The lady preacher: or, the life and labors of Mrs. Hannah Reeves, late the wife of the Rev. Wm. Reeves, D.D., of the Methodist Church

Chapter I

By a Woman Sin entered into the World— Honor done to Women in Ancient and Modern Times— Hannah's Birth— The Pearce Family— In good Circumstances— A Reverse takes place— John Pearce's Account of Hannah's Youth- How she came to he a Judge of a Horse— Its Benefits in after life— Value of her Judgment to her Father— Fond of Dancing — A Sacramental Dance in West Virginia— Condition of the Established Church — Dr. Laishley's Anecdote— Mr. O'Bryan Preaches in the Malt-house— A Society formed, including the Pearce Family— Hannah's Conversion— Her Happiness.

17—26

Chapter II

Hannah joined the Church— Commenced preaching in her eighteenth year— Held fast her integrity— Lived by rule- Prayed much — Why some walk in darkness— A preacher without experimental religion— Experience, as well as knowledge, necessary for preachers— She resides in the family of Squire Simcoe— Gains much knowledge of the refinements of life— Dr. Baydon's account of a Russian family— Held fast her integrity in the Simcoe family— They had learning, she had Christian experience — They mutually benefited each other 26—34

Chapter III

Her public labors commenced at a fashionable watering-place —Respectable classes of people attend— William Allen's agency in bringing her out into the itineranc3^ quite remarkable — John's account of the young preacher— Hannah travels mainly on foot — Has hard work— John's and Rachel's letters reconciled — Her rules of holy living — She believes in a special providence— An instance is given— Her certificate of appointment to the work — A marvelous occurrence — Her fearlessness —The roughs disturb the meeting— The magistrate— The trial —The happy result in that place 34— 4G

CONTENTS,

Chapter IV

Her triumph over the mockers— She and another enter into a solemn covenant with God— The writer's view of covenants — Hannah at Exmouth, breaking up new ground— The results of her labors— Her hard fare among the poor borne cheerfully—Long journeys on foot, and much hard work — 8he retires to rest awhile, and recruit, at Squire Simcoe's— Returns to the work— Spends two years in Wales, where she endures many hardships— Her several fields of labor— The Bible Christians an earnest people 47—54

Chapter V

True poetry— Hannah's physical infirmities— Her letter on that account— Had proposals of marriage— Declined them— Her first acquaintance with Mr. Reeves, whom she afterwards married— Reeves hears her preach— Is pleased with the sermon, and the lady preacher — He is introduced to her — She rebukes him for using notes in preaching — They spend a Sabbath together — A remarkable manifestation — Reeves gains permission to correspond with Miss Pearce 54—62

Chapter VI

Prayer for a revival— Its success— A funeral sermon— A letter of Rev. A. Morris, Canada— Mr. Reeves comes to the United States— Enters into itinerant labors— Efforts to induce Miss Pearce to come to him— Her first letter to Mr. Reeves in America — Her mental conflict — Her ultimate deliverance and joy— Will now go to America— In a second letter Mr. Reeves notified of that fact— Comments on this letter 63 — 73

Chapter VII

The delicacy of introducing her letters considered— Her third ie1 1 er — Continued conflicts—Fourth letter — Occurrences from the time she left Portsea Circuit till she sailed for America — Parental opposition — That opposition overcome — The whole family yielded— John paid her passage, and gave her twenty sovereigns pocket money— The final parting— Has good company— Crosses the ocean 73—84

Chapter VIII

Landed at St. Andrews, Lower Canada— Her first letter to Mr. Reeves— She proceeded to Boston, then by stage to Albany— The tiresome passage— The rude doctor discomfited— He then turned on an ignorant Catholic for counting beads— Hannah came to the rescue, and nonplussed the doctor— She arrives at Albany in safety— Writes to Mr. Reeves to meet her in Cleveland— Is somewhat despondent — In traveling by canal she found a good friend— Then again other friends on the next boat— She went by a steamer from Buffalo to Cleveland — Mr. Reeves fails to meet her, not getting her letter in time — So by canal and stage she went on to Zanesville — He went to Cleveland to meet her— They passed each other on the canal— Incidents on the way to Zanesville 84—97

Chapter IX

Her first sermon in Zanesville— All are pleased with it — Mr. Reeves returns to Zanesville— The meeting and its joy— The marriage— Rev. C. Springer's account of her preaching— Their trip to McConnellsville— They stop at General Herrick's — The family prayer-meeting— Her success in preaching at McConnellsville— She preaches at Edwards' with success — She preaches in Zanesville — She preaches in various places during her bridal tour— Hannah is sorely tempted of Satan — Preaches in the Court-house, at Coshocton— Good is done — Mr. Reeves in perplexity while Hannah is in Newark... 97— 112

