Reminiscences, historical and biographical, of sixty-four years in the ministry

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Contents

GBAPnS PIOI

I. My Anoestobs and mt Eably Days 9

n. Sketches op Eably Prbaohees 19

Chapter I. My Ancestors And My Early Days

My forefethers were from Switzerland. There is romance in their history as well as in the land of their birth. Jacob Boehm, my great-great-grandfather, was a Presbyterian. His son Jacob learned a trade. It was a custom in Switzerland for all who completed their apprenticeship to travel three years through the country as itinerant journeymen. The design was to make them finished workmen; and no man could enter into business for himself, no matter how well qualified, until he pursued this course.

In his wanderings Jacob fell in with a people called Pietists. In many respects they resembled the Puritans. He was converted among them. The change was so great when he returned home, his language so strange, that his friends could not understand him. "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God," His singular ex^m-

10 BBMUnSCBNCES OF BEY. HSNBY BOSHM.

ence, his exposure of formal religion, his boldness in reproving sin, raised a storm of persecution. The minister mthstood him, ttnd denounced him as a heretic. His answers were so pertinent that his father gave him a severe reprimand, inquiring, "Boy, do you answer a minister in that way?" The Church exercised civil as well as ecclesiastical authority, and young Boehm was convicted of heresy, and sentenced to prison. An elder brother was appointed to conduct him to the prison-house. He did not watch his brother very closely, ai^d as they were near the line that separated Switzerland from France the prisoner crossed over, and was forever free from his domestic and priestly persecutors.

He journeyed along the banks of the Ehine till he entered the Dukedom of Pfaltz. This was the Palatinate bordering on Belgium. Prom this region were the ancestors of Philip Embury. There young Jacob became acquainted with a people called Mennonites. They took their name from Menno Simon, who was ootemporary with Luther. They were a simple-hearted people, and he united with them, and became a lay elder. He had several children, of whom Jacob, the third, was my grandfather. He was bom in 1698, and emigrated to this country in 1715. Many of the Mennonites emigrated from Switzerland and Gtermany.

My grandfather was induced to come to America from the glowing description given of this country

BEKnnscoEKCis or bxv. hxnby bobhic 11

by Martin Eendig, one of the seven £EunilieB who had settled in what u now Lancaster Ooonty, Pa. He landed in Philadelphia, from thence went to 6ermantown, Uien to Lancaster, and finally settled in Peqnea, Oonestoga Township. Soon afterward he married a Miss £endig. Mj grandfather was a lay elder in the Mennonite Society.

Soon after his arrival he bonght a farm and bnilt him a honse. He was also a blacksmith, the first in all that region. His wife was very indnstrions, and when necessary, she wonld leave her work and blow and strike for him. I recollect him well. When I was five years old he walked over the fields showing me varions things, and trying to entertain me. Not knowing anything abont the infirmities of age, I wondered why he did not walk faster. He died in 1780, aged eighty-seven. My grandmother was an excellent woman, particularly fond of me because I was the youngest grandchild. They had a number of sons and daughters. My father, Martin Boehm, was the youngest. He was bom November 30, 1725, and married in 1753 to Eve Steiner, who was bom on Christmas day, 1734. Her ancestors were from Switzerland, and settled near my grandfather's.

My father inherited my grandfather's beautiful farm, and in 1750 built him a house, in which his children were all bom, and where many have been bom again. He was a short, stout man, with a vigorous constitution^ an intellectual countenance^ ^\id ^

13 BEIONISOBNCES OF BEV. HBNBT BOEHIL

fine flowing beard, which gave him a patriarchal appearance. He had strong common eenBe, and well understood the science of family government. The order and discipline of the family attracted the attention of the apostolic Asbury, and he made mention of it in preaching my father's faneral sermon.

