JT-05-1811

1811

Thence I went three days through a poor and thinly inhabited part of the country--suffering a day’s rain, crossing Green river, and many other rapid streams; some of which were full, and dangerous to be crossed. I came to brother I. Reed’s, a Christian preacher, from Virginia, who lived near Kentucky river. With him I was refreshed. He introduced me among the Christian brethren. I preached almost every day, and sometimes twice in a day, in those regions, and frequently to large congregations, where I saw many happy brethren, and many weeping mourners, and some who professed to be born again. Thence I went to Lexington, and held meeting at brother Edes’.

January 13th, 1811, I held meeting at Mount Tabor and Bethel meeting houses. At Tabor the people were dull and lifeless. I preached at brother I. Elmore’s, a Christian preacher, with whom I had been acquainted in Virginia, and with whom, in his own house, I had often taken sweet counsel. I continued to preach in Lexington, and in the regions round, until March 22d. During this time, I saw the work of the Lord revive in several places, and a number of souls professed to be born of God, through the instrumentality of my feeble labors.

March 22d, I bade farewell to my friends in Lexington, and started to Cane Ridge. At Cane Ridge meeting house, and about there, I held several meetings to large and deeply affected audiences. This place is sacred and memorable, in my estimation, because the people who now are called " Christians," for the first in the west, here discarded all human catechisms, confessions of faith, doctrines and disciplines of men, and publicly declared themselves, henceforth, to be known, as a religious body, by no other name than that of Christian, and to take the Scriptures only, for their rule of faith and practice. From this place I went on and preached a few times in and about Concord meeting house. Here I saw some remarkable instances of the jerks, Thence I started for Fleming county, and traveled all day in an incessant rain. When I came to Licking river, it was very full and rapid. While crossing in a boat, she struck a stump, which stroke split a plank of the boat, and the water began to run into her, but we narrowly escaped sinking, by arriving at the shore just before she filled. I put up at one of the brethren’s near Flemingburgh. Next day I preached in the neighborhood, where we had a happy and memorable time. Thence, on Cabin creek. On the Ohio river, I preached several times. Here the spirit of the Lord was marvelously among the people. Some were convicted of their sins, and two professed to have the love of God shed abroad in their hearts.

I crossed the Ohio river, and preached on Eagle creek, and at West Union. Thence I made for Clear creek. My road was uninhabited till I came to New Market. Soon after passing this place, night overtook me. My road was muddy, the night was dark, and I found no house to stop at, till late in the night. I came into Hillsborough, and put up with a Quaker, who used me kindly. Next morning, I went to brother G. Wilson’s on Clear creek. I preached in his house and in the neighborhood. I preached in Hillsborough. The audience was deeply affected, some of the Methodists shouted, and sinners wept. Thence I preached at brother Gibson’s.

April 19th, I started to return to the Ohio river again, by the way of West Union. This day I traveled a solitary road, and a concurrence of circumstances turned my meditations on the subject of the origin of the Devil. I inquired how he came? I thought on the popular opinion--that he was once all angel of light, and probably one of the highest order. To this I answered, if he once were an angel of light, &c., the highest created celestial being was peaceable, and, of course, not in a secure state. Again, I could not account how temptation could be introduced to, or sin be committed by a pure, perfect, and glorified spirit. I also thought, that if sin affected the breast of this angel, or angels, while in heaven, it must have had a similar effect in the heavenly world, to that which it produced on our earth when introduced in Eden. This would make a hell of heaven. I thought of the passages that favored this doctrine. Jude 6, Isaiah 14:12, 13, 14. From the context of these passages, I concluded the one in Isaiah alluded to the king of Babylon, and the one in Jude, to the man of sin, or those who spake great swelling words. Again, where there is no law there is no transgression; and sin is a transgression of the law. How a pure spirit, the immediate emanation of God, could have a law, or what kind of a law could be given them, was utterly beyond my reach to understand. My thoughts transported we beyond myself, and for the moment I sunk into a maze of skepticism. I asked what is the Almighty? Is my existence real or imaginary? I stopped my horse. I was on the regions of despair.

I felt miserable! Lamenting my condition, in full confidence that there is a God, I cried, Lord save me. My hope returned, and my doubts fled away. Coming to myself, I became afraid I might destroy myself. Having no weapon but a penknife, I took it from my pocket and threw it into the woods! I thought of these words, "Thy God whom thou servest continually, is able to deliver thee;" which gave me great comfort. Temptations and gloomy prospects continued to depress my mind during the day. In the evening I held meeting in West Union, but I felt embarrassed and confused. I slept but little during the night. I rose at the dawn of day, and walked to the woods. I viewed the spacious firmament, which was clear and tranquil, richly decked with her thousand stupendous orbs of light. I saw the orient beams of day, gild the eastern horizon, and with inimitable beauty irradiate the western sky. The scene struck me with amazing conviction. Here is the Mighty God exhibited throughout his boundless empire! The birds awoke from their slumbers, and with varied notes tuned their early anthems to the coming day. Innocence and joy seemed to sound through all the surrounding woods. My mind emerged from her gloom. My soul was overwhelmed with gratitude and love. With inexpressible raptures I mingled my song with the warblers of the grove, and sang:

"When we are raised from deep distress,
Our God deserves a song,
We take the pattern of our praise
From Hezekiah’s tongue." This was it joyful morning, and one to me, never to be forgotten. From this place I went on, and preached at Eagle creek. Here the Lord displayed his love in the redemption of one soul, and in the conviction of two others, who presented themselves as mourners; for, and with whom we prayed. After meeting, as I was riding on the bank of the Ohio, a thunder storm came on, and a flash of lightning, my horse frightened and threw me off him. Not being dangerously hurt, I caught him, and in the midst of the rain and hail, I came to a small cabin and took shelter. After the shower, I crossed the river, and held meeting at candlelight on the Kentucky shore, at a house where a sick woman lay, apparently nigh unto death. In this audience there was rejoicing and weeping. Thence I preached at Cabin creek, where there was an old sinner convicted, and be desired that prayer should be made for him. Christians rejoiced and sinners mourned. Thence I crossed the Ohio--preached twice on Eagle creek. Then went on and preached at West Union. From there to Brush creek and preached several times, and on Sunfish. People are but thinly settled here, and have but little preaching. I did not see much sign of my being profitable to them. I returned to Clear creek, and held meeting at I. Kirkpatrick’s (a Christian preacher) and on Sunday at the meeting house nearby. We had a happy time.

Thence I started for the Scioto country. The second day, I preached at the house of a Methodist, near a place called Oldtown. Thence I came to brother Wilson’s. I preached at his house to a few people. Several miles front this place, I attended a meeting, in conjunction with it young Methodist preacher, by the name of Bascomb, now the orator. His sermon contained some gross inconsistencies, and some cutting reflections against the profession to which I belonged. I endeavored to rectify his mistakes--a controversy ensued. We ended about where all such fruitless contentions end--where we began! Thence I preached at the widow Wolf’s, on North Paint, where the exercise of the people was marvelous in my eyes. May 2d. From this place I directed for my appointment on Deer creek, near where Yankeetown is now known. In this day’s travel, I was delighted with the face of the country called the barrens. The extensive plains, clothed with living verdure, variegated with wild flowers of every tint and hue, while the rich perfume of the blooming roses, is wafted on the wings of every passing zephyr, prompted in me an enthusiasm of pleasure, but rarely felt. At night I preached to a few people. Next day I preached lower down the creek. After meeting I went to brother Alkier’s, a Christian preacher. Near his house I held a two day’s meeting in an unfinished meeting house, on the bank of Deer creek. May 6th. In the morning I prepared and started on my way for Philadelphia. In going a few miles, I lost my way and wandered in the barrens for some hours, but falling in at a cabin, I was directed towards the Pickaway Plains. I presently came to the Scioto, and crossed it at Westfall, and went through the Plains--a delightful prospect. I put up and tarried all night in New Lancaster. The next evening I tarried in Zanesville, on Muskingum river, and held meeting in the Court house. On the next day, at 10 o’clock, I held meeting in the same place. Thence I went on several days. One evening a man followed me some distance with a gun. By his manner I apprehended he designed mischief against me. He left the road and took the woods; but as far as I could see him, he partly kept the, direction of the road. Shortly after he was out of my sight. I came to a creek, it was then it little dark. While my horse was drinking, I thought I heard a gun snap. I whipped up my horse, went over the creek, and ascended a small hill. I then saw the man coming through the woods towards me. I then dismounted my horse, gave him a stroke with my whip, and sent him on in a trot. I then went towards the man and hailed him as a friend. I told him I was a preacher, a stranger, &c., and, as I was almost run out of money, I wished him to tell me where I could find a religious man’s house to stay during the night. He pretended to tell me. I then bid him adieu, and went on. He came into the road, and went back towards his home. Getting out of sight, I ran to overtake my horse; for I was yet afraid that he might take a nigh turn, and overtake me again. I came up to my horse, mounted, and rode him with speed fur some distance. I found my road kept a pretty straight direction, and presently thought myself out of danger. I traveled, I thought, ten miles and came to a house, where I tarried for the night. May 11. I started in the rain, and the rain fell incessantly during the day, and I became wet and cold. In the afternoon, I put up at an inn, and called for something warm to eat. The two women of the house soon fell into conversation with me. I found they had been brought up Presbyterians. While dinner was preparing for me, the young woman asked me if I were a professor of religion? I answered yes. She asked me of what denomination. I did not tell her, but told her to guess. She tried, but did not guess right. She then said she did not believe I had religion, but I will know, said she, when dinner comes on; for if you are a religious man, you will surely say grace. Dinner came on, I sat down and began to eat, without saying grace, as they could hear. In a short time, I asked her if she thought I could preach? Preach! said she, you can preach about as much as I can. Said I, if you will get the liberty of this house for me, I will try what I can do at it. She asked the landlord for the house--he seemed to be as fond of the joke (as they thought) as she was, and granted the house, and immediately sent off a boy to tell the people to come to preaching, to-morrow at 12 o’clock. After the boy was gone, she said to me, are you not sorry? Not much, said I. Before I repaired to bed, I asked leave to pray. In prayer the young woman was brought under conviction, and constrained to weep. After prayer, I exhorted her, and pointed out her salvation in the great Redeemer. Next day the people gathered, and I preached to them. When I started from the place, the young woman promised to seek the Savior till she found him.