Chapter X

Mrs. Reeves in Newark— Schmucker's notice of preaching— Professor Brownson invites her to Mount Vernon — Springer's account of her visit— She is favorably noticed in the Zanesville Times— The extent of her travels and labors— Slender support—She preaches in a grove— Prospects in Newark— In Norwich — In Cambridge — The husband not desired when the wife is present — At Poulson's— Mrs. Reeves sick— Prejudice removed — Good done in sundry places — Distressing temptations—Crowds attend— The house too small, yet good was done 113—125

CONTENTS.

Chapter XI

Mrs. Reeves preaches at tlie laying of the foundation of a new meeting-house— " Ebenezer"— At McConnellsville— At Zanesville— Providential leadings — The three camp-meetings— Mr. Reeves spoke unadvisedly with his lips — Hannah labors in different places — In feeble health she toils on — The Conference in Zanesville — The preachers — Mrs. Reeves' sermon at Conference — The writer's recollections of it— They visit friends — They prepare for their journey to Youngstown— They go preaching all the way— Providential interpositions 126 — 141

Chapter XII

Mr. and Mrs. Reeves "both preach at Norwich— Hannah preaches in Fairview — Both preach in Mount Pleasant — Hannah preaches in Steubenville— Kindly treated every where on the journey— They pass on to Wellsville— New Lisbon— Providential occurrences by the way— Mrs. Reeves remains to preach in New Lisbon on the Sabbath— Her husband passes on to Youngstown — Their labors regularly commenced — They occupy many towns, and a large scope of country — A glorious camp-meeting— We lose the fruits— The first quarterly meeting— They operate apart for a time, but meet in Wellsville— A good love-feast— Hannah preaches— Goes to New Lisbon 141—151

Chapter XIII

Hannah preaches a funeral sermon in Salem— Meets her husband in Canfield — A good meeting there— With Dr. Bostwick she goes to Warren— A large congregation in the Court-house — She is greatly blessed in preaching — Meets her husband in New Lisbon — They now travel together in a "jumper" — Visit Wellsville in company— The trip is hard and dangerous— The great flood of 1832— Hannah goes by boat to fill her appointment in Beaver— She fears nothing— Meets her engagement — Returns to her husband— The devastation made by the flood wonderful— They visit awhile in New Lisbon— Mr. Reeves sick in Salem— Church matters and kind friends in that place — Hannah fills her husband's appointments— Rules of holy living— Hannah returns ► 152—165

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XIY.

Quarterly meeting in Beaver— Rev. C. Avery there— Next, both are at Salem— Some trouble about a preaching place— They occupy a private house — Have a good meeting — Hannah in BloomfLeld — Receives aid — Visits Newark — Her husband accompanies her part of the way — Occurrences by the way — They stop at Morgan's tavern — Agree to hold a meetingthere in four weeks— Her visit to Newark is successful— She preaches in many other places — She and her husband meet at Morgan's— Hold a meeting in his barn— A society is the result — Williamsfield came next — A good meeting— They attend Quarterly meeting on Ohio Circuit — Some occurrences on the way, and at the meeting — Hannah visits Wheeling — The two-days' meeting at Webb's— The occurrences— Youngstown meeting— Hannah overworked— Her husband in distress 166—179

CHAPTER XY.

The camp-meeting at Boardman— The preaching— The work of the Lord— The accessions to the Church— The parting scene —The Conference in Pittsburg— Many kind remembrances to Hannah — They go back to Youngstown— Nobly go into the work for another year- -To them a child is born, but soon taken away — They go to housekeeping in Boardman — Have kind neighbors— They attend Rev. Israel Thrap's two days' meeting at Williamsfield— Hannah is feeble, but acquits herself well— She does the same in Pittsburg and Allegheny — She preaches at the Braddocksfield camp-meeting— A Scottish poet is moved to write— Her sickness in Cambridge— Her restoration— Her husband to blame 179—192

CHAPTER XYI.

