CHAPTER 37 WILLIAM RAPER

CHAPTER 37 WILLIAM RAPER

Among that class of preachers who entered the itinerancy, in the beginning of the present century, was the Rev. Wm. H. Raper. That he was born in troublous times, is evident from the fact that a block-house, belonging to one of the military stations in the wilds of western Pennsylvania, was the place of his birth, which event occurred in the year 1793. His father was a surveyor under the Government, in the North-Western territory, which made it necessary for him to be much from home, in the discharge of the duties of his office. His mother was one of the matron pioneers of the west, and among the first class of Methodists in the North-Western territory. She was a woman of exemplary piety, of great faith and devotion. She was also a patriot mother of the Revolution, as her subsequent history, in relation to her sons, most abundantly shows. When William was quite young his parents removed to Columbia, on the Ohio, a few miles above Cincinnati, where his early days were spent, in those sports and employments incident to frontier life. When he reached his nineteenth year his thoughts were turned to war. Having two brothers in the army of General Hull, whose base surrender has forever associated his name with an ignominy little less than that which attaches to Arnold, a call was made for volunteers, and the young American joined the company of Captain Stephen Smith, and went forth to try the rigors of the camp and field. Not long after entering the company, the sergeant being disqualified, by sickness, from filling his post, young Raper was chosen to the office. He felt an ambition to fill with honor and bravery the post assigned him, and labored with zeal and diligence to become master of all the arts of war. A day or two before the battle of the Thames, his company was ordered to march up the lake, some fifteen miles, to prevent the landing of the British. The engagement took place during their absence, and the battle was nearly closed before the company arrived on the ground. This circumstance rendered it necessary, as Captain Smith’s company was now the strongest, that it should take charge of the prisoners of war, which had been taken by Commodore Perry and General William Henry Harrison, and bring them to the Newport station. All the officers who ranked above Raper in the company having taken sick, the command devolved upon him. It was a responsible undertaking, but, as the sequel will show, the young officer proved himself adequate to the emergency. The company consisted of one hundred soldiers, and the number of prisoners amounted to four hundred. Every arrangement being made, they commenced their march. On their route it was necessary for them to cross the Black Swamp, which, at that season of the year, was nearly covered with water, which extended for miles through a drear and desolate wilderness. In their march the company became bewildered and lost, and the commander was at his wits’ ends to know what to do. For three days and nights they wandered about in the swamp, without food. The company had become scattered, and on the morning of the third day he found himself with a guard of only twelve men, and about one hundred prisoners. The prisoners, seeing the weakness of the guard, resolved on mutiny, and refused to march, threatening to kill the few who had them in charge. No time was to be lost, and Raper, calling out his men, drew them up in line and commanded them to make ready for the emergency, which they did, by fixing their bayonets and cocking their guns. In this position both parties stood for some time. At length, finding that the prisoners refused all entreaties to march, the commander gave them five minutes to decide, and if; at the expiration of that time, they did not march, he would fire and charge upon them. At the end of each minute he announced the fact, but they would not move. When the last minute had expired the soldiers were commanded to present arms, take aim, and — but before the word fire had escaped his lips, a large Scotch soldier, fresh from the Highlands of his native country, cried, hold! and, stepping aside, asked the privilege of saying a word. The captain asked him if it was for peace. To which he replied in the affirmative. The privilege was granted, and, addressing his fellow prisoners, he said, "We have been taken in a fair fight, and are prisoners, honorably so, and this conduct is disgraceful to our king’s flag, and is not the conduct becoming true soldiers, but disgraceful to ourselves and country." "Now," said he, "I have had no hand in raising this mutiny, and I propose that all who are in favor of behaving themselves as honorable prisoners of war, shall come to me, and we will take the others in hand ourselves, and the American guard shall stand by and see fair play." This speech had the desired effect, and the mutiny was brought to an end without bloodshed.

Raper continued in charge till he delivered them over at Newport, opposite Cincinnati. A few years age we met with an old soldier, one of that company and guard, who told us that Mr. Raper was considered one of the best soldiers and bravest men in the army; that he had seen him under almost every position in which a soldier could be placed, and never saw him evince the least fear. They had among the prisoners two Indians, who, after very severe threatenings, and, indeed, at the point of Raper’s sword, finally led them out of the swamp. That evening they reached a settlement, where they obtained provisions, and, notwithstanding the efforts of the officers, many of the men killed themselves by eating.