Martin Boehm was first a Mennonite preacher, for he embraced the religion of his fathers. He was made so by lot in 1756, for such was the custom of this singular people. For some time he preached without a knowledge of sins forgiven ; but in 1761 he found redemption in the blood of the Lamb, and then he became a flame of fire, and preached with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven. His success was wonderful, and the seals to his ministry were numerous. Then the Mennonites expelled him for being too evangelical. He then joined the United Brethren, and afterward became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

My mother was a noble woman, and to my parents I am, under God, indebted for what I am on earth, and all I hope to be in heaven.

MY BABLY DAYS.

I was bom in the old homestead, in the township of Oonestoga,* Lancaster County, Pa., on the 8th .

* This is an Indian name, and is so called from the Conestoga Greek, a beautiful stream that empties into the Susquehanna. The Oonestoga Indians were once numerous and powerful.

BXMINISOSNGBS Of BEV. HENBY BOSHK. 18

of June, 1775. This was immediately after the battle of Lexington, and one year before the Declaration of Independence. Thns I saw the birth of onr nation, and have lived nnder the first President, G^rge Washington, and sixteen of his successors, to Andrew Johnson. I was bom nine years before the Methodist Episcopal Chnrch was organized, and have known all its bishops, from Thomas Ooke, the first, to Calvin Ejngsley, the last elected. My memory goes back over eighty years. I recollect when they traveled out West to Fort Pitt, now Pittsburgh, on **pack horses.*' The roads, if we may call them roads, for they were mere paths through the wilderness, were so rough that they could not be traveled any other way.

like my father, I was the youilgest child. There were seven older than myself, and four of them had grown up to manhood before I was bom. I had a common school education. The old school-house and my schoolmaster, Henry Rosman, I well remember. He went from house to house, and it was a great occasion when he came to my father's to board. He was quite a character, a perfect original. He came from Hesse Cassel, and was one of the Hessian soldiers taken prisoner at Trenton, N. J., when Washington and his noble band crossed the frozen Delaware and surprised Colonel Balle and his troops and took them prisoners, while their commander was slain. Many of the Hessians had come to thi& cio\xi\r

14 BXMINI8GSKG1S 07 BET. HXNBT WOmOL

try oontnuy to their own will to fight against Ameri* ca, and they preferred remaining here to retoming to Europe. A number of them were sent to Lancaster Gonntjy and among the rest my old schoolmaster. He possessed many rare qualifications for an instructor. He was a thorough German scholar, and had mastered the English language. His school was kept in perfect order ; every scholar knew his place, and was obliged to keep it. The teacher prayed in school, and taught the children short prayers. like Ichabod Orane, he sung psalms and hymns, and we learned to sing them. Some of the German hymns which he taught me to sing over eighty years ago I still remember welL To him I am indebted for my accurate knowledge of the German language, which I learned before the English. Germans have often admired my correct pronunciation of their vernacular. They said it was pure, and not mixed with other dialects, like the Pennsylvania German. In after years it was a great benefit to me when I preached in German. I was one of the first among the Methodists that preached in that language. This I have done in fourteen dijSerent states. Some things which I wrote in G-erman over sixty years ago I have preserved, and am surprised to find them so correct. I wasagreatfiftvorite with Mr. Bosman, and he took delight in giving me instruction. The little old school-house still remains, but where are the scholars and the teachers ? When, after an

BEMUWIBCJfiNClg Of BEY. HXNBT BOSHX. 15

abeence of many yeara, I paid a yiait to my native town in 1856^ I inqnired for my old achoolfellowB, hopiBg to find one widi whom I could converse about by-gone days. I inqnired in vain. They were all goite, and I fonnd myself alone and lonely. Dilworth's spelling-book, from which I learned Enghsh, and the knife and fork I nsed when a very little boy, I have preserved as relics of my childhood.

Once in my early days I went to the theater in Fhiladelphia. I had heard mnch of the theater, and I wanted to see what it was. I got along very well nntil mimic thnnder and lightning was bron^t in to illnstrate the play. When I skw and heard this I was shocked. It seemed to me so irreverent and presnmptnons that I thought the Almighty in his displeamire wouM send real thunder and lightning to terrier those imitators. I expected to hear the deep-toned thunder, and to see the vivid lightning flash over my guilty head. I prayed, and promised God, if he would only spare me to get out of the house and return safely home, I would never enter such a place again. That was my first and last visit to the theater.

