Autobiography of Peter Cartwright , the backwoods preacher.

Preface

For many years past, and especially during the last ten or twelve, I have been almost unceasingly importuned to write out a history of my life, as one among the oldest Melodist traveling preachers west of the mountains. This would necessarily connect with it a history of the rise and progress of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the great valley of the Mississippi. And surely a work of this kind, written by a competent historiographer, who had kept himself posted, or had kept a journal of his life, and the many thrilling incidents connected with the history of the Church, or the life of a pioneer traveling preacher, could not fail to interest the Church and many of her friends, and would rescue from oblivion many, very many incidents that are now lost, and gone forever beyoud the reach of the historian's pen.

PREFACE.

I have regretted through life that some of my cotemporaries, who were much better qualified for the task than I am, did not write out such a work as is contemplated in this imperfect sketch. Had I seriously thought of sending such a work into the world, I should have tried hard to have been better prepared. But it must be remembered that many of us early traveling preachers, who entered the vast wilderness of the West at an early day, had little or no education; no books, and no time to read or study them if we could have had them. We had no colleges, nor even a respectable common school, within hundreds of miles of us. Old Dyhe or Dilworth was our spelling book; and what little we did learn, as we grew up, and the means of education increased among us, we found, to our hearts' content, that we had to unlearn, and this was the hardest work of all.

And now that I am old and well stricken in years, it has been, and is, my abiding conviction that I cannot write a book that will be respectable, or one that will be worth reading ; but I have reluctantly yielded to the many solicitations of my friends, and I am conscious that there must be many imperfections and

PREFACE. 5

inaccuracies in the work. I have no books to guide me ; my memory is greatly at fault ; ten thousand interesting facts have escaped my recollection; names and places have passed from me which cannot be recalled; and I fear that many scenes and incidents, as they now occur to my recollection, will be added to, or diminished from.

Moreover, as I well understand that I have been considered constitutionally an eccentric ministe'ij thousands of the thrilling incidents that have gained publicity, and have been attributed to me, when they are not found in my book will create disappointment. But I trust their place will be supplied by a true version, and though some of them may not be as marvelous, may nevertheless be quite as interesting. I have many to record that have not seen the light, which will be quite as thrilling as any that have been narrated, and their truthfulness will make them more so.

Some of our beloved bishops, book agents, editors, and old men, preachers and private members, as well as a host of our young, strong men and ministers, who are now actively engaged in building up the Church, have urged me to undertake this sketch of my life, and I

6 PREFACE.

have not felt at liberty to decline, but send it out with all its imperfections, hoping that it may in some way, and to some extent, conduce to the interests of the Kedeemer's kingdom, and do more than merely gratify an idle curiosity, or offend the fastidious taste of some of our present more highly favored and better educated ministers, who enjoy the many glorious advantages of books, a better education, and improved state of society, from which we as early pioneers were almost wholly excluded.

Right here I wish to say, (I hope without the charge of egotism,) when I consider the insurmountable disadvantages and difficulties that the early pioneer Methodist preachers labored under in spreading the Gospel in these Western wilds in the great valley of the Mississippi, and contrast the disabilities which surrounded them on every hand, with the glorious human advantages that are enjoyed by their present successors, It is confoundingly miraculous to me that our modern preachers cannot preach better, and do more good than they do.. Many nights, in early times, the itinerant had to camp out, without fire or food for man or beast. Our pocket Bible, Hymn Book, and Discipline constituted our library. It is true

PREFACE.

we could not, many of us, conjugate a verb or parse a sentence, and murdered the king's English almost every lick. But there was a Drone unction attended the word preached, and thousands fell under the mighty power of God, and thus the Methodist Episcopal Church was planted firmly in this Western wilderness, and many glorious signs have followed, and will follow, to the end of time.

I will here state, that, at an early period of my ministry, I commenced keeping a' journal, and kept it up for several years, till at length several of our early missionaries to the Natchez country returned, and many of them, I found, were keeping a journal of their lives and labors, and it seemed to me we were outdoinothe thing, and under this conviction I threw my manuscript journals to the moles and bats. This act of my life I have deeply regretted, for if I had persisted in journalizing, I could now avail myself of many interesting facts, dates, names, and circumstances that would greatly aid me in my sketch.

