CHAPTER 43 CONVERSION OF AN INSPECTOR-GENERAL

CHAPTER 43 CONVERSION OF AN INSPECTOR-GENERAL At the Indian campmeeting, accompanied by her children, was a lady who claimed kindred with the natives of the forest, from the fact that, although her father and husband were white, yet her mother was a native of one of the Indian tribes. She was a most worthy, consistent, and zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and had pitched her tent at the commencement of the meeting. She possessed much of the true Indian character of integrity and perseverance, conjoined with a large share of gentleness and benevolence. Her fidelity and devotion as a wife and mother, beautifully assorted with the entire consecration of her heart to God. In all the religious exercises she took an active part, and her labors and example were particularly beneficial to her Indian sisters in the Lord.

Let us now call your attention to the husband of this devoted woman. Though wicked, unlike the case described in the foregoing chapter, he was not opposed to his wife on account of her religion; but rather assisted than prevented her in the discharge of her religious duties. He had been a major in the militia; but on account of his military skill was promoted to the office of an Inspector-General. We have already seen that he did not accompany his wife to campmeeting, the reason of which was, that at the time he was out on a tour of duty, inspecting the various regiments and companies. As a military man none was more popular; and his social, if not jovial disposition, led him to seek kindred society, and occasionally to partake of the festive cup, and enjoy a game of whist. These indulgences, however, as we have already hinted, were mere episodes in his otherwise temperate and sober life. Would that it were the case with all; but, alas! how few know where, or have the power to stop with only an occasional indulgence in drinking and gaming! He had a respect for religious institutions, and would regularly attend, with his wife, at the log church. When Saturday evening arrived the General directed his course toward the campground, where he arrived dressed in full military costume. But we will leave him for a while in the religions marquee, enjoying the society of his family, and call your attention to a short history of his wife’s family connections. Her father, Ebenezer Zane, in an early day, was taken prisoner by the Indians, and from his home, near Wheeling, Virginia, was removed to the west, where he was adopted by the Wyandott tribe, and raised to follow all the pursuits of an Indian life. A dark eyed, blooming Indian maid won his youthful affections — not by any of those arts of fashionable life, by which too many are decoyed in what are called the circles of refinement, but by a native gentleness, simplicity, and beauty, which needs not foreign adornment and art to captivate. Suffice it to say, the two young and unsophisticated hearts were united; and as the result of this union, and as pledges of its continued purity and genuineness, they were blessed with three sons and four daughters. We have not space to dwell upon their history, only to say that all their daughters, in process of time, married white men. Their names were Reed, McCulloch, and Armstrong — the youngest, as we have already seen, was married to General Long. Two of the sons — Ebenezer, junior, and William — married Indian women, and the third — Isaac — married a white woman This whole family were related to the Zanes at Wheeling, of whom there are some of the descendants still living. The Indian branch of this family were noted for sobriety, honesty, and respectability. They resided on Mad river, where a section of land was granted to them by the Government. The family of which Mrs. Long was a member were all religiously inclined. It was at the house of the younger Ebenezer Zane that the first quarterly meeting was held in the Wyandott nation. Isaac was converted, and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, and continued till his death to exemplify, by his consistent deportment, the Christian profession. We have often heard him, in his broken Indian dialect, tell in love-feast and class meeting the wonders of redeeming grace and dying love. None could listen to the simple and touching recital of his conversion without being deeply affected, and realizing of a truth that he was a child of God.

McCulloch, a brother-in-law, was a faithful and devoted Christian, and died in the triumphs of the Gospel. He left two sons, who followed in the footsteps of their parents. The elder son, Noah, yet lives to serve God and the Church. The younger became a reputable Baptist preacher. Sarah Zane married Robert Armstrong, who was taken prisoner by the Indians when a boy, and reared among the tribe. They had four children, two sons and two daughters, all of whom were sent to the mission school, at Upper Sandusky, when we had charge of the same. Hannah, one of the daughters, was converted while a member of the school. She was one of the most lovely and amiable children we ever knew; but, alas! death, who loves a shining mark, aimed his fatal javelin, and the idol of her parents and our school was smitten. She was just budding into womanhood when arrested by disease. Day after day we saw the bright and beauteous flower fade before us, and we knew she must die. Just before her death her weeping and disconsolate father bent over her couch, and, placing her arm around his neck, she said, "Dear father, do not weep for me, I am going to God and heaven. Angels are waiting to take me home. You and mother, and brother and sisters will soon come after me, and then we shall all be happy forever. Farewell, dear father and mother! My Savior smiles, and bids me come." Then, with the sound of glory on her tongue, her sainted spirit passed away to the land of the blest. That little Indian girl would not have died had beauty and gentleness been a security against the shafts of death. But, as the little prophet said, the father and mother, and the younger son, John McIntire, have gone to join her in heaven. But we must now return to the campmeeting. On Sabbath morning General Long was seen, in full military dress, in the congregation, and excited the attention of all, but more particularly his Indian friends. He was an attentive observer of all that transpired, and listened eagerly to all that was said. Those who knew him best saw, from his clouded brow, and his attempts to rally his spirits, that there was something pressing heavily upon his otherwise joyous and happy mind, and they were not much at a loss in conjecturing the cause. The Spirit of God was evidently at work in his heart. His affectionate wife and Indian friends were constant and earnest in pouring out their supplications in his behalf. His convictions increased, notwithstanding all his efforts to shake them off; and when Monday morning came, he was glad to avail himself of the opportunity his duties afforded in leaving for the muster-field, where companies awaited his inspection. He accordingly mounted his horse, and started; but his Christian friends did not give him up. They knew full well that God was at work upon his heart, and their anxieties were increased in the conviction that a crisis had arrived in his history which would, in all probability, decide his destiny forever. One has said, "There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which taken at the flood leads on to fortune."

