The life, labors and sermons of Rev. Charles Pitman, D.D., of the New Jersey conference, by C. A. Malmsbury. With an introduction by Rev. Charles H. Whitecare, D.D

Front matter

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Preface

To BESCUE the names and memories of great and good men, from that oblivion which the surges of this world's activities, and the sweeping marches of time, seem, as if by destiny, determined to cover forever in the shadows of an eternal night, is the work of men in each generation of a passing century. And thus it becomes our duty to hand down from one generation to another an account of their lives, and a record of their acts and usefulness, and to keep in a chain of successive and unbroken links, the biographies of eminent Christian men of the past, and the present.

The subject of our biography was one of the most extraordinary men of his age, or that the church has ever produced. His life, character, and attainments, which we trust, cannot fail to make a profound impression upon the young and old in this day and generation, marked our hero as a champion of the cross, and as a bold and powerful defender of " the faith once delivered to the saints." We hope his lofty ambition, and noble, self-sacrificing life of toil, will not only serve the cause of truth and righteousness, in elevating its standard in the minds of men, but that his example may stimulate others in their toils and efforts for a noble and useful life-service in the cause of Christ, and lead them justly to appreciate the sacrifices he made, and diligently strive to imitate his excellencies and self-denying example of godliness, and religious zeal.

We have been anxiously waiting for years, for some one to write this biography,^ and give us an account of this great and good man ; and at last, becoming ''weary of waiting," and in this period of partial cessation of our ministerial life, as a temporary relief from the pressure of its more arduous duties, and as a recuperative of exhausted nervous force and energy, and amid a pressure of correspondence for several of our religious journals, and other literary matter, we have ventured to take pen in hand and do what we could from the material left by Mr. Pitman to write his biography.

Biography is one of the greatest needs of the Church. *' Biography is

Y

VI PREFACE.

the histoiy of man." " If impartial, it shows us ourselves. The biography of Christian men, not only illustrates, or sets forth, the characteristics of human nature, but also exhibits the grace of God, ^nd shows the energy with which it works in transforming fallen man into the image of Ood." The history of faithful ministers of Christ unfolds also the progress of the Redeemer's kingdom among men, and thus in the biography of one man is included many.

The Church wants biography. Our people need it. It is essential to spiritual life. Our people have need to know how our fathers have lived and how they died. There is a great dearth in our modem literature respecting biography. Old Methodist literature abounded with it, and the devout and earnest perusal of it and its application to heart and life of professed Christians has wafted on the wings of faith many a soul to glory. It will do the same under Qod now that it has done in the past

How far our attempt to write this biographical sketch may be successftil we must leave our readers to determine. To extensive literary attainments or to elaborate and finished production we make no claim. Apologies we have none to make, but for the aim or purpose we have disclosed in this work, we think we are entitled to the favorable consideration of the reading public. The material has been gathered and added to the chapters by the author at odd times, and as occasion offered, " in season and out of season,'' and under the pressure of various ministerial engagements, which none can understand but those who follow a nomadic or itinerant life.

As to our statements, we have both good and reliable authority for ihem; they have been gathered from those who were contemporary and conversant with the hero of our history, and were, in many instances, connected with him in the great evangelism of his time, and we now send forth this volume with an earnest prayer that it may do good, and inspire greater love to Christ in the souls of its readers, and be the means of leading men and women to Christ; and especially do we pray that it may awaken and move by impulses and convictions, impressions and activities, the Christian ministry of this age and generation to a still greater earnestness and devout effort in securing a gracious ingathering of souls, and to do this let them imitate our grand, glorious gospel hero, and preach the doctrines of religion.

The Author.

CHAPTER I. PaOB

Loa of Fkther— Incident — GonTenion— Oocnpfttion as a School Ttecher— Letter ftom hie comln, BeT. Joseph Bennett— Oommences to Ezercise his GUIs in Pnblio— BeriTsl Meeting mi Three Tuns (now cslled Hedding)— A Junior Preacher on Trenton Glrcuit-^otns the Philadelphia Oonferenee— First Circult^-Gollesgue . . 1-16

CHAPTER IL

MB. pitman's SUBSEQUEKT FIELDS OF LABOB.

