Autobiography of Rev. Alvin Torry, first missionary to the Six Nations and the northwestern tribes of British North America

Front matter

AUTOBIOGRAPHY

OF

KEY. ALVIN TORRY,

Preface

For several years my numerous friends have been urging me to write out the particulars of my labors among the "Six Nations," and north-western tribes of Indians in Canada, together with other incidents of my itinerant life. -Inasmuch as I was the first christian missionary sent among the tribes, and as I saw the commencement of that great work of God now going on under the supervision of the Wesley an Canadian Methodists, I have endeavored to notice the special providences of God which led me into the work ; and of his wonder-working power in saving the lost -and wandering from ruin and eternal death, through the Gospel of his Son.

I have borrowed somewhat largely from different sources, all, however, intimately connected with my subject, and calculated to make this work interesting and profitable to the reader. If what I here present shall have a tendency to wake up a deeper concern in the hearts of our ministry and membership, for the salvation of the millions of heathen now groping in pagan darkness, and shall cause a more earnest seeking for that apostolic faith and power necessary for success in the great enterprise, I shall consider my labor not in vain.

The Author.

Chapter I

Birth — Early Life — Religious impressions — Converted at seventeen years of age — Call to preach — Assisted by Rev. Loring Grant — Leaves a widowed mother and her helpless family — Junior Preacher on Cayuga circuit — Admitted on trial in the Genesee Conference, and appointed to Scipio circuit — Revivals at Marcellus, Skaneateles, Spafford— Sent to Long Point circuit, Upper Canada Page 7

Chapter II

Condition of the Canadas — Incidents of the journey — Meets with Rev. Z. Paddock — Society at Long Point — A dream — Expects a revival — Change of colleagues — Has charge of the circuit, though not yet twenty-one — The work of reformation begins the first round — Sixty admitted on probation — Powerful meeting— Camp-Meeting — Remarkable conversion — Visits Lodersville — A revival — Church built by one man and presented to the society — Opposition — Ministers raised up — Bishop George visits the Canadas — Chosen to travel with the Bishop— Re-appointed to Canada 20

Chapter III

Preaches at Mount Pleasant— Opposed by the Hicksite Quakers— A convert alienated — Reclaimed by a sermon — Goes to a Quaker Settlement—Debate— Society formed and church built— Asks to return to the States— Request not granted— Visits the Indian son Grand River =— Second visit— Conference at Vienna— Appointed to Grand River mission * 38

VI

CONTENTS.

Chapter IV

Indian Tribes of Canada— Historical details— The Six Nations— Alliance with Great Britain— Provided for by the Government— Brant visits England — Translates portions of the Bible into Mohawk — Becomes a member of the Established Church — Paganism abandoned by the Mohawks, but without embracing true religion— The author's plan of missionary labor — Brainard — John Steward — Indian council — Mohawk the general language — Honesty of the Indians — Difficult travelling — Near perishing from hunger — Two Indians, the celebrated Peter Jones and his sister, converted at camp-meeting — Great revival among the Indians — A society formed and church built — Their mode of worship Page 50

Chapter V

Indian customs— Reforms— Conference— Dr. Clarke's Commentary — Return to the mission— A Mohawk Chief's reason for joining the Methodists— Exhorts a Bishop— The work extends to other tribes — Peter Jones visits the river Credit — Intemperate habits of the Indians—They promise to visit Grand River 89

Chapter VI

The Indians arrive at the Grand River Mission— Many converted, and among them the mother of Peter Jones— The Indian converts remain with the Mohawks— Exemplary Christians 99

Chapter VII

The Munceys on the river Thames— Letter from John Carey, at eachel' at Muncey town, 17. C. — Resolves to visit that tribe — Accompanied by Peter Jones and other Indians— The Munceys preparing for a grand religious feast— Ceremonies and incidents of the occasion — Hostile demonstrations— Obtains at length a cordial reception— A school established— Return to Grand River— Large number of converts—Peter Jones made a Chief— The Chippewas go to their Reservation 106

Chapter VIII

Attends the session of the Genesee Conference— Canada Conference at HalloWell— A band of Chippewas attend— Twenty converted in one meeting— Incidents— The missionary cause receives a new impulse—Personal enjoyment— The lion tamed 125

CONTENTS.

