even a brief
history of more of these noble men who have served
their generation with so much distinction and gone to
their reward.
I want to take this opportunity, however, to turn the
eyes of all once again to that world-wide Evangelist
who was known during a few of his "last days" as
" Bishop William Taylor ; " and who has gone to join
the Apostle Paul whose methods he so much admired.
That wonderful man, when placed upon the "retired
list," quickly grasped his satchel and sailed for Africa
to gather some more souls into the fold of the Re
deemer. I doubt not but that Paul and he enjoy each
others society, and co-operate now in whatever activi
ties they are permitted, in the midst of the multitudes
who through their instrumentality are with them.
Two of the deceased bishops passed away so recently,
and so near together that memoirs of both of them

190 ONCE AGAIN.
were published in the minutes of the New York Con
ference for 1904. These were Bishop Randolph S.
Foster and Bishop John F. Hurst. Bishop Foster was.
noticed more at length because of the fact that his rela
tion to the New York Conference, as a member, before
he was elected to the bishopric, were so gratefully re
membered. Now note briefly the outcome of the changes in this
"board of bishops." We have at present a body of
men in this position numbering no less than 23, whose
names are attached to the "Episcopal Address" in the
edition of the discipline for 1904 — 8. This does not
make account of the five missionary bishops, which
would increase the number to 28.
Are not these "missionary bishops" worthy of hav
ing their names appear in the "Address " to the whole
Church, which the "Address" itself affirms, "has been
successfully planted in Africa, Asia and Europe ? " Is
the distinction that is made a wise one ?
General Conference Action.
The last General Conference took some steps as re
lating to our bishops that were very radical. Is it
wrong to inquire : Was it for the best, and does it not
lead to some confusion ? At the assembling of that
great legislative body one of the "board of bishops"
presented his desire and request for relief from some of
the more taxing duties that had been assigned him 32
years before. This was a most reasonable request and
the General Conference hastened to comply with it.
Then the committee on Episcopacy took under consid
eration the rest of the number, and decided to recom
mend the retirement of five more of these honored
servants of the Church. This was indeed a grave

LAST DAYS. 191
movement and was not accomplished without some
serious friction. There was a seeming of unbrotherly
¦coercion; and although the explanations and generous
provision made for those to be "retired," and hence
forth designated "Superannuated," tended to remove
much of this, yet a measure of it remained and will
probably remain in the judgment of many who could
not but regard the movement as extreme.
It somehow impresses the mind of this writer that
our "board of bishops" is now sufficiently large and
sufficiently wise to settle the question among them^
selves, as to who and how many of their number are
able to continue in the exercise of all the functions as
signed them in their election and ordination. If this is
so, ought they not to be left free to consider and deter
mine all this in their annual meeting when they appor
tion the work among the Annual Conferences ? This
so appears to me ; and especially as all the recent legis
lation as. to the bishops seems to tend in the direction
of the doctrine that " once a bishop is always a
bishop." Well, the recommendations of the Committee pre
vailed, and it was determined to elect eight additional
" General Superintendents" to keep up the number.
After . many ballots, with a great number of candi
dates, this purpose was obtained.
Now another sensation came in the resignation of one
of those just elected. This brother foreseeing the im
propriety of waiting longer, gave some very good and
sufficient reasons for resigning the office of "General
Superintendent," to which he had been elected, and
¦declined the ordination that would have made him a
"Bishop." The General Conference wisely determined that the