I know it is impossible for my friends to realize the embarrassments I labor under, for the want of some safe guide to my failing and treacherous memory. I therefore ask great in-

8 PREFACE.

dulgence from any and all who may chance to read this imperfect sketch, and pray that our kind Saviour may forgive any inaccuracies or errors that it may contain. If I had my ministerial life to live over again, my present conviction is that I would scrupulously keep a journal. But this cannot be ; therefore I must submit.

And now, in the conclusion of this introduction, I will say, I ask forgiveness of God for all the errors of this work, and all the errors of my whole life, especially of my ministerial life. I also ask for the forgiveness of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as one of her unworthy ministers, for any wrongs I may have done to her, or to the world. I also most sincerely ask the prayers of the Church, that while my sun is fast declining, and must soon set to rise on earth no more, I may have a peaceful and happy end, and that I may meet any that I may have been the instrument of doing good to, with all my dear brethren, safe in heaven, to praise God together forever.

Amen.

PETER CARTWRIGHT.

Pleasant Plains, III., 1856.

Chapter I

His Birth — Parents remove to Kentucky — Dangers and Difficulties of the Journey — Halt at Camp Defeat — His Father shoots an Indian — Escape of a White Man from the Indians — His Companions shot — Arrival at ^Yflih ffrilh flTfl — Massacre of seven Families — Pursuit of the Indians — Their Slaughter — Perils of the Early Settlers — Fertility and Resources of the Country Page 17

Chapter II

Settlement in Lincoln's County. Kentucky — Methodist Ministers — Parents remove to Ebgati uounty "Kentucky— Rogue's Harbor — The " Regulators"— Native Luxuries — Saltpeter Caves — Advantages of Navigation — "Falla into Tiflid ffa^ita — Ts sent to School — Makes little Progress — Fate of his Teacher ". '.""... "......" 23

Chapter III

Increase of Population — Danger of Extremes in Doctrine — Sacramental Meeting — Great Revival — First Camp-meeting— Presbyterians censured for engaging in it — -Origin of the " New Lights" — Their Leaders

— " Republican Methodist's" — The Sn"ak"ers — - Want of Ministers severely felt...... .„. ...Z:. 29

Chapter IV

Goes to a Dance — Is convicted — Obliged to leave his Business — Thought to be Insane — His Convictions are Strengthened — Attends a Sacramental Meeting, and is Converted — Joins the Methodist Episcopal Church — Organization of the Western Conference by Bishop Asbury — Early Western Itinerants — First Secession — Wilson Lee — The Pet Lamb

— Taking up the Cross — Happy Conversion — Mr. Lee's Death 34

Chapter V

Wide-spread Revival in the Wjsl^JLJsA^piLiJanip^mPfttinftS:^ Methodists and Presbyterians unite in the Work — Camp-ground Accommodations — Great Extravagances among the Presbyterians — The Presbytery grant Licenses contrary to the "Confession of Faith" — Some are censured, some suspended, and others expelled — They propose to join the Meth-

10 COKTEKTS.

odist Episcopal Church — Proposal declined — Formation of the "Cum' berland Presbyterian Church" — Splitting the Difference— The Jerks- Horsewhipping escaped — Dreadful Death — Fatal Delusions — Trouble with the Shakers — Debates with them — Numbers received into the Church — Organizes a Circuit Page 45

Chapter VI

Attends numerous Camp-meetings — Opposers overcome — jy[eets Bishop Asburv — ■ Receives an Exhorter^ License — Rejnoyesto. LewistonCounty, niinbis — Enters an Academy — Exhorts large Congregations and gathers a Class — Suffers Persecution — Ducks his Tormentors — Leaves School — Forms a Circuit — Good Success — Gives up the World — Travels jled River Circuit — First Sermon — Its Effect — Transferred to Waynesville Circrnl • — Revival at Stockton Valley — Baptist Proselyters — They entice his Converts — His Scheme to recover them — Is crowned with Success — Organizes a Society — Increase in the Western Conference — Is received into the Traveling Connection 56