Bergen Oircnlt— New Brunswick Station -Sent to Supply Bev. J. Moore's Place— Ordination and Ordination Pkrchmenti— Letter containing an account of work of God in New Brunswick— Mr. Pitman an actire and suooesaAil Book Agent— ** Bridgetown" Station, Southern New Jersey— Great BeTlval—OunTerts- Letter oontaining an account of the work of God In ** Bridgetown,** K. J.— Mr. Pitman, Senior Preacher on the aty ClrBnlt, Philadelphia, 1825— Ber. William Barnes and BsT. Joeeph Holdich, Oolleagnes— What it embraced- Bev. Gea G. Oookman's arrival in Philadelphia— Joins St George's Church— Incident— Mr. Pitman continues but one year on the Circuit— Appointed Presiding SIder of West Jersey District, Philadelphia Conference, 1826 16-34

Chapter III

MB. PITMAV AS PBESIDIHG ELDEB OF THE WEST JER8ET DISTBICT.

What it embraced at that time— Mode of TniTel-^oarterly Meetings— Book Sales— "Old Burlington ** Circuit— Plan of Appointments— Burlington— Camden— Officiary of the District— Trenton Station— Officiary -Freehold Circuit— ** Screaming Hill** — Ezekiel Cooper— Incident— Officiary of Freehold arcult— New Mills Circuit- Incident— Officiaiy of New Mills Circuit— Mr. Pitman felt at home at New Mills, and was warmly welcomed by that people— Sketeh of Methodism in Burlington, New Mills and Trenton 36^7

vii

Paob

Vlll CONTENTS.

Chapter IV. West Jebset Distbict 005tivued

Old Qloooeitor dicuit-OfflcUij- Beqjamln B. Doughty (Sketch oO'-FlMnnt Milk —Mother Bicfaaniv—QaArtarly MeeUngi at PleMont Milta, Cunberland and Gape May CSrculti— Pitman^t powerful Sennona agaloet Formaliioi— ThrilliDg Incident —A wealthy man oonTerted, builds a Church, donates It to the M. S. Church ^Incident related by Dr. Bartlne—** Sheep Sermon **—Offlciaiy of both Clnmlte — Changes that hare taken place

Chapter V. West Jebset Distbiot Ooktihited

"Bridgetown" Station— Offldaiy— Salem Station— Officiary— Salem Clreuit-Offlciary— Quarterly Meetings— Preaching— Salary of the Presiding ^der — Moving and Traveling Expenses— Books for the Societies, Character of— Preachers who purchased Books and who labored with Mr. Pitman on his District— State and condition of Methodist intereet when Mr. Pitman entered upon the District as Presiding Elder and at the p r esent time— Appointments then and now 61-79

Chapter VI

MB. PITVA5 APPOIKTED PRESIDISa ELDEB OF THE EAST JEBSET DI8TBICT.

What it embmoed— Appointments— New Brunswick Station— Officiary— Freehold Glronit —Additions made to the Officiaiy— Trenton Ciicnit— Officiary— Crosswicks Circuit- Officiary— Essex Circuit— Offic4azy—Morrlstown— Officiary— Bloomfleld— Officiary— BellTllle— Officiary —Newark— Officiaiy — ** EUxabethtown "-Officiary — Bahway— Officiary— Staten Island Circuit— Officiaiy— New ProTidenoe— Officiary- Somenet Mission— Bergen Neck Mission- Supplied by Local Preacheiv— Mr. Pitman elected a Delegate to the General Conference, 1832— Active work— Exhortets on Mr. Pitman*s District— UseAil adjuncts— Character and Office almost obsolete now— Freacheiv—Appointments* Camp-meeting near Newton, Sussex Co., N. J.— Mr. Pitman preached— Intense interest awakened— Camp-meeting near New Brunswick— Wonderftil results— Methodism in the Ascendency— Charles Pitman, under God, the grand instrument 80-96

Chapter VII

MB. PITMAir STATIONED IN PHILADELPHIA, AT UNION OHaBCH.