In 1833, the Conference appointed them to Warrensville Circuit —Their hardships— The people they went to— The Boardman friends they left— A Universalist converted— A drunkard reformed — In their new appointment — Hannah's good standing with the people— Her husband's not so good— Country new — The people generally poor — Ministerial support very lean — A son born to them — Her labors on the circuit — A narrow escape — A good revival at Auburn — Many conversions — A Universalist converted— He proved faithful— They were next in Wheeling Station — In this place Mrs. Reeves was useful in . every possible way— She labored much in other places in

CONTENTS.

some instances at a distance— Her management of children — Her regret for the old family horse— A regular progressive revival during the winter — Some remarkable cases, especially one young man 192—206

CHAPTER XVII.

In 1835, they are appointed to Newark Circuit— A wide field— They go to work in earnest— They visit New Lancaster— The condition of the Church in that place— The Church in trouble — Mrs. Reeves' popularity— Efforts to secure her services — All failed— A vexatious violation of good faith— An extraordinary case — A young lady died praying for sinners — So the Saviour died — Hannah's labors at home — She labors much abroad— Will God, in answer to prayer, impress the mind of a distant person with a particular idea? — Hannah preached often — Attended two camp meetings — A church trial gives much trouble— Their child came near being drowned— The second year on Newark Circuit— They remove to Enyart's — Hannah's afflictions and joys— Her recovery, and her relapse and slow return to health— Her further labors 207—218

CHAPTER XYIH.

They are appointed to Brownsville Circuit — J. Robison, assistant — Work enough for all — Hannah visits Columbus — Mr. Reeves accidentally injured in the foot — Hannah does the work at home, and does much in other places — Together, they visit Pennsville and Jackson— Their little son— Hannah preaches at Athens — The students — Their success at these several meetings— They return to their own field of labor — Here, during the year, Hannah is abundant in preaching — Little Samuel and the fleshy woman— His death— Phineas Inskep — The meeting Hannah and he held during Conference —Its fruitfulness 219—231

CHAPTER XIX.

They are appointed to Youngstown Station. Here Hannah's labors were somewhat circumscribed— Yet she labored in the pulpit occasionally, in the social meetings, the Sabbath-school, and in places at a distance— The second year, the circuit and station were in one charge— Then she had work plenty — Was very active — Her controversy with three preachers of the Disciples' Church, first in public, then in pri vate — All defeated — Another preacher defeated— The meeting at Sharon— Rev. E. S. Hoagland's letter— They visit

CONTENTS.

several places as Evangelists— Meeting in Mount Vernon — Interesting occurrences — Great success — Meeting at Lower Sandusky — Glorious results — Various other meetings — Tliey go on preaching to the ocean — They are going to England.

232—258

CHAPTEE XX.

They had a speedy trip to England— A joyful meeting with relatives — In a short time Hannah's mother died — They visited Mr. Reeves' parents— Both yet living— Mr. Reeves takes regular work among the Bible Christians— Hannah can not he inactive— Preaches in many places— They "both show their loyalty to the United States on one occasion— God gave them another son, June 6th, 1842, in Great Torrington— They are "both active in the work of the Lord all the time, and at temperance meetings— They got Mr. Reeves' father to sign the pledge — Hannah's last advice to her father-in-law — On their return — Six weeks on the ocean — They land in STew York, and hasten on to the Conference in Cambridge — Captain A. Devinny's kindness — His own "brother rescued from drowning—They are appointed to Zanesville Circuit — Hannah abundant in her labors— Both attend Brother Hoagland's meeting — Mr. Reeves' sickness — A severe spell — Hannah's intrepid venture as a nurse — Her husband recovers, but renders no more services on the circuit 259—271

CHAPTER XXI.

Mr. Reeves is transferred to the Pittsburg Conference— That Conference held its session in Fairmont, West Virginia — Still very feeble— Hannah is the driver of the buggy to that Conference — Soine incidents by the way — Hannah preached twice at Conference — They are appointed to Ohio Circuit — The troubles on that circuit — Here was a fine field for Hannah — My own statement of the facts as to the troubles— This lady preacher did much preaching, each of the two years they were on Ohio Circuit— She went wherever there was a call, or an open door, and preached — She helped her husband much in pastoral visitations — The next two years they were in Pittsburg, Fifth street station— Here Hannah only preached occasionalry — Her main work was in the Sunday-school — She did, however, go from home, and preached in many other places— An idle rumor, a mere gossip, caused an elder brother some trouble, and a visit to the parsonage — They had a revival, and were joyful— They had alnictions, and were sorrowful—God called upon them to surrender to him their last son, Asa T.272— 2S4

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XXII.