Chapter VII

Conference of 1804 — Travels Salt River and Shelbyville Circuits — Simplicity in. Dress of early Methodists — Studies with Mr. M'Kendree — Profits much by his Instructions — Duties of Presiding Elders — Pioneer Methodist Preachers — An educated Ministry — Meets one of the "Regular Graduates" — Confounds him — A striking Illustration — Danger of Congregationalism in the Church — Secular Offices should be filled by Laymen — Evil Effects of the present System — Conference of 1805 — William M'Kendree elected President 74

Chapter VIII

Appointment to Scioto Circuit — Favored with good Superintendents — A drunken Minister — Strange Apology — Powerful Awakenings — Afflicting Dispensation — Father Teel — His Eccentricity cured — Large Camp-meeting — The Ro wdies troublesome — A drunken Magistrate — A knock-down Argument — The Meeting progresses — Cheering Results — James Axley — Scene at the Governor's Table — A useful Preacher 84

Chapter IX

Starts for the Conference of 1806 — Increase of Membership — A new District—Meager Salary — Is ordained Deacon by Bishop Asbury — Sent to Marietta Circuit — A Colony of Yankees — Hard Appointment — The Halcyon Church — Brimstone Angels — A vile Impostor — Deluded lanatics— Want of an Outfit — Goes Home — Timely Assistance — A b riend in Need — A Generous Landlord — Singular Conversion — Arrives at Home — New Outfit — Starts afresh — Conference of 1807 — Appointed to Barren Circuit — Dying Convert — A knotty Case — Affecting Scene — Methodism obtains a Footing ; gg

Chapter X

Poverty of Preachers — Enters into Matrimony — Conference of 1808 — Ordained Elder by Bisnop"T!f*ffeiidree"= -Father's Death — Has leave of Absence for a Time — Returns to the Regular Work at the Conference of 1809 — Appointed to Livingston Circuit — Holds a Camp-meetintr _

Good Results — A bigoted "Thinker" — Turns Methodist — Bought by the Baptists — Tries the Shakers — Objects to hard Work — Resorts to the New Lights — Last Session of the Western Conference in 1811 — Increase of Membership — First delegated General Conference — Division of the Western Conference — Goes to Christian Circuit, Tennessee Conference — Glorious Revivals — Overcomes Prejudice — New Appointment— Another Camp-meeting — A Methodist Fit — Preaches at Red River — Opposed by a Presbyterian Minister — Results of Opposition — Forms a Society Page 111

Chapter XI

First Session of TenneMqe r,nnfgi-pnpg in 1 ftia — Made Presiding Elder by Bishop Asbury — Objects to taking the Office — Travels Wabash District

— Holds several Camp-meetings — Agitation on the Slavery Question — Testimony of the Church against it — Harm done by Rabid Abolitionists

— Breckenridge Camp- meeting — An impudent Dandy — Threat of a Horsewhipping — Dandy escapes with a Ducking — Decrease of Membership at Conference of 1813 — Causes thereof — Returned to Green River, formerly Wabash District — New Fields of Labor — A Baptist Goliath — Slander on the Methodists — Vulgar Comparisons — Goliath Defeated — Is blown to Never — A Whisky-drinking Preacher — Charging full Price 126

Chapter XII

Tennessee Conference of 1814 — Bishops Asbury and M'Kendree — Their Ministerial Labors — ■ Privations of the Preachers — A Fatted Calf — Camp-meeting at Christian Circuit — Disturbance from Rowdies — A stroke of Policy — A Disturber roached — Another soused, and afterward converted — The String of Frogs — An enraged Father — Evil Surmisings — His Conviction and Conversion — A singular Dream — Its Fulfillment— Baptist" Froseiyt"er — Extended Argument— An unanswerable Question ."....139