After his arrival at Newport with the prisoners, he was offered a commission in the regular army, which he consented to take, provided it was agreeable to the wishes of his mother. Such was his love for her, that he would take no important step without first consulting her. His mother’s answer was characteristic of the noble mothers of that day: "My son, if my country was still engaged in war, and I had fifty sons, I would freely give them all to her service; but, as peace is now declared, and there is no such necessity, as a Christian mother, therefore, I can not consent, for I think something better awaits my son than the mere camp-life of a soldier in time of peace."

We have often heard him speak with gratitude, in view of this advice of his mother, and that he felt it a far greater honor to be a humble minister of Jesus Christ, than to have been at the head of the American army. He, accordingly, declined the commission, and returned to his former occupation, which was that of a tanner. In the spring of 1816 he joined the Church, under Rev. Russell Bigelow, at the house of Judge Ransom, at Newbury, Clermont county, Ohio, and after months of deep penitence, he was converted. Shortly after he assisted in holding meetings in his neighborhood, and the next year was employed by the presiding elder, on what was then called the Miami circuit. In the year 1819 he was received on trial in the traveling connection, at the conference held at Cincinnati, and appointed to Madison circuit, with the Rev. Henry Baker for a colleague. We will give some incidents connected with his early itinerancy. While traveling in Indiana, upon the first visit to one of his appointments, after the meeting was closed, a fine, large man approached him and called him brother, and said, "I knew you the moment I saw you, but I suppose you have forgotten me." Brother Raper told him he did not remember to have ever seen him. "Well, Sir," said the man, "I am the Scotch soldier that made the speech to the prisoners, the morning of the mutiny in the Black Swamp." Their meeting, under such a change of circumstances, was remarked by brother Raper as being very delightful, when he added, "After we were exchanged as prisoners of war, my enlistment terminated. I had been brought to see the justice of the American cause, and the greatness of the country. I determined I would not return to the old country. I commenced working at such labor as I could find. I saved a little money, came to this state, rented some land, and opened a farm. I have joined the Methodist Church, and, praise God! the best of all is, I have obtained religion. And not among the least of my blessings in this new country, I have a fine wife and a noble child. So, come," said he, "dinner will be ready by the time we get home." All other claims from the members had to be set aside this time, and the two soldiers, now as friends and Christians, were permitted to renew their acquaintance. They were ever after fast friends. At another time, having lost the direction on a strange road after night, he crossed at the mouth of a creek, which empties into the Ohio, where it was, perhaps, fifty feet deep, when the Ohio river was very high. The mouth of the creek being full of drift logs and brush, and it being dark, he mistook the drift for a bridge, and went upon it; he thought it was a very shackling kind of a bridge, but passed over, leading his horse, without injury, although, when upon it, he feared his horse would fall through, and knew no better till the next morning, when he was told of his danger by the family, to whose house he had been attracted late in the night, by seeing the light from their cabin window. But for that cabin he would have had to remain all night in the woods, as he had done several times before.

During that year he swam his horse thirty-two times, in order to reach his appointments. On one of these swimming excursions he met with a singular incident. His horse, by some means, became entangled while swimming, and sank, throwing him off. It was a cold morning, little before sunrise; and being incumbered with a great-coat and leggins, he found it very difficult to swim; but, with great effort, he succeeded in catching hold of the limb of a tree, which was hanging over the stream, where he was enabled to rest and hold his head above the water. While thus suspended in the stream, the thought rushed upon him, "Mother is praying for me, and I shall be saved." After thus resting, for a moment or two, he made the effort and got ashore. His horse had also made a safe landing, having the saddlebags on his back all safe. His clothes and books were wet, and himself very much chilled by the early bath. But while this was going on with himself in the stream, his mother, some eighty or a hundred miles distant, that morning awoke suddenly as from affright, when this thought rushed upon her, "William is in great danger;" when she sprang from her bed, and falling on her knees, prayed for some time in intense supplication for his safety, when she received a sweet assurance that all was well. When they met and related the facts, and compared the time and all, they precisely agreed. As a man he was honorable and high-minded. In the language of the Committee on Memoirs, written by one who was a companion with him on the well-fought field of itinerant life.