RELIGIOUS EXBRCISES.

My early advantages for religious instruction were great I was "brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." Morning and evening the old jEwnily Bible waa read, and prayer was offered.

16 BEHIKISCSNCX8 07 BEY. HENBY BOSmT.

My fethert voice still echoes in my ears. My mother, too, had much to do in moulding my character and shaping my destiny. One evening as I returned home I heard a familiar voice engaged in prayer. I listened: it was my mother. Among other things, she prayed for her children, and mentioned Henry, her youngest son. The mention of my name broke my heart, and melted me into contrition. Tears rolled down my cheeks, and I felt the importance of complying with the command of God : " My son, give me thine heart."

There lived in my father's fiimily a wicked man who had a peculiar hatred against the Methodists, and he prejudiced me against them by his misrepresentations. This had a soul-withering influence on me. I lost my tender feelings, and n^lected the means of grace. " One sinner destroyeth much good/' Sinners enticed me to sin and I consented.

In the year 1790, when I was about fifteen, I went to learn the milling business, and worked in a grist mill. There I had no religious counsel or example. What a critical period it is when a young man leaves home! I went into bad company, supposing my father would not hear of it ; but I was mistaken. He did hear of my conduct, and came to see me. When I saw him I suspected his errand. A guilty conscience needs no accuser. The plain, solemn, and affecting reproof he gave me at that time had a wonderful efEect upon me. His quivering lip, tearful

SEMINISOENCES OF RKV. HSKBY B0SH1L 17

eye, and tremulous voice showed how deeply he fait for me. Shame crimsoned my cheeks. His coimsel was not lost, but it terminated in deep conviction for sin. Mj soul was burdened, and, ahnost in despair, I prayed,

" Show pity, Lord, 0 Lord, forgive ; Let a repenting rebel lire.

Are not thy mercies large and free? May not a sinner trust in thee ? ''

When my father left I went into the upper loft of the mill, and on my knees, in an agony of deep distress, I cried, " God be merciful to me a sinner." " Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me." I had a view of the atonement of the Son of God. By fedth I realized my interest in it, and in a moment I felt my heart strangely warmed. My conscience was assured of its part in the atoning blood, and God sent forth the spirit of his Son into my heart crying, " Abba, Father." This was in February, 1793.

I lived near the Lord, and enjoyed a great deal of comfort for some time ; but I fell into a sad error. As I was converted alone away from the Church the enemy suggested-that I could get along without uniting with God's people. I yielded, and this error was like to have ruined me. I enlarge here because many have yielded to a similar temptation and been lost to the Church and lost to heaven. The lambs of the flock cannot too soon enter the fold. In apostolic times converts did not first try the experiment whether they could get along without uniting ^vtk

18 BXIOKISCEKCES OF BEY. HENBY BOEHM.

the Church. On the day of Pentecodt the three thousand who were " pricked in their hearts " nnder the preaching of Peter were baptized and nnited with the Church that day. So with the jailer; he was converted, baptized, and united with the Church that very night in Philippi, when Paul and' Silas prayed, and sang praises to God. This was the course pursued in the days of the apostles. I would advise young persons not to imitate my example. Never try to see if you can get along without the Church. Ths Church can get along vnthout you^ hit you cannot get along without the Church. Place yourself under her care as soon as possible. Confess Christ before men, and he will confess you before his Father and the holy angels.

The consequence of my error was that I lost my spiritual enjoyment. My course was zig-zag. I ran forward, then stood still, then went backward. I was not a member of the Church, therefore was not under her watch-care, and I had no opportunity to improve the talents God had given me. I told no one I was converted. Instead of letting- my light shine before men I resolved to hide it. Sad mistake ! Thus I continued five long years. These were lost years : lost to myself, lost to the Church, and lost to the world. There is nothing in my early history I regret so much as the loss of these five years ; a loss that tears and prayers cannot recall, for time once lost is gone forever.