They were appointed to the Allegheny Station— The exercise of discipline brought some trouble— Mr. Reeves' health failed —Hannah then had plenty of work— Her health, too, was quite feeble— She attented a meeting in Washington County- Preached in several other places— At last her health broke down— Next year in Manchester Circuit— A good field of labor—Success attends their toils— Mr. Reeves is appointed Conference Missionary— Hannah now more abundantly active —Mr. Reeves on Waynesblirg Circuit— By request his wife preached at Conference — In New Brighton — A revival — Conference fails in its engagement —They leave with sorrow- In Fairmont— She visits Baltimore— Occurrences during Conference in that city 285—295

CHAPTER XXIII.

Mr. Reeves appointed agent for Madison College—Home still at Fairmont — Hannah in the Sabbath-school, and in other labors of love— They hold a protracted meeting in Cumberland — Return to Fairmont — In the summer they go north — Mr. Reeves President the next year— Hannah travels with him— Crowds attend to hear her — She preaches in many places— The second year of her husband's presidency she labors on as before— The third year he does not travel the District— They assist at a protracted meeting in East Liverpool- Hold one in Cincinnati— Their labors, and the results— She suffers from cholera, cancer, and erysipelas 296 — 307

CHAPTER, XXIV.

Hannah revives and preaches again— Rev. D. I. K'Rine's letter concerning her sermon in Johnstown — A letter from Rev. G. W.Burns, concerning her preaching in East Liverpool— Rev. C. Springer's notice— The glorious close of life— The funeral services— Female preaching vindicated 308—321

CHAPTER XXV.

The good character and standing of Mrs. Reeves— Letter from Rev. \V. H. Marshall— One from Rev. E. A. Brindley— One from Dr. John Scott— Two from the author— One from Rev. John Langdon— Two from Rev. Richard Tabb— Mrs. Thome's letter—Mr. Woodbridge's— Mr. Fitch's— Rev. A. H. Bassett's— Rev. G. B. McElroy's— Rev. A. Clark's— An obituary from the Pittsburg Commercial — Condolence from the Preachers' Meeting— Rev. S. F. Crouther's commendation— Conclusion.

322—343

INTEODUOTIOK

WEEE there no teachers of literature and religion, our race would be in worse than a savage condition. All knowledge of every valuable kind comes from teaching, and from the bottom to the top of society, in every department of learning, there are male and female teachers. In the family, the father and the mother are the joint instructors of the children ; but the mother, especially, lays the foundation, and is the rudimental instructor of the household, and religious mothers give the first lessons on the subject of Christianity. And every woman * who becomes a mother should be qualified to give instructions to her children.

In all the private and public schools of the land there are male and female teachers, not only qualified to teach the different branches of an ordinary or superior education, but to impart to the students a knowledge of sound morality and religion. In our Sabbath-schools, where it is the prime object to make a religious impression on the minds and hearts of the children, male and female teachers, qualified for the task, are found, by universal consent working together, filling the minds of the children with the precious truths of our holy religion, and leading their young hearts to the Saviour of sinners.

And after all this, will it alarm or offend any one to

(ii)

1 NTR OD UCTION.

find a female in the pulpit, one well qualified for the work, preaching the everlasting gospel, with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven? If God, according to the Scriptures, shall in these last days pour his Spirit upon all flesh, and the sons and daughters, the servants and handmaidens among our people shall prophesy or preach, as in the ancient times, who will have any right to complain? God is an infinite free agent, and may now, as in the days of old, choose whom he pleases to declare the glad tidings of salvation to perishing sinners. Gospel truth never lost its power to save by being delivered to the people by a female.

In introducing Mrs. Hannah Reeves to the notice of the public as a preacher of the gospel, I am aware that I am treading on new ground, for in most of the churches female preaching is a novelty, not allowed by the ruling ecclesiastical authorities in our day. But to remove all objections out of the way, as far as possible, it may be well to remember that this lady preacher, whose life and labors are portrayed in this volume, did not ambitiously aspire to the high places of the Church, or seek any position that would give her ruling authority or dominion over men. She never sought ordination, or the right to administer the sacraments, or to have a seat in the Quarterly or Annual Conferences, where she could in debate contend with men, and vote against their measures and interests. Here it was, as she thought, that St. Paul did not allow a woman to speak in public, and here she did not desire to have a voice or vote. Her only wish, claim, or desire was to be a teacher of the Christian religion, a preacher of the gospel ; leaving all official ecclesiastical matters to the male portion of the Church. And for this great work of preaching the gospel, the volume now presented to the public will show that she had many rare qualifications ; and she never made any pretensions to talents

INT ROD UCTION.

or qualifications beyond what, in the estimation of all acquainted with her, would allow the facts in her case would even more than justify.