Chapter XIII

Bishop Asbury attends the Tennessee Conference of 1815 — His feeble Health — Election of Delegates to General Conference — The Bishop's Advice to them — His Endeavors to reach the General Conference — Increasing Weakness — Death and Burial — Reinterment — Epitaph — The Bishop's Talents — His Knowledge of Character — General Conference of 1816— Difficulties of Travel — Election of Bishops George and Roberts — A Year of Prosperity —^L^tro^u^ipji^pX^ritslaiery Feeling into the Church — Injurious Effects — Clamors for Lay RepreserMalibn first heard — They increase at the Conference of 1820 — Other Radical Measures then brought forward — Presiding Elders to be Elected — An entering Wedge — Bishop Soule's Opposition — Suspension of the Elective Rule — Harmony destroyed in the Church — Expulsion of the Radicals — Peace restored — Formation of the Methodist Protestant Church

— Schisms originate among the Ministers — Examples cited — Wretched Policy of the Church South on Slavery 152

Chapter XIV

Sessions of Western Conferences for 1816 — Is appointed to Christian Circuit — New Conference formed — Introduction of Methodism into Indiana and Illinois — Increase of Members and Ministers — Glorious

Revivals — Preaches to Slaves — Numbers converted — Want of faithful Preachers among them — Quarterage not twenty-five Cents — Hospitable Farmer — Nothing lost by entertaining Ministers — Meets with a Wealthy Wesleyan — He builds a Church — Dedicated by a Protracted Meeting — A great Concourse attends — Several converted — Scarcity of Bibles — Organization of Bible Society Page 166

Chapter XV

Earthquake of 1812 — Consequent Excitement — Numbers join the Church, of whom many fall away — Is stationed on Red River Circuit at Conference of 1817 — Preaches to a single Hearer — His Fame is spread abroad — Draws crowded Congregations — Dram-drinking — Reasons for and against — Deals summarily with Breakers of the Rules — A Revival springs up — CI ass- meetings with closed Doors —A New-Light Tormentor— How she is got rid of — Young America — Sermon on Worldliness — Dr. Bascom reproved — Is kept in the Shade — "Who is General Jackson?"— His Independence approved — Need of a Hell — Conference of 1819 — Complains of Violators of the Discipline — They are obliged to conform— General Conference of 1820 — Plan of the Pro-slavery Party — Formation of Kentucky Conference — The Church in the West — Conference of 1820 — Publishes two Anti-Calvinistic Pamphlets — A Satanic Reply— The Rejoinder 180

Chapter XVI

Sets out with Father Walker for the General Conference — Lodges with a shouting Local Preacher — Resumes his Journey — Finds a loaded Pistol

— Met by a Robber — Pistol becomes useful — A Universalist Landlord — Praying off a Bill — Return from Conference — Effects of "New Cider" — A surly Host — Refuses Payment in Bills — Second Thoughts the best — Dance at a Tavern — Is asked to join — First offers a Prayer — The Dancing ceases — Prays and exhorts — Many converted — Being instant in and out of Season — A Preacher up to the Times — Dumb Devil — Evil of Dram-drinking — Makes an Enemy by his Temperance — Use of Liquor defended by Methodists — Appointed Presiding Elder of Cumberland District at Conference of 1821 — First round of Quarterly Meetings — Prayerless Professors — Roaring River Camp-meeting — A Disorderly Congregation

— Arrests their Attention — Defends the Divinity of Christ — Vanqui she3 its Disputants — Outpouring of the Spirit — An Arian Devil cast out — Simon Carlisle — He Reproves a young Profligate — His Revenge — Carlisle arrested for Robbery — Requests his Conference to suspend him — Restored to his Standing in the Church — His Innocence proved 199

Chapter XVII

Poplar Grove Camp-meeting — Spunky Widow — A Proselyting Baptist — Induced to hear Mr. Cartwright preach — Hears part of the Sermon and then runs — Promise of Immortality scouted — Publicly reproves a young Lawyer