SBHINISCEN02S OF REV. HENBY BOEHK. 19

CHAPTER IL

SKETCHES OF EABLY PREACHERS.

The Methodist fathers were self-sacrificing men, who possessed great virtues, and performed heroic deeds. Many of them are now nnknown except by their names. Those who knew them personally are nearly all numbered among the dead. I knew most of them, and will give a sketch of a few of those who found their way into the rural districts of Lancaster County, Pa.

KoBERT Strawbridge, the apostle of Methodism in Maryland, is a name prominent in the early annals of American Methodism. We are indebted to Ireland for Robert Strawbridge as well as for Philip Embury. I heard Strawbridge preach at my father's house in 1781, and am the only man now living that has a personal recollection of him. Though I was then quite small, his image is still before me. He was a stout, heavy man, and looked as if he was built for service. My father was much pleased with him and his preaching. He was agreeable company, fdll of interesting anecdotes. Many times I have been to the old log meeting-house he erected in Maryland, concerning which so much has been said and written, and around which so many interests cluatew Ha

20 HEMIKISCENOES OF JXEV. HSNBY BOEHK.

died in August of the same year I heard him, and his spiritual son, Eichard Owings,* preached his funeral sermon from Rev. xiv, 13. No monument marks the place where his dust is sleeping. I hope this will not be said after the celebration of the first centenary of American Methodism, for his name will be prominently connected with it.

Another of these pioneers was Benjaicin Abbott, who early visited my father's house. He was indeed a son of thunder, and preached with exceeding power. This was the only ministerial tour he made through Pennsylvania, and he went like a flame of fire. My father had a very exalted opinion of Mr. Abbott, and felt it an honor to entertain him as his guest and listen to his powerful sermons.

Mr. Abbott wrote his life, and in it he describes his visit to my father's, his preaching, and the wonderful results that followed. I prefer he should give it in his own peculiar style.

" At Boehm's we found a large congregation. When I came to my application the power of the Lord came in such a manner that the people fell all about the house, and their cries might be heard afar off. This alarmed the wicked, who sprang for the doors in such haste that they fell over one another in heaps. The cry of mourners was so great that I thought to give out a hymn to drown the noise, and

* Not Owen, as Lednum and Stevens say. See Minutes, and Quarterly Review, article by Dr. Hamilton.

BEMIHISGENCES OF RET. HENRY BOBHK. 31

desired one of our English friends to raise it; bat as soon as he began to sing the power of the Lord strack him, and he pitched nnder the table, and there lay like a dead man. I gaye it out again, and asked another to raise it. As soon as he attempted he fell also. I then made the third attempt, and the power of God came upon me in such a manner that I cried out and was amazed. I then saw that I was fighting against God, and did not attempt to sing again.

"Mr. Boehm, the owner of the house, and a preacher among the Germans, cried out, ^I never saw God in this way before.' I replied, ^ This is a I)entecost, father.' * Yes, be sure,^ said he, clapping his hands, *a pentecost, be sure.' Prayer was all through the house, up stairs and down. I desired Mr. Boehm to go to prayer. He did so, and five or six of us did the same.

"A watch-night having been appointed for that evening, and seeing no prospect of this meeting being over, although it had begun at eleven o'clock, I told Mr. Boehm we had best quietly withdraw from the meeting-house. When we had got out of the door a young man came out and laid hold upon the fence to support himself from falling, and there cried amain for God to have mercy upon him. * To be sure,' said Mr. Boehm, *I never saw Gk)d in this way before.' We exhorted him to look to God, and . not to give up the struggle, and God would bless him before .he left the place.

22 BEICIKISOENCES OF BEY. HEKBY BOSHK.

^^I took the old gentleman by the arm, and we went quietly to the house to get some dinner. About five o'clock a messenger came from the preachinghouse requesting that I would go there immediately, for there was a person dying. We went without delay. I went up stairs, and there lay several about the floor in like manner. I then went to see the person said to be dying. She lay gasping. I kneeled down to pray, but it was instantly given me that God had converted her soul, and therefore, instead of praying for her deliverance, I gave God thanks that he had delivered her, and immediately she arose and praised God for what he had done for her soul. A young German came to me and clasped me in his arms, but could not speak English that I could imderstand.