She sprang from a family in England of respectable standing and in medium circumstances, and had not the advantage of a highly polished education. But in process of time she did, by personal application, overcome the defects of early training, and was, in her riper years, not only a self-made, but a well-made woman. By the gifts and grants of her Creator, she had a fine, well-organized mind, and a most sympathetic heart. Her powers of perception were quick and keen, her memory was retentive, her understanding strong, and she had a sturdy, iron will. All these powers combined gave her great strength of character. When, after due deliberation, she deemed a matter to be right, and a duty incumbent on her, it was not easy to hold her back from its accomplishment. Her heart became enlisted, under the dominion of her will, and nothing but an impossibility could hinder her from performing what she believed God required of her. Yet in her, from childhood, there was found a great reverence for parental authority ; to this she yielded an uncomplaining submission under all circumstances, because she was taught to believe that God required it.

She was brought to Christ in the eighteenth year of her age, through the instrumentality of the Eev. James Thorne, of the Bible Christian denomination in England, and with her conversion, felt herself called to labor for Christ. While deeply exercised in mind on this subject, a residence for a considerable time in the family of the Simcoes, gave her a fine opportunity to do good to that family, and to acquire just ideas of the etiquette and refinement of polished society, in the higher walks of life, which she felt to be a great advantage to her throughout her earthly pilgrimage. It was 2

OD UCTIOX.

from the residence of the Simcoe family that she went forth into the vineyard of the Lord, to try her strength in a local way. In a short time, being encouraged, she entered the itinerant field among the Bible Christians, who were Methodists in all things but the name. And here, with a delicate constitution, she performed hard itinerant toils, traveling large circuits, mainly on foot, suffering many privations, and had but a lean compensation. These labors were continued, with but little interruption, for about ten years, when she became acquainted with Mr. William Reeves, who was then preparing to enter the Christian ministry, and who in a short time came to the United States. Their acquaintance ripened into a matrimonial engagement between the parties, and the arguments of logic and of love determined Miss Pearce to follow him across the ocean to the land of Columbia. It is very interesting to notice, in this case, the skill of her management in gaining the consent of her parents for her to undertake such a journey ; and how the providence of God opened her way and furnished the necessary funds, and gave her suitable companions to travel with to the United States. It is interesting, too, to follow her in all her travels after she landed, noting well the incidents as we go, until we see her married to the Rev. "William Reeves, in the city of Zanesville, Ohio, on the 5th day of July, 1831. Xow she is no longer Miss Hannah Pearce, which was her maiden name, but Mrs. Hannah Reeves. She and her husband became one according to the laws of God and man, one in interest, one in labor ; and I have found it impossible to detail the facts of her eventful career apart from those of her husband. If this looks like writing the life and labors of the two instead of the one, it could not be avoided.

No high claim can be made for Mrs. Reeves in the literary world as a writer. She did not take rank with

IXTR OD UGTION.

Mrs. Hemans or Mrs. Sigourney as a poet ; she made no pretensions in that direction. In the lives of Mrs. Fletcher, Mrs. Cooper, Lady Maxwell, and others, it is possible that excellencies may be found which she did not possess. But in one thing, at least, she exceUed them all. She was a gifted, pious, zealous, popular, laborious, and successful preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Who upon earth can estimate the amount of labor which she performed in England and in America, from 1819 to the close of her life, in 1868? Kor can it ever be known, until the great day of the Lord, how many souls were savingly converted to God through her instrumentality. She preached at camp meetings, quarterly and protracted meetings, in the city stations, on the circuits, at church dedications, at funerals, and on the outskirts among the poor. And wherever she preached the crowd attended her ministry.

In all the times of my hearing Mrs. Reeves preach, I do not now recollect that I ever heard her violate the laws of grammar, or of rhetoric, or of logic, or of good taste, or of sound scriptural theology as understood by the Methodists. She stood erect in the pulpit, with a pleasant, open countenance, calm, self-possessed, and apparently without the fear of man. She made but few gestures, and they were graceful. Her voice was full, round, and clear. She had no trouble of any kind to find the right word to express her meaning, and never had to say the same thing over in other words, better understood, to get the idea into the minds of the people. Her articulation was remarkably distinct. Her preaching was plain, pointed, pathetic, and generally full of holy unction. She made no effort at adornment or display. All her figures and illustrations were natural, free, and easy. Her eye appeared to be single to the glory of God and the salvation of perishing sinners. To win souls to Christ and advance