Building of the Church— Great popularity— Keyser's Church— Crowded Congregations at Keyser*8— Dedication of Union— Congregation crowd Union as they did Keyser's— Personnel of Mr. Pitman— Manner of addxea- Effect produced in reading

CONTENTS. IX

Vam

hymiw— Fnaohlng^Unnmittod fttte&tlon to hi* Purtoiml wortc— SncocM Clodng of hJt term of Miniitertal Serrioe at Union Gborch— Old Union, • gnnd monl batll«-field--Shoald fonVer be monnmental to Methodion— Appointed Agent, with Ber. E. 8. Janei, for Dickinson College— Snooeah-Oamp-meeting Incident in I>el»- ware— Mr. Pitman preadied— A portentooa thonder-atorm dood, held back during the lervlce— WonderAil out-pouring of the Spirit of God— Fire hondred oonrerted on that afternoon and erenlng 96-107

Chapter VIII

MB. PITVAH BELIlSrQUISHEB THE AGENCY OF DICKIIfSOV OOLLZGE AVD BETUBNS TO THE PA8T0BATE.

Stationed at St George*s, FhlUdelphia — Repair and remodeling of the Church — William P. Corbit— Means that led to hie conrenion— Oreat revlTal of religion at St Geoxge*a— Hundreds conrerted— Mn. Craft's couTerrion— Eminent reviral preachers asdet— BeT. John Street, Bera. C A. Llpplncott, Watters, McOaskey, Tasker and others— Second year at St George's— Conference years, 1836 and 1837 —Notable years in the History of Methodism in Philadelphia and New Jersey —Closing of the ^rm of serrioe— Mr. Pitman appointed to Eighth St Church, a new organisation in consequence of the great ingathering at St George's— Its history— Success— Bemains but one year— Transferred the next year to the New Jersey Conference 106-128

Chapter IX

MB. PITMAN A MEMBEB OF THE NEW JEB8ET CONFEBENCE. Stationed at Green Street M. B. Church, Trenton— His hibors— Crowded Congregations—Incident, by which a Church was subsequently oiganixed— Bct. Wm. P. Corbit— Mr. Pitman earnest and Indefatigable in his work— Success in rerival effort— Numerous calls for Dedication Senrices and the laying of Oomer^tones for Churches— Oose of Mlnistorlal term— Appointed Presiding Elder of Trenton District- Continues in office nearly two months— Transferred to the New York Conference— Elected to fill a vacancy made by the reelgnatlon of Dr. Bangs in the Missionary Secretaryship of the M. E. Church— Duties— Trarels— Addresses- Sermons— Editorship of the ** Missionary AdTocato "—Honored with the Title of D.D.-Sketehes of Mlsilonary work 124-138

Chapter X

FUBTHEB AOOOUNT OF DB. PITMAN*8 MIS8I0NABT LABOB. Letter concerning a mlnlonary effort In Bahway, N. J.— TraTels— Addresses— Golleotion»— Trip to Connecticut— Appeal to the Conferences and Churches to aid in extinguishing the debt of the Missionaiy Society— Travels up the Hudson— YisitB

X CONTENTS,

CHAPTER XL

DB. PITMAH A3 A CHUROH DEDICATOR. SOKE AQOOUVT OF THESE DEDICATIONS.

Weat Bkwmfleld, Trenton (N. J.), Milford (BeL), Gonnectlcat, Odd Spring (L. L), Broadway (N. J.), Bordentown (N. J.X Porcfatown (N. J.), and othen-Sermona— Great ■nooeei that followed— Much of this kind of work performed during the last twelve or flfleen yean of hia acUve life— An account of the great Weet Port Uunp-niaeting 161-167

CHAPTER Xn.

BE. PITVAH AS A PBEACHEB.

Blffldent at flnt-Manner Solemn— Incident at New York Conference— Incident at a Gamp-meeting— Pltman'8 tears more powerfW than hie exhortation— Sermon on Spiritual Pathology— Br. Pitman preached the doctrines of Beligion— <* Billy Hlbbard" ipcident at Conference— Br. Pitman preached the doctrine of Christian Perfection or Entire Sanctiflcation— Extnu^ fh>m Sermons— Br. Pitman "set for the defence of the Gospel "—Great moral achievement— Culmination of history . . 16»-186

CHAPTER Xin.