— Is challenged in consequence — Chooses his Weapons — 'His Opponent is Conscience-stricken — Requests his Prayers — Finds Peace in Believing— Revival at Quarterly Meeting — Regulates the Altar Exercises — Sanctified Wealth a Blessing to the Church — Needless Church Expenditures— Might be better applied — Rowdies at a Camp-meeting — They determine to break rit up — Essay to carry out their Plans — They are dispersed — Conversion and Reconciliation of bitter Enemies — Ungentlemanly Infidel — Sessions of Kentucky Conference for 1822 and 1823

— Delegated to General Conference of 1821 — Close of his twentieth Year in the Itinerancy — Retrospective View oqq

Chapter XVIII

Determines to remove to Illinois — Reasons for so doing — MaKes the Journey on Horseback — Selects a Location — Returns through Springfield

— Is transferred to Illinois Conference — Parting with old Friends — Fatal Accident to one of his Daughters — Kindness from Strangers — Settles in Sangamon County — Vicinage of Indians — Extent of San-

famon Circuit — Appoints a Sacramental Meeting — " Cartwright's lood " — A close Brother — A Word in Season — Its good Effect — Scarcity of Money — James Dixon — Hunters' Expedients — Their Privations— Dixon loses his Eyesight — Singular Dream — His Sight restored — Good Luck — Voyage to St. Louis — Escapes from the Indians — A successful Trip — Becomes a Methodist — His peaceful Death — Increase on Sangamon Circuit — Conference of 1825 — Violent Bilious Attack — Journey homeward — An unkind Companion — His Dismissal — Stops to recruit — Proceeds on his Way — Is Sick on the Road — Lies down to Die — Good Samaritans — Is met by his Wife — Partial Recovery — Crossing the Grand Prairie Page 244

Chapter XIX

Sent to Illinois Circuit by Conference of 1826 — Is a Candidate for the Legislature — Hears himself defamed — Faces his Reviler — He apologizes — Another Calumniator — Proves his Assertions to be false — An aspiring Lawyer — He is taken down — Becomes friendly — Dangers in the Use of Liquor — Preaches to a highly expectant Congregation — Annoyance at Camp-meeting from a Drunken Crew — They are dispersed by an Artifice — An Insane Enthusiast — Various Delusions — Expulsion from the Church of an Impostor — A good Investment — ■ Value of Useful Books — Appointed Superintendent of Pottawattomie District

— Meeting with Indian Chiefs — Expenses of this Mission — Conference of 1827 — Voyage to General Conference at Pittsburgh — Immoral Fellow-Passengers — An exciting Debate — Comes off Victorious — Preaches on the Steamboat 261

Chapter XX

Absent from Conference of 1828 — Sickness of Mrs. Cartwright — Formation of Oneida Conference — Organization of OalllUlU MfMldflTst Episcopal Church — Attends the General Conference of 1828 — Gets the Cold Shoulder — Hearty Reception — Spiritual Darkness — Obtains Relief — Dangers of New Circuits — A Rough Pulpit — Death of Bishop George — Illinois Conference of 1829 — A hen-pecked Husband — He is relieved

— Written Sermons not liked — A Union Church — Unfair Dealing — A Methodist Church built — Great Sacrifice — Sangamon Camp-meeting

— Groundless Stories — Tormented by Mockers — They stick in the Mud — The Tables turned — A bigoted Mother — Her impotent Rage — A Providential Escape 292

Chapter XXI

Elected to the General Conference of 1832 — Prevented from attending by Family Sickness — Annoyed at Camp-meeting by a Huckster — Prosecutes him — He refuses to pay his Fine — His Stores seized, and himself taken to Prison — Pays, and is released — ■ His Companions desire to retake his Liquor — Their Ringleader quieted — Revival among the Persecutors

— Division of Illinois Conference — Is Superannuated for ten Hours

— Quincy District formed — None Killing to go to it — Takes the Appointment— Character of the District — A long Shower — An encouraging Motto— Watery Journey — A High-strung Predestinanan — Hater of the Methodists — The Eternal Decrees — Barton Randle — His Privations and Usefulness — Visit to Rock Island Mission — A rascally Ferryman — Former Site of an Indian Town — Fording Rock River — An unexpected Wetting — Galena Mission — Dangerous Ride with his Daughter — Contrast between Traveling then and now — D. B. Carter