VII

Chapter IX

The Mississaguas established on the Credit— Schools— Distribution of annuities— How drunkenness was prevented— The converted Indian women refuse jewelry— Carpenters and masons sent to build houses— The work spreads— Great numbers converted — Letter to the Methodist Magazine Page 136

Chapter X

Returns home— Leaves for Conference— Annual report of the Conference on the Indian Missions— Letter from Rev. Loring Grant— Increase of missionary funds— Liberality of the Canadians 151

CHAPTER XL

Devotedness of the Indians — The work extends — The state of the Mission— Letter of Dr. Ryerson— John Carey successful at Muncey town — An Indian tries to kill him— He escapes— Refuses to leave 173

Chapter XII

Stability of the Indian converts— Causes of it— Triumphant deaths— An Indian deceived and made drunk by the whites— Commits suicide—The tribe resolve to exclude all rum-sellers— Worse than diabolical character of the liquor traffic 192

Chapter XIII

Pioneer work— Exposure— Health impaired— Asks for release from the mission — Urged to continue— On his way to Conference faints and falls from his horse— After Conference goes home to the States to recruit— Returns to Canada invigorated— Again dangerously ill —Transferred to the Genesee Conference— Appointed to the Ulysses circuit— Goes to the Canada Conference— Successful meeting at Salt Springs— Remarkable instance of presentiment— Henry Ryan 203

Chapter XIV

Travels the Ulysses circuit alone— Returned the second year— Has Gideon Laning and Schuyler Hoes for colleagues— The character of Brother Hoes— He leaves the Church on account of severe treatments-Death of the author's mother — The Genesee Conference divided— Retains his membership in the Oneida Conference— Pom* pey circuit second year— Revival at Delphi— Controversy*-Fabius circuit — Revivals in many places— A 'battle with Universalism— A Mormon convert reclaimed— Norwich circuit 227

VIII ./i. CONTENTS.

Chapter XV

Chenango, Otego and Canajoharie circuits— Oneida Indian Mission- Rise of the Mission— Superannuation— Removal to Andover, Allegany Co., N. Y.— A revival— Society formed and church built— Becomes effective— Straightened circumstances— Again superannuated —Removes to South Onondaga— Remarkable conversion of a young man— Assisted in the purchase of a home— Death of rela-

tives Page 256

Chapter XVI

A visit to former fields of labor— Cayuga— Ulysses— Canada— Residence of the late Peter Jones-An account of his last illness and death— His character— New Credit Mission— Great changes— Sermon of Rev. Wm. Case— His sudden death— A memoir of him.—

Incidents— Mode of worship— Hamilton— Brantfordville 282

Chapter XVII

Extent of the Indian Mission work-Selections from the correspondence of missionaries— The leaven reaches beyond the Rocky Mountains-An appeal from the Flathead Indians-Responded to by Rev. Jason Lee 3g4

Chapter XVIII

Return home-Incidents-Camp-meeting at Lebanon-Sacred associa. turns— Death of a son-Retrospection-On the rock-Joyous prospect ■ "... 351

Chapter I

Birth— Early Life— Religious impressions — Converted at seventeen years of age— Call to preach— Assisted by Rev. Loring Grant- Leaves a widowed mother and her helpless family— Junior Preacher on Cayuga circuit— Admitted on trial in the Genesee Conference, and appointed to Scipio circuit— Revivals at Marcellus, Skaneateles, Spafford— Sent to Long Point circuit, Upper Canada.

I was born July 27, 1797, in the town of Stafford, county of Tolland, State of Connecticut.

My parents were vbo±k natives of this State. They both became members of the Presbyterian Church in early life. As yet, Methodism had no existence in that part of the State, but no sooner did one of the Methodist itinerants visit the town of my father's residence, and publish an appointment for preaching, than he became one of his first hearers ; and so well pleased was he with this first sermon, that he invited him to preach at his own house in another part of the town. The minister accepted the invitation, and this was the beginning of Methodism in old Stafford, Conn.

A reformation soon followed ; a society was organized ; my parents became members, and three of my mother's brothers (of the Dimmick family) became ministers. My parents became members about the time I was bora. They emigrated to New York State in the year 1801, and settled on the Butternut Creek, Otsego Co. Here the country was new ; no Methodists, nor Methodist preaching near.