DR. PITIIAK, AS A POET, POSSESSED A FIHB POETICAL TALENT.

Wrote considerable Poetry between the years 1840 and l848-Specimena : A Missionary Hymn, Israel in Bondage, The Preservation of Moses, The Sducation of Moses, The Choice of Moses— Character of Br. Pitman's Poetiy 18&-I99

CHAPTER XIV.

DR. PITMAN AS A PULPIT ORATOR.

Oratory, and in what does it consist ?— Oratory defined- Eloquence defined— Sermons —Beading Hymns— Scriptural Lessona— Manner of reading— Baptismal, Sacramental and Burial Services fh)m the Bitual—BedicaUons— Missionary Addrewes— Extracts —Br. Pitman*s description of Dr. Newton 200-2:2

CONTENTS. XI

CHAPTER XV.

DB. PITMAV AND HIS OOVTEMPOBABIES.

Paob B«T. IBdward Fftge— B«t. G«orge Banghart— B(*t. John Potte— ReT. Exekiel Cooper ~S«v. Solomon Sharp— Rer. Manning Force— S«t. Richard W. Pethexbridge— BeT. Edmund 8. Janes, D.D.— Rev. Joieph HoIdJch, D.D.— Rer. George G. Gookman— ReT. Joieph 0. Ghattie— ReT. Daniel Pkrriah- Rer. Waten Burrougfai— ReT. Thomaa McOarroll— Rer. Isaac Winner, D.D.— ReT. Sedgwick Rnaling— ReT. Thomas G. Steward— ReT. Oaleb A. Lipplncott— Rer. Joseph Lybrand— Rer. Thomas SoTereign— ReT. Jelferwn Lewis, D.D.— ReT. Charles H. Whitecar, D.D 213-239

CHAFl'EB XVL

EZPIBATIOV OF THE TEBV OF DB. FITMA]fr*S MI8SI0NABT 8ECBETABTSHIP. HEALTH OIVIHG WAY NECESSITATES HIS BETIBEUEITT.

Bemores ftom New Tork to his former home In Trenton, N. J.— Letter to the Conference asking for a superannuated relation— How the last four years of his life were pnasfd— Paralysis— Sickness— Death— Funeral— Sermon by Bishop Janes— Interment in Mercer Cemetery— Final Bestlrg-place— An account of the Funeral Servioesi as published In the ** Daily True American," Trenton, N. J.— Sermon by ReT W. P. Oorbit on the Death of Dr. Pttnuin— A Tribute to Dr. Pitman's Memoiy, by ReT. B. C. Jones, entitled ** The Unbroken Rest '*— The surrlTing nembers of the Pitman liunily 240-268

CHAPTER XVn.

BEVIKISCEHCES OF BEY. CHABLE8 PITMAV, D.D.

ReT. D. W. Bartine, D.D.— BeT. J. L. Gilder, D.D.— Memoir, New Jersey Conference Minutes, 1864— ReT. James Ayars— Rst. John Kennaday, D.D.— Rev. G. D. Carrow, D.D.— ReT. R. W. Allen, D.D.— Rer. William Roberts^ D.D.— Rst. Charles H. Whitecar, D.D.— ReT. Hebron Vinoent 269-288

CHAPTER XVIII.

SKETCHES OF SEBIfONS.

Dedication Sermons: Psalm 48: 12-14, 2d Chron. 6: 40, 41, ba. 60: 7, Acts 14: 7— Ministerial Commlalon : Col. 1: 28, 29, Psalm 126: 6, I«l 61 : ^-Missionary Sei^ mons: Matt 13 : 38, Acts 16 : 9— ETangeUcal Christianity : Isa. 44 : 3-«, Rom. 4 : 16, Rom. 12: 1, Eph. 2: 8, 9, Rom. 6: 1— Formal Professlonf: 2 Tim. 3: &— Sanctiflcation : John 17 : 19— Spiritual Pathology : 1 Cor. 11 ; 80. 289-362

Introduction

Memory, tradition and history are component factors in giving to posterity the knowledge of pre-events and distinguished personalities related thereto ; unitedly revealing the great past to the present, and showing its potent influence in laying the firm foundations upon which is reared the grand superstructure of civil' and religious progress.