Thence I went on, crossed the Ohio river, and preached in Canonsburg. Thence through Pittsburgh--I preached in Bedford Court house, Pennsylvania. May 24th, I arrived in Philadelphia. I put up with John Hunter, Esq., deacon in the Christian society. An appointment was made for me, at their meeting house, that evening, at candlelight. Before meeting came on, Elias Smith and John Gray, from New England, arrived. I preached to an attentive audience. On the next evening, I heard E. Smith preach. I preached during several days in different places in the city. Two souls professed religion, and were joined to the church.

Thence I went into the great Valley, (so called) in Chester county, Penn. I hold several meetings there, and met much opposition from Sectarians. Here I became acquainted with R. Pucheon, a Christian preacher.

Thence I went into Delaware above Newport. I preached with success--souls were awakened, and some forsook their creeds and disciplines, and promised to take the Scriptures or their rule. From this place I went and preached in Newark, Christiana, Elton, Charleston, at Susquehanna river, Haverdegrace, and in Port Penn. Thence I returned to Newport--held several meetings, and the work of the Lord continued to revive. I then went on to Philadelphia by the way of Wilmington and Old Chester. In the city, I found the work of the Lord prospering, among the Christian people, and members were added to them.

I now became acquainted with a young man by the name of R. F. Ferguson, who related to me his experience, and the manner in which the Lord was calling him to preach the gospel. I heard him in exhortation. I thought he might be useful. I informed him, if he would turn out to the work of an Evangelist, I would sell my saddle, &c., and purchase a gig, in which I would give him a seat, and take him with me through the country. He promised to do so, when his apprenticeship would expire. This would be about the following Christmas.

I traveled and preached in different places in Pennsylvania and Delaware, and in Philadelphia, to average more than once a day, until September. During which time, I suffered much persecution, and many lonesome and disconsolate feelings, cause I was sometimes destitute and in want. In this time I was baptized by immersion in the river Schuylkill, and ordained an elder of the Church of Christ in the city of Philadelphia.

Having purchased a double-seated gig, I made ready to start towards the South. My farewell sermon was appointed to be in our meeting house, in the city. We had a weeping time, yet many of us rejoiced in spirit, in hope that we should meet again, where parting is not known.

September 20th. In the morning, brother R. Ferguson and I concluded that he should meet me in Alexandria, (D. C.) about the ensuing New Year, in order to travel with me to preach the gospel. I left the city in the company of E. S. to attend a union meeting in Virginia. We preached in Newport, Delaware, at night. After we crossed Susquehanna river, my horse tired. E. S. was riding in my gig with me. He left me with my tired horse on the road, and took passage in a hack to Baltimore. With difficulty, I passed on to Alexandria. Thence I went into Fairfax county, Va., about Fall’s church, and held meeting. Here I had two dollars given me. This took me to Fredericksburg, where I held meeting. Thence to Dickinson’s Chapel, where we held our union meeting. Here, I saw among many other preachers, Z. Holloway, and M. Barrett, my gospel children. From this meeting, I returned to Alexandria and to Fairfax, where, especially, about Fall’s church, I had some precious and soul reviving meetings.

About the 16th of October, I went forward to Shenandoah county. On the 19th I arrived at Wm. Smith’s, on Cedar creek. My road was exceeding muddy; my horse was poor and small. Twice I had to prize my gig out of the mire. My money gave out, and I had to beg a night’s lodging at an inn. I preached at Smith’s, Boehm’s, and in Stoverstown, to large audiences. At Boehm’s I held a communion, and introduced washing of feet among the brethren. The work of the Lord prospered. Near Stoverstown I baptized eight persons, in the presence of a weeping multitude.

Thence I went to Winchester, and preached in the Presbyterian meeting house. From this place I went on, and preached on the 3d Sunday in November, at Mr. Rittenour’s, to a few people, not much softer than stones. Here, for the first time, I saw her, who afterwards became my wife. Thence I preached in Shenandoah, in different places, till the first of December. I then returned to Fairfax county. I held meetings in different places till the 23d. I then went to Alexandria. I left word with a friend, that when R. F. Ferguson came on, he should be directed to find me at brother Gunnel’s, in Fairfax.

December 26th, brother F. came to me. We tarried in the neighborhood eight days, and preached at several places, and saw some appearances that good was done in the name of the Lord. Brother F. is now only an exhorter. Thence we returned for Shenandoah. The third day we suffered extremely by the cold winds, ice and snow. After traveling thirty miles, sometime in the night we came to M. Rittenour’s, in Frederick county, hungry, weary, and almost frozen. The family was very kind, and the affectionate attention paid me by Christiania, created in me a fond attachment.