"I then retired to the house and consulted with Mr. Boehm who should preach in the evening, for I thought it would be best for one of the German preachers to speak first, there being several of them present The rumor having run through the neighborhood of the power of God through the day, we had a very large congregation in the evening, to whom one of the German preachers preached. It appeared to me he spoke with life. Then Mr. Boehm gave an exhortation in the German language^ and after him a young man gave a warm exhortation in the same tongue. Then I arose and hardly knew how to speak, there had been so much said,, and it

BSKIKISCSNCSS OF BEY. HSNBY BOSHIL S8

was now growing late. However I spoke, and the Lord laid to his helping hand as he had done in the day tima Divers fled, and made their way out of the house, and then it appeared as if there were none left bat what were earnestly engaged in prayer; some praiBing Qod, and others cryii\g for mercy. I told Mr. Boehm that I should not be fit for the dnties of the ensuing day if I did not retire, so we went to the house about twelve o'clock and took some refreshment and went to bed. In the morning I found the people were stiU engaged, and had been all night. I went to the house about sun an hour high, where I found about one dozen still engaged in prayer. I told them we ought to begin to prepare for the other meeting, so they broke up.

"We set out with about forty friends to the next appointment. The people being gathered, after singing and prayer I began to preach, and God laid to his helping hand. Many cried aloud for mercy. One young man being powerfully wrought upon retired up stairs, and then thumped about on the floor, so that Mr. Boehm was afraid that he would be injured in body. ^ To be sure,' Baid he, ^ I never saw God work in this way before.' I told him there was no danger, he was in the hands of a merciful God. In a few minutes after, in attempting to come down stairs, he fell from the top to the bottom, and hallooed aloud, *The devil is in the chamber I the devil is in the chamber I ' which greatly alarm^ «11

94 RSKnnscEKcss of bev. henby boshk.

the people. This bronght a great damp over n^ BpiritB, for I thought if I had raised the devil I might as well go home again. However, aftef a little space, I bid some of the good people go up stairs and see if the devil was there. Several went up to see what the matter was, and there they found a man rolling, groaning,^ and crying to God for mercy. They returned and told us how the matter stood. When I dismissed the people many wept around me; some said they had found peace, some were truly awakened, and others deeply convicted." * .

Such is Mr. Abbott's decription of the scenes that occurred in the old house where my grandfather used to live. I heard him, and beheld the strange scenes he relates. It was more like pentecost than any* thing else I ever saw. The influence of that meeting was tremendous, and for years it made a great deal of talk in my father's neighborhood.

BiOHABD Websteb was the second Methodist preacher raised up in America. He joined at the second Oonference, 1774, with Philip Gatch, when there were only twenty Methodist preachers in America and two thousand members. He was appointed to Baltimore Circuit with the excellent George Shadford and Edward Dromgoole. He used to preach in my father's bam long before the Chapel was built, and I listened to him with great delight. He was a fine specimen of the early * Life of Abbott, p. 100.

SSMUnSCSSOEB OF RSV. HSNRY BOSHX. 85

•

Meihodist ministers. He was a perfect Christian gentleman, a son of consolation ; the Gospel flowedsweetly firom his lips. Mr. Webster was the first Methodist minister that Freeborn Garrettson heard, and he greatly admired him. I heard him pi^acli in after years, as the shadows of the evening were gathering aronnd him.

StlvestkbHutchinson was a thundering preacher, who alarmed the careless ones. In 1790 he preached at my father's, and a glorious revival followed.

EiCHABD Whatooat was the Elder in 1790,* and I heard him preach. He was then stationed in Philadelphia, and the only Methodist preacher in that city. His text was, " There shall be a handful of com in the earth on the top of the mountains," etc. I well remember the preacher and his illustrations, and the mighty effect produced by the sermon, although it is now over seventy years ago.