The greatest of these factors is history. Memory is lost in the waning and ending life, while tradition fails in its protracted attenuation and uncertainties, leaving to exact and impartial history the embodiment and conservation of events, incidents and persons, otherwise destined to oblivion, and thus lost to the coming generations.

Beligious history, like sacred poetry, is an educator of the moral

forces, and thereby constitutes a potent adjunct of the pulpit^ and

the retigfous press, as a reformatory and evangelical power, while

contributing to the instruction and entertainment of intelligent

inquiry. Each age is to perpetuate itself, so that posterity may have

the benefit of its experiences, accomplishments and instructions in

discharging its obligation to the State, to society and to the church,

and thus to be the better qualified to build wisely and safely upon

the old foundations. As what was purest was nearest the Apostolic

Age in Christianity, as what was intensely patriotic and American

was in the men and measures of our Continental fathers, so, also,

we are to look to our Methodistic original, as the truest exhibit of

xiii

XIV INTRODUCTION.

what it was ; as proyidence institated and outlined it as the evangelism for the churches, and the masses in the oncoming years.

It is not enough that we have a yaried, full and entertaining denominational history, coyering the century of our church organization in this country, but we need to haye the special exhibit of distinguished persons, with their intense and heroic accomplishments in our several localities, as a denomination, so that the inspiration of their virtues, and their work may be a living force to their successors for all time.

Our church has had a host of holy, apostolic men, who have deserved a historic monument now too late to build, and well nigh failed, in the erection of thiSj^in the delay of years to the life, virtues and work of Bev. Charles Pitman, D.D., and, but for the affectionate and appreciative devotion of its author, might so have done.

After years of diligent preparation in collating original notes, memoranda and manuscripts, of which he came in possession, together with a far-reaching correspondence and local inquiry, with an aggregation of reliable traditional facts, and a careful and extended consultation of written and published details, thus providing him with incidents, accomplishments and data, the author of this history of the life, times and compeers of Bev. Charles Pitman, D.D., has produced a volume which supplies a desideratum in modem ministerial biography.

This illustrious personality, with the associates of his times, both clerical and lay, well deserve the distinction here given to them in their Christian devotion and Methodistic life service, contributing, as they did, to our progressive greatness, as a branch of the general Church.

Society is in diversity. Some are in the vales, some are on the levels, some stand out as the beautiful hills, while others loom up in the strength and grandeur of the mountains. This last class has its representatives in founding empires and republics. In learning and discovery, in the State and in the Church, such was

INTRODUCTION. XV

the subject of this historic portraittire. Ab the foundation of trae great, ness is in the nature, such was his ; and as the supeistnicture raised thereon is by personal devotion and culture, so of his ; and as greatness has its own inspiration, which, if obeyed, and its mission, which, if followed, she gives to it a distinction worthy of herself in individual illustration, exalting, as in the case of Dr. Pitman, to eminence and honor.

Of the class of the great, the good and the usefiil, as will appear in the reading of this carefiilly-prepared and interesting volume, was the universally beloved Charles Pitman, D.D., seen, as he will be, in his colossal grandeur, as he inspired confidence in gospel work by his native power and spiritual force.

His leadership was heroic and assuring, and braced the less fiivored in endowments for conflict and victory. He moved upon the masses and agitated them, as is the ocean by strong winds ; as his uplift of unctious influence was like the roll of the resistless waves, bearing down opposers and moving seekers and saints heavenward.

To properly appreciate the man, his history must be read, as his personal ministry is now beyond recall. As an interesting feature of this biography, the able and enthusiastic author has brought to view a lazge number of ministers and laymen who were his contemporaries, holding pastoral and official positions within the time of his work in the West and East Jersey, and in Philadelphia, as also of ministers with whom he held conference relations.

His poetic eflusions, sketches and sermons will be found to be a compensating feature of the history.