This same year the Tioga circuit embraced Unadilla. The preachers were Gideon C. Knowlton and Moses Morgan. These heralds of the cross soon planted Methodism along the Unadilla Kiver, which was only four miles from my father's residence. They established preaching at his house ; a society was organized, and a glorious reformation followed. The Chenango circuit was formed soon after, embracing both the town of Unadilla and the Butternuts. John P, Newman, David Dunham, Matthew VanHousen, John Husselkus, Benoni Harris, Benj. Bidlack, Wm. Heyer, Sylvester Hill, Ebenezer White,* and Chas. Giles, were some of the itinerants who visited and preached

"*Ebenezer White— O, that man of God ! Truly his memory is blessed— he was my spiritual father. I must be allowed here to speak the language of one who knew him well, and who wrote his obituary notice.

"The term, 'Father White' was used— though only forty-three years of age when he died— out of deep reverence for his piety and usefulness ; and it may be said of him, as was said of Job of old times, 'When the ear heard him,' whether in social converse or in the public assembly, it blessed him ; and 'when the eye saw him,' in all at my father's house, and under whose ministry I received my first religious impressions.

All these have gone to their final reward in heaven, excepting the last mentioned. He still lingers upon our earthly shores ; but, doubtless, will soon be released, to join that holy band of martyrs who worship around the throne of God in heaven.

When I was seven or eight years old, I remember

the relations he sustained to his fellow beings, it bore witness he was truly a man of God.

"He had, naturally, a robust constitution, but in consequence of a fractured limb, his future life was marked with afflictions. This stroke of Divine providence, which fell upon him while questioning his call to travel and preach the Gospel, he received as an admonition from heaven.

"His daily sufferings taught him the bitter consequences of disobedience, and proved a spur to him in his religious course. He was devoted to the work of the Lord; he denied himself; he left all; even the ties of affection toward his dear family, though strong, did hot draw him from the duties of his charge. He made it the business of his life to point sinners to the cross, and to build up the Church of Christ, in which his soul delighted, in holiness and truth. He counted not his own life dear, so that he might please God, who called him to the ministry, and be instrumental in doing good to his fellow men. He labored— travelling through heat and cold— when his infirmities indicated dissolution near. Many, in his condition, would have pleaded exemption from such laborious duties, but his ardent soul, burning with an immortal flame, could not rest ; and when he was not able to preach standing upon his feet, he stood upon his knees, and thus, in that humble posture, declared the whole counsel of God. In his ministerial character, he was deservedly esteemed as a father and a pattern. He was plain,, artless, and solemn, in his style and address. He never studied to ring the ear with pleasant sounds, or dazzle the eye with shining things. His aim was at the heart, and the heart he won. Conscience seldom slept where he preached. He loved the souls of men, and would not be deuied. He went deep, and swam far being powerfully operated upon in a great meeting at my father's house. A pentecostal shower fell upon the people. All seemed to be overwhelmed with the power and love of God ; and I shared with the rest, and was happy. From this time until I was soundly converted to God, which occurred when about seventeen, I was inclined to read my Bible — for as soon .as

in the Gospel sea. From his golden treasures, through the vehicle of his heart, he brought forth things new and old. He was a faithful shepherd ; he never carried sand instead of salt to the flock, nor fed them with flowers instead of fruit ; hut he fed them after the great Shepherd's example, with the words of eternal life.

"He was not only a preacher in the pulpit, but out of it; he was instant in season and out of season, reproving and exhorting. One essential trait in his ministerial character, and which distinguished him as eminently useful, was his unwearied labors in catechising and instructing children. His toil was crowned with marvellous success, and his happy soul has often been transported by hearing children from eight years and upward, praising God in the temple, and singing ho saunas to his name.

"He was a lover of order in the Church, and under his administration of discipline, which was strict and mild, the Church always flourished like a garden of lilies.

"Thus was our beloved brother White eminent as a minister, yet not less so as a Christian. He ascended high in the kingdom of grace — possessed great faith, humility, zeal, and love ; and in the elevation of his soul in spiritual things, he learned to count all things below as dross.

"He was a good counsellor, a consoling friend, prudent in judgment, reserved in conversation, discreet in behavior, and patient in suffering. He was a great blessing, not only to his family but also to the Church of Christ. He entered the itinerant ranks in 1803. He filled eleven stations in the old Genesee Conference. He was attacked by the prevailing epidemic, which in about three days terminated his useful life, in the town of Hartwick, Otsego Co., N. Y. About half an hour before he died, he raised the window of his room to reprove some children who were playing in the street, it being the Sabbath day. Soon after, he laid down upon his bed, and calmly expired."

REV. ALVIN TOERY.