— Abeloved Minister — His Death — Fort Edwards Mission... Page 320

Chapter XXII

Rise of the Mormons under Joe Smith — Their Expulsion from Missouri, and Establishment at N auvoo — Acquaintance with Joe Smith — His Ignorance and Cunning — Controversy concerning his Doctrines — Relates to him an Encounter with Mormons at a CamD-meeting, and how they were silenced — Smith grows Restive under this Recital — Curses him in the Name of his God — Mormons driven from Illinois — Illinois Conference of 1833 — Bishop Soule's Western Tour — Travels with him to a Quarterly Meeting — Visitation of the Cholera — The Bishop attacked with Fever — Preacher stationed at Jacksonville — First Quarterly Conference there — Rapid Growth of the Town — Illinois Conference of 1834

— Religious Excitement in Rushville Circuit — A Papist Convert 341

Chapter XXIII

Knox County Camp-meeting — A Yankee Family — Parents' Dislike of the Methodists — Efforts to keep their Children from the Meeting — The Daughters seek Religion — Opposition of their Mother — Laughable Incidents — Whole Family becomes Religious — Unhealthiness of Quincy

— A Dying Stranger — Takes Charge of his Affairs — A Campbellite Debater — He resists the Spirit — Becomes Insane — Commits Suicide. . . 352

Chapter XXIV

Missionaries sent to the West — They make Evil Reports of the Land — Their Preaching productive of no Good — Election to General Conference of 1836 — Church Paper at Cincinnati — Morris, Waugh, and Fisk elected Bishops — Slavery pronounced a Blessing — Ultra Abolitionists — Plan of Separation — Opinions of Southern Members in regard to Slavery — The True Wesleyans — Wilbur Fisk — Confidence of the Church reposed in him — Declines being ordained Bishop — Six new Conferences formed

— Funeral Sermon of Bishop M'Kendree — Sketch of his Life — Unhappy Delay in the Publication of his Memoirs ' 358

Chapter XXV

Extent of Illinois Conference — Session of 1837 — Revival in Jacksonville Station — A New-School Minister — Change of Purpose rrot Conversion — Gracious Revival — A live Yankee Minister — Abortive Attempt to Preach

— A powerful Exhortation — Anxious Inquirers — Easy Way of becoming a Christian — Elected Delegate to General Conference of 1840 — Agitation on Slavery revived — Abolitionists led by O. Scott — Opposes the Election of new Bishops — Several new Conferences organized — Abolitionists opposed to Colonization — They refuse to assist poor Churches in the South — Winchester Camp-meeting — A large Attendance — Numbers of Renegades — Determines to maintain Good Order — Rising of the Mob — Their Leader taken — A mock Camp-meeting — Rowdies put to Flight — Their Captain converted — Trial of the Disturbers 363

OHAPTEE XXVI.

Growth of the Country — Its State in 1824 — Determines to build a Church — A Union Church proposed — He strongly objects to it — Success of his Enterprise — First Church in Sangamon Circuit — Waters's Camp-ground— Quarterly Meeting at Alton — A Methodist Ball — Crowded Attendance — Christ rejects none — Answering a Fool according to his Folly — Universalism a conscience-soothing Doctrine — Quarterly Meeting at Exeter — A Company of Mockers— Happy Conversion — A noted Gambler — He burns his Cards — Obtains Religion — Goes to Utah — Becomes a Mormon — A despairing Sinner — Dies without Hope — Revival at Winchester — The Campbellites present in full Force — They

Erovoke Controversy — Their Preacher nonplused — Advice to Public peakers — Conference of 1843 — Bp. Andrew presides — General Conference of 1844 — Church Statistics — Success of early Ministers.... Page 385

Chapter XXVII

Attends the General Conference of 1844 — Government of the Church — The Bishops have no Legislative Power — They do not Hold the Church Property — The Methodist Episcopal Church essentially Anti-slavery — Ground taken by the Northern and Southern Delegates respectively — Bishop Andrew's Connection with Slavery — Course which the Conference should have pursued — Course of Bishop Soule — The Conference had no Power to divide the Church — ■ Dr. Elliott's History of the Secession— Abolitionists have done nothing for the Slave — Course to be pursued toward Slaveholders — Is clear of Guilt in the Action of this Conference 411

OHAPTEE XXVIII.