The time, research and ability devoted to this production not only reflects honor upon the author, but more — ^has redeemed from oblivion an illustrious son of Methodism, and given to our church and the Christian public a work reliable, useftil and entertaining, and abounding with

XVI INTBODUCriON.

incident and Methodistic history, which will open facts connected with oar church to unborn generations.

This Yolume will commend itself in its outline of ministerial, and lay agency during the primitive and heroic years of our Methodism. A few of the number still remain who participated in the polemic c<mflictB — ^public and social, and were active in bearing onward the standard of Christian conquest, under Dr. Pitman's leadership. These we are quite sure will liail this accomplishment with great satisfaction, as will many more in whose minds the traditions of the past years have left their inquisitive impressions. To overlook the field of many battles, and of glorious triumphs in Gk>epel work, on the foreground of the century now passing, will surely be a delight and joy to all the descendants, of their illustrious predecessors ; now, of the cities, villages, plains, valleys, and mountain slopes, where ''Charles Pitman," his compeers and lay helpers called the wandering sheep back to the fold of "the Chief Shepherd;'' and the formalist, to the rich inheritance of a joyous spiritual life. But few biographies of the men of the formative years of Methodism in New Jersey have been written, and this one will take an honored place beside that of the ardent "Abbott,*' the placid "Ware" and the enthusiastic " Stewart," whose memorials are set fast as the mountains, and are cherished, and transmitted by careful hands. I am pleased to add, that the publication of this volume has the approbation, and has had the concurrent aid of one of the oldest descendants of this distinguished subject.

Chas. H. Whitbcar.

Camden, N. J.

THE

LIFE, LABOES AND SERMONS

OP

EEV. CHARLES PITMAN, D.D.

CHAPTER I. MR. pitman's parentage, BIRTH-PLACE AND EARLY LIFE

CHARLES PITMAN, son of Daniel and Hannah Pitman, was born near Cookstown, Burlington County, New Jersey, on the 9th day of January, 1796. Of the parents of Mr. Pitman, we have but little or no history, exoept that they were godly and pious persons, and were members of the Methodist Society in the place where they lived, and that the &ther was a class-leader for some time in that Society, and the mother a gifted, devoted and earnest Christian woman, and not infrequently did she pray and speak in the meetings of their church, to great edification and profit.

Daniel Pitman died when Charles was only six years of age, and he was left to the care of a pious and affectionate mother, who endeavored to train him up for God, and usefulness in the church, and whose influence had much to do with moulding the future of that heart and life, which was to be productive of such great good to the church in after years.

The event of his fether's death, and of his orphanage is 1

2 UFE OP REV. CHARLES PITMAN, D.D.

described in some verses written by himself upon a birth-daj anniversary, in which he says :

"At six jean old an orphan boy; Left to a mother's only care, Her constant sweet and loved employ, To train his infant heart to prayer.

"'Twas mine a mother's heart to share, A mother's heart, — affection's home; 'Twas mine to hear the ardent prayer, And witness the unutter'd groan.

**'Qod bless my boy I' she meekly cried, And wiped the anxious tear away; 'iShepherd Divine,' his footsteps guide.

In paths of peace to endless day."

He would sometimes speak of his father, Daniel Pitman, who for some time previous to his death, was confined to his bed from the effects of a fall. Little Charles used to take the bread and butter to him when he was hungry, and Mr. Pitman would cut a slice of bread and spread it with butter for his boy, as it was a great delight for the father to see him eat so vigorously and with so much relish. The death of the father left Charles with a delicate mother to struggle against the world, and so soon as able, he had to bear his part in obtaining the means of support For a time, while in boyhood life, he worked on the farm of Daniel Smith, an old Quaker gentleman, whose only fault with the lad seems to have been that he loved his books, and occupied too much of his time in reading.

In after years, when Charles Pitman became a great and powerful preacher, this old Quaker gentleman used to wonder greatly how Mr. Pitman could preach so powerfully and with such wonderftil effect, and on an occasion when he expressed his surprise in this manner, one of Mr. Smith's sons replied thus : " Why, father, you know Pitman was always reading the Bible, and he learned to preach from it, and his knowledge of it helps him to preach it to others.''