"Brother Raper’s ministerial qualifications, taken altogether, were far above the medium grade. Blessed with an extraordinary memory, he acquired a very large amount of historical and general information, and possessed the happy art of turning all to good account. Some ministers excel in some things pertaining to their office, and fall behind in others; but brother Raper succeeded well in almost every particular. He was a profound theologian, mighty in the sacred Scriptures, readily perceived the line separating truth and error, and evinced superior logical skill in advocating the one and opposing the other. Under his ministry thousands of souls have enlisted in the cause of Christ, many of whom went before to hail him welcome into everlasting habitations, while others yet follow him as he followed Christ. While this generation lives on earth, he and his labors will be remembered with delight by many both in and out of the Church. Spiritual gifts were conferred on him in great variety. He sang delightfully and usefully, and was highly gifted in prayer and exhortation. He was an eloquent preacher, an able expounder of the word of life, a very judicious administrator of Church discipline, and a faithful and affectionate pastor.

"Whether on a circuit, in a station, or over a district as presiding elder, he appeared to be alike at home, and everywhere useful. His stated ministry was exercised chiefly in Ohio and Indiana; but his connection with several sessions of the General conference, and subsequently with the General Mission Committee, caused him to be well-known about the eastern cities, where he was highly esteemed. Indeed, his amiable social qualities, superior conversational powers, and rich fund of useful incidents, gathered from practical life, not only gained him access, but secured him warm personal friends wherever he went. But few men had more admirers, and none more devoted bosom friends, either lay or clerical, than had brother Raper. It must not be inferred, however, from any thing here stated, that brother Raper never had enemies. No one could expose sin as he did, plainly and fearlessly, without exciting opposition. On one or two occasions, in the earlier part of his ministry, some attempts were made to do violence to his person, if not to take away his life; but the Lord preserved him from harm, and the man who made the most daring attempt upon him was on the same day, by his faithful preaching, awakened, sought and found mercy, and became an acceptable member of the Church. Brother Raper was always disposed to put the best constructions upon the conduct of others, and ever ready to forgive an injury; and now he is where the wicked cease to trouble, and the weary are at rest. In the early part of February, 1852, he accompanied Bishop Morris to Aurora, Indiana, to attend a quarterly meeting and visit his old friends in that place. There he preached his last sermon, with peculiar clearness and effect. On Tuesday, the 10th of February, he started for home, in company with Bishop Morris, on the steamer Forest Queen. He was attacked some the in the night with spasms, and when his condition was discovered by the brother who was in the same room; consciousness was gone. The boat being in port, medical aid was immediately had, and all that human skill could do was done, but to no saving effect. He was carefully and tenderly borne to the bosom of his family, whose feelings we can not attempt to describe, where he expired about half-past six, P. M., surrounded by his affectionate and deeply afflicted family and many sympathizing friends.

"That once beautiful and manly form, upon which we were went to look, now lies in ruins in the charnel-house. But that is not brother Raper — it is only the earthly tabernacle in which he recently sojourned among men. Brother Raper is in heaven, free from all the shackles of mortality. He mingles with the glorified spirits of just men made perfect, enjoying the light and the smiles of the reconciled and pleased countenance of Him who loved him and gave himself for him.

"Let us not confine our thoughts of him to the cold and silent tomb, but let us contemplate him in heaven, in a world of peace and joy above, while his flesh rests in the promise of a glorious resurrection. ’Peace to his ashes!’ May we imitate his virtues, and finally share his triumphs in Christ through eternity!"

He has gone from our midst, after being with us, as a preacher, for thirty-three years, and we shall no more hear his voice in our councils, nor be encouraged by his smiles. We recollect distinctly the last conference which he attended, and deeply impressed upon our mind is the last speech he made to his brethren. He had been afflicted for some time, and his disease was of such a nature as to render him liable, at any moment, to be called away. He addressed his brethren in a few words, in which he took occasion to allude to his sufferings; and, after referring to the many happy seasons spent with his brethren in the ministry, he told them he waited the will of his Master; and if; before another conference, he should be called away, he said, with uplifted eyes and tremulous tongue, "Look up on high and believe I am there." At another time, and still more recently, when it was customary for him to tell his family that they need not be disappointed or alarmed, if he should die before morning, he said to a brother, "I feel like one at a way-station, on the platform, with my trunk packed, waiting for the cars." The chariot of the Lord at length came, and brother Wm. H. Raper ascended to mansions on high. On a lovely spot, in the Wesleyan Cemetery, the hand of affection has reared a beautiful white marble obelisk, as a sacred memento, to tell the passer-by where sleeps the sainted dust of one of Ohio’s best and bravest sons.