Illinois Conference of 1844 — Non-concurrence in the Measures of the General Conference — Statement of Facts in the Case — Slaveholding never a Test of Church Membership — Conservatism the true Ground — Its Benefits to the Slave — Attends a nameless Meeting at Cincinnati — Taken ill on his Way to Conference — Reaches Alton City — Has Medical Assistance and Proceeds — Arrives at the Conference — A gloomy Year

— Southern Delegates call a Convention — Renounce the Methodist Episcopal Church — Form a separate Organization — Foul Means resorted to — Bishop Soule chierly to be Blamed — Bishop Andrew not without Fault in the Matter — Fate of Extremes — Fearful Results of Schisms 425

Chapter XXIX

Session of Illinois Conference for 1845 — Returned to Bloomiugton District

— Traveling hazardous in Winter and Spring — Commences his Round of Quarterly Meetings — An intensely cold Storm — Dreary Ride — ■ Reaches a Local Preacher's Cabin — One of his Sons converted at Prayers— Pursues his Journey — Crosses Sangamon River — Reaches the Meeting — The Church triumphs over her Foes — A Week at Waynesville

— Nightly Meetings — Frightful Death — A fair Conclusion — Paying Universalist's Bills — Elected to the General Conference of 1S48 — An exciting Session — Southern Delegates come resolved on Secession — The Louisville Convention — Measures of the General Conference of 1844 null and void — A peaceful Settlement evaded — German Mission

1Q QQJtT^NffS.

—Its Formation by Dr. Nast — Death of Charles Holliday — Election to the General Conference of 1852 — Feebleness of Bishops Hedding and Hamline — Affecting Address of Bishop Waugh — Superintends the Mission to the Pottawattomies — Change in the Country — Increase in Wealth and Population — Methodism dying out — Prejudice of the Minister at Warsaw against him — Offered the Use of the Presbyterian Church — Power of God on the Congregation — Notified to vacate the Church — Supposed Reasons therefor — Building of a Methodist Church

— Numerous Accessions to the Society — Revivals the Net of the Church

— Quincy Station — A Time of Refreshing — Sugar Grove Camp-meeting

— A prosperous Year — Failing Strength — Conference of 1S52 — Pleasant Plains District formed — Is appointed to it at Conference of 1853 — Incidents at the Boston General Conference — His Sermons pronounced Failures — The Charm broken — Characteristics of the Yankees — Their Hospitality — New-England Farms Page 441

Chapter XXX

General Conference of 1852 — Death of Bishop Hedding — Election of four new Bishops — A Yankee Triumph — Evil of Pewed Churches — Parting with kind Friends — Pioneer Preachers — Their Labors and Success^ Jesse Walker — Abundant in Labors — Becomes Superannuated — Final Triumph — Samuel H. Thomson — His Early Conversion — Great Usefulness— Sinks under Privations — His Ardent Zeal — Last Message — Victory over Death — John Dew — Talents as a Preacher — .Has Souls for his Hire — Is greatly Beloved — Goes to his Reward 480

Chapter XXXI

Illinois Conferences of 1854 and 1855 — Election to the General Conference of 1856 — Slavery Agitation — Multiplying of Stations tends to Congregationalism— Changes in Church Economy — Longer Term of Ministerial Appointment — New Rule on Ordination 501

Chapter XXXII

A Wealthy Physician — Avowed Infidelity — Moral Benefit of Christianity

— An Inexplicable Mystery — Breach in the Walls — Evidences of the Senses — The Doctor convinced — -His Wife's Conversion — Fervent Prayer — A Peaceful Answer — Glorious Revival — Preaches the Gospel