I became old enough to read, one was given me ; and I remember how much better I understood it after reading it through by course, than when reading it promiscuously ; and I believe I shall bless God to all eternity, that I was favored with religious training in the Methodist Episcopal Church fifty years ago ; and that I learned in the Methodist school, to distinguish between the power of religion and its form.

From the time I received my first religious, impressions, which was at the meeting at my father's house, of which I have spoken^ until I became a member of the M. E. Church, at sixteen, my love for Christians, and a relish for the means of grace increased, until I received the evidence that the Lord accepted of me as his adopted son. This was about six months after I joined the Church on trial. When brought into the full light and liberty of the Gospel of Christ, I soon found I was in my greatest element when engaged in the Lord's work of persuading men to be Christians, and in preparing myself to be useful in the Church and to the world.

I had strong impressions of mind, from the time I began to give my heart to God, that I must preach | but I kept these impressions to myself until interrogated by Kev. Loring Grant, preacher in charge of the Lebanon circuit on which I resided.

AUTOBIOGKAFHY OF

I had been called upon to pray and exhort in the public assemblies, and the Quarterly Conference had voted me a license to exhort, without my asking for it. I was conscious I should have to preach, but how I could ever start out as a travelling preacher, under my embarrassed circumstances, was something I could not then know. My father had died suddenly, and through the dishonesty of one he had confided in as an old friend, had lost all his property. My mother, with four children who were too young to support themselves, was thus left to the care of myself and a younger brother. But he being from home, at school, during the winter, and working through the summer, the care of the family devolved upon me, until Br. Loring Grant, preacher in charge of the circuit on which I lived, called upon me on his way from Conference, and said, aBr. Alvin, are you ready to mount your horse and enter the itinerant field ?" I said to him, "I lave no horse." "Well," said he, "I have a horse, saddle, bridle, and portmanteau, which I will let you have, and you can pay me when you get able."

I laid the matter before my mother ; she said she did not know how she could keep the children together, and get along without me ; "but," said she, "I must not oppose nor discourage you in what seems to be your duty to God and to the Church. The Lord will

REV. ALT IN TORRY. 13'

provide. Go, and my prayers shall ascend to heaven for your success."

Accordingly, having made every necessary preparation for leaving, I bade farewell to my weeping mother, sisters, and youngest brother—who was but four years of age — mounted my horse, and set my face for the west. After getting fairly off, and alone on my horse, I gave vent to my feelings in tears. I lifted up my heart in prayer to Him who I believed had called me to the work of the ministry, that he would help and bless me, and give me favor in the sight of the people with whom I was to labor. After travelling sixty miles, I reached Cortlandville, where the first quarterly meeting was held for Cayuga circuit. I was warmly received by brother and sister Grant ; and George Harmon, the presiding elder for Cayuga district, greeted me with a fatherly tenderness. I was directed to take the appointments of the circuit, and go to work as the junior preacher. I had only received an exhorter's license, and, of course, the official board of the circuit, after some months trial, were to determine whether I was competent to be a travelling preacher or not.

None but God knew what trials and sore conflicts I had with the powers of darkness during my first, year's labor ; but the Lord gave me favor in the sight of the people. Brother and sister Grant were like a tender father and mother to me during the whole year ; and Br. Kimberlin, who was supernumerary on the circuit, also treated me with great kindness, and encouraged me to go on in the great work I had entered upon. During this Conference year, the Lord gave me the most satisfactory evidence that I was doing the work he had made me for. On one public occasion, while I was preaching, the power of God fell upon the people, and before we closed our exercises, several were powerfully converted to God. 0, what sweet and heavenly seasons I enjoyed with the good people of old Cayuga circuit ! The remembrance of those days revives me now in my declining years, amidst suffering and poverty. I like to survey those retreats in groves and barns, where the Lord revealed himself to me gloriously. I remained on the circuit until Br. Grant returned from the Conference, which held its session at Elizabethtown, U. C, where I was admitted on trial, and appointed to Scipio circuit, which lay directly north of the one I was now leaving

At this time, Genesee Conference included all the territory now embraced in the Genesee, East Genesee, Oneida, Black Kiver and Wyoming Conferences, and Upper and Lower Canada.