192 ONCE AGAIN.
contest had been long enough, and voted to do no more
balloting to supply the vacancy made by this resignation.
May the God and Father, of all who are adopted into
His spiritual family, so over-rule that our bishops shall
be, more than ever, great and holy men and in all things
examples to the flock !
The General Conference of 1904 did some excellent
things. Among them was the refusal to touch the
much debated "paragraph 248," lest it might be con
strued into a letting down into greater worldliness.
Another good thing was the movement for renewed
organized evangelism. The action as to temperance
societies in the churches was in the right direction and,
I trust, may bring forth some good fruit. The refusal
to meddle at this session with the so-called "time limit"
question was wise and could not have been otherwise,
when it was so clearly indicated that another change
now would be hasty. The radical legislation of the for
mer General Conference had not had a period sufficiently
long to test its adaptation to our itinerant system.
It is confidently hoped that the continued efforts of
the " Committee" on the expenses of the Conference at
Los Angeles, California, will be so successful that all
"deficiencies" will be met without drawing upon the
fund belonging to the Superannuated members of the
Annual Conferences, and the Widows and Orphans of
those who have died in the work of the ministry. The
wolf of want has not ceased to howl at the doors of
some of these, and their rights should be most sacredly
guarded. Recent New York Conference Changes.
Since the distribution of my book entitled A Few-
More Words, in the early spring of 1902, seventeen

LAST DAYS. 193
more names have gone into the " Memorium " list of
the New York Conference. Some of these were among
my early and familiar friends.
The Rev. Z. N. Lewis laid down his earthly honors,
with his life here, on Aprill 29th, 1903, at the age of 87
years. Rev. Isaac H. Lent passed to his rest on July 19th,
1904 ; and this leaves only three members of the New
York Conference who antedate me.
Rev. David Buck, who entered the itinerancy in 1837,
still remains with us at this writing, although well ad
vanced in years. All who remember him do so with
delight as they call to mind his sweet spirit and great
efficiency in preaching the Gospel of Christ in the many
charges assigned him.
Brother Aaron Hunt joined the Conference in 1842,
and has enjoyed an improved condition of health lately
from several former years.
Bro. John P. Hermance is only three years my senior
in his relation to the Conference. He has made a record
of much greater distinction than myself, and is still
heard with interest as he so earnestly advocates the
claims of the "Ministers' Mutual Assistance Society,"
with which he has been so closely connected for very
many years ; and of which organization he has been the
efficient President for a long term.
Class of 181/S Once Again.
This class has been still further depleted since 1902.
Of brother B. M. Adams I have written in the chapter
on " Fresh Experiences."
Bro. William Ostrander was relieved of his palsied
body on June 14th, 1903, at the age of 75 ; and his wife
soon followed him to the life beyond. There are only

194 ONCE AGAIN.
two of us left to meet in Conference session, if indeed
We may have that privilege more.
I delight to express the best of wishes for Brother
George W. Knapp and hope to greet him yet more
than once again if so may be the Lord's will. We ex
pect a happy meeting in the heavenly home where the
experiences of our 57 years already together, may af
ford the theme for eternal gladness.
Now 1 think I am ready to close this chapter and to
go out more fully into my ' ' last days " of earthly life.
At the last session of our Annual Conference I was
led to quote the 10th verse of the 90th Psalm : "The
days of our years are three score years and ten ; and if
by reason of strength they be four score years, yet is
their strength labour and sorrow ; for it is soon cut off,
and we fly away."
I likened myself then to one who had been upon a
journey and had reached the last station on the way
home, and was waiting for the train and listening for
the whistle. The whistle has not been blown yet, and I
trust I have been doing, and will continue to do, some
thing more than sitting "listening."
Final Refections.
It may seem unsafe and unwise to record any vows
as to the future of earthly life in closing this record of
recent experiences that has offered an opportunity of
pretty freely expressing opinions on subjects that have
been suggested in connection with those experiences.
Yet there are some thoughts that seem proper to enter
here as perhaps a kind of explanation for conduct dur
ing these "last days." I hope to be obedient to the
voice of the Spirit in all things, and to hold myself
ready to do more than join in singing :