AMUSING INCIDENT. 3

The attachment of young Pitman to his mother -was very ^^reat, and led to an amusing incident When a small boy a gentleman called on his mother^ desiring to pay his addresses and secure the widoVs hand in marriage. Charles suspected him, and to thwart his purpose, gave him on this occasion a sample of an obstreperous, unruly boy, crying, holding fast to his mother's dress, and making himself as disagreeable as possible, so much so, that the coveted opportunity for the two elderly people to exchange considerations and judgments- in so weighty a matter, was wholly lost on this occasion. The gentleman visited the widow several times afterwards, but thinking probably that it was " courtship under difficulties,*^ and the care of so intractable a child, would detract greatly from matrimonial felicity, ceased his addresses, and gave rest to the young boy^s mind.

Of the period of young Pitman's life from childhood to the time when he entered upon his ministerial career we have but little knowledge, and consequently cannot give a minute and connected history. Suffice it to say, his mother, as has been often heard from many sources, was a deeply pious and devoted woman, and took great interest in the cause of religion, and the success of the church. From this fact we may infer that she trained her son up in the fear and admonition of the Lord, and that he was converted to God in early life was a fact which he himself often referred to during his ministerial life and career. When in his sixteenth year, he told a valued and life-long friend of his he was graciously and gloriously converted, and from his earliest recollections *' he had the fear of Grod before his eyes,'* so that from these facts, we may reasonably suppose that almost the entire period of his natural life was given to the service of Grod, and like young Timothy, he was a child of faith and hope, and knew the Scriptures in their experimental power upon the human heart Thus were lessons of truth and righteousness early instilled into the mind of young Pitman.

After the lad had been by his loved motheVs teachings impressed with an abhorrence of gilded vice, he was tempted one day very strongly, by the enemy of all good, and merely for the sake of the gratification of his sight, to go to the theatre ; and an opportunity presented itself through his visiting Philadelphia where he met some acquaintances who proposed that they that night should go to the theatre. He yielded to their persuasions and went with them, but on his entering the place, conscienoe b^an to do its work ; a trembling seized upon him, and he clasped one of the pillars of the building in great agitation of mind ; after becoming more composed, he left the place of temptation, and never afterwards attempted to go to a theatre for curiosity or amusement

Years aftierwards, when in manhood's lofty prime, Mr. Pitman expressed his recollections of the teaching of his beloved mother in stanza, thus :

" Can I forget those flowing tears, The index of a mother's heart ; Which threw across my following years Restraints of pleasing, painful smart ?

''Can I forget those ardent prajars,

Which plead for me at mercy's throne, That saVd from sin's bewitching snares, My heart to Jesus might be won?

" Nay I thoagh a thousand pleasing scenes Are baried in oblivion *8 shade, Or lost in faint and shadowy dreams, Are doomed with earthly things to fade.

" Yet still that widowed form I see, Her cherished boy close at her side ; For him she bowed the sappliant knee, For him poured forth affection's tide.

" That venerated form I see

In recollection's visions bright, And she who once was all to me, Is still an object of delight."

EARLY CONVERSION. 5

When in his sixteenth year^ as aforesaid^ Mr. Pitman^ at a meeting held in the old Methodist Episcopal Church at Wrightstown^ N. J.^ a few miles from the place where he was born^ sought the pardon of his sins, and obtained a sense of their for-* giveness from God. His conversion was marked by considerable physical excitement. He fell to the floor, where, after remaining for some time in earnest prayer and pleading with Grod for His mercy, he rose, " fi*eely justified by His grace.'' His heart warmed with zeal for the conversion of his young companions, and he felt within him an impression that whomsoever he should touch would yield to the offers of mercy, and enlist in th& army of the Captain of Salvation. Impressed thus, he started down the aisle of the church towards the door, where many of his young friends and acquaintances were sitting. Some rose from their seats and fled, while others, reached by his hand, yielded to the call and gave themselves to the Lord. We are not to view this instance of extraordinary influence and power according to our Methodistic doctrine, as the result of an in*esistible decree, but, without doubt, there may have been some peculiar influence, or call of the Spirit, which led them to join in with the earnest solicitations of their friend and companion.