William Thomas was a good minister of Jesus; I heard him on the witness of the spirit. Our &thers were great in preaching experimental Christianity, especially the knowledge of sins forgiven.

JoHK Jabrbll I heard in 1793. He was lively and energetic. His discourse was against Winchester's doctrine of Universal Eestoration. " See the wicked," said he, " coming up from the furnace of fire. What will they sing in heaven ? * Unto Him

^He was the elder who traveled through the district, as well as fltatioDed preacher.

26 REMINISCENCES OF BEY. HENBY BOEHM.

who hat^ loved us and washed us from our sins !n -his own blood be glory for evert' No. They cannot sing any such song ; but ^ TJnto hell fire that hath purifLed us and made us meet for heaven, be glory for evermore.' This is the only song they can sing. Will any such song be heard in heaven ?" Thus he used irony in exposing and refuting error. Mr. Jarrell was a fine-looking man, with a splendid voice, which he knew how to use to purpose. He was very popular and successfol. He entered the traveling connection in 1786, and, after having traveled ten years, died in Wilmington, Delaware.

Valentine Oook was over six feet high, with dark complexion, long arms, very black hair, coarse and bushy, and dark piercing eyes. He had a fine cultivated intellect and a powerful voice. He was an extraordinary preacher, and I listened to him with great delight. In after years I heard of his fame when traveling with Bishop Asbury in the West.

Joseph Evebett was a soldier of the Eevolution, and a standard-bearer in the ranks of Methodism. He preached in Boehm's neighborhood in 1793. He abhorred slavery, and preached against it with all his might, denouncing it in no measured terms. Sometimes he would reftise to eat with slaveholders till they had freed their slaves. I spent weeks with him at Dr. White's in Cambridge after he had retired from the regular work, and could only ask, "How

BEMIKISOENOSS OF BEY. HENBY BOEmT. 27

goes the battle?" Mr. Everett was six feet high, well proportioned, of a commanding appearance, very agreeable in conversation, and fall of anecdotes and reminiscences of olden times.

Simon Milleb was a native of Lancaster Connty. He possessed much of this world's goods, but he was ready to make any sacrifice to preach the Gospel. He was a man of deep piet^ and remarkable gifts. He was the spiritual father of Jacob Gruber. I recollect with gratitude the efforts he made for my salvation, how earnestly he labored, what sympathy he manifested. He was a German, and preached in his vernacular. He received him into society in 1792, when he was but a school-boy. His ministerial career was brief but brilliant; his end triumphant. He joined the traveling connection in 1791, and died, deeply lamented, in 1795. He left no children. Thomas Ware married his widow.

William Jessop was a tall man, with a prominent .nose and a very grave countenance. I knew hnn intimately, and heard him preach often. He joined the traveling connection in 1784, the year in which the Methodist Episcopal Church was organized. Mr. Jessop occupied prominent appointments. In 1790 he was stationed in New York, and the ne3ct year volunteered to go to Nova Scotia. He died of consumption in the latter part of 1795, and was buried in the graveyard connected with Boehm's ChapeL His last sermon was on the sufferings of Clm&t) ^oi^i

28 BISKIKISCENCES OF BEV, HEKBT BOEHM.

was one of the most melting I ever heard. He was reduced almost to a skeleton ; his face was pale, his eje sxmken and glassy, his voice sepulchral, his countenance grave, and his manner solemn as eternity. The preacher and his auditors felt that his days were numbered. A few days after h8 died in triumph, exclaimimg, "My work is done! Glory, glory I '^ He expired at Strasburg, at the house of John Miller, who was a brother of Simon the preacher. This family were great friends of the preachers. They nursed them when sick, and when dying they smoothed their pillow. John and Simon Miller helped to give character and stability to Methodism in that r^on. Mr. Jessop, knowing he could not survive long, sent to Bishop Asbury requesting him to preach his ftmeral sermon. The bishop complied, and preached it at Boehm's Chapel. He says in his journal : " I had my difficulties in speaking of a man so well known and so much beloved. He was always solemn, and few such holy, steady men have we found among us."