LAST DAYS. 195
" I'll go where You want me to go, dear Lord,
Over mountain, or plain, or sea,
I'll say what You want me to say, dear Lord,
I'll be what You want me to be. "
1 fear these words are often sung with no real inten
tion of either going, or saying, or being. I really want
to mean all this, and to wait for the Divine guidance and
instruction. But what I want more particularly to write in these
closing words is that, If it shall please the Lord to en
able me to conclude this work with the fulfillment of
eightieth year, I believe that I shall largely subside, so
far as being heard in public assemblies is concerned.
I think it was my grandmother that used to say when
the children were making more noise than she enjoyed :
"Little boys (or children) should be seen and not heard."
Another adage that we have all heard occasionally, in
referring to old people, is: "Once a man and twice a
child." Now, as children do not always have wisdom
to know just when to speak and when to be still, so it
is sometimes with those who are becoming enfeebled by
old age.
I do at times notice in myself what has at other times
impressed me with the idea that some are becoming
childlike when I have seen these things in them. I seek
to be rightly and wisely affected by these discoveries.
If this book goes into the hands of readers, I shall
certainly feel that "I have had my say."
Perhaps I have said enough, and it may be judged,
by some, that I have said too much.
The passing away during the year 1904 of so many
men of distinction, both of church and state, and most
of them younger than myself, leads me to feel that in
deed I must have come to my " last days."

196 ONCE AGAIN.
It will be my highest pleasure, while I remain here,
not to be in the way of better and more useful men,
and yet when I recognize the fact that I am here with
out a false or artificial tooth, or eye, or ear, or limb, or
hair, I must believe that there is still something for me
to do. I do not expect to attempt the writing of any
more books, but I expect to keep up and perhaps in
crease my already large correspondence, and to do
some good in that and other ways. I feel like asking
pardon of both God and men for the indulgence, at any
time, of rash vows, having become convinced of the
folly of them.
I earnestly desire to live, more fully than ever, by
the day and even by the moment, and to reach out after
the most literal fulfillment of the apostolic injunction :
" Whether, therefore, ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever
ye do, do all to the glory of God."
There are two things, closely related to each other,
that I expect to see accomplished, either during my
stay here or from heaven. The one is the general dif
fusion of Christianity in its purest sense by the descent
of the Holy Spirit in His reviving and quickening
power all over the earth. The other is the outlawry of
the traffic in alcoholic beverages. This may seem like
a strange combination of thought ; and yet I feel that
there is so close a connection that I hardly know how
to separate them.
If it were consistent I should hope that the baptism
with ihe Holy Ghost might so fall upon all nominal
Christ endom, as it fell upon the disciples in the upper
chamber at Jerusalem, that all would quickly put away
all forms of iniquity. But we must recognize that
God's order is always first Repentance.
Jt seems that before Christianity can fully prevail

LAST DAYS. 197
among heathen nations, two nominal Christian govern
ments have a work of repentance to perform. Eng
land must repent of the awful sin of forcing the opium
trade on the protesting Chinese ; and the United States
must repent of the sin into which our government went
by the act of Congress and the signature of the Presi
dent, when we entered into partnership with the liquor
business for revenue.
All this may not be so far off as it may seem. When
in my boyhood in the City of New York, I can well
remember how the Abolitionists were detested ; and it
was only a little before my time in the ministry when
even members of the New York Conference were dis
ciplined for attending and encouraging the Abolition
ists. The most decided Prohibitionists of this day are the
legitimate successors of the early Abolitionists. Often
they are quite as extravagant, and not a bit wiser. So
God will continue to raise up men to show the nations
their sins and bring about the redemption and salvation
of the world.
1 pray for wisdom to be identified with the best
means that can be employed to hasten on the time when
all shall know the Lord, by the putting away of wick
edness and the spread of the truth that is " quick and
powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword,
piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and
spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner
of the thoughts and intents of the heart." The world
is growing better and the victory is drawing nearer.
The ninety -first Psalm is of special interest to every
child of God. My dear wife had it bordered all around
with her pencil, and in the margin, by its wide, she had
written : "Precious promises. A glorious Psalm."

198 ONCE AGAIN.
1 know of no better way to close this chapter and to
send this book on its mission to the world, than to bear
my personal testimony that the promises contained in
the last two verses of that psalm are having their literal
fulfillment in my experience. They read thus: "He
shall call upon me, and I will answer him ; I will be
with him in trouble ; I will deliver him, and honor
him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him
my salvation."
Blessed be the name of the Lord ! Amen.
In " God's Great Day," we will not be judged as
Nations ; nor Denominations ; nor in Classes ; but
as Individuals. LET US BE READY !