Especially is this true in regard to religion. There is a period in the history of every man, when it may be said of him individually, as it was said by the Savior to the scribe, on a certain occasion, "Thou art not far from the kingdom of heaven." When the tide of Divine influence is up and waves of mercy are gathering around, then the soul may start out upon that flood for heaven; but if this influence is resisted, the receding waves will bear away hope and happiness — it may be forever. The General had not proceeded more than two miles on his journey till his feelings became almost insupportable. He was alone, and there being nothing to divert his mind, he was shut up to himself and a horror of darkness came upon him. To go farther he felt it would be impossible. The cords of an irresistible influence seemed to be drawing him back, and having reached their utmost tension he must yield or break that influence forever. He turned his horse in the direction of the camp-ground, and rode rapidly back. When he arrived the congregation were assembled for the purpose of partaking of the holy communion. The elements of bread and wine had been consecrated by holy hands and prayer, and the pastor was inviting the flock to come forward to the rude altar, and participate in the eucharistic feast, which every want supplies. He stood and gazed upon the scene. He saw his beloved wife advance and kneel with the whites and Indians that crowded to their places; and as the minister said, "He that confesseth Jesus before men, shall be acknowledged by him in heaven; while he that denieth him shall also be denied at the judgment of the great day," he felt that he had neither part nor lot in the matter, and that he must forever be separated from his dear wife and the society of all the good, and the scene and associations so affected him that he wept aloud.

After the sacrament was ended the presiding elder addressed the congregation, touchingly alluding to the scenes of Gethsemane and Calvary, which had been presented before them in the passion and death of the Son of God, and concluded by inviting all such as were desirous of fleeing the wrath to come, and of being saved from their sins, to come forward, and kneel at the altar and pray for pardon. Scarcely had he ceased till anxious souls in large numbers pressed to this mercy-seat. The General was standing, in full military costume, at rest, with one hand upon the stake that supported the altar-railing. His feelings were wrought up to the highest point of excitement, and unable any longer to restrain his emotion, which was raging with earthquake violence within his soul, he exclaimed, with a loud but tremulous voice, "Quarters! quarters! My God, quarters! I yield;" and then fell his whole length upon the ground. He was soon surrounded by the godly, and borne into the altar. The excitement produced by this demonstration, among the whites and Indians, was tremendous; and when they all fell upon their knees there went up such a storm of prayer as rent the very heavens. The General wept, and groaned, and prayed for the space of two hours, with a fervency that few ever prayed before. He was a shrewd, intelligent Yankee — descendant of the Puritans — and many were astonished at the appropriateness of his language in supplicating mercy. But see! he ceases to pray, and quick as spark from smitten steel, the blessing descends! Hark! A shout, "Glory; glory!" in loud, full bursts, escapes from his lips. "Where am I?" said the converted man. "I never saw so beautiful a place in all my life before." In an instant his wife, who alone had been pouring out her heart to God in her husband’s behalf, was at his side, praising God for redeeming grace. They embraced with an affection they never knew before; for they were now one in Jesus. His Indian and white friends turned their prayers into praises, and united with the angelic throng, "Whose hymns of joy proclaimed through heaven The triumphs of a soul forgiven."

He was greeted by the warm-hearted chief Mononcue, who embraced him, and said, in broken English, "My brother, you must now fight for King Jesus." After his joy had somewhat subsided he found Judge lying in the altar, upon his face, weeping. Approaching him he said, "Judge, is this you? Get up and pray with all your might; you will never obtain the blessing of pardon lying there. Get up and pray with all your heart, and God will bless you." The next day the General started for the muster-field. The officers had heard that he was converted, and had joined the Church. Many of them were not a little annoyed at the intelligence; and though they no doubt secretly felt that he had done right, and wished themselves in his condition, yet they resolved to put his religious fit, as they called it, to an end, at least to test the genuineness and strength of his profession. They had to this end prepared a fine dinner, with the accompaniments of wine, music, and cards. When the time for recess came he was ushered into a room decorated with national flags, evergreens, and flowers, where a sumptuous dinner was spread. Scarcely had he taken his seat before an officer — for whom the General had a great regard — approached him with a flowing glass, which he presented, saying, "My dear General, you must be greatly fatigued with the arduous duties of the day; take a little wine, it will strengthen you." "No, my dear Colonel," said he, "not one drop shall pass my lips." By this time the eyes of all the officers were turned in that direction. It was the first trial, but nobly he met it. Raising his voice he said, "Fellow-officers and gentlemen, yesterday God, for Christ’s sake, pardoned my sins, and I have sworn allegiance to the King of heaven. By this oath I will live, and by it I will die; and now let me say, in all kindness, unless you repent of your wickedness you must perish in your sins; and here I most cordially invite you all to go with me this evening to the campmeeting, that there you may seek religion." Then, espying a pack of cards on an adjoining table, he added, "Nor will I ever throw another card, by the grace of God, as long as I live." These announcements, though by some anticipated, yet to others were like claps of thunder in a clear sky. That dinner was eaten in silence, and not a drop of wine was drank or a card shuffled, and the hour passed away in peace and quietness. The General lived many years a consistent and devoted member of the Church, adorning the doctrines of God, his Savior; and as a soldier of the cross, when he came to die, he was enabled to say, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which God, the righteous Judge, shall give me."

Many were the converts at that campmeeting, and the day of eternity will show, that of the whites and Indians who there embraced religion, the work was as genuine and lasting as that which characterized the conversion of General Long.