During the year, I had visited my mother, and

REV. A L YIN TORRY. 15 '

found that the Lord had, indeed, been providing for her, and in a way I had not expected. My brother, Daniel, with my oldest sister, Hannah, had embraced religion, and united with the M. E. Church ; so she now had three of the five that were with her, who could unite with her around the family altar in prayer and praise to God, "Wealthy, one younger than the last mentioned, had experienced religion at a camp-meeting which I attended. When she emerged into the light and life of the Son of God, her bodily strength gave way, and she had no use of any of her bodily powers excepting her voice ; with that she cried,"Glory, glory, glory," for three hours, while the multitude gathered around, gazing upon her, for her face shone like the face of an angel. She was, at this time, but ten years old, and has long since taken her place by the side of her sainted mother, fast by the throne of God in heaven.

During this Conference year, I had an impression of mind that I must visit a certain village of people from house to house, and talk and pray with them. I followed out the impression, and when about half through my work, visiting and praying with the people, a gentleman of the village said to me, "will you preach to us this evening V I said, "yes, if you have a house the people can be convened in." He said he would open their new school-house. He did so, and when evening came, the people came rallying to the place, to see who the crazy fellow was who had been crying, "Kepent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and be saved." I gave out my text, "Escape for thy life ; tarry not in all the plain ; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed." The word took effect ; salvation came to the people ; and in a few months a good society was raised up, which has remained to this day. The above mentioned village is Dryden, Cortland county.

This year (1817) I found I was to be associated with Br. Zenas J ones for my colleague. He was a good man, and a spiritual preacher. After having an interview with him, and receiving a plan of the circuit, I found it was as large as the one I had just left. It embraced Scipio, Cayuga, Mentz, Elbridge, Jordan, Manlius, Onondaga, Owasco, Otisco, Auburn, Skaneateles and Spafford.

Through all these towns we travelled, and preached in every neighborhood and village where the people would give attention. It was a four weeks' circuit, and all we could do in the preaching line, was to give each congregation one sermon once in two weeks ; and this required us to preach almost every day in the week, twice or thrice on the Sabbath,, and Ion £ rides

EE V. ALVIN TOBEY.

between. Thus we bad plenty of work in preaching, visiting and praying with the people, and in attending to revival meetings, which were very common in those days of Methodism.

In the town of SpafTord, we had several week-day appointments in private houses, school-houses and barns. At one of these appointments, in a barn, on what was called SpafTord Side-Hill, was a small congregation, for as yet we had not got the attention of the people turned much to the great interest of the soul.

I had preached to them but two or three times in my turn round the circuit, before the Lord favored us with a glorious revival. It commenced one afternoon while I was trying to preach to the people assembled in the barn. I gave out my text, and when about half through with my discourse, there appeared at the door a young woman of some seventeen years. As she was entering the barn, to take her seat with the people who were now listening to the word preached, she stopped suddenly and began to weep. The word of truth had taken fast hold of her heart, and in a moment or two, while she was yet standing in the door, the Lord converted her soul. She shouted aloud, and passed from the south door, through the»congregation, to the north door, to lay hold of her father, who was sitting near the door. When he saw her coming towards him with a quick step, and shouting "glory/3 his first thoughts were to run, for he made no profession of religion, hut before he had time to leave his seat she had fast hold of hini, and was exhorting him to give his heart to Christ.

This was like the shock of an earthquake among the people, and the power of God was manifested to save lost and perishing sinners.

The father and mother of this young woman, and several of her brothers and sisters, were converted to God ; and this was the beginning of Methodism in Spafford.

Another glorious revival began in the town of Marcellus, in the vicinity of David Holmes'. David Holmes was a local preacher in our Church; his wife was a woman of a powerful mind, and a devoted Christian. They have given to the Methodist Church two or three strong and able ministers of the New Testament. From this revival was raised up one of the most noble bands of young men and women that I have ever known ; and who can tell the amount of good, that, during the past forty years has grown out of this revival ! When I beat up for volunteers at the commencement of the reformation in brother Holmes' barn, brother Stephen Cobb was the first to give in his name for member-

REV. AL VIE TORKY.

ship. He has not only been a successful minister for many years, but two of his sods are able and successful itinerants in our Church.

During this year I was invited to preach at Skaneateles village. I was obliged to preach on a week-day evening. The word of truth took effect, and we soon organized a society. This, on the whole, was a good year. I labored in harmony with my colleague to the close of the Conference year. I attended the Conference, which held its session on the banks of Cayuga Lake. At the close of this Conference, I was read off for Long Point circuit, U. C. After receiving my appointment, I visited my mother, divided my hundred with her, and prepared for my journey to the then far off regions of the dominions of George the Third.